Readers, this is for you

Readers:

I'm curious about something. I am a happily ever after kinda girl. I'm good with fluff stories (it's kinda like a grown up disney tv show, if those characters were adults and did more than just date and hold hands, or maybe a better example is your favorite sit-com with more of an edge?), I call them fantasy stories. The fantasy of your Prince Charming with some heat, so a Rated R Fantasy? But I also read the stories that tear your heart right out of your chest and leave you devastated until they finally get their HEA. BUT....I'm not a huge fan of that feeling of dread. For instance if I'm reading and it's 2am, or dinner needs made, or the family needs my attention, and the chapter ends with my heart broken, or pissed off at one of the characters for their utter stupidity. I don't like when tv shows make me feel that way either (perfect example, years ago a Friday cliffhanger on my soap was shooting and looking like they killed off my total favorite male character-I was devastated. I looked everywhere for a spoiler so I could have a good weekend. Instead I felt like I was going to throw up all weekend, I probably would've stayed in bed if I could've. Finally Monday afternoon came and I got to see he was not dead...damn you GH.) So I will sit and read until the story gets better and I'm no longer on that verge of tossing my cookies.
So, I will admit to you, I have a hard time writing those gut wrenching angst story lines. I know fellow authors that love that stuff and that's their specialty. My favorite author is very VERY good at those kinds of stories.
My question to you is, do you love it or hate it? If you love it, do you like the occasional more mellow angst in a story too?
And where is your line- too much angst, and too much fluff?

The creative process or lack there of...

(I apologize, the first few paragraphs are depressing and sad. Feel free to skip them. I felt a need to talk about my loss in a little more detail than normal. But you won't hurt my feelings if you skip over it. There are days I just might too!)

Well, it's been a rough couple months. In November I lost my furry baby girl, Sparky. She took a piece of me with her. I had her for 15years. Trained her as a puppy, put up with all her craziness and puppy stubbornness, cleaned up after her, paid the vet bills, and the last few years, made sure she had her medicine twice daily. The last 8 months of her life she lost the use of her back leg. I thought in April that she was a goner. We had a day trip planned to Columbus, and the entire time I was there I worried about my Sparky. Needless to say, she persevered, she wasn't ready to leave us. She didn't seem like she was in pain and still gave me her goofy smile and still got super excited when we had pizza, she loved pizza crust.

In October, we were shocked to see our other dog go downhill within only a few days, and then when I was preparing myself to take her to the vet, she was gone. It was just that fast.
We watched it happen. Then 6 weeks later it happened again. I took Sparky out for her nightly potty break, and once we got back inside she looked like a rag doll. In my heart, I knew what was happening. I tried to stay up with her all night, not wanting her to be alone when it was time, but her crying got to be too much for me to bear. I couldn't help her, I couldn't make anything better. I was her mommy, that was my job. I tried to get a few hours sleep in bed, but I soon was back downstairs with her. My husband never left her side. Part of me hoped she would relax enough while I was sleeping, but when I woke, she was the same. Late morning I fell asleep for a half hour, my husband woke me up - my baby girl had finally fallen asleep. It was over...

Depression swept over me in a way I was unprepared for. It was the holidays, but I was too sad to get in the mood, however, I tried my best. I gave myself the time off to get over my sadness, but day after day I didn't feel up to doing anything.

I wanted to have my new book started by the New Year. Dom was my next character. But I was still in a funk. Day after day I sat and tried to write, but the story wasn't flowing. I sat and stared at the computer, and eventually found myself on Facebook doing nothing much at all.
If I wasn't going to write, I could at least get things ready for my signing in March, so I worked on that. I'm still diligently working on that. Everyone wants the next installment of the Renegades, trust me, I do too. I finally started writing Dominic's story. I will tell you, he is easy to write. It's Hailee who is difficult.

But I'm not the same. I don't think I ever will be.
Let's add the new kitten and then the new puppy. They are like two toddlers. I haven't had a toddler in 11years! 
I almost planned to adopt a second dog to make three, yes, three pets in out household. But after seeing how much of a handful Nika the dog was, and she liked to play too rough with Buddy the cat who had become my little baby, I was NOT getting another dog. I even applied to adopt a puppy at a shelter, but there was no way. Not now. Even if it does leave a huge hole in my heart. Now I'm planning my next tattoo honoring my lost pups.

