My first book was published in 2010. 📚✨ In 2011, I attended the L.A. Times Festival of Books. 🚗📖 My son and I drove down, attended the festival (I think I sold one book), and drove back the next morning. 😄 The glamorous life of an author. ✍️✨ #booksky #WritingJourney #Throwback #FestivalOfBooks

I've never heard this word before, but I've been suffering from this condition my whole life. 🤔📖😄 #booksky #WordNerd #WordOfTheDay #LanguageLovers #CuriousMind #LoveWords

I remember being in school and my teacher telling me to show, not tell. 📚✍️ This is a hard concept to understand, but when she said "paint me a picture with your words," I got it. 🎨✨ #booksky #WritingTips #ShowDontTell #WritersLife #AuthorLife #Storytelling

My mission for this week is to get the outlining of the next Peyton Brooks book completed. ✍️📚🔥 #booksky #WritingGoals #MysteryWriter #AuthorLife #BookInProgress #PeytonBrooks

Roses are my favorite flower. 🌹❤️ I love how they are so beautiful, but have a little bite to them. 🌹✨ They're sort of rock stars of the flower world. 🎸🌹 #booksky #Roses #FlowerLovers #NatureBeauty #SimpleJoys #NatureLovers

Last weekend was a time to get away with friends. 👭✨ This weekend's status update is about spending time with family. ❤️🏡 I'm so grateful to be able to get away to see my grandbabies in Idaho. 🥹👶 Happy Easter, everyone! 🐣🌸 #booksky #FamilyTime #Gratitude #EasterWeekend #Grandkids #LifeMoments

Today's author spotlight is on JoAnn Conner, an author of many different genres. 📚✨ You can take a peek at her books at her website: jctahoewriter.wixsite.com/mysite 👀📖 #booksky #AuthorSpotlight #FeaturedAuthor #CaliforniaStateFair #AuthorsSupportingAuthors #BookCommunity

Since this week's theme is friendship, I thought I'd include this picture of me and my roommate from college, Patty, at my first book signing at Borders in 2010. 📚✍️❤️ Borders is no more, but our friendship is strong. 🥹👭✨ #booksky #Throwback #BookSigning #OldFriends #AuthorLife #WritingJourney

I've decided that one of the problems in the modern world is there is not enough time spent on lollygagging. 😄🌿✨ #booksky #Lollygagging #SlowDown #SimpleJoys #LifeReflections #TakeYourTime

This quote fits my mood for this week. 💬✨ The best of the four is old friends to trust. ❤️👭 #booksky #QuoteOfTheWeek #OldFriends #Trust #Inspiration

My mission this week is to find time each day to appreciate the important things -- like friends you've had for over thirty years. ❤️👭✨ These three women and I taught at the same school for three decades. 🍎📚 #booksky #FriendshipGoals #Gratitude #LongtimeFriends #TeachersLife #SimpleJoys

Found some wild flowers on my walk. 🌼🚶‍♀️ Love the idea of flowers just growing wherever they darn well please and people calling it wild. 🌿✨ #booksky #Wildflowers #NatureWalk #SimpleJoys #NatureMoments #NatureLovers

Today's progress update is about taking time to relax and enjoy nature. 🌿😌 Having a great time in Murphys at the Red Gate cabin. 🏡🌄✨ #booksky #NatureEscape #RelaxAndRecharge #CabinLife #SimpleJoys #WritersLife

Today's featured author is J. Scott Coatsworth. 📚✨ He writes in a number of genres, primarily MM romance and science fiction. 💖 You can check out his books at his website: www.jscottcoatsworth.com #booksky #AuthorSpotlight #FeaturedAuthor #CaliforniaStateFair #ScienceFiction #BookCommunity

With Easter fast approaching, here's a photo of me with my mother and father in Daly City when I was around two, I'm guessing since my brother isn't here yet. 🐣📸💛 #booksky #EasterMemories #Throwback #FamilyMoments #ChildhoodMemories #LifeReflections

Halcyon -- what a loaded word, this! ✨📖💭 #booksky #WordNerd #WordOfTheDay #Halcyon #LanguageLovers #LoveWords

This quote seemed particularly appropriate for this week. 💬✨ We never feel as old as we are inside our heads, do we? 🤔💭 #booksky #QuoteOfTheWeek #LifeReflections #AgingGracefully #ThoughtForTheDay #Inspiration

