Love #Ghost Stories? Visit the Hauntingly Good #Reads #Book Fair! #Romance #Suspense #CozyMystery #Horror

 

You can browse the book fair from
anywhere...so put your feet up for
a few and find your next spooky read!

As you can probably tell from my novels, I'm a huge fan of ghost stories!  I enjoy reading haunting mysteries as well as writing them, so I'm always looking for recommendations in this niche.  The Hauntingly Good Reads Book Fair has nearly 40 titles that fit the bill, and I'm thrilled that five of my titles are featured...my latest release Ghost Moon, #1 Amazon and B&N Bestseller Gull Harbor, RONE Award Winner The Haunting of Hillwood Farm, A Top 3 Read of 2016 Haunted Souls,  and #1 Amazon Bestseller Silver Lake!  There are 33 additional spooky titles to check out in the fair, in lots of different genres:  romance, cozy mystery, horror, YA, NA, thrillers...something for all lovers of ghostly intrigue!

My subgenre is "Paranormal Romantic Suspense"...ghost mysteries mixed with steamy romance (although The Haunting of Hillwood Farm is what is called 'closed door' in terms of the romance heat level).

So if you love a good ghost story, visit the fair here...many of the books are on sale or free!  And if you enjoy spooky suspense that sends a chill up your spine countered by hot chemistry and happily-ever-afters, my books are for you!  The link below 🠋 takes you to the fair...Happy Haunted Reading!👻🕮👻

Hauntingly Good Reads Book Fair

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm hit #1! #Ghosts #Paranormal #Romance #Kindle #books

#1 in Paranormal Ghost Romance and Psychic Romance,
and The Haunting of Hillwood Farm also hit #1 in that
third category Paranormal Suspense that weekend!

A big thank you to everyone who took advantage of the Kindle Free Days for my latest release, The Haunting of Hillwood Farm!  The amount of downloads drove the title to #1 in two categories on Amazon in the free store, and with so many books out there, that's a big deal, even in the Free Store!  I hope everyone grabbed a copy enjoys the story...and if you missed the free days, no worries--there will be another opportunity in the next few months.  And next month, Dangerous Currents will be available for free (along with about 40 other Romantic Suspense titles!), so if you want to make sure you get the details, you can sign up for my newsletter here.  I only send out a newsletter twice per month, and I would never share emails from my list.  Be the first to get book news, giveaway offers, and sales and new releases from myself and other authors I feature.

This is my first experience with Kindle Free Days since 2013, when my publisher decided to partner with the new (at the time) program on Amazon called Kindle Select.  Basically, to take advantage of "free days" within the Kindle Select program, a title has to be available exclusively (at that time) on Amazon.  Gull Harbor had free days in 2013, and hit #1 as well.  It's gone on since to hit #1 in the paid store on many occasions, which is a *really* exciting event, so I'm hopeful this new book will have similar good fortune.

Why give a book away for free, anyway?  It certainly seems counter-intuitive, based on the amount of work that goes into writing a novel.  But it's a way to gain exposure in an extremely crowded marketplace, and the hope is that readers who enjoy the free story will become fans of other titles by the same author.  

It was certainly an exciting weekend and I'm grateful to all the readers who made it happen!  Happy Reading :)  

Love Under Fire is a #1 #Kindle Bestseller! #Romance #Suspense #LoveUnderFire

I am so excited for the upcoming release of my latest romance/ghost mystery, The Haunting of Hillwood Farm, in the Love Under Fire Romantic Suspense Box Set!  This collection of 21 new novellas are being offered for a limited time as a bundle, to support the nonprofit organization Pets for Vets.  We're hoping to raise money for a cause that's important to all of us while also sharing our stories with both current fans and new readers who find us via the box set.  

Our pre-order link went live on Amazon on August 13th, and we hit #1 already, even as a Pre-order!  It's so exciting, and so great for our goal to raise money to rescue animals and pair them with veterans in need of companion pets.

Want to help Pets for Vets and take advantage of this limited time deal of 21 Romantic Suspense/Thriller tales for 99 cents?  It's a win/win!  Just click on the links below and Pre-order on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or iTunes.

