Who's Your Beachbunny? by Nancy Fraser

 

Silly me. I thought doing a column on the history of swimsuits would be fun ... and easy. Boy was I wrong! I discovered far more weird facts than this brain can hold. Here are just a few:

Through the "classical" and "middle" ages ... swimming was done in the nude. No shame or embarrassment allowed. However, if sports were involved, women were expected to wear suits that held their bouncing assest in place and looked very similar to today's styles.

It was close to the end of the 17th century when the "bathing gown" was created, a floor-length chemise style dress that covered the wearer from neck to ankle with full sleeves. However, these gowns were only required of women. Men still got to swim in buff, if they so chose.

It wasn't until the beginning of the 19th century that men were required to wear clothing when appearing in public. Fortunately for women, by the middle of the century, designers in Paris had shortened the length of the gown, removed the sleeves, and even added pantaloons for comfort.

Sunbathing, whether you swam or not, became popular in the 1920s, with far more revealing swimwear and the first commercial production of what is now known as sunscreen. By the 1930s, men started taking it off again and swimming bare chested with tighter swim trunks.

Also by the 1930s, two-piece swimsuits--the precursor to the bikini--were the norm for women, especially among the models and actresses in Hollywood.

The first bikinis appears shortly after the end of World War II. The name "bikini" came from "Bikini Atol" (the site of several nuclear tests) because of their explosive effect on the viewer.

The first Speedo (heaven help us) came about in the 1950s, but were made of wool. They changed to nylon in the 1960s. Then, in 1970, elastane was added to standard suits to create a more efficient garment for the Olympics.

**Weird Alert** In 1985, a designer by the name of Gernreich invented the 'pubikini' to--you guessed it--show off pubic hair. Gross!

**More Weird** In 2005, there was backlash against designer Ondade Mar and Victoria's Secret for decorating their tankinis with Buddhist iconography.

Thankfully, by the end of the first decade of the 21st century most designs had returned to some semblance of normal (as long as you don't count that gosh awful sling-looking thing men are wearing). I mean ... really ... where is the loose end attached anyway???

Personally, I'm quite attached to my one piece swimsuit and terry cover up, thank you. And, of course a good book to entertain me!

Speak of which...

Available Everywhere!

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the rest of your summer! Bathing suit or not.

Nancy

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April Showers as art, by Peggy Jaeger

Weird title for a post, right?
Hee hee.

This month's theme, APRIL SHOWERS, hits home for me in a big way.

First, I love the rain. In any form. The more torrential the rain, the louder the thunder, the blacker the sky gets, and the brighter the lightning, and I am a happy camper. I know...weird. Maybe I was a meteorologist in a former life. Who knows. But rain, simply, does it for me.

I adore cozying up in one of my big comfy chairs during a rainy day with a book, a pot of tea, and cookies. Lots of cookies. With a blanket I've crocheted over my lap, and sometimes even a fire roaring if I can convince hubby to make one, and I am hard-pressed to find a more relaxing, joyful way to spend a few hours.

So what's this all got to do with the title of my post? Let me 'esplain.

Several years ago, I wrote the fourth book in my MacQuire Women series, THE VOICES OF ANGELS. The book was a prequel to my first romance, SKATER'S WALTZ. When it came time to let the art designer at Wild Rose Press know what I was looking for in a book cover, I had something tangible to show her for the first time. I'd once spied a very famous photograph in an art museum devoted to photography that I fell in love with. I always remembered the picture because I knew, someday, I was going to write a story based on it. And I did, hee hee!

I sent the cover artist a copy of the picture and told her the theme and vibe I was going for was something like it:

This is the book cover she came up with:






Isn't that divine!!!

It's exactly what I wanted. We didn't even tweak it. The moment she sent it to me I said YES! That's the one.

