Friday, December 28, 2012

The Weakness in Me Prologue

​“It’s been two years since you walked away from Jason, and you’ve only dated like two guys since then,” Jessica said, matter-of-fact. “Aren’t your girl parts aching for action?” she whined.

​Samantha did a double take at her baby sister’s words. “What do you know about aching girl parts? You’re still a zygote!”

​“I’m almost 19!” her sister screeched. “And don’t act all appalled and horrified,” she continued, flipping her chocolate brown hair over her shoulder. “We all know you and Jason were going at it like rabbits when you were my age!” Jessica’s green eyes glowed with knowledge. Two things all of the Castle girls had in common: thick chocolate brown hair courtesy of their father and beautiful emerald green eyes from their mother.

​Samantha sighed at her sister’s proclamation and rolled her eyes, not because it wasn’t true- it totally was- but Jessica was a baby! She didn’t need Jessica in her relationship business like their other sister, Sara, was!

“So, because I’ve only had two boyfriends since Jason, you think my body is begging for attention, and I need to go out with you to get it?” Samantha summarized, not wanting to reveal that two boyfriends didn’t mean she’d only been with two guys since she and Jason split. “You do realize you aren’t old enough to drink, yes?”

​“I can, too!” she said, holding up an ID.

​“You know this is my old ID, right? It might work when you go out with your friends or Sara, but the bouncer isn’t stupid, he isn’t going to buy two Samantha Castle’s going to the club together.”

​“I know that! But they see so many people in a night, I can go in first, and you can come in twenty or thirty minutes later!” Jessica offered. “Scratch that, you go in, then I’ll follow, otherwise, you won’t show,” she changed her mind.

​ Samantha scrunched her nose at her sister and rolled her eyes, even though Jessica was completely right to scrap her original plan.

“Fine! But I’m not letting you drink!” She stormed to her room with the possibility of a small victory over Jessica as she found something acceptable to wear.


​The pulse of the music rocketed through Samantha as she sat at the end of the crowded bar. She wanted nothing more than to go back to her apartment and curl up with a good book, because she was sick of having to fend of cheesy guys that were trying to hit on her or get closer to her sister.

Jessica’s silver halter was so blinding under the flashing lights that she couldn’t look directly at her. Yet, it was the reason they were attracting so much attention. Samantha could be grateful for the fact that they hadn’t had to buy a drink all night. She was much more subdued, though, in her basic little black dress, even if it fit like a second skin and revealed more of her cleavage than it concealed.

​“Pardon me,” a smooth voice said from beside her, “But I believe you have my rib,” he finished making her smile at the originality of and obvious cheesiness implied by the pickup line.

​“Wow! I haven’t heard that one before. But, I’m not convinced that I have anything that belongs to you,” she said, moving her gaze over his soft, short brown hair to his green flecked hazel eyes to his beautiful smile. Why did a guy this attractive have to resort to such an obvious line? He was so far out of her league, with his custom-tailored suit and $500 haircut, that she knew nothing would come of their flirting. Her mind spun with the thoughts all of the trouble they could get into together until he realized that he was too good for her.

​ "I’ll have to think of something else then,” his eyes sparkled as he looking into hers,

“I’m Caleb, Caleb McKenzie,” he said, offering her his hand.

​ “Samantha…” she hesitated to give him her last name, “…Castle,” she finished, putting her hand in his.

​“I’m happy to meet you, Samantha,” he said. “Samantha?” he said again, as if her name didn’t fit in his mouth. “You don’t seem like a Samantha,” he shook his head.

​“No?” she crinkled her brow in amusement, wondering if this was going to be another line, but wanting to see if he was really as smooth as he thought he was.

​“What’s your middle name?” he asked, taking the stool beside her and leaning in to her.

​“Um, Rose?” she offered, confused at the direction of the conversation. It was going differently than she’d grown used to over the years.

