Favorite Disney bad ass

Mulan. Always Mulan.

And while I grew up with original Disney movies, she's my favorite. It's the humor, storyline, and action. Eddie Murphy as Mushu doesn't hurt.

I set out to write "Warrior and the Sparrow" with a tip of my hat to old school romance books. You know, the bodice rippers. Circa Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux, and Kathleen Woodiwiss. I grew up reading these fantastic stories with titles such as: Twin of Ice, Twin of Fire, The Flame and the Flower, and The Wolf and the Dove.

(Fun note: I wanted the title to be "The Warrior and the Sparrow", but the acronym would have been "twats", and I simply couldn't have that. 🤭)

I set out to have a regular heroine and a dynamic hero. But in the midst of the story, our regular heroine turns into the dynamic hero. Reluctant in the beginning, she turns into a brilliant hero with consequences and repercussions. A real look at what being a hero costs. And what is she willing to pay?

This was a title I received the rights back to, and I'm going through it again, even though it's been professionally edited. I plan to release the title in January to kick off my magnificent 2027 publishing year. 

"Warrior and the Sparrow"

A powerful warrior destined from birth for a dangerous quest. A world ravaged by an evil presence that will stop at nothing short of complete domination. One woman who will give everything she is or will ever be.

****

It's fantasy romance, romantasy, or romance fantasy. However which you prefer. I'll probably market as romantasy, as it fits the profile.

After I comb through it, I'll put up for preorder on the 'zon.

THIS is my Mulan. My warrior. My definition of bad ass. 

You best fucking believe it.

😉

One more day?

I took the bandage off my hand. The non-stick gauze stuck to the stitches.

This was one of those "Crystal, make a decision" moves.

Had surgery done Monday morning.

Was told, take the dressing off in three days.

Okay. So. 

Was three days: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday?

Or did I not count the day of, and then it would be: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

But all day Thursday? Or like...whenever Thursday?

I was a brave little toaster and cut off the dressing. Then had to PEEL the gauze off my stitches.

Turns out, my scab was stuck to the gauze.

That was a truly unpleasant moment. Followed by another one when I had to gently, ever-so-gently, peel that shit off.

I AM typing this blog, though. So kudos to my short ass. 

Of course, every time I touch the area or accidentally brush the mouse against it...I question all of my life choices.

But...I'm back. Partly, at least. 

Pictures of swag once I get some more in.

No picture of my stitches.

Shit is not aesthetically pleasing, guys.

2027 Events

Looked over my 2027 book events, and I have SEVEN booked for next year!

OMF! 

I'm so excited.

Been on the interwebs looking for swag for my books for events. Because this is the fun part.

I have found unique items for each of my Plot Twist series books. I've ordered more stickers for my table. And I've doubled up on the eye masks I give out in my little swag bag. I should be able to make a couple hundred more!

I've also found some special swag for my Canary series.

Looking forward to putting together book boxes and special sets for these events.

Where I'll be:

2/6/27

A Very Unvalentine's Day

Enid Oklahoma

Chisolm Trail Expo Center

3/6-7/27

Relax and Read Author Event

Norman Oklahoma

Le Visage Spa & Wellness

6/19/27

ASB Book Bash '27

Shawnee Oklahoma

Grand Casino Hotel & Resort

7/10/27

The Book Masquerade Ball

Palestine Texas

The Historic Palestine Event Center (The Historic)

8/7/27

Red Dirt Romance Book Event

Oklahoma City Oklahoma

Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown

8/14/27

The Book Me Romance Author Event

Fort Smith Arkansas

The Fort Smith Convention Center

9/11/27

The Texas Booktacular 2027

Ballinger Texas

Carnegie Library

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Come see me!

I'm like this in real life, too.

I have ducks. They are not lined up.

Guys. GUYS! As I plan what I'll be doing with my time for 1-2 weeks post surgery, I decided to pull up a couple books I received the rights back to last year. They've been professionally edited, but I, of course, will go back through with a fine tooth and make sure everything is copacetic.

Catch this.

I open up "Fire Goddess" circa 2007 and immediately started laughing so hard, it was a good thing I'd gone to the restroom a few minutes prior.

The format?

OMF...looked like I typed it on a typewriter. 

I'm so used to the format I use now, that it was like a face full of cold water. 

I always talk about the differences of when I started out to the present day. 

This would be a sterling example.

Today is one, of only two, full days I have to work. Taking youngest granddaughter birthday shopping on Saturday. 🥳🎉

Monday is doomsday and fucking trigger finger surgery.

