The Pink Heart Society

noreply@blogger.com (Trish Wylie) — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 07:30:00 +0000

WE HAVE MOVED!

You can find the brand shiny new PHS at
http://www.pinkheartsociety.com

noreply@blogger.com (Trish Wylie) — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 18:26:00 +0000

The PINK HEART SOCIETY is having a major overhaul and will return in March!

Time Out Thursday: Hobbies? What Hobbies?

noreply@blogger.com (Jill Kemerer) — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:01:00 +0000

Pink Heart Society columnist, Jill Kemerer, shares her biggest time waster and how she's ditching it to pursue new hobbies.

I have two quotes on the bulletin board behind my desk.

"Life Changes"

"Carve Out Time for Yourself"

Both of these sayings ring true to me, but I have a difficult time actually putting them into practice. In fact, I stared at my laptop for several minutes trying to come up with a topic for this post. Time Out Thursday...hmm...how do I spend my free time? More importantly, how do I want to spend my free time?

The answer wasn't inspiring.

The reality is that life does indeed change, and I don't always change with it. I used to have hobbies and things I couldn't wait to do outside of work. Years of raising children, managing our household, driving the kids to practices, running errands and writing book after book has sapped much of my energy.

At the end of the day I'm tired. I just want to sit on the couch, wrap up in a soft throw and not have to do a single thing. Beyond reading, which has always been my favorite hobby and one I'll never give up, I have few, if any, hobbies.

I do, however, have a huge time waster. There are three games on my phone I'm completely addicted to because I can swipe away and not expend much energy in the evening.

Even though I know I'm wasting my precious free time on these dumb games, I haven't deleted them. Why not?

I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, they are easy.

To pursue a hobby in my downtime requires effort. And, to be honest, part of me wonders if it will be worth it. Will it just be one more thing in an already crowded life? I don't know. I do know, I'm ready to try something new again.

I'm deleting my games. *I just deleted them. Wow. I feel free! We'll see how I feel tonight. I'm guessing...desperate.*

I'm bringing out the throw I've been crocheting for eight years (yes, EIGHT YEARS!!) and I'm finishing it. I'm recording the PBS show Spy in the Wild because it looks right up my alley--it has otters. I'm going to read a few genres I've never read before. I'm going to dream about vacations and bake new cookies, take more walks and figure out how I really want to spend my evenings.

There.

I have no more excuses not to carve out time for myself. I'm ready for a new adventure. Are you?

How do you spend your free time?

Jill's fourth Love Inspired, Yuletide Redemption, is available at online retailers now. For all the purchase links, click HERE!

A Mother's Christmas Wish

After an accident leaves Celeste Monroe to raise her baby nephew, all she wants is to provide one-year-old Parker with a happy life. She hopes taking a job caring for injured Sam Sheffield will help fulfill that goal. But Sam's determination to avoid the world throws a wrench in her plans. Despite his best efforts, Sam can't take his eyes off the pretty caretaker. Her strength and her loving nature has him falling for her—and her baby. But he refuses to burden them with a man who's not whole. Can Celeste convince Sam he's daddy—and husband—material in time for them to celebrate Christmas together?

Jill Kemerer writes contemporary romance novels with love, humor and faith for Harlequin Love Inspired. A full time writer, she relies on coffee and chocolate to keep up with her kids’ busy schedules. Besides spoiling her mini-dachshund, she adores magazines, M&Ms, fluffy animals and long nature walks. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Jill loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website, jillkemerer.com.

Talk Time Tuesdaywith Jenna Kernan

noreply@blogger.com (Jeannie Watt) — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 00:30:00 +0000

Today The Pink Heart Society welcomes columnist Jenna Kernan, who has some great tips for starting off the New Year right! Take it away, Jenna--

6 Guilt-Free Snacks for the New Year!

I know, I know! 2017 has burst in with exercise offers on TV as you contemplate why no one wanted that particular last Christmas cookie and solidifying chunk of fudge.

Writers do not have a reputation for healthy eating and are often portrayed surviving on nothing but cigarettes, grain alcohol and a strong sense of ennui. I personally know more than a few writers who survive for long periods on black coffee and Skittles. But this is New Year even writers are thinking healthy. So tuck away those pies, cookies and coffee cakes and try these 5 power snacks for a guilt-free boost.

1. Unsweetened Greek Yogurt and Walnuts

Ingredients: Walnuts, plain yogurt, Stevia. Optional - fresh fruit.

The walnuts give a nice crunch and the yogurt is creamy and sweet. The protein in the Greek yogurt will keep you satisfied longer and Greek yogurt has less carbohydrates and sugar than regular yogurt. Add some Stevia to improve sweetness. The walnuts have healthy fats that are good for your skin and brain health.

2. Beat the Sweet with Hazelnuts

Ingredients: Chocolate/Hazelnut Spread on large whole-wheat/whole grain cracker topped with sliced banana and/or almond slivers.

Chocolate/hazelnut spreads ARE high in fat and sugar, but preferable to baked goods if teamed with healthy almonds which reduce blood sugar, cholesterol and help lower blood pressure and bananas that have heart and digestive benefits.

3. Wonderfully Salty and Low in Fat

Ingredients: Baked Tortilla Chips and fresh Salsa

You can buy or make the fresh salsa and glean the benefits of Vitamin C. The baked chips help you fix the salt craving while leaving the fat behind. Look up a salsa recipe - it's not very hard and only takes 20 minutes (minus the drive to and from the store).

5. Tutu Fruity

Ingredients: Blueberry Smoothie - Low Fat Soy or Almond Milk, Frozen Blueberries, Ripe Banana and dash of vanilla extract.

Blueberries are wonder foods and easy to keep in the freezer. They have zero cholesterol and provide loads of fiber, foliate, vitamin C and B6 which makes them very heart healthy. That soy or almond milk will add protein (plus calcium and iron) to keep you feeling full longer.

6. Egg-cellent source of Protein

Ingredients: Scrambled or fried egg (6 grams of protein) on 1/2 of a whole wheat muffin topped with love salt sliced turkey-breast cold cut. (My unofficial calorie count = 157)

You know how long it takes to make this? Less than you'll sit in line at a fast food joint's drive-through for a 300 calorie (plus 13 grams of fat) breakfast sandwich.

SUMMARY:

Small steps are better than no steps and adding a healthy snack to your day is a nice start.

I've switched out my afternoon coffee with green tea and made sure to eat up the last Christmas cookie so it will not tempt me. Now I'm ready to be that lean, mean healthy-eating machine.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

~*~*~*

Publishers Weekly Bestselling author, Jenna Kernan, writes romantic suspense for Harlequin Intrigue. Her popular APACHE PROTECTOR series continues in January 2017 with TURQUOISE GUARDIAN #1 followed by EAGLE WARRIOR #2, FIREWOLF #3 and THE WARRIOR’S WAY #4

Get Jenna's FREE forty-two page prequel to her new APACHE PROTECTOR series HERE.

Follow Jenna @jennakernan, on facebook/AuthorJennaKernan

Male on Monday : I'm Holding Out For a Hero

noreply@blogger.com (Taryn Leigh Taylor) — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:53:00 +0000

Today on The Pink Heart Society, author Taryn Leigh Taylor wants your recommendations for the perfect alpha hero.

One thing I've always loved about romance novels is that they have the perfect hero for every palate.

If you like your heroes responsible and steadfast, pick up a western.

If your perfect man is broody and fanged, paranormal might be your jam.

Does your ideal guy have a great sense of humour and a knack for? Check out the romantic comedy shelf.

But despite the smorgasbord of hero archetypes, there is still one hero to rule them all. That's right, I'm talking the alpha hero. The enduring and beloved power player who loves deep--but not until he meets the strong-willed heroine destined to be his kryptonite, natch. Best of all, like his book-boyfriend counterparts, the alpha males comes in a variety of flavours:

He might work hard, play harder, and wear a suit like it was made for him:

Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter in Suits

He might be dangerous and gritty, and know how to handle his weapon:

Charlie Hunnam as Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy

He might be stoic and reserved and be worth ten thousand a year:

Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice

Or he might be a smart-ass battling his demons in his quest to save the world:

Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester in Supernatural

I'm currently hard at work on my next project, and I need a little alpha inspiration to keep the words flowing.

Help a girl out, and tell me which sexy alpha heroes get you hot and bothered in the comments below. (I'm not picky! He can live on screen or in the pages of your favourite novel.)

Taryn's latest release, Playing to Win, is available in e-format wherever Harlequin Blaze are sold.

Playing to win means playing dirty...

Holly Evans is intelligent, educated and crazy about sports--so how did she end up prancing about in a miniskirt and teasing her hair like some broadcasting bimbo? Of course, since she's already iced her journalistic integrity, Holly might as well indulge in a little fangirl lust for the ripped captain of Portland's hockey team.

Luke Maguire sees right through Holly's bunny disguise, and he's ready to pull her into the locker room and strip it all off. Then Holly discovers someone on the team is profiting from a little over/under betting. Suddenly her lusting for Luke is going head-to-head with her reporting instincts. And if she's caught offside, there's no telling what the penalty will be...

Taryn Leigh Taylor likes dinosaurs, bridges and space, both personal and of the final-frontier variety. She shamelessly indulges in cliches, most notably her Starbucks addiction, her shoe hoard and her penchant for falling in lust with fictional men with great abs. For more on Taryn, check out her website, or catch her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

#WriterWednesday: Putting In The Work

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Knight) — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 01:00:00 +0000

Pink Heart Society columnist Kristina Knight talks about putting in the work - even when you don't want to.

