As we grow more mature (notice I didn’t say older), life issues intrude more often. For example, in 2010 I was scheduled in the fall to have the usual annual exams for females over the age of forty. But that year there was a new test to be added…the dreaded colonoscopy suggested for folks who have passed the mid-century mark. Yikes. Not something I was looking forward to. Then the “event” happened in Orlando  and my life changed in profound ways that I have shared with you since. The long, painful and exhausting recovery prevented me from having all those routine screenings in 2010. All routine type stuff was postponed until the fall of 2011. By the end of October 2011 I had taken care of all those routine fun things except the colonoscopy. I had the appointment with the gastroenterologist to schedule the procedure. During the consultation appointment the doc explained the procedure and how important it is. Just so you know, colon cancer is one of the top three causes of death cancers in the US. Routine screenings, like colonoscopy, can make all the difference in prevention and/or survival. Cancer is a nasty, too often lethal disease. Anything we can do that prevents or allows for early detection is so, so important. As much as I did NOT want to do this, I want to live as long as possible and to be as healthy as possible.

During the consultation the doc asked if I would mind taking part in a research program that could prove extremely useful to others in need of screening for colon cancer. She explained that for some patients the usual colonoscopy was problematic because they can’t be put under anesthesia. I remembered that when my dad was sick some of the tests they needed to do could not be performed because his heart problems made anesthesia too dangerous for the required length of time. The doc explained that the research I would participate in  would help determine if a pillcam would be as effective in finding polyps and other abnormalities as the usual colonscope that is used for examining the colon. I agreed to participate.

As with the typical colonoscopy the preparation is the same. Last night I had to take four green capules before bedtime. Then today I can only have water and clear fluids (no soups or broths). Just stuff like ginger ale, white grape juice, and clear sports drinks. I can have jello as long as it is not red or purple. No solid food whatsoever. Then tonight between seven and nine pm, I will drink 1/2 gallon of the stuff I have to mix up in the lovely jug you see pictured at the right. I have to drink an 8 to 10 ounce glass full about every 15 minutes until the half gallon is consumed. The other 1/2 gallon will be refrigerated until tomorrow when the rest of the fun begins.

Tomorrow morning I have to get up extra early. Thankfully I’m allowed to take my laptop so I can work (and play on the internet).  I go directly to the doc’s office with my laptop and my 1/2 gallon of leftover drink. I’m supposed to be there at 6:30 a.m. Once I’m checked in and I’ve been outfitted with a belt-like device that receives and stores the images sent by the pillcam, I will drink the tasty 1/2 gallon of stuff leftover from the night before (this stuff actually cleanses the colon). A short time later I will swallow the pillcam with a glass of water. From that point I can work or whatever. I’ll have a nice room with a desk where I can chat on my cell phone or surf the net or actually work. My plan is to read through book 2 of my Faces of Evil series since I’m working on book 3 (which will be released next month). I’m really, really excited about this series and it’s doing exceptionally well. Book one, OBSESSION, has remained in the top ten bestselling romantic suspense books on Amazon for more than a month now!  IMPULSE, book two, has been in the top twenty for that same amount of time. Just recently IMPULSE moved into the top ten! The reviews continue to be phenomenal! If you haven’t checked out the series I hope you will soon.

After swallowing the pillcam, I am required to remain at the doctor’s office until it exits, if you know what I mean. If you haven’t noticed, the cool thing is that I’ll be awake the whole time. No anesthesia required! During the consulation I asked how long it  usually takes for the pillcam to make its journey and then its exit and I was told that the quickest time they had experienced was about three hours. Typically it takes eight to ten. Man, I hope it doesn’t take that long! Anyway, once the pillcam reappears, I can leave. Six to eight weeks later, I will do this all over again for a regular colonoscopy. The results of the two will be compared to see if one method is as effective as the other. If I’m lucky and there are no problems I won’t have to worry about this procedure again for many years.

