Debbie Cromack's Blog, page 3
April 5, 2023
Next stop...
...formatting! I'm doing my final read through of Someone to Watch Over Me before it goes to formatting. This is when I TRY to put my mind into reader-mode instead of author/editor mode. Yeah, it doesn't always work. LOL! I usually end up tweaking small things.
June will be here before we know it! Be sure to add Someone to Watch Over Me to your Want to Read list here on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Okay, back to my read through. Have a fantastic rest of your day!
Hugs,
Debbie
June will be here before we know it! Be sure to add Someone to Watch Over Me to your Want to Read list here on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Okay, back to my read through. Have a fantastic rest of your day!
Hugs,
Debbie
March 22, 2023
What are you reading?
Someone to Watch Over Me is DONE! :-) The next step is formatting and that happens in April. If you want to pre-order your signed paperback, just fill out this form: https://form.jotform.com/213084631879059. I expect to be able to send them out some time in May.
In the meantime, I'm catching up on soooooo many things I'd set aside so I could focus on finishing the book. So, I'm swimming in admin stuff.
I'm also trying to get caught up on some reading. I'm currently reading Autumn Nights by Willow Aster and I'm loving it! What are you reading?
Have a fantastic Wednesday!
Hugs,
Debbie
In the meantime, I'm catching up on soooooo many things I'd set aside so I could focus on finishing the book. So, I'm swimming in admin stuff.
I'm also trying to get caught up on some reading. I'm currently reading Autumn Nights by Willow Aster and I'm loving it! What are you reading?
Have a fantastic Wednesday!
Hugs,
Debbie
March 8, 2023
It's March?!
Well, 2023 has been a bit of a tornado for me. It started with some kind of crazy virus, then my manuscript was due to my developmental editor and I had to rush to finish it because I'd forgotten about the holidays, then I switched email service providers for my newsletter. That came with MANY technical difficulties that led to some tears.
I'm hoping now that that's all behind me, the rest of the year will be a little smoother. :-)
Someone to Watch Over Me is now with my proofreader. And...I'm still adding things to it! LOL! I know, I'm crazy. :-)
Here's a little something for you...
That familiar feeling…dread…crawls through me as I step onto the audition stage. All eyes are on me, waiting for me to play, waiting for me to sing….waiting for me to not be good enough.
“He’s no Niccolo Mancini.” The words plague me. A noose tightening around my neck, strangling my voice. Cords constricting in my palms, crippling my fingers. Get out of my head! I take a deep breath and exhale, desperate to blow the words out of my mind, my body, my soul.
“Take your time, Angelo.” Nick’s calm voice breaks into my self-sabotage. “There’s no hurry.” I’m sure these guys sense nerves from a mile away.
You can pre-order the eBook right now: https://books2read.com/SomeoneToWatch...
Hugs,
Debbie
I'm hoping now that that's all behind me, the rest of the year will be a little smoother. :-)
Someone to Watch Over Me is now with my proofreader. And...I'm still adding things to it! LOL! I know, I'm crazy. :-)
Here's a little something for you...
That familiar feeling…dread…crawls through me as I step onto the audition stage. All eyes are on me, waiting for me to play, waiting for me to sing….waiting for me to not be good enough.
“He’s no Niccolo Mancini.” The words plague me. A noose tightening around my neck, strangling my voice. Cords constricting in my palms, crippling my fingers. Get out of my head! I take a deep breath and exhale, desperate to blow the words out of my mind, my body, my soul.
“Take your time, Angelo.” Nick’s calm voice breaks into my self-sabotage. “There’s no hurry.” I’m sure these guys sense nerves from a mile away.
You can pre-order the eBook right now: https://books2read.com/SomeoneToWatch...
Hugs,
Debbie
November 16, 2022
More Fun Christmassy Items in My Etsy Shop for You
I've added a few more things. I'll try to add an item each day. :-) It is time-consuming so I have to maintain my focus on writing Someone Exactly Like Me.
I have a 20% off sale going on now through the end of this week so hop on over and have fun shopping! https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gifts4Readers
Here's a quick snip for you before I get back to writing...
I crack the rest of the eggs and pick up the whisk, moving it vigorously from left to right in the bowl. Feeling his eyes on me, I don’t look up. I stay focused on my task.
“Um, whatcha doin’ there?”
Dropping my shoulders in defeat, I know I’m somehow doing this wrong. I look over at him to see a huge smile spreading his cheeks.
“I’m stirring the eggs,” I say with confidence.
