Ghost Moon on #NetGalley! #Books #Romance #Mystery #BookReview #paranormal #ghosts #amreading

My latest release is now available to reviewers on NetGalley!  If you're on NetGalley and you enjoy Romantic Suspense, Ghost Mysteries, and Gothic settings, I hope you'll request Ghost Moon!  The blurb is below, along with the link.  And if you're not on NetGalley but you'd like to give it a read, you can find it here on Kindle (free if you're a member of KU!)

When Lark Cavanaugh’s life in New York City falls apart, she’s left reeling from a staggering betrayal. She escapes to Cape Cod, where a distant relative has left her an old house with a tragic past. Rumors of a haunting presence plague the abandoned home, but Lark doesn’t believe in ghosts…until she has no choice.

After completing his military duty, veterinarian Jesse Holt returns to his small hometown to take over his father’s practice. He soon finds himself drawn to the alluring redhead now living next door, but she has made her intentions clear—she’s moving back to the city as soon as possible. When frightening events threaten her safety, though, he can’t deny his protective instincts.

Unable to fight their feelings, they give in to desire…but another battle looms. Lark’s arrival has awakened a decades-old mystery, and the truth of what happened at Holloway House will only be revealed when it claims yet another life.

GHOST MOON on NetGalley

"Kept me guessing...the twists and turns, the paranormal happenings, and of course, the romance all kept me turning pages"

~ A Soccer Mom's Book Blog

"WOW...spooky, suspenseful, steamy...a captivating novel...highly recommend"

~ Linda's Book Obsession

#Authors...Need More #Reviews? Join the Winter Games Event! #writerslife #writingcommunity #amwriting

Winter Games begins Feb. 1!

Consumers often rely on reviews when making purchases...I know I do!  And on retail sites, products--including novels--with more reviews usually receive the most visibility in searches.  A reader can't even consider choosing a title they've never even seen or heard of, and the book market gets more crowded by the day.  A new title gets added to Amazon approximately every five minutes.

On Amazon, the largest online retailer for e-books with 88.9% of the market (Bloomberg), only about 5 to 10% of consumers leave reviews after a purchase.  Everyone is busy, and I know even if I love a product, I often never get around to leaving a review.  (One of my resolutions is to do better with this!)

Enter Winter Games...an event that brings readers who review together with participating authors for a month-long event.  I was one of the authors in the Summer event, and I had such a great time, I wanted to spread the word to both interested authors *and* readers for this upcoming winter version.

Full details, FAQs, and sign-up forms can be found on our host's website here.  

Direct link to Author sign-up is here

Direct link to Reader sign-up is here

One important note...a Facebook account is required, even if it's not a very active account.  The events, book offerings, and communication all take place in the FB group.

And while there's no limit to reader participation, there *is* a max number of authors, so if you're interested, hurry!

"Dragged me in on Page One" #Book #Review! #Ghosts #Romance #amreading

Reviews are tough to get in this competitive market, so I am thrilled that Haunted Souls has been featured recently on two review blogs, along with fabulous reviews!  I am also gearing up for this steamy romance + ghost mystery to be released as an audiobook soon - stay tuned for details on that!  (If you like audiobooks, Gull Harbor is available on Audible already, narrated by the fabulous KJ the Voice Actor!)

A few other great quotes from reviews of Haunted Souls!

My publisher made Haunted Souls available on NetGalley in February, and it was picked up and reviewed on T's Stuff...favorite line: "This book dragged me in on page one and didn't let go until the final period on the last page".  Music to any author's ears!  Read the full review here.

Haunted Souls was also reviewed on a blog dedicated to two of my very favorite things...wine and books!  Appropriately named the Wino Bookworm Blog, here's a few lines that made me smile: "It's like nothing I've ever read before and I loved it!"  My novels are a combination of a few genres and don't really "fit" into any one category, so I enjoy hearing it's a unique read for someone!  Also, from the review, "I really connected with the characters" - so important, because no matter what the genre, if a reader doesn't care about the characters, it's hard to care about what happens to them...i.e., the plot!  And, things that make my day, "Fantastic read!".  Check out the full review here.

If you're looking for a new read, give Haunted Souls a try...steamy, second-chance romance with a haunting mystery!  Suspense, romance, mystery, and history.  Amazon link to Haunted Souls

Treat yourself to a new read!

