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23 04, 2026

Guest Author – Katy Eeten

By |2026-04-18T08:34:50-05:00April 23rd, 2026|Guest author, Guest blogger, writer, Writer's Corner|0 Comments

A new writer friend, Katy Eeten, joins me today. She’s here to tell us about her newest release, A Stalker to Die For.

If you’re a romantic suspense reader like me, I think you’ll love this one.

Meet Katy~~

As a child, Katy filled notebooks and binders with poems and short stories. As an adult, she turned that love for the written word into Christian fiction. Between contemporary Christian romance novels, Christmas novellas, and now her very first Christian romantic suspense, she loves the feeling of creating characters, scenes, and plots her readers will enjoy.

She works full-time in the corporate world, but she tries to find time for her passions. Those include writing, reading, taking walks, playing board games, baking goodies, and spending time with her family. She lives in southeast Wisconsin with her husband and their two teenage sons.

Why I Wrote This Story

I think it’s safe to say that the primary objective of any fictional story is to entertain. But beyond that, certain genres lend themselves to additional motives. A Stalker to Die For is a Christian romantic suspense. That means my goal was to encourage my readers while also providing “all the feels” – a slow-burn romance amidst the threat of real danger culminating in a satisfying conclusion.

Despite having a suspenseful storyline, I aimed for the tender moments between Ashley and Jackson to take a front seat to the action. Fictional stories have a wonderful way of helping us escape reality, but it’s also nice when a book can encourage us in our own struggles. Seeing Ashley walk a scary road and openly share her fears with her friends (and her painter, lol) amidst her trials reminds us that we are not alone. Despite our circumstances, God will provide what we need to weather any storm.

That doesn’t mean things will always turn out the way we want them to. As an example from my own life, I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. The news came out of the blue and was not something I expected to hear. But the way my friends and family stepped up and supported me was like nothing I’ve ever seen. Our freezer was full of meals, my mailbox was full of cards, and people who had walked this road before me were reaching out to offer sincere words of encouragement.

You may not find yourself in a situation like Ashley’s or my own, but whatever road you’re walking, I encourage you to reach out to the loved ones in your life and allow them to support you—or be a source of strength for someone else who is walking a difficult road. After all, we were meant to live in community. I hope Ashley’s story shows that vulnerability can be scary, but the rewards of that resulting connection are well worth the risk.

Ashley Morris thought the worst part of online dating was awkward small talk. She was wrong.

After one disastrous date, a man named Nick won’t take no for an answer. His calls and texts escalate into threats, break-ins, and a terror that shadows her every move. Desperate for safety, Ashley hires Jackson Russo— a talented painter with a kind heart and a protective streak— to renovate her home. But as their friendship deepens into something more, Nick’s obsession turns deadly.

Caught between a stalker’s rage and a love she never expected, Ashley must trust God’s protection and her own instincts to survive. With Jackson by her side, she’ll fight for her life— and for a future worth living.

A faith-filled romantic suspense with a slow-burn, closed-door romance and a guaranteed happily ever after. Perfect for fans of Lynette Eason, Dani Pettrey, and Dee Henderson.

~EXCERPT

She shivered as a cool breeze blew over them. “We can still make the most of it. You said you’ve got music. And we have hot chocolate, good conversation, and a beautiful canvas to admire above us.”

Jackson nodded, leaned forward and grabbed a second blanket, spreading it over her outstretched legs. “In case you’re cold.”

She could think of a more appealing way to stay warm, but she’d take the blanket and enjoy this gorgeous evening anyway. When he reclaimed his seat next to her, his shoulder touched hers. She glanced over at him, and they exchanged closed-mouth smiles before she leaned her head on his shoulder. A second later, he leaned his head on top of hers. She almost melted in the bliss of the moment.

This felt so right. And as much as she wanted to raise her head and kiss this incredible man, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to stop. Considering this was about as peaceful and cherished and loved as she’d ever felt—could ever hope to feel—she didn’t want to risk ruining it by muddying the innocence with a kiss. Though she certainly wouldn’t turn him away if he was offering up kisses. But she’d be patient. And grateful.

He lifted his head a few moments later, causing her to do the same as she flashed him an inquisitive look. He extended his arm behind her shoulders and pulled her close. “I just thought this might be more comfortable.”

As she leaned into his sturdy chest and closed her eyes, her dreamy sigh was audible. How had she gotten so blessed? God, thank You. As he stroked her upper arm, her cheeks radiated heat. Oh, how she wished time would stand still. Being with Jackson was the highlight of her weekend.

“Sorry again that the drawing idea didn’t work out. Here I thought this would be the most romantic night ever.” He let out a nervous chuckle.

Ashley’s eyes shot open at the absurdity of his words. Did he not consider their present situation romantic? “What do you mean?” She raised her head and turned to face him, their faces mere inches from each other. “This is the most romantic—”

A single loud popping sound pierced the air.

Ashley jumped. “What was that?”

Jackson sat up straight. “I’m not sure, but it sounded like a gunshot.”

