Five Summer Reading Tips

Night Owl Reviews wants to help you out! They are giving away a Waterproof Kindle Paperwhite (USA Only) and 119 $5.00 Amazon Gift Cards (Worldwide) in a Summer Fun Reader Scavenger Hunt.

We’re all busy. I think it’s likely safe to say we’re all stressed about something, too. But, if you’re like me, you have a pile of books waiting to help you relax. And we all know, at least we bookworms know, that summer is the best time for reading! Or that reading is a great way to leave life behind anytime of the year. But for those of us living in the northern hemisphere June is all about summer. Therefore, summer reading!

My summer reading list:

Five Tips To Tackle Any TBR Pile

Tip number one is to listen to more audiobooks! Fun fact: June is also audiobook month! My favourite place to listen to them is in the car, but I’ll also listen to them while doing some mindless chore, too. For some reason, fantasy and non-fiction are my go-tos with audiobooks. Confession: romance is harder because – sex scenes. I just can’t with the sex scenes in audio. In ebooks or paperbacks – heck yeah! But definitely check out how to access audiobooks from your local library, and here is Techradar’s Best Audiobook Sites for 2019. I’m currently listening to: The Candle and The Flame by Nafiza Azad.

Tip number two is to set a summer reading challenge. Or set a goal. Find a friend to read along with you. One summer our writing group read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. We all wanted to read a classic and it was fun to read along with others! So easy these days to set up a private Facebook group where everyone can chime in or you could get together every week to weigh in with your thoughts. Set up a group text. Then set some goals, like read this many chapters by this date, and away you go. Again, your library might have summer reading challenges to join.

Tip number three is a suggestion to sign up for Litsy! Book lovers unite on this social media platform. It’s like Instagram, only for readers. And with no advertising or promoting allowed. Great for book recommendations and for connecting with other readers. I also found a pen pal group. We’re called the #poutinepenpals. Because we’re Canadian, eh. This is also a way of keeping track of your reading. Disclaimer: there are some serious book lovers to be found there. As in some post monthly stats! And those stats are super impressive. Never thought I’d consider myself a slacker when it came to reading! Also, there are a lot of fun challenges to take part in, too.

Tip number four is to own your reading preferences! There’s nothing wrong with liking a certain type of book and sticking to that type of book. And don’t continue with a book if you don’t like it. That’s why the library is a great place to get books. You can quit a book and not feel guilty or pressured to continue to read it because you paid for it. Also, the library likely has some summer fun of it’s own happening and a good place to check out summer activities for you or any kids you might have in tow. Because we certainly want reading to be part of any child’s or teen’s summer activities. Let’s all be on our phones a little less and have our noses in a book a little more.

Tip number five is to branch out if you’re in a rut. Try something different. Again, the library is a great place to head to if you’ve lost your enthusiasm for reading. Ask for recommendations from friends. Or check out book review sites. Listen to a book podcast. Did you know that Reese Witherspoon has a book club called Hello Sunshine? Check out Modern Mrs. Darcy, who’s always ready with a book recommendation.

Until next time…

What’s everyone else reading? Right this very minute? Or hoping to read this summer?

Jana Richards’ New Small Town Contemporary Romance!

It’s Friday and you’re asking yourself: “What should I read this weekend?” If you like small town, contemporary romance, then I’ve have just the book for you! And if, like me, second chance romances are you’re absolute favourite, then this is the book for you! If you like tales of forbidden love, family conflict, and babies, then same! Bonus – you get a chance to enter Jana’s giveaway!

Five Things You Need to Know About the Masonville Series

  1. This small-town series is set in the fictional town of Masonville, North Dakota. I’ve given the town a population of 6,000 because I once lived in a town of that size. It’s big enough to have a lot of services, like a hospital and vet clinic, but small enough that everyone knows your business!
  2. In each of the books, the characters have a past trauma or unhappiness they must work through before they can be whole again. And before they can accept love into their lives.
  3. Right now I have four books planned for the series. Several of heroes and/or heroines in each book work in the town’s veterinary clinic. Two of the heroines and one hero are brother and sisters from the Saunders family.
  4. This is the fourth romance series I’ve written. I think I’m getting the hang of this thing! Each book in the series will be a stand-alone story, but as with every series, I think the reading experience is enhanced when read in order.
  5. I am currently at work on book 2 of the series, Garrett and Blair’s story. Garrett is Lauren’s brother, the heroine from CHILD OF MINE, book 1, and Blair works at the vet clinic with Cole, the hero from book 1. See? It all fits together!  

