2023 in review—fun, love and gladness

This is a fun way to end the year

A fun ritual I’ve recently started is beginning the day with a one-word intention. Words hold vibrations. Some words lift us higher, and some lower us. Words guide us, and words deliver the things we want in our lives (or not…depending on whether you’re using word wands or wielding swords. The way you flourish your words affects how or if you manifest your desires.

Choosing one particular word for the day (or year) sets a powerful intention and reminder of the vibration you intend to bring in or maintain. My partner gave me a word today: Reflection. I thought it would be fun to reflect back on 2023. I hope you enjoy some of these memories of my most wonderful moments.

my most wonderful moments

Love in Venice: A Triumph of Romance & Joy

I was so thrilled when Love in Venice placed third in the Koru awards. I do so love this story and as I share in the author’s notes, much of this story is from personal encounters with wonderful Italian people in Venice.

I hope you enjoy this article, which shares how placing third in the prestigious Koru Awards for my novella Love in Venice was a triumph of love and joy.

Love in Venice was born out of my personal experiences, my love for travel, and my deep appreciation for the power of love and self-discovery. Venice, with its picturesque canals, stunning architecture, and rich history, provided the perfect backdrop her this enchanting tale.

Here is a little more about this love-inspired story:

One summer could change everything. . .

When two hopelessly mismatched people share a love for art, a passion for love and a city like Venice, nothing is truly impossible…or is it?

Maggie’s life isn’t going like she planned. When toxic stress levels force dramatic changes, she grabs a chance at a fresh start. But her holiday in Venice begins with disaster—she finds herself rescued by a tall, dark, impossibly wealthy Italian man named Mauro.

The two are completely unlike—Maggie leads by her head, and Mauro listens to his heart. While each has compelling reasons to stay apart, the magic of art and beauty of Venice brings them together.

Maggie has to stay longer than she intended! And the trouble is, love is everywhere. . .

If you love feel-good, sensual contemporary romances set in beautiful love-infused settings, then you’ll love Maggie and Mauro’s story!

P.S. Fans of Sarah Morgan and Danielle Steel will love this feel-good romance!

PRAISE FOR LOVE IN VENICE

I loved this story!

“I loved this story! Love In Venice leans toward the heart. Where love is the main character. Where you cheer for their relationship to flourish.”

~ Jan Z.

a beautiful romantic love story

“A beautiful romantic love story with vivid characters, incredible world-building, and about finding love when you least expect it; really, who could ask for more? Do yourself a favour and read this book.”

~ Lynn

a warmly romantic story

“Love In Venice is a warmly romantic story. I loved that their hearts seemed to speak to each other almost from their first meeting. I love that we get to see how their lives unfold and their beautiful love for each other. The story has a wonderful flow and beautiful and vivid descriptions. I could envision myself in Venice – seeing the canal, the cobblestoned streets, the architecture and more.  There are family, friends, and lots of heart-to-heart moments between Maggie and Mauro.  There is sadness and tears, euphoria, romance and love.  There is also art brought in – music and painting that touched their souls and mine. There is a happily ever after that was portrayed better than I hoped.  The epilogue adds an additional layer to the story and briefly brings in characters we’ve met in other books. Ms Mathews is an author whose books I enjoy. She always transports me to someplace new with a cast of characters I grow to love.  Give her books a try if you haven’t already!”

~ JoAnne W.

Buy this book through the links below…

To enjoy your copy in ebook or paperback from Amazon, click here: 

To enjoy your copy from Apple, Barnes and Noble, Nook, and other great bookstores, click here:

To enjoy your copy from Kobo, click here:

AUDIO

KOBO

https://www.kobo.com/us/audiobook/love-in-venice-1

The audio version is also available from other online retailers and libraries for your listening pleasure.

AUDIBLE

US: https://www.audible.com/pd/Love-in-Venice-Audiobook/B0BBH8S35L

UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Love-in-Venice-Audiobook/B0BBHCNBW6

AU: https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Love-in-Venice-Audiobook/B0BBH927T6

LOVE IN VENICE
“There is sadness and tears along with euphoria, loving romance and love. There is also art brought in – both music and painting that touched their souls as well as mine. “

3rd place winner the  2023 Koru Awards for best romance

https://mybook.to/LoveInVenice

Love In Venice

PRECIOUS PREQUELS

This year, I experimented with releasing prequels of some of my favourite stories. The aim was to give new readers a tantalising taster, and a chance to sample romance novels they may not normally read. As one reviewer wrote to me:

“I don’t usually read sheikh stories. This one was so good, I’m going to read more.”

Claimed By The Sheikh (prequel) (Sheikhs Untamed Brides)

CLAIMED BY THE SHEIKH (prequel)

A Sheikh Secret Baby Romance

To enjoy your copy from Amazon:

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKYLMQ9T

CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CKYLMQ9T

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CKYLMQ9T

AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CKYLMQ9T

To enjoy your copy from iBooks, Kobo: Barnes & Noble and other great bookstores: https://books2read.com/u/47dnZq

STOLEN BY THE SHEIKH (prequel)ENJOY THIS PREQUEL FOR FREE>>SOMETHING DIFFERENT…

FRAGILE BEAUTY (PREQUEL)

Talented artist Joy Fairweather’s life is about to change forever. On the anniversary of her mother’s death, memories of her traumatic life pool in her mind. The revelation of a monstrous family secret sees Joy determined to make a fresh start in the seductive world of international art. Compelled to rewrite her family history, she struggles to fulfil her quest. Can she navigate the dizzying temptation, deceit, danger and betrayal while staying true to what she knows is right?

