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I’ve had a great life. I met my life-partner (now husband) Mark when I was twenty-three, and was finally able to marry him in 2008. We lived in Hawaii for a year, started our own business, and work most days in our sweats, making the commute from bedroom to office in about ten seconds. I am a lucky bastard. When I started writing at the tender age of ten, I had no idea where this whole author thing would go. I also had no idea I was gay, though looking back, there were signs. I hated sports, loved stuffed animals and had no problem mixing Barbies in with my Star Wars action figures. :P As I have often mentioned, my writing career, which I thought would take off in my mid twenties with my first novel submission, quickly crashed back to earth when all ten publishers rejected me. I often wonder how things would have gone if I had stuck with it back then - if I had picked myself up and kept going. I was at WorldCon last year and went to a panel with an author who started about the same time - and now she has legions of fans (and in a possibly related role, sits on panels at World Con). Is it possible to be immensely thrilled for someone and insanely jealous of them too? Now back to the lucky bastard part. In 2013, I decided to get back into writing after my husband kicked me in my writer's ass. I was griping about having lost momentum once again, and he turned to me and deadpanned “The only thing stopping you from writing is you.” Holy bat signal, Robin! He was absolutely right, and he was also telling that he was okay with me spending the time I needed to write, and to finally get myself published. Now here we are, six years on, and I have almost thirty published works to my credit, including six novels. “Ithani,” which came out today, caps my first trilogy, and my second one wraps in October. I’m writing what I always wanted to - diverse, exciting sci fi and fantasy - and although I’m not making bank (yet), I have a bunch of loyal readers who love what I do. Did I mention that Mark and I will celebrate our twenty seventh anniversary in April? I’m breathing. I’m writing. And I’m living with the man of my dreams. I really am a lucky bastard. ***New Release*** |
 | From the cold Canadian border, the US1 runs along the east coast with patience. Southbound, always south, until it reaches the Sunshine State. Not the fastest way, sure, but if you have time to drive it all the way down, you might find yourself lost in one of the coastal towns that dot the US1 like little jewels. Maybe that town’s name is Crescent Creek. These are the stories of its people. |
About Viviana
Beach bum and country music addicted, Viviana lives in a small Floridian town with her husband and her son, her die-hard fans and personal cheer squad. She spends her days between typing on her beloved keyboard, playing in the pool with her boy, and eating whatever her husband puts on her plate (the guy is that good, and she really loves eating). Besides beaching, she enjoys long walks, horse-riding, hiking, and pretty much whatever she can do outside with her family.
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Just a brief note: The quotes and research referenced in this post were targeted at women, but the overarching idea applies to everyone regardless of gender. No matter who you are, this post is for you. Much love.
H
I’ve written this blog post half a dozen times. To those of you who read my October post on Family Haunts for the Love Romance Reads Blog, that might sound familiar. It’s part of what I love about writing posts for LRR, I always have an idea of what I want to write, but what actually makes it to you, dear readers, is never what I originally intended.
Here’s an example. This month, I started writing about my very unromantic feelings about Valentine’s Day. Surprise! The romance writer isn’t a fan of the mushy holiday. It and I had a contentious relationship long before my recent divorce, which was another topic consideration for this post. A few paragraphs in my Inner Voice reminded me, “It’s a blog post, not a novel. Those topics are too heavy. Snark might be better than angst.”
Fair enough, Inner Voice.
Taking my own advice, I began writing the hilarious (to me) story of posting quotes and pictures around my sister’s dorm room years ago to brighten her February 14th. Yes, nothing like a giant red heart and song lyrics to really put you in the right mood for Valentine’s Day. Granted, the lyrics I’d chosen were from Mary Poppins’ Sister Suffragette. Specifically: ‘Though we adore men individually, we agree that as a group they're rather stupid!’
“Humorous anecdote,” Inner Voice snarked at me, “but possibly offensive.”
H
I’ve written this blog post half a dozen times. To those of you who read my October post on Family Haunts for the Love Romance Reads Blog, that might sound familiar. It’s part of what I love about writing posts for LRR, I always have an idea of what I want to write, but what actually makes it to you, dear readers, is never what I originally intended.
Here’s an example. This month, I started writing about my very unromantic feelings about Valentine’s Day. Surprise! The romance writer isn’t a fan of the mushy holiday. It and I had a contentious relationship long before my recent divorce, which was another topic consideration for this post. A few paragraphs in my Inner Voice reminded me, “It’s a blog post, not a novel. Those topics are too heavy. Snark might be better than angst.”
Fair enough, Inner Voice.
Taking my own advice, I began writing the hilarious (to me) story of posting quotes and pictures around my sister’s dorm room years ago to brighten her February 14th. Yes, nothing like a giant red heart and song lyrics to really put you in the right mood for Valentine’s Day. Granted, the lyrics I’d chosen were from Mary Poppins’ Sister Suffragette. Specifically: ‘Though we adore men individually, we agree that as a group they're rather stupid!’
“Humorous anecdote,” Inner Voice snarked at me, “but possibly offensive.”
From there, my train of thought chugged along to my favorite romantic lyrics, but Garbage’s “Beloved Freak” doesn’t usually top the swoon-worthy song lists. So we jumped tracks (pun intended) to the subject of famous romantic couples. Much as I adore Gomez and Morticia Addams, they make most people think Halloween, not Valentine’s. Nothing felt good enough. Nothing felt right.
That brings us to earlier this week when I happened to catch an NPR interview with New Orleans born singer-songwriter-producer, f.k.a. D∆WN or Dawn Richard. In the interview, she said “I know a lot of women who relate to the idea of being unapologetically open about saying, 'No, I'm not accepting anything but this, because I am worth it.'”
A bold statement. One that resonated with me. Yes! We are worth it. Worth loving. Worth wanting. Worth effort and adoration. Every single one of us is valuable, and we shouldn’t accept anything but the love we deserve.
