Hello Campers! Welcome back to Around the Fire. The past couple of weeks, I’ve been sharing my space with authors and their new releases. But I wanted to catch up with you all today.
We’ve been in Florida for a while, working at a campground on the Big Bend. Pete is the recreation director, and I’ve been his wingman or woman.
We’ve hosted a couple of parties, sat around the community fire pit, and played penny bingo. Pete’s been leading a bible study. Even though it’s been on the cooler side this year, we have managed to hit the pool and travel to the beach. One day, I made a huge pan of Paella and flat bread. We sat around sharing with our friends. Other mornings, Pete treated us all to Taylor, egg, and cheese. If YKYK. Bonus for it being on the chillier side is when we went to Crystal River, we hadn’t expected to see manatees this late in the season, but lo and behold, there were maybe one hundred or so at Three Sisters. 

I also saw my first alligator in the wild. And some owls at a North Florida Wildlife Sanctuary.

None of this is to say I haven't been working. I released Red Gate Farm in February to amazing reviews. In March two of my books, Rainbow Sprinkles and Rock House Grill had the rights revert to me. This means I can put Rainbow Sprinkles into an actual physical book. Both are now on Kindle Unlimited. Also all my books are now available in physical form on Barnes & Noble. 

I'm also keyboarding away on Honky~Tonk House. Here's the blurb...
               A honky‑tonk owner with a past he can’t outrun. A firefighter refuses to back down.
After a gunshot nearly ends former police officer Nick Bianchi’s life, he trades the badge for a second chance. Honky~Tonk House is the dance club that has fulfilled a dream and become a refuge, but trouble follows him like smoke. Violent gang members he’s put away hold grudges and circle like crows, and a firebomb nearly destroys the fragile peace he’s built.
Firefighter Lieutenant Kateri Swiftwater has fought her way up the ranks to lead a team with grit and heart, earning respect along the way. On her time off, she plays a mean fiddle and sings with a voice as warm and fulfilling as biscuits and gravy. Filling in for a friend's band at Honky~Tonk House, she meets a man with T-R-O-U-B-L-E written all over him. Though something about him pulls at her in ways she didn’t expect.
Threats escalate, and gang tensions burn, as their lives become dangerously intertwined. She’s trained to run into burning buildings. He’s spent years trying to escape the flames of his past. Together, they might just find the courage to face what’s coming—if the firestorm doesn’t consume them first.
There’s a spark between the two that could save them—or burn everything to the ground.

                                               Do you want a peek at the cover? You do? Okay.

So I haven't been sitting on my laurels. Does anyone say that anymore? We'll be leaving here in a very short while and traveling back to NJ. But this doesn't mean the adventures are over. Stay tuned. The annual Day of Wine Romance and More is coming up May 2nd and 3rd. I'm working on other possible local signings as well. Until next time remember...
                         "Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." – Albert Einstein

Welcome back to my fire. I've been crazy busy these past few weeks. A book release, getting my rights back to several books and republishing them, trying to work on my website, and getting a few words in on Honky~Tonk House. Meanwhile, we've been working at the Perry KOA in Florida as recreation staff. Community Campfires, penny bingo, dominoes, movie nights, a chicken party, book club, and painting. This week is St. Patrick's Day, and the camp is providing corned beef and cabbage. My contribution will be mini Shepherd's Pies. Oh, did I mention I made paella and flat bread for a group of friends? Okay, I just tired myself out so I'll give today's guest the floor. Darlene and I worked together a few years ago on the Mortar & Pestle series. It's nice to see her again.

About the author.
Darlene Fredette is a multi-published author of contemporary women’s fiction that celebrates resilience, romance, and the small-town magic woven into ordinary days. Step inside her world for heartfelt stories, character-driven moments, a touch of charm, wit, twists, and just enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages. Residing on Canada’s scenic Atlantic Coast, where summers are too short and winters too long, she finds inspiration from family, nature, and the quiet moments that ignite the imagination, and enjoys life with her husband, daughter, and two oversized, loveable dogs.

