Thankful . . . & LOVE AROUND THE TABLE

It’s already November. I have to be honest and say I’m glad to see the leaves fall. I really had kind of a rotten summer.

Word to the wise: If you’re planning on having rotator cuff surgery (with complications, I might add), a little warning–it’s very painful and a much harder recovery than I ever expected it to be. Okay, enough whining. I know, somewhere somebody is playing their tiny violin, right? Really am thankful that I’m almost through with physical therapy and have a useful right shoulder again. 🙂

Now to the important Turkey Day. I am read for sure. Even little ole me, who is on a strict Paleo Diet, can eat her fair share of the goods on the Thanksgiving table. I’m thankful for so many things, family and friends, dog and cat, roof over my head, and like I said, food on the table. I pray that all of you are able to be with people who love you and whom you love on that special day.

But maybe most of all, I’m just thankful to be here, able to sit in front of my computer, researching strong women of history, who I can draw strength from borrowing their characteristics and even their flaws as I begin to outline my third novel.

• Thankful to be able to breathe, to taste, to smell, to see, to feel, and to hear every day.
• Thankful for my health, my past, my present and, I hope, a future where I see my grandchildren grow up.
• Thankful for all of you who bother to check out my posts now and then.

I’m also very grateful to have as my guest blogger today, Rachel Jones, an award-winning author, who is a Labor & Delivery Registered Nurse by night and a writer by day. Her love of reading romance novels prompted her at age fifty-seven to write her first contemporary romance manuscript. She loves composing stories about strong women and sweet romance. Her books reflect her love of the performing arts and a twenty-eight-year career in healthcare has influenced the threads of medical drama woven into her storylines.

When she’s not working or writing, Rachel loves traveling, sewing and making music. She lives in Kennesaw, Georgia with her husband of thirty-nine years. They have three grown children and one spoiled Labrador retriever. Rachel is a member of Georgia Romance Writers, Georgia Writers Association, Heart of Dixie Romance Writers, and is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America.

We are entering the holiday season. The hustle and bustle have started and will escalate as the days move to the end of November. It is also a time when most people pause to focus on the things for which they are grateful. I ran a Google search for the top five things people list and this is what I discovered: family, friends, health, job, and home. While I agree with this, I’d add volunteers to that list. Those inspiring individuals who give of their time, energy, and resources to make life better in some form for others is something this world needs.

This past year I have been involved in a project with five fellow authors. We wrote a collection of six short stories with the intent of donating the royalties to a local charity. We chose the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities. In February, four of us toured the house in Sandy Springs, and in October all six of us visited the location in Atlanta. What an evidence of volunteerism! The furnishings throughout the home-away-from-home were donations from companies, large and small. Local merchants join together to continually stock the kitchen with food. Volunteers come in to prepare meals and snacks daily for the families staying at the houses. There are also volunteers who come and provide arts and craft time and entertainment for the children. All of their efforts add up to a real labor of love.

I discovered something beautiful about our community, and I now have a personal connection to it. Through this project, I’ve learned much as an author. I have written three full-length novels, so to leave my comfort zone and write a story in its shortest form was a victory; a positive experience that will help challenge the writer in me to try new things. The time and commitment I put into Love Around the Table have indeed brought me much in return, and I am grateful.

Six authors bring you an impressive collection of stories about friendship, family, and love, and six delicious recipes.

100% of your purchase of Love Around the Table goes to Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities. Since they opened their door in 1979, they have helped 48,000 families. Please open your heart and help a child and their family in need. Thank you so much!

          Amazon: http://a.co/iDQasEf
          Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-around-th…/1127194101…
          Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/749147
          Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-around-the-table
          Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities

“A Sister’s Quandary”  by Rachel Jones

Sophie needs a kidney and Brooke wants to provide her with one. But the past is keeping Sophie from accepting her twin’s gift and a chance for a healthy future.

You can find Rachel at the following:

http://rachelwjones.com
https://www.facebook.com/RachelJonesAuthor/?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/rjonesauthor
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8336834.Rachel_Jones
http://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Jones/e/B00L2HSGZQ/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
https://www.pinterest.com/rjoneswriter/Love Around the Table

Thank you so much, Rachel, for being a guest on my blog this month.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jody