Wednesday's Word Puzzle

On Wednesdays, without a lot of chitchat, I share a puzzle featuring words pulled from one of my book's descriptions. To claim a free read, tell me which title these words best represent. Here's a clue—it's a tale from my Witching Well Series.

a             h             o             p             j              o             c             k             e             y

c             e             l              i              a             t              l              g             i              e

a             b             n             d             s             i              e             z             n             n

v             p             a             r              o             m            a             n             c             e

e                            c             f              n             e             n             g             i              m

m            a             g             i              c             t              w            x             d             y

h             l              o             v             e             r              i              d             e             w

f              u             n             n             y             a             e             r              n             i

r              e             a             d             k             v             q             w            t              l

i              d             m            a             n             e             f              t              y             d

l              z             e             n             g             l              a             n             d             u

b             j              r              e             g             e             n             n             c             y

o             x             l              k             l              m            c             v             b             n

o             h             i              g             h             w            a             y             e             g

k             m            n             i              o             p             a             s             d             v

s             c             o             u             n             d             r              e             l              c

Blogs For People Over 50

Midlife Rambler, created by Katy Kozee, focuses on adventures for women after their kids have left home, with a mix of recipes, travel ideas, and tips for midlife changes​(

https://www.midliferambler.com/category/start-here/

That’s Not My Age by Alyson Walsh goes beyond fashion to cover lifestyle, health, and beauty, with a particular focus on living well in midlife​(

https://thatsnotmyage.com/

Chic Over 50 by Shauna Grow is a style and fashion blog that showcases chic looks for women over 50 while also covering travel and lifestyle​(

https://chicover50.com/

Making Midlife Matter covers topics from home improvement to financial tidying up, helping midlifers make the most of their next chapter​(

https://makingmidlifematter.com/

Sixty and Me – A vibrant community for women over 60, founded by Margaret Manning. The blog focuses on aging gracefully, with articles on wellness, retirement, fashion, and relationships.

https://sixtyandme.com/ 

Better After 50 – Offers a mix of humor, lifestyle advice, and inspiration for women navigating life after 50. The blog covers topics from empty-nesting to career transitions and health.

https://betterafter50.com/

Next Avenue – This site, sponsored by PBS, covers financial advice, health, caregiving, and lifestyle tips for baby boomers and older adults. It’s a trusted resource for midlife and beyond.

https://www.nextavenue.org/

Over 50 Feeling 40 by Pamela Lutrell is focused on fashion, health, and lifestyle topics, aimed at inspiring women over 50 to embrace confidence and live vibrantly​

https://over50feeling40.com/

50 Shades of Age by Australian blogger Kathy covers travel, lifestyle, and tips for midlife women, with a focus on empowerment and living adventurously​

https://www.50shadesofage.com/

Prime Women is a lifestyle and career site offering advice on everything from fashion to business strategies, catering to professional women over 50 who are still thriving in their careers​

primewomen.com

Fabulous Fifties by Schellea Fowler provides fitness routines, health tips, and lifestyle advice for midlife women, all delivered in a fun and engaging way​

https://fabulous50s.com/

A List of My Books--making sense of my mess

 

Making sense of my mess

A local church has a mantra, make your mess your message. I’m not sure I have a message, but I have written a lot of books. In a lot of different genres. Women’s Fiction, Young Adult speculative fiction, time travel romance, small-town romance, historicals, Christian romance, novellas, murder mysteries, short stories.

Marketing gurus say I should write in one genre, maybe even stick to one trope, and build a recognizable author brand. Be a McDonalds.

I haven’t done that.

But even though I’m not always serving up the same hamburger, fries, and shake, there are some Kristy Tate reliables, even when I’m writing as Katie Tate (young adult speculative) or Kristine D Tate (mysteries.) My books always end with a happily-ever-after. Family dynamics are paramount. I believe in love after life and faith is a constant, even if my characters are witches, or girls who can talk to animals and time travel.

So, maybe my mess is my message.

 

Kristy Tate

Clean and wholesome romance

 

Small Town Series

Sweet small-town romance with a kiss of suspense

 

Small Town Secrets

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CG2L97CV

Would you turn to a stranger in a storm?

Small Town Shenanigans

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHTNNRMF

Would you race against time when every clue poses a deadly risk?

Small Town Escape

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP2XGJY8

Can you outrun your past?

Talk of the Town

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8JPZZGN

Would you give love a second chance?

