Heather McCoubrey's Blog, page 6

Writing & Family Balance

It's now the 2nd of April, one full quarter into 2014 and I decided to review my New Year's Resolutions to see how I'm doing...This one screamed out at me:

"7. Create a better Writing & Family Balance: This is something I struggled with quite a bit this year. As a SAHM, sometimes it's hard to make the time for writing. During the day is hard because one of the littles is home and usually wants my attention. Evenings are hard because the second little is home from school and the hubby is home from work. The evenings are hard because I'm exhausted from the day and just want to veg out on the couch with my hubby watching a movie, playing a video game, knitting or reading! The past few days I created a writing schedule, much like the one I created for NaNoWriMo. Once the hubby and I agree on it, I'll post it to my calendar and do my best to stick to it. I must treat this like a job, because as soon as the littlest little goes to school next year, it will be my job! Getting into good habits now will help me to keep them better next year!"

I'd love to say that I've stuck to this resolution, but in all honesty, I haven't. I did create a schedule for writing and I put it on the calendar and I make sure that I don't schedule anything during those times. However, my problem lately has been using my "writing" time for marketing, catching up on social media and everything except writing. It's disheartening for me, at the end of a "writing" day, to have nothing to show for it. When I say "writing" I mean all aspects of writing - writing short stories, editing my novels, coming up with new ideas - all the parts of actual "writing".

My sales have dropped off since the beginning of the year and I thought maybe it was because I had all but disappeared from social media. So over the past couple weeks, I've renewed my presence, but I haven't seen an upswing in sales. It could just be because everyone who was going to buy my book, snagged it when it was free over the Christmas holiday. I don't know.

But the thing that has me most worried is "how" do I create a better writing/family balance? During the #ChickLitChat session last week, the topic was marketing/writing balance, which I thought perfectly aligned with my concerns lately. And some of the ideas I heard were ones I immediately wanted to put into practice: Scheduling tweets and/or blog posts, scheduling time on the calendar for social media (much like scheduling writing time), scheduling time on the calendar for marketing.

Many people had different ideas, what worked for one - couldn't work for another. But at this point, I'm willing to try anything. So this week, I've tried to create a schedule for everything and stick to it. I'm still working out the kinks, but it seems to be working for me so far. As soon as I get home from dropping the littles at school, I spend 30 minutes on social media. I answer FB posts, respond to tweets, check Goodreads & Pinterest, schedule tweets and post an interactive topic on Twitter. Then I get to work on writing (writing, editing, new ideas, etc.) until it's time to pick up the littlest little from preschool. Then I make lunch for us and we head back to the basement, where my office is located amongst the little's toys. I check social media again for 30 minutes, work on marketing for 45 minutes and then write until the oldest little gets home from school. Obviously, this isn't going to work every day ... but so far this week, I'm making it work.

Social Media is such a time suck and I noticed this morning that I was more susceptible to reading more and more than earlier in the week. I think that was because I was procrastinating on getting started with the edits for Back to December. The edits are a big job, with some rewriting necessary, and if it weren't for the upcoming publishing date - I'd probably let it sit in a drawer for a few weeks.

I have no way of knowing if this schedule is going to work, but I figured it was better to try something than to continue to stress over not having the time to get things accomplished. And I was missing my "date night" evenings with the hubs after the littles go to bed.

How do you balance your writing life and family life? Please let me know in the comments below...any and all advice is appreciated and encouraged.

xoxo
~Heather
 

 

I'd Like to Thank Moms Everywhere...

A pretty neat surprise was waiting for me on Tuesday when I opened my Twitter feed...I'd been nominated for an award. A friend of mine, whom I met in an online writer's class this past fall, nominated me for this award. Sadie McCurry's blog, When Mom Grows Up, was awarded this fun badge of honor last week!

Sadie's blog is full of down-to-earth advice for Moms all over the globe. Some of my favorite articles of hers include: I Want Bad Things to Happen to my Kids, Overthinking It, and Giving Our Kids Our All. She has other terrific articles, like her Rocker Mama series and her Bucket (and Reverse Bucket) Lists. I encourage you to check out her blog when you have time ... or even if you don't have time. It's worth it!

This award is called the Liebster Award -- and it's a way for up-and-coming bloggers to connect, share and learn more about each other. Thank you Sadie, for nominating me for this award!! In order to accept the award, you have to follow these steps:

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog and answer the questions they presented.

2. Link back to the blogger who awarded you.

3. Copy & paste the pink Liebster Award logo to your blog.

4 . Nominate 5 blogs to receive the award who have less than 3,000 followers. Create a new list of 11 questions for them.

