Romance & Roses by @JoanReeves #RomanceGems

"A mother's love is like an everlasting bed of roses that continues to blossom." —Ellen J. Barrier

Giveaway Alert: Details in Post.
 

Moms, love, and roses. Those 3 seem to go together, don't they? When children grow up, they tend to send Mom flowers—usually roses—for Mother's Day.

Imagine how surprised I was to learn that roses aren't the officieal Mother's Day flower.

That honor goes to the Carnation. I've always liked carnations for their fresh, clean scent, but I don't think many moms get bouquets of carnations rather than roses.

Why Carnations?

There's a simple reason carnations are the official flower of Mother's Day. That lovely cut flower was Anna Jarvis's mother's favorite flower.

You're probably saying, "Who's Anna Jarvis?" She's the woman who lobbied for a national day to recognize the hard work and sacrifice of mothers everywhere. 

When she first started her campaign to designate a Sunday as Mother's Day (1907), she sent white carnations to her family’s church in Grafton, West Virginia, to be distributed to the congregation.

Over the years, white carnations came to symbolize mothers who had passed away.

Red or pink carnations were adopted as the flower given to a living mother as a symbol of love and gratitude.

Where I lived as a child, it was popular to wear a carnation to church on Mother’s Day.

In 1914, Woodrow Wilson finally signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May to be Mother's Day. This special day is now celebrated in more than 40 countries.

(Read more about the History of Mother's Day.) 

Romance for Mom

Something else Mom would like for her special day is the leisure time to read. Since the Romance genre comprises the vast majority of books that are sold, Mom probably likes to read Romance.

Give her books in her favorite genre. Even better, give her books AND a few hours or an entire day to do nothing but read! Now that's a gift any woman would like.

Random Draw Giveaway

Leave a comment with your email addy written out.

No question to answer this month. Instead, share a special memory of your Mom with us or just tell us her first name or nickname.

Prize is 1 free copy of April Fool Proposition for Kindle.

Drawing open until May 7 when winner will be selected and notified by email.

What will Brenna do when she learns her friend's mom, a noted romance author, has set her up with Travis, the man she thinks is pretending to be her lover? Will Travis settle for being a pretend lover? Will Brenna realize she needs to live her own life and stop mothering her siblings?

April Fool Proposition only 99¢ at Kindle.

Romance Gems Blog Update

As you have surmised, our theme this month is Romance & Roses for Mom. 

You'll be treated to posts about romance novels with moms as heroines or sidekicks or maybe posts about being a mother/motherhood.

Sharing Memory of Mom

My mother was a young adult in WW2. She grew up in the era of red lipstick, seamed nylon stockings, and hair always styled.

My mom never went anywhere without her hair fixed and her lipstick on.

This is bittersweet. I'm crying as I write this. The night my older brother and sister-in-law had to drive my mother to the hospital, she made them stop a block away so she could put her lipstick on.

She passed two weeks later.

When the funeral home "prepared" her, Mom's hair stylist did her hair, the makeup artist at the funeral home did her makeup, but she did not put lipstick on Mom.

That night at the wake, I was upset when I saw she wasn't wearing lipstick. My sister-in-law and my girl cousins formed a circle around me and my mom. I pulled my lipstick out of my purse and applied lipstick for Mom because I knew she wouldn't even want to go to Heaven without her lipstick on!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, step-moms, foster moms, and women who fulfill that caring, giving, loving role in someone's life.

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April Showers by @JoanReeves #RomanceGems

Better grab those umbrellas and get ready for April Showers, that's our theme this month.

Remember the old joke from childhood?

If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?

Furniture.

Hey, when I was a tiny tot, I thought that was hysterically funny.

Okay, okay. I suppose we've all grown a more sophisticated sense of humor in the ensuing years. 

Giveaway Alert

To welcome M. J. Schiller, our newly-minted Romance Gems author, I'll give away 1 ebook copy of her book, To Hell in a Coach Bag. 

I picked that title because it tickles my fancy. 

To enter the Giveaway, leave a comment in answer to the question I'll pose at the end of this post, along with your email addy written out, not as a hot link.

Comments can be entered between now and Friday, April 2, so tell your friends. I'll select the winner using Random Name Picker over the weekend.

Winner will be notified no later than Monday, April 5.

April Spotlight Shines on Cheryl Bolen

Cheryl and I have known each other over 30 years. I'm pleased to shine the April Spotlight on her.

Be sure and visit Author Spotlight and read about Cheryl's career, some personal info, and see the gorgeous covers for her two new releases.

Updates on the Blog

The Bookstore is open with all authors who participated represented. Just click on the author who interests you and you'll be taken to where all of her books can be found.

You'll find a lot of new videos in the Movie Theater, and there are new quotes and graphics scattered around the blog for your amusement. 

Scroll arouond and see if something makes you smile.