Carly and the Christian Cowboy: a novella

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1JSWG5

Would you keep his secret?

 

Blue Jay Books

Women’s Fiction with strong Christian themes

 

Whispers Over Wildrose Road

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6GR213J

Welcome to Lake Arrowhead, an idyllic escape from Los Angeles’ glitz and glamor, but something dark and shadowy lurks amid the forest

Telling Tales

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2JNWZCW

Telling Tales is a sometimes funny, sometimes poignant story of two women's struggle with truth, lies, and each other.

 

Misbehaving Billionaires

Romantic Comedies…with heart and giggles

The Billionaire's Beagle

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HQYV596

Can a beach bum rescue the dog, save billions of dollars, and get the girl?

The Oblivious Billionaire: A Romantic Comedy About a Forgetful Billionaire

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KPKVM53

How can you know where you're going if you can't remember where you've been?

Irish Wishes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NTTDPY9

Irish lore meets clean and wholesome romance...

The Florence Affair

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RWQKTH7

The Tuscan countryside, Italian legends and lore and a double-take at love.

The Incognito Billionaire

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085RGDCFK

A small-town girl meets a billionaire rock star living a lie.

Stuck With You

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KQ9JT5C

A romantic novella about a couple stuck in an elevator

 

The Witching Well Series:

Time-travel Romance

 

The Highwayman Incident

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QL15NQ8

A timeless adventure spanning miles and centuries from modern-day New England to Merlin's Cave in Regency England.

The Cowboy Encounter

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UM6B7TK

From a modern-day New York City mental hospital to the Rocky Mountains of the Wild West.

The Pirate Episode

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017DZPT6O

When Dr. Fleur comes for her, Cami finds herself torn between two men, two centuries, and two very different futures.

The Rainforest Rendezvous

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DRM7QRB

Meet herds of capybaras, pink dolphins, and Liam Hastings, a World War One fighter pilot in search of the mythical Lost City of the Caesars.

The Rancher’s Romance

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DTHT25K

From modern-day New England to the Golden Age of Hollywood and a Wyoming sheep ranch in the midst of the Great Depression, water from the Witching Well proves once again that love knows no boundaries.

 

Better Late Romances: Happily-ever-afters for forty-yet-flirty-somethings

 

A Ghost of a Second Chance

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007IK0KZK

Can love live even after it has died?

Half-Baked

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0882LPHQL

It’s double- chocolate donuts meet kefir. Can two fifty-somethings from separate grocery store aisles overcome their differences?

The Christmas Swindle

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MBHG9HT

Ron sets out to right his mother’s wrongs, tame the poodle, and win Lauren’s heart, but he needs more than his billions of dollars—he needs a Christmas miracle.

The Little White Christmas Lie

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MPZJA14

Carson Trent doesn't know that the beautiful Millie Cruise who literally falls into his lap on the morning train is really Camille Harper, a rock star of the romance industry. Millie doesn't know she is headed for Carson's grandmother's picture-perfect inn in a quaint New England town. Neither Carson nor Millie know their lives are about to spin out-of-control thanks to a patch of black ice, a cow, and a little white Christmas lie.

 

The Canterbury Romances: Love at a Private School

 

The Tick-Tock Between Me and You

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CZ67FQY

Darby thought she had love all figured out until she heard the tick-tock of a clock.

Dreaming of You and Me

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FN6V4YN

When you find the man of your dreams…

The Music of You and Me

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P9FHQ1N

Because of a medical condition, Tara believes she’ll never have a family of her own.

Travis has other plans.

Christmas Coins

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081Y5RD42

When your prayers are answered in unexpected ways...

 

Seattle Fire

Verity and the Villain

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VGMZZP2

Serving up murder, mystery, and pies…

Gracey and the Gambler

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VGMZZ8J

Taking a gamble on love

 

 

 

Katie Tate Books

Young Adult Speculative Fiction

 

The Time Chronicles

Teen time-travel romance

 

Time and Again

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SGHHL3Z

Petra Baron meets a demon dog, a troupe of gypsies, and a kindred spirit named Emory Ravenswood in Elizabethan England.

 

Timeless

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SGCQ2N2

With a collection of Washington Irving's writings in hand and some nine-pin-playing ghosts by her side, Petra heads into yet another time-defying adventure.

Time After Time

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SGBP7PV

A chance encounter with Grigory Rasputin’s daughter sends Emory and Petra on another time spiral – this time to St. Petersburg on the eve of the Russian Revolution.

