Kelly Jamieson's Blog, page 32
March 5, 2012
Read an E-book Week!
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This is the week every year where we celebrate reading e-books! I'm a convert to e-books (which didn't happen until AFTER I was published by a digital publisher!) for so many reasons. I am waiting for the day when publishing is publishing and all books are available in either e-book or tree book format (even if it's POD or through that wonderful Espresso Machine) depending on your preference, and every book is considered equal!
To celebrate Read an E-book Week, Smashwords is having a special promotion. Two of my books are available there and this week they are FREE!
All I Want for Christmas (okay I know it's not Christmas, but you know, you could download and read it in December!)
Crazy Ever After
Sometimes the only fights worth fighting are those you're going to lose...
Fiercely independent Samara Hayden has been working her way up in her father's coffee company since she left home seven years ago, broken-hearted and betrayed. Now her father has died mysteriously and she has to return home. She shares her father's passion for coffee and she knows the business, so she's determined to take over running the company.
Turning Samara down that night she kissed him seven years ago was the hardest thing Travis Murray ever had to do. Eight years older than her, and her father's business partner, he knew she was way off limits. After Parker saw them together, he made Travis swear he'd never touch Samara again, and Travis has worked hard to regain Parker's respect ever since. With Parker now gone, he's the natural one to succeed him as CEO.
Samara's still attracted to Travis, but she can't let that get in the way of her plans to run the company. Travis can't let someone so young and inexperienced take over the business he helped build. Samara and Travis go head to head over business decisions, including the project Parker was working on in Matagalpa, but with the attraction still hot between them, they're fighting over more than business...
So go get free books at Smashwords and READ AN E-BOOK!
This is the week every year where we celebrate reading e-books! I'm a convert to e-books (which didn't happen until AFTER I was published by a digital publisher!) for so many reasons. I am waiting for the day when publishing is publishing and all books are available in either e-book or tree book format (even if it's POD or through that wonderful Espresso Machine) depending on your preference, and every book is considered equal!
To celebrate Read an E-book Week, Smashwords is having a special promotion. Two of my books are available there and this week they are FREE!
All I Want for Christmas (okay I know it's not Christmas, but you know, you could download and read it in December!)
Crazy Ever After
Sometimes the only fights worth fighting are those you're going to lose...Fiercely independent Samara Hayden has been working her way up in her father's coffee company since she left home seven years ago, broken-hearted and betrayed. Now her father has died mysteriously and she has to return home. She shares her father's passion for coffee and she knows the business, so she's determined to take over running the company.
Turning Samara down that night she kissed him seven years ago was the hardest thing Travis Murray ever had to do. Eight years older than her, and her father's business partner, he knew she was way off limits. After Parker saw them together, he made Travis swear he'd never touch Samara again, and Travis has worked hard to regain Parker's respect ever since. With Parker now gone, he's the natural one to succeed him as CEO.
Samara's still attracted to Travis, but she can't let that get in the way of her plans to run the company. Travis can't let someone so young and inexperienced take over the business he helped build. Samara and Travis go head to head over business decisions, including the project Parker was working on in Matagalpa, but with the attraction still hot between them, they're fighting over more than business...
So go get free books at Smashwords and READ AN E-BOOK!
March 3, 2012
Six Sentence Sunday
Welcome back to another Six Sentence Sunday! This week's six sentences come from my book Crazy Ever After, which is available next week FREE at Smashwords, to celebrate Read an E-book Week!
They both wanted it. Right now, right here, hard and fast and unbearably hot. But he wanted no doubt in Samara's mind, wanted it absolutely, unequivocally clear to her that he was doing this of his own free will.
Their hands grabbed at each other, and finally, he just used his strength and held both her hands behind her back with one of his, took her knees out from under her with one leg and sent her to the mattress. He fell on top of her, his weight holding her in place, their hands still trapped behind her back. She made a noise, and he shushed her again, putting his other hand over her mouth.
They both wanted it. Right now, right here, hard and fast and unbearably hot. But he wanted no doubt in Samara's mind, wanted it absolutely, unequivocally clear to her that he was doing this of his own free will.