Pre-order now for only 99 cents!

Kindle

Nook

iTunes

Your 21 books will download on November 13, just in time for holiday travels and a little escapism when the chaos of the season gets too stressful, or a snowstorm gives you some time to yourself to relax!

Gull Harbor is a #1 Bestseller on #Amazon + #BarnesandNoble! #Ghosts #Romance #99c #sale #amwriting

Seeing the orange banner under
your book never gets old!

My birthday came early this year!  This weekend, my novel, Gull Harbor, hit #1 Bestseller status on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble sites at the same times, in multiple categories!  On Saturday night, this second-chance romance/ghost mystery was within the Top 100 Bestsellers list overall on both sites, hitting an overall ranking of 92 on Amazon and landing in the top 10 overall on B&N's list of Bestselling Nook Books.  What a thrill!  It definitely gave me a warm, fuzzy glow on a bitterly cold weekend that made just going outside a brutal prospect.

Gull Harbor hit #1 in both Paranormal Romance and
Paranormal Contemporary Romance at Barnes & Noble,
coming in at #10 Bestseller in all Nook Books that day

#1 in three categories! Happy dancing!

This book has long been my most popular, and has earned a #1 Kindle Bestseller banner on several occasions, almost every time it goes on sale.  This time, the sale was picked up by BookBub, which is a very discerning site and newsletter promoting deals on books they select.  I was so excited when they chose to advertise my sale to their subscribers, but I wasn't expecting such phenomenal sales!

My biggest hope, though, is that the readers who purchased my book enjoy it.  That's really what it's all about, and that's the sole reason I decided to pursue a writing career...there are few things I enjoy more than getting lost in a page-turning read.  Every year, I post my favorite reads of the year here, and I'm currently working on my 2017 list.  Reading is my absolute favorite form of relaxation and entertainment, and my goal is to provide that for my fellow readers with the stories that come to life in my very active imagination.  Since I love both the roller coaster of emotions that come with romance as well as the chills and thrills of spooky suspense, I try to combine those two elements into hard-to-put-down reads.  

A dangerous ghost & an ex-boyfriend await
psychic Claire Linden in Cape Cod's Gull Harbor

If you'd like to pick up a copy of Gull Harbor while it's still less than a buck, the links are below.  A huge thanks to the readers who sent the book to #1...you made my weekend!  Enjoy visiting the shores of Cape Cod for some steamy romance with a haunting mystery :)

Gull Harbor on Kindle

Gull Harbor on Nook

Gull Harbor on iTunes

A #99c Sale! Ghosts + #Romance ~ #1 #Kindle Bestseller #sale #books #amreading #FridayReads

Starting today, my second novel GULL HARBOR will be on sale for a short time!  This combination of steamy romance and spooky suspense has topped the charts on Amazon as a #1 Bestseller on several occasions, so grab your copy while it's less than a buck!  The offer is available for both Kindle and Nook formats, and this limited-time promotion is even running in the very discerning BookBub newsletter!  I've included the links below along with the book's description and an excerpt.  Treat yourself to some time on the sandy shores of Cape Cod, where both a dangerous ghost and an ex-boyfriend await psychic medium Claire Linden...

When Claire Linden’s job sends her to the sleepy town of Gull Harbor, she never expects to encounter her ex-boyfriend. As a medium, the prospect of tackling a haunted house is less daunting than seeing Max Baron again. Throughout their passionate college relationship, he promised to love her forever. Then, without explanation, he abandoned her on graduation day.

Max never intended to break Claire's heart—a cruel ultimatum forced him to disappear from her life. While he's shocked to find her in Gull Harbor, he isn't surprised by the bitter resentment she feels for him...or the fiery attraction that remains between them.

Claire is determined to rid her temporary home of its aggressive ghost, but Max soon realizes she's facing a danger beyond the paranormal. When Claire risks everything to help a desperate spirit, Max must race to save her—before another tragedy tears them apart forever.

KINDLE LINK

NOOK LINK

An excerpt for you too!  This scene takes place after Max has brought Claire to watch the 4th of July fireworks:

Lights from her house welcomed them as they crossed through the wooded back yard.  “I guess I’m asking you to trust me, even though I know you’ve got no good reason to.”

