S. Cinders's Blog

Health Update

And the saga continues... So to back a bit for those that are new to my health journey. I have always had a laundry list of autoimmune issues. From RA to Lupus and more, I have been to doctor after doctor.

Each one would tell me that the underlying issues were two things. First, my weight. I have always been a heavy person. I have been on every diet known to man. Through it all, I have lost hundreds of pounds. Unfortunately, I am excellent at finding them again.

The second issue was always NOT their speciality. It didn't matter if I was at the rheumatologist, neurologist or the proctologist. (Okay, I was totally kidding with the last one.) But the sentiment is the same. It always meant more questions and less answers. A few appointments became dozens, then hundreds of appointments. At the end of the day, I still didn't feel any better, and my kids no longer had college funds. Again, kidding, but not really.

So I went on strike. No more doctors. No more tests. No more spending thousands of dollars and feeling like I was living from one office waiting room to the next. And things were--okay. Not great, but not necessarily worse than before. I reasoned that at least I wasn't throwing good money after bad. I struggled along this way until March of 2021 when covid got me.

I was a few weeks out from having pneumonia when I contracted covid. We literally were told Friday that we were finally eligible for the vaccine, scheduled an appointment Monday, tested positive Saturday. All in all, I didn't think covid was too bad. Sure I felt crummy, and yes I struggled to breath. But it wasn't as if at any point I thought things were critical.

Fast forward to July 2021. My extremities are swelling. My brain is foggy. I feel horrible. I can not breathe. I go to the ER and am admitted for possible congestive heart failure, partial collapsed lung, fluid around the heart, and a few other things. Here they do tests to find out that my lungs are permanently damaged. WHAT?? They ask me a dozen times if I am a smoker. No, I've never smoked. Did I work with chemicals? No, unless you consider 409 a chemical because I did clean with it.

At this point they do an ECHO, and although my heart is enlarged from trying to overcompensate for my lungs, they don't think it's congestive heart failure. They send me home on oxygen with a follow up to the pulmonologist. It takes me until February 2022 to get into a pulmonologist. My referrals go missing. The appointments are cancelled due to weather. You name it, it happened.

Covid makes another visit in January 2022. I am bedridden about 50% of the time. My oxygen sats drop into the low 80's every time I try and do anything. I am so desperate for this pulmonology appointment. Because in the back of my mind I am thinking this will be my saving grace. They will have the answers to get me on a better path.

Appt finally comes. The Dr takes one look at me, not my charts, but at me and says it's likely a weight issue. Then, he sends me for testing at the hospital, and when I go back in, his PA tells me that it's my rheumatoid arthritis causing the issue with the lungs. I SWEAR, I wanted to cry. Here I was again getting the runaround. Go see this dr, go see that dr, but in the meantime, my health is slipping away. I came home defeated and uncertain of what I should do. Then the next morning, a nurse calls from the office to tell me there is a moderate obstruction and partial collapsed lung. I sat there dumbfounded. When I could gather myself, I told her I had been in the day before and everything was completely different.

So, did they give me someone else's results? Was the PA telling me about another patient? Can you see why my faith is completely shaken by the entire health care system? I was supposed to redo the ECHO on my heart two months ago. But they said the machine was down. Surely in the entire Louisville area they can schedule it somewhere else?

So, to sum up. All new questions, and no new answers. I am waiting to hear back on those hospital results, if they were mine or not. I am going in to see the rheumatologist tomorrow. If he sends me to the neurologist or proctologist, I swear, I won't be held responsible for my actions.

I know that many of us are dealing with difficult things. I also know that I am way behind on a lot of books. I just wanted to fill you all in on what's been going on. My love to you and your families. And as always, I love hearing from you!! scinders@scinders.com

Talk Soon xx

Top Beach Reads for 2021

Here are two series that saved my sanity through the pandemic...

It's been far too long of sitting on the couch waiting for covid to stop wreaking havoc on our lives. We've finally got the leave our homes, albeit with caution. And we need something saucy to read.

