What's underneath all the clothes...

This is not my usual sort of post but for just one minute I'm going to step up on my little soap box and talk to you all about something that, for a change, is not fiction but actual reality.

I have to admit, I used to have a tendency to run at the mouth. I spoke my mind, and often, quite loudly. I spewed my opinion wherever and whenever I saw fit. I argued with teachers & professors, students, friends, strangers and I am the person who has been trolled a time or two-hundred...

As I've grown older, and arguably wiser, I have been able to bite my tongue a bit more. I've found the ability to pick and choose my battles -- something my mother has been trying to teach me from day one.
So at first I wasn't going to address this, mostly because I didn't want to perpetuate the buzz. I didn't want to give this particular company undue publicity, because let's face it even bad publicity is still publicity.
Yet I just didn't feel right about turning my back on something that hit so close to home...

 

I have been out of high school for seven years this year. Some days those seven years feels like a lifetime ago and some days it feels like just last night I was downtown hanging out with my close group of friends.

 My close group of friends I wouldn't say were popular but we weren't outcasts by any means. We had dates to school dances. We were invited to parties. We laughed, had fun, and got into a little trouble like most teens but we were overall pretty good kids. We went to school in the middle of a corn field, on the "wrong" side of the river. Our graduating class was only like 140 students wide, the entire school only something like 400 and some students large. It was easy for a person to know or at least know of everyone in the school.

But still it was a normal school.

There were cool kids.

There were not so cool kids.

There was bullying.

There were mean girls, and really douchey guys.

There were football Gods.
There was a slew of popular, pretty, Homecoming Court girls.
There were a fair share of stoners, and kids who got really excited over anime, or graphic novels, or obscure bands...
There was a scrawny red-headed gay boy thrown against the lockers and ridiculed.

But there was also... 

really brainy, really smart "jocks."
There were really cool, really funny kids who hung out with "geeks."
There was a painfully beautiful - from the inside out - Home Coming Queen who was, still is, sweet and had that kind of Christ-like niceness to everyone that's somewhat rare for a teenage girl ... hell somewhat rare period. 

There was a very popular guy, I've known since I was at least five but had only talked to sporadically since elementary school, who stopped me during a tough time to ask me how I was and he meant it. This wasn't the general, with a nod of the head, "Sup?" that usually occurred in high school this was a quiet show of genuine concern. "How are you (really)?"
Now let me tell you about me. I was in band, forensics, Media, and drama. I was friendly with everyone. I was sharp, albeit kind of a slacker. I laughed a lot, and cried a lot, and I was a bit of a dreamer (maybe still am.) I was the kid called down to the counseling office when a student, new or maybe not so much, was having a hard time integrating into the social life of high school. I was asked to take them in and I always did. Sometimes they stuck with my group of close friends but usually after awhile they found their own place in the spectrum of high school.
I was president of S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and Senior Vice President of Student Council. I was surprised to win that last position, because I didn't run unopposed and like I said I wasn't necessarily "popular." I was also morbidly obese.
The kind of obese that was uncomfortable, restrictive, and at times embarrassing. The kind of obese that made me dread restaurant booths, rollercoaster seats, backseat seatbelts and clothes shopping. 

The kind of obese that begets taunting, bullying, and social isolation. While occasionally taunted (mostly early on in school) it was never really an issue I suffered with, at least not alone. I had good friends. I was, to some degree confident enough not to let my weight rob me of too many things. I think, mostly, I was well liked and at least mildly respected. I was funny, easy to be around, and nice.
Yeah, I heard the fat jokes occasionally. I had a couple girls try to bully me a few times. I hardly ever got the guy I was crushing on and I definitely didn't fit into the trendy clothes.

