Big Book News

Dear Readers and Friends,

As hard as it’s been to end the Sarah Booth series—and I do have my reasons—I am overjoyed to tell you of the great deal my publisher has cooked up for readers of the series. The titles below will be on sale this month only for $2.99. I’m very excited for readers who may be a little behind to download these books and catch up at such a steep discount! Yay! So dig in and get ready for the last book, coming out Oct. 27.

I also want to thank ALL of the readers who checked out the new book I’m writing with Daryl Marcus. So many wonderful and helpful comments. I thank you so much for taking the time to give it a chance, and I am going back through the front of it now, editing like a mad scientist, based on the helpful comments I got. You guys are just the best. And too smart for your own good! Thank you.

Between the writing and the animals, I am far too busy. This heat is killing me. Both of my horses are insulin resistant, but Flicker has Cushing’s Disease and she doesn’t sweat. This is insane. We had our fourth acupuncture treatment to try to help the sweating last week. She is on every medication available. But the weather calendar shows temps over 90 this week. This is not normal. Not even for here. We had a very dry summer, so hay is another issue. These last few days we’ve gotten some rain, so I hope the grass grows so there is plenty of hay for everyone. The changing weather patterns are bringing misery to so many people. Climate change is real, and I urge you to do whatever you can to help mitigate it. I hope policy changes happen soon—not for me, but for future generations. And let’s stop using so many chemicals and herbicides. Climbing down from my soapbox now.

I received a very special gift in the mail from Germany. The incredibly talented Franziska Franke who did the cover for our cookbook, sent me a painting on wood she did of a scene she imagined from CROSSED BONES. It is Jitty standing on a porch looking out over rows of cotton. It is incredible. AND she also sent a drawing of a clover—part of the terrific book she has published on drawings and information about plants in her own garden in Germany. The information about each plant—history, use, and so much that I didn’t know—is incredible The detail! The talent! Wow. All of this because of Sarah Booth and Zinnia. And the best news is that the book will soon be published in English.

There are many things that bring joy to a writer, but none like inspiring such talent in another artist. See for yourself.

And you can keep up with some of Franziska’s other work at her website and her Etsy shop.

It’s time to conclude my rantings and ravings and turn the newsletter over to Priya, whose life is also marching along nicely. I’m dying to know what she’ll write about today!

Take care, survive September (stay inside the cool and read!) and I’ll see you next month. Love from Carolyn and the critters!

I almost forgot our tune for the month. Let’s go way back to 78 records and one my mother had that I loved so much. We’d sing along with Perry together. Good memories, (Sorry about the ads) I’m ready for a butterfly ride! Click on: Perry Como: A Dreamer’s Holiday

P.S. Folks had better be nice to me today. My friend Hope gifted me my own personal keychain voodoo doll complete with needles. I am ready to do some damage.

~ ~ ~

At this very moment, I’ve been poring over photos of my brother’s European trip with his friends. Too many snapshots to share here, but I’ll share the most recent one. He just drank the freshest water in Sintra at the Quinta da Regaleira and he said the local legend is this water will add 10 years to your life. He said it tastes like the glacier water from the movie The Waterboy. Haha. 

So I recently experienced a very cool piece of tech. Have you heard of the Apple Vision Pro? My sister was RAVING about the demo that she booked for herself at the Apple Store last week, and she gave us an impassioned plea for us to try it out. We did – and we couldn’t have been more impressed with the technology. You put this headset on and it measures your eyes. If you wear prescription glasses, your technician will set you up quickly. And you know how you use a mouse to control the cursor on your computer? Well, on the Apple Vision Pro, your EYEBALLS are the mouse. Your gaze is the mouse. Wild concept. I know it sounds outlandish to tell you this, but I swam with the sharks, observed dinosaurs, was a passenger in a fast F1 racecar, walked on the moon, and I flitted around a Metallica concert onstage. That’s what it felt like anyways, when you put on this headset, because it felt so real. You can experience panoramic photos in a beautiful way too. There are so many more programs you can choose for your demo, and you can even use it for work, and I wish it could have lasted longer, but I savored those 30 minutes. It’s the kind of thing you have to experience to fully grasp the wonder of what I went through. If you have an Apple Store near you, do book yourself a free session. The device costs $3000 but… I can see why. It’s breathtaking, this new way to explore the world. I wanted to see a NY Yankees game, but it wasn’t added to the library yet. And I’m not a Metallica fan at all, but when that concert materialized, it was thrilling to be up close and personal with the bandmates as you float all around the stage and skim past the fans. 