Author’s note

I hope you enjoy the seeds of a new story conceived two weeks after my mother’s death, in 2022, in memory of her life and legacy.

My grandmother Molly was a wonderful Irish lady. She was very beautiful and had so many artistic gifts. She could paint, crochet, knit, and play many musical instruments—the piano, the accordion, and so much more. She was a talented singer too.

My grandmother didn’t share much of her early life with us. She kept all the pain locked inside. When my mother died, she left a handwritten note for me and my other siblings, telling a little bit more of her childhood and the love between her mother, Molly and her father, Reg. This letter became the seed of this story.

As I wrote this book, a year had passed since my mother died, and it was the 5th of September, which would have been Molly’s Birthday. I thought it would be a poignant time to release the prequel to this story.

AMAZON

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH9D2BLQ

CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CH9D2BLQ

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CH9D2BLQ

AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CH9D2BLQ

Christmas For One: Christmas RomCom Romance Novel

It was fun to re-release Sex With Strangers, as Christmas for One with new chapters and a fun new cover.

PRAISE FOR THIS STORY

festive frolicking, seasonal cheer and holiday magic

“Mollie delivers with this artfully compelling, skillfully enthralling rollercoaster. Divvying out some festive frolicking, seasonal cheer and holiday magic.”

~ Kaye Gunter

I was glued to the pages from start to finish with this feel-good story

“I absolutely loved this awesome book. Ruby’s life coach is an interesting character, I loved what she came up with to help Ruby out. Ruby turned it all into her own, and I loved what she did to help herself. This book has some laugh-out-loud moments, I loved every one of them. The characters are likeable and so full of life, even when things seem down, they turn it into their favor. I was glued to the pages from start to finish with this feel-good story.”

~ Loreli

I loved everything about this book, especially the humour

“I absolutely enjoyed this story. I loved the storyline, I loved the characters, I loved the humour. I couldn’t put it down. The descriptions were perfect.I loved everything about this book, especially the humour. It was funny, sad at times, and I loved it.”

~ Patricia Quinn

funny, laugh out loud, and a delight to read

“My second Mollie Mathews book and definitely not the last ….funny, laugh out loud, and a delight to read …..am looking out for the movie or maybe Netflix series ……felt like a letter from a close girlfriend.”

~ Jo Oxford

a one-of-a-kind full range of emotion book if you have ever gone through a divorce

“This is a one-of-a-kind full range of emotion book that if you have ever gone through a divorce and had a wonderfully supportive but definitely zany friend to get you through it all, you will relate to much of what Ms. Mathews has Ruby experience! There were times I laughed, times I cried, and other times I was cheerleader number one for Ruby to get her mojo on and take back her life! I absolutely loved all the in-her-head comments that Ruby would have whenever Chanel would throw out one of her wacky life-coach do’s and don’ts! Priceless!! A very good book.”

~ Anita Fuhrmann

Mollie is just such a good writer

“I really enjoy Mollie’s style of writing – it’s in the 21st century and relates to every woman who has been trashed by a bloke. The abandonment issues experienced by Max are also so relevant to our current world, so many have been emotionally stunted or abandoned. This is a story that resonates with me and I could not put it down. Mollie is just such a good writer with enormous appeal in her story – an excellent read on a rainy day.”

~ Rae Waterhouse

gives me hope that I will meet my Prince

“Beautiful. Resonated in my soul, gives me hope that I will meet my Prince one day and he will love me for who I am.”

~ Amazon Review

a gorgeous escapist read

“A gorgeous escapist read. I will definitely be looking out for other books by this author. Recommended.”

~ Amazon Review

Buy this book through the links below…

To enjoy your copy from Amazon:

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMGSZ95G

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CMGSZ95G

Universal link: https://mybook.to/ChristmasForOne 

To enjoy your copy from Apple, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and other great bookstores: https://books2read.com/u/bQg2eP

US or British Accent?

A few reviewers of the audiobooks written and narrated by me have said they found my New Zealand accent distracting. I thought, given that the majority of my readers are based in America and the UK, it would be fun to try a different narrator. I’d love to know if you have a preference.

FUN! FUN! FUN! ON YOUTUBE AND TIKTOK!

I’ve been experimenting and having fun with Youtube and Tiktok.

Follow me on TikTok  www.tiktok.com/@mollliewritesromance

Subscribe to my Youtube channel for free excepts, book trailers and more https://www.youtube.com/@molliemathews7074

BOOK TRAILER LOVE IN VENICE

When two hopelessly mismatched people share a love for art, a passion for love and a city like Venice, nothing is truly impossible…or is it? 

FREE AUDIO CHAPTER LOVE IN VENICE

I hope you enjoy this free audio chapter from my award-winning romance: Love in Venice

I can’t think of a better way to end the year than my upcoming children’s art retreat on December 16. What fun to play like a child with 7 children, all best friends, in my studio. I am sooooo excited. It’s going to be amazing. 

If you’ve been following me for a while now, you’ll know that as well as writing award-winning love stories, I am an award-winning contemporary artist. Many of my stories have art-related themes… with the healing power and connectiveness of creativity at the core. I’m looking forward to sharing the love for a day of imaginative play.

(I created a fun short video, you can view here: https://youtube.com/shorts/j9kGwjqQfoc?feature=share

As I write this post, there are still a few weeks left until the end of the year. I’m aiming to have the second book in the Sheikh’s Untamed Brides series, Stolen By The Sheikh, ready for release. Wish me luck!

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