Allie Boniface's Blog, page 18
June 16, 2014
Monday Mentionables: A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words
Happy Monday, everyone! Please hop on over to Victoria Barbour's blog today to see my post. Victoria is one of the fabulous authors involved with our Passionate Kisses Boxed Set, and she's featuring interviews with all 9 authors in these days leading up to our release (June 23!). Best of all, the posts are mostly pictures, and just a few words. Enjoy!
June 11, 2014
Writer's Wednesday: Promotion with Digital Book Spot
Hello writers! As I am always looking for new and effective methods of promotion, here's one that came across my email the other day: Digital Book Spot, which makes all their arrangements through Fiverr. Has anyone used DBS? Some authors are saying they have a pretty good bump in sales, so it might be worth trying, especially for the low price of $5-20.
Haven't heard of Fivvr? It is this very interesting website where anyone (truly, I think almost anyone) can post a service they will do for $5. Often you can add on other services for an additional $5, but that's the bare-bones start. Just for kicks, I looked at the home page today to see a sample of services up there:
I will translate English into Chinese or Chinese into English
I will write contracts or any agreement
I will professionally design a Facebook banner or cover
I will make your logo or message appear out of clay as a video greeting...
So there you go! Promo food for thought today :)
Haven't heard of Fivvr? It is this very interesting website where anyone (truly, I think almost anyone) can post a service they will do for $5. Often you can add on other services for an additional $5, but that's the bare-bones start. Just for kicks, I looked at the home page today to see a sample of services up there:
I will translate English into Chinese or Chinese into English
I will write contracts or any agreement
I will professionally design a Facebook banner or cover
I will make your logo or message appear out of clay as a video greeting...
So there you go! Promo food for thought today :)
June 9, 2014
Monday Mentionables: A Writer's Retreat that Turned into Something Else
Happy Monday! This past weekend, I treated myself to a solo getaway in Charles Town, West Virginia. The goal was to see hubby at a car show in Pennsylvania Friday night, then spend some solid time writing in a town I'd never been to before, snuggled away in a bed and breakfast with my laptop and nothing else.
You know that saying about "The best laid plans..."??
I arrived at the Carriage Inn late Friday evening (gorgeous place, by the way, and the owners are lovely hosts and great breakfast cooks) and plugged in my laptop - only to discover it didn't work. There is a very long and boring story behind why it didn't work, but suffice to say that after about 30 minutes of fretting and swearing and trying everything I could think of, I realized that my writer's retreat was going to be minus the writing.
For a few minutes, I actually considered going out early Saturday morning and buying a new laptop.
Then I said to myself, hang on. Thousands of people wrote before laptops ever came into existence. I can write without one.
So instead, I went to the local grocery store, bought a $1 notebook (and some bulk candy and wine for sustenance), and spent the rest of the day thinking and brainstorming and drafting ideas. I didn't end up getting the massive amount of writing done that I originally planned, but you know what? There was something very relaxing about walking around town, sitting at an outside restaurant for lunch, napping on the day bed back in my room, and jotting down thoughts as they came to me. I even had time to go to the historic village of Harper's Ferry and watch the train pass by as I lounged on the grass after wandering around the recreated village buildings. Relaxing. Rejuvenating.
While it wasn't the writing-intensive weekend I originally envisioned, in many ways it was better. Just a reminder that when our plans fail, the best thing to do is look for another way, search for that open window and carry on :)
You know that saying about "The best laid plans..."??
I arrived at the Carriage Inn late Friday evening (gorgeous place, by the way, and the owners are lovely hosts and great breakfast cooks) and plugged in my laptop - only to discover it didn't work. There is a very long and boring story behind why it didn't work, but suffice to say that after about 30 minutes of fretting and swearing and trying everything I could think of, I realized that my writer's retreat was going to be minus the writing.
For a few minutes, I actually considered going out early Saturday morning and buying a new laptop.
Then I said to myself, hang on. Thousands of people wrote before laptops ever came into existence. I can write without one.
So instead, I went to the local grocery store, bought a $1 notebook (and some bulk candy and wine for sustenance), and spent the rest of the day thinking and brainstorming and drafting ideas. I didn't end up getting the massive amount of writing done that I originally planned, but you know what? There was something very relaxing about walking around town, sitting at an outside restaurant for lunch, napping on the day bed back in my room, and jotting down thoughts as they came to me. I even had time to go to the historic village of Harper's Ferry and watch the train pass by as I lounged on the grass after wandering around the recreated village buildings. Relaxing. Rejuvenating.
While it wasn't the writing-intensive weekend I originally envisioned, in many ways it was better. Just a reminder that when our plans fail, the best thing to do is look for another way, search for that open window and carry on :)
June 6, 2014
Friday Fun Facts: Boxed Set Coming Soon!
Hey everyone, look what's coming June 23rd!
(The books, not the guy, unless you bring your active imagination). Counting the days!
(The books, not the guy, unless you bring your active imagination). Counting the days!
June 4, 2014
Writers' Wednesday: A Taste of Tequila Sunrise
OK, I know this is a very belated Wednesday post...BUT would you like a little taste of Tequila Sunrise? (the novella, I mean, not the drink). This is the first in the Cocktail Cruise Novella series coming out this summer (P.S. it will also be part of a different boxed set releasing in August). It just went out for its final edits today, so hooray!
