Three Kids is Not for the Faint of Heart

Please let me preface this entire post with the clear and unabashed statement that I love my children. They are amazing gifts and I cannot imagine my life without them.

Well, I can, and it’s a horrible existance to imagine. I know this because I spent YEARS dealing with infertility while desperately wanting children.

With that being said, I am here to tell you that life with my three wonderful children, all of whom are in vastly different stages of child development, is also one of the greatest challenges I have right now.

Getting through our crazy days takes a lot of prayer, a lot of patience (which is in short supply sometimes), and a lot of tears some days. I know I’m luckier than a lot of people because my Romantic Hero of a Husband is a great dad and I have my mom here, and I also have the privilege of not needing to work right now. So I don’t want to come off as whiny or ungrateful.

I had great aspirations of carving out dedicated time to work on my writing once the school year started back up. Babycakes is obviously school age, Sugarpie goes to preschool three days a week, and Little Bro is finally on a solid two-nap schedule. HOWEVER, Little Bro’s favorite place to nap, still, is ON ME. Heck, his favorite place to sleep, period, is on me. Which has meant little to no time to take care of household business when he’s napping, let alone writing. And night time? Whoooo boy, I’m happy if I get a two hour stretch where he’s in the crib instead of in our bed, because if he’s in our bed, I don’t really sleep.

Add two almost back-to-back trips, visits with and from family, two colds and a nice round of RSV in the mix, well…

Let’s just say I’ve been literally trying to find time to properly write a blog post since July.

I haven’t even been able to commit to more freelancing hours, which stinks because I was bringing in some nice extra pocket change with freelancing the past couple years.

Anyway, I am determined to produce SOMETHING with my pen before we close out 2023. Stay tuned, and hopefully I’ll have an announcement to share soon! (Here’s a little hint!)

Emerging (a little late) from the Fourth Trimester

The past four months have flown by in a whirlwind of adjusting to a new baby, school activities, one illness after another (at least three colds per child, including the baby, the stomach bug for everyone EXCEPT the baby, strep for Babycakes that manifested as scarlet fever, and two ear infections (one double) for Sugarpie), family visits, potty training, Easter, and Little Bro’s baptism.

Add in the normal “newborns only sleep in arms and want to nurse 24/7” situation, and any and all aspirations I had to do anything remotely close to writing have just not happened. Which is disappointing, as I had a couple projects I’d hoped to complete this spring.

Also, Sugarpie has officially dropped her nap. So that’s been…fun.

In seriousness, things have actually been going well with the addition of our new little guy. He’s happy and content, playful, and generally sleeps well given his age (various colds that resulted in yucky phlegm notwithstanding). He also is a champ at eating, so he’s now the size of a Thanksgiving turkey.

So what’s up for me going forward? I’ve been able to take on some small freelancing projects this month. While no actual writing has happened, I do have a outline for a sweet historical Christmas romance that I hope to finish up this summer or fall. I’m still planning to submit the post-Civil War historical romance, once I have a minute to finish some minor edits and get my submission materials together (ugh, synopses and blurbs). I also have some work I want to do to expand “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”, my sweet historical romance short story that appeared in Love in the Lowcountry, Volume 2: A Winter Holiday Collection.

And then there’s continuing work on the spinoff trilogy that ties into THE ONE I’M WITH, which has been in limbo for over a year.

In other news, Soul Mate Publishing has graciously extended my contract for Sweet Somethings, which means it will continue to be available for Kindle in its current iteration for another two years or so. Keep an eye out for news about how to get a print copy, if you’re interested.

So I think that’s all the important updates from me! Hopefully as Little Bro settles into more of a predictible schedule (and naps in the crib, not on me, with regularity), more actual writing will get done and I’ll have lots more to share in the near-ish future!

Another New “Edition”

I hope all of you have had a joyous and restful holiday season!

December was surely a busy month in our house. Aside from wrapping up a couple freelance projects and prepping for the holidays, we were lucky to welcome a new “edition” to our family.

