Lindsay Emory's Blog, page 10
April 17, 2018
All These Things That I Love - April 2018
A monthly roundup of things that give me life...
All my favorite reality shows lately. Southern Charm is back! (And I just caught the premiere of Southern Charm - New Orleans at lunch today. Y'ALL. This cast. We'll have to talk after some more episodes.)
The Queer Eye reboot is EVERYTHING. Cry, laugh, moisturize with a new Fab Five that you'll fall in love with. And Bethenny & Fredrik drove me nuts but I'm a sucker for New York real estate. I was disappointed they didn't invest in the Hamptons remodel. That would have been my ideal show, TBH.
Slightly chilled Lodi wines on the patio. This one was around $10 at Trader Joe's and I wish I'd bought extra.
To 80's music! Hubs and I both read Ready Player One and had a movie date night after and because we're children of the 80's we enjoyed all the references and music soundtrack.
Have you seen the movie or read the book? Or both? What did you think?
You’ve probably seen them in some of my Instagram posts (above, with READY PLAYER ONE), but I’m so in love with this purse clip. It’s discreet enough to clip on the outside of your purse (see above) and really easy to hang on tables at restaurants (or the inside of restroom stalls that don’t have hooks – MY BIG PET PEEVE!!!)
I have the gunmetal version because like I said – discreet. Honestly, this would be a good thing to buy a bunch of, to keep on hand for gifts. Doesn't every woman need a good way to hang their handbag?
Now that I look back at this list, I'm having a very basic month - wine, reality TV and date nights. But honestly, sometimes we all just need to get back to basics and enjoy the simple things that make us happy. Let me know what you're loving lately in the comments below or on my Facebook page and Instagram! Especially if you have wine recommendations. ;-)
April 3, 2018
Best Books to Read Now - April 2018
Reminder/ Caveat/ Disclaimer: This is my (hopefully) monthly list of books I’ve read and enjoyed. These are not reviews, I do not include books I didn’t enjoy because life is too short to speak badly of books!
Because I skipped last month, I’m going to cover five books this month! Are you ready? These are good books, y’all. I think I’ve got something for everyone.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid
I really can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t like this. There’s old Hollywood gossip, glamour, love and drama. This is one that would be perfect for vacations and multi-generation book clubs. And I’m probably going to re-read it again at some point, like a classic movie.
The Trouble with Twelfth Grave – Darynda Jones
The penultimate book of the Charley Davidson series has got me feeling… a little emotional, to be honest. The series is coming to a close … next year? (I just checked. It looks like this was moved out from October ’18). There are very few series that I’ve read twelve books of and have been still this invested. Between this and the Kate Daniels series ending, I’m going to be jonesing for a new paranormal series to adopt. Y’all hit a girl up with some suggestions!
A mail order bride in Wyoming who greets her husband to be by shooting him. With that premise you know you can’t go wrong, especially with Beverly Jenkins’ expert hand guiding you through a passionate love story rich in amazing historical details. As always, I was swept away and I learned so much! My favorite blend.
Next Year in Havana – Chanel Cleeton
Much in the vein of Tempest, above, this is another fantastic historical story with strong romance story threads and fascinating glimpses of Cuba during revolutionary times and today. Even I, a former Latin American studies major, found so much to sink my teeth into and I can’t wait for the sequel next year!!
The Secret to Southern Charm - Kristy Woodson Harvey
I fell in love with the first book in the Peachtree Bluff series last year and knew I had to not only read the second book but invite Kristy Woodson Harvey onto my WOMEN WITH BOOKS podcast. Listen to the episode and you’ll hear ALL MY THOUGHTS on this book (which is out today! Congratulations Kristy Woodson Harvey!!)
OH! And the first book in the series, SLIGHTLY SOUTH OF SIMPLE, which i featured on the blog last year is on sale for $1.99!! Grab it because you'll want to read both together!
What have you been reading lately? I can’t wait to tell you about what I’m currently reading… NEXT MONTH! *evil laugh *
March 20, 2018
All These Things That I Love - March 2018
A monthly round-up of things that give me life…
...Ozark
Okay, it took me a while to warm up to this. And maybe, given the fact that it’s about a family in mortal peril from Really Bad Guys (and maybe their own father?) it’s okay if I have mixed feelings about it? I’ve finally come around and now it’s a must watch for Mr. Emory and me. The cast is fantastic (even though I’m old enough to be disturbed that the Silver Spoons cutie pie is a strangely cold money launderer).
Surely I’ve recommended this? This podcast is – superficially – about makeup and beauty topics, but every episode I find so much more in the conversation. This is really a podcast about female entrepreneurship, self-exploration and acceptance and economic power. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but listen to Jen Akin’s episode and tell me I’m wrong.
… Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick in Beach
As the weather gets a bit warmer and the sun starts shining again, I’ve discovered (shocker!!) I’ve become deathly pale in the past five months of staying indoors. So I’ve dug out this warmer palette and now I look like a healthy person again. I can't find it on sale anywhere but a similar one might be this Urban Decay Heat palette.
… with my Garmin VivoSmart
We now have the whole family hooked up to their Garmins and we have nightly step checks – driven by my kids, really, who are now super competitive and invested in mom sitting down so they can win our family challenges. It’s a pretty fun way for us all to interact and be healthy. And they’re waterproof! So much win.
What are you loving these days as winter turns into spring? I'd love to hear from you and the best way for us to keep in touch is my newsletter. Newsletter subscribers gets exclusive story content and giveaways and more every month.
March 6, 2018
Looking for a Great Read?
Argh! Because of my responsibilities judging RITA entries, I wasn’t able to get together my usual Best Books list this month.
So I thought I’d highlight some of the books I’ve been talking about on the Women With Books podcast. Almost all my recent guests (and some more distant ones) have had new releases and/or sales.
Kate Clayborn’s award winning BEGINNER’S LUCK is on sale for $.99! Try out the book that was nominated for Romantic Times 2017 Book of the Year!
Megan Frampton’s LADY BE RECKLESS which we talked about in the most recent episode of WWB has just released, if you're in the mood for a historical romance series loosely based on the Bennet sisters.
Alyssa Cole’s A PRINCESS IN THEORY, which we discussed in Chapter 16 is earning raves everywhere. If you are craving more modern royal romance, check it out.
Past superstar guest Penny Reid has a new book out this week: Marriage of Inconvenience! I'm pretty sure it's a marriage of convenience story, though, so be warned. ;-)
And the lovely Tessa Dare has her LARP-ing historical romance book on sale: ROMANCING THE DUKE (the reason why we talked about LARP-ing and fan-fic on her episode)
And if you’re looking for more recommendations, as always, check out the books recommended by Women With Books guests on my Goodreads Women With Books Bookshelf. I love that my guests bring a huge diversity of recommendations to the pod, from classics to science fiction and erotic romance. There's something for every book lover, for sure.
Next month, I will be back with more of my personal list. Until then, keep reading!
February 20, 2018
All These Things That I Love - February 2018
A monthly round up of things that give me life.
Collagen coffee!
It’s my secret weapon for clear glowy skin and getting an extra shot of protein in the morning. I have done the bulletproof coffee thing, I’ve done butter and MCT oil but lately that’s just been a little heavy for me. One scoop of collagen in beautiful, hot, preferably-with-a-little-sugar-free-mocha-syrup coffee is enough to get me going and activated for the morning.
Slayer of Words cup: no longer available. But it basically describes my mood while editing lately.
Collagen powder I use: Available here.
to Alexa!
(And not these guys.)
My husband has rigged a house intercom system with Alexa devices but we love the one in the kitchen the most. For jokes, for music and for shopping lists, I recommended this in my 2017 holiday gift guide and it’s still going strong for us. I sometimes put videos of our morning get up and go songs on my Instagram.
The seasons are too short, the accents are nearly unintelligible but the story of this family is gripping and the acting is A++++.
It’s February. My feet are chronically cold. I am obsessed with warm cozy slippers. I really need Uggs to make me some fingerless-gloves for typing, too.
UGGs. http://amzn.to/2EJBDk7
And warm cozy slippers are the near-definition of hygge, the Danish concept to describe cozy-communal-feeling good.
As you may already know, my next Mistletoe Key novella is called LOVE IN THE TIME OF HYGGE and it is NOT SOLD IN STORES! (what????) It's EXCLUSIVE to newsletter subscribers - subscribe here if you like cozy cashmere, hot Florida beaches and Lindsay Emory-style romance: http://eepurl.com/b5t7Uj
February 6, 2018
Best Books to Read Now - February 2018
Reminder/ Caveat/ Disclaimer: This is my (hopefully) monthly list of books I’ve read and enjoyed. These are not reviews, I do not include books I didn’t enjoy because life is too short to speak badly of books!
Moonshadow – Thea Harrison
After my Women With Books episode with Jeffe Kennedy, I realized I had not read any of Thea Harrison’s books! And this cover. You guys. This is the sexiest cover – even sexier than Eloisa James’ Half-wet Hugh Grant cover (see here) and this book was soooo good. After a few years of struggling to find a good paranormal/fantasy series, I think I found a winner!
If Ever I Should Love You - Cathy Maxwell
This was a book I read for an upcoming book club and it was a delight. The heroine struggles with substance abuse so… definitely a first in historical romance for me. But Ms. Maxwell pulls off a second chance romance, with a complicated, stirring backstory and gives you an HEA worth waiting for.
