Hello, readers!

I wanted to let you all know that my next book, Aurora's Gold, will be released on November 12, 2019!

Aurora’s Gold is set in the high stakes world of underwater dredge mining in small town Nome, Alaska with a female protagonist.

Aurora “Rory” Darling is the only female dredge owner in town. She’s got money problems, a disgruntled former employee, a complicated family, and an ex who won’t let go. After her father has a horrible accident, Rory must find a way to save the family dredging operation from financial disaster. 

Enter Ben Abel, a former Navy diver with a mysterious past. He may be just the ticket to pull her butt out of the fire. She finds herself falling for him, but then discovers the truth: he’s on the run from the law. With time running out to get the gold, however, she has no choice but to work with him. 

As competition intensifies and the danger ratchets up, Rory realizes it’s hard to trust anyone in a town full of liars and vengeful cheats who will do anything to make their fortune. And those she trusts the most might just be the ones she should watch out for.

The Kindle version is available for pre-order here: PRE-ORDER

The print version will be available on November 12th. If you love Alaska reality shows, gold mining shows, treasure hunting, adventure, action, suspense and a little romance, you will love this book!

On The Hunt With Aurora's Gold

I recently completed a new book...a romantic suspense titled Aurora's Gold.

My Pitch: A female underwater dredge miner in Nome, Alaska must hire a possible murderer to save her family business. Think: family secrets, a fabled mother lode, race against time, hot but dangerous hero.

Blurb: Aurora’s Gold is set in the high stakes world of underwater dredge mining in Nome, Alaska. Aurora “Rory” Darling is the only female dredge owner in town. She’s got money problems, a disgruntled former employee, and an ex who won’t let go. After her father has a horrible accident, Rory must find a way to save the family dredging operation from financial disaster. Enter Ben Abel, a former Navy diver with a mysterious past. He may be just the ticket to pull her butt out of the fire. She finds herself falling for him, but then discovers the truth: he’s on the run from the law. With time running out to get the gold, however, she has no choice but to work with him. As competition for the gold intensifies and the danger ratchets up, Rory realizes it’s hard to trust anyone in a town full of liars and cheats who will do anything to make their fortune. And those she trusts the most might just be the ones she should watch out for.

I have been looking for an agent or publisher for this book, so wish me luck. I am giving it six months...which started in mid-February. So I will keep trying until August and then will reassess.  

But while you're waiting, if you like romance, check out my book, Acapulco Nights.

 

Stitch Fix - Update!

Hello, all! I know some of my regular visitors to my blog really enjoyed my Stitch Fix reviews. I have PLENTY of them, if you wish to read some...going all the way back to May 2014 (just look in the sidebar for links). I wrote regular reviews until last summer...and then, well, I guess I lost interest or got busy or something.

I really don't know! LOL.

I wanted to update you all about where I am with Stitch Fix and what's been going on with my latest fixes.

1) Yes, I still am receiving Stitch Fix boxes. I had, at one time, been receiving monthly boxes. Then, I reduced it down to once a quarter once I felt my wardrobe had gotten pretty full. Currently, I am receiving a box every other month.

2) Stitch Fix gave you the option of choosing from a $20 styling fee for each fix or a $49/year option. Since I get six fixes per year, the switch to the one-time $49 fee for a year of fixes was a no brainer.

3) This summer I signed up for my very first cruise. There is a dress-up night that requires a nice cocktail-style outfit. So, I decided to up my dress budget to $150 to $200 and asked for a fancy dress. The first attempt was in August...and wasn't very good. I think they didn't see the changed budget or pay much attention to my request. But I gave them another shot (always give Stitch Fix another try, if you think they didn't do a good job of styling you...) and asked that my October box contain a fancy dress for a special event and again pointed out my increased budget. My October fix was GREAT. The stylist sent me three fantastic dresses to choose from - all designer labels ranging in price from $88 to $239. I ended up picking the least expensive dress but it also led me to point number 4:

4) After the really quality pieces they sent me for my special event, I realized that I was at the point in my wardrobe where I didn't need foundational pieces any more. I'd accumulated enough pants, tops, casual dresses, etc. The designer dresses I'd received were really great quality pieces. I wanted more of that in my regular fixes. So, I increased the budgets for every single category...by one step up...and told Stitch Fix I'd like some designer brands in my future fixes. I am going for high quality over quantity. Because I seem to be only purchasing 1 or 2 items per box most often. So why not buy more expensive, better tailored pieces?

