Don't forget to meet me Saturday in Smithville at the Craft Fair and Bazaar at Smithville Church of God, Smithville, TN, beginning at 8:00 a.m. I should be there at least until noon. Bring your book if you have already purchased it and I would love to sign it. Otherwise, I will have books with me.

Thanks to all that came to my husband's retirement party this past weekend. It was a great time of reuniting but a little sad at changing direction in his life. But good times are ahead. Hope to be able to do more signings and speaking at genealogy societies, writers groups, and book clubs. Would love to come to where you are. Just message me.

Hugs,

Ann

Due to scheduling conflicts, the signing at the Lawrence County Library in Lawrenceburg, Tn is being rescheduled to November 17 from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. I hope this does not inconvenience anyone. It would mean a lot to me to see family and friends there. Visiting with my schoolmates from Loretto High (AND Leoma Elementary) would be an added bonus. Come by and say HI.

Tomorrow (Saturday), I will be in North Carolina, again in Jackson County. This time for another HOOPER reunion. I can hardly wait to meet these distant cousins and share a meal with them.

I then hurry back on Saturday and will be speaking to a group at the Daisy Church on "Leaving a Legacy". RUSH< RUSH. But FUN FUN.

I will tell you more about this later as plans are completed, but it looks as though I will be speaking and signing books in McMinnville, Tn, in historic downtown, at the Highland Rim Music and Art. The speaking section, if chosen, will be on taking those wonderful stories you have heard when doing your genealogy to story form, either for family enjoyment or a book....making them either totally fact, or if you are writing fiction, how to use them in your book. I love to have question and answer time at the end. Many of you are from that area, and I would love to see you there. You can come only for the signing if the lecture part is not your cup of tea.

Hendersonville, TN...a signing is coming your way in the near future. Hope to see every one!!!!

As most of you know, Sam is retiring from pastoring churches at the end of this month. This will give us more time for promoting my book and traveling. I have mixed emotions. I will miss this life that I have lived for about 40 years, but we are ready to reinvent ourselves....him in some other type of ministry perhaps and me taking my writing forward to new areas.

Speaking of writing....the book is moving along. I joined a group here in Chattanooga called the Southern Belle Lettres last night. They appear to be a great group, and I am excited about getting to know them and learn about the stories they write.

See you soon, I hope.

Hugs,

Ann

What a great day this has been. Really it has been a great WEEK. The signing at Clyde W. Roddy Library in Dayton was amazing!! Sold lots of book and enjoyed being with employees of Rhea Medical Center and even my boss, Dr. Lackey. You all are so supportive. It would be hard to tell you how much I appreciate you.

Sylva, North Carolina (Jackon County)was icing on the cake. This is the very place that "Revenge" took place. Time after time today, I heard things like, "I LOVED you book." "I could not put it down." And a lovely gentleman from the Genealogical Society of Jackson County took me to meet soooo many people and introduced me and told them I was the author of the book "Revenge" they have all been talking about. : ) Another great thing is I went by City Lights Bookstore in Sylva to purchase a fellow writer's book, "Tales From the Porch" by Curtis Blanton. While there, they caught my name and asked if i had any books with me and they wanted to carry it now. JOY!!!!! There is no place better than Sylva to give me that happy feeling for carrying my book.

The Tuckiseegee Lodge had sold all the books I had left with them the last time I was there and they wanted more, so I restocked them. YAY.

Thank all you that are faithful readers, that have told your friends and family about my book, and that encourage me with your requests for the next book in the series ASAP. :)

Hugs,

Ann

I looked on FB and saw a friends son had turned 14 and felt this sense of shock go through me. Surely not!! Wasn't it just yesterday he was born? 14 years has passed in a blur of activity. Did I enjoy those years and could I savor their memories?

I realize we live so much of our lives in a time that is not "now", but rather yesterday or tomorrow, next week, next year. I felt a jolt of the realization that hope formnext year is somewhat (lol) more limited than before. How would a person go about living every moment to its fullest? Maybe some of you have thoughts on this you could share with the rest of us. My first thought was "that sounds like a big job to me". To consciously grab each and every moment and draw from it the sweetness. Yet I desire to do just that. My moments might last 30 minutes with a sweet grandchild(ren) or a walk in nature at the changing of a season, but I shall breathe in deep the joy of the activity.

Speaking of activity, LOL, I will be at the Clyde W Roddy Library in Dayton TN this Thursday afternoon from 4-6 p.m. I would love to see friends and readers there. If you already have a book and want it signed, i will be glad to do that. There will be books that can be purchased for $10 each, and I will be signing. Just come by and say hello!

Hugs,

Ann

In spite of last's week ER visit and fever over the weekend, the book has progressed. I am right at 2/3 finished with the book.

"Sorrow" continues to sell and I love the feedback I am getting from the readers, like "I could not put it down", "I am ready for the next one. I can't wait", and "I have told everyone I know that reads that they have to read this book". Thank you so much for sharing these with me. It keeps me writing!!!

The Hoopers and Watsons are dealing with "bad blood" in the next book. Life is never easy in the North Carolina Mountains, even at the eve of the turn of the century. It is 1895 in Jackson County as I write. Children have married. Babies have and are being born. I can't wait until you read it.

Hugs,

Ann