During this remarkable time when you could trade a four-pack of toilet paper for a three-bedroom house, it is amazing to me that we have forgotten how to prepare for the unexpected. What about the other empty shelves at the grocery store you’ve been seeing? What if the farmers have a bad year of drought, [..Read more]
You’re driving home from a short trip to visit some friends in another city. On the way back you begin to hear about a national emergency on the radio. Before you can piece it all together you glance at your gas tank. Almost empty. Unfortunately, the next two stations you try to fill up have [..Read more]
In preparation for this post I needed to check myself out to see exactly what I had on hand. Keep in mind I’ve gathered and stored things for years. It all started when I got married and had $100 a month for groceries and medical supplies. My husband was still in college and I had [..Read more]
Most people have this idea that a prepper lives way off grid, surrounded by rugged terrain and booby traps. They come armed and dangerous. I’m here to tell you that isn’t true. The person living next door to you may very well be a prepper. I mean look at me! I’m as prissy as they [..Read more]
The time will come when you need to have a plan in place to save yourself, your family and love ones—maybe your neighborhood or community. What will you do to survive? Will you write the novel that shows how clever and prepared you are? Do you know where to begin? Have you even thought about [..Read more]
In 2016 I traveled to St. Louis, Missouri to visit my favorite hotel, Union Station. I wanted to create a novel that was suspenseful and magical because that is the way it made me feel every time I stayed there. From the fantasy light shows each night to the old-world charm competing with modern day [..Read more]
Can you imagine getting stranded in Afghanistan with no way out until American Forces realize you’re missing? What are some of the questions that might run through your mind? Will they be able to find me? How long will it take? What if the Taliban find me first? Can I drink the water? Where do [..Read more]
One of the things I do as a writer is research. This helps me get a feel of the place, people and culture I want to weave into my stories. Sometimes I’m fortunate enough to have traveled to the places I write about in hopes of drawing the reader in. I’ve lived in five states, [..Read more]
THE SPEED DATING FOR READERS INTERVIEWS this week come from Texas and Oklahoma. You may have seen Saralyn Richard on Instagram with her adorable sheepdog visiting schools, libraries and community groups. But she doesn’t just write children’s books. There is some pretty exciting mysteries going on in her head too. Then there is Sid Martin [..Read more]
Books to Read This Year Like most readers I have my go-to authors that whatever they produce, I read.Sometimes it takes me a while to get through the pile of books, but I eventually have a chance to enjoy all of them. This last year was no different, except I did add a few non-fiction [..Read more]