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Merriam-Webster defines…   Resolution  (noun): a firm decision to do or not to do something. Intention  (noun): what one intends to do or bring about.   Resolution is a fighting word.   It reminds me of a little kid standing at the bottom of a hill, arms crossed, feet planted, absolutely not wanting to climb. And then—after a long sigh—they ball their fists at their sides and mutter, “Fine. I’ll do it.”  That’s resolution. Forced. Reluctant. Heavy with expectation.   An inten

Happy Kegsgiving! Last year, I told my family that all I wanted for Christmas was joy — and my family delivered it tenfold. This year, my wish feels a little different. This year, I want tradition. With so many changes on the horizon, I find myself craving the comfort of the familiar — the rituals that anchor us, the moments that remind us who we are. And in our family, nothing marks the beginning of the holiday season quite like our beloved tradition: Kegsgiving. I’m not ent

💌 Dear Readers, This month has been emotional. My husband and I are in the sandwich stage  — caring for our college-age kids while supporting our aging parents. There have been many tears — pride for our kids stepping into the world (please be kind, world!) and worry as we navigate next steps for our parents. I’ve leaned on my ride-or-die friends  — my college crew of 30+ years. They’ve seen me through wild college days, career changes, marriage, and motherhood. On November

From Ramona Quimby to Nantucket summers— why we crave stories that feel like home (and which ones I can’t put down) That was the catchphrase of my college journalism professor, Linda Levin. If she said it after we pitched an idea, we knew we had struck gold. I can still hear her voice in my head whenever I stumble across a book or story that sweeps me away. I’ve always loved a good story with characters I could imagine knowing in real life. Back in college, I worked one holid

The Third Book Slump Club   I’ve been in a writing slump. Not for lack of ideas—they’re all in my head—but I can’t seem to wrangle them onto the page. I’ve done the research for Regret No More, I know the story, and yet… nothing.   Turns out, I’m not alone. I met with two other authors who are also on their third books, and we laughed (okay, half-groaned) about how hard this one has been. So, we made it official: we’re in The Third Book Slump Club.   The funny part? The ideas

What brings me the most peace is also what scares me the most I’ve always been drawn to water. I grew up in Rhode Island—the Ocean...

When my publisher listed From This Day Forward  as a romance , I cringed a little. I don’t think of myself as a romance writer. I didn’t...

Embracing the Uncomfortable: My Journey Through Book Launches As a new author, I’m still in the “throw spaghetti at the wall and see what...

This is the time of year when transition is in the air. Kids move up a grade. Graduation parties start filling our weekends. There’s...

What do you need? What will bring you comfort? As a wife and mother, I try to be there for my family in the way they need me in the...

Cambridge dictionary defines: Human  (noun): a  person Humanity  ( noun) :   understanding  and  kindness  toward other  people   We...

Let’s step into the new year slowly, gently… When my husband and kids asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told them all I want for...

The one thing I loved about being a teacher and miss so much is being part of a team. Whether it was a grade level team or the other...

When I was 6-years old, I was in Girl Scouts. It was cookie season, and I had to earn my cookie badge by selling boxes of those delicious...

A couple of weeks before the release of The Flannigan Girls, I went through a mental phase of...am I doing enough? Do you ever have those...

A new lease on life noun phrase a chance to continue living or to become successful Release verb to free from confinement, bondage,...

Ever since I was a young teen, I wanted to be a writer. I just never had the confidence to believe I could be a writer. My inner dialogue...