I've always been able to see the accomplishments that other people have made so much more clearly than I can see my own. That is both a blessing and a curse. I've never been a conceited person (benefit). On the other hand I think its important to self-esteem to really 'see' what we've done.

RadioMan and I started biking two springs ago. I don't care what they say, riding a bike for the first time in ... well, too many years, isn't easy. It's hard. There is balance to be re-learned, peddling to master. That first ride I barely made it around the outside loop of our neighborhood (a 3 mile stretch). I had to stop once and I wasn't fast; I think those 4 miles took a solid 30 minutes. I liked biking but I wasn't at all sure I could do it.

The next day, same result.

The following day, same result. And an added pain - literally - in my, ah, rear end. I wanted to quit.

Obstacles aren't just in exercise programs. Obstacles can be anywhere - a particularly hard class in school, chasing a dream or making a change from Job A to Career B and most definitely in our writing. Every time I start I new book the same fear hits me: this will be the book I can't write.

The same summer I started biking, I really thought I'd hit the writing wall because I started a book that I just couldn't get a handle on. I started it, stopped it, re-started and stopped again so many times I wanted to scream. I tweaked characterization, motivation, goals and conflicts so many times I just wanted to toss the project in the trash. So I started something completely different...and the messed up characters from The Project That Wouldn't Let Me Write It bugged me until that new project imploded, too. So I started tweaking and fiddling and tweaking one more time.

No, there was no lightbulb moment and at no point did the heavens open and angels begin singing...but hard-fought-for-word after hard-fought-for-word made it onto my pages. Conflicts and resolutions came into that book that I'd never imagined. Good conflicts and good resolutions and eventually I was able to write The End - something that, had you asked mid-summer, I'd have said would never happen.

I don't have any great advice on how I worked through the block that was that book except this: every day I made a little bit of progress. Some days it was a thousand words, some days it was figuring out a single conflict moment. And all those little bits of progress turned into a book that I'm really proud of (The Daughter He Wanted, my very first Superromance for Harlequin).

What is better is that I can look back at the battle of this book and I can see how this particular battle changed my writing process and how I approach a story. It changed how I look at writing, in general, in a good way. This book, as awful as it was in the middle of it, has made me a better writer and has inspired me to open another blank document and start the process all over again. This time, I'll remember the battles I fought to write that book. I'll draw on the strength that kept me on that bike for 18 miles and I'll remind myself that I can....even when I think I can't.

Oh, and the biking thing? I kept trying, even through the pain, because each time I rode there was a moment when I didn't hurt and when I remembered how much fun I had riding my bike as a kid. My goal was to be able to ride 20 miles per session by the end of the summer...I hit 18, and I think that is a good accomplishment.

How do you work your way through a block?

Kristina Knight's latest release, What the Gambler Risks, released October 3 from Crimson Romance:

Twenty-something ice queen Sabrina Smith enjoys fame and fortune writing about her life of celibacy. The fact she's the Oldest Living (Supposed) Virgin in Vegas? Just keeps her readers interested in how she juggles dating in Sin City.

Jase Reeves knows Sabrina's secret - that she's not nearly as cold as she would like people to think - and he's through keeping it. He didn't intend to have a one night stand with the Vegas Virgin but he can't get her out of his head.

When Jase returns to Vegas Sabrina has one goal: stay away from the handsome gambler before he melts her career - and her heart.

Amazon B&N KOBO iBooks

You can find out more the book and Kristina on her website, and feel free to ~~stalk~~ follow her on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Talk Time Tuesday: Male Beauty versus the Intensity of the Beast by Melinda Curtis

noreply@blogger.com (MelCurtis) — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0000

My husband and I recently discovered that one of our college age children had upgraded our Amazon account from regular prime (free shipping!) to prime with video. Being busy adults who barely venture onto Netflix, we decided to be daring and check out some Amazon shows.

Nothing we've watched so far would have what I used to call Heartthrob Heroes. But once you get into a series and fall prey to the intensity of what society might call "Average Joes", you tend to fall in love regardless.

For example, take Sneaky Pete. Giovanni Ribisi plays what should be a very unlikable guy - a thief and con man, who needs money to rescue his brother from a mobster. After three years of listening to his cellmate Pete talk about his estranged family (who was in the "bond" business), our hero decides to impersonate Pete and try to swindle or steal the money needed to save his brother. As the series progressed, I began to realize Giovanni's got something sexy going on. It's his confidence, his swagger, his street smarts, and his heart.

Who knew?

Or take Goliath, starring Billy Bob Thornton. Now, I'm not much of a Billy

Bob fan and I can't really say why. But this non-traditional hero (a drunk lawyer who's burnt out and washed up) sinks his claws into a woman (now there's an image). Billy Bob played a smart, tortured hero and got his sexy going on.

And this is why I love reading different authors who take regular guys and make me root for them - not just to save the ranch, win the big game, or come home safely from war, but because they make me fall in love with Average Joes who face the crappy hand they've been dealt or the impossible situation they've backed themselves into. They face it. They endure. And they win my heart.

Are there any unlikely heroes you've fallen for without meaning to? Guys you wouldn't classify as a traditional hunk or what Hollywood used to call a romantic lead? Tell me about it.

Melinda Curtis is an award-winning USA Today bestselling author of over 30 books. Her latest release, The Bridesmaid Wore White, is installment #5 in the popular sweet romantic comedy series.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fb0fEe
BN: http://bit.ly/2ipyMkO
iTunes: http://apple.co/2i62cXF
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2f6PG5e
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2iCJ28K

Crafting Characters

noreply@blogger.com (WritingAl) — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 14:13:00 +0000

For today’s Writer’s Wednesday I’ve decided to share an excerpt from my tutorial “Crafting Characters: Strengthening Your Motivation To Write”. This is a brief publication that I decided to create when asked by new writers what it takes for me to keep my head in the writing game. You may obtain this title in full online at no charge.

Excerpt:

In addition to delving into the soul of your characters, giving focus to their backgrounds is yet another method/way of maintaining motivation to complete your story. This is a bit more of a task when the characters are brand new. When the characters are part of a series, this gives the author the chance to flesh out facets of the character’s persona that may have been planted in earlier stories in the series.

For instance, the readers already know that the hero of A Lover’s Beauty Taurus Ramsey and his cousin Quest Ramsey (A Lover’s Dream, A Lover’s Soul) don’t get along, but the reader isn’t given the benefit of knowing why when Taurus is first introduced in book one in the series A Lover’s Dream. Taurus’ appearance in the book is brief, but it was memorable enough to peak the reader curiosity to know more about him.

When a book is a standalone, it is just as relevant to flesh out character aspects which have been planted earlier. In my 2004 release In The Midst of Passion (Kensington/Dafina Books) my hero Alex Rice was extremely complex. We discover early in the story that he owns a paper but spends little time there- why? We learn that he has a love/hate relationship with his cousin Melissa-why?

As the story progresses, we return to this seed and others planted. We learn that Alex desires to have a legitimate interest far removed from his former occupation as a killer-for-hire. This seed opens up a host of other issues within the story. We also learn that Alex’s strained relationship with his cousin has much to do with racial issues revolving around the disapproval from his mother’s family towards Alex’s father.

As earlier stated, occupation can open another trail of issues within your story. For my first traditionally published novel Remember Love, our hero, Trinidad Salem’s profession did not mix well with his wife Dominique’s career as a reporter. The emerging events created chaos in their marriage and well-being.

Personal interests go a long way in bringing life to your characters- making them more real to the readers and to you the author. Giving focus to your characters’ food or clothing preferences, musical tastes, sports interests even their choice of transportation can offer many entertaining insights into your characters and often allow for various plot twists.

**Remember: Make the most of character interests. Use them to add substance to your plot instead of simply adding numbers to your word count.**

Talk Time Tuesday: Rating the Guys on Grey's Anatomy

noreply@blogger.com (Heidi Rice) — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 00:30:00 +0000

Heidi Rice - coming late to the Seattle Surgical Soap - has given scores out of ten for the main man candy in Seasons 1-3... All in the interests of provoking an interesting and informative debate about hot men in scrubs.

I'm not gonna lie to you, I'm sure that someone's done this before on PHS, because I am about a decade and a half late watching Grey's Anatomy. But I've been binge-watching it all over Christmas and I am now officially obsessed... So bear with me people. Here are my ratings for the guys of Seattle Grace Hospital (that I've seen so far). If you've seen this show and have an opinion join in!

Doctor Derek Shepherd (aka McDreamy aka Patrick Dempsey)

5/10

Meredith Grey's main squeeze right from the opening scene of the opening show, McDreamy scores points for being Meredith's go-to guy for the three series I've watched so far... He's cute, charming, has great hair and the best puppy dog eyes in the business - especially when Meredith is being a bitch to him which is quite a lot frankly (maybe that should be whipped puppy dog eyes)... But sorry, folks, this guy has NO EDGE. Everyone beats up on him, his ex-wife, his best mate McSteamy, even his dog dies! At the close of season three all I want to do is smack him (and not in a good way).

Intern George O'Malley (aka TR Knight)

6/10

I found George a bit annoying at first (even more sulky and pouty and puppy-doggy than McDreamy to start with)... He's the guy next door type - who kept accidentally sleeping with all his pals. But at the end of Season three he seems to be leaving Seattle Grace (no spoilers folks, if you know different), and I actually felt kind of sad and fond of him. So I think he must have snuck up on me a bit with all his pouting.

Doctor Preston Burke (aka Isaiah Washington)

6.5/10

Focused, intense, ambitious, our resident heart surgeon Preston seems at first to have had a bit of a heart bypass. Until he meets his ultimate match in Sandra Oh's Christina Yang. Preston also has the most chiselled jaw I've ever seen this side of Mount Rushmore. But he is also a control freak. Which can be sexy, but only in small doses... ie: this guy has a bit too much edge. That said, the wedding vows he never got to deliver made me sigh.

