My entry today is going to be a little different...I've been obsessed with Dateline: Secrets Revealed crime show for the past two months. It comes on Monday - Thursday and every day when I get home after work, I get my dinner ready and sit down for the food and true crime.  It is fascinating to me to hear the different stories and how the killers tried to get away with the crime. Who knows there might be a few story ideas in the midst of all this.  I have learned quite a bit about how detectives go about solving crimes and just watching how people behave and react to different situations. Anyway, that's the main thing on my mind. I am in the process of getting some promotional and advertising things setup for my new mystery book, but right now I just wanted to share my new obsession.
Until next time....

Well, after months of writing, editing, proofreading, and designing my latest book, The Fatal Truth, is finally ready to be sent to the publishers. I am so excited and relieved that it's finally ready to be sent off. It will be ready for purchase sometime in July, so keep your eyes peeled for the next book in the Kathy Hamilton Mystery series.  Book four will continue the mystery of who killed Kathy's mother plus an exciting new case that Kathy will have to solve. There are plenty of twists and turns, and you don't want to miss it.  If you want the latest news and info about my books and what's happening just sign up for my newsletter and you won't be caught in the dark. Newsletter Sign-up
Until next time...

​I have been very preoccupied lately, my fourth Kathy Hamilton Mystery is almost ready to send to the publishers and I am very excited. I can't wait to finally get this book out there! I've also made some updates to my website and I am working on my next book project that, hopefully, will be ready this November. Next year, I hope to get some of my Kathy Hamilton books in audiobook and that will give me extra time to write my first single novel and start a new series. So, there's a lot going on and maybe I'll get a break soon. However, I have to say that I enjoy creating these stories and when I'm writing it doesn't seem like work at all. Anyway, on a completely different note, I recieved the nicest compliment about my Ruff Rewards book the other day and it just really made me day. It is so rewarding to hear from readers how much they enjoyed the books that I've written. So, just a quick update about what I'm up to and what's coming up. 
Until next time....

For this blog post I thought that I would share one of my On-the-Scene newsletter articles. This article was for my April newsletter.
What inspires you?
I was trying to write my inspirational article for my newsletter, and this is what came to mind. These are just some of my thoughts on what ‘something inspirational’ could be.

What inspires you? Is there something or someone that gives you a feeling of enthusiasm to do something? For me, I might see or read about something that somebody did that inspires me to go about my day in a better frame of mind, but really, it's the little acts of kindness that stick with me. Acts of kindness showed to someone not because they should but because it was the generous thing to do. A lot of the time they go unnoticed, probably because we're too busy, to see them. However, they do still happen, but if you are in doubt about that then why not be the inspiration yourself. Instead of waiting to be inspired by something great, why not be the inspiration yourself. At a time when so many are stressed, tired, and confused why not take a moment to show some kindness to someone. Who knows maybe your act of kindness will inspire them to do the same.
If you like what you've read, then sign-up for my newsletter here. 
​Until next time...

​ A few random thoughts for this post. First, I have created an Author Facebook page for my penname Elisabeth Casteen. I'll probably use it mostly for advertisement purposes, but I'll post my new releases and information as well. It's something I've been thinking about for quite a while and the only reason I hestiated was that I would be adding another thing to my plate. But you gotta do what you gotta do.  I have also just finished editing my fourth Kathy Hamilton mystery, The Fatal Truth. Now, I feel I could sleep for months...it's so tedious and exhausting. So relieved that part of the process is over. I am still in the process of trying to schedule some book events for this year, not sure if I'll increase the number from last year. I'm going back-and-forth between online advertising and book events - how my money would work best basically. Everyone has an opinion about this...still trying to form mine. So, like I said just a few random thoughts this time. 
Until next time....

