Category Archives: Monthly Letter

Dear Reader,

Hello again. Thanks for stopping by. Kids are going back to school, and I am sure there are parents out there doing cartwheels!

Even though it’s early September, we still have some hot weather ahead, especially if you’re in the South.  The summer was so hot I didn’t even bother to attempt a vegetable garden.  According to some friends of mine who live in the Garden State of New Jersey, the only thing that made it through the heat was the corn.   Nothing like a good, buttery, corn on the cob. I don’t know about you, but when the temperature is about to burst the thermometer, I don’t feel too much like cooking so I will share some easy recipes besides digging into a carton of ice cream!

It’s also hurricane season and I’ve heard we’re supposed to be okay…. BUT the past two storms were horrible. Flooding, winds. Sure felt like a hurricane. No thanks. My advice is be prepared. Make sure you have enough batteries and candles, and water. Oh, and pet food!

The cats are still running my life and I am very happy about it, and so is Harvey. He thinks they belong to him.  If you don’t have a pet you don’t know what you’re missing. I’m serious. There are dozens of studies from accredited health organizations stating that interacting with an animal has shown to decrease levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, that helps to lower your blood pressure. They also found animals help lower anxiety levels. Of course, they provide companionship and help to structure your day. You ain’t kidding. My fur family bosses me around all day long.

On to book news. I am thrilled about the article the ran in Woman’s World for Smuggler’s Cove. A 2-page spread and a shout out on the cover! I am over the moon. Check out the pdf on the site.

I am also excited about the latest novel in Santa’s Crew, Santa’s Holiday Spectacular where Santa’s Crew meets The Sisterhood for a wild romp in New York, chasing down a bunch of bungling thieves. Lots of fun and laughter for the holidays. It’s available at the end of this month. So to prepare you for the holidays and wave bye-bye to summer, this months’ contest will be:

Grand Prize: Smuggler’s Cove, Santa Cruise, Santa & Company, Santa’s Secret, and Santa’s Holiday Spectacular
Two other lucky winners will receive a hardcover edition of Santa’s Holiday Spectacular and Smuggler’s Cove

Kensington, my publisher, is also running a few contests for Smuggler’s Cove and Santa’s Holiday Spectacular so check out my FB and Instagram pages for more info.

Thanks again for visiting

All the Best,
Fern

Dear Reader,

It’s time for the “Dog Days” of summer.  I always thought they were called that because the dogs would look for shade and pant their way through the month.  But that’s not correct.  The term actually started over a thousand years ago when the Greeks discovered Sirius known as The Dog Star.  Sirius appears in the night sky in August, hence “Dog Days.”  Who knew?  The Greeks I suppose.

Talk about a hot summer!  The heat, the rain, the flooding.  If you see four men riding on horses (Red, Black, Pale, White) hitch up your pants and run like the wind!  But seriously, there is a lot of energy swirling around us.  My heart goes out to anyone who has been impacted by the wrath of mother nature, and human dastardly deeds.

Do you ever feel like you are in the spin cycle of the washing machine?  Hang on, my friends.  Think good, calm, cool thoughts.  People can be bursts of energy, so let’s focus it on good stuff.  I know it can be difficult to find good stuff when you’re dealing with a boatload of chaos, loss, stress, and strife.  You name it.  But there is always something to smile about.  Sometimes you have to look in the most unlikely places.  Where?  Your friends — I know you’ve got at least one or two — your pets, your family.  I try to look at life like I’m watching television.  If I don’t like what’s on, I change the channel until I find something amusing, engaging, or entertaining.  I suppose that’s why people have hobbies.  They are a distraction and hopefully satisfying.  Me?  I enjoy diddling in the garden when it’s not 100ᴼ.  I think I’m giving up on vegetables.  But the biggest joy is my pets.  (Don’t tell my kids, or the grandkids.  LOL.)

On to some book news!  I am very pleased to announce that THE WILD SIDE is #7 on The NEW YORK TIMES Best Seller List!  My deepest appreciation to my fans!

