Tina Gayle's Blog

It Had to Be You by Kat Henry Doran Plus a #Holiday #Recipe

Let's start with the #recipe Call The Country Boys on the Rocks

Serves 10 [16 oz. size]

32 ounces unsweetened brewed black tea [we call it 'sun' tea because we brew it in the sunshine]32 ounces lemonade
20 ounces [2 1/2 cups] bourbon
1 bunch [4 oz pkg] fresh mint
2 lemons, sliced into rounds

 Directions:  stir tea and lemonade in a pitcher and chill in the frig till cold [at least one hour].
To assemble each drink: fill a 16 ounce glass with ice about 2/3 full. Add 2 oz bourbon. Pour tea/lemonade mixture over and stir. Dress with mint and lemon rounds. Enjoy! 


It Had To Be You, a contemporary romance by Kat Henry Doran


BLURB
          Madeleine Flynn returns to Serenity Harbor intent on restoring her beloved home to its former grandeur. Nothing will get in her way. Including a man whose jeans fit in all the right places and who handles a staple gun with the with the grace of a philharmonic conductor.
          Acting on their own agenda, local power brokers expect general contractor Azrael Hanson to monitor renovations on That House--and toss in a few diversions whenever possible. 
          Torn between duty to superiors and a private life he craves, Az knows standing with Maddy will damage his career beyond salvage. If he follows orders, he'll lose a future with the only woman who has brought a new word to his life: hope. 

EXCERPT             “Hanson,” she rasped between swollen, broken lips. “Are you from around here?”
          He nodded. “Born and raised. Why?”
          “I remember a family with six, maybe seven kids. All were named after the minor archangels. Are you part of that clan?”
          “I am. My family owns Hanson Scapes.”
          “So, you're from here, too,” he said, feeling more than a little stupid at the lame statement.
          Despite the ER doc's warning to not let her talk, Az liked the sound of  her voice. She may have lived in Serenity Harbor long enough to know about his mother's obsession with angels, but she hadn't stuck around long.
          With her height and that Lauren Bacall voice, a woman with her looks stayed in a man's mind. And this one fell under RLT.
          Real Looker Territory.
          “My name is Maddy Flynn.”
          One of his nastier habits was spitting out the first thing that came to mind. What came out of his mouth earned both feet, one elbow and the opposite fist all in one bite.
          “Oh, sure. You're the girl who wants to rehab the whorehouse.”


BUY LINKS:
 D2D: https//books2read.com/u/m2XRPK
BN:   https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/welcome-to-serenity-harbor-maggie-robinson//1124773371?ean=2940153499062
Kobo:           https://store.kobobooks.com/en_us/ebook/welcome-to-serenity-harbor
iBooks:  https://geo.itunes.apple.com/US/book/welcome-to-serenity-harbor/id1162465860?mt=11
 Amazon:  https://amzn.com/BO1LXRQEZ7


AUTHOR BIO
          Writing under the pseudonyms of Veronica Lynch and Kat Henry Doran, author Kathy Cottrell uses her past experience as a nurse, victim advocate and insurance investigator as fodder for her award winning stories which center around women and men who stand for the “less thans” of the world and manage along the way to find that one person who completes their lives.
          Outside of writing and creating tote bags, she serves as a devoted hand maiden and personal slave to the four brightest lights in her universe: Meredith and Owen, Ashlin and Kieran.


To learn more about Veronica and Kat, and the stories they create, go to:
Email:         WildWomenAuthors@yahoo.com
Blogs:         www.WildWomenAuthorsx2.blogspot.com    
                   Amazon:     www.Amazon.com/author/katdoran

Facebook:   www.Facebook.com/wildwomenauthors

Make Today Yours with Wild Women Authors. . .
Celebrating those who trifle with, exceed or otherwise defy
conventional wisdom...          
Thanks for sharing,
Tina

A #Holiday #Recipe and #Excerpt from The Warrior in Me by @AnitaPhilmar

The Warrior in Me – Erotic Murder Mystery/ Romantic suspense

Blurb:

Special Security Agent Sebastian Berlin is eager to track down his partner's killer. Instead, he’s assigned the job of baby-sitting a scientist. His boss thinks she's the key to an Ancient Warrior Prophecy. Science never interested Sebastian, but the know-it-all female standing at the end of his Alaskan dock could persuade him to do a little experimenting. That is, if he can keep his Neanderthal Warrior genes from taking control.
DNA specialist Lily Sinclair is in need of a vacation, or so her over-protective ex-husband tells her. Arriving in chilly Alaska instead of sunny Cancun, she's tired and cranky and so not in the mood for her bodyguard's he-man tactics. Still, there's something about the sexy eye-candy that makes her want to lick him all over even as she's demanding to go home.
Then Lily's ex is poisoned, and Sebastian is certain the two murders are connected and she could be next. She knows he's hiding something, but with the worldwide release of Neanderthal DNA project only days away, she has no choice but to trust him to protect her. But can she trust him with her heart?

