I don't have anyone signed up for birthday wishes this month, but if this is your birth month and you would like a card, let me know!

Read on for freebies, a book recommendation, a jigsaw puzzle, a recipe, the monthly contest, and more! I hope you have lots of fun!

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I'm creating a lot of content right now including video, images, and reviews. The videos and images are either related to my books or to my new alter-ego, The Literary Witch. If you would like to see more, follow me on Facebook, Tiktok, or Instagram or check out my blog.

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Reviews and More on My Blog: Katherine Smits Word Siren

I only review books I love and highly recommend. In the flooded fiction market, choosing your next read is tough, so having a friend make suggestions is helpful. If you're interested in seeing all my book reviews, click the button below to go to my blog, Katherine Smits Word Siren.

1. I'm continuing revisions on The Mermaid and the Gator, a cozy paranormal mystery set in the fictional Florida town of Port Pinecone, Florida. 

2. The Cassadaga Collection Book 3 has a working title! It's a second chance romance, secret baby, cozy, fantasy romance. I'm excited about the title: The Medium's Dead Reckoning, the Cassadaga Book 3. 

This is a draft for the back cover copy: 

In the spiritualist town of Cassadaga, Florida, Neelie Campbell has built a quiet life around helping the dead find peace. But when two warring poltergeists begin tearing apart the Cassadaga bookstore where she works, her reputation—and the shop itself—are on the brink of ruin.

The problem is, one of the spectres refuses to speak to her. She needs help, but there's only one person who can reach the enraged being.

Luke Strelling never stopped loving Neelie—not even after she ghosted him the day he enlisted in the Navy. But when he discovers she’s kept a life-altering secret from him—a daughter he never knew existed—he's determined to connect with the two people missing from his life who are his heart and soul.

And if he can soothe the savage spirit through his psychic ability to alter emotions, maybe he can get through to Neelie as well.

As the poltergeists’ feud grows more violent, Neelie and Luke must uncover the truth behind a decades-old crime that bound the ghosts together in hatred. But solving the mystery may force the two young psychics to confront the betrayal that tore them apart.

And this time, it’s not just their hearts at stake.

Because if the ghosts don’t find peace soon, the crossfire could destroy the bookstore, Neelie’s career as a medium—and the fragile family they might still have a chance to become.

This back cover copy may change as I write the book, but it's the foundation I'm working from.

3. I also started initial work on Water Destined, the third book in the Love's Siren Song series and realized I need to put together a compendium before I do any plotting. 

 A series compendium, often called a series bible, is a document that tracks all the important characters, settings, events, objects, and everything else that needs to be consistent from book to book. This is necessary, because no matter how good an author's memory is, after a few years and a few books, details fade. However, many readers will read a series through all at once, so any continuity errors glare. I don't want to be the writer who changes a character's eye color from one book to another. So, I'm developing the compendium.

4. The Green Witch's Warning is still awaiting assignment to an editor. 

The House in the Cerulean Sea (Cerulean Chronicles Book 1)

Back Cover Copy:

Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He's tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.

Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

Available in Kindle Unlimited.

My 5 Star Review: 

My sister gave me a paperback copy of The House in the Cerulean Sea after she read and enjoyed it. 

At first, I didn't warm up to it. The main character, Linus, led a drab existence working for an oppressive bureaucracy, and even though little touches of humor lifted the pall slightly, the slow pace made it drag for me. 

However, once Linus arrived at the island and met Arthur and the children, it picked up and really pulled me in. 

The difference between the two parts of the story reminded me of The Wizard of Oz which used black and white film while Dorothy was in Kansas and then switched to color once she arrived in Munchkinland. This novel felt like a print version of the same technique. 

It worked almost too well, because I might have stopped reading before I got to the technicolor portion. I'm glad I continued!

What I especially enjoyed was the variety of species of the characters, the spirit of kindness and acceptance between them, and the commitment to creating a family that supported all of them. 

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Link to March Jigsaw Puzzle 

Jigsaw Planet is not associated with Katherine Smits

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This dessert is so easy you'll be lucky if you're the one bringing it to a St. Patrick's Day celebration, because you won't have to fuss at all!

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 Angel Food Cake (store-bought works fine)

1 Package Pistachio Pudding Mix (standard size)

2 C. Milk

1 Tub Cool Whip (standard size)

Directions:

Thaw Cool Whip in refrigerator for several hours

Prepare Pudding and Chill

Place a slice of cake on each plate and top with pudding and cool whip and serve.

This may not sound great, but it's worth a try, especially if you're busy. The lightness of the cake pairs well with the creamy pudding and topping, and it looks pretty and seasonal. 

If you're taking this to a party instead of serving it at home, it would also work well as a trifle with the cake cut into squares topped with layers of pudding and Cool Whip and would be much easier to transport.

Another option would be to use a graham cracker crust and turn it into a pie.

There! Three easy desserts in one! Talk about magic!

Let me know if you try this and like it. It's one of my favorites, possibly, although not solely, because I'm so lazy when it comes to cooking. LOL!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the February contest! I sent out a lot of magnets and Gretta K. won the three books in the Dark Seas series by Debbie Herbert.

Thank you to everyone who helped me out by entering the Authors XP Giveaway! I really appreciate it. And, one of our own was a grand prize winner of every author's eBook, Miriam V. Congratulations, Miriam!

The contest prize this month is a surprise book mail package with a signed paperback (from me or anothe author), swag, a Love of Books magnet, and other goodies, or a $20 Amazon gift card (for non-U.S. residents or at winners choice). Enter by telling me your Lucky Leprechaun name, what genre of book you'd love to own or commenting on anything in this newsletter.

Want to increase your chances of winning? Tell your friends to subscribe and enter. All you have to do is let me know you told them, and I'll give you an extra chance to win.

Want even more chances? If your friend subscribes, I'll give you four chances.

Did you really, really want a magnet but didn't get it? No worries. I have a few extras. Reply that you want one, and I'll not only send you one but enter you in this month's contest.

Contest closes at midnight on Friday, March 20, 2026. 

The Sea Witch and the Mage is the prequel novelette to Siren Descending. I recommend reading them in order.

Let me know if you would like one or both of these for FREE! I will send you BookFunnel links to download. It's easy and safe.

Check out my website for pictures, excerpts, book trailers, and more!

katherinesmits.com

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