Dysfunctional Valentine Cards by Joan Reeves

When I was shopping for a Valentine card for Darling Hubby, I remembered a long ago occasion when I was pretty ticked at him for something he'd done.

I no longer remember what that was, but I do remember what I did about it. I made a Valentine card for him with snarky art and snarky words.

We had a good laugh about it. I'm grinning as I write about it. At the time, I thought there should be a bad attitude section of greeting cards for such occasions. Shortly after that, a friend sent me one of those internet "floaters" about Dysfunctional Greeting Cards. I laughed like a loon, printed it, and saved it in my humor file. Yes, I keep things like that. You should too because you never know when you might need a good laugh. I wish I knew who had created it so I could thank her or him.

Dysfunctional Valentine Cards

I think a couple of days after Valentine's Day is the perfect time to laugh at those jokes. So here are a few so you can laugh with me. Hopefully, none of you received a card from your sweetheart with these snarky words. After the 3 periods aka dots is what you'd read inside a card—just in case you want to write one some day.

1. I always wanted to have someone to love. Now that you've come into my life...I've changed my mind.

2. I must admit, you brought religion into my life....I never believed in Hell until I met you.

3. As the days go by, I think how lucky I am....That you're not here to ruin it for me.

4. Someday I hope to marry...Someone other than you.

5. When we were together, you said you'd die for me...Now we've broken up, and I think it's time you kept your promise.

6. I'm so miserable without you...It's almost like you're still here.

7. Looking back over the years we've been together, I can't help but wonder...What was I thinking?

Kinder Gentler Laugh

I love to laugh. In fact, that's one reason I like to write romantic comedy and even put some humor into the other books I write.

I spent most of Valentine's Day working on print editions of my books. I'm also getting ready to submit the rest for audio book narration. All of my full-length books have been in Kindle Unlimited since, well, forever. I've stopped the auto-renewal on that feature. As their term in KU expires, I'm publishing them wide—with all the other ebook publishers—so readers can find them everywhere.

Scents and Sensuality—Available Everywhere

The first one to go wide is Scents and Sensuality, a romantic comedy set against the backdrop of a designer perfumery.

It's available in ebook and audio book editions. I'll probably crow from the rooftops when the print editions of Scents and Sensuality and all the others are published.

The working title of this book was always Beauty and the Geek with Beauty being the handsome hunk and the Geek being the heroine Amanda.

Since it's mid-February, the winter is waning—thank goodness. Winter is not my favorite month by any means. The next time we meet, it will be just a week before Spring so hang in there if you're in a part of the country where the weather is really nasty.

In the meantime, read, read, read. That's the best thing to do—next to staying warm. See you in March!

Find Joan Online

Website: http://www.JoanReeves.com

Blog: https://SlingWords.blogspot.com

FB Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/JoanReevesWrites

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JoanReeves

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/joanreeves

BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joan-reeves

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/joanreeves

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/joanreeves

YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/JoanReeves

Audible: https://www.audible.com/author/Joan-Reeves/B001K8CIEW

For exclusive content and news about free books, bargains, and giveaways, sign up for Joan's free newsletter,  I LOVE READING.

ENTER JOAN'S FEBRUARY RAFFLECOPTER

Enter Joan's Giveaway for a chance to win a Jane Austen Journal (if you're residence is in USA) or a $10 Amazon Gift Card (if you live abroad). Several options to enter give multiple chances. Giveaway closes Feb. 27. 

Winner selected by random draw. 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9dc161571/

Luck of the Irish by @JoanReeves #SmartGirlsReadRomance

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day. I happen to live in an area that has a big parade on St. Patrick's Day. 

Giveaway Alert

Details at the end of this post. Prize: 1 free copy of my Irish Romance Short Story,  Liam's Wild Irish Rose.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

I'm not a beer drinker so I'll pass on the green beer, but I do like a good Irish coffee. I'll also take a handful of four-leaf clovers if you have any. I need all the luck I can get.

Ever wonder why four-leaf clovers are good luck? When I was a little girl, a bunch of us would sit in a clover patch, eagerly looking for the rare four-leaf clovers.

With everyone having their yards treated to grow healthy weed-free emerald-green lawns, patches of clover are a thing of the past in most subsdivisions. 

