New Year Blues

It happens to all of us...


The New Year rolls around and we all make goals for ourselves...whether it be losing weight, reading a certain amount of books, going on vacation, eating healthier, discovering a new hobby...I mean the list really goes on. The problem with the end of January?

The list suddenly just...stalls.

Suddenly waking up at five thirty doesn't sound so fun...and eating healthy? Theres a realllllly nice looking pizza sitting in the freezer and you don't feel like cooking.

And five hundred books?!?! Who has that much free time?!

I think it's safe to say almost all of us hit a slump, so this post is here to encourage you guys to jump out of it. For me, the easiest way is to read! So here are a few of my New Years Picks! They are SURE to change your life and also take the calories out of all chocolate.

HAH kidding but I totally got you there. Right??!

The Mad Duke leaned in closer, his lips gently brushing her ear, and whispered, "I dare you."
She Can't Resist the Dare
Lillian Phillips could not imagine how her quiet, simple life had come to this. Blackmailed by the Mad Duke of Thornwood into accepting one wild dare after another...all because of a pocket watch. Desperate to recover her beloved father's pawned timepiece, Lily did something reckless and dangerous and delicious--something that led to a night she'd never forget.
He has a Reputation for Scandal
When Devon Grey, Duke of Thornwood, runs into a mesmerizing, intoxicating, thieving woman who literally stole from his bedchamber--with his new pocket watch--Devon plots his revenge. If the daring wench likes to play games, he's happy to oblige. After all, what's the ruse of being the Mad Duke if you can't have some fun? But the last laugh might just be on him...

Okay true story...I rarely read debut authors..but this girl? Holy crap. Let's just say she knows how to write a regency. The whole time I was reading all I kept thinking was PRAISE THE LORD Julia Quinn has a sister! Thats what her writing reminded me of, it will make you laugh out loud, gasp a little bit, and sigh ;) 

A New Adult novel from Erin McCarthy, the USA Today bestselling author of True.

Jessica Sweet thought going away to college would finally make her free of her parents’ constant judgments and insistence she play chastity club role model for their church events, but if anything, the freedom has made her realize she can’t go home and be a hypocrite anymore. Tired of dodging their questions, she stays at school over the summer and lands in an unexpected crash pad: Riley Mann’s house. 

Sarcastic, cocky, and full of opinions, Riley is also sexy personified with tattoos and biceps earned from working as a roofer all day. Not the right guy for her even if Jessica was looking for a relationship, which she is definitely not. But Jessica knows that Riley hides the burden of having to raise his younger brothers behind that grin and as she helps him get his house in order for a custody hearing, they begin to fall hard for each other, and she is forced to question what she’s hiding herself. 

Jessica has never had a problem getting naked with a guy, but when it comes to showing Riley how she truly feels inside, her fear of rejection may just ruin the best thing—the best guy—to ever happen to her… 

What started off as a typical NA book turned into something pretty amazing...I loved this book--heck I loved this series. If NA is your thing then look no further! 

So I'm curious what are your goals this year? 

Mine is to have a vacation...I have a really hard time taking time off...I don't really know what that is...my husband resorts to hiding my computer which I guess is fine, but i still sneak in my phone. At some point something has to give.

SO I encourage you readers/authors/bloggers keep at least one of the goals you made this year and see it through! You'll be happier that you did!

Until next time!
<3 RVD

Discovering New Authors

I confess: reading time has been limited for me lately. So when I do get a chance to indulge, I often find myself reaching for something by one of my "must buy" authors. Jill Shalvis, Julie James, and Lori Wilde, to name a few. But I also love to discover new authors, and I want to make it a priority in 2014, especially since I will also be joining the ranks as a debut author this year.

Here were a few of my new discoveries in 2013:

Debut Author: Shannon Richard

Yes, my fellow Ever After Shannon! I just loved this book. Shannon's voice is so fresh and fun! I can't wait to return to Mirabelle, Florida, for the rest of the series.

New-To-Me Author: Roxanne St. Claire

Wow, how have I not read Roxanne St. Claire before? This book was sexy and fun and full of emotional punch. If only I had time to sit down and devour the whole series right now!