The Wedding Date – Jasmine Guillory
You’ve seen this book everywhere. And in my social media feed. I was lucky to get an ARC from Jasmine’s publisher and was able to read it before my Women With Books interview with her. The book is that women’s fiction/ romance blend that Jasmine herself calls chick-lit – and I’ve had several listeners tell me they are so excited that chick lit is back… maybe?
The Taste of Temptation by Julia Kelly
Today is release day for this gorgeous enemies to lovers Victorian historical romance! Once again, I received an advance copy because Julia is my dear friend and I was interviewing her for Women With Books. Check out our fun chat and you’ll hear all about my love for these characters and this book!
I’m trying to keep track of all my Best Books to Read Now and my Women With Books Recommendation lists over at Goodreads. Follow me there so that you’ll be able to see them all!
And if you want some free reading this year, I’ll be putting a chapter a month of my next Mistletoe Key novella, LOVE IN THE TIME OF HYGGE in my monthly newsletters! Sign up here: lindsayemory.com/newsletter
January 23, 2018
All These Things That I Love - January 2018
A monthly round up of things that give me life.
Tea.
I mean, it’s winter. I love the Teavana Joy (found on 50% clearance post-Christmas!) and Stash Christmas blends so much and now it’s the time of year where I hoard them and growl at hubs if I see him brewing himself a cup.
Moisturizers.
Again. Winter, y’all. I layer on a few different ones from my collection.
I love anything with hyaluronic acid. (Not shown because my tween stole it)
And this lovely oil from Boscia that is apparently also what geishas use. Which is pretty appropriate for me, if you know me at all. lol
And the French use an olive oil liniment for the whole body, so I follow their lead because c’est Francais.
A fresh new planner. Hello lover.
The Good Place! Julia Kelly and Alexis Anne had been telling me about this and I’m totally hooked now. I’m recommending it to a lot of families, too, because it’s something that could be watched with older kids (obviously, check it out for your kids first.)
I hope everyone's keeping warm and cozy this winter - staying hygge, if you will.
Are you familiar with the concept of hygge? Interested?
My next Mistletoe Key novella is called LOVE IN THE TIME OF HYGGE and it is NOT SOLD IN STORES! (what????) It's EXCLUSIVE to newsletter subscribers - subscribe here if you like cozy cashmere, hot Florida beaches and Lindsay Emory-style romance: http://eepurl.com/b5t7Uj
January 11, 2018
On Editing, continued.
Just turned in some book edits (for a project that's not public yet!) and O. M. G.
This process turned me inside out. It had me sending the following texts to writer friends*:
HELL NO I'M NOT CHANGING ANY OF IT.
IT'S OKAY IF I REWRITE CHAPTERS 10-40, RIGHT?
I'M CRYING. I LOVE [REDACTED] AND [REDACTED] SO MUCH.
I CAN'T DO THIS BOOK JUSTICE.
I JUST WANT TO GET THIS SHIT DONE. I'M SO SICK OF IT.
*only slightly edited to get my point across*
Yeah, writers go through our own little special brand of obsessive hell during book edits (see here for a previous blog post about editing.) Part of it is our own fault, of course.
When I was editing SISTERHOOD IS DEADLY, I had injured my right shoulder, torn all the nerves in it and lost feeling in my right fingertips. I could only use my computer while propped up in bed, with my right arm resting on a pile of pillows. By the time that book was done, there was a small mountain of protein bar wrappers and empty Diet Dr. Pepper bottles by the side of the bed.
No one is making me wear the same sweatshirt and lounge pants for seven days in a row. None of my editors are insisting that I listen to the same twenty songs over and over in order to submerge myself in my book's world. If I'd told my editor, "Hey I can't feel my right hand, can I have an extra week or two to get this done?" there was probably a good 50/50 shot that she would have agreed.
But basically we're... what's that word? Where we hate ourselves and are willing to destroy the world as we know it in order to write the best book possible? Yeah, writers are that.
Hey - there's a reason why they say to 'kill your darlings.'
Authors talk a lot about diving into a "writing cave" which is totally a real thing, but in my opinion? Nothing is as deep and dark and as all-consuming as the editing cave. It's stinky in here. It's filled with unfolded laundry, tea bags that have been reused, and a notebook that's filled with illegible notes and arrows drawn in interminable loops and possibly an entire new language that will be debuted in the revised chapter thirty.
But, the final result is beautiful. Every time it's the best thing I've done.
And I cannot forking wait to share it with you.
So sign up for my newsletter so that when I CAN talk about all this amazingness, you'll be the first to know.