It’s a nuisance. An intrusion to my schedule. I have things to do. Like you and most other folks, I really don’t need to take the time to do this. But I recognize how important it is to put my health first. Life can be extremely busy and it’s so easy to put the “routine” off. Really, I have no symptoms. No member of my family was ever diagnosed with colon cancer. Is this really necessary? YES. YES. YES. No one in my family had breast cancer either but I still get a mammogram each year. This is my year, I decided that months ago. 2012 is the year I’m getting back on track with my fitness regimen. I’ve already stopped indulging in a few cigarettes here and there. The past couple years that I’ve dabbled (using stress or whatever as my excuse) I kept telling myself that one here and there didn’t matter. But it does matter and I’m so done with that. This is also the year that I’m focusing more on what I “want” to do in my career. I’m writing the stories that I WANT to write. The Faces of Evil series represents books of my heart. I love the characters and the stories and I am so thrilled to be writing them. I’m also planting hundreds of tulip bulbs. It’s a little thing, but I have always wanted to do that and for one reason or another I never got around to it. THIS MONTH WE ARE PLANTING HUNDREDS OF TULIP BULBS! All colors! I am so excited! We’re also building a chicken coop. We plan to get four to six chickens and have fresh eggs! We saw this chicken coop in Country Living magazine and we fell in love! We’re planning a new privacy fence around our backyard and a picket fence around the front. And, because of the success of the Faces of Evil series, we’re finally getting central heat and air in our  112 year old house! We’re doing lots of exciting things in 2012 but the most important thing we’re doing in taking care of ourselves!

What are you doing in 2012 that is just for you? Whatever else you do, no matter your age, take the time to get the screening tests recommended by your doc and/or the AMA. Take a walk at least three times per week. Eat healthier and stay away from the things that can damage your body (like cigarettes!). And do something for our world–recycle, reuse and repurpose! It’s fun! To everyone who comments today, I’ll add your name to the Advance Copy list for POWER, Faces of Evil book three! Don’t be shy!

Well, Christmas is behind us for another year. There’s nothing left to do except put away the decorations and take down the tree (except clean up and return duplicate gifts and the like).  My family gathered here in our century old home. Everyone brought their dogs who are as much a part of the family as anyone. Both my older daughter and I got Kindle Fires for Christmas. My husband got a Nook Color. We’re all exploring our new toys and loading them down with books! My younger daughter got an iPad (not the fancy new version but the older one which was priced to sell). So we’re all ready for whatever 2012 brings in the way of books and magazines. My two sons(-in-law) got gorgeous leather Man Bags for which I tackled the wilds of NYC’s Chinatown to find at a bargain price (Fossil ain’t got nothing on me).

There are many predictions about 2012, both good and bad, and it’s all very exciting (even a little unsettling), but I choose to see the coming year as a new adventure full of possibility! In addition to a new Colby Agency trilogy coming in the summer, which will herald in that 50th Colby, I will explore many new adventures with my new Faces of Evil series in 2012. Books one, OBSESSION, and two, IMPULSE, are out now. Look for POWER in February and then RAGE in April. All the Faces of Evil books are set in Birmingham, Alabama, my father’s hometown. Growing up Birmingham was like a second home to me. It’s also very special because of the brilliants doctors and hospitals there. As you know my oldest daughter was born with very serious physical challenges and the fantastic folks in Birmingham saved her life and set her on the path to a normal future in spite of the many odds against her. So Birmingham will forever hold a special place in my heart. For my first post in 2012 I’ll feature a research trip to the Magic City for POWER with lots of photos from interesting places. I’ll be doing that a few times next year and I promise that one of those adventures will include the hauntingly famous Sloss Furnace! So be sure and watch for those posts. You’ll see where Police Chief Dan Burnett lives and the popular Five Points area that Lori Wells calls home and we’ll all consider the options for a new home for Jess Harris somewhere that suits her. If you haven’t read OBSESSION and IMPULSE already, I hope you will soon! You don’t need an ereader to read ebooks. The Kindle or BN apps are available for free download right to your computer!

Speaking of ereaders, this is the final day to comment to win! So, drop by and tell me about your Christmas or just say hello and you are automatically entered into the contest for a new Kindle or Nook (your choice of either $100 value!). In addition, another winner will be chosen to receive a one year subscription to the fantastic RT Book Reviews magazine. You’ll love the magazine! More than 200 books are reviewed each month. And all the great news and upcoming events surrounding books are found in this one beautiful magazine! So be sure to comment today! The winners will be announced this Saturday, December 31st, right here with the MSW’s weekly winners!

