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Sunday, September 20, 2015

Sunday Funday #3!!
















Peek into: Meant for You
Series: Montgomery Brothers Book 5
Available NOW!!!

Buy Links
Barns & Noble: http://goo.gl/E6K2FC
Meant For you is book 5 in the Montgomery Series, a series centered around an extended family who works hard together, plays hard together and loved one another deeply. Each member of the family has their individual story and finds their happily-ever-after. This is Summer, the baby girl of the family, and Ethan, a family friend for many years, story. Come along for the ride and watch them dare to dream and learn to love together.

“Hey,” he said quietly, his hands braced on either side of the doorjamb. “How are you doing?”

How was she doing? How was she doing?? She wanted to scream at him that she was miserable and upset and angry and scared and worried and… She silenced her inner tirade and simply looked at him. No, she didn’t just look; she drank in the sight of him. He was perfection to her. He always had been and he always would be. It wasn’t fair. Why couldn’t she have just gotten him out of her system? Why couldn’t one night of wild sex have been enough to make her move on? Or for that matter, why couldn’t a week’s worth of wild sex have been enough? Why was it that she wanted him now more than ever? Even after the way he had crushed her earlier? True, he didn’t really know she was there, but the fact remained.
“Fine,” she finally forced herself to say. “I was just getting ready to go to sleep.”

Ethan nodded. “You left so abruptly earlier. I was worried about you.”

“Oh, were you?” she asked sarcastically. “I don’t see why. Summer and I don’t really talk. I was playing peacemaker between the two of them. I didn’t take her seriously,” she said mockingly. “Sound familiar?”

He hung his head. “Dammit, Summer! That wasn’t what I meant. I was just trying to—”

“Um, excuse me,” Gabriella called from inside the room. “While I am sure this riveting drama would entertain me a lot more than the last two hours of reality TV, I think the rest of the occupants of this floor would rather not have to listen to it. So either the two of you come in and hash this out— quickly— or go to Ethan’s room.”

They both stood and stared at her for a long moment. Ethan stepped back and looked at Summer expectantly. “I believe we’re done,” she finally said and got a mild sense of satisfaction when Ethan paled.

“Five minutes, Summer. Just give me five minutes to explain.”

“Explain what, Ethan? That we had a quick fling? Believe me, I got it. Loud and clear.”

“It’s not that!” he snapped. “This whole situation—”

“Is being broadcast for the entire sixth floor!” Gabriella called out. “Seriously, Summer, just go down the hall to his room with him and be done with it.”

Indecision warred within her. To go or not to go. She didn’t want to hear what Ethan had to say; none of it was going to make her feel any better. And unfortunately, she seemed to have a habit of throwing herself at him when they were alone, and even as pissed off as she was right now, she couldn’t help but notice the way that his hair was rumpled and his jawline was shadowed. She had no doubt it would be rough and scratchy against her skin.

Dammit. Her nipples hardened at the mere thought of his jaw rubbing up against her, and now she had to cross her arms to try to disguise it. Ethan’s eyes followed her movements and she saw the heat flare in his dark eyes and knew that it was too late; he already knew the effect he had on her.

“Fine,” she huffed. “Five minutes. But I’m telling you now that nothing you say is going to matter. You made your position perfectly clear earlier.”
“Good night, Gabriella,” Ethan called pleasantly into the room.

“Good night, Ethan,” she replied with a smile and when the door closed, she added, “and Summer.”

With Summer’s hand firmly in his, Ethan dragged her down the hall and into his room. She pulled free and stalked across the room and stood by the window. He closed the door and leaned against it and just watched her. The short flannel boxers, the soft, clingy T- shirt, and her long, tan legs… She made quite a picture. Her blond hair was loose and hanging down her back, and he knew she’d let it dry naturally because it wasn’t styled the way she normally wore it. Her face was devoid of makeup, she was mad as hell, and she was the sexiest, most desirable woman he had ever seen.

Quietly, he walked across the room to her. When he reached her, he placed his hands on her shoulders to get her to face him, but she stepped away before he even had the chance. His stomach clenched. Had he screwed things up so badly that she wouldn’t let him touch her even in the most casual sense? “Summer?”

She turned toward him but her expression was blank. “Go ahead. Say what you have to say so I can go back to my room.”

He wanted to yell that he wanted this to be her room. Their room. He hated coming back here by himself after spending the better part of a week sharing a hotel room with her. It was lonely as hell to be there without her after such an emotionally draining day. Normally the solitude didn’t bother him, but after having so much time with her over the last week, Ethan was starting to get used to it. Beyond used to it—he wanted it, he craved it, and now wasn’t sure he’d be able to live without it.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Christmas Cottage / Ever After GIVEAWAY!!

On Tuesday, October 6th, "The Christmas Cottage" and "Ever After" will be re-released as a 2-in-1 duo for both ebook and paperback formats!  How cool is that???