Little Bro arrived right after Christmas. Big sisters Babycakes and Sugarpie are in love, and Mommy and baby are doing well!

Obviously, this is a big change for our family, and my plans for 2023 writing tasks are changed a bit, too. Once I get my feet back under me, I’ll hopefully have some fun writing-related tidbits to share! In the meantime, I’ll be soaking up baby snuggles while mulling over story ideas in my head.

Christmas in the Highlands (Virtual Tour & Giveaway)

Today I’m pleased to share Madelyn Hill’s holiday anthology, CHRISTMAS IN THE HIGHLANDS. Read on to find out more about this pair of Christmas stories set in Scotland, as well as a giveaway happening through December 20th.

Christmas in the Highlands

by Madelyn Hill

Genre: Historical Romance

Blurb

A FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS IN THE HIGHLANDS, BOOK ONE

Laird Malcolm Sutherland needs a bride. He has few requirements of his new wife; demands he should have insisted on with his former betrothed—namely, honesty, loyalty, and resources.

Lady Rossalyn Gordon will do anything to be rid of her tyrant father, even if that means deceiving the man who offers her an escape. If revealed, those secrets will either bring her mercy, or thrust her back into the hands of the devil who sired her.

When Rossalyn’s bastard of a father arrives at Sutherland Keep, going back on his word and ordering her return, Malcolm must decide if he can forgive his wife enough to listen to his heart and have a family for Christmas.

HIS BY CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS IN THE HIGHLANDS, BOOK TWO

Fiona Sutherland longs for love with the man she has pined after since she was a lass. When he weds another she is devastated, and questions why the man she pledged her heart to has forsaken a vow made in their youth. Could loving her be so hard?

Cameron Munro adores Fiona from afar, knowing her heart has been set on another. She is everything he desires—strong, loyal, and fiery in spirit.

Determined, he pledges to prove his love to her and win Fiona’s heart by Christmas.

Read an Excerpt

“I want to woo a wife.”

Brae tipped her head back and laughed. “You’ll not be needing my help with that, lad. Why, I could go in the kitchen and announce you’re looking for a wife and the lasses trample me trying to get to you.”

He chuckled, relaxed in his chair, and crossed his arms over his chest. “I want to woo Fiona.”

Abruptly, Brae sobered and then her eyes widened. “Fiona,” she exclaimed with wonder and a bit of surprise. “Are you certain, lad?”

He grinned. Fiona had earned her contrary reputation honestly. “Aye.”

“Well.” That single word held a heavy dose of skepticism. “‘Twill be tricky. She’s hurting and not likely to receive your attention. She’ll refuse you if you push her.”

Aye. Fiona was an independent woman, but with a vulnerability about her and something painful in her gaze that resulted from more than Mal’s so-called betrayal. Cam had witnessed it too many times. When those green eyes turned sad, it broke his heart. For her soul was strong and if sadness lingered, ‘twas a grievous wound within her.

“Lad, you’ll have to go slowly.” A quick smile flashed on Brae’s aged face. “Little things. Things a lass such as Fiona would appreciate. Nothing obvious.”

Aye, from what he knew of Fiona, she wouldn’t want a gift-giving swain made public. “Could you send a meal to her chamber as a courtesy?”

Brae’s smile forced her wrinkles to crease around her eyes. “For certain, Cam. ‘Tis a kind gesture.” She patted his arm and relayed his desire to one of the kitchen lasses.

His wooing would need to be quick, for if Fiona discovered his plan she’d fight him and the desire he kenned she’d have for him if she just gave him a chance.

Aye, he’d court her, gently but swiftly, for he’d only a fortnight.

And she’d be his by Christmas.

Enter for a chance to win free eBooks, Amazon Gift Card or a Holiday surprise. Give-a-Way ends December 20th! http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f9e303c017/

Meet Madelyn Hill

Madelyn Hill’s novels have been nominated for the coveted InD’tale RONE Awards, awarded Favorite Historical Novel by Uncaged Book Reviews and Historical Novel of the Month by Long & Short Reviews.

