Top Ten Tuesday : Excitement

It's been a while since I did a T.T.T. so today I'm giving a quick rundown of all the things I'm excited about and looking forward to right now!

10. Summer

I know it’s half-over but I am still excited about nice weather and BBQ’s and all that summer entails.

9. My writing retreat stay-cation

My husband is headed to California for a week here shortly and I’ve planned to take a few extra days off work while he’s away to hole up in my house and do a little typey typey! Here’s hoping I get a lot done!

8. My TBR list

I have been devouring books lately and every time I look at my ‘to be read’ list I get all giddy thinking about what I’ll be reading next! So many good books and not enough time. 

7. The Ballad

Yes, that is a title to an upcoming novel. There isn’t much written yet in this story but it is all mapped out in my head and although I won’t be sharing much about it until it is further along in progress I am truly excited about this book!

6. Swag

It might sound silly but I get pretty into creating goodies that go along with my books. Bookmarks, postcards, and bumper stickers are on the way!

5. Reckless Radiance’s launch party

I haven’t started planning this just yet but I’m really pumped to have a big bash this time around for my paperback release!

4. Hubby’s Graduation

My husband will be graduating in September after three years at The Art Institute of Indianapolis and I cannot wait to see what comes next for him!

3. Natural Harmony

The novel I’m working on now has all but consumed my thoughts lately and as I get closer to finishing it I’m getting more and more excited to share it with people!

2.  New Adult Sleepover Weekend Event

December will be here in the blink of an eye and I will be on my way to Georgia for my first out of state event! I can’t wait to meet readers and some very cool fellow New Adult authors.

1. Reckless Radiance

My second novel will be out in 70 days!!! I can’t believe I’m going to be an author all over again and I’m really excited to share another side of myself as a writer. Reckless Radiance is so very different from The Low Notes but I’m glad everyone will be meeting Russell and Valerie soon.

Top Ten Tuesday : Sexy Songs

The book that I'm working on now (27,000 words and counting!) has a musical thread to it just like The Low Notes did so I've been rather musically obsessed lately. This book is also quite a bit spicier than anything I've written before. It's not quite erotic romance but the plot has a sexual awakening element to it and the writing it definitely a lot more adult. So with that being said, my playlists have taken a bit of a sexy turn and I thought it would be fun to share my top ten sexy songs! These aren't all necessarily on my playlist but they are all the kinds of songs that would put me in the mood to write something that would put a reader in the mood....

10. Boom by Anjulie

9. #1 Crush by Garbage

8. Gorilla by Bruno Mars

7. When I Get You Alone by Robin Thicke

6. If I Didn't Know Better by The Civil Wars or The Cast of Nashville

5. When She Turns 18 by Christian TV

4. Meant by Elizaveta

3. Seduces Me by Celine Dion

2. Feelin' Love by Paula Cole

1. Stay by Sara Bareilles


Have a listen to some of those and...well...read a book, maybe?

Top Ten Tuesday : The Low Notes Anniversary

Since I'm celebrating the one year anniversary of The Low Notes here's a few of my favorite highlights of the past year and the links to blog posts all about them!

10. In 2012 I gave NaNoWriMo a whirl...and failed.

9. I've been hard at work on my newest novel, Reckless Radiance, and hopefully it won't be too long before you all can read it!

8. Song lyrics from seven different songs were originally in the manuscript.

7. Since publishing The Low Notes I've given myself an office!

6. I've had two book signings since the release of The Low Notes last year.

5. Since publishing The Low Notes a whole new genre has taken the reading world over...and it just so happens that I fit into that genre!

4. I have fans! Like actual, real people who consider themselves FANS of my book!

3. I get asked a LOT of questions about the writing/publishing/creative process since I've become an author.

2. Through Amazon and Goodreads reviews as well as emails and Facebook fans, I've learned that people on six of the world's seven continents have read The Low Notes.

1. The best highlight of the last year....I became an author.

So there you have it. I'm celebrating my 27th birthday today as well and I can't think of a better way than to look back at what an amazing year I've had as an author.

