This Love by @ElsaKurt #RomanceGems



Things I Do To Aggravate The Husband

Hello, my new friends. I'd like to share some musings and some photos with you as you get to know me. Today's thoughts are both silly and sappy, so bear with me. As a writer of romance, I often think about the nature of love. It’s sort of a job requirement, I suppose. This morning, with coffee in hand, laptop (and dogs) on lap, and husband snoring in the bedroom, I began thinking about how love changes over time. I found myself chuckling in between the snores and sentence pauses because ten years ago - when our love story began - I couldn’t imagine that specimen of a man doing something so unattractive as snoring.

That, of course, was the new love phase, when everything they say and do is magical and perfect. Little flowers and hearts float around your heads all day. Every text or phone call is greeted with giddy excitement. Adventures abound and nothing can bring you down from the clouds. You can scarcely imagine it getting any better than the all-consuming lusty love of it all.

Our Wedding Day

And then it does. Slowly, almost unnoticeable at first. Ease and comfort replace the awkward getting-to-know-you and nervousness. He doesn't have to tell you he hates broccoli or likes his pizza crust burnt, you already know. You stop wondering if every little fight means the end. You relax, open up, trust, and let yourself fall.

Love stops always looking like flowers and fancy dinners, but more often like Chinese takeout, an old movie, and your ratty pajamas. It stops sounding like, "I'm so in love with you," and more like, "I unloaded the dishwasher for you, babe."  Love, in its maturity, feels less like a roller coaster, and more like a canoe on a gently rippling lake. To be sure, I love all stages of romantic love. But I love this kind of love most of all.

My sweet, still snoring husband asked me once - early in our relationship - if I was in love with love. I laughed and said, "Absolutely. Who wouldn't be?"

He persisted, "Yes, but how can you be sure you love me, and not just the idea of being in love?"

It was a fair question, one I didn't have a ready answer for. In my forty-seven years, I've had plenty of experience in falling in love. In fact, I was fabulous at it. And yes, more times than not, I'd fallen in love with an idea of a man, rather than the men themselves. As to be expected, those relationships crashed and burned once the blinders came off.

Kind of Sums Us Up

Then came this man. Is it too cliche to say this time was different? Because it was. Different. Unexpected. Challenging. Real. For the first time, I didn't plot our entire future after a first date. I forced myself to live in the moment. I locked my rose-tinted glasses in a virtual drawer. I traded the word  'forever' for 'so far.' I let the relationship grow at its own pace. I learned how to love more than just an idea. I figured out that love is no puzzle at all. It is Timing, Chemistry, Patience, and Tolerance. It's romantic dinners and snoring. It's vacations and holding hands when faced with the worst news of your life. It's seeing his car in the driveway when you get home and smiling that he's there... and swearing because he didn't bring up the garbage can. Love is a life built on moments.

So sappy, right? I'm not always like this, I promise. But it is Valentine's Month (Pshh, Valentine's Day isn't enough for us!) Bear with my sentimental waxings, there's only a little more to go... 

In light of this love fest post, I thought I'd share with you my most swoon-worthy book for the hopeless romantic. It's called Still Here, and it is about a  couple named Damon and Birdie Harrison. On their fifth wedding anniversary, they charter a boat to a small island named Tumau. A tragic event occurs, shattering their idyllic lives. One is bereft and devastated, the other lost. But all is not what it seems, and Tumau holds a secret that changes everything & challenges everything they thought they knew.

I'd love for you to check it out HERE

This book is so dear to my heart because it is, at its core, a love letter to my husband. I wanted the world to know - in my quirky way - how grateful I am to be loved by a man such as the one I married. Though the story is pure fiction, its heart is in truth.

Now, if you've just gone into Diabetic shock from all that sweetness, let me save you with my not-so-sweet Rom-Com, The Awkward Woman's Guide to Dating (After Divorce). It's exactly what you're thinking- mishaps, mismatches, and mayhem for the newly divorced Keira. She's juggling work, kids, a real jerk of an ex-husband, so why not throw online dating into the mix? In other words, just what the doctor ordered for the mature single ladies in the house ;) If you'd like to check it out, click HERE

As we continue to get acquainted, I'll share more of my stories (and the stories behind them!) But for now I'd like to thank you for letting me into your world. I truly love getting to know my readers, so come on by and say hey on social media @authorelsakurt any time.

