Romance Writer, Because Love Matters
Oh my gosh, you guys – I am so excited for my very first book signing this afternoon! Not only that, but I get to do it with my partner in crime (er, I mean, partner in writing), the most fabulous Tamara Shoemaker!
We’ll be at the Artisan Galleries in Massanutten from 12-3, doling out cookies and lemonade and chatting about our new releases – A Man Of Character for me, and Kindle the Flame and Soul Survivor for Tamara. And, hey, FREE autographs if you buy a book!
Hope to see you there!
It’s confession time. I’ve been struggling with sugar again.
It’s been a year since I decided to axe sugary stuff from my diet, but in truth, the last six months have been a series of ups and downs – getting off of sugar and being off for a while, then falling face-first into the stuff. And the times off between binges have been shrinking.
Not good.
I feel so much better when I’m off sugar, both physically and emotionally. I can concentrate better. I feel better about myself because I’m not being a slave to a substance. I feel less jittery, irritable, fuzzy, angry.
With all of those bonuses, why on EARTH would I ever go back to the stuff?
Because it tastes darn good. And because sugar is eight times more addictive than cocaine.
Sigh.
I am Sisyphus, and sugar is my boulder. I’m at the bottom of the hill again, right now.
I’ll get back on the wagon. I don’t want to lose this war, even if I concede battles.
I just wish I didn’t have to fight so hard to begin with.
Wait, what? It’s been a full week since A Man of Character debuted? I can hardly believe it.
Thank you for the overwhelmingly positive response I’ve received! I’ve shed more than one tear in the last seven days, but luckily they’ve all been happy tears.
Thank you everyone who’s bought the book, everyone who’s reading the book, and to everyone who’s taken the time to leave a review on Amazon or GoodReads.
Y’all rock.
Here’s a sampling of what I’ve heard this week:
“Mrs. Locke, I just finished your novel, “A Man of Character.” I just wanted you to know that it was one of the best books that I have read this year. I look forward to reading Eliza’s story, and I hope you will write William’s story as well. Thanks for the pleasure of your words.”
“Loved the story. I read way past my bedtime. It was an interesting and thought-provoking romance. Looking forward to more books from this author.”
“I don’t usually read romances, but I couldn’t quit reading this one. It arrived in the mail late Thursday, and I finished it Friday morning. This novel has a clever premise, cool characters, a neat twist toward the end (a perfect set-up for the sequel), and a great sense of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and can’t wait for Margaret Locke’s next work.”
“I loved it! This fun and thought-provoking romance novel offers a great balance of comedic elements, sweetness, and sizzle. Throw in a handful of handsome eligible men, a touch of magic, and journey of self-discovery, and you have a wonderful story. The book was a joy to read, both for the creative content and craft (it is very well-edited and formatted — the author obviously knows her stuff and invested the time necessary to develop an excellent product). I am very impressed and am looking forward to the next book! (I hope it’s about Eliza. I loved her character!)”
Those are words that feed the writer’s soul – especially a nervous Nellie newbie like me!
I hope you’ll continue to help me spread the word about A Man of Character, whether through sharing about it on Facebook, tweeting about it, or good, old-fashioned telling someone about it directly. Word-of-mouth is everything in the book world, and something on which indie authors are especially dependent.
Thank you again, from the bottom of my romance writer’s heart. You know how to make a girl feel special!
Last summer, I gave up sugar. I made it all the way to Thanksgiving weekend without eating ANYTHING that had sugar as the first or second ingredient. I dropped around 15 pounds. I felt better. I was much more productive.
Then holiday season hit. A one-day indulgence after Thanksgiving turned into two, turned into a week, turned into “Who am I kidding? It’s Christmas! I’ll start again after the holidays.” The whole month was a giddy frenzy of chocolate and sugar highs and lows. And of feeling massively ADD the whole time. I couldn’t focus on anything. I was irritable when in withdrawal, manic when on the stuff. I gained back 5 pounds.
After Christmas, I was true to my word. I got back off the sugar. I lost the 5 pounds. But by mid-February, I was struggling. I was craving sweets in a way I hadn’t in a long time. I caved on three separate days. Then my birthday rolled around, and what was supposed to again be a one-day indulgence day turned into a week. That was at the beginning of March.
I fought my way back again, and have been sugar-free for the past two weeks. However, my weight has crept up again, back to the post-Christmas level. And the cravings have been bad, as has my diet (it’s amazing how good white flour tortillas heated in the microwave are, and don’t even get me started on those horrible-for-you-but-still-stupidly-addictive McDonald’s egg and cheese biscuits.
Today, I fell off the wagon into a package of Milano cookies. I vow it will be a one-day dip. I know it’s because I’m battling self-image issues today after seeing some photos from this weekend’s VA Love Fest, in which it’s once again clear that I am much bigger (and my chin much saggier) than I think I am in my head.
It’s a roller coaster, and lately it’s thrown me for a loop. But I’m determined to get back on, to keep riding, to not give up and just fall endlessly into the sugar trap. Am I frustrated that more weight hasn’t fallen off? Of course. But not surprised, given the other indulgences I’ve found. I also know there are multiple other reasons to stay off the sugar, the biggest one being the profound difference it makes in my ability to concentrate and focus.
Still, I’m fessing up to say it’s not been all smooth sailing, this blasted journey. I’m struggling today. I might struggle tomorrow. I know this is not the last battle in this endless war. I’m fighting the demon in my head that’s saying, “Girl, you only live once; why are you depriving yourself?”
But I’m still fighting the good fight.
Unless someone stops by with cheesecake today. (Please? Pretty please?)
Fab friend and fellow writer Tamara Shoemaker’s latest release, Soul Survivor, is available for pre-order for only $4.49 starting TODAY!
Here’s the blurb:
Twenty-two year old Eden Grey knows all about fear, bitterness, and heartbreak. Twelve years ago, she’d witnessed a stranger’s murder in a shadowy highway rest stop. The next day, she’d found her twin brother Evan drowned. A secret that endangered her own life and the lives of those she loved kept her silent.Now fresh out of college and living in Williamsburg, Virginia, Eden struggles daily. An incapacitating stammer results from her traumatic past and shields her from social interactions and the persistent and attentive Greg Katts.When she discovers Greg’s true identity, the old fear seizes her and she flees.Seeking to hide in the obscurity of the Smoky Mountains, Eden takes a job at Blue Mist Manor, a renovated mansion run by Jake Hayden, Eden’s old flame. He’s betrayed her before; how can she trust his offering of protection now? Or should she place her faith in Aaron, the dashing and flattering English professor staying at the Manor?When the killer closes in, Eden has one last chance. Will she run, as she did twelve years earlier, or will she fight to survive?Soul Survivor is more than a gripping mystery. It’s a story of how one young woman deals with loss, fear, and betrayal. Will she let her past dictate her future? Or will she learn to trust again?
Click on the link above to reserve your copy today!