The Joys (and Pains) of Pets

You don't really need to see that screen in front of you.

Having a pet is a wonderful thing. They don't care if you've put on extra weight or complain that the dishes aren't done or bitch at you for getting the wrong type of cereal. As long as you feed them and take care of their poop, they'll love you unconditionally.

I prefer my pets cuddly. We tried fish once but that was a disaster (other than providing inspiration for my first book). Give me a dog or cat any day. I love it when the cat curls up on my lap or the dog jumps up on me the second I get home.

Pets become a member of your family. We recently lost our cat because the poor thing's heart got too big and a blood clot went to his brain. It wasn't an easy time because it was sudden and because we loved him. Mourning for a pet can be almost as bad as for a person.

But we are a family that needs pets, and so when a cousin told me her cat had had kittens, it was inevitable that we'd bring one home. Our new kitten is adorable and I love her but man is she a pain in the ass!

As I write this, I have to stop every few words to remove her from my head or my chest because she's climbing all over me. For a while this morning the dog had her cornered between a chair and the entertainment centre and it was a nice break. I actually got some work done.

The kitten also finds the laptop fascinating.

First, she wanted to chase my fingers while I typed. Then she insisted on walking all over it. Finally, she just plunked herself down on it and went to sleep.

Sigh.

At the moment, I am having a brief reprieve because I realized her food dish was empty. That's tough because we have to put the dish up when the dog is out or she'll eat the cat food (the old cat got revenge by eating the dog food while staring defiantly at the dog in the crate) but then we forget to put it down again. Silly humans.

In spite of the problems she's causing me, I still find it adorable when she sits on my shoulder and purrs in my ear. And her little kitty eyes melt my heart every time.

Do your pets have any particularly annoying habits? What adorable features keep you from dropping them off in the country? I'd love to hear about it!

Meanwhile, In the Wilds of Ontario...

This blog post is brought to you from the wilds of northern Ontario. No, not really. Thank God for scheduling blog posts!

As this post goes live, I will be with hubby and the family visiting friends at their cottage. There is no internet, wi-fi, or even electricity. I'll let you know if I survive.

Ever tried to unplug for a while? I hate not having a device in my hands, even if I'm only playing a game or reading. I don't have to be online, but the thought of no power is freaky. It's been a long time since I've been camping and the site is remote enough that there aren't any towns nearby. What the heck did people do with their time back in the old days?

I suspect there will be hiking and swimming and campfires galore. I pray to successfully avoid poison ivy or any other sort of plant that will make me itch though I'm pretty sure I will be a smorgasbord for the mosquitoes.

But maybe I'll be able to find some quiet time to just reflect and be inspired. I don't need electricity to write in a notebook. And it will be nice to have some time with the family where we're not all glued to a screen of some kind.

If I'm completely honest though? The thing I'm most looking foward to is coming home! Catch you next week!

Just Keep Writing

I had to hang my head in shame when I realized it's been more than six months since I updated my blog. Yikes!

I'm happy to say that while I didn't have a great start to the year, I've been writing more consistently since April. My alter ego had a story accepted to an anthology which was exciting since it's been a long time since I had a release.

I decided to really examine my goals and see if I can take my career in a different direction. As a result, I've been querying editors and agents. I've had a couple of rejections, but I'm going to keep plugging away. The alter ego is preparing a story for submission though it isn't complete yet. But the most important thing I realized is that I have to just keep writing.

Life has been challenging and I've been too hard on myself, making it harder to keep moving forward. But I am moving forward and that's a lot to celebrate. So if you're willing to hang in there with me, it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks for the support!

Evernight's Holiday Hangover Hop

Happy New Year from Evernight!

Now that the Christmas cookies are gone, gifts unwrapped, and your holiday visitors have left, you’ve earned some well-deserved TLC. Evernight authors not only have the cure for your holiday hangover, they have fantastic new books for your 2015 reading list, too!

Be sure to visit every stop on the hop and answer each question. The more blogs you hop, the more chances to win the GRAND PRIZE of an iPad Mini sponsored by Evernight Publishing (one entry per blog). Plus, hop each blog for a host of other fabulous prizes.

