Richelle E. Goodrich's Blog, page 2
February 8, 2024
Valentine's Cupid and True Love
You know Cupid. That naked, chubby, smiling cherub who shoots his magic arrows at unsuspecting men and women to make them fall in love. He is a busy little match-maker whose image appears on many Valentine's Day cards. Now, I do not believe in an actual Cupid any more than I believe in the reality of Greek gods, but I do believe in the genuineness of love. True love. Love that equates with service and sacrifices made over time. What is this kind of love? I'll let Derian answer that question for you as he answered it for Eena in the book, Eena, The Return of a Queen . I think he got it spot on.
“Love is so much more than an emotion. True love, Eena, is something that develops over time. It’s not the initial infatuation nor the shivers and butterflies that take your breath away when you’re first attracted to someone. Those things are nice, but they are barely the beginning of what could become true love."
She shook her head. “I don’t quite follow.”
The captain inched closer, fixing her with the sincerest of gazes. His hands cupped as if he were holding his very heart in them.
“True love is a developed and intense appreciation for someone. It’s that perfect awareness you’re finally whole when she’s with you, and that hollow incompleteness you suffer when she’s gone. True love takes time. It’s an earned comfort that tells you she’ll be right there beside you no matter what you do, not necessarily happy with your every action, but faithful to you just the same. Love is knowing someone so deeply, understanding her so completely, you can finish her thoughts without hesitation, confident in reading her face, her body, even her slightest gesture means something to you. Love is years of devotion, sacrifice, commitment, loyalty, trust, faith, and friendship all wrapped up as one. True love does more than cause your heart to flutter. It upholds your heart when the infatuation no longer makes it flutter.”
January 15, 2024
Life is Like a Lengthy Road Trip
did.
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have traveled in ages, spending over two weeks driving and flying from
destination to destination. The trip was necessary, occasionally fun, every so often
difficult, but definitely worth it. During the last two weeks of December, 2023,
we were able to attend one son’s college graduation at Brigham Young University-Idaho
as well as participate in three separate Christmas celebrations with family
members.
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The last leg of our trip found my husband and I coughing, sneezing,and wheezing due to illness—not a pleasant occurrence because the virus plagued
us for over a week afterwards (we have reached the productive coughing stage.) The
trip, however, was still absolutely worthwhile.
While driving from Oklahoma to Tennessee to reach our little
two-bedroom apartment we presently reside in, I was telling my husband that I
felt our trip was a mini model of life. The whole trip was too short in some ways,
yet it felt exceptionally long in other ways. We were able to spend precious
moments with family members—talking, relaxing, and celebrating. I felt appreciation
for the relationships I have with family and friends. We caught up on personal news,
feasted on delicious dinners, and hugged each other a lot. There were difficult
and disappointing moments too. For instance, I got sick with food poisoning
which put me down for a couple of days (an awful way to clean out your system.)
My husband felt the onset of cold symptoms on Christmas day; I was right behind
him two days later. Luckily, no one else caught the virus, so we managed not to
share it. There were other good points and difficult points about the trip. The
airports and flights were great. The driving conditions and roads were clear—exceptional
conditions for winter months in the Pacific Northwest. There was too much
driving overall: one trip from Salt Lake City, Utah to Rexburg, Idaho and then back;
one trip from Salt Lake City, Utah to Central Washington and then back; and one
trip from Oklahoma to Tennessee. That was about 2,700 miles driven! Not to
mention the two plane rides. Yes, the traveling was tiring.
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The interesting thing to me is how both good and unpleasant moments
comprised the trip. We experienced the greatest days as well as miserable days.
If I wanted, I could list an abundance of blessings we received,
while on the other hand I could list an abundance of hard disappointments. That
is why I say it was like a mini model of life. The trick was deciding where to
concentrate our attention. If I focused on the food poisoning, the many hours
of driving, the friends I was unable to visit, the small and uncomfortable beds,
the amount of money spent, the coughing and sneezing on the drive home, etc.—it
would be easy to argue that this was a really bad trip. But the thing is, it
wasn’t! it was wonderful! Why? Because I focused on the chance to see my
kids and my family, the warm hugs I gave and received, the delicious dinners we
shared, the gifts we exchanged, the perfect weather we were blessed with for
driving, the safe travels, the chance to see my mom and sisters and nieces and
nephews, the opportunity to attend a Jazz basketball game, .jpg)
the quick recovery
from illness, etc. It is all in what we choose to focus on. Good and bad exist
in everything. How we view an event, a trip, a relationship, a lifetime depends
on what aspects we choose to focus on. I am truly grateful to know that life honestly
feels better when we focus on the good.