Well, I didn’t purchase that incredible device but I did do some damage at my favorite shops – Barnes & Noble, Anthropologie, and Papersource. Then we got hungry and my brother highly recommended we stop at his favorite taco truck in the area. And I have to say, Dos Hermanos rocked our world! The service was impeccable, the food was fresh and the flavors were out of this world. And bonus, after you place an order, you are given a container to serve yourself a bounty of cold and spicy pickled carrots and jalapeños. I never thought I’d go gaga for pickled carrots, but those wizard chefs marinated slices of carrots in seasoned vinegar and it truly was mouth-watering. It was the perfect complement to the two fiery homemade hot sauces they gave me. Best tacos of my LIFE. There are two locations, but if you find yourself in Birmingham, AL, make sure you visit the one on West Valley Avenue. 

Confession: I have collected a few vinyl records over the past year, but I don’t own a record player. Jim had a working turntable at some point, but the belt drive got messed up. So I decided – what the heck, let me get one. I scanned Facebook Marketplace for a used record player and I’m so glad I did because I got a really good deal from a lovely young lady named Kaitlin who is getting out of the hobby. She also threw in some records and other freebies like a cleaning kit and outer and inner rice paper sleeves. I can’t wait to use it! Have you used Facebook Marketplace to sell or purchase random items? It’s a little scary, but it’s exciting at the same time. 

Jim and I also stopped in Auburn to spend time with my sister’s family. This was my first visit there and I must admit they rolled out the red carpet for us. They took us all around town showing us their favorite spots. If you find yourself in this town one day, may I recommend you check out Well Red bookstore? The ambiance is super cozy and the books are artfully displayed and the windows and plants make you want to snuggle up in one of their comfortable. Plus their coffee is smooth and fresh. In fact, they use ceramic vessels for their coffee and teas from Earthborn Pottery. Amazing company and artists. 

We also went antiquing and I bought a gorgeous wood-embossed print of a tree. I’ll send you a photo of it in the next newsletter if you want to see it, just let me know. I also picked up a fabulous loaf of sourdough at Stinson Breads.

The highlight of the trip was when Nola chose to stay by my side the whole night. This absolute firecracker pup has so much personality and the biggest heart. She is so protective and wanted to make sure I was okay in the guestroom. Nola was patient and didn’t mind when I tossed and turned. 

I miss them already! 

But I had to get back down South in time to check out the Vince Gill concert at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre. Vince and his crew were fabulous – I loved his performances along with the banter and jokes and stories he’d share with us between songs. The show went on for 3 hours and 15 minutes! We had to open up our parking app during a song so we could add another hour to park. 

It was an amazing week to be out and about, and of course my dear mom had containers of homemade food waiting for us after driving nearly four hours back home. Thankful and grateful to have her looking out for me and my husband.  

And now it’s time to enter the world of books again! I want you to tell at least one person about the massive discount that St. Martins Press has applied for 7 Sarah Booth books. $2.99 per e-book and the sale starts today! I feel not enough people know about this book series so I’m hoping it gets more exposure by word of mouth. The last book EVER will be coming out next month and it will be the end of an era. So now’s a good time to stock up with this $2.99 e-book sale. Just pick your favorite e-book store or holler at me and I’ll help you. You can e-mail me at Priya@carolynhaines.com and I’m happy to assist. 

These e-books are $2.99 at your favorite e-book store.

It’s hotter than a blister bug in a pepper patch, so I’m grabbing an iced water to cool off. Stay hydrated and enjoy reading this month!  –Priya