Goodreads - along with Sourcebooks - is hosting a giveaway for these titles!  You can win one of FIVE copies!!  All you have to do is click HERE and enter to win!!  Both of these titles were previously released - "The Christmas Cottage" back in 2012 and "Ever After" in 2013 - but have been cleaned up and re-edited and now have a wonderful new cover.


Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Autographs Please!!

When I first started writing and self-publishing, I primarily only did ebooks.  Why?  Because formatting print books made me crazy and was way too time consuming, plus...the cost that I had to charge for paperbacks seemed ridiculously high.  Oh, and on top of that, no one was buying paperbacks.  Go figure. 

At my first big book signing, I didn't have any actual books to sign!  LOL!  It didn't occur to me until I had committed to it and then I thought, "Uh-oh...what do I do?"  What I ended up doing was printing out 5x7 postcards with my book covers on them and signing them!  While it was a cute idea, it wasn't ideal.  What I didn't know about, was a fun site called Authorgraph.  Through Authorgraph, I can sign your ebooks and not just your ereader covers!

How cool is that????

So now I am officially on Authorgraph.  It only took me two years to actually do it.  I'm apparently not the sharpest tack in the box.  But all of my books are up there - finally!!  So if you click on the widget on the sidebar here on the blog - or you can click through right HERE, you can request a signature to your favorite Samantha Chase book! 

Today was the first day I made it public and I already signed a half-dozen books.  That makes me smile!  So if you're looking for an autograph, look no further!  I'm here!!!


Sunday, September 13, 2015

Sunday Funday #2!!

Sunday Funday Peek into: Meant for You
Series: Montgomery Brothers Book 5
Available NOW!!!

Buy Links 
Amazon: http://goo.gl/kwGY0g
Barns & Noble: http://goo.gl/E6K2FC
iTunes: https://goo.gl/oeXMYO

Meant For you is book 5 in the Montgomery Series, a series centered around an extended family who works hard together, plays hard together and loved one another deeply. Each member of the family has their individual story and finds their happily-ever-after. This is Summer, the baby girl of the family, and Ethan, a family friend for many years, story. Come along for the ride and watch them dare to dream and learn to love together.

Excerpt

So,” he began, “what time were you thinking about
going to dinner?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t think we have reservations. What about you?”

He took a step closer. “I had kind of planned on ordering room service and just hanging out in my room. So I’m flexible.”

“Oh. Okay.” She was nervous and didn’t quite know what to say. The thought of having dinner with Ethan in his room was beyond appealing, but she knew it wasn’t going to happen. “I…um…I guess I’ll talk to Gabriella and we’ll call you when we have something planned.”

Ethan nodded. “I guess you could. Or…”

“Or what?”

He leaned in close, close enough to watch her pupils dilate and close enough to inhale the sweet scent of her. “Or…you can come with me.” He gave no other details because it was all implied right there.

She wanted desperately to say yes; it was like getting a second chance at your perfect fantasy. Could she really walk away from that? One look at Gabriella and she unfortunately had her answer. “I…I can’t.”

His eyebrows shot up at her response. “What? Why?”

“You and I both know why. I didn’t tell anyone about last weekend, Ethan. I’m here now with Gabriella, and she’s definitely going to notice if you and I leave together. And besides that, we’re sharing a room. She’ll definitely notice when I don’t come back.” Somewhere in the back of her mind, Summer knew this was for the best. She just wished it didn’t hurt so much.

Ethan took a step back and nodded. He didn’t want to pressure her or make her uncomfortable. He’d only recently come to grips with how he felt about her; maybe he needed to take some time to let her get to know him as a man and not as just a friend of her brother’s. “I understand. I guess I’ll see you at dinner.” He didn’t move; hell, he barely breathed. It wasn’t hard to see the indecision on Summer’s face, but in the end, she turned and walked over to the gift shop. He didn’t move when she stepped out of his sight, and he didn’t move when Gabriella turned in his direction.

“Are you out of your mind?” Gabriella hissed as soon as Summer came and stood beside her.

“What are you talking about?” Summer asked wearily as she picked up a magazine and began to flip through it.

“Care to tell me why you’re standing in here with me reading Men’s Health when you could be off somewhere with Ethan?”

Summer looked at her in shock. “Me and Ethan?” she squeaked. “Are you crazy? Where…whatever gave you that idea?”

Gabriella threw her head back and laughed, a full, throaty sound that made people turn in their direction. When she was able to catch her breath, she faced Summer. “Seriously? You are seriously asking me that question?”

“Yes.”

Gabriella shifted her purse from one shoulder to the other. “Okay, let’s start with the fact that you watch him at the office all the time.”

“I do not.”

“All. The. Time. Secondly, he watches you just as much.”

Summer’s eyes widened. “He does not.”

Gabriella nodded. “All. The. Time. Hell, he’s stand-ing there doing it right now. Why don’t you do us all a favor and go enjoy yourself?”

“But what about—”

“I will be fine hanging out by myself. I think I’ll have dinner sent to the room and enjoy eating dessert in bed.” When Summer tried to interrupt, she stopped her. “My lips are sealed, Summer. No one will hear about this from me.”

