Bitter Confessions Update

Hi guys!

My rewrites on Bitter Confessions have been put on hold due to an emergency move back to the mainland. Throughout the holidays, I mentioned an ongoing family issue and it's resulted in me having to move back to the West Coast. I'm actually taking my mom with me so she can recover from what's been going on. 

I've been coordinating with my siblings and friends--a whole network of people who have opened their doors since Oregon (my intended destination) is experiencing icy weather conditions. I was hoping I could delay this move until I published Bitter Confessions (and avoid winter), but the situation is too unstable and I have to move swiftly. This experience has been emotionally and physically draining, but the support of friends and family has me actually  looking forward to what's waiting for us on the other side. 

I move in a week so am giving you all a head's up that I will be offline packing, flying, driving, and then trying to get my bearings as I settle... wherever. Originally, I was going to Oregon, but as they're having power outages at the moment, I may go to Washington. That's fine, too. I'm flexible and just going with the flow.

I was aiming for a mid to late March release with Bitter Confessions, but I'm going to have to push that date to... I'm not sure yet. I know once we're in a safe place, I'll be able to focus and get back on the ball! This has also screwed things up with my editor, but she's going to work with me to fit me in between other projects. 

I have tons of material, so I've scheduled snippets from books 3, 4 & Roth's book, so those will post while I move and finish up rewrites on Bitter Confessions. I'm so sorry about the delay! I thought I was finally getting myself together and being productive and efficient. I created a schedule for once and was going to keep to it no matter what and then... Life. Fickle, heartbreaking, mysterious life interfered and I'm surrendering to it for the moment. 

I don't know if this is "woo-woo" but when I get stopped this hard in my tracks, I always wonder what the lesson is. Like, what I'm supposed to be learning from this experience? I never chalk  anything up to a fail. I always reflect. This experience will definitely color my work when I go back to rewrites. I'm hoping it will enhance scenes or help me understand subtle undertones in theme or characters better. I couldn't write Carmen's book (in my Crime Lord Series) until I went through a devastating loss. That's what this is in a way, but there's also a lot of hope. 

The fact that my mom is coming with me is a HUGE deal. She hasn't ventured beyond the islands for 15 years due to a health condition. The only way she would leave was for me to come back to Hawaii, so I'm okay with my short stint here if it means she's coming back with me. This experience has taught me how vital relationships are. I also realize it's okay to ask for help. That's something my mom is learning. To be honest and let people in. It's been an excruciating, revealing, rewarding couple of weeks for me. And we're almost at the finish line. 

Because my poor doggies are flying in cargo, we have to fly into the warmest airport which is Los Angeles. We'll be staying with some extended family in California to get our bearings and assess the weather before driving 800-1100 miles up to Oregon or Washington. My mom is also bringing her Pomeranian, so it'll be two gals (or Mama Bear and Little Bear as my mom said) and three doggos on the road. Because I'm a gypsy at heart and a little nuts, I actually like adventures like this, though I wish I didn't have Bitter Confessions weighing so heavily on my mind. But, I know sometimes life takes precedence and this is definitely one of those times.  I'll get back to rewrites as soon as I can!

I wanted to give you guys a head's up since I'll be absent (I know I usually am, but I will be even more so during all this) and will post an update once we're settled somewhere! I love you all!