A Stormy Summer by @karilemor #RomanceGems

 

 July is all about Beach Reads!  There’re so many great books out there and I am hoping to find time to read some. Lately, I’ve been working on writing more than reading. My Storms of New England series is the perfect series of books to take to the beach with you! The covers are all summery, New England scenes, and the family, the Storms, are the perfect family you’d want along!

Here’s a little something about each book and where you can find links for them.

Elusive Dreams

Creating a family might be the only way to heal two scarred souls.

Marine Erik Storm intends to keep the promise he made to a dying mother. Protect her two young children, survivors of the bombing that left him barely able to walk. He moves into his grandparents' house in coastal Maine next door to a childhood friend.

Tessa Porter is no longer the shy little girl from his youth, but a life in foster care has left her leery of people. When his custody of the children is questioned, she offers to enter into a marriage of convenience to boost his case.

They don't expect the sparks that fly or their growing desire. When their marriage becomes real, they have to find ways to heal together or risk losing their perfectly imperfect family for good.

https://www.karilemor.com/elusive-dreams

 

True Dreams

Can she see beyond his past to heal his damaged soul?

 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?

https://www.karilemor.com/true-dreams

 

Stolen Dreams

Can he loosen up enough to let her in?

Control is Alex Storm’s middle name. Every aspect of his life is scheduled down to the minute. His routines are part of him, and he cannot deviate. Finding a woman who can put up with his strict organization has been difficult... until Gina blows back into town.

A nomadic life spent with her bohemian mother made Gina Mazelli the definition of a free spirit. Inheriting her grandmother’s house requires her to put down temporary roots right next door to the sexiest control freak she’s ever known.

Alex hopes helping Gina fix up the house will lead to a quick sale and an end to the explosive chemistry between them. But every day they’re together, Gina realizes she wants to create a home, especially if she can convince a certain uptight perfectionist that he’s the key to making her dreams come true.

https://www.karilemor.com/stolen-dreams

 

Broken Dreams

Can she show him true family is more than an image?

Corporate attorney Nathaniel Storm’s exclusive world is thrown into a tailspin when his cheating ex drops off the son he didn't know he had. Being an instant dad and handling the care of a special needs child, isn’t something he’s comfortable with. 

​Under the dark makeup and piercings, Darcy Marx has a heart of gold, but she’s spent her life trying to dig herself out of one misfortune after another. Bad decisions and heartbreaking choices in the past won’t stop her from creating a better life.

​When the two are paired together in a wedding, Darcy connects with Nathaniel’s son in a way he can only hope for. Yet this bold as brass sprite with the saucy mouth taunts him at every turn. When Nathaniel looks past Darcy’s non-traditional ways, he finds a determined woman who can work miracles, but he wonders if she’s strong enough to jump start his disconnected heart.

 https://www.karilemor.com/broken-dreams

 

Lost Dreams (arriving 8/10/2021)

Can they learn to trust again?

For the past decade, fire captain, Greg Storm, has wanted no part of another relationship all thanks to a faithless wife who handed over their infant son and fled. He and his son have done just fine by themselves.

Teacher Alandra Cabrera and abandonment go together all too well. She and her daughter were left in the cold by a controlling husband who really only wanted a personal servant and perfect wife. Once a mother, she fit neither of those roles. His dismissal shattered her already limited self-esteem.

With Greg’s son in Ali’s class, the two get to know each other better beyond school and town committees. They both have extreme trust issues and taking that first step toward something more requires courage. Especially with the trauma and rejection left in the wake of their past. Unless they find their way beyond the barriers, a future together seems out of reach... 

 https://www.karilemor.com/lost-dreams

 And if you’re looking for a little Christmas in July, here’s a sweet Hallmark style novella.

Forgotten Dreams

Wanted: Christmas Magic    

Ten years ago, Mark Campbell broke Kristan Donahue’s heart when he joined the navy and left her behind in their small New England town. Now he's back home for the holidays and wants to pick up where they left off.

Can the magic of Christmas help Kristan open up her heart enough to trust again? And can this same magic convince Mark that next to Kristan is where he belongs?

https://www.karilemor.com/forgotten-dreams

 

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The Meaning Behind June Brides by @karilemor #RomanceGems

 

June is a very popular month to get married. These days, it’s often because the weather is starting to get nicer, but not too hot. But why is being a “June Bride” such a big deal?

