Freebies! Freebies!

In this newsletter …

**Grab your FREE ebook (Deadline) from Jennifer Blackstream.

**Join my Review Crew and throw your hat in the ring to win some cool prizes.

**Check out this month’s recipe: Chicken and Noodle Soup

**Sign up to win a holiday book bundle in this month’s newsletter prize drawing

I hope you had a relaxing November, because here comes the Christmas rush. 

Happy Holidays!

Ann

November’s FREE Ebook from an amazing author! This month’s FREE ebook was from Jennifer Blackstream!

There is still time to join my Dig Site Review Crew… and win PRIZES!!! HAVE YOU READ MY NEWEST BOOK, CHEWED UP BY THE JUNGLE? If so, I’d love you to join my review crew! It’s easy and you can win a cool prize, too. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO? 1. Write and post a review for Chewed Up by the Jungle with Amazon, Goodreads, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Apple, the local newspaper, a truckstop bathroom stall door, mass fliers dropped from an airplane, etc–you get the picture. 2. Email me a link to your review (or send a copy of it) and your mailing address. Be sure to let me know where you left the review. Send it to: AnnCharlesAuthor@gmail.com with BOOK REVIEW in the Subject line. 3. Go out and share the review on another platform and send me that information, too. You can throw your hat into the ring multiple times for the prize drawing. (See the image above for some of the prizes to be won.) Click to Learn More

November’s recipe: Chicken and Noodle Soup Here’s a recipe from the Ann Charles MOON THE COOK cookbook, with recipes compiled by Mark and Michelle Davis. Enjoy this recipe courtesy of Claire, Kate, and Ronnie’s mom (from the Jackrabbit Junction Mystery series). ***** More recipes are available in my past newsletters… This cookbook sold out in 2020, but you can access some of the recipes via my newsletters.

FOR NOVEMBER’S NEWSLETTER PRIZE… I’ll drew ONE winner this month for a chance to win six holiday PRINT books. To enter your name for the December prize drawing sign up for the montly newsletter: https://anncharles.com/connect/ Congratulations to last month’s winners: Mary Robinson, Melissa Hogan, and Diana Zorick!

I recently had an interview request that requested a bio, a headshot, and … a picture of my cats. This was NOT for a pet-related blog, so I laughed out loud when I read the request.

It appears my cats are catching up with me on the social media racetrack.

I blame Loki, especially, for winning the popularity contest. Two of his pictures were voted to be in my 2026 Traveling with Ann calendar.

He’s a camera ham and comes running whenever he sees me taking pictures with my phone, including the photo above when he decided he wanted to be in one of the calendar promo shots.

Anyway, if I can train the cats to be my butler, I’ll be a go with playing second fiddle to a feline or two. And that’s a capital IF … ha ha ha ha ha.

In this newsletter …

**It’s time for another online booksigning with yours truly. We’re having the signing just before Thanksgiving this year so that we can beat the crazy times at the post office and get ahead of the mailing madness.

**Join my Review Crew and throw your hat in the ring to win some cool prizes.

**Head over to Zazzle.com and grab a beautiful 2026 Traveling with Ann wall calendar (see link in the One Liners section at the end of the newsletter).

I hope your November is full of fun fall festivities!

Ann

Join Ann’s Review Crew! PRIZES! PRIZES! PRIZES! To enter the drawing, leave a review for Chewed Up by the Jungle! HAVE YOU READ MY NEWEST BOOK, CHEWED UP BY THE JUNGLE? If so, I’d love you to join my review crew! It’s easy peasy (oh, and there are prizes to be won, too). WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL WITH REVIEWS? Over the years, I have been a fortunate author. Many kind readers have taken the time to write reviews for my books on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, etc. These reviews have lured new-to-me readers to give my books a try, which in turn makes each new release more exciting and keeps me typing away at my keyboard while new stories flow onto the pages. It’s a wonderful circle and I am so appreciative that I can keep telling stories about my characters’ adventures year after year. WHAT IS A REVIEW CREW? I decided to change things up this year and reward readers who leave reviews sprinkled here and there. HOW DOES THIS WORK? 1. Write and post a review for Chewed Up by the Jungle with Amazon, Goodreads, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Apple, the local newspaper, a truckstop bathroom stall door, mass fliers dropped from an airplane, etc–you get the picture. 2. Email me a link to your review (or send a copy of it) and your mailing address. Be sure to let me know where you left the review. Send it to: AnnCharlesAuthor@gmail.com with BOOK REVIEW in the Subject line. 3. Go out and share the review on another platform and send me that information, too. You can throw your hat into the ring multiple times for the drawing. (See the image above for some of the prizes to be won.) Review Crew

