Cecelia Mecca's Blog, page 21

Join me TONIGHT for a Book-Lover’s Pinterest Party + Prizes!

What goes better than books and Pinterest? Maybe prizes too? Join me tonight from 9:00-9:30 PM EST for a “Chief’s Pinterest Party” where I’ll be giving away a book lovers tote, a The Chief’s Maiden signed paperback and more! Joining in on the fun is easy. Just follow this board and log in a 9:00 PM. I will post an image every 5 minutes. Comment and be sure to fill out the winner’s form at the end. See images that inspired the book and even get a hint at Border Series book #4 coming in February.

Know a friend who loves books and Pinterest? Share this post with them, and see you tonight!

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No Kindle? No Problem.

Why can’t I buy Border Series books on iBooks/Nook/Kobo?

Cecelia’s books are available on Amazon only because she participates in their exclusive author program in order to have the Border Series books listed in Kindle Unlimited for romance readers who prefer to pay one price each month for unlimited reads.

But I don’t have a Kindle!

No worries. You can download Amazon’s FREE Kindle app here which works on smartphones, tablets, and computers.

I’ve downloaded the app. Now what?

Go ahead and purchase the Border Series book from Amazon, watch it appear in your app, and voila! Just don’t stay up too late reading. 

The post No Kindle? No Problem. appeared first on Cecelia Mecca.

Manspiration GIFs: These Historical Romance Readers Rock

This is why the Border Ambassadors are the #1 group of historical romance readers.

 

I asked them in The Chief’s Maiden Pre-Launch Party for manspiration GIFs for future books.

 

And boy, did they deliver…

 

And then a Border Series reader independently left this on our Manspiration challenge post:

 

So basically the Border Ambassadors + Border Series readers = Ultimate Hot Guy (Manspiration) Finders. If I was still in the classroom, I’d give Ann, Jen and Maggie gold stars. Unfortunately, some of the other “finds” are not PG-13 rated. Otherwise, Tina would get an A++ for this assignment.

Become a CM Insider to find out more about the very difficult job of finding new hero inspiration for Border Series books including a secret Pinterest page of future manspiration picks.

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Like Outlander? Try These.

I’m such a fan of Outlander that I once started a blog called Outlander Obsessed. Blogging since 2007, creating new sites was somewhat of a hobby for me until this little matter of becoming a historical romance author crept into my life. But I know as well as anyone how difficult between seasons and even between Sundays can be. So I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite fixes for those who like Outlander. Be aware, however, that even though the show (novel) is not categorized as romance, I am unabashedly a romance fan. The relationship between Jamie and Claire is what keeps me coming back, so the following list will be decidedly romance-leaning.

 

The Highland Guard Series

I can already hear my friends groaning. “We know,” they’re thinking. “Enough about Monica McCarty,” they’ll say. OK, so I may be a fangirl, but in case you haven’t heard of this series, go out and buy the whole thing right now. Then come back to thank me later.

 

Poldark

Oh dear. Researching images for this particular pick, I found an old board on Pinterest I’d forgotten about. So I may have started an Outlander Obsessed board with a Poldark pin I adore. In any case, Poldark is perfect for your mid-week Outlander hiatus.

 

The Tudors

Despite the fact that King Henry VIII is not a very nice protagonist, beheading one of his wives and all, The Tudors is absolutely my favorite historical period drama. Lots to look at (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and fall in love with here.

 

Braveheart

Laugh if you will, but I recently re-watched my #1 favorite movie of all time, and it’s still spectacular despite its historical inaccuracies. Hey, even our Scottish tour guide this summer said he loved the movie. Worth a re-watch.

 

My Friends

Any Scottish-lovers post would not be complete without a mention of my author friends (see, full disclosure) who are the best in the business. No, I’m not (terribly) biased. Check out Keira Montclair, Emma Prince, and Madeline Martin if you’re hunkering for a Scottish book boyfriend.

 

Last But Not Least…

Any article involving swoon-worthy heroes, strong female leads and the sweeping Scottish/English countryside must include the Border Series. If you haven’t checked them out just yet, either start with a .99 series-starter novella or the newest release, ‘The Chief’s Maiden,’ coming September 14th. And yes, these are mine.

 

Which of your favorite Outlander-like books, TV shows or movies did I miss?

The post Like Outlander? Try These. appeared first on Cecelia Mecca.

The Chief’s Maiden Book Launch Giveaway

With just over one week to the release of The Chief’s Maiden: Border Series Book 3, a release day giveaway was launched today, and it’s a good one! Participants can enter to win all four paperbacks in the series, signed, along with some surprise swag the author brought back from a visit to the British Isles this summer.