He assumed he wouldn’t be getting a response by the time he followed her up the porch steps.  But she turned toward him outside the front door, looking somehow both fragile and strong in the velvet shadows.

“I do trust you.  I have no idea why, but I do.”

“Then I would call this a successful second date.”  He ran his fingers through her hair, cradling the sides of her face with his palms.  Tipping her lips up to his, he kissed her possessively.  The hunger inside him flared brighter, and he closed the distance between their bodies.

Backing her toward the house, he pressed her up against the door.  She returned his kisses with equal passion, moaning when he pushed his thigh between her legs.  Her fingers wandered to the front of his jeans, then hesitated, her nails grazing the skin of his abdomen.

He tore his mouth from hers reluctantly.  If he didn’t stop her now, there would be no turning back.  Bracing his hands against the door, he struggled against his body’s demands.  They would make love when Claire was ready, not before. 

“I should go,” he said, his voice rough.  Their breath mingled in short, quick gasps.  He lifted his head and locked his gaze with hers.

She could see desire in the depths of his dark blue eyes, but there was something else there, too.  Pain.  Her remaining doubts shattered and fell away.  Whatever this awful secret was, they would handle it—together.

“Stay.”

He held her captive, caged between his arms.  “You know what will happen if I stay.”

She nodded, her hair sliding against the door.  Unhooking her fingers from the waist of his jeans, she dipped her fingers into her own pocket to retrieve her key.  Silently she turned, unlocking the door.

Her legs trembled as she led him up the stairs.  Moonlight spilled through the windows, bathing her bedroom in a silvery glow.  He caught her wrist in the doorway, pulling her around to face him.

“Claire…before we go any further, you need to know something.  There’s a chance I may never be able to fully explain what happened five years ago.”

She studied his expression in the pale light of the moon.  He held her gaze, his hair falling across his forehead as he bent his head toward hers.  She brushed the strands out of his eyes, then trailed her fingers across the rough stubble under his cheekbones.

“But you’ll tell me if you can?”

“I promise.  But think about how you’ll feel if I can’t,” he said, releasing her wrist.

“Confused, I’m sure,” she murmured.  She gathered the fabric of his shirt collar and pulled it slowly over his head.  “But I don’t think it’s going to make me want you any less,” she added, dropping the shirt to the floor.

Visit the GULL HARBOR Pinterest Board too for a look at the settings and character inspiration.  Happy Reading!

^ Nom de Plume Book Reviews gave Gull Harbor SIX stars!
Things that make an author smile :)

Anniversary of my 1st #Publishing Contract! #amwriting #saturdaymorning

I admit, I love the Facebook memories feature, where, when you log in, you see a post you made "on this day" sometime in the past.  Or, at least I love it when it was a post about something good--like today's!  Honestly, I may have forgotten this anniversary, being as it's so close to Christmas, New Year's, and two family birthdays, not to mention it was six years ago.  But I will never, ever forget that morning.  Only my younger son was still home when I clicked on the email...he would have been almost 10 years old and still in elementary school.  The subject line only included the name of my manuscript (SILVER LAKE submission), no indication of what news might be inside, and I'd already received 2 R&Rs (revise and resubmits) on my first manuscript from the publisher I longed to work with--and while R&Rs are a good thing, not a final rejection, they are no guarantee of a "yes" either.

Six years ago today...I even remember that it was a Friday!

So I clicked with shaking fingers and discovered, to my absolute delight, that this was the "yes" I'd been waiting for.  A publishing contract!  A company actually thought my work was a worthwhile investment, something they were willing to put money, time, and effort into.  I remember screaming with surprise and joy, my son racing into the kitchen, and the two of us hugging and dancing around the kitchen.  Both my sons knew how hard I'd been working, for years, and how much I wanted this.  I like to think my journey and tenacity sunk in as a lesson of sorts...keep working for your dreams, and don't give up.

