by Dee J. Adams
First, I want to thank Maggie for inviting me to play at her blog. I’m so looking forward to her upcoming release, Can’t Buy Me Love! I love the cover! Sexy!
Speaking of love, who doesn’t love spring? The flowers are blooming, the cold is fading and the weather is warmer, promising all sorts of new possibilities. Sometimes we never know until the moment is upon us that new possibilities can change our future.
Take myself for instance. I had never planned to become a writer. Never even thought about it. But an old friend of mine has been writing for television for about twenty years and I remember my husband saying how her paycheck stemmed from what was in her head…her imagination. How many people actually use their imagination, write something down and sell it? It’s a wild concept when you think about it. I never much thought about it applying to me until the day (weeks) I wrote down a really vivid dream I had. That dream turned into a 450 page manuscript and my first book. It changed my way of thinking, not only about myself, but about my capabilities. I wrote a book.
I refer to that time as my midlife crisis. I was rethinking my desire to be an actor and wondering what I wanted to do to make myself happy the rest of my life, or for at least the next chapter of my life. I discovered that thing was writing. I loved it. Once I pegged myself as a writer, no one could stop me. I worked on one book during down time at my day job and I’d go home in the evening and work on a different book. I ended up with three books in the first year I started writing. Of course, they sucked, but I still wrote them. LOL. And I was learning, which was the most important part of the whole process. I’ve been writing for about twelve years and finally able to do that thing my husband talked about so long ago. I can make a paycheck with my imagination. Obviously, it wasn’t easy and it didn’t happen quickly, but the things we want in life don’t often come when we want them. They come when the universe says it’s ready.
Today is the two-week birthday of the second book in my Adrenaline Highs Series. Danger Zone is still in its infancy and I’m still on cloud nine with its release. This book is near and dear to my heart on so many levels. Both my hero and heroine must face new beginnings and deal with change. My hero, Quinn, wants change in the worst way and my heroine, Ellie, is terrified of it. A curious combination for sure.
So this spring, what are you looking forward to? Is there change in your future this season or is there a different season that brings change for you on a regular basis? Or is there NO change for you on a regular basis and is that something you’re happy with or wish you could…change?
In her ten-year career as a stuntwoman, Ellie Morgan has experienced her share of thrills. None compares to the rush of being behind the wheel of a race car for her latest movie shoot. Certain she was born to race, Ellie’s ready to shift gears—but a secret from her past holds her back.
Find Danger Zone at Carina Press Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Bio
I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. After graduating high school, I moved to Los Angeles and tried to make it in show biz. I got enough acting work to pay the rent and keep the S.A.G. card. (Screen Actors Guild in case anyone is wondering.) I also worked as a Dialogue Coach in sitcoms. (That’s code for acting coach and also means I helped the actors learn their lines.)
Writing came as a fluke. After a very intense dream (I apparently couldn’t stop talking about), my husband said, “Just write it down.” Prophetic words I took it to heart. Three weeks and fourteen hours a day later, I had a 450 page handwritten novel.
And so it began.
I am lucky to be married to the love of my life and we have one beautiful daughter. She was and continues to be perfect so I saw no reason for others!
I like kick-ass heroines and big stories. I like to read them and I like to write them. I like romance, adventure, a little mystery and happy endings. Romance is the perfect genre for me.
You can find Dee J. Adams on Twitter, Facebook, and her Website
I can't thank Dee enough for blogging today! She is an awesome writer and I love love her books. Plus she is just such a lovely person and so so so gracious. Thank you, Dee for being here!! As for change–spring seems to reawaken in me a need to clean out closets and drawers. Sometimes this 'cleaning out' is even less physical and more mental. As Can't Buy Me Love gets ready to pub I am thinking of my next project and what I want to explore. Spring is my favorite season.
Hi Maggie,
I couldn't agree more with you about Dee and her writing! I am fortunate to know her personally and she really
is a wonderful person. And I love her books as well!
I think spring is my favorite season. To me, it signifies new beginnings and the opportunity for change. I'm not sure if I am more like Ellie or Quinn; sometimes I am frightened of change, but sometimes it gives me hope, and I welcome it.
Thanks to Dee for another great thought-provoking post, and thanks again for hosting it Maggie! And best of luck with "Can't Buy Me Love"!
Aw… you guys… You didn't have to say EXACTLY what I wrote for you to say. (Thanks. The check is in the mail!) LOL. (I am so kidding.)
Now for REALS! Aw. Very sweet of you both.
Maggie, the feeling is very mutual and I can't wait for your book!
Juie, you are the most awesome friend and publicist a girl could have! Thank you for being you!
Personally, I feel the most amount of guilt in spring because I'm supposed to do a Spring Clean and I rarely do! REGULAR cleaning is tough enough, but the idea of a Spring Clean where I have to do even more…
Great post, Dee! And wow – you had to bring up Spring Cleaning!!! Argh!!! We writers don't have TIME to clean, yes?
Love the books Dee, can't wait until the third one is out!!! And Maggie? Just WAITING for "Can't Buy Me Love"! Cheers, ladies!
I love spring and it's "springing" here today with a California gorgeous day. Our flowers are blooming early!! Good luck with your second release, Danger Zone. If it's anything like the first one, it'll be amazing!! Happy Spring everyone!!
