Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Roots & Crowns and Project Unbreakable
Sometimes you come across something you just have to have. You NEED it. You covet it.
In my case, that kind of passionate response usually revolves around food, tattoos or bracelets.
But, as I was doing research for Sexual Abuse Awareness month and working on some programming on the topic I came across Project Unbreakable...if you haven't checked it out, you must (Trigger WARNING: photos of rapist quotes could cause a trigger response in some people. ) As I became more and more intrigued by Grace Brown's brain child I also came across a company called Roots & Crowns out of Portland, Oregon.
Max at Roots & Crowns creates the most beautiful amulets that he fills with nature. Max creates each amulet specifically for each person, sometimes emailing or skyping numerous times with the customer to get a grasp of the specific herbs and flowers to include inside their amulet.
One of Max's recent facebook posts said, "I LOVE personalizing necklaces for custom-order. Getting to tap into the co-creative intention for the piece, and handwriting the scroll describing the included herbs---it's all such a lovely process."
Roots & Crowns is designing unbelievably inspiring amulets for Project Unbreakable which supports and brings light to the victims of sexual abuse and rape.
(photos courtesy of Roots and Crowns etsy shop)
CHECK THEM OUT HERE
Which brings me back to the things I COVET. In the photo above I am wearing my very own Project Unbreakable inspired Roots & Crowns amulet and I am so fuh-reaking in love with it! It's beautiful and so meaningful.
And Max's customer service was impeccable.
My new favorite etsy shop!
Kudos, Max Turk! In my eyes, you're a hero for spending your time blessing survivors with your talents and hard work.
Go book mark Roots & Crowns on Etsy and SHARE & LIKE their facebook page! Go!
Peace.
Monday, September 29, 2014
The Halls of Skin & Bone...
I've started re-posting a little bit from my former Mommy Blog. I'm getting a kick out of re-living all the chaos of having younger kiddos.
This was written after our first trip into Hollister...a.k.a The Halls of Skin & Bone.
Enjoy!
Today we did some school shopping. I got a babysitter and I took my older two to the mall.
I love the smell of Back-to-School!
Not the fact that the fruit of my loins will actually spend hours away from me 5 days a week (I hate that part) but just the tingly excitement of that first day. The new kids, new teachers, locker combinations, new notebooks, cute boys, being late to the class I didn't even sign up for but ended up being on my schedule, unexpectedly getting my period, tripping up the stairs in front of the boy I was planning on having a crush on that day and having egg salad soup at the bottom of my locker at luchtime.
Well, not ALL my memories are good ones I guess. But, I still get excited for the shopping!
On our trip, we went to all the stores that kids love: Children's Place, Old Navy, GAP and some department stores that Mom dragged them into in hopes of a good sale. But then I had the great idea to travel into a world unknown...Hollister.
I have never been able to figure out the fashion phenomenon of a NAME. What makes a name when it comes to fashion? How do the words GAP, ABERCROMBIE, AEROPOSTALE define multi-millions in sales? They are cool clothes, I enjoy the styles and quality but I have a strong feeling if they looked identical but were called SMITHSENSTRUBER they wouldn't be so cool!
So, we walk into Hollister - our first time. It's a dark and loud store. I actually felt like I was walking into a bar. That's how they sell clothes! You are squinting and can't see a thing and the music is so loud when you ask where to find the clothes that cost less than $400 you can't hear what the 4-year old sales girl who weighs 20 lbs. says. So, you grab up a couple things, head to the register, swipe your card and head for the nearest CVS for some Advil, Oil of Olay and Slim Fast.
I am not a name-dropper or someone who needs to have the latest name brand fashions
and I try to deter my children from feeling that is necessary. Oh, and knock-off designer purses don't count because they are not real.
But, I have shopped long enough to know that even the stores that cause you to take out a second mortgage just to outfit your three children for one day DO, in fact, sometimes have good sales. I just thought it would be cool for my first-time middle-schooler to have a Hollister T-shirt for school...I would do anything to give him a leg up on the sometimes cruel competition.
So, we walk in and head right for the clearance racks.
Of course, we had to pass the posters...ugh, the posters...what was this, the red light district? Are they SELLING SKIN in this store? Well, then why is so much of it showing?? The girls in the posters weigh approximately 14.5 ounces and have the slender shape of Gumby! Their apparent poster boy love interests have 6-pack abs that go the whole way dowwwwwwwwwn to a VERY TOO LOW waistline.
I was covering my daughter's eyes and blushing before we got past the cash register! I think I actually felt myself get fatter in this store. I could see the sales staff wasting away while I unbuttoned my shorts to relieve the pudge that was growing underneath my not-Hollister, mom clothing. I wanted to BARF. THEY needed to eat.
"C'mon, honey, have some fries, a milkshake, SOMETHING that will make you weigh more than my purse!"
I found some great sales after asking a nice kid for help. The kid who then walked us to the register because he had lost his voice from screaming "What's up?" and repeated directions to the Hollister-virgin customers all day.
I know, I know. I should not be school shopping for ME but I have to say, I got sucked into the Hollister haze and wanted to wear the word, too! Of course, that feeling quickly faded when I held up a t-shirts that could have doubled as a sock on this mom body.
They got shirts.
I got perfume and pretended each squirt would airbrush me to the size of that $@!#! poster girl!
Still squirting...
NOTHIN’!
This was written after our first trip into Hollister...a.k.a The Halls of Skin & Bone.
Enjoy!
Today we did some school shopping. I got a babysitter and I took my older two to the mall.
I love the smell of Back-to-School!
Not the fact that the fruit of my loins will actually spend hours away from me 5 days a week (I hate that part) but just the tingly excitement of that first day. The new kids, new teachers, locker combinations, new notebooks, cute boys, being late to the class I didn't even sign up for but ended up being on my schedule, unexpectedly getting my period, tripping up the stairs in front of the boy I was planning on having a crush on that day and having egg salad soup at the bottom of my locker at luchtime.
Well, not ALL my memories are good ones I guess. But, I still get excited for the shopping!