Yes, life is like a lengthy road trip, filled with great
moments as well as unpleasant moments. It is our focus that determines whether our
travels through this life are deemed positive or not.
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October 31, 2023
Happy Halloween, Readers!
“ The jack-o-lantern follows me with tapered, glowing eyes.
His yellow teeth grin evilly. His cackle I despise.
But I shall have the final laugh when Halloween is through.
This pumpkin king I’ll split in half to make a pie for two. ”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Slaying Dragons
Whether you are a Halloween enthusiast or not, this is a lovely time of year to decorate the front porch with autumn colors and pumpkins. Carving a jack-o-lantern can be a rewarding treat as well. I love the glowing faces and the pumpkin seeds we scoop out to salt and dry. Another tradition for me is reading and writing Halloween poetry. Every fantasy creature we typically pair with the holiday can inspire fun verses. They may rhyme or not, either way is acceptable. Why not try your hand at creating a Halloween poem of your own? Be creative and share your poetry with others. I hope you enjoy the poems below that I wrote for Halloweens past.
The Tarishe Curse is a great Halloween read if you are looking for one. Find it in kindle , paperback , and hardcover formats on Amazon.com .
SHORT SUMMARY: The full Tarishe moon never fails to herald the arrival of werewolves, drawn to the village like greedy dragons to golden treasure. Catherine, a huntress, faces them every year, but she soon finds that the real villains are unlike any she has ever met. Vengeance is the game. A Tarishe curse, the weapon of choice.
What am I working on now?
With my latest book, A Heart Made of Tissue Paper, now published and available for readers to enjoy, I have turned my attention to another book with original quotes, poems, and some short stories for every day of the year. This new book will be titled, Hope Evermore. Expect a release date in the spring of 2024.
I am also working on a new fantasy adventure that involves some Mayan mythology. There is no release date for this book yet, but I will tell you I am about 50% through the first draft of this manuscript. I love it so far!
Keep reading and reviewing those books!
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October 24, 2023
How to Leave a Book Review on Amazon
Here is a question I am asked frequently: Is it a requirement to buy a book from Amazon to leave a rating and review for it on their website?
The answer: No. Anyone can leave a book review on Amazon, even if you did not buy the book from them. Even if you did not buy the book at all! Of course, you should read the book before leaving a review; we want honest and fair responses. But once you have experienced the story, it is a simple process to leave a quick rating and review.
Why take the time? Because you enjoyed the book. Because you appreciate the author. Because ratings and reviews help authors receive more visibility. As book ratings climb, the book's visibility climbs with it. And greater visibility means higher chances to sell more books. So, if you enjoy an author's work and want to do something to show it, this is a BIG and helpful way to promote their work to other readers.
HOW TO LEAVE A BOOK REVIEW ON AMAZON (Made Simple)
Step One, Read the book.
Buy it. Borrow it from a friend. Check it out from the library. Read it on Kindle. Listen to it on Audible. Let Alexa read it to you. I am sure there are other ways to experience the author's work, so choose one and take time to enjoy the story.
Step Two, Login to your Amazon account.
If you have an Amazon account, simply login. If you do not, it is an easy process. All you need is an email address, which will be your username, and then create your own password.
Step Three, Search for the book on Amazon by title, author, or both.
The easiest way to find my books on Amazon is to do a search by my author name, Richelle E. Goodrich. You can also search for the title of a book. For example, type in The Tarishe Curse, and that book along with similar titles will pop up. Click on the book or its title when you find it, and that will open a page dedicated specifically to the book.
Step Four, Scroll down to "Customer reviews."
Once you are on the Amazon page for the book you read, scroll down until you find the section titled "Customer reviews." It is located further down then you might expect, so do not give up if you do not see it right away. Yes, keep scrolling down the page. It is located on the left-hand side and has 1 to 5 star ratings right beneath it.
Step Five, Click on "Write a customer review."
