We hope you enjoyed the March 2026 issue of This Awful Awesome Life. Many thanks to Orlando Bartro and Tony Valerino for their contributions to the magazine. We’re entering the fourth month of 2026. How are you feeling about the future? With the cost of almost everything continuing to go up; remember, we are a free publication.
April is often a rainy month. Whether you love it, hate it or simply tolerate it, rain is an important part of the weather. Too much rain and we have floods. Too little and we have a drought. Hit the sweet spot and life is good.
We’re talking about the weather this month. It’s raining words about rain. Don’t miss our “Let’s Talk About the Weather Quiz’” and our rainy-day playlist. We also have an article about when weather goes rogue.
Author Sheila Kirk isn’t the biggest fan of rain, and she tells us why.
Author and history blogger Tony Valerino has become a regular contributor to This Awful Awesome Life. Be sure to check out his article, “April 1945 Germany – Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Spoke in the Wheel.”
Don’t miss Orlando Bartro’s article, “A Large Plot From One Little Mistake: The Art of Anthony Trollope.”
I reviewed Daffodils by Alex Martin. This is a work of historical fiction about love, social change, and World War I. I personally believe every world leader should be required to read it before they send soldiers off to fight and die in wars.
My April poem, “The Next Fatal Shower” is about hypocrisy. My short story this month is about the healing powers of love and dancing in the rain. It’s a work of fiction about a serious condition which I do not take lightly.
For our column, “Happy Birthday,” celebrating the birthdays of famous writers, I selected the American mystery novelist Sue Grafton. Grafton authored the ABC Mysteries book series.
“Dare to Believe” is proud to feature the World Central Kitchen.
For April 2026 in “The Twelve Months of Grain,” I’m featuring quinoa. This month I made Spinach Mushroom Quinoa.
Our reading recommendations for kids, young adults, and adults feature an eclectic mix of fiction and non-fiction.
We’re constantly updating our Author Page to include the latest published works of your new favorite authors, and we’re adding authors. Being able to give authors a free place to display their work is a dream come true for me, so please check every month to see who’s new and what’s new. Because of changes made by Squarespace upcoming Author Pages may be slightly different.
Don’t miss our new Artist Page where we will be celebrating creatives and providing their contact information. We will be updating and adding to the list during this month and the following months, so keep checking our new page.
Author Luke Murphy is working on a new novel in the Calvin Watters Mystery series. It’s scheduled for a mid-to-late summer release. We’ll keep you posted as we get new information.
Everything in Between is now available as an audiobook and in hardcover or paperback.
The narrator, Louise Porter, does a wonderful job bringing Sabrina and her story to life.
I can’t wait for you to have a listen.
You can purchase the audiobook for Everything in Between on Amazon, iTunes, or Audible. https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Everything-in-Between/dp/B0DDR8GRWS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TV0J0HCWYT7T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tdRKc5MxwdOobXZOLckDvQ.0BXe9QYH3JnZOn9j0LC6Yy6gCG9UI3lIcRu4KlRnIPs&dib_tag=se&keywords=everything+in+between+by+frances+joyce+audiobook&qid=1725234363&sprefix=everything+in+between+by+frances+joyce+audiobook%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-
I’m incredibly proud of this novel. If you enjoy my writing, you should check it out. Independent authors can’t afford splashy book launches and expensive PR campaigns to make the public aware of their work. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Adults can and should be able to disagree without threats, name calling, spreading misinformation, or lying. Can the leaders you support do this?
Now more than ever, I encourage you to watch C-SPAN and get to know the members of Congress, the members of the president’s cabinet, and the leading experts who testify at Congressional hearings. Listen to what they are saying and what they refuse to say aloud. Do they care about the Constitution and the people of this country?
In 2025, we struggled with maintaining the checks and balances between the three branches of our federal government. The fight continues as we head to the midterm elections. Which political leaders disregard/ignore the powers of Congress and the authority of the federal courts? Who can we elect who will protect and support the Constitution of the United States? Do your homework before the midterms. Our future depends on choosing the best leaders at all levels of government.
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Happy Reading,
Fran