Allie Boniface's Blog, page 14
October 24, 2014
Friday Fun Facts: Let's Talk About Cover Designers
Most of you know that I have a boxed set coming out in the near future (hooray!!) so I've been working on getting a cover designed for it. First off, let me say I totally admire cover artists and/or anyone who can create their own book covers. I have zero talent in that area.
Over the last year of indie publishing, I've worked with 3 different cover artists. All talented, all charging somewhere around the same price for either custom (my Hometown Heroes covers) or pre-made designs (my Cocktail Cruise individual novellas). When it came time to work on my boxed set cover, I went back to one of my designers from the past.
Unfortunately, this time we didn't gel. Specifically, the turn-around time was MUCH longer than the first time we'd worked together, and also, she was communicating with me almost exclusively through an assistant. Now, I myself have a virtual assistant, so I know how helpful they can be when it comes to answering questions/communicating via email. But when you're trying to design something as personal as an author's cover, I'd like a direct contact to the designer. Is that a lot to ask?
Anyway, I switched gears and got a little frustrated when I found myself back at square one. Happily, though, after a few hours of searching websites and getting some author recommendations, I found a new cover designer that I LOVE. I cannot say enough about her; she is designing 3 custom covers for me (3D, 2D, and print), for a very reasonable price, and she's done it in about 4 days. Best of all, I've been emailing back and forth with HER, and she is totally open to thoughts and suggestions. Plus she has terrific talent.
Want to know who it is? Check out Dar Albert at Wicked Smart Designs. Just a look at her work and you'll know why I chose her. And......cover reveal next Monday for Cocktail Cruises: The Collection. I can't wait to show you!!
Over the last year of indie publishing, I've worked with 3 different cover artists. All talented, all charging somewhere around the same price for either custom (my Hometown Heroes covers) or pre-made designs (my Cocktail Cruise individual novellas). When it came time to work on my boxed set cover, I went back to one of my designers from the past.
Unfortunately, this time we didn't gel. Specifically, the turn-around time was MUCH longer than the first time we'd worked together, and also, she was communicating with me almost exclusively through an assistant. Now, I myself have a virtual assistant, so I know how helpful they can be when it comes to answering questions/communicating via email. But when you're trying to design something as personal as an author's cover, I'd like a direct contact to the designer. Is that a lot to ask?
Anyway, I switched gears and got a little frustrated when I found myself back at square one. Happily, though, after a few hours of searching websites and getting some author recommendations, I found a new cover designer that I LOVE. I cannot say enough about her; she is designing 3 custom covers for me (3D, 2D, and print), for a very reasonable price, and she's done it in about 4 days. Best of all, I've been emailing back and forth with HER, and she is totally open to thoughts and suggestions. Plus she has terrific talent.
Want to know who it is? Check out Dar Albert at Wicked Smart Designs. Just a look at her work and you'll know why I chose her. And......cover reveal next Monday for Cocktail Cruises: The Collection. I can't wait to show you!!
October 22, 2014
Writers' Wednesday: Writing a Killer Book Description
Happy Wednesday, everyone. Here's the latest email from Let's Write Books, a great discussion of how to write a book description that will get attention and SELL BOOKS! I'm definitely going to take these tips into consideration when I'm putting together my blurb for the Cocktail Cruises Collection!
Dear Fellow Writer,
Next to your tile and cover design, the next most important element in selling your book online is your book description. Your selling page must “convert” viewers to buyers.
In this week’s newsletter I will discuss the key elements of creating a killer book description for both fiction and non-fiction books.
For all books:
Do:
• Make it motivational – get people interested in book
• Easy to read
• Ask them to take action – buy it now!
• Know your audience and what motivates them/ what is important to them
• Remember to use your key words: If your book is on Amazon, then make sure you are using your keywords in your description, as it is searchable.
Don’t:
• List your website or any other website. This will only drive people off your sales page and away from purchasing.
• Use long paragraphs without breaks. This makes it hard to read easily. Remember people want to scan quickly on the internet.
• Talk about yourself too much - what is in it for the reader? People buy because of what is in it for them, not to hear about you. Your bio is the place for that.
The are some special considerations for fiction versus non-fiction.
For fiction:
• Have drama in opening line. The first line is most important – it has to have impact to “hook the reader.”
