Tag: independent author

Inspirational Writings

Don’t Wait – Our Full-Time RV Journey Through Breast Cancer

jskinnell

I decided to write Don’t Wait – Our Full-Time RV Journey Through Breast Cancer two weeks after my life-changing surgery. What I thought was a routine mammogram during our yearly trip to Ohio for check-ups before continuing our epic 2023 adventure, turned out to be anything but.

We all have those Don’t Wait moments in life. After hearing stories of others who had waited until that perfect time that never came, we chose to get out there and live our full-time RV life in 2019.

In Don’t Wait – Our Full-Time RV Journey Through Breast Cancer, I chronicle the path my husband Mike and I took from becoming full-time RVers living and traveling the country in our 2019 Grand Design Solitude 385GK, to living the Don’t Wait motto.

Along the way, we had our own Don’t Wait moments to deal with.

Our biggest came when I chose to get my yearly mammogram early because we would be traveling at the time that I should be having it. This Don’t Wait moment became more than we ever dreamed it would be.

Don’t Wait provides a personal account of my diagnosis of breast cancer and my medical decision-making, all while living in an RV and staying focused on our travel plans. We chose to face this new Don’t Wait moment head-on and get rid of the “pothole in our RV travel road” so that we could get back on the road as quickly as possible.

You never know what the next day will bring, so live each day with the Don’t Wait motto.

Where You Can Get Don’t Wait

Amazon (paperback and ebook):

More of my Don’t Wait Story

To hear more of my story, check out my conversation with Cori Freeman on her podcast, Don’t Ignore the Nudge, with the links below.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-wait-with-jennifer-skinnell/id1552806351?i=1000642368604

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2LtBPp75BYhlT3W2JjNfre?si=ZmzL6RrJRtOMdL_pV3ETyw

I hope after hearing my story, you’ll feel inspired to live your life with the Don’t Wait motto.

Inspirational Writings

What’s in Your Book of Life?

jskinnell

NOTE: I wrote this originally in July of 2016 on my other blog site, The Rambling Quilter, and thought it was interesting that it is still relevant today. This isn’t meant to be a religious discussion—more of something for you to ponder as you live your life. What is in your Book of Life? How can you make your Book of Life more of what you’d like your life to be? Are you waiting until “the right time” to do something or see something or go somewhere you’ve always wanted?

If so, this post may make you rethink that decision to wait. We aren’t guaranteed the next minute, let alone “the right time”. Make sure your Book of Life is full of everything you’ve wanted to experience.

What would your Book of Life be like?

From The Rambling Quilter, July 2016

Recently I saw a show about how the Smithsonian Museum is restoring the Jefferson Bible. I had not heard of the Jefferson Bible, and I found this program completely fascinating. Jefferson painstakingly cut apart bibles in several different languages to create his version of Jesus’ life without all the miracles and his ascension.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the Book of Life were like that—only in reverse? We could keep all the happy and wonderful parts and discard all the bad.

I had a chance meeting with my aunt and uncle at Panera for breakfast. I’ll never forget the huge hug she gave me or her telling me that she wanted all her nieces and nephews to connect. It never crossed our mind that she’d pass away after a tragic car accident a couple of weeks later.

She got her wish. For two days we gathered, reminiscing about growing up with our beloved aunt and catching up on what our families were doing. Many of us realized that we hadn’t seen each other in twenty years or more. We all had families of our own and time really got away from us. It was so nice reconnecting and remembering that my family was so much bigger than just those I spent the most time with. That part I would keep in my Book of Life.

At the same time, though, we were saying goodbye to an aunt we all truly loved. I saw my mom, aunt, and uncle say goodbye to their baby sister. I saw my three cousins say goodbye to their mom. And I saw my uncle say goodbye to the love of his life of forty years. I would love to cut this part out of my Book of Life.

There are so many good things going on in the world that are too often overshadowed by events we have absolutely no control over.

I realize that it is totally unrealistic to have a Book of Life that is only happy, wonderful events. We’ve all heard that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. Well, right now I’d say he must think we are some pretty strong people because he’s giving us a lot.

Even though my Book of Life is still overflowing with wonderful moments, these are the occasional events that God thinks I can handle that really test me.

My aunt’s family’s wish in lieu of flowers was that we hug our loved ones every day. As we witnessed, life is short and you just don’t know when it will be the last page of your own personal Book of Life.

