Lori Wilde: Beach Reads

As people head out for vacation, I thought it might be fun to let you guys see what new books are my summer reading list, and why I chose them.

1)     Unexpected Reunions by Carolyn White Greene (Inspirational) Bought it because it’s written by one of my best friends, and because it won two Holt medallion awards. I knew she was a brilliant writer, but now everyone else knows it too!

2)     First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen (Magic Realism) I love Sarah’s lyrical style and romantic storytelling.

3)     Me Before You by JoJo Moyes (Romance) Because I’ve heard so much about Moyes‘ books, I have to see what all the fuss is about.

4)     The Yoga Miracle by Sanjay Patel (Nonfiction) Yoga has completely changed my life. The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know anything.

5)     Suddenly One Summer by Julie James (Romance) She’s one of my favorite new-to-me author. Love her hip urban settings and characters.

6)     Swag by Elmore Leonard. (Mystery) Love the way this man writes dialogue. After binge watching Justified, I’ve started glomming in Leonard’s books.

7)     Carolina Man by Virginia Kantra (Romance) Virginia is up against me in the RITAs’ this year, and I want to know just how screwed I am. She’s so great with character emotions.

8)     Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Mystery) I’ve already read it, and seen the movie, but now I want to dissect the book line by line as a writer, just to see how she pulled off such brilliance.

9)     Once in a Million by Jill Shalvis. (Romance) Same reason for reading Kantra. Plus Jill’s books are just so fun.

10) Surrendering to the Sheriff by Delores Fossen (Romantic Suspense) Delores is another friend of mine who is about to hit BIG. Be on the lookout for her upcoming single titles from HQN.

How about you? What’s on your summer reading list and why did you pick the books you picked?

Don't Mess With Texas

With the warm days of summer on their way,  it's time to sip sweet tea and enjoy the treat of Texas size romance, where the stories are hot and so are the heroes!  Find a comfy spot in the shade and get to know the men of Texas - whether they be cowboys, martial arts instructors or basketball players! 

The first of the books for this month is Cat's Lair, by one of my favorite paranormal romance authors, Christine Feehan.  This is the seventh in her Leopard Series.

"Cat Benoit has finally escaped the past—and the man who was the source of her nightmares. She’s off the grid, underground but watchful, and creating a new life for herself in Texas, far from the torrid dangers of her native New Orleans. She’s safe. He’ll never find her this time. Cat has to believe that. It’s the only thing keeping her sane."

Lori Wilde's stories have a real sense of her Texas roots; they make you feel good when you read them. The Rules of the Game, will definitely draw you in and have you rooting for Jodi and Jake.

"I love Lori Wilde's stories. She makes you laugh, cry, and anticipate the outcome of the story. This is the second book in the Stardust, Texas series. Jodi Carlyle and Jake Coronado both have stuff in their backgrounds where they have been hurt and hold onto those hurts. They learn from each other and grow as a couple. You will enjoy this series. I highly recommend anything by Lori Wilde." - Reader Review (The Rules of the Game)

 Diana Palmer has been one of my favorites for years, and with Diamond Spur, she is at her Texas best.

"Texas rancher Jason Donavan is known for his temper, his brooding nature and his deep distrust of women. No one at the Diamond Spur ranch can stand his moods—except Kate Whittman. She might be young, but she knows Jason is the only man for her. Kate wants him more than anything, but he offers her only brotherly protection—until she discovers that Jason's desire for her is as strong as hers for him."

 Beloved, a oldie, but a goodie and one of Diana Palmer's Long, Tall Texans series, is definitely a must read if you haven't read it, and it is worth rereading if you have.

"Simon Hart had sworn off romantic entanglements forever. But every man had a weakness, and his was the beautiful, beguiling Tira Beck. He'd angrily labelled the flamboyant socialite a shameless flirt with a cavalier attitude to marriage -- until he learned she'd secretly saved all her love for him. Against his will, Simon became entranced by her, her every gesture igniting his passion. Still, he knew the virtuous virgin wasn't about to surrender her nights to him . . . unless he became her beloved!"
 

If you haven't read my own Silver Bella, I think you'll find Jake to be a long tall drink of water in the best Texas cowboy style and Bella just type of woman to tame him.

