Saturday, February 29, 2020

Blog Takeover 🖉 Crush 21's Biggest Fan

romance books reads paperbacks ebooks reading

Today, the blog is being taken over by Crush 21's biggest fan! She saw the band perform at the NorCal Center last night and here are her thoughts on the concert...



Dear Diary,

OMG! I just got back from the Crush 21 concert and it was the greatest thing I’ve seen in my whole entire life. I don’t know if I can even find the words to describe it, but I’m going to try because something that awesome has to be put on paper.

I’ll start with Cassidy St. Claire, the super-awesome lead singer. I loved her before I saw her live and now, oh my gosh, now she is my hero! She was so awesome on stage and she looked really cool because she added purple to her hair. In the "Tumble Dry" video she had green streaks, which were cute, but the purple is so amazing that I wanted to cry.

I’d be lucky to be able to sing half as good as she can. Of course, everyone was singing along with her and sometimes during the chorus they were louder than she was, if you can believe that. In the crowd, there were people of all ages.

She was wearing black skinny jeans, her trademark Converse shoes, of course, and a sparkly tank top. Oh, and she was wearing awesome make-up and purple eye shadow. She sang every song that I wanted her to sing. "Shut Your Lies" is my favorite and I was so stoked when that’s what they opened the show with.

Next, I have to tell you about Jeremy James. I went crazy when I saw him because he’s the cutest guy who’s not on TV that I’ve ever seen, not to mention he’s the best guitar player in the whole wide world. Jeez, Cassidy is, like, soooo lucky to get to see him everyday. They are the luckiest people, ever. Mmmm, Jeremy James, I love you so, so much!

Oh, and I can’t forget the twins, Taylor and Tyler. Tyler was awesome on base as always. And on drums, last but not least, Taylor. He played a killer drum solo that blew everyone away.

I’m so glad that I saved money for a ticket. It took  me a couple months and all of my allowance, but it was so totally worth it. I would do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, I wish they were playing more shows close by, but they’re headed overseas and I won’t get to see them again until the next tour.

Ugh, I don’t ever want to take off my Crush 21 shirt! At least I have my posters to look at all the time.

Okay, I probably should go to bed now even though I think I’m way too excited to sleep. My ears are still ringing because it was crazy loud in there and my voice is raspy from screaming my lungs out. I hope I dream about Jeremy. That would be so awesome. I wish I could marry Jeremy when I get older (he’s 21) and then Cassidy and I would be best friends! I’d better go to bed so I can get up in the morning and go buy some purple eye shadow.

Sweet dreams!
💜 Xoxo



Friday, February 21, 2020

Crush 21 Release Day ✰ New Rock Star Romance Book!

𝅘𝅥𝅯
Crush 21 is here and ready to rock your socks off!

books inspired by paramore band

Crush 21’s story has been a long time comin’. It was one of the third or fourth books I started after Home Ice, but, like a lot of my books, it got pushed to the wayside while I focused on the hockey thing.

But I think you’ll like this rock star romance just as much as a hockey one! After all, the band plays a concert at the NorCal Center, right where the Razors play when they’re at home. Plus, they can rock the socks off anyone, young or old.

And in my book that makes them worthy of a book of their own...



Lyrically yours,
Rachelle Vaughn



Sunday, February 16, 2020

Fast Cars ~ Hot Heroes ~ Romance Books

What kind of car does your favorite book boyfriend drive?

romance books to read by author rachelle vaughn

Buckle up for a sexy ride!

Ben Price
Corvette Z06
Jace McQuaid
Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Logan Murray
Ferrari 458 Italia
Nick Barrett
'70 Chevy Chevelle 454 LS6
Lucas Leighton
Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4
Gavin Bozymowski
Audi R8 Spyder
  


Friday, February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

🌹
Well hello there, Valentine's Day, you double-edged sword you.

thoughts about love on february 14th 2020

Despite being a romance author now, February 14th was never my favorite holiday while I was growing up. I didn't have a special sweetheart in school and had to endure sitting back and watching my classmates receive balloons and flowers on the dreaded Day of Love.

When you're single, Valentine’s Day can be a black cloud full of depressing clichés and traditions created just to torment you. Before I met my soulmate, it was downright depressing not to have someone to share it with.

Later, when I finally found a sweetheart of my own, I was thrilled to receive enough chocolate and roses to make up for those many years of disappointment. (My hubby proposed to me on Valentine’s Day, so now it’s a special anniversary for me.)

Many years have past since that life-changing proposal and I'm content to find the romance in each day and don't find the need to cram it all into one day just because that's what the calendar tells us to do.

Maybe that's part of why I love romance novels so much. No matter what's going on in your own life, there's always a lovable hero in the pages, ready to give you a reason to believe in love.

So, whether you have a special sweetheart of your own or not, Happy Heart Day!

xoxo
💗
RV



Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Vintage Truck Decor ~ Valentine's Day Kisses


My new toy arrived and it's even cuter than I imagined it would be!

