E.A. Whitehead's Blog
March 8, 2015
Alabama Sons summer heat sale!
if you live anywhere remotely close to New England then you know we have just been slammed with one of the worst months of winter on record. february in boston saw over 100 inches of snow. i used to love snow. i absolutely loathe it entirely now.
in rescue of myself (re: my sanity) and also to inspire others morale i've dropped the price of Alabama Sons for a short time!
Alabama Sons is such a perfectly steamy romance, set in the summer heat of a humid rural Alabama town it is sure to transport you out of this cold and into the happiness of summer warmth!!!
also, in case you missed it, Alabama Sons is no longer part of a trilogy. though don't be discouraged i'm sure we'll be seeing the characters again someday. just not in the near future. i have such a wonderful story i'm writing right now, and after that i have a few other ideas. i wanted so desperately to continue the world i had created in Woodstock, Alabama but when i sat down to write the characters my brain wouldn't connect to the story any longer. i do think, in fairness, this was partially the depression i was going through. but, alas, there are great things on the horizon!
thank you for sharing a bit of your Sunday with me and cheers to a wonderful week ahead! let me know in the comments if you've bought Alabama Sons as a new reader. i'll be picking a few people to send signed swag to :)
March 1, 2015
a post hiatus apology ... to myself
in my life, for most of my teen and adult years, I have always tried to BE SOMETHING. anything. I just wanted to do something
GREAT
.
when I was 12 my father took my best friend and I to Guitar Center. I made him buy me an acoustic guitar, as my best friend Noelle had recently purchased her first electric guitar. I then made my father buy me guitar lessons. someday, I was going to BE SOMETHING, I was going to be a rockstar! it was challenging, the lessons (to me) were hard. and I gave up without ever really trying. when I was in high school I took Creative Writing with Ms. Shannon so many times I had to get a note approving it from the academic counselor. I went on to college, to study creative writing, and soon - someday - I was going to BE SOMETHING. I was going to be a writer. but, I took one hard Shakespeare class, and failed, I was discouraged and left college. I'm what my father calls, "a campaign quitter".
But, I have always been passionate about story telling. It's never truly been an issue. because it was never truly a THING in which I TRIED. when I was young I used to tell lies (A LOT!) and my older sister always said "you sure are an amazing story teller, where do you come up with this shit?" the truth is even at that young age I loved the fantasy life, I loved pretending things were way more fantastical than they really were. I remember writing stories from a young age, all the way into college age and writing fanfiction about HANSON. YEP. yikes. but, it was never a task I had to give up on, because, again, I never really tried.
a little over two years ago the idea for Alabama Sons came out of me like a rocket. I had no idea where they came from, how they got there, or who they were. but, Penny had a story, a story that was similar to mine. so, she wanted to be told. I came home from work one day, sat on the edge of my bed (still in my work clothes) and wrote the first chapter in one oddly fluid moment. my then roommate, Jill, was invested in my success. she'd sit with me at times and work out the kinks, and the twists. (she's responsible for that one BIG twist if you've read it.) my friends and family alike all invested. and my sister said "I knew you were going to do this all along."
but, the book came out, one book as part of a trilogy and though I was proud somehow I felt like I had cheated myself. I wasn't supposed to succeed. remember? i failed at every GREAT thing i tried. in terms of sales, I didn't "succeed". I sold 1,000 books combined print and digital. but, I loved my book. to me, I had finally done something, and I didn't quit. I started getting discouraged when friends and family said they bought the book, but never followed up with me on whether they enjoyed it or not. my sister, who bought 100 print copies and gave them to everyone she saw for a month, and proudly said "this is my sister!" has still never read it. I worried about my success being limited to one.
me.
I tried and tried and tried to write the next book in the trilogy. when I started the first book I knew, EXACTLY, how to write the characters to set them up for their own books in the trilogy. but, I sat, for months, looking at the manuscript and just ... nothing. it became obvious to me "ah, this is writers block!" I said to myself. so I did writing prompts, and they were good. I read a few books, and it was fun. it felt like vacation. after a few months I sat back down at my writing desk, "okay Chasing Sons, it's now or never!" ... and and then never happened.
I became acutely aware that I was struggling with writing because of my own state of health. emotionally, and physically. in the outside world, I was in a toxic emotionally abusive relationship. one I had to quit my job to get away from. I was sad for weeks, pulling and picking apart my life and how I had gone from a happy writer, in the BEING SOMETHING I had always wanted, into someone that could barely move from the couch.
