Bye bye to nail biting....hello pretty new nails

This post has nothing to do with writing or stories but I thought I'd share it with you anyhow. Hands up...I confess, I'm a nail biter, no, no....WAS a nail biter. Had been since the day I can remember and I'm now 29. So it's been a while. I have tried to stop in the past, several years ago, but nothing really happened, a few days into it and I'd start biting again.

But the other day (I started this post in July 2014 and have only just finished it!) I looked at my hands and I really thought to myself, my fingernails and finger tips (the skin all around the edges) looked awful and made me feel a bit ashamed. I decided then that it had to stop. I've taken a few beginning and progress pics so I can share the results with you! Here goes....

Day One.

Day Three. Things had to get worse before they could get better. I pushed the cuticles back, cut off some of the excess and now just had to wait for the skin around the edges to heal. I continued to moisturise loads throughout the day. 

Day Five and things are getting better. Can even see some progress. The cuticles are tidier, the sores/skin around the edges are healing and I have some growth! Woo! 

Day Seven. More progress. More growth and I can even get a little bit of light coloured nail varnish on them! 

It's now February 2015 and I've been having professional manicures every two weeks. My treat to myself - I don't drink, I don't smoke, so it's my little bit of luxury :-) Here's a couple of photos of manicures I've had and my lovely, all natural and most important ALL my own nails. No extensions in sight! 

I love, love, love them and can hand-on-heart say that I will never be a nail biter again! 

Sam :-) 

X

I have a new book out....

Hello!

Happy new year and all that jazz. I'm not usually one for believing in the whole 'new year, new slate' bla bla, but after a really, really and I mean REALLY rubbish 2013 and 2014 I've decided that I need to 100% give this believing malarky a try. SO yes, 2015 is going to be a great year. A fantastic 365 days! A bloody magnificent 8760 hours! An amazing 525,600 minutes....you get the picture :-) And kicking me off just five days into this totally wonderful 2015 is the release of my new book, Time.

It took just over a year to write and I love it. It's published with Emerald Romance and to be released tomorrow, 5th January! I'm so honoured and flattered that THE Amy Andrews read an advanced review copy and has quoted on my cover #fangirlmoment. Here's a peek at the blurb and cover, created by the uber talented Annie Seaton 

“Babe, it’s okay. Let the doctor finish.”
With those words, Isobel Smith had no idea of the months ahead. Not long married, pregnant and a wonderful future promised with her husband, Jason, her hopes and dreams die in that one simple sentence.
Follow her in her harrowing journey as Isobel learns the resilience of the female spirit, and gradually puts her life back together for the sake of their child.

James, her husband’s best friend, is the rock that keeps her together.

But will James’ own battle with his grief end up tearing them apart?

Harrowing and gritty, you must not miss this emotional read from debut author, Samantha Darling, as she takes you on a heart wrenching but ultimately uplifting journey.

You can still pre-order, just a few hours left then it will be winging it's way to your Kindle!

Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk

Tomorrow I'm having a Facebook launch party and everyone is welcome....here's the link....party time!
I'm having lots of guests and lots of giveaways at the party, including a huge $50 Amazon gift card...you can start entering into that by visiting the rafflecopter on my website.

Hope to see you at the party tomorrow!

Night!

Sam :-)
X