​Social Media
Website: http://www.darlenefredette.com/
Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenefredette1/
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/darlenefredette.bsky.social
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Darlene-Fredette/author/B005NAF660

Welcome back to Around the Fire. We've had a few campfires where I'm visiting in Northern Florida. It's one of the few places that doesn't have a fire ban due to drought, though we're mostly using the propane fire pit. One night, we pulled out the special rug my daughter-in-law bought us and put it in front of the camper. We call this sitting on the front porch. I had my rocker and made snacks. Soon people showed up, some carrying their chairs other grabbing a seat from the chairs we pulled out. We talked, laughed, and made others passing by dance. A good time was had by all. Now, let's welcome today's guest. Liz and I are dealing with common themes. I republished both Rainbow Sprinkles and Rock House Grill after my publisher returned my rights. Things happen with books. After you read about Liz's journey, I hope you'll visit my books page and check out the new covers. So, without further ado, please welcome Liz back to the fire.
​

I do love an evening around the fire! Thanks for letting me come again, D. V. I brought some rice crispy treats to share. They’re gloriously sweet and sticky.
Every time I release a book that was formerly with a publisher, I feel like I do when I buy a new puffer jacket. I get a new one every few years, with very few differences beyond color and the brand that’s on the tag in the back. But I love them, and I wear them until they aren’t warm enough anymore. Then, with every intention of finding something else for my go-to jacket, I buy another one.
With the book, I think I should be releasing something altogether new, but Pieces of Blue, first released in 2024 and the victim of publisher closure soon after, ended up being Book One of a series: Colors, the Harper Loch Trilogy. I was afraid by the time Books Two and Three came out, Book One would have been forgotten. While they stand alone, the tidy part of me—which is mostly imagined, by the way—thinks they should be read in order.
So I re-released it. It has a pretty new cover by Nancy Fraser that, like my puffer jackets, it’s different, but still representative of the Burl, Maggie North’s big house on Harper Loch.
D. V. mentioned that I should give my top three reasons to read Pieces of Blue.
Only three? But there are so many! 😊
First and primary to me is that Maggie North is a combination of all the favorite women in my life. Sister, sisters-in-law, and old friends. She has a bit of Anne Shirley in her and a stubborn chunk of Jo March as well. I like her. I like her a lot.
Second? The people at the lake. There are only 86 of them, and although I didn’t introduce them all, I admit you’ll meet quite a few.
Third, there’s Sam. I’ll let you decide for yourself what you think of him. I will say he’s warm and comfortable and … oh, wait, no, that’s my jacket. Anyway, be sure and let me know!

Life comes in shades of blue...
Self-imposed loner, Maggie North, has worked for bestselling author Trilby Winterroad her entire adult life, starting as simply his assistant and ending up as his ghost writer. Through ups and downs--including a divorce from an abusive husband--he has been the one person on whom she could always rely. So when Trilby dies suddenly, Maggie finds herself adrift, not sure what she’ll do or where she belongs in the world any longer. And the confusion continues when she discovers he’s not only left her his beloved dachshund, Chloe, but a house she knew nothing about, on a lake she’s never heard of.
It only takes one visit for Maggie to fall in love with both the house and the small lakeside community. The longer she’s there, the safer she feels and the more her life begins to expand...as do her feelings toward her friend and Trilby’s attorney, Sam Eldridge.
But is she really safe? Or are the glistening pieces of her new life about to shatter as an old danger returns?
​Get your copy today!
Amazon   D2D
​

About the Author.
Liz Flaherty has spent the past several years enjoying not working a day job, making terrible crafts, and writing stories in which the people aren’t young, brilliant, or even beautiful. She’s decided (and has to re-decide most every day) that the definition of success is having a good time. Along with her husband of lo, these many years, kids, grands, friends, and the occasional cat, she’s doing just that. Find her on Facebook or her blog, Window Over the Sink. A girl just can’t have too many friends! She’s at other places, too—find her via https://linktr.ee/lizflahert