I can't drink after midnight. 

Color me a Gremlin. 

Started on "The Rabbit God". 

Now.

To fit two weeks into two days.

I think we all know...

My dance card is filling up

Man, I love book events. I LIVE for book events.

Submitted interest for two in Texas 2027. Accepted for the first: Book Masquerade Ball in Palestine, Texas.

I've never done a book masquerade ball. How excited am I???

Mike Wazowski excited.

It'll be July 10th, and I will have another new slew of books to take. Including a new romantasy that should be perfect for the event.

A group of readers I may have not been exposed to, if not for this opportunity.

In related book news, I'm putting together book boxes.

You heard that right! Chaos Cow has taken the reins again, and she is balls to the wall, pedal to the metal, and whatever other idiom means she's lost her mind.

Also beefing up the swag. Because I simply want to give readers everything I possibly can. They support my dreams. How could I not?

I am hiney-deep in magnets, stickers, and book art. Ordered boxes and that cool crinkly shit that goes inside. In various colors. 😌

While I'm not usually an "extra" type Chaos Cow, these readers' perks unleash the feral in me.

I want everything perfect and wonderful. 

I want readers valued and happy. 

Yeah.

I want it all.

Okay.

Off to lose my mind with the many things occupying my wee grey matter.

Word-fondling in three...two...

Already Wednesday

I am such a wuss with needles. IV? No. I'd rather not. Shots? Well, fuck me. If I have to. I guess. I mean...

That was my Monday morning as I scheduled with Walgreen's to get the flu, Covid, and RSV shot. Because why not give me all of them?

Right arm was in a flare, which verily sucked. 

But I did NOT want three shots in one arm. See the first sentence of this blog.

I opted for two in left and one in right.

The RSV was first. And it stung like a sonofabitch. As I proclaimed this exact thing, the pharmacist follows up with: RSV uses a bigger needle.

Oh. Do they? Do they just???

I brace myself for the Covid because I swear to one and all that I can FEEL the medicine go in.

That also is quite the sting.

Now.

At this point, I think I'm fairly off the hook since the flu shot is like one quick sting and then nothing. Woot to me!

NOT woot to me. First poke. Sting.

CONTINUED TO STING.

What in the unholy vaccines is going on?

I'm bleeding on both sides. Stand on shaky legs.

Bandaids and a receipt.

Still sore today. 🖕

Tuesday was Spravato, so that's always a write-off day.

Today I plot and plan exactly what in the fuck I'll be doing with myself like one to two weeks after my trigger finger surgery.

Because, apparently, typing will not be it for at LEAST the first week. Then, as previously stated, I can type through the pain.

Because, of course I can.

But what an option.

Now, my wee brain is filled with existential horror about not being able to create for a period of time.

And this is going to back me up far enough that I won't catch up (likely not true, but the thought exists). I think I may be able to edit. But writing is a large NO, and I need to work on "The Rabbit God". Edit "Fire Goddess".

I don't know! I'm in panic mode over here. 

Told my hand doc that I type for a living. He asked about deadlines. I was silent. Then, he said, you have deadlines all the time. Stated as a fact. 

I nod.

Maybe it won't be as debilitating as I think I will be. 

Maybe.

To channel Taylor:

"So tell me everything is not about me, but what if it is? Then say they didn’t do it to hurt me, but what if they did?"

A little off course, but I'm feeling it.

Okay. Well. 

Just going to sit here with my executive dysfunction and enjoy the day with a right middle finger that hasn't been tampered with yet.

Longest day of the year

We all know it's not the summer solstice. It's the fall back regimen. We gained an hour which will feel like four on a sleepy Sunday.

Me=every time.

One would think that would mean one would have an extra hour to do necessary things.

Except, my body won't be right for months. I'm going to bed at 6?

WTF?

Murphy still woke me at the usual time this morning. Unfortunately, that's now 5:51 am. You cannot explain time change to a feline.

I tried.

Am I going to be irrationally hungry?

Most likely.

Am I going to feel like every clock in the house is wrong?

Most likely.

Should I take this time to simmer? Probably. But, I won't.

Still worried about trigger finger surgery and what I will be able/won't be able to do during that time.

Which means I'm going to wring out every hour of this day like it's a wash cloth that pissed me off.

Because of course I am.

I hope this time change finds you comfy and relaxing. Enjoying that extra hour. 

Is it midnight? It feels like midnight. 🤔