Category Archives: About me

I’m not actually here…

I’m really not. By the time you read this I’ll be winging my way to Europe for a family holiday. Right now I suspect I’m somewhere over eastern Europe. I may be about to land in Amsterdam. I don’t actually know, I only know that I’m not where you think I am.

So let me take this opportunity to shamelessly pimp my two newest stories. As the Leaves Fall and As the Ice Melts are both set in England (which I am about to head to after Amsterdam to see family and catch up with a few friends — Are you jealous yet?)

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As the Leaves Fall is set in London and features two architects who, although know they shouldn’t have a workplace affair, have one anyway. Can they keep their jobs and their relationship? You’ll have to read it to find out.

Amazon All Romance

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As the Ice Melts stars my favourite character ever, Marcus. Poor Marcus. This poor bastard really gets put through the wringer throughout his life and consequently has some trust issues and secrets. By the time you finish reading this, you’ll want to pick Marcus up and squeeze him into a big hug. I know I did.

Amazon All Romance

I’m off to spend three weeks with my family and have some much needed R&R. After we leave the London and the UK, we’re off to Paris, then the French countryside. From there we’re heading to northern Italy before making our way back to Amsterdam to come home. What does this mean? Basically it means that I’m not going to be around much. I will have limited access to the internet while away so I will be able to answer emails on occasion. But this is a holiday, I’m not taking my laptop with me because I don’t plan on doing any work. So if you need anything from me, it will have to wait until I get back.

So, till then, au revoir. See you in May.

❤

PS. I’ll probably post some bragging/tourist pics so keep your eye out.

A bulging disc, edits and few days in the country.

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About five days before I was due to fly to Sydney to spend a few days in the Hunter Valley with bestie Nic Starr and N.R. Walker, my back started playing up. I took a few pills and went to bed. The next morning I couldn’t move. I couldn’t stand, sit, move about. Nothing. Lucky for me, I’m good friends with my physiotherapist so I explained my symptoms to her on a Sunday afternoon. I was ordered to not sit. Ever. Avoid sitting like the plague, she told me. So how was I supposed to survive a four flight to Sydney then another two hour drive to wine country?

I don’t know how I did it, but I did. I did all the right things to get my spine moving again and within a few days I was up and about. Special exercises, stretching and absolutely no bending or sitting. I got on the plane, but it was a tough flight and I still don’t know how I managed to do it. I arrived at the Hunter sore and in desperate need of a lie down and some pain meds. Lucky for me my problem was contained before it started to affect my legs.

I spent 5 days with Nic and Walker and while they were both tapping away at their keyboards while sitting at the dining table, I lay on the couch and chatted. I had a wonderful time away, I just wish I was a little more mobile and a little less pathetic. However, our little writers retreat in the country was well worth the pain of getting there and it was filled with lots of laughter, gossip and great gourmet food prepared by Nic. Walker and I were more than happy to help her eat it.

Nic’s driveway

While in the country I managed to get the first lot of edits done for True Blue. They took me the entire 5 days I was away to do because I wasn’t able to sit down for long stretches of time. They normally would’ve taken me a day, but at least they’re done now. (Release is scheduled for mid May.)

So, now I’m back home and trying to get on top of things again. I’m still not allowed to sit down for any longer than an hour, which is making writing this blog post a little difficult, plus I’m attempting to get the arc’s ready for As the Leaves Fall and As the Ice Melts. They’re coming, I promise. Does this mean the release is pushed back? Not at this stage. I should be okay to get them ready for publishing. Ever tried using a laptop whilst flat your back? Not as easy as you might think.

Anyway, the point is, if you’re waiting on something from me, please be patient. I’m working through my very long list, but it’s taking me longer than it should.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Much love
RJ
❤

It’s a New Year!

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I’m late, I know. Sorry. My time hasn’t been my own and I’m up to my neck with edits and pushy characters that simply won’t wait their turn.

