The Things That Always Cheer Me Up . . . . . . by Delsora Lowe

I am lucky, I have many things that give me a lift every day.

Reading…

Whether it is reading a good book or watching a romcom movie or a sitcom that will take me away from the reality and horrors of our world, each gives me a sense of peace and happiness. I can bask in the message being portrayed in that media and lock away my worries for the time it takes me to read or watch an uplifting book or program.

Writing…

I also write romance. So, writing positive content definitely gives me a feel-good vibe. Even when getting the couple together at the end may take a turn for the worst, know that in order to proclaim a book’s place in the romance genre, a happily-ever-after or a happily-for-now is a requirement. So, they always have a feel-good component at the end.

Friends…

Another thing that makes me happy is seeing a friend in person. Yes, these days ZOOM makes it easy to keep up with friends. I also keep up with many over the phone or through email or other forms of social media but getting together with friends in person is the best! There’s nothing like cradling a cup of tea, while looking directly into a friend’s face who is sitting across the table from you. Or slurping down an ice cream cone while walking the boardwalk with friends. That in-person contact makes a huge difference.

More Writing…

Going to my local weekly writing group grounds me every week. We each write a piece that takes 5-minutes or less to read out loud. The writing can be in any genre, which is fun for me, since my “job” is writing romance, whether a 5-minute romance I want to submit to Woman’s World magazine or a romance novella or full-length novel that I will eventually publish. Writing outside of my preferred genre gives me a different prospective on life, my town, my relationships with family, or any other topics, such as the environment, recipes I love to cook, etc. It frees up my brain to be creative in a different way.

What Things Give You a Lift and Make You Feel Happy? 

Amazon (also in print)

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.

January: My “go to” Activity When I Want to Relax and Take Time Out of My Real Life ............................. by Delsora Lowe

Hallmark movies and romance stories take me away from the bad world news. They give me a positive, albeit maybe an unrealistic spin on life, versus the craziness, that seems to get crazier every day in our “off-kilter” world. 

The movies are educational…as in from the perspective of an author, they help me with writing romance. They "show" versus "tell" me by providing visual examples of style, topics, relationship types (good and bad,) lifestyle, various scenery, and locations, etc. 

Watching romantic shows and movies, and reading romance in any form, whether a full novel or a 5-minute short story, are positive reinforcement that show our world has the potential to be able to learn to work together, live in harmony, and help us individually and collectively to see the positive side of life. 

They show us how to be polite and thoughtful toward our neighbors, friends, and those who are strangers to us. For example, holding the door for the person entering behind us. Or, letting the mom with the fussy kid go in front of you in the grocery store line. 

Simple acts of kindness. 

These types of stories and movies let me escape from personal, national, and international woes. It is like burying my head in the sand.

Or like the infamous three monkeys—see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Of course, this scenario is for the pure romance stories. 

Suspenseful romance does have a dose of evil, but in the end, all is rosy. Love and positivity reign. All turns out well for the heroes of the story. And the reader is left satisfied that all is well in the world—or at least the world of romantic fiction. 

 

Unrealistic, sometimes? Oh Yeah! Escapism? Absolutely! A chance to feel safe and “normal?” Yes, for those hours you are immersed in a fantasy of the way life should be—ALL THE TIME! 

 Letting your imagination run with the good things in life, is like a palette cleanser. On a bad day is watching or reading romance like a reset? On a good day, does fictional romance, confirm positivity and your perspective of what life should be—hopeful and kind and full of love? 

 What more can one ask from a few hours of reading or watching a feel-good movie? 

What’s Your Palette Cleanser on a Bad Day? 

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

all about love!

Moonlighting

(e-reader only) 

Amazon

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

Books2Read

books2read.com/u/bMrQva

 

Moonlighting

(also e-reader or in paperback as a collection: Starlight Grille) 

Amazon

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Moonlighting-Serenity-Harbor-Novella-Starlight-ebook/dp/B075TK7KYS/ 

Books2Read

Books2Read books2read.com/u/mZ5eop 

 ~ 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. 

Social Media Links:
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 

Photo Credits: 

Cash Register: fee clip art - cash register - Search Images / https://www.vecteezy,com 

Ostrich: free clip art - burying head in sand - Search / clipartmax.com

February is Known for Relationships … by Delsora Lowe

One of the first things that comes to mind when February rolls around, besides it being one of our coldest months in the northeast, is Valentine’s Day. This is a celebration of that special love relationship between partners.

But there are other relationships, and other ways to build those relationships. 

Since the start of the pandemic a few years ago, and the rise in usage of social media and meeting apps, we now build new or rekindle old relationships virtually.

For example, my second cousins who I usually hear from around the holidays via a card, all got together on ZOOM to chat after my mom passed away. Mom was the conduit between all of us. Their mothers and my mom were best friends growing up in a small town. And later the three cousins married and moved to big cities. My mom to Washington, D.C. and my mother’s two cousins to New York City.