One Liners …

I’m reading back through the Jackrabbit Junction Mystery series this month…

My goal is to start writing Book 7 in that series by December (after I spend some time plotting and planning over the Thanksgiving holiday).

Grab a 2026 Traveling with Ann WALL calendar from Zazzle…

Click HERE to head over to Zazzle and buy your 2026 wall calendar.

YouTube is still growing…

I have plans for this next year to add some new content to my YouTube channel that will give you more insight to my writing life, but in the meantime, check out my latest HERE.

Patreon is also still growing…

Come on over to Patreon (you can join for FREE or as a PAYING member) as I keep finding different ways to entertain you at Ann Charles Alpha Club on Patreon, INCLUDING AN ONLINE BOOK CLUB CHAT THIS MONTH FOR ALL MEMBERS.

Stay tuned for another newsletter later this month with your monthly free ebook and tasty recipe!

Ann

October Newsletter PART 2 … a new book for you!

When I was prepping to write the third book in the Dig Site Mystery series, I thought I’d try to write a shorter book than usual.

(My usual is about 120,000 words.)

Yeah. Right. Sometimes I think that I sniffed too much paint as a kid.

(That would certainly help explain these character voices in my head that like to weave together multiple plotlines while telling their stories.)

It turned out that I did NOT write a shorter book. In fact, this latest in the Dig Site Mystery series is one of my longer tales, and I added some fun extras that I haven’t included before in my other books.

(Experimenting with different story elements and styles is what keeps writing exciting for me.)

You’ll see what I mean when you read Chewed Up by the Jungle.

Another book down … and a lot more to come!

Can you believe I’m almost 40-books-old in author age?

(Actually, if you count the other books I wrote prior to publishing my first, I’m over 40, but those were all practice runs.)

For a girl who didn’t want to be an archaeologist because there was too much writing involved, I seem to enjoy pecking away at a keyboard.

(Although these days, I am trying to spend more time with my family, too.)

I also enjoy drinking beverages while I write. For my birthday, I often line up various drinks to have throughout the day.

(This has become such a thing that my daughter made me a cool wooden drink carrier for Mother’s Day this year so that I can carry 4 drinks to my office at once. FOUR. Ha! I love the way her gift-making mind works.)

I’m always looking for fun new drinks

(Especially non-alcoholic ones so that I can write coherently while sipping, LOL.) 

When you finish reading through this short newsletter, I’d love it if you replied and let me know some drinks you enjoy (alcoholic or not).

(I learned about several new candy mixes after the last newsletter. Thank you to ALL who wrote to me and shared your favorites.)

Okay, enough from these two voices rambling on in my head.

(Yeah! On to the exciting stuff!)

In this newsletter …

**FINALLY! The brand-freaking-new ebook version of Chewed Up by the Jungle (Dig Site #3) is available to order from my store!

**REMEMBER … In case you haven’t bought the first ebook in the Dig Site series yet, Look What the Wind Blew In (Dig Site #1) is on sale THIS MONTH ONLY over on Amazon for US and Canadian folks.

**It’s 2026 calendar voting time over on my website!

Raise a glass of your favorite October drink with me to celebrate another new book!

