Bookshop.org Raises Money For Local Bookstores

Very exciting! Draft2Digital partnered with Bookshop last February. I was so engrossed in my current project that I'm finally sharing the Bookshop links to my YA books. 

I finished the first draft of that project two weeks ago, a crime fiction about three sisters, and I'm celebrating by taking time for myself and completing other writerly-related stuff.  

The Unmoving Sky 

There's Nothing Darker Than the Woods Until You Meet Your Worst Fear.

 

Jackson Bower has much on his mind lately. His younger brother hasn't been the same since his mother's death. His father's drinking is out of control. Then there's his girlfriend and the grief that ties them together even as it threatens to drive them apart. He distances himself, hoping for a little perspective at the family lodge. But when his father gets drunk and dangerous, he and his brother Artie escape into the woods.

 

Night creeps in, and the rains come fast. Artie slips down a ravine. Wounded, Artie and Jackson seek shelter in a cave, only to find someone else already taking refuge there. A desperate man with plans to destroy their town. Jackson and his brother must get out of the cave and make it over the mountain in time to warn everyone – without getting themselves killed first.

 

"The rural setting's rich insights and smells grow ever darker as the characters come to life in this poignant tale. A coming-of-age story reveals the bonds between family & friends as the mystery unfolds. This little book is filled with emotion, hope, despair, and suspense."

 

Visions of Death: The Music Department Murders

Summer 1935 Ruby St. Claire is the Weston Music School's rising star with her swinging jazz quartet. Next stop is the Roseland Ballroom Competition. After taking a break from helping the police find murder suspects with her extra sensory vision, the images of death have returned. Girls from school are disappearing. Ruby has to act fast and find their killer even when all the signs point to her.

"I was deeply immersed in NYC’s jazz scene and the elegance, language, and culture of the 1930s, learning much about the era through small details and author’s notes. On top of that, its a great plot-twister and would make an excellent film or series."

Did you know?   

"Amazon Pulls Support for Perfectly Fine Older Kindles"

In an email to customers, Amazon announced that it would be ending service for Kindle devices older than the 2012 edition. Those devices will lose access to the Kindle Store.

WIRED article  

And that Bookshop raises money for local bookshops?  Now that is awesome! So it is Artimis II.  Okay, Artimis II wins in the awesome category. 

The Best Made Plans Fall Away

I quickened my pace, keeping Coco one-step behind. I was the alpha dog I knew where we were headed. The pier! I announced excited by the warm spring temperature. I took my best friend’s advice and moved my office outside.

I wanted to. I needed to. The dark solace of the jazz club had become a burden with holes being poked into my solitude. It was a public space, after all. What could I expect? Making deals with my partner had turned into an adventure in fortitude. Was I winning? 

I took my bearings with my faithful pup at my side. First, we stepped into the dog run. With no balls to play with and forgetting hers, we left and returned to walking, searching for a spot to park. 

The winds picked up. My hair and earbuds tangled into a braid. I couldn’t see. The sun was warm and delightful. I pressed on. We found a bench and sat down. Whew.

I opened my notebook. The pages flapped in the wind, signaling an emergency. But what? 

For an unknown reason, I opened my wallet only to drop it and have business cards and money fly from my reach. I caught all the little papers about to take off into the river.

I sat at the picnic table and looked around. It was a beautiful day. I wanted to stay. But there was no way I could concentrate and write a short story, much less sketch.

So, Coco and I walked home, through the sun and blustery wind, grateful for our beautiful spring day.

 You should have seen the papers flying everywhere!