Category: Blog

Exciting news! My latest book, Timberline, is available for Pre-Order through Amazon. You know what that means 😉 Get over there and purchase so the book immediately downloads to your Kindle on April 11, 2017.

http://a.co/7deEJka

More details as to paperback coming soon.

Here’s the blurb:

After leaving heartache in the Midwest, Jessamine Davis ventures to the mountains of New York City to pursue her dreams of editing best-selling novels. At the top of her game, Jessie sees no pitfalls in her future until a wedding invitation makes its way from Colorado. After her assistant mistakenly sends her RSVP, which includes a plus-one to attend her ex-fiancé and sister’s wedding, Jessie searches for a picture-perfect date to drag across the Rockies.

Asher Whitaker is in a writing slump. The words that usually flow screeched to halt a year ago. Hoping to gain inspiration, he takes a part-time job at his favorite coffee shop. Nothing could have prepared him for the unusual meeting with a gorgeous tea fanatic. Despite his reservations, Asher agrees to accompany Jessie to a week of family time on Mount Princeton.

Hilarity ensues as the two strangers attempt to pass off their faux relationship to the onslaught of her family. Torn between wanting to keep her distance from the ex-Army Ranger turned barista, Jessie begins to feel something other than repulsion for the opposite sex. Asher isn’t the typical Wall Street type, so her attraction to him startles her. With his bold tattoos and teasing demeanor, Asher mirrors everything she didn’t think she craved in a man. His dimpled smile and tall stature puts her at ease and creates havoc in her celibate mind.

Between fishing and four-wheeling, Asher’s connection to Jessie deepens along with the tall tales he spins regarding the real reason he left his mundane side job. Every hour he spends at Jessie’s side only furthers his desire to be more than a boyfriend. Yet, his secret identity holds him back from fully disclosing the truth.

Though they had ulterior motives for their hiatus, the two discover something greater in each other.

In a moment of irony, Jessie discovers who the tattooed barista truly is—a well-known author of novels that leave women weak in the knees—but more importantly, the man she was supposed to sign with her publishing house before leaving New York City.

Jessie’s time spent with Asher forces her to choose between being scorned by love or transforming her heart for the future.

 

It’s finally March in Iowa. So far, the month has graced us with 76 degrees and tornado warnings and snow in the same week. Yep, sounds about right.

Since the last time we spoke, my alter ego has secured a publisher. (I’ll post the info later on.) Pop the champagne and sprinkle the confetti!!!! Wahooooooooo!

Now that the celebration is over, it’s time to get down to business. Having two publishers is a thrill and a bit scary. My book with Hartwood Publishing is set to debut in April 2017. Holy crap, that’s in a month 😮 Time flies when you’re having fun. Anyways, since going through the editing process (ugh), I came up with the sequel novel in this series. It will be epic…just like the first 😉

On the other hand, my sister pseudonym also has a new title with Crooked Cat Publishing set to debut in October/November 2017. I am very excited to get that story up and running, though I cringe when I think about professional edits. I’m certain this one will have plenty to go around. A few nights ago, my brain wouldn’t shut off in regards to the sequel to this story. So, like a good writer, I got up and wrote until my vision blurred.

Alas, the double trouble begins. Two authors, two publishers, two fantastic stories AND two sequels on the cusp of my fingers. Now if only I could get them moving. Having a bit of writer’s block….or should I say procrastination? Yeah, we’ll go with that one. Sounds better, I think.

Of course, I am ecstatic beyond measure that two of my stories will soon be on shelves for my readers to dive into! #Blessed 😉

For now, I’ll leave you with thoughts of springtime!

~Skye~

It’s officially a new year. Congrats, if you are just realizing this 😉 2017 has been interesting so far. At present, I’m at work, watching rain splatter in a nearly empty parking lot. It’s MLKJ day, but I’m at the office. Dreary is putting it lightly since the Court is closed and that means reviewing open cases. Boooriiiing. I was going to work on my re-write, but of course, I forgot the notebook at home. Ugh. Cue hitting head on desk until an alternative idea pops into my brain.

Update on my soon to be published novel: First round of edits are complete. They were brutal. Dear Lord, I use words that end in “ly” and the word “that” a lot. If you couldn’t tell…..review my posts 😛 But yeah, now the editor has the ‘script and I’m anxiously awaiting the next round. I’m both excited yet nervous as the impending April release date approaches. I’m sure it’s the same for other authors out there. 2017 has produced one short story. Currently, it’s unfinished, but I’ll get there.

Right now, I’m torn between wanting to edit and troll the internet. Pretty sure the trolling will win out, but my heart won’t be in it. Ever have those days? You know, you should be working on a story, yet you don’t want to and your brain desperately pulls you toward the story. It’s some subconscious yearning that drives me batty when I don’t put pen to paper. Having unfinished stories or unedited ones gives me panic attacks, but small ones that lay beneath the surface, constantly calling my name.

It’s torture, really. Writing, that is. Fascinating, compelling, thirst-quenching torture. Ah, a writer’s life is the only one for me. It hits me any time of the day, the need to write. I’ll be putting on makeup when a random quote comes to me. Granted, they’re not all gold, but I still have to write them. I need to get them out of me otherwise they play on a continuous loop until I do. If you don’t already follow me on Instagram, please do. I tend to post those random snippets on there for your amusement or heartbreak, whichever hits you.

The Dallas Cowboys lost last night. Yep, I’m a lifelong fan if you didn’t already know. And before you start to judge me, just remember, I really don’t care. I’m a fan, NOT an encyclopedia of the sport, so BOOM. Anyways, the ‘Boys aren’t going to the Superbowl this year. 🙁 Next year, next year.

Back to writing, I think it would be useful at times if I had someone slap my hand every time I got distracted when I’m supposed to be editing. No doubt, my hands would be quite red by the end of the day, but such is life. Distractions are everywhere! Especially, when I’m at my day job….hehe. Yeah, I’m on ‘break’ when I write. Duh.

My goal for 2017 is to make enough money from my books that I can afford a trip to Scotland. Hint: I’m OBSESSED with the place and not just because of Outlander. I was enthralled with the country way back in high school. There is just something about mysterious mountains and untold stories of the Highlands that gets my blood pumping. When I visit, I am 100% sure I’ll never want to leave. And why would I? The place is full of stories waiting for me to pen. It’s a public service if I live there part of the year. I mean, it’s for my fans 😉 That goal may seem a bit pretentious, but hey, might as well dream big. Am I right?

All right, I’ll go back to ‘work’ now. And by ‘work’, I mean flipping through my current stories in need of revisions and playing eenie meenie miney mo until I pick one.

Stay safe out there if you’re driving. And if you have the day off, skate around the block for me 🙂

~Skye~

Hey all 🙂 Miss me? So, I’m back as promised after a short hiatus. NaNoWriMo went well. I completed my novel within the 30 day period and received that awesome blank certificate. My wrist cramped up only a bazillion times and my neck is permanently kinked, but it was worth it. Anyways, I suggest that every aspiring writer participates in this friendly competition each November. Not only did I write a new story, but I also found some fabulous writing buddies along the way. Facebook groups are awesome in case you didn’t know. Once I do a few months of editing, I’ll send the novel out to publishers.

Je suis prest. In case you aren’t sure what that is from, prepare yourself for fandom. But seriously, it is Gaelic for “I am ready”….from Outlander…only the best Starz show in the entire existence of the channel. I could go on for hours about this show, and perhaps one of these times I will blow your kilts off in a post.

For now, I am exhilarated by this Fraser clan motto because I am ready. Ready for the new year; ready for the 3rd season of Outlander where Sam Heughan is scrumptiously Jamie Fraser (sorry, couldn’t help it); and most importantly, ready for a new book to be PUBLISHED!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, you read that right. Hartwood Publishing snatched up one of my stories. (Insert dance party) I’ll give you a hint: it was written about a special place in Colorado. I am beyond ecstatic about receiving a contract and on my birthday no less! The tentative release date is April 2017. Lots of editing and such to happen before then, so I’ll keep you updated.

As the year closes out in brilliant fashion, my heart is bursting with excitement for 2017. Obviously, I’m horrible at resolutions, so I won’t even use that curse word, but hard work is the goal. I strive to write more; stress less; and dream until I fly.

Je suis prest, mo chridhe.

~Skye~

We made it to October! Pat yourself on the back if you can. I happen to enjoy October weather, though not as much as July. The colorful leaves, pumpkin everything, Halloween decorations, and assortment of cinnamon candles are the main reasons behind my adoration. Plus, it’s also one month until my birthday 🙂

After a tumultuous month of editing, I’m taking a break from that for a bit. The feedback in regards to one of my new books was confusing as some editors told me it was good, yet needed minor edits while another editor told me to redo the entire first chapters. Needless to say, I need a breather from narrative obstacles.

What am I doing to occupy my time, you may ask. Oh, well, you know, drinking pumpkin spice lattes, making cookies in the shape of ghouls, and, oh, yeah, PREPPING FOR NANOWRIMO!!!!! If you’re new, NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month aka November. It’s where you write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. Pretty badass if I do say so myself. I strive to participate each year, though last year I was preoccupied with pimping my novel.

I’m quite excited for my NaNo story as it is set in Des Moines, obviously, and revolves around the legal profession. Here’s the skinny: criminal attorney assigned to a murder case. That’s all you’re getting for now, but let me assure you, it will be kickass. I find that stories involving the legal world are my forte. Hmm, I wonder if it’s because I’m in that field…..mayhap.

Anywho, I have a gosh darn good title (no spoilers) and two main characters sure to blow your socks off, especially the male MC ;-). Think tatted up rock & roll drummer with wavy brown hair, a nose piercing, eyebrow piercing, and caramel colored eyes to drown in to start. Yum. He makes a pretty good murder suspect. I won’t forget my Amazonian, independent criminal attorney that sports green eyes and a side of sass. Wow, a lot of  my women are sassy. I wonder what that says about me? 😉

Thus far, I have designed a messy web of the plot and character influence. My fingers are itching to begin writing, but I will refrain! To sum up: hunky bad boy, kick ass attorney, murder trial, oh, and did I mention the handsome cop best friend? Didn’t think so. Yep, there’s one of those sizzlers in this story.

An editor recently asked me why I write. Whew, how do I begin to explain? Here is what I told him, “Without writing I cease to be true to myself. Writing is my passion, and I am grateful to be given the opportunity to pursue my dreams.” That is the reason I don’t give up despite the horrid days that writing brings. I’m not making much money doing this, but it’s what I love. At the end of the day, I have to chase every facet of what makes me, me. I hope you can say the same too. That is why I participate in crazy competitions to further my writing career. Every little bit helps. You never know where your work will be noticed.

I may be in and out of consciousness in November, so you’ll have to excuse me if I skip while I hammer out a novel in a month.

It’s autumn! Try the pumpkin liquor. It’s awesome.

~Skye~