I had to get a new laptop since old faithful began to glitch, groan, and randomly shut down. So far, so good with the new one. It's a little bigger, but everything seems pretty much the same. Keeping my fingers crossed
It's been a rocky week for many of us. Snow, ice, and cold have parked themselves right in our neighborhoods. I hope you all have been able to keep warm and safe. Even down here in Florida, it's been chilly. We have a freeze warning again tonight, but nothing like the sub-zero temperatures in other places. So the recommendation from moi is, grab a cuppa and a warm blanket. Download a copy of my guest's small town romance and relax. It's only 52 days until Spring.. 

​SECRET RECIPE
 A Redford Falls Story – Book 4
By
Darlene Fredette
 
       About  
In the heat of the kitchen, one woman’s secret recipe blends danger, deception, and desire.
 
Jess Robinson is desperate for a fresh start, but an unexpected call drags her back into the dangerous world she thought she’d escaped. With a missing bag of stolen jewels at stake, Jess must execute the perfect con.
Between two jobs and family obligations, firefighter Travis Cooper is stretched too thin. The last thing he needs is an unqualified baker who stirs up more questions than answers. Something about Jess feels familiar, and while Travis is drawn to her, he’s convinced she’s hiding more than a few secrets.
As drama simmers and danger closes in, Jess and Travis are caught in a game where every move could cost them everything.
 
A Peek Between the Pages.
Travis pulled Jess into a hug. She molded perfectly against him. Her soft hair brushed his chin, and her hands warmed his chest where they rested.
Her stare dropped to his lips.
He lowered his head until a loud boom rattled his sanity. He released her and walked to the counter, creating distance. “Congratulations on a job well done.”
Her widened eyes met his, and her cheeks flushed. “Thank you.”
The thunder returned, louder than before.
He shook his head, trying to erase the memory of her in his arms. What got into me? He wasn’t a touchy-feely guy. Hugs were usually reserved for his mother. “Would you like to join me for a bite to eat?” What the…? Did those words just come out of my mouth? “My way of thanking you for a great first week.” More unfiltered words tumbled out.
Jess stuffed her hands into her apron pockets. Her lips formed a tight line. “Sure.”
She accepted? Part of Travis had hoped she’d decline. The other half was elated. He needed time to locate his missing common sense.
“Do you have a restaurant in mind?” she asked.
I’m not thinking. He gripped the counter’s edge. “Have you ever been to Kringle’s Lounge?”
 
#SecretRecipe #RedfordFallsSeries #SmallTownRomance #ContemporaryRomance #RomanceMystery
Grab your copy today 
https://www.amazon.ca/Secret-Recipe-Redford-Falls-Story-ebook/dp/B0GHGS52XY
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Recipe-Redford-Falls-Story-ebook/dp/B0GHGS52XY

The campfire’s crackling this week as we chat about cold, snow, and ice—but it’s always warm here around the fire, and I’m always glad you’re with me. Pull up a camp chair and meet a new‑to‑me author who brings the spirit of campfire storytelling to a rich historical setting.

Jessie's Passion 
by 
Ida Flowers 
​Historical Romance
​
South Carolina, 1765. A group of wealthy young friends. A colony terrorized by outlaws. A young woman obsessed.

Jessie Maclaine, the youngest of the group of friends from the Carolina Lowcountry, is a spoiled, passionate girl determined to have her own way and marry Robbie Stewart, who still sees her as the tag-along pest of their childhood. Her every waking thought is focused on making him to see her as a woman, and in her dreams, he belongs to her. Robbie Stewart is the eldest of the group and the heir to Brianag, his uncle’s plantation. He is far too occupied with tormenting the agents responsible for enforcing the Stamp Act and helping his deceased father’s family defend themselves against outlaws in the Backcountry to pay any attention to Jessie—except when he finds an opportunity to tease her. As unrest builds in the colonies and the outlaws continue their rampages in the mountains, Jessie learns that the world is bigger than youthful desire and that choices made impetuously are followed inevitably by consequences—some of which are irreparable.
Grab your copy today!
books2read.com/u/m2A8xo

I have a confession. I doom scroll. That means I find myself scrolling through videos much longer than I should. I find most TV and movies no longer capture my attention, and I find myself reading and scrolling interchangeably. The videos that capture my attention, in no particular order, are

• Owls'
• Goats
• Homesteading
• Cooking
• And Families reuniting.

