Showing posts with label Joan Reeves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joan Reeves. Show all posts

Monday, March 16, 2026

Welcome, Sprinter, The Confused Season

It it Spring? It was 75° F. yesterday afternoon. Or is it Winter—it's 40° F. with a fierce north wind this morning.

My roses, azaleas, and plumbago are definitely confused. If they talked amongst themselves, they'd probably be saying, "My flowers are freezing their buns off." 

Spring? Winter? Welcome to Sprinter. Yes, here in Texas, we have 2 seasons colliding. 

In the morning, it's Winter, and after noon, it's spring, thus, Sprinter, the Confused Season. 

I'm supposed to be writing on the new book, but I've been engrossed in helping Darling Hubby design the workshop/art studio he wants to build as an addition to our garage.

Since I'm not an architectural drafter or a graphic artist, it's taken me a while to get the plans drawn up. That's my part of the project. Today we send off the plans and application to our HOA for approval.

Now, I can get back to the romantic comedy I'm writing. I should finalize the cover this week. That's taken some thought. While I was thinking about that, I did create a new cover for April Fool Bride. That's live now, and that book is on sale. I hope you'll take a look at it and tell me what you think about the new cover.

Reviews from B&N

Even though it's not sold on B&N' now because it's in Kindle Unlimited, here are a couple of reviews from readers there.

“I read a lot of books, but I only write a review on the ones I love. I thoroughly enjoyed April Fool Bride. 5 Stars!!” —Reader Review

 “The best thing about a Joan Reeves romance is that the characters come alive, making you feel what they feel.” —Nook Review

Oh, I also put up A+ Content on the Amazon book page for April Fool Bride, and I'd love to know what you think of it.

ENJOY SPRINTER

Now, I'm goint to bundle up, brave the pseudo winter weather, and go outside to work on the new "bulb" bed I'm installing on the west side of the yard next to the fence. 

I'm thinning the overcrowded purple iris bed to populate the new bulb bed. I'll probably bookend the new bed with red amaryllis, but I haven't decided yet what to plant as the background. Any suggestions?

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Monday, February 16, 2026

Should We Rename February? by Joan Reeves

February is the month most people mispronounce. I blame it on January. 

You look at the word February, and your brain erases that "r" before ary—and Febuary comes out of your mouth.

Of course, if the powers that be had named the month Februa, the festival that actually inspired the name, we wouldn't have that problem. 

But no, someone decided to take the Februa and tack "ry" onto it thus giving the English-speaking world a pronunciation problem for all eternity.

WHY FEBRUA?

Februa was the ancient Roman festival of cleansing and atonement held during this time period. It was designed to prepare for the coming spring. (I guess that's how spring cleaning, for which my mother was a strong advocate, came about.)

Girl English Dictionary - Pixabay
 The word shares the Latin root with fever and fume which I read relates to the burning of sacrifices during the purificaton rites. Thank goodness that tradition wasn't passed along with the month's name.

In any event, the month is merifully short. As a famous quotation goes: "If you plan on being depressed, do it in February so it won't last very long."

All that aside, I like February. It's that bridge between winter and spring and gives the snowbound, frozen states hope that spring truly is just around the corner.

GREAT MONTH FOR WRITING

I don't know why, but I find February to be a great month for writing.Maybe it's because I'm raring to go on a new book or finishing one in progress. I feel a burst of energy that makes me want to get out and do something—but the weather outside is usually too lousy to actually do that. So I focus that energy on writing. I'll confess that I also seem to read a lot in February.

Patience Strong said, "In February there is everything to hope for and nothing to regret." I agree with that. What about you? How do you spend the month?


Drop by and visit me online:
JoanReeves.com | Facebook.com/JoanReevesWrites | Twitter.com/JoanReeves

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Friday, January 16, 2026

Make Room for a New Year by Joan Reeves

We are 2 weeks into the New Year, and practically everyone I know has been sorting and storing away holiday decorations, cleaning out closets and garages, and carting the excess to Goodwill and church thrift stores.

After thinking about this a while—when I was actively avoiding engaging in the same activities—I decided there's a reason behind this compulsive cleaning and organizing.

