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Sunday Letter: March 16, 2025

March 16, 2025 By Talya Tate Boerner

Hello, Sunday Letter friends!

It has been a crazy busy week with rollercoaster weather! Sunshine. Storms. Gusty winds that blew thick dust in from Oklahoma and sent anything untethered flying. Forty tornadoes swept through eight states on Friday night, including Arkansas. We even saw wildfires!

I hope everyone reading this is okay. I have a feeling we are in for one crazy spring season.

Speaking of Spring

Spring officially arrives in FOUR DAYS! Our shrubs and trees are leafing out, and so many flowers are beginning to bud and bloom. Despite the aforementioned winds and tornadoes, spring is such a magical time. I swear I can sit outside and watch the bleeding hearts grow lush.

And can we talk about all the shades of green? From lime to pea, mint to lizard, seafoam to John Deere—the shades of green growing in our garden provide real eye candy this time of year.


And I am so grateful for all of it!

According to color theory, colors affect our emotions and mood. And since green signifies birth, growth, hope, renewal, revitalization, and luck, maybe the joy I feel when I work in the yard or take a walk on a beautiful spring day is more than just my imagination. As our garden beings to green up, my wish is that the green in the air might lighten the weight of the world and heal everyone’s troubles.

It certainly can’t hurt.

Speaking of Green

You probably already know how excited I am about my next book, The Third Act of Theo Gruene. (By the way, Gruene is pronounced green like the color.) Things have really started to move forward this past week; I have been sharing pre-order links on social media, and my most recent blog post entitled Meet Theo Gruene included a link to the entire first chapter.

In case you missed all this, no worries! Click HERE to meet Theo!

A word about color in the book…

  • I believe colors are symbolic, and I put lots of thought into which colors appear in my books.
  • Although The Third Act isn’t a nature book, per se, Theo is a retired botany professor who loves nature. So yes, Theo’s world includes lots of shades of green.
  • Theo’s German surname, Gruene, translates to “green” in English.

Two Exciting Things

Last week, two exciting (and nerve-wracking) things happened with respect to Theo.

  • My first official review was posted on NetGalley.

 

  • I received a Proof Copy of the paperback!

When I first began writing, I had no idea the importance of reviews. Really, I had no idea the world I was entering with the publication of The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee (and that was probably a good thing). They say publishing a book is like birthing a baby, and in many ways, I agree.

But babies come in nine short months, while my books take 2-3 years!

Speaking of Babies

Our sweet baby Liam is almost six weeks old already! I’m lucky to be so busy with Theo that I can’t dwell on the fact that I live 500 miles from Liam.

I’ll be spending lots of time with him in April though.

April feels super close yet forever away.

My thoughts on Amazon

I know lots of folks are boycotting Amazon right now (possibly forever?). And I feel a little conflicted about directing anyone to Amazon for pre-ordering my book, but as of now, Amazon controls the book business. My belief is that the people who will be hurt most by an Amazon boycott will be the small vendors who are just trying to get down the road, not the company itself.

But regardless of your beliefs, I have non-Amazon options for you!

You can purchase books directly from my Grace Grits Shop HERE.

And if you want to wait for the movie, that’s perfectly okay too—ha!

Things Momma Says

Today I learned I have small ears and no neck.

😂

Thanks for reading today’s somewhat scattered Sunday Letter. I appreciate you and hope you stick around. And, I want to thank everyone who has pre-ordered Theo and read Chapter One! Who knows? Maybe I will share Chapter Two in April… 😉

I’ll leave you with these date reminders:

  • 1 day until St. Patrick’s Day
  • 35 days until Easter
  • 37 days until Earth Day
  • 46 days until May Day
  • 56 days until Mother’s Day
  • 65 days until Book Launch!

Gracie Lee would make a paper chain to countdown to Theo! Don’t you think?

Grace Grits & Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Filed Under: Reading & Books, Sunday Letter Tagged With: book launch, early spring, The Third Act of Theo Gruene

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Comments

  1. Momma says

    March 16, 2025 at 8:34 am

    Loved the song. ❤️❤️
    Date reminders are a good thing. That picture of Liam is precious.

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      March 16, 2025 at 11:33 am

      Yes, time is flying—I started to include how many days until Christmas but just didn’t.

  2. Colene says

    March 16, 2025 at 9:19 am

    I’ve missed your Sunday letters. Your grandson is adorable and perfect.

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      March 16, 2025 at 11:32 am

      Thanks, Colene! I’ve missed doing them. I agree about Liam’s adorableness:))

  3. Annette Pettit says

    March 16, 2025 at 9:44 am

    Love your Sunday letters, but those who don’t listen to your music links are missing out! Thanks for options of book ordering sites.

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      March 16, 2025 at 11:31 am

      Thank you so much, Annette! I probably spend way too much time finding the perfect song for each post, but I enjoy it!

  4. Dorothy Johnson says

    March 16, 2025 at 4:53 pm

    Somehow I missed the post that included the first chapter of your book. But I caught up today and am already hooked on Penelope and Theo. Although I’ve loved each one, it just might turn out to be the best one yet! I ordered your book. Hurry up and send it.
    If you want to do a book signing in LR, I’d love to help make it happen. You always have a room here.
    Liam looks like such a bundle of joy!

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      March 17, 2025 at 6:40 am

      Thank you, Dorothy! I would love to do a signing in Little Rock and will definitely take you up on your offer!

  5. Carly Anne Trahan says

    March 17, 2025 at 9:35 am

    The song was like a “Godwink” for me. God always knows what we need💚.

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      March 17, 2025 at 11:46 am

      Awww I’m glad it helped you!

      • Julie says

        March 24, 2025 at 7:24 am

        Hope April is here in a blink for you!


Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: 11.23.25
  • Maggie and Miss Ladybug: My New Children’s Nature Book
  • Sunday Letter: November 9, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 26, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 5, 2025

Novels:

Coloring Books:

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

Backyard Phenology:

Children’s Nature Book:

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