5. Inform them of their nomination.

Here are the answers to the questions Sadie asked:

1. What is your favorite adult beverage? I call it Love Potion. I first tasted this drink at The Melting Pot and they call it the Love Martini. It's Malibu Rum, Peach Schnapps, Cranberry Juice and a slice of strawberry. My runner-up would have to be Malibu and Coke.

2. What is one thing you would like to study/learn that you haven’t done yet? I would love to learn another language or a musical instrument. 

3. Where would you like to visit and who would you take with you? I would love to go to Ireland, Italy and Australia. I would take my children - I love to view new places and things through their eyes, it makes the experience so much more fun and exciting.

 4. What is your favorite book?  Wings of a Dove by Elaine Barbeiri.

5. How did you get into blogging? When my huband and I first learned I was pregnant, I started a blog from our son's point of view. Each week I posted interesting facts about his development and any news we had from the doctor from the monthly, then weekly, appointments. I continued the blog into his toddler years and created a new one for my daughter when I found out I was pregnant with her. 

6. What social issue is most important to you? I have several that are very near and dear to my heart, but one that stands out the most right now is Supporting our Military. And not just the soldiers but their spouses and children, as well. I spent four years in the Air Force and my brother is currently serving in the Army. Many of my uncles served in the military. I think it is of upmost importance to support these brave men, women and children. They sacrifice much so we have the freedom to do as we please. It's something I fear many citizens take for granted - and it's one thing that shouldn't ever be taken for granted.

7. What did you want to do with your life when you were 16? I wanted to be a marine biologist, an astronaut and a lawyer. Instead, at 17 when I graduated from high school, I joined the Air Force. Now I'm a writer and a stay-at-home-mom.

8. What is one talent you have that would surprise your friends and family? I thought about this forever and I can't think of a single talent I have that would surprise anyone - I'm kind of an open book. 

9. Do you speak any other languages than English? If so, which one(s)? Sadly, no. I took Latin and Spanish in school, but I never pursued either. 

10. What are you afraid of and why? I am afraid of falling and snakes. I have no clue as to why on either of them. Strictly irrational fears.

11. Boxers or briefs? Definitely boxers!!

And now...drum roll please!! Here are my Liebster nominees:

1.  Brea Brown at The Reluctant Blogger

2.  Madeleine Mitchell at cleverboots

3.  Sue Ward at Read Along With Sue

4.  Jeannine Bergers Everett at Mobyjoe Café

5.  Jennica Anderson at Faith Filled Home

 

And here are your questions:

1. What was the main reason you created your blog?

2. What is your favorite color and why?

3. Are you an only child? If not, how many siblings do you have and where do you fall in line?

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?

5. Beach, Mountains, Plains? Why?

6. Do you prefer Winter or Summer?

7. What is your favorite beverage ... adult and first thing in the morning?

8. Are you an early riser or a night owl?

9. A tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it. Describe the sound it makes.

10. What is your favorite sea creature?

11. Are you a cat, dog, fish or bird person?

 

Happy blogging everyone! xoxo
~Heather

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Pieces of it All - Cover Reveal

I am so excited to reveal to you the cover for Tracy Krimmer's new novel: Pieces of it All.  Her latest novel is New Adult Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction and is scheduled for release in May. I love this cover designed by S.J. Pajonas. I feel the drama oozing out of the book - revealed on the character's faces - it makes me want to pick up a copy right now!

The blurb is equally titillating:

An alcoholic. A scarred man. A thief.

Harvey, a twenty-two-year-old high school drop-out arrives home, a brief stint in rehab behind him and ready to start his life again. Then he meets Beth and her innocence and her desire to have it all capture him completely.

A girl on the cusp of womanhood. Determined. A bright future.

Beth, a recent high school graduate among the top in her class, can’t wait to get to college and fulfill her dreams. Then she meets Harvey and with his mysterious past, he stirs feelings in her she can't ignore.

The chemistry between them is unmistakable but Harvey doesn't trust easily and refuses to divulge his past to Beth though she wants to be a part of his future.

The pieces of their lives lie broken all around them, but can Harvey put his life back together and win Beth over before she begins her new life without him? And can Beth find the strength to become the woman she wants to be without sacrificing her integrity?

If that doesn't get your imagination running, I don't know what will.  Stay tuned to this page - as soon as Pieces of it All is released, I'll be mentioning it here!

Here's more information about this talented author and the Goodreads book link is below.

Books have always been a part of Tracy Krimmer’s life. When she was a child, her Book It! pin was filled with stars and she won many personal pan pizzas from Pizza Hut. Her writing passion began young, around fourth grade, when her class made a notebook of short stories. She still has that notebook to this day. She published her first book, The Jealousy Game, in 2012. Her second book, Pieces of it All will be published in May 2014. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, napping, or eating popcorn.