January 9, 2018
Best Books to Read Now - January 2018
Reminder/ Caveat/ Disclaimer: This is my (hopefully) monthly list of books I’ve read and enjoyed. These are not reviews, I do not include books I didn’t enjoy because life is too short to speak badly of books!
In the last WOMEN WITH BOOKS episode of 2017, I asked author Alexis Anne about her reading resolutions for 2018. Do you make any reading- related resolutions? I’ve decided to read from my TBR pile. It’s not from any sense of Puritanical guilt, but rather I started looking through my TBR lists and realized there were REALLY GOOD BOOKS in there that I really wanted to read, but I keep getting distracted by oh-shiny new books.
So in 2018, you might see some older books featured in this blog. But as I said in that same WOMEN WITH BOOKS episode, I think in this day and age, release dates aren’t as important to readers (now as an author, I must disagree, but that’s a long blog post in itself). What matters is when we discover a book as you’ll see….
A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong – Cecilia Grant
Yes, it’s a Christmas book. But look, consider your Christmas 2018 book shopping done already. This free novella was a sweet, beautiful holiday read. I read and adored Cecilia Grant’s A Lady Awakened last year (and wrote about it here) but I hadn’t heard about this holiday prequel for that series until some authors on Twitter decided to do a read along. If you’re interested in more commentary, do a search for #ACGPW on Twitter.
Wilde in Love – Eloisa James
I mentioned this as one of my most memorable books on the last episode of Women With Books, but this was (maybe? I think?) the first Eloisa James book I’ve read. I know. It’s pretty unbelievable. But I really enjoyed the effortlessness of this historical romance, along with the humor and characters. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series featuring the Wilde family
Eleventh Grave in Moonlight– Darynda Jones
We’re looking down the barrel at the end of the Charley Davidson series but this book was perfect for the holidays for me. Like an old, impossibly snarky friend. I’ll probably try to dive into Book 12 in January and then it will be a little bit of a wait until book 13 is released later this year.
Sweet Tea & Sympathy – Molly Harper
In sum, I really hate Molly Harper now. I mean. That cover. That title. That series name. I'm desperately jealous of all of that and I want to live in this book all the time. It’s a romance/ family drama / women’s fiction blend type of book that will be the new trend of 2018 (you heard it here first…) that can make you laugh and cry and fist bump. I’m basically obsessed and totally not stalking Molly Harper at all.
A real life picture of Molly Harper and me (not) behind her.
Speaking of (not) stalking… in case you didn’t know, I have a podcast! It’s called Women With Books and we discuss genre fiction that’s for, by and about women.
Check it out at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play and Stitcher app. And here at womenwithbooks.com
I’d love for you to join the book club!
And if you want some free reading this year, I’ll be putting a chapter a month of my next Mistletoe Key novella, LOVE IN THE TIME OF HYGGE in my monthly newsletters! Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/b5t7Uj
Keep reading!
November 21, 2017
All These Things That I Love - 2017 Gift Edition
I'm just starting to put my gift lists together but I thought I'd share the surefire wins that any one should love this year.
For the whole family
Amazon Echo/ Amazon Dot – we got these this summer and they’ve come in so handy. We use them as alarm clock, stereo, shopping list maker, landline. We’re going to get another one for the kids’ room to hack an intercom system.
Instant Pot – um, I feel like I’m always recommending this. From perfect ‘boiled’ eggs to amazing pot roast (in about an hour!) every busy family needs one.
For him
Sous vide precision cooker – if your man loves steak and technology get him this. Then you get steak too. WIN.
Wonder Woman – an action movie every couple can enjoy together. Win. Win.
For travel
White noise machine – I was sold on this on a recent church camp retreat. A mom next to my bunk used one and I slept through a bunch of middle schoolers giggling through the night.
Kelly Clarkson’s new album – Meaning of Life Amazon | | iTunes – not a bad song on this album. Put it on during your road trip and the miles will fly by.
For youth (or young at heart)
Bluetooth speaker – it’s the jam box of 2017 (did I just date myself?)
Teen Vogue – it’s the Washington Post of 2017. {But it just went all digital. BOO!}
Ticket to Ride – a game that everyone in the family can enjoy with a little strategy and a little luck.
For HER – buy her something luxe she won’t buy herself. We’ve been through a lot this year. We deserve it.
Jo Malone Diffuser- I got one of these two years ago and it’s almost out. (HINT HINT MR. EMORY) It’s strong, smells amaze, lasts and makes a bathroom or side table look totally sophisticated.
Nest Box – a subscription box that will send high quality candles to soothe and invigorate your best friend/ mom/ sister as she persists.
Mistletoe Key – Amazon | | iBooks
Or give your favorite nasty woman a copy of my holiday novella. It’s like a Hallmark movie she can read while on hold with UPS about that missing fruit cake delivery.
