Delayed Thanks

I've started this posts three times and then deleted it. Mind you, I only got as far as one or two sentences before hitting the backspace key.

One subject that has always fascinated me is when a person knows they are going to die what runs through their minds right before it happens. Now I know you're thinking two things:

1. What a weird and morbid thing to be fascinated by.
2. Everyone knows they are going to die at some point.

We all have expiration dates stamped on our foreheads, but let's face it, the reality of our death doesn't cross our minds everyday. I mean, do you really think a truck is going to hit you while crossing the street today? It's not until something catastrophic happens that we are forced to think of such things.

My fathered passed away 2 -1/2 years ago after being in the hospital for three months. He was a very smart and sharp witted man. He was a huge football fan. He played football in high school and also in college, at Clemson University. He set college records and was inducted in the Clemson Hall of Fame as well as the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. He officiated high school football from the time I was a little girl, up through my own high school years. I know absolutely nothing about football, but I was so proud of my dad during those two Hall of Fame inductions. Here in Charleston at the beginning of high school football season, we have the Sertoma. it's basically when the local schools get together and scrimmage to kickoff the football season. I always felt so special when going to the Sertoma and seeing by dad out on the field. Like I knew someone on the inside of the action.

My mom, sister and I went to the hospital everyday. We'd stay with Daddy in shifts. My mom and I would go there in the morning and stay until around 5 pm. Then my sister would go after work and spend time with him until visiting hours were over. For three months, seven days a week that was our lives. During those three months I witnessed a strong man who didn't give up, a tired man who wanted to give up, a patient man, a man who adored his family, a man who kept his sharp mind, and sense of humor intact, a man who had to endure the physical pain of an illness, and the emotional pain of the unknown. I sat and watched a couple who had been married for 51 years, sharing good times as well as bad, look to each other for strength. I saw devotion that was unwavering. I saw hope, heartbreak, grace, and strength.

I had seen all of the above at various times throughout my life from my family, but when it's all concentrated for three months, on a daily basis, in one room it makes an indelible impact on you. Daddy had 4 close calls in which we thought he was going to pass away. My mom and I were in the parking garage of the hospital when we got the call that he was having trouble breathing. I looked at her frightened face and reminded her that we had gotten similar calls. We just needed to get to him. It was a 5 minute walk to his room. He passed just before we reached him. I was never as proud of my dad as I was during those three months.

What does this have to do with Thanksgiving 2013? It's taken me this long to be able to look back at that time and feel appreciative and thankful for it. I always knew we were fortunate to have had three months of concentrated time together in a room demonstrating what love and family really meant. But, it's taken me a couple of years to feel it. The mind and the heart are two separate organs. Up until now I would think back on that time and feel all of the hurt and pain. My mom has always told me that you never get over the death of a parent. You get past it, but never over it. She's right. I miss Daddy everyday, but am so thankful that he was in my life and showed me how to leave this world. I often wondered what Daddy was thinking about during those three months. Did he know he wouldn't be coming home? Was he scared? Was he at peace? I never asked because I didn't want to upset him or take away any hope that he had. Knowing him, his final thoughts were on his family. Would we be okay? At first we weren't, of course, but as time has passed we are able to think of his life more than his death.

"Your strength and character grow stronger and deeper as you wait for hope to return."-Present Perfect by Alison G. Bailey

My dad's influence is all throughout Present Perfect, from the Vienna sausage breakfast, to Tweet's humor, to some of the more poignant parts of the book. Thanks to my Dad I gained a new perspective on life and death. I drew on my life with him and his death with me while writing the book. A book that has changed the direction of my life.

Thanks Daddy.  :)

Momma said there'd be days like this.

Even on a good day, I'm a slow writer. I read posts from other authors about the thousands of words they typed that day and I have to admit, I get a little disappointed in myself. I'm fortunate that I'm able to stay home and write all day if I want. Some of these authors pumping out 4000 words a day are working men and women/dads and moms.

I sit and think a lot about how to phrase things in my books. New ways to describe similar actions. I'm not the dumbest person in the world, but I'm also no genius. I have to admit the thesaurus is a wonderful tool, but even with that you run out of all the actual words that are used in the real word.
I've managed to get more than half way through Past Imperfect without one character contemplating anything or letting out a breath they didn't know they were holding. I'm pretty proud of that.  I want my stories to touch you, inspire you, make you think, deal with subjects that aren't always widely addressed, and hopefully give you a few laughs along the way.

