My Monthly Update

2014 Writing/Reading/Watching Goals

Time for my annual goals post: 

  1. Self publish three novels: Another New Life & It’s About You and Me – Book #1 (Tentative Title) and TBD.
  2. Participate in JuNoWriMo – It’s About You and Me – Book #2
  3. Participate in NaNoWriMo – It’s About You and Me – Book #3
  4. Editpalooza – Inked: A Permanent Love Story
  5. Query – Inked: A Permanent Love Story
  6. Attend a Creative Writing Class or Workshop
  7. Join RWA.
  8. Read fifty (50) books – See the start of my To Read List.
  9. Watch fifty (50) movies
  10. Increase participation in social media: more interaction on Twitter, more group interaction on Facebook and more club interaction on Goodreads.
  11. Attend two conferences:  RT Booklovers Conference (New Orleans) & RWA Conference (San Antonio)
  12. Maintain my blog schedule:
  • My Monthly Update – monthly goals and news on bloghops, upcoming events and progress on my publishing/querying efforts.
  • New Adult Book Review – Do you have a New Adult Novel, any genre, coming out in 2014? Please let me know in the comments.
  • Tattoo Tuesday – Are you an Inked up Author? Please let me know in the comments.
  • Sydney Quotes the Movies – Quotes from the hottest movies in 2014.
  • What is New Adult? – My thoughts on the genre.
  • Blog Tour Post – Author Interviews, Character Interviews, Cover Reveals.

What are your writing goals for 2014? Do you have a new release in 2014? Are you an inked up author and would like to be featured on Tattoo Tuesday? 

I am so excited for the new year and look forward to featuring more authors, books, and movies in 2014!!!

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEAR!

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50 States of Pray – Texas

50 States of Pray Banner Dec 24

Our friend from Hawaii, Mark Koopmans created a bloghop that is perfect for this time of year. All that’s required is to take a moment and about 100 words. Share a prayer, a thought, a memory, a hope and even a regret about the past and/or a wish for the future. Click on the badge for more information and to check out some of the other states represented.

I have had an inspiring year since being back in the states. Even though I lived in an challenging, but exciting foreign country for five years, it pales in comparison to all that I have experiences in the last year being back home. I’ve reconnected with my family and friends and made some new one.  I have seen president’s sworn in and legendary leaders put to rest. I watched some of my favorite famous people having the most creative (Beyonce’s unannounced album release), record breaking (Peyton Manning) and genuine and sincere(Jay Z in concert) year of their lives. I’ve discovered the kind of books I want to write and what I hope to accomplish with my writing. I’ve read 50 books (The Great Gatsby was my favorite) and saw 43 movies (I can’t decide between Star Trek Into Darkness or Iron Man 3). Most important, I’ve started to live my life the way I want to live it. In one sentence, “I’m feeling blessed.”  I can’t wait to see what life has in store for me in 2014. 

I’ll be taking the rest of the year off, but wanted to wish everyone a blessed holiday and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Rose by Missy Johnson Blog Tour

BRoseCoverBeautiful Rose by Missy Johnson 
(Beautiful Rose #1) 
Publication date: October 24th 2013 
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:

Jack Falcon is a new man. Three years after he left his life behind in London, Jack finally feels settled. He’s surrounded with everything that is important to him; a great relationship with his brother, Alex, a bar he is about to re-open, and most importantly, he has control of his life and his dreams. He knows he can’t undo the wrongs of his past, but he sure as hell can determine his future. He has worked hard to move forward and nothing is going to undo that.

Until he meets Rose.
Rose Wilson has never felt normal. Since she was a child, Rose has felt nothing but the overwhelming desire to end her life and she has no idea why. We live to die, so what’s the point in living? Rose has pushed the limits in the past, and pushed people away. She can’t figure out why Jack and Alex are so insistent on helping her. Twelve years of therapy has failed to help her, so why should they be any different?
Jack sees just how beautiful and important Rose is, but convincing her of that means putting his heart on the line, something he isn’t sure he can do. He can’t deny his feeling for Rose, but that doesn’t mean he has to act on them. And Jack isn’t the only one developing feelings for Rose.

