For some reason, this blog disappeared from my site during the night, so here's Take 2:
Have you ever felt like your life was on fast forward somehow-run to the grocery store, run to the school, run to work, run to karate class…And then one moment, you finally pause, and realize you haven’t talked to your friends in a while? That’s what happened to me this week! I’ve sure been missing all of my online friends!
I’ve been working on a deadline for a month to turn in Zach and Sadie’s proposal (Mill Town Millionaires 4). Despite many setbacks, I was able to turn it in this past weekend. I can’t tell you how excited I am for this book! Fingers crossed Awesome Editor feels the same!
The rest of the time, I’ve been focused on home and family. Recently my husband got pretty sick and had to go through a series of tests. He’s a pretty tough guy, so watching him suffer was hard. I also realized something very important—I rely on my husband A LOT.
I like to think of myself as a capable person who gets things accomplished. I’m frequently emotional and often overwhelmed, but shit gets done. J Only now do I see how much of that is thanks to my husband. He’s often behind the scenes, keeping the kids and pets on track despite his own day job, so I can focus on writing as much as possible.
I’m very lucky to have a spouse that supports my artistic and business endeavors. You’d be surprised how many aren’t. I’m not always quick to see the good that’s happening (glass half empty kind of girl). But even though it wasn’t fun, I’m glad for the reminder of how blessed I am.
Twenty years ago, he had no idea what he was getting into, but he’s never looked at me and said, “I don’t think so.” I only hope I’m somehow repaying the favor. Now, I know there’s a reason all of my heroes have a touch of him in there somewhere…
What blessings have you discovered recently?
Dani
I like to think of myself as a capable person who gets things accomplished. I’m frequently emotional and often overwhelmed, but shit gets done. J Only now do I see how much of that is thanks to my husband. He’s often behind the scenes, keeping the kids and pets on track despite his own day job, so I can focus on writing as much as possible.
I’m very lucky to have a spouse that supports my artistic and business endeavors. You’d be surprised how many aren’t. I’m not always quick to see the good that’s happening (glass half empty kind of girl). But even though it wasn’t fun, I’m glad for the reminder of how blessed I am.
Twenty years ago, he had no idea what he was getting into, but he’s never looked at me and said, “I don’t think so.” I only hope I’m somehow repaying the favor. Now, I know there’s a reason all of my heroes have a touch of him in there somewhere…
What blessings have you discovered recently?
Dani
Sorry about the mix-up with the blog posts today! And of course I couldn't fix it because I can't get my phone to do the admin stuff here on Wordpress. But better late than never, right? I do hope y'all enjoy my little treat below!
I went on a little writing retreat last week near Nashville, TN (more on that in next week's post). While I was there, I took a little side trip. I'd always wanted to visit Belle Meade Plantation, which is an historic plantation that reached its peak in the horse racing industry. As I learned when I was there, all the thoroughbreds who have run (and won) major races over the last ten years or so can be directly linked to the bloodlines of this farm. How cool! I love this type of thing, especially houses, so the trip was extra fun!
My pictures aren't nearly as good as the ones on the website, but here's a bit of what I saw on this cool, windy spring day:
[caption id="attachment_1053" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Belle Meade Plantation-Main House[/caption]
The tour of the house lasted about an hour. What was really interesting was that our tour guides (yes, more than one!) all dressed in period clothing. Each set of rooms had it's own tour guide--all of whom were super knowledgeable and personable. I truly enjoyed listening to their stories about both the house itself and the Harding-Jackson families.
[caption id="attachment_1054" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
One of the carriages on display in the original stables.[/caption]
There were quite a few carriages and sleighs on display in the stable house, with descriptions of how they were driven and what their purposes were.
[caption id="attachment_1055" align="alignright" width="224"]
This is the dairy on the plantation, which was actually the second largest source of income, behind the thoroughbred stables.[/caption]
Touring the grounds allowed me to learn about the dairy business (they were one of the major suppliers of butter and milk to Nashville), one of the original slave cabins, and the mausoleum. The Jubilee project on the grounds chronicles the lives of the 130 slaves who worked the land, and almost half of them that stayed as paid servants after the Civil War.
[caption id="attachment_1056" align="alignleft" width="224"]
The doll house where children of the family played.[/caption]
The grounds had some of the largest magnolia trees I'd ever seen. Considering all the storms we have around here, I'm amazed none of the ones still standing have been split. I bet they are gorgeous in full bloom.
