Zena Wynn's Blog, page 3

Marriage in Crisis: Love after "I Do!"

I believe that even before I was married, I enjoyed romances about marriages in trouble. After my divorce, these books appealed even more. Sure, reading about couples falling in love is fun, but I like the meat and grit of a couple fighting to keep a marriage alive despite adversity. I'm sure if I were to consult a therapist, they'd give me all kinds of deep, psychological reasons why these books speak to me. I don't care about the why. I just really love a good marriage in crisis romance.

Over the years, two books with this theme really stuck with me. The first is The Fulfillment by LaVyrle Spencer. It was published in 1979, so you can imagine how long ago I read it. It's a historical set in the early 1900s. The MMC (husband) was infertile. He and his younger brother worked the family farm together, and the husband, wife, and brother-in-law have a close, loving relationship. The husband regrets that he can't give his wife a child, so he plants the seed, basically throws the brother and wife together so she can get pregnant, and leaves town, providing an opportunity for his suggestion to bear fruit.

Man, the emotional drama that followed. I had to have been a teenager when I read this story, and I still remember the details despite having read hundreds, if not thousands of books since then. Now that I think about it, this book may be the root of my fascination with love triangles. One woman in love with two good men. She can't have both, and there's no way to choose one without ripping out her heart. https://www.amazon.com/Fulfillment-LaVyrle-Spencer/dp/0380470845

In 2009, at the beginning of my publishing career, I wrote a book called The Contract. It's a sci-fi romance set off planet. In the story, my heroine (Cecily) marries the hero. They show up at his Human Resources office to prove he's married. The Company is the most lucrative employer on earth, where jobs are scarce. Cecily is on board with living on an asteroid, but there's a catch in Billy's employment clause that concerns her. Miners must be married and live in family units. If, for some reason, one of the men in the unit loses a wife, he has to leave the asteroid until he can find another wife. Or, he can exercise his option to marry one of the wives in the unit.

As you can imagine, my heroine balks at the clause, but the hero convinces her it will never happen. They will be sharing a unit with his older brother and sister-in-law. She reluctantly signs because she loves the hero. The unthinkable happens, and Cecily finds herself torn between two brothers who both want her.

Buy Link: https://www.zenawynn.com/product-page/the-contract

The second book in my mental, unforgettable file is Lena Matthew's Happily Even After, published in 2010. Okay, technically, I guess the couple weren't still married to each other, but they were definitely still in love. The drama, the angst--this book had it all. The heroine has a one-night stand that ends with her getting pregnant. I won't go into all the spoilers of how the divorce happened, who she slept with, and why she keeps resisting the hero's attempts to heal their marriage. I will say that this was a damn good book. So good, I've never forgotten the author or the title. I reached out to Lena to see if the book is available anywhere other than in print. If so, I can't find it.

https://www.amazon.com/Happily-Even-After-Lena-Matthews/dp/1607377438

I suppose I can thank these two authors and others for exploring infidelity in marriage. I know most readers hate cheating books, but I've found that if it's really well done, the storyline can suck you in faster than a Lifetime movie.

I hope my duet Beyond the Breaking and Broken fits into this category. In my opening scene, Cassidy (my heroine) and her husband (Phillip) are on vacation, using the downtime to get pregnant. Sounds good, right? Unfortunately, it doesn't take long before their happy marriage begins to show cracks.

In Beyond the Breaking Point, I put my heroine through the wringer. In addition, there's a bromance (between Max and Phillip, best friends since college) that gets fractured by Phillip's betrayal. Throw in Cassidy's drunken, angry one-night stand with Max that ends with her becoming pregnant and not knowing which man is the father, and you have a drama worthy of a soap opera. My beta readers got into arguments over what they thought the heroine should do.

To read a sample, click here: https://beyondthebreakingpoint.laterpress.com/

These aren't the only books about a marriage in crisis in my catalog. If this trope entices you, check out these books:

To Jon, With Love: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/483249

Trust Me Tonight: https://www.amazon.com/Trust-Me-Tonight-Zena-Wynn-ebook/dp/B01MSUMR8T

Fantasy Island: Fantasy Man: https://www.zenawynn.com/product-page/fantasy-island-fantasy-man

J & M Consulting: Gamed: https://www.zenawynn.com/product-page/j-m-consulting-2-gamed

The Nina Chronicles: Full and Overflowing: https://www.zenawynn.com/product-page/nina-chronicles-4-full-and-overflowing

The Dreaded Business Plan

In the business world, it's good to align yourself with more experienced people in your field. Taking advantage of their business advice and tutelage can help tremendously in your efforts to establish a business for yourself. This is especially true in the ever-changing world of publishing.

