Writing Matters Blog

“Fragile Arrangements” by Daisy Lea

Dive into the emotional turmoil of Fragile Arrangements, a gripping coming-of-age novel that thrusts college student Sophie into a world of chaos. Awakening in a peculiar bed and breakfast, anxiety grips her as the revelation of an arranged marriage to her best friend, James, unfolds. Caught in a love triangle and facing societal expectations, Sophie grapples with the delicate balance between conformity and self-discovery.

In this evocative tale, the author skillfully navigates the complexities of anxiety, love, and the pursuit of personal happiness. Readers will be drawn into Sophie’s turbulent journey, where decisions made resonate with authenticity and emotional depth. The narrative captures the weight of familial obligations, the nuances of mental health, and the resilience required to forge an authentic path.

Fragile Arrangements is a captivating exploration of identity, societal pressures, and the profound choices that shape our destinies. With relatable characters and a narrative that tugs at the heartstrings, this novel is an enthralling journey of self-acceptance and the pursuit of true happiness. Purchase Fragile Arrangements today, now on Amazon.com!

“Guilty of Stealing His Heart” by Nancy Lynn White

Get ready for a compelling journey in the pages of Guilty of Stealing His Heart, where the indomitable spirit of young widow Carrie Wagner takes center stage. Columbus, Ohio, becomes a distant memory as Carrie flees the betrayals inflicted by her own parents and a criminal husband. Driven by the audacious dream of a fresh start in California, Carrie, despite her sworn-off stance on men, remains steadfast in her resolve to create a haven for love and family through the adoption of orphans.

As she navigates the path towards this brighter future, destiny unfolds a surprising twist in the form of Billy—a twelve-year-old stowaway with a rough exterior and a penchant for vibrant language and JT—a former Pony Express rider turned Pinkerton agent. Initially hesitant to get involved, Carrie’s reservations soon transform into a catalyst for her dreams, as the uneducated boy and the world-wise detective unexpectedly bring her one step closer to the envisioned family.

Within the pages of this heartwarming historical fiction novel, the tapestry of emotions woven into the narrative invites readers to witness the strength of Carrie’s character, the bonds formed in adversity, and the transformative power of unexpected connections. As the story unfolds, Carrie’s odyssey becomes a testament to the enduring human spirit and the ability to forge new beginnings in the face of betrayal and hardship. Guilty of Stealing His Heart promises to be a riveting tale, where determination triumphs, hope prevails, and the true essence of family is revealed in the most unexpected ways.

Join Carrie in this captivating exploration of resilience and hope, as she embarks upon a tumultuous journey to overcome betrayal and redefine the purpose of her life. Purchase Guilty of Stealing His Heart today, now on Amazon.com!

“Addicted to Stupidity” by Voltwain

Sometimes we get too comfortable with what we know… or think we know. So when a new version of the truth comes along, instead of trying it out—approaching it with an open mind—we get defensive, shout it down, and shut it out.

But what if you didn’t do that this time? What if you opened your mind, took your common sense so meticulously honed by life’s unavoidable experiences, and considered this truth. Addicted to Stupidity is simultaneously the narrative history of a life and a philosophy of life, complete with its foundational underpinnings; extrapolations from the past to the present and even into the future.

Join the author as they recount a childhood immersed in politics—baptism by fire in a world where staying on the sidelines would cease to be an option. Consider the possibility that neutrality is just another name for voluntary surrender, a resignation to be the victim of others who realize all too quickly that the squeakiest wheel gets the grease and proceed at all costs to either be the wheel or silence it. Read Addicted to Stupidity and take the opportunity to examine and question everything you believe, and perhaps discover if a few changes in your perception can make all the difference in the world. Purchase Addicted to Stupidity today, now available on Amazon.com!

“A Fox’s Wedding” by Mike Sweeney

From traditional Kyoto to the glittering Ginza, Athena Fox navigates both the very public and very private hotspots of Japan to infiltrate a powerful cult hiding in plain sight and discover their best-kept secret.

