Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Looking Back.... Looking Ahead

2014 is almost gone... in fact it is already gone for most of you, I however still have 1 hour and 12 minutes left until 2015 sweeps in and makes me curse writing the date. Of course by the time you read this it will be 2015 here. 

What can I say about 2014? It was a year that kicked my butt. The first half of the year was great. I was on fire with blogging, writing, teaching, everything. I actually published my first book! (Can I just take a second to let that sink in? I still can't believe I... I published a book. Like a real book. I can see it sitting on my shelf and everything.) Okay, moment is over. 

The minute I hit publish on that book everything changed. Naturally I began to doubt my decision to publish my book. But the book was out there so it was too late. Now all I could do was dwell on the fact that it was out there. Then the what if's sort of froze me. My doubts froze me. I no longer felt like I had what it took to write a second book. Oh sure, I had the second book mostly outlined, a plan for a prequel and even plans for book 3. How could I think of not continuing? That's exactly what I'm thinking now, how could I, but I did. 

Life happened. Things at work got crazy, I got promoted and took on way more responsibility than I ever had before. I took my classroom and students to heights I didn't think possible. But everything else fell short. I stopped blogging. I stopped reading. I stopped doing everything that mattered to me. I just was. I was in a funk, depressed, I don't know. I was a shadow of the person I wanted to be, but I couldn't seem to find a way to change it. In fact a part of me didn't even care. I didn't want to change it. What was wrong with not being so busy all the time. Life was busy enough without all the extras I put into it. 

But then I began to see glimmer's of myself. I began to see my old self floating to the surface again. She surfaced a few times over the past 6 months, but I was fast to shove her back under. I never let her surface for too long. Looking back now I think I was afraid. Afraid to fail? To succeed? I don't know. But again my fear froze me. Slowly but surely she fought herself to the surface more and more. Each time bringing more than glimmers. I began to see that I still wanted to do all the things I was doing before. I still desired, yearned, to be a writer and blogger and that wasn't a bad thing. 

I finally picked up a book and enjoyed it. I began thinking of my characters again, of Jo and Jasper. Of the story that lie in waiting for over 6 months now. Stories untold began to float through my mind and a fire was stoked. I picked up things for my blog, cover reveals, blasts, blitz's, small things. Nothing that really required me to think, but it was enough to make me miss it. 

And now I'm back. Or at least I think I am. Well I want to be. 2014 wasn't everything I wanted it to be. It was a good year overall, but it wasn't everything I wanted it to be and like most of you I have spent the last couple of days reflecting on exactly what I need to do to make 2015 better. To make myself happier. 

And I have come to one conclusion.... I need to just be me. I need to accept the fact that I cannot be the perfect blogger, posting everyday, I can't be the best teacher there ever was, I can't be the perfect author, and heaven knows I can't be a perfect mother or wife. But I do know that I can better.

I can be a better blogger today than I was yesterday. A better writer. Teacher. And yes a better wife and mother. Because that's all I really want. I don't want to be perfect. I just want to be better. I don't know how I will measure it, but hopefully I will feel it in the happiness of myself and those around me. 

One thing is for certain... I am going to rock the hell out of 2015!!! Who's with me???

Monday, December 29, 2014

Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter: Hunting Season {Cover Reveal}

Today is an awesome day. Not only is it my birthday, but I get to share the cover of the next book in the Aurora Sky series with you! Talk about an awesome gift! And the best part is that I get to share it with all of you. So here you go, feast your eyes on Hunting Season by Nikki Jefford (one of my favorite people)


Releases 3-3-15

Hunting Season
Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter, Vol. 4

Blurb~
Better to be a hunter, not prey.
 Ever since her partner was kidnapped, Aurora Sky has been on a personal mission to get him back. To do that she needs the vampire responsible for destroying her life.
 In order to have a snowball’s chance at success, she’ll have to team up with her most loyal friends—including a certain vampire in black with a provoking talent for distraction.
 Old cravings aren’t easily quenched, nor past passions. With knowledge comes danger and Aurora is at risk on all sides.
Pre-order on Amazon or sign up for a Release Alert to receive links to Nook, Kobo, Google Play and iBooks. Add at Goodreads.


Cover design: Phatpuppy Art. Photography: Teresa Yeh. Typography: Najla Qamber Designs. Models: Gabriella and Lee.

About the Author:

Nikki Jefford is a third generation Alaskan, born & raised in Anchorage, now living in northern Washington state. She loves meeting people from all walks of life, from around the globe, and wouldn't trade her French husband in for anyone--not even Spike! The dark side of humanity fascinates her, so long as it's balanced by humor and romance.


Find Her: Facebook | Twitter | Blogger | Goodreads




Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly {Nerd Blast}


Blurb~
They're out for your soul.
And they don't have heaven in mind...
  Willow knows she's different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people's dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from.

But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces and that he's one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems; least of all good and evil.

Find It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

I have to say, I am really digging that cover! Wow! Stunning, this book is definitely going on my TBR!

Check out the book trailer...

About the Author~
Lee Weatherly was born in 1967 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. She lives with her husband in Hampshire, England, where she writes, goes on walks, tries out new recipes and has a cat named Bernard.
  L.A. Weatherly is the pseudonym for Lee Weatherly. You can follow her on Twitter at @LA_Weatherly
Find Her: Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook


Giveaway
International... 6 winners will receive a Copy of Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly



Saturday, December 20, 2014

Where Silence Gathers by Kelsey Sutton {Release Blast}


Well it's been a while since I've been here, but what's a better way to get back in the swing of things then by sharing a new book? And this one sounds pretty cool, so stick around and maybe grab a new book to cuddle with.

Blurb~
In this companion novel to the critically acclaimed Some Quiet Place, Alex must choose between Revenge and Forgiveness.
  
For as long as she can remember, Alexandra Tate has been able to see personified Emotions, and she's found a best friend in Revenge. He's her constant companion as she waits outside Nate Foster's house, clutching a gun. Every night since Nate's release from prison, Alex has tried to work up the courage to exact her own justice on him for the drunk driving accident that killed her family.
  
But there's one problem: Forgiveness. When he appears, Alex is faced with a choice—moving on or getting even. It's impossible to decide with Forgiveness whispering in one ear . . . and Revenge whispering in the other.


About the Author~
Kelsey Sutton has done everything from training dogs and making cheeseburgers to selling yellow page ads and cleaning hotel rooms. She lives in northern Minnesota and received a BA in English from Bemidji State University. When Kelsey is not writing or trying out a new career, she can be found in the park with her dogs, ordering a coconut mocha at the local coffee shop, or browsing a bookstore.

Find Her: Website | Twitter | Goodreads



Giveaway

2 winners will receive a copy of Where Silence Gathers by Kelsey Sutton 
Enter HERE!