My word for 2019 was--scratch that--IS Balance. I'm a great multi-tasker. I mean, you have to be when you work full-time, have three active teenagers, and also have a writing career. Toss in a husband and, well, I would call him another task. (Kidding, honey. Love you lots!)

I try to do everything I can to be involved in my job/school (I'm a teacher), my writing community, and especially my children's lives. Not like Helicopter Mom mode, I'm SO not one of those. But I want my children to know I care about them and am there to support them in everything they do. If they want me to chaperone events, I do. If they want me to take an active role as a team mom, I do. If they want me to back off, I do.

When Princess started high school four years ago she asked me to stop chaperoning dances. So I did. When Sports Girl started high school last year she wanted me to be around, so I was. I am. Little Guy doesn't care one way or the other but I pretend he really, really, wants me around. And wants to still snuggle, even though he says he doesn't.  

So, there's work, there's kids. And then there's me. I do a lot for others and I'd been interpreting my writing life as doing something for "me". Yes, writing is my outlet. It's what I enjoy doing. But since being published four years ago, it's no longer a hobby but also a potential career. To turn it into a full-time career,, I needed to make more time to write. But then I also realized I wasn't doing anything to take care of me. 

That's when my fitness journey started. I've always been active and I cook a lot of healthy meals, but this aging thing is catching up with me. In March, I started focusing more on my physical health. I started my Balanced Babes workout group (come join us!).  However, with that, ironically, came a cost. In order to squeeze in daily workouts, I lost valuable writing time. But if I write, I'm stationary and not getting my workout done. I have such little time to myself--like thirty minutes between work and my son's games, if I'm lucky. Sometimes it's straight from work to the field if the game is far away. And Sports Girl's games are at night so we're missing family mealtime and getting home late. 

When there aren't games scheduled (which seems to be only one day a week), I'm using that time to workout and not write, hence my lack of blogs since the end of February. This weekend I attended the Maine Romance Writers Retreat. It's always so much fun to get together with fellow authors, but during the writing workshops I realized how much I missed writing. I don't feel complete without working it all in.

So how do I do it? I'm a scheduler. I'm a planner. I'm organized. I'm awesome at multi-tasking. But I'm going to have to own that I can't do absolutely everything. And that's okay. My next task is to figure out how to manage working 45+ hours a week, getting to my kids' games (and picking them up from practice), exercising, and writing. 

It's a challenge I'm ready for. It'll also mean I need to say no to some of the other responsibilities I've tacked on over the years. I don't say 'Yes' because I feel guilty about saying 'No', I say 'Yes' because I truly enjoy doing all the extras. But now it's time to lessen those "extras" and say 'Yes' to more ME stuff. 

Who else is in the same boat? I know I'm not alone. There's so much pressure to do it all these days but we really need to stop and reflect on what's important to us. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. What are you going to take off your plate so you can focus on more of?

Having three children under the age of five had its challenges. Princess was working on her independence, the other wanted to be entertained 24-7 and got into everything. Yes, EVERYTHING. The house could never be toddler-proofed enough for Sports Girl. And then there was Little Guy, the most easy-going baby ever, but still, a baby who needed caring for.

I was constantly juggling motherhood, working full-time, trying to find writing time, and figuring out how to be a wife when I just wanted to sleep. And then there were the worries. How would Princess, who had social anxiety and selective mutism, transition into kindergarten? What would Sports Girl get into today? And Little Guy...well, he was chill so I didn't have to stress about him much, thankfully.

As the kids grew, so did the challenges. Princess was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was seven. Little Guy would only go to the bathroom outside (he'd drop his pants and go no matter where we were or who was looking!). Sports Girl wanted to participate in every activity there was. Hubby worked 70-80 hours a week, often six days so I was a single mom most of the time.

Oh, and then the fighting. Ugh. As soon as the three kids developed their very different personalities, the fighting escalated. If it wasn't Princess and Sports Girl it was Princess and Little Guy. Usually the girls monopolized the arguing. And as they got older, the arguing was often between mother and daughter. Teenage girls and their mother--there's some special curse put on moms of middle school girls. It was a rough patch for quite a few years. 

