LaPalm Books

my latest book: NEVER LETTING GO is now available!

2015-04-22T10:00:00.000-04:00

Late last year, I made a decision to let go of one book draft and embrace another. My heart was heavy at the time. Leaving a project is never easy. I am a doer, a taskmaster, a cross-it-off-the-list kind of gal. Once I made the move, however, the frustration and stress dissolved and my once-heavy heart became light. I had a new plan, a better process of creation. I knew I would write another book, just not that one. And I also knew it would be a joy to draft, edit, publish, and share. Never Letting Go has been live on-line for almost a week now, but I postponed the official announcement until a few items were ironed out. There are still many things to do-namely marketing this bad boy-but the time has come, and I am elated.

~NOW AVAILABLE~

NEVER LETTING GO:

romance, suspense, and one woman's wish

for the ultimate do-over

Following a painful separation and divorce, Meredith Bryant seeks a new beginning with her eight-year-old daughter Tara. But the desire to break free and become independent seem impossible when a complicated ex-husband, shared custody, and suffocating in-laws remain deeply embedded in the family picture.

Read the first two chapters with a new BONUS chapter

Purchase in KINDLE or PAPERBACK

Review on AMAZON*

*Feedback is invaluable to an indie author. Not only do reviews help others make purchase decisions, they guide authors on future writing projects. But perhaps more importantly, thoughtful reviews make writers like me and our works more visible in the vast and competitive marketplace of book publishing. A few minutes of your time? Priceless!

preview of my upcoming book!

2015-03-09T12:31:00.000-04:00

Preview my upcoming book! There are still countless things to iron out, namely editing. However, I have worked tirelessly these past months and am confident (or perhaps delusional) enough to set a tentative publication date of May 15th, 2015.

Never Letting Go

a tale of romance, suspense,

and one woman's wish for the ultimate do-over

Slowly and methodically, Meredith works to rebuild and restart, first by moving back to her college hometown in Tennessee. In a city both strange and familiar, she and her daughter settle into a rental on the edge of town and after a series of disappointments, Meredith finds employment and friendships to sustain them both. Feeling more confident and empowered by the day, she opens her mind and life to trying new things and embracing opportunities.

But when long-ago love Jacob Wilde walks back into her life, Meredith is forced to confront the memory and current reality of the heart she once broke. Despite her attempts to avoid him, their paths continue to cross and when her safety is threatened more than once, Jacob not only becomes her protector against a hidden danger but a harsh reminder of what she has lost over the years.

Alone and afraid, Meredith begins to question everything-her ability to parent, the decisions of her past, any plans for the future, and the people closest to her-until one terrifying night she collides head-on with her darkest fears and almost loses it all.

READ THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS

Kindle Cover (draft)

Paperback Cover (draft)

things I lost along the way

2015-02-17T20:29:00.000-05:00

I have never been one to keep score in life. It is too tricky, trying to gauge whether I am coming out ahead or not. And seriously, Life is too fickle and far more powerful so I think it best to take things as they come. However, I was thinking the other day about how much I sacrificed to reach this point in my fledgling career as a writer. What had I given up? And to be honest, I began to make a list. One. Two. Three. Four. It went on. But then I stopped. This is ridiculous, I decided. For though I gave up some things to write full-time, there had to be even more that I gained.

What I believed was lost: time with family and friends. Writing is a solitary sport. There is no one sitting by my side and sharing in the experience. To be in a creative state, I must separate myself from the people who matter and focus on the task at hand. I often say no in order to clear time for a project (or catch up on whatever I ignored while working). In the end, it is me and only me.

What I actually gained: self-awareness. There is a rare happening which comes from spending countless hours alone. I become more in-tune with who I am. I better understand my goals, my dreams. The things I truly want in life rise to the surface because I am limited in how much time and attention I can give them. Writing makes me a better wife and mother. Sharing my work connects me to family, friends, and even strangers on an entirely new level. It is who I am and when people read my work, they immediately know me.

What I believed was lost: confidence in my ability. Whenever I share a new project, my fear of failure increases a thousand-fold. I have that glorious blip of a moment where I shout "it is done, it is here!" and what often follows is pure and humbling silence. There are no ticker-tape parades, no tag-lines on the evening news. I have just invested the whole of myself into a book and no one seems to notice.

What I actually gained: pride in my accomplishment. Regardless of whether someone reads my work or not, I have created a legacy. There is an indescribable pride which comes from knowing I leave my writing behind for my son, his future family, my friends, my relatives. Some day when I am no longer here, they will carry an incredibly unique and personal part of me with them here on earth. I do not write for accolades. I write for others like me who need to know life can be stupid and hard to understand, but it can also be lovely and rewarding.

What I believed was lost: the opportunity to do other things. In order to effectively create, I spend a lot of time drafting, editing, formatting, publishing, marketing, social networking, on legalities, etc. It is not technically a full-time job, but many days it feels like one. There is a delicate balance to the tasks and in the past five years, I have adapted a schedule suitable for our family. But to follow this schedule, I must put off or miss out on other activities. House projects are often the first to suffer, then socializing, and lastly fun.

