Carmen Cook's Blog, page 2
September 7, 2018
Back to school
Hi there! My boys are finally back to school, which I initially thought would mean I'd have a bit more time, but...nope. Ha! It's not working out that way. 
But in the midst of all the various bits of paper I've needed to sign for the boys these past couple days, there were a couple questions that made me pause: Which book (that your child hasn't read) would you highly recommend they read? and Which film (that your child hasn't seen) would you recommend they see?The which book question made me laugh because that could be a very dangerous question around here.What would your answers be?
But in the midst of all the various bits of paper I've needed to sign for the boys these past couple days, there were a couple questions that made me pause: Which book (that your child hasn't read) would you highly recommend they read? and Which film (that your child hasn't seen) would you recommend they see?The which book question made me laugh because that could be a very dangerous question around here.What would your answers be?
September 4, 2018
Doing it all..or #LifeWithBoys
Hi Everyone! I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing long weekend (here in the US) and were able to kick back a little bit.
Me? Not so much. Not that I hadn't planned to relax. In fact, the only thing on my to-do list was dump a bunch of words on the page. What actually happened was more along the lines of running the boys all over the place (9th grade & 6th grade) for those last minute, must have school supplies, help Hubs move a shed (yes, for real--it went up over the house and into the backyard from a side yard) and numerous baskets of laundry. Oh, and meal prep, since the 9th grader is playing football and will be at school for nearly 12 hours (including practice) when all is said and done, I'm trying to figure out how to send him with enough food and still leave room in his locker for books and things. (And I haven't even told you about the spider in the sofa! Eek!!)
THEN, this morning was the kicker. My washing machine wouldn't start. At first I walked away--because that's always the first step, right? Give the appliance it's space. But when I tried again, it was true. No water dumping. Just a faint buzzing noise. Now, I admit I felt that mix of emotions that only real adults understand. The "crap, I don't have time for this" with the "YAY! A new washing machine!!" *sigh* So, the realization that I have, in fact, reached a new level of adulthood. Then I realized some helpful little human (who is actually significantly bigger than I am) had turned off the water. Why? Who knows. But now I have to head to work... I hope you're all doing wonderfully! Tell me about your weekend, please. :-)More soon!Carmen
Me? Not so much. Not that I hadn't planned to relax. In fact, the only thing on my to-do list was dump a bunch of words on the page. What actually happened was more along the lines of running the boys all over the place (9th grade & 6th grade) for those last minute, must have school supplies, help Hubs move a shed (yes, for real--it went up over the house and into the backyard from a side yard) and numerous baskets of laundry. Oh, and meal prep, since the 9th grader is playing football and will be at school for nearly 12 hours (including practice) when all is said and done, I'm trying to figure out how to send him with enough food and still leave room in his locker for books and things. (And I haven't even told you about the spider in the sofa! Eek!!)THEN, this morning was the kicker. My washing machine wouldn't start. At first I walked away--because that's always the first step, right? Give the appliance it's space. But when I tried again, it was true. No water dumping. Just a faint buzzing noise. Now, I admit I felt that mix of emotions that only real adults understand. The "crap, I don't have time for this" with the "YAY! A new washing machine!!" *sigh* So, the realization that I have, in fact, reached a new level of adulthood. Then I realized some helpful little human (who is actually significantly bigger than I am) had turned off the water. Why? Who knows. But now I have to head to work... I hope you're all doing wonderfully! Tell me about your weekend, please. :-)More soon!Carmen
August 24, 2018
End of Summer Social
Celebrate with us at RomanceBooks.Blog as we launch our End of Summer Social. Enter our giveaway (3 winners get 5 bestselling romance ebooks of your choice!), join in on our Author Takeovers, and send Summer out in style! (or bring summer in for our friends in the more southern regions!) https://romancebooks.blog/end-of-summer-social/
August 9, 2018
August is Read a Romance Month!
Are you up for some reading?I read somewhere on the internet (so it must be true) that August is "Read a Romance" month. Are you up for the challenge? I'll start with mineBecause, why not? But seriously, if you read one of my books this month and leave a review, I'll enter you into a drawing to win an awesome Montana state necklaces. Only one entry per person. 