[caption id="attachment_1057" align="aligncenter" width="224"]
The back entrance to the dairy.[/caption]
I also enjoyed the complimentary wine tasting. Though I'm not much of a wine person, they had a couple that I enjoyed, including a blackberry wine that was deliciously sweet. While I enjoyed the tour itself, I almost enjoyed my drive over there more. Because of where my hotel was situated, Google Maps took me through some back roads and quiet neighborhoods to get to my destination. The houses along the way were So Awesome! Both old and new houses were all unusual and fancy. Gorgeous architecture that created scenery all on its own. I just regretted that I had no one to drive so I could take pictures. :)
I hope you enjoyed my little trip as much as I like sharing it with you. Have you visited any historic homes? Places you particularly enjoyed? I'd love to hear about them!
Dani
Belle Meade Plantation-Main House[/caption]
The tour of the house lasted about an hour. What was really interesting was that our tour guides (yes, more than one!) all dressed in period clothing. Each set of rooms had it's own tour guide--all of whom were super knowledgeable and personable. I truly enjoyed listening to their stories about both the house itself and the Harding-Jackson families.
[caption id="attachment_1054" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
One of the carriages on display in the original stables.[/caption]
There were quite a few carriages and sleighs on display in the stable house, with descriptions of how they were driven and what their purposes were.
[caption id="attachment_1055" align="alignright" width="224"]
This is the dairy on the plantation, which was actually the second largest source of income, behind the thoroughbred stables.[/caption]
Touring the grounds allowed me to learn about the dairy business (they were one of the major suppliers of butter and milk to Nashville), one of the original slave cabins, and the mausoleum. The Jubilee project on the grounds chronicles the lives of the 130 slaves who worked the land, and almost half of them that stayed as paid servants after the Civil War.
[caption id="attachment_1056" align="alignleft" width="224"]
The doll house where children of the family played.[/caption]
The grounds had some of the largest magnolia trees I'd ever seen. Considering all the storms we have around here, I'm amazed none of the ones still standing have been split. I bet they are gorgeous in full bloom.
[caption id="attachment_1057" align="aligncenter" width="224"]
The back entrance to the dairy.[/caption]
I also enjoyed the complimentary wine tasting. Though I'm not much of a wine person, they had a couple that I enjoyed, including a blackberry wine that was deliciously sweet. While I enjoyed the tour itself, I almost enjoyed my drive over there more. Because of where my hotel was situated, Google Maps took me through some back roads and quiet neighborhoods to get to my destination. The houses along the way were So Awesome! Both old and new houses were all unusual and fancy. Gorgeous architecture that created scenery all on its own. I just regretted that I had no one to drive so I could take pictures. :)
I hope you enjoyed my little trip as much as I like sharing it with you. Have you visited any historic homes? Places you particularly enjoyed? I'd love to hear about them!
Dani
Sis and I were having a texting meltdown after she'd had one of THOSE days. You know the kind. When everything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
Yeah, THOSE days.
These conversations make me feel kind of helpless, because there's not much I can say to help – and I feel like I should help. Without thinking, I finally told her to go online, and look at pictures from the place that she was vacationing at later this year. To imagine herself being there, and how much she was going to enjoy it.
[caption id="attachment_1003" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Dani in Dublin, Ireland park[/caption]
It wasn't until then that I realized I've been doing exactly the same thing for a month. I got a bee in my bonnet that I wanted to go on a little weekend writing retreat, all by my lonesome, sometime this spring. While hubby was completely agreeable, the decision will rest on the same thing it always does – finances.
So I have no idea if I will get to go, but I've been searching online for hotels, places to eat, walking trails – and with each picture, I feel calm and happy.
That may be sad to some, but I consider it to be self–medicating — without the happy pill. I can take that trip any day. :)
[caption id="attachment_1004" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Store in Dublin, Ireland[/caption]
If you could take a virtual vacation anywhere at all, where would you go?
Dani
Dani in Dublin, Ireland park[/caption]
It wasn't until then that I realized I've been doing exactly the same thing for a month. I got a bee in my bonnet that I wanted to go on a little weekend writing retreat, all by my lonesome, sometime this spring. While hubby was completely agreeable, the decision will rest on the same thing it always does – finances.