What I actually gained: an understanding of what truly matters. I no longer worry about saying no to something or someone, particularly if it does not fit the life we envision as a family. I keep distractions to a minimum while I am working, knowing there will come a day when I can focus on them again. I have learned to prioritize and gift what little free time I have to the people and activities which are most needful at the time. My family is what truly matters, not a busy life.

Choosing to share my writing over the years has not always been the easiest decision, but it certainly qualifies as one of the best. Yes, there have been things I have lost along the way, but I would gladly sacrifice portions of my life in order to get something so much greater...

starting over

2015-01-09T09:54:00.000-05:00

Only a few days into the new year, and I have already made a difficult decision with my writing. Late last year, my work focused on a book tentatively titled The Country Wife. This project had originally been drafted early in 2010 and after revisiting it last summer, I became wildly determined to re-write, re-work, and re-do the script with the intent to publish. As the year wore on, however, I realized a terrible thing: I was not invested in it. The overwhelming pull I typically feel to finish a book was nothing but a slight nudge. I loved the story and characters but apparently something was missing. I have no idea what that "something" is, but I do understand this: if I am not thrilled to complete the book, you will not be thrilled to read it. So, after some deep thought over the holidays, I decided to make a clean break. Leave the draft as is and possibly go back to it again. Or not.

Sometimes, the hardest thing to do as a writer is walk away from a project. But when I do, something magical happens. A weight is lifted. Thoughts are clear. Time becomes my own again. I admit to feeling frustration. There is no joy or satisfaction to be found in an unfinished task. However, I am an ardent believer in the power of instinct and follow mine whenever possible. My heart and mind told me to move on. When it is time, it is time. This is right. I can feel it.

Letting go with a clean conscience allows me to embrace another year focused and free for other, long overdue work. Marketing. Online maintenance. And yes, more writing. For while I was releasing one unfinished book, I was plotting a new one. Nothing concrete, but I have begun the process of plot outlines and character development and hope to have something to share soon! And although I have no idea might be in the year to follow, I cannot wait to find out...

what has been and what might be

2014-12-09T22:28:00.000-05:00

Another holiday season is upon us. Days are filled with glad tidings and good cheer, everything appears merry and bright. In many respects, it is the most wonderful time of the year.

I confess. I become overly thoughtful during December. It is the month of my birth which means there is even more cause to celebrate. And of course, Christmas and the New Year take center stage, calling forth cherished memories of my youth and a simpler life on the farm. The brisk air, the elaborate decorations, the scent of cookies and tradition. They pull me back to a place of magic and time of believing.

The wonder. The anticipation. The sheer and complete joy. What a gift to experience all of these things and more through the eyes of my son. He is the reason I do not work on major writing projects during the holiday. I happily procrastinate, ignore, and pretend there is nothing to be done.

The season is a beautiful reminder to pause. Be present in every moment, big or small. Reflect on what has been and what might be. In doing so, I often discover a hidden purpose. Solve problems. Answer questions. Taking a step back provides an opportunity to gain a different perspective, learn what truly matters, and decide what direction to follow.

As a writer, I am at a defining crossroads. For while I am amazed and proud to have published a new book this past spring, my efforts to edit another have fallen short of my desire and expectations. It has been an odd but wonderful year. After a harrowing November of various levels of medical testing, I was once again granted the all-clear from cancer. I had prepared to do battle, trading my survivor mindset for one of a warrior. Yet, simply the fear alone that my cancer had returned led to a halt in all writing. I could not move forward until I finished taking care of Me. Now that is done (for six months at least), I remain rattled and unsure. My current book project is at a complete and total standstill while new stories clog my mind.

Do I continue with one? Begin another? Stop writing altogether? I have not uncovered the answers. Yet. But that is why I love this time of year. I do not need to know. I simply need to dote on my husband, son, and self. It is the season of family. There are greetings to be sent, gifts to be given, cookies to be baked, trees to be trimmed. Memories to be made.

And when the new year finally arrives, I will stand ready to begin again.

Wishing you the merriest of everything and...

just for you: limited time, low book prices

2014-11-14T14:03:00.000-05:00

The season of all things awesome will soon be upon us. Moments filled with family, food, laughter, and love. Memories made, shared, and cherished.

It is also the perfect time to fall - often and deep - into books.

As my gift to you, I have reduced pricing on my titles. These are the lowest prices possible and just in time for snuggling by the fire and holiday giving.

But be sure to act soon, these deals are for a limited time!

Shop Amazon Kindle or Paperback

the paperback prices are low but read further to see how to get 50% off!*

Shop Barnes and Noble Nook or Paperback

Shop Smashwords multi-format eBook

*HOLIDAY PAPERBACK PROMO

via eStore only: receive 50% off all paperbacks!

to order: click on a book cover.
to order multiple titles: click on each book cover. All orders will then be combined into one shopping cart.
to receive discount: in shopping cart, use code 5TBFEMTT to apply discount for all books and follow additional instructions for purchase.
NOTE: this site is not Amazon. You will need to create an account and pay shipping. But even still, these prices are a steal!