I just want to touch on a few things here. You do not have to have the "cool" clothes to be cool. You are not what you wear. You are not the hobbies you partake in. You do not have to have it all together at all times.
I don't know what's going on out there, in schools across America. I don't know how "average" our school was. I don't know if we are different because we're small. I don't know if being in the middle of a corn field sheltered us a little from the real world. I don't know if other schools vote a band & drama kid Home Coming King over one of the "football Gods" but our school did. I don't know if your country, backwoods, rural, predominately all-white community voted a minority for your Prom Queen but we did.
I don't know if when something shakes your community if your school district meets around the flag-pole, "geeks" joining hands with "preps" or whatever and truly coming together in optional prayer to mourn, console, or to just be with one another ... I don't know.
I don't know if the morbidly obese fat girl in your school had a really awesome prom date but I did. There's a lot I don't know about you and your school...
What I do know is that it is possible. It's possible your school and your community is already like this. If it's not it's possible for it to be like this. Don't get me wrong we're not perfect by any means but maybe in time, maybe every class who passes through those halls will build that place up piece by piece, maybe we can all make things a little bit better, just a little bit, by doing just a little good every day.
Yes, maybe there are popular kids and maybe there are not so popular kids but I've seen that gap bridged time and time again.
Yes, maybe there were kids who bullied that red-headed gay friend of mine, but there were kids who stuck up for him too.
Maybe it's true that the "popular" kids to tended to wear "popular" clothing brands but it's also true that, it wasn't necessary. I don't recall a day in my high school career when someone touched the tag on my shirt, unless it was to tuck it in for me. Walking down the hall way I've never been asked who I was wearing. When I made my speech for that Vice President position for student council I didn't end it with dropping the name brand on my shoes, or pants, or shirt.
So regardless of what is in the news right now, or going round and round through this rotating door of the internet. Know that.
There are bullies in school and there are bullies in life but don't buy into their hype. You are not defined by your clothes, or your face, or your weight, trust someone who used to be obese and still after losing 157lbs still technically is. You are defined by your morals, your actions, but most importantly by how you treat others.
So maybe someone out there is telling you, you aren't pretty enough, you aren't perfect enough, you aren't straight enough, you aren't skinny enough, or tall enough, or short enough, or curvy enough ... but I'm here sticking up for you. I'm telling you none of that matters. I'm telling you those people who are less than accepting are insecure and threatened by the fact that they know this to be true. You. Do. Not. Need. Their. Approval.
I've been a stubborn and firm believer in "If you don't want me, I don't want you either." It has never been truer in this moment. If some person or corporation is going to tell you they don't want you because you're not the right size, shape, color or creed, they are not good enough for you, not the other way around.

 

Let me also remind you that fat girl is now a multi-published author and my clothing didn't have anything to do with that. 

 

 

It's not what you wear, it's how you treat people that defines you.

  

All about my WIP (Work In Progress)

I was asked about my current Work In Progress. I figured I'd share all the deets with you guys too :)

1. What is your working title/title of your book?
 Chasing Dreams (Falling #1)

2. Where did the idea come from for the book? 

I wrote book #3 in this series first. In that story the Heroine's brother is giving her some advice and while he's doing that he highlights a little bit of his own romantic encounter with his wife. I decided I had to see what their story looked like from the inside and went back to write it?

 3. What genre does your book fall under?
  Contemporary Romance.

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
 This is so difficult because I can't think of any actors who look like Nathan looks in my head. He's tall, wiry, and athletic. A body like a runner or a swimmer.

The same with Selina although Marion Cotillard could pull it off.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

I haven't actually written one yet so I'll just throw one out there for you.

The Falls bring two people together while life tries to tear them apart.

 

 6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
 I'll be resubmitting this book to Taliesin Publishing after a request from them to Revise & Resubmit. I'm hoping they'll pick it up.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
 This particular one, ohhh probably about three weeks.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
 Hmmm. I'm not sure I can think of one, honestly. I was told it reads a little like an old Cary Grant movie. I was pretty pleased to hear that. (I love Cary Grant.)

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My Beta (who has been reading and reviewing everything I've written since we were twelve) begged me to tell this story. It's been a favorite of hers ever since.

 10. What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?

It's a little different than my last three published books. 

Nathan Lawson meets Selina LeClezio while on  break in Niagara Falls. Sparks fly the first time they meet and the two quickly jump head first into a fast hot fling. Tragedy strikes and Nathan is pulled away from his week long spring break, and week long tryst much too soon.
While separated the two are dealt heavy struggles and simultaneously lingering feelings that neither had anticipated. Will either one decide to chase their dreams of being together or will it be left to the magic of The Falls to show them their destinies?

It's hot, sweet, and incredibly romantic. I'm not going to lie, though, I'm a little biased... but only a little ;)
I'll keep you all up to date about it but expect to see it out sometime this year :)

Where I've been.

I had a trip scheduled for the beginning of next month. As a family we were going to go down and visit with my Grandmother in Zephyrhills, Florida. My mother got a phone call a little over a week ago that she wasn't feeling well and wanted someone to come down as soon as possible. My mother jumped on the first flight out. My mom hadn't been down there with her for twelve hours yet before my grandma passed away.


