Some Fun Stuff

         

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

        So, I did a couple of fun things in the past week (aside from writing) so I thought I’d share a little. I met a friend for lunch. We used to work together, but it’s been a while. We do stay in touch via Facebook, but it’s not the same as sitting across from someone, sharing a meal amid laughter. It was such a fun visit—we laughed a lot. And I left the restaurant happy, enthused, and raring to write.

        What else did I do that was fun? I did an interview (oh, no, not in person! That would just terrify me!). I did two interviews actually, one for Oliver-Heber, my publisher, and one for Fresh Fiction. Here are the links if you want to check them out….

https://freshfiction.com/page.php?id=15045

https://oliver-heberbooks.com/marie-patrick-and-her-mischievous-matchmakers/   

They were a little difficult to do. I share a lot with you, gentle readers, but don’t normally share as much with others. I’m trying to get out of my comfort zone, so to speak and doing these interviews was a step forward. 

What else did I do that was fun? Well, I’m not sure most folks would call it fun, but I did work on The Madam and Mr. MacLean, the next story in the Matchmaker Mischief series. I won’t say it hasn’t been a struggle, because it has, but I’m making headway, I think. My heroine, a rather reserved individual, has finally smiled! And laughed! Which made me laugh. And I’m so proud of her. I know that sounds silly, but it’s true. Hmmmm, I wonder if other authors feel like this—almost downright giddy—when a character begins to blossom and comes out of her shell. My hero is the complete opposite…he smiles and laughs all the time. Actually, it just occurred to me that my hero is kinda like my DH…he’s very outgoing, very chatty (with everyone—I don’t think he’s ever met a stranger!) and he’s been making me laugh for the past forty-six years!

And that’s all for me…I need to get back to my heroine, Sheridan, and see if I can make her laugh again. Stay well! Stay safe! And remember to spread kindness wherever you go!

Marie

The Quit List by Katie Bailey

We can all figure out where the hike is going, but the trail up the mountain is full of ruts, trips, and boulders on the way.

Thinking she's nearly past her prime, Holly Green decides that the only way to get a man is to make a list compliments of a dating app of possible contenders for a relationship.  Time after time, money, makeup, cute outfits, and the clock ticks.  

She meets each man in the same pub, offering them all equal opportunity.  

Pub employee, Jax Grainger, has a personal laugh at noticing Holly's unusual dates until "Keith" causes a ruckus, and Jax has to intervene.  He can laugh at the commitment scene because he doesn't trust it, believe in it, and has given up on it.  Besides, giving up the bartender gig and getting his wilderness guiding license he'll soon be moving into the mountains of Georgia.

As many conversations stray, Holly and Jax learned a lot about each other after the "Keith" date.  She sat at the bar and told him her efforts to find the right man.  She also divulged her aptitude for marketing and computer graphics.  

With his mind working, Jax makes a deal with Holly.  He'll guide her to the right man in exchange for her help in advertising his new guiding venture.

Perfect. 

That is until Holly has to hit the wilderness, not a norm for her, and Jax gets jealous of her dates.

The wind shifts and it's quite exciting where it takes them!

Happy reading, 

Dawn

UNCOVERING THE LORD by Lexi Post is Free today!

 

Uncovering the Lord 

(Courting a Curious Lady: Book 1) 

by Lexi Post 

FREE for 3 days only

She turned him down once. Will he risk his heart again?

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | Amazon DE

On the eve of her trip to the Dragon Caves in Mallorca, Spain, Lady Elsbeth Rawley of Astor discovers that her classmates at The Belinda School for Curious Ladies will be pulled from school unless one of them marries by the end of the season. Heartsick this could happen, she promises she will marry for their benefit. Unfortunately, she has no prospects which means she will have to cut her trip short and return to England quickly to find a suitor. So while digging among the stalagmites, the last thing she expects to find is Lord Theodore Mabry, the heir to the Earl of Lansdowne, and the man whose proposal she rejected last season.

For the last year and a half, Teddy has buried his heartbreak over Lady Elsbeth in willing women on the Continent. But his happy-go-lucky ways were halted when one of those women gave him a baby girl before dying of illness just weeks later. Now, ready to go home with his daughter, he needs a “dragon tooth” for the wet nurse who refuses to travel aboard a ship unless she has one to wish upon for safe passage. Coming face to face with Lady Elsbeth is not in his plan, and while at first, it appears it will be a fortunate event, he soon discovers she is not who he thought she was as he is forced to take the same ship headed for England.

Now in each other’s daily company, Teddy finds he did not bury his love for Elsbeth deep enough. But he can’t ask for her hand in marriage. He has no wish to be rejected again. So he enjoys their time together as temporary, until hope rears its ugly head. Unfortunately, not all is as it seems and despite his defenses, he must decide if loving Lady Elsbeth is worth the destruction of his heart.

Enjoy the whole series!

It's Here. It's Here! The Marshal & Mrs. Morgan has been released. Whooo-hooo!

 

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

        Yes, it’s me again. I’m trying to get back on schedule (which is difficult when days and weeks go by and your routine is disrupted…and we all know that I live by my routines).

        Anyway, as I said, I’m trying to get back on schedule so here I am.