I'm always curious how superstitions develop. In the case of four-leaf clovers, Celtic priests, aka The Druids, believed they could see evil spirits coming if they carried a three-leaf clover, commonly called a shamrock. Thus forewarned, they could run away.

Four-leaf clovers were Celtic charms they thought had magical powers that offered protection and turned away bad luck.

Luck of the Irish

What's the origin of that phrase which means extreme good fortune?

A little research shows that phrase originated in the California Gold Rush of 1848. 

It became apparent to thousands of unlucky prospectors that many of those who did strike gold were of Irish descent thus the unlucky ones apparently grumbled, "Luck o' the Irish."

Irish Soda Bread

My grandparents were Scotch-Irish, and my grandmother made soda bread. My mom said it was a treat when she was a little girl. I thought I'd share a recipe for it. Maybe you can surprise your family with an artisan loaf of this treat.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
2 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup raisins or other dried fruit, optional *

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375° F.
• Whisk together the dry ingredients.
• Cut in the cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• In another bowl, whisk together 1 of the eggs and the buttermilk. Add this to the flour mixture. Stir just until moistened. * Stir in raisins or other dried fruit. My grandmother only added fruit for special occasions.
• Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 6-8 times. Don't over knead because you'll be squishing out the carbon dioxide created by the baking powder, soda, and buttermilk.
• Shape into a round loaf and place on a greased baking sheet.
• With a knife dipped into flour, make a shallow cross on top of the loaf.
• Whisk the remaining egg briskly and brush over the top. This makes it achieve a golden brown color.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes.
• Immediately remove from baking pan to a wire rack.
• Serve warm with butter. Delicious with butter and Red Plum Jelly.

Liam's Wild Irish Rose

Maura O'Reilly wants only a sex relationship with Liam Harper. Thinking about being tied to one man scares Maura. She tries to resist Liam, but every time she sees him, her resolve and good intentions melt away.

Of all the women in the world, Liam had to fall for the one who seems to have no interest in him—outside of the bedroom. A lot of men would think that was the perfect arrangement—hot sex with a beautiful woman who doesn't want a relationship.

Liam isn't one of those men. He wants Maura, and he wants more than sex. He wants her heart. Will he have the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick's Day and finally get Maura to make a commitment to him?

If you don't win the giveaway, you can still buy Liam's Wild Irish Rose. It's available for 99¢ at the following booksellers:

Amazon Kindle | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords

Other Draft2Digital Channels 

My friend Caroline Clemmons also has an Irish Romance, The Texan's Irish Bride, that may interest you.

An Irish Blessing for You

"May joy and peace surround you, contentment latch your door, and happiness be with you now, and bless you evermore!"

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Giveaway Details

1. Prize: 1 ebook copy of Liam's Wild Irish Rose.
2. Winner chosen March 21 by Random drawing and notified by email.
3. Comments can be left until March 20.
4. Leave comment with email address written out, not as a hot link, and answer this question: "Do you embrace St. Patrick's Day as a holiday?"

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National Bluebird of Happiness Day ~ by Judy Ann Davis

                      September 24th is National Bluebird of Happiness Day!

For years I have tried to entice bluebirds to our yard. They were considered quite scare in our Central Pennsylvania region, but they have now begun to reappear.

Bluebird Nesting Box

Since I dabble in woodworking, especially in designing and constructing birdhouses, I made and hung a bluebird house on a portion of our wire fence once used as a dog run for our Dalmatian. Houses have to be mounted 4 to 6 feet above the ground and need to face cleared open land. Each house should also have a predator guard around the entrance hole to keep creatures from accessing the nest. (See the picture of guard on my bluebird box.)

I was thrilled the last two years when a pair decided to nest in my house. I was likewise disappointed two years in a row when the nasty sparrows chased them out into our neighbor’s yard.

The symbol of a bluebird as the harbinger of happiness is found in many cultures and may date back thousands of years. It is the most universally accepted symbol of cheerfulness, happiness, prosperity, hearth and home, good health, new births, the renewal of springtime—and the list goes on and on. In North America, the Iroquois believed the bluebird’s call could chase away Sawiskera, the spirit of the winter.

