Erin Rhew's Blog, page 4
March 26, 2018
I Am Me by Kai Strand
Today, I have the pleasure of having Kai Strand on the blog, and she's talking about her latest book I Am Me! She's a fellow Pacific Northwesterner, and an all-around awesome lady, so I'm so stoked to introduce you to her latest book!
About I Am Me
Best friends. A best friend keeps you grounded – or gives you someone to ground. She knows your favorite music, snack food, taste in boys. She even knows your triggers – like how when your mom smooths her perfectly arranged bun, your stomach clenches because you know a lecture is coming.
Lola’s best friend is no different. Cyn is one of the popularity elite, which pulls Lola into the fringes of the spotlight, but even so, Lola knows Cyn would do anything for her and Lola would do the same.
A shame really, that life gets in the way of their friendship. Let’s read an excerpt from when things are still good.
Excerpt
I choose to wear a sunny yellow shirt, denim capris, and Keds to Eddie’s party. I leave my freshly washed hair loose, so it falls in light red waves to my elbows. Wearing my hair down and the yellow of my shirt combine to accentuate my freckles, which isn’t something I like to do, but I want to feel like it’s still summer time—without actually freezing my butt off—and this outfit does that for me.Cyn’s sigh when she walks into my room and scans my clothing makes it seem like I’m a petulant toddler who unloaded the contents of the kitchen cupboards into the middle of the floor. She waves a hand to encompass all of me. “And this is why the speech outfit surprised me so much.”I know if she had her way, I’d have blown my hair out to add volume and drama. I would always wear navy blue or black, unless it was a satin, strapless, turquoise ball gown. And my outfit would end no further down than mid-thigh, not the matronly mid-calf I currently wear. Regardless, I’m still crushed by her disdain. I hoped she’d understand the nod to summer I was going for.“Lola, don’t you at least want to try to get Rome Bennett’s attention?”I scrunch my brow wondering why she’s so convinced I don’t stand a chance dressed as I am. “I guess not.”With another dramatic sigh, she turns her attention to the contents of her purse. “Do you have gum or mints or something? I couldn’t find any.”I dig through my jewelry box and pull out a pack of gum and drop it into her purse.My mom knocks on my door as she swings it open. She’s dressed as elegantly as ever in a cream color pantsuit with gold embroidered cuffs on the sleeves and legs. I don’t even think she and Dad are going out tonight, but she’s always ready to be seen in public. Always. “Lola don’t forget we have the planning meeting tomorrow. 10:00 am.”I nod, though I want to groan. I’ve been helping Mom with the Viva La Designs Fashion Show Fundraiser since I was twelve. When I was twelve, the fashion show seemed glamorous. By the time I turned fifteen I realized it’s just a bunch of middle-aged woman trying to feel young and pretty for a day while raising money for underprivileged students to attend fashion school. Yep, fashion school. So the students can become designers making overpriced clothes for over privileged people. Ugh. I fully support scholarships and higher education. I just wish it were for something I considered to be a more worthy cause than clothing a bunch of rich ladies.“I’ll be out of here by then, Mrs. R.” Cyn adds. “You’re always welcome to sleep in and leave at your leisure, Cynthia. You’re like family here.” Mom scans Cyn’s outfit and her expression is a mixture of maternal pride and adoration. Then she looks at mine. “I’ll let you change. Wouldn’t want to make you late for your party.”As Mom swings the door shut Cyn raises an eyebrow at me. I hold up a hand and shake my head. “Don’t even start.”She grins. “Our mothers are wearing matching buns tonight. When do you suppose we’ll start doing that?”“Not before we’re fifty. Skin care will be even better by then and fifty will be the new forty. We’ll have a good ten years longer before we have to start the facelift hairdo.”With a snort, Cyn snuggles up next to me, phone in hand, and leans her dark head next to mine. We smile as she snaps a selfie. Within seconds my phone is buzzing like a beehive as her worshippers click the like button under the picture she clearly tagged me in. A tone sounds, meaning someone commented, so I swipe the screen to see who said what. For some reason I’m disappointed by the shallow response of, “Beautiful as always.” But studying the picture, I have to agree. Cyn’s forest green eyes and so brown it’s almost black hair is a stunning combination. Sharp facial features; cheekbones, nose, chin, make her model quality. Her look is reminiscent of the girl from Pulp Fiction. I can even appreciate myself in the photo. People always use fruits to describe me. Peaches and cream complexion, strawberry-blond hair, eyes like green grapes. Studying the picture, I think I’m only pretty when I’m in contrast to Cyn. Alone, I sort of wash out. Stifling a sigh, I shove my phone in my pocket and realize I’m also only popular because of Cyn. What would my world be like if I didn’t have my “old soul” of a friend? Even though she’s wilder than me and does some stupid teenage stuff, such as drinks—too much if you ask me—she has always had a certain maturity about her. I still remember five-year-old Cyn looking at me with that all-seeing expression, as if she could look all the way inside me to see why my very soul chose to jump off the swings and sprain my ankle. Though she might just seem old because of her life experiences. The kind that make you grow up before your time. I give a mental shake. It isn’t likely I’ll find out what life without Cyn is like anytime soon. The girl is everything to me.
I Am Me by Kai StrandYA Contemporary
Despite—or perhaps because of—her fancy car, private school education, and life of privilege, Lola Renaldi has become a volunteer junkie. Feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, visiting the elderly—if it’s a good cause, she’s done it.
Lola’s favorite stint, building affordable houses, puts her directly in the path of Rodney. He refuses to discuss why he’s doing community service, but it’s clear he’s hiding something dark about his past. As their friendship grows, Lola begins to question the true reasons for her obsessive volunteerism and her view of those she has pledged to help.She is only beginning to understand how lucky she truly is when her life falls apart. After losing friends, her boyfriend, even Rodney, Lola finally recognizes which parts of her life she wants to hang on to and what specifically she wants to go after. But with all she’s been through, will she be able to hang onto who she wants to be? Or will she lose all that defines her?Get your copy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
About The Author
When her children were young and the electricity winked out, Kai Strand gathered her family around the fireplace and they told stories, one sentence at a time. Her boys were rather fond of the ending, “And then everybody died. The end.” Now an award winning children’s author, Kai crafts fiction for kids and teens to provide an escape hatch from their reality. With a selection of novels for young adult and middle grade readers Kai entertains children of all ages, and their adults. Learn more about Kai and her books on her website, www.kaistrand.com.
Mailing List| Facebook| Twitter| Instagram|Amazon|
About I Am Me
Best friends. A best friend keeps you grounded – or gives you someone to ground. She knows your favorite music, snack food, taste in boys. She even knows your triggers – like how when your mom smooths her perfectly arranged bun, your stomach clenches because you know a lecture is coming.
Lola’s best friend is no different. Cyn is one of the popularity elite, which pulls Lola into the fringes of the spotlight, but even so, Lola knows Cyn would do anything for her and Lola would do the same.
A shame really, that life gets in the way of their friendship. Let’s read an excerpt from when things are still good.