I gained twenty pounds, I couldn't even bare to open my $1,600 MacBook, I read a lot. and I drank a lot. I was depressed.
then, it happens, everyone you see says "so when's the next book?" it's harmless, and they are only trying to show you their enthusiasm for the fact that you did it. you published a book. but I suppose in bleak comparison this is like when newlyweds get asked "so when are you making us babies?" (I'm sorry to my best friends Christina and Joe for ever asking this - repeatedly - for a year.) and all you feel is defeated, because it just isn't happening right now. I can't even tell you how many proverbial shotguns I shot through people's heads.
I wish I could say I have 60 books in me that can come out at the drop of a hat. but the truth is, I can't. I see the authors I love releasing 2 or 3 books a year and I think "how is this possible?!" I compare myself to them because I have always compared myself to others. it made the depression worse.
but, then two amazing things happened. one of them changed my life forever, and one of them opened my eyes to a new life.
in November, on thanksgiving, I got a call that one of my best friends had taken his own life. it destroyed me. he was my person. he was the boy you dream about loving you for the rest of your life. he was the best friend that picks you up by the boot straps and drags you, kicking and screaming, out of the mud. because he ALWAYS put you first. I covered my room in pictures of us, I tacked his picture to the fridge, and the prayer card from his service sat on my dashboard in the car. I surrounded myself with him because I was too afraid to let go. I was afraid my depression was going to take me, too.
Roland and I, in our happy place - Hogwarts!
and then, after months of discouraging myself away from telling anymore stories, the first amazing thing happened. a friend of mine were sitting around, reading, and mucking about. we were talking about my shortcomings in writing, and how i had been harping on myself to pump out another book. and she said (ever so simply) "you know, Stephen King only writes a book every few years." to which I responded, "Yeah, but Stephen King is great writer." and her simple response floored me, "So are you."
I was great. My book? It was great.
then, the second amazing thing happened. I was driving home from work the other night and I was stuck in traffic in front of Moe's that burrito chain place. my friend, the one who has passed on, had worked at a Moe's for a time. and clear as day I heard him yelling at me "Welcome to Moooooe's!!!!"
and then, all at once, it happened.
I went home, sat down at my desk, and wrote the entire first chapter of a new book. and it too came out of me like a rocket. except this time I knew who they were, I knew where they came from, and I knew why they came. "they" would be "us".
because, the stories have always been about me, haven't they? the lies were my fantastical life with a little more juice in them. and this story, will be great.
part of being a writer is knowing, fully understanding, that not everything is perfect. fuck, half your JOB in writing is to write the "black moment" in the story and convince the readers to feel that horrible moment you created and they expect you to get them out of. I was setting myself up for something to be GREAT and assuming it hadn't happened because I quit guitar lessons 20 years ago. you get it? you see, for me, if I try something and it doesn't work I feel like I let people down. I'm a feeler. I'm an emotional carnivore. but, as I'm discovering it's okay to feel like this. I just have to make it happen on the pages. I just have to combine my natural Sarah Dessen and Lurlene McDaniel and make the great in me mean something.
when was the last time you let yourself feel great?
when I was 12 my father took my best friend and I to Guitar Center. I made him buy me an acoustic guitar, as my best friend Noelle had recently purchased her first electric guitar. I then made my father buy me guitar lessons. someday, I was going to BE SOMETHING, I was going to be a rockstar! it was challenging, the lessons (to me) were hard. and I gave up without ever really trying. when I was in high school I took Creative Writing with Ms. Shannon so many times I had to get a note approving it from the academic counselor. I went on to college, to study creative writing, and soon - someday - I was going to BE SOMETHING. I was going to be a writer. but, I took one hard Shakespeare class, and failed, I was discouraged and left college. I'm what my father calls, "a campaign quitter".
But, I have always been passionate about story telling. It's never truly been an issue. because it was never truly a THING in which I TRIED. when I was young I used to tell lies (A LOT!) and my older sister always said "you sure are an amazing story teller, where do you come up with this shit?" the truth is even at that young age I loved the fantasy life, I loved pretending things were way more fantastical than they really were. I remember writing stories from a young age, all the way into college age and writing fanfiction about HANSON. YEP. yikes. but, it was never a task I had to give up on, because, again, I never really tried.
a little over two years ago the idea for Alabama Sons came out of me like a rocket. I had no idea where they came from, how they got there, or who they were. but, Penny had a story, a story that was similar to mine. so, she wanted to be told. I came home from work one day, sat on the edge of my bed (still in my work clothes) and wrote the first chapter in one oddly fluid moment. my then roommate, Jill, was invested in my success. she'd sit with me at times and work out the kinks, and the twists. (she's responsible for that one BIG twist if you've read it.) my friends and family alike all invested. and my sister said "I knew you were going to do this all along."
but, the book came out, one book as part of a trilogy and though I was proud somehow I felt like I had cheated myself. I wasn't supposed to succeed. remember? i failed at every GREAT thing i tried. in terms of sales, I didn't "succeed". I sold 1,000 books combined print and digital. but, I loved my book. to me, I had finally done something, and I didn't quit. I started getting discouraged when friends and family said they bought the book, but never followed up with me on whether they enjoyed it or not. my sister, who bought 100 print copies and gave them to everyone she saw for a month, and proudly said "this is my sister!" has still never read it. I worried about my success being limited to one.
me.
