Hello and welcome to 2017!! We’ve added a new topic to the randomness that is Wednesday. I know, we’re tricky. We like to spice things up and keep y’all on your toes.

So, I’m supposed to list the top 10 things I’m proud of. Let’s hope I come up with ten and really, these are in no particular order.

1. Actually finishing a book – of course, this isn’t a work that would ever see the light of day, but I learned that I could finally write The End.

2. Publishing my books – I dreamt of being a published author and it actually happened. 

3. Starting college – we didn’t have the money so I didn’t go to college right out of high school. Luckily, I got a job at a private university and was able to work toward my bachelor degree.

4. Getting my Masters of Art in Teaching – such hard work since it meant going to school full time and working full time.

5. Graduating from university . . . three times! Yep, I have 2 undergraduate degrees and a Masters. Go me!

6. Surviving clinical depression – this is an on-going battle, but I’m winning.

7. Writing a letter to the person who sexually molested me and giving the guilt and the responsibility to him, where it belongs.

8. Kinder self-talk – I used to talk to myself so horribly. I mean, really, if I’d spoken to another person the way I talked to myself I would have had no friends. Now, I find that when I make a mistake I just take it in stride and move on.

9. I can stand up for myself and I don’t feel guilty about it. 

10. I have learned to say No and mean it.

Now go and check out what the other bloggers are proud of. And, if you want, you can leave a comment below telling me what you are most proud of.

Bronwyn
Jessica
Kris
Paige
Deelylah
Torrance

I was going to mention 2016, but really what’s to say? Oh wait . . .

Yeah, there it is. My feelings exactly.

My goals for 2017 are huge, but simple. New job and actually putting out books. I know, stunning!! 

I am still staggering through Entangled. I have well over 65k on it and it WILL be finished by the end of January. No matter what. 

I have already started the next Promises book, called Broken Promise and that will be finished as well. 

The next book in the Sandaki series, first book was Mated, is already cooking in my head as well as another book. I have this idea with Shifters so I want that to be another one for 2017. 

Look at me . . . 4 books. They will be finished. I am putting myself on a schedule. I know once I start writing every day the words will flow. It’s happened before and it will happen now.

And that’s it. My plans for 2017. I’m not going to rehash the horror of 2016, there’s no point. It’s over and done with. Time to wash my hands, have some wine and move on. If you’d like to join me, please do. 

Now check out what the other lovely bloggers have to say.

Bronwyn
Jessica D
Paige

Happy Yule, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Festive Whatever-Winter-Holiday-You-May-Be-Celebrating!!

Can you believe it’s that time of year again? Nope, me neither. And, I can tell you with confidence, that I am so glad it’s almost over. LOL! 

One reason is I’m working at the bookstore and, Jeez Louise, do the people get dumber this time of year. I’ve realized that my most hated phrase is “I saw it on your website.” This is said with a tone dripping with smugness. Yeah, that’s great buttercup, but my store isn’t the website. Surprise! So, the obscure book you want that was printed in 2005 isn’t on our shelves. In fact, it’s out of print so the reason you saw it on the website is because somebody is selling their copy. Of course, I say it nicer, but still the sentiment is there. This will usually cue the argument.

As I recently told one fabulous person I work with, “Yeah this time of year my spirit animal is a fucking bitch. Woo hoo!!”

So, yeah, I’m glad it’s almost over. Not just for that, but because it signals the end of this amazingly shitty year. I will be glad to see 2016 kicked to the curb. You? 

Though, there are things that I love about this time of year. The music, lights, all the amazing food, the gorgeous decorations. Sis and I are once again crafting and cooking. Okay, she’d doing most of the cooking since my schedule is crazy, but I leap in when I can. Our house is decorated within an inch of its life. We both have an unhealthy obsession with the making of wreaths. Right now we have 7 we’ve made, three just this year. We’re also creating another cute house. As soon as it’s finished I’ll post pics.

I hope all of you have an amazing holiday, whatever your chose to celebrate. Eat and drink lots of good food, hug your family close, and celebrate.

