Erin Knightley's Blog, page 5

Confessions of an Olympic Game Addict

This past week, Dear Reader, I have reverted to the 8 year old little girl who I had no idea was still alive and well inside of me. The trigger? Well, it only took about 3 notes of the Olympic trumpet and drum music to catapult me back in time to when I was on my parents couch circa 1984, holding my Olympic-themed water glass and cheering on the athletes.I don’t know what it is. It’s not like I wake up on Saturdays and think, ‘You know what? I’m in the mood for some men’s synchronized diving!’ I don’t surf through CNN, looking for pole-vaulting or rowing, and I sure as heck don’t wonder if there is a local pick-up game of water polo going on at the Y.  Yet, those are exactly the things that have me eschewing my quickly-approaching deadline, glued to the TV from 8-midnight each night. I’ve become an armchair critic (HOW could you have missed that landing?? Geez!), an unrepentant sob-story addict (Grenada’s first Olympic medal ever?! *sniffle, sob*), and the ultimate lover of good sportsmanship and class (I’m looking at you, Sam Mikulak!)I’ve bonded with these athletes, glorying in their triumphs and suffering with their losses. It makes me want to be a better person, to put a greater effort into everything I do. This ole body of mine is never going to see an Olympic arena, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t up the game in the things I am good at.  Gymnastics? That ship has totally sailed. Diving? I’m waaay to chicken to do mid-air flips. But writing? THERE is something I can do better. I can throw myself into it with the discipline and tenacity that these inspiring athletes have perfected in their journey to London.  No matter what we do, we can apply the Olympic spirit in an effort to live a better life. These men and women are an inspiration, positive role models who we can all look up to. In an era of the media offering up the Kardashians and Snooki as celebrities, the Olympians have provided something else all together. I hope that a new generation of children has been inspired to achieve, and that the spirit will live on in the days, weeks and years following the conclusion of the Games.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go get another box of tissues for the coming medal ceremony :-)
So tell me, have you caught Olympic fever this time around? What’s your favorite event?

I'm Ba-ack! Sort of...

Yes, I know - I've been dreadfully remiss of late. Things are so darn busy! But I've just returned from the Romance Writers of America national convention, and I've put together my thoughts and some pictures - as well as a giveaway! - at Lady Scribes today. 

Won't you come by and join me? Click HERE

Cheers!

Coming Out of the Romance Writing Closet

Why was I told I would never be published by the Big 6? Find out at Lady Scribes as I share my deep, dark secret with the world:

Click Here

I hope you'll drop by and say hello! PLUS - comment for a chance to win a copy of MORE THAN A STRANGER!!

Music To My Ears

(Awesomeness awaits at the end of this post - I promise!)

This week, I innocently created a new station on Pandora radio titled ‘Pearl Jam.’ Nothing notable about it . . . or so I thought. But within an hour or so, it was clear that the music geniuses that create the play lists had somehow managed to raid my mixed tape collection from high school, essentially creating a soundtrack to my past.I am so not kidding.There I was, a thirty-something adult driving a respectable sedan to my respectable day-job one minute, and the next I was the sixteen-year-old girl I had been half a lifetime ago, zipping around in my ancient Mazda GLC. Back then, the windows would be rolled down in deference to the scorching Kentucky summer heat, while the synthetic gray lambswool seat covers stuck to my legs and my hair whipped around my face. Headed to the pool for my lifeguard job, to meet my friends at the Dairy Queen for an oreo blizzard, or just enjoying my first real taste of freedom; I went wherever the wind blew and the $4 in my gas tank would take me.As the songs kept coming, so did the memories. To this day, I can’t hear a Smashing Pumpkins song without thinking of my husband when we were a couple of kids, hanging out in his parents’ basement. Back then, I was so dog gone in love with that boy, my every sense would be attuned to him as we sat inches apart on the cool leather couch, pretending to watch a movie on his state of the art big screen TV. I remember riding in my friend Becky’s teal Mustang convertible, a pair of girls ready to experience all the world had to offer as we shouted along with the blaring radio.  There were boys, a few parties, and the occasional trip to the lake.  It was those trips that reveal to me everything that I would eventually want out of life: living on the water, good friends to share a meal and a laugh with, and of course Kirk, my future husband. Sitting on the dock at dusk, listening to the frogs and crickets as lightening bugs emerged for their daily dance while soft music filtered from beneath the boat cover—to this day there are few things that make me happier. In those days, I looked to the future and wondered what it held for me. As water lapped at the boats and dusk descended, I’d lay back and envision the years ahead. It was always murky, like shadowy figures through a fogged window, taunting me with its nearness and the shear vastness of possibilities.Now, as I listen to the songs of my youth - to Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Stone Temple Pilots - I can’t help but smile. I’m in that perfect place in life when I have the luxury of looking back with happy nostalgia, while still being able to look forward with that same sense of wonder. Will the music I listen to today evoke that same ethereal sense of reminiscence? Will Adele come on the radio fifteen years from now, and make me shake my head in amazement at how it was when I first embarked on my writing career? Will the Zach Brown Band always remind me of that perfect moment in time when I first sold, and the world was my oyster?I hope so. Music has a way of tugging the heartstrings like few things can. A whiff of an elusive scent or the taste of a long forgotten treat can have a similar effect, but I think music may be even better. It can embody a day, a year, or even a decade. It can define a period in our lives like nothing else, and it can forever sear a moment in our minds. James Taylor will always make me think of the weekend I realized I was falling in love with my husband when we were seventeen. If The Devil Went Down To Georgia should ever come on the radio, I’ll think of me and my friend Jared on graduation night, karaoke-ing with the best of them. Sweet Home Alabama was playing on the tinny speakers of my husband’s old car the first time we said ‘I love you.’ I can’t hear Brown-Eyed Girl without thinking of Young Life, and all the fun times I had Wednesday nights when I was sixteen.And now, thanks to my brother, I have a new song that will forever transport me to all the excitement, wonder, and strife that went along with writing my first book. Many of you have already heard the song (a free download here), but now that many of you have read or are reading my debut, I wonder – do you know what scene Andy was inspired by when he wrote the piano piece that accompanies MORE THAN A STRANGER?Well, I’ve made a little music video, so to speak, to go along with the song. I hope you enjoy! And when you’ve finished watching it, I want to know: What song stands out most in your memories? When you think of high school, what music comes to mind?

