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A Fresh Start for Fall & a Giveaway! by Sara Humphreys

Like many of  you, I am a mom with kids who are starting a new school year. Our four sons are growing up faster than I care to admit and this year is a big year for all of us. My oldest boy is a senior in high school and has started the daunting college admissions process. Our second boy is a freshman in high school and he's tackling that scary freshman year with a brave smile--even though I know the kid is freaking out on the inside. Our twins have started sixth grade which means--middle school. I don't know about you guys, but I think middle school is the absolute worst. At that age they're all emotionally handicapped and full of burgeoning hormones--a recipe for drama. Oy.

Needless to say, the boys all have a big year ahead. A transitional year. As fate would have it, it's a transitional year for me as well.

I resigned from my full-time job over the summer.  I now have the luxury of being able to work from home, which allows me to have much more time for my children, focus on my writing and building my speaker training company. (I also train executives on public speaking skills with Taney Speaker Training.) This week was our first full week with the new schedule and I have to admit that I'm loving it but it's not without it's challenges.

Best parts: Our  home is calmer and I feel much more engaged with my boys. I get to write, write and write!

Worst part: The unexpected last-minute things that throw a monkey wrench into my writing time.

The pros far outweigh the cons and as long as I keep to my time management, everything will be fine.

So to celebrate my new found freedom to follow my passion, I'm going to giveaway a signed arc of my November release, Untamed (Amoveo Legend #3).

Leave a comment here on the blog telling us about a fresh start you've made and I'll select one comment at random to win! I'll announce the winner here on Saturday!



HER WORST NIGHTMARE IS COMING TRUE...
Layla Nickelsen has spent years hiding from her Amoveo mate and guarding a devastating secret. But Layla's worst fear is realized when the man who haunts her dreams shows up in person ...
HE HAS FINALLY FOUND HER...
William Fleury is as stoic as they come, until he finds Layla and his feelings overwhelm him. She won't let him get close, but then an unknown enemy erupts in violence and threatens everything Layla holds dear...



Untamed will be released 11/6/12 but some early reviews are in and so far we're off to a great start!


"The characters are well-developed, the twists and turns of the plot are well-crafted, and the situations are alternately funny, action-packed, and sensual. " - Fresh Fiction

"An excellent paranormal romance with awesome world building and strong leads. " - The Romance Reviews

"Compelling... Deft world-building and sensuous love scenes make this paranormal romantic thriller an enjoyable journey. " - Publishers Weekly



Comments

  1. Oh, you've gone over the wall! Hats off and big congrats! I hope to get out of the courtroom in the near future, and can't wait to face the challenges you're facing.
    So in that sense, maybe my next big shift is right around the corner. I started writing a few years ago, when my daughter left home, and THAT was a change. I may soon be relocating much closer to the Aged P's, and THAT will be a change. Much excitement, and I hope it all leads to more and better writing.

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  2. Congratulations on your new freedom and good luck to your kids. I'm dying to read Untamed as I so loved your other books.
    Okay, my fresh start came when I changed jobs. I had a terrible job where the bosses put me down all the time in front of other customers and employees. And I also was hurt a lot on purpose much to the fun of 3 particular guys. Management never seemed able to completely fix the situation although they tried. Anyhow, I finally had enough and left. I never knew just how badly the job had gotten to me until I quit. It was like a huge weight lifted off of me and I took my first full breath of fresh air in years. I still have nightmares about that job but thank goodness its behind me.
    LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com

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  3. Good luck on all fresh starts!

    My fresh start for fall is that I am doing some downsizing in my home and life. I want to live a simpler life where I have much less "stuff" and more time for the things I love..one that is reading more!

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  4. Hi Grace--I wish you the best of everything! Let us know when your big change comes :)

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  5. Hi LadyVampire2u--Thanks for the congrats and I hope you'll enjoy Untamed as much as you enjoyed the others. Glad to hear you got out of a bad situation. Life is too short to stay someplace that makes you unhappy.

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  6. Hi Lovson--Thank you for the well wishes! I love de-cluttering the home. It always makes me feel calmer when my surroundings are under control.

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  7. Hey, Sara, he is gorgeous! What's that saying...a hunk of burning love? Yeah. :) I so agree!

    Ah, change brews conflict, and creates terrific stories. All my life has been change--for now, it's the ultra best it can be!