New Genre: Historical Romance

Yes, it's true. This was my first ever historical! And I really enjoyed it. This is also the first in a series, and I can't wait to read the rest!

This year, I'd like to break out of my comfort zone even more. I want to expand my horizons. Debut authors, new to me authors, new genres. Bring it on!

I've already got Julie Brannagh's debut all loaded up and ready to go on my Kindle (now if only I had time to read).

And I've been told I need to add Robyn Carr to my repertoire ASAP.

Contemporary romance and romantic suspense are my usual poison. Who wants to recommend a new genre for me to try? A new author? What have you read recently and loved?

Rachel Lacey writes contemporary romance that tugs at your heartstrings. Her debut, Unleashed, will be out this October. She blogs on this site on rotation with the other Ever After Foxes. You can find her online at www.rachellacey.com, or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

New Year, New Focus

Is it still January?

I'm not sure why, but I already feel like January is over...or should be. Maybe it's the side effect of being in an author. We talk in terms of our next book release, so I've been living in March (Hard to Handle's paperback release) and June (simultaneous e/paperback release of The Millionaire Affair).

While I didn't make any new year's resolutions for 2014 per se, I did pick a few themes for the year. One of them is to simplify. After living in a house for the last decade, the hubs and I have amassed A LOT of stuff. Too much stuff. In an effort to pare down, Mr. Lemmony and I spent Saturday afternoon cleaning out an ENTIRE CLOSET filled with items that had value, but no longer were needed. Rather than spend the next six months photographing, cataloging, and shipping said items after selling them on eBay, we decided to load the car donate all the beautiful things from my previous PartyLite business to Goodwill in exchange for a hefty tax write off.

Oh, yeah, giving those things up? It nearly killed me.

About four years ago, I ended my last year as a PartyLite sales consultant. Not only did I sell various candle holders and home decor, I romanced it. I wasn't simply selling a decorative hurricane to hold a pillar candle, no, no. I was offering the chance to own a globe with hundreds of hand-cut, hand-painted iridescent glass squares that, when they caught the sunlight just right, exploded light across your living room ceiling like a disco ball.

This is about a fifth of how much stuff I had.

And now that I'm thinking about it, I just had a pang of loss for that hurricane now in a pile of discarded things at Goodwill.

Why is that?

Most of my beautiful, precious candle holders had been in that closet, stored, not collecting dust or being enjoyed since I left my business behind in 2010 to pursue writing. Many, many, many boxes took up up space in my house and in my brain, never getting any use. Yet parting with them was one of the most difficult things I've ever done.

It got me thinking yesterday about perceived value. Sure, that gorgeous hurricane was "worth" $80 retail at to someone at some point. And for me, that piece represented hours upon hours of hard work in a business I'd managed to turn into a full-time career for nearly six years.

But my keeping it (and the 50 other boxes we loaded into the car yesterday) meant I had to clear out space for it. Pack and unpack it. Rearrange it when I needed something.

What is the cost of keeping something you don't need?

I'm not sure I have the answer to that yet. And it's a great theme to explore in my books. Letting go. Clearing out the past. That's what I'll be taking from this experience. That and the courage to continue in another room. Because, I'm not done! I'm on a rampage this year to get rid of "stuff" that doesn't serve me any longer.

I want my life filled with what matters instead of things that are no longer a part of who I am. Does that mean I can buy more books? 

What about you? Do you have a hard time getting rid of things you no longer need?

Jessica Lemmon writes sassy, sexy contemporary romance with a squeeze of humor. She blogs on this site on rotation with the other Ever After Foxes. You can find out more at www.jessicalemmon.com, LIKE her at www.facebook.com/authorjessicalemmon, and tweet her in 140-character bursts on Twitter: @lemmony

Bad New Year's Resolutions

I don't make New Year's Resolutions. Like, ever. Mostly because I totally suck at it.

And I don't mean I suck at following through. Because, yeah. That too.

I mean I make terribly unrealistic and stupid resolutions that stick with me for about 24 hours.

