Stephanie Tyler's Weblog » Blogging

Quick check-in

Stephanie — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:16:24 +0000

Sometimes, I so love Free Will Astrology – here’s the Aries scope for this week:

“You don’t want to be the best of the best,” said Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia. “You just want to be the only one who does what you do.” That’s always good advice, but it will be especially apt for you during the next few weeks. You’re entering a phase when competing with other people will get you nowhere fast. What will get you somewhere fast is nurturing your unique talents and proclivities. Do you know exactly what they are? If you’re even a little fuzzy, make it your quest to get very clear.”

Do you agree with Jerry?

There’s a giveaway of a signed copy each of Lie With Me and Promises In The Dark over with TwiMom (aka Jen) who has a great review up today. She says, “Not only is this book full of wonderful romance and HOT smex, but the action is suspenseful and riveting. Ms. Tyler has created an engrossing world of black ops and special missions, where the good guys are big and sexy and the bad guys are evil. I love it!”

Let’s see what else – baby boy had two teeth break through within twenty-four hours of each other – with no drama. I am working on a blog for Romantic Times website that I’m sure they think I’ve forgotten about, but I haven’t – really! I’m working on it now! And I’ve got a bazillion words left to write on Night Moves. Really, a bazillion…at least. It would help if Kell would talk to me, the elusive bastard…

musings on a blog

Stephanie — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:16:46 +0000

So I’m watching People’s Court, because I love Judge Milian (especially when she starts yelling and quoting things in Cuban – she reminds me of my friend Christina) and she’s doing this case with college aged kids who took pictures of their friends partying and such (basically, in compromising positions) in order to use them against each other to get out of living together – so they could break a lease, pretty much.

And so the judge holds up the pictures, taken on the phone and says something like, you young people don’t get it – all this facebook and twitter and posting everything to your profiles..haven’t you ever heard the phrase, say it, forget it, write it, regret it?

Personally, I’d never heard it put like that but yes, I’ve always heard that you should be careful what you put in writing, and how if you’re angry you should wait 24 hours before sending anything written in said anger. I think they’re good rules.

I’ve said it before – I find social media overwhelming and exhausting. Part of that is my personality for sure – I definitely lean more toward the loner side of things – I need a lot of alone time, which is pretty awesome given that my career requires a lot of time alone. And while I really love hanging out and chatting with readers and writers, sometimes only being able to respond with a certain amount of characters becomes tough and then it’s like, you’re basically using Twitter as an IM. But I get it – it’s a great way to get updated quickly and efficiently.

When we talked about discontinuing the Writeminded Blog (don’t worry – we’re still all there on the reader’s yahoo loop and for now, the monthly chats will for sure continue) I said that I found it really sad that blogs were being replaced by Twitter and Facebook updates. As someone who keeps pages for my author persona and not for personal use per se, I should like that more, find it easier to shoot out an update here and there.

But I’m a writer – I like to spill my thoughts on the page – and keeping this blog is really not much different than keeping a personal journal, which I’ve done since I was literally like eight. Granted, there are things I won’t share here because they’re too personal, but I like knowing that people can come here and feel comfortable to post or not, to learn about Gus or Zoo or to hear about my writing process or the fact that I might be getting another tattoo soon or..whatever.

So this is my way of saying that I like my blog – and sometimes I have to say that to remind myself of how much I do like it, especially when I stop worrying about whether or not I’m saying anything of worth, whether I’m offending someone or being too PC or what. I’ve been blogging for a long time and I’m really hoping that people still enjoying reading them. It’s where I’m most comfortable and, like I told Catherine in an earlier post, it’s home.

So what’s your favorite social media / way of connecting with friends / families / readers, etc? Do you like all the options or did you find it easier when people were all in one place?

New York Times Bestseller List!!!

Stephanie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:05:57 +0000

So I got the phone call last night from my agent and my editor that HOLD ON TIGHT hit the New York Times Bestseller List at #22!!!!!

I still can’t really believe it. I mean, last night, I was hyperventilating and in a general state of, well, stunned. Like, really and truly and I’m so absolutely thrilled and thankful and grateful to all the people who bought the books and talked them up and blogged them. You guys are awesome!

Even better, I get to share the thrill with Larissa Ione – we released the same day and her book, Ecstacy Unveiled, hit the New York Times at #23 and the USA Today Bestseller List at #58 (she’s hit both lists before and she just keeps climbing higher – I’m so proud of her!)

