The 2017 Read & Watch Challenge is here!

It's that time of the year again--reading challenge time! Each year, I like to choose (or create) some sort of reading challenge to do in the upcoming year. Beyond keeping me focused on reading, it's also just fun to have a list or chart to check off (yes, I'm a nerd.) But based on the volume of reading challenges that pop up each year, I know I'm not the only one. :)

For the past few years, I've done the Push Your Boundaries reading challenge, which was a challenge I created to expand my reading selections beyond my comfort zone reads. I've really enjoyed that challenge and it's still one you can use for 2017. All the info and downloads are here for that challenge. But this year, I'm looking for something a little lighter and with more flexibility since I know it's going to be an exceptionally busy year. I also wanted to incorporate movies and TV because I've found that I've stopped watching TV (because of that pesky distraction of the smartphone at night).

Therefore, inspired by the exercise I did where you choose a one-word theme for the year, I've created the...

2017 Read & Watch Challenge

Here's how it works:

1. Each month will have a one-word theme. 

2. You will read a book and watch a movie or TV show that match the theme.  

3. You can use the theme word however you see fit. I'll give some ideas about how to play with a theme below.

4. Each month here on the blog and in my newsletter, I will feature the word, tell you what I plan to read and watch, give a few suggestions, and I will also invite "tastemakers" (writers, book bloggers, editors) to share some suggestions on what to read. I also plan to have a Reader of the Month offer a recommendation. So you'll get a number of different perspectives and options if you're having trouble picking something out or if you just want a great new recommendation. :)

5. Track Your Progress. A few options: 

• Sign up for my newsletter and get the printable Fearless Romantics Reading Journal to track all your reading this year and this handy dandy checklist for the challenge.
• Keep a Pinterest board to pin your book covers and movies.
• Keep a page in your journal or planner.
• Post on Instagram

6. Chat about it online using the hashtag #ReadWatch17

How the theme words work

I purposely chose words that could be up for interpretation. I don't like to be told what to read, lol, so this allows for maximum flexibility while still being a fun challenge. I can't wait to see how you guys interpret them. But each month I'll brainstorm ideas to give your creativity a nudge if it needs it. For instance, here are ideas for January's theme word

January: BEGIN

• The start of a book series or film franchise or TV series
• A book you started and put down but still want to read
• A book or movie about beginnings
• A non-fiction book or documentary about some habit or activity you want to begin in the new year 
• A book or movie with the word Begin or Beginning in the title
• A book or film that follows a character from birth.

See what I mean? The possibilities are endless. :)

Want to join the fun?

Sign up for my newsletter and get your checklist and free reading journal. Every two weeks, you'll get an email from me with book challenge info and recommendations along with my other blog content (posts about books, productivity, life, contests, etc.) I try to make my newsletter useful and fun. Promo is rare.

Or, you can also do this solo and not officially sign up. Just be sure to check out the blog once a month if you'd like book and movie recommendations or want to chat with other readers in the challenge.

Stay tuned for the January Read & Watch Challenge post. But until then, who's with me? :)

SALE ALERT: Your Best Year 2017 Goal Setting Workbook

Hey y'all! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and break. I'm back at it and will be buried in writing all month since I have an end of the month book deadline, but I wanted to pop in to let you know about a great sale going on today.

If you follow this blog regularly, you know that I'm all about the planners, goal-setting, and productivity. And the end of one year, beginning of another is always the logical time to do some review of what's worked and what hasn't and then make new goals going forward. This past year I used a goal-setting workbook called Your Best Year by Lisa Jacobs. 

This is not a traditional day planner. This is specifically a goal-setting workbook for people running a small business. It's not specific to writers, but I find it fits well for that. There are exercises to fill out that help you evaluate the past year--what's worked, what hasn't, the whys. Then it leads you through setting goals and habits for the next year. After that, it's a month by month guide of setting goals, evaluating them as you go, and adjusting as needed. 

I've found this system really helpful for me. Sometimes by the end of the year, it can feel like nothing worked because we're all tired and a little burnt out. But being able to look back at what I set as goals for the year in January helps me to see--oh, hey, I did accomplish some of this. It also helps me see the areas I'm still struggling in. Overall, it's a great exercise in mindfulness and thinking strategically about life and work.

