Tyler Colins's Blog, page 10
December 15, 2023
Journey of Change
At an odd [again] what to post about, I thought I’d sleep on it—and hope some little kernel of insight/wisdom would reveal itself that I could share. That didn’t happen.
Over mega-size coffee cup #2 this morning, I thought of the episode of The Big Bang Theory I saw yesterday, the one where Sheldon had for the umpteenth time moaned and groaned about change. He, like many, has difficulty coping with it.
Yet by defying change and trying not to allow it to happen, by willfully not doing something not normally done, we’re inviting it.
Change may embrace new processes and approaches, people and locations, physical and mental adjustments. Any one of them could prove daunting, even frightening. Even if we’re not crazy about our life entails, we’re accustomed to it; we know what to expect. And that in and of itself is, well, soothing.
It being that time of year, and having already considered all that had transpired, it seemed appropriate again to visit how things have, yep, changed … transformed, improved, progressed … stagnated.
No more mom-care. No more anguish/anger/despair. Day job still exists. Writing and editing on-going. Routine’s fairly predictable. Change within no change.
We may be able to control some things, but not all. And we may not necessarily embrace what life has thrown our way, but we have to deal with it … or change it. And that can take [a lot of] strength and determination. Something we all possess, but need to claim, embrace and apply.
Motto for 2024: enfold change along the journey of life, and never fear it.
December 9, 2023
Alone, but Not Lonely
As the year draws to a close, it’s difficult not to reflect on what’s transpired … and what might lie ahead.
My mother passed in March. After years of taking care of her, and forfeiting many things, including friends, this holiday season will be spent alone.
Aloneness: being apart from others; only; solitary.
Loneliness: not with others of the same kind; a feeling of dejection at being aware of being alone.
I embrace the aloneness. I like my company. It has its moments—it can be impatient (ask any technical devices), annoyed (ask any technical devices), and cranky (ask the melatonin that didn’t kick in the night before). I love that I can now write whenever I choose (day job aside), that I get more than three hours sleep a night (because one caregiving ear always had to be open, listening for falls or issues).
I’m grateful for the solitude. It’s allowed me to put things in perspective, to plan for the subsequent year. There’ll be a couple of risks, but it’s time to take them, regardless of the outcome. You don’t succeed if you don’t try. And if you fail, lesson(s) learned.
Too many years have been dedicated to making others happy. Now, it’s my time. And if that’s selfish, so be it.
Yes, I’m alone … and so very thankful.
December 1, 2023
Do You Hear What I Hear?
… so sang Bing Crosby. A lovely holiday song, but not at all related to this post. 
As part of Next Chapter’s 2023 marketing platform update, the team’s updated the Universal Book Link for The Connecticut Corpse Caper (Triple Threat Mysteries Book 1) to include links to my audiobook in Audible & Apple Audiobooks.
https://books2read.com/u/3R6olv
The Connecticut Corpse Caper has [future] private eyes JJ, Rey, and Linda donning sleuthing caps as they endeavor to discover who is killing the inheritance recipients gathered at their wacky aunt’s haunted mansion. They have their challenges besides the piling bodies: a curious cast of characters, hidden passageways, silly behind-the-walls sounds, and a few red herrings.
On a similar [and personally exciting] note—just received the notification—that Next Chapter is working on increasing our audiobook sales. They’re creating unique audiobook trailers! Mine isn’t ready yet, so I’ll wait with bated breath.
And then … there’s the Bounty Program. For each audiobook, there’s a unique link to each main Audible store (US, UK, France and Germany).
Here are the Bounty links for The Connecticut Corpse Caper:
UNITED STATES:
https://www.audible.com/pd/B07XQ3TTFV/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-163671&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_163671_rh_us
UNITED KINGDOM:
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B07XKZKP77/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-163671&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_163671_rh_uk
We’d [really] love it if you checked us out. 
November 25, 2023
Kobo’s Black Friday Sale
Hey there. Just a quick “me” plug … Kobo’s Black Friday Sale (Nov 24th thru Nov 27th) is featuring Triple Threat Mysteries – Books 1-3 for $0.99.
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/triple-threat-mysteries-books-1-3
It features the first book The Connecticut Corpse Caper, which details the wacky adventures JJ, Rey, and Linda encounter at their equally wacky aunt’s rurally located haunted mansion. When several of the potential inheritance recipients start dropping dead, the trio dons sleuthing caps to determine the culprit.
The next two books, Can You Hula Like Hilo Hattie and Coco’s Nuts feature the now Hawaii-based—and official—private eyes solving their first paying cases. Hired by a wealthy elderly man to discover his trophy wife’s “secret” proves no easy feat … particularly when she is found floating in the Pacific. A beautiful truck driver is accused of murder in Coco, and the pretty P.I.s have to prove she’s innocent despite the overwhelming evidence that continually amasses.