She has always loved the written word. From the time she could read and all through her school years, she’d sneak books into her textbooks during school. And she devoured books daily. At the age of 10 she proclaimed she wanted to be a writer. After being a “closet” writer for several years, she sent her manuscripts out there and is now published with Soul Mate Publishing. And she couldn’t be happier! 

A resident of Western New York, she moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to be with the love of her life. They are busy with their 3 children, grandson and a naught dog named Cannoli! They love to cook, go to the movies, and hang out with friends.

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQKK4HG/

Amazon UK Buy Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MQKK4HG/ 

Amazon Canada Buy Link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01MQKK4HG/

Find Madelyn Online!

MadelynHill.com

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Something Sweet (Virtual Book Tour)

I’m very excited to be sharing a new Christmas romance release from a fellow member of the Moms Who Write community, Jessica Brown! Read on for more info about her adorable holiday romcom.

Something Sweet: A Something Series Christmas Romance

by Jessica Brown

Genre: RomCom, Christmas Romance

Blurb

Marley Winters’ life is her bakery. Just as the holiday season is kicking off, handsome John Klaus serves her an eviction notice: Marley must leave her bakery by the end of the year. Determined not to lose her bakery, Marley strikes a deal with the man she sees as her executioner: give her three weeks to earn the money she owes and she can keep the bakery. But when John keeps showing up at the bakery, Marley begins to wonder if he’s really as Scrooge-like as she first thought.

Read an Excerpt

Like every other end of the day in this bakery, I go through my checklist. Cookies made and cooling. Doughs resting. Fillings made and ready for their desserts. 

Satisfied everything is as it should be, I throw on my scarf, bundle into my coat, and grab my to-go cup of hot coffee. 

The hateful wind flings the door wide as I open it. Somehow I manage to keep hold of my coffee. Right now, its heat is a lifeline for this walk home. 

The wind whistles. Snow distorts the world around me. And I can’t get the darn door closed. Between the wind and clumps of snow stuck behind it, the thing won’t budge. I’m just about to sever my lifeline when a pair of gloved hands grip the door frame around me.

“Let me help with that, Miss Winters.” Mr Klaus towers behind me. We pull the door shut and I lock it. I turn toward him. He stands close, blocking the wind.

“Thank you, Mr. -”

“I think we’ve interacted enough where you can call me John.” He smiles as though letting me in on an inside joke. 

“John.” I expect it to feel strange coming out of my mouth. The formality of using surnames keeps him at an appropriate distance considering he’s the one who started this mess. First name basis is reserved for friends or acquaintances. Then again. I suppose I’ve seen him enough these past days where some might consider us acquaintances. At the same time, he did serve me the eviction papers. Can I really be friends with someone who did that? “I think I’ll stick to Mr. Klaus.”

“The weather is getting nasty,” he says. “And the ground is getting a bit icy in areas. Can I walk you to your car?”

He wants to walk me to my car? This man is an anomaly. How can someone do something so awful one moment and be so kind the next? I suppose the serving of papers wasn’t his fault, specifically. He was just doing his job. He really doesn’t have as much blame as Mr. Ferrar or Henry.

“Marley?” My name on his lips sounds foreign but not wrong. 

“Sorry.”

The air in front of him crystallizes from the warmth of his laugh. 

“You should stop apologizing all the time.”

“Maybe you don’t apologize enough.”

“I guess I never thought of it like that. Perhaps I don’t.” He steps back, putting enough distance between us that the wind makes me shiver again.

SOMETHING SWEET is available NOW for Kindle and in Print!

Meet Jessica Brown

Jessica Brown is a writer and SAHM based in Upstate New York where she lives with her husband, son, and tabby, Cutey. She started writing in 2017 and hasn’t covered even a fraction of the stories floating in her head. She can’t help but create the drama you hate to love and HEAs with the heroes you want in your bed. When she isn’t writing, you can find her posting on Instagram, playing with her son, and drinking tea. All the tea.

And maybe some coffee, too.

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