Excerpt
I choose to wear a sunny yellow shirt, denim capris, and Keds to Eddie’s party. I leave my freshly washed hair loose, so it falls in light red waves to my elbows. Wearing my hair down and the yellow of my shirt combine to accentuate my freckles, which isn’t something I like to do, but I want to feel like it’s still summer time—without actually freezing my butt off—and this outfit does that for me.Cyn’s sigh when she walks into my room and scans my clothing makes it seem like I’m a petulant toddler who unloaded the contents of the kitchen cupboards into the middle of the floor. She waves a hand to encompass all of me. “And this is why the speech outfit surprised me so much.”I know if she had her way, I’d have blown my hair out to add volume and drama. I would always wear navy blue or black, unless it was a satin, strapless, turquoise ball gown. And my outfit would end no further down than mid-thigh, not the matronly mid-calf I currently wear. Regardless, I’m still crushed by her disdain. I hoped she’d understand the nod to summer I was going for.“Lola, don’t you at least want to try to get Rome Bennett’s attention?”I scrunch my brow wondering why she’s so convinced I don’t stand a chance dressed as I am. “I guess not.”With another dramatic sigh, she turns her attention to the contents of her purse. “Do you have gum or mints or something? I couldn’t find any.”I dig through my jewelry box and pull out a pack of gum and drop it into her purse.My mom knocks on my door as she swings it open. She’s dressed as elegantly as ever in a cream color pantsuit with gold embroidered cuffs on the sleeves and legs. I don’t even think she and Dad are going out tonight, but she’s always ready to be seen in public. Always. “Lola don’t forget we have the planning meeting tomorrow. 10:00 am.”I nod, though I want to groan. I’ve been helping Mom with the Viva La Designs Fashion Show Fundraiser since I was twelve. When I was twelve, the fashion show seemed glamorous. By the time I turned fifteen I realized it’s just a bunch of middle-aged woman trying to feel young and pretty for a day while raising money for underprivileged students to attend fashion school. Yep, fashion school. So the students can become designers making overpriced clothes for over privileged people. Ugh. I fully support scholarships and higher education. I just wish it were for something I considered to be a more worthy cause than clothing a bunch of rich ladies.“I’ll be out of here by then, Mrs. R.” Cyn adds. “You’re always welcome to sleep in and leave at your leisure, Cynthia. You’re like family here.” Mom scans Cyn’s outfit and her expression is a mixture of maternal pride and adoration. Then she looks at mine. “I’ll let you change. Wouldn’t want to make you late for your party.”As Mom swings the door shut Cyn raises an eyebrow at me. I hold up a hand and shake my head. “Don’t even start.”She grins. “Our mothers are wearing matching buns tonight. When do you suppose we’ll start doing that?”“Not before we’re fifty. Skin care will be even better by then and fifty will be the new forty. We’ll have a good ten years longer before we have to start the facelift hairdo.”With a snort, Cyn snuggles up next to me, phone in hand, and leans her dark head next to mine. We smile as she snaps a selfie. Within seconds my phone is buzzing like a beehive as her worshippers click the like button under the picture she clearly tagged me in. A tone sounds, meaning someone commented, so I swipe the screen to see who said what. For some reason I’m disappointed by the shallow response of, “Beautiful as always.” But studying the picture, I have to agree. Cyn’s forest green eyes and so brown it’s almost black hair is a stunning combination. Sharp facial features; cheekbones, nose, chin, make her model quality. Her look is reminiscent of the girl from Pulp Fiction. I can even appreciate myself in the photo. People always use fruits to describe me. Peaches and cream complexion, strawberry-blond hair, eyes like green grapes. Studying the picture, I think I’m only pretty when I’m in contrast to Cyn. Alone, I sort of wash out. Stifling a sigh, I shove my phone in my pocket and realize I’m also only popular because of Cyn. What would my world be like if I didn’t have my “old soul” of a friend? Even though she’s wilder than me and does some stupid teenage stuff, such as drinks—too much if you ask me—she has always had a certain maturity about her. I still remember five-year-old Cyn looking at me with that all-seeing expression, as if she could look all the way inside me to see why my very soul chose to jump off the swings and sprain my ankle. Though she might just seem old because of her life experiences. The kind that make you grow up before your time. I give a mental shake. It isn’t likely I’ll find out what life without Cyn is like anytime soon. The girl is everything to me.
I Am Me by Kai StrandYA Contemporary
Despite—or perhaps because of—her fancy car, private school education, and life of privilege, Lola Renaldi has become a volunteer junkie. Feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, visiting the elderly—if it’s a good cause, she’s done it.
Lola’s favorite stint, building affordable houses, puts her directly in the path of Rodney. He refuses to discuss why he’s doing community service, but it’s clear he’s hiding something dark about his past. As their friendship grows, Lola begins to question the true reasons for her obsessive volunteerism and her view of those she has pledged to help.She is only beginning to understand how lucky she truly is when her life falls apart. After losing friends, her boyfriend, even Rodney, Lola finally recognizes which parts of her life she wants to hang on to and what specifically she wants to go after. But with all she’s been through, will she be able to hang onto who she wants to be? Or will she lose all that defines her?Get your copy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
About The Author
When her children were young and the electricity winked out, Kai Strand gathered her family around the fireplace and they told stories, one sentence at a time. Her boys were rather fond of the ending, “And then everybody died. The end.” Now an award winning children’s author, Kai crafts fiction for kids and teens to provide an escape hatch from their reality. With a selection of novels for young adult and middle grade readers Kai entertains children of all ages, and their adults. Learn more about Kai and her books on her website, www.kaistrand.com.
Mailing List| Facebook| Twitter| Instagram|Amazon|
March 10, 2018
Heads Down
Hey, y'all! I've been heads down lately working on an editing project on my Erin Rhew Editing and Design side as well as finishing up my latest book to be pitched on #PitMad!
I am pleased to say I have finally finished the Molly and Ryder story, and it finally has a name--THE TRANSHUMAN PROJECT! Woot!! I have always been a huge sci-fi person, so I'm thrilled to have a sci-fi book ready for the world to see. And when I pitched on #PitMad, I got some hits, so I'm thrilled about that! YAY!
Here's the image I imagine for The Transhuman Project!
Both Deek and I have been buried in projects. He's working on The Injector, the sequel to The Extractor. He's almost done with the "creative vomit," and then he'll start the long, arduous process of editing. I finished The Transhuman Project, and I've decided that I'll rewrite Restore To Me from solely the women's perspective. So, that's the next thing I'm tackling.
But though we've been busy writing, we haven't forgone all the fun! Here's some of the shenanigans we've been up to lately.
Recently it was International Women's Day, so I had to give props to these and all the other AMAZING women in my life!
We had a warm snap, so I could work outside in our three-season room with this little nugget.
Blooming trees and a bird's nest...spring is almost here.Although, they are forecasting snow this weekend. <insert pout>
Trinity LOVES her Daddy. She's *such* a Daddy's girl!
Who can say no to this face?!?
Thanks to generous gift cards, Deek and I were able to get a much-needed couple's massage.
I got a new sign for my desk. "Sweatpants Zone" represent.
When you wake up and look like a pineapple. #ShortHairProblems
The latest books to be released by Tenacious Books Publishing!Aren't they purty?
Deek got free tickets to a hockey game from his work. It included a VIP parking pass and a food voucher. So, naturally, we got nachos with said food voucher.
I may be lactose intolerant, but I can't resist nachos!
Spring is coming, y'all! I'm so thankful to have schlogged through another winter and made it to the other side! So, I'll leave you with this beautiful thought...
Da beach...
I am pleased to say I have finally finished the Molly and Ryder story, and it finally has a name--THE TRANSHUMAN PROJECT! Woot!! I have always been a huge sci-fi person, so I'm thrilled to have a sci-fi book ready for the world to see. And when I pitched on #PitMad, I got some hits, so I'm thrilled about that! YAY!
