I feel as though 2018 is running through my fingers like tiny grains of sand on the beach. Can you believe it’s JUNE?
I’m really excited about this month’s giveaway! I was unable to attend a reader’s luncheon, so I have lots of different types of goodies along with some books to giveaway. I love good surprises, don’t you? I can’t wait to pick a winner and find out how they love their prize. *Sigh* Another lesson in patience for me.
You must signed up on the newsletter list to be edible to win. And you must follow the instructions only found in my newsletter in order to enter to win. So… if you’re reading this and you’re not signed up for my newsletter, better do it now. Flip over to the newsletter tab, here at my website, and sign up!
The June Newsletter will launch in a few hours.
Oh, I thought I’d add, I’m reading Eloisa James and starting on a book by Kazuo Ishiguro. Have you read Never Let Me Go?
Happy Reading!
Linda
P.S. I’d love to hear from you. What are you reading? What new author have you discovered recently?
Started the Dreamwalker Mystery series a while ago. These are by Maggie Toussaint and I find them intriguing and fun to read. The fifth one, Confound It was just released but it is best if you start with the first–Gone and Dune It, then Bubba Done It, Doggone It, and Dadgummit. I just received my copy today and will get into it when I finish the ARC I am reading.
I just finished The Real Michael Swann, and have yet to start another book because I have to get my garden in!! Thenh my daughter goes and brings home 2 Pekin ducks!! Lol..we built a real crappy looking pen for them until we have more time this weekend..who knows..they might end up in my bath tub at night!
And I think the ducks were a huge surprise!! I used to have them a long time ago…kind of a belated mother’s Day present from her!
Kim,
Ducks in the tub. Almost a rhyme. Almost. I have a friend in Kansas who has Alpacas, Llamas, Chickens, and Ducks. Ducks, Funny creatures, but the eggs are good.
Smiles,
Linda
I am reading Maeve by Josie Riviera. Is is part of the Perfect Match Series.
The surprise packages that I have received from you have been exciting,
unexpected and seem to come at a time when I am suffering from my
sciatica or a migraine. They a my happy packages. Love the beads &
yummy chocolate candy treats. Thanks for helping put some sunshine in
my days.
Carol,
Thank you for your kind words. Thank you for all your support.
Hugs,
Linda
I am reading Confessions of a Red Herring by Dana Dratch.
(I tried subscribing to your blog multiple times, and I keep getting the same error: There was an error when subscribing. Please try again.)
Brooke,
I’m sorry that you’re not able to subscribe to the blog. I’m not sure why, but I’ll check with my webmaster to see if she has any ideas.
Thank you,
Linda Joyce
A gift that caught me totally by surprise was a cruise paid for by my sister and brother-in-law. It was greatand very much a surprise.
Jackie,
Do your sister and bro-in-law want to adopt me? LOL What a wonderful gift.
Smiles,
Linda
My boyfriend got me a duck ! I called him peepers . Later he got a new home on a farm .. and same guy dressed up as a gorilla to send me off to Spain .
My biggest surprise was for my 40th birthday. My flew me to Nashville to see Rascal Flatts in concert. We flew in, had a lovely dinner and saw the concert, and flew back home the next day.
My son is a 40 and works two jobs so I don’t see him often. He missed Mother’s Day and surprised me Saturday with a Pink Yeti cup and took me out to dinner.
Sandra,
Thoughtful son you have. I’m sure spending time with him was the best treat of all.
Smiles,
Linda
My hubby of 44 years surprises me all the time, sometimes he makes things or does little things that are fun like making a heart shaped pizza one valentine’s. But I’m even more surprised by the generousity of authors. Sure we know about the free books and why, but there are lots of little extra’s. Sometimes it just feels like having an extra Christmas. I want to take this opportunity to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I’m a big reader and I live on a disability now. I’ve reached the halfway mark for my 140 book challenge on Goodreads. I’ve been opened up to so many new authors like you. My limited amount that I can spend wouldn’t go far without winning books and finding all these great new authors.