This will be a quick post, as – if you’ve been following me on social media – I just haven’t had the time to scratch myself.

New Year’s resolutions aren’t really my thing. I could say I will eat more healthily, exercise more or be kinder to strangers. But we all know that after the first week we forget about the new things we said we’d do and just get on with life. That’s usually how it works for me anyway. (Oh, BTW, I’m not unkind to strangers, so that’s a moot point. The eating and exercise bit, that’s a different story.)

Christmas was a mixed bag for me. I spent some time with my sisters and their families which is always a lot of fun, but I also had to spend time with my father in law and sister in law which I was dreading. Needless to say, I’m not in a hurry for them to return. (FIL is still here *insert sad face*)

Anyway, I don’t want to talk about them. That’s not why I’m here.

2015 was huge for me. I self published my first book Out of the Blue in March with the second in the series, Black & Bluhe releasing in July. Two short stories happened as well, thanks to Wayward Ink Press. I finished the year off with Indigo Road.

The writing part is fun. I mean a lot of fun. Publishing and promoting is hard work so I was quite chuffed when I saw Out of the Blue, Black & Bluhe, and The One That I Want be nominated in the Goodreads MM Members Choice Awards. All up I received 10 nominations! How’s that for cool? I can’t thank you guys enough. You make all the blood, sweat and tear-jerking tantrums worth it.

Nominations

If you wish to vote, click here but you must be a member.

So, 2016 huh? What have I got planned? I resigned from my EDJ to concentrate on my writing, as, lets face it, it’s a hell of a lot more fun. I will definitely have three releases this year and I’m hoping for a forth, possibly a fifth. It depends on how much time I get to actually write the words. If I could conjure up a perfect first draft, that would help.

So be sure to keep your eye out. This new author is far from done.

I hope 2016 is everything you hope it will be. Take care of each other and be kind.

❤
RJ

Ick factors and pushing boundaries. (NSFW… because that’s fun!)

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Don’t you love that NSFW acronym? It just makes me want to click, clicky click click, no matter what it might be hiding.

Here’s a safe pic because I know that’s the first one that will show up on FB.

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Last week I dipped my toe into the paranormal pool. Not my usual swimming hole, but they say change is good. Right?

Well, I’m still not convinced vampires are my thing but it certainly wasn’t bad. I may have better luck with shifters (a girlfriend and I have labeled these stories, “I’m Fucking My Dog” books.)

I’m not dissing paranormal. Hell I loved Twilight. It’s just not something that tweaks my buttons but I’m determined to give them a go. I’m even reading another vampire story right now and if anyone has any recs for a really good shifter book that will make me change my mind, I’m all for it.

You know what else I read this week?

Brothers. (Labeled by me: “I’m Fucking My Brother”)

Yep. I got right into the twincest thing. I’m pushing my boundaries lately.

Brave I am.

Sink I read a scene with brothers once, they weren’t the MC’s in the story, but the sex between them was pretty graphic, and it totally squicked me out. That was a while ago now and I like to think my ick factor isn’t what it was. I picked up Gemini by Chris Owen which is menage (hot!) and with twins. If you took the sex out the story, it’d be about 5 pages long. No problem with me. I only read menage for the sex so the more the better. After all, when I’ve had a bad day at work and I have a sink full of dishes to do, what better way to get my mojo back than to get fucked up the arse by my lover while I’ve got dishpan hands. Then just to make it more interesting, my lover can also get fucked by my brother while we’re there. Hell, I got nothing else to do. The dishes can wait.

What I didn’t get from the story was the brother thing. The story introduced the twins as lovers. You didn’t get a feel that the boys grew up together and did brotherly stuff before their feelings changed and the sex happened. It was easy to read because I didn’t picture them as brothers. Plus the sex. It was everywhere and I have to give kudos to the author because not one scene was the same. It was truly one of those one handed reads. If you want to check it out you can do so here.

Two men

So I backed up my vampire novel with twincest. I’m currently reading another vampire and have another brother story locked and loaded.