​A few random thoughts for this post. First, I have created an Author Facebook page for my penname Elisabeth Casteen. I'll probably use it mostly for advertisement purposes, but I'll post my new releases and information as well. It's something I've been thinking about for quite a while and the only reason I hestiated was that I would be adding another thing to my plate. But you gotta do what you gotta do.  I have also just finished editing my fourth Kathy Hamilton mystery, The Fatal Truth. Now, I feel I could sleep for months...it's so tedious and exhausting. So relieved that part of the process is over. I am still in the process of trying to schedule some book events for this year, not sure if I'll increase the number from last year. I'm going back-and-forth between online advertising and book events - how my money would work best basically. Everyone has an opinion about this...still trying to form mine. So, like I said just a few random thoughts this time. 
Until next time....

Not too much to write about today. I've been going through the edits for my latest mystery, The Fatal Truth so that's been taking up most of my time. However, I did want to mention an awesome comment I got the other day. I was at the library and saw one of my readers at the front. He had checked out my third book a few days ago, so I just wanted to say hi. He told me that he had already finished my book and couldn't wait for the next one. We started talking about some of our favorite authors and then he told me that I was his new favorite author.  That complement really made my day and it's things like that that really help me to keep going, especially when I get bogged down in tedious book edits or a book event doesn't go as well as I would've liked. Anyway, just wanted to mention that and to say thank you for all the wonderful complements that I have received from readers. It means more than you could ever know.
​Until next time....

Just a few things on my mind as I'm writing this. I've started my first carousel ad for my Kathy Hamilton Mystery series on Facebook. I've always wondered if carousel ads or single-image ads are better. It's nerve-racking making sure you have the right image that will resonate with readers, so that they will notice the book that you've spent so many hours on. To me, running ads is more of an art than a science. I don't think there's a magical formula for it to work every time. I think sometimes you just have to get lucky, and hopefully your ad will connect with potential readers amidst all the other things running across their screens. Anyway, I have also been trying to find book deals and leads for my newsletter each month, and so far, I think I've done pretty well. However, sometimes the deals I find run out just after my newsletter comes out which is, to say the least, not ideal. Just another thing to think about (as an author) and try to come to a 'sensible' solution for. Lastly, I have started outlining my first psychological thriller novel and I'm very excited and nervous about this project. On one hand I want it to turn out well and on the other I'm hoping that I'll do it the justice it deserves. So, the only thing to do is to jump in and see what happens. Anyway, I guess that's all for now.
Until next time....

Well, my book giveaway is finally over and the winner this year is...Brandi Lynn of NC. I am so thrilled with how it turned out this year! I saw more participation than last year and even got some new readers involved. I enjoyed reading the giveaway responses and learning what kind of readers responding to my giveaway. So, I'll be sending the giveaway prize off and I hope that my giveaway will grow next year. The giveaway prize was a choice of one of my books plus a reader gift basket which included a tote bag, cup, a pair of fuzzy socks and more.  Maybe if my giveaway grows enough, I'll be able to giveaway more prizes...who knows? I've also noticed that my Facebook page is growing and I'm getting more followers which is very exciting! I am looking forward to this new year and seeing where my author journey takes me.
Until next time....

As an author, I am constantly reminded and urged to have a social media presence.  Now when it comes to social media, the big three come right to mind: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Three very different platforms that are all very important and require a lot of time to do 'it right'. I find myself scrambling a bit trying to figure out how to come up with interesting content for all three platforms. Just the other day, I received a message from Facebook that my posts were now 'more visible' because I had, somewhat by chance, consistently posted engaging content. Needless to say, I was happy that I had managed to figure out at least one of the platforms. I think the thing I enjoy most about my social media pages is seeing how people react or comment on my posts. What we have in common, mostly our love for books and reading, and the fact that they believe I have something to say. It is not about agreeing but sharing a point of view. Everyone may not understand my enthusiasm for all things Jane Austen, but that's ok just as long as we all share a love of reading and realize the importance of it in our lives. So, I am still in the process of figure out how to make social media work for me and have the time for all three platforms so that readers know about me and my books. I guess with everything else......it's  a work in progress.
​Until next time.....