Excerpt : (murder) 
“I hate to tell you, but we found Cain’s body last night. He took two slugs in the chest.”
Relief, followed quickly by shock, filled Sebastian. A numbing sense of disbelief overwhelmed him. “What the hell? I thought he was working on a simple security detail.”
“Did he discuss his assignment with you?”
Sebastian ran a hand through his  hair and scrambled to recall his last conversation with his best friend. Cain had called a week ago with a request for information on the people he’d been assigned to protect in California. His voice had reflected a bored almost disgusted tone. At the time, Sebastian had held his tongue and didn’t comment, but later he questioned the anomaly. His friend loved life and never became discouraged even when the odds were against him.
Frowning, Sebastian rubbed a hand over his neck, stroking the hairs that suddenly stood on alert. His initial disbelief faded. A gaping hole widened before him and stretched into an endless sea of despair. What the hell would he do without his best friend, his confidant?
 Now available
 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9C5QLQ
 http://wildcatalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-erotic/4749-the-warrior-in-me.html
 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-warrior-in-me-anita-philmar/1124858213?ean=2940156758746
 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-warrior-in-me-1
 https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thewarriorinme-2158657-153.html
 


Bio Anita Philmar


Anita Philmar likes to create stories that push the limit. A writer by day and a dreamer by night she wants her readers to see the world in a new way.
Influenced by old movies, she likes to develop places where anything can happen and where special moments come to life in a great read.
Naughty or Nice?
Read her books and decide.


Website:  http://www.anitaphilmar.com/
Email: anitaphilmar@yahoo.com
Blog: http://www.anitaphilmar.blogspot.com/
FB: www.facebook.com/anita.philmar
GR: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1329767.Anita_Philmar
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anitaphilmar
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Anita-Philmar/e/B002BMBE8C




Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Oatmeal no bake cookies.
 1 stick of butter1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 oz of chocolate unsweetened chocolate1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups oatmeal old fashion

melt butter and add brown sugar, stir and microwave 30 seconds. Break up unsweetened chocolate and stir into butter and sugar mixture. Microwave 15 seconds at a time until chocolate is melted.
Add peanut butter and vanilla - stir until smooth
Add oatmeal. 
Stir until oatmeal is coated.
Then cover cookie sheet with parchment paper, drop spoonful onto parchment paper.
 Place pan of cookies in freezer and allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes.
 Eat when ready.
 Other alternatives reduce oatmeal 1/2 cup before add one of the alternatives1/2 cup nuts
1/2 cup coconut  