Doctor Mark Sloan (aka McSteamy aka Eric Dane)

7/10

As you know I cannot resist a bad boy, and plastic surgeon McSteamy is a very bad boy. Flirty, dirty, shallow, selfish, and self-absorbed, not only did Mark sleep with his best friend's wife (see above) but he is also a self-confessed man whore. He's handsome (never a bad thing) also has great hair and did I mention dirty... But this guy had slept with or hit on pretty much every woman in scrubs within three episodes of joining the cast. So he's dirty, but not always in a good way. ie, this guy would DEFINITELY give you a communicable disease.

Dead Guy Denny Duquette (aka Jeffrey Dean Morgan)

8/10

Be still my beating heart, Denny is poetic and gorgeous, the patient that Katherine Heigl's Izzy has a mad tragic love affair with - and who has stubble to die for. That he managed to make an impression while being hooked up to an IV and wearing sickly green heart-condition makeup for nearly a whole series is impressive. Unfortunately though he became a corpse by the end of season 2 or he would have scored higher. Although he did get an encore as a ghost which gave us a brief glimpse of what he would have been like if he had not had such a dodgy ticker (who knew he was so tall and was swathy not sickly green).

Intern Alex Karev (aka Justin Chambers)

10/10

Fellow intern Alex was a slow-burn through Seasons one and two... Basically just your resident dickhead sleeping with everyone he could get his hands on. But as soon as he started scrubbing in with McDreamy's ex Meredith and getting proper storylines involving sick babies and amnesiac ferry disaster survivors, he turned out to be the dark horse of Grey's Anatomy man-candy. Alex is a good guy in bad boy's clothing.. A good guy who can't commit. And I have a feeling there's something tortured and traumatic in his past, which is why he can't commit. Which means he has LAYERS... He's also sexy, but not too sexy. And his hair is NOT great. And LAYERS people!! I think there is much more to discover about Alex, which may involve more sick babies and possibly puppies. Seriously, this show could run and run... Oh wait a minute, it did, and I missed it.

But not anymore.

Agree? Disagree? Let me know who you would scrub in for at Seattle Grace in the comments?

While I get stuck into Season 4.

Heidi's first classic Presents Vows They Can't Escape is out this month in the US and next month in the UK. She also tutors a 7-week online writing course - An Introduction to Writing Hot Romance - which will be running again from 20th February for anyone interested in finding out how to write hot romance. Obviously.

Writer's Wednesday: All the More Unfamiliar Places

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Locke) — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 01:00:00 +0000

PHS Columnist and Harlequin Historical author Nicole Locke asks: Can a writer reinvent themselves?

I love to write in all the more unfamiliar times and places. I don’t write only in the morning, afternoon or evening. I write at any time. I certainly don’t have a writing spot in my house. It’s the red chair, the sofa, or on top of my bed. Sometimes I even sit in the hallway.

I gallivant as well. I write on buses, on trains, and on tubes. I’ve written in almost every museum in London (except that one at UCL, which had very little space). Oh, and benches. I love benches. And café’s, and sometimes libraries (often too quiet). I write indoors, I write… I think you get the picture.

I am a Creature of the Unhabit.

Does it work? It doesn’t…unwork. After all, I have actual finished novels that have been published. Better yet, these stories have given me inspiration for more stories. So good, right?

Yet, should I tell you how long my writing process has been? I found a floppy disc dated 1999 with bits of my first story. I know for certain I thought of the story before that date. When did it get published? Once I split the story (it had two storylines), the first one was in 2014, and the second one in 2016.

In other words…I think you get the picture. Oh, sure Life happened. Kids, my insanely demanding day job. We moved countries. It took me six months to try all the different cheeses suddenly available. Oh, and we travelled. A lot.

Through it all, I wrote here and there. I entered writing contests. I tried to find my storytelling voice. I adored finding new words; I soared when I wrote that perfect moment between characters.

Yet, how did I possibly get published with this much dribble and drab of words? Because I persisted with those words. Every year I wrote a bit more until I finished the manuscript and started querying agents (all to no avail). Along the way, I fixed stories. I joined groups and met other writers. I kept trying.

Then in 2014, I met a Harlequin editor, and laughed that my manuscript sent over a year before hadn’t been rejected yet. Three days later, I received a series of emails that ended up being The Call.

I tell people that the only reason I’m published was because of an administrative error. In truth, the only reason I got published was because I persevered. I kept with the struggle; I kept dreaming.

Now that I have contracts, do my unworking, unhabit practices work? Not at all.

Because let’s face it, I dreamed, but I got in my way. And that doesn’t work in the publishing world. That doesn’t work when I have characters vociferously demanding their stories (inspiration is great until you have too many voices in your head). It doesn’t work with editors and never for the reader. I, too, am a reader. I know how demanding I can be for the next book.

So I must become familiar. I must find habit. In 2017, I think I’ll dream a little less; I’ll struggle a lot more. In 2017, I want to soar with more perfect storytelling moments.

-- Nicole :-)

Nicole's fourth book in the Lovers and Legends series, In Debt to the Enemy Lord, is out now!

“You have a debt to pay. You owe me your life.”

Anwen, bastard of Brynmor, has fought hard to find her place in the world. But she’s forced to re-evaluate everything when she’s saved from death by her enemy Teague, Lord of Gwalchdu. Instead of releasing her, he holds her captive…

Teague trusts no-one. And with ominous messages threatening his life he must keep Anwen under his watch, no matter how much her presence drives him wild. And when passionate arguments turn to passionate encounters, Teague must believe that the strength of their bond will conquer all!

To find out more about Nicole Locke, visit her website, and follow her on Twitter.

Talk Time Tuesday - Calendars with Kate Walker

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Walker) — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 17:57:00 +0000

Looking back at past posts I've written for my first post in January, the first post for the beginning of a 'new year', I've noticed that I seem to end up writing about New Year Resolutions - or the

lack of them. Or the reasons why I don't believe in these resolutions to be 'a better you' , a 'better writer' - ie a writer who writes more, to be thinner, more efficient, exercise more.

I still feel that way. Last year was hard enough on a lot of people, in a lot of ways. It was filled with tension and discomfort (mental discomfort mainly, but also some bad physical discomfort when I sprained my back badly and could hardly walk for two weeks). There was so much uncertainty, in elections and the referendum and something that almost ended up as the new guessing game - which celebrity is going to die next. I even saw people posting worries about the Queen because she didn't appear at church for Christmas. Talk about borrowing trouble as my mother used to say - we didn;t seem to have enough worries of our own - instead it seemed some people had to invent them, imagine them, create concerns in their own minds before anything actually happened.

For myself, I found that the worst things that happened were to ones that I had never anticipated

or feared. The ones that just appeared without warning - and all the worrying - or resolutions - in the world wouldn't have done anything to create or to stop them. ( A sprained back being the perfect example.)

My friend Holly Jacobs always chooses a word to live by for each year. Her choice for 2017 is HOPE - a good one I think. We need hope to keep us going forward in a confused and uncomfortable time. What 's that Chines Proverb - may you live in interesting times. Personally, I found 2016 just a little too 'interesting.' I thought about following Holly with a one word - and I was toying with peace - or calm - or anything that meant getting on with today and not focussing on all the other things going on around me - the things I can't do anything about.
But no word seemed quite right until I thought that the important word in that sentence above is 'today'.

Have you ever noticed how some Christmases, your gifts seem to major on one thing - perfumed soap or hand and body lotion perhaps, Or chocolates or - well, this always happens with me - books. I always get lots of books.

Well, this year the gifts under the tree majored in Calendars. I have 365 days of Kittens - and Hot Dudes Reading . I have a purely functional Year Planner - Vintage Cat Illustrations - and a beautiful desk calendar for one day at a time - and a cute Cat Nap on each day. That's the one that is staring me in the face as I write this. It's the one that always brings a smile to my face (not that the kittens and the Hot Dudes don't! ) All the calendars are up on different walls - in the kitchen - by the phone, in my office . . . And they all have important dates, deadlines, birthdays, dates for the courses I'm teaching written on them. But I love the one day at a time Cat Nap because - well because it's one d

ay at a time. And that's really all we can focus on properly . All we have right now.
There's a great saying:

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present.

The full quote often reads: "The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man.Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present "
In the 1902 book, "Sun Dials and Roses of Yesterday: Garden Delights..." by Alice Morse Earle.

Today is what we have right now. It is too often neglected as we plan for new things, aim for more achievements, more 'improvements'. It's also all we can really deal with right now - we can work towards the future or hope to move away from the past - but what we have is today. The present. It's a really great gift and I intend to live for the present as best I can - because I 'll never k

now what's just around the corner.

So - that word is today. You can add 'seize the day' as in carpe diem and that's fine too. But looking at the glorious - if bitterly cold - sunshine on frost outside my window, I know that just knowing I have today if great for me.

What about you? Resolutions or not? Do you have a special word for your year - or just give up on the whole things?

Whatever you feel and however you're going forward into 2017, I hope it's a wonderful year for you. One filled with love and peace and calm and success, day by day as each dawn gives us a chance to live that wonderful today.

Happy New Year!

My 65^th title Indebted to Moreno was published in October, but it’s still around. I’m also delighted to say that a couple of backlist titles that have been missing - The Sicilian’s Wife and A Sicilian Husband – are being issued as separate ebooks in November (though they've been in the collection Claimed By The Sicilian if you wanted in 3 in 1) . And if you’re in Australia then there’s a special 3 in 1 Collection of my books - Surrender to The Sheikh out now.
This three in one contains Desert Affair, AT the Sheikh's Command and Destined for The Desert King.

