Takeaway Truth
I'm spending family time. I'll be back in a few days.
FREE Holiday Romances & Bargains Too
FREE EBOOK
Until /dec, 20, midnightPST, you can pick up a free Kindle copy of STUCK ON THE NAUGHTY LIST."Wanted: A Cure for a Broken Heart. Cassie comes home for the holidays—and is immediately arrested and taken to jail!"
Reviews of Stuck on the Naughty List
Too nice to be naughty! This is a perfect "quick-fun" hot chocolate and whipped cream holiday romance from one of my favorite authors, Joan Reeves. Joan is a master at setting the stage (aka Texas) with wonderful characters and places. Capitola comes alive for the reader, as do Cassie & Ben! —EbookLuver Review
If you’ve ever locked yourself out of your house, you’ll share some laughs at the dilemma Cassie Johnson gets herself into. Funny, short, and perfect for the holidays! —J.A.Davis Reviewer
FREE, LuvU4Ever, Book 1 of A Moment in Time
Review of LuvU4Ever
I love a good short story with a beginning, middle and strong ending and 'LuvU4Ever' delivers with no cliffhangers to cheat the reader. I can relate to Noelle taking care of her mother when she is sick and away from her husband as I have done it several times for both my parents and it does put stress on the best relationship with a spouse. 'LuvU4Ever' is based on a giant misunderstanding and David soon sets Noelle right with a perfect gift. —Jane Jones, Top 1000 Reviewer
Other Bargains
I loved this book! If you haven't read JUST ONE LOOK, you're missing out on a great story. It's humorous, sexy to the max, and just plain entertaining. —NetGalley
Other Books in Newsletter
Brianna's Season for Miracles, Book 2 of Small Town Texas Romance.
Last Christmas was the last straw for Brianna Walker. She hated her life. Too much whisky, too much misery, and too much loneliness had resulted in a very public embarrassment. Vowing never to return to her hometown, she returned to her condo in Vegas. She faced the fact that if she wanted her life to be different, she had to change so she set about doing that.
When her father demands she come home for the holidays, she’s devastated and afraid she’ll revert to old habits to deal with social situations that have always terrified her. Then she meets Daniel Kelly. His warmth and kindness attract her. Best of all, he’s a stranger in town and doesn’t know her reputation. She's always avoided men like him for fear she might want forever out of the relationship. A man like Daniel would never want forever with her once he knew her secret.
Daniel already knows the secret Brianna is hiding. He knows he shouldn’t complicate the situation he’s in, but the attraction between them is hot and sizzling. What will happen when Brianna realizes Daniel has a secret too?
I loved this book's storyline, the hot & steamy scenes, Brianna's character, Daniel's character. and the ending. Great Christmas story. Awesome job...—Liz Reviews
The theme...the all-too-common angst that exists in families and how it’s highlighted during the holidays. Who hasn’t had to deal with that? The romance is front and center, of course, but there’s healing going on, forgiveness. I love multi-layered stories, not always easy to do, but Ms. Reeves delivers in spades. —CRich Review
Daniel already knows the secret Brianna is hiding. He knows he shouldn’t complicate the situation he’s in, but the attraction between them is hot and sizzling. What will happen when Brianna realizes Daniel has a secret too?
Reviews for Brianna's Season for Miracles
I loved this book's storyline, the hot & steamy scenes, Brianna's character, Daniel's character. and the ending. Great Christmas story. Awesome job...—Liz Reviews
The theme...the all-too-common angst that exists in families and how it’s highlighted during the holidays. Who hasn’t had to deal with that? The romance is front and center, of course, but there’s healing going on, forgiveness. I love multi-layered stories, not always easy to do, but Ms. Reeves delivers in spades. —CRich Review
Takeaway Truth
The way to get the best prices on ebooks is to subscribe to an author's newsletter.
I publish my newsletter twice a month and list free and bargain sale books from me and my friends.
Subscribe to my free newsletter today and become one of my Reader Friends. You'll receive a free ebook when you confirm your subscription.
New Release: Love's Redemption by Kara O'Neal
Born and raised in Texas, the state had to be the setting for Kara's first series.
A Note from Kara
From the food to the fun, like floating the rivers, it is the fire in my blood that inspires me.
My family and friends take center stage in my books. My sisters and best friends are my heroines, and my husband created my favorite hero.