There are three species of these colorful North American birds. The Eastern and Western bluebirds have a reddish brown breast which contrasts with their predominately blue plumage. The male mountain bluebird, however, is entirely blue.

 

Here are a few of my other birdhouse creations. Although I have now moved on from designing and making birdhouses and other woodcrafts, I still tinker with my band saw, drill press, and woodworking tools to make a few things that I sell when I attend festivals to sell my books. Writing consumes most of my time these days.

Here's wishing everyone today a very joyful and productive day.

                            Below is an "Awesome Amazon Giveaway." Please feel free to enter.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

 A Rafflecopter giveaway

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:    

https://www.amazon.com/Judy-Ann-Davis/e/B006GXN502/

Romance #Readers Will LUV this Event #GameofThrones #Swag

Join us for a “Game of Thrones” inspired event where everybody wins!

Fab #author Dariel Raye invited me to join her in celebration of the many worlds of paranormal romance, sci-fi, and urban fantasy.

Yes, #romance lovers will adore this giveaway!

Authors pooled funds to provide cool Game of Thrones fandom-themed prizes and goodies.

Giveaway will include:

Maps of Westeros
Khal Drogo miniature
Dragon jewelry
plus swag packs of goodies!

Here’s how to enter:

To take part, visit the giveaway page https://wp.me/P5xE8E-t3

You’ll find book covers from all the authors taking part. Click the covers and you’ll be taken to that author’s Amazon page where you can check them out and find new books.

You can enter the contest by taking part in the Raffle Copter giveaway. Sign up for newsletters from the authors of your choice. Please sign up ONLY for the ones you want. 

When you request a newsletter, you will receive free e-books and entry into the fandom contest.

When you sign up for mine, you’ll receive WHERE THE RAIN IS MADE, a paranormal time travel with oodles of Native American mythology.

About Where the Rain Is Made:

A decadent-looking savage has captured Francesca DuVall and her brother Marsh. These days, she spends every waking moment planning escape from the brutal Dog Soldiers' village.

Ethan Gray is a curator at a national museum . . . until he travels through time to help his beloved People. In the Cheyenne world he’s known as Meko, leader of the most revered and fearsome tribe of the plains.

Two cultures and two hearts battle. Violence and death haunt their troubled roads, but when kindred souls collide, love prevails against the greatest odds. From the windswept plains of Colorado to the placid life of a curator, their love is fueled by passion and kindled by destiny.

Good luck in the Giveaway!

These “Game of Thrones” items have been hand-picked for fans of the award-winning HBO series and combined into 3-swag packs for our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

 We hope to see you there!

Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Dessert by @JoanReeves

My mom learned to cook from her mother. I'm proud to say both my mom and my grandmother were amazing cooks.

With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought I'd share this recipe for an old-fashioned pie from the treasure trove of recipes handed down to me.

My mother told me this pie recipe was handed down through my grandmother's family. Back in the day, family recipes were treasured and closely guarded.

I remember when my Great Aunt Hattie came to visit and made her Banana Pecan Cake, disclosing the recipe to my mother. She made my mother and me promise not to share it outside the family!

No Security Clearance Needed

If you've never heard of Chess Pie, it's not because it's Top Secret. It's just that it's rarely served in today's world.

That may be because it must be made from scratch. You won't find Chess Pie in the freezer section of the supermarket.

Momma made this pie often in the winter and served it warm. You can also serve it cold.

Be sure and have a cup of rich dark coffee to accompany this creamy sweet deliciousness.

Old Fashioned Chess Pie

2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons plain flour
2/3 cup melted butter
4 eggs beaten well
1 cup cream (you can use evaporated milk but it will alter the taste somewhat)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 unbaked pie crust (8-10 inch diameter)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Mix sugar and flour together and stir in melted butter. Mix well and let cool a bit. You don't want the melted butter to be super hot or the eggs will scramble when you add them.

Add the beaten eggs slowly, a little at a time, beating well after each addition. Next, add the cream and vanilla and blend well.

Place the unbaked pie crust shell on a heavy cookie sheet and pour the filling into the crust.

Bake in the preheated oven at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Serve warm with a warm raspberry or strawberry homemade syrup. (Just add sugar to taste to fresh berries and cook on medium heat until thickened, about 20 minutes.) Or serve cold with fresh fruit and/or whipped cream topping.