Then there are days like today. When I go back and read what I've written and wonder if I'm repeating the same words over and over. I see the scene in my head, but for some reason the words aren't coming out on to the screen in the order they need to.  Mind you, this happens mostly when I'm writing inner dialogue or describing the setting. If I could write a book completely with dialogue only I would, but then that would be a play, and those are better seen than read.

So, why this post?  I needed to give my brain a break from the scene I've been working on today.  I sometimes keep my TV on, volume down, when I write. When I stop writing because a story about Justin Bieber or Pitbull catches my attention, then I know my head's not in the game. (btw-I can't figure out how I even know who Pitbull is.)

Did anyone watch Sons of Anarchy last night? That was cray cray good. I used to want to be Colleen hoover when I grew up. Now I want to be Colleen Hoover and Kurt Sutter. I could totally see Jax, Will, Holder, Daniel, and Breckin form their own MC, The Sons of Cootters. That doesn't exactly sound tough.

Okay, so I guess I'm done with my rambling for today. I've blogged two whole times this month. I might try to fit in one more before the month is over. MIGHT.

I'll be making an announcement soon regarding Present Perfect. (No, it as not been picked up by a publisher.)

Thanks for reading. Back to  writing!

Toot! Toot!

I haven't read any reviews of Present Perfect in a while. I look at the number of reviews grow on Amazon, B&N and Goodreads, and I'm so appreciative that folks are still taking time to write them. I was glancing at some today and this one caught my eye. Why? Because anytime my name is mentioned in the same sentence as other amazing authors I get giddy and humbled. So, here's a little shameless self-promo, tooting my own horn, patting myself on the back. Gawd, I'm obnoxious. I'm already tired of myself. I'll probably delete this post...right after y'all read this fantastic review. LOL!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Twice per year Amazon should allow us to rate a book MORE than 5 stars. Sometimes 5 stars just aren't enough and we should get two opportunities each year to rate those mind-blowing books beyond the grid. THIS would be mine.
Reading Present Perfect is something that everyone should do - no joke. If you loved Colleen Hoover's "Hopeless" or JA Redmerski's "The Edge of Never", then delay no longer...you need this book. To put it simply, this was the most emotional book I've read so far this year, quite possibly even ever. I cry at movies, not usually books. I can feel a book deep within my soul, connect to the characters like they're my friends, hurt when they hurt...but usually not cry. This was not the case with Present Perfect. There were not one BUT two occasions in which several tears slipped down my cheeks.
This story takes turns and twists you'll never see coming. Connecting to Noah and "Tweets" character was easy & natural. I'm not sure that I ever wanted love to work more than I did theirs. I silently begged through the entire book that my heart would get what my heart wants.
There are few book boyfriends that you'll love the way you'll love Noah. Perfect is a good way to describe him. From 1% to 99% on my Kindle, he continued to swoon, swoon, swoon me! God almighty, if we could bottle this boy and make some more just like him, ladies we would be bazillionaires. Amanda; aka: "Tweet" will need to grow on you. I will be honest and say I wanted to give her a good ole' open hand `hello' in the face more than once...but I stayed with her - followed her journey and understood a lot of her naivety.
The loyalty that Noah and Amanda have towards each other & the depth of their feelings for one another is pretty much indescribable. When you read it, you WILL feel it - I promise you. This one will stay with me for quite some time and I don't mind at all. Absolutely more than 5 stars!

"Present Perfect" Halloween Giveaway!!!

I'm having a surprise giveaway just because I love Halloween and it's special to Noah and Tweet!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BLOG TOUR! Redemption Red by Delancey Stewart

 

 

A culinary student, a troubled ex-marine and a winery with a delectable Pinot Noir…

When Audrey Montgomery’s carefully planned life collides with the self-destructive path Tyson Dawes is on, neither of them can predict what will happen next.

Audrey is a diligent and self-reliant culinary student at Portland’s prestigious Cordon Bleu. She has a clear picture of her future in mind, and it allows little room for the steely-eyed and tormented young man she bumps into by chance while wine tasting with friends.

Tyson Dawes had a perfect childhood, raised among the vines in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. But even the most idyllic of upbringings couldn’t have prepared him for what he would face as a Marine. He returns to his childhood home angry and haunted by the storms of what he has faced and by those he has lost.

Do opposites truly attract? Can the lure of Audrey’s apparent clarity and innocence offer Tyson hope in the face of his emptiness?

