They say you’re supposed to sing the birthday song while you wash your hands. Here’s my new version:

Not making light of our current situation, which is no fun at all. Since I’m in a relatively high-risk group by virtue of my age, I’m doing my part to share the awareness and best practices to stay healthy. Below is what my gym suggests. I think the advice is smart and practical.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, consider using the Happy Birthday song, your favorite song or mantra as a guide for length. Wash under nails, between fingers, and up to your wrists, if soap and water aren't accessible then use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you can.
• It's wise to avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands unless you just washed them.
• Consider minimizing close contact with people who are sick.
• If you have to sneeze or cough, direct your face into the crook of your arm and ideally away from those around you.
• Rest is best. If you are feeling sick or symptomatic, consider staying home.
  

For now, I’m putting my years and years of working in isolation to work for me as I dive into revisions on Book III, start a new Valentine’s Day novella for 2021 and promote preorders of Meet Me In Montana.

MEET ME IN MONTANA
Property Sisters of Montana Book 2

She’s looking at her big picture…in Montana

Who swaps a golden parachute in the Bay Area for a share in a Montana thrift store and pipe dream flipping homes with her two sisters? Ambitious former investment rep Amber McCall who’s never abandoned her dream of a career in design. After working as an apprentice under Trey Brandel to stage the Property Sisters’ first project, Amber wants it all – creative career, babies, and forever love with the man of her dreams. Only Mr. Right has one foot out the door.

His sights are set on his dream job…in the Big Apple

Magazine editor and skilled designer Trey Brandel finally has it all – a job at his father’s prestigious art and design magazine, a chance to reconnect with the man he barely knows, and the “big city life” he missed since his parents divorced. His time in Montana was temporary – helping his mom recover – but Amber is impossible to forget.

Is he making the worst mistake of his life by walking away?

Release Date: May 19, 2020
Pre-order now!
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Google Play | Apple Books

I love this series so much, and I credit the support you’ve given me during this “weekly newsletter adventure” with getting me through the ups and downs of writing a new series. I love, love, love getting to know you through my weekly Q&As. And your enthusiastic response to my travel pics and amateur videos have kept me both engaged and inspired!

As a “Thank You,” I will be drawing one Property Sisters of Montana Grand Prize winner in my May 21/23 newsletter. The winning name will be randomly drawn from responses to Q&As from now through Mother’s Day and will also include anyone who leaves a review for MONTANA BLUEPRINT FOR LOVE or MEET ME IN MONTANA on any of the usual sales channels.

(Prize includes a tool pouch like the ones worn by the McCall sisters in the series, various hand tools including a hammer, tape measurer, adaptable screw driver, utility knife, gloves, carpenter’s pencil, marking pen and MORE. Additionally, there will be a $25 Gift Card TBD [I originally thought Lowes or Home Depot, but I will let the winner choose—Amazon is also an option.] Winning name will be announced in my newsletter. If winner fails to contact me within a week from announcement [Thursday-Thursday], an alternate name will be drawn until we have a winner.)

A million thanks for all who joined the Tule Review Team in reading and reviewing MONTANA BLUEPRINT FOR LOVE. I’m delighted by your embrace of the McCall sisters and my return to Marietta, Montana.

Last week’s Q&A was: Will you be partaking of corned beef and cabbage on St. Patty’s Day (or week)? Y or N?

Sadly, our local civic group had to cancel its annual Corned Beef and Cabbage feed, but we did partake at home using a new recipe supplied by Elizabeth who shared it in her cooking blog: dizzyskitchen/CornedBeef. It was delicious.

As for the Y or N debate, the fans of Corned Beef/Cabbage narrowly squeaked out a win, with only 3 more Yeses over the Noes.

My two randomly selected winners this week are:

Nancy Dormanski – Yes
and
William Harris – Yes

(Nancy and William congrats. Please email me your pick of either a $5 Starbucks or a $5 Amazon gift card.)

Q&A

This week’s Q&A: Do you do D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) projects around your home? Y or N. (Specific success or horror stories most welcome.)

(Two winners will be chosen by random drawing to receive either a $5 Starbucks gift card or a $5 Amazon gift card. Please reply the usual ways: email or on my DebraSalonenAuthor Facebook page.)

Please be safe, my friends. Take precautions that make sense to you and stay well. If you’re hunkered down with a good book or three, I’ll be sharing some reads I’ve enjoyed in weeks to come. Here’s my advice to get through this with sanity intact.

Happy reading,

Deb

Next week: Cover Reveal Book III—plus a change of plans.