News on Spindle Dreams

For those of you have been chomping at the bit wondering what in the world I'm doing with the latest novella that I said was coming out this fall...

Or for those of you who completely forgot I'd promised Amazon another book...

I'm still working on it. We hit a couple of snags in the publishing process, namely that of the cover, and I regret to announce that I'm gonna have to push the release date back. My goal was to have it available by the end of October, but we're looking at a date closer to the end of the year now. I haven't been able to nail down an exact date yet, but Spindle Dreams is coming! I will let you all know once the release date is set.

In the meantime, please think about participating in my cover reveal (TBA; once I have the final cover), and have a snippet to sample.

~*~

Obstinate as always, Samson refused to move.

“Come on, Samson.”

The horse snorted and tossed his head for good measure.

Felix groaned. “You’re not going to be stubborn now, are you? Please move.” He was certain Samson was pretending not to hear him. He dug his heels in again. “You definitely know how to try my patience.” 

The horse’s ears went up.

“Now I know you can hear me…”

Samson bolted. Caught unaware, Felix lost his hold and, with a yell, toppled out of the saddle. He hit the ground hard and rolled. When he finally managed to regain his feet, the rough forest floor had rewarded him with several painful scrapes and bruises for his trouble.

“Samson!”

The horse was gone.

Felix resisted the urge to shiver, even though the wind had picked up a little. He would have to walk back to the palace. “Look on the bright side of things,” he said aloud. “You could have fallen in the river again. At least your clothes are still dry.” He turned to follow the river out and froze.

There, standing on the river’s opposite bank and only a few yards away from him, was a woman. 

~*~

God bless!

Joy in Brokenness?

How do you deal with feeling broken? 

When your health always seems to get the better of you, is there any joy to be found?

I used to be a really healthy kid. You know -- the kind that could walk into a dentist's office and walk out again without any cavities. Staying healthy was easy. And other than your average cold during the wet season, I was hardly ever laid up in bed or stuck on the couch.

It's amazing how quickly something like that can change, though. In 2007, my family moved to a new house which was surrounded by fields on three sides. Those fields got liberally sprayed with pesticides and all sorts of chemical nastiness every spring, and my family never realized how dangerous that situation could be. In 2011, I suffered a pretty severe case of bronchitis -- after which I was quickly diagnosed with asthma and multiple allergies. I won't bog you down with the entire list of allergies, but besides being allergic to half of outside, I couldn't eat chocolate, soy, buckwheat, fish, and walnuts.

After being so free for so many years, it was a huge blow. I couldn't run around and play outside like I used to. I couldn't eat whatever I wanted. In fact, there were several restaurants that I couldn't eat at period. Seriously, have you tried to eat out with a soy allergy? Forget Chinese.

I'd never had health restrictions before. I couldn't understand why God gave them to me.

To be honest, I got rather bitter about it. My body had basically been poisoned. In addition to the allergies and asthma, I contracted mono (ebstein barr virus) in the next few years. The changes to my body also put me at a high risk for cancer and infertility. For years, I worried that, if God did lead me to marry someone, I would never be able to have kids.

Infertility was really hard to accept because most of my life I've wanted the chance to be a mom. And taking the step to dating my to-be husband, Jed, only made it worse. I knew how much he wanted a family; we both wanted a large family. But considering that I was a carrier of mono, I'd probably pass the virus onto Jed after we were married, and there was a pretty good chance I'd pass it onto any children that we might have together.

I felt utterly broken and useless. 

Jed really was a true blessing sent from the Lord. In those low emotional moments (which happened more often than I'd care to admit), he would always point me back to God. Every time I complained about feeling broken, he was quick to assure me that I wasn't. True, my body may have been limited physically, but that didn't mean I was broken. There was still joy I could embrace while avoiding eating chocolate and contemplating a future with no children.

My joy doesn't come from being complete and unbroken. My joy doesn't come from a healthy body without dietary and physical limitations. My joy doesn't come from ten robust children running around in a big farmhouse. My joy doesn't even come from my practically perfect husband/then boyfriend.

