The official blog of Denise M. Baran-Unland, author. Discover her books for all ages at bryonyseries.com.
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Monday, June 24, 2024
We Played Animal Shelter for a Day
Does anyone ever wonder how seemingly random stores pop up on the internet?
Last week, while research a topic for a completely different topic, this story popped up: an old column I wrote for Patch back in my freelance writing days.
I remember this incident in our lives. But I'd forgotten I'd written this column until Google decided to show it to me.
I'm sharing it here now (with a Bertrand the Mouse teaser photo) for your reading enjoyment and inspiration...and for a glimpse of what our lives looked like back in the day.
Happy Monday! :)
https://patch.com/illinois/channahon-minooka/we-played-animal-shelter-for-a-day
Sunday, June 23, 2024
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Friday, June 21, 2024
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, June 15 to June 21
Good morning!
I have five stories to share with you today, but more stories will post over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
I also wrote two more just for print. The main one is called "Eye on Enterprise" and it runs on Wednesdays.
"Eye on Enterprise" is a roundup of local business development, as wells as businesses that are opening or closing. I am enjoying the project so far as it's giving me a deeper look at local enterprise.
As I started researching the topic, I found many new businesses (and many new small businesses) that I might have known had actually "opened shop" in Will County.
Of course, my colleagues passed on any information about local businesses they received, too. so it's really a collaborative project. The result is that the first column ran on a full page, and I have the next two columns started.
People outside our coverage area and those who don't subscribe to a physical newspaper should know The Herald-News also has an e-edition. This is an online version of the print publication with virtual pages that actually turn.
You can access The Herald-News e-edition here: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/enewspaper.
It's been a busy couple of BryonySeries weeks.
First, we have a special BryonySeries Summer Book Sale at The Book Market. So if you live in the area, do check it out.
Second, BryonySeries is one of the sponsors for Bicentennial Park's Independence Celebration on July 3. Since Blogger is not letting past blogs link this morning, here are the details here are the details.
I'll share more next week on why this is so important to us.
Plus, we've released TWO new books!
Bertrand the Mouse has a new book, just in time for summer.
And we also released "A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods," which is, well, interesting. The story is part journey, part lyrical novelette. Here is its back cover summary:
"A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods" is currently available on Amazon.
Finally, here is an update on my BryonySeries book projects:
House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book, with nearly two-thirds that are ready for final edits. I haven't really looked at it since the at-home writing retreat, but June is a super packed month. July will be much better, and I hope to get some susbstantial work done with it. We are estimating a late 2024 release date for this book.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: No updates here in a very long time, mostly because Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We are also working on the last book in the series (but it's not the final book, if that makes sense). Timothy is actually writing that one. In order to make progress on any of this, Timothy is hoping to schedule a "Cornell breakfast." But Timothy and Daniel are very busy with work and school right now. We've scheduled and broke several Cornell breakfasts in 2023 and 2024. Our last one was July 2022. So we are LONG, LONG, LONG overdue.
Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. The first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world in April, has already started working on the cover portrait. The fifth book is called "Brainy Ann."
Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for Lycanthropic Summer.
Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.
And finally...
Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, has sent me twenty chapters to edit for his third book in his Ruthless trilogy. His first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."
Now back to The Herald-News stories stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!
But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.
Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.
Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.
Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.
BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.
Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.
And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.
BRYONYSERIES BOOKS
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
BRYONYSERIES EVENTS
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.
QUESTIONS
Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.
FEATURES
Four Joliet churches that are closing plan final
celebrations
New Silver Cross Hospital president and CEO models work-life
balance
Michael Mutterer, Silver Cross: ‘I’m a big proponent that
you have to find work-life balance’
Lockport VFW donates $8,000 to help Abraham Lincoln National
Cemetery projects
The support committee is ‘a low-key organization that
actually gets a lot done’
Will County Pets of the Week: June 17, 2024
Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/06/17/will-county-pets-of-the-week-june-17-2024/
Things to do in Will County: Taste of Joliet
https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/06/20/things-to-do-in-will-county-taste-of-joliet/
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, June 20, 2024
BryonySeries at Bicentennial Park's Independence Celebration on July 3
Come celebrate Independence Day with us!
BryonySeries returns to the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre on July 3 as part of the park's celebration.
The Independence Day celebration will be from 6 to 10 p.m. July 3 at 201 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet.
Here are six ways you can have fun at our tent.
1. Spin for a free children's book (while supplies last).
2. Play two games with free prizes (while prizes last).
3. Take home a free hand-dyed and stenciled BryonySeries shirt with select book purchases OR buy a shirt at full price.
4. Get a summer-themed Ribbit-Ribbit at half price with the purchase of any book OR buy a Ribbit-Ribbit at full price, while supplies last. (Pictures below are only examples. The exact Ribbit Ribbits shown here may not be available on July 3).