I tried and tried and tried to write the next book in the trilogy. when I started the first book I knew, EXACTLY, how to write the characters to set them up for their own books in the trilogy. but, I sat, for months, looking at the manuscript and just ... nothing. it became obvious to me "ah, this is writers block!" I said to myself. so I did writing prompts, and they were good. I read a few books, and it was fun. it felt like vacation. after a few months I sat back down at my writing desk, "okay Chasing Sons, it's now or never!" ... and and then never happened.
I became acutely aware that I was struggling with writing because of my own state of health. emotionally, and physically. in the outside world, I was in a toxic emotionally abusive relationship. one I had to quit my job to get away from. I was sad for weeks, pulling and picking apart my life and how I had gone from a happy writer, in the BEING SOMETHING I had always wanted, into someone that could barely move from the couch.
I gained twenty pounds, I couldn't even bare to open my $1,600 MacBook, I read a lot. and I drank a lot. I was depressed.
then, it happens, everyone you see says "so when's the next book?" it's harmless, and they are only trying to show you their enthusiasm for the fact that you did it. you published a book. but I suppose in bleak comparison this is like when newlyweds get asked "so when are you making us babies?" (I'm sorry to my best friends Christina and Joe for ever asking this - repeatedly - for a year.) and all you feel is defeated, because it just isn't happening right now. I can't even tell you how many proverbial shotguns I shot through people's heads.
I wish I could say I have 60 books in me that can come out at the drop of a hat. but the truth is, I can't. I see the authors I love releasing 2 or 3 books a year and I think "how is this possible?!" I compare myself to them because I have always compared myself to others. it made the depression worse.
but, then two amazing things happened. one of them changed my life forever, and one of them opened my eyes to a new life.
in November, on thanksgiving, I got a call that one of my best friends had taken his own life. it destroyed me. he was my person. he was the boy you dream about loving you for the rest of your life. he was the best friend that picks you up by the boot straps and drags you, kicking and screaming, out of the mud. because he ALWAYS put you first. I covered my room in pictures of us, I tacked his picture to the fridge, and the prayer card from his service sat on my dashboard in the car. I surrounded myself with him because I was too afraid to let go. I was afraid my depression was going to take me, too.
Roland and I, in our happy place - Hogwarts!and then, after months of discouraging myself away from telling anymore stories, the first amazing thing happened. a friend of mine were sitting around, reading, and mucking about. we were talking about my shortcomings in writing, and how i had been harping on myself to pump out another book. and she said (ever so simply) "you know, Stephen King only writes a book every few years." to which I responded, "Yeah, but Stephen King is great writer." and her simple response floored me, "So are you."
I was great. My book? It was great.
then, the second amazing thing happened. I was driving home from work the other night and I was stuck in traffic in front of Moe's that burrito chain place. my friend, the one who has passed on, had worked at a Moe's for a time. and clear as day I heard him yelling at me "Welcome to Moooooe's!!!!"
and then, all at once, it happened.
I went home, sat down at my desk, and wrote the entire first chapter of a new book. and it too came out of me like a rocket. except this time I knew who they were, I knew where they came from, and I knew why they came. "they" would be "us".
because, the stories have always been about me, haven't they? the lies were my fantastical life with a little more juice in them. and this story, will be great.
part of being a writer is knowing, fully understanding, that not everything is perfect. fuck, half your JOB in writing is to write the "black moment" in the story and convince the readers to feel that horrible moment you created and they expect you to get them out of. I was setting myself up for something to be GREAT and assuming it hadn't happened because I quit guitar lessons 20 years ago. you get it? you see, for me, if I try something and it doesn't work I feel like I let people down. I'm a feeler. I'm an emotional carnivore. but, as I'm discovering it's okay to feel like this. I just have to make it happen on the pages. I just have to combine my natural Sarah Dessen and Lurlene McDaniel and make the great in me mean something.
when was the last time you let yourself feel great?
