Thoughts for November

 

Hello, gentle readers!

Well, here it is Monday morning and I’m late writing my blog, which I usually do on Sunday afternoons, but as of last night, I didn’t have a topic (and as I sit here now, I don’t have one either). Seems to be happening a lot lately. I guess I’m missing outside stimulation. Didn’t know I needed that, but apparently, I do. Even going into the office twice a week is not fulfilling that need. In a building that generally houses about 700 people, I may see maybe ten co-workers throughout the course of the day, but that’s okay (I am so thankful I’m working and we are in the middle of a pandemic so it’s best to stay safe. No one wants to get COVID. I know I certainly don’t…we do wear masks in the office and we practice physical distancing as well as personal hygiene (my hands are so dry from repeated washings, no amount of hand cream is helping), but for right now, this is what we must do. I miss being able to hug someone thought (I am a hugger by nature).

So…what shall we discuss? How about kindness? I know that certain sentiment is not high on everyone’s list right now, but I truly believe in the power of kindness. In fact, I think a smile can go a long way in helping someone else along their journey (yes, our mouths might be covered with a mask, but our eyes can certainly show that we are, indeed, smiling). We may not always see eye to eye on certain subjects, but we can agree to disagree and we can do it nicely. Doesn’t hurt anyone to be kind or sympathetic or understanding (and even if the person you are disagreeing with cannot see that or feel that, you can. It may not help the conversation, but it would help you.).

In my opinion, we’ve lost the fine art of communicating with each other, of feeling empathy for one another and what we are all going through (not only right now, but always). We no longer know how to have a spirited debate. We hide behind our phone screens or computer screens and because we are not seeing your face, we feel we can say anything we please, regardless of the fact that it may hurt you.

And we do. Been seeing a lot of that, especially on social media. For the record, I may not agree with what you’ve posted, but I will respect your right to your opinions (there’s that word again) as well as your right to post those opinions. If I don’t like what you’ve said, I do NOT have to respond. I can (and should) scroll on by and not leave a disparaging or cruel comment. That’s not to say, I don’t have an opinion on what you’ve posted. I do (a lot), but they are my own and I generally keep them to myself. I do not have to share, nor do I feel I have the right to clobber you over the head with it.

It all comes back to kindness and the golden rule – treat others as you would like to be treated.

So next time you see a post on Facebook or Twitter or any other form of social media that arouses your anger, remember that golden rule and if you must respond, if you cannot just scroll on by, express your disagreement, but do it with kindness…and there it is…my opinion.

Stay well! Stay safe! And remember to spread kindness wherever you go. We need it now more than ever.

Marie

New Release ~ SEAL'S DESIRE by Makenna Jameison

 

SEAL’s Desire

(Alpha SEALs Coronado, Book 1)

By

Makenna Jameison

He’s her fiercest protector. She’s his only weakness.

A Navy SEAL doesn’t expect to find a beautiful hostage when running his op…

Blurb ~

Navy SEAL Blake “Raptor” Reynolds is a legend in his own right. His ability to sneak into enemy territory, sight unseen, and eliminate the target has earned him the reputation of being cool, hard, and calculating. When his team infiltrates an enemy camp in Colombia to disarm a terror cell, the last thing he expects is a beautiful, injured blonde to bring him to his knees.

Biologist Clarissa Rothschild has been conducting research in the Colombian rainforests. When she leaves her camp unescorted, she is captured by Colombian insurgents. The leader of a Navy SEAL team with penetrating dark eyes and brute force strength is just what she needs to get out alive—and exactly the type of man she’d never fall for.

When they’re separated from the others, the sparks between them begin to ignite. Heated nights in the jungle shouldn’t lead to wanting anything more, but Blake realizes he’ll risk everything for Clarissa’s safety and the chance to make her his.

SEAL’s DESIRE, a standalone novel, is book one in the sizzling Alpha SEALs Coronado series.

Buy Links ~   

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HxfbRg

Apple: https://apple.co/37LdOsQ

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2J5Svrr

**Coming soon on Nook!

~ About the author ~

Makenna Jameison writes sizzling romantic suspense, including the addictive Alpha SEALs series. She is a #1 Amazon bestselling romance author. Makenna loves the beach, strong coffee, red wine, and traveling. She lives in Washington DC with her husband and two daughters.