​ “Yes!” his face lit up, as if he’d just won the lottery. “Rosie!”

​“Rosie?”

​“Yes, you are definitely a Rosie,” he laughed, patting her hand resting on the bar. Samantha tried to ignore the sparks racing through her body at the small touch.

​“Okay,” she agreed with a smile. She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it and shook her head before, finally, saying, “I’m surprised.”

​“Surprised?” he asked, his eyebrows raised.

​“Most men focus on my last name,” she shrugged, telling him that she knew he was different.

​“Castle? Why?”

​“Really?” she chuckled in disbelief before offering the explanation of the pickup lines she usually had to suffer through. “I’d like to storm your Castle? Is the fire burning in your Castle? My dragon wants to live in your Castle? Is the carpet thick in your Castle? ...I’d like to swim your moat?” she imitated a chorus of cheesy guys she’d sorted through over the last two years.

​“I’d like to swim your moat?! How is that even remotely a sexy come on? It’s muddy, predator filled water!” he howled with laughter at her confession, endearing her even more.

​“I have absolutely no idea, but he was quite serious about it. There was a whole scenario he had worked out before I told him no,” she turned to face him fully.

​“He must’ve been devastated!” Caleb said after calming his laughter, wiping a tear from the side of one of his captivatingly beautiful eyes. “So when we get married, you’ll take my name.” he said, completely serious, taking Samantha off-guard.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Another milestone

I've sold over 1000 copies of 'Love, but Never' in the last 6 weeks and the thought of that is very surreal to me. The fact that it spans several countries is something else I can't quite wrap my head around.

I'm nearly finished with my second book and am still looking for betas. I need them! My critique partner has been unavailable lately and I'm feeling a bit lost.

Please comment or otherwise contact me if you are interested!!

Thank you!!!

Friday, December 7, 2012

Excuse me while I dance a little!

I just broke 50k words on 'the weakness in me!' That makes me, at least, 2/3rds of the way through the story! After I'm finished with this book, I get to start on one that's code named 'Cockblocking'.

After that, I'm starting Lucian's story. I never intended for Love, but Never to be part of a series, but Lucian has been sending me little notes, asking me to tell his story. And far be it for me to ignore someone so tortured and sexy!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Finally getting there!

I wrote like crazy today!  I've set a daily record in writing nearly 5000 words of The Weakness in Me.  I feel like it's finally shaping to what I envisioned.  I've got about 20k words to go, so I'm looking at it being in editing by the new year.  YAY!

Friday, November 30, 2012

Editing!!!

I've added nearly 15k words to weakness in the last two weeks and am approaching 40k words. I'm still doing content editing this week. And will soon need a pass through by my editor and will be looking for beta readers. Please send me a message if you are interested!!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Weakness in Me Synopsis

Samantha and Jason were best friends turned lovers when betrayal ripped them apart. Five years later, Jason comes face to face with his Sammy when he's called to the scene of a horrific accident. Seeing her bruised and battered awakens a love he knew he'd missed, but didn't know how much until he'd almost lost her.

Samantha is left to battle back from an accident that took away her husband and almost took her life. Facing her future as a single mother, Samantha allows Jason back into her life because she knows she needs help to create a new life without Caleb. As they begin to find their way back to each other, there are those waiting in the wings for the right moment to tear them apart again. Can Samantha find a way to trust Jason again after everything?

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Game day

Taking time out of writing today and watching THE Game. Cheering on my Buckeyes today against my husband's team from up north.

Back at it tomorrow! I've been on a roll lately.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

The Weakness in Me Teaser

I'm doing some editing on Weakness in Me today and I wanted to post a snippet.  I hope you enjoy it!


