Writer's Life #454

And so here we are!

Different time zone

Waving distance to the Pacific

Under the Desert Sun

Funny thing about a 2500 mile road trip ~ LOADS of time to think about characters, story development, new projects and how to connect with readers.

After face-planting last night and sleeping in this morning (I'm blaming the three time zone changes!) my first priority after diving mouth first into a vat of hot tea was to hunker down at the computer and pull a ton of stuff out of my brain....almost all of it centered around the next Wilde Women book.

Rhiann and Liam's story has been swirling in my thoughts for quite some time. Writing an Alpha bad boy requires a keen understanding of his history and how he got to be the man he became.  I like Liam's backstory. This guy has some SHIT in his past that makes him complicated, conflicted and yes.....slightly dangerous. Sometimes righting a wrong requires bending or completely shredding the rules. But when it comes to Rhiann Baron-Wilde, all that Alpha bad-assery and rule bending doesn't mean shit. Isn't that always the way?

I'm all over the map on a title for this story. My first outline was labeled Wilde Passion(s) but I've been losing enthusiasm for that and toying with Wilde Heart. ::heavy sigh:: Wish there was a way to poll readers and ask them what they think! 

Had planned a much longer post but to be honest.....Rhiann's story is knocking on my brain and all I want to do is write, write, WRITE!!!!!

Oh yeah and ALWAYS~a Family Justice Novel Book 1 is up on the queue for publication any damn day! Ahhh, my Justice boys. LOVE them~ they're never far from my thoughts. It's nerve-wracking when a follow-up story is about to go into reader's hands. The response to Cameron, Draegyn and Alex has been thrilling for this first time author and I want to do right by them.

And as if that isn't enough ..... moving cross country on a wing and a prayer/writing a new story/publishing a Justice book....I'm reading my ass off too! Right now my Kindle feels like it weighs a ton from all the books I've downloaded. I'm currently reading a delicious story from Penny Watson [part of a series that I highly recommend] called Sweet Adventure. Then there's Megan Crane's Coming Home for Christmas, Cowboy to crack open. 

My Writer's Life continues from a different location.......

Onward~

From the Road

♯RoadTrip  ♯WestwardHo

Note to Self: publishing the much anticipated follow-up to the Justice Brothers series while in the midst of a cross-country move probably isn’t a smart idea.

#LiveandLearn

So….we’re staring down the last seven hundred or so miles until reaching our destination in the desert southwest. When folks ask why we didn’t fly—I point to the following:

Watching the country change from lush east coast autumn foliage to vistas like in the picture is the reason why. Being able to drive coast-to-coast is a unique experience that appeals to the romantic inside me. That’s where my writing and storytelling lives.

I’m beyond excited that ALWAYS a Family Justice Novel is about to publish. Spending time with those Justice boys is no hardship for me! I love telling their stories and really enjoyed taking Alex, Cam and Drae on to new adventures.

While I’ve been going through this life-changing road trip, (and the frantic weeks before hitting the road) my BFF Shauna Miller has graciously agreed to step in and keep things lively and interesting on my Facebook page. Make sure you stop by and give her shit! 

Click here:   Suzanne Halliday on Facebook

She’s also bravely playing Property Manager (house is on the market! OMG – just keep breathing) and G-Son wrangler while we get settled 2500 miles away. I’m going to owe her BIG TIME!!!!! But that’s what friends are for J

Here’s a little teaser-tease from ALWAYS featuring Alex’s wonderful way of putting things as he and Meghan celebrate their first Thanksgiving together with all of Family Justice. Enjoy!

Writer's Life #327

ALWAYS Release and an Epic Cross-Country Journey

So….I’m getting ready to embark on a journey that will take me thousands of miles from Point A—where the seasons are in deep change and the snowy winter months ahead loom large—to Point B—an oasis in the southwestern desert. Talk about change!

In under a week, I’ll be loading essentials into the family truckster (obscure reference from the John Hughes 1983 classic, National Lampoon’s Vacation….which IMHO should be required viewing) and hitting the road.

Griswold's Wagon Queen Family Truckster

Sure—it would be easier to fly. Quicker, for sure. But it’s really quite impressive to watch the miles roll by along the highway as the scenery changes from east to west with a wee bit of south thrown in.

And since this journey is the start of a grander adventure involving life changes, new possibilities, old friends, and creative challenges …. the drive offers an opportunity to get centered. Adjust perspective. Cast off the old. Make ready for the new. [yeah, I can turn anything into a Moment of Zen!]

Somewhere along the road between Point A and Point B—I’ll be releasing the first Family Justice Novel ~ Always. This story was a labor of love for the readers who so enthusiastically embraced my tribe of Alpha Dudes—the Justice Brothers.

When we left Arizona at the end of Alex and Meghan’s story ~ Redeeming Justice, Dylan had just been born, Cameron and Lacey were in new-parent heaven, Victoria and Draegyn were still the odd couple only with a baby of their own on the way and the Major and his Irish Bombshell were deep in the throes of pre-marital bliss.

When I finished writing Redeeming Justice—there may have been a few sniffles and tears. I loved every minute that I spent immersed as a writer in the Justice world. Telling Cam, Drae’s and Alex’s unique stories was quite an experience for this first-time author!

Always opens just a couple of months later with a hugely pregnant and understandably miserable Tori and a worried and befuddled Draegyn St. John, counting down the last weeks to the arrival of their first child.

When Victoria’s mother, the former beauty queen Stephanie Bennett arrives at the Villa to stay through the birth of her grandchild, the entire Justice Family welcomes her with open arms.

Everyone that is except another newcomer on the scene, Alex’s mentor and uncle, Calder Dane. The computer genius is in Arizona to run the agency while his nephew concentrates on his upcoming wedding.

Right out of the gate, Alex is in the middle when his old friend Stephanie and his esteemed uncle Calder mix like oil and water.

There’s plenty of hot & shmexy loving bouncing off the walls with Alex and Meghan going at it, as newly engaged couples are want to do, at every opportunity! ‘Dad and Mom’ indulge in so much naughty fuckery that everyone in the compound just rolls their eyes and chuckle.

Not to be forgotten are Cam and Lacey—who really are living a fairytale happily ever after. Married, blissfully devoted and in love, the addition of baby Dylan and their bond as a family makes for some sweet story-telling. After everything those two endured, writing their continuing story as one of hope, joy and contentment is key to the Family Justice saga.

We’ll also find out more about dog whisperer, Brody Jensen’s’ mysterious other life when the affable, introverted man unloads a reveal that lands like a bunker busting bomb! There’s soooooo much more to Brody’s story. All will be revealed though when we take a peek inside his world in an upcoming Family Justice story. [Title, TBD - release date, probably spring 2015—stay tuned for updates J ]

And then there’s Parker Sullivan. Alex’s oldest friend—the good-looking lawyer with the rock ‘n roll pastime—has a skeleton in his closet that involves Alex’s sister. Are you thinking there's DEFINITELY more to tell? Will Parker get his own story? Oh hell, yeah!

Always is a roller coaster ride of Justice fun with a bunch of heart tugs thrown in. I hope everyone enjoys checking in at the compound to see what those Justice boys and their irrepressible women are getting up to!

And just for fun? I included some BONUS MATERIAL featuring the salt & pepper canine part of the family, Zeus and Raven!

Here’s a sneak peek at the cover for Always .... releasing November 2015