A Love Story w/ Haunting Suspense for #ValentinesDay! #Netgalley #Books #Romance #Ghosts

For a few more days, Haunted Souls is available for read and review on NetGalley!  So if you're in the mood for some steamy romance to celebrate Valentine's Day, check it out!  A hot (but damaged) military hero, a secret baby, and a haunting mystery collide for a page-turning, suspenseful read, perfect for a few hours of relaxation and escape!  

One of the Top 3 Reads of 2016 at Read Free.ly!

You can get more info and put in a request at the link below, just make sure you hurry, it's only up there until 2/15!

NetGalley Link - Haunted Souls

If you're not on NetGalley or miss the deadline but would still like to read it, no worries, it's available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes, as are all my other novels (with the exception of Silver Lake, which is exclusively on Kindle as an ebook but is also available in print).  Happy Reading and Happy Valentine's Day!

"Will Leave the Reader Breathless" #Book #Review ~ #Romance #Ghosts

I was thrilled to see a new review of my latest romance + ghost mystery, Haunted Souls, up at Reader's Favorite Book Reviews on Halloween!  Adding to the excitement, a few days later, I got an email from my publisher with the first 15 minutes of Haunted Souls being read by the narrator we chose...by December, the audio version of this steamy romance mixed with spooky suspense will be released on Audible!

A damaged soldier, a secret baby, and a haunting mystery
collide in Haunted Souls

In the meantime, I'm working hard to finish my fifth manuscript, tentatively entitled Dangerous Currents.  I was hoping this month to use NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) as inspiration, but these days, I've found I prefer to write at a slower pace, revising and attempting to get each word right the first time, rather than going for speed and editing later.  And that method is not conducive to writing an entire novel in a month!  The good news is, I already had quite a bit done, so at this point I'm closing in on 70,000 words...which means I have about 4 more (extremely emotional and tense) chapters to get to the end.

So, this is a short post, since I need to get back to it!  The new review gave me a shot of energy, which I could really use.  One of the best things about it is that while the reviewer did not care for the hero, Brett, at first, that changed as his backstory was revealed.  Any time an author can evoke emotions about a fictional character--whether positive or negative--is an achievement, in my opinion, because these people spring from our imaginations.  We often create them from nothing.  Of course, most of us want a character we love to be likable to readers, but in this case, I was thrilled to change someone's initial impression with the eventual explanation of Brett's past.  And then, there's my favorite line: "From the characters to the theme of love, Knight creates a dark, yet tender world that will leave the reader breathless."  That very eloquently sums up what I set out to do!  I hope you'll check out the full review here, and if it sounds like something you'd enjoy, add Haunted Souls to your To-Be-Read list!  And whether you're a professional reviewer on a site or a reader who's never left a review, know that authors sincerely appreciate the feedback, and that it makes our day to hear someone enjoyed a story!  

A few of my favorite quotes from other Haunted Souls reviews

Thanks for stopping by and happy reading!

"Haunting. Forbidden. Dangerously Sexy." 5* #Review! #FridayReads

With so many books out there, reviews can be tough to get, so I'm absolutely thrilled to have been reviewed at Nom de Plume, and positively over the moon to read such a fabulous review of Haunted Souls!  "Haunted Souls emanates everything a 5* read should be!"

A little teaser from one of my favorite scenes!

Haunted Souls is a steamy romance with a ghost mystery, "the perfect balance between saucy and spooky, and contemporary and thrilling.  Oooooo the deliciousness!"

Read the full review here!  Nom de Plume's Review of Haunted Souls

Haunted Souls was voted one of the Top 3 Reads of 2016 at Read Free.ly!

You can find Haunted Souls on Kindle, Nook, and iTunes, and in print as well, so grab a steamy romance mixed with haunting suspense for your weekend read!  

"Layer upon layer of delicious tension...OOOOOO gawd this is one heck of a steamy romance!"

"Kept me on my toes" L&S #Review of #Haunted Souls #romance

Reviews are hard to come by these days, so I was thrilled to see Long and Short Reviews, a prominent and popular review site, chose to review Haunted Souls, and even more thrilled, of course, that the reviewer enjoyed the story!  The reviewer said it "kept me on my toes wanting to know more" and that the author "didn't disappoint."

