Debra Parmley's Blog, page 9

Interview With Author/Cover Model Scott McKinley

Today on Cover Model Corner I'm pleased to introduce Author and Cover Model Scott McKinley. He's agreed to join me here on Cover Model Corner to do an interview.

 

Welcome Scott! Let's get started.

1.) What was the first cover you appeared on and how did this come about?

The first cover I appeared on was KILTED DESIRE, and basically it was because I needed a low cost cover fer my book. Aye, I'm an author too. ;-)

 2.) If you could do a photo shoot anywhere in the world for a cover, where would you most want to go? What sort of shoot would it be?

It would be fun tae go back tae Scotland and do a 'Highlander' shoot, actually up in the highlands.

3.) Beyond romance novel cover shots, what other projects or jobs keep you busy?

Being an author too I spend time writing, pus I have a Facebook Fan page that I spend a lot of time on. The page allows me tae share my sense of humor. I do a lot of interacting with fans and they seem tae appreciate it. I have a fun online store too where a lot of my images and slogans are available on various items. Plus I have my own designer fragrance range which has been popular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.) If you wrote a book what would it be about?

I have 2 books already published and am working on the 3rd in the KILTED DESIRE series. The books are contemporary Romance/Action stories and are based on my own personal experiences and adventures, mainly after leaving the military.

5.) This question is almost always asked in interviews because your fitness level is beyond the average persons. What is yur exercise routine and what sort of nutrition plan do you follow to achieve and maintain your level of fitness?

I was lucky enough tae be able tae train every day fer my job. Being a member of the most elite Special Forces unit in the world fer over 10 years meant achieving nae only strength, but also a very high level of cardio fitness. I dinnae go overboard any more though, I watch what I eat and train aboot 3 times a week just tae stay trim.

6.) If you could share three simple fitness tips the average romance reader could do every day to stay healthy, what would they be?

Eat sensibly, avoid soda (even if it says diet on the can) and exercise regularly incorporating 'reverse - push back push-ips' in tae yer routine. They'll do wonders fer yer upper body.

7.) Describe the perfect romantic evening:

Nae matter what I say I’m sure it would sound very cliché! I am romantic though – I once proposed tae my American girlfriend by taking her tae a Castle overlooking Loch Ness, dressing in full Scottish regalia and getting doon on one knee! She did say ‘Aye’ but we’re nae together anymore.

8.) Please share one unusual fact about you or your life:

I’m pretty sure I’m the only Scottish, straight, single, Male Romance Author/Cover Model with a military Special Forces background ;) I’m also very accessible, which I have been told is unusual ;) I answer every message I receive on my Fan Page personally.

Eight Quickie questions:

1.) Watching the sunset or watching the stars? Sunset

2.) The beach or the mountains? Mountains

3.) Primitive camping or luxury hotel? Luxury

4.) Snow skiing or water skiing? Snow

5.) Favorite movie: The Hangover

6.) Best book you ever read:

7.) Fav. Sport to play: Soccer

8.) Fav. Sport to watch: Soccer

Scott, thank you for visiting with me today. It's been fun getting to know you. Before we say goodbye, how can fans stay up to date on your latest news?

Website: http://www.kilteddesire.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scott-Mckinley-AuthorCover-Model/367191850044827

Twitter: @KiltedDesire

http://www.cafepress.com/kilteddesire

Buy links for Scott's books:

http://www.amazon.com/KILTED-DESIRE-Sands-Betrayal-ebook/dp/B0082EQ762

http://www.amazon.com/KILTED-DESIRE-Russian-Roulette-ebook/dp/B00ANYEBUS/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1

http://www.evergreencandleworks.com/index.cfm?Action=ViewCategory&Category=65

Cover Model Corner New On My Website

Announcing a new section of my website called Cover Model Corner!

What is Cover Model Corner?

Cover Model Corner is a special section of my website dedicated to interviews and photos of the cover models who grace the pages of our book covers. You will find it in the upper right hand of my website.

How did Cover Model Corner come about? A couple of years ago in 2011, I won a fundraiser drawing Jimmy Thomas held in LA at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention. The prize was breakfast in Bed with Jimmy Thomas. As you can imagine, this was great fun. The blog post I wrote about the event and the pics along with the interview Jimmy Thomas did with me later have been the most popular pages on my website. So I decided since my readers enjoyed those so much, it would be fun to have a special section of my website devoted to photos and interviews with my readers favorite cover models.