Thanks for sharing this recipe. It sound awesome,

Tina

After Midnight by Trevann Rogers and a #Holiday #Recipe #romance

After MidnightPrequel to House of the Rising SonLiving After Midnight SeriesGenre: Urban Fantasy
Improbable love. Impossible life. Immeasurable danger.
Jewell’s stepfather thinks she’s worthless. She agrees. When she looks in the mirror she sees an overweight, overemotional, overeating mess who can’t keep her fangs to herself.
Ria hails from a family of old world vamps who'd be happy to share their wealth with her, if only she’d fall in line. Fat chance, especially since being in that line includes not being gay.
Being in love is easy for Ria and Jewell—the young vampires belong together like vodka and tomato juice. Adding Cheyenne, a talented and sexy incubus, to their union is the hot sauce in their Bloody Mary. The only problem? Vampires and incubi are mortal enemies.
Despite the odds Ria, Jewell and Cheyenne find their way to happiness. But Jewell is hiding a huge secret, one that defies the laws of procreation: She’s going to have a baby.
While she tries to figure out how to break the unbelievable news to her lovers, a horror from Jewell’s past slithers into her present, forcing choices no one should have to make.
Will it be love or death? Happiness or safety? She has until dawn to decide...and it's already After Midnight.~~Excerpt:The choice between staying in on a Saturday night to clean and going to see Cheyenne at his first real gig hadn’t been a complicated decision. He was a world-class rocker who could play the guitar like a fiend and had a voice that made you feel…everything. Or made you horny. And fuck if she didn’t love him. Damn incubus. She reached across him and caressed Jewell’s side. Jewell’s eyes opened and she stared expressionless at the ceiling, hyper-alert to danger. It always took a few moments after resurrecting for her to remember where she was and who was with her, but since moving into their new home it seemed to take even longer.Ria sighed. She’d do anything if it would help Jewell feel safe enough to die each dawn and awaken peacefully. “All is well, Babydoll. It’s just me. Time to rise and twinkle with the stars.”“Already?” Jewell scrunched her eyes and blinked as if trying to focus them. Cheyenne lay his head on the soft swell of Jewell’s belly. “Didn’t we just go to bed?”Ria kissed his back and licked a slow trail down his spine. “Hours ago. Did we tucker out the poor little sex demon?” “Not hardly, dead girl.” She grabbed a fistful of his hair and turned him to face her. “That’s undead girl, thank you.” She bit his lower lip and let it drag between her teeth. “Show us what you’ve got left.” ~~You can find After Midnight at Amazon
About Trevann
Trevann Rogers writes urban fantasy and LGBT paranormal romances. Her books include HOUSE OF THE RISING SON and its prequel novella, AFTER MIDNIGHT. Trevann's stories incorporate an unquenchable addiction to music and her love for vampires, Weres, incubi and rock stars. Like these elusive creatures, Trevann learned long ago that sometimes being yourself means Living After Midnight.
You can find Trevann online at:www.trevannrogers.comwww.facebook.com/trevannrwww.pinterest.com/trevannrTwitter: @TrevannRogers
Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients1 package sugar cookie mix1 egg1/2-cup butter, melted3/4 of can of apple pie filling2 tbsp. brown sugarGround cinnamon to taste
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 8 x 8 in baking dish.In a mixing bowl, combine sugar cookie mix, egg and melted butter.  Set aside ONE cup. Press the rest of the dough into bottom of pan.
Spread apple pie filling over dough. Break reserved cup of dough into small pieces and distribute evenly on top of filling.
Combine brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle on top of dough. Bake for 30 minutes or until edges are brown and dough is cooked through. (Depending on your oven this could take longer.)
If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream. (I highly recommend it.)

The recipe sounds awesome, thanks for sharing,
Tina

Deadly Alliance @RowlandKathleen and #Holiday #Recipe @Tirgearr #romanticsuspense

Please welcome Kathleen Rowland, author of heart-stopping action-packed romantic suspense.  Kathleen rings in the holidays with healthy Goat Cheese Tartlets with Spiced Apple-Fig Compote.  This festive appetizer is 50 calories per serving and makes 30 tartlets. Ingredients

30 item(s) mini phyllo shell(s)1/3 cup(s) fat-free cream cheese, softened5 1/3 Tbsp soft-type goat cheese, softened (1/3 cup)1 item(s) egg white(s)2 Tbsp honey1 Tbsp all-purpose flour2 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled, coarsely grated (about 3/4 cup)1/2 cup(s) jam, fig variety1/8 tsp ground allspice1/4 cup(s) mint leaves, fresh, for garnishInstructionsPreheat oven to 350°F. Arrange phyllo shells on a cookie sheet.In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, goat cheese, egg white, honey and flour until thick and creamy, about 5 to 6 minutes; spoon 1 teaspoon of filling in each shell. Bake until set, about 15 minutes; remove from oven and let cool.Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine apple, jam and allspice; set over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until jam melts and mixture thickens slightly (juice from apples will evaporate); remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Just before serving, spoon 1 teaspoon apple compote onto each tart; garnish with mint. Yields 1 tartlet per serving.

Here is the blurb for Deadly Alliance:
Finbar Donahue, former Army Ranger, walked on the wild side in Iraq, but now he lives in the shadows. After his evasive partner, Les, was shot in a random drive-by, Finn discovers cash is siphoned monthly. He fights to keep his investment company afloat. When the late partner’s girlfriend, Amy Kintyre, applies for his bookkeeping job, Finn suspects she knows about his company drain and hires her.
Amy needs a nine-to-five with free evenings and weekends to get her fashion design business back on track. She unearths Les’ s secret bank account and alerts Finn. Freezing of the money laundering account sets off havoc within an Irish gang. Amy witnesses a gang fight between a brutal ISIS fundraising organization and the Irish. Desperate to escape a stalker’s crosshairs, she seeks refuge with Finn. As danger heats up, sparks fly hotter.

