Stories the Live Within Us Newsletter

Sep 29, 2025

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My Motivation

This makes all the hard work so worth it. It was made even sweeter because my husband’s 90-something-year-old aunt took the time to sit and write this to me. She loves my Woolsey Saga books, which I’m already thinking of adding another book to that set before our country celebrates its 250th anniversary next July, so stay tuned. I’m sure you can guess which era that ancestor will come from. Sadly, the day after I captured this image, our German Shorthair, Scout, snagged it off my desk, and thought it made a really good snack for him.

Writers of the Future Contest

I entered my first writing contest, ever. If nothing else, I’m proud that I forced myself out of my comfort zone and wrote a short story in a genre I don’t write in. It was certainly a challenge, but I managed to do it. I won’t be able to make it available until after the contest is concluded, but you’ll be the first to know when my ghost and time travel story is released.

My Next Trilogy

Here’s a first look at my upcoming trilogy! The cover you see is still a concept, but it gives you a glimpse of what’s ahead. This series isn’t drawn from my ancestors’ stories—instead, it’s a sweeping historical romance set in 1920s Pack River, Idaho. It follows three brothers as they fight to make their father’s dream of turning a stump farm into a thriving ranch come true—while discovering love where they least expect it. The first book is planned for release in late October or early November.

Be sure to check back in my newsletter in two weeks—I’ll have the prequel, Until We Meet Again, ready for you to download and enjoy, so you can step into the very beginning of the McAlister family’s story.

It’s a girl!

We found out this week that we are going to be the proud grandparents of a baby girl. We are so excited and can’t wait to meet her. Yes, I will share lots of photos and her name when she arrives. She is due just a couple of days after my husband’s birthday, so we are all crossing our fingers that she arrives a couple of days early.

Fall-My Favorite Time of Year

The long, hot summer days are coming to an end. The mornings are cool, the days are shorter, and the smell of cinnamon hangs in the air. My garden was slow to start this year, but to my surprise, I had the best corn year ever. I actually have enough corn to put away this year. I just need to decide whether to freeze it or can it. All of the pickling is done for the season. However, for now, apple season is upon us. I’ll go to my mom’s in a couple of weeks and come back home with apples to turn into our usual favorites: apple cider, applesauce, apple butter, and, of course, fermented apples. But for now, it’ll be making a hot cup of cinnamon apple tea and getting busy writing. Check back in two weeks for my next newsletter. I should have the short story prequel for my Pack River Trilogy, which I mentioned above, released soon.