Since so many of us got ereaders for Christmas and some lucky winner will be getting one this weekend, we need books and more books to load up on! Don’t miss the newest releases by all our great MSW authors (just click one of the covers to the right and you can find any one of our latest releases). Today, I’m pleased to offer some very special free books by dear friends Vicki Hinze and Kathy Carmichael.

First up is the terrific Vicki Hinze. Vicki’s next book, NOT THIS TIME, is coming in February but is available for preorder now. Here’s a a taste of the chilling story: A blood-soaked mattress. A terrorist attack. A traitor. Sara and Beth built a multi-million dollar business as anti-terrorism consultants but business and friendship are strained–Beth doesn’t trust Sara’s husband. Now he’s missing, verified kidnapped, and Beth is the prime suspect! Sounds like just my kind of story! But we don’t want to wait for a fantastic read so Vicki has generously offered to giveaway a free digital copy of her short story Before the White Rose (general fiction). Email Vicki at http://vickihinze.com/contact for your free digital story just for stopping by MSW today!

The funny and heartwarming Kathy Carmichael is giving away five copies of her fabulous DIARY OF A CONFESSIONS QUEEN. Kathy has found that tiny details can make all the difference for readers to fully invest in a story. Authors spend countless hours working on making sure even the smallest of details are exactly right.  When she was writing Diary of a Confessions Queen, Kathy spent several days trying to nail one specific detail that was important for the end of the book. Since she had written and sold confessions for the confessions magazine market, it was natural for her to create a heroine who writes confessions as her career.  Amy is a little different, though, because when she researches topics for her confessions, she thinks she has the same skills—for instance, when she researched psychics, she came to believe she was clairvoyant.  When she writes about a lady wrestler, she thinks she’s a skilled wrestler, too.  An important detail for the book denouement meant Kathy needed to invent a wrestling move for Amy. She sought advice from fellow author, Kimberly Llewellyn, who had previously been a professional lady wrestler. After working out the details of the needed new move, Kathy tried it on her husband and—it worked!  (Cue evil laughter.)  Kathy had him exactly where she wanted him.  Thus the Dead Man’s Cradle was born.  To find out more, check out her comedic mystery, Diary of a Confessions Queen.  For a chance to win one of 5 Kindle or Nook eBook copies of Diary of a Confessions Queen, contact Kathy at kathycarmichaelcontests@gmail.com.

Many great opportunities here today, folks. Be sure to leave a comment and you are automatically entered into my Kindle/Nook giveaway AND the RT Book Reviews Magazine giveaway. And be sure to email Vicki for a free digital story and Kathy for the chance to win yet another free story! And don’t forget to check back on Saturday for today’s winners of the ereader and RT magazine! See you in the New Year!

It’s only 12 days until Christmas! My shopping is mostly done. I still have to buy a gift for my husband and I don’t have a clue! This Christmas is really special for several reasons. First, our children are healthy and happy. Our younger daughter got married in September and she and her new hubby are so perfect together. They’re working hard to make a life as Mr. and Mrs., decorating their home and doing all the fun and exciting things newly married couples do. My older daughter and her husband moved back to Alabama and are searching for a house. This will be their first venture into home ownership and it’s also a big, exciting step. This Christmas my husband and I are celebrating for the first time since the horrific injury I suffered in 2010. Though the damage is permanent and many aspects of how I do things are changed forever, I finally feel as if I can actually have a relatively normal life again–I can be me, just a little different! For the first time in eighteen months I’m actually excited about the future instead of terrified. My self-publishing venture is a huge successful and we are so very thankful.

As I contemplated what to talk about today, I decided that since it’s so close to Christmas rather than talk about anything I would much prefer to give all of you some very special gifts. First, anyone who comments today and on my next blog, December 27th, will be entered to win a Kindle or Nook ($100 value) to be given away on Saturday, December 31. But, I also didn’t want you to have to wait until the end of the month for a lovely prize that everyone can win today! I have several very dear friends who are also self-publishing and we decided to offer up some free and special deals today!