Whenever I consult with my good friend, Author Olivia Gaines, for advice on some issue, she inevitably asks, "Zena, what does your business plan say?"

The first time she asked me that question, my thought was, "Business plan? To sell books. Duh!" To say I'm not the most business-savvy person on earth would not be an understatement. When I got started in book publishing, the only things required of me were to write the manuscript, submit the manuscript to my publishers for publication, and if accepted, work with the editor to polish said manuscript to the best of my ability. I also was required to have a website and find a way to interact with readers. That was the extent of my business plan: Write, submit, edit, advertise, repeat. I'd even been told by more experienced authors that the best way to sell more books is to publish the next one.

I had to level up when I embraced self-publishing and began educating myself. I no longer had a publisher to handle the business side of things for me. The learning curve was steep. First, because I wanted to do it right, I had to learn about the different types of businesses and pick the one that best suited my needs: Sole Proprietorship or LLC. Then, I had to research how to register my business at the federal, state, and county levels. That took time, patience, and money. I won't even get into the learning curve for filing self-employment taxes.

Fortunately, by this point, I'd established quite a network of authors, editors, and publishers willing to help me with all of the tasks my publisher used to handle. These people answered my many questions about formatting and distributing my books to sales outlets such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. The cover artist I met during my brief stint as an editor for the now-defunct Red Rose Publishing agreed to become my cover artist, which was a blessing.

I thought I knew all I needed to know about the business side of publishing until Olivia asked me that pesky little question. Apparently, there was more I still needed to learn, so I did what I always do. I consulted YouTube. What I learned is the first thing I needed was an objective.

Obviously, my objective is to sell books. Specifically, to sell the books that I write at a profit. To meet that goal, my "plan" was, and still is, to write two to three books a year and publish them (measurable). That number may change based on word count and the time it takes to write, edit, and publish each one, but three a year is the goal. It's not only my goal, but it's achievable. (See what I did there?)

Now comes the tricky, ever-fluctuating part of the equation. How do I want to sell those books? Meaning, which sales channels do I want to use? Amazon is key, of course, despite my becoming progressively more disgruntled with them as time passes. I use Smashwords/D2D as a distribution hub for other retailers and libraries to save time. I also applied for and received access to sell directly through Google Books.

In the last year or so, my focus has shifted more to direct sales. My new business plan is to remove the middleman as much as possible. I want greater control over my product. So now my business plan requires researching how to drive readers to my website and get them to purchase directly from me. Why is that important? Retailers take 65% of the book price, leaving the author the remaining 35%. When I sell directly, I keep 95-98% of the purchase price with only 2-3% for processing fees deducted. That is a much better return.

(Attribution: https://emilybuehler.com/2018/book-distribution-for-self-publishers/)

Kindle Unlimited used to be a part of my business plan. I'd post books there for the first 90 days to boost reviews and exposure, and then push my books out to the other retailers. I've hit pause on KU. In my opinion, a royalty of less than a penny per page read isn't worth it. Other authors may feel differently.

The same goes for Kindle Vella. The monthly bonuses were nice, but when I looked at the actual royalties earned for reads, it was a mere pittance. Since I started with Kindle Vella to pressure myself to finish Mate Run: Cara, it served its purpose. However, the stress of that pressure eventually wore me down. As a result, I pulled the two stories I had in Vella, too.

One of my goals is still to put all my books in all available formats: ebook, print, and audiobook. A future goal is to have all books translated into Spanish and perhaps German. Translation done right is costly, and unless a publisher expresses an interest in acquiring the translation rights to my books, that may remain an unrealized dream.

I think the biggest component of my business plan that's lacking is marketing. Frankly, advertising/marketing books is hard. Doing it cost-free is even more difficult. Olivia says I should have a marketing budget. The problem is finding places to advertise my books that aren't a waste of money. Contrary to popular belief, all authors aren't rolling in dough. Most of us have a day job for a reason.