“Perfect topic,” Inner Voice agreed. “Time to forge ahead.”
While that was percolating in my head, I popped in my headphones to listen to the audiobook I’d recently picked up, The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer. I found myself unexpectedly struck by another profound statement. I’m clipping right along listening about impromptu gigs, internet communities, and interesting roommates when Palmer drops some info researched by professor and TED speaker Brene Brown. Through her research, Brown found that “women tend to feel shame around the idea of being 'never enough'... at home, at work, in bed, never pretty enough, never smart enough, never thin enough, never good enough…”
I found myself nodding in agreement. Inner Voice resorted to a loud record screech. “Wait. What?”
I instantly knew that these very unromantic notions needed to be the subject of my very brief and very pointed Valentine’s-ish post.
Here’s the deal, dear readers. We all get that feeling that we are never enough. That vague seed of doubt can fester until it is a vicious little demon buried deep in your brain and your soul, repeating horrid lies about how little you are valued. But that’s the sticking point. This demon and everything it says is A LIE.
February is supposed to be a month of love. It’s supposed to be a time we share one of the best possible human emotions with people we care about, not just significant others, but friends, and, dare I say it, ourselves. It’s time to let some winged cherub shoot that ugly, lying beast in the butt with a pointy arrow of truth. It’s time for all of us to stand up and say that we are worth more than that particular thought of “not enough”. We don’t have to believe the lies or accept anything less than perfect, unconditional love.
Please take Valentine’s Day, February, and every single opportunity you can to love yourself the way you deserve to be loved. I promise you, you’re worth it.
That brings us to earlier this week when I happened to catch an NPR interview with New Orleans born singer-songwriter-producer, f.k.a. D∆WN or Dawn Richard. In the interview, she said “I know a lot of women who relate to the idea of being unapologetically open about saying, 'No, I'm not accepting anything but this, because I am worth it.'”
A bold statement. One that resonated with me. Yes! We are worth it. Worth loving. Worth wanting. Worth effort and adoration. Every single one of us is valuable, and we shouldn’t accept anything but the love we deserve.
“Perfect topic,” Inner Voice agreed. “Time to forge ahead.”
While that was percolating in my head, I popped in my headphones to listen to the audiobook I’d recently picked up, The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer. I found myself unexpectedly struck by another profound statement. I’m clipping right along listening about impromptu gigs, internet communities, and interesting roommates when Palmer drops some info researched by professor and TED speaker Brene Brown. Through her research, Brown found that “women tend to feel shame around the idea of being 'never enough'... at home, at work, in bed, never pretty enough, never smart enough, never thin enough, never good enough…”
I found myself nodding in agreement. Inner Voice resorted to a loud record screech. “Wait. What?”
I instantly knew that these very unromantic notions needed to be the subject of my very brief and very pointed Valentine’s-ish post.
Here’s the deal, dear readers. We all get that feeling that we are never enough. That vague seed of doubt can fester until it is a vicious little demon buried deep in your brain and your soul, repeating horrid lies about how little you are valued. But that’s the sticking point. This demon and everything it says is A LIE.
February is supposed to be a month of love. It’s supposed to be a time we share one of the best possible human emotions with people we care about, not just significant others, but friends, and, dare I say it, ourselves. It’s time to let some winged cherub shoot that ugly, lying beast in the butt with a pointy arrow of truth. It’s time for all of us to stand up and say that we are worth more than that particular thought of “not enough”. We don’t have to believe the lies or accept anything less than perfect, unconditional love.
Please take Valentine’s Day, February, and every single opportunity you can to love yourself the way you deserve to be loved. I promise you, you’re worth it.
The Arts of Love: Stories of Sensual Creativity
 | You know what they say about those creative types... Playful, rebellious, sensitive and passionate, nobody loves like an artist. These sixteen stories set the stage for racy encounters with bad boy rock stars, sensual actors, and artists seeking their muse. Inside this collection you'll find: * A drummer aching to satisfy the one woman who doesn't recognize that he's a rock star * A writer unaware that his fans and former assistant find him undeniably attractive * An eccentric college professor enticing her protégé with informal lessons on dance, drawing, and desire * A stage manager struggling to remain professional with the show's sexy director Whether you're looking for a playwright provoking her friend's uptight cop neighbor to help with blocking, two choir men battling for the affection of the girl-next-door, or a struggling writer finding an unusual muse in the Japanese countryside, this collection will have you ready for romance. |
About Harley
Harley Easton is a Renaissance woman dabbling in everything life offers. She's worked at a theme park, found expert witnesses, guest lectured at a national museum, and worked with medical students. Putting experience and insanity to good use, She's found her favorite job, writing. Now she specializes in erotic, romantic, and speculative fiction. Who knows what kind of trouble she'll get into next.
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One of my favourite scenes in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the scene directly before the Beast giving Belle the library – when he says he wants to make a romantic gesture and the suggestion is made for flowers, chocolates, and meaningless gestures. The Beast of course opts for something much more in line with Belle’s sensibilities and desires. And it is wonderfully romantic.
I got to thinking about this in conjunction with Valentine’s Day. My daughter who is 25 and very single told me that she didn’t like the day because of the grand meaningless gestures. And if anyone ever proposed to her on that day, she’d rejected them out of hand for lacking in imagination. I personally think grand gestures are fine, but they have to be filled with meaning for the recipient are fine. And for me as a writer of romance, it is all about finding that meaning.
And for each of my characters, I like to think — what’s your library, what is the one thing a character can give which says I get you and more than that I understand what makes you tick. In other words, I love you without saying the words out loud. Obviously it is not the same for every character and sometimes it can be difficult to determine because not every character is forthcoming as one would like.