On a funny side note, my friend Jill found a mug for me right after the book was published and sent it to me because it reminded her of the cover:






There's an important storyline in THE VOICES OF ANGELS concerning severe Spring storms. My heroine, Carly Lennox, is terrified of storms due to a child trauma concerning one. When she and my hero Mike Woodard, are engulfed in a severe storm on the way to her farm, all Mike wants to do is comfort Carly. He comes to the realization that he wants to comfort her for the rest of his life, if she'll only let him into her heart.

I detailed the storm and Carly's reaction to it over several pages. Unlike me, she is paralyzed with fear when the rain and thunder start. And, luckily, she lets Mike soothe away her fear.

So that's where the title for the blog came from. Art karma led to cover karma that led to a tea cup karma! Heehee

If you're interested in learning about the VOICES OF ANGELS and all the MacQuire Women books, check out my Amazon page. Here's a little about TVOA:
Love is the last thing Carly Lennox is looking for when she sets out on her new book tour. The independent, widowed author is content with a life spent writing and in raising her daughter. When newscaster Mike Woodard suggests they work on a television magazine profile based on her book, Carly’s thrilled, but guarded. His obvious desire to turn their relationship into something other than just a working one is more than she bargained for.

Mike Woodard is ambitious, and not only in his chosen profession. He wants Carly, maybe more than he’s ever wanted anything or anyone else. As he tells her, he’s a patient man. But the more they’re together, Mike realizes it isn’t simply desire beating within him. Carly Lennox is the missing piece in his life. Getting her to accept it-and him-may just be the toughest assignment he’s ever taken on.


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Until next time, Kids ~ enjoy your month ~Peg

Fickle Readers? Fickle Authors? Far Too Many Hunky Heroes! by Nancy Fraser

Time and again I've heard readers say how easy it was to fall in love with their latest book boyfriend. The same goes for the author as well.

I'm just not sure if that makes us fickle, or just easily persuaded by an intelligent, handsome, sometimes perfect, sometimes flawed man. Either way, I'm all for reading about, or creating, a man who every woman will fall in love with.

Later this month, the third book in my Love's a Gamble series comes out ... with another hunky hero. This one a bit more stubborn than the first two, but still perfect!

One of the bloggers who has been a constant on tours for both of the first two books -- giving them 5-star reviews -- just finished reading the third book in preparation for that upcoming tour. She sent me an email that said (and I quote) -- "I feel like such a three-timer. First I was in love with Matt, then head-over-heels for Jake. Now, it's Zack who's stolen my heart. You're either killing me, or turning me into a wanton woman reader!"

Can an author get any higher praise than turning her reader into a wanton woman?? I really hopes she shares that quote when she posts her review of the third book. LOL

I've often wondered if readers have a "type" that they gravitate to before they fall in love with the character. A favorite personality trait? A certain profession? A physical trait perhaps?

I admit it, I've got my favorite types. I have no set personality trait, other than kindness and intelligence. While a certain level of perfection is necessary, it's not required. As a matter of fact, in my current work-in-progress, I've proably created my most flawed hero ever, both emotionally and physically. And, guess what? I'm already in love.

As for my hero's profession, I tend to stick to three or four that I can address with some degree of intelligence. I'm extremely partial to professors, architects, lawyers, and military/lawmen (either historical or in the here and now).

Physical is where I get stuck in a true rut. I have a preference, for both the heroes I read about, and those I write about. Tall (definitely), medium to dark brown hair (sorry, all you blonds and redheads out there), and either chocolate brown eyes or blue (if the hair is really dark). My heroes also have a certain rougish/rough quality about them. Which is probably why I'm not a fan of of the usual Regency era heroes--they're just too foppish for me. I may be the only woman alive who doesn't find the Bridgerton men sexy or emotionally appealing. However...give me a rakish Duke who rolls up his sleeves and talks dirty and I'm a happy woman!

So, who is my next hero ... and which of my favored traits does he possess?

Well, other than the third McAlister man, who you will meet later this month, I also have a short story coming this month from The Wild Rose Press. Teach Me is the third book in my Lusty Liaisons series of quick erotic romance reads. Here's a peek:

Med student Jayne Willis is devastated when she's stood up for a date arranged by hookup service Lusty Liaisons. Really, who stands up someone willing to have sex?