Well... here are my recommendations.

#1 Now... bear with me. I know, you're thinking that this is super scary and perhaps involves some psychos. Well, you would be partially correct. But what you might not know is that these books are the funniest damn books I have EVER read. I am so serious. I love Kirsty Cunning- Major girl crush. She's literally brilliant. I can't decide if I love this series better or the next. _______________________________________________

I'm not so different from most people.Like everyone else, I have life goals.Goal #1: Become a real girl instead of this invisible ghost thing I currently am.Goal #2: Convince the four men I've been haunting for the past five years to pick me to be their new toy after goal one is complete.Goal #3: Figure out who/what I am and why I can't remember anything past the five years I've been haunting this quad.Goal #4: Eat popcorn.See? Perfectly normal. Sort of.Gotta start small, after all.It's not like anyone else is perfect either.**Sexual situations**Reverse Harem**Dark humor galore**Language warning

#2 Since I am still raving about Kristy Cunning, I have to mention the other series that has spent FAR too much time lingering in my brain. It's seriously one of the best things I have EVER read. And you can't even imagine how much I read. Like beyond a shit load, we are talking unreal proportions. Yet, I will go back and read these again and again.

Okay, what I mean by read is listening

. I listen to all of these stories on audible. Best purchases I have EVER made. Do you see how I did that. EVER?? It means I am seriously, serious. And before you tell me, you can't commit to six books... Let me just tell you, YOU CAN. Violet is my spirit animal. She is literally the best heroine around. Come on... just try it. You know you want to.

I'm not all that special, really. Or uncommon. I'm sure there are a lot of girls with old gypsy blood who see the dead, have killer cults hunting their family, and turn into something that gets scary when they panic. Yep. Completely unoriginal, if I do say so myself.Move along. Nothing to see here. Nope. I'm just an ordinary girl.I wish people would believe that.I've been labeled as one thing or another for most of my life:Death Girl.Crazy Gypsy Girl.Gothic Chick.Monster...It took my mother's death for me to finally start getting answers about what's really been going on. Unfortunately, most of the answers come from men...who aren't just men. Somehow, I've gone and landed myself in a world truly filled with monsters, and I'm starting to think this is where I should have been all along.Only...I don't understand what's going on. I'm walking into the middle of a story that's thousands of years old, and I'm the new girl on the block who doesn't have a clue how this world even works. My only guides happen to be the most lethal of the bunch.They decide who lives or dies. They decide who gets stabbed or tortured.Yeah...I've gone and drawn attention to myself, and the ones paying attention are the ones everyone else seems to fear.How do these things always happen to me?**Reverse Harem**Language warning**Sexual content**Dark Humor

So there you have my my two favorite series of all time. I know there will be other books that come and go, but these books will stay with me forever.

S. Cinders Blog Contest + Freebie!

,Don't forget to subscribe to S. Cinder's blog!,,One lucky winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Writing Tip of the Day:

I am often asked, what do I do when I get writer's block? Well, besides the obvious answers such as bawl my eyes out, eat too much chocolate, and wallow in self-pity, while binge-watching The Game of Thrones. (You know nothing, Jon Snow!) 

I do have a tried and true way of shaking off the cobwebs and getting those juices flowing again. Now, some of my Dirty Birds might automatically think 'juices flowing'- can Cinders think of nothing other than a romp in the sheets?

Girls and boys, there is nothing wrong with a little nookie to get those synapses sparking again. So don't discount it! But, this wasn't what I was getting at.

For me, when I am stuck it is helpful to get a clearer picture. Reread the last few chapters. Have you written yourself into a corner? Have a friend, whose opinion you trust, read over the same chapters. Then get together for coffee or mimosas and talk about it.

Another way I fight writer's block is to work on another project that is totally different. Now, there are a lot of writers who will pooh-pooh this saying that you need to stick exclusively to your genre. I don't agree. You can like sushi and ice cream, maybe not at the same time. But you can appreciate different things. It stimulates different parts of your brain and friends, that's a good thing.

