All Posts emily cover 3.4 small Emily Relaunch Cover Reveal Reading Time 3 Mins Read Emily will always have a special place in my heart. It is loosely based on my own high school experience, my friends and insecurities, and the early romance I had with my high school sweetheart and current husband, Kevin. I never had to deal with a pregnant mother, but Emily’s mother is based loosely on my own. And though Kevin’s hobbies tend toward music, electronics, and pool (not reading like Finn), his steadfast spirit is there on the page. Screen Shot 2021-05-17 at 1.36.11 PM Be a Man – Chaos Walking Reading Time 5 Mins Read The idea of a vulnerable male character is no shocker in this day and age. Society is thankfully wising up to the fact that men have emotions and needs the same as anyone else. We get plenty of that in women’s fiction, contemporary fiction, etc. But in sci fi, action, adventure, fantasy, explosions, excitement, and romance? This softer side of the male ego is a breath of fresh air. Especially since Todd is a manly man. He’s not effeminate, soft, timid, or hesitant. And yet he is vulnerable. 51623726 Hawk’s Heart – Review Reading Time 3 Mins Read Rating: Four Stars – A perfect fit for soap opera lovers, Hawk’s Heart is full of enough twists and turns to give a reader whiplash — but in a good way. Hawk’s Heart is about a woman named Sarah and her struggle to sort out all the men in her life. So if you’re a fan of romance, love triangles, paparazzi, and emotional roller coasters, then this is the book for you. Hey Nonny Nonny Martha Jones and the Short End of the Stick Reading Time 2 Mins Read Did any of my fellow Doctor Who fans notice how Martha Jones’s stint as companion was just terrible? She had such a shit time. I mean, come on. Rose got adventure, beauty, excitement, and a love story. Donna expanded her horizons, blossomed as a human being, and saw the universe. And Martha? She got an effing slog. disney-confirms-tom-hiddleston-in-loki-tv-series-1159835 Loki – Obsessed with a Villain Reading Time 7 Mins Read Oh man, some of the best characters out there are the bad guys, and Loki is one of the best bad guys around. But what is it about this particular baddie that makes people love him so much? He’s a traitor, a bastard, annoying as hell with his little “tricks,” obsessed with power, is a low-key whiney about being adopted, and was directly responsible for tens of thousands of human deaths. But it doesn’t matter, does it? Jane socked him one in the jaw in Thor 2, and we all considered it justice enough. We were excited when Thor broke… ARC Readers (1) Table Five – Sneak Peak Reading Time 5 Mins Read “No, see? That’s what I’m talking about.” She gestured wildly as she spoke, and her hair blew into her face in the icy wind. “I don’t want you to empower me. I want to empower myself! I spent my entire life following Sam around like a goddamn puppy, and now he’s abandoned me and I don’t like this feeling! I don’t like that I let him do this to me. I let him do this.” She came forward and grabbed handfuls of his jacket sleeves. “I want to be brave, you know? I want to ask for sex, and be… 173886724_1163678090727002_4386194348888178017_n Interview: An Author’s Guide to Not… Reading Time < 1 Min Read About a month ago, I did a virtual interview with the fabulous Terri Jones on her Author Chat YouTube Channel. And let me tell you, I was nervous as all hell. But it was a fantastic experience, and Terri came up with some EXCELLENT questions. She really had me digging deep into the topic of abuse portrayed as romance. 57516710 Out of the Gate – Review Reading Time 3 Mins Read Rating: Four Stars – Saddle your horses and — oh who am I kidding? I’m terrible at ranch cliches. I won’t even try. Author Elsie Silver mercifully skipped all the puns and cliches as well when writing this snippet of ranch romance, opting instead for vibrant settings and well rounded characters to drive interest. David-Tennant-and-Billie-Piper-in-Doctor-Who Rose Reading Time 5 Mins Read Maybe it’s because she was the first (and the first cut is always the deepest), but Rose was always my favorite companion. She is adventurous, outgoing, and fearless. She loves a laugh and is unfailingly compassionate. And as the Doctor said himself, she always asks the right question. While the doctor is busy gushing over some fantastically impossible circumstance or technological problem (basically missing the forest for the trees), Rose always hits the nail on the head with a simple question: “Why’s it so hot in here?” e1856b95-fd43-4bce-b2fd-244ccd6d3277 The Intentional Breakup – A Rant Reading Time 4 Mins Read Nothing gets my goat worse than the intentional breakup. You know the