Laura Simcox's Blog, page 2

VARIOUS STATES OF UNDRESS:CAROLINA releases 5-27! Enter to win a print copy!

I have an imaginary friend named Carolina Fulton and she’s awesome. I don’t think she’s awesome just because she’s famous. But if she wasn’t famous, she wouldn’t have met the love of her life…

While she gets stalked by the paparrazi, I happily spend most of my day muttering aloud, chained to my laptop, and yes, wearing the requisite author jammie bottoms. I’m privileged to spend the rest of my time with my adorable four year old son and wonderful husband, who are life itself to me, even when I’m cleaning up Hot Wheels and throwing frozen pizza in the oven for what has to be the billionth time.

Carolina’s life is a bit more exciting that mine–although I’m pretty sure she could mow through a Digiorno rising crust pepperoni pizza. Food is hardly at the front of her mind, and neither is the paparrazi. What is she obsessed with? Jake. Jake Baxter–who just happens to be a Secret Service agent. He is guarding Carolina, who just happens to be a daughter of the president of the United States. Yeah…falling for Jake is kind of a big no-no, but how can she stop herself? He’s so gorgeous! And witty, and intelligent, and if that isn’t enough…he looks at her with smoldering eyes, and instinctively, she knows that he wants her just as bad. So when they’re trapped by a blizzard in a cozy cabin, her resistance melts much faster than the snow swirling outside. Carolina and Jake let go of their hearts, and Various States of Undress become de rigueur.

EXCERPT:

“What do we do now?” she asked, knowing it was an invitation. And not caring. The door was locked. The alarm was on. No eyes were prying and no cameras were flashing. Nobody was judging her, and she felt safe. Safe from everything, except herself—but she could handle herself. Being competent was her signature character trait.

“We shouldn’t,” he said.

She leaned forward and slid her fingers down his arms until she clasped his warm hands. “I’m so aware of that fact, it’s painful.” She tipped her head back. “But right now, I don’t care.” Rising up, she loosened her fingers, wrapped her arms around his strong neck and pulled him toward her. “Okay?”

His hands moved to splay around her ribcage. “No. It’s not okay.” Then he lifted her up until her breasts were nestled against his chest. And his mouth descended on hers, sending tendrils of fire racing through her middle. As her eyes slid shut, she had the strangest feeling that she was sinking. And she didn’t want it to stop.

Her story was a delicious joy to create, and I hope you enjoy it! Want more?

 

VARIOUS STATES OF UNDRESS: CAROLINA will be availlable in e-book on May 27, and print on June 3. Follow the blog tour and enter to win the giveaway: A PRINT COPY OF VSOU: CAROLINA!

Happy reading,

Laura :)

PS: Look for Carolina’s sisters in the next VARIOUS STATES OF UNDRESS titles–coming soon. Virginia (October 2014) and Georgia (January 2015).

 

Various States of Undress: Carolina blog tour begins today!

So…I’m back from New Orleans and the RT Booklover’s Convention. (That’s another fab post for another day!) Been back less than 24 hours, and I’m completely wrapped up in all three books of the Various States of Undress series, and yeah–a tiny part of me is going: OMG! but mostly? I’m loving it. The blog tour for Carolina kicks off today. The edits for Virginia are in process. The synopsis for Georgia is taking shape. I’m excited about all of it, but since I’m an author who tends to jump ahead into the future like a puppy who spies a strip of bacon on the floor, I will focus on just ONE thing today, and that’s Carolina.

I love her! She’s a daughter of the president and is getting used to being in the spotlight. She’s in grad school and secretly hates it. She has the media all over her all the time, and yeah, she hates that too. She’s shadowed by the Secret Service 24/7 and while it can be a pain, she’s not hating it at all. That’s because one of her agents just happens to be Jake Baxter–cool and calm, chiseled and gorgeous. Carolina has a crush as big as a mountain on him, but doesn’t realize the feeling is mutual–until both of them are trapped by a blizzard in a cabin. Writing the first book in the series about First Daughters was great fun, and I hope you enjoy it when it releases a week from today. In the meantime, take a peek at the first chapter! It’s available HERE. There’s also a schedule for my blog tour, and a rafflecopter you can enter to win a paperback copy of CAROLINA!