Here's the image I imagine for The Transhuman Project!Both Deek and I have been buried in projects. He's working on The Injector, the sequel to The Extractor. He's almost done with the "creative vomit," and then he'll start the long, arduous process of editing. I finished The Transhuman Project, and I've decided that I'll rewrite Restore To Me from solely the women's perspective. So, that's the next thing I'm tackling.
But though we've been busy writing, we haven't forgone all the fun! Here's some of the shenanigans we've been up to lately.
Recently it was International Women's Day, so I had to give props to these and all the other AMAZING women in my life!
We had a warm snap, so I could work outside in our three-season room with this little nugget.
Blooming trees and a bird's nest...spring is almost here.Although, they are forecasting snow this weekend. <insert pout>
Trinity LOVES her Daddy. She's *such* a Daddy's girl!
Who can say no to this face?!?
Thanks to generous gift cards, Deek and I were able to get a much-needed couple's massage.
I got a new sign for my desk. "Sweatpants Zone" represent.
When you wake up and look like a pineapple. #ShortHairProblems
The latest books to be released by Tenacious Books Publishing!Aren't they purty?
Deek got free tickets to a hockey game from his work. It included a VIP parking pass and a food voucher. So, naturally, we got nachos with said food voucher.
I may be lactose intolerant, but I can't resist nachos!Spring is coming, y'all! I'm so thankful to have schlogged through another winter and made it to the other side! So, I'll leave you with this beautiful thought...
Da beach...February 14, 2018
Illogicon 2018
So y'all know we love Illogicon, right? Well, we were back there again this year for another round of awesomeness! And this year, I didn't have a stomach virus right before (hallelujah!!), so I could enjoy it that much more! :)
Here's a pictorial review of the wonderment!
Set up and ready to rumble!
This is our candy box for our trivia game, but the sentiment holds true! <3
Husband and wife Boba Fetts! We can so get behind spouses who love the same things!
Nick Fury in da house!AND he knows my future cousin-in-law, so WOOT!We love the cosplayers!
Aaron bought all five of our books!THANK YOU, Aaron! You rock!
And now his watch begins...Games of Thrones up in here!
An adorbs lady let me try on her Luna Lovegood sunglasses!
Sam and Dean! Sam and Dean! Sam and Dean! And Castiel! SQUEE!!!!Ignore my coat...it was *freezing* in the vendor hall!
My man looks good wielding a sword!
Post-con dinner cray!
Getting kissed on by this sexy man!And trying orange bangs...
Our groovy booth neighbors--The Burkheads--doing a Birth selfie!They're another husband and wife writing pair!Their book, The Black Lily, is in the foreground!
Alice in Wonderland!
BB8 is checking out The Coven by our friend Chrissy Lessey!
Tots love all the Star Wars wonderfulness!
Caffeine bump for Day 3
This amazing lady bid on Birth (and won!) for an auction to help children of domestic violence.We are strong supporters of this cause, so we appreciated her bid so much!
This lovely bough Birth and plans to recommend it to her bookclub! They want Deek to Skype with them during their meeting to discuss the book!WOOT!
We love the spirit and atmosphere at Illogicon! If you haven't gotten a chance to check it out, definitely come next year! We hope to see you there!
Here's a pictorial review of the wonderment!
Set up and ready to rumble!
This is our candy box for our trivia game, but the sentiment holds true! <3
Husband and wife Boba Fetts! We can so get behind spouses who love the same things!
Nick Fury in da house!AND he knows my future cousin-in-law, so WOOT!We love the cosplayers!
Aaron bought all five of our books!THANK YOU, Aaron! You rock!
And now his watch begins...Games of Thrones up in here!
An adorbs lady let me try on her Luna Lovegood sunglasses!
Sam and Dean! Sam and Dean! Sam and Dean! And Castiel! SQUEE!!!!Ignore my coat...it was *freezing* in the vendor hall!
My man looks good wielding a sword!
Post-con dinner cray!
Getting kissed on by this sexy man!And trying orange bangs...
Our groovy booth neighbors--The Burkheads--doing a Birth selfie!They're another husband and wife writing pair!Their book, The Black Lily, is in the foreground!
Alice in Wonderland!
BB8 is checking out The Coven by our friend Chrissy Lessey!
Tots love all the Star Wars wonderfulness!
Caffeine bump for Day 3
This amazing lady bid on Birth (and won!) for an auction to help children of domestic violence.We are strong supporters of this cause, so we appreciated her bid so much!
This lovely bough Birth and plans to recommend it to her bookclub! They want Deek to Skype with them during their meeting to discuss the book!WOOT!We love the spirit and atmosphere at Illogicon! If you haven't gotten a chance to check it out, definitely come next year! We hope to see you there!
January 27, 2018
OMG with the snow...
So, you know I'm a Southern girl, right? And you know I prefer summers and beaches, right? Well, in January alone, the South has seen unprecedentedly low temperatures and two snowstorms. UGH! And if the weather rumors are correct (and who can know that since they're not even correct the day things are happening), we might get more in February. GAH! Is it summer yet?
The first snow didn't produce too much, but it was enough to shut down the South for a day or two.
But Deek got to work from home! YAY!
And we drank lots of tea from our cool Star Trek looking teapot!
The second time around, it came down a little more!
I don't hide my feelings on the matter. LOL!
But, it made a cool view from our three season room.I *love* that room!
The bright sun shimmering off the snow highlighted Trinity in a glow of kitty beauty!
Gus was so cold, he wanted to sit inside my jacket. LOL!
One time, I chose to go into the snow and go tubing on Mt. Hood with Deek.Y'all, these trees in Oregon are everything... <3It's not really relevant, but I just love the picture.
While we were snowed it, at least Deek got to work from home, by my side, for several more days. That's the one benefit of snow...more time with my man!! And we'd done a good job of stocking up on food, so we didn't have any problems there. In fact, the night it started snowing hard, we cooked up several batches of meals to use in the coming days. We kinda ate like kings...albeit healthy kings. LOL! By the end, I'd almost run out of Aloha bars, Bai drinks, and plantains, but our stock held until it was safe to venture out again.
Snack of gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free champions! ;)
We enjoyed movies, popcorn, and Bai drinks in the presence of the great and mighty Trinity!
Then finally, finally, all the snow melted, and the South returned to its regularly scheduled program (50-60 degree days)! Deek and I went for a 5+ mile walk because we were SO happy to feel the glorious sun on our faces and feel the warmth against our skin!
This man, y'all. I had *no* idea it was possible to be this happy or this in love.Deek is my dream come true! <3
Deek's kisses are hotter than the sun! <3
Meanwhile, our gym handed out free flowers to help combat the January blahs.How cool is that?And we *had* to put them in a Mason jar because...the South. ;)
Thankfully, January is almost over. Only one more month to go before spring makes its glorious appearance. Until then, I'll be over here dreaming about the beach and the sun so hot if feels like it's eating your skin. ;)
PS. I've been so busy with the latest changes in our lives and so obsessed with surviving the snow, I realized I didn't do a post on Illogicon!! We had a fabulous time there and met some amazing people, so stay tuned for that post soon!
Until next time, stay warm, and may the sun be ever on your face. ;)
The first snow didn't produce too much, but it was enough to shut down the South for a day or two.
But Deek got to work from home! YAY!
And we drank lots of tea from our cool Star Trek looking teapot!The second time around, it came down a little more!
I don't hide my feelings on the matter. LOL!
But, it made a cool view from our three season room.I *love* that room!
The bright sun shimmering off the snow highlighted Trinity in a glow of kitty beauty!
Gus was so cold, he wanted to sit inside my jacket. LOL!
