Jun 17, 2026 | 2026, Authors Dish, Blog, Britt DeLaney, Campbell Linden, June 2026, Piper Stone, SaSS26 Richmond, Sue Langford
Welcome to Authors Dish featuring authors and industry professionals attending the 10th Anniversary Sexy and SaSSY 2026 Signing in Richmond, Virginia. If you are joining us for all the bookish fun or just traveling over the summer we hope their tips or packing ideas are helpful no matter where your travels take you. If you are heading to #SaSS26 next month please don’t forget to pre-order your books early to guarantee your books are waiting for you (details and links can be found on the facebook group page.) If you are bringing your favorites from home don’t forget to make room for all the extra bookish stuff you’ll find while you are in Richmond. May these posts inspire you to shop early, make your lists, and triple check so you are prepared for just about anything.
Thank you to all who have dished and those yet and soon to featured. Stay tuned for more comments and be sure to follow the blog so you don’t miss these posts.
To kick off our series today in the cafe are authors Piper Stone, Sue Langford, Campbell Linden, and Britt DeLaney.
Rae: What genre(s) do you write and what are you currently working on?
Piper: I write in dark mafia, cowboys, alpha military men, contemporary billionaires, why choose romance, shifters, oil riggers, smokejumpers, and science fiction
Sue: Billionaire Spicy Romance. Working on the next book in my Ireland Series.
Campbell: I write later in life, second-chance contemporary romance. My characters are usually in their late 40s to mid-60s, have been widowed or divorced (although I occasionally have an avowed bachelor) and are seeking love and happiness at a later time in their lives.
Britt: I write Romance (Contemporary & Romantasy) as Britt DeLaney, and I’m also an award-winning YA author (L.E. DeLano). I’m currently working on a Rom-Com Beach read and a YA witchy re-telling of the Cinderella story.
Rae: What is your favorite decade?
Piper: I don’t think I have a favorite decade, just bits and pieces from them. Eighties music. The movies of two thousand.
Sue: Now. 80s was crazy fun, 90s was filled with clubs and meeting all the wrong guys. Now I’m in my me era……
Campbell: I write contemporary romance so my favorite decade is now. In terms of my characters’ ages, they are usually older and have older children, who are also fun to write about.
Britt: I love the 80’s! Big and brash and larger than life.
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Piper: Comfortable shoes – a must and one I learned the hard way. My purple pens – both ink gel and a sharpie for signing. Water – lots of bottled water. My laptop because I’m always writing even at a conference. My husband – as he’s my brilliantly talented assistant and creative arts director.
Sue: Comfy shoes, books, my AirPods for my audiobooks that I’m listening to, fuzzy socks for the overly cold toes and some snacks.
Campbell: This is my first conference and am sure I am going to forget many things. But I am planning to pack convenient, non-messy snacks, outfits that make me feel good and are comfortable, shoes that are stylish but practical and don’t hurt my feet, pens and a pad or notebook – I love to jot down observations – especially when I travel – and crosswords from the Sunday New York Times magazine (yes, I still get newspapers) that I save for trips.
Britt: Books (of course), fun swag, table decorations, colored pens, and some sort of festive bookish attire.
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Piper: White cheddar Cheezits, Peanut M & M’s for my husband, smoked almonds – the spicier the better.
Sue: I try for healthy snacks like kind bars, but have a secret craving for whole grain goldfish crackers……
Campbell: Popcorn and pretzels. I’m more of a savory than sweet person.
Britt: Diet Dr. Pepper and Biscoff cookies
Rae: What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Piper: A light jacket or sweater just in case it gets too chilly.
Sue: Perfume or body spray. Somehow I always end up going to get it at a Sephora nearby.
Campbell: Phone charger(s)
Britt: Funny you should ask, but my last event I forgot to pack my pants and had to wear the very wrinkled yoga pants I traveled in. Ugh!
Thank you so much authors! If you are an attending author or industry professional and you want to join in on the fun please e-mail me and we’ll be sure to add you on a future post!
I’ll be keeping a running list and will post a master packing list a week before #SaSS26 Richmond. I’ll see you soon for new authors and more ideas!
