Michael Geraghty's Blog, page 2

It's Cover Reveal Day!

Today is a big day - one that has been coming for about six months as I worked through this book. Anyway, the cover reveal day is finally here, so I can share it all with you!

Demon is book 4 in the Cosantóir series, but can be read as a standalone as well. If you have read any of the other books in the series, you have been introduced to Demon (as he is called in the MC) or Darryl.

Here's a little bit about the book:

The Cosantóir’s Enforcer, Darryl Garvey – AKA Demon - leads a fulfilled life. He has a good job, a beautiful daughter, and the brotherhood seems to be all he needs.

But then he meets Rose Boyle and sparks unexpectedly fly.

When Rose becomes an unwilling pawn in someone else's deadly game, Darryl does all he can to protect her. Will it be enough to save them both from the dangers they face?

I enjoyed writing this novel immensely, though it was a struggle at times. The story took on a life of its own and kept wanting to grow, so I let it. This one covers many of the same tropes you will find in my other books - a small-town romance, a single-dad romance, and the motorcycle club - but it also has aspects of a romantic thriller and plenty of humor, including a meet-cute with Darryl and Rose, the hero and heroine.

Release date for the book is going to be on July 22nd, so make sure to mark your calendars for the big day. I'll keep everyone posted as we get closer with more reveals, teasers, excerpts from the book, ARC offerings, launch party information, giveaways, and so much more!

If you are interested in joining my ARC team, just follow this link:

Mike's Booksprout ARC Team

You'll get notified when the ARC is available for this book and any of my other works so you can get a copy for FREE to read and review.

You can also sign up to get notifications about my site by becoming a subscriber. Just enter your email address in the subscriber box below to get information about site updates and a new newsletter that I will be introducing shortly.

As soon as I have links for the ARC and for the book availability on Amazon and elsewhere, I will post it here and on my social media, so make sure you give me a follow. Thanks again, and see you soon!

Let's Try This Survey Again!

Yesterday I posted a poll asking you what you would like to see as the subject of my next book. Well, I used Survey Monkey for it without reading too much into what it entails. Sadly, I cannot see all the responses unless I want to pay a fee for the service.

Instead, I am scrapping that one and offering a new poll through Google Docs. All you need to do is click on the link and answer one simple question, and you are done! Here's the link if you want to help:

Mike's New Poll for a Book Topic

I appreciate your help. I've got a busy week ahead of me, but I'll be posting some news soon about the book I just finished writing and more. Stayed tuned, and a Happy Father's Day and Juneteenth!

A Quick Question for You

I know you haven't heard from me in a while, but I have some good reasons. There have been many

events that have come up over the last six months that had me pulled in different directions. Thankfully, much of that is behind me now, and I was able to concentrate enough to get the next book in my MC series completed!

Book four will be titled "Darryl," and I will be happy to share more information about in the coming weeks as it moves forward. It's with an editor at the moment, so there are still baby steps to take, but hopefully you won't have to wait too long for it.

So that brings up the

inevitable question - what's next? There's no rest for the weary or the wicked, so I need to get ready to start diving into my next project. Sure, I have plenty of ideas in my journals, notebooks, computers and my brain, but not all of them will translate well to romance books for you guys. That's where you come in.

I could use a little bit of help, and I have set up a poll on SurveyMonkey that you can take part in to assist. There is only one question involved, so it will take just a moment of your time and will be a great assistance to me. Here's the link for the poll:

SurveyMonkey Poll for Mike Geraghty

You'll be seeing more of me in the coming days as I share about the upcoming release and get my life back in order here, so keep a lookout for what comes next. Thanks so much for sticking with me and for helping out with the survey.

Have a great weekend!

Time for a Cold One!

Hi all! I know it's been a while since I did a blog post here. Four books in 2021 left me spent, and then the holidays and dealing with COVID all around us pulled me away from working as hard as I should.

However, now I'm motivated and underway with the next project. What is it, you may ask? Well, it will be book 4 in my Cosantoir series! I've been doing a lot of research for this one, and I think it's going to have some great characters and a plot filled with action, fun, thrills, and spice.