If you’re interested in coming on any of my writing courses with Writers’ Holiday or Relaxand Write then the details are always on my Events page on my web site and the most up to date news can be found on my web site on my blog or my Facebook page

Talk-Time Tuesday - An Ode to Jilly Cooper

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Hayward) — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 05:00:00 +0000

It all began in my early teens, this love affair I have with romance. I used to pinch my sister’s Harlequin Presents novels and read them under the covers at night. Slightly wicked, they were the most satisfying escape from my teenage angst I could find—a fantasy world where gorgeous alpha heroes and feisty heroines reigned supreme and a happy ending was guaranteed.

One of my absolute favourites from that era was Robyn Donald’s book, Summer at Awakopu, a coming of age story that stole my heart. I think maybe I loved it so much because it mirrored so many of the things I was going through at the time. And that would become a big part of romance for me—how it allowed me to explore my own feelings and emotions alongside the heroine.

Little did I realize then how much romance would come to mean to me. It has seen me through four decades and counting of this rollercoaster journey we call life. But, like my painful teenage years, it’s been through the lows that it’s meant the most to me. I didn’t realize how much until, in the midst of a successful but grueling PR career, I let my love of reading slide. Burnt out and unsure of my next move, I remember rediscovering my passion one night when I happened across Sandra Marton’s Mistress of the Sheikh as I was leaving the supermarket. It was passionate and exciting and I remember thinking over a glass of wine and that book, “how could I have let this go?”

That wonderful book not only made me remember how much I loved romance, but it gave me the impetus to make a scary and ultimately amazing career transition to full-time writer.

Fast forward to very recently when I lost my father. His slow decline was heartbreaking in the truest sense of the word. With so much emotional turmoil going on inside me and so little emotional energy for anything else, a romance was the only thing I could envision picking up. I chose Jilly Cooper’s Riders, a book I’d been meaning to read for years. And I fell in love.

I’d never read anything like the hilarious, scandalous, tour de forces Cooper writes. It was exactly what I needed, allowing me to escape for a few minutes every night into a world that made me laugh and gave me such joy when it seemed there was none to be had. And that, in its essence, has been what romance has meant most to me. It makes me happy.

Funny then when I came across this quote from Cooper in a recent BBC interview:

“I am proud of these books. I know they’re frivolous, imperfect, but people love them.

Basically, my aim in life is to add to the sum of human happiness.”

And that, Jilly Cooper, is what you did for me. I thank you for that.

*****

If you’ve never read Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles, they’re a must. I’m half way through the series so if you’ve read it, I’d love for you to weigh in. Favourite hero anyone? Rupert? Luke? And if you’d like to listen to one of the most delightful interviews you’ll ever hear about romance, writing and life, tune in to Jilly Cooper’s Desert Island Discs BBC’s podcast.I guarantee it will make you smile.

Award-winning author Jennifer Hayward writes fast-paced, sexy stories, always with a touch of humour. You can read a free chapter of her latest, A Deal for the Di Sione Ring, the seventh story in Harlequin Presents' glamorous, intriguing, The Billionaire's Legacy series, on her website.

"Marry me, sell me the ring and I will fly you out of here tonight."

Hotel magnate Nate Brunswick's faith in marriage was destroyed by his father. But in searching for the ring that his beloved grandfather has asked him to retrieve, the illegitimate Di Sione who hates weddings finds himself inconveniently engaged!

The alluring owner of the ring, Mina Mastrantino, can only pass it on once she's married. Quick vows and an even quicker annulment should be easy…but the exquisite impromptu wedding night gives them both far more than they planned!

Male on Monday -- The Men You Meet

noreply@blogger.com (Anne McAllister) — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 00:30:00 +0000

Anne McAllister is reflecting on meetings in real life and in books. She's also wrapping packages and, for once, writing a blog is a procrastination ploy to keep from having to wrap more.

I am presently threading through some backstory in the book I'm working on -- specifically the part where the heroine meets the hero for the first time and how this meeting is somehow different than all the other meetings she's had in her life because he's The One.

And since I don't have any other Males on Monday for you, I thought it might be a nice thing to reflect on meetings of our own with the men in our lives. The book inspired it -- but so did a question from my 9 year old granddaughter last weekend. She said, "How did you and Grandpa meet?"

She asks questions like that all the time, which is one of the reasons I love her. The rest are too numerous to catalog here. But as I told her that I saw her grandpa for the first time when I was just starting my junior year in college and he was helping the girl next door move in, I thought that there are probably only three people in the world who know that -- me, the man in question, and my roommate, to whom I remarked, "I'd like to have a boyfriend like that."

Coincidentally -- or not -- he came into the reserved book room of the library where I was working a week later and wandered around looking lost. So I asked him if I could help him find something. It's what you do when you work in a library. And he told me the book he couldn't find, and I found it for him, and we talked briefly. And then we talked again when he returned the book. And we talked a few more times when he appeared in the library. And the day after Thanksgiving, when we appeared to be the only two people who didn't go away for the holiday (yes, I exaggerate) and the student union was closed and he was bemoaning being unable to buy a cup of coffee, I (who lived a stone's throw from the library) offered to make him one when I got off my shift at work.

He sent me a Christmas card. I sent him a Chri
stmas card. We walked on the beach, went to a play, talked and talked and talked. In April we got engaged and we got married in August. My kids are appalled we knew each other so briefly.

I told them my grandparents knew each other six weeks when they got married. That's a family story I do know. I know my grandfather's parents married because he needed a wife and she needed a husband, and importing her from Bavaria apparently seemed like a good idea. In both cases it worked out. My grandparents were married 59 years. My great-grandparents were only married 15 -- but it ended when my great-grandmother died. We'll be married fifty years this coming summer (ye gods. Would you believe I was a child bride?)

Anyway, my own personal Male on Monday has enriched my life for fifty years now (beginning with the Christmas card). I have now immortalized him -- and our meeting -- so more than four people know (counting my granddaughter) how we met.

How about you? How did you meet the love of your life? Or your best friend? How did your parents meet? Your grandparents? Your kids and their spouses if you're that far along? Please share if you wish.

Best wishes to you all this season whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, the winter solstice or some other holiday.

Anne's Tanner Brothers -- Cowboys Don't Cry, Cowboys Don't Quit and Cowboys Don't Stay -- have been reissued in ebook and trade paperback if you missed them the first time around. The 4th and 5th books which follow them (Tanner friends, if you will), The Cowboy and the Kid and Cowboy Pride will be out in January and February and are available for pre-order now if you need more cowboys in your life.

Weekend Wildcard: A Few of Kristina's Favorite Books

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Knight) — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 01:00:00 +0000

for strength of character, Kristina chooses The Obsession

Pink Heart Society columnist Kristina Knight shares a few of her favorite reads from 2016. Share your favorites in the comments!

There are few things I like more than grabbing a mug of cocoa, requisitioning a corner of my sofa for an hour or more, and diving into a really great story. I have people ask me all the time if it's hard to slip into a story - if my internal editor is constantly working, if that editor draws me out of the story, if, if, if...and my answer is (usually) no. I've become pretty good at opening a book and kicking my expectations out of it. There are times this is harder - like if I'm working on particularly hard revisions or if I'm really stuck on something going on in my own books - but even then I can usually take a beat, clear my head, and dive in.

This year, part of bebe's daily homework is to read for 20 minutes. So she grabs her book, I grab mine and we couch it for 20 minutes. Sometimes, we're both so enamored of what we're reading that we turn that 20 into 30, and we don't mind at all. Those 20 minutes are precious minutes, and have become such a habit that even hard revisions or being stuck on a story problem aren't bugging me. I sit down with her and focus on the book in my hands, not the one in my head. I'm loving it.

I noticed this week that Publisher's Weekly has released their best books of 2016 list. I was paging through it and realized I'd only read a handful - one of my goals for 2017 is to read more outside the romance genre...of course, romance will likely remain my go-to because...I just love it. The Publisher's Weekly Romance list can be found here and their Top 10 from across genres can be found here.

I thought I'd share three of my favorite reads (all romance genre) from this year...in no particular order.

Maisey Yates' Brokedown Cowboy. I know, this was technically a 2015 book, but I didn't get to read

for raw emotion, Kristina picks Brokedown Cowboy

it until this year. So it's a 2016 book for me, and it had me from the first page. The hero was a wreck, the heroine completely believable, and the supporting cast so much fun to see. Also, it won the Rita for long contemporary...so if you haven't picked this one up, go forth!

Kelly Bowen's Duke of My Heart. I don't read a ton of historical books, but I picked this one up because the heroine had been described to me as 'a fixer' and my brain went immediately to Scandal and, well, it was awesome. I liked that the hero and heroine weren't your typical duke-and-damsel, and I also like that both characters struggled with falling in love but still remaining true to their individuality.

Nora Roberts' The Obsession. If you've followed me at all on social media you know I'm a Nora fan. I like her paranormals, I like her old stuff...I like Nora books better than JD books, but they're both good. The Obsession, for me, was a bit different than her suspenses of the past. It was grittier, the heroine maybe a bit stronger, and the topic (child of a serial killer) something I hadn't read before, but something I've always wondered about. She tackled both the rawness of the emotions such a child might feel and paired it with just the right amount of hope and cynicism.

So, readers, did you have a favorite read from this year? Feel free to share in the comments - we can all use more books to read!

Kristina Knight's latest release, What the Gambler Risks, released October 3 from Crimson Romance:

Twenty-something ice queen Sabrina Smith enjoys fame and fortune writing about her life of celibacy. The fact she's the Oldest Living (Supposed) Virgin in Vegas? Just keeps her readers interested in how she juggles dating in Sin City.