There are days when the business side of publishing feels overwhelming. Every time I think I have a handle on things, it changes. I miss the days when all I had to do was finish the next manuscript, but I also enjoy having greater control over my books. Since I'm not going to stop writing, my only choice is to keep learning and growing so that I can be the best I can be at this thing we call publishing.

If you're an author, what has been your greatest challenge? If you're interested in becoming a published author, what do you find most frustrating about the process?

How Old Were You When You Read Your First Romance Novel?

I was 13 years old, in the 7th grade, when a classmate offered me one of her mom's romances to read. It was a Harlequin Presents. Back then, Harlequin had a monthly subscription (and maybe still do?). Subscribers received 6 books monthly, a month before they showed up on the shelves in the store. I don't remember her name now, but my classmate said her mom didn't mind her reading her books.

My mom was another story. I remember she saw me reading one in my room and asked what I was reading. I told her what I thought was the book's name. It was actually the author's, but I didn't correct myself when I realized my error. Her suspicious tone told me what she thought of "those sex books," which is how she still refers to them today. LOL!

In truth, she was right to be concerned. This was in the early 80s. While romances back then didn't have the sex scenes you find today, they were full of angst and drama. The heroes were rich and powerful: CEOs, Greek billionaires, Arab Sheikhs, and the like. The power imbalance between women and men was incredible. The stories were all written from the heroine's point of view, and frankly, the hero treated the heroine like crap. There were forced marriages and all other kinds of crazy situations.

There was a black moment in each book--that part of the plot where happily ever after seems like a lost cause. Suddenly, information would come to light, or the hero would do this amazing about-face, and you'd learn that he actually did love the heroine. Once he said those 3 little words, all would be forgiven, and the couple would ride off into the sunset (figuratively speaking).

This is why I never should have read those books at such an impressionable age. As I look back at all the relationship crap I've gone through in my early years, I can't help but wonder how much was the result of those romance novels? If I could speak to my younger self, I'd say, "Girl, the books are fun and all but no more real than Bugs Bunny. You wouldn't expect to find a walking, talking rabbit. Don't expect men to behave like the heroes in those books, and if they do, run far, far away as fast as you can."

Fortunately, romances today are different. Unless you read YA (Young Adult) romances, the power balance between the couples is more level. Most romances give both the hero's and heroine's point of view, so even if the hero is behaving like a jerk, the reader understands what he's thinking and feeling.

I am happy to be a romance writer now. Whereas previously, the heroines in those books were all white, I have the privilege of writing women of different colors and ethnicities. My heroines are professionals and older than the traditionally published heroines in their mid-20s. Most of my heroines aren't looking for a relationship and are chased by the hero. Which, in my opinion, is the way it's supposed to be. I don't like needy heroines or ones who do the chasing. (Perhaps that's my religious beliefs rearing its head?)

I write about women who respect themselves and command respect from others. They're nice and may give you the shirt off their back, but if you push too hard, as the saying goes, you'll "f*ck around and find out" exactly what they're made of. They are women in their 30s and 40s, who like me, have lived, loved, and learned from their life experiences.

Because I love a strong man (and what red-blooded female doesn't?), my heroes are all alphas. They're strong without being a-holes. They're not perfect, because perfect is boring, but they are a perfect match for the heroine. I don't write stupid misunderstandings that can be cleared with a simple, honest conversation, and I rarely do the "we almost broke up" moment in books. My tension and conflict come from other plot devices.

One of my favorite things to write about is married couples. Perhaps because my marriage didn't last. I like taking the couple past "happily ever after" and throwing conflict their way to see how they handle it. Did they mean their vows? Do they put the same energy into staying together that they did in getting together?

I'm working on one such story now. Grant and Sasha are empty nesters. Grant's focus is on rebuilding the connection between him and his wife when he accidentally overhears Sasha on the phone confessing that she's never had an orgasm. You can imagine the havoc it causes with him and their marriage.

The research for this book has been interesting. To get the details right, I've been reading books by sex therapists and listening to podcasts by industry professionals. It's amazing how many couples have problems with their sex lives. Astounding, really. I've been struggling with this story for a few years, occasionally pulling it out to play with and then sticking it back in its corner. This time, I'm determined to complete it.

