Life in progress


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Sign up, get free books

The Magician’s Sire is here, and it’s free!

Tortured by the curse on his family and the looming death of his father, Tarmien Dagmar must juggle the family business and his father’s insistence that he find a bride.

Then he meets Stella, a hotel housekeeper in his employ who fully intends to hate him …

The Magician’s Sire is the prequel to my contemporary Gothic paranormal romance series. It’s a complete story that contains no spoilers for Book One of the series, The Magician’s Curse. And if you’ve already read the other books in the series, The Magician’s Sire will give you a better understanding of how the story of the Dagmar family came about.

You can have my new book in your hands within the next few minutes. Just click this link and let me know where to send it!

 

When you sign up, you’ll also get the prequel to my Once a Week at Woody’s romantic comedy series, Swallowed.

When a single date becomes a family affair…

Hannah is quite happy staying home, taking photos of her meals to post online when she’s not at the office. But she knows she needs more out of life, so she agrees to go out with Shaun, the gay IT guy from work, to a family event as his “date.” It wasn’t supposed to change everything.

Enter Cal, Shaun’s brother.

Cal is in the midst of opening his own pub. When the family becomes involved, things get complicated. Especially since he has his eye on the girl they believe belongs to his brother.

Hannah and Cal form a secret relationship that goes beyond her doing his bookkeeping. But can they keep it on the down low long enough to make O’Flanagan’s Pub a reality?

This prequel to Saddled tells the story of how Cal and Hannah came to open Woody O’Flanagan’s Pub, future Saturday-night male strip club in the series “Once a Week at Woody’s.” If you love laugh-out-loud low-angst romantic comedy, you’ll love this book!

Subscribe to my newsletter and get both books!


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Just Jot it January 2026 – We did it!

We did it! 🎉

January 2026 is officially in the books, and it was a great month, wasn’t it? For blogging, anyway.

I had a great time visiting other blogs whenever I could and I met some wonderful bloggers on the way. I hope you had as much fun as I did.

Tell me how you did with the challenge. Did you post every day in January? Did you at least jot something somewhere? Let me know in the comments, or write your own “I did it! #JusJoJan26 Edition” post in the next few days, even if you only posted once, and link it back here.

Thank you so much to everyone who joined in on this, our 12th annual Just Jot it January. Special mention to everyone who provided prompts for us to write to! Here’s your annual participant badge to use in your “I did it” post or to pin anywhere you’d like.

Happy February!


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JusJoJan26 & #SoCS 31/26 – Scratch an itch

This post is part of Just Jot it January and my weekly prompt, Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Find the prompt and see how you can join in here.

Sometimes I want to just write something and make it public.

Get my brainwaves out into the world in the form of words.

SoCS is great for that because I don’t have to think too much. You get what you get.

I wish I could just do that with books. I’d certainly get them written a lot faster that way.

I’ve thought about starting a pen name with which I can just write whatever comes into my head and put it out in the world without editing it. Because as an editor, I can’t allow myself to just do that … I’d ruin my reputation. I need to be perfect, after all.

Or at least strive for perfection.

Alas, I don’t have the energy to do such things AND write my edited books in my own name.

But I still have SoCS.

It scratches the itch when I need it scratched.

This satisfied post is part of Just Jot it January and SoCS! Want to join in? Just click here to getto the prompt and drop your link. It’s fun!

2019-2020 SoCS Badge by Shelley! https://www.quaintrevival.com/

 


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JusJoJan 30/26 – Cinnamon

This post is part of Just Jot it January, and the prompt word, “cinnamon,” is brought to us by Tessa K. Check out her blog here!

I’ve never understood it.

Why anyone would complain when they realize just from the smell that there’s a Cinnabon in the vicinity.

It’s the best aroma in the world, isn’t it?

Well, isn’t it?

If you say no, you’re unfortunately wrong.

Sorry.

(heehee)

This aromatic (can’t you smell it now?) post is part of Just Jot it January! Want to join in? Just click here to get to the prompt and drop your link in the comments. It’s fun!

Thanks again to Tessa K. for today’s prompt!


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The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2026 Daily Prompt for Jan. 31st

It’s the final day for our combination Daily 2026 Just Jot it January prompt and Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt. This one is for SATURDAY, JANUARY 31st. January somehow went by in a flash and simultaneously lasted five years. How does that happen?

