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Make Leap Day a Book Day
So many books. So little time. I’ll bet you’ve heard that phrase before…or maybe uttered it yourself. If you’re like me, your TBR List is always greater than the hours available to read. This new year provides a solution – an extra 24 hours called Leap Day. Here are some interesting facts about leap years.
- The extra day is added to the Gregorian calendar every four years to synchronize the solar year to balance out the 365.25 days it takes to orbit the sun.
- The practice of adding an extra day began in 46 BC when the Julian calendar (decreed by Julius Caesar) was created.
- In the U.S., leap years coincide with presidential election years.
- Couples in Greece avoid getting married in leap years to avoid bad luck. Russians also believe leap years herald trouble such as freak weather patterns.
- People born on February 29 (leap day) are called “leaplings” or “leapers” and there is a special group for them: The Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies.
- Notable events — not all bad — that occurred during leap years: George Armstrong Custer fought the Battle of the Little Bighorn (1876), the Titanic sank (1912), Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning is electricity (1752) and gold was discovered in California (1848).
If you’d like to squeeze in a little extra reading on Leap Day, you need a plan to optimize the hours. I’m here to help with a few suggestions:
- No need to call in sick to work. Leap Day, February 29, falls on a Saturday.
- Make a date with yourself. Block out time on the calendar so other events and activities don’t conflict.
- Create a cozy reading corner.
- Organize your TBR list. Is there a series you want to binge read? Make sure you have all the books in the series and know what order to read them in. Check out new releases from your favorite authors you might have missed. Box sets, such as the Impossible Mission Collection 1-3, is a super convenient way to binge read.
- Pick a reading marathon theme such as rom-coms, billionaires, small town or romantic suspense. Stack your TBR list accordingly.
- Stock up on your favorite reading nibbles and beverages.
- Indulge in a truly bookish experience. Visit your favorite indie bookstore with plenty of time to browse. Stop off at the neighborhood coffee shop for a latte and scone, along with a few chapters. Nod to the other readers lingering there.
What is your key to making extra time to read?
5 Reasons Books are the Best Valentine's Day Gifts
It’s Valentine’s Day, and while many people celebrate by giving gifts of candy, flowers or jewelry, I think the books make the best gifts. Here are 5 reasons why books are the ultimate expression of love.
1. No calories so you can enjoy them guilt-free.
2. Books are actually the gift of time ~ time to escape reality, time for yourself, time to indulge.
3. The heroes in romance novels never disappoint.
4. There is something for everyone ~ comedy, suspense, history, small town, cowboys, military heroes and more.
5. No one will judge you if you buy yourself books for Valentine’s Day.
Wishing you a day filled with love and books!
Enter my Valentine's Day Giveaway
Win a copy of my new box set and a $10 gift card!
Easy to enter and opportunities for bonus entries!
Giveaway includes a digital copy of The Impossible Mission Series Box Set (Books 1-3).
Three very smart, strong women.
Three very dangerously sexy men.
Mission: Impossible to Resist / Book 1
She’s beauty, brains, and trouble.
He’s in the wrong place at the right time.
Smart, savvy Seattle socialite Jordan Dean must learn to let go of her tightly controlled world and accept help from the one man who poses a huge risk to her well-guarded heart—her Special Ops bodyguard, Aiden Foster.
Mission: Impossible to Surrender / Book 2
She’s not a party girl anymore.
He’s fought his feelings for too long.
Sophie Dean has worked long and hard to shed the bad girl reputation she earned at college. Now she runs an humanitarian aid program. When danger threatens Sophie’s latest international undertaking and she needs protection, fate steps in and delivers a second chance with the one man she can’t forget, Navy SEAL Finn Jenkins.
Mission: Impossible to Love / Book 3
She’s in over her brilliant head.
He’s not buying her innocent act.
Elizabeth “Izzy” Benson has the brains to rival some of the best IT minds out there. Unfortunately the Artificial Intelligence drone she’s developed is drawing all the wrong kind of interest. Now running for her life , she’ll have to trust a stranger, Sten Jenkins, a very angry Marine who makes it obvious he doesn’t believe her or want her around.
Apple Books | Kobo | Nook | Google Play
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA
Last chance to enter my January Giveaway
Connect with me and you could win a $25 Amazon gift card. Lots of ways to enter!
Winner announced February 1!
Good luck and thanks for your interest in my books!
Leaping into the New Year
Happy New Year! Are you ready for 2020? I have big expectations for this year because it marks the start of a new decade — some folks are already calling it the Roaring 20s — and it’s a leap year. Think of all the babies born on February 29, the next leap day, who will have special birthdays.
Here are some interesting facts about leap years.
The extra day is added to the Gregorian calendar every four years to synchronize the solar year to balance out the 365.25 days it takes to orbit the sun.
The practice of adding an extra day began in 46 BC when the Julian calendar (decreed by Julius Caesar) was created.
In the U.S., leap years coincide with presidential election years.
Couples in Greece avoid getting married in leap years to avoid bad luck. Russians also believe leap years herald trouble such as freak weather patterns.
People born on February 29 (leap day) are called “leaplings” or “leapers” and there is a special group for them: The Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies.
Notable events — not all bad — that occurred during leap years: George Armstrong Custer fought the Battle of the Little Bighorn (1876), the Titanic sank (1912), Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning is electricity (1752) and and gold was discovered in California (1848).
There is a movie titled Leap Year. Released in 2010, it stars Amy Adams and Matthew Goode.
What will you do with an extra day? If reading tops your list, check out my books:
Code Breakers Regency Romantic Suspense
Grayce Walters Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Impossible Mission Military Romantic Suspense
Sources: Leap Year Fast Facts, 20 Fun Facts about Leap Years