Addison Fox: Rest & Recharge

I’m a big believer in hard work. There is great satisfaction to be had from a job well done, both from the effort and the accomplishment. Because I take satisfaction from work, I also find great joy in relaxation. Those moments of NOT working, whether it’s at play, sleep, laughing, or all around moments of fun, are as essential to work as getting up and getting at it.

This past week I did all of the above. I spent the week with dear friends who live on the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri and I’m pleased to report that I played, slept and laughed – a lot. Although the week was ostensibly set up as a writers retreat with two of my dearest writer pals, we found plenty of time to talk and laugh and enjoy ourselves in the midst of our work. A day on the lake, another spent curled up in blankets talking on the couch and yet another spent challenging each other to writing sprints all combined to create a week of relaxation and rejuvenation.

As I sit here on Sunday night, back at home and contemplating a week of both my writing work and my day job, I’m happy to report that I think of it all with a smile on my face, happy memories filling my thoughts and a deep desire to dive in on Monday morning and keep the momentum flowing. I’ve rested and recharged and I couldn’t be more grateful for the time!

Thanks for joining me today!

XO,

Addison

Addison Fox: Friendship and Joy and Quiet Moments

I had a wonderful opportunity this past week – a dear friend of mine has been in for several days and it’s been so nice to simply sit still, catch up, laugh and relax a bit. It doesn’t happen all that often – that ability to shut down and focus and simply enjoy a few moments without other distractions.

Life is busy. The weeks begin and end in rapid succession and it’s easy to look up and find yourself wondering where the days have gone. That’s why those quiet moments – and the opportunity to sit still – is so lovely.

For me, reading often provides the same benefits (albeit without an ability to do a gabfest over a glass of wine!) Those quiet moments when I can shut out the noise and the clutter of the day and do something that’s enjoyable – simply for the joy of the thing.

So as we enter into summer – always a busy time – I wish you some of that quiet. Those little moments spent in a way that makes you happy. A conversation with a friend. A nap underneath a tree. An ice cream cone. Whatever it is, enjoy!

Thanks for joining me today!

XO,

Addison

Addison Fox: Feeling Like A Kid Again

I’ve always read a pretty steady diet of middle grade and young adult mixed in with my other reading habits (mostly romance, thriller and mystery). I think there’s some incredible work being done in both age ranges right now and I enjoy those stories as much as more adult-oriented fare. But recently, I discovered a book that got me in touch with my youth. Although there’s always an element or two in MG and YA that makes me think of those years between 9 and 16, when everything seemed enormously monumental, I can usually separate that feeling from the core story.

For whatever reason the book I picked up just took me back. The protagonist. The conflict. Even the subtle cues to believing in yourself just the way you are – and trusting that those who love you can see the same – struck a chord in this particular telling. I found myself remembering middle school in sharp clarity, even though the premise of the book was nothing like my own personal experiences.

For me, that’s one of the most extraordinary joys in reading. That absolute transportation to a place and time that lives both inside of yourself and in a world that’s real and tangible and heartfelt. It’s amazing and there’s nothing in the world that feels the same. While reading has always been a magical experience for me, it’s wonderful to be reminded of that enchantment from time to time.

What about you? What’s the last book you read that simply transported you somewhere else? Maybe it was something outside a genre you normally read, or a story that was just so well done it gripped you and refused to let go.

Thanks for joining me today!

XO,

Addison

PS

For those who are interested, the book was CRUSHING IT, by Joanne Levy.

                                                                                                                                                   

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in New York and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest release, JUST ONCE, the second book in her Brooklyn Brotherhood trilogy from St. Martin’s Swerve, is out now. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: Zigging and Zagging

I love writing. It’s such a fundamental part of who I am and I feel incredibly grateful that it’s something I’m able to do both for my own personal enjoyment as well as for publication. While the things I love about writing is generally far too long to list, one of the items that ranks near the top is that every book I write is a different experience. The act of story telling never gets old for me because it’s never the same.