Simon Hart had sworn off romantic entanglements forever. But every man had a weakness, and his was the beautiful, beguiling Tira Beck. He'd angrily labelled the flamboyant socialite a shameless flirt with a cavalier attitude to marriage -- until he learned she'd secretly saved all her love for him. Against his will, Simon became entranced by her, her every gesture igniting his passion. Still, he knew the virtuous virgin wasn't about to surrender her nights to him . . . unless he became her beloved!

Bella Jackson models clothes only the most sexually confident woman would dare to wear. But there’s a secret hiding behind the bad-girl reputation and barely there couture. Under the covers, she’s a total novice.

At least it was a secret. Not anymore, thanks to an ex’s blabbing. Now she’s been branded with a potentially career-ending label: Ice Queen.

Only years of practice keep the nerves at bay, and her signature walk rock steady—until a tall, sexy Texan’s gaze fixes like a laser beam on her scantily clad body. And her stiletto heels miss a step.

From the moment Jake Barton locks eyes with the smoking-hot woman on the catwalk, he knows it’s only a matter of time. He never expected the heat between them to melt away her aloof façade before they’ve even touched, revealing the vulnerable woman underneath.

Suddenly he realizes he wants more than a roll in the hay. Now to convince her to take a chance on Texas—and him—before their fragile relationship is bulldozed by tabloid lies and innuendo.

 

With more than 7 million copies of her books in print worldwide, award winning and USA Today bestseller Lucy Monroe has published over 60 books and had her stories translated for s
ale all over the world.  While she writes multiple subgenres of romance, all of her books are sexy, deeply emotional and adhere to the concept that love will conquer all.  A passionate devotee of romance, she adores sharing her love for the genre with her readers.

Visit her on the web:

http://www.lucymonroe.com/
http://lucymonroeblog.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/LucyMonroe.Romance
http://twitter.com/lucymonroe

Lori Wilde: The Measure of Success

Once upon a time I believed that in order to be a successful author I had to work eighty hours a week. I thought I had to sacrifice my free time, my health, and my relationships to make it big.

THE GOAL became everything. I learned how to function on four hours of sleep. I gave up reading for pleasure. I surrendered hobbies. I didn’t take vacations. I worked and worked and worked and worked.

I would look around at other writers who did not share my work ethic, and feel sorry for them because they didn’t have what it took to make it big.

And then I hit the New York Times bestseller list.

Friends and family were calling, wanting to take me out to celebrate. I got flowers and cards and presents. I had finally achieved the pinnacle of writerly success.

And it was the loneliest time of my life.

Because nothing had changed.

I’d spent twenty years chasing the dream, but I was exhausted, in physical pain, worried, and anxious. I could not celebrate. I was on deadline. There were revisions due on another book, line edits on a third book, galleys on a fourth. The dishes were stacked in the sink and the laundry hamper was full. I needed a haircut, a manicure and a massage but didn’t have the time.

And the money hadn’t come in yet. My bank account was shockingly low, even as family and friends assumed I was rolling in dough.

I was a hamster on a wheel and there was no way to get off. I had to keep running and running and running.

And then I crashed and burned.

Big time.

No one besides the people closest to me knew what I was going through. From the outside it looked like I had reached the zenith of success. But my entire body hurt. I was an emotional wreck. I had a major new contract and six books due in eighteen months, and no way to live up to my obligations.

I had to do something to get my life back in balance or my health—and my career—was done for.

I went to see a doctor, and he gave me the greatest blessing. He took out a prescription pad and in big letters wrote: YOGA.

That man literally saved my life.

I’ve been doing yoga for eighteen months now, and I’ve done a complete one-eighty. Physically, mentally and emotionally, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. I have hobbies. I’ve reconnected with friends. I took a yoga vacation to Costa Rica. I’m happy, healthy and invigorated.

And the writing?

I stopped thinking about bestseller lists. I stopped obsessing over reviews. I stopped working ridiculously long hours. Occasionally, I go out to lunch with friends and I make time for hobbies and to read good books. I’m no longer desperate and grasping.

Will I keep hitting the bestseller lists? I don’t know. At this point, I don’t care. The love of writing is back. I have a life. A real life I love. Not one chained to the computer. And all those authors that I used to pity because they didn’t have my work ethic? I realize now they were the ones who had it right.

True success doesn’t come from accolades, and buckets of money. It comes from finding that calm place within us. It comes from being healthy and strong. It comes from being kind and spending time with loved ones. It comes from being grateful for what you have. It comes from living in the moment.

Because that’s all we have. Right now.

My only regret is that it took me so long to understand this lesson. But at least I finally got there.

What about you? Do you feel like a hamster on a wheel that you can’t get off of? Do you have some limiting beliefs that are keeping you from leading the life you deserve? Are you sacrificing yourself for a goal that might leave you feeling empty and lonely? What yardstick are you using to measure success?

           

           

            

Lori Wilde: Wedding Crashing 101

After being dumped at the altar a year earlier, the heroine of the next book in my Stardust, Texas series, Jodi Carlyle breaks out in a cold sweat at the mere mention of the word “marriage.”

It’s a phobia she must overcome in order to serve as maid-of-honor at her younger sister’s upcoming wedding. On the advice of her therapist, Jodi crashes a high profile wedding. Only to get busted by a handsome baseball player who promises to keep her secret if she agrees to be his plus 1 for the evening.

In order to survive the night, Jodi makes up a set of wedding crasher rules, all designed to keep her from falling for heartbreaker Jake Coronado. Especially when she learns Jake is to be best man at her sister’s wedding.

Armed with Jodi Carlyle’s Wedding Crasher Rules, you too could crash a wedding and get away with it!

1)     Look the part.

2)     Never use your real name.

3)     Fight the urge to tell the truth.

4)     Don’t linger too long.

5)     If you do linger too long, be gone by sunrise

6)     Smile! You’re having the time of your life.

7)     What happens at the wedding stays at the wedding.

8)     If you get caught, play dumb.

9)     When challenged, keep your cool.

10) Do not have sex in the cloak closet.

11) Watch where you leave your panties.

12) Having a good time is not an excuse for losing control.

13): Don’t get too attached to anyone you pick up at a wedding.

14) You just met him. Of course you don’t love him.

15) Remember the past is gone, and the future doesn’t exist yet, live for today.

16) You can’t save the wedding cake and eat it too.

17) Do bring a gift. It makes you look legit.

18) Go for the gusto.

19) Enjoy the party while it lasts.

20) You’re from out of town, always.

21) Don’t get attached.

22) At some point there’s bound to be drama, have an escape plan.

23) For God’s sake do not fall in love.

24) Always have an exit plan.

25) When it’s your wedding, reserve a spot for the crashers.

Have you ever crashed a wedding? If so, did you get caught? If not, would you ever dare to crash? 

Lori Wilde: The Bucket List

January usually gets people thinking about resolutions or their intention for the new year, but this year I decided to make a list of a 1001 things to do before I die. For inspiration, I turned to the Internet because at my age, I better get cracking if I want to fit all this in. Which meant doing five things a month I’d never done before.

My list for January was:

       1) Do crow pose (in yoga).
I did! I managed to hold the pose for a full…oh…five seconds, but I did it. Next month, headstands.

       2)  Eat something I’d never eaten before.
Okay, I chickened out from anything exotic and had parsnips. Meh, they weren’t bad, but no party in my mouth. Maybe if I’d used more butter?

       3) Learn a new language.
Clearly, I wasn’t going to learn a new language in a month, but I bought a
Spanish learning program and dove in. Time will tell if I stick with it. It would be nice to say something more than “Hola” when I go back to Costa Rica in November.

       4) Trace my family tree.
I joined Ancestry.com, had my DNA tested and discovered some interesting things. Family history, and a lot of family names, had me believing I was mostly Scottish, but I learned the bulk of my DNA came from western Europe and Ireland. Put away the haggis and past the potatoes and French pastries. Whew! Now I’m seriously addicted to tracking down those ancestors.

       5)   Knit something out of cashmere.
I bought the cashmere (cha-ching) but I’m too afraid to knit with it in case I     mess it up.

My list for February is:

1) Learn how to make a trendy cocktail. (Any suggestions?)
2) Start seedlings indoors for a food garden. (It’s sad, I know, I’ve never had my own garden. For those freaking out that I’ll be starting them too soon, this is Texas. Flowers start blooming around here at the end of February.)
3) Do a headstand. (This is happening.)
4) Visit Caddo Lake in East Texas.
5) Try acupuncture.

What about you? Have you ever made a bucket list? If so, what are some of the things you’ve done? If not, what sort of things would you put on your bucket list?