Peggy Webb has launched her Donovan’s of the Delta series. This series spans five books, three of which are available as digital releases  on Amazon, BN.com, et al, as ebooks right now! Nobody can make you laugh and cry quite like Peggy. The Donovans of the Delta romance series showcases her talent in spades. The books follow brothers Paul (a small-town minister), Tanner (a former NFL quarterback) and Jacob (dare-devil firefighting pilot), and twin sisters Hallie (teacher of special children) and Hannah (marine biologist studying whales in Alaska) as they meet their match in the game of love. Look for Donovan’s Angel, Sleepless Nights and Hallie’s Destiny now. The final two will be available next week – Any Thursday and Higher Than Eagles. Anyone who comments today will receive a free digital copy of  Donovan’s Angel as a special Christmas gift from Peggy! Just email Peggy through her website www.peggywebb.com and she will provide the coupon code for your special gift!

The series is one I know you’ll enjoy and I’m so pleased Peggy was happy to share one of these lovely stories with anyone who comments today! What a treasure to have such an awesome friend! That’s something else I am so very fortunate to have so very many of–amazing friends!

Speaking of amazing friends, Regan Black is another treasure! I have known her for many years and I will never forget when I was offered the opportunity to read her first Shadows of Justice book, JUSTICE INCARNATE. I was blown away by this lady’s talent. Wow!

Whoever said, “You only live once…” didn’t know Jaden Michaels. In every life she’s chased down a predatory demon, exacting her fatal brand of justice, only to lose her own life in the process. A millennium of efforts means it’s past time for her to find the one weapon that will banish the demon forever. Not only must she battle to avenge the souls od the demon’s victims — she must battle for the love that has always managed to slip through her grasp.

Luckily since I read Justice Incarnate, Regan has been very busy and has added four more titles to this fantastic series. Look for Invasion of Justice, Veil of Justice, Tracking Shadows and Shadows to Light. Do not miss this series! Regan is also giving away the first book of the series, Justice Incarnate, to anyone who comments today! Just email Regan through her website, www.reganblack.com for your free digital Christmas gift!

Now, I cannot talk about great books without mentioning the phenomenal CJ Lyons. Her Hart and Drake series spans three books so far, Nerves of Steel, Sleight of Hand, and Face to Face. For this holiday, CJ is offering the first book, Nerves of Steel, at a special price of .99! Be sure to check out this series if you haven’t already! You will not be disappointed!

CJ worked extra hard to help me with venturing into this awesome new world of self-publishing. She and our own Toni Magee-Causey were instrumental in keeping my spirits high and keeping me focused on my career as I recovered from my injury. I am not sure I would have been able to accomplish that goal without these two strong, caring ladies!

And, if you haven’t already, be sure to check out my new Faces of Evil series. The series launched with Obsession. And the second book, Impulse, realeased on December 2nd. I hope you’ll pick up one or both at the special holiday price of .99 for Obsession and only $2.99 for Impulse! Both books are in the top 20 on Amazon’s bestselling romantic suspense list. They are also in the top 100 of the bestselling Thriller list!

Besides emailing Peggy and Regan for your free gifts, do not forget to comment today to be entered into the drawing for the Kindle/Nook giveaway! Finally, thanks to all who stop by Murder She Writes. You have cheered me on and helped make a horrifying time in my life more bearable. You have shared in my joys and remained strong in my times of pain. Have a safe and wonderful Christmas! I’ll see you again on December 27th!

[contest below]

I’ve just gotten home from traveling back to see the littlest munchkin g-kid, Will, and am already having withdrawals. The cuteness, it overwhelms the senses. If I could have figured out how to sneak him away from his mom and dad, I would have. Here he is, with the hiccups:

William with hiccups

I know, I know, he is not the first baby ever born, but wow, it’s just hard not to be that proud Mimi. (We do not use the G word around here. Nor MawMaw. Maybe when I’m 80.)

