KEEP LEARNING!

 By Caroline Clemmons

Hello, Dear Friends,

Our August theme is Sizzling Days, Sultry Nights. No, we're not responsible for the weather, which has been both sizzling and sultry in North Central Texas. I'm looking forward to fall and winter. 

How has your summer been so far? Taking into account our unusual circumstances during the pandemic, mine has been pretty good. In many parts of the country school has started or will next week. In my mind, this marks the end of summer—even though officially summer ends on September 21. 

Are you doing anything new to occupy time you would have gone out in previous summers? During our time at home, I’ve been signing up for webinars and participating in Zoom meetings. I want to keep learning, stretching the brain to keep my mind as sharp as possible. I’m grateful for the internet and the ability to learn and to keep up with friends through social media and email.

For those who don’t want a webinar, there are Ted Talks covering almost every subject. Hero and I have watched many of those. I’m amazed that some are even humorous as well as informative. I admit Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of my favorites because he explains complicated theories in terms everyone can understand.

For clean, down home humor, I watch Jeanne Robertson’s YouTube videos. Our daughters and I saw her performance in person a couple of years ago. Since she isn’t traveling to speak right now, she has a “back porch” discussion on YouTube. I’m not a fan of those, but the videos of her performances are fun. My favorite is her discussion of sending her husband to the store, which has become a classic. If her sort of humor is not for you. there are many other entertainers on YouTube. Dry Bar Cafe offers a variety of comics.

Reading has saved the sanity of multitudes. You can understand why we authors at Romance Gems (and elsewhere) love readers! We are readers as well as writers and I’ve been working in extra reading lately. I just finished The Secret Orphan, which I recommend. Yesterday I started Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, which was recommended by our librarian daughter. Probably it’s a young adult or new adult book, but it is fascinating and hard to put down and get to work. It's going to be a movie soon.

If you’re looking for something to read, we have the perfect solution, LAST CHANCE BEACH: Summer’s End, which is only 99 cents for fourteen new stories! This box set is only available for a limited time, so grab it while you can. My contribution is The Man in Gull Cottage. Writing a short story was difficult. I had to revise and cut characters or my story would have been too long. I’m pretty pleased with the end result. Maddie James created the cover for The Man in Gull Cottage. I loved reading the entire set—there’s something for everyone.

As you can see by the graphic below, our Comment to Win is back. If you want to enter, just leave a comment that includes your email (with spaces so spammers don’t grab it). You can enter every day.

Until next month, stay safe, be optimistic, and be kind.

The Long Hot Summer #LucindaRace

Hello again, 

Have you enjoyed your summer so far? We’ve been busy gardening and installed a split rail fence around the garden with chicken wire to protect the garden for next year from the darn bunnies. Now don’t get me wrong they’re cute but they decimated my spinach, green beans and some lettuce too. Daughter #2 brought me buckets of her special compost for my tomato plants and I have no idea what was in it but WOW things are definitely looking up in the garden. This was the first year we started composting although I’ve been gardening for years. I guess the great pause was good for something, my garden. I’ve been sharing pictures of flowers, tomatoes and the pups on social media so if you’re curious feel free to follow me to see what goes on in my little plot of the world. 

Oh, and did I tell you the bears have been coming around on a pretty regular basis. Not sure why they’re finding their way into town but here they come. So extra care is taken when we go out with the little dogs.

 

In book news – In just a couple of weeks I’m sending the first book in The Crystal Lake Series, Blush, to my editor for her to help me smooth out any rough edges. It has been a book that I thought was finished and then based on feedback from my critique partner, beta readers and trusted family members I had to rework a few sections. My goal is to always release the very best book I can. I hope you find it will be worth the wait. Projected release is January 2021. 

Follow me on social media or join my Lucinda Heart Racers Reader's Group to keep up with all the details! 

Until next month, happy reading! 

Lucinda 

 

Finally, don't forget to enter this month's Comment & Win contest.

 

 

Interview with a Vampire by @karilemor #RomanceGems

We’re here at GEMs headquarters waiting to speak with none other than Darcy Marx, from the new release, BROKEN DREAMS. We’ve heard Ms. Marx is quite the character and are so pleased she agreed to this interview.

Darcy struts into the room and shakes her head, causing the short black spikes to rustle like grass in a field. The half dozen earrings in each ear sparkle when hit by the sun shining in the window.

“Darcy, thank you so much for meeting us today.”

