I love all kinds of music, and I love to find certain songs that I can write scenes to, whether it's a fight scene, a love scene, or even a dramatic scene. And I was fortunate enough to come across a song that was released by Chris Young in 2021. Right now, I'm slightly addicted to it. Have a listen and see what you think! 

Once upon a time, I was a social media fanatic. I loved everything about it. Interacting with readers and writers. Sharing good news and celebrating others. And the list goes on. But I don't need to tell any of you that a lot of that has changed now. A good portion of social media has become a place where people go to argue or to scream into the void in the hopes their voices will be heard. There's less social about it, and that's not good for anyone's mental health. 

So, I'm taking a step back from some social media. I'll be taking my Facebook author page down and will only update my Instagram whenever the mood hits me. It won't be something I schedule any longer. I'll be tweeting the same way. And Pinterest is going back to what I used to use it for...for fun. 

This doesn't mean I'm disappearing off of the internet. Instead, I'll be amping up my presence on Bookbub and Goodreads. I'll focus on growing my newsletter to bring you even better giveaways and fun things. I'll still be here on my blog, which I'll probably start updating more often, and my website will always be here. And I'll be spending some more time at local bookstores and venues. 

I want to focus more on what it means, for me, to be a writer...that's engaging with readers. I'm not doing that as often on social media. Hopefully, this way, I'll get to know more of you, and we can build a community in another way! 

This is what I've been working on for the last several months—a free resource book for low-income families that are struggling to make ends meet. Whether it's money for rent or to put gas in the car, many people need assistance these days, and that's what this booik, The Struggle is Real, is all about. In it, I share resources for not only paying the rent but keeping the lights on, getting or keeping a cell phone and internet access, and so much more. And the ebook will be free at all retailers. 

This book is the first in a series to give back. The Struggle is Real—Surviving While You’re in a Financial Hole and Starting the Climb Out of It will be followed by The Struggle is Real—Making the Best of a Bad Financial Situation as well as The Struggle is Real—Changing and Growing for Better Income and Career Opportunities. 

I struggled financially for a good portion of my life, but it was during a time when there was no internet. So I didn't have easy access to these resources. Some of them didn't even exist at the time. Now, I want to make sure that everyone who is facing a financial crisis has a way to get food, a place to live, a way to get to work, child care, and even free medical care. 

I'm not saying that the resources in this book will solve every problem, but I'm certainly hoping they can provide some help. Looik for more information, including the cover, coming soon! 

If you've spent any time on my site or following me on social media, you'll know by now that I believe in God. I always have, and I always will. Nothing will ever change my mind. That is my choice as much as it is someone else' choice not to believe. But there is no reason why my belief should be ridiculed. 

Some people believe in life on other planets. Some believe in the power of crystals while others believe in superstitions handed down from their ancestors. Those are choices they've made. And if someone chooses to belief the Earth was created by a big bang, that, too, is their decision. No, it's not mine, but I don't ridicule them because I would never deny someone their right to believe. And that's all I, as a Christian, am asking of those who don't believe the same way.

It's easier to scroll past something than it is to post a negative comment simply because someone has a different belief system than you do. Yet some people have a driving need to mock God or to let me (or any other believer) know that they think my belief is crazy. They feel it's incumbent upon them to "set me straight," and to let me (and others) know that God doesn't exist. But that's their opinion. And why take the time to make fun of that which you don't believe in? 

I refuse to argue with anyone about the existence of God because it is my right to believe in Him. Nothing will ever take away my faith, not even unpleasant comments on the internet. I doubt this will prevent me from having to delete comments from my social media pages, but it's something I needed to say. 

Back in April, I told you about my love of historical fiction, what I'd been reading, and what was coming up. I was reading The Memory Box by Kathryn Hughes, which I've since then finished and reviewed. Excellent book!