Lauren didn’t intend to sleep with her brother-in-law Cole on the day of her husband’s funeral. But now that she is pregnant, she’s not sorry. Cole’s given her a baby, a long-wished-for miracle. He’s been her friend forever, though she never told him or anyone else how unhappy her marriage to his cheating brother was. And she’s afraid to tell the small town that considered her husband a hero that the baby isn’t his.

Cole’s been in love with Lauren since he was sixteen. It kills him that everyone believes the baby is his dead brother’s. All he wants is to claim the baby, and Lauren, as his own. Though she marries him, will Lauren’s heart ever be his?

Lauren must tell the truth or risk losing Cole. Is her newly-discovered love for him greater than her fear of scandal in her hometown?

Amazon * B&N * iBoooks

You can find Jana Richards on Goodreads! Twitter! Facebook! Bookbub!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I also have a giveaway happening, so if you want another chance at a $25 Amazon gift card visit HERE!

Until next time…

What’s you’re plan for the weekend?

Karyn’s Holiday Giveaway Week Two

Holiday Winner Week One is…

********Brea*********

 

HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY WEEK TWO!

Karyn Good, Giveaway,

That’s quite the red and green theme I’ve got going on. But I thought a lovely notebook for jotting down your 2019 goals and a pair of cheery mittens to wear while getting out and getting things done would be just the thing needed for this time of year.

I am trying very hard to become a better list maker. That is to say – organized!

So, are there any list makers in the crowd? If so, tell me your tips in the comment section to be entered to win. If you’re like me and you’re not a list maker but you’d like to be, mention that in the comments for a chance to win. If you like to wing it mention that too!

And kind of on topic – here’s one of the items on my Christmas list!

The 5 am Club

Winning starts at your beginning. And your first hours are where the great heroes are made. Own your mornings and you’ll master your life. 

The 5 AM Club

It sounds kind of terrifying. I’ve never been particularly productive at 5:00 AM. However, the older I get the early I get up, so I might as well get something done. Like lists!

Until next time…

Let me know your opinion of lists in the comments. And, good luck!

Winter Solstice Tradition & Giveaway Announcement

Ready, Set, Go!

The holidays will soon be upon us. American Thanksgiving falls on Thursday and December is just around the corner and might see some of us celebrating either Hanukkah or Christmas. Also, the shortest day of the year shows up on Friday, December 21st. If you’ve got a different celebration or holiday going on, please let me know. I’d love to hear about it.

I like the idea of celebrating the winter solstice. It seems like an ideal opportunity to indulge in some downtown from all the holiday hustle and bustle that is our house during the Christmas season. A night to designate to a new tradition, that could be holiday themed or not holiday related whatsoever. (Also, I don’t think I’m doing myself any favours by calling it a ‘season’ and I probably should stop it. Like immediately. My need for routine does not lend itself to the disruption of adding another season into the usually acceptable Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.)

Winter Solstice

I think I’m going to pick going to a yoga class as my new tradition!

Of course, of the regular things still need doing and I’ll be working on another light round of edits for GONE, Aspen Lake Series Book 3. I’m so excited to be getting closer to a release date. I’m finishing up a book proposal that I’ve been hard at work putting together. But there’s still plenty of time leftover for fun. Especially here on my blog where I’ll be giving away a gift pack each Tuesday starting next week until December 18th. That’s four weeks of giveaways. Also, don’t forget about my current giveaway (a $25 Amazon GC) here!

*Announcement*

4 Weeks of Giveaways

Until then…

I want to know what it is you like to do in December. A favourite tradition, activity, or special outing that might be religious based, winter based, self-care based, or maybe has no significance whatsoever except you just like to do it in December.

November Blahs and a Giveaway!

 

November is not my favourite time of year. I find it’s generally a transition month. That nowhere month when it’s technically still fall, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. There is snow on the ground, a decided chill in the air and it feels like winter. That time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, at least here in the middle of the Canadian prairies, where you’re busy digging out the winter coats, boats and snow shovels, and trying to acclimatize.

