The Best Kiss, Holiday Gifts & Best Books of 2025

black and white dog holding Beautiful & Terrible Things, in front of a Christmas tree

Newsflash: Amazon, literally yesterday, lowered the paperback price for my 7-time award-winning novel Beautiful and Terrible Things, to $14.50. They do this sometimes, and don't bother telling us authors how long the sale will last. But click here if you're interested in grabbing a copy at the low sale price. (And if you prefer to … Continue reading The Best Kiss, Holiday Gifts & Best Books of 2025

Video Fun

montage of images from videos

It's time to take a break from reading and watch some videos! I know -- that's heresy coming from an author. But videos, as we all know, can be informative and FUN. So enjoy this small collection of videos, some of which are new and some of which are oldies but goodies. They are a … Continue reading Video Fun

The Year’s Top 3 Books, and a Smashing Ebook Sale

3 book covers and Shepherd logo

I don't usually post twice in one week, but I want to let you know about a big ebook sale starting today, plus a fun thing for book-lovers to do as the year comes to a close. What Are Your Top 3 Books of 2024? Book recommendation site Shepherd started asking authors to rate their … Continue reading The Year’s Top 3 Books, and a Smashing Ebook Sale

Holiday Gift Guide: Books, of Course!

red and white bough, evergreen bough and the words 2024 Holiday Gift Guide

Over the past two years, Iโ€™ve had the pleasure of getting to know many of the talented authors at my new publishing house, Black Rose Writing. Iโ€™ve also become closer with some of the authors from my last publisher, the now-defunct TouchPoint Press. (If you want to know the sad ending of that debacle, hereโ€™s … Continue reading Holiday Gift Guide: Books, of Course!

Three Must-Read Books

covers of three must-read books on shelf pink background

This is not a book review blog; it's a blog to talk about my own books and related news. However, sometimes you read a book that is too good not to talk about. I've enjoyed a few of those lately, and I want to share these three must-read books with you. Making these books extra … Continue reading Three Must-Read Books

How to Add a Book to a Goodreads List

text slide on how to add a book to a goodreads list light green watercolor effect

Those of you who use Goodreads to find your next book are probably familiar with the site's Lists. These are reader-selected collections of books on similar themes. So there are lists on everything from New Horror for Your Halloween Reading to one of my favorites, YA Books About Performing Arts. (That list is one of … Continue reading How to Add a Book to a Goodreads List

Freedom to Read, Freedom to Write

freedom to read banned books week salman rushdie library

I was honored to read on behalf of the Monadnock Writers' Group at a "Freedom to Read, Freedom to Write" event held last week by the Peterborough Town Library in New Hampshire. As part of Banned Books Week, the library director, Corinne Chronopoulos, organized a read-out of the words of Salman Rushdie. Fellow readers represented … Continue reading Freedom to Read, Freedom to Write

The Best Novels for Tweens, Teens and Young Adults Who Love Theater

3 Bit Players books on a shelf

Earlier today, Shepherd.com published my list of "the best novels for tweens, teens and young adults who love theater". I introduced you to Shepherd a while back when they published my first Top 5 list. This new site offers book recommendations for readers with a new twist: book recommendations fromย authors, for readers. Their thinking is … Continue reading The Best Novels for Tweens, Teens and Young Adults Who Love Theater

Poetry in the Pines

poem on wood plaque installed at poetry in the pines rindge nh

I have many personal connections to today's post topic, so I'm pleased to talk about "Poetry in the Pines", a collaboration of the Monadnock Writers' Group and the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, NH. So much poetry is inspired by nature that "Poetry in the Pines" seems a natural mรฉlange. Cathedral of the Pines … Continue reading Poetry in the Pines

Fun Friday Photo: Muggle & Wombat

old golden retriever dog being nuzzled by brown white cat

Today's fun Friday photo is actually a video provided courtesy of author Bianca Marais. I shamelessly asked to borrow this video of her dog Muggle and cat Wombat (great names) after seeing it on Instagram. Watch the short video and you'll see why. Those two are precious, and the look on the dog's face is … Continue reading Fun Friday Photo: Muggle & Wombat