Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Solstice Sizzle organised by Rachel’s Random Resources. 

I have a guest post from the author, Liliana Rose, about how she inspires herself but before we get to that, here’s what the book is about…

Solstice Sizzle (Pagan Pleasures Bk 2)

Johan Rogers is a sharpshooting family lawyer who is close to burn out. This is affecting his ability with the Magiks and his once reliable skill as a medium. On a whim, he’s come south to Edi’s shop, Crystal Sands, for a break over the summer solstice. He’s looking for fun, nothing serious, and definitely no commitment. 

That’s how things start with the stunning Nova. But then a side of him he’s repressed to be a lawyer begins to emerge. Can he get a handle on his emotions, or will Nova help him to realize his full potential with the Magiks?

Nova McGinnis is struggling to find her unique skill with the Magiks. She’s been repressed too long, and despite Edi’s help, her ability is erratic at best. It’s been nearly a month of trying and she’s made minimal progress. Frustrated, she sees Johan as the perfect distraction. 

It was meant to be just a summer love affair, but things are developing into something more lasting. Will a hot love affair prevent Nova from discovering her Magik ability, or help her?

Purchase Links ~ Amazon UK | Amazon US | Goodreads | BookBub

Now over to Liliana…

Inspiring Myself

By Lilliana Rose

What do I do to inspire myself and fill the creative well within as a writer? There are lots of things that I do. But sometimes I forget to do them, and it is easy to slip into a constant goal driven mindset of having to get things done. And when in the flow of writing a story that’s all I want to do. That isn’t a bad thing, but I can’t be like this every day, or for long. This means I need to remember to have some time out, and not just relax but to do things which will then result in my creative well filling, and the ideas continuing to come to me. 

To give myself a break, and to help re-fill my creative well, the other day, I gave myself time out of life. I did the minimal that day. As part of relaxing, I sat down and watched the DVD of The Greatest Showman. I’d seen it on the big screen a few months ago, and loved it. This time around I enjoyed it just as much, and it was a good chance to continue with a crocheting project. Then to continue the day of chilling as I watched the ‘extras’. 

I found myself inspired. I found myself reaching for my phone so I could type down the thoughts that were flowing from the ideas that had suddenly come lose and floated in to my consciousness. 

It was great. While I haven’t been in a drought, it’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed the simple flow of inspiration through me. This happens to me more often than not as a writer, where my ideas come flooding after letting myself have the day off. So oddly, it doesn’t actually end up as a day off, but at least I feel happy and the inspiration has been converted into moving a story or two forward. 

Often as a teacher, and mentor, even writer, I’m inspiring others. I love it. But I also need to be inspired myself. Sure, I have the things I do to stir up the creativity, and ideas, and get myself inspired – like walking along the beach, reading, painting, crafts, blogging, and going out with people. But this was the first time I was conscious that by watching a movie (while crocheting), and then watching the ‘extras’ and seeing other artists enthusiastic with what they were doing, my own creative well was filled. I was overflowing with inspiration for the different creative projects I was planning. 

And I’ve been reminded that there are hidden benefits for me in watching a movie. Maybe it had a lot to do with the movie being The Greatest Showman, which was an amazing product of so many different artists coming together, and an inspiring story. I’m sure it was the determination in Lettie, in particular, which got my creative juices flowing. 

I’ll be watching this movie again. 

Are there any movies which have inspired you? What are the go to movies for you when you want to be inspired? Please share below. 

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Lilliana is an Amazon Bestselling author, who writes romance in the subgenres of contemporary, paranormal, steampunk, and rural. She enjoys helping characters overcome problems, or issues, and the misunderstandings that often plague relationships, to help them fall in love. Whether it city heels being replaced with country work boots, or some magic beyond this world, or cogs and gears and corsets, each story shows how love can prevail.

Keep up to date with Lilliana on social media ~ Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, Instagram