Michigan, Kentucky, Florida, South Dakota... I've had a lot of readers messaging me to ask where I will be. Here is a complete list of my current schedule. Just a reminder: I do travel. Want to learn more about the History of the Orphan Trains? Contact your local library or historical society and ask them about sponsoring a presentation. History of the Orphan Trains Presentation
August 27 @ 6pm Sage Library 100 E. Midland Street Bay City, Michigan 48706 History of the Orphan Trains Presentation September 11, 2026 6-8pm Bullitt County Library- Central Library 740 Conestoga Pkwy Shepherdsville, KY 40165 Book Signing September 12 from 10:00 to 2:00 pm Central Library- Bullitt County Public Library 740 Conestoga Pkwy Shepherdsville, KY 40165 History of the Orphan Trains Presentation Monday, September 28, 6 p.m. Lenawee District Library 4459 W US 223 Adrian, Michigan History of the Orphan Trains Presentation October 23 @ 11:30 am Schoolcraft College 18600 Haggerty Road, 48152 Livonia, Michigan BOOZY Book Fair Book Signing Sunday, October 25, 2026 (pending confirmation) Castle Farm 5052 M-66 North, Charlevoix, MI 49720 from 12 PM – 5 PM History of the Orphan Trains Presentation Wednesday November 4th 2026 @ 6:00 pm Grand Ledge Area District Library 131 E. Jefferson Street Grand Ledge, MI 48837 History of the Orphan Trains Presentation November 5th at 6PM Thomas Township Library 8207 Shields Drive Saginaw, MI 48609 History of the Orphan Trains Presentation November 21 @2pm Warren Public Library- Author Miller Branch 5460 Arden Ave. Warren, Michigan 48092 History of the Orphan Trains Presentation February 24, 2027 @6pm Tecumseh District Library 215 North Ottawa Street Tecumseh, Michigan 49286 2027 History of the Orphan Trains Presentation March 15 @ 6pm Leighton Township Library 4451 12th Street, Moline, MI 49335 History of the Orphan Trains Presentation March 16 @ 6pm Richland Community Library 8951 Park Street Richland, MI 49083 History of the Orphan Trains Presentation April 17, 2027 Abion, Michigan Location and time TBD Book Signing Friday April 23 Emerald Coast Wine Cellars & Boutique 1708 Scenic Gulf Dr., Miramar Beach, Fl, 32550 Book Signing May 4-6 Kentucky Homemakers Owensboro Kentucky Book Signing June 19th 8-3:30 Wild Deadwood Reads The Lodge at Deadwood Pine Crest Lane, Deadwood, SD, USA
0 Comments
For those who don’t know, I have been dealing with some medical issues which are unrelated (we think) to my Bell’s (P.A.L.S. Y -spelled this way to keep the spammers at bay). I’ve been having near blackout episodes which literally are so painful that they stop me in my tracks. I’ve been to multiple specialists, and we are still looking for answers. I had some major episodes during our recent trip to Virginia. I was fine getting to the plane on Thursday, but once we landed, I couldn’t walk more than a dozen steps without having to stop and wait for things to subside. Friday continued to be a bad day, so for the return trip on Saturday, I opted to ask for help getting through the airport in both Virginia and Detroit. Both wheelchair attendants were amazing and I’m sorry things were so rushed that I didn’t think to get a photo of either of them with Stuffy G. I’m having a tilt table test today, so hopefully that will help shed light on things. I’ll be honest, that test has me a bit concerned. I’ve been dealing with this for over a year and have learned to stop and let the pain and colors subside. I won’t be in control during the test and honestly, that terrifies me. I want to get this all figured out and keep reminding myself that I will be in the best possible place if something were to happen.  On to other news, we took a quick trip to Virginia to pick up our grandson so he can hang out in Michigan during Summer break. The hubby and I had a blast with Stuffy G at the airport and traveling around our old haunts. I got some great photos of Stuffy G with the copilot and flight attendants. One of the flight attendants pinned on Stuffy’s wings for his first flight and both the pilot and copilot were happy to allow him to get his picture taken in the cockpit. It seems as if everyone is happy to get their photo taken with Stuffy G. Well, almost everyone… When we arrived at our hotel, I was excited to see a Marine Band unit checking in. There were Marines everywhere so I thought it would be a great opportunity for Stuffy G to get his photo taken with one. I decided to wait to let them get settled hoping I could get a photo when things weren’t so hectic. The next day, as the hubby and I were heading out to see some sights, I saw my opportunity, or so I thought. There was a van out front getting loaded with gear. As the hubby went to get the car, I approached a Marine who was standing near the van. I handed him my card and quickly explained that I write a series with a Marine Veteran and how Stuffy G is the mascot for the series and that I would love to get a quick picture of a Marine holding him. While the man was polite, he assured me he had no time to take a photo. He nodded to the other Marine, and they left me standing there holding my Stuffy G bag. I’m glad Bunny wasn’t there as I’m sure she would have taken my cane from me and used it on the man. (If you have read the Jerry McNeal Series, you would find the humor in that sentence.) Funny how the only person who has ever refused my request for a 30 second picture was a Marine. It’s also a bit sad, Jerry McNeal is a Marine Veteran after all.
