Plenty to Read and a Deal or Two

Sep 12, 2020 11:14 pm

On The Double Dare Front

Happening Now - Promos!

Can’t Miss Reads

Stuff I Love - Destress

So...

How’s Pandemic Brain affecting you? Feeling overwhelmed with kids, school and work and wondering how to make it another day? Feeling bored and restless and desperate to be around a few new faces?

For me, pandemic brain has meant a muddled head– aided I confess by the Keto flu, but more about that in a minute. I am staring at a blank page wondering what to write, not because I have nothing to share, but because I cannot organize my thoughts to put them in words. It feels difficult to decide what to eat, what to watch, what to do next. Everything just feels harder to do.

I know its bad because I have reverted to my ultimate coping mechanism – Secretariat. When life feels utterly overwhelming, I check out for a few hours and watch this uplifting story of the triple crown winner and the lives he touched. It never fails to inspire me.

I’d love to know your favorite escape or inspiration. Is it an uplifting movie, a chat with friends, a juicy romance novel?

I requested and received some expert feedback this week from the fabulous Emma St Clair, author of clean and wholesome billionaire series like Sandover Beach and Billionaire Surprise. Emma used to coach authors and did a mini-coaching for me. She took a look at my very first novel, Bedazzled, and how it kicked off the entire Beguiling Bachelor series. Her recommendation was to rewrite it and then relaunch the entire series with lots of new – and hopefully good – reviews.

I am working on the rewrite now – more action, more sexual tension, fewer pages.

Or course, this slows down the delivery of future Double Dare books, but it helps pay the bills.

Dare to Risk and Dare to Act are still moving forward, but slower now that I have Bedazzled in the mix. So thanks in advance for your patience.

Consider yourselves warned! I’ll be back to ask for your help with reviews when I finish the rewrite – soon. Emma was quick to point out that this newsletter goes to. over 5,000 readers. She believes, and I agree, that I should be able to rustle up at least 100 reviews.

For all you writers and aspiring writers - HAPPENING TODAY!

My friend Emily P. Freeman, Wall Street Journal bestselling author and co-founder of Hope*Writers, is hosting an online training today for writers, and those longing to be writers entitled “Three Secrets for Writers.”

Emily will help you:

discover what's really keeping you from finding your writing rhythm
design a simple plan for progress
learn why community is key to your writing success

Emily understands the challenging, sacred, and sometimes maddening work of writing words. And good news! She wants to help you find a simple plan to make progress in your writing.

If you're a writer but you struggle to share your work, you don't want to miss this opportunity.

You can catch this live training at 2 PM or 8 PM ET TODAY!

Click here to save your spot!

Free Books and Promotions

Fall for Romance promotes Kindle Unlimited romances for the next two weeks only.

Fall into Love and Danger starts this week filled with novels that promise romance and a hint or more of mystery and intrigue.

Lose Me by MC Frank

”Jane Austen meets Hollywood bad boys in this hate-to-love romance.”

The golden boy. Wes Spencer, aka Mr. Darcy, has it all: the face of a Greek god, millions of adoring fans, a mile-long yacht and a bored attitude. The last thing he needs is a crew member on his new film set nearly dying in his arms.

The stunt girl. That’s me, Ari Demos. I just landed a coveted job as a stunt double in the new Pride and Prejudice movie adaptation starring actor slash phenomenon Weston Spencer. Cue high dives and complicated car stunts along the narrow cliffs of Corfu -one false step and I could lose not only my job, but my life.

I wanted nothing to do with the arrogant English boy. Waking up to his kiss was something other girls dreamed of, not me. The movie star is the last person I’d expect to save my life.

Falling in love was never supposed to be part of the job. Fighting to stay alive was never supposed to be part of growing up.

"Today is not the day I die."

Hidden Beauty Series 1-3 (Hidden Beauty Collection Book 1)

by Mary Crawford

When they fell in love, Jeff and Kiera Whitaker never dreamed their love story would start a legacy that would ripple through the lives of so many of their friends and family.

Until the Stars Fall from the Sky (A Hidden Beauty Novel #1)

Jeff Whitaker thought he had a plan for his life until a redheaded sprite rescued a little boy right under his nose. Kiera Ashley was nothing like he expected, yet she was everything he needed.

Kiera is used to fading into the background. Usually, no one notices the dedicated social worker. But, she's shocked when the handsome law student decides to stick around when her life becomes incredibly complicated. (see more)

True Bliss by Breanne Bergie

Merissa meets Joel, and he's her friend growing up. She has undeniable feelings for him that she's kept hidden from everyone around her. He is everything she needs and everything she wants. He's complicated, mysterious and hot. The only problem is, Merissa and Joel are only friends. Time goes on with Merissa and Joel facing challenges together, but sometimes apart. Real life situations that can make or break them. One question runs through her mind. Should she tell him how she really feels or keep her feelings hidden? Their love story is anything but the average fairy tale, and it's far from it. Life is complex, but love is blissful. Here is their story of True Bliss.So

When I mentioned pandemic brain at the beginning of this note, I failed to share my little nap habit. Yep, in addition to being foggy when I am awake, I had fallen into a habit of napping on the sofa after lunch every day. Not great for productivity. I noticed it happened after dinner sometimes too, usually after a lovely pasta meal. So I bit the bullet and cut carbs out of my meal plan - in other words I jumped on the bandwagon of people doing the Keto Diet. So far I have lost a few pounds - disappointing, since I hoped to lose many, many pounds – and I have stopped napping. Completely! My biggest surprise though, is that the diet isn't difficult. There are keto breads, pizza crusts, nut flours, and even keto friendly ice cream! That means I get to stay away and enjoy foods I love. This is important, since I have never met a carb I didn't adore. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Meanwhile, if you want a wonderful taste of Keto, try this incredible cheesecake recipe.

Another great pandemic brain fighter is a wonderful book called The Happiness Project. The story of one woman's twelve month effort to discover what makes her happy and go after it, was inspirational to me and hopefully will to for you. What's on your happiness project list? Mine was a combination of physical changes, social changes and intellectual changes. In fact, The Happiness Project led to my writing romance novels! What door will it open for you?

Stay safe, and happy reading,