Fifty-nine years ago, in San Francisco, California, my parents had a shower to welcome their first born. 🎉👶 Not sure how I feel about being 59, but I'll admit, the number of decades is getting somewhat impressive. 😄🎂✨ #booksky #BirthdayReflections #LifeMilestones #LookingBack #LifeJourney

I have tried to grow hibiscus flowers so many times, but they never thrive the way they do for my son. 🌺😅 This one hibiscus plant is the showstopper of his yard. 🌿✨ #booksky #GardenLife #Hibiscus #PlantLovers #NatureBeauty #SimpleJoys

Here we go. 🚀 I began outlining Peyton's next book yesterday. ✍️📚 I visualize it like a braid, weaving the strands together and sprinkling it with gems (clues).✨🔎 It's anxiety producing, but once the outline is done, then it's time to rock. 🎸🔥 #booksky #WritingProcess #MysteryWriter #BookInProgress

My featured author today is Mariah Clark Skewes, a prolific children's writers at the Fair. 📚✨ An educator herself, Mariah shares her love of reading with the littlest of readers. ❤️👧📖 mariahclarkskewes.com #booksky #AuthorSpotlight #CaliforniaStateFair #ChildrensBooks #YoungReaders

I just finished a children's chapter book about a girl and her dog. 🐶📚 They say write from experience. ✍️ Here is my childhood best friend, Tuffy. 🐾❤️ We went everywhere together. He was the most amazing friend a kid could have. 🥹✨ #booksky #WritingUpdate #ChildrensBooks #ChapterBooks #DogLovers

The one word that forces anyone who says it to break out their French accent. 🇫🇷🗣️ Whenever I taught it, I'd always have to take a beat and remind myself how to swallow that last syllable properly. 😄📚 #booksky #WordNerd #LanguageLovers #FrenchAccent #LoveWords #WritersLife #AuthorLife

As someone who lives out her imagination daily, this quote really spoke to me. ✨📖💭 #booksky #QuoteOfTheDay #WritersLife #Imagination #CreativeLife #AuthorLife #Inspiration

This week's accomplishment is finishing the Zion Sawyer series. 🎉📚 After 10 books and 10 years of writing, I have mixed feelings, but I'm so delighted by the # of readers and listeners who have stayed throughout the series. ❤️ Thank you!! 🙏✨ #booksky #CozyMystery #ZionSawyer #GratefulAuthor

Today is the day! 🎉📚 Café Amaretto is available in all formats! Start reading now! ☕📖✨ www.amazon.com/Caf%C3%A9-Am... #booksky #BookRelease #NewBook #CozyMystery #BookCommunity #NowAvailable #MysteryBooks

I had no idea what this stunning plant was, until I did some research. 🌿🔍 It's called Helleborus. 🌸 I love the subtlety of the colors as if it's saying, "I know I'm beautiful and I don't have to flaunt it." ✨ #booksky #PlantLovers #Helleborus #NatureMoments #SpringFlowers #SimpleBeauty #NatureLovers

The 3rd book in the Rue Cyprus Mystery series is complete. 🎉📚 I began this series because I needed elementary grade books at the Fair. I couldn't find any authors, so I wrote my own. ✍️ It's a break from the usual mayhem of my adult works. 🔎😄 #booksky #ChildrensBooks #ChapterBooks #BookCommunity

As the manager of the Authors Booth, I get to work with so many amazing authors. 📚✨ My featured author today is Pam Atherstone. 🌟 Pam is a children's author, who also writes historical fiction. 📖 www.pamatherstone.com #booksky #AuthorSpotlight #CaliforniaStateFair #ChildrensBooks #HistoricalFiction

In honor of the release of Cafe Amaretto, I found a photo taken at Sequoia National Park in the early 2000s. 🌲📸 This sign has marked the entrance to the park since 1935, but there is debate about whether it should be retired. 🏞️✨ #SequoiaNationalPark #NationalParks

Isn't it funny how there are some words you've heard all your life, but suddenly realize you didn't know the true meaning of them? 🤔📚 This is such a word for me. ✨ #booksky #WordNerd #LanguageLovers #WordOfTheDay #WritersLife #AuthorLife #CuriousMind

This week's quote is from Nelson Mandela. 💬📖✨ #booksky #QuoteOfTheWeek #NelsonMandela #WordsOfWisdom #InspiringQuotes #ThoughtForTheDay

