Maureen L. Bonatch's Blog

We make a plan, then life tells us how that’s going to go.

The last post I shared here I discussed quitting my day job and focusing on my plan for writing freelance and fiction. I did that, but then like the best laid plans, things changed. One of my freelance writing jobs quickly became a full-time job. I’m still at that job, because I enjoy it and have learned a ton (and hello—twin girls in college!), but I continued to write fiction in my free time.

Sadly, my free time was not as abundant as I hoped.

When There’s a Writer, There’s a Way

As a writer, I can’t not write. It’s part of who I am and I feel incomplete when I’m not writing my fiction stories. So I did. The funny thing with me is, writing the story is the easy part, the editing is where I procrastinate. That lead to accumulating multiple story drafts on my computer that I planned to return to edit ‘later’.

Then Comes COVID

Luckily for me, when the lockdowns happened during the height of pandemic, it didn’t affect my day job. We continued working and were busier than ever. But the pandemic did affect my writing.

When my favorite month came along (I’ve talked about my love of November’s National Novel Writing (NaNoWri) until I’m blue in the face), I started a new story—and I stalled. Current events, and the fear in the world, were stealing my writing mojo. Until I switched gears and changed the story to a holiday paranormal cozy mystery.

I played Christmas music to inspire me and watched a multitude of holiday shows—something I hadn’t done in years—and the story poured out. That story (Magic, Mimosas & Mistletoe) is just one of the paranormal cozy mysteries I’ve written for my new Charmed Cocktail Cozy Series.

Why Two Author Names?

I added the pen name of M.L. Bonatch for my paranormal cozy mysteries. Most of the reason for doing this is due to the business side of writing. It’s also an easy way for readers to identify my paranormal cozy mysteries from my Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance books that will remain under my author name of Maureen L. Bonatch.

What’s the Difference in the Books?My stories are similar in these genres in that they all:Have a paranormal elementUsually feature magic and/or witchesHave HumorUsually have pets or animals in the storyMy stories are Paranormal Cozy Mysteries are different in that they are:A little shorterHumor is a huge focusThere is no sex or violenceThere’s always a mystery, and usually a murder, to solveMy heroine can talk to her cat, or other animalsExciting Book Stuff Coming Your WayMy website will continue to share book information for all my genresMy Charmed Cozy Cocktail series will have at least 3 releases this year:Curses, Cats & Corpses (Is initially included in this boxset to give you a taste of ten other fabulous cozy mystery authors)Hexes, Highballs & HockeyMagic, Mimosas & MistletoeMy book, Grandma Must Die, is being re-edited and released with a new cover and a stronger focus on the mystery as one of the characters in the story (Abigail) has her own paranormal cozy mystery series coming early next year.No worries if you love Urban Fantasy – I’ll have several stories in draft (one in a new series) that you’ll hear more about in 2022Hop on This Crazy Train with Me!

There’s so much going on this year with my writing. The best way to know what’s up next is to sign up for my newsletter right here or:

Follow me on my social media- especially my new pages as M.L. Bonatch (She’s lonely & looking for friends)

Author: M.L. Bonatch: Amazon page BookBub Facebook Goodreads Author: Maureen L. Bonatch: Amazon Page Facebook BookBub Goodreads Both M.L. Bonatch & Maureen Bonatch: Instagram Twitter Pinterest

Afraid you’ll forget about all these books coming out? No worries- preorder links are already available on my M.L. Bonatch Amazon page right here.

More Good Stuff for you

 

Find new authors and enter right here for this fabulous giveaway to win an Amazon gift card!

 

 

Searching for Your Next Cozy Mystery?

 

Check out these great deals on Cozy Mysteries (click right here) to fill up your TBR

 

 

Get Out and Read Giveaway

 

WIN 1 OF 4 KINDLE FIRES

Do you enjoy spending the long, lazy days of summer with a book in your hand? One of the best ways to find new-to-you authors is on BookBub, and LitRing has got you covered. Head over to the Get Out and Read Giveaway now to get 175+ chances to win a Kindle Fire >> https://www.litring.com/get-out-and-read-giveaway/

Thank you for sharing this journey with me, lovely readers! I can’t wait to share more stories with you.

