Hibernation Worked Once...Should I Try It Again? by Nancy Fraser

Last January 5th, I wrote my first post of the year and outlined my plan to hibernate for the winter. Because I can't take the flu shot, I'd decided it was the best thing to guarantee my own health.

And, since I was bent on keeping myself well, I also planned to take it a step further and spend the first three months experimenting (against the dietician's wishes) with a keto diet.

Little did I know, before I could even come out of hibernation, I was forced into isolation and social distancing. So much for my plan to emerge in the late Spring to enjoy the beautiful weather!

I did manage to accomplish a lot during my "alone" time, including:

• 
  Completing two of my last three publisher contracts. The last one will finsh next month when my short story, Teach Me, is published as the final part of my Lusty Liaisons erotic romance series from The Wild Rose Press. More on that in next month's post.

• Taking back the publishing rights on ten of my older, out-of-contract books.

• Creating an attainable writing schedule (not that difficult when you're stuck inside).

• Learning to self-publish by working along side two other generous Gems authors (Joan Reeves and Maddie James) to put together the Gems' Last Chance Beach box set.

• Publishing my first three indie books, as well as acting as publisher for our holiday anthology, Christmas Comes to Dickens. Oh, the things I've learned!

And that experiment with a keto diet? I lost 97 pounds. I was hoping to hit 100 pounds gone when I weighed in on January 1st, but I have to admit I self-sabotaged that last few pounds while enjoying a family holiday!

Bottom line: hibernation works! Will I do it all again this year? You bet your sweet bookmarks I will!

I've already got another killer schedule planned, including:

• Publishing a book a month! Some will be revamps of those previously published works, but more than half will be new. The newbies include another trip to Last Chance Beach, a new generational anthology with three other mega-talented authors, another holiday trip to Dickens, and book(s) #2 of both my Cougars & Cubs and Love of the Land series.

• Mastering the art of promotion. I learned a lot with both the Last Chance Beach and Dickens projects, but there's always more to absorb. Especially when it comes to Amazon and BookBub.

• Honing my formatting skills for print books. I managed to upload my first attempt today and am just waiting for Amazon approval so I can order my proof copies. I have to say, it looked pretty sweet in the "previewer".

• And, back to keto and my Wii Fit to lose another 60-or-so pounds! Not to brag ... but I've become somewhat of an expert on keto cooking!

I will be back later in the month with tour and giveaway news about my first historical romance in ages. In the meantime, here's a sneak peek at Her Timeless Gamble, Book 1 of my Love's a Gamble series (releasing on January 19th but up for pre-order now).

When Matthew McAlister pulls a nearly-drowned woman from the mucky waters of the Mississippi, he has no idea what's in store for him. Or, how easily he'll willingly give up his carefree, love-em-and-leave-em lifestyle for a chance at real happiness.

Kathryn (Kate) Lowell can't believe her bad luck. Or the fact she's somehow been transported from the twenty-first century back to the post Civil War south. Worse yet, into the arms of the one man she grew up hating. The man she blames for her father's recent demise.

Can these two off-kilter and infinitely stubborn individuals fight their mutual attraction? Or, will they give in to the inevitable? And, when the time comes, will Kate choose to stay with Matt in the past, or return to her former life?

~ ~ ~

Books 2 & 3 will be release in February and March, followed by two more stories in early 2022.

That's all for now. As I said earlier, I'll be back later in the month with more book news. Until then, stay safe, stay happy, stay well read.

Nancy