Hey, I’m glad you’re here!

Welcome to my first newsletter! I love “firsts.” Although, come to think of it, I wasn’t that crazy about my first kiss. It wasn’t all sweet and sparkly. It was a little icky. But I digress…

Other firsts are terrific. And our calendar serves one up every month. Day one. March first. We get to start with a fresh set of squares about every thirty days. What are you writing in those blanks? There’s the stuff you’ve got to do–doctor appointments, deadlines, and obligations. But there should also be room for a little fun.

For me, it’s fun to read. And check out what’s coming out in the world of publishing. And peruse what everyone’s saying about the new books. And listen to podcasts about books.

I’ve recently previewed some great books that are coming out this month. I’ve written longer reviews on GoodReads and Amazon, but here’s a quick overview:

The Beautiful Misfits by Susan Reinhardt. True Confession: Susan is my writing critique partner, and I think everything she writes is wonderful. Honestly, it’s hard to critique her because she’s such a pro. That said, you can believe me when I tell you this book is terrific. It’s a perfect blend of funny and heartrending. It’s about a mom and her son who is in the grips of opioid addiction. I know that doesn’t sound funny, but Susan manages to insert her signature humor with just the right touch. Release Date: March 7.

Women are the Fiercest Creatures by Andrea Dunlop.I love a book with flawed characters searching for a better way. In Women Are the Fiercest Creatures, three female protagonists’ lives are connected by a man, a self-centered, ambitious, seemingly irresistible man, Jake. And each of these women has suffered because of that relationship. Release Date: March 7

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley. Fun, well-written, and studded with surprises, will tickle you, encourage you, and keep you turning the pages. It’s about two very different women who aren’t even sure if they like each other. But they need each other—why they need each other creates a book chock full of rich themes. Release Date: March 28

---

Completely Random Facts About Me (and other stuff)

• Let’s start with a FAQ…I’m 6’ tall. I was measured in my doctor’s office as 5’11. I requested they remeasure me three times and all three times it was the same. But you can’t believe those doctors. Not their measuring tapes OR their scales.
• Speaking of scales. I use Soap & Glory lotion (see what I did there…scales…scaly skin?) Call of the Fruity is, probably not surprisingly, my favorite “flavor.”
• March Madness arrives this month, right on schedule for me to celebrate my birthday at the SEC Tournament again. (That’s not really why we go, but it does tend to fall on my birthday every year.) Here’s an interesting article about the origins of March Madness.
• My favorite flower also happens to be the flower of my birth month. Ah, the lovely jonquil, or daffodil if you prefer. It peeps its bonny yellow blossom out to remind us that Spring really is returning. Literature salutes the flower’s optimism–English Poet John Keats referenced daffodils, believing they brought joy (they do). And then there’s I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud (Daffodils) by William Wordsworth, maybe his most famous work…FOR A REASON! What’s your favorite flower?

---

Coming Soon to a Book Store Near You!

I’m excited to be closing in on my book’s birthday! Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace will be arriving in bookstores near you on June 20, or you can pre-order online. I’ve got lots of fun planned surrounding the big day, so don’t go anywhere!

And, if you know of someone you think might enjoy a newsletter chock full of interesting/funny/random/bookish-ness, please share this. You guys are the best! Really.

Warmly,

Tracey