I’m also very excited to announce a new series which will begin on August 26 with the publication of SMUGGLER’S COVE, a new hardcover set in the summer at the Jersey Shore, but it will not be anything like that dreadful reality show.  Dang if those nincompoops didn’t give such a beautiful area such a horrible reputation.  Trust me.  SMUGGLER’S COVE is rich in history, wrapped in a mystery, with enough people to champion, and a few to despise. 😉

I am also thrilled to tell you that WOMENS WORLD will be featuring an interview with me and a few tidbits of SMUGGLER’S COVE.  The magazine is scheduled to be on the shelves and on-line August 25th.  So keep an eye out when you’re at the grocery store.

GOOD READS is also doing a promotion for SMUGGLER’S COVE and SANTA’S HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR. They are giving away 100 copies of each of them so check my FB page for more details.

My contest for this month are signed copies! First prize – Smugglers Cove and No Way Out – New trade paperback edition.  Second & Third Prize – Smugglers Cove.

All the best,
Fern

Dear Friends,

July 4th!  Holy firecrackers.  If you are reading this after the holiday I hope you had a blast!  No pun intended! 😊

The weather has been extremely hot and steamy, although that’s not new to South Carolina.  It seems like it lasts longer and gets hotter more often.  Apparently we are not the only people living in a steam bath.  The fluctuations in the temperatures are crazy, especially in my house.  Last week my air conditioner quit on me when the heat index was 106°!!!  The mechanic said he had to order new blades and it could take up to ten days!  I wasn’t sure if I was going to faint from the heat or what he had just told me.  Probably both.  Thankfully he was able to find two of the three blades, pulled a “MacGyver” and rigged it so it would work.  BUT…I couldn’t control the thermostat and my house became a meat locker at 54°.  I kept going outside to warm up.  The fun never ends.

By now you are probably accustomed to my fur-family stories.  In the past three years I’ve become one of those “Cat Ladies”.  I refrain from inserting the word “Crazy” but give me time…BECAUSE my grandson rescued a very young kitten and guess what?  I’m keeping her.

Book news:  The Wild Side is now on sale in mass market, with a kick-ass cover!  A new series TWIN LIGHTS will debut with Smuggler’s Cove in August.  The first part of the story is character development; some you will love to hate!  It’s also filled with interesting historical facts about pirates, privateers, sunken ships and rum runners, as we spend modern day at the shore.

This months’ contest winner will receive signed copies of the paperback editions of The Wild Side, Lilac Time and Plain Jane.

All the best,
Fern

Dear Friends,

June is busting out all over and so are the roses, gardenias, hydrangeas, and some curious mushrooms. Those I would not trust to eat, but they sure are interesting looking.

I hope everyone had a nice Mother’s Day and Memorial Weekend. Sadly there seems to be more people to keep in our prayers every month. It’s important to be thankful for the blessings in our lives even if it’s only having a day with no drama, which is also rare. Be positive!

We are almost halfway through 2025, and the summer solstice will be arriving shortly. It’s the longest day of the year so enjoy it!

Besides the solstice, we have several holidays this month starting with Flag Day on June 14th.  Many people have risked their lives and continue to risk their lives so we can live in a free country. Let’s join together and show our patriotism for our country regardless of politics.

June 15th is Father’s Day so remember to honor your Dad. He will always be with you. If not in body, then in spirit.

Back to the summer solstice. On June 20th it will mark “official” beginning of summer, when the sun is at the highest point in the Northern Hemisphere. At the same time, it is the beginning of winter in the Southern Hemisphere. That’s today’s astronomy lesson. Speaking of astronomy, there have been some incredible “lights” in the northern skies. They call it a Geostorm: a coronal mass ejection from the sun. Believe it or not it can cause outages and telecommunication disruptions from satellites. Sounds scary, but if you’re reading this, I think we’re okay!!!