Larissa and I have done a lot together – I mean, we write together as Sydney Croft. But it’s more than that – we sold our own first project within three days of one another. She hit the Times with her third single title. I hit it with mine. And we’re right next to each other. And we have purple covers. So it’s really strange and really cool at the same time.

Zoo had a work dinner last night – when he came home, he said, you’d have thought I hit the list – everyone was buying me shots and drinks and stuff!

For the record, I had a brownie for dinner. I know – I’m actually pretty happy about that. Chocolate for dinner – who can complain?

Today, I’ll be trying to keep my mind on my revisions – and you can read my interview over at the Black Raven Cafe – stop on by and say hello and you’re eligible for a backlist giveaway!

Hold On Tight release day!

Stephanie — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:06:51 +0000

It’s here! Book 3 in my Navy SEAL trilogy, HOLD ON TIGHT, hits shelves today!

*edited to add* Pearl, from Pearl’s World of Romance. has an awesome review of HOLD ON TIGHT up on her blog – she gives it a perfect 10! WOOT! One of my favorite lines (okay, I love the WHOLE review but I had to give you a sneak peek here) was this: “The combination of strength and vulnerability in all the main characters is written so perfectly that I am still in awe.”

She also has a great review for TOO HOT TO HOLD right below it!

And you can find me guest blogging at several places today, all with giveaways. Come visit me at Seductive Musings, Donna Grant’s Blog and Fresh Fiction!

HOLD ON TIGHT is Chris’s book. His relationship with Jamie started in TOO HOT TO HOLD, and, as their story continues and there are some surprises in store for both of them.

They were caught in the crossfire between danger and desire…

HE’S A NAVY SEAL SUSPECTED OF MURDER…SHE’S HIS LOVER, AND THE CHIEF INVESTIGATOR

Chris Waldron, an elite U.S. Navy SEAL, is used to getting out of tight spots. But all his years of training can’t prepare him for the crisis he now faces. When a mission to rescue a kidnapped ambassador and his wife goes tragically awry, an FBI hostage negotiator is killed and Chris finds himself at the center of the ensuing investigation. Leading the charge is the blistering hot special agent and onetime lover who has re-ignited their mutual attraction.

Jamie Michaels is determined to keep things professional with Chris Waldron this time. But seeing him bruised and battered in that hospital bed has rekindled all those feelings she thought she’d left behind during their brief, passionate encounter in Africa. Now Jamie must keep her craving for danger at bay as she spearheads a search for the truth that just may blow Chris’s career to bits—and put them both in the crosshairs of an unseen enemy.

***

Today, you’ll be able to find Chris’s soundtrack, glossary terms specific to his book and a character list up on my site. I’ve got all of that for all three books now, plus maps and other extras, so feel free to look around and get lost in the site for a while.

Guest Blogging & Chat

Stephanie — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:12:06 +0000

Today and tomorrow, you can find Chris and Lore interviewing one another over with Greta and Lillie at I Don’t Want To Wait. Stop on over, join the fun and leave a comment to be eligible for the giveaway! Because, in case you didn’t know, HOLD ON TIGHT and ECSTASY UNVEILED release on the same day – which is next Tuesday.

Tomorrow night (Friday,Jan 22nd – 8PM EST) Larissa and I will also be chatting at LIST - about Nick and Chris and Lore and SEALs and Demons and everything in between. Come on by (registration for the forum’s quick and painless) and have fun at the chat!

I’ve been holed up in the house (well, that’s nothing new) with a sick husband. That’s like, the most un-fun thing ever, because sick man = someone send help please. But thanks to Z-packs, he’s much better and should be going to work tomorrow so that way I can get back to work.

I’m so turned around anyway, thanks to the holiday on Monday. So I’m like a day behind in my mind and my watch is giving tomorrow’s date, so I’m not sure if I’m coming or going. Seems like a good time to huddle in and continue reading StarDoc. I’ve never read this series and Lynn pulled me in immediately. Loving it.

Romance B(u)y the Book!

Stephanie — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:00:15 +0000

So today I’m guest blogging over with Michelle Buonofiglio and the fabulous Bellas over at Romance B(u)y the Book, so stop by and say hello!

