Romancing the Genres: December

Showing posts with label December. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

‘Tis The Season for Holiday Romances ..... ..... ..... by Debora (Deb) Noone w/a Delsora Lowe

I think I have been doing more reading than writing lately. It didn’t help the writing cause to have my computer in the shop for almost three weeks. Now trying to get back in writing mode with only a week before my daughter and her family arrive for the holidays and “camp out” at my son’s house, about a forty-minute drive away. Presents, menu planning, and reserving time to see family will be priority for the next few weeks. Plus, getting to a few varsity hockey games for my in-state grandson.

Having said that, my Kindle will be my respite.

As usual, I have purchased more holiday books than I can read before 2025 roars in. But I am one to read holiday books all year round – especially in the colder, darker months of January and February. And I love reading holiday books for other holidays through the year.

I also love writing holiday short romances. I was privileged to sell both an Easter and a Thanksgiving story to Woman’s World this year – one of my BIG writing goals for 2024. Fingers crossed... I hope to release a book with short romances (around an 8-minute read for each,) sometime in 2025!

Here’s to Happy Holidays to all! And don’t forget to start thinking about personal and professional goals for 2025.

Books I have read so far:

December 2, 2024

November 25, 2024

November 11, 2024

November 14, 2024

December 16, 2019

November 18, 2024

November 4, 2024

November 1, 2024

Books I plan to read ASAP:
And… I am sure I may spot a few more that I want to send to my e-reader before 2024 ends. As I said, a sucker for holiday romances.

November 5, 2019

November 8, 2022

September 11, 2024

And to help with holiday prep - the 2nd edition cookie cookbook for the Dicken's series - ENJOY!

October 31, 2024

Do you love reading holiday books?

Do you set personal goals at the beginning of each new year? And do you try to stick to them? Or run out of paying attention to goals before the year is out?

In case you are interested in another holiday book or three…

Holiday Hitchhiker

Amazon

Books 2 Read

The Inn on Gooseneck Lane
also in print

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Apple

Come Dance with Me

Amazon

Books2Read

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine (most recently, an Easter romance in the April 1, 2024 edition.) The Love Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella with Book 2 on the way. A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker – the youngest brother of the Mineral Spring’s ranching family) were the most recent releases. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, to be released in 2025.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Head in the Clouds - Where do you get your inspiration? ............................ by Delsora Lowe

Being a writer can be tough sometimes.

Not because of the work that goes into every piece we write, whether it is a short blog, a poem, or an entire novel. But because our imagination NEVER stops.

Too many ideas. Not enough time in the universe to make all those words sing and deliver a message.

Not long ago, I drove by a sign that indicated a consignment shop. I immediately wrote a 5-minute short story in my head, as I drove. I have since drafted out one I will eventually send to Woman’s World, after I edit it a zillion times.

Recently, I visited my son who lives about forty-five minutes away. He lives just outside a small village. I emerged from the car to a greeting from a black cow mooing. Moooo. Moooo.

And then the other cows answered back. Moooo. Next door is a big white barn, and my son’s house is surrounded by farmland. We often see wild turkeys or deer, and once a bear. Another time, while eating dinner, a fox strolled through the back yard, right past the window by the dining room table. Today, as we drove back to his house, a red-tailed hawk flew right over the car. And as I left about ten minutes later, that same (I assume) hawk flew back over my car in the opposite direction.

I know there is a story in there somewhere with all this wildlife and domestic animal neighbors, including my grand-dog Yaz who loves to greet his human grammy—even if it is a short piece for my weekly local writers’ group or an idea for a children’s book.

Snuggling in - my disguise - so no one knows I'm sitting on the couch,

As I cruised past the tiny nearby village, there are many rural roads that arrow off the two-lane main road. Some leading to one house and some to a small complex of houses. I love the names of the roads. They always trigger ideas. One is Turkey Trot Lane, and another little lane is named Pumpkin Way. Story ideas immediately swam through the creative side of my brain, as I repeated over and over Turkey Trot Lane and Pumpkin Way on my drive home. I didn’t want to forget any story ideas swimming through my head, since I couldn’t stop and make notes.

For a split second I envisioned a trilogy—each book title and theme based around these two street names, plus other fun names of streets that arrow off along that same stretch of road. My brain didn't have enough bandwidth to memorize more than two street names.

Now I’ve jotted notes and hopped on the computer to record thoughts before they disappear. Conjuring up story ideas that happen around Halloween and Thanksgiving, and even into the month of December.

Will Turkey Trot Lane and Pumpkin Way be locations in one story? Or will each be the title of a stand-alone story? It is hard to say. Until my fingers do the walking across the keyboard, who knows where the musings living in my mind will take me.