one I mean. First you have the love interests in a sitcom slowly get together over the course of two seasons. Then yay! First kiss! First sex! Meet the parents! I love yous are exchanged. All the token, early-relationship milestones are hit one after the next. But then what? Where does your story go from there? Well, apparently down the toilet. A1r4PDh4yaL The House on Tradd Street – Review Reading Time 3 Mins Read Rating: Four Stars – The House on Tradd Street is a sweet, slow burn paranormal mystery set in historic Charleston, South Carolina. And by sweet I mean sweet romance, sentiments, and tea. Screen Shot 2021-03-18 at 11.37.44 AM Writing Close – Blocking Reading Time 3 Mins Read The director blocked these two characters this way intentionally. Even though there was no hint of a closer relationship in the script yet, they needed to prime the audience for it subconsciously. That way, when they do start to look at each other differently, it doesn’t come out of left field. the-spy-who-dumped-me-kate-mckinnon-mila-kunis Audrey and Morgan Reading Time 5 Mins Read It’s very difficult to find women in fiction who AREN’T set up as rivals. They’re usually competing over friends, jobs, lovers, or really anything. But Audrey and Morgan supported each other from beginning to end. No exceptions. 57066759._SY475_ How I Found Ariana – Review Reading Time 5 Mins Read Rating: Four Stars – How I Found Ariana is a soulful introspective into the daily struggle of Skylar, a person with depression and body dysphoria in a world that doesn’t quite understand them. 41EZegrBorL Finding It All Reading Time 2 Mins Read Rating: Three Stars – Finding It All is a sweet, low pressure read. It is basically a ready-made lazy afternoon. Grab a cup of warm coffee or tea, cozy up with a blanket, and settle in. Every character is likable and well rounded, there’s a hint of fantasy (in the form of ambiguous precognition), and the main love interests have great chemistry. cover reveal small Table Five – Cover Reveal Reading Time < 1 Min Read I am excited to announce the cover reveal for my latest romance, Table Five! This is an erotic romance, full of laughs, budding love, and plenty of steamy sex. I really hope I captured all three in the cover. 56260337._SY475_ Review: Falling Under Love Reading Time 4 Mins Read Rating: Three Stars – Zane was handsome, polite, generous, and kind. I enjoyed his indulgent relationship with his little sister, Blaire, particularly when he couldn’t bear to watch her drive anymore and took over. Pfft. Brothers. Amirite? God love ’em. But at the end of the day, I simply wasn’t engrossed in this book. starship-troopers-shower-scene (1) Writing Close – Accidental Nudity Reading Time 4 Mins Read If character awareness is the lock pick in the romance toolbox, then accidental nudity is the sledgehammer. There is zero subtlety when it comes to one character seeing another in a state of undress, but sometimes it’s exactly the right tool for the job. Screen Shot 2021-02-06 at 11.12.25 AM Reylo Reading Time 6 Mins Read I cannot condemn the relationship arc between Ren/Solo and Rey at any point in the three-movie series. Even without knowing that Kylo Ren would redeem himself and return to the light as Ben Solo, I still could not say that it was wrong for the screenwriters to portray their relationship as they did. Why? One reason, and one reason only: Rey’s response to Ben’s abuse. pexels-jonathan-borba-4631870 (1) The Possibility of Paul Reading Time 3 Mins Read A deleted scene from The Little Owl, in which Gwen imagines what her life might be like with her best friend, Paul. That idea got scrapped in the latest draft. But I found this scene lovely, so at least I can share it here. Enjoy! pexels-hudson-marques-3339916 (1) Just Write – I Found Another Book Like Mine Reading Time 3 Mins Read This is one of those frustrating things that happens to every author at some point or another. You’re typing along on your entirely original story, until one day you stumble across a new book that seems eerily similar to yours. What are you supposed to do now? You guessed it: Just write anyway. Load More Loading More… You’ve reached the end of the list
emily cover 3.4 small Emily Relaunch Cover Reveal Reading Time 3 Mins Read Emily will always have a special place in my heart. It is loosely based on my own high school experience, my friends and insecurities, and the early romance I had with my high school sweetheart and current husband, Kevin. I never had to deal with a pregnant mother, but Emily’s mother is based loosely on my own. And though Kevin’s hobbies tend toward music, electronics, and pool (not reading like Finn), his steadfast spirit is there on the page.
