WHAT ABOUT THAT NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION?

What about that New Year’s resolution? Did you make yours? If you did, how long is your list? My New Year’s resolutions started in middle school and continued for more years than I’d like to count. They included what most people placed on their list, although they varied based on the time of my life:

  • avoiding sweets,
  • exercising,
  • losing weight (especially after having babies),
  • meeting new people (I was very shy — notice the past tense), and
  • providing additional community service hours…. .

Although my resolutions were made with good intentions and were always meritorious, there was an undeniable common thread — I inevitably broke them. The question was how long did I maintain before I failed?

new year’s resolutions: overcoming failure

With failure came disappointment, frustration, and a sense of loss. My motivation went out the window, after all, I already failed. I stopped making New Year’s resolutions a number of years ago, however, I never threw the baby out with the bath water. My thinking, focus, and approach changed.

new year’s goals

goals, New Years, Search Beyond Lies

I no longer make New Year’s resolutions, I make New Year’s goals. According to the dictionary, a goal is “the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.” I create goals and strive to achieve them.

It’s okay to get off track, I can always get myself back on without a sense of failure. It’s a healthier, positive outlook that keeps me on track.

suspense thriller, romantic suspense, Colorado, Rocky Mountains, action

My article, On the Road to Healthy Living: Foolproof Your Plan! provides the road map to successfully meet your New Year’s goals. Encouraged by the success of Search Beyond Lies, the first book in the Search & Recovery International (SRI) series, my professional goals for 2023 include:

  • releasing the audio version of Search Beyond Lies;
  • continuing to grow my law practice;
  • continuing the Fact or Fiction Series for Search Beyond Lies as well as other Fact or Fiction articles for guest authors;
  • releasing the second in the SRI series, After the Verdict;
  • working toward getting the third in the SRI series, Pattern of Deception, ready for my editors; and
  • doing the research for the 4th in the SRI series which takes place in Hawaii.

My other goals include remaining physically fit, increasing my physical performance, staying within the low range of my ideal body weight in anticipation of the planning and celebration that goes into the next goal — my son’s wedding!

There is no doubt that 2023 will be a big year! Accordingly, I plan to post at least twice monthly, more with guest authors.

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy, and productive 2023! God bless!

Any tips? Please share.

(C) 2023 Karen VDH Fischer

Search Beyond Lies: Fact or Fiction: The Character—Brady

One of the key characters in Search Beyond Lies is a schnauzer mutt name Brady. Is Brady a real dog? Is his story fact or fiction?

brady the dog

Brady is a real dog. He is our incredibly smart, well-trained family dog.

  • He rings a bell when he has to go out.
  • With Rob and J.C. he does all kinds of tricks, walks off leash at their heels, will not bark at their command or even chase rabbits.
  • Notice how the above did not include me. He is smart enough to know I’m a pushover and he can get away with … .

Although he is not a trained service dog or search and rescue working dog, he could easily be trained for both.

Brady masked during CO fires for protection against ash.
Brady knew his mask and neck ring protected him from the ash during the worst of the Colorado fires.

The Story behind how brady was “found”

Search Beyond Lies tells a story of how Brady was found and slept in a suitcase as a result. Is this story fact or fiction?

Kitten lying next to Mama.

The story of how Brady was found is a true story with a major fictional twist. In the book, the animal that was found by Brett was Brady. The real story is that a kitten was found in the exact same manner by J.C. So, the story itself was true but fictionalized with different characters.

Brady belonged to my daughter, Victoria, and her husband Rob who is responsible for training him. After graduating from medical school, Rob had to move Victoria from Washington, D.C. to San Antonio, TX for her neurosurgery residence program (one year later he was able to transfer to the University of Texas for his doctoral program).

Brady looking out the window behind him in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Brady looking back in Rocky Mountain National Park

We were to only watch Brady for 2 weeks for the move, however, since both of their programs were extremely time intensive where Brady would be alone most of the day, we offered to keep him for the duration of their programs. Needless to say, we got attached to him and they gifted Brady to us (one of the best gifts we have ever received).

the suitcase

Brady does in fact sleep in a suitcase but for a different reason. When Brady first came to live with us my husband, Joe, did a lot of travel for his work. Brady wasn’t happy when he left and clearly thought Joe would take him along if he slept in his carry-on suitcase. My husband’s carry-on became Brady’s bed, and we bought another one for Joe.

Brady–The Name

Brady as a young puppy hiding in a suitcase.

The story behind Brady’s name is true. Brady was very tiny when Victoria and Rob first got him. My daughter wanted a small dog and Rob wanted a big dog, but they were living in an apartment and small it was. Their compromise was a small dog with a big name — Rob named him after his favorite quarterback, Tom Brady.

I’ve been asked if Brady will appear in future books. I’m working on Book 2, Pattern of Deception, which takes place in Alaska. He just may… .


Search Beyond Lies Cover -- A couple in the Colorado Rocky Mountains on a search and rescue mission.

Search Beyond Lies is available on Amazon. https://amzn.to/3ueVmTO

© 2022 Karen VDH Fischer