About S.J. Maylee

S.J. Maylee fell in love with storytelling at a young age and with it came a deep-seated desire for everyone to find their happily ever after. She’s finding the happy endings for her characters one steamy story at a time. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her caring for her garden, laughing with her two young sons, or dancing to her husband’s music. She’s a PMP (Project Management Professional), Nia instructor, and coffee addict. As a writer she has a tendency to break hearts, but she always glues them back together

An Interview and then some with Elodie Parkes author of The Last Time

Posted on May 22, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

I have a special guest in the Maylee ehouse today. Elodie Parkes is here to tell us a little bit about herself and her latest release. She’s brought the trailer and a giveaway. Plus, she’s brought one of the character’s with her. Please give her a warm welcome. Take it away, Elodie.

Thank you for inviting me to the blog for the release of The Last Time, my latest contemporary, erotic romance.

The Last Time

by Elodie Parkes

Release Date: May 1, 2013

Length: 44000 words

Publisher: Eternal Press

Genre: Erotic Romance

Just a little about me to let your readers know who I am.

I live in rural England, United Kingdom and I work in an antiques shop as well as writing. I have two dogs that keep me fit with their need for walks. Love the countryside and the coast.

I write romance, contemporary, and erotic with a twist of mystery, suspense, or the paranormal, now and then. I like to make the story unusual in some way, by a quirk in the tale.

I started writing when I was seventeen. Life intervened in my writing time and I stopped serious writing for some time. I started writing again seriously a couple of years ago, because I had so many stories in my head.

Blurb:

Actor Seth Carbery swears he will never fall in love again, that is until he meets private detective Bethany Snow.

Something strange is going on. Seth and other members of the movie cast and crew are receiving threatening letters, but no threat has ever been carried out… yet. Bethany Snow is sent on location by the Black Agency to investigate, and guard Seth Carbery against danger.

The case is not what it first seems and even when Bethany thinks it could be over, a new twist means she becomes a target.

Seth and Bethany find they can’t keep their hands off each other.

Who is sending the letters and why? Does Seth have a secret admirer or stalker?

With steamy romance, graphic love scenes, and a quirky story of what people do for love this erotic romance is for adults only.

Thanks, Elodie. Now for some inside scoop, I’d like to welcome Bethany, the heroine from The Last Time.

Tell us about yourself and the book you star in.

The book is ‘The Last Time’ and it’s probably the last time you’ll read anything with me in it. It’s a romance and set on a movie location. I get to have lots of yummy sex with someone who shall remain nameless, as that might be a spoiler. It’s a fun book although a little thread of suspense and mystery run through it.

Why will we not read anything else with you starring in there Bethany, that sounds intriguing?

I can’t say without giving away the end of the book, but let’s just say it’s a happy reason.

Most of us want to be different, so what is the one thing you wish the author had done differently with you?

I would have liked to give my point of view a little more often, in the love scenes, just because sex is different for a woman. I think that the author wanted to show the great relationship that the three central characters developed, me being one of them, but I didn’t have much influence over that either.

If you could have added something to the story, and the author would have let you, what would that have been?

I would have liked more physical action perhaps, to show off my martial arts abilities.

What do you think of the author?

I think she tries to give everyone a fair chance in the limelight. She gives characters their dignity too. She tries to make the sex scenes about the love people feel for each other. She’s okay. I guess she’ll be reading this interview.

You get the chance to have the author change your name what will it be?

I actually like my name although that would have been a hoot if suddenly someone had shortened my name, and I’d been with Seth, another main character, because it would have been Seth and Beth.

Give up three of your deepest, darkest secrets.

You’re kidding. Why would I do that? They’re secrets. Okay I’ll tell you a couple of things. I hate thong underwear, will not wear it, detest it, so when the author tried to get me in some I had a meltdown.

I’m a coffee addict…drink it almost nonstop, but then doesn’t everybody? All the authors I know do, well except my author, she drinks tea.

What else? I don’t really have secrets you know…they’re not healthy. I sort of spill my guts about sex and men in the book so there’s not much to say here.

What do you love best about yourself?

My hair if it’s a physical thing, and if not, then my compassionate nature.

What do you like least?

The author gave me smaller breasts than I would have liked. No really, I don’t mind that. (laughing) I suppose I quite like myself the way she’s written me.

How do you feel about the book you’re in?

It’s fun, sexy. It’s supposed to show a little of what people do for love and when they think they are losing love, or are in love and it’s the most important thing to them. We can be vulnerable and stupid, but if it’s right then it’s the best thing ever.

Can you share one of your favorite parts of the book without giving too much away and tell us why you chose it?

Okay it’s probably not what you expect given the amount of sex in the book, but here you go,

Seth was still sleeping. He looked gorgeous and Bethany stood in the doorway watching him for a moment or two. Suddenly his cell phone, which was on his bedside unit, began chirping. Like a flock of birds, the chirping filled the bedroom, and Seth sat up and looked around as if startled.

Bethany watched him suddenly realize it was his cell phone, reach for it, and shut off the alarm call.

He looked at her and smiled.

“Bethany you made me sleep properly for the first time in months.”

I chose it because that’s so cool to have helped someone like that. Have you ever been unable to sleep? It’s horrible.

How do you see your future? Without giving anything away.

Like I said in the beginning, you’ll not see any more of me. The other characters…well that could be a different story. Mine ends with this book.

Let’s say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?

I truly hope there’s no movie of this book because I have no idea who I’d want to play me, and they more than likely would want Seth to play himself since he’s an actor. I think that would be horrible, watching him on the big screen getting naked with someone else.

Anything else you would like to tell us?

It’s been fun being here and not having the author, editor, cover artist, proof reader, beta readers watching everything I do. Thank you for inviting me and try not to let the author read this.

GIVEAWAY

Enter the rafflecopter draw to win $25 US, or £25 GB Amazon gift card and an ebook basket, of all five of Elodie’s erotic romance books released to date.

Millie Reinvented, Two of them,The Horoscope Writer, A Celtic Tapestry in which Elodie has a short, The Picnic, and The Last Time.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Find Elodie online:

http://elodieparkes.blogspot.com <~~ where you can read lots of snippets from my erotic romance novels, meet other authors and read snippets from their books.
http://www.facebook.com/ElodieParkes
http://www.goodreads.com/elodieparkes
https://twitter.com/ElodieParkes
http://www.manicreaders.com/ElodieParkes/
http://www.theromancereviews.com/EllieP
https://plus.google.com/u/0/114681167004175190514/posts

Find Elodie’s books:
http://www.amazon.com/Millie-Reinvented-ebook/dp/B008H5IF7U
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Millie-Reinvented-ebook/dp/B008H5IF7U

http://www.amazon.com/Two-of-Them-ebook/dp/B008RBJXOI
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Two-of-Them-ebook/dp/B008RBJXOI

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Horoscope-Writer-ebook/dp/B0094JIIVQ
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0094JIIVQ

http://www.amazon.com/A-Celtic-Tapestry-ebook/dp/B00BXPHSA6
http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Celtic-Tapestry-ebook/dp/B00BXPHSA6
http://www.amazon.ca/A-Celtic-Tapestry-ebook/dp/B00BXPHSA6
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/A-Celtic-Tapestry/book-BJ_406GiXEebWjWdV6dWag/page1.html

Amazon | Bookiejar | Smashwords | Barnes and Noble | KOBO

Spotlight: Bella Key by Scarlet Chastain

Posted on May 20, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Bella Key

by Scarlet Chastain

Length: ebook, 75 pages
Released: April 30, 2013
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: sensual f/f erotic romance

BLURB:

Maddie Jacobs must be crazy. At least that’s what her mother thinks. Professionally, she’s confident and secure; personally, she’s a hot mess. Not even a marriage proposal from a man who adores her can quell her search for something more.

In need of an escape, Maddie flees to Key West’s most southern island, Bella Key, to rest and recharge at Casa Bonita. She almost gives up on weekend retreat when the Bed & Breakfast is closed for repairs until Sunny Rojas, the inn owner, extends an offer of friendship, sweet tea and a room. Still reeling from a breakup with her longtime partner, Sunny is thankful for the diversion from her own broken heart.

The arrival of a fierce storm forces the women’s emotional journey to a head and leads them into each other’s arms. But can Maddie throw her hangups to the wind and go with her heart? The magic of Bella Key teaches her that passion cannot be placed neatly into boxes labeled right and wrong, because love knows no boundaries.

BUY LINK

Amazon

BIO:

Scarlet Chastain is the semi-secret pseudonym of a multi-published, best selling author of sensual erotic romance. Scarlet’s focus is female-centric sizzling stories written about women, for women.

She lives in the suburban shadows of New York City but her heart belongs to the beaches of Key West. Scarlet can usually be found in her favorite chair of her newly acquired writing cave.

If you ask her nicely, she will usually tell you her other pen name. She’s sweet that way.

“It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are.”

Where you can find her:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

@ScarletChastain

*****

SJ’s Review of Bella Key ~~> 5 Stars “It’s a fun and sexy read. Not to be missed.”

*****

Weekend Writing Warriors – Mistakes

Posted on May 19, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Click here to go to the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Click the logo to go to the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Okay. okay. I give, lol. I’ll give you a couple more weeks of In the Blind, but then you’re cut off, until it’s published. 🙂

In the Blind (working title), and you can see the past posts from this WIP here. The Logline: When a head hunter finds her dream lover in a night of pitch black unrestrained passion, she fears she’ll never find him again. Fate steps in and throws the two together, but they might never discover the truth and stay in the blind.

Over the past many weeks I’ve shared Jane’s experience at Club Blind and her business opportunity that put her back in touch with Rob after they met last month. Rob isn’t keen on Jane’s job opportunity. It’s for the company his ex-wife works for and Jane doesn’t know that, yet. Last Post Rob decided he needed to tell Jane about his wife. He doesn’t want to lose Jane before he takes her out for the first time. In this week’s post, I’ve skipped two sentences. Rob mentioned his old wedding ring and Jane stated she remembered it from when they first met.

She looked down at his naked finger.

“You noticed?” A flash of joy lit him, he chuckled and took hold of her hands. “Wearing that ring had nothing to do with my ex.” He shook his head and pulled her a little closer. “That ring represented my commitment, a commitment I had to let go.” He captured her sight once more. “I can’t explain it, but keeping it on reminded me of the mistakes I made, mistakes I never want to make again.”

Healing and learning from a lost love, he’s pretty awesome. Jane better say yes if he gets around to asking her out, but Rob has more to share. Will his honesty bring her closer or scare her away? <If you want, you can Tweet That>

Hope you enjoyed my eight today. Thank you so much for visiting me, it means a lot to me that you took the time to visit my little place on the web. Don’t forget to check out the other Weekend Warriors, and Saturday Spankings too.

ROW80 Check-in #61 May brings Words and Flowers

Posted on May 19, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

The writing challenge that knows you have a life.

Last week I took on a challenge, to write and polish a 10k novelette by the middle of June. Of course, this is when the evil day job decides to roar, but I was on a deadline, self-imposed, but a deadline. A decision needed to be made. I could either walk away from my challenge or I could postpone other items on my to-do list.

I decided to postpone. I wrote everyday.

Everyday. 😀

The novelette isn’t done yet, and my week-6 results might be kind of sad, but I have less than 2k to go before I start my first read through. Wahoo! I need to give a shout-out to Julie Glover. She kept me going this week. Thank you, Julie. You rock.

The Goals – week-6 results

Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters – done.
Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting – done. I wrote everyday. Yes, I’m pretty happy about that. I added over 4k this week to my challenge WIP.
Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep, and my calorie limit – not done. WEEK 7 PRIORITY
Weekly Nia study (i.e. studying the song/movement structure) – not done. WEEK 7 PRIORITY
Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities – done. I prepared for/attended the last parent meeting and scheduled the budget meeting for the next fiscal year.
Organize something in the house each week – not done. WEEK 7 PRIORITY
Spend time in the Garden – not done. I didn’t make any progress, but I took time to admire the new blooms. There is a wall of Lilac bushes at the back of our yard. So pretty. Wish I could share the fragrance with you and the Lily of the Valley. Their quiet beauty always makes me happy. WEEK 7 PRIORITY

What you might have missed here this week:

Cover Reveal: Pieces of You by Kharisma Rhayne

Spotlight: Make Me Stay by Ella Jade

Spotlight: Destiny’s Chance by Cara Bristol

Posted on May 17, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

It’s a double release week for one my favorite must read authors. Of course I jumped at the chance to highlight one of them. I have all the details on Cara Bristol’s Destiny’s Chance. Squee. I know what I’ll be reading this weekend. 🙂

Destiny’s Chance

by Cara Bristol

Genre: contemporary paranormal/fantasy
Length: 115 pgs
Released: May 14, 2013
Publisher: Loose Id

Blurb:

Destiny Grable can’t help that she’s fallen in with love Chance Everett, her best friend’s boyfriend, but she’s never, ever acted on her feelings — until she and Zoe are in a car accident, her friend is killed, and she is reincarnated in her body. She never wished for something like this to happen, but perhaps now she’ll be free to love Chance the way she always wanted to.