Jase Reeves knows Sabrina's secret - that she's not nearly as cold as she would like people to think - and he's through keeping it. He didn't intend to have a one night stand with the Vegas Virgin but he can't get her out of his head.

When Jase returns to Vegas Sabrina has one goal: stay away from the handsome gambler before he melts her career - and her heart.

Amazon B&N KOBO iBooks

You can find out more the book and Kristina on her website, and feel free to ~~stalk~~ follow her on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Gathering a Crowd? Italian Nachos Recipe by Melinda Curtis

noreply@blogger.com (MelCurtis) — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 00:30:00 +0000

During the holiday season, many in my family gather around the television for football and basketball games. Holiday treats are fine, but sometimes they want a different kind of snack. Here's one of our favorite game day recipes - Italian Nachos! What hero wouldn't want some of this?

Ingredients:

For Pasta Chips (or you can go lazy and use tortilla chips)

12 wonton wrappers

1 egg white, frothed

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon oregano or ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning mix

For Nacho Toppings:

½ pounds Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled

1 (10 ounce) container Alfredo sauce

½ cup chopped tomato

¼ cup sliced green onion

1 (2 ¼) can sliced ripe olives

2 tablespoons pickled jalapeno peppers or 2 tablespoons chopped banana peppers

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. Cut wontons into 4 triangles each and toss lightly in olive oil.

2. Cover a cookie sheet with a single layer of wontons.

3. Brush with egg white and sprinkle with oregano or Italian seasoning.

4. Bake at 400 degrees for 6 minutes or until lightly browned.

5. While cooking the nachos in the oven, heat the sauce, brown the Italian sausage and drain fat.

6. On a platter layer the pasta chips, sausage, and sauce. Top with the tomato, onions, olives and peppers. Finish with shredded cheese and red pepper flakes.

7. Place in warm oven for 5 minutes to melt cheese and serve.

Melinda Curtis is an award-winning USA Today bestselling author. You can sample her writing (while eating nachos) in several holiday box sets - All I Want For Christmas (all proceeds to fund diabetes research), A Heartwarming Holiday (99c), A Heartwarming Thanksgiving - and two new releases in two different series - Marrying the Single Dad (book 8, Harmony Valley series), You May Now Kiss the Bridesmaid (book 4, Bridesmaids series).

Time Out Thursday with Jeannie Watt

noreply@blogger.com (Jeannie Watt) — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 05:00:00 +0000

Today Pink Heart Society editor Jeannie Watt talks about taking Time Out in 2017.

The holidays are upon us and I love the busyness of the season, but I also love the clean fresh-start feeling that January brings. Since this is Time Out Thursday, I'm going to take time out to list ten things I hope to accomplish in 2017 in between deadlines and continuing to unpack boxes:

1. Start reading Moby Dick. I hear it takes forever to finish, so I don't want to tie myself to one year.

2. Re-read at least two books on my keeper shelf.

3. Get rid of the clothing I'm keeping for emotional reasons.

4. Finish coloring my adult coloring book.

5. Make one new recipe a month--something out of my comfort zone. Souffles come to mind.

6. Run a half-marathon.

7. Reupholster a chair.

8. Learn to use my serger.

9. Volunteer at the local library.

10. Get chickens!

That's my plan. I'll print out my list and put it in the front of my planner so that I don't "forget" to start reading Moby Dick...as if that would happen, right?

What are your plans for 2017? Are they specific or general?

I hope everyone has a great holiday season. See you in the new year.

To learn more about Jeannie and her books, please visit her website.

Male On Monday- The Unexpected

noreply@blogger.com (WritingAl) — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 03:00:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I let my favorite guy (my son) talk me into another superhero movie. I should stop here and say that he really didn’t have to talk me into anything. I adore the superhero genre. Still, I have to say that I felt a little blah about going to see the latest of Marvel’s movie releases- “Dr. Strange”. The trailer never seemed to grab me, but my guy went on and on about it and I got caught up in all the pre-release hype, so I decided to give it a try.

So glad I did! Talk about a refreshing change of pace. Even though I wasn’t over the moon to see the film, I do adore Benedict Cumberbatch’s work. I decided that fact alone was more than enough to give up a couple hours of my Saturday.

I titled this post “The Unexpected” because that’s exactly what Mr. Cumberbatch brought to the film. A high level of intelligence isn’t something that generally goes on my list of superhero criteria. I mean, some of these folks are very smart, but intelligence is just not one of the first attributes I tend to think of. “Dr. Strange” is, after all, a doctor so that label alone would seem to imply brain waves off the charts. Add to intelligence, cool humor and a kind of James Bond sexiness and you’ve got quite a superhero.

We can’t forget that every superhero has a gut-wrenching past that tugs at the heartstrings and makes the character more endearing. We definitely get that in “Dr. Strange”, delivered with Cumberbatch’s own brand of intensity.

If you haven’t checked out any of Mr. Cumberbatch’s work (where the heck have you been??!!) Seriously, you need to add this guy to your list of must-see actors. His work tends to be more on the serious side, but he’s definitely worth adding to your viewing list. Because of his tendency for more serious work, I wanted to spotlight him in today’s post. It’s always a treat to see an actor do something a little outside the box and do it well. Cumberbatch’s level of intensity; paired with the comedic element that one expects from Marvel movies, was just spot on.

Did I mention the James Bond sexiness? That was totally unexpected! I’d never read any of the “Dr. Strange” comics so I’m not sure if that particular brand of swagger was part of his character or just a little creative license on the part of the scriptwriter and director. Whatever the case, it was the right move and they couldn’t have made a better choice than Cumberbatch to pull this off. While some parts of his flash and dazzle lifestyle tapered off as the film went on, that element seemed to remain part of his character. I couldn’t help but think such a thing would’ve been impossible with any other actor in the role.

Did I mention the cape? Oh well…another time folks. Talk about swagger!!

Weekend Wildcard: Barbara Wallace - Gearing up for 2017

noreply@blogger.com (barbara wallace) — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 17:57:00 +0000

In her final regular PHS column, Barbara Wallace looks back briefly at 2016 and talks about the changes she's making in the year ahead.

I’ve got to be honest; 2016 wasn’t my favorite year. I took a lot of hits personally and professionally and frankly I’m still reeling from some of them. Maybe that’s why I’ve been the past week reflecting on 2017 and how would like the upcoming year to play out. (Warning: The radio station just played Another Auld Lang Syne which may color the tone of this blog; could there be a more bittersweet New Year’s song?)

If there was one thing the past months have taught me is that nothing is permanent. Friendships, family, jobs…like all best laid plans, they can turn upside down at a moment’s notice. The best you can do is ride out the upheaval with faith and good humor, and pay closer attention to the good things that happen. Because, as fraught with change as this year has been, 2016 also had its share of really good moments. I was blessed with experiences and quiet gestures of kindness that made me realize the world can be a very generous and loving place when you stop and look.

But that isn’t the point of this blog posts. By all accounts, my life isn’t done being turned upside down. 2017 looks to be just as topsy turvy.

Or, maybe it won’t be. So much of what will happen is out of my control. Even so, I can control my own attitude. I’ve got a quarter of a century or so left on this planet. I don’t want to waste them letting life buffet me around. And so it’s time for some mental housekeeping, or as my friend D.L. Eagan likes to say, “Mental feng shui.”

I’ve been hanging on to some relationships and behaviors out of habit. It’s time for me to shift things around.

If a friendship leaves me emotionally drained, I’m going to let it go. This doesn’t necessarily mean cutting the person completely out of my life, but rather reprioritizing their importance in my head. I will learn to enjoy people’s time without letting them drain me of my own good thoughts or moods.

Likewise, if a project doesn’t give me joy, I’m going to reassess its importance. Life is too short to work at things I don’t enjoy. If I can’t give up the work – then I’m going to look for ways to make it joyful.

That’s because I’m going to work on becoming more positive. I’ve caught myself sliding into complaint land lately, and the last thing I want is to be somebody else’s source of toxicity.

And finally I’m going to embrace the challenge and treat them as opportunities to grow. In fact, I’ve already begun researching the possibility of becoming a hybrid author and branching out into mystery writing. Don’t worry; I’ll still be writing Christmas stories for Harlequin Romance. I could never give up romance novels.

All in all, I’m starting to believe 2017 will be a very good year, because I’m going to make it one. To paraphrase my own quote from a few paragraphs ago, the world can be a very generous and positive place if you allow yourself to be generous and positive too.

Wishing you all a happy holiday season, and a wonderful 2017.

Award-winning author Barbara Wallace writes contemporary romance and mystery novels. Her books are enjoyed by readers around the world. WINTER WEDDING FOR THE PRINCE, book two of the Royal House of Corinthia series, is available now.

Crown Prince Armando's belief in love died along with his wife, but duty dictates he must remarry! He enlists royal assistant Rosa Lamberti to help him find a suitable candidate, but a sizzling kiss under the mistletoe with Rosa awakens feelings Armando thought long buried…

Praise for WINTER WEDDING FOR THE PRINCE

Wonderful happy ending and this story really embraces the magic of Christmas romance.

Goodreads review

A wonderful friends-to-lovers story that treats the heavier subjects in the book very well.

Harlequin.com review

Buy Now

WEEKEND WILDCARD: Heidi Rice's Writing Year in Pictures and Tweets

noreply@blogger.com (Heidi Rice) — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 01:00:00 +0000

With Christmas fast approaching and a New Year on the horizon, Harlequin Presents author Heidi Rice looks back over an eventful year - with a little help from her Twitter & Instagram accounts!