Dee, you have really great covers. Plus now, with your new book, I keep humming the Kenny Loggins song from Top Gun–yes I am *that* old.
xoMaggie
Oh, this is so timely for me. I had no idea yesterday, when I woke up, that I would spend the entire day rearranging furniture, cleaning bookshelves and getting boxes of books ready for the library. Hah! Anyway, I'd just finished a manuscript and thought it was the usual frantic cleaning before starting another. Had forgotten it's spring, or almost.
Love your books Dee. They certainly are an adrenaline high. And your covers are fabulous. Wishing you awesome sales. : )
Christine,
No, we don't have time to clean! (I sure don't!) But I think about it, so maybe that counts for something. LOL. Thanks for coming by and so glad you've enjoyed the books.
Yay!
Charlene,
Thank you! Very kind of you to say. I almost feel like we bypassed Spring and jumped into summer! Yesterday was so hot! But it is gorgeous. We're lucky to live in So Cal.
Maggie,
You are not the only one to comment on Kenny Loggins and Danger Zone. LOL. Good thing I like that song. And, yes, the cover Gods were watching over me. I should get my third cover fairly soon, so fingers crossed it's as good as the first 2.
Hi Robena,
Congrats on finishing a manuscript!! Yay! What a great feeling! And thank you…I'm so glad you enjoy the books.
Now quit cleaning… you're making me feel even more guilty. LOL.
Spring is for cleaning? Huh. Who knew? LOL Great post, Dee J., as usual. Best of luck with the new release.
Off to dust the keyboard so I can begin a new project.
Hi Maggie and Dee J – I feel like we've been having spring for a couple of months now, but i can imagine how important spring is to those folks in colder climates. I look forward to a couple of trips I have coming up – where I'll get to experience spring in Savannah, Georgia. I've never been and can't wait. It strikes me as the quintessential sleepy southern city – very romantic in a Gone with the Wind sort of way.
Hey Dee J – I can think of something else you thought, wrote, and sold – I am holding a lovely cafe mug with your logo – Think it, write it, sell it! Love that coffee cup. 🙂
I'm looking forward to rearranging my office. It's been this way for about 17 years, so I think I'm due!
Love the title and I love the cover of your book!
Argh! I wish I had the time to Spring Clean. What I really want to do is rip up the ugly carpet – hideous pepto dismal pink – in the apartment that I've live in for the last 10 years. I so, so, so want it gone! I think it makes my allergies so much worse. I want to pack everything up and start over and maybe, just maybe that's what I'll do. Hmmm, of course right after I finish revisions and then read Dee's book!
Hi Dee,
My first book came from a vivid dream too! Although it's to date not seen the light of day. ; ) Congratulations!!! I love spring too. My anemone and daffodils are blooming. I love the color combination.
Hi Roz,
Well…Spring doesn't HAVE to be for cleaning. It's also weed-pulling time. Even more fun, right? LOL. Congrats on your new release! Under the Covers! Whoo-hoo to YOU!
Hi Lynne,
Savannah sounds like a lovely trip! Can I come? I promise not to keep asking if we're there yet. Ah… Think it. Write it. Sell it. An oldie but a goodie! I may need to get mug down and have a chai just to celebrate that sweet memory.
Hi Kathy,
I took me the better part of 5 hours to clear off two desks this weekend. I had stuff almost 2 years old stacked in a two foot pile. Glad it's gone/filed. I can almost breathe. LOL. And thank you… I love my cover too.
Hi Maria,
Yes, priorities are important, for sure. I agree that pink carpet cannot be good for your allergies. Get that out of there. But I think reading Danger Zone might help you forget about it for a few minutes. LOL. Now speed through those revisions, baby! Danger Zone is waiting!
Hi Shawna,
Trust me… My first book will probably never see the light of day. I guess if I rewrote it completely… Not sure I'm ready to tackle that project. Your blooming things sound beautiful. My tulips are getting ready to go, not too long now. They are my favorite…and frankly the only thing left that I haven't killed. D'oh! Thanks for stopping by!!
Great post. I think I need some dreams like you. I never remember mine. It's heading into autumn down this end of the world. I wish it was spring because hubby and I are off to Europe for a month. I can't wait for that!
Hi Shelley,
I've discovered since I started writing that I don't dream as vividly as I used to. I used to remember details and now I rarely remember my dreams at all. The conscious vs the subconscious, I guess. Since I'm working it all out while I'm awake, my brain doesn't go wild at night. Europe sounds awesome! Good for you. It's so weird to think you're heading into autumn. I forget not everyone lives in the US. My bad.
I will now forever think of you as the accidental writer. "Danger Zone" was the name of the improv/sketch group I helped found about 10 years ago. Great post.
Thanks to random,org our winner has been selected. Congratulations Christine Ashworth!! You've won a copy of Danger Zone, Dee J. Adams fabulous new book!
Hi Sharon,
Ha. Yes, definitely accidental. Funny how life works. I can so totally see Danger Zone as the name of an improv group! Love it. Glad you liked the post! Thanks for stopping by!
Congrats Christine!
YAY!
And thank you, Maggie, for inviting me to your blog. You are absolutely lovely and I had a great time!