Deadly Alliance Excerpt:The front door opened. “Sorry, we’re closed.” Holding a broom, the owner of the bar swept behind the bar. Burlie didn’t look up.Finn stepped closer. Drunken merrymakers, they were not. His heart hammered like it was stuck in overdrive.“We offer protection.” Speaking with a Spanish accent, the shortest of the trio dressed like the others, and donned the ISIS-style  black ski mask.  “I have protection.” Burlie’s big mouth nailed his coffin.A second thug grabbed the bartender’s hand and pulled out clippers. “You’ll change your mind, one finger at a time.” “I just paid the Irish.” Panic burrowed into Burlie’s high-pitched cry. He thrashed his arms as he tried to pull his hand back.“Us you pay.”  His utterance with the object in the first position identified him as an Arab speaker.  Light glinted off shiny metal.  The thug pulled a combat knife, grabbed Burlie’s arms, spun him, put the blade to his neck. Finn dialed 911 and then shouted, “Finn Donahue here. Gang trouble. Burlie’s Jazz Club.”  To grab their attention even more, he heaved in a breath and released a long whistle. His distraction worked. Burlie broke from the hold, and Finn thanked God for the curious. “Where are you?” Heavy boots pounded toward him.Finn’s phone vibrated, but he killed the call and darted into the first door he saw, the one with the frosted pink window. He spotted Amy at the sink and pointed his index finger up.He took off his coat and wrapped it around his fist. After rapping on the glass, he wound up and threw a hard punch through the window. Glass splintered as he connected with the thug’s nose. Prepared to jump aside, he opened the door.Amy followed and jumped over the guy spread on the floor, holding a hand over his bleeding nose. He struggled to stand. Finn patted him down, took his gun, and pointed it at him. After the guy stood, Finn walked him to a chair. “Don’t move.”“I’ll phone the police.” A high-pitched squeal came from the back of her throat. “Never mind. Police are here.”From the street, the blue light of a cop car radiated across the club’s interior like a strobe. Uniforms burst through the door.The first officer made radio contact with homicide, and the second, much younger, rushed to the nearest thug and pulled out flex-cuffs.“Stand over there, Amy.” Finn motioned toward a corner.She rolled her eyes and dashed toward Burlie who wrestled with the Arab and tried to keep him from moving toward the young rookie. Amy pulled an item from her purse. A Swiss army knife? Out came a miniature cork screw. The rookie cop turned the Arab around to be handcuffed and leaned him against a wall. The thug used the hard surface as leverage to throw himself against him.Finn saw it coming. A switchblade sprung from the Arab’s sleeve. In a split second, he drove it into the cop’s shoulder, but Amy stabbed him in the back with the wine opener.The Arab spun and pulled a knife from his jeans’ pocket. Amy dodged, but he thrust it into a cop’s gut before running.Finn waited for an opening and shot him in the hip. Howling about uncivilized barbarians, he dropped.Up from his chair, the loser with the broken nose swung his fists, raining blows and a kick to the nuts which Finn deflected.“Don’t make me shoot you.” Finn stunned him with a chop to the neck, caught him in a headlock. With a gun at his back, he marched him forward.Amy broke into the center of the room and turned around, taking in the menacing scene. The girl-next-door had street smarts, competency with the corkscrew, and fearless determination.He walked over and touched her weapon-holding hand. “You didn’t have pocket-knife experience on your resume.” It didn’t make her invincible. Nor did it mean he should hire her.She shook her head. “Never used it this way. It’s handy when hiking She looked at her pocket knife, folded and stuffed it in her pocket.  Her eyes blinked in frenzy in spite of her bravery.
Buy links:Amazon US
http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Alliance...
Amazon UKhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Deadly-Alliance-Kathleen-Rowland-ebook/dp/B019EE5OP8/Nook:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deadl...US
http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Alliance...

