Disaster Relief

It’s an odd feeling to be right in the middle of all of the flooding and not experience it ourselves. Rain sat on our house for almost four days, and everything around us seems to be flooding, even if our neighborhood hasn’t felt it.

The Hill Country, among other areas, has been devastated with loss. It’s an area that my family is deeply close to. The majority of our friends and family live in the small towns that make up the region and it’s where my husband and I met and had our first child.

I’m thankful that there are so many options for donating to support the continued rescue and relief efforts. I’ve compiled a list of some ways to aid, for those who are still looking.

Organizations

• TEXSAR - Texas Search & Rescue @texsar

• Kerr County Relief Fund - @cftexashillcountry

Authors

• Allie Samberts - Donations over $10 to Texas relief effort will receive an audiobook of Pumpkin to Talk About (Screenshot and use the form in her bio to submit. First 50 responders.)

• E.M. Downey - Profits from July sales of her book Blood of Briar will be

• Readers For The Texas Hill Country - This group is putting together a fundraising raffle. Each $5 donation is an entry. Entries will be accepted July 16th through July 30th. For more info check out @readersfortxhillcountry

Food & Beverage

• HopDoddy - All locations participating. Donating 100% of profits on Wednesday, July 9th to TEXSAR

• P Terry's - All 36 Austin locations participating. Donating 100% profits on Thursday, July 10th to Austin Disaster Relief

• 365 Things Austin also has a scheduled list of when restaurants are donating profit to flood relief. @365thingsaustin

• Grape Juice - A local food establishment that’s providing food and supplies to those in need. @grapejuicekerrville

This is by no means an exhaustive list, as I’m constantly finding new businesses, authors, creators, etc., that are pitching in. So even if you don’t donate to one of these, there are ample ways you can be a part of this.

I’ve tried to be discerning with the list, and I encourage any who donate to do the same with unfamiliar organizations. Unfortunately, I have already seen businesses that are trying to capitalize off of this tragedy. As an example, there is a company selling merchandise under multiple names and they are not donating to any relief efforts. It’s sickening, so please be aware.

In addition, I’ll be donating profits from all of my books sales, and preorders of A Penny For Your Thoughts, during July. This includes any purchases or page reads via Amazon, as well as direct sales of signed copies and swag through my website. (Rage is My Love Language is not included.)

The Fallout Duet Omnibus & Audiobook of When Sparks Fly

We are making great progress on this Kickstarter campaign! We are just shy of $600 or 20% pledged.

Not only is this omnibus gorgeous, with all new formatting and a special dedication, but this audiobook is going to be fire! If you missed it, the book will be narrated in duet by Dani Soleil and Ryan Lee Dunlap. I think you deserve to hear what these two bring to Maci and Sutton, so I’m going to be sharing some audio teasers with you once we hit $1000 in pledges!

Backers of this project are joining us in Bull Creek as honorary citizens, and you deserve to boast, too! I’ll send you the graphic once you’ve pledged. I also think it will be fun to document where everyone is pledging from, so stay tuned on Instagram for a fun visual of this. And make sure you share the link to your audiobook, small town loving friends!

The Summer for Us

New to me author, Izabela Kamila, recently released book one in her Golden Falls series. We know I love supporting fellow small town authors, so if you haven’t already, go check her out!

He’s the grumpy small town local, and she’s the summer tourist winning over the whole town. What happens when he finally lets his guard down and opposites attract?

Juliette Campbell might’ve won the hit reality dating show Paradise Love, but it came at the cost of an embarrassing breakup splashed across social media. Needing a quiet getaway, Jules packs her car and makes the drive from Chicago to a small town in northern Wisconsin where she’s rented a cabin for the summer. The sun, lake, and fresh air will be just what she needs to get her life and career back on track. Jules intends for Golden Falls to be a pit stop, but she quickly grows attached to the town and its residents. Well, except for one person.

Wesley Richards is a quiet, closed-off, no nonsense kind of guy. He wants nothing to do with Juliette, whatever she’s running from, or those damn sundresses she’s always wearing. He does his best to avoid his new neighbor, but that’s tough to do when she’s everywhere—dancing at his bar, tanning in her bikini, and making friends with everyone in town. But once they get past the not-so-great first (and second) impression Wes made, he realizes just how much he needs the confident, sassy brunette in his life.

But with the summer months flying by, Juliette and Wesley are running out of time. Will their sizzling romance stand the heat? Or will their love fizzle out once summer ends?

The Summer for Us is a small town, dislike to love, opposites attract romance. It’s the first in a series of interconnected standalones taking place in northern Wisconsin during a different season. Be prepared for banter, tension, and spice that will make you blush!

A Note

I don’t know about you all, but so much of the world feels chaotic lately. I had a conversation with my husband this week where he expressed that it seems trivial to worry over finances, career, and similar while people are wondering where their children are, or mourning their loss. Disaster and tragedy always have a way of putting things into perspective. My heart aches for all of those directly affected by the flooding, and everything else that’s going on in our country right now. I, too, am trying to find a way to continue handling day-to-day necessities while making space for what’s going on around me.

I just want to say that whatever you’re feeling right now is valid. The devastation that has occurred, the political climate, the worries that we have for our future — these things do not negate your stressors. You can be compassionate and thoughtful, while also managing your needs and desires. Embrace your communities and look for opportunities to find some peace and happiness in your days. Maybe it’s as simple as sitting down to read for ten minutes, taking a long bath, going for a walk, searching for images in the clouds, or hugging a loved one. Give yourself grace as we all navigate these times.

I appreciate you being here as always. Never be afraid to reach out.

XOXO, Amanda