Gratitude for Release Day! Christmas to the Max by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

For the first time ever, I backed up into a story. Normally, I’m a writer that knows what book is up next. I even tell people what my next book will be before I start. Not that I plan out for years in advance...but I know which one is next. You know...like a normal person.

But not this time! Weirdly, in this month of thankfulness, I'm kind of, sort of, grateful for the lockdown. There were days I had nothing to do but write. I began and finished other stories because I committed to them. I ignored Max's call because it wasn't the book I was supposed to be writing. 

Amazon Exclusive

I had planned to write Claiming Shandy Return to Welcome Book 4. It was the logical next step in the series because I’d written books for three of her friends (one started as a frenemy, but they worked it out). I even put information on the book at the end of Craving Jake (Book 3).

But then I thought I could jump on a bandwagon with other writers and come up with a linked story to suit a different sort of project. I planned a quick novella to fit in before I started Shandy’s story. Then the characters and setting came to life and suddenly I had more to say than a novella could hold. And I had the perfect characters and setting to say it. Christmas to the Max was born.

I am so glad the story pulled at me. I'd wanted to write about a female house renovator for years. I'd fallen for Max when he stood on the front steps of his home and talked to his ex-wife in One Crazy Christmas. 

And today is RELEASE DAY! Here's a bit about the story...

A stand-alone Return to Welcome Novel: Christmas to the Max brings two charming and romantic series together! 

Max Whyte (Love at Christmas) moves to Welcome, WA. (Return to Welcome) Max Whyte moves to Welcome WA to live closer to his daughters. He wants to fix up an old home, settle into his new job, and try not to think about turning forty alone. Burned by a single mother before, he vows not to get tangled with another woman with children.

When he saves the life of a small boy, he finds himself hooked in more ways than he can imagine. 

The boy’s mother turns out to be the perfect person to do his renovations, but Max has trouble keeping his personal feelings out of their employer/employee relationship.

Kaylin Simpson has returned to Welcome to give her boys the kind of home she longed for as a child. She needs a fresh, stable start and to run her own business. Her three-year-old twins keep her hopping, but after she finishes the renovations for Max, she hopes to have her life well in hand.

Max is drawn to Kaylin and her adorable twin boys despite his reservations. Her wit and feisty spirit pull at his heartstrings until he remembers being a stepfather is never what he wanted.

Kaylin’s gutsy spirit changes her view of herself. She and Max struggle to find a way to move beyond past hurts to let love blossom.

I'm very excited to share this news, of course and to wish everyone a happy holiday season full of good books! 

Happy Reading! 

Bonnie Edwards

Bonnie's Newsy Bits (newsletter)

Veranda Beach? Balcony City? by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

When we were young and broke we didn't have the money for a fancy vacation and exotic travel was for other people. Most of us back then had no choice but to opt for Veranda Beach (if you lived in a house) or Balcony City if you lived in an apartment that actually had a balcony. Once we were homeowners we graduated to heading out with a tent to a campground or hitting Backyard Valley. (I've been known to soak my tootsies in my babies' blow up pool.)

With the warnings to stay close to home this summer and international travel curtailed, I'm excited to share that even though you're hanging out at home, you can visit Last Chance Beach for a wonderful, romantic escape!

Here's my cover for Hangover Husband:

What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay there...

Sometimes youthful crushes can carry over into adulthood.

Hangover Husband is a sweet, sassy friends-to-lovers short story.

Hangover Husband was born in my mind several years ago and I never got a handle on a conflict that would be strong enough to carry the weight of a full-length novel or novella. But I loved the idea of a hasty Vegas wedding and the aftershocks it could cause.

What seems like a good idea after a fun night on the town, can seem like a disaster in the bright light of day.

What's a girl to do but ask for an equally hasty divorce?


The writers who've brought Last Chance Beach: Summer's End to life invite you to hang out, put your feet up, sip a tall cool one and enjoy all that summer has to offer: sunshine, cool shade, great drinks and the most romantic stories you'll find!

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW! AT THE AMAZING PRICE OF 99 PENNIES

Relax and enjoy the read...

Don't forget in all this excitement that we still have our monthly giveaway going on:

MONTHLY GIVEAWAY

Welcoming a brand new year by Karen Kelley #RomanceGems

     I’m starting 2020 with a brand new release. I’ve gone back to my roots. This is a romantic suspense. This is the first book in the Badge of Honor series and I’m super excited! These are all stand alone. Some heroes/heroines wear a badge and some don’t, but what they all have in common is honor. They believe in doing what’s right. 

      The reviews are coming in for book one, Broken Justice, and I’m super excited that readers are enjoying the story. Here is what they’re saying:

     “She’s a sassy hot U.S. Marshal, he’s a small town sheriff and together they are sizzling.” Charleann Davis

     “Gage and Mac (Makala) were like colliding freight trains when they met” Molly G. Hamblin

     “This book hooked me from the get go. I just couldn’t put it down. I fell in love with these characters and omg what a story” Jeanne A Kotsios

     I also have Hidden Secrets up for preorder. This is book two in the Badge of Honor series. 

     These books will all be in KU as well, so you can read them for free if you have a membership. 

 

     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!

 

Enjoy!

Karen Kelley

www.authorkarenkelley.com

 

Click here to order or read

for free in KU 

 

    

A New Journey by @karilemor #RomanceGems

Last year at this time, my husband and I were about halfway through a six-month adventure traveling the east coast in an RV. We visited places I’d never been to before and saw some amazing sights.