I’m waiting for the ick factor.

I may be waiting a while.

❤
RJ

POST GRL 2015 wrap up.

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The below post has already been posted on Facebook but I wanted to add a few other comments.

The view from our room. Nice, huh?

I guess I said everything I wanted in the FB post below, except I didn’t thank the most important person, my roomie and best bud Nic. If it wasn’t for her I never would have been able to go. Not because of the travel or cost or any of those things, but because I would’ve been far too scared to step outside the hotel room to go and meet people. I’m not good socially and GRL was WAY out of my comfort zone.

I like my comfort zone. It’s comfy.

My husband is always trying to get me to socialise more but really, I socialise heaps online. It’s easy here. I can usually censor the crap that comes out of my mouth and the delete key is only a few inches away. Unfortunately you can’t hit delete when you’re face to face.

But for the most part, GRL was a warm and welcoming place to land. I had a ball, made new friends and it was an experience I’m not likely to forget. The cost was HUGE and if that wasn’t such a factor I’d be able to go next year but at the moment, I just don’t know what next year will bring. (If anyone has a spare $5k, I know where you can send it. #justsaying)

That’s it for me. If you see Nic Starr hanging around Facebook make sure you stop and say hi. She’s the sweetest person I know and will go out of her way to help you. She’s the best.

Gnarly looking trees outside our room

Below is the post on Facebook.

Okay. I’ve had some sleep so here’s my post GRL 2015 wrap up.

I’m going to start with the negative. Let’s face it, no matter how much we want our lives to be all sunshine and puppies, it’s just not going to happen. GRL came close but there were a couple of instances that stuck in my head. And the negative is only small but it needs a mention:

Some authors need to remember that other authors are readers first. If you’re going to be an asshole you can bet your bottom dollar I’m not going to pick up any work of yours. If that’s how you treat everyone you meet, I’m surprised you have any friends at all.
That’s it for the negative. Painless wasn’t it?

Okay, this will be in a haphazard chronological order because most days I was too damn tired to remember who I met first or even what day it was.

When Nic Starr and I showed up on Monday we were greeted by Amy DiMartino, Ethan Day, Jp Bowie, Aniko Laczko and LE Franks. You guys were so welcoming to the sleep deprived Aussies I can’t thank you enough. I’m not sure what I said but it was probably something super stupid, so thank you for not making us (me) feel like idiots.

To Wade Kelly. You were seriously the best veteran (read ‘experienced’) GRLer ever. You were so friendly and funny I just wanted to wrap you up and take you home. Thank you so much lovely lady. You will always be remembered.

To my stalker Amelia Vaughn who probably won’t see this anyway but needs a mention. You were everywhere woman! It got to the stage where I was looking for you wherever I went. If you weren’t there, I told myself to wait 5 minutes and you’d show. And you did! Even in the freaking parking lot! It was really freaky, like the fates were trying to tell us something. Just don’t make me adult. I’m not good at it.

To all the people who made me feel welcome. Caroline Brand, Brandilyn Carpenter who kept me company at 5am with a roll along the beach, Dani Elle Maas, CJane Elliott, Posy Roberts, Carrie Ann Kennedy, Morticia Knight, Tim Brehme and Michael Harry (you guys rocked!) Jessa Ryan for being super nice and sharing a dinner at the pub. Mercy Celeste for letting me hang out and for giving me books, thanks heaps lady!

Jessica Canoto, Lori Gallagher Witt, T.c. Blue, Jared Rackler, Kyle Christian Harrison, Lindsay (stupid FB won’t let me tag you) and all the others at the CAH night, thanks for letting me join. That was the most fun I’ve had in ages. We’re all going to hell.

To Sjd Peterson for not being scared (or laughing too hard) when I told you it was your fault I nearly ran off the road. BAMF was a great read and it seriously rocked on audible. To Kaje Harper for not being scared when I told you I dreamt about you, and to my other ‘dinner with an author’ author, Lissa Kasey, thank you for being so friendly.

