Springing🪻 the Big News!
It's time to spill the tea. 🫖
Hello friend,
If you are a new subscriber, Welcome! You’ve arrived just in time to hear some big news!
It’s the first day of spring, and, as promised, I’m here to spring my big announcement on you!
Like daffodil and tulip bulbs that sleep quietly underground for a season, there’s a special project that I’ve been keeping under wraps. Unlike flower bulbs which pop up after a few months in hiding, this project—once just a dream—took root over six years ago. And it’s finally ready to bloom!
What is it?
If you haven’t guessed by now, it’s the release of my second book! 🎉
My latest work will hit online bookstores in May!
Six years is a long time, but not unheard of in the writing world. You might wonder, what took you so long? Well, during those six years, I’ve been honing my craft. I’ve joined online writers’ groups, attended conferences and retreats, listened to hours of podcasts, and read books and countless articles on writing. I wrote nearly 150 blog posts, penned twenty-six stories for other publications, and self-published another book—my Lenten devotional.
During those six years, I also lived a lot of life. Along with you, I endured a global pandemic. I lost two of the biggest influencers in my life—my parents. I welcomed two of the biggest joys in my life—my first two grandchildren. I retired from my day job and then picked it up again, part-time. And, I started spending summers in Minnesota.
Much has happened that might have made me toss this book aside and give it up.
But the dream wouldn’t go away.
In 2017, just before our empty-nest season began, we hit a big bump in the road (which I detail in Part One of the book). It planted the seed of an idea that became a story, that grew into more stories, that became chapters that now comprise this book. I knew these stories would have value if they could find their way into the hearts of empty nesters.
Like flower bulbs, the stories were just waiting for the right time to sprout and blossom. And that time is coming very soon!
This book has been a labor of love. In fact, it’s all about love. And hope. And contentment. And finding joy in our journeys. Hence the subtitle:
Stories on the Journey to Hope, Love, and Contentment.
And the title? Well, of course, it’s…
Empty-Nest Joyride!
In this book, I share our transition into the empty-nest years, as I reflect on our 36-year marriage, raising our four children, and the fear, excitement, uncertainty, growth, sorrow, and joy we found along the way.
More about the book (i.e. what you’ll find on the back cover):
Reignite Your Marriage, Rediscover Yourself, and Embrace the Empty Nest with Joy!
You’ve been parenting for years, and now face the sudden realization that this ride, and your role, are about to change. Like exiting a busy highway, you might look forward to a slower, gentler, and more relaxing pace. Or, perhaps the quiet path ahead fills you with uncertainty and the dread of emptiness.
You’re about to embark on an unfamiliar journey. What lies around the bend is a mystery.
Linda Hanstra has been around that bend and, in Empty-Nest Joyride, she shares a heartfelt collection of personal stories. Inspired by bike rides through the Midwest countryside, she reflects on the challenges and blessings of this midlife stage with humor, warmth, and wisdom.
Whether you’re approaching the empty nest or already in the midst of it, this book will encourage you to:
🚴♂️ Reach for new opportunities in personal and spiritual growth
🚴♀️ Ignite and rekindle the spark in your marriage
🚴♂️ Dream of ambitions you put on hold during the parenting years
🚴♀️ Engage in healthy, fulfilling relationships with your adult children
Hit the trail with Linda Hanstra and discover how you can fill life’s next chapter with love, laughter, and unexpected joy!
Whether you’ve been with me for six years (or more!), or just joined me last week, I’m so glad to have you along. My hope and prayer is for my book to become your book, my stories to reveal your story, and my dream to inspire your dreams.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks for details about the book’s release, the cover reveal, and other exciting details to come!
It's getting closer to summer. Will you be venturing to MN soon? I'd love to catch up to hear more about your book.
Linda, congrats on this labor of love. I am so excited for you!