Love Finds You on Christmas Morning

Here's a sneak peek at the Christmas anthology Trish Perry and I wrote. The characters in my historical and her contemporary novellas are related. Enjoy!




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National Take Your Dog to Work Day

Photo by Seemann on Morguefile.com

Today is officially National Take Your Dog to Work Day. I find this amusing and rather ludicrous because no employer I’ve ever worked for has allowed pets in the office, unless they’re service dogs.

I work at home, so everyday is “take your pet to work day” for me. I used to have a dog and two cats, and they dutifully sat by my feet, staring up at me lovingly, hoping for a rub and a treat. My dog and one of my cats have passed on, but I still have one kitty that naps while I work.

In Noah’s Ark, the first book in my West Virginia series that will be repackaged as a 3-in-l entitled Appalachian Weddings, the hero is a veterinarian, so of course he had pets in his office all day. I’ve enjoyed hearing from readers who related to some of the experiences my characters had.

I wonder how many companies will acknowledge National Take Your Dog to Work Day and encourage employees to celebrate with their best furry friends.

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First Day of Summer

Photo by Jimmunnelly on Morguefile.com



As hot as it’s been in the Southeast, it’s hard to believe that summer has just arrived. Yep, that’s right, June 21 is officially the first day of summer.

This is the time of year thoughts turn to relaxing, going on vacation, heading for the water (pool, beach, garden hose), and playing outside. In most places in the U.S. days are longer.

I love many things about summer, including long walks on the beach, relaxing and reading romance novels or fun women’s fiction, eating ice cream cones quickly so they don’t melt, and hearing the sounds of crickets and frogs every night around sunset. I’m not crazy about the mosquitos and sweltering days when my clothes stick to my back, but nothing is perfect.

What are some of the things you look forward to doing during the summer? If you are looking for a fun beach read, try my novels Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida, and Sweet Baklava, both set on the West Coast of Florida.


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Happy "Eat Your Vegetables Day"!

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Moms, dads, and health-conscious people will be happy to know that today is Eat Your Vegetables Day! There’s no better time than now to purchase fresh produce to serve cooked your favorite way. Steamed, boiled, roasted, broiled, or baked, vegetables are good for you.

If you have finicky kids, bring them to the grocery store and let them help select fresh veggies. Encourage them to choose a vegetable in each color, which will provide a wide variety of nutrients. Then when it’s time to prepare dinner, get creative and celebrate!

In my latest book Sweet Baklava, I have Greek recipes that include fresh vegetables – both cooked and raw. Look for Sweet Baklava anywhere books are sold. You can find it at Barnes and Noble, Books a Million, Cokesbury, Family Christian, CBD, or Amazon.

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Happy "Worldwide Knit in Public Day"!

Everyone has a special day to celebrate, including knitters! Today is officially Worldwide Knit in Public Day, so pull out your knitting needles and yard and go somewhere to show folks what you’re up to.

Back in 2005, Danielle Landes began the Worldwide Knit in Public Day to encourage knitters to get together and enjoy this as a social hobby. Get your friends together or use this as an opportunity to make new friends for a day of knitting. Plan an outing to your favorite coffee shop, restaurant, or community hall, knowing you’re in good company since knitters in the U.S., Canada, Australia, England, France, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and South Africa are celebrating too!

At the end of the long day, settle into your most comfortable chair and read The Knitting Diaries by authors Debbie Macomber, Christina Skye, and Susan Mallery.

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Happy Best Friend's Day!

Although I always appreciate having pals I can confide in and hang out with, June 8 is the official day to celebrate your best friend! If you haven’t already, take some time to show this special person how important she/he is.

Here are some ideas to celebrate:
• Call your childhood best friend and talk as long as you need to catch up on everything.
• Send a card to your best friend letting her know how much you value the friendship.
• Schedule a spa day to relax and enjoy time with your best friend.
• If you have more than one best friend, have a potluck and enjoy the feast.
• If you don’t have a best friend, join a group or take a class to meet people so you can have a best friend to celebrate with next year.


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Happy National Rocky Road Day!

Chocolate ice cream is delicious, but add nuts and marshmallows for over-the-moon sensory pleasure!

I am delighted (and drooling) to announce that June 2 is National Rocky Road Day! Could there be a yummier holiday?

For those who don’t know what rocky road is, I’ll tell you. It is possibly the MOST delicious flavor of ice cream ever invented. Well, maybe ONE of the most because I haven’t met an ice cream flavor I don’t like. Rocky road ice cream offers a mix of chocolate ice cream, nuts, and tiny marshmallows to create a flavor sensation unlike any other. I also love the variety of textures—with smoothness and crunch that will send any ice cream lover into orbit with every bite.

I want to pause for a moment to remember William Dreyer (founder of Dreyer’s Ice Cream) who created this delicious concoction after the stock market crash in 1929. He knew exactly how to ease the pain.


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