A Wicked Welcome to Lori Roberts Herbst! **giveaway**

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by Julie, listening to books in Somerville

I am delighted to welcome Lori Roberts Herbst to the blog today! Lori and I work together at Sisters in Crime, and I love her kind but fierce passion for the writing community. Welcome, Lori!

Embracing Change

I’m pleased to be back with The Wickeds—thank you for inviting me! Since this month’s theme is “looking forward,” I thought I’d share the code phrase I’ll be trying to live by in 2024: peaceful adaptability.

A little backstory:

I’ve lived in Texas since I was 9 years old. That’s a gasp-worthy 52 years as a Southern belle. A half century of triple-digit summers, the inevitable two-day winter ice storm (one of which occurred on my wedding day in 1983), and unnoteworthy spring and autumn seasons. Still, it’s been home—familiar and stable.

But now we’ve packed up our belongings and moved to Colorado. Not only that, our Dallas home sold, but our new house won’t be ready until April. In the meantime, we’re nomads. Our belongings will be taking a vacation in a climate-controlled Public Storage unit, while my husband and I will trek from one AirBNB to another.

For a semi-control freak such as myself, someone who gravitates toward stability and craves a detailed plan (I consider myself a full-fledged plotter, after all…), this uncertainty and temporary lack of roots results in more than a little anxiety.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m excited. It’s a good change, but it’s still change. As I used to tell my students back in my teaching days, even good change creates stress. It takes awareness and insight to help us cope.

Thus the peaceful adaptability mantra.

Now to add another curve to the winding mountain road:

After three years of focusing on my Callie Cassidy Mysteries, I’ve decided in my wisdom that this would be the perfect time to tackle something new. So, this year, I’ll start writing the Seahorse Bay Mystery series. It’s still in the planning stages, especially since, before I “dive in” to the new series, I need to revise and publish Graven Images, Book 6 in the Callie series (available in April). Once that task is complete, my goal is to complete a three-book outline and draft Seahorse book 1 by summer.

(To point out a bit of irony, I’ve spent the past three years writing about a village set in the Colorado Rockies. Now, on the heels of moving to the Colorado Rockies, I intend to write about a port town on the coast of…you guessed it…Texas.)

As with the relocation, I find myself alternately bubbling with excitement and quaking with terror. (Pause. Deep breath. Peaceful adaptability.) Callie and her friends and family represent my first foray into the world of publishing. Like Texas, life with Callie has been familiar, stable, and at least somewhat predictable. But I’m ready for a new challenge, and I hope my readers will be ready to move ahead with me.

So, wish me luck, friends—and for those of you in snowy climes, be sure to pass on survival tips!

How do you handle change in your life? Excitement, resistance—or somewhere in between? I’ll choose one commenter to receive the Callie book of their choice. U.S. only, paperback, ebook, or audio.

About Negative Reaction:

Wedding bells are ringing in Rock Creek Village. But when a venomous villager crashes the nuptials, events take a toxic turn…

The long-awaited day has arrived—Callie Cassidy’s best friend is tying the knot. The wedding is perfect—even Callie’s golden retriever and her tabby cat have donned tuxes for the occasion. Callie’s trainee is documenting every moment, with the help of twin brother. Then an uninvited visitor barges in—the twins’ absentee father—and an angry altercation ensues. When their father later winds up in a coma, the victim of poisoning, suspicion mounts against the twins. With detectives stonewalling her, Callie turns for help to her family and friends. Together, can they prove the twins’ innocence—and reveal the true culprit?

Buy link: Amazon

About the author:

Silver Falchion and CIBA Murder & Mayhem award-winning author Lori Roberts Herbst writes the Callie Cassidy Mystery series. A former journalism teacher, Lori serves as Board Secretary for Sisters in Crime. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, as well as the SinC North Dallas chapter and the Guppy chapter, where she moderates the Cozy Gup group. Lori lives in Colorado Springs. Find out more at

Website:           www.lorirobertsherbst.com
Facebook:         https://www.facebook.com/lorirobertsherbst/
Instagram:        https://www.instagram.com/lorirobertsherbst/
BookBub:         https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lori-roberts-herbst

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Published by J.A. Hennrikus

One woman, three names, many books. As Julia Henry I wrote the Garden Squad series for Kensington. As J.A. Hennrikus I wrote the Theater Cop series, and as Julianne Holmes I wrote the Clock Shop series. I've been an arts administrator for my entire career, mostly in the performing arts. Currently I'm the ED of Sisters in Crime, a wonderful organization that promotes and supports crime writers. www.sistersincrime.org Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram! @JHAuthors

80 Thoughts

  1. Welcome and congrats on your move and upcoming new series. I think I’m somewhere in between when it comes to how I handle change.

