All Categories - AUTHOR MICHELLE LIBBY SASSY, ROMANTIC ADVENTURES

It's Christmas Already?

1/2/2023

November has arrived and we were joking that this month is more about Christmas than Thanksgiving. Sure, we are thankful for all we have, but we also look forward to the most wonderful time of the year. The lights, the goodwill, the generosity, it comes out this season. I want to soak up as much of that as possible.
We recently stayed at a campground in Asheville, NC that had cable. Which meant that I had access to the Hallmark Channel. I watched at least 6 Christmas movies, and parts of others. I was in my element.
I know there are a lot of jokes about Hallmark movies. My husband likes to play Hallmark BINGO.
I love that there's a happily ever after. That is the key to a romance novel and the novels that I write. There has to be a satisfying ending for my heroes and heroines.
We are spending this month in South Carolina near where we are building a house. Building is a terribly slow process and I feel like it's one step forward and three back. The PODS full our stuff was delivered to the house today. We have a month to unload them. Let's hope the house is done so we can.
Last night, I started and almost finished Debbie Macomber's new Christmas book, "The Christmas Spirit". It's the first Christmas book of the season for me and I love how Debbie weaves a story.

Fall for South Carolina

11/1/2022

We have arrived in South Carolina after a trip to Alaska, a cross country trip to Maine and then back to see the progress on the house we are building in South Carolina. Thousands of miles added to the RV. We are trying to stay around the family, but we are both anxious to get on the road and see new things. I'm almost excited to go to Charleston to a wedding and see Fort Sumpter, where the Civil War began.

I've been publishing some new books and reading a ton of great novels. I just finished a book about a man who hiked all 14 of the 8,000-meter peaks. It was impressive and easy to read. I also realized that I have no desire to hike that high.

Two more children's books have hit the Amazon bookstore and I'm waiting for approval for a Vision board Clip Art book surrounding travel. Many of the pictures I took myself.
I have not forgotten the pirates and my critique partners just finished the second book and loved it, they said.

So many projects, so little time.

If you're looking for a book to read, consider one of mine, found on Amazon.
Happy Fall, Y'all.

Summer Adventures

10/15/2022

Swimming in the Missouri River.

            We are driving across the country on a mad dash to get to Seattle for our cruise to Alaska. We have stopped at numerous National Parks and Monuments. We stopped at Little Bighorn Battlefield and The Corn Palace. With one day left to get to our destination, I’m antsy and worried that I’ll forget something.
            I have heard that the Alaska cruises are more relaxed than the Caribbean cruises, so I’m hoping to get some writing done and possible unwind for a bit since we won’t have internet on the ship. My husband plays “Forge of Empires” and we joke that his villagers are going to die when he can’t check in on them regularly.
            Driving out west has been fascinating. The rock formations, the wide open plains, the prairie dogs…it has all been so different and exciting. We saw buffalo outside Wind Cave and took lots of pictures. People are so silly when it comes to getting near these creatures. I want to shout, “Don’t you read the news!” A woman was gored and thrown 15 feet by a buffalo just a week ago. Yet, there they were driving up to them to get a picture. The daddy bringing up the rear was almost bigger than their car. I wouldn’t mess with him and didn’t, but we got a great picture.
            I’m working on publishing two books. I’m not sure I’ll get it done before the cruise, but definitely when I return. After having everything I need at my fingertips for over a year, it’s weird to pack up things we might need over the next 8 days. What if we forget something we needed? It’s not going to be right there.
            I hope you’re getting ready for back to school. Maybe you’ve picked out a new book to read once you have some more time to yourself. Thanks for considering one of mine.
It's never too early for Christmas. If you want to read my free Christmas story, click here
To warm days and fun times,
Michelle

Distracted by the magic

8/9/2022

Black Spire Outpost at Hollywood Studios.

Hey friends!
That's what they say at Disney. "Hello, friends." "Welcome friends," "This way friends," "Stay behind the yellow line or the door will bash you in the head, friends."
You get the idea. I've spent the last three weeks at Disney World parks. Some people say the magic is gone and for some things I can see this point of view.
Sometimes it feels like a money grab. Either times, when you see a character go by or a princess come to life, there's still magic to be found.
I'm hanging out at Black Spire Outpost in Hollywood Studios with fighter planes flying over head. Chewy and Rae have stopped by - It's magical, if you stop to take in the scene. It's hard to find magic when you're standing in a line for an hour and 20 minutes and your feet hurt.
Waiting is so hard - like waiting for your favorite book to drop.
Not saying that I'm your favorite author, but I'm still working on my books that need to be edited - there's so much magic to be had. No excuses, however.
Ask me about Disney and I can tell you the answer, most likely.
I'm looking foward to getting back to a writing schedule.
Summer is a great season - enjoy the weather, find some water and relax.