So I'm not gonna lie to you, I wanted to do a great retrospective of what I'd been doing in 2016, but the truth is I started to try and remember what the heck I had been doing and I had to turn to Twitter and Instagram to jog my memory... And then I thought, heck, why not just do this blog in Tweets and Instagram posts... So here's what Heidi did in 2016 – in 140 characters or less...

JANUARY:

I saw Leo DiCaprio freeze his arse off in The Revenant...

And survived Dry January (just)!

FEBRUARY:

My First Women's Fiction book, So Now You're Back, came out...

So did my Tule novella, Daring the Bad Boy (and the cover made me hyperventilate)

MARCH:

My mate Iona Grey won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award with the fabulous Letters to the Lost... And I may have blagged a photo wtih Fern Cotten...

Tempting the Knight finaled in the RITAs... And I boasted about it incessantly (ie: this was not the only Tweet on the subject)...

APRIL:

I went camper-vanning in Cornwall and saw Poldark (but no one believed me).

Fiona Harper and I went mad at the London Book Fair (and Fan-girled Marian Keyes).

MAY:

I finally discovered Emojis (about a decade after everyone else)...

And I hung out in Dublin with Abby Green.

JUNE:

I did some serious re-filing the well writing-inspiration-wise with trips to North Wales with my best mate...

And Italy with my guys...

JULY:

I milked my RITA final some more at the RWA conference in San Diego with Scarlet Wilson (who was busy milking her TWO finals!!)

AUGUST:

The Olympics happened, I got even more inspired... And I made up for lost time with the emojis.

SEPTEMBER:

I got a sneak peek at my first Classic Presents cover for Vows They Can't Escape (due out next year) at the glittering M&B author drinks party.

OCTOBER:

After months of preparation, I had a ball tutoring the writers on my first Introduction to Writing Hot Romance course at the Professional Writing Academy...

NOVEMBER:

I did NaNoWriMo... And totally aced it, if I say so myself (I also discovered Gifs)

I celebrated 100 books with the awesome and awe-inspiring Sharon Kendrick (nekkid waiters were involved, which totally explains the camera-shake on that picture).

DECEMBER:

I set about finishing the year off in style with a 3-hour lunch with the lovely Jane Porter... Talking writing, my upcoming Marietta book for Tule and alpha guys (not necessarily in that order).

So there you have it, my year in pics and Tweets... What did you do this year? Anything awesome?

Heidi is currently working on revisions for her second women's fiction book for Harlequin UK and getting stuck into her first Marietta book for Tule. Which will both be out next year (fingers crossed). But until then her first Classic Presents Vows They Can't Escape is due out in February 2017 in the US and the UK... And she is ludicrously excited about it.

Christmas Romance Novels

noreply@blogger.com (Candace Shaw) — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Today on the Pink Heart Society, Candace Shaw shares her list of Christmas romances to read this holiday season!

In between writing, Christmas shopping and decorating, I still try to find time for reading the latest Christmas romance novels. I’ve added several to my ereader and I have a few more to go. Who cares about a budget when there are so many wonderful books to read? Below are a few on my holiday reading list.

One Mistletoe Wish by A.C. Arthur

All she wants for Christmas…
Everything schoolteacher Morgan Hill loves is in her hometown of Temptation, Virginia—her twins, her students and the charming community center where she's staging their holiday play. But now the building's new owner, Grayson Taylor, is putting sexy visions into Morgan's head, making the young widow long for a future even Santa couldn't deliver.

As the oldest of sextuplets, Gray grew up in the media spotlight. His family's fame once helped Temptation thrive, but drove his parents apart. Coming back is just a bittersweet necessity until he meets petite firecracker Morgan. Somehow she gets the handsome tech guru to forget about big business in favor of small-town delights…and steamy winter nights. It's a life he never knew he wanted, but can he put his past aside to turn a festive fling into the sweetest forever?

Playboy on her Christmas List by Carol Marinelli

Making her Christmas dream come true…

Paramedic Holly Jacobs knows that her night of scorching passion with Dr. Daniel Chandler meant more than just lust. And she'll fix the hospital staff's Secret Santa to prove it!

Playboy doc Daniel has sworn off love—but he can't resist Holly! And by the time they get snowed in at a B and B on Christmas Eve, Daniel finds himself wondering if the connection he's feeling for Holly is for life, not just for Christmas!

A Countess for Christmas by Christy McKellen

The earl's secret bride…

Emma Carmichael is shocked when she sees who she's waitressing for at a lavish party—Jack Westwood, the new Earl of Redminster. Her new life comes crashing down when Jack announces to the world that they're married!

Jack has never forgotten his first love despite the tragedy that tore them apart. When the paparazzi cameras intrude, he proposes they live as man and wife until the fuss dies down. Emma feels like Cinderella, masquerading as his countess…only, behind closed doors, their marriage feels tantalizingly real…

Love at Last by Sharon C. Cooper

Carolyn Jenkins has never had a problem getting a man, but keeping one is another story. After two failed marriages and numerous short-term relationships, she’s ready to wave the white flag and give up on love. Yet, with Christmas quickly approaching, she dreads spending the holiday alone. Will a chance encounter with a handsome stranger make all of her Christmas wishes come true?

After thirty years of a nearly perfect marriage, widower Lincoln Richwood struggles to move on with his life. The idea of dating at his age seems daunting … until he meets the vivacious Carolyn Jenkins. Normally a straitlaced kind of guy, there’s just something about the woman that tempts him to walk on the wild side.

Opposites attract, but will their differences derail their relationship and keep them from embracing the love they both desire?

Unwrapping the Holidays

Desire is rising—and hearts are melting—in these sizzling holiday stories

Hot Coded Christmas by Nana Malone

Nothing says Christmas quite like…computer coding? That's how CEO Jamie Reed plans to spend the holidays, holed up in an upstate New York guesthouse, desperately trying to save her company. She didn't count on sharing this secluded wonderland with her business rival, Cole Nichols. But the sexy tech billionaire just might be the one to make all Jamie's winter wishes come true…

Be Mine for Christmas by Sheryl Lister

After her dream Christmas wedding is canceled, Maya Brooks aims to revive her spirits with a little holiday fling. Ian Jeffries finds the gorgeous bakery owner as luscious as her desserts—and wants more of both. But Maya's trust is shattered when she discovers that Ian's real-estate firm is trying to buy out her shop. Can he prove his passion isn't a ruse and that her love's the only gift he will need forever?

Mistletoe Reunion Threat by Virgina Vaughn

MISSING CHILD

Someone wants Mississippi prosecutor Ashlynn Morris dead…and they've taken her son to get to her. The only person she can trust to get him back is his father, a man who doesn't even know about their secret child. When grief and survivor guilt pushed army ranger Garrett Lewis to run out on their wedding five years ago, he knew he was leaving behind the love of his life. But a son? Finding out he's a father has him reeling, especially since his little boy is missing. But now the tormented ex-soldier has a new mission, one that can't fail. Protect the woman he's never stopped loving…and bring her son—their son—home for Christmas.

Hot Winter Nights by Debbi Rawlins

This cowboy can make any girl melt!
Montana in December is cold. Still, struggling actress Lila Loveridge is committed to the independent movie they're shooting—despite frigid temperatures, an empty wallet and a sneaking suspicion that her acting career has frozen in its tracks. Good thing there's a Montana cowboy hot enough to keep her warm.

Rancher Clint Landers is one tall, lean and sizzling specimen, and before long, Lila is shivering with pleasure. Their chemistry is impossible to resist. But while every night is deliciously wicked, every day is a reminder that they can't have a future together. Because in order for Lila to follow her dream, she'll have to leave her sexy cowboy behind…

Kissed by Christmas by Jamie Pope

Christmas in paradise
Hallie Roberts has had a string of bad luck, beginning with her fiancé dumping her! Now she is disillusioned and ready to leave her beloved big-city teaching job behind and return to her idyllic island hometown. Then fate intervenes, and a slip and fall on the ice brings gorgeous, brave paramedic Asa Andersen to her rescue and into her chaotic life.

Saving victims can take its toll, but Hallie fills Asa with hope and renewed purpose. His mission to show the homesick English teacher a romantic New York Christmas culminates in a passionate, brief affair. But Asa isn't about to lose the best thing to ever happen to him. When they meet again on Hideaway Island, the magic and sensuality of the sultry isle affects them both. Can he convince Hallie to trust in their future and a love that's worth every risk?

Do you have a Christmas romance to recommend? Share with us in the comment section.

Candace Shaw writes romance novels because she believes that happily-ever-after isn’t found only in fairy tales. When she’s not writing or researching information for a book, you can find Candace in her gardens, shopping, reading or learning how to cook a new dish.

She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her loving husband and their loyal dog, Ali. She is currently working on her next fun, flirty and sexy romance.

You can contact Candace on her website at www.CandaceShaw.net, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCandaceShaw or tweet her at https://twitter.com/Candace_Shaw.

Be sure to check out Candace’s latest Christmas romance below!

Chasing a dream of love

The pursuit of love has always been high on Preston Chase's priority list. But the video game developer has yet to find the soul mate he craves. His sister's best friend—artist and studio owner Blythe Ventura—is a world away from the shallow glam girls who've thrown themselves at him. With her creative spirit and passionate commitment, she's the ideal candidate for his Winter Wonderland project. Too bad she doesn't seem interested in being the one to win his heart.

