By the time you read this, people won’t be talking so much about the new Netflix series, Bridgerton, based upon the Julia Quinn series. A check into my Kindle tells me I read the first book, The Duke and I, in 2014. It was published nearly a decade-and-a-half before that. As far as historical romance goes, I was a bit late to the party. I’d read contemporary romance for fifteen years or so and been writing it for ten. I didn’t see an appeal to the nobility that seemed privileged and ridiculous in practice. Of course, I’m speaking of actual nobility, not the romanticized versionRead More →

So, I’m a little late to the party. I’ve heard people raving about this book for a long time. So I downloaded the sample. And I couldn’t stop–come on. And so I devoured this book. But, it wasn’t all in one sitting. Like Josh and his chocolate Easter egg, I wanted to savor it. This book gets about eleven million stars from me, so that translates to: go buy it. NOW. It’s worth all 899 pennies. It’s better than a movie ticket and you can make your popcorn at home. I’m kidding–home popcorn isĀ never as good as movie popcorn. But it’s so good, you won’tRead More →

I haven’t done one of these in a while. For one thing, I’ve been busy writing! I finished all three of my fifties novellas (and I’m in the middle of editing them right now), I’m just (like this weekend) finished with second round edits on my novel,Ā Infamous, contracted with The Wild Rose Press, and I’ve started the second novel to follow-upĀ Infamous. I’ll have lots more info for you on all of that in the coming months. But for now, what I’m digging this month. First, we have to talk aboutĀ Game of Thrones. In my opinion, it was the best. season. ever. In fact, it wasRead More →

I recently read Sarah MacLean‘s third Rule of Scoundrels book, No Good Duke Goes Unpunished. Yes, it’s a historical but I think there are still some wisdom nuggets we can mine. If you’re going to accidentally frame a man for your murder, make sure he’s not your soul mate. It makes quite the mess to clean up later in life. This is probably a good rule in general, as coming back from the dead would be challenging in any situation. Women who work for a living have rough hands. And a man falling in love can’t stop thinking of them. A boxing ring and aRead More →

I recently decided to jump on the bandwagon and read Hollywood Dirt. I couldn’t put it down until it was all gone. Plus, can you say, “Hot, hot, hot?” The heroine is just a normal girl from the South, so I thought dating advice would be totally helpful from this book (even if the hero is the hottest actor alive). Dating Advice from Romance Novels: Hollywood Dirt Always sleep in your good red panties and leave the front door unlocked. And sleep late, at least until a crazy sexy guy shows up to be overwhelmed by your hotness. Play hard to get. Apparently, that’s theRead More →

I am reading all the Megan Mulry books I can get my hands on (like I do when I discover a new-to-me fave author). Ā Without further ado, some guidance at looooove. Dating Advice from Romance Novels: If the Shoe Fits Save your v-card for just the right opportunity, then toss it aside for a fling, because that guy might turn out to be the love of your life. It’s really awkward when your dad comes in the morning after. Even when you’re in your twenties. It’s doubly awkward when you bring a fake boyfriend to make your flingĀ jealous, then forget the poor slob to hangRead More →

This week, I finished Party Girl by RachelĀ Hollis. It’s true stories of the author’s experiences incorporated into fiction (like The Devil Wears Prada). Dating Advice: Party Girl Don’t bounce between boys (or girls) like a ping-pong ball. It’s just never attractive when someone only likes another someone when the third someone is persona non grata. See how confusing that sentence is? That’s why your love life is confusing. Pick a person. See it through. If it doesn’t work out, I swear you’ll be okay without a back-up. Don’t get drunk with other people you may like and you know like you when you’re heartbroken. IRead More →

I personally think readers are of superior intellect. I mean it takes some gray matter to take in words and transform them in our minds to a living, thriving story made up of people and places we’ve never seen. However, we still get a bad rep. Actually, if we got a bad rep, that might be cool. No, we’re lumped in as nerds (which I also proudly am, but that’s for another day). So, in no particular order, five things people who read are sick of hearing. 1. I’ll just watch the movie. Are you kidding me? Name three movies better than the books. Oh,Read More →

So, just so you know how exciting and full my life is, I thought I’d update you. I am about three-fourths of the way through my novella set in the fifties. I’m really excited about it. My heroine is one hot mess and it’s so interesting for me to watch her arc. My friend, Landra, tells me I only write really messed up characters. And she’s right. They’re my favorite. But in all fairness, I spent ten years in mental health. I think everyone is a little messed up. The fun is in the details. Anyway, it is my fervent hope to have this storyRead More →

It’s that time of year again, when all of your writer friends start asking about your daily word count and offering up encouraging motivational quotes. Basically, everyone is writing but you. Well, and me. If you’re as determined as I am to not write (like that’s a necessary part of being a writer–whatever), here are some ideas to place in your procrastination bank. Play a game I, for example, sometimes play life simulation games. You know, like that Kim Kardashian superstar-for–no-reason-at-all game. I’m the one in the glasses (to show that there’s more to me than my amazing pouty lips and stunning eyes). You’ll noticeRead More →