The anniversary blog tour continues! Find me today at author Melissa Keir's place and over at Smardy Pants Book Blog

Top Ten (err, five) Tuesday : TV Series Finales

All good things must come to an end, right? Well generally all good TV shows don't end so well. Last Friday my husband and I watched the two hour series finale of Fringe. We'd been watching the show since day one and it was one of our favorites. Though the last episode was good (great acting, the general idea of a wrap up and a few nods to the fans), it wasn't great. I realized there were only a handful of series finales that I truly felt completed by. 

Sadly, there are not ten shows that made their last episode work so here's my top five list in which I get a little creative with my choices.  


5. LOST

Not everyone was thrilled by this series finale because it didn't 'answer all our questions'. That part never bothered me. To me, the show was never about finding out what the smoke monster was or how Jacob got on the island. The show was about Jack's journey--it was about every single character's personal arc and in the end I was satisfied.

4. Saved by the Bell : Wedding in Las Vegas

 

Okay this is where I got a little creative. Here's what you have to understand, the last season of Saved By The Bell (original cast) sucked! They brought in stupid Tori and Kelly and Jessie weren't in half the episodes and the 'finale' (if you can call it that) was garbage. Then the best of the cast goes on to do The College Years and I would say Wedding in Las Vegas is essentially that show's finale so I'm considering it to be the definitive finale (especially since all the original cast shows up in the end). Oh, that and it's awesome.

3. Doctor Who (The End of Time Parts 1 & 2)

 

Technically the Brits call a season a 'series'. So this is a 'series' finale. But it's also the end of David Tennant's portrayal of The Doctor. Season 5 is a bit of a reboot with no mention of former companions and an attempt to introduce new viewers so I view this (Season 4's finale) as it's own series finale. Seriously, if you don't watch this show get on Netflix right now and catch up! (starting with 2004's season 1)

2. Sex and the City

 

LOVE this ending!! We all knew Big and Carrie were meant to be and we finally get those dreams paid off. Though I love the first SATC movie and consider it a nice wrap up to the entire story, this series finale would've kept me just as happy. Favorite moment : finally knowing Big is actually John.

1. Six Feet Under

 

This remains my favorite show of all time.  I was so nervous for the finale because generally they don't work but boy was I wrong. Complete satisfaction. The show always started with a death so when the show was ending and it showed all of the main characters deaths down the line I was blown away (and a hot freaking mess). It was the perfect ending and the beginning of my musical love of Sia.

I'd love to hear what finales you loved and felt satisfied with! Leave them in the comments section!

Top Ten Tuesday : New Year's Resolutions

It's a brand new year! It's a time for a fresh start and goals to energize us as we head into 2013. Generally I hate New Year's resolutions but this year I'm feeling kind of hopeful about the situation. Rule #1...no resolutions about food or weight (those ones never seem to work out so we should skip them altogether yeah?). So here goes...my top ten resolutions!

10. Spend more time with friends and family

Time tends to get away from me. I let life get in the way of making plans with the people I love the most. Making time for some of my favorite people shouldn't be too hard.

9. Find the balance

Hair styling and book writing don't really go together so well. Both jobs are creative and fun and I love them both but it can be hard to shift gears. I'm not sure how I'll do it but I'm going to find a way to find the balance between both of my jobs.


8. Spend more time with Sampson

My dearest puppy dog Sam gets lonely. Mom and Dad are so boring! All they do is sit at their dumb computers and use the scary vacuum cleaner. I promise to take my boy on more walks and give him waaaaaay more cuddles.


7. Journal more

In September 2012 I started keeping a journal again. I hadn't written in a journal consistently since probably junior high school. For the first few days I was doing awesome. Then I started to slack a bit. So for 2013 I'd love to be writing in my journal at least once a week if not much more!


