Liza Street's Blog: not your grandma's romantic fiction, page 9
January 7, 2020
5 Favorite Nonfiction Books
While my reading preferences are heavily skewed toward fiction–specifically romance and fantasy, I do make a little space in my reading life for the occasional nonfiction tome. Here are five that I loved last year (whether or not I finished them).
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The Power of Full Engagement, by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz
This was a dense, tough-to-read book, but I struggled through it and found their theories on energy management to be very interesting. This is the oldest nonfiction favorite on this list (I believe it was published over a decade ago, but I’m too tired to look it up, so I shall learn to live with the discomfort of not knowing all the things all the time). The basic idea was that if we manage our energy through taking care of our bodies, we’re able to accomplish more. When I put it like that, it sounds very commonsense, and there’s more to the premise than this, but that’s the very basic idea.
Finish, by Jon Acuff
First off, this one made me laugh out loud a couple of times, which gets huge bonus points. There’s a line where he talks about not folding laundry and leaving it on the sofa for his kids to pluck clothes from like urchins at a street fair, and I laughed because…that’s how I roll. If I’m on a deadline, the laundry goes unfolded. I mean, at least it’s clean, right? ANYWAY, if you have projects that you want to finish and you’d like some tips on finally getting them DONE, this would be a great book for you. It’s practical, easy to read, and funny.
Burnout, by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
I haven’t finished this one yet, but it was going great up until I hit some writing deadlines and then the library demanded I return their copy. As soon as my schedule frees up, I’ll be requesting it again. I loved the practical tips, as well as the easy-to-read prose. Reading this book felt like talking to friends.
Atomic Habits, by James Clear
Ah, this is another one that I didn’t finish reading due to those pesky library limits on renewing a borrow over and over (and over) again. Along with Burnout, it’s on my list of books to finish reading in 2020. What I liked about Atomic Habits was the way he breaks down habits into smaller portions and explains how to link them to existing habits and routines. I need this in my life right now.
Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport
This is the winner of 2019. This book resonated with me, from my overuse/abuse of social media, to my need to just leave my phone alone. Or at home. Okay, I still haven’t left my phone at home. I just can’t. But I do frequently turn on the “do not disturb” setting and set the phone aside for hours at a time. A year ago, this would’ve been unheard of for me. I’m a Digital Minimalism acolyte, even did the thirty-day paring down of my digital media consumption (yep, that’s right, I put The Vampire Diaries on hold for an entire month). As with Newport’s book Deep Work, I got so much value from this one.
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How about you? Did you read any nonfiction books in 2019 that rocked your world? Tell me about them!
December 31, 2019
Thank You for 2019!
I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting this month (and a lot of eating. A lot of eating), and even though there were some pretty crappy moments in 2019 (the stress of the government shutdown, my husband’s stay in the hospital, and the armpit of burnout and depression in spring), there have been some absolutely glorious moments to balance out the less-than-stellar periods.
This was a year of fantastic friends, fantastic books, and many fantastic hours spent toiling away at the keyboard, creating the kinds of stories I’d want to read–and then getting to share them with YOU. I’m so, so grateful.
So, thank you so much for 2019!
Tomorrow we will greet friends and family with the words, “Happy New Year!” It’s going to be awesome.
December 24, 2019
‘Twas the Night of the Full Moon
This is going out in my newsletter tomorrow, but I just couldn’t wait to share it!
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’Twas the night of the full moon and all through the clan
a creature was roaming—was he bear, was he man?
Gruff and commanding and misunderstood,
the shifter stepped out of the dark, piney wood.
Alone in her cottage, a sweet spinster sat,
reading a romance novel, safe with her cat.
When lo and behold, a knock on the door
announced a huge hottie she’d not met before.
“Let me in,” he said, “’cause our love’s meant to be.
You’re mine and I’m yours, so don’t argue with me.”
His muscles were rippling, he had abs for days.
She wanted to touch him in intimate ways.
But he was a stranger, and bossy, at that.