Widowed professor Noah Gallagher's chance encounter at a hotel bar with an alluring young woman is unexpected but might be just what he needs. He's on the last leg of a cross-country trip prior to returning to the university, ready to start a new chapter in his life.

One lonely widower looking to reconnect plus one beautiful, albeit inexperienced, young woman equals one hot night. Will she get an A in lovemaking, and will he get a hall pass back to life?

P.S.: He's also tall, with dark hair peppered with a touch of gray, and very considerate and intelligent. AND, he has those soulful chocolate brown eyes.

And, of course there's a trailer:

I'll be back again on the 17th to share book three in the Love's a Gamble series, along with some hilarious research finds! Until then, stay safe, stay happy, stay well read.

Nancy

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Beauty Sleep or Sleeping Beauty? by Connie Vines

Beauty Sleep, what I wouldn't give for a good night's sleep.  How many times have we uttered those very words during our adult life?

Rodeo Romance

Remember the luxury of childhood, when you could fall into a deep sleep--any time, any place?

What we learned as children from the Sleeping Beauty Fairytale:

Filled with jealousy, the evil witch Maleficent curses Princess Aurora to die on her 16th birthday. Thanks to Aurora's guardian fairies, she only falls into a deep sleep that can be ended with a true-love's kiss (from her betrothed, Prince Phillip ). To prevent Phillip from rescuing Aurora, Maleficent kidnaps and imprisons him. The good fairies are the last hope to free Phillip so that he can awaken Aurora.

This is not restorative sleep. Nor does it hold the key to longevity that woman (and people in general)  strive to attain. For most of my adult life I've managed to function on six-or-less hours of sleep each night.

Was it a subconscious fear (Sleep Beauty Syndrome)? Naw.  It was just reality and obligations crowding out the remints of a childhood sleep pattern.

I found myself reading articles and even interviews given by famous and not-so-famous people. Why? because my doctor help harping, "you need to have 7 - 9 hours of sleep each night."

I promised I'd try.  

He didn't believe me (I could tell). He wrote down the amount of Vitamin D and C I needed to take daily and scheduled me for a return visit.

What did I learn in my research? 

Betty White is a 98 year-old actress and comedian whose career has spanned 80 years. In promoting sleep she says, "Get at least 8 hours of beauty sleep, nine if you're ugly."

Pinterest Meme

"The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life One Night at a Time" by Arianna Huffington (Harmony Books, 2017).  Sleep is considered an important part of our routine and is essential for survival, as are food and water. Recent research suggests that sleep has a housekeeping roll by removing toxins in our brain that accumulate when we are awake. For older adults, less than seven hours of sleep a night generally is considered insufficient. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine refers to a study by UCLA researcher who discovered that "just a single night of insufficient sleep can make older adult's cells age quicker.

Betty White was right! (No woman volunteers to become ugly).  

8 hours of sleep?  

Since I hadn't even hit the 7 mark, this was going to be a difficult milestone.

No coffee after dinner. 

No writing until 2:00 AM. 

No late night news programs, or crime shows.

Little by little (15 minutes each week), I was able to almost make 7 hours.

Do I feel better? 

Yes.

Can I inch my way up to 8 hours each night, maybe.

How about you?

Are you sleeping the recommended 8 hours each night?  

If so, what's you secret? 

Or are you making it a goal for 2021?

Do you need a little help?

Here's something I discovered:

Chocolate also contains tryptophan, which stimulates serotonin and melatonin. And serotonin and melatonin are believed to help sleep.

Yay! This is the preverbal carrot at the end of the stick.

And here's an easy recipe: 

Heaven in a Crockpot

Prep time: 20 mins. Cook time: 200 mins. on low

(I use a crockpot liner so this doesn't stick). Thought a non-stick cooking spray may work well.

1 box of Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix

1/2 cup of melted butter

4 eggs

1 pouch of Betty Crocker Chocolate Cookie Mix (also tried Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Mix)

Cream all together  (I added a little water because I thought it was too thick). Scrape the edges of the bowl to make certain it's well combines.  Spoon into crockpot.