Lastly, read something, ANYTHING! Good writers are fantastic readers. You can learn a lot about improving your own work and what you don't want to emulate. Get out there, try different things! 

And, I am not talking about socks with sandals. 

S. Cinders: AMAZON FREEBIE!

Don't forget to grab your free copy of Barefoot in College while supplies last!

What Liam hadn't planned on? Waking up with no memory of the best night of his life.

Bri cherished the night of unbridled passion, but hadn't expected anything more from childhood friend Liam.

It wasn't until six weeks later, they found they had one thing in particular very much in common. And they had nine months to figure out just how things were going to play out.

 

Author Friend FREEBIE! Starting Feb. 5th!

Alix hadn’t always been gifted. In fact, she hadn’t been or done much of anything until Troy Sullivan strolled into the tattoo parlor where she worked. Join them in a race for survival, and their discovery that love and magic aren’t that far apart.

Don't miss Virginia Hunter's ALIX!

Author Friend FREEBIE! Available FEB. 5th!

Gavin and Nora both know from past experience that breaking their own rules ends in tears, but sometimes breaking the rules feels so good. Will they be able to control themselves, or will they surrender to their desires and live with the consequences, however disastrous those consequences might be?

Don't miss Ava Blakes'

MY SURRENDER

,AUTHOR FRIEND SPOTLIGHT

When He Returns: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance by Amelia Smarts

Wade Hunter didn’t want a family. Between dodging his drunk father’s blows and watching his mother die, he knew at the age of eleven he’d be better off alone. He lived on the run for a couple years—hungry and cold often, but at least he was free. Then the local marshal caught him stealing and gave him only two choices: Spend time in jail or join his family.

Sadie Shaw, the marshal’s eldest daughter, had enough brothers and sisters, and she wanted another sibling like a dog wants fleas. She’s dismayed when her kindhearted pa once again brings home a lost child, and it doesn’t help that this one is surly and arrogant. Worse, he thinks that because he’s older, he’s under no obligation to mind her household rules.

Wade and Sadie battle wills often as they grow into adulthood, burgeoning both their dislike for each other and their grudging respect. When faced with a problem that requires their unity, will they be able to set aside their differences, or will the strife they face only tear them apart?

Publisher’s Note: When He Returns is a coming-of-age, enemies-to-lovers romance with adult spanking and sexual scenes. If you don’t like these themes, please don’t buy this book.

Add to your Goodreads TBR: http://bit.ly/2CB1pVV

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2rkUfnn Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2mQKnMY Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2DpHOwd Kobo: http://bit.ly/2DiRjJM Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2FVXWmW iBooks: https://apple.co/2Dkuc1k

Golden Angel - Author Friend

Just want to give a shout out to an author friend of mine that has a new release coming up!

http://goldeniangel.squarespace.com/

Angel's Latest Release!

Benedict's Commands

Love? Marriage? Lady Christina Rowan doesn't think so. She avoids both heavy emotions and heavy commitments, and has ever since she discovered the truth behind her first husband's death. When she began to have feelings for her current lover, she immediately cuts him loose before she can become too attached. Or so she thought.

READ MORE AND BUY Bridal Discipline

It's 50 Shades of Grey meets Downton Abbey in this sexy Victorian domestic discipline romance series!

EXPLORE THE WHOLE SERIES

Another recent release Stripping the Sub

Ever since Michael Waverly joined Stronghold and recognized Ellie Sanders he's wanted to scene with her, but over time it's turned into something more than that and he knows a scene just won't satisfy him. Unfortunately, she's been avoiding him and she has a reputation for never doing more than just a scene. For the first time, her defenses seem to be down and she's willing to give him a chance. But while she's willing to sign a club contract with him, will she ever be willing to open her heart?

READ MORE AND BUY From Angel's Blog

,Tantalizing Tuesdays!!!!