Love and family are the point of my stories, and I seek to entertain, relieve stress, and inspire people. Books can take one on a journey that one can relive over and over.
I am extremely grateful to those authors who did that very thing for me. I learned and I fell in love with their words and characters. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Visit Kara O'Neal Online
Book 7 in the Texas Brides of Pike's Run Series was a labor of love for me.
Love's Redemption tells Willa Kramer's story, which became quite complex and meaningful.
Willa has to overcome some very difficult internal and external battles. She
faces two truly evil people, and it was hard to write. Not because the story
wouldn't flow, but because Willa's journey contained some tough events that she
had to endure. And, of course, triumph over.
I love her story. I love what she learns about herself, and how she takes the
necessary risks in order to save everyone.
She is strong. She is tough. Stubborn. VERY stubborn. And Lonnie, the man she
loves, is her match.
I enjoyed bringing these two together. They are a force, in my opinion. After
what they go through, not much else can shake their love.
Blurbing the Book
September, 1880
Pike’s Run, Texas
When she was little more than a child, Willa Kramer went to extreme lengths to save her family from their abusive father. After that horrible day, her mother and siblings moved to Tennessee, and Willa had hoped to leave Texas, its memories and Lonnie Davis, the only boy she ever trusted, behind. But fate is unpredictable.
Five years have passed, and Lonnie finds himself reunited with Willa, the only girl he’s ever loved. He’s determined not to let her slip away again, but a figure from the past looms, threatening his hopes for the future.
Sneak Peek at Love's Redemption by Kara O'Neal
A sagging house stood before Oscar Kramer. His blood boiled. What the hell had happened to his brother’s home? The damn place was falling apart. The weeds rising around the rotting wood served as evidence something had gone wrong. He spat tobacco on the ground.
While he considered possible scenarios, he cracked his knuckles and narrowed his eyes. If someone had ruined his brother, Oscar would rip his heart out then get back everything that had once belonged to his kin. The acres of wheat and corn surrounding the house were in good condition. What was going on?
A cheerful whistle distracted him. He turned his head toward the sound and found a man with a hoe slung over his shoulder walking down the dirt road. Oscar stalked to the gate. “Whoa, there.”
The wiry man noticed him and paused. Caution spread over the whistler’s face. “M-Mornin’.”
Oscar jerked his head at the decaying structure behind him. “You know the people who lived here?”
The man swallowed then nodded.
When he didn’t continue, Oscar had to tamp down irritation. Grabbing him by the throat wouldn’t help get the answers he needed. “Where are they?”
“Gone.”
“Where?”
The man’s face paled. “I…uh…I don’t know. Their man died.”
The explanation knocked Oscar on the jaw. “What the hell do you mean? Willard Kramer is dead?”
White appeared around the informer’s lips. “I-I…”
Oscar shoved the gate. “Get the damn words out before I rip them from you!”
The man’s eyes shot wide. “The sheriff shot him. K-Killed him. A-After Kramer beat up the schoolteacher, Miss Parker.”
Murdered? His brother had been murdered? Because of a woman? He blinked as a roaring grew in his head. The sound of harsh breathing reminded him he wasn’t alone. He snapped out of his haze. “Get the hell out of here,” he growled.
The man didn’t hesitate. Dust followed in his wake.
Oscar’s hands trembled. He whipped back to the house. The sheriff would pay for this, and he’d find his brother’s children and take them from that bitch of a wife. He gritted his teeth as he cracked his knuckles again. No one murdered a Kramer. No one.
Takeaway Truth
Great excerpt! I know you want to click to buy Love's Redemption immediately so don't hesitate a moment longer.
Update: Attempt to Post on Social Media About The Social Dilemma
I reviewed The Social Dilemma Sunday, Dec. 13. I tweeted about it a few times to drive readers to my Review.
I went to Facebook and wondered if I could do the same. Facebook is one of the social media sites most frequently discussed in the documentary-drama hybrid.
Here's what I wanted to post:
A horrific future awaits our world unless change starts soon. My Review of THE SOCIAL DILEMMA. Watch it with your family. It's a call to arms to change what's changing our world—before it's too late. Based on what I saw in this documentary-drama hybrid, I wonder if anyone will even see this post. It may end up on the cutting room floor so to speak. #SlingWords https://slingwords.blogspot.com/2020/12/review-social-dilemma.htmlI clicked to add the fair use graphic image of the film's poster which is a 135kb jpg file. (The Social Dilemma Graphic Poster By Source, Fair use, Link.)