• Describe a compelling description of plot/conflict and main character(s).
• Share a well-written passage. This is an opportunity to showcase your best writing and impress the potential reader.
• Refer to famous writers or books that are similar to yours. For example, “if you like James Patterson mysteries, you’ll love this book.” Or, “this book has been written in the spirit of ____.” This a great way to define your book and associate it with well-known writers.
• Add any high level review or award.
• Have a call to action. Ask them to buy now. “Order a copy of _______ today and be mesmerized by this science fiction story.”
For non-fiction:
• State/highlight the problem /ask a question. Asking a question forces the reader to engage, because their minds want to answer the question. Want to see how? (See, I just did it).
• Ok, here are a couple examples: Would you like to lose 1lb this week or 5lbs?
• Describe how your book solves the problem. What will your book do for the reader? How will it transform their life?
• Use bulleted points. Identify key benefits with 4-6 bullet points.
• Sum up benefits.
• Call to action: Ask them to buy now. “Order a copy of Weight Loss the Right Way, and start losing weight today.”
• Personal note from author: Consider writing a note that explains why you wrote the book.
• List any awards or high level reviews.
Additional tips:
Look at top selling books in your category or niche and review those book descriptions.
Go the bookstore, pick up the top selling books in your niche, and read the back covers.
Read reviews of top books in your niche on Amazon. What do people like, what are they criticizing? Use this info in your book description.
Action step:
Review your current book description using the information above, and see how you can improve it. If you haven’t written the book description yet, use the hot tip section to do a little research first.
Keep writing!
Dear Fellow Writer,
Next to your tile and cover design, the next most important element in selling your book online is your book description. Your selling page must “convert” viewers to buyers.
In this week’s newsletter I will discuss the key elements of creating a killer book description for both fiction and non-fiction books.
For all books:
Do:
• Make it motivational – get people interested in book
• Easy to read
• Ask them to take action – buy it now!
• Know your audience and what motivates them/ what is important to them
• Remember to use your key words: If your book is on Amazon, then make sure you are using your keywords in your description, as it is searchable.
Don’t:
• List your website or any other website. This will only drive people off your sales page and away from purchasing.
• Use long paragraphs without breaks. This makes it hard to read easily. Remember people want to scan quickly on the internet.
• Talk about yourself too much - what is in it for the reader? People buy because of what is in it for them, not to hear about you. Your bio is the place for that.
The are some special considerations for fiction versus non-fiction.
For fiction:
• Have drama in opening line. The first line is most important – it has to have impact to “hook the reader.”
• Describe a compelling description of plot/conflict and main character(s).
• Share a well-written passage. This is an opportunity to showcase your best writing and impress the potential reader.
• Refer to famous writers or books that are similar to yours. For example, “if you like James Patterson mysteries, you’ll love this book.” Or, “this book has been written in the spirit of ____.” This a great way to define your book and associate it with well-known writers.
• Add any high level review or award.
• Have a call to action. Ask them to buy now. “Order a copy of _______ today and be mesmerized by this science fiction story.”
For non-fiction:
• State/highlight the problem /ask a question. Asking a question forces the reader to engage, because their minds want to answer the question. Want to see how? (See, I just did it).
• Ok, here are a couple examples: Would you like to lose 1lb this week or 5lbs?
• Describe how your book solves the problem. What will your book do for the reader? How will it transform their life?
• Use bulleted points. Identify key benefits with 4-6 bullet points.
• Sum up benefits.
• Call to action: Ask them to buy now. “Order a copy of Weight Loss the Right Way, and start losing weight today.”
• Personal note from author: Consider writing a note that explains why you wrote the book.
• List any awards or high level reviews.
Additional tips:
Look at top selling books in your category or niche and review those book descriptions.
Go the bookstore, pick up the top selling books in your niche, and read the back covers.
Read reviews of top books in your niche on Amazon. What do people like, what are they criticizing? Use this info in your book description.
Action step:
Review your current book description using the information above, and see how you can improve it. If you haven’t written the book description yet, use the hot tip section to do a little research first.
Keep writing!
October 20, 2014
Monday Mentionables: Cocktail Cruises: The Collection Officially Releases December 1st!