On our trip, we went to all the stores that kids love: Children's Place, Old Navy, GAP and some department stores that Mom dragged them into in hopes of a good sale. But then I had the great idea to travel into a world unknown...Hollister.
I have never been able to figure out the fashion phenomenon of a NAME. What makes a name when it comes to fashion? How do the words GAP, ABERCROMBIE, AEROPOSTALE define multi-millions in sales? They are cool clothes, I enjoy the styles and quality but I have a strong feeling if they looked identical but were called SMITHSENSTRUBER they wouldn't be so cool!
So, we walk into Hollister - our first time. It's a dark and loud store. I actually felt like I was walking into a bar. That's how they sell clothes! You are squinting and can't see a thing and the music is so loud when you ask where to find the clothes that cost less than $400 you can't hear what the 4-year old sales girl who weighs 20 lbs. says. So, you grab up a couple things, head to the register, swipe your card and head for the nearest CVS for some Advil, Oil of Olay and Slim Fast.
I am not a name-dropper or someone who needs to have the latest name brand fashions
and I try to deter my children from feeling that is necessary. Oh, and knock-off designer purses don't count because they are not real.
But, I have shopped long enough to know that even the stores that cause you to take out a second mortgage just to outfit your three children for one day DO, in fact, sometimes have good sales. I just thought it would be cool for my first-time middle-schooler to have a Hollister T-shirt for school...I would do anything to give him a leg up on the sometimes cruel competition.
So, we walk in and head right for the clearance racks.
Of course, we had to pass the posters...ugh, the posters...what was this, the red light district? Are they SELLING SKIN in this store? Well, then why is so much of it showing?? The girls in the posters weigh approximately 14.5 ounces and have the slender shape of Gumby! Their apparent poster boy love interests have 6-pack abs that go the whole way dowwwwwwwwwn to a VERY TOO LOW waistline.
I was covering my daughter's eyes and blushing before we got past the cash register! I think I actually felt myself get fatter in this store. I could see the sales staff wasting away while I unbuttoned my shorts to relieve the pudge that was growing underneath my not-Hollister, mom clothing. I wanted to BARF. THEY needed to eat.
"C'mon, honey, have some fries, a milkshake, SOMETHING that will make you weigh more than my purse!"
I found some great sales after asking a nice kid for help. The kid who then walked us to the register because he had lost his voice from screaming "What's up?" and repeated directions to the Hollister-virgin customers all day.
I know, I know. I should not be school shopping for ME but I have to say, I got sucked into the Hollister haze and wanted to wear the word, too! Of course, that feeling quickly faded when I held up a t-shirts that could have doubled as a sock on this mom body.
They got shirts.
I got perfume and pretended each squirt would airbrush me to the size of that $@!#! poster girl!
Still squirting...
NOTHIN’!
Peace out, Mamas!
Labels:
hollister,
humor,
MKB stories,
mommy blog,
school shopping,
society,
storytelling
Monday, August 25, 2014
MKB tells it all...
I've been a storyteller literally all my life and I've never been a very secretive person so, in 2007, when I discovered Mommy Blogging and saw how many hits and followers you get when you air your dirty laundry and Mommy chaos, I knew I'd found my gig.
Now, seven years later, I'm a published author and just because I wanted to do something a little different, I thought periodically I would share one of those stories with you.
So, here's a story from 2007, my kiddos were 10, 9 & 2.
Here's the story I like to call...
Why Stay At Home Moms are Constipated
I hope you enjoyed the story - look for more to come...and, no worries, they're not all TMI topics!
LOL!
Peace.
Now, seven years later, I'm a published author and just because I wanted to do something a little different, I thought periodically I would share one of those stories with you.
So, here's a story from 2007, my kiddos were 10, 9 & 2.
Here's the story I like to call...
Why Stay At Home Moms are Constipated
(minor-TMI alert)
I get everyone onto the
bus and coax my little man back inside with the promise of a lollipop so I can
relieve the "urge" that is looming in my gut. Now, you must know that
our other two had a strict rule to live by, "NO sugar until after
lunch!" When the third came along - yeah, not so strict anymore - I just
jump on whatever ploy works that day.
"Want some
candy?"
"Then, please get
off the dining room table."
"Want a donut?"
"You'll need to stop
playing in the potty and wash your hands, then!"
He's onto me!
He's onto me!
If I'd have had a bowl of
sugar in my small powder room I would have given him a spoon just so I could
have relieved myself in peace. But I wasn't thinking ahead I guess.
I briskly entered the
throne room with a chubby little hand in mine, shut the door and took my seat
as Queen of...(I'll spare you!) With that, I was apparently awarded a Jester
and JEST he did!
He is a small 2 year old
but he felt big as he lurched his body across the room, planted his hands on
the lip of the pedestal sink, threw his feet to the pedestal and lifted. His
little body became the shape of a "less-than" sign. He was eye to eye
with me. He looked at me, giggled and jumped down.
Funny how nothing goes
unnoticed when you are 32" tall. He headed right for the small stack of
toilet paper in the corner. He and I began a sweet game of
catch with one of the rolls. Fifteen years ago, I would never have imagined
myself in the toilet-seat-shot-put Olympics. But, who does? I was just hoping
to read something, anything in any one of the many untouched magazines in the
bin by my feet.
Bored with catch he makes
it his mission to build the Leaning Tower of TP.
What a kick he gets out of himself when he makes it as tall as he is. I smile.
How cute. But three seconds later I have become the center of a nuclear attack
as there are toilet paper rolls bludgeoning me from all sides! What is it about
stacks and piles that make toddlers evolve into SUPER DESTRUCTO MAN?! Another Mom-phenomenon that we
will never figure out.
The dog pushes the door,
that I thought was shut, open a bit ad tries to come in. I fling my body to the
door and shut it. I have all the stimulation I need right now as my body has
not relaxed enough to make this trip a DONE DEAL, yet.
