The family she doesn’t know…Could have the answers she needs.
Jolene Navarro Release date July 27, 2022
The De La Rosa family had a tough time finding their happy endings, but one by one they earned theirs. All but the baby sister. And none of them could be completely happy until she was found, and they knew she was happy and safe.
As they come home and settle in, they’re looking for her, the missing piece of their family.
The little sister Gabby went to stay with an aunt after their mother’s funeral, and then she disappeared. The aunt went underground with the child. Now an adult she has a new name, Abigail Dixon.
After her marriage publicly falls apart, single mom Abigail Dixon has nowhere to go—except to the family she thinks abandoned her as a child. Not ready to confront the past, Abigail keeps her identity a secret. But hiding from Sheriff Hudson Menchaca isn’t so easy, especially after he discovers who she is. Can he reunite a broken family…without losing his heart?
Book 7: Claiming Her Texas Family ……….. Abigail Dixon (Gabby De La Rosa) & Sheriff Hudson Menchaca. The last of the series
Claiming Her Texas Family by Jolene Navarro
Book 1: The Texan’s Secret Daughter ……….. Elijah De La Rosa & Jazmine Daniels Book 2: The Texan’s Surprise Return ………. Xavier De La Rosa & Selena De La Rosa Book 3: The Texan’s Promise …………………….. Belle De La Rosa & Quinn Sinclair Book 4: The Texan’s Unexpected Holiday ….Damian De La Rosa & Lexy Zapata
Book 5: The Texan’s Truth ……..Bridges Espinoza & Lilianna Espinoza (his cousin’s war widow) —————Neither are part of the De La Rosa family. He lives on the ranch. Book 6: Her Holiday Secret ……….Catalina Wimberly & Andres Sanchez (former wild child and her best friend the local deputy) Neither are part of the De La Rosa family.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman has been around many years. I read it as a young parent of four children. My husband and I read it. I now use it to help develop my fictional characters. We all want to belong, to have people in our lives that love us. Understanding the love languages not only helps you see how others might be expressing it to you, but how you feel loved. To visit their website click on the books.
When a love language is not expressed or it is used to hurt a child the wounds can cause deep scares. I think it’s the reason one child can be traumatized by something and another doesn’t even remember it. A child that scores low on words of affirmation can ignore hurtful words. But take a child that words of affirmation is how they feel loved, those words of anger or hate cut deeper and can linger a lifetime. A child that needs time or service to feel loved will have a harder time being left alone after school. But to the child that has the love language of gifts, they wont mind being alone. they will feel loved when a parents shows up with a thought present to show they were thinking of them. Our strongest memories are tied to emotions. We remember how someone make us feel.
That is why we respond differently to the same situation. It will depend on our love language if we remembered feeling loved or ignored. My son Tate joins us as we explore The Five Love Languages on our Podcast this week. Who Asked Us? The Unsolicited Opinions of Two Romance Authors. Hosted by Storm Navarro and her mom. (That’s me)
Who Asked Us? The Unsolicited Opinions of Two Romance Authors.
Words of affirmation. Acts of service. Receiving gifts. Quality time. Physical touch. We LOVE love languages! Join us with my brother Tate as we discuss the five Love Languages from Gary Chapman and how it can be incorporated into real life AND romance novels!
In my writing world I’m back in Port Del Mar with Andres Sanchez. I hope to have a cover to share soon. I’m getting excited about the final edits for my October 2021 release. Her Holiday Secret is a lovely family story of redemption, faith and love.
Damian De La Rosa is the hero I have received the most messages about. Each asking if he was getting his own book.
It’s here!
Best of all it’s a Christmas story. Finding the perfect partner for him was a challenge, because he was not an easy person to get to know. But Lexy Zapata pushed right past those walls and made him happy she did….
Can one Christmas change everything?
Temporary shelter…
or new forever home?
Driven to get her sister and baby niece out of a dangerous situation, Lexy Zapata brings them with her to her new job near Damian De La Rosa’s family’s ranch. Now they can stay hidden through the holidays while Lexy plans their next move. But when she starts to fall for Damian, can his ranch become her family’s safe haven for good?
From Harlequin Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
It’s springtime and in San Antonio that means FIESTA!
It’s springtime and in San Antonio that means FIESTA!
The San Antonio Romance Authors (Romance Writers of America) bring you an awesome chance to win a glittering and collectible Fiesta medal.
These medals are in limited supply and not currently for sale. Are you ready to win one? We hope so. During the dates of April 19-28, visit the below sponsors sites for an opportunity to learn about them and get entered to win a medal.
Entrants need to be at least 18 years old and love romance books as much as we do. USA only for shipping and void where prohibited. Entry to all contests is free. You can only win one SARA medal for the whole event.
“Viva Fiesta”
I have the letter “T”. Visit the other sponsors to collect the letters.
Want to win? To enter click the caption under the T.
A while back I was asked to join a group of multi-published authors to put together six never before published novellas with a Christmas theme. This was my first walk down a truly indie path and couldn’t ask to do it with a better group of women. I also LOVE Christmas stories. Well, anything Christmas.