Nancy,
That hubby of yours–he’s a keeper. <3
And what a sweet thing to say about authors. I appreciate that you understand that we all work so hard. Hours and hours alone (okay, not really alone because we're surrounded by characters talking to and with us all the time). And we want readers to connect with our characters, with our stories.
140 Books! That's amazing!!!
Happy Reading!
Linda
My husband brought me home a Michael Kors purse for no reason. He knows that I am way to cheap to buy one for myself!
Kari,
Wonderful hubby you have there! But is there something you do pamper yourself with?
I love purses. When I go into a store and the sales person asks: May I help you find something?
I reply: No thank you. I’ll look until I fall in love.
Smiles,
Linda
My biggest surprise was when I got my engagement ring from my hubby of over 35 years. We were on our way to our pre-Cana day as required by the Catholic Church and as usual, he was late meeting me. He got in the car and said said something like you should probably have this and handed me the ring! I put it on–a little big and took it off. Was not able to really look at it until we were done. Still love it and the matching wedding band.
When I was 12 I got a yellow 10 speed bike. I loved that bike. I went everywhere with my friends. Left in the morning got home before dark. We didn’t have cell phones when I was 12 but we had the sun to let us know when to get home!! 🙂
Tina,
That’s the truth! We told time by the sun. Thank you for sharing your story. I can see you zipping around on your bike. FUN TIMES!
Smiles,
Linda
A big surprise I had came three years after I left Germany. I had a box in the closet that was wrapped, a going away gift, that I hadn’t opened. Finally I opened it and it was a beautiful statue of a Beluga Whale—I could have been enjoying it all this time—wish I could post a picture here but can’t figure it out.
Susan,
I’ll bet the whale is beautiful. What a sweet story. Though I bet the person who gave you the gift kept wondering if you liked it. lol
Smiles,
Linda
My daughter gave me a kitchen aid stand mixer for Christmas one year. I always wanted one and thought they were to expensive, I love it and was very surprised. Thank you
Linda,
What a wonderful daughter you have! My next thought was: What are you going to make me? LOL
Hugs,
Linda
When I was away at college my mom made a beautiful needlepoint pillow for me in beautiful shades of green and cream. I was so surprised because my mom worked full time and was so busy I couldn’t believe she had time to make the pillow and surprise me with it on Christmas day. I will always treasure it.
Lori,
Your mom is precious. To make a needlepoint pillow. What’s even more endearing is that you, as a college student, appreciated it so much. What a testament to the wonderful heart you have.
Smiles,
Linda
Received 2 dozen roses for my birthday from very special friends.
Linda,
What a wonderful sweet gift! Two dozen roses! I’ve only seen them at the florist. 🙂
Smiles,
Linda
A surprise for me one year was a ceiling fan I did not need… I thought something else was to be a surprise inside the box, but it was not. Still shake my head at that one.
As for reading, I recently finished two JD Robb books.
Happy Summer!
Colleen,
A ceiling fan. A fan. Could you have exchanged it for something else?
I explained to my hubby very early in our marriage that “Practical” things are not surprises. They can be gifted, when decided together, for an anniversary. For example, we needed a new refrigerator or a new washing machine.
Of course, every now and then his idea of “surprise” and “gift” are a little puzzling, too. LOL
Smiles,
Linda
My biggest surprise was when I found out that I was pregnant. That was unexpected and wonderful at the same time. Just finished reading Raising Ryann, about two strong people with a connected past finding their way back to each other.
Catherine,
What wonderful new–a wonderful surprise to discover you’re pregnant.
And I love stories about second chances at love.
Smiles,
Linda
I haven’t been too active in many things lately. I hope to change that later this year. Too much going on for me and it doesn’t look like it’s going to settle down for a little bit yet. My move will be complete by the end of this month, but settling in is going to take a while. This year has been a very hectic one for me. I hope to be back to normal soon.
