I wish to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of: David Bowie (singer/musician/actor) Alan Rickman (actor) Glenn Frey (member of The Eagles group) Rene Angelil (Celine Dion's husband) And anyone else famous or not famous who has passed recently. Loss is hard. I've had several loved ones in my life pass on. And while nobody can (or SHOULD) take their place, there are healthy ways to mourn. I hope everyone who is mourning has people and healthy methods to help them through their mourning process. My heart and prayers go out to you. All my best, Bethany Averie

Happy Tuesday All, Are you a good dancer? Or do you just freelance? When I was younger I took ballet, tap, and jazz for several years. I never danced en pointe in ballet, but I did enjoy it. Growing up, I felt sort of awkward, and sometimes a bit on the klutzy side. Ballet made me feel graceful and beautiful. I wasn't very good at tap or jazz, but some of it was fun. Fountain in Frankenmuth, Michigan Nowadays I'm not doing too many arabesques, shuffle-ball-changes, or shimmying my way across the floor. Usually I have one of my offspring with me and I dance around the room with them (while they giggle incessantly--generally with me, thank goodness!) Sometimes I turn on country music and try to 2-step around the living room. Other times, I turn on children's songs, or rock n roll, sometimes folk-rock. Music is always a good way to boost your mood, and dancing can be fun (and good exercise, too!) When you want to "cut a rug" what do you do? ...

Happy Monday All, Did you have a good weekend? A great one? Mine was full of recovering from my ear/sinus infection. It sounds like a blast, doesn't it? Well...it wasn't what I'd call the most fun I've ever had. But I did enjoy a little time with my husband, so that was a plus. Interesting question occurred to me as I was watching a Hallmark Channel movie ( Love By The Book ): What is your idea of Romance? What is something that happened to you that you consider romantic? This is interesting to me on more than one level. For one thing, I'm hopelessly romantic. I even like some of the cheesier stuff. Or heartwarming. It's also questions Romance novelists (such as yours truly) strive to answer when they write their novels. So, you tell me. What do you consider romantic? Have A Marvelously Magical Monday!

Happy Friday All, I hope your week has been awesome. Yes, as I said, Jason and Laney (from my Immortal Dreams Trilogy) are still playing around in my head. "Awesome" is one of Jason's favorite words. If you asked him, he'd tell you HE'S awesome. And, in some ways, he was subconsciously modeled after my husband (I never intentionally model any of my characters after anyone I know). Here's proof (this is from a conversation we had a while back): Me:  I think I subconsciously modeled Jason after you. Husband (grinning): That's why he's such an awesome character. Me (in a dry tone): I shouldn't have told you that the first time I told you. Husband just continued to grin and laugh. Go figure, right? But I can't deny my husband has some pretty awesome qualities. He's a really good Dad, and pretty considerate of me. He'll take the Offspring somewhere just so I can write. He goes on walks and things so I can nap (whenever he...

Happy Thursday All, I'm late posting this because I wasn't able to schedule it ahead of time to post automatically for me. Real life keeps creeping into my writing/blogging time, but that's just the way things are right now. The good news is, I am getting writing in. Not as much or as often as I'm used to, but it's happening. That in itself is a really good thing. The other day I talked about word-of-mouth and how important that is to authors . Yes, I can't emphasize this enough. You have no idea how incredibly powerful it is. You readers make or break our careers. I love writing and publishing and sharing my imagination with you all. It brings me a lot of joy and satisfaction. It's a dream come true. On another note, the Immortal Dreams Trilogy is completed and all 3 books are available, yet I still have Jason and Laney playing around in my head. I guess I'm not completely ready to say goodbye to that world. Where it will lead...well, I...

Happy Tuesday Everybody, I'm going to put this out there. Other authors have posted about it on Facebook, and I've mentioned it from time to time: Readers, you have tremendous power. YOU hold the key to an author's success. How does an author become a bestseller? He or she has readers getting and enjoying his or her work. Readers tell other readers, who tell other readers, and soon you have a hit. Word of mouth is terribly important to authors. I'm no different. If you like a novel--if you like any of my novels--please consider leaving a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and any Statue in the Botanical Gardens in Springdale, Arkansas other website where the author's work appears. It doesn't cost you anything and it has the potential to help the author. (Including the potential of helping this author!) However, the most important way you can help an author is by telling other readers about him or her. Talk about their work. Let others ...

Happy Monday All, It's a brand new year! In some ways, it seems like it's taken a long time to get to 2016, in others, it seems like it's moved fast. Whether fast or slow, it's here. A lot of people like to reflect on the year that's past. For me, it was a whirlwind of change. My family grew, bringing new challenges--both good things and rough. I'm pretty sleep deprived these days as a result (I know sleep is possible...just not yet). I'm starting out the year with having published 4 novels and working on another and a few new ideas. I haven't completely left the Immortals from Immortal Dreams Trilogy behind. They're still there (and Jason and Laney often make appearances on the Immortal Dreams Facebook page ). But I'm not actively working on anything, yet. However, ideas are there.    I'm pursuing new possibilities. It's both exciting and nerve-wrecking. I keep asking myself, "What's the next best move for me? Wha...