It’s National Book Month — Give Your Reading Spot Some Love

He wanted nothing rigid or forbidding about
the room. Between the two tall windows he'd set a huge, festive, 
ornamental lemon tree in a brass pot. A gift from his parents. They
always knew what suited him best, he thought, smiling 
as he trailed a fingertip over a glossy leaf.
He'd already arranged the seating area. A long, take-a-nap sofa 
in cheerful blue, a pair of wide chairs, low tables that invited the
occupants to put up their feet and relax. Naomi had helped him
choose the lamps, he recalled—the charming die-cut tin shades, the
romantic globes—on one of their shopping forays.
The stately pewter candlesticks that graced the mantel were 
heirlooms, housewarming gifts from his grandparents. 
The bronze-colored
mums that stood in a Wedgwood vase between them 
had come out of his own garden.
There was a great deal of himself in the room, Ian realized. 
And pieces of those he loved.


~Ian~
@MacGregor Grooms 

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Photo by Kustom Home Design - Browse sunroom ideas

Let these cozy nooks and light-washed corners inspire you to make your reading space special

HOUZZ

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Her next choice was the library, which she

thought of as the main artery of the heart.

Morrigan's Cross

Think... Coffee ☕

As he wound his way through, 
the seductive scent of coffee 

reached out and 

hooked him.

Ian MacGregor 

@

MacGregor Grooms 

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User:Salimfadhley [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]

Simply Thinking About Coffee Gives Your Brain A Boost, Study Suggests

For millions of us, the day begins with at least one cup of coffee to jump-start our brains into productivity. We think clearer, move faster, and interact with coworkers (also drinking coffee) like we’re meant to work together – at least for a little while.

What if we could benefit from some of those effects by simply experiencing cues that make us think of coffee?  That’s the topic of a new study, the latest in the ongoing scientific fascination with our favorite legal drug.

FORBES

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Smiling sweetly, Whitney set the pot to heat and 
drew in the scent of coffee. 

The cave, full of dung and damp, 

was immediately civilized.

Hot Ice

This Drone Video of Autumn in New England Will Lift Your Soul

Autumn had taken over New England,
with its exceptional style. Trees roared with color, 
and as they passed their peak, the air took on a snap
 that hinted slyly of winter.


Julia @ The MacGregor Brides 

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Everyone has heard about the incredible leaf colors that blanket parts of New England and the Midwest during autumn. But to actually see the red, yellow and orange leaves glowing like embers along hilly landscapes, around glassy lakes and dappled among harbor towns is another thing entirely. 

HOUZZ

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It was balmy early autumn, perfect New England weather, 
with the trees just beginning to hint at the wild color to come 
in the evening
light of a slowly deepening sky. 
When he got home, he promised himself, he was going to 
take a glass of wine, sit on his back porch
and survey his kingdom.

Ian @ The MacGregor Grooms

Does awe lift your spirits or stress you out?

"It's not for sale," Cam said simply.

"It… is it…" It couldn't be, he thought, while his heart thumped with nerves and hope and shock. But hope was paramount. In the past year he'd learned to hope. "Is it mine?"

"You're the only one with a birthday around here," Cam reminded him. "Don't you want a closer look?"

"It's mine?" He whispered it first, with such staggered delight and shock that Sybill felt her eyes sting. "

Mine?" He exploded with it as he whirled around. This time the sheer joy on his face closed her throat. "To keep?"

Inner Harbor

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By {{{1}}} - Flickr: 'Hands Across the Divide' sculpture, CC BY 2.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19153395

Awe is an awfully complex emotion, conjuring feelings of reverence that can range from wonder to dread. It's a blend of fear and surprise, according to some definitions, although it often feels like more than the sum of those parts.

"Awe is an overwhelming and bewildering sense of connection with a startling universe that is usually far beyond the narrow band of our consciousness," 

mother nature network

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"Reed Valentine would like to schedule a meeting and arrange for a professional demo, in studio, in New York, when it suits you."

She couldn't feel her hands. Or her feet. She realized dizzily that all she could feel was the sudden, ferocious hammering of her heart.

"Reed Valentine? Valentine Records? A meeting? With me? Why?"

"Suddenly you're full of questions." With a laugh, he toasted her again. "Yes, Reed Valentine of Valentine Records wants a meeting with you because he was very favorably impressed with the tape you put together."

"You sent it in? You sent it to Reed Valentine."

"I told you I was going to send it to a connection of mine."

