Roxanne D. Howard's Blog, page 10
April 2, 2018
April-May Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!
Hi there, Romance Readers!
All right, here’s the skinny. When You Close Your Eyes releases on May 17th with Boroughs Publishing, and to celebrate, I’m running a $25.00 gift card giveaway. The winner has their choice of either an Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card. Enter below!
I also have great news. My science fiction novel, Astraeus, has been contracted with Covey Publishing! If you love Sci-Fi and would like to follow its journey to publication, you can check out my other website here. Best of luck, and be sure to buy When You Close Your Eyes when it comes out!
Love,
Roxanne
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March 3, 2018
Sheri Velarde’s New Release, A Whole New Life! #hottreepublishing #sherivelarde #authors #newrelease
I’m pleased to have fellow author Sheri Velarde on the blog today! Sheri’s newest romance novel, A Whole New Life, recently released with Hot Tree Publishing. Check it out!
A handsome deputy who’s not looking to settle down.
A mysterious woman who’s on the run.
Release: February 24, 2018
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
A Whole New Life
A Whole New Life is a sweet romance combined with the dangers of the underground crime world. Find out what happens when a beautiful mafia princess goes to a small town in Iowa to start over but quickly becomes intrigued with a hunky deputy.
Can romance ensue when she is always looking over her shoulder and worrying that her past will catch up to her? Check out A Whole New Life to find out if love can really conquer all, or if the past is always doomed to repeat itself.
When Deputy Henri Gunther realizes there’s so much more to waitress Jenna Trippleton, his simple small-town life explodes right open. With her safety and freedom at stake, Jenna must decide whether she can put her trust in the one man who’s promised to protect her.
“The idea for A Whole New Life probably started with me watching some mob documentaries on TV, but the theme of the story runs so much deeper than organized crime. The title represents something that I think many people long for at some point in time—a whole new life where you can start over and leave your past behind. At the time that I wrote this story, I may not have wanted to start over completely, but I was indeed struggling with some health issues which caused financial issues and needed an escape from my reality. A Whole New Life was that escape, and I hope those who read it can escape into the story as well for a short time.”—Sheri Velarde
Author Bio:
Sheri Velarde lives in New Mexico with her husband and their two dogs.
Being an avid reader since an early age, Sheri wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember. She has been writing all her life, but only recently started to pursue her dream of writing for a living. Sheri specializes in all things paranormal and that go bump in the night. Her heart truly lies in exploring unknown worlds or adding the supernatural to our world. If it goes bump in the night or has magical connotations, Sheri writes about it. She writes everything from sweet romances to horror stories sure to scare you.
In her spare time Sheri is an artist, jewelry designer, independent comic writer/artist and freelance non-fiction writer. Hiking in the mountains, going to live concerts, art openings, museums, watching movies, playing games, and hosting intimate dinner parties.
Sheri is constantly putting out new material with various publishers, so it is best to keep up with her on her website www.authorsherivelarde.weebly.com.
Amazon US: http://s.ripl.com/ww5zo8
All other links: http://books2read.com/whole
The post Sheri Velarde’s New Release, A Whole New Life! #hottreepublishing #sherivelarde #authors #newrelease appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
March 2, 2018
New Release! Landra Graf’s Bona Fide Beauty, and Gift Card #Giveaway! #landragraf #afterglowspublishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Afterglows Publishing
Bona Fide Beauty ~ Book 1 in Bona Fide Series
Long Blurb:
She’s going to lose her house.
Kathleen Baum has four months to complete the city’s required code changes to her grandma’s home. Otherwise, she loses it. Strapped for cash, Kat’s only way to get the funds is to bargain with her devil cousin. She agrees to an unwanted makeover, but she’s not good at taking direction, pretend or not.
He’s going to lose his business.
Devid Esposito has worked all his life to build a successful image consulting company, but if he doesn’t start bringing in new clients the business will be bankrupt in three months. The board is ready to oust him when his partner, Kat’s cousin, enters with the opportunity to get his mojo back; all he needs to do is help Kat, with a makeover. Unfortunately, Dev doesn’t take on female clients anymore since the last one broke his heart and used his tips against him.
When they find out they have a common enemy, his heart-breaking client is her code-breaking-whistleblower, and the easiest way to bring the foe down is to accept the other’s help. Losing their hearts to each other was the one thing they didn’t plan for.
Short Blurb:
When a disillusioned image consultant and a woman with abandonment issues team up to save his company and her house from a ruthless, rich investor it’s just business, but with this unconventional hero and tomboy heroine opposites attract. To trust each other goes against every instinct, except their baser ones.