Happy Monday, everyone! I'm excited to announce that the boxed set of my Cocktail Cruise novellas will officially release on December 1st - with a new cover soon to come! It will be available in both ebook and paperback - perfect for holiday gift-giving! I have a whole bunch of "Coming Soon" events and giveaways coming up, so please keep on dropping this blog by to find out what they are!
Besides featuring the 3 original novellas (Tequila Sunrise, Sex on the Beach and Between the Sheets), there will be a special section EXCLUSIVE to this collection: cocktail recipes and sneak peeks at books from some of your favorite romance authors. Who's participating? Take a look:
Victoria BarbourDiane CraverRebecca J. ClarkKylie GilmoreSydney HolmesStacy JubaLiz KellyLiz MatisPatricia PrestonStephanie QueenMarianne Sciucco
Stay tuned for a cover release!!
Besides featuring the 3 original novellas (Tequila Sunrise, Sex on the Beach and Between the Sheets), there will be a special section EXCLUSIVE to this collection: cocktail recipes and sneak peeks at books from some of your favorite romance authors. Who's participating? Take a look:
Victoria BarbourDiane CraverRebecca J. ClarkKylie GilmoreSydney HolmesStacy JubaLiz KellyLiz MatisPatricia PrestonStephanie QueenMarianne Sciucco
Stay tuned for a cover release!!
October 15, 2014
Writers' Wednesday: Are You Tapping Into the World of Audio Books?
Happy Wednesday, everyone! Today's post is borrowed in its entirety from an email I received from Let's Write Books yesterday - but I echo its message of exploring audio books if you're an author and have never considered or seriously looked into that avenue of sales and distribution. Several of my books are available in audio format, and I've both signed with a production company and gone through ACX to produce them on my own. Bottom line: they are one more way of selling your books to an audience. Read on:
Dear Fellow Writer,
Turn your book into an audiobook and watch royalties soar. In 2013, the audiobook market generated between 1.2-2 billion dollars in revenue. Consider this in light of the fact that only 5% of all books have been converted into audiobooks. The market is huge and hungry for more.
Amazon has recognized this opportunity, and is very excited about audiobooks. So much so that they now own Audible and ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange), which is their audiobook distribution division (More about ACX later in this newsletter).
Here’s why the market is so hot:
• You can download audiobooks to any phone, tablet or computer. Currently, there are approximately 1.5 billion smart phones in use worldwide (1 out 7 people) and the # of phones + pc’s + tablets + computers shipped in 2013 = approx. 2.35 billion.
• Download instantly = immediate gratification for the consumer.
• Audiobooks are portable: listen in the car/commuting, while multitasking, and on the go.
• Some people prefer to listen to books, & won’t read them.
• Great for kids and those who have trouble reading.
• The average salary of the download audiobook listener is $84,000.
Here’s why you want to turn YOUR book into an audiobook:
• Create additional distribution channels, reach new markets.
• Additional royalties for you.
• It looks professional and prestigious.
• Bundle your audiobooks with books, eBooks, videos, etc.
• No inventory needed
• No shipping required
• Environmentally friendly
Now that you know about the market and the benefits of having an audiobook, let’s look at how to produce one. There are 5 options:
1. Do it yourself
2. Hire a production studio
3. Hire talent directly
4. Share royalties instead of payment
5. Sell rights to your audiobook
The first option of doing it yourself works well if you have a good voice, work well with technology and don’t mind a small learning curve. To do this you will need a good microphone and/or recording software. I recommend a Yeti USB microphone, and free recording software called Audacity, which is fairly easy to use You can download the software here: http://audacity.sourceforge.net. There are also lots of video tutorials on YouTube for this software. If you have never done this before, make sure your files match the specs of the company you are producing the audio for.
If you don’t want to bother with all of this, but still want to use your voice, a great option is to go into a recording studio. They will record your reading, edit, and provide you with files. Because voice-only files are not too complex, you can easily record in a small, home-based studio and save a lot of money. Check Craig’s List for a recording studio, or consider posting an ad there to find one. Expect to pay between $25 to $50/hr. for a small studio.
The third option is to use a professional narrator. They will handle everything for you from recording to editing to producing the files. Expect to pay $200 to $300 per recorded hour. One recorded hour is approximately 10,400 words. You can find talent on Elance.com, VoiceBunny.com, ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange), and Craig’s List. Be sure to listen to their audio samples and have them do a sample of your book based on one or two pages of your manuscript.