She stood, hands on hips, and unseated her cat.
“What’s that?” she sputtered. “We haven’t gone on a date!
You can’t barge in here and declare me your mate!”
“I can and I will, because our love is true.
Ask anything of me, I’ll prove it to you.”
She looked in his eyes and read truth in his face.
The love she saw there made her lonely heart race.
Their hearts were as one, they fit perfectly,
and deep down she knew their love was meant to be.
He kissed her and pleased her up against the wall,
and she sighed, “Insta-love ain’t so bad after all.”
Happy Holidays!
Wishing you hope, joy, and love this season and beyond!
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December 17, 2019
Looking Ahead to 2020
Last week, I flipped through my 2019 calendar to see what I’d published. I mentioned that I’m proud of what I accomplished, even though it wasn’t quite as much as I’d hoped for. I seem to always do this–expect more of myself than I’m actually capable of.
And that’s fine. I like dreaming big.
So let’s look at what 2020 may or may not have in store….
More Rock Creek Clan books!
Ruthless Knight, the fifth book in the Fierce Mates: Rock Creek Clan series, is already up for preorder, and it’ll come out in February, woot! I’ve been looking forward to Nolan’s story since I began writing this series. It’s a blast so far. 
December 10, 2019
2019 in Review
So, what book babies did I push out this year? Let’s take a look! (Seriously, as I type this, I have no freakin’ clue, so this is as much for me as it is for anyone reading, haha.)
A peek through my 2019 calendar reveals these beauties!
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Oracle Defiant (with Keira Blackwood)
Oracle Adored (with Keira Blackwood)
Dragon Ever After (with Keira Blackwood)
Hope Reclaimed (with Keira Blackwood) (And my first audiobook! Click here for the audiobook links!)
Orphan Entangled (with Keira Blackwood)
Spellcaster Hidden (with Keira Blackwood)
It’s not quite as much as I’d set out to do when 2019 began, but I’m still proud of these books. I fell in love with the characters and their stories, and I’m so lucky to have had this year to write them.
Besides, one thing I learned about myself this year is that I will always plan way more than I’m capable of. The trick is learning not to beat myself up when I don’t achieve the loftier-than-lofty goals I concocted.
More important than any writing goals are the readers. Thank you so much for being a part of this year in publishing.
December 3, 2019
Join Me in the 2020 Alpha Obsession Book Club!
The Alpha Obsession Book Club is up to its old hijinks, finding twelve authors to give away twelve books in one year! The theme for 2020 is shifter romance, and I’m so excited!
Joining Alpha Obsession is absolutely FREE. Visit the site by clicking here, and you’ll be able to sign up and see who the new authors are for 2020! It should be a blast!
In the meantime, for the 2019 reverse harem series that Alpha Obsession ran, Oracle Defiant is free this month to the 2019 group! If you’re in the 2019 club, you should’ve already gotten your download link, but here it is again in case you missed it!
November 26, 2019
A Time for Gratitude
Things I am grateful for:
super soft pants and socks and blankets
friends–readers, writers, and the few who have nothing to do with publishing
supportive family
rockstar kiddos
surviving 2019, which seemed determined to kick my ass
getting on the USA Today bestseller list with the Fated Mates anthology
a home, safety, love
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November 19, 2019
Ruthless Rogue – Available Now!
Ruthless Rogue is out today! This one features a book seller heroine. She was a blast to write, because I once worked in a book store much like the one she owns.
Here’s an excerpt that shows her at an estate sale, looking into buying some used books for her store.
“Ah,” Koffman said. “Well, I suppose you want to see the books?”
“Very much,” Faith said with a smile.
She followed Koffman down the hall. It was filled with furniture—plush chairs, dining chairs, a large dining room table that spanned a good six feet. There were tea carts and ornate shelves, two china cabinets, plus divans and sofas and even some bed headboards. Eleazer Manford had been a rich old man, and it showed.
