Chloe Holiday's Blog, page 19

Finders, Keepers is Out!

FINDERS, KEEPERS is out, and available on Amazon! I’m so excited, and grateful for my wonderful beta readers who helped make it awesome! It’s a stand-alone, complete novella (no cliffhanger) which ties in with The Helios Series of Greek Romance and Adventure novels. Folks who sign up to my mailing list can get it free through a link I’ll send from StoryOrigin (Don’t worry, I’ll never share your email address!). Alternately, folks who prefer not to sign up for the mailing list can get it via Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088GSS28W

It will be coming out in audiobook form, but the timeline isn’t certain for the mastering of the raw narrated files. Who knew there was so much involved?

HELIOS is completed, and soon will be coming to Amazon!  Who hoo!!! TIme to pack for Greece, folks!

Stay tuned for your Greek Survival Tool Kit coming up! In it, you’ll find out about rude gestures to avoid (and maybe some to adopt!), wonderful and funny idioms, and also some cool cultural tidbits.

Rung by Rung

Morning, everyone! Getting the novels published feels like climbing a ladder while trying to take a sip from a fire hose, but I’m making great progress on learning to format, etc. and will have Finders, Keepers out within two weeks! It’s in the final polishing stage—I want it to be perfect for you!

In the meantime, though, I have two goodies: one, the short story Love is a Drug featured in the top spot. It’s available right now for 99 cents ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0875F7TQ2 )but I’m going to send everyone on my newsletter a free copy, so sit tight! The second is a reading suggestion for right now: my buddy, Sierra, writes many flavors of romance, and I enjoy her stories. I’ve not read this one, but her new novel sounds terrific. Here’s the blurb:

Sierra Hill – Author An epic, three-part MFM love story that spans the course of 25 years. It has drama, love, betrayal, sacrifice, steamy ménage action and shocking cliffhangers you won’t see coming!

GET ALL 3-PARTS NOW FOR ONLY $.99 FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KDWDKBT

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KDWDKBT

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07KDWDKBT

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07KDWDKBT

Real Men Read Romance

Hey, gang! I’m lucky to have nine male beta readers for my novels, but from time to time I get comments like the following, from a successful lawyer and father:  “This is very romantic. (Damn it. I’m going to lose my man card, aren’t I?)” While it made me laugh, it was also a little sad.

I think Romance gets a bad rap among men, in part because of all the ripped torsos on the covers, and also because some of the heroes are so perfect—let’s face it, chiseled, rich, smart, talented, and amazing in bed is a LOT to live up to!—but also because many Romances are nothing but one long feelings-fest, and men haven’t been encouraged to allow themselves to do more than note their feelings and drive on.

I use male beta readers because I want my heroes to sound like men. Ever read a book in which the woman was so obviously, laughably written by a man? I don’t want to commit the same sin with my male characters!

I also want stories that appeal to men, too! Most of mine have plots that are much more complex than Boy Meets Girl, Loses Girl, and Gets Girl Back. My goal is to leave readers richer, having exposure to new worlds and subcultures. My heroes, however sizzling, still have challenges and obstacles to overcome.

Lastly, Romance novels can be a glimpse into what women want, and that can pay dividends in one’s love life! I’ve heard some scoff at this, saying “Give me a break. That’s like saying that men who read thrillers want to blow up buildings and kill people.” While it’s true that most men probably don’t crave those things, the underlying themes still appeal to people: honor, courage, loyalty, self-sacrifice. Similarly, it’s the underpinnings beneath those ripped abs we really want: loyalty, honesty, a sense of humor, attentiveness.

Here’s to all Real Men who are man enough to read Romance, to my Chloe Bro Rad Readers, and to all the women who encourage men to give Romance novels a try!

Hold Your Head Up

It’s a funny thing, the way many people treat Romance novels—sneering, as if the stories are an embarrassment. Something shameful to hide. It’s much the same for those who write Romance: the implication that you could accomplish so much if you’d write something less … fluffy. The covers didn’t always help matters, whether yesteryear’s ripped bodices or today’s sculpted male torsos.