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When Sue started her writing career, she was determined to write books with strong female characters, and stories that you wouldn’t ever forget. Now, after her Charleston Series and now her new Ireland series, she’s gone from sweet romances to the spicy and sultry end of the romance world. The second-chance and small-town romances can take place anywhere in the world, and she’s determined to write the stories from our favorite vacation locations, and a few of the locations from her dream bucket list. Now, her newest series takes place in the beautiful Isle of Ireland and will no doubt be the top of her favorites, and the spiciest that she’s ever written.
Campbell Linden began her career in advertising in New York City and went on to hold executive corporate communications positions in the entertainment industry before starting her own public relations consultancy. She is now recovering from a lifetime of meetings that could have been an email and has found her true calling in writing steamy romance novels.
When she’s not writing, she loves to sip coffee, share her favorite fashion finds and tell wild stories from her career.
She believes in happily ever afters in both life and books and is a proponent of showing others that you can reinvent yourself at any age.
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Britt DeLaney writes Romantasy and Contemporary Romance full of heart, humor, and heat. She now makes her home in Amish country, Pennsylvania. Britt has a deep love of snarky men, fierce women, clever plot twists, quirky supporting characters, and fantastical places. In her spare time, she eats too much refined sugar, and tries to thwart her cat’s plans for world domination. This has been unsuccessful on every level. In addition to her romance titles, Britt is also an award-winning Young Adult (YA) novelist under her alternate moniker, L.E. DeLano.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MsBrittDeLaney and https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLEDeLano
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/brittdelaney.bsky.social and https://bsky.app/profile/ledelano.bsky.social
Website: https://brittdelaney.com and https://ledelano.com
Feb 15, 2026 | 2026, Authors Dish, Blog, February 2026, Lizzie C Koz
Welcome to Authors Dish where authors share a little bit about themselves. I’m always so appreciative when they take the time to chat and hang out a bit while writing all the adventures we crave. I’ll be sharing their links and bio so if they are a new author for ya, you’ll have all the info you need to check them out.
If you’re an author and interested in dishin’ comment below or hit me up on any of my social media platforms.
Today we’ve got Romance Author Lizzie C. Koz
Rae: Do you have a “word” of the year to keep you motivated and inspired or are you a monthly planner setting goals as you go?
Lizzie: I do like setting a word for the year. My word this year is Joy.
Rae: If you’re a snow lover, what outdoor adventures do you look forward to? If you prefer sunshine and warm breezes with a little sand beneath your feet where would I find you?
Lizzie: I do love snow but wish we only had it for like a month haha. I love sledding. Snowball fights. Building snowmen. (Top toddler activities). I prefer the beach over snow though. I’d be in Marco Island, FL if I were to travel somewhere warm right now.
Rae: It’s January and we’re all thinking about staying organized and setting our goals, what are the top five things you’ve found to help motivate you and keep you on task?
Lizzie: Inspirational quotes, seeing other people’s success and knowing what’s possible, putting my phone out of reach, having my playlists at the ready, meal-planning (I hate being disrupted when I get in the groove because I need to make something to eat).
Rae: If you could create a winter drink what would you call it and what would be in it?
Lizzie: Maybe a dark-chocolate hot-chocolate. I always hate how sweet hot chocolate is. But a richer, more bitter, dark hot-chocolate would be fantastic to keep warm.
Rae: Do you have a winter bucket list?
Lizzie: I don’t.
Rae: You just found out a snowstorm is headed your way and you need to run to one store to pick up provisions to last for three days. Where are you shopping and what are you putting in your cart? Lizzie: Grocery and Liquor Store. Veggies, Broth, Ground Turkey, Beans, Diced Tomatoes, Seltzer, Wine and Beer.
Rae: To celebrate friendship and love this month what books should I read in your backlist to give me all the feels?
Lizzie: I actually wrote To My Scot, With Love as a Valentine’s Day story!
Rae: What is your favorite meal to make for that special someone, friend, significant other, or family?
Lizzie: Probably chili or lasagna soup. We don’t really have favorite meals.
Rae: What is your favorite quote or poem that inspires friendship or love?
Lizzie: Oh gosh, I don’t have one.