So sink into your favorite chair and enjoy your holiday hangover!

Michelle here. It's that time again - saying good-bye to another year and looking forward to the one ahead. There's so much I'd like to accomplish this year, but I've learned that sometimes you have to take it one day at a time.

I didn't get much writing done in 2014. It was a rough year. My dad has been battling cancer and it's taken a toll on me and my family. In all honesty, we didn't think he'd make it to 2015, but he has and for that I'm grateful. But I realized how important writing has become to me because the less of it I do, the worse I feel. I've got all these stories and characters cluttering up my brain (and let's be honest, there's not a lot of space up there in the first place).

For 2015, I'd like to finish my Losing It series for Evernight. I got the first two books done and released, and partway through writing the third the EDJ got really hard, plus Dad got sick again and it faded into the background. I only need another 2k or so to finish #3 so I'd like to get that done by the end of January. I have two more planned beyond that.

I started writing a story for Evernight's Uniform Anthology, but I didn't make the deadline, especially because I realized that the story I was trying to tell was too big. So I'd like to expand it and submit it sometime this year. Hopefully I'll be able to participate in some of the anthologies in 2015. It was a lot of fun to see my story in the Executive Assistant Anthology released in 2014.

Of course, some of my favourite authors have great new releases coming up this year that I'm going to have to find time to read! I bet a lot of you are facing the same dilemma.

I'd love to hear about what you're looking forward to reading this year. Leave me a comment to tell me about it. I'll choose one commenter to receive a $10 Evernight gift certificate and their choice of one of my Evernight books.

Don't forget to visit my fellow authors who are doing their own giveaways, and you can enter to win the grand prize of an iPad mini! Happy Hopping!

My Evernight Books (Click the cover for deets!)

Siren Holiday Hop!

Hello and welcome to our Holiday Hop featuring 32 Siren Authors and PRIZES!!!

There is a $100 Amazon giftcard for a US reader and one for an International reader, and a second place prize of a $50 Amazon giftcard to a US and International reader. Plus every author along the way has something to give away.

How to enter? You need to find the code word on each author's page (mine's OPEN) and enter it onto the entry form here:  ENTRY FORM

Here's the link to the main hop page where you'll find the links to all participating author blogs:
MAIN HOP PAGE

For my giveaway, I'm offering $10 to spend at Bookstrand, plus an ebook of Landing the Big Ones, my first Siren book! To enter, comment below and tell me what's your favourite thing to do on a cold winter day. Don't forget to leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win!


Welcome to Hedon Falls!
Hedon Falls is a mid-sized town in Southern Ontario whose residents are in some rather unconventional relationships!

When single mom Serena Keegan finally gives in to her son's pleas for a pet, they decide that fish are the perfect option for their apartment lifestyle. They quickly discover that they have a lot to learn about their aquatic friends. Thankfully, Dalton's Aquariums and More! is there to help. The owners, identical twins Lance and Liam Dalton, both find themselves attracted to her. They are eager to provide her with the assistance she needs, for the pets and for more…personal matters.

Serena’s past experience with men has been less than stellar, and she worries she and her son will end up hurt. Despite these fears, she finds herself falling for the sexy store owners, whose talents extend well beyond business. But Liam has a past he hasn't told her about, and when Serena finds out, it threatens their growing love.

Melanie Hynes owns the brand-new art gallery in Hedon Falls. When she decides to make erotic art the theme of her opening exhibition, she goes in search of artwork.

Justin Gauthier creates a unique blend of painting and photography. Melanie finds his youth and vigor intoxicating. David Hannah can sculpt provocative pieces from ordinary materials. And Melanie discovers that he is very good with his hands. Garrett Anderson’s paintings of BDSM are shocking and arousing. When Melanie asks about the lifestyle, he teaches her.

Three men, each with their own distinct talents, and she falls hard and fast for all of them.