But let me remind you that a book I wrote several years ago (The Inn on Gooseneck Lane) and, published by The Wild Rose Press in 2022, is titled and based around a street sign (Gooseneck Lane.) I passed the tiny lane in the middle of nowhere, while cruising a back road in Vermont.

I played with story ideas in my head for the next few hours, driving back to Maine.

So, who knows what stories the next two street signs will lead to as I write.

The creative murmurings that leave my brain as story ideas, are usually channeled through my fingers. Many times, as I reread what I wrote, I am as surprised at what ends up on the page as a potential reader will be.

So, if you are looking for signs or inspiration, don’t forget those street names that may be inspiration and turn into one more story—whether it is a short story, a novella, a novel, an essay, or a poem.

And if you are in the car and can’t write down your idea, repeat the inspirational phrase (or street sign) over and over until you can pull to the side of the road and write down your idea. Yes, it works!

Whether you are a writer or enjoy artistic hobbies,

where do you get your ideas?

Holiday Hitchhiker

Amazon (also in print)

Books2Read

The Inn on Gooseneck Lane

Amazon (also in print)

Barnes & Noble (also in print)

Apple Books (also in print)

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Photo Attributions:
Imagination: https://clipart-library.com/imagination-cliparts.html
Thinking: thinking face icon yellow PNG file 9687643 PNG
Dog on Couch, Neighborhood, Cows, Road Sign: Photos taken by author

Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Monday, December 11, 2023

Revisiting December Past!

Instagram * Amazon * Website * Facebook * Twitter/X

Marcia King-Gamble

Be warned this is a repost with a few updates. The first edition was written in 2021 when we were coming out of COVID. Not that we actually ever did. Today we've learned to live with it. So, as we wrap up the year, I want to wish all my readers, happiness, health and good cheer .

Greetings from The Big Easy!

Yes, you guessed it. I’m in New Orleans, and it’s beginning to feel a whole lot like Christmas up here.

A great start to the day was breakfast at The Ruby Slipper. Gotta love that name. Shrimp and French toast never tasted so good and washing it down with a Bellini and a custom made latte, added more than a spot of joy.

Next stop, the French Market for gifts you’d never find in Florida. Of course NOLA being Nola I had to experience a fun parade. This one came complete with a marching band, a stilt walker, and several of Santa’s elves. Music always makes it easy to get into a holiday mood.

So, what’s new with me? By Design has a new cover. Doesn’t any romantic, holiday story need a festive dress. Take a peek here https://amzn.to/3EpwYBP and tell me if the artist did it justice.

Another brand new holiday story is Kwanzaa ‘pon A Time. You can find both at Amazon and Barnes and Noble at these links: https://amzn.to/3CdcSZP and here https://bit.ly/3InpnWK.

Here’s an excerpt from Kwanzaa ‘pon A time.

Mac pushed up his sleeve, showing Elan the tattoo that matched.

“You already have a best man,” Fergie quickly interjected. She and Jen exchanged looks.

“Oh, Cory won’t mind. He didn’t want to be in the wedding party anyway. This solves two issues and now Fergie has a date.”

She was going to strangle her brother. Punch him in his good eye. Last Christmas, as the lyrics in the background said, she’d given him her heart. This year he’d given it away to a stranger. The ingrate had just made her sound like some desperate loser who couldn’t find a date on her own. Elan more than anyone should know she’d been too busy breathing life back into him to cultivate a relationship. She’d been so intent on taking care of him that she couldn’t make anyone she met work. She’d buried herself in him.

“But I do mind,” Fergie said, “You’re palming me off on your friend without consulting either of us.”

“This is perfect,” her traitorous brother said, “You need an escort. Cory would rather be with his girlfriend at the ceremony, and Mac here is single. Besides, we promised each other. A promise is a promise.”

“Bradley escorting me isn’t part of that promise.”

Could it get an any worse? Elan was making her sound like a hard-up spinster. She wanted to crawl under the newly decorated tree and shrivel up.

Jen tossed Fergie a sympathetic look and attempted to shush up Elan, but Elan would not be shushed.

“I’ve got another idea,” Elan said, obliviously. “No need to be holed up in your excuse for a hotel. Move in with Fergie. She’s got plenty of space. Jen and I will come over and help you move.”

New this year are my Kindle Vella efforts. The first three episodes are free. Find HotShot Doc here: ASIN: B0CB1TWHCY

Also writing as Sari Smith on Kindle Vella. Estate of Mine found here: ASIN:B0CC8HWQ52

Happy Holidays All!

