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Here's wishing you a fantastic Saturday! Makes you want to go outdoors, doesn't it? © theartofphoto | 123rf.com

Yes, you read that right. I'm bragging about my cooking skills. 

No, I'm no Emeril or Rachael Ray or ... well, whoever other famous chefs are, but I can hold my own. 

Okay, not really.
I'm seriously exaggerating because other than package mashed potatoes, Ramen, and whatever I can toss in the microwave, I've got no kitchen skills, whatsoever.  However, I am quite capable of working my away around my new favorite toy! It's the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer! Yep. Kick ass machine that even I can work. So for those who know me or have paid attention these last eight or so years I've been visible on social media, you probably can't recall the last time I cooked. Good reason for that. I don't. In fact, I hate to cook. 

Not anymore! 

Yes, what you see in my fancy little toaster oven are cookies. Packaged, no less. But they are cookies and I made them! I also made salmon and asparagus, plus some boneless chicken breasts for the dogs. This week I've got some lemon pepper chicken on the menu and I'm sure I'll come up with something else. And for those of you who work magic in the kitchen, you won't understand how awesome this is for me, but I'm loving it! ​​Watch out, world, I've got a new skill!
​Y'all, seriously. I might just have to invite people over so I can cook! 

Then again, probably not.

Much love,
Nicole

, the first book in the Alluring Indulgence spin-off series The Walkers of Coyote Ridge is currently . This is the only time this book has ever been on sale, so if you haven't gotten it yet, now is the time to do so! 

If you hang out with me in , you might've seen my post asking for binge-worthy television. I have to say, that post gave me a ton more shows to watch, but I thought I'd give you a list of some of my favorites. 

For starters, I'm going to tell you how much I love Alex O'Loughlin. And yes, I'm a HUGE fan of Hawaii Five-0. Admittedly, I never did watch the original series, I was a bit young at the time. But the main draw to this current version is, of course, the swoon-worthy Alex. While I love most of the characters on this show, it's Alex I started watching it for. Then, it was the relationship between McGarrett and Danny. Can you say bromance? Yes, I binged this show. It took a few weeks and I did my best not to watch too many in one day because I never wanted it to end. If you enjoy police dramas combined with some Navy SEAL action, this is one you should check out. The supporting characters in the beginning are my favorite, but as they show changed, I came to enjoy the new ones, too.  You knew these would be on my list, right? I can admit, I have a fascination with vampires.

Yes, I've watched all three. Of course, I watched them out of order. The Originals came first for me. I fell in love with Elijah and Klaus. I loved them both for different reasons. I moved on to the Vampire Diaries, loved it just as much. I do watch Legacies, although I did not think I would. It's not my favorite, but when I'm looking to pass some time, it does the trick. David Boreanaz, anyone? He's got the absolute best smile. And I have loved him in everything. Buffy, Angel, Bones, and definitely SEAL Team. He gets better and better with age. 
I binged this show and continue to hold out hope that it will continue. I mean, I have to have my weekly fix of my 2nd fave: Sonny. 

It's our anniversary!  < On the flip side, since it has been 18 years, I guess I must be doing something right. That, or my family is simply patient. But I am forever grateful that my amazing husband stuck around this long. We've been through plenty of ups and downs over the years. The one thing that's constant is how supportive my amazing husband is. I don't know what I would do without him.
� And look what Steven got me for my anniversary! One look at these and I had to take the dogs for a walk. If you haven't had them, they are AMAZING! 

Yes!!! It's release day! Bound in Darkness is now available and you seriously do NOT want to miss this! 

There. I said it. That's the first step, right? Admitting it? Social media terrifies me. Why, you ask? Because I don't understand it. 

​​And this is not what I'm talking about --> 
(although it is extremely helpful) No, mine is more of an age thing, I think. You want to know my biggest issue with social media? I don't know what to post. People (and books) tell me that I should be social. Easy peasy. Just pull up one of the many apps, type up some characters, add some emoticons, a picture, a link, whatever. Hit post.

​Great! I can do that.
Wait.
Scratch that. 

