How can half the month before already? 2020 just started and it seems to be moving at the speed of light! Part of this for me personally could be because January has turned out the be quite the busy month. Last week my twin nieces were in town visiting, which I loved but two five year olds can wear you out quick let me tell you! Where do they get all of their energy? My day job has been hectic as well. Then I have been working on editing and writing. Plus I started a 31 day exercise challenge. I have been trying to do art most days. I have recommitted to my meditation program. And I am studying super hard for my personal trainer exam later this month. Needless to say last week I started to feel a little overwhelmed and decided that I needed to cut myself some slack this month and give myself some more moderate goals.

So moderation is the key for me this month. I have decided to hold off on my 31 day exercise challenge. I am doing more moderate walking and yoga workouts this month. I am still moving and grooving, but just taking it slower so that I can concentrate on other things. I am only going to work on this blog and editing my Christmas story for my editor when it comes to writing related work this month. New words will come next month when I have more time and can give it my all. I am hopeful that I can have another story to my editor by mid-March! I am mainly going to take the rest of this month to focus on my family, my health, and studying for my personal trainer certification exam. By cutting back I can more fully engage in what is important this month. This is huge growth for me as I am always trying to do too much at once and getting stressed out.

How is your month shaping up? How are your resolutions or goals for 2020 coming so far? Leave an update in the comments and let's help cheer each other on.

Hey everyone! As promised I am back to blogging weekly and this week I am super excited to have fellow indie author D. F. Krieger here with her very steamy new release Eden's Garden!

My transient lifestyle as a government contractor makes it hard to have permanent relationships, especially when I prefer to spice my life up with BDSM. When my life-long friend, Rhett, introduces me to the local group, they welcome me with open arms...and a handful of women looking for a partner. There's shy Wynn, sassy Maya, Cami the Kitten, and playful Denisha.

You can grab a copy for yourself here:
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Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082ZQ5SSJ
Available on KU

And now a little excerpt for your enjoyment!

I eyed the dark-haired beauty with the angular features and pegged her instantly as a Brat while she continued to pop her chewing gum in rapid fire succession. She’d be a handful to tame, and the thought of it thrilled me. She blew bubbles and snapped them with far too much enthusiasm, and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt she awaited rejection. To be the last pick of the team.
They all did.
The air of dejection that surrounded these women stirred a deep, unknown emotion in me. A fierce desire to protect them, to show them the acceptance they craved, rose up with a startling surge.
“I know this is a little odd,” Abe said as he slipped an arm around his wife’s waist. “But you’ve all come to me asking for help, and doing things different might be the solution.”
The girl with the gum blew another bubble and popped it. The sound ricocheted through the room like a gunshot, and a woman with soft blonde hair tipped in pink who sat at the end of the table with her gaze on the floor winced.
“Sorry, Wynny,” the gum girl said, and her tone implied a genuine apology.
“S’okay,” the blonde responded in a whisper.
Abe cleared his throat. “Why don’t we run through intros? Eden, would you mind getting us started?”
I smiled at him, and kept that smile as I swept my gaze across the four women in front of me. “Hello, ladies. I’m Eden. I’m down here from DC for a twelve-month work contract, and I’m hoping to find a play partner. I’m very flexible on what I like, and have been in the life for years. I am a Domme, but I promise I’m not an aggressive dominant. If you need references, there are several people in the group who know me from DC. Anything else, just ask.”
A heavy pause hung in the air, and I could feel them studying me. Weighing me to see my worth in their own heads. I gave them that time, sensing they needed it. Somehow, I held a sneaky suspicion these women were single for reasons beyond their kinks. Each one stood out as a bit of an oddity, which didn’t necessarily mean a bad thing.
“I’m Denisha.” The pink-haired girl I saw Boi coloring with earlier stuck out her hand, and I shook it without hesitation. Her warm, brown skin felt like silk against my palm. “I’ve only been around ‘bout a year. I’m a Little, and um…I guess that’s that.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Denisha.” I gave her an encouraging nod and shifted my attention to a quiet, auburn haired, petite woman next to her.
“Is it my turn?” she asked, glancing at me. “My name’s Cami. I… I like…” She stared at her lap as her cheeks turned an adorable shade of red. “I like to meow and stuff or be a maid. I work at a shelter, and I really want a Mistress who will pet me.”
Pet play as a cat? Adorable! “Hello, Cami. Nice to meet you.” I turned my attention to the dark-haired Brat.
Gum girl snorted at Cami and rolled her eyes. “Maya. Tease me, beat me, if you wanna teach me,” she sing-songed, and I recognized the underlying jingle from a kid’s show popular in my youth.
Oh, pretty girl. Do you even realize you are a Brat? “Hi, Maya. A pleasure.”
That left one more person to introduce herself. The timid blonde nearly hugged her knees. Her gaze never left the floor. If I’d labeled Cami as shy, this girl could be the epitome of agoraphobic. Maya gave her a gentle nudge and the girl started, as if the physical contact shocked her.
“I’m… I’m….”
“This is Wynny,” Maya supplied. From the way the blonde shot her a grateful look, I gathered Maya stepped in for her a lot. “She likes stuff like wax, feathers; that sort of thing. Isn’t that right?”
Wynny’s silent nod confirmed this.
They were all going to require the extent of my skills as a dominant in their own ways. The terrified blonde would need the most help learning to let go and enjoy herself, without a doubt. But all of them presented their own unique sets of challenges…and rewards.
“So, is this going to be like eenie meenie miney moe?” Maya asked.
I couldn’t let her get away with that snarkiness and establish dominance. If I did, it meant working double-time to earn her respect later. Easier to nip it before she managed a foothold to stand her cocky ass on.
“No, darling,” I said as I clasped my hands and rested them on the table. “This isn’t a school game where I pick the most popular or prettiest. If any of you want to give this a shot, we’ll set up dates and see how compatible we are in a one-on-one environment.”
“Any of us?” Denisha asked, her voice filled with surprise.
“Absolutely.”
That got their attention. They stared at me with varying expressions of shock.
“You do realize we’re the group rejects, right? The unwanted fuck ups. Why do ya want saddled with us?” Maya demanded.
Elle shifted, her body language turning nervous, and I noticed Abe give her arm a soft, reassuring squeeze from the corner of my eye. He watched me carefully, and I knew this moment could make or break my reputation and acceptance in this group.
“You’re not fuck ups,” I said, keeping my voice neutral. “You are all beautiful women with a unique set of challenges that I’m excited to conquer with you. All that remains between us and that, is whether you’ll give me a chance to show you what you can achieve.”

