Friday, May 20, 2016

Celebrate: Sandy Beaches & Giveaways!


This week I'm celebrating:

Somewhere on a beautiful golden beach at a fancy hotel on the Red Sea, my husband and his brother's family are frolicking in the water, sucking down a ton of food at the all-you-can-eat buffets, and ordering drinks with little umbrellas in them during a week long vacation.

I'm not there. I'm too busy with preparations to get the review copies of Bloodwalker out: sorting reviewers, getting the blurb in several different lengths for print books, Goodreads, and ebook vendors, reviewing for my writers' group, and proofreading a new novel for a well-known author (well-known in horror circles at least).

But it's okay. My white skin would burn to a crisp, and I don't need any buffets adding pounds to an already ample figure.

No, really it's okay.


It IS okay....


Waaaaaaaaa!!!!











Do you usually go on vacations to great places or stay at home on stay-cations so you can get work done?


My kind and wonderful co-hosts of Celebrate the Small Things are:
L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge
Tonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog

Celebrate The Small Things Linky:



Grab the Linky html-code here:


** To see who’s posted for the hop look at my Celebrate The Small Things Blog Roll, left sidebar bottom **


 Celebrate the Small ThingsTo be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is visit the Celebrate page on Lexa's Blog for the rules, and then post every Friday about something you're grateful  for that week.  It can be about writing or family or school or general life.  This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever! (Originated by VikLit)



Foxy's Friday Freebies!

Foxy has been nosing around the net
When she finds great FREE STUFF, she'll feature it on Friday Freebies posts -
  • Free short stories, novellas, and novels
  • Giveaways for books and swag
  • Free services for authors


Here are Foxy's suggestions for May 20, 2016:

Free for Download Military Romance – Download the free ebook Seal it With a Kiss about a female recruit trying to get into the Navy Seal program and the tough-as-nails Seal commander who’s trying to keep her out, by Rogenna Brewer. 
Download FREE at:  Amazon      B&N     iTunes     Kobo

Free for Download Western Contemporary Romance – Download the free ebook Black Hills Baby, about a Hollywood swinger who agrees to donate his sperm for a share of a woman’s gold mine, but makes the bad decision to base his next sitcom hit on her life, by Debra Salonen. 
Download FREE at:  Amazon    B&N     iTunes    Kobo 

Free 5 Dark Fantasy eBooks – To celebrate the release of Asleep by Krystal Wade, about a girl wrongly put in an insane asylum where she starts to believe another patient’s stories about an evil doctor, the author’s giving away her 5 ebook Wilde series via rafflecopter on My Book Addiction blog. (ends May 31)


Free $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card – To celebrate the release of the Fur Magic series, a sweet Paranormal Romance series about a lovelorn witch who needs to find true love to break a curse and the story is told by her familiar, a cat named Talisman, author Colleen Charles is giving away a $20 gift card to the winner’s choice of Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Enter via rafflecopter on the Romance Novel Giveaways blog.  (ends May 28)


For Foxy's other Freebies, go to the Freebie page.

If anyone has a FREE short story (for download or online at a free ezine), novella, novel, special giveaway, or author service, please let Foxy know so she can plug you here!  Write to: laura.6eg(at)gmail.com
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45 comments:

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

So sorry you couldn't have joined them, but you are right, who needs a good time away at a hot beach covered in greasy sunscreen, when you could be accomplishing something important at home. You should, though, make yourself a nice umbrella drink today and look out the window now and then.

Sue Bursztynski said...

I haven't been for a holiday during my leave time in ages - and never to a place which serves sticky drinks with umbrellas by the ocean... Sigh! I have a dream of going on a cruise, one of these days. A lovely, floating hotel where everything is done for you and you can, if you wish, sit on the deck with your cocktail, staring out to sea, Agatha Christie book in your other hand, and wonder if you should take a dip in the pool...

JeffO said...

I would SO love to burn to a crisp on a beach like that! On the other hand, you're working on a book! How awesome is that? Have a great weekend, Lexa.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Bummer! Sorry you didn't get to go. I might take a day off from work and hang around the house, but longer than that, I'm going somewhere.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Hope you enjoy getting done what you need to do. No, I'd go on vacation. I work full-time and would need the break. Enjoy the peace and quiet.