What exactly do I post? Do people really want to see what I'm having for dinner? Do they want to hear about my latest argument? Just so you know, it happened to be with the washing machine because those silly smell-good beads are leaving a mess on some of my clothes. 

My problem (not related to laundry): I don't know what to post because I cannot fathom why anyone cares about the things I think, do, feel, etc.  You want to know what's funny? I absolutely LOVE to scroll through Facebook and Instagram and read all about what YOU think/do/feel/had for dinner, etc. That's an entirely different thing for me. I will make the mistake of hopping on Facebook to take a break for a few minutes and find I've been there for hours. Yes, hours. The one thing that rarely ever happens: a post from me.  Like I said, I think it must be an age thing. I grew up before social media. My kids certainly don't have a problem posting their every thought and/or idea out there for the world to see. They think it's fun. I find it to be a bit terrifying.

Probably doesn't help that I'm an introvert. I don't like sharing much about myself. I'm also anti-social. Translates to: I totally suck at social media. 

So, if you're ever wondering why Nicole Edwards is not blowing up your social media feed ... well, now you know. 

Much love,
​N¾±³¦´Ç±ô±ð

Okay, so I noticed something recently and I thought maybe you'd get a kick out of this.

It happened when I finished the first novel. I'm not kidding, I hadn't so much as completed the last sentence when this overwhelming anxiety came over me. And by overwhelming, I mean the whole nervous fluttering in the belly thing, shaking hands, shortness of breath.  I didn't panic because I've had this happen before. Turns out, many, many times before.

Once I got past that mini-anxiety attack, I thought about what caused it and realized it was finishing the story that did it. Not because I was done, per se. It was more the fact that the book would be moving from me to you at that point. Well, after the required beta reading, editing, updates, etc, of course. But at that point, it would be yours. 

THAT causes me anxiety. Now, I figure it might help if you understand my writing process a bit.

​When I start a book, it's usually because some character(s) have inundated me in some way. Whether I've pictured a scene, or the happily ever after that occurs, had a strange conversation with one, or simply had an idea for a plot line. Whatever the reason for the book, I usually jump right in.

Write, write, write.

​Sometimes that works for me and I can go from beginning to end without a problem. More often than not, there is a road block. I'll get to a point and suddenly, I have no idea where the characters are going. I don't know what they want/need/feel. At that point, continuing is impossible. 

I'm not talking the overwhelming writer's block, though. That's an entirely different story. No, this is the simple matter of connecting with the characters to understand how to get them from A to B. Believe it or not, many times I've figured things out while in the shower. Probably because I can focus on nothing but what's in my head while I go through that routine. For the record, it's nearly impossible to finish shaving my legs if an idea has struck me, but I forge ahead.

If I'm lucky and I did figure out what comes next, I get right back to it. 
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​​If not, I will simply put the story aside. Unfortunately, that's resulted in some of my books/series being incomplete and require me to come back to them, so I do my best not to leave them alone for too long.

As for those books that flow seamlessly and I can stay on task, I write several chapters, sometimes up to seven or so. Then I reread the book from the beginning. Updates, changes, modifications. Next seven or so chapters. Reread from the beginning. On and on I go. So, I rarely have a first draft because I update drafts throughout the book. That means when I'm writing the very last sentence, it's final. Once I read back through it, of course.

That's when I realize the dreaded anxiety hits me. I've finished the book. Done. Complete. Time for the next phase.

Now I'm overwhelmed and shaking because I know it won't be much longer before you've got the book in your hands. Now comes the constant doubt because I want you to love the book as much as I do and I immediately start thinking about what your reaction might be. Will you like the characters? Are they annoying (unnecessarily)? Are they likeable/unlikeable when they shouldn't be? Are they boring? Is there enough angst? Too much angst? Enough heat? ​Too much heat? ​​See where I'm going with this?

The moral of my story is that I love you all and I want you to love me back. And while I dread those anxiety attacks related to finishing a book, I will continue to endure because what else am I to do? 

Much love,
​N¾±³¦´Ç±ô±ð