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  8. I quit my job a month ago today. I had been working only one night a week since last December, but when they finally officially closed our ICU, which had been my home for the past 22 years, I knew it was time to go. My coworkers and I often said that the only reason we stayed so long was because of the people we worked with, but with me being put on call every other night I was scheduled, I wasn't seeing them anyway. Several others have either quit or been let go, and like Lady Vampire, didn't realize the stress they'd been under until it was gone. Most have moved on to jobs they enjoy far more than the ones they left behind. Me, I'm just writing full-time and taking better care of my family, home, farm, and pets than I have in a very long time.
    Good luck to you in your new endeavor, Sara. I know you'll succeed. You've got the drive and the talent--not to mention a fabulous cover on that new book!

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  9. Several years ago a broken arm gave me the push to go over the wall (thank you Grace for that expression),quit my job at the newspaper and go to full time writing. Good luck in your new world, Miz Sara! I just know you are going to love it more and more!

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  10. This year I somehow volunteered to teach the 2s Sunday school and be a room parent at Little Galen's playschool. Lots of transition for me.

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  11. Gorgeous cover!! I quit working when I had my kids - something I've never regretted. My first step back into the workforce is working for my daughter and her boyfriend in their air brushing/art store - how cool is that!!

    catslady5(at)aol.com

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  12. Fresh start? I finally got a particularly difficult weedy patch under controll and hit the nursery garden sales for hardy herbs and plants that are likely to overwinter well enough to produce for me next year. Keeping my fingers crossed.

    Congrats on the fresh changes for you.

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  13. Hi Sara!
    I wish I could resign from my day job and work from home:) Good for you for making that change! CONGRATS on your "new found freedom"!!!

    As for me, my fresh start came with switching careers and entering the world of healthcare. It's definitely not without it's challenges either and actually more than I thought, but I really love being able to contribute in making a difference, so I guess all the stress it worth it:)

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  14. Nice cover. Haven't made any recent fresh starts.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  15. best of luck with your new direction, may you find lots enjoyment & success :) The most recent real fresh start was prob the beginning of last year when I decided to take better charge of my health & start getting fit -- it's an ongoing process but feels good each day :)

    gamistress66 (at) aol (dot) com

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  16. Congratulations on your new start! I haven't had a new start in anything in a while. I love the cover of your book and the story sounds awesome!

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  17. Congrats on the release!!

    My fresh start was when I had an unfortunate thing happen in the city where I was living. I re-evalutated everything, quit my job and moved to a cheaper city. Basically started all over again with a new job in a new field.
    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  18. I have started doing proofreading jobs this year. There is definitely an interesting learning curve and my brain feels rusty as I try to remember the grammar rules I was taught many years ago! Thanks for the giveaway and congrats on the positive changes in your life.

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  19. When I moved to a new city to start at a new school was a fresh start for me!
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    And congrats on the new release!
    Susie

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  20. Hope your sons all have a good year in school. My only recent change really has been working to get my disability approved. Unfortunately, due to my age, it will probably take a while, even though the combination of problems I have medically prevent me from being able to work :(
    June
    manning_J2004 at yahoo dot com

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  21. My recent fresh start would be the start of another new school year. This year was a little different as I've had a very productive summer, working full-time the entire time, so it'll be a bit of a transition back into "school mode" for me.

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. Hi Terry-I'm thrilled that you're in such a great place xx Rock on!

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  23. Hi Cheryl--Big congrats on making that transition! I'm so excited for you :) xo

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  24. Thanks, Carolyn! More good things are sure to come. I do love that "over the wall" comment from Grace. Perfect.

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  25. Shana--You are a brave, brave woman! Good luck, sister.

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  26. Catslady--That is very cool! Have fun.

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  27. Lil--Good luck with that. I hope you get lots of lovely greens.

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  28. Yadkny--Hats off to you! Healthcare is a noble industry and a true calling.

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  29. Gamistress66--That's awesome! Keep it up. I'm back on track with that as well. It's a constant battle but well worth it.

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  30. Christine--Thank you! The Sourcebooks art department always does such gorgeous work.

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  31. Donnas--That's amazing and brave! Best wishes to you.

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  32. Elf2060-Thank you and I wish you much success with your proofreading business.

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  33. SusieB-New city and a new school? That's an exciting change on many levels. Wishing you much success and happiness xo

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  34. June M--I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling well! I hope things work out the way you'd like them too. xx

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  35. Winnie--I remember that well! The start of a new school year is both exciting and daunting. Best wishes.

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  36. Thanks so much to those who came by! The winner is....gammistress66! Check your email :)

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