Well, hearts are everywhere, as are thoughts about love and relationships. Yup, that can only mean one thing...Valentine's Day is only 9 days away. It also means that the 5th anniversary of Kaleidoscope Hearts will be released on February 14th. We have 20 authors and poets who have contributed to this wonderful ongoing free project. We keep it free for a limited time because we love our readers. It will be available from February 14-May 14 and you will also have the opportunity to purchase a paperback of this lovely project.
      My contribution this year is a very short story based on a song from the 70's, of course. I hope you enjoy it and the others when you get your copy.

So, until next time, pick up these two anthologies, have a lovely day of love and reading, and enjoy the month of February.  Love is all around us in all of its glorious forms. 

Coronavirus in every variant, war, shootings, life. That pretty  much sums up the bad stuff. Scientific research, vaccinations, spelling bee champions, graduations, NCAA basketball championships, Super Bowl, college bowl games, new days...all positive stuff.

We've survived having covid, thank You, God. There are residual issues for each of us, but we press forward. Weather in Iowa has been a rollercoaster this year. It is a cold 34 degrees as I type this, but the grass is green and there is a hint of spring in the air. But, if you blink, you'll miss it. Seriously, I think we are all ready for better times, warmer weather, and get togethers with our families and friends.

Miss Bou is well. Chris and Stephen are doing well. I've battled different issues related to autoimmune disorders, but all in all, we are doing a good job of weathering the storm, and staying the course.

Editing continues to keep me busy most days. I did complete my first full novel in a couple years. Be watching for a launch and pre-order announcement on Twitter and Facebook. This book is a true labor of love. It is unlike any of my other books--raw, edgy, heart-wrenching.

I will post more on the blog as things unfold. The winters are always slow and all I want to do is mole. Now that we have seasonal changes, I'm coming out of my lair and ready to start doing things, including writing. My next project will be completing a Christmas novel.

Until next time, stay safe and here is a little something for you all to remember.

“May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.”
-----anonymous

Congratulations to Author Dee Stewart, on the release of Book Two in the Laguna Beach Cop Series. Read the excerpt below and make sure to order your copy by clicking this link: 
www.amazon.com/Fighting-Savannah-Police-Fire-Operation-ebook/dp/B0929B5TN6  

Excerpt from Fighting for Savannah
      Later, sipping a cup of coffee with the decadent Coca-Cola chocolate cake, Owen inhaled and announced, “I ran into Savannah Knight the other day. We, uh, we’ve started talking and…”
       Evelyn emitted a happy squeal and clapped her hands. “Oh, Owen! I’m thrilled. I’ve always liked her. Such a sweet girl. When are you bringing her over for dinner?”
       Owen looked at his father who blinked, then smirked at him. “Yes, son, when are you bringing Savannah over for dinner?”
        “Finally, you’re going to bring a girl home to meet us,” Evelyn gushed. “Well, technically, we’ve already met her but that was years ago. I’m so excited! What should I cook? What does she like?”
       “Yes, son, what does she like?” Cecil echoed. His voice dripped with droll amusement.
        Owen’s head swiveled between his parents. How the hell did he get here? “Well, uh…”
       “Nothing fried, of course,” Evelyn continued. “Fresh, wholesome foods. Oh, I know, I’ll go to the fish market and buy salmon. Marinated with special spices and grilled. You’ll grill, won’t you, honey?” She touched Cecil’s forearm.
        “Be happy to, sweetheart.”
      “And we’ll add jasmine rice and sautéed squash and zucchini.” She held a finger against her chin. “Dessert has to be light. Fruit and yogurt parfaits.”
         “A veritable feast,” Cecil deadpanned.
           Owen entered an alternate universe. These weren’t his parents. They were clever facsimiles.
         “Owen, what do you think?” Evelyn asked.
         “Well, uh…” 
      “You must invite her soon. Don’t wait. Oh, I really am excited! Savannah Knight. So pretty and intelligent.”
            “Don’t forget sweet,” Cecil reminded her.
          “Oh, yes. Sweet. Well, Owen? Do you have a day in mind? I have quite a lot of shopping to do. Cecil, we need to buy new curtains and rugs for the living room. Well, Owen?”
            His head spun. “Well, uh…”
            “Well, Cecil? Curtains and rugs?”
            “Whatever you want, honey.”
            “Well, Owen?”
       “Be right back,” he muttered. With all due haste he exited the alternate universe.
        In the bathroom Owen studied his reflection in the mirror above the sink and burst into laughter. He laughed until his belly ached and tears leaked from the corners of his eyes. If that conversation weren’t so scary, it would be worthy of a sit-com.
      Owen splashed water on his hot face. If he didn’t leave soon, his mother would be planning his wedding next.
         He yanked open the door and came up short. His parents stood in the hallway, wearing twin expressions of concern on their faces.
       “You okay?” Evelyn demanded. “We heard you choking. You weren’t vomiting up dinner, were you? Is that how you got so skinny? You developed one of those eating disorders?” She turned to Cecil. “He needs help, honey.”
       “I’ll find the best specialist in eating disorders in Orange County, sweetheart.”

