Happy New Year! Wishing you all a safe, healthy & happy 2026!

Why, you wonder, would I post a photo of a bird? Well, it just so happens that this little avian creature is featured prominently in my short story, Capture & Release.

The short story, about a woman with an extreme dislike for birds, was twice-blessed last month to be included in two publications of short stories. Yeah!!

First, Riversong Books included the story in their Best Short Stories of 2025. The 2025 volume is the third to include one of my short pieces and this was a lovely holiday surprise.

Also, just before the holidays, Write On … , the writers’ group here at Robson Ranch published their first anthology of shorts titled Chapter & Verse. Capture is one of two of my stories (along with Karma & Santayana) to be included in the volume. Much appreciation to Riversong Books and congrats to Write On … and their breakthrough volume!

You can purchase either volume from me — Riversong $14 incl S/H or Chapter & Verse $8 incl S/H — and both are available on Amazon.

Finally! After releasing as an ebook in March, Leah’s Journal, the prequel novella to Runaway, is out in softcover. If you’d like an autographed copy, message or email me. $10 plus S/H if applicable.

Not available on Amazon at this time, but the novella (133 pages) can be downloaded from most digital booksellers — Barnes & Noble Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, Vivlio, and others.

From Leah’s Journal:

“There are certain things that impact us as children and some of those things — good or bad —become imbedded in us. At least that’s what I believe. The good counters the bad, but the reverse is true too. The bad counters the good. 

“Experiences shape us, they shape the way we see the world, what we expect, and how we react. If you don’t believe this, then you’ll never understand me so you may as well stop reading my story.”

Smashwords Sale! 

I’m working to release my newest novella, Leah’s Journal in print SOON but for a limited time, you can visit Smashwords and download a digital copy of Leah’s Journal for 99c with Code LBLQC 

Leah’s Journal: a Prequel to the City Streets Trilogy. 

Since Runaway was published in 2018, readers have asked, What happened in her life? How did she end up on the street?  Leah, the Runaway herself, tells her story in her own words. 

Have you read it? Any thoughts?

Hello from WA! Nice to be out of the AZ heat, but of course, I’m freezing. Here’s my review of my latest read, O Jerusalem, by Laurie R. King.

Started this one years ago (first couple of chapters) and picked it back up as an easy travel paperback. While I enjoy the references to historical figures, especially Arthur Conan Doyle, it’s a rather tedious read. Too much of Russell shloshing through 1919 Palestine disguised as a young man, but I was determined to see it through to the end. The last three chapters were worth it, however it took me SOOOOO LOOOONG to get there.

Not the best in the series nor the best by this author but on the upside, extremely well-researched from an historical perspective. Now on to something lighter, more frivolous and a bit shorter.

sherlockholmes #maryrussell #laurierking #historicalfiction #mylatestread #goodreads📚

Just started reading “James” by the renowned author and Professor of English at USC, Percival Everett. The novel is a re-telling of Twain’s Huckleberry Finn from Old Jim’s perspective and in his voice. The book is also a National Book Award Winner and one of the NYT Best Books of 2024.

#percivaleverett #jamesanovel #NYT10BestBooksof2024 #nationalbookawardwinner

Great News! If you are a mom, if you have a mom, if you know a mom — celebrate the day with a digital copy of ‘Swan Song’ (or send a copy) from Kobo at the special promo price of $3.99. Promo runs through Mon, May 12th. And check out this recent review ♥️

I’ve been so preoccupied with the release of “Leah’s Journal” in March, but nice to see a recent review for “Swan Song” which just hit its 2 year book birthday! Thank you, Karen. Made my day 🤗

“Swan Song”

Mara Cordovan’s life had been rough even before she learned she was dying. Her death sentence was caused by chemical exposure in the workplace. Corporate greed was to blame —and her demise could have been  prevented. With nothing left to lose, she decides against seeking restitution in the time she has left. Instead, Mara wants revenge. 

Download Leah’s Journal for $1.99 through April 19th.

Visit AppleBooks, Barnes & Noble Nook, Rakuten Kobo, Vivlio, Baker & Taylor, Tolino or Smashwords. 

Since Runaway was published in 2018, readers have asked, What happened in her life? How did she end up on the street?  Leah, the “Runaway” herself, tells her story in her own words. 

Here’s a short excerpt from “Leah’s Journal”: ​

“There are certain things that impact us as children and some of those things — good or bad —become imbedded in us. At least that’s what I believe. The good counters the bad, but the reverse is true too. The bad counters the good. 

Experiences shape us, they shape the way we see the world, what we expect, and how we react. If you don’t believe this, then you’ll never understand me so you may as well stop reading my story.”

Leah’s Journal, a prequel to the City Streets Trilogy, went live March 22. 

Download for $1.99 through April 19th from AppleBooks, Barnes & Noble Nook, Rakuten Kobo, Vivlio, Baker & Taylor, Tolino & Smashwords. 

Since Runaway was published in 2018, readers have asked, What happened in her life? How did she end up on the street?  Leah, the titular character in Runaway, tells her story in her own words. 

Here’s a short excerpt from “Leah’s Journal”: ​

“There are certain things that impact us as children and some of those things — good or bad —become imbedded in us. At least that’s what I believe. The good counters the bad, but the reverse is true too. The bad counters the good.  Experiences shape us, they shape the way we see the world, what we expect, and how we react. If you don’t believe this, then you’ll never understand me so you may as well stop reading my story.”