Joan Reeves: February 2023

February Free Book: Scents and Sensuality

I can't believe we're at the end of February! Yes, it's a short month, but it seemed even shorter this year.

Have a free book on me! Better grab it fast because the free offer ends today at 11:59pm PST.

SCENTS AND SENSUALITY

A science nerd desperate for a date to her snooty cousin's wedding.

A man desperate to put an end to his matchmaking mom's schemes.

Let the games begin!

If you miss the "free" deadline, you can get a "free read" on it if you're a Kindle Unlimited subscriber.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Every month I offer a free book to my subscribers. They get first pick. On the last day it's free, I sometimes post about it here so SlingWords readers can take advantage of a free book.

Joan Reeves participates in Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to products (such as books) on Amazon.

JOAN ONLINE

Website * Blog * Amazon * BookBub * Facebook * Twitter * YouTube

Review: Behind Her Eyes on Netflix

If you're looking for a series that surprises and creeps you out, then tune in to BEHIND HER EYES, a Netflix series.

Don't be fooled by the description which makes this story seem like an oft-told tale. It's not. By the time you reach the end of the movie, the true horror is revealed.

THE DESCRIPTION

A single mother enters a world of twisted mind games when she begins an affair with her psychiatrist boss while secretly befriending his mysterious wife.

Sounds like many other movies and television series you may have seen. Right?

It's not! I don't want to say more because I don't want to give away the turning points of this psychological suspense.

In fact, don't read any other reviews so the shocking end will be as shocking as the movie maker intended.

PRODUCTION DETAILS

This English language production was created by Steve Lightfoot and written by him and Angela LaManna.

The main cast of characters are: Eve Hewson as Adele, Simona Brown as Louise Barnsley, Tom Bateman as Dr. David Ferguson, Robert Aramayo as Rob, Eva Birthistle as Marianne,

Tyler Howitt as Adam, and Georgie Glen as Sue.

Eve Hewson is stunning as Adele, the manipulative, mysterious wife, and Simona Brown is sympathetic as the intelligent, compassionate Louise. Tom Bateman as Adele's husband is the long-suffering good doctor trapped in his marriage, and Robert Aramayo is so good as Rob that his actions stay with you even though his screen time is relatively short.

The story was adapted from BEHIND HER EYES by Sarah Pinborough.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

What horrifies one person may leave another untouched. This movie gave me a nightmare as creepy as the story. If you watch it, leave a comment and tell me what you thought of it.

JOAN ONLINE

Website * Blog * Amazon * BookBub * Facebook * Twitter * YouTube

5 Reasons Computers Are Like Cars

I've been contending with tech problems—computers, software, printers, and WiFi.

In fact, I blogged about it yesterday on SmartGirlsReadRomance.

I'm still ticked off at technology in general which means I'm still griping about it.

Computers and associated subjects remind me of cars, i.e., they never start when you really need them to.

5 Reasons Computers Are Like Cars

1. They cost a lot of money.

2. They need regular maintenance and upgrades.

3. Repairs are expensive.

4. You always wonder if the money you spend in repairs is money well spent, or should you have put that toward a new one.

5. The new model each year makes you wish you'd waited to make a purchase.

Here's a bonus reason cars and computers are alike. They're both too heavy to heave through a window when you get totally frustrated because they won't work!

Takeaway Truth

If you've ever cursed and cried because of computers and technology, just wait. Artificial Intelligence is here to make it even better. {sarcasm intended}

Seriously, you should read I Forced a Bot to Write This Book: A.I. Meets B.S. by Keaton Patti.

It won't help you with computers and technology, but you will laugh and feel a lot better.

* * * * *

Joan Reeves participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to products on Amazon.

Romancing the Weekend: Valentine Romance

The holiday celebrating Love is just days away. As you might suspect, there are a lot of romance novels set around Valentine's Day.

With that thought in mind, Romancing the Weekend shines the spotlight on the popular trope, Valentine Romance.

Here are a few books and short stories that may make you laugh or bring an emotional tear to your eye. With Romance, you know that each story will have an optimistic happy ending.

For your browsing pleasure, I present a dozen compelling romantic stories to celebrate Valentine's Day.

REMEMBER...