Directly below the 1-to-5-star chart is a white button that reads "Write a customer review." Click on that button. A new window that allows you to leave a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 star rating should open. There is a line for you to give your review a title. For example, "Loved it," "Couldn't put it down," "Highly recommend this read," "Can't wait for the next book," or whatever comes to mind. After the title line, there is a box where you can type in a review. One or two sentences is fine unless you care to say more about the book.
Please, be kind with your reviews. I would ask that if you did not like the book at all, refrain from leaving a review. These ratings and reviews are a huge tool that promotes a book or hurts its chances to sell.
Step Six, Click submit.
As soon as you finish typing out a review for the book, scroll down and hit the submit button. That's it! You did it! And chances are, you put a smile on an author's face. Thank you for that.
PS. It may take a day or two... or five before you see the review show up on the book's detail page. Amazon is not always fast about posting. Give them time.
October 19, 2023
A Perfect Halloween Read
October is when I love to turn my attention to books and programs that include popular Halloween characters like witches, werewolves, vampires, gargoyles, and the like. I personally steer clear of more gory and frightening stories. You know, the gruesome scenes that give you nightmares for ages to come. What I do enjoy are haunting tales ― unpredictable and creative adventures that keep a person perched on the edge of suspense. If you enjoy the same, with a cast of Hallows Eve creatures in the mix, then this book with a vengeful curse may be just up your alley. The Tarishe Curse is perfect for putting a little Halloween fun in your October.
Tarishe is a modest village surrounded by fortress walls meant to keep out one thing: werewolves. In truth, the wolves are scarcely bothersome and seldom seen excepting one night a year when a blood-red moon appears. This full Tarishe moon never fails to herald the arrival of an entire pack of hairy beasts, drawn to the village like greedy dragons to golden treasure.
It is difficult enough to protect a young family in this world of dangerous creatures, but such a feat proves near impossible when an old witch bent on vengeance casts a curse that manipulates both heart and mind. The battle for survival is not only with a sword but an internal struggle to love those the curse has targeted for hatred, and to hate the one who through evil enchantment manipulates her enemy’s affections. How long will it take to learn that the old monster, vengeance, is insatiable?
Yes, it's about werewolves and vampires, but while they play a part, they certainly aren't the main focus. They are players in this book but, the apex is centered on what choice do you make when you are surrounded by nothing but bad choices. And that, is unfortunately, not so fictional a problem.
Good job Richelle Goodrich, this is a dark book, but a winner.
Many vampire/werewolf stories turn me off with the gore, but this was a pleasant surprise!
September 19, 2023
Press Release for A Heart Made of Tissue Paper
PRESS RELEASE
Contact
Richelle E. Goodrich
[email protected]
RichelleGoodrich.com
New Book Announcement:
A Heart Made of Tissue Paper by Richelle E. Goodrich
(Book Release 08/14/2023) – Richelle E. Goodrich, a renowned author in poetic and inspirational writing, is thrilled to announce the recent release of her new book, A Heart Made of Tissue Paper, a heartfelt addition to the world of poetry. This anticipated book of contemporary poetry promises to charm readers with verses that are widely relatable and moving to the human heart.
About the Book:
A Heart Made of Tissue Paper is a collection of contemporary poetry that deals with compelling emotional experiences endured by every human heart. In each chapter, the author concentrates on one affective attribute—such as love, loathing, or laboring—and gives the reader a dozen original poems on various aspects of that attribute. It is poetry to feel and appreciate.
About the Author:
Richelle E. Goodrich has been writing poetry, short stories, and young adult novels since her debut in April 2012. In her twenties, she graduated from Eastern Washington University with bachelor’s degrees in liberal studies and Natural Science / Mathematics Education, but she has always had a strong love of the arts. Along with writing original stories and poetry, Richelle sketches, paints, plays some piano and guitar, has acted in theatrical plays, keeps a running blog site, and authors a periodic newsletter. Her quotes have been published in numerous places including the Oxford Philosophy Being Human course book, in eight separate Chicken Soup for the Soul books, in a Revlon magazine ad campaign, and on a television episode of Alone (season 7 episode 3.) Her previous works include Smile Anyway, Making Wishes, Slaying Dragons, Being Bold, The Tarishe Curse, and a six-book series referred to as the Harrowbethian Saga.