And then I go, "What was I thinking with that?"

Most people set goals such as:

Eat healthier
Travel to a new place
and so on and so forth

And those are good resolutions. And I think would be pretty easy to keep and maintain throughout the year.

Such is not the case with me. And here's why:

One year I made a resolution to buy a new pair of shoes every month. And not only is that fiscally irresponsible, but I don't have the closet space.

Another year, I said I wanted to stop cutting my hair. I know. Really stupid.

And then there was the year I promised to get my filing cabinet organized. And while this isn't really that dumb, or unrealistic, it didn't work. At least not as a resolution. That's more of a weekend chore when I have nothing else to do except stick bamboo shoots under my nails.

So there, you have it. Just some examples why I shouldn't be allowed to make resolutions. I'm horrible at it, and I don't have the self discipline to make it last longer than January 2nd.

Are you one of those who makes resolutions? And if so, do you stick with it?

Meet Ever After Rachel Van Dyken *waves*

How did you get your start in writing?

I used to be a school counselor ;) During my down time between scheduled kids I'd shut  my door (For my sanity) and write a few chapters. It was kind of my way to decompress and de-stress from every day life. I also used to work for Health and Welfare and had clients outside of school so it got pretty stressful at times. Reading was my first escape and then writing happened. :) 

What’s your favorite genre to write and why?

All of them! No, seriously. My goal is to write in every genre, well close to every genre. My first love was regency romance, then I switched over to contemporary and New Adult. I'm one of those readers--the type that read anything they can get their hands on. It ends up transferring to my writing ;)

Where do you write…kitchen table? Office? Work?

Kitchen table, closest to food and coffee! 

Favorite character you’ve written to date and why.

This is so hard because no matter WHO I CHOSE I'm cheating. You know what I mean? I think Nixon from the Elite series is one of my favorites but I really have a soft spot for Wes Michels from Ruin. He had so much wisdom and such a different out look on life. Even though I wrote it, I feel like I learned things, which is so awesome. 

POV—pick your poison. First person, third person, dual POV?

It depends on the genre. Third person for Historical. First person dual POV for New Adult and third person as many POV as I can for contemp.

What’s your typical writing day look like?

Usually, I get up anywhere from 4:30-6:30 depending on the day, and work out, eat, shower, then write until I can't write anymore. I really like getting in at least 6-10 hours a day. But it's my full time job so I feel like that's normal. 

Any weird quirks while you write? You know, like do you do a handstand while typing with only your right hand when writing kissing scenes…?

I have to listen to certain types of music to write a kissing scene and even then, it has to be on repeat. 

Lightning Round:

Red or White Wine: RED

Black or Fixed Coffee: FIXED (coconut milk latte)

Football or Basketball: FOOTBALL, which is weird...b/c it used to switched. GO SEAHAWKS!

Rap or Jazz: Both

Candy or Chocolate: Chocolate, but I'm not supposed to have sugar ;( 

Pirate or Ninja: Pirate. Always a pirate. I mean come on! It shouldn't even be a competition.

Christmas or Easter: Christmas. I LOVE Christmas. I listen to music in September to prepare for the Holidays

TV or Netflix: Netflix bc then I can watch on my own time.

Apple or PC: If I said PC my dad would actually disown me. :) I LOVE my Apple computer. I had to get rid of my old one and Im pretty sure i'm going to turn it into some sort of shrine...

Thor or Captain America: Thor. I even have a Thor mug. 

Muscular or Nerdy: Muscular.

Tattoos or no Tattos: TATS!!!!!!!!! 

Do you have any piercings? A few in my ears.

If you could get one tattoo that would describe your writing what would it be and why? It would be a tree. Okay, okay I know that sounds dumb. But trees have roots, and roots go into the ground and branch off everywhere. I feel like thats my writing, it all comes from one place but goes in tons of different directions. Wow, wisdom, right there. I hope you wrote it down...;) Kidding.

What’s your most embarrassing moment? When I was little I had a crush on a boy from school and I accidentally tripped, fell over backwards, flashed him my barbie underwear, and just sat there. Like an idiot. It still replays in my head.