And with that minor
distraction, my son has decided to switch careers. SUPER DESTRUCTO MAN is now Kareem Abdul Juicebox as he makes a slam dunk with a roll of TP into
the pedestal sink. Funny, I never saw that parallel...the powder room sink does
look a bit like a basketball net. Huh.
After the huge bulk pack
of toilet paper is dumped on the floor and he begins fishing in the trashcan
and lunging for the toilet brush I decide...it is time to abort this mission.
We walk out together only
to find that the dog has completely macerated the roll she must have grabbed when
she tried to interrupt only minutes ago. It looks like she killed a bloodless poodle!
Well, the
"urge" has passed....there's always tomorrow.
Somehow I don't think
working moms deal with this discomfort. I can't imagine their co-workers
climbing under the stall and wrapping them in toilet paper or playing
pat-a-cake! They have the PLEASURE OF POOPING IN PEACE!!
I hope you enjoyed the story - look for more to come...and, no worries, they're not all TMI topics!
LOL!
Peace.
Labels:
kids,
MKB stories,
mommy blog,
storytelling
Friday, August 22, 2014
Join me over at Holly Hot Reads
Meet me over at Holly's Hot Reads today as I TAKE it OVER! :) Will be so much fun!
Giveaways, trivia, get to know you fun and an EXCLUSIVE excerpt from SHIFT, my latest work-in-progress!
If you're here for the SCAVENGER HUNT, good luck!
Peace.
Labels:
blog takeover,
holly's hot reads,
in too deep
Monday, August 4, 2014
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
eFestival of Words 2014 Finalist
I couldn't be more honored to be nominated for these awards but today they announced the finalists and IN TOO DEEP has made it to the finals and needs your votes.
We are a finalist in the
BEST NEW ADULT NOVEL and BEST VILLAIN (Noah) categories!
I know there are tons of contests out there and people are winning them all the time, but the fact that this particular contest is for INDEPENDENT ebooks makes this a much BIGGER deal for those of us INDIES!
INDIE AUTHORS are growing in popularity and all you have to do is look at the list and see how MANY amazing talents are there.
I'd love it of you'd head over to the eFestival Category lists, register (it only takes a second and you don't have to accept any of the free offers at the end), and vote for your favorites.
Just click HERE and it will take you directly to the voting booths!
Good luck to all the amazing finalists!
<3 p="">
3>
Labels:
contest,
eFestival of Words,
emotional abuse,
finalist,
in too deep,
new adult,
nominee,
romance
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Final Day of the ABOVE THE NOISE blog tour
I can not tell you how THRILLED I am with Book Plug Promotions! Heather ran my COVER REVEAL, my RELEASE DAY LAUNCH and my BLOG TOUR and everything has been so smooth and ...well, PERFECT! Her prices are so reasonable for all the work she puts into these details of her business! Most professional experience I've had as an author!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Here's the list of BLOG TOUR STOPS this week...most of which were 4 & 5 star reviews which has me all giddy! The links will take you to each website so you can see reviews, excerpts, bonus scenes, character interviews and join the giveaways, etc.
Today's the last day - so do it NOW!
Now....onto the next book!
Dates to Post | Blog Name | Blog URL | Post |
Monday - June 16 | Illusionary Pleasure | http://illusionarypleasure.wordpress.com/ | Bonus Scene |
Monday - June 16th | Here is some of what I read | http://www.mywriterblog.com/whatiread/ | Promo Post |
Monday - June 16th | Toot's Book Reviews | http://tootsbookreviews.blogspot.com | Character Interview |
Monday - June 16th | HEA Bookshelf | http://heabookshelf.blogspot.com | Review |
Monday - June 16th | A Love Affair With Books | http://www.aloveaffairwithbooks.com/ | Review and Excerpt |
Monday - June 16th | Wicked Women Book Blog | http://wickedwomenbookblogs.blogspot.com/ | Promo Post |
Monday - June 16th | Lovin' Los Libros | http://www.lovinloslibros.blogspot.com | Review |
Monday - June 16th | Rose's Book Blog | http://rosecaceres.blogspot.com | Promo Post |
Monday - June 16th | Collector of book boyfriends | http://collectorofbookboyfriends.wordpress.com/ | Promo Post |
Monday - June 16th | Trinas Tantilising Tidbits | http://trinastantilisingtidbits.blogspot.co.nz | Promo Post |
Monday - June 16th | True Story Book Blog | http://www.truestorybookblog.com | Promo Post |
Tuesday - June 17th | TSK TSK What to Read | http://www.tsktskwhattoread2.blogspot.com | Review and Excerpt |
Tuesday - June 17th | Between My Lines | http://www.betweenmylines.com | Review |
Tuesday - June 17th | halos and horns book blog | http://www.halosandhornsbookblog.blogspot.com | Review and Excerpt |
Tuesday - June 17th | Agents of Romance | http://www.agentsofromance.com | Review and Excerpt |
Tuesday - June 17th | Ebony and Ivory’s Book Harmony | http://ebonyandivorysbookharmony.blogspot.com/ | Promo Post |
Wednesday - June 18th | Kindle Crack Book Reviews | http://www.kindlecrack.net | Review |
Wednesday - June 18th | Sleep Deprived Book Lovers | http://sleepdeprivedbooklovers.blogspot.com | Review and Excerpt |
Wednesday - June 18th | True Story Book Blog | http://www.truestorybookblog.com | Promo Post |
Wednesday - June 18th | Books, Boys, & Badass Bloggettes | http://BadassBloggettes.blogspot.com | Review and Excerpt |
Wednesday - June 18th | Wicked Reads | http://vkwickedreads.wordpress.com/ | Review and Excerpt |
Wednesday - June 18th | BookSkater | http://bookskater.blogspot.com/ | Promo Post |
Wednesday - June 18th | Review and Excerpt | http://www.kvlovesbooks.blogspot.co.uk | Review and Excerpt |
