The Spa at Winter Beach

My seaside novella, The Spa at Winter Beach, has a new cover! You like?

As for me, I love the model's dress. Teen Girl and I shopped in Santa Barbara today and I bought a few things that are "perf" for summer. Life is hard, peeps! So it's good to celebrate the little things--and for me, that was having lunch and going shopping with my sweet youngest.

I do hope you like my book's new cover. It's the story of jilted home stager, Juliana Moss, who hopes spending a week at The Spa at Winter Beach on the California coast will cure her broken heart. Will a chance meeting with a mysterious stranger offer healing ... or reopen old wounds?

It's available on Kindle and Nook for only $1.99.

Throwback Thursday -- Lady and the Sea

You've seen it on Instagram and Facebook, so why not a Throwback Thursday post on Blogger? Here's a post from 2011. Enjoy!

(The long weekend is coming ... and with it, a cool cover reveal from me. See you then!)


I'm beyond happy to introduce you to my cyber-friend, Sharon Leaf! We met via this blog, and since then we've corresponded many times here and on Facebook--and Sharon even interviewed me on her BlogTalk Radio program last January. Now she has her own book out, Lady and the Sea. Is she a woman after my own heart or what? She's a kick to know, so please read on ... and have a beachy weekend, my friends ~ wherever you are!

Here's Sharon ~

Since turning forty, Sharon Leaf has traveled to over fifteen countries, including living in Sweden while attending an international Bible college, traveling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, and volunteering on a World War II ship, whose sole purpose was to transport Russian Jews from the Black Sea to Israel. She received a degree in theology at sixty, proving that it's never too late to fulfill another dream. Lady and the Sea is Sharon's debut novel. She lives in South Carolina with her husband.

Sharon hopes that Lady and the Sea will encourage readers as they struggle through their rip-tides and hurricanes of life that there is a silver lining and smooth sailing ahead as we rely on the Captain of our ship ~ Jesus!

About Lady and the Sea

After two failed marriages forty-eight-year-old Rosie Atkisson struggles through the painful process of rebuilding her life with husband, Jesse, in Southern California. But the settled rhythm of her newfound comfort is interrupted by a tug in her heart when she encounters a haunting photo of another aging lady, the World War II vessel MS Restoration.

A special mission to transport Russian Jews from Sochi, Russia to Haifa, Israel, means an adventure of a lifetime; does she dare pass up this dangerous assignment that will take her thousands of miles from her family and comfortable life? In spite of her fear of water and the unknown condition of the ship, Rosie thinks this might be the opportunity she’s been waiting for to serve God.

After surviving fourteen months on board the old ship, from a hurricane to a heart attack, from miracles to menopause, and now being held at gunpoint in the Haifa Harbor, Rosie wonders if she will ever return to her own safe harbor.

Excerpt from Chapter One ~ July 1995

Within minutes of entering the Haifa harbor, an Israeli gunboat sped from the port and circled the World War II vessel. Two soldiers aimed their deck-mounted machine guns at the MS Restoration. An Israeli soldier shouted instructions through a loud speaker in his native Hebrew.

The ship, the crew, and their special passengers--the Russian Jews--had finally reached their destination. No more troubled waters. No more hurricanes. No more delays. On this hot July morning, they were home-free, or so they thought.

Rosie had heard stories about people who had experienced close-call situations. Her seventy-year-old father once told her about the time his ship almost went down in the China Sea during the war. “At that moment, my whole life passed before me,” he said.

Now, as the Israeli soldiers glared at the Restoration through their high-tech binoculars, Rosie knew this was her moment.

You can pick up your own copy of Lady and the Sea at Amazon and other booksellers.

Hello again ... and a Freebie

It's EMBARRASSING how little I've written on the blog lately. I'm happy to announce, though, that my story for the upcoming Guideposts Books Christmas anthology has been written and turned in ... woo! Postcards at Christmas tells the story of how a young woman's search for a miracle brings a dying town to life. I cried at the ending! And not because I was writing a Christmas story in 80+ degree heat - haha.

I'll let you know when it shows up in stores.