The next option is to share your royalties in lieu of payment. This can be set up at ACX.com. To do this, you post your job under the category of royalty shares. You pay nothing, but agree to share your royalties on a 50/50 split. I don’t advise this if you have a short book, or if you have a book you believe will be a good selling book. I do, however, see this as a viable option when you have a long book – say 60,000 plus words, as longer books will generate larger royalty payments, and then it might make financial sense to split the proceeds.
The last option is to sell the rights to your audiobook just as you would sell the rights to your book. You can do this by finding and audiobook agent or publisher. Locate one by searching the web, asking your publisher if traditionally published, and posting on ACX.com.
Now that you know the different ways to get your audiobook produced, let’s discuss ACX.com. As mentioned earlier, ACX is Amazon’s audiobook distribution arm. They distribute to Amazon, Audible and iTunes – the big three platforms for audiobook sales.
You cannot upload to Audible or iTunes without going through ACX. It is possible to upload audios to Amazon directly from Createspace, and you can check this out if you prefer. In order to use ACX, you must have your book as a Kindle or paperback book on Amazon. If your book is not on Amazon, you will not be able to use ACX.
ACX provides a variety of options:
1. Upload your own recording
2. Hire a narrator
3. Hire a narrator for free by agreeing to share royalties
4. Sell the rights to your audiobook
Yes, there is a little learning curve in doing this, but it is very worthwhile. The easiest way to market your book and see more royalties is by expanding distribution. Audiobooks provide a very direct path for accomplishing this.
Action step:
Visit ACX.com and have a look around.
Keep writing!
Howard VanEs
Dear Fellow Writer,
Turn your book into an audiobook and watch royalties soar. In 2013, the audiobook market generated between 1.2-2 billion dollars in revenue. Consider this in light of the fact that only 5% of all books have been converted into audiobooks. The market is huge and hungry for more.
Amazon has recognized this opportunity, and is very excited about audiobooks. So much so that they now own Audible and ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange), which is their audiobook distribution division (More about ACX later in this newsletter).
Here’s why the market is so hot:
• You can download audiobooks to any phone, tablet or computer. Currently, there are approximately 1.5 billion smart phones in use worldwide (1 out 7 people) and the # of phones + pc’s + tablets + computers shipped in 2013 = approx. 2.35 billion.
• Download instantly = immediate gratification for the consumer.
• Audiobooks are portable: listen in the car/commuting, while multitasking, and on the go.
• Some people prefer to listen to books, & won’t read them.
• Great for kids and those who have trouble reading.
• The average salary of the download audiobook listener is $84,000.
Here’s why you want to turn YOUR book into an audiobook:
• Create additional distribution channels, reach new markets.
• Additional royalties for you.
• It looks professional and prestigious.
• Bundle your audiobooks with books, eBooks, videos, etc.
• No inventory needed
• No shipping required
• Environmentally friendly
Now that you know about the market and the benefits of having an audiobook, let’s look at how to produce one. There are 5 options:
1. Do it yourself
2. Hire a production studio
3. Hire talent directly
4. Share royalties instead of payment
5. Sell rights to your audiobook
The first option of doing it yourself works well if you have a good voice, work well with technology and don’t mind a small learning curve. To do this you will need a good microphone and/or recording software. I recommend a Yeti USB microphone, and free recording software called Audacity, which is fairly easy to use You can download the software here: http://audacity.sourceforge.net. There are also lots of video tutorials on YouTube for this software. If you have never done this before, make sure your files match the specs of the company you are producing the audio for.
If you don’t want to bother with all of this, but still want to use your voice, a great option is to go into a recording studio. They will record your reading, edit, and provide you with files. Because voice-only files are not too complex, you can easily record in a small, home-based studio and save a lot of money. Check Craig’s List for a recording studio, or consider posting an ad there to find one. Expect to pay between $25 to $50/hr. for a small studio.
The third option is to use a professional narrator. They will handle everything for you from recording to editing to producing the files. Expect to pay $200 to $300 per recorded hour. One recorded hour is approximately 10,400 words. You can find talent on Elance.com, VoiceBunny.com, ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange), and Craig’s List. Be sure to listen to their audio samples and have them do a sample of your book based on one or two pages of your manuscript.