Here to kick of this new section, I am revisiting breakfast in bed with Jimmy Thomas and sharing the event with you. Stay tuned for future cover model interviews and photos. Enjoy! 

Jimmy serving me breakfast in bed.

"(Making sure she doesn't soil her pj's ;))" - Jimmy's quote on his facebook page.

"(What? This breakfast doesn't come with a body massage?)" - quote from Jimmy's facebook page.

"(Cause she's my be-eest frieeend yat, da-da-da-da-dat, da da da da dat, da da da da daaaat...This toast sure is super-duper!!!!)" - quote from Jimmy on his facebook page.

Despite my nervousness (I mean how do you relax and eat breakfast when you are in your pajamas, the photographer is clicking away with the camera and you are sitting next to a famous and handsome cover model?) Jimmy is so much fun I actually started to relax enough to eat in front of the camera and have fun with it. :-)

(And I always did kinda like this song.)

"(Really? You don't say? Hmmmm, so you agree that Pavlov showed that there does exist a basic pattern in the reflex regulation of the activity of the circulatory organs, and that dogs just don't drool saliva when they see food because they haven't been taught proper eating etiquette? Interesting!)" - quote from Jimmy on his facebook page.

Yes, he is funny, intelligent, articulate and good looking. For more about Jimmy, you can read the interview he did for me, which is located in Cover Model Corner. Jimmy's links can be found here on my links page as well.

For more about Jimmy Thomas and the other cover models who grace the pages of our novels, please visit Cover Model Corner. And enjoy!

Love and Light,

Debra

Interview with Cover Model Jason Aaron Baca

Today I am interviewing cover model Jason Aaron Baca. Welcome Jason!

Let's talk about your covers.







What was the first cover you appeared on and how did this come about?











Jason - My first book cover was called "The Legend of Michael" by Lisa Renee Jones via Sourcebook Inc. It came about after I'd looked up who all the book cover artists were in the USA. She happened to live about 100 miles from where I was so this worked out perfectly. She booked me to her studio and took a hundred or so photos of me. It was a wonderful experience knowing the photos were getting used for a cover of a romance novel.

2.) If you could do a photo shoot anywhere in the world for a cover, where would you most want to go? What sort of shoot would it be?


Jason - I'd have to select somewhere awesome such as the Bahamas! The water is so bright blue out there. Problem is, I'd want to hurry up with the shoot so I can go snorkeling and be out there! I'd be so caught up in wanting to take it all in. And yes, it would be the typical romance novel which is what I do.
 
3.) Beyond romance novel cover shots, what other projects or jobs keep you busy?


Jason - Well I am also a fitness model for various workout magazines. What's good is both feed each other...  If I'm in good shape I still have to have a nice clear face with radiant skin tone for the romance novels. For the fitness modeling, you have to be in REALLY good shape. You don't need all that for romance novels but if you have it, all the better. I maintain good health year round through a balanced diet & ferocious exercise routine. I believe each day is a new day. I look at me and then I tell myself what I see.. I tell myself you ain't seen the best of me yet, give me time I'll make you forget the rest!
When I workout I know I've got more in me, and I can set it free... That I can shoot straight to the top once I unlock that door in me.

4.) What's one question you wish an interviewer would ask you?


Jason - Well the question that I get asked a lot but LOVE to answer is what I do to get such radiant supple skin?


Well what I do is I begin in the bath tub with a relaxing and soothing bubble bath where I combine aloe, chamomile, ginkgo, cocoa, flaxseed, jojoba, Vitamin E and patchouli with minerals to create a wondrous indulgence.

 

After bathing, I use an almond shea butter scrub which is designed to heal and rejuvenate the skin. For my face I use a grape seed extract facial peel which I leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. After I remove the peel I use an exfoliating facial scrub followed by a toning wash. Then Olay's age defying moisturizing bar which really locks in the moisture.

After I step out of the shower, I apply a daily tone brightening complex which contains an spf of at least 15. Then Beverly Hills Advanced Youth Recovery Creme followed by Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizer. I let that set for 2-3 minutes while I get changed then return to the bathroom and apply moisturizer than an anti-aging balm around the eyes then a final face protector which is a daily defense against environmental aggressors.
 
5.) If you wrote a book, what would it be about?