Today's mission was to get the new backyard furniture built. 🔧🪑🏡 We got it two-thirds accomplished, which is better than nothing. 💪🙂 #booksky #EverydayLife #SimpleWins #BackyardLife #HomeProjects #AuthorLife #WritersLife

I love spring. 🌸 I stopped in the road and pulled over to take a picture of cherry blossoms in the park by my house the other day. 📷 I may have looked crazy, but they were too beautiful to pass up. 🌸✨ #booksky #SpringVibes #CherryBlossoms #SimpleJoys #NatureMoments #WritersLife #AuthorLife

This week's progress update for The Case of the Lost Boy. 📚✍️ Also getting ready to start outlining the next Peyton Brooks novel, The Church Arsonist. 🔎🔥 #booksky #WritingUpdate #CrimeFiction #MysteryBooks #AuthorLife #AmEditing #WritersCommunity #BookInProgress

I've spent my life studying words and their meanings 📚, but I honestly believe none are more powerful than the word "no." It's simplicity, it's directness, it's conviction. When someone says it, they are being unequivocal 💬. #booksky #WordsMatter #LanguageLovers #WriterThoughts

Missing my dad today. ❤️ The family was talking about taking a trip to Disneyland this year, and this photo of my dad on the Jungle Cruise ride popped up. Precious memories 🏞️📸 #booksky #FamilyMemories #MissingDad #PreciousMoments

This week's word is tenacity. 💪✨ It's something I strive to have no matter what I do. However, even with the best of intentions, it can be hard 😅. #booksky #WordOfTheWeek #Tenacity #KeepGoing #PersonalGrowth

I struggle to understand the coffee craze ☕🤔. I've only ever drunk it when I desperately needed a pick-me-up 😅. I do like tea when it's cold, though 🍵❄️. What gets you going in the morning — coffee or tea? #booksky #CoffeeOrTea #MorningRoutine #SimpleJoys

I like this quote 💬✨ It's an important lesson to remember. Once you start, it's all downhill from that point on ⛰️➡️. #booksky #QuoteShare #LifeLessons #KeepGoing

The Cafe Amaretto audiobook is available for presale. The audiobook will be automatically downloaded to your device on March 15th. www.audible.com/pd/B0GNNGN9P...

One of my favorite flowers is the flower of California—the poppy 🌼🧡. #booksky #CaliforniaPoppy #NatureJoy #SimplePleasures

Progress tracker for The Case of the Lost Boy 📚✍️ It's not easy writing a children's book and balancing a serious topic while keeping it from becoming too scary 😬. #booksky #AmWriting #ChildrensBooks #WritingJourney #IndieAuthorLife

This is going to be a bit of a long story 😊🐍 My oldest granddaughter once decided a stuffed snake needed a safe home in her ball pit because the other stuffed animals were being mean to him 💛. Continued in comments... #booksky #GrandmaLife #familymoments #kidsimagination

This-or-That Thursday 📚✨ If you read physical copies of books, which do you prefer — paperback or hardcover? For my personal library, I always love hardbound 📖❤️. #booksky #ThisOrThat #BookLovers #ReadersLife #Bibliophile

Cafe Amaretto is available now for preorder in eBook and audiobook formats!! This is the last book in the Zion Sawyer Cozy Mystery Series www.amazon.com/Caf%C3%A9-Am... #booksky #newrelease #newbook

Word-of-the-Week Wednesday 📖✨ I actually love this word. I feel so elegant when I use it 💬💫. #booksky #WordOfTheWeek #WordNerd #WritersLife #LanguageLove

I'm considering changing the cover on this book to a more contemporary one. Please help me make the decision by voting on which one you like more. 1 for watercolor painting 2 for contemporary

Teaser Tuesday 👀💍 Get ready for the Sequoia wedding of the century 🌲✨. Preorder Café Amaretto in eBook now 📚, or wait until March 1st to preorder the audiobook on Audible 🎧. Link in comments #booksky #TeaserTuesday #BookRelease #AudiobookFans #ReadersCommunity

One of my biggest flaws is the fact that I get easily overwhelmed by large tasks 😅. I manage it by breaking everything into smaller milestones and crossing them off a list 📝✔️. Does anyone else feel overwhelmed when something seems too large? #booksky #SmallWins