Friday Reads

Because the world may expect, even demand perfection, we can be hard on ourselves, expecting only perfection. Guess what? We are human, we are not perfect, we will fail. And when we do, it is alright to get up and try again. Just because we fail does not mean we are a failure. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn.

That was part of a devotional that a friend sent to me, and I realized that it was a message I needed to read to remind myself of the truth in it. We are often our worst critic instead of being our best cheerleader.

Be your cheerleader!

Now for some bookish news. Next Chapter Publishing is making the audio versions of my books available in several countries on Audible. If you don’t already subscribe and you’re interested, you can try it out for free for 30 days. And if you use your free listen for one of my books, I get a bounty. I’ve actually done this a couple of times to help a fellow author out.

The publisher is making all their books available in the various outlets for audio books and are in the process of making audio promos on YouTube. I’m excited about their efforts to market the books and really looking forward to seeing the trailers for my books with them.

For folks in the U.S, you can find my short story collection, Beyond the Crack in the Sidewalk on Audible.

In the U.K, you can find the book HERE *** The French translation in audio is HERE *** Another translation in German is coming soon.

Evelyn Evolving on Audible in the U.S.

Link for the book in the U.K is HERE *** The French translation HERE *** German translation coming soon.

Now that business is out of the way, here’s a thoughtful essay from my favorite guest blogger, Slim Randles. Enjoy…

There’s just something about falling in love in November, thought Steve. Something … timely. Something … special. Steve’s incredible shaving-brush-like moustache is gray now. It’s lasted a long time, there at the ranch and up at Steve’s cabin, and it deserves to be such an elegant gray.

Falling in love, Steve said to himself, just couldn’t be all that terrific. November … the Native American’s hunger moon. The month of storms and danger, when smart outdoorsmen practiced being even smarter indoorsmen.

But Steve always thought there was a slice of flavor inside a November romance because of the month’s hardships. Some of the longest lasting and happiest marriages began with a November romance. He silently recited several November bondings among his friends and family that appeared to be happily headed for eternity.

Women are truly wonderful, even in November. They’re soft and warm and cuddly. If a guy finds himself in need of a snuggle, a woman is at the top of the list.

Oh, a dog is okay, he thought. But a woman … when it works right … is the best.

That’s what he’d heard, anyway.

Maybe someday, Steve thought. Have to think about that kinda hard this winter.

After November.

Nothing serious should be planned in November.

Unless, of course, the right woman should come along…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brought to you by Sweetgrass Mornings, by Slim Randles.

Check out all of Slim’s award-winning books at his Goodreads Page and in better bookstores and bunkhouses throughout the free world.

All of the posts here are from his syndicated column, Home Country that is read in hundreds of newspapers across the country. I am always happy to have him share his wit and wisdom here.

Slim Randles is a veteran newspaperman, hunting guide, cowboy and dog musher. He was a feature writer and columnist for The Anchorage Daily News for 10 years and guided hunters in the Alaska Range and the Talkeetna Mountains. A resident of New Mexico now for more than 30 years, Randles is the prize-winning author of a dozen books, and is host of two podcasts and a television program.

If you haven’t entered already, don’t miss this chance to win a $500 Sleigh the Holiday Amazon eGift Card. Just click the link and enter (everyday if you want). It’s easy & fun & a great boost to your budget for holiday shopping!

Giveaway ends Dec. 19, 2023. Click here for details ~> https://ow.ly/lygv50Q9COk

I’m sponsoring the contest with a number of other authors and the books are all bargains during the contest. My story, The Gift, is only .99 for Kindle or free for Kindle Unlimited.

That’s all from me folks. Busy weekend ahead getting packages ready to send out of town. This time of gifting is always the best for me. I love everything about finding just the right something for folks. Whatever your weekend plans include, have fun. Be happy. Be safe.