I’ve have some ask me what it means to be indie. I write for a publishing house in New York, Harlequin’s Love Inspired line. I love working with my editors there. They put the book together and send it out into the world. I get an advance and a royalties beyond that. That is considered a traditional contract.
With an indie it is like opening my own small business. I alone decide on the product I’m going to produce and hire the right people such as editor, cover designer. I promote and get the word out. Working with experienced authors has been great and I’m so proud of the set of book we are offering
This past week the Mistletoe Memories bundlereleased and I couldn’t be more excited to say it is already getting great feedback. The best part: right now you can snag this bundle for only 99 cents. Being indie we get to set the price and you can’t get a better deal.
My story is Forever Christmas Kiss–Jolene Navarro: Isabella Cortez is a small town librarian with a large family and has been in one too many weddings. This Christmas might be the worst. Not only is she still single, but she is standing in her twin brother’s second wedding. His best man is the opposite of everything she wants in a husband–an artist, and the biggest Peter Pan she has ever met. Xavier Sanchez grew up in foster care, and has no family or traditions. He lives in the moment, which gets him in trouble. Can the rock steady librarian help give him roots? Can he teach her to take a risk and fly?
Nasty rumors are floating around about the fat in nuts. Instead of being afraid of the little nuts you should embrace them for the nutritious, healthy snack they provide. Almonds, cashews, walnuts, or pistachios, any whole nut makes a healthy high-protein snack. And these nuts are high in fiber.
You mix protein with fiber and you will fill full longer. Even though they are loaded with the good fats, it’s still important to measure out portions.
A hand full can lower cholesterol, make for a healthy heart, help weight control and even lower cancer risk and that is just the tip of the iceberg for these tiny little nuts.
Another reason to love My H.E.B – I can buy in bulk and keep it local. They have so many choices.
Unfortunately, too few Americans eat nuts regularly: They account for less than eight percent of daily antioxidant intake. Let me remind you that just a small handful can add protein, fiber, good fats and important vitamins and minerals to you diet.
Here are my favorites.
Pistachios: They slow down your eating
Pistachios are my travel companions. This nut has the fewest calories, less than four calories each. If you eat them shelled, then you are working for your food and you’ll eat less but it takes longer. I love eating them in traffic on my long trip home.
Pistachios are rich in the antioxidant gamma-tocopherol, a form of cancer-fighting vitamin E. Pistachios are also packed with potassium, which we need for healthy nervous system and muscles. Vitamin B6, is another gift that comes in this tiny package. It helps lift your mood and build up your immune system.
About 50 nuts make up a serving.
Almonds: They keep things moving.
Of all the nuts, almonds have the most fiber. If nothing else I hope you have learned how important fiber and a healthy digestive system is to your overall health.
I like a touch of chocolate or dried fruit thrown in the mix.
They are also rich in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. Some research shows that almonds are good for someone trying to keep their blood sugar levels healthy. In one study: Those who ate about 20 percent of their calories from almonds for four months saw their bad LDL cholesterol drop and their insulin resistance decrease compared to a control group who didn’t eat them. They may also help if you are on a healthy weight loss journey. In one International Journal of Obesity study, when two groups of obese adults followed low-calorie diets for six months, those who included almonds in their weight loss plans lost more weight than those who ate more complex carbohydrates. Almonds may even keep your gut healthy: A test-tube study (funded by the Almond Board of California) found that Almonds brought more good bacteria to the body’s immune system.
Unsweetened almond milk and unsweetened Almond/coconut milk are two of the milks I use in my smoothies.
About 23 nuts make a serving.
Pecans: The Heart of Texas. This is a native and our state tree.
Pecans are famous for those tasty pies. But what they should be know for is the health benefits to your heart. They may help prevent plaque formation in your arteries. In fact, a Journal of Nutrition study (funded partly by the National Pecan Shellers Association) found that consuming pecans can help lower LDL cholesterol levels by as much as 33 percent. Pecans may also buffer your brain health, according to an animal study from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The vitamin E found in the nuts could delay progression of degenerative neurological diseases like amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Serving size is only about 18 halves.
Cashews: Good for your brain
Some cashews mixes with coco/chia granola.
Cashews deliver the magnesium. Which may help improve memory and protect against age-related memory loss, according to a study in the journal Neuron. They also are heavy in iron and zinc. Our body uses iron to carry oxygen to our cells, and zinc helps with immune health and healthy vision. Unsweetened cashew milk is the other liquid I like using in my smoothies. It has less calories than skim milk (25 compared to 80) but has more calcium (45% compared to 30%). It is also creamier.
About 1/4 cup is a serving.
Walnuts: A happy nut.
A handful of walnuts may level out any mood swings you might be having because of hormones. Manganese has been given credit for happy mental health and nerve health. It also has the most antioxidants of all nuts. This is the stuff that helps protect your body from the cellular damage that can lead to heart disease, cancer, and premature aging. If you would rather avoid fish, walnuts have the highest counts in omega-3 fatty acids. They fight inflammation. I like to drop a small hand full to a smoothie every now and then.
