The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

 Author Carrie McClelland finds a humble cottage to rent in Scotland where she plans to write an historical fiction novel of the nearby Slains Castle.  

The owner of the cottage has two sons, one kind and helpful, the other both kind and helpful and a university history professor.  Not to mention, the second, Graham, the mutual attraction building through walks around the castle and horse rides.

In the 1700's, Carrie's focus for her novel, the French and Scottish attempted to reclaim the exiled James Stewart crown.  She created in her mind the setting of the castle and the people involved.  Yet, it became apparent that her memory matched the history and she may be dealing with ancestral memory.  

As Graham shows up at her cottage frequently, her connection to her character begins to cause problems in the current day.  She knows what really happened between the invasion and mysteries surrounding Slains Castle and the relation to her character and Graham's family.

The atmosphere of The Winter Sea is richly produced giving the reader a feeling of being in the present and the past along with Carrie.  The intensity between Carrie and Graham is spine tingling while you read to find out if the past will remain a problem with the present. 

Happy reading,

Dawn Kunda

 

 

Up Before The Sun

 

Hello, gentle readers! Hope you are all well and staying safe!

I love the early mornings! Most of the world is still sleeping when I get up to begin my day. Heck, the sun isn’t even up, but that’s okay. It’s quiet and peaceful and I have been witness to many a beautiful sunrise. That’s not to say that I wouldn’t enjoy sleeping in once in a while (especially on the weekends!), but after years and years of training myself to get up this early, I find it impossible to stay in bed. I’d like to, but my internal clock has its own alarm.

It didn’t used to be this way. When I was young (much younger than I am now), I had the capacity to sleep until noon (to my mother’s frustration). What teenager couldn’t? Of course, at that point in time, I was such a night-owl. I’d stay up to three or four in the morning, usually reading (sometimes with a flashlight under my blankets! I’m sure you did that as well!). As an adult, I would occasionally stay up all night, my nose deep in a book then notice, as I closed the book, satisfied with the conclusion, that it was time to get everyone up and out the door for the day. Now? Not so much. I start yawning at 9. By 9:30, my eyes are getting tired and really want to close. By 10? I’m done for the day!

I started getting up this early so I could write but not steal essential time from the family. It was (and still is) my time--before the commotion of getting everyone off to school and work (including myself), before the hustle and bustle of the day job, before picking up said kid at the end of the work day and coming home to make dinner and do homework. It worked for me for years and still does though the kid has long since left home and the DH has retired (I’m still doing the day job thing). These early mornings, before the sun has risen, when it’s quiet and serene, I get to slip into the world I’m creating and write.

With that being said, I really should get to it. Wife Wanted is not going to write itself.   

Stay well! Stay safe! And remember to spread kindness wherever you go! 

Marie

A few new releases, discounts, and freebies!

 

You won't want to miss the latest deals!

Click here.

Always, Lexi

People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry

 Vacation is Poppy's favorite activity.  She does it on a whim, cheap or expensive, she writes about it, magazine and blog, and now she can't figure out why it's "just not the same".

Once a year her best friend, Alex, and her picked a low-budget, out-of-the-ordinary trip.  Spontaneous and whacky are the the best ways to describe everything they do, yet two years ago the trips together ended and they haven't talked.  No discussion of why they ended.

Poppy lives in New York and writes for a travel magazine and considers it her dream job.  Although, she's lost a bit of that carefree, happy attitude that exotic places have brought her.

Alex lives in her hometown in Ohio. He's bookish, quiet, and a teacher at their old high school.  

She misses her best friend and takes the chance to send a text, hoping he'll reply positively.  Maybe they could try one of those fantastic, cheap vacations like old times.  

The question is:  How can they jump into another vacation without talking so long and rekindle the missing thread of their happiness in life?

The key is what happened two years ago.  If they discover the problem, can they enrich their relationship and take it another step?  I hope so!