“But what about Zach?”

Gabriella actually frowned at the mention of her boss. “What about him?”

“You work for him. If he finds out about this, he’ll freak out.”

“Please. Your brother freaks out about a lot of stuff, and like I said, he won’t hear about it from me. If he asks me if I know anything, I’ll deny it with my last breath.”

She smiled. “Go. I know you said you weren’t interested in hooking up with anyone, but I get the impression that statement didn’t include Mr. Reed over there.”

Summer was afraid to turn around. “Is he really still standing there?” she whispered.

Gabriella nodded. “And watching you like he can’t wait to have you for dessert.”

Summer smiled. “Then I guess I shouldn’t make him wait.”

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Sunday Funday #1

Sunday Funday
Peek into: Meant for You
Series: Montgomery Brothers Book 5
Available NOW!!!

 Buy Links
Amazon: http://goo.gl/kwGY0g
Barns & Noble: http://goo.gl/E6K2FC
iTunes: https://goo.gl/oeXMYO

Meant For you is book 5 in the Montgomery Series, a series centered around an extended family who works hard together, plays hard together and loved one another deeply. Each member of the family has their individual story and finds their happily-ever-after. This is Summer, the baby girl of the family, and Ethan, a family friend for many years, story. Come along for the ride and watch them dare to dream and learn to love together.

Excerpt
Right now he wanted to give her exactly what she wanted; hell, he’d agree to anything if it meant she’d stop crying. “Summer.” Her name came out as a plea and before he could stop himself, he pulled her into his embrace. “Please don’t cry.”

“Then promise me you won’t go,” she cried into his shirt. “I’ve never asked anything of you, Ethan. Please. Please do this for me. If you don’t go, Zach won’t go and I’ll know that you’re both safe.”

“I can’t do that, princess,” he said softly, using the nickname he had always called her when they were kids. She looked up at him; her eyes shining with tears. “Everything is set; we can’t back out because you think something might go wrong. There’s a chance that we could get hurt at any given time, Summer. We all take risks every day. There are no guarantees in this life. Sometimes, you have to take a risk.”

Summer continued to stare up at him as he spoke. Ethan was right, she thought. There were no guarantees. She had taken many risks in her life, not like climbing one of the tallest mountains in the world, but to her, they were huge. Could she possibly do that again?

“Most people go through life too scared to take a risk,” he continued. “I don’t want to have any regrets and neither does Zach. We committed to this and we’re going to see it through. Tell me that you understand. Would you be able to live with yourself if you never took any risks?”

She seemed to instantly sober up. Her eyes became clearer and she shifted against him. “You’re right, Ethan,” she said quietly. “Everyone needs to take risks.”

He nodded, seemingly happy that he had comforted her and that she finally seemed to come to accept what he and Zach were going to do. “Exactly. I’m glad that you agree.”
“Oh, I do,” she said right before she stood up on her toes, wrapped her arms around Ethan’s neck and pressed her lips to his. Summer felt a moment of panic when Ethan seemed to stiffen against her, but then in an instant, everything changed. His arms banded around her, pulling her as close as she could possibly get against him. He was warm and solid and everything she had ever imagined he would be.

In her wildest dreams she had never imagined Ethan Reed kissing her like this. Summer had hoped to surprise him with her kiss and then have a perfectly pleasant experience to remember. But this? What was happening right now? Pleasant didn’t even begin to describe. Ethan kissed her like his life depended on it. His tongue lightly traced her lower lip and when she dared to open up for him, he swept inside and completely took control. She may have whimpered; she may have moaned. All Summer knew at that moment was that never in her life had she been kissed like this.

Had never felt like this; needy, anxious, and yes, completely and utterly turned on.

Wow.

Monday, August 31, 2015

Last Day of the Scavenger Hunt!!



So Sara Humphreys and I have had a blast with our month-long scavenger hunt.  We were celebrating the release of "Made for Us" at the beginning of the hunt and it will end tomorrow with the release of Sara's new contemporary romance, "Brave the Heat".  I am so excited for this book that I have been a little fan-girlish about it. 

Sara's promising me a signed copy so...fingers crossed!!

Today we posted our last clues - both in video form.  Actually, it is because of Sara that I stepped out of my comfort zone and posted a couple of videos on the hunt page.  I'm not good in front of a camera and hate the way I look but I put it all aside for the sake of some fun.  Sara, on the other hand, is a natural and always puts out some great videos and loves chatting with her fans that way.

She is my idol.

So, on this last hunting day with the video clues, we are each giving away $50 Amazon gift cards!  Who couldn't use that??  So all you have to do is go over to the Scavenger Hunt page, listen and watch the clues (HINT:  You will need copies of both books to answer the questions) and private message us with the answers.  How easy is that???