I just finished April Fool Proposition, another story in my A Moment in Time series. It is 99¢ New Release price, and it publishes April 4. This started out as a short story and ended up as a 30,000 word short novel. I just couldn't let go of the characters! I lost some days I should have been writing on the next book. I'll complain more about that at a later date. *LOL*

Coming Soon: Last Chance Beach Romance

That next book I should already be writing is to be the first book in Last Chance Beach Romance, a series of full-length novels united by the setting of Last Chance Beach.

If you're a longtime reader of this blog, you will remember Last Chance Beach was the island paradise I created last year for a box set of short stories.

Actually, I came up with the premise and an overview of Last Chance Beach and wrote The Legend of Last Chance Beach, about how the island paradise received its name. I then turned my baby over to the wonderfully creative authors in the box set who helped it grow to toddler-age.

What we all created ended up being a place we loved—and readers loved it too as was mentioned in nearly 50 5-star reviews. A second box set didn't seem in the cards so Nancy and I took the island and came up with a different idea for using it. You'll learn more about that in the coming weeks. My book cover is partially revealed above.

Amazon Kindle 99¢ 

Giveaway Question to Answer

The post opened with umbrellas so, of course, this question is about rain. Actually, I'm going to give you 2 questions.

When my daughter was little, she loved to walk in the rain so I outfitted her with a little raincoat, rain boots, and her own little pink umbrella. 

If the rain was gentle with no thunder and lightning, we'd walk in the rain.

Now that's she's grown, she buys her own raincoat, fashionable rain boots, and matching umbrella. She still likes the rain.

Q1: Do you own a raincoat and rain boots?

Q2: Do you like walking in the rain?

 Leave your answer and your email in comments. I can't wait to see what everyone has to say. This Giveaway is open to RG authors too if you wish to reply to win.

 

Like They Say in Hollywood, "That's a wrap." 

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One Lucky Girl by M.J. Schiller #RomanceGems

Hi, all! I'm the new kid on the block, your newest, little Romance Gem writer, and I am so glad to be here. I have admired these ladies' work, and the way they support each other, for a long time, and I'm happy I have the opportunity to join the group.

As a brief introduction, my name is M.J. Schiller and I write romance, romantic suspense, and chick lit. I live in the Midwest with my husband and our cat, Serena, and we are blessed to be the proud parents of a twenty-six-year-old and three twenty-four-year-olds. (Yes, they are triplets and no, I don't know how I survived those first months with three premature babies and a two-year-old, but I know it was with a lot of help from God!) My four little birdies have since flown the coop, and at the moment I have one in town with me, one in St. Louis, one in Kansas City, and one in Colorado Springs. I have joked that they've stretched the "Mommy Bubble" of comfort as far as it will go. But I feel I am very lucky that they are all healthy, employed, and with a significant other.

The simple beauty of Ireland.

This is such a great month for me to be here and be able to post about the monthly theme, Lucky in Love, because I have a lot of Irish in me. I offer as evidence that my mother's maiden name was McKee, and her mother's maiden name was Callahan. My grandmother McKee came from a family of eight, seven girls and one boy. (Poor guy!) I believe they all were fairly musically inclined and enjoyed family sing-alongs. My grandmother played multiple instruments including the piano and the banjo. Her father was a postmaster in St. Louis, where I spent my childhood. My Grandfather McKee was a mechanic and boxer in the Navy, a cantankerous sort with a soft heart underneath it all. It was he who fostered my love of Irish music by playing The Irish Rover's "The Unicorn" practically every time we came over. (It's a really cute song and worth looking up. :) ) I can see him now sitting in his chair with a smile on his face and a pipe tucked into the corner of his mouth. I feel lucky to have the heritage that I have.

Enjoying cocktails on the patio of the Ballynahinch Castle.

I have also been fortunate enough to be able to go to Ireland twice. The most recent trip I took with my husband the year our triplets left for college. My son Ryan called it our "victory lap" after successfully getting all of the kids out of the house. It was a very special trip and provided an opportunity to spend the night in a castle and hear an expert on William Butler Yeats read his poetry, while his wife, who was a chef, served us lunch. Their lovely home overlooked Galway Bay, an area often featured in Yeats' work. (While these were some of my favorite moments, my husband, however, most appreciated our tour of the Guinness factory!)

How has all this Irishness affected my writing? I'm so glad you asked. I actually used my grandfather's name in my book DAMAGE DONE which is set in Ireland, and bits of his life story made their way into it as well. I also have an Irish bartender in my chic lit DEVILISH DIVAS SERIES. I loved him so much I had to kill off the heroine in the first book that featured him so I could have fun creating a second romance for him. Even that wasn't enough and Killian's second wife also met her demise! (Some would say he wasn't lucky in love!) But, not to worry, an upcoming book gives him the opportunity to make the third time a charm.

So, to wrap things up, I thought I'd share a bit of Killian with you. That way you can see a little of my writing. This is from the scene when Killian meets the heroine, Bridey (Bridget), in SIN WORTH THE PENANCE.