Us kids all saw each other in the summer when the “girls” (mom and her cousins) all met back in their tiny hometown west of NYC. They grew up a block away from each other. But we, the second cousins once removed, grew up, moved to various parts of the country and only stayed in touch through holiday cards or letters written to my mom. The ZOOM chat was the first time we’d seen each other face-to-face (electronically) in many years. In a way it was a bit unusual, as we were by now virtually strangers.  But in another way, the ZOOM gathering was wonderful to catch-up and talk about our parents and the times we spent together as children. And then to find out all we were doing now as adults with our own families.

All of us have dear friends, as well as relationships / friends in the workplace. In my professional life, as an author, I saw the state members of my local writing chapter, monthly for meetings.

 

But my state is large and many who live farther north or south, rarely attend monthly meetings. I joined my home chapter in 2004, so many are now close, close friends, as well as colleagues. And now, my local chapter also has many “long-distance” members from other states. Many are friends I have made over the internet and through personal meetings at conferences.

Some of those farther away are able to attend our state’s annual writing retreat, where we all spend the night in a hotel and attend workshops, writing sprints, and enjoying meals together. What a treat to see each other in person. Lots of hugging and chatting and sharing about writing—a truly inspiring weekend.

I belong, as a long-distance member to several out-of-state writing groups. The highlight each year, was traveling to other states to the writing conferences and seeing those I only saw once a year. But those conferences have gone by the wayside.

Enter ZOOM and other virtual media sites, and we are now able to see each other again. Granted, we are chatting to a bunch of small boxes with faces. But we are chatting real-time. And that has helped keep relationships going. And allowed us to build new relationships with people we haven’t met in person. It might not be the same as sitting down to a meal together, or chatting it up in the cocktail lounge, or at the conference table. But it is the next best thing to keeping our friendships and working relationships strong.

What tips do you have for building and maintaining relationships?

 

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Moonlighting-Serenity-Harbor-Novella-Starlight-ebook/dp/B075TK7KYS/

Books2Read

books2read.com/u/mZ5eop

~ 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, and the novella The Love Left Behind, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. Recently released were two Christmas stories: The Inn at Gooseneck Lane and Holiday Hitchhiker.

 

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:
Writers: Free Writing Book Cliparts, Download Free Writing Book Cliparts png images, Free ClipArts on
lipart Library (clipart-library.com)
Heart: free hearts images - Google Search
Family: Free Clip Art Family, Download Free Clip Art Family png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
ZOOM: Zoom meeting free clip art - Google Search
Map: Free Map Cliparts, Download Free Map Cliparts png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
Laughing Friends: ladies laughing clipart - Clip Art Library (clipart-library.com)

Raising the Bar on Romance

 By Pamela Cowan

According to the results of an online search, "being romantic" can be defined as expressing love and dedication in a way that's intentional, unmistakable, and deeply affectionate.

Well . . . I'm in trouble.

In fact, I may be the least romantic person you know. I'm not sure why. It may have something to do with being raised by a stern military father and a somewhat old-fashioned mother, neither of whom believed in sticky emotionalism or displays of public affection. I did see my parents kiss once. I was 15 years old!

Left to me, my life would be sadly and glaringly absent of romantic gestures. Luckily, it hasn't been left to me. As in many marriages, one partner is weak and the other strong, I talk. My husband barely speaks. I spend. He saves. I plan. He takes action.

You get the idea. We are Yin and Yang, and that includes romantic gestures.

An example of this was our first Valentine's Day together. I went to his apartment after work to find he had drawn a bath for me, complete with floating scented candles that made the water shimmer. On the counter between the sinks sat a brand new white towel, rolled up just so and topped with fresh rose.

After my bath, I slipped into a waiting robe and padded to the dining room. To my surprise, an exquisite five-course meal had been planned and executed. After dessert I was gifted a stainless-steel heart. Since that day, it's been an annual Valentine's Day tradition that he presents me with a heart made from a different material.

Of course I bragged to our friends, not realizing that I was the only one with a deficit in this area. Many of them have begged my husband to stop, telling him he has set the bar too high. He has adamantly ignored them. 

Here is a partial list of romantic gestures I've received:

• A brick chiseled with our names and marriage date that was set in Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland, Oregon. It served as a connection near the place we lived and worked for nearly 30 years.
• My collection of Valentine's Hearts includes those made of crystal, wood, fabric, wax, and ceramic
• A subscription to the logic puzzle magazines I love and can never find on the newsstand
• Online watercolor painting lessons with a fantastic artist
• A meteor pendant to recognize my love of astronomy and space exploration
• An acre of land on the moon
• Renting the vacation place where we spent our one-night honeymoon years ago
• Thai cooking classes taken as a couple
• Washing the dishes when it's my turn
• Warming up my car for me when it's cold.
• A ring carved from a branch of the tree that grew at the first place we lived together
• Every time we've moved, my husband digs up the rose bushes and replants them on the new property
• Since our wedding flowers were tulips, my husband stops at a local grower to bring home fresh tulips each week they're in season.

