Fall Back, November is Here!

 

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 an
d 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.

Did you have a good reading month? Here is my October reading:

I enjoyed the Santaland cozy mysteries series by Liz Ireland in October and now I'm on the newest one. Sniff, sniff, almost done. I'll miss Mrs. Claus and her sleuthing. Yesterday I was an author at the reader event Meet Me in Milwaukee. It was a very fun way to spend Halloween day. Milwaukee is a great town for anyone who likes to read. I love meeting and talking to readers. I managed to only buy one physical book, which is huge for me. This is probably due to the fact, there were lots of readers and I didn't have time to wander!  I also picked up an audiobook, I'm listening to my new audiobook today. It's called The Body Trail, by A.L. Wilder.

She was never just telling stories.
She was being heard.

Layla Sinclair built a career on darkness—chronicling the minds of murderers, dissecting their methods, their motives, their madness. Her true crime podcast, The Body Trail, has captivated thousands. But beneath her calm narration and clinical analysis lives a deeper hunger—one she’s never dared speak aloud.

Until someone starts listening too closely.

When a string of ritualistic murders eerily echo the fictional cases Layla once created, she finds herself spiraling into a terrifying intimacy with a man who may be more than just a fan. Dr. Julian Langley is brilliant, magnetic, and just as fascinated by violence as she is. Their connection is undeniable. Their chemistry, lethal.

As the body count rises and her name enters whispered conversations among detectives and doubters, Layla must decide:
Is she the profiler, the muse… or the next offering?

********
How was your Halloween? 

Halloween Week! The Sunday Post!

 

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 an
d 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.

Halloween week isn't really a thing, but I'll take all the made-up joy that I can find! Today I'm reading In the Company of Witches. It's the Cozy Mystery Book Club October pick and so far it's fun! What are you reading this week?  On the TV we started watching "From" it is very good and has a nice spooky atmosphere. 

This week I also figured out how to do a preorder of my upcoming release directly from me. I have readers that highly prefer getting the paperback vrs. ebook and would rather buy from *not amazon* so now they can buy directly from me! 

Here is the my book with the finally finished official official blurb:

https://beventi.co/orderform/musmtfrpfg

A single mom working too hard. A burned-out dad looking for direction. When they reconnect two decades after high school, will an old spark become a new flame?

Liz Gant keeps herself busy hiding her loneliness. Preoccupied with her three boys and juggling bills, the overwhelmed admin assistant doesn’t dwell on the past … until she takes her oldest son to freshman orientation at her alma mater. And when nostalgia tugs her to visit her old locker, she’s stunned to see her former crush doing the same and feels the pang of unrequited love strike hard and fast.

Dylan Grameley fears he’s lost his way. Struggling to adjust to suburban life and giving up his company, the stay-at-home divorcee is pleasantly surprised to discover the awkward girl he knew during his senior year has turned into a gorgeous woman. And as he watches her excel at solo-parenting, he can’t help but hope that their coffee dates and PTA discussions could lead to something more.

Although Liz finally found someone who values her thoughts and opinions, she can’t stop worrying that she isn’t enough for such an accomplished man. And while Dylan is drawn to her ability to savor everyday experiences, he grapples with saying no to his former job and its time-consuming requests.

Will this couple leave their desires in the past or choose a more worthwhile future together?

Of Lockers and Love is the heartwarming second book in the Marley Creek later-in-life romance series. If you enjoy relatable characters striving for redemption, single parents, and later-in-life stories, then you’ll love Victoria Hamel’s steamy tale.

Buy Of Lockers and Love to rediscover hope today!

Read less

This Week the Sunday Scaries are the Monday Scaries! #TheSundayPost

 

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 an
d 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.

I'm extra relaxed today because there is no school tomorrow. Yay! My only 'must-do' tomorrow is go get accupuncture done. That involves lying down in a dark room for 20 minutes after the little needles are placed so it's very relaxing. 

Do you love holiday reading?  I do and that is part of why I'm dong the Ho-Ho-Ho-RAT again this year!

I splurged and ordered the hardback copy of Leslie Meier latest Lucy Stone book and I'm saving it to kick off the read-a-thon! 

Do you have anything on your TBR you are saving to read? 

Lower Humidity. The Sunday Post

 

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 an
d 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.

This past week we've enjoyed low humidity—which is my favorite summer weather. We had some rain, but overall the daytime weather has been nice. Hopefully, this doesn't mean September will be in the nineties. Our school has been under construction, and I'm in one of the new classrooms where it is freezing cold. I've been wearing a sweatshirt, and it's still cold!

I'm working on edits and the cover for Of Lockers and Love. This week I found a local graphic artist who will be making some character art for me at an affordable price--without AI. 

I finished reading a few books that I enjoyed. How was your week? Read anything good? Or watch something new?

Here is my cover teaser graphic-- I struggle with marketing my books through tropes. I feel like the more I write, the less my books fit in neat trope boxes, and I think that's a good thing. 

I read this via KU

I'm a lucky girl and I own a signed copy of this one.

I used an Audible credit and it was worth it!

Oh No! August is Here! #TheSundayPost!

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.

Audrey Hobart

Between Friends at Lollapalooza 

I went with my daughter and her friend to Lollapalooza. We had a good time, saw all the musicians we wanted to see. My daughter said we should go see Audrey Hobart and I'm glad she did. She is a quirky singer-songwriter. Since I'm part of the oldest cohort going to Lollapalooza, I notice all the old people like me and this year there was quite a few of us!

