Oh my ~ makes me happy

 

Viking romance isn't exactly the right category, but very kewl anyways. So happy to see this, since I haven't been on the bestseller list since big brother Elrik's story came out. You go, Edan, keep up the good work.

Release Day ~ YAYYYYY ~ sort of

 Happy/sad release day for The Warrior's Rescued Bride -- it's the last story in my Warrior Wolves series and last book for Harlequin Historical. 

A forced-proximity, second-chance Medieval romance

The warrior’s mission:

rescue his first love!

The King can order Edan of Roul to rescue Lady Amice but, years after she jilted him on their wedding eve, Edan doesn’t have to like it. Though he embarks on the dangerous journey to bring the stubborn beauty to safety, Edan must resist the undying pull between them…

When her loved ones were threatened, Amice fled her betrothal to protect Edan. Now reunited, she still sees pain, anger—and desire—burning in his eyes. Telling him the truth will only stoke the fire that once consumed them… And with battle approaching, can they risk everything to make the vows they always intended?

                                                                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While Edan is the 3rd brother, yep, he's the last book. His story was one of those that just appeared, fully formed, because of a song I heard on the radio while gardening. While I adore those stories, they also make me nervous because I didn't have to mull them over, so the brain plays the "what did I do wrong here, or here, or there?". Meaning I had to give it time to ripened. LOL.  The song -- Words By Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus. 

Available everywhere Harlequin Historicals are sold -- or check Purchase Links Here:  

BOOKS 2 READ

I hope you like Edan's story.  

New Playlist

 I can't write without a playlist. Yeah, odd, I know, but silence just makes my brain go blank. I need music, and it has to be music I know by heart, because I sing along...yes, while I'm writing. Took all night, but I managed to put one together, for now and thought I'd share.

It's on YouTube, and that link is:  Denise Lynn Writing Playlist Feb. 2026   . Hopefully, it works.

As you can see, by the listing below, I do have rather varied likes when it comes to music... 

Castle Walls – STYX – Currently writing contemporary, but my heart and soul are still in the 12^th century, so why not start the playlist out with a song about Castle Walls?

I Like The Remix – New Kids On The Block – First time I heard this, the “…guitar…I like the new you…” made me stop and think – “I know that voice” …Then the refrain “I like the remix, baby” had me shaking my head, “Nooo…that sounds like Danny Reagan” LOLOLOL, snorkel. So, of course, I had to go searching when I got home. Who knew Danny Reagan could sing? Not I.  Yeah, big duh. In my defense, it was just a couple of years ago, so I was in my 60s and listening to country for the most part…NKOTB weren’t exactly in my music library.

Ring of Fire – Homefree - I adore Tim and Avi

Change On The Rise – Avi Kaplan - yeah, more Avi

Sound of Silence – Disturbed – David is such a talented marshmallow (mind you, I love badass marshmallows to bits, married one), just blows my mind level of talent.

Perfect – Ed Sheeran – “theme” song for Rory in The Warrior’s Bride Alliance. Rory and Gillian might not have known each other forever, but they were ‘perfect’ for each other.

Words by Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus – “theme” song for Edan in The Warrior’s Rescued Bride (March Harl. Hist. release – Feb 24, 2026). She did send him a ‘Dear John’ letter/missive, the night before their wedding, and then ran away. He was crushed, and five years later, when he was tasked with rescuing her, he still remembered every word of that missive.  When I heard this song on the local radio station, while gardening, the entire story formed itself almost instantly. I love it when that happens, hope the readers do, too.

Footloose final dance – please, Kevin…nuff said.

I Can’t Dance - Genesis – love Phil Collins in any incarnation.

Good As I Was To You – Lorrie Morgan…there’s a story brewing in the background here

We’ve Got Tonight – Seger

Angel of the Morning – Juice Newton – her voice has always impressed me

 You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth – Meat Loaf – what’s a playlist without Meat Loaf? To me, not a playlist.

Two out of Three Ain’t Bad – Meat Loaf – just one of those nights

When You Say Nothing At All – Alison Krauss – just because

How Can I Help You Say Goodbye – Patty Loveless – had to have a tear-jerker in there somewhere

Something in Red – Lorrie Morgan – I like those whole stages of life thing. I think all of us have one of those moments at some point in time.

Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers – love his voice, and this one whisks me back decades to when I was young, stupid, and uncertain.

I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt – another one of those…there’s something here I can use…songs

The Rose – Conway Twitty – just a personal fave

Seasons In the Sun – Terry Jacks – I swear, if I were going to have a funeral (I’m not), this would be the song playing.

Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield – my theme song. ”…the pen’s in my hand, ending unplanned…” oh, yeah, that moment arrives, Every. Single. Time.

Who I Am – Jessica Andrews – yeah, that’s who I am. Too bad it took almost 7 decades to figure it out.

In The Air Tonight – Phil Collins…it’s Phil, I mean, come on…Phil

Have You Ever Seen the Rain – CCR  -  Every once in a while, I need to be reminded of the late 60s/early 70s and first crushes, this’ll do it. CCR or Rare Earth playing brings back old memories of a tall, lanky blonde trombone player who sat directly across from me in band. Long gone now, but he and his trombone will always live in my mind as a young heartbreaker, already a master of that heavy-lidded stare, well-timed deep husky whispers, and endearing smirky smiles by the time we were in JR High. LOL. RIP sweetie

The Night Chicago Died – Paper Lace – always did like this song, the beat, the intro slides…

Renegade – Styx – March 3, 1979, outskirts of Chicago.  Alice Cooper was on stage at the arena behind the motel, steam rolling out of the partially cracked open bathroom door, along with the only light, Old Spice scented the air. This was on the radio. I was so freaking nervous that I swear every second of every sight, sound, and scent was burned into my brain for all time. By the time this tune hit its stride, I was ready to jump out of my skin. God, to be young and insanely in love/lust again.

Almost Goodbye – Mark Chestnut -  and yet, another one of those …there’s something here I can use…songs

Can I Trust You With My Heart – Travis Tritt – one of those ‘something I can use’ songs, that I’m actually using right now in a Christmas story. We’ll see how that works out.

Half Enough – Lorrie Morgan – an artist I like a lot

I Told You So – Randy Travis – We saw Randy eons ago opening for KT Oslin.  Oh, he was so nervous, I don’t think he moved half a centimeter during his entire set, frozen stiff but so cute and damn, that voice.

You’ll Be in My Heart – Phil Collins – uh huh, Phil

Dust In the Wind – Kansas  - Yeah, I know this has been redone, but it’s another oldie that I liked then and still do.

I’d Do Anything For Love – Meat Loaf – I’m pretty sure it’s just a case of needing a Meat Loaf fix tonight, because I could have filled this playlist with many more

I Want To Know What Love Is – Foreigner – don’t we all?

More Than A Feeling – Boston – another one that stands the test of time

Smoky Mountain Rain – Ronnie Milsap – Milsap has a really nice voice, and if I ever left the hubster, hopefully he’d think of this immediately because that’s where I’d be, although God only knows on what trail. Well, I’m positive he wouldn’t have to look on either the Chimney Trail or Clingman’s Dome. LOLOLOL. Yeah, those days are in the rearview mirror.  Now, Arch Rock or Alum Cave are still a possibility. Maybe. Depending on the mood of the day, but I always did enjoy watching the goofy chipmunks.  Laurel Falls, or Sugarlands, would be more my speed at the moment. However, it’s more likely I would be up at Newfound Gap, or at a patio table at Friday’s (Since the Hard Rock relocated down the road and PF isn’t much to my taste) or on a stool at Bennett’s in the bar.  

I Wouldn’t Have Missed It For The World – Ronnie Milsap – oh, so true

Watch Me – Lorrie Morgan

Misty Mountains – Peter Hollens and Tim Foust – Peter and Tim, nice duo, and since I started the list out with castles, thought I should end it with something medieval-ish…

 Now, perhaps the writing will go a little easier. Here's hoping!

  

Just playing around

 Decided to give AuthorScale a try out...interesting....no sound, that's ok, I was just testing the AI input and editing features for right now....well obviously it's geared for tiktok...duh, wonder if I can resize it...