On another note, it's nearly summer and time for a sale. My oldie but goodie, Chocolate Beach, is FREE on Kindle today (Friday) and Saturday. If you don't have a Kindle, but you do have an iPad or iPhone, you can download the app for free at Amazon ~ then order any Kindle book you want!

Chocolate Beach will be free on Kindle at this AMAZON LINK today and tomorrow.

Into the wild

This big guy on the left flashed his gorgeous feathers when we encountered him at a winery in Avila Beach the other day. We had planned to go up the coast for a day of beachcombing, wandering, and other non-plans, when a friend told us about Kelsey Winery off See Canyon near Avila where peacocks roamed free.

Of course, I had to go.

A corgie greeted us and became our lifelong friend when we became the only visitors on the premises to put up with his constant demands to play. No joke ... I think we tossed his slobbery tennis ball about 30 times. Each. But it was my birthday and he made us laugh, so we didn't mind.

And then there were the peacocks, waddling around and piercing the air with their mating calls. The excursion was like a trip to Wild Kingdom, Lol ... all within a few miles of the Pacific Ocean.

Here's to a beachy week, my friends ... wherever you are.

Psst ... Freebie Friday (and Saturday :)

I know it's been around awhile, but not everyone's read it (haha ... I can't believe it either!) So ... Truffles by the Sea is free today and tomorrow on Kindle. Here's the blurb:

Follow up to Chocolate Beach. This second in the Chocolate series was an ACFW Book of the Year Finalist. Determined to turn her life around, Gaby Flores moves to a Ventura seaside loft, takes on a new motto--Be gullible no more--and begins to rebuild her flower store while searching for Mr. So Right. But when a lawsuit, an eviction notice, a near-empty bank account, and quirky neighbors invade her beachy world, not even chocolate can solve her worries as her fledgling faith is put to the test. Discussion questions included.

Have a beachy weekend, friends ~ wherever you are ...

Inspired by the Hotel Del ...

The Spa at Winter Beach, my seaside novella inspired by the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, California, is 99cents on Kindle and Nook.

Storyfinds.com has posted an excerpt on their site. 

And you can find the 99cent sale at one of these sites:

KINDLE link 

NOOK link 

Happy Saturday before Easter!

Beachy Saturday

College Girl arrived home late Thursday night from Philly and the first thing she did was go to the beach (after sleeping, that is ;-). Is she her mama's girl OR WHAT? Then last eve, after one very long day, Dan and I walked to the beach before sunset. I wondered why he was trailing behind, and when I turned around, he snapped this shot. We had that stretch of the beach to ourselvessss .... love.

Thankfully, he brought his wallet and we were able to stop at a nearby cafe and have a bite before walking home.

It's the weekend and I'm editing a lovely new novel by Amy Lillard. And after that? Back to the beach. Of course =)

Have a beachy weekend, my friends - wherever you are!

Seaside Sunday

After church we walked to the beach and yogurt shop for some cappuccino fro yo with crushed Heath bars and chopped almonds ... heaven in a cup, I tell you. I'd thought about opening my laptop and doing some work on this day of rest, but my inner self rebelled and strapped on my walking shoes instead. Yesterday was fog city, so when the sun peeks out around her on the central coast, one must take advantage. Besides, it's a day of rest. 'nuff said.

These happy little sandpipers were scurrying around in the waves, dodging wayward dogs (such as ours), and gulping down sand crabs. Some of the best free entertainment around.

Have a beachy week, my friends!

Freebie today

Happy Saturday, peeps. It's foggy at the beach today ... makes for a lazy feeling day ... even though I've a ton to do. Still, makes me want to say, "manana, manana ..." =)  If you've never read my first book, Chocolate Beach, it's FREE today on Kindle. Here's the link.

Also, I sent out a newsy newsletter this week. You can read about a contest and more here.

Have a beachy day my friends ... wherever you are ...

My new old life

I posted a photo of my special Adirondack chair over on Facebook, but wanted to give more of the story here.

Years ago, my parents gave me two sparkling white Adirondacks that I set up at the edge of our sprawling garden. They stayed there until we moved close to the sand and had to face the fact that beach backyards are, truly, about the size of a postage stamp. But I didn't care really, because from our new home we could walk to the sea!