I'm joining in with a blog hop which includes several other authors all of us teasing and tantalizing you with little bits from our latest or current works!

This week I'm teasing my current WIP - Tempting the Domme!Never taking his eyes away from hers, he took one last drink from his beer bottle and then reached out and placed it on the coffee table.  Then he got down on his knees and started to crawl.  He wasn't graceful.  He wasn't quick.  And he wasn't entirely happy about it. But he was crawling.Olivia's heart rate picked up as she watched him coming.  Before he reached her, she put her own half-finished wine glass on the end table next to her chair, wanting both hands free for to touch him.  After all, he deserved a reward.  And watching this confident, reluctant man get on his hands and knees at her demand was making her hot.  "Good cupcake," she murmured when he reached her, sliding her fingers into his hair and tipping his head back as he knelt the way he'd been shown in class, just in front of her chair.  Hands on his thighs, knees spread apart, and close enough to her chair that she didn't have to lean forward much.  She saw the surprise and appreciation in his eyes before she lowered her lips to his for a hot kiss. A very hot kiss.

******Tempting the Domme releases on February 14th and is the seventh book in the Stronghold Doms series (and is the first and only Domme book in the series!). Don't forget, The Sassy Submissive, the first book in the series, is FREE on Amazon, Barnes & Noble,Kobo, Smashwords, and others!

Lycan Mating GamesSeasons 1-3

As crazy as it seems, Lycan Mating Games three is about to come to an epic conclusion. It all started when Avery was sent to the academy for what she thought was training. But all hell broke loose when she discovered that every nineteen-year-old Lycan was forced to attend the school. They were to be paired up and taught about sex, and expected to procreate.

In season two, Ella and James are escaping from their captors that stole them out of their mother's arms and genetically modified the wolves to be killing machines.

They stumble onto Mike and Clarence from season one who now run a sex club in the western deserts. The couple discover that life outside is a lot different than what they are used to. It is a sexual awakening as they learn about life and love.

In season three, Ella and James travel to the past where Jesse has gone to try and save Clarence. Secrets are revealed about several of the characters pasts. And there is heartache and redemption in store for one of our favorite couples.

As the trilogy comes to a close you won't want to miss a second of the action. Lycan Mating Games is a Radish App exclusive and can be found at https://radish.app.link/2oAyPgWCEJ

For a FREE look into Applebottom Magic - A naughty paranormal romance, please click on https://www.instafreebie.com/free/jJZ...

For more information about these titles and others please go to https://www.scinders.com

Freebie on Amazon

Applebottom Magic was one of the first books I ever wrote. It is quirky and fun with strong females and temptingly hot guys that give them a run for their money. Make sure you get a chance to pick up your free copy.

https://www.amazon.com/Applebottom-Ma...

Walking in a 'muddy' wonderland.

Living in the southern part of the midwest certainly has its upsides. Winters are typically mild and summers are usually green and luscious. There is one point in time that is not beautiful though, and that my friends is January. The temps have been in the single digits and the ground varies from frozen mud to squishy depending upon the time of day.

My husband was making comments about our house being the only one with Christmas lights still twinkling. I have a confession. I am that horrible person who jumps into the Christmas season the beginning of November. I hold onto it kicking and screaming until I am forced to put the sparkly magical decorations away. It has been as late as February 1st.

But not this year. I was going to be different this year. And so with sadness in my heart we started taking down the tinsel and holly. Four of my trees, (yes you read that right), I have already taken down. Only the one in the main window remains. I went outside to remove the obnoxious projector out of the lawn and noticed too late that the ground had thawed just enough.

I am sure that my neighbors caught quite a hilarious sight as my feet flew out from under me and I landed cursing on my back. There may have been hand gestures towards inanimate objects and I now am the proud owner of a hole in the knee of my pants and a gash strangely enough on my middle finger.

So the moral to this story, you might ask? Well it is a simple one. Either leave the damn decorations up all year, or have the husband put them away if he is that embarrassed.

Happy January!