Oh, and don't forget to enter the Romance Gems’ “Comment and Win” weekly drawing for a $5 Amazon gift card. The first drawing is this Friday! Just comment on any of our posts throughout the month and you’re automatically entered.

And, of course, enter the Rafflecopter drawing for a chance at winning a Kindle Fire or one of six bundles of books by the wonderful authors of this blog!

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Cowboys can be from Kentucky too by Jan Scarbrough @romancerider

 I first published this blog on my own website November 7, 2013.

You’ll find several popular themes in romance novels—themes such as reunion stories, secret babies, twins, marriages of convenience, bad boys, and of course—cowboys. When I decided to write a cowboy hero, I began doing research. After all, I’m from Kentucky. I’ve been out West, for sure, but at the time, I didn’t feel qualified to set a story there.

One group I learned about during my research was the Professional Bull Riders, Inc., called simply the PBR. Check their website. You’ll learn what they are all about: “This is not a rodeo. We don't rope calves, and we don't chase barrels. This is bull riding, and the first rule is just to stay alive.”

It’s not “if” you get hurt in bull riding. It’s “when.” My husband says these cowboys are crazy. But he goes with me anyway to do firsthand research. We’ve driven to Nashville, Lexington, and watched PBR events several times in Louisville.

Bull riders are from everywhere. The PBR website explains:

“More than 1,200 bull riders from the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico hold PBR memberships. They compete in more than 300 bull riding events per year on either the elite tour, which is the Built Ford Tough Series, the Touring Pro Division, or the PBR International circuits (PBR Australia, PBR Brazil, PBR Canada and PBR Mexico). The ultimate goal for PBR athletes each year is to qualify for the prestigious PBR World Finals in Las Vegas where the coveted title of PBR World Champion is decided.”

So, when I started to pull together ideas for Kentucky Cowboy, I thought why couldn’t my cowboy be from Kentucky? And why would he come home? Family, of course. And what if he meets his old girlfriend, the one who dumped him so many years ago?

That’s how stories start—with the “what if?”

In the book Folklore on the American Land, Duncan Emrich makes the point that the cowboy is “a symbol of what we as a people and nation have wished as our way of life. He is a projection of our hopes and desires, a projection of our best code of ethics, of our wished-for mores.”

Americans have always been attracted to cowboys for what they represent: individualism, independence, freedom, courage, loyalty, and much more.

Bull riders are popular. Why? The PBR website sums it up: “Professional bull riding is a fierce, rough, and grueling sport with roots deeply imbedded in American culture. It's America's original extreme sport.”

2019 Update

Bull riding is a dangerous sport. The riders and fans were shocked by the recent death of Mason Lowe. Read a memorial to him.

Lowe, 25, passed away on Tuesday night at Denver Health as a result of injuries sustained in competition when Hard Times bucked him off and stepped on his chest at the Denver PBR Chute Out Velocity Tour event inside the Denver Coliseum at the National Western Complex.

Remember Comment & Win and Rafflecopter To be entered in Comment & Win, all you have to do is read the post of the day—or any post you may have missed. Then leave a comment with your email address written out. That means like Mary at yahoo dot com. (Don't leave your email as a "hot link" or web crawlers will harvest it and flood your Inbox.) The more comments you make; the greater your chance of winning. Grand Opening Rafflecopter Be sure and enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire and Ebook Gift Bundles.

Introducing Nancy Fraser by @JoanReeves #RomanceGems

Today, I'd like to introduce you to one of our Romance Gems who is one of the hardest working authors I know—Nancy Fraser.

Before I tell you more about Nancy, I want to remind you of our February Rafflecopter and COMMENT & WIN Giveaway.

Click here to enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire and Ebook Gift Bundles.

To enter COMMENT & WIN Weekly Giveaway, just leave a comment on this post, or any of the posts throughout February, with your email address written out, i.e. Mary at yahoo dot com. The more comments you make; the greater your chance of winning.

About Nancy Fraser

Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers.

Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

Published in multiple genres, Nancy currently writes for 4 publishers. She has published 29 books in both full-length and novella format. Her 30th and 31st books are scheduled for release in 2019.