    

The Fairy Tale Thief

Fairy tales can come true, but it’s frightening when it happens to you.

 

Witch Ways Series

Witch Choices

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X8TJSVN

Every day each must decide whether or not to be a witch. For Evie, that decision is becoming increasingly difficult.

Witch Ever

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X98WMN2

 

Witch Ends

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X9HDVTG

 

 

Isolation Series

Isolation

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0948NQGTS

Everyone talks to animals. Some do it every day. But very few stop to listen for a reply.

Introduction

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095YVK25N

She thinks she can talk to animals. He thinks she’s crazy, but he loves her anyway.

Immersion

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095XDDQRN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transformation Goals July (written July 31st 2024)

 

I'm taking a page out of Dr. Benjamin Hardy's Rapid Transformation book and creating a monthly accounting for each month. This experience reminds me of a quote from Jody Moore, another motivational guru I really admire. She said something like this, "It's important to define what success means to you so you'll know it and recognize it when you achieve it,"

All that being said, July has been amazing. We had a burst pipe and plumbing problems, but things at our house are now cleaner and more organized because of it. That small setback became a catalyst.

Health:

Relying on what I’m learning in my Healthy Balance class and using the meal replacement powder Jared gave me, I’m finally losing weight at a slow and comfortable pace and feeling a lot more peace around food. Whenever my thoughts begin to swirl around body image, dieting, or what I’m going to eat, I take a sip of water. I find this simple interruption incredibly healing/affirming.

Relationships:

Larry and I celebrated our anniversary at one of my favorite restaurants at the beach. We also hiked the Eastern Sierras. We booked a cruise with Adam, Bethany, and Natalie's families, and flights for Education Week with my sisters.

Business:

I hired Karen Walker to help me with Facebook ads, and they boosted my Kindle Vella story tremendously. Last month, without the ads, my Kindle Vella stories had 36 episodes read. This month, there have been 650 so far. I credit this to the ad (and my new story) which has a .12 cent cost per click.

Karen was not only good for my business, but for me personally. She told me, “You don’t give yourself enough credit for what you’ve accomplished.” “Take credit for what you’ve accomplished,” has become my new mantra.

I’m 65 pages into my new mystery series, and I love it. I’ve also found three new authors of historical mysteries I love and admire, and I’m hoping I’ve found my jive.

The launch of the fourth book in my Small Town Series was a bust. Amazon put it in weird categories (paranormal, psychic, witches—it’s none of those things. I found out I’m not the only person this has been happening to.) and after I asked them to correct it, the book was no longer a “new release.” I’m putting this behind me, and focusing on building sales funnels that don’t rely on releases.

Chandler has started creating Tik Toks with me on Fridays. I created a Katie Tate account that only looks at YA books, and all but one of our videos has had more than 700 views, so this is really working.

Spiritual:

Larry and I are halfway through reading Russel M Nelson’s Heart of the Matter, and I find it incredibly motivating and encouraging. Personally, I’m in the thick of the Old Testament, (2 Chronicles) and I love all the be of good courage for this Lord is with you messages.

 

Here are my August goals:

Health:

Continue with my Healthy Balance class, which is, mostly, like group therapy. Increase yoga attendance from 3 days a week to four or five.

Social:

Visit with Jen, Jared, and my sisters on our trip to Utah.

Business:

Continue to experiment with Facebook ads.

Make a Tik Tok 6 days a week.

Post something motivating on IG and Facebook 6 days a week.

Create my RWA marketing workshop.

Spiritual:

I’m putting this under spiritual, but in reality BYU’s Education Week checks off so many boxes. The classes are always a tremendous blessing for my physical and spiritual health, plus, it’s interaction with my sisters. This year, Larry is attending and we’re staying with Jared and Jen.

 

 

Wednesday's Word: BLARE. An Excerpt From Small Town Shenanigans

  Welcome to #WednesdayWords where I share a snippet of a story using yesterday's word from the New York game, WORDLE. Yesterday's WORDLE was BLARE. 

.99 cents today only

A line of cars inched along the tree-lined road and rays of sunlight splashed off the shiny vehicles. A helicopter flew overhead.

The narrow country road was choked with a cacophony of cars, all jostling for position on the winding asphalt. The engines roared and honked, their exhaust fumes mixing with the sweet scent of freshly mown hay and wildflowers.

