Here’s a link to my latest newsletter. Enjoy the update!

Here’s a link to my latest newsletter. Enjoy the update!


Do you enjoy stories about small towns?
I love stories about small towns! Cedar Cove is a Hallmark Channel series. It went off the air years ago. I recently watched it, for the second time, via Amazon Prime. This TV show is based upon the characters in Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove volume 1, Volume 2, and Volume 3.
I love beaches and there’s just something so nice, quaint, and romantic about a town that’s on a beach (or in this case, a cove).
I read some of the Cedar Cove books several years ago. So when I make comparisons to the books, the details will be somewhat sketchy.
I enjoyed this series more than the Hallmark Channel romance movies. I think the reason why I enjoyed it is because, it reminded me of a sanitized version of the soap operas that I used to watch. Years ago, I blogged about the following topic: Should Christians Watch Soap Operas?
Although Cedar Cove doesn’t have religious overtones, it reminded me of a soap opera that was cleaner than the ones shown on daytime TV.
I loved the setting. If you’ve read some of my books, you’ll know that I’m a fan of beaches! There’s just something so nice, holy, and…well…beautiful about a sandy shore and water. Cedar Cove is set right on the beach and the residents have to take a ferry into Seattle whenever they want to leave town. I loved seeing folks eating at Moon’s or seeing the characters dine where they had a nice view of the water. Cedar Cove is the perfect setting for romance!
The characters really resounded with me.
There’s Olivia Lockhart. She’s a judge. I thought it was a really cute and inspiring idea to have a woman to be a judge in this small town. She’s strong, respected, and intelligent. Almost everyone loves Olivia Lockhart. No, she’s not perfect, but, she’s honest, trustworthy, and tries to live her life the best that she can. She’s had her share of pain. She’s divorced and she lost her son (Jordan) years ago. She still misses her son and she’s close to her daughter, Justine (Jordan’s twin sister).
I felt that Olivia’s character in the series closely mimicked the character in the books.
Olivia’s attraction to Jack was refreshing and realistic. These two are total opposites. Jack is a news reporter for the Cedar Cove newspaper. He’s a recovering alcoholic. He’s hesitant about acting on his attraction to Olivia because this is the first time he’s dated someone as a sober man. He goes to AA meetings and has a sponsor who helps him out during his rough times. I think Jack likes Olivia so much because she’s nice, sweet, and sympathetic towards others. She’s a gem of a woman and Jack realizes he’s picked a winner.
That’s why their romance gives him cold feet. Jack has lots of trials during this 3-season series. He falls off the wagon and is approached by his ex-wife about a news reporting opportunity in Seattle. Jack struggles with his pain as he tries to reconcile with his son, Eric, whom he hasn’t seen in a long time.
Alcoholism is a subject that I explore in my own writing. It’s a problem that has been in my family for years, and it touches me to see someone struggling with addiction. I believe this is one reason why I was so drawn to Jack’s character.
There’s so much I want to say about this series that I have to break it up into several blog posts. This will be the first post of many.
So, do you like stories about small towns? If so, have you watched Cedar Cove? Which of these characters did you like best: Jack or Olivia?


Wonya Lucas was named the new CEO at Hallmark Channel! I’m glad to see an African-American woman in this role. Until the last couple of years a lot of the Hallmark Channel movies and series had mostly White actors/actresses as the main characters. I think this is their way of bringing more diversity to their staff. Diversity has been discussed on a national level over the last few years. Diverse discussions have escalated this year, given all of the discrimination that has been going on in the United States.
My sister used to work at Discovery Channel and she remembers working with Wonya a long time ago. Kudos to Hallmark!

Mega apologies in advance. I realized I had a technical glitch with my website a few days ago. After I posted about The Candy Beach Series, I realized that my links weren’t functioning properly. So, I deleted my original Candy Beach Series post and am now re-posting.
It’s summer! So hard to believe! With Covid and everything going on in the world today, it’s so hard to sit back and relax and have a good time. I hope you can take some time during your summer and read a nice, emotional and delicious romance. I have summer titles as well as winter titles! Not only is it summer but it’s also Christmas in July!
Come and enjoy a hot or cool summer treat! My books are delicious and some of them are only 99 cents! My books have often been compared to Hallmark romance movies, so, if you like Hallmark movies, then you’ll enjoy my romance novels!
One of my Hallmark movie blog readers, also an old acquaintance, was confused about my Hallmark movie blog. She didn’t realize I blogged about movies, but, thought I blogged about Christian romance novels and the Bible.
I had to point out to her that I have two blogs. On my other blog I write book reviews about Christian fiction books, and I also blog about the Bible. Both my Hallmark Movie blog, and my Christian Fiction blog, don’t have a regular schedule. I blog when I feel like it.
For example, I’m working on a blog post for my other blog about The Bachelor TV Show – I’m comparing that TV show to the Old Testament. Don’t laugh. I’m NOT a huge fan of The Bachelor TV Show, but, made myself watch one season. I wanted to figure out the appeal. The show has been on for about two decades. When I watched it, I kept comparing it, mentally, to the Old Testament when men had multiple wives. My Biblical blog posts are unique and insightful. I will be sure to mention when my Bachelor TV Show blog post is completed.
I also blog about Jesus on my other blog. So, if you’re interested, come check out my Christian fiction blog, if you feel inclined.
Have an awesome weekend. Hallmark has been showing lots of Christmas in July movies! Which one is your favorite?

Bittersweet Dreams was released on July first! It’s also available on Kindle Unlimited! Earlier, I shared an excerpt here. Bittersweet Dreams is the perfect romance for Hallmark movie fans! Hallmark movies often feature treats – like chocolate candies – and reading this romance will whet your palette for more! Grab your copy today! Be sure to tell all of your Hallmark movie friends, as well as your romance-reading friends!