Their hands grabbed at each other, and finally, he just used his strength and held both her hands behind her back with one of his, took her knees out from under her with one leg and sent her to the mattress. He fell on top of her, his weight holding her in place, their hands still trapped behind her back. She made a noise, and he shushed her again, putting his other hand over her mouth.
March 2, 2012
Another "I'm a reader too" post
For the most part since becoming a published author, I have had to accept that I'm really not a reader any more. In my public persona I can't talk the same way about books as I used to when I was "only a reader".
But I am a reader and I buy books and when I read Jane's post at Dear Author last weekend "Dear Publishers: What have you done for me lately" that post was speaking for me as a reader.
When I bought my Sony reader a few years ago it didn't take long for me to fall in love with it. I loved the instant gratification of being able to buy a book in the middle of the night when I had insomnia. Being an avid reader, I calculated that it wouldn't take long to recoup the cost of the device because ebooks were so much cheaper than tree books. At first I bought most of my books from the Sony Bookstore and I loved how easy it was to just click and automatically have the book in my library. Then I started running into problems. Some of the books I wanted to buy were not available to me because I live in Canada. These were often new releases by favourite authors, books I was excited and anxious to read. I got annoyed. I complained to Sony. They apologized and said they were working on it. Then things changed again and I could buy some of these books. But they were often priced over $10. Sometimes $13 or $14.
In Canada, print books are priced much higher than the US price - so I am used to paying more for books. Even when the US and Canadian dollar are equal in value, there is still a "Canadian" price on the book that is several dollars higher. In the past I shelled out $18 for a trade paperback by a favourite author without flinching. I am fortunate that I have disposable income to spend on my "hobby" which is reading.
But spending $14 on an ebook just didn't sit right with me.
I don't have a Kindle so I can't shop at Amazon, although I do have the Kindle app on my PC and have bought a few things and downloaded some free books.
Then I discovered Kobo.
A Canadian (at that time) company with fewer restrictions on the books available to me! They sell epub format and it works on my Sony. And often the prices were cheaper than at the Sony store! I was in heaven! So long Sony, I'm doing all my shopping at the Kobo store. I now also read on my BlackBerry Playbook, which has the Kobo store app preloaded on it and makes it super easy to buy books; but I can also read epub and PDF formats on the Playbook so I can buy elsewhere as well.But once again, something changed. Once again, the books I want to buy are priced too high.
Last week Sarah from Smart Bitches Trashy Books Tweeted a couple of coupon codes for Kobo - 35% and 40% off. Well, I was all over that. I could have my expensive "wish list" with 40% off! But no - when I tried to purchase the book and use the code, I was told due to publisher restrictions I could not use the code. So sadly I did not buy the books. That makes me sad for my fellow authors, who lost a sale because of restrictions their publisher put on their books. It doesn't make sense!
I'm a good customer for the publishing industry. Admittedly I don't read as much as I used to now that much of my time is taken up with virtually my second full time job of writing; but I'm still a very avid reader, one with disposable income to spend on books. Why make it so hard for me to do that? It doesn't make sense!
When I can't buy the books I want to buy, I still want to read. I go elsewhere. In the past I would go to the library. I would frequently check the "Express" book shelf, where new releases are loaned out for seven days, no holds, no renewals. I would also put a hold on new releases by favourite authors, especially if the book was only available in hard cover, and wait months until my turn came up. I didn't often shop at used bookstores, mainly because I'm such an avid reader that used books by my favourite authors are almost always ones I've already read.
Now when I can't buy books I want, where do I go? While I can access some digital books through my library, the selection is limited. So I buy directly from publishers' websites like Samhain and Ellora's Cave. I'm finding new authors to love while the big NY pubs who put restrictions on what I can buy or who charge too much are losing my business.
Jane said: "Here are some recommendations to win over readers. Eliminate DRM. Sell direct to Kindle owners using a mobi format. Remove agency pricing. Allow the return of readership rewards programs, loyalty programs, discounts as print readers are allowed. Wholeheartedly embrace the idea of lending and sharing of digital books. Allow discovery of books via libraries. Eliminate geographical restrictions. Encourage the concept of ownership to increase value of the digital books to the readers."
