I keep thinking about an update blog and honestly? There’s so much. What have I been doing? How has life been working out for me? How’s living super close to one of my best friends, Erika, after so many years of only getting out hang out on Discord? How’s being single?
Well, I can answer the single thing right now. Pretty okay. It just is. I have dated. I have gotten out there. That’s all you’ll get out of me on this one. You’ll never hear about any potential relationship unless it goes to the altar or we live together or something.
But everything else?
Even just one month might be an entire blog post. Just August was it’s own epic of ups and downs that I can’t even begin to explain. There were pet emergencies, a finished novel, a wonderful release, a couple of home emergencies. Just so much all at once.
So I don’t think I’m going to go back through the last year and write a lot. I would love to share, but it’s just so much that it feels tiring just to repeat.
I’ll hive some highs and lows, though.
Like, a bunch of high points, Erika and I have been doing things! We’ve gone to interesting concerts, from string quartets to Janelle Monáe. We’ve seen hockey games and NFL games. We got to go to Rocky Horror Picture Show last year when Barry Bostwick was there for the anniversary. We’ve been to a big cat rescue, the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Jacksonville Zoo. It’s been healing. my best friend and our adventures have been some of the most healing things I could have asked for. Exploring new things and seeing new places. It’s been a delight. I play Magic the Gathering again after a lot of years. I play Dungeons and Dragons and tried out Daggerheart. I love TTRPGs, because of course I love playing a character and creating stories with my friends! I’ve even tried new games and my Pokemon obsession grows. My dopamine hunting with shiny hunting is… a lot. Here’s a quick screenshot from Legends ZA, which does have easier shiny hunting. We don’t need to discuss the week I spent soft resetting for a shiny mudkip on Alpha Sapphire… I got it, but it was a test of my perseverance.
Lows are pretty standard life. There’s been issues with my home, like right now there’s water in my bedroom wall. The AC likes to have issues. The plumbing gets annoying. One particularly bad day? I was nearly done with Call of the Blood and I had the hardest 36 hours of my life. First the AC had an issue and I got it resolved by myself! But as everything cooled down so I could sleep, my poor corgi, Carbon got a back injury and I had to rush her to the emergency vet. She has IVDD. :( Then at home, the AC kept acting up. By the entire of that very long day, one of the fire alarms died and set them off in the entire house. Just a really terrible day, that one.
But we’re getting through it, me and my pets. We are. It’s been a long adjustment, but with the help of Erika and several other wonderful friends whose names you’ve never heard, we’re moving again.
I’m already writing Hunting Justice, Jacky Leon 13 and I plan on doing a cover reveal for that soon. I won’t tell you when I plan on you seeing it. I’ve wanted to write this book forever though. Sometimes, I can’t believe I’m in the last books for Jacky Leon. 3 more to release. The series ends with book 15.
But that’s all there is for me! Healing, growth, and challenge. Exciting adventures for my soul and enjoying my passions fully.
See you in next week’s blog.
so much good news to unpack! Absolutely delighted to hear that life is being good for you! You deserve it. Keep on living!
I feel for you. I’m 73 next month and life experiences have taught me that it likes to keep you on your toes with its ups and downs and terrible mishaps. Hang in there XOXOXOXOX
I feel your pain, when it rains it pours. I’m not sure if having all the problems happen in one day is better or worse than if it was spread across a week? On one hand, you only have to experience one crappy day but on the other, you can at least have some time in between to recover. Luckily, that day is over. You don’t have to relive or repeat it. Hopefully your pupper is doing better.
Keep living your year! (Since you’re in Florida, try Universals Studios Halloween Horror Night)
It may not be much, just know that someone that lives on another continent has read all your books and wishes you all the best!
Life tends to be more bad than good – until it gets worse. :(
The only bright spots are amazing friends, and books.
Thank-you for providing some of those books!
My your days get better, and your friends stay close.
You are one of my favorite authors! Your talent shines like a bright light. I really enjoy both your story and character developments. Please know that you are appreciated. I have been through similar situations, both highs and lows with a divorce and the deaths of two husbands. Keep your head held high, you are a beautiful survivor.
Sorry to hear you’ve had so many issues going wrong. I hope it gets better. I can’t wait to read the next Jackie Leon book, i’ve been on pins and needles waiting for it. I just wanted to let you know that I love all these books, you hooked me in from the first book. Wishing you all the best to come.
So excited to finally see Everly Abbott #4!