It Looks Like We Made It...

As we close out the year, my Facebook feed is filled with people making lists of their accomplishments. People have traveled the world, gotten degrees, published several books, gotten their dream jobs, started their own businesses. All things that are great things! And I am so happy for them all. Then, there's me...I survived!

Yes, that is my great accomplishment for 2018...survival! I know it may not seem like much, but trust me, it has been a feat.

Depression has tried to kick my ass and some days it felt like it would succeed, but it didn't. I'm still here. I have watched my dreams get put aside because Life got in the way. My anxiety has shot through the roof. There were days when I couldn't even think of leaving my house. However, after a day of self-care, I managed to get out in the world again. I cried more tears than I have in a long time. I've hated myself, my life, and everything in between. However, I've also managed to fall in love with certain aspects of myself and laughter managed to wipe out the tears. And my dreams? Well, we'll see what comes of them. Right now, I'm not expecting much.

2018 has not been the best year on record, let me tell you! I haven't thrived in any way, shape, or form, but I have survived! To be honest, that is more important than anything. If I don't survive, I can never thrive.

So, let me tell you something. A while ago, I wrote about highlight reels and how people are only revealing their best selves on social media. They want the accolades that come with their successes. They don't show you the struggles or the downfalls they've faced.

Life has kicked my ass this year. I'm not being anything other than honest. I've scared the people who love me most. I went darker than I have gone in a very long time. But I'm still here. I'm still fighting. I keep believing that tomorrow will be a better day and the future me will find her way. People tell me that I have no faith. They're wrong!

Did you have a year where you saw dreams come true and made great strides in your life? That is great! I'm so happy for you! Did this year kick your butt? Are you still breathing and fighting for a better life? That is awesome! I'm proud of you!

I am praying that 2019 will be a better year. I hope I can find my lost path or maybe forge a new one. I hope to thrive and find a few of those long lost dreams coming to fruition. However, if I merely survive, well, that is okay, too! 

I wish you a happy and blessed New Year! Be safe! Be loved!

Goodbye 2017, Hello 2018

We are two days out from the new year and I'm sitting at my laptop in sheer disbelief. This year has flown by. I've been doing a bit of looking back over the last year and counting my blessings. 

I've learned a lot about myself this year. I've learned that I've got ambition and courage. I've stood up for myself and found the drive for success that I wondered if it ever existed. I stepped outside of my comfort zone and made friends. I made myself a priority in my own life. And you know what? It made a huge difference. I focused on healthier eating, taking my vitamins on a regular basis, drinking more water, studied my ass off, and took the time to make a difference in my own life. I tried some different recipes and am pretty proud of myself. I eat a lot more veggies. (Pinterest has decided that I'm Asian because of the Asian recipes I have pinned.) I have made an effort to purchase clothing that flatters me and my body.

I've always been one to put others first. As a lifetime caregiver, I'm so used to putting others health and wellbeing above my own. But I found myself worn out and run down. I was mentally destroyed, emotionally broken, and physically torn apart at the seams. I had been so focused on everyone else in my life...their needs, their wants, their desires...that I neglected myself for far too long. 

2018 is my year! It will be the year I continue my journey toward self-care and making myself a priority. It means focusing on my education and my health. It means making changes that some people may not like, but they will have to get over it. I've spent too long listening to people who didn't have my best interests at heart. If you're going to be part of my life, you've got to understand my need to make my decisions for my own life and happiness. I'm trying to be the best possible me I can be...more me!

To those who have cheated on me, to those who have left me, to those who have hurt me, to those who didn't believe in me, to those who broke my heart, I say "Thank you!" Because of you, I've learned who I am, found my independence, took back my voice, and discovered my self-worth.

I wish you all a safe and happy New Year's Eve! May 2018 bring you more blessings than your life can hold!

Happy 2017

This last year has been a roller coaster ride. Lots of dips and twists and even a few loop to loops. So many highs and lows were seen individually and as a world. Yet, here we are, still standing despite the world's best efforts to keep us down. We're here for a purpose. What is your purpose? I don't know.

As for me, I believe we are all here to be teachers. Whether it is about lessons or blessings, we are here to teach others about kindness, respect, honor, and love. I've had people who have come into life for several seasons who have taught me lessons, both good and bad. I've also had people who have merely brushed across my life who have blessed me. It doesn't matter how long a person stays in your life. What matters is how their visit impacted you, caused you to grow, gave you insight, or how it changed you. So, this is my challenge to you as we look forward to the upcoming year: Will you be a blessing or a lesson in the lives of those you touch? I am hoping that I'm a blessing always, but I know that isn't the case.

So, I'm going to take a brief moment to say "Thank you" for following me on this journey. Remember to find the magick in every day, dance like no one is watching, sing like you know all the words, love like you'll never get hurt.

