New Year's Eve Eve

My opinion is that if you are say over 25, and want to celebrate the new year, it's better to leave your home on December 30th to gather with friends than to go out with the masses on December 31. 

I also think it's a great idea to stay home in pajamas on both days! This is especially true if you live in a cold climate. I've been enjoying my winter break by leaving my house as little as possible. 

I have been working on book stuff, sharing my new book with as many people as possible. I've also begun putting together the outline for my next book. And I should be ready to put some words on paper when January arrives! Wish me luck!

For our New Year's Eve Eve, we are planning to go to a local meadery. So we will enjoy a Viking drink. 

Cheers! Let's hope 2026 brings us some good things.  

 

The Last Sunday Post for 2025!!!!

  

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.

Here we are, ready to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome 2026. There is plenty of bad stuff to go around, but I'm making the effort to hope for good things for all of us, and my focus for 2026,  I probably mentioned here already, is more joy and less stress. Is it doable?  Yes, of course! All I have to do is try!

Do you have a focus, goal, or resolution for 2026? 

Readingwise, I hope to finish more books. I've got a bunch of partially finished books sitting around begging me to open them back up! 

My husband got me this super cute little Snoopy for Chirstmas. I love his little pjs!

Release Day Is Here!

 

After months of work, Love and the Three of Cups is out in the world. I found so much joy in writing Hannah and Kate's story. One bonus was that I got to introduce new characters, and those characters are clamoring for their own stories—stay tuned! 

Here is a little bit about the book, and a link to add it to your ereader or get a paperback copy!

Hannah's crush on Kate was one-sided…until tonight.

Hannah has never been happier. With her ex in the rearview mirror for two years now, she’d settled into life in Marley Creek—home to her long-time crush. She’s ready to make a bold move when she’s invited to a party at the striking blonde’s pet bakery.

Kate’s successful business is on the brink of something huge. Then, the drop-dead gorgeous redheaded Hannah kisses her, and Kate questions her no-relationships rule.

Hannah’s life is on standby waiting for Kate’s texts. So, when Kate doesn’t invite her to a meaningful event, Hannah must decide if she is going to walk away or fight for her. Kate is falling for Hannah, but will fear from a past experience keep her from committing?

When Hannah’s ex threatens to destroy her new life, will this couple let the past tear them apart, or will Hannah and Kate fight for a fresh start together?

If you’re looking for a steamy, sapphic small-town romance full of holiday vibes, age gap, and found family, Love and the Three of Cups is perfect for you!

https://a.co/d/bBKJ2Qo

Hope You Got What You Wanted

 
I'm writing this at 6:30 pm on Christmas Eve. Soon our annual viewing of  It's a Wonderful Life  will begin. My plan is to make a plate of charcuterie for dinner and enjoy the classic tale of one person realizing what a difference they can make. 

As the year ends, it's a great time to think about what you want from your life. My plans for 2026 are to seek more joy and less stress. A wise woman recently shared these words with me:

What you celebrate expands.

I love that. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas! I'll be back tomorrow to share my new book!  It's out tomorrow! 

My holiday pasta salad. Aldi's Christmas pasta with roasted garlic oil, white wine vinegar, grape tomatoes, salami, red onions, and green oilives. I was going for Christmas colors! It's very tasty--I'm super pleased with how it worked out! 

The Sunday Post: Christmas Week is Here

 

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.

Friday afternoon at 3:30pm Winter Break began!  I kicked off my break by getting into pajamas as fast as possible when I got home. Then on Saturday, I got a facial. This was my celebration for finishing not only the first semester of school, but also for finishing my latest book! Love and the Three of Cups is uploaded and will be published the day after Christmas! 

You can check it out here: https://a.co/d/89DCasv

I'm also doing a big release party celebration with fellow authors in the Fireside Book Cafe on Facebook. If you'd like to join the party, you'll have lot of chances to win books and bookish prizes during the day on December 30, 2025. 

Here is the group link: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AWaNgk8kh/

Today my plan is to wrap up my present wrapping--LOL

What are your plans for today?

Readingwise, I'm still reading my way through my holiday book stack. I hope to finish three books this week and watch my favorite holiday movies before the big day.

And then once January rolls around...clean eating goals here I come!

The Sunday Post The Ho-Ho-Ho RAT Is Almost Over Already!

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.

It was a great day to bake some cookies! I have been doing a crummy job keeping up with my Christmas TBR. But I did have time to bake! I made peanut butter cookies, peanut butter chocolate chex bars, oatmeal scotchies, and a batch of brookies!

 Now I'll need to muster that much energy for the school week! Only 5 days til Winter Break!

How is the Ho-ho-ho Readathon for you? Share below! And here is the link to my cookie recipe exchange challenge!

https://victoria7401.blogspot.com/2025/11/ho-ho-ho-rat-holiday-cookie-recipe.html

Author Spotlight: Emma Wilde and The Second Chance Christmas

Emma Wilde writes heartfelt romances that follow characters discovering love at any age and finding the courage to begin again. Her stories capture the quiet magic of second chances and the tender emotions that rise when the heart is healing. She creates books that make readers laugh, cry, and believe in love with fresh hope.

Pick up her Christmas romance and block off a little time this weekend to read!

The Second Chance Christmas is a tender, small-town, later-in-life holiday romance filled with second chances, forced proximity, and healing love—and it’s short enough to read before bed or on your lunch break. When Maggie returns to Vermont heartbroken and unexpectedly runs into her high school sweetheart, Charlie—a widowed single dad—their old wounds and long-buried tenderness spark to life. A mix-up leaves them sharing a cozy guesthouse, a snowy night nudges them closer, and soon they’re wondering if this unexpected reunion might be the gentle Christmas miracle they both needed.

You can get your copy here: https://a.co/d/fDKi3s8

The best way to keep up with all Emma's books and bookish fun is on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/emmawildeauthor/

 

We had giant icicles on the roof, but it was warm enough today that they melted! I'm hoping we stil have a white Christmas--but the temperatures are going up!