#NeverForget

Keeping up with the Bean

If you follow me on Twitter, then you already know who Bean is. For those who don't, she's my 7 year-old daughter with a heart of gold. Yes, I realize that I'm her mother and I'm biased. We are all about our children.

Recently we learned that she may not get taller than 4'11". Bean's already very sensitive about her size. She tends to get pushed around a bit simply because the other kids don't see her. Plus she's ridiculously polite. While she tries to hide it, I see how much it hurts her.

via GIPHY

So, in order to help her out, I started listed short celebrities. That seemed to lift her spirits. Then she pointed out someone I missed. Someone from her favorite TV show.

Kacy Catanzaro from American Ninja Warrior is 4'11".

BEAN LOVES KACY! And all of the other women on American Ninja Warrior. 

In fact, she recently decided to start gymnastics in order to become an American Ninja Warrior. 

So we're in training. Yes, WE. It won't hurt me to be more active. And any time I can spend with my daughter is special. 

Who knows, maybe we'll be the first mother/daughter team on the show. ;) 

Pixelated: Chapter 1 - Les's POV

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I've had a few requests for Les's POV in chapter one. I love Les so very much. He's a good old country boy with a heart of gold. But sometimes that can get us in trouble. Here's Les's first impression of Piper. I hope you enjoy. 

Chapter 1 – Les’s POV     
I guess a little honesty is too much to ask  for these days. Like I’m one to talk. Luke Bryan’s on the radio, singing about country girls and shaking things. As much as I love this song, I flip the station to a classical one. Heck, I have no idea who composes what or the difference between a concerto and a waltz, but it all helps me think. I need a lot of time to think about the mess I’ve gotten myself into this past year.

     The blacktop twists in a S, just off the second curb is a very angry girl holding her cell phone in the air and screaming to the skies. I slow down, because her legs in that skirt are enough to stop traffic in a city. Ain’t no way I’m not gonna stop, but as I pass her to get a better angle on the rear bumper of her tiny car, her big brown eyes widen and I realize she thinks I’m not stopping. What kind of asshole wouldn’t?

     I throw the truck in park, cut the engine, and jump down.  The car’s got a flat and she’s managed to get it in the shallow ditch. I stroll up to her, taking in every inch of her thin frame. She’s definitely not from around here. Nobody in this town would be caught dead in a skirt that short or a tshirt with Marilyn Monroe in some weird ass colors splattered across their chest. Well, nobody that wasn’t look for trouble. Her chocolate hair matches those big uses hidden under black framed glasses. I’d swear on my life I’d seen her in a magazine before.

     “Seems like you’re in a bit of a pickle.” Probably not the

brightest way to start a conversation, but one that seems to strike her funny judging by the way her eyes twinkle. I circle the car, noting the Missouri plates and it dawns on me who this girl is. “Looks like you’re gonna need a new tire. I can pull you out and take you into town.” I stop beside her, curiousity overwhelming me. “Hey, you’re that new girl. Pippa, right?”

     “Piper.” She grimaces then adds with some boost of confidence as she holds out her hand. “Piper Marks.”

     She’s a strange one. I slide my fingers along her palm, savoring the touch of a girl. I could have any girl in the school if I wanted, and I’m not saying that to be cocky. They all think I’m some noble guy. If they knew the truth,… I shake the thought from my head. “Nice to meet you, Piper. I’m Les Williams.”

     “Dorothea blew a tire.”

     “Dorothea?” I lift an eyebrow and grin. “You named your car Dorothea?”

     “Well, yeah. After Dorothea Lange? Photographer from the Great Depression? You know the photo with a mom staring off and her two kids hanging over her shoulders?” She launches into a history lesson, then blushes a light pink when she’s done.

     I don’t know what’s more fascinating, how she knows all that or how she’s embarrassed by it. “Now, let’s see what we can do to get Dorothea outta here.”

     She holds out her cell. “No service.”

