Mandy Michelle's Blog
November 1, 2024
Add a Christmas Novella to your Reading List!
How Finch Stole Christmas
I have a new book out!!!
How Finch Stole Christmas: A Sweet Holiday Romance
This one is a short, sweet, romantic comedy that reads like a Hallmark movie.
Gavin Finch is a mayor with a singular focus: winning the Christmas contest for a movie to be filmed in his perfect little small town.
When he loses five years in a row, he snaps, his outburst going viral.
Only he didn't really lose...there was a mistake from the production company's end. The new assistant is sent to give Mayor Finch the good news. Except she is agoraphobic.
Both have challenges to face to get the holiday movie made...
Please check it out and let me know on Goodreads what you think!
I have a new book out!!!
How Finch Stole Christmas: A Sweet Holiday Romance
This one is a short, sweet, romantic comedy that reads like a Hallmark movie.
Gavin Finch is a mayor with a singular focus: winning the Christmas contest for a movie to be filmed in his perfect little small town.
When he loses five years in a row, he snaps, his outburst going viral.
Only he didn't really lose...there was a mistake from the production company's end. The new assistant is sent to give Mayor Finch the good news. Except she is agoraphobic.
Both have challenges to face to get the holiday movie made...
Please check it out and let me know on Goodreads what you think!
December 3, 2020
It's Release Day!!!
Sinners MC: A Motorcycle Club Anthology from Limitless Publishing is LIVE!
One-Click today! http://mybook.to/SinnerMCBuy
Add it to your TBR on Goodreads! https://bit.ly/SinnersMCTBR
Are you ready to fall in love with
some hardcore bikers?
They might be outlaws, but one thing
is certain…
Nobody messes with their women or
their clubs. Those that stupidly enough dare to do so, will have hell to pay.
Game on.
SINNERS MC features six MC Romances full of danger,
suspense, passion, and angst by Evan Grace, Ginger Ring, Mandy Michelle,
Melinda Valentine, Shanjida Nusrath Ali, and Vanessa Siena.
suspense, passion, and angst by Evan Grace, Ginger Ring, Mandy Michelle,
Melinda Valentine, Shanjida Nusrath Ali, and Vanessa Siena.
One-Click:
http://mybook.to/SinnerMCBuy
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/SinnersMCTBR
Hosted By:
November 14, 2020
Cover Reveal!!!
Sinners MC: A Motorcycle Club Anthology from Limitless Publishing is releasing December 3rd!
Pre-Order today! http://mybook.to/SinnerMCBuy
Cover Designer: Deranged Doctor Book Covers
Are you ready to fall in love with
some hardcore bikers?
They might be outlaws, but one thing
is certain…
Nobody messes with their women or
their clubs. Those that stupidly enough dare to do so, will have hell to pay.
Game on.
SINNERS MC features six MC Romances full of danger,
suspense, passion, and angst by Evan Grace, Ginger Ring, Mandy Michelle,
Melinda Valentine, Nusrath Ali, and Vanessa Siena.
suspense, passion, and angst by Evan Grace, Ginger Ring, Mandy Michelle,
Melinda Valentine, Nusrath Ali, and Vanessa Siena.
Pre-Order:
http://mybook.to/SinnerMCBuy
Hosted By:
October 25, 2020
All Work and No Play
I have been trying for days to write a one page story and yet here I sit staring a blinking cursor and a blank page.
Writer's Block.
It sounds so cliché to hear a writer talk about writer's block, but there is a reason for it. It's very common. (At least it is for me.)
There were years after university when the words just flowed from my fingertips. I could easily write almost 2000 words daily and managed to keep it up for years. Never a lull, never a blip in the idea train.
And then there's this year.
I could blame the pandemic, but my life doesn't look much different in 2020 than it did 2019. I'm just home more. Maybe that's it. A lack of inspiration. Nothing is really happening. And no one wants to read about the pandemic, much less write about it. (Unless you do... Let me know.)
I should be motivated. I have four books awaiting edits with one publisher and another story featured in anthology coming out this year. This is my year. This is my time to bask in the writing profession. Things are coming together for me.
Yet, the simple task of writing a one page story for my Writing Group's Halloween Zoom Meeting is weighing heavily on me. I have been thinking about it for weeks... A classic campfire ghost story. A project designed to be fun and spooky.
I had one idea, wrote another, but both of those stories fizzled out.
So, I'm writing this blog to get my fingers typing and my mind flowing.
The scariest part is that in one week's time, November 1st, National Novel Writing Month begins. It is a worldwide commitment to write 50000 words in a mere 30 days. I have participated for five years and managed to complete task each and every year.
But this year, I'm having doubts. If I can't write 500 words, can I write 50000? Only time will tell and I will be sure to keep you updated on my progress in my blog.
