The Art of Juggling by Merrillee Whren

Have you ever tried to juggle? I have, and I've not been successful. I'm sure there's a technique to juggling, but I haven't learned it. Even though I can't juggle balls or some other objects, I do juggle a lot of other things as an author. Authors have to juggle writing, editing, promotion, social media, and the rest of their lives. Indie authors may have to add book covers, formatting, and even more promotion to the mix. 

You've probably heard the expression, "dropped the ball." Sometimes when you're trying to keep all those things going, despite all your hard work, you drop one of those balls or maybe two or three. Recently, I confess to dropping the promotion ball. I've been writing one book, editing another, and formatting yet another book. While doing those things, I haven't kept up with the promotional aspect of writing. This blog post might help with a little promotion. 

My latest book, Annie's Hope, the first book in The Village of Hope series, is now available in paperback. You can buy it here. If you prefer, you can preorder the ebook at the retailers below. It will release on September 27, 2022.

Amazon

Apple 

B&N 

Kobo  

Google Play

Do you prefer to read ebooks or paperback books?

 Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of American. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. Connect with her on her Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.

Writer and Cat Seek Suggestions - by @MagdalenaScott

Like many of you, I'm staying home most of the time these days. Perhaps unlike you, I live in a studio apartment with a cat as my only roomie. (The graphic above includes a photo of Selina, but no, that's not my apartment. Or the sidewalk I use daily.)

I'm trying to get outdoors for a walk each day, cook and eat healthy meals, get plenty of sleep (challenging as that is), indulge in plenty of cat cuddles (good for both Selina and me), and stay in touch with family and friends via email, text, and calls.

Self care always matters, and none of us should feel guilty for it. Click here to read Laura Ashwood's wonderful article on this topic.

One afternoon my self-care was a binge watch of Jane Austen's Emma. I'm also slowly revisiting some favorite old sitcoms: The Bob Newhart Show, The Golden Girls, Seinfeld, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, among others. Selina and I discovered The Durrells in Corfu. That was her favorite because of the many animals. Watching The Durrells was a bit of a challenge because she kept jumping up looking into the TV and blocking my view of the screen--fun! (Sort of.)

Before Indiana's governor told us to stay at home, I ordered several paperbacks. They arrived just in time, as our beloved library is closed for now. Although I don't usually choose historicals, that's mostly what I purchased and I'm enjoying the return to "simpler" days.

Are you binge-watching or binge-reading during these challenging times? Do you have favorites to suggest? If so, please leave a comment. And for everyone, here is my wish for you and for our world: hope, joy, and peace.

USA Today Bestselling Author Magdalena Scott is a practicing minimalist, having downsized from a 3,000 square foot house to a studio apartment, where her Giant Closet continues to resist taming. When not writing at home or spending time with family and friends, she loves to travel–carry-on baggage only–and is always pleasantly surprised at the kindness of strangers.


Website: https://magdalenascott.com/

The sweetest and most encouraging romance I know

Today, I'd like to introduce you to the sweetest and most encouraging romance that I know. The author is L.M. Montgomery, who's best known for her Anne of Green Gables series. My favorite book of her, however, is called The Blue Castle.

This books starts on a dismal note: "Valancy wakened early, in the lifeless, hopeless hour just preceding dawn. She had not slept very well. One does not sleep well, sometimes, when one is twenty-nine on the morrow, and unmarried, in a community and connection where the unmarried are simply those who have failed to get a man."

When Valancy learns that she's seriously ill, she decides to make a drastic change in her life, a change that will bring her the happiness she craves, and this is told in such a charming way that I have read this book so many times that I can't count it anymore. It all starts with one quote: "Despair is a free man -- hope is a slave." When Valancy realizes that, she decides to do exactly as she likes for the short time that still remains for her. I rooted for her as she finally stood up for herself and answered back to all her dreadful relations who were so unkind and thoughtless.