“Killian?” My Aunt Deidre glanced over from her pour. “Be a love and fetch me a bottle of Jameson’s from the pantry, would ya?” She was a sprite of a woman, in her late fifties, and as sweet as could be. But if her kids got her riled up, she could equally be a terror. I kept on her good side.

“Aye.” I turned to follow instructions.

“And, while you’re at it, a bottle of gin, as well.”

I nodded and crossed the room, noting a table that needed to be bussed along me way. Under the stairs leading to the rooms I rented above was a small stock room. I opened the door and felt along the inside wall for a switch, but could find none. I left the door open instead, thinking the light from the pub would be enough to illuminate a bottle of Jameson’s and some gin. I squinted in the murky interior as I searched the shelf in the back for the familiar green whiskey bottle.

Then, in a sweep, what little light there was disappeared. The door swung shut and I was left in utter blackness. I could feel someone behind me and by the alluring fragrance, a woman. She circled me in her arms and caressed the fronts of me thighs. I froze, completely caught unawares. Then she nibbled on me neck, her tongue gliding along me skin as she went. I’d been a widow for coming up on a year, and with no woman, but me body hadn’t forgotten what need was. Heat quivered through me.

A sultry voice broke the silence. “Guess who?”

I cleared me throat. “I haven’t a clue.”

She swatted my head. “Would you deny me, Murphey?”

My confusion deepened. It wasn’t a case of mistaken identity then. She knew me name. An old flame? I listened more intently, trying to recognize the voice.

She leaned in, her mouth at me ear. “Ya weren’t denying me yesterday in your mother’s bedroom.”

Wait? What? Mother’s bedroom?

She continued to purr. “Or did you just want me to remind ya? Cuz I’ll gladly do that.”

Before I knew it, she’d slipped around in front of me, and lush lips covered mine, pulling me into a dizzying kiss. She put her hands on the sides of me face to guide her and, God help me, I knew I shouldn’t, but I responded. Her lips tasted of sin and sweet strawberries. But if she was a sin, she was a sin worth the penance, for sure.

I knew now that this woman was sorely confused, for I had been in no mother’s bedroom with her, except maybe in me dreams. I should pull away. I should straighten her out on just who she was kissin’. Instead, I weaved me fingers through her silky tresses and hung on for dear life. But when she reached down me pants... I jumped, as did she. We both simultaneously exclaimed, “Oh, me Gawd!” mine a murmur of pleasure, hers a reaction of surprise.

She parted from me and the next thing I knew the door creaked open and light poured in. I spun to both find out who this vixen was, and apologize for not announcing meself more clearly. Blinking in the light, I put a hand up to block it, but all I saw was a head atumble with gorgeous, curly, black as midnight hair and a tight ass in jeans the likes of which I’d never seen before. Feeling weak-kneed I felt behind me and sat on a crate.

What just happened? Me brain had a hard time coming back to its normal senses. Was I kissed by an angel? Or perhaps the heavens are playing tricks on me for some reason?

Too late, I sprang to me feet and stuck me head out the door. And, although it was a wide open room with nowhere to hide, me phantom kisser was naught to be seen.

Blurb for SIN WORTH THE PENANCE: 

Even an entire ocean couldn’t separate Killian Murphey from his grief.

But when shortly after his return to Ireland Killian finds himself in an unexpected liplock, it definitely gives him a distraction from his sorrows. Who is the temptress that mistook him for someone else in the dark of the pantry? And why has that kiss set him ablaze?

 

Bridget O’Flannery is definitely the kind of girl that can leave a man burned.

But is Bridget more than reputation leads people to believe? And when shadows from her past come to claim her, will she be the one who ends up suffering a fiery end? Or will she and Killian be able to smother the flames that haunt her?

 Either way, she is definitely a SIN WORTH THE PENANCE!

To purchase SIN WORTH THE PENANCE:


Amazon: mybook.to/SinWorthThePenance

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sin-worth-the-penance-mj-schiller/1132647298?ean=9781644571231

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sin-worth-the-penance-the-devilish-divas-series-book-6

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/sin-worth-the-penance-the-devilish-divas-series-book-6/id1474289833




Thanks for reading! One lucky commenter will win their choice of any of my e-books. I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming months!



What is one of your favorite vacations?

Coffee and Conversation with the #RomanceGems

It's time for Coffee and Conversation with the Romance Gems! So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and join us for some fun. This month's topic is: The Holidays!

Ahh…Thanksgiving in the USA. No denying, we’re in the thick of the holiday season now! 2020 certainly poses challenges and will be one for the history books. But in talking with folks, I realize every holiday season sparks a myriad of thoughts, emotions, and memories. For some it’s a chance to reflect and count blessings. For others, the holidays bring back childhood memories and good times. Some bask in joy while others just shrug it all off. And this can change from year to year as life does.

