Dad's time in the hospital; my work on my books; request for participation/help if willing.

My 90-year-old father was in the hospital twice in the last month. It's my opinion he was sent home too early the first time and so he wound up there a 2nd time. That meant a longer stay there and more involved care after he got home. As I mentioned in my last post, he was discharged just before Thanksgiving.

Today he had his medical equipment discontinued and I think we both feel like we've been set free. I've loved taking care of Dad but am panic struck at how things could have gone if I hadn't been here. I think we sometimes underestimate the value of family when there is need, but I also think we underestimate the weight that responsibility places on the shoulders of those who provide that support. I'm so very, very thankful that all has turned out so well.

I'm also excited that I'm back to writing again. Dragons' Inferno (Book2 in the Dragon Unchained Trilogy) is nearly done (off to readers now) and I'm working with my cover artist. 

Now I have a request of anyone who wants to be involved in another project. I had a crazy event a year ago that planted an idea in my brain for a young adult contemporary romance that I think would be a blast. 

Meet accident-prone Grace who is struggling with making do in life. Struggling through college, avoiding dating, trying hard not to break anything, she goes with her best friend Hannah to care for teenage cousins at their country cabin while their parents are on vacation. All is wonderful until Hannah's brother shows up, the guy Grace had a crush on when she was young. The guy who made her life so miserable teasing her about her bad luck she swore she'd never talk to him again. 

So, here's the challenge! I AM a klutz, but I know that unbelievably funny things happen to everyone. I even laugh at myself. I'd love input from anyone who wants to share. Keep it clean, but otherwise, no holds barred. 

If I pick your experience for the book, I'll give you a free copy of the ebook when it becomes available. I might even give other special perks to the best ones. (The number to be decided later.)

It might be a while. You all probably know I'm not a very fast writer--mostly because Murphy and his Law (ever heard of Murphy's Law?) keep me so busy it's hard to get anything done. 

Whether I'm a good writer or not, I'm at least determinedly persistent, so... if you're game, please send me a note at: stietjen.author at gmail.com. Be sure to include your name, do NOT use REAL names if other people were involved in your incident, and describe the incident well enough that I don't have to do any guess-work. You must be willing to allow me to rearrange the event to fit the story, but if it's hilarious, I'll do it justice. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I pray everyone has an even better, Merry Christmas. And God Bless everyone and everything, including America, now and into the New Year!

Susan

Rainfall reached record levels. Beautiful sights to remember on trips in and out of the area.

Our year has been crazy, beginning with a late winter-early spring wet season that was next to record-breaking. 100" of rain! Wow. Summer was slow getting started but turned into a magnificent, mostly warm, sometimes hot (80 degrees) season. Fall came on slowly, too, but the colors are magnificent. It's been both warm and cool but not so cold that the leaves are falling quickly. Most trees are still sporting them, some big and yellow or gold or rusty red, others, small and delicate, some still green, others red-brown or orange.

We enjoyed having my son, Ryan, visit from time to time. We visited in Sonora California with our daughter, Jessica Cole, and her family in June and went to Yosemite together. Awesome! My husband adjusted to his new job, and we enjoyed planting flowers in our little planter and taking frequent trips to our beach or up into the nearby mountains to enjoy the rivers and the forests.

Two of our favorite jaunts are to Medford, Oregon, and Eureka, California. Both are about two hours' trip, although the Eureka one is much easier. Not so many windy roads, and they're safer, too. We're also more likely to see elk and eagles.

The Grant's Pass and Medford stores and malls are better and more fun, however, and we love to eat at In&Out Burger. If you've never tried it... do! It's yummy, back to the basics of just plain good fast food (good quality, too), and for my sweetheart, who has celiac disease, gluten-free. 

I enjoyed some book-signings this summer and into fall. It was fun to meet the community and some of the tourists that visit this area every year. I have another one on the 1st of December, too. Looking forward to it. I also had the rare and special privilege of being the "featured author" at the Brian Scott Gallery in Brookings, Oregon, recently, where I was able to share my joy of writing and what inspired me to write Dragon Unchained. I likewise had the chance to learn about other artists' works and how and why some of them were done. Very, very interesting.

In August, my husband had the rare occasion to go deep-sea fishing. He had so much fun, and he caught his limit on ling cod and red snapper. Yum!

Also in August, our circumstances and my 90 year-old father's changed, and we moved again, back into his house. It was quite the fete. I didn't think I could take packing boxes again, but I guess we do what we've gotta do. Along with that, Dad has had to spend time in the hospital twice since we moved in and came home the second time just before Thanksgiving. I'm so glad he's doing better and grateful I have at least some skills at helping with his recovery care. 

Today, Thanksgiving Day, the parade is on TV, Dad and hubby are enjoying kicking back and relaxing and watching it, and I thought I'd grab this moment and wish everyone everywhere Happy Thanksgiving.

Susan

Valentine's Day sale that includes Saving Lord Whitton's Daughter!

You can't beat a special like this one. Take a look!

Fifty-Two CLEAN romance books on sale for $0.99! (That includes my new book, Saving Lord Whitton's Daughter.)

If you haven't gotten it yet, here's a great special only available until February 16, 2017. If you've read it and want to share it with a friend or family member, consider giving it as a Valentine's Day gift.

And, of course, there are 51 more books on the site to choose from, all by great authors, so have a heap-o-romance this Valentine's Day, and don't forget to share the love!

Just follow the link below:
http://www.lindzeearmstrong.com/valentines-day-sale/