 

Buy “Redemption Red” on Amazon at: http://amzn.to/GR2lYr

 

 

 

 

Spotify Playlist for RR: Redemption Red

 

Redemption Red Excerpt

 

   Tyson slid to the ground with his back to the wall, and looked up at her. His face was chiseled and beautiful, and the fading light illuminated it in a way that made him look almost ethereal.

Audrey re-entered the restaurant quickly, dragging her mind back to what was going on inside.

“Aud,” Ella hissed as she rounded the table, collecting plates. “Chuck took over the kitchen. We need you!”

“I know,” she said. “I just need ten minutes. I’ll be right back.” She dashed to the kitchen and picked up her purse, shooting apologetic glances at Chuck and Ella as she did so. At least Andrew was there that night, his tall dark frame circling the table and keeping the wine flowing along with his cheerful banter.

When she got back outside, Tyson sat exactly where she’d left him, his head starting to tilt to one side.

“Oh no you don’t,” she said, leaning down to grab his hand. She pulled, trying to coax him to his feet. Finally, he roused and stood up.

“Sorry,” he said softly.

“My car’s right here,” she told him, opening the door of the Jetta. “Where am I taking you?”

“No, no…” he started to pull away from her.

“Dammit, Tyson. Get in the car.” She was starting to lose patience.

He gave her an amused look then, clearly surprised at her forceful tone. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, folding his tall frame into the passenger seat.

“Shit,” she said under her breath as she walked to the driver side.

“It’s just a couple blocks,” he told her.

They drove in silence, Tyson indicating where she should turn. Portland’s Friday night traffic hummed around them, and it took longer than Audrey would have liked to navigate the few blocks between Fork and the bar. When she found the place, there was nowhere to park. She spent another ten minutes searching for a spot. By then, Tyson was slumped against the door, his breathing even and deep.

Audrey stared at him for a minute after she’d parked, as a streetlight poured in through the windshield. He was beautiful, she thought, his full lips slightly parted, the angular jaw covered with blonde stubble. There was a small thin scar running along his left cheek, she noticed. It was partially hidden in the hair at his jaw. She sighed and turned to look at her own hands in her lap for a minute.

“What am I getting into?” she said under her breath.

She needed to get back to work, and began to feel her responsibilities weighing on her urgently. “Tyson,” she said, hoping he’d snap right back to consciousness, but knowing it was unlikely. “Hey,” she said, reaching a hand out to shake him softly. “Shit.”

She got out of the car and locked it, walking down the block to the bar that Tyson had indicated. It was small and dark inside, and packed with people. She elbowed her way to the bar and waited for the man behind it to give her his attention. He turned finally, catching her gaze. His dark eyes were friendly and warm.

“Hi there,” he called over the music and noise.

“Hey,” she said. “Is Rebecca here?”

He tilted his head slightly. “She’s in the back. I’ll grab her. Who should I say is here?”

“She doesn’t know me,” Audrey said. “I’m kind of a friend of Tyson’s.” She had no idea what else to say.

The man’s face tightened slightly and he turned and disappeared into the back. A minute later he returned, and a woman with a nose ring and tattooed sleeves down each arm returned with him. She had short dark hair tousled wildly on top of her head, and couldn’t have looked less like a relation of Tyson’s if she tried. Until she caught Audrey’s gaze with steely blue eyes.

“I’m Rebecca,” she said, arriving around the other side of the bar.

“I’m Audrey. I, uh, could use a hand. Tyson’s passed out in my car.”

Rebecca didn’t ask any questions, just followed Audrey to her car. With significant effort, the women pulled him to his feet. Once one of his arms was over Rebecca’s shoulder, he began to rouse.

“Thanks for returning him in one piece,” Rebecca said.

Audrey couldn’t tell if there was bitterness in the other woman’s tone.

“He came to me. He was already drunk.” She said.

“I know,” Rebecca sounded tired. “He’s always drunk. One day soon, he’ll be dead.” She said it like a fact, and the beautiful man she was holding up opened his eyes at the comment, looking at Audrey for the briefest of seconds before closing them again. “Thanks,” Rebecca said, and she walked with Tyson back to the bar.

Audrey drove back to work and forced herself to think about anything but Tyson.

 

Delancey Stewart is the author of the Wine Country Romance Series, featuring A Rare Vintage and Redemption Red. She is also writing the Girlfriends of Gotham series for Swoon Romance. The first book in that series, Men and Martinis, will publish in December 2013.