 

In honor of Valentine's Day, it's hauling a load of smooches and I can't wait to decorate it for every upcoming holiday. With candy alone, the possibilities are endless, but I hope to eventually work in some of my polymer clay projects, too. It's perfect for haulin' shamrocks, Easter eggs, surfboards, pumpkins...

I think it's safe to say that you'll be seeing a lot more of this little beauty over on my Instagram from here on out!





Friday, February 7, 2020

10 Tips For a Happy, Successful, Long-lasting Marriage

romance author rachelle vaughn blog

1. Be honest with each other. No keeping secrets. Keeping things from each other is essentially just lying to each other and there's no room for lies in a caring, meaningful relationship.

2. Be a team. It's not You vs. Him. Stick with the mentality of You and Him vs. Everything Else. If you face things together, there's no stopping you.

3. Be sensitive. Don't say anything you might regret later. I know it's tough when tempers flare, but don't take your anger about a situation out on him. He might be silently dealing with the same emotions and you don't want words said in the heat of the moment to hang over your relationship like a dark, ominous cloud.

4. Be willing to compromise. Even when you want to do things your way, talk it out and listen to his point of view. Most likely, he'll have a completely different way of looking at a situation/problem/whatever that wasn't even on your radar and it will be that much easier to work out. See, I told you teamwork was essential!

5. Take an interest in his hobbies. Sure, you each need your own time to do what makes you happy, but once in a while, watch golf/hockey/etc. with him. Be open-minded. You might just find something unexpected you like about his favorite sport and, in turn, that will give you something else to talk about besides bills/work/etc. There are plenty of cute guys in every sport to keep you interested.

Since taking this approach, now hubby and me can say that we "knew" Jordan Spieth when he had that smokin' hot year and won the green jacket. And I can also say with confidence that Gian Villante is my favorite MMA fighter. With golf, there's the skill, the low-key peacefulness of it, the beautifully landscaped courses and lovely birdsong. In MMA, there are sweaty, shirtless alpha males. Look for the positive. You can find something that speaks to you and a reason to spend more time together.

6. Never bad-mouth each other to anyone else. When I worked office jobs, it always amazed me how willing women were to rag on their husbands. Constantly. All that does is make you sound like a complete moron for marrying someone so "terrible." That's a good way to demolish trust, the precious cornerstone your relationship should be based upon.

7. The thing you're arguing about isn't always what you're really fighting about. Huh? Yup. Crazy as it might sound, it's true. Sometimes (most of the time), there's a bigger, underlying problem that is just grating and rubbing raw, waiting for you to realize it. You might claim you're yelling at him because he didn't (insert mundane household task here), but really you're upset because he forgot to (insert big thing that probably means more to you than it does to him.) Oops! Inserting big things into other things is usually what I write about in my books! Anywho, moving on...

8. Talk about the "good ole days." Some of my best memories with my hubby are lying in bed and reminiscing about "that time we ___." Relive those good times by talking about them  on occasion. They're your greatest hits and worth busting out once in a while. It's always interesting to see how his memories of an event differ from yours. (And believe me, they will. Just don't argue about them or that defeats the whole purpose of the exercise!)

Looking back at the past doesn't have to be a negative thing. Don't dwell on the negative times. Revel in the good ones. Trust me, even if you don't think there are that many, there are. You wouldn't have fallen in love without a few laughs along the way.

9. It isn't always about you. If he's trying to work out a problem on his own, he might appear distracted or get short with you. Try not to take it personally because when you get right down to it, it's probably not about anything you did. Give him your shoulder to lean on and listen. Don't be quick to offer up advice. Wait until he gets everything off his chest and then try to be helpful. You might be able to offer a completely different perspective than he thought about. Help each other. You're in this together, remember?

10. Don't let outsiders influence what's going on in your marriage. Other people are always quick to offer up their opinions about your life and propose biased advice, but it's important to work things out with him first. You and him are the nucleus of your universe. Never let anyone else try and take that away from you. They don't know your soul the way he does. And they don't know your behind-closed-doors life. Sometimes others have their own agendas and issues and you don't need to give them the power to break the trust you've built with your man.

And, because it's February and I'm in a lovey-dovey sort of mood, here is a bonus tip on how to keep those wedding vows the best thing you ever did...

11. Try to see things from his point of view. I know, I know, it's difficult to do when you know you're right, end of story. But, believe it or not, he probably has a pretty good reason for being so bull-headed on an issue, and all it takes is your openness to momentarily step away from your pride and try to see things through his eyes. You can tell him "I told you so" later.

All right, hopeless romantics, what do you think of my tips for a happy, successful, long-lasting marriage? Any of these look like they're worth incorporating into your own relationship? Or are they just bullhonky coming from a hopeless romance author?