Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 203

Author Holly Roberts is Very Sweet! by Stacy Hoff

Hello Passionate Readers! Today I’m giving my Friday forum to a very sweet romance author (and retired police detective) Holly S. Roberts. Not only are Holly’s stories tempting, her chocolate recipe is, too. Read below to create a yummy treat! Holly, like me, is a co-contributor of the new adult box set, HOT SEDUCTION, SIX SIZZLING TALES (released October 6, 2015). HOT SEDUCTION includes one of Holly’s sexy hockey tales.

Hi everyone, Holly S. Roberts here to entertain you with my biting wit and humorous personality. You may flip those words if you like, they are interchangeable.

As the saying goes, my life is like a box of chocolates. You might bite into me and discover the gooey on the inside tastes atrocious and immediately spit me out. It’s okay, I’m not for everyone. But those who love spicy goodness with sexy intent will chew slowly and swallow.

I retired a year ago as a police detective with the last six years of my career working sex crimes and homicide. This past year, I’ve relearned the art of enjoying people and finding something to smile about each day. Seriously, it’s easy. No search warrants to write, bad guys to arrest, or court hearings to attend after I pulled an all night shift. Life is sweet which takes me back to chocolate.

I love it and make my own from scratch. It’s super simple and doesn’t have all those horrible chemicals you find in bagged chocolate. Here’s the sexy simple recipe for chocolate nut clusters:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter (or coconut oil, we eat paleo so use coconut oil but it does add a slightly bitter taste)

1/3 cup cacao (I use organic)

1 to 2 Tablespoons maple syrup (or 2 teaspoons organic liquid stevia)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I make my own and it’s delicious)

I add 2 tablespoons of tapioca or arrowroot flour to thicken but this is optional

½ cup chopped nuts of your choice. I like pecans.

Directions:

-Heat 1 to 2 inches of water in a small sauce pan on the stove top, over medium heat.

-Put the butter (or coconut oil) into a mason jar, and then set the jar into the saucepan. (Don’t let water into the jar)

-Remove jar from heat when the butter (or coconut oil) is fully melted. Stir in cacao powder and maple syrup (and tapioca or arrowroot) into melted butter (or coconut oil). Stir well until you have a nice smooth chocolate sauce.

-Add nuts, stir, and let sit until the chocolate thickens a bit.

Dollop by spoonful onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and place in the refrigerator for an hour. Eating healthy never tasted so good. Keep your clusters refrigerated in plastic wrap or an airtight container.

Oh and the sexy part of this recipe is in the licking. Make it fun!

Peace and love,

Holly

About Holly S. Roberts’ story “Kick” in HOT SEDUCTION—SIX SIZZLING TALES (& the upcoming  prequel “Ruck”)

“Kick” is the title of my book that’s included in Hot Seduction. It’s about the Joel Stelson a sexy as hell rugby player. I like my men hot and dirty so you’ve been warned.

“Ruck” the sequel to Kick will be out on November 17 as part of the Mischief Under the Mistletoe Anthology and available for 99 cents for a very limited time. “Ruck” is about Joel’s bad boy brother Van.

Pre-Order Links for Mischief Under the Mistletoe:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0147H31BG

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1122559499

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/mischief-under-the-mistletoe/id1032562884?mt=11

Holly S. Robert’s Bio:

I’m a USA Today Best-Selling Author writing as D’Elen McClain and Holly S. Roberts (romance sells) and a semi-extraordinary author writing police stories as Suzie Ivy. My books have sold more than a million copies worldwide.

Holly S. Robert’s links:

Website: www.wickedstorytelling.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/hollysrobertsauthor

Twitter: http://twitter.com/mywickedstories

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/hollysroberts

Online Bookstore: http://gumroad.com/wickedstories

AMAZON LINK FOR HOT SEDUCTION (box set contributors: Jamie K. Schmidt, Stacy Hoff, Holly Roberts, Theresa Hissong, Susan Griscom & Leia Shaw):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014RQX8GU?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B014RQX8GU&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff

Twitter: twitter.com/authorStacyHoff Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES by Stacy Hoff:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NFSMCYG?creativeASIN=B00NFSMCYG&linkCode=w00&linkId=6PCZIZBWKBWUSNHI&ref_=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR LAWFULLY YOURS by Stacy Hoff:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U7U2WCC?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00U7U2WCC&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR SEASON OF LOVE (Box set with Stacy Hoff):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X3ZAR3E?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00X3ZAR3E&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

Filed under: Author Interviews, Chocolate Temptation, contemporary romance, Guest Blog, Holiday reads, New Release, recipe, Recipes, romance, Sports romance, Stacy Hoff, Writer's life

I wrote 3 books in 4 weeks…and lived! by Heather Novak

You may remember I posted about writing 20 pages a day, thanks to Candace Havens’ Fast Draft workshop. I tried it on my own to finish Threat of Raine, book 2 in the Lynch Brothers Series. Within three days, my draft was done!