Within a few years, though, we found out that it's true what they say--salty sea air can be rather unkind to outside furniture (and doorknobs, and cars, and anything with metal or wood or ... you get my drift.). So eventually, both chairs rotted out and were relegated to our side yard (yes, we are one of those families that really needs to rent a garbage bin for our old stuff ...)

My parents bought me a new and pretty chair for my birthday. It's a luscious blue and has a footstool (to do pedicures on, naturally). But every time hubby or I would walk past the graveyard of Adirondack parts on the side of the house, my heart dipped a bit.

Then one day, "handy" Dan got the idea to salvage what he could and surprise me with a "new" chair. And voila...my writing chair was born. Someone asked me on FB if I get splinters sitting in it and I honestly said no, because the wood on this baby has been worn smooth.

Here's to dreaming, and stories, and bringing old dreams back to life, my friends ...

Trip to the Spa for 99cents

My little novella about a jilted home stager's escape to a spa in Winter Beach, California is on sale this week for 99cents on both Kindle and Nook. The price will go back up next Saturday, so I wanted to let you know.

This is the link for Kindle
And this is the link for Nook

In other news, we've had a spike in temps here along the coast during the past few days, a welcome blessing since it's the WEEKEND. Woo! On our walk with Charlie the Dog yesterday, Dan and I stopped to admire Herbie the LoveBug parked near the beach. So wanted to jump in and take it for a spin, but I think the German Shepherd occupant might have found a problem with that ... ;)

Have a beachy week, my friends, wherever you are ...

Fat Mints

Last week I posted a simple question about the enduring thin mint: freezer or cupboard? This is unverified, but I think I received more replies from that post than from any other that came before it. (Including book giveaways. Go figure.)

Some of these yumsters did, eventually, make it to the freezer. But considering they had to get past me first, not too many. As I said on Facebook, #thisiswhyIjog

Blue Ferry ...

Freebie Weekend - My friend, Suzy, was so tickled that I gave away her book, At the End of the Ferry, that she sent 4 more copies. How fun is that? I decided to throw in an equal amount of my novel, Fade to Blue, so if you want to win the pair please head on over to my FACEBOOK PAGE so you can enter.

Happy Three Day Weekend!

Dreaming of the central coast ...

I wrote the Otter Bay Novels:

a) To explore ensemble casts
b) To introduce more drama and relationship struggles into my novels (you know, like real life!)
c) to take a bunch of road trips up the coast under the guise of "research ..."

Okay, so that last one was the best reason - next up, Italy! (Right, honey? :))

Anyway, a few days ago my publisher, B&H, delivered some fun news: Until Friday, the 15th - the day after Valentine's - the first two books in the series, Sweet Waters and A Shore Thing (NOT Snookie's tale) are available on Kindle and Nook for $2.99.

Consider this a summertime warm up ... three months and counting - woo!

If you're interested in loading them into your e-reader, here are some links:
Sweet Waters - Kindle
Sweet Waters - Nook
A Shore Thing - Kindle
A Shore Thing - Nook

Have a beachy week, my friends ... wherever you are ...

Inspiring minds

Some people play music for inspiration ... others show movies made from classic British novels in the background ...

Hey, we all have our vices =)

I've been helping out a new friend as he creates a website for a ministry that has been burning within him for years. I've got some final touches to put on what I've written so far, so naturally, I popped in a DVD of P&P for inspiration.

I'm sure purists will wither at my choice of this more recent version - I'd be remiss not to admit my own affection for Colin Firth as the smoldering Mr. Darcy in the PBS version - but I actually enjoy Keira in the role of Jane. She's smart and conflicted and able to deliver killer lines with ease.

Kind of like me. Not. Ha ha ha. 

Back to those inspiring lines, all spoken in very proper British accents ... a writer's gotta do, what she's gotta do ...

Birds of a feather ...

These big guys have been flying overhead at the beach for days. That means: There's good eatin' in these waters. They fly so low and circle so long that Charlie the Dog and I often find ourselves ducking when they're overhead during our runs.