T.F. Walsh said...

Bummer you didn't get to go on the vacation as well. Lazying by the beach sounds wonderful. I sure could do with some of that:)

Jackie said...

Awww :( sorry you didn't go to the beach. That's one of my fave places to be! But getting that book out is amazing in itself! :) Congrats and keep up the great work!

Julie Flanders said...

Aww, I'm sorry you didn't get to go on the trip but it will be worth it when your book comes out and is a huge success!!
I hear you on the white skin LOL. I'd probably end up hospitalized if I was on that trip. :D

Tonja Drecker said...

Make your own drinks with umbrellas? Sorry you can't be with them, but I hear you on the getting things done part. I keep hinting at my hubs that he could take the kids away on a vacation for a few days, but it hasn't taken root yet. Hope you get lots done!

Cherie Reich said...

The sun is overrated, although I would miss the food. I haven't been on a vacation to someplace else since 2007, and I normally just sleep a lot when off from work. Boring, I know.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Your husband went off on that vacation? Hmmph, when lady vacation comes around he can just sit at home. But you have a book to release and that's a load of work. I'm not a big vacation person but this scenario would have me thinking that crying baby gif too. Congrats on buckling down for your book. You are definitely dedicated to your craft which is great Lexa. Hubs better take you to a really nice restaurant when he returns. Brothers are supposed to annoying so...yeah.

Loni Townsend said...

I haven't been on a vacation in...um...I don't even remember. So I guess it's Staycation for me!

Deanie Humphrys-Dunne said...

Sorry you missed the beach fun, but you'll be accomplishing great things while everyone is playing. D

Anonymous said...

Sorry you're missing out this time around, but when you get done with your Bloodwalker work, you definitely should celebrate with your own vacation.

Laura Clipson said...

I've got a week off work in June, and I plan to use it just to catch up! My real vacation is in July, when I go to Greece for two weeks. I hope you get lots of work done!

Jeff Chapman said...

You'll deserve a vacation after all the work you're doing on your "vacation." Good luck with your latest.

Tyrean Martinson said...

I would go . . . even with a big project on the burner.
I hope that you give yourself some true stay-cation time by taking a bit of time to relax and enjoy!

Kate Larkindale said...

Sometimes being home alone is the best vacation. Especially if you don't have to cook or clean for other people and can focus on what it is YOU want to do.

But when you've been working really hard for a long time, sometimes you do need a break...

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Sigh. Things always seem to happen at the same time. The book is important, true. Maybe when that's taken care of you and hubby and whoever else, can take a relaxing vacation, just delayed a little.
Wishing the best for you with your book and also for rest time.

klahanie said...

Hi human, Lexa,

I wont use that overused saying, "life's a beach..."

You are being philosophical about it all, really, yes really.

Nice links, methinks.

I'm outta' here...

Pawsitive wishes,

Penny

messymimi said...

We go to Florida, and i stay out of the sun with umbrellas or staying by the pool in the shady spots. Sorry you couldn't be there, sitting in the shade at least.

Anonymous said...

I've said no to things because I had to write. I do go on vacations, but not as much as I'd like.

DMS said...

Sorry you can't be on a beach somewhere sipping on a cocktail. But- it sounds like you are getting a lot of work done! I like to go on vacations- but most of mine are staycations. Going away tends to be a bit more relaxing because I am away from the chores at my house. :) Good luck getting everything done!
~Jess

Heather R. Holden said...

Wow, you're busy! Sorry this has caused you to miss out on beachside fun as a result. Best of luck with all your preparations!

SENCO Cat Herder said...

We've just booked our vacation for this summer - our kids will be coming too which will be awesome as we know this type of holiday will certainly be few and far between now they've got into their twenties :) Sorry, you won't be with your husband but it does mean you will get a lot more done - I know, because last year I booked a holiday for my son to take my husband away for a week and I accomplished LOADS!! All the best - Special Teaching at Pempi’s Palace

Cathy Kennedy said...

