A Writer's Life

I’ve been incredibly busy in my new writing corner. Once there actually WAS a corner for me to hunker in to, it was an easy set-up and immediate settling in. Moving is stressful enough as it is. When you figure in important day-to-day details that can’t get swept away in the confusion, the reality can sometimes get rather daunting. So…I put decades of teaching experience to practical use and created what is essentially a traveling mini-office. I think it’s pretty damn awesome.

First I started with an assortment of clear plastic bins – the kind with the snap on handle lock lids (because eventually they’ll be taking a 2K mile road trip).Then I got serious. What were the absolute BASICS of what I needed during the stretch of time ahead when I’d be uprooted, traveling, in temporary digs, etc.?

So here’s what you’re seeing. One bin is actually stuffed with Silhouette Vinyl supplies. I have the small Portrait machine in its box ready to travel as well. Takes two minutes to connect with computer and get crafting. Seemed like a smart use of dead time in hotels and stuff.

Another of the bins holds a series of notebooks pertaining to WIP’s plus random business paperwork.There is even a special zipper pouch for keeping the hundreds of receipts that follow me around! One bin holds miscellaneous stuff. Pre-made swag bags, hole punch, pouch of stamps, envelopes.    

The compact travel bin on top is really cool. It’s three small, deep containers with lids that snap to each other to make the tower.The top container has an insert –assorted size compartments for office supplies like clips. And that top container also has a carry handle.

So once I was organized and had claimed a corner, it was time to put on my writer’s crown (yes, it’s a necessary accessory that lives on a small light within easy reach) and get back to work..

Family Justice Book 1 ~ Always has been keeping me awake at nights! Readers have enthusiastically asked for more where my three fabulous Justice Brothers are concerned. I don’t think anyone will be disappointed by Always.The story most definitely continues ….expect a release date announcement soon but I’m guessing first week in November.!

And then there’s Wilde Women Book 2 - Rhiann’s Story. The working title for that story had been Wilde Romance but once I started writing and the characters came into clear focus, I went with a subtle change and have decided on Wilde Heart instead.. Rhiann and Liam’s tale will be something of a bumpy ride! Not every guaranteed happily ever after is easy. And besides, what is true love anyway? When not Disneyfied, it can be messy, chaotic and challenging. Oh, a let’s not forget sexy, exciting, sizzling, and demanding. Yum! Sounds like a recipe for a great read.

If you haven’t read Brynn’s story – Wilde Forever …what are you waiting for? It’s 5 star rated on Amazon and GoodReads and has gotten tons of love and attention from readers!!! Brynn and Jax were such fun to write and I tried to shine some light on what PTSD can be like, years after the fact. I loved that Brynn was cool-headed and straightforward about Jax’s issues and that he knew when to step away and ask for help.

So there you have it! A small window of insight into my take on A Writer’s Life. Autumn is getting into full swing mode now. Aware that this will be the last time I’ll be in my childhood home watching the leaves turn and fall hasn’t been bittersweet at all. Change is good and in this case – a long time coming. When I step outside the detail-specific grind of packing, selling and moving, I feel nothing but excitement and clarity where the future is concerned. This is yet another leap of faith – one that was always going to show up.

Onward ~

Buy Links:

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Check out this amazing 5 star review from

THE NEVER ENDING BOOK BASKET!

Never Ending Book Basket Review

Is that Autumn I see Approaching?

How is it that summer 2014 flew by so fast? Are you as stunned as I am to find school buses on the move and Halloween/Christmas merchandise appearing in stores? It seems surreal. 

So REDEEMING JUSTICE came out to rave reviews and I couldn't be more pleased. For this author, I loved writing that last story in the three book Justice Brothers series. Alex was quite simply - my kind of guy! He had a little bit of everything going on and only a strong (but soft) woman with her shit together was going to make the complex man sit up and take notice.

It's thrilling when readers "get" a character and the feedback I've received for Meghan and Alex's love story makes me smile. And think .........

After completing the three Justice Brothers books I got started on something a bit different. A new series, this time about sisters, was up on my "TO DO" list. As of this post, the first book WILDE FOREVER in the Wilde Women series is about to publish.