One time, I chose to go into the snow and go tubing on Mt. Hood with Deek.Y'all, these trees in Oregon are everything... <3It's not really relevant, but I just love the picture.While we were snowed it, at least Deek got to work from home, by my side, for several more days. That's the one benefit of snow...more time with my man!! And we'd done a good job of stocking up on food, so we didn't have any problems there. In fact, the night it started snowing hard, we cooked up several batches of meals to use in the coming days. We kinda ate like kings...albeit healthy kings. LOL! By the end, I'd almost run out of Aloha bars, Bai drinks, and plantains, but our stock held until it was safe to venture out again.
Snack of gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free champions! ;) 
We enjoyed movies, popcorn, and Bai drinks in the presence of the great and mighty Trinity!Then finally, finally, all the snow melted, and the South returned to its regularly scheduled program (50-60 degree days)! Deek and I went for a 5+ mile walk because we were SO happy to feel the glorious sun on our faces and feel the warmth against our skin!
This man, y'all. I had *no* idea it was possible to be this happy or this in love.Deek is my dream come true! <3
Deek's kisses are hotter than the sun! <3
Meanwhile, our gym handed out free flowers to help combat the January blahs.How cool is that?And we *had* to put them in a Mason jar because...the South. ;) Thankfully, January is almost over. Only one more month to go before spring makes its glorious appearance. Until then, I'll be over here dreaming about the beach and the sun so hot if feels like it's eating your skin. ;)
PS. I've been so busy with the latest changes in our lives and so obsessed with surviving the snow, I realized I didn't do a post on Illogicon!! We had a fabulous time there and met some amazing people, so stay tuned for that post soon!
Until next time, stay warm, and may the sun be ever on your face. ;)
January 17, 2018
Changes
There's the old saying, "The only thing that never changes is that everything changes." Well, that's true. Another one I like is, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
Last year, a lot of things changed--my dad had bypass surgery, my beloved PaPa died, we bought a house and moved, friends and family from the PNW came to stay with us, and my biological father died. It was a mixed bag of good and bad. More bad than good, so I was happy to see 2017 go. Buh-bye.
Some days life feel like this...
And this year is starting out with changes too. BookFish Books, the small press I've worked for since 2013, is closing its doors. It's a bittersweet thing for me. On the one hand, I'm sad for the authors, sad the business wasn't able to stand the test of time, sad because these beautiful books won't be in the world, at least temporarily (I hope some of the authors will sign with other presses or self-pub). And on the other hand, it gives me more time to focus on my writing, build my editing business, and work with new authors at Tenacious Books Publishing.
But still, it's hard to say goodbye. Some of the BookFish people are like family to me. Thankfully we live in a digital world where everyone is just a text or email away. And yet...it'll never be the same.
In general, I would say I roll with change quite well (except for the season changes because I abhor winter), so I consider myself pretty adaptable. But I still haven't accepted PaPa's loss, and I'm still puzzling out the situation with my biological father's death. Deek always says I'm a deep thinker with a huge brain. While I suppose that's good in a lot of ways, it can make letting go of deeply important things that much harder.
His BabyDoll forever...
At the same time, change reminds us to be thankful for the times we had and the things that are the same. I'll always have my memories of PaPa, and I'll be his BabyDoll for the rest of my days. I'll always be proud of the BookFish team and the amazing books we unleashed upon the world. Some of these things may fade in my mind over time, but the imprint they leave on my heart will last forever.
So as things go away, I'm focusing on what's still here. While Deek and I will grow and changes as people and as a couple, we'll stand the test of time. That knowledge brings me great comfort in these moments when changes overwhelm me. I glance at my husband, and a peace comes over me. He's my rock, my happy place, my calm in the storm. When my heart aches over PaPa, or when ponder life because of what happened to my biological father, or when I choke up working on the final paperwork for BookFish, Deek is there. He's there to hold me when I cry, discuss my many random and varying theories, and tell me everything is going to work out fine. He's full of life, joy, passion, and humor. I adore that about him!
This man, y'all! This man makes my world so bright!!
In times of change or uncertainty, grab on to what is real, loving, and tangible. Remember the good times from the past, but step boldly into your future.
Erin and Deek forever!
Tenacious Books Publishing
Molly and Ryder, my YA sci-fi novel
Last year, a lot of things changed--my dad had bypass surgery, my beloved PaPa died, we bought a house and moved, friends and family from the PNW came to stay with us, and my biological father died. It was a mixed bag of good and bad. More bad than good, so I was happy to see 2017 go. Buh-bye.
Some days life feel like this...And this year is starting out with changes too. BookFish Books, the small press I've worked for since 2013, is closing its doors. It's a bittersweet thing for me. On the one hand, I'm sad for the authors, sad the business wasn't able to stand the test of time, sad because these beautiful books won't be in the world, at least temporarily (I hope some of the authors will sign with other presses or self-pub). And on the other hand, it gives me more time to focus on my writing, build my editing business, and work with new authors at Tenacious Books Publishing.
But still, it's hard to say goodbye. Some of the BookFish people are like family to me. Thankfully we live in a digital world where everyone is just a text or email away. And yet...it'll never be the same.
In general, I would say I roll with change quite well (except for the season changes because I abhor winter), so I consider myself pretty adaptable. But I still haven't accepted PaPa's loss, and I'm still puzzling out the situation with my biological father's death. Deek always says I'm a deep thinker with a huge brain. While I suppose that's good in a lot of ways, it can make letting go of deeply important things that much harder.
His BabyDoll forever...At the same time, change reminds us to be thankful for the times we had and the things that are the same. I'll always have my memories of PaPa, and I'll be his BabyDoll for the rest of my days. I'll always be proud of the BookFish team and the amazing books we unleashed upon the world. Some of these things may fade in my mind over time, but the imprint they leave on my heart will last forever.
So as things go away, I'm focusing on what's still here. While Deek and I will grow and changes as people and as a couple, we'll stand the test of time. That knowledge brings me great comfort in these moments when changes overwhelm me. I glance at my husband, and a peace comes over me. He's my rock, my happy place, my calm in the storm. When my heart aches over PaPa, or when ponder life because of what happened to my biological father, or when I choke up working on the final paperwork for BookFish, Deek is there. He's there to hold me when I cry, discuss my many random and varying theories, and tell me everything is going to work out fine. He's full of life, joy, passion, and humor. I adore that about him!
This man, y'all! This man makes my world so bright!!In times of change or uncertainty, grab on to what is real, loving, and tangible. Remember the good times from the past, but step boldly into your future.
Erin and Deek forever!
Tenacious Books Publishing
Molly and Ryder, my YA sci-fi novelDecember 21, 2017
So This Is Christmas...
Hey y'all!! Deek and I have been crazy busy, so the blog is a little lacking. I got a last minute, end-of-the-year editing project, and I'm been heads down focusing on that amidst the normal Christmas fray. Meanwhile, Deek has bee busy editing my still nameless Molly and Ryder story!
But I'm happy to report that we are completely done with our Christmas shopping (and came in *under* budget--YAY Dave Ramsey)! So, now we can relax and enjoy the holiday festivities until the Big Day arrives.
We went on a holiday lights tour and had a blast!
This will be my first Christmas without PaPa, and I must admit, I'm having trouble getting into the jolliness of the season. See, not only is PaPa gone but things are changing because of it. Our annual family Christmas Day gathering will be no more. Thanksgiving and Easter will be at someone else's house, if they continue at all. All these traditions which so defined my childhood, my life, are slipping away. I've always partially defined myself by the big ole, loving Southern family I come from. Without spending time with them at every holiday, a big part of me is changing, forever altered. I know I'll still see them, but it will be different. I'm usually one who can roll with change pretty well, but I'm having trouble adjusting to this particular one.