Remember, if you get a book FREE or for only 99¢, be sure and leave a review for the author who offers books at bargains in the hope of getting new readers and reviews, something authors desperately need.

PAST ROMANCING THE WEEKEND FEATURES

If you'd like to browse all of the Romancing the Weekend posts, click here to view all in this category. The books featured in these posts are still available, but they may not be free or on sale now.

VALENTINE ROMANCE TROPE

SWEET KISS

JUDY ANN DAVIS

Sweet Kiss is a Candy Hearts Romance, and it's on sale for $1.99.

Judy Ann Davis can be found online at:

Facebook

and

Twitter.

Can one sweet kiss revive an old love? A Valentine's Day Contemporary Sweet Romance.

Hard-working Kate Clark opens a thriving coffee shop that quickly becomes the local hang-out for students and the community. Her one wish is to eventually buy out her sister’s share of the old Florida home they inherited. However, Violet is in desperate need of cash and has other plans.

Tappe Vanderberg, Kate’s childhood friend and high school sweetheart, has sold his lucrative internet security business to return to Little Heron Shores and fulfill his dreams of owning a marina. Now the handsome Dutch-born businessman is making waves with single women all over town—including loony, post mistress Eva May Poole who’s in search of husband number three.

But it’s Kate Clark who’s wreaking havoc with Tappe’s heart, not Eva May. Can he find a way to shake the dingbat post mistress and convince Kate to give him a second chance and the sweet kiss he remembers from an earlier time?

OPPOSITES IGNITE

SADIRA STONE

Opposites Ignite is A Bangers Tavern Romance that also fits these other tropes: Friends to lovers, Workplace Romance, Opposites Attract, and Curvy Heroine.

You can find Sadira Stone online at Facebook and Twitter.

A mismatch sparks the hottest flames.

Blue-haired, buxom, and bodacious, server Rosie needs her job at Bangers Tavern, where her work family adores her weirdness and supports her hunt for a tattoo apprenticeship. When too much New Year’s bubbly tumbles her into a sweet, shy coworker’s bed, she craves more. But guys like Eddie never stick with girls like her.

Strait-laced, soft-spoken, and skinny, barback Eddie has a huge crush on his curvy, tattooed coworker. Their New Year’s surprise is a dream come true—until his grandma walks in on them. Eddie begs Rosie to fake-date him to appease his old-fashioned family. He’s already keeping secrets, so what’s the harm in one more? But the longer he pretends with Rosie, the deeper he falls.

Their boss lays down the law: No relationship drama at work, or you’re fired. Rosie’s everything Eddie ever wanted—but to keep her, he’ll have to drop a terrifying truth bomb on his loving but stifling family. And Rosie must trust her bruised heart with the guy who nearly crushed it.

Come back to Bangers Tavern for a steamy, laugh-out-loud, opposites-attract romance that ignites in all the worst ways—and the best!

WRONG TURN RIGHT HEART

JUDY KENTRUS

Wrong Turn Right Heart, a Contemporary Romance (not sweet) is on sale for only 99¢.

You can find the author online at Facebook and Twitter.

Cupid is on the hunt for a very special couple. Grayson Wolff and Jennie Reynolds are at the mercy of his arrow of love. This Valentine’s Day their lives will be changed forever.

Grayson Wolff was currently enjoying the success of the microbreweries he’d added to his family’s chain of roadhouses. Working and taking care of his nine-year-old nephew didn’t leave time in his life for a woman. That all changes when Malibu Barbie comes and orders a Pina Colada with extra fruit.

With her California tan and white shorts, she sticks out like a rose among a field of cacti. He didn’t do one-night stands, plus he had too much going on in his life to get involved with a blond-haired bimbo. He was so close to achieving his personal goal, and no woman would mess it up.

Jennie Reynolds took this little vacation before she started her new job. Pulling a U-Haul cross-country with her antique Volkswagen bus was a challenge, and she’d never received so many middle finger insults in her life.

A hot dog motorcycle driver cut her off, and she missed her exit. Her cell phone was dead, she was lost, tired, and annoyed. Now she was in some honkey tonk, but her wrong turn wasn’t totally bad. The guy sitting next to her met numbers one through five on her a-guy-must-have list: Neat scruffy beard, stone-gray eyes, tall, lean muscular body, and he was close to her age. Too bad she couldn’t stick around long enough for numbers six, seven, and eight; great in bed.