Jason - well I've wrute 3. The first 2 were on my expereinces as a model. They can be bought at any Barnes and Noble or Amazon. Journey of a Male Model (2004) & Overexposed (2007)


6.) This question is almost always asked in interviews because your fitness level is beyond the average persons. What is your exercise routine and what sort of nutrition plan do you follow to achieve and maintain your level of fitness?


Jason - Well thank you for the compliment! Well I devote 1 hour per day to my body with fitness. I stretch every day, perform a rigerous workout routine in the evening and live inside a balanced "low fat" diet. I stick to the rules. I know that if I eat a piece of chocolate it will only make me ugly or cause a blemish on my skin. I only allow food to pass my lips that will make my muscles grow and skin glow.

 
7.) If you could share three simple fitness tips the average romance reader could do every day to stay healthy, what would they be?


Jason - 1) Eat MORE of the right foods. Just watching how much you eat isn't enough esp if you are having chips and dips.
2)Take one day at a time, each day is a new life. Will you make proper food selections this day? And just because you made bad food decisions yesterday doesn't mean you have to throw in the towel and make them from here on out! One day to the next.
3) Toss the fat loss pills in the garbage.. If you want to get a good body long term, you have to earn it... ON YOUR OWN.. Not with a short term pill that you'll end up getting liver disease from.
 
8.) It's your birthday dinner and the calories don't count. What's on the menu and what are you drinking?


Jason- Well I'll start with the arugula caesar salad with grilled anchovies and freshly picked basil on top. Then the swordfish meatloaf in an onion marmalade sauce. I also enjoy frogras' with a thick pumpkin soup garnished with a dash of fresh parsley.
 
9.) Describe the perfect romantic evening:


Jason - At home with lobster tails enjoying watching the food channel and having the best foot massage possible.
 
10.) Please share one unusual fact about your or your life:


Jason - Well my nails grow FAST! I am constantly having to clip them to perfection.
 
Eight Quickie questions:
 
1.) Watching the sunset or watching the stars?


Jason- Oh watching the stars.. There might be a UFO to see.
 

2.) The beach or the mountains?


Jason - The beach, its just great for the skin.
 

3.) Primitive camping or luxury hotel?


Jason - Camping... I've done a ton of the luxury hotels. Camping seems like the thing to do.
 

4.) Snow skiing or water skiing?


Jason - Water skiing
 

5.) Favorite movie: Jason - Dumb & Dumber
 

6.) Best book you ever read:


Jason - Tony Robbins Unlimited Power
 

7.) Fav. Sport to play: Baseball
 

8.) Fav. Sport to watch: Baseball
 
Thank you for visiting with me today. It's been fun getting to know you. Before we say goodbye, how can fans stay up to date on your latest news? Do you have any news or announcements to share?


For indie authors,cover artists & publishers interested in purchasing stock for covers of Jason, see website. Rules and Instructions are located in the journal of the page -
 
Website: http://jasonaaronbaca.deviantart.com

Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child: My Guest Blog on Readers Entertainment

 

Yesterday I was a guest on Readers Entertainment blog, talking about Christmas through the eyes of a child and sharing a story of my favorite Christmas ornament.

For those who missed it, enjoy!

http://www.readersentertainment.com/blog/2012/authors-on-holiday-debra-parmley/

Mistletoe and First Kisses

Mistletoe And First Kisses

First kisses.  There is just something about them.  As a romance novelist, I write a lot of first kiss scenes.  I think about first kisses a lot. Seeing mistletoe during the holidays makes me smile, because it makes me think of first kisses.

It’s a Christmas custom of Scandinavian origin that any two people who meet beneath the hanging mistletoe must kiss.  In ancient Scandinavia and according to Norse myths, it was the plant of peace. If enemies met by chance beneath mistletoe in a forest, they laid down their arms in truce for the day. This led to the tradition of kissing beneath the mistletoe. It spread throughout the English speaking parts of Europe and to the United States, but in many countries is still unknown.  Many times I have had to explain what a mistletoe kiss is to friends outside of these countries. 

Celtic mythology, Christian tradition, and Druidic rituals all have customs around this plant which is actually a parasitic plant which attaches itself to the branches of trees and shrubs. The word "mistletoe" is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words; "mistel" (dung) and "tan" (twig) -- misteltan is the Old English version of mistletoe.  In earlier centuries it was believed mistletoe grew from birds, and not from seeds, that the plant grew as a result of birds landing in the branches of trees.