Coming AroundAmazon: https://amzn.to/2JQpjAa Kobo: https://bit.ly/2yfTAXZ Apple: https://apple.co/2t3tWR9 B&N: https://bit.ly/2t0eoxKThe story starts with Coming In Hot Amazon: http://amzn.to/2App79k Kobo: http://bit.ly/2iUz98k B&N: http://bit.ly/2AA0cRy iBooks: http://apple.co/2C1hrruFREE for a limited time...BARELY BREATHING, the first of six books in the Colorado High Country series, is FREE in ebook for a limited time. Catch up on the series and find out why readers wish they could move to Scarlet Springs, CO.Colorado High Country = Straight contemporary romance with touches of adventure and suspense.
Kindle US: http://amzn.to/24FQEd9 Kindle AU: http://bit.ly/1NnOkDd Kindle UK: http://amzn.to/1rILChz Kindle CA: http://amzn.to/1TypzAv iBooks: http://apple.co/1SZOq0T Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1T6mwWb Nook: http://bit.ly/21OfDt4 Kobo: http://bit.ly/1VTk6L2What have you been reading this summer?
July 25, 2018
Name that cat!
Hi all! I've decided the hero of the next Sapphire Creek book (titled Coming Home) is going to be adopted by a cat. This cat is just going to show up and refuse to leave, despite his insistence that this is NOT his cat. I'd love to hear from you! You can comment here or over on FB. https://www.facebook.com/carmencookauthor/photos/a.625481627562183.1073741825.118912211552463/1617202905056712/?type=3&theaterI'd love to hear from you!
July 22, 2018
Getting Inspired at RWA
Happy Sunday everyone! Hubs and I stumbled back into the house yesterday after spending the week in Denver at the National RWA conference. There was so much going on, I could write blog posts for the next month about all the happenings and who I did and didn't see. (This year I didn't run into nearly as many people as I typically do. I'm not sure if it was the crazy lay out of the hotel--being spread across two buildings--or if we were all running from one thing to the next that I missed people.) 
Regardless, I had some wonderful times, met some new authors whose books I can't wait to dive into, and was inspired to write and crusade for what I love. Romance is love. And, as Suz Brockman told us so eloquently, love is love is love is love. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, read her speech from when she accepted her Lifetime Achievement Award. She posted it in her newsletter.) 
This was the first year I participated as an author in any of the signings and I had so much fun! A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat with me, take a book and have a giggle. I hope you all had as much fun as I did!I can't wait to start writing more Sapphire Creek stories for you all! And while at RWA I made some plans for a couple other stories too, and I'm so excited to share them with you!For now, the laundry is calling...Don't forget that Coming Around is now available and waiting for you to read about Connor and Bethany's weekend. And if you're wanting to follow along on social media, follow these tags: Order #ComingAround today! #sapphirecreekseries #cominginhot#smalltownromanceAmazon: https://amzn.to/2JQpjAa Kobo: https://bit.ly/2yfTAXZ Apple: https://apple.co/2t3tWR9 B&N: https://bit.ly/2t0eoxKThe story starts with #ComingInHot #SapphireCreekSeries #SmallTownRomance #SecondChanceRomanceAmazon: http://amzn.to/2App79k Kobo: http://bit.ly/2iUz98k B&N: http://bit.ly/2AA0cRy iBooks: http://apple.co/2C1hrruAll the love,Carmen
July 13, 2018
More than writing...
Coming Around released earlier this week (thank you for reading!!), and a few people have asked what I've been doing since finishing the book. Well, writing the next book, of course, but I get the sense people want to know about something else. So, I've also been marketing. It doesn't come easily for me (nor for most writers I'd guess), but there are tools that we can use to help. That means I've had to shift my creative cap a bit and learn some visual arts in programs like Canva. I admit, it's been a lot of fun.
What are some of your favorite types of promo?
July 11, 2018
Coming Around Release Day and Giveaway!