A car’s engine revved.

Ashley stiffened. “Please tell me that’s your friend’s car.”

“My friend’s not here. He’s on vacation with his wife and kids.”

A familiar sinking feeling made its way to her gut. Had Nick followed them here? Was he watching them? It seemed mighty coincidental that he chose to cause a disturbance just as they were getting…well…closer. But where was he? And how could they prove it?

“Come on.” Jackson turned off the lanterns and reached for her hand. “Let’s see what we can find.”

Buy Links:

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Stalker-Die-Katy-Eeten-ebook/dp/B0GS7ND8LC/

KOBO:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-stalker-to-die-for

BARNES AND NOBLE:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-stalker-to-die-for-katy-eeten/1149674389?ean=9781522305477

PELICAN BOOK GROUP: https://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_46&products_id=1732

~Connect with Katy:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatyEeten/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KatyEeten/

X: https://x.com/KatyEeten

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-eeten-71041844/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Katy-Eeten/e/B0796L1CVK

Website: http://www.katyeeten.wordpress.com

~~~~~~~~

I’m adding A Stalker to Die For to my TBR pile. How about you?

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20 03, 2026

How to Build a Home Office That Impresses Clients — In Person and Online

By |2026-03-16T16:20:32-05:00March 20th, 2026|Guest blogger|0 Comments

A Guest Blog by Jenna Sherman

For new entrepreneurs, your home office isn’t just where you work. It’s the front door to your business. Whether you’re welcoming a client in person or pitching over Zoom, your setup matters more than you think. A sharp, functional space builds trust—and trust builds business.

Start with Functional Furniture

Skip flashy desks and uncomfortable chairs. Your furniture should support long workdays and client conversations. Choose an ergonomic chair and a sturdy desk you can rely on. If you’ll have visitors, include a proper second seat—no folding chairs or kitchen stools. Every piece should look intentional, not like a leftover.

Make the Space Feel Inviting

Even a small room or corner can feel polished with a few smart layout choices. Keep the path clear from the door to the seat. Add a rug to define the meeting area. A clean wall with neutral art behind you can double as a video background. Clients—whether in person or virtual—should feel like the space was designed with them in mind.

Prepare for Seamless Virtual Meetings

Poor lighting or fuzzy audio can derail a promising pitch. Keep your webcam at eye level, use a soft light source in front of your face, and test your mic for clarity. Background noise? Mute it. And don’t forget the little things: stable Wi-Fi, working headphones, and a clean browser tab setup. Looking and sounding ready gives you a clear edge.

Don’t Forget to Protect Your Setup

This space powers your business. If your HVAC, electrical system, or appliances fail, work stops. That’s why home warranties are worth considering. They’re customizable annual service plans that cover repair or replacement of major home systems and appliances, with optional add-ons to help manage unexpected repair costs due to normal wear and tear. A protected home is a protected business.

Keep It Clean and Organized

Clutter distracts. Period. Use shelves, cabinets, and cord organizers to create visual calm. Don’t leave piles of paper or old coffee mugs in view. A tidy workspace isn’t just for you—it signals professionalism to anyone who enters your physical or virtual office. If a client can’t focus, neither can you.

Check Your Background and Lighting

Your background on camera is part of your brand. Aim for neutral colors, simple decor, and no distractions. A bright window behind you can throw off your lighting—so face it instead. Add a lamp if needed. You want to look crisp, not shadowy. Clean visuals help clients focus on your message.

A professional home office isn’t about having the biggest space or fanciest gear. It’s about clarity, care, and consistency. Every detail—your lighting, your layout, your tech—adds to the story clients tell themselves about working with you. So build a space that earns their trust before you say a word.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Jenna Sherman is a mom of three (two girls and a boy). She created Parent-Leaders.com to help other parents acquire the skills they need to raise future leaders by providing a collection of valuable, up-to-date, authoritative resources.

Take a minute to visit Jenna Sherman’s blog for helpful tips.

New Year Reset Guide for Tired (But Serious) Writers

Keeping Kids Active and Engaged While You Work Through the Holidays

6 Tips for Balancing a New Baby and New Business

Freelancing for College Students

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16 03, 2026

The Ides of March Just Another Day?

By |2026-03-15T07:29:15-05:00March 16th, 2026|Make Me Think Monday|2 Comments

Thanks to my English class on William Shakespeare, the phrase The Ides of March conjures prophecies of doom and a need for caution.

Even if you’ve never read Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, you’re probably familiar with the phrase.

But the Ides of March didn’t originally mean anything sinister. The word Ides comes from the old Latin verb iduare, which means “to divide.” March 15 was a normal day in the Roman calendar, meaning halfway through the month, and coincided with the rise of the full moon.

Every month had an Ides. In March, May, July, and October, the ides fell on the 15th. In the other months, Ides came on the 13th, which would make it double trouble for those who suffer from paraskavedekatriaphobia, a fear of Friday the 13th.

During Roman times, the Ides of March was the deadline for settling debts. So perhaps, some Romans considered the date ominous even before Shakespeare dramatized the 44 B.C. assassination of Julius Caesar.