You can find Tracy on her blog, on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads. You can find Pieces of it All on Goodreads - be sure to add it to your To Read list!

Congratulations to Tracy Krimmer on the upcoming release of Pieces of it All !

xoxo
~Heather

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Still Learning...and Changing

Yesterday I woke up and as I normally do went through my morning routine of Facebook, Twitter, Sales Report and To Love Twice's review page on Amazon. Imagine my surprise when I saw three reviews missing. At first I thought my most recent reviews had been deleted - reviews from people I didn't even know. I sent a scathing email to Amazon, posted my woes on Facebook and as people replied, offered their opinions and as I reviewed forum posts from others who've had this happen to them, I found a disturbing trend.

Many had found that Amazon was cracking down on reviews that had been posted on IP Addresses that matched an author's IP Address - at any time. So bear with me as I explain this, because it still boggles my mind. So say you have a friend who has read your book. They like it, love it or hate it - either way they post a review on Amazon. Then you visit them, open your laptop and connect to their network. Now Amazon has your account showing up on that IP Address. And now they think you, the author, has posted that review yourself. Ludicrous, right? Shouldn't they be able to see that you are normally connected to another IP Address?

And here's my question: What if I'm writing at Panera's, or Starbucks, or McDonald's. They each have free wifi and anyone can connect. So what happens if at the moment I'm connected to Panera's wifi another person connects and just happens to post a review for one of my books on Amazon? Is Amazon going to delete that review as well, because I've been on that wifi? How do they differentiate? And how fair is that?

After reading suggestions from other authors, I went through each of my remaining 97 reviews. I took a screenshot of each one and saved them on my computer -- something I now plan to do with each review I receive. As I was going through those reviews, I realized it wasn't the newest reviews that had been removed/deleted. It was reviews from three people I know. My sister, my best friend and my mother-in-law. And in each case, I've used my laptop at their houses and connected to their networks.

Apparently that was my mistake. Who knew that connecting to a friend or family member's network was going to wreak such havoc on my reviews? And sure you can say that those reviews probably don't matter. Sure they were 5-stars, but they were from people I know - how sincere and honest could they be? Well maybe you're right...but I tend to think that my family and friends would be honest with me and especially with future readers of my novel.

I realize that a few bad apples have spoiled the lot. Amazon has to crack down on reviews because a few zealous people paid for reviews, glowing reviews at that. What galls me though, is that it leaves the honest people in the lurch - fighting tooth and nail for each review they receive. I've never paid for a review. I've politely asked readers I don't know and gently cajoled people I do know to write them.

If you've read my blog before or know anything about me, you know that I'm an Indie published author. What does that mean? It means that I publish it myself, through Amazon, through Createspace and for a brief time, through Nook. I write the novels, I format them for eBook and paperback, I do all the marketing and so much more. I don't have an agent. I don't have a big publishing house behind me. I don't have a marketing team.

What I do have though are an amazing group of family and friends who support me, an amazing group of author friends who support me and offer great advice, and an amazing group of readers and fans who love my debut novel -- and are waiting with bated breath for my next novel. Everywhere I look, I read how important reviews are to sales and rankings. I'm not sure if that's true or not. But what I realized over night was that really, those reviews only matter to me. They show me that so many people love my work and can't wait for more.

And as long as I remember that, and remember I have a group of family and friends behind me, then Amazon can do as they wish. I'll have a record of all my reviews from now on and Amazon can go stuff it with their algorithms and wishy-washy rules enforcement. Amazon has done a lot for Indie authors - they've opened up doors and windows that can't even be fathomed. I'll always be grateful for that - I wouldn't be where I am now without it.

So, here's to rolling with the punches and changing my behavior and my outlook.

xoxo

~Heather

Mary's First Valentine

February 14, 2012

     "Mommy! Mommy! I need my Valentine's Day cards for school today. Are they in my backpack?" Mary asked, eyes twinkling with excitement.

     "They sure are. Are you excited for your Valentine's Day party?"

     "Yes! I hope I get lots of cards from the kids in my class."

     "I'm sure you will. Dad and I will be there to help with the party this afternoon."

     "And you'll bring the cupcakes with you?"

     "Yes, we sure will. Don't worry, we won't forget!"

     "I worked hard with Mrs. White on them."

     "I know you did. Dad tried one this morning and said they were perfect!"

     "Did you have one?"

     "No, not yet," Kate smiled. "I'll have one in a little while once my tummy feels better."

     "Why does the baby make you sick? Did I make you sick?"

     "I don't know why it happens, Mary. And yes, I was quite sick with you."

     "It doesn't sound fun," Mary said somberly.

     "Well, it's not fun. But the end result is definitely worth it!" Kate said, pulling Mary in for a hug.