Make sure to follow Dee on Amazon:
​www.amazon.com/Dee-Stewart/e/B07FYRDDTR

Author Rochelle Bradley has a new release!  Check out the details below.

      ​Welcome to Fortuna, Texas where the men read romance novels. This sweet, heartwarming romantic comedy is set in the small town of Fortuna and can be read as a standalone or as part of the Fortuna, Texas series. When elderly Aunt Wanda announces she has cancer, Sawyer must wed in order to fulfill her dying wish and to receive his inheritance. Stephanie accepts the playboy's proposal hoping to bring his aunt peace, but soon reality blurs and pretend feels real. Can they keep appearances up while keeping their feelings at bay and will Wanda figure out it's a ruse? The Playboy's Pretend Fiancée was originally included in Beauty From Ashes: Authors & Dancers Against Cancer Anthology published July 27, 2020.

 
​books2read.com/pretendfiancee/?fbclid=IwAR2-qMmVpl7EBGMZOYgWKISwYl4Mws5WyE0bEqtdGMICnxYzi3WJVcspAr0

BOOK EXCERPT:
Desire and Nan had their heads together. “Well, tell him,” Nan said, elbowing Desire. “Fine. Hey, Sawyer, you look hot. Why don’t you take off your shirt?” Desire goaded. Blushing, Stephanie laughed while his aunt covered her face. “Great idea,” Sawyer hollered back. He made a show of lifting his shirt, keeping his gaze locked on Stephanie’s face. Her gaze remained glued to his torso, making every bead of perspiration feel like gas for a flame. He lifted the material over his head, then dropped it at his feet. He grinned at Stephanie, whose mouth had dropped open. She swallowed, then smiled. “Woo-hoo! Now your jeans!” Desire yelled, clapping.

​A Fatal Prospect:
River Reapers MC,
​Book 3
by Elizabeth Barone

Our enemies of past and present are uniting to put us in our graves. Not even death would destroy our love, but death isn’t the only thing that’s fatal...

Cliff
I’ve finally got Olivia, but she can’t give me the two things I want most: three words so I know I’m not in this alone, and a family so I can redeem all the horrible things I’ve done. My past is still chasing me, and the only way I can let it go is if I stop running and face it. I can’t allow the monster in my blood to take over, but it’s rising to the surface and I can’t fight it much longer.

Olivia
After all I’ve been through, I’m never giving away my heart, even if my heart has other plans. War strikes before Cliff and I get a chance to figure it out. When a teen football player is unspeakably violated, only my club can avenge him. A rival motorcycle club from the past is also looking for revenge, just as I realize my true feelings for Cliff.

When someone betrays us, we’ll pay the ultimate price, in both blood and love...

A FATAL PROSPECT is the third book in the River Reapers MC series, a dark romance with a body count. Some content may be disturbing to some readers.

Pre-order for only $2.99!

Amazon US:  amzn.to/3fPnxm1
Amazon UK:  amzn.to/2R8ZNPn
Amazon CA:  amzn.to/3cR4qG7
Apple Books:  apple.co/31Q78VX
Nook:  bit.ly/AFatalProspect-BN
Kobo:  bit.ly/AFatalProspect-Kobo
More:  books2read.com/afatalprospect

Read Chapter 1:  bit.ly/AFatalProspect-Ch1

Add to Goodreads:  bit.ly/AFatalProspectGR

CATCH UP ON THE RIVER REAPERS MC SERIES

A Disturbing Prospect
River Reapers MC, Book 1

Our violent pasts brought us together. One night entwined us forever. We’re not falling in love, we’re just hanging onto each other while everything falls apart.

Read now for only $0.99!

Universal Link:  books2read.com/adisturbingprospect

A Risky Prospect
River Reapers MC, Book 2

If we can’t keep each other from the dark, we’ll have to be each other’s light, even if our revenge blackens everything we love.

Read now!

Universal Link:  books2read.com/ariskyprospect

Her Mercy
River Reapers MC, Spinoff Novella

The last time Bree ran away, she put Mercy in prison. Now he's got to find her and convince her they belong together so they can both be free.

Read now for FREE!

Download:  BookHip.com/MRDJJFQ

Cover Design: Natasha Snow

Teasers: CJPB Designs

CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH BARONE

Facebook:  facebook.com/elizabethbaronebooks
Reader Group:  facebook.com/groups/baronesbelles
Instagram:  instagram.com/elizabethbarone

Do you sometimes wonder why you do what you do when it feels like no one really cares if you do it or not? Keep forging ahead, my friend. It may be the trash you collect from the grounds of your apartment complex. It may be grabbing the parcels that are by the mailboxes and placing it by a neighbor's door. You may bake extra cookies or make extra soup and share it with someone. You may take a teenager from a broken home under your wing and give them hope.

That's what happened to me in 1972. My sophomore high school English teacher took me under her wing and gave me hope...hope of a better future, teaching me to love others regardless of their situation, instilling in me a strong faith and how prayer gets focus off of us and onto the important things. 

