Cover Reveal + Internet Rabbit Holes

Happy March, readers! First, I have one quick favor to ask. On February 1, several email providers initiated new rules for receiving bulk emails, such as author newsletters. I won’t get into the technical specifics, but basically, I had to update some code behind-the-scenes to try to keep my emails out of my readers’ spam/junk folders. To determine if it worked, I would appreciate if you could reply to this email and let me know where you received this newsletter – either in your inbox, in a promotional tab, or in your spam/junk folder. Thank you in advance!

Off Social Discovery #3 – I have friends.

I am now three months into my six-month social media sabbatical, and learning new things every day. On the heels of last month’s FOMO discovery, here’s what I’ve discovered this month: By feeling like we have to be friends with everybody, we inadvertently feel like we’re friends with nobody (or very few). Who else can relate?

Despite the connections I’ve made on social media, which are wonderful and amazing, it’s been a long time since I felt like I had many real friends. I have three or four close friends and that’s it. Since leaving social media, however, I realized I have more friends than I ever believed. I don’t mean those friends you spill your guts over – that’s still reserved for the select few – but I’m talking about the people you share parenting stories with, who send you fun memes, or laugh with you at the church women’s night. Those you enjoy hanging out with, who ask how you’re doing after you’ve been sick, or send a random text while watching a show you both enjoy. Whether we realize it or not, we all have friends like these, and it’s easy to overlook their blessings in our lives. We expect friendships to be instant, to be as easy as likes, comments, and shares online. Following takes mere seconds, while friendship takes time.

I am following over 300 people on Instagram and 600 on Facebook (I think, I’m not logging in to find out). It would be unrealistic to form close friendships with that many, yet so often we’re told to connect with all our followers on a personal level. That is unrealistic and unhealthy. It is expecting something from ourselves and others that we can never achieve, and both sides will be left disappointed. There are, of course, instances where social media followers become real friends; I have a few authors who I now speak with regularly over text, email, and/or video chat, and I treasure those conversations. For the majority of followers, however, its good to understand those experiences for what they are – an enjoyable yet surface level connection over mutual interests – and never allow them to replace real friendship.

If you’re also trying to determine where your real friendships lie, I suggest starting with a prayer over your friends/followers list. Ask God to help you determine which are life-giving and God-honoring. Then consider all the ways you can connect with them. Is social media the best way? For me, your personal emails are 10 times more rewarding than any like or comment on a post. Is that true for you as well?

If you’re a woman searching for God-honoring friendships, I also recommend joining your local Walking with Purpose Bible study. My church’s group is a beautiful community where I’ve made many Christ-centered friendships.

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As a reminder, in lieu of social media posts, I have created an “Extra Edition” newsletter which includes special behind the scenes book content just for subscribers. Simply, complete the form at the link below to receive all the inside info. The next edition releases on March 18. If you’ve signed up in the past, you’re already on the list!

Join the Journey – Get Bonus Content

Sparks Fly Upward Cover Reveal

So, what do you think? I personally love it! This is the sixth version I’ve created over the past year. I discovered that by trying to bring accuracy to one of the story’s key locations, the design had lost the overall feel of the story. So, I ditched the original background and thankfully, finally found the right balance. Martha’s dress is perfectly suited to her character and is worn during a key scene, the background colors and sparks emphasize the characters’ search for hope, and the red valances add a hint of theatricality.

As with past books, I am offering an exclusive pre-order discount of $2.99 on eBooks through my online store or available for $4.99 at other retail outlets. Signed paperback pre-orders are also available through my online store only, and unsigned copies will be available for purchase elsewhere on release day.

Pre-Order Sparks Fly Upward

Have you fallen down a rabbit hole lately?

I have a confession – I tend to not close my internet browser tabs. On my desktop, where I do most of my writing, I always have my email open, the etymology dictionary and the regular dictionary, and at least one or two other tabs related to my current research. At the time of writing this, it was nautical and railroad maps.

On my phone, the number of tabs is much, much higher. Let’s not even give a number. What amused me most was the range of topics. I always tell people that I write (and frankly live) in organized chaos. I’ll let you decide. Here’s some of what stuck around:

Those last two questions were from a book I recently beta read and were too funny not to include. Do you leave your browsers open? What is the weirdest topic you’ve recently searched for?

Releasing in March

Need another read? Here are the new releases I’m excited about:

1. Set in Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse – the second book in her digging-up-dinosaur-bones historical romance series
2. When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Droagomir – Circus fires blaze in 1944 Hartford, Connecticut
3. A Royal Arrangement by Amanda Schimmoeller – an arranged marriage royal romance as a widowed king tries to provide for his daughter
4. A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M. White – romance, danger, and family secrets set among Edwardian high society
5. Crossfire at the Precipice by Hannah Hood Lucero – the third book in the Sons of Vigilance series, Christian romantic suspense set in the South. The first two books are amazing and highly recommended.

Want to know what I’m currently reading? Follow me on GoodReads.

Did you know reviews help both readers and authors? Even one sentence is enough, and every word greatly appreciated. Consider leaving a rating on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, and/or your favorite retailer!

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Until next month, happy reading!

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Kelsey

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