Happy Friday!
Need a little inspiration? A new photo posts every Friday. Please be sure to check out the artist. They are linked below the image.
All my best!
~ Angela
Friday, August 29, 2025
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
CELEBRATING WITH MY HERO
Hi everyone!
Just a quick post to let you know there won't be an Author Spotlight or Review Wednesday this week.
I'm celebrating 41 years with my hero.
All my best!
~ Angela
Monday, August 25, 2025
Friday, August 22, 2025
FRIDAY PHOTO
Happy Friday!
Need a little inspiration? A new photo posts every Friday. Please be sure to check out the artist. They are linked below the image.
Photo courtesy Pixabay
All my best!
~ Angela
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
REVIEW WEDNESDAY
Good morning, readers.
Normally, you would see a book review today. However, I can not in good consciousness provide one/
Always Falling Behind does not fit the parameters of my content.
A lesson is learned from this, however.
When considering a cover for your book, think about the content you are representing.
At the very least, I interpreted this cover to be if not a sweet romance, a chic-lit. We see a heroine in front of a classic mansion. If you want to know how the chicken plays into this story, you'll need to read the book. 'Amy' the chicken is seriously the cutest part of the whole book.
The first one hundred pages of the book seemed to follow a chic-lit formula with a 'knight in shining armor' trope. By the time I got to about one hundred and seventy, the author slipped from the basic trope (with some early sex scenes I could overlook) to the heroine dropping her name from Abigail to Abby ( just for him) and her pet name for him became 'Daddy'. From there it was a slippery slope to phone sex in a way that made me want to vomit.
I'm not a prude, by any means. But I don't believe, even in roll playing, Daddy should be having sex with his little girl.
Unless that's something you're in to, then I do NOT suggest reading this book.
I promise to bring you a good read next week.
All my best!
~Angela
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Beth Gelman
Good morning, readers!
Popping in a tad late but at least it's still Tuesday, right? LOL
This week, we're getting to know Beth Gelman:
Here's a bit about Beth:
The sassy and sensational
Beth Gelman loves to pull your heartstrings and get you riled up with her
books. She has earned honorable mentions at The Bookfest Awards. In addition,
Eight Crazy One Night Stands made her an #1 Amazon Best Selling Author. The BookFest
2025 Awards has graciously awarded Beth a first-place award for her work on
Never Getting Ahead in both Romantic Comedy and Contemporary Multicultural.
Beth brings the steam in her contemporary romances about women who speak up,
take what's theirs, and embrace their wild side. Authentic, resilient, loyal,
and spiritual, she’s not afraid to learn, fail, speak her mind, or try new
things. More importantly, she loves her husband, twins, and all the dogs in the
world!
I came across Beth while scanning Amazon for a book for this week. I'll be reviewing FALLING BEHIND - the first of two books in the Dazed & Confused series. I also have some special news about this book, so make sure you come back tomorrow.
In the mean time, you'll find Beth by clicking any of the links below. Also if you are in Michigan, make sure to check out her
All my best!
~ Angela
Monday, August 18, 2025
Friday, August 15, 2025
FRIDAY PHOTO
Happy Friday!
Need a little inspiration? A new photo posts every Friday. Please be sure to check out the artist. They are linked below the image.
Courtesy of Sophie07
Pixabay
All my best!
~ Angela
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
REVIEW WEDNESDAY
Good morning, readers.
I have a treat for you today.
I had the pleasure of visiting with the author, Amy Lillard, in June at the Between The Pages conference. Sweet gal and it shows in her writing.
I read one of her most recent Amish romance books, One More Time For Joy.
BLURB:
In this uplifting
inspirational romance series, award-winning author Amy Lillard unites a “Widows
Club” of women who share solace, friendship, faith—and mouthwatering Whoopie
Pies—in the Amish community of Paradise Valley, Missouri. Will appeal to fans of
Charlotte Hubbard, Molly Jebber, Susan Lantz Simpson, and Kelly Long.
At the heart of a Missouri Amish community, a circle of caring friends—the Widows’ Club of Paradise Valley—sees each other through life’s storms, in this uplifting series from award-winning author Amy Lillard . . .