Contact Me ~

Website: www.makennajameison.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakennaJameison

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MakennaJameison

Instagram: https://instagram.com/MakennaJameison

Veronica Reviews: The Highlander's Unexpected Proposal by Heather McCollum

 

The Highlander’s 

Unexpected Proposal

 (The Brothers of Wolf Isle #1)

by

Heather  McCollum

5 Stars

Historical Romance

“Marry me, Adam Macquarie, and get me the hell out of here.”

Lark Montgomerie finds herself being forced by her father to either choose a husband during the Beltane Festival or be sold so he may be rid of her.  Hiding amongst the trees, Lark stumbles upon an unlikely savior in Chief Adam Macquarie.  Hearing that he and his brother are looking for brides, Lark takes a chance that her instincts about Adam will serve her well, and get her out of the hellish situation she has lived in since she was a child.  Lark goes into the marriage asking Adam to be truthful to her, but she is harboring a secret of her own…and secrets always have a way of coming out…

Adam and his younger brother Beckett are committed to rebuild their ancestorial home on Wolf Isle.  Being cursed for over 100 years, it won’t be an easy endeavor, but with hard work and wives at their side, Adam knows it can be done.  When he’s publicly asked to wed by the fiery haired lass he saved in the woods, he takes a chance she will help his clan and agrees to her unexpected proposal.  Adam has a few secrets of his own, but is holding on to hope that he can convince his bonny new bride there are no such thing as curses…right?

Oh where to begin with this funtastical tale told only as Heather McCollum can pen!  This reader loved it!  Loved it!  There is a little something for everyone!  Smexxy highlanders, a feisty heroine, a cursed isle, an alleged witch and pirates!  From start to finish The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal is a book impossible to put down!  Highly recommend!

Sharing what I love, 

Veronica

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

AMAZON BUY LINK

A Cry in the Dark by Denise Grover Swank

 Getting a little serious, this romantic suspense makes you wonder who's the good guy and who's the bad. 

Carly Moore doesn't know who to trust when she abandons her marriage before the vows are legal.  With not much in her pocketbook, she finds true friends that help her find a new life, a car, and a mountain road leading to better times until her car breaks down.

By some miracle, Max pulls up with his tow truck.  Carly isn't sure about his motives. A handsome man who happens by on the deserted mountain side and conveniently wants to help.  

Max sees a motorist stranded, and true to his business of fixing vehicles, he pulls over.  Finding a beautiful  woman alone, he has questions when she definitely doesn't want police involved in helping her situation.

In the small, tight knit community he drives her to, she's introduced to Max's brother who owns the tavern and rundown motel she needs to stay at till her car's fixed.  Everyone is so helpful.

Yet, there are bad seeds in the mountain, and it doesn't take long for Carly to witness the murder of a teenage boy.  

Her suspicions rise on all around her.  Max stays scarce because of a family feud, so she doesn't know what to think of his help, then his distance. That's until her new friends decide she's in danger.  The danger can't be pinpointed to certain people, which includes the police department. 

Max overcomes his separation from family in order to assist Carly to get her life back together and to stay alive. 

The pace of the story is exciting and with a lot of nail biting while Carly ducks bullets and evil men.  Sincere friends and a man falling in love do their best to keep her safe and give her a new place to call home.

Happy reading,

Dawn

  

New Release ~ THE PRINCE WHO LOVED ME by Abigail Sharpe

 

The Prince Who Loved Me

(Just Add Peaches, Book 3)

By

Abigail Sharpe

He loves her. She loves him not…yet.

Blurb -

♥ Happily ever after is always a risk ♥

Brandi Clayton spent years being a chameleon, trading on her looks for the security of having a man taking care of her. After all, being alone is what her mother taught her to fear. When her grandmother’s will surprisingly reveals Brandi inherited the family business, a new path opens up for her. She’s determined to take charge of Belle’s Medicinal Brewery and her own life. And if she can take that leap, she can find a man who loves her for exactly who she is. With her long-time friend Sebastien’s support, she’s bound to succeed, but she can’t take advantage of Sebastien forever.