Lexa, we don't go on traditional vacations often because of the expense. Staycations work really well for us. We don't have to pay for a room and we can take as many day trips to the mountains or stay near home eating in nice restaurants or just knocking around town doing fun stuff. Vacations don't have to cost an arm and a leg, but I do get the appeal of escaping to a special destination. I have such a place, the coast of Maine! Oh how I'd love to go there again!!! I'm in awe of your dedication as a writer to get your project completed. Maybe you can get away to a beautiful sandy beach with the hubby after it's done to celebrate. :)

Suzanne Furness said...

I do like to go away if I want a 'proper' break as it is the only way to ensure a total chill out time. But I do like to have time at home to write. Sorry you didn't get to hang out in the sun this time but hope you gets lots done.

Rachel Pattinson said...

Don't worry Lexa, I haven't been on a proper holiday for about two years...and it's been about eight years since my last 'beach' holiday! Nowadays, I have to make do with sunbathing in the garden (English-weather permitting). It sounds like you're being super-productive though! Best of luck with it all! If you manage to get all your work done, you could always treat yourself to something to make up for it :)

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I would join them. Take my laptop, find the best internet possible, and try to work 6 hours a day. It is sad that you couldn't go. I would also kick my husband if he left without me. LOL.

kimlajevardi.com said...

Sorry that you couldn't go, but I get it. I'm super excited to start summer break over here, but not for the cool vacations we used to take. No, I'm excited because I get to triple or quadruple my writing time. My unpaid second job. 🙄

Julia Thorley said...

Holiday? What's that? I haven't had a fortnight away since I went freelance/self-employed nearly 30 years ago. Bitter? No. Honestly, no.

Julia Thorley said...

Holiday? What's that? I haven't had a fortnight away since I went freelance/self-employed nearly 30 years ago. Bitter? No. Honestly, no.

Kelley said...

Good luck getting everything done. I hope your family enjoys safe travels!

Rachna Chhabria said...

So sorry that you couldn't go on that vacation. But think of all the work you got done. You can take a vacation later :)

Misha Gerrick said...

Awe! Best of luck with getting everything done.

Unknown said...

I'd be crying too!!!! Hope all the hard work pays off!

cleemckenzie said...

Are you nuts? Answer: No. I'm being authorly and doing what I must to complete my project in a timely manner. Now buzz off and leave me be!

Okay, I'm out of here, but I'm sending a care package: Some warm sand from a lovely beach around the corner from me, a mini drink umbrella with a recipe for the best umbrella drink on the planet and some happy pills. Take two and email me when they kick in.

Yolanda Renée said...

I'm so sorry you didn't get to go, but sometimes being away from the rest of the bunch is a vacation. Get your work done make a boat load of money and go on vacation where you want!
Such dedication! I'm proud of you!

Dianne K. Salerni said...

I don't know why I've never associated Egypt with beaches, even though it's bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Part of me feels bad you didn't get to go on the vacation, but then I remember all the times I voluntarily absented myself from a visit to the Atlantic shore to stay home and write.

Sand is ick, and crowds are blech, and boardwalks offer nothing but fried food.

If Egyptian beaches are in any way similar, you made a smart choice!

Crystal Collier said...

Only once have we split ways when it come to vacations, and that was because of a death in the family. Otherwise, when my hubby goes on vacation, I go with him. When I go somewhere, he goes with me. Kids are optional. ;)

Here's hoping you get a healthy dose of sunshine through your window while you work! *drops a wedge of cheese*

Unknown said...

aw man! that sucks. But I feel you, I choose the staycations! Between money and my casper the friendly ghost-esque skin, I don't go on vacations much!

Catherine Stine said...

Haha, but boo hop, I wanna be on a beach somewhere... good luck on your release. If you want me to promo it on FB or on my blog, message me!

PlanetKimberly said...

Oh, I feel your pain! We never go anywhere like that. The farthest we ever go is a 2-hour drive to San Diego or a 4-hour drive to Las Vegas every couple of years and that's mainly just to see family. We have a lot of things to do in L.A., but nothing beautiful like that beach in your picture. It's good that you're getting things done, though!

Unknown said...

Sorry you missed the trip, but it's hard to have fun when you have a lot of work hanging over your head. I hope you had a productive time while your husband was out of town!

Rhonda Albom said...

I travel with all carry on, and much of it is camera, computer, and similar items so I can do both. I would be big time whining if hubby were at that beach without me, despite the fact that I might get a sunbburn. You are handling this well. .

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