Bottom Line

Grateful doesn't begin to cover my feelings. I feel thankful, grateful, and blessed.

For what are you thankful? If it's a person, be sure and say how much you appreciate and love him or her. Do it today.

Tell me in a comment what you're thankful for and you'll be entered in my Random Draw November Giveaway.

Prize is 1 of these Writing Journals

(1) Prize is one of the Writing Journals shown at left--if you're in the United States. Outside the U.S., prize is ebook selection.

(2) Leave your comment and email address written out, NOT as a hot link.

(3) Winner chosen by random draw from all those who leave comments on my blog posts.

(4) Drawing held on Black Friday, November 23, 2018, and announced on the blog.

(5) Winner will be contacted by email no later than Nov. 28.

VISIT JOAN & FOLLOW HER ONLINE

Amazon Author Page * BookBub Author Page * Facebook Fan Page * Twitter * YouTube * Joan's Website.

Be the first to know about New Books and Giveaways, sign up for Joan's Mailing List.

Do You Want Romance? by @JoanReeves

I wanted to share something with you that I'm participating in this month.

It's the I WANT ROMANCE GIVEAWAY.

There are such great prizes that I'm trying to get everyone to enter. Plus, there's a Book Fair with romance novels, of course.

I mean, who couldn’t use a little more romance right about now considering you've probably all been working on income tax returns this past week--if you live in the U.S.? I thought I'd never get mine done!

Prizes: Hurray for Rafflecopter

* Kindle Fire 7 Tablet
* Marc Jacobs Leather Zip Phone Wristlet ($155 retail value)
* $25 worth of ebooks from Amazon (winner's choice, up to 5 total books)
* $20 worth of ebooks from Amazon (winner's choice, up to 4 total books)
* $15 worth of ebooks from Amazon (winner's choice, up to 3 total books - 2 of these prize packs will be awarded)
* $10 Amazon gift card (2 will be awarded)

Just visit the Giveaway page on I WANT ROMANCE GIVEAWAY and click "Read More." The page will open with pictures of the great prizes, the Rafflecopter entry form, and more.

Then there's the Book Fair filled with amazing novels where you can shop. Choose from books in genres from contemporary romance to romantic suspense to PNR for $2.99 or less.

You’ll even find a bonus giveaway so be looking for it!

The Giveaway ends April 22 so enter today and tell your friends too. You could be one of 8 lucky winners to add new ‘romance’ to their lives!

Sponsoring Authors

Alexia Adams • Allyson R Abbott • Amy Ruttan • Anne Stone • Aubrey Wynne • Becky Lower • Bethany-Kris • Brenda Whiteside • Brighton Walsh

Cailin Briste • Calinda B • Candace Sams • Carla Krae • Carrie Whitethorne • Cate Tayler • CB Samet • Cecy Robson • Charmaine Ross • Crystal Dawn • Donna R. Mercer • E.B. Black • Eliza Daly • Elizabeth Meyette • Elizabeth Rose • Holly Cortelyou

J. L. Lora • J.E. Parker • Jacquie Biggar • JC Andrijeski • Jen Doyle • Jennifer Dawson • Joan Reeves • Joanne Dannon • Josie Riviera • Julieann Dove

Karly Morgan • Kim Petersen • Kris Michaels • Kristin Holt • Kristy Tate • L A Cotton • Lana Campbell • Laurel Greer • Linda Carroll-Bradd • Lola Karns

Madeline Iva • Mari Carr • Marilyn Peake • Megyn Ward • Melissa Belle • Melissa McClone • Michele Barrow-Belisle • Nancy C. Weeks • Patrice Wilton • PG Forte • Renee Ann Miller • Ruth A. Casie

Sarah Williams • Shereen Vedam • Soraya Naomi • Stacey Joy Netzel • Stacy Gold • Susan Jean Ricci • Susanne Matthews • Sydney Aaliyah Michelle • Victoria Saccenti • Aileen Harkwood

Remember, shop our book fair where you can choose from books in genres from contemporary romance to romantic suspense to PNR for 2.99 or less. You’ll even find a bonus giveaway!

