Showing posts with label life. Show all posts

Monday, August 28, 2017

Where has Life Gone with Author Laura Hawks #RB4U #Romance #life

Greetings,

Lately, I've been wondering lately where my life has gone? It seems like just the other day I was young and carefree doing somersaults down the small hill in my backyard or riding my bike within my radius of limitations, or even helping my mother pick the seeds from her Marigolds to plant next year.

This year has been the same... rapidly passing before I'm even aware of it. I remember planting my spring crop, excited for the tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions and more to be picked, canned and eaten on the spot. The warmer weather was just starting, albeit, for Chicago, it was a fairly mild winter. I was getting ready for the sales on spring clothes and summer swim suits and suddenly, I'm walking about the stores getting whatever items I've needed and hearing about the changing weather and kids going back to school.... Wait! What?? Kids going BACK to school? Where did the summer go? Hell, where did the year go and more so than not, I wonder where the past in general has gone. I remember being that kid who went to school and couldn't wait for summer break and suddenly, I'm the adult. Where did those years go?

I've noticed more so than before that days pass quickly, far quicker now than they did as a child. I know time is measured the same, so I haven't quite figured out how I lose so much of it.

I've come to determine a good portion is lost in my books.... whether I'm reading, writing or editing, the fantasy worlds I'm involved in have sucked my time away like some mosquito sucking my blood. I don't know it when it's happening, but the lump that remains informs me of what has occurred. Reading sucks my time away and I'm left with the thoughts of the characters and the events lifted from the pages of the tomes I've devoured... or written. Yes, I get lost in my own stories as much as I do anyone else's.

I may no longer be the kid going back to school, but one thing is the same.. my love of reading is as strong then as it is now.

Author Bio

Ms. Hawks has always been interested in writing in some form or other. A few years back, she was involved with and then ran a Star Trek Interactive Writing Group which was successful for a number of years. Yes, she is a trekker and proud of it.

A few years back, she received her Master's Degree in Ancient Civilizations, Native American History and United States History.

She lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her three companions, all males... cats. She travels as much as she can to various Author/Reader conventions and loves to meet established fans and make new ones, some of which she considers friends more than fans. Check out her FB page https://www.facebook.com/Laura-Hawks-249262585192270/ to see where she is going next.. maybe you can join her.

Romance novelist Kendall Roberts finds herself in desperate need of inspiration. Heading to a male review to appease her artistic appetite, she becomes embroiled in a chain of events which could end her life.

Male dancer Skye Falcon notices Kendall at his club and is immediately attracted. However, he quickly discovers she is the object of someone intent on killing her. In order to save her life, he needs to solve the mystery before they succeed in their murderous attempts.

Numerous fire bombs seem to throw Kendall into Skye's path and she has to wonder what unseen hand is guiding them to be together. Is it fate or is it by devious design?

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Women Humor and Rants with Whitley Cox #Womanhood #Manners #RB4U @WhitleyCoxBooks

So yesterday at the gym (sorry this is not book related at all, just an old fashioned rant) after class a few of us were standing around chatting, dripping with sweat, with rosy faces and an overall feeling of accomplishment but also wanting to barf. I'm friends with the instructor and we often talk afterward on the way to our cars, and she texts me when she's not going to be teaching so I don't bother going and just head out for a run instead. Somehow, as we were all getting ready to go, the topic of skin care came up. Now I've always been very honest and open about how I've struggled with temperamental skin all my life, and this week in particular Mother Nature has not been very kind. The curse is upon me, my uterus is angry and I'm borderline homicidal unless I have a heating pad on my stomach and the child is napping.

There were five of us women chit-chatting around, two were in their early fifties, one was twenty-seven, then there was me, thirty-something, and a twenty-two-year-old. The four oldest were bitching and moaning about our skin and how age seems to be creeping up on us in unfair waves. Hormones!?!? AmIright!?!?!! The fifty-year-olds were complaining about menopause while I was griping about saggy boobs and stretch marks. And then because you know, social norms be damned, the twenty-two-year-old decides to say, "I have really nice skin. It's so smooth. And all I use is Clean & Clear and wipes from Costco." We all turned and looked at her, mirror image WTF expressions on our faces. And then, as if completely oblivious to the current tone and topic, she proceeds to educate us on the naturally long length of her lashes. "And my eyelashes are like really long, like, I'm not even wearing any mascara right now, but it looks like I am." What the actual F?!