Joy Lehman has pressed on faithfully since losing her husband, raising their children and running a thriving bakery alone. Even caring for her oldest son, Johnny—seriously injured after a fall—has not shaken her fierce independence. Johnny will walk again, she’s sure. Until then, a meeting of the Widows’ Club at her home makes it clear that Joy must consider some costly renovations. Her brother-in-law, Uriah, is happy to provide the lumber and the labor—if Joy will accept his help.
Uriah understands family challenges—he’s a widower himself, and father to four daughters. Yet he can see that Joy’s struggle lies deeper than house repairs, in learning to accept an altered future for her son. As Uriah’s daughters begin helping in the bakery, and Joy and Uriah’s bond grows deeper, a new possibility glows bright—the unexpected happiness that lies in embracing one strong, united family, filled with support and love . . .
There are three things that drew me to this book, specifically:
* I live in the area where there are several Amish families. Their simple life always intrigues me. I'm not sure I could live that simplistically, and if you know me at all then you know their religion and mine differ - a lot.
* I love Amish romance books, in general. You can't get much more clean than an Amish love story.
* Second chances at love have my heart and what I write.
With those things in mind, One More Time For Joy was a must read for me. I loved the concept of the Widows Club; a group of women who'd all known loss of a spouse. One even four times! I can't imagine losing Bob. At my age, I wouldn't start over but in other stories you find that some of these women do just that. Such strength.
Joy thought her strength was in her ability to make a new life for herself and her children, including Johnny B. She's told he'll never walk again. Whether it truly is her faith or something just doesn't want to acknowledge, she is determined to believe he will walk again.
Between running a bakery from her basement, caring for Johnny B and her other three children while trying to be everything to everyone, she is flat wore out! But she keeps putting one foot forward every day, beginning at 4 a.m. She has to. She doesn't have anyone.
Her brother-in-law, Uriah starts out helping her with things his brother might have done, to be a help-mate for her. Widower with four girls of his own, he knows how hard being a single parent is. I loved that these two came together. How Uriah slowly blends them together and becomes the man Johnny B and Christopher need in their life.
There is a lot to this story that just makes me smile. The only issue I had was late in the book when Joy comes home and hears voices from Johnny B's dawdihaus (basically an efficiency apartment) and the door is closed. From what I understand of the Amish, mixed couples wouldn't be 'behind closed doors' alone. I think the opportunity was missed for Joy to tap on the door and make sure the door was kept open in mixed company.
For that little piece, I'm giving One More Time For Joy...
.8
You'll find more of Amy's books and about her by following the links below.
WEBSITE INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE GOOD READS
PINTEREST COZYMYSTERY BOOK BUB
All my best!
~ Angela
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Amy Lillard
Good morning, readers!
I met today's author at the Between the Pages conference in Springfield MO back in June. What a delightful woman and an excellent speaker. She spoke on getting back to the basics of romance, as well as how Christian and Clean are all the rage in romance as well as the ins and outs of book award programs and professional reviews. A TON of great information.
Let me introduce you to Amy Lillard:
Amy loves nothing more
than a good book. Except for her family...and maybe homemade tacos...and nail
polish. But reading and writing are definitely high on the list.
Born and bred in Mississippi, Amy is a transplanted Southern Belle who now lives in Oklahoma with her deputy husband, their genius son, two spoiled cats, and one very lazy beagle. Oh, and don't forget the stray kitty that has taken up residence on her front porch. ^..^
When she's not creating quirky characters and happy endings, she's chauffeuring her prodigy to guitar lessons, orchestra concerts and baseball practice. She has a variety of hobbies, but her favorite is whatever gets her out of housework. She is also a big Chiefs fan.
Amy also writes contemporary romances under the pen name Amie Louellen.
An award winning author,
Amy is a member of RWA and ACFW. She loves to hear from readers. You can find
her on Instagram, Goodreads, and Pinterest. For
links to the various sites, check the links below.
Tomorrow, I'll be reviewing One More Time For Joy - Book 3 in the Paradise Valley series.
In the mean time, please click on any of the links below to learn more about Amy Lillard.
WEBSITE INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE GOOD READS
PINTEREST COZYMYSTERY BOOK BUB
All my best!
~ Angela
Monday, August 11, 2025
Friday, August 8, 2025
FRIDAY PHOTO
Happy Friday!
Need a little inspiration? A photo posts every Friday to jumpstart your writing.
Photo courtesy of HanxSony
Pixabay
All my best!