“Well, you’re doing something.” His shoulders move up and down as he chuckles and moves his body behind me. His chest inches from my back, he puts his hand around mine on the whisk. Warmth drizzles through me. “Loosen your death-grip a little.” He teases. I do as he says. “Instead of having your hand do the work, let it flow loosely from your wrist. You kind of want to make oval shapes.” He moves my hand in his as he explains. His mouth close to my ear, his breath sends warm whispers down my neck. I focus on keeping my breathing steady. “Let me put some milk in.” When he steps away to get the milk, the heat from his chest leaves my back. I release the breath I’d been holding.
Someone to Watch Over Me is a slow burn, childhood friends to lovers, surprise pregnancy, forced proximity, contemporary romance.
Okay, back to writing!
Hugs,
Debbie
I have a 20% off sale going on now through the end of this week so hop on over and have fun shopping! https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gifts4Readers
Here's a quick snip for you before I get back to writing...
I crack the rest of the eggs and pick up the whisk, moving it vigorously from left to right in the bowl. Feeling his eyes on me, I don’t look up. I stay focused on my task.
“Um, whatcha doin’ there?”
Dropping my shoulders in defeat, I know I’m somehow doing this wrong. I look over at him to see a huge smile spreading his cheeks.
“I’m stirring the eggs,” I say with confidence.
“Well, you’re doing something.” His shoulders move up and down as he chuckles and moves his body behind me. His chest inches from my back, he puts his hand around mine on the whisk. Warmth drizzles through me. “Loosen your death-grip a little.” He teases. I do as he says. “Instead of having your hand do the work, let it flow loosely from your wrist. You kind of want to make oval shapes.” He moves my hand in his as he explains. His mouth close to my ear, his breath sends warm whispers down my neck. I focus on keeping my breathing steady. “Let me put some milk in.” When he steps away to get the milk, the heat from his chest leaves my back. I release the breath I’d been holding.
Someone to Watch Over Me is a slow burn, childhood friends to lovers, surprise pregnancy, forced proximity, contemporary romance.
Okay, back to writing!
Hugs,
Debbie
November 9, 2022
Christmas T-Shirts for YOU!
Ahhh!!! I'm so excited! I made some Christmas T-shirts for you and put them on my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gifts4Readers.
My main focus right now is getting Someone to Watch Over Me written for you. When I need to step away from the words for a bit, I'll try to create a few more T-shirts. In the meantime, you're going to LOVE what I've already made!
Okay, a quick snip before I get back at it...
“Yes, I am. With your and Aunt Candi’s blessing. And if that’s what Lucia wants.” I drop my gaze and return it to his eyes. “I haven’t been a very good friend to her these last couple years. I’d like a chance to make up for that.” I straighten my posture as a sign of my being prepared for what I’m offering.
Angelo has my heart!!!! He'll capture yours too. ;-)
Hugs,
Debbie
My main focus right now is getting Someone to Watch Over Me written for you. When I need to step away from the words for a bit, I'll try to create a few more T-shirts. In the meantime, you're going to LOVE what I've already made!
Okay, a quick snip before I get back at it...
“Yes, I am. With your and Aunt Candi’s blessing. And if that’s what Lucia wants.” I drop my gaze and return it to his eyes. “I haven’t been a very good friend to her these last couple years. I’d like a chance to make up for that.” I straighten my posture as a sign of my being prepared for what I’m offering.
Angelo has my heart!!!! He'll capture yours too. ;-)
Hugs,
Debbie
November 2, 2022
Reading Log for 2023
I can't believe we're in November! How did this happen? :-)
Well, I've had my head in a computer, writing Someone to Watch Over Me for you. I'm so excited to share this couple with you!! Ugh, right now they're breaking my heart. But I know by the end, all the pieces of my heart will be brought back together just like yours will be.
Who's thinking about Christmas? I have my 2023 reading log ready for you!!! Go get it here: https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Log-Jo...
Okay, quickie today. Gotta get back to writing words.
Hugs,
Debbie
Well, I've had my head in a computer, writing Someone to Watch Over Me for you. I'm so excited to share this couple with you!! Ugh, right now they're breaking my heart. But I know by the end, all the pieces of my heart will be brought back together just like yours will be.
Who's thinking about Christmas? I have my 2023 reading log ready for you!!! Go get it here: https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Log-Jo...
Okay, quickie today. Gotta get back to writing words.
Hugs,
Debbie
October 19, 2022
Hunkering Down
Words are flowing for Someone to Watch Over Me and I want to stay in the groove. :-)
So, here's a snippet to whet your appetite...
“I can’t believe we graduate in a month,” Sherrie says, applying a dark burgundy lipstick to her full lips in our bathroom mirror. “We’re going to make tonight the best night ever!” Squealing, she turns and throws her arms around me.