Once a writer, always a writer

6/24/2022

Summer is coming...
I've never written a story where someone dies on screen, but this week my mystery writer persona or my ax murderer persona came out during a weeklong visit to Gettysbury, PA.
the battle was over 150 years ago but there are still dead bodies buried on the battlefield.
When we were at one location - the general leading us around said that this was where they were not able to find all of the bodies of soldiers.
In 1996, a strong rain released a body that had not been reburied in a cemetery, which started me thinking....hmmmm.....
If I was going to murder someone - why not dispose of the body here with a few Civil War buttons? They would think it was another soldier being found.
It might seem awful to think someone would do that in a sacred place, but what if...
This was the first time something like that popped into my head. It surprised
and delighted me.
I've spent a lot of time in the past this week. Things like social norms, how war was conducted and the way people thought in 1863 were unlike anything today. War was so civilized. Most of the generals went to school today, ate meals together and some were even related. I can't imagine waking up one day to realize you have to fight and possibly kill your friend. So, civilized.
Being at the Gettysburg Battlefield has given me ideas for future projects.
So, if you're excited for summer, check out my short story "Summer Camp" on Amazon for $.99. It will take you back to your summer camp days.

Favorite books...how dedicated are you?

5/21/2022

There are so many good books out there. How do you know which book to read? I have found that there are some types of heroes or situations that I really enjoy.
What do you look for in your romances? Are you one who likes to escape? Or do you like to read something that could actually happen?
I'm a take me away girl - although now that I'm on the road and have seen more and done more, like hike a volcano, take me away is getting further a field.
Subject change...have you been watching Bridgeraton? It's outside of my genre, but I've binged season 1 and love it. Season 2 wasn't as good in my opinion. The costumes were great. The croquet game was delightful, but the character interactions when it came to the main characters left me cold.
I did enjoy the younger sister, once she was empowered. "Was I this blind the whole time?" LOL.
We are still on the road traveling back east across Route 66. My plan for the next few months is to edit the many manuscripts I have on my computer. It's not the fun part of writing, but people say it's when the book is written.
As far as my low content books are concerned, I'm excited about my new blank comic book and blank comic book for RVers - What's better than traveling the country and creating your own comic book based on your adventures - nothing...that's what.
Happy Spring, friends. Follow my travels on Facebook at Amuck in America.
If you know of special places in America we should visit, write to me at
authormichellelibby@gmail.com, or visit me on FB at Author Michelle Libby.

A new state...finally

4/10/2022

The travels continue with Amuck in America. Writing continues on the road. I'm working on the third book in my middle grade trilogy between working on journal entries about our travels and videos about where we've been. At some point you'll be ready to see them, or I'll be ready for you to see them.
Traveling has been so exciting recently. We've hit a bunch of National Parks, some with decent WIFI and others with zero. That's been extremely hard for an extroverted, Zoom addict who needs to be with her writer peeps.
Please check out my books on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. There are probably some there that you haven't read. I'm working on some new fiction projects as well as some non-fiction books. I'm also working on an Etsy store and some fun books that will help you create your own books. I'll let you know as soon as those books are released.
You can find out more about all of my releases on Facebook/HappyTrailsPublishing.
See you there.
If you know of places we shouldn't miss while traveling America, write to me at
authormichellelibby@gmail.com, or visit me on FB at Author Michelle Libby.