Three Generations

It came as a bit of a shock. My poor mother was down there again dealing with this alone, when she had done the very same, that time alongside my grandmother, a few years ago as she watched my grandpa take his last breath. 
So we wanted to get down to her as quickly as we could. We didn't want her to be alone and thankfully my aunt got there quicker than we could. We all piled into my parents' minivan and drove the 1200 some miles straight through the night.
Once we got there funeral arrangements needed to be made, other forms of paperwork filed and then there was the matter of cleaning out the house and divvying her belongings. It was a hard, long, taxing week. I'm still not sure if I've actually digested and dealt with the loss yet. I've been too exhausted and busy. I'm still too busy and too exhausted...
I generally turn to books when something shakes me like this. I am an escapist at heart and Grandparents are a special thing. I began trying to recall the best books I'd ever read where the author shone a light on that particularly special bond between grandparent and grandchild.
For some reason only two came to mind.

Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Philips - We never, not once meet the grandmother in this book but we know by how the heroine remembers her and cherishes what she's been left that they two of them had that special grandmother-granddaughter connection. 

The other book I thought of was The First Love Cookie Club by Lori Wilde. While reading this book I often believed that maybe if our heroine's grandmother had lived a little longer than Sarah might have turned out differently. There is no arguing the soft spot Sarah had for her grandmother and how important the woman was to her.

I'm sure there are more - possibly better examples that hightlight the wonderfulness of grandparents in our lives. So please share them with me in the comments below. I'd be so grateful to hear of them.
 

Reader Chat

Authors are known to also blog. We do it because we like to talk and it also gives us a platform to host each other on, to self and cross promote. I have to be honest.
I. Am. Not. Good. At. This.
But I’m working on it.
                Authors often do blog hops, or host other authors with interviews, or character interviews or little teaser excerpts but I’ve never see an author host readers on her blog. Let’s face it, readers are such an integral and important piece to this big jigsaw puzzle that I can’t imagine why this doesn’t happen more often.

So I took the liberty to do just that. Today I’m talking with readers on my blog.  I had four volunteer fans from my Facebook Author Page www.Facebook.com/KbEvans  to come have a conversation with me here today.

Why don’t you introduce yourselves a little bit first? Aleesha, let’s start with you.  

Hi! My name is Aleesha and I like to read and play video games! I work at Walmart and am getting married August 3^rd! Other than that there is really nothing to tell.

I am Julie Kirsch. I am a housewife and mother to 4 children… my oldest is in college and our baby in Kindergarten.  I have not worked for money in 18 years.  I run the household and the children…I am married to a great man and I am 42 years old.  I recently became a Reader in last fall after my friends begged me to start reading so I could discuss the books!
                My name is Kelly. I am a student, a mother, a dental assistant, and a wife. I am studying writing at a community college to earn the college’s writing certificate. I am currently working on two short story projects for class and may compile some of these into a published collection. I may go on to get my bachelors at a different university, but not sure about that path just yet. I am an aspiring writer and I love to read.
                My name is Rhiannon and I’m awesome J

 

What kind of books do you usually enjoy reading? Who are some of your favorite authors?

 
 

A: I like to read all kinds of books, romance, mystery, not too keen on real scary books though. My favorite authors are Kelly Armstrong, Kelli Evans, and Jill Shalvis.
                J: I like to read romance stories.  I am not a big fan of detailed sex erotic romances. Too much fluff for me!  I love to read Toni Blake, Vivian Arend, and Robyn Carr, Lynda Chance, and Kelli Evans, Sylvia Day.  I prefer Series books!!  I never want the story to end and can appreciate adding new characters and places in a series of books.

                K: I tend to read stories with a supernatural/paranormal/horror theme. I also like reading crime stories (serial killers, etc). Some of my favorite authors are Stephen King, Ted Dekker, Justin Cronin, Tami Hoag, Jeffery Deaver, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins and many more. I do not usually go for straight up romance novels; I prefer something with touch of horror to it.
                R: I normally enjoy romance but a good thriller is always fun too. I like Jodi Picoult and Jill Shalvis.
                I have to admit that Jill Shalvis is a favorite of mine too. Wow, you are all such interesting (and sweet) women, and I’m glad to have you here today.  Most of you have read my Whisper Hollow Series, or at least read the first two books and are working on book three right now, correct? ;)  Which book in the series was your favorite, why?

J: Uhh, that’s a very hard question to answer. I liked the 2 books I read… They each brought different relationships and details… Probably book one about Reagan and Reed… I liked their romance and the fact that his daughter was brought into the story… I have 2 teenagers so it was very easy to relate to that type of behavior… Also liked that they met by chance and were very different people. He was so patient with her… it was just a great detailed story that I could not put down!  If it draws you in, and leaves you with a realm of emotions, you know you are getting something out of it… I could relate to this story… The entire divorce between Reed and wife one… I was a child of divorce twice… So, I get all of those emotions.  It was great!!!