Scavenger Hunt: https://www.facebook.com/events/1492072517751546/ 

You can purchase "Made for Us" HERE:  http://www.amazon.com/Made-Us-The-Shaughnessy-Brothers-ebook/dp/B00UTWFWMA/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=05ZVB0W4S5925RVVTT6F 

You can purchase/order "Brave the Heat" HERE:  http://www.amazon.com/Brave-Heat-The-McGuire-Brothers-ebook/dp/B00W3WTUVS/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_14?ie=UTF8&refRID=1QHF34ZVNQZJGXVG6P31

Saturday, August 29, 2015

"Meant for You" - Montgomery Brothers Book 5 on Sale!

So I was getting ready for bed last night and what did I happen to see??  Amazon put "Meant for You" back on sale!!  WOO-HOO!!  So just in case you didn't get in on Thursday when it was the Kindle Daily Deal, you have another chance!  Grab it today before it's gone!!

Click HERE to get your copy!!

Thanks!!

Friday, August 28, 2015

Friday Fun

It has been a WILD week!  With the scavenger hunt getting ready to come to an end on Monday and doing some last minute GREAT prizes, I've been all over Facebook.  Then there was the whole Kindle Daily Deal yesterday for "Meant for You" - very exciting!  And now my mom is here visiting from New York and later on today, my older son will be home from Virginia for the weekend with his girlfriend.  I am a very happy girl right now.

It's amazing how I am trying to balance myself this weekend - part of me is super happy to have my mom here and having that time together.  It's kind of nice when she remembers stuff from my childhood and surprises me with it and get a little pampered being in daughter mode.

Then there's my son.  He'll come home and because I don't see him very often, I'll want to get into mom mode and do what I can for him - just as my mom is doing it for me!  Only...I'm the younger and hipper mom.  Lol!  I may say that to my son and see how he reacts!!  And then smack him in the head when he makes fun of me! 

My poor husband is just going to be walking around shaking his head.

All in all it's going to be a great weekend with a full house.  And the best part, I will be forced to step away from the computer and stop writing for a few days!  Woo-hoo!!  My fingers are already getting set to thank me.

So have a great weekend everybody!!!


Thursday, August 27, 2015

"Meant for You" SALE!!!

I am SUPER excited about this!! 

"Meant for You" - Montgomery book #5 - Summer and Ethan's story - is the Kindle Daily Deal Today!!  On sale for today only for $1.99!  Don't miss this chance!!!  LOVE this story!!!

You can buy it HERE.


Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Time to Play Catch Up...Again!

So I went and did it again - and after I said I wouldn't.

I went MIA.

Sorry!!

Okay, so here's the low-down on what life has been like in the month of August:

First, I've been doing this fabulous scavenger hunt with author Sara Humphreys.  We're promoting my new release, "Made for Us" and Sara's upcoming release, "Brave the Heat" - coming September 1st.  If you haven't had a chance to get in on the action, there's a little less than a week left and you don't want to miss out!  It has been a BLAST!!  You can click HERE to go the Facebook event page.

Next, I have been writing.  Writing, writing, writing.  I worked on edits for the re-release of Jordan's Return (May 2016) and finished writing Shaughnessy 4 (Riley Shaughnessy's story), a Christmas novella that will be part of a charity project and am currently working on another Christmas novella I will release in November.

My fingers are killing me!

On top of that, I've had some health issues.  I have been anemic for years.  My GP never seemed to make a big deal out of it but when some other health things came up and those doctors found out about the anemia, they freaked.  So I've been going to a hematologist and getting iron infusions.  I go back tomorrow to see if they've helped but I don't think they have because I don't feel any better.  We'll see.

My youngest started his sophomore year of high school AND just got his learner's permit.  Yes, he's killing me quickly and painfully by growing up this fast and I am NOT happy about it!

I've been happily promoting the new release and for those of you who get my newsletter, you saw that I am already teasing you with sneak peaks at the next Montgomery book, "I'll Be There".  If you haven't subscribed to the newsletter yet, you really should.  Another one will go out on Monday with another exclusive look.  You can sign up for the newsletter HERE.

So...all that being said, I'm back.  Again.  And I promise to not stay away so long.  Again.

But don't hold me to it!  :) 

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Books = Blessings

Hey!  So I'm going to go and get all mushy and sentimental for this post so...brace yourselves.

I was fairly quiet in school.  I had a small, close-knit group of friends.  I wasn't popular.  I wasn't pretty.  When I went to my ten-year reunion, it seemed like no one even remembered me.

I've always wanted to be a writer.  It started when I was in the third grade and even though it took YEARS for that dream to become a reality, it was something that I always worked on.  By the time I first published "Jordan's Return", I had binders that were full of partial stories.  And along the way, I had quite the collection of paperback books that were slowly filling my home.  

Thank God for a very patient and understanding husband.


Now I'm an author.  I've had some best-selling books.  I have readers and fans.  You leave reviews - some of them unkind - and you write to me to tell me how my books made you feel.  You share your own stories of relationships and loves and losses.  Sometimes I am overwhelmed with emotion at the things you've experienced in your lives and I walk away to hug my children, my husband - I call my parents and tell them that I love them.  It's humbling to me that you want to even talk to me to share even a small portion of your life with me - all because of books.

