Two years ago today -- August 19th -- the fandom surrounding the Addicted series and our future books gained a beautiful, powerful name called the Fizzle Force. Without whom we'd be little shellfish floating in a big wide ocean, and you've all made us feel like the brightest, shiniest sea stars. (Lily Calloway-isms right there ;) )

Our love for the Fizzle Force is vast and unyielding. We shall list some of the ways in which we love you: ​

It's August 1st! And that means Lily Calloway is now a year older. In the Addicted timeline, she's turning 25 today. *tosses confetti* We've been celebrating the Addicted gang's birthdays for two years now, and we've been debating whether to continue the tradition. By popular demand (and our own insane love for these characters), we're back and ready to throw some festivities for the characters' birthdays for a third year!

We shared these a while back on our Facebook, but you may have missed it. And in honor of her birthday,  here are some facts about Lily that you may not know!

1. Lily really loves Thor from Marvel because of his humor and his hot...hammer :D Also, she makes sure there are lots of Thor merchandise, like plastic hammers, stocked at Superheroes & Scones. 
   
   
2. Lily is super scared of horror movies, and she watches most of them through her fingers or while clinging onto her best friend Loren Hale :)
   
   
3. She loves to dance with Lo to house music. Grinding. A little over-the-clothes fondling. His breath on her neck as he dips his head towards her. All to the beat of the music. Yep. 
   
   
4. She secretly loves badminton but she’s terrible at it.
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5. Her favorite subject in prep school: the 15 minute breaks between classes.

Over on the Fizzle Force Facebook Group, you can also see a note that Willow made Lily for her birthday, as well as enter a swag pack giveaway! You'll need to join the group in order to see the note and enter the giveaway. Continue below for a signed paperback giveaway. 

Missed Lily Calloway's Past Birthdays? No problem -- we've got you covered. 
Lily's 24th Birthday: What Lily Means to Us | Bonus Scene Where Lily Periscopes Fans
Lily's 23rd Birthday: Fun Facts About Lily Calloway

It's February 20th! That means Daisy Calloway is turning 20 today *throws confetti* In relation to the Addicted Series timeline, Daisy's 20th birthday passes in Fuel the Fire. 

Get your chocolate cake ready because this is going to be a Daisy Calloway celebration. And she'd definitely appreciate the chocolate <3 The youngest Calloway Sister is turning one year older, and in honor of this occassion we have lots of Daisy Calloway things in store!! 

If you've missed it: We celebrated Loren and Ryke's birthdays with character interviews and Lily, Connor and Rose's birthdays with exclusive bonus material. 

*drum roll* Today we have a very special exclusive character interview where Daisy Calloway answers fan questions on her 19th birthday. You'll need to join the Fizzle Force Facebook Group first in order to read the interview. READ THE CHARACTER INTERVIEW HERE :)

We've also written what Daisy means to us below and a special birthday giveaway in honor of her. 
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Our love for Daisy is vast and unyielding like the sun and the moon -- because even when the sun sets, our love never shies. Never leaves. When we began Daisy's journey in ​Addicted to You, we had no idea whether or not we'd continue her story, but there was something about Daisy that spoke to us. The youngest Calloway sister. The forgotten one. Lily even says she knows her the least. She's the least close to Daisy -- yet Daisy tries so hard to be a part of this sisterhood. To share what Lily shares with Rose and Poppy. 

Daisy feels like she can run as fast as she wants, but she'll never catch up to anyone. To go with the flow, to not cause arguments, she'll shelter her own opinions, her own voice, in favor of the loudest. She is trying, so desperately, to find out who she is when she has a mother who is steering her in only a single direction. She doesn't know how to break free, but she wants to -- so badly. 

We're grateful. We're grateful that we had nine books to showcase and evolve a character like Daisy. Because she speaks to us, and we hope she speaks to many more girls. Staying quiet to please people around you. Putting them first and you second. Trying to figure out what puts a fire beneath your soul. Struggling, every day, with this monster that you're not sure you want to give a name. Dealing with bullies and people a part of your trauma. Even when they're long gone, they've stayed in your head. 

By Long Way Down, Daisy has found her voice. But what happens when no one truly listens to what she has to say? How many times -- as women -- have we all felt unheard or brushed off? By Long Way Down, we were able to evolve a girl who was so unsure of who she was, what she wanted to do in life, and which way to go -- to someone who can speak her mind. To someone who has a direction. To someone who will tell you exactly what they want, when they want it, and will not feel badly about that. 

Daisy. You may not know it, Daisy, but your story resonates with us. We know how it feels to stay quiet, to put others before ourselves. We know how it feels to be forgotten and put aside, and we want to tell you, right now, that you're not forgotten in our eyes. You've given us so much strength. We've grown with you. We've found our voices with you, and this is a gift we can never repay. Thank you, Daisy Calloway, for inspiring us and empowering us. 

