Three beautiful winners

So I'm really setting a record - three blogs in less than two days - but I couldn't let this go. Some things are just too exciting. One of the winners from my first contest as a writer, Amber Homer from Boise, Idaho, sent me a picture this morning of two of her beautiful daughters holding the books she won last month. They ended up on the cover of a literary magazine - Books 'N Pieces - that everyone should check it because it's amazing with author interviews, short stories and deals galore each month.  http://booksnpieces.com/A/2018/11/another-happy-js-ririe-books-winner/

I love doing things for others, but time and distance often prevent me from getting as involved as I would like. Sponsoring contests and sharing my work is one way I've found for keeping in touch. My hope is that my books will be entertaining, uplifting and thought-provoking. Much thought is given to each character in my stories. Even the more villainous ones have redeeming qualities. Hope your day has been great. I know mine has. You could be one of the next winners by signing up for my newsletter at http://eepurl.com/dCPYVf before December 31.  Each person who does s will receive a digital copy of Indecision's Flame book. There are also 4 print proof copies of the same book to be given away at the end of month. I'd love to be giving them to you.

Old Dogs - New Tricks

So here I sit in my office tonight unable to sleep as often happens these days. I suppose it's because I've been wondering the past few hours why it took a good friend who has been in the publishing business for many years drawing a literal diagram earlier today about the fundamentals of how the Internet works when it comes to interfacing between various public domain platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Blogging sites before I understood, even in part, how they all fit together. 

I used to consider myself fairly intelligent and able to pick up on things quickly, but that was definitely before the technological boom of the past few years. Things are changing so rapidly I know I'll never be able to keep up. So why did I decide going into Indie publishing was such a good idea five months ago? I'm one of the baby boomers who has now retired but who doesn't want to quit growing, learning, chasing my dreams and being receptive to new challenges. Is essence, I want to be more like my grandchildren who pick up a cell phone and can use every app without having to think about it.

I fear I'm not alone in that desire. I stood behind a lady at Walmart last week who was trying to pay for her groceries using an app on her cell phone. She was about my age and while she'd done it once was having a difficult time figuring out how to do it agin. She finally gave up and pulled out her Debit card. It made me feel a little bit better about how slowly my brain processes things it's not used to, but it made me sad too because I know I'll never catch on to new things like I once was able to do. Good thing I was taught to never give up because I'm not going to. I'll keep reaching towards the stars until the day I die. I hope you feel that way too. 

That's why I'm so glad Betrayal - Indecision's Flame - Book 4 is finally out, and I'm offering a free digital copy of book 1 in the series to everyone who signs up for my newsletter between now and December 31 at http://eepurl.com/dCPYVf 

I'd love for you to join in the fun. 

Welcome to Christmas and Betrayal

Hope everyone has their running shoes on. I know I do. The stores are already packed, we've had our first snowfall, and book 4 in the Indecision's Flame series is now out. Can't get much better than that this last week of November. Here's a short recap of what Brylee is up to next in Betrayal.

Despite a fractured heart over Jake leaving the ranch, Brylee must forge onward in support of her cousin, Molly, who has suddenly decided to get married, inviting Beth to be her maid of honor. Helping to plan an unexpected wedding is prickly, but the reception is even worse when Jake’s appearance confirms what she has known all along. Tension and violence quickly ignite in the outback when a nugget of gold is found on a neighboring homestead and a man is killed for not revealing its source, forcing Brylee and Jake to put aside their differences and pretend to get along as they are pulled deeper into a web of misunderstandings, cover-ups and danger. A desperate ride down a mountain on a saddle less horse helps Brylee arrive at an important deduction that could alter her future, but will providence intervene before she can make good on a promise? Every hope for her future is put to the test. 

Hope this season brings everything you desire but never forget what we're truly meant to celebrate. Christ's birth and life brought us gifts we should never take for granted.

Winners of contest

So happy to announce the winners of my first drawing. Amber Homer and Krystall Hawkins will each receive autographed copies of books one and two in the Indecision's Flame series. I would also like to thank everyone who entered. It's not easy starting on a new journey of discovering what I can do, but the support I've received has been awesome. We all need that, regardless of our journey through life. If you have an experience about something that has really changed you or how you view life, I'd love to hear about it. Keep reading and stay happy.

Book Trailer

Just finished creating my first book trailer. https://youtu.be/j9RdUcNoRkk
Wasn't at all sure I could do it, but with some awesome help, I got it done. As a writer it's fun to take a break and try something new with the creatively genes, but it was definitely out of my comfort zone. I've decided that trying new things isn't always bad, even if it is confusing and difficult at times. My next task is figuring out how to link it to this sit. Help with that would be much appreciated. Hope your day is going well.

"Exposed" is out

The best part of my day is knowing that I accomplished something important. It doesn't always have to be work related, but that certainly helps increase my own confidence level. My greatest joys come from serving others and helping them feel good about themselves. But after two days of being sick with having had a root canal that ended up with the tooth being pulled because there was a crack in it, I'm more than happy to say that "Exposed" book 3 in the INdecision's Flame series is now available in both eBook and print formats. To celebrate I'm giving away signed copies of books one and two. The drawing will take place on the 25th of this month. Hope lots of people will take advantage of it.

Here's a little synopsis of how Brylee's story advances in "Exposed". Hope it peaks your interest because it's just the touch of the ice berg when it comes to all that happens.

With LeAnn gone from the ranch because she is unable to accept her husband’s death, and the aftermath of the flood to deal with, Brylee is forced to assume more responsibility than she is prepared for in raising her little brother, Trevor, and trying to keep the family heritage intact. Her troubles deepen when a secret she was keeping from her fiancé is revealed through an unexpected source, and she must learn to accept the fact that her feelings for Jake, the incorrigible, yet handsome ranch hand and family member who has the uncanny knack for seeing into her heart as no one else has been able to do, not even Ben, are beginning to change. A chance encounter on the beach proves just how much she has to fear. Uncle Ned delivers unsetting news about the fate of the ranch, and LeAnn learns about a priceless gift that turns the family upside down and causes Brylee to accept the reality that her life may never turn out the way she planned. Could a bleak present become an even more desolate future? 

Happy reading. Let me know what you think.

Vacation fun

Just got home from spending time with my sister. We always go to Branson, Missouri because we love it there and have so many friends among the entertainers. If you've never been, there's something for everyone to do, especially the kids. Not only is Silver Dollar City - a giant amusement park like none other you've ever seen - available to keep everyone entertained, but the entire town has added water slides, bumper cars, miniature golf, budgie jumping, helicopter rides and just about anything a person could want to do. There's also great food and amazing shows. We saw Michael Bolton. It was nice to see that everyone ages,

but he or she can still do what they love and be good at it.