Christmas Break

Hello, friends.

I apologize for the extended Christmas break. I caught an illness and have struggled to overcome it for the last couple of weeks. I'm now in recovery and better able to think clearly. I'll have regular posts for you again soon.

How were your Christmas and New Year holidays?

Tinsel Tidings {short story}

Before we get to the short story, I have a brief announcement to make. I have deleted my Facebook and Instagram accounts. They were fun while they lasted, but the new Terms and Conditions were much too intrusive for my taste.

My only social media accounts right now are Twitter and Goodreads. I would adore it if you'd follow me at one or both places, but the most important place at which to follow me is my blog, Writing to Inspire. There is a "follow by e-mail" option on the right-hand sidebar (on desktop), for your convenience.

I hope you'll have a delightful Christmas with your loved ones, and may the new year increase your joy a thousand fold.

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Buddy Reading the Bible

Recently, I began studying the book of Hebrews with a friend. It's a tough book for me at times, so I'm grateful to be going through it with somebody. Sharing thoughts about it, what jumps out to each of us, and the way certain verses relate to our lives is turning out to be enriching and encouraging. We're only a few chapters in, but we've both expressed hope that we'll understand the book better by the time we're finished studying Hebrews.

Have you ever buddy read a book of the Bible with a friend?

Which book of the Bible are you studying right now?

Busy Life

Hey, friends. It's been a packed week.

I have not forgotten about you, my lovelies, but between helping my parents cut down some old and dying trees and writing more in my road trip story and running errands and working and getting some stuff prepped for a January surprise (stay tuned)...

There has been hardly any time left to even think about my blog all week. In fact, I only thought about it yesterday after more work on the trees in the yard.

At that point, all I wanted was to sit down and sip some lemonade (which I did).

That being said, I'm going to try super hard this afternoon to get something sorted for you guys tomorrow. It will likely be short, so please don't get overly excited.

I hope you're having a blessed Sunday.

Happy Thanksgiving! {short story}

Friends, I hope you have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving.

While 2020 has been filled with real-life disasters of overwhelming nature, I think it's time we revisit one of my old short stories that features a fictional disaster filled with encouragement. Here's hoping that 2021 swoops in with joy and overwhelming happiness for us all!

Copyright 2018 Andrea Renee Cox. All rights reserved.

Thanksgiving Disaster

a short story

by Andrea Renee Cox

Smoke billowed from the open oven and filled the matchbox, galley-style kitchen. With a growl, Sarah swept a cookie sheet swiftly through the air around the raging fire alarm. She’d already turned off the appliance, but she couldn’t find her broom to nudge the battery out of the alarm. If she didn’t get it shut up soon—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

She jumped, dropping the cookie sheet with a clatter. Her poor attempt at a grand jeté didn’t produce anything close to the splits she’d seen the ballerina do in that ballet she’d seen last month, but it did get her over the pan and into the living room. When she flung open the door, she stumbled backward.

The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano {book review}

Hey, friends. I sincerely apologize for not having this up last week. It's been a very long time since I've completely missed a week on the blog. I'm right in the middle of a two-month personal writing camp, and last week found me writing nearly 19,000 new words. Due to the busyness of that, my tutoring job, and household chores, my blog completely escaped my mind except for a couple of times as I was falling asleep at 3:00 a.m. Yep, there have been some late nights involved in this writing journey lately.

So, now it's time for me to share about my #1 favorite book of this calendar year.

Firstly, I am obligated to tell you, thanks to the Federal Trade Commission, that I received a complimentary copy of the following book, and these are my honest thoughts.

Now that the official stuff is out of the way, let's dive in.

Y'all, The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano is outstanding. It drew me in, wrapped me in its mystery, and blew my mind... all at the same time. The cover, which I saw when it was revealed, I think, late last year, was my first glimpse of this story, and I knew right away I'd be in for an amazing story. I'm so glad the words beneath that cover art didn't let me down, because it's still my favorite cover of the year.

Before I get to my official review, here's what the book's about.

Audiobook Is Coming!

Friends, as promised, I have another reveal for you this week. This one comes courtesy of my writing friend Sarah Grace Grzy.

Earlier this year, I had the great privilege of reading Sarah Grace's Never Say Goodbye. It's a charming story about a single dad who loves his little girl... and the bookstore owner trying to find where she belongs.

I hope you'll give this little book a chance. Especially once it comes to...

AUDIO!

That's right, y'all. This will be Sarah Grace's first audiobook. Hopefully the first of many. All the details are down below.

Congratulations, Sarah Grace!