• Summer Book Challenge

    Like most children, I looked forward to summer as a girl. One of the many reasons why was that I could choose any book at the library to read, earn points toward the Book-It program, and get free pizza. Free pizza for reading books? Yes, please! Today, I still adore pizza and books. Though I can’t afford to feed your pizza cravings, I can give away a copy of my next release! Here’s how you can enter for a chance to win. Snap a picture of any of my books during your summer travels, which can include something as simple as a poolside retreat or as adventuresome as Italy, where…

  • How to Beat Burn-Out this Summer

    Have you ever wished that summer break were mandatory for everyone? I certainly have, but wishful thinking gets us nowhere. However, those of us who work year round can still find ways to beat burn-out. Clear the calendar This item is the hardest for me. No matter how much I try, my weekly calendar (not counting work obligations) looks like ink exploded all over it. The only tip that seems to work is scheduling mandatory “do-not-disturb” time. If someone asks for that time, we can respond, “Sorry, but my calendar is booked.” It’s not a lie. We’ve set aside intentional time for ourselves (and our families), and honestly, that’s a…