 

 

In the meantime, if you’re not already a CM Insider, subscribe to get an extended preview of the book along with other behind-the-scenes bonuses including a free book.

The post The Chief’s Maiden Book Launch Giveaway appeared first on Cecelia Mecca.

Best Medieval Romance Novels- Old School

Although lists of the best historical romance novels are not hard to come by, ones specific to medieval romance are a bit trickier to find. I do personally love all kinds of historicals— Regency, Scottish, even time travel. But medieval England continues to be my favorite time period and location both to read and write about. So if you’re a Game of Thrones fan but also love romance or a romance novel lover that has stuck mainly with Regency, the most popular sub-genre at the moment, add these to your TBR list and be sure to come back and let me know what you think.

Without further ado, here are some of the best medieval romance novels of all time:

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A Kingdom of Dreams

 

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A Knight in Shining Armor [image error]

 

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The Prize [image error]

 

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The Wolf and the Dove [image error]

 

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Prisoner of My Desire [image error]

While these books are canon for medieval romance readers, if any are new to you, grab, read and report back here. The links are affiliate ones. Looking for newer medieval romance reads? Here’s a quick tutorial on how to discover free or inexpensive new reads on Bookbub.

 

CLICK TO TWEET:

The best medieval #romance novels for hardcore historical romance fans & lovers of all things medieval England: https://t.co/mrKEOWvuyQ pic.twitter.com/S5XmSwjdwf

— Cecelia Mecca ⚔️ (@CeceliaMecca) August 29, 2017

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Pre-Launch Giveaway: 8 Signed Paperbacks

I’ve compiled some of the best historical romance novels that I’ve recently read along with others from a recent Romance Writer’s of American convention into one romance novel paperback giveaway just in time for The Chief’s Maiden launch next month. To celebrate its September 14, 2017 release, enter to win one of eight historical romance novels.

 

If you aren’t the winner this time, no worries. Just keep your eye out here or on the Facebook page for another paperback giveaway coming later this month. And be sure to subscribe as a CM Insider for exclusive giveaways for members only. Good luck!

England and Scotland and Ireland…Oh My!

It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to visit the castles that I read and write about. A trip to the English and Scottish countryside, as a medieval romance author, was truly magical. Even more so since my family took a Disney Cruise around the British Isles ensuring the kiddos even enjoyed themselves on the ship after a long day of castle and history hunting.

Some of the highlights including standing with one foot in England and the other in Scotland in the very place where the Border Series takes place: Northumberland, England. We also visited the Scottish Highlands and the castle which inspired Kenshire Castle in The Thief’s Countess, Bamburg.

With only a brief stop in Dublin, I, unfortunately, did not have the opportunity to discover much of Ireland, and the cruise did not visit Wales, but our time in the English countryside including the inspiration for Hogwarts, Alnwick Castle, as well as some amazing towns such as one of my favorites, Salisbury, was truly a dream come true.

The video below hardly does such an amazing trip justice, but it’s a small taste of a most spectacular place on the planet that I hope to someday visit again.

 

Savvy Marketing for the Experienced Author, Mark Dawson #RWA17

Learn more about Mark Dawson and Self-Publishing Formula, and if you have the opportunity to take his course…do it. He is knowledgeable and does a fantastic job breaking down information for new and experienced authors. Breaking down a few of his key point below. For additional information,

 

Mailing List is Key

Create Facebook look-alike audiences
Get reviews
Conduct surveys
Build advance/street teams

How to Build a Mailing List

Front and back matter of your book
Collaborate with others

Instafreebie
BookFunnel


Passive means such as email signature

WiseStamp

Paid Promotion

Facebook Ads
Amazon Ads
Giveaways

Kingsumo

Facebook Live

Launch Parties
Q&As
Giveaways
FB Live Demo @ RWA

 

Resources:

1,000 True Fans (Kevin Kelly)

MeetEdgar (social media scheduling)

Calling All Historical Romance Audiobook Lovers: The Ward’s Bride Audiobook

The prequel novella to the Border Series is now on audio! I’m excited to announce The Ward’s Bride, a prequel set 30 years before The Thief’s Countess along the Anglo-Scottish border, is now available on Audible. Narrated by the incomparable Benedict Waring, the audiobook is under $15 and a great way to jump into the series.

You can download The Ward’s Bride on audio at Amazon.com and enjoy listening to a sizzling medieval romance today! Listen to a sample and let me know what you think.