What’s Next in 2020? By Jan Scarbrough #RomanceGems

Every year, I make my writing goals. In 2018, I concentrated on revising, re-editing, and republishing five books in my Bluegrass Reunion series. I had gotten the rights back and wanted to update and polish them before self-publishing them.

That was 2018. In 2019, I finished revising the series with Kentucky Cowboy and Kentucky Rain. My other goal was more ambitious: a trilogy called Ghost Mountain Ranch. It would tell the story of Hank, a secondary character from the Montana Ranchers, a series I wrote with Maddie James.

I did finish the first book in the trilogy, and because it was a romance, Hank got his happy ending. However, life happened: my husband got sick and so did I. Currently the first book is with my editor. I’m almost finished with the second.

So, my goal in 2020 is to finish all three books and self-publish them. I’ve included the cover for the first book. I’m not sure I’ll keep the cover or the title. What do you think?

If you’ve read yesterday’s group blog, you’ll find I hope to get back on track personally in 2020. I have some chronic health issues that I must live with. But I want to get moving again: taking horseback riding lessons again, going to the gym, walking, volunteering, and helping with the grandkids. I have archery and volleyball contests to attend, not to mention basketball and football games.

What are your plans for 2020?

 MONTHLY GIVEAWAY

Our January 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.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Resolution Revolution - A Group Post from #RomanceGems

Our Romance Gems theme for January is “What's Next?” As authors, perhaps that means writing more or finishing the book of your heart. However, we are women, wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and grandparents, too. What’s next could mean something more personal. Tell me… What tops your To-Do List for 2020?

“My darling daughter is getting married on May 30 so the prep for the nuptials is number uno on my things to get ready for this year. The wedding is going to be a 2-weekend event with the Catholic ceremony over Memorial Day and the reception taking place the entire next weekend, beginning with a cocktail party Friday night, then a Sri Lankan blessing ceremony on Saturday with a huge dinner reception thereafter. Sunday morning is a goodbye brunch. 400 people/4 days/1 tired MOB at the end of it!” ~ Peggy Jaeger

"I have two priorities for the New Year. Professionally, I really need to get back to a good writing habit. Even when I'm working, I've been inefficient and distracted. I'd like to concentrate on getting the last book of my series finally written. Personally, I'd like to make healthier eating choices and commit to doing some type of exercise daily. I saw a number I've never seen on my scale in the past few weeks and I'd like to trim back a bit." ~ Satin Russell

“There are two kinds of travelers. Those who live to travel and explore. And those who live to vacation. Preferably on a sunny beach with a good book and a cocktail. I fall in the latter category. I work hard, so when I’m away I’m all about relaxing. But recently the hubster and I met a wonderful couple who own a B and B in France, near the Loire Valley. Can you say wine? The valley produces some of my favorites. And since the kind innkeepers have offered to show us around the area and introduce us to winery owners they know.... It may not happen in 2020, but we are definitely doing some of the preliminary legwork to see if we can make this trip happen sooner rather than later. I’m game, even if there is no beach.”
~ Kathleen Lawless

“For the last quarter of 2019, I’ve been a slug, sitting in front of the TV and nursing a head cold and then a case of pneumonia. I’ve also dealt with a couple of chronic illnesses that have become part of my life. I take more medicine now, and I’ve acquired some new “-ologists” in my local medical community. For 2020, I want to get back on track physically. I want to be more active, ride horses, volunteer with my charity Alley Cat Advocates, and finish writing my trilogy.” ~ Jan Scarbrough

"Self. 2020 is my year to put myself above all else. My family will, of course, get all the attention I can give them. Yet, for the first time in forever, I have to concentrate on me. That means: Health, wealth, and joy. My goals are to lose a significant amount of weight (in a healthy manner); pay off all my bills and save more; and find my joy in writing again. If I can accomplish those three goals, I will be a very happy person." ~ Nancy Fraser

"For 2020 I hope to continue to eat with my health in mind. I've lost over 20 lbs and mean to maintain that loss. Walking helps. I also need to keep my focus and the daily practice of yoga helps with that. As for travel, we'll be taking 2 months in Portugal for a winter break. More about my writing plans for the new year will be posted on the blog! Please take a moment to follow me on BookBub. Thanks and happy 2020 to our readers!" ~ Bonnie Edwards

“In 2020, I plan to help my son -- who is a junior in high school -- figure out his plan for college. He wants to be an animator. The universities that support that have tough requirements, therefore, I'll be studying for the SAT with him. YIKES. Y'all say a prayer for my sanity.” ~ Kara O’Neal