Valentine Records. Now she couldn't feel her own lips. But she could feel the abrupt lurch of her stomach. "I didn't expect—I never thought…"

"Didn't you think I meant it, Cat? I don't play games like that."

"No, I don't—God, I can't breathe." She pressed a hand to her chest as if to push out air, but couldn't find any. "I can't get my breath."

Alarmed, he reached for her. She'd gone dead white. "Hey. Sit down."

"No. Yes. No. I need some air."

She shoved the wineglass into his hand and bolted for the balcony doors. Her head was light, as if she'd swallowed the whole bottle of champagne in one gulp. She couldn't get her breath because the air was trapped somewhere under her diaphragm.

Duncan @ MacGregor Grooms

Host a Chocolate Tasting

"We've got hot chocolate. Chocolate mousse, chocolate drops and chocolate-covered  pretzels."

"Julia chose the menu," Laura put in.

"Butch did." Setting the box down, Julia opened it. "And he's going to really go for these. Have a seat, Naomi, and pull up some calories."

Ian @ MacGregor's Grooms

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Gather your closest girlfriends for a sweet weekend. Sip, swirl, and savor new takes on an age-old classic -- chocolate. 
Follow our no-fail tasting guide to kick-start your sweet escapade.  

BHG

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 Oh, she would treasure that, Naomi thought, closing her eyes. She would remember this single foolish afternoon all of her life.

Ian @ MacGregor's Grooms

Mentions in Nora Books

Enjoying herself, Cat rehearsed in the empty lounge for an audience of one. Daniel had taken to sitting at one of the tables whenever the lounge was closed, and commenting and kibitzing on her song list.

"That means you can't have some variety?" He glowered at her from under snowy white eyebrows. "Why, there's some Scottish tunes that will rip a man's heart out of his chest while it's still beating. With that voice of yours, any man with the blood of the Scots in him would fall in love with you."

MacGregor Grooms - Duncan

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Loch Lomond - Peter Hollens

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Taking her cue, Cat stepped into the key light. "Daniel MacGregor? I have something for you."

"Well, what are you doing skulking around then? Come over here and give it to me."

"It comes from here. And from here," she added, touching a hand to her heart.

She sang for him, the old Scottish ballad "Loch Loman." Because she kept her eyes on him, she saw his begin to swim. And felt her own sting in response.

MacGregor Grooms - Duncan

Always Be With Someone Who Lets You Eat Cake

"Want dessert?"

"Damn right."

"Okay, but don't order the tiramisu, because then I'd be forced to beg you for a bite, then two, then I'd end up stealing half of it and go into a coma."

Keeping his eyes on hers, he signaled for the waitress with the casual authority of a man used to giving orders. It made Cybil's brow crease.

"Tiramisu," he told the waitress. "Two forks," and made Cybil weak with laughter.

The Perfect Neighbor

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By Danielle Tsi from Mountain View, CA, USA (Profiterole montage) 

[CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

2- Always Be With Someone Who Lets You Eat Cake

The right man or woman will let you eat cake. Lots of it.

I went out with someone, a very great and kind person, who seeing me struggle to decide on dessert, (really, is it fair to choose between chocolate mousse and cheesecake? I don’t think so) let me order both.

HUFFINGTON POST

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He sampled the chocolate himself. "This is very well named. 'Sin.' " He tormented himself by imagining the taste of her mixed with the chocolate.

It made her stomach jump. "You're going to have to sin by yourself." She picked up her coffee. "I'm resisting."

"One more," he murmured, sliding the fork into the dessert, lifting a tempting bite to her lips. And he was pleased to see, when she took it, that she could indeed be tempted.

IAN @  MacGregor Grooms

Jump-Start Your Collection

"Actually, Naomi, I have a little business proposition for you."

"Business?" She gave him a blank look as their appetizer plates were removed and the entrees served.

"One I hope will be as much a pleasure for you as it will be for me. I want to remodel one of my spare rooms into a library. I have a design in mind that I wanted you to look at and offer suggestions on. Then I'd hoped you could give me some help with setting up my collection."

"Yes, of course." She fought off a wave of disappointment, telling herself it was better this way. Of course he was interested in her on a professional level. What else could she expect? "You're interested in rare books, for investment purposes?"

"No, not necessarily. I want a library, not a museum. I want a comfortable room, and I want the books varied. I don't want anyone to feel as if they should sign a waiver if they take a book off the shelf. I'd want to start with my personal favorites—most of which I own already. Then I'm willing to explore."