Red Gate Farm has many of these themes in it.
Scenes from my life. Conversations around the fire. People I've met. I hope as you read it you will be able to identify with my characters and their struggles but mostly their triumphs. 

​Red Gate Farm
by
D. V. Stone​
A heartwarming tale of second chances and the healing power of coming home.

​Nestled in the countryside on the outskirts of Lake Unami, Little Flower Ranch is more than just a patch of land—it’s Addie Martin’s whole world. Her dogs, goats, and horses, both rescued and boarded, know her better than most people do. A life built with grit and rooted in compassion. Until Addie’s peaceful life is thrown into turmoil by a man from her past, with a government notice that threatens to take it all away.
Henry Price never planned to come back to Red Gate Farm, but after losing his job and his sense of purpose, the old homestead near Lake Unami calls him back to the place where he grew up surrounded by love and family. But the simpler life may not be so simple when your family introduces you to a woman who has troubles of her own.  
Lake Unami has its own quiet magic, the kind that works through neighbors, animals, and special guardians. As Addie and Henry navigate old wounds and new beginnings, they’ll discover that sometimes the smallest towns hold the biggest miracles… especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

I hope you will enjoy reading Red Gate Farm. It is available for pre-order at 
books2read.com/u/ml08j9
​I hope you enjoy reading Henry and Addie's story as much as I did writing it. If you've been following life in Lake Unami, you'll be happy to see this magical community come together.
Albert's advice below isn't just for Addie. It's something I need to remind myself of from time to time.

Welcome back to Around the Fire. I'm putting this blog together while sitting in my 5th Wheel camper in Ronks, Pennsylvania. Lancaster County is one of our favorite destinations. Mill Bridge Village campground is open all year.  It's been chilly and windy, but it's November after all. Today, I even spotted a few rogue snowflakes. We talked about it on our drive here. This is a comfortable place for us. We've been coming here for years and visiting some regular stops and finding new favorites. On Saturday, Clocktower Cheese Shoppe, along with Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall, was first. We never know what we'll discover as we traverse the back roads. After you leave the main roads, it's like stepping back in time. Harvest is nearly over. Crops are in the barns. Fields are being prepped for next spring. It's a different world between the hubbub of modern, and everything slows down. Tomorrow, my family is coming to town and we're going to see Noah at the Sight and Sound Theater. Talk about a different era. 
Speaking of time, today's guest is talking about her time-travel romance. Beth's feline friends, Rajah and Charlie, and I hope you enjoy.

I'd been in a bit of writer quicksand. Several books that are works in progress got stuck in the messy middle. I needed a palette cleanser. What to do? Agent Carters are always fun to write, and I often drive past an old abandoned abbey outside of a town near me. When I put my fingers to the keyboard to do research, something didn't sit right with me. After mulling over the problem, I realized what was bothering me. I was taking something that had been dedicated to God and turning it into a paranormal ghost story. Now I love paranormal. I love a ghost story. But this building needed more from me.
I sank myself into research. The original place was called Red Gate Farm in the 1800s, and was owned by a man who also owned two local newspapers. My imagination took off. 
There's been a lot of tongue wagging about several topics I touch on in the story. Eminent domain is one of them. Is your property really your property? News. When does it cross over from relaying information to being a commentary? Political influence and how it shapes our lives and community, and the people it hurts.
I'm not promoting any side. Truly. Both sides are guilty of influence peddling, in my opinion. 
What I want to express is what happens to regular people when these things converge upon them. My writing is relational, not out to prove a side. About how we can make a difference in the lives of others. How faith can comfort and guide us. 
There are a lot of experiences from my past that I've folded into the story. Life on the farm. Having horses. Being involved in animal rescue with dogs and cats. I also added one of my favorite animals, goats. 
If you've been following me, you know that I've utilized my local farmers' market to a great extent this year. I've canned and frozen a lot of fresh produce. It also brought to mind things that I'd nearly forgotten from my years living on a farm.
​Now, I would like to introduce you to  