     Of course, being from St. Louis, her network probably doesn’t boost the signal it claims. “Yeah, there’s a lot of dead spaces around here. County’s trying to get another cell tower up, but some of the old fogeys don’t want it.” I lean in like I’m sharing a secret. “Hell, half of them think that their cordless phones are cells anyway.”

     She laughs, but it’s almost outta absurdity. What does she think of us anyway? That we’re all a bunch of country hicks with no desire to be more. I want to be more. If I can get away from the farm, from my dad, I want to be a helluva lot more. But maybe I’m just taking it all wrong. Especially after the shouting match I’d just had with my father.     “That’s better.” I stroll to the back of the truck and pull out a tow cable. “Now, I’m gonna hook this to your car and pull ya over to that gravel patch to change the tire.” She’s not listening or not comprehending. Either way, I could’ve said a cow would change her tire and then turn into new leather seats and she probably wouldn’t have stopped me. I hook up her bumper, blabbering like an idiot just to keep talking and giving instructions as I go. “Okay, ready?”

     She turns into a doe in headlights.

     It’s hard not to laugh, but I manage it. “Go ahead and get in. Don’t start the engine, just put her in neutral. I’ll tow you over there.” I point to the gravel patch Mr. Hennessy uses to drive into his field. “I’ll be able to see if you’ve got more damage than that dent.”

     I get her out and inspect the damage. Nothing but a flat, but a mechanic should check it out. And I know one who owes me a favor after I busted him doing something his mama didn’t want to ever know about her son. Besides, he didn’t want the sheriff to know either. “Well, let’s change the tire, and then I’ll follow you into town to Ricky’s. I bet he’ll look at Dorothea for you tonight.” I saunter over to the truck and drop the tailgate. “Here, have a seat while I take care of this.”

     I pop the trunk for the spare. She’s got a manual jack. She’d been here all night trying to get this tire changed if I hadn’t happened along. I head toward the truck and catch her eye. Keeping the smile off my face is damn near impossible. She’s pretty and she’s kinda sweet. But I can’t do nothing but check her out and curse myself.

     “You might wanna buy a jack for your car.” I spin the crowbar over the back of my hand, grabbing it before it falls to the ground. Yeah, I’m showing off a little. Just because I can’t act on this little flirtation doesn’t mean I can’t flirt. “This can’t be the first time you’ve had a flat.”

     She leans back on her hands, crossing my ankles and letting her legs swing naturally. Those legs could kill a man. “Nope, not the first time, but I usually have cell service.”

     “And a bunch of guys rushing out to change your tire?” I can’t help it. I want to know if she’s got a boyfriend back in St. Louis. And I can’t stop myself from staring. It’s stupid. It’s not right. It’s dangerous. Yet I do it anyway.

     “If by guys, you mean the ones paid by AAA or roadside assistance, yeah, I do.”

     I smirk. It couldn’t be helped. She’s single. Not that it matters, but it does make me smile. Well, she’s single for now. I can name a dozen guys who will be all over her after the first day of school. I make quick work of the tire and toss the flat in the back of my truck.

     “All right, I’ll follow you back. Do you know—”

     She shakes her head vehemently before I finishes. “I know how to get to town, the school, and the paper. That’s it.”

     “Yeah, I guess I should’ve figured.” Damn my stupidity for not thinking straight. “When you get to the stoplight, hang a left. Go about five blocks to Lincoln and hang a right. Ricky’s garage is on the left. I’ll call ahead to get him to look at your car.”

     “Thanks, Les.” She smiles the first genuine smile I’ve seen from her. It lights up her face, brightens her eyes, and makes her downright kissable. That thought I shake from my head immediately. It’s been too long since I kissed a girl I wanted to actually kiss. “I really appreciate the help.”

     “No worries. Now start her up.” I get into the truck without looking back at her. I text Ricky that I’m cashing in that favor and I need it taken care of tonight. All I get back is “K”.