Happy reading,

Dawn

Progress on Wife Wanted (or lack thereof)

 

        Hello, gentle readers! Hope you are all well and staying safe!

It’s Sunday morning again. A little hot and humid in Phoenix, but I’m surviving by hibernating in my nicely air-conditioned house.

What’s new for me? Nothing really. It’s the same old, same old, but that’s good. I’m not one for changes to my routine (because, you know, routines are sacred).

I have been writing. Not a whole lot (even though I fire up the computer every morning). I seem to be a little stuck (hahahahaha – what else is new?). I’ve gone back over what I’ve written so far (I’m working on Wife Wanted, the second in the Wife Series) and I’ve come to the conclusion (with the much-appreciated help of my critique partner) that I’m lacking some conflict. Well, not on the hero’s part….he’s got plenty, but on the heroine’s side so it’s back to the drawing board. I don’t have to get rid of anything (thankfully), but I need to add more to show her conflict (she has her own “baggage”…I just didn’t include it and boy, that was kinda odd). Not sure why I didn’t do that. You’d like them both. They really are destined to be with each other!

I’m still submitting my other completed novels to various publishers, still crossing my fingers, still hoping.

The day job remains crazy busy, but that’s a good thing. It keeps my brain humming along like a well-oiled machine (hahahaha!).

And that’s all for me. I’m off to the grocery store. Think I’ll being my defibrillator with me for that sticker shock at the check-out.

Stay well! Stay safe! And remember to spread kindness wherever you go!

Marie

Thick as Thieves by Sandra Brown

The only thing to get thieves to rat on one another is the woman, no matter what the consequences to themselves.

Arden Maxwell returns to her home town and deserted childhood home.  Her mother passed when she was a child, and her father has been missing since the great heist of Caddo Lake, Texas.  Her father is blamed for the murder during the robbery, and she wants answers.

The small town immediately becomes on alert when she arrives.  Two co-conspirators of the heist remain in town, the corrupt district attorney, Rusty Dyle, and Ledge Burnet whom owns the local bar.  Not a word has been whispered between the thieves in the last twenty years.

They are both watching her closely.

Against Arden's sisters wishes, she immediately sets out to fix the dilapidated home.  No one will do the work except Ledge.  Grudgingly he agrees to be the contractor.  At least he can keep an eye on her.  

Although, Ledge loves what he sees and is afraid of bringing trouble her way.  Rusty has connections and gets rid of anyone he finds disagreeable.  

Arden and Ledge mutually fight their attraction, yet some things are too big to battle.

Sandra Brown masters the surprise in her story.  Whatever you think comes next, think again and you'll still be amazed.  Mystery, romance, deception, and death create the headline for this novel.

Happy reading,

Dawn 

 

TRACE'S TROUBLE by Lexi Post on Sale for 99¢ for a limited time!

Trace's Trouble

(Last Chance #2)

by Lexi Post

This second book in the Last Chance series is on sale for 99¢ for a few weeks. This is a 7 book series...so far. Enjoy 😊 

Cowboy Trace Williams thought he had trouble when his wife served him with divorce papers, forcing him to move to his cousin’s horse rescue ranch. But that was nothing compared to handling the female squatter he’s supposed to evict from Last Chance Ranch. Though she’s a crack shot and has no use for politeness or subtlety, her ability to communicate with animals has him seeking her out on behalf of the ranch…and himself.

Whisper Adams lives off the grid. She cares for her invalid uncle and watches over the wildlife that finds her. The animals are more trustworthy than the people she’s encountered. So when a hard-bodied, easy going cowboy arrives at her trailer and causes her heart to race, she’s anxious for him to leave, until he asks for her help at the ranch.

Since they end up together more often than she prefers, Whisper doesn’t deny her attraction to Trace, who introduces her to new experiences, from riding horses to an erotic night in bed. But mixing with people, any people, opens her to new threats. This relationship might cost Trace his heart, but it could very well cost Whisper her life.

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