Molli Moran's Blog, page 5

The One With As You Breathe Again Extra #1

Shortly before As You Breathe Again released, I introduced a series of review incentives, small things I could do for my readers when the book reached certain review milestones.

I’m excited to announce that we reached the first milestone and in fact, passed it! We are almost to the second one. So it’s time I made good on my part.

Anxiety is a Liar

 

This piece is part of a series of posts about my experiences living with anxiety. Further installments coming soon.

I’ve been planning to go to a friend’s get-together all week. I’ve been telling myself I can do it all week. There won’t be more than 15 people there. I know them all. I’ve been to her house and these parties before.

It’ll be fine.

I’m capable of going. Of having a good time. Of relaxing my tight tight tight grip on myself and my small circle of things I can control and–for on...

The One With #PrideRecs

Since June is Pride month, I wanted to talk a bit about a few of the LGBTQIAP books I’ve read and loved. Hopefully a few of these are new to some of you!

 

FAR FROM YOU by Tess Sharp (B) – Sophie, a recovering addict, investigates the murder of her girlfriend, Mina. Told in haunting non-linear style, this book changed my life.

***

ABOUT A GIRL by Sarah McCarry (B) – The third in a series, this Greek-mythology-infused book follows Tally on her quest to discover the truth about her family. She...

The One Where You’re Not Alone

                       Credit

“Love, you’re not alone. Cause I’m gonna stand by you.”

I heard this song for the first time a few days ago. Even though it’s not geared toward friendships, that’s immediately what I thought of–and specifically, the writer friends I’ve made in the last few years. (Lookin’ at you, Becka, Liz, Anna, and JC. :D)

A little over a year ago, I said goodbye to my then-CP. We had become an example of everything I didn’t want in a critique partner relationship, as we both...

The One with As You Breathe Again Extras

I HAVE A BOOK COMING OUT TOMORROW.

*deep breath*

So, here’s the deal. Books need help from readers to get into the hands of MORE readers. That’s why we, as authors, say that reviews are SO important. They can help a book soar, or without them, drown. I’ve seen a few passionate readers champion a book and help it take off and become something. And that? Is amazing.

Readers are powerful. Don’t you ever forget it.

Here’s where I need your help. I want to see As You Breathe Again get to that all-important 50 reviews (something none of my books have accomplished, as much as I hate to say that), and maybe even beyond. The more honest reviews I can get on Amazon (and even on Barnes & Noble or Kobo or iBooks), the better chance the book has of succeeding. (Updated shortly with links!) t

If we hit 15 reviews, I will: post a new, steamy scene not in the book!If we hit 30 reviews, I will: post the first chapter of the As You Turn Away rewrite. Trust me, y’all wanna read it. It’s basically a Hart of Dixie episode and so cute and feels-y.If we hit 40 reviews, I will: give away e-books of all my books (As You Turn Away, As You Breathe Again, and One Song Away)If we hit 50 reviews, I will: release a new, swoon-worthy epilogue from As You Breathe AgainIf we hit 75 reviews within the first month (February ), I’ll give away a $20 gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble + release a Reece/Lanie short story!

Your reviews do not have to be long. They do not have to be positive. Obviously, I want everyone to love Reece and Lanie’s story, but I know that won’t be possible.

All your reviews HAVE to be is honest. So if you loved, liked, or didn’t care for my book, review anyway. ALL reviews help. No one wants to see a book with only glowing reviews or only negative reviews.

Again, reviews make ALL the difference to any author, but especially an indie author. I don’t have a publicist to help me, so I’m appealing to you guys. You awesome people, who do what you do because your hearts are huge and you love books.

This last year was HARD. There were times that I seriously did not think this book would exist. I made hard choices FOR it to exist. I gave up vacation plans with my long-distance girlfriend so I could publish this book.

And I could really, from the bottom of my heart and the tips of my toes, use your help to help it soar.

Thank you in advance. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

The One with 2016 Book News

*confetti parade*

2016 is here! With the new year comes *drumroll* BOOK NEWS.

Real talk. 2015 was a weird year for me, writing wise. I wanted to write three books. I wrote one, one that I had started in 2013, wrote half of in 2014, scrapped, then came back to in 2015. As You Breathe Again poured out of me in two months, and it’s the book I’m most proud of to date.

