M.K. Meredith's Blog, page 4
September 1, 2016
2016 Summer Indie Book Awards! You can help me win!
You can help me win! Malibu Betrayals has been nominated in the romance category. Readers can vote once a day from September 1st through September 10th! Use this link ---> Vote!
Voting each day will help tremendously. Thank you in advance!
Check out the information below to understand the contest, and to be a part of the fun!
The cold of winter is setting in, at least for those of us in the northern Hemisphere of the world. But we at Metamorph Publishing aren’t letting that get us down! We’re already looking forward to a sizzling summer, and we’re here to announce our first annual Indie Book Awards! You heard that right, a summer book awards! The event officially begins on January 1st of each year, and nominations will be accepted through midnight CST on August 31st each year. Voting will begin on September 1st and end on September 10th each year.
“What’s the big deal,” you ask? “There are all kinds of contests out there.” And you’re right, there are hundreds, probably thousands of book awards. But many of them are only for unpublished authors, or authors who only write in certain narrow genres, or for authors who have never published before in a particular genre. Plus, there are plenty of them that charge an entry fee, some of which are prohibitive to authors who publish independently, without the backing of a large and powerful publishing house.
So, we’re hoping to do something different with the Summer Indie Book Awards! Entry is free, and nominations will be accepted from any indie or small-press author, regardless of their current published or non-published state, or what genre they write in. We are accepting donations of print or e-books, author swag or novelty items (bookmarks, pens, keychains, etc.), but donation is not required for nomination. We’re taking nominations from authors as well as from readers, and authors can nominate their own books; we only ask that authors who do so also nominate a fellow indie author. Nominations can be made using this form: http://goo.gl/forms/T1L8sQJGVx, while donations can be made at: http://goo.gl/forms/6DkAK4MeqI.
Feel free to join up with the event on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1099924726693772, and like the official Facebook page of the Summer Indie Book Awards at https://www.facebook.com/summerindiebookawards.
You can also sign up for the newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/bL43cf so you can stay up to date with all the latest news!
In the pinned post of the Facebook event, you’ll find these links, along with links to a Google Drive folder where you can look and see who’s already been nominated! And any author who is nominated will have access to an official contest nominee badge, that they can use on their book covers or any promotional media, if they so desire.
Winners in each genre will receive a prize (hopefully we’ll get enough donations for this), beginning with the 1st place winners. If we get enough prizes donated, we’ll go next to 2nd place winners, and then to 3rd place. Regardless of the prizes, winners will get a high-quality winner badge, stating their place and the genre of the book. These will be of high enough resolution for authors to use on their print books, if they want to!
But it’s not only the winners that will benefit from the Summer Indie Book Awards! All nominated authors will have the potential to reach hundreds, if not more, of new readers (readers often have a preferred genre, and while they’re voting for their favorite author, will come across others they may not have tried yet), and reach a huge new audience through the social media forums! And best of all, it’s meant to have fun, to reach out and network with other authors, potentially forming long-lasting relationships. And readers will benefit from having a wealth of new books in front of them, as well as a vast amount of new stories to immerse themselves in.
Though we’re using Facebook and other social media as a platform to reach more authors and readers, none of these social media outlets are affiliated with the awards. They are hosted strictly by Metamorph Publishing.
For more information, please visit Metamorph Publishing at https://metamorphpublishing.com.
August 22, 2016
Meet an Author Monday ~ Taylor Anne
Welcome to Meet an Author Monday!!
Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a huge hugger and love everything friendly and nice. Well, this next author is a similar spirit animal who also happens to be a kickass writer.
I'm so happy to introduce you to today's author Taylor Anne!
AND...she has a new release coming soon! Bride Interrupted! Go check it out on amazon!
So, without further ado...
<< I live in SouthWest Louisiana (Bayou Country and great Cajun food) with my wonderful and supportive husband. Our combined families include four great children; two daughters and two sons – and growing with in-laws and grandbabies. Oh, and one cat, Oscar; a.k.a. Chewy 2. It is such a blessing to have the love, encouragement (and computer help!) from my family. I could not make it daily without each of them.
Growing up, I never went anywhere without a book in my hand. Reading was my great escape, and still is. Only now I’ve added the joy of writing to the mix. Plotting scenes and envisioning different endings (always happily-ever-after) is where it all starts. The challenge comes with converting the images into words and putting them on paper. And I love a great challenge!
Everyone needs some way to escape the stress, trials, and even smiles of this world. Shopping, sewing, running, hunting, and golfing are just a few of those escapes. Add reading and writing to my list above. Nothing takes me away from it all like reading a good suspenseful or romantic book. Writing stories would be next on my list. I enjoy letting my imagination run wild by changing an everyday situation into something crazy, thrilling, or romantic. I hope that my writing will give someone the escape they need in their world.