"I'm a woman who sets goals, makes lists, and generally enjoys organizing just about anything. A New Year is exciting and fills me with enthusiasm and energy, but I'm a bit perplexed about 2020. Currently, my life has many variables. If none of them come into play, I'll write more. I have series that need to be ended and new ideas to play with. I'll guide Romance Gems into self-publishing and offer at least 1 multi-author box set. Personally, Darling Hubby and I are going to travel a bit—maybe back to Italy, out to Big Bend in Texas, and to other places in the U.S. WHAT'S NEXT for me? (Sign up for my Newsletter and receive a free ebook when you confirm." ~ Joan Reeves

“For 2020 I'm going all in - as my daughter Meg calls it - we're going for the GLOW. Refocused on eating lots of fruits and veggies and drinking water! Going back to the gym and getting ready to for the next 40 years of my life. Then on the author front - write great books, release great books - repeat. Attend Reader/Author events so that I can meet you! Happy New Year!” ~ Lucinda Race

“I have to finish up my story for Be My Heartwarming Valentine, the latest Christmas Town anthology and am working on a new proposal. Life is a constantly upsetting apple cart, but my intent is to keep pushing, no matter how many apples have to be picked up.” ~ Liz Flaherty

“Every year I balk at the notion of making New Year's resolutions, and every year I decide to make them. Except I refuse to call them resolutions, but rather goals. Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to, I know. For this new year, I'm committed to reclaiming my body. I've been too sedentary, and it's reflected in my health, appearance, and self-confidence. But I'm a problem solver, and this is a problem I can and will solve. I guess you could say I've resolved myself to getting fit. Which basically means I've made a resolution... and a goal.” ;) ~ Elsa Kurt

“So, what’s up for me after all these great Resolution Revolutions? A lot more writing! Last year had its ups, downs, and interruptions. This year, I plan to finish the first book in my next series. A book I’ve been dreaming about and plotting for over a decade. I’m almost there and super-excited to share it with you! On a personal note... Home renovations continue, garden/landscaping ideas are coming together, and travel. I do love traveling with my family and friends! Last year is history. A bright new year with many more adventures awaits. Happy new year, ALL!” ~ Kathryn Hills

"The top of my list for 2020 is to get more books written and out to the public. Now that I'm not working a full-time job or traveling all over in an RV, I'm hoping to finish writing books 4, 5, and 6 of my Love on the Line series. I’d also like to finish and publish books 3 and 4 of my Storms of New England series. A few of these are done in rough draft, so I need to go back and revise and edit. I may even venture into some self-publishing to change things up. Write on!!" ~ Kari Lemor 

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.

Thanks for joining us! Happy 2020!

~ The Romance Gems ~

Enter our January GIVEAWAY HERE!

Grand Prize: $20.00 Amazon Gift Card 

2nd Prize: $15.00 Amazon Gift Card 

3rd Prize: $10.00 Amazon Gift Card 

4th Prize: $5.00 Amazon Gift Card

Best of luck to everyone!

Woot! It's the Twenties Again! by Nancy Fraser

I absolutely LOVE everything about the Roaring Twenties! The music, the clothes, the unabashed decadence, the new-found freedom of being whatever you wanted to be! It was a time of discovery for a lot of people. It was also a time of pushing the boundaries, whether it be defying Prohibition, or admitting to a once taboo sexuality. Everything was open to exploration.

Jazz ruled the fancy supperclubs and secret speakeasies! The clothes dared to expose body parts previously hidden away beneath yards and yards of material. It was magical!

Now we get to do it again and...this time...I'll be here to watch it all unfold. I couldn't be happier. I'm not sure our music could get much more daring and today's clothing sometimes leaves nothing to the imagination. But still, with a new year and a new decade, there's promise. Hope.

I don't do "resolutions" as such, but I do set out some goals for myself. I start with easily attainable goals...like completing galley edits on my March release. I build on that with short range goals of de-cluttering my condo and ridding myself of unused items. Then, there's the big one! For me, this year, it's my health. I have a few issues to get under control and I look forward to some steady progress.

In the meantime though, I'm content to not only finish my galleys but begin a new project. No matter what other committments or goals I set for myself, writing will always be up there on my must-do list.

To celebrate the "new" twenties, I thought I'd giveaway a couple of erotic novellas set in the 1920's. As befitting the era, both are decadent, romantic, and...just like the twenties...fun!

Decadence, freedom and illegal activities…

Everything a sheltered debutante in the mid-1920s could want. When Hyde Park socialite Susan Leland meets up with Evan Forrester for the second time, she makes no excuses for their first meeting—an auto accident in which she broke the young artist’s wrist. She finds the handsome Evan both infuriating and intriguing, yet not quite as intriguing as sultry torch singer Holly Winters, a performer at Susan’s favorite supper club.

