When looking at my blogging history for the past year or so, I just kind of hang my head. I’ve blamed everything from life’s demands to having a hard time adjusting to having a baby/toddler in the house again. The truth is, those are only a small part of the reason why I’ve spent more time away from the blog and gotten almost nothing published.
The biggest reason is one I’ve clammed up about but since there seems to finally be a light at the end of the tunnel, I’ll explain. Briefly, because it feels too much like whining and I just want to get busy again.
Last spring (2016), I was sick for most of two months. It really fouled things up with my hypothyroidism and I’ve spent the time since then struggling to get to the place where I feel human again. And it’s been a challenge. What little energy I had – and believe me, it wasn’t anywhere near enough – was spent taking care of Aria. I wouldn’t trade that for the world, but there just wasn’t anything left over to spend on writing much of anything. Even Facebook was more than I could handle most days.
It’s hard to explain the absolute exhaustion that goes hand-in-hand with out of control hypothyroidism. But like I said, things are getting better. I’ve still got a ways to go but it’s looking like the first story in the Weko Harbor series might be ready by mid-August. And the second in the Double M series four to six weeks after that. I hope I’m actually being a little overly cautious and that they’re both out before those dates (and definitely not after!).
Until then, I’ll try to do better both here and on Facebook. And I’ve also decided that sharing excerpts of some of my other books here.
This time, it’s book 1 from the Casteloria Series, Laying Low in Paradise. This particular scene ‘stars’ Cameron Rafferty, as well as Nolan Campbell (A Cool Summer in Paradise) and Finley Hughes (A Cold Day in Paradise). Individually, the books sell for $11.97. However, The Casteloria Series bundle is only $7.99, for a limited time. That’s all three books for the price of two. 🙂
Hope you enjoy the excerpt!
He watched the boy called Sam bound out of the chalet and down the steps, hurrying to the beach. Glancing to the right, and then to his left, he appeared to be on the verge of panic, probably wondering where his mother had wandered off to.
Cameron noticed her heading out for a walk as he’d carried a cup of coffee out to the deck a couple of hours ago. She seemed like a conscientious parent and had surely let the boy know where she was going. Unless she’d expected to return before he’d woken up. If that had been the plan, she’d miscalculated how late her son would sleep.
Sam followed her footprints to the shore but the waves had long since erased any trace of the direction she’d taken. Now he looked a little scared and Cameron took pity on him.
“Excuse me,” he called, waving his hand at Sam. “If you’re looking for your mother, she was heading south when I came out this morning.”
“Thank you, sir,” Sam said, waving back before he started jogging off in that direction.
Cameron smiled a sad smile. He knew from unfortunate experience that when a child had experienced the loss of one parent, they tended to worry obsessively over the one who remained. And that, he was sure, was what fueled the fear so evident on the boy’s face.
“Where’s the kid going in such a rush?” Finley asked sarcastically, joining him at the table.
“Looking for his mother.”
“I thought we agreed that we wouldn’t initiate contact.”
“Oh for crying out loud, Fin He’s worried. I just pointed him in the right direction.”
“But-”
“No. I don’t care if you like it or not. Regardless of the circumstances, I won’t be party to a child suffering needlessly.”
“Fugitives don’t draw needless attention to themselves.”
Cameron rolled his eyes and sighed as Nolan Campbell strolled up the few steps to the deck.
With brown hair that hung past his shoulders, a perpetual days growth of whiskers, and an always-ready grin, Nolan was the polar opposite of Finley, with his short cropped, prematurely gray buzz cut, smoothly shaven face, and ever present scowl.
He supposed he, himself, fell about dead center between them, his dark blond hair not short by any stretch, but not particularly long either. Like Finley, he shaved daily and, like Nolan, smiled often.
Or at least he used to.
“Playing the drama queen again, Finley?” Nolan drawled joining them at the table, and taking a swig of Coke, his beverage of choice no matter what time of day it was.
“Just being cautious, unlike some people,” Finley snapped, crossing his arms over his chest like a petulant child. “Do any of you take this situation seriously? If we’re caught, we can kiss our butts good-bye. Do any of you get that?”
“I think we all get it. In fact, I believe that’s the sole reason we’re stuck on this island in the middle of nowhere with your ugly mug,” Nolan said. He glanced at Cameron, who was struggling to hide a smile. “What’s got him so bent out of shape on such a beautiful morning?”
“I had the nerve to talk to the boy next door.”
“Oh no!” Nolan gasped, clutching a hand to his chest, eyes wide. “You do realize that you just signed our death warrants, don’t you?” Cameron laughed when Finley glared at them, then got up and strode inside, slamming the French door behind him.
“You do enjoy goading him, don’t you?”
“It’s the highlight of my life,” Nolan said, chuckling. After another long swallow of soda, he asked, “How’s the tyrant this morning?”
“I looked in on him a while ago. He was still sleeping.”
“Or pretending to.”
“Or pretending to,” Cameron agreed, closing his eyes for a moment. “I don’t know what we should do about him. He doesn’t want to be here and he doesn’t want anyone bothering him.”
“I guess that’s just too bad, isn’t it? I’ll be bothering him in just a bit. He hasn’t managed to get hold of a gun since I saw him last night, has he?” Cameron snickered.
“At this point, I have no doubt he’d shoot us all, so I don’t leave them lying around where he can get to one. Don’t worry, Nolan, you’re safe from that fate. Today anyway.”
So glad you’re feeling better Kristy. It’s hard to keep up with everything when you’re not feeling well AND when you have numerous responsibilities. I understand. I’ve not been writing much either. Too many distractions. So write on my friend. 🙂
I’m sorry, Karen. I don’t know how I missed your comment. So a belated thanks, and I understand about the distractions! Hopefully, we’ll both find more time to write soon. 🙂