Deep in the heart of texas

3/13/2022

Texas is a huge state. We've had quite a month traveling around. I've been busy publishing and writing. We spent a day at Camping World having the RV looked at and diagnosed. Now we are waiting for parts until February 25th.
The good thing about hanging out for two weeks at one campground, is that we've met some cool people. We met Melissa of Simple RV Cooking with Melissa and her husband Donnie, who was on the PBR tour back in the day. I was so psyched, as I had been to a show and loved it.
We also met Brandon and Jayne of RV Traveling with 6. They have a huge RV and a fun family. Check out those two channels for some fun.
In case I didn't mention it, Flashbangs and Nightsticks is now out in paperback and on Kindle! Whoo! Hoo! I'd love you to pick up a copy here, read it and leave a review on Amazon. That would really help me as an author.
I also release a Battleship game book, where you can play Battleship on paper. It's really great for when you're in a blackout, snowstorm, or road trip, and it teaches a lot of great skills for kids. You can check it out here.
I rejoined a writer's group from NJ. We are doing a Write Away 30K in February. Writing 30,000 words during the month of February. I'm going to reach that goal with only a few days left in the month. Once that goal is met, I will have to start editing some of the many projects I have ready for that stage. Are you guys waiting for more books?
I also have four non-fiction books that I'm getting ready to publish, too. To say that I've been busy is an understatement. Well back to work writing more words for the 30K.
I'm still working on the podcast called "Amuck in America" about our journey. I hope you'll join me as soon as it's released. If you know of places we shouldn't miss while traveling America, write to me at
authormichellelibby@gmail.com, or visit me on FB at Author Michelle Libby.

It's not too late for Christmas. If you want to read my free Christmas story, click here.
Happy reading and all the best,
Michelle

Hello 2022, or is that 2020, too?

2/20/2022

Dear 2022,
Come on...really? We started out so great. We went to New Orleans for New Year's Eve and got to see the Sugar Bowl Parade and catch beads, cups, coffee packets and it was awesome, until a few days later, when it all came crashing down in the form of a positive Covid test. Then, I got all the symptoms, too. We are finishing quarantining in the RV, the second week in January. At least that's over with.

I did manage to get a lot of work completed...

Hot undercover police officer and a hot undercover DEA agent with a cute dimple, meet up while trying to solve the same case in Port City, Maine.
It's steamy, naughty and ha a villain so evil you can't help but love him.
Flashbangs and Nightsticks is being re-released in March. Same name, new cover, with tweaks and changes to make the story better.

If you missed the book the first time, don't miss it this time.

With the publication of a new camping log, a new cover for my Acadia National Park coloring book and a just released Pirate Journal for emergent writers, I'm excited about what's to come in 2022. The original RV motorhome Logbook now has been reformatted to a 6x9 size for easy storage in a glove compartment.

We're spending most of January in Texas, but will miss seeing our friends because of Covid. I'm not sure if I'm most excited about checking out Galveston, South Padre Island or Waco. They are all such different places. If you have a favorite haunt in Texas, let me know, we'll add it to the list.

Jolly...holly holiday

1/8/2022

Hey readers,

It’s the middle of December and it’s cold in Maine and South Carolina (in the upstate), but in Florida and the other southern states it’s beautifully warm. We’ve been traveling and hitting a range of temperatures. Although we missed the snow and freezing rain in Maine, we got to spend a little time with friends and with my husband’s mother.

I crocheted my best friend a sweater and hat that matched. It was such a thrill to give it to her and to see that it fit. That was my biggest fear…that it wouldn’t fit. Hopefully, she’ll wear it out in Maine with all the cold weather.

We have loved seeing the Christmas lights. Westbrook, Maine did an amazing job lighting up their downtown. Kudos! Living in the RV, we don’t see a lot of lights, but we have seen some people who stay stationary, that have lighted up their sites. Others have the blow up Santas or other inflatables. At least showing a bit of spirit.

As far as writing and working on new projects, I’ve been busy putting out a new Planner and a new Children's bookren’s book.

I have a new cover for Flashbangs and Nightsticks that I can’t wait to share…I’ll share it below because if you’ve managed to find your way here, you deserve to see it and give some feedback.

Just recently, I contributed to a book on Gratitude that was created by Donna Kozik, who I’ve come to know and enjoy as a teacher and mentor. She’s very motivating. I have four entries in the book. Here’s the link for that on Amazon. The Community Book Project: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude: 2022 Edition: Kozik, Donna: 9798782544614: Amazon.com: Books

I will also have a page coming soon with a free Christmas story…I know Christmas is like any second, but these things take time and time flies faster than the planes I’ve been on recently. I have a cover for that story, too. I’ll drop a link as soon as I have it. I’ll have to sign up for my mailing list when you receive the story.

I want to finally take time to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. No matter who you celebrate with or what you celebrate, make it an amazing celebration of the year past and the year to come.

Soon I will be starting a podcast called "Amuck in America" about our journey. I hope you'll join me. If you know of places we shouldn't miss while traveling America,