It's been a while.

*cues Staind*

Life got wildly business, as it does, and I had to choose where to spend my energy.

I wish I had realized this was a choice earlier in my life. I often think back to the days in my 20s and 30s when I had four little boys running loops around my feet, trying to put me in wrestling moves while I made dinner, and fighting bathtime like it was their job. My gosh, I was so stressed. AND BUSY. It’s the journey (I almost said plight—I need to think about that) of all parents. We all go through it. But I sit here in my 40s with a hot cup of coffee, something my younger self daydreamed about, and think about those moments when I waited … to breathe.

I didn’t understand the concept of choice back then. I sort of hate when people blame all of their mistakes and bad habits on their parents, but I can attribute a part of my failure on my mother. The woman never told anyone no. She let herself be worked to death by her family, her co-workers, her friends, her church, school, her community—her energy was everyone else’s and not hers.

Sadly, she never learned she had options.

She’d be happy to know I did.

Once I realized I could pick where I spend my time (*angels singing*), I decided to do something fun. When I was a child, I wanted to be Bob Ross.

Okay, maybe I didn't want to be Bob Ross (because I look terrible with a perm! Trust me. There are pictures to prove this that I won't be sharing with you), but I wanted to be a painter using pretty colors and creating happy little trees. 

Anyway, I saw this ad in the middle of the night (it's like Facebook knows that I'm more clicky when I'm sleep-deprived) and bought a kit. I had forgotten I'd purchased it until the package showed up at my door. But when I opened it up and dipped my brush into the little pot of ocean-blue paint, I felt … happy. Even happier than Bob's little trees! 

I just finished my second masterpiece and have my third on its way. To say I'm hooked is a major understatement. But, don't worry—I'll still be writing because there doesn't seem to be a market for paint-by-number art pieces! Ha! 

my first two attempts at paint-by-numbers

I really do love Substack and, to be honest, I’ve missed writing here. I’ll be back. xo

(But I do have another paint kit on its way … ha!)

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What’s coming next?

USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke delivers a spicy, age gap, grumpy sunshine, workplace romance in the first book in the brand new Landry Security series.

Troy Castelli acts like it’s my fault that we’re cooped up together in a room with one bed overlooking the ocean. I didn’t ask for a stalker to break into my house and then send me a threatening email detailing my demise. And I sure as heck didn’t request that my boss send Troy and his uber elite bodyguard skills to accompany me out of town—although I’m not mad about it.

A paid tropical vacation with a grumpy, gray-eyed bad boy in a suit isn’t exactly a burden.

But it is a giant test of my willpower.

Troy’s alpha protector tendencies drive me wild. His arrogant smirk gets under my skin. But it’s his not-so-innocent touches, heated looks and touch-her-and-die vibes that are the final strike that ignite our explosive chemistry.

The longer we’re together, the more his broody exterior slips, and I get a glimpse of the real man beneath the sculpted muscles. I’m determined not only to unearth his mysterious past but also to make him realize what we have is more than just a fling in paradise.

That is, unless my stalker gets me first.

Coming May 13th—preorder here on Amazon.