5) I decided to try the Stitch Fix 'exchange' option they added in the last year or so. In my October fix I received a pair of pants that had potential, but were too small. Instead of just a return, I thought I'd see if I could get the next size up. It's been a few days since they received my items back...and I haven't heard about the exchange item yet. Hoping I see an email with a tracking number soon. So that will be something new for me.

Sorry if I am not taking photos and putting together a whole post on my individual fixes. I might do it again. Thanks for stopping by. And if you have any questions for me about Stitch Fix, please leave a comment!

Trying Something New With Amazon Ads

I'm Going on a Cruise...

Last month I was lamenting to my husband that we always get depressed in the winter. I live in Idaho, so winters seem to last forever. You just get tired of the cold and snow. So, I suggested that we should try to take a trip in January or February every year to somewhere warm to beat the winter blues.

I remembered there was a writers' conference I'd considered attending in Las Vegas, but couldn't remember the dates. After some research, I, instead, stumbled across a website that tracked all different writers' conference by month. I scrolled to January and February of 2019 and found my event!

The Seymour Agency Writers' Winter Escape Cruise 2019!

Why did this catch my eye?

1) The timeframe - mid-February

2) The location - the caribbean

3) The event - this conference is specifically geared toward romance authors

And then the cost was just unbeatable. I somehow happened to find this cruise ONE day before the early booking rate was going to end. I got a steal for a 4-night, 5-day cruise. Plus, this would be a business trip, so it would be something out of my business account, rather than my personal account. NICE!

Also, the list of attendees is impressive:

Stacey Donovan with Hallmark Publishing and Movies as the Keynote Speaker! 

Deb Werksman, Editorial Director for Sourcebooks

Liz Pelletier, Publisher with Entangled Publishing. 

Rick Bleiweiss, Head of Business Development with Blackstone Publishing

Stacy Boyd, Harlequin

I've never been to any writers' conference before, but had considered going for years. I'm so glad that I took a risk and signed up. There's still space if you're interested, so click on the link to find out more.

My goal is to finish my Alaska romance that I started last summer and have that as my 'pitch' item. I've never done an in-person book pitch before, so that will be new as well. But what the heck!? I am not really believing I will get any deal out of this conference at all. I really just wanted to be with my own 'people' (as we writers are weirdoes) and learn some more about how to improve my writing and make a big sale someday.

Six months to go before the big event. My book should be done in October with plenty of time for editing and perfecting before I pitch.

The Little Black Box - Pre-order Now

Hello, everyone!

It's been quite some time since I posted anything. I had a love affair with my blog and then it disappeared. So I will try to post more often. Today's post is about my upcoming release for my latest paranormal suspense, The Little Black Box:

When thoughts can kill.

After the suspicious suicides of several student test subjects, Paula Crenshaw, research assistant in Paranormal Sciences at Blackridge University and budding telekinetic, suspects they may be connected to a little black box designed to read auras. Professor Jonas Pritchard, the head of the department and renowned paranormal expert, doesn't believe his precious experiment could be causing students to drop like flies.

Haunted by memories of a childhood accident, which she believes she caused with her untamed psychic abilities, Paula finds herself lured to the black box and its mysteries. But when her best friend, Lark, comes close to death after her encounter with the black box, Paula realizes her investigation might endanger the people she loves most. As the suicides stack up, she convinces her fellow researcher, Will Littlejohn, to help her solve the conspiracy. The closer they get to the truth behind who might be financially backing the project and why, the more dangerous—and deadly—it becomes.

The release date is August 14, 2018. You can pre-order the Kindle version now. There will also be a paperback version available around the same time (I never know with CreateSpace when it will show up).

This is a fun, fast-paced thriller perfect for that last summer read before September.

Fix #23 - June 21, 2017

Oh, Glorious Day of Stitch Fix!

Praise the morn when colorful and fashionable vestments arrive at my domicile as if from Heaven itself.