A royal with no responsibilities, Prince Sebastien of Casagnes spends his days near Brandi, sketching, and helping his friend whenever she calls. His love for her is like his art -- safely hidden where it can't be rejected. But when Brandi uploads her profile to dating sites, Sebastien fears losing the one woman who is his everything. Can this loyal royal find the courage to put his heart on the line and paint a picture for Brandi of their life together?

The Prince Who Loved Me is a Just Add Peaches novel. Each book in the series is a stand-alone, passionate and playful contemporary romance, but you'll want more than one juicy bite.

Buy Links -

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ERYDSa

Eden Books: https://edenbooks.org/product/the-prince-who-loved-me/

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-prince-who-loved-me-abigail-sharpe/1137473733

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-prince-who-loved-me-1

- Let's take a peek -

Sebastien slipped into the kitchen, keeping the large bouquet of flowers that he had ordered below the island level. Once inside, he glimpsed up the servants stairs. No one was coming.

Brandi would be on her way to Belle’s soon, and she’d be alone. First, he’d apologize for what was seen as his lack of confidence in her running Belle’s. Tell her he believed in her. He’d prove it later with the books he’d ordered from the local bookstore. And then finally, finally confess that his heart has been filled with her since they met. Hope he hadn’t waited too long.

Damn. Wendy’s voice filtered in through the dining room followed by Leslie’s smooth tones and Brandi’s softer ones. He didn’t want to do this with an audience.

“So which date is this?” Wendy asked.

“My fifth, maybe?” Brandi answered. “I don’t even know anymore. But how can you go wrong with someone named Nick?”

Who the hell was Nick? Brandi never mentioned a Nick. And Nick was a stupid name. It’s what happened when shaving. It involved blood. Who named a kid after a razor cut? Nick had bad parents.

The large bouquet seemed to wilt with every word Brandi spoke.

“This is the first blind date, so we’ll see how it goes.”

The voices grew clearer so he rushed to the back door. Before he could hustle outside, Rob thundered down the back stairs, inadvertently blocking Sebastien’s escape. Damn again. He slapped the flowers against Rob’s chest and the man scrambled to keep them from falling.

“These are lovely, your Highness, but I’m a taken man,” Rob said.

Sebastien stepped away from him as the women came into the kitchen and stopped short when seeing them.

Wendy gave a gasp of surprise, hand going to her heart. “Are those for me? I thought you were upstairs working on your book. When did you go out?”

Sebastien clapped Rob on the shoulder and gave him a small shove, hoping he would catch on. “You found a good one, Wendy.”

Rob stopped his stumble and held out the bouquet.

“They’re beautiful.” She buried her nose in the petals. “Thank you. I don’t remember the last time a man brought me flowers.”

“You’ve been together seven months and this is the first time you brought her flowers?” Leslie asked.

“To be fair, I never brought him flowers, either.” Wendy inhaled deeply.

“Those really are lovely, Rob.” Brandi leaned down to sniff. When she stood straight again, she grinned at Sebastien. “Not what you were expecting for breakfast, huh?”

There was no dark look on her heart-shaped face, no tightness in her voice, no avoiding eye contact. Maybe she had thought nothing of his dismissal of her dreams. And maybe she had buried it because she’d rather not risk a confrontation.

“I think pancakes would taste better, but I’m willing to try them.”

“I should get these in water.” Wendy grabbed Brandi and headed into the butler’s pantry with Leslie following. “Help me find a vase.”

Rob leveled a stare at Sebastien when they were alone for the three seconds finding a vase would take. “You’re an idiot.”

“You’re not telling me something I don’t already know.”

About the author - 

Abigail is a Boston-bred Yankee now eating grits and saying "y'all" in North Central Florida. Technical writer by day, she doesn't don a cape at night, but can instead be found writing passionate and playful contemporary romance.

When she's not writing, she can be found wearing a corset and singing bawdy songs with Just Desserts, an a cappella musical comedy act, at places that won't throw them out. All hail low altos!

