A Few of My Favorite Things

by Nora LeDuc

Beach Roses

It's June and romance month. Today, I'll tell you how I discovered some of my best-loved romances. 

A few years ago, before I started writing, I heard that a women who volunteered at my children's school, was a huge reader. I happened to run into her and introduced myself. Soon, the conversation turned to books. She told me how she loved to read and how she set up her shelves of keepers in alphabetical order. What surprised me the most about her? She only bought romances. To be truthful, I'd never met anyone who loved and admitted they were a romance reader. Most likely, if you confessed you were a fan of the genre, people wouldn't take you seriously. My new friend asked if I'd like to borrow a book, and of course, I agreed. And that was how I discovered one my favorite authors, Jude Deveraux.

I devoured every release Miss Deveraux published in those olden days. Like many fans, I could not put down Jude's A Knight in Shining Armor. "New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux will capture your heart with a signature classic novel, a time-travel featuring a present-day heroine and a dashing hero from the sixteenth century!" I still have my hard cover on my shelf that is not in alphabetical order.

 

Another author who hits the top of my favorites is Robyn Carr, who wrote Virgin River. Recently, I came across this writer while on a FB thread recommending Netflix shows. Virgin River was on the list. In the first few minutes of watching Episode 1, I excitedly realized I was watching a love story! Yes, I bought the first book of the series and admired how much of the dialog was used in the film production. And now I’m hooked and waiting to find out who shot Jack, the cliffhanger from last season. 

Another oldie I'd recommend is Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag. I found this author while rummaging around at Annie's Book Store. "In the rural parishes of Louisiana, young women are disappearing one by one, only to turn up on the banks of the bayou, strangled and cast aside where they are sure to be found." Yes, this story has it all. I loved the setting of the book. Picture the Spanish Moss hanging from trees. Listen to the voices of the night creatures as you glide through the swamp water with the hero on a hot steamy evening. The hero just happens to be the local rogue who plays the piano in the bar at night and writes thrillers by day. The heroine is a disgraced lawyer who lost her most important case and is seeking to be left alone. Mix the mystery with a strong romance and you're hooked.

I’m sure you have plenty of favorites on your shelf at home. Let me know their titles. I may fall in love with them too. 

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And it's almost Christmas in July! Don't miss my book Christmas at the Easy Breezy, only .99. "From the moment Darcy stomps snow from her boots in Leo's restaurant you are rooting for them to get a HEA. And this book delivers BIG TIME." 

 ❤️ Take Care, My Friends 📖

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

 

 

 

A New Direction by @karilemor #RomanceGems

 

Two years ago, I made a huge career decision. I had spent over thirty years teaching elementary school children. Working with kids was my life and love and I couldn’t think of ever doing anything else. But schools were requiring the students to learn things at a much younger age, required teachers to do far more administration than ever, and still be in the classroom the same amount of time. The stress of the job was slowly killing me. Literally. My health was suffering from the anxiety of my job.

A few years earlier, I had started writing. Taking the stories that had been running rampant in my head and finally, finally putting them down on paper. Yes, in those early days I did actually write everything long hand. But after transferring one very long story onto the computer, I quickly taught myself to type my books.

I made a decision to retire early and leave teaching so I had more time for writing. It wasn’t an easy decision as our finances weren’t plentiful. But with a very supportive husband, we made it happen. Thus began my foray into full-time writing.

Being an active teacher who put everything I had into planning, teaching, assessing, and planning again, I was used to being busy. I soon found that writing for a career took equally as much time. Sometimes more. Between crafting my stories, taking classes, going to conferences, revising and editing my work, helping other authors with their stories, creating promotion and graphics, and marketing, my days were as full as ever.

My first two series were with traditional publishers. And I learned so much from those experiences. But suddenly I wanted a little more control. I wanted the books published on my timeline. I wanted final say in what the cover looked like, how it was edited, and how much it would cost.

