Ah the joys of anonymous reader mail!

Let’s Talk About Lambs My Favorite Year End Task

Ah the joys of anonymous reader mail!

I have three things to share today and I promise they’re connected—though it may not seem so at the outset.

FIRST, a video.

In 2016, one of my publishers asked me to make a quick 1-minute video containing my best and worst review to date that would then be shown to the sales team during their conference. This video is the result. I’ve never shared it publicly, but am sharing it now for fun—and also for a timely reminder as we enter the New Year.

Ah the joys of anonymous reader mail! LOL

Seriously though, this letter has provided such enjoyment through the years. How you might ask?

Well, first, my publisher said the video got the biggest laugh at the conference. And since laughter ranks high on my list that was huge!

Secondly, I worked the phrase “something is (was) terribly wrong” into my next two or three books just for kicks! So if you ever notice that phrase in one of my books, you’ll know the inside story. : )

Thirdly, a writers group I’m in has an annual tradition of sharing our worst reviews with each other. It’s a way to laugh and remember not to take them too seriously. Well, I won that particular year with this anonymous review letter. LOL Long story short, we named our worst review contest the Something Is Terribly Wrong Award and ordered an engraved medallion that we bequeath to the subsequent winner each year. What fun!

Here I am bequeathing the award to the lovely and ever-so-sweet Kim Vogel Sawyer the next year. If I remember correctly, she won with a reader letter that likened her books to “Satan’s tools.” (Well, alrighty then!) : }

All that to say…

When 2022 brings bumps and bruises your way—and it’s certain to because bumps and bruises are simply part of this earthly journey—remember to keep things in perspective. Especially when it involves someone else’s opinion. I mean, we all have them, right? Do I wish everyone liked every book? Sure. But that’s not simply not reality.

So the next time something happens that could make it a really downer day or be a discouragement to you, try to see the lighter side of the situation. And have fun with it!

SECOND, an ebook.

Remember the best review reader letter I read from in the video? It was for my book, A Lasting Impression, the first novel in the Belmont Mansion series.

A Lasting Impression is a Kindle Monthly Deal for January. Yep, all month!

** KINDLE MONTHLY DEAL **BUY A Lasting Impression $1.99 eBook

Incidentally, some years back when my daughter Kelsey and I were in the Netherlands promoting A Lasting Impression when it released there, readers were certain that was Kelsey on the cover. Granted, there IS a strong resemblance. : ) While we explained that it wasn’t her, they still wanted her picture with the book and her autograph too. And of course, if you know Kels, you know she played along! It was such a fun trip!

THIRD and lastly, a giveaway.

Two weeks ago in my post, I mentioned a sale on tear jars on a friend’s ministry site. As I shared then, in the biblical world, Jewish women used tear jars to store their tears in times of grief and lament. I love it that the Creator of the Universe chose a commonly known practice to communicate the depth of his love and compassion for us (Psalm 56:8). Especially when life brings bumps and bruises that can oftentimes hurt and discourage us.

Several of you wrote me saying that you tried to buy one. But that by the time you checked, they were all gone. Well guess what? I nabbed one and am giving it away on my website this month!

So if you’re interested in winning the tear jar, sign up today. Or if you know someone who could use this encouragement, sign up “for them” and then gift it when you win!

So, a video, an eBook, and a giveaway. All connected. Just like I’m SO grateful we are!

THANK YOU for being part of the Inspired by Life & Fiction Community, and blessings in this New Year!

From Nashville with love,

Tammy

I hope you had a great Christmas and New Years.

Were you able to get with family and friends? I hope so.

Here are some glimpses from ours..