Other than that one experience, everyone was super nice. I had quite a few really bad episodes while we were in Norfolk and wasn’t able to walk more than a few feet at a time without issue. Still, I wanted to get a picture of Stuffy on the boardwalk with the King Neptune statue. It wasn’t a matter of paying to park. There was no paid parking close enough to make that possible. Hit with inspiration I asked the hubby to pull into the Hampton which is close to the statue. He resisted as parking is at a premium and strictly enforced. So, I told him I would ask. I went inside and spoke with a lady at the desk and explained my dilemma, assuring her it would only take around ten minutes. She was extremely nice about it and even gave me a temporary parking pass. One thing I’ve learned on that trip, while you might be disappointed on occasion, it never hurts to ask.
 I’m still working on book 20. To be honest, I am not nearly as far along as I need to be. I think the writing voices are mad at me for promising a full-length book, as they are fighting me a bit on that. Providing there are no issues with today’s tests, I will be in the writing chair for the rest of the month. I will revisit things then to evaluate both my decision to make the book longer and the timeline. While I do not want to disappoint anyone on either point, I need to be honest with myself and give my team time to get the book ready on their end as well. More to follow on that, but I thought it only fair to tell you where things stand. Thanks for reading, and as always, thanks for sharing this journey with me! ~ Sherry *Update, I made it through the test without an episode. The good news is it's definitely not my heart. The bad news, we still don't know what is causing the episodes. #theadventuresofstuffyg #stuffyg #thejerrymcnealseries #marine More photos from the trip. 
 Bethanne Reid has done another amazing job at bringing the series to life! Click the link to order from Amazon or listen to a sample.   On Thursday, April 9, the hubby and I traveled to the west side of the state to give an Orphan Train Presentation at the Dowagiac Public Library. I’ve given many such presentations all over the state, but this one was different. Not in the content that was shared, but in the audience I was sharing it with. You see, Dowagiac has a personal history with the Orphan Trains, as the town was the destination of the very first orphan train and served as a test case to see if the program would work. While there were a few bumps along the way, the inaugural outplacement was a success thanks to the kindness of the townspeople, who first opened their homes to children who were in need.
