Lisa Brown Roberts's Blog, page 5

Man Crush Monday

 
 
 

Welcome to YA Reader Week! I’m happy you stopped by for Man Crush Monday today! Today I’m hosting D.R. Graham’s Man Crush Monday Post, so please read on and don’t forget to check out the Rafflecopter link for great prizes!

Introducing: Trevor James Maverty

Search and Rescue Volunteer University Student Born in Burnaby, British Columbia. Moved to Brampton Beach with his dad and sister when he was seven years old. Pisces Trevor looks similar to this model (if anyone knows his name, please let me know in the comments). The Search and Rescue photo was taken by photographer Amanda Evans. His sister, Kailyn, looks similar to the actress Lauren Potter.  

Excerpt from Book 1 of the Brampton Beach Series: PUT IT OUT THERE

  “Deri!” Murphy’s booming voice startled me. He lunged forward and swung me around in a big bear hug. “Welcome home.” He put me down and reached into the open window of his truck to get his phone off the dashboard. “What are you doing out here all by yourself? Trevor’s been dying to see you.” “I doubt it. He didn’t even want to talk to me after his fall.” Murphy’s expression changed and he glanced back at the house. “He wants to see you, Deri. Trust me.” I bit my bottom lip. “I’m not feeling that well. I might just go home and see him in the morning.” Murphy grinned in a funny way. “Get inside. You’ll feel better once you see him. Besides, I won’t live if he finds out that you were here and I let you go home without at least saying hello.” “Don’t tell him that you saw me.” “He’s going to smell your perfume on me.” “He doesn’t even know what perfume I wear.” He chuckled. “He knows everything about you and he’s been whining about missing you for five months. If you don’t walk in there on your own I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you in.” I stood staring at the house and took a deep breath. I twisted my hair around my finger and bit at my bottom lip. “That’s it – you’re coming with me.” He scooped me up and bent me over his shoulder. “No Murphy! Let me go!” I screamed, smacked his back, and wiggled my legs. It made no difference. He was way too strong. He walked up the front steps, kicked the door open, and shouted, “Look who I found.” Everyone within a twenty-foot radius was gawking at us. Once Murphy put me down, I saw Trevor immediately. He was across the room and he smiled before weaving through the people to make his way to me. He was wearing a black T-shirt and dark jeans that made him look even sexier than I remembered. I assumed he was going to give me a big hug and swing me around, but he didn’t. He grabbed my hand, pulled me down the hall, and into a bedroom. Judging by the sweaty sock smell, it was either Murphy’s or Ryan’s room. He closed the door and pulled me in as if we were dancing. He dropped his head down until his chin was resting on the top of my head and he hugged me tightly. I started to cry. My cheek was resting on his chest and it felt incredibly comforting as his body rose with each breath. “Welcome home,” I whispered. He didn’t say anything, so I tilted my head to look at him. He was choked up, I could tell. His eyes were definitely glassy and he was tensing his face trying to keep it together. My heart bounced around like a rubber ball inside my chest. Knowing that he was upset made me love him even more – which I hadn’t thought was possible.

 
Author: D.R. Graham

D.R. Graham is the author of Young Adult and New Adult novels. She worked as a social worker with at-risk youth for seven years before becoming a therapist in private practice. The clients she works with are children and teenagers. Her novels deal with issues relevant to young and new adults in love, transition, or crisis. She is also an award winning columnist for the Richmond News. She currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband. www.drgrahambooks.com Bonus Giveaway: Everyone who joins the Graham Crackers Street Team during the Young Adult Reader Appreciation Week September 22-26th, 2014 will be entered into a draw to win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card

Click to Join the Graham Crackers Street Team

 

Check out the books that D.R. will be giving away all this week on Twitter and in the raffle:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

RMFW Colorado Gold 2014

RMFW PEN Award 2014

The weekend of September 6th, 2014, I attended the 30th Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Colorado Gold Conference. Though it was only my second RMFW conference, I’m guessing it was about my 15th writing conference. Maybe I’m a conference junkie, but I prefer to think of myself as a tribe junkie, and connecting with other writers is always like coming home.

My favorite writing organizations include SCBWI, RWA, and most recently RMFW, an incredible regional writing group composed of fantastic authors from every genre. Though I’m a newer member, they’ve welcomed me with open arms and celebrated my first book contract in style, welcoming eight newly contracted/published authors into their traditionally published author ranks with a special speaking panel at their annual conference, that cool engraved pen award shown in the photo, and lots of cheers and well wishes at the awards banquet.

It was a joy to be there with new RMFW friends, as well as some of my critique partners and friends from SCBWI who’ve supported and encouraged me for years. Writers are the most generous, supportive people I know, so if you’re one of those shy, new authors sitting in the back of the room at a conference, take heart.  Say hello to the person sitting next to you. Chat someone one up in the buffet line. Who knows? One day that person might become your critique partner, your roomie at future conferences, or someone you cheer on through the highs and lows, and who does the same for you.

Family

I skipped last Thursday because it was Thanksgiving and I was celebrating with extended family. I’ll make up for it today by simply stating that I love Thanksgiving because it’s a holiday that focuses on gratitude for all we have, and is usually spent with those we love.

This year I’m particularly grateful for an amazing week in Dallas with my sister-in-law, who hosted a big crew of crazy! She did so with grace, humor, and tons of Texas-sized hospitality. Sometimes family gatherings aren’t all domestic bliss, but this year was so awesome I wish I could save it on YouTube and hit “play” when I need extra laughs and love.

I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season spent with family and friends. Even if it’s not domestic bliss, I hope there are enough outtakes of laughter to keep you going!