The suggestion for publishers unhappy with Amazon's terms of service to start selling directly to the consumer - YES! I know this would work because this is what I've been doing, forced to do so by publishers' restrictions and high pricing. Let me borrow more digital books from the library. Let me exchange digital books with friends.
I really hope that publishers are paying attention to those suggestions. These are things that would win me, one of your best customers, back, and frankly…you need me.
February 25, 2012
Six Sentence Sunday
Welcome to my first Six Sentence Sunday post!
These six sentences are from my most recent release, Rule of Three:
I don't think I can do this. The words seemed loud in her head, but she hadn't spoken them out loud. Determination to be bad, to show Dag, the rebel, she could be bad too, mingled with a desire to equally prove to Chris that she wasn't shocked by the revelation about his past, and she was just as up for naughty fun as he was.
But uncertainty weakened her knees, made her hands tremble. She had no idea what to do. The arousal that had heated her earlier had been crowded out by nerves.
These six sentences are from my most recent release, Rule of Three:
I don't think I can do this. The words seemed loud in her head, but she hadn't spoken them out loud. Determination to be bad, to show Dag, the rebel, she could be bad too, mingled with a desire to equally prove to Chris that she wasn't shocked by the revelation about his past, and she was just as up for naughty fun as he was.
But uncertainty weakened her knees, made her hands tremble. She had no idea what to do. The arousal that had heated her earlier had been crowded out by nerves.
Review for Rule of Three
Just had to share - this isn't the first review for Rule of Three, got that one from
Sizzling Hot Book Reviews before it was even released! But I thought this one from Fresh Fiction was really cool. I appreciate the reviewers comment about the cover. I love the cover, don't get me wrong, I think it's striking and beautiful, but it's true that the models in the image don't look anything like I describe the characters in the book. But that often happens with covers. I like covers that evoke a mood and this one definitely does!
Fresh Fiction says:
"RULE OF THREE is a beautifully written modern love story. Much like modern design esthetics, it's deceptively simple, with clean and simple lines. While the erotica element is prominent, it is ultimately a romance that expands the definition of "couple" to include three people. I was drawn to the three main characters; they are strong, loving, independent, and utterly comfortable in who they are and what they want. They have clear identities in both their personal and professional lives. The relationships, particularly that of Kassidy and Dag who are meeting for the first time, are given the attention needed to make the desire for a committed relationship believable. Their personal and professional conversations felt genuine. If there is one thing I didn't like about this book it's the cover. I point it out because the three androgynous, waif-thin models on the cover may invoke the wrong expectation in potential readers. Don't let the cover put you off. RULE OF THREE is a wonderful story between thirty-somethings who are established professionally and are discovering a new kind of fulfillment in their personal lives.
I'm already on the hunt for Kelly Jamieson's earlier books to see what I've missed. I can't wait to see what's next."
Sizzling Hot Book Reviews before it was even released! But I thought this one from Fresh Fiction was really cool. I appreciate the reviewers comment about the cover. I love the cover, don't get me wrong, I think it's striking and beautiful, but it's true that the models in the image don't look anything like I describe the characters in the book. But that often happens with covers. I like covers that evoke a mood and this one definitely does!
Fresh Fiction says:
"RULE OF THREE is a beautifully written modern love story. Much like modern design esthetics, it's deceptively simple, with clean and simple lines. While the erotica element is prominent, it is ultimately a romance that expands the definition of "couple" to include three people. I was drawn to the three main characters; they are strong, loving, independent, and utterly comfortable in who they are and what they want. They have clear identities in both their personal and professional lives. The relationships, particularly that of Kassidy and Dag who are meeting for the first time, are given the attention needed to make the desire for a committed relationship believable. Their personal and professional conversations felt genuine. If there is one thing I didn't like about this book it's the cover. I point it out because the three androgynous, waif-thin models on the cover may invoke the wrong expectation in potential readers. Don't let the cover put you off. RULE OF THREE is a wonderful story between thirty-somethings who are established professionally and are discovering a new kind of fulfillment in their personal lives.
