Lindsay Emory

August 22, 2016

Best Books

Best Books to Read Now - August 2016

Lindsay Emory

August 22, 2016

Best Books

Reminder/ Caveat/ Disclaimer: This is my (hopefully) monthly list of books I’ve read and enjoyed. These are not reviews, I do not include books I didn’t enjoy because life is too short to speak badly of books!

No virgin heroines here!! Wives, widows, and divorcees are the focus this month! Let's get started, shall we?

The Swans of 5th Ave

by Melanie Benjamin

This was my pick for my book club and let me tell you, I was s t r e s s e d about choosing a book that was "literary" enough (even though my book club isn't snooty like that, I still want to impress.). So I selected this novel based on real people and their relationship with a "literary" author, Truman Capote. Maybe I've read too many

Vanity Fair

issues (see

MEET ME

) but I've had a longstanding fascination with Capote and his glamorous friends; Babe Paley, Slim Keith, Maria Guiness and the rest of his so-called "Swans."

Our group had so much to discuss about this easy, fun, yet thought-provoking read. I highly recommend it - and I'll want to discuss it with you too!

Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress

by Theresa Romain

I've been enjoying the non-traditional historical romance (is that a thing? You know what I mean) and this is one of them. The hero is mixed race and not a Duke, the heroine is an heiress but not aristocratic and it's set in Bath, not London. If that's not enough to interest you, the sexual tension in this book is set to 11.

Your Scandalous Ways

by Loretta Chase

Julia Kelly

recommended this book to me by the pool in San Diego.

A spy.

A courtesan.

Venice.

By Loretta Chase.

Um, one click.

Again, not your mama's Regency romance. And it was awesome.

First Women

by Kate Andersen Brower

I bet she wanted to call this First Wives Club but that was already taken

and so not the same thing. This book is about modern First LADIES, you know, the women who are married to presidents. I was expecting tell-all behind the scenes tales and there's some of that, but what's even better are the truly heart warming stories of the First Families, their friendships with each other and the strength of the marriages in the White House. If you're sick of politics, have turned off cable news and wish you could take a nap until November 10th, I urge you to try this book out because it will make you not want to move to Canada.

What else? Check out this

giveaway

to celebrate our

#ReadWritePlan challenge

for a chance to win a planner, pens or a book (Read, Write, Plan, get it?)

OH! And new subscribers to my newsletter during August will get an opportunity for a free download of my Sorority Sisters Mystery, RUSHING TO DIE!

Click here

to subscribe!

If you've read anything great recently, I'd love to hear your recommendations below or on

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Lindsay Emory

August 8, 2016

Life & Style

All These Things That I Love - August 2016

Lindsay Emory

August 8, 2016

Life & Style

A monthly round up of fabulous things that give me life

This month is all about the planner lifestyle. Alexandra Haughton and I decided to reinvent our

Get it Together Hop

and turn it into the #ReadWritePlan challenge on

instagram

Every day is a new round of delicious peeks into the author/planner community's planning life. We're having so much fun sharing our favorites and Alexandra and I have a giveaway here:

bit.ly/bandoagenda

This summer I've converted to Japanese sunscreen. I've read blogs and

reviews

on the superior sun protection of these products and I when I used up the last bottle of good ol' American sunscreen (that my dermatologist recommended), I ordered two varieties that had near universal acclaim:

Biore UV Perfect Milk SPF 50

and

Biore UV Watery Essence

So far, so good. I love the lightweight, non greasy feel of these, they don't make me break out and I haven't gotten a sunburn!

Last summer I started seeing other soccer parents with these giant silver cups. Were they worth the price, I asked? They hold ice all day! I was told. They keep coffee hot all day! they said.

Well, in the thousand degree temperatures that Texas has been experiencing, I don't much care about coffee staying hot, but I can say that ice will stay solid in a

Yeti tumbler

for 12 hours, which is a freaking miracle here on the sun (Texas). It's a delight to stay hydrated with ice cold water (and maybe a slice of lemon) (or maybe an extra large gimlet.)

I got my Yeti cups as a gift, but my friend

Alexis Anne

says the

Ozark brand from Walmart

are just as effective.

This is one of the albums I've had on repeat the past few months. The more I listen to it, the better it gets and it's really good turned way up in the car.

If you have

Amazon Prime

you can listen to the whole album or check out (one of) out my favorite song(s)

here

Okay, it premieres tomorrow but I *will* be watching Hard Knocks on HBO. People are always a little surprised that I love a reality show about football training camp, but if you love sports romance, you have to enjoy the behind the scenes drama. Last year's season featuring the Houston Texans inspired me to write a whole book!

