Michaela Bush's Blog, page 4

WRITING UPDATES: JUNE EDITION!

 Hey, folks! Time for my monthly check-in with writing goals! This is going to be a super quick post. 

June Accomplishments: I finished revisions for Rooted and am heading into the proofreading stage; I celebrated release day for Unconventional Love, an anthology by Dragon Bone Publishing, which my short story "Escaping Shadows" was published in! I also made steady progress with TQOL and am officially almost done with the first draft. It's so close to being done, I'm getting antsy. I also got Moments in Time sent to the publisher (then did a happy dance). Oh, and my church survived Vacation Bible School! I also received updates for a couple of anthologies that are pending publication, and more information will be shared in July. I also decided to make a really big boo-boo and unpublish my Mount Sterling trilogy because it's in terrible need of major revisions and republication. Then I jumped in with both feet and...I don't think I jumped into clear water on this one, if you catch my drift. It's a little murky and smelly in here. But it's a side project that I'm tinkering away at. Finally, I launched a Fourthwall store and spent the month of July curating some digital content and PDF downloadables that I think will be fun little worksheets for fellow authors. That took a surprising amount of brainpower, but 'tis finished! I also celebrated the release of Esperanza: and other fantasy short stories, a cutsey little book of short stories that I put together and forgot to market very much. But it's live now! 

July Goals: I want to finish proofreading Rooted and move forward, finalize things as necessary for the pending anthologies, and finish Draft 1 of TQOL. Cover reveals for TQOL and the Omnibus Edition will be this month. Finally, I want to work a little more on QSAL and Project R. And my middle grade series. And my how-to-write-horses WIP. (Send sugar, caffeine, and extra brain cells.)

Current projects pending publication with anthologies: Five
2025 goals: Publish hello is goodbye (DONE!)
                    Publish Where the Bridge Begins (DONE!)
                    Publish Project WHB (DONE!)
                    Publish Legends of Lanaria 5 (TKOTT/The Keeper of the Tower) (DONE!)
                    Publish my devotional, Rooted (SO CLOSE!!) 
                    Write two novellas within the Midnight Hour series (#0.75 and #1.5)
                    Publish Project CL
                    Publish Super Secret Project MiT (DONE!)
                    Write the first draft of a middle grade series
                    Write a sequel to A Dance of Rebels
                    Write Super Secret Project QSAL
                    Plot thriller series--Project PRM
                    Start Legends of Lanaria 6, TQOL (IN PROGRESS!) 
                    Plot a horse-themed series, young adult
                    Write Project TTWL
                    Publish a short story collection, Esperanza (DONE!)                    Write Project R

EDITING DISCOUNT: July 1-Sept 1!

 Hey all! Dropping a quick post to let everyone know that I'm offering a 15% discount for all editing projects completed between July 1st and September 1st. Please check out the link to schedule your editing services: HERE!

REVIEW: JOSEPH by BILL CROWDER!

 Hey, folks! I have a review today for Joseph by Bill Crowder, a new study on the biblical account of Joseph. I definitely loved this book and hope you look into it yourself!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Popular author Bill Crowder brings Joseph’s story to life, helping you discover how God can use trials such as broken relationships and unexpected setbacks to grow your faith and draw you closer to Himself. With historical and cultural context, relatable themes, and reflection questions, this biblical character studyprovides relevant insights about relying on God amid difficulties. Perfect for anyone who wants to know the Bible better—alone or in a group. 

MY REVIEW

Crowder's book JOSEPH offers a wonderful perspective on the biblical account of Joseph. It takes a deep-dive into the family dynamics that brought about Joseph's betrayal and, ultimately, placed him where God wanted him. It covers a range of topics from Joseph's character arc and how he grew/matured throughout the Genesis account, as well as the ways the Lord used those setbacks and betrayals to bring about good. Genesis 50:20 is one of my favorite Bible verses, so to see it as presented by Crowder was fascinating. This is a good book to work through alone or in a group setting, with some questions that may be better mulled over in  quiet if some aren't comfortable sharing. (I may be presenting this book as a study option for my church's young adult group!) Overall, this is an impactful study, short and thought-provoking, and it's clear that Crowder put a lot of research and time into cultivating this resource. Highly recommended!

*I read an advanced review copy; all my thoughts/opinions are my own.*

AMAZON | GOODREADS

REVIEW: HE LOVED ME THROUGH MY LETTERS by SARA FRANCIS!

Hey, folks! So I'm sharing a review for He Loved Me Through My Letters by Sara Francis. It's book 2 in the Waiting trilogy, and TL;DR? I'll be waiting for book 3 because I need it ASAP...whew. I hope you'll snag a copy or two because I really love this series! Check out the info below. 