My writing life has been unpredictable, so I don't want to promise a release date. What I can say is I hope to have this book published this year, if my creative mind and schedule cooperate. If this sounds familiar, I had it up in Kindle Vella for a time before snatching it down.

If you'd like to read a sample, here's the link: https://igniteherfire.laterpress.com/

Stay on the Porch: Don't engage!

At the start of my writing career, I was fortunate enough to have experienced authors and small indie publishers take me under their wings and mentor me. They taught me valuable lessons I adhere to today. I'd like to share a few.

Rule #1: Stay on the Porch. This rule was about reviews left for my books on Amazon and other distributor sites. When you put something out for public consumption, you're not always going to like the feedback you receive. I was told no matter whether the review was good or bad, do not respond. Responding to negative reviews only makes the author look bad to readers.

Let's be honest. There are malicious people in this world. People who never learned the Golden Rule: Treat others as you want to be treated. Belittle someone's book makes them feel good about themselves. Some reviewers make negative comments about the author instead of centering their comments on the book itself. There are all types of people in this world, and when you work in the public arena, eventually you'll have encounters with the less desirable ones.

It's hard not to jump in there and defend yourself or your book baby. Sometimes, as an author, you have questions and may want clarification so you know how to improve your craft. Don't ask. If the reviewer wanted to discuss the book with you, they would have emailed you.

I'd prefer an honest review, even if the reader didn't like my story. What I don't like are reviews that make me question if they read my book (character's names are wrong, etc), reviews left for my book that's clearly advertising another author's work, and reviews that summarize my whole book, leaving nothing for new readers to discover. Even so, I've learned to grit my teeth and bear it because it's part of the publishing landscape.

Rule #2: Authors Behaving Badly. The publishing world is a small one. I learned that right away. Publishers, editors, literary agents, distributors, etc. all know each other and they talk. With social media being as huge as it is, seeking an agent or a book contract is just like job hunting, but instead of employment references these entities view your public profile.

"But I'm an Indie author and have no intention of going the traditionally published route," you may be saying. Ditto for me, too, but that's even more of a reason for me to be as professional as possible with my public profile. A decade ago, the worst thing an author had to worry about was a 1-star review. Now, we have readers banding together to trash your book, your profile, and destroy your business reputation all because they didn't like something you posted online. It's savage out here in these publishing streets. Sometimes the best thing you can do as an author is stay in your writing cave and only come out when absolutely necessary.

For more examples of authors behaving badly, read this interesting article: https://literary-agents.com/authors-behaving-badly/

Rule #3: Keep Your Personal Life Personal. Whew, chile, this one right here! Look, I'm Southern and Black, and for a time in my life, I was on public assistance. Nobody gets up in your business like the government, except maybe readers fangirling over their favorite authors. The first time a reader wanted to know about my personal life, I was like, "Why? What business is it of yours?" I wasn't rude enough to say it aloud, but I sure thought it. Part of it is the generation in which I was raised (Gen-X), and the other part is simply my natural reticence.

When I became active on social media, I had to learn how to balance my public persona with my private life. I still struggle, but I think I've found a happy medium. I rarely, if ever, share my political beliefs. I'm choosy about with whom I share my faith. Not because I'm ashamed of either but because I know they're hot buttons for some. Readers would rather hear about my sex life than my faith, and I don't talk about that either. Instead, I occasionally discuss my day job, my family, and my health.

When I see posts on TikTok and Facebook exposing people's ignorance or entitlement, it's so hard not to jump in and comment. Excruciating, at times, but I know no good will come of it. My intent might be to educate the person, but most often, my blunt way of speaking will offend either the poster or someone else who read the post. Instead, I chant under my breath, "That's their profile. They can post whatever they want. Keep scrolling." The few times I've given into the temptation the results weren't worth it. Maintaining my peace is more valuable to me than putting in my two cents, which is about all unasked for opinions are worth.

What things dig under your skin and make it difficult for you to remain silent? Leave me a comment in the comment section so I know I'm not alone.

If you like content like this, don't forget to subscribe to my website. While you're there, consider visiting my store: www.zenawynn.com/shop

What I Suck At As An Author

If you read my last blog post, you know that I've been researching best practices for building a website that attracts readers and sells. During one of the podcasts I listened to, the creator said a word that made me groan. Can you guess what it was?

