Just by the title alone I’m sure it provoked some kind of feeling in you. At least in my social circle, Yahtzee either brings out the best in someone or the worst. You either love it or you hate it. Guess which side of the fence I’m on? That’s right…I love it!

 

The dice don’t always agree with me, and for the most part I just do an average job at playing this game. However, I still like rolling for different combinations, and of course I love it when I get the beloved Yahtzee (five dice all in the same number within three rolls).

 

I recently thought about having my oldest son play. He’s only six, but he’s able to comprehend what to do and he’s good at math, etc. When I asked if he’d like to try he was so enthusiastic about it! I’m so happy he likes playing games!

 

Let’s just say I would soon regret that, lol! No, I actually don’t regret it, but boy does this kid play WELL!! I know no one can really determine how the dice are going to cooperate, but these dice really like him. And I mean, really like him! The first few games we played he got one Yahtzee in each game!

 

Then this happened: Continue reading “Yahtzee!”

Who of you, by a show of hands, like to get things for free? I’m not talking about something broken or worthless or even something like a McDonald’s toy. What I’m referring to is something of value! Something you can actually use and enjoy very much! Even something that you could keep forever! Wouldn’t you love to have that “something” for free?!?!? I know I would!

 

So……that’s what I’m giving! Let me explain.

 

Saturday, March 25, is my 11th anniversary to my amazing husband. Though we’ve been married 11 years, we’ve known each other since 1994, making it 23 years of adventure, fun, and eventually love!

 

For those that don’t know, my husband and I grew up across the street from one another. His family moved in back in 1994, and since then our two families have been united in one way or another. We were good friends then, and after doing some growing up, we are very much in love!

 

Does that sound familiar to you? If it does, it’s because that is the storyline of my debut novel, Growing Up Neighbors! Being my first book and all, I wanted to write something I knew, and that was my own romance.

 

So what does this have to do with free?!?! I’m getting there! Because this weekend is my anniversary, and because this book is about my life, I am going to give away, to anyone who wants it, a FREE eBook copy of Growing Up Neighbors!! I have never given away a free novel before, but I figured this would be a good time to start!

 

To get your free copy, just go to the Amazon website and order it. It won’t cost a single penny! You’ll be able to keep it for as long as you want obviously, and I really think that you’ll enjoy it tremendously.

 

 

Growing Up Neighbors is considered a coming of age, young adult novel with a sweet, believable love story woven throughout. Starting today, Thursday, March 23, through Monday, March 27, you can get it for FREE here:

 

www.amazon.com/dp/B00PJGYW40
Dating the It Guy by
Krysten Lindsay Hager
YA contemporary romance
Published by Clean Reads
Blurb:
Emme is a sophomore in high school who starts dating, Brendon Agretti, the popular senior who happens to be a senator’s son and well-known for his good looks. Emme feels out of her comfort zone in Brendon’s world and it doesn’t help that his picture perfect ex, Lauren seems determined to get back into his life along with every other girl who wants to be the future Mrs. Agretti. Emme is already conflicted due to the fact her last boyfriend cheated on her and her whole world is off kilter with her family issues. Life suddenly seems easier keeping Brendon away and relying on her crystals and horoscopes to guide her. Emme soon starts to realize she needs to focus less on the stars and more on her senses. Can Emme get over her insecurities and make her relationship work? Life sure is complicated when you’re dating the it guy.
Short Excerpt:
“By the way, did you hear Lauren got into Senator Agretti’s old school?”
“Seriously? I wonder if she applied there because Brendon did,” I said.
Margaux snorted. “Duh, of course. Seriously, she might as well just pee on him to mark her territory.”
“Margaux, shut up,” Kylie said.
“Whatever. Anyway, the important thing is if Brendon knew she was applying there,” Margaux said. “Em, do you think he knew?”
I hoped Lauren was just trying to follow Brendon, but what if they had planned this whole thing while they were dating? What if he convinced her to apply there so they could go to college together, wear matching American flag sweaters with big scarves while drinking hot chocolate, and jump into leaf piles just like a preppy clothing catalog. At least now I didn’t have to worry about them reciting poetry to one another in South Bend, but still, what if they had made plans to go to school together?
“Don’t worry about it,” Kylie said. “She was probably trying to follow him—like she always does. She’s so pathetic.”

Continue reading “Dating the It Guy”

I can’t tell you how many times I misspell the word “exercise” – even when typing in this title, I tend to put a “C” after the “X”. It’s horrible!

 

Anyway, this is not what the article is about so let’s just move on.

 

My husband, Jeremy, is part of this men’s group at our church where they get together at least once a month, discuss a book they were required to read, share their memory work, and encourage one another to grow spiritually. This past month Jeremy had to read “See Yourself As God Sees You” by Josh McDowell. He really enjoyed it, and highly recommends it by the way. I know I’ll be reading that in the near future.

 

Part of the “homework” that went along with this book was he had to make a list of 10 ways he sees himself and 10 ways he feels God sees him. Then came my part. I had to review the lists and see where I agree or disagree, as well as help him figure out ways in which he can always see himself as God sees him. I thought that was a pretty cool exercise! I even went on to make my own list of 10 ways I see Jeremy.

