Happy May and Cookies

It’s May, and this month I’m focused on gratitude. Back in February, I found a book called Today I am Grateful For—and bought it. I’ve written in it every day. The book asks my mood, what the moon phases are (I’ll admit, I never know), what I’m manifesting, and what I’m grateful for. Filling it in is usually one of the last things I do at night.

This week has been one of highs and lows. My beloved agent told me she was leaving agenting because of health reasons. My heart breaks to lose her, and I’m hoping she gets better quickly. Trust me, I was freaking out. However, the universe gave me some boosts to let me know everything was going to be okay. First, I reached out to an author friend who talked me down and said, “Let me introduce you to my agent.” Well, her agent is one I’d tried to sign with years ago. She’s a dream agent, and I signed with her two days after the news.

Also on Monday, I received a handwritten note from Jodi Thomas. She said this: “Michele Dunaway is a new face in romance and writes a sweet beautiful story of true love in What Happens in the Air.” I cannot tell you how much this means to me.

And on Monday, it was teacher appreciation night for the girls lacrosse team and I was one of the teachers chosen to be recognized.

Then, in something that really made me cry, on Thursday afternoon, one of my former students had her mother drop off a college yearbook. With it was a handwritten note saying: This past year I had the privilege of serving as Design Editor…I wanted to send you a copy as well as my thanks. Without the guidance and support you gave me during my time on the Howell yearbook staff, I would have never gotten the opportunity to work in this position or even choose to pursue a degree in visual design in the first place. I am truly grateful to have had a teacher like you that helped me grow as a student and whose influence followed me throughout the rest of my academic career.” That yearbook is face-out, on the shelves beneath the TV that hangs in my living room.

Life is always a series of highs and lows, and this month I’m so grateful to all who have touched my life and all who have let me know that I’ve touched theirs. I’m currently reading Prince Harry’s Spare, and also Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle is the Way (a recommendation from another author friend), along with my constant trove of romance novels. I’m out on submission with a single title paranormal romance with mystery elements, so I’m fingers crossed a publisher will pick it up. I’m also hoping to expand my Love in the Valley series.

Speaking of, Love’s Secret Ingredient debuts May 23. It’s the final book in this part of the Love in the Valley trilogy. If you loved the books, I’d be grateful if you added a review on Amazon or Goodreads.

And finally, speaking of the secret ingredient, I’m going to be practicing making the chocolate chip cookies from the book. I’ve done it once before, but I didn’t save the recipe. The first pic was the first attempt, the second when I got the tops the right way, and the chocolate ones were the best.

So I’m going to try again. I’ll keep you posted.