A Life Lesson Learned the Hard Way

I had something pretty scary happen a few days ago. I tend to like to keep personal things personal, especially medical things, but after about three minutes on Facebook I noticed a trend that worries me so I thought I should share.

I have a medical condition I’ve been living with for years. It has a handful of side effects but the one that gives me the most trouble is my insulin production. I take medication that helps regulate my insulin levels. My doctor also has ordered me to limit my sugars and to exercise daily. Did I do what my doctor asked? Well, I take my medicine every day so that should count for something, right?

I live a busy life, like everyone else I know. I have three two year olds that are my world. They ALWAYS come first, no matter how I feel or what else is going on. This means that most of my day is spent taking care of my kids, my house, and my husband. The one thing I never seem to take care of is me and that is the trend I’ve noticed.

I usually get about four hours of sleep a night. I drink diet coke and energy drinks all day to stay awake. I eat whatever I can grab quickly and it’s usually high carb. Also, unless walking around Target counts, I never get proper exercise. I am running on fumes most of the time and I’m not alone.

Why am I telling you this? Well, a few days ago my body said enough. I was packing for my very first trip to Canada to go to a signing that I was really excited about. I had been busy and grabbed a piece of key lime pie for dinner. I sat on the couch to take a break and noticed my vision start to blur. I stood up from the couch and the room began to spin. Next thing I know I’m waking up lying on the ground.

It turns out my insulin issues have gotten worse. My blood sugar had spiked and then dropped so low I passed out. I ended up missing my trip that I had been looking forward to for months and learned a valuable lesson. Thank God it happened at home and not while I was driving with my kids.

It really scared me the hell out of me. I’ve learned my lesson. I’m listening to my body and cleaning up my lifestyle. I’m doing my best to make my health a priority because I would like to be there as long as possible for my kids. I keep reminding myself that I can’t take care of anyone if I’m not alive. I know that it will be a challenge to not fall back into bad habits but I’m making an effort every day. Please, do something, even if it’s small, to take care of yourself today because you matter.

Nicole xoxo

Faith to Endure available now!

Synopsis: 

Cora Allen thought her dreams had finally come true. She had her dream job, amazing friends, and the perfect man, Lord Eric Ashford. When he asks her to marry him it seems her happily ever after is on the horizon. Until a piece of Eric’s past comes back and shakes the very foundation of their relationship. Cora never thought he would keep secrets from her. Secrets everyone knows, except for her. His family won’t accept her, and Eric doesn’t trust her. Cora begins to question if them being together is what’s best for anyone. She wants to be with Eric but if she can’t handle being Lady Ashford, maybe she should leave now.

How could so much go wrong in one day? Lord Eric Ashford’s life seemed perfect. He was surrounded by the people he loves most in this world and about to announce his engagement to the love of his life. Then suddenly everything is in chaos. Cora’s gone. All she left is a letter telling him he’s lost her. He refuses to accept that; Lord Eric Ashford doesn’t lose, ever. 

Buy Links:

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Extended Intro teaser and Naughty Mafia ROCKED Vegas!

Oh my! So, I'm a little late getting this up but the Naughty Mafia did more than rock Vegas. I haven't had that much fun in one weekend in years. Not to mention that I spent my time there surrounded by amazing authors, bloggers, readers, and lots of hot men. Thank you so much to everyone that came out. It was so great to finally meet so many people. A really BIG thank you to the wonderful women that organized it. I'm already counting down until next year.

I have been getting a lot of questions about the release of Faith to Endure, the sequel to Room to Breathe, and when it will be published. Faith to Endure, like Room to Breathe, is a complete story with epilogue. You don't have to read RTB first but reading it will give you a deeper understanding of the characters. This will be the last book for Eric and Cora as the primary couple. I can't say we will never see them again but their main story is now finished.

I have yet to set an exact release date. I want things to be just a little further along before I say for certain it will be ready. I would hate to promise something and then have to change it. Some of you may know I have 2 year old triplets. In the past few months they have had some things happen that has put me further behind than I had planned. I can tell you that Faith to Endure is in the final stages of editing and will be ready very soon.

In the meantime, I would like to share a large excerpt with you. This is the intro to the book and takes place 3 weeks before chapter 1. In it we meet Lily, Cora's best friend from America for the first time. She has quickly become one of my favorite people. I hope you enjoy!

Excerpt of Intro for Faith to Endure

Also, the giveaway is still going for just a few more days. You could win one of seven $20 gift cards to Amazon or B&N. You can enter via the Rafflecopter below.

Thank you so much for your continued support! I have the most wonderful readers ever. You will never know how much each of you means to me.

Nicole xoxo


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Feeding America Donations for OK and Giveaway

I meant to have this posted on Friday but instead ended up in the hospital with a sick child. She is doing much better today, thank goodness, so I finally have a chance to get this up.

For the next two weeks I will be donating a portion of my sales from Room to Breathe to Feeding America. This is a wonderful organization provides relief right away but also continues to provide support for months or even years. They provide not only food but water and other supplies as well.

As a way to thank you all for your continued support, I will be running a giveaway for the next week. You could win an ebook of your choice, a $10 GC to Amazon or B&N, or a signed copy of Room to Breathe in paperback.

Paperback copies of RTB should be available for purchase on Amazon later this week. I will add the purchase link as soon as I have it. :)

I hope everyone had a happy safe holiday weekend!

xoxo
Nicole

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Room to Breathe Available now!

Room to Breathe Available Now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble 

Synopsis:

Cora Allen moved to the English countryside from America to take care of her dying aunt. She never thought she would still be in the same sleepy town two years later. Cora has dreams for her life that far exceed bartending at her cousin’s pub. She is lost and searching for a new path when her current one collides with Lord Eric Ashford. He is so handsome and charming that she is easily swept up in him. She wants to let down her walls and trust him but his world is full of so much that is strange to her. Should she set her dreams aside for his? 

Lord Eric Ashford loved his life. It was one filled with excess and women. Lately it had started to feel empty and he looked for a change. On a night where he almost made the biggest mistake of his life he meets Cora Allen. He is drawn to the young American right away. From the first time he saw her he has wanted to touch her, to possess her. She is unlike any other woman in his life. She makes him laugh and surprises him constantly. She has breathed lightness into him he thought he lost forever. But what will she say when she learns the truth about his life? 

Can these two overcome the pain and loss in their pasts and let each other in? Can they look beyond the differences in their lives? Can they tear down each other’s walls and create a space where they both have room to breathe?

Buy Links:

Amazon and Barnes and Noble