Summer's Officially Here!

~I FUGGIN' LOVE SUMMER!~

No seriously. I have loved summer my whole life. A big part of is that my birthday is in the summer and like most kids, I always looked forward to my birthday. Not because we ever did anything big-- we didn't. My birthday always consisted of dinner at my favorite restaurant (El Chico's until they closed) and then the county fair always happened to be in town on my birthday so we'd go there. When I got older, it meant we had neighbors and my best friend over to grill out. Literally... that was my birthday every year.

This year though is a BIG YEAR. Like, milestone birthday big. I'm turning 40 and my kids have spent over a year preparing me for it. Literally. My "theme" from them last year was "Happy 40 - 1 Birthday!" Kids, man; they'll keep you humble.

All that to say, I am not freaking out about this new marker. Not like I thought I would be. Instead I'm excited about everything that I'll get to do in this new year and new decade! (Okay. Truth: it was weird writing that.)

We've officially made it through MAY-cember and that means the chaos level is a bit lower. Not drastically since we have a birthday or holiday (sometimes BOTH) every weekend from now until school starts back. But the weekdays are looking a lot less frantic.

Called Up and Full Court Press are on Sale!

Since it's my birthday month, I've decided to keep Called Up and Full Court Press on sale at just 99 cents for a bit longer. You can get both on Amazon, but remember: Called Up is on my store too!

Called Up: Amazon Rosie's Store

Full Court Press on Amazon

Author Elevation Hub: LIVE

That's right. We are two weeks into having launched the Author Elevation Hub (what Amy Vogel and I are affectionately calling "The Hub"). This community is centered on growing and promoting authors, helping in the ways we can because I absolutely believe in dharma: passion with a purpose.

I'll be honest, I haven't been as able to dial into the Discord channel the way I had hoped I would at the start. I severely underestimated the flustercluck that is May-cember. But now, I'm going to set "office hours," times when I will be logged into Discord and available to work with you on any questions you might have.

I will also be establishing set times for writing sprints. That means writers who are part of the community will know exactly when they can log in and buckle down, banging out some words. Instead of me just picking times all willy-nilly, I'm in talks with the other hub members to find what works for us. Obviously I won't be able to do exactly what is suggested because I am a mom of two AND I work night shifts at a warehouse shipping center. It does make things a bit more complicated but I remember how much my writing grew when I had people around me. I want that for other authors.

Check out the HUB

"Clear My TBR" Summer Reading Challenge

Week 1

In an effort to read more of the books I already own, I made up a reading challenge for myself this summer. "Clear my TBR" is just that: a random selection of books that I will spend a week focusing on over the summer. The goal is to read each in just 7 days.

Initially I was going to force myself to read the books as I own them. So if I had a physical book, I had to read that book. If I owned it on Audible, that's how I would read it. I realized very quickly that won't work. So I'm allowing myself the option of borrowing books from Libby's audiobook collection. That's the only exception because technically I won't be adding anything to my shelves: real or digital.

This week I was randomly given Lore by Alexandra Bracken. If you want to know what I think, you'll need to check out my socials! @rosieb_reading or @rosie.p.burke_author -- both on IG.

Hockey Night in Romance Land

Virtual Book Signing!

June 6th and 7th

It's become an annual event and I have been invited to participate once again. This time I'll be doing things a little different though. I'm partnering with the incredibly talented sports romance author Taylor Delong (@author.taylor.delong).

There are dozens of romance authors of every sub-genre and microtrope presenting. You're bound to find yourself a new-to-you author to fall in love with their backlog.

The event starts Friday, June 6th at 10am EST/9am CST/8am MST/7am PST (Shew... that's so early for you west coasters! I'm so sorry lol). The incredible Jenna McCall is kicking us off and I know I'll be logging in to see her. What follows is an hour-by-hour introduction to romance authors. We'll spend time talking about our projects and processes, sharing snippets of stories or answering questions. If you have pre-ordered any books, log in and see if we're signing yours!

All-Star Line Up!

Need more reasons to attend? How about this: each hour, the author presenting will be sharing a Power Play code word that will be used to pick the next winner. The more you participate, the more chances you have to win a prize. There's even a surprise waiting for the super fans.

Taylor and I go live on Saturday, June 7th at 11am EST. Please make sure to check the time zone because I don't want you to miss us!

Instructions on how to join us LIVE for HNiRL

Book News

JP & Honey

I wish I had more definite news for you. The truth is, I'm actively writing Book 4 in the 6th Man Series. JP and Honey are fun and crazy and I'm loving their story. It's just a timing thing. As in: I'm trying to find time to write. I'll definitely be using those HUB Writing Sprints to help me!

The goal has always been to have JP & Honey's story in your hands this summer and that's still the goal. It's totally feasible. And considering my ADD brain will 1000% kick into hyper-gear the closer I get to the unofficial deadline I've given myself, I know I can do it. Be on the lookout for more news on when and where you can read the next addition to this Franklin U Hawks team.

Audiobooks

I have FILES! That's right. While I'm already balancing the whole mom- wife- author- community advocate- time clock employee with the kids at home ... thing, I get to add editor to the list!

While I can't give any dates or more details, just know we are one step closer to having more Hawks's stories on the Audible shelves. As soon as I can, I'll share more on socials.

I'm starting to realize something. When the authors I love would share things as vague as this, they weren't doing it to tease me... it's because the publishing world is freaking nuts and you just never know! I don't want to make promises and let y'all down but I'm too excited to stay mum.

Heart of Summer Promo

Need something shorter this summer but don't want to skimp on the romance? Well, have I got something right up your alley. Myself and fourteen authors are sharing some shorter stories that are all set in the summer. These FREE stories are our gift to you.

*Please note: we love sharing our stories with you. While this is a fun way to gift you more of the characters you love, by accepting the book, you're agreeing to join the author's newsletter mailing list. You don't have to stay long-- we get it! But please... PLEASE don't mark us as Spam if you decide you want to opt out.

She was his coach. He was a player—in more ways than one.

Lucianna Hightower

As a woman, a widowed mother raising her daughter solo, the media has attempted to pick me apart for years; never enough of a woman for some and too much for others. I've spent years fighting the press and alpha a-holes, defending my right to coach the best hockey team in the nation. Avoiding any entanglements with my players was easy enough, until him. Maxim Volkov was the one who managed to get under my skin. His playboy persona and on-ice antics can only can only hide so much for so long, though. An injury ended his career as an athlete, but now he's working on the office-side of the Shark's organization.

Maxim Volkov

An unexpected injury may have ended my time on the ice, but I can't stay away from the sport that made me who I am. Not just the name on a jersey, but someone who rose from the humble streets of Russia to become one of the most recognized hockey stars of his time. Taking on an administrative role wasn't on my vision board—if I did shit like that—but I'll take the job. Especially if it means I get to spend time with my former assistant coach… and current crush, Lucianna Hightower.

A week after losing the Cup in Game 7, we're back to work. A scouting trip to Colorado ends with a sudden storm that grounds all flights. One night won't be a big deal. One room? That's not convenient, but we've spent years ignoring the tension between us. One Bed?

Can we continue hiding behind labels or…

…is it one night in the Sin Bin for the both of us?