The characters are different. The setting is different. And I’m different.

That last point can’t be understated. With every book I work on (and I’m linear enough that I work on one book at a time), I’m older, I’ve had additional experiences and I’ve had an opportunity to continue on life’s journey.

I’ve been formally published since 2010 and actively writing since 2002 and with each book I also realize that I never know all I think I do before I begin writing. For me, it’s virtually impossible to truly imagine a book until I’m deep into it.

Never has this been more true than the book I have coming out this week, JUST ONCE. This is the second book in my Brooklyn Brotherhood trilogy for St. Martin’s Swerve and before I began writing it, I expected the book would be fun and light-hearted. In the early stages of the writing I was even going to make the story a pretend relationship story, complete with ensuing antics between my hero, Landon, and heroine, Daphne.

And then something happened.

I wrote the first few chapters and realized that whatever light-hearted story I imagined had morphed into a serious, rather heavy story about my characters’ journey to finding each other. Landon is one of three adopted brothers and where he comes off as the easy-going, laid back brother, it’s a front for a deeply serious, deeply scarred man still struggling to overcome the pain of his childhood.

I agonized over this book. Would I do Landon’s story justice? Is there still enough fun in the story to keep my readers with me? Did I pull it off? In the end, the answer to the last question will be in the hands of the reader, just as it should be. Once the book leaves my hands it belongs to my readers and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

But what I can say is that I am happy with Landon and Daphne. They didn’t take the journey I expected them to take, but they became the characters they were ultimately meant to become. And for me, that makes all the difference. They may have zagged where I expected them to zig, but the journey to get them there made me grow as a writer.  And for me, that’s a happy ever after.

Thanks for joining me today!

XO,

Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in New York and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her next release, JUST ONCE, the second book in her Brooklyn Brotherhood trilogy from St. Martin’s Swerve, is out February 7. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: New Year, Old Me

Here we are again. That time of year when we focus on the things we want to fix. For the record, I think self-reflection and personal improvement is important – always. One of our greatest gifts as humans is our ability to make a choice, stick with it and change.

But for all the talk of change, I think it’s important to also take time for reflection and consider the things we’ve changed or are doing or have achieved and be grateful. Thankful. And excited for the accomplishment.

This is a topic I think about a lot because as a writer conflict – and a human being’s need to change – is key to what I do. A story isn’t interesting if the characters don’t learn something. If they don’t change their perspective or learn something or take an opportunity to grow.

So what about you? What did you accomplish this past year that you’re proud of? Excited about? Still laughing and smiling about? It can be absolutely anything – let’s hear it!

Thanks for joining me today!

XO,

Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in New York and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her next release, JUST ONCE, the second book in her Brooklyn Brotherhood trilogy from St. Martin’s Swerve, will be out in February. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: Traditions

I think it’s a pretty safe assumption that you could ask just about anyone about the traditions they’ve grown up with and/or created in adulthood and they could give you several right off the top of their head. Specific holidays celebrated in a certain way with family. A favorite dish that makes it to every Thanksgiving table. A vacation ritual that is followed each and every trip. I’ve got several of my own and I look forward to all of them. But one that’s become a personal favorite is my annual “holiday girls’ dinner.”

Twenty years ago I moved to Dallas. I was in my early 20s and was fortunate to make a group of good friends very quickly. I moved in February so by the time the holidays rolled around I had a group of friends I was actively spending time with. As we were all in the same boat – young and watching our budgets – we decided that instead of buying small gifts for each other, we’d do it up and go to a nice restaurant as our gift to each other and to ourselves.

This tradition has stuck. Although some of the faces at the dinner have changed, for 20 years these are the women I celebrate my life with. We’ve seen each other through life’s ups and downs and I know that will continue, no matter what.

What I also see, when I look around that table now, are women who are older and wiser. Women who have now had some life experience and some miles on our years. We’re not old, but we’re not the young ones any longer. We talk about aging parents and mortgages and friends who are divorcing. We also talk about children’s accomplishments peppered in with our own. We talk about new homes and exotic vacations. We talk about the interesting people we’ve met. Our conversation has changed along with our lives and we’re changing with each other.