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy splits her free time between her 5 grandchildren. She’s also an avid traveler with Las Vegas being her favorite destination. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

Find Nancy Online

Website | Blog | BookBub | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter
YouTube | Sign up for Nancy's Newsletter

Nancy's Story: How I Became a Writer

I actually became a writer on a dare. Way back in 1991, a co-worker offered me one of her romance novels to read on my lunch break. I told her “no thank you,” and made the absolutely ridiculous comment, “anyone can write one of those.” She dared me to try.

So, that weekend, I wrote two chapters of a romance I titled Dream Lover. When I brought it to work on Monday, she accused me of copying it out of a book. To prove to her that I did indeed write the story, I spent my lunch break that day and the next writing a 3rd chapter.

Needless to say, that was all it took. I was hooked and determined to finish the book. That version of Dream Lover still holds a place of honor in a shoebox on a shelf in my closet.

For Your Consideration

The Vessel by Nancy Fraser

A career soldier, Major Liam McGregor has been following strict military orders for over a decade. Considered one of the best by his superiors, it’s not surprising he’s the operative chosen for an assignment that, if successful, could save mankind.

Years earlier, chemical warfare left the women of earth sterile and the population is dwindling fast. The only hope for survival lies in the government scientists’ ability to successfully breed alien females with healthy human males. So far, their attempts have been mediocre at best.

Alora, second daughter of the House of Delawon, is their last hope. A government protectee since her family’s transport crash landed on earth years earlier, she is the last surviving fempod from Tethys, one of Saturn’s habitable moons.

Together Liam and Alora must travel from the government’s safe house in what used to be the state of Colorado to Traverse City, the new capitol of the United Republic. Their route takes through both safe and hostile territory.

What poses more of a threat? The lawless marauders who’ll stop at nothing to vanquish their prey? Or, the forbidden desires tempting the soldier and the alien princess?

Watch the Video Trailer for The Vessel on YouTube.

Fun Fact: The Vessel is written entirely from the hero’s point-of-view.

Add The Vessel to Your Library.

Saint Valentine is Coming! by Nancy Fraser

We’re closing in the supposedly most romantic day of the year. In honor of the holiday, I thought we could do with a little history lesson on the saint who gave February 14th its name!

Flowers, candy, red hearts and romance. That's what Valentine's day is all about, right? Well, maybe not. The origin of this holiday for the expression of love really isn't romantic at all—at least not in the traditional sense.

To quote Father Frank O'Gara of Whitefriars Street Church in Dublin, Ireland:

"Valentine was a Roman Priest at a time when there was an emperor called Claudias who persecuted the church at that particular time. He also had an edict that prohibited the marriage of young people. This was based on the hypothesis that unmarried soldiers fought better than married soldiers because married soldiers might be afraid of what might happen to them or their wives or families if they died."

~ ~ ~

As an author of romantic fiction, I’m glad we’ve stepped away from the traditional and moved on to more of the hearts and flowers!

Also in honor of the holiday, I’m giving away ten sets of my two-novella Valentine series set in the mid-1960s. All you have to do to grab your set is to fill out the form for Nancy'sValentine's Giveaway.

Speaking of giving things away, don’t forget to enter the Romance Gems’ “Comment and Win” weekly drawing for a $5 Amazon gift card. The first drawing is this Friday! Just comment on any of our posts throughout the month and you’re automatically entered.

And, of course, enter the Rafflecopter drawing for a chance at winning a Kindle Fire or one of six bundles of books by the wonderful authors of this blog!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope your Valentine Day celebration is everything you want it to be. I’ll see you again on the 15th. In the meantime, stay happy, stay healthy, stay well read.

Nancy

Wearing Many Hats by @KarenWhiddon

I am a full-time author.  After years of working in the insurance industry and writing on the side, in 2011 my husband and I sold our insurance agency.  He retired and I wrote.

In 1996, I sold my first book to Kensington Precious Gems.  I wrote 5 books for them, and then 5 for Dorchester (Leisure).  Finally, in 2003, I sold to Silhouette Intimate Moments (Now Harlequin Romantic Suspense.)  My 55th published book will be out in April 2019 (45th for Harlequin). You'd think by now, writing would be easy, right?  Hah.  Not so.  I think the more you know, the more you question.  But I still love my stories and my people and the happily ever after.  So there's that.

2019 is 8 years after I quit working in the insurance agency.  This year, I've been toying with the thought of going back.  The benefits - steady income stream, health insurance, getting out of the house - balance out the negatives - having to leave the house, working for someone else, less time for my writing and working out.

