Monday, December 15, 2014

Chapter 1 - The Quarterback Sneak

Read the first chapter of the #1 Kindle Bestseller in Sports Fiction 
(on 12/3/14 and 12/10/14)

Chapter 1 - The Quarterback Sneak

Liam McQueen knew he shouldn’t be inside Martini Madness or any place that served alcohol. Two years, one month, three weeks, five days sober. And celibate. Though going without a drink had proven more difficult than laying off the women. Alcohol had been his mistress, and he still heard the siren calling to his weak soul. He fortified himself with a prayer as he maneuvered through the club.
     Three of his offensive linemen surrounded him, fiercely guarding their quarterback’s body as if they were still on the football field. Tonight Liam was returning the favor, protecting his teammates as their designated driver and general all-around babysitter. It wouldn’t help the New York Cougar’s upcoming season if one of them landed in jail.
     Upon reaching the club’s swanky VIP section, his buddies beelined for the decorations—the pretty women let inside as bait to lure wealthy men into dropping serious cash. Liam had his fill of groupies and party girls. Deserted, he found an empty bar stool and looked around.
     The glass-enclosed area allowed the music to filter in at a level that encouraged conversation, yet let the wannabes outside the glass feel like they were part of the scene, where D-list celebrities mingled with pro athletes.
     From his spot, Liam had a front-row seat as he watched his largest lineman fumble a play on a hot redhead. Poor schmuck. Maybe he should help Murphy out and be his wingman for the night.
     “What’s your poison?” asked a sultry voice from behind the neon-lit bar.
     Poison. Liam almost laughed at the truth in the word. The name of his favorite Scotch burned on his tongue.
     Spinning his stool back around, he faced the bartender, a hot blonde with big boobs spilling over her low-cut shirt. She flashed him a smile bright enough for a whitening-toothpaste commercial. Three years ago, he would have simply nodded toward the nearest bathroom, and faster than it took him to call an audible on a play, they would have been going at it like a pair of drunken monkeys. His former self disgusted him.
     All he wanted now was a nice girl to settle down with. A nice girl who liked sex, he amended.
     “Red Bull,” he said.
     “With?” The suggestive hint in her voice left no doubt of her interest in him.
     “Designated driver.”
     “Bummer.”
     “Yeah, it sure is.” But if he hadn’t gone off the wagon after single-handedly losing the      Championship seven months ago, then he wouldn’t take a drink now. Not even the daily reminders of defeat—fans who taunted him on the street—could break his resolve. His response at least seemed to shut them up effectively. You’re right. I suck.
     The New York fans were a fickle bunch. With a single throw, they’d forgotten how after Todd, the Cougars’ star quarterback, had broken his leg, Liam had stepped in to lead them to the big game. Would the Cougars have won the Championship if Todd still had been the quarterback? According to social media, the answer was a resounding yes.
     Apparently the team’s management agreed. Otherwise Liam wouldn’t have had to compete with Romer, the Cougars’ number-one draft choice, for the starting position. A competition Liam had won. For now.
     And he couldn’t even celebrate with a toast.
     Turning his head toward a commotion at the VIP entrance, he expected to see a major celebrity. But it was just another washed-up reality star. The team owner’s hellion of a daughter, Hayden Middleton, had arrived with her entourage in tow.
     An off-the-shoulder red cocktail dress hugged the tabloid darling’s every curve, like she was channeling a plus-sized Jessica Rabbit. Even her long, cinnamon-brown hair was swept to one side. Wearing ridiculously high heels, she probably could meet Liam’s six-foot-three gaze head on.
He swiveled his stool, resting his elbows on the bar rail behind him and watched her approach. Damn. She was going to walk right by him like he didn’t exist. “Hey, Hayden.”
     Without missing a beat, she turned her head. “Hey, loser.”
     “Ouch.” He grabbed his chest as if she’d struck him in the heart with an arrow. Yet it wasn’t her comment that stung. Those robin’s-egg-blue eyes landed a sucker punch to his gut every time she looked his way.
     As she strolled by him, his gaze dropped to her sashaying backside. The judge should have sentenced the spoiled brat to a good solid spanking instead of yet another probation. His cock hardened painfully at the thought of carrying out her punishment himself. Hayden starred in his fantasies way more often than he’d like. Okay, so maybe staying celibate was more difficult than staying sober. One always seemed to fuel the other.
     Where the mind leads the body will follow, he reminded himself and he looked away. At this rate, he’d be praying for salvation tomorrow instead of focusing on football practice. And when it came to Hayden Middleton, he’d be consorting with the devil’s handmaiden. Not that consorting was the problem. The woman hated him, which he supposed made things easier. Less tempting
     Dear God, he wanted a drink. A Scapa Scotch. Wanted to swirl the autumn-gold liquid, inhale the honeyed fragrance, savor the sweet smoothness, feel the cool burn down his throat and then the blessed relief as the warmth spread to every part of his body.
     As he glanced at Hayden again, he crushed the empty Red Bull can, then deliberately looked away. He liked to think he had mastered his addiction. That he had control. Sometimes he’d order a drink and then walk away from it, thinking he’d won a small battle of what would be a lifelong war.
     A sudden roar of voices jolted him out of his pity party. His teammates were egging on two men who were nose to nose, shouting at each other, and there was Hayden adding her two thousand cents in. When the shorter guy’s suit jacket flapped open, revealing a gun, Liam tossed a hundred dollar bill on the bar. Time to go.
     In a flash he reached his unaware teammates. “We need to get out of here.” He placed a hand on    Hayden’s shoulder. “You too,” he told her.
     Elbowing him in the gut, she tried to wedge herself between the two guys. She shot Liam a look that made it perfectly clear that she could take care of herself. Besides, it was her entourage causing the trouble. None of that mattered, though. He owed her father for giving him a second chance when no other team in the league would.
     Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the shorter guy’s hand reaching for the gun.  “Out,” he ordered again.
     This time his teammates took off.
     With no time to argue, he threw Hayden over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. Tuning out her protests, he plowed toward the exit while doing his best to ignore the bodacious booty inches from his face. There was going to be hell to pay. And Liam couldn’t afford the price.