“We thought it would be best to bring the furniture all to the first floor,” Koffman said in explanation. “That way people don’t have to hunt through the house.”
“How many stories are there?” Faith asked.
“Three, with a generous basement. That’s where Mr. Manford kept his books.”
“In the…basement?” Faith asked. Her expectation of a gleaming library might need a slight adjustment. “I hope it was controlled for temperature and humidity?”
Koffman gave a loud, braying laugh. When Faith didn’t join in the merriment, Koffman turned to face her. “You were serious?”
“I thought…I thought I was coming to look at…at the books of a rich misanthrope who cared for nothing but his ancient tomes.” It sounded like a romantic and silly notion with Koffman blinking at her in surprise.
“No, I’m sorry,” Koffman said. “You have the misanthrope part correct, but this is the library of his wife, who predeceased him by some forty years. He moved her books to the basement.”
Faith’s shoulders fell. She’d gotten up early for this. She’d been looking forward to this opportunity for months. And now she’d be sorting through boxes of books with moldy pages and crumbling bindings, likely full of booklice. If there was anything good in the mix, Faith would likely have to either invest time in restoring it herself, or, more likely, pay for the books to be restored by an expert.
“Well, this way,” Koffman said, continuing along.
Faith thought of returning to her car, driving home, and hiding in her bed with her copy of Renegade Player, but that wasn’t professional. She at least had to give this collection a chance.
She followed Koffman down a set of concrete stairs. To Koffman’s credit, she’d set up several bright floor lamps; the single bulb from the ceiling wouldn’t have been enough to see anything down here.
Faith shivered in the chill, but immediately walked to one of the large folding tables which had been set up. Cardboard file boxes sat atop them, some of the corners splitting, some stained with damp.
This was a crime—this was an outrage. No book deserved to be treated this way. Even Moby Dick, which was one of the worst books Faith had read, did not deserve to be stored like this. Faith was tempted to dig up old Eleazer and bring him back to life, just so she could slap him around a bit.
You can get your copy of Ruthless Rogue from your favorite retailer! Click here, or tap the image above.
November 12, 2019
An Ode to Legacies
Legacies was one of those shows that I added to my Netflix queue and ignored for several weeks. One afternoon during my lunch break, I decided I was tired of scrolling past it. Just a few minutes I would watch, and then, I hoped, I wouldn’t like it and could remove it from the queue.
Nope. I was hooked. I didn’t binge the entire season in two days or anything, but it obsessed me for the better part of two weeks, when I looked forward to every lunch break so I could watch an episode. Or sometimes an episode and a half. Or maybe a little more if I was feeling super self-indulgent.
Here’s what I loved about it:
There’s a magical academy!
As a fan of Harry Potter, I was stoked to see all the magic stuff, and all these students with powers. Seeing the school, having everyone there together to learn and develop their magic and control their powers, kept me riveted.
High school and teenager drama.
I thought I would hate it, but it sucked me right in. People get mad at each other, there’s all this lust and angst, and it’s just fun because it’s so far removed from what I’m experiencing now in my late thirties.
Cool abilities.
Witches, vampires, and werewolves all have their own unique subcultures within the school, and I thought it was awesome.
Tragic and fascinating backstories.
So I came to Legacies before watching The Vampire Diaries or The Originals, and I didn’t realize they were connected until partway through this first season of Legacies. Probably I missed some things, but it didn’t bother me very much. What I loved was that there was more to these characters than what I was being shown. Things were hinted and teased. You can bet I went straight from this to The Originals.
Friendship, forgiveness, sacrifice.
Yes, the angsty teenage drama might make it seem superficial or bring the stories into melodrama, but I was totally into it because of the larger (and yeah, glaringly obvious) themes of friendship, forgiveness, and sacrifice. There’s a lot to unpack with such a huge ensemble cast, with betrayals as well as petty grievances, and then the arcs of reconciliation as well.
Season 2
This is already airing on the CW, but I have to wait for Netflix. I’m so looking forward to it!
