Tomorrow is October. Summer is gone and we are fully into Fall. I love the change in the season. First we'll watch the leaves turn a variety of colors, then the remaining branches form spooky outlines in the dark. Halloween comes and we indulge in candy, cookies and society's permission to don a costume for the day. LOL

October will be a busy month for me. The free cookbook, Passionate Cooks, from All Romance Ebooks will be available. I have a yummy Hot Shrimp Dip recipe in there. Remember, it's free so you have to get one!!

Also, October is breast cancer awareness month. A fellow author, Mackenzie Crowne, released a book titled, "Where do you want your nipple" about her journey through breast cancer. Do Not dally around. Take a few minutes to do a self exam and remind everyone around you to do the same. I will have a deeper post this month in honor of breast cancer awareness month. Take a minute and send energy to those battling breast cancer. Regardless of your "maker" beliefs, hold these precious women in your heart and share you power with them. Don't forget their families need love too. It affects everyone.

I'm participating in a Halloween blog hop with my publisher Still Moments Publishing! Be sure to catch up with all the authors and their stories!! Mine is a spooky doozy. This is a great month to read my suspense release in the Moonlight Mysteries series, "Threat to our Forever"!

Keep your fingers crossed for me! I'm finishing self edits and the polishing my current WIP. I've set a goal to have it ready to sub by the end of October. Earlier if I stay on track. It's a contemporary and is sexy hot with beautiful romance! I'll keep you posted!

Have an outstanding day and wave hello to October!

Lots of Love
Em

Doin' some braggin'

NEW FUN AT USA TODAY HEA:

What a good time! I fessed up in USA Today HEA's to "The Devel made me do it" along with a wonderful list of other authors! Join me in the fun!

http://books.usatoday.com/happyeverafter/post/2012-09-13/free-books-romance-round-robin/844117/1

Don't forget: There are free give away drawings for all those who comment! Make sure to stop by!

USA Today HEA asked: What has the devil made you do? Get your blackmail material here. Giveaways!

 

Be sure to show me some love and leave a comment at USA Today for our fantastic group of authors today:)

Lots of Love

Em

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I had the opportunity to do a review for Romance Reviews Submitted by Authors this week. I read the Halloween anthology Just Another Paranormal Halloween. It has 8 different stories all wrapped up in one book. Take a minute to have a look!

At the same time, my newest release, Somer's Rising, Book Two of the McRaidy Clan received a review at Romance Reviews Submitted by Authors. I was thrilled my book made an impact. Here are the reviewers thoughts:

After just finishing Somer’s Rising by Em Epe, I can only say wow. Not often am I moved to fighting tears by fictional words or vision. 

Other awesome news is I had a recipe for "Hot Shrimp Dip" accepted for the All Romance ebooks, Passionate Cooks FREE cookbook. There are recipe's for everyone in there and its FREE! Did I already mention that:):) Click on the pretty pink logo on my sidebar and check it out! I think my favorite thing about a group project is meeting new people. There are over a 150 authors included. Many of whom I am a tremendous fan. This will be so fun and I can't wait. Join in and make sure to let us know if you find a favorite recipe in there!

You'll notice the Halloween Blog Hop button from Still Moments Publishing. A spooky good time will be coming in October. Make sure to catch the all the blogs!

Also I want to point out a newly released book by Mackenzie Crowne. Its called "Where would you like your nipple". Mac is a breast cancer survivor and has written this book for all of us. Show her some love and every one who has been touched by this beast. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I'll have a blog to share but lets make sure we all reach out!

That's it for now for my updates...whew there are a lot of links:):)

I shall now go back to working on a contemporary that should be ready for submission next month. Shhhhh it's about the son of Gus McRaidy from Only because it was you....I think you're going to like Den McRaidy!! The name of the book is still tumbling around. Originally I named it Her Ultimate Bad Boy but I'm thinking to change it..and have twice. If you have any suggestions, Let me Know!

Lots of Love

Em

My personal thoughts:Friendships

I've had a variety of ups and downs over the last couple of weeks. I was privileged to do an article for Romance Reviews by Authors and had an interview with USA Today with my two co-authors in the Anthology, Life's a Beach from Still Moments Publishing. In addition, I've done some promoting for Somer's Rising from Eternal Press.

I was in full mode of juggling it all when everything screeched to a stop.

Not because of anything with my writing but aspects of life snapped my head back and forth. First, my long time friend moved to another state. It wasn't that we managed to see each other here as much as we should have and in fact we both spent our face to face time with other friends. I regretted that the minute her car turned left and mine turned right. It made me wonder why if we were really "BFF's" we didn't make more of an effort. Situations like that make you look at the overall cause and affects. We promised to visit but logically I know we will rarely see each other, very much like we have for years. I concluded that our friendship functioned on texting as we very infrequently called or even got together for a drink or coffee. Maybe we had both let it evolve to a "chatting" friendship because technology made it easier.

As I evaluated the status of that friendship, I truly had my feet knocked out from under me. Another friend was in a coma and died because of a tragic accident. As I wrote that sentence just now, my eyes teared up. The details aren't as necessary as being faced with the fact we didn't keep in touch as we should have. I do know this world is a far lesser place because of her absence. She had the prettiest smile, gentle demeanor and love of her family. I'll always hold her in my heart.

Now that I feel capable of putting words down, I am taking a closer look at the relationships around me. I have a man in my life that I don't spend as much time with as I want. I let other things clog up my day. I'm rectifying that. He is important to me and I won't forget to show him that by making sure I spend time in the same space as him. My son's are older now but I'm still their mom. They still want my attention and I want theirs. Instead of making an excuse the other night when the youngest suggested a milk shake, I got in the car and away we went. I won't always have that kind of opportunity. I also nagged the older son to take time for a quick visit but I also stopped in at his house yesterday while he was home with a cold and spent a little time.

I moved down my list and worked on the details of my cousin coming to visit me at Christmas. Plane tickets and other scheduling needed to be done and there are some loose ends but it will happen. We've tried to do this for years since we live across the country from each other. I admit, I took tremendous comfort knowing she was working with me on this and it was "we" want to spend time together. More importantly, when I spoke with her about my regrets of not spending more face time with those close to me, she understood. We rarely text and make the effort to actually call. We further make our best attempts to save money to buy plane tickets. Yes we are related but we are close friends.

There are a few more on my list that I care about and I'm working on those.

Overall I now see that though technology has made so many things much easier and better, I for one may have let it become too convenient. A phone full of texts or even emails will never replace "in person" time. My books don't have the center of the relationships revolve around electronic communication, they are together. My life should be the same.

With all of the above said, I've promised myself this. If I need to talk, I'm dialing the phone. If they don't pick up, so be it. Texting will be for quick comments, not conversations. I also accept that friendships evolve and change. Much like a poem I am particularly fond of says: Friendships are for a Reason, Season or a Lifetime.
Perhaps I should focus on those in my life for a "Lifetime" and appreciate that other wonderful people have come for a "Reason" or a "Season" and say thank you.

I shall now end my deep thoughts on this subject and get in my car and go annoy my younger sister. She may not realize it but she's missed me. I'm going to tell her:)

Lots of Love
Em