"Edgy, Raw" Award-Winning YA Romance On Sale

The Truth About Letting Go, is on sale for 99 Cents this week/weekend (FREE in Kindle Unlimited). It's been three years since I wrote the story, but I still remember the emotions behind it so well.

I've never lost a parent, but at the time I was going grieving a different sort of loss. My life had taken a turn I never anticipated, and I was reeling with the pain of it, trying to understand why God would do this to me and my little family.

I won't go into details, but I'll just say I poured all that frustration and pain into this book in the form of Ashley trying to understand the sudden death of her father.

Some readers have sent me messages saying I got it exactly right. Some have said they identified with Ashley and the way she felt and acted after losing their own parents. Others said while they didn't react so violently to the loss of a loved one, their siblings or others close to them did.

Those are the most gratifying emails I ever receive.

The Truth About Letting Go is not always an easy read, but it was nominated as a finalist by The Kindle Book Award in 2013. I appreciated that recognition so much.

The story does have a happy ending, and we do find our heroine on the road to recovery by the end. I hope you'll read it and "get it." If you don't, that's okay.

Stay cool~

Here's the scoop:

THE TRUTH ABOUT LETTING GO is…

TOP 5 FINALIST, 2013 "Best Indie Book" awards, The Kindle Book Review

"If you're a fan of Sarah Dessen novels you should pick this one up!"--Harley Bear Book Blog

  

"FIVE STARS: Powerful, beautiful, and real... Rarely have I read a book like this one, that felt so real it could be true." -Steph's Book Reviews

“FIVE STARS: It's strange to see your feelings written on the pages of a book you didn't pen. It should be available for anyone who's experiencing loss/grief of any kind.” –Amazon Review

   

THE TRUTH ABOUT LETTING GO

By Leigh Talbert Moore

Two days ago Ashley Lockett's dad died. Her world fell apart, her mom withdrew, and her older brother "callously" returned to college to resume his normal life. Only life will never return to normal for Ashley--at least that's how it feels.

Rejecting her "queen bee" status, she befriends Jordan, a budding film director, and Charlotte, the daughter of a local shop keeper. They each help her forget the pain for a little while, but can they stop her from going off the rails with the new bad boy in town?

A story of faith, forgiveness, and the power of friendship.

★ Get it Today! (FREE in Kindle Unlimited)

Amazon  US: http://smarturl.it/TLGAA

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BHRY07Y

★ BOOK TRAILER: https://youtu.be/H-rXSZL2X38

On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/leightmoore/books-by-leigh-t-moore/

On Goodreads: http://smarturl.it/OTTgr

  

  

Writing for Tears - The Onion Approach

Sorry, this post is not about The Onion (link)--the satirical newspaper. Instead, I was thinking this morning about craft and writing and my own evolution as a writer.

Coming from a journalism background, my biggest challenge as a novelist was slowing down. I'd been trained to get to the point fast. Give the most important point first. Don't bury the lede! No extraneous details, no side-trips into smells or tastes...

I know. Some feature writers flower their prose a bit, and tempering that is part of the craft of feature writing, but for the most part, news reporting is bare bones. Just the facts, ma'am.

Then I started writing books, and I was all, "This person has to get from Point A to Point B to Resolution C after Shocking Revelation D."

I'd sit down and pound it all out, and while it was entertaining, my early readers were all, "I've got a whiplash this happened so fast!"

I wasn't giving anybody time to think or feel about what was happening, to process. I wasn't peeling back the layers slow enough. I wasn't giving my readers time to cry. (Get the onion part now? I made that up, fyi.)

I have some writer friends with the exact opposite problem. They write too many words, and their biggest task is going back and cut cut cutting all the fat so they're  not boring you to death or filling your head with a lot of unnecessary details.

Going on Year 4 as an author, my second as a full-time novelist, my first drafts still often come out with "fast patches"--parts that need to slow down to provide the full emotional effect.

I'm still learning to think like a symphony conductor. Have the Big Fast Loud part followed by a quiet, thoughtful spot.

The good news is now when I read back through that first draft, I'm much better at spotting these places and adding thoughts, feelings, sights, sounds, etc., to spread out the moment.

I think The Truth About Letting Go was the first time I truly felt satisfied I'd mastered the process. To this day, I can't read Chapter 17 without crying... but that's another story.

I'm headed back into the cave, reader-friends! Just popping out to say Hi! and share my thoughts.

Remember to check out IndieReCon starting tomorrow! (link) It's a FREE online writers conference filled with tons of useful information about business, craft, working with readers, marketing, etc.

And since last week I posted the Valentine's Day "Love Notes" for the Dragonfly series, this week, I'll post the ones for the "Truth" books.

Enjoy~

The Truth About Faking

And talk about layers~

The Truth About Letting Go

Have a super week, reader-friends! Love ya~

Rainy Days & Mondays and a chance to #WIN!!!

Happy Monday, reader-friends!

Shew, we made it through some rough weather yesterday! I hope all of you are safe and sound reading this--thoughts and prayers with those dealing with storm damage~

It seems like every year, right about now, I'm thinking, "Where did the time go?!"

This time last year, I was also still reeling with amazement over reader-response to The Truth About Faking (link), my very first book published.

I'm still pretty amazed by it. Love you guys!!!

Then in February, I released The Truth About Letting Go (link), which is a different story, a little more serious...

Readers are always "discovering" these books, and I LOVE when they/you touch base with me, either by email or Facebook or Twitter.

Over the weekend, Dia of Book Junkie Joint (link) wrote an amazing review for Letting Go. She said so many great things, but this was my favorite part:

"What I liked best about this story is that it masterfully depicted how different people had different ways of coping with pain. Others find that acting reckless gave them a sort of high which made them feel alive. Others simply move on and move forward. The key point is ... it's not the same for everybody. This was how it was for Ashley and Colt. It was also the reason why I understand Ashley's compulsion to be with Colt."

Love it when people "get" it...

Please hop over and leave a comment for Dia--Here's the (link).

Today, I've got two NEW books to share from two amazing author friends--check them out~

#1-Is a New Adult/Women's Fiction by Elle Strauss (link), who is an amazing writer-friend for whom I've beta-read for years.

On Amazon

I love the story behind this book, which she originally released in German in 2000!

Elle is Canadian/native English speaker, so this is the first time her non-German-speaking fans get to read it! More here (link).

East of Eden
by Elle Strauss

Regret is a formidable foe.

Eden Kelley is the primary caregiver for her mother who’s in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and she’s only twenty-four. Not what she planned to do when she left her husband for a new start with her four-year-old daughter in tow. She’d hoped for free babysitting, but instead she found a mystery. The discovery of an erroneous marriage document leads to more questions, and unfortunately Eden can’t ask her mother for answers because she doesn’t remember. 

Her mother’s antics drive her crazy, but Eden’s determined to make the best of it. That includes finding the exciting romantic adventure she’d dreamed about. But when trouble knocks, it’s her husband Cade who arrives to help. It’s awkward and tense. And Eden comes to one sure conclusion: leaving her handsome, caring husband was a huge mistake.

Her parents had a second chance at love? Would she and Cade get one, too?

"I was enamored with the mystery surrounding her [Eden's] mom and dad. I eagerly read wanting to unearth their secrets. I was thoroughly pleased with what I found and how the whole story pieced together. ...And how her parent's story related to what Eden and Cade were going through...A perfect read if you are seeking a read that is light and mysterious." - Mandy Anderson, I Read Indies

Get it TODAY!   Amazon | Kobo | Smashwords

* * *

#2-Is by another great writer-friend Ali Cross (link), and it's the next installment in her Desolation Diaries series.

On Amazon

Tattered Dreams
by Ali Cross

Miri has seen Akaros’ return—and James’ death. 

But James has been to Hell and back and refuses to let Akaros rob him of his future with Miri. 

Desi might not be there to save him this time, but James is determined to save himself. 

A Desolation Novella.

Get it TODAY!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords

And enter to #WIN All Three books in the Desolation Diaries series--go here to enter (link)!!!

* * *

And what about you? Read any good books lately that touched you?

Have a SUPER week, reader-friends! Love ya~

Lemons & Lemonade

Hey, reader-friends! Did you see that super moon last night?

Honestly, that's the second "super" moon I've seen, and I can't tell that it's any different from the regular moon... I'm missing something.

Anywho, today's a special day...

I'm helping one of my FAB critique partners Magan Vernon unveil her newest book, AND the gorgeous cover is done by the one and only Allie Brennan of B Design! (Who did the cover for The Truth About Letting Go.)

So without further ado...

Don't you love it? Here's the blurb (which I also love):

A new teen fiction book from Magan Vernon coming this August!

When life hands you lemons, sometimes you have to say screw the lemons and bail.

Seventeen-year-old Bentley Evans had it all. Then her Dad got laid off. 

Now she has to move across town to a small apartment and leave her life of luxury for public school and a job at the local burger place. Just when her world seems like it's crumbling she finds solace in the unlikely punk boy next door, Kai Rowe. But as their relationship blossoms, a jealous ex-girlfriend and a secret to tell that threatens to bring disaster back into Bentley’s life.

You can add it to your GoodReads and sign up for Magan's newsletter to get all of the updates.


Magan Vernon is a Young Adult and New Adult writer who lives with her family in the insurance capital of the world.

She is in a very serious, fake relationship with Adam Lambert and constantly asks her husband to wear guyliner. He still refuses. She also believes her husband is secretly an alien, disguised as a southern gentleman.

You can find her ramblings on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | and her Blog!

* * *

Sign up!

One other quick note, The Indelibles (link) are hosting their annual INDIEpendence Day celebration July 2-5, in which we highlight a favorite indie author!

Everyone can participate--just pick an author you love or one you've recently discovered to share with the world on one those days!

Go here and sign up (link)!

* * *

And finally, The Truth About Letting Go has been added to the 2013 Standalone Reading Challenge (link)! whoop whoop!

Sign up!

Here's the post about TTALG (link), and if you're participating in SARC, please consider adding it to your list! 

Or if you want to participate in SARC, go here and get all the details/sign up (link).

Have a super week, reader-friends! 

I'm working on picture teasers for Undertow... eeep! 

More soon~

New Book, Sale Book

That makes me think of a nursery rhyme... whatever--Happy Summer, reader-friends! 

It's our third full day of summer break over here, and we are loving it.

Lying around the pool, sleeping in...  What???

No way, I'm going nutso wrapping up all the final bits for the release of Dragonfly next week.

Did I say SQUEE today?

But today is very special because it's the Happy Book Birthday for fellow Indelible and YA Confidante Karen Hooper whose new book Taking Back Forever releases today!

whoop whoop!!! *throws confetti*

Taking Back Forever is the exciting sequel to her book Grasping at Eternity, which I read about a month ago and LOVED. I'm reading TBF right now, and it's just as awesome.

I highly recommend this one!

On Amazon

Taking Back Forever (Book 2 of The Kindrily series)

Forever is worth the fight.

Maryah erased all memory of her past lives, but she couldn’t erase her soul mate Nathan, or his undying love. Now, Maryah and Nathan have a second chance at a future together, but first Maryah must remember the person she used to be and embrace her supernatural gifts—more than one kindrily member’s life depends on it.

Maryah’s power is Harmony’s best hope of finding her kidnapped soul mate, Gregory. But Harmony isn’t big on asking anyone for help, and she’s tired of waiting, so she’s taking matters into her own hands. 

Heaven help anyone who stands in her way.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

And visit Karen's website (link) where she's having a Huge Party with prizes and giveaways. Hooray for Karen!

* * *

The Truth About Letting Go is still only $1.99!

On Amazon | Barnes & Noble

And have a super book-filled weekend, reader- and writer-friends!

Awesome Surprise, Gorgeous Cover

Before we get to the Awesome Surprise, a quick update:

The Truth About Letting Go is on sale! whoop whoop!!!

For a limited time, get it for only $1.99. Reminder, this is not a sequel to The Truth About Faking. The books are companions, so you can read them out of order.

Grab your copy today!

Amazon * Barnes & Noble *iTunes * Kobo 

And now for the Awesome Surprise!

Remember last fall when I wouldn't stop gushing about the book My Heart for Yours by my great writer-friends Jolene Perry & Steph Campbell?

I love that story so much, and I thought that was it. A stand alone novel.

Well, I was WRONG! whee~

They're writing three more books in that series, and I have the cover for the next one, the prequel to My Heart For Yours, out July 15!

Here it is...

On Goodreads

A secret love.

A life lost too soon.

A destiny reversed.

You’ve met Tobin & Delia.

This is Eamon’s story…

The prequel to My Heart for Yours.

MY FATE FOR YOURS

Expected release: July 15, 2013

I can NOT wait for it!

Have a super rest of the week, reader-friends~

I'm Not Here!

Wasn't that a book title? Maybe it was a movie? I don't know.

Anyway, Happy Monday!

What's this about missing persons? I'm over posting at The Kindness Project today, so run check it out (link).

I'll be back here tomorrow with a special Teaser Tuesday from Dragonfly... we're in the count-down now! Whoop whoop! #soexcited

If you missed the special Mother's Day teaser excerpt from The Truth About Letting Go, it's here (link).

Have a super day, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

Happy Mother's Day... Character edition!

First, Happy Mother's Day to my own mother!

She said I'd write books when I was just a little kid. I argued she was wrong for about 30 years and finally gave in and started writing. I haven't looked back. Love you, Mom.

So what's this about Characters?

Well, literary agent Mary Kole back in (I think) 2010 first noted the high mortality rate of parents in young adult literature.

I kind of scratched my head (and worried) at the time, because all my characters had parents. Some were more present than others, but they were there.

Whether it's the idealistic, leader-parents of The Truth About Faking, whose ideals manage to get them in hot water and embarrass their daughter, main character Harley, to no end.

Or the kind but somewhat oblivious parents of Anna in the Dragonfly series, who (justifiably) trust their daughter, but have no clue all the drama she's juggling.

Today, I'm highlighting my favorite mother-daughter relationship--that of Ashley and her mom Gretchen in The Truth About Letting Go.

They both tragically lose a man they love and idealize before the story opens, and they deal with it in very different ways. Ashley fights; Gretchen withdraws.

Ashley, despite her anger and fighting, finds Jordan, her promise of a future love. Gretchen doesn't have that promise--although I threw in the potential in the figure of charming, understanding Eric (never Rick) James.

So here's the picture excerpt taken from Letting Go. I hope you enjoy it, and consider picking up a copy of the book and letting me know what you think!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

Print copies on Createspace | Amazon

Have a wonderful day, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

Future Noir, & A Chance to #WIN a Loaded Kindle

First, a quick SALE Update:

The Truth About Letting Go is only 99 cents until 5/5--so if you haven't gotten it yet, go here~

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | AllRomance

The Truth About Faking is also just 99 cents, so it's major spring SALE day! whee~

* * *

Now for the awesomeness that is Debt Collector. (I'm having the privilege of beta-reading this serial, and I'm telling you, it just gets better and better.)

Great writer-friend Susan Quinn is here to explain what Future Noir is, tell how she uses it in her FAB new serial, and give you a chance to #WIN a Kindle loaded with the first three Debt Collector books!

(P.S. I'M the Looper critter in this piece... squee!!!)

~ ~ ~

Future-Noir or Why Retro Science Fiction is Awesome
by Susan Kaye Quinn author of the future-noir serial Debt Collector

Apparently, I write strange science fiction.

This comes up whenever I try to classify my stories to readers, bloggers, the lady at the checkout stand, my mother, or Amazon (who insists that I need a "category" in which to place my books; I insist I need about five). Apparently I write novels that mash together all kinds of genres in an indiscriminate cross-pollenation that would have Isaac Asimov turning in his grave... if he hadn't done the same sort of thing himself as a young man (winking at you, Isaac!).

Seriously, if you want to see a good bar brawl among literary types, just ask them what's the genre of Hunger Games or Time Traveler's Wife or any Nicolas Sparks novel, and watch the rhetoric fly! I personally have a very laizzez-faire approach toward genre definitions, which is sure to infuriate genre-disciplinarians. (I don't mention my east-indian-influenced steampunk fantasy romance to genre-afficianados. I don't want them to rupture something.)

I figure the story comes first; people can decide what genre it is after it's written. So no one was more surprised than me when I ended up writing a future-noir.

On a long car ride, just me and my Muse...

Muse: The Debt Collector.

Me: Er, what? Who are you?

Muse: When people's debts exceed their future potential contributions to society, he
cashes them out.

Me: Whoa. Tell me more.

Muse: He extracts their life energy and transfers it to a "high potential" - someone who
can use it to make greater contributions to the world.

Me: Holy... that's a great idea.

Muse: He's a good man with bad power. And it's future-noir.

Me: Future-noir! Cool! Uh, what is that exactly?

Muse: Dark. Gritty. Futuristic but retro at the same time.

Me: Oh... like Blade Runner... Holy cats, this is awesome.

Muse: You're welcome.

I ran (well, okay, drove) home and wrote the first episode. It was dark, gritty. Lots of low light,
shady characters, set in a futuristic LA where the smog pooled at the impoverished feet of the city and the wealthy high-potentials lived above it all in the clean, clear air, taking their life-energy-hits courtesy of the titular Debt Collectors. The fashion was retro-sexy. The feel was future-dystopian. Did I mention it's gritty? And dark?

I send it off to my critique partner... (this is me--*squee*!!!)

My Crit Partner (LTM): Hey, your new Debt Collector story reminds me of Looper!

Me: Well, it is future noir. *acts like I know what I'm talking about*

LTM: Seriously. I totally see Lirium as a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt! And it totally reads like noir. You know, like Double Indemnity!?

Me: Double what? That's not one of those old black-n-white films, is it?

LTM: All those noir films were black-n-white.

yessss....  ;o)

Me: Right! I knew that. (Sure.) Anyway, I think of Lirium more as James McAvoy in a trenchcoat.

LTM: I can work with that. (Oh, yesss... I can. ;o)

*we both drool on the picture*

Wait, what was I saying?




Right. Future-noir. Gritty retro feel -- where the men wear trenchcoats and slick suits and the women wear bright red lipstick and carry a mini-revolver under their skirts - only it's a futuristic story with time-travel (Looper) or berzerker androids (Blade Runner) or life-energy transfers (Debt Collector) that change the landscape. It's raw. It's sexy. It's awesome.

It looks something like this.

Nice Blogger Lady: What genre is that?

Me: Future-noir.

NBL: What's future-noir?

Me: It's a science fictiony, mystery type of story. Sort of a mix between urban fantasy and noir,
with a thriller twist. There could be romance in there too. Like Blade Runner. Or Looper!

NBL: I'll just call it science fiction.

Me: Works for me. :)

Susan Kaye Quinn is the author of the bestselling YA SF Mindjack series. Her new Debt Collector serial is her more grown-up SF that she likes to call future-noir. Her steampunk fantasy romance is temporarily
on hold while she madly writes episodes to keep Lirium (the titular Debt Collector) happy. Plus she needs to leave time to play on Facebook.

Susan has a lot of degrees in engineering, which come in handy when dreaming up dangerous mind powers, future dystopias, and slightly plausible steampunk inventions. Mostly she sits around in her pajamas in awe that she gets make stuff up full-time. You can find her at www.susankayequinn.com

What's your life worth on the open market? A debt collector can tell you precisely.

Delirium (Debt Collector 1) is now available on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo |  iTunes | Smashwords.

See the Debt Collector website to check all the latest episode releases and goings on in the Debt Collector
world.

And have a super week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

Volition, #WIN $200, & a #Sale Update

Another new release from great writer-friend Elle/Lee Strauss! I read the first book in this series (Perception), and it was SO GOOD! Can't wait to grab my copy of the next installment.

Here's the scoop:

Volition, the exciting continuation of Noah and Zoe's story from Perception, is LIVE!

On Amazon

What doesn't kill you ...

Zoe Vanderveen is on the run with her captor turned rescuer, Noah Brody. They're in love. Or at least that’s what he tells her. 

Her memories have returned but her feelings are dreamlike—thin and fleeting. Her heart can’t be trusted. Just look at what happened with Taylor Blake.

Senator Vanderveen’s new team of cyborg agents are in hot pursuit, and a reward for their capture is broadcast nationwide. Record breaking cold and snow hinder their escape. Someone dies helping them.

And their fight for survival has only begun.

Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Smashwords

Haven't read PERCEPTION yet? It's FREE for a few more days!

On Amazon

Eternal Life is To Die For

For seventeen year old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans.

Her brother Liam is missing.

Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t. He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically.

Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn. She’s in trouble and it turns out that Noah, the last guy on earth she should trust, is the only one who can help her.

It's FREE on Kobo | iTunes | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Amazon

To celebrate the arrival of Volition, Lee Strauss is giving away a $200 Amazon, Nook, or iTunes gift card! Contest ends tonight!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Lee Strauss

Lee Strauss writes historical and science fiction/romance for mature YA and adult readers. She also writes light and fun stuff under the name Elle Strauss.

To find out more about Lee and her books check out her Facebook page. You can also follow her on Twitter @elle_strauss and on Pinterest. To find out about new releases sign up for her newsletter at www.ellestraussbooks.com.

Geaux, Elle! Can't wait to read this one~

* * *

Mini-sale alert & An Update!

On Amazon

 Tax man take a bite? I've got a sale for that:

The Truth About Letting Go is only $1.99 for a limited time on

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

If you haven't already, grab your copy today, and please spread the word~ 

And if you like(d) it, please remember to leave a short, happy review. Thanks!

Update: Revisions/rewrites of Dragonfly, Book 1 in my brand-new contemporary romance series, are coming to a close, so I should have teaser quotes for you soon! SO excited.

Happy playing, good luck, and have a super week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

The Only Exception #WIN & A Tax Day #SALE!

I had the privilege to beta read this book by great writer-friend and new mama Magan Vernon. It. Is. AWESOME! Check it out~

The Only Exception is LIVE! 

And you need to pick up your copy because American Flags are pretty sexy. 

On Amazon

So where can you pick up this lovely book today?

Amazon | Kobo | Barnes&Noble | iTunes | All Romance Ebooks

But wait, you want MORE?

How about a Release Blitz Giveaway for a $50 Amazon, Barnes, and Noble, OR iTunes gift card?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Still want MORE?

The  blog tour is going on and Magan is giving away signed New Adult books, book marks, and ecopies of ANY Magan Vernon book.

Giveaway here

And Rock On, Magan! Seriously, The Only Exception is a super-fun read~

* * *

Mini-sale alert & An Update!

On Amazon

 Tax man take a bite? I've got a sale for that:

The Truth About Letting Go is only $1.99 for a limited time on

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

If you haven't already, grab your copy today, and please spread the word~ 

And if you like(d) it, please remember to leave a short, happy review. Thanks!

Update: Revisions/rewrites of Dragonfly, Book 1 in my brand-new contemporary romance series, are coming to a close, so I should have teaser quotes for you soon! SO excited.

Happy playing, good luck, and have a super week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

Get Serious! Spring Fever Teaser #2

On Tuesday I posted a fun, kissey teaser from my new book The Truth About Letting Go. (If you missed it, here's the link.)

It was a toss-up between that one and a more serious teaser, showing the debate keeping our H&h apart.

Since some of you wanted that one, too (funnies!), and since I'm a softie, here's a BONUS Spring Fever Teaser! Enjoy~

On Amazon

Jordan pulls a blade of grass and is quiet for a moment. Then he speaks slowly, as if picking out the words. “I don’t think of it as giving up my life. I think life is more than keeping rules versus doing whatever you want. I think it’s about leaving things better than how you found them.”

“So volunteer. Work at a shelter on the weekends. You can still do good without giving up everything.”

“Everything? Ashley, there’s so much more going on in the world than sex.”

“Not when you kiss me.” 

He looks down, and I notice his ears turn slightly pink. I can’t believe I just said that out loud. 

“I mean, well, that’s how it feels.”

He simply nods, and I know he feels it, too.

“All this church stuff is just a way of controlling us, Jordan. Not only that, it’s a way of controlling us from ancient times when everything was different.”

“Things weren’t so different.”

“Walking on water, healing sick people, bringing people back from the dead. None of that happens—if it ever did. How can you believe any of it?”

“I don’t know. But I do. And I want to find out how things like that make sense today.”

“And what if you find out they don’t? Or just… what if you don’t like what you find out?”

He exhales and watches the memo pad blowing in the breeze. “I’m not looking for a particular answer. Or to control what I find.”

I pull my knees into my chest and hug them. “Jordan. Why?”

His blue eyes flick to mine. “Okay. Remember how Dr. Andrews said you can’t keep God in a box and then pull him out when you need him to fix a problem and then stick him back in so he doesn’t mess with your life? I think it’s like that.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I think God is dynamic and unpredictable. Good stuff happens, but so does bad stuff. And it all happens to challenge us. To make us grow and change.”

“Things like my dad dying?”

Jordan rubs his forehead. “I don’t know. But, well… he’s not suffering now. He’s in a better place, right?”

Anger tightens my stomach. “How about he never got sick to start with?”

The Truth About Letting Go is only $2.99 at

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes | AllRomance | OmniLit

Print copies on Createspace and Amazon!

Have a great weekend, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

Deep Thoughts... & A Spring Fever Teaser

An idea keeps drifting through my brain: Intense pressure can produce a diamond or it can produce dust.

It sounds better in my head. But still... Diamonds and dust. Why am I thinking this? No clue.

So when we moved here less than two years ago, the movie version of The Help was just coming out, and everyone was talking about that book and the issues it raised. I thought, "I'd like to write a book like that..."

A book that takes on hard topics and isn't boring. It's possible The Truth About Letting Go is as close as I'll get.

It's a contemporary romance, like all my books, but the main character is struggling with a crisis that has rocked her entire belief system.

And while sparks fly every time she kisses our hero, he stands for the very system that let her down and broke her heart. So she pushes him away. Or they pull together for smooches that usually end in arguments...

I think it has a very spring-into-summer feel... I'd love to hear what you think!

Here's the Spring Fever Teaser! (It's a kissy one, yanno. For spring and all.) Enjoy~

On Amazon

Jordan kisses me again, and everything in me wants more. I want him to groan and tell me I’m beautiful. I want to slide my hands under his tee and feel his skin. But he breaks our lips apart. He places his chin on my head and puts his arms around my shoulders.

“Oh, man,” he breathes, before kissing the top of my head.

I sigh as I press my cheek to his chest, surrounded in his warm hug. His hands slide up and down my back slowly, and I slip my fingers under his shirt, finding the skin underneath. That’s when he steps away and pulls the towel off his shoulders. 

“I’d better go.”

“Don’t!” I reach for him, and he catches my hand.

“Being alone with you is not a good idea.”

Frustration burns in my chest, and I have to fight getting angry with him. How can I be angry and yet so totally into him at the same time?

“You’re going to drive me crazy,” I say.

“Not as crazy as you’re driving me.”

I hop down and follow him to the back door not even trying to hide my disappointment. “But what about your shirt?”

“Bring it to me later.” He grabs the windbreaker off the peg and catches the door. Halfway out, he steps back. I’m still frowning, but his cute smile softens it. “This is really cool.”

“What?”

“Being here with you. Being sorry to go. You being sorry I’m going.”

“I’m keeping your shirt.”

He grins and kisses me quickly. “Deal.” Then he closes the door and sprints across the lawn to his waiting car. 

The Truth About Letting Go is just $2.99 on

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes | AllRomance | OmniLit

Print copies on Createspace and Amazon!

Have a super week, reader-friends~ <3

Lightening Round #WIN! & Teaser Tuesdays

I AM still in the cave, in case you're wondering. But I also promised to help with some promotions before everything blew up over here, and that's what this is...

Update--JRM is doing better! Every day a little more movement, a little less pain, and soon, hopefully, he'll be off the couch more. Still three months of crutches, but we're being positive. It could've been much worse. #SOthankful

In other news, several lovely bloggers are helping me spread the word about my new book The Truth About Letting Go (link), which is over there in the sidebar > > >

And to help them, I'm running a special "Lightening Round Giveaway" contest to for BOTH The Truth About Faking (link) AND The Truth About Letting Go!

Here are a few of the places you can #WIN (names are links):

• Stacey Wallace Benefiel
• Cheri Lasota
• Elle Strauss
• LM Preston
• Cindy Hogan

You can also click here to enter and #WIN! Contest ends Sunday, April 7!

Quick Note: As soon as I've got something for you, I'm thinking of doing "Teaser Tuesday" posts for DRAGONFLY and DRIFTWOOD (the two books releasing next). Would you like that? Thoughts?

OK--back to the cave with me! Have a super weekend and week, reader-friends~ <3

A Party, Pressies, & A #WIN

Happy Friday, reader-friends!

What's this party, you say?

Well, I'll tell you, but first let me unveil the WINNER of Justine Dell's newest book All American Girl (link) from Monday.

We had 16 comments, and Random Number Generator picked #8! That would be.... *drum roll*

Summer Ross! Woo hoo! 

Yaaay, Summer!!!  *throws confetti*

HUGE congrats, girl. And remember, Justine's event with pressies is still happening on her blog (link). You could win a copy of The Truth About Letting Go and several other great books!

Now, for the partay here!

The Truth About Letting Go (link) is off to a great start--THANK YOU so much for your support!

On Amazon

Today marks the kick-off of my Big Promo Blitz in which many book bloggers will help me spread the news, give excerpts from the book, post information about how I wrote it, the story behind the story...

It's running until March 22, and there will be lots of fun events. But for the Big Present, and I'm having a Grand Prize Giveaway for the whole thing...

It's a signed, print set of The Truth About Faking (link) AND The Truth About Letting Go (US only). 

For international entrants, I've added an ebook set--but anybody can win that, too!

Of course, I can't leave you guys out, so I've added the link to the entry form here (link), and I think most of you will find this one easy-peasy to enter, as we're already all hooked up on social media.

So hop on over if you want to join the fun, and have a super week-end, my lovelies! <3