On the eve of April 24, 2025, our high school reunion committee met on a zoom call. Spring was in the air, and by 7 pm the daylight had turned to dusk. I brought my laptop to a quiet upstairs bedroom to block out the roaring sounds of the Thursday night truck race. The call was fun; we were happy to reconnect and enthusiastic about planning the event.

In the distance my husband was yelling but I ignored him, assuming it was his response to drama in the NASCAR race. I was annoyed and stayed behind my closed door, thinking to myself 'what now?'

The call ended, and when I walked downstairs, he was nowhere to be found. My imagination overtook my logic. Could he have been abducted? By aliens? I experienced a pang of remorse but was reluctant to find out what happened. Then I noticed a silhouette in the yard, and he was on his cell phone. And that's when I caught a faint glimpse of the Northern Lights. I missed a rare atmospheric storm that night in my own backyard.

So many random events occurred that evening. The Northern lights were rarely seen as far south as New Jersey, or at dusk. Rich could have walked up the stairs to inform me, I could have chosen to find out what he was yelling about, and I may have missed my only opportunity to see this geometric storm in my own backyard. Life is so random.

The endless, random decisions we make often impact our lives in ways we don't expect. And this is what makes writing romance novels so much fun. In any romance, one wonders: What would have happened if he didn't answer the door? Why didn't she know that he was interested? How did they both end up in a place they weren't supposed to be? The possibilities are endless because we live in this random, tragic, funny world where anything can happen.

If you read The Platinum Bicuspid, I hope you liked it. If it is a book you would recommend to friends, leave a review on your Amazon or Goodreads account. Having reviews is the only way an author can attract new readers, so your support would be greatly appreciated. I enclosed a link to The Platinum Bicuspid's review page for your convenience. Next week will be about Thanksgiving and my easy cheesecake recipe with two surprising ingredients. Have a great week! Best wishes always, Joanne.

Northern Lights, Sparta NJ

This is the link to be directed to the book page. So far, I only have one review. If you click this review, Amazon will give you the option to leave your own review. You may want to edit so only your first name appears in a review you submit. Thank you!