The end result is a hot, gooey, lava-cake-like dessert.  

I spooned into individual (small) Mason jars to cool and store in the fridge.

You can top with ice cream, if desired.

And, yes, it does help you sleep.

 

Sleep well. Eat well. 

Indulge in a Romance Novel and Chocolate both soothe the soul and bring that touch of magic back into your life.

Wishing you a Happy and Blessed 2021,

My Books are on sale at Smashwords and Amazon!

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https://www.amazon.com/Connie-Vines/e/B004C7W6PE

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/connie-vines

Christmas, Only Different by @MaddieJames #RomanceGems

As I write this, thinking about family gatherings in this holiday season, I wonder if our current ways of getting together is our new norm.

This past Thanksgiving, we introduced Dad to Zoom. While I finished dinner preparations, he sat with my laptop and chatted with my son and daughter, and their children (his great-grandchildren), for nearly two hours. When it was all over, he asked, "Do I need internet for that?"

He cut off internet in his house not longer after my mom passed. She was the computer person of the duo. Now, he's contemplating putting it back in. I fired up Mom's old laptop the other day to see how it was running (just fine) so perhaps by Christmas we will have Dad zoomed up into the 21st century again.

We'll see.

When you think about it, why do we have to wait for a holiday to have those virtual family gatherings? My children/grandchildren live a state away. We should be doing this more often.

Same thing with gift-giving.

This year, I decided to tackle the 12 Days of Christmas gift idea. Now, I know there are many beliefs that surround the 12 Days of Christmas, religious ones that put the 12 days starting December 25--but in my world, I decided to lead up to the holiday. I'd box up and mail a package a day--one to my son's family and one to my daughter's--that represented each of the days. You know, partridge in a tree and all that. But what to send? Just ask Google.

Seriously. There are so many ideas out there! Like this one, that gives you ideas with direct links for each day. Or this Pinterest board, with ideas aplenty. My gifts weren't super elaborate. Some where even silly. Candy was added occasionally and some home-made cookies. And every box, of course, had the appropriate day Christmas tree ornament. If you decide to tackle this idea, have fun shopping! 

But then there is the downside. Before I knew it, Amazon had delivered and my dining room was full of boxes! Only good thing about all those deliveries were the actual shipping boxes they came in. It took me about a week to organize, wrap, rebox, and line them all up, ready to ship. And then came the secondary expense I hadn't really thought about--shipping! (consider this, please, in your holiday gift-giving budget, if you choose to do this!)

But all in all, the gifts are mostly on their way now. The grandchildren have started receiving and opening. I get pictures from my son with this four girls digging into the boxes. Lots of smiles there. My fourteen-year-old grandson, in the other family, lamented, "Is this really what we are getting for Christmas this year from Mimi?" His older sisters (15 and 16) thought it was cute and fun. My daughter is already making plans to do this when her kids all move out.

To be honest, this all cost way more than what I normally would spend for Christmas gifts for my family--but it was worth every penny. I needed it as much as they did. Just as I needed to fix a traditional Thanksgiving meal, even if it was only for my Dad and me, I needed to do something "normal." Needed the tradition, and maybe the excitement, of starting a new one.

Yeah. Maybe, the new norm. Again, we will see. 

I hope your holiday celebrations are safe, happy--however you decided to celebrate them! Snuggle up by the fire (if you have one) but just make sure to give your loved ones a (maybe virtual) hug and spend some (Zoom) time together. 

***

Speaking of the holidays--my holiday romance box set special is still available! Get all four of my Harbor Falls Holiday stories right now, for only $0.99 through the end of the month. Not This Christmas is one of those stories. In this set, you'll find bonus content not found anywhere else! 

Enjoy. And Happy Holidays! 

~ Maddie

Warm Slippers and a Mug of Hot Cocoa By Connie Vines

 It's the holiday season and my house seems a bit empty; some days a bit too quiet.

