-
Launching LITTLE MILESTONES Today, my newest novel…
*** Okay, my friends, today, my newest novel, LITTLE MILESTONES is official and is on the market through Amazon (coming in days to Barnes & Noble). While this is not a true sequel to Inn Significant, it does tap into those characters as they become a part of Little Milestones and the lives of Olivia and Nan. The new book is set in beautiful St. Michaels, Maryland, and as you may have surmised, I have a slight obsession with the Eastern Shore. There are also some scenes in Annapolis because I love my home state so much. * I think of all the books I’ve written, this one has made…
-
Scientists Say This Helps You Look Sexy
What’s the last book you’ve read cover to cover and LOVED? If you can’t answer this question, maybe you’re not reading enough. And if you’re not reading enough, you may not be getting the benefits of reading, which include these scientific facts below. Reading makes you more empathic Reading helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease Reading makes you more apt to lean something new every day Reading helps your memory Reading helps your critical thinking skills Reading expands your vocabulary Reading helps people get ahead in life & career Reading makes you seem intelligent, which is regarded as sexy, especially by women Reading helps fuel your imagination Reading develops a person’s ability…
-
Totally Slacking Off
I admit it. When I’m not working and am at home, I’ve been doing a lot of slacking off. It hasn’t been because I’ve wanted to, necessarily, although I do believe the “break” has helped my mental state a bit. But let me explain. Last month, I was sent to the emergency room at the hospital with a wicked back issue. I’d never felt pain like that in my life. I’d pulled it several times before (after having children, mind you), but nothing like that—ever. So, you see my dear readers, I’ve been in a bit of “recovery mode” after being diagnosed with a herniated disc and because said disc…
-
Celebrating World Book Day 2019
Dear Readers, Do you remember the first book you ever read? If not, do you recall what your favorite book was as a child? You know, the one you had your mom or dad read to you over and over again because you loved it so much? Do you remember being a teenager and maybe not loving the books that were assigned in class, but then later, recalled aspects of them and perhaps gained a greater appreciation for them as you matured? Can you list all the books you read last year, and have you been keeping track of the books you’re reading this year? Do you share books with…
-
A Garden, a Book, and a Library
If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. – Cicero * No matter how big or how small a library is, I love the feeling of walking inside and sensing the books call to me. I’m also amazed at the 19% of Americans who say they have NEVER visited a library. Libraries are storehouses of information; books are new friends calling us to read the stories written by inspired people; and libraries are a place to go to unplug and embrace a few moments of peace as you decide exactly what book is right for you at that moment…that time in your life. This library…
-
How Reading and Writing Inspires Me
There are few things that give me more pleasure than totally immersing myself in (a) reading a book, and (b) writing a book. Reading has saved me in many ways. It’s made me smarter, more empathetic, more worldly, and a better writer. It’s given me a sense of purpose. As a youngster, I was too busy playing all the time and being active; I didn’t really fall in love with reading until my senior year of high school, when I read a novel that opened up my world. From that point on, I became a reader. Reading has allowed me to visit places and see things I have yet to…
-
Why I Bought the Bumblebee Tights
If you’ve seen Me Before You or read the novel by Jojo Moyes, you know what the bumblebee tights are all about, right? In the book and film, the bumblebee tights symbolize Louisa’s independence—and her vivacious spirit—that which Will encourages her to fully embrace and to, in his words, “live boldly.” After I read the third installment of the Me Before You trilogy, and after having faith in the third book titled Still Me to not disappoint me as the second book, After You, did, I was moved entirely by the character’s development. I was relieved to laugh along with her and learn more about her integrity, passions, and capacity…
-
We’re Always Getting Ready to Live But Never Living
“We’re always getting ready to live, but never living.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson I picked up this little, tiny, tiny book at the library last week called “The Law of Attraction Plain and Simple: Create the Extraordinary Life That You Deserve” by Sonia Ricotti. I can’t explain what made me grab it and check it out. I don’t read self-help books. I typically read fiction; I’m not a big nonfiction reader simply because so much of what I teach is nonfiction, so fiction offers me that escape. I also write a lot of fiction, so I learn from others who do as I do. But this little book spoke to…
-
Bucket List Item – Staying at the “Real” Inn Significant
*** Tomorrow, my birthday wish will come true, thanks to my husband. When he asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I told him I wanted to stay at the Sandaway Suites & Beach in the quaint, Eastern Shore town of Oxford, Maryland. It just so happens that it’s the real-life inn that inspired my third novel, Inn Significant. The original plan for that novel was to have it set in Annapolis, just as my first book was set there (that one’s called Beneath the Mimosa Tree). I headed to Annapolis with my camera in hand, and began to stroll all the side streets in search of that place that…
-
Goodbyes. Gripping Pain. And a Giveaway.
*** Hi there! I feel as if I’ve been away from my blog for a while, and I actually have, although it’s been entirely unintentional. Today, I wanted to explain why, especially as I wanted to write about the past week, which has been somewhat momentous for my family. My son started his freshman year at a university, and it’s not the one where I teach. The preparation, though, was all that you’d expect. The day before he left, we were frantically getting everything together, making sure he had all he needed. We washed clothes and ran to Target. We created a checklist and began ticking things off. We organized…
-
Book Vlog (I prefer to call it a chat) About My Books—Available for Book Clubs
When you have friends ask you what your books are about, you realize you have some work to do to better promote and explain the novels you’ve written. In this video, I give a short overview of my four published fiction books, including my most recent release, published just three weeks ago. (Sorry about the loud bang when I talk about the first one…still new at this thing…) I’m also available for book clubs, whether I come in person or call or Skype in–I’ve done both, so whatever works for your book club works for me. Thanks for taking a peek.
-
Fashion & Fiction: Why I NEED Some Bumble Bee Tights. Now.
I open my closet. It’s a sea of black clothing. Black pants. Black tops. Black skirts. Black dresses. Even black jeans. I wonder what in the hell I’m doing wearing black all the time. I know I’m a writer, and writers love to wear black, but this is getting absurd. I have to fight to believe that my personality is not reflected in the drab colors and style of the clothes I wear. But it’s always black. Gloom. Doom. Snape-like. Johnny Cash-ish. Elphaba without the green face. I’m drowning in a vortex of black. And then a fictional character enters my world and I no longer want to wear black.…
