Monday, May 29, 2017

Inspiration

A #2 pencil and a dream
can take you anywhere.
--Joyce Meyer


Monday, May 22, 2017

Inspiration

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap
but by the seeds that you plant.
--Robert Louis Stevenson

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Random Thoughts: A Crazy Month and More


Blog Anniversary

It's hard to believe but today is the 4th anniversary of this blog. Four years ago today, I started this blog and in July of that year my first book came out.
Four years.
13 books.
2 box sets.
And plans for many more years and books.

Crazy May
As some of you know, a week ago from yesterday I had my wisdom teeth removed. (I've been dealing with a tooth ache for weeks thinking it was just severe sinus problems.) So the past week, I've been recovering from that surgery. This has not been a fun experience. I'm still having some pain issues with the lower jaw, but the first three days were tough and eating was not a fun experience. I've started adding a few more items to the menu. Chewing is an experience. Because I have open sockets (the oral surgeon didn't put in any stitches) I have to be careful about what I eat. Salt water rinses after eating are a standard.

Before I went in for my wisdom teeth extraction, DH had to go see his cardiologist for tests. The results were definitely bad, and he ended up back in the cath lab. Thursday was a long, rough day. DH ended up with two more stints in his heart, but this was better than what we were told to expect. He is sore but home and feeling better. Unfortunately, the cardiologist said DH would be back in the cath lab in about six months.

My mind has been everywhere except on writing for any length of time. I've managed short periods, but nothing like I normally do.

Surviving Ivy Updates
With all the craziness--my wisdom teeth problems and DH's heart issues, Surviving Ivy is not ready for release. I'm working on the last chapter, but I still have edits to do. Give me a few days and I will post the new release date.

Writing
I'm hoping that after this weekend, I will be able to get myself back on target with my writing. I want to finish and release Surviving Ivy. I've got several outlines I need to complete and several stories I want to write and release this summer.

I bought a disc bound notebook and a hole punch a few weeks ago, put it on a shelf in my office, and completely forgot about it. I've watched several YouTube videos about the disc bound systems. I retrieved the notebook and started putting together an author's notebook. I've got a section for brain dumps/notes, a current project section (Surviving Ivy stuff is here), other projects (all the notes and partial outlines I need to work on), a file cabinet section for other ideas, and a calendar. I can pick up the notebook and go with it. With the hole punch, I can add stuff, move things around, etc. If I get brave enough and there is enough interest, I might do a video walk through.


Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Interview with Ivy Braxton from SURVIVING IVY

Today, Ivy Braxton from Surviving Ivy (Bryant Station Curves, Book 8) is here to answer a few questions.


What's your fondest childhood memory?
Ivy:  My fondest childhood memory...hmm. It would probably be back when I was in junior high. Paul  Evermore had been picking on me since the beginning of the school year. I tried to ignore him, but he kept getting worse until one day he snapped my bra, you know, a bra snap. Anyway, I turned around and slapped him and said a few curse words that should be said in school. I got in trouble for hitting him and cursing. Paul didn't get into any trouble. His friends all said I slapped him for no reason. When my grandmother found out, she gave the teacher and principal a few choice words. The next morning, I found a list of alternative words and phrases I could use so I wouldn't get into trouble for cursing. Some of the phrase were silly and we would laugh every time I said them.

Vanilla or Chocolate?
Ivy:  Actually I prefer coffee with chocolate coming in a close second. I love coffee ice cream with chocolate sauce poured over it.

What is your biggest fear?
Ivy:  Finding my fated mate and then having him not accept me.

Did you have a happy childhood?
Ivy:  It had its up and downs, but my grandmother made sure I knew I was loved and very much wanted by her. She made up for the not so good things, especially when it came to my parents and my brother.

What do you want from life?
Ivy:  I want to love and be loved by my fated mate, and to create a family with him.




COMING SOON



Monday, May 15, 2017

Inspiration

All you need is the plan, the road map, and 
the courage to press on to your destination.
--Earl Nightingale

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Tomorrow's the Day

Tomorrow I have an appointment to have my wisdom teeth removed, and if I said I was calm, cool, and collected, I would be lying because I am anything but that.

I'm nervous.
Actually, I'm scared and really dreading the whole thing.

A lot of it has to do with the unknown factor. I don't know what to expect. Other than baby teeth (many, many, many years ago), I've never had a tooth pulled.

How bad am I going to hurt? What kind of care is going to have to happen? The questions are bouncing around my head.

I know wisdom teeth extraction is a normal procedure. And everyone has reassured me it will be okay. Well, almost everyone. I've had a few who decided to tell me their horror stories.

Great!
Just what I needed to hear to help calm my fears. (insert eye rolling)

Hopefully this time next week, the pain will be gone and I will be feeling much better. I'm so ready to put all of this behind me and get back to a normal or at least a normal-ish writing schedule.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

A Look Back at Gracie's Wolf

A curvy human on the run, Gracie Stewart wonders if she will ever be able to quit running and find a man she can love and who will love her. And then she meets her new boss, Quinn Hunter. He’s rude and mean. He yells. He growls. And she is falling in love with him.

Quinn Hunter is a very grumpy wolf shifter. With his life consumed by his fight against the darkness residing inside him, he has given up on the dream of having a mate. He knows the darkness would destroy her. And when he meets his mate, he is determined to do everything in his power to protect her by chasing her away from him.

But when Gracie’s past comes calling, will Quinn realize just how much he loves and needs her, and save her from a fate worse than death?


Available at:

Monday, May 8, 2017

Inspiration


Keep your face
always toward the 
sunshine--and
shadows will fall
behind you.
--Walt Whitman

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Teaser: Surviving Ivy Quote







"Ivy’s thoughts drifted back to Ben Anderson. Because of her dreams, she had already fallen in love with him, but what she had seen in her dreams was nothing compared to the man she had seen in the garage."
--from Surviving Ivy


Monday, May 1, 2017

Inspiration

Nothing is impossible, 
the word itself 
says
'I'm possible'!
--Audrey Hepburn