New Release! Coming soon!

Here is one of my latest reads and review. I received an ARC copy and am happy to leave a review of this terrific book. I think you'll enjoy Love & Laughter by Elora Canne as much as I did.

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Laughter-disasters-midlife-romcom-ebook/dp/B0DTHC516L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QIHDY0DQ14BO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JLYnozXZEptXyO1FNk_YsCxyv5Jrv1poc1nyAOOUHF7GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.hH_3M_WPXi07hl-3W-IrR2smL-eAAq-naDU7dIz87q8&dib_tag=se&keywords=love+%26+laughter+elora&qid=1739828961&s=digital-text&sprefix=love+%26+laughter+elora%2Cdigital-text%2C161&sr=1-1

What a delightful story! It's nice to read a book with engaging, mature characters. The banter is friendly and lively as a group of friends and neighbors in their early 60s explore life and love in their retirement years. The novel is full of entertaining characters, humor, and romance.

I loved how the characters reminded me of nervous teenagers going out on their first dates. Many of the characters are widows and widowers dipping their toes in the dating pool again, and are just as nervous as a sixteen-year-old.

Love & Laughter is a heartwarming, original story I thoroughly enjoyed. I would recommend this novel for anyone looking for a feel good, enjoyable read. I look forward to the author's next book.

It's hard to believe it's already February. 2025 is unfolding at a blistering pace. It's a tough time in our country right now. So many changes are unfolding and it can be confusing, frustrating, exhausting.

I haven't blogged in quite some time, but I thought to begin again. I've been reading non-stop, trying books with authors I've never read before, reading genres I never would have in the past. I like to expand my horizons, do a bit of exploring, and have recently read a few fantasy novels that were not on my radar until I came upon them on social media. I have found some great books I'll be sharing. Have a look at them. You may be surprised. I think you'll enjoy them. I know I did.

HIDDEN MAGIC is a wonderful book. The story tells the tale of one woman's life turned upside down when her fiancé reveals his controlling, abusive nature. She leaves everything behind to escape him and finds herself in a  mysterious, magical place in North Carolina.

The fast moving plot is filled with secrets, intrigue, magical spells, colorful characters, and romance with the charming Sheriff of the town. The engaging novel comes alive on the page with the sights and sounds of the Hallow well written. I had a hard time putting down this book and found myself rooting for the heroine and her Sheriff when one crisis after another was thrown their way.

Give it a read. I think you'll like this wonderful escape.

https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Magic-Eldritch-Elana-McDougall-ebook/dp/B088GVSZPQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OZR14AHN06WO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OpdDUXYX2cAtbx3gFiut0kQGv6fSjIMbS_hWLAVxiAY9yg1AbswY24XUcCJzkMlbxNmx0OA2CU04xPdKJSxz4i4ZSot4t5J4VV0hwGjpB5iW4C7oOO8NSnCjxANzj2U7.CHWOhkzPHAdlB87_nWxDU6aYpXdlyzACEqoOpIp8Go8&dib_tag=se&keywords=hidden+magic+elana+mcdougall&qid=1738705961&s=digital-text&sprefix=hidden+magic+elana+mcdougall%2Cdigital-text%2C192&sr=1-1

 Hello from California!

I'm so pleased to announce that my new romance novel The Assistant is now available. The second book in the Napa Valley series, it can be read as a standalone. You can pick up at copy on Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Google Books and Barnes & Noble. Here's a link. https://books2read.com/u/mZpjGE

The Blurb:

Jake Harrison is a Hollywood superstar with a scandalous reputation who has it all. Except love. After a chance encounter with a stunning beauty on a California beach, the attraction is instant. When she vanishes, he's desperate to find the mysterious woman.

Filmmaker Julia Benoit is tired of men using her to advance their careers. After her boyfriend betrays her, Julia heads to the Napa Valley to film a movie with her uncle, Oscar winning film director Remi Benoit. Julia is determined not to trust a man again and when she comes face to face with the handsome stranger, she fights the attraction hard.

Now that he's met a woman he's genuinely attracted to, Jake finds out she's the niece of the director of his new film. And he's been told to keep his hands off her. The more time they spend together, the hotter things get. Jake's attraction deepened, and he attempts to keep his feelings for the fiery Frenchwoman professional, but it's a battle he's quickly losing.