So I have no idea if I will get to go, but I've been searching online for hotels, places to eat, walking trails – and with each picture, I feel calm and happy.
That may be sad to some, but I consider it to be self–medicating — without the happy pill. I can take that trip any day. :)
[caption id="attachment_1004" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Store in Dublin, Ireland[/caption]
If you could take a virtual vacation anywhere at all, where would you go?
Dani
Last week, my mother, sisters, niece, and daughter hit the road! We left the boys behind and enjoying a girls’ only trip to historic Savannah, GA.
Savannah is a city of old Southern values, quirky traditions, modern entertainment, and beautiful views. Visiting it has a similar feel to some of the cities I saw in Ireland, where forests and water happily coincide. But the sheer spirit of the city seemed peaceful and quiet to me, even with all the people (and dogs) there.
With every trip I take, I find myself facing a dichotomy within myself. You see, I’m a full blown introvert. I enjoy people in small doses, because prolonged exposure seriously wipes out my energy levels. At the same time, I love to travel, see new places, and meet new people.
As a creative soul, I enjoy absorbing the atmosphere, the colors and traditions of different places. Its one of the things that “refills my well”. I think I also love it, because it also breaks me out of my daily grind. I forget all the bathrooms I have to clean, all the mindless typing for my day job, and ‘extras’ that come along with a job as an author. New places and sights clear my mind and spark my imagination. So, though I can’t indulge as often as I’d like, travel is definitely one of my favorite pastimes.
Where is your favorite place to visit? I’d love to have new cities to explore!
Dani
FYI: Tune in next week for a special edition of 'Funny Signs of Savannah', a co-blog with author Ella Sheridan!
Savannah is a city of old Southern values, quirky traditions, modern entertainment, and beautiful views. Visiting it has a similar feel to some of the cities I saw in Ireland, where forests and water happily coincide. But the sheer spirit of the city seemed peaceful and quiet to me, even with all the people (and dogs) there.
With every trip I take, I find myself facing a dichotomy within myself. You see, I’m a full blown introvert. I enjoy people in small doses, because prolonged exposure seriously wipes out my energy levels. At the same time, I love to travel, see new places, and meet new people.
As a creative soul, I enjoy absorbing the atmosphere, the colors and traditions of different places. Its one of the things that “refills my well”. I think I also love it, because it also breaks me out of my daily grind. I forget all the bathrooms I have to clean, all the mindless typing for my day job, and ‘extras’ that come along with a job as an author. New places and sights clear my mind and spark my imagination. So, though I can’t indulge as often as I’d like, travel is definitely one of my favorite pastimes.
Where is your favorite place to visit? I’d love to have new cities to explore!
Dani
FYI: Tune in next week for a special edition of 'Funny Signs of Savannah', a co-blog with author Ella Sheridan!
September brings cooler weather (hopefully), a change of colors, and kiddios heading back to school, which inspired a pretty sweet blog hop for this month’s Nice Girls Writing Naughty event. All the cool authors from NGWN will be posting one of their yummy heroes as their Teacher's Pet and some juicy tidbits of what they might have been like in school.
So where’s the reader fun? Well, for one - a chance at a $50 gift certificate from Amazon. Just check out the post HERE for all the juicy details. And I promise it will be fun!
Oh, and did I mention that each author will be giving away of pretty cool prize on their blogs? Mine will be a free ecopies of the first 2 books of my Backstage Pass series, Finding Her Rhythm and Settling the Score. Just comment below with your name and an email addy so I can contact you if you win. Anyone who also signs up for my author newsletter (see sidebar) will get an additional entry!
Now that I got the contest stuff taken care of...lets bring on Dani's Pet.
Colin McIntyre is the hero for the first novel in my upcoming Small Town Secrets series, set in the rural Tennessee town of Caldwell. Secrets abound there. Everyone has something to hide.
Hidden in a quiet town along the Tennessee border, a secret gathering exists where the privileged fulfill their darkest desires. One of their members initiates a desperate act designed to bring home his lifelong obsession: Emma Hartwell. Drawn back to her hometown by the psychic connection with her twin, Emma must fight the stubborn silence of those around her in her quest to find her kidnapped sister.
