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December 2024

Ahhh, what a fine warm day we’re having in Perth 🌞 It is now Birak, our “first summer” according to the Noongar Aboriginal calendar – definitely the more accurate seasonal calendar we have here.

I tried following the 4-season European calendar in the beforetimes; still use the terminology today. But since learning about Australia’s weather phenomena, and what the six seasons actually entail, I have to say … it seems silly trying to shoehorn in a calendar from the other side of the world when there’s a perfectly good one already.

[MEME]

WE HAVE CALENDAR AT HOME, only the one at home is actually better.

You get a taste of Perth’s weather in The Guy from the Wedding (and all the other Somerville Downs books). Freakish summer rain is not common at all, but once in a rare while, the skies get extra freaky and my garden gets blessed with free water. So do my freshly washed towels hanging on the line, but let’s not go there…

Let me say up front that I took creative license in this novel. I don’t remember if we got freak rain during the unspecified year this story is set in. So we’ll call it a literary force majeure, bringing our wholesome lovebirds together.

A book I’ve enjoyed lately was First Kisses and Second Chances by Lily Waters, a second chance romance between a small-town heiress and a reformed troublemaker hellbent on rebooting his life. It’s the kind of sweet, gentle and wholesome short romance you can devour on a long ride home.

Peace, joy, and Happily Ever Afters for the holiday season! 💝

Birdie 🐦

Ps. Check out my interview on Amber Daulton’s blog, where we chat about researching for books, getting to know the characters you write, and the ridiculousness of romance’s cheesy reputation.

Pps. I’m starting research for a future book and need your help! What are your favourite traditions for the end of one year and the start of another? What is something you do that you’re pretty sure isn’t common among folks you know? Do you even celebrate Christmas and New Year? Reply to this email and tell me 💌

Ppps. I haven’t been able to email AOL and Yahoo addresses for the past couple of months. Terribly sorry, anyone who’s been expecting a response from me! I can receive emails just fine, but any reply I send to aol.com or yahoo.com just comes bouncing back. Unfortunately the issue isn’t something my email provider (different to the one for this newsletter) can control, so I have to wait for Yahoo to sort it out 🤞

From friends and around the way

One Sweet Christmas by Laura Ashwood A heartwarming story of love, hope, and the healing power of the holiday season. For fans of Hallmark Christmas movies, Debbie Macomber, and Nancy Naigle.

Happy Holidays from the Rockobees by Mindy Killgrove Competition heats up at this year’s bake-off. Bailey must figure out if the Rockobee brothers are just playing the game or if their love is sincere.

A Christmas Storm by D.V. Stone An early storm is brewing in Upstate New York, and military wife Lacey Prescott is caught unprepared when it turns into a blizzard.

Sweeten Up Your Holiday
Festive reads that will have you swooning from sweetness.

Sweet, clean & low-heat romance
Low-heat reads brimming with wholesome warm tidings.

Clean & Cozy December
A clean & cozy giveaway book fair, ends 31 December.

Christmas Time! Historical Fiction: KU Editions
A Christmas historical fiction book fair.

December Loves: Sweet & Clean Romance Books
Books make perfect holiday gifts!

Fill Your Stocking: Inspy, sweet & clean
The only heat is the kind you bring!

Clean/Sweet Romance Sneak Peeks
A sweet romance sampler book fair. Ends soon!

You might enjoy this too:

A bit of soothing insight into silent book clubs by Helen Carefoot via PS:

It's the combo of in-person meetings and silent time that keeps her coming back; it's a welcome escape from the responsibilities of running her own businesses, parenting four teenagers, and running a hobby farm, and it helps her carve out precious time for herself where nobody is asking her for anything. "I'm removing all of the obstacles to reading when I arrive at Silent Book Club so I can clear my mind of all these other things," she explains.

Read the rest: Silent Book Clubs Are Here and Introvert-Friendly

By the way, reviews are a huge help to small-time indie authors. Both good reviews and bad ones help readers hone in on the books and authors they resonate with. If you’ve enjoyed one of my books, I’d love it if you would leave me a review or star rating on BookBub, StoryGraph or Goodreads.

The Guy from the Wedding – BookBub – StoryGraph – Goodreads

The Guy from the Internet – BookBub – StoryGraph – Goodreads

The Guy from the Library – BookBub – StoryGraph – Goodreads

The Guy from the Park – BookBub – StoryGraph – Goodreads

The Guy from the Flower Shop – BookBub – StoryGraph – Goodreads

Well, that’s it for now! Subscribe to my newsletter if you’d rather get these updates with pictures, sent to your email inbox. You’ll also get a little thank you gift for signing up.