Virginia Nelson's Blog, page 8
April 21, 2015
#NewRelease #TemptingSigns Forever Devoted by Virginia Nelson
Forever Devotedby Virginia NelsonLinks #Kindle http://amzn.to/1yRlG5A
#iBooks http://bit.ly/185z2zo
#Nook http://bit.ly/1yYPSdn
#Kobo http://bit.ly/1xjIgBz
#GooglePlay http://bit.ly/1zKhUFK
#ARe http://bit.ly/1HjtZXI
12 Authors. 12 Zodiac Signs. 1 Explosive Series. What seductive, contemporary romance will you find today? TAURUS.
Robbie Jacobs is content being just one of the guys. For years, she’s run with her ‘Pack,’ a group of rowdy boys she went to high school with, used to party with, and now leans on in times of trouble. She has a couple gal pals, sure, but none of them are as close as the Pack…
Gray Smythe has been the unchallenged leader of their group of friends for years. Stoic, determined, he’s managed to be there for them all through some crazy shit. But when Robbie, the only girl in their group, gets into a car accident, the line between friendship and lover suddenly gets a hell of a lot thinner.
One stubborn Taurus man who’s sure he knows what’s right and wrong and one woman fighting to win back her body and a chance at love… Will Robbie believe Gray is actually Forever Devoted?
April 15, 2015
#CoverReveal #Wolves Romancing The Wolf Box Set!! #ComingSoon
Romancing the WolfThey’re on the hunt after your heart. Discover 11 brand new passionate tales of friendship, desire, wolves, survival, and redemption. Escape to another world, another place, and another romance…
Warning: Contains wild heroes and heroines, tempestuous passion, old secrets, new discoveries, and pack ties binding them together. Sometimes love’s greatest challenge is romancing the wolf…
Desiree Holt- Heart of the Wolf (The Devora)
Shifter Lia Popescu is desperate to find the book Legends of the Werewolf, her only clue as to what happened to her pack. Her attempts to recover the tome bring her into contact with Riley Morgan, a meeting that explodes with sexual chemistry. She’s losing her heart to the sexy detective. How he will handle knowing the truth about her?
Saranna DeWylde The Ardennes Curse (Woolven Secret)
When Armand Rommulus killed Luc Ardennes in single combat before the Great Council, he was forced to leave his pack and his home—and claim his birthright as the Ardennes Alpha. Victoria Ardennes is prepared to do murder to break the curse tormenting her pack, until she discovers the life she must take is one she’s come to value above all others—even her own.
Robyn MacKenzie – Chasing the Moon
For the first time in her life, Rayne Adams feels like she’s home in the sleepy little town of Hood River. Jackson Locke is tense and anxious, and his wolf is itching to break free as the rogue terrorizing the town and his pack continues to elude him. One terrifying night throws Rayne into Jackson’s path and threatens to change everything.
Virginia Nelson - Odd Mate (The Odd Series)
As second to a female alpha, Charly endures the pity of his pack thanks to her mating. Not that he can admit the one wolf he truly loved left him years ago. Gretchen fell in love with a sweet, nerdy bear of a man, but a genetic twist of fate made her flee. When she returns to town, she can’t stay away from Charly. Can a wolf sworn to destroy all coyotes claim a coywolf mate or will he be forced to destroy the one girl he ever loved?
Gayle Donnelly – Running with the Wolf (The Cascadia Wolves)
To escape her abusive ex, Abigail Mann faked her death and fled to a small town in Oregon to start over. Abram Keaton is the most ruthless hunter of the Deschutes Pack. Hungering for the quiet, elusive kindergarten teacher sparks a need deep inside. When Abby’s past comes calling, Abram must make a choice…defy pack law and bring her into his world or let her run and lose her forever.
Cara Carnes - Redemption’s Forgiveness (The Rending)
Surviving as an Outsider was tough, but Felicity faces her harshest battle when she stumbles across a plot to overthrow the trading post, Redemption. Marek will do anything to protect his pack and their land, including executing any Outsiders who dare enter pack lands. He knows there’s no soft in war—until a curvaceous wolf with more sass than sense limps into Redemption with an impossible tale of betrayal. Can the two discover trust and redemption together?