This event is a great one, Readers. Enter the I WANT ROMANCE GIVEAWAY today, and Party Hearty!

Joan Reeves lives her Happily Ever After with her Hero, her husband, in a book-cluttered home in Texas. Visit her Amazon Author Page for a list of her books. While you're there, click to Follow her. To receive a free ebook (download link sent to your inbox) and be the first to know about new books and giveaways, sign up for Joan's mailing list.

8 Summer Delights by @JoanReeves

Happy Summer, everyone! Unlike many, I love summer. Sure, it gets hot here in Texas, but I can easily cool off by stepping inside where it's air conditioned or jumping into a pool.

Giveaway Alert: Details at end of post.

Many of my books are set in summer. Maybe it's because the heat goes hand in hand with heated desire and passion.

Here's my list of favorite summer delights that might explain why I love this heated season.

1. Homemade ice cream.

OMG. There is nothing better than the homemade vanilla ice cream I've been making since I was given the recipe by my ex's mother-in-law many years ago. She got the recipe from her cousin Maybelle who got it from her mother.

The icy cold vanilla sweetness melts on your tongue. It's light, not heavy like commercial ice creams. I've never had better ice cream anywhere. It's so good that when I announce, "I'm making ice cream today," everyone grabs bowls and spoons and volunteers to help.

2. Roses, crape myrtles, zinnias, marigolds, and lantana.

I love gardening. I love all the bright colors. Growing flowers creates a feast for the eyes--for me and any passersby. Here in Houston, the color parade starts in the spring when Mother Nature outdoes herself with wildflowers in the country and azaleas bursting into bloom in town. As the days heat up, the flowers begin blooming. How can anyone feel down when you see such beauty every day?

3. The fragrances floating in the air.

Oh, honeysuckle, star jasmine, night blooming jasmine, gardenia, roses, butterfly ginger, and magnolia. There are many others, but these vines, shrubs, and trees are my favorites.

4. Porch swings and hammocks.

I can't think of anything more relaxing than lazing away in a porch swing or a hammock in a cool shady spot. A chaise lounge will work nearly as well. Just bring a good book on your Kindle and you have everything needed for a fabulous summer day.

5. Visiting with neighbors.

We have a wrought iron bench and a couple of matching chairs in our front courtyard under the giant live oak tree. We like to sit there in the gloaming and sip glasses of wine. Neighbors come by and stay a while and chat. It's low-key, casual, and friendly--all of which is often missing in today's frantic world. (By the way, gloaming is a word my grandfather often used. In fact, there was a song he sang that had the word in it. One doesn't hear it much any more. In case you don't know the word, it means that time after sunset and before darkness.)

6. Summer rain.

There's something special about a summer rain. I love it when it lightly falls on the roof or taps at your window, like the song Summer Rain says. I love that oldie sung by Johnny Rivers.

7. Flip flops, sundresses, and cork sandals.

I do love to wear breezy sundresses. I choose flip flops if I'm just hanging loose or cork sandals if I'm going somewhere. Cork sandals are the best because they make me taller. *LOL* I'm on the petite side so anything that adds 3-4 inches to my height--comfortably--have a place in my closet.

8. Beach reads.

Of course, summer is for reading, and Kindles make it so easy!

Need a beach book? Try any of my sizzling romantic comedies like The Trouble With Love, with action taking place during the hot Texas summer.

A thoroughly delightful romance. The story of not one but three separate and equally lovely couples. What a merry chase this story is. I absolutely loved how it all wove together to create a satisfying and lovely romance. ~ Amazon Review

If you like your heroes hot you'll love FBI agent Hogan, who's caught up in a family conundrum during his vacation. Together with deputy sheriff Susannah they manage to get themselves into all sorts of trouble. Sparks fly between them with both determined not to fall in love and of course failing. Lovely secondary romance as well for Susannah's mother. Lots of fun and laughs in the Texas sun! ~ Amazon Review 

GIVEAWAY!

That's my list of favorite summer delights. What's yours? Answer this in a comment with your email address and be entered in a random draw for a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card. Giveaway closes June 30. Winner announced July 7, when I recover from the Independence Day celebrations.