For those of you joining SoCS for the first time, it’s a little different than the other prompts in that it’s not always a whole or single word. If you’re joining in from JusJoJan and don’t want to write stream of consciousness style, no worries. It’s up to you. If you do want to try it, please check out the rules below. It’s fun! Here’s your Saturday prompt:

Your prompt for #JusJoJan the 31st and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “scratch an itch.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

After you’ve written your Saturday post tomorrow, please link it here at this week’s prompt page and check to make sure it’s here in the comments so others can find it and see your awesome post. Anyone can join in!

To make your post more visible, use our SoCS badge! Just paste it in your Saturday post so people browsing the reader will immediately know your post is stream of consciousness and/or pin it as a widget to your site to show you’re a participant. Wear it with pride!!

2019-2020 SoCS Badge by Shelley! https://www.quaintrevival.com/

You can also use the Just Jot it January badge! To find the rules for Just Jot it January, click here.

Here are the rules for SoCS:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The’,” or simply a single word to get your started.

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours.  Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read everyone’s! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later, or go to the previous week, by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find right below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!


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Daily Prompt – JusJoJan the 30th, 2026

It’s our final daily Just Jot it January prompt for 2026. It’s the 30th! Can you believe it? Today’s prompt is brought to us by Tessa K. Thank you, Tessa K.! Please be sure to visit Tessa K.’s blog to read her posts and say hello. And follow her while you’re there if you’re not already.

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 30th, 2026 is “cinnamon.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

If you’d like to see the prompt list, you can find the list HERE.

Here are the rules:

1. Please be sure to copy the URL for THIS POST and paste it in your own so your link shows up in the comments here. If you’re not using WordPress, be sure to put your link in the comments on THIS POST for Friday, January 30th, 2026.

2. Just Jot It January starts January 1st, but it’s never too late to join in! Here, we run on the honour system; the “jot it” part of JusJoJan means that anything you jot down, anywhere (it doesn’t have to be a post, it can even be a grocery list), counts as a “jot.” If it makes it to your blog that day, great! If it waits a week to get from a sticky note to your screen, no problem!

3. I’ll post prompts at 2am my time (GMT -5). You don’t have to follow the prompt every day, but that will be where you leave your link for others to see. You’ll get a prompt for every day except Wednesday, when the prompt is simply my One-Liner Wednesday and on Saturday, when your prompt will be the Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS, which will appear at about 9:30am Friday. Each prompt post will include the rules.

4. Please ping back or link to the daily prompt. To ping back, just copy the URL from the daily prompt post, and paste it anywhere in your post. Check to make sure your link shows up where you want it to, and go back occasionally to see other bloggers’ entries – the more you visit others, the more they’ll visit you! Note: A) The newest pingbacks will be at the top of the comments section. B) Ping backs only work if you’re blogging on WordPress. Everyone else must paste a link manually.

5. Tag your post JusJoJan26 and/or #JusJoJan26.

6. Write anything! Any length will do! It can even be a photo or a drawing – you’re going to title it, right? There’s your jot!

7. The prompts will appear every day that’s neither a Wednesday nor a Saturday–Saturday’s JusJoJan prompt will be Stream of Consciousness Saturday. You’ll find the list of prompts below as they come in, which means I’ll be updating this post. Remember, you don’t have to use the prompts. Please write whatever inspires you. NOTE: If your post is NSFW, do not ping back. Please leave your link in the comments with a warning.

8. If you’d like to, use the JusJoJan badge so that others can find your post more easily.

9. Have fun!


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JusJoJan 29/26 – Prompt

This post is part of Just Jot it January, and the prompt word, “prompt,” is brought to us by Cheryl. Check out her blog here!

“Prompt.” What a prompt word that is, eh?

I went back to look at some of my old prompts and posts from so long ago. SO long ago; I started Stream of Consciousness Saturday in March 2013, and One-Liner Wednesday as a prompt on June 25th, 2014. With help from some friends, most of whom aren’t around any more, we haven’t missed a single week for either of them. (Thanks, Dan and Helen!)

Here’s where I started One-Liner Wednesday. You’ll find some familiar names in the comments!