Click on COVER
to go to ORDER page

* * * * * Happy Reading! * * * * *

life after cancer: 12 lessons learned

2014-10-15T10:02:00.000-04:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month but for a survivor like me, it is every day of the year. If you or someone you love has been touched by a major illness, you understand its hold is far-reaching, influencing anything and everything most take for granted. Of course, in the past two years of remission I have had highs and lows. Some days are simply better than others and sadly, there is no warning as to which days those might be. But throughout it all, my experience has kept me grounded in reality. Humbled in the miracles of survival. Grateful for second chances.

When I entered the fight against this disease, I had a strong idea of how I must think (positive!), act (proactive!), and feel (optimistic!). However, I had no idea just how much I would learn. And change. In many ways, the lessons learned make me feel an odd sense of debt to my cancer. It taught me to live again. Become an informed participant rather than a spectator. It served as a heady reminder to love harder. It helped me believe in miracles. Never underestimate the strength of the human spirit. I placed my faith in the hands of others, and they did not let me down. Cancer did not simply change who I was ... it created a better version of me.

Lesson 1:

The fear of its return never truly leaves.

Lesson 2:

It is not only important but necessary to laugh at ridiculous things.

Lesson 3:

Nothing (no matter how painful or joyful) lasts forever.

Lesson 4:

Second chances are granted for a reason. Find the reason.

Lesson 5:

I continue to take myself too seriously and that is okay.

Lesson 6:

Doing what I love (writing) has become harder than ever.

Lesson 7:

Nothing is more important than my family and close friends. Nothing.

Lesson 8:

I have not miraculously transformed into Pollyanna. Translation: things still royally piss me off.

Lesson 9:

No one is immune to pain, heartache, or loss so be patient and kind.

Lesson 10:

Things are never perfect, but I am always blessed.

Lesson 11:

Even when life seems to stop, it goes on everywhere around us. Pull strength from the normalcy, its continuity.

Lesson 12:

Anything is possible.

I am not special because I survived cancer, but my story is unique and imperative to how I live my life. The experience demands my respect. And while some may wish to erase the devastation cancer can bring, I view it as worthy of remembrance. I never want to forget.

Every woman is at risk

One in eight will get it in their lifetime

Every thirteen minutes a woman dies from breast cancer

It is the leading cancer death ages 15 to 54

96 percent survive with early detection

It is 100 times more common in women than men

Be informed: The American Cancer Society

Be involved: Stand Up To Cancer

Be the cure: Susan G. Komen

free eBook: SPIRIT

2014-09-23T18:26:00.000-04:00

I adore the books I have written and view each as one of my literary children. From a love of writing, they were born. I tried my best to breathe life into the characters in my head. Make their stories known. Craft something from nothing. They are products of my imagination and experience and as such, each book possesses a unique personality. Has its own needs. During their creation, they asked different things from me, and I did my best to oblige.

But now, when I think about it, I realize one of my books has been woefully neglected. Much like a guilty mother, I believe SPIRIT fell through the cracks, particularly in terms of marketing. You see, Spirit had the terrible luck to be published mere days before my diagnosis with breast cancer. Needless to say, I became preoccupied during that time and the year after. And with the subsequent publishing of two more books, one of my children went without.

So my current dilemma is how to show Spirit that I really and truly care about its happiness. To prove it is equally as important as the others. [To be honest, it is one of my favorites but do not tell my other books I said that. I will totally deny it.] I need to find a way to share its message with more readers, and the only way I can think to do that is to price it as FREE in digital format. And so here it is ... simply click on a link to download your free eBook and begin reading Spirit in minutes.

--Barnes and Noble NOOK

{Don't have a NOOK? Download free reading apps for tablet, pc, phone HERE!}

--Kobo

--Smashwords

{Available for download in Kindle, EPUB, online, and PDF format!}

--Wish you could download from AMAZON?

For now, it stands at its regular price. The free version may or may not appear on their site since it depends on if/when they price-match to other online sites. As of now, this has not happened.

Once you are finished with Spirit,

check out its follow-up Revelations (caution: link contains SPOILERS)!

~~HAPPY READING~~

writer at work

2014-08-25T12:04:00.000-04:00

My son has returned for another school year, which means back to writing for me. I typically begin from complete scratch, crafting a fresh story that brewed in my mind during the spontaneous, sun-baked days of summer. This time is different, however. I face (and embrace!) an entirely new challenge. You see, my latest work-in-progress (WIP) is not really new at all. In fact, it is a finished draft of a story I wrote years ago!