If you watch Hard Knocks, I'd love to talk football and sports romance on

Twitter

Facebook

or down below in the comments. Or let me know if you're a planner addict or if you have Asian skin care recommendations!

Lindsay Emory

July 18, 2016

Plan * Write * Publish

RWA16 Roundup - Mystery, Magic and Girl Crushes

Lindsay Emory

July 18, 2016

Plan * Write * Publish

Prologue

Editors often suggest that a writer should start her story with a hook, or an inciting incident, or, in the case of a mystery, a body.

So here you go.

That is a man in white boxer briefs, standing on a San Diego bar with motorcycle gloves and a helmet covering his, um, steering column.

Chapter One - the Setting

This was my third RWA National Conference to attend and, like the first two, it did not disappoint. Also, like the first two, it defied my expectations. San Diego was better than I expected it would be - the sun, breeze, coastal temperature put everyone (okay, me) in a happy mood. The city is walkable, has tons of attractions and restaurants and our hotel, the Marriott Marquis Marina was an outstanding place for a conference. It was large, clean, the staff and service were impeccable and there were so many chairs and places to meet friends and colleagues.

Chapter Two - the Introduction of the Heroine

I've discussed in my previous blog posts about RWA Nationals (here and here) that there are always unexpected surprises that occur at the conference so this year, I came prepared. I came to conference open to whatever magic might be brewing. As I told someone on my last day, I may not learn what I want, but I learn what I need. This year the standouts were Beverly Jenkins' keynote, getting to watch Love Between the Covers again (which is now available on iTunes and Amazon - go NOW and watch this uplifting documentary about friendship, self-determination and making dreams come true) and an amaze-balls two hour creativity workshop that I'm still working through, brought to us by Lori Wilde and the Indra's Grace yoga crew from "back home" in Texas. I also got some great tips from Rachel Hollis on social media which was pretty cool since she's sort of awesome at all the platforms.

I signed at the Readers for Life literacy signing and at the Avon book signing where I was happy to just be in the same room with that amazing group of writers, and I gave out my buttons to readers, to librarians, to people I made a personal connection with. I thought long and hard about what my swag should say this year and in the end, I just wanted to spread a positive message about the thing that we all love so much.

It was so fun to watch people's faces go from "oh yeah, I'll take your crappy pin" to "Man, I need this" or "This is awesome." It made my day and I hope it lifted them a little too.

Chapter Three - the Heroine Finds True Love

Warning - this chapter contains explicit fangirling which may offend those readers who aren't awesome and don't have friends. Or hearts.

The best best best part of any conference, but this one in particular, was my girls. The women who preached from the stage, the ones who listened to me debate minute career decisions while under the influence of tequila, the ones who immediately "got" me, the ones who made time to get to know me. I am always in awe of this sisterhood, this sorority of Romancelandia. That doesn't mean that there weren't those who got snippy or had bad table manners or tried to put me in my newbie place. Yeah, yeah, whatever. You do you. I do me. And I choose to celebrate talented writers and inspiring women. I choose to smile at everyone and drink with anyone who asks.

I love Susanna Kearsley so much. If I ever move to Canada in November *cough* I want to live on her street.

I finally got to tell Diane Kelly, the president of RWA, how she was the first person to welcome me to DARA and tell me she thought my vampire lawyer book sounded really good (let's just say this shows how warm and supportive she is). I got to tell Sarah Wendell how I talk to her in my head and that she sounds sexier in real life (I don't think she reported me to the police.) There were so many other awesome moments and so many new friends, I just can't list them all. Check out my social media and that of Alexandra Haughton, Julia Kelly and Alexis Anne for more fun pics of our adventures (and late night videos!.)

Chapter Four- the Happily Ever After

I left #RWA16 leaving uplifted and convicted (and almost 7k words written - whoop!). Most importantly, my tribe is stronger than ever. And even though I feel a leeetle like Margot Blythe when I say this, isn't that the best kind of happy ending?

Epilogue - the Cruel Cliffhanger

If you want to know the story of the man in the tighty whities pictured above, I'll be posting it in my next newsletter, along with some really fun giveaways and promos and book news, as always. Sign up here to get the scoop!

Lindsay Emory

July 1, 2016

Plan * Write * Publish

What to Pack for RWA 2016

Lindsay Emory

July 1, 2016

Plan * Write * Publish

Oh yeah. Put on the music. Make a cocktail. It's countin' down to RWA Nationals time. I'm a little giddy about it and I think it's because the convention is going to be in San Diego, California this year, where there will be sun, sea and perfect SoCal weather. I've only been to San Diego once before, about 13 years ago and I loved it so much, I still ask my husband (on yucky North Texas days) if we could sell everything we own and go live in a cardboard box on Coronado.

