Welcome, Summer!

Hi Everyone,

It's almost here. Like that week before Christmas, or those few days before you leave for that trip you've been planning for months, I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of summer.
Because that means my first year of graduate school is over.
It means I'm that much closer to earning a real salary, and it also means that from now on, I'll have real time to write. (Because a few hours every couple of weeks is a joke, one that I've been living for the past four months.)

This is Graduate School Barbie. Seriously.

In case you're wondering, I'm a graduate student in speech-language pathology. I'm learning to help anyone from children to stroke patients communicate, as well as how to help someone swallow when their oral and pharyngeal mechanisms aren't quite doing the trick.

It's pretty serious stuff. Everyone has to communicate and eat, right?!
As much as I value my program, I'm thrilled the hard part is about to be over. And I pose this to you, readers-- what do you want to know in terms of speech and swallowing? Do you have a child who's three and can't pronounce his /r/ sound? (Which is totally normal.)
Do you have a parent who forgets where her house is when she leaves the grocery store? (That's not normal.)

I'm not a doctor, and I'm not clinically certified yet... but maybe I can shed some light on your questions. At the very least, I can give you a good idea of whether you need to go see a professional.

In other news, Briony and Sebastian's Enspelled was released back in March! The fourth book in the Crescent City Creatures series, Healed, is set to be released July 18th. Healed follows Aiyanna and Cael.
Yes, Cael did make that one particularly impossible to write. I'll reveal the cover soon!

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What are you excited for this summer?

XO,

Sammie Stone

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hi Everyone,

I came across a post on Bloody-Disgusting (I know, I know, it's a horror movie site, people!) where they listed 10 songs to "get busy" to for Valentine's day.

...of course, the first two (#9 and #10) were absolutely perfect, and I can't say I agree with the rest. So I thought I'd list my top five songs for Valentine's day...although I won't say they're for "getting busy," like Bloody-Disgusting did. I'm going to go for "necking," so everyone with a S. O. can participate. :)

And yes, I'm going to include one song from the original post, because I can't not include it!

5. She Wants Revenge-- Tear You Apart
This was one of my favorite songs from high school, and I've never heard another with this feel. It's on the...naughtier...side, and if that's what you're into, you do you! Great for an intense Valentine's day.

4. Death Cab for Cutie-- I'll Follow You Into the Dark
Even the song's title is romantic, kind of like the Beatles's "I Want to Hold Your Hand." It says it all, and I like that. This is also a great one to sing along to, I've found.

3. Dashboard Confessional-- Hands Down
This is a passionate one, for those of you who get serious about the holiday, or are madly in love. There's something about it that makes your chest well up, like those moments when you're reading something particularly poignant.

2. The Shins- Simple Song
I read somewhere that that James Mercer (aka the guy with fake gray hair here) wrote this for his wife. So cute, and also one of my all-time favorite music videos.

1. Jack's Mannequin-- Mixed Tape
I don't know what it is about this song, but it gets me. Does it do that to you? Maybe it's because I love making mixed tapes--or mix CDs, or playlists. There's something very personal about making that for someone else, and it's one of the things my beau and I used to do to impress each other when we started dating. Maybe I need to make him another mix CD soon. :)

So there you have it! A little Valentine's Day playlist to get you in the mood for a fun-filled day. Whether you're going it solo or not, these songs are sure to bring your mood up.

If you're in need of a good book, Hunted is out! It features a very strong heroine, Sophia, and a deliciously tattooed hero, Heath.

You can get it on Amazon here, and Barnes and Noble here.

I hope you all have a very happy Valentine's day!

XO,

Sammie

Reviews, Releases...Madness!

Hi All,

I'm going to dedicate this post to all of you who've reviewed Punished. It's so incredible to read your thoughts, and frankly, it's brave for you to put them out there. Please, please continue to review, and if you've read Punished and have not reviewed it yet, please consider doing so! It helps us authors more than we can say, especially once we hit that 50 mark. :)

I read a bit of criticism on an Amazon review today, and I do have a response to it: Finally!!

(Is that the response you were expecting?!)

