Marie's May 2020 Update and
Flashback Newsletter

Hi, readers! Hope you all are doing well, and that you had a nice Mother’s Day. ♥ Wow, I can’t believe June is coming up so fast. How did that happen? Geez.

This has been a weird year, and hopefully during the summer, everything will start to go back to some semblance of normalcy, right? 😉 But that’s why I chose the picture above, as I am dreaming of a good vacation whenever things around here get better.

Anyway, today’s newsletter will provide updates about events you may have missed since last time, as well as a few big things to look forward to...

Updates

Let’s start where we left off. On May 1^st, I wrote a guest article for the Totally Addicted to Reading site. Check it out here, and learn about why I chose a plus-sized heroine for Chasing Ginger. From the first of the month to the 7^th, the new book cover for Magick & Moonlight was nominated and voting began for AllAuthor’s Cover of the Month Contest. Cast your votes for the finalists! On the 5^th, Kendra Roberts visited the I Love Romance Blog to tell us a little about her second chance romance, Home to Him.

Nice cover! With the next day came a guest post on the MLB blog from Rebecca Siggers, providing some tips on planning your next trip while you’re stuck in lockdown. So helpful! 😉 On the 7^th, Tina Holland interviewed me on her blog. Discover a little more about me here, as well as my steamy rom com novel! Also on the same day, Geri’ Myers Goodwin visited ILRB in an exclusive interview, plus she offered readers a glimpse of her rockstar romance, Mason’s Gray. Intriguing premise…I’m already hooked!

On the 8^th, Writing in the Modern Age had the honor of featuring a few of Pamela Ackerson’s various reads, time travel westerns among others, plus a cool giveaway during her book tour. Three days later, A.R. Breck’s new adult dark romance series (with a touch of crime fiction) about Grove High School was featured as she introduced her tour, and offered an Amazon gift card giveaway.

The same day brought a new book review for the second edition of my lighthearted contemporary romantic fantasy, Magick & Moonlight. Thanks for your kind words, Barbara! ♥

Melanie A. Smith visited ILRB on May 12^thduring a book tour, introducing her new release, an adult contemporary romance titled Bad Boys Don’t Make Good Boyfriends. I got to chat with her briefly, plus she offered readers a pretty awesome swag giveaway. I think it expires in a few days, so you might have a chance to jump in and enter the contest! 😊 With the next day came Bill Marcia, as he explained in a fascinating guest post on the MLB blog a little more about the elements of wine, in case you’re looking to become a connoisseur.

On the 14^th, Gabi Levi offered a unique take on romance on ILRB, insisting we should try reading erotica to understand our fantasies a little better before finding the right romantic partner. Some food for thought there! On the following day, Jenn D. Young’s Shadows Ascending Trilogy was featured on Writing in the Modern Age. Looks like an interesting series!

Three days passed, and Chasing Ginger had a spotlight on the Reading Nook blog. Consecutively, three of my guest posts were featured on various blogs. I wrote an article, titled ‘How to Build Your Author Brand the Right Way’ for Dan Buri’s site, Nothing Any Good. That posted on the 19^th. Then, two days ago, I submitted a guest post about my publishing journey for Fiona Tarr’s blog. You can read it here. Additionally, catch an overview of my self-publishing experience, part of a big post in which fifteen authors shared their insights about the industry to help out beginning writers, featured on OutwitTrade.

Book News

If you recall from the previous newsletter, I’m currently on blog hiatus, so I can get caught up on some writing and research for my romantic mystery collection, First Target.

And as aforementioned, I’ve had two new books released in recent months. One is my first steamy romantic comedy, which is also a BBW billionaire contemporary romance, called Chasing Ginger.

Universal reader link: https://books2read.com/ChasingGinger

The other is Magick & Moonlight, a modern romance with enough fantasy to make you believe in magick. Yes, I spelled that word right. You’ll have to read the book to learn more…

Universal reader link: https://books2read.com/magickmoonlight

I’m excited about the second edition launch which came out in April, and very proud of the new cover! Also, catch some bonus material from this book by signing up for Mary E Thompson’s author newsletter. You will find an exclusive interview about the characters from M&M. 😉

Upcoming Events for Marie

Sci-fi romance, Blue Vision, was nominated. Voting is valid through November 13, 2020! Go ahead and scroll through to Category 7 – ‘Romance’ and vote for my book in TCK Publishing’s big 2020 Reader’s Choice Awards contest. Yay!

July 16th – author interview on Whispering Stories blog.

