My Early Surprise!

I heard a shuffling on my porch today and my first thought was, Could it be? Then, since it had been raining, I ran to the rescue. Yes, it was the first shipment of the paperback version of “Answer My Call”!

Those of you who pre-ordered might get your copies early as well, so be on the lookout for them.

I do know that my paperback versions are coming in three separate shipments and that the hardcovers will most likely arrive last. If you ordered the hardcover version, you might not receive yours as soon as someone who ordered paperbacks. They are on the way, though, so don’t be discouraged.

I can’t wait to see you at upcoming book signing events, and I’ll be posting those here at Midwest Storyteller soon.

I’m looking forward to hearing from all my readers as you let me know how you like “Answer My Call”, so leave your comments here as well as on my Midwest Storyteller Facebook page.

If you don’t live close enough to get your copy from me personally or attend a signing event, you can always order online. Just click on the banner at the top of this post and it will take you to all the info on all the books in the Morgan’s Landing series and provide the links you need.

Be sure to share this with all your family and friends. You are the primary way I have of getting the word out about my books. And, leave a review on Amazon, Ozark Hollow Press or any of the other book review websites. That really helps Morgan’s Landing get noticed.

Happy reading, Everyone!

Peace within the Pages

Thrush Green Book Cover www.midweststoryteller.com

I’ve been spending every spare moment (hear me chuckle at the idea of one of those) editing the first novel in my series so that I can get it back to the publisher.  This is so they can get it back to me and I can get it back to them and they can get it out to you.  What could be simpler?

Much has been going on with our household lately and I find myself dealing with a greater degree of stress than I’d prefer.  As I’ve often let you know, I’m a great fan of P. G. Wodehouse.  No, make that an absolute addict.  He is my literary idol.  Although I do read many other books, I daresay that if you found yourself in a wager and had to guess what might be found on this writer’s nightstand at any given moment, it would be a Wodehouse.  It would likely be one I’ve already read multiple times.  His brand of humor just makes my day and since laughter is the best medicine I turn to him especially in times of stress.  To enter his wonderful world of enjoyable characters and bathe myself in his ability to turn a phrase washes the day’s troubles away and gives me a reset.

Smuffy has an author who does the same for him.  He’s able to re-align and de-stress within the pages of Gladys Taber.  That might seem out of character for Smuffy, but if you’ve followed him on my Life with Smuffy page, surely you’ll be able to see how a writer who moves into a centuries-old New England farmhouse and chronicles her existence in a place where nothing much every really happens would be a stress-reducer for someone who manages to find himself in as many scrapes as Smuffy does.

Not too long ago, a dear friend of mine who also loves to read old books introduced me to Miss Read and I’ve had time now to read a couple of her books.  I find delightful peace within the pages.  I’ve just finished “Thrush Green”.  It’s a short read and melts the world away.

As I’ve been acclimating myself to the publishing world for the last several years, I am so often told that the modern reader craves instant action, strong characters, twisting plots and, if at all possible, some kind of bomb going off on page two of the manuscript.  I’m not opposed to it.  In fact, my novel series will make you laugh, make you cry and yank you around in spots. I find, however, that as a lover of old books, I don’t always need that.  Sometimes I just need a peaceful escape.

If you’d like to take a break from your stress, I’d recommend a visit to the quiet English village in “Thrush Green”.  The story, set in the 1950’s, takes place on the first day of May as a one-day fair comes to delight most of the townspeople and aggravate a few of them.  In that 24 hours, you’ll meet the trusted old doctor and his possible replacement.  You’ll fill with hope for the girl with the broken heart and cheer on two young lovers as they navigate the hurdles that others place between them.  You’ll discover who the scoundrel is and pat the hero on the back and give a few sighs of sadness at the thought that you may be witnessing the end of an era for this quaint village.

All this, yes, as the stress of your own life eases away.  What better way to call it a day than to take a vacation to such a place before dropping off to sleep?

So, while you must wait a bit longer to get your hands on my own page-turner, you can check out Miss Read and start with “Thrush Green”, the first in her “Thrush Green” series.

You can find many of the books by this author at great prices here at Thrift Books.  I find their deal of free shipping with at fifteen dollar purchase a great buy – just pick up two or three titles at once.  And, as always, it’s here on Amazon.

Spring is so revitalizing and healthy for us in body, mind and spirit, but it isn’t quite here yet.  Use these remaining chilly days to get in some relaxing reads.

What have you been reading lately?  Leave a comment and share a book or books that soothe your soul!

I may need some soothing tomorrow.  While we enjoyed 82 degrees today, it will dip to 22 degrees tonight and will fight its way to a mere 40 degrees tomorrow and my calendar says that I’m not allowed to stay in and keep cozy.  This is where I live, folks!

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