What I’ve Been Up To Lately (Hint: A LOT of Writing!)

Hello friends!  It's been a while (like, an embarrassingly giant amount of time) since I blogged, so I thought I'd stop in and say hello.  It helps that I have some exciting news…LIKE A TITLE AND A COVER FOR BOOK #3 in my STUDY ABROAD series!  Here's a little teaser:

Ta-da!  Introducing LESSONS IN LETTING GO, Rhys and Laura's story.  It's hot, it's fun, and it features a smokin' hot soccer player with a Welsh accent.  I mean, what's not to love about a sports romance like that?  I think the title really captures what this book is all about.  I'll have some more news on release date and cover reveal soon.  So flippin' excited for everyone to meet this book.

I will admit it almost killed me to write.  It gets harder and harder to write this series, probably because I learn so much and become that much more of a perfectionist each time I write a book.  I started this one in early March and finished up in the middle of June; 90,000 words and three and a half months later, I had a draft!  And then I promptly died/walked around in a daze for two weeks.  Thanks to my FABU editor Kristen Anders, I have a much deeper understanding of things like good conflict, the black moment, reasons, wants, and general plot structure.  I worked really hard to make sure all of that worked well in this book.  My one true love, however, has been and shall remain writing sex scenes. Those get harder, too, mostly because I want each one to feel fresh, super hot, and super angsty, but MAN I love writing them.  There are several in LESSONS IN LETTING GO, and I think you're going to like them.  A lot.  I know I do!

LESSONS IN LETTING GO is currently with my editor, and I'm hoping to have some semblance of a final draft next month.  It all depends on how much work the edits turn out to be.  Considering I'm a pantser – I write by the seat of my pants with only a skeleton of an outline to guide me – edits are usually pretty heavy for me.  We'll see.  In the meantime, I'm marketing the hell out of LESSONS IN GRAVITY, book #2.  I just sent out review requests to 200 new bloggers…wish me luck!  I seriously suck at promo, but now that I have a nice trilogy to work with, I plan on doing a lot more of it.

In the meantime, let us peruse the delicious European hotties who served as inspiration for Rhys Maddox, the famous footballer hero in LESSONS IN GRAVITY.

DALEY BLIND (Dutch, plays for Manchester United)

This is who I imagined Rhys looked the most like.  Piercing blue eyes, flowing blonde locks, square, stubbly jaw – a Euro Prince Charming all the way.

SERGIO RAMOS (Spanish, plays for Real Madrid) {image via Men's Health}

Yiiiiikkkkeeeesss THIS GUY.  I imagined Rhys sharing his general Euro-fabulousness and scorching sex appeal, and then of course the TATS.  I've never been a big tattoo girl, but after discovering Sergio here, I think I'm a convert.

GARETH BALE (Welsh, plays for Real Madrid)

So, like, no one in the football world can keep their pants on when it comes to Gareth because he's supposedly THE NEXT BIG THING.  Totes based Rhys's talent and drive on Gareth's.  Rhys also plays winger, like Gareth, and is from Wales.  Note the man bun – while Gareth is, in my opinion, slightly goofy looking (in the most adorable way) so he didn't serve as physical inspiration for Rhys – he did provide some solid hair inspo.  Thanks, G.

CRISTIANO RONALDO (Portuguese, plays for Real Madrid)

Rhys is really into appearances and fancy shit – loves his clothes, cars, and cash.  No surprise that Ronaldo's general ridiculousness was the inspiration for Rhys's love of all things flashy and kinda trashy.  How awkward does this guy look climbing out of this car?  Also, I am all about ridiculous/hipster hairstyles on men, but seriously Cristiano, ditch the mohawk.  You're too good looking for that shit!

That's all I got for now.  Stay tuned for more exciting news, coming soon…