K: My favorite book in the Whisper Hollow Series was book one, Lucky Enough. I have read the first two in the series and am getting to book three, but Lucky Enough is definitely my favorite thus far. I love the variety of characters that we are introduced to in this book. I absolutely love the way Reagan and Reed meet for the first time. Each character has their own special personality that makes you fall in love with them, even slimy ole’ Leland. I especially love Reagan’s quirky, humorous personality. It’s a cutsie kind of story, definitely something much different than what I am used to reading, but I loved it!

                A: Hmmm….my favorite book, I would say it would have to be the third book. I love Tad and Candace. But also, I think it’s the easiest to relate to. Many people have a crush on their best friend and many are too afraid to say anything. This book makes you want to go for it and I love that.

                R: Book three was my favorite by far because I loved Tad! He was everything I look for in a hero and it doesn’t get much better. Plus the last book wraps everything up for the whole series and I like to see that all come together, the wedding, the baby, etc.

               

                All the men in this series are seriously delicious right? But you have to Mary one, Date one, and Dump one? How do they measure up for you?

                K: Yummy? Yes! If I had to marry one it would be Reed. He’s just a big ball of manly sex appeal. He is a mechanic and there’s just something delish about a greased up, hard working, sweaty man. On top of that he is a good father to his daughter, and that is a plus. He is definitely marriage material.  I honestly couldn’t just date and dump any of them; even Joe has some great assets. Joe chooses to do the right thing and even though it seems obligatory, he is dead set on making you fall in love with him.              

 

                J: I can’t make a definitive answer!  I would marry Reed or Joe!  They both just seemed like wonderful men!  Tad didn’t really do it for me, but I have not started book three.  I loved Joe’s constant desire to want Ronnie. He waited it out and won the girl…

                R: I would marry Joe because he seems the most dependable. I would date Tad because umm he’s sexy! Lol and I would dump Reed well because it’s the only one left.

                A: I would marry Tad, and date Joe, and dump Reed. I love Tad’s sense of humor over all of the other men. He is cute, messy, and funny.

                Whew! I’m glad I’m not answering these questions. That is a tough one. These men are all so great in their own ways. They’re all especially great paired up with their women.                 
                Now what about the women? Who do you most relate with? Which would you choose to be your Maid of Honor? Who do you trust to babysit your kids? & who would you want for a boss?

                R: I relate with Reagan the most because she’s so funny and klutzy and down to earth and I love it. I would pick Ronnie to be my maid of honor because she has a knack for details lol Reagan to babysit my kids because she’s like a giant kid herself and my boss? Hmm any of ‘em!

                J:  I liked Reagan the most. She seemed to have a good head on, even if a bit disorganized. She was caring and compassionate.  She would be my babysitter and maid of honor… I would even want her for a boss.  She was kind.

K: I find that I related most to Reagan. She is funny, quirky and sexed up. She is a klutz and honestly, so am I. She also doesn’t care too much about keeping things perfectly tidy and will scarf down some ice cream without feeling guilty about it. For me, donuts are my comfort food. Out of obligation, I feel I’d have to choose my twinie as my maid of honor, but I think Candace would be a better match because she seems to be not as tightly wound as Ronnie. Ronnie may decide she wants to be in complete control of everything for the wedding. She may end up being Maid-of-Honor-zilla. I can’t choose between the two on babysitting, however. They would both make a good match for that. As for the boss choice, it would have to be Ronnie because she is really pulled together. She has to succeed and she would make sure those under her want to as well.

                A: I’m not really sure which I most relate with, I am clumsy like Reagan, I like organization like Ronnie, and I have Candace’s sense of humor. I think I would pick Ronnie for a maid of honor because she is super organized and I know everything would go smooth. I would pick Reagan for a babysitter because she is so good with Chloe. I would pick Candace for a boss because she is so laid back.

               

All such good answers, girls! Again, I don’t know how I’d choose.
If you could spend a day with one Whisper Hollow character which would it be? What would you do?

                K: If I could spend a day with one of the characters it would have to be Reagan. We would have a spa day, gossip about our men, eat sweets, and end the day with a few drinks and a lot of laughter. I like a good laugh and a chance to tell a few jokes and I think Reagan is the girl to do that. It would be a girl’s night out. As women, we don’t get to do that often enough. Don’t get me wrong, spending some time with Reed would be amazing, but there’s nothing like hanging with some friends!

