Happy #GivingTuesday! Its been a while since I’ve done one of these posts, but it made sense to compile one with the Christmas holiday quickly approaching. Many of you will undoubtedly have lots of free time to binge-watch new shows in addition to clearing out your TBR pile. Allow me to share a couple of things I’ve enjoyed the hell out of as of late; they just might become your next obsession too! Get ready for some pop culture deliciousness…
Watchmen
I abruptly canceled my HBO Go subscription after Game of Thrones concluded, and I had no guilt over doing so. Eight fucking years of my life wasted. If you can’t tell, I’m still very bitter about the final season, LOL. #shadefordays #Benihoff&Weisscansuckit
Maybe they’ll win me back someday (I doubt it), but crazier things have happened. I’m giving Damon Lindelof a second chance after the fiasco that was Lost. Watchmen is his redemption.
Anywho, my internet provider had free previews for HBO over Thanksgiving weekend, and I decided to stream Watchmen. I read the series some years ago, so of course, it made absolute sense to plow through all six episodes. I finished just in time to catch episode seven on Sunday night. The Dr. Manhattan twist at the end was everything. REGINAKING, y’all. 🗣️I SAIDREGINAKING! I will watch anything with that woman at the helm. Even if you’re not a fan of graphic novels, you want to tune in to this show. It’s incredibly relevant to our current political climate. Watch the trailer below for a great summary of what you’re in for. Did I mention the badass casting? If Jeremy Irons is included, you already know it’s going to be off the charts.
Books
Being Neighborly by Meka James
If you follow me on Goodreads, you know I’ve been on a reading streak as of late. I’m primarily a non-fiction reader, but I’ve been trying to work my way through my romance backlist and keep up with what’s current. Back in July at the RWA National conference, I acquired a USB stick from Carina Press with upcoming releases. Meka James’ Being Neighborly was one of the books on the stick. I love a good novella. I love a dirty novella even more, and Meka hits my sweet spot. Peeps, this novella was so lovely! It’s published under Carina’s Dirty Bits line, and it lives up to the category. Jesslyn catches her neighbor Ryan masturbating, and hijinx ensue. Looooooved this so much. Mutual masturbation romances are my jam. *bow chica wow wow*😏
Pumpkin Pounder by Laura Lovely
If you haven’t read Laura’s work, you’re missing out. If you haven’t had the opportunity to meet this lady, you’re also missing out. SHEISFANTASTIC. If pure and wholesome fun were to ever manifest in human form, it would take the shape of Laura. Pumpkin Pounder is the second book I’ve read of hers, and it was just as enjoyable as the first. Daisy is a gal who loves her some red-headed men. When she encounters Jack on Halloween night, things get very interesting. Also, I haven’t come across many novellas where the MC is in therapy. Laura wrote the scene with a lot of care, and I’m here for it. Give this woman all the stars, folks.
California Secrets by Jules Bennett
I am not one for category romance, but lately, I’ve been devouring books from the Harlequin Desire line. Rarely do I come across a book written by a white author who writes her black heroine with a sense of purpose. Jules made Harper (yes, the heroine’s name is Harper 😁) three-dimensional. The lady has layers, and I adored her. Of course, being that it’s a Harlequin book, tropey goodness abounds.
✔Evil relative
✔Accidental pregnancy
✔Revenge by any means necessary
Dive in! I promise it’s worth every moment of your time. Also, THATCOVER.YAAASSS!
These Engaging Articles
Now that I’ve discovered Flipster, I am alllllll over catching up on my favorite magazines. My wallet is also happy since I no longer have to renew my subscriptions. Here are a couple of interesting articles I’ve read the past couple of weeks:
*Couldn’t list the last article without the visual accompaniment of Bad Romance. You need to see the video to really understand the beginning of the article in context*
Jack Ryan
I’m a person who bitterly subscribes to Amazon Prime. Not for the quick shipping but for the vast amount of TV shows and movies the Zon has on tap. I’m not particularly into many of the original series, but Jack Ryan has sold me on the power of Tom Clancy. I mean, technically, Harrison Ford did this years ago when he starred in the role, but John Krasinski reinvigorated my interest. If you’re a fan of espionage, government conspiracies, and lots and lots of action, you’ll want to dive in. The plot for both Season One and Season Two is outstanding. Check out the trailer for Season Two below!
Showing Support
Lastly, as I mentioned above, it’s Giving Tuesday! Who doesn’t love giving? (Aside from the political demons who tirelessly work at trying to take healthcare away and think locking children up in cages is appropriate, but I digress). I donate not for tax purposes, although the write off is nice, but because it feels good to do good deeds for people and organizations in need. Organizations that try their damnedest to honor and uphold the truth. In case you’re looking for suggestions on where to lend your support, might I recommend:
It’s Thanksgiving week, and we’re nearing the end of NaNoWriMo!🦃 Sweet baby, Jeebus, I’m trying my damnedest to type The End on my WIP. Sending tons of good wishes to those of you in the same boat. BESTOFLUCK!!!🍀 After you stuff your face with deliciousness on Thursday, perhaps you want to snuggle with a book while waiting for your food to settle? Good thing Lucy has a book out today to fulfill your post-feast needs. Get to know a little more about Lucy, a FABULOUS baker, and off the cuff blurb creator. Really, folks, she can create a blurb at the snap of a finger. That’s serious talent. Take it away, Lucy…
I always find author interviews kind of boring. We only get to see one side of an author, the polite side. If you had an evil doppelganger, what detail about you would they enjoy revealing to the public that people would find surprising and possibly questionable?
