Keeping Up With Kacey (@KaceyHammell) #Writing #Life #Summertime

Good morning everyone! And Happy Sunday. Mid July and this year's summer in Ontario, Canada has had it's ups and downs. With more rain than we've had in years, beach days for many have been few and far between. While my hay fields are loving the long drinks of water they're getting, I'm not as enthusiastic about it. It has to be dry longer than a day or two in order to get the fields cut and baled. Basically it's a cut one day, let it lie for a full day to fully dry out and then bale it. But with sporadic days of sun then rain, it's been a struggle. Plus the time frame of hubby's work schedule and mine are also interfering.

Speaking of which, I started a full time job outside the house recently and it's cutting into my writing. I'm doing my best but it's difficult to have the energy after a long, fast paced day and a quite physical job. I've resigned myself to weekend writing. But things are progressing well and I am somewhat managing. My online presence is dismal, but it's unavoidable these days. I've never been so grateful to sleep at the end of a day. Being a stay-at-home mom for fifteen years, I was busy and my days were always full, but I appreciate the writing time a lot more now, as well as my sleep. I could stay up until two in the morning and be up at 5:30 and go all day without needing a nap. Now, I'm in bed by nine p.m. and getting up at five a.m. is hard as hell. But we all do what we must. Adjust and adapt has always been a way of life for me. 

But I have bought myself a new car. Being on the road more now for the job and needing something a lot newer for five days a week, I splurged a bit and have a shiny new toy. I love it. So, SO comfortable! I haven't decided yet, but I may be driving it to a book signing in Kalamazoo, Michigan in October. I haven't looked at all my travel options as yet (and it's like a ten hour drive), but I know I'll have something more comfortable than my previous car, and more reliable, should I decide to drive all that way. 

And in writing news, I signed a contract about a week ago. Another story coming out in the fall with Evernight Publishing. It is the sequel to Stirring Up Dirty, and the 2nd in the Stirred by Love series, called, Stirring Up Glory. I loved writing this story a lot. Drew and Glory, whom everyone met in book one finally come to a head with their past and their ire toward one another. It's pretty intense, but oh, so yummy, too. *g*  I'm steadily working on two WIPs currently. One is a wolf shifter, the other is a suspense. I'm having fun with all the characters. It's a new thing for me, working on 2 stories at once, but I'm managing. The suspense has a firm deadline that must be met, but the wolves are demanding a lot of attention to. And a writer should never ignore the voices in their head. *g*

I also have a new member of the family. Meet, Toby, my "grandson", who belongs to my oldest son and his girlfriend. They are both on their way to college/university in Sept, and have added a bundle of joy -- of the four-legged kind thankfully -- to their lives. Toby is a handful, so very energetic that his "Grandma" can't keep up, but a lot of joy too. Peaches (my cockapoo) has warmed up to him some, but she misses her peace and quiet days. LOL

Until next month, hope you're reading some great stories and enjoying the long summer days. 

   

www.kaceyhammell.com

Author Life & Summer Loving (@KaceyHammell) #Summer #Canada #Writing #Fun

Good morning!

It's been a great summer already -- or at least June.  What's been happening around here? Well, look for sequels to come your way, readers! I've been busy on Canadian Muscle 2, and have an outline of Stirred by Love 2 as well. There are some other books in the works, I received rights back from a publisher, plus another story I want to revamp and share with everyone. It has been a crazy eight months for me -- health wise, personally and professionally -- but all is good. 

With Haidee, a "Hammell's Heroine"

In May I enjoyed a fun-filled few days in our nation's capital at the RTC 2016 Book Signing. I loved visiting with readers I'd met at the 2015 one, and new readers this year! Of course it was fantabulous seeing some of my street team/reader group there as well. These ladies are so inspiring and I can't wait to share all the exclusive excerpts and goodies with them as I write new stories.

With Shirley & Sharon, 2 "Hammell's Heroine" Members

And of course, my author pals who are just too amazing for mere words.

3 of the best authors I know and adore:
(L to R: Me, Jessica E Subject, Layna Pimental, Kali Willows)

With my college grad!

June has been a bit of bat-shit crazy!! LOL It really has. A lot of birthdays, my oldest child just turned 20 AND finished her Nursing course in college! Time has flown by. I have another graduation in a couple of weeks, my youngest son/child graduates from grade 8 as well. It boggles the mind how old THEY are. Not me, no not in the least, they get older not their mothers! *g*  The years have flown by so quickly, I'm not sure how to keep up...or hold that empty nest feeling away in the coming years. Locking them in their rooms would be too much right? Sigh. What's a mom to do? *g*

We don't have any huge plans for this summer. My older 2 kids are of course working, so will be a lot of days with the youngest and writing! That's all I hope to do, but I promised him some day trips here and there. We haven't figured out an itinerary yet but we'll see. We really enjoy leaving the "school days routine" out the window during the summer and fly by the seat of our pants. 

But lots to look forward to. New books, fun summer days and some great reading as well! Been too long since I spent a few days just pleasure reading. Time to get back to that as well.


Be sure to check out the "Author's Appearances" page. I have another book signing in September in London, Ontario. More info on that HERE.



