All These Things That I Love - 2017 Gift Edition

I'm just starting to put my gift lists together but I thought I'd share the surefire wins that any one should love this year. 

For the whole family

Amazon Echo/ Amazon Dot – we got these this summer and they’ve come in so handy. We use them as alarm clock, stereo, shopping list maker, landline. We’re going to get another one for the kids’ room to hack an intercom system.

Instant Pot – um, I feel like I’m always recommending this. From perfect ‘boiled’ eggs to amazing pot roast (in about an hour!) every busy family needs one.

For him

Sous vide precision cooker – if your man loves steak and technology get him this. Then you get steak too. WIN.

Wonder Woman – an action movie every couple can enjoy together. Win. Win.

For travel

White noise machine – I was sold on this on a recent church camp retreat. A mom next to my bunk used one and I slept through a bunch of middle schoolers giggling through the night.

Kelly Clarkson’s new album – Meaning of Life  Amazon | | iTunes – not a bad song on this album. Put it on during your road trip and the miles will fly by.

For youth (or young at heart) 

Bluetooth speaker – it’s the jam box of 2017 (did I just date myself?)

Teen Vogue – it’s the Washington Post of 2017. {But it just went all digital. BOO!}

Ticket to Ride – a game that everyone in the family can enjoy with a little strategy and a little luck.

For HER –  buy her something luxe she won’t buy herself. We’ve been through a lot this year. We deserve it.

Jo Malone Diffuser- I got one of these two years ago and it’s almost out. (HINT HINT MR. EMORY) It’s strong, smells amaze, lasts and makes a bathroom or side table look totally sophisticated.

Nest Box – a subscription box that will send high quality candles to soothe and invigorate your best friend/ mom/ sister as she persists.

Mistletoe Key – Amazon | | iBooks

Or give your favorite nasty woman  a copy of my holiday novella. It’s like a Hallmark movie she can read while on hold with UPS about that missing fruit cake delivery.

Best Books to Read Now - 2017 Gift Edition

Because books are the best gifts. These books will inspire, educate and help your friend/ partner/ Aunt Sally have a great holiday.

Braving the Wilderness - Brene Brown

Seriously. I’ve been recommending this to all my friends. A must-read for anyone who looks around and thinks we could do better in how we relate to one another.

Amazon | | iBooks

Giant of the Senate – Al Franken

For those who like to laugh along with a fair and balanced (truly) look at politics. It shouldn’t ignite too much debate around the turkey. Also a good audio book to listen to in the car while driving to Aunt Sally's.

Amazon | | iBooks

John Adams – David McCullough

For the history lovers and the Hamilton fan in your circle, this biography of John Adams is an evergreen great read.

Amazon | | iBooks

Tools of Titans - Tim Ferriss

For fans of Tim Ferriss’ podcast, for self-improvement lovers and those who like all sorts of words of wisdom and hacks, this book is full of extensive tips and tricks for being your best self in 2018.

Amazon | | iBooks

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It! – Ree Drummond

Because everyone wants good, classic food. Perfect for hostess gifts, teachers, and Aunt Sally. (and me – my secret homemade cobbler recipe came from The Pioneer Woman blog… shhh…)

Amazon | | iBooks

Resisting Santa – Lindsay Emory

Um, my new release just came out! It’s a quirky holiday romance set in Mistletoe Key, Florida, where Christmas is celebrated 365 days a year -  like a Hallmark movie you can read in line at the post office.  Get one for everyone you love who needs a sugar cookie break!

And – for the month of November all proceeds from the sales of  RESISTING SANTA and BLUE CHRISTMAS, the second book in the Mistletoe Key world will go to hurricane relief. So get it, quick!

Amazon | | iBooks

RESISTING SANTA - Cover Reveal!!!

It’s here! The cover for my #bookinaweek (read about the creation of it here)!

RESISTING SANTA, Book 1 of the Mistletoe Key series!

Isn't it adorable? The cover fits the book perfectly- cute, holiday fun.

Want more? Read on!

Caroling Mermaids, Snow in Florida, and Matchmaking Parrots – Who can Resist Love in Mistletoe Key?

Mistletoe Key takes Christmas traditions very seriously. So when Eliza Hart advocates for a gender-inclusive Santa late one night on public radio, she inadvertently sets off an historic island-wide scandal.  After years away, she’s just returned to the island but once again she’s persona non grata, fighting the patriarchy one Santa suit at a time.

