This is my mantra from September through November. I’m not a pumpkin spice sipping, admiring leaves color, puffy vest wearing, bonfire loving person. So, I bury myself in books, writing, and college/professional football. I’m blessed with a spouse that knows me. He allows me to put up my Christmas tree on November 1st each year. Therefore, I’m counting down the days until Halloween passes.
Events:
I’m participating in the virtual I.O.W.A. Writers’ Room event the weekend of November 6-7th, 2021. I hope you will visit the webpage to meet new authors and find great new reads.
Lust—This book will be at the editor for the final time next week, with a release in November 2021.
Sloth—I’ve plotted it out. I’m anticipating the second draft will be complete by December First.
Remi & Nala –My second children’s book, written under the name Gretchen Stephens is currently with the illustrator. We are planning a release of book #2 in November 2021.
Shopping:
Books make great gifts. My romance books in sweet and steamy versions are favorites for readers age 16 and up. I offer books, decorations, and crafts on both Facebook and Shopify.
I’m sorry I’ve been off the grid for a while; life is crazy and I was treading water. I’m back, my world is organized once again, and I’m writing.
April is Camp Nano or Camp Nanowrimo (a.k.a. Camp National Novel Writing Month) My goal this month is 50,000 words. I plan to write 25,000 in 7 Deadly Sins: Lust and 25,000 in 7 Deadly Sins: Sloth by April 30th. As of today, I’m on target to reach my goal. I’m also editing 7 Deadly Sins: Greed. The stress and craziness of Covid-19 has left me unable to focus on one book at a time from start to finish. Follow my progress on all three of these books on my social media platforms.
Contests: May 2021 will mark many special anniversaries for my writing and me. What does that mean? It means I will have several promotions and giveaways for you the readers. I’m currently working on posting these to social media. Keep an eye out for the giveaway announcements and spread the word.
Planning a vacation or a day trip? Why not visit one of these book/author events in a city near you? Many book events feature authors from all genres. These events are a great way to meet authors, get autographs, discover new books to read, and walk away with free stuff. Most communities schedule outings in the area that coincide with the book events. I’m currently attending events in Lawrence KS, Deadwood SD, Des Moines IA, Cedar Falls IA, Minneapolis MN in 2021. For 2022 and 2023 I’ll be attending events in Kansas City MO and St. Louis MO. Check out this link for up-to-date information on each of the events I will be attending.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m ready for all of the anxiety 2020 caused to be over. Christmas is my favorite holiday and 2020 is affecting it, too. We won’t be visiting our family in Missouri or Northern Iowa this year. After following CDC recommendations to not travel for Thanksgiving, it seems harder to stay away again for Christmas. I hope that you are healthy and taking precautions to keep yourself, your family, and your friends safe. There will be an end…throughout history humans have survived the Plague, the 5 year epidemic in Athens around 430 B.C., The Antonine Plague from 165-180 A.D., The Black Death from 1346-1353, The Great Plague of London: 1665-1666, Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic of 1793, Flue pandemic of 1889-1890, American Polio epidemic of 1916 continued sporadically until the vaccine in 1954, the Spanish Flue 1918-1920, the Asian Flue of 1957-1958, and many more throughout history all ended. (Can you tell my sons are history buffs?)
My point is, there will be an end. We need to take precautions so we will see it end.
Puzzles & Games
Learning from last year, I’ve stocked up on puzzles and games to occupy our time on cold evenings and weekends. My first puzzle is spread out on the table and is Harry Potter themed. I have a process when I put puzzles together. Do you? My husband doesn’t; he just works on it. I filter all of the side pieces from the box and put them together first. Then I divide the rest by three sections. One is a distinct color or prominent section of the puzzle, Another by the same guidelines. Then the rest is kept in the bottom of the box. I drive my husband nuts. Is there method to your attack?
Technology
I encourage you to use technology to keep contact with loved ones and friends. Video calls on your cell phone or computer are easy to use. I’ve participated in a Zoom Mary Kay facial party with guests from Mason City, IA, Geneseo, IL, and me in Des Moines, IA. It’s a new way to keep up some familiar get togethers. I participated in a two-day, virtual Iowa author/book event with fans. On Thanks giving the same three groups connected over Google to share how their Thanksgiving Day went and share the Gingerbread houses we made. I have video appointments with doctors and therapists. It’s the new normal, and by embracing it, I’m able to fill the loneliness that social distancing brings.
Use Facebook Live, Google Hangouts, Zoom, FaceTime, and many more to post videos to share with friends, interact live with each other, and much more. We all feel disconnected; these technologies can fill the void until we are able to reunite safely.
I released a Steamy and Sweet Version of Unraveled, 7 Deadly Sins: Gluttony on 11/25/20. It’s now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBook, and Kobo.
I’m currently working on my second draft of Greed in my series of stand-alone books called the 7 Deadly Sins. These are a light take on the sins and all have an HEA (Happily Ever After).
Shopping Online
Many of us are shopping online for our daily needs as well as holiday shopping. With many of my books available in a PG13 version and a steamy version, they make the perfect gifts for the readers in your family and group of friends. I’ve created a few craft items around the themes of my books and have those to purchase on my website, Etsy, and Shopify. More information is available at www.haleyrhoadesauthor.com
Giveaway=2 prizes
I’m currently giving away a Romance Mystery Book Box on both Facebook and Instagram. The mystery is which of my books will be in the box with my bookish favorite things.
The instructions are simple. I’m including the link here for you to enter. Please share with all of your family and friends. Contest ends on Wednesday, 12/16/20 and will have 2 winners.
There are only 2 steps to enter: The link above takes you to the contest post,
1-click on the event link in the post above and choose “going” or “interested”.
2-Then back on the link above comment “done”. You may type done on both links above to get 2 entries.
Help-
Most authors today are indie (independent) authors. We are our own small business that rely heavily on family, friends, and fans to help promote us. Liking, sharing, and commenting on my author posts on my social media platforms helps others find me and my books. Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub help me even more. Reviews of my book can be a few words: “quick read” “loved this book” “A must read”. Reviews of 3,4, & 5 stars are great, but writing a review, even short ones as mentioned above, carry more weight. Amazon, Goodreads, & BookBub promote my books for free as the number of written book reviews rise. It only takes a minute and means the world to authors like me.
I hope the holiday season brings health and happiness to each of you.
It doesn’t seem possible. If you asked me in May, I would have stated 2020 was taking forever to pass. Now, it’s October and I haven’t completed enough of my yearly tasks/goals. My favorite time of the year, Christmas Season is just around the corner.
My husband and I celebrate our 27th Wedding Anniversary this week. I’m blessed that I married my best friend—that’s our secret to surviving 27 years together. I’ve shared before, we’ve moved 13 times to 3 states during our marriage. Before leaving our small hometown, he promised to allow me to put up my Christmas decorations on 11/1 each year. Of course, I still hold him to that promise. This year, I’ve found a loop hole in his promise. I have a large ghost in our living room as a Halloween decoration. Tee-he-he. Yes, it’s a Christmas tree dressed as a ghost.
WIP
Status Update:
I am writing and editing. The second stand-alone in the 7 Deadly Sins Series, Gluttony is in the editing phase, hoping for a December release. The first draft of the third stand-alone in the 7 Deadly Sins Series, Greed, is almost complete, with a release in January or February.
I’ve mentioned in past posts that I detest the editing phase. Practicing avoidance this week I’ve dusted ceiling fans and mopped the kitchen floor. I find I am able to write for six hours a day, no problem. An hour or two is all I can tolerate editing in a day. I’ve created a list of rewards to give myself when I finish steps in the editing process. I hope they will motivate me to focus on completing edits sooner rather than later.
35 Free Romance Books (Click on Gold Links Below)
Along with other great authors, 2 of my books are available to download in last 3 giveaways below. (The Proposal, Surrogate Series #1 and Tailgates & Truck Dates, Locals Series #1)
“If we’re both still single when we’re thirty, we’ll marry each other . . .” The marriage pact was made during a lazy day at the beach, half in jest, and seemingly forgotten by the boy who started it. But ten years later, Kay hadn’t forgotten. She’s still shy and introverted, not interested in relationships. So when Adrian reappears in her life—two years early—and asks her to marry him now, she surprises herself by agreeing. So now she must deal with her mother’s disapproval, his brother’s hostility, and a load of self-doubt. Can she forge a real relationship with Adrian? Has he really changed from a ladies man to someone she can trust? Will she be able to let go of everything she’s ever thought she wanted and reach out to grab a new future? Prescription for a Lonely Heart is the first book on the “Hearts in Glencoe City” series. This friends-to-lovers standalone romance features a marriage pact, a calm-but-sassy heroine, a himbo with a heart, and a HEA guaranteed.
