Surreal Moment Yesterday

I've been waiting for them to arrive since Friday. Do you know how frustrating it is to have your roommate receiving tons of packages when you are waiting on a very important delivery? Well, it's really frustrating. I spent days running up to boxes left on the front porch to only be disappointed when it had her name on it. Yesterday, MY name was finally on a box and this is what was inside:

Sorry about the fuzziness. My phone takes crap pictures.

Aren't they pretty!?!? All the kids got a kick out of my reaction. I found the box on our BACK porch. Clue number one this hadn't been a regular postal delivery. I immediately ran over to it and peered down at the shipping label and there it was: Abby Niles. And, yes, I squealed. And squealed. I grabbed up the box, (which was much, much larger than I was expecting), rushed into the kitchen and sliced the tape open with a knife. And then I started jumping around, screaming again, like a mad woman. The kids laughed.

I petted the book and just stared at it. Then I opened it up to the first chapter. It's hard to explain the feeling that hit me when I did that, but it's a moment I'll never forget. I started reading my words, and I was just overwhelmed by the fact that those were MY WORDS. Words that came out of my head. Words I'd written that someone else loved and actually put them in print. I turned the book around and I looked at all the kids. Yep, it was time for a lesson.

"Do you know how long I've waited for this moment?"
"How long?" they asked.
"Eight years."
Eyes rounded. They knew I was a writer, knew I had things published, but they had no clue how long I'd worked to get here.
I looked at my daughter. "What does this tell you?"
A small smile came to my eight-year old's mouth. "Never give up."

I was so proud of her in that moment. I've said that repeatedly over the years. I'm a firm believer in chasing dreams and not letting anything stand in your way. They've watched me cry over rejections, fight against everyday life trying to get in the way, seen me at my wits end, but still I trudged forward. And the most important part of all that to me is the are actually SEEING it, understanding it. I want them to understand that dreams aren't easy to obtain, but if you want it badly enough, you keep fighting for it. And I think they get that.

I've been proud of everything I've published, but a goal of mine was to have a book in print, have it on the bookshelves in the bookstores, and hopefully the library. And it's finally happening. And, guys,  it is so freaking COOL walking into your living room and seeing your book sitting on the coffee table.  

So I'd like to give a teaser snippet:

Amusement filled Dante's eyes. “No chemistry, huh? I’ll have to disagree.” He placed his lips against her ear and whispered, “Do you remember when our eyes met in the mirror this morning? That punch of lust that socked us both? That’s chemistry, Caitlyn.”

Extreme Love is up for pre-order, both the digital and print version are available on Amazon. You can actually get the print version for 5.87 right now, which is freaking fantastic.

Amazon: Kindle  Print

Barnes and Noble: Print

New body. New clothes. New men.

Used to the average Joe, Caitlyn Moore is overwhelmed when the supremely masculine Dante Jones walks into her life and expresses an interest in her. At first she pushes him away, refusing to encourage the attention of a cage fighter. Then she learns Dante has a love ‘em and leave ‘em reputation. What better way to fine-tune her non-existent flirting skills than with a male who won’t stick around? But Dante has no intention of being a practice dummy; he’s out for all or nothing. Now Caitlyn must accept Dante—violent career and all—or let him go.

Dante “Inferno” Jones has one goal: win the Welterweight Championship. At a time when focus is crucial, the last thing he needs is a distraction. Yet Caitlyn Moore becomes a challenge he can’t resist. When the light-hearted pursuit shifts to a battle to win her heart, his focus is shot. Faced with losing the biggest match of his career, Dante must decide if his extreme life also has room for Extreme Love.

Abby