What they're acctually doing is a physical manifestation of making room for the New Year. I think this is a good thing.

It's like warming up your engine for the Grand Prix race ahead—making new starts, changing habits, improving whatever one thinks needs to be optimized, undertaking new projects, etcetera.

Make room in your life for new beginnings. Clear the decks for that all important assault on resolutions or goals or whatever you choose to call those good intentions we all have to optimize our human body, mind, and spirit. I cheer you on and wish you the best.

Since I did much of that cleaning, organizing, and paring down in 2025, I'm good. In fact, I'm so over the "clearing the decks" that I don't even have goals for this New Year. 

Maybe I'm still tired from all the frenetic activity of the last 6 months, but I'm okay just floating along and doing what comes next.

In my case, what comes next is the writing. I'll confess I do have writing projects listed. I'm excited about getting some new books out. If—yes, if because there are always challenges—my eyes and vision hold up, I'll make that a reality.

In the meantime, if you've been clearing the decks and getting ready to launch yourself into the stratosphere, figuratively speaking, I'm offering a free romantic comedy so you'll have something to read when you run out of things to do.

You'll notice JUST ONE LOOK is still wearing its Christmas cover. 

Seduction and sex can be pretty funny—especially when both sides play dirty, and there's no holiday ceasefire in this battle of the sexes!

Get your free ebook while offer lasts.

Free ebook starts Friday Jan. 16, 2026, at 12:00 AM PST. 

Free offer ends Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.

I wish you a happy year ahead. Go forth and conquer!

Best Wishes, Joan Reeves
"Writing Happily Ever After—Time After Time




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Sunday, November 16, 2025

Great American Thanksgiving Feast by Joan Reeves

Mums, pumpkins, corn in shucks, and squash characterize autumn as much as cooler temperatures and shorter days.

Like many home chefs, I've been shopping for those items along with sweet potatoes, fresh cranberries, and turkey.

Yes, it's time here in America where we plan Thanksgiving dinner with as much organization and intelligence gathering—is anyone at the table allergic to pecans?—as a general planning a military campaign.

The menu is set for the big day, the board games are selected, tasks are assigned, and all that is left is to feed the houseguests who will arrive the night before the big feast.

Fortunately, a hearty bowl of gumbo, salad, and home baked crusty French bread are easy to prepare in advance. I know those are universally liked by everyone showing up at my house for the Thanksgiving Eve dinner. To finish the simple meal with panache, I'll fix a chocolate cherry dessert that will get rave reviews when served hot—with vanilla ice cream for those who like an extra kick of sweetness.

That recipe is my Thanksgiving gift to you! It's super easy and is loved by most people who try it. Yes, it's an old-fashioned dump cake and must have been created by some busy woman who was a genius at making something delicious, easy, and time saving.

No, it's not low calorie or low fat, but it's a once a year treat so enjoy!

CHOCOLATE CHERRY DELIGHT

Ingredients

2 cans cherry pie filling

1 box of chocolate cake mix

1 stick of butter, salted or unsalted

1 9x13 baking dish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. (190 degrees C.)

2. Prepare the casserole dish by spraying with Pam or something similar that doesn't have a distinctive flavor.

3. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly in the dish.

4. Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over the top of the cherry filling but don't mix it in.

5. Cut the stick of butter into pats and place them evenly all over the top of the cake mix.

6. Bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly.

7. Remove from the oven and let stand at least 10 minutes so it won't scald anyone's mouth when they eat it.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU...

AND ALL THOSE GATHERED

AROUND YOUR TABLE.

P. S. Be sure and check out my holiday book that goes on sale on Thanksgiving Day as well as all the other books I have on sale.

As always, find me online at these usual places. 
  
Find me online: 




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Thursday, October 16, 2025

Bewitching October by Joan Reeves

October is the month to truly feel and celebrate autumn.

The drifting leaves of red, gold, and yellow are a visual delight, and the crunch of the dried leaves underfeet are an auditory pleasure.

The crispness in the morning air assures us that summer truly is over. 

All this natural beauty bewitches so I suppose it's logical that Halloween on the last day of the month has the cachet to enchant little kids and adults too.

