Tag Archives: books

Things You Do Even Though You Should Be Writing…

Sorry for the radio silence. I keep hoping life will take a giant chill pill, but very clearly that’s not gonna happen any time soon. You’d think with all the time I now have to sit at home I could use at least some of that for writing. I mean, it’s not like I don’t still have at least 3 projects in various states of completion (Darkharte, in particular, is so close to being a finished manuscript it’s not even funny). But my brain just can’t.

My mental health was a little funky even before the current situation, and now my anxiety is through the roof and my brain is in the constant state of hyper-alertness, and anytime I try to focus on actually writing something it just… flails. I can’t focus on much of anything other than stuff that requires zero brainpower. Leverage re-watch for the win!!

But there is one thing that I did do. I’ve been thinking about it for a while and since I am unable to do anything else constructive, I figured I could at least get this done. As much as I loved the original cover for In Plain Sight, the more I’ve lived with it, the more I felt that it was just a little misleading. Ry and Eli’s story is, of course, a central part of the book, but so is Ry and Matt’s. And even more importantly, and what I really wanted to convey in a cover is that it’s all Ry’s story — a young woman who risks everything to save the people that she loves most in the world.

So, the new cover is essentially the same as the old one, but with one very distinct change. I hope you like it! In any case, definitely let me know what you think!

The current paperback version available on Amazon still has the old cover (the new one is updating, but if you give it a few days it should be good to go)

Contest Reminder

I know the new year is starting out a bit rough for a lot of folks, so if you are one of the ones for whom things are going well (and especially if you’ve been having an awesome year so far), maybe look for ways to help those who don’t have it so great right now.

In the meantime, don’t forget that you have until January 31st, 2019 (11:59pm PST) to submit your guess via the Contact page for which character from In Plain Sight you think will be the focus of the planned sequel (and why). The first 5 people to correctly guess will win a free audio version of In Plain Sight. Winners will be notified and receive their Audible promo code by February 4th, 2019. If no one gets the right answer (and honestly, the right answer isn’t as easy to guess as one might think), I will randomly draw 5 names from everyone who submits. You can find the original contest post here.

Happy guessing!! 🙂

PS… on the subject of reminders – if you’ve read IPS and absolutely loved it please consider taking a couple minutes to review it on Amazon or Goodreads (or both). I would really appreciate it!

Dream Big in the New Year

Happy New Year

2018 was a super exciting year for me. Getting In Plain Sight out into the world was a dream come true and I’m thankful to all of you who stuck with me along that journey. It took a while, but we did it!!

Looking to 2019, I’m really hoping to have Darkharte, if not published by the end of the year, at the very least I want to have a finished manuscript. Considering how long it took me to get IPS whipped into shape, I know it’s ambitious, but it’s a goal. And it’s a good time of the year to make dreams and set our goals.

I’ve mentioned it before, but I also have a possible sequel to In Plain Sight simmering around in my brain. It’s in the very early stages, and it will be a while before I’m in the right place to work on it, but it’s there and I think you’ll like it. I’d never thought to write a sequel (or even considered that IPS needed a sequel), but then this idea plopped into my head fully formed and it wouldn’t go away. So a little funsies for the New Year, now through January 31st, 2019 (11:59pm PST), use the Contact page to send me your guess as to which character from In Plain Sight might merit their own book and why. The first 5 people to correctly guess will win a free audio version of In Plain Sight. Winners will be notified and receive their Audible promo code by February 4th, 2019. If no one gets the right answer, I will randomly draw 5 names from everyone who submits a guess.

On that note, I wish you all a blessed New Year. Be kind – not only to others, but to yourself as well. Dream lofty dreams and even if you don’t fully realize them this year, remember that each step you take puts you that much closer to making those dreams a reality. So don’t be afraid to take baby steps, and if you stumble along the way, that’s ok, get back up and keep going. Ask for help if you need it. Life is a journey and we are all in this together. And together we can all do amazing things!!

Last Minute Holiday Sale: In Plain Sight

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It’s that most wonderful time of the year and to celebrate In Plain Sight is just 99 cents* now through December 27th!!!

 

In Plain Sight

 

So if you’ve been waiting to buy your very own copy or maybe you’ve still got a few last minute gifts to buy (it’s ok, we’ve all been there XD) – either way… now is the perfect time!!

Don’t forget, the audio version of In Plain Sight is now available as well!! You can find it on Audible,  Amazon and iTunes. Also, if you sign up for a trial of Audible you can get it for free!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!!!

🙂

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* Applies to the Kindle version in the US and UK markets.

A Little Holiday Freebie

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Simple Musings is available now through December 19th on Kindle – FOR FREE!!  