A moment later this message popped up: You cannot post while media upload is queuing.
The Post bar grayed out. I waited more than 5 minutes just to see, but the error message never went away, there was no indication of anything trying to upload, and the Post bar remained grayed out.
I added this to the post:
I tried to upload a fair use 135kb image file of the film's poster. Not only won't it upload, but I received a message saying, "You cannot post while media upload is queuing." Hmm. 135kb is nothing. The Post bar is grayed out.
After another few minutes, I took a snip screenshot with the P.S. I'd added as shown at the right.
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Facebook throws me into FB jail. I'll keep you posted. (Not really worried about that because it would free up so much of my time.)
After watching that docu-drama, I can't say I'm surprised that I was not able to post to FB about it. Probably anything containing the words "Social Dilemma" gets an automatic ban from them.
Takeaway Truth
What bothers me is they allow really bad stuff to be posted, citing Freedom of Speech, but they don't give a fig for that same Freedom of Speech if it's something that warns people about the dangers of social media for their children.
Review: The Social Dilemma
This film explains much of what is going wrong not just in our country but in countries around the globe. It explores the dangerous human impact of social networking.
The tech experts who created the software for social networking are sounding the alarm on their own creations.
(The Social Dilemma Graphic Poster By Source, Fair use, Link.)
I'm talking about young people with a lack of interest in any of the things most of us adults over fifty take for granted.
Things like doing well in school, going to college or learning a trade, becoming independent, getting and holding a job, forming friendships, having hobbies, viewing the world and events with an objective eye.
We know all of these things make for a happy fulfilled life, a good economy, and a peaceful society.
Why Has the Younger Generation Changed?
Everyone jokes about millenials, but this documentary-drama hybrid explains the problem, and it's frightening. We are losing the generations below thirty.
Contractors who work for us have given up on training an apprentice whether it's electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, carpentry, etc.
In two cases, our electrician has paid more than 5 grand for a young person to learn the trade then work for him to get real world experience. Less than halfway through the course, both of the young men he'd sponsored quit. He said they couldn't leave their phones alone. They were constantly looking at it.
I see this when I go into retail establishments whether clothing stores, grocery stores, or fast food restaurants that employ teens. Young people can't take the time to assist you. Their attention is on their phone.
The problem goes beyond distraction. Those who have grown up with social media do not know how to objectively examine what they see on social media and try to determine whether it's true or fake.
The consequence is that what they're being fed on social media is making them react emotionally and often violently.
Suicides in teens have skyrocketed. In tweens, it's even a bigger jump. Cutting and other self-damaging activities have leaped in numbers.
Social Media Is AI
When Hawking said he thought the biggest threat to humanity was Artificial Intelligence, I think we all believed he meant like a Terminator/SkyNet sort of thing.
Banks of computers all over the world assess what you're doing online, not just on a particular site, but everywhere.
If you're looking for a slant on a particular topic, that will be fed to you on the social media site you most often visit.
It feeds you true stuff and fake stuff because the social media sites do NOT distinguish between true and false. That's not their job. Their job is to keep you glued to their page.
The Social Dilemma was created by the people who created the problem. Check out The Social Dilemma Wiki and look at the list of people who contributed to this documentary. They were all engineers and executives of Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.
Do they let their children use social media and email on a phone? Not until they're teens, and they limit the time their kids can be on screens.
How do we change what's happening?
Wow. That's the big question. I wonder if it can be changed?
The first step is for parents to be aware of the problem. Start being parents. Be involved in your child's life. Know what they're doing online. Do they have any of the hallmarks of social dilemma?
Grades declining in school? No extra-curricular activities? No friendships in the real world? Glued to their devices all the time? Do you allow them to have them at night? Are they tired and sleepy every morning? Do you suspect their on social media far into the night?
Watch this docu-drama with your children. Discuss it.
It's going to take a massive effort by parents and probably government intervention to get children back into the real world and to regulate what social media is sending to your child's phone/device.
One of the problems going into solving the dilemma is that greed for big profits is the engine that fueled this social dilemma.
Who among the wealthy, powerful, and politically connected will step forward and say, We've got to stop this trend and get back on track?
Will they heed the warning in this film, or will they let their respective countries fall into chaos which is happening already? Look at the violence that suddenly arises; de-stabilized economies; racial, religious, and ethnic divisiveness; and the intolerance that's has become commonplace.
Takeaway Truth
If something isn't done sooner rather than later, I fear for the world in which our children and grandchildren will be forced to live.
Recipe: Cowboy Cookies
Nothing unless it's the aroma of pies, cakes, and candy making in progress.
I have a new cookie recipe that I'm making this year, and I can't wait for Saturday to share it with you. These cookies are totally delicious.
The recipe is Cowboy Cookies, and it's from former First Lady Laura Bush. You're going to love these.
This cookie is big since everything in Texas is bigger. It's the size of your palm. If an oatmeal cookie married a chocolate chip cookie and coconut was tossed on the wedded couple instead of rice, you get a Cowboy Cookie. Needless to say, it contains pecans, the state tree of Texas, too.
The pecans should be chopped and toasted before adding them to the ingredients. Toasting is easy. Take an iron skillet or fry pan, put over medium heat, add the pecans, and watch them carefully. You should be able to smell the nutty taste as they toast. Be careful not to burn them. Toasted nuts in a recipe add another depth of flavor.
Cowboy Cookies
Ingredients
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
12 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 cup toasted pecans
1 cup Baker's shredded coconut
2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/4 cup oatmeal
Directions
1. Melt the butter in a large bowl in the microwave. Don't super heat it. Just want it melted. Let cool so the egg won't cook when you add it.
2. In a bowl, whisk all dry ingredients together: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Into the melted butter, add the brown sugar and vanilla. Beat well.
4. Beat the egg and egg yolk together in a small bowl or cup and add to the sugar mixture. Mix well.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the sugar mixture, stirring well to combine.
 |
| By Daria Yakovleva #3938704 Pixabay |
6. Add the toasted pecans, coconut, chocolate chips, and oatmeal, mixing well.
7. Spray a 1/4 cup measuring cup with baking spray. Get 2 cookie sheets out.
8. Scoop up the mixture in 1/4 cup increments. Place the scoop on a rimless cookie sheet or a large cookie sheet with enough room for the cookies to spread out as they back. 8 cookies per sheet is about all you can bake at one time because they grow so large as they bake.
9. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 15-17 minutes. Halfway through the baking cycle, rotate the cookie sheet.
10. When the cookie is baked, it should be light brown with edges that look dry and a middle that may look a bit underdone. Go ahead and remove the cookie sheet from the oven. Let the cookies set on the hot pan for at least 5 minutes to continue baking. This is what gives the cookies a crisp edge and a chewy inside.
11. Bake only 1 cookie sheet at a time. So you'll be removing 1 pan from the oven, putting another in, and letting the finished pan set for 5 minutes.
Takeaway Truth
Try these cookies. They'll become the family's favorite cookie for any time of the year.
FREE & On Sale Christmas Romance Novels
Yesterday, Amazon finally re-priced the selected books I'd requested.
So I popped them into my Newsletter, Joan's Reader Friends and sent it off.
This time on my Newsletter, I offered 3 free holiday romance ebooks, a new release from my friend Bonnie Edwards, and some Christmas romances that were on sale for this week only.
Free for the only time this year, Last Christmas is about love at first sight, heartbreak, revenge, redemption, and second chances.
Yes, this story has it all, and I think you'll love it! If you do, please leave a review!
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I absolutely love her writing and just purchased 2 more of her books. Last Christmas is such a sweet story that takes place in a small town. And, how could you resist a book with a dog named Friday that saves the day? Really enjoyable read from beginning to end. —Denise Reviews
Last Christmas International Kindle Link — if you pick up your copy from a Kindle store outside the U.S., make sure it shows as free or you may be charged for your purchase because some international Kindle Shops won't honor the free listing.
Sign Up to Become a Reader Friend
That's just one book in the newsletter. If you're not a subscriber, sign up now. I send my Newsletter twice a month and it always has free and on-sale offers from me and some of my friends.
When you confirm your subscription, you'll receive a link for a free romance ebook.
Takeaway Truth
I love bargains, and the best bargains can be found in an author's newsletter. Again, here's the link to sign up for My Free Newsletter.