Sold? Don't you want to find out Hayden's reaction to be hauled out of the bar?!
Buy Links below!





Tuesday, December 9, 2014

More book quotes pics!

I love these book quote pics that Beatrix at Cover to Cover Book Blog made for me. The pics fit perfectly with the scene within the story. Meanwhile, The Quarterback Sneak is receiving great reviews at Goodreads and at Amazon. I so appreciate the time readers take to post a review!



Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Quoted for The Quarterback Sneak

I love doing those picture quotes from my books. This is one of my favorite from The Quarterback Sneak. Available for preorder now!





Sunday, November 16, 2014

Songs to Write to - The Quarterback Sneak

I thought I'd share my playlist for The Quarterback Sneak ( which is available for a special preorder price of 99cents).

These are songs that relate to my characters and story.

Demons - by Imagine Dragons
Love Remains the Same - by  Gavin Rossdale
Harlem - by New Politics
Trumpets - by Jason Derulo

Are there certain songs that remind you of a person or place? Share in the comments!

This is a line a song by Eric Church called Springsteen -  'Sometimes a melody sounds like a memory'. 
I love that line because it is so true for me.
For instance the song Jungleland by Bruce Springsteen takes me back to when when I was nineteen.
Going even further back Magic by Pilot takes me back to Knolls Summer Day Camp when I was 13!


Friday, November 7, 2014

The Quarterback Sneak - The Book Trailer

Have you seen it yet? I decided to try something different. Please watch and let me know what you think in the comments section

The Quarterback Sneak is available for a special preorder price of only 0.99 cents!

Amazon

Nook

iTunes

Kobo

Sunday, November 2, 2014

The Quarterback Sneak is here!

The ebook for The Quarterback Sneak is available for preorder! Release date is December 2, 2014!
I think your are going to fall in love with Hayden and Liam.

I'm running a preorder special of only 99 cents! A week after the release date I'll be raising the price to 2.99

Meanwhile the audiobook and paperback is in the works!

Here is the blurb and links:

A recovering alcoholic, football player Liam McQueen seeks redemption on and off the field. So when the team's owner, the man who gave him a shot at a comeback, demands that Liam pretend to be engaged to his wayward daughter, it's a favor the reformed bad boy feels he can't refuse. 

After violating her probation, heiress Hayden Middleton must prove to the court she's changed her wild ways. To appease the judge, the tabloid queen agrees to a fake engagement, but there's nothing fake about the heat that sizzles between her and her father's saintly star quarterback.