It is an ancient custom that the mistletoe must not touch the ground between the time it is cut and the time it is removed as the last of the Christmas greens at Candlemas.  Sometimes it was left hanging all year to preserve the house from fire and then replaced the following Christmas.

There are many songs that talk about these mistletoe kisses.   I’ll Be Home for Christmas, The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on and open fire…), A Holly Jolly Christmas, Kissin’ By The Mistletoe, Mr. Mistletoe; It Must Have Been the Mistletoe.

The tradition came to America and shows up in our literature as well.

The mistletoe is still hung up in farm-houses and kitchens at Christmas, and the young men have the privilege of kissing the girls under it, plucking each time a berry from the bush. When the berries are all plucked the privilege ceases. - Washington Irving, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent in "Christmas Eve,"

So, if you want to enjoy some spontaneous kisses or have someone in mind you’d like to kiss, hang some mistletoe.  But if you follow this tradition, be sure no one eats the berries and keep your pets away from them because they are poisonous!

Mistletoe has also been thought to be an aphrodisiac and fertility herb. It may also possess abortifacient qualities, which would help explain its association with uninhibited sexuality.  But with any herbs (as with searching for mushrooms) be sure to consult an experienced herbalist before attempting to eat or drink any form of mistletoe. Remember they could be poisonous.

The best way to experience the magical properties of mistletoe is to hang some in a doorway or in the middle of the room and wait for that perfect magical mistletoe kiss.

Do you have special memories or stories to tell of kissing under the mistletoe? I love to read of first kisses and of mistletoe kisses. They can be magical.

Wishing you all the magic of this holiday season.

Love and light,

Debra

Celebrating the Holidays Onboard A Cruise Ship

In Onboard the Wishing Star, my most recent book, Kara and Viv are looking forward to celebrating New Year's Eve on board. When writing this story I drew from my own experiences as well as those of my clients who would take a holiday cruise.

Americans setting sail on holiday cruises are usually interested in celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year's Eve.

A holiday cruise can be a great way for families to come together in a family reunion style gathering. They can also be a fun way for a small family to celebrate. But it can also be a fun way for singles to celebrate a holiday, particularly the New Year's cruises.

Usually the cruise lines stick to time honored traditions, but they sometimes add innovative festivities. For example, Princess Cruises employs snowmaking machines to offer daily snowfalls in the atrium throughout the month of December. On Disney Cruise Line's private island, Castaway Cay, the tram will be magically transformed into a sleigh. And, luxury line Crystal does a full-on balloon drop in the atrium to ring in the New Year.

What can you expect onboard a holiday cruise? Of the four major holidays -- Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's -- Christmas garners the most attention.

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Cruise lines serve special meals during holiday cruises. For instance, expect latkes (potato pancakes) during Hanukkah and some lines serve the traditional meal. The traditional Thanksgiving meals are served on most cruise lines.

Our family went on a Thanksgiving cruise and had our choice of the traditional foods such as roast turkey, along with such trimmings as stuffing and cranberry sauce. But given the choice between the traditional meal and surf and turf we all chose lobster tails and steak!

All the cruise lines decorate though the trimming and timing varies from ship to ship. In the fall it may be pumpkins and cornucopias, in December wreaths and decorated trees. Decorations generally go up around Thanksgiving and stay until the New Year.

Our family once took a Christmas cruise to the Caribbean and inflatable Santa's waited on the piers as we sailed into port at each island. It was fun to see how the different islands decorated for the holiday.

On New Year's Eve, a ship wide countdown to midnight is to be expected, as is a Champagne toast. Celebrations might be on the top decks under the stars, weather permitting. Or they might be down below with balloons and noisemakers.

You or your travel consultant can find out what each cruise line is doing to celebrate a holiday, from decorations, to special meals, to music, live shows and movies with a holiday theme. There may be a priest; a rabbi or a reverend on board for special religious services on some cruises. There may be special children's activities. Santa may pay a visit. There may be arts and crafts for children. There may be areas for viewing NFL on large screens. Cruising on a holiday cruise is very different from cruising on an off holiday cruise. Everyone on board the ship is celebrating the holiday too, which means the crew as well.

For Kara and Nate, celebrating aboard The Wishing Star is a romantic and memorable occasion. I had so much fun writing this story and watching them celebrate their first New Year's Eve together.