Tiki bar owner Shep Butler had a childhood crush on Eliza and while she’s stirring up trouble in town, he can’t help the feelings she’s stirring up in him. He’s always been fascinated with her eyes and her freckles, but now her grown-up feminist opinions are a package deal and maybe even a deal breaker.

On an island where Christmas is celebrated 365 days a year, can Eliza and Shep find room at the inn for different opinions – and love – before politics and tradition tear them apart?

This book was so fun to write and I’m loving hearing back from early readers that they’re having fun reading it!

If you're in the mood for a Hallmark Christmas movie that you can read on your phone, well, this is the book for you.

Pre-order yourself a Holiday Present today!

Amazon ||iBooks || Barnes & Noble || Kobo

Best Books to Read Now - October 2017

I didn’t post a list of books last month because for several strange reasons, I was overlapping a bunch of these – hence a bunch of books to recommend in October! WHeee!

The Look of Love – Julia Kelly

I was very lucky to get to read an early copy of this and once again, I’m blown away by Julia’s sweet, smart, sexy prose in the first book of this new historical romance series with a MATCHMAKER in SCOTLAND!! (I know, you just one-clicked that, right?)

Buy THE LOOK OF LOVE at Amazon || iBooks

King of the Sea – Madame de Boudoir

Out today! This is a paranormal erotic romance novella that made me gasp and laugh, too. Madame’s voice is fresh, intoxicatingly creative and the start of what should be an unforgettable new series featuring mermaids/ mermen and their loves through history.

Buy KING OF THE SEA at Amazon || iBooks

The Alice Network – Kate Quinn

Pretty much a non-fiction book disguised as fiction with effortless, suspenseful, thrilling prose. I’m obsessed with lady spies and recommending this to everyone.

Buy at Amazon || iBooks

Beard in Mind – Penny Reid

Another Winston Brothers installment, this time featuring the good-looking and good-natured Beau and the surly and sexy mechanic Shelly. We caught a glimpse of this couple in Cletus’ book and their story of overcoming illness to find love and family will kill you in a good way.

Buy at Amazon

Beginner’s Luck – Kate Clayborn

A debut that left me laughing, crying, and with a hurting tummy (from nerves! Were these two crazy kids going to work out?). For those who love STEM heroines, HGTV home renovation shows and real, fun contemporary romance. I’ve got Kate coming up on Women With Books next week so make sure you subscribe to hear our very cool conversation.

Pick it up at Amazon || iBooks

Unfortunately, I also had a DNF (did not finish) this month. It broke my heart to do as it’s not in my essential nature to give up on a book.  Do you ever stop reading before a book is over? Or are you a push-through-til-the-end kind of reader?

And have you read any of the books that I’ve recommended? If you have (or do) please let me know what you think – either on my Lindsay Emory facebook page or my Women With Books podcast page. I’d love to discuss books and what makes you read til the very end.

Everything You Need to Know About Writing You Can Learn From Rogelio De La Vega

JANE THE VIRGIN is back!!!!

Okay, I was a bit late on the Jane train. I think the word “virgin” threw me off. I knew the premise was that somehow a chaste Latina got knocked up but the story I picked up from the promos was that maybe she was hiding her sexual activity from her traditional (read: anti-sex) Latinx family and I was just not into that story.

But y’all. Jane the Virgin was not actually about that! It’s a telenovela that manages to be about family, about love, about ambition, about America, about face-stealing murderers and evil twins and snow in Miami and… it’s everything.  I cried last season. Hard. I also laugh and get inspired and I have concluded that the best character is Rogelio De La Vega.

I know, it’s a crowded field. This could be a controversial opinion.  I mean, there’s the title character, Jane. Her abuela, Alba. Her mom (oh how I love the flawed and brave Xiomara). The ever-hotness of Rafael (see below). The perfect man-next-door-ness of Michael. Hey, I’ve even warmed up to Petra, Our Lady of The Eternal Short Shorts.

But despite Mr. Sexy Pants right there, Rogelio is THE BEST. (And he would agree with me.)

 And really, every single writer in the world needs to watch Jane the Virgin (returning to the CW, 10/13, 8/9 CST) and take notes on confidence and hustle from Rogelio.

Why? He believes in himself.

He really loves his art.

He gets knocked down in the tabloids, gets second billing under his nemesis, loses everything and keeps hustling (with the support of his best friends Oprah and Charo, claro.)

And he just owns who he is, in all his lavender, spray-tan, new pants glory.

And really, that’s what all writers need to do. Embrace your inner Rogelio De La Vega. You’re hot, you’re inimitable, you’re YOU. And the world needs more of all of us. And all of YOU.