Have the greatest 20th birthday and all the rest to come. You deserve every bit of happiness. We're always rooting for you. 

Prize: (Daisy Calloway inspired prize) Choice of a signed paperback with a Daisy Calloway POV -- Hothouse Flower or Long Way Down -- OR a Daisy Calloway merch item in our Addicted shop like the Crazy for Raisy t-shirt.

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Happy New Year! It's January 3rd. None other than Connor Cobalt's birthday. Today he'll be turning 27, and you can read all about the event in Fuel the Fire. Yep, his epic 27th birthday is in the book!

Prepare for the festivities (even if Connor would not appreciate it -- he's known to dislike his birthday) because we have some great things to share with you today! The narcissist of the Addicted series is turning yet another year older, and there's no way we'd miss the opportunity to throw Connor a celebration. 

If you've missed it: We celebrated Loren and Ryke's birthdays with character interviews and Lily and Rose's birthday with exclusive bonus material on the Fizzle Force FB Group. 

*drum roll* Today we have an exclusive bonus material scene that shows Connor Cobalt's 27th birthday (just before the scene that takes place in Fuel the Fire) in Connor's POV!!! *tosses confetti* You'll need to join the group first in order to read the bonus scene. READ THE BONUS SCENE HERE :) We've also written what Connor means to us below and a special birthday giveaway in honor of him.

*Note: We know some of you may not have Facebook. The bonus material will be available on our website next month. But for January, it will remain exclusively in the Fizzle Force FB group to help promote the group! 

Connor Cobalt. One of the most fascinating characters we've ever written. Some of you may know how he first began. How he first entered the universe. He was meant to be only a supporting character, just Lily's tutor. The smart guy with a cool name. He became so much more than that. After only one scene, we were enamored. We were simply in love. So we wrote more and more with him in Addicted to You, created his history, intertwining it with Rose's. 

It's ironic. Mostly because Connor is the guy who says "you won't ever forget about me" and we didn't. We couldn't. Some of you may not know this -- but our love for these types of characters really transcends our books. Growing up, we've always been infatuated with the intellectual types. Not just a "smart" character -- but the geniuses who notice society's constraints at every turn. Who have the power to manipulate. Who are drawn to moral and ethical dilemmas. 

He's complex and as fascinating as the woman he loves. 

Connor challenged us intellectually. He made us think harder and longer, and we've never been more gratified than by the end of his chapters. The end of his prose. In order to nail his voice, we try to become him. We're not geniuses, by any means, but to even capture a portion of his essence makes us feel proud. 

His story in Fuel the Fire was also one that has meant a great deal to us. We're grateful that we had the chance to showcase his beliefs in depth and in a meaningful way. 

There's so much of Connor that we relate to -- that we love. Our childhood was filled with Dead Poets Society references and whimsical dreams of being in boarding school with Charlie Dalton and Neil Perry and Todd Anderson. 

Alas, we couldn't be in an all-boys boarding school where poetry reigned and minds spoke softly and then loudly to one another. 

But Connor could. 

We could go for days talking about Connor. About how he's one of the least judgmental characters. Of how he's able to view everyone in a more analytical, logical light. Of how he can give you the most beautiful summaries of every character in the series -- tell you exactly why they are the way that they are. And yet, he knows he can't and he won't fix some of them. (He'll leave that for people like Ryke. And even people like Lo.)

He's achingly complex, and that's one reason why we love him so very much. 

Connor Cobalt. You may dislike the meaning of birthdays. The constraints of "ages" and how they limit you. But there's something you need to know on this day. You surround yourself with people that you find interesting. There's never a dull moment with Loren Hale. There has never been a single dull moment with you, Connor Cobalt. 

You've painted our gray skies with vibrant color. You're an impassioned spirit too. Even if it takes Rose to awaken you. 

Happy 27th Birthday, Connor Cobalt. We love you -- and yes, this will all probably go to your head. But we'll let it :) 

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Prize: (Connor Cobalt inspired prize) Choice of a signed paperback with a Connor Cobalt POV -- Kiss the Sky or Fuel the Fire -- OR a Connor Cobalt merch item in our Addicted shop like the Coballoway All the Way t-shirt.

Happy Holidays, Fizzle Force! 
We're delighted to bring back the Super Fan Quiz this holiday season and reward all the Addicted series mega fans with some prizes *grins* so keep reading for all the details, how the quiz works, and what you can win before clicking into the Google doc! 

Happy Halloween! Do you know what this means?! Loren Hale is turning 25 at this time in the Addicted universe and having one hell of a birthday. You can read all about it in Addicted After All -- yes, Halloween is shown in AAA!

