A note from the desk of
Toni Aleo
Hi all!!
I haven’t done an update in a really long time and felt that I am long overdue for one.
So, a lot has been going on lately. My kids have gone back to school, Overtime came out and life is busy and good. I’m very, very blessed. When I’m not writing, I’m working out and I’m proud to announce that I have lost a grand total of 110lbs in the last two years. That’s ten pants sizes, a lot of body fat and I’m rocking this fit life. I love it. 
When I started this exercise journey two years ago, I never thought that I would love spinning so much, that I’d decide to become an instructor. I honestly owe most of my weight loss to that exercise and the other day, I made the decision to begin training to become an instructor. I am excited to announce that I have passed my test and I am now a certified Indoor Cycling Instructor! I’m so excited to start teaching but don’t worry: writing is my passion; cycle instructing is my jobby ☺ Job/Hobby! Hehe.
I’ve been traveling a lot lately. I had a great time in both Nashville and Pittsburgh and I will be going to Philadelphia, in November. I love seeing you gals and spending time with y’all! It’s been awesome. So thank you all for coming out to see me.
Oh, yeah, did you know HOCKEY IS ALMOST HERE?!?! Who’s excited? THIS GIRL! If you come to a Preds game, look for me! I have season tickets and you’ll be able to find me. I’ll be the girl screaming uncontrollably while Mr. Aleo tries to hide…hehe.
Also, something else that is new with me is that I cut off all my hair. Every bit of it! Haha. I love short h
air and with how I’m in the gym 24/7, it made sense. I love my snazzy hair cut and I feel like I have lost five more pounds from getting it all cut off!
Okay, so not that’s I’ve updated you on my personal life, I figure it’s time to update you on my writing life. So, I have some bad news and I figured if I threw all the good at you, maybe it would soften the blow…probably not, but I tried. Anyways, as y’all know, I was writing You Got Me, which was to be the first in my cowboy series. A little background on this book, I started it about two years ago, after I had written Taking Shots. I stopped because the characters weren’t talking to me and Fallon and Lucas wanted my attention. I’ve said this time and time again, I write what I do because my characters talk to me.
Unfortunately, these characters stopped talking to me again.
I know, I’m heartbroken over this also. I feel like a failure, a quitter and those two words aren’t in my vocabulary on a regular basis. I feel like I was faking it to make it. I was pushing through, trying so hard to make it work, but most of the time I just stared blankly at my computer and cried because it wasn’t coming to me. I have been working on You Got me since right after Overtime came out in early August, and I’m not even halfway done. That is so unlike me. I usually write a book a month, so this is pretty traumatizing for me.
I know I said that I wanted this book out in November and I did, but I’ve decided, after talking to my husband, my editor and my friend, Chelle, that this is not going anywhere. So I’ve decided to put it on the back burner, and maybe I’ll come revisit it another time. I think the biggest problem is that the characters from Hooked by Love, the next and last Bullies series, have been talking to me like mad, demanding my attention. Since I’m one of those authors that has to work on one thing at a time, I’ve tried ignoring them, but it isn’t working.
So today, I typed this:
And I feel so damn good. I feel back on track, I’ve had a smile on my face all day and I’m ready. I’m ready to write this book and then the next Assassins Series novel. Am I saying that I wont go back to You Got Me, no, I’m not, but right now, I’m gonna go to what I know.
My hockey boys.
I hope you still love me and are patient. That you’ll wait till December when I plan to have Hooked by Love released. I figured another birthday release is a good idea. They are fun! Hehe.
Again, I’m sorry. But thank you, thank you for being the best readers a girl could have and I love you dearly.
Thank you.
Love, Toni
Hi,
I just wanted to say a few things.
First, AWESOME job on your weight loss. What an amazing accomplishment! I myself lost 40 (and kept it off) 3 years ago. Way to go!!!
Second, don’t think of yourself as a failure with the book. I am a firm believer of when the time is right things that are suppose to happen do. Its hockey season (soon) so of course the players are going to talk (Elle’s NOT going to be pregnant – I hope anyway for her sake – hahaha). Your cowboy/cowgirl is waiting for the right time and this summer it wasn’t it. I mean I have read Overtime (wow was in a book funk for a week after that – which is a good thing for you bad for my book club book which I had to force myself to read. I mean who knows you maybe sitting there cheering Shea on an a guy walks by with a cowboy hat on and the aha moment happens!
I can’t wait for the new books!!!!
You are a strong, strong woman and should be so proud of your accomplishments!
I think it’s amazing that your characters talk to you, I don’t know how you do it. We love everything you write so you just keep doing what you’re doing and we’ll keep reading and wanting more.
You Rock Toni! ❤️
I personally would rather wait for a book you are passionate about rather than something you have struggled with. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of your books and am looking forward to those Hockey Guys.
Toni im so happy & proud of you for your weight loss. Keep it up. As far as your writing decisions ill wait for anything you write to read. If you were to take a break for a year id wait a year foe something new. I love your books and love the way you write. Take your time because when you do you produce your best work. Love you and loved seeing you when you were in Pittsburgh. Take care ♡Amy
T,
So proud of you babe! You’ve done amazing. I came to read your books from a review, and I was hooked, line and sinker.