Pretty please?

After a totally brilliant planning lunch with my roomie,

Alexandra Haughton

(who also has a great packing list

here

), I thought I'd share some packing tips for first timers and repeaters alike.

Put Something On

Clothes. You need clothes. The slightly difficult thing about packing for RWA is that it's a business conference which could also require clothes for karaoke, for yoga, tea parties or for a late-night plotting in the bar session. The convention ends with a fancy awards party (so I've heard - this will be my first time to attend the

RITA/ Golden Heart ceremony

) which requires at least a fancy set of shoes and Spanx and, in San Diego, one might want to be prepared for pool/ boat/ beach activities. This variety is a challenge for someone like me, who prefers to be a light packer.

So... good luck with that! The basics I won't leave behind?

My Pajama Philosophy - Many moons ago, I was watching the news and saw a hotel burning down. All the guests were standing in the parking lot and I remember thinking, "I never want to be that girl in the thong that the firemen have to wrap up in a blanket." Since then, I never sleep in a hotel in pajamas that can't be worn on a city street. Don't say, "wow, Linds, that's some overactive imagination you have" because guess what. Three years ago on a business trip the fire alarm went off at the hotel I was staying at. There I was, in the hotel parking lot (with my business colleagues, no less) feeling quite smug in a perfectly acceptable ensemble of yoga pants, tee shirt and hoodie. Be prepared for anything. Like the zombie apocalypse.

My Shoe Philosophy - I love cute shoes as much as y'all but this is not the place to try 'em out for the first time. Cute AND comfortable, broken in shoes are where its at.

My Cardigan Theory - Conventional wisdom says "always bring a cardigan" because hotels are often cold. This is one theory I rebel against. I always feel that if I dress appropriately for the climate, I will be fine. Also, I live in Texas and I've never met an air-conditioner I didn't like. BUT... since we'll be in San Diego where it might get a tad cooler in the evenings, I probably will bring a cardigan. But I won't like it.

Get in Mah Belly

After clothing, the next most important item is food. Yes, I've heard there is food in San Diego and much of it is available to purchase. Rest assured, I'm not carting

Yeti coolers

of groceries to the Marriott Marquis. But I always bring along snacks when I travel for business, such as:

With just these snacks, I can put together a quick lunch between workshops, a mid-afternoon introvert snack break, or avoid airport food. I also share with new friends. Come find me if you're hungry.

#Hustle

Like I said, RWA Nationals is a business conference. So don't forget the following:

Ipad/ computer/ kindle

chargers/ cords (fitbit too! You will get your steps in!)

pens/ business cards

swag

planner/ journal/ notebook

pins from previous conferences to adorn your badge

I Woke Up Like This

Everyone talks about the "Conference Crud" or has stories about that time someone got a mysterious illness at RT Convention which almost started the zombie apocalypse. In my day to day life, I try to stay healthy with a lot of water, supplements, a consistent skin care routine and sufficient sleep. Even though I know I won't get the latter in San Diego, I'll still be trying my hardest to stay healthy (and gorgeous) with the following:

zinc

, essential oil roller, advil, visine,

my favorite tea bags

, vitamins

mug or

reusable water bottle

(although someone usually gives these out as swag if you want to gamble and collect one in the Goody Room)

flat iron & hairspray

cosmetics, small bottle of perfume, sunscreen

whatever hair care/ skin care I can't live without

Bag It Up

Usually conference goers receive a tote bag filled with swag. This year they're changing up the swag delivery protocol so who knows what will be given out. For form and function, I always prefer my own sturdy nylon tote, such as my favorite Longchamp with BOTH beer stains and coffee stains (that's how you know a writer owns it). My normal handbag is super cute and all, but in the conference I'll be loading up with free books, notepads, almonds and enough water to survive the zombie apocalypse so I usually carry only a tote until its time to go to dinner or a party and I can switch to a smaller clutch or cross-body (still make sure it's big enough for your business cards! You meet awesome people everywhere!)

I hope this helps you think of a few more essentials to pack. I'm sorry if you're' over the airline's weight limit. If you want to yell at me, follow me on

Twitter at @lindsay_emory

. I'll be signing books at

the literacy signing

and I'll be tweeting with the hashtag #RWA16 and #whatareyoudrinking. I'd love to meet you and hang out!

P.S.

and I are hosting a

for

. Want in? Check it out

here

Lindsay Emory

June 7, 2016

Best Books

Best Books to Read Now - June 2016

Lindsay Emory

June 7, 2016

Best Books

Um...how did it get to be summer already? The kids are out of school, the weather is getting too sticky for my walks and I'm finding myself reaching for a beautiful chilled rose instead of a cup of tea.

