The Sunday Post A Three Day Weekend

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

It was extremely cold, so our school district closed. I got to enjoy a day off on Friday. I didn't leave the house, and I wore pajamas all day. I also finished a James Patterson book I got secondhand. It was written in 1986. What would people in 1986 think if I told them about the state of the USA in 2026. 

I really don't know what to say. And I don't know how long we can keep going when about 20 percent of the US believes a different reality. The man killed yesterday was a VA ICU Nurse. The VA! 

My friend who lives in Minneapolis, her husband and son have an Esty shop. They are selling these shirts. They are donating all the profits to mutual aid. Here's the link to their shop and the shirt: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4446206411/preorder-protect-your-neighbors-t-shirt?ref=yr_purchases

 

The Sunday Post Lots of Rain and A Dusting of Snow

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

The year has started off with almost no temperatures below freezing. I'm guessing that means we'll have our traditional very snowy or icy Valentine's Day weekend!

This week, I determined I haven't read Jim Butcher's Battle Ground, so I used an Audible credit to treat myself to it! Harry Dresden is my favorite Chicago Wizard. Is there a long-running series you love to read?

One day this week, I got to sub for a Kindergarten teacher. It was nice because I got to see some of my favorite students (I take a Kindergarten class out for recess every day, and some kids in the class I subbed for are my recess kids. One girl drew this delightful picture of a gingerbread girl. 

During the week, we drove out to see our daughter at college and took her and her boyfriend to a basketball game. It was only $8 per person for the tickets, and since the school was still on winter break, seats were plentiful!

In author news, I finally have a new cover for It App-ened One Night: 

I hope you had a good week and that this one is even better!

Quiet Books for Winter Days

 

I've had this book on my wish list for ages, and it was on sale so I got it! A little Happy New Year present for me. The book is cozy and full of crafty ideas and earthy nature goodness. 

Then I saw this book on another blog. I got lucky, I was able to get the audio version from my library. The Comfort of Crows is read by the author. She has a very calm, relaxing voice that is easy to listen to; plus the content is one year in nature a chapter at a time. 

Fancy a Free Rock Star Romance?

 

I'm in a newsletter round robin with Tami Lund. This is a group of authors who feature one of the other authors in the group each month. This book, which is free, is a rock star romance that features my favorite trope--fake relationship. There is just something about a couple pretending to be in love that I always find enjoyable. 

Here is the book blurb:

Sam Stokes, the drummer for the ultra-popular rock band, Panic Station, and Holly McGregor, their vocalist, appear to have the perfect relationship, much to their fans’ delight.

But guess what? It’s all a lie, perpetuated by social media, created to help catapult the band to fame.

And Sam is sick of it. He’s tired of pretending. He wants out.

But Holly doesn’t want him to quit. What will their fans think? How will the band carry on?

More importantly, what will Holly do without him?

You can get a free copy here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/p6frggjehz

I Don't Know About You, But I Can't Believe It's 2026!

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

A few days into this new year, and it's March 2003 all over again. March 20, 2003, is when GWB invaded Iraq. Not Great. I'll never get over the presidents we could have had. Al Gore, Kamala Harris. 

I go back to work tomorrow, which is good overall. I get to spend my days helping small humans learn how to socialize with their peers and learn their letters, numbers, and the days of the week. We are also going to go see our daughter and attend a college basketball game at her school. The big question for that is, do I get popcorn? I think we are going to dinner first, and that will spoil my popcorn appetite. In my opinion, popcorn at sporting events isn't as good as movie theater popcorn, but it's usually good and salty. I like salty popcorn, and I have no issues with sodium so, I've got that going for me.

This week my goal is to make time to read my new pretty book Goblin Mode. What are your plans for the week? 

Enjoying the Planning

My obligatory New Year's Eve run photo. I didn't fall! It was snowing off and on for the last day of 2025. 