When I was writing The Warrior’s Viking Bride, for example, it was not immediately clear to me what Dagmar wanted. Because of the way she’d been raised by her mother, I had initially considered that she truly wanted to be a warrior. But in the course of writing the novel, I came to realise what she truly wanted was to have a place of refuge, a place where she could be herself, find peace and belong. And the gift that Aedan mac Connall initially gives her – the glimpse of a life beyond warfare – is something which is immeasurably important and helps her reconcile the various parts of her personality. It is when I wrote the following passage where the seed is planted in Dagmar’s brain that she can have more that I truly began to understand what made my characters tick and why they were falling in love with each other.
‘No, it is the perfect spot to rest without fear of being attacked.’ She leant forward. ‘Getting the best ground possible is the first requirement to winning a battle. Although sometimes you have to make the best of what you have.’
‘Do you ever think of things beyond warfare?’
‘Is there something wrong with that? It is how I have lived my life.’ She tilted her chin. ‘It saves me having to think about the past or the future.’
‘Life is more than such things. Life is about enjoying sunsets over crystal clear bays, finding the first buds of spring after a hard winter, and a good meal with fresh clothes on your back with a solid roof over your head and a roaring fire in the hearth. It is about being with the ones you love and knowing that they love you back.’
‘You are a man of simple tastes.’
‘Try it. Try talking about something which isn’t war or strategy.’
Dagmar was silent for a long heartbeat. ‘My belly aches from hunger. We neglected breakfast.’
She bent her head and he could see the long sweep of her neck. She was daintily boned. It seemed almost impossible that someone who was so exquisite would be a deadly killing machine whose sole interest appeared to be the art of warfare. He blamed her mother who had trained her that there was no other way to survive except as a sell-sword. She had kept Dagmar as a tightly closed bud rather than allowing her to flower and develop as a woman and Aedan loathed her for it.
When I was writing Sent as the Viking’s Bride, I realised that Gunnar had finally understood what Ragn needed when he made her look at her face in a pond and asked why did she persist in thinking she was ordinary when she was extraordinary? His gift to her was helping her regain the self-confidence she had lost. It is what she needed at that moment.
I could go through my other books and find the moment because it is a point that I like to have. My characters have to fall in love and therefore show that they do love the other person through a meaningful gesture.
And should my daughter ever encounter the right person. Hopefully she will say yes whether or not she is asked on Valentine’s Day.
I got to thinking about this in conjunction with Valentine’s Day. My daughter who is 25 and very single told me that she didn’t like the day because of the grand meaningless gestures. And if anyone ever proposed to her on that day, she’d rejected them out of hand for lacking in imagination. I personally think grand gestures are fine, but they have to be filled with meaning for the recipient are fine. And for me as a writer of romance, it is all about finding that meaning.
And for each of my characters, I like to think — what’s your library, what is the one thing a character can give which says I get you and more than that I understand what makes you tick. In other words, I love you without saying the words out loud. Obviously it is not the same for every character and sometimes it can be difficult to determine because not every character is forthcoming as one would like.
When I was writing The Warrior’s Viking Bride, for example, it was not immediately clear to me what Dagmar wanted. Because of the way she’d been raised by her mother, I had initially considered that she truly wanted to be a warrior. But in the course of writing the novel, I came to realise what she truly wanted was to have a place of refuge, a place where she could be herself, find peace and belong. And the gift that Aedan mac Connall initially gives her – the glimpse of a life beyond warfare – is something which is immeasurably important and helps her reconcile the various parts of her personality. It is when I wrote the following passage where the seed is planted in Dagmar’s brain that she can have more that I truly began to understand what made my characters tick and why they were falling in love with each other.
‘No, it is the perfect spot to rest without fear of being attacked.’ She leant forward. ‘Getting the best ground possible is the first requirement to winning a battle. Although sometimes you have to make the best of what you have.’
‘Do you ever think of things beyond warfare?’
‘Is there something wrong with that? It is how I have lived my life.’ She tilted her chin. ‘It saves me having to think about the past or the future.’
‘Life is more than such things. Life is about enjoying sunsets over crystal clear bays, finding the first buds of spring after a hard winter, and a good meal with fresh clothes on your back with a solid roof over your head and a roaring fire in the hearth. It is about being with the ones you love and knowing that they love you back.’
‘You are a man of simple tastes.’
‘Try it. Try talking about something which isn’t war or strategy.’
Dagmar was silent for a long heartbeat. ‘My belly aches from hunger. We neglected breakfast.’
She bent her head and he could see the long sweep of her neck. She was daintily boned. It seemed almost impossible that someone who was so exquisite would be a deadly killing machine whose sole interest appeared to be the art of warfare. He blamed her mother who had trained her that there was no other way to survive except as a sell-sword. She had kept Dagmar as a tightly closed bud rather than allowing her to flower and develop as a woman and Aedan loathed her for it.
When I was writing Sent as the Viking’s Bride, I realised that Gunnar had finally understood what Ragn needed when he made her look at her face in a pond and asked why did she persist in thinking she was ordinary when she was extraordinary? His gift to her was helping her regain the self-confidence she had lost. It is what she needed at that moment.
I could go through my other books and find the moment because it is a point that I like to have. My characters have to fall in love and therefore show that they do love the other person through a meaningful gesture.
And should my daughter ever encounter the right person. Hopefully she will say yes whether or not she is asked on Valentine’s Day.
