Frozen Reads: Top 5 List

It's Fun Friday!

Me and the gang over at YA Storytellers do Fun Friday posts together and link them up so that you can get to know multiple YA authors at once. Check out some of the other posts here:

Bryna Butler
LM Preston

This week is:
 FROZEN READS: Top 5 List of Books to Curl Up with on a Cold Winter's Day

And it dawned on me, it really depends on where you live as to whether you have a COLD winter's day or a warm one. Here in Virginia Beach, it's a smooth 39 F as I write this at 9am. And that's on the warm side of average for this time of year. For New Year's I was in the Poconos and it was SIX DEGREES! But in a month or so, I'm headed to Guam and it'll be around 80-85 so... it's all relative. 
But no matter where I am, I will still curl up with a good book!
So, here's my list.

1. Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
I first heard about this book last year from my good friend and fabulous author, Tiffany King. She was raving about it and how it was one book she'd read over and over again. As you can see, my TBR pile is wayyyy too backed up. I just read it in paperback during my Christmas vacation. Needless to say, once I got going, I couldn't put it down and was so disappointed to find the series wasn't available on Kindle (still not sure why.) and I had to wait until arriving home from vacay in the mountains to get book 2 and 3. Reading book 3 now and let's just say, all I want for Christmas THIS year is a tiger-prince from India. For real. I now have a picture of a tiger hanging in my bedroom--it's officially been added to the bucketlist to go to India and see a tiger. Awesome series!

2. Cross Country Christmas, A Woodfalls Girls Novella by Tiffany King
This one is a novella so don't get TOO cozy because it will leave you wanting more, which is the point of a good novella. It's a story between stories in this series by Tiffany King and it's all about being snowed in wtih the hottie of your dreams. So, perfect winter read!

3. Wicked Thing by Angeline Kace
If you're looking for a story to keep you not just warm but HAWT on a cold day, this is IT! Dallas is a motorcycle-riding, bicep-bulging, smartass HOTTIE. If you don't believe me, read for yourself. And let me just say this: my blood boiled. #YUM **This one is New Adult and NOT intended for readers under 18.

4. Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon
If you want to laugh so hard you forget what season it is, this is the one. It's hilariously relatable--there's a man waiting in the bedroom. To shave or not to shave??--and romantic and REAL. Such a fun and outrageous story about love and life and choices that shape both. It's the first of many great releases for Eliza Gordon (which is by the way a pen name. If you MUST know who the woman behind the mask is, email me and maybe I'll tell).

5.  Because of Low by Abbi Glines
This one is an oldie but goodie in my opinion. It's the FIRST indie contemp I read--and could probably be considered New Adult, although the genre didn't really exist yet when this came out--and it's why I fell in love with the genre! It's so fun and warm-blooded. No chills while reading this. You're too busy going "awwww" or "ohhhh" to notice the cold nipping at your doorstep. Not that you'll leave your house. This one won't be put down.

What's your Frozen Read?

Happy New Year ... and what I resolve

I just love New Year's!
And not for the confetti or the noisemakers or watching the ball drop in Times Square. I love it for all of the stuff that goes on inside me. The reflecting back over the past twelve months, appreciating and enjoying the memories and adventures and successes and victories of the past year. And taking what lessons are to be learned from the good and the bad, and applying it to the coming year. Deciding where you want to go. There's something about standing at the front edge of a new year that makes a person feel like they're fully capable of driving their own ship. And in such an exciting sea of possibilities!
Here's what I've taken from 2013 and applied to what I will manifest for myself in 2014. Or my "What I Resolve" list.

I resolve to treat people with love. And kindness. To be the ultimate Golden Rule follower and "do unto others." In 2013, there were times I felt such sucking, black energy that was so anti-love and so judgmental that it was stifling. How do people live that way? When you aren't sure where to go or how to respond in a given situation, always go with love. There isn't enough of that being spread around and for some people, yours will be the truest expression. Make it pure.

I resolve to choose myself. Too many times and for too many years I chose duty and obligation and what I thought I should do instead of what made me happy and what made me grow into the best version of myself I could be. In 2014 and beyond, I choose to release myself from the guilt of anyone else's opinion of my decisions, and choose ME. My own happiness and passion, no matter what others say or think.

I resolve to pursue my passions with my WHOLE heart. To radiate it and let my work--whether it's books or coaching others--glitter and shine and pulse with the excited energy that spills over from a heart that is full.

I resolve to write more Wes and Alex and Linc. This is for my readers--and for the pull of stories in my heart that makes me love being a writer.

I resolve to live every day like it's my first. Not my last. Live like life is fresh and full of newness, not desperate, like you're hurrying to fit it in before you reach the end.I will seek adventures, small and large, and always be open to new opportunities and experiences. There is an adventure right outside your back door if you're open to experiencing it.

I resolve to seek balance. Work, family, spirit, physical, and love--all of these have a place in my day. I will seek each one so that I am a full cup, always able to give when needed. To my children and my family and the ones I love. And to those I meet who are empty and in need of what I offer.

And last, I resolve to always say what I mean. I choose truth and light, no holding back. No worrying what others will think of my true thoughts and opinions. I will be true to my deepest self even when it requires bravery.
My theme song for 2014:

What's your theme song for 2014? What do you resolve?