One of the other things I have been working on is adding items to my website for promotions and sales. If you check the Store page of the site, you'll see some things from my books, along with signed copies of any of my books. I can ship items directly to you, and if you live close by to me, I'll be glad to deliver for you!

You may also have noticed the picture above. I will be trying this over the next few weeks using a fun promotional item. Chip Lab makes custom poker chips and helped me design these great drink token chips with my logo and website address. In addition, I'll be having contests and giveaways local to me here in Orange County, NY, so that you can have the chance to win a free beer from me!

What's the catch? Well, there isn't one other than you following me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and signing up for my email list here. That way, you can stay aware of where I will be, how you can get a token, and more!

That's all I have for today, but I'll be back in full force next week, writing and blogging, and who knows what else, so sign up and stay tuned so we can have a drink together.

Slainte!

What Makes a Hero?

As a romance writer, having a hero is crucial to any story I create. I take time to sit down and go over the strengths and weaknesses I want for my hero (physical, psychological, emotional, etc.) so that the hero is as well-rounded as possible. All heroes have flaws, and it's how they overcome those flaws that helps to make the story compelling and keeps us wanting to read more. I do a lot of character building before I start writing so that I have a strong idea of where I want to begin, but, like all of us, things develop and change as I go along.

We all have different ideas of what makes a hero. For some of us, we instantly think about all the superheroes that have become so prevalent in movies, on television, and in books over the last twenty years. For others it may be people we see in the media - sports stars, celebrities, media icons, politicians, leaders of business and the like. There's nothing wrong with following these people and what they do, or looking up to their achievements in life as people you may want to emulate.

For me, however, I think it is easier and more important to find the heroes we see in our everyday lives. Being a hero doesn't have to mean saving people from a perilous situation like Spiderman or Superman or leading your team to victory like Tom Brady or LeBron James. I've found often that my heroes are people I know and how they go about their lives. It's often the little things that they do each day that help to make life better for someone that stands out. Like Maya Angelou says in the quote I have up on the site right now, someone who is looking to make the world around us a better place for all people is what makes a hero.

It doesn't have to be a grand, noticeable gesture either. The heroes I know or have known are people that don't do it for glory or notice. They do it because they know it was going to have an impact on someone else. I've tried to translate this into my fiction so that my main characters try to do the small things to help improve people's lives.

In my book Preacher, Cillian (the hero) does small things in life to help make things better for those around him. He often puts thoughts of himself aside so that he can help others without the expectation of getting anything from it. Of course, this can prove to be a weakness as well, but it is the way he approaches life that allows him to overcome the obstacles he faces so that he can reach the happiness he has been striving for.

I've known and know many people that I would consider heroes in my life. My father was a hero for doing all he could and had to do to help raise six of us, sacrificing along the way so that our family was safe, secure, strong, and happy. My brothers and sisters and I talk about him constantly and all he did for us.

Heroes don't have to be someone that is older than you either. I know a hero in my life who is younger and has overcome more than most people will in a lifetime. Eric Thomas faced a life-threatening illness the same time I was facing my own, but he was just five years old when he did it. Dealing with life and death and fighting through it to survive and thrive lets him serve as an inspiration to me. His sister Caitlin is the same way. She courageously was his bone marrow transplant match to help him without a second thought.

As I said, it's not just people who make big gestures that our heroes. Like many of us today, I've lost many loved ones over the last year or so. Recently I lost two people who I consider heroes. My friend Joe, who I had written about in a previous post, was a hero who wanted no recognition. He dealt with ihs own health issues while working hard to help others. He was deeply involved in local charities, manning warming stations during the cold months so that those who needed help had a safe place to go to sleep, stay warm, and have a hot meal. He readily gave of his time, money, and effort.

Andy Lyons, my wife's uncle, also recently passed away suddenly. Not only was he family, but he went beyond that for myself and others around him. He never saw me as someone who had just married his niece. He treated me life family and like a friend. Andy was one of those people who always looked at the bright side of life and encouraged you at every turn. I was lucky enough to get to spend time with him at family gatherings or trips to his home in Delaware, and there wasn't a person who cared more about others and had a deep love for his family and community. Andy and I took a road trip back in 2011, spending a week driving from Delaware to Florida in February to see Spring Training in person. It was something both of us always wanted to do, and it was just after I had dealt with my health issues and had more trouble getting around. We spent days together, switching off driving, staying in hotels, sharing meals, going to movies, going to ball games, and talking about anything and everything. It was one of the best and most important experiences of my life and it's one I'll never forget. I learned a lot from him in just that week about life, family, faith, love, friendship and more. He was always one of my biggest supporters, just like he was to everyone who he came into contact with. Like Maya Angelou professed, Andy tried and succeeded in making this place better for all.

