Too Soon? **Giveaway**

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by Julie, enjoying summer in Somerville

Last weekend I was taking a socially distant walk with my nieces. We were meandering, looking at houses, watching the full moon rise, discussing whether we’d rather be a werewolf or a vampire, and discussing recipes. At one point one of them slowed down, and looked around.

“This is a perfect night to walk,” she said.

“It’s the kind of night we’ll dream of in February,” I offered.

“Nights like this are why I don’t want to rush summer,” my other niece offered. We kept walking and talking, taking the long way round to get home.

Next month, on August 25, Digging Up the Remains will be released. I’m also polishing Book #4, which takes place right after Thanksgiving. So my imagination is in the fall. My teaching jobs next year have also been in touch, keeping me up to date about the plans for fall teaching. (A fluid conversation these days.)

As I put dates in my planner, plot out the bootcamp I’m doing later this month for folks who want to write a book, and get ready for the launch of Digging Up I feel like summer is already over. And it’s too soon.

This summer is like no other for so many reasons. There can be a desire to wish it away, and I understand that. But my walk with the nieces reminded me that future living ignores the now. And the now has lovely moments that just happen, or that we can work on creating.

This week I’ve been mindful about appreciating the now. I’m eating blueberries, my favorite summer fruit. I’m taking walks, slowly in the heat, but the vitamin D feels great. The nieces are helping me work on some videos and figure out how to self-publish my Theater Cop books. Since it’s summer, they have the time.

I’m grateful for summer in New England, for my family and friends, for my writing, for my teaching and coaching, for technology that keeps me connected and for my prolific friends who are keeping my reading list full. I’m also grateful to all of you for being part of my journey.

I hope that you are all finding ways to enjoy the now.

I have ARCs of Digging Up the Remains, and would love to give three away to folks who comment on this post. Tell me, readers, what are you particularly enjoying this summer? I’ll three names on Monday.

Here’s more about the book:

A festive fall is in full swing in Goosebush, Massachusetts, but when a snoopy reporter is felled by foul play, it’s up to Lilly and her Garden Squad to spook out a killer . . .

Between hosting a haunted house on her lawn, serving on the town’s 400th Anniversary Planning Committee, and prepping for the Fall Festival’s 10k fundraiser, Lilly’s hands are full. She doesn’t have time for prickly newspaper reporter Tyler Crane, who’s been creeping around town, looking for dirt on Goosebush’s most notable families . . . until he’s found dead on the race route moments before the start.

An unfortunate accident? Or did Tyler unearth a secret that someone in Goosebush is willing to kill to keep? By planting nasty rumors and cultivating fear, Tyler sowed a fair share of ill will during his brief time in town. Weeding through the suspects will be thorny, but Lilly and her Garden Squad are determined to root out the autumnal assassin before the Fall Festival flops . . .

Digging up the remains by julia henry will be released on August 25

Published by Julie Hennrikus aka Julia Henry

One woman, three names, many books. As Julia Henry she writes the Garden Squad series for Kensington. As J.A. Hennrikus she writes the Theater Cop series, and as Julianne Holmes she wrote the Clock Shop series. Click on my profile picture to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram! @JHAuthors

82 Thoughts

  2. I love summer, and with you and your nieces about not wanting to rush summer. I’m grateful for you and your kind approach to life, Julie. I’m also glad this summer includes one son and his wife moving back to MA, and that the other one has caring people he lives with far, far away. And I can’t wait for that book!

  3. What with the Stay-at-Home requirement, I am averaging an ARC a day!

  5. What a lovely reminder to enjoy the moment. I am grateful for the chance to get to know my neighbors better, since they’re some of the few people I’ve seen recently.

  6. We learned long ago, way before the virus, to appreciate the here and now because we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. Life is just unpredictable in general. Since I was told at 25 that I’d never make it to 30, as a senior citizen I’m grateful for every day. After the passing of our daughter, I’m grateful that I said “I love you” and she knew it through both words and actions.

    This summer although our plans had to be cancelled or changed drastically, we are enjoying the season. For the first time in several years, we have a garden. Nothing makes hubby happier than playing in soil and reaping its rewards. Nothing makes me happier than seeing him happy. I also love the end results, the flavors and the difference fresh ingredients make in my cooking. So on the brighter side, IF we had taken the planned trips, while we were gone the young plants would have frozen in a late frost leaving us with no garden to speak of.