Do Not Disturb :)

As a person who has adored books my entire life, I love that no matter what, I always have a ready (and sometimes preferred!) companion at my fingertips. I have blissfully spent many an hour wrapped up in the pages of my favorite novels. Unfortunately, not everyone quite gets this concept.A couple of weeks ago when my hubby was out of town, I decided to go out to eat by myself. I headed to my favorite local restaurant, requested a booth, reassured the waitress that no, I really didn’t want to sit at the bar (you know, since I asked for the booth and all), and settled in with my book to read.When the waiter came to take my order, the pity was immediately apparent on his face. He slid into the opposite seat, cocked his head and smiled that smile one might give to a poufy dress-wearing teenager whose prom date bailed on them. “Just you tonight?”Now, this waiter was a very nice guy, and I tried not to get impatient with him as he lingered to chat, but it was clear to me, as it so often is, that he believed a patron alone with naught but a book was a thing to be remedied.That couldn’t be further from the truth. When he asked if it was just me, I wanted to say no—it wasn’t justme. It was me and the engaging characters I was enjoying in Lisa Kleypas’s Rainshadow Road. It was the sexy hero, and the wounded heroine, and her selfish sister, and the skanky ex-boyfriend, and yes – me. I was exactly where I wanted to be, with exactly the people I wished to be with at that moment. Interestingly enough, when Kirk and I were out to dinner last week, there was a woman at the table next to us who was engrossed in a book that for the life of me I couldn't see the title of. I almost stuck up a conversation by asking what she was reading, but I realized with a jolt that I would be doing the same thing that I hate others doing to me - interrupting her reading time! Shame on me, dear reader. If I could forget such a thing, then I could hardly blame others! So I've decided, I should make a little sign to prop on the table when I’m reading alone next time that will hopefully get the hint across to others: “Caution—Reader in her Happy Place. Disturb at your own risk!”:-) So tell me – what’s your strategy for getting people to leave you be when you’re reading?  Are you one of those who the kids know not to come near when mommy’s reading? Or are you constantly being interrupted?

Debut Week Delights!

The past week has been an amazing, wonderful, humbling and unforgettable time for me as I celebrated the release of my first novel, More Than a Stranger. It has been the sort of magical experience that you wish for everyone in the world to have at least once in their lives. I'm so incredibly grateful to all those who attended my first two signings, as well as to those who sent wonderful notes and messages of encouragement, and to those who purchased the book in support of me.

To all of you, I offer a big, huge, happy Thank You!! I was beyond thrilled that both signings were such a success, with each one selling out (and the one in Louisville had stocked 40 books!)

Below are some pictures from the two signings. Sadly, I didn't get pictures of everyone who came, but I'll always remember you guys for coming out to share the day with me :)  At the bottom is a short video from the author panel I participated in. I hope you enjoy!

Ready to go in my hometown of Louisville, KY
Several of my mom's awesome co-workers stopped by for their copies :)
My darling niece and nephew!
My wonderful in-laws came out to see me
My Mom and Dad :)

The girls: My mom, sister, and fashionista niece
My sweet friend Jocelyn drove quite a ways to see me - and her darling daughter approves, lol! I was delighted to see my friend Ginny there!

C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E!

WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Today is June 5th: my debut release day!! I'm at LadyScribes today celebrating . . . and may or may not have made a video that involved me dancing in the aisles of Barnes and Nobles, lol. I hope you'll stop by and join the fun!