It is interesting to "re-see" a piece I have previously written. Over time, the plot shifts to new levels. Characters grow, merge, and sadly fall apart. Ideas and images abound in a refreshing way. It is as if I am reading it for the first time yet reuniting with a cherished friend. The tricky part of re-visiting an old project is this: the timing must be exactly right. This story patiently waited in my files for four years. Four years. Whenever I cleaned out files, I ignored it. I kept it, however, because my writerly-mind did not believe it worthy of destruction. It was not great, but it was very good. And although it did not shine (no first draft ever does), it held promise.

And so it came to be that I was once again spring cleaning my files when I came across this story. Unlike every other time, I could not ignore it. The pages called to me, and I answered by transferring them to my active folder. Over these summer months, we re-connected. I have jotted pages of notes-what to add, delete, revise. Anxious would not be a strong enough word to describe how I feel. Excited? Yes. Curious? Definitely. A new approach is just what this writer needs. Change is good. Having a rough draft already written is even better. The people and places I stored away years ago now have a path to follow, a purpose. As do I...

Want to know more about my latest project? Sneak peek is coming soon!

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paradise found

2014-07-17T20:04:00.000-04:00

You know it was an epic getaway when coming home (even to a house you adore) is depressing. It has been more than a week since our little family experienced a brief escape from the trappings of daily life, and a day has not passed where I long for those moments of...

RELAXATION

INSPIRATION

TRANQUILITY

CONTENTMENT

BEAUTY

HARMONY

And who could forget the energy, joy, exploration and of course, love.

As I recall the glorious memories we created (many by accident, which are the absolute best), my heart becomes full all over again. It swells, then overflows with immense gratitude. The simple opportunity to disconnect from reality and reconnect with the people I hold dear is the truest form of paradise. And though I miss the warm sand between my toes and the calming music of salty waves, I pause and gaze around my busy home with a smile. Paradise was never really lost, I realize...it can be found every day of the year.

Hope you have found yours...

the hardest time for me as a writer

2014-06-26T16:20:00.003-04:00

The heat of summer is the hardest time for me as a writer.

I have three single-spaced pages of notes to work into a complete (yes, complete!) draft of a new book. The story stands ready to be edited and polished. I stand ready to immerse myself within it. And yet, a war rages inside my head. Thoughts of sunshine and fun do battle with the book upon my laptop. However, I know better than to begin a major writing project in the midst of summer. My son is home. All the time. And like the good mother that I am, I enrolled him for sports camps, swimming lessons, nature classes, and more. Week upon week, we will be occupied (except for a long beach vacation which cannot come soon enough). We are still relatively new to this city, and I got a little scared when I realized he would be home. All the time. Without the comfort of our old neighborhood, friends, and routine distractions. I did not want him to be bored. I did not want to be lonely. But now, he is nowhere close to bored nor am I lonely. Our summer has already been full and spontaneous and glorious. And now here I sit, jotting ideas about characters, dialogue, and plot. I really, really want to work on this project. Really.

But I can't.

I know there are parent/writers who rise before dawn and stay up until the wee hours of night just to make time to work and write. I used to be one of those parent/writers. In fact, I wrote whenever I fancied. And I am not afraid to admit that I sometimes did it selfishly. But I do not do that anymore. I cannot do that anymore. If I learned one thing from my bout with cancer (aside from the obvious reminder that life is precious), it was that my time here and now matters. More than ever before, my moments count. And it is because of this unbelievable gift that I no longer work on a major writing project when my son is home for the summer. He is young. School-aged but young enough to still cuddle while watching a movie, young enough to crave the attention of his parents, young enough to enjoy my company. I cannot fritter those moments away. They can never be recovered. Besides, there will come a time (soon, too soon) when he becomes even more independent and drifts to other people and things. I want him to do that - I want to see him thrive and grow into the amazing young man I witness beneath the surface of his goofy grin. But I also want to be here, in this moment, to enjoy the gift of him. If I write during the summer months when he is here with me (all the time), I fear I might miss something. Or possibly nothing. Regardless, I will not miss it. No regrets, I promised once I rose above the cloud of chemotherapy, surgery, and recovery. No regrets.

So as much as I may want to work, I need my moment in the summer sun - with my son - even more...

there are times when I think I might stop writing

2014-05-22T10:47:00.000-04:00

TRUE CONFESSION: There are times when I think I might stop writing.

This will be my last book, I tell myself. I imagine a life without the creation, editing, publishing, marketing, and headaches which pop up along the way. I disengage from my laptop, dreaming of all the things I could finally do again. Cook elaborate meals which require more time than it does to hit "start". Bake delicious homemade treats rather than run to the bakery. Enjoy long walks. Remodel my home. Tackle the projects I have happily ignored. Perhaps get a real job. Yes, no longer writing books would equal unlimited free time to pursue other activities.

Whenever I complete a book and share it with the world, a strange feeling overcomes me. The first few months are nice. Peaceful, even. I utilize my new found free time to accomplish the big tasks put off in favor of work. Doctor appointments are made and more importantly, kept. Long overdue housework is done. I read books for pure pleasure (oh joy!). I get our little family organized again. I submerge myself in the process of being a wife and mother again. I pamper myself again. I breathe again.

