MERRY CODE RED (WHITE & BLUE)!

Hello July!

I'm from a small town in northern Michigan where we take the celebration of Independence Day very seriously. Strawberries. Hot dogs. Patriotic Sings. Parades. S'mores. Fireworks. We go all out. And so wherever you are this week, I wish you a very Happy Fourth! 

If you are a romance author, and you're querying agents and editors, I wanted you to know I've donated my critique services to the Romancing the Vote auction. You can bid on me here.

And last, but not least by any stretch of the imagination, my publisher has secured a discount for THE CHRISTMAS DILEMMA, book three in my Adair Family series, in the month of July. The series is set in a small town on Lake Michigan called CHRISTMAS TREE COVE. 

If you haven't read the first two books in the series, ON CHRISTMAS TREE COVE and WISHING FOR MR. RIGHT, you can check them out on the Tule Publishing website. I will send you an update on July 18th when the discount hits all the major book retailers. 

So enjoy your beach reading days. Summer is such a special time to be with family and friends.  I hope your days are filled with sunshine. 

With Love, 

Sarah 

CELEBRATE WOMEN'S FICTION DAY!

Are you a querying writer?

My passion is helping people tell their stories. I can’t remember when I wasn’t watching or reading a story and trying to disassemble it (much to my long-suffering husband’s chagrin) to understand how the writer put the pieces together to make it entertaining and engaging.

I earned an MFA in Cinema/Television from the University of Southern California and worked as a story analyst developing screenplays for feature films at Paramount Pictures, The Ladd Company, Lightstorm Entertainment, Baltimore/Spring Creek, USA Films, and MGM.

I have been writing and developing manuscripts for twenty years. I am a published romance author including a Contemporary Romance series with holiday themes from Tule Publishing, as well as a YA Romantasy, and a YA Celebrity Romance novella from Inkspell Publishing.  I want to share my knowledge and experience with you.

As a developmental editor my goal is to give you clear, concise actionable feedback that motivates you tell your story and sell it in today’s marketplace.  I offer services for Adult, YA and NA novels. While I read all genre fiction, my focus includes:  Women’s Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance (all subgenres), Historical, PNR, Romantasy, RomCom, and Cozy Mystery.

To celebrate Women's Fiction Day, I'm giving away a query package critique including feedback on your query letter, synopsis and first three chapters.

Sign up with your name and email address below. I'll draw a random winner. 

Happy Women's Fiction Day! Thank you for helping me celebrate. 

xo xo xo

Sarah

THE CHRISTMAS DILEMMA PLAYLISTS

Just for fun. And to put you into the holiday mood. As if you needed any help at all after decorating the tree and the front door. I’ve put together some playlists to go along as background music while you’re reading THE CHRISTMAS DILEMMA.

It’s an establish fact that Eli Adair is a bit eccentric. He has ecclectic taste when it comes to music. And he’s gathered together an intriguing assortment of music to listen to over the holidays. He’s drawn to classic Christmas songs from his youth. And he was influenced by his dad and grandfather when it comes to holiday classics. I hope you’ll enjoy having a Spotify playlist to listen to while you’re reading.

And thank you for reading THE CHRISTMAS DILEMMA. I’m so grateful to you. Especailly at this time of year when it’s important to take a few minutes to rest and count our blessings.

Happiest holiday wishes to you and yours.

xoxo

Sarah

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT GIVEAWAY

THANK YOU!

For being a part of the Christmas Advent Calendar. I want to giveaway this Christmas ornament to a lucky participant. This Christmas ornament was part of the inspiration for Book #1 in the Adair Family Series, ON CHRISTMAS TREE COVE. A story about an seaplane pilot and a professional photographer who are scared to take a second chance on love.

Here’s the blurb:

December was always a special time for seaplane pilot Morgan Adair, but after losing her parents six years ago, the holiday is a quiet affair. When her siblings announce plans to sell the family home, Morgan longs to experience her favorite, now-forgotten tradition one more time: a lighted tree that, for over a hundred years, has appeared floating on a boat in the harbor every Christmas Eve.

The Taylors were always rivals to the Adairs in the once-thriving fishing village of Christmas Tree Cove, but Jesse Taylor was much more. He wanted to be understanding when Morgan set aside their plans to escape to Chicago in order to hold her family together, but his future as a successful freelance photographer soared on without her.

As Morgan dives deeper into the history of the mysterious holiday appearance, she discovers that true love has always been at the heart of the annual tradition. Can the wonder of Christmas and a few surprises along the way rekindle that love for Morgan and Jesse too?

If you enjoy THE CHRISTMAS DILEMMA, you’ll enjoy meeting all the characters in ON CHRISTMAS TREE COVE. Comment below with the name of your favorite Christmas song and I’ll select one person at random to win the Christmas ornament. Thank you and best wishes for a very happy holiday season.

xoxo

Sarah

KATHARINE HEPBURN BROWNIES

Ingredients

1/2 cup cocoa or 2 squares (2 oz.) unsweetened baker’s chocolate

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup AP flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pinch of salt

1 cup roughly chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.

Melt butter with cocoa or chocolate together in a heavy saucepan over medium low heat, whisking constantly until fully blended and shiny. Remove from heat. Let cool. In a standing mixer, whisk together sugar, eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, salt and nuts. Add chocolate mixture. Mix well. Pour into a well buttered 8-inch square baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for about 40 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool completely cut into sixteen squares. These brownies are fudgie and perfect for a cold winter’s night.

Oh! I almost forgot. There’s a legend that goes along with the Katharine Hepburn brownies. You can read all about that delicious story HERE. But make the brownies and a cup tea first so you can really sit down and enjoy it. xo