Of Bread and Boyfriends

Of Bread and Boyfriends

by Hollis Shiloh

Jacob is a wolf shifter and a country boy, the alpha of a hardscrabble pack barely making ends meet.  He loves his home and family dearly, but times are tough.  It's a lot of responsibility to carry.  

The newcomer to town, a handsome, shy bear shifter, has caught his attention in a big way.  Jacob has no problem with being gay.  He just wishes he could get Henry to talk to him for more than a couple of seconds at a time.  And maybe marry him tomorrow.  Henry's annoyingly hot friend keeps getting in the way, though...

Henry is a sweet, gentle baker who has problems of his own.  He isn't sure he'll ever be ready to commit to a mate, but he's definitely drawn to Jacob.  He daydreams about him, bakes for him, looks forward to his every visit...but wolves don't do casual, and Henry can barely make plans past next week, much less for his whole future.

Fox shifter Atticus, Henry's dearest friend, has complicated feelings of his own.  He loves Henry devotedly, even if his feelings will never be returned.  This new, prickling tension between him and the wolf shifter is no fun.  Does he have to keep feeling things for guys who will never be interested?  Besides, he plans to stay single for life.

Can Jacob, Henry, and Atticus each figure out what they want out of life—and what, if anything, they'll be to each other?

low heat

~55,000 words

a baking bears story

Amazon 

Amazon UK

Apple

Kobo

B&N / Nook

Google Play 

Payhip

QRI

My 2019

Writing Year in Review

This year, I published four novels, 5 short stories, 1 novella, and 2 box sets.  Obviously the lengths of story definitions can vary, but I'm not feeling too technical right now. :)  I should add that some of the short stories were written before 2019 as Patreon rewards.

For me, this year held some hard times and some burnout, and I ended up getting less done than I'd hoped.  Some things I was very proud of, and sometimes I just felt discouraged and like none of it was really worth bothering with.  The most meaningful story for me to write (and the hardest) was "You're Worth It."  But I'm not sure it was the best.  I'm not sure there was a best this year! 

I wrote about 281,000 words this year, which I do not consider highly productive.  It's less than 800 words a day--not my best average!  (Average obviously doesn't mean the pace at which I actually write, because I had one month with under 1k, and one month with over 80k.)

And I don't know how much of the year was devoted to editing--whether you can tell or not, haha--but I can tell you it was a lot, and I found it challenging.  For me, writing is easier than editing by a long shot.  Not always easy, but much less awful than questioning everything I wrote and trying to fix it all up.

I've had years where I wrote over a million words of fiction in a year and published most of it.  (But that could be one of the reasons I've been struggling with burnout.  That may have been an unsustainable pace for me.)

I won't deny I'd like to step up my game as an author in 2020, but I can't promise anything.  I'm not planning any new ventures like audio, and I can't promise that I'll be a better or faster writer, or how much I'll manage to write and actually publish.  I can only tell you that I'm still trying, and I think I still have some stories to tell.  I'm currently plugging away, as well as trying to regain the joy of writing and replenish my idea well.

Thank you for sticking with me this year.  I hope you have a great 2020.

love,
Hollis

               

My Wolf Heart ( 1 & 2)

Mate Found

(My Wolf Heart #1)

Derek is a loner and a wolf shifter. He's just trying to get home after a hard job on a fishing boat, and certainly doesn't expect to find a pregnant wolf shifter in trouble. But when he does, he's all about helping her. Even if that means he's got to fight a crazy wolf in the process. 

Then life takes some unexpected turns . . . and Derek finds himself with a mate. One he just might not know how to live with. 

Length: 11,800 words 

Some dark content + cliffhanger type ending 

read more about the characters in the sequel, "Shiftless No More"

Buy links:

Amazon

Amazon UK

Amazon DE

All Romance Ebooks 
SCRIBD 
iTunes  
KOBO

~~~

Shiftless No More

(My Wolf Heart #2)

Unexpected mates must find a way to build a life together . . . if that's possible for such a damaged wolf shifter and a lonely curmudgeon. 

This is not the life Derek wanted, not the life he hoped for, but he's got to make sense of it and find a way to help his partner heal — and shift again — if either one is going to make it. 

Length: 19,300 words 

takes place after "Mate Found"

Buy links:

Amazon

Amazon UK

Amazon DE

All Romance eBooks
SCRIBD 
KOBO

Review copies always free!  Just email me and let me know what formats you need.  :-)

NOTE:

I might write a third one, but I haven't thus far.  

The covers were by Melody Simmons: http://ebookindiecovers.com/lgbt/

Tiger's Breath

Tiger's Breath

Kyle and Justin are just friends, right? Well, friends who have weird superpowers—like Justin turning into a tiger and Kyle being able to control the cold (sort of). But maybe they're more than friends, too... 

Justin doesn't want to admit to his feelings, especially since Kyle is a little younger than him and seems so vulnerable and damaged.

There's more at work in their lives than sometimes out-of-control powers or teasing and flirting: there's a protective and easily annoyed boss, and unexpected danger. Because even out-of-control powers are of use to somebody. 

Length: 31,000 words 

Heat level: very low

Buy (or borrow through Kindle Unlimited) at:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P1KAFKO/
Amazon UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00P1KAFKO

If you need another format (for free) or a review copy (or an I-might-review copy) I will send it to you, just email me!  :-) 

things about writing

So, you may or may not know I'm a fan of the Dean Wesley Smith school of writing fast and letting your right-brain have more control than your left- brain.  It's the creative side, and accessed more easily than when you're writing slowly and agonizing over the plot, it seems.  It tends to work well for me, and sometimes the faster I write a story, the better it is overall.  (Of course, you have to make time for changes and edits--fixing the things you didn't get right in the first draft!)  There's a certain amount of jumping off a cliff and learning to fly...and a certain amount of trusting the process, fighting back your fear, and seeing what your subconscious wants to talk about today.  You'll be surprised how fun it is, if you haven't tried!

I tend to focus on this method when I talk about writing.  But the truth is there's another method I follow.  The method of starting a story, getting stuck, and letting it stew for weeks or months till I can tackle it again with fresh ideas.  I find this process discouraging.  I don't like it very much.  It feels like a kind of death, setting a story aside and knowing I may never finish it.  (And with many, I really don't--even ones that are really quite long.)

But this method is as tried and tested and true, for me at least, as the other.  It's whatever a story demands.  I could tell you which of my stories have taken the longest and the least amount of time to finish.  (I'd rather not, though!!)  ;)  It's surprising that some stories have taken so long, but it's because of this--getting stuck and having to just give up and set them aside.

For some people, outlining works and they don't get stuck this way.  But normal outlines don't tend to work for me.  I do, however, take a lot of notes about character and the direction of the story and things I'd like to work in--themes, plot elements, emotions.  Stuff like that.   They tend to be short notes in my handwriting, which probably nobody else could actually read, but they can help jog my memory and settle my ideas and plans.

And then sometimes I write out what I think will happen and the exact opposite happens.  Or nothing happens, because it's another "lost story."

I have so many unfinished stories on my computer, and I'd be lying if I said they didn't discourage me.  But for me, it's part of the process.   Jumping off the cliff, flying on the way down, not knowing if the story is going to work, trusting the process...  And seeing some littered wrecks along the way.  I have to trust and hope that each one taught me something.  And maybe some of them are still in the other process, and somewhere my subconscious is planning how to finish them.

A Good Place - short story

Jesse is looking to get back to the land. He jumps at the chance when an old friend offers him a job on his ranch…even before he meets the quiet, handsome, and scarred ex-Marine who works there as a cook. 

A short, sweet gay romance - 12,700 words 
Heat level: very low 


Amazon

Amazon UK


Currently only on Amazon - if you need a different file, or a review copy, please write to me!  :-)
  
(If you are trying using the Kindle Unlimited program, you can read it for free and I will still be paid.)

Memories and Marco

Memories and Marco

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L2EVKP2/

Jace is a washed-up ex-boxer living with daily pain and bad judgment in boyfriends. Then his best friend Jeff reintroduces him to the gentle healing magician he used to work with. 

Marco is everything Jace could want—and everything he can't trust himself not to break. Nobody has ever loved Jace, not properly. And Marco is so warm and caring and tenderhearted, he could have anyone. How could they possibly be together—even if Marco did have a crush on Jace all those years ago? 

But not everything is as it seems, and there is darker magic at work than anyone has guessed so far. Trusting Marco is no longer the hardest thing in Jace's life…but rather, keeping him safe. No matter what it takes. 


Heat level: low-medium 

Length: approx. 42,000 words 

This story stands alone, but takes place in the same world as Jude's Magic, Magic for Lee, and Through the Window.


Cover art by Wicked Knight Designs.  Editing by Martin O'Hearn.  Story by me!

$3.99 on Amazon.  


Please let me know if you need a different format or a review copy.  I will send you one.   [hollis.shiloh AT gmail.com]

This story takes place in the same world as Jude's Magic, Magic for Lee, and Through the Window.  It stands alone.  You don't need to read the other stories to read this one!

Gear Heart

Gear Heart

by Hollis Shiloh

Living with a gear heart made from magic and machinery, Auden knows his lifespan will be shortened. Now a second-class citizen, he's part of the household of Dr. Gregory—the man who stitched him back to life years ago during the war. And now Dr. Gregory is being threatened. 

A friendly (sometimes too friendly) police officer named Owen is assigned to help protect the aging doctor. Auden could resent the policeman who's come to help with security. Instead, he finds himself drawn to the attractive, flirtatious Owen, who somehow doesn't let Auden's cold nature scare him away. And that holds a different kind of danger for Auden's heart.



Length: 23,600 words 

Steampunk elements 

Steamy: yes 

Takes place in the same world as "Like A One-Eyed Cat." Each story stands alone.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KUI3AN6

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KUI3AN6

This story is once again only available on Amazon.  I take full responsibility for that, and if you need a different format, I'll send it to you. Just write me: hollis.shiloh AT gmail.com

some writer advice

(A long, rambling post of what I think writers need to know!)

Write the stories you need to tell.

Don't listen to your critics (at least not too much).  Some people will say you have too much (or too little) sex or emotion or something else in your story.  You can't suit everybody, so write to suit yourself.

You will get discouraged at some point.  If it's important to you, keep going—and you will eventually find your audience, the people who like the stories you write.

Don't read your reviews, if you can help it.  At least try to avoid the negative ones as much as humanly possible. Sometimes they can give you writer's block.  Sometimes they stop some writers from writing forever.  Do you want to find out the hard way if you're very sensitive like that?  Writers need to be tough about reviews, and sometimes it's better to avoid them altogether, just healthier emotionally to focus on creating something new instead of reading what people didn't like about what you already created.

Find out what works for you.  Some people find critique partners or critique groups very helpful.  Others find them less so.  Ultimately you need to find and trust your vision of your story, and if other people help you with that, great!  Work to find people you can trust.  If other people's ideas cloud your vision, then keep your writing to yourself as much as you can, especially during the creative stages.

Write a lot.  Work hard.  It takes practice to get better.  Don't let anyone stop you.  Remember, there are people who won't like what you write.  But there are also people who will like it, and maybe even really need to read it.  Write what matters to you…and it may mean something important to other people someday, too.

It's harder than you think it will be.  But there are always opportunities to learn, grow, and do what matters to you.  :)

Take care of yourself.  Being a writer can be super stressful sometimes.  Find ways to take care of yourself and be kind to yourself.  Sometimes other people won't support you, so you need to support yourself.

Don't respond to your critics.  If somebody disapproves of you or something you write, it won't help to respond.  It might make things worse.  (It won't make you feel better, either.)  Let them have their thoughts, and hold your head high.  The people who matter will understand and support your decisions.

Keep experimenting.  I find my writing goes best when I can write different kinds of stories.  I find my publishing goes best when I mix up approaching publishers and choosing self-publishing.  Publishers know a lot and working with them can be amazing.  Self-publishing gives me the freedom to experiment with pricing, cover art, etc.  A mix of both gives me the best of both worlds.  Find what works for you—and be willing to keep trying new stuff.

Write down all your story ideas.  Go over them when you want to find a new story, and write the one that inspires you the most.  Some people write and finish one story before starting another.  Other people start lots of stories and switch back and forth.  Find your method.  (The same with outlining.  Some people find it helpful, others find it hampers them.)  The important thing is to write and finish stories, not which methods you use.  

Protect yourself.  If some aspects of this aren't right for you, avoid them.  Do you do well with social media?  (I don't.)  Do you feel happier if you don't read reviews?  Is self-publishing something you'd rather not try?  Pick what works best for you to protect yourself and work to your mental and emotional strengths.

Find the heart of why you write, and it will help you stay true to your goals.  For me, the heart is to write about love.  Love needs to come through in all my stories, and if I feel something is missing or wrong in what I'm writing, I need to look back to the things that matter to me and see if I've lost my way.  Have I lost the love?

There is something that will make your stories unique—if you let it.  Perhaps your upbringing or beliefs, the way you tackle stories, or some aspect of characterization or storytelling.  As you keep learning, you will find it.  But if you try to write like you think you should, or like "everyone else writes," you could lose the things that make your stories unique.  You might very well end up writing stories just like some other author.  But they won't be as good, and you'll never reach that point that you'd really like the reach, the spot where someone says, "I would quite like to read a story by [your name.]  That's what I'm in the mood for."  (Think about how you feel when you want to read one of your favorite authors.  No one else's work will quite do, because they're unique!)  Having stories that are a bit different will make some people dislike them.  But you're not writing to keep your head down and hope that you'll blend into the crowd.

Take the things that hurt you, and turn them into stories.  Take your deepest pain and tears and the things you've learned the hard way in life, and put them into your stories.  It's the hardest and best thing you can do for your writing—to make it deeply personal.  Nobody will actually recognize the parts that are about you, but you will always know—and that can make it terrifying to put your work out there.  But it can also make your stories matter more and mean more.

Consume some form of chocolate or cocoa every day (preferably without too much sugar in it).  Eat lots of salads and fresh foods.  Take your vitamins.  (All these things help your brain work better.)

Laugh.  Hug your family if possible.  Cherish your pets if you have them.  Find beauty in the little moments.  Be mindful of each beautiful, poignant, or meaningful thing you see, read, or imagine—and some of them will find their way into your writing and make it better.

Write the story you want to read.  Nobody who doesn't write fiction can understand how difficult, scary, beautiful, and absolutely wonderful it is to be a writer and write the story you most want to read, creating the world that existed only in your mind until you wrote it down.  Even if nobody else reads it, you will forever be happy you wrote something that mattered to you.

A Wizard's Shelter

A Wizard's Shelter

Visiting his sister Mary at the lighthouse should be a delightful vacation for Elliot--except he’s going there in disgrace while he awaits his fate from the wizard council. 

Mary’s assistant, Rue, is a gentle, self-possessed young man about Elliot’s age. Elliot is drawn to him, and his magic seems to calm down around the handsome and mysterious Rue. Elliot sinks gratefully into the unexpected grace of Rue's kindness and friendship. He doesn’t understand why his magic is broken or why it feels whole again around Rue. But right now he’s just trying to survive, grateful for the reprieve Rue’s friendship provides. 

