Summer Wrap Up

I can’t believe that summer is winding down already! It feels like it just started. We have a pool in our neighborhood and most mornings have started there, which has been really nice. There’ve been birthdays galore and a going away party for family moving away. We’re wrapping it up (in my eyes) with one of our best friend’s wedding tomorrow.

I tried my hand at sourdough starter this summer. It flopped, haha! It was going well, and then my overthinking got in the way and I think I sabotaged myself. But I became a pro at cutting watermelon because we had almost one a week!

Between Easter and now, we’ve also had three different clutches of barn swallows in our front entry. The neighborhood seems to be a mecca for them, and based on observations and research, we think we’ve had three different families in the one nest. This is the newest family, and the babies are learning to fly today. As fun as it’s been to watch them, they’re somewhat of a nuisance and we’re looking forward to them moving on this weekend so we can clean up the area and remove the next.

Personally, I think this has been the best mother of the three. She’s not very aggressive, she’s extremely attentive, and all the babies seem to the thriving.

Ok bird lady, but what about the writing?

Last year, my two youngest were in a different stage of life and it made writing so much easier. They’re two and three now, and both require a LOT of hands on attention. They’re also both terrible sleepers. The combination has really taken a toll on writing time. I’m hopeful in the fall we’ll build new routines with them that will allow me to write more, but this year has taught me so much about giving myself grace when I don’t meet self-imposed deadlines and I’m grateful for that lesson.

A Penny For Your Thoughts is with my proofreader! Leah and Nick’s story is such a yummy slow burn, full of deep themes, and beautiful characters. I can’t wait for you to read it! Early ARCs will go out to the A-Team next week, and ARC readers who signed up via LoveNotes will receive theirs on August 7th! There’s still time to sign up, though, so if you want an early copy, make sure to sign up ASAP!

Also, a friendly reminder that July preorders for APFYT will benefit TEXSAR. (Page reads and purchases for The Fallout Duet will also benefit TEXSAR.) Despite our home not flooding, our family has been more impacted by the event than we anticipated. Not only was it close to home, we have several friends who lost family and entire homes during this catastrophe. My husband was able to help with clean up following the devastation, and we have done what we can to help. So while preorders and page reads may not seem like much, they’re just another way that I can continue to help my community.

What else is wrapping up?

The campaign for the special edition omnibus of The Fallout Duet and the audiobook of When Sparks Fly is ending next week! You only have six days to get in on this.

Wondering what it might sound like? Check out this teaser! Another one is dropping at $1500 in pledges!

If you want to be an honorary A-Team member for a chance to participate in their exclusive giveaway this month, reach out to me. I’ll give you a personalized link and graphics to share for these goodies, and then you can enter to win as well! (Don’t forget, authors who pledge $20 or more also get a free social media narration snippet from Megan Carver!)

Speaking of giveaways, as I close in on 1500 Instagram followers, I’m running a giveaway! Head over to the post to check it out! Extra entries can be earned for every $5 pledged to the Kickstarter, so if you were waiting for a reason to jump in, do it now. The giveaway will run until August 4th, but you only have until July 31st to get it on the Kickstarter!

Hello, Xavier!

Fellow Texan author, Xavier Neal loves writing all things romance. Sports, cowboy, taboo, you name it, she has it. I even saw a beachy, rom com in her backlist!

Her book, Bulletproof, is available now. You can expect a small town romantic suspense with forced proxy, a bodyguard, and the boss's sister! (Are you sold? Because honestly, I am.)

Is the summer heat making you feel like you’re at the gates of Hell?

Well, gothic romance author, Liana Valerian has a book titled, The Gates of Hell!

Reminders & Updates

A quick note about upcoming events. Unfortunately, luck has not been on my side when it comes to book cons and signings. While my events in the spring went well, my summer and fall events have both been postponed until next year. I still plan to attend both the Virtual Shelf Event and the Books & Bourbon event, in Kentucky, however stay tuned on new dates!

I’m sure for many readers and authors, it feels like every day there is bad news surrounding an event. I’ve already learned a lot when it comes to choosing which events to attend and I’m hoping to see you all in the future at stellar, inclusive locations.

XOXO, Amanda