My sons are grown with children of their own. So, there is no need for me to bake dozens and dozens of cookies and candy goodies.  Nor am I semi-overwhelmed because I'm working full-time, shopping and prepping to entertain a group of twenty on Christmas day.

I do miss the sound of scampering feet and the laughter which filled the house before day-break each Christmas morning.  The general chaos of torn wrapping paper, scattered bows, and then searching through the debris for the missing parts to a brand-new toy. 

A bit of Christmas humor! 

But with time and dedication to family, laurels are gathered and there is time to enjoy a new chapter of ones life.  Time to listen and enjoy the Christmas carols, or the silence of the house.  Time to sit in front of a fireplace and enjoy the crackling of a fire.  Or watch the "Yule Log" the cable station will stream to your television set or computer.

I have discovered that a pair of warm slippers, a mug of hot cocoa, and a warm fleece blanket make me happy.  My two pups cuddle up on my Lazy Boy couch with me to watch a Hallmark movie, and for two hours, there is bliss.  

Slippers from the Grand Canyon (gingerbread boys and candy embroidery) from youngest grandson. 

I have also discovered that when we are able to spend time with loved ones and friends again, I will host a hot cocoa bar.  I will bake my cookies, gingerbread cake, and all the goodies everyone enjoys.  There will be laughter, music, and candid photos being taken and shared via emailed to each other. 

credit: Party City

I have also learned (which was a difficult concept for me to grasp.):

Is anyone able to provide an answer to this question?

I hope you enjoy your winter holidays and your 2021 is filled with joy and good health.

Warm Wishes and Gingerbread Kisses,

Connie

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My Publisher's Website/buy link

A widowed rancher and his young daughter rediscover the joy of the holidays from an unlikely source.
A beautiful woman with a mysterious past who's gingerbread cookies and kind heart bring
comfort and joy and can melt the most hardened-of-hearts.

 

In the Heat of the Moment!

By: Marcia King-Gamble

www.lovemarcia.com

OK, we’ve hit the dog days of summer, and yes, down south, days are sizzling and nights sultry. We are hot, hot, hot!  My question to you is what have you done in the heat of the moment? By heat, I don’t mean temperature. I mean on the fly. Something that was fun, something you took a chance on, something that felt like it might be good karma, and would make you feel good. What was the end result of this impulsive/feel good behavior?

 

 Back in the day when I worked for an international airline, my then hero and I would look at each other on a Thursday, and say, “So, what do we want to do this weekend?  Sometimes the answer would be, “I feel like having good pasta,” and off we would head for Rome. If it was winter, the answer would be “anywhere warm.” Then  off to Mexico or Rio de Janeiro we  would go.

We weren’t rich. Remember, I said, I worked for an airline, meaning, back then, free travel, and the opportunity to sit First or Business Class (should space allow) were perks.  Airlines had agreements with hotels. While lodging wasn’t free, a 40 or 50 percent discount at a 4 or 5 star hotel was not something to turn your nose up at. Often our weekend jaunts cost us less than a nice dinner at an upmarket restaurant.

When I lived in the “islands,” popular back then, were “Come as you are Parties.“ This literally meant come as you are. A caravan of cars would unexpectedly arrive at your home, honk their horns and the party was on. Which meant, you went to the party in whatever state of dress or undress you were in. And that was the reason for the convoy. No getting out of it, you had to get in.

A couple of years ago, instead of making New Year’s resolutions that never worked out, I vowed to do one small act of kindness each day. It could be as simple as allowing someone to get in front of me on the grocery line, or making a phone call to a lonely, elderly friend. It made me feel good. It made the recipient feel good. As a person who believes in karma, I believe in some way those good deeds come back to you tenfold.

This summer, in the heat of the moment, my girlfriends and I started having monthly dinner parties. Each month it’s at a different house and we do it safely. There are so many positives to these gatherings. First, it gives us an opportunity to bond and catch up.  Second, we get to step out of our PJ’s and sweats and wear something fun in our closets. There are times we even bring the fine jewelry out.