Prep the balloons and confetti poppers for the amber-eyed, sharp-tongued guy of the Addicted series.  Loren Hale's birthday is a pretty big deal in the Addicted world. Not only is it the setting for Ryke Meadows' entrance in Addicted to You. But it continues to be referenced throughout the series. 

So let's celebrate another year for Loren Hale -- the guy who ultimately went through the biggest character growth in the books. For Lily and Rose's birthdays, we wrote bonus material exclusively for the Fizzle Force FB Group. For Ryke's birthday, we had a character interview.

Today we have a character interview for Loren Hale over on the Fizzle Force FB Group. You'll need to join the group first in order to read the character interview. 

One year ago, we released Loren Hale's last book. Addicted After All put the final touches on a long-spanning character growth that we are truly grateful to have been given the chance to write. Oh Loren. Our words here will never ever reflect how much he has meant to us. But we'll try to show even a fragment of our love for him and our dedication to do his character justice and to never shy from the darker parts of his soul. 

Tortured characters -- the ones who do wrong but you know, deep down, they ache to do right -- have always interested us. In literature, in indie films, in most everything -- we were certain we wanted a character with as much turmoil and dimension as the ones we grew up being heartbreakingly connected to. 

So here comes Loren Hale.

The kind of guy who always comes up short. Who knows it. Who sees how spiteful he can be. Who uses words as weapons. Who is dying in his own body and screaming and pleading for it all to just end. Without Lily, who knows what would have happened.

This is why we're so grateful. Lots of people -- readers -- fell in love with him. You rooted for him. You wanted him to succeed. This allowed us to extend his story through more books. To show his progression through YEARS of time. Ups and downs. Triumphs and setbacks. We watched Loren Hale go through this tremendous, life-long journey. 

We watched him become a man. 

We watched him become sober. 

We watched him love and receive love. 

His journey is one that we always recount. His journey is one that we never fail to cry over. Lo was his own worst enemy. You look back at the first book, and he can't stop calling himself an idiot, pathetic, a loser. Look at him in Addicted After All. Just look. He won't say those words. 

He believes in himself. Just as we've always believed in him. 

So Happy Birthday, Loren Hale. You've made it another year. We'll be here next year and the next year after that, always and forever rooting you on. 

OPEN INTERNATIONALLY

Prize: (Loren Hale inspired prize) Choice of a signed paperback with a Loren Hale POV -- Addicted for Now, Thrive, or Addicted After All -- OR a Loren Hale merch item in our Addicted shop like the Lilo LOVE t-shirt.

It's September 19th! That means the one and only Ryke Meadows is turning 26 at this time in the Addicted universe :)

Toss your confetti for the most foul-mouthed guy in the Addicted Series because he is now a year older!! In the Addicted timeline, his 26th birthday happens near the end of Addicted After All. A lot has changed for Ryke since the start of the series, and there is plenty more to come for him in Long Way Down. 

But for now, let's celebrate the man that has boasted such lovely phrases like fuck you, you fucking fuck. For Lily and Rose's birthdays, we wrote bonus material exclusively for the Fizzle Force FB Group. BUT since Ryke & Daisy's book is about to release this year, we wanted to stick to a primarily interview style format and keep Long Way Down special. So you can find a Ryke Meadows character interview exclusively on the Fizzle Fore FB Group. You'll need to join the group first in order to read the character interview. 

Beware: this is about to be extremely sentimental! We're embarking on Ryke's last novel -- Long Way Down (coming 2015, release date TBA). Looking back at his start and place within the series brings so many powerful emotions to the forefront. We've said this before but we'll say it again:

The Addicted series would not exist without Ryke Meadows. 

Loren Hale would not be sober without him. Lily and Lo might not even be living if not for his interference and constant determination to stay when they wanted everyone to leave. He's a one of a kind human being that is willing to be shit on in order to better another person's life. He's selfless and extremely pushy, but Lo needed tough love more than anyone. 

There's so much to Ryke that we adore. He's not perfect. He sees the world in shades of black and white. He holds grudges longer than anyone in the Core Six -- but in the same breath, he forgives certain people more than others. He comes across aggressive. And unapproachable. He's unwilling to back down from what he believes and the things he loves -- even when what he loves is dangerous. He's passionate and overly caring and will help anyone out in a crisis. He'd jump in a shark-infested ocean if he saw that you were drowning. He'd dive off a cliff for you. 

We love you, Ryke Meadows. All of your flaws and all of your powerful attributes. We love who you are, and as we come to a close on your journey, we just want to say thank you. For letting us write a character like you. It's been a true honor. 

OPEN INTERNATIONALLY
Prize: signed paperback of Hothouse Flower -- OR a Ryke Meadows merch item in our Addicted shop like the Crazy for Raisy shirt.