Perhaps I'll go the way of The Shining's Jack Torrance and type the same sentence over and over. Let's hope I don't go too crazy...
Happy Halloween week, readers.
Send all your scary vibrations my way.
Mandy Michelle, Nanowrimo Participant, Blocked Writer, and Female Jack Torrance.
Writer's Block.
It sounds so cliché to hear a writer talk about writer's block, but there is a reason for it. It's very common. (At least it is for me.)
There were years after university when the words just flowed from my fingertips. I could easily write almost 2000 words daily and managed to keep it up for years. Never a lull, never a blip in the idea train.
And then there's this year.
I could blame the pandemic, but my life doesn't look much different in 2020 than it did 2019. I'm just home more. Maybe that's it. A lack of inspiration. Nothing is really happening. And no one wants to read about the pandemic, much less write about it. (Unless you do... Let me know.)
I should be motivated. I have four books awaiting edits with one publisher and another story featured in anthology coming out this year. This is my year. This is my time to bask in the writing profession. Things are coming together for me.
Yet, the simple task of writing a one page story for my Writing Group's Halloween Zoom Meeting is weighing heavily on me. I have been thinking about it for weeks... A classic campfire ghost story. A project designed to be fun and spooky.
I had one idea, wrote another, but both of those stories fizzled out.
So, I'm writing this blog to get my fingers typing and my mind flowing.
The scariest part is that in one week's time, November 1st, National Novel Writing Month begins. It is a worldwide commitment to write 50000 words in a mere 30 days. I have participated for five years and managed to complete task each and every year.
But this year, I'm having doubts. If I can't write 500 words, can I write 50000? Only time will tell and I will be sure to keep you updated on my progress in my blog.
Perhaps I'll go the way of The Shining's Jack Torrance and type the same sentence over and over. Let's hope I don't go too crazy...
Happy Halloween week, readers.
Send all your scary vibrations my way.
Mandy Michelle, Nanowrimo Participant, Blocked Writer, and Female Jack Torrance.
October 18, 2020
The Accusation
I was pondering what to blog about today, when, lo and behold, the idea was handed to me... by a blood red hand. (Not mine, though. I'm innocent.)
Today, I popped into my local public library, and I won't name names to protect the identity of the accuser, to pick up "Beach Read" by Emily Henry, (I know, wrong season). I checked out the book at the self checkout to avoid human interaction and had to detour through the library to follow the directional COVID arrows, stopping to check out the blockbuster movie stand on my way out.
I then proceeded to pass two giggling employees, talking, not working, but who am I to call down someone who enjoys their job, before I passed the security guard and walked through the scanners to leave. (Scanners designed to sound an alarm if someone doesn't check out a book...remember this part.)
I just made it back to the vehicle when someone came running toward the car in a panic. Now, I must say our library is located on a sketchy side of town and that kind of behaviour is absolutely terrifying, but I digress. I rolled down the window a crack when the woman wouldn't leave, and was then accused of book theft.
Me.
The writer who has checked out thousands of books in her lifetime. The student who had to use a shopping cart to return the books she checked out of her university library for her thesis research. The woman who has never had an overdue book in her entire 30+ year life.
"Did you actually check out that book?" she asked, her nametag giving away that she was not trying to rob me, but was actually an employee.
"Yes," I said, a little stunned, because had she not been giggling earlier, she would have seen me check out the book in front of her. More stunned because I managed to pass through the security alarm without setting it off...because the book was checked out.
"Some people don't know you have to check them out," she said by way of an explanation for her dramatic chase.
Which people are these? I wondered to myself as I pressed my printed return slip to the frosted glass as proof that I do indeed know how a library works.
Once she caught her breath, she scuttled back inside, tail between her legs and I drove off, yet again surprised that easy Sunday errands are never truly easy after all.
I am Mandy Michelle, Library Card Holder, Book Checker Outer, and not a Book Thief after all.
Today, I popped into my local public library, and I won't name names to protect the identity of the accuser, to pick up "Beach Read" by Emily Henry, (I know, wrong season). I checked out the book at the self checkout to avoid human interaction and had to detour through the library to follow the directional COVID arrows, stopping to check out the blockbuster movie stand on my way out.
I then proceeded to pass two giggling employees, talking, not working, but who am I to call down someone who enjoys their job, before I passed the security guard and walked through the scanners to leave. (Scanners designed to sound an alarm if someone doesn't check out a book...remember this part.)
I just made it back to the vehicle when someone came running toward the car in a panic. Now, I must say our library is located on a sketchy side of town and that kind of behaviour is absolutely terrifying, but I digress. I rolled down the window a crack when the woman wouldn't leave, and was then accused of book theft.
Me.
