JULY SPECTACULAR STORIES by CATHERINE LANIGAN

Today is the 4th of July and frankly, I can’t believe it. For us in the Mid-West, winter was charcoal grey, foggy and very long. I thought I’d never see a flower again. Then suddenly April appeared. Where it, May and June went, I have no idea. I started to put my sweaters away to make room for gauzy blouses and the nighttime temperatures sank back to 50. Excuse me, but that’s one degree from 49 and that is comforter weather and a barometer of autumn when I’ll hunker down with half a dozen novels, which I will admit to reading more than one at time, UNLESS the book is so good, I can’t put it down.

July is supposed to be that month when I sit on my patio after futzing in the garden, with a glass of iced tea and yes, a book, to take a break while the sprinkler spits water across my lawn. I don’t have an in-ground sprinkler system, so I am the “system” who must rotate and move my faulty sprinkler from area to area. Yes. I’ve bought a new one, but each year I swear the manufacturers cut back on parts for the sprinklers and they never reach as far or as wide as this old sprinkler I’ve had for about twenty years that is held together with wire and zip ties. You can call me crazy. I’m a writer, after all.
So, while I’m either reading under the comforter or in a patio chair, weather depending, I want you all to know we have some spectacular selections for July.


I have read Kate James’s HOME TO STAY and those 5 stars I gave it have a lot of glitter on them to make them stand out. (I’m partial to glitter.) And the book is truly, a STANDOUT!

Here’s the cover blurb: She's bringing his son home 

A missing little boy triggers San Diego K-9 officer Shannon Clemens and her canine search-and-rescue partner into instant action. For the rookie cop haunted by a childhood tragedy, bringing Sawyer Evans's son safely home is more than a job. It's a mission she can't fail… But forging a friendship with the father is a tactical error that could compromise her first solo assignment. Yet the deepening bond between them is almost impossible to resist.

I can’t wait to read Syndi Powell's AFRAID TO LOSE HER.   I don’t know about you, but balloons and fireworks always make me smile. Love the cover, but I know I’ll love this book as I’ve enjoyed Syndi’s other Heartwarming releases.
 They're in this fight together 

Border patrol agent Desmond Jackson would gladly take a bullet for his partner. Instead, it's Detroit border patrol agent Sherri Lopez who ends up wounded in a drug raid…then blindsided by a shocking diagnosis. 
The woman Dez secretly loves is a warrior now in a fight for her life. Strong and independent, Sherri won't let anything defeat her—or let herself rely on Dez. Doesn't she realize how good they are together? All Dez knows is he can't lose her…or the friendship that's slowly evolving into something even more precious.

THE CHARM OFFENSIVE is Cari’s debut book with Heartwarming. I’m really anxious to read this one because the premise of falling for Private Investigator who is tracking the heroine’s father is intriguing to me. And the heroine is a pet store owner? Come on! I’m so hooked.
Winning her over means winning everything 
Sophie Callahan is PI Brad Harrington's best lead to tracking down the man he's been hired to bring to justice: Sophie's own thieving father. But when Brad arrives at The Pampered Pooch, just behind a litter of stray kittens, the pet-store owner is the big surprise. This scrappy, huge-hearted woman with charm to spare gets to Brad in a way no one has ever been able to before. She spends her life finding—and making—homes for others: abandoned pets, her young niece. He'll have to tell her why he's really here. Which means he'll have to choose between his sail-away dreams and the chance to build a forever home—with her.

Oh, I almost forgot my book! 
He’s ready to settle down…with or without her--

Scott Abbott has always loved Isabelle Hawks. And he’s always been her rock. Patient, dependable, strong. But lately, she’s been acting like that rock is weighing her down. With her art career taking off, Isabelle has been spending less and less time in Indian Lake…and with him. Scott isn’t even sure what they are to each other anymore. They might be friends with a history, but it sure doesn’t feel like a future. Maybe it’s time for Scott to set her free and focus on his own dreams. A real home. A family. All the thing he had hoped to share with her…..

So, if you haven’t picked one up yet, pop over to Amazon, BN.com, Kobo, or www.harlequinbooks.com and order a copy.  If you check out our July 1 blog, you’ll see our giveaways and chances to enter. Kate James has a Prism Book Tour starts on July 8th. (www.prismbooktours.blogspot.com) Mine ends this week, so you have a few more hours to win that $50 Amazon card or my pretty tote and books. I love the pink color and it has a zipper inside. The canvas is really strong---for lots of books. (Do I sound like a tote salesperson now?)  I'm giving away a copy of FEAR OF FALLING and SOPHIE'S PATH. 