One of my favorite things is to give treats to the little ghosts, goblins, and witches who ring our doorbelll and chant, "Trick or Treat."

As adults, we're supposed to be too old to trick or treat, but wouldn't it be fun to do that again? Instead of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, maybe people could stock ebook gift cards for us. After all, there is nothing more bewitching than tales of love and passion.

Halloween Candy
If you've ever been in love, then you know you don't need a witch to cast that kind of spell. Just a special man or woman who speaks to your heart is sufficient. 

After all, that's what romance novels are all about—that connection that leads to passion, to love, and, ultimately to commitment.

SWEET TREAT WITH NO CALORIES

I've not written any spooky Halloween type books, but I do have several romance novels currently on sale for 99¢, including 2 new releases.

I know the other authors of Smart Girls Read Romance also have some wonderful books available so why not treat yourself?

HOT AUGUST NIGHT, new, spicy enemies to lovers romcom short story set at Last Chance Beach.

OLD ENOUGH TO BE OLD, new forced proximity romcom set in the frozen north.

SCENTS AND SENSUALITY, spicy fake boyfriend romcom.

THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE, Texas small town romance.

CANDY CONFESSION

We have our Halloween candy ready. I find Snickers are perfect for romantic comedy. For romantic suspense, the bag of Hershey's assorted miniatures seals the deal. When it comes to mysteries, I like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups best.

What's your Candy Confession?

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Tuesday, September 16, 2025

How To Enlarge Your House by Joan Reeves

Do you love those TV shows where someone fixes up a room or an entire house? They take it from drab or maybe just not exciting to gorgeous. I think I've seen every episode Chip and Joanna have ever made along with a bunch of other design shows.

I don't limit my fixer upper passion to houses. I watch the landscaping shows too. All of it inspires me—to my Darling Hubby's dismay.

As it turns out, my whole year has turned into a Fixer Upper Adventure. I didn't plan it that way. It just kind of evolved because of having the interior of our house in town painted.

We had to pack up virtually everything so furniture could be moved to the center of the room and covered with drop cloths. Rugs came up, books and decorative accessories were packed, paintings and photographs removed from the walls, etc.

That's when we realized how much stuff we have. We rented a small storage space and moved it all into what amounted to a giant closet.

 I made a statement I now regret: "Since we've packed just about everything but clothes and furniture, now would be a good time to see if we can find a house we like better."

I MUST BE CRAZY TO DO THIS BUT...

You see, we downsized and we went too small. So we gave serious thought to finding another house. We contacted a friend who is a realtor, and she happily began sending us daily emails with all the houses available in our area.

It's much easier to shop online than actually going to all of the houses. I also discovered that 99% of what you see online that makes a home look appealing is due to professional photography that can probably make a pigsty look good.

By the time we'd attended a dozen open houses—ugh—and a half dozen of personal showings, I made another statement I regret: "Maybe we should just add on to our present home."

YEP I'M DEFINITELY CRAZY

This began a round of talking to contractors in order to get a sense of what was involved, who was honest, etc. before we talked to an architect. All this did was confuse the issue. I feel as if I've been in a whirlwind, tossed willy nilly from—let's find a different house—to let's stay where we are.

AGH!!!! So what have we done? Nothing. Yet. Still thinking. One day we think we'll put the house up for sale. The next day we think we'll call the contractor we chose. All I've done is take my frustration out on the clutter hidden away in the closets and the stuff packed away in the attic, garage, and the storage facility.

Suddenly, after 4 truckloads to Goodwill and 3 truckloads to a consignment shop, my house doesn't seem so small. Amazing how much space clutter takes.

I cleaned the house from top to bottom, rearranged the furniture in every room, hung different art in different arrangements. My house looks like a different house! How amazing is that?

BOTTOM LINE

After all has been said and done, more was said than done. Confession—I did buy a beautiful large armoir for my office. It holds everything from old paperbacks I've kept to all of my office supplies. My office looks neat, organized, and I know exactly where everything is stored. I may send a photo next month.

CRAZY SUMMER YIELDED A NEW BOOK

I did make my goal of releasing a new book in July. OLD ENOUGH TO BE BOLD is at the New Release sale price of 99¢ or read it on KU. 