The next option is to share your royalties in lieu of payment. This can be set up at ACX.com. To do this, you post your job under the category of royalty shares. You pay nothing, but agree to share your royalties on a 50/50 split. I don’t advise this if you have a short book, or if you have a book you believe will be a good selling book. I do, however, see this as a viable option when you have a long book – say 60,000 plus words, as longer books will generate larger royalty payments, and then it might make financial sense to split the proceeds.
The last option is to sell the rights to your audiobook just as you would sell the rights to your book. You can do this by finding and audiobook agent or publisher. Locate one by searching the web, asking your publisher if traditionally published, and posting on ACX.com.
Now that you know the different ways to get your audiobook produced, let’s discuss ACX.com. As mentioned earlier, ACX is Amazon’s audiobook distribution arm. They distribute to Amazon, Audible and iTunes – the big three platforms for audiobook sales.
You cannot upload to Audible or iTunes without going through ACX. It is possible to upload audios to Amazon directly from Createspace, and you can check this out if you prefer. In order to use ACX, you must have your book as a Kindle or paperback book on Amazon. If your book is not on Amazon, you will not be able to use ACX.
ACX provides a variety of options:
1. Upload your own recording
2. Hire a narrator
3. Hire a narrator for free by agreeing to share royalties
4. Sell the rights to your audiobook
Yes, there is a little learning curve in doing this, but it is very worthwhile. The easiest way to market your book and see more royalties is by expanding distribution. Audiobooks provide a very direct path for accomplishing this.
Action step:
Visit ACX.com and have a look around.
Keep writing!
Howard VanEs
October 10, 2014
Friday Fun Facts: A Chance to Read, Review, and Win!
TGIF everyone! Some Cocktail Cruise news today:
A new 5-star review for Tequila Sunrise that says, This story was realistically warming that the story could be read on a weekend over and over again. The characters are relatable and you are able to empathize with the conflicts and opinions of each one.
And a new review for Between the Sheets too!
I’ve read all three of the Cocktail Cruise stories now and each time the one I just read is my favorite. BETWEEN THE SHEETS is no exception. It’s about single mom Andrea and sexy dance instructor Sebastian. Both characters were introduced in the earlier stories. As a stressed out single mom, Andrea has had no time for love and romance. And the oh-so-hot Sebastian is trying to escape a very public life as the star of a dance reality TV show in Argentina—he just wants to be left alone. Neither is looking for love. Neither is quite willing to trust the motivations of the other. The story was sexy, romantic and sweet all at once. Absolutely loved it!
***Now the very important news: if you'd like to read and review Cocktail Cruises: The Collection, please sign up right here: Advance Reader Copy
What does signing up mean for you? Your choice of an electronic file of the entire Cocktail Cruise series to read, Books #1, 2, and 3 PLUS the special section never before published, Spirits for All Seasons, an awesome collection of drink recipes (both alcoholic and not) from some of my fellow romance authors, along with info about their latest books! I'll throw in some fun swag too, and everyone who posts a review on release day will have their name tossed in the ring for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card!
Sound good?
This collection will release at the end of November, so I'm looking for reviewers now who'll be able to read and post a review within a month (Advanced Reader Copies will be available by the 3rd week in October).
Remember, sign up here: Advance Reader Copy
I'm looking forward to it ~ hope you are too!
A new 5-star review for Tequila Sunrise that says, This story was realistically warming that the story could be read on a weekend over and over again. The characters are relatable and you are able to empathize with the conflicts and opinions of each one.
And a new review for Between the Sheets too!
I’ve read all three of the Cocktail Cruise stories now and each time the one I just read is my favorite. BETWEEN THE SHEETS is no exception. It’s about single mom Andrea and sexy dance instructor Sebastian. Both characters were introduced in the earlier stories. As a stressed out single mom, Andrea has had no time for love and romance. And the oh-so-hot Sebastian is trying to escape a very public life as the star of a dance reality TV show in Argentina—he just wants to be left alone. Neither is looking for love. Neither is quite willing to trust the motivations of the other. The story was sexy, romantic and sweet all at once. Absolutely loved it!