Brandy Walker – Under Her Spell (Keystone Predators)
The Beta of the Keystone Predators, Diego Mendoza loves his job and the responsibility that comes with it—even the simple task of retrieving his Alpha's cousin from the airport. Part wolf shifter and part witch Daphne Moore had a hell of a time fitting in and everyone wants her to choose. She is ready for a change and a trip to Arizona for her cousin's wedding seems like the perfect start. Diego wants her instantly, but she’s wary. Will Diego be able to enchant the woman who is witch and wolf?
Rebecca Royce - Always (Dragon Wars)
Robbie Owens has fought the dragons for seventeen years, leading his group of secret, elite werewolves. Tatyana Knox is a human in a world where humans are like unicorns—they simply don't exist. She is real, more she’s Robbie's mate. If he can only trust her, they will turn the tide of the war. But the clock is ticking and Tatyana's time with Robbie is almost up.
Jennifer Kacey - Violet's Shadow (Shadow Mates) Violet’s spent her whole life searching for where she belongs. Two weeks alone in a secluded cabin is music to her ears, until she sees a shadow in the forest with red glowing eyes. Rayden was sent to protect and guide her. Instead, he finds the mate he’s been unwilling to search for and a passion so fierce he’ll never be able to walk away. Everything she’s ever wanted in life and love is finally at her fingertips if she’s brave enough to embrace…her Shadow
Heather Long - Wolf with Benefits (Wolves of Willow Bend)
After dropping out of college and spending a summer breaking the law, Shiloh Sullivan needs to make amends. When she returns home, her best friend, the wolfish and playful Matt Montgomery, distracts he with a ‘pretend’ relationship, which annoys her parents. They never wanted their children to take the bite. The friendly-with-benefits arrangement suits Matt fine—makes his mother happy, helps the pack forgive his best friend, and gives him a reason to pry into the secrets Shiloh’s been keeping. Pretending a relationship with a wolf is impossible, the closer they get, the more Matt’s wolf wants to take their con game and make it a mating game. Can he keep his best friend and mate her, too?
Melissa Schroeder - The Alpha's Saving Grace (Lonestar Wolf Pack)
Alpha Jacob Sanderson doesn’t have time for distractions as he hunts a vicious killer attacking his pack. Sheriff Alexandra Littlefoot is his best resource and a woman he can’t seem to resist. As secrets rise to the surface, the killer’s violence escalates and threatens to destroy the entire pack.
#NewRelease #BondOfThree Riding Ripley is here!
Riding RipleyBy Virginia NelsonBond of Three #3
Links
#Amazon http://amzn.to/1zdO5ho
#ARe http://bit.ly/1CiSzUq
#Nook http://bit.ly/1OxoOYy
#Kobo http://bit.ly/1GHsCFs
For years Zachary has ruthlessly rejected his desires, but with every passing day it becomes harder to deny he craves Stephen’s forbidden touch. Now, for the first time in memory, triads have been forming, pulling together two men and one woman to form a sacred bond. Finally Zachary dares to hope that his future may be a happy one.
Ripley has watched Zachary suffer for far too long, trapped on the sidelines between a man he dares not want and a woman he believes out of his league. Enough is enough. Denial is fine when it heightens desire, but Ripley is ready to take matters into her own hands. She’s going to ensure that, at the end of the day, she’s got both men she’s always wanted, by her side and in her bed.
Reader Advisory: This story has graphic sexual language and scenes—no closed bedroom doors (or other rooms) here!
A R omantica® paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
April 14, 2015
UPDATES!! AKA what is coming soon from Virginia Nelson
1. Tomorrow Riding Ripley releases, the third of the Bond of Three series! *throws confetti*
2. Tomorrow is also the cover reveal for a super seekrit project I've been working on with some of my friends. We're throwing a party to celebrate that event and you can totally join here: https://www.facebook.com/events/451392785020711/
3. On Friday, my Black Hills Wolves story, Wolf on a Leash releases! *throws more confetti* (It is gonna look like I murdered a pinata in here, based on the amount of confetti I need for these announcements...) I'm really proud of this book and if you like wolves... methinks this story might be something you'd enjoy.
4. On Tuesday (4/21) my Tempting Signs series book, Forever Devoted, releases. This was honestly one of the hardest books I've ever written. I bawled writing it and then I'd laugh... it is a story of recovery and love and I'm super glad to finally share this one with you. If you're curious, the Sign I wrote about in this story is Taurus, so expect some stubbornness...