~ Angela
Thursday, August 7, 2025
CONFERENCES INFORMATION - Repost Link
Good morning, friends!
Just a quick reminder the Ozark Creative Writers Conference is the second weekend in October. Early Bird Registration closes August 31.
Don't miss out on this great conference.
The block of rooms at Inn of the Ozarks fill up fast so make sure you call. If they're full, they can offer great recommendations for other places - all within a couple of minutes drive from the conference center.
You'll find all the details in THIS BLOG POST
All my best!
~ Angela
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Dandelion Serenade
Good morning, readers.
I have a really good, quick read for you today.
BLURB:
Lauren Juniper and Nathan
Brickner were once inseparable. Summers by the creek, winters sledding, and
dandelion wishes made from childhood dreams. He wanted to chase the world. She
chose the gentle allure of the town that had always known her.
Eight years ago, Nathan left Dogwood Creek chasing after adventure. Lauren stayed behind, building a life rooted in her vintage flower shop. Suddenly, he’s back—no longer the boy who once brought her dandelions to wish on, but a successful bridge engineer leading the town’s project to replace the old stone bridge that has always been the heart of their community.
To the town, it’s progress.
To Lauren, it’s personal.
Her grandparents got engaged on that bridge!
As she fights to keep the charm the bridge has always had, she finds herself face-to-face with the man who broke her heart—and still knows exactly how to make it skip a beat. Nathan sees safety and innovation. Lauren sees memory and meaning. But somewhere in the clash of old and new, the spark between them flickers to life once more.
Like dandelion wishes caught on the wind, can they gather the scattered seeds of love and rebuild the trust they lost, or are some hearts too withered to open again?
I really enjoyed this book, and not because I know the author personally.
The story is well- crafted. Lauren and Nathan have very similar personalities. At the core they both had the same dream, Nathan just didn't realize it at eighteen. All he could see was getting out of their small town, building a life with prestige and fancy cars. What he failed to realize was he could lose the most important part of his life by walking away from Lauren to pursue those 'things'.
Lauren, on the other hand, is happy in her home town, the memories, friends and the life she grew up in. Well, as happy as she can be when Nathan walks away. She can't put all the blame on Nathan. In a sense she walked away from them, too by not replying to his efforts to contact her.
If you're looking for a quick read, a sweet Christian romance, then you have it in Dandelion Serenade. Lori Soard has crafted a beautiful story you will want to read.
Dandelion Serenade is Book 4 in the 5-Book Dogwood Creek Matchmakers series.
Book 1 - Chasing Snowflakes - Lori Soard
Book 2 - An Early Spring - JoAnn Durgin
Book 3 - Love In Bloom - Lisa Prysock
Book 4 - Coming Soon!
I'm giving Dandelion Serenade ...
You'll find out more about Lori by checking out any of the links below.
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Lori Soard
Good morning, readers.
Happy Tuesday!
Lori Soard and I go way back to my first days on the internet with AOL and writing workshops. I had been attending her weekly workshop for several months when she approached me about having my own workshop... and The Writer's Zone was born.
If I remember correctly, Lori's workshop met on Tuesday nights. Mine ran on Wednesdays. When AOL decided our services were no long needed, so to speak, all of us AOL leaders in the writing community went our separate ways. Lori and I teamed up again in Yahoo Groups with World_Romance_Readers and World_Romance_Writers. After several years, Lori passed those groups on to me so she could focus on family and other things at the time. ( Both gone by the wayside with YahooGroups).
When she first became published, I was one of her street team members.
Let's see what Lori has to share:
Lori Soard has a Ph.D. in
Journalism and Creative Writing but she's hardly the stuffy, professor type.
Her romantic comedies have received rave reviews from Romantic Times Magazine.
She co-founded World Romance Writers. Her undergraduate degree was in education
and she home schools her daughters and teaches at a cottage school one day a
week. In her spare time, Lori enjoys singing and taking her two dogs for walks.
The entire family loves basketball, going to the movies, and traveling. She
loves to hear from her readers. You can email her through her website at
lorisoard.com or connect on social media.
I'll be reviewing her newest release, Dandelion Serenade, tomorrow. In the mean time you can click on any of the following links to learn more. I especially encourage you to check out the link from CanvasRebel.
All my best!
~ Angela
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