Simple Musings

 

Simple Musings is an eclectic collection of poetic thoughts on love and loss, life and death, nature, spirituality and so much more. If you need motivation, a little pick-me-up, or just need to relate – this is the poetry book for you!

 

It’s a little angsty in places, but given that almost everything in it was written a very long time ago, that’s to be expected. I think we were all a little angsty at that age. XD

Anyway, just spreading a little holiday cheer! Enjoy!!

PS… Don’t forget that In Plain Sight is now available on audio via AudibleAmazon, and iTunes. If you sign up for a trial of Audible you can get it for free!! Also, just a heads up, the Kindle version of In Plain Sight will be on sale for just 99 cents from December 21st through December 27th. So if you’ve been waiting for the right time to pick up a copy – this is your chance!!

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Just in Time for the Holidays: Audio

In Plain Sight audio

 

I got word today that the audio version of In Plain Sight has been released!!! It will be available on Audible, Amazon and iTunes. If you sign up for a trial of Audible you can get it for free!!

I’m really excited that I was able to get an audio version of my book produced. Not only because there are those of us who like to listen to books while we do other things – work, drive, or do other creative endeavors. But also because I like the idea of having books (and all the wonderful stories within them) be accessible to as many people as possible, even those who are visually impaired or have some other disability that makes reading difficult.

In any case, please enjoy!!

Writer Road Trip: Research

Unfortunately I’m not going to hit my NaNo goal this year, and even though that’s kind of a bummer, I’m still not overly upset about it. Not only did manage to more than double what I started with on my DarkHarte first draft, but I was also able to connect most of the dots, in terms of getting from the beginning to the end. There’s still a lot more to do, but I have a much better idea of what that entails, so overall I’m pretty pleased even if I’m not quite where I wanted to be.

Though I had to go out of town last minute (hence not hitting my writing goals), I did manage to make a cool writing related stop along the way. I realized, as I was driving that I’d be going through Richmond, VA and that it wouldn’t be out of my way to stop at the site of the Chimborazo Hospital. Though none of the original buildings exist, the site does have a museum with info about the original hospital, as well as some of the other Civil War hospitals in the area.

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By this point, you may be asking yourself what this has to do with anything. Fair enough question, to be sure. XD But the truth is that I’m considering a sequel to In Plain Sight. It’s only in the very early planning stages – as in I have a couple thoughts swimming around in my brain and that’s about it – but whenever I do get around to putting some words on paper, Chimborazo will feature prominently in at least part of it.

What was cool about stopping and, really, I’m so glad I did, is that I not only got to see the site, but I also got to talk to the gentleman on staff there and was able to run some of my thoughts by him. It’s one thing to think, well… I’m going to do this in my book and since it’s far enough removed from the actual time period, no one will ever know if it could really have happened that way or not. But in talking it out with him today, he confirmed that what I was thinking about was totally a possible scenario. YAY!!

He also pointed me to A Southern Woman’s Story by Phoebe Yates Pember, who was one of the chief matrons at the hospital. I’m looking forward to reading it, as it will also provide additional context for some of the things I have planned.

If by now you are also wondering exactly which character from IPS is sequel worthy… I’m not telling. At least not yet!! But you are welcome to guess.

Anyway… here’s some other pictures from my research trip. It was informative and a lot of fun.

 

PS… I’m still waiting word for when the audio version of In Plain Sight will be released. I’ll let you know as soon as I get the details, but it should be out just in time for last minute gift giving!!

 

NCWN: Open Mic

A huge thank you to the North Carolina Writers’ Network for hosting the Open Mic event last night. I had a great time sharing my work and listing to other authors as they shared theirs.

The entire Open Mic is available to listen to below. And though I absolutely hate hearing my own voice, you can to listen to me reading an except of In Plain Sight starting around 49:30.

Enjoy!!

Events: Holly Springs Book Festival

I had an absolutely awesome time at the Holly Springs Book Festival yesterday. Want to give a huge shoutout to my fellow Romance Writers panelists, Amie Knight and Reese Ryan. We had so much fun, and I am so glad to have met you both!

Credit: @AWomanReading (Twitter)

This festival is annual, so if you live in the Raleigh area, definitely look out for next year’s event. You won’t want to miss it!

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Credit: Holly Springs Cultural Center

Other authors that I was privileged to share space with… Kathryn Watson QuiggHeather McCollum, Nancy Panko, Erin Rhew, Deek Rhew, Deborah Dunn, Dori StaehleMaria Elena Alonso-SierraE.T. Malone JrKatherine Loflin, and Karen Pullen.

🙂