Thursday - June 19th | Deal Sharing Aunt | www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com | Promo Post |
Thursday - June 19th | Rumpled Sheets Blog | http://rumpledsheetsblog.wordpress.com/ | Promo Post |
Thursday - June 19th | Naughty and Nice Book Blog | www.naughtyandnicebookblog.com | Review & Excerpt |
Friday - June 20th | Ashley's Book Corner | http://ashleysbookcorner.blogspot.com/ | Review and Excerpt |
Friday - June 20th | Scandalous Book Blog | http://scandalousbookblog.blogspot.co.uk/ | Review and Excerpt |
Friday - June 20th | Short and Sassy Book Blurbs | http://shortandsassybookblurbs.blogspot.com/ | Review and Excerpt |
Friday - June 20th | The Boyfriend Bookmark | http://theboyfriendbookmark.com | Review and Excerpt |
Saturday - June 21st | Ashley's Book Corner | http://ashleysbookcorner.blogspot.com/ | Review and Excerpt |
Saturday - June 21st | Love Words And Books | http://lovewordsandbooks.com | Promo Post |
Saturday - June 21st | Anny books | http://httpswwwfacebookcomsexylmreftntnmn.weebly.com | Review and Excerpt |
Saturday - June 21st | Six Chicks and Their Love of Books | Www.sixchicksbooks.blogspot.com | Review and Excerpt |
Saturday - June 21st | Love N. Books | http://lovenbooks.com | Review and Excerpt |
Saturday - June 21st | we stole your book boyfriend | http://westoleyourbookboyfriend.weebly.com/ | Review and Excerpt |
Saturday - June 21st | Literary Meanderings | http://www.literaryme.net/ | Promo Post |
Saturday - June 21st | Jessica Loves Books | http://www.jessicalovesbooks.com | Review and Excerpt |
Saturday - June 21st | Lustful Literature | http://lustfulliterature.com | Review and Excerpt |
Saturday - June 21st | Read-Love-Blog | www.Read-Love-Blog.com | Review and Excerpt |
Saturday - June 21st | Stick Girl Book Reviews | https://www.stickgirlbookreviews@blogspot.com | Review and Excerpt |
Saturday - June 21st | Hooked on Books | http://hookedonbooksforever.blogspot.com/ | Review |
Saturday - June 21st | Rockin' The Bookshelf | http://www.rockinthebookshelf.net | Promo Post |
Now....onto the next book!
Monday, June 9, 2014
TOMORROW is RELEASE DAY for ABOVE THE NOISE
I can't believe it is happening tomorrow!
Tomorrow I have to actually SHARE Calon...ugh! He's been all mine for quite some time now. You got a little of him in ON SOLID GROUND but tomorrow you get ALL of him...ALL. OF. HIM.
Here's the final three countdown graphics! Enjoy!
Also, today I'm hosting a READERS BRUNCH over on my fb author page - all are welcome!
10am-noon EST
Peace.
Labels:
above the noise,
calon,
college,
final book,
in too deep,
music,
new adult,
rock star romance,
romance,
series
Friday, June 6, 2014
The COUNTDOWN to CALON..
He's coming!
...and I've been behind in my blogging so I'm gonna catch you up!
We are at 4 days until the release of ABOVE THE NOISE!
But I'm gonna give you the countdown from 7...
IN TOO DEEP (book 1) was released ONE YEAR AGO TODAY!
...and I've been behind in my blogging so I'm gonna catch you up!
We are at 4 days until the release of ABOVE THE NOISE!
But I'm gonna give you the countdown from 7...
IN TOO DEEP (book 1) was released ONE YEAR AGO TODAY!
ON SOLID GROUND (book 2) was released DECEMBER 3, 2013
ABOVE THE NOISE (book 3 - also a stand alone novel) will be released JUNE 10, 2014
That is all!
Time to party! I'm headed to sign at the INDIES INVADE PHILLY author signing tomorrow with 39 of the coolest authors ever! The event is SOLD OUT! Maybe I'll see you there!
Labels:
above the noise,
calon,
countdown,
debut,
in too deep,
indies invade philly,
new adult,
on solid ground,
romance,
series
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Wow! What a ride!
It's been a whole month since I posted.
Why?
Because I have been working my ass off working on the final edits and details of ABOVE THE NOISE!
HOLY CRAP! The people I have been working with are beyond amazing and because of them, this book is going to blow up! I promise you that!
Heather Davenport of Book Plug Promotions
Elizabeth Aguilar of Book Peddler's Editing
Angela McLaurin of Fictional Formats
and my betas Heather Davenport, Jenee Gibbs and Holly Baker!
Why?
Because I have been working my ass off working on the final edits and details of ABOVE THE NOISE!
HOLY CRAP! The people I have been working with are beyond amazing and because of them, this book is going to blow up! I promise you that!
Heather Davenport of Book Plug Promotions
Elizabeth Aguilar of Book Peddler's Editing
Angela McLaurin of Fictional Formats
and my betas Heather Davenport, Jenee Gibbs and Holly Baker!
June 6th is my BOOK-A-VERSARY - 1 year since my debut novel, IN TOO DEEP, was released.
June 7th I will be signing at the INDIES INVADE PHILLY author event at the Phila Convention Center!
Counting down the days until June 10th when this baby releases to the masses!
June 11th I turn 44!
Labels:
above the noise,
alternate tragedy,
becki,
calon,
in too deep,
new adult,
on solid ground,
release,
romance
Monday, April 28, 2014
The Author-Mom Chronicles #4 - The New Adult Genre
Disclaimer:
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A RANT! LOL! I am merely bringing up a topic and sharing my thoughts. Please don't read a condescending tone into this post - it is positively NOT intended that way.
******************
My debut novel, IN TOO DEEP, takes place on the University of Tennessee Knoxville campus. My characters are 21 and 22 and were dealing with the subject of dating abuse. Gracie, my main character, was tested in many ways throughout the novel. Her resolve, self-esteem, convictions, self-worth were all part of the theme which is typical of an early twenties co-ed.