Once again, I found myself adjusting to something new. I have dipped my toe into independently publishing my own books. There’s still the same writing, revising, editing etc… to do. But now I get to be cover designer, formatter, and publisher as well.

I can’t say it hasn’t been stressful, but it’s also been rewarding when you see a book you’ve written get out in the world. And I have to say I think my published books look even better and have something more added to them than my earlier ones. And I can offer them at a price that is reasonable for a reader. If you’ve ever wondered why my Storm series has different prices for the first two books from the rest, that is why.

Book 3 -Stolen Dreams and Book 4 - Broken Dreams are the products of many days learning this business and making mistakes, then trying again. And soon, I’ll have a Christmas story available. Forgotten Dreams: A Christmas in New England story. It’s a novella that takes place in the Storms of New England world with little guest appearances from some of the other Storm family whose stories we’ve already seen.

 

If you’d like to get notified when this book is up for pre-order (hint - it will be very soon) you can sign up for my mailing list. I only send newsletters every month or so, no spamming ever. But you will get freebies and bonus features that I give only to my subscribers.

Here’s where you can sign up:    www.karilemor.com

To get a taste of my small-town New England series, here’s a quick rundown of what people are saying:

"A HEARTWARMING STORY OF THE HEALING POWER OF LOVE. FIVE SPARKLING STARS!"

"I wish the review sites had ten stars, this one would rank that high for me."

"The author writes beautifully, drawing the reader into the hearts and minds of the characters."

"This played like a Lifetime movie in my head."

"I am now in love with the Storm family and can't wait for the next book to be released!"

 

 

Here's a quick peek at the Storms of New England:

💖  -ELUSIVE DREAMS - An injured Marine, an introverted loner, two orphaned children needing a home. Can they create a perfectly imperfect family? (marriage of convenience, girl next door)

💖  -TRUE DREAMS - A recovering addict in search of a quiet life. An innocent optimist seeking fame and fortune. Can she see beyond his past to heal his damaged soul? (boss/employee, bad boy/virgin)

💖 -STOLEN DREAMS - An uptight perfectionist. A bohemian free spirit. Can she convince him a walk on the wild side is good for the soul? (opposites attract, friends with benefits)

💖 -BROKEN DREAMS - A new single dad. An unconventional nanny. A little boy in his own world. Can she show them that family is more than an image? (single dad/nanny, special needs family found)

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

 

Stay safe and healthy and happy reading!

Kari

 

 

Escaping the Heat in Bar Harbor @karilemor #RomanceGems

In many parts of New England, it can get warm and steamy in July. People go in swarms to buy air conditioners or put their window units in. It usually doesn’t last long, but for the few weeks of sweltering heat, it’s difficult to do much except relax in a pool if you have one, frolic in the ocean on a beach, or sip cool drinks in front of a fan.

One of my favorite places to escape to during this time is Bar Harbor, Maine on Mt. Desert Island. Being on the northern coast of the state, it can be much cooler during these hot days of summer. The ocean breeze is always a relief during the day. And at night, the temps can get cool enough to need a light sweater if you’re walking around.

My husband and I discovered the wonders of Bar Harbor the year before we got married on a spontaneous trip up the coast one long weekend. We enjoyed it so much we decided that’s where we wanted to go for a honeymoon. As we got married the first week in August, it was perfect timing.

Years later, when our three children were at an age to start doing some hiking, we began taking them up every summer. We’d stay in a great motel near town that had a few small apartments so we didn’t have to pay the price for five people each meal. The kids loved the Murphy beds that pulled out of the wall. Such an adventure.

This was taken on top of Cadillac Mountain standing next to Stephen King

                           

Some of our favorite places to go were Acadia National Park and drive the Park Loop Road. Take a drive up to the top of Cadillac Mountain to see the sunset (where we ran into and chatted with Stephen King one year - that was cool and he was super nice). Hike the trail up to Asticou Gardens overlooking Northeast Harbor.  Take the mailboat out to Little Cranberry Island and explore for the day. Climb the rocks and on the path to Otter Cliffs.