Add about a hundred more people, and that's my family...
I hope and pray that the generation before me (my mom's generation) will keep the family gatherings and traditions alive. I'm thankful to my Aunt Tammy and my I-don't-even-know-what-level cousin Marion for offering their homes to ensure the family celebrates Christmas Eve together as we always have. They're stepping up, and I'm beyond grateful that not everything died alongside PaPa. He would be proud of his baby girl for keeping the family together at Christmas. So, a big PaPa thumbs-up to Tammy! <3
Isn't my aunt purty? And my PaPa...oh my PaPa...
Deek and I set aside a budget for Christmas adventures, and we've been enjoying that random sprinkling of fun inside the holiday bustle. We've been keeping up regular traditions and adding news ones as we find them. This is wonderful time of year for traditions, and we're big on that! :)
We miss Portland, so we're trying to get a downtown experience in the South.It's so not the same, but it'll do for now.
Deek and I got coffee and had a walking Christmas lights date!
Got to sit on the Big Man's lap and make my Christmas wish.I asked him to keep my whole big family together for the holidays, and he said he'd do his best!Thanks, Santa!
My hubster surprised me with a lunch date.I LOVE spending time with this amazing man, y'all!
And we've been checking out Christmas lights at all the local "best spots."
We saw some that have been featured on TV!
Even Shakespeare got in on the lights action!
I don't know if I'll post again before Christmas, or even the week after Christmas since Deek has the whole week off (SQUEE), but I wish you and yours the happiest of holidays!! If you lost someone precious this year, I feel your pain and sorrow. I really and truly do. But gather those you still have into your arms and squeeze them extra tight. Because when you strip away the tinsel, lights, and gifts, Christmas is about family and love. So love on that family of yours with all your might.
And I'll be over here loving on mine. My parents, my Mema, my immediate family, my big ole extended family, and my beloved, beloved Deek! Despite the pain of losing PaPa, I know I'm epically blessed to have my family and Deek's family so full and present in our lives. And that joy will glow inside me--past the pain, past the hustle and bustle--forever!
This man, y'all. This amazing, astounding, out-of-this-world man!No matter what's going on, we always find a way to laugh.I love you, my Deek. Now and #always!
Until next time...Happiest of Holidays from our family to yours!
But I'm happy to report that we are completely done with our Christmas shopping (and came in *under* budget--YAY Dave Ramsey)! So, now we can relax and enjoy the holiday festivities until the Big Day arrives.
We went on a holiday lights tour and had a blast!This will be my first Christmas without PaPa, and I must admit, I'm having trouble getting into the jolliness of the season. See, not only is PaPa gone but things are changing because of it. Our annual family Christmas Day gathering will be no more. Thanksgiving and Easter will be at someone else's house, if they continue at all. All these traditions which so defined my childhood, my life, are slipping away. I've always partially defined myself by the big ole, loving Southern family I come from. Without spending time with them at every holiday, a big part of me is changing, forever altered. I know I'll still see them, but it will be different. I'm usually one who can roll with change pretty well, but I'm having trouble adjusting to this particular one.
Add about a hundred more people, and that's my family...
I hope and pray that the generation before me (my mom's generation) will keep the family gatherings and traditions alive. I'm thankful to my Aunt Tammy and my I-don't-even-know-what-level cousin Marion for offering their homes to ensure the family celebrates Christmas Eve together as we always have. They're stepping up, and I'm beyond grateful that not everything died alongside PaPa. He would be proud of his baby girl for keeping the family together at Christmas. So, a big PaPa thumbs-up to Tammy! <3
Isn't my aunt purty? And my PaPa...oh my PaPa...Deek and I set aside a budget for Christmas adventures, and we've been enjoying that random sprinkling of fun inside the holiday bustle. We've been keeping up regular traditions and adding news ones as we find them. This is wonderful time of year for traditions, and we're big on that! :)
We miss Portland, so we're trying to get a downtown experience in the South.It's so not the same, but it'll do for now.
Deek and I got coffee and had a walking Christmas lights date!
Got to sit on the Big Man's lap and make my Christmas wish.I asked him to keep my whole big family together for the holidays, and he said he'd do his best!Thanks, Santa!
My hubster surprised me with a lunch date.I LOVE spending time with this amazing man, y'all!
And we've been checking out Christmas lights at all the local "best spots."
We saw some that have been featured on TV!
Even Shakespeare got in on the lights action!I don't know if I'll post again before Christmas, or even the week after Christmas since Deek has the whole week off (SQUEE), but I wish you and yours the happiest of holidays!! If you lost someone precious this year, I feel your pain and sorrow. I really and truly do. But gather those you still have into your arms and squeeze them extra tight. Because when you strip away the tinsel, lights, and gifts, Christmas is about family and love. So love on that family of yours with all your might.
And I'll be over here loving on mine. My parents, my Mema, my immediate family, my big ole extended family, and my beloved, beloved Deek! Despite the pain of losing PaPa, I know I'm epically blessed to have my family and Deek's family so full and present in our lives. And that joy will glow inside me--past the pain, past the hustle and bustle--forever!
This man, y'all. This amazing, astounding, out-of-this-world man!No matter what's going on, we always find a way to laugh.I love you, my Deek. Now and #always!Until next time...Happiest of Holidays from our family to yours!
December 4, 2017
The First Birthday Without PaPa
Today would have been PaPa's 85th birthday. It's weird because he always said he'd never make it to 85, and he didn't. But I always thought he would. To me, he was invincible. He could do anything--move mountains, climb skyscrapers, anything. He was my PaPa, and I, his Babydoll, adored him.
It's been almost five months since he passed, and I still can't utter his name without choking up. I still can't stand to look at pictures because it still hurts too much. Even though I know he's not coming back, I find myself gazing at "his" chair in his office and at his house and wishing he'd just magically appear there. In fact, I get a little ruffled under the feathers if someone sits there because it's PaPa's chair.
Deek and I were talking recently about when people die and how the people left here are keepers of their memories. And I cried wondering when my generation and the one after me--those who experienced the greatness of PaPa--are gone, who will remember him? I don't want the wonderfulness that is him to fade. And Deek told me that every time I show love, mercy, gratefulness, and generosity, I'm spreading PaPa's spirit to the world. They may not remember him personally, but he'll still leave his mark when I'm kind because he was and someone else is kind because I was. In that same way, PaPa himself spread the light and love of his parents and grandparents to me even though I never knew them.
It's not the same, but it's something. It's a way for me to keep PaPa's memory alive past him, past me, past the generation behind me. I'll tell a few more jokes. Try to live in the present more rather than focus on the future. I'll hug my people every time I see them. I'll pursue my passions and dreams with more gusto. I'll put my nose to the grindstone and work even harder. I'll do my best to show the traits I learned from PaPa, and in doing so, you'll know him a little too. And maybe after I share joke, you'll tell it at a get together, and when people laugh, PaPa will be there. And someone else will tell that same joke, and the cycle continues. Man, PaPa did love a joke. I can still hear his laughter in my head and in my heart.
PaPa had five wonderful brothers and a lovely sister. I can still see each one of their faces and hear their voices in my mind. They understood the meaning of family, and they taught it to all of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I don't want any of them to fade. So, I'm going to post a picture and list all their names so there's a record. And when you see them, I want you to think of your own family--your mother, your brother, your wife, your child--and I want you do something today that shows them you love them. And when you do, these seven people will be there, smiling and laughing because family was everything to them.
Top row, left to right: Stacy, Ed, HaroldBottom row, left to right: Darwin (PaPa), Wendell, John (aka: Bunky), and Eldred
I love you, PaPa. I miss you, and I always will. I know they say "time heals all wounds" and all that, but I don't think I'll ever really get over losing you. I will, however, do my best to make you proud and keep your spirit alive now and in the future.
Happy Birthday!
It's been almost five months since he passed, and I still can't utter his name without choking up. I still can't stand to look at pictures because it still hurts too much. Even though I know he's not coming back, I find myself gazing at "his" chair in his office and at his house and wishing he'd just magically appear there. In fact, I get a little ruffled under the feathers if someone sits there because it's PaPa's chair.
Deek and I were talking recently about when people die and how the people left here are keepers of their memories. And I cried wondering when my generation and the one after me--those who experienced the greatness of PaPa--are gone, who will remember him? I don't want the wonderfulness that is him to fade. And Deek told me that every time I show love, mercy, gratefulness, and generosity, I'm spreading PaPa's spirit to the world. They may not remember him personally, but he'll still leave his mark when I'm kind because he was and someone else is kind because I was. In that same way, PaPa himself spread the light and love of his parents and grandparents to me even though I never knew them.
It's not the same, but it's something. It's a way for me to keep PaPa's memory alive past him, past me, past the generation behind me. I'll tell a few more jokes. Try to live in the present more rather than focus on the future. I'll hug my people every time I see them. I'll pursue my passions and dreams with more gusto. I'll put my nose to the grindstone and work even harder. I'll do my best to show the traits I learned from PaPa, and in doing so, you'll know him a little too. And maybe after I share joke, you'll tell it at a get together, and when people laugh, PaPa will be there. And someone else will tell that same joke, and the cycle continues. Man, PaPa did love a joke. I can still hear his laughter in my head and in my heart.
PaPa had five wonderful brothers and a lovely sister. I can still see each one of their faces and hear their voices in my mind. They understood the meaning of family, and they taught it to all of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I don't want any of them to fade. So, I'm going to post a picture and list all their names so there's a record. And when you see them, I want you to think of your own family--your mother, your brother, your wife, your child--and I want you do something today that shows them you love them. And when you do, these seven people will be there, smiling and laughing because family was everything to them.
Top row, left to right: Stacy, Ed, HaroldBottom row, left to right: Darwin (PaPa), Wendell, John (aka: Bunky), and EldredI love you, PaPa. I miss you, and I always will. I know they say "time heals all wounds" and all that, but I don't think I'll ever really get over losing you. I will, however, do my best to make you proud and keep your spirit alive now and in the future.
Happy Birthday!
November 24, 2017
Looking For A Gift?
Would you sacrifice everything for love?
A life must be lost. Who will make the ultimate sacrifice?
Lawson lives a simple life: a job at a brewery, and his basketball and hockey leagues. Even his eccentric lifelong friend and roommate—who is intent on discovering time travel—doesn’t complicate things. Then Jory appears. Lawson feels an immediate attraction to her, yet their attempts at dating end with him thinking it just isn’t meant to be. But Jory refuses to give up.
When one date ends tragically, Lawson turns to his best friend and the experimental time travel program he’s invented. But, no matter what he does, each time the reset ends with a loss.
It’s clear…a life must be lost, and Lawson is prepared to give his for Jory. But he isn’t the only one playing with time.
Will he spare Jory by forfeiting his own life? Or will someone else make the ultimate sacrifice?
Buy now:Amazon| Barnes & Noble| iTunes| Goodreads
Excerpt:
Chapter 1 “So you’re going for the stalker approach, I see.” Lawson sighed and shifted his gaze to the table. Der- rick was a jerk, but he was also right. “She just moved here from Washington.” Despite himself, Lawson raised an eyebrow and prompted for more information from his boss. Their boss. “State or DC?” “State. Some small town east of the Cascades. I don’t remember the name.” Derrick took a big bite of his ham- burger and only half chewed it before continuing. “She at- tended Central Washington University, but didn’t graduate. She was going for a B.S. in Craft Brewing. That’s the main reason she got the job. She’s qualified. The fact that she’s smoking hot is just a bonus.” Lawson cringed. “Pretty sure admitting that you find her attractive is verging on illegal, dude.” Derrick shrugged. “Probably. Hell, not finding you at- tractive could probably get me in trouble these days.” Lawson snorted. His gaze wandered to Jory one more time. He’d barely said three words to her in the few days she’d worked at the brewery. Her beauty intimidated him, making him stammer like a pubescent teen. He seemed to be the only one having that problem. She sat at a table with three guys from bottling and a girl from the office. The guys looked like total vultures, with beady eyes and hunching postures as if ready to pounce. But Jory appeared oblivious. She laughed at their stories and seemed to share her own. Why the hell was he sitting with Derrick instead of at that table? He should have sat down with them when he came into the break room. It would’ve been natural. Instead, he slumped his big, bulky body into the corner like the stalker Derrick accused him of being. The light that glinted off her auburn waves when she tossed her head back to laugh made his fingers itch. The long line of her neck taunt- ed him: I know you want to taste me. Curling his hands into fists, he tipped his head forward so that his chin length hair made a curtain between them and focused on his plate of food, deciding to finish his lunch fast and get the hell back to work. Derrick took a healthy swig of his beer and slammed the pint down on the table with determination. “I’m gonna ask her out.” Lawson’s throat went dry, and he almost choked. He forced his bite of food down before replying. “You can’t, dude. You’re her boss. You can’t date her.” “We just won’t tell anyone.”“You just told me.”“Are you gonna run to the big wigs and tell them?” “Well, no. But...” He wanted to come up with a compelling argument against Derrick asking Jory out. Derrick was good looking and made more money, and he had some weird charm that girls seemed to fall for all the time. If the risk of losing his job wasn’t threat enough, Lawson was screwed. “Dude, I’d hate to see you go.”Derrick laughed. “I guess it would be pretty stupid of me to put my job in jeopardy. It’s a sweet gig.” Lawson nodded, hopeful.“Maybe I’ll fire her.”Buy now:Amazon| Barnes & Noble| iTunes| Goodreads
About the author:
***Straight to the heart***
LA Dragoni isn’t too particular about who falls in love or where they fall in love. She simply considers it her job to capture the story about their love. Whether it’s paranormal, mythical, or time travel, LA will be there to divine their story for you. She lives in Central Oregon with her husband and children, but haunts ghost towns and cemeteries up and down the west, in search of the next adventure to sift through her storytelling brain. Learn more about LA and her work at ladragoni.comp.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545; min-height: 14.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 23.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545}
A life must be lost. Who will make the ultimate sacrifice?
Lawson lives a simple life: a job at a brewery, and his basketball and hockey leagues. Even his eccentric lifelong friend and roommate—who is intent on discovering time travel—doesn’t complicate things. Then Jory appears. Lawson feels an immediate attraction to her, yet their attempts at dating end with him thinking it just isn’t meant to be. But Jory refuses to give up.
When one date ends tragically, Lawson turns to his best friend and the experimental time travel program he’s invented. But, no matter what he does, each time the reset ends with a loss.
It’s clear…a life must be lost, and Lawson is prepared to give his for Jory. But he isn’t the only one playing with time.
Will he spare Jory by forfeiting his own life? Or will someone else make the ultimate sacrifice?