Have you ever been on a holiday cruise? If you could sail aboard The Wishing Star on a holiday cruise which one would you choose? What would you look forward to?

Wherever you celebrate the holidays this season, I wish you health, happiness and wonderful memories to treasure.

Love and light,

Debra

Remember to sign up for my newsletter. November newsletter will be rolling out just before Thanksgiving and I'll be sharing one of my holiday recipes.

The Romance of Cruising

Anyone who has cruised the seas or who has watched "The Love Boat" knows there can be romance to sea travel. Feeling the wind in your hair, the endless ocean views. stars twinkling above a darkened sea, the setting sun and exotic ports fof call, all can set the mood for love. Yes, this is cliche, but onboard ship it is also a real experience, not only a daydream.

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Cruising by its very nature is romantic. Many people remember the popular American television show The Love Boat, which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1986 and was watched all around the world. The show was based on a 1976 made for TV movie based on the nonfiction book The Love Boats by Jeraldine Saunders, who was a cruise director. The sitcom was usually set aboard the Pacific Princess, a Princess Cruises cruise liner.

It might seem unlikely but aboard a ship filled with hundreds, even thousands of people, together time for two still happens. So many things can be arranged. A table for two at dinner, lounge chairs side by side at the pool, dancing together in the evening followed by a walk around the outer deck, and then there are the private cabins with balconies. For couples wishing to spend their honeymoon or anniversary onboard a cruise, many options are available.

I spent several years as a travel consultant and have arranged many such trips for my clients. I have also sailed on many cruise lines and on many ships. I love being at sea. So it's no surprise I would set one of my romance novels onboard a ship sailing the Caribbean.

My third book, Aboard the Wishing Star, is the story of Kara, a widow who sails away thinking she has escaped her problems only to find they have followed her.

One of the problems Kara deals with is a phobia of deep water, a fear of drowning. You might ask why she goes on a cruise if she has this fear. The answer is, she wins a cruise for two and invites her best friend, Viv. Now you might be thinking even that wouldn't be enough of an incentive and while it is true there are people with water phobia who would never cruise no matter how great the incentive, there are people who would. How do I know this? Because I am one of them.

I have a water phobia which I have had since I was a small child. I'm not sure where it came from, there are no stories of me almost drowning, but there it is. I didn't learn to swim until I was in college and only then because it was a requirement for graduation at the private women's college I attended. I took the "timid non-swimmers" class and I passed, but just barely. The instructor told me I was the first truly phobic student she'd ever had. Today I will swim in a lake or ocean but only with a life vest on and I can swim in a swimming pool but only with flotation. Why? Because without flotation I tend to freak out and cannot hear anyone who is yelling at me. Anyone trying to save me had better get behind me so I don't hurt him or her. I'm simply not capable of intelligent coherent thought when that phobia strikes. And yet, I love the sea and I love sailing. I love the ocean and the beach. Nothing feeds my soul quite like it, so I am always drawn back no matter how far away I live from the beach. I love to snorkel and I have even gone tubing (though just one time for that because it felt like I was going to drown) and I once walked the plank of a pirate ship off the coast of Grand Cayman. I've pushed myself to my limits, always with flotation of course. I love the ocean too much to stay away from it, even with the phobia.

So I can relate to Kara, a little bit when it comes to swimming in the ocean. The scenes where Nate teaches her to snorkel are my favorites and I'm hoping they come across well to my readers. I admit to being a little nervous about this. Perhaps this is normal when an author puts a little bit of herself into one of her characters, particularly when it involves a phobia. But I went out on that limb and here I am. That's what I do with this phobia. Every so often I go out on a limb.

That's what Kara must do. Go out on that limb, taking a chance on a shipboard romance, which is always a chance because who knows what will happen once they disembark? And that's one of the more risky things we do, if we've ever been deeply hurt, taking one more chance at love.

What do you think of cruises? Have you ever been on a cruise? If you have never been, would you like to go? Do you have a phobia and if so, how have you handled that?