Mastering the sex playbook isn't a problem for this wild couple. Outside the bedroom, this mismatched pair must plan a game strategy to confront their demons if their temporary arrangement has any chance of going long.

Will love come into play as the sinner and the saint go head to head?






Thank you for your support over the years! I couldn't have done it without my readers!



Sunday, October 26, 2014

I Quit, I Quit Sugar

I made it through 4 of the 8 weeks of I Quit Sugar then I slid into the thoughts of

just this once
just this one day...

one day turn into two, into three.... and so on...

I did lose 2 inches off my waist and 5 pounds which you would think would spur me onto to glory, but..

No.

I did notice that I'm less hungry when I don't have sugar which you would think would help me,
but...

No.

I will say this. I haven't overindulged. So that's something.

I guess.

Did you struggle with your weight?  

Monday, September 15, 2014

Day 3 & 4 & 5 - I Quit Sugar

I'm so glad that the 1st week of the 8 week I Quit Sugar program is about cutting back and learning to read labels!

I've done great on not eat candy, cakes, and pre-package foods! I'm still figuring out breakfast but I found out in a pinch I can get a Sausage McMuffin from McDonalds as it only has 2 grams in it.
Today I spent my lunch hour at the grocery store reading labels.
I picked up a salad dressing I can use - SCORE!
Picking out yogurt is tricky. The full fat is supposed have to less sugar but I didn't find that to be true. Now the first 4.7 grams of sugar don't count. Um...I can't remember why....any who ....
I found one with 7 grams - a carmel moccochino greek yogurt.
Tomorrow I'll read more and make up a list of ingredients I need to make some of the breakfast items.

Small victory:  The husband has been hiding the candy but I was taking out the last bottle of soda (the soda isn't for me) out of the grocery bag and there were 4 loose Kisses in there!!!!!!!!!!!
But I didn't eat them!

Friday, September 12, 2014

Day 1 & 2- I Quit Sugar

My blog is usually about my writing and random items that interest me but for the next 8 weeks I'll be blogging about my 'I Quit Sugar' journey.

I Quit Sugar by Sarah Wilson is an 8 week detox program and cookbook.

Why am I doing this?

My psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is at all time red alert stage. Yesterday  I woke up with aches and brain fog. I know it's the sugar I consume.
I eat sugar every day never mind the hidden sugars in our food.
Eating sugar is eating poison. Sugar causes inflammation. Inflammation causes a host of problems.

It's time. I'm ready.

The first week is about cutting back, reading labels to become aware of the hidden sugars, and getting everything you need to succeed.

A surprise: Balsamic Vinegar is 16% sugar!!!

So how did I do the first two days?
No candy, no cookies, no cake! And there is a big bag of chocolate in the house too! I didn't have one piece! But I think I had overdosed on candy the days leading up to this challenge so just looking at it makes my teeth hurt. So it really hasn't been that hard.
Another victory was not having barbeque sauce on my pork chops yesterday or ketchup on my hot dog today.


I purchased the book above but if you can check out Sarah's website and Pinterest boards ... here are the links below...

http://iquitsugar.com

http://www.pinterest.com/iquitsugar/

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Read-A-Romance Month 2014 - Celebrate Romance by Celebrating You

I'm participating in the Read-A-Romance Month ! After reading my post, please comment to enter my giveaway. At the end of the month I'll choose the winners!

Here is my short essay on Celebrating Romance - the theme of this year's Read-A-Romance-Month! 


Romancing Yourself:

Celebrating romance is a great idea. 

But what do you do when you don’t have a significant over or if your significant other is out of town? I say, there is no reason not to romance yourself!

How?

The ole tried and true bubble bath by candlelight comes first to mind.

Buy yourself some flowers. They will make you smile every time you walk by them.

Get a full body massage. In funds are low maybe you can swing a foot massage. 

Can’t afford to travel to Paris? Yeah, me neither. Stake out a new chic café. Buy a fancy cup of coffee and a decadent pastry. Spend an hour people watching or flipping through a magazine. Rule: No electronic devices!


Forget fast food for dinner! Treat yourself to glass of wine and a plate of the fancy cheese you always wanted to try along with some crusty bread or crackers. Listen to soft music. Rule: No electronic devices!

Questions for Me! 

1 - Describe the most daring, adventurous or inspiring thing you ever did. 
I'm not the most adventurous person as I have anxiety issues but my decision to indie publish is the most gutsy move I made. The fact that I've inspired others to take the leap is humbling. 