I'm 46 years old now.  Third grade was a long time ago and yet my love of writing is still the same.  And after all this time I'm still fairly quiet - except when I'm around people who I love and am comfortable with.  If you've met me at an event, that means you!  I honestly feel more love and camaraderie with fans than I do with friends and family.  It's not an act.  It's not for the sake of the signing or to sell a book.  I'm honestly thrilled to meet you.  When I was in NYC a couple of weeks ago for RWA, I had the opportunity to meet a ton of authors.  Two of them who I was very excited to meet, were extremely rude.  My heart was a little bit broken after those encounters.  How hard is it to just be nice?  

On Tuesday, I posted this video on Facebook.  It was a thank you to the fans who came to the release party for "Made for Us".  



This was a response that I got from a reader: 

I have to admit something I have NEVER in my life talked to a author I have liked. U actually talk to your fans and make us feel like friends and not wallets. I honestly get excited when u respond back. U have a true friend in me. When u ever make it to Chicago I will be there to meet u face to face and fair warning I'm a hugger. But thank u again. DON'T EVER STOP being the person u are. Also I am hooked on your writing lol.

My small group of friends has grown - it's worldwide. I feel a little bit giddy when I get to virtually meet you.  The internet can be a great place for things like that.  I have readers all over the world who tell me about their home country and it's fascinating to me!  How cool is that?  Here I am in my little North Carolina home and I have people in Brazil or Australia or Scotland writing to me!  It's the greatest way to have pen pals!

Sometimes I think I'm popular, but compared to the masses that are out there, I'm really not.  I still have issues with my looks.  And that's okay.  People don't recognize me when I go out or at most events.  And I'm okay with that too.  The ones who do recognize me make up for the ones who don't.  The smiles that come my way are so great that they make my day and it's awesome.   

So where am I going with all of this?  I'm saying thank you.  Thank you for giving me a platform to share my stories.  Thank you for all of the wonderful messages, posts, reviews and support.  Thank you for adding so many blessings to my life.  

Just...thank you.  :)
 

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

The Shaughnessy Brother Series Has Arrived!!

I cannot even begin to explain how excited I am about today.  "Made for Us" - book one in my new Shaughnessy series is finally LIVE!!  Woo-Hoo!!!  

Here's the thing - series books.  You either love them or hate them.  Personally?  I love them.  I like introducing characters that you get to follow before and after they have their story and you really get to know them.  For the Shaughnessys, there are six siblings - five brothers, one sister.  Each sibling is going to have a book of their own over the next two years.  "Made for Us" is eldest brother Aidan's story.  He's a building contractor and a bit of a control freak.  He has a routine and he sticks to it.  And all the while, he sees himself as the anchor of the family - the one who everyone turns to and who helped his father raise his siblings after the death of their mother.

He meets his match (and don't they all!) in Zoe Dalton.  She's an interior designer/decorator who finds herself working for Aidan.  They butt heads immediately because she's as strong-willed as he is.  Sparks fly immediately and that's when things get fun!

As for the rest of the family, they are quite the eclectic bunch!  Let me introduce you:
Aidan - oldest, building contractor
Hugh - owns a string of private luxury resorts, has a lot of OCD issues
Quinn - former NASCAR driver who now deals in classic car restorations
Riley - musician.  Okay, he's one of the hottest rock stars in the world!
Owen - Riley's twin, astrophysicist.  Extremely shy and socially awkward.
Darcy - the baby of the family, only girl.  She's kind of bratty at first but she's going to grow up to be AMAZING!!  I seriously can't even wait to start her story!

Believe it or not, Shaughnessy books two, three AND four (Hugh, Quinn and Riley) are already written but they won't be out until 2016.  I believe they will be released in April, August and December.  Don't hold me to that, they may be a little different but you can be sure that as soon as I have a release date, you'll know about it!

So it's a big day!  I'm going out to celebrate with friends - go to Barnes & Noble and do my pictures with the books!  I'm a goof, I know.  If you haven't ordered your copy of "Made for Us", what are you waiting for???  Go for it!!  Here's the Amazon link:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UTWFWMA?refRID=02KRAH3Y06XPYB5CSTY2&ref_=pd_rhf_eetyp_p_img_7 

And don't forget you can join me and Sara Humphreys for a month-long celebration over on Facebook where you have the opportunity to win prizes every day!  Stop by for the Scavenger Hunt!  Here's the link:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1492072517751546/

Have a FABULOUS day!!

 

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Adventures in the City - Last Day!

The last day of a vacation - especially when it's also your travel day - is always the worst.  That was Saturday for us.  

We were up early, packing and showering.  I wanted to sleep until noon, but that wasn't going to happen no matter what.  We left the hotel at 9:45 and walked the six blocks to Times Square to the Hilton Doubletree where I was going to be filmed for Kindle Love Stories.  I was so nervous that I thought I was going to be sick.  I had carefully picked out my outfit - the list of colors I was not allowed to wear was pretty much my entire wardrobe so I was nervous about that too.

We got there and were escorted into the filming/studio space.  The entire crew was amazing!  They were all so friendly and encouraging and just genuinely happy people, that I was instantly relaxed.  I brought hubby and son with me to witness it all.  I mean, how often is something like this going to happen to me??  

They touched up my hair and makeup and then got me wired up.  And for the next forty-five minutes, I had a blast!  The questions were very fun and I wasn't prompted in advance so when this airs, just know that it was all spontaneous.  I did stumble a few times and they had to re-shoot, but all in all, it was a lot of fun.  I was sorry when they said we were done!  Normally I'd say I have a face for radio, but other than the flat hair, I think I looked okay.

When we were done, we took a few last minute shots of Times Square and grabbed some lunch before going and checking out of the hotel.  Hubby went and picked up the car and we were on the road out of the city by 1:20.  I felt like we had lived an entire day by that point, but unfortunately, our long day still had a long day to go.
 
The drive back to North Carolina took ten hours - and that was with stops for gas and dinner.  It's become a bit of a tradition to stop and eat at a Cracker Barrell on our road trips and this day was no exception.  The last twenty minutes of the drive was the worst.  We were all frantic to get out of the car and just be home.  Me?  I was frantic to get back to my dog.  My poor little Maylene who I missed so darn much!!  Our reunion was very sweet and it felt so good to walk through the door and just be in my own house!!

I slept like a log that night.

Home Sweet Home.  



Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Adventures in the City - Day Three

Just thinking about this day exhausts me!  It was one of those that seemed to have a ton of things going on at once.

I had the pleasure of having a bit of breakfast - and by breakfast I mean a giant black and white cookie - with the lovely Noelle Adams.  I was so happy to be able to meet up with her and just have some time to chat.  We don't live close enough to do it very often so when the opportunity arises, we take advantage of it.  A good friend and a good cookie.  What could be better?

Then I went and caught the second half of the Sourcebooks spotlight at the RWA conference and it's always exciting to see and learn about all of the new books coming out.  When it was over, Sara Humphreys and I got together for lunch and a brainstorming session about our upcoming scavenger hunt!  

**Scavenger Hunt:  Sara and I are hosting this super-fun event to celebrate our upcoming releases.  "Made for Us" will be out on August 4th and her brand new (and very first!) contemporary romance, "Brave the Heat", will be out September 1st.  So in between those dates we are doing this scavenger hunt with daily prizes!  If you haven't already signed up, you totally need to because we have some AMAZING prizes!  You can join the fun HERE!

Okay, back to the city...

Hubby and son met me at the Mariott Marquis where I was dining with Sara and then we did a little more sightseeing in Times Square on our way back to our hotel.  I took a little siesta because I was so tired and then got up to freshen up and get ready for the super-secret Sourcebooks author dinner.  The dinner itself wasn't a secret but the location was.  

So I casually walked (meaning very-slowly) the six blocks back to the Mariott dressed in my party dress and pretty shoes and joined the forty-something other Sourcebooks authors while we waited for our big surprise.  Within minutes we were boarding a very cool party bus - an excellent way to travel - and taken to Bryant Park right next to the New York Public Library where we had the pleasure of dining outside at the Bryant Park Grille.  The temperature had cooled down and I got to sit with some amazing ladies while we dined on fabulous foods.  Not a bad way to spend a Friday night!

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Adventures in the City - Day Two

It's days like this that I wonder why I don't travel alone.  My hubby was obsessed with getting our parking ticket stamped because the guy at the parking garage scared the crap out of him.  So we had to wait until the EXACT time on the card before we could start our day - which was 11:30.  I wanted to strangle him.  So much to do and now we're sitting around waiting to get the car stamped!

When we finally walked out of the hotel, we went over to Rockefeller Center and checked it all out.  We were huge fans of 30 Rock so it was kind of a thrill.  We hit the NBC Experience and then had lunch right there and then went across the street to St. Patrick's Cathedral.  So beautiful and it breaks my heart to see the security guards in there doing bag checks.  

I had a meeting with my agent across town and convinced my husband to have pity on me and please let us get a cab rather than walking.  And to be fair, it was VERY hot out.  So we did and it was nice except the cabs don't use air conditioning - just open windows.  So I was slightly windblown for my meeting.
 
Now here's a bit of childhood for you - growing up on Long Island, the ice cream man used to come around often - Mr. Softee.  We don't have that here in North Carolina and it's something we miss.  So we get out of the cab on Madison Avenue and what is parked right there????  You guessed it.  I was so nervous about my meeting that I didn't get myself any but hubby and son did and I had a taste.  My fear was that I would drip and drop it all down the front of me because, believe me, it's happened.

After we left, it was off to the SNL Exhibition.  I was positively GIDDY about this and it did not disappoint!  I am a HUGE fan of the show so to be able to go to the exhibit and see all of the memorabilia and learn so much of the history of it was just beyond exciting.  We spent probably close to two hours walking through and took a ton of pictures and when we walked out, I was sad that it was over!

It was all down hill after that.