Much like the children who arrived that chilly day in 1854, I arrived in town on Thursday, wondering if the townspeople would accept me. I know, I’m comparing apples to oranges, as I was not looking for a home. But I was coming to their town to share information that most of them probably already knew. I do not know how the children were greeted when they arrived filthy from days of traveling and scared yet excited about what awaited them, but in my mind, I hope they had as warm a welcome as I did there on Thursday evening, which ended up with all seats filled and people standing in the back of the room. Tom (the director) was ready to help us set up, and the people who came to hear me were engaged, curious, and kind. In the end, it was much the same as all my other presentations, yet something about it felt extra special, almost as if in addition to those in the room, we had visitors from the past, waiting, listening, and excited to hear their stories haven’t been forgotten. #orphantrain #Dowagiac #Librarypresentation #puremichigan #Charlesloringbrace #History When I first began writing, I thought I was writing a pick-me-up for my friend who was going through a tough time. As soon as the writing voices showed up, I knew it was destined to be more, but as I didn’t set out to write a book, I didn’t know what to do with it. So, I did nothing, and that manuscript stayed hidden for ten years until it started calling to me, nudging at the recesses of my mind, saying hey, you’ve got something here. What I had was a hot mess, written by hand that needed to be transferred to a computer. At the time, I was a search for the right key typist with horrible handwriting, and getting the story onto the computer was a painful process. After a couple of years of searching, I found a publisher who was willing to take a chance on me. So at long last, that short story -written for a friend- became my first novel, "Tears of Betrayal." If you had told me when I was writing the story that I was on my way to becoming an author, I’m not sure I would have believed you. Nor would I have believed that one day I would have thirty-nine published books (more if you include the collections and anthologies I am in). But here I am, shouting it to the world. Today is the official release day for Family Ties, Jerry McNeal Series book 19! I hope you enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed writing it! Happy book birthday, Family Ties! I’m crazy happy that you made your way into the world! I always say, "I didn’t choose writing; writing chose me!" I am truly grateful and count my blessings each and every day. Thank you for taking this journey with me. Happy reading! ~Sherry Ps, the audiobook is in the works. Look for it mid to late April.  Now available for preorder from my author store! Autographed paperback preorder will also include author swag, including a small rose charm (while supplies last). Your book will be mailed as soon as I receive my author copies, which are expected to arrive before the end of March. As a reminder, Amazon does not allow preorders on print books. So you will have to wait until the print book releases on March 28. For my audiobook listeners, Bethanne is hard at work on recording Family Ties. We both want you to have the best listening experience, and promise to get the audiobook to you as soon as possible. I'm very excited for you to read Family Ties, and I want to warn you to be careful when reading the reviews as they come out, as there could be spoilers in the comments. ~Sherry #preordernow #thejerrymcnealseries #ComingSoon2026  As Jerry and family are moving into their newly built house in the outskirts of Sandusky, Michigan, Jerry receives a call from Fred, who lets him know the cameras are now installed around his parents’ Florida property, assuring him the agency now has eyes on the whole family.
That seemingly innocent quip sends a chill down Jerry’s spine. While Fred has complete control over his family, Jerry barely knows anything about the man who holds all the cards. Jerry seizes the opportunity when Fred passes along a message about a litter of puppies Jerry might be interested in. This road trip may be the perfect opportunity to learn more about Fred and gain some leverage should he ever need the upper hand. Of course, no road trip with Jerry and his ghostly sidekick would be complete without random spirits dropping in along the way. Secrets are uncovered as Jerry and Gunter journey to Hampton Roads in search of a rose. The question is, will the rose provide the answers, or will it harbor thorns that could turn everyone’s lives upside down? Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride, as this nineteenth installment of the Jerry McNeal Series is full of new beginnings, ghostly hijackings, stolen identities, and, with any luck, Family Ties will provide answers to long-awaited questions and offer a few surprises along the way. When people say Always Faithful is short, they are right. But that is exactly what it was supposed to be – a one-and-done short novella published at an extremely low period in my life when my husband was going through a major health crisis. I did not want the year to end without publishing a book, so I opted to publish the novella. Years later, after deciding to turn that single book into a series, I listened to my mother, who insisted I keep Gunter in the book. While it was my mother who insisted the dog stay, it was the readers who raced through the first three books and begged for more who are responsible for making this series what it is, as they wouldn’t (or couldn’t) let it go. Those first fans were relentless in their quest to get more of this series. I admit I struggled with this: I had only intended on writing two additional novellas before returning my attention to my Orphan Train Saga. In the end, I listened to the loudest voices. It was the right decision, as