* * *
Book Buyers Best finalist Kathleen Rowland is devoted to giving her readers fast-paced, high-stakes suspense with a sizzling love story sure to melt their hearts.   Lily’s Pad and the Intervenus Series: A Brand New Address and Betrayal at Crater’s Edge are sweet.  Deadly Alliance and her work-in-progress, Unholy Alliance, are contracted with Tirgearr Publishing and written for adults.Kathleen used to write computer programs but now writes novels.   She grew up in Iowa where she caught lightning bugs, ran barefoot, and raced her sailboat on Lake Okoboji.  Now she wears flip-flops and sails with her husband, Gerry, on Newport Harbor but wishes there were lightning bugs in California.Kathleen exists happily with her witty CPA husband, Gerry, in their 70’s poolside retreat in Southern California where she adores time spent with visiting grandchildren, dogs, one bunny, and noisy neighbors.  While proud of their five children who’ve flown the coop, she appreciates the luxury of time to write.  If you’d enjoy news,  sign up for Kathleen’s newsletter at http://www.kathleenrowland.com/
Tirgearr Publishing - Leading The Pack
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/786656.Kathleen_Rowland
http://www.amazon.com/Kathleen-Rowland/e/B007RYMF7S/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1450835163&sr=1-2-ent
https://twitter.com/rowlandkathleen
https://kathleenrowland.wordpress.com/
http://www.kathleenrowland.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.rowland.50
Thanks Kathleen for sharing. I will have to try those tartlets,
Tina

Betrayal Even After Death Hurts by @AuthorTinaGayle #MFRWHooks #MFRWauthor

  http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com

Genre: Contemporary Romance with strong women fiction elements
Four women...
One fatal car wreck...
Everyone's lives changed...




Marketing Exec’s Widow

 

Sylvia Donovan is emotionally wounded from the unexpected death of her husband and still haunted by their last conversation: his request for a divorce and his confession of love for another woman. Her husband gone, her only daughter off to college, Sylvia faces the challenges of learning to live alone and move on with her life.

Vince Wilshire, enchanted with Sylvia, is more than willing to do what it takes to capture the heart of the hurting and untrusting Sylvia.

Can he help her forget the past and make her believe in love again?



Excerpt:




"What is this? Are you guys ganging up on me?" Sylvia ignored the man beside her and glanced in the rear view mirror, checking to make sure her tears hadn't caused any lasting effect.


A warm hand landed on her shoulder and Vince toyed with her hair. "Not at all, I like the idea of entering the building with a gorgeous woman on my arm."


"Right," she protested and stuffed her phone into her purse before turning to stare into his bedroom-brown eyes. The spark in their depths had her reevaluating her impression of the man.


Yes, he had the face and body to rival every other Casanova in the world, but he also had a sense of humor. That alone sent a shiver of awareness through her. She fought the desire gathering in her stomach and waved her hand at him so he'd move out of the way, letting her exit the car. "Did Knox make you wait out here in the parking lot to make sure I would come inside?"


Vince grinned and held her door open while she stepped onto the asphalt. His gaze fell to her legs.


She stared at her new, high-heel, red pumps and silently prayed she wouldn't land face first in the dirt when she tried to walk across the pitted parking lot in them.


A low whistled sounded beside her. "Man, are you ever hot.”


She ignored the comment and didn't turn until she heard the car door slamming closed. "And there's not a woman you've ever met you haven't wanted."


He slapped a hand over his chest. "Oh, you injure me. If I had a beautiful woman like you on my arm, I'd be content for eternity."


 "Or until the next pretty face walked by." Sylvia tossed her dark auburn hair off her shoulder and walked toward the front entrance without glancing back. The man is entirely too cocky.


 He hurried to her side and slipped his arm through hers. "Not a chance, no woman can compete with you."


Read First Chapter of "CFO's Affair"


Purchase ebook at:



At Amazon


Newsletter:If you would like to sign up to be an exclusive member of Tina’s List simple visit:http://www.tinagayle.net/newsletter.htmlYou'll receive a free short story – “My Future StepBrother.” This story leads you right into the story of the CEO’s Widow. 
Thanks for joining the fun and make sure to check out the other authors on this list.

Practical Insight for #Authors by @KimHeadlee

The Business of Writing: Practical Insights for Independent, Hybrid, and Traditionally Published Authors is the go-to guide for everyone wishing to start—or jump-start—their writing careers.




Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, discover the answers to such questions as:
—Do I really need to incorporate, what “flavor” of company should I set up, and how do I take the plunge?
—How do I manage my writing expenses and taxes?
—What is an ISBN, where do I get one, and how many will I need?
—What is an imprint and how do I establish one for my books?
—What decisions must I face in the prepublication phase?
—Do I need to register my book’s copyright and how do I accomplish it? What about using other copyrighted materials?
—How on earth do I condense my 100K-word book to a 300-word description, let alone a 20-word tagline?
—How do I select the best keywords for my book?
—What makes for a great cover and how can I get one?
—What do I need to know about book formatting—print as well as digital?
—How can I turn my book into an audiobook?
—How do I develop and refine my author brand?
—How can I land invitations to speak at conferences and conventions?
—I use several pseudonymns. How do I manage them all?
—What’s an ARC? A media kit? A book trailer? A blog tour?
—Do I really need to start a blog? Send out a newsletter? Dive into social media? Give away my books?
—How do I price my book? Should I pick one price or vary it? Where are the best places to advertise my sale events?
—How much is all of this going to cost me??