Haunted Souls was one of the Top 3 Books of 2016 at Read Free.ly!

I particularly love the introduction, which points out that the title refers to Haunted Souls as "both the paranormal ghost variety and live souls/people with pasts that haunt them day and night."  There is a desperate spirit in this book, but the main characters, Emily and Brett, both have had experiences and made choices that haunt them.  
The link the review is below, and the Amazon link can be found here.  If you're looking for "a great romance with a hint of mystery", give Haunted Souls a try!

Long and Short Reviews

Steamy Romance + Spooky Suspense ~ "a perfect combo"

#HAUNTED SOULS is on #NetGalley! #Ghosts #Romance #Haunting #Halloween Read

Halloween is one of my favorite times of year, and it’s always a very busy one for me as an author with paranormal mysteries in all my novels.  While romance is popular throughout all the seasons, people particularly enjoy some spooky suspense during the month of October.  So, my publisher has put my newest release, HAUNTED SOULS, on NetGalley for the month.  If you’re a member, you can request this military romance mixed with a ghost mystery here.

It can be challenging to get reviews in this crowded market, so I’m excited to have this opportunity to connect with readers who also review.  Paranormal Romance as a genre can incorporate a lot of topics, and I think Haunted Souls, like Silver Lake and Gull Harbor, would be best classified as “Paranormal Romantic Suspense”.  These books differ from a lot of regular Paranormal Romance in that the main characters (the hero and heroine) are human.  The supernatural piece comes in as a haunting…and the desperate spirits will not rest until things are made right.

The Old Jail at night
Rt. 6A Barnstable Village

The inspiration for this story came from a visit to the Old Jail in Barnstable Village, Cape Cod.  It’s the oldest wooden jail in the country (circa 1690) and considered actively haunted.  So there is a bit of history in this book too, as well as a cameo appearance by Claire Linden, the psychic medium from Gull Harbor.

Thanks for coming by!  I hope you’ll give Haunted Souls a try, whether it’s via NetGalley or on Kindle or Nook.  A perfect way to gear up for Halloween – Happy Reading! 

5* #Review "Dark Tale of #Suspense" #YA #Paranormal #Romance #Angels

My YA Paranormal Romance, DIVINE FALL, was on Netgalley during the month of September, and a wonderful review from Tome Tender showed up last week!  I'm sharing the link to the review here, along with a reminder that the Kindle and Nook versions are currently 99 cents ~ so you can get a new paranormal read filled with forbidden first love and supernatural secrets for the Halloween season for less than a buck!  And if you're looking for more spooky stories for the season, try one of my ghost mystery romances!

TOME TENDER REVIEW of Divine Fall

"These 2 are smokin' hot!" #Romance 4 the Beach #Review of #HAUNTED SOULS

I've always enjoyed the review site Romance Novels for the Beach.  The reviews are not only well-written but humorous, and usually include gifs which make it more fun.  So I was thrilled to see my latest book positively reviewed on the site, along with some great graphics.  Check out the link below!

Romance Novels for the Beach - Review of Haunted Souls

A few of my favorite quotes from the review:

"Hot damn these two are smokin' hot!"

"They are all amazing characters featured in this sexy yet suspenseful romance."

"I found it hard to put down a lot of the time!"

Beach weather may be over for a lot of places, but who doesn't want to escape into the pages of a steamy military romance spiked with a haunting twist?  Find HAUNTED SOULS on Kindle by clicking the color title, and please note that the review was done while the book was on sale for 99 cents.  And guess what? A check at the time of this post shows it is STILL at 99 cents, and I have no idea when that might change, as my pub is in charge of pricing.  So hurry and grab it while it's on sale, put your feet up, and find your new book boyfriend!

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...

How Readers Can Help Authors - Kathryn Knight

I saw this article by Penny Sansevieri the other day, originally published in The Huffington Post Blog.  There are great ideas on ways readers can help their favorite authors, and the original article (found here) kindly gives authors permission to post the list on their websites.  Below are my favorites:

Review the book:  Readers are some of the best resources for reviews. If you are an author, ask for a review. You might even include a note at the end of the book to your readers inviting them to review it and telling them why. I'm surprised that many readers don't do this, it's not because they're lazy but because they wonder if their opinion matters. Guess what? It does! Like a book? Please review it. Even if you don't like it review it, too. Most authors welcome feedback if it's constructive. Always be positive.