     "How long will you be sick?"

     "Oh, probably another few weeks. But it's nothing to worry about, I promise."

     "When will Mr. Jason be here to get me?"

     "Mr. Jason isn't feeling well today, so Mr. Doug is taking you. I'm sure he'll be here soon."

     Ten minutes later, Mary was settled in the car and on her way to school. She bounced in her seat, excitement coursing through her small frame. Her teacher, Mrs. Simms, had said they'd do their school work in the morning so they could have the afternoon to party. Mary was excited about the party, it would be her first time. There were a lot of firsts happening this year!

     She wasn't in daycare anymore. Mom and Dad had gotten her into a special class to finish out the rest of the school year and get her ready for first year in the fall. Mom was confused about the school system in England, it was very different from what went on in America. Mary didn't care, she was just happy to be in school and meeting new friends. She had two best friends, Sara and Rachel. They lived pretty close and Mary had been to their houses for play dates. She was hoping to have another one over the weekend. They had a lot of fun together playing dress up and princesses.

     When Mary arrived at school, Mr. Doug escorted her into the building and straight to her classroom. As soon as she was through the door, she spied Sara and ran straight over to her.

     "Did you bring your Valentine's cards?" Mary asked excitedly.

     "Yes! I have ones with red and pink hearts on them. What are yours?"

     "I have special ones from my Gram in America. They have My Little Ponies on them!"

     "I love ponies! I asked my Papa for one for my birthday."

     "Do you think you'll get one?" Mary asked, eyes wide with astonishment.

     "I don't know, but I sure hope so!"

     "If you get one, can I come over and ride on it with you?"

     "Sure!"

     Mary squealed in delight and hugged her new friend.

     "Mary," Mrs. Simms called. "Can you please put your coat and bag away?"

     "Yes, ma'am," Mary nodded. She hurried over to her cubby and put her things away.

     The morning seemed to take forever to Mary. She wasn't very good at reading the clock, but it seemed like it wasn't moving at all. She even asked Mrs. Simms at one point if the clock was working. Smiling, Mrs. Simms assured her it was, but Mary didn't really believe her. Mary sat with Rachel and Sara at lunch and they talked about the upcoming party that afternoon.

     "Do you think the boys will give us cards?" Rachel asked.

     "I hope so," Sara said. "I hope Alex gives me one."

     Mary giggled. "I hope Lucas gives me one."

     "My mum made me make a card for everyone in our class," Rachel grumbled.

     "Mine too," Mary and Sara said at the same time.

     "I didn't want to give one to Alex, he's always teasing me!" Rachel said quietly.

     "Maybe he likes you?" Mary said. "My Aunt Izzy says boys act funny when they like girls."

     Rachel scrunched up her nose. "Why?"

     Mary shook her head. "Don't know."

     The girls finished their lunches and got up to throw their trash away. Then they wandered outside to play until it was time to go back to the classroom. The wind whipped Mary's hair around her face and she shivered inside her coat. Tucking her hands in her pockets, she followed Sara and Rachel over to the swings. Mary sat on one and put her hands on the chains. The metal was cold and Mary quickly changed her mind about swinging. She didn't want to be colder than she already was. When the bell rang, the girls skipped to the doors and down the hall to their classroom. They put their coats away and then settled on the rug for circle time.

     Mrs. Simms sat on her chair and pulled out a book. "Children, please quiet down. I'm going to read you a Valentine's Day story and then parents should start arriving soon to help with the party. We'll have a craft to do, some games to play and of course, we'll have a snack." The children clapped and settled down for story time.

     "Our story today is Snowy Valentine by David Peterson."

     Mary listened closely to the story, excited for the party and to pass out all her Valentine's cards. By the end of the book, she realized that she needed to fill out more cards when she got home. There were a lot of people she loved and she didn't want to miss a chance to tell them!

     When her Dad opened the door, Mary couldn't help but jump up and run to him. "You're here!"

     "Of course, love!"

     Mrs. Simms hurried over and held out her hand. "Welcome, Mr. Kent!"

     "Thank you," Edward replied. "You remember my wife, Kate?"

     "Indeed," she said as she shook Kate's hand next. "Thank you both for coming!"

     "Our pleasure," Kate said cheerfully.

     "Dad!" Mary gestured for him to bend over so she could whisper in his ear. "The boy in the blue striped shirt is Lucas," she said shyly.

     "He looks like a nice boy, Mary," Edward grinned.

     "I hope he gives me a Valentine," Mary said anxiously. "I hope he likes me."

     "He'd be a fool if he didn't, love."

     "Are you Edward Kent?" Sara asked, walking up to them.

     "I am," Edward smiled.

     "My mum thinks you're brilliant. She told my Aunt Sharon that she'd be your one and only anytime."