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the publication and promotion process, let award-winning, critically acclaimed author Kim Iverson Headlee give you the practical wisdom you need to stay on task and perhaps even come out ahead.



It releases November 14. Now it's available for preorder on the following sites:

-- Kindle (http://getBook.at/BusinessofWriting-by-KimIversonHeadlee-Kindle)
-- Kobo (https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-business-of-writing-5)
-- Smashwords (https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/677160) [EPUB only]
-- iBooks (https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1171784810)
-- 24 Symbols (https://www.24symbols.com/book/x/x/x?id=1737563)

Thanks Kim for sharing,
Tina

Which Route to Take to #Publishing? #authors

• Write a blurb. (A short description of the book.) Think about this as your elevator pitch or the first few lines of your query letter. You have 50 words or less to describe your book. This is a skill that takes time to develop. Look for help from writing groups, check out the back of your favorite books. Play around with what to say. Search the Internet for help – (“writing a blurb”).

• Write a query letter. (This is a letter to the publisher or agent you hope to sell or represent your book.)  Again, this is a skill that takes practice to develop. Get help from writer groups, books, friends, and the Internet – (Do an Internet search on “query letter”.)

• Make sure the book is ready for publication: well edited, no grammatical errors or holes in the story line. (This is where having a critique partner is very valuable or paying an editor to find your mistakes .)

• Formatting the file. (Check to make sure you have the file in the format the publisher or agent requests.) The font is usually, Time Roman or Courier News 12pt.  The line spacing is usually double spaced. The author’s name, book title, and page numbers are usually required on each page, but might differ with each publisher and agent. Check out the submission guidelines on their website to see how they want the manuscript formatted. (Do an Internet search on “publishing companies” or “literary agents”.)

• Remember when you sign with a publishing company, or an agent, you are entering into a legal and binding contract. Make sure you know your rights going into the contract and what it might take to get out of the contract. Think of it as a pre-nup. If you are unsure, seek legal counsel. (If you want more information, do an Internet search on “reviewing literary contract”.) There are people who will review a contract for you and advise you of any potential heart aches.
- • Write a blurb. (A short description of the book.) Think of this as your pitch to potential readers of your book. You have 100 words or less to describe your book. This will be displayed on Amazon and other sites to help sell your book.

This is a skill that takes time to develop. Look for help from writing groups, check out the back of your favorite books to see how it is done. Play around with it, search the Internet for help. (Do an Internet search on “writing a book blurb”.)

• Make sure the book is ready for publication: well edited, no grammatical errors or holes in the story line. (This is where having a critique partner is very valuable. Also if you are looking at self-publishing this might be where you consider hiring a professional for help.) There are a number of companies and individuals out there that can help you.  Talk to other authors and ask for recommendations. Also if you are on social sites, seek out connections with people willing to help.

• Cover Art is the single most important marketing tool next to the quality of the book. If the company you plan to use does not provide cover art. Find a good cover artist to create your vision for the book.

• Formatting the file. (Each e-publishing company has their specific guidelines.) Smashword.com has a comprehensive free book that will take you through the various steps to prepare your file for publication.

• Choosing the company you want to publish your book. (E-book)
1.  Some of the companies will format your file and prepare your book for the different e-book readers (Nook, Kindle, iPad). They will charge you a percentage of your sales as payment or a flat rate.

Smashwords.com is a free site where you can sign up to publish your book or story. You will need to sign in and then fill out information about yourself. (You can do this as an author even if you don’t publish through them.)

You set the price and decide which distributors you want.  If you want you can opt out and publish directly with Amazon on your own. They also assign you an ISBN for free. (ISBN “International Standard Book Number” is a unique 13-digital numerical identifier given to your book that allows retailers to manage and track your book.)