And today for CyberMonday it's 50% off, which makes the download only $7.50. This workbook can be ordered in print or as a download. I like getting the download because then I can put it in my own binder and reprint a page if I mess up something. (By the way, I haven't been asked to feature this and I don't know the author. Just passing along my experience with it.)

So if you're looking to do some goal-setting for 2017, check it out.

There are also some alternatives to this workbook:

If you want something writer specific, Bria Quinlan has created the AuthorLife Planner. This can also be purchased as a print book or download. I haven't gotten a copy of this one yet, but lots of my friends have been raving about it. I believe there are exercises in the front and then it has an actual planner in the back with dates/calendars.

If you're not an author and not running a business but want to set personal goals, I've heard a lot about the Powersheets workbook. I haven't ordered these and they're on the pricier side (the spiral bound book is $55) but they seem to get great reviews and are very pretty. If you end up going this route, let me know what you think! I'm curious. :)

UPDATE: I ended up buying the Powersheets and I'm really impressed with them. Functional and lovely. :) (And yes, I have no willpower to resist these things, lol.)

All right, now I'm off to the writing cave.

Anyone into yearly goal-setting? Have you used this type of workbook before? What method do you use?

Need a Stress Break? A Fun and Sexy Thanksgiving Read

I've been away from the blog and newsletter for a little longer than I normally am, but I'm sure like many of you, I needed a break from social media and the internet. Sometimes you have to go in self-care, cocooning mode. And what always helps me when I'm feeling that way is a great book. I needed something escapist, light-hearted, and funny and I found it in Her Naughty Holiday by Tiffany Reisz.

I enjoyed the first book in her Men at Work series, so I knew I was probably safe jumping into book two (though you don't need to have read book one.) This was a fun and sexy story with low angst and a super hot single dad. Also, the teen daughter was fantastic. Lots of humor throughout and great banter. It was just what I needed. Plus, it's Thanksgiving themed so perfect for this time of year.

So if you're looking for a read to cheer you up, grab this one. :)

Back cover:

A feast she wasn't expecting! 

Clover Greene would sooner crawl into her oven than host family for Thanksgiving dinner. Yet another annual ritual of too much food, served with a side of criticism over "Clover's Bad Life Choices." This year, she needs to distract them all—with a handsome fake boyfriend. And she has the perfect guy in mind. 

Contractor Erick Fields is the poster boy for sexy single dads, and Clover has been secretly crushing on him for ages. She certainly wasn't expecting Erick to agree to her insane charade…or to add lots of hot, wicked sex to the deal. If they can pull it off, the worst Thanksgiving ever might give them something to be really thankful for!

So what are you reading right now? Anyone have a great escapist read recommendation?

Breaking Out of a Reading Slump

There's nothing more depressing for a reader than finding yourself in a reading slump. For some reason this year, I've been struggling finding books that grab me. I've read some great non-fiction and general fiction. But, though there have been a few exceptions, I've been in a pretty significant romance reading slump. That is no bueno for me since that's what I enjoy the most. And it had me worried that maybe I was burnt out on my own genre because I spend so much time writing it.

But this week I finally picked up a book that had been recommended to me and that was already on my shelf, Lisa Kleypas's Again the Magic. The title turned out to be particularly appropriate because I fell into that must-read-every-page-right-now-who-needs-sleep mode. And it was like, YES, there it is, the reading magic. So I was thrilled to realize that no, I hadn't fell out of love with romance. I just haven't been picking books that I connected with. So yay for that.

But it got me to thinking, how does one get out of a reading slump if you catch yourself in one? Because, let's face it, with all the distractions we have these days, it's easy to get out of the habit of reading and then lose the habit altogether. Tragic. I don't care how interesting my phone or that TV show is, I don't want to lose touch with my first love, reading.

So, what can you do if you find yourself in a slump? I wrote about this back in January, so I thought it might be a good time to repost it. :)

GETTING OUT OF THE SLUMP

1. Move on to another book, even if you think there may be nothing particularly wrong with the one you're reading.

Maybe it really is the book. Put the book your reading aside. You may go back to it one day, but right now it's back on the shelf in limbo mode. Life is too short to force yourself to read a book that isn't working for you (no matter the reason). <--This is something I have to tell myself constantly. I have a hard time walking away from a book unless I outright HATE it. 