However, the thing I love most about Valancy is her craving for anything that's beautiful. She herself isn't, not in the eyes of society, but she wished she was - oh, how she wishes for beauty, not only for herself, but also in her surroundings. Ugliness around her makes her soul shrivel, and this is a feeling I understand so well that Valancy and I became one as she slowly unfolded her petals and became a strong and - indeed- beautiful woman.

If you feel the need for a little pick-up, the need for courage to be just as you are, then I can only recommend this book to you. Let me know if you also have feel-good books, books that you turn to when you're in need of comfort and a hug.

Beate Boeker
USA Today bestselling author
http://www.happybooks.de
Mischief & Humor from Page 1

Take a Chance! by Ginny Baird

Seven years ago this month, I took a chance and ran off to the sheriff to get married. After tirelessly caring for everyone else, I finally decided to grab some happiness for myself. Things couldn’t have worked out more wonderfully. If I had to make the same choice today, I’d take that leap again – without a doubt.

January is such a great month for new beginnings. It’s also a time to challenge ourselves by thinking of taking chances. It doesn’t have to be now or next month even, but I’m hoping that sometime during this year, we’ll all take a chance by doing something special for ourselves. When you’re in the role of mother, caretaker, partner or helpmate, it can be hard to focus on anything other than giving. Though it’s important to recall that we often have more to give when we’ve stepped back and taken a little for ourselves.

When considering New Year’s goals, don’t neglect to think of yourself.  If you’ve always wanted to paint, sign up for a class. If you’ve yearned for a session at a spa, book one and make it happen! If you’d like just one day to yourself to shop, have lunch, or see a movie, explain to your family that this is what you need to help revitalize you. Then, rinse, lather, repeat… as often as needed throughout the year to keep your batteries charged and help maintain a healthy outlook that balances self-care with caring for others. For when we give to ourselves, we increase the wealth of what we can contribute by being happier, and more deeply enriched, people.

So, what will it be? What will you take a chance on in 2015? If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, or hoped to learn, you know what they say… There’s no time like the present!

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New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Ginny Baird writes short contemporary romance and romantic comedy. Her latest release is The Calendar Brides, a story in which twelve granddaughters plan to send their dear grandma back to Italy to reunite with her long-lost love. Find The Calendar Brides online at iBooks, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.

Happy Lights by Ginny Baird

I have a sister who’s dear to me. We’ve been through a lot together. In an ironic and poignant way, ten years ago this summer we both found ourselves single again after two relatively long marriages. While romance novels are about promise and “happily ever after,” we learned firsthand that sometimes anticipated happy endings can have unexpected outcomes. And yet, we each went on to build stronger futures with wonderful new partners we cherish. It’s been like a dream come true. Hope and faith renewed. Hooray – for finding love the second time around!

As my sister and I struggled along, managing careers and families, we couldn’t help but wonder if we’d ever spot a rainbow beyond that stormy horizon. To maintain positive outlooks, we each did two things. One, we wore pedometers to chart our progress in moving forward. Because, when you’re counting steps, you know you’re forging ahead. And two, we both burned happy lights. Those glorious, some might say frivolous, things people string outside their homes during the holidays.

My sister had them everywhere… in her house and adorning her lawn, while I contented myself with a vivid display, draped from my deck. They reminded me that life draws us outside of ourselves, and we gain energy by celebrating light: all that’s good in the world, things that bring us happiness and peace. The cool part is I discovered happy lights are contagious. Soon, they began appearing on other decks nearby, until much of the neighborhood bloomed with light.

I still love my happy lights, and enjoy their bright twinkles to this day. Though I moved, I carried the concept of happy lights with me, and hubby is fully on board. He even put up the set in the picture. They lend a festive air to our dining room, and complement the candlelight. Each time we plug them in, they make us smile.

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How about you? Do you hang happy lights indoors, or outside your home? Are there other decorative items you use that brighten your spirits? Comment here and/or share a picture on our Facebook page. J

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Ginny Baird loves her happy lights and uses them year-round, making every day feel like a holiday in her home. Help her celebrate Christmas in July by checking out her discounted boxed set: The Holiday Brides Collection (Books 1 – 4), now on sale at Amazon for $0.99.