5. In May, we're slated to release Fighting for Fiona, the last Bond of Three book and my personal favorite of the series. The fight against the darkness gets a face in this story... so keep an eye out for the final installment!6. In early June, I'll be attending #RAGT15 in Cincinatti. If you're in the area, I'll be signing on Friday and otherwise around everywhere at the con. If you like my art, I'm putting a couple pieces up for raffle to benefit One Way Farm. (http://onewayfarm.org) I'll also be adding a basket full of various goodies to the raffle...pictures and details to come.
7. June brings the super secret project we're revealing tomorrow. There may be some other surprises coming in the meantime... but I can't talk about them yet.
8. July will hold the release of Must Love Cakes, the third of my contemporary Watkin's Pond series. You can find out more about that book and all my stories on my website, http://virg-nelson.com
So, yes... lots of exciting things coming. Thanks so much to my readers for making all this possible and if I didn't mention the series you're following
(*cough cough Lowe and the follow up book to Penthouse Prince...
*cough cough* Magical Mayhem for the Magical Series ...
or *cough cough* another Odd Series book...)
don't worry! I promise there is MUCH more coming soon!!
xoxo
virg
April 10, 2015
Debunking some autism myths
My daughter was diagnosed as ADHD, Aspergers, cognitive disorder and being borderline in three areas over a period of time ranging from age nine and onward.
In that time, I've heard a lot of things stated as truth which just weren't, not for us. I'm going to unpack some of those ideas here today, since we're in Autism Awareness Month.
People with autism are all a savant in something. What is the thing she's brilliant at
—math, music, or art?
Since the number being bandied about on the news and social media is that 1/68 people are diagnosed with autism, one would think this myth would debunk itself. My daughter is pretty good about telling you facts about animals (she can name a tiny lizard, indigenous only to whatever region, and tell you what it likes to eat and other random details) and she can tell you all about Black Veil Brides. She can't write a sonnet or a symphony, although I'm sure if she devoted all of her time to it, she could learn those things over a period of time and probably do an okay job. But that's the deal—she'd have to devote all of her time to learning it. For a long time. Nothing has ever magically come easily for her and, although she's wonderful...she's never going to wake up as Rain Man. Not all of them are genius at one particular thing, but I think the myth of this being true stemmed out of a lot of movies dedicated to rare cases... not the average kid on the spectrum.
You can tell by looking at a person whether or not they are on the autism spectrum.
Nope, no you cannot.
You can recognize whether a kid is on the autism spectrum within moments of listening to them talk/seeing how they act.
Nope, no you cannot. It is called a spectrum because there is a wide and diverse array of disability within the range, and all of it is shoved under the vague banner of "autism spectrum." Some of these kids are non-verbal. Some are really verbal. Some are hyper. Some just sit and stare. You can no more guess at someone's diagnosis than you can accurately look at a child and rattle off their social security number. It isn't printed on their forehead...and the diagnosis often changes as the kid ages. You just learn more about a child as they grow in general. *shrug* It is that simple and that complex all at once.
If you're the parent of a child with autism, you're very patient.
Ha! Ha-ha-ha! So, do you think that at some point in the pregnancy, the magical blue fairy of patience came and smacked me with her wand, gifting me with the magical power of patience in preparation for parenting my child? Nope. Either that or the fairy skipped me.
Doctors just give that title to kids of parents who want attention. There is no real medical issue, it is all made up.
Years. That's how long my daughter has been under various doctors' care. Years of testing, of reevaluating, of revisiting... specialists, neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, school aid, physical and occupational and speech therapists... And none of those appointments was magically convenient for me, as a single parent of THREE (all of whom needed my attention) children. I never had the time for the "attention," and all of the various doctors/specialists have degrees in their area of specialty. Somehow, I think those years of med school mean they don't just hand out diagnosis like Halloween candy.
Those are some I can think of off the top of my head. If I were to sum up the myths of autism in a sentence, it would probably be...
Everyone is different. Get to know them before you make assumptions.
In that time, I've heard a lot of things stated as truth which just weren't, not for us. I'm going to unpack some of those ideas here today, since we're in Autism Awareness Month.
People with autism are all a savant in something. What is the thing she's brilliant at
—math, music, or art?