I hope that everyone had a great holiday season! I know that I have been scarce since before Christmas and here we are already in a new year, but things get hectic for me during the holidays and this year seemed worse than usual. But 2020 is now here, the start of not only a new year, but a whole new decade as well. For me the new year means time to plan and set goals for the upcoming year. Not really resolutions, but I suppose you can argue that it is all semantics. Rather than just say what I want to accomplish though, I like to actually have a game plan for each of my goals. 

This year I have a lot of personal and professional goals, but I think that I have outlined them and made each of them obtainable.

First I want to get my personal trainer certification. That is one that should be done early in the year as I take my test at the end of January. I have already been studying hard and will continue t study until test day. This goal is definitely in reach and in sight. I then want to start a functional fitness channel on Youtube to help people get in shape and get healthy no matter their current situation.

I also am upping my own personal exercise and healthy eating habits this year to lose some weight that has been dogging me ever since my hysterectomy a few years ago. Losing weight is harder now, but I am planning my workouts and meals better than ever and hey learning to be a personal trainer is helping in this category as well! I am really focusing on strength training like I have never in the past. And yoga is going to become a daily thing not just for my body, but for my mind and spirit as well.

Now onto my more writerly and writing related goals.
I want to read 65 books this year. Reading makes me a better writer so got to have time to read!

I plan on getting back to a regular writing routine and to publish more than I did in 2019. I want to write and publish at least 3-4 short stories in anthologies throughout the year. I also plan on publishing at least 3. maybe 4, novellas and novels this year. One is the Christmas story that I just could not get right last year. It will be to my editor within a week and be ready for Thanksgiving 2020! I am also working on a contemporary romance and the third and final book in the Port Stone fantasy series to be out later this year. And maybe one more, we shall see.

I also need to get my marketing game on this year after really slacking for most of 2019. This means keeping active here on my blog, posting at least once a week. Sending out quarterly newsletters. Growing my audience on social media platforms. Maybe even making some author appearances! Gasp! I need to be more active and engaging with readers and I know this, last year was just a tough one for me to do this. Hopefully this helps me sell more books as that is the goal.

I have some other personal ones, like declutter before we move later this year and pay off some bills and such. Goals that a lot of people have that I don't think I need to talk about much here. And one last fun goal that I have is to go see Harry Styles in concert. I am so obsessed with his music. It calms me, makes me happy, somehow taps into my own creativity and has helped me produce some of the best art of my life. I can go on and on about him! And I get to see him live this summer! Tickets are secured, so that's step one of the goal. Time is requested off from work. Step two. Now I need to find and pay for accommodations, save gas and spending money and actually make this dream come true! Only thing better would be to get to meet him but I don't think that is in the cards, so a kick ass concert will have to do!