I found my place. My path. I can say with total pride that I’m a Romance writer and always will be.

So with that, let’s get to some concrete goals for 2016 and announcements.

As You Breathe Again is on NetGalley! You’ll be able to request it to review for the next month. Note: Patchwork Press is handling all the requests on my behalf, so if for any reason you are not accepted, please feel free to request an e-ARC from me via this form. I’ll check it up until release day. I’m thrilled to announce that the companion to One Song Away finally has a title and some actual words. It’s my first female/female Romance, designed to be read as a standalone. I’m so excited to dive into the world of female/female romance finally, and I’m psyched to bring you Sloane Delgado’s story in One Heart Like Mine. I’ve been promising this book since One Song Away came out, but life and unavoidable ~things got in the way. No more! I can promise that One Heart Like Mine will be published THIS YEAR.I can also promise you that, as mentioned previously, As You Turn Away will be re-released in the spring (I am tentatively aiming for May, but earlier if possible), with a new cover. It will still be the same recognizable story, but polished, and with some small changes and new content. Quinn and Jonah have a little more to their story than I’ve told, and I can’t wait to show you all the other layers to their journey.I’ll be jumping into the third Walker Boys book, As You Come Undone, this spring. This is Ethan Walker’s book, and you’ll hear me talk a LOT about Ethan and his heroine, Jenna. Jenna is my first disabled heroine, which means I have a lot of research ahead of me, but I’m so excited to continue to represent marginalized voices (as well as signal-boosting marginalized authors and books, which I do as often as I can on Twitter.)Assuming I get all this accomplished, I have some other goals, including:Re-releasing One Song Away with a redesigned cover to match my branding (I want a little more grown-up look for my books, since they are definitely Romance or New Adult, if you squint.)Revamping my author newsletter with more content, but still only sending monthlyPlay around with some YA WIPs that have been in my head for agesWrite the Book of My Heart, which is A Secret YA/NA (I keep going back and forth)

I hope you’re ready for a year of strong girls and unlikable girls and strong boys and broken boys. Girls who kiss girls. Girls who kiss boys. Boys who kiss boys. Boys who kiss girls and boys. Girls who kiss girls and boys. I hope you’re ready for dirty talking heroes and gentlemen heroes, alpha males and beta males. Lots of sex. LOTS of kissing.

Let’s do this, 2016.

Life As We Know It – #1

Kay and I thought it would be fun to give everyone a glimpse into our worlds, both as individuals and as a couple. She’ll be guest posting on my blog from time to time, and I’ll be guest posting on hers. We’ll vary the topics and hopefully use this feature to chronicle the eventual awesome that will be me moving to California to be with her. The ups, the downs, the struggles and challenges we both face together and as individuals…it’s all just life as we know it.

 

If all goes well, this will be the final holiday season that Kay and I are apart. Knowing that the move is coming next year, we’ve already begun discussing and planning some holiday traditions we want to include as we finally blend our lives together.

Christmas is my favorite holiday and has been since I was a child. Then, it was a time of snow and presents and being joyful about being out of school. Both my grandmothers made it magical. My Grama went all out decorating the inside and out of her home. My Grandma Jean loved it because it was what brought all her kids and grandkids together. We had a routine: Christmas Eve at my Grandpa Tom’s house, then home to open a present that night. Christmas Day breakfast with my Grama and Pa, then Christmas dinner with my Grandma Jean.

Over the years, the traditions slowly fell into disarray. Everyone’s lives became busier, and we lost my grandpa and both my grandmothers. Now, thankfully, my Pa is still with us, and we still get together for the Christmas Day breakfast. It’s one of the few times a year my bustling family all comes together.

But somewhere along the way, that magic fizzled out. Maybe it was because my brother and I grew up and stopped believing. Maybe it was because everyone stopped making time for lazy evenings together, or maybe it was because the linchpins holding us together were gone. There was no Grama to make her favorite cookies and host our snowball fights. No Grandpa to light a roaring fire in his fireplace and hold us in his lap as he showed us the money he’d put in savings accounts for our futures. No Grandma Jean to make crescent rolls every year. No little cousins running around anymore.

Now we were all grown, gone, scattered.