There’s something so rewarding each year as I look around that table. These are my friends. The sisters of my heart. These women are my tribe. Holiday girls’ dinner is a tradition I am so deeply grateful for. More important, it’s the people I celebrate that tradition with who are the true source of my gratitude.

Thanks for joining me today!

XO,

Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in New York and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest two releases, AT LAST from St. Martin’s Swerve and A HUNTER UNDER THE MISTLETOE from Harlequin Nocturne are currently available. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: Quotes

I’ll admit it, I’m a freak for quotes. I love them – those small amalgams of words that when put together leave us with tiny pieces of inspiration. I have them everywhere – most often on scraps of paper – and tucked in random pages of notebooks. They’re words I’ve convinced myself I’ll use again in the future (I really need to get a better filing system, by the way), equally convinced I will know exactly where to find that particular quote when I need it.

That crummy filing system often conspires against me, but I’ve not yet let that deter me. More, when I do find the exact right quote for a project, it’s like finding a small gem, hidden away just waiting to be discovered.

I love the way the right quote can sum up a book or a character’s journey and I needed one for the my latest project. I found what I needed, but while searching I came across another. I don’t have a use for it yet, but I can almost see the story that would spring from this:

“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”  -- Shakespeare

The words are powerful, as the Bard is so capable of, and so very human, too. In many ways, this phrase is the reason I write. I know my characters – I see them as clearly as if they were standing before me – but it’s in the writing that I come to know who they will be. It’s the joy of the job and it’s the mind-numbing frustration of it, all rolled into one.

Of course, I’m glad today I finally wrote this one down. You never know when I may need to pull it out, brush it off and use this quote for just the right occasion.

Thanks for joining me today!

XO,

Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in New York and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest two releases, AT LAST from St. Martin’s Swerve and A HUNTER UNDER THE MISTLETOE from Harlequin Nocturne are currently available. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: Ending & Beginnings

I’m fascinated by change. As humans we resist it more often than not, but change is the catalyst that moves us forward. Change is what brings new things into our lives. Change, whether we like it or not, is a guarantee.

I was thinking about this relative to a colleague who is moving on. He’s been at my company for 9 years and is off to a new opportunity that will be exciting and challenging. We gave him a going away party last night and over and over – even with the sadness he had saying good-bye to everyone – there was a smile on his face.

It was that smile that got me. He’s excited about what comes next.

As a writer, life changes are the core focus of my work. Stories, at their very essence, are about change. In order to have a story that captures attention (and lasts for 300+ pages!) you need something to happen to your characters. Something that takes them out of their comfort zone and pushes them forward.

So as I sit here typing this, I know I will miss my colleague. He’s someone whose opinion I value and someone who I’ve always appreciated having in my corner at work. But I’m also excited for him. There are new things to learn and new challenges to rise up to.

Endings and beginnings. They’re intricately linked. And they are the things that move us forward.

Thanks for joining me today!
XO,
Addison



Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in New York and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her next two releases, AT LAST from St. Martin’s Swerve and A HUNTER UNDER THE MISTLETOE from Harlequin Nocturne will both be out in November. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com 

Addison Fox: The Beauty of Fall

I know I’ve written about it in previous blog posts, but I am endlessly fascinated by how much of my life falls into rhythm with the seasons. While certainly the weather and available daylight hours have a considerable impact on our days, I find that each season truly has a special rhythm all its own.

For me, fall is my most productive window of the year, while also being my busiest. Nearly half my immediate family has a birthday in the fall so there are parties and presents, trips and plans all coming to fruition this time of year (sadly, we don’t all live in driving distance.) I also find that my personal productivity just seems to spike this time of year. Whether it’s the amount of things I’m juggling or just a personal love of the season, fall is my “Energizer bunny” time!