And now it's August and going back to school is right around the corner!Ack! I have my first day of school shirt ready, so there is that. 

Writing-wise, I'm making good progress on my revising, and I have my boxed set ready for release this Thursday! Yay!

I've been using Pinterest to make boards of books I want to read, recipes I want to try, and shows I want to see. The process makes me feel organized. 

How was your July month of reading? Here is what I read:

 

The Sunday Post--The End of July, Already?

 

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.

We got to enjoy some cooler weather this week and no smoke, so it was a lovely time to be outside. We finally got our gazebo put up and now have a place to sit outside and enjoy our back yard w/o worrying about sunburn.

This week I finished my rough draft and now it's time to revise, revise, revise. 

I've been trying very hard to cook at home and to avoid carry out--especially since I'm on summer break. But now going back to school looms and I'm looking for recipes that are easy to prepare or can be prepped the night before. Do you have any go to dinner recipes?  Please let me know!

My gazebo and my dog:

My heirloom atomic grape tomatoes are ripening! They will be purple when ripe!

Newsflash Arizona in July is Hot! The Sunday Post

  

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.

I hope you had a nice week. Today we are back under an air quality alert. We have had our air running basically 24/7 this whole summer between the excessive heat and now poor air quality. I'm very glad we got solar a few years ago. Because of that our electric bill was $20. I don't even want to know what it would be if we didn't have the solar offset. 

Speaking of heat. I was in the Phoenix, Arizona area with my husband this week. He had a work trip so I got to go with. It was ridiculously hot. Like the surface of the sun hot. Like it was too hot to walk 10 steps to the pool barefoot. LIke it was too hot in the pool by 2pm hot.

It sure is pretty in Arizona. When you are inside it's hard to believe how hot it is outside. Living in the desert is not for me. 

August is quickly approaching. I got myself a new planner and set up a school year countdown. LOL 

How was your week? I finished a few books on vacation!

I'm ready to start the school year next month.

I Don't Even Want To Think About It! The Sunday Post

 

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.

This time next month I'll be back to school. YIkes! This week I'm going on a business trip with my husband. I haven't flown in ages. The passport I got earlier this year is going to be put to use.

This past week I read some books, did writing sprints, used my pool, and went on a charity garden walk. How was your week? 

I'm working on this cozy mystery challenge for 2026 

Here are a few pictures from the garden walk!

Oh Hi July! The Sunday Post

 

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 heat and humidity continues so I go for a walk in the morning and then I hop into our new pool. It's delightful!

I have been doing writing sprints with Sisters in Crime every morning and it's so fun to get that part of my day done in one compact hour. This leaves me plenty of time to clean the house and do laundry---hahahhaha no. I mean more time to read! 

What have you been reading?  Here is what I'm in the middle of this week:

The Sunday Post Now It's Really Summer!

 

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.

Look at the bounty from my garden! And it's not even July. I planted earlier than I usually do, and it worked out. 

Here is how it's growing:

I did a book signing at Partners In Crime bookstore in Chicago, this is one of the cozies I picked up. 

Now that summer school is over, my plan is to wake up and enjoy a book and coffee in my backyard.  We are on the brink of an extremely hot week and I hope my garden doesn't suffer. I am going to water, of course, but there isn't much else I can do. 

I got borrowed this audiobook from the Queer Liberation Library and it is so good. I'm halfway done at the moment!  How was your week? 

 

The Sunday Post! The Last Day of May!

  

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.

Much to my surprise, this summer looks like it will be the summer all three of the kids are back home. This is fine as my husband and I have always believed if they can live here while they find solid employment, then great. Kid #1 has paid off all student loans and is going to work on a master's degree. Kid #2 is moving back home after working 2 years post-college at a job that didn't pay enough to live on, but was in his field, and Kid #3 just graduated. 

I don't regret moving out when i did, but in hindsight, I should have lived at home after high school. 

This week is our last week of school. Will be sad to see my little nuggets finish the year? No. Will I think of them fondly from time to time over the summer? Yes. Will I run into them over the summer break? Possibly!

Another week of reading and writing for me. This week I read a very good YA book. I think it is also appropriate for 6th grade and above. If you have a young person in your life, pick this book up for them!

Continuing on my young reader reading, I picked up a copy of Tiffany Jackson's book Blood in the Water. It's an excellent middle-grade mystery book. 

The Sunday Post! May has been a long month--but...

 

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.

We are down to the final days of school. Three days this upcoming week and three the week after. I think the entire staff is surviving on coffee fumes at this point. I know I am. I wound up with an infection this week and had to take an antibiotic. I learned the hard way that one of the side effects of Bactrim is anxiety. Oh my gosh it was awful. I couldn't think!  Fortunately, I was able to get a different antibiotic and feel much better. 

I had to take a few days off writing my book becasue I didn't have the energy to think. I'm hopeful today I'll be able to get some writing done. This week my reading of books continued. I think I might be on a long streak of reading losts of books and I am excited!

My raised beds as of 5/13. We will see how it grows!

And here are the books I read:

This was a 3 star read for me. I didn't like the ending. Your mileage may vary!

I found this to be a delightful cozy and I enjoyed learning more about sewing!

This book was so good! I loved it!

I enjoyed this one. Reacher made mistakes but it all worked out in the end.