 

This got me curious. What would my list look like? How did I think Jeremy viewed me? So I asked him if he would be willing to do the same for me as I just did for him. He was totally for it! So without further ado…here is my list of 10 ways I see myself and 10 ways I feel God sees me: Continue reading “A Marriage Exercise”

I have some exciting news to share!! Let me post a picture here and see if you can guess what it is (it’ll be super easy):

 

 

Are you seeing it!?!?!?!? EEK! So excited to let you all know that I now have all my Neighbors Series books in ONE boxset (for Kindle only)! This means you will get:

  • Growing Up Neighbors
  • Next Door Neighbors
  • Long Lost Neighbors
FOR ONE LOW PRICE of $4.99!!!!

 

If you have yet to read any of them, now’s your chance to get them all! They are all clean contemporary romances. Growing Up Neighbors is more coming of age/young adult, but there is still a sweet, believable love story to it.

 

Want to know where to purchase!??!? I thought so! Here’s the link:

 

www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJ4PLPD

Roxbury Books is a small indie-author based publisher, who also happens to have an author co-op where each month they showcase works from various indie authors.

 

I’m excited to announce that, for March, my book, Long Lost Neighbors, has been selected to be a part of their showcase! There are a handful of other books listed, as well, so here is the link to check them all out! You never know who you might discover!

 

https://roxburybooks.com/march-showcase/

Most of you know by now that the project I’m currently working on is a non-fiction piece on infertility. Infertility is something that my husband and I had to unfortunately spend almost four years going through, including one miscarriage, many emotional highs and lows, and a billion plus tears. I can honestly say that the only good thing that came from this struggle was my closer dependence on God.

 

Something that was fascinating then that I find still true today is that even though nearly 12% of couples struggles with infertility, many of us don’t talk about it and we often feel alone. Thus the reason I want to create a book devoted to infertility sufferers.

 

In my newest book, my goal is to provide hope and inspiration to those currently in the midst of infertility. I plan on doing this by many means, but the most important one, I think, is by sharing stories from other women. Each story is so unique, but I believe that with the variety of examples shared, those reading them will find bits and pieces of themselves throughout them all. They’ll see that the emotions they experience are normal. They’ll see certain outcomes may not be as bad as they thought. They’ll get a sense of someone understanding them. They won’t feel alone.

 

For this to work, I need your help. If you have gone through or are going through infertility, please consider sharing your story. It’s your story so include as little or as much as you want. Also, please pass this on to anyone else who may be interested in participating.

 

All stories should be in by end of March. If it’s slightly later, it may still work, but I want to have enough time to go through them and format, etc. You can submit your story by either emailing me at franceshoelsema@gmail.com OR by using the Contact tab on my website at www.franceshoelsema.com

 

I’d appreciate any and all help! Just think of the impact this will have on the lives of many women!

 

 

BLURB

Librarian Chloe McAlister finds solace in her books—and hats—but doesn’t know where to turn when her longtime crush gets engaged. On a whim, she signs up for a speed-dating mixer and convinces her best friend, Dill Thomas, to attend. All goes as planned until she realizes Dill means more to her than she thought … and he goes and falls for someone else.

This 10,000-word short story is perfect for your lunch break, workout, or while you wait in line at the mall. Read it today to experience a hint of spring any time of the year!

EXCERPT

“Is the beard a deal breaker? Serious question here.”

Chloe raised her brows. “Hm?”

“Do you like me rugged or clean? Be honest, I can take it.”

Dill had never cared about his appearance before, much less asked her about it. He was a no-frills kind of guy who couldn’t be bothered with designer clothes or the latest fashions. That’s why he lived in jeans and T-shirts at work and at home. For some reason, he was concerned about a beard? “You want my opinion?”

“Sure. You understand women better than I do. Would they be cool with this?”

Tilting her head to one side, then to the other, Chloe took a long, hard look at him. She pretended to give his question some thought, pursing her lips as she studied his face. His eyes still had the same self-assured, friendly sparkle in them as the freshman boy who always asked to borrow her lecture notes. A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing his playful, easygoing nature that hadn’t changed over the years. However, that’s where the déjà vu ended. Continue reading “Of Buds And Blossoms”

What kind of person are you? Do you always like to finish the things you start? Are you perhaps someone who starts a project with the best intentions to finish, but never do? Maybe you could care less if something gets finished?

 

I usually find myself in the first group: I like to finish everything I start. This goes for small things like reading a book or watching a movie (even if it’s super hard to finish because it’s boring or just horrible for one reason or another), and for the bigger things such as finishing each day being able to say I was the best wife/mom/friend/etc. I could be.

 

However, there were a few things in my life that I found myself floating into the second group: wanting to have finished something, but just didn’t. And perhaps the saddest thing was I never gave much thought to it. Day in and day out I would live my life keeping some of those unfinished projects at bay. This year I said enough is enough.

 

As our church’s annual 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting came around in mid-January, I knew what I would give up. However, I wasn’t sure at first what I would do in my spare time. Then God gave me a revelation: I should finish all those tiny projects I have lying around. Thinking of them all, I decided my goal was to have all of them completed by the end of February.

 

Guess what?!?! I DID IT!

 

Here’s what I accomplished: Continue reading “Finish What You Start”