In the grand tradition of December, let’s do some wrapping up. Wrap some presents. Wrap-up your post-holiday shopping. Write lots of wrap-up lists. Wrap-up small, misbehaving children Krampus style to mail to . . . haha . . . ooops. Don’t do that. Got carried away there. Number Of Books I Read: A very respectable 174 I kept my goal of 200, despite knowing that was stupidly unrealistic with me going back to work full time. And indeed, my reading…
Alright, friends. Let’s get to some numbery-maths for the year. I’m still at the point where I genuinely enjoy blogging (LET IT NEVER END) and I have a lot of fun breaking my year down in stats. If you’re interested the 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 breakdowns are linked. Just as a note: I’ve spent zero pennies on marketing of any kind since I started this blog in November 2016. Instead, I’ve focused on blog-hops and building relationships. That means super slow growth and…
The awesome co-hosts for the October 6 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pitt, J Lenni Dorner, Cathrina Constantine, Ronel Janse van Vuuren (Hi, Ronel!) and Mary Aalgaard. Don’t forget to stop by their online homes, knock on the figurative door, and make yourself as comfy as a Dwarf in a Hobbit Hole. October 6 question – In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language? Let’s preface this entire post with one firm pillar: I Write Romance. Yep. That kind,…
Today’s niche trope is all about choosing to love. To me, the decision to step up as a parent figure is the definition of heroic, because it hits close to my own personal experience. I have been a single mom and I have been lucky enough to find a second chance with the most amazing husband and stepfather in the entire world. He’s the best. No arguing. Also, he’s mine. But you can have these books which feature a love…
It’s release day for my first indie publishing attempt. I’m unsure if the correct procedure is to scream with excitement, cower under blankets, or accost random strangers and try to get them to read my work? All of those at once? Or maybe the Carlton dance. YES. The Carlton dance is perfect for this moment. Amazon doesn’t *list* books on their website until actual release day, and I’ve heard about long delays in those books showing up on the website…
This is one of the best parts of reading romance, in my humble opinion. Oh, those declarations of love! If you tell me you never rewound and and sighed a little bit and re-played that one part of a movie adaptation I will say I believe you . . . but secretly I will think you sit on a throne made of lies. Come on. It’s the best part! My Favorite Bookish Confessions of Love Leading off with the best.…
This trope flavor du jour starts with a firm, succulent base of Brooding Big Bad. Spicy hints of Shades of Grey add to the morality, while robust kicks of Standoffish, Blunt, and Guarded finish the dish for a well-rounded palate. The discerning reader will love the fact that this character absolutely has no time for anyone in the world . . . except for that one, special someone they can’t resist. They are secretly (OH so secretly) soft and protective…
Quick internet search tells me that a nerd is defined as; “a person seen as overly intellectual, obsessive, introverted, interested in obscure or not-popular things, and lacking social skills.” Basically? I am ALL OF THOSE THINGS. It’s like the internet knows my life!* *Dear NSA Agent skimming my blog: please do spend some quality time with my trope rec posts. I promise you will need reading material because my life is very boring and these books are more fun. Also…
For this post it’s that trope, nearly always employed in an enemies-to-lovers type situation, where one of the duo gets sick/injured or is suddenly in imminent danger. Ruh-roh, Scooby! Because they are acting like antagonists life conspires to basically FORCE their defenses down in a way the character would probably never do on their own. Isn’t it the best? When they’re happily spatting, all defensive maneuvers deployed, sarcasm shots launching A+ hard, and then it’s all “Wait, you’re sick? Really…
Valentine’s Day is approaching quickly and it seems that, as a writer of romance, I should…celebrate this holiday? I might have some sort of special *insight* into a day promoting love, relationships, promiscuity (or at least some fun new sex acts) and attractively-packaged, violently-pink sugar products? I can at least pretend to be enthusiastic about this marketing opportunity? Is that right? *Checks notes* Ah-ha. Yes. Indeed this is all so. Well, okay then. I can’t claim any insight into the…