My thoughts:  I do try to encourage readers to leave reviews, although sometimes this feels like asking a lot when people are so busy.  Plus, people unfamiliar with the process sometimes aren't sure where to start.  But the best reviews are short and to the point, with examples to back up statements.  That said, it's best to avoid spoilers, as other consumers DO read reviews--or at least warn of an upcoming spoiler.  I absolutely love getting personal emails from readers expressing how much they enjoyed my book, and I always respond quickly with a thanks and save them for days I'm struggling.  It means the world to me when someone goes out of their way to connect with me.  But the public reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, B&N, itunes, etc. are especially important, as they really help other readers choose books they may enjoy--I know when I love a book, I always want to share it with others!  Like the article says, your opinion DOES count.

Photo sharing:  This is another thing that I would love so much. A reader holding up my book, snapping a picture and posting it on social media! This is a fun, visual way to share your love for a book. Even better, snap a picture where you're reading it. Taking a book on vacation? Why not show yourself enjoying the book (cover out!) laying in a hammock or sitting somewhere sipping espresso (Paris?). If you don't have any travel planned, take a picture anyway. Authors love, love this so much!

My thoughts: What a great idea!  My sister did this on a few occasions, although it wasn't her in the picture...she caught a photo of her 3-year-old "reading" Silver Lake, her auntie's first published book (good thing she can't read, the steamy scenes aren't really meant for kids, lol).  My sister put it on Facebook, plus another one later of her cat curled up on the bed with the book!
 

Local bookstores: Though it may seem like every author who is published gets a shot at bookstore shelf space, the truth is that most don't. If you've found a book you love and had to buy it on Amazon because your local store didn't carry it, tell them. Bookstore managers have told me if they get multiple requests for a book they will consider stocking it. 

My thoughts:  Combined with the item below, this was a powerful tool for me.  I received prime shelf space at a local bookstore for the entire year when a local bookclub chose Silver Lake as their January pick--see my post about the sometimes difficult process of getting shelf space.

Reading groups: This is often a tough one for authors to get into. Reading groups are a fantastic way to get the word out about your book but many are tough to reach and often pick their books months in advance.  If you know of a local book club let them know about this book and then put them in touch with the author.

Buy the book for a friend:   This is pretty basic. If you love the book you just read, buy a copy for a friend. I do this almost every year for Christmas. If I love a book, I gift it. When you gift it, remind the person to review it.

My thoughts:  Books are great gifts for readers...if you can get a signed or personalized copy, even better!  Amazon even allows a person to gift a Kindle version of a book--all you need is their email address and you're done.

Social Media:  Sharing has become part of our lives. We share good and bad news but when was the last time you shared what you are reading? Here's where that great picture you just took of you reading a book can come in handy. Or even better, hop on over to Goodreads or Library Thing and share your love for this author to the millions listening there.

My thoughts:  I'm truly thrilled when I see my books on lists at Goodreads or Library Thing...some readers will post what they are reading in the groups they belong to, and some readers add a book to popular lists.  Silver Lake has been added to 7 different lists on Goodreads, and I'm grateful to each person who took the time to do that.

Bookmarks:  Most authors will get things printed up like bookmarks, postcards, etc. Bookmarks are especially fun because despite the eBook surge, many of us are still reading printed books. Email the author and see if he or she will send you a stack of them that you can share with your local library or bookstore.

My thoughts:  I have beautiful bookmarks, as well as business cards and postcards featuring my cover art and blurbs.  My sister gives them out to her patients.  My husband gives them out to his contacts.  They are not incredibly expensive, and I gladly mail out plenty to anyone willing to distribute them.

As an avid reader, I can rattle off a list of books I've absolutely loved.  No, I never bothered to contact the author before I understood the process...but now I've promised myself that when a book really resonates with me, I will drop the author a quick note or at the very least leave a glowing review.  Because now I understand how much it means to have someone enjoy your work.  When I began writing Silver Lake, I said it would all be worth it if just one person I didn't know in any way contacted me to say they loved it.  Thankfully, that's happened on more than one occasion, and each and every time I find myself floating on air.  I'm thrilled when I find a book I can't put down.  To hear I've created that experience for someone else is truly one of the best feelings in the world.