Now you can go over and check out what the other bloggers have to say.

Bronwyn
Paige

There were so many great toys when I was growing up. Some, I wasn’t allowed to have, like the Easy Bake Oven. Bitter?? You bet I am. Every child needs a piece of equipment they can burn their fingers off with . . . right???

So, here are some of the toys I actually received. 

So, today is wordless and, like always, I have stuff to say. First, I want to apologize for being MIA for many weeks. Stuff happened-work, depression, the stupid election-and suddenly it was a bunch of weeks later. Second, I couldn’t NOT do this post. I mean I’m going to show you all the stuff I love. How could I not share?

So, here it is in no particular order what I think of when I see the word Love

And, there you have it. Now go on over and visit the other bloggers and see their amazing pics.

Bronwyn
Kris
Kellie
Paige
Deelylah

So, apparently there was this television show called Friends  . . . yeah, I’m teasing you. I never really watched it, but heard all about it. 

Anyway, so on this one episode, someone . . . somewhere had this list of 5 celebrities he or she could sleep with and it wouldn’t count. Now, really, let’s be honest, this list exists with the idea that it would never happen in a billion million years. Couples could laugh about it, but what if it did? I mean, really, what if someone on that list showed up. Huh, something to think about, right? Awesome premise for a book, right?

Can you tell I have vacation brain? Yeah, I’m on vacation right now and can’t string two rational thoughts together though I have been writing. So, let me give you my LIST of men I could so totally have sex with without consequence.

1. Viggo Mortenson

I don’t think I even need to add anything. Just the picture will do.

2. Gerard Butler

3. Idris Elba

4. Jason Momoa

5. Daniel Craig

And, there they are, my amazing 5. Now go and check out who the other bloggers have on their lists. Oh, and let us know who’s on your list.

Bronwyn
Jessica
Jessica D
Paige
Torrance
Deelylah

Okay, so as you all know I work at a bookstore. And when you work someplace like that you encounter people. All kinds of people. Often, people who don’t think before they speak or, bless their hearts, are just plain dumb like a sack of hammers.

We had that kind in the bookstore this past weekend.

When you first enter the store, there’s a glass counter set up that showcases reading devices. Now, these devices are always hooked up so that customers can try them out. Because, you know, if you’re going to spend $100 or more you want to see how it works. 

These devices are also security alarmed. Because, yeah, they’re by the front door and we’re not dumb. We know very well that some people are shitheads and will steal.

Okay, so on Saturday, the alarm went off for one of these devices. And it’s loud. Really loud. One of my fabulous co-workers rushed to the front to discover a very “special” customer (see entitled and dumb) had tried to unplug the device so she could . . . wait for it . . . charge her cell phone.

When approached, the special snowflake didn’t apologize. Oh no, she got snotty and gave attitude.

So, I declare the special snowflake officially wins the Dumbass of the Weekend Award. Woo hoo!!!!

Congratulations!

Dear Future Self,

As I sit here, half asleep on a Tuesday evening, I really and truly hope you are writing. Yeah, I know 2016 was way hard, hell I’m living it, but it’s time to move on now. Really.

I’m almost 62k into Entangled and, I know, by the time you’ve read this note, that particular book is finished. Yay! Hopefully, you’ll be laughing and writing down the list of all the other finished books. I have a ton of ideas in my laptop and in my head so I’m crossing my fingers and imagining them all finished and huge best sellers.

In fact, it would be even nicer if you could be reading this from the incredible vacation chalet we own. *snort* NOT! Not even if I had a blue million dollars would I own vacation property. It’s so much easier to rent, enjoy and move on. I’m so hoping you still believe this too.

Anyway, writing. Yes, it’s been a struggle, but I’m hoping you are finding it less so. I have a huge stack of ideas I need to get to, so I’m hoping, as time went on, the whole writing process got a lot easier. Hell, it couldn’t be harder, that’s for sure. *knock on wood* 

Oh, and, I also hope you didn’t do something dumb like fall down, hit your head, and get married. Blah! I’ve already told certain friends that if I even acted as if marriage was a good idea they were to knock me out and lock me up until I came to my senses. Let’s hope they remembered that. 