this series became a pivotal turning point in my career. I commissioned a new cover and retitled the original book and wrote another, picking up exactly where Always Faithful left off. If I had it to do all over, I might unpublish Always Faithful and continue that part of the story under one cover. Then again, maybe not, as doing so would make it a novel instead of a novella, and that would disrupt the entire series. Aside from a few low reviews for Always Faithful being too short, I am glad I made that decision, as the books in this series are novellas. I write them as episodes, which my JMS readers often call their "popcorn" or "potato chip" series. I’ve had more than a few telling me this, saying they can’t read just one. Isn’t that the goal of a series? To keep readers reaching for more. For the most part, The Jerry McNeal Series is written for readers who might be intimidated by longer reads. They are for readers who need a palate cleanse between larger, heavier books. For readers who prefer to sit and read a book from cover to cover in one shot. They are for readers who need a break from reality, allowing them to escape the ugliness of the world. It is not my job to preach to you. Nor do I intend to force my political beliefs on you. It is my job to entertain you. To make you believe that a gentle breeze or unexpected itch is a visit from a loved one. To believe that your beloved pet is still at your side and that it is okay give in to imagination and laugh out loud at things that some would feel too crazy to be believed. Today, I would like to announce the second exception to the novella series model, Spirit of Deadwood being the first. Maine Event, book 20, will be released as a full-length book this summer. While I haven’t written Main Event yet, I’ve had the title and cover for this book for over a year. The story has been percolating since my trip to Maine in 2024. I fell in love with Maine during our second visit to the state, and believe the town of Belfast is the perfect setting to bring the story to life. I knew from the beginning that book 20 would be the perfect book to mark my 40th book release, which I feel should be a bit special to commemorate that milestone. As with all the JMS books, Maine event will be available in eBook (including Kindle Unlimited), print, and audiobook upon release. You can preorder the eBook on Amazon. I will add a print pre-order on my website closer to the release date. And to that question that I'm sure is on the minds of my devoted Jerry McNeal Series fans, yes, there will be more! #thejerrymcnealseries #ghostdog #ghoststories #belfastmaine  Family Ties, Jerry McNeal Series Book 19, is now available to preorder on ebook. Please note, the April 28th release date is just a placeholder. I will move the date closer when I finish the book. If you preorder the e-book Amazon should automatically send you a notice when I update the release date. As with all the books in the series, Family Ties will also be available in print and audiobook. Amazon does not allow preorders for those formats, so they won’t be available until the book is released. For those who would like an autographed copy, I will put the paperback on preorder in my author store as soon as I finish the book. Thank you for reading! Like this post, then hop over to Amazon to preorder your e-book. Ya’ll, said in a true Kentucky accent, which is pretty pronounced these days since the hubby and I are binge-watching Justified. I’m absolutely having a blast writing Family Ties, which is book 19 in The Jerry McNeal Series. So much so that I am ready to share the cover with you today and will put it on pre-order shortly! There is a line in the movie ‘The Blues Brothers’ where they say We’re getting the band back together. I can totally relate, as it feels like I am back at home with my Jerry McNeal family. I’m a multi-genre author and have deep feelings for every series I write. I love The Kentucky Bluegrass Series because I know Amber and Dalton have overcome heartache and obstacles to find a love that will withstand things that might try to pull them apart. The Orphan Train Saga is my heart series, as I’ve made it my mission to keep the memories of the children who rode the orphan trains alive. I enjoy telling the children’s stories as they might have been, and love sharing history that makes readers want to know more. And I love the Jerry McNeal Series with its made-up world full of unpredictable spirits who show up at the right time to either make us laugh, save the day, or to teach a lesson or two. One of the fun things about being an author is I get to “read” the book before anyone else. Jerry says he has the gift. I believe Jerry and crew are the gift both to myself and the readers who can step into the pages of a book and enjoy a fun universe where we can let go of reality for just a little while. Through them, we are allowed to believe that a gentle breeze, a whispered breath, or a sudden itch is a message from beyond. And who are we to say it isn’t true? I sometimes wonder why the writing voices chose me. Perhaps it is because they knew I would believe in the characters I write. When I spend time with them, they become real. I can hear their voices, see them in my mind, and feel their pain. I share their joy, worry over their decisions, and get angry at those who hurt them. I pray they will somehow find their way and that through my words, they will each get the ending they deserve. Perhaps instead of asking myself why me, I should ask myself why not me. I don’t know how this is my life, but I am so very grateful that you are sharing this wonderful journey with me as we step into the new year. Now, tell me, don't you just love this cover? ~Sherry  |
Want to be the first to know when a new story or book update is posted? Subscribe to my newsletter to be notified of new blog posts!
|
RSS Feed
Proudly powered by Weebly