April 14, 2014
when i win, YOU win
As I celebrate nearing 1,000 likes on facebook I want you to celebrate with me! Want to win an amazing Kindle Cover signed by awesome authors? Enter the giveaway below! Easy entry for the fans of the signed authors:
RK Lilley
Ella Frank
TK Leigh
Kendall Grey
EL Montes
Christa Cervone
Danielle Torella
Sophie Monroe
Carey Heywood
Heidi McLaughlin
& Myself!
Also in the grand prize is a copy of Alabama Sons and awesome swag from the above authors :)
Good luck, readers!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 2, 2014
I'm an awful procrastinator!
Dear Goodread's winners,
Your books are going out this weekend.
Signed,The most scatter brained human EVER!
Your books are going out this weekend.
Signed,The most scatter brained human EVER!
March 21, 2014
book two name reveal - it's here!
Greetings folks!
It's Friday, and it's finally starting to get warm here in Boston! I'm in such a good mood!!! Winters are hard, I get so gloomy and totally bummed without green stuff and flowers (even though I regret it as soon as I start sneezing...) so since I'm in such a splendid mood, I have a gift for you: the name of book two! Are you ready? Let's not make you wait with bated breath ... drum roll please!
This is also kind of a cover tease :) I once again have to fawn over Ari at Cover it! Designs. I'm kind of, no I am, I am obsessed with her!
There's no synopsis yet, I will post that once I'm in the final stages of the book and I have a cemented feeling. But, for now, add it on goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21525781-chasing-sons and enjoy the temporary blurb :)
And enjoy the weekend! And the warmer days! I can't wait to thaw out!!!!!
xo
It's Friday, and it's finally starting to get warm here in Boston! I'm in such a good mood!!! Winters are hard, I get so gloomy and totally bummed without green stuff and flowers (even though I regret it as soon as I start sneezing...) so since I'm in such a splendid mood, I have a gift for you: the name of book two! Are you ready? Let's not make you wait with bated breath ... drum roll please!
This is also kind of a cover tease :) I once again have to fawn over Ari at Cover it! Designs. I'm kind of, no I am, I am obsessed with her!
There's no synopsis yet, I will post that once I'm in the final stages of the book and I have a cemented feeling. But, for now, add it on goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21525781-chasing-sons and enjoy the temporary blurb :)
And enjoy the weekend! And the warmer days! I can't wait to thaw out!!!!!
xo
February 26, 2014
a slew of winners!
good golly miss molly! so i am notoriously known as a SLACKER i think this is why i would never make it in the journalism field (my other <i>other</i> dream) or even as a signed author. you mean i have a deadline, and i have to have something done by then? PFFFF.
so, in short, below you will find the winners (all 15 of them from the last two months!) from the various rafflecopter giveaways i've done in January, for the Total Book Geek and SMIPRomotions cover reveal, the romance author hop, the SMIPromotions Book Tour, and even a special giveaway i ran in the background for bloggers that participated!
speaking of the SMIPromotions Book Tour, what an amazing time that was :) a *HUGE* thank you from the bottom of my indie little heart to everyone that reviewed, posted an excerpt, or pimped on facebook. the reviews were AMAZING and makes my heart sing that so many of you enjoyed Alabama Sons! and if you didn't, that's totally okay, i understand - not your thing! trust me, i've been there as a book reviewer before!
here's a quick list of all the blogs that participated and whom i owe immensely for the support!
Becky's Book Blog
Coull Critiques
SMIBookClub
Jess Time To Read
Naughty And Smutty Book Blog
My Book Review Blog
BeanieBrain Reader
Ripe For Reader
Sassy Sext Addiction Book Lovers
Kinky Book Klub
For The Love of Books
The bookmark blog
Bonnies Book Blog
Teen Readers' Diary
Miscellaneous Thoughts of a Bookaholic
Romance Schmomance
Page TrottersMidwest Book Lover
read that
Books, Photos & a little bit of everything else
As the Pages Turn
Total Book Geek
Once Upon a Coffin
Cruising Susan Book Reviews
Pretty Lil Page Turner's
Gutter Girls Book Reviews
Steaming Mug of Books
Abby's Book Blog
Jackie's Book Reviews
Concupiscent Bibliophile
Recommended Romance
and now, without further adieu, the winners of the umpteen million rafflecopters i had going (learned that lesson!!!)