Colin McIntyre hopes to make up for his past mistakes with Emma by helping her, but his own ties to the Gathering are exposed along the way. Can they fight the secrets and lies to rescue Emma’s sister… and their own chance at life-long love?
5 Fast Facts:
~ When I graduated high school I was voted the most likely to…?
Never leave town. Even then, all my friends knew my family was here, my family’s pub Bailey's was also here, and it would take a miracle to move me. Which made me an easy target for the local secret-keepers when my dad died…
~I spent my prom night…?
Holding my dates hair back while she vomited. True story. I think someone spiked the punch and Sissie was not the type to hold liquor well. I cleaned her up as best I could and took her home to her mother without telling a soul. I just couldn’t embarrass her in front of everyone.
~I was the…president of the … or captain of the….team?
Honestly, none of the above. I worked at Bailey's after school and on weekends, though my parents were lenient enough to give me the go-ahead to spend time with my friends and just hang out. But between the job and helping watch out for my younger sisters, there wasn’t time to commit to something as demanding as sports.
~Growing up I wanted to be…?
A man my father could be proud of. Sure, I went through phases of wanting to be the next professional football star or a doctor or an astronaut. But my family is really close, and I couldn’t imagine leaving them behind. Especially after my father died. After all, who was going to keep my 3 younger sisters out of trouble?
~In college my crush was…?
Any girl who didn’t remind me of my high school crush. Emma Hartwell had been bad news-coming from a rough family on the wrong side of town. I wanted her, even though I knew my family wouldn’t approve. But the one time she needed me, I let her down. How could I face her after something like that?
What to know more about release dates for Colin’s upcoming book, Beneath the Surface? Sign up for my author newsletter, full of goodies, news, winners, and fun stuff. Just for joining, you will receive a free copy of my novella Snow Bound! The first taste of my Small Town Secrets series!
Check out the other Nice Girls Writing Naughty and their prizes here! There’s lots of sexy to be had! Thanks for dropping by!
Who’s been your favorite Teacher’s Pet so far???
Dani
So where’s the reader fun? Well, for one - a chance at a $50 gift certificate from Amazon. Just check out the post HERE for all the juicy details. And I promise it will be fun!
Oh, and did I mention that each author will be giving away of pretty cool prize on their blogs? Mine will be a free ecopies of the first 2 books of my Backstage Pass series, Finding Her Rhythm and Settling the Score. Just comment below with your name and an email addy so I can contact you if you win. Anyone who also signs up for my author newsletter (see sidebar) will get an additional entry!
Now that I got the contest stuff taken care of...lets bring on Dani's Pet.
Colin McIntyre is the hero for the first novel in my upcoming Small Town Secrets series, set in the rural Tennessee town of Caldwell. Secrets abound there. Everyone has something to hide.
Hidden in a quiet town along the Tennessee border, a secret gathering exists where the privileged fulfill their darkest desires. One of their members initiates a desperate act designed to bring home his lifelong obsession: Emma Hartwell. Drawn back to her hometown by the psychic connection with her twin, Emma must fight the stubborn silence of those around her in her quest to find her kidnapped sister.
Colin McIntyre hopes to make up for his past mistakes with Emma by helping her, but his own ties to the Gathering are exposed along the way. Can they fight the secrets and lies to rescue Emma’s sister… and their own chance at life-long love?
5 Fast Facts:
~ When I graduated high school I was voted the most likely to…?
Never leave town. Even then, all my friends knew my family was here, my family’s pub Bailey's was also here, and it would take a miracle to move me. Which made me an easy target for the local secret-keepers when my dad died…
~I spent my prom night…?
Holding my dates hair back while she vomited. True story. I think someone spiked the punch and Sissie was not the type to hold liquor well. I cleaned her up as best I could and took her home to her mother without telling a soul. I just couldn’t embarrass her in front of everyone.
~I was the…president of the … or captain of the….team?
Honestly, none of the above. I worked at Bailey's after school and on weekends, though my parents were lenient enough to give me the go-ahead to spend time with my friends and just hang out. But between the job and helping watch out for my younger sisters, there wasn’t time to commit to something as demanding as sports.
~Growing up I wanted to be…?
A man my father could be proud of. Sure, I went through phases of wanting to be the next professional football star or a doctor or an astronaut. But my family is really close, and I couldn’t imagine leaving them behind. Especially after my father died. After all, who was going to keep my 3 younger sisters out of trouble?