In the heat of the moment, I’ve taken up crafting.  I’ve mended broken jewelry and repaired furniture. I even hand painted this heart, Trust me, I’ve never been talented in this area but I'm learning. I’ve also reconnected with friends and made a few with a completely different perspective on life than I have.

This summer I’ve allowed myself to breathe. The end result is my creativity is on the rise, and   I’m writing up a storm. Stories like One Last Shot, one of the fourteen stories in the Last Chance Beach: Summer’s End box set were created in the Heat of the moment. It was the result of a what if.  What if an up and coming sitcom star in hiding has a sex tape that goes viral? And what if the guy next door just happens to be a disgraced celebrity photographer?

Here's an excerpt:

“So, do you live here year-round?” Kael asked, taking a piece of freshly baked bread from the basket and slathering butter on it. He was curious about the woman who sat across from him.

She had the most amazing bone structure but was doing her best to downplay her looks. She was doing everything to make herself unattractive, even adding that hideous nose ring.

Delia sipped on her coffee, and took her time answering. “Actually, I’m not from around here.”

“Renting?”

“No. You?”

Getting a full sentence out of her was like reeling in fish. “Airbnb. Did I tell you that

already?” He knew he hadn’t, but someone needed to jumpstart the conversation.

Delia shook her head. “I didn’t think we did BNB’s in this town.”

“Times change. Things change. People change.”

“Not here.”

“Sure, you’re not a local?” Kael asked, softening his words with a smile. Delia certainly

sounded knowledgeable.

Their kippers and scrambled eggs, a Rods staple, arrived and they dove in.

“How did you find this community?” Delia asked, the sun bouncing off those mirrored

sunglasses. “It doesn’t seem to be your style.” She fed Bob a generous portion of scrambled eggs when she thought he wasn’t looking.

His khaki shorts must shout tourist.

“I needed somewhere off the beaten path to take photos,” he said, while discreetly clicking pics of the arriving patrons. “And I can work from anywhere in the world.”

Delia looked like she might jump out of her skin. “So, what are you a photographer or something?”

I used to be one before I was fired.

Instead, Kael said, “I’m just an IT guy and an amateur photographer.” Now he was.

The blasting TV competed with their conversation. Two construction types exited discussing the news.

“Wat she do dat for? She was America’s sweetheart. World was her oyster,” the shorter of them said.

“Probably trying to keep some man.”

The taller one shook his head. “Yeah, would have to be a bad break up to send that sex tape out to the media.”

 

 Be sure to pick up Last Chance Beach: Summer’s End 

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Chance-Beach-Summers-End-ebook/dp/B08CV3GN3R

and read these 14 stories. To win the Last Shot beach/gym bag sign up for my newsletter here https://bit.ly/3eBlYnf  or email me privately at mkinggambl@aol.com with proof of purchase of Last Chance Beach: Summer’s End. Added bonus, download the free cocktail book.

 

  

For an additional opportunity to win a $20 Amazon gift card in the monthly drawing, please comment on this blog to win.

 

 

Tell me, what have you done in the Heat of the Moment? Be kind and be safe. 

Find Marcia King-Gamble Online

Instagram * Amazon * Website * Facebook * Twitter

 

Romance writer, Marcia King-Gamble originally hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. This travel industry executive and current world traveler has spent most of life in the United States. A National Bestselling author, Marcia has penned over 34 books and 8 novellas. Her free time is spent at the gym, traveling to exotic locales, caring for her animal family, and trying to keep sane.

 

 

Once Upon a Cowboy @MaddieJames #RomanceGems

Once upon a time there was a teacher, and one hot August summer, she and her teacher friend went off to a conference in the cool Colorado mountains. The conference was great--what they saw of it, anyway. The trail ride they skipped the afternoon sessions for was a lot more exciting.

You see, there were cowboys.

And this teacher, even though she'd not ridden a horse since she was a kid, made the commitment for a four-hour trail ride into the Colorado mountains--two hours up and two hours back. All was well heading up the mountainside, the scenery was great, the horse was a dream, the cowboys were... well, cowboys.