 So, my question is, where do you live and what is going on with your weather? Can you go to the beach for the 4th of July? Stay home? Barbeque? Go to a parade? Do you spend it with lots of family—lucky if you do! Or do you keep it small?  And when the weather turns bad, what do YOU do with all those 4th of July plans?
Happy reading everybody! You can follow me on Twitter @cathlanigan or on Facebook. My website is www.catherinelanigan.com

Comments

  1. Happy 4th of July, everyone!

    Catherine, thank you for the shout-out for all our books. As you know, I've read Family of His Own and LOVED it! And I'm not the only one. I've read some of the reviews and the consensus seems to be that this might be your best yet! Congratulations on the fantastic reviews!

    I look forward to reading Cari's and Syndi's books, as well. I'm thrilled that we're sharing a release month!

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    1. Happy Book Birthday, again, Kate! I'm thrilled to be sharing July release month with you again this year! Home To Stay is outstanding. I could not put it down. A must read for everyone's summer!

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  2. I look forward to reading all of these books. They look fantastic!
    Wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July!

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    1. Thanks. Jill! I fly home tomorrow from Houston and my copies of Cari and Syndi's books will be on my doorstep! Yay!

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  3. Just picked up my e-version of the boxed set! Now the hard decision of where do I start because unlike Catherine, I'm not talented enough to read more than one at once. Happy fourth of July!

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    1. Happy 4th of July! I'm thinking it's not talent on my part but indecision! Lol!

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  4. Your post made me smile, Catherine, as I can totally relate to using and re-using trusty old appliances or tools (or, ashamed to say...favourite clothes!) mainly because they work so much better or because I can't bring myself to throw them away. I've downloaded all 4 books and am eager to start! Congrats to all!

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    1. Thank you for that, Janice. It's crazy isn't it? But so much of my old stuff is just plain better

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  5. Catherine, your sprinkler story made me laugh. I am the same way. My husband just bought me a new part for 20-some-year-old my watering wand because the new ones are so cheaply made I couldn't bring myself to buy one. Looking forward to this months line up. You ladies have done a wonderful job of selling them to me. Happy 4th to you! I'm looking forward to a cook-out today at my sister's house - rain or shine.

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    1. Hi, Carol!
      Ah! A fellow sprinkling buddy! I hope your holiday is fun!

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  6. Great to read about the fabulous new releases. And yes, this Midwest climate can be incredibly fickle. I know it well! Life in a condo has some advantages--not having to worry about watering lawns or weeding gardens is one of them, along with not plowing snow!

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    1. Hi, Virginia!
      There are many days when my friends in condos have it all so over me! Happy 4th!!

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  7. Great post, Catherine, and congrats to all of you ladies on your releases! I can't wait to dig in to each one of them! And a Happy 4th of July to everyone :). We may be getting thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, but if we're not rained out, I'll be taking the kids to see fireworks at our park. I better grill early!

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    1. Thank you so much, Rula! Thunderstorms! Be careful! My son was struck by lightning once, so we honor the power of rain storms!!
      Happy Independence Day!!

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  8. Great post! Great books! Happy 4th!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Melanie!
      Happy Independence Day!

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  9. July definitely looks to be a star-spangled month for Heartwarming!

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    1. Thanks for the compliment,Liz! You have a super Independence Day!

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  10. So understand the wired together sprinkler! And it went down to 55 here in North Mississippi last week. :-/ Weird weather. All those satellites floating around in space. lol

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    1. Hi, Patricia! I have friends who tell me that HARP can control our weather. Now, there's a book plot line! It feels like over a hundred here and we aren't even at high noon yet!
      Happy Independence Day!

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  11. Happy holiday everyone. I'm half way through The Charm Offensive. This month's Heartwarming books rock!

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    1. They do rock! You stay cool and have a happy Independence Day!

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  12. The books all look great! Good day to read here in Pennsylvania where we have a steamy 78 degrees.

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  13. I so agree! Some icy lemonade and stay out of the sun! I'm ready for a nap! Happy Independence Day!

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  14. Sixties and occasional rain here in Anchorage. Sunshine has been rare this summer. If it's not too wet, we'll probably watch fireworks from the park. Can hardly wait to read this month's stories - they all look so good!

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  15. Hi. Beth!
    It's so hot outside here in Houston I had to escape to the air conditioning! Whew!
    I know you will like our stories this month! Happy 4th of July!

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  16. It's a moderate day where we are, Catherine! Sunny-ish during the day, but it cooled off considerably before the fireworks started! Need a jacket, for sure!

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  17. Thanks for sharing this great Post .keep posting
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