Six years later, a lot has happened.  That first book, Silver Lake, has been a #1 Kindle Bestseller on several occasions.  A larger publisher purchased the electronic rights to the novel in 2015.  I've had 3 additional novels published, which have found their own success: another #1 Kindle Bestseller, various awards, and now my latest release, Haunted Souls, is being made into an audio book by my publisher.  I even got to sign books alongside one of my childhood idols, Mary Higgins Clark!  It's been a whirlwind six years!

Has it been all happiness and roses?  No, of course not.  Bad reviews are painful.  Sales slumps are disheartening.  Reaching new readers is a challenge.  And writer's block can be tortuous.  But I don't think I'd change my decision to write down my stories.  If I've given some people what I consider one of the ultimate forms of entertainment and pleasure--getting lost in an impossible-to-put-down book--then it's all been worth it.

How to make an author's day!

Now, back to my WIP, Dangerous Currents...only a few chapters to go!  But I'll treat myself to a little anniversary celebration today too...probably a mid-day break, where I climb under a blanket, pull up the covers, and read...bliss!  (Check back after the new year for my list of my favorite books of the year!  Here's my 2016 list.)

Probably will substitute water for wine in the middle of the day...
but then again, it's my anniversary!

#Romance + #Ghosts for #July4th! #4thofJulyWeekend #mustread! #CapeCod

Happy 4th of July weekend!  Here on Cape Cod, the summer season officially kicks off this weekend, and things get a bit hectic!  This year, we actually don't have a house full of guests, but we've still made plans for the beach, cookouts, and fireworks.  And while on the beach, I'll be doing my favorite thing - reading!  If you need a great page-turning beach read for the holiday, try GULL HARBOR - a spooky ghost mystery mixed with steamy second-chance romance, set here on Cape Cod's National Seashore.

A dangerous ghost & an ex-boyfriend await Claire in
Cape Cod's GULL HARBOR...
A #1 Kindle Bestseller!

To get into the "spirit" of the weekend (haha, see what I did there?), I'm posting a never-before-posted excerpt from the book - part of a scene where Max and Claire stop fighting their attraction and enjoy a picnic on the beach.  Max still can't share his reasons for abandoning her so long ago, but psychic medium Claire is dealing with a very disturbing haunting, and she finds herself leaning on her former boyfriend for support.  And Max still feels the need to take care of her, even after all these years - so he's brought lunch for her from the local tavern he owns.  This scene sets up their date for the 4th of July - and there are plenty of fireworks on that night - overhead and between the two former lovers!  Enjoy and Happy 4th :)

           “A picnic on the beach is perfect.  It’s better than dinner and a movie.”

            He held out his glass, touching it to hers.  “To our first date.”  His eyebrows pulled together behind his sunglasses.  “That sounds strange, given our history.”

            She smiled as she sipped.  “We were never what you’d call traditional, anyway.”

            “How’s this for traditional—let me take you to see the fireworks on Wednesday night.  I know you’ll be at Dan’s cook-out for dinner, but I think I’ll be okay to leave the tavern by 7:30 or so.  Can I come and steal you away?”  He leaned back on one elbow and flashed her a lazy grin.  “There’s a great spot to watch them from over by the lake.  It’s very secluded; none of the tourists even know how to find the trail to get there.”

            A flood of heat that had little to do with the warm July sun surged through her.  How was it that this man aroused her so?  She could feel the sexual tension between them, thick and heady.  “I’d love that,” she said softly, dipping her head down to hide her flushed cheeks.  

And then, later, after the fireworks display, more heat:

Steamy Romance + Spooky Suspense makes a perfect weekend read!

Want to keep reading?  Links are below!

KINDLE

NOOK

IPAD

SILVER LAKE selected for #PrimeReading! #Free #Ghosts #Romance #Kindle

I woke up this morning to an exciting sight: one of my novels, SILVER LAKE, was climbing its way up in the Amazon rankings—which means a lot of readers were clicking and downloading copies of my first novel.  It took me a moment to figure it out, because I was only just sipping my first cup of coffee.  Then I realized it had to do with a fantastic offer I’d received—and signed off on—over the summer.  I knew Silver Lake was chosen for the PrimeReading promotion on Amazon, I just had no idea when it would launch.  Well, it looks like it launched today!

