Helllllooooooo! How was everyone’s November? Mine was cahrayzay. So crazy I couldn’t even spell it the correct way. Between writing and release promo and proposals and, oh yeah, Thanksgiving, I’m basically a zombie. I don’t feel at all caught up, and it’s only going to get worse. You know why? Christmas is 23 days away. 

You’re welcome.

Before you flit off to take advantage of the Cyber Monday sales to knock some of those Christmas things off your list, pull up a chair! Get comfy. Maybe grab a coffee (or hot chocolate, if you prefer). Let’s chat.

For the first part of November, I was banging away on the follow-up to Caged in Winter. I got 25k words into it before I had to break away and focus on a different project for a bit. One I, unfortunately, can’t tell you about yet, but I hope to be able to very soon! So what’s that mean? That means I failed NaNo. *sad violins playing* But you know what else? I wrote 50k words in November–they just weren’t all one project. So, to this I say: I WIN! 

For anyone out there who attempted NaNo, whether you “won” or didn’t, congratulations! You committed to writing and (hopefully) wrote at least a word. Stick with it. Just because you didn’t complete doesn’t mean to toss it away. I’m not scrapping that 25k I wrote. I’m diving right back in. But I’ll be smart about it and do it in January when I don’t have the weight of the entire world bearing down on my shoulders. For those of you who did NaNo and completed it? YAY YOU! Congratulations! Stick with it to finish, or polish that sucker up in edits.

For the rest of November, I was a writing machine, but in different avenues. I wrote several thousand words on a new project, then I wrote a bunch of guest blog posts and had some fun with some author Q&As for the blog tour happening RIGHT NOW! Yep, ’tis the time for blog tours because you know what? SEASON OF SECOND CHANCES (as well as ALL I’M ASKING FOR) comes out on Thursday! If you’re interested in following the tour, getting insight into my crazy mind or reading some excerpts, Closed the Cover, our tour coordinators, have a page listing all the stops! I also have a few extra stops along the way that I’ll be tweeting about.

Let’s get to the fun stuff! Since this week is super exciting for me, I wanted to make this giveaway super exciting for you! Instead of one book, I’m giving away five–that’s right, FIVE!–to one lucky winner. Unfortunately, because I haven’t found that money tree yet, this is not open to international readers. But stay tuned! I’ll have something for you later…

In this giveaway pack, we have The Best Man by Kristan Higgins, Fatal Justice by Marie Force, Things I Can’t Forget by Miranda Kenneally, Relic by Heather Terrell, and Covet by Tracy Garvis-Graves.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

That’s it for this week. I hope to be back next week with another giveaway. That is, if I haven’t lost my head between now and then.

 

I can’t believe how late it is! Your Monday is almost over, and hopefully it didn’t suck too bad. Mine was a complete cluster, one thing after another after another that needed tending and I’m just now–just now–sitting down for the first time today.

So what’s new in Brighton Land? This week I’ve been working on getting promo stuff ready for my upcoming release of SEASON OF SECOND CHANCES. I suppose I should start teasing you all with snippets of my favorite Hot Single Dad. Alas, it’s late and I’m so tired, I’d probably post something that made zero sense. So, sooooooon, my pretties.

When I’m not in prepping-for-promo-madness, I’ve also been working on the revisions for my new adult contemporary. Everything is polished and shiny-pretty and I sent that off to my agent yesterday. Now I get to throw together a single paragraph pitch for book 2 in that series, which I plan to write during NaNo this year.

Whoa. That was a lot of pressure in that one tiny paragraph.

But enough about me! Let’s talk about books! Last week’s winner, Traci, gets a copy of THE MARRIAGE MERGER, so her Monday certainly doesn’t suck. Now, who wants to win a copy of THESE BROKEN STARS?

It’s a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

—

A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.

See you next week!

Hellooooooo, all you pretty people! It’s Monday again. I know…we’ve got to stop meeting under these circumstances. But once again, this Monday doesn’t suck for me (can you tell I’m an eternal optimist?). It’s the last day of September, which means tomorrow is October! And also my birthday! That’s not the only reason it’s the best month in the history of ever, though. It’s also the month I got married in and delivered one of my children in. And it’s fall! There are leaves and sweaters and boots and that wonderful smell! Plus: HALLOWEEN! My second favorite holiday, coming in after Christmas, because obviously.

This last week flew by, as one does when work is being done. I’m starting preparations for a blog tour and promo for my upcoming release, Season of Second Chances, out in a stand alone novella, and also as part of All I’m Asking For: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology. Both of those are now available for pre-order on Amazon (whee!). I’m waiting (not-so-) patiently for cover art on that, and as soon as I’m able, I’ll share what we’ve got.

I’ve also been working hard on my new adult novel, with suggestions from Mandy. I’m polishing it up and reworking bits and sort of piecing together the rest. I find this to be the most difficult part of editing, trying to fit everything back together when you’ve changed something even just a smidgen, but ultimately, I know it will be a better book when it’s all said and done.

Last week, I had a fabulous giveaway of FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell, and decided to do that before everything came out about the whole MN school nonsense. And it really is. ELEANOR & PARK is an amazing book. One of my favorites this year, and while it absolutely deserves the attention it’s getting, it doesn’t deserve the stem of that attention. If you haven’t had the opportunity to read E&P, do yourself a favor and buy it–that’s right, just buy it. Don’t check it out from the library, because I promise you you’ll love it that much.

What’s that? You wanna know who the winner is? Welp, congrats Heather W.! Hope your Monday doesn’t suck with this win under your belt.

This week’s giveaway is an ARC of HEREAFTER by Kate Brian, due out tomorrow.

Rory Miller thought her life was over when a serial killer set his sights on her and forced her into witness protection.

But a fresh start on Juniper Landing Island was exactly what she and her family needed. For the first time in years she and her sister hang out at the beach, gossip about boys, and party together. She’s also made friends with a local clique–including a magnetic and mysterious boy named Tristan. 

But Rory’s world is about to change again. Picturesque Juniper Landing isn’t what it seems. The truth about the swirling fog that rolls in each morning, the bridge that leads to nowhere, and those beautiful locals who seem to watch Rory’s every move is more terrifying than being hunted by Steven Nell. And all Rory ever wanted was the truth. Even if it means learning that she can never go home again. 

From the best-selling author of the Private and Privilege series comes the second novel in a heart-stopping trilogy about a girl who must pick up the pieces after the only life she’s ever known ends.

You know the drill. Rafflecopter down below. I’ll see you next week.