 

                J: I would spend it with Reed and we would tour his shop!

               

                R: I would spend it with Tad and I would rather not say what we would be doing! lol

               

                A: Wow, I would definitely pick Tad and I’m pretty sure everyone knows what we would be doing ;) lol

 

                Haha!  Well, that all sounds pretty darn good to me.

                Let’s talk Leland, while we only really see him in Lucky Enough (book one) I’m sure you all still remember him and have some strong feelings about him? Tell us what those feelings are.

                J: If I remember correctly Leland was Reagan’s guy that she didn’t marry… No feelings about him, other than disgust.

                Close, Julie! Leland was Reagan’s landlord. You’re thinking of Lance The Lawyer. I think you might have been right on about the disgust part though ;)

                R: I thought he was hilarious!! One of my favorite side characters for sure, you really nailed the gross disgusting pervert lol

                A: I think he is gross. He reminds me of a lot of people I work with. He’s not shy about telling her she’s hot and to wear skimpy outfits. He hits on her despite her efforts to tell him it’s never going to happen. There is one part towards the end of book one where I kind of like him but I don’t remember why.

                K: Leland is a great character for some comic relief. He is disgusting and makes you cringe at the thought of him. He reminds me of Stephanie Plum’s cousin Vinnie(Janet Evanovich). I wouldn’t have been terribly disappointed to see him in some of the other stories, just because he was funny.
                I must admit I have a strange love-to-hate-him soft spot for Leland. He might show up again … if there ever comes a Whisper Hollow 4 … until then tell me, what is your favorite Whisper Hollow Moment?
               

                K: My Favorite moment was definitely the way Reed and Reagan first met. It was an amazing moment when she just randomly chooses some hot guy at the court house to make out with in attempt to make her ex jealous. From that moment on you just really want the two of them to have a rough and tumble in bed.

                A: One of my favorite moments is when Reagan kisses Reed for the first time. I love how spontaneous it is and it just makes me laugh.

                R: When Candace throws her drink on Tad, it was hilarious.
                J: When Reagan and Reed realize they love each other and want to be together.  When he especially realizes that he does not want Reagan to get away, even though his feelings for marriage are NONE… Once he realized that he loves her even more.
               

                I must be slacking. Every single one of your favorite moments all occur in Lucky Enough, Book One in the series. I better step up my game ;)
                Did you laugh, cry, or swoon at all while reading these books? Can you remember what it was that caused that emotion?

                R: I did all three of those things!!

                K: Swooning would include the answer to the last question. Best swoon moment in the series. One that also included a bit of humor and made me laugh as well.

                J: All of the above… these books caused all the emotions and I loved them all…A great books takes you into the story and out of your own personal life story.                

                A: I did a little of everything. I cried near the end of book two, I was going to describe it but I don’t really want to give anything away. I laughed a lot, and if I wasn’t laughing I usually had a huge grin plastered on my face, a lot of times my fiancé would ask what is so funny. I laughed at Reagan quite a bit because she is so clumsy and I kind of felt bad for her too for all the trouble she was getting herself into.

                Are you hoping for a Whisper Hollow #4?  If so, who would you like to see as the main character?

                J: Of course!  I would love to continue reading the series books!  I don’t have a main character, but would like to see how their families grow and the struggles and joys they face in the future.                

                R: That would be pretty cool and maybe it could be Chloe and Shea when they’re a little older?

                K: I wouldn’t mind seeing a teen oriented version for the Whisper Hollow series involving Reed’s daughter and her Boyfriend. It would be a cute read for any young girls out there who are looking for a bit of romance that is acceptable for them to read.
                A: Most definitely! I would eventually like to see what happens between Chloe and Shea. But even more than that I would like to see what happens with Joe’s brother, Dr. Gorgeous lol

                I get asked a lot if I’ll write about Chloe and Shea so I may just have to but Aleesha, you’re barking right up my alley with Dr. Gorgeous. If I ever write a Whisper Hollow 4 I’ll just have to give Dr. Gorgeous his HEA (Happily Ever After) I mean he’s been so patient…
               

                Okay Ladies, what has been your overall impression and opinion of this series?

                A: I LOVE IT!!! It was a great mix of funny, passion, and real life situations.

                J: It was great, fabulous, a wonderful read.

                K: Overall, the series is great! The characters are all developed very well. Each book leaves you wanting to learn more about the girls’ relationships with their men, even beyond the stories we have read already.

