top of page
N. N. Light
2 days ago5 min read

N. N. Light's Book Heaven presents Susan Harris Howell #authorspotlight #paranormalcozymystery #cozymystery #mustread



I begin every morning with a jigsaw puzzle.

 

Not the kind you put together physically on a table. Mine is from an app I downloaded on my tablet about ten years ago. This app provides one puzzle a day and allows you to choose the number of pieces you want to work from, ranging from 35 to well over 1000 pieces, and gives you an estimate of how long it will take to finish it. I always go with 280 pieces, which takes me about an hour to complete.

 

The pictures vary a great deal from day to day - from seasonal and holidays scenes to cute animals and exotic wildlife, from pieces of abstract art to breathtaking landscapes from all over the world. The app doesn't provide a picture beforehand, so whatever puzzle you're putting together is somewhat of a mystery, at least at the start.  

 

So, regardless of my plans for the day, it always starts with me sitting in my recliner, sipping a cup of coffee, and working my daily puzzle. I'm an early riser, so it's often still dark outside and the house quiet. I don't yet have to be anywhere nor have I gotten caught up in email or social media. It's like this first hour is somehow insulated from anything else going on in any other areas of my life. 

 

I've come to treasure this time and guard it as my first sacred commitment of the day. I use the word sacred because this hour seems to provide something essential for the rest of my day, something I get nowhere else. And on the rare occasion when I've had to skip this time, I feel off. This hour grounds me; that feels sacred.

 

I didn't set out to create such a morning ritual, but with it providing such undeniable, if accidental, benefits, I've given it some thought. Because the psychologist in me wants to understand what this ritual is doing for me and why. The writer in me wants to put it into words. The teacher in me wants to explain it to you in a way that makes sense (even though I promise to not test you over any of it).  

 

Anyway - here's what I've come up with:

 

Each day I begin with a jumble of 280 disjointed pieces with only variations of color to hint at the whole picture and shapes to suggest their placement. Yet within minutes, the jumble takes on meaning, as patterns unfold and pieces I thought couldn't possibly fit together, do. And when that last piece is placed, I have visible proof that I can navigate through chaos in order to reach my goal. 

 

It's not unlike beginning a day - a day that feels like a jumble of disjointed plans that don't look like they'll fit together either or bring me closer to any of my life goals. Yet somehow, piece by piece, patterns form and meaning emerges. And at the end of the day, I see that what I've accomplished has, indeed, brought me closer to my goal of impacting others through what I teach and write. 

 

Cognitive psychologists tell us that our mental framework exerts a powerful influence on our emotions and behavior. I wonder if putting together 280 pieces of chaos each day sets my mental framework to one of confidence that I'm up to the challenge of whatever the day holds.

 

I hope you, too, go into today with confidence in your ability to navigate whatever chaos you encounter in order to reach the goals you've set. 

 

Sign up for newsletter: susanharrishowell.substack.com

 

 

 

Title             The Spirit of Vanderlaan

Author         Susan Harris Howell

Genre          Paranormal Cozy Mystery

Publisher     The Wild Rose Press


Book Blurb   

 

When beloved professor, Samantha Hayes, learns that her favorite four students live in as many of her old dorm rooms, she wonders how it happened and for what purpose. As she and her student entourage explore the possibilities, they uncover a death years ago and what appears to be the ghost of the dearly departed. All of this stirs up Samantha’s long-held fear that she was responsible for that death, challenging all she thought she knew about herself and the work she holds dear. They must figure out what happened before Samantha gets fired for “dabbling in the paranormal.”

 

Excerpt

 

Samantha reached out to hold Chess's shaking hand only to immediately regret it. The stickiness of dried blood would have made her recoil, but she refused to desert Chess, who squeezed her hand like a frightened child. So while Allie returned Chess’s skates and answered the questions of concerned friends, Samantha stayed put. She only hoped the pounding of her own heart would not attract attention and require an explanation.

 

After Chess’s wound was cleaned and bandaged, Allie stated that she would drive Chess to the ER. "I can't ride in your new car. My clothes are all -" She grimaced at her blood-stained shirt.  

 

"The blood's dry. It'll be fine. Besides, think how fast my car will get us there." She directed Chess's attention away from the injury.

 

Samantha pointed to Allie. "Keep it under the limit, missy." Samantha disliked conceding the role of caregiver to someone else, but Allie had things under control. Besides, it couldn't be helped.

 

Samantha quickly walked toward the women’s restroom, which, thankfully, was empty, went in, and locked the door. With deep, shaky breaths, and no longer fighting the tears, Samantha moved immediately to the sink where she scrubbed her hands vigorously, several times. She reached into her purse for her cell phone, scrolled quickly through her contacts, and tapped her thumb on the one she sought.

 

She took a deep breath when instructed to leave a message. “Debra, this is Samantha Hayes. Could you give me a call please? I need to talk to you.”

 

Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)

 

 

 

 

 

Author Biography

 

As a psychologist on faculty at a small university in Kentucky, I have loved teaching and mentoring young adults for over thirty years. The Spirit of Vanderlaan draws on that career to capture the camaraderie and warmth between a psychology professor and the assortment of personalities which inhabit her office.

 

I have published extensively in my professional areas of expertise – psychology and equality between women and men. My first book, Buried Talents, was published by InterVarsity Press and was named a winner in their 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards.

 

My husband and I have two grown children, a daughter-in-law, one adorable grandson, and an incorrigible beagle named Doc. While Doc doesn't understand a word I say, he fully supports my books and the messages they convey.

 

Social Media Links

 

Tags:

bottom of page