What’s better than spooky season in America’s spookiest town?
As many of you know, my daughter and I recently went on a girls’ trip to Salem, MA. I don’t travel often, but I love it so! This was her first flights, so it was fun to experience that with her. Salem, MA, is actually a smaller town than I thought, and a lot of the tourist spots are in a very close area. The leaves had just started turning that week, which added to the autumn feel along with the cold temperature (hence my weapons of creation sweatshirt). I got to see enough spooky decorations to make my creepy-loving heart happy! But I also learned so much about Salem’s history and their current focus on tolerance, diversity and inclusion. Here are some of the highlights: Architecture: I love the “feel” that architecture lends a place. Salem (and Massachusetts in general) felt very New England/American historical with some quirky stops along the way.
Atmosphere: Let’s get real! We were there to celebrate Halloween, which Salem does all October long.
Some other fun things we did!
This trip inspired me so much to really think about atmosphere and the feel of a place, along with the unjust persecution and why this happened. All of the cool things that we saw and everything I learned fed my creativity in a big way! Inspiration has been hard to access easily during the pandemic, which added to my difficult case of Writer's block. From the "Feel" of Salem, the historical information, visual fodder, and architecture, it all came together to boost my creative energy and refill the well. Yay!
I'm also grateful that I experienced this place with my daughter. We share a love of spookiness, so these are memories we will both cherish.
I hope you enjoy a chance to see it too. Spooky season was wonderful this year and lasted extra long! But it gave me lots of thinking time, then and into the fall. How about you? Also, do you find travel boosts your creative juices?
Take care,
Dani Wading Through Life...
In my day job, I’ve always worked at full throttle. I’ve always been expected to. A To Do list a mile long and constant questions and interruptions. Someone always looking over your shoulder, judging. And I was raised to believe meeting this challenge was a sign of a hard worker. Complaining would be a sign of laziness. Sometimes that busy pace helped the day go quicker; some days, not so much… Recent changes mean that I’m currently in a slower time. How long that will last remains to be seen. But for now, my days at my new job are happening at a much slower pace. Great, right? Not always. I think our brains can get used to that fast pace and pushing to keep up. Even while you know it isn’t good for you and not a healthy way of operating 24/7. I know I had begun to have difficulty powering down at night. Or I would shut down to complete inactivity (which should have been a huge sign to me that something wasn’t right.) My new job is slower paced, but the restless, anxious, “I must be wrong because every second isn’t packed with something waiting” feeling won’t go away. That’s when I realized…I don’t know how to downshift. Everyone tells you to just breathe>>but I don’t actually know how. 😊 It isn’t just a matter of getting your body to slow down (i.e. stop running on adrenaline). The problem is the BRAIN. It feels like if I just exited an 80 mph interstate and found myself on a 30 mph backroad. My brain keeps searching for the speed, even though it’s no longer necessary.
I know a lot of people view this as a good problem to have—me included—but its not one I’ve encountered before.
Creativity requires a slower, meandering mindset, like a Sunday drive…until it latches on to the idea it wants to pursue. But I think its easier when you start from the more exploratory mindset.
But I haven’t been on that easy back road on a daily basis in years. Even writing retreats, when I was able to have them, required some time to get back into a slower mindset.
So now I’m brainstorming some ways to get my brain to slow down on the regular. I want to boost the environment that will in turn encourage my creativity. But I believe it will take some training! Here's some ideas:
- Schedule in some daydreaming time. I find myself constantly searching for something to distract me—SM, music, something to read—not good! I think some “thinking time” is in order, even if I can only do 5 minutes at a time.
- Walking in nature—I’m hoping the weather cools soon so I can do this.
- Journal—I used to call this a “brain dump”. It often helps me to get racing thoughts out of my brain. I need to do this more often!
- Cut down on communicating—my environment has allowed me to already do this. Less emails, calls, people coming by.
- Lower consumption of TV, internet, etc. Also doing this. No wifi access at work, so less lunchtime binging.
- Relaxation activities, like meditation, breathing. Already doing this, but working to ramp it up.
- Distract myself with something fun, like trip planning (see last blog for more on this) or getting together with friends or planning regular date nights.
Wading Through Life...