I'm already on the hunt for Kelly Jamieson's earlier books to see what I've missed. I can't wait to see what's next."
February 18, 2012
Contest winner! #1 Bestseller! Sammies!
Release week is always crazy - busy, exciting, exhilarating, exhausting! I've been blogging and partying and giving away books and YAY! Rule of Three is #1 at the Samhain store! Thanks to everyone who has bought Rule of Three!
Got my first reader email about Rule of Three and she said "Best menage ever!" That made me SO happy!
Also made me happy when Carly Phillips tweeted:
Reading @KellyJamieson 's newest - scorching doesn't do it justice! #love
and
@KellyJamieson just finished! So emotional and wrenching- like if it was in real life, that's what everyone would feel. Awesome!
*Sigh*
And hey don't forget to vote for the Sammies! Some of my books are in there, but there are so many great books and covers!
OKAY! The contest winner of the $20 gift card is....Ashley!! I've emailed you Ashley.
Thanks so much to everyone who came by to help me celebrate! Now to get on with the next twenty books...
:-)
Got my first reader email about Rule of Three and she said "Best menage ever!" That made me SO happy!
Also made me happy when Carly Phillips tweeted:
Reading @KellyJamieson 's newest - scorching doesn't do it justice! #love
and
@KellyJamieson just finished! So emotional and wrenching- like if it was in real life, that's what everyone would feel. Awesome!
*Sigh*
And hey don't forget to vote for the Sammies! Some of my books are in there, but there are so many great books and covers!
OKAY! The contest winner of the $20 gift card is....Ashley!! I've emailed you Ashley.
Thanks so much to everyone who came by to help me celebrate! Now to get on with the next twenty books...
:-)
February 11, 2012
NUMBER 20!!
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Rule of Three is out, and I'm celebrating because
THIS IS MY 20th PUBLISHED BOOK!
I can't really believe it myself, because I still feel like such a complete noob when it comes to this whole writing and publishing thing!
I've been giving away copies of Rule of Three all over the interweb (still chances to win at The Romance Studio Valentine's party, at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews, and at The With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop (see below) until midnight February 14, and at Melissa Schroeder's blog on Thursday February 16.
But to celebrate 20 books right here I'm giving away a $20 gift card for either Amazon or Barnes and Noble, winner's choice. Just answer the following question:
What was my very first published book?
(Hint: my books are all on the side of this blog, and they're in order from newest to oldest...)
I'll draw the winner Saturday February 18!
Rule of Three is out, and I'm celebrating because
THIS IS MY 20th PUBLISHED BOOK!
I can't really believe it myself, because I still feel like such a complete noob when it comes to this whole writing and publishing thing!
I've been giving away copies of Rule of Three all over the interweb (still chances to win at The Romance Studio Valentine's party, at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews, and at The With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop (see below) until midnight February 14, and at Melissa Schroeder's blog on Thursday February 16.
But to celebrate 20 books right here I'm giving away a $20 gift card for either Amazon or Barnes and Noble, winner's choice. Just answer the following question:
What was my very first published book?
(Hint: my books are all on the side of this blog, and they're in order from newest to oldest...)
I'll draw the winner Saturday February 18!
With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop
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Welcome to the With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop! I'm celebrating my Valentine's Day release of Rule of Three. Yes, it comes out February 14, a very nice Valentine's present for me! And for the blog hop I'm giving away a download of Rule of Three, so leave a comment if you'd like to enter!
My husband will be working on Valentine's Day - he's the photographer for the Winnipeg Jets, our NHL team, and it's game night, so we won't be having a romantic dinner for two that night. But we are planning an overnight getaway with a couples massage and dinner out next weekend, which I'm quite excited about!
Spicing it up for Valentine's Day
From Romantic Moods, here are some tips to spice up your love life:
Try role playing…
Meet at a bar and pretend to be strangers… The excitement will be flowing in no time…
Fool around but don't have sex…
Remember high school, when you'd make out for hours and never even take off your clothes? NOT having sex can be a huge turn on. (Kelly says: I *highly* recommend this one!)
