Love Note from the Lake: April 2021
Isn’t this lovely?
It’s called Frost Creek and runs near enough to our back yard that we can hear it in the evenings. Luna and I walk here pretty much every day. Hopefully by next month’s newsletter, everything will be a lot greener!
Sunset Bay Sanctuary $0.99 SALE
“Fans of… Susan Wiggs and Debbie Macomber will find that Sunset Bay hits the spot.” –Booklist ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My publisher told me about the sale, but I have no idea how long it will last, so don’t delay!
Montana Dawn $0.99 SALE
To turn the embattled family ranch into a mustang sanctuary, Carson needs a miracle. He’s got no time for an unexpected renter that sees too much. Rory senses Carson’s pain but she’s got her own secrets. Her unique ability with animals fascinates him. But he won’t be distracted. Then she makes an offer he can’t refuse… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “… a tale rich with off the charts sizzling chemistry, intense emotions, and endearing characters…” – Eileen Wells, Amazon
Vivian Award Finalist!
My Love Note for today goes out to Robin Bielman. Many of you already know Robin as the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of contemporary romance. But did you know she recently finalled in the Vivian, Romance Writers of America’s top writing award? Her book HEARTTHROB, (Tule Publishing), is shortlisted in the Contemporary Mid-Length category. Robin is one of the first friends I made in this industry. We both published our first romance novels in the same imprint of the same publisher, in the same year and connected online through the process. Then we met in person at a publishing retreat in Las Vegas. Here’s us, about to enter the Goretorium, a “horror” show on the Las Vegas strip. We screamed, we laughed, we stumbled through the dark, laughing and screaming… Robin is up for anything, one of the funnest, sunniest people I’ve ever met, always with a kind word of encouragement. Her books are wonderful – no surprise, given her talent and work ethic. I’m so happy for her and HEARTTHROB! Q: What do you get more of, when you give it away?A: Love, of course. Joy. Happiness. Who’s made a difference in your life? It doesn’t have to be big. Maybe it’s the check-out person at the grocery store who always has a smile for you, even behind the mask, or the friend who only posts flattering pictures of you on Instagram, even though she’s got them all and more importantly, she’s not afraid to use them. Next time you see them, tell them. Be specific. I promise, it’ll make you both feel like a million bucks. Then, if you want, hop over to my Facebook Group and share the experience. Maybe you’ll inspire someone, and then they’ll inspire someone… and together we make our world a better place. Finally, here’s Robin and another pal, Samanthe Beck, giving me moral support at my first big signing… when the publisher forgot to order my books. (Don’t worry, they made it up to me, and the support I got from other authors was epic. <3) |
Need Last Minute Gift Ideas?
I am proud and relieved to say that I finished my Christmas shopping last week! I know, no land speed record; some folks are done in November. My mother-in-law was done in September one year. We’re friends anyway.
So I’m not in a mad panic. But I know some of you probably are. Life gets in the way. For us, this year, the weather has gotten in the way! I’m not scared of snow – hello, I took my drivers test in a snowy November in Saskatchewan – but BC snow truly is different. Plus, we live on a mountain and I drive a little, fair-weather car that gets spinny at the first sign of snow. Good thing I work from home!
Anyway, for those of you still needing to check off some lists, I found some great deals for you. Order online, get them delivered! Sounds perfect to me! For instance: Save up to 30% on Chocolate, Gift Baskets and Party Treats! The one that caught my eye? Lindt chocolates, my favorites for half price! There may be some of these under our tree too. Wait. No. We have dogs. (FYI: Activated charcoal and projectile vomiting is not a fun way to spend Christmas.)
Speaking of chocolate, have you read the latest in our Love at the Chocolate Shop series? Montana Secret Santa (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 3) by Debra Salonen, is the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit!
One final suggestion: KeySmart – Compact Key Holder (2-10 Keys, Black) I *may* have ordered a few of these myself. They *may* arrive in time.
Wherever you’re at with your shopping and whatever the weather looks like in your world, don’t forget to enjoy the season!
Cheers and best wishes for a wonderful Christmas!
PS: right now, all new subscribers to my newsletter list will get a copy of my USA Today bestselling holiday novella, A Sweet Montana Christmas.
Handbags and Drama
Handbags and Drama
Anyone else here addicted to handbags… and drama?
We recently visited with friends who have a very large, beautiful house, with the best walk-in closet and laundry room I’ve ever seen. I confess, I had storage-envy after seeing their place.
And I immediately recognized another bag-lover. Not only does my friend has a long shelf in her closet devoted to her handbags, but she also has another floor-to-ceiling cupboard in their laundry room to house those shoes and bags she uses less often. I LOVE it!
Recently, after having my credit card compromised, I’ve become a fan of Travelon Anti-Theft bags, with RFID protection. I’ve got one in red, and I love it. We hope to do more traveling in the coming years, and security is kind of a big deal for me. Also, since I just finished writing another book, I figure I deserve a bit of bag-shopping as a reward. Right?
I wear a lot of black, so red often works. But not always. I’m currently looking for a similar bag, but in a different color. This one, maybe? I love purple and I like the water bottle pockets. Not sure about the front compartment though.
For years, I was hooked on Derek Alexander bags. They’re an entirely different kind of bag, leather, elegantly designed, and fairly pricey, so I can’t indulge myself much on these. But this is one of the best organizer bags I’ve ever had. I find I need more room now, though.
Sometimes I wish I had a cute little bag for when you’re going out and you only need to bring keys, a credit card, tissues and lip balm. A friend of mine has an adorable Kate Spade mini-bag that looks something like this:
Isn’t this so pretty?
Right now, I’m leaning towards this one. All the Travelon security of my red bag, in color that will work with my blue-green-checked winter coat. What do you think? What’s your favorite bag?
PS: I almost forgot the family drama! I read this New York Times bestseller The Breakdown Lane by Jacqueline Mitchard years ago and loved it. Jodi Picoult says, “Reading just doesn’t get any better than this.” Publisher’s Weekly calls it a “no-holds-barred family drama.” It’s available in digital format now, and I’m getting it to reread on my Kindle. Anyone else remember this book?
PPS: the book I just finished writing is called The Chocolate Cure part of the Love at the Chocolate Shop series. There’s family drama here, too, though it’s the kind that makes you smile, not the kind that makes you want to stab yourself in the eye. In case you’re interested, it’s available January 4, 2017.