Though we’re not big into parties, we were invited to a party at Angelo’s old fraternity house. Angelo. My heart aches when I think of him. We haven’t seen each other or spoken since the night he kissed me two years ago. He vanished from my life. Hasn’t even come home for the holidays. Always claims work is too busy, or so Aunt Destiny tells me. Something makes me think it’s because he doesn’t want to see me. His silence broke my heart — shattered me.
The rest of that summer, I painfully replayed our kiss over and over in my head. Wondering why he kissed me. Wondering why he stopped. Wondering if I did something. Why did he throw away twenty years of friendship? Every limb, every organ, every piece of my soul hurt. A pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
You can pre-order it here: https://books2read.com/SomeoneToWatch...
Back to the keyboard! :-)
Hugs,
Debbie
So, here's a snippet to whet your appetite...
“I can’t believe we graduate in a month,” Sherrie says, applying a dark burgundy lipstick to her full lips in our bathroom mirror. “We’re going to make tonight the best night ever!” Squealing, she turns and throws her arms around me.
Though we’re not big into parties, we were invited to a party at Angelo’s old fraternity house. Angelo. My heart aches when I think of him. We haven’t seen each other or spoken since the night he kissed me two years ago. He vanished from my life. Hasn’t even come home for the holidays. Always claims work is too busy, or so Aunt Destiny tells me. Something makes me think it’s because he doesn’t want to see me. His silence broke my heart — shattered me.
The rest of that summer, I painfully replayed our kiss over and over in my head. Wondering why he kissed me. Wondering why he stopped. Wondering if I did something. Why did he throw away twenty years of friendship? Every limb, every organ, every piece of my soul hurt. A pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
You can pre-order it here: https://books2read.com/SomeoneToWatch...
Back to the keyboard! :-)
Hugs,
Debbie
October 12, 2022
Slow and Steady
The writing of each book is a new experience. Some flow. Some stumble along. And, though I'm typically a morning person, sometimes my best writing comes out late at night when I should be sleeping.
One thing's for sure though, no matter the journey, it always gets finished.
Someone to Watch Over Me has presented some challenges. I can't pinpoint why, but I trust that everything will happen as it should. So, I'm slow going and keeping faith that the most beautiful story will emerge.
I finished chapter three yesterday and I'm starting chapter four today. As I don't write young adult, starting Angelo and Lucia off at the end of college might be part of what I've been struggling with. Rest assured, it's still a slow, worth the wait, burn.
Here's a cute exchange between Angelo and his little sister, Bella...
“Earth to Angelo.” Bella leans over, waving her hand in front of my face. “Are you even listening to me?” She puts her elbow on the center console, rests her chin on her knuckles, and looks up at me with a pout on her lips.
“I’m sorry, Bells. Yeah, I’m listening. I’m just, uh, you know, paying attention to the traffic.”
She looks around us. “You mean the two other cars on the road that are nowhere near us?”
“Safety first. I have precious cargo in here.” I look down at her and smile.
“Come on. Spill it. You’ve been cranky the last couple weeks. Did you and Lucia have a fight? Why isn’t she with us?”
“No, uh, we didn’t have a fight. A lot’s changing, that’s all. And I have a lot on my mind.” I avoid her question about why Lucia isn’t with us. “I’m so proud you. You’re going to have your pick of schools.”
Be sure to add it to your TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Hugs,
Debbie
One thing's for sure though, no matter the journey, it always gets finished.
Someone to Watch Over Me has presented some challenges. I can't pinpoint why, but I trust that everything will happen as it should. So, I'm slow going and keeping faith that the most beautiful story will emerge.
I finished chapter three yesterday and I'm starting chapter four today. As I don't write young adult, starting Angelo and Lucia off at the end of college might be part of what I've been struggling with. Rest assured, it's still a slow, worth the wait, burn.
Here's a cute exchange between Angelo and his little sister, Bella...
“Earth to Angelo.” Bella leans over, waving her hand in front of my face. “Are you even listening to me?” She puts her elbow on the center console, rests her chin on her knuckles, and looks up at me with a pout on her lips.
“I’m sorry, Bells. Yeah, I’m listening. I’m just, uh, you know, paying attention to the traffic.”
She looks around us. “You mean the two other cars on the road that are nowhere near us?”
“Safety first. I have precious cargo in here.” I look down at her and smile.
“Come on. Spill it. You’ve been cranky the last couple weeks. Did you and Lucia have a fight? Why isn’t she with us?”