You don't have to look far to find a hero. If you're like me, you probably have several around you already. Taking even small steps in your own life can help you to be a hero to someone else. That small gesture you provide or bit of advice you give can change a person's life in ways you never imagined. I hope you're lucky enough to have people like this in your life, and if you are, take a moment to thank that person for all they have given to you.

Thanks for being part part of this website and reading. I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am, and stay tuned for more about For What It's Worth, my holiday book coming out Friday, December 10th!

Peace.

Do You Believe?

Welcome back after a holiday weekend! I had a fun Thanksgiving with family visiting from North Carolina, making the week and weekend more enjoyable.

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, Christmas is not far around the corner. With holidays comes all the hectic stuff that goes along with it - getting a tree, decorating the house, making cookies, breaking out the Christmas music, buying presents, and more. It can all get a little crazy and we do get caught up in a lot of stuff, but remembering that it is a season of believing and giving is, to me, a crucial part.

So, let's talk about believing today. Everyone has their own particular religious beliefs, so I'm not talking so much about that. You bring your faith into everything you do and it can be a highly personal thing. I'm talking more about believing in yourself and what you can accomplish in life.

Believing in yourself is what drives you forward, no matter what you are doing. It can be work-related or in your private life, but having that belief that you can overcome any obstacles and make things happen means a great deal. Without having that belief, I never could have come as far as I have today. I've overcome physical and emotional hurdles left and right and learned to have the confidence and faith in myself to believe I could make it as a writer. Here I am now, ten books later, steadily working toward my goals and I couldn't be happier about it.

Belief plays a big role in most of my books, whether it is religious, personal, family-related, or to do with romance and relationships. In my next book, For What It's Worth, my MC Noah Healy is going through a crisis of faith in himself and his abilities. He no longer believes he can do it as a musician and hasn't written a song in years. It takes going back to a place he tried to put in his past, confronting pains of long ago, and getting together with a woman who has always believed in him, that his view changes.

Many of my other books include belief also. Preacher finds the hero, a former priest and a member of the motorcycle club called The Cosantóir, dealing with issues of belief on several levels. In Spring Fever , Wes Martin confronts believing in himself and in his relationship with Kristin. I think if you look closely at any of my books, you can find dilemmas that characters face where they question their beliefs in what they are doing, in their family life, and in their romance.

My mantra for today, and nearly every day, is to believe in who you are and what you can accomplish. It's far from easy to do, and on some days we may not feel like it is ever going to happen. Perseverance and faith in who you are and what you can do can carry you a long way. Without it, I am nowhere near where I find myself today.

Keep believing and enjoy the rest of your day, and stay tuned to my site because there are some exciting things coming in the days ahead, including more about my holiday book!

Anticipation - It's Making me Wait

Some of you may remember the song "Anticipation" by Carly Simon and how it was used in the Heinz ketchup commercials years ago. Others may recall the quote from "Rocky Horror Picture Show" when Tim Curry says, "I see you shiver with... anticipation."

When you're a kid, waiting, much like Tom Petty says, is the hardest part. Whether it is waiting for Christmas, your birthday, a party or for your meal from McDonald's, it always seems to take too long. It's something of a problem in the world we live in today because we have become such an immediate satisfaction world that no one has the patience to wait for anything anymore. Progress might be the ultimate conundrum, giving us wonderful advances while making us want more and more at a faster pace.

All that being said, anticipation as a writer is a lot like it was for me as a child waiting for Christmas. Once I have completed a book, going through the set up process and then waiting for the release date can be painful! I want so much to get everything out to the public to see if they will embrace it the same way I have. Even with the re-release I have coming tomorrow, November 19th, of The Home Stand Series, I am excited and nervous to see how they are received. While the books came out originally almost two years ago and have good reviews, things are a little different this time around.