Someone posted that they have a problem with the reason Heath was placed in the clan prohibitum--which is basically prison for werewolves. Good! You should question that (and if I tell you anything more, there will be spoilers, so I'm keeping my fingers from typing now).

My point is: please question things! I want you to wonder why,  and I want you to double-take every once in a while. Don't take these books at face value. ;)

To you, wonderful reader who cares about Heath: his and Sophia's book comes next, and it's called Hunted.

It's being released February 1st!

Here's your first look at the cover:

I still can't get over how exact the artist created Heath's tattoos. 

I'm so grateful to all of you! Here is the song I think best portrays the book:

Please, leave comments here, leave me e-mails--communicate with me! I want to know what you guys think. 

XO,

Sammie 

New Year...New Books!

Hi All,

Happy New Year! And of course, I hope all of you had a very merry Christmas last week.

I don't know about you, but I've read over a dozen books on my break. It's been nice. I've also written every day, and I'm getting far into the Crescent City Creatures Book 4 (still untitled).

I sold the Crescent City Creatures Book 3, Enspelled, to Liquid Silver in December, and Book 2, Hunted, comes out February 1. 

I'm so excited for this new year! It'll be a time of reading and writing, both on my own and with children. I've been placed in an elementary school for my second semester of graduate school and can't wait to get started with these kiddos!

A few more things I'm excited about:

1. Shadowhunters premiering on the new Freeform channel. I've read the Mortal Instruments series for almost ten years, and I can't wait to see how the TV show will turn out! The author, Cassandra Clare, always said she thought her books would translate well into a show.

2. Mardi Gras. Because... duh.

3. Leap Day! For all you ladies who can't get him to commit, here's your chance to propose! (Not that you can't any other day, this one is just an old tradition.)

4. The Hangout Festival. My better, more scruffy half bought us tickets for the Hangout as a Christmas gift, and I'm going to be looking forward to it all spring. One of my all-time favorite bands, The Silversun Pickups is playing, and they're going to be awesome! The Revivalists will be there, too. They tour a *lot*, they're from New Orleans, and even though I've seen them 3 times I'll never get tired of their show. If you ever get a chance to see them, take it!

In honor of the Hangout Festival, here's my song pick for the week:

How are you enjoying the new year? Let me know!

XO, 

Sammie

Cover Reveal: Resplendent Rush

Hi All,

 I'm thrilled to share a very special cover reveal today! Liquid Silver's own Bella J is releasing the second novel in her Resplendence series, and you should most definitely check it out below. There is nothing like falling into new reads during the holiday season, especially ones with a touch of romance. Enjoy!

XO,

Sammie

Blurb

Lexi is a vivacious, quirky, and fiercely independent woman with enough attitude and wit to intimidate even the most confident of men. Levi is a sexy-as-hell, cocksure, smoldering hot marine blessed with smooth swagger and cool confidence to charm his way into any woman’s bed. The one thing they have in common, though, is their disinterest in finding love. She’s determined to not let love interfere and dictate her life. And with his career, he doesn’t need the emotional ties and baggage of love, and dreams of white picket fences.

But a few chance encounters have these two tangled up in one wild, passionate, explosive ride which neither of them expected, and which leaves them completely and utterly addicted to each other. Already in too deep, Lexi stubbornly fights her growing feelings for him and refuses to become vulnerable against the power that love seems to yield. She has witnessed firsthand how loving someone can destroy a person, leaving him defenseless against a life of emotional turmoil. She refuses to let it happen to her. Levi knows that Lexi is holding back. He knows that she is keeping a part of her heart guarded. He’s determined to burn down the walls she so desperately clings to, and make her surrender her all to him. But with his long-lost brother’s unexpected return comes an inexorable danger that he will do just about anything to protect her from—even if it means losing her, and in the end, breaking her heart.

Goodreads link for Resplendent Rush (Resplendence Book 2)

Presenting the smoking hot cover of Bella J’s new Contemporary Romance - Book 2 of the Resplendence Series

RESPLENDENT RUSH

Excerpt:

Lexi indicated for the bartender to bring them a round of shots. Just as she was about to toss the tequila back, someone rammed into her from behind, and her little shot glass of heaven went bye-bye all over the counter and down the front of her dress.