IRed Gate Farm has an ARC review from Kim Ligon. She read it and responded
This is an uplifting story of a homecoming in one of my favorite places, Lake Unami.  This story is about triumphant over the evil problems that plague you to find a second chance, to believe in divine intervention, and to find your true love in your own backyard. I loved every minute of it. Gift yourself with a smile and read this heartwarming tale! I received an ARC of this book but the opinion expressed here is my own, freely given!

As an author, having someone appreciate your story and storytelling is so gratifying. When I can touch someone's heart, I consider my job accomplished. 
I hope you will enjoy reading Red Gate Farm. It is available for pre-order at www.amazon.com/Red-Gate-Farm-heartwarming-chances-ebook/dp/B0G1PN3R7P
​I hope you enjoy reading Henry and Addie's story as much as I did writing it. If you've been following life in Lake Unami, you'll be happy to see this magical community come together.
And, as Henry's great-grandmother's needlepoint says...

In 1847, Winnie and her family are traveling west to start a new life in the Oregon territory. While many in their wagon train fret over river crossings, disease, and encounters with Native tribes, she relishes the unexpected freedom of life on the trail. Threatened by storms, wild animals, and outlaws, Winnie must rely on the bonds she’s made and all she’s learned in order for them to make it to Oregon alive. She also must decide if she is ready to risk forming an attachment to Hal, the cowhand who has a knack for showing up just when help is needed, or whether she will emulate Mae, the free-spirited daughter of their trail guide.
https://wildrosepress.com/product/along-the-trail/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FL1C55WW/thewildrosepr-20
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/along%20the%20trail%20kaci%20curtis
https://bookshop.org/p/books/along-the-trail/acddcf8eab8a6041
https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781509263165​

"Kaci loves to camp, hike, and spend time with her family outside. They recently spent two years living on the island of Guam, where they frequently snorkeled, hiked, explored tide pools, and visited historical sites from World War Two. 

Back in the states, she loves to visit National Parks and other natural landscapes. Her favorite hiking trail is one with tall trees, mountain views, and no crowds. She loves books, coffee shops, hot drinks, rescuing animals, and showing her kids the wonders of nature, even if they're just outside the back door.
She hopes that her book about the American Frontier will inspire others to protect the few wild places that remain, and to support the amazing wildlife who's habitats are threatened by human development."  

Author Bio
​Kaci Curtis is a military spouse, and mom of two. She was raised in Kansas City, MO, only minutes away from the town of Independence, where the Westward Trails began. She loves hiking, camping, reading while sipping coffee, all things National Parks, thunderstorms, gardening, and book club.
    Socials:
Website: kacicurtisauthor.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/KCurtisWriter
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/kacicurtisauthor

Welcome back! I'm excited you joined me. This month, I had the pleasure of joining other New Jersey Romance Writers at Barnes & Noble in Ledgewood, NJ. The staff were amazing and made us feel at home. They are pros at setting up and breaking down an area. What a joy is was to see so many people coming through the door. Brick and mortar bookstores need to hang out signs declaring "We're Back, Baby." 
According to www.uschamber.com/co/good-company/launch-pad/modern-bookstore-revival there is a resurgence of shops growing an emerging. Even indie publishing is finally getting the respect from retail stores that it deserves. So break out and search for stores in your area. Look and see the vast beauty of covers. Pick up and feel the pleasure of flipping pages. Smell the wondrous scents of paper. Okay, I've waxed poetic enough. Let's get to today's guest, who is also a member of the Wild Rose Press garden of authors. Karina is sharing her newest release and a bit about her journey to becoming an author.