BLURB 

Violetta believes someone will die–she just doesn’t know who. Despite her family’s warnings to leave, Violetta stays tethered to her toxic boyfriend by guilt. To escape her growing fear for her safety, she writes daily letters to her future spouse. When his replies magically appear on the pages, she’s convinced she’s speaking to a ghost.

But is this ghost here to protect her or to warn her that someone else will join the afterlife? Or has her mind finally unraveled under the weight of it all?

GOODREADS | AMAZON

MY REVIEW

I loved SHE WHISPERED THROUGH THE WOODS, so I knew I'd enjoy HE LOVED ME THROUGH MY LETTERS. But did I expect this absolute masterpiece to hit me like a ton of bricks? Whew. Nope. You'll be racing to beat the "low battery" warning on your Kindle to read this one. (I hope you win that race...I didn't, right in the middle of a Very Important Scene.) HLMTML is a rally cry to do what must be done, no matter the cost. And no matter what happens after the fact, the people who love us most will support us if we let them. I'm going to chew on this one for awhile, and probably reread both ASAP. This book was in the top 5 most-anticipated books for the year and it DID. NOT. Disappoint. If you love contemporary romance with humor, intrigue/mystery (and a serious faith-based explanation on what these mysterious ghosts really are, which I thought was a really cool twist), and a story that will heal and encourage, check out this whole series...ASAP.

SIGNUPS NOW OPEN for a DUAL COVER REVEAL...

Mark your calendars for July 18th, folks, because in the words of Effie Trinket, it's going to be a "big, big, day!" 

Why, do you ask? 

Well, if you've been following the Legends of Lanaria series, you'll be excited to see the cover for the final book, the title of which was just revealed in my newsletter (if you missed it, click HERE and sign up so you don't miss the next one). At any rate, The Queen of Lanaria is arriving in November, and I want to get the cover and preorder details rolling soon. 

But what about the whole "dual" thing?

Yeah. 

I'm also releasing a special omnibus edition collecting all six books, plus exclusive short stories following these characters we've grown so fond of. It will release the week after TQOL, and I'm aiming for a hardback/paperback release. It will have a more "on-trend" fantasy cover (since I started this series when "girl in a pretty dress" was The Thing, and it was rude of the industry to move toward "inanimate objects and borders" while I was in the middle of a series. But we'll have these things, I suppose, when it takes five years to publish a series. Nobody complains about Brandon Sanderson's covers, so...) 

Anyway. If you want to help reveal the covers and you've got a few minutes to schedule a post online by July 18th (or that weekend, really), then please check out the signup form below and sign up!

Click here to sign up: https://forms.gle/FNw7SA7ygyVokZwE7

May Writing Updates!

I completely fell off the wagon with keeping track of what I wrote this month because I was just lucky to get anything done, lol. I started back on quick ten-minute timers where I just got into a project and started hammering out words, because ten minutes seemed to be manageable even on a busy day...and you know what? It worked. After plenty of mental grumbling that I would never be able to get anything worthwhile done, I got into a groove and it's become a useful tool. So this is your sign to get that writing done--even if it's just a couple of minutes or a couple of words, it's still progress made and you should be proud of that! I'm also sharing this verse in Proverbs because it was something that really stood out to me this month. There is an end to whatever season you're in and the hope you have in the Lord will not be cut off--because there will be new seasons of life ahead; whether they include hardship or not, nothing can take away the hope the Lord offers.

 May accomplishments: Good progress with revising Project MiT/Moments in Time; published The Keeper of the Tower, and worked on ideas for an equine how-to book for writers and editors. (Because I obviously need more projects to work on.) I also worked on TQOL and revisions for Rooted. 

June goals: This is the start of busy season for church, so I'm not planning on getting a ton done this month as far as writing goes. But I do want to make steady progress with TQOL and get Moments in Time prepped to be sent off, plus revisions on Rooted. My short story "Escaping Shadows" will be published in Unconventional Love, an anthology with Dragon Bone Publishing, too. 

Current projects pending publication with anthologies: Five
2025 goals: Publish hello is goodbye (DONE!)
                    Publish Where the Bridge Begins (DONE!)
                    Publish Project WHB (DONE!)
                    Publish Legends of Lanaria 5 (TKOTT/The Keeper of the Tower) (DONE!)
                    Publish my devotional, Rooted
                    Write two novellas within the Midnight Hour series (#0.75 and #1.5)
                    Publish Project CL
                    Publish Super Secret Project MiT
                    Write the first draft of a middle grade series
                    Write a sequel to A Dance of Rebels
                    Write Super Secret Project QSAL
                    Plot thriller series--Project PRM
                    Start Legends of Lanaria 6 (TQOL)
                    Plot a horse-themed series, young adult
                    Write Project TTWL
                    Publish a short story collection, Esperanza (READY TO ROLL!)                    Write Project R

NEW GUEST POST ON SUBSTACK!