Rae: You have the opportunity to take your special someone or bestie on a dream experience… where are you going and what are you doing?
Lizzie: Back to Italy!
Rae: Are you watching the winter Olympics live, recording everything on the DVR to watch later, or catching the highlight reels on tv and social media?
Lizzie: Catching the highlight reels.
Feb 12, 2026 | 2026, Authors Dish, Blog, February 2026, Samantha Chase
Welcome back to Authors Dish where authors share a little bit about themselves. I’m always so appreciative when they take the time to chat and hang out a bit while writing all the adventures we crave. I’ll be sharing their links and bio so if they are a new author for ya, you’ll have all the info you need to check them out.
If you’re an author and interested in dishin’ comment below or hit me up on any of my social media platforms.
Today we’ve got NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author Samantha Chase ready to dish!
Rae: Do you have a “word” of the year to keep you motivated and inspired or are you a monthly planner setting goals as you go?
Samantha: I tend to forget to pick a word, and then when I do, I never stick to it. I always have an overall plan for the year, but never a word. And I know I’m in the minority on that one. But I’m constantly pivoting too because not all plans go as planned.
Rae: If you’re a snow lover, what outdoor adventures do you look forward to? If you prefer sunshine and warm breezes with a little sand beneath your feet where would I find you?
Samantha: It rarely snows in North Carolina, but it’s definitely cold. But I am an indoor cat no matter what the season. When it does snow, I love watching it fall while sitting and sipping cocoa in front of the fire. We go to the coast once a year for a week – in the off season because I hate the heat during the summer and I’m fair-skinned so I burn easily – and I LOVE being there in October and being able to walk along the beach. It’s not crowded, the temps are cooler, and it just makes me happy.
Rae: What are the top five things you’ve found to help motivate and keep you on task as you stay organized while working on your goals for 2026 and beyond.
Samantha: Hmm…I don’t know. Got any suggestions?? Lol!
Honestly, having my planner and putting up those sticky notes help me more than anything. Other than that, it depends on the day and my mood. I’m not structured at all.
Rae: Do you have a winter bucket list?
Samantha: Nope. Just to stay warm.
Rae: You just found out a snowstorm is headed your way and you need to run to one store to pick up provisions to last for three days. Where are you shopping and what are you putting in your cart
Samantha: I always want to bake when there’s a storm coming. So I buy either brownie mixes or ingredients to bake cupcakes. I make sure we have all the makings for comfort foods: yummy soups, everything for some gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, and pretty much anything I can cook in the crockpot like a beef stew or chili.
Rae: To celebrate friendship and love this month what books should I read in your backlist to give me all the feels?
Samantha: For friendship, I recommend either the Enchanted Bridal series (especially FRIDAY NIGHT BRIDES) or the Meet Me at the Altar series.
For love…well, they all fit for that! But if you were looking to get started, I would say the Donovans or the Shaughnessy series.
Rae: What is your favorite meal to make for that special someone, friend, significant other, or family?
Samantha: My turkey chili is a big favorite for friends and family. It was the last meal my dad requested from me before he passed. For my husband, he loves my chicken parm.
Rae: What is your favorite quote or poem that inspires friendship or love?
Samantha: “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” — Oprah Winfrey
*I’m not an Oprah fan, but this quote really spoke to me many years ago*
Rae: You have the opportunity to take your special someone or bestie on a dream experience… where are you going and what are you doing?
Samantha: My husband has always wanted to go to Alaska. We’re not tour-group kind of people, but I know it’s the only way to see all the real sites. I’d love to do it by land, sea, and air. I think it would be so cool and we’d take a couple of weeks to do it right.
Rae: Are you watching the winter Olympics live, recording everything on the DVR to watch later, or catching the highlight reels on tv and social media?
Samantha: Just catching the highlight reels. I honestly don’t enjoy sitting in front of the TV for too long. An hour is my max per day. And there are very few events that interest me.
Website: www.chasing-romance.com
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Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than ninety titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017 and WEDDING SEASON which was a Hallmark June Wedding movie in 2023! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire online, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 35 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
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Dec 24, 2025 | 2025, Authors Dish, Blog, December 2025, Samantha Chase
Welcome to Authors Dish – a time to connect with your favorite authors or discover new ones as they share a little bit about themselves. I’m always so appreciative when they take the time to c hat and hang out a bit while writing the adventures we crave. I’ll be sharing their links and bio so you can check them out.
