Spring fever! Happy Spring Equinox!!!

Who's got spring fever?...This girl!

Happy Spring Equinox

🌷🌹🌻

In like a lion, out like a lamb?

The winter blues are fading fast, but every time we get a nice spell of seasonal warmth and sunshine, we get hit again with the typical Canadian-confused climate.

Blistering winds and drifting snow-to-ice storms, and days later, major melt-downs and water-rise advisories. Us Canadians can't keep straight whether to wear our rubber boots or flip flops by the time mid-March rolls around!

Now, that being said, warm for the average Canadian is disputable for our more southern neighbours. After a winter that makes most of nature want to hibernate deep inside the earth, a day of cool breeze and sunshine is enough for us to toss our coats and boots in the cellar and consider short sleeves once again.

I know, personally, I've got spring fever when some of the following things start to happen:

• When driving, it's too hot with even a light jacket on
• I'm stuck deciding between the heat and air conditioning in my car
• More mud and sand is sprawled over my wooden floors than in my driveway
• The dust that's accumulated from the wood stove is considerably noticeable
• The urge to clean wraps around my soul
• Cabin fever sets in and I need to have daily adventures
• BBQ'ing in bare feet on the deck is tolerable, even though there are remnants of snow and ice around the yard
• The duvet cover on the bed becomes too hot for comfort at night
• The urge to crack the window open at night taunts me

So, tell me, how do you know when spring fever hits you? Are there any tell-tale signs or things you feel compelled to do?

Happy reading!

Kacey's Year In Review #Goodbye2016 @KaceyHammell #Writing #Authors

Good morning everyone! How is 2017 treating you so far? Are you glad to have 2016 over with? I remember in high school, as the new year started and we were finishing up our first semester, my English teacher's first assignment was reflecting on the previous year. So I thought today I'd do a similar version of that old assignment -- going back a few years LOL -- and reflect on 2016.

It was a crazy freakin' year! 2016 has to be the worst in history for deaths and tragedy, and well, let's face it, a possible leader of a country that has put the fear of everything we can ever fear into play. But I'm not about to get political here. 2016 will be known as the WTF year, IMO.

For me, it was a year of amazing moments. And this year I choose to look at the positives and not dwell on negatives. My top moments, the ones I basked in and enjoyed the most will always be remembered with love and so many feels!

As always, the top thing is that my hubby and kids all are doing well health wise. That's always first and foremost. My oldest son is still kicking Type 1 Diabetes ass! He does what he needs to in order to be healthy and makes me proud of everything he accomplishes. At the end of March we were blessed with a new addition to our family, my nephew Benjamin was born. And OMG he's a joy. A bundle of smiles and happiness. He's teething and doing okay with it, the first couple were horrid for him of course, but when anyone pulls out their phone to take his pic, he's posing and giggling and a bundle of fun and love.

In April, Momma and I went to our Meet & Greet / Concert with Johnny Reid for the fifth time. Can't help it, love our Scottish country singer! <3

Love love love this man!

In June, our oldest graduated from her Nursing Program at College. What an emotional and proud day for her Daddy and I. To top that off, she made the Dean's List too! She's always been a hard working young lady and never backs down from challenges. I'm pleased to say she found a job in September at a Nursing Home not too far from our house, her first time applying for a job in her field and she landed it. She's been there about four months now and boy does she love it! We're very proud of her. And it's so awesome that she has a job in her field. I admit I worried about that. Not everyone finds a job after graduating.

Summer flew by and before I knew it, kids were back in school. My youngest started high school - Grade 9! I can't believe it still. All my kids are out of elementary school and I don't have endless trips to go on, classes to volunteer in regularly and such. Then October rolled around and my hubby and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. Again, time has flown by and I'm amazed at just how fast. I remember the first time I met him, as though it was yesterday. Love that man even more today than I did the day I married him. Life is very good when married to a wonderful man who is an even better father.

In September, I traveled to London, Ontario for a book signing. I got to hang out with some members of this blog -- Amy, Kali, Kayleigh, Tricia, Roxanna -- and it was a lot of fun. London is a nice little town. I also, finally able to meet one of my Critique Partners, SJ Maylee, while I was there. She made the trip from Michigan, and I from here, and we "met in the middle" so to speak. I roomed with SJ & Kali, and they are two ladies whom I adore with my whole heart. They became fast friends as well, which I loved because they are so dear to me. I knew they'd hit it off.  The book signing was a lot of fun and it was wonderful revisiting with readers I'd met before and meeting new ones. And I loved meeting other authors I'd never had the opportunity to meet before. There's nothing like a book signing event to bring people together.

With my roomies and BFFs - Kali & SJ

I'm with the awesome Kayleigh Malcolm

With my fave Harlequin author, Amy Ruttan

Book news excitement -- I contracted THREE new books with Evernight Publishing in October and November!!