2.  Amazon has detailed instructions on how to publish with them at kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing  or download their book “Build Your Book for Kindle.” You will need to sign in and fill out information about yourself. Also you need to agree to their terms and sign up with the Author Central. (Note: this is separate site from their publishing site. It allows you to write a bio, collect your books in one place and send your RSS feed from your blog into the Amazon site.) (A RSS - “Really Simple Syndication” allows information to flow from one website to another automatically.)
• Choosing the company you want to publish your book. (Paper) Usually a company will do what is called “print on demand,” meaning they do not print the book until someone orders it from their site.

- This requires a number of things to consider. Look at what you are getting and what control you are giving up before making a decision. (Do an Internet search on “comparing self-publishing companies.”)

• Other informational sites that can help you make a decision on where to publish your book. (Search “self-publishing an e-book” on the Internet)  Again talk to other authors. They can tell you the companies they don’t like or have had problems with – Check RWA and EPIC for a list of approved publishers.)As you can see some things are the same. I hope this helps you decide what you want to do. Best of luck in your publishing endeavors,Tina

A #Romantic Collection From @Brenda_Novak, @debbiemacomber and Others for a #Diabetics Cure

I have to admit, I heard about this box set a few weeks ago when Brenda invited me to be in a blog tour. I had planned on waiting, but when I saw it on her twitter account I decide to do a little promotion before it became my turn to host it officially.
I like thousand of others have family members who have diabetes, so I'd like to see a cure too.
The limited edition digital boxed set titled is called ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS. It is filled with delightful and romantic Christmas stories from myself and some of the biggest romance authors of our time, including New York Times Bestselling authors Debbie Macomber, Bella Andre, Melody Anne, Violet Duke, Marie Force, Heather Graham, Laurelin Paige & Kayti McGee, Jane Porter, Melanie Shawn and RaeAnne Thayne, with three extra stories from Scarlett York, Melinda Curtis and Anna J. Stewart.
All the proceeds will go to Boston University to help Dr. Ed Damiano (who also has a son with Type 1) finish engineering the artificial pancreas. Why is his work important? Because the artificial pancreas will go far toward helping insulin-dependent diabetics remain healthy until that elusive biological cure can be found. So, please, pre-order this boxed set today (which will be released October 25th here in the store, and on November 1st everywhere else and will only be available through December 31, 2016) and encourage your friends and family to do the same. You'll get many hours of enjoyable reading in exchange for a small donation that will help a lot of people.




All I Want for Christmas




“5-B POPPY LANE” by Debbie Macomber
Come visit with Helen Shelton, her granddaughter Ruth and Ruth’s husband, Paul. They’ll offer you a cup of mulled cider and the story of how they met—and they’ll share Helen’s breathtaking adventures during the Second World War.

“KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE” by Bella Andre
For Mary Sullivan Christmas has always been about family. As she hangs her ornaments, she’s swept back to the first days of her whirlwind romance with her husband–and the love that would be the foundation on which they built their family.

“FINDING EACH OTHER” by Melody Anne
Brayden Steele gave up his love of Christmas many years ago when he lost his mother and father in a car wreck. But just because he no longer believes in Santa Clause, doesn’t mean the magic has given up on him.

“BEFORE THAT PROMISE” by Violet Duke
If anyone can make Drew Lawson believe in the magic of Christmas, it’s the mind-wreckingly beautiful Skylar Sullivan.  She’s the girl-next-door he’d classified as completely off-limits two years ago–and she’s standing on his doorstep on Christmas Eve.

“CELEBRATION AFTER DARK” by Marie Force
On the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary, Big Mac and Linda McCarthy take a look back at how they came to be, while each of their children confront a new challenge in their own lives. Come to Gansett Island to celebrate the holidays and the anniversary of the island’s most loved couple!

“SPIRIT OF THE SEASON” by Heather Graham”
While struggling to raise her newly orphaned nephew, Davey, widow Becky Wexham must deal with the feelings she experiences when she once again comes into contact with Tim Yeagher, an old flame and Davey’s Little League coach.

“A DUNDEE CHRISTMAS” by Brenda Novak
Welcome to Dundee, Idaho, where the town is small but the hearts of the people living in it are large. A woman seeking refuge in an unfamiliar town during a snowstorm is taken in by a man who helps her discover a new sense of home. But Ken Holbrook provides more than safety and comfort because with him, she also finds love.

“UNMATCHABLE” by Laurelin Paige and Kayti McGee
After Jane Osborne is unceremoniously dumped by a rich man, and then invited to his wedding, on (Christmas Eve no less), she decides to hire a date from Craigslist and pass him off as an upgrade.