SMIPromotions Cover Reveal - Blogger participation prize $10 Amazon Giftcard & Signed paperback:
SMIPromotions Cover reveal - reader prize $10 Amazon G/C & Signed paperback:
Total Book Geek cover reveal - eBook of Alabama Sons:
And the winners of the SMIPromotions book tour:
5 Winners of an eBook of Alabama Sons -
5 Winners of a signed paperback of Alabama Sons-
Grand Prize winner of $25 Amazon Giftcard & signed paperback of Alabama Sons-
Congrats to all the winners! I'll be contacting you within a week or so for arrangement details to collect prizes :)
(Reminder: Prize winners may only win once every 6 months. Rafflecopter chosen winners at random. Duplicate winners will be deleted.)
so, in short, below you will find the winners (all 15 of them from the last two months!) from the various rafflecopter giveaways i've done in January, for the Total Book Geek and SMIPRomotions cover reveal, the romance author hop, the SMIPromotions Book Tour, and even a special giveaway i ran in the background for bloggers that participated!
speaking of the SMIPromotions Book Tour, what an amazing time that was :) a *HUGE* thank you from the bottom of my indie little heart to everyone that reviewed, posted an excerpt, or pimped on facebook. the reviews were AMAZING and makes my heart sing that so many of you enjoyed Alabama Sons! and if you didn't, that's totally okay, i understand - not your thing! trust me, i've been there as a book reviewer before!
here's a quick list of all the blogs that participated and whom i owe immensely for the support!
Becky's Book Blog
Coull Critiques
SMIBookClub
Jess Time To Read
Naughty And Smutty Book Blog
My Book Review Blog
BeanieBrain Reader
Ripe For Reader
Sassy Sext Addiction Book Lovers
Kinky Book Klub
For The Love of Books
The bookmark blog
Bonnies Book Blog
Teen Readers' Diary
Miscellaneous Thoughts of a Bookaholic
Romance Schmomance
Page TrottersMidwest Book Lover
read that
Books, Photos & a little bit of everything else
As the Pages Turn
Total Book Geek
Once Upon a Coffin
Cruising Susan Book Reviews
Pretty Lil Page Turner's
Gutter Girls Book Reviews
Steaming Mug of Books
Abby's Book Blog
Jackie's Book Reviews
Concupiscent Bibliophile
Recommended Romance
and now, without further adieu, the winners of the umpteen million rafflecopters i had going (learned that lesson!!!)
SMIPromotions Cover Reveal - Blogger participation prize $10 Amazon Giftcard & Signed paperback:
Daphnie Bennett!Romance Author Hop - eBook of Alabama Sons:
Kris Lindemann Seek
SMIPromotions Cover reveal - reader prize $10 Amazon G/C & Signed paperback:
Judy Mitchell
Total Book Geek cover reveal - eBook of Alabama Sons:
Rudee Richards
And the winners of the SMIPromotions book tour:
5 Winners of an eBook of Alabama Sons -
Jenny Hoppe Marks , Maricela Lopez, Heather Andrews, Lexi Paige, Alan Saxon
5 Winners of a signed paperback of Alabama Sons-
Diana Johnson Huffer, Christina Mateo, Theresa Fischer, TJ Kolber, Michelle Li
Grand Prize winner of $25 Amazon Giftcard & signed paperback of Alabama Sons-
Bree Pearsall!
Congrats to all the winners! I'll be contacting you within a week or so for arrangement details to collect prizes :)
(Reminder: Prize winners may only win once every 6 months. Rafflecopter chosen winners at random. Duplicate winners will be deleted.)
February 17, 2014
happy author give-back day!
just kidding, that's not a real thing. well, it kind of is. i've opened up a google .doc that let's you order signed copies of Alabama Sons!
i was meandering around Barnes & Noble last night and i thought, "self, you really love paperbacks, don't you?" and i do, oh lord i do. it's so hard to not want to buy the ebook AND the paperback! so with that in mind ... a special treat, a short time offering of me sending you a signed paperback!
fill out the form here ...
https://docs.google.com/a/eawhitehead.com/forms/d/1F_SCPfunhbKdSh5EaDP_uFVIp-0imRCUTI_5uj_YDHs/viewform
i was meandering around Barnes & Noble last night and i thought, "self, you really love paperbacks, don't you?" and i do, oh lord i do. it's so hard to not want to buy the ebook AND the paperback! so with that in mind ... a special treat, a short time offering of me sending you a signed paperback!
fill out the form here ...
https://docs.google.com/a/eawhitehead.com/forms/d/1F_SCPfunhbKdSh5EaDP_uFVIp-0imRCUTI_5uj_YDHs/viewform
February 14, 2014
happy valentine's day ... from Penny & Jackson!
I wrote a special scene for this week, it's Valentine's, and book tour week!