~In college my crush was…?
Any girl who didn’t remind me of my high school crush. Emma Hartwell had been bad news-coming from a rough family on the wrong side of town. I wanted her, even though I knew my family wouldn’t approve. But the one time she needed me, I let her down. How could I face her after something like that?
What to know more about release dates for Colin’s upcoming book, Beneath the Surface? Sign up for my author newsletter, full of goodies, news, winners, and fun stuff. Just for joining, you will receive a free copy of my novella Snow Bound! The first taste of my Small Town Secrets series!
Check out the other Nice Girls Writing Naughty and their prizes here! There’s lots of sexy to be had! Thanks for dropping by!
Who’s been your favorite Teacher’s Pet so far???
Dani
I’m currently digging deep into Book 3 of my Mill Town Millionaires series, and am totally into my new hero Luke ‘Renegade’ Blackstone.
This bad boy escaped his oppressive childhood in Blackstone Manor with his own getaway car—and turned it into a profession as a stock car racer. In Book 2, The Blackstone Heir, something happens to completely sideline his career. Now he’s back in Black Hills, SC, once more, counting the days until he can escape again. But first he must be cleared for takeoff by the town’s only physical therapist—a woman he cruelly spurned when she was a high school senior.
I think this bad boy might have his hands full! Here’s his theme song: Renegade by Daughtry
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfypxzUF1y4?rel=0]
Enjoy!
Dani
Every day, I work on stories of couples that forge over mountains and crawl out of valleys to find their Happily Ever Afters. Yes, there’s some fun and sex along the way, but these men and women end up working hard to stay together…forever.
And every day, I live my own Happily Ever After. Its just as messy, hard, fun, and sexy as my books (at least I think so). I’m one of the lucky ones. My husband and I both have our faults, but this week we will celebrate 19 years of forever together, and the commitment we spoke to each other when we were barely more than kids still stands strong. For both of us.
My husband was a romantic young man, and he’s still as romantic, just in a different way. Then he brought me flowers, set up special dates, and said things to me that made me feel wonderful. Now he puts the kids to bed so I can have a few minutes to myself, learns all the ways he can help support me in my career as an author, and still says sweet, sexy things that make me feel wonderful. He spends his vacations keeping the kids so I can go to conferences. Does our laundry, and even occasionally washes dishes (even though he hates dishes).
So my hero may be killing dust bunnies rather than stalkers, but he’s still a hero! The hero for me!
Nineteen years ago, I wasn’t thinking about what our lives would look like in 20 years, but he has certainly stood the test of time!
Dani
*Photo used courtesy of WikiCommons
And every day, I live my own Happily Ever After. Its just as messy, hard, fun, and sexy as my books (at least I think so). I’m one of the lucky ones. My husband and I both have our faults, but this week we will celebrate 19 years of forever together, and the commitment we spoke to each other when we were barely more than kids still stands strong. For both of us.
My husband was a romantic young man, and he’s still as romantic, just in a different way. Then he brought me flowers, set up special dates, and said things to me that made me feel wonderful. Now he puts the kids to bed so I can have a few minutes to myself, learns all the ways he can help support me in my career as an author, and still says sweet, sexy things that make me feel wonderful. He spends his vacations keeping the kids so I can go to conferences. Does our laundry, and even occasionally washes dishes (even though he hates dishes).
So my hero may be killing dust bunnies rather than stalkers, but he’s still a hero! The hero for me!
Nineteen years ago, I wasn’t thinking about what our lives would look like in 20 years, but he has certainly stood the test of time!
Dani
*Photo used courtesy of WikiCommons
There’s nothing an author enjoys more than celebrating a new release with readers. Except celebrating TWO new releases!
Here’s a peek into Sean and Meghan’s story:
Success as a US rock star is payback to Irish drummer Sean Rosslair, whose father insisted music was a waste. Now Sean just needs to see the body to go with the smokin’ sexy voice of his new assistant, and his world will feel complete. But she ends up being the very woman he should never have.
Anxious to do a good deed, Meghan finally exposes her plus-size presence to her boss. Only he doesn’t react the way she expects—to her body or his brother. She takes her punishment for her white lie well—too well. Meghan can’t refrain from begging her boss for another spanking…but can she let go enough to embrace romance with a rockstar?