“Oh, Sammy!  Thank GOD!”
            “Don’t call me that,” she said, flatly.
            “I’m sorry,” Jason said, letting go of the hand he’d been holding.  “Sorry,” he said again, with a sad smile.
            “I prefer Samantha now,” she explained, staring at the ceiling, still unable to move her head to see anyone that had now retreated deeper into her room and not wanting to look at Jason, “I can’t deal with you being here right now.  Please leave,” she choked out, the pain medication starting to take effect again.
            “At the heart of everything, we’ve always been friends.  I’d like to be there for you.”  His blue eyes softened as he looked down at her.
            “I’ve got plenty of friends and family, I don’t need you,” Samantha said.
            “Look, I don’t want to argue with you.  I know you are hurting right now so I won’t upset you any further--”
            “What the fuck do you know about what I’m feeling right now?  Have you ever experienced anything like this?” Samantha asked, venom spewing from her lips.  She saw the shock register on Jason’s face at her words.  “Let me answer that, no, you haven’t.  Have you ever loved anyone more than you love yourself?”

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

Trying to get some writing done this week, but the day job is super busy because of the holiday!

I reduced the price of 'Love, but Never' to $.99 for the week! Take advantage!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Playlist

As I was writing 'Love, but Never', I had certain songs that were inspirational.

Here is the playlist I wrote to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr8JhnjPHJ8&feature=bf_next&list=PLD850A3DCFAE188C0

Monday, November 12, 2012

Formatting- STILL!!

Saw today huge issues with formatting! I will be fixing it tomorrow- everything looked fine when I approved it last week- I don't know what happened!! Really, really frustrated with this!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Promotion!

From now until Monday, 'Love, but Never' is free on Amazon! For the first time since she started competing her solo in February- my daughter remembered the whole thing. It's cause for celebration!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Planning a promo

My daughter has her first dance competition of the season this Saturday. I've decided if she does her solo from beginning to end and remembers all of her choreography, I'll offer 'Love, but Never' for free for 24 hours in celebration. That's how excited I'll be!

So lets all hope she picks up where she left off at nationals in July!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Coming up

Working with a friend's wife on the cover of the print version of 'Love,but Never'. Added some of my favorite quotes to goodreads- but not all of them.

My absolute favorite quote in the book is during a really emotionally charged scene toward the end of the book. And posting it would be like posting a spoiler.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Love, but Never

Is a coming of age novel about a young girl dealing with disappointment and learning the difference between support and disappearing inside someone else. Through the novel she grows and tries to find balance between her past and not being afraid to fall in love.

I started writing it in 2007 while listening to 'Lying is the most fun a girl can have with out taking her clothes off' by Panic! At the Disco. At about 7400 words, it ended up in a forgotten file on my computer until February of this year. After rereading it, I realized I was forcing it to tell the story I thought I wanted to tell rather than the story that was starting to take shape.

After giving myself over to the story, it became more like Maroon 5's 'she will be loved'- not the video, the lyrics. I finished the bulk of the story by the end of April. Then I sat on it, afraid to share it with anyone but friends and family. Finally, last week, I decided to let go! If people don't like it, that's fine! Because I did something I set out to do- write a novel- finish something I started. It feels pretty amazing.

Of course, I hope people like it, but I know it's not for everyone.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Update

Still not 100% happy with the formatting but an update should be available later today. It will include the prologue and first chapter of 'Weakness in Me'.

Formatting!!

Trying to improve the formatting on my book. Wish me luck!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

November 1st...already

I'm collaborating on my next book right now. It's tentatively titled 'Weakness in Me'. Samantha and Jason have a second chance at love after she and her husband, Caleb are in a horrific accident that takes Caleb's life.

It's a hard story to write, but it's begging me to get it out to the world.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

First post

I used to blog a long time ago and I haven't done it in forever.

I released my first book, 'Love, but Never' to Amazon this week, and I'm so nervous for feedback.

I've put myself out there before, but I feel more exposed with this than I ever have before.

I'm still working on my second book- it is not a continuation of Marissa and Aaron's story. It is a different story all together. I'm only about 30% done with it, but I'm already in love with Jason and Samantha's story.