In case you missed it, the book tour is happening over the next two weeks with over 30 blogs and orchestrated from the lovely Juliet and SMI Promotions!
This week a special blog was given a new scene between Penny & Jackson, a little segue into their VDay plans! ;)
It was posted on JessTimeToRead's blog, I linked to it on Facebook and Twitter but I will go ahead and post it for you here :)
Enjoy!
And don't forget to pick up Alabama Sons on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or kobo! Links are at the top of the website under my name!
--------------------------------(Author note: no, of course it's not edited!)
“Penn? Baby? Where are you?”
Closing the door behind me with my foot I walked slowly through the living room of the apartment I recently asked Penny to move into permanently with me. Living on campus was fine and dandy to hold a front where her father was concerned. But, really, she was here too often and he was wasting his room and board money. Her father conceded only after I offered several reminders of how safer it is for me to have her here. Leaving out my own selfish motives.
“Here…in here, shit.” Her curse lingered loudly in the air. My heart plummeting slightly, my feet picked up pace to a brisk walk toward her soft voice.
Sitting in the middle of our bedroom floor, cross-legged style, behind a small circle of candles was the beautiful love of my life in a tiny baby doll nightie. My manhood instantly stiffened, flanking the leg of my jeans.
“Peaches, what’re you doing?” I curiously smirked watching her fingers rub anxiously over her exposed thighs.
“I burnt myself.” Her full lips puckered to a frown looking up at me. “I thought,” She paused standing up to walk toward me, my eyes focusing on the soft flow of her cotton nightie around her luscious curves, “I thought it’d be nice to build us a make shift fire pit like back home.”I grinned, “Because we have a penchant for falling in love around them?”
She nodded into my chest.
“Hey,” I pulled her back, “what’s the matter?”
She held her thumb, middle, and pointer finger up between our faces. “Well what good are they now?” I kissed at her petite frown.
“Very useful.” I smirked, pulling the slightly blistered fingertips slightly between my lips and sucked the swollen skin softy. Penny’s mouth fell open into a small O watching me.
“Feels good.” She whispered. Her eyes stuck on my mouth sucking her.
“Where?”
She smirked, “Everywhere.”
“Good girl.” I lowered us down to our knees. Falling onto my haunches Penny straddled me. She rocked over my hardness, once, twice.
“Heathen.” Her smirk caused a fire to build in my chest.
She pulled her fingers from my mouth with a loud pop. And replaced them with her lips over mine. I couldn’t subdue the moan from bubbling up my throat. She had the wielding power to weaken me with those lips. Those beautiful lips I’d prepared a speech for. I was going to spend the rest of my life falling victim to those lips.
“Happy Valentine’s day, Penny.”
“Happy Valentine’s day, Jackson, I love you.”
And just like she had countless times before, she had me undone, just as she will for the rest of our lives together.
In case you missed it, the book tour is happening over the next two weeks with over 30 blogs and orchestrated from the lovely Juliet and SMI Promotions!
This week a special blog was given a new scene between Penny & Jackson, a little segue into their VDay plans! ;)
It was posted on JessTimeToRead's blog, I linked to it on Facebook and Twitter but I will go ahead and post it for you here :)
Enjoy!
And don't forget to pick up Alabama Sons on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or kobo! Links are at the top of the website under my name!
--------------------------------(Author note: no, of course it's not edited!)
“Penn? Baby? Where are you?”
Closing the door behind me with my foot I walked slowly through the living room of the apartment I recently asked Penny to move into permanently with me. Living on campus was fine and dandy to hold a front where her father was concerned. But, really, she was here too often and he was wasting his room and board money. Her father conceded only after I offered several reminders of how safer it is for me to have her here. Leaving out my own selfish motives.
“Here…in here, shit.” Her curse lingered loudly in the air. My heart plummeting slightly, my feet picked up pace to a brisk walk toward her soft voice.
Sitting in the middle of our bedroom floor, cross-legged style, behind a small circle of candles was the beautiful love of my life in a tiny baby doll nightie. My manhood instantly stiffened, flanking the leg of my jeans.
“Peaches, what’re you doing?” I curiously smirked watching her fingers rub anxiously over her exposed thighs.
“I burnt myself.” Her full lips puckered to a frown looking up at me. “I thought,” She paused standing up to walk toward me, my eyes focusing on the soft flow of her cotton nightie around her luscious curves, “I thought it’d be nice to build us a make shift fire pit like back home.”I grinned, “Because we have a penchant for falling in love around them?”
She nodded into my chest.
“Hey,” I pulled her back, “what’s the matter?”