5. Inspire a loved one (or yourself) with a BryonySeries Mystery Quotes for $1 (perfect for gift giving).
6. Plus, the first twenty people to stop at our booth will receive a FREE copy of WriteOn Joliet's "Cheetah Stories," courtesy of New Lenox Dental Group.
The Bicentennial Park's Independence Celebration will also include ,live entertainment, food trucks, and fireworks over the water.
For more information, visit bryonyseries.com, writeonjoliet.com, bicentennialpark.org, newlenoxdental.com.
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Sue's Diner: Strawberry Ice Cream
This week's recipe for strawberry ice cream is authentically Victorian, is vaguely mentioned in the BryonySeries novel Bryony, uses just three ingredients, and has an incredibly fresh strawberry flavor.
Best of all, it's very simple to make.
Here is how the BryonySeries cookbook references it:
Ice cream was John Simons’ one, particular culinary weakness. Each lunch at
You may try the recipe for strawberry ice cream on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.
But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.
If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner.
All proceeds from "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles From 'Bryony'" benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties at bbbswillgrundy.org.
Order the cookbook at bryonyseries.com.
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
We Returned To Tower Hall
Working on a college degrees while working a full-time job is really challenging.
But two of my sons - Timothy and Daniel - supported each other in the process by taking classes together and adjusting schedules to work on homework together as much as possible.
They earned their bachelor's degrees together from the University of St. Francis on May 4 and are currently working on their master's degrees, which they started before graduation day.
I actually attended USF when it was CSF (College of St. Francis) in the school's former three-year program, which I didn't finish in favor of getting married and starting a family.
I lived on campus: Marion Hall the first year and Tower Hall the second. Most of my classes both years were at Tower Hall, so I spent many, many, many hours in that building.
By contract, Timothy and Daniel hardly stepped foot on campus since all their classes are remote.
They also didn't want any graduation photos and had their caps and gowns removed by the time they caught up to us outside after the graduation ceremony.
But on May 6, they changed their minds. They didn't care about the photos. But they thought maybe I cared about the photos, that I would want photos of them in their caps and gowns.
And they were right.
So after work on that May 8, we returned to USF for photos. The boys, who wore their gowns over their T-shirts and jeans, asked me to choose the location. That was easy: Tower Hall.
Now, it's not like I've never been to USF since 1981. Of course I have, mostly for Herald-News assignments. And "Bryony" was also recorded as an audio book at USF in 2012 before audio books became a thing. It's still not released, which is another story and post altogether.
So after the post-graduation photos, we walked around campus. I pointed out what was the same, what had changed, and shared amusing anecdotes from my time there. The boys enjoyed looking around and seeing parts of the campus.
It was a nice full circle moment.
I left USF to start my real mission in life, which included bringing them into the world.
They came to USF to launch their mission, which is still being written.
And I couldn't be more proud.
Monday, June 17, 2024
Dark Clouds
I started to write this post approximately six weeks ago when a fight broke out at what had been (up to that point) a really lovely family celebration.
But then other, more timely posts took its place.
Still, I wanted to share, not the details of the fight, but some post-incident reflections, especially in this age of social media perfection.
One: I've talked to people who often feel that they - and their family - fall short of everyone else's ideal family life when family interactions are less than ideal.
Two: No matter how well something - anything - goes, people tend to remember and cling to the parts that didn't. We remember the burnt cookies instead of the perfectly cooked steak. We remember the snide comment instead of the showering of compliments. We remember the bad hair day instead of the beautiful shirt that brought out the blue in your eyes.
And so forth.
But no person or family or situation or day is perfect.
Dark clouds do appear.
Yet, they eventually clear. Somehow, they always clear.
So be encouraged this week whenever dark clouds appear in your skies. They are temporary.
Happy Monday!
Sunday, June 16, 2024
Saturday, June 15, 2024
Friday, June 14, 2024
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, June 8 to June 14
Good morning!
I have nine stories to share with you today...but only eight of them area available as clickable links. And more stories will post over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
Now here's information about the ninth story.
Last week, Herald-News managing editor Judy Harvey asked me to take on a new column for print only. It's called "Eye on Enterprise" and it ran this morning.
"Eye on Enterprise" is a roundup of local business development, as wells as businesses that are opening or closing. I am enjoying the project so far as it's giving me a deeper look at local enterprise.
As I started researching the topic, I found many new businesses (and many new small businesses) that I might have known had actually "opened shop" in Will County.
Of course, my colleagues passed on any information about local businesses they received, too. so it's really a collaborative project. The result is that the first column ran on a full page, and I have the next two columns started.
People outside our coverage area and those who don't subscribe to a physical newspaper should know The Herald-News also has an e-edition. This is an online version of the print publication with virtual pages that actually turn.