If you were a superhero what would your power be? Would you wear a cape? 

I would want to have super speed. I'm terrified of Heights. But it would be cool to be able to do everything really fast. I'd also wear a cape and it would be red, b/c thats sounds awesome.

Would you rather be trapped in a room with Tom Hardy for twenty four hours knowing that you’ll have to eventually kill him to leave, or be trapped in a room for twenty four hours, spending your last moments in his loving embrace—before he kills you? I'd rather kill him. I mean I'd do it as painlessly as possible, but I'm selfish like that. I want to live. 

Would you rather be known as a bad kisser or a bad huger? 

My best friend told me i was a bad hugger one time. She said I didn't put my entire body into the embrace. So I practiced, and now Im better (I think). So I'd rather be a bad hugger.

Would you rather be a guest on The Ellen show or The Today show?

THE ELLEN SHOW--I love her. I want to dance with her.

You have ten seconds to convince The Kardashians to adopt you. Ready. Set. Go. 

If you don't adopt me I'm going to write a tell all book and publish it. BOOM!

This is the time for you to be inspiring ;) What’s your advice to aspiring authors?

Keep writing. I think lots of people put all their eggs in one basket and when that one egg doesn't do amazing--they panic and give up. Don't ever give up. You're going to have ups and downs as an author. Some people will love you will others will absolutely hate you. That's the name of the game. As long as you are doing what you love, what your' passionate about, then keep doing it. Get better, and keep writing. Keep publishing books. Success isn't in that one book that does awesome, it's in you continuing to push your own limits and inspire those around you. Writing isn't about you. It's about them..the readers, it's about fulfilling a part of their life that needs fulfillment. If you're writing to be rich, famous, well know--then you aren't writing for the right reasons. It needs to be your air. It needs to be your water. If it is--then you have nothing to worry about--just let it happen. :)

Twitter: @RachVD

Wattpad: Rachel Van Dyken

Facebook: Rachel Van Dyken

Website:www.rachelvandykenauthor.com 

LOVE,

RVD

To: YOU

From: Erin, Rachel L., Jessica, Shannon & Rachel V.

PS~ Special #giveaways and greetings happening today!

Shannon: a free Christmas read and giveaway

Jessica: e-Christmas card

Meet Ever After SHANNON RICHARD

How did you get your start in writing?

·        I’ve been creating stories as far back as I can remember. I’d jot down a scene here or there, but I never really sat down and wrote until my senior year of college. I just had this story in my head that I had to write down. I’ve been writing ever since.

What’s your favorite genre to write and why?

·        Romance. I love my happily ever afters. I love reading books that give me the warm and fuzzies and leave me beyond happy when I finish. Don’t get me wrong, there are certain rip your heart out/emotionally destroying books that I love too. Harry Potter I’m looking at you. Still not over all of the characters that Mrs. J.K. Rowling killed off. And then there is the Time Travelers Wife which pretty much left me crying in a pathetic ball in the corner for days. I’ll never let go Henry…I’ll never let go. And The Hunger Games? Yeah, there are no words for how much of an emotional wreck I was after reading those books.

Where do you write…kitchen table? Office? Work?

·        I write in my room, on the couch in front of the TV enjoying a marathon (Harry Potter or Friends mainly…orThe Avengers. Mmmm so many hot men, so little time), or at work whenever I can.

Favorite character you’ve written to date and why.

·        I talk about my characters like they are actually friends, and I’ve been told that when I talk about one Nathanial Shepherd I get really animated and excited. He’s just been a side character so far but I’m finally writing Shep’s story, and I will admit that he’s already started to take the lead. Plus he’s covered in tattoos…and scruff…I love my scruffy men.

POV—pick your poison. First person, third person, dual POV?

·        I’ve written in dual first person, and third person. It depends on the story that I’m writing, but I lean more towards third person.

What’s your typical writing day look like?