A picture perfect ending? Or trouble in paradise? Jake is used to getting what he wants. And he wants her.

I hope you enjoy it! Happy reading. Until next time,

Susan

I can't believe Christmas is 5 days away and New Year's is right around the corner. It's a busy time of the year with shopping, holiday parties, and sometimes finishing up work projects before the end of the year.

With all the hectic rushing around and stress the holidays sometimes bring, you're probably feeling ready for some "me time." And what better way to relax than with a good book?

For a limited time I've put my contemporary romance "The Interview" for FREE on Amazon, so grab your copy now! The Interview is the first book in the Napa Valley series. The second novel, The Assistant releases on Valentine's Day.

I hope you and your family have a very happy holiday season filled with family, friends, love, and joy.

Until next time, happy reading!  Susan 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDDNHHYF

 Hello,

We're moving on to the holiday season, and if you're like me, you're thinking about gifts and finding that special something to give. I took a much needed break and went to Hawaii for a week. It was warm and absolutely glorious. I did quite a bit of reading on the beach and wanted to share with you a book I read.

It's called "Love, Michael" by Gina A. Jones. A heart wrenching novel of young love, relationships, friendship, betrayal, drama, taking someone for granted, regrets, redemption, second chances, and loss. The story takes place over a span of twenty-plus years.

This book ripped my heart out. I could feel the emotions with each character. Many of us have experienced some of the things that happened to the characters in the book, or have known someone who has. The story is an emotional journey that will pull at your heartstrings. I was in tears at times, crushed as the heroine experienced the extreme rollercoaster ride in her relationship, and cried at the ending. I won't give it away. This novel left me with a book hangover I'm just getting over.

The characters are well developed and the story is powerful. I recommend "Love, Michael." Attached is a link on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Michael-regrets-second-chances-ebook/dp/B07V9YNXZD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=XYUD3HH3LKRU&keywords=love+michael+gina+a+jones&qid=1702613443&s=digital-text&sprefix=love%2C+michael%2Cdigital-text%2C210&sr=1-1

But now it's back to reality. Christmas is almost here. There are gifts to buy and more books in my kindle to read. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and Santa brings you something from your list.

Halloween is here. I hope your pumpkins are carved, your costumes are ready and you have lots candy in your house for the the little ghosts and goblins that are bound to stop by as they trick or treat.

I'm ready. Although the candy bag has already been opened and a few (several) pieces are missing. Namely my favorites. I always get a lot of kids coming by the house and I love seeing their bright and happy faces.

I recently read the book 'Haze' by Rebecca Crunden. It has many different elements to it. Suspense, mystery, a hint of romance, relationships, friendships, paranormal, and ghosts!

If you're looking for a novel with some ghosts I recommend reading Haze. The link is below. I hope you enjoy it.

https://www.amazon.com/Haze-Rebecca-Crunden-ebook/dp/B08X3WGT28/ref=sr_1_9?crid=3LX086NH74UEW&keywords=rebecca+crunden&qid=1698794468&s=digital-text&sprefix=rebecca+cru%2Cdigital-text%2C147&sr=1-9

In my novel "Enchanted By Cupid" the main character Kate makes a ziti casserole and once Roger, the other MC tastes it he falls in love with her. Well, it's one of the reasons, not the only one. The casserole is nicknamed the "love casserole" by a few characters in different books in the Lake Tahoe series.

I've had several people ask if there is a recipe to this "love casserole." Well there is! It's my own and it's delicious. I thought I'd share. And here it is.

BAKED ZITI

1 pound dry ziti pasta

1/2 onion, chopped

1 pound lean ground beef

1 26-ounce jar spaghetti sauce

1 15-ounce can tomato sauce

6-8 slices provolone cheese

1 1/2 cups sour cream

12 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

salt & pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.

In a large skillet, brown ground beef and onion over medium heat. Drain. Add spaghetti sauce and tomato sauce, and simmer about 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follow: 1/2 of the ziti, provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes in preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

Pairs well with salad, a loaf of sourdough, and a glass of wine.

Enjoy!