New Orleans, here we come! My mother, sister, three nieces, and I are headed that way, and I’m ready for some much loved Cajun food–my favorite kind.

Did you notice this is a family trip? And family is usually crazy. All six of us have extremely different personalities, and there’s a wide age range as well. Just from talking with some of the group yesterday, my mind is already taking in our personalities, and I can’t help but think like an author.

As an author, it’s easy for me to turn an adventure into a wild disaster. I’m already plotting and thinking of various scenarios. And since I’m the lucky driver on this trip, I’ll have a lot of time to think about it. Now I just need to get to New Orleans and take in the scenery so that I can add those details into my writing.

I guess the saying is true. Don’t get too close to a writer, or you might get written into a novel. Hmm… Should I turn Granny into a vampire in this one? 🙂

Most authors know that having a strong presence on social media is extremely important these days, and many (if not most) struggle with the amount of time it takes to develop and maintain their author platform. Before my first novel was published, I spent many hours a day researching what needed to be done and how to do it efficiently. There are a lot of apps that help to save time, and once a routine is put into place, things get easier.

However, life can easily get off balance and start to spin out of control. I once did a post about keeping the balance, and I’ll admit that I fell off the tightrope this spring. Although I finished writing Unexpected Peril early and had enough time to take December off for family and travel, January was the beginning of a steady fall downhill. My two daughters added many things to their schedule, and it all peaked the first three months of this year. I found myself spending a lot of time packing and unpacking, and we were traveling almost every weekend for competitions and tournaments.

Add that I had an editing deadline (the worst kind) over my head the entire time that had to be extended, and it was a recipe for disaster. By March, every area of my life was in complete chaos, and like most mothers in America, the rest of my family seemed oblivious to the limits of my super powers–even thinking I can be in three places at once almost every night of the week.

In the end, the eBook of Unexpected Peril was released on time with some editing issues that I found while proofing the paperback. The revisions were quickly made, and things are back on track with the release. However, I have not done much marketing on this novel, and I’ve pulled back from social media for a while. I’ve not been blogging as much or very active on Twitter. I’ve basically been doing the minimum on my social media.

Right now, I’m trying to get my life back in balance and my house organized. That requires planning and shopping for shelves and such. I’m also using this summer to train my children to do more, as I’ve canceled almost all of their summer sports and activities. We’re also having a lot of discussions about their future activities and their capabilities to help out–AKA, Mom’s on a mild strike, and the family needs to realize she is an actual human with many limits to her “super powers.”

I plan to start writing again next month, after I make some changes to Unexpected Metamorphosis to reflect the same writing style I used with the other two books in the series. Until then, I’ll do my best to answer emails and social media messages. My heart is tied to writing, as it is my passion. I just have to take some time to focus on getting back on balance–mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I’m working on finding the calm again.

Let me know in the comment section if you relate–not just authors, but all moms/dads in general. It’s easy to suddenly find yourself drowning in life’s demands.

Oh, and don’t worry if any of this will affect the release of Unexpected Beginning. I would never leave my readers hanging and am greatly honored that many of you highly anticipate my book releases. Thank you all for your support and love for Alissia.

After a week off for a much needed beach vacation with family and friends, I’m back to work. While on vacation, I read through the proof copy of Unexpected Peril and found some mistakes that slipped by. Those revisions have been sent to my formatter, and I’ll soon have the online versions updated to show those changes. I’ll also be able to clear the paperback version for printing.

This month’s project will be to read through Unexpected Metamorphosis and update it to show my latest writing style. Although it’s getting great reviews, I’ve learned much since it came out, and I feel like it needs a few revisions. Nothing will be changed in the story. I’ll only be moving the chapters around so that each one ends on a punch/small cliffhanger. I’ll also be taking away some of the extra wording.

Once the paperbacks come in, I’ll be able to mail out signed copies. I’ll also travel to Alissia’s hometown for a book signing and will soon let you all know when that will be. Thanks for all the support and kind words. If you get a chance, please consider leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Sweet & Sassy Anthology: Hidden Identities

Readers will be delighted with nine sweet, contemporary romance novelettes in Sweet & Sassy: Hidden Identities. In this charming anthology, you will fall in love again and again.

THE BEST OF ME by Paige Timothy
Becky is a cancer survivor who has been blogging about her journey. She’s shocked to find that Josh, her one-time love and now-famous oncologist, is the main speaker at the symposium she’s been asked to attend. Has fate given them a second chance at a future together, or just a shot at miserably ever after?