On to my animal kingdom. I have a big wrap around porch in the front of my house, complete with rocking chairs, which has been the inspiration for several of my book covers. Gave my 6 rockers and 2 benches a fresh coat of paint and some kick-ass cushions that damn near blind you. Hung up 10 ferns (yes ferns!) on the beams and my wildlife came to call, 8 doves made nests with 6 sticks and a string, and they set up housekeeping. Two little brown wrens made nests in the other 2. I sit out there real quietly and say my prayers, until Fred, the woodpecker makes his presence known.

In the evening, Oliver the Owl is still trying to cajole Olivia into some kind of tet-a-tete, but she won’t have anything to do with him; and he’s keeping everyone awake with his longing. Typical male. Ignore them and they keep coming back!

I’m excited to announce the paperback edition of The Wild Side is now available in mass market, and will be part of this month’s contest. I mentioned in previous letters that my publisher―along with most―will no longer be publishing paperbacks in that format. They will be switching to the trade trim size – a little bigger, and a few dollars more. Trust me, it wasn’t my idea.

Two winners will receive signed copies of The Wild Side, as well as a signed limited Advance Reader’s Copy of Smuggler’s Cove, a new novel that takes place in a coastal community. New characters, and a few quirky ones; pirate lore, and sunken treasure.

A few more things. June is cataract awareness month. Believe me, if your doctor tells you to have them removed, please listen and take action. Waiting too long can cause serious vision issues. It’s also National Adopt a Cat Month; and let’s not forget National Accordion Awareness Month. Polka anyone? LOL.

Thanks for visiting. Hope you come on by again soon. Be safe, be well, be kind.

Sincerely,
Fern

Dear Friends,

Yes, time to turn the calendar again. While some scientists claim we are being hurdled through space faster, it still does not contribute to the sensation that time is moving faster. You still with me? LOL. Apparently as we get older our perception of time changes. The older we get the fewer new experiences we have and things become routine. I don’t completely understand the physics of it, but the main thing is to keep busy. Introduce more activities into your life and most of all, pay attention and be mindful of what you’re doing. But we have a lot of distractions, many aren’t that important. So, my soapbox pitch this month is to pay attention to what’s in front of you, who is in front of you, and what’s around you. I guess the old adage “Be Here Now” is sound advice. Turn off your phone and smell the roses. 😊

A few years ago I talked about the phrase “The Merry Month of May.”  It’s a poem from a play The Shoemaker’s Holiday written by Thomas Dekker (circa 1590) an Elizabethan poet and pamphleteer. It was first performed in 1599 by The Admirals Men, also known as The Earl of Nottingham’s Men, considered one of the most important acting troupes of The English Renaissance Theatre. The play depicts everyday life during the reign of King Henry VI. Here’s the first verse:

O the month of May, the merry month of May,
So frolic, so gay, and so green, so green, so green!
O, and then did I unto my true love say:
“Sweet Peg, thou shalt be my summer’s queen!”

One of the lines mentions “Kiss and Toy” so I’ll just leave the rest to your imagination. Yep, there was real heated romance way back when, and liaisons were not uncommon. I’m not sure if we’ve come a long way baby, or we just pretend we have.

Speaking of hot romance, my owls Oliver and Olivia seem to be having a rollick in the leaves, and Fred, the woodpecker is hammering out a tune every morning.

Getting back to this month. Mother’s Day is coming. Do something nice for your mother if she is still here. And if she isn’t, light a candle and say a prayer; or write a letter telling her all things you wish you had. Nobody’s perfect, but most importantly, a mother’s love never dies.

On to book news: A new anthology, Lilac Time just hit the shelves.

It’s a heartwarming springtime “feel good” collection of stories which bring the promise of bright new beginnings.

My novella, Sweet As Honey takes us on a journey with Natalie as she attempts re-entry into a social life, but she keeps getting side-lined by an infuriating beekeeper at the local farmer’s market who keeps buzzing around. As Natalie watches his patience and dedication in tending his hives, she begins to realize that not all relationships have to sting.