Yes, Stitch Fix review fans, it's time for another! For the last 2 years, I think, I have reduced my Stitch Fix deliveries to once a quarter. Then, I had a disaster box last year around this time and was so bummed out, I immediately signed up for a July delivery (which went much better, thank you).

This kind of messed up the seasonal delivery I was going for. I liked getting a box at the beginning of every season: June, September, December and March. So, instead I am on an 'every other month' delivery for now.

If you are entirely new to Stitch Fix, please read up on the service here:

My Very First Stitch Delivery and Stitch Fix Explanation - Fix #1

You can also check out a whole bunch of Stitch Fix reviews below. I've been writing them since May 2014 (more than 3 years!?):

Fix #2 - June 2014
Fix #3 - July 2014
Fix #4 - August 2014
Fix #5 - September 2014
Fix #6 - October 1, 2014
Fix #7 - October 29, 2014
Fix #8 - November 2014
Fix #9 - December 2014 
Fix #10 - January 2015
Fix #11 - February 2015
Fix #12 - March 2015 
Fix #13 - June 2015 
Fix #14 - September 2015
Fix #15 - December 2015
Fix #16 - March 2016
Fix #17 - June 2016
Fix #18 - July 2016 
Fix #19 - August 2016
Fix #20 - October 2016
Fix #21 - January 2017
Fix #22 - April 2017

For this fix I had asked my stylist for shorts or a shorts jumper that would be suited for a woman in her 40s. I needed shorts that weren't too short and that fit a 'healthy' thigh. Nothing sadder than trying on a cute pair of shorts that fit around my thighs like a sausage casing. I also requested a light cardigan and no sleeveless items - I don't have the best arms and like a bit of sleeve. I always ask for fun patterns and colors, as I have an unhealthy obsession with buying black clothing or one-color items.

My box was incredibly slim. But it's summer, so I wasn't that worried about it.

When I opened it up, look what goodness awaited me. Colors and patterns galore!

The note that came with my fix explained that my usual stylist was on vacation, so I got a replacement stylist and that she hoped she'd picked some good things for me. Now, I adore my stylist, so I was a little wary of what may be in the box. However, I did my usual: hung everything up and got ready to TRY IT ALL ON.

I have repeated this in all of my Stitch Fix reviews. You must try on the items. Do not make judgment based on looks alone. Seriously. Sometimes I will eye a dress or blouse and think, "Hm, not so sure about this one." Then I am pleasantly surprised by the fit and/or look of these garments and they end up as 'keepers.'

So, don't be a clothing judger. Trust your stylist. Sure, she might fail once in awhile, but if you don't try it on you won't be able to give a full detailing of WHAT went wrong when you check out. Your stylist will learn over time that this brand of pants doesn't fit well or this top was too tight across the chest, etc. Information is like gold to Stitch Fix for making your fixes even better, so help them out!

1) The first item I hung up were the Lela Released Hem Skinny Pant from Kut From the Kloth for $78.00.

I loved the color of these pants. I got a GREAT olive-colored vest from Stitch Fix this past winter that is FAB and goes with so many things. It's a fantastic neutral shade. I believe I asked for some olive pants at one point...either for this fix or another. Can't remember. So I was pleased to see them. They also were clearly a longer capri style, so they could be worn on the cooler summer days in Idaho.

Although the word 'skinny' worried me, and they looked a bit narrow, I have had great luck with Kut From the Kloth pants. So I tried them on.

Okay, so these fit very very well at the waist. But the 'skinny' part of the pants did me no favors. I have incredibly 'athletic calves' as they call them nowadays. My husband can tell you I'm a very hard fit for ski boots because of that. These pants, well, let's just say I had to yank them on to even get them up all the way. There was a generous amount of stretch to the fabric, but this kind of 'skinny' was WAY too skinny for my not-so-skinny legs.  Uncomfortably tight. The worst part was, I liked them. I liked the color, the style, etc. And, even though you can now do exchanges for clothes you like, I knew if I exchanged this for the next larger size, the waist would be too big. BUMMER. 

These pants were a NO.

2) Although the first item I tried was a 'no' item, I was stalwart. I did not let disappointment cave in on me. No, not I! I put the next item up on the hanger: The Sachs Tape Yarn Striped Pullover by Mystree for $54.00.