My joy comes from the Lord. 

God is my Sustainer and the source of all my joy. To step beyond the feeling of brokenness, I had to change my perspective. God didn't allow the multiple health issues because He wanted me to have a hard life. He gave all of this to me as a gift because He knew I could handle it. Even in the moments when it feels most overwhelming, I have to keep that outlook. I can handle the hard stuff because I have an Everlasting Rock in my Creator. And that will never change.

It is still difficult to accept the health challenges. I think God used the allergies and other things to get my attention. I was focused so much on myself and my perfect future that I didn't think about what future God might have planned out for me. I had to let go of my own dreams and learn to willingly follow God wherever He might lead.

Today, I am happy to say that the mono is more under control, and I am the very proud mother of a healthy 5-month-old baby girl. As an added bonus, during my pregnancy, I discovered that some of my allergies cleared up, specifically the food intolerances to chocolate and soy.

I don't know if my kids will experience the mono virus. I don't know if God's plan for my life could be flare-ups of mono and a battle with cancer in the future. I don't know that my allergies will return, or if the laundry list of ones I still have will ever go away.

But I do know that Christ is sufficient. Whatever He gives me He knows I can manage it. 

And I think that's been the most helpful thing of all. If I can change my attitude towards my circumstance and find a way to praise God in it, the problems almost melt away. Yes, they're still there, but they don't feel as consuming anymore.

If I have the body that God intended me to have, health problems and all, I can rejoice because I'm living inside His plan for me. If I only ever have one child instead of ten, that's the best thing ever. If I can't walk outside in the spring without my inhaler, so be it. It's so comforting to know that God is still in control. And even if He never allows me the perfect future I envisioned for myself, it's okay because He has an even better plan for my life. I just have to keep stepping up in faith and trust Him to lead me.

There is joy in brokenness. 

God bless!

Happy Palindrome Week!

Because of my synesthesia, cool numbers always fascinate me. When the stars line up and the colors just scream at me, I can't help but admire them. But it's not always the colors; sometimes the technical, analytical aspect is just too awesome to ignore. Although I'm not a huge math person, I enjoy seeing things line up perfectly. I guess you could say I have a bit of synesthetic OCD.

Lately (this week, in fact), the internet has been blowing up celebrating an odd occurrence known as "Palindrome Week." For those of you who don't know, this week (or so) of August is the only week this year that is the same forwards and backwards. See below.

*Image not mine; found via Google search.

Isn't that so cool?? Every date is the same backwards AND forwards. The little synesthete in me is just so happy with this. Yes, this sort of thing has happened more than just this year, and technically Palindrome Week this year (2018) extends from August 10th to Augusth 19th (longer than the picture above acknowledges). That's 10 days in a row that can be read the same backwards and forwards!

August 11th happens to be my birthday and, on top of celebrating with a free pizza from a local restaurant and my hubby surprising me with a special date to get ice cream, I got to celebrate my birthday as being part of Palindrome Week! (Yes, I'm a nerd.)

Palindromes are one of those number things that fascinate me. So do consecutive numbers. And to help celebrate this week of cool numbers, I have another "week" of cool numbers that I'd like to share with you all in a short, nerdy post. These are not palindrome dates, bur rather consecutive dates that fell so perfectly that it would be a shame not to share during this week of weeks.

Ready?

June 20, 2015

I found out that Jed was interested in me. 

April 21, 2018

I gave birth to our first baby -- a little girl named Annika. 

April 22, 2017

Jed and I got engaged. 

April 23, 2018

Little Annika's duedate.

June 24, 2017

Jed and I were married. 

August 25, 2017

Jed and I found out that we were going to be parents. 

April 26, 2015

I severely friend-zoned Jed and told him we'd never be anything more than friends. 

