ALONG FOR THE RIDE is available!

My spicy novella, ALONG FOR THE RIDE, has actually been out for a week or so, but like everyone else I've been caught up in holiday preparations and celebrations. It's part of the "Cougar Club" series, meaning it features an older woman/younger man romance. Some might find such an idea titillating...to me, it's just one more delightful variation on a very old theme, that of finding one's perfect match after a sometimes-heartbreaking search.

You can find it here.

I treasure this week between Christmas and New Years as it seems to me that it's the one time of year when it's nearly impossible to find oneself swamped with work - unless it's the work of cooking for family and cleaning up ribbons and wrappings, of sweeping up pine needles and - perhaps my favorite - finding space on the bookshelves for the gifts of books from loved ones who know very well what makes a person truly happy.

Lazy Days With The Kids

Today I broke down and let my kids both invite friends to dinner. I don't usually do this because it never ends well, but today Evan and I got along and Grace gave me those puppy-dog eyes, and I just couldn't say no.

I like my kids' friends because they have solid companions to talk to when they can't (or don't want to) talk to me. Evan invited his friend Joe, who is a great boy because sometimes the world doesn't understand Evan, but Joe always does. Grace had her friend Alice over, and they are two peas in a pod. Half the time I have no idea what they're saying, but they always make each other laugh. I am so proud of my children because I know they make good choices and pick the right kind of kids to be friends with.

Welcoming the Holidays

Hi all-
I hope the cold weather has brought all of your loved ones together. It certainly has for us in the Bartek household, as this weekend was our Christmas decorating weekend. I love decorating for the holidays because Robert and the kids and I all take part in it. Although Evan, who is 16, might be mad at us for not letting him go to the movies on Friday, and our 13-year-old Grace might be sulking over the pricey hand bag declined to get her, we still have this tradition that always brings us together.

Our decorations aren't too showy, but they are all very sentimental. From the red and white French birdhouses Robert and I got on our honeymoon, to the sock snowmen the kids made in first grade, to the personalied serving platter that has last year's Christmas card picture on it that Evan, Robert, and Grace all chipped in to give me a year ago, it's the stories behind the red and green adornments that make them so special.

Last night, after the kids were asleep, Robert told me to close my eyes and led me down the stairs. When he told me to open my eyes, I saw the Christmas tree was lit up, all of the family's gifts from Robert were under the tree, and our best golden candles cast a warm glow over all of our living room. I ended the night sitting on the couch admiring the tableau, a glass of wine in one hand, and Robert's palm in the other, knowing this was really what I wanted.

Blessings on all of you!