But I think my absolute favorite every year was Jordan Pond. This is such a beautiful body of water and the path around it is fairly easy most of the way. Depending on how fast you walk, it takes about an hour or two to go all the way around. The best part was after your long hike, we’d go up the hill to the Jordan Pond House. It’s a restaurant with homemade lemonade and popovers that are freshly baked. My go-to meal there is a bowl of their lobster stew. So rich and delicious I was always tempted to lick the bowl. Pair it with a few popovers slathered in honey butter or jam and you’ve got the perfect summer meal.

A few years ago, as I was enjoying Mt. Desert Island, I got an idea to write a series about the park rangers. I’ve called it Rangers of Acadia. Unfortunately, I’m not ready to hit publish on it yet, though book 1 - Jordan Pond (unofficial title) is written. I hope someday to get the whole series out.

Until then, the first book in my Storms of New England series, ELUSIVE DREAMS, also takes place on the coast of Maine.  And lucky lucky - it’s currently on SALE for only 99c!!  As is Book 2 - TRUE DREAMS.   Take advantage of this sale now!

If you’re looking for a few great summer reads, try the Storms. Book 3, STOLEN DREAMS is already out, and in a few weeks, Book 4 - BROKEN DREAMS will be released. I love the Storm family and hope you’ll come to love them, too!

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Our July Rafflecopter has another month of Amazon Gift Card prizes. Be sure to enter often to improve your chances of winning. Please tell your friends about Romance Gems—our Authors, our books, our blog posts, and our monthly giveaway.

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Summer Days & Nights of Reading @karilemor #RomanceGems

With summer just about here and the need to still stay socially distant from the public, I know I’ll be diving into as many books as I can.  My brand new Kindle Paperwhite (the old one died a quick and painless death) is loaded with hundreds of books (no, I don’t have a book buying problem - one click is my friend) and I am READY! 

But what to read, what to read? I thought I’d share some of the books I’ve really enjoyed in the past and maybe you’ll find something you enjoy as well.

We’ll start with the always gracious Brenda Jackson. I’ve met this lovely woman three times now and each time she has been a joy to be with.  

Her series Catalina Cove, takes place in the Louisiana Bayou.  All three books are fabulous but I especially enjoyed FINDING HOME AGAIN maybe because I’d met the characters in the earlier books and was dying to find out what their story was.

I’m typically not one for royal or billionaire stories but I found this one to be quite fun and sassy.

Alyssa Cole - A Princess in Theory: Reluctant Royals.  I just downloaded the next two books to my device and I will be going on a journey very soon.

If you want a book to make you hungry, then you’ll want to pick up THE SECRET INGREDIENT by Kilby Blades.  

A chef on vacation and a handsome guy next door who wants to learn all about cooking. This book is YUMMY all around.  

PACKING HEAT -in the Blue Collar Lovers series by Zuri Day was such a breath of fresh air. It’s so refreshing to read a book about everyday people and everyday lives. The main characters in this book work at the Post Office.

If you want to escape from reality you can try PRINCE OF AIR AND DARKNESS (The Darkest Court series) by MA Grant. 

It’s a m/m fantasy that takes place among the fey. I totally fell in love with Finny and Roark. It’s part of a series but each book surrounds a different couple. I dare you to read the first and not want the rest!

Looking for a fun read where the characters already know each other? Try DANGEROUS CURVES AHEAD: A Perfect Fit Novel by Sugar Jamison. 

This book is adorable and has the heroine falling for her sister’s ex boyfriend.

How about action, adventure and some sizzling suspense along with a couple of sizzling guys? 

Layla Reyne has a series that follows two FBI agents on an epic hunt for justice.  SINGLE MALT:  Agents Irish and Whiskey is the first books but you’ll fall hard for Aiden and Jamison and want to see what happens next.

Kellye Garrett’s book HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE -A Detective By Day Mystery Book is a cute story of a private investigator in the making. 

Well written and a mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s not a romance but there was definitely a little romantic interest thrown in.

