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This is pretty much how I feel right now, like I’m spinning circles. Between attempting to finish the first draft of my fourth novel, participating in back-to-back book events (wonderful to be able to do them again, truly grateful, but I’m exhausted), and the constant list of tasks required of an indie author that don’t include writing, I’m boggled!

Plus, my TBR pile is loaded and keeps growing and I want to enjoy them all!

Then there’s the normal chores required to keep a home functioning (where are the dusting fairies and the sweeping mice when you need them?).

Once upon a time, I produced well under pressure, but not so much anymore. “Onward and upward!” was my creed. My current goal is to keep trying for onward (no choice about that really) and merely stay afloat.

I remind myself that the past two years have been stressful to say the very least and tragic in many ways so not a good basis for formulating opinions about self motivations. Aside from being a major worry wart, I focus on being grateful I’m healthy enough to do what I love.

Thanks to my sweet granddaughter for the video. So grateful for FaceTime ♥️♥️♥️

#indieauthors #granddaughters #uphillbattle #myheadisspinning

The street musician looked too young to produce that voice, but it was hard to tell with folks on the street.

Probably in his twenties, his hair was a passel of
multicolored dreadlocks that sprouted in all directions covering his forehead. His lower face sported a scruffy beard that hid his mouth so effectively that it was visible only when he opened his lips to sing.

A variety of piercings graced the fellow’s face and ears. Tattoos decorated his neck and arms. The tats that Mike could see appeared to be either arcane symbols or small rows of scripted writing.

The tee shirt he wore was full of holes and
ripped at the neck. He wore cargo pants that may have been made from fabric with a camo print, but the pattern had long ago faded away.

The feeling put into the Dylan lyrics made the guy seem older. He had a decent voice and although Mike wasn’t a musician, he knew when someone could play. The guitarist used a combination of picking and strumming the six strings, his fingering precise.

He finished the tune and the folks listening nearby applauded. A few more dollars landed in the guitar case as they wandered off one by one. The street musician nodded his head in thanks.

“Come on,” Quinn said to Mike. “I’ll introduce you.”

How do you decide what to read? Has your tbr list blasted through the roof as mine has? So many books, so little time, right?

January is coming to a close and there’s been a shift in my reading choices this month from my usual fiction—thrillers and mysteries—to non-fiction. The shift began with Hamilton by Ron Chernow after seeing the musical last month. It’s an amazing biography that I’ll break up reading over a period of time.

When a memoir workshop was postponed earlier this month, I read Mary Karr’s The Art of Memoir for some individual study. This short, concise book was written by an academic but doesn’t read as such. It is an easy read, detailed and informative and will be a good resource should I venture into non-fiction writing. Also, thanks to Karr, I added several more volumes—memoirs she recommends—to my non-fiction list.

A conversation with my husband led me to a new author, Edward Abbey. My current read is Desert Solitude, written in 1966. Dave enjoyed reading Abbey’s The Monkey Wrench Gang in college and Abbey’s work sounded fascinating. Abbey blends a profound appreciation for remote wilderness areas with an ardent view of respecting unspoiled landscapes. More to come on this.

However long this non-fiction vein lasts, I’ve enjoyed the change more than I would have thought. ‘Change is good’ is a great way to start the new year, at least in my reading choices.

Happy Reading!

When a homeless teenager is found dead, the baffling case leads to more questions than answers. Will Lieutenant Liz Jordan find a killer before they strike again?

If you favor print versions, Amazon has the softcover version of “Runaway” at the LOWEST PRICE EVER —under $10. Grab your copy and start reading the City Streets series of crime mysteries set in the Pacific Northwest.

“A dead runaway, a troubled veteran and the dicey world of street punks—be careful; it’s rough on these streets.”

Happy Friday, everyone. If you’re looking forward to some well-deserved down time this weekend with a good book, download ‘Runaway’, the first in the City Streets series of mysteries set in the Pacific Northwest.

“A young woman living on the street is found dead in an alley. Who is she? Why is she on the street? No one seems to know. With help from surprising places, Lieutenant Jordan and Officer Connors search for her killer and reveal dangers in a vulnerable community.”

After seeing “Hamilton” last month, I learned that Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music and lyrics were inspired by this biography by Ron Chernow.

The book is lengthy at 800 pages compared to my usual mysteries and thrillers. Borrowing the ebook from my library —an option I use frequently—wasn’t going to work within the allowed timeframe. I am now the proud owner of a surprise copy, thanks to my husband. It will make a nice addition to my bookshelves when I finish it.

When I read non-fiction it’s usually history or a biography so this book calls to me on both counts. I’m enjoying it and have been surprised that it does not read like an academic text as I expected.

Lastly, if you have a chance to see “Hamilton”, don’t miss it. If you’ve seen the production or have read Chernow’s book, please share your thoughts.

Happy New Year! 2022—it sounds like something out of science fiction. It may be my advancing age but thinking back to the excitement that surrounded the turn of the century (anyone else remember Y2K?) I have to remind myself that it was twenty-two years ago. All shock aside, if you’re reading this, know that I sincerely wish you a healthy and happy new year whatever the number.

Writing news: I reached a milestone this past week. I hit 50K words in my latest writing venture. After time away from working on the rough draft followed by uncertainty about the plot, I couldn’t be happier with the direction it’s taken and the chapters now seem to write themselves. I hope to complete this draft by March first. The story is about a woman who receives devastating news, however her response to her fate and the choices she makes because of it are far from ordinary. Stay tuned for updates.

Events in my book world: over the next three months I’ve scheduled several fun marketing events where I’ll have a chance to talk with readers and offer autographed copies of the City Streets series for purchase. I will be at three Market Daze events in Tucson and at three of the Palm Creek Craft Fairs in Casa Grande. Hopefully the events will be held as scheduled, but Covid restrictions and recommendations will be adhered to as required for everyone’s safety.

Autographed copies are available here by visiting the purchase pages. Softcover and ebooks are on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo Plus & AppleBooks.

If you have questions or comments I’d love to hear from you. You can email me on the comment page.

Happy reading!

Few things warm an author’s heart like a good review. Thanks to Julie for posting on Goodreads.

For the complete review of Runaway on Goodreads, click on the link.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4321291636

For a variety of reasons, this year’s holiday season has me changing things up a bit. If you’re feeling the same, you may tend toward investing more in making memories this year and less in the commercial. I’m following a tradition practiced by our friends in Iceland. The idea is to give loved ones a book and chocolates on Christmas Eve and then spend the evening reading and enjoying treats while snuggled in cozily. I’ve thoughtfully chosen a book and favorite sweets especially for each person on my list without spending a huge amount of money. If you have mystery readers on your gift list, here are a few ideas. Enjoy the holidays making memories. And don’t forget the chocolate!