I hope your Christmas was everything you expected it to be. Ours wasn't exactly what we had planned, but it turned out be a fun and interesting holiday. Our daughter and son-in-law came up later on Christmas Day and we exchanged our gifts that evening. On the following morning the electricity went out around at 11:30 am and didn't come back on until 7:30 pm that evening.
It being Sunday and the day after Christmas, the power company didn't post anything online stating what the problem was or how long it would take to fix. Within a few minutes after the power went out, a neighbor called and checked on us and throughout the day the phone rang continuously with calls from others in the neighborhood. Most wanted to know if we were okay or in need of anything. Everyone pulled together and tallied what they had for generators, batteries, and water if need be. One neighbor even offered us his cabin equipped with a wood stove.
The menu that evening got changed from barbecue ribs to left over ground bologna sandwiches and fixings from the night before. The situation had its upside knowing no one could see the amount of chocolate and snacks you were consuming in the dark. Put it this way — no one suffered from loss of food.
Our biggest challenge was staying warm because the temperature outside was in the lower teens. Lucky for us, our gas fireplace worked without electricity and we sat around it bundled up in blankets. We burned candles while we talked and eventually hung head lamps from the chandelier above the kitchen table in order to play cards. Despite my cool surroundings, the situation gave me a warm feeling inside knowing the important thing was that we were together.
It wasn't like any other Christmas I remember, but it certainly was a memorable one. I'm sure we'll talk about for many years to come. I took a picture of my husband sitting at the table in the semi darkness when we cleaned up.
In the end, the greatest gift I got this year was knowing that even in these crazy times people still care and are willing to help each other out in a crisis.
Happy New Year to all!
If you enjoy reading, these are my books:
Only a Heartbeat Away (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084235
Revenge in a Heartbeat (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084227
Heartbeat of Desire (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084219
Ryley (A Christmas Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084200
If you would like to be notified in an email about the release dates of my books go to: https://donnalovitz.com/contact/
I promise not to give your email address to others and I won't email you to death.
Woo-hoo! I'm close to reaching another mountain top on my writing journey as I finish up with the last book in the Heartbeat Series — Only a Heartbeat Away. I'm so excited about this book. I really loved writing Jolene and Michael's story and pulling the entire series together in a rousing conclusion. It's strange, but once again I feel like the book wrote itself with the help of the characters. I do believe, and I hope you will too, that it's a fun, action filled, romantic 70's tale.
Throughout the entire series, I tried hard to make the storyline as close to authentic as possible with music and events chronologically in tune with the times. I wanted it to be a story most people could easily relate to and maybe for some, reflect back upon. One of my goals was to make it applicable for any adult of any age or gender. I found it very interesting trying to capture both the male and female perspectives by looking at life through each heroine and hero's eyes as well as the villains in the story. It was fun to walk a mile in the character's shoes and let them and my imagination lead me.
A writer friend of mine told me I should celebrate each goal because writing is a solitary game and most people are not aware or don't care about all the challenges involved. I don't know if that is true or not, but I do feel many of you have been with me every step of the way on my writing journey. I cannot put into words how thankful I am for your support and encouragement. Thank you!
I'm planning out another story, but for now, my concentration is on getting to the top of this mountain and finishing the Heartbeat Series!
If you enjoy reading, these are my books:
Revenge in a Heartbeat (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084227
Heartbeat of Desire (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084219
Ryley (A Christmas Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084200
If you would like to be notified in an email about the release dates of my books go to: https://donnalovitz.com/contact/
I promise not to give your email address to others and I won't email you to death.
I've been so busy working on the third book of my Heartbeat Series that I haven't found much time to write a blog this month. Yesterday, I decided to take a break and go with my hubby for a ride around the area to see all the beautiful autumn leaves. It was so pretty and relaxing that I had to share a picture with everyone. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so this blog will be much longer than I thought. LOL!
My plans are to have — Only A Heartbeat Away— ready for Christmas. I will be sending the manuscript off to the editor tomorrow, so hopefully she'll get going and return it to me in a month or so. I'm very excited about this story because it wraps up the series and I believe it's a fun read. I hope everyone will enjoy reading it as much I did writing it.
So until next time, be sure to get out there and check out those leaves. They'll be gone before you know it!
