Haley Rhoades's Blog, page 11

Where did my December go?

Sadly after a very productive NaNoWriMo November, December kicked my butt.  One ailment after another affected my productivity on book number three. I feel like I spent the entire month sleeping on the sofa or in a recliner. My cough still remains, but I vow starting Wednesday I will work all day every day.  
I’ve also slacked on promoting the release of book number two.  The Deed is available on most venues.  Reviews herald it’s better than The Proposal, book one in The Surrogate Series.  Look for it on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, Nook, Kobo, and iTunes.  

I hope December delivered health and happiness to you and your family.  Enjoy visits with family and friends while celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, and New Years.  Travel safe, hold love ones tight, and celebrate the season.

Thank you to fellow writers for your encouragement in realizing my goal of completing two books this year.  I’ve learned much from those I’ve met in our Facebook groups.  I look forward to a productive 2018, and continuing the promotion of my fellow indie authors.  

December Already?

How can it be December already? 2017 has flown by, right? Looking back, I see I've accomplished a lot. Yet, there is so much more I had hoped to complete.  Oh well, I will pencil those things on 2018's To-Do List.
I relocated from Des Moines to Kansas City with my spouses job change.
I wrote and self-published two books.  This is another Bucket List item I completed.I participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November typing over 55,000 in thirty days. I even took time off for Thanksgiving to enjoy visits with family. Yes, this means that book three is well on its way to being complete.
This week, with the help of my very understanding spouse, I switched my office from the basement with the spare bedroom in the front of our house.  I feel I will be much more productive—the lighting is much better with the large east-facing window, not to mention Nala whined in the basement wanting me to be upstairs with her.
What does 2018 hold for me?I plan to self-publish the last book in the Surrogate Series by March.I will be branching off from romance and plan to complete two or three young adult books that currently haunt my thoughts constantly.I'd like to devote more time to marketing my books on social media and at indie-author signing events. It will be a big step for me to set up a booth and sign books in public—I hope to pull up my big girl panties and do it.I plan to keep meeting new authors via social media and helping to promote their works.I would like to complete NaNoWriMo again in November.Haley and the Holidays:I am THAT person. Much to my families dismay, I send out my Christmas cards the Wednesday before Thanksgiving so my cards arrive on Black Friday in the mailboxes of my family and friends. I love getting them mailed early to start the holiday spirit when they arrive. I then anxiously approach my mailbox daily in hopes of receiving cards back.  I love reading the family newsletters and looking at the pictures others include to update us on their year.
My spouse manages a grocery store, thus works on Thanksgiving Day. His family drove two hours farther this year to be with us in Kansas City. His parents and his sister along with her family stayed in a nearby hotel, cooked the meal at my house(I am not a great cook), and we enjoyed a late afternoon dinner when my husband's store closed and he arrived home around four. It was a very easy, low stress visit of my children and the family. We all had a great time.Giveaways:You currently have two opportunities to win a copy of my first two books: The Proposal and The Deed on Goodreads.



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Goodreads Book Giveaway The Proposal by Haley Rhoades Giveaway ends December 21, 2017.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter Giveaway

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Goodreads Book Giveaway The Deed by Haley Rhoades Giveaway ends December 25, 2017.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter Giveaway

Win 2 Books on Goodreads by Haley Rhoades

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Giveaway ends December 03, 2017.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

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Giveaway ends December 25, 2017.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Goodreads The Deed by Haley Rhoades Signed Copy Giveaway

.goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; background: white; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: inline-block; color: #181818; background-color: #F6F6EE; border: 1px solid #9D8A78; border-radius: 3px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; outline: none; font-size: 13px; padding: 8px 12px; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { color: #181818; background-color: #F7F2ED; border: 1px solid #AFAFAF; text-decoration: none; } Goodreads Book Giveaway The Deed by Haley Rhoades

Giveaway ends December 25, 2017.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

99¢ Sale The Proposal

Looking for a quick, enjoyable read?
Check out The Proposal on sale 99¢ until 11/17/17.

With the release of book two in The Surrogate Series, I am offering book one at a terrific price. 

Spread the word. 

Book Sales Links:
The Proposal on Amazon
The Deed on Amazon
The Proposal on Nook            The Deed on Nook                 
The Proposal on Kobo            
The Deed on Kobo      
The Proposal on iBooks                       
The Deed on iBooks

A New Release, A Sale Price, & A Contest

New from author Haley Rhoades,The Deed is now available.
Secure your copy on the links below.



The Proposal is on sale now.The Surrogate Series book one is now on sale on Amazon and Nook for 99 Cents. (11/11 to 11/17 only) 
Hurry this special price won't last long. (11/11 to 11/17 only) Now is a great time to start book one then move on to book two.