Post Script

Joan Reeves is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Sassy, Sexy Contemporary Romance. Her books are available at all major ebook sellers with audio editions available at  Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. In 2017, new print editions of her books will be available.

All of Joan's books have the same underlying theme: It's never too late to live happily ever after. Joan lives her happily ever after with her hero, her husband, in the Lone Star State.

Sign up for Joan's mailing list/free NL and receive a free ebook. Find Joan online: Blog, Website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

WHAT I'M READING--HOW ABOUT YOU?

As I mentioned last month, covers are an important tool in attracting readers, especially if they’ve never read anything by that author before. I admit to choosing books from a cover then I read the blurb. Then I look at the price. 

Yep, I have a threshold over which I won’t pay. I believe my limit is generous, but some books are more than that. If the e-book is as much as the paperback, I buy the paperback.

For that reason, I just purchased the paperback of HEART OF THE WEST by Penelope Williamson. This purchase is due to Anna Jeffrey’s recommendation. Anna is a friend and a great writer so I respect her opinion.This is not a new book, but apparently a much-loved one by Ms Williamson's fans.

First I have to read (also in paperback) LITTLE BEACH STREET BAKERY by Jenny Colgan for my book club meeting on the 8th. According to the cover, it's an international bestseller. This is a new author for me but I chose the book because of my daughter’s recommendation. She read it for her book club.

Currently I’m reading WILD HORSE SPRINGS by Jodi Thomas to review. How great is it that her publisher sends me her books to review? I know! She is one of my favorite authors. I feel tremendously lucky to be on the reviewer list. You can read my review on the 10th at http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com.

In the meantime, what are you reading? Would you recommend the book to others?

Do you read books by the great authors who are members of this blog? I hope so! Let me know your favorites. 

I’ll give a prize to someone who comments.

What will you read next? #LitRing #GreatPrizes

What Will You Read Next?
by Jacquie Rogers

Have you recovered from the holidays yet?  We're still mopping up around here.  Yes, our tree is still up.  Sigh.  But the kitchen is clean even though the refrigerator is stuffed to the gills.  Our poor wallets sure take a beating in December, don't they?  Might take a few months to recover from that hit, because we also have five birthdays in December.  Luckily, none in January.  Whew!

Maybe it's time to sit down and read a great book, so how about getting something for yourself?  I'm participating in the What Will You Read Next? -- Quiz and Giveaway, by LitRing.  The prizes are mind-boggling:

• 1 $500 gift card
• 4 $100 gift cards
• 1 Kindle Fire
• 1 Nook Color
• 1 iPad Mini
• 1 Kobo Aura

All you have to do is take a fun quiz.  How cool is that?

While you're reading, you need something to eat, right?  And you have leftover turkey.  So how about some turkey/cranberry salad?

Ingredients:
3 cups turkey (1/4 cubes, or pulled)
1 cup dried cranberries, um, or more
1 cup minced celery
1/2 cup minced white onion

Dressing:
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste (we like lots of pepper)

Mix dressing ingredients, then stir into salad ingredients.  Chill for a couple hours to give the cranberries time to soften.  Serve!  Tastes good by itself or in a sandwich.

Happy reading and eating!

Keep up with Jacquie Rogers' latest news at the
Pickle Barrel Gazette!
Honey Beaulieu - Man Hunter series

Hearts of Owyhee series

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Pickle Barrel Gazette

Romancing The West | Pickle Barrel Bar and Books

REVIEW OF RED HAWK CHRISTMAS by Rain Trueax

Red Hawk Christmas (Women Starting Over, Book 1) by Rain Trueax

Review by Caroline Clemmons, filling in for Mary Adair

Diana Ashburn is still reeling from an unwanted divorce and looking for purpose in her life. Her children are grown and don’t need her, she’s retired from teaching history and political science, and she senses unrest within her. What should she do to find fulfillment?

She chooses a course of action that stymies her children and friends. Diana sells her home and most of her possessions and buys a Class C motor home that she names Red Hawk. She isn’t acting impulsively—online she’s been following others who live this life and picking up tips. She wants a large enough home to be comfortable but not one too large to handle.

Against her children’s wishes, she and her two Chihuahuas set out to tour the country. Rather than missing her old life, she enjoys the ability to go where she wishes as the will takes her. She begins with Native American ruins and sites.