You can access The Herald-News e-edition here: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/enewspaper.
It's been a busy couple of BryonySeries weeks.
First, have a special BryonySeries Summer Book Sale at The Book Market. So if you live in the area, do check it out.
Rebekah and I also hung out at The Book Market in Crest Hill on Tuesday and sold four books: The Phoenix, Call of the Siren, Before The Blood, and Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles From Bryony.
Plus, we've released TWO new books!
Bertrand the Mouse has a new book, just in time for summer.
And we also released "A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods," which is, well, interesting. The story is part journey, part lyrical novelette. Here is its back cover summary:
"A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods" is currently available on Amazon.
Finally, here is an update on my BryonySeries book projects:
House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book, with nearly two-thirds that are ready for final edits. I'm hoping to jump back into the manuscript this weekend. I haven't really looked at it since the at-home writing retreat. We are estimating a late 2024 release date for this book.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: No updates here in a very long time, mostly because Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We are also working on the last book in the series (but it's not the final book, if that makes sense). Timothy is actually writing that one. In order to make progress on any of this, Timothy is hoping to schedule a "Cornell breakfast." But Timothy and Daniel are very busy with work and school right now. We've scheduled and broke several Cornell breakfasts in 2023 and 2024. Our last one was July 2022. So we are LONG, LONG, LONG overdue.
Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. The first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world in April, has already started working on the cover portrait. The fifth book is called "Brainy Ann."
Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for Lycanthropic Summer.
Congratulations, Jennifer, on the new addition to your family!
Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.
And finally...
Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, has sent me more than a dozen chapters to edit for his third book in his Ruthless trilogy. His first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."
Now back to The Herald-News stories stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!
But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.
Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.
Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.
Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.
BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.
Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.
And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.
BRYONYSERIES BOOKS
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
BRYONYSERIES EVENTS
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.
QUESTIONS
Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.
FEATURES
Metal cicadas emerge from Joliet garage as artist enters
sculptures in show
Steve Kost, metal artist: ‘I had live models to work off of’
Joliet YMCA leader Katy Leclair named ‘Woman of the Year’ by
Zonta Club
Lora McGuire, Zonta member: ‘She exemplifies what a Zonta
Woman of the Year does’
Employee becomes new owner of TCBY Shorewood
Jen Howard, former co-owner, said Jana Brodeur is ‘a very
wise person and an old soul’
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/06/10/employee-becomes-new-owner-of-tcby-shorewood/
Will County Humane Society receives surprise $7,500 donation
Jackie McTee, humane society: ‘We are over the moon about
it’
Lockport’s Old Canal Days fun for visitors, vendors
People enjoyed a variety of activities and merchandise
New Lenox man killed in Joliet hit-and-run crash
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/06/08/new-lenox-man-killed-in-traffic-crash/
Will County Pets of the Week: June 10, 2024
Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/06/10/will-county-pets-of-the-week-june-10-2024/
https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/06/13/things-to-do-in-will-county-seussical/
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, June 13, 2024
"HOME , is where your heart is" by Holly Coop
Today I am sharing a link to a wonderful poem that WriteOn Joliet member Holly Coop recently wrote about the experience of living in Joliet.
However, anyone who has lived anywhere will find the deeper meaning among the lines - and maybe, just maybe, will call to mind (or feel inspired to immortalize) the place and memories that lives in the heart.
https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2024/05/26/home-is-where-your-heart-is/
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Sue's Diner: Turtle Steak
This week's recipe for turtle steak is not one we've actually prepared.
So no actual turtles were harmed in the sharing of this recipe. So I've attached a generic cooking photo from other food prepared in our kitchen.
However, I do have a nice photo of an actual turtle (which was not cooked). That photo appears at the bottom of this post.
Actually the person who submitted the recipe recommended it for cooks willing to experiment with unusual dishes. In fact, she submitted TWO turtle recipes.
This recipe for turtle steak appears in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.
At one of the
You can try the recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.
But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.
If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner.
All proceeds from "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles From 'Bryony'" benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties at bbbswillgrundy.org.
Order the cookbook at bryonyseries.com.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
BryonySeries Summer Book Sale at The Book Market (With Ribbit-Ribbits)
Good morning!
Last week, Rebekah curated a display of BryonySeries books at The Book Market that are either summer-themed or would make great summer reading.
Rebekah and Daniel also made this terrific sign to accompany it, a project so interesting that I will blog about it next week.
In addition to the books, we have....
Ribbit-Ribbits!
That's the name Cindy gave to her little crocheted animals. Cindy surprised me with a boxful as giveaways with purchase last December. At the time, Cindy said she had lots of fun accessorizing them.