The creator said that you have to be consistent with your website. The example she gave was if the links on your home page are blue, they need to be blue everywhere on your website. This trains site visitors to know that red means it's clickable. What she said made sense so I immediately set about implementing in on my website, but I chose the color red, which is more on brand for me.

Unfortunately, her comment got me thinking about the lack of consistency in my life. For instance, I'm not consistent in my writing. Most successful writers set aside to time to write every day, even if it's only an hour. I write when the mood strikes. I have periods where I write every chance that I get, and I have seasons where the mere thought of writing sends me running from my computer.

Another area where I lack consistency is in what I write. I've taken classes on how to increase your author income, and one of the things they say is to "Stay in your lane." By that they mean pick a genre and/or sub genre and stick with it. When I first began writing in 2007, I started with my paranormal series, True Mates. I love paranormal shifter romances and at that time, there simply wasn't a big selection to choose from. The series was, and still is, very popular. Based on the given advice, I was supposed to keep writing True Mates romances, grow my readership, and rake in the money.

What did I do? Because I didn't want to be pigeonholed as a paranormal author, in 2009 I wrote my first full-length contemporary romance: The Question. It was a huge hit with readers and is still my highest rated book. I continued writing True Mates books but also began building a large contemporary romance catalog.

In the sixteen years that I've been published, I've written an Edgy Christian romance series, The Nina Chronicles, paranormal romances, sci-fi romances, fantasy romances, and most recently, a post-apocalyptic, futuristic romance series, Mate Match Agency. I write what I like to read and when it comes to romance, I read a bit of everything.

The irony is that on the drive to work this morning, I thought about a few of my favorite authors and realized they don't follow this advice either. My thoughts went first to Nalini Singh. She started with her Psy/Changling series. Next, she wrote the Guild Hunter series, a paranormal based on Archangels, but the more I thought, I remembered she also has a contemporary romance series and now she's writing a romantic suspense series. My thoughts then shifted to Nora Roberts, Christine Feehan, Cythia Eden, and so many more authors I read that don't follow this rule. I felt bamboozled.

I'm not saying the advice is wrong. It just doesn't fit my gypsy writing soul. I know authors who have followed their advice, began writing a series based on popular tropes, and now they're a seven-figure author. Maybe one day I'll learn to be consistent and do the same. Until then, I'll keep writing the stories of whichever character screams the loudest in my ears.

Just some food for thought as I celebrate National Book Reading Month.

Authorpreneur: My DIY Author Website (history)

In 2007 when I signed my first publishing contract, the only marketing requirement was that I have and maintain an author website. My book hadn't been published, and I didn't have the book cover to begin advertizing. At that point, my book didn't even have an approved title. Add in no money and I went with my best option, Blogger.com.

A few years later, I had more books under my belt but still no expendable cash. I researched "best free websites" and saw Webs.com. Their click and drag template appealed to me, as did the idea that with a little imagination, anyone could create a decent website--no coding necessary. I was happy with my little website for over ten years.

Unfortunately, Webs was bought by Vistaprint. For some time, they left us Webs users alone. Then in 2020, they announced that all Webs users would need to convert to the Vistaprint website. The free website was also going away. By this point, I had over thirty books. If I had to pay for a website, it was time to research the best fit for me.

A year before, I'd taken over my church's Wordpress website when the member who managed it left. That experience was enough to teach me that I wanted nothing to do with Wordpress. I didn't have the technical knowledge necessary to do more than basic updates, and each time I worked on it, I walked away with a headache and a deepening dislike of the platform. In addition, every time Wordpress did an upgrade, it caused issues with the various plugins the website creator used. It got to the point where our website failed, and we were forced to move it. (Happy Dance time!)

After questioning several authors and looking at their websites, I settled on Wix.com for not only my author website but also the church's. Moving thirty-plus books took time and the process was stressful. By that point, I was under a deadline. My old site was being deactivated by Vistaprint. I had to have the new website up and running before that happened.

I created my Wix site in 2021 and for a year, I was happy with it. I made a few tweaks here and there. I added all of my books, the blurbs, and buy links. Lastly, I paid extra to have a store and uploaded my audiobooks and ebooks to sell direct. I learned about Landing Pages and added one to my website. The only thing I didn't know how to do was drive traffic to my website.

