The Sunday Post. Shoes Are Key!

   

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.

Back to school means lots of walking and standing for me. If there is school, I'm getting ten thousand steps before it's time for dismissal. This week was busier than I expected--my mistake! I got fewer words done on the draft of my next book during the week, so I'm focusing on catching up and hitting my goal over the weekend. 

We watched the last episode of "Smoke" on Apple TV. It was very good. Dark, but very good storytelling. I also finished the "Resident Playbook" on Netflix. I highly recommend it! A new favorite Kdrama. 

It's still very hot here. I almost melted on the playground on Friday. I don't want to wish away the remainder of summer but it would be nice if the heat or the humidity could be turned down a little.

I'm currently reading these two books. If I reach my word goal tomorrow, I'm going to get "The Inheritance" by Ilona Andrews. --talk about awesome motivation!

How about you? Read or watching anything good? Did you do anything fun? 

What Everyone Is Saying About This Summer

School is back in session so all the staff has been catching up. What is everyone saying when asked about their summers?  

1. Too short! (always)

2. Too hot! (we've had a ton of days that were over ninety degrees Fahrenheit AKA around thirty-two Celsius.)

 Here is the weather looking all innocent when in fact it's not just hot, it's also super humid! 

I recently read this middle-grade book Reunited by Colleen Berquist It's the second book in a trilogy about a thirteen year-old-girl that finds out her family isn't who she thinks. There's a real lack of books for kids that aren't little anymore and who are too young for most YA books. This book is one working to fill the gap. 

Reunited is in Kindle Unlimited and also available as a Kindle book as well as a paperback. 

****
So how was your summer? 

Welcome Back! School Has Resumed!

 Well, my wish for a few more weeks of summer break did not magically come true, so here it is--time to go back to school! We have a bunch of new teachers at my school this year, but I am paired with two teachers who have lots of experience. This is great because it will be my first year in a kindergarten classroom. 

I saw the funniest book online. If you are wondering what sorts of books little boys like, this is it.

Perfect for the Halloween season!

I bought a couple of shirts to wear this school year. The first one I'll wear throughout December, and the second is a reminder to myself as well. I got them via a website called Teachergram. 

What I'm reading with my ears right now...

I borrowed this from my public library via hoopla!

A Fun Contemporary Romance! And A Group I Joined To Lurk

If you are looking for a steamy contemporary romance with the secret rich guy trope and a scrappy heroine with plenty of baked goods talk. Check out this book. Audrey Lynden has a very distict writers voice. I found it engaging! One small detail from the book that I loved was that the main male character's secret nickname was Mr. Juicy Fruit.

Lemon Tart is available on Amazon and you can find all of her books on her website:

https://audreylynden.com

This is a group on Facebook where, as the name suggests, people post things that happen and how they don't care. As far as I can tell so far, it's women who are posting. It's interesting to see people freeing themselves from their own and other's expectations.

 

The Sunday Post- Happy Birthday to Me!

   

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.

Today is my birthday, and I plan to do whatever I want today. My husband has been mis-aging me for a couple of months now, this is probably because he knows I find it annoying. Why age myself up? Can't I savor each day of the year? 

Yesterday, I was a featured author at my local romance bookstore, Love's Sweet Arrow. It was super fun! I met readers, some people bought my books, and there was free ice cream! You can't beat that!  

This week it's back to school. It looks like this year I'll be working in kindergarten classrooms. So wish me luck! I'm already missing my favorite preK kids. We have a couple of institute days before the kids come back. Tuesday night I'm going to have to turn back on my morning alarms. Sigh, I'll miss you summer!

TV-wise, we have been watching King of War starring Jason Mamoa on Apple and Smoke starring Journee Smollet and Taron Egerton. I've been watching the Kdrama Resident Playbook which I have been really enjoying. I like medical dramas.

What have you been reading and/or watching? 

In books I finished:

This Guy is an Auto Buy for Me!