Then I started talking to a friend who shifted from writing for Harlequin to self-publishing.  Bear in mind, I went to the Ninc Conference in White Plains where Bella Andre spoke.  I heard all the tales of big money, huge money.  I put up 10 books from my backlist and, while they earned some money, it wasn't a huge amount.  Granted, I didn't do any promo or advertising, inured against this since I wrote category for HQ with a short shelf life.  I'd heard that self-publishing had a glutted market and it wasn't the same.  I should have gotten into it in 2012.  Instead, I kept writing new material strictly for the traditional market.  I did ok.  Enough to live on, though nothing to write home about.  Until one of my Harlequin lines closed and I only had one to write for.  Since I write 4 books a year and they can only publish 2 per year from me, you can see the problem.

Self-publishing?  I spoke to my friend, read the new bestselling authors with whom I wasn't familiar.  There seems to be room for another author, though it certainly sounds like a lot of work.  But my friend was doing well.  Really well.  Not Bella Andre, millions of dollars well, but certainly way better than my annual salary writing for Harlequin.  And so a new job was born.

To be honest, since quitting insurance, though I kept my license active, I'd taken it easy.  Too easy.  I acted as if I too was retired most of the time.  I slept in, walked, worked out, and then spent 3 hours per day writing.  That was enough for me to write 4 books a year.  Since I'm contracted for the remainder of 2019 with Harlequin (last deadline 12-15-19), I'll continue to keep my 2-5 pm writing time for those books.

Now, I'm up at 5:30, just like I was going to an outside job.  I'm learning Photoshop, so I can design my own covers.  A couple years ago, I'd gotten back 10 more backlist books from Harlequin, so I'm putting them up.  I've purchased a couple of covers, but I'd prefer to do my own. I've asked for more rights to revert to me.  I'm going to plot out a new three-book series and once I have those all written, hire an editor.  I'm going to have a second career as a self-published author, while continuing to write for my beloved Harlequin.

Can I do this?  I'm full of doubts, but also full of hope.  I'll have help - the romance writing community is full of generous women who share knowledge.  I'm aware that it will take time to show a profit.  Time and money.  But years ago, when my husband I and started our own insurance agency, there were a couple of lean years until we got up and running.  We had to spend money to make money, and I will have to do the same thing now.  Wish me luck.  I hope to have all my backlist up on Amazon by the end of February and the new series up by the end of the year.  I can do this!!!

Chocolate Cake in a Cup by @JoanReeves #RomanceGems

Do you ever long for a slice of chocolate layer cake, but you don't have time to make one and/or buy one.

Besides, you don't want a whole cake in the kitchen tempting you, calling your name.

Despite your best intentions, you'll find yourself rationalize that it's okay to have chocolate cake for dessert every day—or for breakfast!

Before you know it, you'll have eaten the entire cake. However, it's easy to have a little chocolate cake without an enormous amount left to bewitch you.

5 Minute Chocolate Cake in a Cup

Here's my recipe to go from thinking about chocolate cake to actually eating cake in about 5 minutes.

You’ll need microwave-safe mugs or cups or small Pyrex baking dishes. You can make this recipe in 2 or 4 cups depending on how large a cake you want. I actually use 4 cups and serve them on their matching saucers. Cute little small cakes to serve.

Keep it simple and eat it like that or make it extra special, just add a dollop of whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or frost with the recipe I give for my favorite Chocolate Frosting.

Ingredients

Experiment with different kinds of chips

• 4 tablespoons self-rising flour
• 4 tablespoons any kind of sugar (white, raw, brown)
• 2 tablespoons cocoa power (I use plain old Hershey's)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (I use sunflower)
• 3 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crack the egg into a large measuring cup or small mixing bowl and beat. Add milk and oil and mix well. Add flour, sugar, and cocoa. Mix it all together. Stir in the chocolate chips then the vanilla.

Scoop into the mugs, cups, or bowls you selected. Like I said, you can make 2 large ones or 3-4 small ones. Place in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts power. The cakes will rise beautifully. Remove from microwave and allow to cool a little. Serve with a spoon.

Feeling Fancy

If you want to get fancy, ice cream makes it easy.

If you crave chocolate frosting, here's my recipe for that.