So, as this 2020 holiday season officially kicks off, tell me what you’re thinking, what you’re planning, what you’re remembering. Share a funny story, a cooking fiasco, a tradition. Or paint a picture in our minds of days gone by. Let’s talk!

“Two years ago, my husband and I were on the beginning of a six month RV trip. We’d planned Thanksgiving with Pennsylvania cousins, but a foot of snow made us head south early, to Asheville, NC. Since we had no family to celebrate with, we booked a tour of the Biltmore mansion and had dinner in the nearby village. The mansion was completely decked out for Christmas already and was well worth the hefty fee to get in. The buildings and grounds are definitely something to see and the history of the place makes it all the more interesting.” ~ Kari Lemor

Kari Lemor's Thanksgiving trip to the Biltmore

“You know how little boys are. They are curious — especially if your grandfather gets a new cigarette lighter for Christmas. One Christmas when I was about four, one boy cousin caught the curtains on fire by the tree. The grownups were watching TV in another room. I screamed. My father and uncles rushed into the living room and put out the fire. I saved the day, and boy cousin was sent to bed. This is a picture of my sweet girl cousin and me about that time.” ~ Jan Scarbrough

Jan Scarbrough's Christmas with cousins

“I'm a holiday junkie. I admit it. My two favorite holidays are Halloween and Christmas. One thing I enjoy most about Christmas is spending time with my grandchildren. I was an only child but I was blessed with dozens of cousins, so I grew up on big family gatherings. I love passing down stories of Christmases past when sharing the holiday with my much smaller family now. The picture is from Christmas 1960. I'm the tall one in the back shoving a cookie into my mouth.” ~ Nancy Fraser

Nancy Fraser's Christmas with cousins

“I have discovered that one of my roles in life is to be an Anticipator. That is to say, I always have many plans for the holidays and being productive all through them, but it never happens. This used to disappoint me, both in myself and in the piddly results of my plans, but the truth is I enjoy the anticipation. I like looking at holiday fabric, choosing decorations, deciding which cookies I might never make, and considering hand-made gifts. If I never leave my desk, that's okay, too. Merry Christmas and Happy Anticipating!” ~ Liz Flaherty

Liz Flaherty - Anticipating all she'll do

“Back in the day when I was a flight attendant, there were many holidays I missed. It was the nature of the business, and you learned to roll with it. One of the most memorable was a Christmas Eve spent in Rome. I was a newlywed with a not too happy husband at home. The crew made the best of it. We did a bit of retail therapy, had dinner at a fancy restaurant and ended the evening with midnight mass at the Vatican. Next day I went home to a Charlie Brown tree.” ~ Marcia King-Gamble

Marcia King-Gamble's Christmas in Rome

“So many memories, it’s hard to choose just one. Yet each November I remember a special Thanksgiving.

My father traveled often for work, so when the holiday rolled around, and he was home, I hoarded his time. We watched the Macy’s parade together, eating cinnamon rolls in the blanket fort we built with the dining room chairs. Then Mom told us to take the dog for “a nice long walk” so she could cook in peace. My big sister and brother were in the mix, and too many hungry spectators were clogging up her kitchen. LOL

It was a perfect day—cold and sunny—and Dad and I (and our Dachshund) enjoyed a long walk in the woods. A moment in time I still cherish.” ~ Kathryn Hills

Kathryn Hills - A Thanksgiving walk with Dad

“My kids don’t love turkey. So one thanksgiving I got the brilliant idea to make a lasagna instead of a turkey for Thanksgiving. It did not go over well. Not only did everyone get upset, but I bought the noodles that need to be boiled first, and I did not in fact boil them. It was a crunchy lasagna that tasted of disappointment. It’s something we can all laugh about now.” ~ Laura Hunsaker

***

Okay, it's your turn to join the conversation! Add your comments below or send via email through the "contact us” link on the bottom of the left sidebar. You can also make suggestions on what you'd like to discuss here in the future.

Thanks for joining us. Happy Thanksgiving, EVERYONE!

~ The Romance Gems ~

The Citizens Are Coming! by Kathryn Hills #RomanceGems

If you’ve followed this Romance Gems blog for any amount of time, you know the inhabitants of Camp Hills often have adventures. So, why would the Thanksgiving holiday be any different? Sit back, and I’ll tell you a story…

It was autumn more than twenty years ago, and we’d recently moved back to New England after living down south. A homecoming we were excited for, as Mr. H comes from a big family, and relatives would be within driving distance again. We were a happy little family unit with Darling Daughter (DD) and a cute Dachshund puppy. How fun to spend the holidays in our new home!

Darling Daughter was a first grader at the time. New school. New Friends. Thrilled by all the build-up to the holidays, since her new teacher had many projects planned for the class. All good things, because moving can be challenging for any child.