With all three into sports, I had to be at three different places at the same time. All.. The. Time. I'd worry about leaving the older two while I stayed at Little Guy's activities. But what if the girls got hurt? What if Princess's blood sugar dropped too low and she passed out? Would the coaches or parents know what to do? What if the girls needed their mom (come to find out, they never did). And then Little Guy was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and celiac disease. The medical worries that had finally calmed started all over again. 

Those of you who have/had teenagers know what the next worry is: driving. You worry if they're not home on time. You worry if it's dark out.  You worry if it's raining. You worry if they're driving on the highway. You worry if it's snowing. You worry every time they're behind the wheel because they're your babies. 

You wish for the less stressful worries: the kids making a mess throughout the house (which, by the way, they NEVER outgrow), not sleeping through the night, can they really be healthy on a diet of chicken nuggets and chocolate milk? You wish for the days when they'd curl up on your lap and wrap their soft, pudgy hands around your neck and wipe their runny noses on your shirt. You wish for all of that back the second you get the call that your teenager has been in a car accident.

My sisters and I had our San Diego Sister trip planned for months. I had just arrived at my sister's house in San Diego last Sunday when I received the news. The first words out of my husband's mouth were, "She's okay. She's not hurt." And then he preceded to tell me about the rest. The sun was beginning to set and blinded her from seeing the GMC that struck the passenger side of her car. 

Her car was pinned between the truck and another car and she couldn't get out until the police came and used the jaws of life to get her out. Miraculously, she wasn't hurt. The airbags went off, all the windows shattered, but she didn't have a scrape on her. She's been sore all week, but we're thankful that's all that physically happened to her. She was shaken, but aware enough to call Dad, and she called work to let them know she was in an accident, even though the accident happened in front of her work. I'm proud of her for remembering to reach for her diabetes supplies, and she told the EMT she was diabetic. 

So now the mama worries have escalated even more. Not only do I worry every time she gets behind the wheel, but now, after seeing the car--which is totaled, I imagine the accident. I picture what she went through. I remember being 3,000 miles away unable to be there for her. To hold her. To hug her. 

Sports Girl has her permit and has been driving with us for the past few months. Little Guy will be up in a few years. I imagine the worry doesn't go away when the kids go off to college (ah! Another set of worries!!) or move out on their own. 

They never end but all we can do is raise our children the best we can and pray they stay safe and they make good decisions. Today, I'm thankful she's safe. I'm thankful for the little bit of bonding that formed between the girls while I was away. I'm thankful for Hubby handling it all with ease (while I would have been a stress case if I was home). I'm thankful to come home to my family who are healthy, happy, and safe. 

​I am grateful.

I feel like I've been waiting to share Ty and Lily's story with you for ages! Maybe because I had it circling around in my crowded brain two years ago when I first started my Well Paired series. And without further ado, I bring you What Makes Us Stronger.​

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41464029-what-makes-us-stronger

Blurb:
Lily Novak’s life in Crystal Cove, Maine is just about perfect. She has a great group of friends, runs a successful day spa, and has managed to build her new life without anyone asking about her mysterious past. There’s nothing more she could want…except maybe to catch the eye of the gorgeous and introverted carpenter, who also happens t o be her friend’s brother.
 
Ty Parker knew fear in the Army, but nothing like the panic of seeing smoke billow from Lily’s building. When a dryer fire brings him face to face with the heart-stopping Lily Novak—and her lacy black thong—he can’t deny the chemistry sparking between them.

As their feelings deepen, Lily’s evasiveness reignites the self-doubt Ty has been battling for years. Lily knows her secrets are putting her relationship with Ty at risk, but telling him the truth puts both their lives in danger. She’s just not sure she’s strong enough to sacrifice her heart to keep the man she loves safe from the secrets of her past.

In the Series:
At First Blush 
Where There’s Hope 

Enticing Journeys is giving away copies of At First Blush. Click to enter:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/81aa78941920

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Today I want to congratulate my sprinting partner on her new release. "Wait, what? Sprinting? I thought you hated running," you say. I do, I really do, but I try to run a few miles two-three times a week. But that's not what I'm talking about today. In the writing world, "sprinting" means you've set a time to start and finish and try to write as many words as possible. It's not a competition with your sprinting partners (unless you want it to be, which is fun as well), but a challenge you give yourself. 