·        I still have a day job (not that it’s any less difficult for those who don’t), so it’s pretty much fitting writing in whenever I can. Sometimes it’s in the morning, other days late at night, and I have a lot of all-day writing fests on the weekends. It’s pretty much just a balance of time management and I’m still trying to figure that out.

Any weird quirks while you write? You know, like do you do a handstand while typing with only your right hand when writing kissing scenes…?

·        I tend to have a glass of wine when I’m writing at night. I also have difficulty writing in silence. I usually have music, or a TV show or movie that I’ve seen multiple times and that I don’t have to pay strict attention to playing in the background. When I’m editing I’m listening to music.

Lightning Round:

Red or White Wine: Wine? Where? White and chardonnay is my current favorite.

Black or Fixed Coffee: Fixed and delicious. Mmmm happiness in a mug.

Football or Basketball: Football

Rap or Jazz: I like all music...out of these two I'd probably pick Jazz.

Candy or Chocolate: Chocolate…all the way

Pirate or Ninja: Pirate. Captain Jake Sparrow captured me when I was fifteen. Still love that man.

Christmas or Easter: Christmas.

TV or Netflix: As I'm currently glued to my computer watching Sons of Anarchy on Netflix, I'm going to go with Netflix.

Apple or PC: An Apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Thor or Captain America: Are you kidding me?!?!?!?! I can’t pick between those two men. I love them both equally. Part of it is the actors who play them. Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth are sooooo ogle worthy that it isn’t even funny.

Muscular or Nerdy: Both, like Clark Kent. Muscles + Glasses = RIDICULOUSLY Hot! 

Tattoos or Clean skin: Oh gosh, tattoos. Love my tattooed bad boys.

Do you have any piercings?

·        Just my ears.

If you could get one tattoo that would describe your writing what would it be and why?

·        I actually got a tattoo when I finished writing my first book. It’s of a sunflower, just like Paige’s in Undone. Except mine is on the top of my foot and not on my side. I’ve wanted to get the word Storyteller tattooed on my wrist (or somewhere else still undecided). I’ve never done well with summarizing, always wanting to give someone the full picture, so my need to always tell a story pretty much sums me up.

What’s your most embarrassing moment?

·        After I signed with Forever, I went up to New York to meet my editor and agent and my parents came with me. Within five minutes of sitting down with my agent, my mother (who has no filter) asked a question that made me spit water out all over everybody. My agent got the majority of the shower.

If you were a superhero what would your power be? Would you wear a cape?

·        As for super power, I’d go with flying which is ironic as I have a pretty intense fear of heights. And I know that most superheroes that fly have capes, but whenever I think of superheroes with capes I always hear Edna from The Incredibles saying, “No capes!” So no cape for me. 

Would you rather be trapped in a room with Tom Hardy for twenty four hours knowing that you’ll have to eventually kill him to leave, or be trapped in a room for twenty four hours, spending your last moments in his loving embrace—before he kills you?

·        This question makes me think of The Hunger Games. I have a feeling I’d pull a Katniss Everdeen and go with the poisoned berry route…after spending the twenty-four hours in Tom Hardy’s loving embrace of course. 

Would you rather be known as a bad kisser or a bad huger?

·        Bad huger. I’ve experienced both…the bad kissers are waaaaaay more disappointing.

Would you rather be a guest on The Ellen show or The Today show?

·        Ellen hands down. It’s probably totally cliché, but I would soooo want to dance around in her studio with her. Plus she just cracks me up. Have you seen her try to scare people, Kellie Pickler in particular? It’s awesomely hilarious.

You have ten seconds to convince The Kardashians to adopt you. Ready. Set. Go.

·         Well I-

And that was as far as I got before Kanye cut me off, and unlike Taylor Swift he didn't promise to let me finish.

This is the time for you to be inspiring ;) What’s your advice to aspiring authors?

·        First, sit down and write. Make the time to do what you love and follow the drive. Second, don’t listen to anything negative that anyone tells you. When they say it can’t be done or that it’s a waste of time to write (or that it’s just a hobby and not all that important…that one really gets under my skin) ignore it. They don’t get it, so just don’t listen to them.