Letters from Lisa June 2025

Hello Old Friends and Welcome to New Ones!

I’m very excited because more of you are signing up to read my newsletter! Thank you and welcome to the party! Let’s be friends forever! 🩷

I once came across a quote I love that says, “Two readers rarely meet as strangers.” I love that. Something about readers (and writers too) makes us instantly bonded. I just went to a writers’ conference called Storymakers, where I ran around like a chicken with its head cut off, (I saw this growing up and it really happens; the chicken runs around in circles with no head! It’s wild!) selling books on the bottom level, going up and down two floors to catch as many classes as I could, while trying to meaningfully engage with other humans.

Meeting so many readers and writers in such a short time was incredible. What a variety of people! First timers in their 60s and old-timers in their 20s. Some published, many not. Women, men, some married couples, and a few young moms with babies on their hips. Many ethnicities, far-reaching geographic locations, and diverse circumstances. All wanting to learn and grow, lovers of literature, creators. All were giving and kind (no grumps at all!), sharing tips, successes, and hardships. Cheering for each other. We were all so different. You mean I can be friends with a 60-something-year-old bearded man writing sci-fi horror AND a 30-year-old mom who is all about sweet romance? Yes!

My very best friend is and forever will be my husband, David. He is the man. He is my favorite person. I hope we can grow to be little white-haired old people holding hands at Disney World until we pass away from too many virgin pina coladas on beach loungers near the Caribbean sea. BUT. . . just a few weeks ago, I learned that we are never too old and it is never too late to make new friends. What a blissful discovery! Find a new someone that loves something you love. I don’t know most of you, but I know you like to read or you wouldn’t be here, so we’ve bonded. We’re totally friends now! Thank you for being my friend! Let me know if you need anything! Except manual labor—that’s where I draw the line. 😀

Teaser for Echoes of Eden...

As I’ve been doing books clubs and author events, readers will ask, “What about Urswick? What happens to Urswick?”  For all of you Urswick fans out there, guess what? He is going to have his own little subplot in the sequel! The burly, loveable forest man has more secrets to uncover and an unexpected journey of his own in Book Two.

Eden Quote of the Month:

For the beginning of summer we definitely need a sunny, beachy quote. This scene is one of my very favorites! Do you remember it?

“She watched the summer sunshine dazzling on the sea, where blue skies met the crystal water. She saw white sails in the distance and tiny birds gliding by downy clouds lined with gold” (180).

AND THEN THIS. . .

“The two ran off the edge into the vacant sky. They soared through the air, legs kicking and fingers locked, with arms outstretched as powerless wings” (181).

COMING UP...

Audiobook Update: THE AUDIOBOOK OF EDEN SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS! We are in the mixing and mastering phase and should have a release day very soon! Because you’re my people, you will get first notice! Watch for an email!Sept 10th: Author Event! Sandy Library, 3:00. I’m teaching a Teen Writing & Publishing Class. If you are or have a teen in the area, come! It will be fun!

Special Note:

If you are new and have yet to read Eden, download Chapter One for free here for a first look!

Eden Chapter One

What I’m reading: The Keeper of Happy Endings, by Barbara Davis. I’m reading this one for a book club and just started, and though I’m a little burnt out on WWII settings, Paris is always a good thing, right?

I’ve been reading several indie books lately by authors I met at the conference. I’ll do some spotlights on them next month!

Just finished:

Six of Crows, by Leigh Bardugo (YA fantasy). I loved this book. The characters are unique, edgy, and their stories are weaved together to form an engaging plot about a dangerous heist against impossible odds. Super fun read!

What in the World? by Leanne Morgan (Memoir). I’d never heard of this book and it isn’t a typical read for me, but a friend said it was hilarious so I grabbed it on Audible.This southern comedian who didn’t make it big until her late 50’s is a crack-up, with her thick accent, honest storytelling, and big heart. MIddle-aged women are the target audience for sure. Just some light, fun hours of listening!

About to start: Okay, I have not started the last book of the Powerless series, Fearless, by Lauren Roberts, because I got distracted by other books, but I’m still excited about it!

Author Spotlight

This month's author spotlight is low-spice fantasy romance author A.J. Park! You can download a FREE copy of The Ring Keeper via the link below. 

Download The Ring Keeper by AJ Park!