Near Christmas, she decides to stay awhile in remote Bluff, Utah. Much to her surprise, she has three men interested in her. After so many years, she isn’t sure how to deal with all the attention—or with her own reactions. Is it too late for Diana to find love?

This is a novella about starting over when you’re no longer a cute young chick. Rain Trueax has captured Diana perfectly in about 30,000 words. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend RED HAWK CHRISTMAS. Worth far more than the 99 cent price, this is a sweet, G-rated story. 

The buy link is https://www.amazon.com/Hawk-Christmas-Women-Starting-Over-ebook/dp/B01M5IA26Y/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1481164910&sr=1-5&keywords=rain+trueax+kindle+books

To help celebrate Christmas, I'll give a copy of RED HAWK CHRISTMAS to one person who leaves a comment. 

Older Women Are Awesome by @JoanReeves #Giveaway

Next week is the book birthday of my older woman/younger man romantic comedy Old Enough to Know Better.

Celebrations and Giveaways

I'm celebrating the event with a Giveaway.

Up for grabs are 3 prizes: a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card, a Journal, and an audio edition of Old Enough to Know Better.

To be eligible to win, do any or all of these
things:

• leave a comment on this post along with your email address written out, not as a hot link.
• sign up for my mailing list/free NL WordPlay and on the form say enter me in Old Enough to Know Better Birthday Giveaway
• leave a review on any of my books and send me the link to the review at JoanReeves at outlook dot com.
• Journal and Gift Card winner must be in continental U.S. Otherwise, comparable prize will be sent.
• Giveaway closes Nov. 28
• Winner will be notified no later than November 30--after my Thanksgiving guests go home, and I have some free time!!

About Old Enough to Know Better

Stormy needs a new start even though she doesn't admit that to herself. She's hiding from life and scared of making another mistake.

Sean wants to be her new beginning, but he knows he’s facing a serious challenge because Stormy is determined to have nothing to do with him. Why? Because her track record with men sucks. She’s haunted by the mistakes she’s made. Sean has a plan to win her heart. His plan? Whatever it takes!

The Writing Of This Book

When I wrote Old Enough to Know Better, I used a literary motif. A motif is an object or idea that repeats itself throughout a literary work. I admire books that successfully incorporate a motif of some sort.

An example of this is Texasville by Larry McMurtry. I love the way McMurtry used the slogans on tee shirts Karla wore to build characterization for her and Duane, her husband, as well as to indicate moods and situations.

Motif in Old Enough

In writing Old Enough to Know Better, I placed a quotation by a woman at the beginning of every chapter. The quotation actually foreshadows the action and meaning of the scenes in that chapter.

I’ll give you a couple of examples. In Chapter 1, this quotation from Dorothy Parker appears: “There is entirely too much charm around, and something must be done to stop it.”

The chapter goes on to introduce cynical Stormy Clarkson who, despite herself, is attracted to the charming vineyard owner Sean Butler.

Chapter 2 begins with these words from Jane Smiley: “In my experience, there is only one motivation, and that is desire. No reasons or principles contain it or stand against it.”

Not only does that show the sexual tension that’s growing by leaps and bounds between Stormy and Sean, but also it is the underlying premise of just about any good romance novel ever written.

Older Woman/Younger Man Relationships

Old Enough to Know Better is an older woman-younger man story so let me leave you with one of my favorite quotations about this kind of relationship.

This was said, not by a woman, but by a man who must have known quite a lot about women. Read the full essay here:  In Praise of Older Women by Andy Rooney.

“Once you get past a wrinkle or two, an older woman is far sexier than her younger counterpart. Her libido’s stronger, her fear of pregnancy gone. Her experience of lovemaking is honed and reciprocal, and she’s lived long enough to know how to please a man in ways her daughter could never dream of. (Young men, you have something to look forward to.)” ~ Andy Rooney

Giveaway

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About Joan

Joan Reeves is a New York Times and USAToday bestselling author of Sassy, Sexy Contemporary Romance. Her books are available at all major ebook sellers with audio editions available at  Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.

All of Joan's books have the same underlying theme: It's never too late to live happily ever after. Joan lives her happily ever after with her hero, her husband, in the Lone Star State.

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