We've changed up the covers, making the looks brighter and more eye-catching with a new model. We've created discreet covers that look awesome if you prefer to have a book that is a bit more subdued. We even changed the titles of Balk and Curveball to Spring Fever and The Sweet Spot so that the titles closely reflect what the stories are about. I even wrote new blurbs for the backs of the books. Lastly, the books have been converted from my pen name, Lacy Hart, to Michael Geraghty.

The stories are the same as they have been, so if you have read the books in the past, nothing is different for you. However, if you're new to the series, you can get a chance to pick up each book now to enjoy.

Back to anticipation now. Anticipation is a fantastic tool in writing. My goal as a writer is to build up tension, excitement and anticipation so that you want to keep reading. Creating those scenarios is fun, and maybe even a little evil if you ask some of my beta readers who read along and say, "You're ending the chapter there? I need more!" Making the reader wait and anticipate what is to come, particular when it comes to romantic scenes, can help draw out the drama and tension and make you want to keep reading.

So, for now, we must wait. I'll wait anxiously for tomorrow for the re-release to go live. I'll wait for the Launch Party takeover I am doing tomorrow of the Scarlet Harlots Facebook Page so I can interact with readers, play some games, and giveaway some prizes. I'll wait (though this is really killing me!) to share more about my upcoming holiday book and about some cool merchandise that is going up on this site in the next few days. Hopefully, the anticipation is worth the wait for you and me.

Until tomorrow - tick, tick, tick...

When Grief Finds You

Grief and loss are never easy to talk about or write about, but sometimes we need to confront them. Like many people over the last couple of years, I have experienced both, and sometimes it seems all too often.

I just lost a good friend two nights ago. He was someone I had known for forty years, had lost touch with for a while, and then rediscovered when we realized we leave right near each other. We talked often, supported each other through good times and bad, and socialized weekly, meeting for coffee and trivia. Joe even became a fan of my books, reading them and telling me what he thought about them.

When I learned of his passing, I was devastated. I hadn't seen him in a couple of weeks and kept meaning to reach out, but one thing led to another and it didn't happen. Incidents like that make the loss worse because you feel like the person left without you getting the chance to let them know what they meant to you.

One thing I have learned through my own personal health episodes (I'll save that for another time) is that life spins on a dime. One day all can be well with the world, and the next it can be completely upended for you. My lesson learned was not to take time for granted. We all think we have plenty of it and may put off things we mean to do or say. You tell yourself you will get to it or you'll call or email that person soon, or see them another day. The reality is that the next day is never guaranteed.

Telling someone thanks, or saying what they mean to you, or offering up some other small gesture like a message or a phone call takes minutes out of your day. Those minutes can be precious and can have a lasting impact that can turn things around for someone else. What you say or do might bring a smile when it's needed most.

Grief and loss are often a part of my writing because it is something that we all can relate to in one way or another. It's an emotion that often brings us together, for better or worse. Losing a friend, family member, loved one, or pet, and shedding tears over those feelings doesn't show that we are weak. If anything, it shows others that we're human. The comfort that we bring each other draws us closer together, and that is a trait that I feel is important to write about.

My message for today is a simple one. reach out to that person you have been meaning to contact for a while and say hi. Let someone know how important they are to you and what they mean to your life each day. Pay them a visit, but them a coffee, have a meal together, or just drop a quick note. I promise you it matters.

Rest in Peace, Joe.

Food, Glorious Food!

If you came back to read - welcome back! I'm working to get in a groove of blogging and coming up with topics to do for each entry. It only seems natural that my thoughts gravitate toward food.

If you have read any of my books, you know that food always plays a role somewhere. My books include waitresses, servers, bartenders, bar owners, bakers, restaurants, food trucks, and much more in one way or another. Perhaps I have a food obsession?

Well, not so much of an obsession as a fascination. I do love to cook and make many of the meals for us here at home. I have many cookbooks, online subscriptions and I even have a cooking blog, though it has not been well-maintained recently, at onedadskitchen.com. Taking all of that into consideration, it's not a big surprise that food comes up so often in my books.