Chance might have had pursued Destiny, but he has a kinky side and she was a nice girl. But now she’s dead, and the accident has forced him to take in his ex-girlfriend. As soon as she recovers and moves out, he’ll get on with his life.

Can two star-crossed lovers ever find happiness?

Excerpt:

A bleeping permeated her brain, steady, repetitive, as annoying as a dripping faucet. She tried to turn away from the sound but couldn’t and found herself waiting for the blips, clinging to the respite of silence in between. Nor could she escape the smell. Rusty. Antiseptic. Invasive. She wrinkled her nose, but the odor crept into her sinuses, stuck to her skin, seeped into her bones.

Her cold bones. Her hands and feet had frozen to ice, and she curled into a fetal ball to conserve her heat, ward off the pain. She hurt all over. Why?

Warmth arrived out of cold and darkness to settle on her shoulder with light pressure, like the soothing caress of a man’s hand. Destiny moved against it, seeking comfort. So real. So solid she could almost imagine fingers curling over…She peeled open her eyelids.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.” Chance Everett leaned close.

Though she ached everywhere, she found relief in his presence. Chance often had visited her fantasies looking like this: broad-shouldered, his body-molding T-shirt showing off serious pecs, his dark hair finger tousled, his worn blue jeans more faded over the parts she shouldn’t gawk at.

But since she only dreamed him, her conscience allowed her to feast her eyes on every inch of his six-foot frame.

To smell him too. Destiny inhaled to capture soap, masculine comfort, and…automotive grease?

She glanced at the hand warming her shoulder. Roughened by work, it bore a line of grime under the fingernails, the result of a cursory washing. She creased her forehead into a tiny frown and lifted her gaze to his face.

Tension bracketed his sexy, full mouth; the usual twinkle in his rich brown eyes had dulled to flatness.

This wasn’t the way her dreams went. Far from it—by now their clothing should have mysteriously disappeared, and he should be kissing her while whispering the naughty things he planned to do to her. Nor had he ever seemed quite this solid, had the sensation of being touched felt so real. And what is that irritating blip? She grimaced.

“Can you speak?” he asked.

“Uh, um. Yeah.” Or maybe not. The husky, quavering voice didn’t sound like hers. And her throat hurt.

Destiny rolled her head to the side, noting institutional green walls, medical machines and monitors, and that the bed on which she lay had rails. Like a hospital bed. Hospital!

“Do you remember what happened?” he asked.

Memories flooded in. Sheeting rain. Malfunctioning windshield wipers. A massive truck. Skidding. Crashing. Screaming. Grabbing for her friend Zoe, who was driving the car.

Please, be a nightmare.

Voicing her fear would solidify it. But Chance waited. “The accident.” She swallowed. “It was real, wasn’t it?”

He nodded. “Yes. The police called me at the body shop.”

That accounted for the grease under his fingernails. He’d been working, hadn’t taken the time to fully clean up. It also explained his presence at the hospital. Although he and Zoe had split up recently, they had remained on good terms, and since she had no close relations, authorities would have notified him. So why was Chance with her and not Zoe?

Unless…unless…

She would have bolted upright, except for Chance’s hand on her shoulder. “Oh my God!

She’s…she’s all right, isn’t she?”

Buy Link:

Amazon buy link

Where you can Find Cara:

Website/blog | Twitter | Facebook

Be sure to visit Cara to find out what she released this week and what she has coming next week.

Spotlight: Make Me Stay by Ella Jade

Posted on May 15, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

It’s special treat day. I have the details on not one, but two Ella Jade books. Take a look. I’m guessing you’ll fall in love with Ella’s writing just like I have. Click the covers below to see them at Goodreads. There’s also links below to see these books at Beachwalk Press and links to find Ella as well. Enjoy.

The sequel to Make Me Stay releases on June 17, 2013.

What happens when a Dominant falls for his not-so-submissive attorney?

Martin Abrams, owner of Master M’s BDSM club, has become unfulfilled with his lifestyle. Ever since his sub, Gracie, left to marry her true love, Martin has lost his way. Living the life of the head Dominant in his circle isn’t as appealing as it once was. Something seems to be missing.

Sassy lawyer Arianna Covington relocates to New York City after a humiliating divorce. She’s looking for a fresh start when she agrees to become Martin’s exclusive attorney. She’s intrigued by his domineering personality and wants to know why women kneel at his feet.

Their attraction is undeniable despite Ari’s initial beliefs that she will never submit to Martin’s desires. But Martin is up for the challenge. Arianna is more than he ever imagined in a woman. He vows to claim her heart, with or without the games. Who will surrender first?

Featuring Cade and Gracie from Make Me Stay.

Check out the hot and sexy trailer for a peek into the plot.

Surrender to Me is the sequel to Make Me Stay but both books stand alone so the reader can choose to read either one first. You may want to start with Make Me Stay to get the back story.

Can the sub teach the Dom to play?

Natural submissive Gracie Miller thought she had found her other half in Cade Jameson. Not only did he help her through a difficult time in her life, in the bedroom he brought her more pleasure than she could have ever imagined. They seemed perfect for each other.

Cade knew what he wanted in the bedroom. Gracie brought out his domineering side and ignited his passion. But he feared he was too dominant for this beautiful, naïve girl, who was so young and impressionable, so he ended their relationship.

Two and a half years later, Gracie returns to town a new woman. She had moved to the city and found a “Master” who showed her what she was truly capable of. Now she’s back and wants to show Cade exactly what kind of submissive she could be for him.

But after hearing all that she’s experienced, Cade now wonders if he’s dominant enough to satisfy her. Can he be the man Gracie needs him to be?

Content Warning: graphic sex, BDSM themes

You can find Ella’s blog here: http://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com/

and you can find her on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ellajade1

Weekend Writing Warriors – Little Intimacies

Posted on May 12, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Click the logo to go to the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Welcome friends new and old. I missed you last week. I hope you missed me too. This is the last week, for now, that I’ll be sharing from In the Blind. You’ll see it again, if I sell it. My fingers are crossed.

Over the past many weeks I’ve shared Jane’s experience at Club Blind and her business opportunity that put her back in touch with Rob. Rob isn’t keen on Jane’s job opportunity. It’s for the company his ex-wife works for. Last Post Rob decided he wasn’t letting Jane get away or the opportunity she presented. In this week’s post, they’re on their way to the interview when Rob decides he better tell her about his ex-wife.

As they neared an alley, he took her hand and steered her around the corner into the empty lane.

“What are you doing?” She looked at him like he’d lost his mind.

“I need to tell you about my ex.”

“No, you really don’t.”

“Jane, let me share this with you.” He stroked her face and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. It was an intimacy he had no right to, but one he wanted.

Will he earn her trust or scare her away? <If you want, you can Tweet That>

ROW80 Check-in #60 New Challenges

Posted on May 12, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

The writing challenge that knows you have a life.

As a pre-published author, I do a lot of writing and studying and waiting. While I wait in submission land, I’m working on the next MS I’ll submit. This pattern could really go on forever. This is good and bad, right?

A benefit of the pre-published is no deadlines, other than the self-imposed. The downside of no externally imposed deadlines is that you can stay in a comfortable pattern and that does not prepare one for the post pre-published days. Sometimes a new challenge can put a skip in your step too. Challenges are exciting. They’ll push you past your comfort zone and this is what I need.

Between now and the middle of June I plan on writing and polishing a 10k novelette. Eek! I took a look at the schedule and it’s going to be tight. I need to finish the first draft and the first couple of read throughs well before Memorial weekend. Everyday I need to write just over 2k. Everyday. 2k.

I don’t know if I can do this, but I’ll never know unless I try.

Have you stepped outside your comfort zone lately? If not, pick something and go for it. If you have, please share what you’ve learned.

The Goals – week-5 results

Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters – done.
Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting – almost done. This was one of those weeks filled with extra tasks and they took up all my writing time on Monday and Tuesday. Grr. I could have gotten some craft study in the evenings of these two days, but I chose to read a book instead. I started my new challenge on Wednesday. I spent most of of my writing time on Wednesday and Thursday doing character development and plotting. I ended up writing a little over 3k by the end of day Saturday.
Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep, and my calorie limit – not done. The sinus cold did go away. The weather was beautiful here midweek and I went for a walk/run. It felt great, but my calf muslces were not happy the next two days. WEEK 6 PRIORITY
Weekly Nia study (i.e. studying the song/movement structure) – not done. WEEK 6 PRIORITY
Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities – done. I handled all kinds of things this week from paying bills, deposits, and lots of reports.
Organize something in the house each week – not done. Other than cleaning the house for company I didn’t get to this goal. WEEK 6 PRIORITY
Spend time in the Garden – done. I’m continuing with my garden tour with the pictures in this post. Each week, I’ll try and share what’s blooming. I started weeding the beds in the front of the house. My husband finished the job and mulched. Score.

