You’d think that because I write stories with romance subplots, I’d be a fan of Valentine’s day.
I’m not.
I was never one of the girls that got an armful of carnations on Valentine’s day at school. I never had a secret admirer. The few times I happened to be dating someone when Valentine’s rolled around, I may have been gifted a rose or a little box of candy, but when I was married - those things didn’t happen much after the first year.
I always put on a brave face and acted like it didn’t matter - but deep inside? Yeah, it did. These social pressure events that make you feel like you don’t quite measure up if you don’t get all of the accolades/gifts/whatever are shitty when you’re the quiet, bookish/tomboy girl in the group.
Now that I’m older, I see them for what they are, and treat them accordingly. They’re a commercial gimmick, but they can also be an easy excuse to show someone you’re thinking about them when doing it randomly any other time can get you a lot of questions.
I send treats to the little ones and, when I can, to the special ones in my life - but I don’t feel the loss or regret if I don’t get something in return. Instead, I find the joy in the giving and honestly? That feels pretty good.
I know I’m loved and appreciated by the people that matter to me - and I don’t need a special day to tell them that I love and appreciate them, too.
Back in 2013, I got myself a belated Valentine’s day gift. A little Yorkshire Terrier/Chihuahua mix puppy. He was the runt of a litter born on Feb 11th, and he wasn’t thriving. My neighbor, whose dog had had the puppies, gave him to me around the beginning of March and said, “If you can keep him alive, he’s yours.”
Bear lived in my hoodie pocket for the first week or so and I bottle fed him until he could be weaned to soft puppy food, and then regular food. He has been my constant companion for twelve years now, and while he’s gone white in the face and can be a cranky old man - he’s still my buddy.
Other news - Bluesky (You can find me here) has an Insta-type app related to them now as well, called Pinksky - and you can find me on that one here. (It’s not owned by Bluesky but it’s on the same platform.)
Also - I’ve adjusted my audio recording schedule and will be uploading new files to the Graffridge Publishing ‘stack in the next week. Click here to subscribe over there and get text/audio chapters read by me for you to enjoy!
Yes, I know there’s a LOT of news in this one - what can I say? I’ve been busy. I’ve got the pre-release interest page up for my very first KICKSTARTER! I’m equal parts excited and terrified - but I’ve taken a class on how to run one, best practices, etc - and I have someone who’s run them (Tami Veldura) holding my hand (aka answering ALL the random questions.)
What’s going to be offered? The FIRST EVER hardcover copies of my Partners in Crime stories - bundled into three volumes. Volume One has Dead & Buried and Dead Wrong, Volume Two has Dead to Rights and Dead Reckoning, and Volume Three has Dead Ringer, Dead Heat, and the sequel novella, Heroes & Hurricanes.
There will be paperback versions, eBook versions, and gorgeous hardcovers with gold foiling and dust jackets. I’ll also be offering signed copies only through the Kickstarter.
So, I need you to click on the button below - and go to the ‘notify me’ button and click that. It doesn’t commit you to anything except being informed when the Kickstarter goes live. (Or click here)
NEW BOOKS! Check out Volume One and Volume Two of the Supernatural Intelligence Network series.
Volume One contains And So It Begins, Luck of the Irish, & Jolene
Volume Two has Saoirse, Magda’s Gift, Fate or Destiny, and Remington
If you wanted to read these and prefer physical books - you can now get them here!
Exciting about the Kickstarter!! I've never done one, either, so I'll be watching closely and rooting for you! The volumes look lovely!
Bear is so cute!