Jumping

Five years ago, I posted this about jumping into the world of querying and pitching. 

FIVE.YEARS.AGO. 

The daughter I mentioned is now a teenager. The teenager I mention is probably married and raising her own kids. Well, maybe not, but it's possible.

And, me?

Until a few months ago, I was still standing on the end of that diving board.
I didn't jump.
I was pushed.

Now, all I have to do is make sure I cannon ball and not belly flop!

DEADLY CHEMISTRY

Tell Me Your Story Tuesday

Welcome

Teri Anne Stanley 

I first featured Teri three years ago as my critique partner. You can read the awesome interview here. Today, I am beyond excited to  be featuring her again on the release of her debut, Deadly Chemistry.

I love Teri's ability to work humor and sarcasm into her writing voice. I mentioned her sharp wit in our first interview. It shines through in her book. 

So, tell us about your story, Teri! 

 Thanks for sharing the news about DEADLY CHEMISTRY! It’s meant so much to me to have your friendship and support over the past few years...what a crazy journey we’re on, huh?

Isn't that a yummy cover?

 Former undercover cop Mike Gibson has been lying low, working as a maintenance man to put his troubled younger brother through college. But when a beautiful scientist enlists Mike’s help to repair the damage done to her lab by a group of vandals, Mike finds that his, and his brother's pasts, are about to be brought to light. 
 
Lauren Kane was happy having a secret crush on the hot maintenance man at Tucker University, but when the drug she was studying is stolen, Lauren has a chance to get to know Mike in person. The problem is, he seems to know more about what's going on than any maintenance man should. But then the drug turns up in the wrong hands, and Mike and Lauren have to decide if their own chemistry will help, or hinder, the race to save innocent lives.

From now until June 29, DEADLY CHEMISTRY is just .99, and just click here.

And there’s a contest! Go here to find the rafflecopter and other blogs I’m visiting this week.

BIO: Teri Anne Stanley lives in Northern Kentucky, near the Ohio River and her beloved Interstate-

75, with its lush rolling semis and musical rumbling tires. Teri has authored several scientific articles—and a three-ingredient recipe column, but isn't allowed to write sex scenes for them, so now she writes fun, sexy romance filled love, angst and nekkid parts.

She's also worked as a fashion designer for female body builders and a sex therapist for rats. In her spare time, she is a neuroscience research assistant. Along with a variety of teenagers and dogs, she and Mr. Stanley live just outside of Sugartit, which is—honest to God—between Beaverlick, and Rabbit Hash, Kentucky.

Where can readers connect with you?

Website:

http://teriannestanley.com/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/TeriAnneStanley

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TeriAnneStanley

Newsletter:

http://bit.ly/tasnews

Thanks for stopping by! I am so excited for you!

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!

THE GRAND REVEAL!

Makeover Monday 

It is FINISHED!

Well, kinda

This is where it started.

and

this is where it ended.

Let's just take a moment and soak it all in.

I'll even put them together for you so you can experience the full effect!

Isn't it beautiful?

Don't get me wrong. The room still has issues.
1. There is still no overhead lighting.
2. The girls' computer chairs match nothing
3. No place for guests to sleep.

But, for right now.
I love it!
It makes me smile every time I walk by.

Here's an "around the room" series of
Before and Afters.

 Feel free to "Oooh" and "Aahhh".

Thank you for your support through this journey.

Honestly, it would not have been finished if I hadn't known someone was watching.

The Magic of a New Coat of Paint Part 2

Makeover Monday

        First, I must apologize for missing last week's Makeover Monday. It was the first day of school for me and my girls. That took every ounce of energy I could manage. Anyway, I promised to show you what some paint did for this beauty. We have two of these for the girls' computers. They were both in this condition. I was going to sit them out on the curb but my friend suggested cutting off the side and giving them a few coats of spray paint.

She's pretty brilliant.

