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📚 Five-Star Reads & Summer Adventures

Happy July!

Summer is flying by, and I’ve spent most of my month polishing my next suspense novel, which will be available this fall. In the meantime, I thought I'd share some favorite books, a fun (and free!) August resource, and one thought that's been on my mind lately.

 

📚 What I'm Reading

 

The biggest surprise this summer? 11/22/63 by Stephen King


As I mentioned last month, it's a long book—but every page is worth it. Wonderful storytelling, memorable characters, and an ending that stayed with me long after I finished.

 ⭐️ Five-Star Recommendations If you're looking for your next great read, these are some of my favorites.

  • All the Light We Cannot See – Anthony Doerr

  • And the World Played Chess – Robert Dugoni

  • One Second After – William R. Forstchen (This one has stayed in my head.)

  • 61 Hours – Lee Child

  • A Year of Yes – Shonda Rhimes (Non-Fiction)

  • You Belong Here Now – Dianna Rostad

  • The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah

  • The Spy Coast – Tess Gerritsen

  • The Correspondent – Virginia Evans (A slow start—but what a finish!)

  • We Are All Guilty Here – Karin Slaughter

 📖 Up Next—Here's what's currently on my nightstand:

  • The Deep Blue Good-By – John D. MacDonald

  • The Safe Room – Lisa Unger

  • Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus – Dusti Bowling (Juvenile Fiction)

  • The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery – Dr. W. Lee Warren (Non-Fiction)

  • All the Forgivenesses – Elizabeth Hardinger

  ✍🏻 Behind the Keyboard


One of the unexpected joys of writing is watching fictional characters come to life. My upcoming novel is filled with memorable people, and I'd love to introduce you to one of my favorites.

Meet Silas Atkins.

  • He's seventeen.

  • Works in his mother's bakery.

  • Delivers newspapers before sunrise.

  • Dreams bigger than he admits.

When life presents him with an impossible choice, he discovers courage he never knew he possessed.

I can't wait for you to meet him when my new novel releases this November.


 🌞 August Adventures

 

Ideas include:

 Art festivals

Local sporting events

Live theater

Parks and hiking

Movies in the park

Museums

Try a new coffee shop

…and much more.

 

Whether you live near Kansas City or somewhere else, I hope it inspires you to explore your own community.

 

Download your FREE August Adventure Calendar here:


Feel free to print it, share it, and send it to friends! ⭐️ The Energy You Bring

 

Have you ever noticed that some people leave you feeling encouraged...while others leave you feeling drained?

 

We all spread something.

 

Kindness. Encouragement. Optimism.

 

Or...

 

Negativity. Complaining. Discouragement.

 

The good news? We get to choose what we bring into every room we enter.

 

Instead of asking, "Why is this happening to me?" try asking, "What can I control?"

 

The answer is almost always the same: Our attitude. Our effort. Our response.

 

A Simple Challenge

 

Think about the people you spend the most time with. After being around each one, do you usually feel lighter... or heavier? No need to score anyone — just notice the pattern.

 

Then, seek out more moments with the people who encourage you to become your best. And be intentional about becoming that person for someone else.

Today, be the reason someone feels encouraged. A text, a compliment, a five-minute check-in — pick one person and make their day a little lighter.



Thank you for being part of this community.

And remember to email me. I always enjoy hearing what you're reading, where you're traveling, and what's inspiring you. Blessings, Sandy


 
 
 

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