Tales of the Traveling Totes

Hi All,

I'm going to be very honest. I had the best of intentions to have a Denver-related Tales of the Traveling Totes to post about today...but that won't happen.

Why, you ask?

Because when I went to Denver, there was not much to take a picture of. You see, I didn't go for fun, but for the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention, where I presented a poster on the way movement affects stuttering (basically, whether walking, throwing a ball, playing Jenga or simply sitting will have an affect on fluency).

I also couldn't take my tote! I traveled with a group, and none of them checked bags, so there was no way I could fit my wonderfully large Christabel into my too-packed carry-on.

In case you haven't seen, this is Christabel. 

But my tote was there in spirit, and to be honest, I wish I'd had the guts to make my group wait the 20 extra minutes to go to baggage claim so I could have brought her.

There's a lesson here: don't travel without your tote, ladies!

Here are some pictures from the trip:

I'm in the pink. See the posters? 

This is the poster we presented! And yes, I did blur out my name. :P

I can't say I would recommend sushi in Denver...

This bear was one of my favorite parts of the convention center!

I also bought a stuffed buffalo. When in Colorado?

I know, this is a bit of a bust, but to be honest I rarely travel from the Southeast, and the ASHA convention was a new experience for me. So for next year's convention in Philly, I'll know:

1) Bring Christabel, but don't bring her into the convention center. If you noticed, I had a huge Super Duper tote they gave me in there... which ended up being filled with so many things from so many booths, I was glad I hadn't put them all in my traveling tote. It's harder to mess up a less nice tote, especially one made from canvas!

2) Drink water! So many of my friends were dehydrated, and it really hurt energy levels throughout the day.

3) Always, always buy the stuffed buffalo. (Duh!)

4) Food outside the Southeast is... well, not the same. But the beer in Denver was great! :)

Until next time... when I will have pictures with Christabel...

Please check out my fellow Travelers! :)

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Linda with Miss Rosie @ More Fun Less Laundry

Patti with Miss Kenzie and Taylor @ Pandora's BoxRita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Samantha with Christabel @ Samantha Stone

and our non-blogger friends:

 Colleen with Miss MacKenzie Joy

Tami with Miss MC la Mer

Also, there is a giveaway!!

Leave Patti @ Pandora’s Box a comment for a chance to win a MacKenzie-Childs Flower Market soap dish, Balsam scented soap from the Adirondacks and a mini soap from Cape Cod, all items purchased on her recent travels with her Traveling Tote!

A winner will be picked on Dec 27th!!

XO,

Sammie

Christmas MANIA

Hello All,

It's Christmastime.

I want a Harry Potter-themed Christmas so badly.

I know, it's been this time of year for a few weeks now... but my finals are finished, and grading final exams for my boss is finished, meaning I can now enjoy Christmas!

*Insert long, happy sigh here.*

I've gotten out my Philosophy gingerbread body wash and bought both almond nog and pumpkin spice soy egg nog. (Not a fan of the original stuff.) I'm also playing Christmas music 24/7, driving most of the people around me insane.

I just can't believe it's December! Here in Alabama it's in the high 60s or low 70s every day, so the weather is punking us all.
From the girls I've seen wearing Ugg boots with shorts... we all have no idea what to wear. Crop top tacky Christmas sweaters? Corduroys with tank tops?

Anyway, what do you do to celebrate this happy time of the year?

When I head to my parents' house to spend some time with them, I plan to bake. A lot.
I'll also be writing almost all day every day. I'll be writing the fourth book in the Crescent City Creatures series, and I'm too excited to start it! :)

I'll leave you with two songs: one that's Christmassy, for those so inclined, and one that isn't.
Because at this point, some of you just want to shut off the radio when those bells start a-jingling.

Yes, this is the Justin Beiber version. And yes, I do like him. No, I don't understand it either...

This song is a romance novel. Enough said. Marry me, Ed? 

Hope your season is going well!

Watch out for my Tales of the Traveling Totes post coming your way on the 15th!

XO,
Sammie