Today I am still deciding whether I'll go for a run or work out inside. Because I slept terribly last night, staying indoors and using the walking pad is very appealing. 

I'm taking advantage of my last weekday off before Winter Break is over by indulging in planning and list-making. 

For a couple of weeks this holiday season, I tried out a journaling app. I used it daily for the first week, and then I dropped off. It's a good thing that the free trial was a month long; it gave me enough time to realize I wouldn't stick to using it long enough to make the cost worth it. 

Do you use any apps for scheduling or planning? 

I have scheduled myself a bunch of fun activities for January. Now I need to focus on not cancelling my participation in order to stay home. TBD! 

New Year's Eve Eve

My opinion is that if you are say over 25, and want to celebrate the new year, it's better to leave your home on December 30th to gather with friends than to go out with the masses on December 31. 

I also think it's a great idea to stay home in pajamas on both days! This is especially true if you live in a cold climate. I've been enjoying my winter break by leaving my house as little as possible. 

I have been working on book stuff, sharing my new book with as many people as possible. I've also begun putting together the outline for my next book. And I should be ready to put some words on paper when January arrives! Wish me luck!

For our New Year's Eve Eve, we are planning to go to a local meadery. So we will enjoy a Viking drink. 

Cheers! Let's hope 2026 brings us some good things.  

 

The Last Sunday Post for 2025!!!!

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Here we are, ready to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome 2026. There is plenty of bad stuff to go around, but I'm making the effort to hope for good things for all of us, and my focus for 2026,  I probably mentioned here already, is more joy and less stress. Is it doable?  Yes, of course! All I have to do is try!

Do you have a focus, goal, or resolution for 2026? 

Readingwise, I hope to finish more books. I've got a bunch of partially finished books sitting around begging me to open them back up! 

My husband got me this super cute little Snoopy for Chirstmas. I love his little pjs!

Release Day Is Here!

 

After months of work, Love and the Three of Cups is out in the world. I found so much joy in writing Hannah and Kate's story. One bonus was that I got to introduce new characters, and those characters are clamoring for their own stories—stay tuned! 

Here is a little bit about the book, and a link to add it to your ereader or get a paperback copy!

Hannah's crush on Kate was one-sided…until tonight.

Hannah has never been happier. With her ex in the rearview mirror for two years now, she’d settled into life in Marley Creek—home to her long-time crush. She’s ready to make a bold move when she’s invited to a party at the striking blonde’s pet bakery.

Kate’s successful business is on the brink of something huge. Then, the drop-dead gorgeous redheaded Hannah kisses her, and Kate questions her no-relationships rule.

Hannah’s life is on standby waiting for Kate’s texts. So, when Kate doesn’t invite her to a meaningful event, Hannah must decide if she is going to walk away or fight for her. Kate is falling for Hannah, but will fear from a past experience keep her from committing?

When Hannah’s ex threatens to destroy her new life, will this couple let the past tear them apart, or will Hannah and Kate fight for a fresh start together?

If you’re looking for a steamy, sapphic small-town romance full of holiday vibes, age gap, and found family, Love and the Three of Cups is perfect for you!

https://a.co/d/bBKJ2Qo

Hope You Got What You Wanted

 
I'm writing this at 6:30 pm on Christmas Eve. Soon our annual viewing of  It's a Wonderful Life  will begin. My plan is to make a plate of charcuterie for dinner and enjoy the classic tale of one person realizing what a difference they can make. 

As the year ends, it's a great time to think about what you want from your life. My plans for 2026 are to seek more joy and less stress. A wise woman recently shared these words with me:

What you celebrate expands.

I love that. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas! I'll be back tomorrow to share my new book!  It's out tomorrow! 

My holiday pasta salad. Aldi's Christmas pasta with roasted garlic oil, white wine vinegar, grape tomatoes, salami, red onions, and green oilives. I was going for Christmas colors! It's very tasty--I'm super pleased with how it worked out!