And to end things off a very sweet and innocent historical by Lorri Dudley.  THE DUKE’S REFUGE (Leeward Island series) is an inspirational book that is extremely well written and had me turning the pages until I got to the end.

And if you’re looking for a fun beach read in small town New England, I’d love for you to take a look at my Storms of New England series. The books are based on the loving Storm family but do contain some language and steamy scenes.

💖ELUSIVE DREAMS - An injured Marine, an introverted loner, two orphaned children needing a home. Can they create a perfectly imperfect family?
(marriage of convenience, girl next door)

💖TRUE DREAMS - A recovering addict in search of a quiet life. An innocent optimist seeking fame and fortune. Can she see beyond his past to heal his damaged soul? 
(boss/employee, bad boy/virgin)

💖STOLEN DREAMS - An uptight perfectionist. A bohemian free spirit. Can she convince him a walk on the wild side is good for the soul?
(opposites attract, friends with benefits)

💖BROKEN DREAMS - COMING THIS AUGUST!!

PS: It's my birthday today and if you want to get me a present, I'd love for you to try one of my books!

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Don't forget to enter our monthly Rafflecopter drawing for some great prizes in Amazon gift cards! You can find the complete details and full entry form on our Monthly Giveaway page. Or, you can enter via the Short Entry Form.

Perfect Placement @karilemor #RomanceGems

As I’ve grown older, I’ve found that I’ve gotten more particular about certain things. I definitely have some quirks. Often, they drive me crazy, but I can’t seem to let them go.

Everything needs to be done in a pattern or to a count of eight. 

The bedspread needs to be exactly centered on the bed.                                          

Both the throw pillows must be lined up perfectly. 

I will fix the chairs at the table so they are all pushed in.                                      

The items on the kitchen counter need to be in the same spot always.                         

When I put the kettle on to boil, it must be right inside the rings of the burner.

I could go on and on. And, of course, when my husband disturbs the things I’ve placed accordingly, it drives me crazy. If something is out of alignment in my line of vision, I get so distracted that I can’t continue with what I’m doing until I fix it. You can imagine this keeps me from getting as much work done as I should.

In my newest book, STOLEN DREAMS, the 3^rd book in the Storm of New England series, middle brother, Alex, is an uptight perfectionist. If you’ve read the first two books, you’ve probably figured this out.

In Alex’s story, we see him with Gina, who’s been a constant visitor at her grandmother’s house next door. Now that her Nonna has passed away, she needs to clean out the house and get it ready to sell. Who better than Alex Storm, the king of organization, to help her?

The problem for Alex is that Gina makes him lose his tightly held control. Which is more than uncomfortable for him. If you want to see how this free-spirited bohemian wraps control freak Alex around her little finger, the book is out TODAY!!

Here’s a little sneak peek. Gina is at a local hang out and meets up with a group of women who have all dated Alex at some point. They have a lot to say about Alex and his strange mannerisms:

“I could have done with the lackluster sex positions, if it weren’t for some of his…odd behavior.” Cara wrinkled her nose.

Kelsey nodded. “The straw wrappers. Oh, my God. He honestly couldn’t sit at a table if I’d crinkled one.”

“Yep, he had to press it neatly, then fold exactly in half and then half again.”

“Then, half again. And he’d do it with my wrapper, too.”

Gina kind of thought it was cute he did this. Did these women seriously ditch Alex because he liked to fold straw wrappers?

“How about the no walking on a crack thing?” Kristan accepted the new drink the waitress had delivered.

“Oh, God, yes. Taking a walk with him on any kind of sidewalk was painful. He tried to do it without you noticing, but if you actually watched his feet, he’d take a smaller step or larger one, so he didn’t step in the wrong place.”

Gina sampled her wine, then set the glass down. “Step on a crack, and you break your mother’s back. Alex loves his mother.”

The others chuckled.

“Did you notice he always starts a set of stairs with his right foot?”

“Or that he washes his hands to a count of eight?”

“He does lots of things to a count of eight. Like rubbing your back or wiping the table.”