And then...I become lost. Much like an addict, I fidget and become restless. I need to write a blog post, poem, thank you note, grocery list...something! Anything! Of course, I fight the urge as this is usually during the height of summer when my son is home from school. This is our time, and I allow myself spontaneity to not only enjoy his company but the beauty of the season.

But when the temperatures cool and another school year begins, I cannot help but wonder. Perhaps this will be the year that everything stops? Maybe there is not another story in me, I worry. Or even worse, maybe I will no longer feel the comforting pull to write. This might be it, I think, and in that moment a small amount of relief washes over me. I could be free of it! Yet just as I begin to rejoice, my heart fills with dread because I cannot imagine what my life would be if I was to stop writing.

TRUE CONFESSION: I don't ever want to find out.

my book REVELATIONS is available!

2014-04-03T11:59:00.000-04:00

With a happy heart, I introduce the latest addition to the LaPalm Books family!

REVELATIONS: a continuation of Spirit is now available for sale:

Paperback * Kindle * BN * eBook * Read Excerpt

In this follow-up to SPIRIT...

Ten years may have passed, but her innate ability to interact with the spiritual world continues to haunt Ellie Duncan Noble. Determined to overcome the pervasive hold it has over her life, she makes the difficult decision to suppress any and all contact, even if doing so keeps her from someone she loves.

Yet when her daughter begins to exhibit disturbing mystical powers of her own, Ellie is forced to face her private fears and acknowledge the truth about herself and her family. Her path toward personal acceptance quickly turns into one of investigation, however, as she unwittingly delves into the baffling history of her Native American heritage along the way.

With the help of her husband, his dead mother, and an unwelcome visitor from her past, Ellie learns to confront the reality that some things are not only beyond her control but full of hidden, undeniable purpose.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR NOTE

Writing the draft of Revelations came easily. The editing and eventual publishing have been hard. At one time, I even considered hanging it up altogether. Not only with this project but with the whole writing gig. Sometimes there are just too many other things to do. But…when it comes to something we love, we somehow find time. Enjoy.

sneak a peek at my new book

2014-03-22T12:24:00.000-04:00

My latest book, Revelations, is in the final phases of editing. Like every book that has come before, I experience a supreme sense of satisfaction from reaching this stage. Time simultaneously slows down and speeds up as I work to put finishing touches on the draft and prepare it for publishing. I love it. At times, I become giddy with the realization that I have reached another goal. I am *so* close. Just a few steps more, I tell myself. Of course, those steps are giant-size. Big hurdles must be overcome before I can actually share this story. Still, no worries. I am almost there. Even better, I have added an extended excerpt for you to enjoy.

READ first 5 chapters of Revelations!

visit me on PINTEREST

2014-02-18T10:46:00.000-05:00

Did you know my books have their very own PINTEREST Boards where you can...

venture beyond the printed page

enter a visual world of the characters

visit places & spaces much like what I imagined?

Still Life

The Choice Not Taken

Muse: a Still Life companion

Spirit

The Oak Tree

Happy Pinning! :-)

a celebratory Top Ten

2014-01-15T11:55:00.001-05:00

I am not prolific like some writers. Too often my author blog appears lonely, an afterthought to the day-to-day of writing, editing, marketing, and life. But 100 Posts?!? Good golly.

In honor of this occasion (yes, it deserves recognition since I have no idea how long it will take to post another hundred), I have REDUCED PRICES on all Kindle titles. Still Life remains FREE but for a limited time the rest of my books are less than $1.00! Visit my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE to view pricing or download.

For fun I went back in time, re-read each blog post. True confession: some I could not even remember writing but a few...a few I could never forget. So here they are - my TOP 10 POSTS that chronicle the highs, my lows, and every moment in between. Enjoy!

1) inspire and be inspired (May 2010)

2) got guilt? (July 2010)

3) how do you control when you are pregnant? (March 2011)

4) I am an author (May 2011)

5) why I may never self-publish again (November 2011)

6) I am not going anywhere (June 2012)

7) being a writer is a lot like the 2nd grade (September 2012)

8) the greatest works never published (November 2012)

9) my book THE OAK TREE is available! (February 2013)

10) advice I would give to my newbie-author-self (June 2013)

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there are so many more things I can do

2014-01-03T10:58:00.001-05:00

Note: this post is not about writing or publishing or anything remotely to do with books. Simply felt compelled to share...

I have been a bit frustrated, mainly because of my appearance. Do not get me wrong. I am not a self-hater, one with low self-esteem, or prone to self-pity. Rather, my short bout of angst was due to the after-effects of my cancer treatments.

While standing in my closet one morning, I became angered that none (not one!) of my tops fit me in a flattering way. They all lay flat and with no shape, lending the illusion of being a twelve-year-old boy and thus making my entire body appear not-quite-right. This I blame on surgery. Next, I approached the bathroom vanity to style my hair only to find it is not willing nor able to be styled. The texture is not what I had before, and it still hasn't grown out past my ears (making the whole twelve-year-old boy thing even worse). This I blame on chemotherapy. Feeling more than a little miffed, I moved onto the kitchen, determined to cross cleaning off my to-do list. After a brief mopping stint, my arm began to throb and fatigue overwhelmed me. Worried my bicep might swell up like a balloon, I stopped, crying "uncle" for the moment. This I blame on both the surgery and chemotherapy.