I also think food is something we all can relate to you in one way or another. It's an integral part of our lives, and cooking is something people either love to do or see as a chore they would gladly pass on.

Food is also inherently romantic. Our thoughts quickly turn to romance when we think of a candlelit elegant dinner at a fancy restaurant, or a quiet meal cooked at home. Making a meal together can be an intimate experience for both partners, and cooking lends itself to all kinds of spicy and romantic metaphors and word play that you can delve into. The scenes I write may not be of the "9 1/2 Weeks" caliber, but often intimacy and food become intertwined somehow.

The smells and description of food give you the chance to exercise your chops (or pork chops, lamb chops, etc. See what I did there?) as a writer. In my book Sweet Nothings (written under my Lacy Hart pen name), our heroine, Kelly, owns a beachside bakery. I got the opportunity to play with all kinds of aromas and looks of cookies, pastries, cakes, pies and more so you can get a feel for what it is like once you walk in the door. It is one of those smells and appearances that gets the initial attention of our hero, Damian, causing him to strike up a conversation that leads to romance.

For me, romance and food are closely linked and it is something I love to use in my books. Do you find anything romantic about cooking or baking? Do you have favorite romance books or movies that make use of food as a centerpiece? Let me know in the comments below.

You can always reach out to me through this website or on email or any of my social media outlets if you have a question. By the way, The Home Stand Series, originally written under Lacy Hart, is getting a re-release on November 19th with new covers and titles with my name on them, so look forward to that next week. My friend and fellow Scarlet Lantern author, L.M. Reid, has a release today as well called Playing to Win that you definitely don't want to miss!

Until next time, make the most of your day today, whatever that is for you!

Where to Start?

The question of where to start for me today is threefold.

First - every day for me starts with coffee. I didn't become a coffee drinker until I was in my twenties, and now I can't seem to start a day without it. Okay - to be honest - I can't survive a day without it. Luckily, there are plenty of good coffee places around where I am in Harriman, NY to get coffee, but I often make it myself at home.

Who do I turn to for coffee beans? I love Partners Coffee. They fresh roast beans to order and the coffee tastes amazing. Check them out if you are in Brooklyn or order from them online.

Secondly - where do you start is probably the most-asked question I get as a writer. Inspiration is what drives writing, and without you you'll end up sitting in front of a blank screen for hours (and believe me, I've done that plenty of times!). You can't force yourself to become inspired, but I have found ways to foster it:

Listen to Music - Listening to music is my number one weapon for writing. I put my headphones on and I find myself going into the writing zone. The melody of the music can move you to inspiration, whether it is a pop song, gangster rap, classical music, or jazz. Lyrics can have a profound effect too, so don't discount them. Sometimes it is just hearing that one line that can trigger a story idea. Taking a Walk - I may not be the most avid exercise person, but walking can do the trick in several ways. Just getting up and away from your desk can help clear your mind and get you away from what may be bogging you down. Feel the warm sun, the cool breeze, or take in the cloudy day to reinvigorate you. Also, you never know what you might see even just walking in your own neighborhood that can inspire you! Which brings us to number three... Be Nosy - In my family it's affectionately referred to as "people peeking" (thanks, Jack!). I'm not recommending you walk up and look in someone's window, but there are plenty of ways to sit back and let the world come to you. Sit on a bench at the mall and watch people and catch snippets of conversation. You might see someone or hear something that sparks an idea for you. Social media can work wonders with this. I have fallen down the TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube rabbit hole more than once and have watched people do fascinating or bizarre things that I can use. I ask presenters questions (more on that another time) to get info and insight that works well.

Part three of where to start means starting this website. It's been a long time coming, and something I've needed, and I am glad that it is finally underway. It gives me another outlet for writing and a way to communicate with you guys so you know what I'm doing, I know what you like (and don't), and we can all have some fun.

So, let's hope this is the best way for all of us to start! I'll be fine tuning the site over the next few days to suit my whims, and I'll be blogging often so you stay informed. If you ever have any questions, just reach out to me! My social media tags are on the site, and you can email me at mikegeraghtyauthor@gmail.com as well.

As for what you can do next - what do you do to kickstart your day? What do you use for inspiration, no matter what you do? Let me know with a reply!

Until next time!