The line of vehicles stretched as far as I could see, each one inching and jerking forward. Horns blared, tempers flared, and the air was thick with the sound of revving engines and screeching brakes. The road was barely wide enough for two cars to pass, and yet the never-ending stream of vehicles kept coming, each one compounding the gridlock.

“I take it this is unusual?” I pulled the hoodie away from my skin. The day was heating up.

As the minutes turned into hours, the once-beautiful countryside around us began to fade into a blur of green and brown. The traffic jam seemed like an endless purgatory, a place where time stood still and the only thing moving was the curling exhaust. “I wonder if the person behind this thing could have predicted this. I know I wouldn’t have.”

“Incredible,” Dallas muttered, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. “I’ve never seen it like this.” He skated me a look. “Cascadia is usually pretty sleepy.”

I ran a finger beneath the wig, providing a brief moment of cool relief. “This wig is killing me. How long until we’re in town?”

“It’s only a few miles, but at this speed there’s no telling.”

I came to a split-second decision and ripped off the wig. Sighing, I used all ten fingers to rake my curls and message my sculp. “I don’t know how people can wear these things.”

Dallas glanced at my messy curls and smiled. “Your hair is glorious. There’s no other word for it.”

“Glorious? That’s a stretch.”

“If you’re fishing for compliments, I can provide a few.”

“I’m not. It’s just…I have a long and complicated relationship with my hair. When I was in middle school, some people called me the match-stick.”

Dallas burst out laughing. “I’m sorry, but…”

“I know. The problem was, it sort of matched. Pun intended. I was tall, skinny, and I had flaming red hair…and a temper that…matched.”

“I find that really hard to believe.”

“What? That I was tall and skinny, or that I had—correction—have a temper?”

“The temper part.”

“Anger is just a mask for fear. It took me a lot of therapy sessions to realize that. And before you ask, yes, I go to therapy. All therapists do—or should. We probably need it the most. Did you go to therapy when your dad died?”

Dallas shook his head. “What are you afraid of?”

“Lots of things, and when I was young—pretty much everything.”

A white Cadillac pulled up beside us, as if to pass, but braked. The woman in the caddy pointed at me.

I slunk in the seat and rummaged in my bag for a hair tie.

Dallas flashed a glance at my pink sneakers—one of the few things I hadn’t borrowed from Phoebe. “I have an idea, but you might not like it. I assume you can ride a bike?”

I nodded.

Dallas took a turn down a dirt road and dust flew as the car bounced over potholes. I held on.

“Where are we going?” I thought about pointing out that even though we were in a SUV, it didn’t look like a four-wheel-drive, but decided not to distract Dallas. He needed to focus all his attention on the road.

To my surprise, the white Cadillac followed us. All of the passengers were pointing and waving at me.

Dallas glanced in the rearview mirror and his lips tightened.

“Anyone you know?” I asked.

Dallas shook his head.

“I thought everyone in small towns knew each other.”

“That’s not completely true, and besides, today Cascadia is chock-full of out-of-towners.” He took a sharp left, veering into the woods.

Indecision and fear burbled in my belly. The path had been made for hikers, not vehicles. “Where are you going?”

“Short cut,” he said through tight lips.

Mud splattered over the windshield when we bounced onto the dirt path. The SUV moaned and Dallas navigated a steep and winding hill into a forest. We plowed through a small creek. Moments later, we came to a fork and merged onto a path looking wide enough for an emaciated cow.

After climbing a steep slope, the SUV caught up to a man on a bike wearing a backpack. Dallas braked, and the SUV skittered through the mud. A quick glance in the rearview mirror told me we’d lost the Cadillac.

Suddenly, the backpack in front of us toppled off and pitched into a patch of tall grass.

Dallas tightened his jaw. “Not our problem.” He flashed me an evil looking grin and swerved around the bike.

Was he seriously enjoying this?

The barefoot, bearded man wearing a pair of overalls and a straw hat disentangled himself from his crumpled bike. He shook his fist at us.

The white Cadillac came tearing down the hill. Dallas made a sudden sharp turn, not braking but accelerating, veering off the road, away from the smashed tomatoes.

“Do you know where you’re going?” I squeaked.

“Lived here all my life.” Dallas white-knuckled the wheel and he steered down a path I prayed would lead back onto a road.

Now we were in the thick of the woods, chasing chittering squirrels and dodging a trio of squalling cats.

“This is someone’s property,” I said.