It makes a bunch, but you can actually divide it up into small freezer bags and defrost a bit when you need it.

Best Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2/3 cup Hershey's Cocoa Powder
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter and stir in cocoa. Add powdered sugar alternating with the milk. Beat on medium speed until mixture is spreading consistency. Add more milk, teaspoon by teaspoon, until consistency is perfect. Beat vanilla in last. Makes about 2 cups of the most delicious frosting.

Remember Comment & Win

Are you a chocolate lover? If so, what's your favorite chocolate pleasure?

To be entered in Comment & Win, all you have to do is read the post of the day—or any post you may have missed.

Then leave a comment with your email address written out. That means like Mary at yahoo dot com. (Don't leave your email as a "hot link" or web crawlers will harvest it and flood your Inbox.)

The more comments you make; the greater your chance of winning.

Grand Opening Rafflecopter

Be sure and enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire and Ebook Gift Bundles.

Afterthought

I guess I should say something about BLAME IT ON CHOCOLATE, my Valentine's Day romantic comedy short story. It's a measly 99cents—funny, sexy, and romantic if I do say so myself.

Chloe Elliot was the good girl. She’d never been a hell-raiser. Never gotten drunk, used drugs, smoked pot, or slept around. She didn’t even curse! She'd lived a life above reproach. Truthfully, it hadn’t been that difficult.

Until Hunter Cole returned to his home town.
There was just something about the man that addled her brain and created havoc in her body.

You'll find BLAME IT ON CHOCOLATE at Amazon.

Grand Opening of Romance Gems by @JoanReeves #RomanceGems

Welcome, one and all, to ROMANCE GEMS, a blog that will be written by 23 popular romance authors.

Who Are We?

Some of us are New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. Some are Amazon bestselling authors, and some are award-winning authors.

All of us are Romance Readers as well as Romance Writers. We're like you. We're moms, wives/significant others, and friends.

We pay bills, juggle the family budget, take care of a home, cook—at least every now and then—worry about aging family members, get frustrated with technology, vent over situations that drive us crazy and that we probably can't change, love music, movies, TV shows, reading, and having a good time. Plus, we like to talk about all of that.

RomanceGems Banner Design by Adina Mayo.

What Is Romance Gems?

I think ROMANCE GEMS—written out it's http://RomanceGems.blogspot.com—is going to be a pretty fabulous blog.

We want to put the focus on you, the Readers. We want you to talk with us.

Join the conversation and give us your 2 cents when you read each daily post. We'll talk about Life, Love, Books, Romance, Sex, Kids, and all the other really important things in your world.

Some chuckles and some good times await you so I hope you'll make a point to visit us each day.

Grand Opening Giveaway

Be sure and enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire and Ebook Gift Bundles.

Every week, there will be a Comment & Win Random Drawing for an Amazon Gift Card.

To be entered in Comment & Win, all you have to do is read the post of the day—or any post you may have missed.

Then leave a comment with your email address written out. That means like Mary at yahoo dot com. (Don't leave your email as a "hot link" or web crawlers will harvest it and flood your Inbox.) The more comments you make; the greater your chance of winning.

All Month Long

The Rafflecopter and the Comment & Win runs for the whole month of February plus there may be Pop-Up Prizes too. Enter often and have fun chatting with us.

But Wait There's More

Here's a quick tour of the blog. In the left sidebar, you'll see where we also blog. Just click to visit any of those blogs. Below that you'll see tiny pictures of those who follow the blog. Click to follow so we can see your picture too.

Below that is the monthly schedule so you'll known when each of us blogs. There are surprise days too so be sure and drop by to see what's going on then.

The right sidebar shows some of our books. Click on any you find interesting, and you'll be taken to the "buy" page for the book.

On the menu bar, you'll see the link for MEET THE AUTHORS. Find out more about all of us including our mug shots. *g* More pages will be added in the weeks ahead.

We've also started a Facebook Page: Where Authors and Readers Meet, and you have an open invitation to join us. So come on by and hang with us for a while. There will probably be someone there to chat with.

Sum It Up, Joan

You'll find a Gem of an Author and a Gem of a Romance Novel here plus some witty writers and good conversation. Come join us.

Oh, and remember, enter the month-long Giveaway for Rafflecopter Giveaway.

For Telling Your Reading Friends About ROMANCE GEMS