All was good until a month ago when I stumbled across a Facebook post by Shea Swain stating she was updating her website and invited friends to take a look. Since I was already considering updating mine, I did and was immediately jealous. Her website is fabulous. I told Shea how great her website looked and warned her that I was stealing some of her ideas. (See it here: https://sheaswainwrites.com/ )

I try to update my website once a year. After seeing hers, I knew I had to up my game. I went to YouTube and searched Best Practices for Author Websites. Over my next few posts, I'll share what I learned and point out the improvements I've implemented.

See my website: www.zenawynn.com

Visit my bookstore: www.zenawynn.com/shop

Welcome to the Future: The World of Mate Match Agency

The hardest part of writing the Mate Match Agency series was unarguably the world building. These stories are set in the future after a viral pandemic changed the world as we know it. In addition to researching pandemics and its effects on the world (thank you, Covid), I had to use my imagination of what a recovering world would look like. I couldn't use race or ethnic descriptions for my characters because in the future, skin color doesn't matter. With each book, I explored a different aspect of their world.

Mate Run: Pia is the shortest book and an introduction to the world of the infected and noninfected.

Mate Run: Cherise takes a deeper look at infected society as a whole and how the genetic mutation impacts them.

In Mate Run: Cara, the longest book, I explore in greater detail the virus and its origins . I also made a valiant attempt to answer all of the questions asked by readers in their reviews.

Welcome to the World of Mate Match.

In the year 2124, our world has been dramatically reshaped by a man-made viral pandemic. Initially, this virus was designed to create superhuman soldiers, a project led by the US military. However, it inadvertently resulted in a profound division among the global population, creating two distinct groups: the infected and the noninfected. This division transcended the usual lines of race, ethnicity, and nationality, as it's now genetic alterations that determine one's place in this new reality.

**The Infected:**

1. **The Clans:** Those who contracted the virus and experienced genetic changes are known as "the infected." They reside in rural areas, forming small, necessary clans. These clans are predominantly composed of males who have acquired animalistic traits, such as heightened senses like super hearing, superior eyesight, and reflexes. These enhancements make urban environments, filled with technology and sensory stimuli, a challenging place for them to inhabit.

2. **Self-Governance:** In the wake of the pandemic's destruction, centralized governments collapsed. Consequently, the infected clans have taken on self-governance. Their leadership often relies on a merit-based system, where individuals with unique skills stemming from their genetic enhancements assume leadership roles.

3. **Natural Adaptation:** The infected have adapted to their improved senses and animal-like characteristics. They now reside in small rural communities, living off the land by cultivating crops, hunting, fishing, and relying on traditional wisdom to ensure their survival. Their distinctive abilities grant them advantages in these natural settings.

**The Noninfected:**

1. **New Town (formerly Portland Maine):** Those who remained uninfected sought refuge in meticulously rebuilt urban cities, which now serve as technologically advanced fortresses of safety. These cities boast state-of-the-art medical facilities, AI-driven infrastructure, and intricate security systems. Unfortunately, the sensory-rich urban environment can be overwhelming for the infected due to their heightened senses.

2. **Isolationism:** Fearing the possibility of genetic contamination, noninfected communities have adopted stringent isolationist policies. Entry into their cities is rigorously regulated, involving comprehensive health screenings and quarantines for newcomers. The infected are often misunderstood and feared. Noninfected individuals worry not only about the genetic alterations but also about the risk of not surviving the virus itself.

3. **Fragmented Governance:** The collapse of national governments has given rise to localized governance within these urban enclaves. Each city formulates its own set of rules and regulations, with limited cooperation facilitated by communication networks.

**Interactions and Conflicts:**

1. **Resource Disparities:** Tensions arise from disparities in resources between the infected and noninfected. Urban enclaves have access to advanced technology and abundant resources, while the infected clans grapple with adapting to these environments.

2. **Cultural Divides:** Profound cultural and genetic differences deepen the divide between the two groups. Noninfected individuals prioritize security, technological progress, and strict governance, while the infected place a premium on survival, community, and self-sufficiency.