Coming down the mountain, however, was a different story. The teacher had a difficult time handling her horse on the downward slopes, crossing a little stream, and keeping up with the other horses. She mixed up her signals to her mount. When she thought she was telling the horse to slow down, she was really telling the horse to back up. Consequently, they lost their space in the horse line. So, the horse galloped. And the teacher held on for dear life. And when the teacher was finally finished with this nightmare, she could only think of one thing--

At least there were cowboys.

Now, this story does have a happily-ever-after ending. You see, the teacher turned her adventure into a book. The opening scene--probably elaborated upon a bit--mimicked the teacher's chaotic ride down the mountain. She sold that book--her first published novel--and then the teacher wasn't a teacher any longer. She was a romance author who wrote about cowboys (and other things).

True story. I swear. I have the book covers to prove it! The original book is on the left, the revised/rebranded and re-authored book, is on the right!

Now, twenty-some years later, the sequel to this first cowboy book, is finally written. 

Readers have been asking for Mack and Jillie's story for years. Years! But other stories and different cowboys got in the way. Until now. 

The Cowboy's Secret Baby releases August 25, and I (Maddie James / the teacher) am ready to share it with the world! Here's the blurb: 

She’s the maid of honor. He’s the best man. 

Both are keeping secrets from the other.

The long-requested sequel to Maddie James’ first published novel, Roses & Rawhide is now available!

Readers wanted to know...
What happened to Jillie and Mack’s relationship at the end of Roses & Rawhide?
Why did Jillie go back to Kentucky?
Will they get back together?
What’s their story?

While Kim Martin and Thad Winchester find their happily-ever-after in Roses & Rawhide, their best friends, Jillie Abernathy and Mack Montgomery, end their sleeping-bag-sharing relationship during the rugged, two-week pack trip into the Colorado San Juan mountains.

But when Kim and Thad host their wedding at Thad’s Colorado ranch a few months later, Mack and Jillie must come face-to-face with reality—and with each other. She’s the maid of honor. He’s the best man. Both are harboring secrets—secrets that could break a potential future relationship if they both avoid telling the truth.

Can they reveal those secrets to each other? And if so, can they get past the withheld truths to plan a future together?

PREORDER TODAY!

DON'T FORGET! A NEW BOX SET AND A FREE COCKTAILS BOOK!

Some of the Romance Gems have teamed together to release a new box set with all-new summer beach stories, and their favorite summer cocktail recipe in a free book! See the details below!

GET THE $0.99 BOX SET! | GRAB YOUR FREE COCKTAILS BOOK!  

And last, I'd love it if you would comment below to win our monthly giveaway prize. Details are here.

COMMENT & WIN QUESTION: My chaotic ride down the mountain on the trail horse was not my most glamorous moment of all time. In fact, it was quite embarrassing. What's your most embarrassing moment? Comment below & (maybe) win!

****

Maddie James writes romance – but don’t try to pin her down to one genre. From edgy suspense to flirty contemporary romance to darker erotic titles, she writes to silence the people in her head. Affaire de Coeur says, “James shows a special talent for traditional romance,” and RT Book Reviews claims, “James deftly combines romance and suspense.” Learn more at www.maddiejames.com.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Hannah Rowan #RomanceGems

Remember this essay topic greeting you when you returned to class after a summer hiatus?

No?

I don’t!

But I’ve seen it often enough in comic strips and on TV shows.  And if I were still a student, I’d have a very peculiar essay to hand in.

Generally around this time of year my husband and I are getting ready to set out on a great adventure.  We wouldn’t take a beach vacation when we have nice, hot sun right at home.  We save that for the cold winter months. We’ll do day trips to the Jersey shore, but our standard getaways usually involve visiting another state to continue my quest to go to all fifty.  (At this point I’m up to 42.)  Sometimes we’re fortunate enough to travel to another country.

In the year 2020, it sometimes seems we’ve traveled to another universe entirely.