After my first round of edits, my publisher said, "We need the sex to be a little grittier. Leave less to the imagination. Give us more details." I wasn't completely comfortable with that for many reasons, the first being that my teenage kids would want to read my very first book...and I didn't want them INSIDE Gracie's sex life. But, because I was writing in the NA genre, I knew readers were older and more mature and my own kids would just have to wait a couple years to read Mom's book.
Well, once you start a series with gritty sex, your readers will look for that in the subsequent books...so, I wrote in plenty of steamy scenes. I've gotten many compliments on those scenes, too. :)
But as I was laying out my first stand-alone novel I found myself trying to figure out where I would fit sex into a story that was about SO FREAKING MUCH MORE the sex. I just kept thinking, if I plop sex in here it will seem contrived and I don't want that.
So, I talked to some of my blogger and author friends who agreed, the current trend in NA is hot sex. But why is that? I worry we don't give our readers credit for being the intelligent, deep, and passionate (in non-sexual ways) women they are.
Disclaimer #2:
I am not saying that the sexual content determines a shallow plot. NOT AT ALL! You don't have to read too many NA novels to see the twisted webs we weave!
Let's dive into the details of this five-year old genre we've come to know as New Adult....
New Adult is a genre that, in the beginning, was defined by an age bracket, not subject matter.
Having been a "new adult" I can guarantee you for most of us, that age between 18-24 was hardly all about my sex life or lack thereof. It was more about the excitement of living on my own, striving for personal growth and navigating my way through life's hurdles, tensions and conundrums that sharpened my problem-solving skills. All of which opens up millions of scenarios for fiction writers, even those who write romance, without diving into bed with the protagonist.
Now, obviously sex is one of those hurdles, tensions and conundrums of the age group but I feel we owe it to our readers to feel a part of the main character finding her way in life not finding her panties after a one night stand. How many of us look back over our lives and say "if it weren't for my sordid sex life in college, I'd never be where I am today." Are we insulting our readers by assuming that's all they want?
Karen Grove is the editorial director for Embrace, Entangled Publishing's New Adult imprint and had this to say on the subject of what New Adult is:
“The mindset is different in New Adult,” Grove says. “There’s a focus on success and survival versus [high school themes of] popularity and acceptance. The new adult brings their young adult experiences and discoveries to a new level, and they get to choose the adult they want to become.”
I'm not AT ALL trashing a hot sex scene, I swear! There are more than a handful of those in all three books of my IN TOO DEEP series.
But, the personal growth between the ages of 18 and 24 is fascinating, challenging and the biggest puzzle piece of who we become when we enter the real world. And sometimes it's just as exciting and satisfying as a good romp in the hay.
Suzie Townsend, Cora Carmack's agent from New Leaf Literary & Media supports the notion that sexual content is only a small facet of the New Adult genre...
“A few of the New Adult books I’ve read could have arguably been called angsty, sexually explicit YA, but I would say that’s the minority,” Townsend says. “To me, New Adult is a more specific name for what we would have called adult novels with strong crossover. They’re targeted for those adult readers who really enjoy YA, and for 20-somethings that haven’t always been able to find a lot of novels taking place during the college years.”
Sara Megibow, an agent with the Nelson Literary Agency had this to say and I see a lot of truth in her statement...
"The assertion that New Adult is just sexually explicit YA feels confrontational to me—as if the person doing
the asserting were dismissing the sexual content as a hook or a marketing scam to get more people to buy a book,” Megibow says. “The good New Adult submissions I’ve seen tend to focus on the conflicts of early adulthood—somewhat like the first Bridget Jones book—dating, jobs, first apartments, money, identity, self-sufficiency, etc.”
Tell me your thoughts.
Peace.
Labels:
new adult,
The Author-Mom Chronicles
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
One Question Wednesday - Rachel Brookes
I have met so many amazing people through this author journey I've been on and I can't say enough about how welcoming and helpful they all have been. And it's always fun to have so much in common with someone and THEN find out they LOVE EDDIE VEDDER, too! LOL!
That's my sweet friend and amazing author, RACHEL BROOKES!
And who doesn't want a friend who knows kangaroos personally? That's right, Rachel is an Aussie! I love when she posts videos and I can hear her talk! :)
So, today Rachel and I talked about character traits...
That's my sweet friend and amazing author, RACHEL BROOKES!
And who doesn't want a friend who knows kangaroos personally? That's right, Rachel is an Aussie! I love when she posts videos and I can hear her talk! :)
So, today Rachel and I talked about character traits...
As we grow up and mature, our views, passions, fears and
beliefs evolve. Sometimes we look back on our lives and think, “I can’t believe
I used to think that way” or “I’m so glad my views have changed so much.” What
is one thing about your character or personality that has stayed steadfast over
the years?
Rachel –
My belief of never living with what ifs. This was something
that came to me when I was at 17 years of age and now at 32 it is still one of
the beliefs that I always live by. I believe life is too short to live with
what ifs. Some of my biggest successes and my biggest downfalls was because I
took a chance hence taking away the what if scenario. I would rather live with
a hundred regrets than one what if. I refuse to be sixty, sitting with my
grandchildren and looking back on life thinking what if I had asked that guy
out, what if I had published that book, what if I had gone at that trip. Life
is all about taking those risks because you never know what will come out of
them.
I love Rachel's answer, especially just coming off my ABOVE THE NOISE cover reveal yesterday. Rachel is one of the many authors who will tell you DON'T EVER GIVE UP! I spent seven years trying to break into the children's book market and failed miserably but my daddy always taught me, "No one tells a Kemper, No!" So, I plugged along, not willing to throw in the towel because I knew I would one day see my name on a book cover...and Sapphire Star Publishing believed in my little story and we did just that!
So, I'm choosing a different trait to expand on since I just blabbed about that one ^^ up there!
Me –
I’ve always been insanely empathetic and it has my heart
breaking on a daily basis. There are many, MANY things that hurt my heart so I’ll
just choose one: HARM to ANIMALS
I feel guilty but I can’t watch the PUPPY MILL or ANIMAL
RESCUE LEAUGE commercials because I am physically pained by the pictures on the
screen. And add to that, stinkin’ Sarah McLachlan and her “I will remember you”
background vocals…and I’m a puddle on the floor.
Since I was a child, I’ve been an “animal saver.” I had an
annual summer terrarium in our backyard in which I constructed playgrounds and
pools for the toads that came to visit. I’ve raised injured wild animals with
my kids and then cried when we set them free. I’m a grown up and still save the
worms that are stuck on our hot driveway after a rainstorm. I live my life as a
vegetarian and adopt (not eat!) a turkey through FARM SANCTUARY every
Thanksgiving.
I’m completely and
emotionally crushed by the mistreatment of animals and I can’t stomach the
horrors that occur on factory farms so, as my son’s girlfriend says, “I just
don’t eat anything with a face.”
So, you can imagine all the OTHER things I could elaborate
on that make me sad in this world.
Have an awesome Wednesday!
Good night, sleep tight, Rachel!
Peace.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
ABOVE THE NOISE cover reveal and CHAPTER 1
I can NOT believe this day has come!
Last year at this time I was working on final edits for IN TOO DEEP, my debut novel, and worrying people may not like it.
And, today, because of all of the AMAZING Gracie fans, I've released the sequel ON SOLID GROUND in December and now I'm revealing the cover for ABOVE THE NOISE... the third and final book of the IN TOO DEEP series.
This last year has been amazing! Unbelievable! And I can't that all my family and friends, betas, bloggers, readers and author friends for helping this dream come to fruition. There are days I still have to pinch myself!
Well, I know you're all waiting for Calon and would like me to stop babbling...so here he is...on the
ABOVE THE NOISE COVER...
And here's the synopsis:
And like I promised, here's the ENTIRE first CHAPTER because you are all so awesome and have waited so patiently (NOT!) for this final book in the series. I will miss Calon terribly and after this book, you will, too!
ABOVE THE NOISE
And, don't forget, you can find EACH BOOK'S playlist on SPOTIFY! Just search my name.
I think this playlist is my favorite...well, they're all my favorites!
Last year at this time I was working on final edits for IN TOO DEEP, my debut novel, and worrying people may not like it.
And, today, because of all of the AMAZING Gracie fans, I've released the sequel ON SOLID GROUND in December and now I'm revealing the cover for ABOVE THE NOISE... the third and final book of the IN TOO DEEP series.
This last year has been amazing! Unbelievable! And I can't that all my family and friends, betas, bloggers, readers and author friends for helping this dream come to fruition. There are days I still have to pinch myself!
Well, I know you're all waiting for Calon and would like me to stop babbling...so here he is...on the
ABOVE THE NOISE COVER...
And here's the synopsis:
Becki Mowry’s
journalism expertise keeps her busy as she spends her waking hours filling a
calendar with gigs and public appearances for her boyfriend’s up and coming
band, Alternate Tragedy. Radio interviews and TV spots result in sold out
concerts and rowdy groupies hot for her guy; lead singer, Calon Ridge. But, as
fame would have it, their time in the limelight also brings sabotage, rumors
and false accusations. Becki and Calon try to stay steadfast on a personal
journey that takes them to the depths of fear and uncertainty. And finally, the
rug is pulled out from under the band when they must make a transition they
never dreamed they’d be faced with.
In this
third book of the In Too Deep series, Becki and Calon struggle to find balance
as they navigate their new relationship while living amid the rock world’s
nocturnal chaos. But when life’s unexpected obstacles come out of nowhere, they
focus on finding their own private solace Above the Noise.
And like I promised, here's the ENTIRE first CHAPTER because you are all so awesome and have waited so patiently (NOT!) for this final book in the series. I will miss Calon terribly and after this book, you will, too!
ABOVE THE NOISE
one
Becki
“Change
our image? Are you fucking kidding me? This is ridiculous! Guys, Becki. We’re
out!” Calon’s voice was sharp and his stance was on the verge of threatening.
It was unusual to see him that way. He’d been nothing but sweet, sensitive,
passionate and gentle since we first met. I’d heard him get loud with Gracie
when they practiced new songs at Mitchell’s but that was usually because she
held back what he tried to pull from her. That
kind of passion was a cool thing to see. The clenched fist thing in Greystar Management’s
conference room teetered between passionate and dangerous and that was a first
for me.
Mr.
Barnes sat with his eyes fixed on Calon but seemingly unshaken by my new
boyfriend’s outburst. I sat with the band, across from Mr. Barnes desk, on an eccentric
couch. I looked around at the other guys to see if they were as thrown by Calon’s
booming voice as I was. They didn’t seem fazed. Spider leaned back into the
couch with his arm up over the back. Manny sat next to Spider with his elbows
on his knees and his hands clasped under his chin. He rubbed his forehead then
turned his head away from Mr. Barnes, looked passed me and grinned at Bones.
Bones nodded, straight-faced, then looked back at Calon. I was the odd man out,
the only uncomfortable one in the room. I felt like I should stand up to leave as
per Calon’s directive, but no one else budged.
“Mr.
Ridge, listen. It’s common practice in this industry for management to help you
create an image. Your image is what sells your music, that’s no secret.”
“Funny!
I like to think it’s our talent.” Calon wasn’t about to let this go. It was
incredibly sexy to watch him take charge and stand his ground but I would have
rather had toothpicks shoved under my fingernails than spend any more time in
the meeting.
“Calon,
think of the bands you know off the top of your head. You can picture the band
members, right?”
“Of
course I can, but that’s not what sells a record, Mr. Barnes. The passion for
the craft, the investment in the art of taking an emotion and slinging words
around it then folding in just the right beat and melody is what sells. Not my
hair or the style of my clothes. I don’t even think about that stuff before I
go on stage. All I think of is how I’m gonna move my fans. And I sure as hell
think they’re longing to be moved…by my voice, not my image.” Calon added air
quotes at the end of his rant.
“Honey,
what’s your name, again?” Mr. Barnes pointed at me with his pen as he stood and
walked around the back of his chair. I hated that he called me that but I
decided to ignore it so as not to add to the stress level in the room. He
nodded in my direction and that proverbial pin would have split my eardrums against
the silence in the room at that moment.
