IWSG: June 1, 2016 ~ What do you do with lemons?

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a community of writers who share ideas and encourage other writers.  It's a great place to express doubts and concerns as well as offer and receive tribulations and guidance from other writers. IWSG posts the first Wednesday of every month.  I think you'll find it to be a great writer's resource that's well worth your time.  Be sure to stop by and visit with some of the other IWSG writers/bloggers at IWSG Members.

The awesome co-hosts for the June 1 posting of the IWSG will be Murees Dupe, Alexia Chamberlynn, Chemist Ken, and Heather Gardner!

What do you do with lemons?
Sometimes, life sucks.  There - I said it.  It's sad, but true.  It can sneak up on you, smack you up side the head, and leave you spinning your wheels.  Without boring you with all the details, I'll say that as you read this on June 1, my husband will be one day out of a life altering surgery for a disease that has debilitated him for months, drastically changing our lives.  I like to think I'm an optimist, but not gonna lie - this has been a tough row to hoe.  Most days, I feel like a hamster who can't get the wheel to slow down enough to get off . . . just not enough time to do it all.  And, of course, it's my writing that's suffered most as its gotten shuffled to the back burner.

Still, every time I feel like throwing in the towel, I can hear the words of my dear, precious mother saying, "Girl . . . what do we do with lemons in the South?"  And the answer was/is: "Make Lemon Meringue Pie!"  Oh yum! There was nothing else in this world as good as my mother's Lemon Meringue Pie with a mile-high meringue topping.  It put a smile on my face and chased away the blues every single time she served it.  I miss both her and her fabulous cooking every single day of my life.


So - With my mother's words still echoing in my brain - My Self-Pity Party is over.  This is me taking my "lemons" and making "pie".  My writing has suffered drastically this year, BUT I can see a brighter light shining at the end of the tunnel.  With a successful surgery, my husband should be able to fully recover, and we can get back to a more normal routine which includes my protected writing time.  My w-i-p planned completion date may be off by several months, but it will happen sooner or later.  Right after I turn these lemons into a Lemon Meringue Pie! :)

How's your year going - both personally & professionally?  Are you on-schedule with your w-i-p?  Or do you have some catching up to do like me?

*Posted early due to personal commitments & a "Schedule" Link that never works! :)


  

IWSG: Pencil or Gray Matter?

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a community of writers who share ideas and encourage other writers.  It's a great place to express doubts and concerns as well as offer and receive tribulations and guidance from other writers. IWSG posts the first Wednesday of every month.  I think you'll find it to be a great writer's resource that's well worth your time.  Be sure to stop by and visit with some of the other IWSG writers/bloggers at IWSG Members.

The awesome co-hosts for the May 4 posting of the IWSG will be Stephen Tremp, Fundy Blue, MJ Fifield, Loni Townsend, Bish Denham, Susan Gourley, and Stephanie Faris! 

Pencil or Gray Matter?  

Ever get a fantastic idea for a w-i-p or new project only to forget it a few minutes later?  Ever waste precious time trying to recall an idea you just knew you'd never forget?  Frustrating, right?  Right.  Been there, done that.

Nothing frustrates me more than getting excited over a good idea for a current or future writing project only to forget it before I can write it down.  And, it seems, no amount of racking my brain will bring the idea back - Poof!  Like smoke, it disappears into thin air.  

Ideas often sneak up on me at inconvenient times - like while I'm driving or waiting my turn in the check-out line. Or an idea will ping my radar when I'm in a restaurant observing others (Ever written an idea on a napkin? Ever lost the napkin later?) or when I wake in the middle of the night.  Something or someone triggers an idea that has good potential, and I think I'll write it down as soon as I get home or as soon as I complete this task or as soon as I find my pencil & paper. And aren't those famous last words?!  After one too many times of pulling my hair out and kicking myself over lost ideas, I finally took to heart the meaning of Jack London's words, "Cheap paper is less perishable than gray matter, and lead pencil markings endure longer than memory."  Well, duh.  You mean I should stop what I'm doing and write it down right then & there  - before the idea has a chance to escape?  How simple is that?

Lesson learned.  I'm living proof you can teach an old dog new tricks!  I now keep a small notebook & several pencils/pens with me everywhere I go . . . in my car, in my purse, on my nightstand in my bedroom, and in most other rooms in my house (yes, even the bathroom!).  It's an inexpensive, yet sure way to preserve those precious ideas for future use.  As Jack London said, "Keep a notebook - Travel with it, eat with it, sleep with it.  And slap into it every stray thought that flutters up into your brain.  Cheap paper is less perishable than gray matter, and lead pencil markings endure longer than memory."  And that's the truth!

How do you keep track of your ideas?  Do you depend on pencil or gray matter?
  

It's Freebie Friday!

Don't miss out!  Grab your copy today!  As always, many thanks to Entangled Publishing for sharing the goodies!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1zKO73r
B&N: http://bit.ly/21jIaX0
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1KUAow1
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1rFtZ2J

Worth It All Review

Title:  Worth It All
Series:  The McKinney Brothers
Author:  Claudia Connor
Release Date:  April 19, 2016 by Loveswept
My Rating:  4 Sweet ♥'s

My First Thoughts:  When fate deals you an unexpected hand, you have to figure out the best way to play it or risk missing your chance at real happiness. 