My friend Natalina Reis seems to always be posting in our sprinting group encouraging us to write along with her. If it wasn't for Natalina, I wouldn't have the last five books written. So it is with great pleasure that I share with you her new release. It's a menage shape shifter romance. I know! Definitely a far cry from what I write, but the writing community is a beautiful one and we embrace each others' differences whether they be color, race, religion, gender, or sexual preference. And even if they're not human. Well, most authors I know are human, but not all the characters we write! 

If paranormal menage is your cup of tea, definitely check out this hot new release!

When a shifter and a human are bound by fate, neither man knows if their connection will be enough to save not only their growing love, but their lives.

Shahin Halcón has been taught that if and when he meets his soul mate, he’ll know immediately. Always the rebel, he doesn’t believe it until the day he crosses paths with Cai, a full-human.

Plagued by unsuccessful relationships and heartache, Cai Banes’s life is quiet and unexciting. When he meets young and wild Shahin, his life is turned upside down, and he's not sure he likes it. 

But neither can deny the powerful pull that draws them together. 
​
Old secrets and ancient myths about cross-species relationships plague their romance and threaten to put their happiness and life at risk. Will their love for each other be strong enough to survive?

BUY THE BOOK HERE: All Links - books2read.com/infinite-blue

BIO:
Natalina wrote her first romance at the age of 13 in collaboration with her best friend, Susana. Since then she has ventured into other genres, but romance is first and foremost in almost everything she writes. She’s the author of seven romance novels that reflect the amazing diversity of humankind and the universal power of love.
After earning a degree in tourism and foreign languages, she worked as a tourist guide in her native Portugal for a short time before moving to the United States. She lived in three continents and a few islands, and her knack for languages and linguistics led her to a master’s degree in education. She lives in Virginia where she’s taught English as a Second Language to elementary school children for more years than she cares to admit.
Natalina doesn’t believe you can have too many books or too much coffee. Art and dance make her happy and she is pretty sure she could survive on lobster and bananas alone. When she is not writing or stressing over lesson plans, she shares her life with her husband and two adult sons.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Instagram: http://bit.ly/ReisInstagram
FB: http://bit.ly/ReisFacebook
BookBub: http://bit.ly/NRBookBub
Amazon: http://bit.ly/NRPage
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/NRRainbow
Twitter: http://bit.ly/ReisTwitter
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/ReisGR
Blog: http://bit.ly/ReisBlog
Reader's Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/215263965917134/

99@99 BOOK FAIR     NEW GIVEAWAYS DAILY    September 6-12
If your wallet is feeling the pinch, but you’re looking for some awesome new reads, visit our special 99 Books @ 99 Cents Book Fair. Almost 100 books ON SALE in all genres, romance, sci-fi and fantasy, paranormal romance, historical romance, romantic suspense, mysteries, thrillers, and more. All books less than a buck!

Plus, check in daily for a chance to win Amazon gift cards or play instant ebook giveaways for one of 12 books being awarded to lucky winners each day.
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Look for Books from Your Favorite Authors!
Alexa Aston • Alexia Adams • Alicia Dean • Alina K. Field • Allyson R Abbott • Alyssa Breck • Amanda Tyler • Angel Lawson • Angela Sanders • Anna Hub • Anna Santos • Anne McClane • Anne Stone • Aubrey Wynne • Aurora Springer • C L McGrath • Caitlyn Lynch • Candace Blevins • Cara Marsi • Carlyle Labuschagne • Casi McLean • Cate Tayler • Cecelia Mecca • Charmaine Ross • Cherie Claire • Christi Barth • Colleen L Donnelly • Constance Phillips • Crystal Dawn • Debbie White • Debra Jess • EG Manetti • Elizabeth Rose • Emily Selby • Erica Ridley • Gemma Snow • Grace White • Heather Hambel Curley • Iris Blobel • J. Rose Allister • Jacqueline Diamond • Jacquie Biggar • Jayelle Morgan • Jeanne St. James • Jennifer Allis Provost • Joan Reeves • Joanne Dannon • Jody A Kessler • Kallysten • Karen Michelle Nutt • Kathryn Knight • Kayelle Allen • Keke Renee • Kim Carmichael • Kristy Tate • L.E. Harrison • Lara Ward Cosio • Laura Scott • Laurel Black • Leeann Betts • Lindsey R. Loucks • Liz Long • LJ Swallow • Lori L. Robinett • M.C. Cerny • Marianne Rice • Marlow Kelly • Mary Abshire • Meg Ripley • Mila Young • Morgan K Wyatt • MV Ellis • N.D. Jones • Naomi Bellina • Natalie Ann • Rachell Nichole • Rose Pearson • S K Gregory • Sherrie Lea Morgan • Siera London • Sotia Lazu • Stephany Tullis • Susan Jean Ricci • Suzanne Jenkins • Tamara Ferguson • Tina Fausett • Tracey Cramer-Kelly • Tracy Krimmer • Victoria Saccenti • Aileen Harkwood