The post What Happened? What’s Next for My Books? appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

I wasn’t ready to write this post. It’s still surreal to me after 16 years, but it seems it’s time. That, or people seem to think I’ve retired, and that’s a long way away for me. You see, today I quit my day job. It might seem sudden to you, but I’ve been working out my notice for about 6 weeks now, and thought about it before that. I’m not just a fiction author, I’m also an RN Content Writer and editor. Sometimes referred to a freelance healthcare writer. Don’t know what that is? No worries, I’d say about 80% of the people I know don’t, 5% know what it is and the other 15% seem to think I’ve lost my mind…or perhaps it’s 80% who think I’ve lost my mind. Only time will tell.

If you’d like to find out, sign up to receive my blog, or follow me on my author Facebook page. Because I’ve always been fascinated with stories of writers and authors who left the day job to write full-time. But that’s usually all there is to read. They quit. I’ve always wondered what happened next?

Quitting the Day Job

Leaving the day job (as we authors like to refer to a job other than writing) was not an easy decision. It was a terribly difficult decision. I’ve worked at my current job for 16 years.

To put that in perspective, my twins were 18 months when I started. This year they’ll by 18 years old.

About the age of my twins when I started the day job.
My twins now…

Many of the people I work with have become very good friends, some like family. I’ve already warned them that I’m not that easy to get rid of, and I think they’re okay with that because they’re afraid of what might happen if I’m left alone in the house for months on end, and if I might forget to wear pants when I venture out in public. Plus Scruff will be the only one to talk to most days, and he’s not all that talkative.

Scruff, looking annoyed with my boring conversation.

So it’s not the job that finally made me take the leap, it was something more.

An Author’s Agony

This might be difficult for someone who’s not a writer to understand, but I’ll try my best to convey how it feels when your ‘book babies’ are trapped in your mind or on your computer. For the last 2 years I’ve gotten increasingly busy with freelance writing (more about that later). Thus, between that and the day job, I’ve had less and less time for my fiction. Fiction writing is my escape, my passion. It brings me peace. So not being able to do that was a bit torturous at times.

As the year seemed to speed up, the busier I got, the more I began to worry that I would never get to finish the books on the back burner. That I’d die with these stories still inside me- pretty much most author’s fear. Once I decided that I was resigning and wrote the letter, I felt a weight lift from inside of me that I hadn’t realized was there. The hope that I’d have more time to devote to writing my stories. But it isn’t just fiction I’m writing, and I hope to do more with my time than just stories.

Family and Freelancing

It wasn’t just my fiction writing that suffered the busier I got with freelance writing. I’ve been writing most hours of the day when I’m not at the day job. Meaning that the laptop is with me almost all the time and that means less time with family and friends. I’m hoping to find a better balance with that. As I struggled with my decision about leaving the day job, I turned to organizing things. Organizing, or cleaning, often helps me work through thoughts and relaxes me. The first two weeks in January I organized half the drawers and closets in my house.

What in the Heck is a Freelance Writer?

Ahh, there’s the question on most of your minds. I didn’t realize just how prevalent freelance writing was until a handful of years ago when I was looking for something to do with my writing to make some extra income. Although I love fiction writing, that is more like the marathon of writing. A long process, with uncertain results. Freelance writing is like the sprint. Imagine my surprise when I learned there was a huge need for healthcare freelance writers, even more so if you’re an RN. I discovered a way to continue to use my education while combining it with what I love, writing. Plus I discovered how much I love to learn new things. I love researching a new topic and molding the prose for the audience. My freelance audience could be nursing students, consumers interested in healthcare information, other nurses, nurse managers…and more.

My coworkers surprise for my last day

Some have said, “So you’re not a nurse anymore?” Yes. I’m still a nurse. I’ve been a nurse for many years, even though the past 16 years I haven’t provided direct patient care. But I’ve been a nurse educator, a nurse leader, a nurse supervisor and now a nurse content writer. It’s not just about providing care. Nursing is also about providing education and using that knowledge base.

