February 2025
February 1, 2025
Brrrr…
I have to be honest. I had to look at my last year's newsletter to see if I said the same thing, although we had it good last winter here in the upper midwest-Minnesota. This year, arctic blast. I think we've been in the frigid temperatures more often than not, but there isn't much snow. More than last year, though.
I worked like crazy on my next Gangster book, and I did come up against some blockers but I pushed through them. With this one, I sent it to my beta readers at the same time as my editor just yesterday! I really want to get this one out in the spring, and wouldn't you know that my editor squeezes me in again and it sounding like maybe an April release! I'll be releasing the title and the cover of the next book very soon!
What I'm Reading
With great anticipation, along with over 2 million others, I've waited until Rebecca Yarros' third book of her Empyrean Series to be released. I finally got 'Onyx Storm' in my hands last week! This series is probably my favorite I HAVE EVER READ. I don't know if this is the author or her editing team, but wowzers, this series has pulled me in like never before. I mean, don't get me wrong, ACOTAR did, too, but not nearly as much as this one did. Dragons, magic, politics, fighting, and steamy scenes, oh my. When an author takes you and puts you right into the story (like I hope and have been told that I do), THAT my dear readers is what the ultimate goal is. I want to pull you into my story and let you LIVE it with my characters. THAT is my success.
Upcoming Happenings
I'm still booking events for this year. All shows are in Minnesota, unless otherwise noted. Below are those that are upcoming. If you're still looking to grab my latest book, 'The Aristocrat's Wife', be sure to catch me at one of these shows for a signed copy! Make sure you're checking my events tab on my website for updates!
Events:
- Becker Chamber Business Expo & Craft Fair on Saturday, February 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Becker Field House (parking lot behind Becker high school) Currently 100 vendors will be in attendance! The Becker High School DECA students will offer concessions and the National Honor Society will provide games for kids.
- Tenative 2025 Maple Grove Spring Craft and Gift Show at the Maple Grove Community Center in Maple Grove on Saturday, March 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. * Explore nearly 60 vendor booths with a wide variety of handmade arts and crafts, jewelry, bath and body products, home decor, gourmet food/concessions, and more!
- 37th Annual Monticello Spring Craft Show at the Monticello Community Center on Saturday, March 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Hosting over 70 local crafters showcasing and selling their handmade items.
- Maple Lake Chamber of Commerce 2025 Spring Craft Sale at the Maple Lake Elementary Gymnasium in Maple Lake on Saturday, March 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Quad-Con at the St. Cloud Crossroads Center Mall on Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23, 2025. More info to come! I'll be booth-sharing with my good indie-author buddy, Drake.
* tentative
Make sure you're checking my events tab on my website for updates!
If You're Interested...
Check out my upcoming blogs this month. For those who are interest in writing a book or know someone who is interested, I'll be compiling a list of 20 helpful books for getting started in this industry (in my opinion, of course) and my 10 favorite romance novels of all time . . . You won't want to miss these!
Stay tuned, happy reading and for those of you in the thick of the midwest, stay warm!
Jodie Leigh Murray