My dear friend, Melissa Fox, released her new novel today. I’m so proud to have been even a small part of this book. She’s taken the romance genre and added a little twist with her hero, Ash. It’s so hard not to love this guy, even when you want to smack him. Romantic suspense lovers should head on over to Ms. Romantic Reads to check out the excerpt. You can even win a gift card and a free copy for your Kindle. The link is below!
Guys. Guys! M’s preparing for the release of her upcoming novel on May 19, so I thought I’d share the cover with you here on FFYW. You know I’m almost as excited and proud as I’d be if I’d written it myself. She’s done something so different, so fresh, and I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks. Until we all get our hot little hands on it, here’s a peek at the cover. Drool with me!
Here’s the summary, so you can start with the grabby hands:
Infiltrating an international drug cartel is the dangerous chance of a lifetime for Asher Beaulieu of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Falling in love while running the op isn’t part of the plan, but he never had much use for plans anyway. Shrouded in deception and surrounded by temptation, his charmed life explodes in betrayal and tragedy.
So, it’s been a while, and the last blog I left you with was a cheering of sorts in the middle of a rough winter. But spring is finally here…kind of. The weird snow we’re supposed to get tonight that probably won’t actually happen anyway is just a little hiccup standing in the way of the flowers blooming this coming weekend. To get us through this little cold snap, I’m back with probably the funniest Liam story ever. Maybe. You be the judge.
Because of Liam’s work position, he often gets treated to lunches and dinners. Sometimes he has to listen to a sales pitch; sometimes it’s a presentation. I’ve been to a few with him, and the room is often filled with dozens of other IT professionals chowing down on free food. If he’s lucky, it’s a one-on-one meeting, but that wasn’t the case today. Today, a whole room watched this unfold.
When he arrived at Maggiano’s, Liam was escorted to a table set for eight. Only four turned up for lunch. The food set aside for all eight was instead distributed to the four, resulting in some pretty large portions. Liam said he did his best, but he really wanted to save room for the tiramisu.
They finally set the dessert dish down next to him. He picked up his fork and went to town, eyes never leaving the screen that showed the presentation.
After a few bites, he noticed the guy next to him reaching over with a fork to get a bite.
“What’s this guy think he’s doing? He needs to eat his own.” Liam dragged the bowl away and shot a glare in the thief’s general direction.
And that’s when he saw it: Everyone else in the room dishing the tiramisu from several large bowls onto individual plates. Sharing. Sharing the dessert. The dessert he’d just nearly growled at someone over.
Now, I’d have burst into flames of embarrassment and run from the restaurant without a glance back. Liam, however, has agreed to let me share this story with you because he’s awesome. And because I haven’t stopped laughing for about two hours.
The past few months have been a bit of a roller coaster, with more downs than ups if I’m honest. Still, through everything, I try to seek the things that bring me joy. Jesus is my ultimate joy, but earthly things make me happy, too.
Wanna know what they are? Some are simple; some are everything. Here’s a jumbled list in no particular order:
Brenya and Isaac
I’m scared to death to hold my new niece because I’m afraid I’ll break her. I was the same with Isaac and we’re super close anyway, so I don’t think she’ll hold my fear against me when she’s older. And Isaac… Never have I met a kid with such a strong moral compass and social conscience. This boy will change the world.
Mom and Dad
Liam’s citizenship ceremony
Sometimes I wonder if maybe parents as awesome as mine are actually the exception. No matter what I do, whom I love, or where I go, my parents support, help, love, smile, and encourage. Really, there can’t be better parents out there.
Ireland
If you didn’t already know this one… But seriously. Who could NOT love it?
My Irish Family
Liam’s family has always made me feel like I’m one of them, from the very first moment I met them. I’m so blessed to have them in my life and cherish the time we get to spend together.
Melissa Fox
My co-author, editor, and dear friend holds the mirror up, even when she knows I won’t like what I see. I trust her with my work, my fears, and my dreams.
Swear and Shake
Unpretentious folk rock created and performed by some of the nicest people on the planet? One of the sweetest, sultriest, strongest female voices in music? It all adds up to joy, people.
Hurley
Man, he’s cute.
Heyrocco
Just listen.
Luna and Rosie
Our sweet girls have tried so hard to give the dog a chance. They had the house to themselves for years, so I don’t blame them that they haven’t yet figured out how to love him as much as we do.
Allie
We have our differences even now, but no one makes me laugh like she does.
Smoky Mountains
Maybe the lights of Pigeon Forge are about as tacky as Vegas, but oh man, the surrounding mountains hold a treasure of memories. Even the thought of fall and winter in the Smokies makes me smile.
Hurling
Who knew I’d enjoy a sport so much? Not only am I developing a connection with Liam’s home and heritage, but I’ve also made some amazing new friends.
Eva
I can’t even put into words what this girl means to me. She’s on the other side of the world, so time zones are always weird. Luckily, I’m up early and she’s up late, so we still get plenty of time to talk every day.
Writing
This one’s probably obvious.
Christmas
Unapologetically put my tree up as early as I can get away with every year. I also start making Christmas music playlists sometime in November. Make fun if you like. I don’t care.
Daniel Ellsworth and the Great Lakes
Who could listen to these guys and not dance? Also, they’re just super nice. (As a side note, their bass player, Marshall, took the photos that appear on the cover of my latest book.)
Niki
Somehow, this girl makes even the most outrageous disasters something to laugh at. Anyone who can turn tears to laughter in a split second is someone I need in my life.