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  2. Waving hi to Lori!. Congratulations on all the new things.

    How I handle the new thing depends on what kind of thing it is. New grandbaby? Excitement! New issues with my feet? Ugh. Resist.

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    2. Agreed. For me, though, resistance only makes it worse. When I get to the point of acceptance, things go easier!

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  3. I don’t handle change well at all. I fight it every inch of the way. As a 5th generation native Texan, I’m saddened by your departure but pray all good things for your new adventure.

    On the book front, I fell in love with the Callie Cassidy series, devouring the first 3 audiobooks and anxiously await the next. I look forward to your new series but do hope you aren’t abandoning Callie altogether.

    Thanks for the hours of enjoyment. God speed.

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    1. I appreciate that so much, Debra. Callie will be back—just weaving in some new adventures, too! Thanks for all your support.

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  4. I feel like being open to change and accepting it with as much positive energy as I can muster is my go-to. I remind myself that I need to model perseverance and a growth mindset for both my daughter and in my role at work. It’s certainly not easy, but keeping my head up high works for me.
    Looking forward to checking out your books! Fingers crossed that I get selected! 😁
    adriennechasteensnow@gmail.com

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  5. Lori, good luck on the move when it is finally complete and you are in your new house.

    The same goes for Book 6 and the revisions/publishing.

    As for change, I am stubbornly opposed to it. HA! Well, I mean I have to adapt to changes that come my way but as a prematurely cranky old man (been this way for a LONG time), I prefer things how I have them because that’s the way I liked them in the first place. I’m not naive enough to think change never happens or that I won’t have to adjust but change for me is like the kids who walk on my lawn at Halloween…”you know there’s a perfectly good walkway you could use, right?”

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    1. This made me laugh out loud, Jay! I tell my husband I like stability, but really, I may just be lazy. Change involves a lot of work…

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  6. I look forward to change with careful excitement, kinda bubbling but with no jumping up and down lol! I’ve made major moves in my life, too – Maine to California to Virginia and then back to Maine (all moves for my job) and I found worrying about it was just pointless. Best of luck to you on your move and new series!!

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    1. “Careful excitement” is a wonderful phrase. And you’re so right about worrying…I just can’t seem to stop myself! Thank you for your best wishes!

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    1. Somewhere in between is probably the best place to be…though when I see your username, I can identify!

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    2. Congratulations on the book! I am definitely somewhat in between. I don’t like change. I also like the stability and not changing what I’m already comfortable with! Lol.

      Thanks for the chance!!

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  8. Congratulations on the move, the new book, and the new series Lori! I agree with you: even good change is stressful. I think your mantra of “peaceful adaptability” is perfect.

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  9. Congratulations on not only the upcoming release but on the start of a new series!

    Being the one that shies away from change, like it’s the plague, imagine hubby’s surprise, when on the way home from a place we loved to take getaway trips to, the words came out of my mouth about how it would be nice to move there permanently. So much so that he actually pulled off the road to ask me if I was serious. After resuming the trip home, we discussed the pros and cons seriously. By the time we got home, we had decided to check it out for real and seriously. There was could we sell our home, where would we live while we had a home built, not know the area in that permanent way – who would built our home, was it feasible, and a thousand other questions that needed answers. When things began to fall in place so nicely, it was like it was meant to be. There was a ready market for our home and it sold in 2 days. The buyer had to get her paperwork through on the sale of her farm so she asked us if we could delay the paper signing for a couple of months, which worked amazingly well for us meaning we won’t have to move twice only once into our new home. Finding a builder worked out when the young Mennonite builders had an opening in between other contracts to build our home. Always being one to want to be present when major decisions were made, I was surprised how easy it was to turn over money when needed and us hundreds of miles away without a thought. When we did go up to check on progress and to make decisions on things for the house, we were very delighted with the workmanship and attention to detail. The house turned our AMAZING! In the end, it was the best decision we ever made! Here almost 8 years later, we still love it here, love our home and so happy we did it. What did I learn, change is often times the best thing for us – if we go into it with great thought, some prayers and even turning loose of some control. It was for us! Sending up a prayer that your moving experience is a good and smooth as ours was. Although we had only lived in our home in the SW part of the state for 27 years, we had lived in that part of the state since the middle 70’s. Just moving to the north central part of the same state was so completely different so we understand a lot of what you are going through.