6. Watch less TV

I've been known to say that TV is my boyfriend. He's there for me when I get home and he always knows just what to say. He makes me laugh, cry, teaches me how to cook and depending on what I'm watching he can also be quite sexy (I'm looking at you Damon Salvatore). But it's time I take a little break from this relationship. TV, it's not you--its me. I need to spend more time doing productive things. I'll always love you and we will still be friends....


5. Be a better Susie Homemaker

Between standing on my feet all day at the salon, wanting to pop open the laptop immediately and also being addicted to the TV, I like to forget about some important things like cooking and cleaning. Now, I'm not saying I want to turn into the June Cleaver of Indianapolis but I would like to keep on top of the housework a little more. Because of course, when the house is clean my mind is much more at ease anyway. It's a win-win.

4. Blog more

Though I enjoy blogging, sometimes it is a bit tedious. It's hard enough to discipline myself to sit down and do it but I also have to think about what I'm going to say! Sometimes all I have in me is a lazy top ten list ;)

3. Read more

Reading is one of those things I absolutely love to do but I always seem to forget about. I'll be the first to admit that I'm a slave to technology so sometimes when I could pick up a book (even if it's on my Kindle) I pick up my iPhone instead. 2013 will be about stepping away from the cell phone and curling up with my fictional boyfriends.

2. Publish book 2

Fingers crossed that Reckless Radiance will be submittable very soon! Having two titles under my belt will feel amazing. I just can't wait to give my readers something more--and something totally different from The Low Notes.

1. Write more!

In a few years I'd like for writing to be my only job and the only way I'll get there is by working harder than ever before.

Top Ten Tuesday : Holiday Movies

Let the holiday cheer continue!! Here's a list of the top ten movies I LOVE watching each December. This was so hard because I think I actually have a top 15. I had to leave out Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, Holiday in Handcuffs and Die Hard. SOOO HARD!

10. The Holiday

9. Scrooged

8. The Polar Express

7. Love Actually

6. The Muppet's Christmas Carol

5. White Christmas

4. The Santa Clause

3. Home Alone (and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York)

2. Elf

1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Note : For those of you who can't believe you eyes and think I have made a serious oversight...I personally am not a fan of the movie A Christmas Story. I don't like it so it doesn't make the cut.

Top Ten Tuesday : Favorite Holiday Songs

I've got holiday fever!! I've turned on the Christmas music, I'm baking up a storm and I've been decking my halls since Thanksgiving. However you celebrate, there's one thing we can all agree on--this truly is a time to share goodwill and cheer. As the weather gets yuckier and the year comes to an end let's be thankful for what we have, mindful of those who have less and kind to all.

This was a hard list to narrow down but here are my top ten holiday tunes!

10. Twelve Days of Christmas Medley by Straight No Chaser 

9. Hey Santa! by The Wilson Sisters (aka Wilson sans Phillips)

8. Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes

7. Mele kalikimaka by Bing Crosby

6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by James Taylor

5. Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon

4. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Bon Jovi

3. All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey

2. Oh Holy Night by Nsync

1. Celebrate Me Home by Kenny Loggins

Top Ten Tuesday : Thanksgiving

It's been a while since I had a T.T.T. on here! With Thanksgiving just a few days away I thought it would be a great time to list a few things I'm thankful for this season.

10. My Day Job : Some of you may not know that I spend the majority of my days making a living as a hairdresser. I have a great group of amazing clients and I truly enjoy the creativity that hair styling allows me. I'm thankful for the fact that I enjoy my job, the people I see every day and that I have been able to be successful.

9. Fellow Authors : Facebook and Twitter have helped me 'meet' some incredible fellow authors who are supportive and helpful with tips. I have a few authors I call 'friend' and those relationships are even more treasured. I am thankful for Britni Hill, Julie Young, Christine Johnson, Adam L. Garcia, Caitlyn Duffy, Katie Andrews Potter, all the Rebels and tons more!

8. 2012 : This year has been so full of amazing opportunities and exciting endeavors. I'm thankful that in a year that is supposedly ending on December 21st I've been able to make sure I beat the clock on achieving a few of my dreams.

