A.L. Zaun's Blog

We are excited to bring you the cover reveal for the third and final book in the Perfect series, PRESENTLY PERFECT. Perfection is an illusion fueled by the perception of others.***Tweet was my heart, my soul, and my purpose. She was my everything.Neither of us were perfect. We both made mistakes. Looking back, that was okay, because every choice brought us to where we needed to be at the time we needed to be there. The one constant, our love and friendship.There are two sides to every story, and I wouldn't trade our sides for anything in the world.
Scheduled Release Date: November 6, 2014Cover Designer: Robin Harper, Wicked By Design Photographer: Lorie Rebecca, Lorie Rebecca Photography


Alison was born, raised, and currently lives in Charleston, SC. She attended Winthrop University and graduated with a major in Theater. While at school she began writing one-act plays, which she later produced. Her debut novel, Present Perfect, landed on Amazon's Best Seller List and appeared on many "Best Reads of 2013" Book Blogs. The novel is a current nominee for the 2014 Indie Romance Convention Awards. The second book from The Perfect series, Past Imperfect, was published in February of 2014.
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♥ READ THE SERIES ♥Book 1 - PRESENT PERFECTAmazon | B&N | Smashwords | AudibleBook 2 - PAST IMPERFECTAmazon | B&N | Smashwords

I get asked a lot when Let It Go, book 3 will be released.... Here's the answer:
When I made the decision to break Rick and Madison's story up into 2 parts, I had every intention of releasing the second half in a matter of months.  
I was confident that since I knew exactly where the story was going and how it would end, that it was just a matter of blocking out the distractions and pumping out the words.  
But then somethings happened.  Life got complicated and so did writing their story (my OCD and perfectionism got way out of control).  
I know exactly where their story is going. Today, I outlined the next 4 chapters, but I have to write those words. So tonight, my son is going to bed early. Alison Bailey and I will be sprinting... and I'm going to beat her ass and get more done.  
Rest assured that my beta team, the 305 Girls (more like Bitches) are also on my ass as is Morgan Parker.  They want me to get my shit together and just finish this freaking story. (I don't want to say good-bye to Rick and Madison)
I MAY consider releasing the first chapter of Let It Go to my newsletter subscribers. If you think that's a cool idea, let me know.  If there are other things that I could do in the meantime while I am putting Rick through the wringer (sigh...that's where he's going)...but Madison is too... let me know.  
If you haven't read The Do Over and It's Not Over and have no idea what I'm talking about...both are available on Kindle Unlimited for free.  
Happy reading!  <3
~Ana

Hey!  **Waves hands frantically**

Remember me?  Yes, I know it's been a while.  Yes, I know I had many promises, but something got in the way.  Life.  
But I'm back and with a vengeance.  Maybe that's a little dramatic. =)
Here's a little oldie but goody. Gotta love Rick (and Marco Dapper -- fanning myself).  If you haven't met him, you should.  You're going to love to hate him and maybe hate to love him. 


Meet Rick Marin and all his shenanigans in The Do Over.


Happy Reading,
~Ana

I've recently finished reading, Unveiled Innocence by Ella Frank. 

I'm sure you're waiting with bated breath, dying to know what I thought. Since I'm in a good mood, I won't torture you. I really really liked it. 

For me to say that is huge. I tend not to like most things lately, but I was sucked into this story and couldn't put it down last night until I finished.
There was one part where I cried -- not black shit tears, but still nonetheless, I was touched. From the prologue to the very end, I was trying to figure it out and see where the story was going, find out what happened. We know from the beginning that something has taken place, but the story is told in such a cryptic manner that there are almost no clues. And if you try to put the clues together, you only find out that you were probably wrong or maybe not.
Addison Lancaster is an 18 year old, sexually charged, student who has a seemingly perfect life. At least on the outside, Addison puts on the front of having it together. But as the story unfolds, you learn the truth behind the facade.
When she's late to her history class, time stands still, meeting her new teacher, Mr. McKendrick. She wants him, and Addison gets what Addison wants. At least that's what it seems like at first.
Grayson McKendrick came back to Colorado to be close to his sick father. Taking a job at a local high school, Mr. McKendrick had no idea how his life would be turned upside down when a flirty, Addison Lancaster strolled in late to his class, making an impression that he wouldn't soon forget.
What happens when lines are blurred? When they're crossed?
Super HAWT sex scenes. I was on the edge, worried, wondering what on earth happened. I imagined the worst -- was I right? Was I wrong?
My only complaint with this book is that I didn't connect with Addison. I was, however, rooting for Grayson the entire time.

If you love a sexy book with a taboo subject....one-click Unveiled Innocence and let me know what you think.

Life doesn't look like it's supposed to for Dani Ruiz, a hopeless romantic. After a painful and sudden break-up with Rick Marin, Dani hides away from reality, retreating to a world of fiction where she prefers book boyfriends over the hassles of a relationship.

Almost two years later, Dani's friends are tired of watching her in a holding pattern, so they stage an intervention, forcing her back into the real world of dating.

Unexpectedly, Dani meets Liam Lucas, a down-to-earth firefighter. He might be the person to show her she's still worth something. Dani's hesitant to trust her heart with another man, but their instant and electric chemistry is something she can't deny.

As Dani starts to believe that she's found her real-life book boyfriend, Rick decides that he'll go to any lengths to get her back. Seeing Rick as a changed man makes Dani question everything. 

Can Dani trust her patched-up heart with Liam? 
Or has Rick transformed into the man she's always wanted? 

Written from various points of views, The Do Over is a story of second chances and new beginnings.