Can Sean teach Meghan his erotic secrets before a hidden enemy puts him out of commission—permanently?
Hot, hot, hot! And just in time for all that reading you’ll be doing this holiday weekend. Even better? Striking a Chord is only 99 cents through Monday! Grab your copy on Amazon.
Let's get on with the DANCE PARTY! What better way to introduce a rock star's book, huh? I’m sharing the songs that inspired me as I wrote Sean and Meghan’s story. When you’ve danced yourself silly and commented to enter the contest, run on over to Ella’s blog and party with some more awesome music.
* * *
Striking a Chord takes the Backstage Pass series international with its setting in Ireland. What could be sexier than being forced to stay in an old Manor house in the Irish countryside with a 100% Irish bad boy? Nothing that I know of…
Inspiration wasn’t in short supply—I plotted this book while on a trip to Ireland, Wales, and London. Everywhere I turned were castle ruins, stately manor houses, and some yummy, yummy eye candy! But once I was home, I really needed music to help the writing continue to flow.
I found the perfect soundtrack with an international flair in Goo Goo Dolls Magnetic. Sean is a whole hog rebel! He started doing his own thing in his teens and hasn’t looked back. Meghan’s more of a rebel-in-training, and Sean’s the perfect teacher.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUi8gQPsMdw?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
One taste and he can’t get enough of her curvy body or intrepid spirit. He aches to teach her the key to setting her sensuality free.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlDAq56viD0?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
Meghan grew up in an uber-religious community. A single fall from grace and now everyone is watching to see if her journey away from her home town leads her ‘down the path to sin’. Sean sees the pain in Meghan’s heart and aches to erase the wounds inflicted by others. As she embraces her true self, she sets aside judgment and lets her own wild side come alive. And her redemption just might show Sean a few things he's never let himself see before.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI7mKUqidhg?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
I hope you’ll join me in celebrating my Irish drummer! What’s a celebration without prizes? Ella and I have a joint giveaway. To enter, simply leave a comment on both my blog and hers, telling us your favorite party song. Your comment enters you in the giveaway. A comment on both blogs enters you TWICE. Like me on FACEBOOK or SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER and get a THIRD entry.
Thank you so much for joining us for our Double Release Day! Its not really a party all by myself. But with friends? It’s Double the Fun!
Dani
Oh, 1 more thing—if you’ve never read mine or Ella’s books, I’ve got another great way for you to win! We have an interview today on Nice Girls Writing Naughty Readers Group where we’re talking twins, hotties, and of course, prizes! One lucky commenter will win the first books in BOTH the Secrets and Backstage Pass series. So check that out too!
Today its Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun, and DOUBLE THE PRIZES! Because my twin, Ella Sheridan and I, have Double Releases. Today, Striking a Chord, Backstage Pass Book 3, hits the virtual shelves. Ella’s novella Just a Little More also releases today! So its time to PARTY!
In honor of sharing a release day (and a womb for 9 months!), we’re having a release day party and giveaway – a $30 gift card to Amazon or B&N PLUS copies of the first book in my Secrets series and Dani’s Backstage Pass series. We’re talking serious hottie goodness here, people! Be sure to check out the giveaway at the end of both our blogs. And remember, the more you participate – on my blog and Ella’s – the more entries you get to the giveaway. * * *
Here’s a peek into Sean and Meghan’s story:
Success as a US rock star is payback to Irish drummer Sean Rosslair, whose father insisted music was a waste. Now Sean just needs to see the body to go with the smokin’ sexy voice of his new assistant, and his world will feel complete. But she ends up being the very woman he should never have.
Anxious to do a good deed, Meghan finally exposes her plus-size presence to her boss. Only he doesn’t react the way she expects—to her body or his brother. She takes her punishment for her white lie well—too well. Meghan can’t refrain from begging her boss for another spanking…but can she let go enough to embrace romance with a rockstar?
Can Sean teach Meghan his erotic secrets before a hidden enemy puts him out of commission—permanently?
Hot, hot, hot! And just in time for all that reading you’ll be doing this holiday weekend. Even better? Striking a Chord is only 99 cents through Monday! Grab your copy on Amazon.
