Merry Christmas! Again…

It appears that I’m slacking so much at blogging, I’m just making it a Christmas thing. Christmas things aren’t all bad. I’m not making you sit through a kindergarten choir performance (though, if you’ve got a loved one in there, they’re pretty magical. Otherwise, not so much.) or a lecture on how the holiday began (again, if that’s your thing, good on you!). I’m just here to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Yule, Festive Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, or any of the other myriad of holidays that happen this time of year.

To anyone who is curious, I’ll be celebrating Christmas with my family. We have had some great news for my father on his health after worrying for a very long time, so that will be a high note this year. My father in law is improving some, however slowly, so we will also be celebrating that as well. But, as with last year, we have lost some people very near and dear to our hearts. I know their family and friends will be gathered together, hugging, crying, and wishing for one more holiday where their chair at the table isn’t empty. As I did last year, I encourage you to hug those you love as soon as possible. Right now would be ideal! Don’t wait until the timing is better, or you’re alone, or whatever. Just tackle them in a big ole bear hug (and make sure someone is filming it so I can see, too!) and tell them you love them. No one is promised a tomorrow and today is a gift, so make the most of it.

To each and every person reading this, thank you for being a part of my life. I love you.

You Never Know

I know this time of year is hard for a lot of people for many different reasons. Heck, this whole year has been a roller coaster. But, I’d like to take a moment to reiterate what you’ve probably heard countless times. Hug those you love today and let them know how you feel. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Don’t even put it off until tonight. Do it now.

I held a friend’s hand while she cried through her father’s favorite song. I hugged another friend while she sobbed through a hymn that was played at her mother’s funeral. I comforted yet another friend at her mother’s visitation and again at the graveside. My sister and I sat in my car just a week ago, hugging one another and crying, while we prayed for our mother’s healing. She is improving, if you are wondering!

All this year. I could go on, but that’s not the point of this post.

No one is ever prepared, but this has been a real eye-opening year. I urge you to look around and count those blessings, even if they’re hiding behind grief, anger, sadness, or regret.

So, that being said, I wish you a season full of wonderful memories (and making lots of new ones), hugs from all of your loved ones (virtual hugs count), and so much love, it can’t fit all in one house. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and joyous greetings for all of the holidays celebrated this time of year! (((((Consider yourself hugged)))))

When Art Imitates Life

Or, in my case, life imitates art. If you’re a writer (or really anything you love doing), you’ve probably gotten tons of advice. You’ve maybe even had people insist that their way is the ONLY way to finish a novel. You might’ve even run into a few people who don’t believe you’re a real writer because you don’t do it exactly like the professionals say to do it (or write the genre they prefer, which is a whole ‘nother post!). I’ve met at least a dozen of each. Well, guess what? I’ve finished writing a few books all on my own, thank you very much.

So, what’s my point of this post, you ask? Find your own groove! I’ve recently started working out (yes, again), and it dawned on me. I need to make my workout schedule, and what I do during that time, fit into my life much like I did my writing. If you google workouts, you’ll find tons of advice on when to optimize your exercise. Well, guess what? If you try to force it when they say and how they say and it doesn’t fit, you’ll end up hating it and quitting. Or feeling like that guy in the picture. Which is pretty much where I had ended up with my writing career right before I got the email from Gemma. Yeah, she pulled me out of a tailspin. I was trying to cram everyone’s advice into a nice tidy schedule. That just didn’t work for my life. And I was ready to throw in the towel. It makes me sad to look back on this and think of the amazing opportunities I almost tossed away. So, if you’re reading this, take my advice. Don’t listen to other people’s advice if it doesn’t fit your life! Yeah, I know that’s kind of a conundrum there.

FIND YOUR OWN GROOVE IN LIFE! Whatever you are doing in your life, if you love it, make it fit. Find a way that works for you and embrace it the best way you know how.

Ode to Super Hubby

As I’ve gotten older, I’m becoming less and less a person who likes to do things just because it’s socially mandated or acceptable. Like this post, I probably should have waited until Saturday, you know, for Valentine’s Day with all of it’s heart throbbing, chocolate hoarding, flower buying goodness.

That’s not how Super Hubby and I roll. I love this man more than mere words can express. He picks up where I leave off, keeps me from floating away, and forces me to be a better person on a daily basis. I can compare it to a Summer’s day, or sing a song… Nah. I’ll spare everyone that pain. I’ll let Hunter Hayes tell it like it is. I’ve always wanted ‘crazy’. And that’s exactly what we have. Take it away Hunter!

