Things have been crazy around here this summer, getting ready to launch my debut novel, as well as visits with the grandkids, swimming in our backyard bathtub (the pool and air temp both a lovely 88 degrees), and doing all the extras needed to keep hubby, body, soul, and home in good shape.

The soul part, let me tell you, is vital. Sometimes all the book biz that needs to be done before my novel is launched on September 22 seems overwhelming. And one wonders, am I spinning my wheels, will it all pay off? Who know?! I suppose that’s the beauty of it, of life itself, of being alive on this ever-changing planet. Nothing is for certain. It’s all wide open!

But back to the book biz.

GIVEAWAYS!

Yes, I gave away 50 copies (ebooks) of When Things Go Missing on Goodreads this month and I was thrilled to learn that 1045 readers requested it. Which means my book will be sitting on 1045 book shelf pages. Goodreads will pick the lucky 50 recipients at random, and I will keep my fingers crossed they will enjoy the book enough to write a review. Reviews are what it’s all about. They are the lifeblood of books and essential to an author’s success.

Speaking of reviews . . . I’ll share two I’ve received for my book recently, and then three more reviews of books I’ve been reading.

BOOKS CAN SAVE A LIFE – Book Reviews by Valorie Grace Hallinen

Valorie Hallinan, a book blogger friend from years ago, just resurrected her website Books Can Save a Life with a review of my book. She had been my go-to person to find new favorites to read, like The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, and Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven. So I am thrilled and humbled to have her choose When Things Go Missing as her first review as she returns to book blogging. Here’s a small portion of her review. You can read the whole thing here.

“When Things Go Missing will stay with you long after you’ve read the final page. To me, this is the mark of a powerful and authentic story . . . You may find yourself reflecting on your own life path, the choices you’ve made, and the choices that await you:

What are our responsibilities as mothers, parents, and partners? Is there such a thing as the perfect mother? Are there limits to the bonds of love and family? How do these relationships change over time? What are our responsibilities to our own self-actualization? When do we sacrifice our own desires and aspirations for the good of our families and communities? How do we come to find our chosen families?

When Things Go Missing is a beautiful unfolding – a tender, loving portrait of a family contending with grief, loss, and regret, while fully embracing all the joy that life can hold.” —Valorie Grace Hallinan, Books Can Save A Life

A BOOK CLUB READER’S REVIEW

I’ve been so grateful to all the volunteers who agreed to be early readers of my novel and write honest reviews. Reviews truly are the lifeblood of successful novels. You can read all of them on my Novels Page, but occasionally I’ll be spotlighting them as well. The one below is from an avid reader and a great supporter of my novel.

“WOW! I absolutely loved When Things Go Missing. Every part of this thought-provoking novel was engaging, and the voices that told the story really captured me. I went from seeing each individual’s perspective, to how those individual perspectives altered other’s perceptions and finally to each person’s viewpoints being pulled together to see the bigger picture.

“I really enjoyed seeing each of the three main characters grow into different versions of themselves. Many thanks to the author for letting me read the advanced copy. I have already recommended it to several people.” –-Valerie Tingle, Rockin’ Riverview Reader, Paso Robles, California

It’s a Hard Knock Life for Kids: Book Reviews

It’s wonderful to get reviews, but being a member of the literary community means I need to do my part in reviewing books as well. In case you missed it, two weeks ago I published “It’s a Hard Knock Life for Kids”, reviewing three great books, a memoir and two novels, that bring to life in heartbreaking detail what it’s like to grow up with parents who struggle with addiction and mental illness. They also detail the heroic way these children, despite all the suffering, rise to the occasion and with wit and grit and manage not only to survive, but thrive, in the end.

If you didn’t get a chance to read my reviews yet, please do. More reviews of books I’ve been reading are on the way.

Book Podcast Interview!

Can you believe it! I was invited to be on Sharing the Heart of the Matter Podcast to speak about my debut novel When Things Go Missing. I sat down with the hosts via zoom for the interview this week, which won’t be broadcast until September 26, a few days after my novel will be released on Amazon and at book stores and outlets everywhere.

I can’t tell you how nervous I was going in, but these two generous and warmhearted hosts, Wynn Leon and Vicki Atkinson, made me feel so comfortable it was like talking to old friends. If you enjoy lively conversations about books and other creative endeavors, check out their podcast. They can also be found on You Tube!

Here’s what they are all about, as well as links to some of their favorite episodes:

Discover the joy of storytelling and unlock the power of your personal narrative with Vicki and Wynne. Wynne and Vicki are authors who’ve learned how to tap the power of self-understanding by exploring themes and threads that comprise the stories of our lives.

Vicki and Wynne are mission-driven to help others as they focus on the importance of intergenerational wellness and healing. They believe writing and storytelling can build resilience for the future by exploring what matters most in life: connection, laughter, empathy and authenticity. 

THIS IS HAPPINESS! Bliss in the Backyard

Taking a breather in the backyard from the hectic pace of launching my novel When Things Go Missing I’ve discovered, is essential for my health and well-being. I could sit here all day, reading a little Zen and just soaking up the sights and sounds of these warm afternoons in the shade: the tinkling sound of the chimes, the moths playing in my lavender flowers, that bright patch of snapdragons, the cool pool of green growing things beneath the pergola . . .

I have to keep reminding myself: Happiness is right here, now. I don’t have to wait. Whether I sell any books, or make a profit, or do anything else in my life–this right here is heaven.

I hope you all find your bliss in your own backyards. Thank you all for taking this wild ride through life with me these past thirteen year of blogging, and this new adventure of getting my stories out of my head and into print and the hands of readers. When Things Go Missing is now available for preorder now on Amazon Bookshop Barnes & Noble. You can read more about it at the link above and below.

A Kintsugi Novel, Finding Beauty in Broken Things