Summer is such a fabulous reading time, isn't it? You've got trips and vacations and lazy days by a pool or the lake and we all need reads that will take us away.

Once again, I've got an interesting mix this month. I dug up some reads from my TBR pile, took a chance on a new trope and indulged in continuing a series.

Silent in the Sanctuary / Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn

First up? Two more Lady Julia Gray mysteries! My husband and I were able to escape to Cabo San Lucas for a quick getaway to celebrate my birthday. I posted pics on my

instagram

and our trip was as heavenly as it looked. I have this (strange?) affinity for reading about rainy, cold locations while sweltering by a pool so reading about Lady Julia Gray at Belmont Abbey and on the Yorkshire moors was perfect for me.

Silent in the Sanctuary

kept me guessing the entire time and

Silent on the Moor

was an unusual mystery in that it was piecing together a mystery from the past. Two more winners from Ms. Raybourn.

A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev

Shamefully, this book has been in my Kindle for YEARS. YEARS. Y'all know how that happens. You one-click a book because of rave reviews and a gorgeous cover and then... life. Other books. Pretty soon, your new pretty book is on page four or five in your Paperwhite and you keep thinking, "why haven't I read

A Bollywood Affair

" when you see the constant recommendations on Twitter. So because I'm awesome like that, I finally opened this one... and I couldn't put it down.

It's a contemporary Indian romance, set in the U.S. (... mostly) but the characters are wholly influenced by their culture and history back in India. There's a complicated relationship between the hero and heroine - you know, your typical "my brother's annulled child bride" trope. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the unique cultural and plot points and Ms. Dev truly shines in writing characters jump off the page, fully realized and nuanced and loveable.

Simply Irresistible by Rachel Gibson

Speaking of tropes, the secret baby trope is... not my favorite. Especially in contemporary romance. A few years ago, I gave one a shot and, um. Let's just say I was not planning on reading another one. Until I was listening to the

Avon on the Air podcast

and Sarah MacLean said this was the secret baby book that would convert people who didn't like secret baby books and while I respect Ms. MacLean's professional expertise, I was dubious. Because SECRET BABY, y'all. But I bought it because HOCKEY PLAYER HERO. You see where my priorities lie.

Turns out, Sarah MacLean was right. *sigh* This book is a joy, the characters totally made me believe in the secret baby and I'm *semi* converted to secret baby books if they're recommended by Ms. MacLean.

*Note* on Avon on the Air. I'm trying really hard to be respectful here and call Lucia Macro and Sarah MacLean by their proper names. Because when I listen to this podcast, I'm totally calling them "Lu" and "Mac" and discussing books in my head with them (or whoever's on the podcast.) I just love talking books, even if its an imaginary conversation.

See

, also, this blog. If y'all know of any other awesome book podcasts, let me know because I'll happily talk to other podcasters in my head.

Or if you know other good secret baby books, let me know about those, too. I will readily admit that I could be, maybe, a little wrong about secret babies.

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Here's another from the TBR pile. This one, unlike A Bollywood Affair was not buried in my kindle. It was on my bookcase. Because it was an actual, physical hardcopy of the book (shocker, right?) that my mom had 'loaned' to me a few years ago. I always knew I'd like Susanna Kearsley's timetravel-esque book about 18th century Scotland because I have a well-documented love for other time-travelly 18th century Scotland books. *cough* Outlander *cough*

On a side note, this season's

Outlander

is KILLING ME. Just knowing what is coming at the end of the season is preliminarily devastating me. I'm texting my friends after each episode asking them for comfort because the end is going to be so exquisitely terrible and then we'll have to wait a stupid amount of time before Season 3 starts...

or maybe not

So yes, Ms. Kearsley's novel did not disappoint. It flips back and forth between the past and present and while no actual time-travel takes place, you, the reader, feels as if it has. I can't wait to read another Kearsley novel, especially after I heard her

interview on the SMART BITCHES podcast.

(another podcast where I talk to another Sarah in my head all the time. I swear, I'm completely normal.)

And that's it for this month! I'm not sure I'll have an official BEST BOOKS TO READ NOW post in July. I'm doing a lot of non-fiction research for a new book I'm writing and I'll be headed to RWA nationals in San Diego (where I'll be sure to add to my TBR pile, natch). I may do a Best of Best Books post instead and then my usual post RWA roundup.

Oh! I'm also busy getting this little baby out the door.

The Last Plus One

Her release date is 6.13.16 and you can read more about it here. If you're not already, make sure you like

THE LAST PLUS ONE facebook page

and

. We're doing a few giveaways, posting excerpts and talking about weddings and you don't want to miss any of that.

As always, keep reading and let me know if you read something amazing!