If you enjoy reading, these are my books:
Revenge in a Heartbeat (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084227
Heartbeat of Desire (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084219
Ryley (A Christmas Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084200
If you would like to be notified in an email about the release dates of my books go to: https://donnalovitz.com/contact/
I promise not to give your email address to others and I won't email you to death.
Up until a week ago, I was beginning to wonder if we were going to have a rainy day this summer. The grass was crunchy and brown and a layer of dust covered your shoes whenever you walked across the lawn. Several days of high temperatures and drying winds made watering a flower and vegetable garden into a full time job.
One day it sprinkled for a few minutes and I ran outside onto my deck and reveled in the sweet fresh smell that filled the air. Sadly, it lasted only a few minutes before the drops lessoned and then completely disappeared all together. It made me think about rainy days when I was young. Days when I grabbed an old rain coat and an umbrella and went for a long walk by the lake where we lived. It seemed to be a whole different world compared to a stroll on a sunny day. Perhaps because of the moisture in the air, the sounds of traffic echoed differently in the distance. It was the same with the birds calling to each other in the quiet, stilled woods. It always had a calming effect on me to hear the soft pitter patter of the raindrops dripping on and off the leaves. I loved the feel of the cool mist on my face and the energy from taking deep invigorating breaths.
Some people like to curl up with a good book on a rainy day or take a nap. Others think a mild thunderstorm can be very romantic. They opt to stay in bed and listen to it rain with that special someone by their side. Many like the drumming of the rain on the roof and claim it actually helps them sleep better. I enjoy songs that encourage you to throw caution to the wind and dance in the rain like no one's watching.
My sister came up last weekend and instead of letting the rain ruin our weekend, we took umbrellas and went for a walk with my dog, Keri. It was fun and both my sister and I felt we had slept better that night.
We all know how important rain is to nature and mankind. We need it to physically survive, but it can also be wonderfully therapeutic to the mind. So I say, "Let it rain!"
Revenge in a Heartbeat (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084227
Heartbeat of Desire (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084219
Ryley (A Christmas Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084200
If you would like to be notified in an email about the release dates of my books go to: https://donnalovitz.com/contact/
I promise not to give your email address to others and I won't email you to death.
I hope everyone is getting out there and having a great summer. Due to the drought, there isn't any blueberries to pick around our area but there's a lot of things I've been busy with. In my last blog I mentioned I was planning on getting out there to sell my books. So I took a blind leap of faith earlier this month and sold my books at Laporte Days. Laporte is town larger than where I live, but it's still a nice small town. I was really nervous because it was something I'd never done before but once I got going, it was a lot of fun. It seems most of the vendors I've met are really friendly people. I guess that's why they're out there dealing with customers one on one.
Last weekend I was the featured author for a book signing at the Schoolcraft Gallery in Lake George where I live. I couldn't believe how nice people were and how they showed up to support me.
Tomorrow I'm leaving my husband and dog at home and meeting our daughter in Montevideo, Minnesota to sell my books at the Chippewa County Fair. Montevideo and a neighboring town, Watson, are the location where my Heartbeat Series is loosely based. In the first book of the series "Heartbeat of Desire," there are three or four scenes that actually take place at the Chippewa County Fair. My booth is located next to the quilting ladies, which I find coincidental knowing the quilting ladies play a huge part in the series. I used this line in a query letter I sent out a few times, "Meanwhile the quilting ladies are trying to piece together what's going with those good-looking Cameron boys."
I guess throughout this writing journey there's been a lot of new areas to explore and I don't think I would've had the courage to do it on my own. That is why I thank each and everyone of you for your support. For now I best continue packing and get back on the road again!
Revenge in a Heartbeat (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084227
Heartbeat of Desire (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084219
Ryley (A Christmas Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084200
If you would like to be notified in an email about the release dates of my books go to: https://donnalovitz.com/contact/
I promise not to give your email address to others and I won't email you to death.
I've always thought myself as someone who has an open mind. A person who is willing within reason to try new things. I'm not talking about doing anything that would harm myself or others, I'm talking about experiencing something new that I normally wouldn't do.
But as sit here thinking about going out there and selling my books this summer, I think about all the times I was reluctant to do something in the past but after I did it — I loved it.
I remember in high school when my best friend insisted I go with her on a field trip to the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. We saw the play, "Fiddler on the Roof" and I enjoyed it so much I retuned with my parents to see another play.
