***Instructions for winning a $10 Amazon Gift Card & Rafflecopter signups can be found at the end of this post. Don’t miss it!
Mother’s Day is a bitter sweet day for me and many others like me who have lost their mom to that terrible thing called cancer. I’ve had eight long years to try to recover from my loss and yet not one day goes by without me thinking of her. I have especially thought about Mom in the course of the last year as I embarked on my publishing journey. I’m positive that she would be scandalized by the heat of my stories, but regardless, I know she would be my #1 fan.
You see, I truly hit the one-in-a-million jackpot the day I was born to the amazing woman I got to call Mom. Even as a kid when my friends were fighting with their moms over clothes and curfews, I knew she was special. My house was the one everyone hung out at because my mom made it the fun place to be.
There are so many titles she wore proudly. Titles like: stay at home mom, Brownie leader, room mother, taxi driver, head of the PTO, Sunday School teacher… the list could go on and on. Her entire life was devoted to my dad, brother, sister and me. All three of us kids were over-achievers and we attended a small town school where kids could be in every sport, band, club, chorus, etc… You name it, we did it and amazingly, I don’t remember even once looking up to not see her there cheering me on.
There is one more important thing to know about my amazing mother. She read a sweet romance novel every single day of her life until she got sick. As an incredibly fast reader, she could devour books. What I would give to be able to walk in and see her sitting at the kitchen table, her Harlequin historical in one hand and that fucking cigarette in her other hand. I’d give anything to go back and snuff out every single one of those damn cancer sticks and hug her and tell her I was gonna need her in my life a lot longer so stop killing herself. But I digress….
So back to why I am an author because of her. Mom had me reading her historicals in my early teens, but she inadvertently changed my life by giving me a copy of Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss for my sixteenth birthday. From then on I was hooked on what she called ‘steamy romances.’ I got at least one book from her on every gift giving occasion. We’d spend hours sitting silently next to each other, each happily lost in our dream world of the day. My love of romances was born at that kitchen table with that amazing woman and for that reason, I am positive she is in heaven smiling down on me today, proud of her daughter, the author.
So if you’ve read The Passion Series, you should know that she would be scandalized by happenings at The Punishment Pit, but she would absolutely adore Lukus, Tiffany, Brianna and Markus. What I would give to share the excitement of publishing with her. I’ll have to settle for dedicating this blog to her instead.
Love you, Mom.
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Passion Series Book One
I’d love it if you’d give my ‘steamy romance series’ a shot if you haven’t already. Book one, Wanting it All, is even on sale for only $.99.
Wanting it All, Book One Passion Series
Securing it All, Book Two Passion Series
Having it All, Book Three Passion Series
Win an Amazon Gift Card!!!!
In honor of my amazing mother, I’m giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to one random visitor to my blog this Mother’s Day weekend. You have up to two chances to win. All you need to do is leave a comment about either your own Mom or maybe what got you started loving romances. For a second chance to win, just sign-up for my new release newsletter. I’ll use random.org to pick a random winner on Monday evening.
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The first steamy romance I read was also Shanna And I was hooked. When he threatened to spank her, I fell in love with romance. Your mother would be so proud of you and what you have accomplished with your awesome books.
Another Shanna lover!! Have you read it lately, Laurel? I read it several times when I was younger, but now that I’m so active in the erotic romance genre, I went back to reread it last year for nostalgia’s sake and boy, it was hard to read and so less risqué than the new releases coming out today. Still, the Kathleen Woodiwiss helped pave the way, in my opinion, for those of us writing in the genre today.
Thank you so much for the words about my mom being proud. She would be, but not just that I wrote and published a book, but that I was brave enough to make a crazy dream and then achieve it. She gave me the security in life I needed to dream big. I’m not done dreaming and she’s still cherring me on. Happy Mother’s Day!
~Livia
Both my Mum & Nanna loved what they called Junky Books – Mills & Boons, Harlequins, any of those books were devoured. They passed that love of romance on to me & the love of books has never left. My Nanna passed away in 2008, I have her initials tattooed on me & still miss her immensely.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories, Dee. You sound lucky to have had a great mom and grandma in your life too. I am sorry you lost your grandma, but I love how she lives on in your memories and your tattoo that you carry with you everywhere. Happy Mother’s Day to you.
~Livia
My Mom is my hero, she is the glue that holds our family together. she is my best friend and my support system. She is the best role model I could ask for. If I can be half the mother she is then my daughter will be a lucky little girl.
Thanks for sharing the note about your mom, Alyssa. She sounds amazing and it sounds like you and I got that same wonderful boost early in our lives from strong women. If your mom is like mine was, she gave me such unconditional love and gave me the security I needed to try anything I dreamed of because I always knew she would be there to support me, even if I failed. The only drawback is that although my son is turning into an amazing young man (in college), I know in my heart I wasn’t half the mom she was and I only have one child. I remember talking to her about this and she cried and once again schooled me that she was lucky to be a stay-at-home mom. It was her whole job and she reminded me of how proud she was of the career I had built for myself. She helped relieve the guilt I felt (and like many of us moms who work) for not being super-mom like she was. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
~Livia
My mother is a big inspiration. She’s gone through a lot with her first husband being physically abusive and then her 2nd being emotionally abusive. I love her and she’s helped me become the woman I am today. I remember my first steamy romance at least what I considered steamy lol I mean I was only 14 when I read it. Rosehaven by Catherine coulter. Still the best historical I’ve ever read. Now first really stuff I read was on lit and I believe mygypsy’s stolen was the first. Anyway much love to all the great mothers out there hope u have a great day
I’m sorry your mom has had abuse in her life, Eva. Yet, she sounds like she has not only perservered, but also overcome to become your hero. We are lucky to have such strong women shape our lives. For the record, I’m glad you found Lit. You were one of my first vocal fans of my writing and helped cheer my on, so thanks!!
