Tag: books

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Leaving Tracks

ellenparkerwrites

Swoosh. Jingle. Clip-clop.

Gentle sounds and distinctive tracks lead you to the horse-drawn sleigh. Down the road from farmhouse to town they go. Then full of the days’ purchases, supplies to last past the next storm, they return to tend the animals left behind and gather for a warm evening by the fire.

Wrap yourself up warm if you set out to re-create this puzzle in real life. If the horse breaks into a trot on level ground you’ll want your ears covered!

A winter setting with modern trucks and cars is presented in the sweet romance, Starr Tree Farm. Join Laura as she seeks information about a murder and finds much more. Find the Kindle edition here: https://amzn.to/2QVhe11

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The Eleventh Day

ellenparkerwrites

Today is the eleventh day of Christmas. Join this group and add your voice for a final round of carols.

Tomorrow, the twelfth day of Christmas, marks the official end of the season. A good day to pack away the decorations, discard any “real” tree (if any needles remain), and enjoy one final cookie and cup of cheer.

Congratulate yourself. You have survived the hustle and stress of a modern (much elongated) holiday season.

Now you can turn your thoughts and energy toward the “to do” list for 2024. Develop a new, better habit? Plan travel? Shop for a major purchase? Whatever your plans and goals are — I wish you well. Be sure to include some reading.

Fans of small town and sweet romance should enjoy the Crystal Springs Romance trio. All set in a tiny Wisconsin village, Starr Tree Farm takes place in January, Hiding Places in June, and Seed of Desire begins in August.

Since this is January — here’s the Kindle link to Starr Tree Farm: https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

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Whoooo’s set a S.M.A.R.T. Goal?

ellenparkerwrites

Happy New Year! Did you state a resolution for 2024? Have you broken it yet?

Here’s some advice from a friend: Make your goals S.M.A.R.T. — like me.

Let’s use a common resolution/goal for an example.

I’m going to lose weight.

Make it: Specific — I’m going to lose 10 pounds.

    Measurable — I’m going to lose 10 pounds according to my home scale.

    Achievable — Ten pounds is still more than my ultimate target weight.

    Relevant — My clothes (or one particular item) will fit better.

    Time bound — Deadline is March 31, 2024.

So to re-phrase: I’m going to lose 10 pounds according to my home scale by March 31, 2024.

This is an example — this author should, but did not, set this goal.

Starr Tree Farm, a sweet romance, is set in small town Wisconsin. Join Laura, and her goals, with a low calorie drink and a warm winter wrap.

Here’s the link to the Kindle edition: https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

  

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Living with a Tree

ellenparkerwrites

In case you wonder, I’m not referring to the smaller, seasonal tree. That one is no problem. I assemble it and park it on an end table for the month. The lights make a welcome change from the usual. The ornaments, many gifts or picked up on travels, remind me of people and places and good times.

No — I’m thinking about this tree.

Once upon a time — perhaps three years ago — this houseplant was a pretty little thing in an easy to manage pot.

Then I put it outside for summer vacation. I guess these thrive in hot, humid St. Louis weather. It demanded, and received a larger pot and lived inside during the winter. With effort, it again went on summer vacation in the front flower bed.

Her children — yes, I did try to raise a couple — refused to grow and one even turned brown. Ooops! The trip inside wasn’t easy. Some people would have sold tickets. After the holidays it will be time for a prune. What do you think? Trim two? Trim four?

Dig around in the box and drape it with Christmas ornaments not used this year?

Janet, the heroine in Comfort Zone, is not the best person with plants in her family. She has other talents — including a smile Rich finds impossible to ignore. Check out their story in the sweet romance here: https://amzn.to/338z1K1

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Cute Contest

ellenparkerwrites

The presents are open. The candles are half-gone. The food has been sampled — or devoured.

Are you one of the many that returned to regular work today? Or do you have a vacation? Or perhaps retired and able to set your own schedule?