Through dawn runs in the old geisha district, sword fights in the dusty streets of a studio town, and private lessons from an elegant Takarasienne, “Penny” finds herself growing into her role. From the luxuries of a traditional ryokan to the neon-lit craziness of the fan haven Akiba, she begins to think that she might be able to pull off the globe-trotting adventurer she once dreamed of being.

And in the deep snows of a holy mountain, in mortal peril, she might just discover that “Penny” has some unique skills of her own…

Her mission brings her face to face with ninja-like warriors, shadowy government agents, and mysterious forest spirits. But what really worries Athena / Penny is that her cover will be blown and she will become just another mythic legend in a mystical land where tradition collides with pop culture. So grab your well-worn fedora and a fist-full of shuriken for a trip through the funhouse mirror when you purchase A Fox’s Wedding, now available at Amazon.com!

“Adeptus: The Rose Against the Comet” by Arnold Sky

In a world where chaos lurks around every corner, there are mystical forces actively seeking to bend fate to brighter ends. Thus, when Anita ends an unfortunate engagement and encounters the mysterious Alsáni, guardian of the secrets of Monsteinfeld, heir of Bloodcastle and Alsancastle, watching over a gravely wounded Marine, the world as she knows it is destined to be changed forever.

Martin has a lot of challenges to navigate. After barely surviving a horrific encounter with an especially lethal land mine, Martin finds himself the recipient of the Medal of Honor…and being decommissioned from the Marine Corps. Events that will shape the future have been put into motion, and Martin’s outsized role in them will soon become very clear.

But first there are the pressing matters of the present. An absent father suddenly finds his way back into Martin’s life. The aftereffects of his injury leave Martin disabled in more ways than one, and falling in love threatens to avert his focus when he needs it the most. However, Martin is special, and he will find that even the limits of time and space will bend to aid him in accomplishing his appointed task. Will Martin’s special abilities be enough? Are relationships beyond the scope of his future accomplishments? Where will Martin find himself when he discovers his destined place in a world overseen by a benevolent God? Embark on an adventure filled with action and profound revelation when you purchase Adeptus: The Rose Against the Comet, now available at Amazon.com!

“Cazaq the Eagle” by Teresa Skinner

When Young Shepherd discovers a bald eagle’s egg at the base of Hope Mountain he wisely ignores the advice of others and entrusts Mother Chicken to sit on the egg as one of her own offspring. Thus Lonely Egg survives to become Cazaq, and when his eagle brethren discover his situation, they resolve to teach him how to behave like an eagle. But Cazaq has a lot to learn…

This wonderful story is beautifully written, beautifully illustrated, and beautifully told in the Native American storytelling tradition. Readers will enjoy following Cazaq as he grows into his wings and will be reminded of important concepts such as:

  • Not forgetting those who help you in your greatest time of need
  • Forgiving and overcoming the circumstances that brought you low
  • Always remembering where you came from
  • And more!

Will Cazaq become the eagle he was always meant to be? Will he remember the kindness of others such as Young Shepherd, Mother Chicken, and his fellow eagles? Find out when you purchase Cazaq the Eagle, now available on Amazon.com!

“Dad” by Bob Seay

Jacob Martin’s life is a mess. Separated, yet still trapped in a loveless marriage, he quit his steady teaching job to start a gig-based business writing student research papers for money. His estranged wife, self-centered and emotionally abusive, cares only that the money keeps coming in and never misses an opportunity to make her husband question his self-worth. But while Jacob wrestles from time to time with the unethical aspects of his new vocation and his overall lack of accomplishment, he is surviving. Then another in an overwhelming multitude of stressors is added to his life—enter Jacob’s dad, John Martin.

John suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Like many elderly individuals so afflicted, John’s memory prevents him from safely traveling independently, yet he continues to do so. Recently mourning the death of his wife, John sets out to travel from his home in Cincinnati to Jacob’s home in Colorado. He inevitably gets lost in Kansas City and thus sets in a motion the heartbreaking drama of a family watching over the sunset of their patriarch’s life.