Since the number being bandied about on the news and social media is that 1/68 people are diagnosed with autism, one would think this myth would debunk itself. My daughter is pretty good about telling you facts about animals (she can name a tiny lizard, indigenous only to whatever region, and tell you what it likes to eat and other random details) and she can tell you all about Black Veil Brides. She can't write a sonnet or a symphony, although I'm sure if she devoted all of her time to it, she could learn those things over a period of time and probably do an okay job. But that's the deal—she'd have to devote all of her time to learning it. For a long time. Nothing has ever magically come easily for her and, although she's wonderful...she's never going to wake up as Rain Man. Not all of them are genius at one particular thing, but I think the myth of this being true stemmed out of a lot of movies dedicated to rare cases... not the average kid on the spectrum.
You can tell by looking at a person whether or not they are on the autism spectrum.
Nope, no you cannot.
You can recognize whether a kid is on the autism spectrum within moments of listening to them talk/seeing how they act.
Nope, no you cannot. It is called a spectrum because there is a wide and diverse array of disability within the range, and all of it is shoved under the vague banner of "autism spectrum." Some of these kids are non-verbal. Some are really verbal. Some are hyper. Some just sit and stare. You can no more guess at someone's diagnosis than you can accurately look at a child and rattle off their social security number. It isn't printed on their forehead...and the diagnosis often changes as the kid ages. You just learn more about a child as they grow in general. *shrug* It is that simple and that complex all at once.
If you're the parent of a child with autism, you're very patient.
Ha! Ha-ha-ha! So, do you think that at some point in the pregnancy, the magical blue fairy of patience came and smacked me with her wand, gifting me with the magical power of patience in preparation for parenting my child? Nope. Either that or the fairy skipped me.
Doctors just give that title to kids of parents who want attention. There is no real medical issue, it is all made up.
Years. That's how long my daughter has been under various doctors' care. Years of testing, of reevaluating, of revisiting... specialists, neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, school aid, physical and occupational and speech therapists... And none of those appointments was magically convenient for me, as a single parent of THREE (all of whom needed my attention) children. I never had the time for the "attention," and all of the various doctors/specialists have degrees in their area of specialty. Somehow, I think those years of med school mean they don't just hand out diagnosis like Halloween candy.
Those are some I can think of off the top of my head. If I were to sum up the myths of autism in a sentence, it would probably be...
Everyone is different. Get to know them before you make assumptions.
April 6, 2015
Redefining Internet Slang
The other day, I asked on facebook what FTW meant because my son's definition (For The Win) was very different from what I understood the abbreviation to mean (#&$% the World). Due to that, I've realized that simple letters might mean very different things to different people and that we can totally change things up if we want.
So, let's do that. Here are some "popular" (according to the internet) web abbreviations and other suggested uses.
FML
Currently seems to mean - #&$% My Life
Other Options:
For My Landlord (in regard to rent). Example: I just got my paycheck FML
Modifications: FMM - For My Mortgage
Find My Lunch Example: I'm feeling hangry. FML
Modifications: MMAS - Make Me A Sammich
Feed My Llama Example: My llama is looking sorta hangry. FML
Modifications: TLIC - That llama is cra-a-a-azy!
SMH
Currently seems to mean - Shaking My Head
Other Options:
Scrutinize My Health Example: I went to the doctor. SMH
Modifications: FMH - Fixing my Health. Example: Doctor SMH FMH, yo.
Schmooze My Hamster Example: So, this is my room. SMH
Modifications: PMD - Pet My Dog
Spurn My Hammock
Example: So, there I was, laying in the sun and then I rolled over and fell out. SMH
Modifications: SYH - Spurn Your Hammock
TBH
Currently seems to mean - To Be Honest
Other Options:
To Bring Hamburgers Example: Jim invited me to the picnic and said TBH.
Modifications: TBB - To Bring Beer
Take Ben's Hand Example: You're too little to cross the road by yourself; TBH.
Modifications: TMP - Take Mary's Purse
Time Being Held Example: Jim says, "Time OUT!" Mary answers, "TBH!"
Modifications: TMTYT - Take Me To Your TARDIS
FMOT
Currently seems to mean - Follow Me On Twitter
Other Options:
Find My Own Tomatoes Example: Jim planted a garden, but he still told me FMOT
Modifications: FYOB - Find Your Own Beer
Frank Makes Orange Tang Example: It is like it is 1986 at his house, FMOT.
