Category: Motivation Monday

I love to read and I think one of the reasons is that my mother and grandmother were avid readers. They taught me to love reading and reading opened up so many new worlds for me in the books that I read. Because of how important reading was to me, I made a point of trying to pass on that love to my daughter. It wasn’t easy because she wasn’t a big reader at first, but little by little reading and writing became an important part of her life. I was so relieved when that happened. Today I’m sharing some tips on how you can help your kids love to read!

I’ve come back from Book Lovers Con more motivated than ever to keep on working on the new books in the South Beach Security: K-9 Division series. It was great hearing from readers at the conference how they were enjoying my new Harlequin Intrigue books as well as some oldies like the At the Shore series. THANK YOU! I so appreciate the kind words and they’ve infused me with even more motivation than ever to keep on writing stories for you. I think you’ll love the first one in the K-9 series which is about a racehorse stable owner whose life is in danger because she’s supposed to testify before the racing commission against a former trainer. It’s up to South Beach Security to keep her safe and so far, the story is going great. I can’t wait for you to read it when it comes out sometime in 2023 (It seems so far away). Hope you are all having a good start to the week and thank you for inspiring me to keep on creating.

I’ve come back from my two writing conferences filled with motivation to do more with my writing. I want to make each day count and explore how to make my writing better. I also want to think about how to make my teaching better and maybe reach more people. A number of attendees at my workshops asked if I did online workshops they could attend and sadly I said I wasn’t doing that. Of course, it would be possible and since I am thinking about making every day count, I’m going to think about how to offer some digital workshops for you all. What do you think?

I have so much going on in the next few weeks. Tomorrow’s release of Trapping a Terrorist, my 25th book for Harlequin. A board retreat for a non-profit. The South Beach Love movie on the Hallmark Channel! Two conferences and upcoming deadlines! OMG!!!

So many things that it’s easy to feel as if things are spiraling out of control and yet a spiral doesn’t necessarily mean losing control. I think of the nautilus whose spiral is about as near to perfection as you can get. It’s almost a golden spiral in perfect ratio, each chamber carefully made and closed as the nautilus grows.

It reminds me on this Motivation Monday that I can control my destiny. No matter all these things that need to be done, I have the power to decide how and when to do them. It’s an important thing to remember so that you don’t let worry and fear keep you from doing what you need to do!

The other day I blogged about typing THE END on my latest manuscript, a K-9 romantic suspense for Harlequin Intrigue. It’s always exciting to write those words because it means I’ve finished another book. Number 60 actually! Wow!

It’s also exciting because it means a new beginning is coming soon as well. Seriously, even before I’ve finished one book I’m thinking about the next one. I’m thinking about what the next story is going to be and what new things I can create for you!

But thinking about endings and beginnings made this thought come to mind on this #MotivationMonday: That even though life is full of endings, each ending is also a new beginning. It’s an opportunity to try something new or revisit something you didn’t do in the past.

What about you? Is there something you just finished that makes you think about what’s the next thing you’ll do?

In ONE word, what are you most grateful for?

For me, it would be AMERICA. I am so so grateful for all the opportunities that this amazing Nation has given me.

I hope you all enjoy this day off for the 4th of July holiday!

P.S. – Sharing my fav patriotic song on this 4th of July weekend! If you can’t see the video below, please visit https://youtu.be/-KoXt9pZLGM.

According to the History Channel, Flag Day was officially established in 1916 by then President Woodrow Wilson.

My family flies the American flag regularly to honor the Nation that has given both sides of the family so much. My hubby’s family are Italian immigrants who came here in the early 1900s, while my family escaped the Communist regime in Cuba during the 1960s.

I think I can speak for both families when I say that this Nation has provided us a wealth of opportunities we would not have had in either Italy or Cuba. America has also given us Freedom and Liberty. It is for those reasons that I proudly fly the flag to honor this great Nation.

Do you fly the flag?