I am published with The Wild Rose Press and Amazon Encore. I am a member of Romance Writers of America and Bayou Writers Group of Southwest Louisiana. Thanks for stopping by my website. I hope you enjoy your visit here. Leave a comment on my blog page or send me an email. Hop over to my Facebook page and give me a like.
I would love to hear from you!
email: tayloranne.mail@gmail.com
Love, hugs, and kisses – Taylor >>
Like Taylor on Facebook!
And website her website!
August 15, 2016
Meet an Author Monday ~ Jessa Rose
Welcome to Meet an Author Monday!
Today I'm sharing an author that is new to me as well!
And it's all really hush, hush...
Jessa Rose is the super secret pen name for two contemporary romance authors you already know...but they've never written anything quite like this.
The new series Arrogant Heirs looks like smokin' royal fun!
Click the graphic for more information!
Book 1, The Royal Prick is out in stores so don't miss it!
https://www.amazon.com/My-Royal-Prick-Billiona…/…/B01HYO6NLY
Follow Jessa Rose on Amazon!
Connect on her website!
Hugs, loves, and peanut butter!!
August 8, 2016
Meet an Author Monday ~ Author L.T. Kelly
Welcome to Meet an Author Monday!
I love being able to share this vibrant, feisty woman with you. She's a talented, passionate, and a determined go-getter all wrapped in a beautiful pin-up package! Heehee...
So, without further ado... Author L T Kelly.
"I live in the rural county of Lincolnshire in the UK.
I joined the Royal Air Force aged seventeen. You like to hear stories of how I travelled the world right? It seriously wasn’t that glamorous, but I had a wonderful mis-spent eleven and a half year career. I’ve met some weird and wonderful people over the years and I wouldn’t take back a minute of it. Even when we were being rocketed every night in Iraq. What a cool grandmother I’ll be! “Pull up a sandbag, I’ll tell you a story, kids.”
Alas, all good things must come to an end. I was married with a baby boy and pregnant with my daughter when I left and trained to be a florist…no, really, I did. I have done precisely zero floral arrangements since.
However what I did do was write, so I started to study it…because I like to have pieces of paper that say I can do things, like floristry! I achieved an NCFE level 3 in fiction writing, if you’re wondering what that is it’s a A-Level equivalent. The course largely centred around short story writing which was fine by me because there was no way I was ever going to write a book…like ever, no way!
So, *shakes head* I published Falling to Pieces on the 15th of August 2013. The second part, Falling into You, was released on the 15th of May 2014.
Since then I’ve taken a large side step into contemporary romance with Kissing Cassie. I say large because it’s so different from my first two books, my writing style had to be adjusted somewhat for the genre switch. With that I made the decision to throw the self-publishing towel in. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy hiring my own editor and working as closely as you can get with a cover designer. Those were the most enjoyable things. My content was my content, and the support I’ve received for those books far outweighed my expectations, like by a million miles.
Kissing Cassie was completed and prepared for submission in March 2015 and submitted simultaneously to those allowing. I suffered a number of months of heartbreak and self doubt. I completely lost my ability to continue with the second book Kissing Katie, I even deleted the first start amounting to 10k words. I thought I could take it, but I’d been wrong.
As my skin became a little thicker, I struggled on regardless. Then I received a beautiful acceptance for Kissing Cassie from Resplendence Publishing, one of my very first submissions. It’s fair to say I’m so excited and looking forward to seeing what people think."
Like L.T. Kelly on Facebook!
Check out her website!
August 1, 2016
Malibu Secrets on Sale Now!
click the photo for your favorite retailers...
"Funny, sweet, quirky, sexy...what more could you ask for?"
~ Lynn Brooks, Goodreads review
I'm so excited! Get your copy at your favorite retailer here:
http://goo.gl/8tkEi4
Every girl has a secret (or two)…
On the verge of losing the Malibu home she inherited from her great-aunt, Addi Dekker is completely failing to prove to her family she can make it as a writer. Not exactly how a girl proves her independence. If she doesn’t want to give up her dream and go back to the soul-sucking job she just left, Addi has to swallow her dislike of Hollywood and rent the house out to the sexy-as-hell film producer.
And maybe (shhhh!) save money by secretly living there, too.
Roque Gallagher is pouring his heart and savings into his first independent film to make the industry acknowledge him for his talent and not just his family name. Addi’s home is perfect for the shoot, but she’s far too tempting. He’s never been able to handle work and a relationship, and this is the film of a lifetime. Between a shrinking budget and his director quitting, the last thing he needs is a sexy-as-sin tease like Addi. And he has a feeling there’s something she’s hiding…
Meet an Author Monday ~ Leslie Pike
Welcome to Meet an Author Monday!!
