January, 2026 Author Update
Image by Pixabay
Emeline’s Prequel: Whispers Across the Prairie
Hurrah! I sent my completed draft to Erin Dionne, my editor, before surgery took place. I’m excited to receive her comments later this month and revise it accordingly. Personally, I LOVE this story featuring ten-year-old Emeline with both parents.
I’ve created a new page for this pending middle-grade novel. Click HERE to for a preview of coming attractions!
Claudia Gadotti is working on the sketch for the cover, which I hope to see soon. When that happens, I’ll contact my cover designer and interior designer for scheduling. Then Claudia will create several interior art pieces, as well.
Website Update
If you’re an educator or librarian, please check out the schools and educators tab created just for you. Dive deeper into any of my books, whether the early reader chapter books, or the YA historical fiction novels.
Surgery Recovery
Well, it’s finally over. I have a reverse shoulder joint replacement on my right side, which is my dominant side. By the time you read this, it will have been two weeks since surgery and I’ll be looking at physical therapy next. At least I can type now, although not for very long periods. I’ll be glad when I can use my arm fully again, although some movements will not be possible: hand behind the back or arm straight up.
(In case you missed it, this happened because of an accidental fall while tripping through a hose on my concrete deck one night in October.)
January Chickadee Cheer Winner
Congratulations to someone with an email that includes the word “pictures”. Check your email. Send me your physical address so I can mail my thank you for reading these blogs. This time, it will be a custom cover notebook with dotted pages for you to write or doodle in. Blessings!
Creature Feature: The Bongo
Have you ever seen one of these beautiful animals in the zoo?
Research the Addax (a similar animal in Africa). What’s different about the Bongo? What design feature do you like most about this creature? Why?
Creature Feature is a new addition to my Author Update each month and is inspired by the books by Reasons for Hope. The Bongo is from the book called A Pocket Guide to the Zoo: Fascinating Facts, Volume 1: Africa. There are too many facts to put in this small space, which is why I found a video, but if you’re interested in learning more about God’s design in animals, please check them out. (Next month: the Cheetah!)