2 - Tell us about your journey to becoming a writer. (How did you decide to get started? Did you always know or was there a specific moment when you knew?) I've been making up stories since childhood. My best friend and I used to walk through the woods telling stories about finding a portal and where it would lead us. Eventually these stories had cameo appearance of our latex crushes. 

3 - Tell us about The (or A) Book That Changed Your Life. (Why?)
Athem by Ayn Rand is the that had the most impact on me. I read it in my teens and the theme of individuality really spoke to me. I learned how important it is to think for (and be) yourself. To question authority and not be blind to a 'crowd' mentality.


Authors You Need To Read ( you know, besides me )

Allie Boniface                      CC Mackenzie


Wendy Marcus                    Nana Malone


Jennifer Probst                   


                                                     
Now for the giveaway!
Your choice from my backlist! 
1 winner - paperback  1 winner - eBook  1 - winner audiobook
Answer this question in the comments below and I'll choose a winner at random.

Tell me something nice that you did just for yourself!



Thursday, July 24, 2014

“Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.” Charles H. Spurgeon

My social/travel anxiety reared its ugly head yesterday when I was unable to make the trip to the RWA Conference in San Antonio. 

I really thought I would be able to do it. 

I was always shy. Never stopped. I had a stutter that had me in speech classes from the 4th to 6th grades. I overcame the stutter.

And I'm so different than the girl who wouldn't attend her high school or college graduation. Different from the 22 year-old who didn't want a big wedding and said her vows at the town hall in front of a water fountain (with no water because there was a drought than year). 

Sigh... perhaps not so different

I thought I've learned to manage it by knowing my limitations without living a limited life. I keep my life pretty simple, live in the country, have great friends, and a wonderful family. I do go places... places that don't involve plane trips. I'm not scared of the actual flying but the worries of getting to the airport, going through security, missing a connecting flight, the airline losing my luggage, getting to the hotel... just to repeat the process a few days later. Worry...worry...worry

Then I worried I would be a bad roommate since I don't sleep well. I worried about be allergic to something in the hotel which has happened to me before. I worried, worried, worried

The RWA National Conference is huge and overwhelming. The crazy thing is that romance writers are the nicest people on the planet. The ladies I was supposed to present with were so kind and understanding that it sent me on a crying jag. Seriously, what is wrong me!

Because why in the hell would I chose to board a cruise ship headed out of New Jersey into Hurricane Sandy as it cruised to Bermuda and NOT get on a plane bound for a place with awesome people and perhaps great opportunities? What is wrong with this picture? 

So next time I go to the doctor I'll talk to her about it. Meanwhile, a wonderful friend messaged me a website about anxiety so I'll give that a look over. 

And when I get it over it hopefully this won't happen... 

"I remember being onstage once when I didn't have fear: I got so scared I didn't have fear that it brought on an anxiety attack." Carly Simon

but I will worry that it will....


Saturday, July 5, 2014

Transmedia Romance!

I'm super excited about being a part of this!

If you are registered for the RWA National Conference in San Antonio please think about attending this session!

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?

Sorry I've been missing, but I've been working hard on The Quarterback Sneak. And truthfully I've had nothing witty or insightful to say. I was procrastinating a bit today and made this cute sign. I love the song Paperback Writer by The Beatles so I put a little twist on it. The things I do to amuse myself.... 

Saturday, March 8, 2014

And he's not even half-naked...



What a sexy pic and he's not even half-naked! There is a great Facebook page called ShowYour Soft Side that is dedicated to stopping animal abuse in Baltimore. It's a shame that a program is needed. 
Nate McCouth of the Baltimore Orioles helped out as did other men for all walks of life.
I chose this one to share on my blog because Nate looks a lot like my character Liam McQueen of The Quarterback Sneak.



   







If you are on Facebook head over to the Show Your Soft Side and like the page...
https://www.facebook.com/ShowYourSoftSide

or check out the website here:
    http://showyoursoftside.org/

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Which gown should I wear to the Oscars?

Not that I'm going, but a girl can dream...
And while I don't dream of winning for Best Actress, I do dream of a nomination for Best Writing (adapted screenplay). Of course I still have to write said novel that is Oscar worthy. But I have a plan...of sorts...meanwhile I can have fun picking out the dress. So help a girl out... which dress should I wear to the Academy Awards?




