Happy July, dear Reader!

First off, apologies for this late newsletter. Life, as y'all know, has a way of happening while you're making other plans. Having now lived with a six-year-old and now-one-year-old for a month, I can honestly say the last time I was this tired, I had my OWN small children! LOL! Still, I am blessed to see a second generation of little ones in my home.

Needless to say, my work has been hit and miss this past month, because I've been learning the fine art of being Gran, as well as being the supportive mother of more adult children, which includes a lot of chauffering around. My son doesn't have a driver's license anymore--he's been away 11 years--and needs to get around for job interviews, DMV visits, and the like.

Still, here's what I've been able to accomplish. Not counting this past week, I've managed to get 18 episodes of The Pilot's Wife up on Kindle Vella. If you haven't begun to read it yet, here's your chance to get in on the entertainment. Just click on the title to get to the page. Remember, the first ten episodes are free, but I guarantee you'll want to read the rest by the time you get to number 11.

I've signed up to judge novels entered in the RWA Diamond Heart Awards, and I'll be participating in this year's RSJ Convention, once again happening online. I'll be in Richmond, with a quiet house and no interruptions so I can concentrate on all the learning and networking that I can do in those three days. The event is open to readers AND writers, so if you're at all interested in hanging out with other readers of diverse romance and getting to meet some of the amazing writers in the genre, click on the link above to find out how to register. It's a real treat to participate.

I must get back to work. My journaling activities with the American Diary Project have also been suffering for the past month, and I have a lot of catching up to do. Here are a couple of things I did to calm myself on particularly stressful days.

Mental health...it's so important! I found these two activities quite relaxing and challenging at the same time, because I am the poster child for ananl retentive syndrome, aka OCD, and everything must be perfect. But not allowing myself to fall into the trap of being negative when they didn't come out quite as I wanted was freeing, as well. Necessary therapy, I tell you!

What do you do when you feel stressed? Are you a journaler, a knitter, a baker, a gourmet cook, a singer, a gamer? I'd love to hear how you de-stress! In the meantime, for my American readers, I wish you all a Happy Fourth of July! See you all next time.

À bientôt,

KT