 Click Here

Sealed With a Kiss Blog Tour Giveaway!

In celebration of the release of my debut novel on June 5th (EEK!), I'll be doing a two week long blog tour, complete with a HUGE giveaway!   To enter, simply comment on any or all of my guest blogs at the sites listed below.   The small print:  I will allow one comment per blog to count towards the drawing, for a maximum of 14 entries. Winners will be drawn on June 15th, and I will post them on this page. Due to shipping costs, I'll ship anywhere in US, Canada, or Mexico.
*You MUST leave an email address where I can contact you if you win!* If you don't wish to post publicly, feel free to email me at erin@erinknightley.com


Prizes include :
1 of 23 signed books from my favorite authors!  Sabrina Jeffries (To Wed a Wild Lord), Tessa Dare (A Week to be Wicked), Sarah MacLean (A Rogue by Any Other Name), Sophie Jordan (Wicked in Your Arms), Catherine Gayle (Twice a Rake / Merely a Miss / Saving Grace / Wallflower), Jade Lee (Wedded in Scandal - book comes with shirt signed by cover model Brooks!), Cathy Maxwell (The Seduction of Scandal), Lydia Dare (Tall, Dark, and Wolfish), Ava Stone (A Scandalous Charade), Tracey Devlyn (A Lady's Revenge), Lily George (Captain of Her Heart), Amy De Trempe (The Healing Tree), L.J. Charles (A Touch of Ice / A Touch of TNT), Jerrica Knight-Catania (A Gentleman Never Tells), Maureen O. Betita (The Chameleon Goggles / The Kraken's Mirror), Jane Charles (His Impetuous Debutante) Samantha Grace (Lady Amelia's Mess and a Half) and Katharine Ashe (A Lady's Wish novella)!  MORE THAN A STRANGER iPhone 4/4s case$15 Amazon gift card$10 Starbucks gift cardSealed with a Kiss wax seal kit with pink wax!Fun stationerybumper stickers --->Bookmarks Pens


Blog tour dates:

The Ruby-Slippered Sisterhood May 30, 2012 The Ballroom Blog May 31, 2012 Romance at Random June 1, 2012 Fresh Fiction June 2, 2012 The Dashing Duchesses June 4, 2012 Chicklets in the Kitchen June 4, 2012 LadyScribes June 5, 2012 Aimee Laine June 5, 2012 Get Lost in a Story June 5, 2012 Not Another Romance Blog June 6, 2012 Maya Rodale June 6, 2012 Bookworm2bookworm June 7, 2012 Novel Thoughts June 8, 2012 ROMCON June 11, 2012 SOS Blog June 12, 2012 Get Lost in a Story July 17, 2012

NOTE - Comments must be made on my guest posts at any of the above listed sites to be eligible!

Hang Ten, Baby!

Every now and then, we have to indulge in the fun things in life. That is reeeeeeeallly hard to remember when a big, scary deadline is breathing down your neck. So here I am, with the edits for A TASTE FOR SCANDAL due any day, and I put it aside to try to do the video for Part 2 of my interview with Ryan Devlin. Unfortunately, my computer had other ideas.  After having the program crash no fewer than six times, I finally threw up my hands and said forget it (for now).

But as I was about to close the program, a folder caught my eye that I hadn't looked at in a while.  It was just a video of me doing one of my favorite things on earth: Wakesurfing. I have to say, dear reader, just the simple act of watching it made my heart happy.  So I decided to polish it up and offer you a look at yet another side of Erin Knightley.  I hope you enjoy!  I, for one, am feeling refreshed enough to dive back into book 2 with a vengeance.  See you guys on the other side!

What do you do when you need to let your hair down?  Do you have any talents most people don't know about? Don't forget to scroll down - I made a new recipe this week, and it was TO DIE for :)  Check it out!




World's Best Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
 - Based on recipe found here

1/2 cup butter (1 stick) - softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
slightly less than 1 cup of flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 and 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
3/4 cup of chocolate chips (or to your preference)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Cream butter with mixer. Add in sugars, and beat for several minutes till light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.  Mix flour, baking soda, and salt together, then add by thirds to mixture, mixing BY HAND until just mixed. Stir in oatmeal and then chocolate chips.
Drop by rounded spoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool 2 minutes on pan before transferring to wire rack.
Enjoy!

Meet Erin Knightley

Okay, so I'm late posting today's blog, but that is because YouTube had been giving me fits!! Without further ado, I give you my interview led by the wildly talented Ryan Devlin (aka my brother-in-law). This video is part 1; part 2 will be posted next week.  I hope you enjoy this glimpse into my writing  journey, as well as a little about my debut novel :)

(PS - the intro cello music is from my brother's album, Line and Landscape)

To view full-screen, double-click the video.