The end of a series...I think not by Peggy Jaeger

 I've got a holiday post all ready to go on my usual date of the 27th of the month, but I wanted to take an extra day this month to let you all know a few exciting things coming down the pike for me in 2021.

First, yesterday, the third - and supposedly final - book in my Match Made in Heaven series, BAKED WITH LOVE, released. This was by far my favorite book in the series to write because the friends to lovers trope is my end-all, be-all favorite romance trope to read and, therefore, write.

When I sent it off to my editor I actually cried because I was already missing the O'Dowd sisters, their feisty grandmother Nanny Fee, and all the men who found an HEA with the sisters. I was truly in a funk because I wouldn't be seeing them anymore. I had two more series I had to write the second and third books for, plus my indie book series. I was sure to be so busy I wouldn't really miss the O'Dowds and the New England town of Heaven, right?

Yeah, no. Turns out, your favorite characters really are like your children and you miss them terribly when they're not around.

I found that out after I finished the WILL COOK FOR LOVE series. Kandy Laine still had 4 sisters left to find their HEA.

So, I concocted a new series titled A PRIDE OF BROTHERS, which not only features Kandy Laine in cameo roles in each book, but also lets me delve into at least one sister's life - Abby, who starred in APOB: RICK, the first book. The brothers in the series are Josh Keane's brothers - and Kandy's brothers-in-law. Book two, which I am almost finished with is titled APOB: AIDEN, and features the youngest Keane bro.

So, since I couldn't let go of the Laine's and Keane's and was able to reintroduce them in a brand new series, I figured I could do the same with the O'Dowds. 

Makes sense, no? Heehee

Drumroll please....As soon as the third APOB book is completed, I'm starting a brand new series set again in Heaven, New Hampshire, titled HEAVEN'S MATCHMAKER and staring Olivia Joyner - whom we met in book 2, TODAY, TOMORROW, ALWAYS. 

Olivia is a third generation professional matchmaker and I've already got 4 books plotted out. It pays to be a hermit during a quarantine, folks!

Until then, I hope you gift yourself and the romance readers on your holiday gift list a copy of BAKED WITH LOVE. It's available at all retailers, plus the print edition is available at my website store at the drastically reduced price of $ 10.00. There's still time to get it by Christmas, peeps.

I won't see you again until after the 25th, so I want to wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah, A Merry Christmas, and a Blessed Kwanza!!!! See you on the 27th and I hope you get a lot of great books as presents this year ( with mine included, heehed!)

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How Lucky Am I? by Karen Kelley #RomanceGems

I sometimes wonder if reincarnation is real. Have you ever met someone and you could swear that you’d met them before?

I’ve been lucky in love. Maybe I didn’t get a feeling that I’d met Karl before in another life, but I knew we would get married someday. 

I’ve had these premonitions before. That something good, or bad, was about to happen. I’m usually right about 80% of the time. This time, I was right. About a year later, we did get married. This year we’ll celebrate 51 years of marriage. Wow, it doesn’t seem that long.

People ask what our secret is and I tell them we always treat each other like best friends. Would you yell at your best friend? 

We also encourage each other. When I went to nursing school, he not only told me I could do anything I set my mind to doing, he also helped me study. (I finished fifth in my class) Then, when I wanted to write, he encouraged me again. When I decided to go Indie with my books, he became my publisher, cover designer, formatter, ad creator, beta reader, and my number one fan.

I’ve definitely been lucky in love.

Most of my books are available in Kindle Unlimited. I’m currently writing Romantic Suspense, but I also write contemporary comedy and paranormal. Most of my heroines are snarky and sassy because I think I absorbed some of Karl’s personality over the years. Believe me, he’s a lot of fun to be around.

                                                    Read for free in KU or purchase here

You can find out more about my books at www.authorkarenkelley.com Have a great weekend and stay safe!

Speaking of luck, don't forget to hop on over to our Monthly Giveaway page to enter our Rafflecopter contest. If you're in a rush to get to the pot of gold you can also click on this Quick Link.

