Xio Axelrod's Blog, page 13

Vive La France! Monday Morning Sassenach

I know it isn’t Monday morning, but I’ve been reeling from the news about David Bowie’s passing. [I hope you find life on Mars, sir.]

Despite the fandom’s disappointment that Outlander didn’t win any Golden Globes this year, we still have reason to celebrate. And I couldn’t let the day pass without sharing the first, bona fide look at season two that Starz graced us with late last week.

Breathe with me, lads and lassies. Just. Breathe.

First of all, big shout out to Terry Dresbach for her ridiculously sumptuous costumes. I can’t wait to feast my eyes on the whole look and feel of this epic season. If you haven’t read Dragonfly In Amber yet, I suggest you get on it. Though, I have heard that there have been a few more changes made to the story line.

And we still don’t have our Bree. *pout*

Soon, I hope.

Oidhche Mhath!

~Xio

We Have Our Roger, So Where’s Our Bree?

Lairds and Ladies, we have our Roger Mac. Unless you’ve been living under a Christmas tree this past month, you already knew that. But just in case, here he is: Richard Rankin.



Super effin dreamy, ain’t he? Aye! And he looks good in a kilt! (Not that he’ll likely get to wear one.)

Love the mischievous glint in his eye. And he can SING, too!

Unf, just pass me the smelling salts. Richard was my one and only choice for Roger, so, well done, Ron D. Moore et al. Well. Done.

But, um…where’s our Brianna? Aside from Jamie and Claire, Brianna has to be the most difficult role to cast. Like our protagonists, there are certain attributes that just cannot be ignored. Hair can be dyed but Bree is tall, like her father. She has to have fire to her, like her mother. It’s going to be a physically demanding role, too. So I get it. I get why it’s taking them so long to fill the bill.

That said, HURRY UP! In the meantime, let’s enjoy this gorgeous piece of fan art by “alphaxigirl“. A little Disneyesque. =)

We’re halfway through the Droughtlander, y’all. The struggle is real!

Mood: Crushin’ on Roger Mac a/k/a Rik Rankin

HOLY CRAP, IT’S (ALMOST) 2016!

Every year, we seem to say the same thing: Where the heck has the year gone? 2015 was no exception but, this time around, it doesn’t seem like an exaggeration. This year has flown by!

I don’t know about you, but my 2015 was a series of high highs and low lows. It all balanced out in the end, and this last month has been pretty phenomenal. I finally launched the FALLING STARS series and the reception has been wonderful.

Those of you that knew the story and patiently waited for its release, I just want you to know that I appreciate you beyond all measure. Thank you for sticking by me.

If you were new to my writing, and maybe discovered THE CALUM via its super awesome review in HEA on USA Today, welcome to my world! I hope you’ll stick around, I have many more stories to come.

Speaking of which, my release schedule for 2016 contains two novels and three novellas (so far). I’ll also be launching a free serial on Wattpad sometime in the next month.

Oh, and I’ll finally launch a permanent home for my Outlander obsession (outside of Tumblr, that is) called Monday Morning Sassenach. It’s been a long Droughtlander, and we still have a ways to go. Let me hold your hand while we wait together.

There are also more audio books coming, books in print, some appearances where we can actually meet face-to-face, and goodness knows what else. So much to look forward to!

I hope your 2016 is a million times better than your 2015. See you on the other side!

Happy Hogmanay!

Photo copyright: TV Guide

It’s New Year’s Eve! The time of year when we make resolutions and promise all sorts of things to ourselves, and others. Sometimes we follow through, more often than not we don’t. Does that make us bad people? I certainly hope not. Otherwise, I’d be in trouble. (I never did run that half-marathon.)

One promise I’ve made to myself is to talk more about my obsession, namely Outlander, outside of Tumblr. As most of you know, THE CALUM series was inspired by the books and the show. In fact, the original title was A JAMIE FOR CHRISTMAS, but I never did hear back from Herself (author Diana Gabaldon) on the subject. I decided to err on the side of caution and change the name. But yes, Outlander is my jawn, as we say in Philly.

To that end, I’m launching this permanent space for my Monday Morning Sassenach posts. If you’re into Outlander, you’ll love it. If not, we can’t be friends. Kidding! Maybe you’ll enjoy the pretty (borrowed) pictures. Maybe you’ll enjoy watching me fangirl. Who knows?