Buy now:Amazon| Barnes & Noble| iTunes| Goodreads
Excerpt:
Chapter 1 “So you’re going for the stalker approach, I see.” Lawson sighed and shifted his gaze to the table. Der- rick was a jerk, but he was also right. “She just moved here from Washington.” Despite himself, Lawson raised an eyebrow and prompted for more information from his boss. Their boss. “State or DC?” “State. Some small town east of the Cascades. I don’t remember the name.” Derrick took a big bite of his ham- burger and only half chewed it before continuing. “She at- tended Central Washington University, but didn’t graduate. She was going for a B.S. in Craft Brewing. That’s the main reason she got the job. She’s qualified. The fact that she’s smoking hot is just a bonus.” Lawson cringed. “Pretty sure admitting that you find her attractive is verging on illegal, dude.” Derrick shrugged. “Probably. Hell, not finding you at- tractive could probably get me in trouble these days.” Lawson snorted. His gaze wandered to Jory one more time. He’d barely said three words to her in the few days she’d worked at the brewery. Her beauty intimidated him, making him stammer like a pubescent teen. He seemed to be the only one having that problem. She sat at a table with three guys from bottling and a girl from the office. The guys looked like total vultures, with beady eyes and hunching postures as if ready to pounce. But Jory appeared oblivious. She laughed at their stories and seemed to share her own. Why the hell was he sitting with Derrick instead of at that table? He should have sat down with them when he came into the break room. It would’ve been natural. Instead, he slumped his big, bulky body into the corner like the stalker Derrick accused him of being. The light that glinted off her auburn waves when she tossed her head back to laugh made his fingers itch. The long line of her neck taunt- ed him: I know you want to taste me. Curling his hands into fists, he tipped his head forward so that his chin length hair made a curtain between them and focused on his plate of food, deciding to finish his lunch fast and get the hell back to work. Derrick took a healthy swig of his beer and slammed the pint down on the table with determination. “I’m gonna ask her out.” Lawson’s throat went dry, and he almost choked. He forced his bite of food down before replying. “You can’t, dude. You’re her boss. You can’t date her.” “We just won’t tell anyone.”“You just told me.”“Are you gonna run to the big wigs and tell them?” “Well, no. But...” He wanted to come up with a compelling argument against Derrick asking Jory out. Derrick was good looking and made more money, and he had some weird charm that girls seemed to fall for all the time. If the risk of losing his job wasn’t threat enough, Lawson was screwed. “Dude, I’d hate to see you go.”Derrick laughed. “I guess it would be pretty stupid of me to put my job in jeopardy. It’s a sweet gig.” Lawson nodded, hopeful.“Maybe I’ll fire her.”Buy now:Amazon| Barnes & Noble| iTunes| Goodreads
About the author:
***Straight to the heart***
LA Dragoni isn’t too particular about who falls in love or where they fall in love. She simply considers it her job to capture the story about their love. Whether it’s paranormal, mythical, or time travel, LA will be there to divine their story for you. She lives in Central Oregon with her husband and children, but haunts ghost towns and cemeteries up and down the west, in search of the next adventure to sift through her storytelling brain. Learn more about LA and her work at ladragoni.comp.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545; min-height: 14.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 23.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545}
Look For A Gift This Black Friday?
Would you sacrifice everything for love?
A life must be lost. Who will make the ultimate sacrifice?
Lawson lives a simple life: a job at a brewery, and his basketball and hockey leagues. Even his eccentric lifelong friend and roommate—who is intent on discovering time travel—doesn’t complicate things. Then Jory appears. Lawson feels an immediate attraction to her, yet their attempts at dating end with him thinking it just isn’t meant to be. But Jory refuses to give up.
When one date ends tragically, Lawson turns to his best friend and the experimental time travel program he’s invented. But, no matter what he does, each time the reset ends with a loss.
It’s clear…a life must be lost, and Lawson is prepared to give his for Jory. But he isn’t the only one playing with time.
Will he spare Jory by forfeiting his own life? Or will someone else make the ultimate sacrifice?
Buy now:Amazon| Barnes & Noble| iTunes| Goodreads
Excerpt:
Chapter 1 “So you’re going for the stalker approach, I see.” Lawson sighed and shifted his gaze to the table. Der- rick was a jerk, but he was also right. “She just moved here from Washington.” Despite himself, Lawson raised an eyebrow and prompted for more information from his boss. Their boss. “State or DC?” “State. Some small town east of the Cascades. I don’t remember the name.” Derrick took a big bite of his ham- burger and only half chewed it before continuing. “She at- tended Central Washington University, but didn’t graduate. She was going for a B.S. in Craft Brewing. That’s the main reason she got the job. She’s qualified. The fact that she’s smoking hot is just a bonus.” Lawson cringed. “Pretty sure admitting that you find her attractive is verging on illegal, dude.” Derrick shrugged. “Probably. Hell, not finding you at- tractive could probably get me in trouble these days.” Lawson snorted. His gaze wandered to Jory one more time. He’d barely said three words to her in the few days she’d worked at the brewery. Her beauty intimidated him, making him stammer like a pubescent teen. He seemed to be the only one having that problem. She sat at a table with three guys from bottling and a girl from the office. The guys looked like total vultures, with beady eyes and hunching postures as if ready to pounce. But Jory appeared oblivious. She laughed at their stories and seemed to share her own. Why the hell was he sitting with Derrick instead of at that table? He should have sat down with them when he came into the break room. It would’ve been natural. Instead, he slumped his big, bulky body into the corner like the stalker Derrick accused him of being. The light that glinted off her auburn waves when she tossed her head back to laugh made his fingers itch. The long line of her neck taunt- ed him: I know you want to taste me. Curling his hands into fists, he tipped his head forward so that his chin length hair made a curtain between them and focused on his plate of food, deciding to finish his lunch fast and get the hell back to work. Derrick took a healthy swig of his beer and slammed the pint down on the table with determination. “I’m gonna ask her out.” Lawson’s throat went dry, and he almost choked. He forced his bite of food down before replying. “You can’t, dude. You’re her boss. You can’t date her.” “We just won’t tell anyone.”“You just told me.”“Are you gonna run to the big wigs and tell them?” “Well, no. But...” He wanted to come up with a compelling argument against Derrick asking Jory out. Derrick was good looking and made more money, and he had some weird charm that girls seemed to fall for all the time. If the risk of losing his job wasn’t threat enough, Lawson was screwed. “Dude, I’d hate to see you go.”Derrick laughed. “I guess it would be pretty stupid of me to put my job in jeopardy. It’s a sweet gig.” Lawson nodded, hopeful.“Maybe I’ll fire her.”Buy now:Amazon| Barnes & Noble| iTunes| Goodreads
About the author:
***Straight to the heart***
LA Dragoni isn’t too particular about who falls in love or where they fall in love. She simply considers it her job to capture the story about their love. Whether it’s paranormal, mythical, or time travel, LA will be there to divine their story for you. She lives in Central Oregon with her husband and children, but haunts ghost towns and cemeteries up and down the west, in search of the next adventure to sift through her storytelling brain. Learn more about LA and her work at ladragoni.comp.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545; min-height: 14.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 23.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545}
A life must be lost. Who will make the ultimate sacrifice?
Lawson lives a simple life: a job at a brewery, and his basketball and hockey leagues. Even his eccentric lifelong friend and roommate—who is intent on discovering time travel—doesn’t complicate things. Then Jory appears. Lawson feels an immediate attraction to her, yet their attempts at dating end with him thinking it just isn’t meant to be. But Jory refuses to give up.
When one date ends tragically, Lawson turns to his best friend and the experimental time travel program he’s invented. But, no matter what he does, each time the reset ends with a loss.