What this means is that if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can download hundreds of books for FREE as a benefit to your membership.  I can’t wait to check out the offerings, since I’m a member as well, and aside from writing, my absolute favorite pastime is reading.  So if you’re an Amazon Prime member, or have Kindle Unlimited, check out a perfect read for the Halloween season: a ghost mystery mixed with a second-chance romance.  A haunting, an old flame, and secrets from the past collide in this paranormal romantic suspense, which, at the time of this post, has hit the #1 ranking in Ghost Fiction and earned an orange banner for the second time!  Check out the links below to get your free reads—Happy Haunted Reading!

SILVER LAKE on Amazon

PRIME READING Bestsellers List

SILVER LAKE a #1 #Kindle Bestseller! #Ghosts + #Romance #amwriting

Back in August, I posted about the sale of the digital rights to my debut novel, SILVER LAKE, to Amazon Publishing's Encore imprint.  It was such an exciting offer, brokered by the original publisher of my novels, The Wild Rose Press, who retains the print rights, and we all viewed it as a fantastic opportunity to give new exposure to one of my backlist titles.

Such a thrill to see
that orange banner!

All I can say is that I've been thrilled with the results and I'm so glad I signed that contract.  In November, my title was listed as one of Amazon's 50 Kindle Deals for November, remaining on the featured page for the entire month.  And then this morning, I was shocked to see the title sitting at the #1 Bestseller spot in the "Ghost Mysteries" category!  It was also #11 in one of the Romance categories, which is always a crowded category.  This is a truly amazing thing to happen to a regular-priced book published in 2012, and I am SO grateful for the increased exposure, because the only thing I ever set out to do when I started this journey was to provide entertainment in the form I enjoy the most: a page-turning read with steamy, second-chance romance and spooky suspense.  Like most authors, I wrote what I like to read, and while I'm not a particularly fast writer compared to many, I put everything I can into each book.  So I'm thrilled about this exciting moment in time, and I'll hold on to it as I head back into my writing cave to finish the final pre-galley edits of the upcoming HAUNTED SOULS.

And if you'd like to try SILVER LAKE, the link is below!  

SILVER LAKE on Kindle

Ghost #Suspense + Steamy #Romance for Haunted #Halloween Reading! #Kindle #paranormal

It's my favorite time of year!  All the spooky stuff is highlighted this month, and I love to get a shiver up my spine...especially when it's combined with some steamy romance between star-crossed lovers.  Since that's what I like to read, that's what I write...I have two ghost story/romance novels out now, with a third on the way.

In SILVER LAKE, a group of former high school friends agree to reunite in a final attempt to solve the five-year-old mystery of their friend Brandy's disappearance.  Rain Anderson is determined to find closure for Brandy's terminally ill mother, and she's also anxious to try to reconcile with Jason Lansing, the man whose heart she broke back in high school.  As the paranormal activity in the lake house escalates throughout the summer, it soon becomes clear that Brandy's ghost has a message to share...and she's desperate enough to put her friends in danger in order to expose the truth.

GULL HARBOR is a #1 Kindle Bestseller set on Cape Cod.  Claire Linden arrives in the coastal town of Gull Harbor ready to take on an aggressive ghost.  Now that she's embraced her gift as a medium, she's confident she'll be able to rid her temporary summer home of the restless spirit that drove the owners of the house to hire her.  However, she never expects to also encounter Max Baron, the man who promised to love her forever, then disappeared suddenly from her life five years ago without a hint of an explanation.  As Claire begins to unravel the truth behind the haunting, Max is forced to share his secret in order to stay close enough to her to try to protect her from a danger that extends even beyond the paranormal.

Click the colored links to take you to each book's Amazon Kindle page to read more.  Longer blurbs and more ebook format links are also available under the title tabs above.  Grab your copies now and settle in for some suspenseful and steamy entertainment just in time for Halloween...Happy Haunted Reading!