A chance to make amends…

By posing nude for Evan to paint. When Susan balks, Evan, not wanting to deal with an innocent, sends her away but not before the arrival of his next model, Holly Winters. As Susan’s preparing to leave, the beautiful and talented singer convinces her to come back the next day—so they can pose together.

Will Susan find happiness in the arms of Evan Forrester—or another?

And ...

In the Roaring Twenties…

A former Hello Girl during WWI, widowed Ariel Pennybaker served her country proudly. She now carries on her late husband’s legacy…a home for the many returning, injured soldiers.

With her year of mourning nearly at an end, she’s had enough of her self-imposed celibacy. It’s time to get back in the game.

A chance meeting with a handsome WWI aviator has her imagining thoroughly naughty thoughts. When a second man walks into her life, her naughty thoughts turn downright decadent. What better way to fulfil her fantasies than by sharing both men’s beds.

As tempting as the idea is, Ariel has a huge secret, one she must protect at all costs. And, it’s possible one or both of her lovers is not what he seems.

All you have to do to win, is leave a comment about what you're looking forward to in 2020. Also, please leave your email address (written out) so that I can notify you if you're name is chosen. I will be drawing the winners on Wednesday, January 8th.

Dont forget to enter our monthly giveaway. Full information on the Rafflecopter drawing can be found on our Monthly Giveaway page. You can also find the the entry form HERE.

While your checking out the Giveaway page, don't forget to take a peek at our Movie Theater and Bookstore pages. Not to mention our Free Book giveaways!

Until next month, may the new year bring you and your loved ones peace, prosperity, and love.

Nancy

Out With the Old and In With the New by Nancy Fraser

And I'm not just talking about the year and the decade! I'm also talking about the Romance Gems' awesome monthly giveaways.

We've had a wonderful 2019 with many, many giveaways, lots of chances to win free books, informative and sentimental posts, and a lot of fun. And we couldn't have done it without our readers and followers. Thank you all for making it a banner year for all of us.

December's Candy Cane Kisses giveaway garnered 3,435 entries! That's a Romance Gems record! What a great way to close out the year.

The winners are:

1st Prize:  $30 Amazon Gift Card goes to Angelo Arizola

2nd Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card goes to Nicole Martin

3rd Prize: $20 Amazon Gift Card goes to Kayla Marie Blevins (Unfortunately after several attempts to contact this winner, we followed our posted Policy and rolled the amount of that prize back into our Treasury for future use.)

4th Prize: $10 Amazon Gift Card goes to Amy Campbell

5th Prize: $5 Amazon Gift Card goes to Kathleen Monthei

We hope you will all come back daily throughout 2020. Share our posts, like our blog (if you haven't already), and enter our monthly Rafflecopter for more great prize giveaways.

Speaking of more prizes ... our January Rafflecopter began at 12:01 a.m. today! This month we're giving away four Amazon Gift Cards.

1st Prize: $20 Amazon Gift Card

2nd Prize: $15 Amazon Gift Card

3rd Prize: $10 Amazon Gift Card

4th Prize: $5 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One of the easiest tasks to earn "daily" points is to watch and like our January promotional video. You can also earn an extra daily point by sharing the video to at least one social media site.

Best of luck to all who enter and best wishes for a wonderful 2020!

Nancy

Resolutions or Just Keep On Keeping On by Karen Whiddon

Another new year, another decade.  I remember 1999 when it was about to turn 2000 and Y2K was going on.  Everyone was panicked, thinking computers were going to shut down, the power grid would go out, and the world would become a frenzied madhouse.  People were stocking up, survivalist style.  Of course, none of that happened.  Midnight came and went, toasts went up, and the world just kept on keeping on.

Now here we are, twenty years later.  We're all a bit older, some family and some friends are no longer with us, and the world just keeps ticking away.

A lot of people make resolutions for the new year.  When I was much younger, I used to too.  These days, I realize a lot of things are out of my control.  I no longer make resolutions.

Instead, I take stock of what is working in my life and know I need to continue to do more of that.  Eating healthy, maintaining a good weight, and working out are among those things.  As far as writing, I write five days a week for three hours a day and that's enough to keep my production where it needs to be. I enjoy my job and love my publisher and my editor, so that makes me happy.

Now don't get me wrong - there are things I'd love to do.  I'd love to be able to build a new house and move into it (one story please.)  I'd love a new car, but my old one still runs fine and I'd have to get a day job to afford a car payment, so that's a trade-off I'm not willing to make just yet.

So as the old year ends and the new begins, I think of all that I'm grateful for - family, friends, dogs, my volunteer work, good health, and my job.  As the clock strikes midnight, I raise a glass in gratitude. 

I'll end with asking you this - three days in to 2020 and what are you grateful for?  Please let me know in the comment section.

