Month: March 2023

Blessed Like That

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Remember how I was supposed to go to my celebratory dinner this weekend?

Yeah…nope.

I forgot about it until kind of the last minute, and then put out the word to my coworkers that I was looking for a nice “occasion” restaurant, and I got a flood of suggestions. Cool, right? Right…except the information and decision-making grew to this overwhelming anxious knot of needing to pick something as soon as possible so I could make the reservation. But, what do I do when I get overwhelmed? That’s right. I don’t do anything. I stick my head in the ground like *Wilhelm and wait for the storm to pass. Because even choosing an “occasion” restaurant can send me into anxiety overdrive. Blessed like that.

So instead of enjoying a celebratory dinner, Batman and I went to our local pizza eatery for a nice lunch—and that in itself was an experience (like all our dining-out adventures). Our server didn’t come to our table for the first ten minutes, but sent over the Hodor/Lurch-esque host to get our drinks after I started shooting every server angry eyes—mostly because people who came after us were getting served. (Yes, I’m a hangry little brat, but I don’t each much anyway. So, when I do get hungry, I want to eat…and preferably in a reasonable timeframe.)

Other than that, we didn’t do much this weekend, which I am FINE with. Actually, I put all the marketing assignments for myself on hold and worked on A Return of Ghosts (Book 2 in TCATC series) which releases this September. I just wrote and it was woooonnnnddddeeerrrffffuullll. Part of me felt guilty for not working on the marketing stuff, but meh. I need product to market, right? Right.

Other than that, Batman and I are quite boring. However, his birthday is this coming Monday, so we’re heading to Daytona for a little mini getaway to celebrate the aging caped crusader. Also, the resort has an infinity pool…so there’s that.

Exciting times lay ahead, y’all.

(I think?) that’s it for this week. I am still planning to do a signed giveaway of A Royal Pairing in Perish at some point, but I need people who actually want a signed copy hehehe… Once we get there, we’ll readdress the signed giveaway 😉

Anyway, here’s to a happy week, month, year, and lifetime.

But day by day, right?

~ LC *Wilhelm is our future ostrich. Batman and I plan on having ostrich races. Yes, we are those people.

Positive Fun Vibes – ARPIP Releases Friday!

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Guess who’s back from Reggae Rise Up?

You’re so smart. That’s right—me. And yes, it was frigging awesome! If I didn’t mention it (I think I did?) RRU is an annual outdoor festival cloaked in an herbal cloud with groovy music by some amazing artists. Oh yeah. Definitely the recharge I needed.

Batman and I headed down Thursday night, but we didn’t start the festival fun until Friday afternoon, a few hours before Sublime and Rebelution came on (our highlights). Getting ready to go:

I did try to take photos, but the sun was blinding and I couldn’t see anything on my phone. I ended up taking a lot of tiktoks that are still in my drafts (due to their super poor quality) so we’ll see what becomes of them, which is likely nothing. Perhaps. I might post one here or there when I get bored. Or desperate for content…

The food at the festival was great! Especially the fried Oreos, which I tried multiple times, just to make sure. No, I did not use the porta pottys because I have a reoccurring nightmare about disgusting bathrooms, so I watched my water intake and let the music and fog take me away…

And then Summer fell into my life.

Literally. Actually, she laid down on the blanket in front of me and Batman in the middle of Rebelution’s performance. Now, who’s Summer? Great fucking question, because I still don’t know. But she was drunk as a skunk and definitely on something stronger than I ever want to try. Because, after discovering *quite quickly* that she couldn’t really stand, she fell into the guard rail—hard. Like really hard. Summer was having quite the night, though I doubt she remembers any of it. Like me. Or hanging with us until her brother and his livid girlfriend arrived to collect her. Or my bruised, scraped thumb I have as a souvenir. But that’s how festival-going goes.

The entire weekend was awesome, even though our hotel room had the world’s longest walk and this angry meth head freaked out on us while we were waiting for an Uber—still a GREAT weekend! If you like reggae music (Rebelution, Sublime, Collie Buddz, Koffee, ect.), being outside with cool people (except you, Summer. Get your shit together) then I highly suggest Reggae Rise Up if you get the chance. 😊

WRITING STUFF

Okay, guys. This is it. It’s this week. This motherfucking week. You know what that means:

  1. Celebratory dinner.

With each novella/novel release, I’ve decided I’m treating myself and Batman to an “occasion” meal which is a fancy way of saying an expensive restaurant we have no reason going to. But we do! For I am releasing another book baby into the world which super calls for extravagant dining in a fancy restaurant we’d not normally go to. (Mind you, when I say extravagant, I mean a level or two above Chilis. We’re not going crazy here—we’re still low middleclass as long as middleclass is still a thing) For In The Moment Before, Batman and I went to the Columbia Restaurant in St. Augustine. It was December, required a reservation, and other than being guilted that we were just a party of two (and not four or more, like our server wanted) it was lovely. It’s time for our next outing, hopefully without an opinionated server. Current choice options include:

  • Coopers Hawk
  • Cheesecake Factory
  • Maggiano’s

I’m stuck and need more options. This is where you come in. Please either vote on one of the below OR add your own for a new possibility. Come on, guys. You can help Batman and me feel like one of the wealthy for a night! Help send us in our pumpkin carriage to a ball with better than awesome food. That’s all I ask.

2) Celebratory Giveaway

That’s never been a thing I’ve done—BUT I’M STARTING IT. That’s right. Once I figure out how, I’m hosting a raffle giveaway for a signed paperback edition of A Royal Pairing in Perish, a new tradition for each coming release. The raffle giveaway will likely be in next week’s post, so keep an eye out for that if you’re into free awesome stuff.