Everything She’d Ever Wanted by Lori Foster follows Annabeth’s observations of a single dad whose daughter happens to become enthralled with Annabeth’s dog. Sometimes the most innocent encounters can lead to the start of another.

The Memory Cabin by Carolyn Brown
Jenna Stewart loves gathering at her Texas lakeside cabin with her girlfriends. It’s an annual tradition to reconnect with the women who helped her deal with her mother’s passing along with the end of her marriage. But this year, lives are changing, dreams are evolving.

Next month the paperback edition of The Wild Side will be available. The protagonist, Melanie, longs to be a guidance counselor but the cost for her master’s degree was beyond her reach. At the urging of her brother, she took a job with the Office of Special Investigations and becomes a top-notch agent where she is able to continue her education. When she leaves the service, she is yanked back into a special mission that only Melanie can pull off. Some of the comments from the hardcover were “a character to be reckoned with;” “You will find Melanie to be intelligent, focused, yet full of humor. Get ready for a wild ride.” “Full of intrigue and suspense.”  Yes, Melanie is one kick-ass woman whose loyalty and ethics are beyond reproach, and she is a major dog lover. No surprise there!

One more VERY important thing, and VERY close to my heart: May is National Pet Adoption Month. Please think about our furry friends and help give one a furr-ever home.

We have three prizes for this month: Grand Prize winner will receive a signed copy of Lilac Time, The Wild Side, and Fight or Flight. Two second prize winners will receive signed copies of Lilac Time.

Okay, I have babbled along enough. Time to get on with one of my favorite subjects: FOOD!

Thanks for visiting. Hope you come on by again soon. Be safe, be well, be kind.

Sincerely,
Fern

Dear Friends,

Hooray for Spring!  The rebirth from the darkness.  This has been one crazy winter, but looking at the flowers starting to bloom brings me joy.

Each year I remind everyone why Easter falls on a different Sunday.  It’s the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Equinox.  The equinox – equal amounts of daylight and darkness – was March 20th. The full moon that follows is April 13, which means the following Sunday, April 20th is Easter.  I don’t know the origins, but I do know that is how it is calculated.

I recently discovered that the tradition of Easter Eggs began in Italy during the 13th century.  It represented rebirth and renewal.  According to history sources, it was forbidden to eat eggs during Lent, the forty days prior to Easter, so when Easter arrived it was time to fry up some omelets! 😊 Chocolate eggs began to emerge during the 19th century in Germany and France and found their way to America. Given the price of eggs now, chocolate seems like a good alternative, which is fine with me.  I LOVE CHOCOLATE!  Speaking of chocolate, many of you may know that chocolate can be very harmful to dogs, so make sure they are kept away from those furries.

The cats are still turning on the faucet and the television. I can hide the remote, but as far as the sink, well there isn’t much I can do.  I just wish they would do the dishes.

In last month’s letter I mentioned the end of the Lost and Found Series, but a few characters will make cameo appearances in Santa’s Holiday Spectacular this fall where the Sisters unintentionally meet Santa’s Crew for a rip roaring adventure through Rockefeller Center.  Meanwhile, my new hardcover Fight or Flight is on sale now.  I also want to reiterate some of the changes you will see toward the end of this year.  Over the past couple of years, mass-market paperback books have not been selling well, and the big-box stores will no longer be carrying them in the fall.  As a result most publishers decided to move to the Trade Paperback format/trim size, so don’t be surprised if you discover this larger sized book with a larger price point.  Lilac Time, the annual spring anthology, will also be in the new format at the end of April.

I know there are a lot of unnerving things happening all over the world and I pray everyone, everywhere will find renewal and rebirth with this new season.

This month’s contest will include:

First place winner will be the first one to get a signed copy of Lilac Time and signed editions of Fern Michaels’ latest bestsellers Backwater Justice and Fight or Flight!  Second place winner will receive a signed copy of Fight or Flight! and two other favorites of mine.