It’s clear…a life must be lost, and Lawson is prepared to give his for Jory. But he isn’t the only one playing with time.
Will he spare Jory by forfeiting his own life? Or will someone else make the ultimate sacrifice?
Buy now:Amazon| Barnes & Noble| iTunes| Goodreads
Excerpt:
Chapter 1 “So you’re going for the stalker approach, I see.” Lawson sighed and shifted his gaze to the table. Der- rick was a jerk, but he was also right. “She just moved here from Washington.” Despite himself, Lawson raised an eyebrow and prompted for more information from his boss. Their boss. “State or DC?” “State. Some small town east of the Cascades. I don’t remember the name.” Derrick took a big bite of his ham- burger and only half chewed it before continuing. “She at- tended Central Washington University, but didn’t graduate. She was going for a B.S. in Craft Brewing. That’s the main reason she got the job. She’s qualified. The fact that she’s smoking hot is just a bonus.” Lawson cringed. “Pretty sure admitting that you find her attractive is verging on illegal, dude.” Derrick shrugged. “Probably. Hell, not finding you at- tractive could probably get me in trouble these days.” Lawson snorted. His gaze wandered to Jory one more time. He’d barely said three words to her in the few days she’d worked at the brewery. Her beauty intimidated him, making him stammer like a pubescent teen. He seemed to be the only one having that problem. She sat at a table with three guys from bottling and a girl from the office. The guys looked like total vultures, with beady eyes and hunching postures as if ready to pounce. But Jory appeared oblivious. She laughed at their stories and seemed to share her own. Why the hell was he sitting with Derrick instead of at that table? He should have sat down with them when he came into the break room. It would’ve been natural. Instead, he slumped his big, bulky body into the corner like the stalker Derrick accused him of being. The light that glinted off her auburn waves when she tossed her head back to laugh made his fingers itch. The long line of her neck taunt- ed him: I know you want to taste me. Curling his hands into fists, he tipped his head forward so that his chin length hair made a curtain between them and focused on his plate of food, deciding to finish his lunch fast and get the hell back to work. Derrick took a healthy swig of his beer and slammed the pint down on the table with determination. “I’m gonna ask her out.” Lawson’s throat went dry, and he almost choked. He forced his bite of food down before replying. “You can’t, dude. You’re her boss. You can’t date her.” “We just won’t tell anyone.”“You just told me.”“Are you gonna run to the big wigs and tell them?” “Well, no. But...” He wanted to come up with a compelling argument against Derrick asking Jory out. Derrick was good looking and made more money, and he had some weird charm that girls seemed to fall for all the time. If the risk of losing his job wasn’t threat enough, Lawson was screwed. “Dude, I’d hate to see you go.”Derrick laughed. “I guess it would be pretty stupid of me to put my job in jeopardy. It’s a sweet gig.” Lawson nodded, hopeful.“Maybe I’ll fire her.”Buy now:Amazon| Barnes & Noble| iTunes| Goodreads
About the author:
***Straight to the heart***
LA Dragoni isn’t too particular about who falls in love or where they fall in love. She simply considers it her job to capture the story about their love. Whether it’s paranormal, mythical, or time travel, LA will be there to divine their story for you. She lives in Central Oregon with her husband and children, but haunts ghost towns and cemeteries up and down the west, in search of the next adventure to sift through her storytelling brain. Learn more about LA and her work at ladragoni.comp.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545; min-height: 14.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 23.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545}
November 21, 2017
Thanksgiving and Loss
This year has been a pretty tough one. First, my dad had quadruple bypass in January and struggled to get off the breathing machine. In July, my beloved PaPa passed away unexpectedly. He'd been sick the summer before but had been feeling really great lately, so his death caught us all off guard. And again in November, someone else in my family passed away very tragically.
So grateful to have my dad still kicking and healthier than he was before the surgery.
This girl will always have a PaPa sized hole in her heart.
This year has taught me a deeper understanding of thankfulness. I've always considered myself a thankful person. I'm not constantly striving for something new or wishing I had something I don't. I'm content in my life and so incredibly blessed by the people in it.
This is just a *small* sample of the people in my family (and these are only the ones on my generational level)
But I've kinda drifted along thinking the people in my life were invincible. My daddy and my PaPa have always been there. But this year, for a while, I really thought my dad might leave this world, and for reals, PaPa did. And it's weird to think I'm old enough to have the people in my life go, but I guess I am.
In truth, I was fortunate to have known my great-grandparents and grandparents. It wasn't until my 20s that my great-grandmother passed away. In fact, in my family, we had five living generations at once. A lot of people don't get that opportunity. I *know* I'm fortunate to have gotten the years I got.
Me, Mom, Mema, and MaMa (great-grandma)
If I missed an Easter or Thanksgiving, Mema used to always say, "What if this is PaPa's last Easter/Thanksgiving?" And while the thought shook me, I never really thought that any holiday would be PaPa's last. Because he was PaPa. Big, loud, larger than life.
But it was. This past Easter was PaPa's last Easter. Last Thanksgiving *was* PaPa's last Thanksgiving.
PaPa's last Thanksgiving--2016.Oh what I'd give to hug his neck again this year.
PaPa's last EasterThumbs up, Papa!
So, I'll walk into Thanksgiving with my big ole Southern family and cherish every moment, every memory just a little bit more because this year has taught me just how fragile life really is. This time, I'll experiencing thankfulness punctuated by loss, and it's something just a little bit deeper than regular gratitude.
Remember to hold those you love just a little closer. Remember to really be present in the moment with your family. Make memories you can hold onto for a lifetime.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
I can't even begin to explain how thankful I am for this wonderful man!
So grateful to have my dad still kicking and healthier than he was before the surgery.
This girl will always have a PaPa sized hole in her heart.This year has taught me a deeper understanding of thankfulness. I've always considered myself a thankful person. I'm not constantly striving for something new or wishing I had something I don't. I'm content in my life and so incredibly blessed by the people in it.
This is just a *small* sample of the people in my family (and these are only the ones on my generational level)But I've kinda drifted along thinking the people in my life were invincible. My daddy and my PaPa have always been there. But this year, for a while, I really thought my dad might leave this world, and for reals, PaPa did. And it's weird to think I'm old enough to have the people in my life go, but I guess I am.
In truth, I was fortunate to have known my great-grandparents and grandparents. It wasn't until my 20s that my great-grandmother passed away. In fact, in my family, we had five living generations at once. A lot of people don't get that opportunity. I *know* I'm fortunate to have gotten the years I got.
Me, Mom, Mema, and MaMa (great-grandma)If I missed an Easter or Thanksgiving, Mema used to always say, "What if this is PaPa's last Easter/Thanksgiving?" And while the thought shook me, I never really thought that any holiday would be PaPa's last. Because he was PaPa. Big, loud, larger than life.
But it was. This past Easter was PaPa's last Easter. Last Thanksgiving *was* PaPa's last Thanksgiving.
PaPa's last Thanksgiving--2016.Oh what I'd give to hug his neck again this year.
PaPa's last EasterThumbs up, Papa!So, I'll walk into Thanksgiving with my big ole Southern family and cherish every moment, every memory just a little bit more because this year has taught me just how fragile life really is. This time, I'll experiencing thankfulness punctuated by loss, and it's something just a little bit deeper than regular gratitude.
Remember to hold those you love just a little closer. Remember to really be present in the moment with your family. Make memories you can hold onto for a lifetime.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
I can't even begin to explain how thankful I am for this wonderful man!
