Hospital blues
Change of schedule for this week's post... I've got a writing cave update, a book fair, a freebie and a new release for you.
Hello my friends and fellow book devourers.
I’m going through a rough time right now so I’m going to keep this one short. Having said that, this post seems to have grown from my first draft because now it’s got quite a few juicy tidbits in it… including a PNR freebie, a personal reading recommendation and even a new book coming out later this week from my gorgeous friend
.What in the world…?!
Rather than drop a flash fiction today, I’m going to give you brief update because although my heart is breaking, I’m also finding joy, profound love and bone-deep gratitude in this time of transition. Depending on how the next few weeks go, I also may not be sticking to my usual posting schedule this month.
This was a picture I took sitting at a beloved family member’s bedside the last time I was able to add to WEATHER WITCH. Since then, this roller coaster has gotten pretty wild, and my writing has taken a back seat so I can be present to support my parents in this difficult time.
Solace is found in nature and stories.
In these time of transition, love and loss, I find solace while walking in nature.
My mother and father taught me that.
As a family, every day we went out walking together with our dogs. In my father’s culture, ‘fare una passagiata’ is a joyful act. A chance to reconnect with your family and share your stories after a busy day. And now, as an adult, I’ve started daily walks again because I’ve realized that reconnecting with the natural world is vital to me.
These walks fill me with joy and a quiet, profound sort of gratitude.
My mother also instilled in me a love of stories, particularly in the written form.
Growing up, our house was always full of books. They sat in piles from the library or a recent book shop sale, scattered across coffee tables or left by a favorite chair. Our bookshelves were ever-expanding, stuffed full of well-loved collections, family heirlooms, shared memories, and new found treasures.
No matter how busy life got, my mother always seemed to find a way to give herself the gift of reading. Whether it was a luxurious few hours on holiday or a few minutes crammed in here and there, admist the hustle and bustle of every day life, she would take great pleasure in it.
She recently told me she’s been reading since was three years old which blew me away, especially as I had difficulty learning to read.
My mother never made me feel bad about not reading to myself, though. Instead, I remember cherishing bedtimes with her as we snuggled up to read our favorite picture books, talking about the stories and their beautiful illustrations. We were happy to read the same book over and over or to delight in a new addition.
It was the time spent reveling in stories together which was precious to us.
(She was also a visual artist, but I’ll go into that another time.)
So, because of my mother’s love of reading—inherited from her mum before that, and probably down a long line of book dragons—I learned the comfort of burrowing away in a fantasy world and the quiet joy to be found in reading aloud to a loved one from a very early age.
On the other side, it was my father who taught me the need to express my own stories and to share those with others, however and whenever they came out. He told jokes, stories, made up songs at open mic nights, and used his music and energetic storytelling to paint the world with tales of crazy adventures I could only imagine embarking on.
All the while, my father was always searching for that common thread which drew whoever he was with closer together.
Although I’ve found recently that my own words sometimes dry up in times of stress or loss, I have been seeking that sense of connection through re-reading old favorites and listening to often played audiobooks.
In a strange moment of serendipity, I’ve been making my way back through the Tiffany Aching audiobooks from the Discworld universe, written by Sir Terry Pratchett.
I was first introduced to this incredible world by my then college boyfriend, now husband, when he started reading them out loud to me about twenty years ago.
(Hello, can anyone say love strategy?!)
Since then, the way Terry writes about his witches and the themes he explores in their books—juxtaposed by his own life story and his battle with Alzheimer’s disease—have always been a source of great inspiration and comfort to me. If you’ve never read them, then I thoroughly recommend giving them a try. The audiobooks narrated by Stephen Briggs are an absolute delight, too, because Stephen brings so much warmth and love to these characters. I was thrilled to find out that they were life long friends, as well.
Last chance… C.L. Cannon Book Fair
Have you headed over to check out the amazing selection of books in C.L. Cannon’s Book Fair yet? If not, hurry because we’re on our last few days. In this book fair you’re going to find paranormal romance, urban fantasy, fantasy, sci-fi, romantacy and more… Basically, you name your favorite genre or trope and I guarantee you’ll find it!
Exclusive subscriber gift just for you
Nova Blake is offering all of my MIRI AND THE MUSE readers this amazing reverse harem series starter called EBONY SLUMBERS. It’s a Snow White fairytale retelling and sizzling paranormal romance read. Enjoy.
I had a life once. Before someone tried to kill me.
My guardians say they’ll keep me safe from this killer, who will strike again, but it’s hard to be scared of something you don’t remember.
And the itch to escape is going to drive me crazy.
I have a choice to make. Stay inside where it’s safe, or risk it all for a taste of freedom.
As my nightmares become reality, I don’t think I can resist much longer.
Have you got your preorder yet?
POSSESSING SCARLET,
’s Little Red Riding Hood fairytale retelling, is only days away from being released and I can’t wait for you to read it!More than a hundred years ago, the world ended.
From the ashes a new order rose.
While humans continue to hide from the plague that rewrote their genetics and ravaged their world, Scarlet’s father and his Council line their pockets with the sales of the Omegas born among them. Too afraid to catch the disease that changed everything, humanity atrophies while shifters rebuild.
Still dependent on the humans, shifters are determined to negotiate for the most coveted humans there are, the Omegas. But as the Council rejects another proposal to protect Omegas from barbaric flesh peddling, time is running out for Cade and his pack. They must claim their fated Omega before Scarlet becomes another victim of her father’s greed.
Can Cade save Scarlet before it's too late? Or will the highest bidder, The Huntsman pack, devour their mate whole?
Before I go, can you do me a favor?
Go hug a loved one, set up that coffee date, read a beloved book, or video chat with one of your besties who are living farther afield. We never know how much time we’ll have with our loved ones. I promise, the endless to-do list we are all juggling? Yeah, that can wait. This is more important.
With love,
M.S. xox
I’m praying for y’all. You are a beautiful soul who came from beautiful souls.
I’m just now catching up on the week’s Substack reads. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, hard though it might be. Know that I’m sending prayers and keeping you and your family in my thoughts. They all sound like a lovely group. 🥰