Celebrate the Small Things - Big news edition!

I'm back!  I missed getting to celebrate with you all the last two weeks, and I'm happy to be home!  I have a lot of catching up to do, blog-wise, so please be patient with me.

Lots of things to celebrate this week!  In no particular order:

1) Mister and I had an outstanding time on our honeymoon.  Scotland is amazing, from the people, to the scenery, and even the food!  I took almost 1000 pictures, so it's going to take a bit of time to sort through them all. We've only been back a week, but we miss it already!

2) My fall semester started, and so far, things are looking good.  Of course, the students always like me until the first test rolls around... ;)

3) I signed a contract for 2 new books with Harlequin Romantic Suspense! I'm really excited about this :)  The first book will release in May, 2015, and it's tentatively titled KILLER EXPOSURE.  It's about a chemistry professor who has to help the police in their investigation of a series of mysterious poisoning deaths.  I'm having a lot of fun writing it.  I'm not sure when the second book will be out, but I'll let you guys know!

4) It's a holiday weekend!  Always nice to have an extra day off of work, don't you think?

I hope ya'll have had a great week, and that your weekend is even better! Any big plans?

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week. This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things? 

Monday Motivation - Love is...

Copyright: laracold / 123RF Stock Photo

A to Z book meme!

With thanks to Amara Royce, for introducing me to this meme!

A. Author You’ve Read The Most Books From: Probably Nora Roberts.  I went through a phase in grad school where I read every Nora Roberts book I could get my hands on.

B. Best Sequel Ever: Dragonfly in Amber, by Diana Gabaldon.  So many series emphasize a different hero and heroine in each book, which makes it difficult to consider them true sequels.  What I love about the Outlander series is that Jamie and Claire's relationship is front and center. 

C. Currently Reading: A Big Boy Did it and Ran Away by Christopher Brookmyre

D. Drink of Choice While Reading: Ice cold coke.  Or iced tea.  Or water.

E. E-Reader or Physical Books: Physical books.  I have an e-reader, but rarely use it.

F. Fictional Character You Would Have Dated In High School: Harry Dresden.

G. Glad You Gave This Book A Chance: Storm Front, by Jim Butcher.  Mister bought it for me, and while it's not usually my thing, I ended up loving it and the series :)

H. Hidden Gem Book: This is a tough one.  

I. Important Moments of Your Reading Life: In grad school, I finally developed the confidence to fully embrace reading romance novels, and I stopped worrying about what other people thought of the books I read.

J. Just Finished: The Troop, by Nick Cutter

K. Kinds of Books You Won’t Read: I don't read a lot of fantasy, but that's not to say I won't read in that genre.  I'm generally willing to try anything, as long as the story is gripping and the writing decent.

L. Longest Book You’ve Read: Probably one of the Outlander novels.

M. Major Book Hangover Because Of: Take your pick!  Any Outlander novel, The Hunger Games, The Dresden Files series...  The list goes on and on.

N. Number of Bookcases You Own: Too many to count.

O. One Book That You Have Read Multiple Times: The Outlander series.  The Value of Believing in Yourself (The story of Louis Pasteur)

P. Preferred Place to Read: Bed.  The rocking chair.  Anywhere :)

Q. Quote From A Book That Inspires You: "It's a fine world, though rich in hardships at times." from Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

R. Reading Regret: I don't have the patience for Faulkner or Joyce.

S. Series You Started and Need to Finish: Monica McCarty's Highland Guards series.  Julie Hyzy's White House Chef mystery series.   

T. Three Of Your All-Time Favourite Books: The Value of Believing in Yourself, Peter Pan, and Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon (and Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry)

U. Unapologetic Fangirl For: Diana Gabaldon, Joanna Bourne, Jennifer Ashley.  The list goes on.

W. Worst Bookish Habit: I buy more books than I can possibly read.  But it makes me happy to be surrounded by books :)

V. Very Excited For This Release More Than Any Other: Joanna Bourne's Rogue Spy.

X. Marks The Spot (Start On Your Bookshelf And Count to the 27th Book): The Canon, A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science by Natalie Angier

Y. Your Latest Book Purchase: The book I'm currently reading.  I bought it at a small used bookstore in a train station in Scotland :)

Z. ZZZ-Snatcher (last book that kept you up WAY late): They all do :)

Now it's your turn!  Be sure to tag me in the comments so I can find your post!

Monday Motivation - Be yourself

Copyright: kasahasa / 123RF Stock Photo

Celebrate the Small Things - Hiatus edition

Sorry to miss this week's post, but I'm on my honeymoon, which is reason enough to celebrate!  Will catch up with you all on the 29th! :)

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week. This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things? 

Monday Motivation - Onward!

Copyright: maxmitzu / 123RF Stock Photo

Celebrate the Small Things - Blogging edition

Hi everyone!  Happy Friday!  It's been a great week, and now it's time to celebrate!

I'm doing the guest blog thing this weekend, so please stop by and say hi! Today, Saturday, and Sunday, I'm blogging on Get Lost in a Story and on Saturday and Sunday, I'm also over on Just Romantic Suspense.  Phew!  I'm giving away books on both sites, so make sure you leave a comment on each post for your chance to win :)

Copyright: mostic / 123RF Stock Photo

In other news, Mister and I are getting ready for our honeymoon. We're both thrilled and excited--I just hope we can fit everything into our suitcases! :)

How was your week?  What's going on with you this weekend?

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week. This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things? 

IWSG - August edition

It's time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group post!  Be sure to sign up and join us as we share our fears and offer encouragement to the group :)

This month, I'd like to offer some support to those of you feeling frustrated.  I know this sounds like a cliche, but hang in there!  You can do it!

Image credit

Monday Motivation - Easier said than done?

Celebrate - FATAL FALLOUT is out today!

Woo hoo!  We've reached the end of another week!  Today I'm celebrating the e-book release of FATAL FALLOUT!  Print copies will drop on Tuesday, but you can get your electronic version now!

I really loved Thomas and Claire, and I hope you guys will too :)  Did I mention it received 4 Stars from RT Book Reviews?

Torn between duty and desire, two strangers must risk all for love 

Nuclear physicist Dr. Claire Fleming has one rule: never get close to anyone. But when her colleague is murdered and she's targeted next, she must place all her trust in FBI agent Thomas Kincannon. Soon Claire forgets her tenet as she fantasizes about Thomas's touch. 

Thomas is wildly attracted to Claire. But his life and his job are too complicated for any romantic entanglements. Despite this, they share a mind-blowing kiss, and there's no turning back. When Thomas's niece is abducted, the stakes become dangerously higher as Claire insists he trade her for the child. Somehow, Thomas must find a way to rescue his family and protect the woman who let her protective walls down just for him.  

Order now!
Harlequin Digital | Paperback
Amazon Kindle | Paperback
Barnes & Noble Nook | Paperback
BooksAMillion eBook | Paperback

What are you celebrating this week?

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week. This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things?