Bizarre & Unusual

If you’ve followed my newsletters thus far, then you know it’s my habit to include a bizarre or unique holiday for the month. Below are some that stood out to me for the month of June. Perhaps one of them will catch your eye as well…

Daily Calendar Bizarre, Unique and Special Holidays - June, 2020

Month:

Aquarium Month
Candy Month
Dairy Month (those like me who are lactose intolerance are probably cringing)
National Gardening Week - First full week of month
Gay Pride Month
National Accordion Awareness Month (I guess that would pass the time during lockdown…)
National Adopt a Cat Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
Rose Month
Turkey Lovers Month (Wouldn’t this be more apropos in November? 😉)

Weekly Events:

Fishing Week, Week 1
Email Week, Week 2
Lightning Safety Week - Last full week of Month

June, 2020 Daily Holidays, Special and Wacky Days:

June 1
Dare Day
Flip a Coin Day
National Trails Day First Saturday in June (I hope you’re able to hike soon. I can’t wait!)
June 2
National Rocky Road Day
June 3
Repeat Day (I said "Repeat Day")
June 4
Applesauce Cake Day
Hug Your Cat Day (A gesture which is not always appreciated!)
National Cheese Day
Old Maid's Day
June 5
Hot Air Balloon Day
National Doughnut Day always the first Friday in June
World Environment Day
June 6
D-Day, WWII
National Gardening Exercise Day- Get out and exercise with your plants.
National Yo-Yo Day
June 7
National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
National Frozen Yogurt Day - first Sunday in June
June 8
Best Friends Day
World Ocean Day
June 9
Donald Duck Day
National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day
June 10
Ball Point Pen Day
Herb and Spices Day
Iced Tea Day
June 11
National Corn on the Cob Day
June 12
National Flip Flop Day - second Friday in June
National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
Red Rose Day
June 13
National Weed Your Garden Day
Sewing Machine Day
June 14
Flag Day
Monkey Around Day
June 15
National Nature Photography Day
Smile Power Day
Global Wind Day
June 16
Fresh Veggies Day
June 17
Eat Your Vegetables Day
June 18
Go Fishing Day
International Panic Day
International Sushi Day
National Splurge Day – A dangerous idea for me!
Nursing Assistants Day - date varies
June 19
Juneteenth
National Kissing Day
Take a Road Trip Day - third Friday in June
World Sauntering Day
June 20
Finally Summer Day / Summer Solstice - date varies
Ice Cream Soda Day
National Bald Eagle Day
National Hollerin' Contest Day - third Saturday in June
June 21
Father's Day - third Sunday
Go Skateboarding Day
International Yoga Day
National Seashell Day
National Selfie Day
National Turkey Lovers Day - third Sunday in June
June 22
National Chocolate Eclair Day
National Onion Ring Day
World Rainforest Day
June 23
International Widows Day
National Columnists Day
National Pink Day (Yay! Hot pink is my favorite color! :D)
June 24
International Fairy (or Faery) Day
Swim a Lap Day
June 25
Chinese Dragon Boat Festival - date varies
Log Cabin Day
National Catfish Day
June 26
Beautician's Day
Forgiveness Day
National Canoe Day
Take Your Dog to Work Day Friday after Father's Day
June 27
National Onion Day
Sunglasses Day
June 28
Insurance Awareness Day – Now, who do you think invented that?
International Body Piercing Day
Paul Bunyan Day
June 29
Camera Day
Hug Holiday
International Mud Day
Waffle Iron Day
June 30
Meteor Day

There are so many to choose from! This time, I will pick World Sauntering Day on the 19^th and Camera Day on June 29^th.
Maybe you’re still quarantined, but that doesn’t mean you can’t walk outside and around your neighborhood for a brief period of time. You could also take a trip to a local small park – one which isn’t too busy – and just enjoy nature. Even if you must keep your distance from other people, you can still appreciate the beauty of the world around you.

Take a selfie with the backdrop of pretty scenery to send to your loved ones, or snap some shots of the park itself. Getting temporarily outside of your own unfortunate situation can help your outlook on life in considerable ways. And who couldn’t use a mental health boost? Lose yourself in nature, but also consider the following questions…

What can I do today to feel better about the restrictions set for everyone? How can I refocus my mind toward accomplishing more productive goals?

So, take advantage of World Sauntering Day and Camera Day in June to capture a few special moments in your community, or focus on reveling in the natural world you’ve encountered ‘in your own backyard’. Go on a journey of self-discovery, and create a temporary walkabout.

Well…let’s move on to some great offers authors and publishers have provided to lighten the load of your lockdown blues.

Also, subscribe to these sites and you’ll get daily emails about free and discounted books. https://newfreekindlebooks.com/
https://promo.authorsxp.com/

Well, that time has come once more. For now, I’ll sign off. I will check back with you at the end of June, unless I need to pop in and tell you about a pressing event. Additionally, please check out my official author website and visit the ‘Curious about Marie’ page, then add your questions in the ‘leave a reply’ section at the bottom and post the comment, or email your inquiries to me at writeme.marielavender@gmail.com using the subject heading ‘Questions for your Author FAQs page’. Ask me whatever you’ve been wondering about for the last while. Thanks! ♥

Take care, and, as always, happy reading! 😊

Copyright © 2020 Marie Lavender, All rights reserved.
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Marie's May 2020 Update and Flashback Newsletter

Sci-fi romance, Blue Vision, was nominated. Voting is valid through November 13, 2020! Go ahead and scroll through to Category 7 – ‘Romance’ and vote for my book in TCK Publishing’s big 2020 Reader’s Choice Awards contest. Yay!

July 16th – author interview on Whispering Stories blog.

Daily Calendar Bizarre, Unique and Special Holidays - June, 2020

Marie's May 2020 Update and
Flashback Newsletter