Going back in history, we see the name June is derived from the Roman goddess of marriage, Juno. Many people believed when a couple got married in June their marriage would be blessed forever with happiness.

But June weddings were also done for quite logical reasons. Many people married in June so conception wouldn’t interfere with the harvest. Yep, count nine months later and you don’t want the wife trying to pick the crops as she’s about to give birth.

Another theory is that in many years past, baths weren’t as common as they are today. Some families only got one a year (and they had to share the water – yuck!) Often the yearly bath was in May or early June. So marriages took place to ensure the bride still smelled fairly decent for her groom (and vice versa). Yet, the bride wanted to be sure to have a pleasing scent, so she carried a bouquet of flowers to help.

But flowers and bouquets had other meanings too. Summer was great for taking advantage of fresh flowers for the ceremony. There are numerous symbolic meanings with flowers that show loyalty, purity, and love. In early Rome, the bride did not carry a bouquet but rather wore a garland that symbolized a new life and fertility. Often aphrodisiacs such as Dill were added so the newlyweds got in the right mood for the wedding night. Some cultures added stronger herbs and plants to the bouquet (like garlic!!!) because they were superstitious and wanted to ward off evil spirits from showing up at the wedding.

The tradition of tossing the bouquet goes way back. At weddings, the bride was considered to be lucky, so many women guests wanted a piece of that luck. Thus, they would try and tear off a piece of the wedding dress. So the tradition of throwing the bouquet to grant luck onto another guest began, avoiding decimation of the lovely bride’s gown. Can you imagine paying a bazillion dollars for your dress just to have people tear it apart?

The tradition of wedding rings has also been around for a very long time.  The band represents eternity because it doesn’t have a beginning or an end, and is what the happy couple wishes for their marriage. The couple places the rings on their fingers as a sign they agree to a never-ending commitment.

Another tradition is ‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.’ Is still around today. The old represents continuity and stability. Something new symbolizes optimism and good fortune in your new life together. Something borrowed represents borrowed happiness from someone who loves you. And the blue symbolizes love and fidelity.

Whether you’re a traditionalist or prefer something more modern, weddings are beautiful because they show us that two people love each other so much they are willing to work together to and sacrifice to be with each other.

I have a few books that have weddings in them but I think my favorite is my Marriage of Convenience story, Elusive Dreams. Erik has promised to look after and adopt two children he rescued from the same bombing that left him seriously injured. But that injury is keeping him from being the ideal candidate to take the kids. Enter introverted neighbor, Tessa. She’s crushed on Erik since she was a teenager and now he wants to marry her? It’s her dream come true.

Here’s a peek at their wedding:

When she looked to the end of the aisle, there stood Erik, and her heart actually stopped. But when it started again, it beat triple time. God, how could any man be so devastatingly handsome? His Marine uniform was blue from broad shoulders to above his spit shined shoes. The red stripe down the lighter blue pants focused attention on his long legs. His white cover sat on top of the fresh haircut he’d gotten two days ago and the amount of decorations he had on his chest filled her lungs with air and pride. This was no mere mortal. This man was a hero and for some strange reason he’d agreed to her stupid suggestion of getting married. There were a dozen women in town who he could have asked who would have agreed to marry him to keep the kids. One who was much prettier and not such a fr…introvert.

He looked up. His eyes glowed and a huge grin crossed his face. It was similar to the one he’d worn the times they’d practiced kissing this week. Forget about her heart. Every damn organ stopped functioning. How would she get the last few steps to reach him?

“Don’t keep him waiting, dear,” Hans whispered in her ear. “It’s obvious he’s a mite impatient.”

She took a step and then another. Soon she was close enough and he shifted his cane and reached out with his left hand. Putting her hand in his, she held on tight. For Erik, she’d hold on as tight and as long as she needed to.

ELUSIVE DREAMS

Here's where you can find me!

 Website: https://www.karilemor.com/ 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Karilemorauthor/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/karilemor

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/karilemor/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/karilemorauthor/

 Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9756283.Kari_Lemor

 BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kari-lemor

 Amazon Author page:  https://www.amazon.com/Kari-Lemor/e/B00ON2YDI6/

Showers of Riches by Liz Flaherty #RomanceGems

A week or so ago, when I said, Sure, I'll write a post for a vacant day, I threw that title up there at the top to save my place. "Showers of Riches." Because, you know, showers for April. Riches because...well, because no one had used it yet. And because, when I went to adding them up, April does indeed offer an abundance of them.

