Erin Rhew's Blog, page 7

Blog Tour -- New Release -- MOM by Collin Piprell

Today, we are excited to announce the release of MOM, by Collin Piprell.




Title: MOMAuthor: Collin PiprellGenre: Sci FiRelease date: April 5, 2017Publisher: http://www.commondeerpress.com
Buy Links: Amazon     Common Deer Press    BN
Tagline: A mystery thriller set in the second half of the twenty-first century, MOM is the first novel in Collin Piprell's darkly comic and always thought-provoking MAGIC CIRCLES science-fiction series.
Blurb:
A GOD IS BORN!
TOO BAD ABOUT THE PERSONALITY DISORDER
So reads the graffito.
MOM is the mall operations manager — the greatest intelligence in history, a machine awakened to self-awareness at a time when the last few human survivors have withdrawn to the last two remaining refuges on Earth. Quarantined from the global nanobot superorganism outside the malls and from each other inside, the mallsters are utterly dependent on MOM for everything — including the ever-more suspect information they're getting about the world Outside.
Now the malls are crumbling.
About the Author:
Collin Piprell is a Canadian writer and editor resident in Thailand. He is the author of three previous novels and a collection of humorous stories, now out of print, as well as four books on national parks, diving, and coral reefs, which are also out of print. *MOM* is the first novel of Magic Circles, a science-fiction series in progress. Visit www.collinpiprell.com to learn more.
Website: http://www.collinpiprell.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/collinpiprell
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collin.piprell

We hope you love the book as much as we do!
www.commondeerpress.comwww.facebook.com/commondeerpress@AHerdOfDeer

Bookish Ramblings

So, I just finished the final edits on She Wants It All by Jessica Calla. And I have to say, it's amazing!! One of the cool things about being a senior editor is that I get to see the book after they've been through content and line. I get to see the *almost* finished product and just touch it up a teeny bit. And whenever I get Jess' books, I'm floored by just how good they are. She has a really natural NA voice, and I find myself sucked into her stories each and every time.

She Laughs In Pink (Chase--the sexy bad boy)
She Runs Away (Ben--muscles)
She Wants It All(Dave--the rockstar with the heart of gold)She Wants It All releases 5/15/17
Now, I loved Chase in She Laughs in Pink. In fact, not even Ben (who is great) in She Runs Away could knock Chase off the swoon pedestal. But then came Dave in She Wants It All. And for me, he tops them all. He takes the crown and wears it proudly. 
I think I like Dave so much because he reminds me of my own husband, Deek. Like my man, Dave wants to be a rockstar. You might remember my very own Deek had dreams of being a rock god back in his college years too. 
Here he is with his childhood bestie and bandmate, Chris.
And he still hasn't *totally* given it up! ;) 
But I think Dave mostly reminds me of Deek because of how very much he loves Maggie. He falls for her hard, and he'd move heaven and earth for her. Deek treats me like that. I feel like I'm living in a real life fairytale, especially coming from the life I came from (read about my old life here and here). Deek treats me like I'm the only woman in the world and his life mission is to make me feel loved and happy. I had no idea such wonderful men existed! 
He's beyond swoony
So, when you go to read She Wants It All and you wonder if men that amazing really do exist, I can confirm they do! I am married to a man who is the kindest, funniest, most talented, most loving person I've ever encountered. Dream guys are real, so don't settle for the scumbags. ;) 
Dream guys *are* real!
In other news, you may remember that I'm a senior editor at Tenacious Books as well as BookFish Books. Well, Tenacious has been working with the supremely talented Anita B. Carroll at Race-Point to create a logo, and they just released it. 

Do these rock or what? There's a reason #AnitaIsAmazing is a Twitter hashtag! ;) The woman rules! Now I'm going to shamelessly self-promote for a minute. If you're looking to self-publish and want to hire Anita to do your cover, she's teamed up with me and Anya Kagan to offer a great service called The Rhewbix Cube. Check it out! You won't find a better deal on quality covers and edits. 


In other bookish news, I'm sitting on the cover for Meet Me Under The Stars by KD Proctor (BookFish Books), and I'm about to burst with excitement to share it. It's another Anita special, so you know it will knock your socks off. KD said she screamed in excitement when she saw the final version, and she yelled so loudly her officemates rushed in to see what was wrong. LOL! PS. I'm just going to let it slip that I loved this book. KD submitted a totally different version to BFB initially, and I liked that version a lot. But this new one...holy wow! SO GOOD! 
KD ProctorMeet Me Under The Stars releases 7/12/17
And I'm working with Chrissy Lessey on the Tenacious Books side on her Crystal Coast Series. She and Anita are working through cover mock-ups, and Chrissy and I are working on transforming her story from omnipotent narrator to third person limited. There is something about Chrissy's writing--a purity--that's refreshing and endearing. I adore the story already, but I'm stoked beyond measure to see where Chrissy can take it! 
The whole Crystal Coast Series returns this summer!
At this moment, I'm in the rare position of being in between projects, so you know what that means?? Writing time!! So, I'm going to hop off the blog and work on the nameless Molly and Ryder story. I don't know if I told you, but I had trouble getting the book out. No matter what I tried, the words didn't work (I've written and rewritten this one a few times already). So, I decided to turn the sequel into the first story, and the words are pouring out like a river. I guess the sequel was always meant to be the real story, but I just didn't realize it. I seriously can't wait for you guys to meet Molly, Ryder, Jason, Tash, and Mac. I hope you'll love them as much as I do!
This was the promo I made for the original story, so I guess I'll need to update it. LOL!

Ok, off to write. Until next time, write hard, play hard! 

Life of an Editor

Howdy, y'all! I hope you enjoyed my previous two posts about why you need a quality cover artist and editor. I hope to post a few more blogs on those topics in the coming months. But for now, I thought you might be interested in a little behind-the-scenes look at the life of an editor.


via GIPHY

Ok, so as you know, I work for both BookFish Books and Tenacious Books Publishing, and I run a freelance business. What does all that look like? 
Well, it's a bit hectic, to say the least...via GIPHY
I am a trained line and copy editor, but I've had the pleasure of working with some truly great content editors (Heather Van Fleet, Katie Carroll, and Anya Kagan, to name a few). From them, I've learned A LOT about content editing. So, since one BookFish content editor is on maternity leave and the other is away on a family emergency, I stepped out of my line/copy editing role and took on content editing for Meet Me Under The Stars. Note: This isn't the first time I've had to step in on content, and I find I quite enjoy it. 
So, I've been working with the KD Proctor to whip this amazing story into the best shape of its life. And let me say, KD is a true pleasure to work with. She's funny and prompt, and she puts her whole heart into her story. Can't beat that!
KD Proctor
While I worked on Meet Me Under The Stars, Tenacious Books Publishing signed Chrissy Lessey and her The Crystal Coast Series. These books are set to release in the summer, so I had to jump on those edits quickly. I'd do set of edits for KD, send them to her, do a set of edits for Chrissy, and send them to her, just in time to get KD's edits back again.
Chrissy Lessey

Now, don't forget, as senior editor, I also read the final draft of all books from BookFish before they go out, and I format them for eBook and print. While I've been busily working on Meet Me Under the Stars and The Crystal Coast Series, Jessica Calla has been working with her editors on She Wants It All (the third book in The Sheridan Hall series). In a few days, I'll be set to be the final pair of eyes on this story before it goes into production, which I'll also handle. BUT I've still got edits on The Hunted (Book 2 of The Crystal Coast Series), The Beacon (Book 3 of The Crystal Coast Series), the final read-through for Meet Me Under The Stars, and production for all three books in The Crystal Coast Series, Meet Me Under The Stars, and She Wants It All.
The gorgeous cover by the supremely talent Anita Carroll!
Is your head spinning? I know mine is! But that's a sneak peek of what it's like to work for two separate publishing companies and fit in all the various deadlines.
Despite all the work we have to do, Deek and I managed to sneak away to Colonial Williamsburg for a little R&R this past weekend. What a nice, relaxing time with my best friend! As my family always says: I love you to the moon and back! Thank you so much, my Deek, for whisking me away from all my responsibilities and filling my weekend with fun, laughter, and love. You amaze me every single day, and I fall a bit more in love with you with each passing moment! 
Since Deek's doing a whole blog on our trip, I'll just give you a little sneak peek at some photos he didn't use. ;) 
Coffee'd up and ready to go!
We tried "real" chocolate. Surprisingly VERY good!
Very cool electrolyte water bottle
One of the oldest college buildings in America (campus of William and Mary)

At the lectern in one of the oldest classrooms in America.The College of William and Mary STILL holds class here. How cool is that?

You can't take us anywhere...
The prison where Blackbeard's men were held until their hangings!This one is for you, Chrissy (The Crystal Coast Series)!
He's my partner, my best friend, my soul mate, my world! <3
Hubba hubba!! 
Well, since I've got massive deadlines to meet, I better scram! Catch you on the flip side, friends! 
Until next time, live out loud! 

The Importance of Quality Editing

Now, here I go writing a post about editing, so I'm sure there will be mistakes. Why? Because we ALL need an editor (even editors). We ALL see what we want to see in our writing rather than what's actually there.

via GIPHY
If you're going to self-publish you book, can you edit it yourself? You *can*, but you shouldn't. Because we all see what we want to see in our own writing, you won't be able to catch mistakes like plot holes, misspellings, or misplaced commas. You'll need an editor for that.

This day and age, almost anyone can hang an internet "shingle" up and claim to be an editor, so make sure you use your money wisely. Just because an editor is cheap doesn't mean they're good at what they do (in fact, it's usually the opposite). Find someone with solid credentials, who's plugged into the industry, and who understands what it takes to make a great book.

An editor should never, never, never hand you back a manuscript with just a few notes. If you get that, you've hired someone who doesn't know what they're doing and/or someone who rushed through your work without giving it the proper time and attention. Time and attention you paid for.

Editing *should* be a difficult process for you. You should feel pushed out of your comfort zone. You should feel stretched to the limit. You're growing and learning. If you just get a pat on the head from an editor, you've wasted your money.

*Please hire a quality editor in order to maintain the integrity of self-publishing.*
via GIPHY
What should your editors look for in your manuscript? Well, there are a few different types of editors. 
You want a developmental or content editor to focus on plot, characterization, voice, setting, etc. They'll make sure you don't have the dreaded "plot holes." 
For example, I just did content edits on a book where the sister "tossed" her dead sister's ashes onto a bed. That's a very insensitive thing to do, and this character is not insensitive. In fact, she and her sister were very close. So, it's not consistent with the characterization of this person throughout the book.

PS. You can ask an editor to do a sample edit for you. Quality editors are happy to work on a small section of your book to prove they know their stuff.
via GIPHY
You want a line and copy editor to check your grammar, punctuation, word choice, etc. This person will go over your manuscript with a fine-toothed comb and make sure you're clearly communicating the information in your story.

For example: I'm sure you've all seen this one (I have two shirts with this on it 'cause...word nerd).

Let's eat kids.Let's eat, kids.
VERY different meanings! So, you'll want to employ a line/copy editor to make sure you're being most clear.
Note: I do not recommend hiring the same person to do content and line editing. You want fresh eyes for each stage. And I also recommend hiring a proofreader because no matter how many eyes are on your book, another pair will make your work as sharp as possible.
via GIPHY
So, you're interested in an editor with experience and knowledge of the industry. Where do you turn? Well, obviously, I have to plug myself because...it's my blog. LOL! I am available to do content or line/copy, though I'm more classically trained in line/copy. Other editors I'd recommend are:
Anya Kagan at Touchstone EditingEllie Sipila at Move To The Write
I have personal experience with both of these ladies and can vouch for them. They're truly TOP NOTCH!! 
Before you hire an editor, do attempt a self edit because you never want to turn your rough draft into anyone. Always, always, always look over your own work. But then release your baby into capable hands.
If you have questions about how to do a self-edit before you hire an editor, I've written a list of common writing mistakes. Remember, this list is to guide you in a round of self-edits BEFORE you turn your story over to a professional editors. It's not to replace professional editor. Because it's time to realize you *can't* do this one your own and still produce quality work (not even if you're already an editor). Because, we all see what we want to see...
via GIPHY
Until next time, write on!

Ghost Touch by LA Dragoni

Today, I have the pleasure of hosting my friend LA Dragoni on the site! She's talking about her paranormal romance book Ghost Touch, which is part of the Touched by Afterlife series!

 For fifteen minutes each night a portal opens in Tamara’s barn and a horde of ghosts spills into her yard. She and Dex work together to find a way to help Cal and the thousands of spirits stuck in the void to cross over. When she learns she has the ghost touch—the ability to touch the ghosts as if they were corporeal—and she accidentally helps a little boy cross, she believes it might be possible. But not all the spirits play nice and when they learn they can sip energy from her ghost touch, they become greedy putting her life at risk.

Each time Cal has to pull her from the mass of ghosts, her touch restores him more and more until he is at danger of being stuck on earth—forever, which is very enticing to Tamara the better she knows him. Will she and Dex figure out how to help the spirits cross and if they do, will she be able to let Cal go?
Available in print, ebook, and audiobook from Amazon, Also available on Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iTunes, and other e-tailers.

Excerpt:
The knot of ghosts hissed and shrieked as they chased her. Seeing they’d already changed direction, she dug her fingers into the grass to pull herself away from them. Her legs were as shaky as a newborn foal and even crawling was too much effort. Ruff stood next to her, barking, but she knew he’d have no effect. He couldn’t even touch the ghouls.Then they were on her. Petting and pulling, stroking and grabbing at her arms, legs, clothes, hair. Their chatter became excited, reminding her of a pack of hyenas. She buried her head under her arms wishing…praying they’d go away. “Get off her!” Was that Cal? Tamara raised her head as much as she could, but was still buried in spirits. She got a glance at a familiar face before the writhing group closed in again. Was that the drowned ghost? She looked less bloated.“Leave her. This will not help. Get away.”Slowly the weight lifted from her until she felt only one pair of hands grasping her upper arms. Gentle and caring, not demanding.“Cal,” she croaked, struggling to raise her head and open her eyes. “Come on, Tamara. You need to get up.”Her eyelids were so heavy. She couldn’t hold them open. Couldn’t make her neck cooperate so she could look at Cal.“Tamara, you need to move him. I can’t touch him.”“Let go of me Cal. You’re making it worse. I think.” Even speaking drained her of energy. It took all she had just to force the words out, but when Cal let go of her, she felt a difference immediately. It was as if her strength no longer leaked out of her extremities. Unfortunately her tank didn’t seem to be refilling very fast. “I…it’s…it’s better. Give me a minute.”“We don’t really have a minute, Tamara.”
Reviews:
LA Dragoni's GHOST TOUCH got me out of my paranormal romance funk in which I felt like I was reading the same book over and over again. The ghost part with the portal opening in Tamara's barn was vividly described and equal parts cool and terrifying, but it was really Tamara's poignant emotional journey that spoke to me.
 -Katie
About the Author: 

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. Follow LA on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to her mailing list and learn more about LA and her work at www.ladragoni.com

The Importance of Quality Covers

Hello, everyone! So, since I've teamed up with the AMAZING Anya and Anita for the Rhewbix Cube project, I'd like to talk to you about quality edits and covers. Today, I'll start with covers.

As you know, I'm the author of The Fulfillment Series. When I imagined holding the books in my hands for the very first time, I had a very specific design for the covers, but I didn't know if anyone could actually bring it to life.

So, the cover artists (my old publisher used two different people) who originally worked on my series gave these two covers for the first two books.



*Please note: I'm not posting these to disparage the press or the cover artists but to provide a vivid visual difference.
Okay, I'll admit, when I saw the first cover for the first time, I cried. Not "OMG, my first cover" but "OMG, it's nothing like what I'd hoped." I texted my Dream Team and my critique partners (even my mom) a picture, and they all tried to make me feel better. But it wasn't even close to the vision I had. 
There is nothing quite as heart-wrenching and disappointing as trying to promote a book whose cover makes you cry ugly tears of disappointment. However, I soldiered on and did my due diligence, promoting the heck of that book anyway. But I will tell you, it hurt my heart to see it out there in world, representing the story I'd worked so hard on.
And then came the second book cover. It didn't match the first book at all. In fact, no one would know they were from the same series, even if they sat side-by-side on a bookshelf. And with the crown of thorns, it had distinctly a religious undertone that didn't fit the story. 
I'd been asked for input on these covers. I filled out super long questionnaires from the publisher, asking me about different aspects of my novel, but the covers didn't represent my book nor the information I had provided.
When the time came for me to decide what to do with the series, I considered both self-publishing and shopping for another small press. And soon, the opportunity for me to sign with another small press presented itself. At first, I was really reluctant, but then, I discovered that Anita Carroll designed their covers.

I went on her website and sat in awe of her indescribable talent:





I mean WOW!! Look at the mastery here. The emotion Anita's covers evoke is just beyond explanation. And she spends a lot of time blending to make sure the words look like they're a part of the image instead of just being placed on top of it. She once told me she spent seven (7!!) hours blending a cover to make it just right. That's quality and devotion to art right there!!
Since I knew my book cover would be in good hands with Anita, I signed with the small press. And I had the distinct pleasure of working with Anita one-on-one. She *read* my books so she'd be familiar with them, and only then did she start the cover design. We went back and forth on ideas until we came up with the perfect one.





The books are BREATHTAKING!! When I'm at ComicCons or author signing events, people come from across the room to see them. And once they get to my table, they seem compelled to pick my books up and read the back. That's what every author wants, right? That's what covers should do, right?
And they definitely look like they're part of the same series. Each book has the same underlying theme and tone, with subtle differences.
In addition, they adequately represent my book. Anyone who sees them will know they're fantasy novels, no question. That's another super important element of a cover...to accurately convey the theme of the book.
For example, one of my friends had a book cover that did not represent her book. She wrote a story about witches. In fact, her book has been compared to Practical Magic. 
Here is the cover of Practical Magic:

Obviously about witches, right? 
Well, here's the old cover my friend's publisher selected for her book:

Nothing about that cover says witches. In fact, she struggled to get the message of her book across to readers. People assumed it was a middle grade or young adult "coming of age" story due to the cartoonish nature of it and the young appearance of the people in the image.
So, if you're thinking of self-publishing your book, make sure you choose a cover artist who will a) work to understand your story and your vision b) keep your theme consistent throughout a series c) make sure your cover conveys the message, theme, and genre of your story  d) create covers people are drawn to. 
If you're going to sign with a small press, make sure they have quality cover artists. Peruse their current books and ask yourself if the covers intrigue or repel you. 
For those considering self-publication, I highly recommend Anita. In fact, she's so amazing, I asked her team up with me to offer a special package called the Rhewbix Cube, which includes a reduced rate for edits, a cover, and formatting. Check that out here: Rhewbix Cube Offer
Until next time...may beautiful covers decorate your life and bookshelves! ;) 

She Wants It All -- Jessica Calla

Cover Reveal! SHE WANTS IT ALL (Book 3, Sheridan Hall Series) Author: Jessica CallaGenre: NA RomanceRelease Date: May 16, 2017Publisher: BookFish BooksCover Designer: Anita B. Carroll, Race-Point US


About She Wants it All... Happy to sing cover songs with his band and float through New Jersey University with little to no effort, Dave Novak spends the first week of college partying. Then he meets Maggie Patrinski. Performing on stage in front of hundreds is easy for Dave, but the mere thought of Maggie sends his heart racing and turns him into a bumbling idiot. Even so, he can’t get her out of his mind.

Maggie’s not exactly thrilled when her roommate sets her up with Second Floor Dave, the hottie with a reputation. Not only has she just had her heart broken, but she’s vying for a competitive summer internship and studying to become a vet. She doesn’t have time for guys and isn’t interested in falling in love, especially when she may be moving across the country for the summer.

But as Maggie gets to know Dave, his charm wins her over and she falls hard and fast. The problem? Maggie has goals, Dave doesn’t. Maggie studies, Dave doesn’t. Maggie wants it all, Dave only wants her. With their summer plans up in the air and past mistakes creeping back into their lives, their future together is uncertain. The only thing they’re sure of is that when they’re together, they’re better.
Other Books In the Sheridan Hall Series... [image error]SHE LAUGHS IN PINK (Book 1, Sheridan Hall Series)
https://www.amazon.com/Laughs-Pink-Sheridan-Hall-Book-ebook/dp/B01D1XC96A/
SHE RUNS AWAY (Book 2, Sheridan Hall Series)https://www.amazon.com/Runs-Away-Sheridan-Hall-Book-ebook/dp/B01KIS5BKC/

About the Author... Jessica Calla is a contemporary romance, new adult, and women's fiction author who moonlights during the day as an attorney. If she's not writing, lawyering, or parenting, you'll most likely find her at the movies, scrolling through her Twitter feed, or gulping down various forms of caffeine (sometimes all three at once).

Jessica is a member of Romance Writers of America, involved in the Contemporary, Young Adult, and New Jersey Chapters, and is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. A Jersey girl through and through, she resides in the central part of the state with her husband, two sons, and dog.


Twitter: https://twitter.com/jess_calla

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jessica-Calla-Author-1658471457735204/?fref=ts

Website: http://www.jessicacalla.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33874425-she-wants-it-all?ac=1&from_search=true

Rafflecopter Giveaway! $25 Amazon Gift Card
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...?

Erin Rhew Editing and Design

I've been pondering this option for a while, and I finally decided to take the leap! Woot! I'm pleased to announce you can now get line and copy editing and/or your eBook and print book design from ME! Yeppers! Me!


My nerdy look makes it all official!
Why me? Well, you can check out my credentials on my website, but I've got the creds you're looking for. ;) Yep, and I'm an uber nerd too. Bonus!
via GIPHY
And while that is a whole bunch of exciting, I've got even more thrilling news!! I've teamed up with two of the most awesome professionals in this business to bring you something new and different in the self-publishing world...the Rhewbix Cube.

What is the Rhewbix Cube? Dear reader, I'm glad you asked. It's a comprehensive program created to meet all of your self-publishing needs. You write the book, and we'll take care of all the editing, cover design, and book design. 
You'll get one of the top content editors, one of the best cover designers in the business, and me for your line/copy editing and book design needs. It's a three-in-one deal...hence, the cube part of Rhewbix Cube. I'll be revealing the identities of my partners very soon. But until then, check out my website for more details and GET EXCITED, PEOPLE! We're rhew-volutionizing the self-publishing process!!
via GIPHY
If you're in the market for editing or book design, feel free to send me an email to discuss your project. I look forward to working with you!
via GIPHY
As always, I've got to give props to the love of my life. I'm beyond thankful to always have his support, encouragement, and love any time I spread my wings. Yep, I'm going to go there because a) I'm rindok excited and b) I'm a cornball. Deek, you are the wind beneath my wings. In all seriousness, thank you for being you...THE most wonderful man to ever walk the planet. I adore you more than words could ever, ever express!!

Until next time, friends, WRITE ON! PS. I leave you with cute animal pictures...

An Alternative to Valentine's Day Take 2

Y'all V-Day (LOL) is rolling up on us soon, and last night, I read my post from last year. If I do say so myself, it's a right good post, so I'm just going to put it up again, in case anyone needs to hear it again.

Deek is THE most amazing husband. Everything I said in this post, he still does this year and then some (he's always coming up with new, creative ways to show he cares). When we got married, he's promised to always date me and never assume he "had" me. And he's a man of his word. I can't even begin to explain to you how incredibly thankful I am to be married to this incredible, incredible man!


I LOVE YOU, DEEK!


An Alternative To Valentine's DayHello, friends! So, I'm sure you've been to the stores and seen the Valentine's Day decor and cards lining the shelves. In fact, I think it started the day after Christmas, right? So crazy!

Well, I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day. Please note, I'm a "to each his own" type chick, so no judgement here from people who choose the traditional celebratory methods. You go on with your awesome self. BUT, I personally prefer a different type of celebration, which I'd like to share.

For me, the whole concept of taking a day to celebrate your special person doesn't make sense. Shouldn't you do that every day? Every day, Deek goes out of his way to make me feel special, and I do my best to do the same for him. On any given day, he'll tell me how beautiful I am, bring me a cup of tea "just because," leave me a little love note, bring me my breakfast, and a million other things. And I do the same for him--surprise him at work with a treat, send him texts with love memes, leave notes on his car (back when we had two cars--LOL), tell him how handsome he is and how much I appreciate what he does for our family, greet him at the door when he comes home from work with a big hug and kiss. We don't wait for a special day to do those things. It's about living and loving out loud every single day.

From me to Deek
From Deek to me

And every night, we lie in bed, face-to-face, and talk about everything and nothing. We share our random thoughts, talk about our day, discuss our books, discuss the origins of the word "fork," and a myriad of other entertaining things. But we make the time to connect every day. In the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to let your significant other get lost in the shuffle, but try not to. This is the person you've committed your life and heart to. Make sure that person knows he/she is a priority above all else.

I love our face-to-face time!
In our house, Valentine's Day will be pretty much like any other day. Deek and I will be together, loving one another and expressing our love. I'll admit we may splurge on a pizza and a Reese's Cup and watch a romantic movie because it's fun, but the core of our encounters will remain the same. I don't see the point in the traditional gifts. Jewelry can only be worn sparingly (I mean, how many occasions does one have that call for diamond earrings?). Stuffed animals fill the house and collect dust. Copious amounts of sweets derails healthy eating habits. Expensive meals are a drain on the budget and a "one and done" thing. And flower, OMG...flowers. They DIE. I can't help but think of a line in Romeo and Juliet when people receive flowers: "O', swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon that monthly changes in her circled orb. Lest that thy love proves likewise variable." Juliet is begging Romeo not to swear his love by the moon because the moon changes, and she doesn't want a changing, or variable, love. Flowers die...what does that say about love? Eep! 
Last year's V-Day goodies at the Rhew house
So, here's an alternative way to think of Valentine's Day. Have you ever heard of The Five Love Languages? If not, give it a read. I had to read it during college for my Relational Communication class, and it's a truly wonderful book. It talks about (obviously) the 5 love languages people have:
Image from The Marriage Podcast


1) Acts of Service-- This person feels loved the most when someone does something for them.
2) Words of Affirmation--This person feels love the most when you say good things/nice things to them and build them up.
3) Quality Time--This person feels love the most when you spent one-on-one time with them, no other distractions.
4) Gifts--This person feels love the most when you give them gifts. Please note, it's NOT about the amount of money with these folks. It's about the fact you knew them enough to know what they'd like and that you took the time to go out of your way to get it/make it for them. (Sorry, ladies, no "My love language is gifts, so I need these humongous diamond earrings!" Doesn't work that way.)
5) Physical Touch--This person feels love the most when you touch them. Please note, it's NOT about sex. (Sorry, guys, no "My love language is physical touch, so we should have sex." Doesn't work that way.)
I'll give you some examples. My best friend's love language is gifts. So, I make sure to give her meaningful things (like a framed pic of us, a book about landscape photography, a free hair dye at the stylist, etc) that show her I know her and what she'd like. My father is a physical touch person. So, I also make sure to hug him often. I have a special person in my life who likes acts of service, so I leave notes and offer to do things for her. Another special person in my life is words of affirmation, so I'm cognizant of that and use my words to build her up and tell her she's amazing (and it's true because she is!). Luckily, my husband and I are both quality time, so we make an effort to spend as much time as possible together. We don't always have to be engrossed in deep conversation, but we want to be together. 
Quality Time with my most wonderful hubs!

Not everyone is as lucky as we are to have a spouse with the same love language. Often times, significant others have differing love languages, and that makes it difficult to meet the needs of the other person. But, one easy way to tell what your person's love language is: watch them. Whatever they're trying to show you is mostly likely their own love language, and they're hoping you'll do it back to them. So, if your lady is always cleaning up for you or making you special meals, she's probably an acts of service person. Try doing that for her instead. Or if your fella is always complimenting you and talking about how awesome you are, he's probably a words of affirmation person. Try doing that for him instead. 
The Dream TeamWe're all friends, but we all have different love languages and different specific needs.
So, this Valentine's Day, instead of joining the rat race with cards, flowers, candy, jewelry, and stuffed animals, try speaking to your significant other's love language. Here are some ideas:
1) Acts of Service-- Pick a chore or activity you know your person doesn't like to do, and do it for him/her. Cook their favorite meal for dinner. Call your person and tell them you'll take care of a particular errand they've been meaning to run. 
2) Word of Affirmation--Leave a love note on the bathroom mirror or by the coffee pot. Write up a list of all the things you love about your significant other. Tell your person thank you for the things they do for you or your family that you really appreciate. 
3) Quality Time--Turn off all electronic devices and just sit and talk to your person. Go for a walk or to get coffee. Lie in bed, face-to-face, and chat. 
4) Gifts--Make this person something that will be meaningful. Or, if you must go out and spend money on something, make it personalized. Think back to a time when your person said, "Hey, that's a beautiful quilt," and go get that instead of the stock flowers, jewelry, and candy. Let that person know this gift is only for them and couldn't be for anyone else. Let's say you bought flowers and candy for every girlfriend of boyfriend you ever had, what makes this person special? The people are interchangeable because the gifts are the same. Make sure this person knows he/she is not interchangeable. 
5) Physical Touch--Spend time wrapped up in each other's arms. Sit close together, holding hands while you watch a movie together. Give the person a massage. 
And I encourage you to do these things for your partner long after the Valentine's Day decor fades from the stores. Do it while the Easter stuff is out, the July 4th flags fly, the Halloween pumpkins decorate the porches, the turkeys of Thanksgivings roast, and the tinsel of Christmas drapes on evergreens. Every day. 
Show your person how much you love them every day.
I'm blessed beyond measure to be Deek's wife. He knows my love language is quality time, and he gives me that in spades. But he always takes little snippets of the other love languages and showers me with those too: brings me tea (acts of services), massages my sore shoulder (physical touch), tells me I'm beautiful (words of affirmation), surprises me with a cup of coffee from Starbucks (gifts). When we were dating, I kept asking him if this wonderful relationship we shared would fade in marriage, and he told me he'd work to make sure it never did. He promised to always date me and always put the effort into keeping us close. And he has. 
Special delivery!
Your person is your person for a reason. Take a long look at them and remember why you fell in love. Remember how it felt to be close. And make it happen again. Put in the time and the effort to keep your relationship strong. Friends, parents, children, and family will come and go, but this person is your person for life.
To Deek: Thank you for being you--the most wonderful man, husband, and partner ever! I dreamed of a life like ours, but the reality is a bazillon times better. I love you #always! Your e