All your works is amazing! Thanks for always writing from your heart.
I can’t wait for the next book!
Love ya T!
You look amazing! Congratulations on the weight loss and good luck with your new jobby. 🙂
OK BIG CONGRATS on your great weight loss and becoming an instructor! I don’t know how you do all you do! I’m so proud of you! And yes it’s hockey season and I can’t wait I’ve been enjoying pre season but I need the season to start! You love hockey as much as I do and that’s why I enjoy your books, I’m about ready to re read the assassins series!! I love them all! I just checked the philly event and it’s sold out except for the night with starlets, I may have to do this! Anyway keep up the great work I’m looking forward to your next book, and failure is not an option for you, don’t ever feel like you’ve failed, it will come to you they will talk to you again, you’ve written books that are great to read and bring happiness to people, you could never be a failure! Hugs to you and Let’s Go Rangers & Preds!! Oh yea I’m hoping to bring my boys to the All Star game in Nashville hopefully I’ll score some tickets!! Hope to see ya in Philly or Nashville!!!
Well done on your personal goals! Hockey season in Denmark has started and I picked up my season pass and new jersey last night. The team I support here, Herning Blue Fox actually acquired a former Preds player, Jerred Smithson this season. Anyway, big fan, love your work and keep it up. All the best from Denmark!
Great job on taking care of you!! Amazing goals made.
Been here since just before Empty Net. I’ve read enough of your work to believe if they’re not talking, leave ’em be until they are. We’ll wait.
Congrats again on all your great news & your jobby.
Toni,
Your story is so inspiring. Congratulations on your weight loss you looking amazing. Congratulations on the spinning certificate. I’m sorry about the cowboy book not talking but I’m excited to read your doing the next series of the Bellevue Bullies.
I love your stories. I start reading and it so hard to put down my kindle, my hubby will come in and find me a sleep with my kindle sitting on my chest. I finally got a recliner chair that I am hoping that will help me not to fall a sleep while reading.
Thank you so much,
Bernice
LOOOOOOVE FLOVE! THIS POST SO HARD!!! love how life is so good <3 and you even share your personal life with us! and yayyyy i love spin too but omg my legs don't love them days after CONGRATS! Toni on all the success and more to come! You are amazing!
You remind me of Sophia from Young and Hungry lol she just became a gym instructor if you haven’t seen the show you should you will pee your pants it is so funny lol it is on abc family 🙂
If I’m being honest I’m glad your onto hooked by love and the next assassins. You have written 2 of my favourite series ever, assassins and bellevue bullies. A friend asked me the other day what my favourite book is, my only answer was…………EVERY ASSASSINS NOVEL!!!!!! Haha.
Massive congratulations on the weight loss too, that’s phenomenal!!
I’ve loved all your books. Your hockey books are my favorite so I’m all good with this!!! Who cares if you ever write a cowboy series. You are the best there is for hockey!! Keep bringing us the best books ever!
Congratulations on your weight loss!! Very impressive!
Well done on your weight loss and all your books are amazing especially the Assassins I miss those guys especially my Mr Ooooooder :).So I must admit not too dissapointed that The bullies are calling you because I love them too.
Congratulations on your weight loss! ! I love your Assassins and Bellvue Bullies series. I can’t wait for the next in tne series.
Toni, your weight loss is awesome!! Proud of you. Don’t feel bad about no cowboys, your hockey guys and Prince and Princess are great reads. Hey as long as someone is talking to you just go with the creative flow. I just like reading Toni books whatever the subject or characters are. Its amazing all you do with writing, family and spinning. Looking forward to hearing about many more of your adventures.
Hey girl! You look amazing! Way to go on working on a healthy lifestyle—that is inspiring! Hockey guys reign supreme and I am always ready for a new Aleo Hockey romance! I am actually going to attempt Nanowrimo this time around (and teach a class for teens at our library)…so you are inspiring women, readers and want-to-be writers!
Congrats on your weight loss and lifestyle change! Wow! And I just wanted to say that it’s so important to follow those voices in your head. No good comes out of just pushing through a whole book. And I can really see how the characters speak to you in the Bullies series. It’s amazing to read. Even though I love the Assassins series, I must say that Bullies are your best work in my opinion. It’s so wonderfully written, the connection and chemistry between the main characters. Thank you for inviting us into your universe, Toni 🙂 I Absolutely love your hockey books! And I’m freaking excited that hockey is back!!! Looking forward to countless hours of NHL hockey this season, but no arena games for me since I live in Norway. But NHL GameCenter gives me all access regardless. Let the season begin! 😀
I am so excited to read your books. I was listening to Rewind 94.3 and on it was a commercial about a local author that had written hockey romance….I was like YES!!!! My mom has had season tickets to the Preds for 8 years so I go quite frequently. Congratulations on your weight loss!!! I am trying to find my motivation for my weight loss journey. Cannot wait to read your books who knows maybe I will spot you at a game.