January Musings

January greetings, my friends, and welcome to all my new subscribers! I hope all of your end of year observances and celebrations were filled with warm fuzzies and good health. After an extended break in December, the first two weeks of 2025 have hit me like an avalanche. Do all the things! See all the people I didn't see in December! Eat all the food! Toast all the toasts!

Well, I wish it were all those things. It's more like: work all the hours! My day job puts on a convention at the end of January each year and we always bust our patooties in the final weeks leading up to it. But, heck, I can always sleep all the hours in February, amirite?

Today, let's talk about:

1. 1) A Bingo card alternative to resolutions
2. 2) BookFunnel promotion - sizzling romance stories (including Finding Forever)
3. 3) Cuckoo for Cocoa - time for a poll!
4. 4) Dazzling All-Star Book Marketing Retreat

The Bingo Card Alternative to Resolutions Makes Me Happy

In one of the Facebook groups I'm in, someone posted about creating a personal Bingo card for the year instead of the usual list of New Year's resolutions as a way of "gamifying" the things you want to accomplish. Immediately enchanted by the idea, I opened up Canva, found a template and went to work. Add in my planned travel adventures? Naturally. Include my writing and publishing goals? You betcha! Sneak some less fun stuff in the hopes I'll be compelled by the desire to finish a row and get my Bingo? It's worth a try! One thing is for sure: I'm gonna be busy!

Sizzling Romance Stories - BookFunnel Promo SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT FAVORITE STORY? Look no further! Available for a limited time, this collection of new books brings the sizzle! From hockey romance to grumpy-sunshine, billionaires to cowboys to hunky mountain men, there's sure to be something for everyone. My next release -- Finding Forever: A Limited Edition Wedding Collection -- is part of this promotion! Y'all. I've begun writing my contribution to Finding Forever, "The One That I Cherish." Johnny Mack is getting his second chance at forever! Here's a blurb: Widowed architect Johnny Mack isn’t looking for a leading lady to replace his late wife, his one forever love. Which is lucky for him, since actress Evelyn Strong has been burned by love too many times to want to audition for the part. But a steamy, unplanned wedding hookup sparks undeniable chemistry and as real emotions start to take center stage, Johnny and Evelyn will have to decide if their story is destined for a quick fade to black—or has the staying power of a true box office romance. Sizzling Romance Stories

Hot Cocoa Poll, Yo!

As I type this, I have fuzzy slippers on my feet, a wool blanket wrapped about my legs, the hood of my hoodie up, and the heat, well, not on full blast, but pretty dang high. It. Is. Cold. And my weather app tells me it's only going to grow colder next week. Brr. With all this shivering going on, *of course* I'm going to start day-dreaming about cocoa. So much so that I thought it was a good time for a new poll! (Yes, back in the fall, I asked about your favorite fall beverage. Yes, the first option was cocoa. Yes, I might have an obsession. No judging!)

I might be leaning toward Death by Chocolate, myself...

The Dazzling All-Star Book Marketing Retreat

My local writing organization, Washington Romance Writers, is hosting the Dazzling All-Star Book Marketing Retreat April 4-6 in Dulles, Virginia. If you're an author -- at any stage of your career -- I invite you to register and attend. The lineup of presenters is astounding! And if you *know* any authors, please share this opportunity with them. We can't wait to welcome folks to this extraordinary gathering.

Last Second Woof

One last musing before I let you go. This morning I was paging through "A Really Big Dawn," my short story in the Love at Dawn Romance Anthology, and couldn't help chuckling at the moment when Elyria meets Declan for the first time. Let's just say, he's pretty dang cute, even in his werewolf form. If you haven't read it yet and need a Friday night escape, give it a try. All proceeds for Love at Dawn go to World Central Kitchen which is on the ground helping folks affected by the California fires.

Ciao for now,

Keely

J. Keely Thrall
Thrilling, Enthralling Romance

P.S. Winter Wishes and Holiday Kisses and Light My Fire will be going off sale in February. If you haven't read Celia and David's duet, now's the time to grab'em!