It has been an interesting and busy week for us. Some medical appointments, endless paperwork, time with family, iffy weather, and lots of interesting conversations.

As we get closer to Thanksgiving, I know I will spend more time thinking of the joy and excitement Sam felt about the holiday. There was nothing he loved more than people he loved sitting together at a table, sharing a meal. Add mashed potatoes, and he was in his element. I miss hearing him insist that I recite the planned menu over and over. I miss him good-naturedly complaining about watching a documentary about the Pilgrims. I miss hearing him plan the annual weigh-in with his friend Brian. I miss him grinning in joy as he looked around the family table.

This past week, we were showered (as we always are) with the most incredible love. Friends drove long distances to join us, we had family time, we clarified future goals, set plans in motion, and in all of that, we had people cheering us on and supporting us.

In the end, what I realized anew is that love is all that matters. Not weather, not wealth, not professional accomplishments. At the end of the day, what matters most is that I have left the world a better place than I found it that morning. Did I treat people with respect and dignity? Did I hold firm to my moral beliefs? Did I open my heart and mind to new experiences? If I did all of those, it was a good day.

I am so very proud to share the front cover and full-wrap cover of my soon-to-be-released novel, Tomorrow and Yesterday!

Tomorrow and Yesterday will be released in January 2020 by Between the Lines Publishing. In a change from prior novels, this one is being published under my name instead of my pen name. I am thrilled with the book, and can’t wait for you all to read it.

Today I am thrilled to welcome author Matt Taylor to the site. Matt writes:

Greetings!  I’m Timothy Matthew Taylor, but do call me “Matt” to better avoid the “Toolman” jokes.  My apologies if you were born AFTER that shows popularity, and don’t get the joke.  It’s part of me getting old, I guess.  Anyways, I’m honored to be featured on this blog!  I was asked to write a little about who I am, and why I write.  So, let’s get to it, shall we?

I’m a writer for various mediums: stage, screen and now books!  I was born in the deep south of the great state of Alabama.  I’m a die-hard fan of Alabama football, as well as the states beauty.  Yes, it’s true a lot of the history of my home state is anything BUT beautiful, yet it is the heart of dixie, and so many people there have nothing BUT heart, and love in it.  I grew up in Mobile, Alabama on the gulf.  Graduated high school in Mississippi.  Went to college in Tennessee.   Worked for a decade in Florida.  I guess I got a lot of the south covered.  I’m married to my beautiful wife, Jennifer, and have 3 amazing (and troublesome) boys: Jackson, Jacob and Jameson.

History is a HUGE passion and part of my life.  I’m a certified genealogist, where I consistently get to look through historical records to help people find more about who they are, and where they came from.  I also live near Boston, the city where American history was practically born, and for 5 years I served as a historic guide in that beautiful (and traffic-filled) city.  History, however, is not why I write.  I write for the flip-side of that coin: fantasy and fun.

Before I came to the North, I spent 10 years at the Most Magical place on Earth, Walt Disney World, working to entertain millions of patrons from around the world every year.  I loved every second of it, especially all the time I got to spend with my dear friend, Goofy.  Disney is without a doubt the greatest storyteller on Earth, and they were able to fine tune my love, and passion, for writing and telling stories.  They gave me the tools, the knowledge, and ultimately, taught me how to think outside the box, that would one day lead to the creation of my first childrens book, “Carol, The Ancient Yuletide Troll.”

So, how did Carol come about?  I’m a Christmas baby, born December 22^nd, so Christmas is WAY up there in my passions.  I’m also a HUGE fan of wordplay and puzzles, always switching words around, and always looking for a new perspective to see things.  Well, one day the song “Deck The Halls” was playing.  The lyric, “troll the ancient yuletide carol,” was sung.  This time, however, I heard it differently, thanks to my passion for wordplay.  I thought, “What if there was an ancient Christmas troll named Carol?”  What’s her story?  That was the beginning that ultimately led to writing her story, the first of many more to come.  One for each major holiday in her world. 

This story, along with the beautiful illustrations done by my dear friend, Allison Cain (you can find more of her work through her handle: hatterandholmes), has really opened doors, with more talks to move her to a new medium in the near future, who knows what’s going to be in store?  Well, Carol is currently IN stores.  She can be found in any major online bookstore worldwide, and through the website of my publisher: Morgan James Publishing.

Thank you so much for your time!  Carol and I hope to see ya’ll soon!

Please check out Matt’s book!