The writer who has checked out thousands of books in her lifetime. The student who had to use a shopping cart to return the books she checked out of her university library for her thesis research. The woman who has never had an overdue book in her entire 30+ year life.
"Did you actually check out that book?" she asked, her nametag giving away that she was not trying to rob me, but was actually an employee.
"Yes," I said, a little stunned, because had she not been giggling earlier, she would have seen me check out the book in front of her. More stunned because I managed to pass through the security alarm without setting it off...because the book was checked out.
"Some people don't know you have to check them out," she said by way of an explanation for her dramatic chase.
Which people are these? I wondered to myself as I pressed my printed return slip to the frosted glass as proof that I do indeed know how a library works.
Once she caught her breath, she scuttled back inside, tail between her legs and I drove off, yet again surprised that easy Sunday errands are never truly easy after all.
I am Mandy Michelle, Library Card Holder, Book Checker Outer, and not a Book Thief after all.
October 12, 2020
One Year Anniversary
So, I'm a day late with the blog, but I can easily blame that on a turkey coma. Here in Canada, it's Thanksgiving weekend. We're lucky we don't have to wait until November for a great big dinner with all the trimmings.
But, I digress, you're here for book chat, not food talk, which I could discuss all day if asked to. Food is both my kryptonite and my superpower, which honestly sounds like a great book...
Today, October 12th, is the one year anniversary of my cover reveal for "Ready to Burn."
When I first saw my cover, I was thrilled. It really was everything I had ever dreamed of. I knew I wanted a shirtless man. And I was given a shirtless man. I mean, this is romance. My target audience is women who enjoy shirtless men. I really couldn't ask for more.
Except a face. That's my new vision: to have a book cover with a face for my shirtless torso hero.
A girl can dream.
Who is this man on the cover of my first novel? If I walked by him on the street, I wouldn't know it was him, because in all likelihood, he would be dressed.
So, whoever you are, shirtless man, thank you for gracing the cover of my novel. I truly appreciate you and all the hours you spent in the gym. *wink*
Until next week....
I'm Mandy Michelle, Food Connoisseur, Torso Lover, and Dreamer Extraordinaire.
But, I digress, you're here for book chat, not food talk, which I could discuss all day if asked to. Food is both my kryptonite and my superpower, which honestly sounds like a great book...
Today, October 12th, is the one year anniversary of my cover reveal for "Ready to Burn."
When I first saw my cover, I was thrilled. It really was everything I had ever dreamed of. I knew I wanted a shirtless man. And I was given a shirtless man. I mean, this is romance. My target audience is women who enjoy shirtless men. I really couldn't ask for more.
Except a face. That's my new vision: to have a book cover with a face for my shirtless torso hero.
A girl can dream.
Who is this man on the cover of my first novel? If I walked by him on the street, I wouldn't know it was him, because in all likelihood, he would be dressed.
So, whoever you are, shirtless man, thank you for gracing the cover of my novel. I truly appreciate you and all the hours you spent in the gym. *wink*
Until next week....
I'm Mandy Michelle, Food Connoisseur, Torso Lover, and Dreamer Extraordinaire.
October 4, 2020
A Part of the Whole
I'm going to be in an anthology! I am in an anthology. My story was selected to be a piece of puzzle, one sixth of a book about sexy men on motorcycles and the women they love.
It's called SINNERS MC: A Motorcycle Club Anthology. It will be released on December 3, 2020.
It's a different feeling to be in the company of other writers than to be on your own when your book is released. In a way, I find the idea comforting. We're all in this together and all that. We are a team. We are all women, all writers, all lovers of the alpha male. And yet, we haven't met.
I like the idea of sharing the glory of a book's release. I'm in an instant support group. I'm excited for it's release and I want it to do well, not just for me, not just to add another book to my repertoire of published works, but because I want these woman to succeed as well.
In the cutthroat world of publishing, where it's hard to climb to the top, to be seen, to be recognized, to be valued, it feels nice to have five more souls, arm in arm with me on the journey.
Mandy Michelle, Piece of the Pie, Cheerleader, and Anthologist
It's called SINNERS MC: A Motorcycle Club Anthology. It will be released on December 3, 2020.
It's a different feeling to be in the company of other writers than to be on your own when your book is released. In a way, I find the idea comforting. We're all in this together and all that. We are a team. We are all women, all writers, all lovers of the alpha male. And yet, we haven't met.
I like the idea of sharing the glory of a book's release. I'm in an instant support group. I'm excited for it's release and I want it to do well, not just for me, not just to add another book to my repertoire of published works, but because I want these woman to succeed as well.
In the cutthroat world of publishing, where it's hard to climb to the top, to be seen, to be recognized, to be valued, it feels nice to have five more souls, arm in arm with me on the journey.