She held her thumb, middle, and pointer finger up between our faces. “Well what good are they now?” I kissed at her petite frown.
“Very useful.” I smirked, pulling the slightly blistered fingertips slightly between my lips and sucked the swollen skin softy. Penny’s mouth fell open into a small O watching me.
“Feels good.” She whispered. Her eyes stuck on my mouth sucking her.
“Where?”
She smirked, “Everywhere.”
“Good girl.” I lowered us down to our knees. Falling onto my haunches Penny straddled me. She rocked over my hardness, once, twice.
“Heathen.” Her smirk caused a fire to build in my chest.
She pulled her fingers from my mouth with a loud pop. And replaced them with her lips over mine. I couldn’t subdue the moan from bubbling up my throat. She had the wielding power to weaken me with those lips. Those beautiful lips I’d prepared a speech for. I was going to spend the rest of my life falling victim to those lips.
“Happy Valentine’s day, Penny.”
“Happy Valentine’s day, Jackson, I love you.”
And just like she had countless times before, she had me undone, just as she will for the rest of our lives together.
January 22, 2014
the alabama sons playlist in my head
did you know Alabama Sons has a soundtrack in my head? well, it does! :) when i write scenes they are often inspired by songs i love or maybe that i've just heard in passing. this playlist is in order of scenes in the book.
...it's also no joke that Penny's name is Penny because of the Hanson song ... also it's Taylor Hanson's first daughter's name. not sorry. ENJOY! ;)
...it's also no joke that Penny's name is Penny because of the Hanson song ... also it's Taylor Hanson's first daughter's name. not sorry. ENJOY! ;)
January 20, 2014
i'm gonna tell her that i love 'er! *hiccup*
a wise man once said, "a drunk man's words are a sober mans thoughts". ah, how true he be that probably drunk man. this was another fun scene to write. i've heard from a few male friends over the years that they got drunk and told their partner they loved them. hmmm, seems like a cop out, don't you think? ;) jackson meant well. he's too adorable!
Jackson
SHE TOLD ME to meet her at the pickup truck in the field behind her house. I wanted to tell her that I couldn’t stop thinking about her: that tiny dimple just above her lip? I never wanted to stop kissing it. I knew I loved her. I had to tell her tonight.I was at the bar with Owen and Anders, drinking with them tonight would give me enough bravado to tell her. I held onto my keys, hesitating. Maybe Anders could drive me? “Anders, hey Anders,” I stumbled toward him, “drive me to Penny’s!” Am I shouting? I shook his shoulder lightly. He held up one finger in response. His lips stitched to someone who I didn’t recognize. Such is the case with Anders. Such used to be my case. Penny.I snarled, “I want some too, c’mon man.” I tugged on his shirt sleeve.He stretched his neck back, with a grin, “From who, me or her?” The blonde’s cheeks flushed with a soft giggle. Could she seriously have been turned on by the thought of that? “We could have some fun!” She brushed a finger slowly up my shirt buttons, my eyes followed as she went over each. I grabbed her hand and slowly returned it to her. “I have a woman, a damn respectable woman, at home, waiting for me. Anders, c’mon you guys can leave, just drop me off first.” Anders looked at me for a second, looking madder than hell, before turning to a smile. “You’ll owe me, Hawkes.” I nodded, swallowing slowly, my mouth dry from my inebriation. “I’ll owe you.”“I want a night with that lead singer of yours.”I shook my head. I love him, but he’s terrible with women. “You don’t even like brunettes.”“Well, I like that brunette!” “Hey!” Naturally the blonde tartlet would have an annoying high pitch to her voice. “What?” Anders’s face snarled. “I’m right here?” She retorted, her face mimicking Anders’s snarl. “And…” He questioned. She turned into his side harder, rubbing his chest. I wanted to be disgusted but I couldn’t. It made me feel good, I imagined that’s what Penny and I looked like when she held me tight and ran her hand over my chest. Penny.“Anders c’mon man, what’s the deal?” I was getting restless and losing my liquid courage.“Yeah, look Becky,” Anders started pulling himself free from Becky.“Bethany.” She interjected. Correction, from Bethany.“This wasn’t gonna be a thing, I mean it’d be a thing… a good thing…for tonight.” He removed himself completely, and turned to me, nodding toward the door and moving his feet quickly. “Whatever, your other friend is somewhere still.” She made no sign of defeat whatsoever. Poor Owen, she’d probably make him bear the pain. I texted him, well I tried to anyway, “w e ar e leavnge you god?”His response made me guffaw as I climbed into Anders overly jacked up Bronco. “Am I god, yes. I’m also, good, no worries, Becky just found me ;)”. “Bethany!” I texted back with a laugh, as I also shouted her name out loud.“Yeah, that one was crazy. Sorry about that.” Anders thought I was yelling at him.“What?” I looked at him with brows pinched together, was there four of him?“There are four of you.”“No just one. Tall, dark and handsome.” I laughed. He was indeed tall, dark and handsome and since we’d been friends over the last year and some change I’d seen him use that to his advantage more than once. “Yeah, yeah,” I fidgeted with my phone, thinking about how I’d tell her that the last two months of my life had been the most perfect. I started replaying all the moments where I’d tried to tell her before. Like last Tuesday, the week before the show in Nashville, she came over the apartment and cleaned before I got home and then made brownies. I had tried to convince her to sleep with me then and she wouldn’t. She said I’d know when the time was right. “Well, fuck, Penny that’s always.” I’d said to her. She laughed and force fed me a brownie. I loved that brownie, and I knew I’d loved her then, and I almost said it.