Screen Shot 2021-05-17 at 1.36.11 PM Be a Man – Chaos Walking Reading Time 5 Mins Read The idea of a vulnerable male character is no shocker in this day and age. Society is thankfully wising up to the fact that men have emotions and needs the same as anyone else. We get plenty of that in women’s fiction, contemporary fiction, etc. But in sci fi, action, adventure, fantasy, explosions, excitement, and romance? This softer side of the male ego is a breath of fresh air. Especially since Todd is a manly man. He’s not effeminate, soft, timid, or hesitant. And yet he is vulnerable.
51623726 Hawk’s Heart – Review Reading Time 3 Mins Read Rating: Four Stars – A perfect fit for soap opera lovers, Hawk’s Heart is full of enough twists and turns to give a reader whiplash — but in a good way. Hawk’s Heart is about a woman named Sarah and her struggle to sort out all the men in her life. So if you’re a fan of romance, love triangles, paparazzi, and emotional roller coasters, then this is the book for you.
Hey Nonny Nonny Martha Jones and the Short End of the Stick Reading Time 2 Mins Read Did any of my fellow Doctor Who fans notice how Martha Jones’s stint as companion was just terrible? She had such a shit time. I mean, come on. Rose got adventure, beauty, excitement, and a love story. Donna expanded her horizons, blossomed as a human being, and saw the universe. And Martha? She got an effing slog.
disney-confirms-tom-hiddleston-in-loki-tv-series-1159835 Loki – Obsessed with a Villain Reading Time 7 Mins Read Oh man, some of the best characters out there are the bad guys, and Loki is one of the best bad guys around. But what is it about this particular baddie that makes people love him so much? He’s a traitor, a bastard, annoying as hell with his little “tricks,” obsessed with power, is a low-key whiney about being adopted, and was directly responsible for tens of thousands of human deaths. But it doesn’t matter, does it? Jane socked him one in the jaw in Thor 2, and we all considered it justice enough. We were excited when Thor broke…
ARC Readers (1) Table Five – Sneak Peak Reading Time 5 Mins Read “No, see? That’s what I’m talking about.” She gestured wildly as she spoke, and her hair blew into her face in the icy wind. “I don’t want you to empower me. I want to empower myself! I spent my entire life following Sam around like a goddamn puppy, and now he’s abandoned me and I don’t like this feeling! I don’t like that I let him do this to me. I let him do this.” She came forward and grabbed handfuls of his jacket sleeves. “I want to be brave, you know? I want to ask for sex, and be…
173886724_1163678090727002_4386194348888178017_n Interview: An Author’s Guide to Not… Reading Time < 1 Min Read About a month ago, I did a virtual interview with the fabulous Terri Jones on her Author Chat YouTube Channel. And let me tell you, I was nervous as all hell. But it was a fantastic experience, and Terri came up with some EXCELLENT questions. She really had me digging deep into the topic of abuse portrayed as romance.
57516710 Out of the Gate – Review Reading Time 3 Mins Read Rating: Four Stars – Saddle your horses and — oh who am I kidding? I’m terrible at ranch cliches. I won’t even try. Author Elsie Silver mercifully skipped all the puns and cliches as well when writing this snippet of ranch romance, opting instead for vibrant settings and well rounded characters to drive interest.
