News

A Quick Update

/ Marcia Meara / 35 Comments

Took a minute to update Facebook earlier, but figured you guys were due, as well. Thanks so much to those who’ve inquired about my health, and sent me their best wishes. MUCH appreciated.

My doctor’s visit yesterday revealed what I had expected. After feeling better on Friday, I got much worse over the weekend, but couldn’t be squeezed in to see her before yesterday morning, at which time she gave me the news. My cold turned into severe bronchitis, bordering on pneumonia. The good news is, I have Wonder Drugs on board now, and I’m assured I’ll feel much better very soon. I can already tell a difference. I’ve been cleared to do my Meet the Author Luncheon and Tea on Saturday, as long as I rest from now until then, and again afterward, and don’t overdo. (I will NOT be contagious by then, so if you are planning to come, you are safe, I promise. I double checked.)

I’m trying to respond to a few posts and emails here and there, but mostly, I’m resting as instructed, taking my meds, drinking Echinacea tea, and getting well as fast as I can!

You guys carry on as you are, and I’ll be back in full force as soon as possible. Smooches!

 

Gone Fishin’

/ Marcia Meara / 3 Comments

Okay, not really. But I’ll be away from my computer for a couple of days. Be back soon, though. And in the meantime, feel free to chat amongst yourselves, or post updates  or promos, if you are a contributor. I will try to check in from time to time, but I can’t promise! I do promise to miss you guys, though!

Some Exciting #News – #StJohnsRiverEcoTours – #NotesFromTheRiver Weekly Blog

/ Marcia Meara / 7 Comments

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As many of you know, my Riverbend series is based on a fictional small Florida town, located not very far from where I live, and peopled with the eccentric characters who dwell in my slightly warped brain. The first book in the series, Swamp Ghosts, was inspired by my real life friends, Captain Jeanne Bell and her photographer husband, Doug Little. Sadly, we lost Jeanne a few months ago (see my post here), but Doug has decided the very best way to honor her memory is to continue with their extremely popular Eco tours aboard Jeanne’s custom-built boat, the Naiad.

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Doug is an excellent wildlife photographer, and is filled with interesting and often amazing information on the habitat and history of the St. Johns River. He’s eager to share all of it, and to that end, Doug has completely revamped the St. Johns River Eco Tours website. Let me tell you, it is looking SHARP! There are lots of new features, including sections on local authors, exploring the river, downloadable bird and wildlife checklists, and tons of other goodies.

One of the brand new features is a weekly blog, and I’m extremely proud to say I’ve been asked to author it. I’m both honored and excited! Every Wednesday, I’ll be posting about wildlife, birds, new things spotted on the river, and any other topic that fits the theme of the blog:  “Notes From the River.”

I’m hereby inviting ALL of you to check out the “New and Improved” St. Johns River Eco Tours Website, and explore all the cool new things you’ll find there. Navigate the site via the links at the top of each page, most of which include dropdown menus.

You’ll be able to learn about the history of the river, ecology, local authors, the SJR Team, and more. PLUS, you’ll be able to book a tour, so you can see the wonders of the St. Johns River for yourself. It’s a fantastic, beautiful, and entertaining experience you’ll never forget. I know. I’ve been on the tour many, many times over the years, and I can honestly say it changed my life. It might or might not inspire you to write a romantic suspense novel like I did, but I can guarantee you’ll never have a more relaxing and enjoyable afternoon. 

While you’re on the SJR website, don’t forget to click on the Blog button, and check out Notes From the River. Please take a moment to read my introductory post (click on the Continue Reading button at the bottom to see the whole post). I hope you’ll leave a comment to let me know what you think, and that you’ll follow the blog, as well. (You can follow each post individually and/or use the RSS Feed button at the top of the page).

I’m really thrilled to have this chance to share a bit of Florida with all you good folks, so I’m looking forward to reading your comments, and answering questions on many of Florida’s  nature-related topics.