So…What Do You Write?

Lately? All kinds of stuff. This month has been particularly busy with my newest job that focuses on writing and editing educational material for direct care workers as an RN Content Writer. Although in addition to that this week I’ve written articles on Medicare Advantage, 2 articles on Value-Based Care, and another on Physician Burnout. I have more articles lines up for next week and others in March.

Consider where you get your information. I’d guess most of it is online. Someone is writing that information. That someone is me- well, for some of it.

What Happens Next?

Your guess is as good as mine. I have my plan. I’m hoping for more freelance, and much more fiction, but this is totally out of character for a Virgo like me who is used to stability. Part of my plan is to share my journey, my new adventure with you about my Life After the Day Job. Stay tuned to find out what the heck a healthcare freelance writer really does all day, or what’s happening with my next book baby…or just to check in to make sure I’ve really not lost my mind.

Together we’ll find out what happens if you take the leap to follow a dream.

The post Quitting the Day Job appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Welcome to this week’s Marketing for Romance Writers 52-week Blog Challenge—the 52ndweek—entitled My Wedding Disaster. Most brides have certain expectations for their perfect wedding day, and usually everything doesn’t live up to that ideal. My wedding had many things that didn’t go as planned. Those are the things that we continue to talk about all these years later.

Little Disasters

Most of those little disasters that happen at a wedding go unnoticed by everyone else except the bride. They aren’t even close to the level of a disaster, but may feel like it on that day.

Since I’ve been married for many years now, perhaps my perspective has changed. #MFRW #wedding
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But I don’t think I felt it was a disaster on that day. I was stressed, as most brides are, but I don’t think I let it ruin my day.

The Best Laid Plans

Things started to go awry right from the get-go on my wedding day. I got up earlier than the rest of the house to have some quiet time to prepare. Especially since my parents’ house only had one bathroom. I’d no sooner gotten into the shower when someone started pounding on the door. So, in summary…

My young nephew was sick, and needed in the bathroom, so instead he vomited in the hall
The hairdresser got backed up so the bride (me), bridesmaids, and my Mom were all running late and half were unhappy with their hairdo
My Mom focused her stress on desperately wanting to make a detour to get a new lipstick—which we had no time to obtain
The flowers arrived but some were missing, or incomplete
The photographer was early and none of us were ready
By the time we arrived at the reception after photographs, we were already running out of some of the booze which lead to…
Some people had overindulged a bit too much
My Dad invited more people than we were aware of and we were packed in like sardines
The groomsmen didn’t realize their role in preparing for the bridal dance (see overindulging)
I didn’t get any of my favorite cookies since someone ate the plate saved for me—from the bridal table

And I’m sure there was more. That’s just what I can recall all these years later…Sounds like a disaster, huh? Not to me.

Magical Wedding Memories

I’ve shared stories about our wedding for years, and we all laugh at how the best laid plans go awry.

Those are the memories I have in addition to walking down the aisle, and dancing with my husband, and all the other special moments from that day. In other words, this wasn’t a disaster, but only wonderful memories.

 

It’s a Blog Hop

 

 

I hope you hop around to the other authors to read about their wedding disasters and share in the memories.

I also hope you’re enjoying a wonderful holiday season and preparing for a spectacular new year.

 

Do You Have a Memory that Seemed Like a Disaster at the Time?

 

Scruff wishing you a Happy New Year full of treats!

 

 

The post Memories Are Made from Wedding Disasters appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Welcome to this week’s Marketing for Romance Writers 52-week Blog Challenge entitled, My Fantasy Vacation. I don’t know about you, but this time of year has me thinking about how nice a vacation would be. It seems that the holidays get busier, and more overwhelming, each year and it’s harder to balance them with daily obligations. So, a vacation sounds nice about right now. But it’s not a specific destination I’m thinking of when I think of my fantasy vacation.

Have You Met Me?

If you’ve been around the blog for a while, you might have heard me talk about traveling before. I mean, what’s not to love when you’re introverted, aren’t a fan of traveling, and turn into more of a hermit as the years go by?

