Here’s another great addition to our Valentine’s Day Recipe Roundup from TIF MARCELO! Don’t forget, we’re here all week with more fun – keep following along!  *** It’s never too late. Not for seventy-six-year-old Margo Gallagher-Cary, and neither for her thirty-nine-year-old daughter Diana. Both single, and at a fork in their lives, they’re ready to make change, to do something different. But when they come upon old letters that speak to a family history that they cannot deny, they must go after the truth, only to find themselves in the Philippines where both opportunity and love await. ONCE UPON A SUNSET is that story of found family and new love for all generations. But the Filipino-American experience isn’t complete without the introduction of specific food, food that speaks to families near and far and symbolizes celebration and good luck. Pancit Bihon, a noodle dish, is common in Filipino-American celebration menus. Below is my own recipe. Vegetable Pancit Bihon 1 package glass (clear) noodles of choice, like vermicelli or rice noodles 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, chopped 2 medium carrots, julienned ½ medium cabbage, chopped 2 cups of green beans, chopped into about ½ inch. 1 tsp fish sauce Pepper,…

1–Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey: Okay, this movie absolutely had to be #1. It came out when I was 11-years-old, and it still stands as my favorite animal movie ever made. As a kid, I loved the movie because I thought Chance, the naughty and juvenile American Bulldog was hilarious. As an adult, I appreciate the way the character of Chance was portrayed—as a smart, goofy, lovable guy who needed to learn how to trust, and that they chose to make Chance an American Bulldog, which put the breed in a positive light. But the real kicker in this movie is the ending, when Shadow, the elderly Golden Retriever comes up over that hill, and his human, Billy, runs to him as Shadow says, “Oh, Peter! I worried about you so!” Oh my gosh, I cry every single time. Old dogs are the best, man. They’re the best. 2–All Dogs Go to Heaven: I’d just turned 8 when this movie came out in 1989, and my parents took me to the movie theater to see it for my birthday. This movie is actually pretty dark for a kid’s show, though. Dead dogs, orphaned girls, murderous casino owners, and the threat…

1–What’s the name of your latest release? The Little Bookshop on the Seine which is book one of The Little Paris Collection, a trio of stand-alone novels set in Paris. 2–What is it about? It’s about a small town American bookshop owner who does a book shop exchange to Paris and finds things in the city of love are not all they’re cracked up to be. It’s an ode to books with a big helping of friendship, Paris and love! 3–What word best describes your heroine? Bookworm! 4–What makes your hero irresistible? He’s a little mysterious but all for good reason! 5–Who are the people your main characters turn to when they need help? Sarah has her squad back in the U.S. but while she’s in Paris she turns to Oceane who helps her with the little things (the best way to tie scarves in the French fashion) and the big things like love — without her I think Sarah would have hightailed it home already. 6–What do you love about the setting of your book? The location! I’m a loud and proud Francophile and I love nothing more than researching off-the-beaten parts of Paris so I can set scenes…

Jen: What inspired you to write Meg & Jo, a contemporary retelling of Little Women? Virginia: I think we need stories about strong women and families pulling together in tough times. There’s so much warmth and joy in Little Women! When I first read the book—my grandmother gave a copy to my sister and me when I was about ten—I wanted to go live with the March family and act in plays and write a newspaper and all the rest of it. But as I grew up, things I’d sort of skipped over in the story struck me for the first time or in a different way. And I wanted to tell Meg and Jo (and Beth and Amy) in a way that reflected that perspective. As the author of over thirty novels, how did writing your first women’s fiction book differ from your previous works? I’m still writing about families and relationships. I’m still drawing on classic stories of my childhood for inspiration (I always imagined Sea Witch as a sexy, feminist version of The Little Mermaid). But the emphasis in this story is very different. Meg and Jo isn’t so much about if or who the sisters will…

“Don’t look right now, but Miller just pulled up next to your car.” My eyes widen. “He did?” “Yes. And I need you to take me home, but I don’t want to make it awkward if he’s wanting to talk to you, so I’m going back inside the school. Text me when it’s safe to come out.” “Okay.” I’m nodding, my stomach full of nerves. “Also, you’re full of it. You are so into him. If you use the word inconsequential one more time in reference to him, I’ll slap you.” “Okay.” Lexie walks back toward the school, and I take a breath. I spin around and walk toward my car, pretending not to notice Miller’s truck until I’m at my driver’s-side door. His windows are up and his truck is running, but he’s just sitting in it, staring ahead with a sucker hanging from his mouth. He’s not even paying attention to me. He probably doesn’t even know he parked next to me, and here I am assuming it was deliberate. I feel stupid. I start to turn around and open my car door but stop short when he unlocks his passenger door. That’s when he lazily turns his…

