Melissa Maygrove

Some problems have cropped up with my heart. I need a valve replacement, among other things. I'm not a candidate for TAVR, so it'll be open heart surgery. Previous heart surgeries (congenital) are complicating things.  My heart can never do anything plain and straightforward. Oh, no. It's gotta be all fancy. I'll be admitted into the hospital in a couple of weeks for more testing and a heart cath, then two days later, they'll do surgery. Predictions are that I'll stay there a week, followed by two months of recovery at home.  My mom and daughter are coming to take care of me, and short-term disability checks will keep the mortgage paid. I'm very blessed. Now I just have to stay optimistic and not let my nurse brain run amok. I'm plotting my next novel with hopes I can write it while I'm out on leave. If you have room for one more on your list, I'd appreciate your prayers.

  This is my   Insecure Writers Support Group   post for March. Alex's awesome co-hosts this month  are:  Diedre Knight,   Tonya Drecker,   Bish Denham,   Olga Godim,   and  JQ Rose! Please stop by their blogs and say thank you .   💻💻💻💻💻 March 1st question - Have you ever read a line in novel or a clever plot twist that caused you to have author envy? I've had many author envy moments over the years. A couple stand out.  Go ahead. Laugh at me, but I enjoyed the Twilight series. It was what spurred me to write my first novel, just to see if I could do it.  Despite all the criticisms of Meyer's writing, she kept readers reading, and gave science-loving me a moment of envy I will never forget.  This excerpt is from Breaking Dawn , shortly after Bella becomes a vampire, and her senses are enhanced.      Everything was so clear.      Sharp. Defined.      The brilliant light...

I am over at the  CowboyKisses blog  today with a post that is apropos for national heart month.  Cowboy Kisses on  Facebook

I'm skipping February's IWSG.  See you next month!

  This is my   Insecure Writers Support Group   post for January 2023. Alex's awesome co-hosts this month  are:  Jemima Pett,   Debs Carey ,   Kim Lajevardi,   Sarah Foster,   Natalie Aguirre,  &   T. Powell Coltrin Please stop by their blogs and say thank you .  💻💻💻💻💻 January 4 question - Do you have a word of the year? Is there one word that sums up what you need to work on or change in the coming year? What is your word for 2023 & why? There are several, but if I have to choose one, it would be SUCCESS. And not in the way you might think.  Sure, I want to be successful at writing and selling books, but that's only one part.  I want to be successful at other things, too.  I want to stick to my diet and see results.  I want to spend more time with family, and not keep putting it off. I want to get plugged into church, even though my job requires working every other weekend. (Gonna have to think...

I am taking a break from IWSG this month. See you next year. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  - Isaiah 9:6 Merry Christmas ❤❤❤❤❤

Our new rescue cat, Poe, has made himself at home under our tree.  Can you find him? Poe has an easy gift idea. This is one of those buy-it-in-your-PJs kind of gifts. Amazon chose  COME BACK  for a month-long December Kindle deal. They cut the price in half!  Now's a good time to buy it for yourself, if you haven't read it, and gift a copy to the romance readers in your life. A kindle book is one of the easiest gifts to give. And it won't be opened before Christmas unless you want it to be. Stay safe and warm this holiday season!