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Parmley/19909053561?ref=hl

Twitter https://twitter.com/DebraParmley

Buy links:

Desert Breeze Publishing http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-360/Aboard-the-Wishing-Star/Detail.bok

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Aboard-the-Wishing-Star-ebook/dp/B009OX5KN6/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349968926&sr=1-4

Guest Author Richard Stephenson on KDP Select

 

My First Experience With KDP Select

 

 

Collapse was released on July 6th, 2012.  In the month or so leading up to its release I had made the decision to go exclusively with Amazon in the KDP Select program.  I had done my homework, it seemed like the smart thing to do.  Just before the release, I had several people ask me if they would be able to get Collapse on the Nook.  Not wanting to disappoint them, I figured it wouldn't hurt to make Collapse available on other formats until sales dropped low enough to make the switch to Select.

An acquaintance (more like a friend of a friend, I'm not sure I'd recognize the guy if I saw him on the street) had already self-published a few books the previous summer and I always kept a close eye on his rankings.  I also kept a close eye on his reviews, which were far from kind.  Some of the most horrible one star reviews I'd ever read adorned both of his books.  One of his titles had many accusations of being plagiarized pornography stolen from an erotic fan fiction forum (dressed up as science fiction for some reason).  "This man is a blight on the literary world, his grasp of the English language is tenuous at best" was one of the reviews that I remember most clearly.  He has since taken both of the books down and figured the third time's a charm with his recently released title.  His latest entry is also suffering similar reviews blasting his poor grammar skills and confusing plot.

Okay, what does this have to do with KDP Select you might ask.  Thanks to the handy ebook tracking tool at Kindle Nation Daily I was able to track the progress of his work.  His work would usually hover around the 60K neighborhood on the rankings.  The days following his free promos, he would skyrocket into the 1-2K rank, even going as high as 692.  The next day, he would very quickly spend the next two days plummeting back to the 60K range.  This impressed me a great deal, clearly there was something to this KDP Select thing.  If the free promotion could propel a very poorly written book (based on reviews mind you, I only read the sample, which was awful) into the top 1000 then it was definitely worth giving a try.

Collapse had been available on non-Amazon outlets for almost a month and it was time to evaluate sales.  Here is where I was at when I made the decision to go Select. (Does not reflect paperback sales)

Amazon: 162 sales
B&N: 31
Kobo: 2
SmashWords: 1

The decision wasn't hard to make.  I had pointed the majority of my promotion back to the main sales page for Collapse here on this blog.   It's quite clear from those statistics that Amazon truly does hold the vast majority of the ebook market.  Going Select just made sense to me so on August 2nd I pulledCollapse from the other outlets and went exclusive with Amazon.

On August 4th and 5th I had my first free promo weekend.  On August 3rd I spent a great deal of time getting the word out to potential readers.  I was very fortunate to have a comprehensive list at my fingertips thanks to Rachelle Ayala's blog.  I made as many notifications as I could and programmedTweetAdder to start informing the Twitterverse of my upcoming promotion.  I also used the very efficient Tweet Teams at the World Literary Cafe to help get the word out.  For more information on how to effectively use Twitter for book promotion, please read my blog entry.

The free weekend was a huge success. Collapse made it to #17 on the Top 100 Free list and stayed at #1 on the Free list in both of my categories (War and Political).  On Monday morning, the instant my eyes opened I logged on the check the final stats - 13,957 downloads.

The terrific promotional tool of staying on the Top 20 Free list right next to the Top 20 Paid list and staying at the top of my categories' Free lists was great exposure, but did it pay off in terms of sales?

Absolutely.

For the month of July, I sold 191 digital copies of Collapse on Amazon.  In the two days following my free promo weekend, I sold 218 copies and 51 borrows.  That's right, in two days, I sold more copies than I did the entire previous month.  I should note a disclaimer, I priced Collapse at 99 cents for the four days following the free promo.  Some might think that was the wrong move since I was missing out on a lot of money.  Maybe that's true, but I'm thinking long term exposure.  I am writing a series of four books and my goal is to get the first one out there to as many readers as possible so the series will be an overall success.  Also, I'm not financially dependent on my writing in any way at all so I'm free to gamble on my promos to find out what works best.  I was originally only going to keep the 99 cent price for the day following the promo, but darn it if the book didn't keep climbing up the ranks all the way to 1,159 and in the Top 10 on both of my categories.  Once it peaked and starting slipping back the other direction, I raised it to the regular price.

I have no regrets when it comes to Select, best decision I've made in terms of marketing.  As of the date of this post, my rankings have stayed in the 2K range whereas it was in the 15K to 20K range prior to the free promo.