 She’s the wife he doesn’t want… …and the woman he needs! Desperate to escape her murderous brother-in-law and protect her young sister, Ragnhild agrees to marry an unknown warrior, and arrives penniless on his remote island. Only, Gunnar Olafson’s belief in love died with his family—he does not want a bride! But as yuletide approaches, Ragnhild transforms his isolated existence. Can she melt her Viking warrior’s frozen heart? |  A Viking maiden destined for the battlefield… …in bed with her captor! As a female warrior, Dagmar Kolbeinndottar knows she’s not meant for marriage and a family. Until she’s kidnapped by Celtic warlord Aedan mac Connall, who has been tasked with returning Dagmar to her estranged father. Fighting her father’s orders to marry, Dagmar declares she will take no one but her abductor, expecting Aedan to refuse…but he’s intent on making her his bride! |
About Michelle
Michelle Styles writes warm, witty and intimate historical romance in a wide range of time periods including Viking, Regency, early Victorian, and the Roman world. Born and raised near San Francisco, California, Michelle currently lives a few miles south of Hadrian's Wall with her husband, three children and menagerie of pets. An avid reader, she became hooked on historical romance when she discovered Georgette Heyer, Anya Seton and Victoria Holt in her school's library. Her website can be found at www.michellestyles.co.uk
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Visiting the places where authors have created their book has always appealed. Once when we were visiting the Scottish island of Jura, I drove to one end of the island and then hiked along a dirt track for several miles to see the house where George Orwell wrote 1984. Over the years from Beatrix Potter to Louisa May Alcott, I have made treks and I still have many more treks to make –Agatha Christie’s house springs to mind. And because I love seeing the spaces where authors create, I am sharing my space with you all.
My house dates from 1908 and is an Edwardian bungalow. There are three floors – attic where the nursery and servant’s room used to be, main living space and basement. We opened up the attic and moved the bedrooms up there. I love living in an older house. Our first married home was from the 1820’s and a one bedroom Georgian terrace – all stairs and great for a couple but not for a baby. It still had some of the original decorations like the staircase, built in bookcase and the chair and pictures rails in the living room. It instilled in me a love of old houses and helped foster my desire to write historical romance.
My primary writing area is my study where my husband thinks I should always write. He also likes to close the door on my mess as he calls it. When working, I tend to allow research books to pile up and become intermingled with papers. Originally I shared the space with the children’s toys but they are all grown now.
My house dates from 1908 and is an Edwardian bungalow. There are three floors – attic where the nursery and servant’s room used to be, main living space and basement. We opened up the attic and moved the bedrooms up there. I love living in an older house. Our first married home was from the 1820’s and a one bedroom Georgian terrace – all stairs and great for a couple but not for a baby. It still had some of the original decorations like the staircase, built in bookcase and the chair and pictures rails in the living room. It instilled in me a love of old houses and helped foster my desire to write historical romance.
My primary writing area is my study where my husband thinks I should always write. He also likes to close the door on my mess as he calls it. When working, I tend to allow research books to pile up and become intermingled with papers. Originally I shared the space with the children’s toys but they are all grown now.
My study walls are coralline as I fell in love with the color when I finally visited Sorrento about ten years ago. The hotel we stayed at had the color on its dining room walls. Sorrento is of course right near Pompeii and Herculaneum. As I had written about the area during Roman times, it was fabulous to be able to visit. About the same time that the study was painted, we reopened the fireplace and so I was able to choose the tiles and the surround. The tiles are Alphonse Mucha’s Evening. There is a tiny bit of coralline in the tiles so it works. When it is very cold out, I have a fire and have been known to stare at the flames, trying to figure out what happens next in my latest Viking.
I have a moveable campaign desk, apparently it is modelled one used by British officers during the Peninsula Wars. I love writing my Regency and Victorian set novels on it. When not in use, it folds away to be a table (or place to balance more books and papers on!) This enables me to decamp from the computer and work in other places in the house. Because I have lymphoedema in my left arm (basically some people get swollen ankles, I have a swollen arm), I like having my wrists supported and working at a desk. If it is a nice day, I will often decamp to the sunroom which gives me a view out of the garden. However, in high summer, it can become too warm and cause my computer to overheat. My study is north facing and so always cool.
If it is not so nice, I will work in the kitchen as the Aga is always on. An Aga is a cast iron stove which is always on and has a hot plate and a simmering plate as well as two ovens (one hot and the other warm) When we first moved to the house, it was solid fuel (it dates from the 1950’s) and my childhood fascination with Little House on the Prairie paid dividends. There are many reasons we converted the Aga to oil, including the tyranny of having to keep refuelling. We recently put in a log burning stove so the dining room is a possibility as well. Formerly the room could be like ice but I have been surprised how efficient the log-burner is.
I tend not to write outside as I prefer to use my time in the garden for thinking. Pulling weeds can be therapeutic, particularly when the characters are not cooperating.
I hope you enjoyed the brief tour of where I write and I get my inspiration from.
I have a moveable campaign desk, apparently it is modelled one used by British officers during the Peninsula Wars. I love writing my Regency and Victorian set novels on it. When not in use, it folds away to be a table (or place to balance more books and papers on!) This enables me to decamp from the computer and work in other places in the house. Because I have lymphoedema in my left arm (basically some people get swollen ankles, I have a swollen arm), I like having my wrists supported and working at a desk. If it is a nice day, I will often decamp to the sunroom which gives me a view out of the garden. However, in high summer, it can become too warm and cause my computer to overheat. My study is north facing and so always cool.
If it is not so nice, I will work in the kitchen as the Aga is always on. An Aga is a cast iron stove which is always on and has a hot plate and a simmering plate as well as two ovens (one hot and the other warm) When we first moved to the house, it was solid fuel (it dates from the 1950’s) and my childhood fascination with Little House on the Prairie paid dividends. There are many reasons we converted the Aga to oil, including the tyranny of having to keep refuelling. We recently put in a log burning stove so the dining room is a possibility as well. Formerly the room could be like ice but I have been surprised how efficient the log-burner is.
I tend not to write outside as I prefer to use my time in the garden for thinking. Pulling weeds can be therapeutic, particularly when the characters are not cooperating.
I hope you enjoyed the brief tour of where I write and I get my inspiration from.