Modifications: MMOT - Mary Makes Orange Tang
Freak Me Out Twice Example: So there was a second jump scare, FMOT
Modifications: SMTD - Scare Me To Death
LOL
Currently seems to mean - Laugh Out Loud
Other Options:
Lagging On Line Example: I was playing Minecraft on this server, but LOL
Modifications: LATT- Lagging All The Time
Leaning On Lamps Example: Jim is so tired, he's LOL
Modifications: LOK - Leaning on Kittens
Lurking On Line
Example: There were eight people on the chat, but only three talking. The others were LOL
Modifications: LIB - Lurking in Bushes
*whispers* You're welcome.
March 24, 2015
#NewRelease from Heather Long - Tempting Signs #1 Lust Actually
Lust Actually
Tempting Signs, #1 - ARIES
Heather Long
#Kindle http://amzn.to/1JXE66o
#iBooks http://bit.ly/1zq2sUr
#Nook http://bit.ly/16cbisR
#Kobo http://bit.ly/1DifrFD
#Google Play http://bit.ly/1Cp5G82
#ARe http://bit.ly/1aEF7Ee
12 Authors. 12 Zodiac Signs. 1 Explosive Series. What seductive, contemporary romance will you find today? ARIES.
Ethan Andrews makes his living reading people and tailoring his sales pitch to what they want. He lives his life on the road, traveling from city to city, hotel to hotel, and it all works for him until he meets Norah Silver—the woman he wants to come home to.
Norah Silver has a plan, one that requires focus and dedication. She’s working sixty to eighty hours a week between her two jobs—one for money and the other for her passion. She thrives on giving solid relationship advice that may be based in the stars, but also grounded in reality. The last thing she expected was to find a sizzling love connection of her own.
Sparks fly when these two stubborn Aries launch into an impulsive relationship. Telling themselves lust is actually enough turns out to be a lie, but can these rams bend enough to recognize it or will their off the charts chemistry explode before they really get started?
March 21, 2015
Life or something like it... #Thoughts
When I was a kid, I knew I'd grow up to be an astronaut. Clearly, my great love of science, discovery, and the stars wouldn't have been wasted on someone not meant to explore the stars.
I knew I was the sort of person who planned things, so I'd get out of high school, go in the military, use the GI Bill to help afford college and then, after a few trips to orbit earth and do research, I'd get married and have two kids. I'd ow n a home, have a lawn. Maybe a little garden in the backyard. I'd never own a dog--I'm clearly a cat person.
They were solid plans. I did go into the military... for about a second. I came home really excited to see my fiance.
Got pregnant. At that point, turning twenty the year she was born, people said I'd given up any shot I might have had at my dreams. Which was okay. I still drew and wrote. I loved art and books and never did give them up entirely. I wished I was the kind of creative person who could tell stories, but I was a poor mother, married to a poor man, and we'd be lucky if we managed to raise our child without failing.
On my twenty-first birthday, I planned to go out and drink and party. I took a test just to be safe and found out I was expecting our second child. Panic ensued, followed by optimistic words from my husband about how I wasn't pregnant, we were pregnant.
We split a few months later, leaving me a pregnant single mother of one at only twenty-one.
I never planned to be a single mother.
But I could still do this. I'd manage to buy a house, because that was what parents did. That was how you set down roots.
A few years later, I had a third child, but managed to buy a house.
It turns out home ownership made me miserable. I had these great kids, but had to work constantly to afford it. The daycare provider saw the baby take his first steps (I went back to work one week after my second child, two weeks after my third because I'd managed to save a week of vacation time up for the event)... saw his first tooth come in. He even said his first word while I was at work.
I had these three great kids and I was missing out on their life. For what? Because you were supposed to own a house.
I hated the house, hated the maintenance, hated owning something beautiful we only got to visit once in a while and then to simply sleep in it.
I had a stroke. Apparently, you're not supposed to do to your body what I did to it to try to afford the life I thought we needed. You're supposed to sleep, to not walk around in a constant knot of stress and panic.
I reevaluated my life. I'd always written, but never sent a word out because I feared being rejected.
I owned a house that gave me no pleasure because I only had it because that was what 'good' parents did--they owned homes.
I had managed to do everything that was supposed to make me happy and nothing did.
So what did make me happy? I loved my kids. I wanted more for them...but was I giving them what would make them happy or just the things society told me they needed to be happy?
We eventually ended up in a temporary home--a couple hundred year old barn situated on a bucolic piece of land in the country. I could afford it pretty easily and still have a bit left over for the things we actually needed--food, wifi, older cars that we paid cash for rather than getting loans so that they were shiny and enviable.