Party Planning has begun! At least, a party for 2! No, not that kind…I’m knee deep in planning a girls’ weekend with my daughter. At the end of the month, we will be immersing ourselves in the history, beauty, and spooky atmosphere that is Salem, MA. I’m sure y’all will hear more than you ever wanted to know about my trip. 😊 Lots of pics and musings about that in the near future.
In the meantime, I want to talk about planning and mental health. I’m not sure if its my writer's imagination or just my natural planning nature (I’m a planner girl through and through!), but the excitement is kicked up a notch when I’m planning something that’s actually fun.
Maybe this is obvious to everyone else, but for a long time I’ve been immersed in the minutiae of my weekly schedule. Chores, work schedule, appointments, and all kinds of tasks…none of it FUN.
Pssstttt…. I’m not really good at planning enjoyable things for myself. Just the details of life that need to be organized and taken care of…
But looking at the possibilities for this trip (things to do, places to eat, what we will see) and my excitement has been a big boost to my mental health. I have something to look forward to, daydream about, and enjoy the thought of.
Those things that give you that kick of excitement and energy you don’t get from the daily grind.
I’d forgotten that.
Which means I need to start planning more fun things for myself! Uh oh. I’m not a natural in this arena (see whole explanation above…). 😊
I may need some help here. What are your favorite plans to look forward to? Big ones like trips? Small ones like a date night?
I’d love to hear your suggestions!
Take care,
Dani
Haunted Heritage
It's almost time for Spooky Season! My favorite time of year. Here's one of my Secrets of Covington Corner novellas to get you in the appropriate spooky mood!
She’d prepared to be flooded in during the storm, alone…she didn’t plan on being stranded in a haunted house with him.
With an antebellum home to protect, Olivia doesn’t waste any time in her preparations. She’d promised her employer she would take care of the place while she was in the hospital. No power and no exit route is par for the course this far from town.
But her plans didn’t include a sexy PI who seems intent on digging into her employer’s every secret. Isolated by rising flood waters, Olivia can’t get away from his questions or the heated attraction he evokes. Still she can’t shake the feeling he’s hiding something.
Will the old trunk in the attic reveal a new kind of storm? Will his investigation into a long lost heir destroy the very love they’ve both been longing for? Find out HERE!
Novellas in Secrets of Covington Corner series in order:
Shadow Manor
Haunted Heritage
Dark Destiny
Holiday Storm
It Caught My Eye...
I'm so ready for Fall! It just started cooling down here in the South, but I know better than to trust it. We will have second summer soon. I'm just praying for more than 2 weeks of autumn's cool breezes before winter kicks in...
Author Joanna Penn talks about the different types of energy authors use – “starting energy”, “pushing through energy”, and “finishing energy”.** This final one is the push to get a project completed, to see that story through to the very end. Usually it is fueled by the momentum that has built up during your project and the rush to see your story wrap up.
I’m full tilt in finishing energy right now, and its both satisfying and exhausting. Normally I find it exciting to push to the end of a story, but my current energy is also muddled by everything else going on in my life. Finishing up at my old job... That meant (for me) wrapping up any outstanding tasks, trying to proactively cover anything that might come up while there’s no one there to do my job, leave instructions behind, and clean out my office (on top of the emotional energy of closing out this chapter of my life).
And now learning my new job. Yes, my expectations of myself are a little high…
But I’m trying to focus o the joy of setting all of that chaos aside for a few hours so I can explore this adventure with my characters. Not easy, but oh so fun!
What story are you enjoying to escape your work load today?
Take Care,
Dani
** More on different energies in the book writing process from Joanna here: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/starting-but-not-finishing-writing-projects/
She’d watched him from afar for years…now he’s up close and personal.
Shy librarian Cara spent her life overshadowed by her three older brothers, while secretly crushing on their best friend. After a family tragedy, he cut himself out of their lives, but she still watches his house on the hill from the darkness of her bedroom every night.
Then she gets a second chance to reveal the man behind the mask. A night of revelry leads to passion and high hopes, until her tortured hero’s troubled past rises from the shadows.
Will he retreat into the darkness once more or let obsession lead him to her love
Novellas in Secrets of Covington Corner series in order:
Shadow Manor
Haunted Heritage
Dark Destiny
Holiday Storm
Amazon
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Apple Books
Kobo
Add to your TBR Shelf in Goodreads
Only Have Time for a Short Read?
Check out my novella series set in Covington Corner...starting with Book One for FREE.
She’d watched him from afar for years…now he’s up close and personal.
Shy librarian Cara spent her life overshadowed by her three older brothers, while secretly crushing on their best friend. After a family tragedy, he cut himself out of their lives, but she still watches his house on the hill from the darkness of her bedroom every night.
Then she gets a second chance to reveal the man behind the mask. A night of revelry leads to passion and high hopes, until her tortured hero’s troubled past rises from the shadows.
Will he retreat into the darkness once more or let obsession lead him to her love
Novellas in Secrets of Covington Corner series in order:
Shadow Manor
Haunted Heritage
Dark Destiny
Holiday Storm
Amazon
B&N
Apple Books
Kobo
Add to your TBR Shelf in Goodreads
It Caught My Eye…
My daughter and I are headed to Salem, MA in a few weeks and I'm knee deep in deciding what we will see while we're there. Yay!! Change is inevitable, someone said, but if I’m honest, it’s my least favorite thing in the world.
I like comfortable, cozy, familiar. Change feels like an itchy wool sweater, only I have to wear it 24/7. Even good change is difficult, because my body/brain doesn’t know the difference between happy stress and difficult time stress. I’ve officially dubbed this season the “Summer of Change”. I thought it would start and end with my children’s graduation (one from college, the other from high school), and the youngest one starting college in the fall. This is a bittersweet season for us. While I’m excited to see my babies find their wings, and they aren’t completely leaving the nest because it takes time to get established as an adult, it’s still the realization that they no longer need us as much anymore, and they’re becoming their own independent selves. I certainly hope that they find a sure footing as they move forward, and happy, healthy lives, doing things that they love.
But with the oldest moved home, unexpected medical issues (not me), unexpected feline medical issues, getting everything set up for son’s college start, house painting project…and the big one—an upcoming job change for me.
That’s right. After this month, I’ll no longer be working at the university. It’s good (more money, less stress, great company). It’s sad (I’ve loved working on campus and am going to miss so much about it, including a lot of the people). It’s hectic (lots of paperwork, arrangements, forms, appointments, etc).
Big change…and my body is super stressed. Enough I’m not sleeping. Ugh! Hate it when that happens!
But one YAY factor? I’m using the deadline of starting the new job to motivate me to push to finish the book I’m working on. Learning a new job will require brain power, not to mention getting used to a new environment. I can probably edit, but not write new words (author brain is weird!).
This weekend is my first big push. I’ve got 2 more to finish the last 3rd of the first draft. Fingers crossed I can jump that hurdle for a fast finish!
Have you faced any major changes lately? I'd love to talk about it over on my Facebook author page! Follow me at: https://www.facebook.com/dani.Love Small-Town Suspense? Try my Small Town Secrets series!
BENEATH THE SURFACE is FREE on all platforms!
Welcome to Cadence, TN–where secrets can be deadly.
Too many secrets…
Hidden in a quiet town along the Tennessee border, a secret society exists where the privileged fulfill their darkest desires. One of their members initiates a desperate act designed to bring home his lifelong obsession: Emma Hartwell.
A past not forgotten…
Drawn back to her hometown by the psychic connection with her twin, Emma must fight the stubborn silence of those around her in her quest to find her missing sister. Colin McIntyre hopes to make up for his past mistakes with Emma by helping her, but his own ties to the Gathering might be exposed along the way.
Time is running out…
Exposure could be dangerous for his family, along with himself and Emma. Can they fight the secrets and lies to rescue Emma’s sister… and their own chance at life-long love?
Other books in the Small Town Secrets series (can be read in any order):
BEHIND THE SCARS
SNOW BOUND
Amazon
B&N
Kobo
Apple Books
It Caught My Eye...
As you know, we have a whole clowder of cats in our house, but we only have one outside cat. Her name is Ghost. My daughter caught this awesome picture of her this week and I just love it! I hope you do too!
I was thinking just the other day about some upcoming changes in my family’s life. We have our oldest graduating from college and our youngest graduating from high school. Which makes for a busy season in our lives. That involves lots of activities, appointments, and as my son is entering a music program at the same college that I work at, there are auditions and meetings for that too.
This is also a bittersweet season for us. While I’m excited to see my babies find their wings, and they aren’t completely leaving the nest because it takes time to get established as an adult, it’s still the realization that they no longer need us as much anymore, and they’re becoming their own independent selves. I certainly hope that they find a sure footing as they move forward, and happy, healthy lives, doing things that they love.
We also have a summer project of painting the exterior of our house. It seems, just as soon as we settle into a routine, things have a way of getting shaken up. But this isn’t unusual. There’s always something new around the corner, which is great, unless change unsettles you…like it does me. 😊 Maybe that’s why it keeps showing up. Heaven forbid I should get complacent and comfortable!
The same is true for the new series that I’m working on. Book one has been a series of ups and downs, as I try to find my voice in a new, contemporary southern romantic suspense, and battle the usual demons of creativity – self-doubt and fear.
But I’m really excited about the direction that it’s going, and I’ve found some beta readers to help me refine it before it gets released. I really hope you enjoy this new genre much as I do. I’ve always incorporated a lot of Gothic tropes and atmosphere in my books, and now I’m going all in!
Just a heads up, I’ll have a new giveaway series coming up on the blog. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you may have seen my recent book anniversary posts, where I highlight one of the books that was released in that month. In putting together the series, I realized I have quite a few books through the years that have been released all in the same month. So I’m planning to do some giveaways of each of those books during different months on the blog. So watch for a link to comment and be entered to win. Coming soon!
I hope that you were looking forward to the start of spring as much as I am! My flowers have started coming up, and I’m looking for to seeing survived in my garden and how it progresses.
For those of you across the world who spring and summer will be winding down, I hope you enjoy your coming fall. It’s my favorite time of the year! Have an outdoor fire and marshmallow roast for me.
Take care!
Dani
FR💜💜 NOW: BENEATH THE SURFACE
Welcome to Cadence, TN–where secrets can be deadly.
Too many secrets…
Hidden in a quiet town along the Tennessee border, a secret society exists where the privileged fulfill their darkest desires. One of their members initiates a desperate act designed to bring home his lifelong obsession: Emma Hartwell.
A past not forgotten…
Drawn back to her hometown by the psychic connection with her twin, Emma must fight the stubborn silence of those around her in her quest to find her missing sister. Colin McIntyre hopes to make up for his past mistakes with Emma by helping her, but his own ties to the Gathering might be exposed along the way.
Time is running out…
Exposure could be dangerous for his family, along with himself and Emma. Can they fight the secrets and lies to rescue Emma’s sister… and their own chance at life-long love?
Other books in the Small Town Secrets series (can be read in any order):
BEHIND THE SCARS
SNOW BOUND
DOWNLOAD NOW on:
Amazon
B&N
Apple books
Kobo
Or add it to your TBR shelf on Goodreads
This is also a bittersweet season for us. While I’m excited to see my babies find their wings, and they aren’t completely leaving the nest because it takes time to get established as an adult, it’s still the realization that they no longer need us as much anymore, and they’re becoming their own independent selves. I certainly hope that they find a sure footing as they move forward, and happy, healthy lives, doing things that they love.
We also have a summer project of painting the exterior of our house. It seems, just as soon as we settle into a routine, things have a way of getting shaken up. But this isn’t unusual. There’s always something new around the corner, which is great, unless change unsettles you…like it does me. 😊 Maybe that’s why it keeps showing up. Heaven forbid I should get complacent and comfortable!
The same is true for the new series that I’m working on. Book one has been a series of ups and downs, as I try to find my voice in a new, contemporary southern romantic suspense, and battle the usual demons of creativity – self-doubt and fear.
But I’m really excited about the direction that it’s going, and I’ve found some beta readers to help me refine it before it gets released. I really hope you enjoy this new genre much as I do. I’ve always incorporated a lot of Gothic tropes and atmosphere in my books, and now I’m going all in!
Just a heads up, I’ll have a new giveaway series coming up on the blog. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you may have seen my recent book anniversary posts, where I highlight one of the books that was released in that month. In putting together the series, I realized I have quite a few books through the years that have been released all in the same month. So I’m planning to do some giveaways of each of those books during different months on the blog. So watch for a link to comment and be entered to win. Coming soon!
I hope that you were looking forward to the start of spring as much as I am! My flowers have started coming up, and I’m looking for to seeing survived in my garden and how it progresses.
For those of you across the world who spring and summer will be winding down, I hope you enjoy your coming fall. It’s my favorite time of the year! Have an outdoor fire and marshmallow roast for me.
Take care!
Dani
FR💜💜 NOW: BENEATH THE SURFACE
Welcome to Cadence, TN–where secrets can be deadly.
Too many secrets…
Hidden in a quiet town along the Tennessee border, a secret society exists where the privileged fulfill their darkest desires. One of their members initiates a desperate act designed to bring home his lifelong obsession: Emma Hartwell.
A past not forgotten…
Drawn back to her hometown by the psychic connection with her twin, Emma must fight the stubborn silence of those around her in her quest to find her missing sister. Colin McIntyre hopes to make up for his past mistakes with Emma by helping her, but his own ties to the Gathering might be exposed along the way.
Time is running out…
Exposure could be dangerous for his family, along with himself and Emma. Can they fight the secrets and lies to rescue Emma’s sister… and their own chance at life-long love?
Other books in the Small Town Secrets series (can be read in any order):
BEHIND THE SCARS
SNOW BOUND
DOWNLOAD NOW on:
Amazon
B&N
Apple books
Kobo
Or add it to your TBR shelf on Goodreads
Something really special is happening this week! It’s National Library Week here in the US and to me it is something truly worthy of celebration.
I grew up going to the library. My mom would take us when we went “into town”, which is country talk for driving to the nearest actual city (for us—that was 30 minutes away).
We were homeschooled, so this was our primary source for stories of any and all kinds. My sister and I would come home with the maximum number of checkouts every two weeks. When the librarians asked my Mom if we actually read the books, she said, “Yes, then they read each other’s.”
I would never have been able to afford to buy all the books that we read. We quickly graduated from the children’s section to the adult fiction. Romance has always been a favorite.
That small-town library introduced me to my favorite gothic romance author Mary Stewart and Phyllis A Whitney. I also remember a line of hard back gothics that I would randomly find among the other books, like a treat I had to hunt for…
The librarians were always helpful and friendly and I wanted to grow up to be one. It was a place my true self loved and felt at home in.
I hope you have a place that’s the same for you. Now, working at a university, I still try to go over to the library to write sometimes and it brings back those warm memories. Do you have any memories of going to the library? I’d love to hear them!
Go by your local library to support their services and events. While you’re there, ask them to stock your favorite books! That’s a great way to support an author too!
Take care,
Dani
We were homeschooled, so this was our primary source for stories of any and all kinds. My sister and I would come home with the maximum number of checkouts every two weeks. When the librarians asked my Mom if we actually read the books, she said, “Yes, then they read each other’s.”
I would never have been able to afford to buy all the books that we read. We quickly graduated from the children’s section to the adult fiction. Romance has always been a favorite.
That small-town library introduced me to my favorite gothic romance author Mary Stewart and Phyllis A Whitney. I also remember a line of hard back gothics that I would randomly find among the other books, like a treat I had to hunt for…
The librarians were always helpful and friendly and I wanted to grow up to be one. It was a place my true self loved and felt at home in.
I hope you have a place that’s the same for you. Now, working at a university, I still try to go over to the library to write sometimes and it brings back those warm memories. Do you have any memories of going to the library? I’d love to hear them!
Go by your local library to support their services and events. While you’re there, ask them to stock your favorite books! That’s a great way to support an author too!
Take care,
Dani
BOOKAVERSARY!
It's a BOOK ANNIVERSARY!
The 1st book in my Backstage Pass series and first southern rock star romance! This couple will always be near and dear to my heart, because they gave me the freedom to write something that didn't feel "safe". A big step for me now, much less than in 2013.
FINDING HER RHYTHM
He’s a rock star with the world at his feet—but he’d rather have her there.
Taylor Jemison lost everything when her first dip into the world of consensual kink went wrong, and she wound up on the run from a dangerous ex. Driven from her home and the teaching job she loved, she needs a safe haven. As nanny for a rock star, she’ll live behind gated walls with a private security team. As for the teens’ sexy dad … he’ll be on the road most of the time. That’s good, because one touch of his strong hands leaves her body and heart craving submission to his commands.
Guitarist Michael Korvello may have a rep as an all-in, balls-out hard-rock star with a penchant for kink, but he keeps his personal life firmly separated from his home and his kids. One look at the curvy little nanny, and he knows she can’t stay, because her big green eyes say she craves the control he wants to wield. And though Michael can have any number of beautiful women, he aches for one who’ll truly accept him—inside and out.
Just when neither can deny their need for each other, Taylor’s ex surfaces, intent on taking back what he considers his, and ready to destroy Michael’s world to get her. Can two kindred souls protect their private passion from an outsider bent on ripping them apart?
Don’t miss this sizzling, sensual peek into the private world of a rock star —get your copy of FINDING HER RHYTHM today!
FR
on all platforms.
on all platforms.
It’s the month of love! **cue cheesy romantic cliches**
I’ll admit—I’m not a typical romance author. I’m not into the usual “romantic” gestures--rom coms, roses or wanting my lover to make an over-the-top gesture. I’m a weird, focused-on-the-small-things kinda girl with a dark side who writes contemporary gothic romances set in the South. My husband and I have odd senses of humor.
So while I wouldn’t turn away a bouquet of roses, that’s not something I’d get really excited about. For other quirky girls like me, I thought I’d share a list of gifts that would make me squeal… well, not out loud, but certainly in my head!
What would be the unusual gift that would have you jumping for joy?
Comment at the bottom of this page for a chance to win your own goodies! I'll send you a package of bones coffee (various flavors) and a cute notebook! (winners chosen 2/13/22-please check back for winner names and instructions for claiming your prize)
Take care!
Dani
**I'm not sponsored by any of the products listed here...I just love using them!
I’ll admit—I’m not a typical romance author. I’m not into the usual “romantic” gestures--rom coms, roses or wanting my lover to make an over-the-top gesture. I’m a weird, focused-on-the-small-things kinda girl with a dark side who writes contemporary gothic romances set in the South. My husband and I have odd senses of humor.
So while I wouldn’t turn away a bouquet of roses, that’s not something I’d get really excited about. For other quirky girls like me, I thought I’d share a list of gifts that would make me squeal… well, not out loud, but certainly in my head!
- Theater movie night with the newest horror movie release (or even an old one at home on Shudder or Netflix)**
- Candles (any and all kinds)
- Pens and a journal (I know, right??)
- Gothic planner stickers (love the ones I got for Christmas!)
- Cat toys (we have 7 cats)
- Anything about the movie “It” (original or remake!)
- A Ghost Adventures marathon (love it!)
- Bones Coffee (spooky and delicious, with no sugar)
- A night around a fire in the firepit under a full moon
- A weekend away to a haunted hotel or historic castle (I wish!)
- A ghost walk
- Piper & Ivy T-shirts (coolest reader T-shirts in the world and the images don't crack!)
- A hot bath, a meal I didn’t cook, and a thorough massage (okay, some of me is typical!)
What would be the unusual gift that would have you jumping for joy?
Comment at the bottom of this page for a chance to win your own goodies! I'll send you a package of bones coffee (various flavors) and a cute notebook! (winners chosen 2/13/22-please check back for winner names and instructions for claiming your prize)
Take care!
Dani
**I'm not sponsored by any of the products listed here...I just love using them!
How about a February weekend filled with a romantic masquerade party and a dark house on the hill? Check out SHADOW MANOR for FR💙E!
Shadow Manor
Secrets of Covington Corner series, Book 1 She’d watched him from afar for years…now he’s up close and personal. Shy librarian Cara spent her life overshadowed by her three older brothers, while secretly crushing on their best friend. After a family tragedy, he cut himself out of their lives, but she still watches his house on the hill from the darkness of her bedroom every night. Then she gets a second chance to reveal the man behind the mask. A night of revelry leads to passion and high hopes, until her tortured hero’s troubled past rises from the shadows. Will he retreat into the darkness once more or let obsession lead him to her love? Amazon Barnes & Nobles Apple Books Kobo Novellas in Secrets of Covington Corner series in order: Shadow Manor Haunted Heritage Dark Destiny Holiday Storm
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I’m a Planner Girl! I have a 3-drawer set of planner supplies and put together weekly spreads pretty regularly. It helps me stay on track and, frankly, clears out the cobwebs.
Many years ago, I learned to do what I call a brain dump. If I pour everything out onto a To Do list (appointments, chores, projects, etc), then I no longer have to use a lot of brain power to keep track of those things. I’ve fine-tuned this to a monthly and weekly calendar setup so my To Dos don’t outdistance my time (mostly…).
