UPDATE: The winner is…Diane Sallans!
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U.S. Thanksgiving is just days away! One last grocery shop tomorrow, and then we’ll be spending the week with the kids, hunkered down for the cold and getting ready for the big feast on Thursday. This year, it’ll just be us. We’re still observing COVID protocols to keep the seven inside this house safe. We’ll miss visiting with family, but it is what it is. And truthfully, we’re looking forward to the downtime—playing board games in the evenings and watching movies together. I cleared my calendar of work so I can enjoy the time, although I might work on some jewelry and art projects, maybe make some potholders, too, to get ready for the crafts show my daughter and I are participating in early December. We’re not nearly ready. However, this kind of rush is the kind I enjoy when I get to create something with my hands, beads, and paint.

But onto the contest! I’m wondering two things. Solve the puzzle, because it’s fun! Then tell me, are you enjoying an expanded family gathering this year? Are you traveling to get there? Answer for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Bridget Werbin!
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It’s Saturday, so you know it’s Puzzle Day! Yay!!!

Okay, so you know I like making you work your minds a bit. A very little bit, so don’t get scared. I found this picture, and I thought it would be perfect for this Saturday’s challenge. For a chance to win your choice of downloads from among the books in my backlist, tell me this…

What would you do if you found this is in the woods?

UPDATE: The winner is…Pat Bohn!
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I’ve had a busy weekend! My son’s in town for a visit, so yesterday we spent the day in Hot Springs—hitting flea markets, the rock shop—yes, we’re a family of junkers and rock collectors, so we had a blast. I didn’t buy much. I found a Japanese brush pot—chipped (I think the chips added character!). I bought a large carved and polished labradorite heart and a rose quartz worry stone.  Not much, but I’m not disappointed. It’s like when I travel. The best part for me isn’t the destination, it’s the journey. Never take a road trip with me unless you love stopping to take a look at the largest ball of twine or the only pearl farm in North America. That’s me with junking, too. Don’t get me wrong, I love finding treasures, but it’s the hunt I adore, especially with fellow hunters who love the process as much as I do!

Anyways, my son’s heading back to Virginia tomorrow. The next big thing coming up is Thanksgiving. We’ve already bought the turkey and all the dry or canned ingredients we need for the meal. I heard on the news they expect shortages of certain foods for Thanksgiving, and of course, made the dd head to the store the next day to make sure we had a turkey. Yes, I’m one of those people.

Anyway, we bought a small turkey because as much as we love Thanksgiving, we aren’t keen on days of leftovers. What are you planning to serve? Is there some special dish everyone expects? Comment for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card! Be sure to solve the puzzle for inspiration!

We take Halloween seriously, here in the Devlin house. The kids always dress up. We always take photos. This one was taken in front of a local graveyard. Our four + an extra kid who joined us for the fun! Enjoy solving the puzzle!

Open Contests Here!

1. Cowboy’s coming in 5 Days! (Contest & Excerpt) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!
2. Scary Halloween Puzzle & a Cowboy Reminder! (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. COWBOY is here! Brand new release! FREE in KU! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. The World of Dead Horse, MT (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!

Open Contests on the Collections site!

1. IN ONE PICTURE: KELLY VIOLET’S “CARRY ME HOME” (CONTEST) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!
2. IN ONE PICTURE: MARGAY LEAH JUSTICE’S “EIGHT SECONDS” (CONTEST) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. IN ONE PICTURE: ELLE JAMES’S “FREE REIN” (CONTEST) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. IN ONE PICTURE: AVA CUVAY’S “SOLAR FLARE” (CONTEST) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. IN ONE PICTURE: SUKIE CHAPIN’S “THOROUGHBREDS AND THERMODYNAMICS” (CONTEST) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. IN ONE PICTURE: CINDY TANNER’S “COWBOYS & ZOMBIES” (CONTEST) — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. IN ONE PICTURE: JENNIE KEW’S “TYING THE KNOT” (CONTEST) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. IN ONE PICTURE: REINA TORRES’ “SWEETGRASS SUMMER” (CONTEST) — Win an Amazon gift card!
9. IN ONE PICTURE: IZZY ARCHER’S “SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT” (CONTEST) — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…rita!
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It’s been a hella busy week! I began a new book that’s due this coming Friday. I’m almost halfway there, BUT I had to spend yesterday and today at the Art Festival! Pesky festival had to fall right in the center of my deadline hell! But oh, it’s fun!!

We’re set up in tents all along Main Street. My stall faced the sun all day, and it was hot—until it was stormy. Then my pictures, in their frames with glass, were flapping on the grid walls from the wind. But it was fun. And validating. There are 35 artists showing. I’m a newbie, but people stopped in because the bright colors caught their eyes. A few, even a couple of art teachers, were surprised by the saturation of color I get from watercolors. “Nice work!” And, even better, I sold some!! I’ll be back there today, so again, no writing, but I’ll be having fun.

Puzzle-Contest

Getting ready for the art show put a dent in our Halloween preparations. We have some major catching up to do after this weekend. We have costumes ordered, makeup planned, but we haven’t started our Halloween movie nights!

Solve the puzzle then tell me how you get in the Halloween spirit for a chance to win a download of your choice from my backlist of books!

Have fun with the puzzle! And BE SURE to enter the contests below! Happy Sunday! ~DD

Open Contests

1. Day trip, anyone? (Puzzle-Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Cameron Allie: Welcome to Clayridge (Plus a FREE short story and CONTEST) — Win a cute bookmark!
3. Story Cubes — Tell me a story (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Candice LaBria: Falling Hard (Contest & FREE in KU!) — Win a FREE book!
5. How big a deal is Halloween? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Have you pre-ordered your copy? Defending Evangeline (Contest + Excerpt) — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Mary McCoy!
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Did you watch the movie Timeline? Remember it? It starred Gerard Butler, Paul Walker, and a host of other notable actors. I loved it. I would build fantasies in my head around the adventures I could have if it were possible to move back and forth through time. What wonders would I see? Today’s puzzle will start you on your journey. Imagine if you could spend one day in your fantasy destination. Enjoy!

Puzzle Contest

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle then tell me if this is somewhere you would take your fantasy time-travel day trip! If not, where and when would you go?