Enjoy last few weeks of summer

Summer is nearly at its end, and I am prepared to embrace autumn, my favorite season. Some people feel fall is the start of withering leaves, cold weather, and lots of rain in Vancouver, but I always thought autumn was the start of reflection and reevaluating my life journey. As the leaves turn vibrant shades of red and gold, I discover myself inspired to slow down and appreciate the beauty around me. It’s a time for cozy evenings, sipping warm drinks, and setting new intentions for the months ahead.

Before the summer ended, I met a friend for brunch at one of my favorite restaurants in Richmond. She has never visited Cannery Café, and I was delighted to share the joy the restaurant gave me. I’m thankful that she enjoyed the food and the positive vibes around us. Bonding with a friend gave me a new perspective on life and a chance to reconnect with our daily lives. We spent hours chatting about our dreams, challenges, and everything in between. Sharing our experiences and supporting each other in our personal growth felt rejuvenating, reminding me of the importance of these connections in navigating life’s ups and downs. As we wrapped up our meal, I couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of motivation. The conversation lingered in my mind, inspiring me to embrace the challenges ahead with a fresh outlook and a deeper appreciation for the relationships that enrich my journey.

The owner gave us a complimentary French toast. Ceci, thank you!

Do you have someone to enjoy a sumptuous meal and share laughter and tears with?

Please read Fate Unshaken for your autumn reading. It’s a captivating story that weaves together themes of destiny and resilience. You’ll find yourself immersed in the characters’ journeys as they battle the obstacles that come their way.

Someone took a chance on me

Available at Steveston Bookstore, Steveston Village, Richmond

Selling a book by an indie or self-published author is challenging. Most of the books sold were online or at webstores. I contacted local bookstores in Vancouver and Richmond for my 2022 book, “Revenge Mistaken,” but most had no room for it. On April 16, 2025, the release of my second book, “Fate Unshaken,” prompted me to revisit the bookstores in Richmond.

I visited Chapters Indigo in Richmond Centre, and the manager told me that they couldn’t accommodate me at this time. Then I visited Steveston Village with a friend and went inside Steveston Bookstore; I was so overwhelmed by how much I liked the ambience and the energy inside the store. We met the female owner who has been operating the bookstore for thirty-five years now. I asked her if she would let me sell the physical copy at her store, and she said I could bring a book or two for starters.

Today, after my appointment, I visited another bookstore in Steveston Village, but the person there declined to accept my book for a reason. After thanking her, I proceeded to my main purpose, which was to bring a copy of Revenge Mistaken and Fate Unshaken to Steveston Bookstore. I met the male owner, and he was so gracious and gave me courage to showcase my books. We talked a little bit, and I felt his sincerity and encouragement. I’m grateful he took a chance on me.

After the adrenaline rush, I treated myself to a wonderful brunch of waffles with smoked salmon and unlimited coffee from Steveston Cannery Café and met the owner. In a gesture of gratitude, I presented her with a signed copy of Fate Unshaken. It feels so nice to appreciate each other. Thank you for the sumptuous brunch.

Does someone take a chance on your accomplishment?

FATE UNSHAKEN

I’m really thrilled; at last, the public can purchase my second book, Fate Unshaken. When we were editing the book, I assumed it would be out by summer. However, FriesenPress was efficient; they released Fate Unshaken this spring, on April 16, 2025. The release of Fate Unshaken coincided with my dad’s birthday, making it a memorable day for my family and me. I hope I made Daddy proud in heaven.

Having no professional training, I believed I would only have one book published in my lifetime. I only had a story, but I’m grateful to have FriesenPress guiding me throughout the process. I believed that fate played a role in guiding my writing path. I appreciated the gift and embraced my capacity for narrative telling. I was midway through penning the sequel to my debut book, Revenge Mistaken. But I was stuck and my brain stopped functioning; I could not carry on the narrative.

As I attended church, I noticed the phrase “faith unshaken,” and suddenly, an unexpected narrative began to develop in my mind. And while I listened to the homily from the priest, I developed a fresh attitude, concept, and premise. I turned on my laptop when I got home and began writing what I had in mind; after some time I produced chapter 4 of the new book. Fate Unshaken is the result of this.

To gain mainstream recognition, I hope that people will support independent and self-published authors like myself. One major achievement is being able to sell my works on bookshop shelves as well as online.

What is your major achievement so far?

*****A fiction story but the emotion is real.*****

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I made it happen

This is it! I’m finally holding the physical proof copy of my second book, “Fate Unshaken.” Now that I’ve received it, I can’t really put my feelings into words.

Personally speaking, I thought I only had one published book in this lifetime, which is Revenge Mistaken (2022), available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. However, my mind was constantly active, prompting me to consider writing my next book and ensuring it’s a story I truly enjoy reading. I never outline; I just turn on my laptop, use my imagination, and start writing. I often find that I’ve written two to four chapters in one sitting without noticing it.

Fate Unshaken is almost seventy-two thousand beautiful words. I did four revisions and read the manuscript approximately a hundred times. Seeing it as a book now gives me time to reflect that anything that our mind sets a focus on will turn into reality. This time, I took action because I wanted to share the story of Camrea and Marces with the world.

Do you have something that you want to make happen in this lifetime?

Thank you and enjoy spring!

Official front cover

This is for my mom because it’s her birthday today! Happy 78th Birthday, Mommy Linda in heaven!

My mom was a 5th-grade teacher, and she had a reputation for being quite strict, which made many of the students think about skipping grade 5. I saw my mom’s hard work and dedication to her teaching profession.

During that period, she was raising alone her five children, as my father was overseas. After doing laundry, she would prepare our food, and then she would work on her lesson plan at the same table where we had our dinner together.

I really admired her resilience and hard work, and that might be why I kept exploring what I could bring to the world.

This cover reveal brings a mix of emotions for me, as my mom won’t be able to hold my book, but I truly appreciate all of you, my wonderful readers, for your support on this writing journey.

Thank you, and please save a room for another book on your bookshelf.

*****PLEASE SHARE*****