Hmm, well interesting if nothing else. I'll just keep playing. LOL. 

Christmas decorating woes 2025

 Every year, I go to the M-66 tree lot close to the "old" neighborhood to get a small Fraser fir. They've been there what seems like forever. Since we have dogs and a cat, I get a smaller one that I can set on a corner table -- our 2 ferrets taught me well. There is nothing like walking by the tree at 3 a.m., only to have a pointy-nosed rodent stick its face out at you from a branch. I was half asleep. She was supposed to be in her cage. Yes, screaming commenced, which of course sent Cleo scattering through the tree, dragging lights and ornaments along with her. Fun times.

These trees last so long that in February I could put hearts on them, if the husband had the patience to look at it that long, unfortunately, he's done by January 2nd. One year, I managed to keep it up so long that we missed the tree pickup, so it ended up in the corner of the yard. The birds loved it. That tree never dropped its needles, and it turned the most beautiful rust color I've ever seen. Almost hated to cut it up and throw it away.

And every year, I like to string lights along the porch. Wouldn't you know it, the day that was on the to-do list, the temperature bottomed out. A simple task that usually takes a little over an hour turned into a four-hour-long jaunt to the Arctic. I convinced myself that running inside to unthaw my fingertips (where oh where did I stash the gloves) and then out to tackle another strand was better than waiting a day for the torrential rain. 

That night, I kept looking at the porch, trying to figure out what was wrong... but couldn't. The next day, I decorated the fireplace. The cedar roping that I'd had for a whopping 4 days was already dying, thank you, Menards, for the freshness (snark). As of today, it crumbles if you touch it -- obviously not lighting any candles up there.  Clean-up is going to be a nightmare requiring the shop vac. Again, spent time trying to figure out what was wrong...

Decorating the tree was up next. Ending up with the same problem...man, there is just something...OFF. Sitting here in the dining room that night, I glanced over...it's the lights. There's no sparkle, no shimmer, no twinkle. That tree has 36 crystal icicles, 5 tin ones that Great Grandpa made probably 100+ years ago, 

countless colored glass ones, 5 strands of beads, not to mention the beaded ornaments Grandma made every year for as long as I can remember, my glass ornaments, and a few dozen sequin-covered ones from Pier One (I really miss that store), and there's not one lousy twinkle. 

While the brightness of the LED lights is spectacular, it's pinpoints, no glow, nothing, just pinpoints of near blinding bright lights, if you can see them. On the fireplace, the only lights that really stand out are the old incandescent white ones, you can barely see the pinpoints of the LEDs. 

To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. My son showed me the light strands I need to get if I want twinkle/sparkle. Yeah, well, call me cheap but I'm not spending that kind of money on strands of Christmas lights. I say that either after the first of the year, or next year, we hit places like Ollies, Goodwill and pick up ye olde fashioned incandescent ones. Or I could unstring the lights in my office and use those...hmmm...

Hopefully, your decorating is much more satisfying than mine has been!

Oh, and if you're looking for a Christmas read, check out the anthology the local writer's group put together. There's 4 stories in the anthology. One is my attempt at writing a contemporary. It was  different, to say the least. 

Until next time - take care and be well (there's a real unfun flu going around where I am, ick).

 

MVRAI President's Award 2025

 Isn't she pretty? We couldn't get her to work at the meeting, but I think the dimmer button was all the way down, because I plugged it in, hit the buttons and presto...of course getting the video to work is another story...

Once I get done cleaning my oh, so, trashed office, I'll find her a nice place.

Welcome

 Hi, and welcome to the new Denise Lynn blog page. Notice I didn't say improved, because it's not there yet. Still working on it. So, please, bear with me while I steal time here and there to whip it into shape.  

In the meantime - as in when I find a template I actually like -- I'll be adding pages and posts here and there, so check in occasionally for any "new" news.

Thanks for stopping by!

Oh, one more thing. I've coaxed Sir Perseus out of retirement. You'll notice him, dressed in his fabulous red and gold, at the bottom of the page. He's there to safely guide you back to the Denise Lynn Website.  Just give him a little click and off you'll go. 

Until later -- Be well and take care,