Oh, and I kept meaning to share this here – Yvette, a bud from the Writeminded loop let me know via Facebook that last week, she and her husband were in Walmart and she saw two women fighting over the last copy of Too Hot To Hold! She said they were arguing and pulling at the book and all I kept thinking was, dude, if they’d gotten into a fistfight and the cops got called, I could’ve gotten some awesome publicity. I mean, the headlines alone – WOMEN ARRESTED FIGHTING OVER STEPHANIE TYLER’S BOOKS!

Oh well, maybe someday. What? I can dream can’t I?

Also, Sue Grimshaw’s got her January book recs video up and she mentions two names that you might be familiar with (HINT – they are Navy SEALs and their books are out now!): Sue’s Must Reads | Borders Media.

Winners from the 3 day DIK contest!

Stephanie — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:06:11 +0000

I had a blast over at Desert Island Keepers blog – and I’m thrilled to get to announce the winners!

Right, winners, as in, I had SO much fun, I asked Lea to chose 2 winners instead of one. So without further ado, the winners of a copy of HOLD ON TIGHT are…

MaryG and Jane!!!!

Congrats, ladies! You can contact me or Lea with your snail mail and I’ll get your signed copies out to you ASAP.

And even more TOO HOT TO HOLD

Stephanie — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:01:01 +0000

So I’ve been invited over to the DIK Blog – that’s short for Desert Island Keepers, where I’m hanging out with Lea and the rest of the ladies…and some SEALs, of course! I’ll be there for three days of interviews and blogs and yes, there’s a giveaway. So head on over and comment or just say hi and have fun on the island.

Also, I was recently interview for The Big Thrill (the online publication of International Thriller Writers) by awesome author Mary Kennedy (who had a book release on Jan 5th, same day as Nick!). so check it out!

More on TOO HOT TO HOLD

Stephanie — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:20:57 +0000

Thanks for making yesterday such a great release day! I was bouncing all over the place, from Writeminded to LIST to Twitter to Facebook, posting pictures from readers who’d spotted Nick’s book.

I love the pictures. If you couldn’t tell.

Anyway, today I’m going to direct you to two places, both with a giveaway. I’m guesting over at Seductive Musings where I was interviewed by Carrie, and then Nick (and Jake and Chris) are over at I Don’t Want To Wait, I I Want The Book Now being interviewed.

Things got a little crazy there, but Greta kept them in check.

Merry Christmas!

Stephanie — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:52:14 +0000

The cookies are baked. And tested, multiple times. The book? Not done. Not nearly done. So I’m going to steal as much time as I can over the next few days to work – helps that Zoo does the cooking, you know? I can set up and work until people arrive tonight, as we have Christmas Eve here. Christmas Day is also here, but it’s quiet and relaxing and really nice.

Gus agrees, especially because there’s snow for him.

So, Merry Christmas to all! Thanks to everyone who stops by to say hi or who comes by and simply reads. Thanks to all my blogger friends and writer friends and readers. Thanks for all the fantastic emails I’ve been getting in regards to Hard to Hold – when I tell you your email makes my day, I’m not lying. Reader mail is simply the best stuff there is, and I love knowing that someone’s getting enjoyment from something that I loved creating.

Borders True Romance

Stephanie — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:18:45 +0000

You can find me talking about HARD TO HOLD – and the brothers – over with Sue Grimshaw at Borders True Romance blog today! I’m also doing a giveaway of TOO HOT TO HOLD, which comes out January 5, 2010. My wonderful editor offered those up, and I believe you’ll get them before the actual release date, which is always nice!

So come on over and comment for a chance to win TOO HOT TO HOLD and talk about your likes and dislikes of series / trilogies, etc.

Obviously, I’m a fan of trilogies.

Giveaway at Ann Aguirre’s blog

Stephanie — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:00:28 +0000

1. The extremely talented and generousAnn Aguirre (aka Ava Gray) is having some cool giveaways on her blog this week in honor of Christmas – I’m up there today, so head on over and check it out!

2. I’ll be chatting tomorrow night over at LIST at 8PM EST – come on over and have some fun!

3. The tree is up. Gus, however, is far too enthralled by the idea of having an actual piece of the outdoors in the house. He’s like, dude, it’s like having a stick anytime I want – all I need to do is rip it off myself!

Me: Zoo, Gus is chewing on a piece of the tree!

Zoo: At least his breath will be evergreen fresh.

4. Amount of actual Christmas shopping accomplished : Zero. Why can’t the tree be enough?! It is for Gus…