Ann

AVAILABLE Now! “Quint and Angélica are back in another archaeology adventure! Don’t miss this spooky romp through the jungle with Ann Charles’ unique blend of humor, adventure, romance, and edge-of-your-seat excitement!”  ~Kristy McCaffrey, Award-winning Author of the Pathway Adventure Series Available NOW in Ann’s Store!  Buy Link for Ann’s Store: Chewed Up by the Jungle  Whatever lies in wait in the jungle isn’t just history … it’s hungry! Deep in the Yucatán Peninsula sits a long forgotten, mysterious site—lost to time, swallowed by the jungle, haunted by ancient secrets. Archaeologist Dr. Angélica García is chasing clues, and she will stop at nothing to uncover the site’s history. Was it a sacred center? A place of long-forgotten rituals? Or something far more sinister? Quint Parker, a sharp-eyed photojournalist, is chasing Angélica. He never signed up for old curses, creepy whispers in the shadows, or man-eating mosquitoes. He just wants to make sure his girlfriend makes it out of the jungle—alive. The deeper they dig into the past, the more they must confront a deadly truth: Some places should never be disturbed! OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE IN ALL RETAILERS: October 22, 2025 B&N pre-order KOBO: pre-order! Apple pre-order: COMING SOON! Amazon pre-order! Google: pre-order! BUY the Ebook from me NOW!

Help me pick out photos for my 2026 Traveling with Ann Calendar Head over to my website to vote for which of my photos will be included in my 2026 Traveling with Ann Calendar. You can choose TWO photos and leave the corresponding numbers of those photos in the comments for me to tally later. Click the button below to vote! GO VOTE!

One Liners …

Hip Deep in Bad Company (Deadwood Undertaker #5) is now available as an audiobook …

Purchase the audiobook via our Ann Charles online store and escape to the Old West for another exciting adventure narrated by Jason Culp.

Don’t forget I have a free ebook link in each month this year in my newsletter. from This month’s spotlight was author, Louisa West …

Click here to sign up for the monthy newsletter.

Ann’s Alpha Club on Patreon is growing…

Come on over to Patreon (you can join for FREE or as a PAYING member) as I keep finding different ways to entertain you at Ann Charles Alpha Club on Patreon,

Stay tuned for one more batch of treats to come this month, including October’s yummy recipe and my monthly prize drawing offer (prize drawing information available through newsletter only)!

Ann

Click on the pictures below taken during my 2025 travels near and far to see a full screen view of each. Chose TWO pictures as your favorites and type the pictures NUMBERS in the comments below. Votes will be tallied by the end of October. I’ll share which winning photos had the most votes the following week.

NOTE–If you’ve never commented on one of my blog posts, your comment will appear AFTER I approve it behind the scenes (I have to keep those pain-in-the-rump spammers out).

In addition, I’ll do a random drawing from those who voted in the comments below and choose a few lucky winners for an autographed desk calendar! Be sure to check your email in mid-November to see if you receive a “Winner!” email from me.

Let the voting begin!   Ann  

Number 1 Snowy Flower Art—Prescott, Arizona	Number 2 Terry Peak Ski Area—Lead, South Dakota
WINNER Number 3 Rocky Mountain Rocks—Southern Colorado	WINNER Number 4  Redwood Giants—California
WINNER Number 5  Old Graveyard—Galena, South Dakota	WINNER Number 6  Open Cut (mine)—Lead, South Dakota
WINNER Number 7  Sneaky Cat (he thinks)—Prescott, Arizona	Number 8 Rocky Mountain Grandeur—Southwest Colorado
Number 9  Spearfish Canyon—South Dakota	WINNER Number 10 Black Hills—Rapid City, South Dakota
Number 11  Garden Delight—Prescott, Arizona	WINNER Number 12  Curvy Beach Road—Hwy 101, Southern Oregon
WINNER Number 13 Fall in the Rocky Mountains—Southwest Colorado	WINNER Number 14  Granite Mountain Sunset—Prescott, Arizona
WINNER Number 15 Rainy Morning—Lincoln City, Oregon	Number 16 Sleepy Bee—Prescott, Arizon
Number 17 Marble Canyon/Colorado River—Arizona	Number 18 Driftwood Beach—Lincoln City, Oregon
Number 19 Rocky Mountain Valley—Colorado	WINNER Number 20 Christmas Tree—Lincoln City, Oregon
WINNER Number 21 Kitty Flowers—Prescott, Arizona	Number 22 Pacific Ocean—Hwy 101 in Oregon
WINNER Number 23 Pacific Light House—Hwy 101 in Oregon	WINNER Number 24 Desert Lake—Middle of Nevada

Happy December!

