HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!

 RHYS BOWEN:  Since it’s Thanksgiving Day and those of us in the US  are busy with turkeys and stuffing and pumpkin pies, I thought we’d have a quick convo in which we state three things we are thankful for this year:

If you are like me the year has been one of ups and downs, of worries and uncertainties. But also of special moments of joy and contentment. So I wlil start:

I am thankful for:

1: Is obviously my family. They are the best. My kids and grandkids are loving, caring, funny and make my life a joy. They step in every time we call to say something in the house isn’t working properly or I need to be picked up from the airport. They gather on any excuse, sit around the table laughing. I can think of nothing more perfect than my family gathered, sharing a meal.

2. I'm grateful that John got to go to England this year, As many of you know he had a real health scare last fall and I worried he’d never be able to travel again. But we made it to England, a niece drove us around. We stayed with his sister and almost all the family came to visit. It was really special.

3. On the writing front my historical novel Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure has done very well and has really touched a nerve with many people. And I just learned that it has been named one of Audible’s best fiction titles for 2025. So that makes me very happy as the narrator was fabulous. Barrie Kreisnik. She’s the best.

Now: How about you:

LUCY BURDETTE: Great topic Rhys! It’s been a hard year so it makes sense to stop and assess what we’re thankful for. Like Rhys, I’m grateful for my husband, and the rest of my family. I wish everyone lived closer but we treasure the time we share when we get together. 

I’m grateful for my interesting life as a writer, even though it sometimes feels grueling:). That means I’m so glad to have my writing pals and my reading friends including all of you! I’m grateful for books and writers too!

JENN MCKINLAY: Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! I’m going to skip the obvious–my adored family, for which I am grateful everyday, and my dear friends, who make me laugh and keep me sane-ish, and my readers, who are so incredibly discerning and supportive and obviously brilliant and without whom I’d have no career–and stick to random gratitudes for this year. Okay, that got long, we’ll make it 1.

2. I’m grateful for K-Dramas. Both Hank, who recommended The Extraordinary Attorney Woo back in 2022, and Julia, who wrote this excellent blogpost https://www.jungleredwriters.com/2024/04/my-kdrama-krush.html last year, got me watching them and, honestly, in this endless horrible 2025 newscycle from hell, K-Dramas have become my reward for thugging through another day. 

3. Being in my fifties. Despite the many horrors of this decade–menopause, loss of loved ones, knees that lock up, jowls, etc–it is also the decade where I feel free for the first time in YEARS! I’m talking free like a little kid. Now that Hub and I are freebirding, since the Hooligans have been moved out for a couple of years, I can eat cake for dinner if I want, stay up all night, blow off my chores, or take up any weird hobby that strikes my fancy. I don’t generally do any of that, but I could if I wanted to and that freedom is so delicious. 

HALLIE EPHRON: Family, family, family. I have fabulous daughters and a stellar pair of grands. Add a pair of grand-cats. And sisters whom I adore. I never appreciated how special a functioning family was until recently. I’d add gratitude for Reds and our readers. I look forward to checking in every morning and see who’s up and at ‘em. And for the many writers I’ve connected with over the years through my teaching - so great to see them write and thrive. 

Now I’m tearing up…

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN I am so grateful to be able to read all of these!  You all are so dear. Yes, as I get older I am grateful for every day, for health, and the stars and tulips and birds, for still being able to think and see and imagine and remember things. 

(Most of the time, and if I can’t, I can eventually.)

To be able to read. And consider things. And have perspective.  And know how to do some things and to get better at them.  For my darling family, near and far, and watching them all grow and flourish and be nimble. And gosh, I get to be a writer. Amazing.

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I’m a big fan of daily gratitude, and I agree with Hank that looking at the world around us and noticing things is one of the best practices you can do to improve your outlook on life. 

So what, specifically, am I grateful for this Thanksgiving? My new grandson “Paulie” who continues to look like a tiny wise guy, but we love him just the same. Family, of course, and my friends, who have held me up with so much love and encouragement and hospitality and help this past year. I’m grateful for the wonderful pets I share my life with - yes, even the $15,000 cat.

And I’m so grateful for my readers who have stuck with me despite years of not having a new book. Now that there is one, I continue to be overwhelmed by how many people love Clare and Russ and the citizens of Millers Kill. I know there are writers who wouldn’t have a career after two lengthy gaps between publishing, and I’m so, so thankful that I do.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Yes, as above, family! I am so grateful to be able to watch my darling granddaughter grow up. She is such a delight, funny, smart, and kind. I'm grateful for health, even with aches and pains– every time I have to fill out a medical questionnaire and get to check "no" on everything I DON'T have! Reading, absolutely, the joy of my life since childhood. How lucky are we who read??? And I am grateful not just for books but for audiobooks. After my hearing loss scare back in '24, every day I am thankful to be able to listen to a book.

And I am so thankful for this community and for my JRW sisters. What a blessing you all are.

AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR ALL OF YOU.

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!