“CHRISTMAS MIRACLE FOR DAISY” by Jane Porter
When his goddaughter, Daisy, is orphaned, confirmed bachelor Cormac Sheenan adopts her. All goes well until Marietta’s seasonal Santa Claus promises his daughter a mommy for Christmas. Cormac is livid, until his old flame Whitney Alder comes back to town.…

“CHRISTMAS WISH: A HOPE FALLS HOLIDAY NOVELLA” by Melanie Shawn
For the movie star and the single mom, will a Christmas Wish become their new reality?

“A COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE” by RaeAnne Thayne
Widow and caterer Jenna Wheeler is determined to spin Christmas into the stuff of magic for her four children, even if that means helping out her new landlord, sexy billionaire Carson McRaven. At first, Carson wants nothing to do with Jenna, children or the holidays, but he has a little to learn about the spirit of Christmas.

“THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” by Melinda Curtis
Simon Castle’ s on his way to a make-or-break meeting unseasonably scheduled for December 25–until the gorgeous redhead subbing for his limo driver takes him on a detour.

“GINGERBREAD DREAMS” by Anna J. Stewart
Can carpenter Hamish MacFadden show free-spirit Essie Goodman how magical family–and Christmas–can be?

“CRUEL INTENTIONS” by Scarlett York
For fans of Pretty Little Liars…It’s hard to be a rhinestone in a diamond world…I was far from living the dream, but now I’m stuck in a nightmare. Torn from everything I knew, I’m trapped in a world full of lies, deceit….And murder. Merry Christmas to me.
All I Want For ChristmasThanks Brenda for all you've have done to help others,
Tina

Voice, Plot, #Romance - Want to Know More? #ASMSG #ebooks

I invite you to drop by my website to read the 1st chapter of any of my books.

http://www.tinagayle.net/mybookpg.html
Stormy (short hot story)



Or my paranormal series





Or my contemporary romance series with strong women fiction elements






or looking for a #free read

http://www.tinagayle.net/mybookpg.htmlFind them all on my website,
Tina

Start a New Series by @AuthorTinaGayle #MFRWHooks, #MFRWauthor, #99cents

  http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com

Genre: Contemporary Romance with strong women fiction elements
Four women...
One fatal car wreck...
Everyone's lives changed...




Marketing Exec’s Widow

  Jennifer Larson, having lost her husband, friends and the perfect life she’d had plan, now faces the biggest challenge of her life, moving into an unplanned future. While the rest of the Executive Wife Club is still wallowing in the past, Jen is tempted into the future by a sexy chiropractor, Hagan Chaney.




But does he really love her or her money?






Excerpt:




“Lead the way, beautiful.” Hagan brushed his hand lightly across her back.

Hot tingles danced along her spine. Jen rushed forward. Whoa.As a new widow, she shouldn’t find the man attractive. Even if he was hot.

Drawing on her professional reserve, she stifled the urge to race up the stairs and slowed her pace. “I...uh...believe there are four rooms on the second level.”

The wood floor groaned under Hagan’s weight and his footsteps echoed through the empty house. “Any other houses in the area for sale?”

Reaching the landing, she sailed across and stopped by the first bedroom door. A brief glimpse revealed the same disappointing result as the space downstairs. “No, but there are a number of small towns nearby that might have what you’re looking for.”

An enticing male scent floated through the air, a second before a hand gripped the doorframe by her shoulder.

 Every female gene sprang to attention at his close proximity.

Desire poured through her, drenching her with emotions she hadn’t felt in months, hell, maybe even years. Her knees wobbled and she staggered into the doorframe, but remained standing.

Hagan peered over her shoulder and blocked her retreat. “Not bad, if I want to have another office suite up here. I can tear out this wall and make a larger lobby, or close off the doorway and create another entrance into the room.” He wandered to the next bedroom.

She gulped in a quick breath and air screamed back into her lungs. The residual scent of his citrusy cologne flowed in too and prompted her out-of-control hormones to form images of him: lying in bed, on top of her, his chest nestled against hers, his lips a breath away from…

Oh, my, a year without sex and I’m losing it.

Craig, why didn’t you divorce me before you died?

Jen gathered her strength and followed Hagan through the house. The easy flow of his long limbs showed incredible grace for a big man. So tempting, yet, she couldn’t pursue him. Not now, not with everyone watching her, they expected her to act like a grieving widow. If she didn’t, they’d forever brand her as an unloving wife.


Read First Chapter of "Marketing Exec's Widow" and Reviews


Purchase ebook at:

At Amazon





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