Cover Reveal for Allison Merritt!

Eban (The Heckmasters, Book 2)

Author: Allison Merritt

ISBN13: 978-1-61922-634-0

Length: 70k

Release date: April 7, 2015

If love can’t save them, there will be hell to pay.

Grateful for his mother’s human blood that cools the dark fire of his demon father, Eban Heckmaster has set up a medical practice in New Mexico territory. But there’s no hope of living a normal life until he rids himself of a seductive demon that’s been pursuing him.

Vanquishing it won’t be as simple as sharpening his demon-hunting sword. The clever creature is hiding inside his best friend’s head, and she has no idea of the havoc she’s been wreaking, especially with his body.

Beryl suspects Eban knows why she’s been waking up with no memory of where she’s been or what she’s done, but he’s not talking. But when she inevitably learns what he’s hiding—or rather, what’s hiding inside her—she wonders if her love for him is real, or an illusion created by the demon’s lust.

Eban is losing the battle to hold his rising desire in check. There may be only one way to extricate Beryl from the beast entangling her mind. Call upon his demon blood…and offer it as a sacrifice.

Warning: Contains a half-human, half-demon doctor who can heal anyone except himself, and a woman who’d blush if she could remember the sensuous torture she’s been inflicting on him. Could make you wonder if you should start listening to the voices in your head…

About the Author:

A love of reading inspired Allison Merritt to pursue her dream of becoming an author who writes historical, paranormal and fantasy romances, often combining the sub-genres. She lives in a small town in the Ozark Mountains with her husband and dogs. When she’s not writing or reading, she hikes in national parks and conservation areas.

Allison graduated from College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri with a B.A. in mass communications that’s gathering dust after it was determined that she’s better at writing fluff than hard news.

Social media links:

Blog – http://havenovelwilledit.blogspot.com

Facebook – http://facebook.com/allisonmwrites

Twitter – http://twitter.com/allison_merrit

G+ – http://gplus.to/allisonmerritt

Goodreads – http://goodreads.com/AllisonMWrites

Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/allisonmwrites/

Read the first book in the series: Wystan (The Heckmasters)

Buy links:

Samhain – http://store.samhainpublishing.com/wystan-p-73651.html

Amazon – http://amzn.com/B00L501TJK

B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wystan-allison-merritt/1119847207?ean=9781619222892

Get in on the Rafflecopter giveaway!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/78d958931/

Seven Minutes in Hell

So, I downloaded the Seven Minute Workout Challenge app months ago. I’ve hemmed and hawed over deleting this thing many, many times to free up valuable space on my phone…for pictures. Don’t judge. For some reason, I’ve always told myself I’d use it one day, all the while giggling to myself and contemplating a cookie.

Well, dear friends and readers, today was that day. I popped out of bed, stared that app straight in the eyes and opened the bad boy. I’d already watched the tutorial several times while eating Cheetos, so I was prepared. Yeah.

**Seven minutes? Pshaw, anyone can do that!

Wrong. There’s at least one person who can’t. Me. Well, not yet anyway. Challenge accepted, Seven Minute Workout! Just as soon as I’m able to walk farther than the bathroom unassisted. (Which leads me right into the next point.)

**I don’t need to stretch for this.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Always stretch. Everyone should stretch. I need to stretch before bringing groceries in from the car. (I’m an all-at-once kind of gal. Get those arm muscles nice and loose to pack all of those bags.) I did, however, discover that there really is muscle under my flabby, pitted thighs. Very sore, very tight muscle, but silver lining, right?

**I don’t need to wear a sports bra for such a short workout.

Oh Em Gee. WRONG. Please make sure everything is secure before starting up that app. You don’t want a child or pet losing an eye from a projectile nipple or bruising from a stray breast slap. Better safe than sorry, kids.

Over all, I’m looking forward to using this app in the future, believe it or not. There’s a lot of power packed into these seven minutes. I just need to be more prepared. I’m sure there are seasoned exercise veterans out there who would scoff at the ease. This app isn’t for you. This app is for doughy, couch-potato people who need to get their butt in gear. Like me. Stay tuned…

Words…

I’m truly struggling to find the words. Words of thanks, humble gratitude… I’m at a loss. The smart ass in me that usually takes over when I’m overwhelmed with emotion wants to break out in a Sally Fields impression. So, knowing that, forgive me as I merely say thank you to everyone who had a hand in this. To all who have helped me through my writing career thus far. To our faithful fans and readers. But especially, a huge thank you to RomCon and their judges. 

RELEASE DAY!

You’d think this would get easier!