Abigail lives with her husband, two kids, and one crazy princess puppy. You can keep up with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AbigailSharpeBooks or find her on Goodreads. She has a website, too, but it's horribly outdated, and she'd rather write books than update the HTML. Only go there if you want to sign up for her newsletter, which she publishes sporadically.

Contact her here -

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbigailSharpeBooks/

Web page/newsletter signup: http://www.abigailsharpe.com/newsletter-signup/

Birthday Day!

Happy Birthday to Me! Yes, my dad used to sing that to himself, so I'm quoting him 😁

Yesterday was my birthday, and my husband spoiled me rotten. From the birthday card that made me cry to the three meals he prepared for me to the gifts to the two, yes two Birthday cakes! It was a wonderful day.

Usually on my birthday, I look back on the last year and think about what I want to change and what I want to accomplish in the following year, basically what most people do in January, but this year I didn't.

I decided this year that with life completely in flux, at this posting we still don't know who will be our next president, that I would simply go with the flow for a year and see how that worked. I know! What a change and at this age!

But if we don't keep trying new things, experimenting, changing things up, then we stagnate. I like to continue to grow, intellectually and as a person, so I'm going to give this a try. This is huge for someone who has three calendars and two outlook calendar accounts! 

Next year, I'll look back and see what was great and what didn't work and make more changes. Who knows, maybe I'll discover this really works for me. I hope you find what works for you too 😊

Always, Lexi

www.lexipostbooks.com

Romance inspired by the classics

Unfocused Thoughts

 

Hello, gentle readers! Hope you are all well!

It is Sunday, November 1 as I sit at the computer to write my blog. Can you believe it? November already! And I know this because not only did I change the page on my calendar, but during my weekly grocery excursion, I noticed all the Halloween stuff was gone and they were putting up Christmas stuff. They say as you get older, time seems to flow faster, and with all honesty, I can say that’s true. Most of the time, I wish it would slow down a little, but considering that this is 2020, I’m not asking for time to slow. 2020 has been a strange year. I won’t be sorry to see it go.

So, if you notice the title of this blog today is Unfocused Thoughts…because that’s what I have. Usually, while I’m cutting up my veggies and preparing my salads for the week, I start writing my blog in my head (seems I do my best thinking when I’m doing something physical), but today, I just couldn’t stay focused. I had a topic in mind, but then…well…it kinda flew by the wayside because my dogs, who I consider to be very intelligent, proved to me today that they really aren’t, when Pepper (she’s my barker) went all kinds of ballistic, barking like mad at the screen door--at a plastic bag in the street. A plastic bag! It wasn’t even moving and yet, she thought it was her duty to warn the bag away from her house. Or she was letting every other dog in the neighbor know. Now, Lacey saw the bag as well, but she doesn’t bark much. She does this weird kinda “wooo-wooo” thing that sounds like she’s trying to howl. Unfortunately, it comes out like a broken “Ow-ooga” horn. She tries.

I was going to tell you that I’ve already begun writing up my wishes/goals for 2021. I do this every year, but this year is a little different (again, it’s 2020…not a normal year). Anyway, on my little list of goals, I always say I want to lose 30 pounds. Well, that doesn’t need to go on the list because I’ve already done it. Yes! That’s right! 30 pounds gone. How did I do it? Doctor ordered low-carb regimen (I will admit that I miss French bread more than I can say), but I’m feeling better and best of all, there is no insulin in my future (yes, I was thisclose to being an insulin dependent diabetic…I did not want to go there so I stuck to the low-carb thing and lost the weight).

I was also going to tell you that I turned off my air-conditioner. For those of you who follow me, you know this is a big deal. I am not a fan of the heat (so, why, you ask, do I live in Phoenix? DH is here so I am here) but last week, we had a cold snap (well, cold to Phoenicians) so I turned off the air and opened all the windows. And once it’s off, I don’t turn it back on until next year. Today? It’s hot. In the 90’s today. I’m thinking I turned off the air too soon, but that’s how it is in 2020!

And there they are, my unfocused thoughts for today. My brain is a strange place sometimes.

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

Marie