April 2023
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you.
Hi, All!
Spring is officially here. However, as Chicagoans, we know spring doesn’t arrive until May, June, or EVER! There is a flip side to a rainy, gusty, and sleeting spring. It makes sitting down at the computer with a hot cup of coffee all that much easier. This month, along with a glimpse into my life, I’m offering a fantastic — and fun— deal you won’t want to pass up.
What’s On My Desk
Inches above my computer desk are six legal size pieces of paper taped together and pinned to the wall. On this large layout are the names and birth dates of characters for my next book. I’d love to give you a small glimpse into the lives of some of the characters of my upcoming novel (But I won’t let you read the papers!).
Up first are the characters Charlotte and Simone. Born 1822.
Charlotte and Simone are best friends, but they are more like sisters to Charlotte. They both have cascading curls and beautiful round eyes. They even share the same birthday.
However, there are differences between the two girls. Charlotte is the daughter of James Worthington, a wealthy tobacco plantation owner. Simone has been sold into slavery, taken from her mother’s arms at five years old, a fact Charlotte is too young to understand. But as the girls mature, there is no denying their different positions on the plantation—Charlotte is privileged, and Simone is an enslaved servant.
If their friendship is to survive, it will become one of disobedience, conviction, and undying sacrifices.
What I’m Reading Now
I love book recommendations— here are a couple I’m reading now.
Hook, Line and Sinker
by Tessa Bailey
Take My Hand
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Books On My Nightstand
The Lincoln Highway
by Armor Toles
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
by Eckhart Tolle
Winter Sisters
by Robin Oliveira
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
by Holly Jackson
Spring Break Book Grab!
If you haven’t had a chance to download one of my novels onto your Amazon Kindle, now is the time.
Heading off to Spring Break means diving into a good book! From April 11 through April 15, you can add my novels to your Amazon Kindle (or even read them on your phone or computer) for prices starting at .99!
As the days count down, the prices go up— but they’re still a steal! Grab them here.
From the Dog’s POV
My human is at it again. Tap, tap, tapping on a skinny silver machine she calls a laptop computer. She says she is writing a novel for her fans, and I’m beside her for moral support.
I’ll admit I wake myself every so often with an exuberant snore. I stretch and head over to my cozy bed and curl up. I do this so my soft mattress absorbs any future snores, allowing my human to concentrate on her work. I know this is necessary because when we start our daily routine, my human scratches behind my ears and tells me she must work so she can afford to feed my belly. I’d rather she keep up the ear rub, but a dog must do what a dog must do to keep his human happy.
And happy she is because I don’t ask much of my human. Only daily belly rubs (four or five times does the trick), three long walks near my favorite pond, some optimal petting, two carnivore diet feedings, and multiple hugs—all this to keep my human active when she’s been sitting for too long. This attention I give my human is why she loves me more than life itself. And why I deserve a Pup Cup every so often.
“This attention I give my human is why she loves me more than life itself…
and why I deserve a Pup Cup every so often.”
Good Vibes
Las Vegas. Wow! What a vacation. Like many others, my husband and I set off for spring break. We pushed through the crowded airport keeping an eye on the prize—sun, fun, and entertainment. My sister and her family live in Las Vegas, and my husband has his parents there too, so it was a win, win—until we flew home in thunderstorms. Phew! I’m glad to still be here with you.
Enjoying popcorn with my sister Daphne (middle) and niece Morgan (right) at Garrett’s Popcorn Shop in Las Vegas
A great view of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Paris in Las Vegas
However, flying home in a tornado or not, our week spent away was worth it. Like Chicago, Las Vegas has delicious food, and we ate a lot of it. Ah! And just to keep Chicago vibes alive, we found a Garret’s Popcorn store. Who doesn’t love a good Chicago mix when they’re away from home?
As Always,
Thanks to my readers and fans for your continued support of and novels. Being invited to book clubs, school events, presentations, and Zooms is always fun. If you’d like to have me as a guest at one of your events, you can contact me here or on my “Contact” page.