Hurry! #99c SALE Steamy #Romance + Haunting #Suspense! #ghosts #Kindledeals

Final days!  GULL HARBOR, a #1 Kindle Bestseller, is on sale for 99c on Kindle and Nook! Claire Linden arrives in Cape Cod's Gull Harbor ready to take on an aggressive ghost.  Now that she's embraced her gift as a medium, she's confident she can rid her temporary summer home of the desperate spirit that drove the house's owners to hire her.  But she never expects to also encounter Max Baron, the man who promised to love her forever, then abandoned her without a hint of an explanation five years ago...

A dangerous ghost and an ex-boyfriend await Claire...

Kindle

Nook

A haunting, an old flame, and secrets from the past...

Also check out SILVER LAKE, re-released last week from Amazon's Encore Imprint.  Five years after Brandy vanished during senior year of high school, a group of former friends agree to reunite at a lake house from their past in a final attempt to solve the mystery of her disappearance.  Rain is determined to find closure for Brandy's terminally ill mother, and she's also hoping to find forgiveness from Jason, the man whose heart she broke when she made the wrong choice. Will Rain and Jason get a second chance at first love before a desperate ghost tears them apart again...forever?

Kindle

(Silver Lake is also available on Kindle Unlimited!) Happy Reading!

#99c SALE! Steamy #Romance + Haunting #Suspense ~ a #Kindle Bestseller!

I have a busy week ahead!  Friday kicks off a 99c SALE on GULL HARBOR...have you read it yet?  If not, grab it while it's discounted!  A dangerous ghost and an ex-boyfriend with secrets await psychic medium Claire Linden in Cape Cod's Gull Harbor...

Amazon Link           B&N Link


If you enjoy Gull Harbor, you may want to Pre-order SILVER LAKE on Kindle - this title is re-releasing from Amazon's Encore imprint and it will be downloaded to you automatically on 8/25...Will Rain and Jason get a second chance a first love before a desperate spirit tears them apart again...forever?

                       Amazon Link


To celebrate the re-release of Silver Lake, I've teamed up with 12 other authors whose novels are also re-releasing on Tuesday...we're having a virtual party on FaceBook from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.  Click the link below and "Join" the party, and even invite some friends, because prizes will be offered ALL DAY LONG!  Gift cards, jewelry, e books, print books, etc.  Plus chat with authors and discover new great reads!  You can stop by any time during the day and join the fun and enter to win the prizes:

Encore FaceBook Party Link

Hope to see you there - Happy Reading!

Spend 4th of July in Cape Cod's GULL HARBOR! - #Romance #Ghosts #Suspense #Kindle

A dangerous ghost and an ex-boyfriend await
Claire Linden in GULL HARBOR...

Happy 4th of July weekend!  Here on Cape Cod, the summer season officially kicks off this weekend, and things get a bit hectic!  As usual, we have a house full of guests, and plans for the beach, cookouts, and fireworks.  And while on the beach, I'll be doing my favorite thing - reading!  If you need a great page-turning beach read for the holiday, try GULL HARBOR - a spooky ghost mystery mixed with steamy second-chance romance, set here on Cape Cod's National Seashore.

To get into the "spirit" of the weekend (haha, see what I did there?), I'm posting a never-before-posted excerpt from the book - part of a scene where Max and Claire stop fighting their attraction and enjoy a picnic on the beach.  Max still can't share his reasons for abandoning her so long ago, but pyschic medium Claire is dealing with a very disturbing haunting, and she finds herself leaning on her former boyfriend for support.  And Max still feels the need to take care of her, even after all these years - so he's brought lunch for her from the local tavern he owns.  This scene sets up their date for the 4th of July - and there are plenty of fireworks on that night - overhead and between the two former lovers!  Enjoy and Happy 4th :)

           “A picnic on the beach is perfect.  It’s better than dinner and a movie.”

            He held out his glass, touching it to hers.  “To our first date.”  His eyebrows pulled together behind his sunglasses.  “That sounds strange, given our history.”

            She smiled as she sipped.  “We were never what you’d call traditional, anyway.”

            “How’s this for traditional—let me take you to see the fireworks on Wednesday night.  I know you’ll be at Dan’s cook-out for dinner, but I think I’ll be okay to leave the tavern by 7:30 or so.  Can I come and steal you away?”  He leaned back on one elbow and flashed her a lazy grin.  “There’s a great spot to watch them from over by the lake.  It’s very secluded; none of the tourists even know how to find the trail to get there.”