About One-Liner Wednesday

I’m so grateful still for everyone who visits my blog and who responds to my prompts. Thank you!

This fond reminiscing post is part of Just Jot it January! Want to join in? Just click here to get to the prompt and drop your link in the comments. It’s fun!

Thanks again to Cheryl for today’s prompt!


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Daily Prompt – JusJoJan the 29th, 2026

Welcome back to our daily Just Jot it January 2026 prompt. Today is the 29th, and our prompt is brought to us by Cheryl. Thank you, Cheryl! Please be sure to visit Cheryl’s blog to read her posts and say hello. And follow her while you’re there if you’re not already.

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 29th, 2026 is “prompt.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

If you’d like to see what we have so far on the prompt list and what’s to come, you can find the list HERE.

Here are the rules:

1. Please be sure to copy the URL for THIS POST and paste it in your own so your link shows up in the comments here. If you’re not using WordPress, be sure to put your link in the comments on THIS POST for Thursday, January 29th, 2026.

2. Just Jot It January starts January 1st, but it’s never too late to join in! Here, we run on the honour system; the “jot it” part of JusJoJan means that anything you jot down, anywhere (it doesn’t have to be a post, it can even be a grocery list), counts as a “jot.” If it makes it to your blog that day, great! If it waits a week to get from a sticky note to your screen, no problem!

3. I’ll post prompts at 2am my time (GMT -5). You don’t have to follow the prompt every day, but that will be where you leave your link for others to see. You’ll get a prompt for every day except Wednesday, when the prompt is simply my One-Liner Wednesday and on Saturday, when your prompt will be the Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS, which will appear at about 9:30am Friday. Each prompt post will include the rules.

4. Please ping back or link to the daily prompt. To ping back, just copy the URL from the daily prompt post, and paste it anywhere in your post. Check to make sure your link shows up where you want it to, and go back occasionally to see other bloggers’ entries – the more you visit others, the more they’ll visit you! Note: A) The newest pingbacks will be at the top of the comments section. B) Ping backs only work if you’re blogging on WordPress. Everyone else must paste a link manually.

5. Tag your post JusJoJan26 and/or #JusJoJan26.

6. Write anything! Any length will do! It can even be a photo or a drawing – you’re going to title it, right? There’s your jot!

7. The prompts will appear every day that’s neither a Wednesday nor a Saturday–Saturday’s JusJoJan prompt will be Stream of Consciousness Saturday. You’ll find the list of prompts below as they come in, which means I’ll be updating this post. Remember, you don’t have to use the prompts. Please write whatever inspires you. NOTE: If your post is NSFW, do not ping back. Please leave your link in the comments with a warning.

8. If you’d like to, use the JusJoJan badge so that others can find your post more easily.

9. Have fun!


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One-Liner Wednesday & #JusJoJan26 the 28th – Winter wonderland

I won’t be sitting on my deck any time soon.

Photo: My patio table on my deck with about 28 inches of snow on top of it

If you would like to participate in this prompt, feel free to use the “One-Liner Wednesday” title in your post, and if you do, you can ping back here to help your blog get more exposure.

Here are the simple JusJoJan Rules:

1. Just Jot It January starts January 1st, but it’s never too late to join in! Here, we run on the honour system; the “jot it” part of JusJoJan means that anything you jot down, anywhere (it doesn’t have to be a post, it can even be a grocery list), counts as a “jot.” If it makes it to your blog that day, great! If it waits a week to get from a sticky note to your screen, no problem!

2. I’ll post prompts at 2am my time (GMT -5). The prompt will be the word in quotation marks in the title of my 2am post. You don’t have to follow the prompt every day, but that will be where you leave your link for others to see. You’ll get a prompt for every day except Wednesday, when the prompt is simply my One-Liner Wednesday and on Saturday, when your prompt will be the Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS, which will appear at about 9:30am Friday. Each prompt post will include the rules.