Sent as the Viking's Bride
December 18, 2018
Novel
Historical ~Ancient World ~Medieval ~Vikings
She’s the wife he doesn’t want…
…and the woman he needs!
Desperate to escape her murderous brother-in-law and protect her young sister, Ragnhild agrees to marry an unknown warrior, and arrives penniless on his remote island. Only, Gunnar Olafson’s belief in love died with his family—he does not want a bride! But as yuletide approaches, Ragnhild transforms his isolated existence. Can she melt her Viking warrior’s frozen heart?
Novel
Historical ~Ancient World ~Medieval ~Vikings
She’s the wife he doesn’t want…
…and the woman he needs!
Desperate to escape her murderous brother-in-law and protect her young sister, Ragnhild agrees to marry an unknown warrior, and arrives penniless on his remote island. Only, Gunnar Olafson’s belief in love died with his family—he does not want a bride! But as yuletide approaches, Ragnhild transforms his isolated existence. Can she melt her Viking warrior’s frozen heart?
About Michelle
Michelle Styles writes warm, witty and intimate historical romance in a wide range of time periods including Viking, Regency, early Victorian, and the Roman world. Born and raised near San Francisco, California, Michelle currently lives a few miles south of Hadrian's Wall with her husband, three children and menagerie of pets. An avid reader, she became hooked on historical romance when she discovered Georgette Heyer, Anya Seton and Victoria Holt in her school's library. Her website can be found at www.michellestyles.co.uk
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I’m gonna have to make an extra effort here because I don’t have a New Year Resolution…
Never had, actually.
When I was in Law School my yearly resolution was to keep up with the tests, but it was out of survival (and stubbornness) more than a New Year Resolution thing.
But as they say, there’s a first time for everything, let’s do it.
I don’t think finally managing to provide my son with a European passport counts (I swear it had haunted me since last September when our Christmas vacation in Italy started to loom closer. He went with his super cool US passport and here I am, back home, starting to stress over it again–major eye-roll) That belongs more to a to-do list, right?
So, let me think for a moment.
- - - - - - -
- - - - - - -
Uh, I got one. I want to hit the gym. We have a very nice one at the complex. I tried it one time before vacation-mood hit in mid-December, and I want to keep going. I hate exercising. And gyms. I really do. The only thing I liked to do was jogging outside, but MS had a different idea about it. Now, if I try to run, after 5 minutes one leg goes on strike and I’m face-down on the road. Not cool.
But I can do different things like the elliptical or the stationary bicycle, and maybe some rowing.
We’ll see how that one goes, but it’s definitely on my Resolution.
Okay. Another thing would be taking more care of myself, of my look, if you will, while working from home.
I am a little ashamed to say that, most of the days, I look like someone who’s about to go and clean up the garage–messy hair, clothes so comfortable that can’t be eye-candy, absolutely no make-up. My husband, bless him, doesn’t care…. But he has eyes! I can clean up nice and he knows it, but I don’t want him to live with the memory of that. Come on. One way could be a sporty look, which is comfortable and dignified at the same time. I’m not making any promise on the make-up, though. I always feel dirty (I-have-stuff-on-my-face dirty, not flirty-dirty) when I do.
All right. I think this could be it!
How did I do?
I’ll let you know in six months how it went….
Never had, actually.
When I was in Law School my yearly resolution was to keep up with the tests, but it was out of survival (and stubbornness) more than a New Year Resolution thing.
But as they say, there’s a first time for everything, let’s do it.
I don’t think finally managing to provide my son with a European passport counts (I swear it had haunted me since last September when our Christmas vacation in Italy started to loom closer. He went with his super cool US passport and here I am, back home, starting to stress over it again–major eye-roll) That belongs more to a to-do list, right?
So, let me think for a moment.
- - - - - - -
- - - - - - -
Uh, I got one. I want to hit the gym. We have a very nice one at the complex. I tried it one time before vacation-mood hit in mid-December, and I want to keep going. I hate exercising. And gyms. I really do. The only thing I liked to do was jogging outside, but MS had a different idea about it. Now, if I try to run, after 5 minutes one leg goes on strike and I’m face-down on the road. Not cool.
But I can do different things like the elliptical or the stationary bicycle, and maybe some rowing.
We’ll see how that one goes, but it’s definitely on my Resolution.
Okay. Another thing would be taking more care of myself, of my look, if you will, while working from home.
I am a little ashamed to say that, most of the days, I look like someone who’s about to go and clean up the garage–messy hair, clothes so comfortable that can’t be eye-candy, absolutely no make-up. My husband, bless him, doesn’t care…. But he has eyes! I can clean up nice and he knows it, but I don’t want him to live with the memory of that. Come on. One way could be a sporty look, which is comfortable and dignified at the same time. I’m not making any promise on the make-up, though. I always feel dirty (I-have-stuff-on-my-face dirty, not flirty-dirty) when I do.
All right. I think this could be it!
How did I do?
I’ll let you know in six months how it went….
Painted Love
Thou shalt not steal.
Oh, but Florence had, and would do so one last time.
Ten pieces her grandfather painted for her because he loved her.
Ten pieces her mother lost, along with anything else, for loving the wrong man.
She couldn’t get back everything he’d wasted away, but she’d be damned if she’d give up those paintings.
Easy and genuine, Rhett loves his life–his family, his market, his town. Until he meets a British woman with grey eyes and a cute little smile. The woman he’s been waiting for.
The thing is, to love her is easy, but can he trust her?
When Rhett pushes to uncover her agenda, Flo knows she will lose something–the man she loves or what she’d been fighting for her entire life.
Which road will she choose?
Oh, but Florence had, and would do so one last time.
Ten pieces her grandfather painted for her because he loved her.
Ten pieces her mother lost, along with anything else, for loving the wrong man.
She couldn’t get back everything he’d wasted away, but she’d be damned if she’d give up those paintings.
