​ I was thinking about this year's Thanksgiving newsletter and how I wanted to approach it. A lot has happened this year with Hurricane Helene, the tension from the election cycle, and managing finances (or lack thereof). I'm sure you've had your share of hard times to go through, so it may be hard to be thankful while you're dealing with family and life issues. However, I found this quote about Thanksgiving, and I would like to share it with you.

Maybe some of you have the Thanksgiving tradition of gathering around the table and have each person say what they're thankful for. I remember doing that and it really makes you stop and think about what you have. The dictionary defines "thankful" as expressing gratitude and relief. When we express our gratitude for what we have it puts a new appreciation in our heart for the things and people in our lives. When you start counting your blessings, you may realize that you have more reasons to be thankful than you thought at first. For me, my top three are my faith, my mom, and my friends 
 
I have always considered Thanksgiving an important holiday and not just because of all the good food I get to eat. For me, it's a time to reflect on what I have and, as the quote says, how to make it count by sharing it with others. So, this year I hope you get to gather around a table, loaded with food, with family and friends - look around that table and take a moment to think about all you have. Thanksgiving is a time to bring families and friends together, no matter if yours is big or small. I will be with my mom and my boy, Dakota, next to the desserts. 
​Until next time...

My post for today is a quick update on the status of my different writing projects. I've spent the past 6 months really focused on writing, and I'm really pleased with the progress I've made. My first novel, "Tell Me Everything", is in the editing phase and I hope to have it published either April or May of 2025. I'm still working on the cover for this book, but I think it's coming along nicely. I've also written my next two Kathy Hamilton Mysteries: "Bad Gamble" and "Don't Look Back." I wasn't sure that I could write two books back-to-back...that's a lot of time and mental energy. However, they are both completed, and I am happy with how they turned out. I still have to work on the cover ideas of these books, but there's time for that.  For my non-fiction books, I am starting to work on my next project which will be a Bible study about David. This is something that I've wanted to do for some time and I'm excited to finally get to it. 

It's been hard to run ads and promote sales with the economy such as it is...which is another reason why I decided to focus more on writing. Paper and pens won't break my budget and now that I have plenty of books done...I'm hoping that the economy will improve soon and I can return to promoting sales again. I'm still trying to get my first audiobook done, but that particular project is on the backburner for now. Too many details to figure out and I'm still weighing my options. Anyway, just wanted to give a quick update on what's coming up and I can't wait to get these books published and share them with you all.
​Until next time...

For today's blog, I just wanted to share a quick bit of news. Today is my 4-year anniversary of being an author. On November 10, I sent my first Kathy Hamilton mystery to the publisher. I was so nervous and excited to finally be able to send my stories off. I could never imagine that so many people would enjoy my stories and tell me how wonderful my books are. Anyway, just wanted to share a quick shoutout and here's to another year as an independent author.