THE SECRETS OF ATTRACTION - Madison's Style

If you've read The Promise of Amazing - you might remember that Wren consulted with Mads before heading to meet Grayson at a party.  She advised Wren to get out of her fashion comfort zone. (actually the words she used were "sex it up") Madison is definitely the fashionista of her friends.  She's not afraid to take chances with what she wears and she loves to dress it up and down too - although even her "dressing down" includes some signature quirky pieces.  I had a lot of fun picking out these looks - these are pretty much fantasy! (Mads would not pay $$$ for a clutch, she'd find a bargain buy at a vintage store or TJ Maxx!) 

Here are two of Madison's looks inspired by scenes in THE SECRETS OF ATTRACTION!

The Secrets of Attraction - Madison Style by graybarr2014 featuring a cocktail prom dress

The Secrets of Attraction - Madison Style by graybarr2014 featuring a black slouch beanie

Want to win a signed copy of THE SECRETS OF ATTRACTION? Enter the GOODREADS GIVEAWAY now through August 16th!!

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

It’s fall, and I suppose about time for a new blog post, lest you think I’ve been stuck in post-revision la-la land for months. 

I haven’t.

Shortly after my last post, another round of revisions landed in my inbox.  This was a tough batch (I had to completely rethink a part of the story) but revision has become my favorite part of the writing process because I get to play.  I’m so happy with it!  And now I can share the title of book two with you:

The Secrets of Attraction

Add it on Goodreads!

This is a companion novel for The Promise of Amazing – which means (for me at least) it’s an entirely different story, set in the same place, with some old characters and some new ones too! This is Madison’s story – so much fun writing from her perspective!!  

Wait until you see the cover - it’s very swoony.  (Soon!!)

All work and no play…well, you know how it goes, so after I finished with my last round of revisions AND copy edits, I had time for some travels.

I love Downton Abbey and had the chance to see the “Costumes of Downton Abbey” exhibit at Winterthur Gardens in Delaware, which is an absolutely gorgeous place to visit! (even without the costumes)

 Lady Sybil's fashion forward harem pants! 

I also had time for the beach (Cape May, NJ)!

Met up with some One Four KidLit pals in Orlando, FL!!

(l - r, the FABULOUS Vivi Barnes, Erica Cameron, Julie Murphy, Me and Christina Farley)

 More time for the beach. (Wrightsville Beach, NC)

And a visit to Wilmington, NC where I kept my eyes peeled for Tom Mison but instead of Ichabod Crane.... 

...I found this:

 (Wren was here!)

I also had the chance to participate in Novel Fashion Week, run by Kindred Dreamheart, which was a blast.  Here’s the daytime and evening looks I came up with to match the cover of The Promise of Amazing! (Hope they would get Tim Gunn's approval!!)

All in all, I had a pretty productive and fun summer.  Now, bring on all things pumpkin!!