Not that I don’t like to see new places and enjoy new things. I’ve been to many beautiful places and there’s more I’d like to see.

It’s the whole traveling to get there that I don’t enjoy.
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The Ultimate Destination

Oh, that got your attention? I apologize, because there is none. I’m always ready to come home at the end of the trip, no matter how beautiful the place may be. Because it’s not the destination—or where I’m going— that makes the vacation fabulous to me, it’s what I’m doing. Here’s what I like to do…nothing.

Yep, you heard me right. I’ve talked about my quest for doing nothing before, and usually it remains elusive to me.

Although the hubs and I have found a place in Florida where there isn’t a whole lot to do but just “be” and that suits me just fine. The problem is, well, it’s Florida, and usually when we go it’s about a bajillion degrees. This pale, Irish gal doesn’t do well with the heat.

It’s a Blog Hop

 

I could go on about my fantasy of having nothing to do, nowhere to go unless I felt like it, and no clock to be a slave to, but I think you get the point.

 

Doing all that nothing is even better when it’s a beautiful place.

 

 

 

What’s Your Dream Vacation?
Scruff hopes Santa brings you everything your heart desires.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate! I hope your holiday season is magical!

 

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The post My Dream Vacation Isn’t About the Destination #MFRWauthor appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Welcome to this week’s Marketing for Romance Writers 52-week Blog Challenge entitled, My Fantasy Vacation. I don’t know about you, but this time of year has me thinking about how nice a vacation would be. It seems that the holidays get busier, and more overwhelming, each year and it’s harder to balance them with daily obligations. So, a vacation sounds nice about right now. But it’s not a specific destination I’m thinking of when I think of my fantasy vacation.

Have You Met Me?

If you’ve been around the blog for a while, you might have heard me talk about traveling before. I mean, what’s not to love when you’re introverted, aren’t a fan of traveling, and turn into more of a hermit as the years go by?

Not that I don’t like to see new places and enjoy new things. I’ve been to many beautiful places and there’s more I’d like to see.

It’s the whole traveling to get there that I don’t enjoy.
Click To Tweet

The Ultimate Destination

Oh, that got your attention? I apologize, because there is none. I’m always ready to come home at the end of the trip, no matter how beautiful the place may be. Because it’s not the destination—or where I’m going— that makes the vacation fabulous to me, it’s what I’m doing. Here’s what I like to do…nothing.

Yep, you heard me right. I’ve talked about my quest for doing nothing before, and usually it remains elusive to me.

Although the hubs and I have found a place in Florida where there isn’t a whole lot to do but just “be” and that suits me just fine. The problem is, well, it’s Florida, and usually when we go it’s about a bajillion degrees. This pale, Irish gal doesn’t do well with the heat.

It’s a Blog Hop

 

I could go on about my fantasy of having nothing to do, nowhere to go unless I felt like it, and no clock to be a slave to, but I think you get the point.

 

Doing all that nothing is even better when it’s a beautiful place.

 

 

 

What’s Your Dream Vacation?
Scruff hopes Santa brings you everything your heart desires.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate! I hope your holiday season is magical!

 

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The post My Dream Vacation Isn’t About the Destination appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Welcome to this week’s Marketing for Romance Writers 52-week Blog Challenge. As we wind down the year, many of us begin to think about what we are grateful for, hence the topic of this week’s post is I’m Grateful For.

I feel that there should be several obvious answers of family, friends and health, etc. I could write that and be done with the post, and I think many would share the same sentiments. I also participate in Thankful Authors each year and wrote a post in November about something a bit off the wall that I’m thankful for—the Internet and why it has redeeming qualities. But there are other things I’m grateful for. Often, they’re the little things that are really the big things.

Conflicting Waves of Gratitude

I have a love/hate relationship with time. I’m always wishing it away, and wishing I could turn it back for various reasons. There are things I would change, other things I’d like to revisit. Other times I just want to make it stop. None of these are within my control.