Again, my deepest appreciation for your support.

Big hugs,
Fern

Hello Friends,

Every month I am thrown for a loop at how fast time passes by. There is one good thing about it, and that’s because Spring is around the corner. I only hope the weather has checked the calendar. It’s been a very crazy winter for everyone.

The fur family is doing just fine, and I still haven’t figured out who is unraveling the toilet paper. People who aren’t pet owners don’t understand how I can find something like that funny. They are missing out on unconditional love, and entertainment. Let’s face it, hitting the TV remote in the middle of the night, or turning on the faucet isn’t criminal behavior. I’m thrilled I have such ingenious animals. Sometimes I think they are smarter than I am. Afterall, I do all the work. And I don’t mind one bit.

I also want to remind you about cyber security. There is an enormous amount of scams and spam flooding the internet, even more than usual. It’s tax season and a great opportunity for people to steal your money. Speaking of such things, I also want to remind you that there is no cost to enter our contests. If you see “YOU HAVE WON” in the subject line, DO NOT OPEN IT. The winner notifications come directly from me from my personal email.

On to more fun things. I am thrilled to announce Backwater Justice made it to # 5 on The New York Times Best Seller List. It blows my mind that we are on book #36 in The Sisterhood and, so far, every one of them has hit the list. So, thank you for your readership, your emails, and your posts.

Speaking of publishing, I am about to give you some behind-the-scenes insight into the book business. It’s the last word in the previous sentence that people seem to forget, or don’t consider books a business. I won’t go into all the boring things like profit margins, linear feet, ROI. Over the past couple of years, mass-market paperback books have not been selling well, as far as number of units that go through the cash register. Because of this, many of the large, big-box stores will not be purchasing that format. As a result of that decision, many publishers are opting to move the titles that would have been scheduled for mass market, into Trade Paperbacks, the larger version, which the big box stores are willing to carry. This will begin to take place toward the end of the year and by 2026, our favorite “pocketbooks” will no longer be available. The main reason I am telling you this is because I don’t want you to be shocked when you go into Walmart or Target and see my books are a different size, and of course, a higher price point. Believe me, this was not my decision. However there is some good news in this. The next Christmas book, Santa’s Holiday Spectacular will be offered in trade and hardcover simultaneously, so you can buy more copies for gifts. 😊

My next hardcover Fight or Flight will be on sale March 25th, and Plain Jane and Fast Track will be coming out again in new packaging. I must say, the art department did a bang-up job with the covers.

Now on to some sad news. The Lost and Found Series, starring Luna and Cullen Bodman and the colorful artists of Stillwell Art Center has ended. I was delighted by your notes and comments and appreciate them very much, but my publisher encouraged me to start a new series. This one is called Twin Lights Series with the first book, Smuggler’s Cove coming this summer.

All the best,
Fern

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you and your loved ones safe and well. I don’t know about where you live, but snow? In South Carolina? And New Orleans, and Florida? I shouldn’t be having trouble finding another word for “crazy” but it sure is! I suppose if you’ve never experienced snow, it could be a new adventure…if you’re in the third grade! As much as I think it can be beautiful as the white puffs lounge among the branches, I’d rather not have to deal with it. Shoveling and scraping ice off the car isn’t my idea of fun. I’m glad I have my kids who can find other kids to do it. LOL.

February brings us Ground Hog Day, which dates back to the 1800’s. From what I heard, Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter, while Staten Island Chuck predicts an early Spring. Phil’s prognostications have been accurate only 30% in the past ten years, so my money is on Chuck. Besides, New Yorkers are tough and don’t mess around. Ha.

We also have Valentine’s Day this month, and I have mixed feelings. As a writer of romance novels, I am sometimes ambivalent about it. I know that sounds contrary, but the reason I write those types of novels is because it’s the kind of romantic experience we wish we can have. And who says we can’t? If no one buys you candy this year, buy some for yourself. Or buy yourself a new purse. Something to treat yourself.  We shouldn’t have to wait for other people to do something nice for us. If you’re single, especially female, gather up your gal-pals and celebrate Galentine’s Day, and celebrate your friendship! Kind of like The Sisterhood.