***Now the very important news: if you'd like to read and review Cocktail Cruises: The Collection, please sign up right here: Advance Reader Copy
What does signing up mean for you? Your choice of an electronic file of the entire Cocktail Cruise series to read, Books #1, 2, and 3 PLUS the special section never before published, Spirits for All Seasons, an awesome collection of drink recipes (both alcoholic and not) from some of my fellow romance authors, along with info about their latest books! I'll throw in some fun swag too, and everyone who posts a review on release day will have their name tossed in the ring for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card!
Sound good?
This collection will release at the end of November, so I'm looking for reviewers now who'll be able to read and post a review within a month (Advanced Reader Copies will be available by the 3rd week in October).
Remember, sign up here: Advance Reader Copy
I'm looking forward to it ~ hope you are too!
October 8, 2014
Writers' Wednesday: Sites for Fellow Authors!
Happy Hump Day! A couple of websites for my fellow authors today, in case you haven't seen these:
Read & Review Program at Choosy Bookworm - This site will list your book for potential reviewers. It does cost a fee, but your book will be featured for any reader who chooses to read and review it, within 14 days. If you're looking for reviews, you might want to check it out (although I see that they just increased their fee from $25, which I paid last month, to $50). I can tell you that for Tequila Sunrise, I had 20 people request the book and so far, I have 5 new reviews on Amazon (all 5-stars, which amazes me!). A nice bonus is that some of those readers have written to tell me that they'll be buying and reading the others in the series now!
How To Launch Your Book with at least 25 Reviews - This article is a good read for anyone in the industry, experienced or not. It has some great tips about approaching readers for reviews and making sure those reviews are posted come release day.
Good luck, and happy writing!
Read & Review Program at Choosy Bookworm - This site will list your book for potential reviewers. It does cost a fee, but your book will be featured for any reader who chooses to read and review it, within 14 days. If you're looking for reviews, you might want to check it out (although I see that they just increased their fee from $25, which I paid last month, to $50). I can tell you that for Tequila Sunrise, I had 20 people request the book and so far, I have 5 new reviews on Amazon (all 5-stars, which amazes me!). A nice bonus is that some of those readers have written to tell me that they'll be buying and reading the others in the series now!
How To Launch Your Book with at least 25 Reviews - This article is a good read for anyone in the industry, experienced or not. It has some great tips about approaching readers for reviews and making sure those reviews are posted come release day.
Good luck, and happy writing!
October 6, 2014
Monday Mentionables: Welcome to Fall!
Yes, it's officially the season here in New York: the nights are cool, the air is crisp, the sun sets earlier than ever...but those leaves! I'm not sure whether it's because we had an unusually dry summer, but the leaves this year are gorgeous. Take a look!
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October 1, 2014
Writers' Wednesday: The Magic Paragraph to Get You More Reviews
As an author who has lots of author friends on Facebook and Twitter, I come across posts or pictures like this a lot:
And I love them! They make me laugh or smile or nod in agreement, and inevitably I copy or share or retweet based on whatever social media platform I happen to be on at the time.
I came across this blog post yesterday and thought it was definitely worth sharing. How do authors get more reviews??? Well, we can ask for them. We can send out files and free books to a myriad of review sites and blogs and hope they will get picked up. We can also put this "magic paragraph" at the end of our books and hope it will help do the trick as well. It's a good blog post, worth reading in its entirety.
If you're an author, what have you found that helps you get reviews for your books?
If you're a reader, what compels you to leave a review for a book?
And for the love of all things literary, if you've read a book of mine lately and haven't reviewed it over at Amazon or Goodreads, I will raid the shelves at Target tomorrow and send you bags of Halloween candy to do so!
I'm serious. Sort of. If you like candy, and if you're at a U.S. mailing address. Just let me know ;)
And I love them! They make me laugh or smile or nod in agreement, and inevitably I copy or share or retweet based on whatever social media platform I happen to be on at the time.
I came across this blog post yesterday and thought it was definitely worth sharing. How do authors get more reviews??? Well, we can ask for them. We can send out files and free books to a myriad of review sites and blogs and hope they will get picked up. We can also put this "magic paragraph" at the end of our books and hope it will help do the trick as well. It's a good blog post, worth reading in its entirety.
If you're an author, what have you found that helps you get reviews for your books?
If you're a reader, what compels you to leave a review for a book?
