Hola! Jolene Navarro checking in from the Texas Hill Country. Watching the sunset over the ranch that is on the other side of our road. It’s for sale. Anyone have a few million I could use? It’s right on the Guadalupe River. Perfect place for a writing retreat. That’s one of my far fetched dreams, owning […]
Learning to Pivot
Back in January, when I was looking forward to how I expected this year to go and made goals and plans, I could never have expected all the changes that would happen, either personally or professionally. My husband officially became disabled (he was before, but it’s not “official” until the government agrees…). My oldest daughter […]
From Mexico to the USA: A Legacy of Love and Hard Work
Hola! Jolene Navarro, checking in from the Texas Hill Country and today I have a give-a-way so, keep reading. It’s gingerbread and hot chocolate season, so pull up a chair and join me. My mother-in-law was the kind of woman that did more listening than talking. She had a gentle spirit and strong faith. Leaving her […]
What’s Missing? by Deb Kastner
A Unique Christmas Mystery As many of you know, I’ve gone “hybrid,” which means I am independently publishing some books, writing some for a small press and continuing to write for Harlequin. This has completely spoiled me, because when I indie publish, the choice of what goes on my cover is entirely up to me. […]
Fifty, No Make that 5 reasons to love a Cowboy and a Giveaway.
Jolene Navarro’s Top 5 Reasons to Love a Cowboy Hello, Jolene here on this fine Friday morning. I grew up in the Texas Hill Country and around cowboys of all kinds. There are the ones that work the land and would rather be out in the cold than locked in a warm comfy office. Then […]
Finding Time to Read by Deb Kastner
I suspect writers aren’t the only ones with too much time, too little to do. Or as dear Willie Wonka in (the old, wonderful Gene Wilder version of) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory would say, “Scratch that. Reverse it.” Free Time? What is this thing called Free Time? When my grandson Boo complains that he’s […]
From the Texas Hills to the Texas Coast – Jolene Navarro
Jolene checking in from my back porch. Here’s this morning’s view before I drive off to work to downtown San Antonio. I love living in the hill country and if you read any of my books you can see how I admire the countryside and it’s people. But for my next series, I’m […]
Pedaling Backward by Deb Kastner
Like people in many other fields, authors must meet deadlines, whether set by editors in the world of traditional publishing or scheduled onto the calendar when indie-publishing. I am an oldest-child, deadline-oriented perfectionist. I doubt I would ever get any books written (or blog posts for that matter) if I didn’t have to meet deadlines. […]
Open Windows
I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying, “When God closes a door, he opens a window.” That statement has resonated quite deeply with me lately both in my life and as an author. In truth, when my husband had his double stroke, practically every door in my figurative house slammed shut on me. I’ve […]
Christmas is in the Air with Two Cover Reveals
Jolene Navarro checking in from the Texas Hill Country. It might be July but in my inbox, it’s all about Christmas. As an author when I see the subject line: Author Notifier I get all excited, just like a kid on Christmas morning. I have filled out the AFS and the art department has put together a […]