The thing is, Romance can be a force for good in lots of ways, beyond the fun of an escape.

A good Romance can introduce knowledge in an entertaining way, leaving the reader smarter. Customs of other countries? A way to experience new things? Learning snippets of history or science, woven into a story? Sign me up! One thing I really enjoy about writing is the research about the topics. I’ll feature the most fun things I learn here in the blog on occasion.

Romance legitimizes love and sex as things people deserve and should enjoy, not something to be ashamed of. For those who grew up thinking sex was “dirty,” this can be empowering. These scenes can be a springboard for discussion that might otherwise be difficult.

Novels can serve as relationship examples, both good and bad. If we believe that a character deserves better in a relationship, maybe we can accept that we do, too. If we can recognize signs of abusive or controlling behavior here, maybe we can for our loved ones. Romances also celebrate friendship and family relationships.

Romance novels are about empowerment: people making their own choices, not being awarded as a prize. People finding a way to overcome the odds stacked against them. It can be energizing and refreshing, especially to those who feel stuck or trapped.

In the end, Romance represents hope and optimism, the idea that however dark things appear, they can turn out well in the end. How can that ever be a bad thing?

So hold your head up and keep reading!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Helios Series Lineup!

Finders, Keepers 

Convinced her boyfriend is cheating, free-spirited Farrah flees a holiday party and dodges into the bar where straitlaced Caleb indulges in one drink. Charmed, she goes home with him, but her boyfriend’s later texts convince her that she was mistaken. Horrified by what she’s done, she sneaks out in the night, leaving Caleb with a single mitten…  (Novella) 

Helios

Advertising agent Nicole yields to the temptation of a sexy stranger on a trans-Atlantic flight, unaware he’s the client she’s going to pitch. Blown away that her Mile High fantasy made flesh is the Helios CEO, Nicole struggles to balance professionalism her job demands with her attraction to him, but when scandalous photos of her show up in a Greek tabloid, it’s chaos.    (Novel)

New Heights 

Relationship-averse wild child Sarah Ann joins her best friend in Greece to help with her fledgling advertising agency. A whole Navy base full of attractive men sounds like a promising distraction when Sarah Ann is assigned to a job in Souda Bay, Crete. A chance encounter in a taverna leaves her angered but intrigued by the man who walks away.     (Novel)

Submerged Hopes 

Nerissa’s dreams of using her archaeology degree as her ticket to the world transform into a dead end after the loss of her parents and her hearing. Her pushy aunt wants her to marry a nice Greek man, preferably rich, and settle down. When Nerissa is asked to supervise the excavation of an ancient shipwreck, she’s thrilled at the chance to prove herself but a disastrous meeting with a hot Navy man at a social function highlights how difficult it will be. When he’s assigned as her interpreter, sparks fly.   (Novel)

In Progress, Coming soon!

Mistress of None 

Konstantinos’ right hand man is a woman. Smart, hardworking, and loyal, Theresa is formidable, a jill of all trades—administrative assistant, part-time stand-in for him at meetings, and confidante. So what if she has a little crush on her boss? He’s safely married. But when Konstantinos becomes divorced, her shock gives way to frustrated hope that he’ll see her not as his trusted sidekick, but a desirable woman in her own right.   (Novelette, Prequel)

The Chloe Holiday Promise

 

Stop wasting time and money on cliffhanger novels!

  

Ugh, we all know the feeling—you’re reading a romance that seems fun and then—BAM! It ends on a cliffhanger!! I know I always end up feeling a little ripped off and taken advantage of when that happens. Like the whole book was designed just to force me to buy the second book.

Well, let me tell you, here that doesn’t fly!

Here’s my promise to you: Chloe Holiday Romances NEVER end in a cliffhanger. Never. They never glorify abuse, and they always end up with a Happily Ever After.

 While the Helios Series includes three full-length novels, a novella, and a novelette that are interrelated, each is a complete story. In fact, they can be read in any order!! Check back for the lineup!