What I’ve Been Up To

For visitors who might have missed more current postings from me during my blogging hiatus, I wanted to write a note about what I’ve been up to lately. I’m glad to report to those who have expressed concern that everything is fine on this end. I’m healthy, happy, and hard at work!

In February I was offered a contract for a Christmas novella which will release later this year. So, despite some winter weariness after so many snowstorms and record-low temps, I was able to look out my window many times in March to see snow falling as I wrote the first draft of a Christmas story. 🙂

I’m also busy at work with two new full length novels, one of which I’ve pledged to publish independently this summer. I’m so excited about this new opportunity! My friend Jane Steen has been a huge inspiration to me, who successfully published her debut novel House of Closed Doors and is well on her way to publishing the second book in the series.

While I do love writing for wonderful editors, it’s been a fun experience to tackle a new project directly with readers in mind. I’ve always thought of myself as a reader first, and every book I’ve written was a book I wanted to read. Because of that, writing on my own has rekindled a love for writing just for the pure joy of it—to be entertained by the story and characters and not worry about market trends or other demands.

Plus I’ve read some wonderful independently published books lately, starting with Jane’s. I also recently judged for a contest which included several books published this way, and thoroughly enjoyed most of them. Now is definitely the time to jump into these welcoming waters, and so far it’s been more than refreshing.

I plan to keep you posted on this new venture, so look for more information to come about this next new release!

I’ve also been doing quite a bit of reading, which helps so much to keep the creative juices flowing. Here are a few books I’ve been busy with lately:

 

The Rosie Project is a fun book about a young man with Asperger’s who decides to go about the task of finding a wife in a rather systematic way! (Warning for gentle readers, however, the language isn’t exactly pure but it’s a fun read.)

 

 

 

The Paid Companion is a secular romance about a woman hired to pose as the hero’s fiance. (Keep in mind that it’s a secular romance, which comes with the mandatory love scenes.) Amanda Quick is better known as Jayne Ann Krentz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another secular romantic novel, The Firebird, is especially enjoyable as an audio book since the narrator’s performance is wonderful with a variety of colorful accents. Though this is a secular novel regarding a fantasy-type “second sight” gift, it’s a great example of fascinating research combined with stellar writing.

 

 

 

 

And up next on my To-Be-Read Pile from two of my favorite Inspirational authors, Tamera Alexander and Jill Eileen Smith:

A Beauty So Rare

Rachel, from the Wives of the Patriarch Series

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m also listening to comedian Tim Conway’s autobiography which has been fun, as well as some great non-fiction from another favorite, Beth Moore. I’ll soon be starting a Young Adult novel titled Daughters of Smoke and Bones by Laini Taylor—something I likely wouldn’t have come across except for the book club I belong to. I’ve been introduced to some great surprises that way!

As you can see, there are countless and wonderful ways to fill up anyone’s day. I hope you might find something here that stirs your interest.

And speaking of filling up my day, I’d better get back to work. Blessings to you on this start of another new week!