Hmmm… I think most people would be surprised but the amount of varying jobs I’ve had.
I’ve been an actor, singer, blogger, bartender, short order cook, nanny, maitre’d, phone sex operator, personal assistant, Sunday school teacher, poet, candle designer, restaurant server, event coordinator, fashion stylist, interior decorative painter, personal organizer, Fashion Week dresser, restaurant manager, cashier, restaurant hostess, bus girl, telemarketer, diner waitress, cake designer…I’m sure I’m forgetting something.
But, if you were looking for something more salacious, I do read a lot of dark romances and no, I will not give recs. You have to put on your giant sunglasses and trench coat and find your own. 😎
How do you move forward after a friendship has broken down?
I’m a very non-confrontational person and the older I get, the more I realize how valuable my time is. If I’ve made a mistake, I’m pretty good about owning up to it and making every attempt to rectify the situation and I love my friends, but if a relationship can’t be saved I move on pretty easily.
Sorry to this man.
Finish this sentence: Creativity is ________.
Creativity is my definition of freedom. I have ADHD - among other things- and I’ve spent a great portion of my life frustrated because I was trying to fit myself into societal parameters. Creativity and a penchant for hustling has allowed me to create a life where I can support myself on my own terms without feeling trapped or stifled. I learned pretty early that I can’t work for other people and clocks are not my friends.
When you’re writing an emotionally draining (or sexy, or sad etc) scene, how do you get in the mood?
I don’t do anything specific. When I need to get writing done, my mood will dictate what the situation calls for. I do tend to write wearing a tiara and listening to music. Large quantities of bulletproof coffee help, too.
How’d you come up with your pen name?
I know I wanted my pen name to be short, sexy & easy to remember. Short to make it easily visible on a book cover in large fonts. Sexy, because I write romance novels, duh. Easy to remember because there is such an abundance of romance novelists - contemporary, especially — anything you can do to stand out is helpful.
Lucy has a lot of meaning for me. The oldest human skeleton found in Ethiopia is called Lucy - after the Beatles song (another fave), St. Lucy is the most northern parish in Barbados and is my favorite place on the island, also, if I had a second daughter, I would name her Lucy and since the shop is closed, it became my pen name.
Eden is another name for paradise and I hope to provide my readers with a momentary escape from the trash fire of a world we live in.
Would you rather be uncontrollably laughing for the rest of your life or uncontrollably crying?
Definitely laughing. I love to laugh. I can make anything funny… ANYTHING — this is not always a gift. I wish I knew how to stop laughing at inappropriate times.
What are your thoughts on “sexting?”
Sexting is great as long as there’s consent. Be warned: send me an unsolicited dick pic and you will get dragged. I wrote great sexting scenes in Cherishing the Goddess and Everything’s Better with Lisa.
If you were the opposite sex for one hour, what would you do?
If I could be a man for an hour? Definitely sex —for research purposes. I’m sure my husband would love a stop to the incessant, “but what does _______ feel like?” questions.
What does being a successful author look like to you?
Freedom would be the ultimate goal. I’d love to publish 2-3 full length novels a year and spend the rest of my time traveling, hanging out with my family/ friends, paying my bills and buying expensive stuff I don’t need.
If you were casting the next James Bond movie, who would be your Bond?
Idris. I’m still not letting that one go.
**Bonus Question**
Ever tried BDSM? If not, would you?
I haven’t tried BDSM, but I never say never. I’ve often thought about whether I’d be a dom or a sub. Being in charge sounds likes fun, but a lot of work. I also don’t like being told what to do. I could also be a switch, but that’s double the training. Thanks, I hate it.
So that’s a head scratcher. The closest I could come (I’ll see myself out.) would be Embry from American Prince, by Sierra Simone. No responsibility, no training & all the fun.
Bio:
Lucy Eden is the nom de plume of a romance-obsessed author who writes the kind of romance she loves to read. She’s a sucker for alphas with a soft gooey center, over the top romantic gestures, strong & smart MCs, humor, love at first sight (or pretty damn close), happily ever afters & of course, dirty & steamy love scenes. When Lucy isn’t writing, she’s busy reading—or listening to—every book she can get her hands on— romance or otherwise. She lives & loves in New York with her husband, two children, a turtle & a Yorkshire Terrier.
Get your one-click on and purchase Lucy’s latest release, Everything’s Better with Lisa for all your post-Thanksgiving veggin’ out needs!