So that's my busy year all planned out more or less! Time to get to work and actually accomplish these goals! What are your goals for the new year? Leave them in the comments and let's cheer each other on!

How can Christmas be just around the corner? This year has certainly flown by and now Christmas is literally just days away! Still have some people you are shopping for? Or maybe looking for some little gifts for yourself? Well books make great gifts and ebooks are super quick and easy to give! And so with a little shameless self promotion, you know that I have several books... hint hint!
Here is my amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Sheri-Velarde/e/B00JDAKUIU
I have romance, horror, fantasy and more! 

I know, I know, I have been sharing lots of books this month for gifts to yourself or others. And yes I have been focusing on indie authors. But for a little change of pace today I am sharing the album release of my personal muse lately, Harry Styles!

I am late to the Harry Styles fan base. I was not a fan of One Direction... shhh don't tell anyone. But then I discovered his first album at the beginning of 2019... late again I know. His self titled album just spoke to me. It opened up emotions within myself and that helped to drive my creativity. I often listen to his music when I paint now and I swear that some of the best paintings of my life have been inspired by his music. I don't know what it is, but Harry and his music have become my muse in so many ways. So of course I am so happy that he is releasing his second album today! I can't wait to create to it! So sure, he doesn't need the shout out like so many authors that I share, but his art is something that I care about as well and wanted to share.

link: https://hstyles.co.uk/

Continuing my Christmas Read blog series this season... Here is another from the awesome Dawn Brower!
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Rebellious-Angel-Marsden-Descendants-Christmas-ebook/dp/B07H8WP14H/
Miss Angeline Marsden has a defiant nature and makes no apologies for it. Her parents would prefer she didn't participate in the local suffragette group, but she believes all women's voices should be heard. After she finds herself in trouble she can't extricate herself from she has no choice but to turn to the one man she's always loved and treats her like a sister.

Much to Lucian St. John, the Marquess of Severn's dismay he's always been drawn to Angeline. She's his one irresistible temptation; however, she's also his best friends' sister, and off limits. When she finds herself in a mess of her own making he comes to her rescue and offers to marry her.

Lucian and Angeline never dared dream they could have a future together. Marriage is the last thing either of them expected and it is the one thing they both want. Will they find a way to open their hearts to each other and obtain their Christmas wish.

I found this Christmas read this year and just started reading it!
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Promise-December-Book-ebook/dp/B01LXQ0W1F/
Christmas.
That bittersweet word that plays on my mind every goddamn year. Some people love it, I don’t like the fact I still live around it. Like any other child, Christmas for me was the most magical time of all. The winter walks, the smell of fresh cinnamon and candy canes, the excitement in the pit of my stomach where I found it hard to sleep. I loved that.
But once you reach adulthood you soon realise that life is cruel and fairy tales are bullshit! And at twenty-one, that magic and belief were torn from my grasp and I suddenly wanted to be that little girl again.
December now means nothing. Christmas hurts. And the only coldness I feel is what’s congealed around my heart. Nothing would change, and no one could change it.
Then I met him.

It's the Christmas season, the time of giving and some awesome authors have gotten together to have a little Christmas Giveaway!  There will be five winners, so enter for your chance to read win some fantastic books!
Giveaway Link

​One more Christmas read from Leona Bushman today!
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Spying-Christmas-Miracle-Express-Book-ebook/dp/B07XCYYLPP/
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Christmas is not always what it seems.

Melody hated Christmas. Ever since her parents died on Christmas Eve, nothing had ever been the same. She and her brother had been forced to live with their grandfather. Her brother, the now presumptive heir, received most of the attention as he learned about the holdings.
She had been given lessons on how to be a lady.
As if she wanted them. She would rather do anything else than be a lady with no rights. One night, at a soiree, someone had approached her to spy for them. Not giving her a choice, really. So, with great reluctance, she’d accepted the invite to her cousin’s Christmas house party.
Two weeks pretending to be happy about Christmas? Worse punishment ever for simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Then she met her prey—Kit Stuart the third. Her heart raced, and her body yearned for something she never wanted before.
Kit Stuart searched for a rebel spy said to be coming to the Christmas party of his best friend. Not hard to accept as ordered, but then he found the rebel spy, and his heart denied it. His body craved hers. How could he arrest and maybe kill the first woman to make him believe that maybe there was such a thing as Christmas miracles?
Then the real betrayal was revealed.
Could they save their family and friends before it was too late?