 Welcome Karina. Tell us how you got here.
 
​From a young age, I wanted to become an author, but since I can only type with one hand, I didn’t know if I could meet such a goal. Like every aspiring author, my professional pursuits required the same resilience my physical ones did, but it too paid off. My debut novel, Husband in Hiding, was accepted for publication in 2015. Since then, five more of my novels have been published, including Undercover Babymoon, set to be released by The Wild Rose Press later in 2024. 
Want to know more?
Head over to karinabartow.com/my-story/ for an inspiring story of determination and perseverance. ​

Undeveloped Memories
by 
Karina Bartow
Unseen loves can be the deepest
Women Slueths
Released September 10, 2025
​
We assume we know everything there is to know about those who raised us…until we discover that we don’t!
Lorelei Carmichael returns home to check up on her aging uncle, but another investigation awaits her. An undeveloped roll of film, abandoned by her photographer uncle, beckons her attention. Also a photographer, she develops the images and discovers an Alaskan journey he never disclosed, alongside a woman and child.
When an opportunity provides her the chance to peek into the past, she retraces his footsteps through the Alaskan countryside. Will she figure out the whole picture of this unfinished love story? And might the trail of breadcrumbs lead her to capture a love of her own?  
 
Grab your copy today!
https://wildrosepress.com/product/undeveloped-memories/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF5FRS3N/
https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=9781509262908
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/undeveloped-memories-karina-bartow/1147667550?ean=9781509262908  

What others are saying
Primarily, this is a story about family, and about the sacrifices we may or may not be willing to make for family. Another theme is that of understanding. Lorelei is on a voyage of discovery, both for herself and her uncle. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story as it opens up some really interesting questions, chiefly, how much of someone’s past we feel we should be privy to, as well as understanding the motivations a loved one might have for keeping something concealed. On top of that, there is the ethical dilemma of delving into someone’s past without their consent.
The Alaskan earthquake served as a sobering backdrop to the story, linking the past to the present. These passages documenting the pain, heartache and trauma associated with living through a natural disaster, were sensitively discussed, and cleverly interwoven with Lorelei’s story so that it mirrored her own feelings of pain, heartache and trauma. This was the first time that I had heard of the Alaskan earthquake, and the story did inspire me to read up on it. So much research must have gone into the writing of this book, yet the story never feels heavy under the weight of descriptions. Instead, scenes come to life, making them easy to imagine.
The story, which was beautifully written, unraveled in a really interesting way. All the characters were engaging, and the story kept me hooked from beginning to end, so much so that I read it in one sitting!
The connection between Lorelei and Uncle Reed was endearing and poignant. Lorelei really appreciated all that her uncle had given up to raise her and her brother, even if she never truly grasped all that entailed until later life. I loved the interactions between Lorelei and Harley. The mix of sibling annoyance and affection was so accurate and genuine and had me smiling.
If you enjoy gentle, romantic mysteries set in a beautiful location, with the legacy of a poignant historical event woven through it, with characters you can really get behind, I can’t recommend Undeveloped Memories highly enough.
~Reviewer Sammi Cox 

More about the author.
Karina Bartow grew up and still lives in Northern Ohio. Though born with Cerebral Palsy, she’s never allowed her disability to define her. Rather, she’s used her experiences to breathe life into characters who have physical limitations, but like her, are determined not to let them stand in the way of the life they want. Her debut novel, "Husband in Hiding," came out in 2015, followed by "Forgetting My Way Back to You," in 2018 and "Brother of Interest" in 2022. She may only be able to type with one hand, but she writes with her whole heart!

https://karinabartow.com/​
https://www.facebook.com/karinabartowauthor
https://www.instagram.com/karina.bartow/
https://x.com/KarinaBartow
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15045283.Karina_Bartow