Karen Kelley 

Oops UPS by Karen Kelley

Our daughter-in-law, son, and grandson sent us the prettiest flowers and box of goodies for Valentines Day. Apparently, UPS was swamped because we got a new driver that was not familiar with our area. One of the neighbors at the top of the hill got the first package (maybe). All I know is we never saw it. Bummer.

But what fun to get it today! A brand new package with exotic tulips that will bloom in a few days (I hope. I don't have a green thumb), a box of specialty candy, candle, pen and pretty notebook and other fun stuff. I love boxes with goodies.

Speaking of goodies, my brand new, first Romantic Suspense in a while, is available. I always get nervous when I have a new book out, but so far the feedback has been really good. The story features a hot sheriff and a sassy FBI agent, and she definitely invades his territory. Check out the excerpt:

Broken Justice:
 

Makala sat a little straighter in her chair as Gage nodded to Landry, then came inside. She wasn't up to seeing the sheriff again. She'd wanted to unwind a little, then maybe she would be able to get a few hours of shut-eye. She said a silent prayer he wouldn’t notice her. Yeah, right. The restaurant wasn't that big. Even if it was dimly lit, he would notice her sooner or later.

He didn’t look in her direction as he made his way to the bar, so she was able to study him. His stride was purposeful, as if he didn’t take unnecessary steps without a reason. As he walked, he pushed his Stetson a little higher on his forehead.

He needed a shave—or not. The slight bristle of hairs on his face gave him a ruggedness that suited him. His dark hair was a little too long as well. Just brushing his collar. He had broad shoulders. She’d bet there were plenty of muscles under his beige uniform shirt. He didn’t strike her as the type who sat behind a desk all day. She guessed him at six feet one, maybe an inch or so more.

Her gaze lowered. She liked the way his jeans fit. Snug, low on the waist. She sighed. And there was just something about a man who wore a holstered gun on his hip — damned sexy.

He spoke with the bartender, then took the glass of Coke the man handed him, dropping bills on the counter. He turned and scanned the room, his gaze stopping on her. One thing she could be sure of, Gage didn't look any more pleased to see her than she was to see him.

Great, he was walking right toward her. Maybe she could down her beer and then rush out. No, she wasn’t about to let him think she was running away. She watched as he walked toward her. He definitely had a nice easy stroll. As if he owned the bar.

“Mind if I sit?” he asked, his voice just a little gravelly.

She liked the way he sounded, rough, with just that little bit of an edge. Wow, she must be more tired than she’d thought. She was not going to get caught up in the way Gage walked or talked. She had a feeling this man was going to be trouble. Who the hell was she kidding? She knew damn well he was going to be trouble.

“Be my guest.” She picked up her bottle of beer and took a long, slow drink. It didn’t stop the heat from beginning to build inside her.

The legs of the chair scraped across the floor as he pulled it out. He sat, leaning slightly back, and stared at her for a moment before speaking. "Have you ever been to the mountains, Miss Madigan?"

Was he looking for a fight? “No, is that a pre-requisite for going after the fugitive?”

“It’s not necessary, but it would sure help,” he drawled. “There’s all kinds of bad things in the woods.”

“Are you going to be one of them?” She raised an eyebrow and watched him silently for a moment. If he even thought for one minute that she would walk away from going after his cousin, then he was going to be sadly mistaken. She never had, and never would, back down from anything or anyone.

Gage grinned. Her heart fluttered again. Why the hell did he have to grin? It changed his whole face. He seemed more relaxed, easier to talk to. The next thing she knew, she’d be telling him all of her dark secrets. That damn sure wasn’t going to happen.

“I won’t be your problem, Miss Madigan. Nope, it’ll be the grizzly bears and wolves that you’ll have to watch out for.”

Yeah, she was afraid there was a wolf sitting right in front of her. A wolf in sheriffs clothing.

                                                                

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Romance Gems is celebrating a year of romance. We have a love-ly giveaway for the month of love. (Pardon the pun.) Our February Giveaway includes:

First Prize - $20

Second Prize - $15

Third Prize - $10

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Enter at the Rafflecopter at the bottom of the blog page here.

 

Best Wishes,

Karen Kelley

www.authorkarenkelley.com