So, let’s brighten things up a bit! Where do you like to go for a quick getaway? Someplace far or near, you retreat to when you need a change of scenery? Staycation or vacation, tell us your spot to unwind and be entered in a chance to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card!

 Also, starting Tuesdays at the end of November I’ll be giving away a prize pack each week for four weeks to celebrate the holidays! Likewise, good things coming to Newsletter subscribers in December, so sign up and join in the fun!

Until then…

Be sure to enter to win!

 

Thanksgiving Weekend! Let Us Eat Pie!

It’s Thanksgiving weekend. Let us eat pie! And all the other good things. But especially pie, because pumpkin is my absolute favourite pie.

Canadian Thanksgiving is this weekend. Held in October to give thanks for the harvest season which arrives earlier north of the 49th parallel and in Canada, there’s little difference between Canadian and American Thanksgiving. We get together with family and eat lots of great food. Other than that, we don’t really have a lot of traditions that go along with the usual turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Other than giving thanks, of course.

This year I’m thankful for the history and legacy behind many of those favourite dishes of mine and for others that show up on our thanksgiving table. Thank you and much gratitude to our First Nations peoples, who were here long before Europeans arrived in North America, and who have a long history of celebratory feasting.

“Besides fish and game such as buffalo, elk and caribou, native feasts held centuries ago at various times of year would have included roasted fowl such as pheasant, grouse and turkey, root vegetables such as turnips, potatoes and carrots, the “three sisters” of corn, beans and squash (including pumpkin), nuts and berries. In some locales, wild rice and cranberries might have been served, and on the coasts and in the far north seafood would have been a staple.”  Susan Greer, The Associated Press,

I love eating! And in Canada there’s no pressure to rush out the next morning to go shopping. We’re still too full from all the yumminess of the night before.

Contest News!

Don’t forget there’s still time to enter my giveaway! My newsletter will go out monthly and include my take on any books I’ve read, recipes, cover reveals, deals, and contests. Sign up by October 15 to be entered to win! Winner announced on October 16!

Until next time…

Blessing to you all! Pumpkin Pie is my fav, especially when someone else makes it. Not a baker! What’s a thanksgiving staple in your house?

It’s a Sizzling Summer Party!

Sizzling Summer Party (The Romance Reviews)

If you’re here looking for the answer to my multiple choice Q&A (June 8th) for The Romance Reviews Sizzling Summer Reads Party contest you are in the right place. I’m sure you know the drill, but here goes – The Romance Review will random choose the winner for my offered $10.00 Amazon Gift Card and they will notify me after which I will contact you. Please know that you need to register and be logged into TRR before you can play the game. Registration is free and easy and there is a variety of prizes to be won!

Exposed, Book 2 Aspen Lake Series

EXPOSED, Book 2 in my Aspen Lake Series

Amazon US * Amazon CA * Amazon UK * Kobo * Barnes and Noble * The Wild Rose Press

 

New News!

I have news! If you love audiobooks, you can now listen to EXPOSED in audio! Audible US * Audible CA * The Wild Rose Press

The narrator is Stacey Melotte and you can listen to a sample at any of the above links!

BACKLASH will be available at Audible by the end of the summer!

The blurb for EXPOSED and the answer to the Q&A!

Romantic Suspense

If you’re interested, please sign up for my newsletter. Each month for July, August, and September, I’ll be giving away $25 worth of summer themed goodies to randomly drawn winners!

What are you currently reading? We like to know these things!

Thanks for stopping by!

Learning New Things! And a Giveaway!

*************THE WINNER is Lorrie!******************

A reminder that from now until the 28th of October I’m hosting a giveaway! Sign up for my newsletter and be entered to win a $25.00 gift certificate to one of the following: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble. The winner will be announced on October 29th!

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I promise not to overwhelm your inbox! You’ll receive cover reveals, release date announcements and be eligible for member only giveaways.

Learning New Things

I’m also fooling around with Canva and trying my hand at designing some of my own marketing graphics. It’s a relatively straightforward process, but still involves a learning curve and takes some practicing. I love taking photos, thus my love of Instagram, so I have a fairly sizeable supply of images. Although Canva has some very easy to follow tutorials, I went searching tips and tricks.