If you’re an author and interested in dishin’ comment below or hit me up on any of my social media platforms
Today I’ve got New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Samantha Chase ready to dish!
Rae: What’s your favorite winter holiday recipe? (If you’re willing to share)?
Samantha: Fun fact about me: I don’t do recipes. Lol! I definitely have recipes, but they are just basically a list of ingredients and no measurements. I learned from a long line of cooks in my Italian family how to be comfortable in the kitchen and I honestly just know what to add to things. But I tend to stay away from anything overly elaborate.
The one main recipe that we use every year are out Christmas morning omelets. They’re pepperoni omelets and the first time I made them for my husband he thought I was insane. Now they’re his favorite. You need to buy the stick pepperoni (Boars Head is my favorite) and you slice them a little on the thicker side. Each omelet is 3 eggs scrambled with one heaping spoonful (I want to say heaping tablespoon, but I can’t be too sure!) of ricotta cheese, and 12 pieces of pepperoni. You melt some butter in a non-stick pan (and I use cooking spray too), heat the pepperoni first just for like a minute, then add your eggs that are scrambled with the ricotta.
See? I’m terrible with recipes!
Rae: What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Jeanne: Going together as a family to get a Christmas Tree, then decorating while having snacks and telling stories and laughing a lot!
Samantha: Decorating the tree with my family – we’re empty nesters now so it’s just down to hubby and myself – while watching some of our favorite holiday movies/specials from our childhood.
Rae: Is your home all “dressed up” for the winter season?
Jeanne: Yes indeed! Lots of outdoor lights (colors and white lights!) Lots of indoor decor. It looks like Christmas flung itself all over the house!
Samantha: A little? I don’t go overboard so we’ll just say it’s sprinkled for the winter season 😉
Rae: Do you put up lights? If so…bright festive colors or classic white?
Jeanne: We sure do and we do both – colors and white lights.
Samantha: Yes! We do white icicle lights on the exterior trim of the house and then we have some colored lights wrapped around the columns. And on the tree, they are festive colors and they blink!
Rae: What is your planning process for 2026? A single planner, multiple planners, sticky notes on a wall…or do you just know?
Jeanne: My planner process is undergoing a change for 2026. Going to try and go back to a pre-printed calendar as opposed to a BuJo – we’ll see how long I last! Plus I’ll have a production planner for my writing and promo.
Samantha: All of the above! I have an old school monthly/yearly planner on my desk, then I have a weekly dry erase one (also on my desk), there are random sticky notes all around, but they’re all in my head too. And in my phone. With so many deadlines and events and travel, I need to make sure there are reminders everywhere.
Rae: If I were to visit your hometown, what sights should I see to experience the holiday season?
Jeanne: My hometown of Asheville, NC (not where I live now…) has so many awesome Christmas Traditions! But the “don’t Miss it” event is the Gingerbread House Competition at the famous Grove Park Inn. Seeing it decorated for the holidays is a treat in and of itself – They have villages and ox-roasting fireplaces and cozy nooks to sit in and drink hot chocolate! – but the gingerbread….oh, my goodness!! You can see photos on the website
Samantha: Our town is pretty small – the main downtown strip is only three blocks long – so other than some festive lights, there really isn’t a whole lot to see. If you want to experience some fun holiday stuff, you’d have to go into Raleigh (which is about 30 minutes away). On New Year’s Eve, they have First Night Raleigh and instead of dropping a ball at midnight like they do in Times Square, they drop a giant lighted acorn!
Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than ninety titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017 and WEDDING SEASON which was a Hallmark June Wedding movie in 2023! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire online, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 35 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
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Jeanne Adams has written more than 20 award-winning romantic suspense, paranormal romantic suspense, and urban fantasy titles, as well as space adventure that’s been compared to the works of Robert Heinlein and Jack McDevitt. She’s a sought-after speaker, teaching classes on body disposal for writers, worldbuilding and collaboration, plotting for pantzers and how to write a fight scene that works!