This is now the perfect size for the computer without allowing much room for clutter. 

            The same friend was awesome enough to spend an entire day with me painting the Mama Elephant room.  I paid her in books and pizza. 

It was very, very, very blue. 

We started off using Kilz. Lots and lots of Kilz!

Then we got a little high off the fumes. Laughed until we cried and had to take a snack break. 

We recovered and two coats of "Antique Beige" later. 

This: 

Became this!

 Please ignore the random dog rope in the middle of the room. They were slightly fascinated by the empty space and one of them may or may not have walked around with paint on his tail for a week or so afterward. I'm not saying. 

(yes, it was him.) 

 NEXT WEEK will be the big reveal to prove the Mama Elephant has been tamed!

 Please come by to "ooh" and "aah".

The Magic of a Coat of Paint

Makeover Monday

The Magic of a Coat of Paint 

(or Why My Husband is Awesome.)

This chest 

is actually 

in this picture. 

This was the "Dress-up corner".

 I had dreams of my girls digging through the chest, 

trying on costumes 

and using the cute mirrors to admire their new looks. 

Um, yeah, that happened...oh, let me see.... NEVER. 

I've had the chest since before the girls were born. I have a matching table and stool. All that I planned to paint someday. Remember when I said I've had it since before they were born? My oldest is eleven, just so you know. 

Poor, poor, neglected chest. 

I even broke and lost the lid years ago. 

Terrible.

Enter my hero husband.

New lid and a coat of paint!

Isn't it pretty? 

It goes perfect in the new playroom 

(which we are currently trying to rename "the study" 

because heaven forbid our tweens have a "playroom".)

Next week, I'll show you the wonders a coat of paint did for the room itself 

as well as this beautiful piece of furniture. (You know you wish this lived at your house, don't lie.)

12 hours in 12 seconds

Makeover Monday

Remember my living room looking like this?

My girls and I worked on it a few hours at a time 

with a little help from our dogs who kept climbing right

into the middle of the pile to lay down. 

I preserved the process for you in pictures. 

Watch below for 12 hour in 12 seconds. 

Looks like fun, right? 

Meet Mama Elephant

Makeover Monday

As I mentioned last week, I'm not done with the Baby Elephant project. But, Mama Elephant broke loose and had to be dealt with before I could continue on either. 

So, today is the grand introduction. 

*Warning: The images below may be disturbing to some readers*

This is my children's playroom.

Um... Four years ago.

This is it now. 

Please come a little closer...

The room has no overhead light. 

So that beautiful standing lamp in the corner...

 Yes, the one with only two working bulbs, provides all the illumination needed. 

Maybe you'd like to

read a book 

or play a game 

or scale a mountain of God-knows-what the size of Everest. 

If you are musically inclined, there is a fifth grader recorder 

precariously balanced on the top shelf for your enjoyment. 

A chest of dress clothes to the left, complete with full length mirror for optimal viewing 

and a science table to the right with craft projects conveniently stored in removable bins. 

Older daughter's computer desk and art cubbies on the left. 

Lego table  and additional lamp (not plugged in, by the way) on the right. 

Art easel in the back corner. 

Lego table (yes, there is a table under there) in the foreground. 

Evidence my strict rule against eating in any room other than the kitchen/dining room and certainly not in front of the computers is being followed without question. 

*SIGH*

Let's not even talk about how it got this way 

or how long it's looked like this

 because at this point I don't remember

 and it doesn't really matter. 

The room has several issues: 

1. It has no door. There is no hiding this monstrosity of a mess. 

2. It is painted a dark blue. Yes, I picked the color and at the time it looked pretty good. Until I realized it turned a cute play room into a cave. 

3. My kids are way too old for most of what is in here.

So, say hello to Mama Elephant. I've already started working on her. I've got two weeks before school starts and want it done before I go back. 

You'll come on this journey with me, won't you? She's REALLY big and I'm kind of scared.