Way to kick four brood mares ready for the glue factory when we're already down on ourselves, looking like sweaty hot messes. So I turned to her and with the biggest smile and a chuckle in my tenor, and I said, "Fuck you!" Which of course, ignited laughter from the rest and they all nodded and reiterated my proclamation. The little millennial twink just smiled and giggled, meanwhile inside I was seriously contemplating using some of the moves we'd just done in kickboxing and back kicking that pretty little perfect complexion of hers. But no, instead I just laughed again and said, "Enjoy it now, because once you have a kid you'll have stretch marks and your tits'll be knocking your knees. I'd like to see that."

Now don't get me wrong, all in all, she's a nice enough girl. We don't have a lot to talk about when we're standing around waiting for class to start, eight or ten years isn't a huge age gap, but with this chick, I really feel it. But I'm not about to actually drop kick her in the face, I reserve those moves for my real enemies. But come on, read the room, read the topic, read the tone. It's like when I'm sitting with my mommy friends and they are all husband bashing, but on that particular week I actually don't mind the man I married, I'm not going to take a sip of my "tea" (I use tea in quotations, because we all know it's wine) and then say, "My husband is so great, he folds the laundry and unloads the dishwasher and makes sure that my computer has up-to-date virus protection, I just love him so much." Meanwhile, all the other women have been plotting ways to kill their spouses and make it look like an accident. You just don't go there. You just don't do that. You keep your mouth shut, or you make up something lame to contribute to the topic, or lie through your teeth and tell them that your man wears the same pair of underwear four days in a row. You know, benign, but believable.
The same goes for when you're exhausted and growling about how little your kid is sleeping, that they're up multiple times a night and think four thirty is an acceptable time to start the day. When the general consensus in the room is that kids are the devil, don't pipe and be like, "Little Archimedes sleeps from 7 pm until 8 am and never wakes up, and he has a three-hour nap in the afternoon. And he's done this since he was two weeks old." You, my darling, have earned yourself a roundhouse kick to the temple and giant middle finger.

So, if someone smiles, laughs and says, "F*ck you," stop and think, maybe they're not kidding, maybe they mean it, it’s not a joke, and you need to close the hole in your face. Perhaps they’re trying to save you from making a complete and total fool of yourself because what you said, was really rather dickish!
End rant xoxox

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Hot and Filthy

Emma Everly didn’t know true love or happiness until she met enigmatic millionaire James Shaw. He turned her world upside down, all for the better, possessing her heart, body, and soul. He brought her over to the dark and dirty side and opened her eyes to the wild and kinky sex Emma didn’t even know she craved.

Now they’re married and ready to start their life together, and Emma realizes all her dreams are coming true. With a romantic honeymoon planned on a live-aboard boat in French Polynesia with nothing but her handsome husband and the fishes, Emma is positive James will take her body to newer and more extreme heights of pleasure. But James has other ideas, and even in the middle of their sexy sea adventure, their relationship is put to the test. Emma must find a way to come to terms with James’ demands or risk ruining their first holiday as husband and wife.

A quick and funny story with nothing but sex, scuba diving, and newlywed bickering. Because these two deserve a chill honeymoon. As I’ve started telling people, it’s nothing but pure filth with the odd parrot fish sighting. Don’t expect the darkness and angst of the other books; this little story is meant to be light, fun, super dirty and give you all the happy feels.

***Warning! This book contains scenes with explicit sexual content, vulgar language and BDSM play***

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Book 4.5 of The Dark and Damaged Hearts Series

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About the Author

A West Coast baby born and raised, Whitley is married to her high school sweetheart and together they have a spirited toddler and a fluffy dog. She spends her days making food that gets thrown on the floor, vacuuming Cheerios out from under the couch and making sure that the dog food doesn’t end up in the air conditioner. But when nap time comes, and it’s not quite wine o’clock, Whitley sits down, avoids the pile of laundry on the couch, and writes.

A lover of all things decadent; wine, cheese, chocolate and spicy erotic romance, Whitley brings the humorous side of sex, the ridiculous side of relationships and the suspense of everyday life into her stories. With mommy wars, body issues, threesomes, bondage and role playing, these books have everything we need to satisfy the curious kink in all of us.