Try an evening of finger foods…
Feeding each other gooey, messy, bites can be incredibly erotic…
Watch a dirty movie…
Either it will turn you on, or give you a great shared laugh.(Kelly says: Or read a sexy romance!! Maybe one of mine!)
Share the fantasy night…
Whisper your fantasy in his ear in public and let him stew in the thought until you get home. Have the stage set.
Send flirty texts..
In the hours before your date – by dinner, the anticipation will be driving you crazy.
Try something you never have before…
Whether it be a public place, bondage, or blind folds, it will bring a whole new dimension to your lovemaking.
Start with you nude in your heels…
Have him to put your garter belt and hose on you, again you might not get past one leg.
Wear sexy underwear…
That you know your mate will love – it will be an extra special gift as he unwraps his "present".
Let your date pick from a grab bag of coupons…
For different sex acts from a sensuous massage to intercourse in the room of his choice.
Mix it up and do it in a different room.
Sometimes a little variety can easily be found just by mixing up a small aspect of your lovemaking. A change of scenery certainly fits the bill. Get creative with places you can try such as stairs, the bathtub or shower, a guest room or even the living room.
Leave a comment with your favourite tip above or one of your own to be entered to win a copy of Rule of Three!
To further warm up your Valentine's Day, here's a little excerpt from Rule of Three:
Kassidy awoke in the morning to a feeling of heavy heat, surrounded by two men in the king-size bed. Oh dear god. She was in bed with two men. What had they done? She squeezed her eyes closed and her body tensed as if trying to shrink away from the two male naked bodies on either side of her. Images ran through her mind, reliving highlights of last night, and she almost groaned aloud. She searched inside herself for her feelings about all this, trying to figure them out. Because she had a lot of feelings and they were all tangled up into a mass inside her and indecipherable. She guessed that was called confusion. There was no denying the arousal that lingered, low down in her womb, an insistent throb that couldn't possibly mean she wanted more sex. Could it? Holy crap. She'd had three orgasms last night by the time they fell asleep and that was a first. Her body tingled at the thought. Chris. Oh god, Chris. Terror at what he might be feeling today gripped her and stole her breath. But as she went over things in her mind, she knew he'd wanted to do it too. Unless her memory was playing tricks on her, she didn't think it was a case of him being pushed to do something he didn't want. Truly, he'd made her feel strong and special and amazing for doing that. She'd seen no signs of jealousy, just…arousal. If she'd done anything that would hurt Chris, she didn't think she could survive it. If he woke up and was upset about this, she was going to die. She couldn't shake the vague guilty feeling that she'd cheated on him with his best friend. Except he'd been right there, participating. She pressed a hand to her stomach, quivering with nerves. And with even more guilt, she had to admit she'd enjoyed every minute of it. Which was also freaking her out a bit. What did that say about her, the fact that she'd enjoyed it so much? The pleasure of having two men focus all their attention on her, telling her how beautiful she was, how hot, how sexy, knowing they couldn't keep their hands off her, knowing when they got inside her they came so fast and hard there was no question that she'd aroused them. That was about the hottest thing of all.
Available for pre-order at Amazon Barnes & Noble Samhain Publishing
Welcome to the With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop! I'm celebrating my Valentine's Day release of Rule of Three. Yes, it comes out February 14, a very nice Valentine's present for me! And for the blog hop I'm giving away a download of Rule of Three, so leave a comment if you'd like to enter!
My husband will be working on Valentine's Day - he's the photographer for the Winnipeg Jets, our NHL team, and it's game night, so we won't be having a romantic dinner for two that night. But we are planning an overnight getaway with a couples massage and dinner out next weekend, which I'm quite excited about!
Spicing it up for Valentine's Day
From Romantic Moods, here are some tips to spice up your love life:
Try role playing…
Meet at a bar and pretend to be strangers… The excitement will be flowing in no time…
Fool around but don't have sex…
Remember high school, when you'd make out for hours and never even take off your clothes? NOT having sex can be a huge turn on. (Kelly says: I *highly* recommend this one!)