“Becki.”
My name came out of my throat like it’d been dragged across sand paper first. I
hated that this cocky man had me so worked up.
“Becki,
you’re Alternate Tragedy’s manager.”
I
nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Which
means you must be a fan of their music, correct?”
“Of
course.” I nodded again and rubbed my hands on my knees to try and keep my body
from shattering from the nervous energy that ran through it.
“Are
you also a fan of their look?” He raised his eyebrow at me and slowly turned
his head to Calon as if he was drawing an imaginary line between us,
challenging me.
I
took a slow deep breath and gathered my thoughts before I spoke. . I stood and
walked toward a bookshelf where a framed photo of Mr. Barnes and the members of
his company sat. Mr. Barnes blinked a couple times as though I caught him off
guard with my decorum. I made it obvious that I would use that photo as a means
to turn the table on him. I nodded in the direction of the stuffy, exclusively
male executive team posed against a boardroom table in the frame.
“Mr.
Barnes, image sells, you’re right. So, we agree that people may not take your
company seriously if your trademark photo had been taken on a beach and you
were all shirtless and in Hawaiian swim trunks. Correct?”
“Sure.”
He remained behind his chair, an obvious comfort zone. He looked nervous. But I
told myself I made him nervous, then tried
not to pass out.
“There
is no doubt in my mind that women will fall in love with these guys, as they
have for years, for their music and what it does to them while they listen. I’m
sure they’ll each have their very own groupies.” I heard a loud slap and looked
over my shoulder at Spider who threw a dirty look at Bones then rubbed his arm.
Bones who looked up at me like a scolded child. Dork.
“That’s
exactly what—”
“Excuse
me, I’m not finished making my point Mr. Barnes.” I nodded when he motioned
with his hand to continue and I walked back over and stood behind the guys on
the couch and next to Calon who had stepped out of my way when I stood up to go
head to head with Mr. Barnes. “As an avid music fan and former groupie myself,
I have to stand behind my clients and support Calon’s concerns. There needs to
be an authentic match between appearance and music. If there’s even the slight
shift it will appear orchestrated and unnatural to the fans who’ve followed
them for years. Just as it would if the professional reputation of your company
was challenged by a beach bum photo. Do you see what I’m saying, Mr. Barnes?”
Mr.
Barnes folded his arms across his chest and reached up with one hand to rub his
chin. He walked around the front of his desk and sat on the edge.
I
took my phone from my pocket and scrolled through my music while I struggled to
keep my trembling under control. I pressed play. The acoustic guitar that
sprung forth would not only prove my point, it would help to calm my nerves
immediately.
“Mr. Barnes, you know this artist.” The guys
instinctively kept the beat with their feet on the expensive oriental carpet
under their shit-kickers.
“Chris
Cornell.”
“Yes.
When you close your eyes and picture him performing this song, ‘The Keeper,’
live. Can you feel the vibe he has?”
“Of
course. The man’s an icon.”
“But
that’s not why you can picture him. You can picture him easily because he wears
his music. Everything about who he is, what he loves, what cuts his soul, how
deeply he loves and how passionate he is about his fans is externally evident
in his image. If I saw Chris perform in anything other than his signature
combat boots, jeans and t-shirt it would be a distraction. If he walked out on
the stage holding his guitar in a pair of Justin Bieber’s saggy leather dance
pants, a flat brim hat and awife beater I wouldn’t appreciate what he had to
offer that night. It would seem contrived. I would feel cheated out of what I
could have received from him in the form of an artistic experience.”
I
looked up at Calon for approval of my calm rant. He smiled that crooked smile
that dropped the bottom out of my stomach. He tried to hide the smile and
scratched his forehead, then nodded.
“Mr.
Barnes, what you see in front of you in how these guys are dressed and how they
wear their personalities is what you get on stage. Calon couldn’t take a handful
of short hair in his hands to show the ache in the words he’s singing. Spider
couldn’t throw it down on the drums the way he does if he wasn’t comfortable in
his own skin. Manny and Bones light up the stage with those guitars, if you
asked them to morph into something they are not, they wouldn’t suck that crowd
in like I know they can. Listen, it’s smart marketing. You can look at a photo
of Alternate Tragedy and know the kind of music you’re getting just like you
can with Chris Cornell. Asking them to become something they’re not, would be
cheating everyone out of what they have to offer. And in my honest opinion,
that would be a huge mistake for you and this tour.”
Mr.
Barnes looked a bit stunned but kept his eyes locked on mine. He wasn’t going
to admit that I’d just put him in his place. “Becki, you raise a good point.
Let me mull this over and we can get together tomorrow and discuss my thoughts.
Sound good?”
“Sounds
great.” Calon’s voice was calm and relaxed. However, I was about to throw up
but I plastered a classy smile across my face and nodded. We all shook hands
and left Mr. Barnes’ office in a single file line; Calon right behind me
bringing up the rear. We walked silently to the elevator and once we were in
and the doors closed all four of them let loose. Whoops and yelps that I’m sure
could be heard two floors away were showered down all around me. All I could do
was laugh. My very first official day as Alternate Tragedy’s manager and I
rocked it like nobody’s business.
Calon
turned his body to mine and forced me into the corner of the elevator. He
pressed his hips into me and slid his face next to mine until his lips touched
my earlobe. I could feel his hot breath on my neck as he spoke. “That was the
hottest thing I’ve ever seen, Becks.”
“Oh,
here they go again. Good grief, get a room, would ya!” Bones was always the one
to complain about me and Calon. The other guys didn’t seem to mind all that
much and it’s not like we were all PDA all the time. We’d been stuck in a van
with all of them since we left Knoxville for LA. Calon hadn’t gotten anything from
me in all that time except a few stolen kisses.
“Becks?”
“Yeah.”
It was the breathiest word I’d ever spoken but the sexual tension between the
two of us turned me inside out.