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS SALE By Kathleen Lawless @kathleenlawless #romancegems

By my reckoning, today is the Eighth Day of Christmas.  This is a holdover from my Catholic childhood, when my mother insisted on leaving the Christmas tree up until January 6^th, which she called ‘Little Christmas,’ aka the Epiphany.  Dad wasn’t Catholic, so things were always interesting in our house.  Many of our neighbors considered December 13^th the start of the twelve-day countdown, ending on the 25^th. 

These days, I applaud the way everyone finds their own special way to celebrate the holiday season, no matter what their beliefs.  Why else would the movie theaters be really busy on December 25^th, with a lot of Hollywood Blockbusters released that day? 

Now that New Year’s has come and gone and we’re into a new Roaring Twenties decade, I wanted to start the year off right with my biggest sale ever. Rather than a gift of Eight Maids-A-Milking, I have on offer my SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS Volume One Box Set of Sweet Western Historicals.

 

Regularly $8.99, you can grab it now for only 99 cents.  

If you haven’t started reading about Brody Mason his brothers where, one by one, these Alpha Male Cowboys in nineteenth century Arizona meet the one special woman destined to be their “forever love”, now is your chance.  Volume One includes the bonus Prequel Before the Brides, a novella not available for sale outside of the boxset.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZW9SVZK

Before the Brides … Ten years earlier Brody and Laura’s romance started it all.

Brody’s Bride …  Laura’s Back!  And right in the crosshairs of Brody’s sworn enemy.  Can he keep her safe and forgive the past?

Bradley’s Bride …  Amanda has something their sworn enemy vows to get his hands on, no matter who gets in his way.  Despite himself, Bradley is soon drawn in. Fighting his past, fighting his feelings, and ultimately fighting for their future.

Braydon’s Bride …  Globe-trotting Henrietta is unlike any woman Braydon has ever met.  When she turns his lighthearted wager into her own personal triumph, he knows they are meant to be together.  But how to convince her! 

If you prefer a little more heat with your romance, and a contemporary setting, watch later in the month for the release of UNTAMED.  The story Roundtable Reviews describes as, "Imagine Nancy Drew meets Sex in the City."  

And if I could possibly impose on your time, my gorgeous cover for UNMASKED  is in a cover contest at All Authors. Please vote here https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/6729/ and help to share.  Very excited for this opportunity for my cover designer and I.  She deserves this recognition for her work. 

I wish everyone good health and much happiness in the year ahead.  Let’s go out there and make things happen!  Leave a message saying what you're looking forward to in 2020.  I will pick a random winner for one of my e-books of your choice.  

Kathleen

Happy New Year 2020 by @JoanReeves #RomanceGems

What's Old? What's New? What's Next?

Those are the 3 questions to answer for the first Romance Gems post of the New Year.

I think I have those answers.

What's Old & Gone?

Sad times, failures, mistakes, goof ups, embarrassments, missed deadlines, misunderstandings, and all the crud that made us unhappy.

What's New & Waiting?

Opportunities, good times, laughter, joy, happiness, achievements, love, friendship, optimism, and new experiences.

What's Next?

For me, it's more time to write, more time to play, more time to smell the roses, and more time to show those I love that I love them very, very much.

Isn't New Year's Eve the perfect time to give in to a bit of insanity?

First Giveaway of the Year

I'm giving away 2 copies of my New Year's Romance, Last Chance New Year.

A Moment in Time is all that's needed for Love to be Revealed in this highly sensual romance short story.

Cheyenne Smith, better known as C. A. Smith to her co-workers, decides New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to give in to insanity and throw herself at Luke Harper, the man she loves, and hope that he catches her.

Will Luke be her safety net?

Giveaway Details

To be entered to win 1 of the 2 copies of Last Chance New Year, leave a comment and tell me What's Next for you in 2020.

Be sure and include your email addy written out, not as a hot link, so I can contact you if you are a winner.

This Giveaway is open for comments until Jan. 4 at 10pm CST. Winners' names selected by random draw and notified no later than Monday, Jan. 6 at 10pm CST. 

What's Next for Romance Gems?

Our January Promotion is named What's Next and has Amazon Gift Cards for prizes. What's Next kicks off at 12:01 a.m. on January 4th and ends at 11:59 p.m. on January 31st.

You'll find details about What's Next on our Monthly Giveaway page, and Nancy Fraser will publish all the details in her Jan. 5 post.

Be sure and visit on Jan. 6 when Kathryn Hills will present a special What's Next group post.



Romance Gems Presents What's Next, our January Rafflecopter.

As I tell my Newsletter Subscribers at the end of each issue:

Be bold. Be brave. Be beautiful—on the inside where it really counts!

Happy New Year.