Final Countdown Has Begun – Spotlight, Amazon, and Thunderclap

Tomorrow is a huge day–the launch of Anaiah Press and of A Long and Winding Road: A Caregiver’s Tale of Life, Love, and Chaos. Today Chuck Allen is spotlighting my memoir HERE.

Tomorrow will be the release day blitz. Check back here for a list of all the bloggers who are participating. In addition, we’re having a Thunderclap blitz, and if you have a Twitter or a Facebook account, you can participate. Just CLICK HERE and click one or both buttons. At 2:00 pm tomorrow (and only then), Thunderclap will post a Tweet and/or a Facebook message to your followers about the Anaiah Launch.

One more thing, but don’t let on that I told you. The Amazon buy link is already up and running. CLICK HERE to be one of the first to buy my memoir.

Thank you all so much for all your love and support through this long and winding road to publication.

Blessings,

Linda

Caregiver Quotes and Tips #4 – Being Grateful | by Linda Brendle

There were days during my time as a caregiver that my attitude was really bad. I had plenty of excuses and even some valid reasons for my feelings, but being negative didn’t improve things a bit. One day during my quiet time I read something about being grateful, and it stuck with me. I wondered how my attitude would improved if I focused more on the positive.

Launch Minus Two – Review by Maria Corley

Another free day was on the blog tour schedule for A Long and Winding Road, but you might want to make a quick visit to Broad Street Review to read a review written by Maria Corley.  Tomorrow we’re scheduled for a spotlight by Chuck Allen.

Tuesday is the big day—the launch of both Anaiah Press and my memoir, A Long and Winding Road: A Caregiver’s Tale of Life, Love, and Chaos. Anaiah is hosting Twitter Chat #AnaiahLaunch from 12-1 pm (EDT) and a launch party on Facebook from 6-8 pm (EDT) featuring “meet and greet” sessions with Anaiah authors.  I’ll be available to chat on Twitter, and my time slot for the Facebook party is from 6:45-7:00. Join us to chat, ask questions, or just to say hello.

There are more reviews, interviews, and guest posts scheduled for the two weeks following the launch. To see the complete itinerary, CLICK HERE.

Pre-Order Links: B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Blessings,

Linda

About the Book: Sometimes reality really bites. Alzheimer’s has wrapped Mom’s brain into knots, vascular dementia has attacked Dad, and, instead of carefree retirees, we have become caregivers. Regardless, dreams die hard, and we somehow stumbled into the purchase of a forty-foot motor home. That’s when all four of us set out on this seven-week trek across sixteen U.S. states. Now, Dad stopped-up the toilet again, Mom wet her last pair of clean jeans, and David just announced that he was hungry. My head is beginning to pound, and I know this isn’t going to be the easygoing retirement we’d imagined for ourselves.

Linda Brendle takes you on a roller-coaster ride of emotional and spiritual challenges that many families are facing right now. Co-dependency, mental breakdowns, and finding love after divorce are just a few of the issues weaved into this journey of caregiving. Whether you’re looking for an inspirational story to help teach you how to “let go and let God,” considering becoming the caregiver for one of your own parents, or are just looking for an entertaining travel book, this story is sure to strike a tender nerve.

Launch Day Minus 3 – Interview – A Long and Winding Road

Last week, Dr. Sharon King and I visited for a bit.  Among other things, we talked about what effect Alzheimer’s Disease had on my spiritual life. Read our complete conversation on today’s Blog Tour stop at her website, Years Full of Grace.

Yesterday while we were having a free day, Kara Leigh Miller was spotlighting my upcoming memoir on her website, Kick Start Your Heart. CLICK HERE and visit the official blog of this talented romance author.

To see the complete itinerary for the tour, CLICK HERE.

Pre-Order Links: B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Blessings,

Linda

About the Book: Sometimes reality really bites. Alzheimer’s has wrapped Mom’s brain into knots, vascular dementia has attacked Dad, and, instead of carefree retirees, we have become caregivers. Regardless, dreams die hard, and we somehow stumbled into the purchase of a forty-foot motor home. That’s when all four of us set out on this seven-week trek across sixteen U.S. states. Now, Dad stopped-up the toilet again, Mom wet her last pair of clean jeans, and David just announced that he was hungry. My head is beginning to pound, and I know this isn’t going to be the easygoing retirement we’d imagined for ourselves.

Linda Brendle takes you on a roller-coaster ride of emotional and spiritual challenges that many families are facing right now. Co-dependency, mental breakdowns, and finding love after divorce are just a few of the issues weaved into this journey of caregiving. Whether you’re looking for an inspirational story to help teach you how to “let go and let God,” considering becoming the caregiver for one of your own parents, or are just looking for an entertaining travel book, this story is sure to strike a tender nerve.

Blog Tour Stop #9 – Spotlight of A Long and Winding Road

Today we’re stopping by the website of another Anaiah Press author, Angela Schroeder. Angela has posted a spotlight that tells a little bit about my upcoming memoir, A Long and Winding Road: A Caregiver’s Tale of Life, Love, and Chaos. She is also giving her visitors a chance to win an autographed poster of my book cover or a small spiral notebook. Watch my author video of you don’t know the significance of the notebook.

Tomorrow will be a free day–one of those days on tour when you can go shopping, relax in the sun by the pool, or revisit any earlier stops you might have missed.

June 17 –  Mormon Mommy Writers – Review

June 18 – The View from a Blank Word Document – Spotlight and Contest

June 19 – Princess of the Light – Interview and Review

June 20 – Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina – Spotlight

June 21 – Pam Thorson – Guest Post – “Caregivers and Heroes”

June 23 – Being Sam – Review

June 24 – Adventures in the Ballpark – Interview

June 25 – Keely Brooke Keith – Guest Post – “Street Teams for Caregivers”

June 25 – Donna L Martin’s ON THE WRITE TRACK – Review

June 26 – Angela Schroeder, Author – Spotlight

Saturday, we’ll visit with Dr. Sharon V. King at Years Full of Grace for an author interview. Among other things, we’ll talk about how Alzheimer’s Disease has affected my spiritual life.

Pre-Order Links: B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Blessings,

Linda

About the Book: Sometimes reality really bites. Alzheimer’s has wrapped Mom’s brain into knots, vascular dementia has attacked Dad, and, instead of carefree retirees, we have become caregivers. Regardless, dreams die hard, and we somehow stumbled into the purchase of a forty-foot motor home. That’s when all four of us set out on this seven-week trek across sixteen U.S. states. Now, Dad stopped-up the toilet again, Mom wet her last pair of clean jeans, and David just announced that he was hungry. My head is beginning to pound, and I know this isn’t going to be the easygoing retirement we’d imagined for ourselves.

Linda Brendle takes you on a roller-coaster ride of emotional and spiritual challenges that many families are facing right now. Co-dependency, mental breakdowns, and finding love after divorce are just a few of the issues weaved into this journey of caregiving. Whether you’re looking for an inspirational story to help teach you how to “let go and let God,” considering becoming the caregiver for one of your own parents, or are just looking for an entertaining travel book, this story is sure to strike a tender nerve.

Blog Tour Bonus Stop – Review of A Long and Winding Road

One of my favorite parts of our long road trip was when we found something wonderful but unexpected along the way. I just learned that Donna Martin posted a review at her On the Write Track website. CLICK HERE to read what she had to say.

Tomorrow we will visit with Angela Schroeder who will share her review of my memoir.

To see the complete itinerary for the tour, CLICK HERE.

Pre-Order Links: B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Blessings,

Linda

About the Book: Sometimes reality really bites. Alzheimer’s has wrapped Mom’s brain into knots, vascular dementia has attacked Dad, and, instead of carefree retirees, we have become caregivers. Regardless, dreams die hard, and we somehow stumbled into the purchase of a forty-foot motor home. That’s when all four of us set out on this seven-week trek across sixteen U.S. states. Now, Dad stopped-up the toilet again, Mom wet her last pair of clean jeans, and David just announced that he was hungry. My head is beginning to pound, and I know this isn’t going to be the easygoing retirement we’d imagined for ourselves.

Linda Brendle takes you on a roller-coaster ride of emotional and spiritual challenges that many families are facing right now. Co-dependency, mental breakdowns, and finding love after divorce are just a few of the issues weaved into this journey of caregiving. Whether you’re looking for an inspirational story to help teach you how to “let go and let God,” considering becoming the caregiver for one of your own parents, or are just looking for an entertaining travel book, this story is sure to strike a tender nerve.

Blog Tour Stop #8 – Guest Post – A Long and Winding Road by Linda Brendle

Author and musician, Keely Brooke Keith, invited me to write a guest post for her website. Today she is featuring my article called “Street Teams for Caregivers” in which I talk about what a support team for caregivers would look like. To read my post and visit Keely’s great site CLICK HERE.

Tomorrow we will visit with Angela Schroeder who will share her review of A Long and Winding Road.

To see the complete itinerary for the tour, CLICK HERE.