This often translates directly to my work as well. I’m amazed how often the weather and seasons find its way into my story, both as setting details as well as a driver of the story. A hot, humid summer day generates a specific set of images, where as a cold, blustery winter afternoon lends another. My characters are as driven by the world around them and being able to imagine those details – and how they impact my story – are essential.

As another benefit, I often find writing about a cold winter’s day while battling the dog days of summer in real life is a natural cooling agent, while thinking of hot summer days in the midst of a February freeze can work in reverse!

What about you? As we enter into fall – or spring in the southern hemisphere – are there things you’re looking forward to about the season?

Thanks for joining me today!
XO,
Addison



Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in New York and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. Her next two releases will be out in November. AT LAST, the first in her Brooklyn Brotherhood contemporary series, will be out from St. Martin’s Swerve. And her 2-in-1 with Karen Whiddon, A HUNTER UNDER THE MISTLETOE, will arrive from Harlequin Nocturne. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com 

Addison Fox: Odds & Ends

I don’t know about you, but I often envision myself as the lone mess maker in a sea of immaculate, well-bred people whose home is always in order, purse is always clean and car is always clutter-free. I moved recently – a state which should have made my own personal disorder of books strewn about, papers cluttered on desktops and general state of disorder vanish – and I’ve yet to have that happen. Instead, I’ve still got one or two boxes in each room and a small pile on the dining room table I can’t seem to dismiss no matter how many times I look at it.

How does it happen?

And where – for the LOVE OF GOD, WHERE?? – does it all come from?

I don’t try to be messy. Nor am I particularly fond of collecting anything beyond books. Yet as I sit here typing this I am staring at a stack of mail, three cords that go to various electronics items, a lone light bulb and three old cassette tapes that have no home yet which I can’t seem to part with.

I’d like to say this is a new phenomenon, but sadly, my entire life I’ve been a clutterer. I’m clean – the house is cleaned each and every week like clockwork – but the piles are easily moved to dust and then go right back where they are. Why? Is there something in my personality that can’t quite part with things? Or is it something more? (As a writer I’m driven to ask myself this…and then attempt to force the trait on a poor, hapless heroine who would probably rather have a nice, neat clean desk!)

As I keep looking at the piles on my desk, my gaze also lands on a recent card from my aunt, a photo of my friend’s son who just graduated and a wine stopper given to me by another good friend. More clutter, to be sure, but signs of love and affection and warmth.

It’s in those small signs that I think I really understand why I’m more prone to clutter than the pristine beauty of empty desks and spotless tables. For all the mess it brings, clutter also brings those little reminders that we’re loved. Those quick clues and modest symbols that remind us that we get up every day, go out into the world, and bring small pieces of it back home with us.

So what about you? Are you in the clutter camp? And whether you are or are not, I’m open to any and all suggestions of how to manage the piles!!

Thanks for joining me today!
XO,
Addison



Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in New York and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest release, THE ROYAL SPY’S REDEMPTION, from Harlequin Romantic Suspense is on shelves now. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com 

Addison Fox: A Puzzle

I spent time with my parents over the 4th of July weekend and we worked on a puzzle together. They’d started it the week before so by the time I arrived the frame was up and some of the center image was coming together. Throughout a few days, we continued to work the middle pieces, coming in and out of the dining room as the mood struck.

I’m deeply fortunate to have a wonderful relationship with both of my parents – we talk easily and are always discussing something – but the conversation as we put the puzzle together was different somehow. My father told stories about my grandmother and how she had a series of rules when they did puzzles.

• You must frame the puzzle first
• You must work on the puzzle to be part of putting in the last few pieces
• You must put the pieces into sections on the table that seem to correspond with where they go

It was silly talk but it gave me a memory I didn’t have and further framed up (pun intended!!) an aspect of my grandmother I didn’t know. (She’d probably have been horrified that I got to work on the puzzle a week after it had begun!!)

Throughout the weekend we discussed the silly and the mundane but we also discussed the serious. A friend’s been going through the after effects of a stroke and we discussed that and the corresponding life changes that come with it.

In short – the time we spent in front of that puzzle was concentrated together time. There weren’t any distractions, it was just us. Our time with the puzzle created new memories together, and it added to the rich store of history I have about my loved ones.

Thanks for joining me today!
XO,
Addison



Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in New York and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest release, THE ROYAL SPY’S REDEMPTION, from Harlequin Romantic Suspense is on shelves now. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: The Greatest

With the sad passing this past weekend of Muhammad Ali, social media has been full of his life and his quotes. In reading all the various tributes and memories, this quote from Ali struck me deeply:

“The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.”

The heart of this quote suggests the importance of change. As humans, change is the most difficult thing we deal with, yet it is the very force that pushes us forward, shapes us and molds us, and – ultimately – forms and reforms our views.

As a writer, this is the essence of what we tap into each and every time we put words on the page. Characters are deeply interesting – and vulnerable – when forced through these moments of change in their lives. How they handle that change and the forces acting on their lives shapes the story and, I believe, is what we connect with when we read a book. A story about a character who is no different on page 350 than he or she was on page 1 isn’t a very interesting way to pass the time. And in the same way Ali believes a human wastes their life if unchanged, as an author, I’ve wasted my readers’ time if my characters don’t change as well. It’s an important part of the process – weaving characters so we, as readers, see ourselves on the page. We see who we are and we also see what we can be.

In last month’s post I mentioned some of my keeper books that I re-read often and I think it’s the work those authors did in crafting stories about characters who grow and change that keep me coming back over and over to those stories. I’d love to know if you agree so please feel free to add your thoughts in the comments.

Thanks for joining me today!
XO,
Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in New York and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest release, THE ROYAL SPY’S REDEMPTION, from Harlequin Romantic Suspense is on shelves now. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: Comfort Reads

As a lifelong reader, I rarely go anywhere without a book. From my purse to my bedside to books scattered through the house, it’s safe to say I’m a book addict. I love sinking into a story, imagining myself in far off (or near off!) places.

While I love to read something new – and the majority of my reading time is spent on new stories – there are also those moments I reach for something comforting and familiar. The emotional equivalent of a warm blanket. For me, I often go back to those comfort reads at times of great stress or fatigue, but also during times where life is just busy. It’s far easier to drop in and out of a story you already know than attempting to keep up with something new.

What’s been an interesting discovery is to realize why I find comfort in a certain set of stories. My list is fairly short, but in each book there’s something about the core of the story that speaks to me on a deeper level. Sometimes it’s the book’s perspective. Or maybe it’s tied to a certain time in my life when I’d first read the book. I’ve even realized that sometimes it’s just a basic premise I’m drawn to over and over. Regardless of the category, my comfort reads speak to me in a way that’s even deeper than the normal joy I find in opening a book.

For fun, here’s a few of the books from my list. I’d love to know what you included on yours!

Ravished by Amanda Quick
This one falls into the “basic premise” category for me. I love a Beauty and the Beast story and this one does not disappoint. While it is true I love anything Amanda Quick writes (and that includes her work as Jayne Ann Krentz and Jayne Castle), there’s something extra special about Ravished. A brilliant and daring heroine. A scarred hero (sigh). And an archaeological find. Oooh, this one is wonderful!

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume.
This book is my “read it at a certain time” story. I read AYTGIMM the year I turned ten. At the time it was a fictional guide about what to expect in real life from puberty - how my friendships would change, how I would change and how my body would change.

What is great about this book is that more than three decades later, it’s not only still an enjoyable read that allows me to remember those days in my life that were full of transformation and learning about myself, but it’s also a story that makes me want to go hug my mother. Judy Blume dedicated the book to her mother and reading it as an adult, there’s definitely a sense of mothers and daughters that’s pervasive in the story.

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
The hero of this book is Malcolm Kavanaugh. Oh, Malcolm.