It alternatively boggles and fascinates me that the the days of the "20s" are so key to every big step that Jed and I have made together. Please note that these events did not all happen in the same year. This has been a four-year process; though, I never thought that in just four years I'd go from friend-zoning a guy to giving birth to our first child.

Isn't it cool how God works things out according to His plan? I'm so glad for this four-year, consecutive-date plan. Of course, now I'm going to be pretty alert for big changes anytime another consecutive date rolls around.

How about you? Any special consecutive dates in your life? How are you celebrating Palindrome Week?

God bless!

Free Book, Anyone?

The Rose and the Balloon is officially two years old today! 

I cannot believe that it's already been that long since I sent Janelle and Dmitri off to Amazon. Any writer will tell you that it's an adventure to write a book; an indie author will also emphatically tell you that it's an adventure to publish it yourself.

And the adventure with Spindle Dreams is only half over. The book is in the final stages of being complete, then comes the dreaded formatting stage, and then somehow I have to survive all of the marketing and publishing gimmicks, but I'm excited to share my Sleeping Beauty tale with everyone! It's definitely coming out this fall, but I'm still trying to nail down an exact date. We may be looking at something nearer October, but we'll see.

There are some important links I'd like to share with you guys.

First off, I'm on Facebook! If you'd like to follow my author page there, I'll probably be keeping that page updated more about my writing, books, and publishing news than I will this blog.

And second -- Spindle Dreams is on Goodreads! Be sure to add it to your to-read shelf!

Now, you're probably thinking, Kiri, your title said something about a free book. What's that all about? That's the reason I clicked over here to read this blog post. 

Don't fret; here it is: In honor of The Rose and the Balloon being 2 years old today, my offer for a PDF copy of that novella still stands for a few reviewers. If you're interested in posting a review of this book on Amazon for me, please contact me at liannetaimenlore(at)gmail(dot)com. All reviews must be posted publicly on Amazon (and whatever other sites you please) by September 30th.

God bless!

One I Forgot...

Looking back through my posts I discovered there were a few drafts I had begun on awards. Apparently, back in the day, I'd been awarded and never got around to finishing a post about it.

And get this -- the awards were from 2014.

2014!! 

I guess these were something I'd gotten right before I started my freshman year at college, and then crazy school life kicked in and I completely forgot about them. So they sat, cold and neglected in my drafts folder, waiting for the day when they might see the sun again (if ever).

My original draft had included links and a big thank you to the two bloggers who had tagged/awarded me, but when I went back through the links, both posts were gone. Both blogs were gone, too. Either they'd been deleted or turned into a private blog. I neglected these things for so long that the bloggers who awarded me had already moved on with their lives. If one of those bloggers is reading this now -- I'm very grateful for your nomination and I apologize that I never got around to finishing a post about it until now.

I'm not huge into the awards now, but one of these had some tag questions that I thought would be fun to answer. Who doesn't like a fun tag? I love reading them on other people's blog because it's like one of those "Get out of jail free" cards from Monopoly -- except it's a free card for blog readers to snoop and learn interesting tidbits about the blog writer's life. Yes, I'm curious. And I apologize -- I have no idea with which award these questions go to.

~*~

 1. What type of music do you listen to? (Genre, artists, songs?)

Honestly? Mostly soundtracks. For writing, I prefer composers like James Newton Howard, Patrick Doyle, Alan Silvestri, John Powell, Alexandre Desplat, Andrew Lockington, Hans Zimmer, Harry Gregson-Williams, Howard Shore, James Horner, John Williams... and the list could keep going. 

For cleaning, it's always fun Christmas music or Broadway musicals. And don't start that about Christmas music only being for December. EVERY MONTH IS CHRISTMAS MUSIC MONTH. Broadway... too many favorites. I would end up keeping you for hours. 

For general listening, I enjoy sacred albums from conservative groups like The Wilds or Soundforth. Or some good Emile Pandolfi, Sir James Galloway, or Andrea Bochelli. Tchaikovsky is my favorite classical composer, hands down. I could listen to the entire Swan Lake ballet on repeat. AND I HAVE. No regrets. 