I can honestly say almost 50 yrs later, the life lessons I was taught by this incredible woman are part of my every day life.  I am so blessed that we still keep in touch weekly by phone after all these years.

In our last conversation, she told me that she was going through her closet and getting rid of some things. I was bold and asked if she would be kind enough to choose one thing and send it to me as a remembrance of her. And she did. A beautiful camel colored knee-length coat that was purchased in the Czech Republic.  The beauty in this isn't the item itself, although it is simply gorgeous wearable art, the beauty is that I can close my eyes and her fragrance is on that piece of clothing. It transports me to a time when a scared teenager had no idea what was coming next and to this young woman who came to her rescue.

​Never think what you say and do don't make a difference. Someone is always watching you, always listening to you. Are you please with what you do and say? If not, change it. Be that person who makes a difference.

It's been quite a life-changing time span, hasn't it? We've learned how to self-isolate, masks have become an essential part of our wardrobe, and letters and phone calls to friends and family are now the most important way of communicating. And, you know what? We. Did. It. And we are still doing it. I'm proud of each of you.

My physical world has become smaller in the past year, but my online world has opened up to virtual English garden tours, concerts, and I'm even learning Italian via Duolingo. It's been great. And, my clients are keeping me busy editing.

As for writing news: KALEIDOSCOPE HEARTS Volume 3 released on Valentine's Day. There is still time to download your FREE ecopy. And, if you like the physical books (like I do) you can purchase one of those, too.  
www.amazon.com/dp/B08W9KLKNJ

​I am also working on a women's fiction novel that I hope will be out towards the end of the year. PERFECT MORNING will tug at your heartstrings as you follow Heather grieving a tragedy and rebuilding her life.

Be looking for the third book in the Dalgaard Castle Series, too, right around Christmas. COUNTDOWN AT DALGAARD CASTLE will have you in a festive mood and falling in love with the magical dragon kingdom of Taydaryn. Let's just say two of your favorite characters will find love, in the most unlikely manner.

As always you can find me on 
 www.facebook.com/grace.au.372/
 twitter.com/mallidalli
bingebooks.com/author/grace-augustine

Look forward to chatting with you soon! 

The past year has been riddled with complications beyond my control, and because of that, my writing and most other things have taken a backseat to my personal life (yes, I have one apart from the writing world :) ) and getting control of health issues.

I've had a lot of time to reflect on how to do things differently, how to do the most for the best results, and I hope the changes will be welcome by  my fans, not only of my books, but my artwork.

It is true, when the time is right, things return in their own time. So, I'm back...on a limited basis. I will try my hardest to provide quality posts that are not fluff, but filled with positive things. It may not be weekly, but I'm shooting for monthly to begin with.  

If you would like to follow me via my newsletter, please complete and submit the form below.
docs.google.com/forms/d/1n3Y3aPnFFntTbqcaNtv1Xa1m-YCzuz70avap49Azey8

Tis the season for all things pumpkin! I can't wait until November 28th when I slice that pumpkin pie and spritz it with whipped cream and shake a bit of cinnamon on top!  

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Why? Because it is a time for gathering and celebrating the harvest. Because it is time to prepare for winter. Because it brings good friends and family together with thankful hearts for what happened throughout the year.

I've been blessed to be busy with editing manuscripts non-stop since May. It continues into December. God has a plan and I'm rolling with it, with a thankful heart all the way! 

When I first began Edits With a Touch of Grace, I had no clue how visible I would be to the masses. First one then another. And by gracious word of mouth from many literary friends, I have an established clientele that are amazing writers and storytellers. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to help them put forth their best.

I am thrilled to announce that the e-book, SECRETS OF DALGAARD CASTLE, will be a free download on Amazon (beginning, hopefully tomorrow.) This is to whet your appetite for this year's holiday book...CHRISTMAS AT DALGAARD CASTLE.  I am excited to bring you back to the land of Taydaryn. While SECRETS was a bit steamy, CHRISTMAS is a bittersweet, clean, romantic folktale that will warm your hearts. 

CHRISTMAS AT DALGAARD CASTLE is live for pre-order on Amazon, with a delivery date of December 3rd. The paperback edition will be live for purchase December 3rd. Linda Boulanger has again knocked it out of the park with the cover. Thank you seems so bland to say to you for your expertise, but it is heartfelt.

Author CJ Baty has graciously agreed to co-write next year's Christmas saga from the Norway Kingdom of Taydaryn. It will be a funny, poignant look at love from many perspectives as Queen Brenna, King Tirdon, and the entire gang ready for the Yule festivities.

Make sure to watch for new titles coming after the first of the year. Sweet contemporary romance, more fantasy, and a book about what happens when 2 women from opposite worlds become best friends. But, for now, I leave you with this:

One of the greatest gifts we can give is thanksgiving, because by doing so we give of ourselves. In our world where many are hungry, may we eat our food with humble hearts. In a time when so many are lonely, may we share of ourselves, with grateful hearts, the honest joy of friendship. Thankful. Grateful. Blessed. We are indeed.