Curious characters and circumstances make for diligent “detectiving” … if not treacherous times.
Given the price, Triple Threat Mysteries could just serve as a nice little [entertaining] stocking stuffer. As Rey said, they’d love to pop out of someone’s hosiery. (She has a unique sense of humor, but we all love her.)
November 18, 2023
Rockin’ & Rollin’ Up the Down Escalator
I can’t say I’ve ever tried heading up the down escalator or down the up escalator, though I have seen the odd [ambitious] person do so in a quest to hasten forward faster. It always prompts my face to scrunch up, looking more lined and crinkled than usual, as I anticipate a certain stumble/tumble … that [fortunately] never comes.
The virtual book tour for Disco’s Dead and so is Mo-Mo has ended. As such, I find myself feeling like Mo-Mo: kinda lifeless, kinda inert.
Sure, there’ll be events and accomplishments down the road. But it’s always a bit of a letdown, isn’t it?, when something is over and you’re pondering what might put that zip back into everyday life.
Maybe a challenge, like taking on that escalator? Doing something not yet done. Embracing a test or a trial with a can-do attitude. Becoming introspective … and determining new options and paths.
With the year rapidly drawing to a close, it’s hard not to consider what the new one might bring. For yours truly, 2023 will go down as perhaps one of the worst due to a culmination of anguish and grief and pain suffered over years—some self-induced, some not (never mind bussing concrete this summer and still enduring the consequences). I’m not being pessimistic here, merely realistic. Facing the “it is what it is” or, in this case, “the what was, was”.
As they say, everything transpires for a reason. There’s truth in that. I’d not be who I am today if I hadn’t borne all that life/fate tossed my way. I’d not be writing my current book, looking forward to tackling the world of publishing when the moment presents itself, knowing [this round] I can and will handle anything.
Now that 2023 and the years are behind, that’s where I’ll leave them. I don’t love them, but I won’t hate them. Time is as limited as it is precious. And whatever’s ahead deserves to be embraced and utilized fittingly.
Yep, I believe I’ll head up the down escalator … with a rock-n-roll attitude … because I’ve headed down the up one far too many years.
November 13, 2023
Day #6
Alas, all good things must come to an end and so, today marks the last day of the virtual book blog tour for Disco’s Dead and so is Mo-Mo.
My thanks to Elizabeth McKenna and My Reading Journeys for casting the spotlight on me and the private eyes—JJ, Rey, and Linda—from the Triple Threat Investigation Agency.
https://elizabethmckenna.com/my-blog/
https://myreadingjourneys.blogspot.com/
I heartily recommend you visit their remarkable blogs.
Lastly, a big thank you (!) to Lori Caswell for having arranged all this!
November 11, 2023
Day #5
I’m so loving this book tour and am very thankful to all the bloggers who’ve participated.
Today, I’d like to extend my profound gratitude to Brooke (Brooke Blogs) and Amber (Sapphyria’s Book Reviews) for spotlighting me.
https://saphsbooks.blogspot.com/
I highly recommend you visiting their sites. These ladies have scores of followers—for obvious reasons.
Lastly, thank you to Lori Caswell for organizing the tour!
Day #4
I’m so very grateful to Kathleen (Celticlady), Maureen (Musings), and Lori (Dollycas) for featuring “Disco’s Dead and so is Mo-Mo” on their fantastic blogs today.
The first two lovely ladies present spotlights while the ever amazing third has an author guest post.
Please check them out—not just for me, but to see what passionate book bloggers are all about!
https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/
https://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com/
https://www.escapewithdollycas.com/
Many, many thanks to all three (and Lori for putting together this great virtual book tour).
November 10, 2023
Day # 3
I can’t say thank you enough to three book-loving fellow bloggers—Karen (the Baroness), Laura (FU), and Jody (MT&S) for featuring Disco’s Dead and so is Mo-Mo today. The spotlights are [truly] astounding!
Their blogs put mine to shame—do pay them a visit. It’s time well invested.
https://baronessbooktrove.com/
Cheers to all three … and Lori Caswell (Escape with Dollycas) for organizing this wonderful virtual book tour!
November 9, 2023
Day #2
My most heartfelt thanks to three awesome bloggers for featuring Disco’s Dead and so is Mo-Mo today!
If you have a second, maybe you could pop in for a visit? I’m sure Virginia, Mary, and Mary B would be as pleased as me.
https://bookreviewvirginialee.com/
https://mjbreviewers.wordpress.com/
Ta to all three … and Lori Caswell for organizing this!
