So I will get back to historical posts next week, but I decided to steal this idea from Dianne Sylvan and do something fun to help you get to know the person behind the books. She calls this State of the Author.

Here we go. These Days I Am…

Rocking Out To: I’m on a Lana Del Ray kick right now, listening to her first album, Born to Die, over and over. I think it has something to do with the coming summer. That album always makes me want a martini and a cigarette (and I don’t smoke). Getting to listen to it poolside with a drink is heaven. I also just realized she has a third album out that I need to check out. (Couldn’t get into the second one.)

And as always, Kill Hannah is on constant rotation.

I’m also listening to a ton of audio books. My latest are the books in the Selection series by Kiera Cass (I’m on #4 The Heir, so far the first one was the best. Not sure if #4 and #5 will add anything to the overall story) and At the Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier (It’s one part day in the life of a pioneer family who settled in the swap, one part Signature of All Things. Not sure where the story is going.) Plus, I’m slowly listening to first pass recordings of Camelot’s Queen.

Wearing: My usual business casual clothes to work and shorts and a t-shirt or tank top on weekends. It’s definitely sandal weather around here. I’m also big into crystal jewelry in the last few months. I like feeling the properties of the stones working on me throughout the day.

Eating:  Everything in sight. So not good. I’m trying to get back to healthy again, but it’s hard. I’ve been eating a lot of seafood because I love it and now that it’s fresh fruit and veggie season, I’m hoping that will get easier. I need to get back to exercise too, but that’s a whole different story…

Drinking: Fruit infused water. I drink plain and sparkling water all the time (I can’t do anything caffeinated), so this is a nice change. My mom got me into this. Yesterday was strawberry-lemon-mint. Today is blueberry-lime-cilantro, which is so refreshing. Lots of recipes on Pinterest. I can’t wait to try something with the apricots and nectarines I have in the fridge.

I’ve also been on a vodka kick. No idea why. And summer is perfect for Sauvignon Blanc.

Tweeting: I’m having a love-hate relationship with Twitter right now. I know I need to do it, but it seems like every day there is some new thing that gets everyone all upset. Some of the things are justifiable, but others are just plain stupid. So I try to ignore that, talk to friends and RT what I think is important.

I’m on better terms with Instagram and Pinterest right now. That’s where you’ll find me the most.

Watching: Orphan Black! I am so obsessed with that show. And Murder in the First comes back in like a week and a half. I am so excited! I also watched three movies this past weekend, the first ones I’ve watched in ages:

1. The Duff – Cute, but totally predictable. The actress I watched it for (Skyler Samuels) wasn’t even in it much, but I did find a new actress I like who could totally play Mia in Been Searching for You (Bella Thorne).
2. Pitch Perfect 2 – Very good, but still not quite as good as the original. But I liked how it wrapped everything up. They do not need another one.
3. Deadpool – I am so NOT a superhero person, so this was the right kind of superhero movie for me. I loved how self-aware and irreverent it was. And it was hilarious. But also very violent (it gave me nightmares!)

Making:  Myself take a break. It’s hard for me to go from the warp speed of the last few months to backing down to normal. I’m trying to pretend every weekend like I’m on vacation to help quiet the constant thoughts that I should be doing something book-related or at least figuring out which book is next. I know it should be Mistress of Legend (Guinevere’s Tale: Book 3), but I have three other books pulling at me. My brain feels like a tangled ball of thread right now.

Reading:  A lot! It’s nice to have time to finally read books I want to read. I bought a ton of them at the conferences I was at, so I’m trying to make it through the ones I’ve started in the last few months. (See list at the right.)

Oh and I just finished beta reading for my friend Lyra Selene. She is the most talented writer I know, y’all. I can’t wait for you to get to read her stuff. I’ve gotten to beta three books for her, all some form of fantasy, but very different, and they are three of the best books I’ve ever read. Her latest, Amber & Dusk, should be on the best-seller list!

Cooking:  After a month of eating on the go, it’s nice to be back to cooking again. I made a great mussel and pasta dish the other night and a lovely Caprese salad last night.

Playing:  With my cats. And my daily games of Free Cell and Solitaire on my Kindle. I need to incorporate more fun in my life!

Smelling:  Sunscreen when I lay out. Herbs in my cooking and water infusions. Lavender water spray for good vibes and peace.

Following: The presidential election (and I HATE politics). I have a vested interested in tracking Hillary’s progress because I’m writing about Victoria, and Trump scares me. No comment from me on who I personally favor…not a debate I care to get into. (Nor do I want to hear about your political views.)

Disliking:  Mean people on the internet. But that’s a given. The verdict in the Stanford rape case. People who are abusive to animals and others. People who are famous for no reason.

Needing: My brain to shut off for a while. See the “Making” section above. More time. And a patron would be nice.

Wanting:  Money, but don’t we all? 🙂 A vacation that actually lets me relax. I love the conferences I’ve been to, but they are go, go, go.

Pinning: I’m finally getting back to regular Pinterest time, which is good because for me, it’s very relaxing. According to Pinterest, I have 24,413 pins and 100 boards. No, I don’t have a problem, not at all…

Here are some of my most recent:

Admiring:  Victoria Woodhull and all the amazing women throughout history who have fought for our rights as women. Anyone who has the guts to join the military. The support of the writing community, both online and off.

Missing: A sense of balance and a clear path forward. It will come.

Giggling at: These two pictures:

Those of you who know of or who have witnessed by obsession with crowns will get why that one is totally me.

I know I said no politics, but I have to share this. It made me snort. Twice.

What about you? What’s your “State of the Blog Reader?” Anything you want to share?