A serving is 14 walnut halves.
A couple of my favorite smoothies:
(Right) Walnuts, fresh blackberries, kale, frozen blueberries and a cup of unsweetened cashew milk. (left) Unsalted almonds, frozen blueberries & strawberries, fresh bananas & spinach along with unsweetened almond milk. I throw them in my Ninja for about 40 seconds and enjoy!
There are more nuts to explore and this is a good site to find information :
Today is M and I’m going to tell you about a great MEAL deal at My H.E.B. Okay so I might be stretching the M part a little much. but I wanted to tell you about these meals I found at My local H.E.B. In the Texas Hill Country there is one grocery store. It started in Kerrville and grew from there, with a huge heart for non-profit work and giving back. They also pride themselves in local and healthy choices. I buy my organic bulk seeds and grains at My H.E.B.
Once I started making so many smoothies I needed to keep fruit in the freezer. I wasn’t looking for pre-made mixes but found the HEB Blendables. The best part? They were $1.50…Yes, that’s right. One dollar and fifty cents. That is cheaper than a happy meal. You could just add water and call it good, but I like to add my own little touch. It is still the cheapest meal you could get for the nutritional value.
Three of the Blendables from My HEB. Easy and fast smoothies
Here is one of My favorites.
Three of the Blendables from My HEB. Easy and fast smoothies
The Powerhouse Smoothie
Handful of fresh spinach
3 tbs hemp
half juice of a lemon
1 cup unsweetened almond/coconut milk
Plus there are the Spurs commercials.
Do you have a fast go to for an easy morning meal?
Lemons are happy fruits. I love just having them around the kitchen. They bring sunshine indoors. Lemons are to bring joy and happiness. Even Judy Garland as Dorthy, sings about troubles melting like lemon drops in Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Lemons bring happiness. The home remedies that use lemons are endless. They are one amazing little fruit. I’m going to freeze some lemon juice to add to my ice cold water.
The health benefits of lemons are due to its many nourishing elements like vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, niacin thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus and protein. Lemon is a fruit that contains flavonoids, which are composites that contain antioxidant and cancer fighting properties. It helps to prevent diabetes, constipation, high blood pressure, fever, indigestion and many other problems, as well as improving the skin, hair, and teeth. Wow, I need to start putting lemon in my water everyday.
Studies conducted at the American Urological Association highlight the fact that lemonade or lemon juice can eliminate the occurrence of kidney stones by forming urinary citrate, which prevents the formation of crystals.
Next time you make a smoothie, cut a lemon in half and squeeze some juice to perk it up.
Do you add lemon to your fish and chicken or maybe your water? What is your favorite healthy L food?
No surprise that Kale and Kiwi are on the list of healthy foods. Kale is a dark green that packs more iron in a serving than beef (calorie for calorie). It’s rich in carotenoids lutein & zeaxanthin.
Okay, and that means???
Kale delivers these to the retinas and they absorb the sun’s damaging rays. The nutrients in kale have been shown to help bone health, aid in natural (non-stressful) detoxification and it may lower the risk of cancer.
K in healthy food gives us Kale and Kiwi
It can get a little tough and bitter, so I take the stems off and with a little almond milk with smoothies or oil for salads you can “massage” the leaves to soften them. I also like the baby kale. Adding a fruit such as strawberries or kiwi helps too.
Kale is what’s happening in healthy foods
Kiwi:
The fuzzy skin of a kiwi can be eaten the same way the fuzzy skin of a peach can be eaten. It’s great when mixed with other fruits such as strawberries, pineapple and banana.
Kiwi! Antioxidant protection, potassium, fiber, magnesium and zinc and lots of vitamin C
It is actually a giant berry and has more vitamin C than an orange. It’s loaded down with fiber, vitamin E, polyphenolis, potassium, magnesium & zinc. And it is my nephew, Kennan Ward’s favorite fruit. (Kennan is another great thing that starts with K).
Kale, Kiwi & Banana Smoothie
2 kiwi, peeled and cut into small chunks
1 cup of kale
1 banana, peeled and chopped
quarter of avocado (love the color)
handful of sliced almonds
Half a lemon squeezed into mixture
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt
And there you have K – as you can tell I substituted spinach for kale (I didn’t know I was out of kale). I think this might be one of my favorite smoothies. What about you? Do you have a favorite kale or kiwi recipe or maybe another food in the K family?
Today is M and I’m going to tell you about a great MEAL deal at My H.E.B. Okay so I might be stretching the M part a little much. but I wanted to tell you about these meals I found at My local H.E.B. In the Texas Hill Country there is one grocery store. It started in Kerrville and grew from there, with a huge heart for non-profit work and giving back. They also pride themselves in local and healthy choices. I buy my organic bulk seeds and grains at My H.E.B.
Lemons are happy fruits. I love just having them around the kitchen. They bring sunshine indoors. Lemons are to bring joy and happiness. Even Judy Garland as Dorthy, sings about troubles melting like lemon drops in Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Jolene Navarro 