Please help us get this website and blog off to a  great start by sharing with the Immediate World. THANKS!

Can’t wait to see you there!

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“Mine! Go get your OWN turtle!”
Photograph by Doug Little

St. Johns River Eco Tours
Notes From the River Blog
Swamp Ghosts: Riverbend Book 1
Finding Hunter: Riverbend Book 2

 

#MeetTheAuthor St. Johns River #EcoTour @marciameara

/ Marcia Meara / 33 Comments

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Join me on Thursday, December 8, at 1:30pm, for a two-hour ecotour on the beautiful St. Johns River, with a brief break mid-point for a reading and some Q&A. See the REAL Florida from the comfort of the Naiad, while enjoying nature in all its glory. Birds, alligators, manatees, bears, deer, and more can be spotted during these tours. Some pretty amazing wildlife (and that’s not counting ME! 😀 ) And there will be time for a book signing afterward, too.

The ecotour departs from Highbanks Marina, in DeBary, and is the best bang for your buck in all of central Florida. Call Doug at (386) 626-9004 to make your reservations today! You’ll be glad you did!

Hope to see you there!

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I’m Back. Mostly.

/ Marcia Meara / 36 Comments

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Finally Getting to Meet Jackie, One of My WONDERFUL Beta Readers!

Hi, Everyone! Just wanted to touch base with you good folks to let you know I have not abandoned you. Lately, Life has just been a bit . . . errrmmm . . . challenging, shall we say. The past six weeks or so started with a car accident, and concluded (I hope) with the passing of my mother, who had been ill a long time, and heavily sedated toward the end. I’m glad she is far beyond that now, in a better place, but it was still very sad, as I’m sure you can imagine, and posting on my blogs was just beyond me for a while.

So, without going into further detail, let’s just say I’m hopeful (insistent, really!) that November and December will be filled with positive, happy events. I’m going to do my part to see that they are. And to get the ball rolling, the smiles and laughter began in earnest on Saturday, at the Meet the Author Tea at DeBary Hall. What a great time I had, and I think everyone else did, as well. This was one of the best groups I’ve had the pleasure to visit with, and I can’t tell you how much their comments, questions, support, and encouragement did to inspire me. It was just what I needed.

I came home ready to plunge right back into my story, to finish That Darkest Place, the third Riverbend book. Yeah, I know the title doesn’t sound very cheery, but those who’ve read my books know that I often put my characters into some dreadful situations, just to let them discover how much strength and courage they have within. I won’t leave anyone actually IN that darkest place–unless, of course, they’ve earned it. I promise. 🙂

I need to spend a day or two catching up with my writing, and then another day or two catching up with my blogs, before it’s business as usual, here. I’ve had to unsub from many of your blogs, since I’m in the process of scrapping my old email address. Don’t worry if yours was one of the ones I’ve left. I’ll be RE-subbing under my NEW email address as soon as possible. Can’t wait to find out what you’ve all been up to during my absence. (And if you didn’t notice I was gone, all the better. Pay no attention to that woman behind the curtain. Just carry on as usual! 😀 )

Have a great Moon’s Day!

 

Update on Setting Things Up & Starting Over

/ Marcia Meara / 21 Comments

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Just Relaxing, Here!
(I Wish!)

Well, I said it would take me a week or longer to get everything set up, and I was half right. A week ain’t gonna do it. Longer might. 🙂 At least I’ve got my blogs accessible, though I haven’t had much time for posting. And my email is coming in properly (knock wood!), though I’m still trying to learn how to organize gmail the way I want. But this is a vast improvement over just a couple of days ago.

Replacing all the programs I lost is taking a lot of time. Some things I can do without, but others, I really need, and must repurchase, in some cases, or locate online and reinstall. Changing my email address on all the blogs I follow, and other utility sites (like Twitter, Hootsuite, Facebook, etc) is taking for-EVER.