Giveaway:
Want to win this awesome swag box with a signed paperback, bath bomb, body butter, coffee mug, cookies, postcards, and stickers? Enter Lucy’s Rafflecopter! Loooook at alllll the goooodddiesssss! 👀
*Swag box available for shipping in the US only. International entrants can win an eBook and a $25 gift card*
It’ssssss Monday! Brand new week, brand new feature. Hard to believe we’re in the 46th week of the year. Before I kick off this spotlight, I want to acknowledge those currently serving in our military, those who have previously served, and those who risked their lives protecting our freedoms. The guy in the White House may not show you the respect and appreciation you deserve, but I do. Thank you for your service. Happy Veterans Day!
With that said, I’ve been MIA on social media because uh… it’s NaNoWriMo! I haven’t been logging into the site religiously as I should, but listen, I don’t care about daily word counts. I want this project D-O-N-E by the time Nov 30th rolls around. But enough about me let’s talk about an author who met her writing goals and has a brand new release out today, Ruby Lang. If you don’t follow Ruby on Twitter, you should. She is hilarious. She’s one of few authors who can make me laugh out loud with her tweets. Keep reading and get to know a little more about this charming lady!
Take it away, Ruby…
I always find author interviews kind of boring. We only get to see one side of an author, the polite side. If you had an evil doppelganger, what detail about you would they enjoy revealing to the public that people would find surprising and possibly questionable?
Ruby acts like a Goody-Two-Shoes, but she has unpaid library fines, no skincare routine to speak of, and is a little shaky on the geography of the United States of America, a country she’s lived in for, like, 20 years.
What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed?
The first thing I do when I get up in the morning is unsnap my carpal tunnel wrist braces, and with my arms free FREEEE to do anything they please, I spread my wings and… brush my teeth and make tea and stare blearily at objects in my kitchen.
Name a book that changed your life.
I read Middlemarchby George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) in my second year at university, and this passage from the book has stayed with me:
“The growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”
This what I love about Middlemarch. It’s a story about those very ordinary, unhistoric people getting on with their lives, being scared, worrying about money, falling in love, and changing their part of the world.
In the last week, what made you feel challenged, and what made you smile?
I’m having the worst writer’s block, and release week is here. Nothing makes me feel more like an imposter than not being able to put one word after another during release week.
My daughter started a petition at her school to ban the use of whistles at recess. She’s presenting at assembly, and she told me, “I have to draft a solution! And type it! And pick a font!”
Pick a font! I died.
Name a song that helps you relax at the end of a long and stressful day.
I love Lizzo’s “Juice.” It’s taken me through summer, and it’s probably going to make my decade.
Tell me about a small change you have made in your life to improve your focus. What did you do, how long did it take until it became effective, and how you sustain this habit?
Change is good, and I hate it.
I have to switch up my writing routines every couple of months. So last year, I started working in the library instead of at my desk at home. I produced two of my Carina books that way (Open House and House Rules). More recently, I tried drafting in Comic Sans. (It’s very legible!) I slogged through half a draft. But then I got stuck, and I’m now reduced to writing longhand in parent waiting rooms while my kid does her kid things. By next year, I’ll probably have to tap everything out in Morse code while traveling on the B17 bus.
So yeah, my conclusion is that any change itself works (for me, for a short while), and it’s terrible.
What’s more important to you: prose or story?
As a reader, if someone’s voice doesn’t work for me, I often won’t be able to get into the story. I’ll read the book equivalent of a long thirst tweet if the voice is right.
The Voice is Right sounds like a nightmare reality game show, by the way.
Would you rather travel to space or visit the bottom of the ocean?
Am I a person who wants to plumb the depths or float far away into the cold, unknown void? Honestly, both sound terrifying, although at least the bottom of the ocean has phosphorescent sea creatures. So, I guess it’s the bottom of the ocean floor for me. Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum.
Finish this sentence: In a new Disney Channel original, Hannah Montana struggles with ____________.
Trying Not to be a Problematic Douche.
In your opinion, what does it mean to be good in bed?
For me, it’s enthusiasm and a sense of fun. Look, it’s cool if you want to look deep into someone’s eyes and do breathing that sounds like Lamaze or whatever in order sustain the act for several days–that’s great as long as your partner or partners are A-OK with your Olympic feats. Technique is awesome, but it can be learned! Attitude is harder to fake and ultimately can make one’s partner feel more important and cared for!
**Bonus Question**
Ever tried BDSM? If not, would you?
B-eing a
D-etective
S-olving
M-urders?
Sounds great!
*LOL, Ruby is a mess!* 😂
Bio:
Ruby Lang is the author of the acclaimed Practice Perfect series. Her alter ego, Mindy Hung, wrote about romance novels (among other things) for The Toast. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, Salon, Bitch, and other fine venues. She enjoys running (slowly), reading (quickly), and ice cream (at any speed). She lives in New York with a small child and a medium-sized husband.