            A flood of heat that had little to do with the warm July sun surged through her.  How was it that this man aroused her so?  She could feel the sexual tension between them, thick and heady.  “I’d love that,” she said softly, dipping her head down to hide her flushed cheeks.  

Want to keep reading?  All the links for Kindle, Nook, and iPad are on this page, below the blurb!  GULL HARBOR BUY LINKS

GULL HARBOR a #1 #Kindle Bestseller - Again! #amwriting #romance + ghosts

Squee!  A 99c sale brought GULL
HARBOR back to a #1 Bestseller!

I wrote last week about some exciting news for my YA Paranormal Romance DIVINE FALL.  A few other happy dance moments have happened in the past few months, and I'm doing my best to enjoy the moment and not worry about the manuscript out on submission or the idea of starting this crazy process all over again for novel #5.

In April, my second novel GULL HARBOR - a steamy romance mixed with a spooky ghost story - became a #1 Kindle Bestseller for the third time! Cut to me, jumping around the kitchen.  This is an "older" book, at least in terms of today's lightening fast publishing industry, so to see it hit those numbers again while on a 99 cent sale was truly thrilling.  None of my other books have ever managed to hit #1, but I do have high hopes for HAUNTED SOULS if it sells to a publisher.

And while my first novel, SILVER LAKE, has never done quite as well as GULL HARBOR, this even older title did hit as high as #16 on the Amazon Bestseller list recently when some promotional stars lined up.  Authors, if you haven't tried a free ThunderClap campaign, it's definitely worth looking into!

#16 for SILVER LAKE!

Spending time on promotion does take away from time writing, but I really enjoy connecting with readers.  In fact, I recently started an online Street Team--basically, a fantastic group of readers, bloggers, and romance fans who help me with social media.  In return, they get free books, inside info, first look at excerpts, and of course...prizes! I'm still actively building the team, so if you have a Facebook account, stop on by and hit "Join".  You get to meet a great group of readers and authors and get entered into prize drawings for gift cards, just for tweeting and sharing posts.

In a fun twist, one of my Street Team members came out to see me when I traveled to Bethany Beach for a book signing.  Small world! This was my second year doing an event at Bethany Beach Books, and it was a lot of fun.

Meet one of my ST members
at a book signing!

So, I've been busy...but the school year is winding down and I need to focus on that, as well as an upcoming Fiction Writing Class I'll be teaching for the local community college over the summer.  Somehow, I'm going to have to find the time to also get started on the WIP rattling around in my head.  Today, I spent two hours looking at hot guys on Pinterest to serve as inspiration for my new hero, Dean.  Yeah...there are some perks to this business!  Want to take a look?  Click on the link for the pictures I'm using as inspiration for Malorie and Dean: WIP Pinterest Board.  Enjoy!

A Few Exciting #Writing Months! #AmWriting #Romance #Suspense

Being a writer can be rewarding and fun, but it can also be very difficult and lonely.  Rejections are painful, and those are a given in this business.  A negative review can ruin a day.  The isolation of this profession sometimes wears on even the most stalwart of introverts.  And yet, writers have to write.  There's little choice.  Anyone driven by the storylines and characters in their heads knows we must bow to their demands, sometimes at the expense of our own.

Right now, my fourth manuscript, HAUNTED SOULS, is with my agent, out on submission.  The query process is very tough and requires superhuman patience, which is not one of my strongpoints.  You writers know that the very best thing to do while waiting is WRITE MORE!  But unfortunately, I do most of the initial preparation for a book in my head...it's just the way I work.  I type up notes and Goal, Motivation, Conflict charts, as well as character descriptions and plot timelines, but I don't usually sit down to type "Chapter 1" until I'm confident I have a solid outline with viable conflicts and resolutions.  Yep, I'm a Planner.  So I'm going a little stir crazy as I let the ideas percolate, but I know I have to allow the process to happen within my imagination so I can bring the characters to life before I put their story on the page.