Buy Links: Books2Read ~ Kobo ~ Amazon
ASIN: B07B52R528
Rafflecopter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/86fdd2f82/?
Grand Prize: A goody basket with – $25 Sephora Gift Card, 2 Contemporary Print Books, a pair of LulaRoe Tall and Curvy leggings, Delicious Treats and more
Rafflecopter Embed option: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grand Prize: A goody basket with - $25 Sephora Gift Card, 2 Contemporary Print Books, a pair of LulaRoe Tall and Curvy leggings, Delicious Treats and more
Author Bio: Landra Graf consumes at least one book a day, and has always been a sucker for stories where true love conquers all. She believes in the power of the written word, and the joy such words can bring. In between spending time with her family and having book adventures, she writes romance with the goal of giving everyone, fictional or not, their own happily ever after.
Social Media links (including newsletter signup):
FB: https://www.facebook.com/LandraGrafAu...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LandraGraf
Website: http://landragraf.com/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bdKi9H
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/landragraf/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Author Bio: Landra Graf consumes at least one book a day, and has always been a sucker for stories where true love conquers all. She believes in the power of the written word, and the joy such words can bring. In between spending time with her family and having book adventures, she writes romance with the goal of giving everyone, fictional or not, their own happily ever after.
Social Media links (including newsletter signup):
FB: https://www.facebook.com/LandraGrafAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LandraGraf
Website: http://landragraf.com/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bdKi9H
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/landragraf/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7847192.Landra_Graf
The post New Release! Landra Graf’s Bona Fide Beauty, and Gift Card #Giveaway! #landragraf #afterglowspublishing appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
March 1, 2018
March Giveaways!
Happy March, Romance Readers!
Here are two fabulous giveaways happening right now. The first giveaway is for an autographed paperback of Sonnet Coupled and matching earrings and pendant. This is taking place exclusively in my VIP Reader’s group. Make sure you subscribe through the website if you aren’t already, as I do cool monthly giveaways!
The second giveaway is for 2 Amazon e-books of Sonnet Coupled. This one runs for a week, so make sure you enter!
Click here for the Amazon Giveaway
Enjoy this book trailer for the novel, and be sure to check out Sonnet and Griffith’s journey! Back to the writing cave I go.
The post March Giveaways! appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
February 6, 2018
Why Constructing a GMC for your Story is Important
Just for clarification, I’m not talking about the auto brand or Cadillac.
January 24, 2018
On Productivity During the Waiting Game
Carl Jung once said, “Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you.” Look, writers are nuts. We have to be. We absorb everything around us, soak it in, and transpose it onto paper. I suppose in a lot of ways you could say we’re like Spongebob Squarepants.
So, in addition to three novels stewing on the back-burner and an upcoming sequel to my yet-to-be-contracted sci-fi, I currently have two manuscripts, a science fiction novel and a stage play, on submission. One to publish, and the other is one I wrote for a veteran’s contest. It’s been a while since I’ve queried anyone but my current publisher, and it’s interesting how intense the waiting game gets, no matter how much you’re used to it or how many times you’ve done it.
Waiting to hear back on a manuscript from a publisher is a lot like being pregnant in your third trimester. You know the one, when you’re really uncomfortable, antsy, can’t sleep or squat, and you just want it over with and to be able to hold your baby in your arms.
Here’s the deal; as writers, we learn to live with rejection. We have to, because that’s what the majority of publishing is, it’s failing and being rejected again and again, until that one publisher sees merit in your work and knows they can take it places. It’s part of the package. Wash, rinse, and repeat. So, what do we do to relieve the anxiety and tension of waiting? Almost every single editor/publisher/self-help guru will say, “write your next best thing.” But… what if I’m too knackered?
When I finished writing my sci-fi novel in November, I saw an announcement that there was a playwriting competition for Veterans through Arts in the Armed Forces. It checked pretty much every box in my creative portfolio; I’ve done a lot of theater in my younger years, read hundreds of plays, even been in a few, and I also served in the Army. But I was completely exhausted and wanted a creative break. My muse had other plans, and the next morning at 4:30 I woke up and started writing a play for the first time in my life.
Life’s weird, you guys. But we have to roll with it.
Here are a few things to do when you’re wound up tighter than a cuckoo clock or worried about something. I think the greatest of all these is just remember you’re human.
Exercise – Exercise relieves tension and releases calming endorphins.
Drink camomile tea – herbal tea has healing properties in it and will relax you.
Meditate – nothing is better than mentally floating and letting yourself become free of worries.
Breathe – A few deep breaths in and out can make all the difference.
Spend time in nature; go walk in the park, the forest, or go for a hike. Smell a flower.
Write it down. Expressing your feelings creatively is cathartic and healthy.
The post On Productivity During the Waiting Game appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
December 5, 2017
Play that Playlist!
While writing this stage play, I’ve been listing to an eclectic mix of music, which has really created some fodder for some interesting scenes. I thought I’d share it with you all below. Since the play is for part of a competition, I can’t put out an excerpt, but the music below really gives off the vibe of the play. Working title is Snowstorm. I hope to be done with it mid-January and submit it to AITAF, then it’s back to work on a romance novel.
December 4, 2017
Why Change is a Positive Thing
As those who subscribe to my VIP Reader’s Group know, over the weekend, we received word that Loose Id Publishing is closing its doors after 15 years in successful operation. This came as a shock to all the authors, editors, and staff who toiled tirelessly to produce top-quality high heat romance for our readers.
I am thankful for my time with such a good publisher. The editing at Loose Id was polished and professional, and I learned a great deal as an author with them. Though they are closing, they did it with class and gave the authors and editors a good five month head start to get things in order. This puts many authors in a bind, and I hope that they can find homes for their amazing books. I was fortunate enough to have all of my Loose Id books contracted with my other publisher, Boroughs Publishing, and they will be re-branded and republished in May 2018 once Loose Id closes.
This is understandably disheartening and saddening to many authors who put their heart and soul into their work, and now have to find new homes for it (or decide whether or not to self-publish).
When I was in the Army, I was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, when the Iraq War broke out. It was a tumultuous time, and I learned then that how we deal with change makes or breaks our experiences. There are many reasons why change in our lives, however hard it might seem at the time, can be a good thing:
It builds character and flexes your mental strength. We’ve all heard the old adage that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? Well, it’s true. Life is about finding out how much you can take and keep moving forward. This clip from Rocky always puts it into perspective for me.
By being forced to explore new avenues, you learn more. Growing doesn’t stop after high school. Growing starts when you begin believing in yourself. Sometimes we go through struggles and things we don’t deserve, but it’s not about us being good people that go through hard times. It’s about becoming who we were meant to be through a good attitude, determination, and perseverance. Always think positively and believe in your dreams.
Upgrading. Sometimes things don’t work out for a reason. This can be with a relationship, an investment, a job opportunity, or anything. When that happens, and we reevaluate what we hope to accomplish, nine times out of ten, we realize what we truly wanted, and change can bring about a better result than we originally thought of. For example, when we replace roof shingles or get a new water heater or refinance a mortgage, we do so to improve our quality of living and financial situation. Sometimes if that one job doesn’t work out, you end up getting a job that’s even better, and change comes about because you were meant to be better than you thought originally.
To all my fellow authors who are displaced and frustrated with the closing of Loose Id, this isn’t the end, and something good WILL come of this. To everyone else, I hope this sparked a bit of inspiration in your lives, wherever you are and whatever your circumstances.
“Believe in the beauty of your dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
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November 29, 2017
HUGE December Paperback Giveaway #giveaway #entertowin
Woot, woot! This month’s VIP Reader’s Group newsletter has gone out. If you’re not subscribed, you’re missing out!
Enter to win one of three signed paperbacks of The Costa Mesa Series – all three books in one convenient paperback! This giveaway will go until the 22nd of December. Also, make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter, because right before Christmas I’ll be doing an exclusive Amazon gift card giveaway only for those in my VIP Reader’s Group!
Catch you all later. I’m back to edits! I hope everyone has a wonderful December.
Love,
Roxanne
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November 24, 2017
Costa Mesa Series #Paperback #Giveaway!
Hey there, everyone!
I’ve emerged from the writing cave to give you all a head’s up that there’s a cool giveaway going on at Amazon. My three-novella series with Loose Id, The Costa Mesa Series, is now available in paperback! Enter to win one free paperback of the series. The giveaway ends on November 29th.
Amazon Giveaway for Costa Mesa Series
It’s worth following my Amazon author page, as I do frequent giveaways, so be sure you follow along.
I just finished the first draft of my new sci-fi novel, Astraeus, and am now in 2nd edits with my regular editor with Loose Id. I plan to publish the novel in my actual name, and I will be submitting it to a few big name sci-fi publishers in December, then working on a stage play. Make sure you’re subscribed to my VIP Reader’s Group so you can stay up to date on what’s happening. I’ll be doing more blog posts once these edits are out of the way. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is enjoying the last legs of Autumn.
All the best,
Roxanne
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