Latest On The Nocturnal Nina Blog
Back In The Writing Chair
I had a great time on tour promoting my new release, NAUGHTY LITTLE WISHES. Along the way, my book made the list for Entangled Publishing’s top ten bestsellers for the week. A big thank you to all of the readers for picking up my book and for your kind messages and words of encouragement.
Currently, I’m working on the next book in the Birthday Dare series and preparing for the March 3rd release of my debut paranormal/fantasy romance novella. If you enjoy stories about sexy alpha heroes saving the world with a light touch of paranormal, I hope you’ll read THANE’S REDEMPTION, and join the celebration at my Facebook party in March. A few of my fellow authors will be there with special excerpts and giveaways, and I’m offering a giveaway on my blog tour. Sign up for my newsletter or subscribe to Nocturnal Nina blog to receive the latest info.
I’m back in the writing chair, but I’ll still be around to chat about my books so feel free to reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway still posted on the blog stops for Naughty Little Wishes. Also, make sure you check out my free short story, A KISS AND A DARE, featured on Ramblings From This Chick.
Virtual hugs and kisses to all. See you on March 3rd for the release of Thane’s Redemption. Don’t forget to enjoy the wonderful things that happen at night!
Behind the Book: Slinky, black cat costumes
I’m still out on my blog tour!
Join me at my latest stop, enter the giveaway, and find out my inspiration for Naughty Little Wishes in my behind the book post at Entangled in Romance: We’re Moving On.
A Kiss and A Dare
Ethan and Jasmine, my characters from TAKE ME IF YOU DARE, have been working together to make their long distance relationship work. A cheating ex-fiancé shattered her trust in the past. Jasmine knows Ethan is different, but when their New Year’s Eve plans fall through, she’s tested. Can love close the distance?
Read my free, short story hosted by Ramblings From This Chick Blog to find out:
A Kiss and A Dare
Naughty New Year
Nervousness=Apple Pie
Technically, I’m an introvert. As a child, I was so shy one-on-one conversations with peers terrified me to the point of mixing up my words. A loving mother—who encouraged me to stand up for myself, enrolled me in groups, and supported me when I chose to compete in pageants—as well as more extroverted friends helped me through the awkward moments. Eventually, I found my sanctuary speaking in front of groups, the larger the better. I found it easy to lose myself in the excitement of sharing topics I was passionate about with others. As an adult, I learned to harness that sense of certainty and enjoyment so I could give presentations, lead meetings, and consult one-on-one with clients.
Nervousness is still something I wrestle with, despite having anonymity as an author. Sending in a query can keep me up for hours. Submitting or receiving a draft from my editors has often required a glass or two of wine. And surviving a book release? Homeopathic anxiety remedy is my best friend, along with baking. This time around my sedative of choice was apple pie. Making the dough, cutting up apples, and assembling the pie were calming steps. Watching over the pie as it baked in the oven gave me something meaningful to tend to other than my worries. The scent of cinnamon and apples filling up every room in the house made me stop and smile. Eating and sharing it helped me remember good advice:
*Doing what you love is a gift you should gladly receive. Learn to accept that everyone won’t love what you do (or write).
*It’s not about the one but the many. Don’t stay so focused on the one thing, one step, or one accomplishment that you forget the importance of the entire journey.
*Pacing yourself for the long haul requires deep breaths, staying on task, getting up if you fall down, and resting when you get tired.
*Worry less. Happy dance more. (My personal resolution for 2015!)
I hope this post sparks a good thought you’ll keep in mind. I also hope you’ll join me in my latest celebration, and if you’re in the mood, feel free to enjoy a slice of apple pie this week. More importantly, stay worry free, expect the best, and enjoy the night!
Birthday Dare series by Nina Crespo
Book one: Take Me if You Dare
Book two: Naughty Little Wishes
and more to come!
Celebrate Bad Boys with Tessa, Nina and Friends
Let’s Celebrate!
*Chat exclusively with Nina Crespo 8:30-8:45 p.m. EST
Plus get Tessa Bailey’s HIS RISK TO TAKE for free! Lots of giveaways, plus enter for the grand prize iPad Mini giveaway! Click here for the event page. Click join to let us know you’ll be there and mark your calendars to attend.
Wait for it…
Finding out TAKE ME IF YOU DARE made it as a finalist in the BTS Book Reviews Red Carpet Book Rewards is an unexpected, pleasant surprise. They’re announcing the results next year. Patience isn’t one of my primary virtues, but it’s something I’m learning as an author.
The process of writing to the publication of a story takes time. If the muse isn’t cooperating, I have to find ways to coax her out again. When my characters stop talking, I have to accept the silence until they decide to show up. Ideas speed through my mind faster than my fingers can type. My manuscript isn’t the only one in my editor’s inbox so I have to wait my turn. The day before the release of TAKE ME IF YOU DARE felt like a week. No amount of clock watching could make midnight come any faster, but the second my book finally arrived on the scene is a moment I’ll never forget.
I won’t say that I’ve grown calmer about waiting, but I’d like to think I’ve become wiser. Waiting for something good isn’t dead space. It’s a pause to take a breath. To whoop it up with laughter, do a happy dance, and pop the cork in preparation for the big toast. It’s the perfect time to say “thank you” to the people who believed in the dream and supported you. To let them know that no matter what the result, you love and appreciate them for sharing knowledge, watching your back, setting aside “rant time” for you in their schedule, and providing a soft place to land when the winds of progress threw a curve.
In a world filled with constant noise, it’s easy to forget pauses and silences are important, too. Waiting gives you a chance to look and see what’s ahead, and plant your feet firmly on the road to your dreams.
I’ll post the outcome of the awards, as well as a few other exciting announcements on Nocturnal Nina and my newsletter. I can’t tell you all of the details, but here’s a hint. Things are about to get Naughty. Prepare for it with a Dare.
Sign up and stay connected. In the meantime, take a minute to appreciate the wait during your journey and enjoy the night.