After a string of dating disasters, Blythe isn't ready to believe in a romantic relationship with Preston. Until their work giving sick children hope and joy for Christmas brings them together—and reveals a very different side of the notorious millionaire playboy. All she has to do is trust in the feelings Preston is awakening and this just might be the year that they both find the happy holiday ending they've been searching for…

Time Out Thursday - Writer Movies to Love!

noreply@blogger.com (Fiona Zedde) — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 14:45:00 +0000

Books about writers are kinda boring. I've tried reading a few and have usually been unable to fully separate the actual author of the book from the book’s main character. It gets too weird and I waste too much time wondering if the author really did stalk her sixth grade boyfriend and catch him peeing in the boys’ room. Watching movies about writers though, is something I can’t get enough of.

In the movies, writers have all the fun. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that screenwriters have no idea how novelists and short story writers live, or they want to make everything on screen as far from the truth as possible, unless the movie is heading for an Oscar. Then the writer is some tortured hack who spends way too much time worrying about the readers and their rent to actually write a decent book. Bonus points toward realism if they’re living in their parents' basement or sponging off a frustrated spouse.

My favorite writer movies, though, are the ones with protagonists who’ve written one book and become obscenely wealthy from it, has lots of groupies, and is so creatively constipated from the pressure of needing to write the next bestseller that all they can do is sleep with groupies, do drugs, and hang out in Parisian cafes while smoking Gauloises and making friends with hapless ingénues who will eventually save them from themselves and become the muse for the next Oprah Book Club pick. It's like writer porn. Very fun. Very addictive.

So basically, whenever I steal some time away from my laptop, I sit in front of Netflix trying to find my next favorite writer film. Right now, I’m on the hunt for Ghost Writer, starring Ewan McGregor. It’s a spy flick, but with a writer. Strange, I know.

Here’s a list of my faves and why:

Henry and June – I adore French writer, Anaïs Nin. This is the story of how she met and influenced Henry Miller and his wife, June. In this gorgeously made film, I could barely keep my eyes off Uma Thurman. Very sexy overall.

Stranger Than Fiction – The main character in this, Will Ferrell, is an IRS agent who suddenly begins hearing his life being narrated by the writer, Emma Thompson. A fun and fresh take on the writer film.

Adaptation – This movie is another strange and funny one. I can’t even begin to describe its ridiculousness but I’ll just say it has Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep sharing a screen.

Stuck in Love – I love unconventional love stories, and this is certainly one of them. Greg Kinnear is funny and tragic, and the story twist will absolutely melt your heart.

Young Adult – Charlize Theron is amazing in this. She’s a bitter writer of young adult novels who is stuck in the past while being on the cusp of a present life change. By turns funny and sad. I saw this one in the theater!

Finding Forrester – In a lot of ways, this feels a bit like Dangerous Minds, the Principal, or any of the scores of white savior in the hood movies out there. Sean Connery plays a brilliant but reclusive writer who helps a young black student from the Bronx bring out the brilliance in his own writing.

Have you seen any of these? What are your favorite writer movies?

Jamaican-born Lindsay Evans currently lives and writes in Atlanta, GA. A writer of sensual love stories and decadent erotica, she loves good food and romance and would happily travel to the ends of the earth for both.
Her latest book, Bare Pleasures, is out now.
http://amzn.to/2cmvEY5

A Little Something: Winter Drinks

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Locke) — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 01:00:00 +0000

PHS Columnist and Harlequin Historical author Nicole Locke shares her favourite winter drinks.

I love this time of year, the bundle-up clothes, the brisk smells of pine needles during a park walk and split pea soup simmering on the hob when we return home. But one winter custom I celebrate the most is the hot drinks I clutch in my hand.

I don’t know what I like better, the wafts of steam from hot chocolate, the way wassail keeps the mug scalding hot so my perpetually cold hands finally feel warm, or that first sip of Hot Buttered Rum.

As the years have gone by, I’ve had lots of hot drinks, but I’ve also found my favourites. So I thought I’d share a few.

Hot Chocolate

It’s the quintessential cold weather drink, and there’s so many recipes I’ve tried. In a pinch, I will drink the dried powdered stuff (with peppermint schnapps). But my absolute favourite is taken from Steingarten’s The Man Who Ate Everything.

Chocolate Chaud (adopted from Pierre Herme’).

2 2/14 cups whole milk

¼ cup bottled still water

¼ cup (generous) superfine granulated sugar

1 (100 gram) bar (3.5 ounces) dark bittersweet chocolate (at least 70%) finely sliced

¼ cup cocoa powder, loosely packed (1 oz or 28 gram).

In a saucepan, stir together the milk, water, and sugar and bring to a boil. Then add the chopped chocolate and cocoa. Turn it to a simmer while stirring until it has thickened.

Mr. Steingarten recommends an immersion mixer, etc and more, but I’ve only gone so far as to thicken it. It’s wicked rich, and so good.

Wassail

This one is for the kids, but I probably drink it more than them…mostly because I’ve been drinking it since I was one! It’s my mother’s recipe.

1 tbl whole cloves
4 sticks cinnamon

½ cup sugar
Boil in 1 cup water

Add 1 gallon apple cider (I use unfiltered apple juice). 1 cup fresh orange juice, ½ cup lemon juice, pinch of salt.

I’ve tinkered with the recipe and it never turns out bad. I sometimes just add extra orange juice and skip the lemon juice, and all too often I add black tea, which gives it depth (and caffeine!).

-- Nicole :-)

Nicole's fourth book in the Lovers and Legends series, In Debt to the Enemy Lord, is out now!

A Little Something for the Weekend - Weekend Wind-Down

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Walker) — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 05:00:00 +0000

Today Pink Heart Columnist Kate Walker takes a look at the countdown to Christmas - and starts making resolutions early!

It’s Saturday – and there are – what - 3 more Saturdays until Christmas. Three weeks from today will be Christmas Eve!

That’s when everything is supposed to be done all the presents bought and wrapped, food organised, bought and prepared, guest lists planned, visits arranged. . . The fourth Saturday before Christmas. I’m supposed to write about the ‘weekend wind-down’. Wind-down? Now tell me, which of us women – because the majority of us in category romance are women – will have a chance to ‘wind-down’ this weekend? Or next one for that matter.

Look at the To Do lists, the shopping still to do.

(OK –I admit it – I’ve got all my presents. But compared to my sister who buys almost all of hers in the sales in July , that’s nothing . . )

There’s the wrapping – every year I vow I will not be still wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve. And every year . . . No, this year’s going to be different! I have the gifts, the wrapping paper, the labels . . .
Actually, I do have some gifts bought and sent on the way but then with family in Australia and friends in America, I do need to be organised and send them on their way as early as possible. I have one special trick that always works with my lovely sister who lives in Australia. Luckily, like me, she’s a bookaholic and so I get a list from her of ‘Books I Want to Read’ and then I head for the Book Depository. They have a wonderful scheme where they will deliver the books you’ve bought anywhere in the world for free! My sister and I have agreed we’re not fussed about fancy paper and wrapping and ribbons. It’s the book inside we’re most interested in. And the truth is that I can actually send my sister an extra book for the price of the postage I would have had to pay otherwise.

There are the cards, the decorations. You know that thing about wrapping on Christmas Eve? Well I also always vow that I’ll have the tree and the decorations up and making the house look festive well before the day before Christmas Eve. But somehow . . .

There are the friends to visit and the visitors coming to stay. We’re away this weekend - have family to visit the week before Christmas, friends after Christmas, we hope to visit more family around New Year – it’s wonderful, but is it winding down?

Then there’s the food to prepare, the tablecloths to wash and iron, the crackers, the cats’ stockings . . . What? Of course the cats have stockings? Do you think I would dare not to give them special treats at Christmas too? After all Charlie the Maine Coon is more of an internet personality than I am and black and white Ruby looks set to be going the same way, she may be a lot smaller than Charlie but she still has big ambitions in the treats department.

And not just from me. A couple of years back, the first Christmas

parcel to arrive at this house was addressed to the cats we had then. It came from their favourite LATP (Lady Across the Pond) Anne McAllister. And it contained a Cat Advent Calendar. A Cat Advent Calendar with pockets - to be filled with a little treat for each day leading up to Christmas. And guess who has to fill those pockets with treats?

But, busy or not, I had to write a post for the PHS. I was thinking about writing a Writer's Wish List - but the I realised just what I really wished for .

And that was when I thought of the ‘official’ title of the weekend posts – a weekend ‘wind-down’ and I realised that that was what I really wanted for Christmas . . .a weekend - or more – to ‘wind-down’. Too often the holiday season becomes a time when we’re rushing around planning, organising, buying, wrapping talking, cooking . . . and before we have time to realise it, it’s New Year and time for resolutions and renewing and . . .well, back to work! I already have a course planned for February (Writers’ Holiday) another for April (Relax and Write) , visitors from America in March . . .another book contracted to write and deliver . . .

What happened to that ‘holiday’ time? So my DH and I have started this run up to Christmas with our ‘Christmas Resolution’ - and it has nothing to do with eating less or exercising more or turning our lives around. No, it’s a resolution to do more of what we really enjoy and for us, that means actually sitting down and reading the books we have now, the books we might get for Christmas (I don’t think there’s any ‘might about that’!) and anything we find on our travels this weekend and later. We’ve even put some reading evenings (and reading afternoons) in the diaries to make sure we do it! I have a TBR pile that’s growing more mountainous by the minute. Well, it isn’t a TBR pile it’s a TBR shelf – and bookshelf – and if I don’t make a start on that , when I add any Christmas books to the pile, I don’t think I’ll get through then till this time next year- if then.

So that’s what I’m determined to do this Christmas – to make it a real holiday and to find time to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet - and some reading. My special present to myself and to the Babe Magnet is time to read. And the cats will enjoy that too as they can spend a long, cosy time curled up on a lap each, knowing we’re not likely to move for a while . Anyone want to join us? We’re starting this weekend . . .