“And if he does something with one hand, like scratch his leg or tap his fingers, he has to do it with the other, too.”

“Lining up the salt and pepper shakers, so they are exactly in the middle of the table.”

“Straightening pictures that I didn’t even realize were crooked.”

Gina’s head went back and forth like she was watching a ping pong match as she listened to them bullet point Alex’s quirks.

“I love to make sure my necklaces have the clasp showing. It actually makes him twitch, and he has to fix them so they’re in the back.” She fiddled with the long chain she wore. “And when he does, he always cops a feel.”

“You sly lady.” Kelsey raised her glass.

“All of those quirks are what makes him Alex. I think they’re adorable.”

Hanna’s eyebrows drew together. “After a while, they can drive you crazy. You must not have known him that long.”

“I’ve known him since we were babies. We lived next door to each other until I was six, then hung around together every summer and any other time I visited my grandmother. I’m well aware of his idiosyncrasies.”

Ashley held up both hands. “Like his planner. It’s unbelievable how much he depends on that thing.”

“He can’t live without it.” Kristan nodded.

“If he deviates from it, he almost has a nervous breakdown.”

“Or he has to erase what was there, and rewrite the new activity so it’s accurate.”

“That’s true,” Gina admitted. “And he adds something in if it wasn’t there. But he follows it to the letter.”

She leaned in closer, gazing at all the women. “What you have to understand is how to use that to your advantage. You need to get creative. If you write in it what you want to happen…it will happen.”

Again, their eyes and mouths opened wide.

And in celebration of my newest release, my publisher has put both Elusive Dreams and True Dreams on SALE for ONLY 99c for the next two weeks. Grab them now since they'll be going back to full price soon. 

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Make sure to check out a few of my social media pages to try and find the Easter Egg I've hidden. Then check back and report where you found it. Here's where to look.

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1st Prize: $20.00 Amazon Gift Card

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3rd Prize: $10.00 Amazon Gift Card

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Why We Love LOVE! @karilemor #RomanceGems

📚   💖    📚    💖   📚    💖    📚    💖   📚

Romance novels often get a bad rap. Sappy. Mommy porn. Cliché, Second rate fiction. Bargain bin of literature. Formulaic. It drives me crazy when I hear it called any of these things.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at a book expo or event and when I talk to people walking by, the response is a nose in the air and “Oh, I don’t read that.”

I always want to say, “Why not? We could all use a bit more love in our lives.” But I usually don’t because the person has already scurried quickly past.

So why do I read (and write) romance if so many people look down upon it? I thought this meme explained it so well.

Romance has so many wonderful things in it. Two people who are fighting obstacles that seem too high or too hard to get through or around. But they give it everything they've got and manage to find a way to be together.  Why wouldn't we all want to read a story like this?








I also found some amazing quotes on love that are meaningful to me:

Love recognizes no barriers - Maya Angelou

Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies - Aristotle

We are most alive when we’re in love - John Updike

Love is friendship that has caught fire - Ann Landers

A simple “I love you” means more than money - Frank Sinatra

Everything I do, I do it for you - Bryan Adams

If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you - Winnie the Pooh

You know you’re in love when you can’t sleep because the reality is finally better than your dreams - Dr. Seuss

When you love someone, you love them as they are, and not as you’d like them to be - Leo Tolstoy

I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you - Roy Croft

You know it’s love when all you want is that person to be happy, even if you’re not part of that happiness - Julia Roberts

 💕   💕  💕  💕  💕

Why do you love reading romance?  Comment below for a chance to win this month’s prizes.

And make sure to check out the 1st book in my Storms of New England series, 

ELUSIVE DREAMS. 
It’s on sale for only 99 cents - 

but the sale ends tonight so get it fast!

Our March Rafflecopter  (Click Here) has another month of Amazon Gift Card prizes. Be sure to enter often to improve your chances of winning. Please tell your friends about Romance Gems—our Authors, our books, our blog posts, and our monthly giveaway.