Ian

- MacGregors' Grooms -

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© Jorge Royan / http://www.royan.com.ar, via Wikimedia Commons

Recommendations for a well-rounded bookshelf

Spring is a time for starting that project you’ve always wanted to do. What better reason to finally put up that shelf and start your book collection? While we don’t discriminate over how you read (your phone or eReader are perfectly acceptable!), let’s just say we’re partial to cracking a spine and turning the pages. Call us old-fashioned.

Those who have been out of the book-buying game for a while (or have never bought a physical book since high school) may be thinking that the bookstore is so extensive you don't know where to start. Fear not, reader. We’ve come up with 15 categories that will help you find your way in the world of endless books, as well as some personal recommendations to christen your bookshelf with renewed style.

THE READING ROOM

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"Oh, Ian, it's wonderful. It's more than wonderful." 

Eyes shining, she turned to look around the room, where the beautifully 

trimmed,  built-in shelves were lined with books. 

Old worn spines, new glossy ones, embossed leather and tattered covers.

Ian

(MacGregors' Grooms)

First Dates Are Amazing

By eleven ten, she was staring at the ceiling thinking about an entry on her calendar. 

Tues, 7:00: Malcolm. 

Why had she said yes that way? 

Well, she knew exactly why she'd said yes, so it was ridiculous to ask herself the question. 

She'd been sexually flustered and aroused and interested. No point in pretending otherwise.

So flustered, aroused, and interested, she hadn't even asked where he planned to go, what he planned to do. 

How was she supposed to dress, for God's sake? 

How was she supposed to prepare without the smallest detail to go on? 

Did he plan to take her to dinner, a movie, a play, straight to a motel? 

And why would they go to a motel when they both had homes? 

And why couldn't she stop thinking and just read her damn book? 

She could just call him and find out. But she didn't want to call him. 

Any normal man would've said, I’ll pick you up at seven, we’ll go to dinner. 

Then she'd know what to expect. 

She certainly wasn't going to dress up when he'd probably pick her up on his motorcycle. 

She didn't even know if he had a car. Why didn't she know that? 

She could ask Del. She'd feel stupid asking Del. She felt stupid thinking about asking Del. 

She felt stupid.

Happy Ever After

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9 Reasons First Dates Are Amazing (Even If They're Bad)

There's nothing in the world like a good first date. It has the perfect mix of butterflies and the surety that the guy is completely on the same page as you. And because there's so much potential, they're also one of the most nerve-racking events on the planet. I still believe that whether a first date is mind-blowingly amazing or awful, it's always a good thing. Here's why. 

GLAMOUR

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He thought of a dozen reasons to break the date. He'd have preferred to go alone, enjoy and absorb the exhibit. Then perhaps find an interesting woman to discuss it with. Over coffee or a late supper.

That was, D.C. reminded himself, the way he operated.

But he didn't break the date. Or the next one he found himself making with her. It baffled him that he enjoyed her company. It made absolutely no sense. She liked art to express something specific in tangible terms. She preferred her music subdued and her movies with subtitles.

They ended up debating half the time, sitting over steaming cups of espresso or glasses of wine.

MacGregor Grooms - D.C.

Grooms' Amazing Reactions to Seeing Their Brides

My grandson took him a wife last week. And I can tell you the scents in the air of the church, the colors of the light that streamed through the windows, the full rich sound of the music that swelled when little Naomi stood at the back in her glittering white gown, with a bit of MacGregor tartan showing and the MacGregor veil covering her shining black hair.

Brides glow. They say that as well. And so she did. It's love that brings that shining beauty to a woman's face. And one more in love I've yet to see.

And Ian, handsome as a prince as he waited for her. They don't say a man glows, but perhaps they should. I can't think of another word for the look on his face as he watched her walk to him. And not being such a pinhead after all, what did he do? He took her hand, and the other as well, and as the music died off, and before the priest could open his mouth to start the business of it, Ian said, "I love you, Naomi," his voice as clear and strong as the bells that rang after the deed was done.

And if there was a dry eye in the whole of the church at that moment, well, it wasn't Daniel MacGregor's.

MacGregor Grooms - Ian

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Burke stood with his hands at his side and his face carefully blank and wondered what in the hell he was doing.
Then he saw her.
Her hair was glowing, warm and vibrant under layers of white tulle. She seemed pale, but her eyes met his without hesitation. How was it he'd never noticed how small she was, how delicate, until now, when she was about to become a permanent part of his life? Permanent. He felt the quick sliver of panic. Then she smiled, slowly, almost questioningly. He held out a hand.
Her fingers were icy. It was a relief to find his equally cold. She held tight and turned to face the priest.

Irish Heart