Key Features of A Heart Made of Tissue Paper:
The theme of the book is grappling with heartfelt encounters of both harsh and sweet experiences in life. There are seven chapters, each
concentrating on a specific emotional experience. This book includes drawings created by the author.
Availability:
A Heart Made of Tissue Paper is available for purchase at online bookstores like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s, Bookshop, Thriftbooks, The Ripped Bodice, Alibris, Valore, The Strand, and RichelleGoodrich.com.
Book Details:
Title: A Heart Made of Tissue Paper
Author: Richelle E. Goodrich
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Independently published
Publication Date: August 14, 2023
Price: $4.95 Kindle, $12.95 Paperback, $19.95 Hardcover
About the Launch:
No book signings are scheduled at this time.
Author Interviews and Media Inquiries:
Contact Richelle E. Goodrich for media inquiries, interview requests, and review copies at [email protected].
Connect with Richelle E. Goodrich:
· Website: https://www.RichelleGoodrich.com
· Author Blog: https://regoodrichnews.blogspot.com/
· Twitter: @REGoodrich
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichelleEGoo...
· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richellegoodrich/
· Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/regoodrich/
· Email: [email protected]
Richelle E. Goodrich Bio:
Richelle E. Goodrich was born in Ogden, Utah on September 16th, 1968, but she grew up in Central Washington with her mother and father, Arlene and Lanny Starr, and three younger siblings, Gary, Stefanie, and Angie. Richelle graduated from Moses Lake High School with honors in 1987. Following graduation, she attended the local community college for two years and earned an AA from Big Bend Community College in 1989. After moving to Cheney, WA. Richelle attended Eastern Washington University where she graduated magna cum laude with a BA in liberal studies. A couple years following, she returned to finish a BAEd at Eastern Washington University and graduated summa cum laude with a major in Natural Science and a minor in Mathematics.
It was not until six years after her three boys were born that she considered writing a novel. In 2007, Richelle attempted to write a story she had daydreamed about as a young woman. It took her two years to complete that goal, and she eventually titled the book, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue. This debut novel was Richelle’s first published literary accomplishment, published through RoseDog Books in April 2012. Since then, Richelle has published thirteen additional books: Smile Anyway, Making Wishes, Slaying Dragons, Being Bold, The Tarishe Curse, a six-book series referred to as the Harrowbethian Saga, and A Heart Made of Tissue Paper. Her works can be found on many online bookstores like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s, Bookshop, Thriftbooks, The Ripped Bodice, Alibris, Valore, The Strand, and RichelleGoodrich.com.
Besides writing poetry and novels, Richelle enjoys drawing and painting. She proudly designs her own book covers and illustrations. Her other talents include playing the piano and strumming the guitar. She participated in drama and theatre during high school and college where she performed in several theatrical plays. She maintains a running blog site as well as a periodic newsletter that keeps her readers informed about upcoming book releases and other related news.
Richelle’s book quotes have been published in numerous places including the Oxford Philosophy Being Human course book, in eight separate Chicken Soup for the Soul books, in a Revlon magazine ad campaign, and on a television episode of Alone (season 7 episode 3.) She is quoted daily on worldwide media sites, in newspapers, in works of art, and in many published books. She is well-known for her inspiring and profound life quotes.
For media inquiries, review copies, or interview requests, please contact the author, Richelle E. Goodrich, at [email protected].
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September 13, 2023
Enter These 2 Book Giveaways!!
Okay, so I had a request for a book giveaway, and after asking for feedback, I have decided to do TWO separate giveaways. I will allow a couple weeks for people to sign up, and then I will announce the two winners on September 30th, 2023.
August 18, 2023
Early Release for A Heart Made of Tissue Paper
“ Warm hand on my cheek.
Soft lips press against my own.
You taste of cherries. ”
― Richelle E. Goodrich,
A Heart Made of Tissue Paper Early Release
Well, I did it again.
My latest book, A Heart Made of Tissue Paper, was scheduled to be released on September 16th, 2023, but due to a minor mistake made in the Amazon publishing process, the book was released early on August 14th, 2023. (I need to remember which buttons not to push!) Luckily, the formatting, editing, illustrations, and poetry were complete, so this early release poses no problem. It simply means readers have access to my new book sooner than planned. Yay, you!
