15 Feel Good New Year Resolutions

Many people will make New Year Resolutions to ring in 2020, but we seldom keep those promises for very long. Reevaluating your life is hard stuff! Here’s a list of New Year resolutions that will make you feel better, physically and mentally. These suggestions aren’t that difficult and are sure to make you happier and keep you healthier.   

1.     Practice anonymous random acts of kindness.

2.     Make at least one person smile each day.

3.     Read at least one book each month. (Don’t forget to review it. The author will SMILE! See resolution #2.)

4.     Go someplace you’ve never been.

5.     Be kinder to yourself.

6.     Be kinder to others.

7.     Be quick to listen, slow to speak.

8.     Take the stairs. It’s good for you.

9.     Let go of old hurts and grudges.

10.  Forgive.

11.  Try a new hobby.

12.  Donate all clothing you haven’t worn in a year.

13.  Start and end each day consciously feeling happy and grateful.

14.  Buy less plastic. It’s bad for our planet.

15.  Stay in touch with the people who matter.

What New Year’s resolutions would you add to the list?

Happy New Year!

Great Books Great Deals ~ Accent on Romance #Giveaway @Author_Carmen

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Merry Christmas!

HOLIDAY 99 BOOKS @ 99 CENTS BOOK FAIR #Giveaways #GiftCards

HOLIDAY 99 BOOKS @ 99 CENTS BOOK FAIR

DAILY AMAZON GIFT CARD GIVEAWAYS

December 18-21

Click Here to go to the Book Fair
and Daily Scavenger Hunt

If you're craving a great read, but your wallet is down to pennies, check out our Holiday

Book Fair, where we have 99 books on sale for 99 cents each. All genres and heat

levels of romance, plus mysteries, thrillers, romantic suspense, sci-fi, fantasy and more!

That’s just 99 pennies for hours of awesome fiction!

Plus, check in daily to play our scavenger hunt games for your chance to win a $30

Amazon gift card. A new hunt will be posted every day of the fair.

Look for Books from Your Favorite Authors!

Angelica Kate • Bernadette Rowley • C.D. Gorri • Cailin Briste • Candace Sams • Cara

Marsi • Cate Parke • Cathy MacRae • CB Samet • Cherry Christensen • Chloe Flowers •

Christina McKnight • Crystal Dawn • Cynthia Cooke • Dakota Willink • Danni Roan •

Dawn Marie Hamilton • Debbie White • Denise D. Young • Denise Devine • Donna

Fasano • Donna Schlachter • Dyan Chick • E.B. Black • Elizabeth Rose • Elsie Davis •

Em Petrova • Emberly Hart • Erin Zarro • Honey Phillips • ID Johnson • Isabella Thorne •

Jacki Delecki • Jacqueline Diamond • Karen D. Bradley • Kat Samuels • Kerry Blaisdell •

Kim Hornsby • Lane McFarland • Laurel Greer • Leeann Betts • Lucy Lakestone •

Margaret Tanner • Maria Elena Alonso Sierra • Maria Geraci • Mariah Stone • Marsha A.

Moore • Michelle Courtney • Naomi Bellina • Noelle Fox • R.M. Gauthier • Rachel

Tsoumbakos • Ravyn Wilde • Ruth Kaufman • S. K. Gregory • Sabrina Kade • Shana

Gray • Sierra Kay • Sydney Jane Baily • Tana Stone • Tee Smith • Theresa Beachman •

Theresa Hodge • Traci Douglass • Victoria Saccenti • Whitley Cox • Zoe Forward •

Aileen Harkwood

Three Christmas Romances on Sale! #Kindle #99cents #KindleUnlimited

Ho-Ho-Ho! I'm offering three Christmas
romances for under $1 each. 

Her Mr. Miracle

Grown-Up Christmas List

An Almost Perfect Christmas

All three books are free reads for Kindle Unlimited members.

Because I am an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

This site may contain paid links.

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your stuffing be tasty.

May your turkey be plump.

May your potatoes and gravy

have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious,

and your pies take the prize.

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

stay off your thighs!

Petite Cherry Cheesecakes #Recipe

I spent the weekend with my brother, his wife, and his wonderful family. I stayed at my nephew’s lovely new home and he treated me like a queen! My niece, who lives in Colorado, was home, so we celebrated an early Thanksgiving. I took cranberry sauce, mac and cheese, and these delicious petite cherry cheesecakes. Needless to say, I put on a pound or two. I love spending time with family!

