Welcome to the 4th Annual Authors in Bloom Blog Hop where you’ll discover a host of gardening tips and delicious recipes, plus some terrific giveaways, including the grand prize ereader and gift card!

To start off the hop, I’m going to share a tip on how to improve your rose bed by incorporating companion planting into your garden. Companion planting is basically combining plants that grow together in a harmonious or symbiotic manner.

Roses produce gorgeous blooms, but are often plagued by disease and pests. One trick to improve your rose plant’s growth is to plant it alongside garlic, because garlic will repel the unwanted beasts that might attack your roses. You can spray your plants with a garlic spray, however that might interfere with the glorious fragrance of your roses. Onions will also work well, because bugs (like many humans) are put off by the pungent scent. Birds attacking your berry plants and trees? Try garlic spray!

The stuff works. It also works in and around your vegetable garden. Only make sure to keep onions away from beans, peas and asparagus. Not friends in the garden.

Time for the giveaway goods! You have several ways to enter via the rafflecopter below and remember, to be eligible for the grand prize you must visit each and every blog on the hop over the next ten days. You don’t have to enter every contest but you must at least leave a comment on their Authors in Bloom Blog Hop post so I’ll know you were there.

Now get hopping and have fun! There are tons more tips and giveaways awaiting you…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy hopping!

Romance is in the Air $250 Cash Giveaway

This month I’m joining an amazing group of authors & bloggers to bring you 1 fabulous prize!! Need a little cash for your Valentine? Here is your chance to win some! 1 lucky winner will receive $250 in Paypal Cash. Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Details

$250 Paypal Cash

Ends 2/14/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Sponsor List

I Am A Reader

Danielle Thorne

Laurie Here – Cont Fiction and MORE

Krysten Lindsay Hager author

Ann Swann – Romance and Romantic Suspense

Kimber Leigh Wheaton

Kindle & Me

YA Author Fabio Bueno

Laurisa White Reyes

Martha @ Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf

Glistering B’s Blog

Diana’s Book Reviews

Lise McClendon – Author

unshefish

The Discerning Reader

A Tattered Copy

J.L. Weil

B. Kristin McMichael

Simple Wyrdings

Kelsey Ketch

Stacy Claflin, Author

LeahSay’s Views

Amiabooklover

A Leisure Moment

Aubrey Wynne: Romantasy Through The Ages

Kelly’s Lucky You

Dianne Venetta

Every Free Chance Books

inspiredbooksguide

Felicia Starr

Room With Books

Lori’s Reading Corner

Welcome to the Authors in Bloom Blog Hop where some of your favorite authors & bloggers share their gardening tips, recipes and give away prizes!  As many of you know, in addition to my romantic fiction, I write a garden blog called BloominThyme.  What began as a victory garden (when victory gardens were cool :)) has now blossomed into a full-fledged hobby.  I love gardening!

I mean, who doesn’t love to be among flourishing beds of lush leaves, plump fruits and colorful vegetables?  From the bright fiery shades of hot peppers to the calming lavender of maturing black beans, my garden provides a glorious array of eye candy followed by a belly full of sweet harvest.

Okay–while that sounds wonderful and delightful, I’ve learned gardening doesn’t always work out so “gloriously.”  Sometimes the weeds take over, the tomatoes rot, the broccoli bolts, the ants eat the potatoes…  You get my point.  But once you learn a few secrets of the trade, you’ll be off to the hardware store buying a slew of lumber for your produce stand.  You’re gonna need it–especially after you’ve perused the myriad of gardening tips and fresh recipes over the next 10 days.  And remember, if my compost pile of oak leaves can grow sweet potatoes and parsley all by itself–so can you.