                R: Fantastic! I loved it and couldn’t put it down.

You’re all so good for my ego. But seriously, would you recommend this series to other readers?  

A: DEFINITELY!!

J: Of course I would … I truly enjoyed reading them.                 K: Yes! I have in the past and will continue to do so.                 R: Heck yes I would!

                How would you compare these books to others? Are there other books, or another series that struck you with a similar feel?

A: I don’t really know, I don’t think I could compare this to any other books I’ve read. I don’t think there are any other series that made me feel how I felt with this series. I mean sure I laughed at other books, but each book feels different to me.

K: The only similarity I found was with Lucky Enough and the Stephanie Plum series. The similarities there are minimal, of course, but I feel like Reagan and Stephanie are probably distant cousins. They are both funny, Klutzy and love their comfort food. Reagan’s landlord, Leland, was just as disgusting as Stephanie’s cousin, Vinnie. As far as similarities go, that is it. But this is also why I liked this story so well.                

R: This series actually felt very in sync with the Lucky Harbor series from Jill Shalvis, which I loved so it’s a win-win J

J: Yes, the Toni Blake series… these reminded me a bit of them… just books that you grieve over when you are on the last page!

 

And if you’re anything like me at all you’re always looking for another great read. So why don’t we just talk about the best books we’ve read thus far in 2013?   
               
                A: I would say the whisper hollow series are the best books I’ve read so far. I haven’t done much independent reading outside of book club lately besides book 3 in the whisper hollow series. But none of the books I’ve read in book club measure up the whisper hollow series.

J: For 2013, I started on Virgin River Series by Robyn Carr.  I have read them all up to: Redwood Bend… I am in the beginnings of this book now… I have 2 more to read after this and will have read all 20 books!  Fabulous stories…

Oh my gosh you ladies are wonderful. I’m honored to have you as readers!  Do any of you have questions of your own that you’d like me to answer? I’d be more than happy to.

J: Where do you get the inspiration for these characters?  Are these people or personalities you have known in your lifetime, or completely fiction?

To be honest Julie, a little of both. I throw some of myself into each and every one of them – unintentionally of course but it happens nonetheless. Some characters end up surprisingly similar to me and others the resemblance is barely miniscule. There’s a little bit of my family in them, and a little bit of my friends, or kids I’d gone to school with but it’s all mostly fleeting.
                There’s a moment in the beginning of Just Her Luck when I’m describing Joe’s kitchen – while he’s standing in it cooking eggs in the buff. Yum I know!  But I mention a tall skinny cupboard that’s supposed to be used for spices but he used as a medicine cabinet, I styled that after my parent’s house – and my aunt thought I was making a reference to her… I just try to write about real people in situations that are at times a little extreme but in some sense entirely possible.

J: Well, you are very detailed and have so much to offer a reader!

Thank you! I have the best readers! I’m so glad you all could stop by and spend some time with me, ladies. I’ve really enjoyed hanging out with you and talking shop.

                Everyone else feel free to chime in, in the comments. I love hearing from readers.
                Thanks again!!  

Talked about on SBTB

Smart Bitches Trashy Books is talking about One Lucky Deal

I sent Sarah Wendell, from Smart Bitches Trashy Books, an e-mail awhile ago asking for an honest review. While she hasn't actually reviewed it she is talking about it with Jane Little from DearAuthor. The part of One Lucky Deal that Sarah spoke in great detail about was the friends to lovers transistion these two go through.
I'm glad that this is what she picked up on the most. I'm proud she was impressed with that aspect. This was the piece of the story that I was most concerned with being truly authentic. Friends to lovers is my favorite story-line to read and to write. I love writing guys-guys and writing heroines who can hang with the boys and that is definitely Tad and Candace.
I truly hope that the experience would have been better for her if she'd read the first two, and I'd be interested in hearing what she had to say about them as well. While maybe not everything she said was overtly positive about this book, I'm more than pleased with the honesty of her analysis. I agree almost wholeheartedly with everything she's said. I really appreciate her taking the time to not only pick up one of my books but to include it in the DBSA Romance Fiction Podcast for this week.
And if you haven't had the chance to read the Whisper Hollow Books - I hope you find a moment to do so - I promise they are not a waste of time.  

Don't forget to check out the podcast by clinking on the subheading of this blog post :)

One Lucky Deal

Available: February 4th, 2013
www.LsBooks.com

 

 

Blurb: Candace Hilt works with stray and injured animals, takes care of five of her own loveable mutts, deals with meddling sisters, and can hold her own at a poker table full of rowdy men. Her heart is as big as all of Whisper Hollow but not quite big enough to fit a serious relationship into the mix. That was reaffirmed when she came face-to-face with the walking, talking reminder of that long-ago summer when one stupid guy ruined it for all the rest.