Both traditionally and self-published, you can find Jeanne’s work on most digital platforms. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two growing sons, as well as three dogs – two Labs and an Irish Water Spaniel. Don’t tell, but she’s prone to adopting more dogs when her husband isn’t looking.
Feb 7, 2024 | Authors Dish, Blog, January 2024, Regina Kyle
Welcome to Authors Dish – a time to connect with your favorite authors or discover new ones as they share a little bit about themselves. I’m always so appreciative when they take the time to chat and hang out a bit while writing all the adventures we crave. I’ll be sharing their links and bio so if they are a new author for ya, you’ll have all the info you need to check them out.
If you’re an author and interested in dishin’ comment below or hit me up on any of my social media platforms.
While January might be over we’ve got one more Authors Dish too good not to share -are you ready for a little author fun?
Today we’ve got Author Regina Kyle ready to dish!
Rae: With the new year underway, do you have a “word” of the year or do you set monthly goals?
Regina: For the last few years I have chosen a word of the year. This year, it’s “curious.” I picked it because just after Christmas I had a dream about this sleeping bag I used to own as a kid. I was made to look like denim with all these patches all over it—very late 1960s-early 1970s. One of the patches said, “I am curious, but yellow.” As kids, my siblings and I never really understood what that meant, but it always stuck out to us. Then I remembered Ted’s speech to Rupert in one of my favorite shows, Ted Lasso, where he lectures Rupert about being curious, not judgmental (as he kicks his butt at darts LOL). That’s how I want to approach life this year. My writing, my family, my friends, my day job. Curious, not judgmental.
Rae: If you’re a snow lover what is your favorite thing to do outside in the winter months?
Regina: If you prefer the sunny beaches and warm sand …. where would you rather be?—I’ve lived in the northeast all my life and I am soooooo not a winter weather gal. My idea of a winter activity is curling up in front of our gas fireplace with a cup of tea, a warm, blanket, a good book, and one of more of my cats. Or escaping down down south on a Caribbean cruise. Sadly, my next one isn’t until July.
Rae: It’s January and we’re all thinking about staying organized and setting our goals, what are the top five things you’ve found to help motivate you and keep you on task?
Regina: —Top five? Hmmm … 1. Make a daily task list. I’m a big fan of lists and crossing stuff off. This year, I’m trying to get better at making my daily tasks achievable and not biting off more than I can chew. It’s about baby steps, whether I’m writing or decluttering my house. 2. Stay off social media. I love social media and I love connecting with readers, but it can be a real time suck. I try to limit my time on there and use a social media blocker when I’m writing. 3. Use the pomodoro method. Set a timer, work on whatever task I’m working on for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. That seems to work well for me in getting stuff done.
4. Noise cancelling headphones. These are especially useful when I’m writing at home. When they’re on, hubby knows not to bother me unless the place is burning down, and I can listen to music or some mindless background TV show or movie through my phone while I’m working. 5. This isn’t really a productivity tool, but as Becca Syme says, QTP. That stands for question the premise. What it means is that when you see someone post about what they’re doing, or what things help them reach their goals, ask yourself whether that will work for you, too. Everyone is different, and just because something works for someone else doesn’t mean it will do the same for you.
Rae: If you could create a winter drink what would you call it and what would be in it?
Regina: —I’d call it something like the Sleigh All Day and it would have egg nog, kalua and Fireball whiskey. Three of my favorite things!
Rae: Do you have a winter bucket list?
Regina: —not really. Like I said, I’m not really a winter weather kind of gal. My bucket list for this winter is to get through these massive edits on my second Mediterranean Millionaire book, How Not To Marry A Millionaire. At least I get to fictionally spend the cold months in Spain with Miguel and Perri LOL.
Rae: You just found out a snowstorm is headed your way and you need to run to one store to pick up provisions to last for three days. Where are you shopping and what are you putting in your cart?