“I
can’t wait until we have our own room.” Calon spoke loud enough for everyone to
hear.
“Me
too.”
“We
can’t wait either.” Bones’ voice was harsh. “God, you’re making me horny. Would
you put your dick away, man. All this sexiness is really starting to be a
problem for me.” He grumbled something else under his breath and Calon chuckled
and turned toward Bones in our cramped space..
“Bones,
man, I’m sorry my dick is such a problem for you.”
“Shut
up, faggot.”
The
elevator erupted into celebratory laughter. When the doors opened on the ground
floor of the posh LA office building, we stepped into the glass atrium and the
late afternoon August sun stung our eyes. Manny spoke the words forming in the
back of my mind.
“Let’s
go get some drinks.”
Summer flashback
The
first time Calon and I drank together was after one of their shows when he
walked me back to my dorm. The guys didn’t usually drink during a show but a
big storm rolled in that night just as their first set started. The atmosphere
inside Mitchell’s unexpectedly turned from a slamming rock sound to an acoustic
vibe when the lights went out. Gracie ran around and gathered as many candles
as she could from the back room and we all helped her light them and place them
on the silenced speakers on and around the stage. Calon and the guys enjoyed
beer after beer and did a show like I’d never seen from them. It was rustic
with a little folk-funk. The bar’s patrons sang along in the glow of about
forty container candles of all different sizes. Calon sat center stage on a
stool and sang away the hours with his guitar resting on his thigh. The whole
night was ethereal and quaint and very fucking sexy.
He
asked if he could walk me home again which was exactly what I’d hoped for. When
we crossed the road right outside of Mitchell’s, Calon grabbed my hand and we
ran for the opposite sidewalk that lead across campus and up to my dorm. Electricity
ran through the hand he held, I was sure he could feel it because he didn’t let
go.
That
night he told me groupie stories for the entire length of our walk. I was
laughing when I pushed my door open. And being a little tipsy, I tripped and
fell into him, pinning him against the open door. My hands landed on his chest
and in an attempt to keep up both upright, his strong hands grabbed my hips. My mind shot back to
the thoughts I’d had earlier watching his deft fingers move on the strings of
his guitar.
His
t-shirt was damp from sweat and his curls tickled my forehead when he laughed.
It was one of those moments you see in movies when the couple finds themselves
in a compromising position and they freeze. Chests heaving, mouths agape and
hearts racing. His eyes searched my face but for what I didn’t know.
I
pushed off his chest and walked, a bit shaken, to the mini fridge and grabbed
the bottle of vodka from the top freezer portion.
“Shots?”
I spun around and took him all in. Dark curls, sultry deep green eyes, an
intense stare and lips I could entertain for days.
“Absolutely.”
He plopped down on my bed and leaned back against the wall, his legs so long
they hung at a weird angle not quite touching the floor. He had a hole in his
jeans just below his front pocket which puckered when he sat and I had a hard
time not trying to see into it.
I
was completely oblivious to what my heart was capable of at that point, so the
alcohol was an attempt to loosen up before we started making out. He kind of
brushed me off the first two times he walked me home like he didn’t want to be
that jerk rock star and left without even a kiss. But this was the token third time he’d been
to my room and that’s just how it typically worked. The guy comes back the
third time after not getting any the first two, you know they want it or they’d
have given up after the second night of blue balls.
We
did a couple shots and laughed about random shit and then there was the
uncomfortable silence; it was deafening. I decided to make the first move
before it got really awkward. I turned on the twinkling lights that hung above
my bed and flipped the switch for the overhead fluorescents. I climbed onto the
bed on my knees facing Calon and reached for his face to pull him in for a
kiss. He stopped me, and held me still by the wrists.
“Becki,
I’m not here for that.” He loosened his grip on my wrists and I dropped my
hands in my lap.
“Oh.”
Fuck. He wasn’t interested. It was one thing to be turned down by the conceited
freak from my study group but to be turned down by a hot rock star seemed to
slice a little deeper. I brushed it off like it didn’t bother me, but it did.
“No,
no. Listen.” He took my chin between his thumb and finger and pulled my face a
little closer to his. “I am extremely attracted to you, Becki. I love your
personality and you are gorgeous, so my comment wasn’t a rejection.” He smiled
and I felt like a complete idiot. A slutty idiot.
“It’s
okay, I get it. It was stupid for me to—”
“Shh.
No regrets, Becki. You’re attracted to me, too and I’m glad. I’m just not one
to rush into that kind of thing.” He dropped his hand from my chin and it
joined my hands in my lap. I held his hand with both of mine.
“Wow.
I’m pretty sure you’re the first rock star in history to turn down a groupie.”
I rolled my eyes and got up to pour more shots. Calon followed me over to the mini
fridge, put his hands on my waist and spun me around. His thumbs touched my
skin when my blousy Marilyn Monroe tank flounced with my spin.
“I
don’t see you as a groupie, Becki, and I’m technically not turning you down. I
can’t explain it but I feel like there’s more here, between us. A connection
that we should pay attention to.” He rubbed the outside of my bare arms with
his warm, strong hands. Those fingers.
I
didn’t know what to say. I suddenly felt mute. He had all the right words and I
didn’t have a single word in my head. He left me speechless which is no easy
task.
“So,
am I crazy? Or do you feel it, too?”
“Yeah."
It’s all I could muster but admitting just that much sucked the air from my
lungs. I wasn’t the sappy, talk about your feelings kind of girl. In my
experience, it just made life messier. But there was something about those
green eyes and sexy grin that pulled the sap right out of me without even
trying. He was so incredibly intense and it took years for me to build the
walls I had around my heart. He’d already knocked away a couple bricks and
something told me he could get to my heart if he really wanted to. Calon may be
ready for me, but what if I wasn’t ready for Calon?
And, don't forget, you can find EACH BOOK'S playlist on SPOTIFY! Just search my name.
I think this playlist is my favorite...well, they're all my favorites!
Labels:
above the noise,
alternate tragedy,
becki,
calon,
cover reveal
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