Category Archives: Fiction

Racism In Romance Novels

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Folks within the romance novel community have been talking about the RWA (Romance Writers of America) Rita Awards. A Black person has never won this prestigious romance award. A friend of mine shared this article with me. It’s a very informative article that gives a rundown of the history of African-Americans within the romance genre. I do recall some of the events in this article. Some of these events occurred before I joined the writing community.

One reason why I use silhouettes on the covers of all of my indie-pubbed romance titles is because I want ALL RACES to read my romance stories. I believe that most romance readers can relate to the stories that I’ve created.

I’ve blogged about similar topics here (see links at the end of this post):

Yes, I realize it’s a LONG LIST, but, I’ve been blogging (sporadically) for over thirteen years! The subject of race often comes up in the fiction publishing world, and it’s a subject which needs to be discussed!

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2013/08/african-american-novels-by-white-authors.html

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2013/02/posts.html

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2010/01/bloomsbury-publishing.html

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2009/12/should-publishers-get-rid-of-african.html

This was a post to which I referred in one of my blog posts – its’ hilarious!

http://crimesistahs.blogspot.com/2008/12/welcome-to-black-book-section-enjoy.html

 

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2008/11/should-black-books-be-segregated.html

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2007/02/shelving-black-books.html

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2007/02/black-authors.html

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2012/03/love-inspired-novels-with-african.html

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses

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Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses Podcast

This blog post is sponsored by Divine Desserts Publishing LLC. If you like sweet wholesome romance then give our Amazon bestselling titles a try!

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses

Have you ever dated a wealthy man?

I read this book because I kept seeing this author’s name whenever I searched for Christmas romance books. It was a fun, sweet read!

When Abbey is hired to decorate Nick’s home, it’s like a dream come true! Abbey has always wanted to be an interior designer and she’s currently a nurse to Nick’s elderly aunt. Abbey is a single mom, and she wants to provide the best that she can for her six-year-old son, Max. Her grandfather’s health is failing and she wants to provide the best care as possible for him, too.

Nick and Abbey clash at first. Nick is used to throwing money around to make people happy. He’s mesmerized when he finds that Abbey views happiness a different way – he’s curious about his new designer and he’s unsure what to do with these newfound feelings. Abbey is drawn to Nick as well, but, feels that they are mismatched since they are so different. She doesn’t want her son Max to get too close to Nick – Max is fatherless and he is drawn to having a nice, wealthy male figure in his life. She wants to protect Max from getting hurt. What’ll happen if Nick and Abbey are unable to resolve their differences?

I really liked this clean, sweet read. It was festive and had so many Christmas elements entwined within the story. I especially enjoyed seeing Max’s reaction to seeing Santa Claus. Abbey wants her son to have a nice, memorable Christmas, and she’s doing all within her power to be sure her son is happy. She does the best that she can, but, she realizes that her son is missing out on some things since he doesn’t have a father.

I think the author did a really great job in showing how hard it can be to be a struggling single mom.  Abbey obviously places her son’s happiness above her own, and she hopes she can raise him best that she can. I also understood why Nick didn’t always view things the way Abbey did. He’s used to having his money to make things better, and it’s hard for him to imagine what life is like when you can’t always buy the things that you need.

Overall a great sweet story!

So, have you ever dated a rich man? If so, how long did you date? Did you marry?

This blog post was sponsored by Divine Desserts Publishing LLC. If you like wholesome sweet stories such as Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses then you will LOVE our Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses! Tell your friends by forwarding this blog post!

On The Loose (Katie Parker Productions #2)

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On The Loose (Katie Parker Productions #2)   by Jenny B. Jones

Have you ever known a foster kid?

Katie Parker is a foster kid in the town of In Between. Her foster parents have a big set of problems, Millie, her foster mom, has cancer. Her parents also have a daughter whom they’ve not seen in years.

Katie has a crush on a guy named Trevor, and she has a science project to do with her science partner, Charlie. Her best friend, Frances, has a crush on a guy, too, (Nash – a grungy musician) and Katie is determined to set the two of them up. She solicits Charlie to help with her set-up plan. She has mixed feelings about soliciting Charlie’s help – he asks Katie to be nice to his stuck-up, egocentric girlfriend, Chelsea, in return. Katie doesn’t know if she can befriend the snobby barbie-doll-like Chelsea, but, she sucks it up and promises to try to be nice.

And…there’s also a big hurricane that puts all of these events into motion. As a result of this natural disaster, Katie is forced to share her room with Maxine, her eccentric, nerve-wracking foster grandmother. Rooming with this weird, old lady is a lot for her to stomach. They do not always get along, and plus, Millie snores. How is Katie supposed to get any sleep?

Katie finds her feelings for Trevor see-sawing as she works with him on a play. Her life is confusing and when she’s mistakenly blamed for a crime, she wonders what else can happen in her messed up life.

I really enjoyed this novel.  The author’s voice really captured the angst and emotions of a teen-aged girl. Katie’s problems were very realistic as she struggles with her lack of faith. This is the second book in the series. I read the first book, In Between, years ago and I really enjoyed it!

So, have you ever known a foster kid?

 

New Hallmark Movie Blog!

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Do you like Hallmark Movies?

I’ll be blogging about Hallmark Movies on my new blog! Come over and leave a comment! I’ll be blogging about movies both old and new! I’m looking forward to all of those wonderful Christmas movies that have started releasing, too! Enjoy!

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Alaskan Holiday

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Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever been to Alaska? If so, did you like it? What did you like most?

Palmer has asked Josie to marry him but she turns him down. Josie has big dreams. She wants to work as a sous-chef for a famous, renowned chef. She’s excited about this opportunity and she doesn’t want to give up her dreams to stay in Ponder with Palmer. Palmer is stunned when Josie turns down his invite. But something happens and the whole course of Josie’s dreams take a drastic turn. What will she do? Will she still be able to take advantage of this amazing opportunity?

This was a nice, peculiar book. The town of Ponder is so small during the off-season – less than ten people live in this remote town when it’s not tourist season. I’m not sure I’d want to live in such a remote place. The living situation of the residents kind of reminded me of historical times, in a way.

I liked how Josie wanted to follow her dreams. Although she likes Palmer she was determined to work at her dream job and I admired her for that. Palmer is a sword-maker. His job is a variation of a blacksmith. When his work was described I was reminded of the blacksmiths that I’ve read about in historical novels. Very interesting line of work and if you make a mistake you must start all over again – which can prove to be daunting.

I also enjoyed reading about Jack’s sourdough starter! Since I have a sourdough starter myself, it was intriguing to read about that in fiction!

This book was a nice, light refreshing read and I truly enjoyed the entire story!

I asked the author, Debbie Macomber, if she used a sourdough starter. Here is her response:

Yes I have a sourdough starter and I like to make pancakes with it. I use real maple syrup and you can get sourdough starter from King Arthur Flour.

So, have you ever been to Alaska? If so, did you like it? What did you like most?

Alaskan HolidayAlaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 
http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2018/10/…

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