“Most of this is public land.”

“Public land?” I echoed. Was there any public land in New York City? Doubtful. I wanted to ask him more about public land, but a wooden lean-to with a corrugated tin roof that seemed to be growing out of the weeds distracted me. A bewildered woman and her indeterminate-breed dog stepped onto the back porch.

Dallas rolled down his window and waved. “Hey there, Mrs. Sanchez!”

The woman chased after us, swinging a rolling pin like a battle axe. The Cadillac, who had been following close behind, nearly barreled into her.

“I thought you said this is public land.”

“It is. I didn’t say there aren’t squatters.”

Squatters? “Someone’s going to get hurt,” I muttered.

The SUV bucked back onto the dirt road. Something crunched beneath the Jeep’s tires.

“What was that?” Please don’t let it be a live creature, I prayed.

Read the First Three Episodes of The Ladies Home and Homicide on Kindle Vella

 I have a new Kindle Vella story out! You can read the first 10 episodes for FREE. (But because this is brand new, there are only three episodes.) I grew up loving Agatha Christie novels and Alfred Hitchcock movies. Anyone else? But when I tried to find a mysteries set in the post WW11 era, I couldn't find any! There are plenty of historical mysteries set in the 1920s. Of course, many of Agatha's own books were published in the 40s, but I had read all of them by the time I finished middle school (eons ago.) So, not finding what I was looking for at the library, I decided to write one. Hope you enjoy it. Currently, this story is on page 10 of the cozy mystery section. I would love to see it reach the first page. You can help me by reading and giving it a thumbs up!

Wednesday's Words: cover, an excerpt from Small Town Secrets

    Welcome to #WednesdayWords where I share a snippet of a story using yesterday's word from the New York game, WORDLE. Yesterday's WORDLE was COVER. 

READ NOW ON AMAZON

in kindle unlimited

I woke in the middle of the night to find Buster trying to burrow underneath me.

 

“What is it?” I muttered. “You can’t want to go out. You did that right before we went to bed, remember?” We had both been cold, wet, and miserable beneath the umbrella while I had waited for him to take care of business.

 

The dog whimpered and wiggled his snout under my back. I grabbed his collar and wrenched him out from under the covers. Then I heard what he heard: rumbling that sounded like a building beneath a wrecking ball.

 

I stood. The icy floor and frigid air took my breath and let me know the power must still be out. I trotted to the window but saw only the dark night and shadowy, dancing trees. Clouds covered the moon and stars. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed.

 

Quivering, Buster burrowed beneath the quilt again.

 

“Some watchdog you are.” I climbed in beside him and tried to sleep.

 

The next morning, a weak sun sent beams through the window as if to apologize for last night’s storm. I glanced at my phone and saw it had died during the night even though it had been plugged in. I listened for the hum of the refrigerator and heard nothing but the call of birds beyond my window.

 

“What time do you think it is?” I asked Buster.

 

The sun barely skimmed the treetops, and I guessed I would probably be in time for Mr. Gerard’s bath if I hurried.

 

Shivering, I padded into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and was met with an icy blast. No hot water?

 

Back in my bedroom, I pulled my jacket over my sweatshirt and tugged on a pair of wool socks. Clothed, I trotted down the stairs. Buster followed; his snout pressed against the back of my calves. I let him out into the backyard and took note of the storm’s damage. Fallen branches, scattered and soddened leaves, and an old tin bucket that must have blown in from somewhere littered the ankle-high grass.

 

Buster did his thing, wiped his paws, and trotted back to the porch. Together, we went into the kitchen. A lifeless coffeemaker and a silent fridge greeted us.

 

I poured kibble into Buster’s bowl and grabbed myself an apple from the fridge. I shivered into my scrubs, got ready for the day, bid Buster goodbye, and gave thanks for the Honda’s functioning heater.

 

The dashboard display told me I had thirty minutes before my first appointment. I plugged in my phone before putting the car in gear. I frowned at the downed branches blocking the driveway before climbing out to clear my path to the road.

 

Jordan Trail, though, wasn’t in any better shape than my own property. I bounced over the smaller fallen branches and had to get out of the car every few feet to toss the larger debris off the road. I rounded a corner and slammed on my brakes.

 

A massive landslide the size of a semi-truck blanketed the road.

 

I wouldn’t be going anywhere. At least not in my car.

 

“It looks like Mr. Gerard won’t be getting his bath today,” I said to no one.