It's the story of the oldest sibling, Brynn. She's one of those over-acheiving, by the book types who's sworn off men after a nasty divorce. Of course only a hot, alpha male will be what shakes up her normally well-ordered life!

Coming from a family of sisters, I know all too well how very different each gal can be from the others and it was fun and challenging writing Brynn's story. There's a bunch or twists and turns along the way - just like in real life - and her hunky alpha isn't exactly a walk-in-the-park but you just know that the love they have for each other is worth the emotional journey.

In Brynn's story we also meet the middle sister - Rhiann. Her story WILDE ROMANCE will be one helluva' bumpy ride! Rhiann's tale is no easy or simple road to love .... not that she was looking.

I'd planned on following up Wilde Women book one with book two not far behind but guess what?!?! With readers clamoring for more of my sexy, alpha Justice Brothers, I've taken a writing detour and done a follow-up which will catch everyone up on the brothers and give some secondary characters their place in the bigger saga. Expect the first title in the follow-up FAMILY JUSTICE series to release in early October. 

Keep an eye on my Facebook page  www.facebook.com/SuzanneHallidayAuthor for updates, teasers, awesome giveaways and just plain fun! It's a great way for me to interact with readers so don't be bashful about joining in :-)

Hope y'all had an amazing summer and are ready for the change of seasons barreling at us at full steam!

Happy Reading ~

Worker Bee

When I was a nine-to-fiver, my work ethic could best be described as Worker Bee. The more I had to do ~ the merrier! Somehow I thought...'hmmm, what will I do now that I'm not punching a time clock?'

Turns out, I shouldn't have worried. There are so many characters and stories rattling around in my head that I play catch-up most days just trying to give them all some oxygen :-)

I loved writing the Justice Brothers series. It was exhilarating exploring the world of the three 'brothers' and finding just the right lady for each of them.

Having grown up in a family of sisters, it started me thinking about a series based on three very different siblings ~ who weren't exactly looking for love ~ and what the man would be like who would stop each sister in their tracks!

So, I'm introducing, the Wilde Woman! A baker, a writer and a wyld child.  

Book 1 - WILDE FOREVER  

tells the story of the eldest sister, Brynn Baron-Wilde. She's the brainy one. Smart, accomplished, pragmatic, she's also divorced and far too focused on making a success of her business to worry about men.

Enter Jackson Merrill.  

Jax is a Veteran with emotional baggage from his time in Iraq who gave up a promising medical career to find his work-zen doing specialized restoration and renovation. In between clients, he reluctantly gives in to a request from his parents and sought out the owner of Wilde House to see if his expertise could be helpful. What he hadn't counted on was getting hit straight on by a lightening bolt of lust that quickly turned into something even more powerful when the owner turns out to be one very sexy, insanely gorgeous lady with a huge man-eating chip on her shoulder.

These two go from zero to red hot and naked in record time ~ where things get intense right away. It's the old, who's in charge, dilemma. Brynn wants control - it's how she keeps her neat, well-ordered life running smoothly and Jax, well - Jax needs control. For him it's about feeding a primal hunger.

There's interference and drama of course. Brynn's family is always hovering nearby, causing all sorts of mayhem while Jax has his own issues to grapple with. When the past crashes their romantic interlude, his problems threaten to derail the tiny relationship steps the've been taking.

In the end, it's about learning from our experiences and moving forward. Sometimes we overcome the obstacles, and sometimes, we don't. It's all about the journey, after all.

COMING SOON - August 2014

~ WILDE FOREVER ~ 

Book 1 ~ The Wilde Women

REDEEMING JUSTICE excerpt

REDEEMING JUSTICE excerpt
Copyright Suzanne Halliday

Tori was tittering on like a magpie, filling her sister-in-law in on all the juicy deets of what she’d witnessed in the tech cave.

“Oh my God, Lacey! It was so adorable. She walked up behind him, said something and BAM! Two seconds later he was all over her like a rash. Don’t mind telling you I got a little hot and bothered watching them. I’ve never seen him like that but oh lord! That man knows how to kiss a girl.”

“Are you serious? Just like that? Poor Alex. He’s got it bad, huh?”

