THANK YOU!!!

Dear Readers...

Tonight I was very indirectly reminded of a few things that I'd never forgotten but that had taken a back burner to all the madness that has been going on.

I was reminded of where this all started...

About a year ago, I returned home from a weekend getaway in Minneapolis - my forever and always home town - and upon returning from spending a great weekend with old friends I got this harebrained idea that I should write a book. So I did. I started writing out the things that came to mind.

Then in August I began this blog, joined Twitter - for the first time ever - and joined Facebook under my nom de plume of Zoey Derrick. I started off by liking and following the Authors that I'd discovered over the course of my own reading adventures. Eventually I started coming out of my shell and started to tell people that I was writing a book and in doing so I met some of the greatest people I could have ever hoped to meet.

First came the lovely and luscious Shoshanna Evers and gorgeous Jennifer Probst. (Seriously people, these are two of the most interactive Authors you will see on social media.) Shoshanna's muse and mine would disappear together - or at least that was the excuse I made when mine would go missing because he always seemed to come back naked. Jennifer inspired me with her personality and the little things, like sending my Grandma a book because she loved The Marriage Bargain.

The list I followed quickly grew to include the Beautiful Marata Eros (a.k.a. Tamara Rose Blodgett) who I fell in love with because of her Druid Breeders series. Marata always had something funny to say and through replies and faves and reTweets on Twitter I met the Girls that hold my heart together with their constant love and support. AussieGirl and CrystalRant.

If it had not been for Angie (a.k.a. AussieGirl's Book Lover Blog) and Crystal (Crystal's Random Thoughts) I would not have been able to accomplish the completion and publishing of Finding Love's Wings. 
Everyday they pushed me, inspired me, and drove me to write and write some more. When it came time to reveal Olivia's amazing cover for Finding Love's Wings - Crystal was there, ready and willing at practically a moments notice, to post it to all her followers. And my dearest Angie made me cry the same day, a couple of times.
The first time was while reading her heartfelt and amazing 4 Star Review of Finding Love's Wings. I was OVER THE MOON that day, and every time I re-read that review my eyes well up and I smile really big.

Without Angie and Crystal's urging and pushing me, THIS

Would not have happened!!! Do you see it? The Rank? That's right baby #4302 on the Amazon Rankings.

So you see, the moral of this post is this.... Though I might not always reply to posts or emails, I see and read everything EVERY ONE OF YOU HAS TO SAY! And your words of love for Tristan, for Cami, Tattoos, Piercings, me and my writing continues to push me further into my career as an Author.

So Please... Please.. Keep the reviews, the comments, the emails, the Posts and the Tweets coming.

THANK YOU!
XXOO!
Zoey


Now there is one other person I want to mention.. Michelle, before I started this post, I went back and read all my comments, and you, my dear, are AMAZING! Did you know that your words of adoration for Tristan and Cami has inspired a whole new realm of characters and stories. You were the very first person to read, review and completely SQWEE over my story? XXOO! Huge Hugs Girl, Thank you!

I know i've left a few people off of this post. Many of those that I owe deep thanks (including Angie and Crystal) were listed in the Acknowledgements of Finding Love's Wings.

To Everyone that has written a review of Finding Love's Wings, whether it was bad, so-so, good, best, or greatest I completely HEART every single one of you.

So Spread The Word.. Tell your friends!

AND.....

The Next Big Thing...

The lovely ladies over at Deadly Ever After (www.deadlyeverafter.com) invited me to join The Next Big Thing Blog Hop, so here I am. Make sure you stop by their blog and check out their next big thing and their fabulous Holiday Horror Days, going on now.

Are you ready? Yes? No? Well tough cause here we go. 

What is the working title of your book? Well right now it stands at Love Burning, or maybe even Love is Burning, or who knows, by the time its published it could be something completely different. 

On a side note, I am working on a little short story that started with my girls over on Deadly Ever After, maybe you can find it? But I am not talking about that today. 

Where did the idea come from for the book? Love Burning is one of those stories that has been rattling my brain for years. I finally decided, after discovering the world of self-published books, that it was time to finally get the story out of my brain and on to paper, or text, or word. Well you get the idea. 

What genre does your book fall under? My book most definitely falls into the Romance Category.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? This is something that is a little harder for me to chose, although one of the mental pictures I have for Tristan (my hero) is Christian Bale. Just younger than he is today. Cami on the other hand is a bit harder. Her image is a bit 1920's to 1030's pin-up girl. Pale skinned, and pulls off dark red lipstick like no other. She is harder to cast because my mental image of her is hard to see in many actresses. 

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? What happens when a woman with a past of neglect finds love for the first time?

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Self-published, in e-book format.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? About 4 months. I spent a lot of sleepless nights, believe me, it was well worth it. 

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Well, I hope that my story stands out as unique among all the wonderful books out there. Most of the books I know I read consist of the Billionaire Boyfriend...what happens when you have a Billionaire Girlfriend? O/o

Who or What inspired you to write this book? This is the hardest, yet easiest question to answer. I was inspired by E.L. James and self-publishing a story that has rocked the world. I was inspired by Jamie McGuire as I watched Beautiful Disaster go from a lowly self-published novel to being signed with Atria. Reading stories of struggles to write, struggles to publish, and all that inspires. Most of all the ones that kept me writing. Shoshanna Evers and Jennifer Probst are two beautiful ladies that kept me writing day in and day out. Just ask Shoshanna about writing dust or ask Jennifer about her wanting a copy of my MS when it is done. Believe me, nothing is more exciting and terrifying than that. :-)! 

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? It's Hot, It's Steamy, and it becomes something more than you expect. At least that is my goal. :-)! 