But it was the soothsayer’s warnings to Julius Caesar in Shakespeare’s play that forever linked the date with bad luck.

Before March 15, Caesar ruled Rome as a temporary dictator. He very much wished to make the position permanent. His quest for power triggered a conspiracy to have him assassinated, and he was stabbed 23 times on the stairs of the Senate House.

Perhaps Caesar should have listened to the soothsayer, who, it turns out, was a real historical figure named Spurinna. According to Roman historians, Spurinna was a haruspex or religious figure who was able to divine the future by examining the dissected innards of sacrificial animals. He’d seen signs in February and warned Caesar, but Caesar chose to ignore him.

Julius Caesar’s murder is not the only bad thing to happen on the Ides of March or March 15. Check out these:

  1.  Smithsonian’s list of historical events that occurred on March 15.
  2. The UK’s Independent suggests these five events as the worst things that have happened on March 15

Dreadful things can and do happen on March 15.

So can good things. This blog lists some of the good things:  The Ides of March: Significant Events That Shaped Our World

I can tell you if I receive any warnings about the Ides of March, I’m going to side with caution. I don’t want a day like the one Julius Caesar had.

Are you extra cautious on Ides of March or is it just another day?

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3 03, 2026

The Season of Lent

By |2026-03-03T18:45:33-06:00March 3rd, 2026|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday, Uncategorized|0 Comments

The 2026 Lenten season began on February 17th, with pancakes served on Mardi Gras (also called Fat Tuesday), signaling the last day of consuming rich, fatty foods and red meat before Lent officially began on Ash Wednesday.

Lent is a subject of confusion for some and a cherished tradition for others. Merriam-Webster tells us Lent is “40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter, observed by penitence and fasting and considered a means of preparation for Easter.”

If the season of Lent is not part of your experience, a closer look at what it is and what happens may help.

There is no biblical mandate for Lent. However, the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE formalized the period of preparation for Easter to echo the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan before beginning his public ministry, as found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Ash Wednesday was originally a time of penance for sinners who were excluded from Holy Communion and seeking restoration. They wore sackcloth and ashes as a sign of public penitence. Today, the custom is to receive ashes in the form of a cross on the forehead or sprinkled over the head.

Fasting, also practiced during Lent, is a biblical practice. Traditionally, Lent fasting involves limiting meals and abstaining from certain foods.

For most denominations that observe Lent, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are formal fasting days, while the Fridays during Lent are meatless days. In earlier times, Lent fasting meant one main meal a day and strict observance of limited eggs or dairy.

Today, many people practice “giving up” something for Lent, like chocolate or social media, as a reminder of the season.

The last week of Lent is Holy Week. It begins with Palm Sunday and follows the New Testament narrative of Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday and the joyful celebration of His Resurrection three days later, Easter Sunday.

Some denominations acknowledge Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

  • The Maundy Thursday services recognize The Last Supper, where Jesus ate with his disciples before his trial and crucifixion.
  • On Good Friday, some celebrate by not eating all day. Others by a partial fast. Many churches hold special church services.

The season of Lent ends with Easter Vigil at sundown on Holy Saturday with prayers through the night. Other churches hold sunrise services on Easter Sunday morning, which include open-air celebrations in some places.

During Lent, crucifixes, religious statues that show the triumphant Christ, and other elaborate religious symbols are veiled. The custom of veiling is typically practiced from Passion Sunday until Good Friday.

Overall, Lent is a time for self-reflection, emphasizing the three pillars of Lent:

prayer

fasting

giving

Lent doesn’t fall on the same dates each year because,  like Easter Sunday, it is tied to the calendar and the Moon rather than a fixed day. Easter itself is determined by the lunar cycle, following the Paschal Full Moon in spring.

The English word Lent is a shortened form of the Old English word lencten, meaning “spring season,” and the first day of Spring does fall during Lent this year. So if you don’t follow the Lent tradition, you can always celebrate the end of winter.

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18 02, 2026

Presidential Wisdom – Teddy Roosevelt

By |2026-02-15T15:49:41-06:00February 18th, 2026|#wordlesswednesday, Wednesday Quote, Weekly Quote|1 Comment

In honor of Presidents’ Day, today’s Words of Wisdom are from Theodore Roosevelt. He’s the one between Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.

Mount Rushmore is the “Shrine of Democracy,” an iconic symbol of the United States carved into the southeastern face of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest.

Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created the design and oversaw the project’s execution from 1927 to 1941 with the help of his son, Lincoln Borglum.

Borglum and four hundred workers used dynamite and pneumatic hammers to blast through the rock quickly, along with the traditional tools of drills and chisels, as the heads of the four presidents took shape in the face of Mount Rushmore. Arduous and dangerous work, it is amazing that no lives were lost during the construction.

If you ever see it in person, you will stand in awe as I did.

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