Some of these examples are grand gestures, others are purely practical. All have been special and demonstrated love and caring. I hope they inspire you, as they have me, to be better at expressing your affection.

I can now wholeheartedly endorse the online definition of "being romantic."

Pamela Cowan is an award-winning Pacific Northwest author, best known for her psychological thrillers and science fiction short stories. She has degrees in Communication and Organizational Psychology and spent most of her professional career in social services. An Army brat, Pam was born in Germany and moved with family 17 times before settling in Oregon, where she has steadfastly remained with her remarkably patient and supportive husband. She has two grown children and a wonderful granddaughter and hiking buddy.

Learn more at PamelaCowan.com

February 2022 Images ... Delsora Lowe

Welcome to the Romancing the Genres February blogs. Our February blog topics are:

 Romantic Gestures 
Treasures vs Stuff 
Is Love All We Need?

I hope you enjoy the photo journey of my family treasures, as well as depictions of what I consider romantic, grand gestures.

Two examples of proposals at the beach – how romantic is this?

You can’t go wrong with a trip to a local winery for a romantic excursion.

Family bible owned by my children’s great, great, great, great grandmother, according to the note written in my grandmother’s hand and found tucked into the bible. Behind the bible is an old coal bucket my grandmother stenciled and turned into a trash can. My grandmother was great at turning “stuff” into family treasures.

My grandmother around age 20-25, early 1900s - she was my treasure, as well as the keeper of family treasures and their history.

The tinsel painting was made by Diana Trask, my great, great grandmother for her SIL, Deborah. Although my name is spelled without the “H”, it seems that the name Debora and Deborah run in the family. On the back is the history of the painting written by my grandmother.

Sweet, romantic gesture of locking thumbs, and another of holding hands and baby shoes. Each tells a story.

Love is all we need, shown in the simplest act of just being together.

Photo Credits:
https://pixabay.com/photos/beach-wedding-happy-couple-sunset-1934732/
https://pixabay.com/illustrations/love-romantic-relationship-together-3581038/  
15162365471578128442wine-grapes-clipart.hi - Google Search
8iE64oria
man and woman holding hands photo – Free Holding hands Image on Unsplash
Wallpaper Couple, Hands, Baby Shoes, Cute, Romance (wallpapermaiden.com)
other photos by Delsora Lowe

In Romance Novels the Journey to Love Comes in All Forms ... Delsora Lowe

Everyone wishes for love. That is why romances are the highest selling genre of any type of book. We all want to believe in the magic.

According to MasterClass,“Romance novels are perhaps the most popular genre in terms of book sales.”

The romance genre is filled with every imaginable sub-genre one can imagine. If want an upbeat story with a happy ending, despite the tumultuous journey and angst that might occur in between the beginning and the end of the book, look for a romance.

As romance writers, we each have our unique way of telling our stories. That is where the magic comes in. Out of the imagination of an author a story is born and grows. Add in that particular authors’ background and experiences and even if the storyline is similar to others, the uniqueness of each book comes from within every author.

Why is the romance genre so popular?

According to MasterClass, “These stories are aspirational, optimistic, and provide escapism.”

I think we can all agree, that is a great combination to find in a story. 2020 was a long tough year, and we all need to surround ourselves in optimistic endeavors. We need to escape to a story that fills us with optimism. These stories give us hope that the world is a better place than what we see on the surface. Romance stories, by definition, must have a happy ending. That ending can be happy-for-now or happily-ever-after, but the readers know what they are getting at the end of the book.

So, as you read stories that take place on another planet or are a comedic romp or have a suspenseful situation that you are sure the hero and heroine may not get out of, deep down, you know that if that story is a romance, it will end in an optimistic way.

Huey Lewis had it right. That’s “the power of LOVE.”

“It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes
But it might just save your life
That's the power of love
That's the power of love”

It’s February, a usually dreary time of the year, with a valentine thrown into the mix. So, run, don’t walk, to your nearest reader device or retail outlet and grab a romance or five or ten or twenty to get you through this winter.

What’s your favorite genre within the romance genre?

My Valentine Story
MOONLIGHTING

Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Moonlighting-Serenity-Harbor-Novella-Starlight-ebook/dp/B075TK7KYS/
Books2Read
books2read.com/u/mZ5eop

~ 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.

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/

Attributes:
8 Popular Book Genres: A Guide to Popular Literary Genres - 2020 - MasterClass
Huey Lewis & The News: The Power Of Love (Official Video) - YouTube lyrics to power of love - Google Search
Free Free Heart Images, Download Free Clip Art, Free Clip Art on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
free clip art - hearts - Google Search 4357136-kara-rainbow-heart-rainbow-heart-png-no-background-transparent-rainbow-heart-png-820_752_preview
Power of love and rainbow heart - Download Free Vectors, Clipart Graphics & Vector Art (vecteezy.com)
Romance novels are perhaps the most popular genre
Free Smile Heart Cliparts, Download Free Clip Art, Free Clip Art on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)