When I started writing my latest romance novel, my first thought was to take all the things I loved best about my favorite books and put them into one story. I love stories about couples that find their way back to one another, celebrity romance, swoony moments, and watching sports. These all made their way into my new contemporary romance about a young adult soap star named Valeria Joseph who is trying to navigate the world while dealing with a breakup with her co-star.

Then, on the busy streets of New York City, she runs into her first love, Davis St. James, who she never got over. Davis is a college basketball player who is dealing with high pressure stressors of his own and they find themselves supporting one another and falling back in love. But, just like being on a daytime soap is full of drama—so is the publicity that surrounds Valeria. Throw in a pop star who’s crazy about her, an award show event that trends on social media for all the wrong reasons, and tons of swoony moments. Can Valeria find true love in the big city?

Stars in the City

Here’s an excerpt from Stars in the City to give you a taste:

“I’m scheduled to do an interview with Soap Opera Hotties,” I said.

“Me, too. Can’t wait.” Cecily clapped her hands together.

I raised my eyebrows. This was all fun and new to her. Me, I was already jaded seeing as I had once done an interview where they took a quote out of context making it look like Hayley and I were fighting on set over Lance. Meanwhile, I had gone to great lengths to stuff all my feelings down so I wouldn’t get a bad reputation and get fired. Did I yell and scream on set? No. Did I push my emotions down until I started getting random stomach issues and could no longer tolerate certain foods that I used to be able to eat with reckless abandon? Yes.

Cecily hugged herself. “I can’t believe people care about our lives enough to want to interview us. This has got to be the best job ever.”

Yeah, if strangers reading all the intimate details of your personal life and then coming over to your social media to troll you over those very details was exciting to you, then I couldn’t recommend this enough. But promotion was a part of this business, and the studio was in charge, so I went along with it. I loved acting, and growing up I thought it’d be amazing to have my name and face everywhere … until it wasn’t, and all I wanted to do was hide and turn my socials private.

The driver sighed. “Think we’re going to be here for a while. No one’s moving.”

I leaned forward and made a face. “It’s not that far. Might be faster if we walked.”

Cecily nodded, and we thanked the driver and got out of the car. It was windier than either of us expected, and I pulled my winter coat tighter around me. We hurried over to the sidewalk and ducked under the awning of an apartment building to get our bearings.

“Did not expect that wind tunnel and—whoa, there’s a guy who has zeroed in on you walking this way.” Cecily grabbed my arm. “And he is cute. Light brown hair, tall … and he can’t take his eyes off you.”

I glanced around to see who she was talking about when my eyes fixed on him. There, staring at me like there was no one else in the world was my ex-boyfriend. My mouth dropped open as he gave me a hesitant smile. What was Davis doing in New York City?

Cecily nudged me. “Hey, that cute guy is walking over—ooh, incoming.”

“Hey, Valeria. It’s been a long time,” Davis said as he and his friend came over.

I gulped. How to act? Mysterious? Or like my life was going so awesome since our breakup that I couldn’t be happier?

However, my mouth betrayed me, and I blurted out, “What are you doing here?” What were the chances we’d run into each other on the busy streets of Manhattan?

He stepped under the awning as people bustled past us on the sidewalk. A lady’s bag bumped me as she walked past, so I moved closer to the building.

Davis shrugged. “My team’s playing tomorrow, and my parents came into town to watch and decided to stay in the city so they could sightsee.”

“Oh, so you’re all just in town for the game this week?”

He raised his eyebrows. “I’m at Hepburn University now.” As he shared the name of his new school, I tried to mentally calculate the distance.

“It’s about thirty minutes away.”

What? My first love had been living less than an hour from me and I didn’t have a clue?

***Pick up the book here. It’s free in Kindle Unlimited:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Stars-City-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B0C19THWX3
Amazon CAN: https://www.amazon.ca/Stars-City-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B0C19THWX3
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stars-City-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B0C19THWX3
Amazon AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/Stars-City-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B0C19THWX3

About the Author

Krysten Lindsay Hager is a bestselling author of YA and contemporary romance. She writes romance because she loves bringing people swoony moments and hope-filled happily ever afters. She writes about falling in love, fame, fitting in, frenemies, first loves, and finding your way in the world. She loves reading, watching movies, and lipstick.

Website: https://www.krystenlindsay.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystenlindsay/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/krystenlindsay/

Last week…

• I worked on two editing projects for two other authors, finishing one.
• I wrote the opening chapters of What Happens in Bozeman.