Both of my parents were born in April, as were my oldest son and two of my grandkids. That same son married my beloved daughter-in-law 31 years ago on the 30th. I am grateful beyond measure.

But this is a writing blog, isn't it, and my writing life hasn't been quite so enriched in past years. While I'm happy for those who've had great years and who are embracing the changes I can't quite keep up with--actually, there's no "quite" to it; I can't keep up, period--I've spend most of the past several years wondering about my place in publishing. In the inimitable words of Clash, "Should I stay or should I go?"

Of course, it was never a real tossup. I'm staying. Probably until they withdraw the mouse from my cold, dead hand. But I've talked about quitting so much my friend Nan rolls her eyes and my husband completely ignores me. (He does that on other occasions, too, but we're not talking about that today.)

So I did what writers always do. I asked my friends what it was like for them.

Kari Lemor said, "Every time I look at my dashboard and see days and weeks of no sales, I think 'what's the point?' But then the stories in my head nag at me to write them. I'm not really given a choice."

Well, yes, there is that...and Nancy Fraser agreed. "Like Kari, the stories that pop into my head keep me going. I'd hate think how crowded it would get in there if I didn't get them out."

Marcia King-Gamble said, "After writing as many as five books a year, and managing a demanding full time job, traditional publishing underwent a change.  Publishers began buying  a different kind of book. Sex really does sell. My income took a hit, but I couldn't not write. There's still a market out there for readers who want good stories with a slower sensual build."

From Bonnie Edwards: "I'm not sure what my mind would be full of. Without writing I envision a huge black void, like the deepest reaches of space...infinite, cold and alone. What would I fill that with if not characters and stories?

The whole idea is terrifying."

M. J. Schiller said, "I've never thought of quitting, but scaling back on marketing, yes! I have a few more books I want to get out and aggressively market and the others I will take more time with and make it more of a hobby than a job."

From Jan Scarbrough: "Writing is part of my identity. When I was getting chemo last summer, I couldn’t volunteer, I couldn’t go horseback riding, but I could write."

Kara Watson says: "I keep publishing so I can make my characters real. If they stayed in a manuscript on a laptop, no one else would ever get to know them. And that's so sad to me."

From Amie Denman: "Writing makes me happy, and I need a place for all the stories in my head!"

For myself, once I asked this question, I thought over and over about how many 1000s of words I've written since the beginning of the pandemic. Did it make my voice different? Uh-huh. But it gave writers an endless and bottomless place to put our frustration. It reminded us every day that even masked and distanced, we could still laugh, love, and work. 

Quit? Oh, no. Not going to happen.

Thanks to everyone for their answers to my "help me with this!" question. Both the variety and the sameness in the answers reflect back to the blog title, don't they? Whether we are traditionally, indie, or hybrid published, our voices and the methods in which we use them are indeed showers of riches. 

Of course, that prose is a little purple: showers of riches, indeed. Hmph. Obviously, I need an editor. 

Showered With Love @karilemor #RomanceGems

As I mentioned before, my oldest daughter is expecting baby #3 in a few weeks. It’s very exciting because her first two are boys and this one is a little girl. I get to buy frilly ribbons and things with bows again. Although maybe not. Both of my girls were never the girly-girl types.  They’d wear dresses if they had to and cleaned up well enough, but typically they were casual gals, with ponytails and no make-up.

They still are.

But with the advent of this new baby, one of her friends decided she needed a baby shower for girl stuff. It got me thinking of where the term baby shower came from. Showering the new mother with gifts.

But can we shower people with other things? Of course, we can!  I’m still in Florida but have a plane ticket heading back to New England in early May. Hopefully, my new little girl will hold off long enough for me to return. As much as I’m dying to cuddle this new granddaughter in my arms, I think it will be more likely I’ll be taking the boys out and letting them run around while their mom takes care of our new little flower. 

I’m totally okay with this. I love and miss the boys when I’m in Florida, though we video chat at least twice a week catching up on all that’s happening with them. They live in a neighborhood that has a small private beach on a beautiful lake. So I’m guessing my summer will be filled with taking the boys to the lake. Such a hardship! 

 I love swimming. My grandparents had a place on a nearby lake and we had a small above ground pool. It took a lot for my parents to get us OUT Of the water. Maybe why I love to be near the water even now. So taking the boys and hanging out in the water will be fun. 