I was introduced to today author by Lara Ross Petterson and there's nothing I love more than paying a kind act forward. So today, I'm introducing you to Leslie Pike!
Here's an author with a lifetime of experiences to color her wonderful romances in a very exciting way!
Author Leslie Pike lives in Orange County, California, with her husband Don, and their Pom-Poo, Mr. Big. Before writing her first novel, Leslie worked as a screenwriter on episodic television. She’s traveled the world with her Stuntman/Stunt Coordinator/Second Unit Director husband. They’ve been on movie sets from Africa to Israel, from New York to Los Angeles. Some of Leslie’s favorite things include calligraphy, long walks with her friends and afternoons at the movies.
Like Author Leslie Pike's on Facebook!
And follow her on Amazon!
Don't miss her newest release, The Road to Paradise!
July 25, 2016
Meet an Author Monday ~ Trish L. Leger
Welcome to Meet an Author Monday!!
Sorry for missing the last two weeks, but I put a call out and have a slew of amazing talent to share, starting with this fine lady!
I am thrilled to introduce you to the talented and lovely author, Trish Finley Leger!
"Hmmm....about me....
I'm from South Louisiana, where it's hot, humid and definitely not Hollywood, but I wouldn't trade it. We have awesome food, amazing people, and even better music.
I'm married, have a loving and boisterous family, and enjoy movies, reading, writing and eating (of course-I'm not a cajun for nothing!)
My stories are a bit different. I write sensual, sexy paranormals, and heated, intensely emotional contemporary's. Some are set in the scorching south, some in the bustling avenue's of New York.
I hope you'll check out my stories on Amazon and Createspace!"
Like Trish on Facebook!
Check out Trish's website !
Hugs, loves, and peanut butter!
June 27, 2016
Meet an Author Monday ~ Phoebe Fox
Welcome to Meet an Author Monday!
Today's tall drink of water is an author who once you start reading, you'll never stop. Her Breakup Doctor series is fantastic and book 4 is coming soon!
I'm thrilled to introduce you to a talented author and my lovely, lovely friend, Phoebe Fox!
Her official bio...
Phoebe Fox is the author of the Breakup Doctor series, and has been a contributor and regular columnist for a number of national, regional, and local publications (she currently writes about relationships for the Huffington Post, Elite Daily, and She Knows). She has been a movie, theater, and book reviewer; a screenwriter; and has even been known to help with homework revisions for nieces and nephews. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and two excellent dogs.
The bio she'd tell you over coffee and doughnuts (or wine…let’s be honest…) LOL!
My earliest memories are words: sounding them out with the characters on The Electric Company and Sesame Street; trying to decipher signs as my mom drove me and my brother and sister around town; using (and misusing) new words I’d seen in magazines or advertisements or on TV. The first failure I remember is blowing the third-grade spelling bee when I got to the finals (“analyze”—I spelled it with an i instead of a y). Words and language have fascinated me as long as I can remember—and even more so, the worlds that can be created with them. Nearly every childhood picture of me shows me with my nose in a book. Stories were my sanctuary, my fantasy life, my dreams, and my escape from childhood sorrows. As I got older, I realized that what I loved most was reading about people, and how they think, what they do, and why. Shoot-’em-ups didn’t grab me, and neither did mysteries or thrillers or horror. I wanted to examine people’s actions, and the psychology behind why we do what we do, and when I started writing (another earliest memory—as soon as I knew how, I had a pen in my hand), those were the kinds of tales I wanted to create.
Check out her website!
Like her on Facebook!
Hugs, loves, and peanut butter!
June 20, 2016
Meet an Author Monday ~ Julie Particka
Welcome to Meet an Author Monday!!
This next author is such a sexy, sassy woman I can barely stand it. In the best. Way. Ever.
If you ever want to see a woman rock a corset...meet up with Julie Particka!
Besides being all around awesome, she's a thinker. Intelligence gets me every time.
So...with out further ado, I'd love to introduce you to Julie Particka!!
Julie Particka was told to get serious about her future in Junior High. Several years after getting a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, she realized being serious was over-rated and went back to her first love–writing. Now rather than spending her days in the drudgery of the lab or teaching science to high school students, she disappears into worlds of her own creation where monsters sometimes roam, but true love still conquers all.
She can most often be located in the Detroit area with her favorite minions (the ones who know her as Mom) where she is currently hatching a plot for world domination. It involves cookies for everyone, so she’s pretty sure there’s no way it can fail…except the minions keep eating the cookies.
Check out her website!
Check her out on Facebook!
