Times of Our Lives: The Newsletter

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I’m excited to announce that my books, The Lies Told in the Dark and Journey to the Past, will be available as part of the Smashwords 2025 End of Year Sale from December 8, 2025, until January 1, 2026. My books will be 75% off! This is a chance to get my books, along with books from many other great authors, at a promotional discount.

You can find the promo here

The Lies Told in the Dark

OR

Journey to the Past

If you wouldn’t mind lending me a hand and the other indie authors taking part in this sale, you can share this promo with your friends and family. Just forward this email to anyone who would love a chance to find their next favorite book!

Thank you for your help and support!

Happy reading!

Happy December! It's time for snowy wonder and Holiday fun! It's wonderful to connect with you again! I hope you're doing well and staying healthy. As always, thank you for your incredible support and for joining me on these reading adventures. Please share this newsletter with fellow readers to help spread the word!

I've been swamped working on revising Part Four into a PREQUEL! This edition of T.O.O.L.: The Newsletter is packed with updates! We'll dive into highlights from Times of Our Lives, some Behind the Curtain insights, a few prize-winning games, and more.

Please be advised: This newsletter contains spoilers for the Times of Our Lives series.

Keep reading for all the details and more!

I have decided to switch our quotes into highlights from Into the Void, Part Three of Times of Our Lives.

Discover highlights from Part Three! But beware, spoilers lurk within! If you're waiting to begin the series, come back to this section after you've finished.

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⚫ Prologue

Bernadette is reeling about how she feels about Young Vanessa confining her own father, Henry, to death, then something strange happens...

🟪 Chapter 1

Vanessa.... Wait, hold on a minute... Vanessa?!

🔷Chapter 2

Violette delivers the news of her mother's death to the whole team, a dilemma that joins sisters together at the end.

Purchase The Lies Told in the Dark and Journey to the Past NOW!

Boy, do I have the ultimate puzzle for you!

To close out the year, I have decided to give the Times of Our Lives family THREE endings from THREE different narrators from Book THREE. As you have read, you know that the series features multiple narrators, cementing the thought that truth is woven through perspective.

These final words capture the ultimate powerful theme:

Resiliency, Acknowledgment, and Curiosity.

Can you figure out which character says each of these climactic phrases? If you can, you may just piece together this thrilling adventure.

RESILIENCY:

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

My heart breaks.

CURIOUSITY:

I don't have the answers to any of these questions, but I will know soon.

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💙💜🖤 💙💜🖤💙💜🖤💙💜🖤💙💜🖤💙💜🖤💙💜🖤💙💜🖤💙💜🖤💙💜🖤💙

Which main character says the line about Resiliency? Which one speaks the line of Acknowledgment? And who is so Curious?

Reply to this email (Dinagalarzamapes.author@gmail.com) right now and tell me your theory! I’ll reveal the official answer in the January newsletter!

STAY TUNED: Discover more in upcoming editions of Times of Our Lives: The Newsletter.

Welcome to GUESS THE QUOTE!!!

The Rules:

1. I will write a quote below...
2. You fill out the Google Form below (The button below) with who you think said it...
3. Wait until the next edition of Times of Our Lives: The Newsletter for the answer...
4. If you answered correctly, you will be mailed specialized The Lies Told in the Dark OR Journey to the Past bookmarks for you and your friends!

"And if it is my fault, mother? If it truly is my fault and I do nothing, what will you do?"

VIOLETTE!

That was our easiest GUESS THE QUOTE EVER! If you didn't get it, you didn't try.

Calling all bookworms! 📢 Get ready for a Caldera Raffles Extravaganza! 🎉

Join me, Dina Galarza Mapes, Author, on Facebook for your chance to snag a PAPERBACK copy of "The Lies Told in the Dark" OR "Journey to the Past" for just $5! That's a steal! 🤑

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Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM EST (Eastern Standard Time) sharp! Don't be late. ⏰

Place: My Facebook Page: Dina Galarza Mapes, Author

How to Play (The Final Draw):

1. Entry Deadline: Complete your entry form and purchase your tickets right up until the last minute! The final cutoff for entries is 2:15 PM EST on the day of the draw.

2. Tune In: Visit my page on December 20th at 2:30 PM EST to join the live event.

3. Winner Announcement: BAM! We'll announce the lucky winner live at 2:30 PM EST. Easy peasy! 😉

P.S. You can buy as many entries as you want! The more entries, the higher your chances of winning. 😉

✨ So, what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars, set your reminders, and get ready for an afternoon of fun and fabulous bookish prizes! ✨

We always say that there is inspiration in everything! Through a conversation, a certain smell in the air, a small moment, anything! Here is a little inspiration to get you through the month.

In our last edition, you unjumbled the November thankful jumble! You lucky ducks!

Enjoy this December Word Jumble!

Unjumble the words below to reveal our message!

🎄

⛄

✨

🎅

🤶

Yhpapy

Shoyladi

Ot

Lal

Nda

Ot

Lal

A

Dogo

Tnihg

📚Here are the answers to our October Jumble!

November Jumble Answers

Thank

You

For

A

Year

Of

Newsletter

Fun

Tune in next time for the September Jumble in the next edition of TOOL: The Newsletter.

This section is dedicated to congratulating and showcasing interesting individuals and groups who run their own businesses. I love showcasing small business owners! If you are interested in getting a shout-out, please email me anytime or CLICK HERE!

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• Since this section was created, we have shouted out over TWENTY (20) people, groups, and businesses. Thank you for all your support; we truly appreciate it. Can't wait until next month when we shout out so many more interesting people. Happy Holidays!

Keep up the fabulous work!

Love, Dina

P.S. I wouldn't have been able to complete this newsletter journey without the help of Malerie Baker, Career Coach.

I would not have been able to edit Times of Our Lives: Journey to the Past without the help of Victoria Sheeley, Author.

Check out our three previous editions below!

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Edition #11

Edition #12

Edition #13

Don't forget to get your copy of The Lies Told in the Dark and Journey to the Past

Thank you for catching up with me through Times of Our Lives: The Newsletter. I love to share updates with you and hope they bring a smile to your face.

Your kindness and reviews mean so much to me! Please feel free to CLICK HERE (or the button below) to leave a review or to spread some love to your favorite author! ;-).

If you have any news to share or want to chat, please reach out—I’d love to hear from you! Stay well and take care, everyone. I can’t wait for the next edition of Times of Our Lives: The Newsletter!

With love,

Dina Galarza Mapes, Author

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