I wasn’t able to attend my daughter’s baby shower -though I did send her a few small gifts – but mostly I will be showering them all with my love and time.(and maybe helping her do laundry and dishes and cleaning the house)  I know this gift is better than any other I could give. And it's the one my daughter appreciates the most.

Right now I’d like to shower you with a small gift. 

I’ve recently put the first book in the Love on the Line series on sale at 99c. But because you are reading this here and now, I have an offer for you to download it FREE.  (Way better than 99c, right?)

Wild Card Undercover

All I ask is if you like it, consider checking out the rest of the books in the series. Books 1 – 4 are currently available. Books 5 and 6 will be out soon.

Love on the Line

Also, authors are so grateful for reviews. It doesn’t have to be much. A sentence or two of what you loved about the book. This helps readers find new books that fit their tastes.

Your assignment today - Go out and shower someone else with love and friendship – or an author with a nice review!!

 

Stay positive, remember the blessings we do have, and read lots of romance!!

Kari

 

 

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Savoring Serendipity by @karilemor #RomanceGems

 For many years, I loved going to writer conferences and reader events, looking to make connections with others book lovers like me. Obviously, that has been stalled for the past year. But this weekend, I have the chance to get back in the saddle, so to speak.

In the colder months, I live in the beautiful town of St. Augustine in Florida. My husband and I fell in love with the place a few years ago during a six-month RV trip down the east coast. And right here in my glorious town is the Book Obsessed Babes Author Signing Event on March 19 and 20. I don’t even have to get a hotel room as a few of the events are right in downtown. Walkable from where I live.

There’re a few fun social events, and I’ve already got my mask so people will know who I am.

 

 The book signing is much of the day on Saturday, and I’m so excited to meet new readers who love romance as much as I do. I’ll also get to meet other authors of this fabulous genre. These new authors make me think back to all the fabulous people I have met over the years who have helped me on my journey.

Many years ago, before I was anywhere near publishing my books, I was on a forum for romance writers set up by Harlequin. Here I met some of my closest writer friends. My critique partner, MA Grant, was found on this site. It’s interesting because she writes paranormal and fantasy and often m/m while I write contemporary and suspense and write m/f. Yet, even though I don’t normally read her subgenre, I LOVE everything she’s written (because she’s the most excellent writer ever). We complement each other when we critique each other’s early drafts. We each have strengths and weaknesses and help the other with them.

Two other friends I found online are Kris (Kickstand) and Emily (Firedew). These ladies started as fan fiction writers like me. I had written over a million and a half words of fanfiction before moving onto original work. (I wrote under the names kariesue and darker works under karasel) Kris is a voracious reader of many genres and is essential in letting me know when I need to add something to a book or when characters need tweaking. Emily has been promoted to my editor and is so amazing in suggesting new words or changing the order of sentences and paragraphs to make them flow better. And she adds in all the commas that I forget (probably millions!)

I have another small group of ladies we call The Fab Four. We roomed together at one of the RWA conferences and have remained friends, supporting each other. Each week, MA Grant, Carrie Nichols, Brynn Kelly, and I provide motivation and assistance in whatever we need. It’s so great having these women be available for support and suggestions.

For the past two years, I’ve had another group who all support each other. This is the fabulous Romance Gems and this blog. A few of the Gems are good friends and writers from local events (Peggy Jaeger, Kathy Hills, and Nora LeDuc!!) I get to see these women in person when there are reader and writer events set in New England. I love touching base with them and hope to do so again soon (Fall in Love New England, here we come!!).   And so many other non-Gems that I've connected with!! 

The rest of the Gems have become good friends and part of my stalwart support system. I’m very excited to be a part of a new ‘world’ being created by them. The Last Chance Beach World. The first book releases in May and I will be book 5 coming out early November. Stay tuned to this blog because I’m sure there’ll be lots of information in the next few months about this new endeavor.

I believe all these people have been brought into my life for a reason. Serendipity. They have been essential in getting me to where I am today with the books I currently have published. Take a peek at my website and other social media to find out about my small-town contemporary series, The Storms of New England.  As well as my romantic suspense lite series, Love on the Line.

Until I ‘see’ you again,

Happy Reading!