So, some exciting news about all three of my previous novels in the past few months was a fantastic reminder that my process works if I just sit back and allow it.  Yes, it takes time, and I will never be able to write as fast as some of my author friends.  But I have to let the scenes form in my head...and I also find I have to fit in things like carpools, soccer games, dinner, grocery shopping, etc.  What I wouldn't give for an assistant!

Revenge, Romance, and
a Rogue Fallen Angel...

I usually release one book a year, and my 2014 release, DIVINE FALL, was a bit of a departure from my previous two books.  Yes, it's still paranormal romance, but instead of my steamier books for the over-18 crowd, I wrote a Young Adult novel with a 16-year-old protagonist.  

I saw on twitter that BTS Book Reviews had posted a list of books nominated by their reviewers for their Red Carpet Book Award.  Now, I had received a fabulous review for Divine Fall in their magazine, so I held my breath and clicked on the list.  And my book was there!  Titles will be added throughout 2015, so I certainly don't expect a win, but it is truly a honor to be on the list.

A few weeks later, it occurred to me that RomCon (Romance Convention) was coming up.  Every June, books nominated via their Reader Rating Program compete in genre-specific categories for the coveted Reader's Crown Award.  Silver Lake made the nomination list in 2013, and Gull Harbor made the nominations list in 2014, both in Paranormal Romance.  Neither book won, but I was thrilled they were Finalists in what is usually a huge category with about 25 titles nominated.

But this year, apparently the rules had changed.  Now only 5 titles were going to be allowed in each category, unless there was a case of two books receiving the exact same initial score from the judges...then the category might grow to 6 or 7.  Still, quite small compared to years past! This year, my book Divine Fall had been entered into the Young Adult category...and it made the list of Finalists!  Again, there are some great books on the list of Finalists, and I'm honored to be there.  I'll keep my fingers crossed when the winner is announced over the weekend of June 15th.

I think I'll write about the exciting news about my other titles in another post, because right now the book I'm reading is beckoning, and it's late, and inspiration often hits me when I'm involved in a fictional world another author has created.  Right now I'm reading a horror novel, and while that's not the genre I write in, I do enjoy spooky suspense.  And a trip into the creepy woods of my book will certainly encourage the ghost story piece of my WIP to come forward.  Maybe I'll sleep with the lights on tonight...

Send a Page-turning #BeachRead for #MothersDay! #MothersDayGiftIdea - Ghosts + #Romance

Readers like the mix
of steamy romance &
spooky suspense!

Mother's Day is fast approaching!  My kids know that reading is my favorite past time, and they have a list of books I can't wait to load on my Kindle.  Many ebooks cost less than the price of a card, and provide hours of enjoyment...not to mention relaxation, as reading is a proven stress-reliever!  So why not email a suspenseful romance to all the moms in your life?  

This is such an easy and thoughtful gift--all you need is an email address.  Don't forget friends, sisters, aunts, wives, grandmas...and yourself!  Then pour your favorite beverage, put your feet up, and experience the emotional roller coaster of falling in love, along with the spine-tingling suspense of a haunting mystery.  Both SILVER LAKE and GULL HARBOR combine the elements of a second-chance romance between first loves, a spooky ghost story, and a sultry summertime setting...a page-turning combination sure to please.  GULL HARBOR, set on beautiful Cape Cod, has been a #1 Kindle Bestseller 
on many occasions in both romance and suspense categories! 

Give as a Gift is below
Buy with 1-click.  You
can also download a free
sample to try it out!

Sending an ebook as a gift is easy on Amazon--you just click the books link (see the bolded titles above), go over to the yellow "give as a gift" box on the right side of the page, and fill in your recipient's email address.  Then you can include a personal "Happy Mother's Day" note if you wish, and you're done!

Barnes and Nobel also has a similar "Buy as a Gift" option (to the right of the orange "Buy Now" button) if you need a Nook format!  Each book tab at the top of my blog has links for the different retailers under the book title.

So treat yourself--and your favorite moms--to a love story this Mother's Day, and lose yourself in the passion, mystery, and suspense--Happy Reading!  And I hope all the moms out there have a wonderful, relaxing day :)

Ahhh...Bliss!