     She stays behind me on the way into town. My mind drifts to Ava. I’ve made some shitty decisions in my life, most of them concerning her. This lie I’m living now is downright painful. Just another reason I need to leave Clarkton the minute I can. Go to Chicago, maybe. Or Kansas City. Both cities have decent culinary schools. If I could get to New York, even better. But I know I ain’t going nowhere. Not as long as Trey Williams has his way. My father almost always gets his way.

      I pull up and park outside of Ricky’s shop, hopping down and leaning against the truck as Ricky guides Piper into the bay before strolling out to greet me.

     “Hey cuz, you’re cashing in a huge favor to help a girl?” He grins and I want to slap it off him, But I don’t I just smile. “Although she’s pretty hot. You doing whatever you can to keep up the Knight in Shining Armor image?”

     “Something like that.”

     He start laughing like a hyena and I follow him back toward the garage. Piper glares at both of us. I have no clue what I did to earn the death glare.

     “Piper, this is my cousin Ricky,” I say as we get closer.

     Her eyebrows crease but she doesn’t say a word.

     “How’d she drive?” Ricky asks as he takes his turn circling the car.

     “Fine, but she pulled to the right a little more than usual.” She shrugs and refuses to look at either one of us.

     What’s she thinking? And what did I do to piss her off so fast? I don’t wait to find out. I head back to the truck, knowing Ricky will take care of it. I lean against the truck while I wait with my arms crossed over my chest. The Luke Bryan song earworms into my head. The heel of my boot taps against the rear tire.

     “Can I take you anywhere?” I asks as she stops in front of me. I’m just being polite. She doesn’t know any place in town.      “Know any place with free Wi-Fi around here?”

     “Yeah, the pool hall does.” I glance at the camera bag and computer. What’s she up to? Doesn’t matter. I smile and see if she’s as girly as a certain person I know. “Plus they’ve got the best chili cheese fries in town.” She doesn’t bat an eye or even squirm. Impressive.

     Unfortunately, she says something I can’t stop. “If you aren’t doing anything . . .”

     I drop my gaze and stares at the scuff marks on my boots, rubbing the back of my neck. “Well, I’d like to, but—”

     “No problem,” she says before I can finish. “It’s not a biggie.”

     I don’t like how her face fell, or how it pisses me off I can’t say yes. “It’s not—”

     “Like I said, no biggie. If you could just tell me which way . . .”

     Has she lost her mind? I can at least take her there. “I can drop you off—”

     “No, that’s okay. Really.” She avoids my eyes as she glances around the neighborhood. “I don’t mind walking.”

     I catch her gaze and hold it for a whole ten seconds. I’m trying to convey with my eyes what I can’t say with my mouth. Like I would love to hang out with you and talk about whatever you want. Like I would love to see what’s on that camera. Like tell me about yourself. But I can’t do it. Damn it. It’s not like I’m interested in anything other than hanging out with this fascinating girl, but I’m not free to do anything. So I cave and give her directions before hopping in my truck.

     “I guess I’ll see you at school tomorrow,” I say, revving the engine. I gotta get out of here.

     She nods once and fakes a smile. “Sure, yeah, tomorrow.”

     I peel out, heading toward the one person who makes my life hell. And the one person I cannot hurt no matter how much I can’t be with her. 

Don't forget to enter to win a copy of PIXELATED along with a bunch of other YA novels!

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Back to School Giveaway - 11 YA Authors 1 Winner

I'm so excited to be part of this AH-MAZING giveaway. 

11 YA authors, giving away 15 books

...

...

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ONE PERSON TAKES ALL!

It's like The Hunger Games, but nobody dies.

So what are we giving away and how do you enter? 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
(US only. Sorry friends.)

So what're you waiting for? Enter now and win some amazing books and swag to show off to all of your friends. :)
Happy Reading.