The characters in this puzzle were captured before the ribbon-pulling paper ripping began. But they were glad to participate.

Which one do you want to live at your house?

Dogs and other animals appear in cameo and supporting roles in several of my sweet romance novels. Check out the antics and security services of a mixed-collie pair in Starr Tree Farm. A great addition to that ereader you found under the tree.

Book information here: https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

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Whoooo’s Ready to Celebrate?

ellenparkerwrites

Decorations up? Food planned? House cleaned? Gifts wrapped? Children and pets driving you to distraction?

It must be the Christmas holidays.

During the next busy ten days — take a moment to enjoy the whirl of color and sound. All too soon the special things will return to boxes and serious winter weather will arrive.

But wait —

No hurry to pack this green, gold, and white home for small, snowy owls away in a box. It will add a festive touch to any home for the entire winter.

Take another look at your rooms. Do you display for a few weeks an item that would brighten months?

Set in Wisconsin during January, Starr Tree Farm presents characters willing to try new things. This sweet romance with a touch of suspense is just the right companion on a winter evening. More information here: https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

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Perfect Photographic Poise

ellenparkerwrites

Or should that read “pose?”

On my short list of public places to enjoy in St. Louis is the zoo. Admission is free. Parking is affordable. The animals appear to enjoy their homes — some act as if they enjoy watching the humans.

The polar bear is a consistent attraction for a crowd. Unless he’s napping, he likes to swim in his pool where humans can watch his perfect technique.

Have you seen the paws! And claws! Makes me glad I’m not any of his prey.

But due to water, glass, other people, and the uncertainty of the light — he’s difficult for this very amateur photographer to capture with a camera.

Artists to the rescue! This polar bear family is photographer friendly. And also seasonal.

In a different season, the characters of Comfort Zone, a sweet romance, spend some quality time at the St. Louis Zoo. Find their story here: https://amzn.to/338z1K1

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Not on the Holiday Menu

ellenparkerwrites

Deer hunting season in the upper Midwest states tends to be during November. Depending upon the community, social activities might be sparsely attended. After all — hunters want to be in the woods at first light.

No worry for this particular deer family. Not only do they live in a sanctuary — residential section of a metro area — but they have an excellent hiding place from January thru November.

What’s on your holiday feast menu?

Are you traditional with either ham, beef roast, or turkey?

Or do you experiment with fish and wild game?

Serena, the photographer in Morning Tryst, takes a few days off to host friends and attend a wedding during her year visiting Missouri State Parks. Find more information on this sweet romance here: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Lift a Mug of …

ellenparkerwrites

December! Holidays! Parties!

What do you put in your December mug?

Coffee? An excellent, and popular, choice year round.

Tea? Peppermint fits the season. Or perhaps a consistent favorite.

Hot chocolate? Yum. Every calorie has flavor.

Hot or mulled cider? A good warm-up when the cold wind blows.

Eggnog? Do you want that with or without the adult beverage addition?

My shelf holds a mug for each. Or I could share with four friends. Do you display any holiday mugs?

Coffee served in a white china mug or tea in a delicate cup are the hot drinks of choice in New Dreams, a sweet historical romance. Open the pages and step into 1851 Illinois. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Window to the World

ellenparkerwrites

Daylight is important to a person’s mental health. If the weather is gray and gloomy too many days in a row, many people begin to feel out of sorts. Pity the miner who enters his workplace before sunrise and returns after sunset.

I attended grade school in a building approximately the age of my mother. Each classroom had large windows. I think the purpose was both ventilation and light. After all, they could save on the electric bill if the light was good with sunlight. I don’t remember doing additional daydreaming if my desk was near the window. I do, however, remember the teacher being careful which students were placed by the windows.

They come in all shapes and sizes. I’ve always admired this one in the basement display room at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Can you imagine this in a church? Or the foyer of a large home?

Starr Tree Farm is a sweet romance set in January. Several sunny days. A few cloudy. And one snowstorm where you just want to curl up and read a good book.

More details here: https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw