Monday Meanderings - February 22nd

First Meandering ...

I'm home sick with a stomach bug. Blech


Second Meandering ...

I didn't get much done on my current project because I was critiquing for the next Sweet & Sassy Anthology. Some seriously fun stories in this one. It's got a beach theme.


Third Meandering ...

I got to brainstorm some more with four other authors on a fun series we're working on. I'm getting really excited about it. It includes regular people, a fairy, and historical time travel.


Fourth Meandering ...

My friend Cassie Mae also writes under a pen name, Becca Ann. She's got a new release coming out.

My body suuuucks. After lounging around on my butt all summer (okay, so maybe that was my bad), this body decided to become something completely foreign. So now I’m trying to make the track team and I feel like I’m a baby learning to walk again.

A couple pounds wouldn’t have been so bad. Work those off, run like a mad woman, no problem, yeah? But no. I’ve also developed a couple of things that I definitely didn’t have before. And now my guy friends are all sitting in a pool of drool as they not-so-subtly stare at my chest.

Combine all that drama with the fact that the new track coach is getting major flack for being a little chunky, and all I’m trying to do is convince the team that I’m not running slower because of her coaching style.

Oh, and did I mention that I’m totally falling face-first in “like” with some guy I met in a cemetery? And no one understands it just because he’s also a little chunky. But he’s also adorable and wonderfully weird and I don’t care what they say, his look sure does it for me.

But… I don’t know… how can I be in “like” with someone, when I have no clue how to like myself anymore?

Amazon Preorder

Did you do anything fun this past weekend?

See any movies you can recommend?

What's Your NaNo Wish?

Jennie's giving away a 50 page critique + an ecopy of The Spirit of Christmas

Jessica's also giving a 50 page critique + an ecopy of The Spirit of Christmas

Kelley's giving a $25 Amazon Giftcard + an ecopy of The Spirit of Christmas

David's also giving a $25 Amazon Giftcard + an ecopy of The Spirit of Christmas

Cassie's giving a choice of any of her ebooks + an ecopy of The Spirit of Christmas

So what do I want for NaNo?
Creative I'm not. My NaNo wish is simple: A finished Second Chances 101.

Even if you're not doing NaNo, you can participate in the bloghop.

What is (or would be) your NaNo wish?

Cover Reveal - Cassie Mae's "Switched"

I have a special guest today
to reveal a little secret...
Take it away
Cassie Mae!

Yay! Tis time for another cover from yours truly.

Covers are the best part. Not gonna lie. So... time for the booty shake!

Are you reading still? I'm wondering how many of you have scrolled down to the hot guy down there. (Because, I admit, I do this) Hmm... testing... tell me your favorite color in the comments if you read this part! LOL.

Here's my stuff, and the book blurb and all that:

Cassie Mae is a nerd to the core from Utah, who likes to write about other nerds who find love. She’s the author of the Amazon Bestseller REASONS I FELL FOR THE FUNNY FAT FRIEND, and is the debut author for the Random House FLIRT line with her New Adult novels FRIDAY NIGHT ALIBI and SWITCHED. She also has a three book deal with Swoon Romance Publishing, including her book HOW TO DATE A NERD. She spends time with her angel children and perfect husband who fan her and feed her grapes while she clacks away on the keyboard. Then she wakes up from that dream world and manages to get a few words on the computer while the house explodes around her. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with the youth in her community as a volleyball and basketball coach, or searching the house desperately for chocolate.

SWITCHED:

Cassie Mae redefines the New Adult genre with a novel that answers the eternal question: What do you do when you’re head-over-heels for your best friend’s guy?

Ever since high school, Kayla has been crazy for gorgeous football player Talon. But before she could muster the courage to tell him, he became a hot item with her beautiful BFF, Reagan. The only person who knows Kayla’s secret is Wesley, Talon’s best bud—and he’s got it bad for Reagan. Now they’re all in college together, hanging out 24/7. For Kayla, seeing the two lovebirds together is absolutely unbearable. So Kayla and Wesley hatch a plot to drive them apart. But time is ticking and they must act now, before Talon gives Reagan the Christmas gift she’s been waiting for.

Sure enough, the once-happy couple is fighting, Reagan suddenly can’t get enough of Wesley’s goofy sense of humor, and Talon seems to be paying more attention to Kayla than a guy who’s “just a friend” ever should. But something just isn’t right. Then Kayla and Wesley accidentally spend a night together, and discover a hitch they never considered: that switching partners may not lead to a perfect ending after all.


*dramatic drumroll!*

Okay, I love all my covers. But that guy, I can't stop looking at him. The girl is a perfect replica of Kayla too. So this makes me a happy pappy author :D

Spell for the day:

Incendio!

"Friday Night Alibi" by Cassie Mae--Character Interview with Chase

I'm on a blog break through July.

I have a special guest here today--Chase from Cassie Mae's new book, Friday Night Alibi (through Random House Flirt).

There's a picture of you above, so my readers can see what you look like. Tell me, in your opinion, what is your best feature? It doesn't have to be physical.

Hmm. I'd like to think it's my adorable face but it's probably my eyes. People talk about them a lot

Ah. So you think you're adorable? Were you like this in high school? What "clique" did you best fit in with?

Swim team for the most part. But I was home schooled. So my "clique" was just me and Robbie, baby bro. But I had the community water polo and tennis teams.

Source
Looks like it can be a tough game.

You're close to your baby brother? How old is he?

