As I look out the window at nothing but smoke, my heart goes out to everyone affected by the wildfires on the West Coast. Prayers going out for rain and relief.

That, and four day weeks throw me. What? It’s Friday already? Hence, this is a little late this morning.

So let’s get going with something to lighten our hearts.

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A few weeks ago, I told you I was diving into A Queen in Hiding by Sarah Kozloff. Since then, I’ve read all four books in the series. I have been binge reading. Leave me alone reading. Staying up … Read more »

This week just flew by. I completely lost track of the days and now, here it is Friday. And since I am neck deep in canning peaches and pickles, (not in the same jar, I promise!) let’s get straight to it:

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My husband and I finished the Second Season of The Umbrella Academy on Netflix last night. We are huge fans. I loved Season One so much, I think I’ve watched it like three times–there is so many details that are just so subtle, it really does require a second viewing.

At least, that is what I tell myself.… Read more »

Here we go again! Another week and another Friday. And I am in a whirlwind.

I start off on a big adventure tomorrow–I’m helping my college son move back to Chicago. We will be driving from Seattle to Chicago, via Butte, Montana, Casper, Wyoming, and Lincoln, Nebraska, before we roll into Chicago.

You can follow along on our bubble adventures across the west and into the great midwest on my Facebook and my Instagram accounts. Wave at us if we are motoring through your neck of the woods.

And don’t worry, we have face masks and Clorox wipes I recently … Read more »

Hello my dear friends! This has been a hard week. In the ways that just shake you. More on that later.

Instead, let’s first share some things to make your weekend a little more special, adventurous and sweet.

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What to read? Why not try an oldy but a goody.

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer.

If you’ve never read Georgette, now is the perfect time to curl up with her delightful Regencies and bask in her extraordinary wit and sublime romance. I adore The Grand Sophy–it is always the Heyer book I recommend people read first. But my favorite … Read more »

It’s Friday! Hurrah. We made it through another week. I hope your days have been bright and you have a weekend ahead full of things that make you smile.

Here are five things that have me grinning.

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Mark your calendars: The Australian Romance Readers are putting on a virtual reader’s conference, A Romantic Rendezvous: Locked Down, August 1-2. So if you’ve ever wanted to go to a reader’s conference or go to Australia, here’s your chance–all from the comfort of your own home.

Take a look at the schedule, but just know I am not going to … Read more »

Yikes! I absolutely forgot to send anything out last week. But in my defense, I had picked 50 lbs of strawberries and was, well, rather up to my ears in making jam. We now have all the jam. And strawberry preserves. Syrup. And sauce. LOL.

So that leads to me the first thing on my list this week. Which, no surprise, is food.

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Dutch Babies. Which is a deceptive title, because they should be called really big popovers that pretend to be pancakes and happen to go well with . . . you guessed it, strawberries. I love … Read more »

I love the Ripped Bodice’s annual Summer Romance Bingo! What a fun way to find new titles and authors and just, well, READ.

But I also love adding to people’s squares and TBRs, so might I suggest if you are looking for ways to fill the following squares, I’ve got you covered.

And don’t forget, Ripped Bodice will be more than happy to order you any of these titles by giving them a call, (424) 603-4776.

I’m on a Boat

Goodness, where to begin? You could start with Brazen Temptress, where Captain Maureen Hawthorne (Yes, a LADY pirate) … Read more »

Friday came up too fast and I’m catching up this morning. But let’s see what I’ve got:

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Celebrations. Life continues. But in the middle of this pandemic, I saw a woman coming out of the grocery store with this HUGE bouquet of balloons for a sex reveal and at first, I had this momentary panic over the risks, but then I stopped myself. Because we should be celebrate every day. In the past few months, in our own family–and probably yours–we’ve had birthdays, anniversaries, a graduation, an engagement, and babies born.

Here is my husband who, at a certain, … Read more »

Once again it is Friday–funny how that happens every week–and I am back with Five Things. Just five. Nothing unmanageable, and hopefully something that brightens your day, weekend, week. At least until next Friday. *snort*

(One)

Bloom. Let’s just get straight to the thing I love most as May creeps along into June–my peonies start blooming.

A number of these plants got started in my grandmother’s yard, who got them from her mother’s yard–do you see where this is going? My garden is my connection to my family in so many ways.

I especially love the peony plant I got … Read more »

I know that everyone has challenges right now, and when a friend asked me to send a card to her dad who had just gotten out the hospital (her dad LOVES getting mail) I wondered if anyone else would love a surprise in the mail.

So I asked on Twitter and FB what you thought. And you overwhelming told me a huge and unqualified, YES. Okey dokey. So I got out every coverflat I had tucked away in a closet.

Coverflats from 24 books. (Here is just a sampling.) I got out bookmarks and postcards. Then I asked some friends … Read more »