A Taste of Silver

Hi All,

Happy fall!
I know, I haven't posted in weeks. Grad school's been tough, okay?

I'm working on finding my balance between blogging, school, work and writing. Of course I'm *not* slacking when it comes to writing... I plan to finish the third Crescent City Creatures novel by the end of November, and immediately begin the fourth.

Also, I have two pieces of good news.

First, I did well enough on my neurology exam that I've treated myself to a gnome purse! His name is François and he's making grad school a little bit better for me.

Although I'm fairly certain my professors think I'm insane. 

François is a fantastic dinner companion. 

Second, I received a contract from Liquid Silver Books, my publisher, for the sequel to Punished. 
I can't wait to reveal the title, the *gorgeous* cover, and most importantly the couple this book is about!

So here's what to come:
I'm going to make these cupcakes.
(Because I love candy corn.)

I'm going to keep talking about Punished, which will be released November 23. (Cue excitement!!)

I'm also going to talk about my upcoming birthday this Monday and some music I've been into lately.

Here's my current favorite song:

I think it's kind of sexy. Scratch that, very sexy. 

What are you guys into this October? 

What would you like to know about Punished?

XO,

Sammie

Tales of The Traveling Totes Goes to the Park

Hi All,

This post is late. 

It should have been put up yesterday, but that didn't happen and for that I apologize. 

The moral of this story is, grad school takes over your life whether you want it to or not.

Ominous notions aside, I did get to travel with my wonderful Mackenzie-Childs tote, Christabel, recently.

Specifically, I went to a park in Louisiana.

Lakeview, the neighborhood of New Orleans by the lakefront, is a place where some people's front yards line a beautiful park that looks like this:

I would live there. 

This is one of my favorite areas of the city, not only because it's beautiful, but because it's just so safe and quiet. 

Why was I in New Orleans, you ask? I visited four independent bookstores, and am in talks for Punished to be sold on their shelves. 

 How cute is Maple Street Books?

The pictures above and below are of a relatively new spot, St. Roch's Market. Apparently my great-grandfather, who this pen name honors, Samuel Stone, had a part in designing the open-air building.

Christabel and I are smiling, but we're really debating whether to buy an oversized cupcake.

St. Joe's Bar, where they sell the best mojitos in the city

I love the chandelier at St. Joe's

Of course, I had to have a couple of pictures from Café du Monde. For once, I didn't get their hot chocolate (it was August) but I did eat my body weight in beignets! 

The very next weekend, I brought Christabel to Nashville, where I was headed for my friend's 21st birthday. Thanks to her family in the city, and someone who gave me some great recommendations for where to go, the trip was a success! 

At the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. 

At the art museum, there was a exhibition on Italian fashion throughout the past century. So fascinating!

It took a while to find this mural.

I just liked the name of the coffee shop...

Christabel photobombed a Snapchat!

My cute photographer and I, on the roof of Tootsie's

That's all of my tote's traveling for now. Next time, my post will be punctual!

Happy travels!

XO,
Sammie Stone

Visit my other Tote friends:

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

Musical Monday, and MY COVER REVEAL!

Hello All,

Today is my favorite Musical Monday ever, because I get to reveal the book cover for Punished.

Here it is:

I think it's stunning, just like Raphael's abs. *swoon*

Sometimes, things work out perfectly. This is the case with my book cover--I couldn't be happier with it. I seriously think the very talented artist who created this cover, Dar Albert, read the book... or has ESP.

Either one.

So today, along with the cover for the book, I'm going to share my playlist for Punished. 

                                                                
 

This playlist is the book, in music form. 

Each and every song on this playlist pertains to Punished, whether to the book as a whole or to certain parts of it. Also, I happen to like all of this music. I'm not going to post something I don't want to listen to!

I hope these songs give you a taste of what Punished will be like! Once November 23 rolls around, you'll be able to see why these songs are so applicable.

That's right-- Punished is being released on November 23. Mark your calendars! :)

I've picked out a song I think represents Punished best-- you'll notice it's the first on the playlist.
When I heard The Wolf on the radio, I freaked out because it's scary how accurate the song as a whole is as a representation of the story I've told.

                                       

I'm a sucker for Mumford and Sons.

What do you think about the cover? How about the playlist? Please leave a comment--I'm dying to see what you all think!

