Summer's coming

So as spring slips away from the northern half of the planet, giving way to summer and warmer temperatures, what are your plans? I'm sure they vary by country and region, not to mention by class in some cases.

I remember all too well the eager anticipation of being out of school, those seemingly endless days of nothing to do stretching before me as I yearned towards their blank pages with an untold hunger. I see that same lust in my nephews' eyes as they come to the end of their school year and are faced with the prospect of a summer spent doing only things they enjoy, and none of that 'school stuff' they deplore.

Is it a good thing to allow children two, sometimes three, whole months off from school a year? I think so. You can only spend so much time being chained to a desk, forced to bend your mind to the will of a stern taskmaster who forces you to learn things that you never considered before, and in some cases, never will consider again (seriously, how many of you have used the Pythagorean theorem since leaving school?). Summer should be a time of exploration, a time to see what interests you, and act on those interests. Yes, sleeping late and often are hobbies of children during the summer, but more studies have shown children actually need more sleep as they become teens.

I plan to help my nephews out this summer and have some activities they can do ready for them. Nothing too stressful, nothing beyond their abilities, but definitely things that will stretch them, challenge them and hopefully help them to grow as young men as they enter their difficult, tumultuous teen years.

new books

I know I've mentioned my current published book, Family Fortune, a time or fifty, lol. I think it's a great book, and an excellent read. I have a giveaway coming up on Goodreads just in time for Mother's Day. It's only open to the US, because postage is so cost prohibitive these days. It's over $20US to send a package anywhere in the world now! That's more than the book costs! I'll keep you posted as to when the giveaway goes live so you can enter to win a signed first edition of my book.

Meanwhile, I haven't been letting the grass grow under my feet. Family Fortune released in November last year. I have a second book with the publisher, tentatively titled Family Lessons.

Family Lessons will pick up with Emma's brother Edmund, and take us on his journey to self-fulfillment and happiness. It's an interesting look into how life worked back in the late 1850, so prepare yourself for an adventure!

And, now that book 2 is with the publisher, I have been working on book three, which takes us along with Liz as she gets ready to wed her sweetheart, Jonathan Denby. He's settling into his role at his family practice in London, and Liz is trying to settle into the routine of being a physician's fiancé and future wife. Their journey isn't without obstacles, however, and the story will show you how they face and overcome them as they work toward the happy ending they both want.

Come join me!

I'll be doing an author take over tomorrow night. Come join me, it promises to be tons of fun!
Organized by my friend Stacey Broadbent!

https://www.facebook.com/events/205253546637218/

Gearing up for convention!!

Over the past couple weeks, things have been getting busy around here. I did a parade on April 1, got my books in (you can get a signed copy if you want to order from me directly, ping me on www.facebook.com/Kathleen.eyke.southernfamilyties I'll ship, but international is cost prohibitive, anywhere from $20 and up!)

I finished my first ever author takeover, it was so much fun and even though it was rather late at night for me, I think I had a fairly good audience and participation. I also did a give away of a signed copy of my book. Which reminds me, I'm going to be setting up another giveaway on goodreads and facebook. It's going to be for Mother's Day - the US one. The prize will be a signed copy of my book and a lovely pendant.

I'M ATTENDING CONVENTION!!!! Not as an author signing books, but as a general spectator. I need to attend one before I actually do one I think so I know what is going on. Also, it will be a great way for me to test the waters as it were, to see if my anxiety is really under control. I have issues with large crowds and enclosed spaces I can't get out of at will, like elevators.

The convention I'm going to is the RT Convention in Atlanta in two weeks. I'll be there on Thursday, and hopefully not freak out so bad I have to leave early. Those tickets are expensive, well, to me they are, but I think it's worth it to go. Anyway, I hope to meet some of you there, I'll be the giant wandering around looking shell shocked, lol.

Cover reveal!!

Check out what my friend S.K. Lessner has coming soon!!

Writing injuries

I really think there should be certain injuries that should excuse you from writing. Breaking a nail off down into the quick for example. I'm sure that at some point in time in life, we have all experienced this painful event. You are going along, doing your thing, and BAM! you break a nail, and it goes down into the nailbed and bleeds. It remains sore and tender for a long time afterwards, as if it is reproaching you for breaking it, making it hard to do things, like type, wash your hands, (and depending on which hand it broke on) do things with your hands like put your hair in a ponytail, open a soda can.

I really think this ought to qualify as something that gets you time off work. Paper cuts are another thing that should get you time off work. I know it sounds silly, but seriously, you get a deep enough of a paper cut or if it is placed just right (or wrong depending on your point of view), it can really hurt when you go to write. And heaven forbid you use a hand sanitizer on your hands with one. Oh my dear lord in Heaven, that will light up your whole world!

Injuries brought on by a bad chair should also qualify you for time off work. You can actually get hurt by your chair. I know, I have. I have had my chair roll over my toes, I have had my chair try to strip me by rolling over the hem of my skirt and holding it down when I tried to stand up. If the back or the seat is wore out, it will give you a back cramp or a cramp in your butt. Not fun.

I suppose the real problem with getting these declared work related injuries is that, well, I work for myself for the most part. I have no HR department to go to in order to place my claim for worker's compensation.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

We did it! We made it to over 100 followers on my facebook author page! In celebration, I'm doing a giveaway. Head over to my facebook page and tell me what you love about books to enter a drawing to receive a free signed copy of my first book, Family Fortune!

https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.eyke.southernfamilyties/

Busy Busy!

Good Monday afternoon to you! How was your weekend?

I had a busy one, did my first ever author take over last night on facebook. Talk about nerve racking! But I think it went well, the author whose page I was on said I was brilliant. I'm almost looking forward to the one I'll be doing on the 25th of this month. I'll drop a link so you can join me.

So what did you do this weekend? Share! I need some inspiration for my current WIP. I'll visit back later, hope to hear from you!

Coming soon...

The second installment in the Southern Family Ties series is coming soon.

Edmund has never liked having things handed to him, and now that his grandfather has handed over control of the family holdings in America to go back to England, he has even more to take care of. Finding a way out, he takes it and is off like a shot, headed west to make his own way in the world, without help from his family. He finds out the value of having a family to protect you when he encounters Callie, the woman who will teach him a few lessons about family he desperately needs to learn....

Have you picked up your copy of book 1 yet? Hurry over and pick it up today from your favorite online book store. It's on sale, but that won't last forever!

Limited time sale: Kathleen Eyke-author's Family Fortune (Southern Family Ties Book 1)!!!!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2fYLQ2w
Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M4NAH3R
Amazon AU: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01M4NAH3R
Amazon CA: www.amazon.ca/dp/B01M4NAH3R
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1168813613
Nook: www.bn.com/w/1124998235
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/family-fortune-3
Publisher: www.hottreepublishing.com/family-fortune

Family Fortune (Southern Family Ties Book 1)

Spring is here!

Wow, the crazy weather we had yesterday. People had power outages, flooded roads, dealt with tornadoes. I was one of the lucky ones, I only had hail, rain and strong winds to deal with. Others were not so lucky.

The wind today has been high, making me wonder if we need to batten down the hatches to keep stuff from blowing away. I'm almost a little afraid to take the dog out, she is so small and lightweight she could blow away! I'm kidding.

But the deep blue skies today have been beautiful, and the winds perfect for flying a kite. Kids will frolic and play with dogs and each other in this wonderful weather, exploring and chasing rainbows and butterflies.

I, on the other hand, have been stuck inside, working on my next series that I'm going to bring to you. I have 3 books written so far in the first series, and two started in this new one. It's a hard sacrifice to make, but it's one I make willingly, since it's something I love to do, and the feedback I get from my readers and fans encourages me so much to keep going, never stop, and never give up. I really hope you enjoy it. It's very different from the first series. I'll tell you more once I have one of the books finished and ready to release.

April Showers

If April Showers bring May Flowers, we should be in for a flower covered month! Severe weather Monday, more severe weather today, so severe in fact the schools closed today in anticipation of the weather. We never close schools for a rainstorm here in the south. Snow, yes, because we are woefully unprepared to deal with it. Rain? Not unless there is a name attached to the storm.

I personally woke up at about 3:30 am because of the thunder storm. Sounded like the train had jumped its track some 200 yards from the house and was trying to roll through my bedroom. Currently enjoying a calm before the next wave hits. Watching the radar is pretty much useless, since the storms are popping up so quickly you can't really track them. Adds a certain zest, edge to life, don't you think?

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for my publisher to get back with me on my second book. I'm working on my third while I wait. Book two, Family Lessons, is going to be a delight to those of you who have read book one, Family Fortune. In book two, we follow Emma's brother, Edmund, as he sets off on the journey of discovery, to find himself and his place in life. Along the way, he manages to prove he is his grandfather's heir, luck dodging his every step and turning everything he touches to gold. He tries to improve the town he's living in by bringing in a teacher for the children, never thinking she would have a past of her own she was trying to escape and start over herself. Wills clash as they fight their attraction. When her past catches up with her, things get really interesting.

Not going to tell you any more, it might give things away!

April Fool's day parade

We had so much fun this morning! Kicking off the Uptown Columbus Market days, we marched in a parade that circled the market and came back to the Springer Opera House in downtown Columbus, GA. Tons of people came out, watching and participating. The drum line in the parade was AMAZING, and I had a choice place in the parade right behind the bagpipe players.