My to-be-read list looked like this: 

The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin
The Bootlegger's Daughter: A Novel by Nadine Nettmann
The Paris Orphans by Suzanne Kelman
Winds of Change: Desire Minter. by Dionne Haynes
Foxden Acres by Madalyn Morgan
After Dunkirk by Lee Jackson

I've since then read The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin (another excellent story!) and Winds of Change: Desire Minter by Dionne Haynes, and I'm halfway through with The Bootlegger's Daughter which is a different kind of story than what I was expecting. It's good, but it's not what I usually read. I also read The Titanic Sisters by Patricia Falvey, which is another 5-star story that wasn't on my list. And I've added dozens of other books to my Amazon wishlist! 

Reading is a gift you give yourself, and I'm glad I've made time to get back into it every night. There's nothing quite like settling down with a book and being swept away to another time and place! 

I've been on a reading frenzy the last few months and have fallen in love with some new-to-me authors. If you like historical fiction, you might like to check out books by Amanda Skenandore, (The Second Life of Mirelle West is my favorite so far), Shana Abe, (The Second Mrs. Astor is my favorite!), and Kathryn Hughes. I'm currently reading The Memory Box, and it's sooo good, although it's not completely historical fiction.

Shana Abe writes outside of historical fiction, too, so you might enjoy some of her other novels if you're not into historical.

I've read all of Amanda Skenandore's available books and am impatiently waiting for her next release which doesn't happen until May 21st! 

Kathyrn Hughes has several other books that will go on my to be read list once I finish the ones that are already on there. 

I'm addicted to historical fiction at present. Here are some of the titles on my to be read list:

The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin
The Bootlegger's Daughter: A Novel by Nadine Nettmann
The Paris Orphans by Suzanne Kelman
Winds of Change: Desire Minter. by Dionne Haynes
Foxden Acres by Madalyn Morgan
After Dunkirk by Lee Jackson

Maybe you'll find a book you want to read on this list. If you do, let me know your thoughts! I'm obsessed right now! 

I was first published in 2002. Twenty-two years ago. I still remember the day my agent called and told me I was going to be published. It was surreal. And it was a scam. I didn't know it at the time, but the publisher who'd accepted my book was an author mill. It churned out books left and right, setting them at such astronomically high prices, the odds of getting a friend to buy a book was slim. 

To be frank, the book wasn't that good. Oh, I thought it was at the time, but, honestly, reading back over it now makes me cringe. I knew little to nothing about plot and character arcs. But I was going to be published so I was over the moon. It didn't take long for reality to sink in, and as the weeks and months passed, and I discovered more about this publisher, I was disheartened and embarrassed. That was my first chance to get published, and I'd allowed myself to be conned because I was so caught up in the idea of being published that I didn't take the time to do any research or ask any questions. That was a hard lesson learned, but it wasn't the only one I learned from my first foray into publishing. 

Lesson #2 was not everyone in this industry is out for your best interests. It was a kick in the teeth to learn that my agent wasn't who she'd presented herself to be. It wasn't long after the publication of my first book that she and I went our separate ways, but only after I found out that she did next to nothing to help my career. That's why we need to be our own best advocates.

Lesson #3 was it's better to not be published than to be ashamed of your publisher. There are so many writers who want to be published today. I understand the feeling completely. That sense of "I need to be published" can make even the slightest nibble by a publisher attractive. Recently, a friend of mine told me she'd been contacted by a publisher who was interested in her book. That sent up a red flag because good publishers don't have to look for authors; the authors come to them. 

And Lesson #4 was that you'll never have a second first chance, but that doesn't mean your first chance has to define you. Since 2002, I've published over fifty novels and novellas and thousands of articles, essays, and short stories combined. I've taught classes to aspiring writers, have spoken at conferences and to groups, and have had some amazing opportunities I wouldn't have had if I hadn't gotten my start in publishing. Would my path have been easier if I'd been published by a better publisher? Most likely. But, as we've all heard before, it's not where you start but where you end up that matters. 

So whether you wish you'd never been published by a certain publisher or wish that you hadn't self-published your first book, you can choose to move forward, put that part of your past behind you, and give yourself a second chance that will be immeasurably better than your first.