Goal's that I've Completed since the last update

There have been several actually. Some are simply started, others completed, and one is in limbo due to COVID-19.

Let's start at the top of the list and work our way down.

Goal #1--in 2018 I lost that thirty pounds and it felt wonderful. I did it by cutting gluten and milk from my diet and simply walking every day. Sadly, I gained it all back in 2019 by starting to eat bread again. 2020 saw me going back to what I needed to do and then we got whammies. I'm afraid I'm eating junk for comfort and ruining all my progress. I have no will power.

Goal #4 Publish Eleena's story--This one took six years to pull off, but THE HAND OF ATUA was published in February of 2019. It's a hearty 90K young adult space opera. It's in KU and also available on audiobook.

A prince, his teacher's daughter, multiple planets, refugees, and a God waiting for a boy to grow into a man with the faith to change the galaxy. Heartache and hope, fear and love, the living and the dead are all in Atua’s hands.


Goal #5--I'm still trying to make myself rip Talia's world apart. We're 40K into it.

Goal #8--Donated blood in September and December of 2019, and donated in April of 2020.

Goal #14--We've finally started adding some more landscaping to our rocky front yard. I wouldn't call it awesome yet, but it looks so much better than it did before.

Goal #21--I finally made it to the Grand Canyon early January of this year. I made a 5-day circuit of the US with my daughter (taking her the long way back to college), my senior, and our exchange student. It was an "epic" trip as Rens would say. We've been told we visited the "ugly" side of the Grand Canyon, but it was still gorgeous. The entire trip was filled with a variety of landscapes that made my heart happy.

South Rim, Grand Canyon, January 2019

Goal #45--Hubby and I booked a Mediterranean cruise in December of 2019. It was supposed to take place June of 2020. Yeah, not going to happen. Thank you Coronavirus. *grumbles* The good news is we can simply move it. But how do you know when to re-book? When will it really be safe to travel the world again?

So, making progress, but maybe I need to print this list off and post it next to my desk. It's so easy to forget that I wanted to do some of these things. Especially as the world changes and my goals change too.

For instance, I'm learning how to podcast. I've recorded six episodes. I like some of them, and some of them I don't. The biggest thing is finding the balance between talking naturally and following enough notes to say all the things I want to say. The last few have swung to far into "reading" territory and I don't like it.

The fix? The next podcast will include interviews with my children. Yeah, that will be as natural as you can get!

In writing news, I also published Teacher's Crush in 2019. It's another contemporary romance set in my Eureka Springs (small-town) series. Check it out if you like that kind of thing. Also in KU and available in audiobook.

Jennifer Carlson returns to Eureka Springs. A newly graduated teacher, her only goal is to help her dad and get out of town. However, the good-looking biker has her second guessing what she really wants. 

High school principal, Robert Allen has never been so conflicted. Jen needs a job, but he wants her for his own. Can he convince her to stop running away?

Goal #32--Cruise and Snorkel

This one was a fun goal to check off. In fact, it goes down as one of the best vacations ever.

Dawn of The Mages Goal #5

Is now available in print. Kindle will be available in September. Go check it out. 

You can also enter a giveaways to win free copies of this book on Goodreads and on my Blog. 




Blurb:

The Dragumon have been defeated, but the planet Sendek will never be the same.

In order to save their world, Talia and Landry Sutton had to wake the forgotten magic on Sendek. But instead of restoring peace, it creates chaos on the city streets, with those unable to work magic turning against those who can.

When Talia and Landry travel to the planet Orek to discover how it combines magic and science, they find a new, anti-magical government. The Controllers have all the tech, weapons, and natural resources. On Orek, the magical outcasts beg Talia and Landry to help them rise up against their oppressors.

The two must decide whether to help save Orek or return home and save their own planet. Talia and Landry are torn apart by the conflicting missions. Talia knows what Landry wants, but if she gives in, she could lose what she loves the most.

Goal #41 Compile a yearly anthology from the SF/F contest

Done!

The first anthology, highlighting 12 of the great entries from the high school contest is now available in print and for kindle on Amazon. I'll be posting it on other online stores like Smashwords soon.

This book was a lot of fun to compile. Many of the students exchanged emails with me as we worked on some edits. In the end I had to do a few on my own, but I only edited "lightly". The goal was to retain the author's voice and style. This means there are some verb tense issues, but it is what it is--a highlight of raw talent.

A glimpse into the future of speculative fiction.

Get your copy today and help spread the word. All royalties earned from the sale of this book will be saved for the 2015 contest prizes. Last year we gave away $200 of cash prizes to the students. Remember it was free for them to enter. I'd love to keep it this way and selling the anthology is a great way to raise the prize money.

Amazon

You Can Now Buy Goal #15!

Yep, it's all finished and up on Amazon.

You can order your print copy, or pre-order your kindle copy. The kindle version will automatically be sent to your Kindle on Monday, January 26th if you pre-order. It's ready, I just wanted to try the pre-order function and later found out I can't remove it! I've put it as early as Amazon will let me.

After the first 3 months on KDP Select, I'll release FIM as an Epub for Nook as well.

Remember, if you pledged on my kickstarter, I'll be sending your rewards. I've ordered the print copies of the book and as soon as I get them, they will be on their way to you. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Here's the blurb once again and the trailer.

Back Cover--
Caeden Frey doesn’t believe humans will evolve to see the magic, much less control it. Even so, he has two months to marry a human or face the wrath of the High Council. Bitter about a responsibility he thinks prevents him marrying for love, he figures any human girl will do. He’s ready to propose when his soul mate stumbles into—and right out of—his arms.

Human, Ryanne Killian might be Caedan’s one shot at happiness while still fulfilling his duty. Unfortunately, she guards a dark secret. She’s determined to push Caedan away to protect him from her past.

Caedan must convince her she’s worthy of his love before a rival family puts an end to his wedding plans. If she can see her own worth, she just might save herself and his people.

Trailer--
 

Print 

Kindle

Goodreads

Please write an honest review for Amazon and Goodreads if you read. That's the best way to help an author get continued sales. 

Thanks!

Goal #12--Set up a dining room--CHECK!

Yay! After nearly eighteen years of marriage, we now have a formal dining room. I feel so grown up! And I think it's time to plan a dinner party...if only there were a free weekend between now and June.

 It started with paint...at 8:30 PM on a Friday night. 

Yeah, these are our favorite kind of dates, sad but true!

 Today we drove around checking out Craig's List finds and brought home this 

$20 table to fill this empty space. A pop of red and some family pictures make it feel homey.

I still don't know about the piano, but there isn't anywhere else to put it right now. 

Eventually we will get a nice plant to put in the corner by the window. 

But all in all, I'm really happy with the clean lines and modern feel to the room. Some day we will also find the perfect rug, maybe. Nathan is still trying to convince me that's a good idea. I'll also start collecting different color runners and look for some kind of centerpiece to put on the table. Maybe something for each season and holiday! Yep, that sounds like a good plan. A little here and there throughout the rest of the year. 

What do you think?