BLAME IT ON CHOCOLATE

JOAN REEVES

Chloe Elliot was a good girl. She’d never been a hell-raiser. Never gotten drunk, used drugs, smoked pot, or slept around. She didn’t even curse!

Since her dad was the son of a minister and the oft-elected mayor, and her mom was the elementary school principal, she'd had no choice but to live a life above reproach. Truthfully, it really hadn’t been that difficult.

Until Hunter Cole returned to his home town. That was the beginning of Chloe's fall from good girl status. There was just something about the man that addled her brain and created havoc in her body.

Hunter Cole reckoned he had the best of all possible worlds. He'd played for the NFL, and even though two back surgeries had ended that career, he was lucky enough to follow in his dad's footsteps and work the family ranch and also follow his granddad's path and be the sheriff in his west Texas town. Life was perfect.

Until he dropped by the library to say hello to his best friend's little sister. Chloe wasn't so little any more. In fact, just looking at her made his common sense evaporate. She affected him like no other woman—and he'd had women throwing themselves at him since he was a high school quarterback! If he made a move on her, her brother would nail his hide to the wall. So how could he get close to Chloe without risking his life?

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

If you don't have a sweetied to cuddle up with this Valentine's Day, then cuddle up with a good Valentine Romance.

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5 Blogging Mistakes to Avoid

If you're new to blogging, thinking about starting a blog, or have had one for years, you may wonder if a blog serves any purpose when there's so many other ways to reach the public.

I've got news for you. The blog is alive and well in today's world. Blogs are stilll read by millions.

It may be easier to attract an audience with blogs that with short attention-span TikTok viewers, etc.

I'd like to give you 5 things you can do immediately that will increase your blog audience.

5 Blogging Mistakes Beginners Make

1. Failing to make a commitment.

If you decide to blog, then make a conscious commitment to following through. Don't post a few times then have gaps. Gaps make readers go away. If you decide to blog, then do it. Take action to make it happen.

2. Publishing few blog posts.

No. More is better. A consistent schedule of daily content is probably the most effective blogging schedule. Not everyone is ready to commit to blogging once a day. I did it for 14 years, rarely missing a day until 3 years ago when the personal demands on my time exceeded my ability to keep blogging every single day.

Establish a schedule you can handle where you blog so many times week after week. Once a week is the minimum you should blog. It's harder to build an audience with once a week blogging, but consistency of publication is important.

3. Not knowing what to "talk" about.

Create an editorial calendar so you'll always know what you'll blog about on any given day. An editorial calendar is simply a list of subjects about which you'll blog. Having a plan always beats no plan. Brainstorm a list of things you'd like to share with your blog readers.

4. Missing your scheduled blog day.

If you miss your scheduled blog day or several days or even weeks, avoid thinking, "Why bother?" Also avoid starting each new blog post with an apology if you get in the habit of missing several scheduled posts.

5. Posting content that's difficult to read.

What makes something difficult to read? Misspelled words, lack of proper punctuation, incorrect facts, formatted in a way that makes it hard for the eye to follow, and othe elements.

I can remember visiting a blog where the personal pronoun I was not capitalized. It was jarring and irritating to read "i read a book, and i loved it" over and over. By the way, it also lacked quotation marks. So it appeared this way:

i said i love reading i thought this book was good.

Agh!

I've been blogging since 2005 here at SlingWords.

Last year, I put much of what I know about successful blogging into a book that's available on Amazon Kindle for only 99¢.

In the book, I give you specific information about how to make the most of your blogging time and how to grow an audience.

Blog Ops: Search and Destroy Bad Blog Elements, Rescue Hostage Blogs, Be a Better Blogger

Grab a copy today for only 99 pennies (plus tax probaby) and get started on making your blog popular and successful.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Grab a copy of Blog Ops today for only 99 pennies (plus tax probaby) and get started on making your blog popular and successful—and have a great weekend!

7 Truths Amidst Uncertainty

Have you noticed how the doom and gloom population is growing?

Oh, my, yes. There are countless numbers of "experts" on TikTok, YouTube, and other social media telling you to duck and cover because the sky is falling.

