It has been a long time since my last update. Way past time to let you know what’s going on. My little town has a new bookstore! We’re very excited about it.

I’m going to be there on November 9th for their Christmas fair and again on November 15th for a book reading and signing.

The Noel Christmas Market is at 103 AZ-260 from 10am till 4pm. Booths in-store and outside. Flyer is attached. Noel_Christmas_Market_2024_Noleys_Books_Art_and_Whatnot

I’ll be at the same address on the 15th at 3pm, inside, for a reading and book signing. Books will be available to purchase or bring one you already have. I’ll probably read from my cozy mystery series, the Jean Hayes series, but if you want to bring other books, I’ll be happy to sign them.

Hope to see you there!

Eagle at the local park by Randy Cockrell

Newest News:

Our new Valentine’s Day rafflecopter giveaway is now live. There are book prizes, other prizes, and a Paypal Grand Prize of $70 in Paypal cash. These giveaways are a great way to try new to you authors so give them a try. Check out the details below.

Tempe FanCon is January 29^th and the link is below. It is an outdoors event so safer for those worried about covid. I’m hoping for a nice day with no wind, how about you! Again, this is a great spot to find a new to you author and give them a read. See you there.

You can find my books at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/conniecockrell. Just scroll down and select the book or books you’re interested in.

Stay tuned!

Giveaways:

The Pumpkin Posse Authors Halloween Giveaway and the Christmas Giveaway is now closed! As soon as the winner names are drawn, I’ll let you know.

In the meantime, the Valentine’s Day giveaway has gone live. There are 14 authors involved this time so a lot of great books and prizes are up for grabs. Go to my link, https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/giveaways-and-prizes/ to enter.

Where will I Be?

I’ll be at the Tempe FanCon on January 29^th from 10am until 4pm. You can find all the info about it at https://www.tempepubliclibrary.org/event-calendar/tempe-fancon. We’ll be outside, in the Library plaza, so dress for the weather.

Newsletter Sign Up:

Click here to sign up for my newsletter. I’ve put sign-up gifts on the regular and the SciFi/Fantasy and the Cozy Mystery newsletter sign-ups. That’s right. If you sign up for my newsletter you get a free story from me. Be prepared for fun and contests! Click on the video link for a short video from me. Hear what I’m working on. Join my “A” Team to be the first to read my books and hear what new books are coming. Don’t forget to follow my blog, too. Different material goes in the blog as in the newsletter. You can share both, so spread the word!

Newest Releases:

Creature in the Night, a short Halloween, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Fantasy story has been published. It is up on Amazon, in Kindle Unlimited or for purchase at $.99. You can also see all my books on http://conniesrandomthoughts.com/my-books-and-other-published-work/. If you’ve read any of my books, please drop a short, honest, review on the site where you bought it or on Goodreads or BookBub. Your review is critical to help me promote my books to other readers. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for reading my blog. Like all of the other work I do as an author, it takes time and money. If you enjoy this Monday blog and the Friday free story and the recipe, I put up on the 25th of every month, consider donating to https://www.paypal.me/ConniesRandomThought. I appreciate any donation to help support this blog.

Newest News:

Remember last week I mentioned that the hubby bought a single tomato plant, a variety I’ve never tried here before, so we’ll get it in the ground and see what happens? Yep, the chipmunks or the squirrels ate it down to an inch and a half nubbin. They didn’t bother the potato plant though. Weird since they’re in the same plant family. I did spot another potato plant coming up. Also in the potato bed, it looks like a sunflower seed is sending up leaves. I may leave it there to see what else comes up. We’ll have to get another tomato and cage it somehow until it’s big enough that the critters don’t bother it. I also realized that the apple tree wasn’t completely stripped by the last elk feeding. There are some little apples on the tree. With luck, they’ll ripen and I’ll get to pick them before the elk return.

Bee in Wild Flower.