 Well, more like an auto-borrow from my library. The Kindle version is almost ten bucks. I only buy Kindle books if they are under five dollars. I love my public library!  I read the book in a couple days, stayed up way too late to finish it, but Charlie Donlea is so good with the ticking time clock on his thrillers. This one is no exception. The story is not finished at the end of the book, and I am waiting impatiently for what happens next.

One thing I liked about this book is that a character has Bell's Palsy, she is the love interest of the main character. I liked the way she is portrayed and how the condition doesn't diminsh her in any way.

If you like Thrillers, give Charlie Donlea a read. I think you'll enjoy them.

And in author news, I'm working diligently on my work in progress, and I feel like it is going pretty well. When I write my rough drafts, I usually get to a point where I think every word I write is terrible and I should quit, but that usually happens when I'm about two-thirds done. So I've got that to look forward to! Haha!

Recent Read: Romantic Suspense Flaming Retribution and the Weather here is Flaming Hot!

So let's see what you need to know if you like Romantic Suspense. This book has a little swearing. It's closed door. Almost all of the book, they are catching feelings but not acting on them, so a very slow burn. The MFC has a cat. The MMC is a stripper and a fireman. The main male character is named Skye and the female main character is named Kendall. And in my brain, I kept swapping their genders when I started reading. The Skyes I know are all women, and I know a few guys who are Kendall. So, that's how that happened. If this sounds like a book you'd like to check out, it is available as a ebook on Amazon, and maybe other places. Here is the Amazon link: https://a.co/d/fNrOyp5

 

Recently in addition to very hot weather and high humidity, we got a bunch of rain. This is a patch of mushrooms I saw in a neighbor's yard when I was out for a run.

Oh No The End Is Near--Back to School Is Coming!

 

August is here and that means--nope I don't want to say it. I'll save it for at least another week.

So here are a couple of very different books I enjoyed recently via my Kindle Unlimited subscription. Cat Dish Gin is a slice of life book by Heather Curlee Novak. It reminded me of when I was a kid and took my mom's Erma Bombeck books and read them. Heather's book was so enjoyable that I didn't want it to end!

Here is more info on the book:

Cat Dish Gin – Life’s Chaos, Served with a Twist of Humor

Ever had a moment so ridiculous it made you wonder if Jesus Himself might take a sip of gin straight from a cat dish? Welcome to Cat Dish Gin—a sharp, witty, and wildly relatable collection of NPR essays that turn the everyday mess of marriage, motherhood, work, and aging into laugh-out-loud, life-affirming moments.

From mastering the art of parenting while losing your sanity to finding joy in life’s smallest (and strangest) victories, these bite-sized essays are perfect for women who need a reminder that imperfection is its own kind of magic.

💡 For fans of Anne Lamott, Gretchen Rubin, and Dorothy Parker.
📖 Short, bingeable, and best enjoyed out loud.
🎁 The perfect gift for moms, grandmas, and wild women everywhere.

Read Cat Dish Gin now and laugh your way to a more joyful life!: https://a.co/d/5JbCL0V

And then for something completely different, I read a romance about the tooth fairy falling in love with a human. I'm not sure if Lord Pearl by Rowen Burrows is considered a paranormal romance or romantasy. It's all about the gods and goddesses and all sorts of magic beings like the tooth fairy and the sandman. 

Here is the link to check it out- https://a.co/d/3phKAkU

Belief can be a powerful thing. Belief can be the difference between life and death.

One moment, one decision, can change the course of your life.
For Lillian Tooth, one decision left her cursed to be the Tooth Fairy.
For Grayson Simmons, one moment introduced him to the Tooth Fairy and the world of magic.

Lillian is legendary, but that doesn’t mean she is brave. Grayson is her best friend, and she has fallen for him.
Her curse leaves her afraid of rejection.

Grayson is honoured to be part of Lillian’s world. She is his best friend. Of course, he has thought about more, but he is human.
He is not worthy.