How many Christmas movies do you think I can watch until my brain turns into sticky toffee pudding? I just might find out this holiday season.

Random life events happening here:

Our cat, Loki, had to have a bunch of his teeth pulled. Now he will probably gnaw us to death in our sleep.

Our daughter wrote an essay for Government on James Monroe, and one of things he’s known for is being President during a time in US history called the “Era of Good Feelings.” I’d like to live through a time called the “Era of Free Cake & Candy.” Or maybe the “Era of Fresh Baked Bread for All.”

My knees sometimes ache a little now when my legs get cold under my desk. This must be the reason why retiring in Phoenix or Tucson is so popular instead of up here in the mountains. But I’m still not ready to move south and take up residence one block from the sun for half of the year. Those Phoenicians are crazy tough.

Speaking of bread, Sam has been perfecting his sourdough bread recipe. Holy moly this man has my number! I just want to cuddle up on the couch with him and a whole loaf of his sourdough rosemary bread slathered in butter, maybe even use the bread as an edible pillow to nuzzle and nibble on while watching holiday movies until my brain morphs into that sticky toffee pudding.

Onto this month’s lowdown …

There is a lot of good news in store for you below:

Cops & Clobbers in Deadwood is AVAILABLE in ebook & print

HARDCOVER version of Nearly Departed in Deadwood is AVAILABLE

Last chance to sign up to be a Deadwood Deputy (& win fun prizes)

2025 Traveling with Ann Calendars BUY links

A FREE ebook from Dakota Cassidy

A chance to win a “Proof” version of Violet’s latest print book

And Peanut Butter Blossoms cookie recipe in time for the holidays!

Thank you for your kindness and friendship throughout 2024!

Ann

Author Star Spotlight for December 2024 Dakota Cassidy USA Today Bestselling author Dakota Cassidy lives for a good laugh in her life and in her writing. She writes humorous cozy mysteries along with both paranormal and contemporary romance. Her goals are simple: banish the color yellow forever, create world peace via hot rollers and Aqua Net, and nab every tiara in the land by competing in the Miss USA, Miss Universe, and Miss World pageants. And of course, write really funny, romantic, mysterious books! Dakota lives in Texas with her dogs and her husband, who puts the heroes in her books to shame. She loves, loves, loves to connect with readers, so visit her on Facebook Dakota Cassidy’s Website

‘

Number 6

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Wrap Up 

And on the writing front …

More books in all series coming your way as fast as I can write them, fingers and brain willing. You keep reading and I’ll keep writing, cold knees and all.

Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Ann

It’s been a long, hard month here full of edits, edits, and more edits. Ugh!

In between the editing extravaganza, I’ve been doing a whole lot of research for the next Dig Site book. Here’s a few fun facts about the Maya civilization that I’ve gleaned while my head has been buried in the Central American jungle:

1. Currently, it is estimated there were 15 million people eating, breathing, working, and celebrating life during the height of the Maya Civilization.

2. The Maya understood the concept of zero by 400 CE (Current Era–or  AD, as we used to call it), which put them 400 years AHEAD of the Europeans, who didn’t grasp that concept until 800 CE.

3. Maya temples often served a dual purpose as both funeral monuments and to keep track of time.

4. Jade was the most valuable object in trading, but cacao beans were also used as currency, which was fermented and turned into a cocoa bean. (NOTE: I would always be poor because I’d be turning those cacao beans into cocoa and eating them … “Ann, did you eat our savings again?”)

One of the many interesting (and often sad) books I’ve read in my research is about treasure hunting and grave robbing. One of the main questions repeated throughout the book is: Who owns the past? 

Should items found in the ground leftover from long ago civilizations be left where they are (graves and grave goods especially); placed in a museum (which are often overcrowded now with storage rooms full of past pieces nobody gets to see); given to the culture who shares a history with the “treasure” to teach those who will come after them; kept by those who found them (or paid enough to have them found); or retained by those who own the land (in the US, in particular, the law somewhat allows this)?

This question has stuck with me as I continue to research archaeological digs and learn about the Maya and what is being found that the jungle canopy has kept secret for centuries.

Onto this month’s newsletter …

There is a lot of holiday fun stuff in store for you below:

A new Deadwood Mystery series book

The chance to vote for the 2025 calendar pics (and win a desk calendar)

A FREE ebook from DeborahWilde

A Holiday Bundle of Books to win

And more!

Have a Happy November!

Ann

Hang onto your hats…Violet is loose again!

Cops & Clobbers in Deadwood (Deadwood Mystery Book 14) “Yet another great book! So many laugh out loud moments.”  ~E. Boudreaux ~~~ Violet is back in a wild and crazy clock caper just in time for you to enjoy an escape from the holiday havoc! ~~~ Violet Parker has big troubles these days—the ticking kind. To duck the Grim Reaper, she needs to get her hands on eighty-plus rare, mystical clocks locked up tight by a thick-headed detective. The solution? Highjack the truckload of ticking time bombs out from under Johnny Law’s nose. But no caper ever goes according to plan. What starts out as a game of clocks and robbers twists and turns into a chaos of cops and clobbers. Will Violet beat the detective in time? Or will she spend Valentine’s Day behind bars? ~~~ “Wow! Just when I think Violet’s world can’t get any crazier, Ann comes up with more goodies for her and the gang to handle.”  ~D. Smithwick ~~~ How can you get your copy of Violet’s latest wild ride? **Official EBOOK Release Date: November 29, 2024** Psst—GOOD NEWS! If you don’t want to wait for the official NOVEMBER 29th release date for Violet’s new Deadwood ebook, YOU CAN GET THE EBOOK NOW in my online store ON SALE for $6.49 (US$). But HURRY, because this sale lasts only through Nov 28th! Start off your holidays with laughter! EBOOK: Available at my online store NOW or you can PRE-ORDER at the usual retailers (go to my website for links to pre-order the ebook). PRINT: Available by December 10th AUDIOBOOK: Available in Spring 2025

Find LINKS on Ann’s Website

CONGRATULATIONS to the October Prize winners! The Deadwood book pack winners were: Thomas Woodward from Phoenix, AZ and Carol Hughes from Chehalis WA. I hope you enjoyed the goodies. ~Ann

*Subscribe to the newsletter to enter prize drawing and receive the download for the free books: https://anncharles.com/connect/

Coming next month! Nearly Departed in Deadwood A New Collector’s Edition This December, grab the perfect gift for yourself or someone you really, REALLY like! For the first time, Nearly Departed in Deadwood will be available as a hardback book! Original story with minor updates! Fun extras! Cool new hardback cover! This will be for sale through my online store, as well as the usual retail locations. Stay tuned for more details! Check out Ann’s online store for books, ebooks, and audiobooks

2025 Calendar Pics Voting Time It’s that time of year when I need your help choosing calendar pictures. Head over to my website I wasn’t able to travel as much in 2024, but I captured some fun shots along the way. https://anncharles.com/2025-traveling-with-ann-calendar-contest/ Choose TWO of your favorite pics Write the number of your favorite pics in the comments ON MY WEBSITE.

Join Ann’s DEADWOOD DEPUTY promo team! There are fun prizes to be won! Help me tell everyone about my newest book by signing up to be a Deadwood Deputy. Either send an email  DeadwoodDeputy@gmail.com with your name and mailing address (CC Deputy in the Subject line); or send a message with your info via my website. Detailed instructions will be emailed by December 6th. **Don’t wait until the 6th to start promoting. If you’ve already shared on social media or left a book review, let me know!** EMAIL Ann to join her Deadwood Deputies

This month’s recipe: Peanut Butter Cup Pie Another recipe from the Ann Charles MOON THE COOK cookbook, with recipes compiled by Mark and Michelle Davis. Enjoy this yummy recipe from Claire Morgan who stars in the Jackrabbit Junction Mysteries. More recipes available in my past monthly newsletters… This cookbook sold out in 2020, but now you have access to some of the great recipes via my monthly newsletters.

