This week’s blog topic:

Have you ever written (or plan to write) a romance set in the winter? If so, does it differ from a summer one? How?

Bwwhahaha! Have I ever! In fact, if I’m counting correctly, seven of my sixteen books take place mainly between October and March – which in my part of the world, is pretty much winter.

In some books, the setting (which includes the season) can be a character in its own right. It determines what the other characters do, wear, and experience. This is especially true of winter. Yes, kissing in the snow can be romantic – but it can also be downright cold and uncomfortable, LOL!

We learn a lot of about people by how they handle adversity. In this way, winter can really showcase a person’s attitude. Do they complain all the time? Do they enjoy the adventure? Is their response to a snowstorm to curl up with a good book or to get out the skis? All of these things will influence the relationship between the main characters, and therefore influence the story itself.

As someone who enjoys living where there are four distinct seasons, I love writing about winter. But what if you live in a much sunnier and warmer climate? Find out what Jenna Da Sie
thinks about winter romances when you continue on your hop!
 

What more wintery than hockey? Check out Loving Between the Lines!

After a childhood being dragged around the continent by her musician parents, Lynn Kolmyn has stretched her roots deep into her chosen hometown. When her absconding fiancé screws up her careful plans, she decides to become a mother at almost forty, realizing the only person she can rely on is herself.

Benjamin Whitestone was the hometown hockey hero until a spectacular mistake led to failure and condemnation. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t seem to make it up to his parents, his teammates, or his fans. In a final bid to prove himself, he accepts a job coaching the junior team where he used to be a star, determined to rewrite history.

When Lynn and Benjamin collide—literally—they are both shocked to see the stranger from a single sensual night two years ago. Now the past tangles with the future…a future neither of them was expecting.

❤ single older first-time mom ❤ hockey player now coach ❤ found family ❤ older woman younger man (five-year age gap) ❤ steamy, open-door, slow burn

(Book Two in the Silverberry Seduction Seasoned Romance Series. Lynn 40, Benjamin 35. Can be read as a standalone.)​

​January is often when we reset our wellness goals. So with that in mind, this week on the blog hop, we’re sharing recipes for quick and healthy winter weather meals.

I made this one recently, and it was delicious. I should have taken a photo of it to share, but of course I didn’t think that far ahead. Even the leftovers disappeared quickly!

It’s from my favourite cookbook series, Company’s Coming, and I found it in the appropriately named Healthy Slow Cooker. After all, what’s better in the winter than a warm and delicious meal made in a slow cooker?

SWEET POTATO CHILI
4 cups sweet potato, peeled and chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
1 can white kidney beans (I used red), rinsed and drained
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup broth (use vegetable if you want it vegetarian, but any would do)
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cocoa, sifted if lumpy
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 ½ cup tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (I used a heavy sprinkle of dried)
Layer first four ingredients in order given in slow cooker.
Combine next six ingredients. Pour over beans. Do NOT stir. Cook on Low for 7 to 8 hours or on High 3 ½ to 4 hours.
Add tomato and parsley. Stir and serve.

When I make this again, I might add a little cumin, and I would definitely increase the salt. You could also experiment with adding different/more beans.

Now, hop over to Leslie Hachtel for another tasty recipe!

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You'll find all my books here. Which ones have you missed?

​

​Set in the Civil War, Hannah Mason has spent the last two years of her life with an emotionally abusive husband. Running away, her destination is Nashville. Little does she know what dangers await.

She becomes a nurse and travels with the army to various battlefields, war raging all around her. But her greatest fear is that her husband will find her.

Can Hannah free herself from a vicious man and find love with Lucas, the doctor who can heal her heart?

Read it today!

Hello, and welcome to 2026! 

I’ve been working on a photo book for 2025, and it was quite a year! Two grandchildren born, a trip to Portugal, several camping trips, some (smallish) home renovations, and lots of family fun. But now it’s time to look to the future! This week we’ve been asked:

What are you looking forward to in the new year, personal and/or professional? What are your author goals?

Well, two things I am definitely looking forward to are vacations! In less than a month we are heading to Puerto Vallarta for some sun and sand. And then in August we have a family trip planned to Vancouver Island. We’ve rented a house big enough for my husband and I, my parents, our three children and their spouses/fiancée, and of course five grandchildren all under the age of six! It’s going to be mayhem – but memory-making mayhem, I’m sure.

On the author side of things, I’ll be taking a step back. I don’t do resolutions, but I do like to pick a word/phrase to set the theme for the year. I think mine for 2026 will be “Reset.” It’s time to remember what brings me joy about this business, what I can control and what I can’t. I have a short story coming out in an anthology (hopefully by late spring) and I would like to get back to writing again, someday. For the moment, though, I’m just taking each day as it comes.

How about you? What are you looking forward to in 2026? Let me know in the comments, then hop over to Jill Haymaker to seet what her year is shaping up to.

Speaking of Mexico...