Bottom line is, I’m following you guys as best I can, but if I haven’t been responding to the latest posts on your blogs, it’s because I end every day with a ToDo list that’s longer than it was when the day began. And oh, yeah. I’m trying to write a book here, too. 😀

 I apologize for not being able to keep up right now, but as soon as I possibly can, I’ll be back to sharing your posts with the Immediate World. 🙂 Surely a few more days will do it.

THANKS!! Now back to your previously scheduled program. 😀

Testing New Email

/ Marcia Meara / 13 Comments

Just trying to make sure my blogs all send posts and comments alerts to my new email address. (More on that later.) You may safely ignore this, unless you’d like to email me at marciameara16@gmail.com so you can be added to my new contact list, too, as I phase out the Roadrunner/Outlook Satan’s Spawn Duo! I’ve already moved many of of my regular email contacts, but if you aren’t sure, feel free to email me at the gmail address. Thanks!

WooooHooooooo!!!! Technology R Us!

/ Marcia Meara / 35 Comments

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I’m back! Almost! Got my new pc and monitor this evening, and hooked it up. VERY happy with the lovely Hi-Def image, and the lightning fast speed of the new computer. Got a LOT to learn about Windows 10 and Outlook, neither of which I’ve used before. But I can do it! It might be another couple of days before I get “settled in,” but at least I’m not trying to dictate my posts via my iPhone.

Doing a happy dance here, even though it’s WAY past time for me to call it a night and retire with a book. Thanks for all the well wishes, guys, and rest assured, I’ll not be caught so poorly prepared for tech failure again. I’ve already bought a new tablet, for Back Up Plan #1, and I’m making up actual PAPER folders for important email and contact information to keep in an actual physical file cabinet.  That’s Back Up Plan #2.

I’ll sleep MUCH better tonight, now that I’m connected to the world again. 🙂 See you tomorrow!

Digging Out From Under

/ Marcia Meara / 9 Comments

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Or I Should Be By Thursday, Anyway!

Making slow progress here, but slow progress is better than NO progress, right? I mean, there are tales of tortoises winning races with the slow and steady approach, after all. 😉

Just wanted to let you know that I will be gradually working my way back to my blogs, posting whatever I can squeeze in between the raking and cleaning, etc. And for those of you who were put on hold, #ExcerptWeek will resume on Thursday, giving the last of you exposure right through the weekend. So stay tuned for that.

Going to post a #MondayMeme shortly, just to make me feel like I’ve done at least a small post today,  and then it’s back to work for  me.  Will TRY to post my Tuesday Review on Bookin’ It, tomorrow, too, but no promises.

Have a great, HURRICANE-FREE day today, folks! (I’m enjoying an occasional check with the National Huricane Center, just to watch Matthew die a slow, lingering death. Sorry, Matt . . . you won’t be missed!)

As you were, folks! 🙂

 

It Never Rains But It Pours . . .

/ Marcia Meara / 59 Comments

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. . . and  pours. And pours. We are about to get slammed by Hurricane Matthew, it appears. If the city of Daytona takes a direct hit, as predicted, we are well within the Zone of hurricane force winds and rain. (We are less than 20 miles from there.) Mark is securing the buildings downtown, and we will be battening the hatches here. No mandatory evacuation for us at this point, since we are inland, but we will be getting a ton of rain and wind, most likely. And we are almost certain to lose power. Thank goodness for camping gear and a gas-powered generator. It will let us run the refrigerator and the emergency window a/c in our bedroom.

I will try to get some more excerpts up today, but I have to shop for a few storm supplies, gas up the car, and reschedule the workshop I was going to do on Saturday, first. The venue will likely be closed for storm clean-up.

SO, if I disappear for a couple of days, you’ll know why. And I STILL promise to get all your excerpts up as quickly as I can when I return. They WILL be shared here as soon as Real Life gives me a bit of breathing room.

In the meantime, wish us luck. And my daughter, Erin, too. She is in a mandatory evacuation zone in Charleston, South Carolina, and they are on their way out of town.

Matthew is a very bad boy.