Wrap Up  And on the writing front … Dig Site Mystery Series 3—Oh my molies! So much reading and research has been going on in my office, in our kitchen, in the vehicle while waiting to pick up a kid from school, in front of the television screen, while chatting with my neighbors, while wiping the dust off our pig-pen cats. I have a cast and a site location for this next book in the Dig Site series, which is currently called Chewed Up by the Jungle. This week I’ll be plotting the story at a high level, and then we’re off on another trek into the steamy jungle for another wild adventure with Quint and Angélica! (Aiming for a Spring 2025 release) Undertaker Mystery Series 6—Sam and I had to pause for a moment this month in order to get Violet’s latest Deadwood Mystery Series book out into the world, but very soon we’ll be back to building the next book in this rip-roaring, rough and tumble series. (Aiming for a Spring 2025 release) Jackrabbit Junction Mystery Series 7—I can’t wait to head back down to the warm desert sunshine and the rowdy Morgan sisters! From what I hear, Natalie, Cooper, and Ol’ Man Harvey will be joining the Jackrabbit crew once again in this next book, so it’s sure to be an even crazier ride through the pages. (Aiming for a Fall 2025 release) More to come—I’ll be working on Deadwood Mystery Series 15 in late 2025, so there is more from Violet coming, but first I need to visit the jungle, “old” Deadwood, and the Arizona desert. Happy November! Ann Ann Charles, Author

WINNERS ANNOUNCED – NEXT TO PICTURES BELOW

Click on the pictures below taken during my 2024 travels near and far to see a full screen view of each. Chose TWO pictures as your favorites and type the pictures NUMBERS in the comments below. Votes will be tallied by Dec 2nd. I’ll share which winning photos had the most votes the following week.

NOTE–If you’ve never commented on one of my blog posts, your comment will appear AFTER I approve it behind the scenes (I have to keep those pain-in-the-rump spammers out).

In addition, I’ll do a random drawing from those who voted in the comments below and choose a few lucky winners for an autographed desk calendar! Be sure to check your email in mid-December to see if you receive a “Winner!” email from me.

Let the voting begin!   Ann

 

Random Drawing Desk Calendar Winners: Cheryl Whitman, John Arpin, Raymond Walters, Sheila Ham, Susan Wolfkill – CONGRATULATIONS!

If you’re interested in buying a desk calendar or wall calendar with these pics for 2024, stay tuned for links to where you can buy them in my upcoming December newsletter and on social media.

–Ann

Voting is Closed – Winners listed on the pictures below:

Click on the pictures below taken during my 2023 travels near and far to see a full screen view of each. Chose TWO pictures as your favorites and type the picture NUMBER in the comments below. Votes will be tallied by NOVEMBER 30, 2023. I’ll share which winning photos had the most votes the following week.

NOTE–If you’ve never commented on one of my blog posts, your comment will appear AFTER I approve it behind the scenes (I have to keep those pain-in-the-rump spammers out).

In addition, I’ll do a random drawing from those who voted in the comments below and choose some lucky winners for an autographed desk calendar! Be sure to check your email in early-December to see if you receive a “Winner!” email from me.

