Independence and Fear

The Sirius is tuned in to Frank.

It's Sinatra Sunday here.

Windows are open. The music is accompanied by birds singing and the sound of the fountain in our backyard pond.

As Oates would say, nature an' shit.

Skies are overcast after a beautiful sunrise this morning, and I'm taking a break from completing Book Three of The Amped Series to write this, because the scenes I've just written and revised are intense.

The theme of the weekend is Independence and Fear (yes, capitalized!), and for various reasons.

My characters are asserting themselves in this last book - and surprising me, too. This is exactly what I hope for when I sit down to write, because it's worked for me so far. I'm so proud of my independent heroine, and the hero that loves her even though it scares the shit out of him.

Yesterday, I received my first check for book sales. It was a long wait, but what a feeling. The idea that sending my words out into the world might earn me even a single dollar blows my mind.

My oldest daughter is heading off to summer camp for a week without her parents. She's taking lots of excitement, sunblock and bug spray - and maybe just a little fear in her heart. Mom's got a canoe-full of fear, too. My girl is old enough to make herself a bowl of cereal, but not old enough to drive. At the thought of her being without me for this long, I'm still an over-protective mama bear.

What if she doesn't brush her teeth...like, at all? 

But she'll get to have the experience of writing a letter home and mailing it, and I'll be the lucky recipient. She won't plant her face in front of a screen for five whole days, and I won't have to hear the sibling bickering for that many days, either.

So all in all, worth the separation.

At the end of August, Barnes and Noble has invited me for a book signing for both "Balance" and "Sway".

Of course, I said yes. *blushing*

Oh, hello again Fear.

Thanks for bringing Independence with you.

The keys call. You can follow progress here or here, or sometimes here.

M.J.

The Amped Series: Book Two - THE RELEASE

It's been pretty crazy over here at MJ Woods Books lately.

While I'm knee deep in finishing Book Three, Book TWO is releasing this week!
I'm so excited, I've decided to give away more digital copies of Balance (Book One). Limited copies available. Just click this link: FREE COPY OF Balance *CLOSES JULY 21ST*

In the meantime, here is a peek at the front (and back!) cover of Sway (The Amped Series: Book Two)
Warning: It's pretty damn sexy.

I hope you enjoy the continuing ride with these characters. From writing to revising (and revising some more), these characters still make me so happy.

Website is under construction to be updated this week, so check back for a whole new look!

Also on the horizon are a double signing at Barnes and Noble for Balance and Sway and, by the end of summer, Book Three will be complete! Then it's on to the next book. There are some characters from this series begging for their own stories. I'm not sure who will win the battle to be written first, but when I know, you'll know.

To keep up with happenings, sign up for the newsletter here! Emails do NOT go out very often because, if you're like me, you hate sifting through your inbox deleting junk mail. But, when there is big news, you'll know first!

I am accepting ARC readers for Book Two for a limited time.
If you are interested, email: mj@mjwoodsbooks.com

Meanwhile it's Sunday, and I've just returned from my cousin's wedding in Virginia surrounded by love and laughter and my crazy-amazing family. It's possible I went to bed at 4am on one night of that road trip, leaving me feeling like Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon. "I'm too old for this shit."

Now time to get back to work. The dog is happy I'm home. The cat, not so much.

Thank you for your ongoing love and support.

Ciao,
MJ