 

Kari

 

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All Good Gifts by @karilemor #RomanceGems

 

As Valentine's Day comes and goes, we think about the gifts we give and get. Cards. Chocolate. Flowers. Jewelry. A sports car. WHAT?  No wait, unless you want to give me a sports car. I certainly wouldn’t refuse it.

But seriously, thinking about the years when hub and I would give each other gifts (we don’t any more due to finances and it’s certainly less stressful that way) and what I wanted versus what I got. My husband can, at times, be romantic, but most times Valentine’s Day was a quickly rushed purchase.

For the longest time, he would buy me a big heart-shaped box of chocolates. And most people would think that was great. But as a picky eater (and someone who hates nuts of any kind) many of the chocolates I didn’t like. Thus, he would get to eat all the ones I didn’t. Which was most of them.

Finally, after years of getting maybe three or four of the twenty plus chocolates in the box, plus the box of chocolate covered cherries I bought for him (his favorite) I let him know I really didn’t want chocolates for Valentine’s Day. I would much prefer flowers.

So then I’d get the rushed grocery store bouquet that he picked up when he got his beer. Better, but it took many more years before he (occasionally) went all out and got me my favorite – peach roses.

Honestly, though, I am very thankful I have a husband who stands by my side and supports me in all I do, even if he isn’t the most romantic man in the world. To his credit, he has done some incredibly romantic things (look back and see last year’s post in Feb from me)

This year, we are in sunny Florida enjoying the nicer weather instead of shoveling two feet of snow in ten-degree weather. That’s a lovely present in my book. What I would love more than anything is peace and harmony and health in a world gone crazy.

Stay positive, remember the blessings we do have, and read lots of romance!!

Kari

 

As always, I have lots of books you can buy and here are some of the places you can find me and them.

 

FB         Twitter           Instagram         website 

PS if you join my FB group The Lit Lounge, there’s a post with a FREE prequel to one of my romantic suspense books.

Out with the Old...In with the New by @karilemor #RomanceGems

 

The year that shall not be named is gone and so we look forward to something better. But in order to do that I need to make sure I put positivity in my attitude. Stay away from the news and focus on all the wonderful things life has to offer. And there are SO MANY things to be thankful for.

I have a wonderful husband, three beautiful children, 2 adorable grandsons, and I’m getting a new baby granddaughter in early May. The though of buying little girl clothes and bows again (2 of my 3 children are girls) is so exciting.

I’ve got great friends, online and off, who support me and help me through the hard times. My extended family are all lovely people who keep in touch as best they can.

And I’ve done more writing than ever before.

This year will be a whirlwind with releases. The one I’m most excited about is my Love on the Line series. It’s what I like to call “Romance with a splash of Danger”. Heavy on romance and light on suspense.

The first three books, Wild Card Undercover, Running Target, and Fatal Evidence, originally released in 2017.  Unfortunately, recently, the publisher put the books at a ridiculous price of $9.99 for digital. Yeah, I know. I wouldn’t even buy my own books at that price!!

But now I have control over them and will be rereleasing the first three books in Jan, Feb, and March. They’ll be at a much more reasonable price of $3.99.  And I’ve added a new scene or two to each book!!

The really exciting thing is this series has three more books coming right after it. We saw Chris, Jack, and Scott in the original series, but we also got glimpses of their other army buddies, Drew, Keith, and Nick.  So now these new guys will finally get to tell you their stories and find the women of their dreams.

These books will follow the first three in April, May, and June. So you can binge the whole series all at once if you hate waiting for the sequels. FYI, the books are all stand alones and can be read in any order.

For those who enjoy my small town contemporary Storms of New England series, I will be releasing Greg and Luke’s stories later this year.

And I have another surprise book coming out closer to Christmas. More about that at a later date.

Wild Card Undercover will be released TODAY!!! And you can get it at most retailers. More information and LINKS for them are here:  WILD CARD UNDERCOVER 

 

Stay positive, remember the blessings we do have, and read lots of romance!!

Kari

 

A FREE Christmas Gift for YOU! @karilemor #RomanceGems

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…or is it?

Several years ago, I wrote a story that was originally published in the WORST HOLIDAY EVER anthology. A bunch of us authors put together stories of terrible holidays, distressing situations, and ridiculous relatives. The result was amusing, to say the least.  

Because this year has been extremely stressful, today I'm sharing this story FREE. It's not on every retailer, but you should be able to download it to most devices.

Here's where you can get this cute little story.