Welcome back to Fresh Fiction, Sarah! Can you tell us a little bit about your latest release, A WEDDING IN DECEMBER? Thank you for inviting me back! Great to be here. A Wedding in December is the story of the White family, who come together in beautiful snowy Aspen, Colorado, to celebrate the wedding of youngest daughter Rosie.  On the surface it’s about the wedding (although whether or not the wedding actually happens, I’m not saying! No spoilers here for people who haven’t read the book), but really, it’s a family drama and also three romances in one book because as well as the bride-to-be Rosie, we follow her sister Katie, and her mother, Maggie. Maggie is very much the anchor of this story, which explores how the relationship between the different family members changes over time. It’s a fun, festive holiday story with plenty of drama. What a wonderful family romp to read this time of year! What inspired the White family and their various predicaments? During the holidays, families are often thrown together in a confined space with individuals they might not see too much of for the rest of the year. That’s a recipe for drama! And…

Big congratulations are in order for bestselling author ROBYN CARR, who was inducted to the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame yesterday! She chatted with us about this honor and much more. . .  — Congratulations on this incredible honor, Robyn! How does it feel to be in the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame?  Robyn: It’s very humbling to think that I could be chosen from so many wonderful writers. Of course I’m honored and proud. Nevada has been my home for 20 years now. Of all the places and series you’ve created, which one do you sometimes wish actually existed? Just for fun, of course. . . Robyn: I, like my readers, wish I could at least visit Virgin River. The strength of that community is heartening and I believe the residents take comfort in knowing they’re never alone. And, though the town is fictional, that part of Northern California is not and its beauty is breathtaking. And it’s a rugged land that demands much of its residents; they have to be tough and determined, yet another reason being able to depend on your neighbors really counts. What’s the greatest piece of career advice you’ve received? And on the other side, what’s the…

6 October, 2017 Hard to Bear  It’s 3 a.m. here in cardio-thoracic. All I can do for now is doze, and think, and doze again. My heart is getting weaker, my body bluer. People I haven’t seen for a while are starting to drop in. (Good to see you, Emily, Jacob, Christa. I’m looking forward to the Martinis.) We all pretend we’re not getting ready to say goodbye. It seems easiest. But my mother cries when she thinks I’m sleeping, so maybe here, now, is time to admit that I might really be on the way out. I should be grateful. A baby born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome a few years before I was would have died within days. I’ve had twenty-eight years and I’ve managed to do quite a lot of living in them. (Also, I’ve had WAY more operations than you everyday folk. I totally win on that.) OK, so I still live at home and I’ve never had a job and I’m blue around the edges because there’s never quite enough oxygen in my system. But – Actually, but nothing. If you’re here tonight for the usual BlueHeart cheerfulness-in-the-teeth-of-disaster, you need to find another blogger. My…

There I sat, in my dining room, ready to cast my first spell. My daughter was with her father for the night, as we were recently separated–I had left him six months before, and had filed for divorce despite his desire for us to stay together. The usually warm Texas fall air had finally begun to get crisp, and I drew my legs up into the chair and into my cardigan. I had gathered the few necessary tools required- a hexagonal crystal I had purchased at a local crystal shop, his picture, a candle. And most of all, I knew what I wanted–I wanted for him to let me out of this marriage without a fight. I wanted magic. I wanted the easy way. I wanted to conjure anything I could and believe that my troubles, and this divorce I was in, could dissipate, and end in my favor. As I conducted the spell, I moved the carved crystal over his picture, just as instructed in whatever spell I had dug up online and was following. I don’t remember any words or anything about that spell anymore, but I vividly remember one thing about this moment as I ran the…

Jen: What inspired you to write The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street, the 6th book in The Tradd Street series? Karen: My contract!  When I wrote book #4 in the series, RETURN TO TRADD STREET, I knew there were so many stories left to tell, and so much more growth that Melanie had to attain that it seemed there should be more books in the series.  My publisher asked for three more, and I said yes. In order for the story to ring true with readers, how much research was needed? That’s hard to quantify as I’ve been “researching” Charleston for nearly twenty years.  From my first visit, I’ve been intrigued and fascinated by the city–the architecture, history and its natural beauty–and have been eagerly exploring the Holy City ever since as often as I can.  Melanie Trenholm’s relationship with her parents, sister, and husband is in a constant state of motion. In what ways is she evolving in this latest installment?   It’s been a long road for self-sufficient Melanie (and it’s not over) to become more trusting.  Because she was abandoned by her mother at age six, and raised by an alcoholic father, she had to become self-sufficient very…