We're still in that temporary home five years later. We love it here. It fits us perfectly, fills our needs, makes us happy.
I quit my job almost four years ago and returned to school. Things were tight--way tighter than when I worked outside the home all the time. But we were together, so the name brands/impressive things I thought we needed to prove we were doing well mattered less and less.
I gave my imagination wings, allowing myself permission to write stories and paint pictures. It turned out that other people liked my stories, liked my art. We were far from wealthy, but we had each other.
We collected a ragtag bunch of pets along the way--two poisonous frogs, a giant tank with giant gold fish and one albino frog, a few cats who decided they owned us and one dog which was way bigger than I ever planned. Besides, I'm a cat person.
I like the dog better than I like the cats. He's my loyal friend, a pet bought for the kids who brings me more joy in a day than I realized an animal could bring.
I have friends who I love, family, and I laugh way more than I cry.
When I work through the night to finish things--be they homework or author/editor work--I'm doing something I love and I get to see the finished product. I'm proud of the things that cross my desk, proud of my contributions to the world and to history.
I thought we needed to own a big house, a new car, have name brands on our clothes to be happy. It turns out we didn't need any of those things because proving we're happy isn't nearly as important as actually BEING happy.
Nothing in my life worked out as I planned, so I don't make as many plans now. I take each day as it comes, do the best I can with it, and go to bed with an unweighted heart.
Others look down their noses, judge us because we haven't got much and likely never will. I can't prove that we're doing well with the things we own nor can I promise my children they'll ever own all the things their friends do.
But I tell them about the things I've learned in my almost forty years on this planet.
You'll forget the things you own, but never the people who made you laugh. You'll never regret not going to work one day...but you will regret not spending more time with the ones you loved. Work and to do lists are endless, but the people we love come and go like the seasons. Love with everything you have because no one promises they'll be there for you to love tomorrow.Don't worry about what others think of what you have or are as them being impressed will bring you no joy. What will matter at the end of the day is whether or not you can sleep and be proud of what you did in a day. Helping others makes you feel good, a glow you carry around for a while. Owning things never will give you that feeling. The pleasure of ownership is never as great as the pleasure of knowing you brought about change.Have a plan and a backup plan and a backup plan, but understand that life doesn't care what you plan. Sometimes you'll be in the right place at the right moment and know the right person to do something wonderful. Sometimes you'll be in the right place at the right moment to watch your world crumble. Neither state is permanent, so just reevaluate and choose a new direction. It might not be the right one, but you can always go another direction if it fails.Laugh and dance and play. Life is short, happiness a treasure beyond gold.Try to make other people smile and laugh and not to hurt anyone if you can help it. Other people will hurt you, but don't let it eat away at you. That's on them. If you're doing good things, caring more than hurting, then you'll sleep fine at night. You can't change anyone's mind. They either agree or disagree, so let it go.You can't change how others see you. Again, they'll see you how they see you and trying to change it is futile. Change how you see yourself, since you're the only one you have to share headspace with.Work hard, play hard, and learn to be grateful. Life is riddled with disappointments, which you can let weigh you down... or you can let them go and focus on tomorrow.Believe in yourself. Dare to do what your heart wants. It might crash and burn, it might fall apart...but you'll never regret love. When it fails, it isn't you that failed. Some loves aren't meant to last forever, but every time we love another person, we learn something from having loved.Make a big, loud, colorful splash in this world. Expect people to shake their heads, to say you're crazy...but we remember the peacocks and we remember the comedians. People remember things that are different, so don't be afraid to leave your mark.
Most importantly? Love.
I knew I was the sort of person who planned things, so I'd get out of high school, go in the military, use the GI Bill to help afford college and then, after a few trips to orbit earth and do research, I'd get married and have two kids. I'd ow n a home, have a lawn. Maybe a little garden in the backyard. I'd never own a dog--I'm clearly a cat person.
They were solid plans. I did go into the military... for about a second. I came home really excited to see my fiance.
Got pregnant. At that point, turning twenty the year she was born, people said I'd given up any shot I might have had at my dreams. Which was okay. I still drew and wrote. I loved art and books and never did give them up entirely. I wished I was the kind of creative person who could tell stories, but I was a poor mother, married to a poor man, and we'd be lucky if we managed to raise our child without failing.
On my twenty-first birthday, I planned to go out and drink and party. I took a test just to be safe and found out I was expecting our second child. Panic ensued, followed by optimistic words from my husband about how I wasn't pregnant, we were pregnant.