I love me a good cardigan. Even in June. Why? Because where I live, summer comes late and is short. So having a light, cute cardi like this one lets me wear my summer stuff with a bit a warmth. I loved the colors...a pretty shell pink and off white. I could imagine how this would spruce up some things in my wardrobe and how it could go with some dresses I had, etc. So I tried it on with high hopes.

At this point, I'd removed the offending pants and put on some jeans and a gray t-shirt (Stitch Fix from 2 years ago) to see how it would look. It was cute! And had very long sleeves for my very long arms. A big plus. The weave was light, so I knew it would be a perfect cardigan for the warmer months. This went in the YES pile.

3) I was having a pretty decent box so far - one hit, one miss. Not bad. I hoped for the best when I hung up the next item: Genna Split Neck Top by Fun2Fun for $44.00.

I liked the print very much. It was fun and sassy for summer. I also appreciated that the stylist had stuck to my 'no sleeveless please' request. I had good feelings about this blouse. It was made of a lighter material, breezy. Just what I'd need for the hotter days coming up. So I tried it on:

This pic is not the best - a little blurry - sorry about that. And it is a bit hard to see why this didn't end up working for me. The split neckline was a bit high up so that the bust line ended up looking really unflattering. The neck needed to be a little lower to make a more attractive appearance overall. Or maybe the gathering needed to come down further. Not sure. It just didn't look good. And, in this pic, you can see something odd going on with my chest. That's all I will say there.

I also had trouble with the shoulder area.

 The seam for the shoulder was too narrow for me. I needed another inch or so to get the sleeve to fall properly. Instead, the sleeve appears to be tight, when it really wasn't. Just too far up my shoulder to sit correctly. Bugger.

Another NO, and I was very very hopeful about this one!

4) My next item was a pair of very cute shorts in a gorgeous turquoise blue - Cindie Linen Short by Level 99 for $78.00.

I'd asked for some shorts that a 40-something could wear. I didn't want anything too short or too tight. I wanted comfortable and flattering. I LOVE linen, but was worried it may not work well due to an absence of stretch power.

My worries were unfounded, however, when I tried them on:

 Eek! My bare legs. They don't look too terrible, I think. But let's focus on the shorts, why don't we? The glorious shorts! The color! The fit! The length! Divine in all ways. The waist fit perfectly. The linen material made them hang in a very flattering way. Holy moley, I loved these shorts! And the construction of these shorts was fantastic. Very solid closures on the waist, the stitching and pockets were fab. I have never spent this much on a pair of shorts before, but maybe I will from now on. I mean, check it out!

Really cute. Once again, ignore leg and notice shorts! I love these so very very very much. I wore them the other day and just adored them all day long.

KEEP, 100 times, KEEP!

5) The last item in my box was this lovely dress - Augustina Knit Maxi Dress by Skies Are Blue for $68.00.

I love me a good maxi dress. I have a couple from Stitch Fix, and I was ready to add another if it worked out. The top of it looked cute, but I'd have to wear with my strapless bra, so that was a bit of a bummer to me. However, I tried it on.

Not bad overall. I didn't necessarily love the gathered waist. A bit bulky, and I need all the help I can get minimizing the lower half. The fabric was a bit heavier, so the bulk was unavoidable really. The keyhole neckline was super cute. But then I did a bra check (as we girls always do when we are trying something on like this)...

Ooh, not good. This is the only strapless bra I have. Not inclined to buy another just for one dress. And, too bad, because the side angle is pretty good with this one. But, not interested in worrying about shopping for a bra for a single dress in my wardrobe. So this was a NO.

Overall, a 2-out-of-5 box made me very happy. I added a couple of things to my summer wardrobe that were very wanted...the shorts especially! LOVE THEM.  I have decided to go back to an every-other-month fix for now, so my reviews should come more often.

Hope you all enjoy them. Would love to hear your feedback about what I kept and what I sent back. I think my fill-in stylist did an excellent job. After 3+ years of using their service, I still adore Stitch Fix!

And if you like my reviews, I bet you'll like my novels. Here's one that you might enjoy, a romance called ACAPULCO NIGHTS!

Click here to check it out.