As I said before, I wrote this back in 2016 right after my beloved aunt’s funeral. Since then, I’ve written six novels, and many blog posts, and my husband and I have sold our home and begun traveling the country in our RV. We work from the road and do, see, and go everywhere we can to experience as much as we can. We chose NOT to wait until “the right time.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts. My hope is this post inspires you to experience something new, even if it’s right outside your front door.

How will your Book of Life read? Make it amazing!

christmas tree with baubles
Inspirational Writings

Christmas Memories & That Little Silver Tree

jskinnell
Grandma Myrt’s Silver Tree
Photo Cred Ani Fete

What holiday memory do you cherish most? At this time of year, more than at any other time, we reach for those memories like a lifeline to the past, to bring us joy, comfort, and peace. This is the story of one of my favorite memories.

My cousin, Ani, recently posted this picture of one of my Grandma Myrt’s trees. Grandma Myrt had two Christmas trees—a traditional one and a definitely non-traditional tree.

She collected many blue and silver beer cans from my relatives, and along with some ribbon, decorated a tree that was quite memorable.

For many years, this metallic silver tree stood proudly in the corner of her small kitchen decorated with these beer cans, large pretzels, and at times red ribbon for a touch of color.

While it wasn’t the “normal” tree, it was uniquely Grandma Myrt.

It wasn’t the tree that we all gathered around to sing Christmas carols while Grandma played her organ, and it wasn’t the tree under which we put all our gift exchange presents. But this little tree was as unique and memorable as Grandma herself. It was one of a kind.

And while the tree itself was memorable, it was what happened one Christmas that I remember most.

One of the grandchildren, I’m not sure which, but it was one of the younger ones, decided to get a closer look at one of the ornaments on the tree. Of course, the tree wasn’t giving up its decoration easily, and the entire tree toppled over. The force of the fall caused the aluminum cans to fall off and go rolling across Grandma’s old linoleum floor.

Quite the noise, to be sure!

And quite memorable.

Decades have passed, and I can’t even remember what gifts I received that year, but this memory is still vivid, just like it was yesterday.

I hope you make a special memory this holiday season that you’ll remember for years to come.

Hope Springs Romance Series, Uncategorized

The Inn at Hope Springs

jskinnell

So thrilled to announce that the fourth book in my Hope Springs Romance Series, The Inn at Hope Springs is now available for purchase on Amazon! Click here for all the details or the link below to purchase!

What’s it about?!

Luann Freeman’s dream of moving back to her hometown of Hope Springs and opening her own bed and breakfast is finally coming to fruition. However, the dilapidated Victorian she and her partners purchased needs a major overhaul.

Joshua Burke has been tasked with overseeing the work of transforming the Victorian into The Inn at Hope Springs. He has never lived in a small town and is only in Hope Springs because he works for Frederick Development Inc.

While working to transform the inn, Luann and Joshua are not on the same page about anything. Joshua was raised with a domineering father, and cannot get past the idea of a woman on his job site, let alone owning her own business. Luann was raised, like most of the women of Hope Springs, to be an independent, strong, successful businesswoman. This is hardly a match made in heaven!

As the two continue to work on the inn, however, their relationship begins to grow. When a secret from Joshua’s past threatens to wreck everything, it’s up to the ladies of the Advice Quilting Bee, along with a nosy spirit, to bring this couple together in The Inn at Hope Springs.

I hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Love and Happy Reading,

Jennifer

Jennifer Skinnell is the author of the Hope Springs Romance Series available on Amazon. She is also a travel blogger, and you can find out about her travels on The Rambling Quilter

Hope Springs Romance Series, Uncategorized

It’s Time To Love Again

jskinnell

I’m happy to announce that It’s Time to Love Again is now available!  Go to my Amazon author page to purchase in eBook, Kindle Unlimited and Paperback! Read below for all the details in this third installment in my Hope Springs Romance Series!

The new tavern owner is causing quite a stir in Hope Springs, and the Ladies of the Advice Quilting Bee have found the perfect match for him!

It’s been two years since Andrea Porter became a widow after her beloved Jeremy succumbed to cancer. Her friends have been telling her it’s time to start dating again, but she’s just not sure. There really isn’t anyone in Hope Springs who interests her, that is until Keith Carson moves to town with Frederick Development, Inc. and decides to convert the vacant hardware store to a tavern.