20 Tips & Tricks For Making Awesome Canva Graphics

https://designschool.canva.com/blog/graphic-design-tips-non-designers/

http://www.lovethehereandnow.com/canva-an-easy-how-to-guide/

I’m not sure what happened with the formatting above. WordPress sometimes stymies me. I wish I was a whiz at this kind of thing but I’m not, but I do like playing around. Often to the point of using it as a distraction. Like bullet journalling which I love but am trying to develop a system for using.

Bullet Journaling

Who knew I would develop and deep and abiding love of stickers at this age! And then there’s my addiction to washi tape. And markers. The good news is I’m no longer surrounded by bits of paper and sticky notes. My desk is neater and tidier than it’s ever been. Hallelujah!

Here’s to learning new things! What are you learning these days? What are you thinking about attempting?

Giveaway and September Wrap Up!

Giveaway Announcement

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From October 11th until October 28th, 2016, sign up to receive my newsletter and be entered for a chance to win a $25.00 gift certificate to one of the following: Amazon, Kobo or Barnes and Noble. Winner announced on October 29, 2016!

Choose the Newsletter tab at the top or the Subscribe to Karyn’s mailing list option on the sidebar!

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Signing up means receiving news of future books, cover reveals, deals, contests and giveaways!

Top Three Images of September

www.karyngood.com

My revamped office!

I’m back in my revamped office after a two month writing break! It feels great to be back writing in a space that inspires me.

Queen City Marathon #yqr

That time I walked 20.1 km.

On September 11th I walked a half marathon and checked a major item off my Life Goal List.

Prairie Inukshuk

The Inukshuk we found on our Sunday drive.Top Book I Read

I don’t know about you, but for me fall Sunday’s are meant for drives in the country and discovering hidden gems.

Top Book I Read!

I read one book in September which is very unusual for me. Thank goodness I really enjoyed the one I finished. Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase is our October book pick. If you’re interested, you can even try a sample of either the book version or audio version at Eve Chase’s website!

writing

Writing Life

Now that I’m back in my office and in a neat and organized space, I need to get back into a regular writing schedule. I do better with schedules.

How about you? Do you like the freedom of winging it? Or are you most productive when adhering to a schedule? Or do you enjoy a little of both?

Today is Book Release Day!

The release date for my latest romantic suspense, EXPOSED, is finally here!

You can find Exposed in the following places:

The Wild Rose Press

Amazon * Kobo * Barnes and Noble * All Romance Ebooks * BookStrand

Someone’s always watching…

Kate Logan needs a safe haven, a place to start over after her modeling career disintegrates in scandal. But her hometown of Aspen Lake isn’t the sanctuary she hoped. Her vow of a low-key life is disrupted by a break-in and other strange happenings at her boutique. As the chair of Aspen Lake’s Gothic Revival Festival, she’s also drawn the ire of a religious fanatic. Kate is up to her stilettos in drama and intrigue including one sexy carpenter who’s determined to get in her way.

New to town, Seth Stone is seeking inspiration and solitude to concentrate on his art. Short on funds, he agrees to take on a second job restoring the damage to Kate’s Closet. Trouble erupts along with the desire to get to know Kate better. When he’s used as a pawn in a smear campaign against his gorgeous boss Seth fights back. But now the whole town is watching. Including the man determined to further his own agenda. Time is running out with nowhere to hide.

I’m celebrating by giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a fabulous little red leather wallet I picked up on Vancouver Island this summer. So check out my rafflecopter giveaway and see what you need to do to enter! The winner will be notified within 48 hours of the contest ending by email.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can also find me answering questions at Jana Richards blog!

Fall is my absolute favourite time of year! Pumpkin everything, cozy sweaters, backyard fires, and changing colours. Out comes the crockpot for those fabulous soup and stew recipes. There is change in the air. It’s a time to set goals and forge ahead.

It’s fall in Exposed, too!  My heroine Kate Logan is, among other things, the current head organizer of the Aspen Lake annual Gothic Revival Festival. Plenty of pumpkins, wheat sheaves,  black crows and Edgar Allan Poe readings to go around. There is even a Mad Man’s Ball!

edgar allan poe

So tell me, what’s your favourite thing about fall?