Nora Roberts writes a damn fine hero (Roarke, anyone?!?!?) But she knocked it out of the park with this one. Malcolm Kavanaugh is a bad boy. He also loves his mother, plays poker, has a sexy shoulder tattoo, was an ex-stuntman and knows how to maneuver around a woman as well as a car engine (he’s a mechanic.) Malcolm is perfection on the page. He’s also a charmer, a gentleman, a man who stands up for the underdog and a man who ensures one of his employees learns to read. He has a deeply honorable core that translates into his actions throughout the book and, to me, he is the perfect hero.

What’s even more fun is the heroine Nora wrote to match him. Parker Brown is loyal, driven, kind and a good girl. I like to think Parker’s written as the perfect good girl on the page - one who knows they can be just as naughty as a bad girl if given the right partner.


Thanks for joining me today! And feel free to drop in and share your comfort reads. I’m always looking for new books to add to my stacks!!!

XO,
Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in Dallas and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest release, THE ROYAL SPY’S REDEMPTION, from Harlequin Romantic Suspense is on shelves now. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: Growth

As a writer, my work is dependent on the observations of others. What motivates them. What really motivates them. And how those motivations ultimately affect their behavior.

For a writer, this is rich and fertile ground. The character who is brash and unpleasant often hides something dark or embarrassing beneath. A cynic’s loud belligerence is often interpreted as self-confident, yet often masks insecurity. And the one who holds an idyllic –nearly manic—outlook on life is seeking a sense of order that’s never truly attainable.

It’s the exploration of these traits that make up one more tool in the writers toolbox. But it’s conveying it on the page that carries the challenges.

How do you show a character’s growth if they’re so unpleasant on page one the reader has no interest in continuing?

That’s where it’s essential as the author to drop important clues that keep us interested in these vulnerable humans who will grow through the course of the novel. That brash woman who never has a kind word for anyone? She’s the first to reach down and pick up a child’s dropped toy. The loud, overbearing cynic? He’s got a small dog he can’t lavish enough love and affection on. And the manically cheerful one? She pours herself into music, pulling the sweetest, darkest notes from a violin.

In these and so many other ways we can show the person beneath the exterior. The shell they show the world versus the person they truly are. (As a side note, the movie THE PROPOSAL did this extraordinarily well with Sandra Bullock’s character.)

As a writer, it’s a gift to play with these elements, bringing them alive on the page. It’s that exploration of the human experience that makes my job, day in and day out, always unique. And always changing with each story I tell.

Thanks for joining me today! And feel free to drop in and share your favorite character to hate – but who changed your opinion by the end!

XO,

Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in Dallas and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest release, COLTON’S SURPRISE HEIR, from Harlequin Romantic Suspense is on shelves now. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: Hearts

“Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable. – The Wizard”

L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

It’s February and that often means our minds are drawn to images of love. From cupids to kisses, February is the month we are culturally awash in love. Center to that are images of the heart. Pink ones. Red ones. Cut out, or hand drawn.

But what about matters of the heart? Cliché or no, we humans spend our lives living with the urges of our hearts. Who we love. Who we hate. What we wish for our loved ones and ourselves. The worries we carry and the joys we keep tucked away.

I thought about this as I visited an older friend in the hospital last night. She’s unfortunately had a series of health problems that have had her in and out of the hospital. Her prognosis overall is quite good, but it’s still a painful time. When I walked into the room, a few other friends had arrived before me and it was so wonderful to see her face lit up, joy in not only the company but the time others had given to make the visit.

It was also a reminder to me that love of others comes in so many forms. At this time of year we often tend to focus on romantic love, but our capacity for love and affection is so much broader, with endless dimensions.

One of the joys I find in writing is that I explore on the page the various things I wonder about, question and seek answers to. I’m amazed how often my work channels the joy I have of family life or personal experiences I can’t yet fully articulate with my own words. Conversely, so often the writing helps me deal with a concern I have in life or a particular problem I’m working through.

I find the same experiences with reading. I’m always pleasantly surprised how a particular book can speak to me at a particular time, at the moment I need to hear it.