Prolific Works  (your choice of mobi, pdf, or epub)

 Kobo

Google

Barnes & Noble

Books2Read

You don't need to sign up for anything to get this FREE story. I'm happy to give it to you just for coming here today to join the Romance Gems. 

Just FYI, the characters in this, Dave and Tina, are secondary characters in my romantic suspense novel, Wild Card Undercover. You'll hear more about that soon!

I wish everyone the most Merry Christmas ever and nothing but great and fabulous things in the New Year! 

Love 

Kari

The Most Wonderful Gift by @karilemor #RomanceGems

 

It was thirty-four years ago, Christmas Day, when I drove to see my then boyfriend, and we went to church where he lived. After, we strolled around his neighborhood just walking and talking, and he seemed kind of distracted. Walking around his neighborhood wasn't something we ever did, so it was strange (and because it was near Boston, kind of chilly). 

Shortly after, we drove back to my place where I lived with my mom (I was only 23 at the time). As I pulled off the highway, he instructed me to go down this side street to a little place near the river. Occasionally, we would go walking through the fields down to see the water.

At this point, I had a pretty good idea what was going on. We’d been dating for a few years and had spoken now and then about getting married. Nothing had been discussed further than that.  I’d been waiting patiently (well, kind of patiently) for him to officially pop the question. But I’d only been out of college for a little over a year and he’d graduated just a year before me. Still young. But we had good jobs and I certainly was ready for the next step.

We got out of the car and walked around a bit, but I was wearing a skirt and nice shoes and there was snow in the field. He didn’t say much, and I wondered what was going on in his mind. When we got back in the car, I was so disappointed. I thought for sure he’d be proposing.

I was about to start the car up again, when he pulled out a small gift-wrapped box. “I wanted to give you your Christmas present.”

I took a deep breath, possibly relieved. But what if it wasn’t a ring? I’d been waiting for what seemed like forever (I know it wasn’t, but when you’re young, time doesn’t mean as much). The thought running through my head was ‘If those are earrings, they’re going up your nose.’

Lucky for him, it was a diamond solitaire. I actually made him say the words and then told him, yes, I’d marry him. Within six months we were wed. (Did I mention the impatient part?) He’d been trying to get up the courage all morning to ask me, and it had taken hours. I’m not sure why. I can’t imagine he thought I’d say no.

This Christmas, we are in our little southern home, enjoying the warmer weather, while our three children and two grandchildren are ensconced inside their New England homes. With technology, seeing them is possible any time we want. But the hub and I are still together, still making it work.

What was one of the best presents you’ve ever gotten at Christmastime?

 

I love writing proposals in my books and the one in Broken Dreams is a favorite. Nathaniel screwed up the first time, asking Darcy as a business arrangement. The second time was slightly better. Here’s a little peek of Nathaniel telling his family what he’d done:

~~

 

“Um…so I proposed to Darcy on Friday.” Yup, rip that Band-Aid off.

All eyes flipped to him.

“Darcy,” Tanner yelled and banged his fork on the table

Amy was the first to speak. “You guys are getting married?”

“She didn’t say yes.” His voice was rough.

Kevin made a face. “She turned you down? That’s cold.”

“She said she needed to think about it.”

His dad looked perplexed. “It’s kind of sudden, isn’t it?”

His mom, Amy, and Kevin all gave Dad the side eye.

Kevin smirked. “You never noticed the looks Nathaniel gives Darcy.”

Amy chuckled. “It’s pretty obvious you’re hung up on her.”

Had he been that transparent?

“How did you propose?” His mom asked. “Roses? Champagne? Down on one knee in a romantic setting?”

Amy’s eyes opened wide. “What’s the ring look like? Is it huge?”

“Uh, I didn’t get a ring. I just told her I thought we should get married.”

His mother’s mouth hung open, and Amy made a face. “God, you suck at proposals.”

His sister had a point. Even Darcy had mentioned it.

~~

I currently have 4 Storms of New England novels available with a Christmas novella (that's only 99c just until the end of the month). More Storms will be released next year!

If you'd like information on any of my books, check out my website. You can also sign up for my newsletter that goes out about once a month or so. 

karilemor.com

The Storms are available at most retailers in digital and print!

THE STORMS OF NEW ENGLAND 

And here's my reader group. Join the fun!

The Lit Lounge

I'm wishing all of you an absolutely merry and bright holiday season!