Snag your copy today!     Haley Rhoades Books Sales Links:

The Proposal on Amazon
The Deed on Amazon
The Proposal on Nook            The Deed on Nook                 
The Proposal on Kobo            
The Deed on Kobo      
The Proposal Coming soon to iBooks                        
The Deed Coming soon to iBooks      

You Still Have Time--Contest:

Click here to enter the contest.
You may earn up to 20 chances to win the $50 Amazon Gift Card.  Simply clicking on links to like or follow author Haley Rhoades on social media earns you entries into this contest.

Don't delay, contest ends Thanksgiving Day.

Who couldn't use an extra $50 to spend on Amazon this holiday season.

NaNoWriMo 2017

You Still Have Time--Contest:

Click here to enter the contest.
You may earn up to 20 chances to win the $50 Amazon Gift Card.  Simply clicking on links to like or follow author Haley Rhoades on social media earns you entries into this contest.

Don't delay, contest ends Thanksgiving Day.

Who couldn't use an extra $50 to spend on Amazon this holiday season.



The Surrogate Series by Haley Rhoades:

I started writing The Surrogate Series in the year 2000. I have several notebooks, big and small, along with some printed sections to this tale. This year, I started organizing it all and sharing the story with you. 
Book one:  The Proposal-This short story introduces three best friends. Two years apart seems like an eternity when you grew up together. A Fourth of July trip reunites Jackson, Kennedy, and Taylor. The Three Amigos are together again, but they have issues to work through. Can they move past an abusive ex? Can they beat a negative fertility diagnosis? Can everything pick up where they left off over two years ago?

Book two: Taylor wasted no time volunteering to be Jackson and Kennedy's surrogate. Sometimes it takes three to make a baby. With medical complications and financial strain, the threesome look to unorthodox methods to create their baby. How far would you go to help a friend? Book three: Taylor is pregnant with her best friends' baby. The surrogacy has begun. Morning sickness, food cravings, OB appointments, fatigue and swelling...will Jackson and Kennedy support their baby momma?

Book 2 & Book 3 Status Update:
Many fans are anxiously awaiting the release of The Deed Book Two in The Surrogate Series.  I promised it Fall 2017.  I had hoped to release in October, but life happened.  I should have the book out next week.  Social media will announce when it is ready. I am so very excited for you to read this book.  More excited than I was with The Proposal. I have started on book three this month too. I focus on book two during the day and write on book three at night.  I have a slow start on it, but that will change when I can publish book two and focus more. 



Author Spotlight:

I average reading three books per week.  My favorite genres are Young Adult and Romance.  Occasionally I stray into other genres when a book sounds to delicious to avoid.

This week I am continuing my sharing one of my most favorite Romance authors-Kristen Ashley.
My favorite series is The Rock Chick Series. It is a definite must read. That being said I love, love, loved every book I read by this author. On the site there is a recommended reading order as some of the series overlap a bit.

Confession: I have read most of her books twice. I also have listened to the audiobook version at least once. Like I stated I love her! If you enjoy audiobooks, like I do, I recommend Kristen Ashley's books on Audible.  The narrators are top notch.  They bring these action filled stories to life. I enjoy my audiobooks to entertain while driving, cleaning, walking Nala, or relaxing in my tub.

Kristen Ashley Click Here


Newbie's Next Read:

In my many Facebook Groups, I am meeting some talented new authors just breaking into the world of self-publishing and traditional publishing.  Today I want to mention author Gabi Moore. So far, I have read two of her books.  I plan to continue seeking her books to read. Gabi writes real books. By real I mean gritty, dirty, real world relationships with imperfect characters that draw you in. This author is not for the mainstream, sweet, romance reader. If you enjoy more detailed scenes or BDSM stories, even if only once in a while like I do, then I recommend SEAL'd Trust and Mindfuck-A Bad Boy Romance with a Twist.

She has many more books and I plan to read another one soon.

Check her out: Gabi Moore's Facebook Page

A Dash of Decluttering and Digital Detoxing

Contest:

Click here to enter the contest.
You may earn up to 20 chances to win the $50 Amazon Gift Card.  Simply clicking on links to like or follow author Haley Rhoades on social media earns you entries into this contest.

Don't delay, contest ends Thanksgiving Day.

Who couldn't use an extra $50 to spend on Amazon this holiday season.


Decluttering:

In my last post, I mentioned I was in much need of organization. 
I revamped my digital and multiple pieces of notebook paper to do lists.  I sought a way to keep multiple lists without using so many papers.  Although I attempt to cross everything off my list each day-that doesn't always happen.  So I opted for an easier way to keep my list, erase from the list, and add to the list.