XO,

Sammie Stone


                     

Musical Monday

Hi All,

Happy Monday!

I hope yours is musical, like mine has been.

I've been listening to Kanye West all day because of the announcement that he'll be running for president in the 2020 election.

Mr. President...Kanye West.

I'm not saying whether I'm in support of or against this, but the news has certainly brightened my day. And I *do* like his music.

In honor of Mr. West,  I'm using one of his songs as my choice for the day. Hopefully by next week I'll have the cover of Punished, and can do a reveal along with a release of the playlist I've made to go along with the book.

I've found some songs I'm really excited to relate to it!

So here's "Stronger" for those of you who need to keep your chins up this week. Having just begun graduate school, I know I need to hear it.

My favorite Kanye song is "Runaway," FYI.

XO,

Sammie 

                     

Mary's Musical Monday

Happy Monday, All--

I'm a little bummed today, because people are being really hateful about sorority women.

Here's what I have to say about it:

I am a Delta Zeta alum. (I like turtles.)

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I am dating a non-Greek man, and have both Greek and non-Greek friends. I'm also a graduate student, will *probably* go on to get a PhD in my field of speech-language pathology, and thus care very much about education and my career.
I also wear makeup and dresses sometimes,  and make a genuine effort to look my best every day. There is nothing wrong with striving to look nice, and nothing wrong with never wearing makeup at all. Everything in between is cool, too!

Enough of that. I just had to make those points clear.

Today, I'm introducing Mary Newman, the heroine of Punished. She is also a sorority woman.
I normally don't tell you much about my characters, but in light of the criticism of Greek women, I'll tell you that I modeled Mary's academic achievements on my own--had her parents not died a few months before her college graduation, she would have graduated summa cum laude from LSU, and attended the Rhode Island School of Design's Master's program for painting. (I, however, am no artist.)

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I had a hard time deciding on what song to represent her, but I chose this one with a caveat: she does not do drugs. You'll see her personality in Punished, but I'll tell you that substance abuse isn't her style.

I hope you like the song, and get a taste of the turmoil Mary is going through at the beginning of Punished. 

I also just love this song. 

How is your week beginning?

XO,

Sammie

                   

Raphael's Musical Monday

Hello All,

Today is a special Musical Monday because it's Raphael's day.

Without further ado, I introduce Raphael, the hero of Punished. He's an Estonian man who's been living in exile for over five hundred years.

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I won't tell you anything more about Raphael because as always, I want you to make your own decisions regarding him. 

I will say that I have a soft spot a mile wide for the werewolf, but I'll stop there.

Here is his song. Take of it what you will....

I'm also somewhat obsessed with old Fall Out Boy. FYI.

Next week I'll introduce Mary, his heroine. Once my publisher, Liquid Silver, sends me the cover, I'll do a Monday cover reveal complete with the song I've decided best represents the book. After that, I'll post my complete Punished playlist. (I *love* making playlists, guys.)

XO, and happy Monday!

Sammie 

It's Almost Time for School, And a Book Release!

Hi All,

In many of our cases it's not school but work (with me, it's both), but no matter who you are, there's a shift in the air when August rolls around.

With graduate school beginning and I start to write my third novel--I wonder if anyone can guess who the hero is--I needed some small things to help bring a smile to my face as I work.

I thought I'd share with you all, in case you, too, need a fall pick-me-up.

I'll start with this mug, which I literally ordered today:

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Of course, the back of the mug has mischief managed written in cursive.

I also love this teensy notebook--I'm such a sucker for Keats, I feel like this could brighten my mood any day!

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And also these macaron pencil erasors! *So cute*

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A good book always helps, especially when you have a few spare minutes to pull out your book, Kindle, Nook, etc. 

My good friend Rebekah Lewis just released her third book in the Cursed Satyroi Series, Satyr From the Shadows, and I had to share!

It's already in my Nook queue, poised for a few stolen moments of reading this August. 

The first book in the series is Wicked Satyr Nights.

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Click the link below the fruit to find a list of cute desk accessories!

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And finally, here is a list of candy stores you may not have heard of, for those of you who eat chocolate year-round like I do. Some of the stores even have their candy delivered to your house!

XO,

Sammie

PS-- I'm coming for you, New Orleans. You and your creatures had better watch out tomorrow... :)