But then a a potential tragedy on the beach culminates in Rue revealing his true nature: he’s a selkie, both man and seal, with a magic that somehow complements and heals Elliot’s when they’re together. And that might not be possible for much longer.

On sale now from:

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon.com

All Romance Ebooks

I must admit this is my favorite story so far.  :)  I should probably warn you the heat rating is quite low....

New covers

Hey guys!  Here are the covers for my upcoming releases.  :D

(cover by Alchemy Book Covers)

Fireproof, by Hollis Shiloh

Jett used to be a firefighter. He gave it up when he developed the terrifying ability to make fire with his mind. Panicked, he fled—also leaving behind his best friend and secret crush, Levi.

Two years later, they meet again. And somehow, Levi can forgive Jett for leaving and never saying goodbye. But now Levi's getting married, and that hurts more than Jett thought anything could.

How will Levi take the news of his Jett's weird fire magic—or the news that he's gay?

Two men navigate the waters of magic, changing relationships, and danger in this contemporary paranormal gay romance.

Sexiness level: Low-medium

Length: approx. 40,000 words

(cover by Marion Sipe, Dreamspring Design)

The Real Finn 

(I haven't written the blurb for this yet, but suffice it to say, it's a bit angsty!!)

(cover by Maria Fanning for Dreamspinner Press)

A Wizard's Shelter

Visiting his sister Mary at the lighthouse should be a delightful vacation for Elliot--except he’s going there in disgrace while he awaits his fate from the wizard council.

Mary’s assistant, Rue, is a gentle, self-possessed young man about Elliot’s age. Elliot is drawn to him, and his magic seems to calm down around the handsome and mysterious Rue. Elliot sinks gratefully into the unexpected grace of Rue's kindness and friendship. He doesn’t understand why his magic is broken or why it feels whole again around Rue. But right now he’s just trying to survive, grateful for the reprieve Rue’s friendship provides.

But then a a potential tragedy on the beach culminates in Rue revealing his true nature: he’s a selkie, both man and seal, with a magic that somehow complements and heals Elliot’s when they’re together. And that might not be possible for much longer.

This will be out on March 5 from Dreamspinner Press, and you can currently preorder it if you want.  :)

Songs By Heart

Music. It brought them together, and it might just tear them apart.

When Mike met Harry, he knew this sweet, insecure, and musically talented guy was going places. What he didn't know was how hard it would be to stand back and let him.



It seems to take forever before skittish Harry--who works as a part-time waiter and plays guitar in the park--will even consider dating handsome, musical, and geeky Mike, especially when Harry feels betrayed by circumstances beyond Mike's control. 

But once they start dating, they're so happy together.  Apparently two ordinary guys can find love.

Then their relationship is tested by each man's insecurities, and by Harry's unexpected chance in the music industry.  When he ends up on a reality TV show for singer/songwriters, the enforced distance (and the media outing Mike) almost destroys their relationship. 

With all these changes, do they still have room in their lives for each other?



A sweet, gentle contemporary gay romance.

Length: 101,000 words (full length novel)


For sale on Amazon: 
http://www.amazon.com/Songs-By-Heart-Hollis-Shiloh-ebook/dp/B00HLMDWSW

and Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/songs-by-heart-hollis-shiloh/1117903287?ean=2940148984863&itm=1&usri=2940148984863

Should be available from some other vendors before long.  :)

This is a full-length novel, really quite long, and it took me from one and a half to two years from start to finish.  (I can't remember exactly when I started it, and I haven't kept very good records, sorry!)  

In one sense it's difficult to actually let go and put it out there, to say goodbye to my boys.  But ah, it was time.  I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I did.  Okay, probably not possible--but at least a bit, maybe?

Have a good New Year's!

Magic for Lee

http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Lee-sweet-gay-romance-ebook/dp/B00HGWT46Q

Peter runs a magic shop, quietly helping people with his magic, resigned to living alone—and trying to hide his crush on Lee, his baker friend. Then one day Lee asks him to make a special spell, a spell to reveal Lee's feelings to the person he loves. Peter never expected to have his crush returned, so he resigns himself to making the spell for Lee's beloved, in the meantime relishing the time Lee spends with him. 

Dangerous magic comes to their peaceful neighborhood: a harmless, gentle neighbor is killed. The police consult briefly with Peter about it, though they don't tell him what happened or why. Peter and Lee wish they could investigate, but instead stay out of it as ordered. Or at least, they try to… 

Length: 24,000 words 
Heat Level: very low 

You know, I'm kind of almost sad to see this one finished.  I don't want to say goodbye to my boys!!  Also, I wish it had turned out sexier.  I know, I can't believe I'm saying that either....

Yes, It Is That Hard

I was thinking today about how difficult it is to be a writer.  I mean, hey, I get to sit down & write whatever story I want to tell.  Nobody can stop me and nobody can make me give it up.  So how is that hard?

Well, on the one hand it's EASY.  It's kind of addictive, and very important to me.  Telling stories is the best.

On the other hand...well...to get any good, you need a lot of practice.  You need to learn the mechanics of writing, get a feel for story structure, and practice till your fingers practically bleed.

And then there's no guarantee that the stories you write will be any good, or at least something that interests anyone else.  Or if they do, that it'll interest them enough to buy it.  Or if it does and they do, that they won't end up hating it and leaving reviews that make it sound like you're both racist and evil.  (This hasn't happened to me, as far as I know--but I'm not reading a lot of my reviews, LOL!)

The point is, there are no guarantees.

I have been taking this seriously for more than twenty years.  Yes, part of that time I was a child.  I still took it intensely seriously--practicing, planning for the future, learning and writing as much as I possibly could.  Wanting to be a writer with my whole heart.

I've written for thousands of hours, millions of words (yes millions), and story upon story upon story.  I have no guarantees that anything--anything--I've ever written or ever will is "important" or "good" or even "entertaining," because these things are kinda subjective.

I do know I've enjoyed almost all of it.  Except editing.  And a lot of business stuff that goes with writing.  And the crippling self-doubt that sometimes hits any writer.   (If you're a writer, you know what I mean.)

When I read a story by a new-to-me author and love it, and go to find more of their work and then see that they haven't published anything else, I'm always disappointed.  :(  But...I get it.  I really do.  It's harder than they thought it would be, or they don't have the time, or they let the bad reviews get to them, or they did the math and realized, "What the heck?  I sold twelve copies and spent months of my life doing this??  I could do better and have more fun selling on eBay!"

Or maybe they're still out there working on another story.  I hope they are; I'm rooting for them, for entirely selfish reasons: because I want to read more of their work.  I'm rooting for you, one-story author.  Or aspiring author.  Or blocked writer.  Because I love to read as well as write, and more stories are always a good thing if you ask me.  :)

But, I do get it.  I get quitting.  It's hard to keep writing sometimes.

And weirdly, as serious as I take it, I can't take it too seriously.  I have to play while I'm writing--enjoy it and write something that I find interesting.  Because sitting down and Writing Something Serious and Important doesn't seem to work.

No matter what I do, I don't know what the reaction will be to my next story: disappearing, getting trashed in reviews, or what.  But it doesn't matter.  Writing can't be about that.  It can't be about the money, if any.  (Oh, and it's really best not to work out how much time you spend and whether you're earning minimum wage, with this work that you spend hours on every day and often earn little or nothing from.)  It's best to have fun, do your best, and then let it go.

It's probably really best to not be a writer at all, but I'm not sure I have that choice.  :-)

And you know what?  Tomorrow I get to get up, sit down, and start typing on a story that I have been longing to write.  I get to meet new characters, lose myself in the atmosphere, and wrestle with plot, and I can just feel it's going to be fun.

I am looking forward to tomorrow.

stories that didn't work.

Now that the year is almost through, here's a look at my unfinished or abandoned work.



The Clone – A sci fi story about a clone.  -  Didn't quite work; felt 'off.'

Teds and Bread – A guy who bakes bread meets a guy who sews teddy bears and has a chip on his shoulder about his cheating ex.  -  Didn't manage to find a way to finish this.  It sounded so good in my head but it fizzled.

Jody the Con – A guy meets an old friend, the boy he first loved—now a man who can't be trusted an inch.  -  I didn't trust Jody an inch; couldn't finish it.

