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Book Blog, What I'm Reading Wednesday

I’m Reading A Brand New Annie Crow Novel!

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Ten years ago this coming fall, my oldest daughter entered her senior year of high school, and she was worried about the new English teacher she was going to have. She attended a small high school of performing arts, and the teachers and students all had a tight bond. Devyn was worried about having to get to know a brand-new teacher at the end of her school career.

I began to notice over the ensuing weeks that the words, “Ms. Gail says . . .” were becoming an almost daily part of our lives. Ms. Gail was apparently the exact teacher my daughter needed at this point, and I was so grateful for her compassion and support over the course of what was a very difficult year for our family.

Six years later, I was a published author, living in Florida, and during a trip to New Jersey, I spoke to the English classes at my daughter’s alma mater. One of the high points of the visit was connecting once again with ‘Ms. Gail’. Over the course of our conversation that day, Gail shared with me about a book she had written.

I think she sent me the first Annie book about a month later. I read it, and I fell in love.

Annie Crow Knoll: Sunrise was published in July of 2013. The second book, Annie CrowKnoll: Sunset came out a little over a year later. I was so honored and blessed to be involved with the publication of these beautiful books.

The third and final Annie Crow book is in final stages of production. I’m reading it again just now, giving it another read-through, and I’m so loving it. Gail has done it once again.

I don’t have a release date for this book yet, but I’ll share here when the book goes live. Meanwhile, if you haven’t read the first two Annie Crow books yet, do it now. Jump on them and devour them so you’ll be ready when Annie Crow: Moonrise is released.

And that’s what I’m reading this Wednesday.

 

 

Book Blog, Keeping Score Series, Promotion and Publicity, Teaser Tuesday

#TeaserTuesday: It’s all about the boys

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When We Were Us (Keeping Score Book 1) releases on April 7th–that’s next week! I cannot wait!

This teaser is between the boys. Nate and Leo might have just a little bit of resentment between them . . .

Remember, if you want to read a full chapter of the book, you can download it for free here!

~~~***~~~

“That’s crap. And while we’re on the subject, you dating her? That’s crap, too. What the hell are you thinking?”

Leo stood up, hands on his hips. “This is probably something we don’t want to talk about, Nate. We’re not going to agree on this one. Quinn and I are together. Period. It’s not going to change.”

“That’s what you say now, but let’s be honest about this. We both know you can’t stick with one girl. You’re going to play with her for as long as it takes, and then once you’ve fucked her, that’ll be it. You’ll lose interest. And guess who’ll be around to pick up the pieces? Me. I’ll be the one who sticks when you’ve decided you’re bored. When you’ve moved on to the next girl. Keep that in mind.”

“I know how I’ve been in the past, but those girls weren’t Mia. She’s different. We’re different, together. I’m not just in this to get into her pants, Nate, no matter what you think. I . . .” He exhaled, raking his hand through his hair. “I love her, Nate. I always have. And now it’s even more.”

“You had a funny way of showing it the last few years. You know, when you were screwing your way through the cheerleaders and—well, just about any girl who wasn’t Quinn. Do you know how much that hurt her?”

“I was scared. I was afraid I’d let her down, and I couldn’t deal with it.”

“Ah, poor Leo. Having to dull the pain of not being good enough for the one girl he could love . . . by fucking all the other girls. You really are a tortured hero, aren’t you?”

Leo spoke through gritted teeth. “I’m not doing this, Nate. I’m not going to argue with you. I know you’re only talking like this because you’re hurt, and you’re afraid you’re going to lose Quinn. But I don’t want to take her away from you. Why can’t we be like we used to? When we were kids, we all got along. We could be friends again.”

I’d thought this through this afternoon, after Quinn had left. I wasn’t going to lose her over this, even if it meant putting up with Leo and putting a happy face on a situation I hated.

But I wasn’t going to let that happen without making myself very clear.

“We can be friends, Leo. Sure. But never forget that I know the truth. I know what’s going to happen. You’re going to hurt Quinn—that’s a given. But worse, you’re going to ruin her. You’re going to take this girl who’s funny and smart and unique—and you’re going to try to change her. You’re going to drag her into stuff she doesn’t want to see, and you’ll break her. You’ll destroy her, and I just hope I’m still around to help put her back together.”

I expected him to flip out at me. I expected him to rail at me, defend himself and swear none of that would happen.

But he didn’t. I saw something in his eyes, an anguish and fear, that shocked me by its depth. And when he spoke, his voice was almost defeated.

“You’re not telling me anything I’m not terrified about. Why do you think I pulled away from you guys? Why do you think I stayed away from Quinn, when I’ve wanted her? I know the potential’s there. But God, Nate. I’m trying. I’m doing my damnedest to not do that. I don’t want Quinn to change. I want to protect her, and see her keep growing and being who she is. Quinn’s got the truest heart I’ve ever known. And that heart loves us both. Why can’t we accept that?”

~~~***~~~

The Keeping Score Trilogy is a New Adult contemporary romance. The first two books may not give youWhen We Were Us Sml complete closure, but hang in there for Book 3; I promise the pay-off is worth it.

