I’m clearing my bookshelf this week, along with a hundred other friends and authors—one of which came up with this dandy idea:  why not give our old books away?

I like it!  My bookshelf is stacked full of books I’ve read, reviewed, couldn’t get through, don’t have time for…  Well, you get the picture.  And now is the perfect time to clear the debris and make way for more.  (I am a reader AND a writer.)  With the advent of the ereader, I do buy a lot of ebooks.  But like many of you, I enjoy the feel of a book in my hands—especially at the beach, in the bathtub, by the pool on vacation—a paperback wins, hands down.

So as I plan my reading list for the new year, why not give away some of the books I’ve read?  I rarely read a book twice (unless of course they’re self-help or cooking—both of which I need to read and re-read :)).  What good are they doing on my shelf? Perhaps one of you may enjoy them.

Well here’s your chance.  This week I’m giving away …. PLUS a pack of my bookmarks/garden tips and recipe cards!  And it’s simple to enter.  Simply leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win!  While you’re here, check out my Bloomin’ Warriors Street Team!  If you like romance, have I got a year planned for you!  In 2013 I’ll be introducing my new series, Ladd Springs.  Set in the mountains of Tennessee, this one will pack a punch of mystery, revenge, twist plots and of course a rollercoaster ride of romance.  As a street team member, you’ll receive sneak peeks, special discounts and unique gift items, not to mention your very own Bloomin’ Warrior T-shirt!

Mine’s fall, hands down.  From the crisp snap in the air to the gorgeous fall foliage, I LOVE the fall season.

Which is odd.  Remember, I grew up in Miami.  I’m not one of those Florida transplants, the kind of folks like my husband, who made the move south only to pine for the change of season he used to enjoy.  (He doesn’t pine for winter, mind you–only the change in season from summer to fall, winter to spring…)  Here in Central Florida, we have two seasons:  Summer (hot, wet, sticky) and Winter (warm, dry, pleasant).  That’s it.  In Miami, I had only one:  Tropical.  So how did it come to pass I “fall for foliage?” 

No idea.  But I do.   From apple cider and corn mazes to maple syrup and pumpkins, I count the days until the first nip clips the air, cuts the heat and promises a reprieve for the next six months.  It’s also a GREAT time to garden.  It’s not too hot, not too cold…why fall season would make a gardener out of Goldilocks, it’s so pleasant!

And isn’t this vegetable stand adorable?  If only it would look as cute on a sunny corner in Florida.  But alas, this display is better suited to apple orchards and corn fields–which are everywhere in Ohio–my husband’s hometown.  We recently visited family and friends and stumbled across these beauties (though I have no explanation for them, other than Mother Nature is an odd duck).

Monkey balls?  Seriously?

Apparently they work wonders for spider control.  And with an ample supply of black widows in our garage back home, my son wanted to pack up a crate of these bad boys and take them with us!  With gentle hands to his shoulders, I instructed, moving right along… 

Next on our tour through the countryside, we spotted this old log cabin.  Needless to say, the kids loved it.  Originally a telephone company, it now acts as a retail outlet for maple syrup and candy and the local Chamber of Commerce (but don’t quote me on that).  Yes, you guessed it.  “I’ll have one of everything, please!”

With my goody bag in hand, we made our way back to the car, back to the parental homestead where we commenced with a lively Italian family get-together, complete with red wine, sausage stuffed peppers, pasta and warm camaraderie.  Needless to say it was a good trip.  As usual, we wished we could stay a little while longer (okay, my kids want to MOVE everywhere we visit, but if “no-can-do” is the answer then an extension of their trip always ranks a close second).

But returning home is what makes our visits all the sweeter, isn’t it?  Not because of the syrup in our luggage, but because of the love.  In the arms of family, our world looks better, feels better, everything seems brighter, happier.  They say the only thing we can can’t on is change.  Well I for one, agree.  And the fall change is one of my favorites.

The HEA Blog Hop has come to an end and we have a winner!  Congratulations go out to Joanne Robinson ~ winner of the gardening bag, gloves and flower box.

A HUGE thank you to all who entered.  I enjoyed the chance to meet new readers and can’t wait to share my upcoming novel with all of you:  Condemn Me Not ~ set for release December 2012.  Rather than romantic fiction, this story is straight women’s fiction; an exploration of motherhood from obligation to expectation, perception and reality. 

As an independent-minded woman myself, I’ve often wondered who draws the lines and where while at the same time our role seems to be shifting beneath our very feet.  Are we breadwinner?  Emotional support and stabilizer for the family? Do we work outside the home, inside or both?  Do our choices affect the outcome in significant ways?  Is one path better than the other? 

Can I change direction when I change my mind?  (Happens!)  Or would that be unfair to those around me?  And why don’t men struggle with the balancing act between career and family?  Nature vs. nurture has long been debated when it comes to raising our children.  How about when it comes to choosing our livelihood?