📖 Is it July already?! 📅

“This July,” Layla finished. “Another cheery thought.”

Blood Brothers

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UNDER CURRENTS

Laura - at Fall Into The Story - published and excerpt of Nora Roberts' next stand alone. 

Go there, Read  the Excerpt and brace yourself for thoughts that July can't get here soon enough 😏

"Within the walls of a tasteful, 
perfectly kept house in 
North Carolina’s 
Blue Ridge Mountains, 
young Zane Bigelow..."

Valentine’s Day Wedding?

"Valentine's Day." 

"What?" 

There was something wonderful about watching her big blue eyes go blank.

"February fourteenth." Inspired now, he grabbed her hand, kissed it. "Marry me, Malory. Be my valentine."

"Valentine's Day." 

Everything inside Malory melted. 

"Oh, that's so perfect. That's so beautiful. Yes!" 

She scooted around in her chair to throw her arms around his neck. 

"And you'll never have any excuse to forget our anniversary." 

"Always a catch."

Key of Valor

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By Gary Bridgman - Own work, CC BY 2.5, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2096996

Should You Have a Valentine’s Day Wedding? 

Valentine’s Day is one of the most romantic days of the year. It only makes sense to make it your official wedding date!

However, just like with any holiday wedding there are some serious caveats to a Valentine’s Day wedding. Before you make the official decision, weigh the pros and cons.

MY WEDDING FAVORS

___________________

“I need to know if you’ll marry me.”

The conversations around them stopped. For several long seconds there was no sound as he stared at her. “Okay. Now?”

“Fox.”

“Because I was thinking more like February. You know what a crappy month February is? Why

shouldn’t there be something really great to look forward to in the mostly crappy month of February?” 

He took a slug of his Coke, then set it down as she stared back at him. 

“Plus, it was February when I saw you for the first time. But not Valentine’s Day because, you know, complete cliché and way too traditional.”

The Pagan Stone

You’re Welcome

She dipped into the bag and pulled out a gold foiled candy box. "For Mom."

"Oh." Rachel's eyes took on the glow a woman's get when she looks at a lover—or a five-pound box of exclusive chocolates. "I think you just became my best friend."

Chuckling, Bess dug into the bags again. "Well, I know that people tend to drop by with baby gifts." She held out a box wrapped in snowy white with bright red lollipops scattered over it. "And, though I couldn't resist the tradition, I figured you deserved something really

sinful for yourself."

"I do." 

Convincing Alex

___________________

By Shinji - Amazonのギフト包装, CC BY 2.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48809791

11 Utterly Perfect Thank-You Gift Ideas For Every Occasion

You can never go wrong with these.

MSN

___________________

Gage considered a minute. “You guys are idiots. The appropriate Glad You Didn’t Die token is a hooker and a bottle of Jack.”

“We couldn’t find a hooker.” Fox shrugged. “Our time was limited.”

“You could give him an IOU,” Layla suggested.

Gage grinned at her. “All markers cheerfully accepted.”

The Pagan Stone

Grilling mistakes and how to avoid them

"A monumental moment. I am passing the sacred tongs and spatula to you."

"Wait a minute, wait a minute." Ally elbowed her brother aside. "Why can't I do it?"

"Ah." Boyd held a hand to his heart. "How many times have I heard you say those very words in our long and exciting life together?"

Amused and fascinated by the family dynamics, Jonah watched mutiny settle over Ally's face. "Well, why can't I?"

"Allison, my treasure, there are some things a man must pass to his son. Son." Boyd laid a hand on Bryant's shoulder. "I'm trusting you with the Fletcher reputation. Don't let me down."

"Dad." Bryant wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "I'm overwhelmed. Honored. I swear to uphold the family name, no matter what the cost."

"Take these." Boyd held out the barbecue tools. "Today, you are a man."

Night Shield

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By Hedwig Storch - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4380081

Cooking is still a science, even when you're doing it outdoors. Despite what your dad might have taught you, grilling is more about patience and planning than poking and prodding. Make a single error, and your burgers could turn out tough and bitter, your chicken rare and unappetizing.

Luckily, these errors are easy to avoid.

REVIEWED

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“Quite a view,” Quinn added, nodding toward the men at the grill.

“Camera worthy.”

“Excellent idea. Be right back.”

“Where’s she going?” Layla asked.

“I have no idea. Just as I have no idea why it apparently takes three grown men to cook some hamburgers.”

“One to cook, one to kibitz, and one to insult the other two.”

“Ah. Another mystery solved.”

The Pagan Stone