I posted today, so that means that on December 26th you should see blog posts from the following Authors. The Next Big Thing Blog Hop has grown by leaps and bounds and believe me, I had a hard time finding these lovelies. So make sure to stop by their pages, check out their blogs, and most of all, check back next week for some insider scoops on some upcoming work. 

I am nominating the following Authors...

Marata Eros

Ashlee Alexander

Mari Wells  ** Mari also nominated me, so make sure you check her out!

Sione Aeschliman

Jeanie Grey 

I hope you all enjoyed my little interview and don't forget to stop by and visit these other blogs, who knows, you might find the Next Big Thing, or just a new book to read! 

*HugS*

Zoey

Thanksgiving Thanks!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Today is a chance to reflect on all that has happened in the last year, and to remember all the things that we are thankful for.

This year I am thankful for so many things that I am not even sure where to start, but I think I have an idea.

Two weeks ago today I lost my Dad after a battle with lung cancer. I am thankful for all of the time that I was able to have with him. Though he was gone far to soon in his life and mine, I cannot be more grateful for all the things he taught me. For all the things he helped me see were important, and to move past the little things that are unimportant. Through his 30 years of military service, he taught me to fight for what you believe in. This Thanksgiving instead of being sad that you are no longer with me, I am thankful that you are happier and healthier where you are right now. Love you Dad!

Now, onto more happy things.

Earlier this year, after a conversation with my hair stylist I purchased Fifty Shades of Grey and I fell so head over heals in love with those books that I never thought I would branch out and try anything else. Then I discovered books like Bared to You, Gabriel's Inferno, Beautiful Disaster, Love Unscripted, and The Marriage Bargain and I fell in Love with each of them. From there I discovered more books than I could shake a stick at and read each one of them with an appraising eye.
It was around the beginning of August that I decided that I was going to pen my first manuscript and without hesitation, I continued until I had a full sized book in my hands. So in the long run, I am most thankful for Jennifer Probst and all the authors of the beautiful books listed above for inspiring me to write.

Without writing, I would have never met the wonderful people that have kept me going, kept me motivated, and most of all kept me focused on following my dream. If you would have told me a year ago that I would have a Twitter account with over 250 followers, a blog, a Facebook Page and wonderful people keeping me excited about what I am doing, I have no doubt I would have given up long ago. So Thank You!! Your generosity and inspiration knows no bounds and I am excited to share with all of you what I have been working on so hard.

As a thank you to you for all your love, support and inspiration, I present to you the first ever Teaser of my upcoming novel...still yet to be named. 

Please note, this teaser is subject to change as it is still subject to editing and maybe even the chopping block. :-) I hope you enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving from my family and I to you and yours!

*HugS*
Zoey

I hope you enjoy this sneak peek into my mind and into my story! 

        “I do, but I figured in the economy the way that it has been the last six years that I would have actually lost money.” I was smiling. 

“Losing money is not in my vocabulary Cami. You should know this by now.” He was laughing again. “What pray tell should I do with this lot Cami Dear?”

I was laughing harder now. I loved it when he made fun of my accent. Granted I am not British by any stretch of the imagination, but growing up in England gave me no choice but to adopt the accent. “You know better than to ask me that question. Why don’t you just re-invest it? Heaven knows I don’t need it at the moment. Why don’t you just figure it out and email me the details. I am in need of a shopping spree.” I laughed again. “Maybe a new Tattoo?”

“Have at it darling, it is all yours to play with. I think though you could use a new car. You’re still driving that damn 2005, upgrade already would you?”

“Will you have a heart attack if I go for the R8 or the Lamborghini?”

“No” he stated simply.

“You are such a God awful liar Mick.” I laughed and he joined in.

But First...

     I cannot make my announcement without first thanking some wonderful people that have given me some very heart warming and humbling support.

     First of all, though he is way to young to read this, to my Pint Sized Peanut. Without your encouragement and million "Mom, what are you doing?" Questions turning to "Mommy are you writing again?" I would not be able to be making this announcement.

The big announcement: As of today, the final unedited word of my first draft has been typed and the road to editing begins tomorrow. But tonight I celebrate with some much needed Thank You's to be said. 

     I need to send shout out style thanks to some wonderful people who have continuously given me encouragement without fail these last couple of months.

    First off is the wonderfully talented Shoshanna Evers. Her *writing dust* and witch style Muse hunts have kept me writing far longer than I ever thought I was capable of.

    To Jennifer Probst, girl without all our conversations and your words of encouragement to follow my dreams and my heart this would not becoming to fruition so quickly. So thank you!!

    I also have to, without a doubt, thank Barb and Jolene, two beautiful lovely ladies that through their enjoyment of what they have read so far and their tireless butt kickings to keep me on track, my story would be incomplete without their fictional alter egos and I would probably still be laboring over the first sentence. I hope that your characters do you guys great justice.

     There are many more that need thanking and even more than that have had an indirect impact on my book and those indirectly influencing my desire to write are all the wonderful authors that I have had the pleasure of reading over the last several months.

Some of the following have more than just a readers influence on my writing. 

Including but not limited to: Sylvain Reynard, Jamie McGuire, Tina Reber, Marata Eros, Delilah Fawkes, Cherrie Lynn, Sydney Landon, Sara Fawkes, J. R. Ward, Sylvia Day, and last but not least E. L. James*

     Now, for my wonderful Twitter people who have shown me even more encouragement by your support and expressed desire to read what I have written, Thank you for your continued patience while I labor through my heart and soul for you to read.

Be sure to follow my blog for all the latest and greatest in Zoey's editing world.

All my heart to you,
Zoey


"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." Harriet Tubman 


 *Despite our recent indifference, I cannot help but thank E. L. James for creating Fifty Shades of Grey, because without those three books, I would have never found all the beautiful authors listed above.*