It's a Blue Moon

 This month, on Wednesday August 30, 2023, there will be a Blue Moon.  I've always loved that term as  my mother used it often when she would say something only happens 'Once in a Blue Moon.'  And one of my favorite songs is Blue Moon, a melancholy love song..  

If you're unfamiliar with the term, it means there will be a second full moon in the same month and as it happens that is only a few days away.  But this moon is special because it is also a Supermoon, meaning it is the closest to the Earth that it has been all year.  So look to the skies on Wednesday for a spectacular view of the moon, and say hello to the 'Old Man' for me.  In the meantime, catch up on your reading of  A Slip in Time and so you can move on to the spin-off,  Branches in Time, because book 2 Threatening Skye is coming soon. I can't wait for you to read it!

If you were one of the lucky ones who happened to fall in love under a Blue Moon, send me your story.  I'd love to read it. Who knows?  It might make it into one of my books!

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Day Trips for Research

 One of the best parts of writing books about my home state is doing research. My husband and I took a three-day trip around The Traverse City area, then north and back down to Ludington. We had been to many of the small towns before but it has been years. I was shocked to see how much building up had occurred. Those sleepy towns are now filled with big gorgeous houses on bluffs which overlook the Grand Traverse Bay (both arms) and Lake Michigan. Most of our trip was wet as it rained off and on throughout the entire time. It was often difficult to drive with the windshield wipers constantly going back and forth. But we were not daunted one bit; we continued on until we found quaint out of the way places to eat. We stopped to walk in the downtown shopping districts, between raindrops, admiring the local artisans' work. I have to say I was quite restrained as I wanted to buy everything I saw. And of course we had to buy fudge, because how can you ever go Up North, as we say here, without buying fudge?

One of the best lunches we had was in downtown Frankfort at a place called L'Chayim Delicatessen. I had the best Pita filled sandwich I ever had in my life there. In Harbor Springs we stumbled across a cute little Mexican restaurant off the beaten path called Rodrigo's, probably known only to the locals. It was very small and busy but the food was great!

And how could we leave the area without some wine tasting? Besides it was a great escape from the rain. We stopped at Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City and had a glass of wine high up on the deck which overlooked their acres of grapes. Such a beautiful spot, and the wine was fabulous.

Overall, I picked up some great ideas for the next book or two which was the whole point in going and also to heal from my grief of losing my beloved dog, Teddy. I can't wait to get started on the next book the minute Threatening Skye is published. So far early reviews are great! I'm thrilled as this one was not easy to write. It's coming to you very soon now. I'll make a big announcement here the moment it hits the stands! So stick around.

YES!!

 Why YES?  Because I finished Threatening Skye, re-read it myself, and it is now in the hands of my alpha reader.  And so far he LOVES it, and believe me, he can be tough. 

While he is reading, I am tweaking some things plus adding the dedication and updating the character list, which I always place at the back of the book so as not to give anything away. This list is helpful to my readers, as the names of people in my stories are continuous from previous books and so it can get quite lengthy. It also helps me, as I have to refer to it to make sure I keep my people in the right decade and year.  Time travel is quite tricky. 

So it won't be long now.  It still has to make it through the beta reader test, and then it's on to publication.   I can't wait for you to read the newest installment of Branches of Time. 

Almost Done

 Once I am done writing this post, I will begin to write the last words on my newest book.  I am always a little nervous to write the ending.  Will it be good enough?  Will the book hold your interest?  And worst of all will I miss the people I just spent months inventing?  In this case this is a series so the next book will bring them back to me in full force, which is why I write a lot of series.  I hate to lose my people. I actually go into a mourning period after my book is done.

So if I'm successful, and I am able to write a conclusion I'm satisfied with, the editing process and proofreading will begin soon.  Crossing fingers. Here's hoping for a September publication for Threatening Skye!