David-Tennant-and-Billie-Piper-in-Doctor-Who Rose Reading Time 5 Mins Read Maybe it’s because she was the first (and the first cut is always the deepest), but Rose was always my favorite companion. She is adventurous, outgoing, and fearless. She loves a laugh and is unfailingly compassionate. And as the Doctor said himself, she always asks the right question. While the doctor is busy gushing over some fantastically impossible circumstance or technological problem (basically missing the forest for the trees), Rose always hits the nail on the head with a simple question: “Why’s it so hot in here?”
e1856b95-fd43-4bce-b2fd-244ccd6d3277 The Intentional Breakup – A Rant Reading Time 4 Mins Read Nothing gets my goat worse than the intentional breakup. You know the one I mean. First you have the love interests in a sitcom slowly get together over the course of two seasons. Then yay! First kiss! First sex! Meet the parents! I love yous are exchanged. All the token, early-relationship milestones are hit one after the next. But then what? Where does your story go from there? Well, apparently down the toilet.
A1r4PDh4yaL The House on Tradd Street – Review Reading Time 3 Mins Read Rating: Four Stars – The House on Tradd Street is a sweet, slow burn paranormal mystery set in historic Charleston, South Carolina. And by sweet I mean sweet romance, sentiments, and tea.
Screen Shot 2021-03-18 at 11.37.44 AM Writing Close – Blocking Reading Time 3 Mins Read The director blocked these two characters this way intentionally. Even though there was no hint of a closer relationship in the script yet, they needed to prime the audience for it subconsciously. That way, when they do start to look at each other differently, it doesn’t come out of left field.
the-spy-who-dumped-me-kate-mckinnon-mila-kunis Audrey and Morgan Reading Time 5 Mins Read It’s very difficult to find women in fiction who AREN’T set up as rivals. They’re usually competing over friends, jobs, lovers, or really anything. But Audrey and Morgan supported each other from beginning to end. No exceptions.
57066759._SY475_ How I Found Ariana – Review Reading Time 5 Mins Read Rating: Four Stars – How I Found Ariana is a soulful introspective into the daily struggle of Skylar, a person with depression and body dysphoria in a world that doesn’t quite understand them.
41EZegrBorL Finding It All Reading Time 2 Mins Read Rating: Three Stars – Finding It All is a sweet, low pressure read. It is basically a ready-made lazy afternoon. Grab a cup of warm coffee or tea, cozy up with a blanket, and settle in. Every character is likable and well rounded, there’s a hint of fantasy (in the form of ambiguous precognition), and the main love interests have great chemistry.
cover reveal small Table Five – Cover Reveal Reading Time < 1 Min Read I am excited to announce the cover reveal for my latest romance, Table Five! This is an erotic romance, full of laughs, budding love, and plenty of steamy sex. I really hope I captured all three in the cover.
56260337._SY475_ Review: Falling Under Love Reading Time 4 Mins Read Rating: Three Stars – Zane was handsome, polite, generous, and kind. I enjoyed his indulgent relationship with his little sister, Blaire, particularly when he couldn’t bear to watch her drive anymore and took over. Pfft. Brothers. Amirite? God love ’em. But at the end of the day, I simply wasn’t engrossed in this book.
starship-troopers-shower-scene (1) Writing Close – Accidental Nudity Reading Time 4 Mins Read If character awareness is the lock pick in the romance toolbox, then accidental nudity is the sledgehammer. There is zero subtlety when it comes to one character seeing another in a state of undress, but sometimes it’s exactly the right tool for the job.
Screen Shot 2021-02-06 at 11.12.25 AM Reylo Reading Time 6 Mins Read I cannot condemn the relationship arc between Ren/Solo and Rey at any point in the three-movie series. Even without knowing that Kylo Ren would redeem himself and return to the light as Ben Solo, I still could not say that it was wrong for the screenwriters to portray their relationship as they did. Why? One reason, and one reason only: Rey’s response to Ben’s abuse.
pexels-jonathan-borba-4631870 (1) The Possibility of Paul Reading Time 3 Mins Read A deleted scene from The Little Owl, in which Gwen imagines what her life might be like with her best friend, Paul. That idea got scrapped in the latest draft. But I found this scene lovely, so at least I can share it here. Enjoy!
pexels-hudson-marques-3339916 (1) Just Write – I Found Another Book Like Mine Reading Time 3 Mins Read This is one of those frustrating things that happens to every author at some point or another. You’re typing along on your entirely original story, until one day you stumble across a new book that seems eerily similar to yours. What are you supposed to do now? You guessed it: Just write anyway.