Darcy plops into a seat and one side of her mouth lifts, “Yeah, whatevs. I had a few minutes since Tanner’s in school right now.”

“Of course. Let’s start with Tanner since you mentioned him. Why don’t you tell us how you came to be his nanny? I mean, you aren’t exactly the Mary Poppins type.”

Her darkly made up eyes narrow as she smirks. “I don’t carry an umbrella or a carpet bag. But I know kids, especially ones who have special needs. And I know how to provide what they need.”

“Your brother is disabled, correct?”

“No, he’s perfectly abled. He does have some developmental delays. But Zane isn’t on today’s menu, understand?” Her voice gets lower with her words.

“Yes, that’s fine. So, Tanner Storm?”

“Tanner and his needs are private, too, but I can tell you how I got the job. I was paired with the kid’s pretentious father in my friend Sara’s wedding. I got to hang out with the kid then, and he’s pretty cool. I started getting calls to help out whenever GQ needed a hand.”

“GQ?”

Darcy shrugs her delicate shoulders and the cut-out neckline of her black t-shirt slips off one.

“Nathaniel Storm, Esquire.  Corporate attorney to a number of New Hampshire’s big businesses. He looks like a GQ ad most of the time.” She lowers her head and mumbles, “Smells like one, too.”

“Ah, we also understand he has a nickname for you?”

Darcy rolls her eyes and grins. “Elvira. Mistress of the dark. I kinda like it.”

“Why does he call you that?”

“It might have had something to do with the all black ensemble I wore to the wedding rehearsal. Though when he first called me that I was draped in a pastel pink bridesmaid dress, so it really didn’t apply. Except maybe the dark lipstick I had on. Probably gave him the idea.”

“What color was it?”

“Blood Moon.” She makes a duck face to emphasize her dark red lips.

“We’d like to ask you about the small part you played in the earlier story, TRUE DREAMS. You set a lot of tongues wagging.”

Darcy laughs and her eyes light up. “Yeah, the boss wasn’t too happy when I kept sticking my nose into a bunch of scenes I hadn’t been scripted for. But let’s face it, every book needs a little comic relief and some good advice. TJ spent so much time organizing coffee cups and sh…stuff that he and Sara never would have gotten together if I didn’t give him a little kick in the pants every now and then.”

“We didn’t see any vampire jokes in True Dreams. Why not?”

Her face scrunches up. “I don’t give out all my secrets. Especially when the limelight needed to be on TJ and Sara.”

“Secrets? Are there any more you’d like to share with us?”

Her eyes grow sad and glisten with tears. After shaking her head, she clears her throat. “I’ve got to get the kid from school. It’s been real. But not real fun.”

Pushing to her combat boot-clad feet, she gives us a nod.

“Well, thank you for meeting with us. Good luck with your nanny position.”

“It’s just until GQ can find someone better. Not that anyone’s better than me.” She pulls keys from her jeans pocket. “My Beamer, courtesy of GQ. Kinda nice perk for the job.”

As she leaves the room, she peeks over her shoulder and gives us a wink.

~

If you could interview one person, fictional or real, living or dead, who would it be? 

COMMENT AND WIN

~~

Darcy's story, BROKEN DREAMS is available at most retailers.  

AND the first few books in the Storms of New England series, are currently on SALE for only 99c.  

But only until Aug 21 so GET THEM NOW!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084QBCGM3

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Kari%20Lemor%22

https://books2read.com/u/49ZqLX

~~

Make sure to check out the stories in our fantastic summer boxed set, LAST CHANCE BEACH: Summer’s End. There's something in this collection to suit all readers.   This set is a steal at only 99 cents. 

Plus there’s a free companion cocktail recipe book  Last Chance Cocktail Book

 

Steamy Romance and Music @ConstanceBretes #romancegems

I don't always have music playing or a playlist when I write, but there are specific books where a certain song and artist plays continuously in the background as I write the story.



 Two of my books, Love Songs, and Book of Love, has the same theme song that I love to hear. "I love you always and forever."  In Love Songs, the heroine is a popular contemporary singer, and the hero is a drummer and leader of the band called White Sands.I have her singing this song to the audience and she glances up at the drummer when she sings it. In Book of Love, the hero waited until the last dance of the night and dance with the heroine to this song.



Midnight Escape background music was When I'm with you by Sheriff. The hero and heroine were listening to the song at the end of the story, on his ship, during a romance dinner.










For Love, A Second Time Around, I listened to Willie Nelson sing Always on my mind. 

For The Haunted Love Affair, I listened to "Unforgettable" Nat King Cole with his daughter, Natalie Cole.  The hero played the song on his grand piano to the heroine.









Do you like to listen to romantic music in the background while you're reading a romance book? If so, what do you like to hear?  Lately I've been listening to "Lover" by Taylor Swift and Shawn Mendes.

Be sure and check out the Romance Gems video below.

Annndddd don't forget to sign up for the giveaway at: 

New covers & Stores! by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

This month's theme is Sizzling Days and Sultry Nights and that's mostly true about August...the heat hangs like a blanket some days and there are nights that never really cool down. A few days we trekked a local park to find some places to help cool us off. The narrow falls are called Lupin Falls and the emerald pool of water is at the base of Myra Falls. These are only two of the four waterfalls we saw in or near Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island. For more images and a couple of videos you can find me on FB.
 https://www.facebook.com/Bonnie.Edwards.Author/

In my writing life, I've signed on with Wildhearts Romance, a boutique publisher in Australia for my steamy romance series The Brantons. Please look for special pricing as these new versions are launched!







Body Work Book 1 Find it here.

Slow Hand Book 2 Find here

Whole Lot o' Love Book 3 Find here


And let's not forget my newest release Rayder's Appeal Book 4 of The Brantons. Rayder Cole is from a darker, more dangerous side of the Branton family and brings an edge to his story. You're never quite sure what he has in mind for Ellie Macklin...the woman who stole his heart when he was too young to realize he had one.

Rayder's Appeal

The Romance Gems are excited to offer Comment to Win again and here's my question: Have you managed to find a way to cool off this hot, steamy August? Remember, you need to include your email address spelled out like this: Bonnie  at  bonnieedwards dot com  to enter. Thanks so much!

Comment to Win Entry

If you'd like to follow me on BookBub where I share reviews, new releases and more. You can find me with just one click: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/bonnie-edwards

Speaking of reviews, it would be wonderful if you could share your thoughts on Hangover Husband, available in the boxset Last Chance Beach: Summer's End. The set contains 14 short stories of new love, second chances and more! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CV3GN3R

Until next time! Enjoy your own "Summer's End" 

Happy reading,

Bonnie Edwards

Once Upon a Cowboy @MaddieJames #RomanceGems

Once upon a time there was a teacher, and one hot August summer, she and her teacher friend went off to a conference in the cool Colorado mountains. The conference was great--what they saw of it, anyway. The trail ride they skipped the afternoon sessions for was a lot more exciting.

You see, there were cowboys.

And this teacher, even though she'd not ridden a horse since she was a kid, made the commitment for a four-hour trail ride into the Colorado mountains--two hours up and two hours back. All was well heading up the mountainside, the scenery was great, the horse was a dream, the cowboys were... well, cowboys.

Coming down the mountain, however, was a different story. The teacher had a difficult time handling her horse on the downward slopes, crossing a little stream, and keeping up with the other horses. She mixed up her signals to her mount. When she thought she was telling the horse to slow down, she was really telling the horse to back up. Consequently, they lost their space in the horse line. So, the horse galloped. And the teacher held on for dear life. And when the teacher was finally finished with this nightmare, she could only think of one thing--

At least there were cowboys.

Now, this story does have a happily-ever-after ending. You see, the teacher turned her adventure into a book. The opening scene--probably elaborated upon a bit--mimicked the teacher's chaotic ride down the mountain. She sold that book--her first published novel--and then the teacher wasn't a teacher any longer. She was a romance author who wrote about cowboys (and other things).

True story. I swear. I have the book covers to prove it! The original book is on the left, the revised/rebranded and re-authored book, is on the right!

Now, twenty-some years later, the sequel to this first cowboy book, is finally written. 

Readers have been asking for Mack and Jillie's story for years. Years! But other stories and different cowboys got in the way. Until now. 

The Cowboy's Secret Baby releases August 25, and I (Maddie James / the teacher) am ready to share it with the world! Here's the blurb: 

She’s the maid of honor. He’s the best man. 

Both are keeping secrets from the other.

The long-requested sequel to Maddie James’ first published novel, Roses & Rawhide is now available!

Readers wanted to know...
What happened to Jillie and Mack’s relationship at the end of Roses & Rawhide?
Why did Jillie go back to Kentucky?
Will they get back together?
What’s their story?

While Kim Martin and Thad Winchester find their happily-ever-after in Roses & Rawhide, their best friends, Jillie Abernathy and Mack Montgomery, end their sleeping-bag-sharing relationship during the rugged, two-week pack trip into the Colorado San Juan mountains.

But when Kim and Thad host their wedding at Thad’s Colorado ranch a few months later, Mack and Jillie must come face-to-face with reality—and with each other. She’s the maid of honor. He’s the best man. Both are harboring secrets—secrets that could break a potential future relationship if they both avoid telling the truth.

Can they reveal those secrets to each other? And if so, can they get past the withheld truths to plan a future together?

PREORDER TODAY!

DON'T FORGET! A NEW BOX SET AND A FREE COCKTAILS BOOK!

Some of the Romance Gems have teamed together to release a new box set with all-new summer beach stories, and their favorite summer cocktail recipe in a free book! See the details below!

GET THE $0.99 BOX SET! | GRAB YOUR FREE COCKTAILS BOOK!  

And last, I'd love it if you would comment below to win our monthly giveaway prize. Details are here.

COMMENT & WIN QUESTION: My chaotic ride down the mountain on the trail horse was not my most glamorous moment of all time. In fact, it was quite embarrassing. What's your most embarrassing moment? Comment below & (maybe) win!

****

Maddie James writes romance – but don’t try to pin her down to one genre. From edgy suspense to flirty contemporary romance to darker erotic titles, she writes to silence the people in her head. Affaire de Coeur says, “James shows a special talent for traditional romance,” and RT Book Reviews claims, “James deftly combines romance and suspense.” Learn more at www.maddiejames.com.

Keeping Romance Alive in 2020: The Victorian Era Holds the Key by Connie Vines #RomanceGems

Married or Single. Dating or Engaged.  Or, simply dazed and confused and not able to fathom anyway of dating during the social distancing practices of 2020?

Since I write romance novels, finding true love and happily-ever-after-ends are part of my stock and trade.  There simply had to be a solution.

I happened across a PBS show which highlighted courtship during the Victorian Era. I'd watch the special years ago, but it wasn't until now that I really focused on the details and nuances.

Is there a more perfect example of 'social distancing'?

Could the norms of the Victorian Era dating practices be adapted in 2020? 

I believe so. 

One of the most romantic aspects of a Victorian courtship was the written word. Not only did women keep a diary of the courtship, but both partners exchanged romantic letters. They also exchanged lockets, antique coins, portraits, poems, sketches, etc.

Historical example of Victorian love letter

Victorians took flirting to a new level. Women created a “fan language” in order to communicate with suitors. Chaperones appreciated self-restraint, many viewed this type of subtle flirtation as acceptable.The fan signals weren’t hard to interpret: If a lady’s fan was shut, she didn’t like the suitor and wanted him to leave. If her fan was half-open, she was friend-zoning him. If the fan was open wide, she really liked him.

Museum Selection

Some men had cards made for the express purpose of clandestine flirting, and would pass them to a woman without anyone noticing. Unless and until the female recipient read the card, its true message would remain a mystery.

Under this strict code of etiquette, items of apparel such as fans, gloves, and handkerchiefs were given meaning as were objects given as gift called 'love tokens' such as flowers, painted miniatures, or jewelry set with gemstones of particular significance.

Victorian Wax Flower Dome

Most fragrances in early to mid-Victorian times were delicate and floral. They were understated, feminine – and often simply conjured up the scent of a particular flower, such as jasmine, lavender, roses, honeysuckle… Aromatic herbs might be used, too:  marjoram, thyme, rosemary, and the odd sprinkling of spice – like cloves (which gave a carnation-like scent).

History Collection.com

Courtship is when a man is attempting to “woo” a woman, (to win her over) with the end result being marriage. .. 

Time, attention, and discovering who a person is equals courtship. 

Courtship = Romance. 

There is noting old-fashioned about courting.

Victorian Courting is perfectly suited for 2020.

Remember Fragrance and Love are never out of fashion!

Last Chance Beach: Summer's End is only 99cents!
Purchase for 99 cents!

Free: Cocktails On Last Chance Beach
FREE

I'm know I'm heading to Last Chance Beach.  I can't wait!  Why not join me there?

Thanks for reading!