You see we’d left an urban setting for a more rural one, and both DD and the pup were anxious. Everything was different. For starters, it was incredibly dark at night, and there were wild things living in our yard. Deer and fox regularly crossed our lawn, not to mention the flock of wild turkeys and howling coyotes that traumatized the dog.

Fast forward to late November and our first Thanksgiving in the new location. It was an unusually warm afternoon when I picked Darling Daughter up at school the Friday before the holiday. We returned home to play with the dog, her favorite thing to do. Yet DD seemed off, distant, and preoccupied. When I asked what was wrong, her tone and expression turned ominous. “The citizens are coming,” she whispered.

“What?” I asked in confusion. “What ‘citizens’ are coming, and to where?”

“To my school. My teacher said so, and she said we’d better behave, or they’ll be very mad.”

Let me pause here for a moment to explain that I am an avid horror, paranormal, and fantasy reader and movie enthusiast. THIS statement sent chills down my spine.

“Why are they coming?” I prodded.

DD dropped her gaze. “Teacher says we have to serve them.”

Okay. Stop the presses! What the heck is going on here?

Of course, I questioned my daughter further, but it was to no avail. She had no more information to give. Of course, again, it was the weekend before Thanksgiving, so there was no one to call at school to ascertain what was going on.

On Sunday night, Darling Daughter was concerned about going back to school. She told Mr. H the same thing. “The citizens are coming.” He shot me the look.

When I dropped DD off at school the next morning, I assured her I’d find out what was happening. Her answer…with a stoic expression… “It’s too late, Mommy. They’ll be here soon.”

*gasp*

We still laugh about this story each Thanksgiving. Turns out “the citizens” were senior citizens from a nearby nursing facility. The children were hosting them for a Thanksgiving-themed party. Also turns out Darling Daughter’s teacher was a bit wound up about the whole event, and she had warned her students to behave or there would be dire consequences.

The moral of this story? Life with a someday-author—and her imaginative daughter—will be an adventure. Just ask Mr. H. Must be all that excess creativity, flitting about. I’m just glad the movie The Village hadn’t aired yet. 😊

This holiday season, I wish you peace, love, joy, and good health. Share some funny stories with those you love best, even if it is via Zoom or by phone, so everyone can stay safe.

Thanks for reading. Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Kathryn

If you enjoyed my story, please FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK for more of my antics.

Gratitude and Appreciation by @JoanReeves #RomanceGems

On November 6, I posted Thanksgiving Gift: Gratitude on my personal blog, SlingWords.

The post was about my giving the Gift of Gratitude during the month of November.

This gift is for the people I love—family and friends—and the people in my professional life who support me and work with me toward a common goal. Of the latter, there are many since I've been in the writing business almost 40 years.

To family and friends, I wrote a card, detailing how thankful I am to have them in my life. Yes, I'm old school in that I think a handwritten card, mailed to the recipient is appreciated.

To those I know online, I also want to speak gratitude and appreciation. That brings me to this post.

Romance Gems Authors

How can I express in mere words, how much I appreciate the Authors of Romance Gems?

Ladies of Romance Gems, you are each a gift to me. 

Without a doubt, these authors are some of the most talented authors with whom I've had the pleasure of working.

They blog each month, they support each other on social media, they write amazing books, and, best of all, they get along with each other. No prima donnas here.

I applaud them, and I want you to applaud them too—and read their books! 

I'm thankful they are a part of Romance Gems. I appreciate them, their time, and their gifts.

Bonnie Edwards
Caroline Clemmons
Cheryl Bolen
Connie Vines
Constance Bretes
Hannah Rowan
Jan Scarbrough
Judith Hudson
Kara O'Neal
Karen Whiddon
Kari Lemor
Kathleen Lawless
Kathryn Hills
Laura Hunsaker
Liz Flaherty
Lucinda Race
Maddie James
Marcia King-Gamble
Nancy Fraser
Nora LeDuc
Peggy Jaeger  

Romance Gems Readers

Readers, I can only say, "Wow!"

We hoped we'd attract those who love romance novels as much as we do. Hurray, we did!

You read this blog, you visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You buy our books, you pick up our free books when they're offered, and you enter our contests.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. (You'll love the holiday book fair we're putting together, Santa's Book Shop.)

With gratitude and appreciation, I thank you. My cup of blessings runs over.

Wishing you all—authors and readers—a season of gratitude, appreciation, and giving thanks. I wish you a holiday that's safe and full of love. 

If it's a video visit, be comforted in knowing you're keeping those you love safe.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Making Magic by Kathryn Hills #RomanceGems

 

It’s no secret. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE Halloween. Not just because I enjoy scary things or buckets full of candy. (Um…we’ll talk about that later) The thing that truly gets me, right in my pumpkin-spiced-loving heart, is the excitement and mystery of the weeks leading up to the 31st. It’s that unsettled feeling, those goosebumps and shivers, which hint that something unexpected—even magical—is about to happen.