SECOND-HAND HEARTS by Jo Noelle
When Elena sees Chase for the first time, his turquoise eyes and tousled blond hair convince her that she might believe in insta-love. Just in time, her brain takes over, reminding her that her business is in trouble, making the future uncertain—not a good time for love. But being with Chase is as easy as following her heart, until she finds he has a secret big enough to break it.

FIRST LOVE, SECOND CHOICE by Lindzee Armstrong
When wedding planner Keslee gets asked on a date by her long-lost high school crush, Bryce, everything should be perfect. But Bryce mistakes Keslee for her deceased twin sister, Jadyn. And she doesn’t correct him. Now they’re unexpectedly working together. Keslee knows the charade can’t last much longer, and fears she’ll lose Bryce forever when she tells him the truth.

HACKED by Stephanie Connelley Worlton
NSA data analyst Samantha Perry never being an introverted computer geek could get dangerous until she digs a little too deep into a greedy blackhat’s business, forcing her to change her identity and relocate. As She risks everything to try to close the case, but may end up putting a nail in her own casket. And if she doesn’t, Seth, her hot new neighbor, just might.

TO LOVE AND PROTECT by Ruth Roberts
First Son Daxon Hayward has refused a secret service detail since the day his father was elected President. This time the threat against Daxon is very real, and his father plants an undercover agent to protect him, Lorelei Davis who is capable and beautiful. She’s received her assignment: Protect the First Son, don’t let him know she is an agent, and don’t fall in love.

CLOSING TIME by Candice N. Toone
Chef Will Morrison can’t help himself after watching Kelsey sit alone at a table waiting for a blind date. When he steps in to save her from being stood up, he expects to exchange dull first-date pleasantries, but finds himself drawn in by her quick wit and spunk. Will hears himself confirming plans for a second date only to realize that she still believes he’s someone else.

SINK OR SWIM by Laura D. Bastian
Shelly can’t believe she’s fallen for another cheater. The last few weeks at the gym swimming next to Brandon had almost convinced her she could date again. Brandon’s excited to be back home with a career that can finally hold a candle to his twin brother’s success. When Shelly suddenly turns cold, Brandon can’t help wondering if it has something to do with his brother.

WRITE AND WRONG by Kaye P. Clark
Jon Patterson is burned out. After publishing a series of blockbuster novels under his pen name, he’s hit a brick wall. He escapes to a rural town in Idaho where he meets Abby, the local librarian. She ignites his imagination and quickens his heart. Without the pressure of his pen name, Jon is free to be himself. But will he lose Abby when she learns his secret?

UNDERCOVER LOVER by James C. Duckett
Agent Johnny Anderson is struggling with an investigation that could make or break his career. However, it’s love at first sight when beautiful and witty Hannah moves into the neighborhood. Will Johnny lose Hannah when she finds out his cover story is a façade? As things get hotter between them, his love for her might endanger her life.

Purchase on AMAZON

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 6/25/15

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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The Death of Death, written by K. N. Parker, is a quick little short story that can be read in less than two hours. At this time, it’s free at Amazon.

I give this fast read four stars, as it was a simple story that served its purpose well–giving me a quick distraction from reality when I did not have time to commit to a book. I read most of it while taking a hot bath and finished it while in bed.

As for the story itself, we follow a character with no memories of her death as she searches for answers. There’s no action, romance, or anything wild about this read. It’s really just a simple read, yet it’s interesting. My eleven-year-old daughter even read it.

It’s a squeaky clean read. There’s no cursing, gore, or sexual content. As for the religious element, there is none whatsoever. It’s really just a quick, clean, fictional story–a light read.

I will add that it does need some editing, but I understand why the writer may not want to invest in an editor for this. It’s free. There’s no money being made off this short story. Just enjoy it for the fun read it is.

The downloads have begun! The Kindle version of Unexpected Peril is now available, with the paperback and Nook on its way. I’ll soon be traveling to Alissia’s hometown for a book signing, and I can’t wait to meet with those readers.

The writing of Unexpected Beginning, the fourth book in the series, has begun, and I promise many exciting things to come.

I will be editing Unexpected Metamorphosis again, as my writing style has changed over these past years, and I feel the need to strip that book of some of its extra words. The story will not change and nothing will be added. I’ll only be pulling words. This second edition will only be available at Amazon, and the first book in the Alissia Roswell Series will be pulled from all other venues for a while. Until then, it will remain free, but that will change when the second edition comes out.

Hope you enjoy this part of Alissia’s adventure. Please leave an honest review so I’ll know what you think of my writing. I love to hear from my readers.