Trope Alert: Spicy Enemies to Lovers + Forced Proximity + Ugly Duckling + Handsome Stranger with a dazzling smile = enough heat to melt the ice storm that forces Linnie and Max to share an isolated cabin.

The spicy romcom which is Book 2 in the Mean Woman Blues series has been well-received to my relief. 

With the first day of Autumn, I'm leaving my fixer uppr adventure behind and starting a new book. Wish me luck!


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Monday, June 16, 2025

Awesome Is Hard Work by Joan Reeves

Good morning! If you knew everything I've been called upon to do in the last 2 weeks, you'd understand why I'm posting late today.

We attended two graduations out of town, then a funeral in west Texas, then a reunion in Louisiana. All of that was exhausting, but then everything hit at once. 

BRIEF RECAP

1. We signed a contract to sell property in another county which necessitated our presence for various meetings with the buyers, inspections, and arranging for a few things to be done there. All of that took several trips there and back (240 miles round trip).

2. After much arguing back and forth discussion, my Darling Husband convinced me to put our current house in town up for sale. Reason? He wants a much bigger lot with a much bigger garage. Me? I'm okay with where we are, but happy husband = happy, uh, can't think of anything that rhymes with husband. (Saying happy wife = happy life is much easier.)

3. Spent an entire week removing everything from bookshelves, cabinets, etc. so the furniture could be moved to allow the painters access to the walls.

4. We packed about a million books it seems along with stuff stored in the cabinetry that was to be moved. 

I decided there was no way I wanted to put all that back in place if we were going to sell the house so we rented a storage facility and moved what seemed like hundreds of boxes into storage.

5. Darling Hubby decided he wanted to also store the pool table because "looking Lous" always seem to want to roll the balls on the pool table.

He's protective of his Olhausen so he deconstructed it and got a strapping young man to help him move the slate, etc. into storage.

6. All paintings, etc. were taken from the walls and rugs rolled up. 

7. We finished all of that deconstructing this morning—minutes before the painting crew showed up.

Now, I'm in my office, which was painted a year ago and isn't part of the week's painting adventure, but there are paintings stacked against the walls, a half dozen lamps on the floor, and other hazards.

I have just enough space to walk from the door to my chair in front of the computer. I'm praying this will all be finished by Friday.

MORE TIME SUCKS SCHEDULED

Of all times to have a tooth that needs to be crowned! Had a day of dental anguish to get the tooth prepped for crown. Permanent crown scheduled for July 3.

The rest of this month and into July is filled with more of the same because this next weekend we must arrange for movers to remove everything from our house in the country and into storage. 

I'm exhausted just recounting all of this.

To make matters worse, I have a July deadline to upload my new book, OLD ENOUGH TO BE BOLD. I'm concerned I may not complete everything that needs to be done to make it publishable.

That means I haven't promoted it other than mentioning it in a few places.I had extended the release date twice already, but the universe keeps throwing curve balls at me. I'm worried. If I have to change the release date again, I'll be penalized by Amazon and banned for 1 year from setting up a pre-order. 

Yikes! But if I have to extend again, I'll just have to live with the consequences. I'll blow up that bridge when I come to it.

LIFE GOES ON

I'll keep writing and trying to be "awesome" —whatever that means—and get the book done. In the meantime, I have 2 books on sale for 99¢. Both are guaranteed to give you heated romance and lots of laughs.

THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE  is a spicy Enemies to Lovers Romantic Comedy set in a small Texas town. Just click the link to learn more about it.

You can also read it with Kindle Unlimited.

There's an audio book of it too for those who love to listen to a good book, but the audio edition is not  on sale.

Also on sale is SCENTS AND SENSUALITY which is also on Kindle Unlimited. This spicy fake boyfriend RomCom is part of the Love, Laughter, and Shenanigans series.

Click the link to learn more about this hugely popular RomCom that's been on the UK romance bestseller list since January. (I love that it's also selling in India and France—the USA too of course.)  

Scents and Sensuality is also available as an audio book too.

By the way, on the audio book link, you can listen to an excerpt which is entertaining in itself.

So that's my frantic, frazzled life since May. How are things in your Life? I certainly hope it's more serene and peaceful than mine.

