Seventeen: The Last Rodeo
Dear Melina, I’m writing this as I wait for you at physical therapy. The original plan involved walking while you saw Ann, but once again, we have a hot and humid day, and my own joints—my hip especially—are giving me issues. So I sit here and wait for the words to come, and since you…
Read MoreThey Said What? Reader Reactions to The Marriage Debt
When I first began writing my latest novel, The Marriage Debt, I had women readers in mind. After all, the main topic—menopause—is a “normal” part of aging that affects many women. As I fleshed out Nika and her husband, Ethan, their relationship, Nika’s relationship with others, and how prevalent perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms can be on…
Read MoreAh, Parchment Paper
Mom never used parchment paper when baking, so I didn’t encounter it until well into my twenties. Even then I didn’t routinely buy it because of budget constraints. Now, thirty years later, I keep parchment paper in the drawer, at the ready for when I need it. Sometimes, I even have an extra roll in…
Read MoreCucumber Salad Recipe
This past week, I went easy on the cooking since I only had to cook for two people. Because I had plenty of cucumbers in the refrigerator, I decided on a salad. We liked it so much, I’m including the recipe here. This makes quite a good bit of food, so keep that in mind…
Read MoreIt’s a 24/7 Job
Child #4 sets off on a class trip to Germany on Tuesday, June 3, with my husband serving as one of the chaperones. Before he leaves, my husband says, “What are you going to do while we’re gone?” Implied in his tone is the idea that I will have a ton of free time on…
Read MoreRachel-Mary Pecan Pie
In January of this year, a friend moved in. We hadn’t planned on having an extra person in our household, but she needed some help, and we had help to give. Five months later, she’s still with us, and she probably will be for some time since living alone doesn’t look like it will be…
Read MoreSummer Goals
This is the first time in a long time I’m not actively writing something, and while an odd feeling hovers around me most days, a sense of peace and tranquility exists as well. So I’m looking forward to this summer, which begins TODAY! (I have one student I’ll be working with through June 27, possibly,…
Read MoreTelling Untold Stories: An Interview with Ashley E. Sweeney
Like many of the authors who participate in this series, Ashley E. Sweeney features strong female protagonists in her work. These women, set in various countries and periods in time, all showcase intelligence, determination, and resilience, making for engaging characters and award-winning narratives. Readers and reviewers alike praise Ashley’s “meticulous” research and “skillfully rendered” stories,…
Read MoreIt’s Release Day for The Marriage Debt!
I’ve been waiting for this day for a while, and I’m so happy it’s here! Today, my third novel, The Marriage Debt, is officially out in the world. This story was fun to research and write, and I think it will likely resonate the most with many readers. So far, the reviews have been positive,…
Read MoreMaking Books Accessible: An Interview with Kerry Kennedy
As many of you know, social media really isn’t my thing, but somehow, I stumbled across author Kerry Kennedy on Instagram. Let me be honest—she impressed me right away. Her savviness, her outreach, her commitment, her kindness, her positivity. All the things! She’s the first to offer congrats on a new release or book award…
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