7. Readers : It's sometimes still hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that people are reading my book! From getting emails, reviews and requests for more novels I am beyond thankful for readers of The Low Notes.

6. Words : I'm thankful for words. Simple as that. Words are my life and without them I would have a lot less joy.

5. My Friends : I have an astounding group of friends. They are some of the most fun, strong, hilarious and supportive people I know. I am thankful for relationships that feel like family created by fate.

4. My Family : Two siblings, three sister-in-laws, one brother-in-law, three nieces (and one on the way), one nephew, mom and dad, the in-laws and everyone beyond that--you are all amazing and I would be so much less without you.

3. Sampson : My first (and for right now, only) baby! He puts up with me typing away and he sits by me for long hours while I drink my coffee and work. Thankful for my furry child.

Photo of Sam courtesy of Eliza Marie Photography

2. My Husband : Unending support, unconditional love and unpredictable fun! Adam makes me a better person and he has treated me to an amazing marriage for five years. I am so thankful to have found and married my best friend.

1. My Health : Without this I would be nothing. I am thankful I can stand on my feet all day and do hair. I am thankful my fingers work tirelessly writing novels. I am thankful my mind is clear and full of ideas. I am thankful to see the beauty in the world, smell the fragrances of the seasons, hear and be inspired by music, feel the keys beneath my fingertips and eat, sleep and breathe love, life and passion.

This holiday season, no matter how you celebrate, take a moment to ponder your own top ten list of thankfulness. Bonus : I am thankful for anyone who takes the time to read my blog, so thank you :) Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Top Ten Tuesday : Current Obsessions

10. Wedding
My lovely sister in law is getting married in a few weeks and for the last few months I have been in Matron of Honor mode. Though things are winding down I'm still all about wedding hoopla these days.


9. Supernatural on Netflix

I can't explain just how much I love this show. Though I own all the DVD's I tend to watch random episodes on Netflix while I clean or right before bed. The Winchester's just make me happy!


8. Blogging
If you can believe it I'm spending a lot of time trying to keep the blog up to date. I've been doing interviews and reaching out to other authors to do guests posts like crazy!


7. Revenge

I'm getting caught up on the first season of this show and I'm totally ADDICTED! It's like The O.C. and Kill Bill combined. Great show!

6. Promotion
I've been hearing great things from people about The Low Notes lately and it has been driving me to do more promotion. I'm using Facebook and Twitter to get the word out and reaching out to book review bloggers too.


5. Pinterest

 

I'm not as psycho about Pinterest right now as I was this time last year but I'm on there about every day. I pin things like recipes and DIY crafts. I also have a lovely board called The Dream which is made of ideas for my ultimate dream home. You can follow me if you like!


4. Popular Music
A lot of popular songs are really good right now and I'm a little obsessed. Let's see...Maroon 5's One More Night, Alex Clare's Too Close, Fun's Some Nights, Taylor Swift's We Are Never Getting Back Together, Cher Lloyd's Want U Back, Justin Beiber's As Long As You Love Me are just a few. I need to make a mix tape!


3. The New Normal on NBC
Hilarious and sweet new sitcom about the new normal family. Check it out. Are you sensing a theme? I watch a lot of TV haha!!


2. Fall

 Fall is my favorite season and it's almost here. I love Halloween and Thanksgiving. I love the weather and the changing leaves. I also love the return of all my favorite shows, the clothes (and boots) and food. Can you say crock-pot? Cannot wait!


1. Writing!
Typey Typey y'all! The words have been flying off the fingertips lately and I couldn't be happier about it. I haven't given myself a serious deadline but I would love to mark The Low Notes' one year anniversary with another release (if not sooner). The title that I'm currently working on is a beach romance about finding yourself and finding love and it's called Back to You. So excited about it!

Top Ten (+5) Tuesday : My Favorite Fictional Bands

These bands rule! They may not be real, but they pretty much rock and that's all that matters. Sorry I couldn't keep it to just ten this week.

15. Sex Bob-omb (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World)

They rock just as hard in the graphic novels as they do in the film adaptation.

14. Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem (The Muppet Show)

This one is for my husband who convinced me a few years ago to dress as Animal so he could be Dr. Teeth. I certainly didn't hate it because we all know "Animal dance!!"

13. Drive Shaft (LOST)

 Lost was one of my favorite shows and Charlie was such an amazing character. How could I not mention "You All Everybody"??

12. Jessie & The Rippers (Full House)

 Uncle Jessie is so hot! Not only does he have The Rippers, he also jams with The Beach Boys every now and then.

11. Wyld Stallyns (Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure)

"Be excellent to each other."

10. Robin Sparkles (How I Met Your Mother)

"Come on everybody, let's go to the mall!!"

Robin's deep dark secret of being a Canadian pop star makes for some of the greatest HIMYM episodes.

9. Jem & The Holograms

Jem is the original Hannah Montana; regular lovestruck girl by day, rock star by night. And...I LOVE her pink hair!

8. 2gether

 "I know my calculus, it says U + Me = Us" 

7. The Jerk-Offs (Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist)

Their drummer is a children's toy and they have an even better more offensive name...
"Fist Full of A**holes"

6. Frozen Embryos (My So-Called Life)

Try listening to Jordan Catalano sing "I Wanna Be Sedated" without wanting desperately to head down to the boiler room with him. Follow up by listening to a little 30 Seconds From Mars.

5. Spinal Tap

Theirs go to 11...enough said.

4. Stillwater (Almost Famous)

"I am a golden god!"

3. Cry Baby and The Drapes (Cry-Baby)

Though I love Cry Baby crooning tunes, my favorite musical number from the movie has Allison Vernon Williams singing "Please Mr. Jailor".

2. The Wonders/Capt. Geech & the Shrimp Shack Shooters (That Thing You Do!)

These four hotties from Eerie, PA know how to get the kids dancing.

Special recognition to their alter-egos from the movie within a movie "Weekend at Party Pier".

1. Zack Attack/ Hot Sundae (Saved By The Bell)

The band Zack Attack not only gets to play school dances but they also had a lengthy career in Zack's imagination in a great episode where we get to hear "Friends Forever" and see Zack's future love of mousse!

The short-lived girl group Hot Sundae is responsible for one of the greatest SBTB episodes of all time! "There's no time! There's never any time! I'm so excited, I'm so...I'm so...scared!!" Jessie Spano was robbed of the Emmy that year.

Top Ten Tuesday : Vampires!

Are vampires still in? Abraham Lincoln killed a few this summer and we've all heard by now Bella and Edward are having trouble in paradise...er, Forks. I've always loved vampires so here's ten to get your blood pumping.

10. Selene (Underworld)

The only lady vamp on my list but she's hot and she's a badass!

9. Louis (Interview with a Vampire)

The tortured mate of another vampire on the list.

8. Edward Cullen (Twilight)

He sweeps her off her feet, turns into a douche and does a disappearing act, proves he can handle jealousy (sort of) and finally manages to not screw Bella to death. All in all he had a hold of me while I was reading these books. Damn it!

7. Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Between the leather, the Billy Idol hair and the British accent he's the whole evil vampire package.

6. Lestat (Interview with a Vampire)

He's crazy and hot and eventually a rock star. 

5. Eric Northman (True Blood/ Sookie Stackhouse Novels)

Enough said.

4. The Salvatore Brothers (The Vampire Diaries)

Stefan seems to be the good one from the start but as time goes on and the truth comes out it's hard to tell if either brother is completely good or bad. Personally I'm on Team Damon.

3. Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Talk about a character arc. If you've never watched Buffy (specifically seasons 1-4), you MUST! Angel was my first tortured vampire, longing for love but haunted by his past. 

2. The Black Dagger Brotherhood 

Wrath, Rhage, Zsadist, Butch, Vishous, Phury and a few others all have their own story within the series. These vampires are strong, hot and devoted to the women they fall in love with. These books are fantastic romances!

1. Dracula 

The original.