Mandy Michelle, Piece of the Pie, Cheerleader, and Anthologist
September 27, 2020
With Fabio on the Cover
I think it's every romance writer's dream to have their book on the shelf by the checkout at the grocery store, (or is that just me?), and have Fabio on the cover, his shirt conveniently missing its buttons.
It has yet to happen for me. But I know it will because I won't stop until it does.
The same can be said for finding a home for a manuscript. It's tempting to fall into the trap of believing a manuscript has no value when you receive endless rejection letters. BUT... when the manuscript finds the right publisher, everything clicks into place.
I sent a short story, about 15000 words long, for a contest and was promptly rejected. I sent the same story, with a few tweaks, to another publisher and was sent a contract. Had I given up with the first no, "Wrong Address" would not be coming out this fall with Limitless Publishing.
Keep positive writers. One day, your book, and mine, could be sitting in the shopping cart beside a carton of cookie dough ice cream.
I'm Mandy Michelle, positive thinker, Fabio fan, and cookie dough lover.
It has yet to happen for me. But I know it will because I won't stop until it does.
The same can be said for finding a home for a manuscript. It's tempting to fall into the trap of believing a manuscript has no value when you receive endless rejection letters. BUT... when the manuscript finds the right publisher, everything clicks into place.
I sent a short story, about 15000 words long, for a contest and was promptly rejected. I sent the same story, with a few tweaks, to another publisher and was sent a contract. Had I given up with the first no, "Wrong Address" would not be coming out this fall with Limitless Publishing.
Keep positive writers. One day, your book, and mine, could be sitting in the shopping cart beside a carton of cookie dough ice cream.
I'm Mandy Michelle, positive thinker, Fabio fan, and cookie dough lover.
September 20, 2020
Sundays are for Blogging
So, this is a blog...
It's funny. I can write 50,000 every November for NANOWRIMO, I can write countless novels and short stories, and talk the ears off my friends and family, but when it comes down to writing a blog, I'm left sitting at my keyboard, staring at that blinking cursor with absolutely nothing to say.
I decided honesty is the way to go. I'm going to type what I'm feeling and thinking and that way, you'll get to know the real me.
I've always been the kind of person that wants to be the best at everything I try. A perfectionist, really. Well, writing is the kind of business that really puts a person like me in their place...at the bottom.
It's the first thing I learned when I decided to write books. There is always someone better than you, more successful than you, with more followers and fans. But that's okay. There's room for everyone. I truly believe that if you have a story to tell, someone will read and love it as much as you do.
Getting to the point that your book sees the light of day is a different story. I promised honesty and here it is. I struggled greatly with the editing process. Perfectionist, remember? Getting edits back from the publishing company was page after page of someone telling me what I did wrong.
BUT...
Then I woke up. The criticism wasn't an attack on me. After my ninth round of edits on Ready to Burn, it started to occur to me, these weren't my mistakes, they were improvements. And now, I love editing. I can't seem to read over my book enough. Heck, I'm even editing books I read for fun. Editing is a way of life.
So, what I've learned over the last couple years, is that, like life, writing is all about your perspective.
Not everyone has to like it, because some people will love it. And that's all that really matters in the end.
I'm Mandy Michelle, Romance Writer, Open Minded Perfectionist, and Editor Extraordinaire.
Ready To Burn
It's funny. I can write 50,000 every November for NANOWRIMO, I can write countless novels and short stories, and talk the ears off my friends and family, but when it comes down to writing a blog, I'm left sitting at my keyboard, staring at that blinking cursor with absolutely nothing to say.
I decided honesty is the way to go. I'm going to type what I'm feeling and thinking and that way, you'll get to know the real me.
I've always been the kind of person that wants to be the best at everything I try. A perfectionist, really. Well, writing is the kind of business that really puts a person like me in their place...at the bottom.
It's the first thing I learned when I decided to write books. There is always someone better than you, more successful than you, with more followers and fans. But that's okay. There's room for everyone. I truly believe that if you have a story to tell, someone will read and love it as much as you do.
Getting to the point that your book sees the light of day is a different story. I promised honesty and here it is. I struggled greatly with the editing process. Perfectionist, remember? Getting edits back from the publishing company was page after page of someone telling me what I did wrong.
BUT...
Then I woke up. The criticism wasn't an attack on me. After my ninth round of edits on Ready to Burn, it started to occur to me, these weren't my mistakes, they were improvements. And now, I love editing. I can't seem to read over my book enough. Heck, I'm even editing books I read for fun. Editing is a way of life.
So, what I've learned over the last couple years, is that, like life, writing is all about your perspective.
Not everyone has to like it, because some people will love it. And that's all that really matters in the end.
I'm Mandy Michelle, Romance Writer, Open Minded Perfectionist, and Editor Extraordinaire.
Ready To Burn