Petite Cherry Cheesecakes

Makes 24

Ingredients -

24 vanilla wafer cookies

2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar 

2 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling

1/2 cup toasted, sliced almonds

Directions - 

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Line 24 regular-size muffin cups with paper liners. (I used festive silver cupcake liners.) Place 1 vanilla wafer cookie in bottom of each cup.

2. In large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract with electric mixer on medium-high speed for 3 minutes or until mixture is light and fluffy. Spoon evenly into muffin cups (about half full).

3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from muffin cups to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours before serving.

4. Just before serving, top each cheesecake with generous tablespoon pie filling; sprinkle with almonds.

What dishes are you planning for Thanksgiving? 

Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter #Recipe

I recently made butternut squash ravioli and I cheated. Rather than taking the time to make my own fresh pasta, I picked up a package of won ton wraps at the grocery story. These Ravioli were utterly delicious! I hope you’ll try this super quick method. No one will notice that you didn’t make your own pasta.

Butternut Squash Ravioli

Makes about 48

1 butternut squash, about 2 1/2 lbs

1 tablespoon olive oil, for roasting the squash

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon dried sage

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Salt and pepper to taste

1 12 ounce package of won ton wraps

Sage Brown Butter

1/4 cup butter

10 fresh sage leaves

Directions:

For the ravioli:

1.     Preheat oven to 400°. Carefully cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Discard seeds. Rub squash with olive oil and roast, cut side down, until soft when poked with a knife, about 35-45 minutes. Let cool and then scrape squash flesh out of the peel and place in a bowl. Discard peel.

2.     Mash the squash and add Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, sage, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Stir until thoroughly combined.

3.     Fill each wan ton wrap with a heaping teaspoon of squash filling. Moisten the edges of the wrap with water and fold into a triangle, sealing edges tightly. Continue until all wraps are filled. (Don’t be surprised if you run out of filling or if you have some filling left over. It all depends on how large the squash is.)

4.     To cook: Fill a pot with 2 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Add about a tablespoon of salt to boiling water, and then gently drop the ravioli into the water. Simmer for 4-5 minutes. The ravioli are done when they float to the surface. Don’t overcrowd the pot. Cook in batches. Drain with a slotted spoon and place on a warm platter. Serve with Sage Brown Butter.

5.  Optional serving suggestion: After ravioli have been simmered and drained, fry them in olive oil, 3 minutes on each side, to give them a crispy texture. Mmmm.

For the Sage Brown Butter:

1.     Place butter and sage leaves to a small sauce pan. Cook over medium low heat until the milk solids turn brown, about 10-15 minutes. Do not overcook. You want brown butter, not burned butter.

2.     Pour butter sauce over the ravioli and serve.

FREE eBook for YOU!

If you missed getting your copy of 

AN HONORABLE MAN 

when it first came out back in Sept, 

you can get it now... FREE! 

But you have to hurry. 

The free deal only lasts for 2 more days. 

Tell all your friends! (Please?)

Woman of His Heart ~ Now Available! #NewRelease #Kindle @DonnaFaz

New! New! New!

Black Bear Brothers Series, Book 2

Dr. Dakota Makwa’s man-hunting female patients are on the prowl—and he is their prey! The handsome Native American has had enough. He comes up with an unusual proposition for his nurse, Lyssa Palmer, who is facing problems of her own—an unborn baby she wants to protect from her wealthy and powerful ex-husband.

“Marry me.”

The marriage-of-convenience between the sexy Kolheek doctor and the pregnant nurse quickly turns into a heated affair. But both Dakota and Lyssa carry some heavy baggage that threatens their happiness. Will their fiery union prove strong enough to heal the wounds of the past and convince them to trust in their newfound love?

Find this New Release:

Kindle Worldwide

This book is a free read for Kindle Unlimited members

Also available in Paperback

Although the books in this series are stand-alone novels, 

reading the books in order will offer the most enjoyable experience. 

Titles in The Black Bear Brothers Series:

An Honorable Man, Book 1 (99¢ for limited time)
Woman of His Heart, Book 2

Healing Chay, Book 3 (99¢ for limited time)

Sweet Potato Soup with Ham and Leeks ~ YUM!

It’s been a long time since I've posted a recipe. Here's a good one! Let me know if you try it.

Sweet Potato Soup with 

Ham and Leeks

Soup Ingredients:

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

1/2 lb fully-cooked ham, cut into small dice (about 1 cup)

1 large leek, cleaned well and sliced thin (about 1 ½ cups)

3-4 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes (about 3 cups)

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon dried sage

1 can chicken broth (about 14 ounces)

1 cup water

1 small can evaporated milk (about 5 ounces)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Garnish (optional):

Sour cream

Thinly sliced scallions

Put the oil in a pot and fry the ham cubes, stirring constantly, until slightly crispy on the edges (about 5 minutes). Remove the ham from the pot. Add leeks and cook until slightly wilted. Add the sweet potatoes, garlic, sage, chicken broth, water, and evaporated milk. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Place half the soup into a blender (secure the lid by placing a kitchen towel over the top to prevent splatters) and puree until smooth. Return to the soup pot and add the ham. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish each bowl with sour cream and sliced scallions. Enjoy!

Introducing @AnnMajor ~ #FREE eBook for You!

If you’re like me, you love finding new authors you like. A lot of my readers also love Ann Major’s books. Her books aren’t sweet-sweet, but they contain no graphic language.

You might like her best-selling Lone Star Dynasty series. During the launch,

Love with an Imperfect Cowboy, book 1, is temporarily FREE:

Kindle Readers click here

Nook, iBooks, Kobo, and Other Readers click here

Other titles in the Lone Star Dynasty series:

Love with an Imperfect Maid

Love with an Imperfect Bridegroom

Love with an Imperfect Bride

Happy Reading!

New Series! The Black Bear Brothers ~ An Honorable Man #Kindle #99cents #KindleUnlimited

New Release for 99¢

Book 1 of the Black Bear Brothers Series:
An Honorable Man

Nothing can make Native American Mat Makwa give up being a New York City police officer… except one little girl—all alone in the world—who needs a father. Returning to his Kolheek reservation to take on the safer job of sheriff of this small, close-knit community, he never expects his heart might be in danger to school teacher Julie Dacey.

Mat's six-year-old daughter Grace is a handful, and Julie finds herself getting to know Mat quite well during some intense parent-teacher meetings, which soon start occurring after hours. Then Mat begins mentoring Julie’s troubled teenaged brother and her heart softens toward this honorable man. Despite being wary of relationships, Julie can’t deny how her soul soars when Mat is near. Is the attraction between the flame-haired beauty and the lawman destined to turn into love?

Find this New Release:

Kindle Worldwide

Available in Paperback

Although the books in this series are stand-alone novels, reading the books in order will offer the most enjoyable experience. Titles in The Black Bear Brothers Series:

An Honorable Man, Book 1

Woman of His Heart, Book 2

Healing Chay, Book 3

Bringing you the best romance books available!

Two Hearts in Winter on Sale ~ #Kindle #99cents

Final Days! Save $3!

Loss and betrayal have caused Heather Phillips to give up on love. She’s thrown herself into running The Lonely Loon, her Bed and Breakfast located on the boardwalk of Ocean City, Maryland. The “off season” in this tourist town is usually a time of rest and reflection for her; however, DB Atwell, a famous author, arrives at The Loon for the winter to finish his long-overdue novel. Daniel, too, has faced grief, and tragedy continues to haunt him. Once Heather and Daniel meet, their lives will never be the same.

Reminiscent of Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks and culminating in a happily-ever-after similar to the great Nora Roberts, Two Hearts in Winter is a story about learning to let go of the past, about realizing that, though hardship affects us, it need not define us, and about coming to understand and truly believe that beauty is sometimes covered in scars. The human heart has an amazing ability to forgive, to heal, and to hope, especially when touched by love.

42 Reviews – 4.8-Star Average. What readers are saying:

“I loved this book! It pulled me in from the first & keep me enthralled to the end.”

“This is a beautiful book that shows the true power of love.”

Find this Bargain-Priced eBook:

Kindle Worldwide

Available at regular price in Paperback

Titles in the Ocean City Boardwalk Series:

Following His Heart, Book 1

Two Hearts in Winter, Book 2

Wild Hearts of Summer, Book 3

An Almost Perfect Christmas, Book 4

Grown-Up Christmas List, Book 5

The Wedding Planner’s Son, Book 6
Second Chance Valentine, Book 7

Her Mr. Miracle, Book 8

Sweet and Sassy Baby Love, 9-Bk Bundle ~ Release Day!