August 5th, 2015 marks Rose Calloway's 26th birthday! If you've read the Calloway Sister series, then you know a lot has changed for Rose by her 26th -- but she's still fierce and classy as ever #QueenRose :) 

Driven to make women feel confident and elegant every day through her fashion line, Calloway Couture -- Rose follows her passions and her heart. Below we talk about what Rose Calloway means to us & have a special Rose-centric giveaway! 

Like Lily's birthday, we've written bonus material in Rose's POV, exclusively for the Fizzle Force FB Group. You'll need to join the group first in order to read the bonus extra. Lastly, the admins at the Fizzle Force Group are running another amazing giveaway too, so be sure to enter that one!

Oh Rose Calloway. Our queen! Our fire-breather and volcanic blaze of fury! How we love you so! We could write many odes to Rose Calloway, since she's a combination of women that we admire and revere and look up to. She's this strange mix of passionate and cold. Loyal and fierce but guarded and cautious. Connor Cobalt says it best in Kiss the Sky: "She's a complicated equation." One that doesn't need to be solved ;)

We never thought we'd have the opportunity to write a character like Rose. Growing up, we were as obessed with books and tv as we are now. And we craved to read or see a female that empowered other women, that empowered us by telling us that our worth is not determined by how many parties we attend, if we have a boyfriend in high school, lose our virginity before college, or by the number of friends we have. You can be strong and be a virgin past high school. You can be fierce and feminine. You can be a mixture of so many things and still feel as powerful as the person next to you. 

We wanted that character in our lives as young women. The one who'd help lessen the pressure that young girls constantly face from society's demands. 

And we never found her throughout our adolescence. So to have the opportunity to write her in our twenties -- it's meant the world to us. Little parts of Rose remind us of our mom. She never goes without high heels. She's so independent and so confident -- she makes you feel as equally brazen standing next to her. 

We weren't sure if people would connect with Rose, but to know that even one person has felt inspired or empowered by Rose Calloway -- our job is done, and there are tears in our eyes thinking about it. We're happy that we could create her, but even more so we're so happy that you love her. Thank you. 

Prize: Your choice of a "Rose" signed paperback in the Addicted series -- Kiss the Sky or Fuel the Fire -- OR a Rose merch item in our Addicted shop like the COBALLOWAY ALL THE WAY shirt. 

August 1st, 2015 is Lily Calloway's 24th birthday. It also marks the two year anniversary of Ricochet (Addicted #1.5). It's not a coincidence that both are the same -- when we chose Lily's birthday, we did it in homage to Ricochet's release date, and now the book about her self-recovery, independence, strengthening family relationship is forever intertwined with her growing one year older :) 

To celebrate her birthday, we have a giveaway below with all the details. Plus we talk about what Lily means to us. 


We've also written bonus material that takes place during Addicted After All in Lily Calloway's POV. The bonus is exclusive for the Fizzle Force FB Group, so in order to read it, you'll need to join the group first. Lastly, the admins at the Fizzle Force Group are running an amazing giveaway too, so be sure to enter that one!

As we're nearing the end of the Addicted series (*fights tears*), we're becoming more and more nostalgic about where the characters all begin. From the beginning. To the end. Out of 9 books, Lily Calloway's POV is in 5. To say that she's special to us would be an understatement. She has this quiet strength that's often overlooked and rarely praised, and in our everyday lives, we can relate so much to that. 

Throughout 9 books, we've watched her flounder and seen her flourish. We've watched her fall and then felt her triumph. She has some of the biggest flaws -- selfishness, aloofness, self-loathing -- but she has pushed and fought to be a better person. 

We're here to tell Lily that at 24, she has grown into a beautiful human being. And a great friend. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to the girl that started this series. Her goofy personality shines the further you read, as she comes into her own and stops fixating on her addiction. And being able to share her light and joy has been an honor. It's meant everything. Her development from book 1 to the end -- it's a great leap and it's taken years inside the universe. 

We want to thank the readers for allowing us to keep writing Lily Calloway. For loving her. She needed your love, a lot. And people like her do too. Thank you for being compassionate and open-minded. The fact that Lily has reached her 24th birthday is a feat all in itself. We feel like proud parents today :) 

*tosses Wampa caps!*

Prize: Your choice of a "Lily" signed paperback in the Addicted series -- Addicted to You, Ricochet, Addicted for Now, Thrive, or Addicted After All -- OR a Lily merch item in our Addicted shop like the LILO LOVE shirt. 

Thanks so much for helping us reach 6k likes on Facebook!! In thanks and so much appreciation for this new milestone, we're hosting a Second Chance Giveaway! If you missed out on the Addicted Series Signed Set Giveaway, here's your second chance to win! There'll be 2 winners this time around, the prize is the same: an Addicted Series Signed Set -- that's 8 books total with almost a $100 value. Open internationally, signed and personalized. You don't want to miss out! 

Good luck and thanks you for your support & love! *big hugs*

*** GIVEAWAY ***
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