 

Happy reading.

Laura :)

RT NOLA: two crazy authors on a road trip!

I’m not sure what’s more fun–getting ready for a long-anticipated trip, or getting in the car and leaving. Guess I’ll find out on Monday morning, when my crazy friend and amazing critique partner Michele Summers and I peel out of my driveway and head for New Orleans, and RT Booklovers Convention 2014.

In the meantime, I’ve been having a blast doing super-girly things, like picking out dresses, shoes and getting my nails done. Those nails are a fab color I like to call ‘fairy tale blue’ and as for dresses and shoes? I’m wearing these, and nobody’s gonna stop me!!

 

I’m no stranger to road trips. I used to make at least a couple of them a year–some of the epic–like three day drives across half the US for a summer theater job in Colorado. No A/C in my crappy car, a cat in a cat carrier beside me, the back seat so full I could barely see a patch of sky in the rearview mirror. Unashamedly blasting John Denver on my casette tape player, propping my farmer-tanned arm out the open window, keeping my eyes focused on the straight ribbon of interstate as I crossed Kansas. I was wearing cut-off jeans shorts and a raggedy tank, not the wacky fun things pictured above.  I chugged a lot of coffee, and I will on my upcoming trip, too.

But this trip will be different, that’s for sure. I’m not twenty-something anymore. My precious cat is 18 years old and doesn’t do road trips. And this time, I’m not going to make costumes (well…I’m going to make hats and tats…CLICK TO SEE EVENT!). This time, I’m not going alone, and Michele and I are so excited to meet fellow authors, have fun at parties, but most of all, get to know romance readers. We are romance readers, too, and just like all fans of romance, it’s a big hobby–a big part of our lives. We’re just lucky enough to make it our profession, too!

If you’re going to be at RT, look either one of us up. We’ll be the ones passing out custom hand-made keychain swag, rocking some great shoes, and laughing ourselves silly–because the world of romance novels is amazingly fun!

I’m going to RT to have a blast, but I’m particularly excited about sharing my upcoming May 27 AVON IMPULSE release: VARIOUS STATES OF UNDRESS: CAROLINA.

It’s the first in a series of three about daughters of the president of the US finding love. I’m loving writing this series, and I hope you enjoy reading it! It’s getting some great buzz already (woooooot!). Check out: READ TWEET REPEAT’s post and excerpt.

Okay, going to grab my big gulp coffee mugs, some swag, and Michele. I’m NOLA bound..and I promise I won’t do anything you wouldn’t do. (So send me some bail money, okay?) :D

 

Happy Reading,

Laura :)

Heroes in Tuxes…what could be better??

Today I’m so happy to be over at the Contemporary Romance Café joining in the discussion on heroes. My little addition is tuxedos, because, well…I love them. Come chat!

http://contemporaryromancecafe.com/laura-simcox/

Holiday Romance!

You know what I’m a sucker for? An awesome holiday romance novel. There’s nothing quite like settling in with an aching back, the tree decorated, the ornaments dropped by my four year old swept into the trash, the pine scented candle lit (yes, we need a candle…inquisitive cats and live trees do not mix) and a cup of whatever strikes my fancy sitting on the end table. Then….oh then! I can pick up the holiday romance I bought just for ME and crack it open. That’s how my holidays really start…with a great story. I love them so much, I wrote one. And though it released in August, Ivy Entwined is all about the magic of swirling snow, Christmas festivals, wacky decorations and family meals (none of these picture perfect straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting, mind you).

I’ve seen ‘Ivy’ compared to Hallmark Christmas movies, both favorably and not so much. And you know what? I’m quite happy with that. There’s a certain charm in giving yourself over to the unabandoned fun and yes–cheesiness of the holidays. Why not? It’s allowed…and in my world…encouraged! Nobody’s a holiday nerd when everyone is. Join me.

Today I’m the guest on Romancing the Genres, talking about holiday romance. In fact, the entire month over there is about the holidays! Come check it out: RIGHT HERE

Happy holiday romance reading fun!

Laura

Come get lost with me!