And for the love of all things literary, if you've read a book of mine lately and haven't reviewed it over at Amazon or Goodreads, I will raid the shelves at Target tomorrow and send you bags of Halloween candy to do so!
I'm serious. Sort of. If you like candy, and if you're at a U.S. mailing address. Just let me know ;)
September 29, 2014
Monday Mentionables: Did You Stop by the Party?
Happy Monday, everyone! This past Saturday I joined a few other authors in talking all about our brand new releases over at The Romance Studio's party page. In case you didn't stop by, and wanted a peek at some more excerpts from Between the Sheets, click on this link that will take you directly there:
Party Posts by Allie Boniface
Today I'll be choosing a winner from all those who entered for prizes during the party: the choice of either Book #1 (Tequila Sunrise) or Book #2 (Sex on the Beach) in the Cocktail Cruise series! Stop; back here on Wednesday to find out the lucky reader!
Have a great start to your week, everyone :)
September 26, 2014
Friday Fun Facts: A Sneak Peek at a Brand New Book!
Happy Friday, readers!! For no reason other than that I love to share, here's a sneak peek at a Work in Progress that's so new, it doesn't yet have an official title. BUT it is the prequel to the Cocktail Cruise series, which means it's going to feature many of the characters you've come to know and love in these books:
Warning: this excerpt is unedited, rough, and may not even look this way in the final book. But I love the story so much that I wanted to give you a peek at the newest characters, Jace and Pearl. Enjoy!
Jace walked down the hall, registering on the edge of his consciousness the black and white photos that lined it. Dolly’s Diner had been a fixture in this neighborhood since the early 1930s. Half the photos that hung on these walls had been autographed. Everyone from vice-presidents to movie stars to foreign princes had stepped foot in here over the years, which always struck Jace as kind of funny. Besides the name, stolen from its older, richer, and probably way cooler sister city in Italy, the only thing Venice, Florida, had going for it was its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. He wasn’t sure what drew famous names in this direction, but for Dolly’s sake, he was glad something did. He reached the men’s room and pushed on the door, but it only moved a few inches. What the hell? He tripped over his feet and bumped up against the wall. The bulb at this end of the hall had burned out, so he couldn’t see much. He tried again. This time the door shoved back. “Hey!” came a female voice from inside. Jace backpedaled as a body full of curves and smelling like the ocean emerged from the men’s room. Long hair fell over her shoulders. She wheeled a mop bucket ahead of her. “Sorry,” she said. “Didn’t think there’d be anyone back here.” He stuck his hands in his back pockets. “Hey, Pearl.” She steered the bucket toward the exit door. “Hey yourself.” “It’s Jace. Wilson.” Dolly’s sixteen-year-old grandniece looked over her shoulder. “I know who it is.” He licked his bottom lip. Two years behind them in school, Pearl DeVane had the reputation of being one of the smartest girls at Venice High. In Jace’s opinion, she was also hands-down the hottest. She wasn’t stacked, and she didn’t have a tramp stamp across her lower back or wear heavy makeup. She rarely partied. In fact, most of the time she was helping out here at the diner, mopping floors or cooking behind the grill or sometimes sitting with her nose in a book if it was slow. But she had brains and bright blue eyes and caramel-colored hair and a smile that lit up the room. “What are you doing here?” she asked, not unkindly. She leaned against the wall beside him, and her perfume came to him again, a combination of sea water and flowers. “Didn’t you guys graduate tonight?” “Mm hmm.” He couldn’t stop looking at her mouth. At her silhouette in the shadows. Without warning, he turned rock hard, and he hoped she wouldn’t glance down and see the way his shorts tented. “So shouldn’t you be having an official graduation party somewhere?” “Dolly asked us the same thing.” She smiled, and a tiny gap appeared between her two front teeth. Had he ever noticed it before? Had he ever stood this close to her before? They’d had one class together last year, some kind of science. She’d sat in the front, and he’d spent most of the year wanting to scratch the itch in the middle of her shoulder blades whenever her fingers wandered back to reach for it. “Jace.” “What?” He reached out for her, slipping an arm around her waist before he knew what it was doing. He pulled her into him, snug against his chest. Before she could say anything else, his other hand went to the back of her head. He tugged her hair the tiniest bit, enough that her chin lifted and her breath caught. This close, even in the shadows, he could see her eyes darken with pleasure. Without all the beer he’d consumed earlier that night, and probably without the heady abandon of being a fresh high school graduate, with the goddamn fucking world ahead of him, he wouldn’t have had the balls to do what he did next. But in the shadows of a diner hallway at two in the morning, woozy from the booze and Pearl’s perfume, there wasn’t a thing stopping him. Jace ducked his chin and kissed her. His tongue teased open her lips, and his thumb stroked the underside of her chin. Soft, pliant, delicious under his touch. For a second, the small sober part of his brain wondered if she’d stop him.