In the spirit of Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods, you’ll not only join the protagonist on his journey, you’ll share in his outlook on life and encyclopedic background knowledge along the way. Follow Jacob as he rescues his father, finds companionship and true love, and ultimately discovers his path forward in an emotional roller coaster of a story that will be having you laughing out loud one minute and wiping away tears the next. Purchase Dad and embark upon a journey that is bound to touch your heart, now available on Amazon.com!

“Are You Ready for Your Relaxing 15-Minute Guided Mindfulness Meditation?” by Be Leveille

Imagine a soft lilting voice that takes you to a beautiful place in the forest near a bubbling brook… The music track blends in with the sound of flowing water, sharply reducing your stress and anxiety. While this book is for entertainment purposes only and the author does not offer medical advice, you may be wise not to listen to this book while driving or operating heavy machinery. Are you ready for your relaxing 15-minute guided mindfulness meditation? Lower stress anxiety and fears with flute music plus calming alpha binaural beats.

After having spent countless hours writing for children and working in children’s television, Be Leveille has discovered the perfect way to relax and she’s sharing it with you in this concise guided mindfulness meditation. You’ve already been given the title and you don’t even realize it! Binaural beats are an illusion created by the brain when you listen to two tones at the same time which have slightly different frequencies. Alpha waves are the brain wave frequencies (8-14 Hz) associated with relaxation. Combine the two and you will:

✓ Lower unhealthy stress levels.

✓ Reduce needless anxiety.

✓ Eliminate debilitating fear.

✓ And more!

Are You Ready for Your Relaxing 15-Minute Guided Mindfulness Meditation? Purchase it now on Amazon.com!

“Snake Bite” by Zena Schultz

When Nat King Cole first sang “Get your kicks on Route 66,” he sure wasn’t kidding. Guisy sets out for some inspiration on the highway and manages to find it. She’s been needing it, because she’s one screenplay contest away from being less than nobody…or so she feels. A middle school dropout from the reservation, her father drank himself to death, her mother went AWOL, and she wished her cruel foster mom would have done one or the other but had no such luck. Winning this screenplay contest and moving to the City of Angels just might save her soul after all.

John Clark finds manual labor along that stretch of highway to be almost as good as freedom. Prison life is a far cry from his former life of fame and fortune in Hollywood. Now a used-to-be celebrity dreaming only of freedom, his first meeting with Guisy is like being hit by a truck…or rather, a Subaru Outback. No really, she hits him with her car while he’s working in the chain gang on the side of the road.

So, used-to-be and wannabe have found each other and had one hell of a first meeting. Both are quick to realize that this might be the start of something they’ve always wanted, and adventure awaits. Will Guisy and John find something in each other that has eluded them everywhere else? Will their impending adventures give them an opportunity to lift each other up, or will their pasts inevitably cause each to drag the other down? Find out what awaits by purchasing Snakebite, now available on the author’s website!

LaundryOut.com – On Demand Laundry Service

Feeling like there is not enough time in day? Have a pile of work that has to come before your pile of laundry? Wish there was someone you could hire to do your laundry for you?

Guess what I found?

Introducing LaundryOut.com!

This company is a lifesaver! Offering laundry services in several cities across the United States, LaundryOut.com will collect your laundry, wash it, fold it, and deliver it back to you, all while you are using your time for the things you’d rather be doing. It’s easy to determine cost as they charge by the pound, and they even have hypoallergenic products among the detergents and fabric softeners they have to choose from.

I visited their website and was immediately greeted with a new customer coupon for 15% off! They have this neat video that clearly explains their services. And you’ll find it hard not to be impressed with the many awards, perfect ratings, and corporate sponsors proudly displayed on their front page. If only they served my hometown… But if you are lucky enough to live in the Seattle, Atlanta, or Las Vegas area, your life can get a whole lot easier if you get in touch with them right away!