When Tad Dundee met Candace he’d been six feet of baseball-capped, country boy, down-home idiot and probably still is. He is the guy who broke Candace’s heart all those years ago because his feelings for her scared him then, and even now, as a grown man, doesn’t find her or relationships any less intimidating.

With the past tucked neatly behind them and neither of them looking for anything serious, they’d fallen into a very easy, comfortable friendship until their friends challenge them to a summer of commitment. Tad and Candace’s pride won’t let them turn it down. They are thrust into a fake relationship with each other that has them both battling against a sizzling hot attraction and that even hotter old flame. Will winning the bet mean losing everything all over again, or are they about to be dealt one lucky deal?

Excerpt:
Bimonthly poker night was a time-honored tradition. These guys had been playing for years, and just recently added Shea, Reed’s daughter’s boyfriend, and Candace to the group. Candace was added mostly because she was Tad’s roommate, and she brought the poker table to the equation. It was used as Tad and Candace’s dining room table every other night of the week.
“Where’s my shirt?” Tad walked out of the bathroom with nothing on but that towel slung low and wrapped around his hips.
“Why did you wait so long to shower?” Candace pushed the sleeves up on her lightweight brown shirt. “The guys are going to be here soon and you’re going to be walking around naked looking for your clothes.”
“It was that or sit around all night smelling like a gym bag.” Tad lifted a cushion on the couch and peered under it.
“You’re going to do that anyway.” Tad looked up at her and made a face. She smiled sweetly back at him. Taking pity on him when he went to the freezer and peered inside it, Candace rolled her eyes and sighed. “You are the worst searcher on the planet. What would your shirt be doing in the freezer?”
Candace came up beside him and leaned against the counter. The freezer was billowing out visibly cold air, and when Candace’s gaze slipped to Tad’s hardening tan nipples she reached out and closed the door. “What shirt are we looking for?” She blinked.
“You know the one.” He motioned to his naked chest. “The one—you know, it’s—” Then something must have caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. “That damn dog.”
Candace didn’t know what had happened, but she winced and slowly turned around just in time to catch Tad pulling out his black Ramones T-shirt from beneath Sara. Sara reached out with her teeth and grabbed ahold of it. She was obviously not ready to give it back. Tad tugged on the shirt and Sara tugged back, thinking it was a game.
Zeke, apparently not wanting to be left out on any of the fun, pulled on Tad’s towel. Since Tad hadn’t secured it very well, off it came in one easy tug.
“Shit,” Tad cursed, dropping the shirt and reaching around to try to grab back the towel, but it was too late.
“Hey,” Joe, Reed, and Shea called from the doorway as they entered the house. “Joe brought the beer. I picked up a pizza, and Shea’s packing Red Vines.”
“Holy hell.” Joe laughed.
“What’s going on in here?” Reed chuckled “Did we interrupt something?”
“Um…” Candace was trying not to stare but she hadn’t seen him naked in close to ten years, and damn, the years had done him some good. He was nothing but rock-solid, hard, sinewy muscle and … impressive.
“Dude!” Shea held a hand in front of his face, obviously trying to block Tad’s privates from his line of vision.
Candace quickly reached forward and grabbed her fuzzy purple pillow from the couch and tossed it at Tad. He caught it and used it to hide his man business as he backed up toward his room. “I’ll be out in a minute. And anything on four legs better be in hiding.”
Once he was gone, Candace took it upon herself to tell the guys in vivid detail about the double tug-of-war that left Tad bare-ass naked in front of everyone. They all were laughing until tears were spilling out of their eyes. When Tad emerged he was straight-faced. Obviously he didn’t find the incident nearly as funny as the rest of them did.
“All right, if we’re done laughing, can we play some poker? Please?” Tad took his seat next to Candace.
“Hey, don’t get hard, Peter, we’re just playing with you.” Joe smirked.
Tad shook his head, rolled his eyes, and just focused on dealing out the cards. “Hey, cut him some slack. It is a little drafty in here,” Reed joked. Candace knew it must have been a joke because there had been nothing small about it. She shook the thought from her head and tossed in her ante.
When the games were over they usually sat around and drank another beer and bullshitted for awhile, but Tad was still acting ornery. “All right, boys, see you tomorrow.”
“Kicking us out?” Joe laughed, getting up and pushing in his chair, nearly stepping on a snoozing Charlie in the process.
Rudy was scratching at the back door, wanting to go out to sniff and pee around. Candace got up and whistled, sending all five of them out for the last time that night.
“No, they just want to get back to doing what they were doing when we walked in.” Shea laughed and shoved the end of a licorice in his mouth.
“Shut up,” Tad said, but good-naturedly.
“What? You don’t think she’s hot?” Shea asked, and Candace’s ears perked up. She might not have necessarily found Tad all that attractive, nor did she particularly want him to find her attractive, but … she did want to be found attractive … even if it was by Tad.
“She’s all right,” Tad answered, and Candace decided she’d take that as a compliment, even though it could easily have just been Tad’s nice way of saying “hell, no.”
“Well, since she got a glimpse at you all naked, if the sight of her doesn’t make you want to puke up beer and pizza, I’d say turnabout is fair game,” Shea said just before he, Reed, and Joe all walked out the door. Candace had begun collecting empties and rinsing them out in the sink.
“Did you hear that?” Tad asked as he put the pizza box in their recycle container hidden underneath the sink.
“Yeah.” Candace laughed, expecting Tad to laugh too. She turned to find him looking at her pretty seriously.
“I think he’s on to something.” Tad leaned back against the kitchen counter.
“What?” She turned the water off in the sink.
“It’s only fair. You’ve seen mine; let me see yours.” He nodded at her and she searched his face, looking for a hint as to if he was kidding. She couldn’t tell, but she had that spine-tingling feeling convincing her that he wasn’t.
Also availble at Amazon.
Will be available soon at B&N.