SJ & I at the Falls

October was also a trip I'll never, ever forget. First, I drove myself to Niagara on the Lake. And it's a huge thing for me because I'm not much of a long distance driver. Heck, driving my kids to and from in our area is bad enough for me, but driving through Highway 401, etc to get there -- I was in near panic mode for about 6 months just thinking about it. (and Kali drove me to London in May, by the way LOL). I went to Niagara on the Lake for the first Writer's Retreat for my publisher, Evernight Publishing. Again, I met SJ Maylee there, we roomed together again and spent a few days talking and talking. Many authors attended, two of whom are on this blog too -- Michelle Graham & LD Blakeley. We all had a great time. We got to meet the wonderful owner of the company in person, chat with our Marketing/PR force of nature who is amazing, and it was fabulous putting faces to the names I'd only met online. I got a great amount of writing in that weekend, which was the focus of it, but well as authors do -- we chatted A LOT! Lots of laughter was heard through the resort!

Evernight Publishing Authors

November was to be uneventful really, but sometimes life has a way of surprising us. And thanks to Kali, a dream came true for both of us! (as well as Tricia and another pal of ours) Quite unexpected, Kali got us all organized and on board, though it didn't take much, to get VIP tickets to go see the hunkiest man in the world. Our own Baby Boy, Shemar Moore. And to say I'm "a fan" is a huge understatement. Trust me, the man is everything!! My husband understands how much I adore Shemar and he's okay with it. Shemar is exactly as he portrays himself to be -- charming, flirtatious and a voice like butter! Mmm, he's amazing. At the club, where he was making the rounds in Toronto to promote his indie movie "Bounce Back", he danced with all of us. Took his time talking to as many as possible, we snapped pix, he showed his abs and his dancing skills. And when the man hugs, he doesn't do it half-assed at all. He pulls you in deep and fully into his embrace. As I said to my hubby, "you couldn't get a slice of cheese between us" when he hugged me, multiple times I might add. LOL  Hubby understood and reaped the rewards of me meeting Shemar when I got home! *wink*

Sexiest, sweetest man. Love me some Shemar Moore!

Rounding out the year was a great Christmas here at home. The hubs and I, the kids and their significant others, and Grandpa. It was a quiet, perfect way to end the year. We're all very blessed and I tell ya I'm thankful for my wonderful family who supports me, gives me strength and understanding in everything.

I'm grateful for my author colleagues, here on this blog and others I've met along the way.  I have some of the best friendships with authors that I never expected to have in my life. I'm happy for what great things 2016 gave me, and I'm ready for all the powerful and unexpected moments 2017 has in store for me. 


I hope you all have a wonderful 2017!! xoxo

Are You Naughty or Nice?

Naughty or Nice?

Well we are less than a week away before the big guys squeezes his tushy down the chimney. Are you on the naughty or nice list? 

Us Canadian romance authors need to keep our inspirations going, and I have to admit, the last few months, I've ventured into the naughty zone!

Why? Well, I can only show you a few photos to really demonstrate the path of temptations, but once you see, I'd bet you wouldn't have resisted either!

Two recent outings with the girls have led me to the land of Down Under, where the men are gorgeous and their dance moves are hot! This girl was on fire!

Then last month, a handful of us devoted Shemar Moore fans ventured to Toronto to meet the man himself, and all I can say is WOW! Sexy, silly and flirty and that man knows how to work a crowd!

Don't get me wrong, the coset of eye candy and divine entertainment hits the spot, but I'm more than happy to come home to my own real life hottie, who dotes on me and makes me feel like a queen. 

So, what are some of your naughty experiences? Or are you just too good to be true? Will Santa be generous, or like me, will you be receiving a stocking full of coal?

Happy holidays, from the Willows household!

Prayers for Rain, Pigs, Puppy Walks & Print Release! (@KaceyHammell) #Writing #OneClick #Authors

Good morning all! Happy Wednesday! 


It's been a long, hot summer in Ontario this year. We have all been praying for rain. Many people we know have been suffering from low water levels, to running out of water, and thank goodness that we finally have had a full day of really good rain. Even as I type this post, it's a steady stream of rain and it has broken the heat wave, plus it smells glorious through the open windows. I'm thrilled to see the rain. I doubt we will get second cuts from our hay fields this year but it's so great to see a bit of relief. Farm life can be difficult but I appreciate everything that myself and my family has been given. The piggies are doing great though -- major hungry buggers. LOL

I've been trying to get back to my walks with Peaches. It's been so dreadfully hot I've mainly been using the treadmill indoors, but a couple days ago it was a cooler day so i took advantage of it. It's been so warm, the best thing to do is of course stay in and write! I'm moving very steadily toward the end of the 2nd Canadian Muscle story and loving it like mad. It is wonderful revisiting old characters, and introducing readers to others.

Currently it's all about back to school shopping! I have 2 boys -- ages 14 & 17 -- one in his last year of high school, the other just starting! It's hard to believe how fast time goes! My daughter, my oldest, finished her nursing course in June, and got the first job in her chosen profession and starts there next month!! Life is very, very good.

Next month at this time, I'll be in London, Ontario at the Ignite Your Soul Event/Book Signing. HERE is more information about that book signing. If you're in the area, I'd love to see you there. I'm looking forward to seeing fellow Canadian Style Blog authors at the event too -- Tricia Daniels, Kayleigh Malcolm & Kali Willows.


And at the book signing I will have print copies of the 4 stories currently available from the In the Arms of the Law series. I have put the 4 stories in an ebook and print bundle.

Visit HERE for all the links for both bundles.

 


Until next month, stay cool and Happy reading!!