Meanwhile, I’m getting my groove back, getting back into the rewrite (finally, I know), and working on the Bobbie Faye short story/novella I’ve been promising forever (yes, really, finally, swearsies). I’ve realized I had essentially not written much for these last few months, what with the illnesses and traveling, and it was fine… and, honestly, the time away did me some good. But now, I’m eager to get to the pages every day, and while I sometimes feel a little rusty, at other times, things just are clicking into place in a way that only time and distance could have given me. It’s a tradeoff, and so far, so good

I’m also trying to get into the Christmas spirit, so that’s where you come in, if you don’t mind. I keep finding great videos that make me smile:

“Silent Monks ‘sing’ Hallelujah”

Or this one from last year, where a flash mom sang the Hallelujah chorus at a mall.

I’d love some more great examples of the Christmas spirit. (Funny is a bonus.) So here’s what I thought–to celebrate the terrific books some of our MSW ladies have out this month, I’ll hold a contest today through Saturday morning. Everyone who enters with a link to a favorite video, photo, poem, blog entry–*anything* Christmassy–will be entered for a chance to win all four of our current releases: Rocki’s SPACE IN HIS HEART, Deb’s OBSESSION, and Allison’s IF I SHOULD DIE, PLUS a $15 gift card from the online bookstore of your choice. There will be five winners, so send me links! [Winners will be announced Sunday, so check back for our announcement to see if you've won.]

On Thanksgiving Day my husband and I, along with my older daughter and her hubby, drove across town to have the family dinner at my younger daughter’s home. This was her first holiday as a married woman and our first without her at home. It was also her first time to host a large family event. It was decided many weeks prior that both families converging at hers and her new husband’s home would prevent anyone from missing the day as a family. There would be no rush to get from one family’s house to the others., etc. It was a wonderful day. There was a little problem with the turkey but otherwise it was truly a great time.

As we left to return home my husband once again took the route I NEVER take. Why would anyone drive down 72 (University Drive) if they didn’t have to? It’s lined with malls and every other manner of business. There are numerous traffic lights and lots of traffic. I announced my displeasure with his choice and explained how the route I ALWAYS choose has only one short strip where there are businesses and traffic signals then you’re on the interstate. It’s a far more efficient route. My husband informed me, as he has many times during our more than three decades of marriage, that there was usually more than one way to do anything. AND that my way was not necessarily the best way, in his opinion. Of course he’s wrong about that last part.  The bottom line is that he’s right about the first part. Everyone has their opinion and their comfort zone. So, for ever more, we will always choose a different route to the baby daughter’s home and back. Just as my daughters and my niece reveled in the challenge of Black Friday, while I rolled my eyes and stayed at home. No way am I fighting the crowd for ANY kind of deal.

Yesterday as I reflected on Thanksgiving and all that I was thankful for as well as all the events that surround this particular holiday, I decided I wanted to create an event of my own, Take Two Tuesday. I will do this in the future, too, so watch for it. Today, if you purchase my ebook, OBSESSION, for only .99, you will receive a free copy of IMPULSE, which will be 2.99,  when it goes live on Thursday. IF you have purchased OBSESSION already, no problem, there’s a take-two or more  for you, too! This weekend only (Thursday – Sunday), if you buy IMPULSE you can choose any three of my other (self-pubbed) ebooks currently available for .99! This will be great fun but maybe not so much if you don’t have a Kindle or Nook since these are all digital books. Of course you can always download the free apps from Amazon or BN to your computer and have your Kindle or Nook that way. That’s what I did! But recently I’ve decided I want my own real Kindle or Nook. So, for Christmas I’m getting one or the other for me! But this is Take Two Tuesday so why wouldn’t I get two? So here’s a bonus, EVERYONE who comments today and on my Tuesdays in  December (there are two, 13th and 27th) will have their names added to the drawing! On Saturday, December 31st, when the MSW weekly winners are announced, my winner will be able to choose a Kindle or a Nook (valued at $99!). So leave your comments to be entered in that giveaway!

To recap, buy OBSESSION today for a free digital copy of IMPULSE. Or, buy IMPULSE between Thursday and Sunday (this week only) and pick any three of my other (self-pubbed) ebooks to be yours for free. Email me through my website (or at debraewebb at aol dot com) with the order number for your purchase! And don’t forget to leave a comment here to be entered into the Kindle/Nook giveaway contest!