What to Expect
What can you expect from my first complete book of poetry? Eighty-six original poems penned by me. Experience heartfelt verses relatable on a deep level as well as poetry meant simply to make you smile. This book is divided into seven chapters, each one touching on a specific emotion felt by the human heart. For example, the chapter titled TO LOVE includes a dozen poems about the emotions dealing with aspects of love. The chapter titled TO LOATH includes poetry touching on harsher experiences. Every chapter includes a variety of poetic styles from sonnets and free verse to cinquains, haikus, and other formats. It is poetry for the whole of humanity.
A Heart Made of Tissue Paper is now available to order on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle formats. Look for my book of poetry online at Barnes & Noble too.
I hope you get a chance to read and enjoy the variety of verses I compiled in this book. If you do... please, leave a positive rating and a short review on Amazon and Goodreads. It truly does help sell more copies. Thank you in advance!
There is a woman named Sage Rosemary
Who works her green thumb at the nursery.
Her older brother, Forest,
Became a retail florist.
Their sister, Holly, owns a fernery.
What am I working on now?
I am writing a few short stories for another book similar to Smile Anyway. It includes 365 original quotes, poems, and short stories for every day of the year. I am considering ideas for the cover art of this book, which will be titled Hope Evermore.
Recent Reads
I read this book in high school as an English class assignment, but this time around the book held deeper meaning for me. The fictional societal conditions created by Ray Bradbury in Fahrenheit 451 are highly effective in suggesting what tragedies might exist at the far end of any road that promises to eliminate hard work and thinking in exchange for an easy, painless existence. It certainly gives good reasons to appreciate the richness of culture, the depth of knowledge, the creative and imaginative growth that books afford us. It would be a tragedy to lose what we have gained from the past, vital lessons recorded in the pages of books.
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As always, help out authors whose work you love by leaving kind reviews on Amazon, iTunes, Goodreads, BandN, Kobo, and other online book retailers. Your positive ratings and reviews help us sell more books.
Author WebsiteJuly 6, 2023
Cover Reveal for A HEART MADE OF TISSUE PAPER
Today is the day!
The big COVER REVEAL for a book that has been six years in the making. In the spring of 2018, I penned a simple poem that echoed a heartbroken moment in my life. It made me think about how fragile and yet at the same time how resilient the human heart is. That poem sparked the idea of creating a compilation of poetry based on emotional experiences every human heart endures in a lifetime. The following short poem was the beginning of this book:
It seems
my heart is
made of tissue paper;
I wish
the world would
handle it more delicately.
—Richelle E. Goodrich © 2018
From 2018 to 2023, as trials and triumphs occurred in my life, I penned a variety of verses to add to the book. A few deeply-personal poems were a creative and healing outlet for me, a way to put my emotions as well as a portion of my story into writing. Other verses were written purely for lighthearted fun. Each one — whether simple or complex, lighthearted or severe — has relatable lines that every heart in the world can appreciate.
About the cover... I tried a variety of possible cover ideas before settling on the final artwork. I even took photographs of pink tissue paper folded into the shape of a puffy heart! But nothing spoke to me (so to say) until a painting on the wall caught my eye. It hangs in a sunny room of our house where my husband keeps his keyboard. When we were dating, I painted that modest acrylic picture of him and me, our features basically undefined. He loves that painting because I made it for him. I love it because it was my attempt at expressing tender feelings for him in a simple work of art. Seeing it on the wall reminded me that I have dedicated this book to my wonderful husband. How perfectly appropriate to incorporate aspects of our cherished painting into the book.
So, I took the woman from the painting and placed a big, delicate heart in her arms. The background was created as an abstract marriage of a bright sun cutting through a dark storm. The final artwork pleases me. So, with no further delays, here is the cover reveal for my latest book. . .
Look for it now to preorder on Amazon.
July 4, 2023
Celebrating Our Independence
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness... ...We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America… solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.” —Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence
Across this country, as we come together to celebrate the Fourth of July with barbeques, picnics, parades, and fireworks, let us not forget why we are able to gather at such events. Let us not forget those who took a stand to demand that there be a nation founded on liberty, justice, equality, and the free pursuit of happiness. Let us not forget the sacrifices of men and women throughout the decades who have fought to protect those rights and freedoms for our benefit. Let us value those rights, and keep them as an inheritance for generations to come. As fireworks light up the sky this night, relish the freedoms gained by our forefathers' fight for independence.
Happy Independence Day!
