Renew yourself with a #FREE book by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

Spring, the time of renewal and regrowth, of seeds sprouting and pollen blowing. Yes, I suffer from seasonal allergies. Which, in this time of the pandemic is a bit disconcerting considering sufferers are sneezing and coughing and sniffling and blowing.

If those symptoms describe something you're going through, here's a tip: if allergy meds put an end to it, it's not the dreaded virus. So, even if you've never had seasonal allergies before try an allergy med if you can. You will save yourself a lot of anxiety about whether or not you've caught this virus that has the world in isolation.

PSA over, and you're welcome. (I've seen much panic on social media about these same symptoms - and allergies can come at any time in your life - I was about 50.)

My previous posts this year were written before we went away to Portugal. OH! Here's another PSA: never try to fly out of a country on the day they declare a State of Emergency. Talk about anxiety!

But enough about me: here's what brought you here, right? To give you some
much-needed relief from the news of the day, I bring you Love in a Pawn Shop for free.

An Amazon Exclusive

A pit bull, a pawn shop and a pain-in-the-butt kid brother. . . Dix is good with two out of three.

She's had it with dusty shelves, desperate people and her teenage brother. With Riley about to graduate, Dix is ready to buy her one-way ticket to Paris.

Then sexy cop Dane Caldwell walks into her store on the hunt for stolen goods, and threatens her brother and her business.

The worst threat is to Dix's heart...if she loses that, she loses her dream. Dane soon realizes he's found love in a pawn shop. Even the pit bull thinks he's okay. Now all he has to do is convince Dix that love is more than just another complication.

I've posted some Easter Eggs for our scavenger hunt. To find them, you need to check out my social media.

Check me out at:

My Amazon author page

Follow me on BookBub

Follow me on FB

 

I trust you're doing all you can to flatten the curve of CoVid-19 by staying home, washing your hands and wearing a mask if you need to. Me? I'm heading off to make some...wish me luck!

All the best to you and yours during this challenge. Take heart -- we'll get through.

The Benefits of Winter Hibernation by Nancy Fraser

I hate winter! I'm not a skier, I don't snowshoe, I don't skate. Even as a kid, I favored the summer months and sports.

However, in the past, I tolerated winter. I got out and did things, and I caught a lot of colds ... no matter how well I bundled, or what vitamins I took. Then, it dawned on me ... people were making me sick (literally). You can't control other peoples' lives, including whether or not they're sick, or whether they wash their hands, or take medication.

So, this year, I decided to hibernate. My plan is working ... so far. One large shopping trip at the beginning of the month, a very short trip mid-month to restock where necessary. In an out of the store (even Costco) as quickly as possible.

Rather than spend my time outdoors, I've put together a list of things I can do indoors to pass Eastern Canada's three worst months of winter!

First of all, and most importantly, I can write. In January alone, I managed to finish galley edits on two books, plot out a third, and sign a new contract. If this holds up, I may reach an all-time personal high for books produced in one year!

Second, since I'm already protecting myself from catching something, I might as well concentrate on other parts of my health that need attention. I'm still looking for a good balance on that one, but I hold out hope that things will get better as spring and summer approach.

Finally, I'm saving money! No impulse buying on unnecessary shopping trips. No grabbing fast food because I forgot to set something out before I left the house. AND, I'm still working on the full tank of gas I put in my car on New Year's Eve.

And, BONUS, I haven't had as much as a sniffle (knock on wood)!

The one thing I've definitely done is read. I've enjoyed more books in the past month than I did all last year.

Speaking of reading, we have a wonderful new feature devoted to our friend Cupid. Check out the Holiday Book Fair page to see all our books!

I'd love to give away a set of my Valentine-themed novellas, Only Yours and it's sequel, Paging Dr. Cupid. Both are sweet romances set in the mid-1960s. All you have to do to win is comment below and tell me about the most romantic gift you ever received! Don't forget to spell out your email address (e.g., romwriter96 (at) gmail (dot) com).

Everyone expects Rebecca Winston to marry her high school/college sweetheart, Garrett Langley. The problem is, the flame’s gone out on their romance. When Garrett’s older brother Wyatt (an L.A. attorney) returns home for the first time in years. The attraction between Rebecca and Wyatt is immediate.

Can Rebecca expect her family and, especially, Garrett to understand that her desires have changed and turned toward Wyatt?

Can Wyatt get past the feeling that he’s poaching his younger brother’s girl?

And,

Dr. Garrett Langley can’t seem to find a secretary who can keep up with his demands. Piano prodigy Grace Valentyne desperately needs a job to afford the last year of her education. 

When offered the opportunity to work for the physician nicknamed Dr. Cupid, she jumps at the chance. Grace soon finds herself in over her head—and not just with the office equipment. Falling for the boss won’t get her back to Julliard but may just make her dreams come true.

While you're here, don't forget to check our our Monthly Giveaway page for full details on our February Rafflecopter Draw. In addition to the list of prizes, the full form is there. Or you can find the form by clicking HERE.

Until next month ... hibernate if you can! You can accomplish so much more if you do!

Nancy

What's Next for health, family & writing by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

I'm writing this post in advance because by the time you read this I'll be away for a much needed sunny winter break. If you want to see more pictures you can always follow me on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/Bonnie.Edwards.Author

What's Next for me? What plans do I have for this new and shiny new year?

I'm a sorry excuse for a planner and am easily distracted by new shiny things and squirrels!! Writing this blog should help keep me on track with my plans for 2020. (I can't even imagine what the end of this decade will bring so there's no way I can think that far ahead.)

For my health: I mention this first because without guarding your health, there's not much hope of attaining any goals. I plan to continue practicing yoga so I can focus on a daily basis. I plan to maintain my recent weight loss (over 20 lbs) so I can avoid diabetes and its complications.

For my family: I plan to pitch in with childcare throughout the year as needed. My grands are growing and these years are precious and fleeting. I will support my siblings as they go through their continuing health challenges.

For my writing: (now this is where the new shiny things can distract me)

1- Complete Christmas to the Max (A Return to Welcome Christmas Book)
2- Write Claiming Shandy Return to Welcome Book 4
3- Plot a book for Hallmark Books
4- Combine my Perdition House novellas into a collection
5- Combine my single title standalone books into a collection
6- Laugh at my ambitious plans on December 1 when I see how little I get done.

Don't forget to enter our monthly giveaway. Full information on the Rafflecopter drawing can be found on our Monthly Giveaway page. You can also find the the entry form HERE.

While your checking out the Giveaway page, don't forget to take a peek at our Movie Theater and Bookstore pages. Not to mention our Free Book giveaways!