When a harmless game reveals their true feelings, they have choices to make and fears to face.
Choices and fears that can change the course of not just their lives, but magic…

Oh Shoot It's My Birthday Month. #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.

I would say it seems like school just let out at the beginning of June. But honestly, it's been a long summer. And a hot one. I am imagining that we will have hot weather into October. We finished our third raised garden bed finally, and I think I'm going to go ahead and try planting some herbs and see how it goes. If they get to be around six inches high, I can transplant them and bring them inside for winter. And if they don't come up, I can get some mums in containers the second half of September and have some nice color by our walkway. 

It's my birthday month, so wouldn't it be nice if I didn't have to cook all month? Maybe I should ask for a no-cooking month for my birthday?

Streamingwise, we watched High Town on Netflix it's a good show. I like the main character Jackie, she is very compelling. The actress that plays her is Monica Raymund. How about you? What are you watching or reading? 

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! 

167 School Days Down, 13 to Go! The Sunday Post!

  

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 don't know who is more excited for school to be over, the staff or the kids. If I had to pick, I'd say the staff. I am really looking forward to summer break, especially since we had summer weather this week. Now the upcoming week is going to be standard spring weather so maybe I won't have summer fever. 

I'm almost done drafting my latest book Your Mr. Brightside. Since I have already shared the cover reveal with my newsletter subscribers, I can now share it here! 

I spent Saturday at a bookstore lit fest in Ottawa, Illinois. The store is called Prairie Fox Books and it is located in the quaint downtown of this town which is near the state park called Starved Rock. I had a lovely afternoon and now I can say that my books are available in store for anyone who is visiting the area!  I hit some ridiculous traffic on the way home, but at least the weather was nice and I had good music to listen to.

How was your week?

Yesterday I watched the first two episodes of "Murderbot" on Apple TV and it was as good as I hoped it would be! Last week I watched the Kdrama The Trama Code: Heroes on Call. It is a great show! If you like medical shows, you practically have to add it to your list!

Next week is a 3-day weekend. We usually have crummy weather for Memorial Day Weekend, but my hope springs eternal. On Saturday, I'll be picking up my heirloom tomato seedlings! 

Happy Mother's Day 2025 The Sunday Post!

  

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 year we get a real treat of a Mother's Day. It's going to be sunny and in the 70s (low 20s Celcius). My plan for the day is to go for a run, write 1,000 words in Your Mr. Brightside and enjoy carryout from a favorite local restaurant. Still working on dietary adjustments from having diverticulitis, I probably won't enjoy a nice crisp glass of white wine. I'm also planning to get some reading in. I won't be doing anything with the garden because I need soil and plants and someone needs to put together the new raised bed we got. That someone is not me. 

Do you have any plans for this Sunday? 

If you need more free books on your TBR here is the link to the small-town romance free book promo I am part of this month:
https://books.bookfunnel.com/freesmalltownromancereads/7iz7fven21

What are you streaming?  I am really enjoying "Friends and Neighbors" on Apple TV. Jon Hamm, the main character, does things each week that put him closer and closer to completely imploding his entire life and it's very interesting to watch. 

Here's a picture of me and the hubs with our youngest back in 2022. Since then I decided I'd rather pay to have my hair colored than to live the grey hair life. And our youngest is finishing her third year of college!

Free Small Town Books to Add to Your E-Reader!

 

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This is one of the many small-town romance novellas you can get for free this month! My novella Surprise Party is part of the free book promotion. Here is the link to check out all the books: 

https://books.bookfunnel.com/freesmalltownromancereads/7iz7fven21

I'm taking advantage of this promo to stock up on summer reads. May is here and I'm ready for summer loving!

If you get any books through this event, please let me know!

Mother's Day is coming up this weekend. I am hoping we have lovely weekend weather and I can spend some time outside gardening. It's time to add another raised bed to our front yard. How will you be spending your weekend?