2 a) The rules that I’ve made for myself (but don’t always follow) for “One-Liner Wednesday” are:

1. Make it one sentence.

2. Try to make it either funny or inspirational.

3. Use our unique tag #1linerWeds.

4. Add our lovely badge to your post for extra exposure!

5. Have fun!

Badge by Laura @ riddlefromthemiddle.com
 

3. Please ping back or link to the daily prompt. To ping back, just copy the URL from the daily prompt post, and paste it anywhere in your post. Check to make sure your link shows up where you want it to, and go back occasionally to see other bloggers’ entries – the more you visit others, the more they’ll visit you! Note: A) The newest pingbacks will be at the top of the comments section. B) Ping backs only work if you’re blogging on WordPress. Everyone else must paste a link manually.

4. Tag your post JusJoJan26 and/or #JusJoJan26.

5. Write anything! Any length will do! It can even be a photo or a drawing – you’re going to title it, right? There’s your jot!

6. The prompts will appear every day that’s neither a Wednesday nor a Saturday–Saturday’s JusJoJan prompt will be Stream of Consciousness Saturday. You’ll find the list of prompts below as they come in, which means I’ll be updating this post. Remember, you don’t have to use the prompts. Please write whatever inspires you. NOTE: If your post is NSFW, do not ping back. Please leave your link in the comments with a warning.

7. If you’d like to, use the JusJoJan badge so that others can find your post more easily.

8. Have fun!


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JusJoJan 27/26 – Labyrinth

This post is part of Just Jot it January, and the prompt word, “labyrinth,” is brought to us by Cale. Check out her blog here!

There might have been a time in my life when I was all for figuring out which way to go. Give me a labyrinth—give me a challenge, is what I might have said.

But now?

I just want to be able to see the road ahead. I want to know what to expect.

Yeah, twists and turns can be fun. Heck, I put them in my stories for my characters to wade through as often as I can. But that’s where I get to live vicariously through them.

Real life, though?

I ain’t got time for surprises.

This insightful post is part of Just Jot it January! Want to join in? Just click here to get to the prompt and drop your link in the comments. It’s fun!

Thanks again to Cale for today’s prompt!


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Daily Prompt – JusJoJan the 27th, 2026

It’s January 27th already! And it’s time for our daily Just Jot it January 2026 prompt. Today’s prompt is courtesy of Cale. Thank you, Cale! Please be sure to visit Cale’s blog to read her posts and say hello. And follow her while you’re there if you’re not already.

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 27th, 2026 is “labyrinth.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

If you’d like to see what we have so far on the prompt list and what’s to come, you can find the list HERE.

Here are the rules:

1. Please be sure to copy the URL for THIS POST and paste it in your own so your link shows up in the comments here. If you’re not using WordPress, be sure to put your link in the comments on THIS POST for Tuesday, January 27th, 2026.

2. Just Jot It January starts January 1st, but it’s never too late to join in! Here, we run on the honour system; the “jot it” part of JusJoJan means that anything you jot down, anywhere (it doesn’t have to be a post, it can even be a grocery list), counts as a “jot.” If it makes it to your blog that day, great! If it waits a week to get from a sticky note to your screen, no problem!

3. I’ll post prompts at 2am my time (GMT -5). You don’t have to follow the prompt every day, but that will be where you leave your link for others to see. You’ll get a prompt for every day except Wednesday, when the prompt is simply my One-Liner Wednesday and on Saturday, when your prompt will be the Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS, which will appear at about 9:30am Friday. Each prompt post will include the rules.

4. Please ping back or link to the daily prompt. To ping back, just copy the URL from the daily prompt post, and paste it anywhere in your post. Check to make sure your link shows up where you want it to, and go back occasionally to see other bloggers’ entries – the more you visit others, the more they’ll visit you! Note: A) The newest pingbacks will be at the top of the comments section. B) Ping backs only work if you’re blogging on WordPress. Everyone else must paste a link manually.

5. Tag your post JusJoJan26 and/or #JusJoJan26.

6. Write anything! Any length will do! It can even be a photo or a drawing – you’re going to title it, right? There’s your jot!

7. The prompts will appear every day that’s neither a Wednesday nor a Saturday–Saturday’s JusJoJan prompt will be Stream of Consciousness Saturday. You’ll find the list of prompts below as they come in, which means I’ll be updating this post. Remember, you don’t have to use the prompts. Please write whatever inspires you. NOTE: If your post is NSFW, do not ping back. Please leave your link in the comments with a warning.

8. If you’d like to, use the JusJoJan badge so that others can find your post more easily.

9. Have fun!