June 13, 2016
Love After All highlight & interview with Julie Tetel Andresen
Let's start with getting to know our author better! Julie agreed to this fun interview to share a little insider information!
1. What is the most compelling theme behind all of your writing?
The most compelling theme behind all of my writing is the need for connection. The first connection is, of course, touch, your mother holding you. The next connection comes through language. Humans stay connected through language. For me, the center of a love relationship is good dialogue. Good dialogue assures good touch, that is, physicality/sexuality, which is connection intensified and electrified.
2. If you could break a romance writing rule with no consequence what would it be?
The romance rule I would break – maybe have them not end up together, although everything points to them wanting to be together? It would still be a happy ending, in its own way, that they decide they can live apart. Maybe she has more traveling to do, and he needs to focus on a start up. Even as I imagine this scenario, I think, “Well, I’ll just get them together in the next installment.”
3. So I write contemporary romance but historical is my favorite genre to read. What about you?
I thought I would always only read and write historicals. Now I binge read in categories. I’ve been on a shapeshifter jag for a while now. Every now and then I’ll try a contemporary rom com.
4. Tell us where the idea for this book came from...and did it turn into a series or one stand alone?
My twenty-fifth romance Love After All (May, 2016) is a stand-alone contemporary about two 50-something New Yorkers who are at the top of their professional game but rusty on dating chops. I liked writing about people who have a lot of life experience.
Where did the idea come from? My life, perhaps?
The heroine Laurel is an English professor at New York University. I’m a professor in the English Department at Duke University. (The only difference: I teach linguistics not literature.)
The middle part of the story is set at a Duke class reunion in beautiful Durham, NC … so all I had to do was look around.
Laurel is into improv. When I taught in the Duke Arts program in New York City a few years ago, I took an improv class at the People’s Improv Theater.
The hero Gino lost his wife to cancer. I lost my husband to cancer. So I know that journey.
Normally I don’t simply write myself, but this story called to me.
5. Which hero from your books is your favorite book boyfriend, and what is it about this book's hero that makes him so special?
Oh, man, I hate the question about which hero of mine is my favorite book boyfriend – especially because I have an answer and feel like I shouldn’t!
Out with it: Eagle from Captured, the second story in my Forest Breeze trilogy.
There’s just something about him. Sure, he’s smart (always a turn on) and sexy as hell, but it’s more that he knows what he wants every second of the day and acts to get it. When he decides he wants Rachel, well, end of story.
6. What is one thing all of your heroine's have in common? And what do they have in common (or not) with you?
From my very first romance, For Love of Lord Roland, I tend to portray heroines who maintain their dignity. Even in Love After All, Laurel is very attached to her dignity, which might also be called ‘reserve’ in her case. She has to give some of it up to make the connection with Gino.
Naturally, the loss of dignity results in comedy. In And Heaven Too the heroine Judith, who has a very good opinion of herself, has to make a fool of herself in order to win the hero (all properly plot related, of course). She has to become a comic character.
My heroines are usually much nicer, often softer and more giving than I am.
7. What is your next project (after this book) and when can we expect it?
I am in the early stages of a shapeshifter trilogy. To establish this new world, I wrote a short story set in London involving werewolves. It’s called The Alpha’s Edge. You can get a free download of it if you sign up for my blog:
http://julietetelandresen.com/blog/azerbaijan-i-a-lovely-architectural-surprise/
I’m hoping to write the first book in the trilogy this summer and have it come out some time in the fall – but (confession) I haven’t written a word of it yet and don’t even having a working title. At least I know the world and have a sense of the plot and the main characters. I don’t think my heroine is going to have much dignity, come to think of it.
Love After AllNYU professor Laurel Jennings has spent her career climbing the ladder in the academic world. Dedication has yielded a deanship and a home in New York City's Greenwich Village, but her smile hides her long-suppressed pain of rejection.
Gino Milano is one of New York's most successful restaurateurs. Family-oriented, generous, kind, and hospitable, the death of his beloved wife of thirty-five years has left Gino wandering from fling to fling, without the intention of finding that kind of relationship again.
On the eve of college reunion season, this reserved divorcee and passionate widower cross paths in the lobby of their building. Faced with the prospect of being the only one of her friends to attend their thirty-fifth college reunion alone, Laurel impulsively asks the first man she sees. Gino, intrigued by her candor, agrees to help -- but dismisses any possibility of romantic interest.
In need of help of his own, Gino offers Laurel a deal: he will accompany her to her reunion at Duke if she helps him fend off the advances of women at his own weekend of fundraising events. Initial doubts give way to playful moments and personal revelations as matters come to a head on a beautiful April weekend at Duke University. Can both of them find love after all they have been through?
Here's the buy links!