Read the Prologue and Chapter 1

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This morning as I was walking into the building at work, there was a lady a few steps behind me just make her ascent up the steps to the landing. I slid my badge and opened the door, holding it for her. 
She looked up but told me to go ahead. Something in her eyes told me she didn't want me to be bothered. Who knows what burdens she was carrying inside? But on the outside, she was slow and had a mild limp. 
But I waited. 



I'm not a super hero or this selfless person who's always aware of those around me. In fact, I'll bump into people in the hallways because I'm off in my little bubble. 
But this morning, I was aware. And in that awareness, I offered kindness to someone else. 
Sometimes, they're called random acts of kindness.  Other times, people refer to them as manners and polite decorum.  Some will even call it being human.
When we're in touch with those around us, a simple act can make a huge impact. 

Have you ever done something that was "nothing" for you but seemed like the world for someone else?
~Ana

After a long sip of my green smoothie, I let out a deep sigh and traced the logo on the Jamba Juice paper cup. My eyes fluttered up, hoping she'd notice, but Madison sat uninterested, flipping through her phone. I sighed a little louder and took another sip.

"You're pathetic," she accused, keeping her eyes on the screen. "If you want my attention, speak. I've never understood women's subtle hints." Her steely eyes met my troubled ones as she reached for her cup containing some putrid combination of juices that I had yet to muster the courage to taste. "It wreaks of insecurity." With her straw at her lips, she ordered, "speak, already."
I hated her bluntness. "You're not a very nice person," I countered. I didn't like her condescending tone. Just because she was in shape, healthy, and whatnot, didn't give her the right to talk down to me. Excuse me! I was a lot older than her, and well as we age our metabolism, hormones, and everything goes to hell in a hand basket. I'd like to see her body when she's pushing her early forties. A little smirk spread on my face, imagining her fat and frustrated. 
Reaching for the napkin on the table, she dabbed the corner of her mouth. I hated, yet another thing about her, her manners. She always used them except when she spoke to me. That's when she was rude, callous, and insensitive. At that moment, I was fragile, and what I needed was compassion.

Sympathy often leads to apathy.
She propped her elbows on the table and laced her fingers together, creating the perfect cradle for her face. "If you wanted nice, you'd be sitting across from Dani." Her lips spread in a devious grin. "You want the hard truth, not a wound licking partner."

I suspected a little bitterness there. Madison's eyes were a dark sapphire blue and a little arch to her eyebrow told me that she meant to stick it to sweet and lovable Dani.

"Ah, I see you're bitter." I smiled, touche, bitch. 
Unimpressed with me, she sat back and pulled out her phone again. "I'm not the one wallowing in self-pity." She snickered. "Or the one that's in denial. Call it what you want. You're here with me because you need the hard honest truth. If you wanted the sisterhood bullshit Daniela preaches, you would've called her." Her eyes shifted above her phone and pierced mine. "I can't do it for you. You need to do it for yourself."

She was right on all counts. I'd wanted to follow her rules to getting my ass back in shape, but...

1. I'm a single mom of a six year old who needs me to be present to parent.
2. I have a full-time job with a lot of responsibilities.
3. I'm a writer, my agent is waiting for three (3) synopsis, I have a third novel to write.
4. My kitchen sink backed up and well, that was a nightmare (more on that one on another post)
5. The time change has really messed with my sleep cycle--I'm so tired in the morning.
6. I'm not twenty five, anymore.

I had an excuse for everything.

She leaned in. "Are you ready to stop making excuses? Between your self-pity and excuses, I'm exhausted. You know what you have to do. When you're ready, I'll help you. Until then, you're just occupying a seat across from me and breathing heavy like a chronic smoker." She shrugged. "I have better things to do, but since I like you, I'll help." She then rolled her eyes. "The last time I agreed to help a pathetic soul..." she trailed off smiling.

"It worked out perfectly for you," I added with my own sheepish smile. I glanced away and let the truths settle as the tears pooled in my eyes. I had a hard time explaining how I felt. My life in many ways was chaos. I need to pull things together, but I was overwhelmed. I didn't have 10 lbs to lose. I had a lot more than that... a way lot more than that. I was tired of feeling bad about myself and for myself. I was tired of laughing it off. I was tired of pretending it didn't bother me. I hated that I avoided mirrors and walked with my head down.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I need to do this."

"We'll start light. After all, this is a marathon, not a sprint. I want 20 minutes on the treadmill every day. I don't care when but you move on that damn dust collector every day. You can't go to bed without getting on it."

"Okay, fine," I agreed. That was doable. She didn't specify that I had to reach a target heart rate, break a sweat or anything. I just needed to move.

"Oh, and no more Diet Pepsi." She raised that perfectly groomed eyebrow. She went for the jugular and we hadn't even started. "Water. It's good for you."

"I hated her, but loved me." I took a moment of silence and said farewell. "Good bye my most beloved Diet Pepsi."

She pushed back from the table, placed her phone in her bag and flung it over her shoulder as she stood up. "My job for today is done." She winked, a bad habit she had picked up from Rick. "Same time tomorrow."

Today I purpose not to make any more excuses. Today, I claim my life back, one step at a time. How about you?

~Ana
One woman's journey to weight loss and reclaiming her health
All Rights Reserved
Post is Unedited

After a long week, everyone, including me, can use a good laugh.  Enjoy.
Click below:
Breast Pump for Men


~Ana

Catch a glimpse of Alex Santana from It's Not Over as he casts his sights on Madison Stuart. If you didn't like him before, you might hate him now.

~Ana

Love this video. 
 I've recently thought that he might be the perfect muse for Rick? 



~Ana