Book Club's Best of 2012 Picks

At our last Book Club meeting members compiled lists of their favorite books read in 2012 and from their lists I've tallied it all up and have created one comprehensive list. So here are our picks!

Book Club's

Best of 2012 Picks

Best Book Club Pick This Year:



Lucky Enough by Kelli Evans

(I think they think they have to say this... ;) )

 

Honorable Mentions In This Category: The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood & Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith

The Best Book We Read On Our Own:

The Lucky Harbor Series by Jill Shalvis

Honorable Mentions In This Category: Living With The Dead by Kelly Armstrong, One Lucky Deal by Kelli Evans, The Quantico Series by Irene Hannon

The Books That Gave Us New Perspective:
Brightside by Mark Tullius, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, If I Stay by Gayle Forman, Kingdome of Childhood by Rebecca Coleman & One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf

The Book With The Most Adventure:
Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith

Honorable Mentions In This Category: The Hunting Tree by Ike Hammill, Instant Temptation by Jill Shalvis & One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf

The Scariest Book We Read This Year: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James (I think they were being funny...)

Honorable Mentions In This Category: Daddy's Home by A.K. Alexander, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote & One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf

The Hottest Book We've Read This Year:
Bared To You by Sylvia Day & Lucky Enough by Kelli Evans

Honorable Mentions In This Category: Fifty Shades Of Grey by E.L. James, The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood & One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake

The Books That Made Us Laugh-out-Loud:
Get A Clue by Jill Shalvis, The Know-It-All by AJ Jacobs & Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

The Book That Made Us Cry: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathon Safran Foer

Honorable Mention In This Category: Sisters of The Quilt by Cindy Woodsmall

The Book We Couldn't Put Down:
Lucky Enough By Kelli Evans

Honorable Mentions In This Category: 77 Days in September by Ray Gorham, The Half Stitched by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Just Her Luck by Kelli Evans & One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake

A Book/Genre We Liked But Didn't Think We Would:
the genre Romance

Honorable Mentions In This Category: the book Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James, the genre Thriller/Mystery

Our Favorite Author:
Kelli Evans

Honorable Mentions In This Category: Jill Shalvis, Kelly Armstrong, Mary Higgins Clark, Robin Cook, Julie Garwood, Irene Hannon, Beverly Lewis & Jodi Picoult

Our Guilty Pleasure Author:

Connie Mason

Honorable Mentions In This Category: Kelly Armstrong, Mary Higgins Clark, Robin Cook, Irene Hannon, Beverly Lewis, Jodi Picoult, Jill Shalivs & Nicholas Sparks

The Books We're Most Excited About Reading In The Upcoming Year:

Just Her Luck & One Lucky Deal by Kelli Evans

Honorable Mentions In This Category: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, Entwined With You by Sylvia Day & More of The Lucky Harbor Series

Our Honorable Mentions Of The Year:
The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood, Fifty  Shades of Grey by E.L. James, One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf & One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake