Molli Moran's Blog, page 10

The One Where I Write About the Journey, Not the Destination

Confession: Sometimes I write messy books.

My first one, AS YOU TURN AWAY, is a messy book. My main character goes through some shit, and my hero tries to lend her the strength to breathe and stand back up, until she can learn the strength and confidence she needs to stand on her own beside him. Quinn is grieving, and not very well. She’s torn between what she wants, and what she’s been told. She wants to chase happiness, but she’s terrified of it. With AS YOU TURN AWAY, I didn’t think about how Quinn would be perceived. It never occurred to me that because she was messy and real and scared and scarred, she’d be labeled unlikable. But knowing what I know now, I still wouldn’t change her. She is who she is. And my book is what it is. Not neat. Not perfect, and definitely some “first book pitfalls,” but it’s close to my heart.

Confession: Sometimes I write transparent books.

My second book, ONE SONG AWAY, is fairly transparent – and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. It’s a HEA. It’s fun and it’s a bit dramatic at points. It’s also romantic, and has messages about sex positivity, bisexuality, positive friendships, and family. Plus there’s lots of kissing and a scene at a club that gets pretty SA-WOONY. I didn’t write this book to try to be mysterious. I didn’t want people to have to unravel if Sophie-Claire and Jake will end up together.

I wrote ONE SONG AWAY to make people smile. To make people laugh even. To make them cheer for my heroine, and okay, maybe want to shake her at times. I wrote ONE SONG AWAY to make people remember that time in their lives when they started a new chapter with nothing more than their confidence and the clothes on their back. I wrote ONE SONG AWAY to tell all the rebels out there that you can say “Fuck normalcy,” and be whoever you WANT to be. I wrote this book to make it known that all guys in fiction don’t have to be assholes mistakenly labeled alpha males. Some are beta males. Some are neither. Some are a mix.

If you’re looking for a book that fronts, this one isn’t for you.

Confession: 99% of the time for me, it’s far less about the destination and more about the journey.

Truth: I had more fun with ONE SONG AWAY *because* I wasn’t focused on the destination. Same for AS YOU TURN AWAY. Hopefully the same with every book I write. Before I start a book, I usually know who the main characters are, and if they’ll get a HEA or not. And while eventually I do plan to write a few books with a HFN or maybe not either of those things, ultimately for me it’s the in-between that matters.

I love the little moments where we see characters reconnect, or an unexpected friendship form. I write in a category where a HEA is not only possible, it’s probable. There’s a lot of transparency in New Adult, but there’s also too much importance placed on the destination. My life is about the journey, and I want the fiction I write to represent that. Once I let go of preconceived notions like focusing on the destination, I had a ton of fun with my first two books, and I want to follow that model, if you can even call it that, with my next books.

Confession: I’m a pantser.

Obviously not totally, because when I start a book, I always know who my main characters are, the central conflict, and the setting. Other than that…my books happen organically. I get ideas from everywhere, but I just let them happen. Occasionally I will outline, but I almost always find that outline later and snort because yeah, it changed. Again, just like above, I have loads more fun that way.

 

 

What are YOUR writing confessions? I’d love to hear one or two of them, and see if we match up on any of them. Do you worry more about the journey or about the destination when reading?

 

 

 

Cover Reveal: Between Everything and Us by Rebecca Paula

I have a treat for you today, lovelies! One of my author pals, Becka Paula, is revealing the cover of her upcoming NA, BETWEEN EVERYTHING AND US. I’ve already laid claim to Beau, the lead male, but I’m being nice and sharing the cover with y’all. Here we go!

 

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The Pretty

Title: Between Everything And Us

Author: Rebecca Paula

Category: New Adult

Release Date: January 20, 2015

Cover Design: Maggie Hall

Synopsis

Matisse Evans is determined to make her sophomore year of college successful after failing out of a prestigious art school and spending a horribly boring gap year at home. Despite her focus, time isn’t on her side as she struggles to hold down three jobs so she can afford her first apartment while juggling course work. In the chaos of it all, Beau Grady moves in and shakes up her world. A college dropout and tattooed bad boy, the rumors about Beau mean one thing for Matisse—trouble. Paralyzed by the fear that she’s missing out on life, Matisse discovers plans may unravel, but what rises in their wake can be worth the uncertainty.

After spending the summer couch surfing, Beau Grady moves into an empty room at his ex-girlfriend’s Portland bungalow, skipping his senior year of college to spend his days working at a Vietnamese food cart instead. Once a star hockey player and gifted student, he’s put his life on hold after receiving a life-altering diagnosis, complacent to live in the moment. Hiding behind false rumors and bad habits, Beau falls for Matisse, letting her believe the worst until their relationship blooms into something they both can’t ignore. Falling for her means having to face a future he’d rather forget, but loving her just might be worth it.

Excerpt

She grabs my hands and pins them together. I don’t fight off her touch. I let Mati gather them and raise them above my head. “I think it’s so easy to fall into the world when you’re not ready,” she says seriously. Her free hand brushes over my brows, then sweeps down my nose. “It’s such a big place and we’re all very tiny in the scheme of things.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“It sucks being an outlier, Beau. I get it. But in spite of everything, we’re always going to feel a bit lost. It’s the part of growing up that no one ever tells you about.”

“You’re very wise today, Miss Mati.”

“I’m lots things, mister. I’m…” Her voice drops off and she nervously glances down at my chest. “I think I’m a little bit in love with you actually.”

At least I’m sitting. That doesn’t help the way my stomach drops though.

I snake my hands out of her grip and brace them around her face. There’s a reason why outliers exist on the outside—they can’t find their way in.

Mati is no outlier to me.

We kiss for what seems like hours. I don’t care if it’s for days. But we kiss until my mouth wipes away the nervousness in that confession of hers, while I still cowardly hide behind mine.

In the wild, in the sun, Mati and I are…well, we’re something I never thought I’d have or find. And that’s everything.

 

About The Author

It began with a boy who survived a plane crash in the wilderness.

I discovered my love of writing during a fifth grade writing assignment for Hatchet. After that, I knew I wanted to be a writer.

Always the hopeless romantic, I write late Victorian and Edwardian historical romances as well as contemporary New Adult romances.

I am a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), as well as the New Hampshire chapter (NHRWA) and the New England chapter (NECRWA). I contribute regularly to the Modern Belles of History blog, a site dedicated to writing, reading, and researching 20th century women’s historical fiction.

When I’m not writing, I’m most likely reading or daydreaming about my next travel adventure. I live in New Hampshire with my husband and our cat, Bella.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Giveaway

 

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Top Ten Tuesday: The One with 2015 Excitement

Top Ten Tuesday:
Top Ten Books I’m Excited for in 2015

 

 TTT is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week, we squee over books in a weekly topic. 

Wow, so. Limiting this to ten was almost impossible, but somehow I managed it. I could talk about the  2015 books I’m looking forward to ALL NIGHT LONG and probably have before, but these are the ones I chose for this week’s topic. If YOU did a TTT, be sure to link me to it so I can comment and we can squee together!

THIS SHATTERED WORLD by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. Considering how much I loved THESE BROKEN STARS, is there even a question that TSW would be on this list?
A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC by Victoria Schwab, aka V.E. Schwab, aka my spirit animal and the author who is THE biggest influence on me. I’ll read anything V writes. And this one sounds FAB.
SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo. Ummm, it’s LEIGH. Who created MAL and ALINA and NIKOLAI. Of COURSE I want to read her new series…even if I haven’t quite forgiven her for the things RUIN AND RISING did to my poor heart. I loved her Grisha series too much not to want to read this spin-off!
A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J. Maas. It’s Sarah! Creator of Chaol. I’m SO loving the premise of her new series.
THE DEVIL YOU KNOW by Trish Doller. I ADORE Trish’s books, and I’ve already heard (no surprise here) that DEVIL is really great.
THE WINNER’S CRIME by Marie Rutkoski. I really liked The Winner’s Curse, despite a few odd and ends issues, so I’m excited for more.
THINGS WE KNOW BY HEART by Jessi Kirby. I loved loved loved GOLDEN by Jessi, and my girlfriend says this one is wonderful!
EXTRAORDINARY MEANS by Robyn Schneider. Um, I loved Robyn’s THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING like WHOA, so definitely reading this.
THE CONSPIRACY OF US by Maggie Hall. Maggie is a MAD talented cover designer and this book sounds amazing! 
TONIGHT THE STREETS ARE OURS by Leila Sales. THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE meant everything to me, so I knew right then I’d read anything else Leila writes. Looking forward to this!

BONUS: A few other YA books I really want to read in 2015: SEEKER | I WAS HERE | RED QUEEN | THE ORPHAN QUEEN | PLAY ON

BONUS: A few New Adult books I’m looking forward to! LAST FIRST KISS | ALL PLAYED OUT | TRUST THE FOCUS 

 

So apparently I’m waiting on a LOT of either SF/F or contemporary. What about you?

 

The One with ONE SONG AWAY Release Day Fun!

 

Today is the day! The day my second book releases into the world. It will be in the hands of readers soon – maybe even in YOUR hands, yes you, reading this. For so many months, ONE SONG AWAY was just an idea in the back of my head, then it was a draft, and then…it was a book. Now it’s yours. Yours, the readers who will turn the pages and read all about my Southern rebel belle Sophie-Claire.

I can’t change a word of ONE SONG AWAY from this point, but I had such a rewarding experience writing it, that I’m not sure I *would* make any changes. It’s not a perfect book, and for some, it’s a book they may not even like. But I had a lot of fun telling Sophie’s story, and I’m glad I wrote a different type of book to break out of my comfort zone.

If you’d like to purchase ONE SONG AWAY, it’s available at Amazon now! Paperbacks will be coming soon, and I may make it available at Barnes & Noble/Kobo/iBooks soon! (Please note: if you are a reviewer who requested it via NetGalley and did not get approved, please feel free to contact me via email.) 

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And now, for a release day giveaway!

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Blog Series: I Support #WeNeedDiverseBooks (Part 2)

As it turns out, I have a lot of thoughts about why diverse books are needed. Like, 1000 words a lot, and that was me forcing myself to stop. So I’m going to make this a series, of probably two more posts: one dealing with the few diverse books I read/the ones I’ve been lucky enough to read as an adult, and how they helped me heal, and another talking about the diverse kind of books *I* personally want to write. Maybe you guys will read them. Part One is here. 

 

Why We Need Diverse Books, Part 2: The Lack of Diverse Books

 

So here’s the deal: if I ever have children, I want them to be able to go into a library or a bookstore and see books with characters like THEM on the covers and in the pages. I had to wait until I was 14 to find those types of books. Before that, there weren’t LGBTQ YA books, at least, not that I knew about. And the truth is, I was too afraid to ask.

I was afraid to ask for books with characters like me. 

Truthfully, I’m not even sure I would have known what to ask for from my librarians, those ladies who saw me during my lunch period each day, and recommended me anything I asked for. Because of them I read HOMECOMING and DICEY’S SONG. I read JACOB HAVE I LOVED and TREE BY LEAF. I escaped into fantasy by reading Terry Brooks and others. High school was great for me in some ways; I had loads of friends and I loved my classes and the clubs I was in.

But I was beginning to realize I was…different, and I didn’t yet realize that different can equal good. So it was confusing. 

Then the Sweet Valley High books got a new series called SVH: Senior Year, new cover models, and new ghostwriters; for the first time, they weren’t outdated. They were diverse. It. Was. Awesome. We had POC main characters. We had interracial couples. A gay character. By then, I think part of me KNEW I was queer, but I wasn’t really ready; at the same time, it was GOOD to have that struggle, because it was helping me understand myself more. (Guys, I also wrote tons of SVH fan fic and it was awesome, or so I thought.)

Just because it was so much darn fun, and because it dealt with real teen issues like sex and grades and colleges (for its time, this series was so great, y’all) I read the Senior Year series until the end, when I graduated. (Also the twins were graduating high school, the end of an era, all that.) I was reading other YA books by then, adult fantasy, and slowly, women’s fiction and paranormal romance. I had opened so many reading doors, and was coming to terms with who I was. Getting to read books with characters like me helped SO, so much.

The point is, though, it shouldn’t have taken that damn long. Those shouldn’t have been the only books I read with LGBTQ characters. I shouldn’t have been afraid to ask any librarians for more. Sure, I was a scared kid and could have reached out, but we can do better by our kids. If I’d had FAR FROM YOU as a teen, I think it would have healed a huge part of me. I think a lot would have been different. I’ll never stop recc’ing that book, because somewhere out there is another me: very young and very scared.

Future generations of kids and teens should never be afraid to ask for LGBTQ recs. Or books about disabled characters or characters rising above being bullied, or from blended families.

We can do better. 

We MUST do better. 

In the last years, I’ve read books that featured characters dealing with bullying and poverty, LGBTQ characters, bullied characters, persons of color, blended families. I see so much HOPE and a real thirst for change from these authors and publishers. As readers, we all have to show a demand for diverse books to help publishers SEE it. And publishers that support diversity have to help facilitate a supply.

We’re seeing so MANY more diverse books getting published, whether traditionally, or through self-publishing. My next post will talk about the diverse books *I* hope to publish, and a little more about what we can do. For now, here are a few books that I’ve read and been either really impressed with the way they blended diversity in but didn’t make it ALL about a character’s differences…or they really saved me in one way or another.

Far From You by Tess Sharpe (I reviewed this book)

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch (I reviewed this book)

Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Charm & Strange by Stephanie Keuhn (I reviewed this book)

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales (I talked about my experiences being bullied after I read this book)

These are just a few examples. I have so MANY more I want to read. What are your favorite diverse books?

If you’d like to add your voice to the We Need Diverse Books campaign, you can find more information at their Tumblr and Facebook pages.

The One with the November Recap

 

 

*slides in, skidding a bit* How the heck is it NOVEMBER? Seriously, I’m halfway done with my Christmas shopping and it is just mind-boggling, BUT I feel like I’ve got sort of a handle on this author-blogger-working-life thing right now. I’m either doing really awesome or failing so well I can’t even tell. Heh.

Anyone’s guess as to if I’ll remember to do a monthly recap from now on, but I’ve talked a lot this month here and in other places, so I wanted to do a quick recap of what all has happened here, around the Internet, and for friends.

First and probably the biggest news, ONE SONG AWAY comes out in a little under a week. It’s going to be Amazon exclusive on a trial basis, because I want to see how KDP Select works, but we’ll see what happens. It’s up now for pre-order at Amazon.
Secondly, and something I think is pretty darn exciting, I announced that I’m writing a sequel to AS YOU TURN AWAY. I know it will be at least novella length, and possibly longer. You can read that post here. You can add the sequel, AS WE FALL TOGETHER to your Goodreads TBR here.
I’m part of the Indies Give Thanks giveaway, and you have a few more days to enter to win prize packs. It’s a really awesome giveaway, with lots of stuff from me, my CP Marie, and many other authors up for grabs. (That sentence came out sorta wonky but oh well).
Sharon at Obsession with Books was kind enough to let me guest post at her blog about what it was like going from a book blogger to an author/blogger.
I did an interview at Jim’s awesome site, YA Yeah Yeah, and it was a lot of fun. We talked about Doctor Who, country music, and my books, plus how I see New Adult.
Here at Books and Whimsy, I posted the first in a blog series of why I support the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign. Part One is here, with Parts Two and Three coming soon. I interviewed Reece Walker from my The Walker Boys series as part of a fun blog hop, and he really turned on the charm. At the end of October, I talked about how I wrote a beta male love interest in ONE SONG AWAY.
Giselle from XPressoReads/Tours is hosting my ONE SONG AWAY blog tour in December. The info is here if you’d like to follow the tour and win THINGS.
My CP Marie has her newest NA contemporary, TAKE THEM BY STORM, up for pre-order on Amazon and other online retailers. It’s an awesome LGBTQ book about self discovery and girls kissing girls.
I will probably make a post about this, but I’m going to book blog again! It’ll just be casual fun reviews and some discussion posts with the occasional TTT or other meme, nothing where I pressure myself like I used to. So, yay?! 

 

And I think that’s it! I’ve probably forgotten a bunch of things, but hopefully I’ll be back in December with another recap, and have some book blog posts up by then. Much love to all.

Introducing Reece Walker from AS YOU BREATHE AGAIN

One of my author pals, Becka, asked me to join her in a blog hop. The deets: we get to interview one of our characters, ask them some fun questions, and YOU, the readers, get to know them a bit better. Becka interviewed Beau Grady from her upcoming BETWEEN EVERYTHING AND US, and I laughed and squee’ed while reading her interview.

I immediately knew who I wanted to interview – Reece from my summer 2015 book, AS YOU BREATHE AGAIN. When I wrote my first book, Reece was supposed to be just a supporting character, but he sort of stole the show away from Jonah, his younger brother. I can’t wait to write Reece’s book, but for now, here’s a taste.

Character Interview: Reece Walker from AS YOU BREATHE AGAIN

 

Source

This interview is on location; Reece is busy working his family’s farm and couldn’t leave, so we’re in sunny Georgia today. Despite the fact it’s fall-winter weather there, and a bit overcast and cooler, Reece hasn’t let that stop him. He’s hard at work, on a tractor, but when he sees me approaching him, he kills the engine and hops down. With his characteristic swagger, untamable dark curls, and built physique, Reece is quite a picture striding across the field.

Friends, this reporter *might* be in a bit of a swoon by the time he’s standing in front of me, crooked smile making his eyes crinkle.

Molli: Hi there.

Reece: Hi yourself.

He grins slowly at me, and being the object of that smile, folks, let me tell you. Between that and the firm, warm handshake he offers me, I might need a fainting couch.

Molli:  I rummage through my bag for a moment to find my pen and paper, because I need a break from that smile.

Okay, sorry about that. Thanks so much for letting me talk to you today. Can you tell everyone your full name?

Reece: No worries, sweetheart. My full name is Malcolm Reece Walker, but no one but my Ma ever uses it. Everyone else calls me Reece.

If he’s noticing how rattled I am, he’s decided not to show me any mercy. Those damn blue eyes of his are dancing, and between that and the eye crinkles –  EYE CRINKLES – I’m having a bit of a reaction. Like of the breathless kind. He finally cracks, the smile changing from playful to welcoming. Reece gestures toward the nearby farm house, and I fall into step beside him.

Molli: Okay, great. And this may sound strange, but can you tell me, are you a fictional person or historical?

Clearly I’ve given him something to think about. Reece seems to be mulling over my words, that dangerous sparkle back in his eyes.

Reece: I’m tempted to say both, since everybody who goes against the grain here sort of goes down in history. But I’m as real as it gets. Here, m’am, let’s sit.

This reporter would be inclined to agree that he is, indeed, real. We reach the house and he nods at the porch swing. We sit together, and I give him a moment to stretch out his long…long legs before I say anything else.

Molli: So, where is your story set?

Reece: Here in Georgia, in the same town I grew up in. It’s a small place, but I love it.

He pauses, gazing out over the field. His expression changes several times, flickering from unrecognizable to something wistful, then back to that friendly grin as he faces me. The swing chains rattle a bit.

I used to think I had to leave, but I finally realized I belong here, with my boots in the dirt, growing things, raising my boy, bein’ near my family.” He clears his throat. “My story is set about a year after Jonah’s first one.

I nod to show him I’m listening. His eyes are full of emotions I can’t quite untangle, but I can tell that Reece Walker may seem affable and charming on the surface, but that there’s much, much more underneath.

Molli: What should we know about you?

He rakes a hand through his hair, messing up his curls. Squinting, he seems to be lost in thought. 

Reece: Depends on who you ask. But I guess I’d say one of the most important things is that I’m a single dad. My ex-wife died a little over a year ago, so I’m raisin’ our son, Jamie. And that kid’s a handful. Jamie’s my world. And I farm with my dad. My brothers would tell you that I’m loyal to a fault but that if someone burns their bridges with me, I’m not known for bein’ a second chances sort of guy. And uh, I guess when I want something, I can get pretty damn set on having it.

He laughs quietly, as if my question or his answer amused him. Maybe both did. I laugh along with him. I’ve been the sole focus of his attention for less than an hour, and I can attest it’s a wonderful place to be. If he has a girl, she’s a lucky woman. 

Molli: So what’s the main conflict of your story?

Reece: Sighing, he breaks eye contact. Well like I said, my ex died. Han and I were on good terms, and if she hadn’t gotten sick with cancer, I think we might have gotten back together eventually…but even though I loved her, I’m not sure we were right… Thing is, I don’t really do the feelings thing. That’s more E’s territory.

Molli: E?

Reece: Ethan, my youngest brother. He’s 20, but sometimes you’d think he’s Yoda in disguise with the Buddha shit he spills.

Molli: You know that’s two really weird references together, right?

Reee: Yeah.

He shakes his head, gently toeing our swing back and forth.

Anyway, uh… I want to get my shit together. I’m still reeling from Hannah’s death, because… Well, hell. I guess part of me always felt like of the two of us, she was the better parent.

Reece goes quiet. He’s studying the ground, like the board of the porch have a story to tell. He really doesn’t like to talk about his feelings. I hope he has someone in his life who can change that. 

Molli: What are your major goals?

Reece: That’s easy. I want to be a good dad to Jamie, and prove to my dad that I can take over the farm someday. And there’s this girl…

Molli: There’s always a girl, right?

Reece cracks a smile. 

Molli: So when can readers find out more about you? When can we expect your story?

Reece: Hopefully in the spring or summer at the latest. I’ve certainly got a lot to say. My book, AS YOU BREATHE AGAIN, will tell my story. In the meantime, you can follow my author, Molli, on Twitter. She tweets more about some guy named Stefan Salvatore than she tweets about me, but I’ll let that go.

Winking, Reece stands, so I follow suit. He reaches for my hand again, and I think he’s going to shake it. Instead, he pulls me closer into a hug. I’m almost too shocked to respond, but finally I relax and wrap my arms around him. Reece smells a little sweaty, which isn’t exactly a turn-on, but under that, I can smell a faint hint of cologne. His arms are strong, and when he lets me go, he kisses my cheek. 

Reece: See ya around, sweetheart.

 

Who’s On Deck

Next week, we’ll see Marie Landry interviewing one of her characters! Marie is my critique partner (CP) and she writes awesome books, like her upcoming New Adult TAKE THEM BY STORM, out in January.

About Marie:  Marie has the best job in the world—one where she gets to make stuff up for a living and shamelessly eavesdrop on everyone around her. She writes happily ever afters while dreaming about the day she’ll have her own epic love story to tell. Most days you can find her writing, reading, fantasizing about traveling the world, listening to U2, watching copious amounts of TV on DVD, or having grand adventures with her nephews and niece.

Connect with Marie at her blog | her twitter | her facebook page

 

I wanted to share a scene from Reece’s book but it’s a hot mess right now, since I’m scrapping some of it, so instead, here’s one of my favorite Reece scenes from AS YOU TURN AWAY. It’s the first time Quinn has come face to face with Reece since she came back to Georgia. She and her BFF are at the farmer’s market and come across Reece and his brothers. Jonah is the other MC of AS YOU TURN AWAY.

A thud penetrated the conversation and Quinn shifted slightly, looking around Ethan. The newcomer straightened to his full height and faced them. His blue eyes went straight to Quinn, and then skipped to Lanie for a few seconds, before pinning Quinn in place. She couldn’t have moved in any direction under that gaze. He’d always been able to do that: take in everything about a situation and then decide immediately on a course of action. At first, it unnerved her, but as she got to know him, she realized that was just how Reece Walker operated.

Would he lash out at her? Reece wasn’t known for being a second chances sort of man. Quinn wiped her palms on her pants as surreptitiously as she could, while keeping her eyes on the eldest Walker brother. His jaw popped as he studied her. She knew there was nothing she could do if he told her to go to hell. She hadn’t just hurt Jonah when she left. She realized now she’d also lost her friendships with Ethan, and Reece. And although Ethan had considered her a big sister, Reece once thought of her as his best friend.

“Quinn.” His piercings were gone, save for an eyebrow ring, and his hair was cut into a semblance of order. His half-sleeve tattoos were covered by shirtsleeves, and four years had added other changes. But the tone was close enough to the one he always used with her that Quinn almost staggered. His tone said like fuck girls can’t play football Reynolds, I’ll teach you, and if my brother ever hurts you, I’ll whip his ass, and a thousand other memories. They brushed against her like a breeze after a long, dry day. And she realized she’d been kidding herself thinking she didn’t miss having him in her life.

“Reece, I…” Nothing sounded right. She blinked in rapid succession, but she could still feel tears hovering in her eyes. His greeting wasn’t an absolution, and she knew she didn’t deserve one until she’d earned it. But it was a beginning. “Reece, I’m so happy to see you.” Her hands were shaking when she swiped at her eyes. “I know I haven’t acted like it, but I missed you.”

“Missed you too.” He finally smiled at her, and it was another start. “Now that you’re back, we’ll be catching up soon.”

Quinn nodded, and then winced at Lanie’s jab to her side. She glared at Lanie, who only lifted her chin. Quinn frowned at her before she faced the boys. The men. She gestured to Lanie, to focus her thoughts. “This is Delaney Shaw, my best friend.”

Lanie nodded at each of them in turn, and Quinn wasn’t sure what to make of how her gaze lingered on both Reece and Jonah. “It’s nice to meet the Walker boys finally.”

Ethan let out a snort. “Is that what Quinn calls us?” He traded an unreadable glance with Jonah.

Smirking, Lanie linked her arms through Quinn’s. “No, sugar, that’s what I call you, on account of the stories I’ve heard.” She nudged Quinn forward, and past the three frozen men.

Blog Series: I Support #We Need Diverse Books (Part 1)

As it turns out, I have a lot of thoughts about why diverse books are needed. Like, 1000 words a lot, and that was me forcing myself to stop. So I’m going to make this a series, of probably two more posts: one dealing with the few diverse books I read/the ones I’ve been lucky enough to read as an adult, and how they helped me heal, and another talking about the diverse kind of books *I* personally want to write. Maybe you guys will read them.

 Why We Need Diverse Books, Part 1: My Story

 

Have y’all heard about We Need Diverse Books and the amazing, groundbreaking work they’re doing? The #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign is so inspiring, and something I’m personally passionate about. They have a fundraiser going on now for some GREAT innovate ways of increasing awareness about the diversity they and we want to see in MG and YA books. I’ve been to as many of their Twitter chats as I can, and I’m so impressed by how many people are there, too, teaching me things, asking for books with better representation. Update: They reached their goal! I donated $25 and wished it could have been so much more. All of this is great, but just one step.

I want books with ALL sorts of diversity: disabled characters, LGBTQ characters, persons of color as main characters, etc. I want gritty, powerful books that are NOT what we’ve always seen: straight, white privileged characters. I want change, and I have a personal reason for wanting it. This won’t ever be easy for me to talk about, but I know I need to keep talking around the fear. 

I’m queer. I’ve used other words: like bisexual, when I came out to myself at 19, or gay, when I came out to friends. I wondered if I was a lesbian. I struggled with being attracted to both females and males, and wondered what it meant when my preference changed. And I did it largely alone.

The last few years haven’t been easy. And I know this is my life now. I will always come out again and again. Some people will understand, and some won’t. Some will mistakenly think it’s a choice. And all of that is why I want diversity in books – both so people can see characters who look and think like them, and see THEMSELVES represented, and also to teach empathy and understanding to others. So they can understand people who aren’t like them.

Next year I’ll be 30, and I spent 19 of my years questioning who I was. Wondering why I wasn’t like the girls I knew or read about. Wishing I could just have a crush on a boy and get it over with finally and just fucking feel normal. As I got older, my thoughts changed. I was finally really interested in guys, but worse: I was interested in girls. It was such a confusing time, realizing what it all meant.

I struggled a LOT over the next years, but various relationships, both platonic and romantic, `taught me a lot about who I was, and who I wanted to be, and who I was MEANT to be. Finally, I found the courage to come out to myself, and very slowly, to friends over the years. And when I did? I was finally at peace with myself; the only problem was, I wasn’t ready to come out publicly. Sometimes I didn’t have the courage, so I left hints to follow, a trail of breadcrumbs, hoping friends would guess.

When I finally came out to my family right after Thanksgiving 2012, I remember very clearly thinking “This is the bravest I’ll ever have to be. Just this once.” My legs were shaking. My whole body was shaking, but I sat my parents down and somehow managed to say “I feel like I need to tell you, I’m bisexual.”

What I didn’t understand then was that I didn’t have to be that brave just once.

I have to be that brave EVERY DAY. With co-workers. With a new doctor. With professionals. With new author friends. I wear my heart on my sleeve when I come out each time, and once again I’m standing there exposed, silently praying I won’t see the person’s expression change. Or, in online relationships, that the person won’t unfollow me, or choose not to read my books. That fear is always with me. I carry it everywhere I go. And I can choose to let it break me, or I can choose to rise above it, and live my life genuinely. Happily. Bravely. It’s an easy choice, and it’s the only one I’ve ever made in terms of my sexuality. I didn’t choose to be queer. But I choose to live genuinely. I choose to be me, always.

I want to see books reflecting this, reflecting various different characters living their lives genuinely. YA books with two Prom Kings, and persons of color as the main characters. NA books with interracial relationships, and trans romances and characters. Asexual characters. Disabled characters in MG, YA, and NA. NA books focusing on blended families who raised open-minded characters. YA and NA and MG books that defy gender or sexuality stereotypes. Gender fluid characters.

Here is a truth: if you are able bodied, if you can see and breathe and walk and hear, you are privileged. If you have never trembled in fear while a co-worker uses homophobic slurs and thought “I can never come out to them, I am not safe here,” you are privileged. If you have control over your own body, you are privileged. If you are not disabled, you are privileged. It is an HONOR to get to live like that. (And I mean privilege in the truest sense of the word – I don’t mean anything derogatory at all.)

But the other truth is: not everyone is like you. Or you. Or me. Or him. Or her. It takes all kinds of kinds, and books MUST reflect that so everyone understands this from an earlier age.

Let’s all do what we can to make sure my experience, and countless other people’s’ experience aren’t repeated. Let’s do what we can to change the future for our kids, or our friends’ kids. Let’s do this together.

 

If you’d like to add your voice to the We Need Diverse Books campaign, you can find more information at their Tumblr and Facebook pages.

The One with the Indie Authors Give Thanks #Giveaway!

The last eight months since I first published AS YOU TURN AWAY have been so amazing. I’ve learned more about my writing, read some great books, and met some incredible folks. One author pal, Deirdre Hall, is hosting a great giveaway from a bunch of us indie writers to thank YOU GUYS, the readers who give our books a chance. (This giveaway is US only.)

 

 
November has a reputation for pumpkin, crisp leaves, mustaches, and gratitude. Stop in your local Trader Joe’s and you’ll find pumpkin galore. Step outside, leaves! The mustaches, well, that has to do with men’s health so ask a dude to fill you in. As for the gratitude, this group of Indie Authors wants to say a warm thank you to all the readers who’ve read our novels, left reviews, and offered support along the way. 
 
As a token of our appreciation, we’re offering 4 huge prize packs to 4 random winners. The first one includes some great novels and goodies by Young Adult Indie Authors. The remaining three prize packs offer loads of books and swag from New Adult Indies. There are signed paperbacks, complete series’, ebooks, ARCs, eARCs, bookmarks, swag, and more! Check out all the details below, and get ready to curl up with some great reads!
 