Easy and genuine, Rhett loves his life–his family, his market, his town. Until he meets a British woman with grey eyes and a cute little smile. The woman he’s been waiting for.
The thing is, to love her is easy, but can he trust her?
When Rhett pushes to uncover her agenda, Flo knows she will lose something–the man she loves or what she’d been fighting for her entire life.
Which road will she choose?
About Viviana
Beach bum and country music addicted, Viviana lives in a small Floridian town with her husband and her son, her die-hard fans and personal cheer squad. She spends her days between typing on her beloved keyboard, playing in the pool with her boy, and eating whatever her husband puts on her plate (the guy is that good, and she really loves eating). Besides beaching, she enjoys long walks, horse-riding, hiking, and pretty much whatever she can do outside with her family.
Find me:
On my website http://www.viviana-mackade.blog/
On FB
On Twitter
Amazon Author page
LoveRomanceReads
Find me:
On my website http://www.viviana-mackade.blog/
On FB
On Twitter
Amazon Author page
LoveRomanceReads
Thanks for having me on the LoveRomanceReads blog today to celebrate the release of what I believe is my 20th book? Including anthologies? I’m super excited for this book to fall into your hands as it has been one of my most challenging books to write to date. Good challenges and challenging challenges, Typhoon Toby presented them all. Here’s a breakdown…
Typhoon Toby was a challenge and a joy for me to write for several reasons:
My emotional state…
Toby Griffiths appears on the surface to have it all: money, fame, looks, a great career…but once you dig just a little beneath his surface, he’s carrying around some real hurt. Toby is a survivor of emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of someone he trusted, which led him to swear off emotional entanglements other than the platonic musical partnership he has with his best friend Reese Matheson. Now in his early 30s, Toby is having all the feels: regret, loneliness, depression, and little to no self-worth. Along comes a special man who makes him want more and suddenly, all of the things he’s kept a lid on blow like a geyser. That’s when things got tough for me as well. It’s one thing to write a character who’s hanging in there, but when they fall and tumble toward rock bottom, sometimes it hurts. Plus, I was mourning the loss of some of my greatest musical heroes while writing this book. David Bowie, Prince, George Michael…Toby allowed me to grieve for them and celebrate what they’ve meant to me. Be sure to check out the playlist on Spotify. Follow me @rlmerrillauthor for playlists inspired by each of my books.
Major concerns over the sophomore slump are real.
I turned this book in to my editor shortly after Reese was in production and they sent it back. “Let’s wait and see how book one goes and here are some things I think we need to address.” The concerns were real, but then I started to doubt myself. What if it sucks? What if Reese flops and they don’t want another book? What if I’m destined to be a one and done? THANKFULLY folks liked Reese and my publisher gave me another shot and I’m so damn grateful to be here with another book for you.
How can I make Spencer a believable partner who can stand against the Force of Nature?
Spencer…Mild-mannered therapist with social anxiety and shyyyyy. How do you put a guy like him up against a Force of Nature like Toby? You give them an anonymous meeting and then push him until he steps past his comfort zone. But what then? How does a therapist dealing with LGBTQ adolescents and his own issues hold his own? Spencer’s journey is a sweet one and I loved creating this quiet hero.
I loved revisiting the Hollywood Rock ‘n’ Romance Trilogy characters!
I have two words for my readers who have been with me since the beginning. Danny Black. For you new folks? Rock Star. Ginger God. Sexy AF. Okay, that’s technically three, but you get the picture. Danny and his lovely wife Jesse Martin-Black joined Toby and Reese’s world briefly at the end of Hurricane Reese, but they play an important role in Typhoon Toby. I had so much fun bringing them, Nora, Julian AND little Jane all growed up into a new circle of friends and the possibilities for future appearances are endless! I hope you’ll enjoy meeting these characters and I hope you’ll check out Teacher, The Hollywood Rock ‘n’ Romance Trilogy next!
Tap Dancing…How I’ve missed it!
I spent fourteen years of my life dancing non-stop. I dabbled as an adult, but adulting gets in the way of the things we love to do, amiright? Someday I’ll go back to lessons, for sure, and I’ll be starting with tap. Oh, I love tap dancing. It really makes my heart sing. Including this art form in my stories is the best substitution for the real thing…for now. Who knows? If you see me out on the road this year, maybe I’ll have picked up a class! Now that my daughter drives herself everywhere and my son is about to head to high school…maybe? I’ll keep you posted!
Thank you all for joining me here today and special thanks to Carissa for this amazing spot for authors and readers to meet! I hope you enjoy Typhoon Toby and would love to hear what you think. Please subscribe to my website at www.rlmerrillauthor.com to stay up with my latest news. There will be PLENTY of good stuff coming out in 2019 including appearances, more gay romance from Dreamspinner Press, the Worst Valentine’s Day Ever anthology as well as an LGBTQ anthology AND a paranormal romance that will hopefully make you gigglesnort, both coming in June! So…Stay Tuned for more Rock ‘n’ Romance with R.L. Merrill!
Typhoon Toby was a challenge and a joy for me to write for several reasons:
My emotional state…
Toby Griffiths appears on the surface to have it all: money, fame, looks, a great career…but once you dig just a little beneath his surface, he’s carrying around some real hurt. Toby is a survivor of emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of someone he trusted, which led him to swear off emotional entanglements other than the platonic musical partnership he has with his best friend Reese Matheson. Now in his early 30s, Toby is having all the feels: regret, loneliness, depression, and little to no self-worth. Along comes a special man who makes him want more and suddenly, all of the things he’s kept a lid on blow like a geyser. That’s when things got tough for me as well. It’s one thing to write a character who’s hanging in there, but when they fall and tumble toward rock bottom, sometimes it hurts. Plus, I was mourning the loss of some of my greatest musical heroes while writing this book. David Bowie, Prince, George Michael…Toby allowed me to grieve for them and celebrate what they’ve meant to me. Be sure to check out the playlist on Spotify. Follow me @rlmerrillauthor for playlists inspired by each of my books.