~Livia
Yvw. Please keep up the great work. I wish I had a time machine so I didn’t have to wait lol
Me too, Eva. Me too. 🙂
On one monthly stay at a motel (the only way we got serious time together), my first girlfriend opened her copy of Anne Rice’s “Claiming of Sleeping Beauty” and we read together. While I enjoyed the book, I knew there must be books that had BDSM and also love.
I will have to read others’ mom stories- sadly, mine was abusive and even though I’m now a mom myself, I still struggle with this holiday
So sorry you didn’t have the benefit of a loving mother to help support you and build you up. I hope that doesn’t prevent you from enjoying your day, though since you deserve to be honored too!
Thanks for sharing your great story! Yes, while I read Claiming of Sleeping Beauty and enjoyed it, it still took me so out of my comfort zone and I never got that great high I get when there is an awesome HEA. Yes, it ended okay, but it was so far from a typical romance I couldn’t connect. Thank goodness there are so many awesome authors like you writing wonder erotic romances these days, Joelle. Happy Mother’s Day.
My mom is so amazing and my biggest supporter. I don’t know where I would be without her. I talk with her everyday and see her at least 5 times a week.
You are so lucky Tina! It sounds like you have an amazing mother. Funny story. I talked to my mom daily too until she got too sick and then after she died, I kept calling my dad to check on him every day because I was so worried about him. My sister was doing the same. About a month after she died, he sat us both down and told us to STOP CALLING ME! YOU”RE DRIVING ME NUTS! LOL Now my sister and I call each other almost every day instead. 🙂 Happy Mother’s Day.
My grandmother introduced me to steamy romance when I was a teenager. She was an avid reader and would read anything she could put her hands on. We would go to yard sales together and buy books by the bag fulls. Her house always had piles of books ready to be read. Your mom would be so proud of all that you have accomplished.
Thanks Renee. My mom, sister and I did the same thing at yard sales! After she died, it took us forever to box up the books that we didn’t want (she was also a pack rat and had saved a bunch). We then donated them to senior centers, assisted living centers, and other places like that. It gave me comfort thinking her books would continue to bring joy to others. I hope some are still in circulation. Sounds like you had a great grandmother too. We are blessed.
I haven’t spoken to my mom in years. She told me I was full of hate which is why I have panic attacks and she would pray for my soul.
I started reading romance novels as an adult as a form of escapism
I am so sorry you didn’t get the benefit of a loving mother in your life, Joanna.
A friend introduced me to bodice-rippers, and I was big fan of Kathleen Woodiwiss and Rosemary Rogers. The Wolf and the Dove topped my favorite list when I was a teenager, but Shanna was pretty great, too.
Thanks for dropping by Kirsten. Yes, I read everything Kathleen had ever written once I found her. Loved The Wolf and Dove too.
My mom is not a reader so ummm *whispers* Twilight is what got me into romance genre. My mom and I don’t have the greatest relationship, but I do hope when I have a daughter that we have that wonderful mother/daughter bond people are always talking about.
Aw, and here I was feeling so good that on my third Mother’s Day since my mom died I could face it without feeling fragile…My mom definitely inspired my love of reading and my desire to become an author. She’d be scandalized by what I write, though… <3
my mom can cook
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Livia, what a beautiful tribute to your mother! I’m sure she’s still right there beside you, sharing your success with love and pride.
Oh my I to have read shanna I think it’s a trend. It was grandma that got me reading through she was a wonderful woman I lost her on the fourth of July about 16 years ago. My mom’s not a reader but I get my love of crafting from her.
My mom played dual roles in my life she was my mom and my dad. She was my best friend, my confidant, and she never judged me. She was unique and I will love her forever. She passed away this Feb at the age of 88, but I know she is looking out for me until we can be together again.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Juana, but it sounds like you had an amazing mother. We are the lucky ones in life because we both have amazing memories of our mother’s this Mother’s Day.
~Livia
That was such a loving tribute to your mom. My mom is amazing and has taught me so much. While I’m the one teaching her about romance novels she is definitely the one that gave me the love of reading.
It’s tough to lose a mom to a death that doesn’t have to happen…. I lost mine to a drunk driver. I truly believe that they are around us in spirit, doing their best to guide us as they would have in person. Thank you for sharing your shared love of reading!
I lost my mom when I was just three years old My nana always told me so much about my mom and how much she loves me That I know her and that she watches over me Even though I lost her so early I still know how much she loves me and I love my Nana so much she was always there for me But she said that even though she did everything for me and was the best mom ever she wanted me to always remember and know I have the most awesome mom in the world and that she would always hold that special place in my heart My Nana always read romance books and said my mom did to so I had to check it out and Nana always said a book can take you places you can’t go and fill you with hope and joy That you will then find in the real world
I have read all three of your books They where Great can’t wait till the next one Happy Mothers day
I lost my mom years ago. She was only 50. I have good and bad memories but she was loved. Currently, dealing with my own mommy guilt. I was a stay at home mom for years but had to return to the work force last year. I feel so bad not being home full time for my youngest like I was for her big brothers.