I never expected to be stuck in lockdown with my soon-to-be ex husband.
Considering that he loves to rile me up so we can fight, which inevitably leads to sex, I don’t know how I’ll survive the next thirty days. There’s no way I’ll admit that I still love him, not when I hate him in equal measure. This is a short, steamy read meant to be enjoyed by adults in one sitting—unless you need to take a break for a cold shower.
Part of the Love Under Lockdown Series by your favorite erotic and erotic romance authors.
In high school, he was the guy who picked on me. He didn’t know how to deal with his obsession over me. I’ve done my best to ignore him. Until…the alcohol hit, and for one night I gave in to him. Now I have to deal with the consequences. I never took his teasing to heart. But will I be able to stop him from taking over me?
We are headed west to Yellowstone & the Tetons on 9/3. I dread the hours in the vehicle, but many family and friends promise me it is worth it, even if it has already snowed once in the Black Hills. Of course, I’ll take my notebook with me to continue to work on Gluttony book #2 of the 7 Deadly Sins Series.
Am I alone?
I dread pulling out fall/winter clothing. For our vacation, I will need capris or jeans and socks. Normally I’m one of the last to don these items. I want to cross my arms over my chest and stomp my feet but will not as it’s for a family vacation. I’ll continue to pout internally.
Are you a pumpkin fan?
Do you anxiously await the release of pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin scents, and all things fall? I don’t. I’m a green and sunny fan, not a brown and dying fan. I find fall ugly, mess, and dread the winter it leads to. Living in the midwest, it brings cold rains followed by heavy snows. I won’t deny you your pumpkin…just keep it far away from me please.
Free Books!
We love them. I have a couple of ways for you to read my books and those from other authors for free.
The first book I published, The Proposal, Surrogate Series #1 is free for a limited time. Follow this link and use the codeword romancerendezvous : https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/sLghKjIw
I’ve joined with other authors to offer a giant giveaway. My autographed book Bend Don’t Break, 7 Deadly Sins: Envy is among the prizes. http://bit.ly/LENB082020
Check out these great works FREE from other authors:
We all like free, right? Correction. We LOVE freebies. I have two freebies for you today.
First a free copy of my eBook, The Proposal, book #1 of the Surrogate Series. This book is a quick read, perfect for the weekend on the deck, on vacation, or at the beach and pool.
The wait is over—the final installment in the Angelheart Saga has arrived. In Beyond Forever, Annie Woods shares Erica’s journey as a new mother, a medical student, and a young woman torn between two men. Should there even be a choice? Sasha, aka Prince Alexandre of Andonia, is the father or her son, Peter. Tyler, the once annoying athlete turned her protector, now her estranged husband. Again, should there even be a choice to make? Erica’s life is far from a fairytale. She struggles to find her place in the world, while searching for love, and raising a son as a pre-med student. Prince Alexandre, while similar to the princes in stories of our youth, carries royal protocol, rules, and expectations with him. Life with a prince might look blissful from a distance, while in reality it’s hard work.
At times, I slammed my book closed frustrated only to pick it up later, dying to know what happens. For the last ten chapters, my husband laughed at my reactions, claiming they were only characters. Of course, I promptly informed him they don’t feel like characters, they are my best friends.
Who sparks desire in her heart now that the once thought dead Sasha reappears? Will she choose her first love Sasha the prince or will she and Tyler work through Peter’s father entering his life? I’d love to tell you…but no spoilers here.
It’s a living, breathing beast churning tumultuously within me. It never rests; it shows its head daily as I enter ghosts from the life I wanted but was ripped away from me. I can’t ask him to give up a happy future to be with me.
This Kindle stand-alone is available free on Amazon until Sunday, 5/31.
The road that takes you out of town,can also bring you back.
Life in the small town of Athens is easy, safe, and predictable. Madison has 4,724 reasons to leave Athens as soon as she can. Life in a small town is not for everyone, yet sometimes it’s difficult to escape. Madison and her best friend Hamilton leave together for college in the fall. Neither plans to return to life in Athens. Will one night derail Madison’s way out?
This Kindle stand-alone is available free on Amazon until Sunday, 5/31.