I pride myself on my multi-tasking skills. I mean, really. I'm awesome at it. I'm not afraid to say when I suck and not afraid to pat myself on the back when I'm good at something. But this week has opened my eyes to a few things. I'm a teacher enjoying the last week of summer vacation and think I've done  pretty well filling up my days with leisurely activities. Once school starts, I HAVE to manage well. It's a three-ring organized circus around here!

This week, I signed up to do a time management challenge. Every day we keep track of what we're doing. Like every minute of the day! We have ten minute blocks to fill. I've pre-filled the time slots that are already determined: driving kids to practice, going to games, dentist appointments, work meetings, etc. 

Since it's still summer break, I have a lot of time on my hands (to make up for NO time until the end of June). All summer I've been filling the days with outings with the kids, errands, chores, writing, editing, marketing, exercise, and even naps (the luxury!). 

I do have writing and editing deadlines, school work to do (preparing for the first teacher day and student day), and projects that need to get done around the house. Thankfully, I'm a good multi-tasker otherwise nothing would get done.

And even then, the chart really made me look at how much time I was spending at each task. When my husband got home from working 10 hour days and then coaching 3 hours at our son's football game, he'd ask what I did during the day. I'd say, "I did laundry and dishes all day long!" Home with three kids...yeah, the clothes and mess pile up quick.

But how much time did I really spend on each thing? Laundry, come to find out, only takes 16 minutes from start to finish. We have an industrial sized washer and dryer and can fit a LOT of clothes in each load (our king-size comforter and sheets, easily!) so our loads are huge. However, here's what I learned:
Bring clothes down from bedrooms and put in wash: 2 minutes (that's rounding up)
Moving clothes from the washer to the dryer: Less than a minute
Folding clothes (I timed a giant load): 8 minutes
Putting clothes away: Months. Kidding! Not really, but I did it right away for chart purposes. 5 minutes.

So all in all, 32 minutes of my day doing two loads of laundry, even though it felt like I'd been doing it all day. The same was noted for cleaning the kitchen (which takes hours in my mind). Only a few minutes to clean up after breakfast. A few more to clean up after lunch. Dinner prep is 20 minutes. On the first day of the challenge, I caught myself going for my phone in between chores. Because I knew I had to write down what I was doing, I put it away and did something productive (I felt like eyes were watching! In a good way). 

I feel I'm always busing doing something. I don't watch television except for America's Got Talent in the summer. It's our family show. Even while we're watching the show, I have my laptop and am catching up with emails, scheduling posts, or making teasers. Other than that, the news may be on while I'm making dinner. I don't watch You tube videos or play online games,  yet I'm ALWAYS on my laptop. This ten-minute block challenge made me pay attention to what I was doing while on my laptop for three hours. 

With Princess about to start her senior year in high school and beginning to visit colleges, and Sports Girl beginning her high school career, I find these tips and lessons for daughters spot on. 

What caught your attention? Bargain? Romance? Wine? Either way, it's a win-win-win, right? With book two almost ready for your pretty little hands, I figured why mark down At First Blush? 

For those of you knew to my writing, or to this series, here's a little tease...

​Oh, and you can one-click here. 