We split a few months later, leaving me a pregnant single mother of one at only twenty-one.
I never planned to be a single mother.
But I could still do this. I'd manage to buy a house, because that was what parents did. That was how you set down roots.
A few years later, I had a third child, but managed to buy a house.
It turns out home ownership made me miserable. I had these great kids, but had to work constantly to afford it. The daycare provider saw the baby take his first steps (I went back to work one week after my second child, two weeks after my third because I'd managed to save a week of vacation time up for the event)... saw his first tooth come in. He even said his first word while I was at work.
I had these three great kids and I was missing out on their life. For what? Because you were supposed to own a house.
I hated the house, hated the maintenance, hated owning something beautiful we only got to visit once in a while and then to simply sleep in it.
I had a stroke. Apparently, you're not supposed to do to your body what I did to it to try to afford the life I thought we needed. You're supposed to sleep, to not walk around in a constant knot of stress and panic.
I reevaluated my life. I'd always written, but never sent a word out because I feared being rejected.
I owned a house that gave me no pleasure because I only had it because that was what 'good' parents did--they owned homes.
I had managed to do everything that was supposed to make me happy and nothing did.
So what did make me happy? I loved my kids. I wanted more for them...but was I giving them what would make them happy or just the things society told me they needed to be happy?
We eventually ended up in a temporary home--a couple hundred year old barn situated on a bucolic piece of land in the country. I could afford it pretty easily and still have a bit left over for the things we actually needed--food, wifi, older cars that we paid cash for rather than getting loans so that they were shiny and enviable.
We're still in that temporary home five years later. We love it here. It fits us perfectly, fills our needs, makes us happy.
I quit my job almost four years ago and returned to school. Things were tight--way tighter than when I worked outside the home all the time. But we were together, so the name brands/impressive things I thought we needed to prove we were doing well mattered less and less.
I gave my imagination wings, allowing myself permission to write stories and paint pictures. It turned out that other people liked my stories, liked my art. We were far from wealthy, but we had each other.
We collected a ragtag bunch of pets along the way--two poisonous frogs, a giant tank with giant gold fish and one albino frog, a few cats who decided they owned us and one dog which was way bigger than I ever planned. Besides, I'm a cat person.
I like the dog better than I like the cats. He's my loyal friend, a pet bought for the kids who brings me more joy in a day than I realized an animal could bring.
I have friends who I love, family, and I laugh way more than I cry.
When I work through the night to finish things--be they homework or author/editor work--I'm doing something I love and I get to see the finished product. I'm proud of the things that cross my desk, proud of my contributions to the world and to history.
I thought we needed to own a big house, a new car, have name brands on our clothes to be happy. It turns out we didn't need any of those things because proving we're happy isn't nearly as important as actually BEING happy.
Nothing in my life worked out as I planned, so I don't make as many plans now. I take each day as it comes, do the best I can with it, and go to bed with an unweighted heart.
Others look down their noses, judge us because we haven't got much and likely never will. I can't prove that we're doing well with the things we own nor can I promise my children they'll ever own all the things their friends do.
But I tell them about the things I've learned in my almost forty years on this planet.
You'll forget the things you own, but never the people who made you laugh. You'll never regret not going to work one day...but you will regret not spending more time with the ones you loved. Work and to do lists are endless, but the people we love come and go like the seasons. Love with everything you have because no one promises they'll be there for you to love tomorrow.Don't worry about what others think of what you have or are as them being impressed will bring you no joy. What will matter at the end of the day is whether or not you can sleep and be proud of what you did in a day. Helping others makes you feel good, a glow you carry around for a while. Owning things never will give you that feeling. The pleasure of ownership is never as great as the pleasure of knowing you brought about change.Have a plan and a backup plan and a backup plan, but understand that life doesn't care what you plan. Sometimes you'll be in the right place at the right moment and know the right person to do something wonderful. Sometimes you'll be in the right place at the right moment to watch your world crumble. Neither state is permanent, so just reevaluate and choose a new direction. It might not be the right one, but you can always go another direction if it fails.Laugh and dance and play. Life is short, happiness a treasure beyond gold.Try to make other people smile and laugh and not to hurt anyone if you can help it. Other people will hurt you, but don't let it eat away at you. That's on them. If you're doing good things, caring more than hurting, then you'll sleep fine at night. You can't change anyone's mind. They either agree or disagree, so let it go.You can't change how others see you. Again, they'll see you how they see you and trying to change it is futile. Change how you see yourself, since you're the only one you have to share headspace with.Work hard, play hard, and learn to be grateful. Life is riddled with disappointments, which you can let weigh you down... or you can let them go and focus on tomorrow.Believe in yourself. Dare to do what your heart wants. It might crash and burn, it might fall apart...but you'll never regret love. When it fails, it isn't you that failed. Some loves aren't meant to last forever, but every time we love another person, we learn something from having loved.Make a big, loud, colorful splash in this world. Expect people to shake their heads, to say you're crazy...but we remember the peacocks and we remember the comedians. People remember things that are different, so don't be afraid to leave your mark.