     Edward laughed and the children started gathering around them.

     "My mum said you were so beautiful, it was a sin!" Cora said.

     "Children," Mrs. Simms clapped her hands. "Please give Mr. Kent some space and remember your manners."

     "I can't take him anywhere," Kate chuckled to Mrs. Simms.

     "Children have no filters," Mrs. Simms said. "It's good and bad, depending on the situation."

     "Oh I know. You just never know what's going to come out of their mouths next."

     "The first game we're going to play is Pin the Heart on Cupid. Please line up and we'll start playing."

     Mary hung back holding on to Edward's hand. "What's wrong Mary?"

     "I've never played this game before," Mary said uncertainly.

     "Easy peasy, Mary. Look, they'll blindfold you. Then they spin you in a circle and then you walk to the wall and put your heart as close to Cupid as you can."

     "See Mary," Kate pointed. "Sara almost got it on Cupid."

     "All right," Mary agreed.

     She got in line behind the teaser, Alex, who was in line behind Rachel. Mary watched him reach up and tug on Rachel's hair. Rachel spun around and glared at Alex. "You shouldn't tease her, Alex. It's not kind."

     Alex grinned. "I'm not."

     "She doesn't like it when you tease her. It makes her sad," Mary told him confidently.

     Alex's grin disappeared. "I don't want her to be sad," he said softly.

     "Just be nice to her," Mary smiled.

     Mary waited patiently and when it was her turn, she held the blindfold to her eyes while Mrs. Simms tied it. She giggled while she was being spun in a circle and then on wobbly legs she staggered to the wall. Her hands were outstretched with the heart held firmly between her fingers. When she reached the wall she turned to the right and stuck the heart to the wall, ripping the blindfold off her head as soon as her hands were free of the heart. She squealed in delight to see that half of her heart was on Cupid's body. "Mom, Dad! Look! I did it!"

     Mary ran over and got hugs from Kate and Edward. The next game they played was a musical chairs type of game but instead of chairs the children stood on hearts that had been cut out of poster board. Mary and Sara were the first ones to be knocked out of the game. They stood next to Kate and Edward and cheered on the other children. Lucas was the winner and Mary was secretly pleased. She thought he was the cutest and nicest boy in class.

     After the craft which was making hearts with cellophane glued on them, it was time for snack. The cupcakes were a huge hit and Mary received many compliments on her baking.

     Finally it was time to pass out their cards. The children were let loose to drop the cards into the Valentine's boxes that they'd made earlier in the week. Mary passed them all out but one. She held Lucas' card in her hand and walked slowly over to him.

     "Hi Lucas," Mary said shyly.

     "Hi Mary."

     "Will you be my Valentine?" Mary held out the card she'd made special for Lucas. It wasn't one of the My Little Pony cards she'd given everyone else. This one was a card she'd made out of construction paper. It was blue and had a red heart glued to the front. Above the heart it said Be My Valentine? and on the inside was a picture of Mary and Lucas that she had drawn herself. At the bottom it was simply signed Love, Mary.

     Lucas nodded and handed a card to Mary. "Will you be mine?"

     Mary's smile was so enormous her eyes were partially closed. She reached out and hugged Lucas.

     Kate and Edward watched the exchange with bemused expressions on their faces.

     "I thought we still had time before this started," Edward chuckled.

     "Me too. We're in trouble."

     After the exchange of Valentine cards, the children were free to go for the day. Mary hurried over to Kate and Edward and showed them the card Lucas had given her. Edward helped her into her coat while Kate inspected the card.

     "It's lovely, Mary. He seems like such a nice boy."

     "He's dreamy, Mommy!"

     Kate laughed and hugged Mary close. "I'm not ready," Kate mouthed to Edward.

     "We never will be," he replied softly.

     When they got home, Mary asked for a frame for the card from Lucas. Kate helped her to put it together and then Mary placed the card on her bedside table. "Do you think we could have a play date with Lucas soon?"

     "I'm sure that would be fine, Mary. I'll get his Mom's number and set something up."

     "My first Valentine," Mary sighed, picking up the frame and hugging it close to her chest.



***Want more of Kate & Edward's story? Pick up your copy of To Love Twice on Amazon today! Available in paperback and eBook. You can also find more of these short stories, The Heart Between on this blog here.

Article Type: The Heart Between

Galentine's Day with Erin

Today we're here with Ms. Erin McNamara of To Love Twice. She's going to tell us how she celebrates Galentine's Day with her best girl friends. Unfamiliar with Galentine's Day? Yes, so was I! Erin will explain it to us and maybe you can begin your own tradition with your best girl friends next year.

Hi, Erin! Thanks for joining us today. Do you have anything special planned for Valentine's Day with your husband, Luke?