Those experiences with the written word help dimensionalize, at least for me, this experience of life. What is truly an individual journey for each of us is somehow made a bit easier knowing others travel the same path. Experience the same joys. Ask the same questions.

Clearly I’m a bit reflective today and I do appreciate you joining me! I’d love to hear what you’ve got planned for February and what you’re looking forward to this month.

XO,

Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in Dallas and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her next book, COLTON’S SURPRISE HEIR, will be out in February from Harlequin Romantic Suspense. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: Something New

While I’ve always considered myself a creative person – especially as writing is such a large part of my life - over the past year I’ve begun finding additional ways to channel my creativity. From crochet to cooking, I’ve made a concerted effort to try my hand at new things.

The funny thing about trying something new is that it stretches the mind in ways you don’t expect. Can I double that recipe? Will that pattern work with that yarn? Even more enjoyable, the time I spend on other projects pays dividends when I return to my writing work. I see new possibilities or the words flow a bit faster when I come back to my work in progress.

I’m a big fan of the TV program America’s Test Kitchen and a few weeks ago they made Julia Child’s French apple tart recipe. Inspired after watching the program, I set out to do the same. In full disclosure, here were the results:

On the plus side:

·         A gorgeous-looking tart I texted to pretty much every person in my phone

·         Two hours of preparation and cooking, all spent gabbing with my mother (which is ALWAYS time well spent!)

On the not-so-plus side…

·         I didn’t make the crust correctly. My tart pan was larger than the recipe so I attempted to double the ingredients and made a miscalculation somewhere with the butter

·         About two solid sink-fulls of dishes as this sucker takes some serious prep work

I bring this up because trying something new doesn’t always provide the results we hope for. I was incredibly excited to serve this after Thanksgiving dinner and the crust was pretty much inedible (which is probably a good thing as it had enough butter to sink a ship!) That said, I figured out where I went wrong and know the next time around will be better.

In this day and age of gorgeous photos on Pinterest and well-curated tales on social media, it’s easy to think everyone else has got this life thing down. They can whip up a dinner party or keep a garden or kick the snot out of every task they attempt. It can make trying new things scary and intimidating – after all, we humans love our bragging rights (I did gleefully text that photo!)

But the thing is, reality is often far different. Trying something new doesn’t always bear a perfect result. Things don’t always come out as we plan, even when we have a recipe, a pattern or a map.

While my attempts might not always be perfect (or edible!), what my foray into broadening my creativity and trying new things has taught me is that I don’t have to get it right on the first try. Part of the fun is figuring out how to do something and then working to make it better the next time.

Thanks for joining me today. I’d love to hear about your holiday cooking and what worked (or what didn’t.) J

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a very happy new year!

XO,

Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in Dallas and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her next book, COLTON’S SURPRISE HEIR, will be out in February from Harlequin Romantic Suspense. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: Something Handmade

As a writer, I spend quite a bit of time in my head. More than that, I like my quiet moments – walks with the dog, an afternoon curled up on the couch with a book or an hour of yoga – interspersed with the craziness of life. I find in those moments I recharge, refresh and process the world around me.

In keeping with my love of a stretch of quiet, recently I decided I wanted to crochet a blanket. I’ve done crochet on and off through the years, but my skills extended to some very neat rows. So I did what any modern woman does…I decided to go on YouTube and found out how to do granny squares.

While I am definitely looking forward to doing some standard granny square blankets – those colorful blankets that have such a wonderful symmetry – I was more interested in learning the technique and then seeing what I might do with it.

If I do say so myself….I’m incredibly pleased with the outcome! More important, I am proud of the fact that I wanted to learn something and set out to do it. I don’t know that we do that as often as we should as we age. When we’re young, our whole lives are about learning. But as we age, our lives become more about routine instead of embracing something new. It was fun to turn back the clock and get excited about mastering a new skill.

What’s also been fun about the project is how refreshed I’ve been coming back to my writing. While working on my squares, I’ve had a chance to work through plot points, consider characterization and focus on where I want my story to go. It was like a creative 2-for-1, if you will!