    Thank you for the fabulous chance to win one of the Callie books!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. What a great story, Kay—I found it so soothing. You’re right, sometimes things are just meant to be. I so appreciate you sharing this.

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  10. I don’t handle change well at all. Making lists helps a little because it helps to make all the problems stop swirling around in my head to have them on paper. Thanks for the chance to win a book! ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Oh, I’m a perpetual list maker, too. So much so that I got myself a Remarkable tablet so I wouldn’t be wasting so much paper. Thanks for checking in!

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  11. Congratulations and best wishes on the new series and your move. When we are faced with changes it is easier to accept the future and not balk. It doesn’t do any good anyway. Be positive and hopeful about your life.

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  12. Congratulations on all the new and exciting developments, Lori! I’m not a big fan of change, but it’s inevitable, so I’ve learned to roll with it, just like Steve Winwood said.

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    1. Great advice. You’re so right about the inevitability. And often, I find that change invigorates me. (Fingers crossed.)

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  13. I am less able to handle change as I get older. I had to move to different cities every 4 months for 5 years since I was in a co-op university program. Although I got a full-time job in 1990 in Toronto, I still moved to 3 different cities for work that decade. But once I was in my 40s, I wanted to settle down a bit. I lived in Toronto for 13 years, then moved in January 2014 for my final work position with the federal government where I have been here 10 years. Frankly, I have accumulated a lot of “stuff” including 1000s of books. I dread having to pack up & move on my own to a new city/place!

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  14. So excited for you Lori! I’ve only recently “met” Callie now this series is on my to be binged at once list. Looking forward to meeting the crew in Seahorse Bay, too.

    Change? I love it. Always been that way. Strange, I know.

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  15. Congratulations on so many achievements, Lori! I am so happy for you that you are “writing” a new chapter in your life by moving lock, stock and barrell from DFW to COS (airport code for Colorado Spring)! I worked in the airline business all my life until I retired 6 years ago to become a travel agent and avocado rancher. CHANGE has been my middle name, and wether I liked it or not, constant change dictated my plans, actions, thoughts and feelings. I consider myself abundantly blessed, and wish for you and your husband to also find blessings inside every change you experience. Thank you for sharing your writing skills with us readers. I am excited to read Graven Images…the cover says “read me” 🙂 Luis at ole dot travel

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  16. I admit I’m not a fan of chance, mainly because so far the changes I’ve experienced haven’t been good things. If a change could work out in my favor for once I might feel differently.

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  17. Congratulations! I lived in Texas for 8 years and loved it. I’m back home in New England now. I handle change in my life but admittedly have to overthink it to pieces first. 🙂 aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com

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  18. Congratulations! A change is always daunting. We tend to be comfortable and when faced with something new it can be frightening and upsetting. We are adaptable.

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  20. Congratulations on your move and on the new series you’re planning!
    Your move sounds a bit like ours a few years ago. We had our home in Northern Ontario for sale and had 2 weeks to vacate once the house was purchased. We were moving to Southern Ontario to be closer to our adult children and stayed with good friends while we did some house searching. Once we found our home, we stayed at our daughter’s until we could move in.
    It was challenging living out of a suitcase for three months before we could claim our home!
    All the best to you!

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  21. Congrats on a successful series and the excitement of a new one. Mostly, I like change. It’s keeps my mind, and sometimes body, challenged. There are exceptions, but I’ve had a lot of experience in 73 years. I really live by the Serenity Prayer. I

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  22. I’m somewhere in between. A lot depends on if I’m making the change because I want to or if I don’t have a choice

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  23. I don’t usually do well with change so I’m probably somewhere in between I just hate change, when I find something that’ll work, I just don’t see a reason to change but try telling that to your boss at work.