Strictly by the Book begins at a Mexican resort of the wedding of two Silverberry Book Club members. It also involves a stumble into a pool by our heroine and an unnecessary rescue by (not) the hero.

Intrigued? Read more here, or get it today in e-book or paperback!

We always take a couple weeks off at the end of the year, so this is our last hop of 2025! It’s time to share some special memories from the past year. Be sure to do the full hop to see what we’ve all be up to!

2025 started with the arrival of Grandchild #4 in January, followed by Grandchild #5 in June. These two sweetie-pies make my heart sing with smiles and cuddles. The older grandchildren are so much fun, too. The eldest started school this year, and we went to see her first Winter Concert just last week. The kindergarteners are always the highlight of the show.

In early April, I released by sixteenth contemporary romance. SUSPECT ATTRACTION. I’ll be honest – it’s been a tough year on the author front. Readers enjoyed my contemporary romantic mystery. I just wished there’d been more of them, LOL. But I also had a short story accepted into an anthology (releasing in 2026, I hope) so that’s exciting. And I’ve still been active in my reader groups and this blog, of course.

Late last spring Mr. C and I spent a month travelling around Portugal. It was one of our most amazing holidays ever. We spent two weeks in the Algarve, including one week on a walking tour that was simply amazing. Kayaking in the ocean was definitely a highlight, and we loved the vibe in Porto.

In the summer, we hosted relatives from Belgium. It was a privilege to show of the natural wonders of our area, and the weather was perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing. And in the fall, we harvested dozens of tomatoes from our small garden.

All in all, 2025 was a great year. Thanks for being a part of it! Now hop over to Jill Haymaker for a look back at her year!

THE PROMISE OF FROST

ONLY 99 CENTS for a limited time!

Single Dad ❄ Later-in-Life ❄ December Holidays ❄ Neighbours to Lovers ❄ Steamy, Slow Burn ❄ Isolated Cabin ❄ Polar Bear Dip ❄ Snowmobile Ride on Frozen Lake

Get it today!

It’s December, and it really is a magical time of the year. Underneath all the frantic busy-ness is a sense of wonder and joy. We’re tapping into that feeling this week.  the Blog Hop. Our topic is:

How do you balance realism and hope in stories of second chances?

I love second chances romances. I’ve known couples whose relationship deteriorated (one as far as divorce) who then found a way back together. Exploring how that comes about is fascinating to me.

Many romances only seem to skim the surface of realism (billionaires and dukes, anyone?). But when you dig down into those stories, you realize you have a connection with the characters because of what they feel, not what they are. 

So, if we take that as our guideline for realism (emotions, not physical reality) then I think it’s simple to balance that with hope. All romance gives us hope. By letting us get to know people (characters) who are flawed and  showing them finding love, we believe we can find it for ourselves. And when it comes to second chances, that connection is even deeper.

After all, who hasn’t made a mistake we’d like to take back? 

Now, hop over to Jenna Da Sie to read her thoughts on this topic.

The Promise of Frost
 
An adventurous kitten, a curious dog, and a matchmaking eight-year-old guarantee this will be a holiday to remember.
 
ONLY 99 Cents!
 

• Single Dad
• Later-in-Life
• December Holidays
• Neighbours to Lovers
• Isolated Cabin
• Polar Bear Dip
• Snowmobile Ride on Frozen Lake
• Steamy, Slow Burn

Read an excerpt here!

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving to all my American friends! And you know what that means, right?

The festive food season is upon us! Share your favourite holiday recipe.

Are you a cranberry sauce person? I definitely am. I love how tart and tangy it is, and it complements turkey perfectly, IMO. I used to buy it canned, and then I discovered just how easy it is to make (and store), and now I’ll never go back. Here's the recipe I used (from AllRecipes.com) with my own notes. Enjoy!

12 oz fresh cranberries (the store I buy from sells them in bags about the right weight)
1 cup white sugar (I usually cut this back a bit)
1 cup orange juice (I use unsweetened without pulp)

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, dissolve sugar in orange juice. 
Add cranberries and cook until they start to pop (this is so much fun!!), about 10 minutes. (I continue cooking until the consistency of popped to un-popped looks right to me).
Remove from heat. Sauce will thicken as it cools.

I usually make this a few days in advance, so I keep some out to serve and the rest I save for later. If you like, you can freeze it in pretty glass jars and serve it right from there. Just be sure the sauce is completely cooled before freezing (I leave it in the fridge overnight) and that there is enough room for expansion.

And that’s it! Easy-peasy! Now hop over to Jenna Da Sie to see what's cooking in her kitchen!

SECRETS UNDER THE COVERS
Start the Silverberry Seduction Seasoned Romance Series for FREE!
(Also available in print for a low price!)

Two long-time friends…one impulsive seduction…zero percent chance their lives will ever be the same again.

(Helen and Nathan are both 55)

We’re getting deep into our author psyches today:

Do you think writing romance novels requires a different mindset or approach compared to other genres?