 
Prize Pack #1 // Young Adult

 

 
Waiting for the Storm (ebook) by Marie Landry
After the Storm (ebook) by Marie Landry
The BirthRite Series (ebooks) by Brandi Leigh Hall
Tethered, Tempted & Tangled



Motocross Me by Cheyanne Young (signed paperback & includes free audio download)
Understudy by Cheyanne Young (signed paperback & includes free audio download)
Somewhere only we Know by Cheyanne Young (signed paperback & includes free audio download) along with some swag!
Snapshots (ebook) by Patricia Lynne
Being Human (ebook) by Patricia Lynne
 

Prize Pack #2 // New Adult

 
Hysteriata (ebook) by D.A. Botta
Breaking the Rules by L.K. Lewis
The Complete Elsker Saga (ebooks) by S.T. Bende:
Tur, Elsker, Endre, Tro
To the Sea by Deirdre Riordan Hall
In the Desert by Deirdre Riordan Hall
On the Mountain by Deirdre Riordan Hall & some of this swag from each book, including the 3 necklaces & other goodies!


Prize Pack #3 // New Adult 

Breaking the Rules by L.K. Lewis 
A Little like Fate Boxset: A Little like Fate, A Little like Love & A Little like Destiny by Cheyanne Young 
The complete Elyzian Chronicles (paperbacks): Hysteriata, Sinfluence & Sycamortem  by D.A. Botta 
As you Turn Away (ebook) by Molli Moran 

One Song Away (eARC 12.1.14) by Molli Moran plus Swag!
The Maenad of Manhattan by Liz Meldon



Prize Pack #4 // New Adult

 In Between Seasons by Cassandra Giovanni
Breaking the Rules by L.K. Lewis
Real Eyes (11.11.14) by Amy Evans
Irish Cream cocoa and a Fire of Stars & Dragons inspired mug courtesy of Jen Streck & Melissa A. Petreshock
Fire of Stars and Dragons (ebook) by Melissa A. Petreshock
Postcards from Asgard (eARC 11.27.14) by Amalia Dillin 
Hysteriata (ebook) by D.A. Botta 
The Triple R Series (ebooks) Run to Love, Rest, my Love & Ride my Love by Jules Dixon


Pretty excellent for winter reading, huh? 
Please enter below & tell your friends! Thank you for reading with us and supporting Indie Authors!
*Apologies to our international friends, but this giveaway is for US residents only. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An extra thank you for your support and writer hugs to the authors who contributed to this giveaway.

The One Where AS YOU TURN AWAY Gets a (Sort of) Sequel

Last year, I wrote a book. It was hard work. It meant late nights and long days, and ultimately, it meant publishing that book and realizing it was out of my hands. That was one of the most difficult parts of the entire publishing process. I couldn’t change the few typos I ultimately found in AS YOU TURN AWAY. I couldn’t add an epilogue. I couldn’t defend it to readers who hated (and wouldn’t try, since that’s their opinion, and is totally okay) it or who, for their own reasons, couldn’t finish it. I couldn’t make it any better, and I couldn’t change the few things I wished I’d done differently. It was what it was. It was done.

I wrote another book. I didn’t think much more about Jonah or Quinn at first, because I was wrapped up in ONE SONG AWAY, and in Sophie and Jake. But once I finished OSA and had some free time, my thoughts wandered back to AYTA. To Jonah. To Quinn. I’d left them in a pretty okay place, but the longer I thought about them, the deeper my sense became that their story isn’t finished.

AS YOU TURN AWAY isn’t a neatly wrapped story. Quinn? Isn’t likable at times. Jonah? Has issues. They are two realistically written people who are still in love to their bones with each other, and they both want to be together. And over the course of AYTA, we see them both realize they each have some work to do. I wrapped up part of their storyline with the end of AYTA. I could breathe. They were going to make it. We’d see them again in other books.

Except now, that isn’t enough. I haven’t been able to dive into the first Walker Boys companion book, and I couldn’t figure out why. I love Reece. Love him. But Jonah and Quinn have more to say. They know they have work to do, and they’re eager to get to it. And who am I to say no? I never planned on writing a sequel. But my best friend asked for an epilogue. And readers asked. And that voice in my head asked.

So Jonah and Quinn are getting a novella! AS WE FALL TOGETHER will be my fall project, along with Reece’s book. I hope you guys are as excited for more Jonah/Quinn as I am! I want the chance to show them in a good place, and how they get there, so…here we go!