Veronica's Writer's Diary: Make It a Good One!

“Hope

Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,

Whispering 'it will be happier'...”

Alfred Lord Tennyson

HAPPY NEW YEAR--2026 has arrived! I hope you have enjoyed this first week of the New Year as much as I have, LOL. One thing for sure, 2026 is not going to be boring...

For this first blog post of 2026, I thought I'd list a few of my goals and ambitions I hope to achieve (or at least make some progress on). 'If you build it, they will come', a famous movie quote once inspired. I'm gonna try writing them down and visualizing each. Let's give progress and success a little goose, shall we?

1. TRAVEL: This year the OH and I will be racking up the air and driving miles. Road trips to Half Moon Bay and Paso Robles are sure to offer some fun in the California sun. We'll be heading out to Tennessee and Texas later this year for some family time, including a beautiful niece's wedding. Biltmore in North Carolina is also back on the list for a bit of Chateauesque glam. Calgary and the Bouchercon mystery conference in October promises to be exciting. A Viking cruise from Iceland to the Norwegian fjords beckons as well (the reverse trip we took a while back--it's off to the lands of the midnight sun!). And then there's the pre-Christmas Ho-Ho-Ho snow--Greenland perhaps?

2. PLAYTIME: I've made it a goal this year to spend time on the golf course we live on. After 26 years of coy avoidance, I shall pick up the clubs and learn the joys of hitting (or trying to) the little white ball that challenges so many.

Golf balls won't be the only sphere to be struck--we're also going to try our hand on the pickleball court. I'm looking forward to the time outside. I have no doubt my experiences on the green and asphalt will inspire some spectacularly odd and funny scenes on the pages of my books!

3. A NEW SERIES: Speaking of books, yes, it's official, I'll be penning some novellas and short stories under my 'A Stickybeak Whodunit' logo! I wanted to try some new ideas this year after the release of Family Skeletons in my cozy series. The first novella is planned, the cover designed, and if things go as planned, I will be having my first release in the fall. I have a chilling tale to tell, with loads of twists and turns. Who wants to become an honorary Stickybeak? I'm starting a new 'thang'. Stay tuned.

I have no doubt my plans and aspiration may be subject to change, LOL, but I'm truly blessed to have the new projects, activities, and travels on my horizon this year. Time to get back in the saddle and plunge into the New Year and all it brings. Wishing you and yours, tremendous blessings and abundance in 2026! Make it a good one! 🌠

It's Wednesday, time for Dear Diary:

My Latest Book Baby is Coming Soon!

The editing of Family Skeletons: The Secrets of Castlewood Manor, book 10 in My American Almost Royal Cousin Series is coming to a close! Knock wood, we may actually have a book out by the end of the month!!

In this latest tale, Lady Gemma and her eccentric coterie of storytellers spill the beans on their genteel family secrets in a new, hit best seller! Fame and fortune for all awaits, until the bodies start dropping. What happens when your prized tome becomes a blueprint for murder? Lady Gemma is about to find out...

Stay tuned, this new release is developing...

V's reads

Holiday mystery shorts and culinary delights this month from the writers of X.

Holy holiday mysteries! If you're a fan of whodunits and tales of the bizarre set in a holiday setting, this is the collection of short stories for you!

You'll find of plethora of tales offering a range of suspense, cozy mystery, detectives, private eyes, and general nosy parkers tracking down the Christmas conundrums that bubble up in the snowy settings. Some well-known sleuths are included in the mix: Miss Marple, Ellery Queen, Inspector Morse, Nero Wolfe, and Hercule Poirot.

A great collection of Christmas mysteries sure to delight holiday whodunit fans, highly recommended!

One of my favorite things to collect is cookbooks, and this year Santa was especially nice! I've become a huge fan of Joanna Gaines and her Magnolia Table series and cookbooks (her show on TV is a personal fav). The recipes are downhome delish, and easy even for a not so polished culinary wannabe. Garden & Gun (love their magazine!) offered a few books delving into southern cuisine and style! I'll be relearning the A-B-Cs of southern sass and pick up the basics of downhome classics. Here's to some busy stove-top & oven time in 2026!

America's having a big birthday--250 years!

This year it's all about the red, white, and blue as our country celebrates its 250th birthday! There're are loads of activities planned throughout the year. I've already begun decorating Cherrywood Hall West--we're going all in with lights, topiaries, and USA themed decor on the homefront. If you're interested, the America 250 org has a fab website that lists all the events and activities on tap (see the link below). Here's to a superb celebration! 1776-2026, here we go!

America250

Welcome to my world. Wishing you and yours a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Crowns and Kisses,

Veronica

P.S. I wanted to wish all the January babies a very Happy Birthday! I just turned the big 6-8 myself on the 3rd--it's tough having Christmas, New Year's, and a birthday crammed into the span of 2 weeks, LOL. May all your dreams and wishes come true! Gemma and Rikkhe approve. 🎂💖👑 Pssst...eat the cake!