To be honest, writing in any genre takes a different mindset. Writers have to believe that other people are interested in their thoughts and ideas, otherwise why would we bother? How often have you read about a character doing or saying something and wondered if that was something the author has done or said in their own life?

If we compare romance with mystery or thriller or fantasy, though, I think the difference is the authors fascination with people – with how people interact with others, how they learn to compromise, how they search to become their better selves. Romance writers explore relationships to a depth not often found in other genres. And I think that’s why it is so popular and powerful a genre.

Now I encourage you to hop over to Leslie Hachtel for her take on this topic.

Allegro Court

​Start the Bendixon Sisters Series for FREE!
Second chance * Forced proximity * Family angst * Bet the house * Awkward first time * Cinderella moment * professional cellist (MMC) * building contractor (FMC)

What reviewers are saying:

I can highly recommend this emotional second chance romance. (Romance Reviews - 5 stars Top Pick)

A great second chance romance with amazing characters that will get you excited about this series! (Fun Under the Covers - 5 stars)

This is such a sweet story with a touch of angst. The writing flowed smoothly and I liked how it kept me intrigued through out. This was my first read by this author and I was not disappointed. (A Book Lover's Emporium - 4 stars)

I want to take a moment to honour Remembrance Day. It’s a time to reflect on all the Canadians who have and continue to serve the cause of freedom. Never forget.
​
Now, on to this week’s topic:

Evening is falling sooner, and the dark days of winter are near. What do you do to keep yourself busy?

I’m just going to say it. I greatly prefer a -20C day with fresh snow and bright clear skies to pretty much any day in November. It is one of the darkest months, as there is no snow to reflect any light, and this month we’ve been getting lots of rain and wind, which makes getting outside rather unpleasant.

Because of the early dark, we tend to eat dinner earlier than in the summer. This makes for long, long evenings. That’s why the jigsaw puzzles come out. It’s a great non-screen way to pass the time. We listen to music while sipping a beverage, and an hour can go by in a flash.

While I do crochet all year long, I do much more of it in the colder months. Sitting and listening to an audio book while creating something is true relaxation for me (even when I have pull stitches out because I lost my concentration, LOL).

And, of course, there’s game nights. Since the little grands have come along, it’s become more difficult to find time for that. But this may be the winter we start up again.
​
How about you? What do you do to pass long, dark evenings? Comment below, then hop over to Jill Haymaker!

WHEN TIME FALLS STILL
A Winter Romance

An ex-NHL hopeful and an ambitious academic battle their own hearts—and a vicious stalker who strikes much too close to home.

​This is what we’re discussing this week on the Blog Hop:

What’s your take on the “enemies-to-lovers” trope? How do you make this dynamic feel fresh and believable?

I quite enjoy enemies-to-lovers…with one caveat. It has to be realistic. And that's a really fine line to navigate.

New guy that moves in and she hates because he won’t say hi to her on the sidewalk? Nah.

Two people blinded by their own false beliefs that keep them from seeing themselves and the other clearly? Sign me up! (Pride and Prejudice, anyone?)

The conflict that makes them enemies not only has to be believable, it has to be equal. One of them can’t be less invested than the other. They must both stand to lose something critical in order for the enmity to make sense.

In Crossroads Corner, Camryn Bendixon is struggling to cope with losing both her financial security and her career. She’s determined to seek validation by saving her grandfather’s construction company from a takeover bid. The man in charge of the takeover is Will Danson. To a single dad with a blind daughter, not achieving his goal could jeopardize everything he has planned for his daughter.

To be honest, they are very polite enemies (Canadian, eh?). But their conflicting goals provide another layer of tension between them – even though he falls fast and hard the first time he meets her.

You can find out more about Crossroads Corner below. Then hop over to Jenna Da Sie for her take on this topic.

Here’s this week’s topic:

What real-life experiences have inspired your romance writing?

Wow. What real-life experiences haven’t inspired me?

Before I even knew what a meet-cute was, I loved to hear about how people met their partners. Some of those stories you just can’t make up, LOL. It was hearing some of those that made me want to write my own.

And then there are the people I meet. I’ve never used a real person as one of my main characters, but I have certainly used them to inspire me. Sometimes it starts by wondering “Who is their perfect love match?” That can set off all sorts of interesting ideas.

I think my biggest real-life inspiration for my stories are locations. I live in a beautiful part of the world, and my characters enjoy visiting many of my favourite places. But the story that was heavily influenced by a location is No Life But This.

Sao Miguel is an island in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. My husband’s parents emigrated from there to Canada in the 1950’s, and in 2013 we were lucky enough to visit. We attended a religious festival at their tiny parish church, and I couldn’t help but include that experience in the book. It gives Abigail a deeply personal insight into Santos, and I greatly enjoyed reliving my own memories when I wrote the scene.

Now hop on over to Jenna Da Sie to find out what real life inspiration she has to share.