Happy New Year from my house to yours!

Happy 2015

So, I spent the New Year writing, watching movies, and trying to solve the world economy...okay, maybe not the world, but mine. I also have found yet another way to exasperate my darling roommate...start a project before finishing another. He's a Virgo who likes things neat and orderly. I'm a Gemini and cannot be bored, otherwise BAD things happen. Not exactly plans for world domination, but bad in the sense that I upset his world. Then, he makes THAT face...the confused one that says he cannot figure me out and he's not sure he wants to. lol

Yes, I'm working on my demons and I am so deeply in love with them. They speak to my heart and soul. I love letting my demons out to play and putting them on paper is just TOO much fun! Give me some more time to write and I will post something about them. They are truly a group like no other.

I'm kicking off the New Year and the new book over at The Romance Studio. They have a party going on from January 2-5 with all sorts of prizes and authors. Stop over and register to win! I am offering up an e-book copy of each book for three lucky readers. Click the banner below to head over the party site.

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The End...

Today is the final day of 2014. What has this year been like for you?

I saw so many changes occur this year. I lost the last of my original canine kids. I applied to a different college...and got in...twice :) I filed for divorce and ended a 20+ year marriage. I faced financial trouble and got through it. Moved out of the rental home I had shared with my ex-husband for almost 4 years. Moved in with a girlfriend and her family for about a month. Worked as hard as I could to save up money. Moved to a different state with my best friend. Embarked on a journey into a world I knew little about and fell in love with the lifestyle. Started school at a different campus. Hated it. Learned to love it. Was determined to change my major. Decided to stick with my major. Discovered the "real" me and found I REALLY like her...a lot. "Played" in this new lifestyle and learned even more about myself than I could have ever imagined. Met new friends who understand my new life. Finished classes. Finished The Golden Dragon's Treasure!!!! PUBLISHED The Golden Dragon's Treasure!!!!!!! In e-book and print!!!! Decided to change my major...again. Went to a birthday party for a friend and had an absolute blast! Did something I never thought I'd have the courage to do. Got to try something I've never tried before.

These are from the new thing I tried...it was gorgeous!

Met MORE new people! Started a new series! Yes, I am actually putting Cedar River aside for a few days to work on this new series....

As the final day of 2014 gets started in my world, I am currently working on my demons. They have been calling to me and I have begun to sketch out their world. This series will be NOTHING like Cedar River. There will be plenty of kink and loads of sex!! After all...these demons are highly sexual beings with a taste for the BDSM side of life :) Currently, I'm deciding on whether I should publish them under a different name or keep the Gemma K. Murray. In discussions with friends and family, it looks like I will probably publish under a different name. It seems only right. However, we shall see how it works.

So tell me...do you make resolutions? If so, what are yours? Me? I intend to carry on like I have been...learning about me and my kinky side, studying hard, playing just as hard, and loving the life I have!

Have a blessed New Year!

Wishing you a sexy new year!

Thanks so much for having me on the blog today, Gemma!

It’s a new year!  A time for reminiscing on years gone by but not letting the past color the possibility of the future.  Sometimes, though, the past is hard to get over.

My main character in Turn Me On, my new ff erotic romance from MuseItUp Publishing, has to deal with just this problem.  Kay gets slammed with a lot of very unlucky, sucktastic things on the Valentine’s Day in this story, most of which stems from her past.  But one thing is for sure—she can either hold on to her bitterness, which is poor company in the night, or she can take another chance at love.

I hope you enjoy Kay and Cammie’s love story as much as I did writing it.  I wish I could write everyone who has a less than stellar Valentine’s Day a happy ending just like I did for them!

Valentine's Day sucks.

When Kay gets a call to meet a former lover for Valentine's Day, she learns that not only is the ex getting married but she expects Kay to take part in the blessed event.

Kay doesn't want chocolates.

The sexy sister of the groom-to-be is determined to help Kay get over the bride. 

Turn Me On…

Will Cammie help Kay learn that passion is better when it isn’t hidden?  Or will Kay give up the one woman who can bring her body—and her broken heart—back to life?

About the Author: Virginia Nelson spends her days chasing three very active kids around. When she is not doing this, or plotting taking over the world, she likes to write, play in the mud, drive far too fast and scream at inanimate objects. She can often be found listening to music that is far too loud and typing her next fantastic tale of blood, sex and random acts of ineptitude. Romance, in Ms. Nelson’s opinion, is not about riding off into the sunset on the back of a horse with the knight in shining armor— it is about riding the dragon. If the knight can keep up… well, that is love.  Find me online virg-nelson.com

Grab your copy of Turn Me On today! https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=555&category_id=205&manufacturer_id=197&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1