Well, that is after I come back from our trip tomorrow and Sunday and when I’ve written and posted all the cards , and wrapped the remaining presents (I’m still determined not to be doing that on Christmas Eve!).

Well - Christmas is a time for fantasy and for wishes coming true so I thought I'd aim for what I’d really enjoy!

Whatever you're dreaming of for Christmas I hope you have a truly wonderful time with lots of love and joy and maybe something really special under the tree just waiting for you. And I’ll look forward to joining you all again in 2017 - it’s only (eeek!) 28 days away now!

My latest title Indebted to Moreno was published in October, but it’s still around. I’m also delighted to say that a couple of backlist titles that have been missing - The Sicilian’s Wife and A Sicilian Husband – have been issued as separate ebooks in November (though they've been in the collection Claimed By The Sicilian if you wanted a 3 in 1) . And if you’re in Australia then there’s a special 3 in 1 Collection of my books Surrender to The Sheikh out now - with a fabulous cover!

And all the most up to date news can be found on my web site on my blog or my Facebook page

Friday Fun: Cozy Christmas Reads!

noreply@blogger.com (Jill Kemerer) — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 00:01:00 +0000

Pink Heart Society columnist Jill Kemerer shares cozy Christmas reads through the years...

It's December! We can officially enjoy all things Christmas, and at the top of my list are cozy Christmas reads.

I've always adored books, and I remember as a small child checking out picture books from the library. I wish I could recall some of the ones I used to read. In recent years I've found gems such as Jan Brett's Gingerbread Christmas. The illustrations are gorgeous and the writing engaging.

When I got a bit older, I fell in love with The Bobbsey Twins at Snow Lodge by Laura Lee Hope. Those long ago Christmas traditions seemed so charming to me. A few highlights? The family made their own Christmas ornaments and flew across the frozen lake on an ice boat. Sounded fun to me!

A few years later I read Sweet Valley High Super Edition: Special Christmas by Francine Pascal. I remember nothing of this book except for the fact those rascally twins were swimming on Christmas Eve. MIND. BLOWN. People actually lived in places they could swim outdoors on Christmas eve? I'd lived in Michigan (aka: frozen tundra) my entire life. Suddenly, Elizabeth and Jessica seemed way cooler than I'd originally thought.

As a junior in high school, I discovered A Miracle on 24th Street by Valentine Davies in the school's library. What a welcome break that book was from studying for finals! I still watch the movie (either version) every year.

My love of Christmas novels continues. Every December the snowy cover of a category romance novel will catch my eye at the grocery store. Into the cart it goes, a lovely escape from the busy season. I also adore Hallmark Channel's original Christmas movies. They're delightful!

If you're looking for a FREE cozy Christmas read, you can check out my contemporary Christmas novella, A Cradle for Christmas, which is featured on Harlequin.com's Online Reads for Love Inspired. Every Monday a new chapter releases until the final segment December 26, 2016. Here are the links to the chapters released so far.

A CRADLE FOR CHRISTMAS

With just days to go until Christmas, Heather Springfield is nine months pregnant and all alone. So she escapes to her family’s old cabin in Michigan. The happiest summers of her life were spent there…all until that last one that ruined everything. But she’ll have to do her best to focus on her baby and avoid Mason Aldridge, the boy next door and the one who got away

Mason’s never forgotten the sweet girl who once held his heart. So when Heather arrives one snowy night, her very pregnant belly triggers a fresh round of regrets. If things had been different, he might have been the man fortunate enough to call her and the baby his. But in the spirit of the season, forgiveness is in the air, and two old friends may just find their way to the best Christmas gift of all—a brand-new family.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapters 5-8 release each Monday until December 26, 2016!

***

My December 2016 Love Inspired is in stores now!!

Yuletide Redemption

A Mother's Christmas Wish

Click HERE for purchase links, Pinterest board, reviews and more!

What were your favorite Christmas books?

Time Out Thursday - Looking Back at 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia Williams) — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Pink Heart Society columnist Barb Han is talking about the year she's had...

The end of 2016 is only weeks away. I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on this year. I guess it’s that time—time to look back, enjoy memories and evaluate. Soon, we’ll ring in a New Year—2017—and trying not to write 2016 as the date. LOL

I’ll make a list of Resolutions (do you make them, too?) and decide which ones I’ll tackle. I’ve found over the years a resolution that makes the list every year but I don’t make time for has to be examined closely. If it doesn’t end up being that important to me, it gets tossed off the list forever. If it is, I resolve even more to accomplish it. Having a book published made my list five consecutive years before I made the time to sit down and write my first. Learning to surf, on the other hand, has been crossed off the list forever. It’s just not that important to me and it’s time to let the ‘this might be fun’ idea go.

But before I do that, it’s time to check the rearview…

There were trips:

A quick visit to Austin to celebrate my oldest son’s birthday in March.

The next trip was June when my daughter accompanied me on a work trip to New York (one of my favorite places in the world!) to spend a day with the Book Obsessed Chicks at their annual Beach Bash.

Followed by another trip to New York, this time with middle son for a weekend in the fall. He attended a Gaming event while I met with bloggers (pictured here with Jennifer Butler).

We added to the family:

At the beginning of summer, we took on a rescue puppy. He’s nine-months-old now (pictured on the right) and comes in at around sixty-pounds. Best of all, he’s settling into his personality and (more importantly) we survived the puppy stage!

On the career front, this has been one of my best years yet. I wrote seven books and played around with two additional story ideas, which I’m cultivating now. I had four releases. the Mason Ridge series ended and the Cattlemen Crime Club series kicked off in summer. The third book in that series hits stores Christmas week. ONE TOUGH TEXAN is almost here!

I had the honor of spending very special time with readers at The Annual Buns & Roses Romance Tea for Literacy in October. We set a record, raising more than $20,000 for literacy in a single weekend!

Not everything was as joyous. We lost two cherished friends in almost back-to-back car crashes early on. Both are still deeply missed and they are never far from our thoughts.

My oldest spent the summer in Europe, trying to secure a postdoc position (fingers crossed one of those leads pans out for him) and he’s been so busy that I’ve hardly seen him this year. I hope we have more time together in 2017. And if he ends up working overseas after May’s graduation, well, my Passport is up-to-date. :)

With another year almost in the books, it’s almost time to put the past behind and make plans for a new year. I hope the rest of 2016 is filled with good food, even better wine and the best of times!

Now, it’s your turn. Tell me about significant events in your life this year.

Barb's latest novel, One Tough Texan, is available to preorder now, and is out on the 20th December:

Small-town Texas with high-stakes risks

Alice Green lives with ghosts. A rogue cop whose mistake led to the loss of a young girl's parents, Alice is haunted by the decisions that halted her sterling career. And now the same girl who lost her parents has been abducted. And Alice will stop at nothing to find her.

Joshua O'Brien doesn't want to tell his brothers—fellow inheritors of his deceased parents' ranch—that he has bigger plans. Applying to work for the FBI brings the possibility of an exciting and illustrious career. But when he meets Alice, whose beauty is only surpassesd by her brain, it doesn't take long for things to heat up. And while helping her crack a case might save a life…it could also cost him his own.

You can find out more about Barb Han's writing on her website and Goodreads. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for regular updates and pretty pics!

The Pink Heart Society

WE HAVE MOVED!

You can find the brand shiny new PHS athttp://www.pinkheartsociety.com

Time Out Thursday: Hobbies? What Hobbies?

Talk Time Tuesdaywith Jenna Kernan

Today The Pink Heart Society welcomes columnist Jenna Kernan, who has some great tips for starting off the New Year right! Take it away, Jenna--

6 Guilt-Free Snacks for the New Year!

1. Unsweetened Greek Yogurt and Walnuts

2. Beat the Sweet with Hazelnuts

3. Wonderfully Salty and Low in Fat

5. Tutu Fruity

6. Egg-cellent source of Protein

Male on Monday : I'm Holding Out For a Hero

#WriterWednesday: Putting In The Work

Twenty-something ice queen Sabrina Smith enjoys fame and fortune writing about her life of celibacy. The fact she's the Oldest Living (Supposed) Virgin in Vegas? Just keeps her readers interested in how she juggles dating in Sin City.

Talk Time Tuesday: Male Beauty versus the Intensity of the Beast by Melinda Curtis

Crafting Characters

Talk Time Tuesday: Rating the Guys on Grey's Anatomy

Writer's Wednesday: All the More Unfamiliar Places

Talk Time Tuesday - Calendars with Kate Walker

Talk-Time Tuesday - An Ode to Jilly Cooper

Male on Monday -- The Men You Meet

Weekend Wildcard: A Few of Kristina's Favorite Books

Twenty-something ice queen Sabrina Smith enjoys fame and fortune writing about her life of celibacy. The fact she's the Oldest Living (Supposed) Virgin in Vegas? Just keeps her readers interested in how she juggles dating in Sin City.

Gathering a Crowd? Italian Nachos Recipe by Melinda Curtis

Time Out Thursday with Jeannie Watt

Male On Monday- The Unexpected

Weekend Wildcard: Barbara Wallace - Gearing up for 2017

WEEKEND WILDCARD: Heidi Rice's Writing Year in Pictures and Tweets

Christmas Romance Novels

Time Out Thursday - Writer Movies to Love!

A Little Something: Winter Drinks

A Little Something for the Weekend - Weekend Wind-Down

Friday Fun: Cozy Christmas Reads!

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Yuletide Redemption

Time Out Thursday - Looking Back at 2016

You can find the brand shiny new PHS at
http://www.pinkheartsociety.com