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: What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?

December thirty-first, New Year's Eve! To some it’s a reason to celebrate. For others it’s a time for quiet reflection and even resolutions. Still others feel it’s just another night. Do you “watch the ball drop?” on TV or in Times Square? Eat, drink, and make merry? Friends, family, or the pets? A special date with your honey and that magical midnight kiss? Maybe you must work or simply want to sleep? Tell me!

“Since our very early twenties, my husband and I have spent New Year's Eve in much the same way. We go out for dinner, a movie (when the kids were little we'd take them skating at an outdoor rink) and then home to watch the ball drop. We have appies and share a bottle of bubbly and reminisce. These days, we’re often asleep by the time the ball drops. LOL” ~ Bonnie Edwards

“This year, for the few weeks around Christmas and New Year’s, I'll be staying with my oldest daughter helping her with her new baby. I don't know exactly what I'll be doing, but most likely it will include hanging out and snuggling with my grandkids!” ~ Kari Lemor

“Karl and I will probably stay in where it’s cozy and watch a good movie.”
~ Karen Kelley

“My New Year's Eve plans will involve going out to the Strip in Las Vegas and partying it up! Just kidding! I'll be at home in my pajamas drinking sparkling apple juice with the kids and letting them stay up past their bedtimes. I party hard” ;) ~ Laura Hunsaker

New Year's Eve with kids and grand kids!

“Over the years, we've celebrated New Year's Eve in all different ways - big house parties, small family gatherings, fancy dinner events, dinner and dancing, and then my personal favorite: staying home with just my husband and our dogs. We did this for the first time two years ago and we had the best time EVER! Lobsters & steak by candlelight. Martinis, followed by - are you ready for it - karaoke in the music room. (My husband plays the drums & I play a mean tambourine). In fact, it was so much fun, we've decided to do a repeat this year! Wherever you go & however you spend New Year's Eve, I hope it is filled with hope, happiness, health & wealth!” xo ~ Elsa Kurt

Peggy Jaeger says, "I'm down there somewhere. Can you spot me?"

“In my 20’s I lived in Manhattan and would routinely watch the “ball drop” on 12.31, live, from a spot on a street in Times Square. With frigid temps, inclement weather, immovable drunken crowds, and surrounded by millions of my closest friends, this was the only way I ever wanted to ring in the New Year. Now in my 50’s, sitting up in bed and wearing my jammies, the electric blanket covering me, a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other, I’m routinely sound asleep by ten p.m. on 12.31. Best New Year’s Evah!” ~ Peggy Jaeger

“I look forward to the New Year. It always feels like a fresh start—a second chance to "get it right" or at least get it done. The fading year has been a difficult one. I'll admit I'm tired and a bit burned out. Normally, we have a New Year's Eve party, but I need to recharge so Larry and I plan a quiet evening at our home in the country. We'll watch the fireworks from the back porch, and we'll have champagne—a must. Happy New Year to all!” ~ Joan Reeves

Champagne at home for Kathleen Lawless

“I’ve always tended to be a stay-at-home gal on New Year’s Eve, although I did get dragged out a few times by well-meaning family and friends when I was single. Usually I couldn’t wait for midnight to say my goodbyes. Steel and I, still in the honeymoon stage after nine years, have been in the habit of making a lovely lobster dinner for ourselves and curling on the couch to watch the ball drop. Naturally, Champagne is involved. When a friend offered us her seaside condo last year I was unsure, but found it really relaxing to be away from the post-Christmas “should do’s” at home. We’re heading there again this year to welcome in 2020.” ~ Kathleen Lawless

“I will be in my pajamas, I hope, and writing on New Year's. I'm not a big fan of the holiday because I get tired. However, I look forward to it now, and it’s my husband’s fault. For the last three years, he's taken video every day, and he turns that into what he calls his "One Second Video". He puts together a montage of one second of every day for the entire year. And we watch it on January 1st. It's beautiful. It makes New Year's very special. So special, in fact, that I stay awake for it!” ~ Kara O’Neal

Nancy Fraser's bayberry candles for good luck!