Regina: —One store? Dang, that’s tough. I’ve already got tons of books at my fingertips thanks to all the reading apps on my phone, so that’s taken care of. We’re pretty stocked with booze, so I’m good there. So I’m going to say that I’d head to my latest obsession, Aldis. Seriously, that place is addictive. Their produce is great, that have lots of good cheeses and dips, all different kinds of trail mix (they have this one with craisins and dark chocolate that I adore), and you never know what you’ll find in the infamous aisle of shame (fleece jammies, socks, Squishmallows, kitchen gadgets, there’s always something you don’t need but really want). And the prices are great, so I know I won’t have to break the bank to stock up.
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Jan 31, 2024 | 2024, Authors Dish, Blog, January 2024, Jeanne Adams, Mariah Ankenman, Samantha Chase
Welcome to Authors Dish – a time to connect with your favorite authors or discover new ones as they share a little bit about themselves. I’m always so appreciative when they take the time to chat and hang out a bit while writing all the adventures we crave. I’ll be sharing their links and bio so if they are a new author for ya, you’ll have all the info you need to check them out.
If you’re an author and interested in dishin’ comment below or hit me up on any of my social media platforms.
Today we are officially one month into 2024 and with that …. hopefully a month with a planner that is well used, filled with amazing adventures, goals, and tasks. If you’re a booklover than I’m sure you have those stacks of books waiting to fill our shelves with a goal to read them all. Are you ready for a little author fun?
Today we’ve got NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author Samantha Chase, Bestselling Author Mariah Ankenman and Author Jeanne Adams ready to dish!
1. With the new year underway, do you have a “word” of the year or do you set monthly goals?
Samantha: You know, I never got into the “word” thing and I don’t know why. I had to pick a word of the year for this retreat I’m getting ready to go on (and it gave my great anxiety to have to do it), but my word is CONFIDENCE. As for setting goals, it’s a little like making a New Year’s Resolution every month and I can honestly say that I don’t. I know that I have things I have to do, but life seems to really get in the way sometimes – especially these last few years – and I always seem to end up feeling defeated because I didn’t reach my monthly goal. So now, no goals.
Mariah: I don’t really have a word of the year unless you count “panic” lol, just kidding. I’m more of a task person than a goal person. I set out achievable tasks I need to accomplish then get a ton of satisfaction crossing them off the list when they’re done.
Jeanne: I do pick a word of the year – this year is FOCUS! Grins. I’ve had a lot going on in the last few years and finally a lot of that is resolved so now…I get to FOCUS!
2. If you’re a snow lover what is your favorite thing to do outside in the winter months? If you prefer the sunny beaches and warm sand …. where would you rather be?
Samantha: Ooo…I wouldn’t say I’m a snow lover, but I certainly love a good snowy day! I love the quietness of a day when the snow is coming down and just love watching it. I’m not a winter sports person, but I used to LOVE to get on a sled and go down a big hill when I was younger!
And I think I’ve mentioned it before that I do also love the beach, but only in the off-season when it’s cooler! Lol!
Mariah: I love the snow! It gives me an excuse to sit inside and read under a cozy blanket. I used to ski, before it got too pricey. I love a quiet walk in the snowy woods, but my kids prefer making snow forts and sledding. Once I set up my aerial hoop in the snow. It was freezing but I got some really fun photos and video.
Jeanne: I AM a snow lover!! I love to watch it snow from inside the house and make soup and chili and other hearty things. Grins. I do like to have a good snowball fight, however, and I like to ski.
3. It’s January and we’re all thinking about staying organized and setting our goals, what are the top five things you’ve found to help motivate you and keep you on task?
Samantha: Nothing! Lol! My attention span is like a squirrel in traffic – it’s all over the place! Staying organized is hard for me because it never lasts long. My office slowly starts to fill with papers and notes and other random stuff (like snack wrappers!) and I find that I need to work with no chaos around me. I’ve taken to writing more in our bonus room because it’s neat and peaceful. As for keeping me on task? Seriously, nothing does except fear of a looming deadline.
Mariah:
1.My desk calendar where I can write everything down.