Hoping everyone is able to access a covid shot, or two if needed. We’ll only beat this disease if we all work together.

Giveaways:

Our Spring giveaway is now live. New with this giveaway is a video graphic to show the books and prizes. How cool is this! Big thanks to Lynn Lamb, one of our administrators, for this lovely graphic. Check out the link at https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/giveaways-and-prizes/ to enter.

Where will I Be?

Artists on AZ Creates! for May

An established novelist from Payson is one of the guests in May for the final season episodes of AZ Creates!, a YouTube web series television show highlighting artists and authors. Other interviewees include creatives from Chandler, Tucson and Scottsdale.

In Episode 16, which premieres May 27, the Creative Connection artists are actors Harold and Maedell Dixon of Tucson. Husband and wife, both have performed off Broadway, where Harold also directed. They’ve worked in theatre, television and films, and both are long-time Actors Equity members.

Also on that program is author Connie Cockrell of Payson, who has written 20 books, is in five anthologies and published online. Following a 20-year Air Force career, she writes in many genres, and will be discussing her cozy mystery series.

In the program’s regular arts events segments, called “Something to Look Forward To,” co-host and graphic designer Cathy Beard of Chandler will highlight in-person and virtual art happenings from around the state.

The featured nonprofit for Episode 16, the Arizona Professional Writers will be highlighted.

The programs all close with a “Creative Quote of the Day.”

Episode #16 on May 27. All episodes are available on the AZ Creates! YouTube channel on demand, along with other video content.

AZ Creates! is a half-hour video web series to highlight artists, writers, dancers, musicians, film, theatre and TV creatives, and other artistic people in Arizona. Fagen, an artist and crime fiction novel writer, designed the program to connect art patrons with artists, and to work on a positive project during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fagen is resuming her work on “Bleeder,” book three in her mystery series.

Sponsors for the show are Sibley’s West, an Arizona and Chandler Gift Shop and Times Media.

Subscribe to the AZ Creates channel on Youtube.com at www.youtube/c/AZCreatesShow, visit the Art Online AZ Facebook and Instagram pages or email [email protected] for details.

On July 17^th, I’ll be at the Payson Book Festival! Yes!! That’s correct! The Payson Book Festival is now a GO! Details are being resolved, but you’ll be able to visit us, in person, meet authors, and have some fun picking out your next books to read. See more at http://www.PaysonBookFestival.org.

Newsletter Sign Up:

Click here to sign up for my newsletter. I’ve put sign-up gifts on the regular and the SciFi/Fantasy and the Cozy Mystery newsletter sign-ups. That’s right. If you sign up for my newsletter you get a free story from me. Be prepared for fun and contests! Click on the video link for a short video from me. Hear what I’m working on. Join my “A” Team to be the first to read my books and hear what new books are coming. Don’t forget to follow my blog, too. Different material goes in the blog as in the newsletter. You can share both, so spread the word!

Newest Releases:

Creature in the Night, a short Halloween, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Fantasy story has been published. It is up on Amazon, in Kindle Unlimited or for purchase at $.99. You can also see all my books on https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/my-books-and-other-published-work/. If you’ve read any of my books, please drop a short, honest, review on the site where you bought it or on Goodreads or BookBub. Your review is critical to help me promote the books to other readers. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for reading my blog. Like all of the other work I do as an author, it takes time and money. If you enjoy this Monday blog and the Friday free story and the recipe, I put up on the 25th of every month, consider donating to https://www.paypal.me/ConniesRandomThought. I appreciate any donation to help support this blog.

A picture of a local eagle.

Newest News:

About my progress at Camp NaNo. As I mentioned last week, I finished Mystery at the Reunion. I’ve picked up All About Home, the 5^th book in my YA contemporary series All About Bob. It’s moving right along though I didn’t work too much on it last week. This week I hope to pick it back up and get lots of words written. I find I’m enjoying the story very much and at the sad parts, actually had tears. So I’m getting the emotion in it anyway.

This is a busy meeting week for me as I have a committee meeting for the book festival, the Gila Community College board meeting, the chapter meeting for Arizona Professional Writers and the APW annual conference. All three will be Zoom meetings but still, that’s a lot.

I’ve been posting my poetry on my Medium page. I hope you enjoy them. You can find it at: https://ccockrellauthor.medium.com/

Please be careful out there. Weather can turn nasty, accidents can happen, illness can overtake us. Till we can meet in person, stay at home when you can and wear a mask when you go out.

Giveaways:

The St. Patrick’s Day giveaway over. As soon as the administrator pulls the winners, I’ll let you know who won.

Our Spring giveaway is now live. New with this giveaway is a video graphic to show the books and prizes. How cool is this! Big thanks to Lynn Lamb, one of our administrators, for this lovely graphic. Check out the link at https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/giveaways-and-prizes/ to enter.

Where will I Be?

On May 13^th at 2pm Arizona time, I’ll be on the podcast with Laurie Fagan on her show, AZ Creates. It’s a lovely podcast and as soon as I have the link for my interview, I’ll put it up. In the meantime, enjoy her show at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teajmtQ4-90&feature=youtu.be. Note, Karen Landau is a mystery author right here in my town! How great is that!

On July 17^th, I’ll be at the Payson Book Festival! Yes!! That’s correct! The Payson Book Festival is now a GO! Details are being resolved, but you’ll be able to visit us, in person, meet authors, and have some fun picking out your next books to read. See more at http://www.PaysonBookFestival.org.

Newsletter Sign Up:

Click here to sign up for my newsletter. I’ve put sign-up gifts on the regular and the SciFi/Fantasy and the Cozy Mystery newsletter sign-ups. That’s right. If you sign up for my newsletter you get a free story from me. Be prepared for fun and contests! Click on the video link for a short video from me. Hear what I’m working on. Join my “A” Team to be the first to read my books and hear what new books are coming. Don’t forget to follow my blog, too. Different material goes in the blog as in the newsletter. You can share both, so spread the word!

Newest Releases:

Creature in the Night, a short Halloween, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Fantasy story has been published. It is up on Amazon, in Kindle Unlimited or for purchase at $.99. You can also see all my books on https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/my-books-and-other-published-work/. If you’ve read any of my books, please drop a short, honest, review on the site where you bought it or on Goodreads or BookBub. Your review is critical to help me promote the books to other readers. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for reading my blog. Like all of the other work I do as an author, it takes time and money. If you enjoy this Monday blog and the Friday free story and the recipe, I put up on the 25th of every month, consider donating to https://www.paypal.me/ConniesRandomThought. I appreciate any donation to help support this blog.

Newest News:

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I ordered a mask with my author logo on it. It finally came in. That’s in in the above picture. I think I’ll use that for my avatar picture, at least for a while, on my Facebook page and elsewhere. Who knows when I’ll do another signing, but if I do, I may wear this mask.

Just as I was ramping up my exercise, last Thursday I slammed my bare foot into my recliner and broke the 4^th toe on my right foot. Sigh. It’s crooked, so I went to the doc to see if he’d set it back into the correct position. He looked at it without touching it—commented that I did the right thing by taping it to the 3^rd toe and sent me to get Xrays. Since it was late Friday afternoon, it will be today (Monday) before anything will be done about it. Aggravating.

I have been coordinating with my cover designer for Creature in the Night. I’m excited to see what the designer comes up with. Covers are just so exciting. I’m hoping to have the story up on Kindle Unlimited before Halloween. Stay tuned for release information.

Stay safe. Stay well.

Giveaways:

The Summer giveaway has ended! I’ll be posting my winners as soon as the organizer gets them sorted out.

The Halloween giveaway is up! You can check it out at: https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/giveaways-and-prizes/. As always, each author is giving away at least 2 prizes and there’s a Paypal cash grand prize.

Where will I Be?

Pine Library, 6124 W. Randall Place, Pine AZ, Friends of the Library meeting is October 26th, at 1pm. If you happen to be in Pine, AZ, on that date, come on by. I’ll have some books available for purchase and signing.

Newsletter Sign Up:

Click here to sign up for my newsletter. I’ve put sign-up gifts on the regular and the SciFi/Fantasy and the Cozy Mystery newsletter sign-ups. That’s right. If you sign up for my newsletter you get a free story from me. Be prepared for fun and contests! Click on the video link for a short video from me. Hear what I’m working on. Join my “A” Team to be the first to read my books and hear what new books are coming. Don’t forget to follow my blog, too. Different material goes in the blog as in the newsletter. You can share both, so spread the word!

Newest Releases:

Gold Dreams released May 13th, 2019. It is up on Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, (Direct link doesn’t work, copy the URL and paste it into your browser, or go directly to Kobo.com and search for Gold Dreams, Connie Cockrell), and Smashwords. The print version is available on Amazon. You can also see all my books on https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/my-books-and-other-published-work/. If you’ve read any of my books, please drop a short, honest, review on the site where you bought it or on Goodreads or BookBub. Your review is critical to help me promote the books to other readers. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for reading my blog. Like all of the other work I do as an author, it takes time and money. If you enjoy this Monday blog and the Friday free story and the recipe I put up on the 25th of every month, consider donating to https://www.paypal.me/ConniesRandomThought. I appreciate any donation to help support this blog.

Newest News:

I’m working on formatting Creature in the Night for publishing on Kindle Unlimited. I’ve contacted a cover designer I know about getting an ebook cover done up. The cover is the thing that will take the longest to get done. I use Vellum, for those interested, to do my formatting and it hardly takes any time at all to do. Even less time than I usually take because I’m just doing an Amazon ebook, not trying to do a print version or cover any other sales site. Perhaps up by the end of the month for .99? Fun!

I’m still eating zucchini. I found a recipe for a summer squash casserole and we tried it last night. Delish. Hubby liked it too. This weekend the garden decided to ripen tomatoes. That’s my gathering basket with the morning’s pickings. Hope you’re luxuriating in your garden produce or have a chance to hit up your local farm stands and farmer’s markets for the best of the season.

I also have a few native Arizonan plants in my garden. One is a climbing plant. Beans. I’ve lost the packet so I don’t know the variety. I caught a picture, poor because a breeze was blowing. It has tiny purple bean flowers and cute little bean pods.

Dropped to about 212 this last week. This is my one month anniversary for the diet and I’ve lost 18 pounds. I’m settling into my eating pattern of green juice for breakfast and lunch with a paleo dinner in the evening. I actually like the green juice. I’ve always liked bitter greens and celery, so juicing them works very well for me. If you’re following along with me, yay for you. I hope it’s going well. Drop a comment below if you’d like to share your story!

Stay safe. Stay well.

Giveaways:

The Summer giveaway has ended! I’ll be posting my winners as soon as the organizer gets them sorted out.

That means, the Halloween giveaway is going up! I’ll put the link up as soon as she gets it to me. You can check it out here: https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/giveaways-and-prizes/. As always, each author is giving away at least 2 prizes and there’s a Paypal cash grand prize.

Where will I Be?

Pine Library, 6124 W. Randall Place, Pine AZ, Friends of the Library meeting is October 26th, at 1pm. If you happen to be in Pine, AZ, on that date, come on by. I’ll have some books available for purchase and signing.

Newsletter Sign Up:

Click here to sign up for my newsletter. I’ve put sign-up gifts on the regular and the SciFi/Fantasy and the Cozy Mystery newsletter sign-ups. That’s right. If you sign up for my newsletter you get a free story from me. Be prepared for fun and contests! Click on the video link for a short video from me. Hear what I’m working on. Join my “A” Team to be the first to read my books and hear what new books are coming. Don’t forget to follow my blog, too. Different material goes in the blog as in the newsletter. You can share both, so spread the word!

Newest Releases:

Gold Dreams released May 13th, 2019. It is up on Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, (Direct link doesn’t work, copy the URL and paste it into your browser, or go directly to Kobo.com and search for Gold Dreams, Connie Cockrell), and Smashwords. The print version is available on Amazon. You can also see all my books on https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/my-books-and-other-published-work/. If you’ve read any of my books, please drop a short, honest, review on the site where you bought it or on Goodreads or BookBub. Your review is critical to help me promote the books to other readers. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for reading my blog. Like all of the other work I do as an author, it takes time and money. If you enjoy this Monday blog and the Friday free story and the recipe I put up on the 25th of every month, consider donating to https://www.paypal.me/ConniesRandomThought. I appreciate any donation to help support this blog.

Attack of the critters on Saturday. I watered my garden on Saturday and the peppers, which I’ve shared with you before, and my sunflowers in the front yard, were doing well. Above is a picture my husband took of the sunflowers. They were volunteers, probably planted by the chipmunks, but they looked very nice. On Saturday afternoon, I happened to be looking out of my patio door at the riot of hummingbirds and saw something in my tomato and pepper bed. A squirrel, sitting beside the pepper plant, holding a green tomato, munching away with a very small pepper on the ground at its feet. Well, I knocked on the glass doors but the squirrel, non-plussed, kept eating. I had to open the door and yell at the little thief before he’d run off. On Sunday morning, I glanced out into my front yard and every flowerhead on my sunflowers was gone. Since the stalks were still standing, I blame the elk. The javalina would have had to knock them over to get at the flowers. Sigh. That’s what we get, I guess, living in a National Forest.

In garden news I harvested the first of my peaches. It’s a small crop this year as we trimmed the peach tree back very hard early this spring. Still, there are plenty of peaches, even with the birds and the squirrel, taking bites out of ripe ones. I also picked my first yellow squash. I like the straight neck variety best. That will turn into grilled squash I expect. The above picture is from a previous year.

Have I mentioned that I had volunteered to be a poll worker? Arizona’s primary is Tuesday and I heard from the team leader for the polling place where I’ll be working, on Saturday. We discussed the set-up time on Monday and when to come to the polling place on Tuesday. Also, that we cannot leave all day, so I need to bring food and drink with me. I’m excited, actually, though Tuesday starts at 5am (to be there, I’ll have to get up earlier to get ready and drive there) and will end after we pack everything up at about 8pm. Still. I get to see a piece of critical American civil process in action. I’m pleased to be a volunteer for this.

In writing news, so far I’m still just writing this blog. I’m blaming it on the corona ennui. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Stay safe. Stay well.

Giveaways:

The spring giveaway, Spring Flings and Book Things, is over. I’ll let you know when the winners are drawn.

In the meantime, the Summer giveaway is now in progress! Check it out here: https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/giveaways-and-prizes/. As always, each author is giving away at least 2 prizes and there’s a Paypal cash grand prize.

Where will I Be?

Pine Library, 6124 W. Randall Place, Pine AZ, Friends of the Library meeting, has been officially rescheduled. The new date for my appearance is October 26th, still at 1pm. If you happen to be in Pine, AZ on that date, come on by. I’ll have some books available for purchase and signing.

Newsletter Sign Up:

Click here to sign up for my newsletter. I’ve put sign-up gifts on the regular and the SciFi/Fantasy and the Cozy Mystery newsletter sign-ups. That’s right. If you sign up for my newsletter you get a free story from me. Be prepared for fun and contests! Click on the video link for a short video from me. Hear what I’m working on. Join my “A” Team to be the first to read my books and hear what new books are coming. Don’t forget to follow my blog, too. Different material goes in the blog as in the newsletter. You can share both, so spread the word!