“My plans for New Year's Eve always include my youngest grandchild. While the others are partying, he and I follow some family traditions like putting a jar of change out in the snow to bring us luck and wealth in the new year and lighting Bayberry candles for good health. Yes, my mom was superstitious and I've carried on the quirks. Once we’ve completed our tasks, we warm up some mulled cider, raid the cookie jar, and watch a movie. Lately it’s become a real test to see who can stay awake the longest!” ~ Nancy Fraser

“On New Year’s Eve, we review the past year and discuss plans for the New Year. Nothing too detailed, just general goals. The past year was a difficult one for our family so we’re hoping 2020 will include better experiences. We’re homebodies and stay home, watch a movie on television, and drink hot chocolate. This year, our oldest daughter will still be with us for a few more days. She’s also enjoys a quiet evening at home. Not exciting for most people, but pleasant for us.” ~ Caroline Clemmons 

“I just made plans to go to a resort in the Berkshires where it will be way too cold but where we've gone for several years. Nothing special planned for New Year's Eve. We'll see what's going on when we get there. It's a nice area to hike and they have an indoor pool and hot tub! And good restaurants in the area.” ~ Hannah Rowan

“New Year’s Eve is festive time for our family, typically spent at home. We’ve had everything from big parties to quiet nights with just us. Either way, we cook Tex-Mex, grill ribs (some years in a snowstorm!) and ring in the new year with margaritas and champagne. This year we’re hosting our closest friends and family. There will be music, laughter, playful pups, and lots of food and love to spread around."
~ Kathryn Hills

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! Wishing you ALL a very happy, healthy, prosperous new year!

~ The Romance Gems ~

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Give yourself the gift of Romance!

The Countdown is Truly On by Nancy Fraser

Here we go...the countdown is truly on. 

Just three days until Christmas and ten until the New Year!

I don’t know about you, but I’m well past ready. All of my gifts have been bought since early November. Wrapping is now complete. The “early” baking (e.g., cookies and fruitcake) is done and packaged for gifting.

If you’re looking for a last minute, easy-peasy treat, may I suggest a visit to Nancy's Holiday Treats.

If you’re going to do a bit of extra baking, may I also suggest some music to go along with your efforts? Those of you who grew up on the late and magnificent Whitney Houston will appreciate this beautiful remake of her holiday hit, Do You Hear What I Hear. The instrumental background has been removed and replaced with the beautiful a capella vocals of Pentatonix.

For me, personally, the only thing left to do is the Christmas dinner preparation. Since the majority of the meal is taken care of by my son and daughter-in-law, I’m relegated to desserts and one casserole. Which, of course translates to Sweet Potato Pie, homemade Banana Pudding, and Heart Attack Potatoes. I’m tempted to add a fluffy Corn Casserole to this year’s menu but it will depend on time. Either way, my enitre December 24th is pretty much going to be spent in the kitchen.

The holiday routine of prepping the desserts and casseroles the night before is one handed down to me from my mother and my aunt, both of whom spent the week before Christmas creating the most delicious assortment of goodies. No holiday meal was complete without two (or three) kinds of pies, a coconut cake, a chocolate cake, the requisite banana pudding, and an assortment of candy and nuts. And, like me, while they cooked they listened to holiday music. They were both avid country fans, but probably their favorite holiday song was Bing Crosby’s White Christmas.

The week between Christmas and New Years can be special as well. The rush of the gift-giving and over-eating has passed. Perhaps the respite is a good time for romance. Or, at least it was for the characters in my between-the-holidays romance, Pushing the Limits.

When a case of mistaken identity puts Cade Tucker in the wrong place at the right time, he can't believe his luck. Drawn to the beautiful Julia McCormack, he flirts his way into her bed, and they welcome the New Year together.

Though they agreed their time together was no-strings-attached sex only, Julia’s having a hard time letting go of the best sex she ever had. She dives into work at her corporate law firm, hoping to get her mind off the man who rocked her world. But then Julia finds out the senior partner has appointed a new attorney to work with her on her biggest case, and her co-counsel will be Cade Tucker.

Her plans to make partner are in serious jeopardy when she and Cade disagree on the best legal strategy for their case, but what will happen when they can no longer fight their desire, and the company’s strict non-fraternization policy threatens both of their jobs?

Don't forget to enter our December Rafflecopter contest, "Candy Cane Kisses". You can find all the details about the contest on our Monthly Giveaway page. Or, you can go straight to the ENTRY FORM.

Until next year ... have a safe and joyous holiday!

Nancy