Some of my favorites were the airboat ride in the Everglades. The swamp boat tour in the Louisiana bayou. The plantation on the Mississippi River. The Mardi Gras parade in Baton Rouge (along with some of the best po’boys and beignets ever at a little place called Taste of Louisiana). The trolley tours of Asheville, NC, and Savannah, GA with incredibly knowledgeable and interesting tour guides. The tour of the Biltmore Estate and Village. And so many more.

Along the way we stopped in for ten days in the northern part of Florida in the oldest city in the nation, St. Augustine. What a beautiful place! It’s so filled with history and diversity in the old buildings and structures. But you’ve also got Anastasia Island right across the Bridge of Lions where there are gorgeous beaches and all the beach amenities you could want. We fell in love!

So now, after thirty plus years of teaching and an exciting journey, we’ve settled into a new home here in Florida. And my new life has begun. With my days free and the weather typically gorgeous, I’m gearing up to make my writing career my top priority. This month the Romance Gems are asking What’s Next? This is what’s next.

I’ve got a new book coming out March 2, 2020. The second book in my Storms of New England series, TRUE DREAMS, is the story of Sara Storm and TJ Bannister. If you’ve read Elusive Dreams, Erik Storm’s story, you’ve already met his sister, Sara and her boss, TJ. With True Dreams you get to see how they met and fell in love.

And I’m hoping to have Stolen Dreams, book 3 in the series, brother Alex’s story out soon after. Currently I’m writing Broken Dreams -#4, which is cousin Nathaniel’s story along with Darcy, who you’ll meet in True Dreams. She was such a strong character that she wouldn’t leave me alone until I promised her a book of her own. Always listen to your characters.

Here’s the info on True Dreams.

True “TJ” Bannister, haunted by his past, abandons the world of sex, drugs, and rock and roll to live a peaceful life as a bookstore owner on Cape Cod. The reformed bad boy thinks no “nice” girl will ever see beyond his tormented soul.

Innocent Sara Storm barges into his shop, and his life, with her sunshine personality. She looks beyond TJ’s past and helps heal his damaged heart. But her goal to be a singer is one TJ can’t support. Her dreams take place in the shattered world he left behind.

Can he choose between his newfound serenity and a life that nearly destroyed him, or is their romance doomed before the last note is sung?

I don’t have preorder links yet, but as soon as I do, I’ll make sure to post them. To get updated info, follow me on my social media.

Facebook:                                   Twitter:  

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Or sign up for my mailing list on my website. I only send an email when I have a sale or a new release coming out.

http://www.karilemor.com/

GREAT PRIZES HERE

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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 entry form HERE.

While you're 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!

Bless Your Heart by Karen Kelley #RomanceGems

    

  Buy now or

read for free in KU

     I love the South, cowboys, and romance. Until we started traveling, I’d thought everyone was pretty much the same. I guess we are, but I discovered each state had something really special to offer. There were some states we learned not to order Mexican food because it was more often than not closer to original Mexican dishes. I’m too used to TexMex, I guess.

     Buffalo burgers were really dry because they don't have much fat. Frog legs---forget it, I'm not going there.

     But what’s up with Michigan and their mac and cheese? It’s like gourmet food. They even have it as an entrée. I don’t think I’ve ever had mac and cheese as wonderful as what I had in Michigan. Same with their root beer. I love it!

     And I thought curds were something from a nursery rhyme. No, curds actually exist! I ordered some in Wisconsin just to try them. They're wonderful, melt in your mouth, fried cheese. We need curds in Texas, although I’m not sure we could do as well by them.

     And the accents. I love someone with an accent. I have an English friend and I could listen to her talk all day. But not on the phone. If she talks too fast, I can’t understand a word she says. 

     But Texas has always been home and I love being back. All our traveling in the RV inspired me to start a brand new series, It’s A Southern Thang. Yes, I meant to spell thing like thang.

     I love the townspeople, country life, and the falling in love in the first book, Bless Your Heart. I drew on my memories growing up, like my aunt’s sweet tea. How all the cousins eyed the jugs and wondered which one she had made. It was the worse tea I’ve ever tasted. Seriously! It would make your toes curl and your hair frizz. We never had the heart to tell her how awful it was, though. We just talked about her tea when she wasn’t around, but it wasn’t gossip because every bit of it was true.

     Since I titled this first book Bless Your Heart, I've realized how often I actually say it. How funny. If you want to know the meaning, this is how Riley, the hero, explains it:

     Yeah, and I knew when a woman said, bless your heart, it could mean something entirely different. It was all in the way they said it. It could be commiseration if someone in the family died or something, or shock that you’d gone through a traumatic event, like a car accident or were getting a divorce. It could also mean go screw yourself. The words could drip with sarcasm, so you knew they didn’t really give a damn about you. I had a feeling Whitney leaned toward the latter.

     The first book is a little spicy, with humor, and a whole lot of down home country. I hope you enjoy Bless Your Heart as much as I enjoyed writing it.   

     Don't forget to enter our rafflecopter for a chance to win great gifts! 

BEACHES and BOOK BOYFRIENDS is the Romance Gems Julytheme. Enter our drawing for a chance to win 1 of 3 Amazon Gift Cards and fun beach books too! Read the post, leave a comment, and enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway.

Happy Reading,

Karen Kelley

www.authorkarenkelley.com