Cover Reveal: Holly Hearts Headlines by Kenley Conrad

I LOVE books from Swoon Romance. Check out this great cover for Holly Hearts Headlines by Kenley Conrad. 

BLURB:

 

Holly Hart has it all: designer clothes, affluent friends, a recording contract, and she’s dating the biggest pop star in America.
It's too bad he can't be seen with her in public. It's even worse that he seems so very cozy with Lacey, the girl who seems to enjoy stealing Holly’s dream and taking all the credit for their platinum-selling album.
And Lacey? Well she couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, but that hasn't stopped her from basking in the glow of the fame and fortune that comes with pretending to be Holly.
Yet, Holly signed a contract vowing to never reveal her true identity as the girl behind the hit songs. Her record label doesn't want anyone to know their teen dream is really a chubby, insecure girl from Iowa.

Holly needs to focus on finals. She can't let herself be distracted by the extremely hot and talented Grayson Frost or his prevailing attachment to Lacey. This is the deal Holly made, and she has to honor it no matter how much she hates it.
As if that’s not enough pressure, her grandparents have come to stay, her mom is dating a guy who makes his own deodorant, Shell Shocked Records want Holly to distance herself from Grayson, and she’ll probably end up failing Driver’s Ed.
In a town full of gossip and secrets, Holly wonders just how much longer she can continue to live a double life.
When the media gets a little too close for comfort, both Holly and Lacey are at risk. Soon Holly realizes her dream isn't only about her and if she is to ever be truly happy, she'll need to find a way past her insecurities.
Filled with laugh out loud and hold your breath moments, Holly Hearts Headlines is the follow-up to Holly Hearts Hollywood by Kenley Conrad.

 

PREORDER IT NOW!

 

And don't forget to check out HOLLY HEARTS HOLLYWOOD

Help the Bartles Family Save Their Home

Imagine coming home after three years away ... only to discover some devastating damage to your home.

Then imagine getting the phone call from your insurance agent telling you they won't cover the damage.

That's what happened to author Veronica Bartles and her husband Philip, a member of the United States Air Force. 

The writing community has come together to auction off critques and signed books to raise money for repairs. Organized by master organizer Brenda Drake, the auction features literary agents, editors, and authors giving what they do best to help the Bartles family get through this travesty. 

If you don't want to bid on an item, there's a Go Fund Me account where you can donate. Every little bit helps.

Philip serves our country. Veronica is battling a brain tumor. 

Open your heart and give. 

Amanda Bingson: Love Yourself

I'm a bigger girl. Always have been. In high school, I was also an All-State athlete. I threw the shot put in track, was undefeated in districts and conference, and went to the state meet every year. 

Numerous times I was called fat. I pretended it didn't bother me. I pretended to shake it off. But really it cut me to the core. Even my doctor told me I needed to lose weight. He never considered the amount of muscle I had. He only cared about the number on the scale. 

Well, the scale was full of shit. 

I lifted weights. 

I ran.

I worked my ass off to become a better athlete so I could get a scholarship and go to college. 

And I did. 

But I was still fat. At least according to most of the people I knew.

I still struggle with body image to this day. As an adult, I've accepted the things I cannot change. My inner child, however, has not.

Today, I heard about US Track & Field hammer thrower Amanda Bingson. I wish someone like her would've been around when I was a teen. She's an inspiration for all of us.

Amanda is 5'5" and 210 lbs. And she's an amazing athlete. She holds the American record in the hammer throw, an event that's only been in the Olympics for women since the 2000 Sydney Games. The first World Record for women was recorded in 1994. The hammer throw is a relatively new event for women.

Here's the best thing, Amanda's fine with her body type. She embraces herself. In this day and age of photoshop and celebrity overkill, Amanda Bingson is someone we all should get to know.

We definitely should follow her lead. We are who we are. Embrace your body. Love it. Don't try to change who you are. Amanda is a role model. There should be more like her in the world.

Every girl should read the latest issue of ESPN, if only to read Amanda's story.