Kari

Thanks for the Memories @karilemor #RomanceGems

 

Five years ago, right after Veteran’s Day I lost someone very important to me. My dad. He was someone who always believed in me and supported me in whatever I tried to do.

My dad and me and our dog, Freckles

He’d had Parkinson’s Disease and genetic heart problems for many years. It was difficult seeing him the last ten years of his life as he had always been a very active person prior. He used to run way back when they still called it jogging. He was one of the first people to waterski barefoot and was even offered a job at Cypress Gardens. Unfortunately, he was drafted and spent the next two years in Alaska. Not much waterskiing there.

In those last years I used to visit him in the nursing home, hoping he’d remember who I was. Usually he did. If he didn’t, it was because he thought I was his sister, Jeanne. I did resemble her so I was never upset. 

My dad had written a few books and attempted to get them published so when I told him I had gotten a story in an anthology, he was thrilled. I remember bringing the print copy to his room and showing him my story with my picture in it. Then I signed it and gave it to him. When one of the nurses came in, he told them about my book and said I had dedicated it to him. Well, I hadn’t since mine was only one of twenty-three stories, but I never said a word and allowed him to believe that.

I went to visit him on Veteran’s Day 2015, and he was remarkably lucid and in good spirits. He always seemed to 'wake up' when we talked about my writing. We chatted about my upcoming book that I had contracted with Kensington Publishing. He was so proud and happy for me. Before I left, something made me hug him and kiss him half a dozen times and repeatedly tell him I loved him. More than I typically did. 

Two days later, I got the call he had passed. Not until after the Patriots had won and he had finished his dinner. Then he just took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Just the way we should all leave this world. At peace. And I was, too. I had said my goodbyes and knew he was aware of how much he meant to me. 

Several months later, I actually had a dream where he called me. He was surrounded by his family and wanted to let me know, "I've never felt better!" And his voice was strong just like it used to be. I truly believe he had sent that message so our family could also be at peace.

When my first book came out, of course the dedication was special.

To my Mom for always allowing me to steal her romance novels from her ‘done’ pile. And for my Dad who always encouraged and believed in me. I hope you can look down now and see how much I’ve accomplished. Because you had faith in me.

I know if he was here now, he’d be beaming at all the books I’ve since written.

 

~~

In my book Elusive Dreams, Tessa was raised in foster care. Her husband, Erik, did some digging using an old picture she had. When he digs up information on her parents, she isn’t sure how she feels. 

 

 Excerpt:

“Your dad wanted you to know he started searching for you as soon as he found out. And that he loved you, even then.”

A father. Who loved her. Had loved her for years. How to handle this. Could she even believe it? She’d never had anyone love her. Too many years of being told she was unlovable had closed her heart to that kind of emotion. Except now she loved Matty and Kiki, and they loved her back.

And she loved Erik. Being held in his arms like this had her hoping maybe he could love her too. But he’d known her for too long. Seen her as her total freak self. Some things you couldn’t un-know.

“He wants to meet you, Tess. But said he’d understand if you couldn’t forgive him for deserting you and your mom. I don’t think that’s what he did, but he’s got some major guilt eating away at him. I’m sure he wouldn’t want you to know, but he was crying when he realized he’d finally found where you were and that you were alive and well. You’re named after his mother, by the way.”

 “He cried? Over me?” Someone had cried over her. No one had ever done that.

The sobs shaking her body couldn’t be stopped. How many times had she envisioned meeting her parents and having them be hysterically happy to find her? Too many and she’d convinced herself she was delusional even thinking it. But her father wanted to meet her.

“Yeah, he never stopped looking. But he didn’t know who he was looking for. Or even if you were still alive. He never lost hope that he’d find you though. I showed him a picture of you. He said you look just like your mother.”

“He wants to meet me.” Her chest constricted at the thought. She looked up at his handsome face, so concerned for her. “What if he doesn’t like me?” she sobbed. “What if he sees that I’m a freak? I don’t know if I can do this, Erik.” Too many rejections in the past had colored her thinking.

“You’re not a freak, and you know it.” He’d put on his fierce Marine face. “And he already loves you, Tessa. When he sees how sweet and perfect you are, he’ll love you even more. You have that effect on people.”

Not on you, though. Swirling thoughts ran through her mind. Her dad, Erik, the kids. Too many and too intense. Okay, focus on one thing at a time. Her dad.

“I have a dad. And he loves me.” Or says he does. She still wasn’t sure she believed it.

She hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Erik slipped his fingers through her hair and kissed her cheeks. “You do, sweetie. You do.”

~~

This book is currently on sale for ONLY 99c. But only until Nov 20. That’s TWO days until it goes back to full price. Get it now! 

Buy it here:

 

St. Augustine Spooktacular! by @karilemor #RomanceGems

 

From October to May, I’m like the migratory birds and fly south for the winter. Only in the past two years have I called St. Augustine, Florida home. The first time we visited, we instantly fell in love with the historic “Oldest City” and its beautiful and varied architecture and scenery.

Even though it has a few million tourists pass through every year, St. A still has a small-town feel. No building can be over four stories high  (though a few older ones have been grandfathered in) and most of the buildings, especially in the downtown area, are built with a historic flare.

I’m lucky enough to live in the Historic District in a hundred and twenty-year-old building that was previously the National Guard Hospital. Word from our upstairs neighbors is a woman in a white dress has been seen around the building. The little boy on the second floor apparently talks to her often and calls her Kiki. The dogs in the back apartment have a tendency to bark at the same corner of the room often. And we’re right next to the National Cemetery, which makes it even more colorful.

Around the corner from us is ‘The Oldest House’, for St. Augustine, that is. It’s only had four families live in it and is now used for tours. The bottom floor has been stripped to the original walls and decorated sparsely as it would have been a few hundred years ago. I’ve heard there’s a spirit that wanders this place at times.

Head downtown where the gates of the original city still stand and walk down St. George Street. You’ll be greeted by shops and restaurants housing a variety of goods and food. But a few streets over are both the Huguenot Cemetery and the Tolomato Cemetery.  If you take the Ghost Tour that spirits you around the city, you’ll hear tales of spine-chilling spirits who still roam the grounds. A bride in her white gown and a little boy who likes to climb the trees that overshadow the graves.

I’ve even been in the old Jail. I didn’t see any ghosts but was surprised at the gusts of chilly air that roamed in spots. I figured I was walking past an A/C vent. Um, but I was told there isn’t any A/C inside the building. Hmm, where was the cold air coming from on a steamy, warm night?

From my back yard on the Matanzas River, I can see across to the St. Augustine Lighthouse. It’s said to be one of the most haunted places in this part of the country. I love watching the light as it makes it circular route around, warning boats of land.

When the craziness of the world finally dwindles, and you feel the need to travel, I’d highly suggest St. Augustine if you love hearing about history and the people who founded this country. Maybe if you’re lucky (or not) you’ll even get a chance to talk to one of them.

 

 

In my book, ELUSIVE DREAMS, Erik and Tessa take a little time while snuggling to discuss what the kids will be for Halloween. This is the first book in the Storms of New England series and is a marriage of convenience so Erik can adopt two children he rescued from a bombing in Kandahar.

 This book is currently on sale for only 99c!!  (So is Book 2 so scoop them up now!)

~~

  “Your mom called today.”

He paused but only for half a second. “Everything okay? You didn’t mention it at supper.”

“Sorry, I forgot. The kids keep my mind busy. Nothing major. She wants to make Halloween costumes for Matty and Kiki and was looking for suggestions.”

“What’d you tell her?” The kissing hadn’t stopped, and she had to remember what they’d been talking about.

“I asked Matty what he wanted to be. The kids have been talking about it at preschool. He said a pirate so he could sail on the ship in his room.”

Pushing aside some of her hair that had fallen over her shoulder, he caressed her cheek. Taking his hand in hers, she kissed the palm. It had been a few weeks and the deep cut had healed, though it was still pink and tender. Thankfully, he’d never let the injury or the bandages get in the way of exploring each night.

“Sounds good. And Kiki? Did she tell you what she wanted to be?”

His hands ran up her torso and cupped her breasts. She sucked in a deep breath and adjusted so he could fully touch her. This was such a sensitive area for her and it made her head swim when his fingers roamed and kneaded her flesh.

“Well, I’m still trying to interpret the gurgles, but I figured if Matty was going with the theme of his room, then Kiki should too. She’ll be a fairy.”

Make sure to check out my Storms of New England series. Three of the books are at 99c each so you can get all FIVE of them for under $11. That’s a bargain!! 

https://www.karilemor.com/storms-of-new-england

Hope you enjoy lots of candy and spookiness this October. Stay safe and happy reading!

Kari