Keith Carson has been single for a very long time and likes that just fine. He has moved to Hope Springs to open the Hope Springs Tavern with his business partners, and never dreamed he’d meet someone in such a small town. But now that he has, can he really have a relationship with Andrea? No one knows the secret he’s been keeping locked inside, and he’d just as soon keep it that way.

But Rosie Macintire has been around long enough to know that her dear Andrea and Keith Carson are perfect for each other. If only she can keep Myrtle Freeman and the Little Old Lady Network from interfering until she can find out the secret that’s holding Keith back from committing to Andrea….

The biggest dilemma when you lose the one you love is knowing when it’s time to love again.

Hope you enjoy it! And be sure to check out the first two in the series, One Sweet Development and Patience For Love in case you missed them! Available now on Amazon!

Love and Happy Reading,

Jennifer

Hope Springs Romance Series, Uncategorized

Patience For Love

jskinnell

Patience For Love is now available! Go to my Amazon author page  to purchase in eBook, Kindle Unlimited and Paperback! Read below for all the details in this second installment in my Hope Springs Romance Series!

The Ladies of the Advice Quilting Bee are at it again. And this time their target is the new town doctor, Jake Grainger. The ladies think he is the perfect match for their friend, and his nurse, Macy Greenburg.

Macy Greenburg moved to Hope Springs to get away from a doctor who stole her heart and stepped on it. And now it seems everyone in town thinks she’d be the perfect match for the new town doctor. But she’s not too sure.

Dr. Jake Grainger is just trying to get acclimated to life in a small town. He’s not used to everyone knowing his name or his business. And he certainly isn’t used to the matchmaking that seems to be going on with him as the target. Yes, he thinks his new nurse is cute, but if she won’t give him the time of day, how is he supposed to ask her out?

Under the guidance of Rosie Macintire, Jake decides to be patient with Macy and see where it leads. Unfortunately, Myrtle Freeman and her Little Old Lady Network have other plans. And why did Myrtle have to inform Jake that his house is still inhabited by the previous, now deceased, owners?

Macy has always felt that with her tumultuous past, she would not be worthy of Jake’s love. But while things seem to be going along well with Jake, she receives a package from the past. Now she feels he’s lied to her and she doesn’t know if she can trust him. Can Jake find a way to prove to her that she is worthy and he can be trusted before it’s too late?

Hope you enjoy it! And be sure to check out the first in the series, One Sweet Development in case you missed it! Available now on Amazon!

Love and Happy Reading,

Jennifer

Hope Springs Romance Series, Uncategorized

One Sweet Development

jskinnell

So excited to announce that my first novel is up on Amazon.com. Click here to purchase on Amazon One Sweet Development has been a lifelong dream of mine. Here’s what it’s about:

Hope Springs is one of those quaint historic towns about an hour outside the big city where everyone knows everyone and most people like to keep it that way. It is also in the midst of a contentious revitalization project, much to many locals’ dismay. 

 Chandler Bradford owns the town bakery, Sweet Stuff Bakery. She is also a member of the Advice Quilting Bee, run by local matriarch Rosie Macintire of Rosie’s Quilting Emporium.  Chandler has lived in Hope Springs all her life and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else

 Peter Frederick, Rosie’s grandson, grew up in the city and has worked hard to build his development business.

When Peter comes to town to bid on the revitalization project, he meets Chandler.  She is tasked by the ladies of the Advice Quilting Bee to give him a tour of the town, not knowing his real intention is to demolish most of the historic buildings, including Chandler’s bakery.

As their relationship grows, Peter realizes the historic structures his company is looking to destroy are the heart and soul of the town.  He sets out to come up with an alternative plan.

Unfortunately, his employee Cassia Collins has another idea, especially when she figures out Peter has his sights set on Chandler and not her.

Can Chandler trust an outsider used to tearing down the old to make way for the new? Can Peter give up the city for life in the country? And what’s with all the ghost stories?!?

I had so much fun creating these wonderful, and sometimes wacky, characters for this series. Yes, that’s right! This is the first in the Hope Springs Romance Series I’ve created in my mind!

Thanks for reading my blog, and I hope you’ll visit Hope Springs in One Sweet Development!

Love and Happy Reading,

Jennifer