This year’s shelter-in-place directives have introduced my husband to the wonders of grocery stores.  Where before he might have made a quick trip to pick up milk and bananas, he found himself accompanying me on more extensive excursions as a way to get out of the house.  After the initial excitement wore off, he found he was just as bored as I usually am with the task. In fact, he could get downright impatient while I stood pondering which tomatoes were ripest or which loaf of bread had the most fiber and the least sugar. I finally realized that buying him a Kit Kat or a bag of pretzels made the trip more palatable to him.

Our horizons expanded beyond groceries when I discovered websites listing all the local, county, and state parks in our area.  We found parks right near our house that we never knew existed.  Some featured nice, gentle strolls on paved paths.  Others required the dexterity of a mountain goat but we were forced to keep going only because it would have been more difficult to go back the way we came.

We discovered that New Jersey has many ponds, lakes, and rivers hidden in the woods in state and county parks. Several times we were rewarded with a view of the Manhattan skyline after scrambling up a rocky path.  We found the remains on many a colonial stone foundation deep in the woods.  And I can’t even remember how many spots where we learned colonial soldiers rested or hid to prepare for the next battle.  The forest also hides the rusted out parts of old cars and appliances, leading us to wonder why someone would take the trouble to lug something so far into the woods that it takes an hour to get to it.

On the first mild day we decided to go down the shore just to walk on the beach and the boardwalk.  The fog obscured the ocean and it was chilly and cloudy, but it was also delightful to be out of the house and near the water.

When outdoor dining first opened up we rushed to a favorite restaurant with tables spread out on the sidewalk.  Just as our food arrived, the skies opened up and we might as well have been eating in the shower.  We grabbed our dishes and ran to a nearby empty table that had an umbrella.  Yes, our backs were soaked, but our fronts were deliriously happy eating at a restaurant for the first time in many months.

We’ve been swimming in a nearby pond because the pool in our complex won’t open this year.

We’ve been sitting in the dark watching a hurricane blow trees past our window.

We’ve seen enough wildlife to assemble our own private zoo.  The chipmunks are running rampant, but we’ve also seen a man rescuing a frog from the jaws of a snake on a forest path, a red-shouldered hawk, a very fat groundhog, a blue heron, a white heron, lots of bunnies and deer, and the occasional coyote.

All in all I guess you could say that though it hasn’t been the most pleasant summer on record, at least it’s been interesting.

You may have noticed that I’m somewhat fond of water.  Lakes, rivers, ponds, swimming pools, and the ocean.  The beach is my happy place!  So when I was given the opportunity to join 13 other authors in the Last Chance Beach box set, it seemed like the natural place to be.

Click Last Chance Beach on the menu bar above to follow me to Last Chance Beach, and pick up a copy of our free companion e-book featuring recipes for delicious beach-side drinks in Cocktails on Last Chance Beach.  And be sure to enter this month's giveaway!

 

Summer Reading by Karen Whiddon

As we move into what's usually the hottest part of summer here in Texas, I've been coping with the heat and isolation by reading. A lot.  I'm mostly reading romance, but some young adult fiction as well as fantasy.  I'm all over the gamut of genres, from best selling authors to ones who are new to me.

I love summer reading.  It's relaxing and enjoyable and I often find it spurs my creativity.  Since I'm usually under a constant deadline, that's also a good thing.

The pool or the lake, a glass of wine or iced tea (I've recently discovered Hibiscus tea and am loving it!) and a good book can't be beat.  While my hubby watches Netflix, I read.  The perfect end to a hot summer day.

What about you?  Are you reading more or less?  I'd love to hear some recommendations!

Speaking of recommendations, have you pre-ordered this boxed set? I have - it comes out tomorrow - and I can't wait to read it.  I'm not in it this time - too many other commitments, but I hope to be in the future.  It's on 99 cents so get yours today!

Get a head start on the first Gems box set coming out August 4th.

I can't wait! 14 short beach reads by 14 award-winning and bestselling Gems authors!

     PRE-ORDER NOW

And finally, we've changed up our contest a bit.  See below!