This month’s highlight: I challenged myself to try something new. I went to a vintage/antique market and I had a blast. I picked up some pink depression era glass which is something that I mention in my work-in-progress. But I’m also interested in coloured glass. While I was there, I picked up the sweetest little watercolour, and a lovely gold clutch. This month’s round up also includes a waffle breakfast sandwich. It was delicious and we’ll definitely be eating more of those. I also upped my drink game now that the warmer weather is here. My daughter also picked out a lovely pink bouquet of f ..read more

If you love romance you likely have a few favourite tropes. Tropes are the broad theme the arc of the story focuses on. I have several favourites like the reunited or second chance at love trope. Where are all my Princess Bride fans? I talked about my love of the small town romance here. There is something about giving someone you had a significant relationship with that ended years earlier another chance. Fans self. Send all those recommendations my way! I want to share a bit more about one of my favourites: Reunited or Second Chance at Love A couple of my favourite books with the Reunited o ..read more

Goodbye, March! Hello middle of April. You were full of busy days, both warm and cool, just like you’d expect from March. A gradual warming cooled by a big bout of snow. That’s okay, we’ve had a couple of very dry years and this winter didn’t change that. We need the moisture. That said, I’m sure glad it won’t be sticking around. But enough about the weather… I’ve been keeping my New Year’s goal of always having flowers in the house. And of course we dyed eggs for Easter. Like I mentioned, we had a big dump of snow. I got a new baby. Another snake plant. I also repotted some plants. And March ..read more

March is proving true to character with one foot firmly planted in winter and the other flirting with spring. So wonderful to see the longer days, the return of the Canadian geese and the feel the promise of spring. On the Canadian prairies, spring doesn’t fully show her face until the end of April or beginning of May. But she’s on her way. Murder on the Red River, A Cash Blackbear Mystery by Marcie R. Rendon Published: Penguin Random House, April 2022 Categories: Suspense / Mystery / Paranormal Mystery / Blurb: 1970s, Red River Valley between North Dakota and Minnesota: Renee “Cash” Blackbea ..read more

Life has a way of turning on a dime. That was certainly case in December. For those that aren’t aware, we have a daughter with an intellectual disability who faces other challenges as well. She lives with us, and my husband and I are her caregivers. Last month saw her wrestling with some intense mental health challenges. She spent time in the hospital receiving care for which we are incredibly grateful. We still have major challenges to overcome but we are seeing gradual improvement each week. However, it was very hard witnessing her struggling within a severely underfunded healthcare system t ..read more

Most of us have certain stories we gravitate towards, like romance novels or stories with a happily ever after. Bu it’s a huge category and there are so many great romance books we readers tend to gravitate to certain themes. Or tropes as they are known. Romance novel tropes refer to a broad theme that speaks to the overall arc of the story. Like my favourite starting over in a small town. Or enemies to lovers, another favourite of mine. Reunited lovers. Friends to lovers. Or the grumpy sunshine trope which is very popular right now. I wanted to share one of my favourite tropes: Starting Over ..read more

October was one fun month with Thanksgiving, our grandson’s first birthday, and plenty of fresh air and outdoor work. And, of course, Halloween, where our grandchildren were dressed as the cutest little Jack Skellington and the most adorable dinosaur around. Now we’re into November and, even though I’m resisting the coming of the winter months, there’s something about November that signals a slowing down. It’s time for comfy clothes, puzzles and cross stitch. But one of the things I’m most excited about is the start of Globe Theatre season. Highlight of the Month: Blind Date at Globe Theatre ..read more

I don’t know about the rest of you, but it’s been hard to focus this week. Some many awful things happening in the world. So much suffering. But making a donation to the Red Cross made me feel proactive, like I was able to help in some small way. There are many trusted charities and aid organizations doing the hard work in places torn apart by war or natural disasters. If you are able, any amount helps. Let’s take a bit of a breather and talk about books. Or one book, in particular. Sarah MacLean’s Knockout, Book 3 in her Hell’s Belles series. If I wasn’t a huge Sarah MacLean fan, I’d have pic ..read more

The one thing all romance novels have in common is the developing emotional connection between the main characters. The details of their physical connection differ from book to book. Heat levels or intimacy ratings of romance books are often very subjective and can depend on the reviewer, reader, or a writer’s own preferences. In this post I’m talking about steamy vs spicy as I believe my writing falls within this range. Steamy vs Spicy Steamy Romance: Think Nora Roberts, Kate Clayborn and Katherine Center. Spicy Romance: Think Rachel Reid, Katee Robert and Sierra Simone. This might seem lik ..read more

I hope everyone survived Thanksgiving. Our fridge is full of leftovers. I tried a recipe for waffles that used leftover stuffing that was delicious. Definitely recommend trying one of the many recipes out there. Published: ECW Press, October 2023 Categories: Cozy Mystery / Mystery / Female Sleuths / Amateur Sleuths / Canadian Setting Blurb: When Joanne Shreve’s former student, Val Masluk, writes the biography of acclaimed novelist Steven Brooks, Val once again becomes part of Joanne’s life. The biography is already raising troubling questions about Brooks’s past, and the wedding of Brooks’s d ..read more