Unless, he looks like this

Than it might be worth it. Oh baby!! So, if I’m married to him then go you!!

Keep writing!! hugs and kisses, Gwen

Now run and check out the notes the other bloggers wrote to their future selves.

Bronwyn
Jessica
Jessica D

Happy Gwensday! Today we’re chatting about our latest writing projects. But First . . . MHW

Okay, so the project I’m working on is the bane of my existence. I have been writing on this book forever. I started it, abandoned it and came back to it. I have rewritten the beginning of it like . . . 4 times, which is what I did with Dark Promise. Thankfully, I love these people and am not tired of them. I’m 60k into it with maybe another 15-20k to go. I’ve been working on it so long it already has a cover. Created by the incredible cover goddess, Kris Norris.

I know. It’s gorgeous!! I just need to finish the book so it can get the cover.

So, the main characters are Rowan Haggerty, Vladimir Rodzianko, and Sergei Bukolov. She is a forcibly retired government agent and the two men are Vitala. That’s a fancy name for vampires, though these guys aren’t dead. They’re another species that live a long time and drink human blood. Vlad is the head of the Russian Enclave and Sergei is his second.

At the beginning of the book, Rowan discovers humans holding Vitala captive – two adult males and a child. She ends up rescuing the child, which kicks the book into gear. Chases, assassination attempts, and hot hot sex follow. There will be a happy ending, though I’m not there yet. Hey I’m only on page 141 so it has a bit to go. I can’t wait for you all to read it, since I’ve been working on it for so so long.

Now, run out and check what the rest of the bloggers have going on. Oh, and give a warm welcome to the newest member of the blogger family Torrance Sene!!

Bronwyn
Jessica
Kris
Jessica D
Paige
Kayleigh
Torrance

My amazingly, awesome friend Bronwyn Green was given a blogging award by Tumbling Words. Wooo hooo!!! She was then asked to nominate 11 other bloggers for this same award and here I am. Thank you, Bron!

What do you feel is the most criminally underrated movie or TV show? 

This one is tough since I don’t watch a lot of TV and rarely go to the movies anymore. But, I think the new GhostBusters was so utterly amazing and it just didn’t do that well. I was bummed about it since I loved it.

How do you feel about clowns? 

I can’t stand them!!! They scare the crap right out of me. 

What’s your favorite book? 

Of all time, my fav book is The Secret Garden by Frances H. Burnett. So much awesome. I have like 6 or 7 different copies of it, one being the very first one my grandmother gave me.

Where is your happy place? 

In my own head. I love crafting stories and coming up with characters. Now, if I had to chose someplace to go it would be Disney World. That place just makes me smile. I’ve been 3 times and would love to go again.

Growing up, what was your favorite toy? 

Paper dolls. My Sis and I had a ton of them and we’d set them up as if they were living in this huge apartment building. We had long running story lines for every character.

What was the worst job you ever had? 

I worked at a mortgage place for like three days. I found out that I was hired over someone else who had way more experience. One of my co-workers told me about it as if it was somehow my fault. It was not a good situation. 

What fact about you surprises people the most? 

I’m an introvert. The people I work with are stunned since I’m all sparkling and chatty, but it’s an act. I learned to put it on when I taught school and now that’s what works at the bookstore.

What’s the one thing you wish you’d known as a freshman in college? 

I was an adult when I started college. I didn’t go right out of high school so my freshman year happened when I was working full-time and was 25.

What are two of your bucket list items? 

I want to go to Scotland and tough Hadrian’s Wall. And, I want to go to Glastonbury to visit the Tor and Chalice Well.

Do you play any instruments? If so, which one(s)? If not, are there any you wish you could play? If so, which ones? 

No, but I really wish I’d learned to play guitar.

What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever been given?

I didn’t think so at the time, but the most wonderful, amazing gift I’ve ever gotten is my younger sister. She is my best friend and I can’t imagine my life without her.