Blog
Book news, a podcast & Jen recommends bookish travel
In a pause from my usual type of blog post, this week I’m sharing book news, a podcast interview and, since many of us, like me, still can’t travel far in real life, I also have a recommendation for bookish armchair travel. My podcast debut Last month, I took part in...
Valentine’s Day 2022: Cards, candy and a cadaver
Heading towards our twenty-sixth wedding anniversary, these days Tech Guy and I don’t usually make a fuss over Valentine’s Day. While we celebrate our love, we don’t typically do so on February 14 when restaurants are busy, flowers over-priced and there’s unspoken...
Marking five years as a published author & “Montana Reunion” on tour
In the past ten days my sixth book, Montana Reunion, has hit physical and digital bookshelves, and I’ve also marked five years since the release of my first book, The Cottage at Firefly Lake. Since January 2017, as I've transitioned from newbie to more experienced...
Montana Reunion is almost here…And I’m remembering when I wore cowboy boots
Montana Reunion, my debut western and Harlequin Heartwarming romance, is out in a few days on January 25. To those who have only known me in one part of my life, for example, my years in England or now small-town Eastern Ontario, Canada, it may not be immediately...
Reflecting not resolving: A year to grow
In this time of pandemic, days, weeks, months and even years sometimes feel as if they’re blurring together. While I’m hopeful 2022 will be better for us all, as I’ve done since 2014, I’m not making New Year’s resolutions but rather choosing a word to reflect on over...
A year of words and a writing hangover
Last week, I finished the longest book I’ve ever written, all 101,294 words of it. And while many rounds of edits remain, for now it’s done and I can celebrate. A dual timeline women’s fiction novel set between the Second World War and 2018, it’s also the most...
Gratitude is more than an attitude
As my American family, friends and readers celebrate Thanksgiving, gratitude and giving thanks are in the news, and I’ve been thinking about the phrase "gratitude is an attitude." Being thankful is an attitude and expressing appreciation for things large and small has...
‘Lest We Forget:’ Honouring Wartime Sacrifice
In many countries, the eleventh of November is a day to honour wartime sacrifice. In Canada, it’s Remembrance Day and here, as in the UK (known as Armistice Day) and elsewhere, there is a minute (or more) of silence at eleven in the morning to mark the armistice...
Preparing for an early winter
In my part of Canada, the first snow of the season is forecast for next week and weather pundits are predicting a harsh and earlier winter than usual. While I don't relish snow and cold, for "winter people," like most Canadians, there is much to do to prepare for this...
Photo by Robin Spencer, Spencer Studio