In this divided world of 2124, humanity faces a complex tapestry of challenges and opportunities. The struggle for survival, the relentless pursuit of technological advancement, and the fervent quest to maintain the societal balance are all intertwined with the unforeseen consequences of genetic experimentation gone awry. The choices made by women like Pia, Cherise, and Cara, who seek to bridge this divide, hold the potential to reshape this world in unexpected ways. (Overview created with the assistance of Chatgpt)

True Mates: Introducing Alex Wolfe

Meet Alex Wolfe, alpha of the Raven Pack, one of the largest wolf-shifter packs in the United States. Alex is the only child of Mona and Thomas Wolfe, the original alphas. When he was a teenager, his parents became foster parents to Carol Scott, their Beta's daughter whose parents died in a car crash.

In preparation for becoming alpha, Alex studied hard and is licensed as both a medical doctor and veterinarian. He wanted to be able to treat the whole shape-shifter: human and animal. As you can imagine, this didn't leave the heir apparent with a plethora of free time. He's dated his share of women, seeking one who'd be the right fit as his mate, but alas, didn't find anyone suitable.

Alex is nearing forty when he's confronted by his parents about his lack of a mate. Their concern is real. He needs a partner to co-alpha the pack, and it's past time he gave birth to a heir. Alex makes the bold declaration that he's holding out for his one, his true mate.

Pressure is building from his parents and the pack. Alex holds firm and his prayer for a mate is answered in the most mystical of ways.

Alex's story can be found in the following books:

To read how Alex found his mate, read True Mates, my first book and the first book in the True Mates series.

To read about the birth of Alex's first child, read Alpha in Charge.

Both books are available in audiobook:

Alpha in Charge (new) https://www.audible.com/pd/True-Mates-Audiobook/B0CGMJTTWD

True Mates: https://www.audible.com/pd/True-Mates-Audiobook/B07J6TQ836

If you're interested in a free review copy of Alpha in Charge, please contact me. Limited copies available. Reviews must be posted within 30 days.

2023 is the year of Me

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” - Maya Angelou

On the surface, a year of me sounds selfish, self-centered, and all of the other negative things we say when people decide to put themselves first, but consider this. As women, we tend to prioritize everyone else, leaving ourselves for last. The problem with doing that is if you break, who is going to fix you?

I began the year with a period of self-examination. Now that it's Lent season, my greatest wish is to restore quiet and balance to my life. Quiet because some type of noise is always in my ears. Either it's the television, the radio, YouTube, or audiobooks. I've forgotten what silence feels like. I'm learning I have to quiet my surroundings in order to quiet my mind.

Balance we all understand. It's so easy to get out of balance in one area or another. I'm a super achiever. I'm always trying to do something, feeling bad because I didn't get something done, or thinking about what needs to be done. It's exhausting. I need to learn how to just be. To sit and not feel guilty because something on my to do list isn't being crossed off.

That's my goal for this year. Wishing everyone a Happy International Women's Day 2023.

Remember the Sabbath

If you're not a religious person or grew up hearing the biblical story of creation, you may not know what I'm talking about. In Genesis, God worked six days creating all of the things we see now, including man. On the seventh day, it says God rested. Since God doesn't need rest, I believe he was setting an important example for us humans to follow.

Today, that advice is more critical than ever. I don't know about you, but I work a fulltime day job. I'm busy with family, busy with church. I write, publish, and market my own books. Everywhere I turn someone is telling me to be better, do more, and make more money. It's a mental hamster wheel, and I can't find the off switch.

Yesterday, I was reminded of the Sabbath and how important it is. How physically tiring and mentally exhausting it is to always be "on." You'd think a woman who had breast cancer in 2018 and Covid in 2020 wouldn't need to be told to slow down and rest. The thing is, like the hamster on the wheel, we get so used to the frantic pace that it just seems normal after a while. It's only when something knocks us on our butts (hello, Covid 19) that we realize just how busy we are.

So yesterday, I didn't sit down at the computer and finished that scene that begged to be written. I didn't hop on social media to see how my ads were doing or get my presence out there so readers would see and hopefully purchase a book. I didn't follow posts with "expert" advise on how to sell books that most times instead of being helpful, make me feel like an underachiever. Instead, I took my glasses off, gave my eyes a rest, and watched a whole season of Murder House Flip. It was a struggle, but it felt good mentally turn off. Maybe next Sunday I'll drive to my favorite spot by the water and just breathe.