 

 

Richard Stephenson is a fifteen year veteran of law enforcement, beginning with the United States Army as a Military Policeman and currently working in federal law enforcement. Richard's true passion is in writing. His first #1 Best Selling novel, "Collapse" is available now at Amazon in ebook and paperback.

Visit Richard's blog at: http://rastephensonauthor.blogspot.com

Follow Richard on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/RStephenson5

and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollapseTheNovel

Handsome Heroes, Contests and Movie Night at the ORR

Do you like handsome heroes? I do. Who is your favorite?

This week over at the Lucy Monroe Online Reader Retreat we are voting for our favorite male cover model.  You can vote either on facebook https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151194851089153.467494.338069119152&type=3

or Pinterest http://pinterest.com/lucymonroebooks/orr-cover-models/

Can you guess who I voted for?

He graces the cover of my newest book, Aboard the Wishing Star, which will be out this Thursday.

I feel like I should pinch myself. 

 This cover is also featured on my new book trailer which you can see here on my website, but it will also be included tonight in movie night at Lucy Monroe's ORR. Visit

 http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL609BB3FAB9354629

 to watch Youtube movies and book trailers with us. Over forty authors are taking part in the ORR so you're  sure to find one or more to your taste.

 Have you guessed yet? He is also featured on the book trailer for my second book, Dangerous Ties. This book trailer was  mentioned by USA TODAY. 

"The second video is for Debra Parmley's Dangerous Ties. The music ups the tension with the repeating melody, the script is a delicious mystery, and it has a cowboy with his shirt open and his six-pack on display. Game over. Get that baby on my Kindle." USA TODAY

At last count he had been on 4,000 covers, more than any male romance cover artist today. (If you haven't guessed yet, I'm going to give you a clue. Look for the only interview with a cover model here on my website and you can learn more about him.) Oh and there was a breakfast in bed with a cover model photo shoot you might also find if you mosey around my website.  ;-) 

Last night at the Twitter PJParty I was introduced to a new snack combo. Popcorn mixed with Snowcaps. Two of my favorite things, though my all time favorite when I go to the movies is Junior Mints. 

 Super 8 Contest!

 Two winners each day of the online retreat (four days) for a total of 8 winners. How do you  win a signed print copy of A Desperate Journey?

 Leave a comment to win todays drawing!

 Winner will be drawn at 8:00 am tomorrow morning and announced on the next days blog.

 The contest follows the same pattern each day up through Friday with final winners  announced on Sat. Eight super readers will win a copy!

 You must provide a mailing address for me to ship the book. Send it  to debra@debraparmley.com

 I will never give out your address or email address.

Mondays winner is Annie Seaton! Congratulations!

See you at the movies!

Love and light,

Debra

Guest Author Linda McMaken

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Today my guest author is Linda McMaken. Welcome Linda!

Hey, Debra! Thank you so much for inviting me today!

Tell us about your latest release. (Title, genre, setting, time period, release date and a brief blurb.)

My latest book is Baer Necessities. It is the second book in the Three Baers Trilogy. The books are contemporary romantic comedies, think Runaway Bride. They are light, funny, pure escapism reading. Baer Necessities is releasing on September 11th and if readers drop by my blog, I'm having some great giveaways.

BLURB:

Baer Necessities - Book Two of The Three Baers

One of them will be just right.

Connor Baer left the ranch to see the world. Jessie McIvey wasn't far behind.

He wanted no part of small town life, and she didn't want a cowboy in her future.

But sometimes the thing your heart wants the most, you've had all along. Two people left one small town to find what their hearts were searching for only to find everything they'd ever wanted right in their own backyard.

Sometimes you get to keep your boots,
Sometimes you got nothing left but your spurs,
And sometimes neither one is as important as staying true to your soul

EXCERPT:

Cowboys! What did he think she was, a roping calf? If he hadn't held her hands, she would have made his family jewels sing for mercy. First, she is almost a deep fried human, then he straps her into a car with a seat belt that won't unbuckle triggering a sequence of true crime stories playing in her head. When he let her loose, she would to commit a true crime on him.  

Threatening her with taking pictures and putting them in the paper. Cocky, overbearing cowboy. Oak would never have done anything like that. She pulled the seat belt harder, it wouldn't budge.

Connor flipped the wipers on high, slowing down. The Jeep treaded the water with gusto, but how would it handle the old trail on the outer reaches of the ranch?  Even horses and cattle had a hard time navigating that area.