Thank you, I'm so happy to be here! Yes, Luke and I are going away for the weekend and we're leaving the girls with his parents. I'm so giddy at the thought of getting away for the weekend, I'm like a kid in a candy shop who's been told to go crazy - anything they want is theirs!

That can be so nice, I agree. A little break away to focus on yourselves and your relationship is a little slice of heaven! Can you share your plans with us?

Well, we're going to drive to one of our favorite destinations - a ski lodge. It's where we first met and we haven't been there in ages. We're both taking Friday off from work and driving up that morning.

Aw, that sounds so lovely! I can see why you're so excited.

It really has been a long time since Luke and I took a mini-vacation away from the girls. We try to have date-night at least once a month, but our schedules are so crazy, sometimes it's impossible.

I hope you have a great time! Now, I heard a rumor that you go out with your girl friends the night before Valentine's Day...and you call it Galentine's Day?

Yes! It is so fun and we've been doing it for quite a few years now.

How did this tradition start?

It started in college, ages and ages ago. I think it way my third year of college and I was without a boyfriend that year. My roommates weren't dating anyone either and we were all bummed about being single for the ultimate couples holiday. We were sitting around that night, moping really and I said to them "What are we doing? We're sitting around here feeling sorry for ourselves, bummed because we're not going out tomorrow night with all the other couples to spend a fortune on an overpriced dinner. No way!"

We all got dressed up and went out that night. Went out to dinner and then hit the clubs for some serious dancing. We had such a good time we vowed to do it every year after.

And have you?

Yes! We've managed to do it every year. It hasn't always been all of us - finances, work, life - has sometimes gotten in the way but we make sure to plan for and attend. And we've added new friends to the mix too. It's a great way to celebrate each other as women. Celebrate our accomplishments, celebrate our friendships, celebrate our freedom to just be women, wives, girlfriends, friends, moms...sometimes we take ourselves so seriously, our responsibilities weigh us down - and it's nice to be able to go out and just BE.

How has the celebration changed over the years?

Well, we don't usually hit up the clubs anymore! Now we find a really nice restaurant, preferably one with a separate room, we make a reservation and enjoy each other for hours. We order many bottles of wine and champagne, delicious food and desserts - and then we just indulge. Most of us have children to get home to, husbands, responsibilities...so the nights of dancing the evening away are gone. I don't know about you but my girls could care less how much sleep I got. When they're up at six I'm expected to be up and functioning with them at 100%.

Do you think you'll always celebrate Galentine's Day?

Absolutely! I sincerely hope one day my girls will be able to join me too!

What does Luke think about Galentine's Day?

He's cool with it. He really hasn't known any different, either, since I was doing it long before I met him.

Jason Spencer, Edward's bodyguard, was going to join us today but he's down with the flu bug. Erin, I appreciate you joining us today and filling us in on Galentine's Day and sharing with us how you celebrate!

Thank you for having me, I really enjoyed it. Will you be celebrating Galentine's Day this year, now that you know what it's all about?

I think I have to now! It sounds like a lot of fun and I know I can get several girl friends to join in. How about all you out there in the blogosphere? Please share your plans with us in the comments!!



***Want more of Kate & Edward's story? Pick up your copy of To Love Twice on Amazon today! Available in paperback and eBook.

Edward's Fun & Flirty Facts

We had a Q&A with Kate earlier this week and now we get to sit down with the blue-eyed hottie, Edward Kent from To Love Twice ! We've got some fun, flirty questions that we need answers to and Edward's our guy.

Celebrity you've been told you look like:

Ha! I hear this a lot: "You look just like that actor, Edward Kent. Do you know him? Is he your brother?"

Naughty food you like to indulge in:

I'm particularly fond of chocolate sauce and whipped cream...

What you wear to bed:

A pair of silk lounge pants that Kate bought me for my birthday...then again, they never stay on long once we go to bed...

Favorite body part of the opposite sex:

Favorite one? There are so many and I can't pick just one. I'll give you two: the spot at the back of the knee and the spot at the base of the throat. Erogenous!

How many people you've said "I love you" to:

Other than my family and friends? There have been two women in my life that I've said "I love you" to...Kate and Mary.

Relationship deal-breaker:

Broken trust.

Your first kiss - How old were you? Did you instigate it?:

You should know that a proper English gentlemen would never kiss and tell!

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? If so, describe:

No.

Favorite alcoholic drink:

Brandy.

Describe your dream girl:

Have you met my wife?



***Want more of Kate & Edward's story? Pick up your copy of To Love Twice on Amazon today! Available in paperback and eBook.