For me, these feelings began in childhood. I grew up in a time that heartily embraced Halloween. No rules about when or how you could Trick-Or-Treat. If the light was on, you rang the bell! I even went with friends on the way home from school. After the big costume parade and party, of course. Does anyone remember making orange and black paper chains to decorate your classroom? Scary decorations, pumpkins, running in the dark. We laughed until our sides hurt and ate way too much candy. My best friend and I would tremble and lock arms when we passed “the haunted house.” You know the place. Every town has one.

Throughout the years, I added many more special Halloween magic memories. College events, my first apartment gathering with Mr. H. and our friends, and later introducing our own daughter to the things we love. The best of times as we dressed up, decorated, baked, and watched fun, spooky shows, and movies together. The magic—all there, only different.

This year at Camp Hills, we dug out our decorations and even added some new ones. Darling Daughter put up a Halloween Tree for the first time. It’s black with purple lights and fabulous Halloween ornaments. FANTASTIC! (You can find many great options on Etsy) DD’s are Tim Burton-themed…Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride. We grew our own pumpkins and supported a favorite local farm by buying the BIGGEST ones we could find there. 30 lbs.+ each - no kidding! We needed wagons to get them to the car. You know they'll be outstanding Jack-o'-Lanterns providing yummy seeds aplenty! 

The spirit of the season is also alive and well on the pages my books. My Time Traveler’s Journey Series books (Haunting Highland House & Hellfire and Handbaskets) are on sale for 99 cents each as a Halloween treat for romance readers. Characters in both the past and present experience the magic along with ghostly surprises.

My advice? Eat the candy, bake the goodies, light candles, read hauntingly romantic novels, and watch your favorite shows. That's what I'll be doing!

I’d love to hear what you’re up to this year, so please share.

Happy Halloween, ALL!

~ Kathryn

SOMETHING NEW COMING SOON!

Join me and 9 of my favorite author in the small New England town of Dickens!

Pre-Order the CHRISTMAS COMES TO DICKENS romance anthology now

for delivery on 10/26/20 (That's next week - YAY!)

Just 99 cents!

And don't forget your FREE companion cookie recipe book!

Download IT'S A DICKENS OF A COOKIE! today

You've Been Booed! by Kathryn Hills #RomanceGems

 

Ahh, autumn. It’s my favorite season. I love the warm days and cold nights. Sweaters, pumpkins, scary fun. Plus, living in northern New England, Mother Nature is all about showing off her vibrant fall colors here. But what would life at Camp Hills be without some humor? Sit back and let me tell you a story.

It was a dark and stormy night. Kidding. I just love it when a story starts like that. It all began when Darling Daughter was a tween...

For as long as I can remember—and certainly for her entire quarter of a century life—we’ve celebrated Halloween. In a BIG way! Hayrides to pumpkin patches where you pick your own. Trips to Salem and theme parks with haunted events. Parties, decorations, festive foods, you name it. Don’t even get me started on the shows and movies we watch every October. So, when a neighbor introduced us to “Booing”, we wholeheartedly embraced the fun experience as a family.

Are you familiar with Booing? For those who aren’t, it’s when you assemble a bunch of fun Halloween-themed treats (candy and trinkets) and deliver them to an unsuspecting neighbor. I say “unsuspecting”, because you pull a “ding-dong-dash” maneuver. Ring the doorbell, leave the goodies, and dash away before you’re seen. Your “Boo” is a surprise for the occupants of the house, an anonymous gift of Halloween cheer, typically for the children. (Although, I have heard of adults partaking, delivering alcoholic beverages along with chocolate. Totally onboard with this idea if anyone wants to play!)

Once you’ve been “Booed”, you place a sign on your door so participating neighbors will know to skip your house and go to someone new. Then you Boo two other households, and the fun grows.

Charming, you might think, and it is! Super-fun, too, since you get to shop for someone else with the sole intention of delighting them. Plus, you get to speculate who Booed you.

So…where did we go astray? Because you KNOW we did. Darling Daughter, being the sweetheart that she is, didn’t just want to leave treats for her close friends. She knew there were two kids, living only part time in our neighborhood because their parents were divorced. No one really knew them; they came and went so often. “Why not Boo them?” she asked. “Make them feel welcome.” I was a proud mama when she shared her idea.

It was a real crock-pot bubbling, wood stove crackling, frosty fall evening when Mr. H volunteered to help our girl with the ding-dong-dash part of the plan. They bundled up, took the gifts and the corresponding “You’ve been Booed!” printed message that explains it all, grabbed a couple of flashlights, and headed out into the spooky darkness.

Time went by as I prepared our supper and fed the dogs. I glanced at the clock several times, wondering why they were gone so long. Just ring the bell and run. It’s easy. Half an hour later, they finally came home, laughing so hard they were crying. Apparently, the neighbor Darling Daughter decided to Boo was home alone with his wife. No kids that night. When the doorbell rang and no one was there, the dad whipped on all the spotlights, thinking he’d been pranked. My two hid behind the neighbor’s car, trying not to be discovered. The man inside began yelling, “It’s a package. What the hell? It’s a God damned package. Who did this?”