And now I’ve become addicted to planning every week, usually on Sunday afternoons. Which means…an excuse to use stickers! 😊 Just kidding. Not!
For my fellow planner girls or those who want to get started, here’s a list of some of my favorite tools, along with some of my daughter’s also (because I managed to pass this one gene along!).
BENEATH THE SURFACE, Small Town Secrets Book 1
Welcome to Cadence, TN–where secrets can be deadly.
Too many secrets…
Hidden in a quiet town along the Tennessee border, a secret society exists where the privileged fulfill their darkest desires. One of their members initiates a desperate act designed to bring home his lifelong obsession: Emma Hartwell.
A past not forgotten…
Drawn back to her hometown by the psychic connection with her twin, Emma must fight the stubborn silence of those around her in her quest to find her missing sister. Colin McIntyre hopes to make up for his past mistakes with Emma by helping her, but his own ties to the Gathering might be exposed along the way.
Time is running out…
Exposure could be dangerous for his family, along with himself and Emma. Can they fight the secrets and lies to rescue Emma’s sister… and their own chance at life-long love?
Other books in the Small Town Secrets series (can be read in any order):
BEHIND THE SCARS
SNOW BOUND
Amazon
B&N
Apple Books
Kobo
For my fellow planner girls or those who want to get started, here’s a list of some of my favorite tools, along with some of my daughter’s also (because I managed to pass this one gene along!).
- Passion Planner is the actual planner I use (monthly and weekly spreads-I prefer undated-with monthly and yearly reflection questions), but there are a lot of different ones out there. Passion Planner also posts content on Instagram and YouTube. I enjoy watching their ideas for different ways to use their planners.
- Archer & Olive is really good for those who like to do bullet journals. This is my daughter’s preferred option (and you can see some of her spreads on her blog here-alittlebithappierblog.com). These journals have high quality bindings and paper that doesn’t bleed, which can be a big deal when you are creating your own spreads.
- The HB90 planner by Sarah Cannon is available on Etsy and is wonderful for all the authors out there! I bought the download and use some of the ideas to incorporate into my own planner. I also print word count charts and some decision-making tools she has to help me keep my planner useful for author needs. She has an awesome HB90 class and you can also watch planner videos on her Heart Breathings YouTube channel.
- My sister, author Ella Sheridan, and I are working through the Heal the Way You Work class (based on the Do Less book by Kate Northrup). This teaches you how to plan your schedule based on your energies of that day/week/month. A very different approach, but I’m finding it very interesting. Fingers crossed I can figure this out, but her checklists of questions for creating annual/quarterly/weekly schedules is super helpful for clarifying goals and focuses.
- Stickers!!! I love and use a lot of Happy Planner sticker books. I especially like all the quotes and encouraging sayings in them. I was gifted some gothic ones for Christmas from HoundsflyteDesigns on Etsy that I’m loving! My daughter and I immediately went to her store and bought more of them.
- Pens, pens, and more pens… I have a lot of these but not as many as some planners. I’m very picky about mine… My favorite black pens are uni-ball signo, whether I’m writing or planning. I also have a set of Pentel EnerGel colored pens that work well. My daughter likes Muji gel pens in 0.58 and Tombow duel brush pens.
- But planning is always a good excuse for a STAPLES TRIP! I collect all kinds of Post It notes, page tabs, and washi tape. Writers love all kinds of office supplies, but I mean, who wouldn’t?!?!
Experience Cadence, TN, with BENEATH THE SURFACE
BENEATH THE SURFACE, Small Town Secrets Book 1
Welcome to Cadence, TN–where secrets can be deadly.
Too many secrets…
Hidden in a quiet town along the Tennessee border, a secret society exists where the privileged fulfill their darkest desires. One of their members initiates a desperate act designed to bring home his lifelong obsession: Emma Hartwell.
A past not forgotten…
Drawn back to her hometown by the psychic connection with her twin, Emma must fight the stubborn silence of those around her in her quest to find her missing sister. Colin McIntyre hopes to make up for his past mistakes with Emma by helping her, but his own ties to the Gathering might be exposed along the way.
Time is running out…
Exposure could be dangerous for his family, along with himself and Emma. Can they fight the secrets and lies to rescue Emma’s sister… and their own chance at life-long love?