I have been reflecting on that hour, those sixty minutes that made me believe I was a less-than version of my previous self. And rather than wallow in misery, I have come to this conclusion. My cancer remission is not about what I cannot do. No. Not one bit. In fact, everything, my every waking moment is about what I CAN DO. I am blessed in more ways than ridiculous things like a proportionate body, good hair, or stamina. There are so many more things I CAN DO.

I CAN:

Enjoy a lingering walk in our beautiful neighborhood
Cheer on my son during his basketball games
Visit loved ones near and far
Chat online with out-of-state friends
Write more untold stories
Read more fascinating books
Hug my unbelievable husband
Listen to my eclectic taste in music
Explore my new hometown and state
Tuck my son in every night and tell him how much I love him
Laugh at my husband's witty observations
See the sunrise from our front sitting room
Teach myself new things
Smell the deliciousness of a fresh-brewed cup of coffee
Hear my son sing in the shower and feel my heart swell up
Breathe in the chilly winter air and watch it float briefly as I exhale
Dine on relaxing dinners out with my husband and son
Bask in the warmth of a cozy blanket, blazing fire, and snuggle of my son
Savor the aroma and delight in a really, really, really great glass of wine
Feel the loving touch of my son and husband's hands in mine
Appreciate the Time I have been gifted

These are actual moments from the past few weeks, but there are countless items I could add to this list. The things I CAN DO are never-ending, infinite in the possibility and joy they bring to my days. Yes, life is different now. There are things I cannot do. And yet, I choose to look on the proverbial bright side and when I do, I find its promise shining so bright, my grateful heart cannot help but turn to the light.

May you find there are so many more things you CAN DO than cannot. And when you do, know I am right there with you...doing it, too.

out with the old, in with the new

2013-12-30T13:10:00.000-05:00

I love the feel of a new year. It is like an old friend. One who promises new beginnings, second chances, do-overs and restarts. Yet still, the close of one year and the opening of another offers us a gentle reminder: count our blessings rather than months. Now is the time to reflect on everything we have done rather than everything we did not. We should relish in our accomplishments while we carve out new challenges. Time has not run out! The countdown to midnight is simply a continuation of seconds which morph into minutes and hours and unbelievable opportunities to stay on course or change direction completely. Which path will I follow in 2014? Both.

HOME This was definitely a year of change on the home-front. Our family moved from one state to another, out of a simple space to a complicated one. And although our belongings have been unpacked and lovingly placed, there is still much to do in the way of improvements and decorating. Even so, I intend to make more moments than to-do lists over the days to come.

HEALTH Unlike 2012, this year has been one of health blessings. I am still in remission, celebrating 17 months cancer-free. My son continues to thrive and grow, shooting baskets with every free moment while my husband enjoys stress-relieving walks on an almost daily basis. Our commitment to caring for ourselves will be upped a notch when we challenge ourselves to give our pedometers a workout and refine our dining habits.

WORK It would appear I did not accomplish much in the way of writing, thanks in part to the distractions of relocation. And yet, I somehow managed to edit, publish, and market The Oak Tree (a contemporary tale of love after cancer). I also carved out enough free time to draft a new novel Revelations (a continuation of my earlier title Spirit). It is my intention to complete editing and have it ready to share by late Spring 2014.

LIFE I am quite proud of the way I simplified multiple areas of my life this past year. In the coming months, I will continue my quest to make living easier and create a life without regret. Efforts to de-clutter my home, my time (detoxing from technology proves to be my biggest hurdle), and my mind has already paid immense dividends. And today presents the perfect opportunity to live simply and simply live!

A year may seem long, but its days are amazingly short. May you count blessings rather than months and make memorable moments to carry you through the new year and beyond!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

an imperfect holiday

2013-12-18T12:34:00.001-05:00

This holiday is going to be epic!

Not because my husband and I spent oodles of hard-earned cash on insanely lavish gifts for our son.

~His haul will be modest.

Not because I have dedicated hours shopping for ingredients and whipping up dozens of scrumptious treats.

~Not one morsel has been baked.

Not because our home is bedecked and bejeweled with colorful Christmas decorations and sparkly lights.

~They are lovely but sparse.

Thanks to our recent move, everything appears a wee bit off-kilter. The routine. This house. Our surroundings. Yep, life is totally and completely out of whack.

And yet, the spirit of the season persists. It has taken hold of my family, begged us to forgo the craziness and stress and relish in the simple joys.

There is nothing unique in the gifts placed beneath the glowing tree yet they radiate magic. So much so, that more than once I have caught my son lying nearby, enchanted by the lights.