I'm working on Dom's story, I swear. I just think it will be out a month or two later than I planned. I'm still hoping for Spring. But I have a pre-teen son, a 9month old kitten and a 11week old puppy. During naptime things are nice and sweet and cute. But when they are wound up... oh wow!
I can give you a few things to help you through the delay with the next book (that has no name. I'm toying around with Legendary, Legend, Delay of Game, and Save Me)
Here are my inspirations for Dom and Hailee.

This is Dominic Zanetti. Dark eyes, Dark hair, and tattoos.... holy moly is he a cutie!
(fyi-this guy is a real hockey player, he's in the minor league, Wilkes Barre Baby Pens)

These links will take you to pics of who I see Hailee as. I can't wait to purchase the stock photos and have a real blast with teasers, cause she is cute and hot.

https://us.fotolia.com/id/51548771?lightbox_page=2
https://us.fotolia.com/id/76542919

As soon as I purchase the stock photos I'll post them.
Well, that's what's happening in my neck of the woods. So don't despair, Dom's book is coming soon. Plus there will be more Renegades books after that. I'm already planning the characters :)

Wait-I'm official now.

Wait-
Did I tell you that I have a new domain name for my website? This is exciting news, because before I was just some random, generic name. I'm now "official"!
So, you can check me out at:

www.melodyheckgatto.com

Exciting! Right? I thought so. I'm so official now, yay me!

I'm so cool....

New "family member"

Friday we brought home a new puppy, her name is Nika. Needless to say this weekend will be all about helping the cat, Buddy, and Nika get along and used to each other. I'm 15 yrs older than the last time I did this, and back then we got two dogs one day apart. I'm exhausted, but I don't feel so well right now either. Hubby is really exhausted because it's his dog, so I'm "letting" him take the lead. If memory serves me right, that was easier, lol. So I'm sure this weekend there won't be a lot of social media posting from me, especially if I want to use my free time writing. (They are both napping right this moment, and so is hubby, lol.)
But if you have any tips or ticks to help me help them get along, I'm all ears! Facebook, tweet, PM, whatever.
Nika misses her pack. She lived with mom and dad doggie, and her puppy siblings, a brother and two sisters. Her human mom was very sad to see her go.
I was looking for a new puppy in place of my recently lost Sparky, but now I'm thinking differently. Granted, it's only day 2, and Buddy took a few days to really get used to us and our home, and now he's my little spoiled baby. Hmmm...speaking of spoiled Buddy, I think he needs a new toy or two, don't you?
So, today will be a day of continuing to make the house ready for the pets. But no worries, I am working on Dom's story. Still hoping for a mid March or April release - but as we all know life happens, so that can change.
Plus, I have about three other book ideas rolling around my brain, so I'm hoping for a busy 2016. Oh, and they are all Renegades books!
Well, I'm going to eat some "breakfast" (even though it's noon) while everyone is now napping.
Have a great Saturday.

My new blog

Hey All!

Let me preface by saying that I am new to blogging, but one of my New Years Resolutions is to be more active on social media - so here I am!

In December I released Zambonis and Mistletoe - Renegades 4 - A Holiday Romance. It was a cute Christmas read and I hope you all enjoyed it. Christmas is my favorite time of year and it was fun to write about. In this holiday romance we met Rylee and Nick (the GM of the Renegades). 

I am currently working on Renegades 5. It has no title as of now, but it will be about Dominic (Dom) Zanetti, the Renegades back-up goalie. He's kind and sweet, sort of a flirt, and full of tattoos. We met him a bit in Playing the Game. He's quite swoon-worthy, I assure you.

I'm also preparing for my first-ever signing event as an author. Yay me! I've been to two as a reader, and yes, I still do fan girl over other authors. It is March 12th at Latitude 360 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. So many awesome authors will be there!

Here's the Facebook page to the Event: https://www.facebook.com/groups/353482244859112/


And ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/angels-and-sirens-author-signing-at-latitude-360-in-pittsburgh-pa-tickets-17976774015


If you're attending make sure to stop by my table and say hello. I'll have some fun swag but it's first come first serve, so get there early! Hope to see you there.

If you don't already follow me, I have a Facebook page and Twitter.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorMelodyHeckGatto
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BookChick58

And if you like hockey, reading romance books and really cool people, check out this new Facebook group. I'm part of it, but only as a spectator. But, I know the gals in charge (the refs) and they are super-awesome hockey fans and hockey romance authors!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1698517813704277/?ref=br_tf

See you all on the flip-side!