~*~

2. What usually cheers you up?

My husband. :) I know it's cliche, but he always knows how to make me smile. It doesn't take him long at all to figure out my mood; he knows me sometimes better than I know myself. 

And while he's at work, I cuddle with my baby. She's almost 3 months old now and getting to the stage where she wants to "talk" and make the most adorable baby noises. Also, she's super cute. 

~*~

3. What makes you sad?

Watching my husband leave for work. I am so grateful he has a job, but watching him walk out and then watching the car drive away is devastating for me. So, typically, I can't watch him leave. If I'm tired enough after a rough night with baby, I'll start crying. I didn't use to be an emotional mess... and then I got married. I tell my husband it's his fault I'm so emotional now. 

~*~

4. Is there something you constantly misplace at your house or anywhere?

I'm sure we'll be losing things more and more as baby starts to get older. For now... probably my water bottle. Or baby wipes -- I have a million packages all around the house, but unless it's in plain sight, I don't usually remember where I left the last package.

~*~

5. Do you have a favorite book? Why or why not?

I do not have a favorite book. Because I have favorite bookSSSSSS. I honestly don't understand how people can only have one favorite book. It'd be like living life with only one favorite meal. You just can't do it. There will always be more than one.

~*~

6. What is the longest you have slept?

Recently? 7 hours. Which for me is really good. #newmom I don't know that I've slept longer than 8 hours at a time in the last 4 years. I get tired, but I can't seem to stay asleep for long amounts of time. If someone has the secret to napping, please let me know. I would send you all the virtual gingerbread you want for a secret like that.

~*~

7. Do you have anyone you go to for advice?

I always talk to my husband first (no brainer). Personally, I think he's a genius in every area of life (I mean, seriously -- he's getting a doctorate!!). Before I was married I always went to my dad, and I still do ask for his opinion on a lot of stuff. Unless it's baby advice... then I talk to my mom (who's had 6 kids) or my two sisters (who worked for a combined 6 years in daycare). 

~*~

8. What is the one habit you are proud of breaking or want to break?

One habit I'd like to break? Biting my nails. I don't gnaw and chew on them endlessly, but I'm constantly forgetting where the nail clippers are. My husband has a specific spot for them in the house, but I can't ever remember it. (I guess this would be the correct answer for #4 above; technically, they're not lost -- I just don't remember where to look, or sometimes just to actually look.) I just think, Wow, those are long. I could hurt baby. And then I quickly take care of them.

~*~

9. What do you usually order at a restaurant? What is your favorite restaurant?

BEEF. Of any kind. I am a steak, burger, complete cow girl, hands down. I'm open to other options, of course, but I don't cook with beef very often at home, so when we go out, I like getting that.

I don't know that I go out to eat often enough to have a favorite restaurant. My husband recently treated me to Steak 'N Shake for the first time for our anniversary, and IT WAS AMAZING. I got a delicious burger AND a mint Oreo milkshake. Basically, paradise in one meal.

~*~

10. What is your favorite word? Least favorite?

Fika. The Swedish word for "coffee break" -- translated loosely. It involves coffee, friends, and something sweet to eat, and I normally try to have my fika every day. Lately, I've been substituting hot chocolate for the coffee (because of my other favorite word "mama"), but it's still awesome. 

Least favorite? Good-bye. For obvious reasons. 

~*~

11. Describe something that happened to you for which there was no reasonable explanation?

Give me a minute. I'm sure there's something; I'm just not thinking of anything right now.

While working at the library, I found two $10 Walmart giftcards (on separate occasions). I tried to track down each time the person who'd lost the card, but both times was unsuccessful. Every email I sent came back negative, and no one called in for a lost giftcard. After letting them sit in the library safe for a month, my boss let me take the cards. One of the cards I found during the summer, but the other was during the school year, and I thought it really weird that I was the one who ended up finding and keeping both when I had another twenty coworkers who could have found one of the cards. I was sorry I couldn't return the cards, but it was nice to add it to the week's groceries.

