Andrea Nourse's Blog, page 5
March 7, 2021
March 6, 2021
March 4, 2021
Indie Author … and Podcaster?
If I look tired, it’s because I took this at 10 pmI’ve decided to make #indielovethursday a thing. This week, I’m gonna explain why …
If you’d have told me six months ago that I’d be staying up until 10 pm recording a podcast, I’d have laughed at you and said NO WAY.
But as this story usually goes, here we are.
When I published my fourth novel, After Everything, I was reminded of all the barriers and roadblocks that indie authors have to tackle on their journey to market their books.
Between the stigmas, the cost of competing against a billion-dollar industry, all the no’s that hit before the question is even asked … y’all, it can be demoralizing.
But it’s worth it. Why? Because indie publishing is amazing. The freedom to publish what you want when you want without the rules, constraints, and timelines of that same billion-dollar industry.
This is why Maria Ann Green and I started the Indie Author Book Club. We wanted to introduce readers to new indie authors AND we wanted to demolish the stigmas.
I am so proud of the work we’ve done over the past few months and cannot wait to see where this journey takes us.
March 2, 2021
Mani Time …Me Time … Self Care … Mom Time … Whatever …
My Nail CartPick your favorite buzz word. Self Care. Me Time. Mom Time. Indulgence. Happy Time. Whatever you want to call it, it’s important. IMPORTANT. As moms (working out or in the home) trying to survive a pandemic, taking time for yourself is beyond crucial.
I have a few, let’s call it self care, things that I do that are just for me. I read. I write. I scroll Instagram. I giggle at silly TikToks.
My absolute favorite self care activity is doing my nails. Since last March, it’s become a hobby I indulge in at least once a week. For me, it’s about so much more than just having fun or pretty nails. It’s a source of pride.
If you’ve been here a while, you know I have a history of being an anxiety nail biter and picker. My poor, poor cuticles have been through the ringer. When I see old photos of my hands, I cry and cringe. My fingers used to always hurt. I hated the way they looked, but mostly I hated the way they felt.
My nail journey started with Impress press-on nails back in the fall of 2019. In early 2020, I discovered the magic of dip powder. I had a few salon dips, but then the pandemic hit. So, I hit up YouTube and far too many Facebook Groups and learned how to do my own dip at home.
It took some trial and a lot of error, but I found a method that worked for me and fell in love. Somewhere along the way, nails became part of my brand. When I have naked nails, friends like to take bets on how long I’ll last. So far, 72 hours is the max … BUT I had Covid, so I don’t think that really counts.
Every Wednesday, I post my Mani of the Week (or last week, depending on how many manis I’ve done recently). If you ask my IG friends and followers what they know me for, they will answer nails, books, coffee, and wine.
I’ve shared a few of my favorites below. I’ve also shared links to the powders and liquids I use.
Have you tried dip nails? If you haven’t and want to know more, hit me up! I love talking about nails. And books. And coffee. And wine. Seriously, slide into my DMs and ask away!
Revel Dip Powders & Activator (link for 10% off).
Triple Vitamin Base and Top Coat.
UNT Peel Base.
February 25, 2021
Out of Anywhere – Street Team
Y’all … I am so excited to FINALLY be able to share some more information about my June book release. The book, Out of Anywhere, is set for release on June 1, 2021!
All the edits are done, and my husband is putting the finishing touches on the cover, which means I am thisclose to hitting that sweet. sweet PUBLISH button!
If you’d like to join my street team for this release, please complete the form linked below. This form will be used for all things Out of Anywhere; including ARC requests, blog/Bookstagram tour, the cover reveal, and other promotional events.
February 23, 2021
Review: Talk Bookish to Me, Kate Bromley
(out 5.25.21 – thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy)
Sigh. This book was the perfect rom com.
Witty banter.
Second chance romance.
A little novel within a novel.
An ode to Bookstagram.
An adorable bulldog.
Kara and Ryan’s story was sweet and endearing, but also real. They both carried emotional baggage, and like real humans they avoided talking about it.
I adored Kara. Her friendships, her sense of humor, her commitment to using humor to deflect. She was so relatable.
And, Ryan. Oh, Ryan what are we supposed to do with you. I can’t say much without giving away spoilers, but even when he royally screws up, I just wanted to pull him into a squishy hug and never let him go.
February 19, 2021
Review: Rodham, Curtis Sittenfeld
Rodham was amazing. But also a little sad because “what if’s” always make me long for the alternate reality presented.
What if Hillary hadn’t married Bill?
I’ve pondered this before. The better what if, though, is what if women weren’t held accountable for the men around them and men were held accountable for their actions? That’s the what if I’d love to one day see.
Rodham was a phenomenal book, as is my expectation with anything Sittenfeld touches. It spanned nearly four decades and explored so much history, and rewrote quite a bit too.
Now, I’ll be off daydreaming about the what if’s presented here.
February 16, 2021
Review: Honey Girl, Morgan Rogers
I am not sure I have ever connected to or related to a book or character more than I did with Grace and Honey Girl.
Now, as a white cis woman with two kids and a career, Grace and I don’t have much in common on paper. But lord the insides—the anxiety, the pressure to do it all and be it all—I felt every one of those.
Morgan Rogers wrote a beautiful novel about family, found family, love, forgiveness, and self.
In case you can’t tell, I absolutely loved this book! All the stars. All the feels.
February 9, 2021
Review: This Close to Okay, Leesa Cross-Smith
Wow. This was the exact book I needed. It had all the feels.
I am a sucker for flawed/imperfect characters, and the two main characters in This Close to Okay were the perfect balance of flawed and redeemable. Each mistake that was made was made with a deeper purpose and learning.
I just want to pull this book into a warm hug and never let it go.
February 5, 2021
Review: Outlawed, Anna North
Outlawed was the queer feminist western novel I didn’t know I needed in my life. I really enjoyed watching Ada come into her own.
The women of the Hole in the Wall Gang are what really pulled me into the story. Each had their own unique skills and background, but none of them allowed the shame cast on them by society to stop them.
I do feel that the pace of the story dragged a bit and was hoping for a bit more on Ada’s life at the end, but all in, this was an enjoyable read.