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Celebrating the Seasons Reading Holiday Romances … Delsora Lowe

We celebrate many sacred holidays in December…among them Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Thanksgiving is over. And New Year’s Eve is ahead of us. I am sure I have missed many sacred celebrations. But since this is not what my blog is about this month, I’ll not give you a rundown.

Instead, I have given you another list of holiday books I have read this season, or plan to continue to read in December and into the new year. And this list doesn't include the holiday books on my WISH LIST! Yes, I do love holiday-themed books

As stated in last month’s list, the books mentioned below are not listed as recommendations, but as books I read, that are written by authors I know, new authors whom I wished to try, as well as covers and titles that caught my eye. Exploring holidays that I know little about has been a fun, learning experience, especially when seen through the lens of romance.

I hope everyone has a lovely holiday, no matter what or how you celebrate.

Feel free to leave your own suggestions, in the comments,
about holiday romance books
you enjoy at this time of the year!

THE LIST of BOOKS I READ

Thanksgiving (Oct 2009) – Janet Evanovich

A fun family romp over Thanksgiving, after two meet in a most unconventional way. Throw in a wool-eating rabbit, an “abandoned” baby, two cars destined for the junk yard, a self-absorbed fiancé who jilted the heroine, insecurities, lust, love, a pregnant horse, interfering moms, and the charm of Williamsburg and you have a recipe for a holiday Rom Com.

No Ordinary Christmas (Sept 2021) – Belle Calhoune

An unexpected, and not necessarily welcome, Christmas reunion. Old love, new sparks fanning the embers remaining from lost love, and a little help from the small-town busybodies. Will the spirit of the season bring the two back together?

Eight Nights of Apricot Cookies (Nov 2021) – Roni Denholtz

As Erica cleans out her grandmother's home, she searches for her favorite holiday apricot cookie recipe. With a little help from the neighbor, who also adored her grandmother and loved the same cookies, they start on a quest to find the recipe before the end of 8 days of Hanukkah. And a recipe at the end of the book!

From This Moment (Nov 2021) – Melody Grace

Friends to lovers on the rebound. Can a self-proclaimed bachelor and man-about-town allow himself to find true love? And will his best friend trust him enough to let him get close?

Red Velvet Crinkles and Christmas Sprinkles (Nov 2021) – Maria Imblazano

Fired and at a loss, Bella returns home only to find her parents need help in their shop over the holiday season. She's thrown together with her high school crush—the one who both betrayed her and motivated her as a teen—to help save the business, as she works to save her career. A fun journey through the world of retail during the holidays. And a recipe at the end of the book!

A Sailor’s Perfect Christmas (Nov 2021) – Dari Laroche

As Alex takes over his father's marine salvage business, he is tasked to plan a holiday company party. When he meets the perfect woman, whose job in education allows her time off during the holidays, she pitches in. Spending quality time together leads to a holiday romance.

If Snowflakes Were Forever: A MacLeod's Cove Novella (Dec 2021) – Luanna Stewart

A delightful and fun romp of a story about two characters, each in isolation, on a journey of discovery about their own lives. Until their worlds collide and they find the journey may be more interesting together.

Let It Snow (Oct 2019) – Nancy Thayer

A story of friendships, work buddies, and finding love, new friends, and forgiveness at Christmas, amidst the lovely scenery of island life on Nantucket.

Kwanzaa Angel (July 2012) – Shirley Hailstock

The nightmare from her high school years is back in town, and he keeps showing up at every town Kwanzaa celebration. The chemistry is hot. She’s a successful business woman looking to expand, but he betrays her a second time – this time through his own business dealings. Can they find a way to make their growing love work this time before he heads home after the week of Kwanzaa celebrations?

Christmas in the Duke’s Arms (Dec 2021) – Julie Johnstone

An unrequited love and a marriage of convenience merge into a lovely romance between two who are so different and wary of the other. But each brings out the best in the other and love wins out!

Yours ‘Til Midnight: A Kwanzaa Kisses Holiday (Book ONE of 9 books by different authors released individually during December 2021) – Jailaa West

A very spicey, Cinderella quick read, where the hero is left with no clues to follow in order to find the woman he falls in love with, at first sight.

Caught Up in Candy Cane Kisses (Dec 2021) – Shannon Robinson

A second chance at love with the help of a few matchmakers and a cookie baking / fundraiser contest. And a recipe at the end of the book!

Scoring Over the Holidays: A Holiday Sports Anthology (Dec 2021) – Sierra Hall, Alexia Chase, Alexis
Anne, Cathryn Fox, Daniela Romero, Kimberly Readnour, Lisa Lang Blakeney, Megan Ryder, Melissa Ivers, Mira Lyn Kelly

Holiday stories featuring sports stars. The stories run from hot to sweet.