“I don’t know,” the wife said, obviously concerned. According to my two hooligans.

What's the moral of this story? I suppose it’s…sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty to be nice. Santa definitely will understand.

And the neighbors who initially Booed us? The dad in that family eventually admitted he took out our fence when he tried to dash away in the dark. Ouch! We were wondering how that happened. We live in a fun place. What else can I say? 😊

If you’d like to Boo your neighbors, family members, or friends this Halloween season, head to Pinterest for some great ideas and free printable signs for the gift bag message and for your front door. Just don’t mention me, okay? We Hills are notorious troublemakers. *wink*

If you enjoyed this story and would like to learn more about my books, know that Halloween is exciting for my characters as well. Whether they're attending a costume ball in the past—as in the late Victorian era—or they're on the streets of Boston in modern times, thrills and chills are just the beginning. Visit my Amazon Author's Page to embark on A Time Traveler's Journey!

 Until next time, thanks for reading. Stay safe and go spread some magic!

~ Kathryn

April Fool Wedding? by @JoanReeves #RomanceGems

I love weddings! The flowers! The cake! The smiles! Everyone is happy!

In today’s world where couples live together and often have children without marriage, getting married seems to have become the ultimate commitment if not the ultimate love story.

Weddings are celebrated in ceremonies ranging from small, family-only events to splashy galas costing as much as a house.

Ancient People Knew What Was At Stake

It wasn’t always like this. Ancient history tells us that marriage was first a private, domestic affair.

According to Curious Customs of Sex and Marriage by George Ryley Scott (out of print but available at used book outlets), the basic function of marriage was to multiply. After all, the population was small. The planet needed more people. Marriages were simply a way of sponsoring procreation.

You may kiss the bride. Go forth and procreate.

The Not So Distant Past

It didn't take men long to decide that the value of a woman—daughter, sister, or any female related by marriage—lay in making marriage contracts that enabled them (the men) to gain more wealth and power.

Women weren't given a choice. I'm sure most of them weren't too happy about being told whom to marry.

Marriage was a hard sell to most men too. Those testosterone-fueled beings didn't embrace the concept. They took persuading which is probably why the dowry played such a big part in landing a man who would enhance a father's power and wealth.

Perhaps that explains why so many nations (remember, just about all society was patriarchal) experimented with Polygymy, a form of plural marriage in which a man is allowed more than one wife.

The more times a man could marry, the more dowries he could claim and expand his power base. (The female side of this is Polyandry, a form of polygamy whereby a woman takes two or more husbands at the same time. Unfortunately, there were no dowries given for men so there was no financial reward for having to deal with more than one man at a time.)

Eventually, in most civilized nations of the world, monogamy was accepted almost universally, at least in theory, as the perfect form of marital union. As we all know, nothing and no one is perfect, but monogamy was probably what kept the world rocking along for a couple of millennia.

Marriage of Convenience

Another classic tradition in the wedding arena is the Marriage of Convenience in which an unwilling man or woman is forced into a marriage.

Sometimes this is because of the need for protection or for economic reasons.

I explore that theme in my romance, April Fool Bride. In my story, Madeline Quinn, an oil heiress, needs a husband, but men only see dollar signs when they look at her.


Mad Maddie, as the tabloids christened her, decides a marriage of convenience is the answer. She turns to the one man in the world she can trust, her housekeeper’s son who always treated her like a little sister when they were kids growing up together.

Jake Becker hasn’t seen Maddie since the night she tried to seduce him. Why should he help the woman who changed the course of his life? Simple. Revenge.

The Marriage of Convenience is one of the most popular tropes in a romance. What do you think of it? Is it one of your favorites?

Until next time, stay healthy and escape cabin fever with a good romance!

March Madness by @JoanReeves #RomanceGems

Spring is coming!

I'm suffering from March Madness. (Giveaway Alert!)

No, not the never-ending televised basketball games. I'm talking about the things that drive me mad.

(Giveaway Alert. Read to the end.)

1. Internet

My March malady called internet started late Friday night. No internet. No websites. No email, etc.

Darling Hubby and I have been saying for the last 3 years that we need to change internet service providers yet we haven't.

Why? Because it's such a PITA. I think after this escapade, we'll be forced to find another ISP. Just got internet restored a short while ago which is why this post is late. This isn't even what I planned to blog about, but sometimes you have to vent.

Stress-2902537_1280. Image by Pete Linworth. PIXABAY

2. Crazy Houston Drivers.

For the last 2 weeks, I've been driving my daughter every day to her various doctor and hospital appointments. Each time I drive, I end up thanking Jesus that I'm still alive.