Before Rose, Jack vowed he would never let himself fall in love again.

Before Rose, he had control.

But sometimes, it’s losing control that makes you really see what’s really important in your life.

EXCERPT
“Right. Jack, this is my friend from work, Lola. Lola, this is Jack.” Lola gave me a small wave. I grinned back at her.
“Turn around,” Harmony said to Lola. I watched, my cock twitching as she began to unclasp the corset slowly. Harmony swept Lola’s hair out of the way and began kissing her neck. Lola turned around, letting the corset fall to the floor as her arms curved around Harmony’s neck. Her nipples hardened as they pressed up against Harmony. This girl had a nice set of tits. They weren’t huge, but they were so damn perky.
Unzipping my fly, I reached into my pants and freed my cock, which was already hard. I gripped my palm around it, grunting as it swelled in my hand. Fuck yes.

Purchase
 
AUTHOR BIO
Missy lives in a small town in Central Victoria with her husband, and her confused pets (a dog who think she’s a cat, a cat who thinks he’s a dog…you get the picture).

When she’s not writing, she can usually be found looking for something to read.

Author links

BeautifulRoseTourBanner2

What is New Adult – Here is a great example

I posted this on The Peasant Revolt last week, but really love this post, so I thought I would repost it here one my own site to share with you lovely people. 

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In my continuing exploration of What is New Adult?, I thought I’d bring to your attention a novel I read recently that I feel is quintessential New Adult; In Too Deep by Michelle Kemper Brownlow

I received book #1 & book #2 of the In Too Deep Series in exchange for an honest review for On Solid Ground (Book #2), released this week.

Because I hate reading anything out of sequence, I had to read book #1, first. I am so happy I did.

I loved this book, but this isn’t a review or an endorsement. This post is an illustration.  If you are confused about what is New Adult, read In Too Deep. This book is New Adult to perfection.

Let’s go back to our definitions from a few months ago in What is New Adult?:

Characters experiencing; college, living away from home for the first time, a first serious relationship. Lot’s of first. 

In Too Deep explorers the relationship between Gracie and Noah. Gracie is a sophomore in college and Noah is her first serious boyfriend and her first intense relationship.  With Noah, Gracie experiences a lot of firsts. Unfortunately, most of those firsts, she ends up regretting.

Characters in the 19 – 25 age range who are trying their best to figure out life for themselves. 

Gracie’s is 20 years old when the novel begins and her first real relationship takes a dark and disturbing turn out of the blue and Gracie scrambles to figure out how to navigate the new dynamic in her relationship while continuing to profess to her friends, family and herself, that everything is still the same.

Characters who stumble through their early twenties trying to find their way in an adult word, but they don’t have the responsibilities that adults do. 

Gracie certainly stumbles through this novel. She spends so much time doubting and loosing her true self while trying to hold on to a man who isn’t what he claims to be.  She hopes he will return to the person she though he was if only she could love him enough. When we are young, we tend to let things play out for themselves because we feel like we have all the time in the world to figure it out.

Character’s lives are filled with internal, as well as external, conflict. The stakes are high, but happily ever after is not goal.  It is all about the main character growing and realizing that no matter what, life does go on.

Gracie’s internal search for self worth and peace pulls at your heart. Her external search for love and happiness gives you hope and makes you root for her every step of the way even when at times you are frustrated by her actions.

The stake hover around the life and death variety, along with abuse, self esteem and self preservation at the heart of things.  We don’t want Gracie to fall in love and live happily every after. We don’t need the fairy tale ending, we just want Gracie to be stronger, happier, and healthier then she was at the beginning of the novel.  Because the stakes are so high, we are happy with where she ends up as long as she has moved forward.

That is New Adult in a nutshell. 

What book exemplifies the New Adult category for you? 

Check out my review of On Solid Ground (In Too Deep #2) by Michelle Kemper Brownlow.