At First Blush

“You want brutal honesty?”
“That would be nice. For once.”
Ben grabbed the collar of her jacket and jerked her toward him, their faces inches apart. “I want you. In my bed. Underneath me. On top of me. But I also don’t want to hurt you. I’m letting you go because I don’t want to be a selfish bastard. There are things you don’t know…”
“I seem to go for selfish bastards so…” She licked her lips, hoping for one more kiss. Hoping he’d ask her to stay. Hoping he’d let her go.
“You’re too…special.”
“I’m not special.” Alexis lowered her eyes and shook her head. More lies to get her into bed. Only he didn’t want her in his bed. Her mind raced searching for answers, yet she didn’t even know the questions. It was all too much.
The way her heart raced when he was near. The way her legs trembled when his dimple appeared as if just for her. The way her mind went dizzy with longing when his stunning eyes were so intently focused on her.
“See, and then you do that vulnerable thing and I just want to…”
A spark ignited inside. She was not weak. “I’m not vulnerable.” She lifted her gaze to his and studied the intensity in his eyes, the seriousness in his jaw.
“I like that you are, and that you think you aren’t.”
“I think I should go.” She was smart enough and strong enough to walk away before she’d get emotionally attached and have her heart broken.
“I’ll follow you home.”
“When was the last time you drove in the snow?” Ben didn’t reply, his gaze still on her lips. “I didn’t think so. I don’t want to have to haul your ass out of a ditch so stay here. Play on your laptop. Style your hair. Go be sexy. Whatever it is you do at night.”
Alexis frowned when she pulled away from him so easily, and let herself out, driving home in silence and confusion.
Leaving her hot and horny and alone on a cold night, Ben was right about one thing. He was a total selfish bastard.

Want to learn more about Marianne Rice? Join her fabulous reader group, The Ricecakes!
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Wow. What a winter. Mother Nature hasn't quite figured out the calendar has changed not only to Spring but to April as well. Up here in Maine, we got another blast of snow Friday night, and the winds were wicked. Thankfully, the sun is now out and it's warmed up to a balmy 45. Brrrr

The past few months have been nonstop busy with the kids' activities, writing and reading events, the day job, chores, and the like. Finally, FINALLY, vacation week is upon us. One more week of work and then it's family time in sunny California. The kids have been a few times (we have family out there) but now that they're older they're even more excited.

With a family of five, the rule is: each person brings one carry-on. Hubby and Little Guy will have no problem fitting their shorts and T's in a backpack, but the girls and I...it'll be a challenge.

One packing tip I've shared with the kids is to roll your clothes. Not only does it take up less room, but they don't end up wrinkled! The Easter Bunny put 3 oz travel bottles in their baskets last week for lotions, shampoo and such. We'll be wearing our warm gear: sneakers, jeans, and sweatshirts, which will save some space in our bags. Other than that, I don't have many packing tips; I'm always looking for more.

I've had pretty good luck with my traveling...until two weeks ago. I was flying home from JFK (a 50-minute flight) and got held up by TSA. They didn't like my flat iron and took it apart. I ended up missing my flight by 3 minutes and the next available flight was 10 hours later!!! Thankfully, I was able to get on the stand-by list for a flight 4 hours later. Two people missed that flight (sorry, guys!) which got me a seat on it. Phew! At least I was alone and got some writing done.

So, tell me. Any packing tips or funny travel stories to tell? I'd love to hear them!

If you follow me on social media, you may have picked up on my love of all things wine, shoes, and Chris Hemsworth. Two of my loves made it into my newest book, At First Blush.

A few years ago my sister-in-law and a few friends of ours visited some local wineries and we fell in love with not only the wine, but the beauty of the vineyards as well. I especially love the story of the Zanellos of Zorvino Vineyards in Sandown, New Hampshire. What a fun couple and a gorgeous vineyard! I was hooked on their fabulous wine, especially their Fragole Z (a strawberry blend wine) and Mapplez (apples and maple syrup!). From here, At First Blush was formed, and then my Well Paired series fell into place. 

And tonight I get to be part of an amazing author signing event at Zorvino Vineyards! If you're in New England, stop by the vineyard in Sandown, New Hampshire from 6-9pm on Friday, February 2nd. There will be wine, food, and an array of authors and their books. Romance, children's books, nonfiction, cookbooks, and more!

Oh, so you're wondering where Chris Hemsworth falls into this? You'll have to read At First Blush to find out. Comment below when you know!!