YouTube, Readings, Family, and More...

I have a feeling this post will be filled with a little bit of randomness because that's what I'm good at. In my last post, I talked about Illogicon and some upcoming cons and author events we have scheduled, and I mentioned a YouTube video of Deek and me reading our first chapters. Well, it's live!! You can check it out on our Rhewination site here!

Illogicon 2017
Speaking of readings, Deek recorded a the first chapter of 122 Rules, and you can listen to that here! Let me just warn you...strap in! Prepare for a sexy voice AND a total thrill ride of a story!! PS. If you're interested in learning how to do this type of recording yourself, he'll be writing a how-to post soon, so keep an eye out for that!


So, you may (or may not--LOL) have noticed I've been a little MIA on the blog lately. I usually try to do one post a week, but something has happened that made me miss a few deadlines. On MLK Day, my dad went in to have a stint put into his heart. When they got in there, they saw a lot of blockage (up to 90%) in some arteries, so they elected to do a quadruple bypass right then and there.
That's my Dad, former Marine, and my lovely Mom!
I called Deek, and I'm not even sure what I said. I just know I was a blubbering mess of random words and tears. Now, here's where my husband shows me he's the best guy ever and loves me beyond beyond. Since we only have one car, which I had at the time, he asked a coworker to drive him home. About fifteen minutes after I called him, he walked through the door and wrapped me up in his arms. And then he made sure I got to the hospital to sit with my mom ASAP. He spent the day comforting me and my mom and making sure we had anything we might need or want while we waited. He did exactly what I needed without me even having to ask. I can't even begin to tell you how much that meant to me! And a big shoutout to his teammate Jen for racing him home to be with me! <3
I am SOOOOO thankful for this man. He is incredibly, mind-blowingly giving and loving.I can't get over how lucky I am to be his wife!!
My father came through the surgery with flying colors, but he had a lot of trouble waking up afterward. We hung in limbo for three days waiting for him to wake. And thank goodness, he did. So, nearly every day since MLK Day, Deek and I have been at the hospital supporting my mom and encouraging my dad. He's moved out of cardiac ICU and into cardiac rehab, and he's doing exceptionally well. I am BEYOND relieved he pulled through and is on the path to recovery! 
When you're at the hospital daily, you have to find things to entertain you...
My brother drove down to visit my dad again on Sunday.Jay and I had the best time talking and laughing with my parents and brother.I can't tell you how grateful I am to still be able to talk and laugh with my dad!
Between PaPa (my grandpa) and my dad's illnesses, it's been quite a time since this summer. I think I have the layouts of two separate hospitals memorized. And I tell you, if I never see the inside of the hospital again, it will be too soon. 
Here's an interesting fact we learned though: weight training is super important. My dad lifted and boxed when he was a Marine, and because of that, his bones resemble that of someone twenty years younger. The doctors could not believe how "young" his bones were when they went in to cut the sternum for surgery, and the youthfulness of his bones wills aid dramatically in his healing. Deek has always been a big lifter, but he said he's going to redouble his efforts after that tidbit of info from the cardiologist. And don't think lifting is just for the boys. Get into that gym and lift heavy things, ladies! Research shows lifting is very beneficial for staving off osteoporosis! 
Girl power. Get lifting, ladies!
Well, hello there hawt man! <3
Until next time, wishing health and happiness for you and yours!!