Hello! It’s been a while. I hope you’re doing well! We’re chugging along over here; I cannot complain.
Below are my latest recommendations for you. I hope you’ll forgive that the first one is self-serving, but I’m excited to share the news.
1) My contemporary fantasy novel Summersong is now available in both e-book and paperback format. (I published it earlier this summer on Kindle’s new serial platform, Vella.) From the back cover:
Tin whistle player Tom Maloney hates his day job working as a psychic bloodhound, but he’s bound to mob boss Frank Farago until his father’s massive gambling debts are paid. So when a rich recluse promises to settle his account if he’ll track down her runaway daughter, Tom seizes the chance at freedom.
Una has lived her whole life in thrall, with her mother siphoning off her magical energy for her own corrupt purposes. But after escaping the Manhattan townhouse where she’s been kept prisoner all her life, Una runs right into the arms of the abusive man she’s been betrothed to since birth.
Vowing never to be slaves again, Una and Tom must join forces to elude their pursuers and find their way in a magical culture foreign to them both.
If you buy it, I’d love to sign your copy. If you read it, let me know what you think!
2) I’ve worn a Whoop strap for several months, and I love the way it tracks my activity and sleep. Both have improved as a result! Whoop bills itself as “wearable technology meets personalized coaching,” and if you’re into data, this is the fitness app for you. It’s mind-boggling in both breadth and depth. The strap itself is free, but you pay a subscription fee for the data it collects, analyzes, and displays via its versatile app.
3) Longtime readers know my affection for breakfast cereal. The Soulfull Project is my new favorite: they create delicious products and donate one-for-one to a local-to-you food bank with every purchase you make. They feature instant, portable hot cereals, but for me, their crispy granola flavors--either Toasted Coconut, Maple Pecan, or Dark Chocolate Cherry--are where it’s at. For those of you who care about that sort of thing, all three varieties are gluten-free, plant-based, and free of added sugar.
4) Earlier this summer, our son and daughter-in-law introduced us to the game Splendor, and we’re officially obsessed. Designed for 2-4 players, a round takes about 30 minutes to play. It’s easy to learn, features the perfect-for-me ratio of strategy and chance, and allows for conversation during the game. We’re busy exploring the set of expansions I just bought for my husband’s birthday, but the original game needs no enhancement. If you’re a Marvel fan, the Infinity Gauntlet-themed set is just for you.
5) “October Sky,” by Yebba
One of my daughters recently introduced me to Yebba. This young Arkansan’s voice has a lilting, flexible quality, and she’s incredibly versatile. Maybe you’ve already enjoyed her collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, or Drake, but I like her solo work best. (Here’s her Tiny Desk concert, and here’s the cover she won a Grammy for with P.J. Morton.) “October Sky” is her latest single, and as I endure the SoCal “hotumn,” looking firmly toward the cooler weather I have faith will come, it’s the perfect song to get me in the mood for fall and all things Octoberish.
Have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are! I’ll see you soon.
Luisa, I'm so happy that you're back with your various columns. Especially right now when I'm more or less laid up. I fell in my driveway last Sunday while trying to drag my trash cans to the street (I have since hired someone do do this!). I split my forehead and "purpled" my eyes and ruined my knees, so I've scarcely been out of the house since then (except to the ER!). I look like a zombie, but Jane said today the purple is beginning to fade. Anyway, I just read your two posted columns and feel as if I'm at least connected back to the world. I plan to order Summer Song as soon as my fog clears a bit. I recognize this as the one you let me read a version of some time ago.
I’m so happy you started this (blog?) again! TGIfantastic was something I looked forward to every Friday especially during our dreaded pandemic.