When David finds out she is seeing other men, he is hurt and angry. Confused by her attraction to three men, she doesn’t know who to choose. Justin and Garrett show her the joys of sharing, and she thinks that may be the key to her dilemma. Can she convince David to consider a ménage?

Unemployed and running out of resources, Sophie LaPlante is desperate for a job when the perfect one appears before her. A wealthy couple from Hedon Falls requires a live-in housekeeper, and Sophie is just what they’re looking for.

Jack Sullivan, a powerful CEO and Dom, is married to actress Kendra Hughes. He immediately senses submissive tendencies in his new housekeeper. His wife can never be the sub he needs, so while Kendra is away on a film shoot, he begins to train Sophie. When Kendra returns, she joins the training to explore her own Dominant desires. While their sessions were not intended to involve sex, they find themselves fighting a losing battle against their mutual attraction.

The three of them are caught up in a web of lust, guilt, and infidelity, all complicated by an ex-boyfriend who can’t leave Sophie alone.

Stylist and salon owner Remy Alexander got a second chance at love when he found Seamus "Shay" O’Connell, but the more time he spends with his daughter’s dance teacher, Nicole, the more he wonders if there is room for another in his marriage.

As a result of a troubled past, Shay needs order and control in everything, from his work as a chef, to the bedroom he shares with his submissive husband. Remy’s idea to have a ménage relationship upsets the delicate balance Shay has created for himself, but he can’t deny his desire for the sexy dance instructor.

Nicole Collins is a good Catholic girl who pours all her energy into her work as a dance teacher. When she falls for Remy and Shay, they teach her about passion, submission, and love, but incur the wrath of her father. Can Nicole find a way to hang on to everyone she loves, or will one relationship cost her the other?

Evernight Publishing Teams Up With World Vision To Support the Education For Girls Fund

During the week of July 14 – 21, the full amount of every book purchased on the Evernight and Evernight Teen websites will be donated to World Vision’s Education for Girls Fund.

57 million primary-school-age children are not enrolled in school; 53 percent of these are girls. These children are at greater risk for exploitation, early marriage, and lower income-earning potential. World Vision addresses barriers to education and works with communities and local governments to improve the quality of education children receive.

Help support World Vision’s Education for Girls Fund by purchasing a book or two (or more!) from Evernight Publishing and Evernight Teen’s websites. The full price of each book purchased from July 14th to July 21st will be donated to this important cause.

Look for authors' blog posts about what education means to them during the special fundraising week. Don’t miss their inspiring stories.

Evernight's Executive Assistant Blog Tour

I have the great pleasure to be included in Evernight Publishing's latest anthology with my short story Room For Two. 

Stephanie has had a secret crush on Richard, the president of the company, for a while, but she's too smart to get involved with a womanizer like him...until circumstances throw them into a room together at a conference and passion explodes between them. Can she win his heart or is she destined to be another conquest?




Unleash your naughty side with Evernight’s Executive Assistant anthology…

These sizzling hot stories dare to explore the taboo world of office romance. From X-rated job interviews, controlling Doms, to the unprofessional use of office furniture—these twelves stories have it all.

Our bestselling authors are determined to make you squirm. You may never see the office the same way again!

Authors:

Doris O’Connor, Leteisha Newton, S.J. Maylee

Michelle Graham, Allyson Young, Lila Shaw Elodie Parkes, Chacelyn Pierce, Jean Maxwell

Beth D. Carter, Jezebel Jorge Michelle Rhys

Buy Links:

Evernight Publishing
Amazon

Manlove Edition

 

Unleash your naughty side with Evernight’s Executive Assistant: Manlove Edition anthology…

These sizzling hot stories dare to explore the taboo world of office romance. From X-rated job interviews, controlling Doms, to the unprofessional use of office furniture—these seven stories have it all.

Our bestselling authors are determined to make you squirm. You may never see the office the same way again!

Authors:

Cat Blaine, JC Holly, Xondra Day

Nicola Cameron, Noelle Keaton

Pelaam, Nikka Michaels

Buy Links:

Evernight Publishing
Amazon

Giveaway: $10 Evernight Gift Card

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