One reason is because time seems to steal away youth and vitality. Not just for me, but those that I love. So on one hand I’m bitter when I see how time has robbed the ones I love. But then I feel grateful that time has given me these years to enjoy when others haven’t been as fortunate.

But when I feel the weight of time on my back, sometimes resentment bubbles up within me, but then I remember all there is to be grateful for. I mean, literally, my back.

It’s the Little Things

I’ve had several herniated discs over the years, and spend much of my time working sitting in a chair. Neither bode well for my back. When aches and pains slow my step, and make me wince, I’m a bit bitter as I remember the time when I never felt a flicker of discomfort. But then I recall when it was much worse. When I couldn’t turn over and the effort to get out of a car took me ten or more minutes. Those things come to mind now and then and I’m grateful that it improved.

It truly is the little things that are the big things that are important in life.

Time, meaningful conversations, a beautiful day, a shared laugh. For those memories, and more, I’m #grateful. #MFRW
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I’m Grateful for You
Scruff focusing on the readers…or a treat.

I’ve always been writing stories, and I don’t know that I could ever stop, even if I didn’t share them with anyone. Writing is just part of who I am. It’s what I do. Whether people love or hate my stories, or my characters, I must release them and find out what’s going on in their world.

To know there are others—readers—who’ve met my characters, or shared their journey, and want to know more—I’m forever grateful.

Because readers help make my characters come to life and share in my dreams.

It’s a Blog Hop

Don’t forget to hop around and see what the other authors are grateful for. It is the reason for the season, but hopefully we can all carry this feeling of gratefulness with us all year long, and not just during the holidays

 

What Are You Grateful For?

P.S. If you haven’t had a chance yet, don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a Kindle Fire or Echo Dot. Plus, remember that books make great gifts—I know I’ve stocked up on some for the gift that keeps on giving.

 

Enter Here for your chance to win a gift for yourself this holiday.

Check out this holiday gift guide right here. It’s perfect for any book lover.

The post There’s A Lot to Be Grateful For appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

I get it. Some people love to cook. While others love to eat. I think I’ve already established I’m in the second category. If left to my own devices—and if I wasn’t constantly reminded of the evils of carbs—I might’ve tried to survive on cereal and bagels long ago. So, last week I talked about my favorite holiday food, and I think we quickly established that I’ve got a huge sweet tooth, and I’m more of a baker than a cook, since I shared a bunch of my favorite recipes for baked treats—and a few cocktails.

This week the Marketing for Romance Writers (#MFRW) 52-week Blog Challenge topic is The Best Dish I Cook. Although my hubby loves to cook and does the brunt of the cooking, I’m not completely absolved from whipping up grub for the family a few times a week. I’ll share my not-so-secret-method of gettin’ er done when the writing is waiting. Plus I have a special holiday gift for you.

Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That

Is pretty much my attitude when it comes to cooking.

If I see a long list of ingredients—I’m out.
There’s a ton of dishes involved—that I’ll have to clean up—Nope.
Measurements which need converted and other math-ey stuff—heck no.
Ingredient list that requires me to run to the story—no way Jose.

Put it all in a #crockpot and let it cook—you had me at crockpot. #MFRW #recipes
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The Early Bird Loves the Crockpot

My energy level peaks in the morning and the supply dwindles from there for the rest of the day. Thus, I try to get all the chores that require concentration and thought early on, since by the end of the day even basic tasks feel overwhelming. Therefore, a crockpot recipe is my favorite thing ever. Plus, you get the bonus of smelling it cooking all day if you’re home slaving over words.

But, unfortunately, I’m not someone who can craft my own recipe. I might toss in an extra ingredient here and there, or tweak the recipe after I’ve made it a few times, but I don’t have ‘original’ crockpot recipes to share. (No worries—I’ve got your recipes at the bottom).

But I’m good at directing you to some of my favorite places to score a quick crockpot recipe if you don’t want to Google it.

If I’m not flipping through the binders of recipes I’ve printed (gotta love a binder!) Or the crockpot recipe books I have (yes I still have actual books!) Then I Google for a recipe or go to Allrecipes and check out—you got it—the reviews. (Which is why authors always have reviews at the top of their Christmas list.