Romantic Excerpt from To Love Twice

~~From Chapter 16~~

     The weekend was flying by too quickly. All too soon, Georgie was at the door to pick up Mary for the night. They’d enjoyed a lazy breakfast before heading to the beach. Mary had instantly wrapped Edward around her finger, and had used it quite to her advantage. Kate was a little afraid of how easily that particular skill had come to her. It didn’t bode well for her teenage years, for sure.

     “Edward, I’d like for you to meet my sister. This is Georgie,” Kate laughed at Georgie’s eye roll.

     “Edward, so nice to meet you,” Georgie said as she shook Edward’s hand. “Are you enjoying your visit?”

     “Very much,” Edward said.

     “Ah G!!! Ah G!!!” Mary yelled as she ran and launched herself at Georgie. “I’m sleeping at your house!”

     “Hi Sweet Pea! A little excited?”

     “Yes,” Mary said. “Mom’s having a date!”

     Georgie laughed. “Well, I’m glad you’re excited. Uncle Tim is taking us out to dinner tonight,” Georgie said as she lifted Mary’s bag and slung it over her shoulder.

     “PIZZA!” Mary yelled.

     “Pizza, it’s the only one way to this girl’s heart!”

     Edward sent a playful glare at Kate. “Why didn’t you tell me that? We could have had pizza for breakfast yesterday!”

     Laughing, Kate said “You didn’t need any help. She had you wrapped around her finger in five seconds. I’m still a little appalled at how quickly that all transpired. Makes me weep for the teenage boys.” Kate motioned toward Mary’s overnight bag. “All her gear is in there, lovey, clothes and some snacks. Want me to come down with you?”

     “No, no. We’re good,” Georgie said as she opened the door. “So nice to meet you Edward, enjoy the rest of your visit.”

     “Thank you, Georgie. It was a pleasure to meet you as well,” Edward held the door open for the duo.

     “I’ll text you tomorrow and let you know when I’ll be by to pick her up,” Kate said as she gave Mary one last hug and kiss.

     “No rush. We don’t get nearly enough time with her,” Georgie said. “See you tomorrow!”

     “Bye Mama! Wuv you!”

     “Bye Mary, have fun. I love you too!” She watched as they cruised down the hall to the elevator and waved goodbye as they stepped into the elevator. Sighing, she shut the door.

     “You didn’t have to send her away, Kate,” Edward soothed as he wrapped his arms around her.

     “I know,” Kate sighed. “I want to spend some time with you, just us. And Georgie is always asking for her share of time with Mary. I’m stingy, she’s my baby and I want her all to myself. I go a little nuts when she’s not here. It’s so much easier when I go away. I have work to focus on, touristy things to do. But to be in this apartment when she’s not, it feels wrong.”

     “Empty nest syndrome. That’s what my mum calls it. She said she had it bad after everyone left the house. She told me that she’d spent so many years, so much time and energy on us that when we’d all finally gone – she didn’t know what to do with herself. Had no idea how to occupy her time.”

     “Ugh, you mean it’ll get worse with time?”

     “Undoubtedly.”

     “I can’t even imagine it,” Kate shook her head. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I just need something to do. Something to take my mind off her not being here. Shall we go out?”

     Edward leaned his head down and nuzzled her ear. Taking a couple quick nips of her earlobe, he whispered “No.”

     Kate shivered. It was delicious, the feelings that he was creating in her. He slowly backed her up to the wall. Running his hands down her sides, he continued to explore her face with his lips. Slowly he kissed his way across her cheek and when his lips reached hers, passion exploded between them.

     Breaking away from the kiss, Edward groaned. “Kate, do you want me to stop?”

     “No, don’t stop. Please!” She tugged his shirt out of his jeans. Running her hands up his chest, she sighed in appreciation. His chest was like marble, finely chiseled. Warm and tan, she reveled in the feel of it as she ran her hands over his chest and back.

     “Our first time isn’t going to be up against a wall, Kate. Hang on to me,” Edward said as he lifted her in his arms. He carried her to her bedroom and gently laid her on the bed. He slowly raised her shirt over her head and flung it across the room. Looking down at her, he sighed in appreciation. “God Kate, you’re so beautiful.” He traced his lips across her collar bones and then down between her breasts. Sighing softly, he rested his forehead on her stomach. “I’ve dreamt of this since the first night we shared dinner. Do you even know how alluring you are?”

     Sighing with pleasure and womanly pride, Kate raised her hand to his face and traced a line from his brow to his lips. “Kiss me, Edward.”



***Want more of Kate & Edward's story? Pick up your copy of To Love Twice on Amazon today! Available in paperback and eBook.

Valentine's Day Q&A with Kate

I sat down over the weekend with one of my favorite characters from To Love Twice, Kate Walker Kent. Valentine's Day is coming up fast and I thought it would be neat to do a little Q & A with her to find out what she thinks is special and romantic!