Dinna fash, watch this space. See you in 2016!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you and yours the very best of the season! Xio oxo

Starlight, Calum Bright, and a Merry Giveaway!

Tis the season!

Over at The Spice Aisle this week, I talked about giving your change for change. If you haven’t had a chance to check that out, please do. And don’t forget to enter our MYSTERY BOX GIVEAWAY which ends in a matter of hours. There are amazing prizes from nine incredible authors, including myself.

In the spirit of giving, I wanted to share some news about both the FALLING STARS series and THE CALUM series.

First, some news on CALUM ME MAYBE, book two in THE CALUM series. I know you’ve been waiting a long time for it, and I’d originally planned to release it this year, but I’m going to wait until January. I’m not going to give you a date. I won’t even announce anything more until the book goes live. It’ll be a New Year surprise! So, keep an eye out for that. I just did a re-read it and it left me in tears. Happy tears. Be prepared.

Keep Calm and Calum On

A lot can happen in a year.

As I sit here preparing Calum Me Maybe for release, it dawned on me that today is The Calum‘s book birthday. One year ago today, I took the plunge.

Bit the bullet.

Jumped in with both feet, etc, etc.

I’d never published a book before, and The Calum was kind of an experiment to see if I could publish a book on my own. I had no notion of it selling a single copy, much less winning any awards. I didn’t expect you to love it, but you constantly tell me you do. You’re always asking “when will we get more?” Always surprising the hell out of me. =)

I’m hoping to get CMM out by Christmas, though it’ll more likely be just after the New Year. Holiday stuff, and all. In the meantime, The Calum is 99 cents at Amazon (and most retailers). I don’t know how long that will last, but I hope you get a chance to grab it at that price.

Thank you for all of your support. Thank you for letting me live out my dream.

And thank you for loving The Calum as much as I do.

Thank ye!

~Xio

My very first award!

Hi, I’m Xio and I am pleased as punch.

A little while ago, I told you that The Calum won Best New Adult Romance in the 2015 Swirl Awards. I squeed, I danced, I popped open a tiny bottle of champagne. Little did I know that they were sending me an actual, physical award.

WHAAAAA?

Isn’t it gorgeous? I’m clearing off a space on my shelf right now, right next to Jamie and Claire. (Don’t pretend you don’t know who they are.

It’s a mystery!

Over at The Spice Aisle, we’re giving away some surprises this month! Enter for your chance to win a mystery box chock full of fun, now through December 24th. Our big winner will be chosen on Christmas Day.

Enter now!

It’s the season of giving! Romance Writers Weekly

Happy Holidays! Or at least, we at Romance Writers' Weekly hope that they are. But we know what it's like to be moms, dads, daughters, sons, workers... you name it, we have it covered. It doesn't matter which hat you're wearing, December can be the most stressful and busiest time of the year.
So we've decided to have some fun in among all the chaos. From December 2nd we'll be posting once a day about Holiday traditions, songs, stories and movies, to remind ourselves of how much fun it can be. To make it sweeter still, we are going to have a treasure hunt buried in each post, giving you a chance to collect all the clues and a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card. Plus there will be daily prizes to win, so make sure to read each blog!
To keep up with the posts, be sure to subscribe to the blog here, or follow us on Twitter or Facebook . Even better, do all three - that way you're sure not to miss out!
What are we waiting for... let's have some fun!
POSTING SCHEDULE
December 1 - Kick Off Post
December 2 - Katie O'Connor
December 3 - Jeanne McDonald
December 4 - Rebekah Ganiere
December 5 - Betty Bolte
December 6 - Veronica Forand
December 7 - A.S. Fenichel
December 8 - Juliet Cross
December 9 - Susan Scott Shelley
December 10 - Brenda Margriet
December 11 - Leslie Hachtel
December 12 - Jami Denise
December 13 - J.J. Devine
December 14 - Xio Axelrod
December 15 - Collette Cameron
December 16 - Gemma Brocato
December 17 - Tracey Gee
December 18 - S.C. Mitchell
December 19 - Eden Ashe
December 20 - Kristi Rose
December 21 - Jo Richardson
December 22 - Victoria Barbour
December 23 - Carrie Elks
December 24 - Sarah Hegger
December 25 - Round Up & How to Enter