Lollipop Guy & Bakery Man – Fred's boyfriend breaks up with him and he finally notices that sweet, swishy Sascha is interested in him—and not ashamed to be with a "big, dumb baker."  -  Too much sex, and I didn't like the characters enough. 

"Bookstore" – Alex is hiding out in fear for his life, working at a bookstore.  His old boss finally tracks him down and sends his ex-partner—and lover—after him.  Reece isn't certain he can forgive the only man he ever loved for running away, but he can't let him go either.  -  Too much sex, too much angst, ran out of plot.  Also, not enough books for being about a man working in a bookstore.

"Flight" – A flyboy acquires a new wing-walker in a scruffy farm boy desperate to escape his old life.  -  Something about this story just doesn't click.  The farm boy needs more personality, or the flyboy does, or they both do.

"Decorations" – Two men who work together in a candy shop discover a mutual love of Christmas, and a mutual attraction neither has dared admit.  -  I'm really sad this one fell through, because I like the guys, I just couldn't seem to write the story.  It's been over a year so I probably have to accept it's dead.  



I've pretty much had to admit defeat and move these stories from my "WIP" list to my "defeated" list.  Maybe I'll find some way to fix and finish these next year, but I won't hold my breath.

NOTE: If you take any of these story ideas, PLEASE let me know and credit me.  It would be appreciated!!  I don't mean vaguely inspired by, but if you actually take the idea.

Harper Fox books

Does it sound strange to say that I always hesitate to start a new Harper Fox book?  They are such deeply emotional & beautifully written reads for me that I find myself almost unable to put the books down once I start one.  Sometimes it feels like I can hardly catch my breath until I find out what happens next.  At any rate, over the last couple of weeks I've read a bunch of them, gulping them down like I usually do, moved by the emotion and intensity and plots, but also by the beautiful writing style.  Fox is one of those authors that makes me want to be a better writer!  I don't know how she does it, but she always manages to make me care about her characters, even when I don't think I'll be able to!

  

diet time

So, I'm currently trying to lose some weight.  This year I concentrated on writing, editing, and all the rest of it so much that I've rather neglected certain important considerations.  Like not eating a lot of junk food, for instance.

Unfortunately changing my diet seems to make me a bit...emotional.  I'm inches from tears at the moment, and dreadfully missing carbs.  It seems like there's never a good time to change one's diet though, doesn't it?  :)

Anyway, I can always stop if I have to.  And stay fat.  *sobs*

This is not at all an important post.  But I do want to start taking my health seriously so I don't have to make any more sudden changes this year or the next.  I shouldn't be sacrificing eating properly to write, because I know it's going to come back and bite me sooner or later.  In the ass.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go prepare peanut butter on celery sticks.

RJ Scott's Christmas Anthology - Free!

You guys...I'm going to have a story in this.  Can you believe it???????  :D

My story is called "The Christmas Mansion."  It takes place in the same universe as "Jude's Magic," a sort of 1890s alternate America, with magic.  Sort of.  Anyway, my story is about 9500 words and definitely on the "sweet" end of the scale.  

It was a lot of fun to write.  I can hardly believe I'm going to have a story in this anthology!  You'll be able to download the anthology (for free) in December.  :)  Did I mention the free part?  I'm so excited...and yes, a little scared!  

Also, isn't this cover gorgeous?

http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.com/2013/10/christmas-anthology-gorgeous-new-cover.html

release date - Oct. 30!

Available for pre-order!

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4284

The release date is October 30!  Halloween Eve!!  Too bad it's not a scary story, huh?  :D

I'm hoping to post on a few blogs, if anyone will have me, around the release date (that day, earlier, or a bit later).  

Really excited my story is coming out soon.  :)

It's official

My selkie romance will be published by Dreamspinner Press!  :D

The title is "A Wizard's Shelter" (yes, there's a wizard in it!), and the contract says it's slated for publication in March or April of 2014.

In other news, I've finished the first draft of a short romance set in post-War England, still unnamed.

And I'm hoping to really, seriously get to work on getting my novel, "Songs by Heart," edited and published.

Oh, and I have a short Regency I hope to have out soon.  But I've got to be sure it's up to snuff first.  What a weird phrase that is!