One time I had traveled with my husband and our two children to the state of Washington. Both my daughter and son had studied Mount St. Helens and wanted to check out the area close to and around the volcano. I thought who cares about an old volcano but I went anyway knowing they really wanted to go on the tour. It turned out to be one of the most awesome things I've ever seen. Even as a writer, it's hard to put into words. The sheer force of what Mother Nature can do is amazing. The eruption took away any and all land marks that had been formerly used to identify the area's entire GPS location. Lakes, towns and mountain sides were suddenly gone without a trace.
I wasn't sure about the play or Mount St. Helens, but I tried to approach them with a good attitude and ’lo and behold I really enjoyed myself. I admit there have been times when I've tried something and didn't enjoy it at all. Needless to say, I won't be doing them again.
But I ask myself why am I sometimes apprehensive towards new ideas? Giving it some thought I've come up with three main reasons.
1.The fear of the unknown. Will I hate it? Will there be something unpleasant to deal with? Will my expectations be met?
2. A physical activity. Am I physically able to do it?
3.The fear of failure. Will I fail to do what I set out to do? Will I look foolish to others?
I believe the fear of looking foolish is the biggest reason why most of us avoid trying something new. I remind myself that as long as we are alive, we'll always be exposed new things and experiences and if we don't try something different once in a while — life can and will get boring. Of course with anything new there are new challenges that go along with them.
So now that I've addressed my concerns about selling my books at trade shows, I see my anxiety as silly and unwarranted. I think my books tell a good story so I do believe them to be a sellable product. And I really do enjoy getting out and meeting new people. Of course someone will have to twist my arm to make me talk about my love for writing. Yeah, right! Wish me luck as I take off down a new trail!
Revenge in a Heartbeat (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084227
Heartbeat of Desire (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084219
Ryley (A Christmas Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084200
If you would like to be notified in an email about the release dates of my books go to: https://donnalovitz.com/contact/
I promise not to give your email address to others and I won't email you to death.
As I sit by my computer this morning I am so grateful to have what some call an over active imagination. I'm in the middle of a scene about a dream house that my characters are touring in book three of the Heartbeat Series — Only a Heartbeat Away. The reason it excites me so much is because I see it in my head before I bring it to life on the page. I really feel like I'm actually there — feeling the coolness of the shade trees on a hot day and seeing the lush greenery in the yard. I love the charming exterior of the quaint brick house and I can't help but describe the endearing details — a white picket fence, climbing flower trellises, ivy and flower boxes. I'm seeing it through my characters' eyes for the first time. It almost feels like I took a trip somewhere.
To clarify, the strongest thing I had this morning was two cups of black coffee. I simply pictured a place where I'd love to live or have as a getaway home and ran with it. I can still hear the wind rushing through the leaves on the trees surrounding the house.
I view my love of writing as my passion.That's weird because before I started writing I didn't think I would ever be passionate about any hobby. I guess it was something I had inside for years that was just nagging or demanding to be released. If you ask my husband he may tell you at times writing is my addiction. I can start writing and lose all track of time and I'm not talking just a few hours — I'm saying a whole day. It's a good thing I have a loving and understanding person in my life to remind me to step out of whatever world I've created and come back to reality.
I know to some the whole thing sounds absolutely crazy, but that's the way it is for me. Writing is a huge part of what makes me feel complete or right with the world. My husband's passion is fishing and my daughter loves to refurbish furniture. I have a friend who lives to sew and another who can't go through a day without reading.
Now I ask you: What is your passion? What's the one thing or maybe you have more than one, that you consider your passion? That thing you can lose all track of time while doing? It took me years before I figured mine out. If you don't know, hopefully, it won't take you as long as me.
I just want to take this opportunity to thank all of my readers. Your support inspires me to dream and create which ultimately fuels my passion to write!
Revenge in a Heartbeat (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084227
Heartbeat of Desire (A Modern History Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084219
Ryley (A Christmas Romance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084200
If you would like to be notified in an email about the release dates of my books go to: https://donnalovitz.com/contact/
I promise not to give your email address to others and I won't email you to death.
When my children were young, I used to tell them, "Life is what you make it." I would then add, "So make it something special." It wasn't until the last three years that I really took my own words to heart.
