We’ve been talking about thankfulness this month — I know, such a unique topic for November! But it’s important to have an attitude of gratitude. Not just generically, but purposefully. This week I’m especially thankful for freedom and peace in this part of the world. There’s so much tragedy and heartbreak in so many places, and here there is peace. Do we deserve it? Do we deserve any good thing more than another person does? Not because of how important we are, that’s for sure. But I’m thankful, all the same.
Today’s photos are a few I’ve taken from my kayak over the past few months. I shot a sequence of eight or ten photos as a great blue heron took off in front of me, and this one is my favorite!
Specials this Week
Valerie Comer’s Urban Farm Fresh Romance 1-3 box set is free through November 20.
That same evening, we surprised a number of painted turtles sunning themselves on logs.
Reader Gathering
Have you visited Inspy Romance’s Christian Romance Reader Gathering group on Facebook lately? Come on over… but don’t forget to answer the questions for admittance!
StoryChats @ InspyRomance
Story Chats releases an all-new episode every Friday. This week on Episode 149, Elizabeth, Valerie, and Narelle chatted with Kristi Ann Hunter about her new novel, Pixels and Paint. You won’t want to miss it!
Listen to our fun show on your favorite podcasting app, through the player on our podcast tab, or watch us on YouTube! Wherever you listen or watch, please be sure to hit subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!
Last Week on Inspy Romance
On Monday, Lindi Peterson enthused about holiday travel
On Tuesday, Valerie Comer pondered ‘I didn’t see it coming”
On Wednesday, Amy Anguish introduced us to fairy tales with Regina Rudd Merrick
On Thursday, Judith McNees invited us to listen to a chat with Ana Walters… and #giveaway
On Friday, Angela Ruth Strong shared once upon an audiobook… and #giveaway
On Saturday, Jan Thompson wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving
Next Week on Inspy Romance
Monday: Julie Carobini
Tuesday: Emily Conrad
Wednesday: Erin Stevenson Quint
Thursday: CLOSED for Thanksgiving
Friday: Tabitha Bouldin
Saturday: Merrillee Whren
I guess I didn’t take this photo from the kayak. This kaleidoscope of western swallowtails was “puddling” close to the edge of a mountain lake. Yes, kaleidoscope is the official name of a group of butterflies!
New Releases
November 2023
A Jilted Bride for the Cowboy (Sweet River Ranch 2) by Valerie Comer
Muskoka Holiday Morsels by Carolyn Miller
Not Until The End (Hope Springs 10) by Valerie M. Bodden
Puppy Love and Christmas Joy (Happiness in Hallburg 4) by Merrillee Whren
December 2023
Bidding on a Second Chance (Christmas in Redemption Ridge 6) by Emily Conrad
I’d be remiss if I didn’t share one photo of a loon paddling along near my kayak at dusk. These are the moments when I let out a deep, long breath and simply absorb the peace that surrounds me. Whatever cares are pressing down have no meaning in this space. I can simply be.
A complete list of Inspy Romance books by our authors is always available on our BOOKS tab. Find our audiobooks and our thank-you gifts for newsletter subscribers there as well!
Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner who writes where food meets faith and fiction. She injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances. Her life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
Blessings this Sunday morning Valerie Comer and IR authors and readers. This follower of IR is extremely thankful for the administrators and authors on the IR blog. Oma’s Gratitude ABCs has 58 blessings. Day 19: S is for Strength, Shelter and Senses (sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch). 1. Thessalonians 5:18 in EVERYTHING give THANKS. After a successful cataract surgery for my right eye on Nov. 13, I am extremely thankful for sight – especially as an avid reader, who loves road trips and nature. I am 1/3 of the way in A Jilted Bride for a Cowboy.
Valerie I love your wildlife pictures and captions. In Michigan we have Blue Herons and Painted Turtles. In Michigan I associate Swallowtails with a bird, not butterfly; but love that a group is called a kaleidoscope. Northern Michigan, especially in the Upper Peninsula, has loons. My Aunt Louise was Canadian and I remember after her passing collecting over 150 “Loonies” (coins) she had in her apartment. Best wishes.
Such beautiful photos! Kayaking sounds an amazing way to experience nature.
You are right, it is so important to be thankful. I am trying to take any opportunity I can this month to remember to that God for His blessings.
Your pictures are amazing. And your peaceful place sounds ideal. What a wonderful way to unwind and enjoy the beauty of our Creator. Thank you for that little piece of paradise.
Have a wonderful week.
Good morning, wow, your photos are all Beautiful, Thank you so much for sharing them. It looks so peaceful there. May you and your Family have a Blessed Thanksgiving. Alicia
Thanks so much for your unfailing encouragement! I’m glad your cataract surgery went well. As someone with an eye disease, I am also very aware that sight is a blessing from God…
I only started kayaking maybe six or seven years ago. I’m so THANKFUL for the discovery! It has truly become my happy place.
Thanks, Bonnie! I’m so THANKFUL to have a kayak and that I live in a place where I can pop it into the water within 10-15 minutes of our farm. Truly is paradise.
It IS so peaceful, and why I paired these photos with being thankful for peace. When I’m on the water, it’s a simple exhale. I love it.
What great pictures again!! I’m very thankful for the Inspy Romance authors and blogs! I feel like I’ve got some great friends here!!
Me too! Building a community of readers was our goal when we started working behind the scenes in the fall of 2013 to launch in February 2014. I love what we’ve created because it includes you (and you, and you, and you…)!
Oh, Valerie. I am very thankful for you. Thank you so much for sharing such fabulous pictures. God bless you.
Thank YOU, Debra. You brought tears to my eyes.
Do love the photos. I got Henry back Sunday night so have been a bit distracted dealing with him. Today hes doing so much better and not attacking his sister. She’s now being the tormentor and its back to normal in that sense. hes very clingy and needs me near.
I hope your kitty adapts to his new home this time!