Staying optimistic and believing that things will work out for the better—some how, some way—takes every ounce of belief, faith, hope, and perseverance one possesses.

TRUTHS AMIDST UNCERTAINTY

1. Things change.

If you're reading this, you survived the pandemic. Yes, we were told by many loud voices that half the world's population would succumb. That didn't happen. Whichever way you stand on the vax issue, those who were vaccinated probably survived, and those who weren't vaccinated seemed to survive too.

Even during The Plague in Europe, half of the population still survived, and the same is true of the ill-named Spanish Flu.

Humanity has a way of overcoming and sustaining life. Be optimistic. It helps trememdously. Remember that.

2. Some things stay the same.

As I said above, there are different viewpoints on the vax issue. Despite what evidence each side offers, those who believe in the power of the vax will not change their opinions.

Those who think the vax was a conspiracy to change human DNA or a hoax to enrich pharmaceutical companies and the fat cats of the world will not change their opinions.

Don't waste your breath trying to convert people to what YOU believe.

3. Evil people still walk the earth.

Gosh. Here are just a few who control the fates of millions. Putin and his plan to restore the bad old days of the Soviet Union. Xi Jinping of China who just ordered the mass "quiet disappearance" of those who publicly protested the CoVid shut down after people were burned alive in an apartment building because the doors were welded shut.

How about those in power in North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Iran, Cameroon, Venezuela, Cuba, and Turkey—just to name a few. And this doesn't even count those who would rather enrich their own wealth at the expense of millions.

Those in countries with a democractic process, rejoice! You don't appreciate what's it like to live in a country where there is no personal libery. In the U.S., our Constitution and Bill of Rights should be cherished and protected. Read those documents so you know why there's a difference in those supporting the Constituion and those trying to tear it asunder.

4. Accept the idea that what you put in your body will determine your overall health and longevity.

If you want to save money, be healthy. Healthcare is one of the biggest expenses and that expense is growing. When you stuff your face with junk food, processed food, and, usually, fast food/restaurant food, you're ingesting max calories along with flavor enhancers and other chemicals designed to make you want more, more, more.

Make a resolution to learn what real food is like and start cooking that at home because then you control the ingredients.

Diet is within your control. Yes, it may be difficult to change ingrained habits, but the rewards are many so try and keep trying.

Diet and physical activity may determine whether you get a disease like diabetes, dementia, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and morbid obesity. All of those can kill you and/or bankrupt you. Some can have a domino effect that may eventually doom you.

Did you know that pre-diabetes is now linked to dementia? So it's not just a matter of looking good. It's a matter of keeping your brain healthy.

5. Best intentions mean nothing unless you take immediate action.

If there's anything wrong with you, take action now. Not exercising enough? Block off a 10 minute chunk of time and walk during that time. After a couple of weeks, increase to 15 minutes, and leverage that activity and time until you're walking at least an hour a day.

Got a nagging ache or pain? If you've had it for more than 3 weeks, see a doctor. Procrastinators often end up with multiple health problems.

6. Inflation is real, and it's going to cost you more to live from this point on.

Right now, look at what your income is and what your outgo is. The smartest people live below their income. If that's not you, do something about it now because prices are not going to fall. Taxes aren't going down—not when billions have been spent that our government doesn't have.

By the way, who do you think funds the government? We, the tax payers.

The government is spending more on outgo than they're getting in income. Don't be like the government because that's the way to bankruptcy.

If you need motivation, watch Dave Ramsey YouTube videos or read any of the Dave Ramsey books you'll find on Amazon or on his own website.

7. Discover the fun in inexpensive entertainment.

For quiet entertainment, read a book. Get the whole family involved in reading, and you'll create a family of intelligent people who can focus and think. A good book can sweep you away from the problems of the world for at least a few hours. Reading is like a little vacation between the covers of a book.

Reading is also one of the cheapest forms of entertainment. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of free ebooks of every genre offered by authors who hope you'll discover their wonderful books. Start a book club and have the members subscribe to authors' newsletters.