We had to walk over fifteen blocks back to the hotel because we could not get a cab!  I couldn't believe it!  With like a million of them on the streets of New York, not one of them was empty when we needed it!  So we walked and walked and walked and walked and by the time we got back to our hotel, I was just done.  The thought of walking anywhere - including to the other side of the tiny hotel room - made me want to cry.  So what did we do?  It was fairly early - not even six p.m. - so we looked up the best Chinese food takeout in the area and super-hubby and son walked and picked it up and I ate Chinese food in bed.  It was GLORIOUS!!!

I realize we were in the city that never sleeps, but believe me...that night, we certainly did!




Monday, July 27, 2015

Adventures in the City - Day One

So I was in New York City last week.  Well...me and probably about a thousand other romance authors.  The only difference was that I wasn't there for the big RWA Conference - sort of.  It's a long story.  Let's just say that I was going to go to RWA, then I wasn't, then I ended up at some things related to it.

It's complicated.

I grew up on Long Island.  It wasn't hard to get into the city on any given day or at any time.  But you know what?  I never did.  In the 27 years I lived on Long Island, I can count on one hand the amount of times I actually went into Manhattan.  So this trip was kind of a big deal.  Plus, we brought our 15 year old with us (hubby and I) and it was his first trip to the Big Apple.  So like I said, it was kind of a big deal.

We basically were all over the place our first day.  We checked in at our hotel a little before noon and then walked over to Bryant Park because the FABULOUS Kristan Higgins was there with a group of authors doing a panel and then signing.  It has been a dream of mine to meet her and so I dragged hubby and son with me on my quest to meet her.  There was a pretty big crowd there and I was happy to sit there, but I was also starving.  So we ran over to the Bryant Park Grille and had lunch and then got back as the signing was winding down and I got my chance to meet Kristan. 

Seriously, the trip could have ended right then and there and I would have felt like it was a complete success!  So happy!!

Then we got to play tourist and went to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.  I don't know why this was something I wanted to do, but it was!  If you're thinking of going - Spoiler Alert - Don't.  It was expensive.  It was hot.  And basically I don't think it was worth the money.  The Marvel 4-D movie was good but not worth the price of admission.  I can cross it off my bucket list but I don't feel like I gained anything by going except to make fun and pretend that I was in Oprah's book club.  

Or Hemmingway's.

Yes, I'm THAT person.  I'm ridiculous and inappropriate and pretty much enjoy being goofy sometimes.  But I had fun and after the amount of money I spend to get in the darn place, they're lucky I didn't do more of this!  All in all it was a nice distraction and some of the figures are so life-like that it was borderline creepy.  

That night I went to an RWA cocktail party with my literary agency at Sardi's.  And if you can believe it, we took NO pictures.  I don't even know how it happened.  I wore a fabulous dress and my husband and son looked so handsome and there's no record of it anywhere!  I did get to meet two of my favorite authors - Shannon Stacey and Sylvia Day - so that was a bonus.  But no one there was taking selfies and being silly so I refrained from asking anyone to pose with me.

Bummer.  

We walked back to our hotel - right through the middle of Times Square - and had room service bring us dinner at 10:00 at night.  It was a little decadent.  The thing was that we aren't used to so much walking and by that time of night, we were positively exhausted.

And that was only the first day!

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Made For Us Pre-Orders


I remember when I started self-publishing how only traditionally published authors were allowed to have pre-order links on Amazon.  I was soooooo envious.  Sigh.  Then, as time went on, the indie authors were allowed to get them.  The only problem with that for me?  I was one of those flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants writers and pretty much I published books on a whim.  Spur of the moment.  Whenever the urge struck.  I would write a book, edit and publish within a month so a pre-order link wasn't really working for me.

Well now it is!  

Now that I've slowed down and writing longer books that are being traditionally published - and don't even get me started on how much I am LOVING seeing my books in paperback in the stores! - all of my books go on pre-order about six months before they're released.  It's a little weird seeing the book on all the sites and knowing that it won't be available for so long but I do enjoy seeing how many people are ordering a title because they want to make sure they have it on the release date.

I still do it all the time with my favorite authors.  And when I do it way far in advance?  It's like a nice little surprise when it pops up on my Kindle.  It's like a little present and I think "Yeah, me!" for being on the ball and knowing how much I'm going to enjoy reading a new book.  

But then again, who doesn't enjoy a new book, right?

So "Made for Us" will be out August 4th.  SOOOOO much fun stuff is going to be happening with it!  Besides the actual release of the book - which in itself is very exciting - I'll be hosting a release party on Facebook on August 3rd - you can join here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/835345099883774/ and then I'll be doing a month-long scavenger hunt with author Sara Humphreys on Facebook that will lead up to her new release, "Brave the Heat" which will be released September 1st.  It is all going to be a lot of fun and I hope to see tons of people at these events - and by see I mean your names on my computer on Facebook!  Lol!