I am in no way organized or prepared for the holiday yet I feel more festive than ever. Carols play non-stop, store-bought cookies are consumed, and nightly I enjoy a festival of neighborhood lights from our front window.

Our home appears Perfectly Imperfect. It stands ready for one-of-a-kind moments with family, lazy days in pajamas, heartwarming toasts, comforting meals, and long cuddles by the fire.

Yes, this holiday will be epic because I still Believe...do You?

the simplest of things

2013-11-26T18:40:00.000-05:00

We have been in our new home for a little over three weeks, and life is finally falling back into place. Having done this before, the move from our home state to another was fairly seamless for my family. Of course, there is always the unexpected which pops up, both on the selling and buying end of home ownership and do not get me started on the process of transferring school, medical, personal, household, and overall basic daily needs. As I reflect on the past months, I am amazed to find we have accomplished so many tasks. I also admit to feeling pure relief the 'crazy' has ended, and the simple joys of making a house a home may begin.

I crave routine. Some sense of structure. A plan. More than once over the past three months, I became frustrated. A burning, deep-in-the-bones agony would sweep through me whenever I thought about writing. Yet sadly, there were just too many other, more pressing things to do. And although my bout with illness lessened my stamina, I have also come to a refreshing conclusion: I no longer hold the same beliefs. Most notably, I do not have to do it all nor do I need to care about everything. It is okay, necessary even, to let...things...go. There will be ample time to dedicate to work and such promise guides me. It grants me permission to LIVE IN THE MOMENT, without author guilt and with a grateful heart. So in the spirit of the awesomeness in my little world, I come to you as an author who is thankful for the simplest of things:

FAMILY MEMBERS whose love and support appears to know no bounds.
FRIENDS who bestow upon me the incredible privilege of sharing in their lives.
E-READERS which help make my books accessible to countless people.
FELLOW AUTHORS who listen, motivate, guide, and inspire.
ONLINE RESOURCES which provide an outlet to publish and share my work.
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES which allow random switches between wife, mother, and writer.
FREEDOM and COURAGE to express my ideas in a creative format.
TIME to work at a pace suitable for myself and the needs of my family.
HEALING POWERS of words, characters, and their stories.
NEW BEGINNINGS which often follow a treacherous path but still, somehow, miraculously turn into HAPPY ENDINGS.

Finally, I am thankful for You, the Reader. Because of your confidence, patience, understanding, and enthusiasm, my life has been altered forever. May you and your family find joy in the simple pleasures this holiday and every day.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

change is in the air and a new book excerpt is on my site

2013-09-26T17:34:00.000-04:00

Do you smell that? It is fall. Lovely, lovely fall. One of my favorite seasons and a time of year when my writing transforms, feels re-born. As an author, I thrive during these months. The woodsy scent of change in the air inspires me to finish projects before the new year arrives. But wouldn't you know that once I sent my son off to school and mentally-prepared myself for full-time editing, Life had another plan? So yes, Change is indeed in the air but unlike my 2012 cancer diagnosis, this life moment is a welcome and wanted one.

Our little family will move out of state soon which means the previous weeks were dedicated to preparations for the sale of our current home and the next months will focus on finding a new home to love. My husband, son, and I are over-the-top excited and embrace this new adventure to begin again. But sadly, that means any hope of editing Revelations full-time will be postponed indefinitely. I have carved out time to tweak the first few chapters and though they are far from perfect, I want to share them with you. I will edit whenever time and my addled mind allow with every intention to publish the entire book no later than Spring 2014. I hope you find a moment to read the excerpt and as always, feedback is appreciated. To find out the many ways we can keep in touch, go to my AUTHOR page. :-)

Read Sample Chapters of REVELATIONS

The Latest: School Daze

2013-08-18T12:20:00.000-04:00

It is Back to School in our cozy corner of the world. We have stocked up on supplies, clothing, and high-hopes for the year. My son is ready and so am I.

As a child, I loved the first day of school. The scent of freshly sharpened pencils, a handful of new outfits, pristine folders and notebooks. I adored them. For me, they signified opportunity. This heralding in of another academic year meant I (and every other child) had a chance to begin again. The falling leaves and cooling temperatures equaled adventures. Challenges. Do-overs.

I am excited to return to the basics of schedules and routines. After weeks of web and other online maintenance, I am in the home stretch of my authorial "housekeeping." Some things were overdue, others simply matters needing my attention. And to usher in another season of full-time editing, I became ruthless and eliminated a dozen tasks deemed as time-robbers. If Life is on my side, I will complete the reformatting of all eBooks by the end of this week, thus allowing a few quiet days with my son and husband before school is back in session.

It has been a fantastic summer of road trips, memories, and a precious few lazy days scattered throughout. A part of me will miss it. And yet I realize I cannot stop the inevitable wave of change so I will try my best to not only be prepared, but also welcome it.

RANDOMNESS...

Update: Be on the lookout for an excerpt of my latest Work In Progress...coming soon!

