Hi friends,We just got a severe freeze warning for this week, and of course, all of our fruit trees decided this was the perfect time to bud. The peach, cherry, nectarine and pluot have finished with blosom and just this week, the pear and apple ones...

Hi friends,Life has been full lately in the best way.I’ve been spending a lot of time in grandbaby mode, helping out with two different families. And we have a fifth grandbaby arriving in April, which I’m really looking forward to. Grandmas get the b...

Hi friends,We had a pretty big moment at our house this week.My son is finally home from his mission in Finland after two years. We’ve been doing weekly video calls the whole time, so we stayed in touch, but it still felt wonderful to see him walk th...

Hi friends,Good news first. I’m fully recovered from surgery with no complications and feeling great!Now… we are officially over winter. It seems like someone’s been sick every week despite all the handwashing, herbal teas, and disinfecting. So far,...

Hi friends,I have some news that honestly surprised me in the best way.While Awakening Horde has been free for two days, over 6,000 readers have downloaded it… and that pushed it all the way up to #23 in the entire Amazon store for free books.I’m sti...

Hi friends, I’m out of town for a wedding and having a blast seeing family (my grandbaby!!) and helping out during this exciting time. I have to admit, I’m a bit behind on my NaNoWriMo goal to write 50k this month, so I’ll have to buckle down when I...

Hi friends, Thanks for the brilliant responses to the mental health tip last week. I got some great ideas from your emails to add to my list for future newsletters. Keep them coming! Also, I’m a bit sad to report that the amazing growth of my new sto...

Hi friends, I hope you’re enjoying life wherever in the world you are. It’s been pretty fun to see that over a third of my Patreon supporters are international. I’ve been getting approximately $10 pledges paid in SEK, Euros, CA, Pounds, HUF, AU, NOK,...

Hi friends, I love fall, but winter . . . not so much. I recently decided that the amazing colors of fall are like a last party before the cold and grey skies of winter settle in. Check out these trees – one near my church parking lot and the second...

Hi friends, I was made aware that a lot of my new newsletter followers haven’t read all my books and so I’m adding an excerpt section to the newsletter: See if something catches your eye that you’d like to read. And just an FYI – all my Amazon books...

Hi friends, I got some fun ideas back from you about how to include cinnamon in a daily diet, including from Lynne who combines it with chocolate and pumpkin pie spices in her coffee machine. I don’t drink coffee, but chocolate with cinnamon and pie...

Hi friends, Thank you for your kind words of condolences! The funeral was an amazing celebration of my father-in-law’s life, his service in the military, to his church and most of all to his family. Beautiful! I also have to say thanks for all the gr...

Hi friends, A bit of sad news hit our family this week. My husband’s father passed away. He was an amazing man, father of nine who worked hard and always had time to help out when someone needed him. I’m writing this early as we’ll be headed to the f...

Hi friends, Quick update: My latest book, Awakening Horde, has had an amazing first week on Royal Road! Thanks a ton to those of you who went over and left a rating, review or comment. It’s still new enough that each one makes a big splash. It even m...

Hi friends, First, thanks so much for all your responses and feedback on last week’s question about the tortoise (slow and steady gains for a character) versus the hare (immediate rewards and fast action) types of stories. The overwhelming preference...