There is also the festival for the Lunar New Year, which has been observed for over three millennia, as in thousands. One legend is about a beast named Nian who was believed to feast on humans. But Nian feared loud noises, fire and the color red, hence the invention of fireworks by the Chinese. Those were this month’s cultural and historical tidbits.

That’s all I’ve got for now. Be well. Be safe. Be kind. Be good to yourself.

All the best,
Fern

Dear Friends,

Let me start with wishing everyone a happy, healthy, less-stress 2025. It’s been a few tumultuous years, so before we begin, I’d like to ask you to stop for a few seconds, take a long inhale, then exhale any left-over angst from last year. Now, take another slow, deep breath and imagine the air is filled with blessings. Better? I hope so. For years I’ve been looking for ways to let some of the stress go. One way to do it is to prioritize your worries, by shedding the little things. Believe me, so much of it are the little things, and a lot of it is worrying about what someone else thinks of us. If they are your friend, they will think good thoughts. Okay so maybe once in a while you get on each other’s nerves, or you want to tell them that their overuse of the word “like” is bugging the pants off you, which I can tell you, drives me absolutely nuts! Is it perfectly fine when you are using it to describe enjoyment, or a simile, but every other word? Imagine if we substituted another word, for example (notice I didn’t use the word “like” but it would have been appropriate LOL) how about the word “duh?” I’m laughing just thinking about it.

Getting back to the new year. How about we resolve to be strong and kind, to each other, and to ourselves? I’m not trying to be Pollyanna. I know it’s hard to be pleasant when your life is in chaos, but remember you are not alone. Most people are going through something, even if it’s trying to find that one darn missing sock. Hang in there. I honestly believe better days are ahead. That was my message last January, and the January before. All I can say is the same things I said before. Be strong. Be kind. Have Faith.

The cats managed to mangle a few Christmas trees. They think ornaments are toys. Next year I may invest in rubber ornaments if they make them. If they don’t then someone should! Based on the stories I’ve heard; most pet owners would buy them for sure!

Once again I want to thank you for all your support last year and the years before. Your kind words on social media mean a lot to me. I’m not a big fan of social media because too many people use it in negative ways so I greatly appreciate positive feedback and spreading a little cheer.

Time to talk books. For those of you who are Sisterhood fans, the paperback edition of Backwater Justice is on sale now. If you haven’t read any of the previous books in the series have no fear. There is a lot of back story so you don’t have to start at the beginning of the series. I try to do that with each new installment, speaking of which, this one is #36 of the Sisterhood series. I am incredibly happy that people continue to enjoy the quest for justice, by women! The story revolves around the enormously powerful Spangler family in the Pacific Northwest who lord over the lumber industry. When two young girls go missing and suspicion points at them, the patriarch phones his dear friend Myra to help in the search. But within the confines of the corporation, many other secrets are discovered, not the least of which is the trafficking of fentanyl as far south as Mexico to the Canadian border. It’s quite topical, if I say so myself, considering I wrote it over a year ago.

Sometimes I scare myself when I write about things that eventually happen. Believe me, I do not claim to have any psychic abilities whatsoever. It just seems to occur from time to time. Too bad I can’t do that with the lottery!

No matter where you live, the weather seems to be unpredictable. We’ve had temperature swings from 65 to 35 degrees in two days. I worry about the trees and the plants. They have no idea what’s going on. Come to think of it, it seems like the weather has the meteorologists perplexed as well.

Let’s hang on to our hats, coats, and pantaloons and face the New Year with as much gusto as possible. To help with that, I am including some comfort food recipes to fuel your soul including easy slow cooker yummies.

Be well, be safe. Be kind. Have fun.
All the best,
Fern