Lyn Cote Loves American History! Do you?

I love America and I love our history--so different from the histories of other nations. No lords, no queens, no emperors--just citizens who have rights and duties to their nation. Our history hasn't been one of perfect men and women. But of people who have over the years championed freedom and equality. I have chosen to write about Quakers because though they were a minority of Christians, they had the most effect on the shaping of our country as to both freedom and equality. 

Their three crusades from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries were: the end of slavery, the rights of women and prohibition. The first two of them proved vital to the country we live in now, but the third proved beyond their understanding. Alcohol addiction causes great harm but just outlawing liquor did not solve those problems. It created others.  (I portray this in another upcoming book later this year.)

My series "Three Women of Courage" tackles the first 2 of these. The three books are now combined into one boxed set. Which is on pre-order for $8.99 till Febrary 11th. Click here for more info:

 

New Series by Laura Scott!

 

Greetings from chilly Wisconsin! We have been in a polar vortex for two weeks now and I'm sick of being cold, lol. I have been praying for spring to come early this year. I hope that groundhog doesn't see his shadow.

The best way to pass time in these frigid temperatures is to read! I'm thrilled to be kicking off my new Grayson's Guardian's Series with the first book, Deadly Abduction. This book is available in E-Book, Print and Audio formats. I have a new narrator for this series and I think you'll love how Jason Kirkover brings this story to life! I always launch my books at a lower price point so this book will be at this price until March 1st when I raise the price to $4.99. 

Deadly Abduction $3.99

Former Army soldiers protecting the innocent…

A bodyguard for her daughter!

As the daughter of a billionaire, Lauren Chandler has lived through a kidnapping for ransom as a child and is determined to protect her daughter Lucy from the same fate. She doesn’t hesitate to hire a bodyguard through Grayson’s Guardians with the stipulation that Grady McFarland pretend to be her fiancé at the charity events she sponsors.

Grady McFarland isn’t impressed by Lauren’s wealth or her fancy penthouse apartment in Chicago, but when the bullets start to fly, he realizes the threat is worse than he’d anticipated. Despite taking Lauren and Lucy off the grid, danger follows. The more time they spend together, the more Grady is drawn to the woman who is his opposite in every way. And when Lucy is snatched right out from under his nose, he’ll risk his heart and his life to find her.

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A St. Louis Tourist at Home by Pat Simmons

I love history. I always have, which is why I weave historical tidbits into my novels, especially in the Jamieson series. I've researched other cities and countries, but there's nothing more fascinating then digging up dirt in my own backyard. I think St. Louis' Missouri Historical Museum in Forest Park is top tier and their amazing showcases are free. You never know what you might find or who you will see. That's what happened when my husband and I toured the Mill Creek Valley: A Black Metropolis exhibit. Mill Creek Valley was an impressive self contained city between between St. Louis and Mid-town with about 20,000 residents and more than double that number in homes, businesses, churches, and schools that serviced African Americans that were restricted in where they could live, work, and shop. In the 1950s, it was erased off the map but not from the memory of those who lived there. Mill Creek Valley became a victim of eminent domain, like many Black neighborhoods across the country. What's makes Mill Creek Valley revelant is that I had uncovered the history while researching one of my books, Contempt: Grandma BB's Shenanigans, part of the Jamieson Legacy. Although I have local history in these books, this was the first time I had to go back in time and learn that I didn't know about my city.

While admiring historic documents, photographs, fashions, I stumbled upon a film with Blacks folks on a night on the town. I can't believe I recognized a young woman who would later become a mother figure in teenage years. My first thought was she made the cut--she became part of St. Louis history. Black History month is days away. Get hooked on the Jamieson series that has American, Black American, and African history. It just might spark your interest is tracking down some of your ancestors.

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A Touch of Humor in a Regency Romantic Suspense by Camille Elliot

If you enjoy sweet romance with a touch of mystery—and the occasional moment of dry, slightly absurd humor—you may enjoy this glimpse into Regency England with a twist.

My historical romantic suspense stories are set in the early 1800s and feature quiet courage, restrained romance, and characters who find themselves navigating danger with wit as well as resolve. Even in tense moments, there’s often room for an unexpected line of dialogue that lightens the mood.

The following excerpt is from Lady Wynwood’s Spies, Volume 1: Archer and takes place during a serious investigation—but a certain unfortunate nickname has taken on a life of its own among the locals.

If you enjoy clean historical fiction that balances suspense with moments of levity, I hope you enjoy this short excerpt.

***

Sep had made a living out of keeping his emotions from his face, but it was increasingly hard to do so as he and Calvin disembarked from the cart on the streets of Jem Town.

They first headed to where he knew Michael had last been, at Auntie Ann’s Bakery. But Calvin grew tense as they approached from down the street. “There are more people than normal hanging around. Something happened.”

They didn’t need to ask anyone—there were several groups of people huddled together and whispering, so Sep and Calvin sidled up to one of them. Calvin had a look of salacious interest on his young face, and a woman in a dirty mobcap immediately asked, “Did you hear what happened? Lotty was killed early this morning! Found lying against the wall of the bakery, her neck broke.” The woman shivered.

“Must be strong to break a woman’s neck,” the man next to her said in a low voice.

“Hush,” a second woman said. “We don’t talk about them.”

Sep was almost certain they were talking about Jack’s men, who were taking the Root.

“Why would they kill her?” a third woman asked in soft, wondering voice.

“It’s because of that no-good man of hers, that actor thinks he’s a writer. What was his name?”