For fun evenings, re-discover card games and board games—there's a huge world of board games to discover. Invite friends over for board game night or a dinner party at home rather than dropping major bucks at a restaurant and/or bar. That doesn't mean you can never go out. Choose the special occasion you'll go out.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

These truths will always be true. Make a truth for yourself that you'll be optimistic, have faith, and do what you can, where you are, to make life good for yourself and your family.

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February Sale: The Trouble With Love

Hello, February! Wow, the first month of 2023 flew by.

Come on, Father Time. Slow things down a bit.

The last few days have been super cold and wet, and that makes me want warm beach weather.

Let's take off for a Texas resort. That's where Special Agent Hogan and small town Deputy Susannah Quinn are going on an undercover assignment.

Join them as they discover THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE! On sale for only 99¢, or read as a Kindle Unlimited selection.

BLURB

"A brilliant read with a brilliant storyline and characters. I look forward to reading more from this author!" —NetGalley

By-the-book Deputy Susannah Quinn has all she can do to resist rule-breaking FBI Special Agent D. E. Hogan. To catch a thief, they pose as husband and wife and go undercover. Unfortunately, Susannah and Hogan have already been undercover—in a hotel room in Houston.

Susannah wishes her lapse in judgment would take a flying leap and land on Jupiter. Hogan, wishes he could get the contrary deputy into his bed. The complications caused by family—his and hers—pretty much guarantee that's never going to happen.

Throw in an over-the-hill Romeo and his lady love, a middle-aged mom determined to have her own love affair, and the charm of a small Texas town, and you get a story with heart, soul, and passion—lots of passion.

Can Susannah and Hogan, two mismatched lovers doing everything in their power to avoid falling in love, catch a thief and recover stolen jewels? The clock is ticking. They have only seven days—and nights—to complete their assignment and resist the sweet siren call of desire.

EXCERPT

Every woman makes mistakes.

Susannah Quinn glared at the door to the sheriff's private office. But most women didn't have to put up with a constant reminder of their not so brilliant actions.

And most women didn't have their mistake showing up at their office, flaunting tanned muscles and polluting the environment with clouds of testosterone and male arrogance.

Temporary insanity was the only explanation for her mistake. If temporary insanity was a legal defense in criminal court, shouldn't she be able to escape punishment for her lapse in judgment?

Instead, she had her mistake aka D. E. Hogan show up, right on her doorstep. That was cruel and unusual punishment. Though that kind of thing was banned by the U. S. Constitution, apparently, in the grand cosmic scheme of things, it was still being dished out because she'd got a truckload of it in the last few weeks.

As if that wasn't bad enough, Hogan had turned out to be the new consultant for the Murphy's Cove Police Department down on the coast. To make matters worse, the jerk just had to drop by the sheriff's office every blasted day.

"Just Hogan," he'd said when her uncle the sheriff had introduced him. Susannah had shaken his hand as if she'd never laid eyes on him before. Until Hogan, she'd had only one secret in her life. It had caused her humiliation and anger. Now, she had something else to hide.

Ironically, Hogan was the only person on earth who knew anything about her first painful secret. One thing about being hurt, humiliated, and angry. Those negative emotions sure helped squash the warm tinglies that assaulted certain parts of her anatomy every time Hogan walked through the door. If only those painful emotions could crush her body's instinctive reaction to him.

But there was just something about Hogan. If she'd been a woman given to flights of fancy, she'd have called it love at first sight. But she didn't believe in love. Much less love at first sight. She knew enough about human sexuality to know love at first sight was nothing but pheromones. Calling it smell at first sight would be more accurate. It was just a basic primitive sexual response. It was chemistry, not love.

Whatever you called it, Susannah would do anything to keep Hogan from learning how susceptible she was to him. She might not be able to run away now that he was in her county, but she could stand and fight. Or take cover behind cynicism and sarcasm. Whatever worked.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

If you'd like to escape to a warm beach—but can't—do the next best thing and lose yourself in a passionate romance loaded with humor. THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE only 99¢.

BLOG PAGES

February Free Book: Scents and Sensuality

Review: Behind Her Eyes on Netflix

5 Reasons Computers Are Like Cars

5 Reasons Computers Are Like Cars

Takeaway Truth

Romancing the Weekend: Valentine Romance

5 Blogging Mistakes to Avoid

7 Truths Amidst Uncertainty

February Sale: The Trouble With Love