Then, I met Kay, and we became us. We realized that we both cherish the holidays as a time of reflection, family togetherness, and counting our blessings. And in planning for the move, we also talked about Christmas Eve and Day traditions.

I am so blessed, every day, to love her, and to be able to plan to spend my life with her. I know we will reignite the magic of the holidays together, filling the season with love and light and happiness.  In a busy world, we’ll make time for one another and the family we create together. We’ll shut out the stress the season can bring and embrace only the reasons to be thankful.

Hello, 2016. Hello, new traditions. Hello to my life with the girl who is my future. 

Be sure to check out Kay’s Life As We Know It post for her thoughts on this topic!

As You Breathe Again Cover Reveal

Now that this day is actually, finally here, I’m a bit at a loss for words. Writing As You Breathe Again was a struggle at times, a joy, and an experience that saw me change as a writer and a person. Working with Maggie Hall and seeing this cover come to life, more beautiful than I’d imagined it could be was such a rewarding experience. 

(Quickly, thank you to Maggie for creating this cover and to Giselle for hosting and organizing the reveal. What you’re seeing here is several months worth of effort on various creative’s parts!)

Now, I believe you’re here to see something lovely, right?

(Come on, it wouldn’t be a blog post from me without a Supernatural gif.)

 

****

***

**

****

***

**

****

***

**

****

She’s never had the courage to hold on to anyone. He never learned how to let go of what he wants.

Delaney Shaw isn’t looking for anything complicated. After her teaching career is put on hold, she decides to spend the summer in Georgia with her best friend. Lanie lives for the here and now, and she isn’t thinking past the end of the summer. She’s never had any problem being unattached, because she learned a long time ago that life is safer that way.

Until Reece Walker decides to change her mind.

Almost a year after his ex-wife’s death, Reece is still reeling from her passing. He’s devoted himself to raising their son and working his family’s farm to keep himself grounded. Reece feels like he’s lost sight of the man he used to be, and he’s not sure how to find his way back.

Everything changes when the woman he’s unsuccessfully tried to forget walks back into his life.

Even though she’s fighting their sizzling chemistry, Lanie is losing the war. But love isn’t always like it is in the movies, and they have real issues. Lanie is terrified Reece’s small town won’t accept their interracial relationship, and she doesn’t know how to let him in.

Lanie has had years to build her defenses, but Reece isn’t the sort to give up without a fight. If he can counter Lanie’s fears with the future only he can offer her, maybe they can both learn to breathe again.

 

Are you excited? I AM! I am so thrilled with this cover (and can’t wait to show you the new As You Turn Away cover in the next few months). Let me know what you think of the cover! 

 

You can support As You Breathe Again by: Adding it to your Goodreads TBRPreordering your copy now: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo Following the Pinterest boardSharing the cover and preorder links! Feel free to use the below graphic — just don’t take credit for it.

 

Thank you to ALL the bloggers who are participating in the cover reveal and to all my reader, blogger, and author friends for the support. You all are the best.

 

 

 

 

The One Where I’ve Still Got a Lot of Fight Left In Me

Dear 2015 Molli,

This time last year, you did Susannah Conway’s Unraveling the Year Ahead for 2015. You had amazingly high hopes. You decided your year of the word would be “indomitable,” and that you’d live it. And live it you did, in some unexpected ways. 

There are going to be times this year when you’ll want to walk away from writing, when you can’t force, cajole, or bargain the words out of your heart or head no matter what you do. Keep trying. Eventually, the block will clear on its own and you’ll write a book you are so fucking proud of. Every day won’t be easy from then on, but you’ll make words, then sentences, then pages, then a book. You’ll edit that book and work with an amazing designer to create something you love with all your heart.

There are going to be moments this year when you will find out what you’re made of, moments you wouldn’t have been ready for in the past. You’ll be scared and you’ll wish this wasn’t happening. Keep your chin up and stand your ground. In the end, you’ll come out stronger, with a clearer idea of who you are.

There are going to be moments when, in a heartbeat, the suffocating friendships you were afraid to lose will shatter, and the fear and pain you’ve been inflicting on yourself for months will be gone. You’ll be afraid to take that step, to sever those bonds because you aren’t sure who you are without them. Do it anyway. You’ll be healthier, happier, and everyone involved will be better off in the end.