Newest Releases:

Gold Dreams released May 13th, 2019. It is up on Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, (Direct link doesn’t work, copy the URL and paste it into your browser, or go directly to Kobo.com and search for Gold Dreams, Connie Cockrell), and Smashwords. The print version is available on Amazon. You can also see all my books on https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/my-books-and-other-published-work/. If you’ve read any of my books, please drop a short, honest, review on the site where you bought it or on Goodreads or BookBub. Your review is critical to help me promote the books to other readers. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for reading my blog. Like all of the other work I do as an author, it takes time and money. If you enjoy this Monday blog and the Friday free story and the recipe I put up on the 25th of every month, consider donating to https://www.paypal.me/ConniesRandomThought. I appreciate any donation to help support this blog.

Newest News:

So while my husband and I are staying home, we continue to look at the wildlife that comes to our yard or wanders down our street. The other day, this tarantula crossed the street in front of us and wandered into our front yard. You can see tiny drops of water on him as it was sprinkling rain when hubby and I took the picture. He’s interesting and a little creepy. Sorry. It can’t be all Gambrel Quails and chipmunks all the time.

Last week I mentioned my garden and the tomatoes and the peppers. The zucchini and yellow squash had tiny squashes. Those are now gone. Eaten I suspect, since I didn’t see them do it, by the chipmunks, and maybe the squirrel. They eat the blossoms from the petunias, as well. Lovely, delicate diet these critters have. The hummingbirds are in full throttle, swarming our backyard, fighting and screaming at each other. Here’s an older video my husband took that shows what I mean. Here’s a video: https://youtu.be/XnNdv_BySOo

In writing news, so far I’m still just writing this blog. I’m blaming it on the corona ennui. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Stay safe. Stay well.

Giveaways:

Almost over, the Smashwords summer/winter sale runs for a few more days. Several of my books are on sale and I hope you get a chance to go to that site and check them out. Click on the link and scroll through the list to see books on discount sale. Have fun and check out some other authors while you’re there! https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/conniecockrell  Don’t forget. The sale ends on the 31^st.

The spring giveaway, Spring Flings and Book Things, is over. I’ll let you know when the winners are drawn.

In the meantime, the Summer giveaway is now in progress! Check it out here: https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/giveaways-and-prizes/. As always, each author is giving away at least 2 prizes and there’s a Paypal cash grand prize.

Where will I Be?

Pine Library, 6124 W. Randall Place, Pine AZ, Friends of the Library meeting, has been officially rescheduled. The new date for my appearance is October 26th, still at 1pm.

Newsletter Sign Up:

Click here to sign up for my newsletter. I’ve put sign-up gifts on the regular and the SciFi/Fantasy and the Cozy Mystery newsletter sign-ups. That’s right. If you sign up for my newsletter you get a free story from me. Be prepared for fun and contests! Click on the video link for a short video from me. Hear what I’m working on. Join my “A” Team to be the first to read my books and hear what new books are coming. Don’t forget to follow my blog, too. Different material goes in the blog as in the newsletter. You can share both, so spread the word!

Newest Releases:

Gold Dreams released May 13th, 2019. It is up on Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, (Direct link doesn’t work, copy the URL and paste it into your browser, or go directly to Kobo.com and search for Gold Dreams, Connie Cockrell), and Smashwords. The print version is available on Amazon. You can also see all my books on https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/my-books-and-other-published-work/. If you’ve read any of my books, please drop a short, honest, review on the site where you bought it or on Goodreads or BookBub. Your review is critical to help me promote the books to other readers. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for reading my blog. Like all of the other work I do as an author, it takes time and money. If you enjoy this Monday blog and the Friday free story and the recipe I put up on the 25th of every month, consider donating to https://www.paypal.me/ConniesRandomThought. I appreciate any donation to help support this blog.