This next week…

• I must continue writing chapters of my upcoming book, What Happens in Bozeman…  
• I need to complete one editing job and begin two others!
• I’d like to read through most of the rest of the stories for my next anthology, Secret Identities.
• I will continue creating some small art for #The100DayProject.
• I’ll spend Thursday at my local art center to keep the doors open to the public for our current exhibit.

Does that sound like enough?

Open Contests

1. Story Cubes — Tell me a story (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. FREE Read: Two Hot — This offer ends tomorrow! Get your FREE read now!
3. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: A Romantic Dinner — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Homespun Heroines and Other Women of Distinction (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Deb Robinson: 5 Shades of Brothers Browne (FREE Read) — Get your FREE read now!
6. Invent a Holiday Contest + Open Contests & Giveaways — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. February into March (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. World Compliment Day! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
9. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Revisiting Past Work — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Debra Guyette!
*~*~*

I’m currently doing the #the100dayproject. Basically, I paint or create some kind of art for 100 days straight and post it. Trying to find subjects for so many days is a challenge in itself. So, I poured over the work I did in last year’s challenge and found a photo of a postcard featuring poppies. I really liked it at the time, but I like it even more now, so I’m going to try to recreate it. I don’t know if I can do a better job. It depends on my patience and whether I use the right paper and paint. Whether I have the brush pen I used before. Maybe I should choose another subject so I don’t disappoint myself, but painting is a lot like writing. You find a niche or topic you like and try to repeat the pattern so you reproduce something you love.

Anyway, enough talk. For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle then tell me about something you’ve done you were proud of and tried to recreate. It can be about anything. How successful were you? Have fun!

UPDATE: The winner is…Misty Dawn!
*~*~*

I couldn’t find a great picture for this holiday! Not many people know about it, so no one’s done any holiday art. Can you imagine that?!

Anyway, the point of the holiday is to lift someone up. Or maybe a lot of someones. Find a way to work a compliment into your interactions today. You might find the reward—the smile you get in return—so lovely and heartwarming for yourself that you’ll begin to make it a habit.

You don’t have to be effusive. Tell the woman waiting in line at the grocery store that you love her hair. Tell the guy at the drive thru window that his smile makes your day. Tell your S.O. that waking up to them is the best part of your day. It can be something big or something little.

Now, for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me how you might work a compliment into your day!

The winner is…Stacey Kinzebach!
*~*~*

February

 

1. I completed work on Malcolm (Book #10 of Montana Bounty Hunters: Dead Horse, MT) and published it!
2. I began work on What Happens in Bozeman, my next We are Dead Horse, MT, book!
3. I completed 3 editing projects for other authors in February.

Health-related:

1. I visited my heart doctor, and he was so pleased with my progress I don’t have to see him for another year!
2. I continued concentrating on drinking more water, plus, I continued drinking water mixed with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar twice a day to improve my liver health. I began drinking one cup of Turmeric tea a day.
3. I’ve managed to keep my blood pressure down to 135-155, despite the fact I haven’t lost any weight. Gah.

Happiness-related: 

1. I began the #the100dayproject art challenge.
2. I led a hands-on program for the local art guild using Gelli plates to produce pretty papers for things like collage. (See the tags I made below, which were painted using Gelli plates!)
3. Here are some examples of art projects I completed in February.

March

 

1. To complete writing What Happens in Bozeman, my next We are Dead Horse, MT, book, which releases on March 19th!
2. To begin work on my next Brotherhood Protectors book!
3. To complete 4 editing projects in March!
4. To finish reading and selecting stories from among the submissions for the upcoming collection—Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology!

For health related, I plan:

1. To start back on my Weight Watchers diet, because it’s time to get serious! I HAVE to get back in the saddle!
2. To continue to reduce salt and processed food, and incorporate foods good for blood pressure (spinach, broccoli, bananas) and my liver (apple cider vinegar, flax seeds, sunflower seeds).
3. To begin daily workouts using my recumbent bike and some chair yoga exercises.

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To continue #the100daychallenge where I’ll be painting something every single day!
2. To meet three of my favorite author-friends for a luncheon to get some writer time!

Contest

Comment on anything you’ve read in this post. Tell me what you’re doing to make yourself happier and healthier, or tell me what you plan to read in March…
Like I said, comment on anything for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

PROTECTING THE GRAY WOLF, the second book in the Lone Wolf Legacy trilogy, is finally here!

Who are the lone wolves?

