Life's Adventures: Remembering Me at Age 10

A conversation with a sweet neice who is in fifth grade sent me down memory lane. My fifth grade year is vivid in my mind. 

We'd moved after the start of the school year, and so when Mom took me to Sunland Elementary School, they put me in the only room that had an open slot. Sunland formed the classes by the prior year's academic standing. Mine was high, but the class I entered was a mixture of average and below average students. I should've been able to blend in, but the teacher chose to use my schoolwork as an example of what the other students could achieve. At first, the kids shunned me. Thanks, Teach! But within days, I became the kid to tease. One day at lunch recess, I'd had enough. I went home. I declared to my mom I was never going back. Nah...that didn't happen. She drove me there the next day with strict instructions to find a way. I honestly can't remember how I managed it, but I soon had friends.

That was also the year I decided I wanted to be daring and different. I adopted the motto, "I'll try anything once." It could've been that devil may care attitude that gained me the friends. I don't remember. I do know I didn't actually try anything so daring. I just liked saying it.

Being in a relatively easy academic situation, I came up with straight A's every report card except for
one B in history. I was devastated as only a ten-year-old drama queen can be. My dad told me to get over it. He also told me to tell the teacher I was too busy making history to study history. I wisely kept his advice to myself. But he did make me laugh.

Reading and Reviews (Gallant and Henderson)

I'm an author, but I'm also a reader. From time to time, I'll share my reviews of present and past reads. My available time to read is limited because I write, but I love to curl up with a paperback or an eBook at night for the last hour of my day. 

Here are some of the books I've read recently. Maybe you'll discover a new book or author.

On Thin Ice (Edge of Survival Book 1) by Jannine Gallant 

After a shattering loss, Fiona put the pieces of her life back together, but can she escape the psychopath hellbent on revenge? 

One horrifying night, Fiona Ward lost her parents and her home in a blazing inferno and barely escaped with her life. Devastated, she testifies against the animal who murdered her family, but his incarceration comes with a steep price—sworn retribution. Standing between her and certain death is the U.S. deputy marshal who relocates her to Alaska, where she’ll face an unknown future with a grandfather who’s a complete stranger. 

Years later, Fiona Jones has found her purpose as an Alaskan bush pilot in the tiny wilderness town she calls home. But her peaceful world is upended when her parents’ killer escapes from prison, seeking vengeance. Now a deputy marshal like his father, Caleb Moss will risk his life to apprehend the fugitive and protect the woman whose courage he’s never forgotten. Together, they must outwit her devious nemesis—and the hidden menace neither anticipated. But for Fiona, her greatest challenge may be surviving the threat to her heart… 

My Review

I’m so glad Jannine Gallant has started a new series. I don’t know if the entire series will be set in Alaska, but I’m pleased this one is. I love a setting that is so real, it’s a character of the book. We are treated to a breathtaking opening for young Fiona. When it all starts to unravel years later, the action is nonstop and romance seeps in. This is an entertaining read for sure. 

https://www.amazon.com/Thin-Ice-Edge-Survival-Book-ebook/dp/B0FRT273RC/

The Body in the Belfry: An Izzy Munro Cozy Mystery (Izzy Munro Mysteries Book 3) 

by Alison Henderson 

When insurance investigator-turned-photographer Izzy Munro finds a vintage brooch tucked behind the sofa cushions in the cottage she inherited from her great-aunt in picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea, she never suspects the little pin will precipitate a cascade of events that culminate in the discovery of the body of a prominent local jeweler, hanging from the bell tower of the historic Carmel Mission.

Suspects abound, from the victim’s widow and stepdaughter, to a trio of shady jewelers known informally as the Cartel. The police are stumped, so Izzy’s boyfriend, an investigator with the DA’s office, enlists her aid as a volunteer consultant. With the help of trusty friends and three cheerful garden gnomes, Izzy uncovers secrets no one could have imagined. But when confronted by the killer, she must rely on quick thinking and her indomitable Burmese cat, Bogart, to survive.

 My Review

Ms. Henderson plunks us down in Carmel-by-the-Sea and aren’t we glad. Izzy is loving the town, although not so much murder. But she’s up for following the clues with a great cast of characters. You’ll be entertained with this whodunit. 

https://www.amazon.com/Body-Belfry-Munro-Mystery-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0FPDLS6XR/ 

A New Year, A New Outlook

2026. Three weeks in, and I'm taking care of business the way I promised myself. I didn't make any New Year's resolutions. But as 2025 wound down, I knew it was time for some changes. My personal life as been a rollercoaster, so I decided my author life needed some adjusting. At least, this I can control...and I'm a bit of a control freak.

I've decided to stop doing the newsletter I've been putting out for ten years. The process has become increasingly more expensive and complicated. I'm looking for simplification. My efforts to keep in touch with readers will be through this blog and my Facebook pages. So, if you're reading this, I hope you will hop on over to Facebook and like and follow all of my pages there.

My author page was taken down by Facebook several months back. I lost the 1700+ followers I had. Facebook didn't like one of my posts. They misunderstood, and I fought it several ways. But since there are no real people to talk to, I had to give it up and create a new page. It is slow going. I hope to grow it and offer readers some fun news, giveaways, and conversation as the year progresses. Join in here:

CLICK HERE TO LIKE AND FOLLOW MY AUTHOR PAGE

I also have a page for my children's books written under the name of Brenda Sue along with my granddaughter, Sadi Belle. Not as much activity there, but you can keep up with Sadi Belle and me:

CLICK HERE TO LIKE AND FOLLOW BRENDA SUE AND SADI BELLE

Meanwhile, I plan to work on a prequel to The MacKenzie Chronicles, my award-winning series. Book one, Secrets of The Ravine is an Amazon best-seller. 

CLICK HERE TO FIND ALL THE BOOKS IN THE SERIES

I am also updating the front and back matter in all of my books. That's tedious, but will be a better experience for readers.

That's it gang! I hope your 2026 is fruitful!