He would've been ten this year. But he passed away when he was six.

I’m so sorry to hear that. If you can talk about it, do you mind telling my readers how the loss of your brother changed you?

Well even though I was home schooled I was a loud mouthed people person. After he died I kinda spent more time with my Xbox instead. I guess sometimes it's easier to play online with someone who doesn't know or doesn't give you the pity face.

Do you do anything to honor your brother’s memory?

Yeah but it's personal. Just for me and him. Hope you understand that.

I do, and good on you, Chase. On a lighter note, what’s the most embarrassing thing you've ever done?

Source
(from people at the country club?)

Well I don't get embarrassed easily but sometimes I do after the fact. Like when I mooned Kelli at the country club.

Classy. Was Kelli the only witness, or did you have a larger audience? Did you get any dates from it?

I think half the tennis players at the Sundale country club know exactly how hairy my butt is. And no dates... at least not immediately. ;) 

TMI, my friend. But this does beg the question. Actually, a couple of questions. 1. Why did you moon Kelli? 2. Was she one of the dates?

1. To see her reaction. 2. I'd say she was. She'd say she wasn't.

I guess we'll have to read the book to see what her reaction was. You mentioned playing the Xbox. If you played any games where you gave yourself a user name, what was it? And what does that name mean to you?

I picked a username that wasn't taken yet. Not much meaning to it. lol. But I like being anonymous since I sort of suck against the person I normally play against.

Interesting. I think there's a story there. Hopefully it's explained in the book.

I understand Kelli's not a fan of yours and is quite vocal about it. What is it about her that keeps you coming back for more abuse?

She wants me lol. Nah I'm addicted to her personality. People are always either walking on eggshells cuz they know about Robbie or they get embarrassed by my sense of humor or they know I come from money... blah blah. But Kelli dishes crap out as fast as I do. She sees through my bull. She matches my intensity. She treats me so differently. I'm always surprised by her. I can handle the abuse because I deserve it ;) but also because it comes from her.

And dang that was a long answer.

Two last questions.

What do you wear to bed?

Lol! I wear fuzzy pink pajamas with bunny slippers and the butt flap.

Source

Um...

Are you ticklish?

And yes I’m super ticklish. But Kelli has only discovered the ticklish spot on my knee. I’m hoping she doesn’t find the other places because I know she’d use that against me.

Yes, when you’re ticklish, it gives your enemies power over you. Good luck with keeping that a secret, Chase. I'm afraid Kelli would have to much fun with power like that.

Thanks for dropping by today.

Okay, peeps. Not only did you get to talk to this gorgeous man, but there's a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal - "Friday Night Alibi" by Cassie Mae

I have a special guest today, the freakin' awesome Cassie Mae. She has the most delightful sense of humor. Ever. Go to her blog and follow her. You won't be disappointed. 

Here's Cassie Mae:

Let's all dance together!

I'm super thrilled to show you all my cover for my New Adult debut, FRIDAY NIGHT ALIBI, published by Random House Flirt. It comes out on July 29th, but you can buy it now! And it'll just zap onto your ereader the day it's released.

Wanna know what it's about? Well, it's about this pig who learns how to fly, but only on friday nights and he grants wishes to people who are not where they're supposed to be, to get them out of a bind. You know I'm totally joking. I just wanted to see how many people just skipped over all these words to get to the pretty cover, lol. You mention the pig in the comments and you get cyber gold stars.

Here's the blurb :D

Rising star Cassie Mae introduces New Adult readers to a practical soon-to-be college freshman who seems to have everything—until a special guy shows her what she’s been missing.

In the wealthy town of Sundale, Kelli Pinkins has hatched the perfect plan to capitalize on her sweet reputation. For a generous fee, she will be every trust-fund baby’s dream: a Friday-night alibi, the “girlfriend” or “BFF” that parents dream about. With college approaching in the fall, Kelli’s services are in demand more than ever, which means that her social life is nonexistent. But Kelli is A-okay with that. She’s raking in cash for school. Besides, relationships are tricky, and sometimes very messy. She’d rather be at home on Xbox LIVE, anyway. Then the unexpected happens: She meets college stud Chase Maroney.

Chase isn’t like the preppy, privileged guys Kelli usually meets in Sundale. For starters, he’s twentysomething, always wears black, and he shoots back one-liners as fast as she can dish them out. But Kelli’s attempts to drive Chase away falter when she realizes that he treats her like he really knows her, like he cares about knowing her. When Kelli finally gives in to the delicious kiss she’s been fighting for so long, she faces a tough decision: make Chase a real-life boyfriend and risk her heart . . . or keep her clients and lose her first true love.

Advance praise for Friday Night Alibi

“Totally entertaining with as many swoon-worthy moments as hilarious ones, Friday Night Alibi is a must-read.”—Jolene Perry, co-author of Out of Play

“A fun, funny, and fantastic story, this is one you will read in a day, and pick up to re-read again the next.”—Kelley Lynn, author of Fraction of Stone

Oh, and stuff about me too.

Cassie Mae is a nerd to the core from Utah, who likes to write about other nerds who find love. Her angel children and perfect husband fan her and feed her grapes while she clacks away on the keyboard. Then she wakes up from that dream world and manages to get a few words on the computer while the house explodes around her. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with the youth in her community as a volleyball and basketball coach, or searching the house desperately for chocolate.

And now the pretty!

You can buy this book HERE, and it takes you to all the places it's available. Yay! My first published book with MY NAME ON IT! Squee!!!