Good Sunday! Can you believe it’s AUGUST?! It’s tax free weekend here in Missouri so that tells you what’s going on around here ;). Thursday evening, I took all four kids to the store, picked out what they wanted, then returned just before midnight with my 12yo (she refused a midnight selfie!) and checked out VERY early in the morning – all of the bargains, none of the crowds! Friday night, we were in and out of Shoe Carnival’s Buy One Get One Half Off sale in about 30 minutes with new shoes for all four of the kiddos :D. That has to be some kind of record!

With tax free weekend, we know that the school year is just around the corner! Are you looking forward to it? Or dreading it? I’ll admit it – I’m a bit of both. I love spending time with my kids, but I don’t get much writing done in the summer. Plus it means I’m back to work ;). Granted, I’m only in the classroom 6 hours a week but… :D My kids don’t go back for another week, but I have some friends whose kids have been back for a couple weeks already. What about around your house? Are kids getting out the new backpacks and sharpening the pencils? Or have the buses already been running? Or do they have a few weeks to go still?

We’ve had some GORGEOUS weather here this week, but today was a bit warm for me. I spent today chillin’ inside reading an InspyRomance book by a new author. Not one of our lovely folks but I may have to see if she wants to hang out with us one day – I’ll let you know ;).

Don’t forget – if you’re a winner, email us at:

prizes at inspyromance dot com

Winners, you ask? Why yes! Winners! Did you know every comment gets you entered in a drawing? July’s winner of a $30 Amazon card is

SHERRY WILSON JOHNSON

for her comment on “So What Does Romance Really Look Like?” by Stacy Monson! Be sure to comment in August for your chance!

This past week…

Monday, Deb Kastner took us behind the scenes of Romance Writer’s of America’s annual conference.

Melissa Tagg welcomed one of her dear friends Lindsay Harrel on Tuesday to talk about the power of friendship.

Wednesday saw a BIG announcement ;). Not by one of our authors, but by Narelle Atkins’s characters! Plus the giveaway has about nine days left!

Real romance? Thursday, Stacy Monson talked to different women about what it is to them.

Brandy Bruce was my special guest on Friday – talking books and food! There’s still time to leave a comment in the giveaway, too!

Need to fill up your TBR list? Katherine Reay provided assistance on Saturday with a list of the finalists for American Christian Fiction Writers’s Carol Awards! We’ll be sure to post the winners after the gala at the annual conference next month! (See any familiar names on that list?! I do!)

Coming up

Monday: Jennifer Slattery

Tuesday: Krista Phillips

Wednesday: Hallee Bridgeman

Thursday: Carla Laureano

Friday: Lynette Sowell

Saturday: Merrillee Whren

News & Notes

NEW RELEASESJuly

Robyn’s Garden (Brides of Texas Novella) by Kathleen Y’Barbo

Redeeming the Rancher by Deb Kastner

Hope Deferred (Remnants 2) by Elizabeth Maddrey

The Best Man’s Secret by Gail Sattler

Their Unexpected Love (Second Chances) by Kathleen Y’Barbo

EVENTS & NEWS
Their Unexpected Love by Kathleen Y’Barbo was in the Top 100 for Romance on Bookscan for 2 months in a row!

Cover Reveal for A Side of Faith (a Sandwich Novella) by Krista Phillips

AWARDS

Five Days in Skye
by Carla Laureano
WINNER Inspirational Romance
RWA Rita Award 2014

** by Laurie Tomlinson
Finalist Romance
ACFW Genesis Awards 2014

Raspberries and Vinegar
by Valerie Comer
WINNER Contemporary Romance
The Word Awards 2014

Dear Mr. Knightley
by Katherine Reay
Finalist Debut Novel and Contemporary
Carol Award 2014

Catch a Falling Star
by Beth Vogt
Finalist Romance
Carol Award 2014

SALES & GIVEAWAYSRaspberries and Vinegar
by Valerie Comer is on sale for Kindle for 99¢.