So what about you?  Is there a project you’ve been wanting to tackle or something new you’d like to learn? If so, definitely go for it! You never know what you might create!!

Thanks for joining me today!

XO,

Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in Dallas and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest book, THE PROFESSIONAL, will be out October 6th from Harlequin Romantic Suspense. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: A Passion for Books

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be involved with an event in the Dallas area for the past decade called Buns & Roses. The event raises money for the Richardson Adult Literacy Center, a resource in North Texas for those who are seeking literacy skills or the ability to read, write and speak English as a second language.

For several years I attended as a reader and then about 6 years ago I was privileged to be invited as an author host. The event is a lot of fun – we have a tea, a keynote speaker (Tessa Dare was this year’s keynote and she was amazing!) and then a book signing. All proceeds from the event go to literacy (including this gorgeous quilt that was part of a silent auction at the event).

As someone who has loved books since before I could read, I know the joy to be found in the pages of a book. It’s such an amazing thing to sit in a room with about 300 other readers, raising money so we can help others find the same joy.

I’m reminded of this every year but it bears repeating. Reading is a gift. And while it so often provides a pleasurable escape for a few hours time, the ability to read provides so much more. Understanding. Education. An ability to function in the world around you.

Reading is a gift in my life I’m deeply grateful for. What an honor it is to hopefully have contributed in some small way so others may experience that same joy.

Thanks for joining me today!

XO,

Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in Dallas and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest book, THE PROFESSIONAL, will be out October 6th from Harlequin Romantic Suspense. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: Summer's Close

With the Labor Day holiday upon us, summer in the US effectively comes to end. Of course, the real end of summer doesn’t arrive for a few more weeks, but the “fun” part of summer – the long, lazy days and the pursuit of more light-hearted endeavors – is coming to an end.

While I always look forward to summer, I love that we end the season with a day devoted to taking time off. Acknowledging our labors and taking a day away (or a long weekend!) away from them.

For me, reading often fulfills that time away from work. I love sinking into a good book and simply getting lost in a story. For a few hours, I don’t have day job demands, writing deadlines, house cleaning, outside commitments or appointments. Nope, it’s just me and a story, falling in love with a new hero, flying through space with a crew of characters or solving a fresh crime through my hardened cop’s eyes.

So what about you? What do you have on the agenda for Labor Day and what are you looking forward to in the coming months from your TBR pile. As you read, I encourage you to think about what a nice escape you’re taking from the day to day.

Thanks for joining me today!

XOXO,

Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in Dallas and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest book, THE PROFESSIONAL, will be out in October from Harlequin Romantic Suspense. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

Addison Fox: My Annual Reward

For romance authors, July is a big month. Every July the Romance Writers of America puts on their annual conference. The conference is an author conference, so the focus is on craft workshops, business networking and discussion about our future. As a writer, this is pretty much heaven.

For me, RWA week always results in several things. First, it’s my vacation week, so it’s a time for me to get away from the day to day and focus solely on my writing. Second, it’s a time of friendship. I connect with some of my dearest friends, stay up way too late with my roommate (who’s also one of my best friends) talking and laughing and I get to connect with my publisher. Finally, RWA week is a time of renewal. I come back refreshed and excited and can’t wait to get back to my work in progress.

While RWA is the week I look forward to, you can talk to anyone and they have an equivalent in their own life that helps them re-center themselves. Whether it’s a vacation spot that speaks to you in the deepest part of our soul, an interest that you get to indulge for a week or just time away from work in a staycation, time off to refresh and recharge is deeply important to our personal well-being.

Now that I’m back, reality and routine has quickly intruded, but I don’t mind. I’ve got wonderful memories, an idea that’s got me fired up to sit down and write and my week in 2016 on the horizon, giving me something to look forward to!

What about you? What do you look forward to each year or is there a special place that speaks to you?

Thanks for joining me today!

XOXO,

Addison

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Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in Dallas and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest book, TEMPTING TARGET, is out now from Harlequin Romantic Suspense. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com