Let the voting begin!   Ann

Number 1 Winner Flowery Gold—Arizona	Number 2 Winner Holiday Time—Arizona
Number 3 Winner Frosty Surreality—Ohio	Number 4 Frozen in Time—Ohio
Number 5 Lurking Loki—Arizona	Number 6 Busy Bees—Arizona
Number 7 Winner Leaping for Bees—Arizona	Number 8 Golden Trail—Arizona
Number 9 Winner In the Wild—Arizona	Number 10 Good Ol’ Granite Mtn.—Arizona
Number 11 Winner Monument Valley—Utah	Number 12 Horsing Around—Wyoming
Number 13 Autumn Gold—Arizona	Number 14 Winner Dawn Lights—Arizona
Number 15 Winner Wild-ish Flowers—Arizona	Number 16 Winner Photobombing—Arizona
Number 17 Winner Icicle Tree—Ohio	Number 18 San Francisco Peaks—Arizona
Number 19 Winner Mickelson trail—South Dakota	Number 20 Along the Way—South Dakota
Number 21 Holiday Spirit—Arizona	Number 22 Winner Historical View—South Dakota

The leaves are all golden here in the mountains and it’s time to start daydreaming about holiday fun and family traditions.

Almost ten years ago, we moved to Arizona from western Washington, leaving our extended family behind for a new adventure with just the four of us–Sam, Beaker, Chicken Noodle, and me. That wasn’t an easy decision, but life is short and we wanted to move where our kids would go outside and play more (leaving the beautiful but rainy Pacific Northwest).

After arriving in Arizona, we decided to change up some of our family traditions. The idea of traveling during Thanksgiving, one of the busiest times in the U.S., was not appealing, so we opted to stay home but do something different. This was the start of our Thanksgiving Day marathons, when we’d choose a movie series and watch them all throughout the day. One year it was the Indiana Jones series. Another year, we enjoyed the Lord of the Rings back to back, then Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Big Bang Theory, and Fraiser. We expanded this idea one year and spent the long holiday weekend playing video games together hour after hour. It was wonderful!

Another change for us was stepping away the usual menu for the holiday. We opted instead to try something different. One year Sam made several Dim Sum dishes. Another year, we had various Indian food dishes. We played with a day of appetizers another time. And then we settled on a mix of all of these and more. We each pick our favorite dishes and desserts and mix it all together.

Changing up our traditions wasn’t only fun, but it helped us not miss our extended family gatherings as much. The kids enjoyed being able to have a bigger say in the Thanksgiving dinner menu, not to mention being able to enjoy their favorite shows and games throughout the day. No matter what we have chosen to do or eat for the holiday, we have done our best to make our kids’ holiday memories special in their own way and teach them that when they aren’t able to celebrate in the usual style, to make their own traditions.

I hope you have wonderful holiday season, whether you choose the traditional celebrations or something new and fun!

Now, let’s move on to this newsletter. I’ll announce the winners of last month’s giveaway drawing and Deadwood Deputy promo team winners, give you the lowdown on voting for your favorite two calendar pictures for a chance to win a 2024 desktop calendar and, at the end, give you a recipe for Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potatoes that makes me drool as I type.

Happy November!
Ann

2024 Calendar Pics–Voting Time HEAD OVER TO MY WEBSITE BECAUSE … it’s that time of year again–2024 Calendar pic voting! This year, I wasn’t able to travel as much due to family life and book writing taking up a little more time, but I still did manage to capture some fun shots along the way. Choose TWO of your favorite pics and write those numbers IN THE COMMENTS ON MY WEBSITE.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Deadwood Deputy Promo Team Rockstars! Many thanks to all of you Deadwood Deputies for helping me promote TimeReaping in Deadwood both online and in person so that we could let long-time fans know about the new book and hook some new readers, too! Check out my website to see if you are one of the lucky prize winners for this promo run. If you aren’t, remember that I’m already working on another book and more prize opportunities will be coming your way! Click here to see the winners.

There is still some swag left … We came home from Deadwood in late September with some cool swag that is available for sale in our Ann Charles store. While many items have sold, there is still some fun swag left if you’re looking for a fun Christmas gift for yourself or someone else who loves to read our books. We still have tote bags, drinkware, book cover magnets, coasters, and more! ALSO, you can grab the first three audiobooks from the Deadwood Mystery Series and the Deadwood Undertaker Series in CD-ROM format. Check out the Swag Sale’s page at my store! Many of these products are limited in quantity, so when they’re gone … they’re gone.

Happy November!