Before I pull my tarot card, I just wanted to remind you that Hard Knox will be released sometime after midnight tomorrow! Have you preordered your copy yet?

Sunday Tarot

Grrr. The card isn’t actually “The Devil.” That’s Pan, the half-goat/half-man, playing his reed flute while holding the chains of two humans (with horns, why?) who are dancing to his music. It also appears that they are inside a deep dark cave, which, to me, indicates Pan is trying to hide something. When I look at this card, I think it’s telling me that I will be captured by a mood or temptations around me this week that will try to keep me doing things I shouldn’t.

When I check The Mythic Tarot book, it tells me that I can free my “creative power” by gaining knowledge to face “my own darkness.” Okaaaay. I like my interpretation better.

In any case, I will have my work cut out for me to get anything done.

Open Contests

1. FREE READ! “Ripples” from SILVER SOLDIERS! Download now! — This giveaway ends very soon! Get your FREE copy now!
2. Saturday Puzzle-Contest! — Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Word Search: Businesses you find in a small town… (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest, Plus a Bounty Hunter Poll! — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Nathalie!
*~*~*

I’m at Book #9 in my Montana Bounty Hunters: Dead Horse, MT series. Jackson was the last one (it was released in July). I know I’ll write at least one more book in the series, entitled Malcolm. He shows up in next Tuesday’s book, Hard Knox, in case you read the story and recognize the description of the newest bounty hunter in town… Anyway, the point is, while I will likely write a bounty hunter in Dead Horse here and there, Dead Horse will still be a thing because I’m moving my attention to that quirky little town with the We Are Dead Horse, MT series.

However, I’m not done writing many more bounty hunters, they’re just too much fun, and I want to look at starting up something new somewhere else. So, I’m running a poll to see where your preferences lie. Here’s the poll. You can choose up to three. If you have a suggestion that’s not listed, add it in the comments!

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Saturday Puzzle-Contest

Today, I begin a new story in a setting I’ve never tried before. I’ve been doing some research to make it fun! Solve the puzzle, then for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me whether this is something you’d ever want to do or have already done—and where!

UPDATE: The winner is…Sara D!
*~*~*

Next Tuesday, Hard Knox releases! I’ve loved writing this story. Knox is a badass and a grumpy guy. Carleen is, um, adventurous and persistent. Their romance has the town of Dead Horse buzzing!

It’s a sexy read, for sure, and the second in my We Are Dead Horse, MT series. I created Dead Horse as an off-shoot for my first bounty hunters series, and I love the town so much, I couldn’t resist writing more about the quirky characters who people this small Montana town.

I’ve had particular fun with the names of businesses in Dead Horse. They have a theme—something the town council thought would attract tourists. Here are some of the names I’ve come up with so far…

• Better Off Dead — Taxidermy Shop
• Day of the Dead Cantina — Mexican Restaurant
• Dead ‘n’ Gone Antiques
• Dead as a Doornail Hardware
• Dead Center Guns & Pawn
• Dead Easy Saloon
• Dead Heat & Air
• Even a Dead Horse Gotta Eat — Grocery Store
• Dead Horse Motel
• Deadly Delights — Dessert Shop
• Dem Bone Package Store
• Drop-Dead Gorgeous — Salon
• Ride or Die Body and Repair

Since I’ll have more stories coming, I need to feature more businesses and more of the townsfolks. Maybe you can help me out…

Contest

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me what other businesses should exist in Dead Horse—and if you have suggestions for names of businesses or even for streets, I’d love to see them!

UPDATE: The winner is…Rachel Blackburn!
*~*~*

It’s READ A BOOK DAY! Our Day, right?

A girl can hope you’ll pick up one of her books to celebrate. I’ll have a new one out this time next week, so my feelings won’t be hurt if you choose another book to celebrate this holiday!

For fun, and for a prize, how about we play a game?

First, you’re going to learn a new word — Bibliomancy! It means divination by book. Many of you have practiced it—most likely with the Bible. You know, get a book, close your eyes, flip open the pages, and point your finger, without looking, at the page. Whatever your finger lands on will have some meaning for you.

So, go ahead. Whatever book you are reading right now, close your eyes, point that finger, and tell me what your sentence is. Do you know its meaning for you? It can take some time for the meaning to reveal itself, so no cheating! No pointing your finger and choosing another!

Share your result in the comments for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

No tarot card today! I’m catching up after a trip to North Arkansas for a writer’s retreat hosted by my sis, Elle James! Here’s me, Cynthia D, and Cara S enjoying Elle’s gorgeous pool. I arrived home today to find my pool is a lovely neon green. It’s what happens when the pool girl isn’t home! 🙁

Open Contests

1. 10 Things to do on a Writers’ Retreat/Girls-Only Weekend! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Word Search: A Blue Moon Tonight & Names of the Full Moons (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
3. August into September (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. FREE READ! “Ripples” from SILVER SOLDIERS! Download now! — EVERYONE, download your FREE story!
5. Saturday Puzzle-Contest! — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Shirley Long!
*~*~*

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, then tell me what this couple is waiting for!

UPDATE: The winner is…Sandy Pennese!
*~*~*

August

Work-related:

1. I began work on Book #2 of We Are Dead Horse, MT — Hard Knox!
2. I completed 4 editing projects for other authors in August.

Health-related:

1. I’ve been swimming almost every day. Sometimes, twice a day.
2. Through medicines and some diet tweaking, I’ve managed to keep my blood pressure down to 130-150. There’s been an occasional spike, but it’s so much better.
3. My appointment with my heart doctor went so well I don’t have to see him again for 6 months!

Happiness-related: 

1. I helped get the kids ready for the school year, including the 19-year-old who began college this month! In fact, she made the Pom Squad!
2. I have been working on and making more great progress organizing my art room, getting ready for the next push for art shows and reopening my Etsy store. I have accumulated the supplies I need to begin painting in encaustic wax.
3. I finished the Inchie Challenge! These are tiny 2×2-inch paintings. Here are a few examples…

September

 

For work-related, I plan:

1. To complete writing Hard Knox, the next in my We Are Dead Horse, MT series which releases on September 12th!
2. To release my short story from Silver Soldiers—“Ripples”—in a special giveaway the first weekend of September!
3. To complete (taking a deep breath) 6 editing projects in September! I’ll be a complete zombie by the end of the month!

For health related, I plan:

1. To swim at least once a day—as long as the pool remains warm enough!
2. To restart counting points for my Weight Watchers diet and hopefully shed at least 5 pounds, remembering, as always: Slow is good!
3. To continue to reduce salt, processed food, and incorporate foods good for blood pressure (spinach, broccoli, bananas).
4. To begin walking and counting my steps (once the weather cools).
5. To do more housework because my art room isn’t finished! Cleaning is exercise, too.

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To spend quality time with the family—movie nights, swim-time, making fun meals together!
2. To visit my sister in North Arkansas for a “writers’ retreat.”
3. To work on art and jewelry-making to get ready for the Art Festival in October!

Contest

Comment on anything you’ve read in this post. Tell me what you’re doing to make yourself happier and healthier. Tell me what you plan to read in September…
Like I said, comment on anything for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!