You can preorder When We Were Us now at all major retailers.

iBooks/Amazon/Nook/Kobo/Google Play

Read an exclusive excerpt right here!

Book Blog, Keeping Score Series

The defining song

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For me, every book I write has not only a playlist of music, but one song that defines it. It’sWWWUReleaseTeaser#2 that song that gets me through every block as I’m writing the story, the one that just so perfectly fits this set of characters and circumstances, it’s as though the music was written for this book.

Scanning the playlist of When We Were Us, one song jumps out at me as an obvious choice for the defining song. Shouldn’t it be the song that gave the book its title, We Were Us by Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert? Well . . . maybe.

But I have to admit, the tune from this list that I listened to most often was really We Belong by Pat Benatar. This one is a special sentimental favorite of mine; it’s been on more than one of my playlists, and deservedly so.

Many times I tried to tell you
Many times I cried alone
Always I’m surprised how well you cut my feelings to the bone
Don’t want to leave you really
I’ve invested too much time to give you up that easy
To the doubts that complicate your mind

This is so much Quinn, so much the cry of her heart, and yet, there’s some Leo in there, too, and even some Nate.

I can always count of Pat.

Check out the entire When We Were Us playlist right here!

Book Blog, Teaser Tuesday

Releasing in 16 Days!! #TeaserTuesday

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When We Were Us (Keeping Score Book 1) releases on April 7th in just SIXTEEN days! Early beta reads are back, and I’m giddy about what readers are saying.

So let’s celebrate with a teaser. Because Leo just might be a little bit of a tease . . .

Remember, if you want to read a full chapter of the book, you can download it for free here!

~~~***~~~

We’d just finished the papers when Leo appeared in the doorway of the office. He filled the space, taking my breath away as he leaned on the jamb, grinning. His hair was still damp, and the long-sleeved thermal shirt hugged the roped muscles on his arms. Faded jeans stretched over his long legs. My mouth went dry and all I could think was . . . damn.

Next to me Gia sniffed, but I didn’t miss the gleam of appreciation in her eye. I gave her shoulder a little nudge. “Behave yourself.”

Turning to Leo, I smiled. “Hey. I’m ready to go. Just let me grab my bag.”

He was too fast for me. “I got it.”  He slung the canvas carryall over his back. I thought he’d just head for the door, but he stopped, offering his hand to Gia. “I’m Leo Taylor. Nice to meet you.”

Her mouth dropped open a little. “Uh, Gia. Gia Capri. Yeah, nice to meet you, too.” She took his hand, and I was fairly certainly there was a little bit of swooning going on. I tried hard not to giggle.

“When Gia lets go of your hand, we should leave. If we get over to the hospital in the next hour, we can see Nate for a few minutes.”

Leo nodded. “I talked to Coach, and he said as long as I was home by nine tonight, I’m cool for curfew. Let’s go.” He winked at Gia as he freed his hand. “See you around.”

I glanced back at Gia as we left. She gave me wide eyes, fanned herself and mouthed, “WOW.”

Clearly even feminist journalists were not immune to the charms of the Lion.

 

The Keeping Score Trilogy is a New Adult contemporary romance. The first two books may not give youWhen We Were Us Sml complete closure, but hang in there for Book 3; I promise the pay-off is worth it.

You can preorder When We Were Us now at all major retailers.

iBooks/Amazon/Nook/Kobo/Google Play

Read an exclusive excerpt right here!

Book Blog

Daddy’s Music

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Today is very special: not only it is #MusicMonday, it would have been my daddy’s 73rd birthday. And it’s been ten years today since I was able to celebrate with him.

He’s been on my mind a lot lately, for many reasons. First, of course, because his birthday is today. And then there is a scene at the end of my just-finished book (WHEN WE WERE US) and again at the start of the next book (HANGING BY A MOMENT) that brings his loss back to me.

And today being a Monday is perfect, because when it comes to music, my father was my biggest influence.

Most of the music I love comes from a place that was part of my daddy. He introduced me to rock n’ roll, to R&B and to pop, as well as country. He told me stories about songs–gave me history and a real connection with the artists and their lives, too.

Today’s playlist contains my father’s favorite music, or songs that were significant in his life. For instance, I know that he did a lip sync to Stagger Lee when he was a freshman in high school. He loved Buddy Holly, too–always. When he was a plebe at West Point, he heard echoes of the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight in upperclassmen’s rooms and was intrigued by the WEEM-oh-wep. And he was so excited about I’m Into Something Good that he made an unheard-of middle of the week phone call to my mom to play it over the phone.

When I was older, he often came home from work excited about a new song he’d heard on the way home. I think that’s how I first heard The Tide is High and Mickey.

He suggested True Love Ways as the first song my husband and I danced to at our wedding. And he also chose Disney Girls as the song he and I danced to–our father/daughter dance. I still can’t hear it without crying.

I hope you’ll check out Daddy’s Play List–and that it makes you smile.

Happy birthday, Daddy.