Alright, I feel like I’ve taken enough of your time even though I could ramble on for another few hours so I’m going to end it here. Quick recap of all the stuff:

A Royal Pairing in Perish releases this Friday. Woot!

Help me decide where to celebrate with Batman. Please.

Keep an eye out for the signed paperback giveaway. Another woot!

Keep an eye out for Summer. (Seriously)

Have a fab-fab-FABULOUS week. I’m sending you all the happy, positive, fun vibes! 😊

~ LC

Deadpool Shoulder

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You know how I don’t take great care of myself? Right. Well, after living in Florida my entire life, you’d think I’d remember to apply generous amounts of sunscreen whilst out at the beach. You’d be wrong. We’d both be wrong.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you my Deadpool shoulder:

I know—gross. Yuck. Ick.

But this is who I am and currently, what I look like. I knew an impromptu trip to the beach would require some protection, but the gentle mist of the low-level sun spray lotion (whatever it was) didn’t do shit. Or I didn’t apply enough. Or the wind took it away from my skin—I don’t know. But I came out looking like this and sadly, I am still not fully healed.

It’s all good. Some part of me is always in pain or in danger of being in pain, like my nail that tried to break in the pink part (Batman thinks that is the funniest thing. ‘In the pink part’ but, like, how else do you say it? It’s literally THE PINK PART). Thank God I reinforced it with homemade technology (I’m resourceful like that) so it broke off right where it needed to—at the precipice of safety.

Before that, my mouth was under attack by my teeth, and their throbbing bullshit about too much caffeine and sugar passing through. I don’t know. I also had this thing growing on my elbow—this hard bump thing that started as a bug bite, but, due to constant irritation (continual pressure on the table) it hardened and got mean and that was its whole own thing.

One day I’ll be wealthy enough to afford the drugs to make it all go away.

Until then, it’s chewing on the correct side of my mouth and maybe wearing gloves and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD applying sunscreen so I don’t develop Deadpool shoulder again. As much as I crush on the anti-superhero, once is enough.

GOOD NEWS—I’m going to Reggae Rise Up later this week! It’s an outdoor music festival featuring the best of Reggae and similar chill vibes. Batman and I are stoked to see Sublime, but I’m also looking forward to Rebelution as well. Definitely what I need after the year I’ve had at work this month, and an epically scary sunburn I’ve been hiding for a week.

But good times are coming. Good, relaxing times, chill and fun times.

Just got to remember the sunscreen.

God, I hope I remember the sunscreen…

~LC

Last minute info! I’m participating in the Luck of the Irish week-long book event where readers can win a Kindle, paperbacks or ebooks! I’m just going to leave this right here…

Burnt, Slim, and Writing

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I’m burnt.

I think that covers everything—my mental state and definitely my red, red skin which still hasn’t faded to an attractive brown tan. Give it a couple of days. I’ll be looking good.

I’ve been wanting to discuss the surprise party we’ve been planning for my wonderful sister’s birthday this past weekend. Coordinating something so large with people flying in, a restaurant catering manager with poor communication skills, and wishing items from Etsy weren’t so expensive…it’s been…a lot. But so, so worth it, and everything came together beautifully! Even these lovely red shoulders I got from an impromptu trip to the beach:

Work has also been crazy. And not the good crazy. The crazy-crazy that causes anxiety and stress and contributes to the BEST diet ever—the corporate America diet. Screw Slim Fast (I’ve tried) Jenny Craig (haven’t tried) and whatever new fad diet is popular. Want to shed some pounds? Get yourself a seat in corporate America and the weight will literally fall off. Tip from me to you 😉

Amidst the party and forced dieting—yes—I am still writing and yes—I’m wobbling along trying to keep to my schedule. Does it work? Eh. Half the time. But half the time is better than zero percent of the time…so I got that going for me.

If you haven’t heard me shouting it from the rooftops, A Royal Pairing in Perish is now available as an ARC! All I ask is an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads, the blimp outside your house—wherever. I’m also accepting beta responses for In The Moment During. I just need those back rather quickly as I need to get it over to the editor by 3/20.

That’s my news, folks. I’m burnt, slim, and writing.

Living the good life.

What about you?

~ LC

As Surprised As You

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Today’s post was definitely not going to happen, so I’m as surprised as you.

Last week was HECTIC with unnecessary drama (which I don’t do well with) and working toward finishing my ARC, so most of my measly marketing efforts took a backseat. By marketing efforts, I mean tiktock of course. And posting to my FB group. Because that is literally all I do.

For now…

So, note to alternate-universe Caitlin—don’t LEARN the business WHILE releasing multiple books in one year. It’s a lot. Maybe have the books already written (or something) so time isn’t divided between writing AND trying to learn ads, distributors, and that AI is trying to take over every creative endeavor.

Good stuff?

  • A Royal Pairing in Perish is available for ARC! Grab your FREE copy here for an exchange of an honest review. (Please. Pretty please.)
  • I’m off Thursday and Friday for a much-needed vacation to celebrate my sister’s birthday. Woot!
  • Bought two new dresses for said much-needed vacation!
  • I keep selling free books. I might not be getting any royalties, but people are buying. Possibly reading. Hopefully that leads to a sale tomorrow or next week. As Batman keeps saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Who knows? Maybe it takes a month.

Also (and this is important) we are at THREAT LEVEL MIDNIGHT, folks. My nail is about to break and it’s in the PINK PART. Prayers, positive vibes, spells, hexes—whatever works. I’ll take them all.

Onward and upward! The other direction is too depressing.

~LC