Wednesday, February 19, 2014

New Website!

As you can see I've changed up the look of my blog as to embrace my Fantasy Football Romance Series. I also have a new website!
A big thank you to Jo at Glass Slipper Web Designs.

Here is the link if you want to check it out!

http://www.lizmatis.com

Please let me know what you think of the new look!

Anything I missed at the website or here at my blog?

Thursday, February 6, 2014

A dress makes no sense unless it inspires men to want to take it off you. ~Françoise Sagan

I don't own many dresses. But I do have a lot of clothes. Too many. Too many that I never wear. So much so that I have spread out to my husband closet. But he is resigned to this and besides it gives him a reason to tease me.
But on a recent snow day I pulled EVERYTHING out of my closet.


I wiped down the closet and vacuumed the floor. Then I began the tedious process of deciding what to throw out and what to keep. I had to face hard facts... the leopard print mid thigh skirt looked super cute ....in my THIRTIES. I haven't worn the skirt in more than a decade. REALLY? Why am I keeping it?

Anyway, here is the result. The bag in the corner there is what I'm giving to the nearest clothing charity bin. Not bad. But not enough to give up my space in my husband's closet.   

Is there a piece of clothing you just won't give up on?  

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Huddle Up

 Huddle Up is part of Sports Romance Blog 
Hop. I asked Angel O'Malley, the heroine of Huddle Up, to stop by and share her Beer and Pretzel Cupcakes recipe that she made for my Super Bowl Party. (The team her husband Billy Burner plays on didn't get in this year..shhhh)


1 pkg (16.5 oz) dark chocolate fudge cake mix.
1 cup of beer 
                                         3 eggs 
1/3 cup oil

Preheat oven to 350 and line 24 muffin cups 
with cupcake lines. Mix the ingredients above
on medium spread for 2 minutes. Divide among liners. Bake 18-20 minutes. Cool completely. 

Take 1 can of icing and add a splash of beer and several tablespoons of green food coloring - mix. Then chill icing for a 30 minutes. 

 Ice cupcakes and trim with crushed pretzel pieces. Place a chocolate football on top. (make sure to unwrap the foil before eating the football)

Huddle Up:
When Angel O'Malley is left penniless by her deceased father's gambling debts, she is forced to sue pro football player Billy Burner for child support. Blindsided with a five-year-old daughter, he tackles fatherhood with the same commitment he gives to the game, but he has his eye on a bigger prize: Angel's heart.

She agrees to Billy's plan to play house to ensure the new father makes no rookie mistakes. Though their passions burn hotter than ever they must overcome old betrayals, past hurts, and new insecurities if they are to prevent history from repeating itself.

Can a long ago summer love turn into an everlasting one?


Huddle at Amazon

As part of the blog hop I'm giving away 1 eBook copy of Huddle Up to one commenter to be chosen at random on 2/6/14. 
Please leave a comment and then hit the link below to visit the other awesome authors that are part of the blog hop.




Friday, January 17, 2014

Don't Read a Book ... PLAY IT!


My Fantasy Football Romance series will be part of the launch of a new exciting way to tell stories! 

Want to learn more? Check out the video below. (look for my cover, Huddle Up)


To help raise money I'm offering for a $100.00 contribution:   FAN REWARD: CHARACTER NAMED AFTER YOU & 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to Liz Matis’ story world: Liz Matis’ story world meshes sports with sexy romance. Get a one year subscription to her story world, a digital Funding Contributor badge, 50 diamonds in your currency account, and finally have a character in her upcoming segment named after you.

Estimated delivery: August 2014


Add your contribution or to find other exciting new ways to contribute go to:
igg.me/at/transmediastorystream

So join me in supporting the future of storytelling! Friday, January 17th marks the launch of Transmedia Story Stream's 30-day IndieGoGo campaign. The goal is $15,000. 

Transmedia Story Stream, the Zynga of ebooks, is a revolutionary platform which blends Facebook video game mechanics with ebooks to allow authors to build, distribute and engage fans in multi-media story worlds. Instead of downloading a static, dead ePub, readers can log onto story worlds that are alive with fans and friendship and earn rewards while reading. Don’t just read a book—play it! 


Thursday, January 2, 2014

World Premiere!


Here is the highly anticipated book trailer to Huddle Up by Liz Matis. eBook will be released on 2/1/14!








What do you think?