Most importantly? Love.
March 19, 2015
Now available for preorder! Wolf On A Leash #VirginiaNelson #ComingSoon #BHW #Wolves
Coming in April to the Black Hills Wolves series, now available for preorder!
Wolf on a LeashVirginia NelsonBlack Hills Wolves Series
~ Buy Links ~
Amazon | iTunes | Kobo | GooglePlay
Longtime submissive, Patch Williams, never quite finds the release she seeks. When a new Dom comes to town, offering play she’s never tried before, it’s a battle to give into the pleasure he offers while keeping her wolf nature a secret.
Home from overseas service, Kennedy Laurie realizes a few things about himself—he only gets off when a little sadism is involved, and he’s terrified of going too far, getting lost in the play. Patch might be just the submissive he’s been dreaming of.
Patch recognizes the call to mate…but with an out-of-towner? Her body demands for her to submit, to tell him everything, but can her Dom tame the Wolf on a Leash?
Wolf on a LeashVirginia NelsonBlack Hills Wolves Series
~ Buy Links ~
Amazon | iTunes | Kobo | GooglePlay
Longtime submissive, Patch Williams, never quite finds the release she seeks. When a new Dom comes to town, offering play she’s never tried before, it’s a battle to give into the pleasure he offers while keeping her wolf nature a secret.
Home from overseas service, Kennedy Laurie realizes a few things about himself—he only gets off when a little sadism is involved, and he’s terrified of going too far, getting lost in the play. Patch might be just the submissive he’s been dreaming of.
Patch recognizes the call to mate…but with an out-of-towner? Her body demands for her to submit, to tell him everything, but can her Dom tame the Wolf on a Leash?
March 18, 2015
#NewRelease Calling Caralisa, Bond of Three #2 - Virginia Nelson
To celebrate the release of Book #2 in my Bond of Three series, Book #1 is on sale for a limited time for just 99¢ !! Grab that deal here: http://bit.ly/1lDOu72
Calling CaralisaBond of Three #2Virginia Nelson
** Links ** B&N | ARe | Amazon | Ellora’s Cave
The rumors of a Wakening creating triads instead of mated pairs reached Caralisa months ago, but she doubts an undesirable record keeper such as herself will be one of the ones called to power.
Bentley, sees more than the bookish façade Caralisa hides behind. When dreams tell him to wait, to resist the call to claim her, he realizes his premonitions might be the key to his future happiness.
Jackson fought against his fate, resisting destiny’s demand he accept a shared mate. One hot and hurried encounter with Bentley changes his mind and before he can second-guess his desires, he joins Bentley in the hunt to seduce Caralisa.
As the three come together in a heated clash of skin and a passionate tangle of limbs, they’ll discover all the delights of a bond of three. And move their society one step closer to salvation.
A Romantica® paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
Calling CaralisaBond of Three #2Virginia Nelson** Links ** B&N | ARe | Amazon | Ellora’s Cave
The rumors of a Wakening creating triads instead of mated pairs reached Caralisa months ago, but she doubts an undesirable record keeper such as herself will be one of the ones called to power.
Bentley, sees more than the bookish façade Caralisa hides behind. When dreams tell him to wait, to resist the call to claim her, he realizes his premonitions might be the key to his future happiness.
Jackson fought against his fate, resisting destiny’s demand he accept a shared mate. One hot and hurried encounter with Bentley changes his mind and before he can second-guess his desires, he joins Bentley in the hunt to seduce Caralisa.As the three come together in a heated clash of skin and a passionate tangle of limbs, they’ll discover all the delights of a bond of three. And move their society one step closer to salvation.
A Romantica® paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
