V.H. Luis's Blog
April 2, 2019
Exciting News!
Christmas always makes me optimistic. So this past Christmas I decided to submit my books to writing competitions advertised by Romance Writers of America (RWA). I’ve been a proud member of RWA since before I published and if you plan on being a romance author I think they are an incredible organization to be associated with.
As the year progressed I actually forgot about these competitions until I received an e-mail stating that Fading to Black (Uninhibited #2), was a finalist in the New England Readers Choice Award under the erotic romance category. Suffice to say I was ecstatic. Even if I don’t win the honor of being a finalist is huge to me.
New England Readers Choice – Finalists
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Again this passing weekend I was surprised to get another e-mail stating that in the Write Touch Readers’ Award Contest, I also placed as a finalist in the erotic romance category with not only Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1), but Fading to Black (Uninhibited #2).
Write Touch Readers’ Choice Award – Finalists
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I’m so excited about these awards!
***Some readers have been wondering when Surrendering to Black (Uninhibited #3) will be published. I am busy working on that book so the conclusion of the Uninhibited Series is satisfying.
I feel a great sense of responsibility to my readers. You all have been with me from the start and I don’t want to let you down. I know you are anxious for the book but I rather produce something you all will love than rush and not do Adam and Evelyn justice.
With so much love!
V.H. Luis
February 11, 2019
This is Going to be MY Year!
This is going to be MY year because I refuse to settle for anything less.
I think it’s natural for many of us to think we can’t accomplish minor goals, let alone our dreams. And of course with that attitude it’s a self fulfilling prophecy. It was that type of mentality that for years prevented me from publishing Waking to Black. Be it, those years did afford me the opportunity to proofread and refine Evie and Adam’s initial foray into falling-in-love territory, however they were riddled with self-doubt.
I wish I could say I’ve destroyed the self-doubt monster, but I haven’t.
What I can claim is that in self-publishing two book in 2018, I discovered readers do exist who enjoy what I write. Coasting on the wings of that type of attitude I submitted for a BookBub deal and to my surprise I was accepted for an international deal.
If you don’t know about BookBub, it’s suffice to say that this platform is a marketing unicorn for authors. Getting accepted by them for a feature deal is HUGE!
My deal is February 15, 2019 and I’m so excited.
If you don’t take the risk of being rejected you will never know the joy of being accepted. This if going to be MY year and I hope it’s YOUR year to!
P.S. I’ve been reworking the print-copy cover of Waking to Black. Hopefully I can figure out the formatting issue and I can update it on Amazon in the next few days.
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January 15, 2019
Follow Me on BookBub and Enter to Win!
BookBub is an incredible platform. It automatically sends you new release alerts for the authors you are following as well as informs you when a sale is happening.
If you want to stay in the know follow me and enter to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card.
Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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November 13, 2018
My Readers = AMAZING!
Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1), my debut book which was released six months ago currently has (73) ratings on Goodreads, and (31) reviews. It has (24) reviews on Amazon and an overall rating of 4.3.
While this may seem like nothing to a more seasoned writer, this is more than I anticipated when I published.
Your words encouraged me. In the moments when I wasn’t sure if I should continue writing I would often read those reviews and they would motivate me to keep going. To have strangers read my work and enjoy themselves will forever, blow my mind.
You’ve been patiently waiting on Fading to Black (Uninhibited #2), and I hope it lives up to your expectations.
NEWS
Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1), will have it’s first countdown deal with Amazon in celebration of Fading to Black’s release. It will be only .99 cents, from November 16-22.
Xpresso Book Tours
Blitz for Fading to Black (Uninhibited #2), November 20th to November 24th, 2018.
Review Tour for Fading to Black (Uninhibited #2), January 28th to February 2nd, 2019.
EXTRA
If you are part of my newsletter you already received this excerpt…
This image really helped inspire the setting of Chapter Eleven, of Fading to Black.
If you read Waking to Black, you know Adam plays the piano. To the world he may be a severe business man but under that tough-guy exterior the soul of musician is struggling to be heard. Evie brings out the best of him…
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November 9, 2018
This happened…
I took this picture the week Waking to Black was released. My mother called me ecstatic because the book was sporting the best seller tag. It was such a good moment. I remember my heart was racing—the fact that I was jumping up and down probably had something to do with it—and it’s literally one of the BEST memories I have of indie-publishing my debut book.
Six months later, I’m in the same boat. I’m about to release Fading to Black (Uninhibited #2). In fact, I just set it up on pre-order for November 20, 2018. I still have to set up a book tour, send out a newsletter, and offer those who have started this journey with me the opportunity to get an ARC.
In other words, I’m really busy and super damn late…
However, before I start to panic, I’m going to take a minute to relive the moment illustrated on that picture. Publishing Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1), was the realization of a dream. Going on a Book-Blog Tour hosted by the awesome people at Goddess Fish Promotion was amazing.
I met some incredible people since I started this journey. I’ve loved every minute.
Highlights of my May-June 2018 Book Tour for Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1)
Fabulous and Brunette
BooksChatter
Erotica for All
Read Your Writes Book Reviews
Complete Book-Blog Tour: Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1)
March 30, 2018
The JOY of Indie Publishing… I’m Serious!
I’ve spent the first week of Spring, knee-deep in self-publishing tasks—and though at times I’ve been overwhelmed, the bursts of joy I received accomplishing my goals and actually scratching-off numbers from my to-do list, has been pure bliss.
Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1), has been uploaded and currently can be pre-ordered on Amazon. I got my Goodreads Author account set up. And, this is the big one, Fading to Black (Uninhibited #2), went out to my editor!!!
Indie publishing is hard work—I’m busy dealing with promotions, contacting some awesome book-bloggers, about potentially reading my debut novel and writing honest reviews of Waking to Black. And I’m doing all of this, while still managing my busy family life. If I can do it, so can you!
P.S. If you’re like me and you NEED to read to decompress when you’re crazy-busy, I have a suggestion. Julie Garwood, is an incredible author. She originally wrote historical romance but in recent years has moved on to contemporary romance. Garwood is an amazing author in any capacity but her historical romances are my FAVORITE comfort reads. If you need to relax, pick up some of her historical romances, sit in a cozy spot, and binge read. My personal favorite Garwood, is Ransom, though that’s book two in a series. Happy reading!
January 29, 2018
The Journey Begins
If I had to pick a word to describe how I feel about publishing Book 1 of the Black Series, WAKING to Black, it would be—DAUNTING!
Of course, I’m excited at the prospect of having readers fall in love with two character I adore, but in reality, self-publishing is terrifying. The to-do list is huge, and while I could omit certain steps and just take the plunge, publishing and letting it be what it will be is not my style. I’m a planner.
Fortunately, the fruits of my planning are starting to pan out. The cover for waking is gorgeous, and the book went out for my last edit. My dream—is getting real!
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