        The Marshal & Mrs. Morgan is releasing on July 22 (a day before you’ll see this post. A date which also kinda snuck up on me though how that happened, I can’t begin to explain) and I’m so excited for you all to meet Devlin Goodrich and Tresia Morgan. These two characters just kinda came alive for me…they knew who they were and were not afraid to tell me.

https://www.amazon.com/Marshal-Mrs-Morgan-Matchmaker-Mischief-ebook/dp/B0FB45SYR6

        Tresia is kindness itself (we all know how being kind is important to me). She’s also smart, sweet, and an all-around good person (which is also important to me). She loves a little too hard, but that’s all right. Nothing wrong with that at all.

        Devlin is a good man, too…a little lost in the beginning of the story, looking for a change—a new job, a new town—that will help both himself and his daughter come to terms with their past.

        And then there’s Avery, his daughter…cute as a bug’s ear and just…I hope you’ll fall in love with her like I did. Actually, I hope you love The Marshal & Mrs. Morgan as much as I loved writing it.

        That being said, it’s time to get back to work. The Madam and Mr. MacLean will not write itself and as you may know, I’m struggling a bit with this story, but I will persevere because…I already know the happy ending!

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

Marie

True colors by Kristen Hannah

 The beautiful landscape of Washington provides a perfect spot for the horse ranch of the Grey sisters.  Three distinct personalities and three distinct sisters, each having trouble in the romance department, figure out how to continue.

The beautiful equestrian, Vivi Ann, leads the attempt to make the ranch profitable.  She doesn't have any problem attracting men, yet her final choice isn't respected.  A Native American, Dallas, is hired to help with the ranch. His hard personality intrigues her, and she finds an undeniable attraction.

Aurora appears happy and set with children and a doctor as a husband.  Always the peacemaker of the family, her own problems are hidden.

School and grades provide Winona a position as an attorney.  She hides behind work, lacking confidence because of her excess weight. The man she's had on her mind since childhood supplies her with a best friend, although her wish for more is always on her mind.

The tight bond between the sisters frays as a tragic murder shocks their township.  Disagreements on who's right or wrong, men who don't live up to expectations, and who's to blame for everything creates a tangle that the law ties tight.

With each of their attributes, the sisters travel a long road back to comfort in their relations and love and romance that can thrive.

Happy reading,

Dawn

The Marshal & Mrs. Morgan is Ready for Release

 

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

        Hmmmm, it seems like I missed a post! Sorry about that! I guess my brain just didn’t want to brain (or maybe, I just lost track of days). It’s just been crazy busy around here, but I can truthfully say The Marshal & Mrs. Morgan is completely done….last edits and final read-through have been completed and the book is ready for release on July 22. I read the book twice within a short period of time and I will admit, I still love the characters and the story…and OMG! The cover! The artist did a phenomenal job on the cover! 

        I also participated in an interview that will come out on July 23, I think, on Facebook.

      As I stated, it's been a bit hectic for the past two weeks and I am tired (the day job has been crazy busy, too…it’s taken me a week to clean up from the two days of PTO I took, but that’s another story).  

        Yesterday (that would be Saturday), though, I decided to take a day for myself and try (notice I say ‘try’) not to do anything…no social media, no writing, nothing but necessary chores, which never seem to end…and that failed miserably.

        So what happened when I was supposed to not be doing anything? Well, I came up with four new stories (two for the Wives of Bravado County series and two for the Matchmaker Mischief series…can anyone say I’ve completely lost it?) Not only did I come up with them, but I actually started them (writing longhand in one of my many notebooks because I was determined not to turn on my computer). I even started the blurbs on two of them and here I thought my brain couldn’t brain anymore. I guess I was wrong…but in a good way!

        And that’s all for me. As tired as I am, there is still work to be done! Stay well! Stay safe! And remember to spread kindness wherever you go!

Marie

All I Ever Needed by Stacy Kristen

 If you need to cool down in the summer heat, quickly, this is the romance to read.  You may get a chill in Foxtail Ridge as the residents are getting ready for Christmas and heading toward Valentine's Day for the finale.  

In addition, Abbie Marsh, editorial consultant, has a cold edge to men in her life.  This is easy right now because there aren't any.  She's all business including helping her sister open a B & B along with snaring her soon-to-be husband.  

Matt Ellis wants to be all business, but he has writer's block from every angle and his author title is in jeopardy.  The more he tries to write and create, the more his words are nonexistent.  He needs help.

The initial video meeting of Abbie and Matt is a cold shower.  Abbie becomes bitchy when she considers Matt an untalkative, uncooperative grump.  And they are both stubborn.  

The only way to overcome this tug-of-war, is for them to ease up on their attitudes. 

Matt begins to try Abbie's writing suggestions.  He'll have to admit, with excitement, some bullet points are working.  

Abbie begins to enjoy the new laughter in Matt's calls.  

Working together may have a few advantages not considered at the beginning.  Abbie brings Matt's career back in focus, Matt helps Abbie at her sister's B&B, and a little time off the work clock is fun. 

And more time off the clock is good for the heart.  Matt could write that story while Abbie edits it to a Happily Ever After. 

Happy reading,

Dawn