As the Ivy Entwined blog tour powers on, today I am visiting Books to Get Lost In –> HERE And, wow, what a great selection! I popped by to see my own spotlight and quickly got sucked into stuff I’d like to read. It makes me grin that my book is a part of that and would love for you to stop by and say hi. If you haven’t already, enter to win some really cute swag or a huge party in a basket. Who doesn’t want fun, free, girly stuff and chocolate arriving in their mailbox? The only thing that tops that, IMO, is fun, free girly shoes! On that note, I won’t be wearing any of those anytime soon, because I fell down in a grocery store parking lot and broke my foot.

 

Yeah. It’s strange how two seconds and a pothole can change your life. But my fingers aren’t broken and I’ve been able to power on with the next Celebration novel. Can’t WAIT to share more about that in the coming weeks! Have a great day.

Reliving the crazy days…

Hey.

Today I have the pleasure of guest posting on Read-Love-Blog. Writing this post was great fun, as I decided to delve into my not-so-distant past and talk about theatre. The story I share about a particular costume (What do fiber optic lights, flying harnesses and maxi pads have in common? Camelot. Whaa? I know, right?) is decidedly kooky, but I love me some kooky. And if you like zany humor in your romance novels, then check it out HERE. Because this post is part of my blog tour, there is a chance to enter and win my fab ‘party in a basket’ or one of three totally cute swag bags.

Hope your week starts out with a laugh! Mine did. This morning when I went to wake up my four year old, he was sitting in the middle of his bed with socks on his hands. He said ‘Ruff ruff! I’m a super doggie pirate super hero!’ Not sure what the socks had to do with that, but we both shared a laugh. That has nothing to do with my guest post today, of course, other than the fact that it is random and fun. And we all need a lot more of that in life!

Fall is in the air. Please?

Shh. I’m pretending like fall is in the air. It’s going to be difficult, since the temperature where I live is supposed to reach a humid 88 degrees today, but a girl can dream of bright blue skies, swirling leaves and…chili, right? Sure. Especially chili. I do enjoy summer, but there are things about it that make me just sigh after awhile. Like: being obligated to shave my legs every so often. Ok, a lot often. And honeydew melon…it’s tasty, but really…is it THAT good? No. And I’m really over that sinking feeling on  Saturday morning when my husband announces ”I think I’ll go mow the lawn.” Translation: I’m going to spend the whole day in the yard playing with various lawn toys that make a lot of noise while you play trains and clean up after a four year old, just like you did yesterday, the day before that and the day before that. A four year old who can’t WAIT for school to start and is sick of playing with Momma, anyway.

Ok, yes, I’m whining, and I need to shake it off, because school HAS started! And the sky is occasionally getting that bright blue tinge in the middle of the day. And a pine needle fell on my car yesterday. All of this reminds me of Ivy Entwined (nice transition, huh? Yeah, I know, not really..but go with it). It really does remind me of Ivy, because the book begins the day before Thanksgiving. It’s FULL of everything fall and I love it. Seasons are important to me when I’m writing a book because my moods, my self awareness and my sense of the world around me are all very affected by the time of year. So if you have a taste for fall, check out Ivy Entwined! Today I’m lucky enough to be featured on Book Reviews and More, a fun and really well laid out blog. Come check it out and enter to win a prize! Click HERE!!

Have a great day.

Ivy Entwined – Guest Post and Review

Such fun! And a wonderful, thoughtful review. What more could I ask for?

 

Ivy Entwined – Guest Post and Review.

A flavorful kind of day

Wish you were here
in Celebration, NY!

 

Today I have Something to Celebrate with two delicious blog stops on my tour! Lucky me gets a nice spotlight from author Melissa Kendall, here: A Little Fiction of Every Flavour. Thank you, Melissa! and a detailed interview with Romance With Flavor. It was so fun to reminisce about my glory days as a wandering, dirt-poor theater person…and I got to talk about what makes the wacky characters in Ivy Entwined tick. Stop by these blogs (they’re both really pretty, nicely designed!) and have a look! And of course, the links are up for you to enter for your chance to win a great prize. Any of which, of course, includes candy. Have a great hump day. -Laura