Since the rise of the werewolf, there has always existed a single lone wolf—with pure white, gray, or black fur and eyes that match—who answers to no alpha, belongs to no pack. Merciless and deadly, he wanders the world, both judge and executioner of rogue wolves who senselessly kill, endangering all their kind.

When one dies, another takes its place, awakening to his purpose the first time he shifts to his wolf form. Known by the sign of the lone wolf—a sickle over the heart—the short-handled, circular blade remains as a tattoo on the man and as a mark on the wolf. A lethal combination of intelligence, brutal strength, and keen instinct, he walks a lonely path, shunned by pack, always alone.

For the first time, there are three in the world—white, gray, and black—who all bear the mark on their chests. No one knows why, least of all them…

Protecting the Gray Wolf
Lone Wolf Legacy, Book 2

I’m used to other wolves coming for me. They want their chance to try and take out the infamous Gray Wolf. And every single one of them fails—because lone wolves aren’t like the others…we’re stronger. Harder. Meaner. Immortal.

But it also means I’m alone. No pack. No alpha. Just the three of us—white, gray, and black. Two too many, if you ask me.

But with power-hungry mages gunning for us, I don’t have the luxury of reflection. They’re in New York City, and I Will. Hunt. Them. Down.

Which is when I see her, and every cell in my body is on alert, filled with the kind of primal longing I never knew I was capable of. Luna West may be human, but there’s some kind of thread connecting us. Call it destiny, fate…or voracious animal hunger.

I know she’s bait. She’s meant to tempt me, to make me weak. But even if I could resist her, I’m not sure I want to.

Because I’ve never denied my wolf anything…especially the chance to raise some serious hell.

And I’m not about to start now.

(Author Note: This book is told in third person, even though the blurb is in first person.)

TEASER:

The air stirred behind him. Goose bumps rose on his skin. Kade’s head snapped around, searching for what had disturbed him. The woman was almost six feet tall, even wearing flats. The dress she wore was a pale gray that matched her eyes. It was loose but gave the impression of generous curves beneath. Curly brown hair tumbled around her shoulders. Streaks of gray ran through the front part so the strands framed her face. And what a face it was. Her lips were full, her chin slightly rounded. High cheekbones brought his gaze back to her eyes, which widened beneath thick, dark lashes.

Part of him hadn’t believed the white wolf, or hadn’t wanted to, but there was no denying the vision before him. The gray streaks in her hair matched the color of his hair and her eyes were a mirror image of his. Their eyes met and she came to an abrupt stop. Every muscle in his body tensed, poised to give chase if she ran. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. It was as if a switch had been flipped inside him. Lust warred with surge of possessiveness and the unexpected urge to protect. When she licked her lips, his jeans grew tighter. He clamped down on his emotions, exerting iron control over his wayward body. Last thing he needed was a hard-on in the middle of an art opening.

*~*~*

Want to read more of Luna and Kade’s story? Check out the links below.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXC8HTG/
Entangled Publishing: https://www.entangledpublishing.com/books/protecting-the-gray-wolf
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/protecting-the-gray-wolf-n-j-walters/1144686015
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/protecting-the-gray-wolf

If you’re not familiar with the series, be sure to check out TAMING THE WHITE WOLF, book one of the series. Find out more at: Entangled Publishing: https://entangledpublishing.com/books/taming-the-white-wolf

About the Author

N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, assassins, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit her at:
Website: https://www.njwalters.com
Blog: https://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
Newsletter Sign Up: https://eepurl.com/gdblg5
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters

UPDATE: The winner is…Debra Guyette!
*~*~*

No, I’m not glitching this morning. Forgive the Christmas-y sign, I don’t mean to confuse you, but I didn’t have time to make my own neutral holiday sign!

A friend, I think it was Laura, suggested that since I love silly holidays so much, that I should have a contest and ask y’all for some brand-new holiday names and dates we might celebrate! I think that’s a completely awesome idea, so here’s the challenge…

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, and to be forever known as the originator of your singular holiday, give me a date and a name for your holiday! Have fun with it! And who knows, maybe we should add it to my blog calendar!

Open Contests & Giveaways

1. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: What I want for dinner tonight! — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Show me what you made (Part Two) (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Word Search: Sticky Bun Day — Breakfast Pastries (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Story Cubes — Tell me a story (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. FREE Read: Two Hot — Everyone! Get your FREE read!
6. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: A Romantic Dinner — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Homespun Heroines and Other Women of Distinction (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Deb Robinson: 5 Shades of Brothers Browne (FREE Read) — EVERYONE! Get your FREE read!