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  24. Lori,
    Big changes in your life, but you’ll handle them with aplomb! I don’t mind small changes, but big ones always seem daunting at first.

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  25. There are two kinds of change. One is the type that I choose, and the other is the type that hits me in the face when I realize that I must either accept it or go into a denial that is unhealthy. The first kind is great! Yes, it’s almost always a mixed bag of positives and negatives, but it’s still something that I have chosen freely. The second kind of change is harder to embrace, but I know that I must embrace it. The alternative makes no sense at all!

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  26. Change? My husband was active duty Coast Guard for many years, so we did a lot of moves. I got to the point that I started itching to move after a few years. Now that he’s retired, I like being in one place but every once in a while I have to scratch that itch with travel. I think after awhile you’ll like the freedom of your nomadic interlude! Keep me posted!

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  28. I feel like I adapt to change very quickly, but I often need to spout some choice language if I’m not happy about the changes coming my way, LOL. I need to be more accepting and graceful when it comes to meeting change head-on.

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  29. Life sometimes feels filled with irony doesn’t it? Perhaps actually living in Colorado will give you more ideas for the Callie series. Have had lots of changes in my life from marriage to children to careers and within those to changing companies, homes, deaths of loved ones (too many) and possibly this year or next moving to a new location. Seeing the funny side in things usually carries me through. When it doesn’t I have a few little prayers posted on the fridge that get me through changes. The best is ‘Lord help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you and I together can’t handle. And we do.

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  30. Occasionally, I’ve had a change I was excited about. But most of the time, it is something I dread. (No need to enter me in the giveaway.)

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  31. Welcome back to the Wickeds, Lori. I’ve been where you are, twice, stuff in storage, new home not ready. It’s especially stressful when you’re depending on renovations that may or may not be done on time. Best of luck with everything, including the new series.

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  32. Congratulations on your new home and your new series. Change makes me anxious also, but it’s usually worth it in the end. I’m sure you’ll love Colorado, it’s a beautiful state.

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  33. I have to admit I dislike change more and more as I get older. When I was younger it was a little more exciting but now, I just dread it and depending on how big the change it can feel overwhelming. I hope everything goes well for you.

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    1. I love the feeling of stability, I admit, but I think these changes have actually reinvigorated me a bit. Still can’t wait to get into our permanent home, though. Thanks so much for commenting.

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  34. I have had many changes in my life, and I am probably also in between. It does no good to offer resistance as it is inevitable. Most of the changes were forced on me, so excitement is also not the way I felt. The first big change was when my then fiancée and now husband got transferred from our hometown of Harlingen, Texas just as I got the job teaching that I wanted to Fort Worth, Texas. At least we were still in Texas. But then he got transferred to Georgia under duress. I stayed in Texas two years as I could not get a job in Georgia. Then I finally moved to Georgia and two years later, I lost that job (first time that has happened) to a corrupt principal giving my job to the band teacher’s wife. Then my mother got really ill in Harlingen. I went down there to take care of her though I got a teaching job as we could not afford for me to not have an income. That was in 1997. She died six months later, and I stayed in Texas as I would get full retirement in just 2 1/2 years more. That gave us time to go through mother’s estate and get the house ready to sell. So, in 2000, I retired from Texas and went home (now) to Georgia and my husband. I worked here teaching and got full retirement in 2009. Things do happen for a reason and do work out and make you stronger. But now, no more changes. Thank goodness. Sean Connery as King Arthur told Lancelot and Guinivere that ” change is good” right before he died. I am not sure about that, but change happens, and we just have to go along for the ride. Good luck in Colorado and on the new series. I will be reading it.

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  35. I am usually excited about change, I look forward to doing things different or going somewhere for fun. I moved from Chicago to Denver and I enjoy the Mountain view and the weather is pretty nice. Thank you deborahortega229@yahoo.com

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  36. I used to fight change. I did not like it. I have found that the more I fight change, the more that I am going to have to deal with it. I have learned to stop, pray and give it over to the Lord. I try to let it go. Sometimes it is easier than others. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.

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