Monday, August 19, 2013

10 Things I hate about August by Alicia Dean

Instead of posting about vacations, I thought I would post about why August is my least favorite month of the year. But before I do, do you know how August got its name? No? Well, I’ll tell you. July was named for Julius Caesar. After Julius's grandnephew, Augustus, defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra, and became emperor of Rome, the Roman Senate decided that he too should have a month named after him.

There, don’t you feel just a little bit smarter?

Okay, now for Ten Things I Hate About August:

1)      Back to school when I was a kid. Because, well, I had to go back to school
2)      Back to school when my kids were young. Because of school supply shopping, getting back in the hectic routine, buying school clothes, figuring out transportation, homework, etc
3)      My favorite all time entertainer died in August. Elvis Presley died on August 16th, 1977, and that date will always hold bad memories. I can remember exactly what I was doing the day I found out, down to every detail. I have found over the years, that most people, if they’re in the age range to remember things like this, remember hearing about Elvis’s death. Even if they were not fans. Whether or not you liked Elvis, you cannot deny the huge impact he had on the world. To this day, thousands upon thousands of fans flock to his home in Memphis Tennessee—fans of all ages and from all over the world. My kids, my niece and I went to Atlanta last month for a Vampire Diaries/MLB/RWA Conference. (Below is a picture of the three of them in front of Graceland. The tall blonde is my niece, the others are my kids). We spent the night in Memphis, which is the halfway mark, and toured Graceland. It never ceases to amaze me how many young people visit his home, wearing Elvis shirts, taking pictures, and being overwhelmed at his stardom. 


4)      All of my favorite shows are between seasons. There’s no Vampire Diaries, no True Blood, no Justified, no Dexter (soon to be no more Dexter ever, waahaaa!), no New Girl, etc. Nothing but reruns to get me through the long, hot summer. (Well, reruns and MLB, which is one of the few things I like about August).
5)      It’s hot. I mean really, really, unbearably hot. I am a winter person. I love the cold, dark, snowy, damp weather. (I think I should have been a vampire)
6)      School Zones (need I say more?)
7)      I am racing against the clock to finish Liberty Divided, Isle of Fangs Book 2 by my self-imposed deadline of August 31st, and I’m losing the race. (See below for my cover and info on Liberty Awakened Isle of Fangs Book 1)
8)      Okay…I can really only think of seven things I hate about August, but I thought the title was catchy since it played on the move, Ten Thins I Hate About You. I LOVE that movie, which did NOT come out in August. See…there’s number 8.

What month(s) are your least favorite and why? What month(s) are your favorite? (Mine’s December)



Evil lurks beneath the surface in the beauty of the tropics…

After graduation from her small, Oklahoma high school, Liberty Delacort is looking forward to a fun-filled summer before college. But when the people she trusts the most betray her, and a letter arrives claiming her deceased father is still alive, she jumps at the chance to travel to an exotic island to meet him.

But her excitement is short-lived. Her father is dying, and he doesn’t want her around. And, in spite of its outward tranquility, the island is filled with danger and ominous secrets. The secrets soon begin to unravel, and she discovers she is a descendant of Van Helsing, the vampire hunter.

The one up side is her budding romance with the sweet and sexy Ryan Kelly. But even that is threatened when—in spite of her fear of him—she finds herself attracted to an insolent, formidable vampire. Her plan to stay away from him fails when she learns he is the only one with the ability to train her to fulfill her destiny—to save humans from a faction of vicious vampires.

Will her inexperience lead to her death—and the death of others—or will she rise to the challenge and realize her full potential as a Hunter?

Available on Amazon

25 comments:

Jannine Gallant said...

Too funny. My least favorite month is January. Christmas fun is over and the long slog through snow and cold begins. Yep, I live in the mountains, but I prefer our nice moderate summers!

Margo Hoornstra said...

Love that cover. I'm an Autumn person. Winter I could do without and we live way up north. Summer walks are nice, if it doesn't get too danged hot!

Alicia Dean said...

Jannine, I love January. As much as I love Christmas, by the time it's over, I'm relieved. And, of course, winter!

Alicia Dean said...