    By being home and enjoying the front porch that we just knew we had to have in our home when we built it 3 years ago, we have been able to witness the arrival of the migrating birds enjoying them while here as well as taking lots of photographs. This summer we continue to enjoy the porch thanks to the ceiling fans enjoying the daily critter visitors from birds to deer and even the occasional bobcat or ground hog. The extra quality time had allowed hubby and I to have some great conversations – some about memories, some about our day and even some about our dreams for future times.

    This summer instead of being on the run going here and there or attending a lot of functions, we are actually enjoying out home and our little plot of land with all its wonders like the little path through the woods that hubby created when we moved in. We are also enjoying eating at home. We have never been one to eat out much to start with, but now we have the time to try those smoked meats or recipes that we have been wanting to try but hadn’t because they were more time consuming that what time had allowed us before.

    Basically, for us, this summer has been a great one and honestly I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Well except for the horrid disease that seems to be lurking around every corner it or so many folks and families suffering from it and the effects of it as well.

    Thank you for the chance to win an ARC copy of “Digging Up the Remains”. Can’t wait for the opportunity to read this book on my TBR list. Shared and hoping to be one of the fortunate ones selected.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

  7. This summer I’m enjoying less travel for work (no travel for work…) and the opportunity to just slow down and enjoy each day with whatever it holds….and of course enjoying a lot of reading!

  8. We, too, thought last Friday was the perfect summer night! I had read earlier in the week that the moon was a Full Antler moon in our area (Uxbridge) and was rising at 8:17pm. Off we went with raspberry/cream puff pastry, lawn chairs and cameras to our local River Bend Farm. We set up on a small hill facing southeast – it did not disappoint! the full moon rose a lovely peach color, huge on the horizon just after a magnificent lavender and pink sunset. Its a good place to see the sunset from one direction and moonrise from the other when the timing is just right.

  10. Given that we are heading into our fifth straight day of 90+ temperatures, no, it is not too soon to be thinking about fall.

  11. I’m enjoying early mornings before it gets too hot having a cup of coffee on the deck or the patio while watching my dogs enjoy their first outside foray of the day.

  12. I’m enjoying walking my dog early before it gets too hot. I also like having more time to read.

  14. I’m enjoying poolside reading with my family and two dogs this summer and making the most of being home. 🤗

  15. I guess I’m thankful that I still have a job. Right now there’s no guarantee

  16. Last summer we raised monarch butterflies for the first time. This year we’re raising Monarchs and Black Swallowtails

  17. I’m thankful that our families are Covid free and we can exercise if it’s before 8 AM. After that time it’s way too hot- going to over 100 for the next few weeks.

  19. I would normally travel but with the virus and now the extreme heat I’m staying home. So I decided to take on a new inside hobby. Using my workbench in the basement. I’ve started woodworking! Starting with making a whimsical birdhouse. So far looking good!

  21. I like summer, although it has been especially hot and humid lately. But I’m definitely not ready for -30 and ice either. We just need a nice cool rain.

  22. I too am thankful for blueberries and sunny days, long afternoons and good books! I read one to two books a day, so I would love an ARC of the Garden Squad book. Thanks for a chance!

  23. Good afternoon Julie!
    I’m enjoying reading. I’m enjoying being able to visit with family. My daughter mainly.
    Have a great day!

  26. It’s fun that you mentioned blueberries as I just finished reading ‘Town in a Blueberry Jam’ by B. B. Haywood the other week. I personally love summer. Although the 90+ temperatures get a little rough in my non air-conditioned 100 year-old Queen Anne home.

    But there are fun things ahead as my husband’s birthday is July 17th, mine is July 20th, and our wedding anniversary is July 22nd. We’re looking forward to a week of celebrating, especially as unfortunate though the circumstances are, the pandemic has allowed us to work at home together, giving us more time.

    I’m excited for your latest novel! Congratulations. The description sounds lovely, and the cover is eye-catching. I’m enjoying summer but certainly dreaming ahead to Fall.

    I have fingers crossed for a COVID free future and another Cozy Con where I can hopefully meet and greet with more Kensington Cozy authors again. The 2018 event feels like a lifetime ago.

  27. It’s fun that you mentioned blueberries as I just finished reading ‘Town in a Blueberry Jam’ by B. B. Haywood the other week. I personally love summer. Although the 90+ temperatures get a little rough in my non air-conditioned 100 year-old Queen Anne home.

    But there are fun things ahead as my husband’s birthday is July 17th, mine is July 20th, and our wedding anniversary is July 22nd. We’re looking forward to a week of celebrating, especially as unfortunate though the circumstances are, the pandemic has allowed us to work at home together, giving us more time.