 I recently had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with Leo Vaughn of RESURRECTING THE REAL on Substack! "Writing Rich Takes in the Age of Hot Takes" is now available to view exclusively on Substack, and I hope you'll take the time to read it and subscribe to RESURRECTING THE REAL. You can check out a few snippets here, but they'll definitely make more sense if you take the time to read the article! Check it out here: https://leovaughn.substack.com/

RELEASE DAY IS HERE! THE KEEPER OF THE TOWER available now!

 THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for a fantastic release day! I'm so grateful for everyone's continued support through writing this series, and now The Keeper of the Tower is available. You can still take advantage of the $0.99 preorder price through today, so if you haven't grabbed a copy, you can still do that. It's also available in paperback format too! And as always, if you've read this book or any of the series, please leave reviews on Amazon! Those reviews are an author's bread and butter.

Check out The Keeper of the Tower on Amazon now: https://www.amazon.com/Keeper-Tower-Legends-Lanaria-Book-ebook/dp/B0DXFLM683/

And check out the full series here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRMBS1DS 

You know the story The Lady of Lanaria. How Evangeline was rescued and restored to her parents, taking her rightful throne and marrying Gabriel. But what happens next? What of the villains who escaped? As dark secrets unravel, bits of a prophecy is brought to light, and war breaks loose, follow characters both new and old as they sacrifice it all for what is good and pure and lovely.

A series on light overcoming darkness, forgiveness washing away sins of old, and selfless love conquering evil.

REVIEW: A MILLION LITTLE MIRACLES by Mark Batterson!

 Hey everyone! I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of A Million Little Miracles by Mark Batterson and I'm just now getting to review it! Check it out below. 

BLURB:

Think you’ve never experienced a miracle? The New York Times bestselling author of Win the Day reminds us of the millions of miracles God performs every day and inspires us to live with a clearer sense of identity and purpose.In our age of instant access to information, we are in danger of losing our grip on our most ancient emotion—childlike wonder. We need to cultivate a holy curiosity. For what? For everything! Too many of us are so wrapped up in our own worlds that we end up worshiping a god who looks like us, thinks like us, and votes like us. As a result of our impoverished view of God, most of us are only living at half capacity—we let anxiety keep us from purusing our dreams because we can't see that God is far bigger than our biggest problems and close enough to help.In response, Mark Batterson invites us to consider the miraculous work of God going on around us every day. He highlights three aspects of God that we take for granted. God Bigger than we our complex, interconnected universe speaks to God's vastness. Mark Batterson shows us how to dream bigger and live more confidently in light of God's immense power.Closer than we God is not only bigger than your biggest problems, he is close enough to help you face them. This book will help you take inventory of what's holding you back and a live with a greater awareness of God's empowering presence.Better than we can the millions of miracles all around us speak not only to God's power but also to his love which equips us to live out the dreams he has given us. A Million Little Miracles invites you reawaken your sense of wonder about God and His world.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

MY REVIEW: 

I really enjoy Batterson's books, so I was pumped to read this book. It takes a deep dive right into the business of how our very existence is miraculous, and goes on from there. Be prepared to be fascinated by the intricacies of life and how intentional the Lord's design is--always. At some points I did find the quotes and points Batterson made to be a little repetitious, but I felt it was from a point of excitement rather than wordiness. If you need a reminder that you're here for a reason--for GOOD reason--and that your very existence is nothing short of a miracle thanks to the Lord's sovereign hand, or that your life is held by the Creator of the whole entire universe, this is the book to pick up!
***I read an advanced copy, thoughts expressed are my own!***

THE KEEPER OF THE TOWER: THEMES

 Hey all! So it's officially release month for The Keeper of the Tower, book 5 in the Legends of Lanaria series and part one of the two-part finale. I'm in the middle of writing the last book right now, and it's one I absolutely can't wait to share. In a lot of ways, The Keeper of the Tower ratchets up the tension while also serving as a sort of "pause" -- but in those pauses, there's always something to be learned. 

Like...

*Sometimes the ones you think are friends are actually enemies. Sometimes we're blindsided by what those we trusted are capable of doing. The Lord reveals it in due time, but it's up to us to decide how we react. 

*In times of trial and struggle, it's not against flesh and blood that we war against, but rather, the spiritual war that's been waged since the beginning of time. It's easy to lose focus and attack those we can see, the tangible enemy, instead of focusing on defeating the true problem.

*Failure is only failure if we don't learn something from it. 

*Sometimes our worst enemy is ourselves--the critic that tells us to hold back and not do what God's calling us to do, whether we're not ready or we think we aren't ready, or whether we're afraid of what the impact will be on our lives. But the Lord only calls those He will equip and He will never leave nor forsake you. Ever. 

And I hope it's something you can see interwoven throughout The Keeper of the Tower--and something you can learn from. 

Preorders are still open: https://www.amazon.com/Keeper-Tower-Legends-Lanaria-Book-ebook/dp/B0DXFLM683/