Talking Christmas in July Before it's August!

 It's the last day of July, and here I am with a Christmas in July reading recommendation. But let's face it, before we know it, the holiday season will be here. Now is as good a time as any to pick up a cozy sweet Christmas novella by Stephanie J. Scott.

OMG Christmas Tree gives you all the small town Christmas vibes and features a 'big city girl' and a 'small town guy' you may think you know exactly how it's going to end--but then again, maybe you don't.

This is a massively merry little book. If you like the Christmas time of year, do yourself a favor and pick this up--save it for a rainy day comfort read!

And speaking of Christmas, recently I was sorting old paperwork and photos that were my mother-in-laws and I came across this postcard that was sent in 1910! 

Happy Release Day To Your Mr. Brightside!

You would think since it is release day, the hard work is done! But honestly this is actually when the hard work really begins! Ugh! Marketing!

I hope people enjoy the story of Brandee and Luc finding love. If you have Kindle Unlimited you can read Your Mr. Brightside as part of your subscription. And as I'm sure you already know, reviews are super important for indie authors. I appreciate it so much when readers take the time to rate or also rate and review!

Want to know more about Your Mr. Brightside? Here you go:

Love is the last thing on her mind. A curvy girl is the last thing on his. One fateful night will change everything.

Brandee doesn’t have time to date. Between two jobs and raising her son, life is all about survival. When a rare night off lands her in a handsome man’s arms, everything changes. But he’s too young, too carefree, and so not ready for her messy life.

Luc’s life was perfectly planned. Then he meets a stunning, curvy woman and wants nothing more than to see her again. When they run into each other months after their steamy night together, Luc is determined to show Brandee why she should take a chance on him.

Just when Brandee is ready for a relationship with Luc, surprising developments change everything. How can she drag Luc into her mess? He’s ready for a lifetime with Brandee, but if she won’t take down the walls keeping him out, how long does Luc hang on?

Will Brandee stop assuming the worst and look on the bright side?

If you love steamy small-town romance with a sunshine guy who falls first, a single mom, and an age-gap where she is older, Your Mr. Brightside will tick all your boxes!

https://a.co/d/fXMiqul

An Excellent Mystery - Play The Fool

 

Since I'm out of school on break, I'm trying to go for runs outside my neighborhood. This week I ran at one of our forest preserves. It was a hot one, but every day is a hot one this summer. After my run, I thought, what the heck, let's finish this book. "Play The Fool" by Lina Chern is about a woman who is stuck. She works at a store in the Mall and has one friend. Then that friend is killed. Our main character is obsessed with finding the killer and makes some questionable decisions on the way. It's sort of a cozy in that an amateur sleuth is trying to solve a murder, there is a romance subplot, and our main character has a quirky skill (she's a tarot card reader). It's also not a cozy. It's a great read. I highly recommend adding it to your TBR. 

The Sunday Post -- Just a Few Days Left in July!

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

I hope you had a nice week! I began writing my next book. This one is the love story of Hannah and Kate and will be the first book in my Marley Creek spin off series. In this book I'm planning to have it be lower level of spice. Wish me Luck!

Also, Your Mr. Brightside comes out on Wednesday!  I am excited for people to watch Brandee and Luc's story unfold! 

Streaming TV we watched this week included the show "Untamed" which stars Eric Bana. It's a good short (less than 8 episodes) binge watch. I think if you enjoyed the show "Big Sky" this is one to watch. 

We also watched "The Hunting Wives" which is based on a book and it's pretty bonkers. If you like murder mysteries with questionable people and can turn off the logical part of your brain, give this a watch. It's like very R rated with mini series of the 80s vibes (but takes place now). 

My zucchini plants have begun producing! I'm so excited!

Regular People Books

I like romances that feature regular people. I like them so much that's what I write. Written in the Cards is a delightful book about an artist who becomes a runaway bride and then an art teacher. She is working through grief. The main male character is the school custodian! I don't think I've ever read a book where the love interest was the custodian. 

The book is a perfect weekend read. A five-star treat. The next book in the series is on my TBR ready to go! 

 Have you read any good books lately? Next up is another book that features a tarot card reader, "Play The Fool"

While we were in Georgia my argula went to seed. At least it looks really pretty when you can't eat it anymore!