“He went by some ridiculous name, something like Archipelago Constipation or something or other.”

Sep had to tighten every muscle in his face to keep from reacting to that.

“Didn’t you hear? He went mad only a few days ago. Busted up my cousin’s cabbage cart over in the Long Glades.”

“I hope they threw him in Newgate.”

“He never got there. Got trampled by a horse.”

“So now both Lotty and her man are dead?” The horrified question made everyone pause for a long moment at the unspoken implications of that fact.

Calvin took this moment to tug at Sep’s sleeve and lead him away, toward the entrance to the bakery. In a low voice, Calvin said, “Once they realized both Lotty and Mr. Constipation are dead, they wouldn’t talk anymore about who might have done it. It would be too dangerous.”

***

If you enjoyed this small glimpse into a Regency mystery, the story continues with danger, loyalty, and a slow-burn romance woven quietly through the intrigue.

You can read the opening of Lady Wynwood’s Spies free and decide whether this world is one you’d like to explore further.

👉 Read the opening here

Reference Footer

This post relates to Camille Elliot’s Lady Wynwood’s Spies, a Christian Regency romantic suspense series set in 1811 London and featuring intrigue, espionage, botanical alchemy, slow-burn romance, and themes of faith and redemption.

• Lady Wynwood’s Spies Series Reference Page

• Reading Order: Lady Wynwood’s Spies Reader Journey Roadmap

Goals, lists, and 2026 by Janice Lynn

I love Christmas and the New Year means the end of that special season. Makes me think of the lyrics from that Elvis song, "Why can't every day be like Christmas?" My husband and I spent Christmas morning with 2 of our daughters, their husband, and 3 of our GRANDS, then went to a family gathering where we participated in a White Elephant Christmas gift exchange. Fun. :) This Christmas was extra special because of our GRANDS, including the addition of our newest, Andi. She's a cutie, y'all!

I've finally gotten all the Christmas stuff packed away, a few Valentine's items out to keep the house from looking so bare minus the garland and lights, and am digging back in to writing. I haven't really set goals the past few years other than one that is the only official goal I've made the past two years. It's a simple one, but one that had weighed on my heart for some time. It's that every time I see someone ask for prayers that I officially stop what I am doing and pray for them. Right then, right there. No exceptions.  So, no official New Year's goals again this year other than to continue that life change that I happened to start at the beginning of a year. 

That said, I make lists on a regular basis and mark items off so in that sense, I do routinely have written goals. Usually my lists center around my day off from the day job to ensure that I get the things done that I need to get done. Sometimes I make lists for the week or even the month. I find I get more done that way and am less likely to forget something that needed completed. 

What about you? Did you set goals for 2026? Or are you a list maker on a regular basis? Do you find that you achieve things more frequently if you write them down? Or are you self-disciplined enough that you don't need a list or an official goal to make things happen?

USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & Publishers Weekly Bestselling author JANICE LYNN lives in Tennessee with her Prince Charming and their princes and princesses, her vivid imagination, an adorable Maltese named Halo who's the true royalty of the house, and bunches of unnamed dust bunnies that moved in after Janice started her writing career. In addition to writing romance, Janice is a nurse practitioner, a quilter, a military mama, and an avid supporter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. www.janicelynn.com  

Wrapped Up in Christmas https://amzn.to/4gvI1wP

Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy https://amzn.to/47wB8qW

Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope https://amzn.to/3Twuye

WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS LOVE Amazon Barnes & Noble

Wrapped Up in Christmas Faith https://amzn.to/3K7n009

The Power of Caring by Merri Maywether

In sweet romance, caring comes in a variety of ways. I could make an extensive list of how, but it boils down to the characters in these stories give without expecting. 

And they do this because it proves that at the heart of it all, people matter. Not their job, or status in the community, or what they can offer in exchange. They do it because they care.

These are the characters readers root for.

The hero who fixes the broken step because someone might trip—Ivan in Cottage Cove New Beginnings.

The heroine who volunteers for a community project even though her heart feels heavy—Whitney in Cottage Cove Homecoming.

The friend who quietly endures a misunderstanding because the friendship is more important than being right—Kelly in Be My Grumpy Valentine.

I mentioned three of my characters, but this is in every sweet romance we read.

They’re the stories that are full of moments that seem small on the surface. Then, after they settle, they turn into something amazing—the kind of moments that build trust, give the character’s heart room to heal, and ultimately lead them to recognize that the love they’ve been looking for is waiting for their acceptance. 

And maybe that’s why sweet romance feels like comfort reading—it reminds us that goodness exists.

Today feels like a good day to remember that kindness, compassion, and care are never small things—and stories that remind us of that matter more than ever.

Character Hairstyles by Merrillee Whren

Short, long, straight, curly, or even bald. Blond, auburn, brown, jet black, gray, or even pink and purple. These might be some of the hairstyles that a character in a book might have. Hair color and eye color of characters are something authors must decide about as they create characters in the books they write. Eye color and hair color may be natural, but hair color can also come from a bottle. I have created characters with most of these hairstyles, except the pink and purple.  

Here are a few examples from the covers of my books.

A heroine with a short perky style and a hero with plain brown hair.

 

A heroine with long dark-brown hair and a hero with blond hair.

A heroine with light reddish-brown hair and a hero with dark hair.

 A heroine with long blond hair and a hero with brown hair.

 Do you have a favorite hairstyle for a heroine or hero in a book? Does it make a difference about the way you feel about the characters?

You can find information about these books on my website.

Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of American. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. Connect with her on her Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.