Let's get on with the DANCE PARTY! What better way to introduce a rock star's book, huh? I’m sharing the songs that inspired me as I wrote Sean and Meghan’s story. When you’ve danced yourself silly and commented to enter the contest, run on over to Ella’s blog and party with some more awesome music.
* * *
Striking a Chord takes the Backstage Pass series international with its setting in Ireland. What could be sexier than being forced to stay in an old Manor house in the Irish countryside with a 100% Irish bad boy? Nothing that I know of…
Inspiration wasn’t in short supply—I plotted this book while on a trip to Ireland, Wales, and London. Everywhere I turned were castle ruins, stately manor houses, and some yummy, yummy eye candy! But once I was home, I really needed music to help the writing continue to flow.
I found the perfect soundtrack with an international flair in Goo Goo Dolls Magnetic. Sean is a whole hog rebel! He started doing his own thing in his teens and hasn’t looked back. Meghan’s more of a rebel-in-training, and Sean’s the perfect teacher.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUi8gQPsMdw?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
One taste and he can’t get enough of her curvy body or intrepid spirit. He aches to teach her the key to setting her sensuality free.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlDAq56viD0?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
Meghan grew up in an uber-religious community. A single fall from grace and now everyone is watching to see if her journey away from her home town leads her ‘down the path to sin’. Sean sees the pain in Meghan’s heart and aches to erase the wounds inflicted by others. As she embraces her true self, she sets aside judgment and lets her own wild side come alive. And her redemption just might show Sean a few things he's never let himself see before.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI7mKUqidhg?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
I hope you’ll join me in celebrating my Irish drummer! What’s a celebration without prizes? Ella and I have a joint giveaway. To enter, simply leave a comment on both my blog and hers, telling us your favorite party song. Your comment enters you in the giveaway. A comment on both blogs enters you TWICE. Like me on FACEBOOK or SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER and get a THIRD entry.
Thank you so much for joining us for our Double Release Day! Its not really a party all by myself. But with friends? It’s Double the Fun!
Dani
Oh, 1 more thing—if you’ve never read mine or Ella’s books, I’ve got another great way for you to win! We have an interview today on Nice Girls Writing Naughty Readers Group where we’re talking twins, hotties, and of course, prizes! One lucky commenter will win the first books in BOTH the Secrets and Backstage Pass series. So check that out too!
Bad days, months, years--we all have them. We all think about giving up, instead of thinking outside the box for solutions, about how to make it all work. This blog post by Kristen Lamb is incredibly encouraging! And lets everyone know they're not alone. Let this one encourage you!
COMING NEXT WEEK:
Before I started writing, I thought characters were like puppets. The author pulled them out of a box, tugged on strings to make them do what she wanted, then put them away again.
Boy, was I deluded!
I wrote my first draft while living in that fantasy world. Then I heard Linda Howard speak at our chapter meeting about hearing characters ‘speak to you’. That’s a little weird, I thought. After all, I’m in charge of the story, right? But I tried, because after all, this was Linda Howard talking.
I still remember those first few times I tried to “listen” to my characters. And my utter shock when words—their words—started to float through my head. Over the years, that trickle has become a stream until now its unnatural for all of my characters to be quiet at once. :)
Makes for a pretty busy mind landscape, but that’s the nature of being a fiction author. Keeps life interesting (especially for my poor hubby who has to tolerate my constant daydreaming). But my hope is that it makes my characters more alive for readers, just like they are for me now.
Today, share with us the characters that you’ve become most attached to because they have become real to you. You know, the ones you just can’t stop thinking about!
Dani
I wrote my first draft while living in that fantasy world. Then I heard Linda Howard speak at our chapter meeting about hearing characters ‘speak to you’. That’s a little weird, I thought. After all, I’m in charge of the story, right? But I tried, because after all, this was Linda Howard talking.
I still remember those first few times I tried to “listen” to my characters. And my utter shock when words—their words—started to float through my head. Over the years, that trickle has become a stream until now its unnatural for all of my characters to be quiet at once. :)
Makes for a pretty busy mind landscape, but that’s the nature of being a fiction author. Keeps life interesting (especially for my poor hubby who has to tolerate my constant daydreaming). But my hope is that it makes my characters more alive for readers, just like they are for me now.
Today, share with us the characters that you’ve become most attached to because they have become real to you. You know, the ones you just can’t stop thinking about!
Dani