*Many thanks to the Publisher for an ARC of Worth It All for review via Netgally.

Synopsis:
She’s fighting for control. . . . Paige Roberts learned to fend for herself growing up. Now she’s doing everything possible to give her daughter, Casey, the stability she never had. But when the vivacious five-year-old decides she’s done wearing her prosthesis, Paige faces her toughest challenge yet: trusting a handsome, brooding stranger who simply wants to help.

He’s struggling to connect. . . . JT McKinney lost more than his leg in a car accident that stole his dreams of pro football. Eight years later, he's made a new life for himself far away from his old one. His business is developing cutting-edge prosthetics and he’s more than happy to turn his attention to machines instead of people. Still, he can’t shake the feeling that something’s missing.

Will they take a chance on love? . . . When JT gets the chance to help Paige’s daughter, he takes it. He never planned on the two of them tearing down his walls or teaching him to believe in himself again. Paige might not believe in happily ever afters, but JT wants more than anything to be her prince. They’ll both have to let go of the past if they want a future.

My Review:

I was so excited to get my hands on the third book in The McKinney Brothers Series. This is a great series that always delivers just the right combination of angst, heat, and good old-fashioned romance. Worth It All is a heart-touching addition to the series that doesn't disappoint. It takes place several years after the ending of the previous book.

J. T. (Jake) was headed for stardom as a professional football player when an accident changed his life forever. One night, one moment in time, and not only did he lose his dreams, he lost his future - something precious he didn't think he wanted. He eventually moved on with his life by moving all the way across the country from his family and friends to start his life over. He's now successful, but living his life alone as he doesn't believe he deserves a family of his own.

Paige is a single mother, working two jobs and going to school in an effort to provide a good, stable home and future for her daughter, Casey. Once upon a time, Paige had a life plan . . . one that was changed forever one night in the backseat of a car by a boy she didn't say No to - she won't make that mistake again - even though it gave her the best thing in her life, her precious 5 year old daughter, Casey. She has a new life plan, and it doesn't include a man.

J. T. and Paige's worlds tangle when J. T. meets Casey as she waits for her mom to get off work from the diner. It was very close to love at first sight for Casey & J. T. as they discover they share a common bond - one that makes them both "different". The scenes between J. T. and Casey are among the best in the book as Casey tears down the walls J. T. had constructed around his heart while he helps her learn how to deal with her struggles at being different from other kids. Make no mistake about it - Casey steals the show in this book. She is adorable with an honesty and openness often found in young children, and yet, she is wise beyond her years. Many of her comments and questions speared me straight through the heart. How could anyone not love this little girl?!

Through Casey, J. T. and Paige begin to connect, to reach out, to dare to dream for more. Can he forgive himself? Can she alter her life plan? Their romance is a sweet, slow burn - one that simmers as they both learn their own capacity and need for love is greater than they thought. Worth It All is an emotional, feel-good romance that will leave you smiling. A Must Read!

My Rating:  4 Sweet, Slow Burning ♥'s . . . And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart . . . xxx
Sandra

IWSG: Series*ously Addicted . . .

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a community of writers who share ideas and encourage other writers.  It's a great place to express doubts and concerns as well as offer and receive tribulations and guidance from other writers. IWSG posts the first Wednesday of every month.  I think you'll find it to be a great writer's resource that's well worth your time.  Be sure to stop by and visit with some of the other IWSG writers/bloggers at IWSG Members.

The awesome co-hosts for the April 6 posting of the IWSG will be Megan Morgan, Chris Votey, Viola Fury, Christine Rains, Madeline Mora-Summonte, L.G. Keltner, Rachna Chhabria, and Patricia Lynne! 

Series*ously Addicted:  Are you a fan of book series?  I am.  I'm not only a fan of series - I'm hopelessly addicted to them.  For me, there's nothing better than finishing a great book only to find it's just the first in a series, and there's more to come!  When I discover an addictive series, I often find myself hooked into a binge read - reading straight through until I finish the last book.  Talk about burning the midnight oil!  Does that ever happen to you?

After my most recent series binge, I found myself thinking more about writing a series - which led me to wondering:  How many authors accidentally stumble into writing a series - stretching a successful first "standalone" book into a previously unplanned series?  Or how many authors always start out by planning to write a series from the moment they begin writing book one, page one?  

My current w-i-p took root from an idea for a standalone novel, but I now see the potential for carrying the story/characters forward in a series.  I'm left debating whether to go with my original plan and tie things up with a bow in this book or leave a few lines dangling for the possibility of future books with these characters who are demanding more time.  My gut instinct is to write a satisfying ending for readers (not a fan of huge cliffhangers!) while leaving the door open for exploring more books.  My dilemma is figuring out the best way to do that.  

So, tell me . . . Are you Series*ously Addicted to reading and writing series?  As a writer, which approach to writing a series do you take?  Are you a stumbler or a planner?

The Visitor Review

Title:  The Visitor
Series:  The Graveyard Queen #4
Author:  Amanda Stevens
Publisher:  MIRA
Release Date:  March 29, 2016

My Rating:  4 Ominous ♥'s

My Review of The Restorer

Synopsis:

My name is Amelia Gray. I'm the Graveyard Queen.
Restoring lost and abandoned cemeteries is my profession, but I'm starting to believe that my true calling is deciphering the riddles of the dead. Legend has it that Kroll Cemetery is a puzzle no one has ever been able to solve. For over half a century, the answer has remained hidden within the strange headstone inscriptions and intricate engravings. Because uncovering the mystery of that tiny, remote graveyard may come at a terrible price.

Years after their mass death, Ezra Kroll's disciples lie unquiet, their tormented souls trapped within the walls of Kroll Cemetery, waiting to be released by someone strong and clever enough to solve the puzzle. For whatever reason, I'm being summoned to that graveyard by both the living and the dead. Every lead I follow, every clue I unravel brings me closer to an unlikely killer and to a destiny that will threaten my sanity and a future with my love, John Devlin.

My Review:

Like many other fans, I have waited a long time for the next installment in the Graveyard Queen series.  The creepy, surreal world created by author Amanda Stevens has both fascinated and spooked me since I read the first book in the series, The Restorer.  As the story of Amelia Gray evolved over the next couple of books, I continued to be drawn to this mysterious cemetery restorer like a moth to a flame - even as her story gave me goosebumps and sent chills down my spine.  Stevens has a beautiful, almost lyrical, way of writing that is both hypnotic and haunting.  It was with much anticipation that I opened The Visitor and stepped back into her world.

As I began reading, I was ecstatic to find Amelia and John Devlin together.  John appears to be free of the ghosts of his wife and daughter as he seems to be moving forward in a relationship with Amelia.  But it's soon obvious that something is seriously wrong.  John is withdrawn, moody, secretive, and Amanda is harboring some big secrets of her own  The distance between them grows.  While the sexual chemistry between them is explosive, the emotional connection is fading . . . something is coming between them.  What is it?  Will they stand together to figure things out or allow it to tear them apart?

Since breaking her father's rules, Amanda's life has spiraled out of control.  Her powers are evolving, drawing unwanted attention from the dark, supernatural beings that reside in the Underworld.  As she works to find answers, she learns some shocking things about her past, things about who/what she really is and what her true destiny may be . . . while also discovering the answer to an old mystery/murder that puts her life in danger.  Is Amanda's fate sealed?  Does she have the power to overcome and trap the evil entity that stalks her?  I won't say more as I don't want to let any spoilers slip . . . but I will say this story is intense, twisted, and extremely ominous.  While the story does take a bit of a turn from the first three, after finishing and reflecting on it, I realized that it actually made sense for it to play out this way - in a very spooky, twisted kind of way.

While The Visitor started out just a bit slow for me - mostly as I found my way back into this complicated, haunted world, I was soon hooked - my heart racing as I burned through the pages to get answers.  An ominous feeling of impending doom blanketed this story and me throughout - one I could not shake off as I read late into the night.  Once again, I found myself hesitant to turn off the lights, jumping at every little sound of the night.  Stevens is pure magic with setting tone, mood, and pace and sustaining it throughout a story.  While some things may not have played out exactly the way I had hoped, I could not put this book down.  The ending sets up the next book perfectly . . . as in Give it to me NOW!  A Page Burner!  A Must Read!!

My Rating:  4 Ominous ♥'s . . . And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart . . . xxx
Sandra

Entangled - March Release Day Blitz!

Two new sweet romances you won't want to miss!

On sale now! Be sure to to get your copies!

About the book:

When bad weather closes the airport, free-spirited Jules Bloom finds herself stuck with the admittedly hot but total suit Dexter Elliott. One night and one large pitcher of “Vegas Sunrise” later, Jules wakes up in a hotel bed with a vicious hangover…wearing nothing but a wedding ring.

Determined not to ruin his brother's wedding, Dexter strikes a deal with the frustratingly gorgeous Jules to continue their quickie marriage through the weekend. Only she keeps getting under his skin in unexpected ways.

Jules has her own reasons for staying married to Dex but they seem less important with each exaggerated touch and staged kiss. But one marriage, one major secret, and two complete opposites don’t add up to a happily ever after…

Find it online: 

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Goodreads

About the book:

Derek Carmichael has harbored a secret crush on his best friend’s older sister for years, but she’s always been out of his reach. Now that Hannah is back in their hometown and newly single, suddenly the five-year age gap doesn’t seem so huge. But convincing her to see him as more than just the kid she used to know is another story.

Hannah Willmett can’t believe how grown-up Derek Carmichael has become. The troubled kid from her youth has turned into a sexy, successful TV celebrity, but Hannah’s wary of his player past and the rampant rumors connecting him to beautiful socialites. Still, she can’t help but give in when their attraction reaches a boiling point.

Trying to keep their fling a secret from her overprotective brother is one thing, but when Hannah finds herself unexpectedly expecting, her life is thrown upside down. She and Derek may be becoming parents together, but that’s no basis for a happily-ever-after.

Find it online:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Goodreads

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