Enjoy the rest of June. Here in Texas, July means the door to the furnace will probably be blocked open. See you then!



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Friday, May 16, 2025

Wallflower of Wildflowers by Joan Reeves

I'm a bit late in posting today because I just arrived home from a few days in the country.

The wildflowers are blooming in the fields around our house there, but I was a bit dismayed in how many bull nettles have popped up.

Like wallflowers that no one wants to dance with, these wildflowers are the ones no one wants in their landscape. Why? Because everything about the plant except for the bloom is covered with stinging little spiny things.

If you ever touch or brush up against a bull nettle, you'll always remember to be careful around them in the future.

Why so many this year? Because we had feral hogs using our land as a playground back in the winter. Their hooves dig deep in soft earth and their snouts do even more damage.

Where the soil gets torn up, bull nettles follow. 

My first inclination was to put on my jeans and boots and dig up as many as I could. However, the blossoms on top of the 2 foot tall stalks are pretty. Usually these over-sized blossoms droop rather than stand straight up.

I never knew much about this Texas wildflower so I decided to learn something about them before I decimated their number.

SURPRISE! WRONG NAME

I learned that the plants in my field were probably not Texas Bullnettle aka Cnidoscolus texanus, a spiny, deep-rooted, herbaceous perennial in the Spurge family. They're probably the White Prickly Poppy aka Argemone albiflora, a nettle-like spiny plant that also grows tall.

White Prickly Poppy has spiny prickles, but it's not the stinging hairs that cause severe irritation like those on the Texas Bull Nettle, renowned for its stinging hairs that can cause a painful rash and irritation upon contact. (I shudder to think about what a real bull nettle might feel like.)

Taken at Johnson City, TX
Both plants have striking green foliage with jagged leaves and they bloom in the same time period, April through September with pretty blossoms. The true bull nettle flower isn't as showy as the prickly poppy.

They have a strong taproot system so can survive drought and hard winter freezes. Livestock will not eat either of these plants even in periods of drought because they're so prickly.

Quail and dove eat the seeds of the prickly poppy, and native Americans used it for various ailments, but it has to be expertly used because it can be toxic.

The bull nettle seeds are edible when ripe and were eaten by native Americans. The root is supposedly edible, but I don't plan on digging a plant up and boiling it like a potato unless we descend into a post-apocolyptic era. 

The plant has medicinal uses, and Native Americans have used it for various ailments, but it can be toxic if not used properly.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY

I became fond of these 2 native plants—yes, I have both varieties in the fields—and I decided to leave them alone. They look a little strange growing almost 2 feet above the other wildflowers, but I imagine them as sentries, looking out over the field of flowers, keeping watch for danger.

I'll love them from afar because I'm not getting within a foot of either of these plants. I learned my lesson long ago when I wanted to pick them for a bouquet. Outch! Ouch! Ouch!

WANT MORE WILDFLOWERS?

My friend Kara O'Neal has a wonderful series, Wildflowers of Texas. Check out SUNFLOWERS FOR HER, a new release that is Book 4 in the series. 

I think you'll love it.

SPECIAL DEAL FOR READERS

I have another special deal for readers this month.

I've been running Facebook ads in the US and in the UK which is why I've been making the first book in a series on sale.

Last week I started an ad campaign for another of my romantic comedy novels, THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE.

REVIEW

"ENCHANTED AND THOROUGHLY DELIGHTED" 5 Stars. A thoroughly delightful romance. The story of not one but three separate and equally lovely couples. The first is Suzannah and Hogan. An FBI agent and a beautiful Deputy Sheriff enbroiled in a little drama, that deftly introduces the second pair.

Rory, Suzannah's mother, a recluse from a bad young marriage and Walter a long time widower and Mayor, Hogan's step uncle. 

They in turn bring in the third grouping Yvonne, Hogan's step-mother and an aging Jewel thief, of English/Scottish orgins called McConnell.

What a merry chase this story is. I absoluted loved how it all wove together to create a satifying and lovely romance.

THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE is on sale for 99¢ or read it "free" on Kindle Unlimited.

Thanks for dropping by today. I hope you found the wildflower post interesting.

Have a wonderful May. I'll see you again next month.

(Find me online: SlingWords * Website * Facebook * Romance Gems...Authors & Readers Meet.)


Joan participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, affiliate advertising designed to help websites earn advertising fees by linking to products on Amazon. If you click an Amazon link in her post, she may receive a small commision at no extra cost to you.

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Wednesday, April 16, 2025

My Word Is My Bond by Joan Reeves

It's ten o'clock on a Tuesday night, and I just remembered I needed to write this post for my blog day tomorrow, the 16th.

I groaned and collapsed on the bed. Torn between going to bed—which I really, really wanted to do—and fulfilling my obligation, I next began bargaining with myself.

Here's how it went.

I can get up early in the morning and write it. I need a good night's sleep. I'm too tired. I'm all written out. I don't know what to write. My brain is empty of words.

The counter argument went this way.

No, you're no longer a morning person. You won't get up early. It takes you a while to get going what with the eye drops, vibration plate, IR and NIR treatment, eating something so you can take ibuprofen for your wrist joint.

Finally, I told the slacker me to just get up and do it. Thus, I find myself at the computer, pecking away, and I'm happy to be doing it. Getting over that initial inertia hump is difficult but always worthwhile. 

OBLIGATION TRUMPS ALL

I find the one sure way I'll do something, even if it's something I don't want to do, is to commit to it. I made a commitment to blog here on the 16th, and, come Hell or high water, I'll always do it. 

I'm that way about everything. If I say I'll do it, I will. I've missed blogging 2 or 3 times in the past, and I've always felt terrible about it.

I finally decided to use that "reluctance to break my word" to my own writing. 

I promised myself I would write 2K-3K words every day, Monday through Friday. That's about the length of a chapter for me. I did this because I haven't published a new book since 2022. Shock! Right? Time just kind of slipped away in the presence of loss and grief.

(Note. I did write 3 books, but I just didn't publish them. Yet. Even getting them ready to publish seemed like a monumental task.)

I made that writing promise. I put it on a graphic and use it as the image on my monitor display, I told it to my husband, and my daughter, and now I'm telling it to you.

Of course, it took me the first 3 months of this year to actually make that promise to myself. I spent those 3 months getting my ducks in a row.

I'm happy to report that I am actually keeping that promise to myself. My new book is Old Enough To Be Bold and is set for pre-order now. It will publish on or before May 30.

PROMISE KEEPER

The surest way to unhappiness in any part of life is to be a breaker of promises. In the past, people proudly proclaimed, "My word is my bond." It meant something. It meant that they could be trusted to do as they said. There's tremendous power and integrity in that.

In today's world, it's increasingly rare to find people who can be that person. If you want to succeed and have the respect and friendship of others, be that kind of person.

MY SALE BOOK THIS WEEK

99¢ SALE, Heat Lightning, "A real page turner." —NetGalley.

Amnesia. Desire. Passion. Tessa knows those three to be true, but she doesn't know David, the man who says he's her husband—her protector. Amnesia has stolen her memories. 

David is a stranger, but when he touches her, desire flashes between them like heat lightning on a summer night. He wants her, but he doesn't say he loves her. Has Fate offered her a second chance at life and love?

Secrets. Lies. Danger. Why does David seem to hate her even as he pulls her into his arms? What is he hiding? How can she trust him when her gut says, Trust no one? 

She can't help falling in love with David, but her feeling of foreboding grows, as if something awful is about to happen. Will Tessa's lost memories be the death of her?

Wishing you a great second half of April. I'll see you in May!



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Sunday, March 16, 2025

Irish Eyes Are Smiling by Joan Reeves

Top of the morning to you. Even though St. Patrick's Day isn't until tomorrow, I'm wallowing in all things Irish today.

On the menu this fine morning ia a hearty Full Irish Breakfast.

Okay, well, not exactly a Full Irish which consists of bacon, sausages, eggs, black and white pudding, fried potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms, toast, and sometimes baked beans accompanied by a strong cup of fresh-brewed tea.

My Americanized version consists of bacon, an egg, a slice of multigrain toast, and fresh-brewed coffee. *sigh* I fear my Irish ancestors would be offended if they knew.

Perhaps I can make up for the breakfast insult with a typical Irish dinner? Let's see, I have a roast in the freezer but no potatoes. No lamb so no Irish stew. No colcannon because, as previously stated, no potatoes, and also no cabbage.

All is not lost in my attempt to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. I know the words to When Irish Eyes Are Smiling. My grandfather used to sing it when I was a little girl. I can even post the lyrics here because they entered the public domain in 2007.

The song, written by Ernest R. Ball, George Graff, and Chauncey Olcott, was published in 1912. A recording of the song was made popular by Bing Crosby in 1939.

EVERYBODY SING

When Irish eyes are smiling, Sure, 'tis like a morn' in Spring

In the lilt of Irish laughter, You can hear the angels sing. 

When Irish hearts are happy, All the world seems bright and gay

And when Irish eyes are smiling, Sure, they steal your heart away

When Irish hearts are happy, All the world seems bright and gay, And when Irish eyes are smiling, Sure, they steal your heart away.

I have an Irish gift for you to celebrate St. Patrick's Day tomorrow. From now until March 18th at 11:59PM PDT, you can claim a free copy of LIAM'S WILD IRISH ROSE from Amazon.

Warning: this story is super spicy—mucho caliente!—so leave it on the cyber shelf if super sexy romance is not your thing.

The story opens at Juan O'Hara's Mexican-Irish Pub, a place I loved so much that I wish it were real!

Is a “no-strings-attached” arrangement enough to satisfy Maura O'Reilly? The idea of being tied down to one man terrifies her, yet she can't seem to stay away from Liam Harper. Despite her attempts to resist, she finds herself constantly drawn to him.

Of all the women in the world, why, Liam wonders, did he have to fall for the one who wants nothing more than a physical relationship with him? Most men would consider that a dream come true, but Liam doesn’t. He wants more than just sex with Maura. He wants her heart.


If you enjoy this spicy Irish romance, please leave a short review. I will deeply appreciate your time and effort in doing so.

Remember to wear green tomorrow. Happy St. Patrick's Day

JOAN ONLINE



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Sunday, February 16, 2025

Post Valentine Giveaway by Joan Reeves

I'm being held hostage by that ogre named Allergies. It started when I visited my brother in Louisiana at the farm.

All of the trees, weeds, shrubs, and vines that I'm not used to were dripping pollen out of season. Ah choo!

Even though I haven't felt that well, I've been working intensively on new book covers, new file format for my existing ebooks, and working on a new release.

When I say working, I literally mean 12 hours a day for the last week. I crashed last night, decided to battle the ogre, took 2 Zyrtec (as recommended by my doctor), and went to bed.

Even though I woke at 4:30 this morning, I felt better. (Allergy meds have that weird effect on me—knock me out then make me awake at a weird hour.) Now after 2 cups of coffee and a cup of tea, I have enough energy to visit with you.

CRAZY WEATHER

I don't know about where you are, but we're having some weird weather here on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Yesterday, it was 76. Today it's 40 and dropping, but the sun is shining brightly. I understand we're supposed to have a low of 22 around mid-week.

I think everyone in the state is fearing another winter like we had in 2021. I'm so thankful we now have a generator. I just hope our water utility has a bunch of them.

BELATED VALENTINE GIFT

For Valentine's Day, I offered BLAME IT ON CHOCOLATE, a Valentine romance, free to my newsletter subscribers. 

Now, I'm inviting you to grab a free copy too—free on Amazon Kindle until 11:59pm PST tonight, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025.

"A fresh, witty, delicious story. Just like an irresistible bar of chocolate, you'll finish it all at once." —Reader Review

HAPPY READING

I hope you'll enjoy this story. Times are tough, and many readers simply can't afford the luxury of books. That's why, this year, I'm offering one of my books for 99¢ each month. 

This month the book is Scents and Sensuality, a Love, Laughter, and Shenanigans Fake Boyfriend Romance that culminates on Valentine's Day.

If you'd like to know when a book is on sale or is free, sign up for I LOVE READING, my free newsletter.

Until next week, stay warm, stay away from pollen, read books, and enjoy life.


JOAN ONLINE