Writer's moments
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Sunday Snippet: The October Memos Edition
It’s memo time, which can be translated as I got nothin’ today, so we’ll rehash last month on this first day of the new month. Here we go… Dear October, So how did you fly by so fast? One moment we were out on the boat cruising the lake for my birthday, and the next, the boat’s in storage and we’re cutting back the hostas around the lake cottage. Where did you go? What was your hurry? Still in a Summer Frame of Mind, Nan ~*~*~*~ Dear Weather, Okay, you convinced me–my state with its four seasons is the most glorious. Sunny days with bright blue skies, trees changing to…
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Sunday Snippet: The A Little Like Baking Edition
It’s fall and that is when I really get in the mood to bake. I love to bake. I love knowing that if I mix together butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and other sundry ingredients, I will get a basic cookie dough. If I add chocolate chips or nuts or oatmeal or raisins, I’ll have a special tasty treat. Baking is relaxation for me in a way that nothing else is—not even reading or swimming or walking or biking. I think that is because there is a creative element involved in making a batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies or an apple pie or a pan of sinful dark chocolate brownies…
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Author Spotlight Is on Sapna Srinivasan
I’m so pleased to welcome fellow Tule author Sapna Srinivasan back to the Author Spotlight. Sapna lives in Seattle, WA with her perfectionist husband and perfect daughter. Her name in Hindi means “dream” and true to its meaning, Sapna finds gratification in dreams and storytelling. She was born in southern India, raised in northern India, and spent the better part of her adult life in the United States. She, therefore, unabashedly clutches her Indian roots while embracing the American in herself. She loves to cook traditional Indian food and, yes, she uses cilantro in practically everything. When she isn’t cooking, writing, or being intellectually stumped by her daughter, she may…
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Author Spotlight: Kris Bock Is Here with Kitties and Magic!
The Magical Cat Cafe 2 by Kris Bock In The Magical Cat Café and Teashop series, the ordinary and the magical come together over hot drinks, sweet treats, and rescued cats. This small town café becomes a sanctuary for people carrying old hurts, uncertain hopes, and the need for a little kindness. Friendship Fiction Through interconnected stories of café customers and their feline companions, these novels explore the healing power of friendship, community, and second chances. Each visit brings a new connection and a small transformation, proving that sometimes the most meaningful changes begin with a warm cup, a purring cat, and a safe place to be yourself. Perfect for…
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Sunday, Whoops, Monday Snippet: The Author on the Road Edition
Yeah, I missed posting the snippet yesterday, but I have a valid excuse–I was on the road. Pal Mo and I were driving to Wisconsin for a writing retreat. It’s bittersweet being here because this was supposed to be the fall writing retreat with Liz. However, Liz was unable to do this retreat with me, and since sis had gotten the condo in the Dells for us, I figured I’d ask someone else to join me. Confession to Mo, I did ask Husband if he wanted to join me in Wisconsin. He very kindly declined. I think the idea that he would simply be doing the same thing up here…
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Sunday Snippet: The It’s Harvest Fest Day Edition!
Yup, today is Harvest Fest in our little town of Fishers, Indiana, and I will be there with bells on! Okay, maybe no bells, but definitely with books and a smile. I’m looking forward to meeting new readers and greeting friends, signing books, and sharing some Author Booth time with my fellow local authors, including one of my very favorite mystery authors, J.C. Kenney. Harvest Fest is not just books and authors–there are dozens of artists, artisans, creators, and musicians as well as food trucks a beer garden, and soft drinks. It will be a great way to spend the afternoon and help out some fabulous Fishers-area non-profits. Go here…
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Author Spotlight: Liz Flaherty Is Here with A New Color!
Doris Lankford, you are Liz’s winner! She will be in touch! Thanks to everyone for stopping by! I love it when Liz Flaherty comes to visit–not just because she’s my bestie, but also because she always bring such wonderful stories with her! This week is not exception as we celebrate the release of Shades of Green, Book 3 in the Harper Loch Colors trilogy! Retired from the post office, Liz spends non-writing time thinking about writing and wanting to travel more than she does. (No fault of Nan Reinhardt—her Big Red suitcase is always ready to go!) The author of 20-some books, she and her husband Duane share an old…
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Sunday Snippet: The August 2026 Memos Edition
I do these every so often–these memos. I’d like to tell you it’s all about catching up, taking a breath, landing somewhere for a few minutes. I suppose it is all those things, but mostly, it’s because I can’t think of anything to blog about except what’s happening in our country and I need to not think about that right now. I don’t want this blog to be political–you all know my politics and I know most of yours. All we can do in that regard is keep staying alert and vote, vote, vote. So we’re going to do the August memos today. Dear Weather, Ummmm… could you pick a…
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Author Spotlight: Welcome Jo-Ann Roberts!
I’m happy to welcome my fellow Petticoats & Pistols filly, Jo-Ann Roberts to the spotlight today. Born and raised in western Massachusetts, Jo-Ann Roberts was fascinated by America’s Old West and always felt she was destined to travel on a wagon train following the Oregon Trail. With her love of history and reading, she began reading historical romance during high school and college. Victoria Holt, Jude Deveraux, and Roseanne Bittner were among her favorites. Influenced by her father, she fell in love with John Wayne, James Garner, and her all-time favorite, James Stewart and grew up watching Wagon Train, Bonanza, and Rawhide. A firm believer in HEA with a healthy…
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Sunday Snippet: The I’m Older and I’m Okay Edition
Yes, I’m going to talk about aging today, so if you’re sick and tired of hearing about people (read me!) getting older, I’d suggest you go do something else. Watch YouTube or Netflix, scroll on your phone, or read a book on your Kindle. Seems like I keep hearing that people I know or who are part of my worldview have died–Bonnie Tyler, Sam Neill, Catherine O’Hara, Robert Duvall, Peabo Bryson, David Clayton-Thomas, Neil Sedaka, Sophie Kinsella, Rob Reiner, Eric Dane (Dr. McDreamy)… and closer to home and less recently, my mom, my sister, Kate, my best friend, Dee, and other cousins, friends, and contemporaries. Kate would’ve turned 75 in June,…