She didn’t.
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Warning: this excerpt is unedited, rough, and may not even look this way in the final book. But I love the story so much that I wanted to give you a peek at the newest characters, Jace and Pearl. Enjoy!
Jace walked down the hall, registering on the edge of his consciousness the black and white photos that lined it. Dolly’s Diner had been a fixture in this neighborhood since the early 1930s. Half the photos that hung on these walls had been autographed. Everyone from vice-presidents to movie stars to foreign princes had stepped foot in here over the years, which always struck Jace as kind of funny. Besides the name, stolen from its older, richer, and probably way cooler sister city in Italy, the only thing Venice, Florida, had going for it was its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. He wasn’t sure what drew famous names in this direction, but for Dolly’s sake, he was glad something did. He reached the men’s room and pushed on the door, but it only moved a few inches. What the hell? He tripped over his feet and bumped up against the wall. The bulb at this end of the hall had burned out, so he couldn’t see much. He tried again. This time the door shoved back. “Hey!” came a female voice from inside. Jace backpedaled as a body full of curves and smelling like the ocean emerged from the men’s room. Long hair fell over her shoulders. She wheeled a mop bucket ahead of her. “Sorry,” she said. “Didn’t think there’d be anyone back here.” He stuck his hands in his back pockets. “Hey, Pearl.” She steered the bucket toward the exit door. “Hey yourself.” “It’s Jace. Wilson.” Dolly’s sixteen-year-old grandniece looked over her shoulder. “I know who it is.” He licked his bottom lip. Two years behind them in school, Pearl DeVane had the reputation of being one of the smartest girls at Venice High. In Jace’s opinion, she was also hands-down the hottest. She wasn’t stacked, and she didn’t have a tramp stamp across her lower back or wear heavy makeup. She rarely partied. In fact, most of the time she was helping out here at the diner, mopping floors or cooking behind the grill or sometimes sitting with her nose in a book if it was slow. But she had brains and bright blue eyes and caramel-colored hair and a smile that lit up the room. “What are you doing here?” she asked, not unkindly. She leaned against the wall beside him, and her perfume came to him again, a combination of sea water and flowers. “Didn’t you guys graduate tonight?” “Mm hmm.” He couldn’t stop looking at her mouth. At her silhouette in the shadows. Without warning, he turned rock hard, and he hoped she wouldn’t glance down and see the way his shorts tented. “So shouldn’t you be having an official graduation party somewhere?” “Dolly asked us the same thing.” She smiled, and a tiny gap appeared between her two front teeth. Had he ever noticed it before? Had he ever stood this close to her before? They’d had one class together last year, some kind of science. She’d sat in the front, and he’d spent most of the year wanting to scratch the itch in the middle of her shoulder blades whenever her fingers wandered back to reach for it. “Jace.” “What?” He reached out for her, slipping an arm around her waist before he knew what it was doing. He pulled her into him, snug against his chest. Before she could say anything else, his other hand went to the back of her head. He tugged her hair the tiniest bit, enough that her chin lifted and her breath caught. This close, even in the shadows, he could see her eyes darken with pleasure. Without all the beer he’d consumed earlier that night, and probably without the heady abandon of being a fresh high school graduate, with the goddamn fucking world ahead of him, he wouldn’t have had the balls to do what he did next. But in the shadows of a diner hallway at two in the morning, woozy from the booze and Pearl’s perfume, there wasn’t a thing stopping him. Jace ducked his chin and kissed her. His tongue teased open her lips, and his thumb stroked the underside of her chin. Soft, pliant, delicious under his touch. For a second, the small sober part of his brain wondered if she’d stop him.
She didn’t.
