My Top 10 Reads of 2021 (Actually 15)

My reading goal for 2021 was 30 books, and I read 24. Even though I didn’t quite reach my goal, I’m proud of what I accomplished in a year that was full of momentous events including the birth of my adorable twin granddaughters. I read many good books, and here, in no particular order, are some of my favorites. FICTION The Long Way Home & The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny Louise Penny lured me in with her first Inspector Gamache book Still Life, and I have been a fan ever since. The Long Way Home (Book 10) Read More

My Top 9 Books from 2019

Why 9 instead of 10? Because everybody does Top 10. I wanted to change it up a little. My reading goal for 2019 was to read more non-fiction, and am I ever glad I did. The books I read enlightened, challenged, and amazed me. Here are my top 9 reads from last year. Non-fiction Dare to Lead by Brene Brown I figured Dare to Lead would help in my role as secretary for my writing chapter. The benefits of this book extend far beyond any role in leadership. Brene Brown’s insights on how we behave based on our vulnerability was Read More

Love’s Courage: Square Peg in a Round Hole?

Most romance readers prefer a particular heat level in romance. These levels range from inspirational, where there is no intimate contact below the neck, to sweet, aka “behind closed doors,” where intimacy occurs, but the reader uses her imagination. Next is sensual where romantic scenes are more detailed, but not as numerous as spicy, where heat level is high and intimate scenes are frequent. Finally, erotica, which burns up the pages (and the romance market). When I was having coffee with my editor, Julie Sturgeon, we had a conversation about these levels. She suggested that readers will read “down” according Read More

Love’s Courage Has Arrived!

When my books are published, I get a sense of freedom from my characters. They are finally alive within their story, moving about, living, suffering, loving, and celebrating triumph. This week, with the publication of Love’s Courage,  I can feel Jenny and Andrew free from the bonds of drafting and revision. They are sighing, saying to each other, “She finally got our story right.”   CeeCee Lawson wrote a wonderfully generous review of Love’s Courage on her blog, The Literary Melting Pot: “What an exciting novel! While I’m a fan, this author never ceases to amaze me . . . The anticipation kills Read More

Review: Ghost Gifts by Laura Spinella

Ghost Gifts by Laura Spinella My rating: 5 of 5 stars Just like when I finished reading Water for Elephants, I wanted to go back and read the first chapter of Ghost Gifts when I finished it. This story weaves the tale of a missing girl’s murder twenty years earlier with Aubrey Ellis’s gift as a psychic, and a romance that was meant to be. When Missy Flannigan’s remains are discovered buried in the basement wall in small town Surrey, MA, Aubrey is called upon to cover the story for the Surrey City Press. Given her ability to communicate with Read More