Archives for April 2016

Carly Jordynn is here to tell us her thoughts on aging, and what great thoughts they are! Happy Birthday, Carly!

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FABULOUS AT FIFTY

Age, it’s just a number. All of my adult life I have heard people complain about aging. My theory is this, it’s better than the alternative. Let’s face it, the only way to stop aging is to either die or become a vampire. I’m not ready to die by any means and becoming a vampire seems like a long shot, LOL.

The only age that ever bothered me was twenty-five. It kind of hit me on my birthday that I would be a ¼ of a century! GASP! I got over that momentary panic and laughed at how silly I was being. I had my whole life ahead of me.

Fast forward another twenty-five years. I turned fifty on April 12^th. Another milestone birthday still doesn’t bother me. I’m aging quite well thanks to great genes on both sides of my family. I have accomplished so much more than I ever dreamed possible. I have lived, really lived, the last twenty-five years. My interests have changed drastically from what they used to be. For example: when I was twenty-five, I was married, no children, attending college to be an elementary school teacher, and working full-time. I can’t really say I was happy either.

Since that milestone birthday, I have divorced, adopted my daughter from Guatemala as a single parent, switched colleges and majors, graduated from college with a degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice, embarked on a new career, have traveled to places I never dreamed of going too, and have become a published author.

Whew, I’m tired! NOT! It’s only just beginning. I have the next twenty-five years to fill with new adventures, stories to write, watching my daughter grow into a beautiful young woman, becoming a grandmother, and who knows? Maybe I’ll give that marriage thing another try . . . if I can find someone who can keep up with me J Embrace your age, regardless what it is and live life to its fullest. If that fails, locate your local vampire and ask him to bite you.

Happy Aging! #50isgreat #fabulousfifty #50licious #ageisjustanumber #1-800-vampire

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Carly Jordynn is a writer from Northern Kentucky who loves to weave tales of fantasy, paranormal, and romance. When she isn’t writing a book, she writes lyrics for the Christian band, Phil Parks and One Step Closer.

Carly loves to travel. You can find her at various conferences and other author events throughout the year. Her hobbies include: travel, photography, reading, party-planning, dinner with friends, and hanging out with her family.

Carly is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

 Check out her books here.

Erin Bevan

As a writer, I often seek out review sites. I try to send my book to as many review sites as possible before the big release day in hoping for some great, sizzling reviews on the day of release. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn’t. For my latest release, Wedding Day, the sales numbers have been the best yet. The reviews, however, have been a slow go. I must admit, I’m proud to say the two I do have are 5 star, but it’s only two! Not 200. Oh, well, I got to start somewhere, right?

But, I’m a writer, and I know how I got started, from boredom in a 900 square feet concrete apartment. I’m not a reviewer. Naturally, I became curious how someone starts reviewing, and that’s where Lauren Szymanski comes in. She’s a reviewer at Romance Novels For The Beach. Immediately, from the first email she wrote back to me, I could tell we were going to be email pals. And, we have been, at least I feel like we have. When I asked her how she got into reviewing books, this is what she had to say.

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Two years ago, I went to Grand Cayman with my sister for a week-long beach vacation. Before heading out I was sure my Kindle was loaded with all of the newest romance novel releases. I’ll never forget having a lazy day at the beach with my sister, reading an amazing romance novel, and wanting to share how incredible this book was with someone. You’d think my sister would have been an obvious choice! But I was reading romance, and at the time that was a genre I was rather embarrassed to admit I enjoyed. None of my friends read romance novels either, so I tried to think of a way to talk about these books with people who wouldn’t necessarily judge me for loving romance.

It was on that beach in Grand Cayman that the concept for my blog, “Romance Novels for the Beach”, was born. I can’t believe it’s already been two years since that day on the beach when I first decided to start reviewing romance novels. I never knew there were so many other people out there who love the genre as much as I do, and I’m absolutely floored whenever phenomenal authors (such as Erin Bevan!) request that I review their work. For all of the romance novel lovers out there, don’t worry, you’re not alone!

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Wasn’t that plug sweet? I swear, I didn’t ask her to do that. But, as you noticed, I didn’t take it out either.

*Wink*

So, there you have it. That’s how a reviewer is born, and trust me, she’s a known name among some of the author loops. We all feel very lucky and fortunate when Lauren reads our work, and we are all happy to send our manuscripts to her.

Check out Lauren’s site for her latest reviews, and the punches of wit and humor she adds. Whether you read romance, or the thought makes your cringe, her reviews are laugh out loud funny, and will have you smiling on this Friday afternoon.

Go read something, y’all!

What a great and busy week this has been. I kept telling myself if I can make it to the 15th all will be okay. This week, as many of you know, was my release week of Wedding Day. On top of all that excitement, I had to get edits back to my editor for Love Comes In The Mourning. Plus, I had a bunch of guest posts to send out to fabulous, amazing authors that helped me celebrate my release, and a blog tour! Whew! It’s been fun, it’s been busy, it’s been amazing, and now I’m ready for a little break!

In case any of you lovelies are interested, I guest posted this week at these wonderful authors blogs.

L.D. Rose

Joanne Guidoccio

Ryan Jo Summers

Angela Scavone

Carly Jordynn

I would love if you could go there and share some love by commenting or sharing. And because the cover is so pretty, let’s post a picture of Wedding Day one more time!

Okay! No more. I promise. Have a fabulous Friday everyone!

When the sprinklers are out, the kid’s will play.

I should have known that turning the sprinkler on while the kids were enjoying outside time might have been a bad idea. Well, it was for their shoes at least, but for their spirits, it was great. It’s Friday. Go enjoy yourself!