What you might have missed here this week:

Spotlight: Her Master’s Kiss by Vivien Sparx

Posted on May 6, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Her Master’s Kiss

by Vivien Sparx

Paperback: 100 pages

Published: January 25, 2013

Genre: Erotic Romance, BDSM

When the writing is good, it’s easy to become immersed in a story. And when the storyline itself is gripping, it is impossible not to put a book down.

If you are looking for great writing, and a storyline that will have you turning pages, you need to download a copy of the Vivien Sparx bestseller, ‘Her Master’s Kiss’. (available now from Amazon)

‘Her Master’s Kiss’ tells the story of a young woman named Renee who is desperate to please her boyfriend, and seeks out the help of a skilled Master to teach her the art of submission.

Unbeknown to Renee, her boyfriend is a lying cheat(!), and when she is confronted by the truth, the simmering tension between Renee and the man who is training her is set to explode.

‘Her Master’s Kiss’ is one of the very few stories to receive acclaim from those who actually live the BDSM lifestyle! Along with several other of Vivien Sparx’s titles, her books with a domination-submission storyline have all been praised.

In less than a year, Vivien Sparx has become one of Amazon’s regular Top 100 erotic romance authors – and ‘Her Master’s Kiss’ has enjoyed almost six months in Amazon’s Top 500 List of bestselling books – that’s an amazing record, and a testament to the young writer.

One of the unique aspects of ‘Her Master’s Kiss’, is the way the author outlines the progress of the romance between the two main characters through a series of daily ‘lessons’. Each day the story’s heroine attends submissive training, she is taught another important lesson that is instructive, entertaining, and informative for those of us who are keen to learn all we can about the world of BDSM.

So compelling is Sparx’s story, weaving BDSM detail with erotic romance, that the original ‘Her Master’s Kiss’ has since led to three bestselling sequels in the series, with rumours that a fifth and final installment will be published before the end of 2013.

If this is your first introduction to Vivien Sparx, then downloading a copy of her mega-seller, ‘Her Master’s Kiss’ from Amazon is the ideal way to find out why so many thousands of new readers are discovering this writer’s talent every day.

Vivien Sparx –make sure she is on your ‘must-read’ list!

Amazon Links

US: http://tinyurl.com/btaxn24

UK: http://tinyurl.com/cquxrhv

Facebook Link (friend me on Facebook)

www.facebook.com/vivien.sparx

ROW80 Check-in #59 Here Comes the Sun

Posted on May 5, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

The writing challenge that knows you have a life.

I’m taking this week off from Weekend Writing Warriors. I’ll be back with a new 8 next week.

Spring has sprung here in Michigan. What a difference a week makes. Last week was cold and depressing. This past week the sun came out and everything came to life.

With the arrival of spring my to do list is going to start growing as well. I love my gardens, but this time of year there is a lot to be done. I’m not sure how I’m going to keep up with everything. Note the new goal down below.

It’s important to take the time for all your interests. By feeding my green thumb, I’m bound to put a spring in my step. Now, more than ever it will be important to remain focused. Time to put my ROW80 skills to the test.

Do you have any new challenges coming your way?

The Goals – week-4 results

Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters – done.
Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting – done, except for Friday. My oldest had a half day of school. We had a good time, no regrets. I’ve recently figured out that my WIP needs a few extra scenes in the third act. I finally got it plotted this week and I started writing. Yeah! All I need is another sprint or two and I’ll have it done.
Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep, and my calorie limit – not done. My sinus cold just would not go away this week. I let the exercise part of this goal lapse in favor of extra rest. WEEK 5 PRIORITY
Weekly Nia study (i.e. studying the song/movement structure) – done. My new way of tracking worked again this week. I found time for this goal, but I’m leaving it as a priority for now. WEEK 5 PRIORITY
Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities – done. Finally an easy week. I just answered a couple emails.
Organize something in the house each week – done. There were a couple places in my pantry that were getting messy. I picked up a bunch of small baskets this week, problem solved. Also, my email inbox has been out of control with unread blog posts. This week I finally got moving with Evernote and the inbox is slowly shrinking. Yeah for getting organized. Feels good.
Spend time in the Garden – done. I started small this week. Years ago, I planted a bunch of daffodils and tulips for the sole purpose of cutting the flowers to bring in doors. There’s been a few years I’ve forgotten to bring them in. They look so pretty in the garden. This week, I brought the tulips in doors and I think they look fabulous on my table.