You’ll learn who your friends truly are, and you’ll immediately feel lighter, more free. Afterward, it’s like someone turned on a light, and you’ll finally give yourself permission to start protecting your spaces, to speak your mind, to cultivate only healthy relationships, and to take care of yourself, no matter what that looks like to other people. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do all of this sooner.

There will be ticktock seconds where all you can feel is the certainty that you have made the wrong decision, that you should go back and try to make nice, to fall into the head-down pattern you have lived for too long— Stop, right there. You are a goddamn warrior and you are breaking that pattern. Now.

There are going to be times this year when you will miss your girl so much that you won’t be able to breathe, moments when the idea of moving from Tennessee to California feels like climbing into the sky and collecting a pocketful of stars. But then there’s your hours-long weekly FaceTime dates and the week at the beach and “I-love-you’s” over audio messages and small presents and promise rings with the ocean singing in the background. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.

You will get there. It is okay to miss Katie. It’s okay to feel halved without her. Soon, sooner then it seems, you will be with her again.

There will be days when you’ll look at your books and someone else’s and wonder what you are doing so wrong and if you should be doing this and you aren’t making an impact anyway and— Don’t. Don’t. Don’t. Everyone struggles and has those doubts. The only answer is to put your fingers on the keyboard and tell the stories that are infiltrating your blood and bones, the stories that need out into the world.

There will be times this year when you are so deeply unhappy, when you are panicking because of the anxiety you have almost normalized. There will be moments when, as much as you love your family, you realize you have to put distance between yourself and them. There will be moments you listen to its poisonous whispers, moments when you almost believe it. Anxiety lies. You are remnants of stardust and you are the infinite pieces of hope you have learned to patiently stitch back together.

You will leave this place. You will find a toehold and a finger hold and you will fucking climb up up up up up until you can see the sun and breathe the air and you will make it out.

There will be moments this year when you will stand and stare in the mirror and not recognize the body you see there. You will see the skin you’re so uncomfortable in, and then slowly, you will see the skin that has gotten you this far and held you together when you have felt as if your soul is splintering. Love yourself for the first time.

There will be moments this year when you will falter. In the backseat of a car, speeding through Alabama toward the hills of Tennessee, and home. Surrounded by your friends. You will fall and they will carry you. You will let them see you at your worst and they will let you borrow strength from them and love you no less.

Tell you a secret? You’re stronger, staring at the last handful of sunsets of 2015. You’re wiser. Yes, your heart is broken in a few more places, and those tender places are fragile, still healing, new skin covering the hurts. Yes, you’ve lost some people you thought you never would. Yes, you’ve been knocked to your knees more times this year than you ever could have imagined. But you got back up.

Every

Single

Time.

And that is your takeaway. That is what matters. You didn’t stay down. You got back up and you kept going and you found ways around the obstacles in your path. So 2015 wasn’t a loss. It was a win, because 2015 is the year you found your strength.

2015 is the year you found out who you really are.

Hello.

Let 2016 be the year you live *for you*. Let 2016 be the first year go after your dreams with the certainty you’ll finally achieve them all.

Love,

Molli

The One with As You Breathe Again News

 

Well, this post could really be called, “The One With All the Book News.” So let’s get started.  

First off, ONE SONG AWAY is in Kindle Unlimited until early 2016. If you’re a KU member, you’re eligible to read my second book for free! Second, (and y’all would know this already if you were in my Facebook reader group… *wink wink*) but in early 2016, As You Turn Away (the first book in my Walker Boys series) will be getting a cover make-over. It will be re-released in e-book AND in print, both with the new cover. I’ll also be doing some light editing, and working hard with my designer to create the swooniest cover possible. 

Third (yep, there’s more), the As You Breathe Again cover reveal is happening December 8, 2015. I KNOW. I am…so humbled to be putting this book out into the world, and so excited to share the cover. If you’d like to sign up to help reveal it on your blog, there’s still time.

And finally, I am thrilled to announce that As You Breathe Again is officially available for preorder at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iBooks. It will also be available in print; sadly, those won’t be able to be preordered. But I can promise you, I’m working hard to make them stunning! That’s it for this round-up. If you’d like all the news as it happens, sign up for my newsletter!