Trying to Keep My Spirits Up

If today was a normal day I’d be flying up to Boston to spend the weekend with the Wickeds on a retreat. We were going to a new place this year on Cape Cod. I haven’t spent much time there and was looking forward to it. But not spending time with the Wickeds – now that is a loss. We talk, cook, eat, catch up on industry news, write, plot, and stay up way too late. And yes, while in the big picture this is a small thing to give up, I think we all have to acknowledge the things we miss too.

But I’ve been trying (not always succeeding) to concentrate on things that make me happy. Here’s a few of my thoughts:

Edith and I both had short stories in an anthology that came out on April 7^th – the Beat of Black Wings: Crime Fiction inspired by the songs of Joni Mitchell. My story was based on Joni’s song Last Chance Lost. Here are a bit of the lyrics:

Last chance lost
In the tyranny of a long good-bye
Last chance lost
We talk of us with deadly earnest eyes

You can read the rest of the lyrics here.

Writing this story gave me a chance to explore something a bit darker than I normally write. I set the story in southeast Wyoming where I once lived. You can buy it here. It comes in several different formats and is filled with stories by award winning authors.

At least it’s spring! This is a picture from several weeks ago. The azaleas are blooming now.

My sweet, sweet Lily.

My daughter learned to make scones because I asked her to!

I’ve enjoyed sending unexpected notes and gifts to people.

Reading!

And as many of you know, I have a book coming out on July 28 — From Beer to Eternity, the first book in the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon mystery series. I thought waiting for the first book in the Sarah Winston Garage Sales mysteries was hard. But wow – this seems even harder in some ways. What if everyone hates it? What if it’s terrible? Fortunately, the early reviews on Goodreads have been positive. You can find buy links here.

Here’s a review from NetGalley: The first Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon Mystery, From Beer to Eternity, was such a page turner I started it at breakfast, read straight through, and finished just after lunch! Chloe Jackson of Chicago is temporarily residing in sunny Emerald Cove, Florida after the death of her best friend, Boone, as he requested she take care of his grandmother if anything ever happened to him. Unfortunately for Chloe, Vivi, Boone’s grandmother, is fiercely independent and doesn’t want her help – that is until a man is found murdered behind the bar and Vivi seems to be the chief suspect. A fantastic cozy with wonderful characters, beautiful scenery, and a great mystery – I loved it! A+++

A good review always makes me happy!

Readers: I know we’ve asked this before, but what is making you happy this week?