Jo Ann,
A MOVE is a big deal. Much of your life changes. New place to buy groceries, get gas, post office…and new doctors and medical providers. Not for the faint of heart. I’ve moved so many times, it makes me faint to think about it.
Be well my dear high school rival. lol
Smiles,
Linda
My brother surprised me with a laptop after seeing the delapitated state of my current one at the time.
My amazing hubby and kids surprised me last weekend with a quick getaway. I love shopping at a particular amish store that is about 1.5 hours away from home. We had not plans on Saturday and we all woke up and they told me to get dressed we were going out for the day. I loved it!!! Its nice to escape and just enjoy the hubby and kids.
A few years ago, I won tickets to a Yankees game, with passes to go on the field during batting practice. I gifted them to my nephew, PJ, who is my only Godson & a huge Yankee fan. He had such a good time, & called me the morning after to thank me. That Christmas, he bought me a Pumpkin candle (I’m a candle fanatic & I absolutely love anything pumpkin) & gave me the sweetest card thanking me, again, for the Yankee tickets. I refuse to burn that candle. & still have the card.
Maria,
What a generous auntie you are!
And maybe only for Thanksgiving you could light the candle?
Smiles,
Linda
I lost my faithful companion who was a sweet terrier named Willie. I decided I did not want another dog. Several months later my son got me a cute little terrier named Katie. It was just what I needed in my life at the time.
Joye,
It’s heartbreaking to lose a fur baby. Heartbreaking. But they say that the best way to handle a pain is to get back in the saddle again. Hug your son. Hug Katie for me.
Smiles,
Linda
My best surprise was my engagement ring. We were spending the day at pre-Cana day as mandated by the Catholic Church and, of course he was late meeting me. As I was getting ready to pull out of the driveway, he handed me a box. I said to give it to me later but he insisted I open it. A beautiful ring was inside and I put it on (it was a little big) but did not have a chance to really look at it until that night. We got it sized and a month or so later, I put the matching wedding band with it and did not take it off until the medical problems started and I ended up in the hospital and rehab centers for nine months.
Shirley,
What a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing.
And I hope you’re doing better now.
All my best,
Linda
I think the one gift that surprised me was from my co-workers one year for my birthday. They had a pottery vase made for me in my favorite colors & it was signed by the artist. Then they had 2 dozen small pink roses put in it for me. That was the first time other than my family did someone send me flowers for my birthday.
Cynthia,
That vase must be a prized possession. The wonderful memory that it holds is priceless. And I’m thinking your coworkers cared very for you, which shows what a wonderful person you are.
Smiles,
Linda
The gift that caught me off guard the most was from my husband- he came home with two cats! Our next door neighbor planned to put his two five year old cats to sleep because he was moving & didn’t want them: So John talked him into letting us have them. ( Fred and Ginger are now 11 and very spoiled).
Cindy,
Not one but TWO cats! Very sad ab out the neighbor…but how wonderful for you and your husband and Fred and Ginger. So sweet!
Smiles,
LJ
The one gift that I remember I receive as a kid was a cashmere sweater that my grandmom gave me It was pretty but not soft later I found out that she made it 🙂
Debra,
Cashmere not soft? Oh my! The gift was very sweet of your grandmom.
I’m going to crochet a little cape for myself out of cashmere.
Hugs,
Linda
I received a pure gold locket for my sweet 16th birthday. It was totally unexpected.
Cassandra,
What a lovely gift and a precious memory. Thank you for sharing.
Smiles,
LJ
A laptop a few years ago. Totally unexpected, loved it and needed it. An undesirable gift was from my cousin about 10 years ago, he got me a fake winning lotto ticket. Boy, was I angry when I found out it was fake.
Joy,
Did you ever get that cousin back for the fake lotto card? If not, I have some *wiggling my eyebrows* ways to help you plot your revenge.
(I’m not an evil person, honest. I just believe in balancing the scales of justice. LOL)
Smiles,
LJ
My biggest surprise was from my husband and how he gave it to me. A necklace.
Theresa,
Good guy! Keep him.
Smiles,
LJ