Because of that, I do have way more content than I ever thought I would when I was first dipping my toes into the very new and challenging world of blogging. It’s been kind of fun for me to read my old posts, and in so doing, I will be sharing some of them again. (Yes, because some of them were just really good. ;))
If you’ve read much on here, or know me, you also know I have a love of cars. When I saw this post, I had to share because these cars are gorgeous!
Take the little trivia test on here for fun.
I flunked it! Even though I shared it! Have a fantastic weekend!
I’m excited to announce that I’m on BookBub! This is my author page: https://deborah-ann-dykeman.author-pages.com/ Please check it out and follow me. Eventually I will have a mailing list as well. I’m learning the ropes and getting it figured out.
A kindly reminder that my newest release, Sweet Forbearance, #3 in the Love Defined series is currently in a Goodreads Giveaway. For one more week!
For whatever reason, I’m having a bit of attention given to this book. My editor thinks it is AI generated interest, and it more than likely is.
But I’ll take it!
I find it interesting that these people, readers, etc. are contacting me, and telling me about my story. They are fairly accurate. I love reading what their conclusions are about what they have read. It makes for fantastic book club reads and discussions! And of course, I would like to say to them that each of my books deal with the kinds of emotions, tragedies, problem-solving, and love that they are finding in Sweet Forbearance. This book written by me is not unique in that.
Is the key that unlocks a writer’s very soul. This post from almost 10 years ago reminds me of that, and the need I have within me to dig deeper. Express more.
This Life is Real…and so are the Answers. My life is real. Not made up, not expounded upon for attention. The answers I have are from living through, surviving, and going on from the trauma, the hurt, trust issues, and wondering if I was worthy of love.
I saw it with my own eyes. I can’t unsee it, and I still don’t believe it.
And because I feel this way, I’m officially old, and thinking like my grandparents. Something that I told my 18-year-old self I would never do! But here I am.
Walmart…
just that one word conjures up all sorts of images these days. I don’t think it’s just me, either. This store was once my go-to shopping place every week. I loved that place! I could get everything there and not have to travel to different stores. The prices were usually pretty good.
Not anymore! All the items on my shopping list are difficult to find in the constantly changing aisles. The staff shopping for others are more concerned with pushing their big cart around and getting their job done, than helping a customer. So many items I once purchased at Walmart are no longer stocked. A simple curtain rod in a normal size? Good luck!
I made the trek into our local Walmart yesterday. Very early on I spotted a woman with a small dog on a leash. Not a service dog. As the woman shopped in the kitchen aisle, the dog relieved itself on the floor. The smell alone told the story of what the poor little dog had done.
I thought I had seen everything in this world today. But this incident moved to the top of the list. The worst part…the woman left the mess!
Really?
We need to do better people! We share this world, this space. Thinking of others, having consideration for humankind, just being a decent person shouldn’t be something that’s gone out of style. Something that only our grandparents remember.
Think on this as you go into your weekend. What kind of person are you? What kind of person do you want to be? We are all over the shock factor when it comes to language, clothing, etc.
Just be a decent person. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Happy Friday!
Okay…around 15 years ago, and in Kansas. I have so many posts on here! I’m enjoying going through them and reliving some. Others I would like to forget, and pretend they never happened. Such is life!
I hope you enjoy this post that has a link to a song with our youngest singing. This video was taken before a concert we did at a church in our community at the time. That little girl is now almost 22 years old, and she has a beautiful singing voice. So many changes since those days!
When I checked out the link, another video came up at that same concert. We were singing, There Is a Time. I tried not to wince through it. I was never the singer of the group, and I’ve tried several times to learn to play the guitar, and a couple times on the mandolin. Sadly, the piano is probably the only instrument I will ever be mediocre on. Playing for church services always pushed me way beyond my comfort zone. But I sang with our children, because they had talent, and I wanted them to have the experience and opportunity to stretch their musical abilities. I’m thankful for those few years that we played and sang together.
