Life and writing and stuff

We finally got settled after the big move and we're now in the middle of kitchen upgrades. This home is much newer than our previous mid-century home, which I loved but couldn't find in our new location. This newer home came with a dark and gloomy 1990's brown kitchen, so it was definitely due for an update.

In addition, we recently learned that a close family member is terminally ill. No fun for anyone involved but nothing anyone can do at this point, except support the ill person and see her to the end. It just plain sucks, especially now that we're in a different state and have to fly home periodically to see her.

Our elderly dog is having cognitive problems off and on, which is also stressful and sad. We're doing our best to hang out with her as much as possible and keep her calm during renovations. I think her hearing loss is helping her cope with the noise. It's a short reno, just a week, so things will get back to normal for her soon.

I'm working on my latest book in between all the chaos and looking forward to summer, when the weather is a bit warmer. We're also expecting company in our new digs, now that we have a proper guest room. I'm just grateful the kitchen will be finished before then.

I'll say this, life is never boring, at least not for long.

NASA's First Chief Astronomer, the Mother of Hubble

Our first snow in Oregon!

We've had our first snow at the Oregon coast! If you missed the previous blog, we moved from Los Angeles to the Oregon coast last fall and have been adjusting to our new, small town lifestyle. The locals, who have been wonderful, have told us that it snows here about every ten years. This is exciting because in SoCal we always had to go to Big Bear, Palm Springs, or other mountain resorts to see snow. Now, imagine our excitement when we woke up yesterday morning to this:

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a great holiday. We're learning a lot about Oregon coast property maintenance, which is quite different than back home in Southern California due to all the rain and wind. Today, we're in the middle of yet another windstorm. You need permission to remove and plant trees here on the coast so we had to wait about two months for approval. The arborist was finally able to remove the damaged and rotten trees yesterday, and this morning they trimmed most of the remaining ones. Once the winds die down, they'll be back to finish up. We really wish the sellers had done this maintenance, because it's not cheap and that money would have paid for some of the kitchen remodel. Our arborist said that these trees hadn't been cared for in about 10 years, and while it's no guarantee a tree won't fall at some point, maintenance at least it minimizes the chance of that happening. And we have very tall pines here that can do a lot of damage if they fall on someone's house or car. Had we known, we would've taken the price off our offer. Live and learn. One neighbor even stopped by to thank us for doing it.

At least now, we've completed the repairs and maintenance items we inherited when we purchased the house. Next up will be the fun stuff, like the kitchen remodel and landscaping the backyard. Thanks to the equity from our California home, we can live the rest of our lives mortgage-free, and that's the best part of living here. Well, that and the peekaboo ocean views. We're taking a break until spring and I'm back to writing full-time now that we're pretty much settled in. Hard to believe we've been here 3 1/2 months already. It's still surreal and feels very much like we're on vacation.

Wishing all of you a prosperous and healthy 2019!

Halloween Kindle Book Giveaway!

Dana's Halloween Kindle Book Giveaway is going on now! Get a free copy of the award-winning paranormal fantasy, Desert Magick: Superstitions, Oct 31 - Nov 2, 2018. Happy Halloween! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077ZM16DM/

I'm back!

I'm back! In case you missed my previous blog, we made a move from SoCal to the Oregon coast. We still have to do the driver's license and car stuff and close on our L.A. home, but at least all our items arrived and are in place now. Right now, we're in the process of having some repairs done, but I'm back at my desk, writing and finally updating my blog and social media sites.

With the holidays coming up fast, please check out my books. They make great gifts for the readers in your life. https://www.amazon.com/Dana-Davis/e/B0033HDLVC/

Moving!

I've been a tad silent lately, because hubby and I are preparing for a big move to the Oregon coast. This time next month, we'll be settled in the new house and I'll be able to get back to a normal work week. We'll be near the ocean, forests, and mountains, which is a dream for us. It's so beautiful there that I'm already getting ideas for new books. I might even try my hand at horror.

In the meantime, please check out new editions of many of my books at http://www.danadaviswriting.com/

New book release!

I'm proud to announce the birth of my 14th book, Beyond the Gate. Now available for the Kindle and in paperback.

Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Gate-Dana-Davis-ebook/dp/B07F3JFQ2N/

Paperback

https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Gate-Dana-Davis/dp/1722080280/

Centuries after the Great Exodus, humans spread out across the galaxy. And where humans go, garbage happens. Once a lonely orphan, Mouse now works in her chosen career as a space garbage retriever with Network. When she lands a job on a distant moon, Network assigns a man she's been attracted to since her training days as her partner.

Mouse and Samson work well together, but she begins to question strange events concerning the new job. Her rebellious actions get them stranded in an isolated area, where they uncover evidence that could implicate Network in crimes against humanity. Will Mouse and Samson find a way home and uncover the truth? Or will they remain in isolation for the rest of their lives?

3 Kindle books for just $4.99!

Summer's here! Time to load up your Kindle with beach and poolside reads. Get the Teadai Prophecies complete trilogy for just $4.99. What a deal! That's 3 books for just $4.99, exclusively for the Kindle.

https://www.amazon.com/Teadai-Prophecies-Books-1-3-ebook/dp/B00AY5EWBY/

20 years as a writer!

23 years ago, I left my acting career behind to pursue a writing career. 20 years ago, I graduated the Cal State system with my creative writing degree and very little knowledge of the publishing industry. I went to numerous classes and conferences in order to learn about the industry, which in many ways, was similar to my Hollywood career. Since that time, publishing has changed immensely and writers had to adapt or get left behind. I chose to adapt.

It wasn't always easy for those of us who started out when the internet was new, before eBooks became popular and Kindle, Nook, online piracy didn't exist, and people bought books from brick and mortar stores, that are now gone. But I stayed the course, even as some of my writing colleagues quit the business.

Writing and publishing is not an easy business but Hollywood prepared me for the ups and downs and the numerous rejections. My only regret is that I didn't start this career earlier, because I absolutely love creating new worlds and characters that often surprise me and have become like family to me.

So far, I've written 14 novels, 12 of which are published, with another scheduled for release this summer. Each book takes at least a year for me to research, finish, edit, and prepare for publication, sometimes more. Still, I can't imagine doing anything else.

http://www.danadaviswriting.com/

Free Kindle Book!

My latest award-winning book, Lost Moon, is free for Kindle readers until May 3rd!

2017 Southern California Book Festival Wild Card Winner!

Three women. Two worlds. One destiny.

https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Moon-Dana-Davis-ebook/dp/B01MQ49BJ8/

Meniere's Disease Warrior

It takes a lot to rattle me when it comes to my disease because it's so damned predictable. Ear fullness and loud tinnitus before an attack, vertigo during an attack, balance issues and brain fog after an attack. But this latest was as severe as the first year I had vertigo and it scared the hell out of me. If I had been living alone, instead of having a wonderful husband in the house, I would have been stranded in bed for 2 days without even being able to use a phone to call for help. As it was, I could barely make it to the bathroom by myself to puke my brains out. Thank goodness for walls and trash cans.

The attacks are supposed to get less severe as the years pass, which they have until now, so I think something else was influencing this latest one. Maybe I picked up bug when I was out among people. Maybe I'm going bilateral - I truly hope not because one bad ear ruining my life is enough. Maybe it was all the excess stress I've had the past few months. Whatever caused it, I truly hope I never have severe vertigo again. Ever. And I plan to live at least into my 80's. #meniere'swarrior

2018 is a milestone year for me

2018 is a milestone year for me in many ways. 20 years ago, I received my creative writing degree and embarked on a new career. This year marks my 14th novel completed and 13th novel published. It's the 15th anniversary of my Meniere's Disease diagnosis, which came as a relief because they suspected a brain tumor. And the best one - Hubby and I moved in together 30 years ago and kept our engagement secret for several months until we could afford to buy me a ring. You can barely see the diamond chip in that little ring but I love it and still have it. It's a reminder of our love and how far we've come in life.

Free Kindle book!

For the first time since it's initial release - The award-winning novel, Desert Magick: Superstitions, Kindle edition is free! Ends December 25th so hurry over to get your copy. 

Happy Holidays!

https://www.amazon.com/Desert-Magick-Superstitions-Dana-Davis-ebook/dp/B077ZM16DM/