The children went back to school yesterday, and we’re on a schedule again. I spent the month of June traveling and catching up with friends and family, and July was spent going through closets and purging my house of clutter. Now I’m ready to dive back into my writing.

I love this time of year! Although August is too hot for writing outside, next month I’ll be sitting on one of my porches while typing away. A cool breeze, hot cup of tea, and complete solitude make the perfect setting for writing.

I’ve missed writing SO much the past two months. The scenes are cramming their way into my mind and won’t leave me alone. It’s either I write or go mad trying to ignore it.

Stay tuned, as I’ll soon be posting small updates on Facebook about how each day goes. You’ll get an idea of what I’m researching–usually the setting, as I don’t give to many hints out. Don’t won’t to spoil my surprises 🙂

Although my books take place in an alternate reality, I give a tally mark for each day that passes, and I do this so that I can keep track of the seasons. At the time of this post, I’m working on the fourth book in my Alissia Roswell Series, and she’s been in an alternate reality for a little over a year. During that time, she’s experienced all four of the seasons.

I recently had a conversation with my teenage daughter, and she told me about a book she read that bothered her somewhat. She loved the story, but the timing was WAY off. It was a young adult read with a regular school year, yet the author did not track the time. Many months went by–way too many for a school year–and the prom and school activities were not timed at all. My daughter was only twelve when she read the book, and she said it was an obvious oversight.

If you’re writing a book or series that takes place over a long period, you NEED to track your days. Even young adult readers notice these things.

With my current series, I don’t have to track the days of the week, as Alissia isn’t in school or working. I only need to pay attention to the seasons and her birthday. However, I do have plans to write a werewolf book in the future, and I already dread marking the days on a calendar so that I can calculate the full moon properly. I’ll have to follow those calendar limitations and not just throw a full moon in any time it’s convenient.

The same goes for a character that goes to school. You can’t ignore the seven days of the week and various seasons with holidays. You can either tally the days on a piece of paper, or you can keep a detailed calendar in front of you–whatever works best for you.

If you’re an author and have a different method, let me know. I’d love to hear it!

Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace by Becky Monson

If there’s one thing that Bridgette Reynolds has learned recently, it’s that the perfect shoes, the perfect hair, and the perfect dress do not make for the perfect proposal. In fact, sometimes they make for the not-so-perfect breakup.

Now, Bridgette must do everything in her power to win Adam back. She knows they are meant to be. And nothing will stand in her way—not her friends, not her grandmother, not even the fact that Adam is now engaged to Serene after a whirlwind romance.

Focused on her plan to win Adam back, Bridgette isn’t expecting Ian—her college best friend, her love, her big regret—to come back into her life. They sink back into their comfortable friendship as if no time has passed at all, making Bridgette start to question her feelings for Adam. But Ian has a few secrets of his own . . . secrets that could shatter their friendship once and for all.

Bridgette has to make some major decisions—should she speak now? Or forever hold her peace?

Praise for the Book
“Can I give this book a 10? It was so fantastic!” -Taking Time For Mommy
“Speak Now grabbed me from the beginning! This is the perfect escape/beach read – light and fun, amusing with some tearful moments.” -Reviewing in Chaos
“Chick-Lit at its most enjoyable.” – Life With Katie

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * iTunes

Author Becky Monson
By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last… but it probably won’t.

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$100 Book Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 8/28/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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It’s been a while since I’ve done a television show review, with the other being Fringe. Today I’d like to share a great Sy Fy show called Haven. It has a strong female lead, and it’s rated TV-PG. My husband and I have watched this show together since it first aired in 2010.

I really like the setting in Maine, and the characters are lovable. I’ve really never had a problem with this show, as it’s not dark or filled with cursing or sex scenes. The first couple of seasons are light and fun, but the story is beginning to get more intense. The plot is definitely heating up.

The show is about how a bunch of “troubles” has plagued the town on and off for many years. The main character is Audrey, and she is not affected by the troubles. Each episode deals with Audrey and her partner, Nathan, trying to figure out a case dealing with a certain trouble. When I say trouble, it could be anything from people dying when they hear an infected baby cry, a woman who can cause severe pain with her touch, another woman turning everything she eats into cake, and other sorts of crazy and random “troubles.”

Each episode usually gets a different trouble, and we watch as they try to deal with it. As time goes on, we learn about Audrey’s true past (which is a complete mystery to her). We learn where the troubles originated, and many other things.

Right now, we’re at season five, which is split into two years. The first half of the season aired last year, and I expect the second half to begin in September. (I don’t have the official date yet.) I’m eager for it to begin, because the plot has gotten very intriguing.

I recommend this show if you like sy fy and want something different. (It’s definitely different!) You can watch the first four seasons on Netflix. Here’s a trailer for the first season. After watching the trailer, I now remember how the show portrayed a priest filled with hatred wanting to end the troubles in the wrong way. I had forgotten about that, because that part of the show only lasted for one or two seasons. So there is a bit of stereotypical (hateful) religion in the beginning of the series.

I’d like to thank Coastal Manor in Ludowici, Georgia, for hosting another book signing earlier this month. It’s always a pleasure to visit Southeast Georgia, and meet with some of my readers. Not only is that area Alissia’s hometown, but it’s also where my mother resides.

I love having her by my side at a book signing, and my youngest son asked if he could tag along for this one. In fact, he set up my signing table–all by himself. It melted my heart to see him pull the books from their boxes, count them to make sure there was an even amount on the table, and arrange them so they looked nice. He’s never been to any of my signings, but he was a complete natural.

I want to thank Debbie Lorenz for a great visit at the signing. It’s always a joy to see her, as she’s such an encouraging person to be around. That’s why I named a character after her (Debina) in my latest novel. Her buddy Tabitha (another great fan I named a character after) could not be there, and she was missed.

Here’s my lovely mother:

It’s always a pleasure to see my readers at a signing. This is the lovely lady I named Debina after in Unexpected Peril. See my son hiding behind the banner?