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Friday, July 1, 2016

Decorate your daily life with decorum with @AuthorNicMorgan #RB4U #Kindness

Did the title of this blog grab your attention? I hope so, because I wanted to talk about something that I’m sure we’ve all noticed. It’s a growing trend and it stretches as far from little kids in pre-school to grown adults who claim to teach their children how to behave politely. It’s called rudeness. Oh sure, it can be labeled in many different ways, but it all has the same effect. Have you ever witnessed it? I’m positive you have. It can be found in a grocery store, a city park and even on the World Wide Web. It comes in many forms. When in person, a rude person can use their body language, hand gestures and facial expressions to get their anger across. That – in my opinion – is the less severe of the occurrences. One of the most brutal forms of abusive behavior seems to be found on-line. The internet has become a stomping ground for bullies who I used to believe did their dirty work on the playground. Sadly, it seems that with the growing trend of social networking sites some people have found themselves to be larger than life, ten feet tall and bullet proof, and honestly too many have used their keyboard as a vicious and vile weapon. My only question is, why?

Now, don’t get me wrong. This isn’t to bash the “mean people” of the world. Nor is it to say that I am a perfect individual who has only spread joy and sunshine to others. Truthfully, I don’t believe people are mean per se. I do however believe they are human, and with that come all sorts of emotions. We are a unique species in that we have the ability to think things through. Even some of the most intelligent animals act more on a primal basis than they do on emotions. This same ability is what makes us amazing creatures, but at the same time can make us spiteful in our actions. Like with any life form, we must mature as we age. Even a fine wine which has been aged to perfection can have a hint of bitterness to it though.

Before I get too far into this allow me to explain something of utmost importance. I am not perfect, far from it in fact. I have been guilty of tons of character flaws and social blunders in both my personal and professional life. Like everything else in my life, I’ve tried to learn from those mistakes and be a better person for them. Does that mean that I can’t still make the occasional error in judgment? Absolutely not! I am a sensitive woman who has a thin skin sometimes. When you combine that with being a writer who is very tapped into her emotions you are bound to slip up from time to time. However, with all that being said I make a conscience effort every day to watch for signs that I may be slipping back into old habits. I do this because I know all too well how it feels to be on the receiving end of someone’s nastiness. In turn, I remind myself that I must try to never to reflect negative energy onto others.

Some of you may be thinking at this point, okay, hold on here, negative energy? What is this some sort of mumbo jumbo about auras and karma? Well, I’m not talking any mumbo jumbo I can assure you. To further this let me ask, how many of you have been having just an okay day? You know, one of those days that isn’t bad, but isn’t necessarily good either? Then someone shifts your mood in one particular direction based on how they treat you? How many of us have gone from so-so to down-right miserable because of someone’s treatment towards us? It can really be a downer to have someone do this to you. More often than not we don’t see it coming and it completely blindsides us. However, if you flip the coin around and look at it from the other angle someone’s treatment of us can have a wonderful effect if their words and actions are positive. Who has had their mediocre mood turned into an outstanding one because of the smile someone brought to your day? Whether with kind words or gestures someone truly can turn a frown upside down!

I suppose at this point I should summarize my thoughts and get to my point of this guest blog. Many of you who are reading this are probably authors, and – I hope – that our main goal is to bring a little bit of happiness to our reader’s lives through our stories. Aren’t our stories just another form of entertainment? Instead of being on the silver screen, our tales are told on paper. If we hope to spread joy, should we not also do so with our daily actions? This brings me back to something I mentioned earlier, social networking sites. On the internet there are some ones available for people in all walks of life to enjoy. With these various avenues available to us sometimes people can forget their decorum. Sadly, manners can all but be forgotten when dealing with others on-line. This is what troubles me, on both a personal and professional level. I know it may sound a bit cheesy and even a little too naïve, but why not just be nice? Does everyone remember that old saying, “if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all”? Well, as kindergarten as it sounds I say it’s darn good advice!

My hope is that everyone reading this post reminds themselves to take a moment before they react to others. A single second can make the difference in how you may respond to someone. I remind myself of this daily and make sure that I give myself that much needed moment so I don’t let my feelings or emotions control how I behave. Do I always succeed? Nope, but I sure get back up on that horse every time I fall.

We each have our own unique gifts to share with the world, just as we have flaws which we try to hide. With both we can find ourselves in a dilemma. If you find that feeling of rudeness creeping up on you, please take a moment and remember that all others are human as well. They breathe just as you, they bleed just as you, and they cry just as you... before being the cause for someone else's pain or tears, instead spread the most contagious action of all... kindness ~ You will be glad that you did.

Here is a little nibble from my latest Surrender Her Inhibitions...

(a novel within Dominant Persuasions)

Sweat dripped down his chest from lack of control. He looked down at the top of her head as she seemed to nuzzle up against him. Her precious movements of needing to be close to him were almost more than he could take.

Buy Links:
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1084734101

Amazon: http://goo.gl/sfKnNu

Amazon UK: http://goo.gl/1tvvQl

Amazon CA: http://goo.gl/9DFjlm

Amazon AU: http://goo.gl/PJ0INF

B&N: http://goo.gl/CRmMDB

Kobo: https://goo.gl/AB0vbD

Find all of my books on any of these fine retailers:

Nicole's Administrative Services

http://servicesbynic.blogspot.com/

That's all for me this months, guys and gals.

I'll see you here next month,

Same bat time...Same bat channel.

Nicole Morgan is an author of erotic romance novels, which more often than not have a suspenseful back story. Erotic romance mixed with good old-fashioned whodunit. While she's written everything from contemporary to paranormal her leading men will more than likely be wearing a uniform of some kind. From military to police officers, she has a love for writing about those who protect and serve. From her very first novel about Navy SEALs to her more recent releases you will be sure to find a few twists and turns you were not expecting.

She also had a recurring monthly column in Book & Trailer Showcase's eMagazine, is a proud member of the Romance Books 4 Us Gold Authors, as well as Sweet and Sexy Divas.

Find out more about Nicole and her books by visiting her website, blog, Google + Page, Twitter, Facebook and her Yahoo Group, Nicole’s Think Tank.

Keep up to date with Nicole:

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Sunday, August 30, 2015

Diary of a Workaholic - Post by Suzanne Rock #RB4U

The theme for this month is diaries. I used to keep a diary when I was a kid. In it I wrote about all of the important stuff in a fourth grader's world: who was talking to whom, which boys were the cutest, and which teacher liked to give homework over the weekend. (What a meanie! *shakes fist*)

As an adult, I don't keep a diary, but a schedule. Those who know me laugh at my computer full of spreadsheets and office full of Post-It notes. What they don't realize is that without them, I'm lost.

I'll let you in on a little secret: I get easily overwhelmed. It doesn't take too many tasks to pile up before I'm crawling under the covers and sobbing into my pillow. To-Do lists, schedules and deadlines do more than help me get organized. They help me break down my responsibilities into bite-sized pieces so I don't get overloaded.

Task lists are especially handy this time of year. In the fall, my two girls are heading back to school, and all of their after-school activities are beginning. Forms need to be signed, summer projects need to be completed, and signups for extra-curricular activities occur. (Limited space, better hurry!) My youngest daughter also has her birthday on September first, so yeah, you can see how I tend to get overwhelmed.

I have been creating To-Do lists for years and over time I've come up with a few key things that make them work for me.

1) Keep the list managable. Don't write down twenty tasks because you won't have time to finish them all. When there are items left on your "to-do" list at the end of the day, it can really put a damper on your motivation.

2) Keep it simple and specific. A goal like "clean the house" can be overwhelming. Try breaking it down into bite-sized chunks like "clean the kitchen" or "do one load of laundry." A good rule of thumb is to make sure you can finish each task in an hour timeframe.

3) Schedule time for youself. It is unrealistic to think that you can work twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Suffering from mental and emotional burnout isn'tpretty, and the best way to stop it is to work on your overall health. On your schedule, make sure you do one thing for yourself each day. It could be as simple as "take a 30 minute walk," or "read a short story." By taking time for yourself, you ensure you are mentally and physically ready to deal with the tasks on your list tomorrow.

4) Schedule time with loved ones. This is just as important. Time goes by so fast. You don't know how long you are going to live on this earth, so make sure you spend some time each day with those people who are important to you.

5) Be rigid, yet flexible. When you create a schedule or a task list, try not to get distracted. Focus on one item at a time and work your way down the list until you have accomplished everything you want to do. At the same time, know that life happens. Emergencies come up, plans change, and people show up unexpectedly. Be easy on yourself. If something happens and you can't finish your task list, don't beat yourself up over it. There is always tomorrow.

How about you? Do you live and die by task lists and schedules like me, or are you more spontaneous? Tell me about it in the comments section. I'd love to hear from you!

And check out my FREE and NEW RELEASE books below!

~ ~ ~

Free on iBooks through August 29!

Book 1 in the Ecstasy Spa series

Dumped by her boyfriend and down on her luck, Annabelle accepts her best friend's gift and goes to the Ecstasy Spa for an afternoon of escape. She expects the service to be mechanical and the staff to have more brawn than brains, but she couldn't be more mistaken.

Instead of cold and clinical, Seth is everything she has ever wanted in a man. Smart and sexy, it's easy to see why he is the most requested staff member at the spa. Together they embark on a mind-blowing journey of self-discovery that takes them both to heights that neither thought possible. As physical attraction turns into something deeper, Annabelle wonders if she should risk going against spa policy to see if the "quick fix" she ordered can be changed into something more permanent.

New Release - Ecstasy Spa Volume III - available NOW!

This contemporary erotic romance anthology features books 6 and 7 of the Ecstasy Spa series.

Mind and Body – Celeste gets a lot of satisfaction seeing others have their sexual fantasies fulfilled at her spa. Unfortunately, her own sex life has been non-existent. Theo, her boyfriend and co-owner, has been ignoring her for the temporary contractor building a new addition to the spa. As Celeste watches the two men interact, she wonders if there’s something deeper between them than friendship, and decides to arrange an erotic interlude for all three of them to find out.

Hydrotherapy – When Jenna Sanders leaves her dead end job and accepts a management position at exclusive spa on the island of Eden, she hopes to put the past behind her and move on with her life. Unfortunately, the past refuses to be buried, and when she discovers that her sexy boss is her former lover, old wounds reopen and shake the walls she has so carefully built around her heart. Caine is offering her everything she’s ever wanted, but can she trust him? As they rekindle their passion in the bedroom, secrets rise up from Eden’s waters and threaten to tear them apart. Only by diving deeper can they move forward, and Jenna must decide if she is willing to risk her heart for a second chance at love.

* * *

ALSO: I just learned that all of my books published through Electric Ink Press are 50% off at KOBO through Monday. Use coupon code SALE50 to get the discount!

* * *

A lifetime New Englander, Suzanne married her college sweetheart and has been with him for over twenty years. Every summer she drags her husband and two daughters to Maine on a quest for the perfect lobster dinner. Every fall she can be found down in Foxboro, Massachusetts cheering on her favorite football team. In between those trips, she’s a chauffeur, a maid, a chef, an event planner, a hairdresser, a wardrobe stylist, a tutor and a sometimes masseuse. To keep her sanity, she often drinks copious amounts of coffee and stares at the blank screen of her laptop, dreaming of great adventures. Sometimes she even writes them down for others to enjoy.

Suzanne is represented by Deidre Knight of The Knight Agency and writes mainstream romances under the pen name Ava Conway.

Connect with Suzanne online:

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Romance on a Budget Blog

Saturday, August 30, 2014

A Little Team Building

I'm at an odd stage in my career. While it has been wonderful to see my business grow, it's also been a little scary. Some days I feel as if I've been pulled in numerous directions, and I'm sure a lot of you, both writers and readers, can relate.

One thing I've learned over the past several weeks, is that no one can do everything on their own. We all need a little help sometimes, especially when things start to become overwhelming. Whether it is family, friends or coworkers, a good support system is crucial for not only helping you succeed, but keeping your sanity and humor. :)

Over the past few months, I've been working hard to put a support team in place to help me with my writing career. I feel blessed to be at a stage where I'm able to do this, especially after seven years of doing everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING) myself. I'm happy to report that most of these relationships have already started to bear fruit.

Recently, I've gotten all of my self-publishing backlist up on Google Play and itunes, and I'm starting to put many books into print. I've released more audiobooks, and got my backlist up on Authorgraph. I'm also in the process of overhauling and growing my street team. If it wasn't for my administrative assistants, I never would have accomplished so much in so little time. I'm truly thankful for thier help, and hope that with them I'll be able to grow my business in ways that I have only been able to dream about before.

My support team isn't complete, but I'm working on it. At the end of the day, having people help with all of my administrative, financial and legal tasks will free up my time to do more of what I love most -- and what readers expect of me -- writing great books.

Who is your biggest supporter? You know, that one person you go to and can trust when times are tough. Tell me about it in the comments section. I'd love to hear from you!

~ ~ ~ Latest Release ~ ~ ~

Girl, Interrupted meets Beautiful Disaster in this thrilling and sexy debut novel, in which a college student learns her perfect life is a lie and finds new love where she least expects it—a mental institution.

Now available from the following vendors: