Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Slowdown

Or is it a slowdown?

Maybe because I started working on two projects at the same time, something I've never done before, but I'm experiencing a bit of a slowdown these past couple of weeks. In all likelihood, that's going to push back the release date for my Consuelo Vazquez women's fiction, which in turn may also slow down my WIP under another name.

One good thing to come from that is that I'll soon be working on a Connie Keenan sweet novella, which may or may not come out before the women's fiction. Another good thing, and this is on a personal rather than a professional level, I've begun practicing yoga. More on that later, but I'll be updating news on both my women's fiction and romantic novella in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, CRYSTAL WAVES, my newest Christian novel, is now available on Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, KoboBooks, Apple & more.

Happy Reading!

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Over 50 & Loving It

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness." - Proverbs 16:31, New International Version

You can't tell by the recent picture on the left, but I have a LOT of gray in my hair. I'm one of those chickies who's been a blonde, a redhead, a brunette, and a brownette (is there such a word? My hubby and I have debated it, but I KNOW, for a fact, that I heard it in a shampoo commercial some years ago). Even in my 20s, I changed my hair color from time to time, sometimes getting a frosting.

The last color I put in my hair was an ash blond (you can see it in my promo pic on my blog, which is due to be changed soon). That was over a year ago. Since then, I've had my hairstylist slowly cut out the blond until it's returned to its original brown.

With...many strands of silver, more of which are popping up every day, with my 55th birthday right around the corner.

Recently I mentioned that to a nurse during my last doctor's visit. She had even more silver in her hair than I do, with a long bob that showed it off something adorable. When I complimented her, she proudly told me she'd stopped coloring her hair two years ago, and that she loved her gray. She added with a smile, "I deserve it. I've earned it. I love it!"

The writer of Proverbs would paraphrase her words to say, "I've earned my crown of splendor." That's such a lovely way of looking at it.

Not everyone reaches this age. In a culture that celebrates youth and treats aging like something to be ashamed of, something that's quite not that attractive, it's sorta rebellious and sassy to say, "No, I'm not going to tint or bleach my hair just because society says I'm supposed to look like I'm 20 or 30 forever." Tragically, there are people who, either through hard living or illness or some other heartbreaking circumstance, are taken from this earth much too soon.

Then there are some of us who have lived long enough to get gray in our hair. Not because we're better than anyone else. By the grace of God, we're here to tell our stories. We get to grow old while still being young at heart. We don't know how many years we have left in this life, but we're determined to enjoy them and live them to the fullest--again, by God's grace.

I could change the color of my hair, becoming a blonde or a redhead or a brunette, but that won't make me 25 again. Wearing a size 2 bikini won't make me 25 again, either. I don't want to be 25 again. Age really is just a number. In this life, regardless of what society dictates as beauty, we're meant to go forward, to mature, to grow.

I'm looking forward to the day when someone compliments my silver hair. My answer will be, "Thank you very much. I've earned it. I love my crown of splendor!"





Wednesday, March 4, 2015

New Cover for CRYSTAL WAVES

Since I've been an indie author, I've only changed a cover once before (and that was for GLIMMERS OF HEAVEN).

Thought I'd give my readers a sneak preview of the new cover (with Carissa Brilhart's character, the reporter, depicted here, looking out and photographing the ocean). This will be the new cover as of next Monday.

And still at work on the new Consuelo Vazquez, but thought I'd check in to fill you in on this news.

Ciao & see ya later!

Monday, March 2, 2015

Updates for March--So Far

Happy March!

Never thought I'd do this, but I'm actually working on TWO books at the same time, one under Consuelo Vazquez and the other under another pen name. That's why I've been rather lax in updating this blog, but checking in to give some news.

First, if you haven't heard, ONE SWEET DAY has been on a free promotion on Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and other channels. The promotion was supposed to end yesterday. I've decided to give it another couple of days, so the promotion will end on Wednesday, March 4. If you haven't read this Christian mainstream novel, then make sure to get your copy.

Onto Consuelo Vazquez: The new book is humming right along, though as I said, it's been interrupted here and there by another project. We're still look at an April release, but it could be going into May at some point. Bookmark this blog for an excerpt, the cover reveal, and more news.

Last but not least, somewhere along the way I'll be putting out a romantic novella under Connie Keenan. This *may* be out in April or May. Check back for that cover and more news, too.

And again--don't miss ONE SWEET DAY. Own it today!