Tori plunked down on the sofa and put her feet up on an ottoman while Lacey curled up the best her pregnant tummy would allow on the neighboring loveseat.

“I like her, don’t you?” Lacey asked. “She’s almost like a female version of him if you think about it. Smart. Well educated. In no way a wimp. And seriously, that body! Holy cow, huh?”

“Well let me tell you something, if you’d seen the way he grabbed onto her it’d be a safe bet to say he likes the curvy girl thing very much!”

The both laughed and sighed, the way girlfriends do when they’re talking about romance. After a few minutes Lacey got serious.

“So. What do you think? How soon will it take Big Daddy to screw things up? After all, we’ve both been there, done that with these Justice Brothers.”

“Hmmm. You have a good point,” Tori replied. “Draegyn was the Crown Prince of Denial and like you’ve said, Cameron was a runner. I wonder what fuckery Alex has up his sleeve.”

“Men! Right?” Lacey chuckled.

“Uh oh. What are you two ladies up to? It’s never good when I walk in a room and hear my wife chastising the male sex in that tone.” Cameron smiled indulgently at his Ponytail and leaned over to plant a quick kiss on her mouth.

“Your old lady and I were discussing Alex,” Tori told him.

“And Meghan,” Lacey added. “Tori says they got into a seriously hot clinch up in the bat cave. Lots of touchy feely stuff and loads of tongue.”

Tori barked out a laugh bigger than her waif-like body. “Wait a minute! I don’t remember saying anything about tongue.”

“It was implied,” Lacey shot back with a wink.

Cameron sat next to his wife and put an arm about her shoulders as he leaned in and rubbed his face against her belly. “Mommy’s meddling!” he growled against the bump.

“Well someone has to. We were just trying to figure out how long it’ll take Alex to put his foot in it.”

“It’s complicated,” Cameron replied growing suddenly serious.

“I’d say that’s interesting brother-in-law because Meghan used the exact same word when we asked how she knew Alex.”

Cam shot Tori a surprised look. “Really? Humph.”

“Oh my God. You know something, don’t you honey?” Lacey asked.

He sighed and said, “I know plenty but I’m not going to discuss it in this ladies sewing circle you’ve got going on. Besides, Alex is entitled to his privacy, as is Meghan.”

Tori eased her feet off the ottoman and stood up. “I think that’s my cue to go find my husband and use my powers of persuasion so he’ll tell me what’s going on.” Looking at Lacey she added, “I take it you’ll be applying the same pressure to your other half?” At Lacey’s jerky nod she smiled. “Then we can compare notes later.”

When they were alone, Lacey cuddled close to her hunky husband and nuzzled her face into his neck. “I love the way you smell when you’re all hot and sweaty. Did you and Draegyn get the visitors settled in the dorms? I saw Ria and Ben laying in a ton of supplies yesterday getting ready for their arrival. Who is it this time?”

Absently stroking his big hand across his wife’s protruding belly he answered lazily, clearly distracted by other things. “It’s a rental. Bunch of spooks. They’re using the facilities for their own refresher training. Not much for Justice to do but provide a place for them to hole up and plenty of conference space. Let’s not talk business, baby. I’ve got other things on my mind.” His hand was slowly creeping under the flowing maternity dress she had on.

“I’m glad you’re home,” she murmured. “Want your wife to scrub your back in the shower?”

He leered at her as his hand slid down between her thighs and rubbed against her mound. “My wife can feel free to scrub way more than my back.”

“Mmm. I like the way that sounds. But first…”

Cameron laughed out loud and grinned at her. “I knew it! Just lulling me in with sexy promises. Biding your time to ask a bunch of nosy female questions. Might as well go for it woman so we can move on to much more pleasurable things.”

She smiled at the man she loved with all her heart and soul. “Is it so wrong to want everyone to have the kind of happiness that we do?”

“No. But you’re asking me to talk about things that aren’t easy to discuss.”

“Understood. I’ll make this easy then. Just tell me how Alex knows Meghan. That’s enough for now.”

Cameron sighed and put his head on the back of the loveseat. It was still damn hard to share after a lifetime of brooding silence. But he was getting better at it. Lacey had healed his broken soul in every way that mattered. He knew he could trust her completely. It was a great feeling.