Jackson
SHE TOLD ME to meet her at the pickup truck in the field behind her house. I wanted to tell her that I couldn’t stop thinking about her: that tiny dimple just above her lip? I never wanted to stop kissing it. I knew I loved her. I had to tell her tonight.I was at the bar with Owen and Anders, drinking with them tonight would give me enough bravado to tell her. I held onto my keys, hesitating. Maybe Anders could drive me? “Anders, hey Anders,” I stumbled toward him, “drive me to Penny’s!” Am I shouting? I shook his shoulder lightly. He held up one finger in response. His lips stitched to someone who I didn’t recognize. Such is the case with Anders. Such used to be my case. Penny.I snarled, “I want some too, c’mon man.” I tugged on his shirt sleeve.He stretched his neck back, with a grin, “From who, me or her?” The blonde’s cheeks flushed with a soft giggle. Could she seriously have been turned on by the thought of that? “We could have some fun!” She brushed a finger slowly up my shirt buttons, my eyes followed as she went over each. I grabbed her hand and slowly returned it to her. “I have a woman, a damn respectable woman, at home, waiting for me. Anders, c’mon you guys can leave, just drop me off first.” Anders looked at me for a second, looking madder than hell, before turning to a smile. “You’ll owe me, Hawkes.” I nodded, swallowing slowly, my mouth dry from my inebriation. “I’ll owe you.”“I want a night with that lead singer of yours.”I shook my head. I love him, but he’s terrible with women. “You don’t even like brunettes.”“Well, I like that brunette!” “Hey!” Naturally the blonde tartlet would have an annoying high pitch to her voice. “What?” Anders’s face snarled. “I’m right here?” She retorted, her face mimicking Anders’s snarl. “And…” He questioned. She turned into his side harder, rubbing his chest. I wanted to be disgusted but I couldn’t. It made me feel good, I imagined that’s what Penny and I looked like when she held me tight and ran her hand over my chest. Penny.“Anders c’mon man, what’s the deal?” I was getting restless and losing my liquid courage.“Yeah, look Becky,” Anders started pulling himself free from Becky.“Bethany.” She interjected. Correction, from Bethany.“This wasn’t gonna be a thing, I mean it’d be a thing… a good thing…for tonight.” He removed himself completely, and turned to me, nodding toward the door and moving his feet quickly. “Whatever, your other friend is somewhere still.” She made no sign of defeat whatsoever. Poor Owen, she’d probably make him bear the pain. I texted him, well I tried to anyway, “w e ar e leavnge you god?”His response made me guffaw as I climbed into Anders overly jacked up Bronco. “Am I god, yes. I’m also, good, no worries, Becky just found me ;)”. “Bethany!” I texted back with a laugh, as I also shouted her name out loud.“Yeah, that one was crazy. Sorry about that.” Anders thought I was yelling at him.“What?” I looked at him with brows pinched together, was there four of him?“There are four of you.”“No just one. Tall, dark and handsome.” I laughed. He was indeed tall, dark and handsome and since we’d been friends over the last year and some change I’d seen him use that to his advantage more than once. “Yeah, yeah,” I fidgeted with my phone, thinking about how I’d tell her that the last two months of my life had been the most perfect. I started replaying all the moments where I’d tried to tell her before. Like last Tuesday, the week before the show in Nashville, she came over the apartment and cleaned before I got home and then made brownies. I had tried to convince her to sleep with me then and she wouldn’t. She said I’d know when the time was right. “Well, fuck, Penny that’s always.” I’d said to her. She laughed and force fed me a brownie. I loved that brownie, and I knew I’d loved her then, and I almost said it.