Okay, so, maybe I'm the one doing the ducking, mainly since Charlie's often more interested in searching under cars for cats.

Oh, but these birds are just sooo gorgeous. And with their wings spread, they're massive. Normal people would probably be scared off by their bravado, but I'm awed by them. So is my Dan. Today we stood watching them, pointing our cameras toward the water, then up in the air, then spinning around as we both tried to get the perfect shot, no doubt looking quite mental in the process.

Afterward, Dan watched the Super Bowl, while Teen Girl and I headed north to visit some of our bffs in Montecito. Such a very good day ...

Have a beachy week, my friends ~ wherever you are ...

Chocolate Beach, recipe edition - FREE Today

My first novel "baby" ~ Chocolate Beach ~ is FREE today only on Kindle. And the e-book version has recipes :)

Don't have a Kindle? Neither do I ... but I have the app on both my iPhone and my laptop. I've read many Kindle books via these apps and you can too. Here's how:

1. Download the Kindle app from your iPhone App Store
-OR-
2. Go to this link and download the Kindle reader for your PC.

Happy reading, and have a beachy weekend, my friends ~ wherever you are!

Ferry-tale

Update: And the winner is ... posted here :)

I received this sweet book as a gift ~ and love it. So much so that I managed to get another copy of At the End of the Ferry just so I could give it away. It's the story of a woman's life (my friend, Susan's) in the Pacific Northwest for a year. Great for end of day reading ... will lull you with its imagery of lapping waves and gentle rolling tides.

Is this my kind of book or what?

To enter to win, please head on over to my new Facebook Author Page. Like my page and leave a comment on the post about At the End of the Ferry. Easy peasy!

I'll announce the winner on Saturday morning (on my FB page). See you over there =)

On Traveling the World ... and other Adventures

So I read that story today about the family of 14 (!) that sold everything, bought an RV, and are now livin' the dream, baby! So naturally, I sent the link to the article to my three kids, copied my hubby, and told everyone to "pack your bags." So far only one of the three kiddos answered me, and here's what he said: "No."

Well, at least he responded.

Part of me wants to ask this family if they're - how shall I put this? - nuts.

The other part of me is inspired.

Inspired to purge our home of unnecessary clutter, to spend more time outside together rather than behind our iPods/iPhones/laptops, and to let every day be the "weekend," as the father pronounces. Kind of hard to make a living with that last one, but whatevs.

And there's the little problem of our middle child who's at college across the country at the moment (She could always study online, right?)

Sigh. Truth is, I've never really liked camping. Glamping - yes, but camping? Not so much. And five of us in a long, narrow room on wheels could become rather, um, stinky.

What I'm most intrigued by, though, is the idea of living a life that's unexpected, that isn't so much concerned about prepping for the next day as it is about experiencing each and every moment, a life that's more about the journey and less about checking a box.

I'm well aware that I look hideous in this photo, but I don't care. This is College Girl and me last year when we (and Teen Girl) were traveling the country in search of the perfect college. We flew the red eye and got to NYC at - hear me - 2 am our time!!! We took a cab to Times Square, found a Starbucks and reveled in a city that actually does sleep. Yup, that's Times Square at about 5:30 am, and it's empty.

Unexpected.

Shifting tides

I'd like to say that I waded through the tide today, but not so much. Today was all about catchin' up: laundry, errands, the dreaded FAFSA. That's the Federal financial aid for college application. Blech.

Then again, maybe I did wade through the tide after all. Only it was at a higher-than-ideal level and carried with it a stiff current.

On the flipside, Teen Girl and I picked up orange chicken bowls from Panda Express for lunch, so it wasn't all work today =). And later, she and I hit the grocery store for the all-important task of choosing the perfect snack for a hangout with friends she'd be attending. Couldn't decide between chocolate eclairs or cream puffs. Chocolate Eclairs. Cream Puffs.

So, of course, she bought both. Scratch that. I bought both. Although why I did not think to buy a third box for my dessert-loving self, I do not know. (Then again, my hips are incredibly grateful for the oversight.)

Ah, well, there's always tomorrow, right? Here's to glorious Sundays and the grace to start again. Pass the chocolate ...