Book Signings

July is an exciting month for us. We are expecting our third grandson around the 20th of the month. Our oldest grandson just turned fourteen! He lives in Michigan and we only get to see him a couple of times a year. He is a great kid. He loves anything and everything about Harry Potter. We were able to take him to see the Harry Potter exhibit at the museum in Chicago last summer. It was a lot of fun. Our second grandson is four and a half. He is a doll. He loves to play outside, he's into gymnastics and karate, and plays t-ball. We love spending as much time as possible with him. We can't wait to meet our newest little grandson, we know he will be as adorable and loved as our first two boys.

On August 14th, I will be in Marshall,TX at Prospero's Books from 10:00 to noonish. This is also the weekend of Marshall's market days. The bookstore is cozy and comfortable, and I felt right at home when I met the owner's son last weekend. It is located on Washington St. right in the center of downtown Marshall. The market days are a lot of fun and great bargains are to be found, so if you're in the area, or feel like a road trip, please join us. I'm really excited to return to my hometown for this event, and I hope I get to see a lot of my hometown friends that I went to school with from David Crockett Elementary through Marshall High School. (Don't be surprised though, I've gotten older... but then again, haven't we all!

On August 21st, I will be returning to Border's books in the Arlington Highlands from 2 to 4 p.m. I am really looking forward to this book signing event because I loved working with and getting to know the staff back in March when I did my first book signing with them. It was a wonderful experience and I know it will be wonderful in August also. If you are anywhere near the Arlington, TX area on August 21st, please come see me at Borders Books in the Arlington Highlands. I'd love to see you there!

Coloring

"Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination." ~Robert Fulghum

Today the kids had to draw a food chain. I used my imagination and created an abstract forest with beavers and bears, rivers and forests, the sun high in the sky... then I delighted myself by coloring it. Unfortunately, I failed to follow directions, and didn't make the the grade because I didn't make a food chain the way it is "tested", but I don't care... it was good, relaxing therapy. I still love to color. It helps to take away the gray, dull days and brighten my world with all the wonderful color encased inside a magic box. SO, when I read the above quote... I had to include it in my blog! Have a blessed evening!

Is it you? Are you there?

Tonight as I sit and contemplate getting started on the next chapter of the sequel to Moon Dance, I find myself wondering, just who out there is actually reading this blog. I hope it's reaching a multitude of folks who like Christian romance/ historical romance and will give Moon Dance a chance.
Writing a book is like giving birth to a child. You feel protective of it. You just want everyone to love it and no one to ever hurt its feelings. But the reality is that everyone has their own passion, their own taste in books, and not everyone will want to be your "child's" best friend.
I've had many best friends "good books" that I've loved throughout my life. And every time one of my favorite authors releases a new book, I can hardly contain myself before rushing to the nearest bookstore and getting my own copy.
I know a lot of you really like the new kindle and e-readers, but for me, I just have to have the book and hold it in my hand. I love to lay back against a huge pile of pillows and snuggle down for a good read. Tonight, for example, with only the sound of a soft rain falling and everyone else in the house sleeping, is a perfect night for a good book, a glass of wine, and a little time to unwind. I have just the perfect book waiting for me, calling my name... so for now dear friends, whoever you may be, goodnight!

Interview excerpt

I would love to say that I tuck myself away in a cozy, little room where everyone leaves me alone to write, but life explodes around me as I write. I do have a home office where I keep all the accessories I need to be a productive writer, and fortunately I can block out noises around me, so my working environment doesn...’t have to be quiet. I have an active family life with televisions on, music playing, dogs barking, the cat needing to walk across my keyboard and lay right in front of my computer screen (Hmmm!). I guess working in education, you get used to a “noisy” environment and are able to function and carry out your work despite hallway noises, intercoms, or students coming in and out of the classroom. Read more of this interview at:

http://hubpages.com/hub/An-Interview-With-Author-Susan-Earl

Dogs

Almost $300. later, the dog and his allergies are at peace!

East Texas Escape

Had a great weekend with family, doing a book talk/signing, and even scheduled two more signings for later in the summer. We loved the Roseville B & B. It's actually a working farm, and the girls got to do a lot of exploring with the owner's granddaughter.

Sequel to Moon Dance

Working on the sequel to Moon Dance now. Hoping to get it finished by the end of summer and submit it to Tate by September or October. If you haven't read Moon Dance yet, visit my website, Amazon.com, or online at major bookstores nationwide to purchase a copy. Moon Dance is also available for your "kindle" or e-reader... applications. I'd love to hear from all who've read Moon Dance, your comments will help me "perfect" the sequel!

Busy day. Looking forward to the weekend. Going to East Texas for a book signing and staying at a B & B with my daughter, sister, and niece. Can't wait to visit some old haunts!

Review for Moon Dance

Moon Dance by author, Susan K. Earl, is a believable story about the life of people who survived the Great Depression. Set in the countryside near Fort Worth, Texas, Moon Dance is about a girl of strong character named Maggie. Readers will be impressed with the gamet of emotions Maggie's family endures. It is my belief that readers will become invested in Maggie and her family. Mrs. Earl weaves descriptions of the sweltering Texas heat that puts the readers in the midst of the action. The story is about family, romance, anger, and loss. I recommend this book for the depth of its content.

-Elaine Littau, author of Nan's Journey

Interview with Author

http://hubpages.com/hub/An-Interview-With-Author-Susan-Earl

Book Review on Sharecropping in Louisianna

I wanted to share my latest review of Tate authors Lillian Laird Duff and Linda Duff Niemeir's book "Sharecropping in North Louisiana: A Family's Struggle Through the Great Depression". This book is a well-written historical narrative that vividly depicts the love, life, and adversities shared by several generations within one family. Reading this narrative is like sitting down with a dear friend and discovering the very depth of her soul. It is reminiscent of a warm kitchen on a cold winter’s day when the smell of freshly made bread saturates the air. This narrative gives off that type of satisfying fragrance as you read about the many lives affected by the consistent love and faith that embraced this family through many struggling years. The historical value of a narrative such as this is priceless. As a teacher, an author, and a historian, I believe this is meant to be shared and to be learned from by our generation, our children, and our children’s children.

moon dance ~ a novel

A father's love

A father's love

Kerrville Folk Festival 2010

Except from moon dance ~ a novel by Susan K. Earl

The sun hung low on the horizon as I slowly began to make my way back through the darkening woods. The lush, unrestrained spring foliage hindered me as I slipped silently back
down the dusky path; nevertheless, as my bare feet met the soft earth, I felt at home.
As I emerged from the woods, my thoughts drifted back to those left behind me, and in my mind again, I saw Papa standing out on the back porch, his rough hands cupped gently around Aunt Rachel’s face; her, red faced and crying, looking all soft and needy, him looking at her like he wanted to eat her up.
Papa looked at me like a mad dog when I stomped up onto the porch that day. His edgy eyes followed me, and I heard him nervously call out as I passed, “Maggie, you go on in the house
now and help your mama. Your aunt Rachel’s havin’ a real hard day, and right now she just needs me to help her get through it.”
You can’t fool me with your wicked lies, I thought as I furiously stormed into the house that blustery October day. I knew my papa was up to no good with Aunt Rachel, but what could I do.... Find out how to get your own copy of Moon Dance at http://susanearl.tatepublishing.net