Stress #IWSG

Happy 1st Wednesday in November. It’s time for Insecure Writers Support Group. The purpose is to share and encourage. We can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

A big THANKS to Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh for starting this group and keeping it going. And thanks to this month's awesome hosts LG Keltner, Donna Hole, Lisa Buie-Collard and SL Hennessy!

Like many months, October had its ups and downs. What else is new? Stress came in many forms. Some I imposed on myself, like meeting the deadline to release my next book. Other stressors came from health issues. Getting old(er) isn’t for sissies. But it beats the alternative, as my father-in-law always said each time he went for dialysis.

I did mention “ups”, didn’t I? Those of us (of a certain age) remember when we had to go to the doctor to tell us we were pregnant. And remember when you had to wait until the baby was born to know his/her sex? Things certainly have changed. Now you can buy a box, the insides of which can tell you if you're pregnant right away. Not me, thank goodness. That would be a medical miracle. LOL My son and new daughter-in-law called after their third box—just to make sure the result of the first one was right. As if that wasn’t thrilling enough, they’ve sent ultrasound photos and, last week, an audio text message (is that a contradiction in terms?) of the baby’s heartbeat. Now that is a medical miracle. What a de-stressor. My newest granddaughter will make her appearance in May.

When I let the stress of everyday life or my writing career start to get to me, I’ll play that heartbeat and remember what’s really important. Life, family.

Speaking of my writing career, I did meet my deadline and my first PI mystery was released on October 30^th. The Case of the Bygone Brother is a slight departure for me. I usually write science fiction romance and romantic suspense. Trying a new genre was a lot of fun.

Blurb:

After taking over O’Hara & Palzetti, Confidential Investigations from her dad and his partner, Alex O’Hara’s bottom line has taken a plunge. So when a femme fatale offers her the case of a lifetime along with a huge advance, Alex sees her finances on a definite upswing. But someone doesn’t want her to find the long-lost brother. Complicating matters is the return of Alex’s old heartthrob, Nick Palzetti. Is he really there just to see her or does he have an ulterior motive? The Lake Michigan resort town of Fair Haven is abuzz with the news that O’Hara & Palzetti are together again.

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00P1GPR0Q

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/489085

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/nz/book/case-bygone-brother-alex-ohara/id935501248?mt=11

Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.