We are going to be giving away stuff at all of the events - signed books, swag, Amazon gift cards...you name it, we may very well be giving it away so you don't want to miss out!  To join the scavenger hunt, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1492072517751546/

To pre-order your copy of "Made for Us" on Amazon, you can click HERE.

To pre-order your copy of "Brave the Heat" on Amazon, you can click HERE. 

Do you pre-order your books or wait for them to come out?  Do you go to events on Facebook?  Do you enjoy winning stuff?   Tell me about it!!

Monday, July 6, 2015

Two Tales, One Weekend

Sometimes I think I'm getting old.  

Then I do something that makes me feel like I'm still young.

We went to go see Pat Benatar and Neil Geraldo the other night.  I was in my 80's heyday glory.  The girl can still rock and rock HARD.  They put on a great show - somewhat similar to the set I saw her do last year when she came around on tour with Rick Springfield, but it was still amazing.  And we were in the 11th row of a fairly small theater so it was almost as if I could  reach out and touch her.

But I didn't.

I even missed out on snagging one of Neil's guitar pick's because I didn't believe it would actually make it back that far and surprisingly, it did.  By the time I realized it, the guy in front of me grabbed it.  Oh, well.   I sang, I screamed and as I looked around, I almost felt like one of the youngest people in the room.  
 We made it a date night - something we don't do nearly enough - and went to dinner first and then the show.  We got home late but I was still feeling fairly energized and actually wrote for an hour before going to bed.

I even got up the next day and was still feeling pretty young and peppy.

Then came the 4th.  

Sigh.

I don't know what it is.  I can't explain it.  Holidays...any holiday...just exhaust me and make me want to stay in my jammies, curled up on the sofa and just do nothing.  I don't know when it started happening but basically I am NOT the person you want to invite over because everything exhausts me like I'm a 90 year old woman.

We were invited to spend the day with some friends - barbecue, swimming, and just having fun.  Did I swim?  No.  Did I even bring my bathing suit?  No.  Do I suck?  Yes.  I wore a maxi dress because I was basically too lazy to wear normal clothes.  My hair was somewhat styled.  I did manage to make some kick ass salads - potato salad and a tortellini salad - but other than that, I was content to let our friends grill.

Someone even made my S'more for me.

Okay, but in my defense...the 4th is just not my thing.  I enjoy SEEING the fireworks, I don't enjoy HEARING them.  The people that live next door to our friends were setting off what could only be described as bombs at 3 in the afternoon.  Why?  I honestly don't get what the thrill is in that.  I was pretty psyched to get home early and watch the Macys fireworks on TV, but I missed them.

And don't even get me started to how much energy I did NOT have on Sunday.

I guess my inner-party girl can only come out once a week and I used that up at the concert.

Sunday, July 5, 2015

My Last First Date

Way back when in 1989, I was a single girl.  I was working in retail management, living somewhat on my own and pretty much loving life.  In May of that year, I met my future husband.  I was actually friends with his sister but I had no idea she had a brother!  When she graduated from college and her parents threw her a party, I went with a bunch of our friends and there he was.

I knew the minute I saw him that I was going to marry him.

That's just one of the reasons I write about love at first sight because I firmly believe in it.  

Over the course of the evening, we sat and talked and I thought things were going great but then he left!  To be fair, he did ask if I wanted to leave with him and his friends - they were going to a bar - but I was only 20 and did not have proof to get in anyplace he was going to go.  So he left.  He didn't ask for my number and basically...yeah.  He just...left.

Not one to take this sort of thing lightly, I waited a few days and then began to snoop around and got his number.  Amazingly, his sister was NOT very forthcoming with this information.  So I eventually got the number and called him.  We played phone tag with one another for almost a month.  Then finally - FINALLY - we were able to talk one night and we were on the phone for four hours!  At the end of it I was like "Um...so do you ever want to go out with me?"

Brazen little hussy, wasn't I?

He said yes.  Sigh.  We went out the next night for drinks (yes, yes, I was STILL underage but I got in!) and we spent hours and hours just talking and laughing and it was amazing.  A date that started at 7 pm ended somewhere around 4 a.m.  I felt like we had shared our entire life's stories with one another and he never even kissed me!  

Kid.  You.  Not.

Seriously, how this lasted, I don't know because his reaction to me was NOT ego-boosting to any degree.  

But now, 26 years after that first date, we are still together.  Two amazing boys, one sassy pug and a whole lot of love and laughter has filled those years.  I had to dig through my stash of pictures to find one from those early days where we were actually together - there's a lot that I took of him and then lots that he took of me but all the ones of us together had other people in them and I didn't want to embarrass anyone other than us for the sake of this post!  It's a little blurry but you can still see the big hair and the cuteness.

Tomorrow is our anniversary of our first date and I'm so glad that my last first date was to such an amazing man.  I love him so much and am blessed every day because of him.

Now, for your entertainment, should you want to know what other exciting things happened in 1989 - so long, long ago - you can go here and see some of the hilarious happenings:  http://www.mtv.com/news/1965460/taylor-swift-1989-year-what-happened/

Today's Cuteness...

Brought to you by Maylene the Pug...