    I’m excited for your latest novel! Congratulations. The description sounds lovely, and the cover is eye-catching. I’m enjoying summer but certainly dreaming ahead to Fall.

    I have fingers crossed for a COVID free future and another Cozy Con where I can hopefully meet and greet with more Kensington Cozy authors again. The 2018 event feels like a lifetime ago.

  29. Hi Julie, I am enjoying my extra time for reading and have 88 of my 100 score for books in a year to read. I know that I will really surpass that amount this year. I am spending more time with my immediate family. Taking walks and actually doing some much needed decluttering. The new book looks amazing and so if I do not win I am putting it on my TBR list to read. Take care and thank you!

  30. One of my favorite songs of all times is Summertime. It just sounds like summer when you hear or sing it. “Summertime…The living is easy, fish are jumping and the river is high….” I could do without the really hot weather, but we have had a fairly mild for us summer so far and earlier this week out of nowhere we had darkening skies, winds tossing the tree limbs around and then a downpour of rain. It was such a blessing for us as we have the sad history of drought in the summer. Slowing down this past Spring and now in the Summer makes me think of the quote by Laura Ingalls Wilder, “I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” Seeing the birds take a bath in our garden fountain; watching the sun rise with a cup of coffee in hand; taking a slow walk around the neighborhood…simple things that do make life worth living. Julie, I love your Garden Squad series and look forward to reading the new one! Congrats on birthing such fun characters, a beautiful setting and intriguing mysteries. 😉

  32. Since we are retired and have a live in younger adult to run errands we really don’t have to go anywhere except the occasional medical appointment, so we are fortunate in that during this time. So I have decided to enjoy the fact that I can make my schedule whatever I want each day, just go with the flow. I am also enjoying communicating with family not close by more often and in ways we didn’t do much before, like video chats. And since we’ve had some really hot days (like today) I am enjoying the air conditioning.

  33. I double checked the release date against my master list. Digging up the Remains will be posted along with all the other Aug. new titles on the 15th of this month (give or take a day). I hope that helps with the advance sales of the book.

  34. I am enjoying the sunshine that comes through the sliding glass door near the dining room table where I am working. Also the hummingbirds that come to the feeder outside said door, and my cats lying in the sun spots.

  35. I love summer because everything is lighter like the sun and clothes. Also iced tea and all the produce from the farmers’ market. And the beautiful flowers in my garden. Looking forward to the new book. Stay safe and well.

  37. I’m enjoying walks in the early, early morning something that I didn’t have time to do with a daily commute. It’s interesting taking the time to be in the here and now. This summer is surely unsettled but I can also appreciate so many of the simple things that I have always been too busy to stop and savor.

  38. I am not a great gardener but I love flowers and watching things grow. I have been keeping grandchildren as their mama gave birth in April and then went back to work in June. I love it, but i only keep one at a time. We go to the beach in a couple of weeks. I love summer.

  39. I’m enjoying sweetcorn & watermelon… but I am looking forward to winter, as in my part of Texas.. it’s always hot as heck & humid!!!

  40. I am enjoying the fresh food from our CSA the heat not so much.

  41. I’m thankful for all the fresh fruit! I’m thankful farmers markets are still able to be open. I’m doubly thankful for the sunshine and warmth. 🌞😎 Summer is my favorite time of year.

  42. I love summer, heat and humidity and all. Of course, having A/C helps when I’m not outside enjoying the sunshine and breeze. I love all the wonderful fresh fruit and veggies. And not needing to wear a coat or shoes. I love working in my yard even tho’ this year due to a couple of health issues, I”m not able to do as much as usual, but I still get out there and trim, cut, dig, plant, whatever, as much as I’m able and come in soaked to the skin with a huge smile on my face. And then hunt up the Ben-Gay.

  43. I live at The Jersey Shore – and am not a beach person. I’d much rather spend my summers in the beautiful mountains of Vermont! However, I do enjoy the produce summer has to offer, especially here in The Garden State. I tend to hoard blueberries – I eat them like candy!

  45. Summer is slow to reach Vermont – so definitely too soon to be thinking about fall, for me. I am enjoying my early morning walks with my pup – not too cold to take my camera along. I am enjoying the flowers that are finally blooming and some early fresh vegetables from my garden!

    Thank you for the reminder to slow down and enjoy it. This summer does seem a bit “off” doesn’t it? I need to not wish it away.

  46. I am enjoying our garden. We planted some veggies and are hoping for a harvest. Right now it’s a battle between me and the bugs.

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