Coffee
Personally, I like the flavored stuff, but Liam hates when I run those through is coffee maker, so we have two. Best I ever had? Red Velvet.
Flats
After a leg injury, all my cute heels got thrown out and I adopted flats. I love them. I wear them everywhere. I even sometimes play hurling in them.
Sleeping with a box fan
I even lured Liam over to the dark side. I also move it around the house with me so I have that hum even when I’m working.
Driving
This is especially important to me. My dad raised me with a healthy respect for fun cars, but after my car accident, just sitting in one made me car sick. I’ve managed to find my joy again behind the wheel, even if I’m a lot more conscientious and careful now.
Tiff
If I had a long lost twin but then found again, she’d be it.
Watching Will and Liam together
When Tiff’s husband and Liam get together, it’s like watching The Hangover.
Craft beer
Just keep your IPA, please.
Harry Potter
I dare you to defy me on this one.
Irish chocolate
It’s just better than American chocolate. If you don’t believe me, try it.
Hoodies
They’re like wearing a warm, cozy, loving hug.
Steph
Is there anyone sweeter in the world? We don’t talk much, but when we do, I’m smiling the whole damn time.
My work
I’m so lucky to say this. Believe it or not, I enjoy my work. Mostly, I write blogs about ecommerce and inbound marketing for HubSpot, but sometimes I get to ghostwrite a blog or two about Nashville real estate. The fact that I do all these things in my pajamas…well, who could be so lucky?
Fireplaces—with fires in them
We have three in our house and none of them work. I’ve made it my mission to make at least one of them a functioning fireplace, but until then, the fire pit outside holds some pretty big bonfires.
Pedicures
Once a month, like clockwork, with my friend Kristie. Except for a random lunch, we really don’t see each other unless there’s a chair massage and a pedicure involved, so I’ve really grown to cherish the pampering and friendship.
Pumpkin or Cinnamon Crunch Scones
Drooooooooool.
My family
I’ve always been quite close to my extended family. When Allie and I were kids, we’d stay weekends and summers with Grandmother or aunts and uncles. My grandfather took us on road trips—most famously the cross-country trip to California for graduation. I even count some of my cousins as my closest friends. I’m fortunate to have such a tight-knit family, and just thinking about any one of them makes me smile.
Snow
Sure, it’s a pain in the ass sometimes, but it’s just so pretty. Also, I’m pretty sure I’m programmed to pray for it after only two years of teaching high school. Snow days made me happier when I was a teacher than they ever did when I was a student.
The ocean
My attachment to the ocean probably stems from our whole-family vacations when I was a little girl. Still, even without that, could anything match the joy of warm sand between your toes?
Karaoke
I relish the chance to grab a mic and wail for a bit. Twin Kegs is my karaoke joint of choice. It’s where everybody knows my name. (I have no video of me singing karaoke, but this is me singing with the Corbin High School Jazz Band starting at 14:30.)
Katie Marcario
This dollface makes me laugh even when the most annoying, irritating, and frustrating things have just pissed me off. When steam’s coming out my ears, I hit her up first because I know she’ll make me smile.
‘NSync
Don’t you judge me.
Liam
Finally, but definitely not last, there’s Liam. Dear God, this man just makes everything better. Everything. When I’m sad, he holds me. When I’m angry, he soothes me. When I’m laughing, he’s making me do it. None of the things before could mean quite so much without my ability to share them with him.
A kid always looks up to her older cousins. You, Jeff, Meredith, Todd… You were all worthy of that adoration, even if you liked to tease me every chance you got. I remember talking to you in Doug and Sandy’s front yard so many years ago—probably thirty, if I admit my age. You laughed at the way I said your name, with two syllables instead of one.
“Mahk,” you said.
“Mah-eek,” I replied.
So I liked diphthongs, even at the age of five. You never let me forget it.
We all used to go to the beach every summer. We’d load up the cars with everyone in tow: Grandmother, Kay, your mom and Bob, Jeff, Doug and Debbie, Darren, my sister, Matt and Brit, my parents. Vacation was a family affair, and the memories live on, even if the group trips didn’t.
I remember how you and Doug made me laugh until I shot my drink out my nose every time. I wasn’t afraid to be loud around you. I wasn’t afraid to be silly around you. With you, I could be myself and accept the teasing because you made me feel like I belonged.
You and Jeff introduced me to Star Wars. I hated it. Thought it was the most boring movie ever made. I love it now, but I never told you. I never told you that every time I watch it, I think of you and Jeff. I always will.
My first time fishing was with you and Shae. I don’t even know if Edgar and Wilma’s pond had fish in it. Probably not, or I never would have gone swimming there. Still, you baited my hook and showed me how to cast the line. I don’t remember how to do it anymore, but I do remember how patient you were.
Even as a kid, I knew what you and Shae had was special. I remember thinking you’d get married someday. I remember thinking you’d picked a really good one, because I could be myself around her, too. You must have been high school sweethearts, but I was too young to recognize the rarity of your relationship. All I knew was that your love was real, and she was beautiful, and you were lucky.
You left behind two beautiful girls—smart, clever, funny, just like their mom and dad. I don’t know them as well as I knew you, but I know they’re special. I know they’re strong.
I’m thankful for one thing above all others this year: that I knew you. That I was blessed enough to call you family. That I’ll remember your huge, infectious laugh. As long as we hold these things in our hearts, you’ll be with us forever.
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