“No, uh, we didn’t have a fight. A lot’s changing, that’s all. And I have a lot on my mind.” I avoid her question about why Lucia isn’t with us. “I’m so proud you. You’re going to have your pick of schools.”
Be sure to add it to your TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Hugs,
Debbie
October 5, 2022
Snuggle Weather is Here
While summer is my favorite season because I love the warm weather, I do love fall. I've been getting out my fall flannels and sweaters and indulging in yummy fall treats like pumpkin spice muffins and mulled hot apple cider. Last weekend, I got pumpkins and mums to decorate around my lamp post. I've even started taking some fall-themed pictures of my books. Makes me feel all cozy. :-) What's your favorite season and why?
Here's a little something from Someone to Watch Over Me. We're in Angelo's point of view...
Everything’s about to change and, I admit, I’m kind of freaked out. In two weeks, I graduate, then we have our mixed family vacation for a week, and then I move into my apartment and start my adult life with my adult job. I don’t even know when I’m going to see Lucia once I’m out on my own. She’s always been minutes away and part of my daily life. Waiting at least two years for her to graduate and be ready for me is going to be so freaking hard.
If you want longer snippets, join my free newsletter here: https://debbiecromack.com/newsletter/
Stay cozy!
Hugs,
Debbie
Here's a little something from Someone to Watch Over Me. We're in Angelo's point of view...
Everything’s about to change and, I admit, I’m kind of freaked out. In two weeks, I graduate, then we have our mixed family vacation for a week, and then I move into my apartment and start my adult life with my adult job. I don’t even know when I’m going to see Lucia once I’m out on my own. She’s always been minutes away and part of my daily life. Waiting at least two years for her to graduate and be ready for me is going to be so freaking hard.
If you want longer snippets, join my free newsletter here: https://debbiecromack.com/newsletter/
Stay cozy!
Hugs,
Debbie
September 28, 2022
Writing, Writing, Writing
Happy Wednesday! It's a beautiful fall day here, cool and crisp.
I'm popping in with just a quickie for you as I'm busily writing away on Someone to Watch Over Me.
Here's a little something for you...
“F*ck.” While his earlier expression was laced with a hint of surrender, this one is jagged with anger. A growl strangles in his throat as he releases my wrists and pushes himself off me and onto his knees. Thru$ting his hands into his hair, he releases an exasperated sigh then lies on his back.
Why did he stop?
After two slow, loud, deep breaths, he speaks. “No, Lucia. I can’t do this.”
The heat scorching the air between us seconds ago has turned to frosty condensation that instantly cools the surface of my skin and stabs my heart like an ice pick.
I bite the side of my tongue to keep from letting any tears out of my eyes. “Can’t or won’t?” I challenge. Will he answer me honestly?
He lifts up and sits on the edge of the bed with his back toward me. In the dull moonlight, I watch his head drop between his shoulders.
“Get some sleep,” he says, defeat lingering on each word. With a sigh, he gets out of the bed. “I’ll be right back. Don’t leave. You know I’ll just find you and bring you back up here. You’ll stay here tonight. I’ll keep you safe.” Every word is heavy and delivered like he’s fighting exhaustion, the last sentence sounding more like a mantra.
Do you want to read as I write? Join my paid Substack news letter at: https://debbiecromack.substack.com/
Hugs,
Debbie
I'm popping in with just a quickie for you as I'm busily writing away on Someone to Watch Over Me.
Here's a little something for you...
“F*ck.” While his earlier expression was laced with a hint of surrender, this one is jagged with anger. A growl strangles in his throat as he releases my wrists and pushes himself off me and onto his knees. Thru$ting his hands into his hair, he releases an exasperated sigh then lies on his back.
Why did he stop?
After two slow, loud, deep breaths, he speaks. “No, Lucia. I can’t do this.”
The heat scorching the air between us seconds ago has turned to frosty condensation that instantly cools the surface of my skin and stabs my heart like an ice pick.
I bite the side of my tongue to keep from letting any tears out of my eyes. “Can’t or won’t?” I challenge. Will he answer me honestly?
He lifts up and sits on the edge of the bed with his back toward me. In the dull moonlight, I watch his head drop between his shoulders.
“Get some sleep,” he says, defeat lingering on each word. With a sigh, he gets out of the bed. “I’ll be right back. Don’t leave. You know I’ll just find you and bring you back up here. You’ll stay here tonight. I’ll keep you safe.” Every word is heavy and delivered like he’s fighting exhaustion, the last sentence sounding more like a mantra.
Do you want to read as I write? Join my paid Substack news letter at: https://debbiecromack.substack.com/
Hugs,
Debbie