Hi all! Well, yesterday was the day. Coming Around, the newest Sapphire Creek story was released out into the wild. I'm sure authors would tell you various things about their release day ritual, but it's not an easy day. It's exciting and terrifying all at the same time. For me, I had to work the day job, so I didn't get a lot of free time to watch the numbers and see if the ranking budged at all from that huge number it starts at (which was probably best for me, to be honest). And since I'm still growing my base, I'd love for you to share any of the promo graphics if you're willing. If you share and send me a link to your share (or tag me so I see it), I'll enter you into a drawing for a Montana necklace. (I'll close this giveaway at the end of the month).Thank you all for continuing to share this journey with me. I so appreciate you all!A wonderful small town romance! -Amazon review for Coming AroundAmazon: https://amzn.to/2JQpjAa Kobo: https://bit.ly/2yfTAXZ Apple: https://apple.co/2t3tWR9 B&N: https://bit.ly/2t0eoxK
June 24, 2018
Sapphire Creek Q&A
People have been asking some questions about Sapphire Creek and what we have planned, so I figured I'd answer them here. If I don't answer a question you have, please reach out and ask. The Sapphire Creek crew doesn't have any secrets...mostly.
Where exactly is Sapphire Creek located?Sapphire Creek is a completely fictional town in Western Montana. I've loosely modeled it after Hamilton Montana, but have taken a LOT of geographical liberties with the surrounding topography. Whose book is next?Bethany and Connor are the featured couple in Coming Around. It starts just after Coming In Hot ends and features their weekend together. The next full length book will be Coming Home, featuring Erin Chase, who you met in Coming In Hot, and a new comer you meet in Coming Around. Do I have to read these books in order?There is an over-arcing suspense thread that will be featured in these books, but it isn't completely necessary to read them in order.When can I get my hands on Coming Around?The print version just went up on Amazon, so you can order it in print now! https://amzn.to/2tvc016You can pre-order the e-book at the retailer of your choice and it will hit your reader on July 10th.Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JQpjAa Kobo: https://bit.ly/2yfTAXZ Apple: https://apple.co/2t3tWR9 B&N: https://bit.ly/2t0eoxK
Where exactly is Sapphire Creek located?Sapphire Creek is a completely fictional town in Western Montana. I've loosely modeled it after Hamilton Montana, but have taken a LOT of geographical liberties with the surrounding topography. Whose book is next?Bethany and Connor are the featured couple in Coming Around. It starts just after Coming In Hot ends and features their weekend together. The next full length book will be Coming Home, featuring Erin Chase, who you met in Coming In Hot, and a new comer you meet in Coming Around. Do I have to read these books in order?There is an over-arcing suspense thread that will be featured in these books, but it isn't completely necessary to read them in order.When can I get my hands on Coming Around?The print version just went up on Amazon, so you can order it in print now! https://amzn.to/2tvc016You can pre-order the e-book at the retailer of your choice and it will hit your reader on July 10th.Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JQpjAa Kobo: https://bit.ly/2yfTAXZ Apple: https://apple.co/2t3tWR9 B&N: https://bit.ly/2t0eoxK
June 16, 2018
Pre-order Coming Around Now!
Several of you asked about Bethany and Connor's weekend away after reading Coming In Hot. So many, in fact, that it became obvious I had to write the short novella. And, while writing, I fell even harder for this couple.I'm so excited to share this story with you! Pre-order it now from your favorite retailer.Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JQpjAaKobo: https://bit.ly/2yfTAXZApple: https://apple.co/2t3tWR9B&N: https://bit.ly/2t0eoxK
Chief of Police, Connor McCabe is in the middle of one of the toughest cases Sapphire Creek has ever seen. But what’s really weighing on his mind is his wife, Bethany. She’s been acting strange for weeks, even before the Thanksgiving disaster, and he’s not sure why. He’s made plans for a romantic weekend away, but the investigation keeps threatening to interfere.Bethany McCabe is a planner. She had to be in order to get her life back on track after an unplanned pregnancy twelve years before fast tracked their plans for the future. Now Bethany has a successful business, a family she adores, and everything is exactly how it’s supposed to be. But with yet another unplanned baby on the way, Bethany needs to figure out how to get Connor alone before he finds out the news from anyone else.
Chief of Police, Connor McCabe is in the middle of one of the toughest cases Sapphire Creek has ever seen. But what’s really weighing on his mind is his wife, Bethany. She’s been acting strange for weeks, even before the Thanksgiving disaster, and he’s not sure why. He’s made plans for a romantic weekend away, but the investigation keeps threatening to interfere.Bethany McCabe is a planner. She had to be in order to get her life back on track after an unplanned pregnancy twelve years before fast tracked their plans for the future. Now Bethany has a successful business, a family she adores, and everything is exactly how it’s supposed to be. But with yet another unplanned baby on the way, Bethany needs to figure out how to get Connor alone before he finds out the news from anyone else.