Link: 15 Curious Things Found in Library Books

Quotable:

writing is freedom

2013-07-04T10:39:00.000-04:00

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

For many, the holiday represents cookouts, parades, and fireworks. It is a reminder to glance into a past where brave countrymen and women stood against the forces of oppression. It provides the opportunity to look forward to a world of peace and equality. And yet in the end, the 4th of July is all about freedom. The ability to be, act, and live without fear or judgment. A chance to achieve goals and believe dreams can come true.

I am blessed in countless ways and being an American is certainly one of them. So is being a writer. For though it is not the most lucrative career (or in my case, not at all), writing has granted me the highest level of independence.

With writing, I am liberated from the constraints of an unsatisfactory job.

With writing, I am allowed to express what lies deep within my heart.

With writing, I am expected to explore beyond my comfort zone.

With writing, I am encouraged to better myself and improve my craft.

With writing, I am rewarded with new friendships and valued memories.

With writing, I am the happiest I have ever been in my professional life...

Perhaps another perk of writing is that I can play hooky from the busy-ness of life. Instead, I opt to celebrate this glorious summer day with people I love. I encourage you to do the same...

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resolution revisit

2013-06-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

Every year passes a bit more swiftly, and 2013 is no exception. Moving into the half-way point is an ideal time to reflect on how I felt in month one. Left wondering whether I still feel as committed or inspired, I decided to revisit my original goals. They are condensed here, but you can read the entire Project Reset blog post if you like.

GOAL: Blog Randomly - I had envisioned writing once or twice per month and only when the topic was worthy of my time.I have abided by this goal with little problem. I am not a blogger, I am a writer which makes it fairly easy to push posting further down my to do list. Grade: A

GOAL: Read Constantly - When I re-read this goal, my heart sank. With my energy back (mostly), I spent the bulk of my hours marketing, implementing my business plan, finishing overdue house projects, enjoying my husband and son. Oh, I also wrote another manuscript during that span so though I did finish a few books, I did not read as often as I like. Grade: D

GOAL: Write Wisely - I am happy to say my book The Oak Tree was published more than a month ahead of schedule. Even better, I was able to complete the initial draft of a follow-up to Spirit. Since I typically begin new works in the fall, I did very well here. Grade: A+ (yeah Me!)

GOAL: Simplify - It does not take much to distract me, and the dozen or so writing blogs I subscribe to provide more than enough ideas and tips to keep me occupied. And though too many hours have been dedicated to spreading the word about my writing and myself, it has been time well spent. That being said, I now intend to throttle back and engage in editing my latest WIP full-time. Grade: C

This exercise was a good one. Not only did it give the rare opportunity to look back on the past six months, it has provided the chance to re-focus my energy in the weeks and months which are before me. In the days when I feel frustration (there will be many, I am sure), I will try my best to remember everything I have already accomplished and embrace all that is to come.

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my favorite LaPalm Books time-savers

2013-06-14T10:17:00.000-04:00

Summer break hit our home hard and fast. Only one week out of school and the days are filled with baseball tournaments, practices, and league games. Throw in overdue errands and appointments, daily basketball clinic, another baseball camp, a birthday party, and vacation planning, and this girl is plumb tuckered out. I do not fare well as an over-scheduled parent. I have always been one who prefers to lessen the workload, keep hours open for doing what I love or nothing at all. And now after battling through illness for much of 2012, well...I insist that my life be even more simplified. In the spirit of freeing up moments for the things you love, I hereby pass my favorite LaPalm Books time-savers on to you!

1. Spend the majority of your time on social media?

Like LaPalm Books on FACEBOOK and Follow Me on TWITTER!

Blog posts, giveaways, new releases, and more appear right in your feed. New to my Facebook Page: PINTEREST and TWITTER Tabs allow followers to view boards and tweets all in one place.

2. Prefer to receive news and happenings direct to your inbox?

SUBSCRIBE to blog posts and SIGN UP for FREE mailings!

Get the latest blog posts delivered to the email address you specify or via a feed burner. Missed my newsletter debut? Read a SAMPLE.

3. Want a thoughtful gift without spending a dime?

Give a one-on-one book club!

This idea appeared on a simplification blog I follow, and I immediately fell in love with the concept. The excerpt is merely an example of what you can do...tailor the "gift" to your recipient and occasion.

[excerpt from http://bemorewithless.com/ventures/]

The mother-daughter book club: My favorite Christmas gift came from my daughter. She recognized that I didn’t want “stuff” and she knew that what I really wanted was more time with her. She gave me a mother-daughter book club. We read a book and then plan an activity like going out to lunch to talk about it. We recently read The Great Gatsby and finished by going to dinner and seeing the movie. I hope you’ll use this gift idea for someone you love.

4. Something I intend to make time for?

Gratitude.

I do not give a shout out to my followers and supporters enough so starting today I will send random thank yous. And though they may arrive via private message, in a blog post, as a status update, or possibly a tweet, the heartfelt appreciation will remain the same. Some may even come attached with a little something extra so be on the lookout for your name!

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