Major concerns over the sophomore slump are real.
I turned this book in to my editor shortly after Reese was in production and they sent it back. “Let’s wait and see how book one goes and here are some things I think we need to address.” The concerns were real, but then I started to doubt myself. What if it sucks? What if Reese flops and they don’t want another book? What if I’m destined to be a one and done? THANKFULLY folks liked Reese and my publisher gave me another shot and I’m so damn grateful to be here with another book for you.
How can I make Spencer a believable partner who can stand against the Force of Nature?
Spencer…Mild-mannered therapist with social anxiety and shyyyyy. How do you put a guy like him up against a Force of Nature like Toby? You give them an anonymous meeting and then push him until he steps past his comfort zone. But what then? How does a therapist dealing with LGBTQ adolescents and his own issues hold his own? Spencer’s journey is a sweet one and I loved creating this quiet hero.
I loved revisiting the Hollywood Rock ‘n’ Romance Trilogy characters!
I have two words for my readers who have been with me since the beginning. Danny Black. For you new folks? Rock Star. Ginger God. Sexy AF. Okay, that’s technically three, but you get the picture. Danny and his lovely wife Jesse Martin-Black joined Toby and Reese’s world briefly at the end of Hurricane Reese, but they play an important role in Typhoon Toby. I had so much fun bringing them, Nora, Julian AND little Jane all growed up into a new circle of friends and the possibilities for future appearances are endless! I hope you’ll enjoy meeting these characters and I hope you’ll check out Teacher, The Hollywood Rock ‘n’ Romance Trilogy next!
Tap Dancing…How I’ve missed it!
I spent fourteen years of my life dancing non-stop. I dabbled as an adult, but adulting gets in the way of the things we love to do, amiright? Someday I’ll go back to lessons, for sure, and I’ll be starting with tap. Oh, I love tap dancing. It really makes my heart sing. Including this art form in my stories is the best substitution for the real thing…for now. Who knows? If you see me out on the road this year, maybe I’ll have picked up a class! Now that my daughter drives herself everywhere and my son is about to head to high school…maybe? I’ll keep you posted!
Thank you all for joining me here today and special thanks to Carissa for this amazing spot for authors and readers to meet! I hope you enjoy Typhoon Toby and would love to hear what you think. Please subscribe to my website at www.rlmerrillauthor.com to stay up with my latest news. There will be PLENTY of good stuff coming out in 2019 including appearances, more gay romance from Dreamspinner Press, the Worst Valentine’s Day Ever anthology as well as an LGBTQ anthology AND a paranormal romance that will hopefully make you gigglesnort, both coming in June! So…Stay Tuned for more Rock ‘n’ Romance with R.L. Merrill!
***New Release***
Forces of Nature: Book Two
On the surface, Toby Griffiths appears to have it all—talent, money, a brilliant mind, and model good looks. With his best friend, Reese, he’s built an empire as a singer/songwriter.
But beneath that glittering exterior, Toby suffers the lasting effects of abuse. To keep his tempestuous past where it belongs, he insists on anonymity with lovers—no names, no personal information. But a vacation fling in Bali changes all that, and he can’t get his recent playmate out of his mind.
Therapist Spencer Hart left Bali with a bad case of pneumonia and a broken heart. Although he’s recovering, he’s shocked to find his secretive partner on TV, and he’s determined to see him again. Spencer arranges to attend one of Toby’s fundraising galas, and their reunion is tense.
Toby tries to stick to his rules… until a New Year’s kiss with Spencer washes away the last of his resistance. But Toby is a man with secrets, and when the storm comes ashore, it could devastate not just his professional life but his fledgling love affair and his longtime partnership with his best friend.
Will Spencer stand by his side and help him weather the storm as Toby faces his worst fears?
On the surface, Toby Griffiths appears to have it all—talent, money, a brilliant mind, and model good looks. With his best friend, Reese, he’s built an empire as a singer/songwriter.
But beneath that glittering exterior, Toby suffers the lasting effects of abuse. To keep his tempestuous past where it belongs, he insists on anonymity with lovers—no names, no personal information. But a vacation fling in Bali changes all that, and he can’t get his recent playmate out of his mind.
Therapist Spencer Hart left Bali with a bad case of pneumonia and a broken heart. Although he’s recovering, he’s shocked to find his secretive partner on TV, and he’s determined to see him again. Spencer arranges to attend one of Toby’s fundraising galas, and their reunion is tense.
Toby tries to stick to his rules… until a New Year’s kiss with Spencer washes away the last of his resistance. But Toby is a man with secrets, and when the storm comes ashore, it could devastate not just his professional life but his fledgling love affair and his longtime partnership with his best friend.
Will Spencer stand by his side and help him weather the storm as Toby faces his worst fears?
About R.L. Merrill
Once upon a time... a teacher, tattoo collector, mom, and rock ’n’ roll kinda gal opened up a doc and started purging her demons. Several books later, R.L. Merrill is still striving to find that perfect balance between real life and happily ever after. You can find her lurking on social media where she loves connecting with readers, educating America’s youth, being a mom taxi to two busy kids, in the tattoo chair trying desperately to get that back piece finished, or head banging at a rock show near her home in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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For many years, I’ve heard about “pantser” and “plotter” writers. This school of thought holds that a pantser starts each writing day with no clear idea where the story is going. A plotter does what the word implies, she plots out every aspect of the story she’s writing.
Often writers believe they are either one or the other. While I’m sure there are some writers who fit one label or the other, I’m also sure there are writers who don’t.
If the choice is between going with the flow or plotting, most writers probably fall into what I think of as the hybrid category. They do a little of both. While I lean toward plotter, I think my writing process is too messy to carry that label alone.