The wipers kept tempo, the rain made a calming sound on the canvas roof and the silence gave her time to think. What had Connor said before he abducted her? He was "afraid of the way he felt about her?"

Her breath caught deep in her lungs and refused to come out. She leaned forward forcing the air out. Passing out would not be attractive. The way he felt about her? Just how did he feel about her?

His amazing kisses made her orgasmic. Connor's touch was pure sizzle and, what was she thinking?

Cowboy, ranch life! She couldn't do it, didn't want to do it. No. She folded her arms over her chest, trying to convince herself that she felt this way because she hadn't had a man, a real man, kiss her like that in a long time. Who was she kidding? She'd never been kissed like that. Kissing Connor felt like all the passion in the universe landed between the two of them.

Then he had to go all 'cowboy' and kidnap her. Hadn't he learned anything being off the ranch?

What sparked the story idea for this novel?

It began on a family vacation to Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo in Wyoming. It is cowboy heaven. Being a writer, I'm a people watcher and of course when I'm doing my best watching, like sneaking glances at hot cowboys, my muse starts channeling comedian Robin Williams evil twin. Than these snarky thoughts tumble through my brain. (Why I write comedy) Na-Noo, Na-Noo Cowboy Up! Oh, look mountain oysters. Yeah, that muse is really hard to subdue sometimes.

When I spotted a young girl that went all "yucky" at beef on a stick, and I saw the smiles on the cowboys, the spark started. Then driving back through ranch country, I thought about the ranches, the cowboys and the generations that had worked the land. Hmmm, what would happen if one of those beef ranchers fell hard for a vegetarian? Abby and Joe were born. It was going to be stand-alone book, but the other brothers got a bit miffed, and being the stubborn cowboys that they are, they demanded their story be told. My publisher graciously agreed.

Do you have any writing rituals or favorite places to write?

I have always been a working writer with a full time day job. I can write anywhere anytime. I've written in the car, while watching my kids in band, or a sporting event, during lunch at work or anywhere I could lay my laptop or notebook and pen.

If the world were perfect however, I'd spend most of my time writing outside on my deck with a tall glass of sweet tea, and trying to rein in my muse.

Which member of your family had the most influence on you as a writer?

My mom. I can never remember her without a book in her hand. She would find something in a book she enjoyed and suddenly she'd be reading the passage aloud. Her number one author was Louis L'Amour, followed closely by Zane Gray, Max Brand, and Tony Hillerman. No wonder I have a thing for cowboys!!

Was there any particular book which captured your imagination as a child and why?

Oh, so many. I read everything, crossing all genre lines. If I had to pick one author whose books stuck with me, I'd say Mark Twain. I love his snarky sense of humor, his common sense, and his ability to show a political or ethical problem with irreverent humor.

For some authors, dreams play a role in creating fiction. Have you ever dreamed a scene or image that later wound up in one of your books?

Funny you should ask, channeling the lyrics to Dreamweaver - seriously Robin? This is not the time. Okay, how about Mr. Sandman? Sigh, see what I mean?

Actually, my historical The Granite Rose was almost completely based on a dream. Those characters crept into my head one night and stayed there for weeks until I wrote their story. It is a time period that isn't widely read as fiction, ancient Rome, and they lingered in a cyber-drawer for a long time, until Desert Breeze decided to take it on.

If you could step into any imaginary book world, yours or another authors which book would you choose and why?

Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek. Yes, I know it wasn't a book, but wow, what I wouldn't give to travel aboard the Enterprise! I guess you could say they are 24th century cowboys opening up a new frontier. (Oh, Na-noo-Na-noo; says muse.) Then again, I'd probably alienate the galaxy.

What's next for you on the writing horizon?

I have several more books looking for publishing homes, two are comedies and one is a very dark, thriller. Plus, I am still writing for magazines, and online venues daily.

Robin, stop - he just Youtubed Paperback Writer..........it's an ebook Robin......

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You can find Linda online at:

Website: http://www.linda-mcmaken.com/ 

Blog: www.makenwords.blogspot.com 

Baer Truth Booktrailer: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaA8p65oOeo

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lindamcmaken 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/makenwords 

Her books can be found at:

Desert Breeze Publishing: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/StoreFront.bok 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Three-Baers-Book-ebook/dp/B005HB1J0W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345521283&sr=8-1&keywords=baer+truth 

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-three-baers-book-one-linda-mcmaken/1111901113