So she's created a fresh batch of summer-themed animal friends that are also for sale at The Book Market.
Each Ribbit-Ribbit is $12 or $6 with the purchase of any BryonySeries book. Additional BryonySeries titles are available in the store. The discounted price for Ribbit-Ribbits are not limited to the books on display.
There is no limit to how many Ribbit-Ribbits you can buy. Ribbit-Ribbits are available while supplies last (we have more than what is on display).
These are super cute, a must-see item in person, and the perfect reading companion for any age since they will just sit quietly next to you and not interrupt your reading.
Happy Tuesday - and happy summer reading fun in the sun!
Monday, June 10, 2024
Come Meet Me On Tuesday!
Good morning!
I usually try to hang out at The Book Market in Crest Hill at least a few times a year - and last year I held and event approximately once a month.
Not only is the owner Janet Staley, super friendly to local authors and readers alike, the atmosphere in this 40-plus year old bookstore in Will County is a "must" to experience.
The store is filled (and I do mean "filled") with a wide variety of new, used, and rare books. It's hard to imagine a title The Book Market does NOT stock.
But the first part of 2024 was filled with various maladies for my family and me and a procedure that was pushed out three times (maybe four?) because of it. So Tuesday marks the first time BryonySeries officially returns to The Book Market.
I plan to be there, as does Rebekah, Bertrand the Mouse, and his Uncle Barty. I'm just know sure which hat I'll wear yet (decisions, decisions).
We have a special "summer display" for you to check out (more on this tomorrow). Key words to remember here are "summer reads" and "Ribbit-Ribbit."
And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, we'll also have something festive to celebrate the monumental occasion. Pop in and see for yourself.
And have a very happy Monday!
Sunday, June 9, 2024
Saturday, June 8, 2024
Friday, June 7, 2024
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, June 1 to June 7
Good morning!
I am happy to report that I hit my goals with my first at-home writing retreat of 2024 - and I have seven stories to share with you today. More stories will post over the weekend since I am working straight to the end of Monday So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
It's been a busy couple of BryonySeries weeks:
And I will be hanging at The Book Market in Crest Hill from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
We have a special BryonySeries Summer Book Sale at The Book Market. I'll share more about this in Tuesday's post.
Plus, we've released TWO new books!
Bertrand the Mouse has a new book, just in time for summer.
And we also released "A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods," which is, well, interesting. The story is part journey, part lyrical novelette. Here is its back cover summary:
"A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods" is currently available on Amazon.
And if this doesn't give you plenty of reading choices, The Herald-News published its "Thank You, First Responders" at the beginning of May, where most of the publication was dedicated to stories about first responders in our community. I was very honored to be part of this project and have seven stories to share.
Finally, here is an update on my BryonySeries book projects:
House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book, with nearly two-thirds that are ready for final edits. We are estimating a late 2024 release date for this book.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: No updates here in a very long time, mostly because Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We are also working on the last book in the series (but it's not the final book, if that makes sense). Timothy is actually writing that one. In order to make progress on any of this, Timothy is hoping to schedule a "Cornell breakfast." But Timothy and Daniel are very busy with work and school right now. We've scheduled and broke several Cornell breakfasts in 2023 and 2024. Our last one was July 2022. So we are LONG, LONG, LONG overdue.
Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. The first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world in April, has already started working on the cover portrait. The fifth book is called "Brainy Ann."
Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for Lycanthropic Summer.
Congratulations, Jennifer, on the new addition to your family!
Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.
And finally...
Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, has sent me more than a dozen chapters to edit for his third book in his Ruthless trilogy. His first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."
Now back to The Herald-News stories stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!
But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.
Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.
Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.
Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.
BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.
Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.
And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.
BRYONYSERIES BOOKS
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
BRYONYSERIES EVENTS
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.
QUESTIONS
Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.
FEATURES
Beer & Bourbon Fest a fundraiser for Will County Habitat for Humanity iw Saturday, June 8, event outside Hollywood Casino
Joliet library clerk creates 14-foot replica of Big Ben for summer reading program: Decor at Joliet Public Library ‘promotes literary conversation’
Pickleball craze in Will County shows no sign of fading: ‘It’s here to stay’: Players say interest in activity growing across generations
Joliet’s 1st poet laureate looks to promote a vibrant local arts community: Uxmar Torres helps others ‘find the right words in a nonintrusive way’
Will County Pets of the Week: June 3: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/06/03/pets-of-the-week-june-3/
Things to do this weekend in Will County: Salsa Fest (a separate version with different events ran in print)
https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/06/06/things-to-do-this-weekend-will-county-salsa-fest/
THANK YOU, FIRST RESPONDERS
Joliet Dr. Adnan Hussain stresses ‘care’ for patients and providers
Morris Hospital’s Dr. Sean Atchison cares about people
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"