To Abi Roux for being extremely welcoming to the Aussie who showed up at the author signing with nothing for you to sign.

To Erika Orrick thank you, again, for being just as friendly and nice as I knew you would be. It was great to finally connect in person rather than email or Skype.

To Sue Kellett for being my fangirl moment. You were wonderful! Thank you.

Lisa Henry and JA Rock. You guys seriously crack me up. Lisa, you were the nicest Aussie ever and I love that you I could tell you my own ‘Stuart’ incident. *shakes head* Such a proud moment for me.

To Clare London you wonderful little spitfire. Thank you for being so funny and friendly. You rocked!

To Vanessa North for not thinking I’m a crazy bitch. You were one of the most lovely people I’ve ever met and I hope to catch up again one day. I can’t wait to read Eddie’s story. xxx

To Kazy Reed. I’m sorry we didn’t meet until the end. We clicked and I wish we had more time to really chat. I hope your surprise party(?) is a huge hit. I know it will be.

I know I’ve missed some people off this list and I apologise. If it wasn’t for all you wonderful people my first GRL experience wouldn’t have been as great. I truly had the best time and I’ll remember it for as long as I live.

And finally to the organisers. You did the best job ever. Thanks for making it a memorable few days.
xxx

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Pre GRL. I’m traveling…

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By the time you read this, I’ll be on a plane making my way to San Diego and GRL! YAY!

Traveling truly sucks although I should have a good trip this time as I’ll traveling with my bestie, Nic Starr, she’ll ease my nerves just by being there.

I spent three weeks in California a couple of years ago and we stopped by San Diego for three days. It is a great place and it’s a lot like my home city of Perth so I’m looking forward to spending more time there.

GRL should be exciting as well. I’ll be meeting and mingling with authors and readers alike. Even though most people don’t know me, I know there’s at least one person who’s looking forward to meeting up. I’m looking forward to the fun and games and I know I’ll have a good time. Just being able to meet some of my favourite authors is going to be a blast.

I’ll post some pics when I return. In the meantime you’ll have to be satisfied with this guy. I do like a nice back.

❤
RJ

Stuff and Things. And some needed radio silence…

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It’s been a bit of a mixed bag for me this week. First I had the release of Black & Bluhe and that went well. Initial reviews have been promising and I’m yet to see anything too negative. It’s all good. I’d like to say a huge THANK YOU to all the blogs that participated in the tour that was coordinated by Will at Pride Promotions.

Participating blogs were (in no particular order):

Prism Book Alliance, Hearts on Fire, Bayou Book Junkie, Jessie G. Books, Carly’s Book Reviews, The Hat Party, Love Bytes, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, My Fiction Nook, The Novel Approach, Just Love Romance , Molly Lolly, and Parker Williams.
There’s an exclusive excerpt at each blog stop so be sure to check it out.

On the other side of things, it’s been a tougher week than it should’ve been. There’s been a major upheaval on the homefront which is going to take some time to get through the transition, for both me and the kids. And it’s hitting hard than anticipated.

Things I can usually brush off and say “She’ll be right, don’t worry about us” is becoming harder to do. Little things that don’t usually bother me, do. Things I have no reason to be annoyed with, I am. It’s not rational. I know this.

On the writing side of things, well, I’ve been handed a couple of blows this week as well which is taking up major brain space that I don’t have to spare right now.

It’s all conglomerated into a major shitty week and seeing a lot of negative posts on social media lately hasn’t helped. Authors behaving badly, readers being ostracised etc has compacted my mood. So I’m going radio silent for a little while and focussing on my family instead. I’ll still answer my emails but if you tag me a in post or leave a comment, please don’t feel like I’m ignoring you. I’m ignoring everybody.

Anyway, I’ll leave you with a hot man pic. Because at the end of a crappy day, they’ll always put a smile on a face, especially these two. :)