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Meant for Me by Faith Sullivan – Release Day!

Title: Meant for Me
Author: Faith Sullivan
Expected release date: December 10, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Ebook available at: Kindle | Nook | Smashwords  


Book Description:

Eric thought he had forever…before.

Divided between reliving the past and embracing his new life with Ivy, Eric fears that love will once again be ripped from his grasp. Having faith in the future is hard. So many things can go wrong.

Ivy is convinced that what they have is meant to be…but no one can escape the wheel of fate.

Her love for Eric and the life they’re creating make every sacrifice seem worthwhile. Until she’s forced to reveal the truth surrounding her delicate condition. Even if it shatters his hope.

Can they hold onto their newfound happiness or are events already in motion to keep them apart?


Excerpt:

My boyfriend is so freakin’ hot.

I press my nose against the glass, peering out as he stops to take a break from cutting the grass around the garden center. It’s sweltering outside and he’s worked up quite a sweat pushing the lawn mower up and down the property. As a result of his labor, his white t-shirt is clinging to his chest in all the right places. I sigh happily, taking him in.

He has no clue that I’m watching as he picks up a water bottle and pours it over his head, forming a trail that trickles down the length of his body. I clutch the windowsill as I feel that all too familiar twinge between my legs. Being pregnant, my hormones are on fire and it doesn’t take much to get me going. So it’s no wonder a moan escapes my lips when he doesn’t stop there. Instead, he casually begins to strip in front of me.

My cheeks burn as he lifts his arms over his head, removing his shirt, elongating every inch of his defined abs. My eyes follow his v-shaped pelvic muscle as it dips suggestively below his belt buckle. My breathing becomes heavy as he stretches, causing his jeans to ride even lower on his hips. My pulse skyrockets as he proceeds to wring the water out of his shirt, flexing his glistening biceps against the rays of the setting sun.

I squirm against the window, forcing my knees together. My movement catches his attention and he glances up, meeting my gaze. A sexy grin slowly spreads across his face when he realizes the effect he’s having on me. My mouth is open. I’m literally panting for him. He shakes his head and chuckles softly. My heart clenches at how adorable he looks.

He’s not the kind of guy who flaunts his body, but for me it seems like he enjoys being on display. He runs his hands through his damp hair, tousling it before grabbing another bottle of water. He winks at me, tilting back his head and taking a long swig. He closes his eyes, his lips wrapped around the bottle, teasing me. He smiles when he’s done, beckoning me with his finger.

I don’t hesitate for a moment. I gladly leave the confines of his air-conditioned office and rush outside. He’s waiting, his eyes smoldering. He stands with his hands on his hips, watching as I approach. It’s unseasonably mild for October, and I step out of my clogs as I draw nearer to him. His gaze never leaves my face. It only intensifies, causing me to blush even more.

I get close enough to feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek, but I don’t speak. Instead, I run my hands across the wide breadth of his shoulders and down his heaving chest. My touch must be driving him wild because I can feel his heart thudding beneath my fingertips. His skin is so smooth and firm. He’s a man’s man who’d never dream of waxing his upper body, and a trail of soft, fine hair guides me to his belly button and beyond.

“How can I expect to get anything done around here with you touching me like that?” Eric asks, his voice all husky as I find the zipper of his jeans.

“Well, you shouldn’t be tempting me by getting naked in front of the window,” I whisper seductively as he grabs my wrist, preventing me from lowering his zipper and undressing him any further.

With my free hand, I start to remove my dress when he growls, “I don’t want anyone seeing what’s mine.” He scans the horizon for any approaching vehicles, but there are none to be found. “No one’s ever going to hear what you sound like when you come. Only me.”

 
Books in this series:
(linked to Goodreads)
 

About the Author:
 
Faith Sullivan is an author of New Adult contemporary romances including the HEARTBEAT trilogy, the TAKE ME NOW series and the 9/11 novel, UNEXPECTED.


Where to find Faith Sullivan:

 

Tweet these pics (and tag @_FaithSullivan_) to gain extra entries!