Got Recipes? Here’s a Treat For You

I’m not the only writer who’s trying to cut corners on cooking and cleaning to escape into the writing cave. Check out my extras page to see the We’d Rather be Writing book which features a multitude of recipes and timesaving tips— I contributed a tip.

Plus, there are several free books with all kinds of recipes courtesy of my publisher and The Wild Rose Press authors for your free holiday gift.

Feast your eyes on Scruff trying to get in the holiday spirit.

This year, the recipes focus on baking—yes! So I’m sharing Ruthie’s Kuka recipe. You remember, Aunt Ruthie from Destiny Calling and Not A Chance, right? Then you know she knows how to make things delicious like this coffee cake. If you’re already subscribed to my newsletter, you would’ve found out about this free recipe book sooner to get started on your baking early.

 

Fill Your Belly with More Recipes

Get your fill of recipes with the other authors on the blog hop as they share The Best Dish I Cook.

 

But before you go, don’t forget to check out this months contest where you can enter to try to win a gift for yourself. Scroll down for all the details.

 

 

Enter Here for your chance to win a gift for yourself this holiday.

The post You’re Gonna Have to Look for The Best Dish I Cook appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

These are a few of my favorite…foods. Oh, hello! Welcome to this week’s Marketing for Romance Writers (#MFRW) 52-week Blog Challenge. Peeps, it’s week 48! Can you believe it? The year is wrapping up and that means holidays. This week’s topic is My favorite holiday food, and we’re supposed to share a recipe. The challenge for me is narrowing down that list to one favorite, and, also that I’m more of an eater, than a cook.

But no worries, I have some recipes to share with you.

Favorite Food or Foods?

I can’t say that when the holidays come around that I’m looking forward to one particular food or meal. It depends on my mood, and the time of day, whether I’m seeking out the main course or dessert.

There are many things—too many—that I enjoy eating this time of year. I’m assuming that’s like many people who also overindulge this time of year only to start the new year off contemplating how to get rid of all that holiday weight. But, I digress.

Since I can’t narrow it down to just one food, I’m going to share some of my favorite recipes for the holidays (or all year long). I’ll warn you that most are deserts (yum!) because if I’m cooking, I prefer to bake.

Because otherwise my hubby is the star in the kitchen as I point out right here when I talked last year about how my favorite recipe usually isn’t made by me.I do some cooking, but only if I must.

But I do share one there that is my favorite to make (no-bake cookies) so check it out.

I like to eat and my hubby likes to cook, so that makes us a perfect pair. #MFRW #recipe
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Hop on Your Sleigh

I’ve shared some of my other favorite foods that usually make an appearance, and their recipe if you hop your sleigh and fly around the blog here a bit you can get recipes for:

A few holiday cocktails- you don’t want to miss these special cocktails that the elves can whip up
Peanut butter pie is one of my favorites. I try not to make it because I want to eat it all. My niece made it this year at Thanksgiving and I must admit that I ate the bulk over the leftovers. It was calling to me louder than my characters—and that’s saying something. Get the easy recipe right here my fellow peanut butter lovers.
Appetizers anyone? I love vegetable appetizers. They also made an appearance on Thanksgiving courtesy of my sister. Getting your vegetables in the right way—on a crescent roll with some cream cheese. You might even get some picky kids to eat these. Check out the recipe right here.
My girls and I make sugar cookies almost every Christmas. This recipe is pretty awesome and the icing makes it (yes, that’s my sweet tooth talking) but my favorite part about them is making the memories with my girls.

Scruff is always in the mood for food. Here he is resting up for his next meal.
Hungry for More Recipes?

Check out my page with freebies and extras to download one of the free cookbooks courtesy of my publisher, and the authors of The Wild Rose Press.

 

Don’t forget to follow the hop to check out the other authors for some of their favorite holiday foods to get your appetite, and your menu, set for the holidays.

Psst! Speaking of baking…

Have you met Aunt Ruthie? If you read Destiny Calling, you’ll recall her ability to know how to make anything delicious (oh, how I wish I had this magic!) but something goes awry with Ruthie in book 2- Not a Chance– will Ruthie still know how to make things delicious? Grab your copy right here and find out.