Other books in the Small Town Secrets series (can be read in any order):
BEHIND THE SCARS
SNOW BOUND
Amazon
B&N
Apple Books
Kobo
Tis the season for something new and shiny…for an author, there’s very little more exciting than getting a new cover! (all right, it’s exciting to finish a book, get a good review, have a new plot explode fully formed in your brain…but you get my point!)
I recently decided to recover my Small Town Secrets series to bring the covers up-to-date. I still loved aspects of them, but the market for steamy small-town romances has moved in a different direction. What better excuse to enjoy searching for gorgeous men…I mean, gorgeous photos to match my books?
[caption id="attachment_946" align="aligncenter" width="200"]
The 2016 cover for Snow Bound[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1605" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Small Town Secrets series new covers[/caption]
I love the natural backgrounds of these new ones. The books are set in a small town in Tennessee surrounded by lots of wooded areas, so these are perfect. The ambience is a perfect match too—unlike my Harlequins, these are heavily suspense books and the heat level is several peppers higher. 😊
I was able to find some of the photos to purchase on stock sites and my cover artist helped me find the others. The font is the same as my Secrets of Covington Corner series to keep my branding consistent. My cover artist and I go back and forth on them until they’re all smoothed out and ready to go.
Honestly, covers are a really fun part of putting out a book! I hope you enjoy them, and if you haven’t read this sexy suspense series, take a peek at the information below. Snow Bound has been free to my newsletter subscribers for a while, so you might have read that one (this will be changing soon!).
Take care!
Dani
BENEATH THE SURFACE, Small Town Secrets Book 1
Welcome to Cadence, TN–where secrets can be deadly.
Too many secrets…
Hidden in a quiet town along the Tennessee border, a secret society exists where the privileged fulfill their darkest desires. One of their members initiates a desperate act designed to bring home his lifelong obsession: Emma Hartwell.
A past not forgotten…
Drawn back to her hometown by the psychic connection with her twin, Emma must fight the stubborn silence of those around her in her quest to find her missing sister. Colin McIntyre hopes to make up for his past mistakes with Emma by helping her, but his own ties to the Gathering might be exposed along the way.
Time is running out…
Exposure could be dangerous for his family, along with himself and Emma. Can they fight the secrets and lies to rescue Emma’s sister… and their own chance at life-long love?
Other books in the Small Town Secrets series (can be read in any order):
BEHIND THE SCARS
SNOW BOUND
Amazon
B&N
Apple Books
Kobo
The 2016 cover for Snow Bound[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1605" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Small Town Secrets series new covers[/caption]
I love the natural backgrounds of these new ones. The books are set in a small town in Tennessee surrounded by lots of wooded areas, so these are perfect. The ambience is a perfect match too—unlike my Harlequins, these are heavily suspense books and the heat level is several peppers higher. 😊
I was able to find some of the photos to purchase on stock sites and my cover artist helped me find the others. The font is the same as my Secrets of Covington Corner series to keep my branding consistent. My cover artist and I go back and forth on them until they’re all smoothed out and ready to go.
Honestly, covers are a really fun part of putting out a book! I hope you enjoy them, and if you haven’t read this sexy suspense series, take a peek at the information below. Snow Bound has been free to my newsletter subscribers for a while, so you might have read that one (this will be changing soon!).
Take care!
Dani
Learn more about Cadence, TN, with BENEATH THE SURFACE
BENEATH THE SURFACE, Small Town Secrets Book 1
Welcome to Cadence, TN–where secrets can be deadly.
Too many secrets…
Hidden in a quiet town along the Tennessee border, a secret society exists where the privileged fulfill their darkest desires. One of their members initiates a desperate act designed to bring home his lifelong obsession: Emma Hartwell.
A past not forgotten…
Drawn back to her hometown by the psychic connection with her twin, Emma must fight the stubborn silence of those around her in her quest to find her missing sister. Colin McIntyre hopes to make up for his past mistakes with Emma by helping her, but his own ties to the Gathering might be exposed along the way.
Time is running out…
Exposure could be dangerous for his family, along with himself and Emma. Can they fight the secrets and lies to rescue Emma’s sister… and their own chance at life-long love?
Other books in the Small Town Secrets series (can be read in any order):
BEHIND THE SCARS
SNOW BOUND
Amazon
B&N
Apple Books
Kobo