1) What three qualities do you find most attractive in a partner?

Oh, a sense of humor, definitely! He needs to be able to make me laugh. Second, his eyes. I love expressive eyes. When they twinkle with humor and melt with desire...eyes are windows to the soul. I believe you can know a lot about a person just by gazing into their eyes. And you're going to think this is silly, but I like strong wrists and hands. I find them incredibly sexy for some reason!

2) What’s your idea of romance?

Ooooh, snuggling on the couch with a glass of wine and a roaring fire. Soft music in the background, maybe some smooth jazz or classical. Oh and a little snowstorm outside wouldn't be amiss either!

3) Who's your favorite on-screen couple (Film or TV)?

I don't watch a lot of television, so I won't know about any of the new movies or shows...but I did grow up watching one of the most wonderful sitcoms ever. Lucy and Desi. They love each other deeply, you can see they have their own brand of respect and you know they'd move heaven and earth for each other. And they're hilarious!

4) What's been your most embarrassing moment in regards to the opposite sex?

Ugh...okay so a few weeks ago I was in the house by myself. Well, I thought I was there by myself but Edward came home early to surprise me with a special night out. Anyways, so I thought I was there alone. I had the music playing in our bedroom, and I was rubbing lotion on my body. Then a song by ABBA came on and I started singing at the top of my lungs and dancing like a crazy woman...completely naked. As I spun around, I caught a glimpse of him in the mirror, lounging against the door with a massive grin on his face. We never did go out for that special date night...turns out Edward loves a crazy singing and dancing naked woman. A LOT!

5) What was your first impression of your partner or crush? How accurate was it?

My first impression of Edward was that of a seriously HOT man. No, well, I mean he is HOT, but I thought he was kind and compassionate. And honestly, I thought he was a little nuts to be sitting with a complete stranger. But he is the most kind and compassionate man. He'd do anything for someone he loves. And he's HOT.

6) How have you coped with break-ups in the past?

The way every woman does, I'm sure. With lots of wine, chocolate brownies and ice cream. And maybe some homemade macaroni and cheese. And some cornbread. And Hershey bars. And more wine.

7) Which hot actor would you want to be stranded on a deserted island with and why?

HA! My husband, of course! Wouldn't you? He's devilishly handsome, he knows how to make me laugh...and he definitely knows how to take my mind off things...if you know what I mean...

8) What is the craziest thing you've ever done for love?

Hm, I'm thinking that the craziest thing I've ever done is to pack up my life, my daughter and move across the ocean to a foreign country. Yeah, I think that might be the craziest thing I've ever done.

9) PDA: How much is acceptable?

Well this depends on the circumstances. Are we out in public with the prying eyes and lenses of the paparazzi? If so, then I'd say just a quick kiss, a light hug, some hand-holding. Or are we in a theater with the lights down low and a relatively private setting? Edward and I have set a theater on fire just from kissing. It was one of our first dates, we went to see Kiss Me, Kate. Rather apt choice of plays to see, wasn't it?

10) What is the best relationship advice you've ever gotten?

Don't wait for the right time because it'll never be the right time. If you want it, you have to go get it. Take the risk, because love is worth the risk. Always.



***Want more of Kate & Edward's story? Pick up your copy of To Love Twice on Amazon today! Available in paperback and eBook.

Valentine's Week of Fun

Valentine's Day is fast approaching! In honor of this holiday which celebrates love and romance - the ChickLitChat group is putting together a fun promotion. All next week (Feb 10-14) we'll be posting some fun themed posts each day and we'll be using the hashtag #ChickLitLove to make it easy to find our posts.

Some of your favorite people from my debut novel, To Love Twice will be joining us and I hope you'll tune in to read what they have to say. Here's a bit of a teaser for what you can expect next week:

Monday: Kate will be participating in a Valentine's Day Q&A session.

Tuesday: An excerpt of To Love Twice will be posted.

Wednesday: A visit from Edward and he'll be dishing out some fun and flirty facts about himself.

Thursday: Kate's best friend, Erin, will be stopping by to tell us how she celebrates Galentines Day...and I heard a rumor that Edward's bodyguard, Jason, might also stop in!

Friday: I'll post a short story for The Heart Between, giving you a glimpse of a sweet childhood romance for little Mary. We'll also catch up with Kate and Edward to find out how their honeymoon was, how Kate's doing with the pregnancy and meet Meaghan's twins!

Be sure to check back all next week because at some point during the week, I'll be posting a question related to my debut novel. The first person who answers it correctly in the comments will win an autographed copy of To Love Twice !

Excited yet? I know I am...next week is going to be so much FUN!!

~Heather xoxo