But, you’d be wrong. I’m just as excited and nervous with today’s release of My Ex-Boyfriend’s Wedding as I was many years ago, when my first baby, Another Time, Another Place, was born…erm, my first book was released. Same thing really, if you think about it. Well, no labor pains. Though, if you count the pain of intricate edits and total scene rewrites, we are back to shocking similarities.

Alas, it’s here! Quick, someone mop my forehead and bring me some ice chips.

As I’m posting the buy links to my ‘baby’, I’m kind of losing the whole similarity vibe. I’ve never ONCE sold one of my human children. Tempted, yes, but it never happened. Swear, even through the traumatic teen years. I’m more than happy to sell my literary children at the links below, though. The more, the merrier!

AMAZON

IBOOKS

B&N

KOBO

Agreeing to photograph your two-timing ex’s wedding… What could possibly go wrong?

Most women have them: those two very distinct, very different voices in their mind. One can usually be chalked up to common sense, the other to mischief, mayhem or just plain morbid curiosity. Both are always there, though, ready with their two cents worth.

Jemma Keith is no exception to the rule. She doesn’t have a problem agreeing to photograph her cheating ex-boyfriend’s wedding. The dilemma, however, is what to do once she gets there. Common sense feels like taking the high road; she can handle being the better person. Mischief wants to slither in, crashing the whole affair down around his worthless ankles.

What’s a woman to do when she can’t make up her mind? At least both sides are in complete harmony about the bride’s cousin, Anthony Giovanni: he’s hot, handsome, and oh, so tempting.

Join Jemma as she weaves through a web of lust, temptation, revenge, and maybe even love.

Cover Reveal!

This book has gone through so many changes since it was previously released through a small publisher as Click. It’s the same story at its core, yet, at the same time, very different now. It’s been torn apart, rewritten, and edited again. The original cover was beautiful and spoke to the more serious side. I think you’ll agree, this new cover enhances the sassy, funnier side. So, here is the cover for the newly titled My Ex-Boyfriend’s Wedding. What do y’all think? I’m kind of in love with it. 🙂

My Writing Process Blog Tour

Welcome to my leg of the My Writing Process Tour. Many thanks to the fabulous Ellie Ashe for inviting me. We are all asked to answer the same set of four questions. It’s been eye opening for me to see how the other authors’ minds work. There’ve been some great similarities, but I’ve also learned so much from those who’ve blogged before me.

Here are my answers:

1) What am I working on?

I have two things in the works right now. I am collaborating with the fabulous Gemma Halliday on the second Tahoe Tessie novel, Hey Big Spender. That’s right, there will be more antics and mayhem from Tessie, Tate, Brittan, Ryder and Rafe. Words can’t express how much fun they are to write and how completely awesome Gemma is. For real. Seriously, I’m doing the happy dance while typing.

I’m also working out the kinks on a romantic comedy/suspense titled Sweet Nothings. This story follows Tana Jensen and her BFF Erika as they try to track down Tana’s boyfriend, Xander. Or ex-boyfriend. It all depends on whether or not he’s been faithful. He said he was away on police business, but pictures have surfaced that would say otherwise.

2) How does my work differ from others in the genre?

My books are written in many genres to keeps my readers guessing. Okay, so it’s probably more of the fact that I love to read so many different types of romance. I’m definitely a sucker for ‘happily ever after’, so my books all have that in common, or they will, in the case of my series lines. The common thread is humor, though.

3) Why do I write what I do?

I have a hard time writing completely serious manuscripts. It might have a smidge to do with… well, me. You see, I also have a hard time being completely serious, so there’s that. Write what you know! I honestly don’t think I’m capable of anything else. I come from a long line of snark. I hear there’s a twelve step program, but I can quit any time I want. Yeah, I can.

4) How does your writing process work?

I used to be what’s referred to in the writing community as a ‘pantser’. It’s where a writer basically flies by the seat of his or her pants while writing. No outline, no net, just writing what’s floating around in the imagination. Gemma is desperately trying to cure me of this affliction. Now, I take the rough idea for a book and start with a basic outline. Nothing grand at first, but I expand on it as the story unfolds in my mind. This helps tremendously to eliminate the sagging middle (where the story sort of hits a roadblock and stalls). I’m starting to think plotters might actually be on to something here. So, I guess I’d be considered a pantsing plotter at this point. Did I just make up a new term? Nope, Google says otherwise.

Thank you so much for visiting. I was supposed to invite three awesome authors to carry on the torch. I dropped the ball. Be sure to visit Ellie and follow backward for some great info.