In early 2019, I set out to do something that I always wanted to do, but had thought was out of my reach. I wanted to publish a book and invited all of you along on my writing journey and headed into the woods of the publishing world. I was armed only with the conviction that I wasn't going to let myself or any of my readers down. The trip was filled with lots of challenges and many frustrations from technical pitfalls. Despite some unpleasant set backs, I feel there were many more rewarding things I found on my path to becoming an author. I did reach my goal later that year and published my first book — Ryley.
I went on to publish the first book of the Heartbeat Series —Heartbeat of Desire last fall. Next month I'm planning to publish the second book in the series — Revenge in a Heartbeat.
I hope you continue to stay with me on my writing journey as I publish the third and final book of the Heartbeat Series — Only a Heartbeat Away — coming this fall!
I do try to make the best of every day by filling it with things that move my life forward but also make it something special.
Ryley (A Christmas Romance) at:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084200
Heartbeat of Desire (A Modern History Romance) at:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084219
If you would like to be notified in an email about the release dates of my books go to: https://donnalovitz.com/contact/
I promise not to give your email address to others and I won't email you to death.
I believe having a good attitude is an essential part of our happiness. And with all the changes we have gone through in the last year and a half, it's been a challenge to keep those good vibes alive. Many times it requires a little sifting through the unpleasant stuff to find the positive things in our lives. I think if you start with a good attitude it's like putting on a suit of armor.
In the book "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne there is a quote about attitude. It points out how important your attitude is:
"The longer I live, I realize the impact on life. Attitude to me is more important than the facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church ... a home ... a school. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day. We cannot change our past ... we cannot change the fact that some people will react in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and this is our attitude ... I'm convinced that life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our Attitudes."
I don't always have a good attitude, but I try. My efforts are not just for me, but for the people in my world whom I love and care about. But I know it's impossible to always stay positive, especially in a world where negativity runs rapid. And there are some people who find it truly hard to be happy for themselves or anyone else. To them I say, "It's time for an attitude adjustment."
On my quest for a positive attitude, I find the best place to start is with the simple things. Things like a beautiful sunrise or sunset, time with someone special or maybe just taking a walk with my dog, Keri, who is pretty special, too. I strive to fill my days with little things that make me happy and my life worth living.
Remember to keep your chin up because your attitude is the key to your happiness!
Here's the links to my books:
Ryley (A Christmas Romance) at:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084200
Heartbeat of Desire (A Modern History Romance) at:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084219
If you would like to be notified in an email about the release dates of my books go to: https://donnalovitz.com/contact/
I promise not to give your email address to others and I won't email you to death.
I think it all started with Covid and the election when I wanted to stay informed on the political issues and what was going on with the pandemic. I began to watch television at any time of the day. The next thing I knew, I wasn't only watching TV, I was binge watching for hours on end. Some would say what's wrong with that? Well, for one thing, I need more to talk about in my life than the shows I'm watching on Netflix. For me, it felt like I was literally wasting my days. So a few weeks ago,I decided to replace my gigantic, time consuming habit with other things that would be more beneficial to me. Hopefully reading my list will give you ideas, too. The following is what I want to accomplish:
Clean out a closet. Many people are making money selling clothes they no longer need online.
Organize my recipe box. Some organize it on their computer or put recipes in albums with plastic sheets.
Organize pictures in family albums or make your own book through Shutterfly or another online company. What about that trip you took? Are the pictures still on your phone?
Plan healthier meals for you and your family. I fall into a rut sometimes and planning something different breaks up the monotony of eating the same old thing.
Plan out what flowers or vegetables you're going to plant in your garden this spring or summer.
Get more exercise. I like dance around the house to fun music. When the ice is gone I will walk the dog more. I know we both desperately it.
Sewing projects — I still wear shoes with heels but not a high as I used to years ago. I found five pairs of jeans in my closet I could wear if I would hem them.
Take one room at a time and spring clean it — or perhaps just one cupboard at a time.
I'm sure you can come up with lots of things that would make your life easier and more organized. The key is to make your mind up to get them done.
The days are getting longer and by the time I write my next blog, it will be another season. Until then, I'm really excited for spring and I hope you are too!
Here's the links to my books:
Ryley (A Christmas Romance) at:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084200
Heartbeat of Desire (A Modern History Romance) at:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734084219
If you would like to be notified in an email about the release dates of my books go to: https://donnalovitz.com/contact/
I promise not to give your email address to others and I won't email you to death.