One Christmas Wish (Oct 2021) – Brenda Jackson

Two people, both heartbroken for different reasons, find someone who listens and shares. But both are off-limits for different reasons. Heartwarming tale of loss and finding second chances through trust and love.

It’s Christmas Cowboy (The Sons of Chance) (Nov 2021) – Vicki Lewis Thompson

A quick read of second chances and unrequited love that brings two together to celebrate Christmas Eve after being stranded in a cozy cabin during a blizzard.

Kisses and Lemon Snowflake Cookies (Christmas Cookies) (Dec 2021) - N. Jade Gray

A self-conscious out-of-towner, helps her aunt in her bakery and meets the Mr. July fireman of the fundraiser calendar fame, who also doesn’t have much confidence when it comes to women, in the cute holiday match-maker story. It helps that said fireman loves lemon snowflake cookies. And a recipe at the end of the book!

Sleigh Bells Ring (Oct 2021) – RaeAnne Thayne

Childhood friends reconnect to find true love, as one family is ready to move on from the ranch owned by
their recently deceased grandfather, while the other is invested in a property she has no hold on. Against all odds, can they make true love work?

Kwanzaa ‘Pon a Time (Nov 2021) – Marcia King-Gamble

Meeting her brother’s best friend, from their service in Afghanistan, pushes every button the heroine thought true. But stuck together over the Christmas holiday, as maid of honor and best man for her brother’s Kwanzaa wedding, she soon finds the truth and true love.

The Christmas Escape (Oct 2021) – Sarah Morgan

A multi-layered journey about relationships: childhood best friends, marriage, career choices, all in the spectacular settings of London, the British countryside, and the remote Lapland in Scandinavia.

TOO MANY BOOKS, TOO LITTLE TIME: BOOKS I PLAN to READ

A Cowboy’s Christmas (The McGavin Brothers, Book 6) (Nov 2017) – Vicki Lewis Thompson

Duke the Halls (Nov 2021) – anthology with Christi Caldwell, Jennifer Ashley, Anna Bradley, Grace Burrowes, Kerrigan Byrne. Tanya Anne Crosby. (Six historical stories about love during the holidays.)

A Sweetwater Canyon Holiday Trio (Dec 2017) – Maggie Lynch

Christmas Holiday House (Oct 2020) – RaeAnne Thayne

Candleglow and Mistletoe (Oct 2016) – Josie Riviera

Tis The Season for Romance (Nov 2021) - Diana Dawn, Susan Horsnell, Josie Johnston, Mary Morano, J. F. Lowe, A. M. Olenick, Andra Dill, Jakki Frances

The Christmas Boutique (Oct 2019) – Jennifer Chiaverini

One More Christmas (Dec 2020) – Sarah Morgan

Mischief Under the Mistletoe (Oct 2021) – Stephanie Rowe

Christmas on Peachtree Lane (Nov 2020) – Jules Bennett

New Year’s Miracle: A Sweet Stonewater Novella - Book 4 (Nov 2021) – Ginny Frost

There’s Only One Holiday at Christmas (Collection 2018, 2019, 2020) – Jackie Lau

Dear Santa, I Really Tried: A Holiday Anthology from Naughty to Nice (Nov 2021) – Kathryn Shay, Lisa Mondello, Patricia McLinn, Barbara McMahon, Chantel Rondeau, KT Pec, Day LeClaire

A Cowboy’s Christmas (The McGavin Brothers, Book 6) (Nov 2017) – Vicki Lewis Thompson

The Doctor's Instant Family (Oct 2018) – Mindy Neff

Gifts of Love (two stories) (Oct 2009) – Lisa Kleypas and Kay Hooper

Come Dance With Me

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Come-Dance-Me-Serenity-Starlight-ebook/dp/B074N95RGK/

Books2Read

books2read.com/u/bMrQva

ALSO – check out Woman’s World 5-minute Romance Holiday – a digest of 40 holiday shorts – I have a Thanksgiving story and a Valentine’s Day story (on stands until Feb 7, 2022)

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. Her novella, The Love Left Behind, released in October, 2020. She is currently editing her own holiday book, The Inn on Gooseneck Lane.

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photo Credits:
Book covers from Amazon

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

‘Tis The Season for Holiday Romances ..... ..... ..... by Debora (Deb) Noone w/a Delsora Lowe

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Head in the Clouds - Where do you get your inspiration? ............................ by Delsora Lowe

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

More Holiday Reading for December and this Winter ... by Delsora Lowe

Monday, December 11, 2023

Revisiting December Past!

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Celebrating the Seasons Reading Holiday Romances … Delsora Lowe