2. Pick something in a different genre or subgenre than what your current read is.

Maybe it's the wrong genre for you at the moment--like it's a sweet contemporary and you really need something darker right now or something with explosions! Or maybe life is chaotic and you need something quieter to read than the thriller or whatever it is you're reading.

3. Get a recommendation from someone who has book tastes you trust. (This is the one that worked for me this time.)

Find that friend or book blogger who is your reading twin. They usually love what you love. Get suggestions from them on the last book that blew them away. Or do what I did and put out a general call on Twitter. "What should I read next? What was the last book you were obsessed with?"

4. Reread an old favorite.

Sometimes you need a sure thing. Pick up that book that you know is going to make you happy. (This one doesn't work as well for me because I'm not a re-reader, no matter how much I love a book. Weird, I know.)

5. Pick an author who usually doesn't let you down.

This is when favorite authors can come in and save the day. Your odds for liking the book are higher if you've read and loved their other stuff.

6. Read something short

Sometimes you just need a quick read, something that you can finish in one sitting, to get you back in the groove. And if you need a suggestion, SHAMELESS PROMO AHEAD, I just had a novella boxed set come out yesterday. You can get four novellas that can each standalone to choose from. :)

7. Commit to picking up another book.

Sometimes I find that when I'm in a reading slump, it takes a lot of energy to go and pick out a new book to read. It's like I'm reluctant to get into another disappointing relationship. But just like in life, you've got to put yourself back out there, lol. So make yourself pick up something else and something else until you find that book that grabs you, woos you, and takes you to bed. Wait, we're still talking about books, right? Maybe I took that metaphor too far. ;)

 ***

And if you want to know more about the book that got me out of my recent slump, here's the info.

Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas

She gave him her innocence . . .

Lady Aline Marsden was brought up to marry a man of her own class, but from the moment she meets John McKenna, she risks everything to be with him.

He gave her his heart

Although their love is forbidden, McKenna's passion for the beautiful Aline is too compelling to deny.

When their secret is discovered, their world is shattered. McKenna is forced to leave forever, unaware that the only reason Aline has given him up is to save him.

Now McKenna has returned, a powerful man determined to take revenge against the woman who broke his heart. But the magic between them burns as fiercely as ever . . . and as McKenna uncovers Aline's deepest secret, together they discover a love that will defy Fate itself.

Anyone else have a reading slump lately? What did you do to get out of it or did you? And to help the rest of us, what was the last amazing book you read?

It's Release Day! The Loving on the Edge Bundle

It's release day! Woo-hoo!

This is my first boxed set and gathers together all four Loving on the Edge novellas, including the RITA-nominated BREAK ME DOWN, in one nice place with one sexy cover. That's almost 500 pages worth of smexiness, y'all. ;)

About the set:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Crash Into You comes four previously published Loving on the Edge novellas, together for the first time...

In Still Into You, married couple Seth and Leila head to The Ranch, a resort where any sexual fantasy can be had. Seth hopes to put the spark back in their marriage and to show Leila why he’s the only man for her...

In Forever Starts Tonight, two Dominant men and one submissive woman attempt to jumpstart their relationship with a getaway at a mountain cabin. When they get snowed in, however, the heat between them reaches a fever pitch, and secrets come out...

In Yours All Along, two men, Devon and Hunter, shared a hot night in college, but an accident tore their relationship apart. Four years later, Hunter is a professional baseball player, engaged to a woman, and in Devon’s bar. Neither man can get that one night off their minds...

In Break Me Down, Samantha Dunbar and sexy executive Gibson Andrews are Dominants, and according to Gibson, that makes them incompatible. But after an attack shakes Sam to her core, Gibson finds himself unable to let her go...

Grab your copy:  Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

And for those of you who've already read the novellas (thank you!), I'd be forever grateful if you could leave a review on the boxed set. Reviews help tremendously with visibility in Amazon search and such, so I'm sending you all the heart eyes if you're so inclined. :)

Happy reading!