Hi Margo, I'll admit, I like Autumn too, but Winter is still my favorite. And here in Oklahoma, it always gets too danged hot!

Kathy L Wheeler said...

But now you can't hate August 16th. Because it's my birthday. Every year I am serenaded by his music, well, me and Madonna, we have the same birthday (and year!).

Lynn Crain said...

Too funny!

Yeah, August is probably my least favorite month as well if only for the heat issue.

Barbara Edwards said...

August always meant 'Dog Days' too hot to do anything except lay around and pant like a dog.
I love April- showers, green growing, The smell of fresh clean air.

Rebecca Smith said...

November is my favorite month. Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday--I am all about the guilt-free pies) and my birthday always fall within a few days of each other. I was working at a dinner theater doing costumes for a production of "Fiddler on the Roof" when I heard Elvis died. The secretary in the office went to pieces.

RT Wolfe said...

You can be the president of the I Hate August club. I'll be the VP. :)
-R.T. Wolfe

Unknown said...

I LOVE summer, and HATE winter. Well, except for the awesome holidays and holiday food. Although I do love my summers (and having the summers off from my job is only part of the reason) I'd have to say my all-time favorite month is October. I love the creepiness and community-friendliness of Halloween. Plus, my wedding anniversary is October 16--this is year number 24. So, October is definitely a great month for marriage. Great post, Alicia! P.S. I was on my way to school in the second grade, in the backseat of my step-mother's big yellow Buick when the radio d.j. announced Elvis had passed. :'(

Alicia Dean said...

I'm sorry, Kathy, but I still have to hate August 16th. I can, however, be grateful that, on such a sad day, something wonderful happened...my friend was born! (You, not Madonna)

Alicia Dean said...

Thanks, Lynn and Barbara. It's good to know I'm not the only August-hater. :-)

Alicia Dean said...

November is a great month, Rebecca. Not only do I love Thanksgiving, but my eldest child, Lana Nicole, was born November 23rd. One of the best 3 days in my entire life.

Alicia Dean said...

Yes, Anna, I'm with you on October being a great month. I also LOVE Halloween.

And, thanks to you and Rebecca for sharing your memory of hearing when Elvis died. See, you were a tiny little thing, yet you remember. It's unbelievable how much of an impact he had on the world.

Alicia Dean said...

YES, R.T.! Let's start up the IHA club immediately. :-)

Jessica E. Subject said...

My least favorite month is June, as I'm trying to finish up everything before my kids are off school for the summer. And then at the end of June, when they're done school, my entire schedule changes. I'm looking forward to next month. :)

All the best with your deadline at the end of the month! I have one for then, too.

Diane Burton said...

I've never really liked August, mainly because of the heat. For many years (before kids) that meant my summer vacation was over and I had to go back to school right after Labor Day. My least fav month, though, is February. The sun never shines in Mich. in Feb. I mean never. Hubs' b'day makes up for it. Had to laugh at your liking Nov 23. That's my wedding anniversary. I kind of like that day, too. :)

Marilyn Baron said...

I don't like August much either, too hot for my taste. May is my favorite since it's the month I was born and I love the spring and the fall. Very interesting post. I agree with you about the TV reruns.

Marilyn Baron

Alicia Dean said...

Thank you, Jessica. Yes, I'll need a lot of luck. :-)

Alicia Dean said...

See, Diane. I know I'm weird, but I would love a month with no sun. February in Michigan sounds heavenly! Wow, very cool that your anniversary is on my daughter's birthday. (or vice versa). She'll be 30 this November (OMG!)

Alicia Dean said...

Thanks for stopping by Marilyn. It seems August is not a favorite with many people. :-)

Anonymous said...

One more reason... Hurricane Season! I hate watching those ever changing projected paths.

Alicia Dean said...

Ah, good reason, Emmlyjane. Thanks for the input. :-)

Kim Hornsby said...

October is my least favorite. It gets dark really early when we go off Daylight Savings Time, summer temps are over, coldness and rain arrive (Seattle) and it's a long slog to spring in February.

Alicia Dean said...

That's funny, Kim. You just named things I really love. Dark, cold, rainy...sounds like Heaven!