Vacation to the Hospital

 My father had his colon surgery on 6/23 and we planned to visit my parents for the beginning of July and then travel for a couple of days to the Outer Banks. However, right before we were going to leave, my dad developed blood clots and was air lifted to a hospital a couple of hours away from my parents' house in the mountains. So our vacation was a vacation to the hospital. I do not recommend.

My dad is home now and doing well. We need a vacation from our vacation. While I was in various waiting rooms, I read physical books. The Trip was the first book I finished. I bought this because I liked the cover, and I took it on 'vacation' because of the tag line: "A perfect vacation. A perfect crime." It's a good take on vacation book, the plot is not difficult to follow. It is a slow-building story, and some of the twists you'll figure out quickly.

Over all I'd say it's a 4 star book. 

The pizza at the hospital in Gainesville, GA is decent if you ever find yourself there. After spending about a week there, I'll be happy never to have to go back! I'm sure my dad feels the same way.

Tomorrow Only A Huge Stuff Your EReader Day!

 Set your alarm clock and get ready for a bunch of free books to fill up your Kindle! My book "It App-ened One Night" is part of this big promotion done with a huge group of romance writers. In my graphic, you can see some of the other books! 

Now, just so you know, my book is actually free right now. I set it up to be free from 7/21 to 7/24. I also put my first two books on sale for 99 cents each! Get em while they're hot!

And if you do happen to read any of my books, please give it a star rating and/or a review. Unless you read it and decide it's not for you. 

Happy free reading!!!!

More Hot, Hot, HOT Days ahead. #TheSundayPost

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

This summer has been a real hot one in Chicagoland. The forecast is calling for temperatures to be nearly 100 degrees (35 Celsius). I don't even want to know what the humidity level will be. 

I hope my cucumbers survive!  Recently on a cooler day I went on an art and garden tour in Beverly Shores, IN. The community is on the shores of Lake Michigan, so there are dunes and wetlands. 

Here are some pictures: 

Have you done anything interesting this summer? Tomorrow I have a post about a big free book event that takes place on Tuesday! 

Whoa What a Summer!

 

Ready for some June recapping?  If you recall, I had diverticulitis right after Easter and landed in the hospital. I hope you live all your days without having that experience. I do not recommend! So in June, I had to have a follow-up colonoscopy. That was super triggering for me since I have a ton of medical PTSD. 

In the second half of May, my father had a colonoscopy, and they found a mass that was very suspicious for colon cancer. That dialed up my anxiety to an eleven. June 10th, I suffered through prep, then on the 11th, I had the dreaded procedure--and I'm all good! No more inflammation and most importantly, no lurking colon cancer! 

The whole experience was so draining and stressful, I did some retrospective review of 2025 and decided to ask my primary care doc for a prescription for depression medication. 

June 14th my whole family--plus middle kiddo's lovely girlfriend and a bunch of youngest child's friends did the Imerman Angels Brunch Run. It was just a couple of days before Anna turned 21, so I had T-shirts made for the occasion. They feature an old picture of Anna dressed as Medusa. The weather was gloomy and chilly, but it was so great to have everyone together--especially after the stress of the previous few weeks. 

School's Out For Summer! #TheSundayPost

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

The last day of school was on Thursday, and I can say with certainty that the staff was more excited than the students to start summer break!  Some of the kids were crying, how sweet! The staff was jumping for joy. 

In the garden, my sugar snap peas are growing! I'm going to have a good crop! I've been able to start harvesting lettuce. Yesterday I planted cucumber seeds and basil seeds. This year I'm trying direct sowing. Next weekend, I feel confident the soil will be warm enough to plant zucchini seeds and green beans. Will gardening from seeds work this summer? We will see! 

Today I was part of a book fair at a library. My first time in a library as an author! A dream come true and we didn't take pictures! Arg! All I have is a picture of my table.

This week I have a dental appointment, an annual medical exam, and a colonoscopy. After those tests and appointments, I made an appointment for a facial. 

Do you like to read small town romance with a few steamy scenes? Would you like an ARC for my book "Your Mr. Brightside"?  

Click here for more info on the book and the form to sign up! 

I hope you have a great week!