2. Coffee
3. Chatting with my agent about the years plan
4. Coffee
5. More coffee!
Jeanne: Getting that new planner set up and ready to go is my number one thing to motivate me and keep me on task. I use a combination Bullet Journal and Sarra Cannon’s HB90 calendar method to keep me on track. Number two is to set aside sacrosanct time on Sundays to plan my week – as Stephen Covey would urge – to put the “big rocks” (writing, family, etc) in first before the days fill up with minutia
Number three would be to add stickers and color! (it helps me!) Four is look at the calendar every night before I go to bed. And last but not least at #5 is plan BIG, stretch goals, Beyond goals and Good goals – the three tiers lets my brain know that Good is good enough, but there’s bigger levels if I have time and energy to streeeeeeetch!
4. If you could create a winter drink what would you call it and what would be in it?
Samantha: I am not an adventurous drinker at all. I’m relatively boring. It’s either water, Coca-Cola, or hot cocoa. No flavors, just the basics. So maybe just a really rich, chocolatey cocoa called Simply Yummy. Lol!
Mariah: I actually made a winter cocktail called the Coco Mint Martini a few years back. It’s peppermint vodka, irish cream, and chocolate syrup poured into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass and top with whipped cream. It’s delicious!
Jeanne: If I could create a winter drink….hmmm…Probably some kind of hot coffee toddy with Kahlua and my fav coffee and cream. I’d probably call it something goofy like a Ski Lift (caffeine..get it?)
5. Do you have a winter bucket list?
Samantha: To stay warm. It was really cold last week here in NC, but today, I had to put the A/C on because it was 75 degrees in the house!
Mariah: Not really a bucket list, but we’re going to see the Ice Castles in Cripple Creek next month. We haven’t been in years and I’m so excited to go again.
Jeanne: Always! It only really works if it actually snows, however. As in, curl up with a good book and watch it snow. Pile on extra blankets and read in bed. Make Snow Creme. Build a Snow Fort and have a Snowball fight. You get the idea!
6.You just found out a snowstorm is headed your way and you need to run to one store to pick up provisions to last for three days. Where are you shopping and what are you putting in your cart?
Samantha: I love knowing we’re going to be snowed in! When that happens (whether it’s snow or a hurricane) I love to bake. I don’t know why, but if there’s a storm coming, there will be cake, cupcakes, brownies, and cookies. But when it’s cold out, I’m going to make a batch of turkey chili, a batch of creamy corn chowder, and a big pot of sauce with meatballs and sausage. We may be cold, but we won’t starve! The Italian in me will not allow that to happen 😊.
Mariah: Bread, soup, canned food, water, cheese, firewood, sidewalk salt, coffee, vodka, batteries.
Jeanne: Thankfully, I can get books online if I run out of reading I already have, right? For me, it’s the local grocery to be sure I have eggs, sourdough bread, the makings for chili and chicken soup, coffee and Diet Coke. I’m good!
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Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than eighty titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 32 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
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Bestselling author Mariah Ankenman lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her two rambunctious children and loving spouse who is her own personal spell checker when her dyslexia gets the best of her. Mariah loves to lose herself in a world of words. Her favorite thing about writing is when she can make someone’s day a little brighter with one of her books. To learn more about Mariah and her books, visit her website http://mariahankenman.com/ follow her on social media, or sign up for her newsletter.
Jeanne Adams is an award-winning author of more than 20 thrilling suspense, wicked Urban Fantasy, paranormal romantic suspense, and dramatic space adventures which have been compared to the works of Robert Heinlein and Jack McDevitt. Both traditionally and independently published, Jeanne is a sought-after speaker for her Body Disposal for Writers Worldbuilding for Writers, Plotting for Pantzers, and her workshop on Fight Scenes in Fiction.
Jeanne helped create the Nora Roberts Writing Institute at Hagerstown Community College; served on the Board of Directors for Romance Writers of America; was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine; and is a showrunner on ConTinual, the online Con that Never Ends. She’s currently completing her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction and has won numerous awards for both her fiction and non-fiction work. Jeanne lives in DC with her sports-mad husband and sons, as well as three large, boisterous dogs. Find links to her latest work on her website or through most online purchasing platforms!
Find her at:
www.JeanneAdams.com
Twitter: @JeanneAdams
Facebook: JeanneAdamsAuthor
Instagram: @JPAGryphon
Pinterest: JeanneAdams (Especially her Writerly Things board!)