Stewart has lived on both coasts, in big cities and small towns. She's been a pharmaceutical rep, a personal trainer and a direct sales representative for a French wine importer.

A military spouse and the mother of two small boys, her current job titles include pirate captain, monster hunter, Lego assembler and story reader. She tackles all these efforts at her current home near Washington D.C.

 

 

Author links:

Blog: http://delanceystewart.wordpress.com

FB: www.facebook.com/delancey.stewart

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6581742.Delancey_Stewart

GR RR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18133675-redemption-red

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Delancey-Stewart/e/B00A8OZDKU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1379273172&sr=8-1

 

 

***Please Note that all shipped prizes are open to US winners only and an eBook or eBook set can be offered in lieu of for international winners***

 

GIVEAWAY PRIZE LIST:

 

3 eCopy sets of “A Rare Vintage” & “Redemption Red” 

 

2 signed paperback copies of “Redemption Red”

 

*Oenophilia Wine Glass Puzzle & 1 eCopy of “Redemption Red”

 

*Wine Wars: A Trivia Game for Wine Geeks and Wannabes & 1 eCopy of “Redemption Red”

 

*Fashion Women Bubble Bib Bead Statement Party Necklace & 1 eCopy of “Redemption Red”

 

*Lova Jewelry "Days of Wine and Roses" Reddish-Purple Murano Glass Beaded Stella Fashion Bracelet & 1 eCopy of “Redemption Red”

A Collage photo of the Prizes will be attached.

 

 http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NzkzNzJkZjVmMDFkYThkMThkYWVmOTM1ZTEyNjYxOjEy/

 

Redemption Red Blog Tour Schedule and Links for Stops

 

Oct. 21st First Class Books Oct. 21st Literary Mania Reviews

Oct. 21st Cajun Book Lover

Oct. 21st The SubClub Books

Oct. 22nd Mindy's Book Addiction

Oct. 22nd The Book Hookers

Oct. 22nd The Path - J. Collyer's Writing Blog

Oct. 23rd Sweets Books

Oct. 23rd Reviews by Tammy and Kim

Oct. 23rd Through the Writer's Lens

Oct. 24th Alison G. Bailey Oct. 24th Aspired Writer Oct. 24th Jeni's Bookshelf, Reviews, Swag, & More! Oct. 25th Shh Moms Reading Oct. 25th My Daily Romance Oct. 25th Love N Books Oct. 26th Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews Oct. 26th Into the Night Reviews Oct. 26th Dirty Books And Dirty Boys Oct. 26th Army Wife Reviews

My ass is huge

Welcome to the new and improved blog. You can thank Stacy (P), for this.

I suck at blogging. You would think as a writer I would seize every opportunity to write and have people read my words. I think too hard on what subject to talk about. I always strive for new, different, and unique in my writing. There are days when I literally do not have a thought in my head. I also think my topic always has to be about writing or a book. I'm going to open my mind and the door for other topics. I promise to do better in the future with my blogging.

Now for my huge ass....Some of you may have read my Facebook post yesterday about my eyesight and new lenses. If not, stop reading this and scroll down my FB page and read. I'll wait...

:)



:)




:)



:)



:)



:)



:)




:)


Now that you're up to speed, the contacts are awesome. Today is my second day wearing them and I can't wait to go out and see the world clearer. But, as always there are downsides to every upside. Once the euphoric feeling of a blessing begins to fade our inner critic starts to sneak in.

I woke up this morning and popped the contacts in (well, it took me five tries with each eye), got dressed, and was feeling pretty cute until I looked down. At first I had no idea what I was looking at then the realization and shock washed over me. I was looking at my ass which has started to shift and grow to the front of me.

Now, I'm the first to admit that writing has caused me to gain some weight. It has absolutely nothing to do with the candy, brownies, cookies, and cakes I eat on a nightly basis as I try to figure out sexy dialogue for Brad or Marbry's inner turmoil. It's the writing. I just didn't realize how big certain parts of my body had gotten. I know at this point you're probably thinking, this goes against the quote from Present Perfect at the top of the blog. I ain't looking for perfect, folks, just less round and a little healthier. :)


So, today, I'm exercising, cutting back severely on the sweets, and trying my best to eat healthy.  Gee, I hope I do this tomorrow too. One day at a time, they say. Whoever, "they" are.

COVER REVEAL: Rage by Michelle Pace & Tammy Coons