What is it with today's driving population? Apparently a red light now means make it if you can.

A driver with that philosophy ran a red light three weeks ago and killed 3 people in an SUV was proceeding when the light turned green.

As for Stop signs? Forget about it. At the gated entrance to my community, there is a Stop All Ways sign. I estimate at least 50 per cent of drivers run those stop signs. I've escaped being T-boned when turning left into my community several times. The only time everyone stops is when a Deputy Constable is parked there.

3. Internet Trolls

Is it me or do people online seem to be even more belligerent, crude, and hateful than ever before? I guess it's the anonymity offered by the Internet.

I can hardly believe the comments some people leave on websites. Why can't someone disagree with another person without resorting to insults, crude language, and hate-filled diatribes?

Venting Over

chihuahua-dog-puppy-cute-39317_Pixabay

Okay, on to happier topics. Maybe even some pictures of puppies, kittens, flowers, and other fun things.

Our February anniversary promotion was a big success.

Nancy Frasier will give you details in her post and will give you the scoop on our March Promotion.

Thanks and Best Wishes

I'd like to thank everyone who reads Romance Gems and who take the time to leave comments and enter our Giveaways. You all make us feel our time spent on this blog is worthwhile. On my first of the month post, I like to give away something.

My March 1 Giveaway

1. Open to everyone.
2. To be entered, leave a comment (with your email address written out) on any of the topics I mentioned.
3. Giveaway open until March 5 at 6pm CST.
4. Winner selected by Random Draw.
5. Prize is a free ebook copy of Liam's Wild Irish Rose, the new story in my A Moment in Time series, which publishes March 10.
NOTE: If I have had to go out of town due to my older brother's surgery, I'll send the ebook when I return home.

I don't have the buy link as I write this, but it will be available asap.

Excerpt from Liam's Wild Irish Rose
Copyright © 2020 Joan Reeves

When the house band in the Mexican-Irish pub began playing Danny Boy, the crowd cheered. As usual, the first verse was in English.

The next verse was in Spanish with the words projected on one of the big screen televisions. Everyone sang along with both versions. Those not knowing Spanish gamely sang and laughed their way through the lyrics.

The song, a standard in every bar on St. Patrick’s Day, was always sung in Spanish and in English at Juan O’Hara’s Mexican Irish Pub. Liam Harper knew the words in both languages, but his focus was on scanning the crowd for a particular redhead, not on singing with the rest of the standing-room only crowd.

Disappointment settled over him. He’d thought—hoped—she’d come. But she hadn’t. He swirled the foamy liquid in his mug. He wasn’t crazy about green beer, but tradition was tradition. Laughter and applause told him the song was over. He gave a loud whistle and saluted the band with his beer then set the mug on the bar and pushed it to the opposite edge so the bartender could take it away.

Tonight was a celebration so he plastered a smile on his face and tried to pretend he was happy. He leaned his elbows on the bar and watched the crowd some more. He’d give it another half hour before he said goodnight to his brother and Cheyenne, the woman who’d captured Luke's heart.

The pub was packed thanks to clever marketing by Juan whose Irish dad and Hispanic mom had made Juan O’Hara’s one of the most popular bars in the greater Houston area. He knew there was a line snaking down the sidewalk from the front door to the parking lot.

Liam caught Luke’s eye, and the two brothers exchanged grins. His brother looked so damned happy that it was nearly disgusting. By no means did he begrudge Luke his happiness. If anything, he understood how his brother had fallen so hard for Cheyenne Smith. He understood because the same thing had happened to him when he’d met Cheyenne’s friend Maura O'Reilly.

How ironic that of all the women in the world, he fell for the one who seemed to have no interest in him. At least no interest outside the bedroom. A lot of men would think that was the perfect relationship—hot sex with a beautiful woman who had no interest in an actual relationship.

Unfortunately, Liam wasn’t one of those men. He wanted Maura, and he wanted all of her, not just sex, although that was earth-shattering all by itself. The minute he’d seen Maura, he’d been lost in her emerald green eyes. He’d thought she felt the same because her green eyes held his gaze, as if time had stopped ticking away. Neither seemed able to look away. He couldn’t not ask. “Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?”

Her reply wasn’t what he’d expected. “Dinner? Sure, but just so you know, I don’t date the same man more than three times.”

He’d been Mr. Cool. “I just asked you to dinner, not to wear my letter jacket and go steady.”

Mr. Fool was more like it. Oh, they'd been together more than three times, but she continued to assert that they weren't in a relationship.

Just then the band started playing My Wild Irish Rose. As if Fate had planned it, Liam saw his wild Irish rose across the room. Their eyes met, and his pulse sped up. Hope flared in his heart.

Could St. Patrick's Day improve his luck? Could he finally get Maura to commit to him?

March is a wonderful month with flowers popping out all over, the first day of spring, and of course, St. Patrick's Day. Have an awesome month!