Pre-Order Links: B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Blessings,

Linda

About the Book: Sometimes reality really bites. Alzheimer’s has wrapped Mom’s brain into knots, vascular dementia has attacked Dad, and, instead of carefree retirees, we have become caregivers. Regardless, dreams die hard, and we somehow stumbled into the purchase of a forty-foot motor home. That’s when all four of us set out on this seven-week trek across sixteen U.S. states. Now, Dad stopped-up the toilet again, Mom wet her last pair of clean jeans, and David just announced that he was hungry. My head is beginning to pound, and I know this isn’t going to be the easygoing retirement we’d imagined for ourselves.

Linda Brendle takes you on a roller-coaster ride of emotional and spiritual challenges that many families are facing right now. Co-dependency, mental breakdowns, and finding love after divorce are just a few of the issues weaved into this journey of caregiving. Whether you’re looking for an inspirational story to help teach you how to “let go and let God,” considering becoming the caregiver for one of your own parents, or are just looking for an entertaining travel book, this story is sure to strike a tender nerve.

Blog Tour Stop #7 – Author Interview – A Long and Winding Road by Linda Brendle

Last week we visited with Marianne Ball when she reviewed my memoir for Mormon Mommy Writers. Today we are visiting Marianne’s personal site at Adventures In the Ballpark where she and I sat down and talked about my caregiving experiences. To read the interview, CLICK HERE.

Tomorrow the bus will stop at the website of Keely Brooke Keith. I wrote a guest post for her called “Street Teams for Caregivers.”

To see the complete itinerary for the tour, CLICK HERE.

Pre-Order Links: B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Blessings,

Linda

About the Book: Sometimes reality really bites. Alzheimer’s has wrapped Mom’s brain into knots, vascular dementia has attacked Dad, and, instead of carefree retirees, we have become caregivers. Regardless, dreams die hard, and we somehow stumbled into the purchase of a forty-foot motor home. That’s when all four of us set out on this seven-week trek across sixteen U.S. states. Now, Dad stopped-up the toilet again, Mom wet her last pair of clean jeans, and David just announced that he was hungry. My head is beginning to pound, and I know this isn’t going to be the easygoing retirement we’d imagined for ourselves.

Linda Brendle takes you on a roller-coaster ride of emotional and spiritual challenges that many families are facing right now. Co-dependency, mental breakdowns, and finding love after divorce are just a few of the issues weaved into this journey of caregiving. Whether you’re looking for an inspirational story to help teach you how to “let go and let God,” considering becoming the caregiver for one of your own parents, or are just looking for an entertaining travel book, this story is sure to strike a tender nerve.

Blog Tour Stop #6 – Review of A Long and Winding Road by Linda Brendle

Stop #6 is at a sweet site called Being Sam for a review written by Leanne Vaughan. The name of Leanne’s blog is taken from Sam in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and as a teacher, a counselor, and an adoptive mother, she is the perfect person to come alongside those in need. To read what she had to say about A Long and Winding Road, CLICK HERE.

To see the complete itinerary for the tour, CLICK HERE.

Pre-Order Links: B&N | Kobo | iTunes

 

 

 

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Blessings,

Linda

About the Book: Sometimes reality really bites. Alzheimer’s has wrapped Mom’s brain into knots, vascular dementia has attacked Dad, and, instead of carefree retirees, we have become caregivers. Regardless, dreams die hard, and we somehow stumbled into the purchase of a forty-foot motor home. That’s when all four of us set out on this seven-week trek across sixteen U.S. states. Now, Dad stopped-up the toilet again, Mom wet her last pair of clean jeans, and David just announced that he was hungry. My head is beginning to pound, and I know this isn’t going to be the easygoing retirement we’d imagined for ourselves.

Linda Brendle takes you on a roller-coaster ride of emotional and spiritual challenges that many families are facing right now. Co-dependency, mental breakdowns, and finding love after divorce are just a few of the issues weaved into this journey of caregiving. Whether you’re looking for an inspirational story to help teach you how to “let go and let God,” considering becoming the caregiver for one of your own parents, or are just looking for an entertaining travel book, this story is sure to strike a tender nerve.

Caregiver Quotes and Tips #3 – Dancing in the Rain | by Linda Brendle

 

Too many people spend too much of their life waiting.

• When I finish school, then…
• When I get married, then…
• When the children graduate, then…
• When I get a promotion, then…

If you wait for life to be perfect before you begin to enjoy it, you will come to the end and realize you missed it.

Caregivers have to shift much of their focus away from themselves and onto the loved one who needs their care, but the shift shouldn’t be a total denial of self. When David and I became caregivers, we were determined to continue to have a life. We no longer took cross-country trips on our motorcycles, but we bought a motor home that was big enough to accommodate four and took Mom and Dad with us. It was chaotic, and at times it was heart wrenching–but at times it was lovely beyond belief.

The next time the rain begins to fall in your life, go outside and dance!

Blessings,

Linda