Until next month,
Live, Love, Laugh.

Just The Honeymoon Capital, or Is There More?

                                                             Canadian Romance, Eh?

Blog Post by: Kali Willows

Just the honeymoon capital or is there more?

It’s been a busy summer. I can’t believe it’s September already! I’m so far behind in blogs, promotions, edits and writing, but I’ve enjoyed time with my family, and isn’t that what it’s all about?

We have done lots of things, but the one I wanted to post about today, was our trip to Niagara Falls. I’d been there several times over the years to visit family, but in all honesty much to my dismay, short of stopping for a quick view of the water phenomena I had never taken in any of the sights.

Being highly noted as the honeymoon capital, we took a different route. I brought my beautiful children, and left the romance at home, to tend to the domestic responsibilities. (Although, I do have to admit, I got the better end of the bargain.

We did the Hornblower (The Canadian version of Maid of the Mist), the Aerocar over the whirlpool of breathtaking water, the Skyline Tower, one day for the tour, the next night for dinner in the revolving restaurant and so much more. Our feet hurt from three days of walking, but it was an incredible vacation I got to experience for the first time, with my children.

The only attraction I personally found a letdown, was the Canadian tour behind the falls. For a price, a short elevator ride and a walk down an old tunnel, it was a different vantage point of seeing the falls, but it’s not one I will repeat.

Clifton Hill, proved adventurous. Arcades, watching fudge get made, we visited the Hersey factory, the fun houses and the Skywheel gave even more spectacular views to indulge in. Of course, the main reason we went, was for the kids to go to Marineland. I was impressed the costs were not nearly as outrageous as I had expected and the fun was endless.  We played it smart, and went at the end of August, in the middle of the week, while to Toronto CNE was in it’s prime. We had less crowds to contend with and more enjoyment to be had by all.

Although we didn’t do the haunted houses or wax museums, (too much for the little ones at this stage), the very low budget hotel we booked provided a Bates Motel atmosphere with a single electrical socket for three of us to share, and fluctuating water temperatures, that both invigorated and scorched us interchangeably.

What does this post have to do with Canadian Romance you ask? Well, now that I’ve done the ground work, when my sweet husband and I return for an adult only vacation, I know exactly what I want to do…get your mind out of the gutter, I meant what attractions to visit!

Next time, when it’s just us two, I want to book a nice hotel suite on Falls Avenue, preferably one with a cozy hot tub right in the room and within walking distance to everything. Take in a romantic Falls Illumination Evening Cruise, complete with a bar, snacks, night show and fireworks. Then, a stroll along Clifton Hill, and venture into the haunted houses and wax museums, where, if I get a little spooked, my sweetheart can hold me close as we laugh and enjoy the festivities. Perhaps sample the fudge being made in the store front window, and a night time ride on the Skywheel, with maybe a few stolen kisses.

The romance potential is definitely all over Niagara Falls, but so is the family fun. You can’t go wrong no matter what kind of vacation you’re looking for. This Canadian gal is quite satisfied with her trip and plans to return, soon!

Happy Reading!

Canadian living, at its best.

Crazy Summertime Weather....

I don't like complaining about weather, especially after the terrible winter we had. But lately the up and down weather in my city has kept us on our toes. We've had more rain than any summer in the past that I can remember. There has been some very humid days though -- up to 94% humidity 3 days in a row, then a pile of rain for 4 days thereafter.

As a farmer, I don't mind there's been extra rain this year, my hay fields are blossoming -- though we haven't had enough dry weather to get it cut and bailed -- and there's my one tomato garden that drowned, which is very disappointing. In the area the garden is, with normal amounts of rain it's a perfect lower location for a lot of moisture but with the volumes of rain we've had, water sat for over a week last month because it never stopped and drowned about 70% of my tomato plants. The weight of the rain is also pushing on the hay fields. As you can see in the pic below, some of the hay is lying over on it's side. I'll need a few sunny and warm days to "pick it back up" and dry it out in order to cut and bail it.

    
But I have been able to get some writing done out under the shade trees on the nicer days. There's another Mustang story in the "Revved and Ready" series on the way. My trees are in full bloom and the breeze is gorgeous out here in my country corner, and so nice in fact that I've refused to drive into town some days for anything! Gets too hot in town where there's really no breeze because no trees and the heat from the asphalt is horrid. 

And of course, my partner in crime -- Peaches -- has joined me outside, inspiring words of course as she sleeps! LOL

 
 

Plus I've gotten caught up in the cows grazing the fields out front, benefiting from the rain which helps them out with gorgeous greens to feast on.


I hope everyone's had better weather than we have here. My kid's are anxious to get to the beach. Of course on the days that the sun is out and it's warm enough are days when things are already planned with sports, family and/or friends.


But at least I am lucky enough to work from home, be with the kids and write like the wind while they're all busy. I know not every mom/author can say that. So I'll take the good weather with the bad, cross my fingers my hay crop is going to be great this year when I know a few homesteads where the crop hasn't been great, and continue to count my blessings. 

Rain or no rain, life goes on.

Have a wonderful week ahead. 





Til next time, Peaches and I will see you soon...