Try an evening of finger foods…
Feeding each other gooey, messy, bites can be incredibly erotic…
Watch a dirty movie…
Either it will turn you on, or give you a great shared laugh.(Kelly says: Or read a sexy romance!! Maybe one of mine!)
Share the fantasy night…
Whisper your fantasy in his ear in public and let him stew in the thought until you get home. Have the stage set.
Send flirty texts..
In the hours before your date – by dinner, the anticipation will be driving you crazy.
Try something you never have before…
Whether it be a public place, bondage, or blind folds, it will bring a whole new dimension to your lovemaking.
Start with you nude in your heels…
Have him to put your garter belt and hose on you, again you might not get past one leg.
Wear sexy underwear…
That you know your mate will love – it will be an extra special gift as he unwraps his "present".
Let your date pick from a grab bag of coupons…
For different sex acts from a sensuous massage to intercourse in the room of his choice.
Mix it up and do it in a different room.
Sometimes a little variety can easily be found just by mixing up a small aspect of your lovemaking. A change of scenery certainly fits the bill. Get creative with places you can try such as stairs, the bathtub or shower, a guest room or even the living room.
Leave a comment with your favourite tip above or one of your own to be entered to win a copy of Rule of Three!
To further warm up your Valentine's Day, here's a little excerpt from Rule of Three:
Kassidy awoke in the morning to a feeling of heavy heat, surrounded by two men in the king-size bed. Oh dear god. She was in bed with two men. What had they done? She squeezed her eyes closed and her body tensed as if trying to shrink away from the two male naked bodies on either side of her. Images ran through her mind, reliving highlights of last night, and she almost groaned aloud. She searched inside herself for her feelings about all this, trying to figure them out. Because she had a lot of feelings and they were all tangled up into a mass inside her and indecipherable. She guessed that was called confusion. There was no denying the arousal that lingered, low down in her womb, an insistent throb that couldn't possibly mean she wanted more sex. Could it? Holy crap. She'd had three orgasms last night by the time they fell asleep and that was a first. Her body tingled at the thought. Chris. Oh god, Chris. Terror at what he might be feeling today gripped her and stole her breath. But as she went over things in her mind, she knew he'd wanted to do it too. Unless her memory was playing tricks on her, she didn't think it was a case of him being pushed to do something he didn't want. Truly, he'd made her feel strong and special and amazing for doing that. She'd seen no signs of jealousy, just…arousal. If she'd done anything that would hurt Chris, she didn't think she could survive it. If he woke up and was upset about this, she was going to die. She couldn't shake the vague guilty feeling that she'd cheated on him with his best friend. Except he'd been right there, participating. She pressed a hand to her stomach, quivering with nerves. And with even more guilt, she had to admit she'd enjoyed every minute of it. Which was also freaking her out a bit. What did that say about her, the fact that she'd enjoyed it so much? The pleasure of having two men focus all their attention on her, telling her how beautiful she was, how hot, how sexy, knowing they couldn't keep their hands off her, knowing when they got inside her they came so fast and hard there was no question that she'd aroused them. That was about the hottest thing of all.
Available for pre-order at Amazon Barnes & Noble Samhain Publishing
February 9, 2012
Rule of Three...
Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that there was a glitch at Amazon but it has now been fixed and Rule of Three is available for pre-order there now!
Amazon
Of course it's also available at B&N and at the Samhain store.
Amazon
Of course it's also available at B&N and at the Samhain store.
February 4, 2012
Talking about One Wicked Night and Giveaway
This past week Book Lovers Inc did a great interview with me at their blog. Well, I don't know if my answers were great, but I thought the questions were! Lea asked questions about One Wicked Night that really dig beneath the surface of the story and I loved answering them. Check it out, and if you leave a comment there's still time to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of One Wicked Night - it goes until February 11. There's also a little about Rule of Three (Out February 14!! I'm so excited!!)
Lea also reviewed One Wicked Night at Book Lovers Inc - "Author Kelly Jamieson crafts an emotional story introducing readers to three characters who want and need each other but are separated by years of pain and guilt,"