Here is the scene where our hero and heroine meet for the very first time:
Louise turned away from the speed dating crowd and stared outside, where the sun was just beginning to slip toward the ocean. For a moment she wished she were one of the birds on the horizon, soaring and dipping far above the water. Carefree. Removed. “Gorgeous, isn’t it?” Lou froze. That voice. A tanned elbow touched hers. Spicy cologne sent her hormones rocketing. In slow motion, she turned. And bit her bottom lip. And tried to remember how to breathe. Well there you are. Chocolate brown eyes caught and held hers. A smile, framed on one side by that deep dimple, sent something sinfully wonderful squiggling straight down to the pit of her stomach. Lower, actually, to a spot below her stomach that hadn’t felt anything in months. “Hi. I’m Toby.”
Lou’s entire world splintered, and it was all she could do not to drop her drink and dive into his arms. Maybe Charming Hearts hadn’t been a bad idea after all.
Here is the scene where our hero and heroine meet for the very first time:
Louise turned away from the speed dating crowd and stared outside, where the sun was just beginning to slip toward the ocean. For a moment she wished she were one of the birds on the horizon, soaring and dipping far above the water. Carefree. Removed. “Gorgeous, isn’t it?” Lou froze. That voice. A tanned elbow touched hers. Spicy cologne sent her hormones rocketing. In slow motion, she turned. And bit her bottom lip. And tried to remember how to breathe. Well there you are. Chocolate brown eyes caught and held hers. A smile, framed on one side by that deep dimple, sent something sinfully wonderful squiggling straight down to the pit of her stomach. Lower, actually, to a spot below her stomach that hadn’t felt anything in months. “Hi. I’m Toby.”
Lou’s entire world splintered, and it was all she could do not to drop her drink and dive into his arms. Maybe Charming Hearts hadn’t been a bad idea after all.
May 30, 2014
Friday Fun Facts: More Teasers from our Boxed Set!
Hang onto your hats, readers, because the lovely ladies at Passionate Kisses have some steamy reads for you coming up June 23rd. Here are some teasers to whet your appetite...
Don't forget to Like our Facebook page. Lots of info there about our upcoming launch party and all the goodies you can win!
Don't forget to Like our Facebook page. Lots of info there about our upcoming launch party and all the goodies you can win!
May 28, 2014
Writers' Wednesday: A Tease from Beacon of Love
How about a little tease from Beacon of Love to start your day? This is one of the 10 sizzling novels that will be included in the Passionate Kisses Boxed Set, releasing June 23rd. Have you liked our Facebook page yet??
May 26, 2014
May 23, 2014
Friday Fun Facts: It's Cover Reveal Day!
Friends and readers, I'm so excited that I'll be joining 9 other romance authors in releasing the boxed set Passionate Kisses: Ten Sizzling Contemporary Romances next month! Today it's time to reveal our gorgeous cover:
Also, please "Like" our Facebook page, because we'll all be posting teasers, excerpts, bio information and more, over the next month. And THEN, on June 24, we'll be holding an awesome Facebook Launch Party with chats and giveaways all day long!
This boxed set will be available on all online retailers for $0.99 for a limited time. Can't wait until June 23rd? If you'd like to review an Advanced Reader Copy, sign up right here. But hurry - there are only 100 ARCs available!
Finally, one more peek to whet your appetite:
Passionate Kisses Boxed Set!
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Also, please "Like" our Facebook page, because we'll all be posting teasers, excerpts, bio information and more, over the next month. And THEN, on June 24, we'll be holding an awesome Facebook Launch Party with chats and giveaways all day long!
This boxed set will be available on all online retailers for $0.99 for a limited time. Can't wait until June 23rd? If you'd like to review an Advanced Reader Copy, sign up right here. But hurry - there are only 100 ARCs available!
Finally, one more peek to whet your appetite:
Passionate Kisses Boxed Set!
May 18, 2014
Monday Mentionables: New Books Coming Soon!!
Happy Monday, everyone! I'm excited to share the news that JUNE 23rd will be the release date of a boxed set of contemporary romances that I'm part of. 9 other authors and I will be featured in Passionate Kisses: Ten Sizzling Contemporary Romances, and it will be on super-sale for only $0.99 when it releases at the end of next month! The cover reveal will be this Friday, May 23rd, so make sure to stop back so you can see it!
In other news, I'll be featured on The Hummingbird Place online radio show on May 26th at 7:30 pm, and the featured topic is Small Town Romances. I'll be chatting all about my Hometown Heroes series, so mark your calendars and I'll post my information here and on my social media sites that day.
And finally, speaking of small town romances, I was so happy to read this 5-star review on Amazon of The Promise of Paradise:
"The characters were very vivid for me. I was glad to see somebody discuss what home towns, small towns have to offer. Those are pretty stereotypical characters but still each one has their worth. I appreciate the romance and the beautiful story, thank you."
Have a wonderful day!
In other news, I'll be featured on The Hummingbird Place online radio show on May 26th at 7:30 pm, and the featured topic is Small Town Romances. I'll be chatting all about my Hometown Heroes series, so mark your calendars and I'll post my information here and on my social media sites that day.
And finally, speaking of small town romances, I was so happy to read this 5-star review on Amazon of The Promise of Paradise:
"The characters were very vivid for me. I was glad to see somebody discuss what home towns, small towns have to offer. Those are pretty stereotypical characters but still each one has their worth. I appreciate the romance and the beautiful story, thank you."
Have a wonderful day!
