Wicked Book Weekend 2015

Thoughts from Wicked Book Weekend 2015

Fort Lauderdale

Well, as far as book signings go and this being my first time attending….WOW is the word that comes to mind.

I’m at a loss for words to describe the enthusiasm, excitement and support that was in evidence at this event.

Apparently – women (because YES…99.9% of the crowd were female) loves them some romance authors!!!!!

My involvement for WBW was one of support for my fabulous, bad-ass daughter, the incomparable Ella Fox. When she unfurled her banner…the one that says USA Today Bestselling Author, I nearly had a pants-crapping moment! Watching her interact with readers who love her books, was a proud moment for this Mom.

We flew in my G’son at the last minute to help with the packing, unpacking and lugging around of the books, swag and general silliness that goes along with these events. He was…well, he was astonished at the numbers of people, the whole ‘autographing’ thing and the fervor with which readers gush over the books.

Here are a few pics from the day’s fun

That's me on the left and my daughter ~ Ella Fox at her table

 She's one of the Alphas on Top authors!

 Ella signing books!

I’ll be doing my very first signing in Boston on April 11^th….which happens to be my birthday! Was flabbergasted to be invited and now that I’ve seen how these things go, I’m even more honored to have been asked.

And - you can find me in Little Rock Arkansas in July for the 

So there you have it.....my first author/reader event. If you've never been to one, you're missing a wonderful opportunity to schmooze with authors and share book stories with readers.

And let's not forget the awesome Bloggers who come out and support this fantabulous community of Indie Authors.

Well done Wicked Book Weekend! Well done!

Oh yeah - and just for fun...here's a shot from my hotel room balcony

Excerpt from DESERT ANGEL a Family Justice Novel Book 2

Your enthusiasm for the continuing saga of the 

Justice Brothers continues to blow me away!

I'm totally jumping the gun a bit with this excerpt - but just had to share!

Copyright 2015 Suzanne Halliday / HalliFox Publishing

They said nothing for a couple of bites before Alex went back to their conversation.

“So, here’s the thing fuck face,” he said taking a deep breath. “There’s some tradition that says the groom needs a best man. Bunch of bullshit about having a second in case of cold feet.”

Parker made a strangled sound and quickly reached for his glass of water. After a quick recovery he mumbled, “Holy shit.”

Alex shook his head with a hint of a smile and sat back heavily in his chair. “Crap. Like asking Meghan to marry me wasn’t enough. Now I have to grovel to your sorry ass as well.”

“Hold on! Hold on!” Parker wheezed with laughter. Putting his utensils down, he wiped his mouth on a napkin, then reached across the table and took one of Alex’s hands.

Anyone watching would assume they were a fucking couple. He wanted to throttle the asshole.

Grinning broadly Parker snickered, “Okay. That’s better. Now ask me and make it good Marquez. It’s not every day a guy gets asked to be in a wedding.”

Alex’s eyes widened at the jest, which was said just loud enough for the two tables nearest them to hear. One of the female patrons looked at them and made that Oh, how romantic expression.

The fucker. Okay. Two could play that game. Clearing his throat dramatically, Alex sandwiched Parker’s big paw between his hands and squeezed. Hard.

In a voice equally as loud and attention getting he said, “Parker Sullivan. Will you do me the great honor of coming with me to Boston and stand by my side at the altar for a marriage that was destined to be?”

It was a priceless fucking moment made even better because Alex knew damn well at least one cell phone camera had captured the proposal.

Parker burst out laughing, followed quickly by Alex who nearly fell over from the absurdity of the scene they were creating.

“This calls for champagne!”

“Why? Because I’m paying for it?” Alex drawled.

“You can afford it,” Parker said tsking. “And you knew I wasn’t a cheap date when you asked me out.”

Can't wait for DESERT ANGEL?

Go ahead! Barrage my social media with requests for more!!!!!

KEEPS ME MOTIVATED

Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/tsu

But in the meantime...

Wilde Heart is publishing in February.

Cover reveal coming soon!

Book 2 in the Wilde Women series is Rhiann and Liam's story

Reviews really are important

Would it come as a surprise to learn that I rarely read my reviews? Actually, I do read the ones that are brought to my attention...but the truth is, this writer gets waaaaay too emotional about such things.

When I published my first story (under a pen name) and a reader trashed the technical aspects of the writing (not the story itself) I was so mortified that it took a year and a half for me to dip my toe in the publishing waters again!

Coming back STRONG after something that almost defeated me, the pen name got kicked to the curb, I "grew a set" ::giggle snort:: and took a leap of faith.

Why? Because I felt the stories I had to share were worth telling and a few misplaced commas and some sloppy head-hopping in the narrative didn't change that.

I'm lucky enough to have a kick-ass assistant who also happens to be a 23 years long BFF who stays on top of reviews and stuff like that.

Today--she posted this marvelous reader comment about Family Justice Book 1 ~ ALWAYS.

All joking aside, I teared up.

Those Justice boys are close to my heart. After spending so much time developing a cadre of strong, unique characters...that a reader found something positive to say and share about them ~ well, it touched me deeply.

So....sharing is necessary! Please click the link :-)

Facebook Post with ALWAYS Review

#TeamAlex

#JusticeBrothers

I'd love to hear your thoughts and yes! There's more Family Justice to come.

http://amzn.com/B00Q41HS2M

New Cover for Wilde Forever!

Well kids, looks like a re-launch for the first book in the Wilde Women series - WILDE FOREVER.

Check out the awesome new cover ~ an early Christmas present from my fantabulous and talented daughter...Ella Fox.

Wow! 

LOOKS FANTASTIC

It's a great story that got lots of 5 star reviews so......check it out! And let me know what you think of the new cover :-)

And here are the buy links!

Buy on AMAZON

Buy on BARNES & NOBLE

Buy on iTUNES

Buy on KOBO

Buy on SCRIB

Buy on INKTERA

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!