Winter Watches

It’s freezing in New Jersey, so I’m staying cozy while editing my upcoming book and binge watching some old favorites. In the wake of Bridgerton on Netflix and the pause between seasons of Outlander, I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my favorite shows that you might not have heard of.

Dickenson

Who knew Emily Dickinson’s life could be made into the kind of dark comedy where Wiz Khalifa plays Death, Billie Eilish hits play against the backdrop of Massachusetts, and the norms of the times are playfully picked apart. I went in expecting a biographical drama and a lot more than I bargained for. The show is still coming out with more seasons, which means more to watch in the long run.

Versailles

I love glitz and glamour with my historical dramas, and nothing screams opulence like the place of Versailles. Give me wigs, give me gold, give me outlandish balls and the sort of skirts that any modern fireman would classify as a serious safety hazard. This show follows King Louis XIV and his flock of friends, mistresses, courtiers, and enemies as the palace is being built. The show has ended, making it perfect to binge, although you may need more than just one chilly weekend.

The Great

This is a show for basically everyone, regardless of their historical prowess. My husband doesn’t give much thought to who Catherine the Great was, or her role in shaping Russia, but he enjoyed the show as much as I. With a delightfully dumb King Peter and a sharp witted Queen Catherine, their hysterical moments were liberally spread between actual events. Was it a stretch on facts? Sure, but it’s all in good fun. watch, enjoy, and spend some time googling if peeing on wheat is an accurate way to tell if one is pregnant. Here’s to hoping season two comes soon!

Barkskins

This Canadian gem is one I didn’t expect to enjoy, as I haven’t studied Canadian history outside portions of the Algonquin speaking indigenous tribes. It follows French colonists as they try to build a world in New France where they’ve been promised milk and honey but end up with much less. It’s less funny, more dramatic, as they war with the indigenous population whose land they’re stealing and fight over the few French women who have been sent to help build a new nation. Season two comes out this summer, so watch now to familiarize yourself with the whole cast.

The Paradise

This charming drama is set at the fictional shopping mall The Paradise, which is based on the very real Le Bon Marché, the first modern department store in Paris. In this show, a small town girl arrives to work at the prestigious store where rules are strict and the boss is trapped in a loveless bond to keep The Paradise afloat. With two seasons of backstabbing, romance, and drama, it’s a cozy watch.

Harlots

There is a distinct ranking system of ladies of the evening in 18th century London. There are the ones who beg in gutters, those with the security of being in a good brothel, kept women who become the mistresses of important men, and many layers in between. But murder, sabotage, and a thirsty need to rise above their station drives one family of self proclaimed harlots to bring their brothel from a middling business to the house of choice for the rich and famous.

So there’s you have it, my short list of what to watch if you have a snow storm coming your way this weekend. Of course, there are other shows I adore, like Vikings, Black Sails, The White Queen, and The Borgias, but maybe I’ll save those shows for their own, special posts. Happy watching!

Tule Ebook Sale

Every so often, Tule Publishing sets up a sale to beat all sales. For January, they’re hosting a special 50% off sale on all their available ebooks, which you can download to read on any of your favorite platforms! All you need to do is visit their online shop and use the code JANUARYSALE at checkout.

That’s right, sweet holiday romances, steamy westerns, magical tales, and contemporary mysteries by dozens of wonderful authors are all 50% off. While this sale doesn’t count towards our upcoming releases (Operation Valentine and To Wrangle a Rancher) it does apply towards all of our currently available books!

Visit the Tule online bookstore HERE and don’t forget to use the code JANUARYSALE at checkout!

And to remind you which of our currently available books you might want to add to your ebook library, here they are!

A dog rescuer with big dreams meets a photojournalist whose big dreams have just been crushed. Can they come together to build a life they both can be proud of, or was it nothing but a fall fling?

Falling in Puppy Love is sweet, full of fall magic, and available HERE

A sassy southern bell and a royal on the run begin to fall in love, but the weight of the crown might be too much for either of them to bear. The pair must figure out if they belong together before the ball drops on New Years Eve.

Royally Abandoned is Sweet, Christmassy, and available HERE

Mrs. Claus is tired of seeing her only son spend every Christmas alone, and uses her own brand of holiday magic to find him a match. But when he discovers her plot, he’ll have to rethink his budding romance.

Cupid Claus is sweet, magical, and available HERE

An American girl goes to Scotland for her BFF’s beautiful, Highland wedding. But an entanglement with the best man, a castle full of secrets, and her own messy life complicates things in ways she never imagined.

What Happens in the Highlands is steamy, funny, and available HERE

A whisky heiress with a love of art finds inspiration with a childhood friend who has really grown up since their days by the loch. But after a tragedy that rocked both their worlds, she’s afraid to ever love again

What Happens in the Ruins is steamy, touching, and available HERE

An American midwife goes to Scotland for a wedding and a baby in the wake of a terrible breakup. When her ex follows her to the Highlands, a fake boyfriend might be just the thing to shake him loose.

What Happens in the Castle is steamy, witty, and available HERE

Publisher’s Weekly Review

Getting a review from Publisher’s Weekly is always such a nail biter. Will the reviewer love it? Hate it? Or ignore the book altogether? I was lucky enough to have them review To Wrangle a Rancher and have a few lovely things to say about book one in The Hollingsworth Sisters series.

McKnight (Falling in Puppy Love) launches her Hollingsworth Sisters series with a steamy if formulaic contemporary romance. After Olivia Hollingsworth is passed over for the role of vice president of her family’s publishing company, she heads to Montana to regroup while writing a feature on the renovation of her late grandmother’s farmhouse for one of the company’s magazines. Olivia’s plans are quashed, however, by the sight of grazing cattle tearing up the property’s rolling fields. Rancher Kit Granger’s abusive father left him with a mountain of debt that has forced him to sell off parcels of his family’s land. Having the use of the grazing pastures around his neighbor’s farmhouse has helped lessen the burden, but this long-standing agreement is thrown into jeopardy by Olivia’s arrival and renovation plans. Kit has no intention of agreeing to her demand that he remove his cows from her fields—not even after Olivia buys a date with him in a bachelor auction. The sexual tension between Olivia and Kit positively sizzles as the animosity between them gives way to heat. Meanwhile the colorful supporting cast, most notably a housebroken calf named Dog, adds charm. The red hot sex scenes and quirky townsfolk elevate this otherwise unremarkable rancher romance into a satisfying romp. (Feb.)

You can preorder your copy now on all major bookstore platforms HERE!