Is that odd enough?

~*~

If anyone would like to steal these questions for his/her own post, please feel free! Or, comment your answers below! I'd love to read your answers -- like I said, I'm a very curious person. 

God bless!

Mark Your Calendars!

I am excited to announce that Volume 2 of the Once Upon A Twist Tales will be available this fall!

It's been a while since I indie-published the first volume of this series, The Rose and the Balloon, and I can't wait to show this second installment to everyone! I don't have a publishing date set down in stone yet, but once I do I'll be letting you know. I've already been in contact with my cover designer, and Lord willing in a few months Spindle Dreams will be yours to order from Amazon and CreateSpace!

Spindle Dreams is the follow-up to The Rose and the Balloon. We're still in the same kingdom, though only a year down the road. Instead of following Dmitri and Janelle (since they already had their own adventure), we're instead focusing on the tale of a young weaver and her loyal dog, as well as a nobleman with his mischievous horse.

About the book:

Marita Kadlec is the only daughter of Rohesia's poorest – and laziest – weaver. Her father prefers to spend his days gambling in the tavern, leaving the spinning up to Marita. She hates the family business because she's constantly pricking her finger on the spindle. She'd much rather be tinkering on an invention that she hasn't had the courage to show anyone yet. A special invention that will rid her of spinning for the rest of her life. 

Felix is a young nobleman plagued with the same nightmare – a giant machine, twisting and clanking, shrouded in fire, bent on pain and death. He's determined to find out what it means, no matter where the answers may lead him. 

This is Sleeping Beauty with a twist like you've never seen it before.

COMING THIS FALL!

~*~*~*~

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!

We're starting the celebrations off early for this new book! I'm offering a PDF copy of The Rose and the Balloon to a few readers for review to kick things off. If you're interested in getting a copy to review, please email me at liannetaimenlore(at)gmail(dot)com. I'm asking each reviewer to post a review on Amazon (copied to their own blog, or Goodreads, or wherever) by September 30th.

God bless!
 

Once We Make the Big Announcement... !

I can feel a lurking, lurid, evil presence behind me. I know instantly what -- or rather, who -- it is even before he speaks.

"What are you up to, Kiri?"

I quickly close out the tab and pretend not to have heard him. I open up my email. Checking my inbox always makes me feel like I'm doing something profitable.

"Was that Cake Boss?" My little writer peers over my shoulder, his presence now thick and choking. There's no way to ignore him now.

"Of course not! This is my email!" I click through a couple of links on my inbox. "Wow, there's a lot of useless stuff coming in today."

My little writer sighs. "Kiri, when was the last time you opened something to work on?"

"I had The Dragon Tamer opened last week for a while."

"Yeah, but you didn't do much with it."

"I even had Secret of the Hazel Tree up."

"To re-read your favorite scene! When are you going to get serious about something this summer?"

"I am serious about my writing!"

"Then why are you watching clips of Cake Boss on Youtube?"

"I'm not now," I mutter dejectedly. "Besides, the cakes look really good. You know he made a taco cake once, and a giant pizza slice..."

"It doesn't matter what the Cake Boss makes," my little writer argues, "it's wasting your time."

"Not completely. Watching these clips has inspired me to bake more."

"Yes -- to bake more cakes. Which you don't need."

I close Diomedes -- my laptop -- with a distinct snap. "Actually, gissel, I've got big profitable plans, so you needn't worry about me at all."

"Gissel?" He looks puzzled. "What's that?"

"It's the Swedish word for scourge. Or curse."

"And that's what you think of me?"

"Don't yell. I know you're pleased."

Scowling, he changes topics. "What plans?"

I just grin. "Oh, you can find out with everybody else on Friday." I love that he looks astonished and furious all at the same time. It's not often I can strip him wordless like this. "Wait for the big announcement."

God bless!