Messy writing?
Yeah, sort of like my desks. As you can see from the photo, they’re a mess. No matter how often I organize them, within a few days stuff gets piled on every available surface.
A reflection of my writing process I’m afraid.
If I’m such a messy writer, why do I think I lean toward being a plotter? Because I love making story outlines. I start with an overall outline–very organized with turning points even. This outline gives me lots of ideas for chapters which in turn give me ideas for scenes.
This is about the time the pantser part of me comes into the picture. Once I’ve established an overall sense of the story, nothing else is written in any organized fashion. The scenes, dialogue, conflicts–they all randomly pop into my head. If I’m not at my computer, I write them down on any available writing surface. Sometimes I even remember Siri can add them to my phone’s notepad.
Often the story races off in an tangent I hadn’t thought about, but that’s okay. I can always tweak the general outline. After all, I’m not chipping on a stone tablet, all I have to do is hit delete. Although I seldom delete. Usually I create a file folder and stuff unused material in it. There’s always the chance I might be able to use the scene later.
The beauty of being a hybrid plotter-pantser whose writing process involves an outline and a hodgepodge of scenes is never having to face a blank page.
While I was writing this, my husband left a Dove chocolate wrapper on my messy desk. Fortunately, he put it on top of my daily planner so I noticed it.
I leave you with this quote which pretty much sums up my messy writing process as well as my messy desks:
“The magic is in the mess.” (Attributed to Dr. Brené Brown)
Often writers believe they are either one or the other. While I’m sure there are some writers who fit one label or the other, I’m also sure there are writers who don’t.
If the choice is between going with the flow or plotting, most writers probably fall into what I think of as the hybrid category. They do a little of both. While I lean toward plotter, I think my writing process is too messy to carry that label alone.
Messy writing?
Yeah, sort of like my desks. As you can see from the photo, they’re a mess. No matter how often I organize them, within a few days stuff gets piled on every available surface.
A reflection of my writing process I’m afraid.
If I’m such a messy writer, why do I think I lean toward being a plotter? Because I love making story outlines. I start with an overall outline–very organized with turning points even. This outline gives me lots of ideas for chapters which in turn give me ideas for scenes.
This is about the time the pantser part of me comes into the picture. Once I’ve established an overall sense of the story, nothing else is written in any organized fashion. The scenes, dialogue, conflicts–they all randomly pop into my head. If I’m not at my computer, I write them down on any available writing surface. Sometimes I even remember Siri can add them to my phone’s notepad.
Often the story races off in an tangent I hadn’t thought about, but that’s okay. I can always tweak the general outline. After all, I’m not chipping on a stone tablet, all I have to do is hit delete. Although I seldom delete. Usually I create a file folder and stuff unused material in it. There’s always the chance I might be able to use the scene later.
The beauty of being a hybrid plotter-pantser whose writing process involves an outline and a hodgepodge of scenes is never having to face a blank page.
While I was writing this, my husband left a Dove chocolate wrapper on my messy desk. Fortunately, he put it on top of my daily planner so I noticed it.
I leave you with this quote which pretty much sums up my messy writing process as well as my messy desks:
“The magic is in the mess.” (Attributed to Dr. Brené Brown)
Butterfly Bride
***New Release***
January 15, 2019
Novel
Historical ~ Regency
Abandoned at the alter when her new husband hies off to Canada, Hope Templeton Westcliffe petitions the Church for an annulment of her marriage to the Marquis of Pennleigh. Hope is willing to risk ostracism from society to win her freedom from this travesty of a marriage, because not only has her husband been gone for seven years, he loves her sister.
Set in Regency England, Butterfly Bride centers around a well-meaning father who wins a wager and obtains a titled husband for his adolescent daughter. He convinces his daughter to marry the young man and then ships his new son-in-law off to Canada. The hero returns to England to discover his child bride has blossomed into a lovely woman.
She has also filed a petition for an annulment of their marriage.
Novel
Historical ~ Regency
Abandoned at the alter when her new husband hies off to Canada, Hope Templeton Westcliffe petitions the Church for an annulment of her marriage to the Marquis of Pennleigh. Hope is willing to risk ostracism from society to win her freedom from this travesty of a marriage, because not only has her husband been gone for seven years, he loves her sister.
Set in Regency England, Butterfly Bride centers around a well-meaning father who wins a wager and obtains a titled husband for his adolescent daughter. He convinces his daughter to marry the young man and then ships his new son-in-law off to Canada. The hero returns to England to discover his child bride has blossomed into a lovely woman.
She has also filed a petition for an annulment of their marriage.
About Ginger
Ginger won her first writing contest with a short story about her puppy when she was 12 years old. Encouraged by winning a pen set, she decided to become a writer. This decision led her to take journalism and creative writing classes while in college. Her personal essays, short stories, and articles have appeared in various newspapers, magazines, and newsletters. In addition, she also worked as a clean up writer/copy editor on Federal Aviation Administration handbooks. A history major in college, she married her love of storytelling with the past to write her first novel. Set in Roman England, not one of the many publishers she contacted fell in love with it. Several manuscripts later, a major publishing house published her two Civil War historical romances. Ginger ventured into the Regency period with her third published novel. Two books and a short story marked the start of her ongoing contemporary sweet romance Tassasnoxie series with a novella and short story added when she began e-publishing her work. While her historical romances tend to be sensual and action-packed, her sweet romances, feature the lives and loves of everyday people living in the imaginary town of Tassanoxie, Alabama. The home of second chances at love, this small-town setting was an easy choice because Ginger lives in southeast Alabama with her husband and various rescued pets. She also continues to write humorous essays and is delighted e-publishing has allowed her to publish them. Last year, she added a writing skills e-book to her list and hopes to soon add others based on the workshops she’s presented.
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