Already read Not a Chance? I’d love your more than peanut butter pie if you leave a review! (Okay, almost more…)

The post My Favorite Holiday Food Depends on My Mood appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Welcome to this week’s Marketing for Romance Writer’s 52-week Blog Hop with the topic, Worth Bragging About. If you’ve been around the blog for a while, you might’ve read a post I did last year for #MFRW for Let Me Brag for a Minute. Then you might know that I’m not one to brag. In fact, it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, like a bit of a drag if I’m bragging about myself.

There are a few things I’m prone to brag about now and then, and those are my favorite people.

Being Thankful
Scruff likes to brag about his collection of antlers.

With the Thanksgiving holiday still in full force in the United States, it seems like a good time to take a moment to appreciate a few people in my life who I love to brag about.

My mother- I’ve written about her before, right here, and how much she’s inspired me with her stoic, strength, and endless patience. A woman I aspire to be more like.
My husband– With all the feasting this week, I’m lucky enough to have a hubby who loves to cook. No canned cranberries, or boxed stuffing, for this dude. It’s all the trimmings homemade with love.
My twins– As the girls wrap up their senior year, they’ve given me so much to be proud of. Their tireless dedication to their studies, and their kindhearted nature, assure me we’ve raised some wonderful ladies.
My family- My favorite thing about the holidays is the extra time I get to spend with my family. I love having most of us together. Having a close bond with family is definitely worth bragging about in this busy world.
My readers- Readers are awesome. It saddens me when I hear so many people who seem to act as if they’re bragging when they say, “I don’t read.” When in reality, they’re depriving themselves of a much richer, fuller life that can be gained through books.
My publisher- The Wild Rose Press (#TWRP) is a pretty awesome publisher. If you ask any of their authors (like me) they’ll tell you how much TWRP cares about their authors. And they care about their readers, that’s why you can visit their site for their holiday sale, right here.

My Book Babies

As an author, marketing should be foremost on my mind. But like many authors, it doesn’t come naturally to brag about myself and my stories.

Getting up before the crack of dawn to make time to write, giving up my lunch break, television and social gatherings doesn’t feel like a sacrifice when it’s something I love.

I’m #thankful to get to share my stories, and my characters, with the world. That's something to #brag about. #MFRW
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It’s a Blog Hop

 

Check out what the other authors are bragging about.

 

Maybe they’re better at tooting their own horn and I can learn a thing or two from them.

 

What Do You Like to Brag About?

 

The post I Feel Like a Drag if I Brag appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

It’s that time of year again when the television and every social media outlet continuously share gift ideas for the holidays. So, it makes perfect sense that I thought this week’s Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge topic was The Best Gift I Ever Got.

I’ve written about this topic before right here and and focused a lot on how time is a priceless gift. But apparently my list for this year is not correct, because everyone else is writing about how their family survives their writing. Although I’ve written about that too, right here. So, since it’s hard to pick just one gift, I’m going with that today. I’m sharing a few other best gifts I’ve received—and a few that really surprised me.

What You Least Expected

Often the best gift is one that isn’t expected. It’s not a holiday, or you haven’t prepared a wish list that you’re hoping to get exactly what you want. This year on the hubs and my anniversary in March, he got my one of the best gifts I ever got. It had me speechless.

Sure, often I’m a quiet person and don’t always feel as if I can adequately display my appreciation with the right words. But that doesn’t stop the words in my head, this did.

I knew hubs was going to get a tattoo. As a musician and a lover of all things music, he was conflicted as to which tattoo he wanted to get and had shown me several ones from albums he was considering.

Imagine my surprise when he returned and I asked him which one he got and he showed me a tattoo of my first novel, Destiny Calling. The first book of The Enchantlings series.

Speechless doesn’t begin to describe my feelings. Hubs has always supported my writing but he doesn’t read my books, so I felt he couldn’t understand what my books meant to me, but apparently, he could.

The hubs awesome tat.