I found a twelve-page display binder at Office Max.  It is essentially a folder with twelve clear sheet protectors inside.  I placed colored paper in each protector.  I use Expo Vis-a-Vis wet erase markers to write on the plastic.  I labeled a sheet for each day of the week and then lists labeled 'ASAP' and 'Social Media'.

Now I can keep multiple lists in one place.  I am able to erase easily and add to them.  These markers do not smudge or fade when touched. I had tried dry erase markers in the past. However, if you stacked the list or bumped it, the marker would erase easily.






Detox:

Much to my husband's dismay, I keep emails in my accounts as unread until I can read them or complete a task with them.  I use my email as yet another to do list.  On Thursday morning, my little red notification icon announced I had over 220 unread emails. My first step in detoxing my digital mail file, was to unsubscribe from many of the email lists that I have found myself on over the years.  Unfortunately there is not a one-and-done button for this action.  I opened many emails, scrolled to the very bottom, and selected unsubscribe.  In doing this I will no longer receive email ads from certain companies over four times a week. As an avid reader, I chose to receive way too many newsletters from authors.  I love reading emails from my favorite authors, but many are sent out three times a week, by a personal assistant or blogger that suggest many books and contests by other authors.  I simply couldn't keep up with the emails and needed to remove myself from this situation.  It was a tedious task opening each individual email, scrolling to the bottom, clicking unsubscribe, then choosing a reason on the next screen that opened-but in my desire to digitally detox I powered through. 

I started Thursday with more than 220 unread emails and received many more during the course of the day. I am proud to report I had less than 20 unread emails when my head hit the pillow Thursday night.


Author Spotlight:

I average reading three books per week.  My favorite genres are Young Adult and Romance.  Occasionally I stray into other genres when a book sounds to delicious to avoid. 

Today I am sharing one of my most favorite Romance authors-Kristen Ashley.  I cannot read enough of her works.  Her stories sweep me up quickly, wrap me up cozily, and entrance me for hours.  I think one reason I enjoy her writing is most of her main characters are thirty and forty year olds.  As I am no longer a spring chicken, I enjoy reading about strong men in their prime falling for strong and independent more mature women that are still sexy and awesome.  Kristen Ashley first hooked me with The Rock Chick Series set in Denver Colorado. In fact my main character is reading this series in my current Work-In-Progress releasing soon.  I highly recommend you check Kristen out on her author website below.

Click here for Kristen Ashley information


Newbie's Next Read:

In my many Facebook Groups, I am meeting some talented new authors just breaking into the world of self-publishing and traditional publishing.  Today I want to mention author Annie Woods and her book First Came Forever, book one in The Angelheart Saga.  I found Annie on Facebook.  This young adult story has left me anxiously awaiting book two.  No spoilers here, however, it ends in a cliffhanger that has me all tied up.

In First Came Forever, Erica meets Sasha while backpacking with friends in Asia.  Their love story is complicated by the typical high school drama with a kick of royalty thrown in. Peer pressure, teen turmoil, and even danger carry the reader through this first true love encounter.  I hope you will investigate this new Swedish author--a favorite of mine.

Click here for Annie Woods information.

November Rain-Raining Randomness (Couldn’t resist The Guns and Roses reference)

November is upon us.
Confession -I am not where I planned to be by now.  My goal was to self-publish Book Two in The Surrogate Series-The Deed in October.  Although, it is close, I haven’t let it go live yet.  I’m finding it harder to release this baby into the cosmos.  I am very excited about it.  It’s better than The Proposal.  I am fine tuning some areas and will release soon.  

I Am Back! Exhausted but back at work.

I'm Back!The last two weeks have been so hectic.  We moved our oldest son over 100 miles to his new house to start his teaching job.


On our way back to KC, we picked up my 10-year-old niece to spend four days with us.  We entertained her at the KC Zoo for a day.


While my husband worked, I took her and two more nieces shopping for a day.  This involved lots of giggling, trying on clothes, and talking about boys.  All things I never experienced while raising my two sons.
Next, my husband cheered for the Royals, while I cheered for a Cardinal victory.
Then we returned to Des Moines to move our nineteen-year-old son out of his apartment and home with us for two weeks before he heads to college.  Both boys were here with us this weekend.  We enjoyed the Chiefs game Friday night and visiting Argosy Casino Saturday night.
With my garage and guest room full of boy treasures and junk-I am now attempting to start back to work on my book.

I am in the editing process. Be on the look out for new Book Trailers, Teasers on social media, and upcoming announcements on its release date.  The Deed will be available very soon.
-Haley