It's Release Day! Let's Celebrate!

Nine NY Times and USA Today bestselling authors offer stories of men and women who go to great lengths for the children they love.

A scent of innocence, that touch of softness, an angelic nap, and deep belly laughs. Babies and toddlers bring great joy, love, humor, and even conflict into our lives. But first, we need a passionate encounter, a romance that transcends time.

Marriage-of-convenience, a woman and child in danger, a platonic marriage (but not for long), an adoption in the nick of time, finding out there’s more to life than work, holding on to love at any cost, and a brother’s love for the mother of his nephew—these are the themes that make the boxed set a very special delivery!

Encore Lovers by Alicia Street - No one knows her secret, not even him. But that’s about to change.

Forever Love by Natalie Ann - Can their pretend marriage lead to the forever love and family they always wanted?

He’s My Baby by Mimi Barbour - Emma signs the adoption papers minutes before his uncle arrives to claim the baby. 

Special Delivery by Suzanne Jenkins - When the unexpected happens, Tony and Bridget’s love will carry them through any trial.

Christmas Babies by Mona Risk - The serious doc never has time for fun until twin newbies teach her there’s more to life than work.

To Protect His Own by Jen Talty - A lie so damming it holds the power to destroy the very thing she’s trying to save…

Bedded by the Billionaire by Leanne Banks - He’ll do anything to protect the mother of his dead brother’s child.

Accidental Family by Donna Fasano - A temporary—strictly platonic—marriage… yeah, right.

Tidal Falls by Jacquie Biggar - A woman and child in danger teach Nick life is worth living.

Available TODAY for just 99¢. The link below will take you to your specific Kindle Store, wherever you live:

Kindle Worldwide

Happy Reading!

A Family Forever 3-Book Bundle for $1.99 @DonnaFaz

3-Book Bundle for just $1.99!

Many people say family is everything. There is nothing more beautiful than two people coming together for the sake of a child, finding love, and forming A Family Forever. From marriage-of-convenience to second-chance-at-love to pure Irish-fairytale fantasy, A Family Forever Bundle brings you sweet, emotional stories of romance and love that arrives unexpectedly and culminates in happily-ever-afters that will leave you smiling. So brew yourself a cup of tea, settle on the sofa (or under that big beach umbrella) and enjoy these three full-length, contemporary novels.

Included in this bundle:

A BEAUTIFUL STRANGER – When wealthy but emotionally wounded Sean Hudson arrives to claim his new daughter, he discovers the adoption hinges on the impossible. Unless he finds a wife immediately, the tiny orphan will be snatched away from him forever. But before he can abandon hope, a beautiful stranger proposes a surprising solution—marriage.

MADE IN PARADISE – For ten long years Amber has believed her child was lost to her forever. Then an unexpected inheritance leads the lovely doctor back home… to the man she’s always loved. There she discovers her beloved Jon is a bachelor father, and the little girl he is raising is their daughter!

A REASON TO BELIEVE – It seems like a grand idea, temporarily trading her pixie wings for a womanly form to help handsome widower Paul Roland with his baby girl. And the moment she holds the precious bairn in her arms, Fern knows true happiness for the first time. But she never anticipates the dizzying emotions she feels for the man who not only needs her as a nanny, but as a woman whose passion can heal his wounded heart. Suddenly the forbidden fairy rule she gently bends is in danger of being irrevocably broken.

Couples coming together for the sake of a child and finding… A Family Forever!

Find this 3-Book Bargain Bundle:

KindleWordwide

Nook

Kobo

iBooks

A Family Forever Series consists of 5 stand-alone romance novels. 

Other titles in the series:

An Accidental Family

Nanny and the Professor

Happy Reading!

A Warm Spoon Stops Bug Bite Itch #LifeHack @DonnaFaz

How is it possible that I raised 2 children to full adulthood, babysat a myriad of nieces and nephews, and taught slews of Sunday school children, all without ever learning that the best defense against bug bites can be found in the cutlery drawer?

I’ve searched Life Hacker, Wiki How, and Home Remedy Hacks (numbers 19, 20, and 21), all three sites say it’s true!

Heat a spoon under hot tap water to warm up the metal and then press it to the bug bite.

Apparently, heat breaks down the protein that causes the itch. Wow! I had no idea.

If you’ve tried this and it worked, please comment below. If you have some other trusted home remedy for bug bites, please comment. Let’s all learn together. Thanks!

Hey, did you know I'm celebrating Christmas in July by offering you 3 holiday stories for just $0.99 each! You could save up to $7. Check out the stories by clicking this link that will take you to last week's blog post.

Christmas in July! 3 Holiday Reads for #99cents Each! @DonnaFaz

This month I’m celebrating Christmas in July by offering three of my holiday novels for only 99¢ each! Check out what’s for sale:

  

Her Mr. Miracle (regularly $2.99 ~ Save $2)

Veronica “Ronnie” Clark has had it up to here with her family. So she shoves her suitcase into the trunk of her car along with that billowy, lacy, monstrosity of a bridal gown and hits the road. Unfortunately, her old Volvo gives out, leaving her stranded on Christmas Eve in the nearly deserted seaside town of Ocean City, Maryland. Oh, boy, does she ever need a miracle!

Available in the Kindle Store

This is a free read for Kindle Unlimited members

Available at regular price in Paperback

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Grown-Up Christmas List (regularly $2.99 ~ Save $2)

Dina Griffin flees a dangerous situation and ends up in Ocean City, Maryland where she hopes to spend the holidays in hiding. Trusting no one, she wants only one thing this Christmas—to feel safe. Then Officer Gav Thomas threatens to arrest her for shoplifting. Shoplifting? 

Gav is certain there’s something Dina isn’t telling him about her visit to his seaside town, so he devises a means to stick close to the vulnerable beauty. An unexpected attraction sparks, fierce enough to heat up the salt-tinged, wintry nights. But the trouble Dina had hoped to escape arrives at her doorstep, bringing with it stark-raving fear and the realization that she must place her trust in someone.

Available in the Kindle Store

This is a free read for Kindle Unlimited members

Available at regular price in Paperback

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

An Almost Perfect Christmas (regularly $3.99 ~ Save $3)

For fans of ‘Me Before You’ and ‘The Fault in Our Stars’—An Almost Perfect Christmas brings together two people in need of the kind of love that can overcome tragedy. A heartbreakingly romantic novel that challenges each of us to live—and love—to the fullest… even when life is less than perfect. 

Available in the Kindle Store

This is a free read for Kindle Unlimited members

Available at regular price in Paperback

Happy Reading!

Farro: a Healthy Grain That Makes a Great Summer Salad #Recipe

Farro Salad

I’ve heard faro called an “ancient” grain which means it has been cultivated for thousands of years. My first attempt at using farro failed miserably. I bought a type of tiny-grained farro that had a very earthy taste. I didn’t like it at all. But I decided to try again and I have to say, I love it!

I bought a large-grain farro described on the package as pearled (pictured below). Once cooked, the grains are plump, moist, and chewy. I would compare them to old-fashioned barley. Pearled farro is perfect for this easy summer salad because it absorbs the dressing, which makes for a very flavorful dish.

Summer Farro Salad

2 1/4 cup vegetable broth (or water)

1 cup pearled farro, rinsed and drained

1 cup celery, thinly sliced

1 cup fresh tomato, cut in small cubes

1 cup fresh zucchini, cut in small cubes

1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely minced

1 teaspoon Salad Supreme

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup Robusto Italian Salad Dressing

1.      Prepare the farro: in a medium sized pot, heat the water to boiling and add the farro. Turn down the heat to medium low and simmer for 30 minutes or until farro is cooked through but still toothsome (chewy). Cool completely.

2.    Add cooled farro, celery, tomato, zucchini, and parsley to a large bowl. Sprinkle the Salad Supreme, salt, and pepper over everthing. Pour on the dressing and stir to combine. Chill and serve. (As the salad sits, the farro will absorb the dressing. Add more dressing, as desired.)

Pearled Farro

Feel free to swap out any of the veggies for those you like better. Don't like celery? Leave it out and add 1 cup of cubed cucumber. Don't enjoy raw zucchini? Add 1 cup of cubed carrots, mushrooms, red peppers, whatever! This is a versatile, delicious, and nutritious summer salad that’s out-of-the-ordinary. And who doesn’t like out-of-the-ordinary?