It seems as though they took place in a faraway land.
This is the last day to get your free e-book of Sweet Belief. Be sure to enter to win an e-book of #3, Sweet Forbearance on Goodreads. Have a great Labor Day weekend!
It’s September 3rd, and after reading this post from a few years ago, I realized I’m still working on another kitchen project. The current one is coming right along. But not picture worthy as of this writing.
In the post, I included pictures of the kitchen at the time. I loved it! The butter yellow of the cabinets, and especially the kitchen door looking out on my little pond. The goldfish lived for several years in that pond! I miss it still. I enjoyed reading about those days, and the memories brought to mind.
Today, here in Missouri, I decorated for autumn. Thank you to our oldest for moving every unpacked tote to try and locate my door wreaths. They’ll turn up…in January! But the fireplace looks warm and cozy, and the room smells delicious. Cinnamon and cloves with a bit of warm apple tossed in. I’ll try not to think about it being 98 degrees out right now! Cooler weather will come; it always does.
A huge thank you to those that have entered to win the 3rd book in the Love Defined series, Sweet Forbearance. You have until September 30th to enter. Lots of time for you to read #1, Sweet Hope, and #2, Sweet Belief before the end of the month. And as always, let me know what you thought!
I had a great turn out for the first book in the Love Defined series! I hope many of you are now reading Sweet Hope and getting to know the Atkins family.
Because today, you may now get your FREE e-book for the second book in the series, Sweet Belief. Katie is a special girl and has her own way of doing things.
And if you are on Goodreads, you may now sign up for your free copy of the third book in the series, Sweet Forbearance. This will run for 30 days, and I’m giving away 100 e-book copies. These will be available at the end of the 30 days. So, you have plenty of time to get started on the series!
All three books for free! Please share, and most of all, please read and review. Reviews mean so much to writers. It helps us connect to our readers, and that’s my favorite part of this journey.
Cooler temperatures than we’ve had, but still very humid. I’m anxiously waiting for those crisp autumn days. You know the ones I’m talking about. A whiff of cool air, minus the wet blanket. Leaves drifting to the ground with a breeze, and if you’re really lucky a hint of smoke from a fireplace.
While you pine for sweater days, I have three giveaways for you!
Yes, three!
And what’s even better?
They are free!
I don’t know if that’s great marketing. I could be crazy! I know my children and grandchildren would agree.
I’m so excited to be on this next journey of life! I’m thrilled to be back in my writing chair after moving to another state, and all that entails. (You’ve all been there. I’ll write about all the gruesome details later.) To jumpstart my enthusiasm and to get this long-awaited series into my reader’s hands, I’m making it as easy as possible for you. I want you to become acquainted and fall in love with this family as you read Elisabeth and Jonathan’s story in Sweet Hope, book one. And then continue on with Katie and Mike’s story in Sweet Belief, book two. These first two books in the series are available here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Deborah-Ann-Dykeman/author/B01B2BYPK6?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1787674527&sr=1-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=bc67f6ac-f1c4-4eda-98f2-2bf775f18946
Book one, Sweet Hope will be available for a free e-book beginning August 26th and will be available for five days. Book two, Sweet Belief will be available for a free e-book beginning September 1st and will be available for five days as well.
Free Book Promotion
Book #1 – Sweet Hope
Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 12:00 AM PDT
Sunday, August 30, 2026, 11:59 PM PDT
Free Book Promotion
Book #2 – Sweet Belief
Tuesday, September 1, 2026, 12:00 AM PDT
Saturday, September 5, 2026, 11:59 PM PDT
That gives you lots of time to read and be all set to continue with the third book featuring Anna and Brad in Sweet Forbearance, just released in April of this year. You can get this book right here in a Goodreads book giveaway.
The fourth and final book in the series, Sweet Endurance, featuring Chris and Doreen is in edits now. Stay tuned! I’m shooting for a release by the end of the year.
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