Over the past year, I’ve partnered with the U.S. Bank Goals coaches to create content and curriculum. It’s been a fun ride! Speaking of road trips, check out this article about deciding to spend money on a vacation.

I recently had the fun opportunity to help U.S. Bank Goals Coach Kacey Lorenzen craft her responses for an ask me anything for an Instagram story. Through Kacey’s answers, we provided thoughtful suggestions to our social media followers as they work toward their goals.

As a U.S. Bank content writer and communicator, I’ve been afforded the opportunity to write about dozens of interesting people and products. One that has struck a chord with me is the goals coaching program. Our partnership with the Vegas Chamber, where our goals coaches are in residence, has been an especially unique story to cover. I’m grateful for the endless supply of stories on fascinating topics and, most importantly, the people whose stories I get to share.

It’s exciting to write content to help others find financial wellness tools. Through my employer, U.S. Bank, I routinely have the opportunity to publish articles on Financial IQ. These articles feature perspectives from our knowledgeable goals coaches and other subject matter experts.

Over the past year, I’ve published eight articles on the platform. Some of my favorites cover how an accountability partner can help you reach your goals and growing your savings by going on a money hunt.

What’s next on Palm Court?

I’ve been busy writing books two and three in the Isle of Palms Suspense series. As you recall, in the first book, The Haunting on Palm Court, the story follows Blake Nelson and her journey to banish her ex-fiancé, Parker’s evil spirit, to the Other Side.  The next two books will follow different members of the Mason and Nelson families. Of course, I’m still promoting the first book to book clubs and across all of the major social media platforms.

Returning to Palm Court
My editor just sent her changes for book two in the series, Return to Palm Court. This story shares the perspective of Blake’s youngest sister, Brittany, who returns to the cottage to help manage the family bed and breakfast and care for her unruly niece. After a short time, Brittany realizes that the ghosts of their past may not have been laid to rest after all.  I can’t wait to see what these early readers have to say and get the book to my beta readers and editor. I’m hoping to release this novel in May 2021. 

Book three–don’t forget the middle child! 
While I’ve been waiting to hear back from my alpha readers, I’ve started working on the third book. It’s still early to share very much about this project, but readers will learn more about the middle Nelson sister, Elaina – as well as how her gift differs from the rest of the family. I had to show the middle child some love!  

Embracing family connections 
All of the Nelson sisters are different, and the books reflect these differences. However, readers will find one constant–sisterhood, love, and strong relationships, especially among the women who kick butt while protecting their family. 

I released The Haunting on Palm Court on Sept. 1, 2020. Read the synopsis and more information below.

After Blake Nelson catches her abusive fiancé, Parker, with another woman, she seeks serenity at her late grandmother’s beach cottage. He follows Blake to the island and attempts to kill her, but instead, he dies in an accident while fleeing the police.His malevolent spirit returns to the cottage to finish what he started. The haunting intensifies when Blake reconnects with her first love, Clint. Will Blake discover how to banish Parker before it’s too late?

Thank you for reading my synopsis of The Haunting on Palm Court! You can view my book trailer here. Check out my blog for updates on my writing career. Also, I created a fun, companion coloring book, Pearls of Wisdom, which features the Southern sass of grandmotherly guide to the paranormal Nancy Parsons.

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Being creative has helped distract me during this weird time. I’m excited to share that I have started a line of journals/notepads. I’ve released three on Amazon, and I plan to create more. Click the image below to visit the Amazon listing. Be sure to look inside to see the pictures in the corners of each page that you can color.

When you meet some people, you know they’re meant to be your friend–call it friends at first sight. For me, this is my pal, Kelly. We’ve worked together in our corporate comms day jobs for a few years now. Despite living almost 1,000 miles apart, we’ve always found ways to support each other’s interests outside of work.

This week, we’ve had the opportunity to share two collaborative projects. First, I got to share the story of how she fell in love with a golden retriever, then, his human, at her local dog park on the Chewy.com PetCentral blog. Kelly and her husband have been married for almost five years now and have made a loving home for their sweet dogs.  Seriously, this is the cutest of meet-cute stories I’ve ever heard.

Secondly, Kelly asked me to write about what recharges me for her Happiness Recharge blog. You can read about my love for the ocean and how it restores my soul.

I’m continuing to query my novel, and I’ve been working on a couple of other fiction projects. Being a published author and a great friend, Kelly has supported me throughout the process. I’m thankful for her friendship and the many ways we’ve been able to work together.

Whoa! Where have the past two months gone? So many great things have happened, and I’m excited to share the news.

Travel writing has been a life-long passion of mine, and I jumped at the chance to do some freelance work. I wrote articles about Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, the Southern comfort food at the Grit Counter in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and, just in time for Halloween, the Ghosts of Charleston tour.

The most exciting news is my first book, the Cottage on Palm Court, was selected as a suspense romance category finalist in the San Francisco Chapter of the Romance Writers of America Heart-to-Heart contest. I received some valuable feedback from the judges who are literary agents, editors or published authors. Since my book hasn’t been published yet, I plan on applying their recommendations to polish my manuscript.

Nashville day-trip visitors looking to choose a hot chicken restaurant might find themselves in a bit of a pickle–selecting just one spot. So what’s the solution? Make more stops and share with a friend!

There are solid standbys like the trendy Hattie B’s and the original Nashville institution, Prince’s. And there are at least 10 other restaurants that specialize in hot chicken, with the firey entrée popping up on even more menus more every day.

This weekend, my husband and I decided to have hot chicken from Helen’s and Big Shake’s delivered to our Music City hotel room.

My husband, a fan of spicy foods, jumped at the chance to order Helen’s Hella Hot. While eating the first couple of bites, he seemed to be enjoying the flavor. However, a few moments later, I couldn’t help but notice him gulping down his Splenda-sweetened tea and reaching into our mini fridge for some Halo Top ice cream. After I teased him a little, he admitted the chicken had earned its name. Knowing he has a high tolerance level, I was afraid, but, when in Nashville, eat the hot chicken. Indeed, the Hella Hot bit back. I joined him in extinguishing the flames with ice cream.

After our tongues stopped smoldering, we dove into a piece of Big Shake’s next-to-hottest flavor, Rambo, and the medium spice-level Stop-Drop-and-Roll. Rambo did not leave either of us breathing smoke but did have a very good flavor, and Stop-Drop-and-Roll’s heat was even tamer. We shared the opinion that Big Shake’s breading and amount of crispiness were perfect. Also, we were impressed by the extra cheesy macaroni and cheese and the Belgian waffle we used for sopping up the extra sauce. Big Shake’s also boasted what my husband referred to as probably the best beans he’s enjoyed in his life — no small praise!

While not an inferno ala Helen’s, Big Shake’s was delicious. We look forward to visiting both restaurants in-person and continuing our mission to try as many Nashville Hot Chicken restaurants as possible. 

If you find yourself in the greater Nashville area, there are several Helen’s Hot Chicken and Big Shake’s Hot Chicken locations dotting the map. Check their sites for business hours, current pricing and a list of affiliated delivery services.