Having found success, I signed up for the official Fast Draft workshop on September 27.

Oh.

My.

God.

There were days I honestly was so tired after making goal, I stood up and couldn’t move past my office door. Prince Charming had to physically put me into bed.

There were days I literally cried at the thought of sitting in front of my computer.

There were days I wanted to give up.

There were days I thought I could FLY!

My amazing friends, both online and in person, helped out by giving me encouragement and doing writing sprints with me. Without them, I’m not sure I would’ve made it.

BUT I DID IT! The first three days, I wrote novella 3 of the Lynch Brothers Series. Then, for the rest of the workshop I finished a Young Adult full length that I’ll be trying to publish traditionally.

I’m not going to lie. There were days when I was physically sick from the thought of getting through twenty pages. I type at my day job, so there was no break.

Day job from 8:30 to 5, forty minute commute, dinner, then writing from 6:30 to 11ish. I wrote by hand in the morning and on lunch, then I typed when I got home. I was in pain for almost the entire two weeks. Next time, I’m investing in some support gloves. Also, posture and stretching is SO important!

You just have to keep telling yourself that you can do anything for two weeks and that you are fearless. You have to accept the draft is going to suck — that’s why after Fast Draft you should stick around for Revision Hell! I’m about to start that now and I can’t wait. 

I finished all the books I wanted to write before next January in four weeks. In October. This leaves me a cushion for edits and promo (for the indie-published Lynch Brothers). And now, I’ll be able to enter my YA into Golden Heart, which is awesome.

Writing so fast makes your book better. You’re in the zone, in your characters’ heads, and inside of your story. Things flow better, edits are easier, and your life isn’t bogged down with the guilt of not writing.

Fast Draft was the hardest, best thing I’ve done for my writing career! Thank you, Candace Havens, for sharing your knowledge.

 

October 22 is known for:

National Nut Day!

Nuts in chocolate? YES PLEASE!

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,

Heather Novak

Bold. Bewitching. Breathtaking. 

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Website: Heathernovak.net

Author of The Lynch Brothers Series

Be careful what you wish for…

Hunting Witch Hazel: February 2016

Threat of Raine: March 2016

Rosemary for Remembrance: April 2016

 

Note: You may have noticed my signature has changed. The anthology I was part of has been pulled due to a contract conflict. Not to worry! My book is getting a face-lift and will be up for sale again after the holidays:)

Filed under: romance

Juice in the Tank

I’ve been living in a negative neververse for the past couple years in my day job (and yes I realized I probably just made up a word). Two years is a really long time to live in this type of environment but I’ve come to a very important decision… I’m not standing for it anymore!

Ok, so what am I talking about and why should you care? Well, I’m not sure you should except that I, like many others out there, am in a job that I am not always happy to be in, BUT I CHOOSE to be there. Each day, I continue walking in the door for whatever reason. Part of it is that this job pays the bills and while I would prefer to be writing, I’m not sure I could ever make my income stretch to match. The other part of it is that while I don’t like the negative environment, I do like the people, I do at times like the work and it is a security that I can afford my family.

So what am I going to do? I’m changing my mindset. All of those meetings where we meet and complain, I’m boycotting them. That further education and writing career I dream about, I’m starting to lay the tracks to make them happen. All the negative people around me… well those I may not be able to change but I’ll try and if I can’t, then I’ll just avoid them. I’ve still got juice or grit or whatever you want to call it in the tank and I’m not about to let it run out. What about you?

Happy writing to you all this week!

Filed under: A writer's life, Toni Kelly

Getting Crafty with Book Swag

Thanks to my recent obsession with Copic markers (which are awesome, BTW) I’ve started looking for different ways to get creative and make art, and even giveaways and swag for when I go to conventions. The only one I’m going to next year where I’ll be signing is Romancing The Capital. I haven’t yet figured out what I’m supposed to talk about for any panels I get up on, but I’m still scheming away on the things I want to buy and make to giveaway or sell.

And low and behold, I’m now getting transfixed on the idea of buying a button maker. Namely, this one:

I already figured I could put my logo on some of these buttons, and most likely, with Eve’s permission, the RTC logo as well, along with (maybe) some artwork :3 Gotta wait until next month I think. This month has been kind of insane what with me being a shopaholic and everything. I have to stop spending money. It’s getting kind of sickening and my credit cards are already demanding that I stop by screaming declined whenever I try to use them.

Anyway, even with the heavy expense of one of these bad boys, I figure that if I only use this to make a couple hundred buttons once or twice a year, it will still be stupidly fun and most likely worth the cost. I love getting buttons at conventions, so why shouldn’t I love making them?

Next week I might just have to show off all the Copic markers I got. There’s almost enough to make a full set not, it’s getting kind of ridiculous, but I can’t stop buying them with that tempting 40% off coupon from Michaels. Wish they’d get more of the 50% coupons, though.

Those things were awesome, and I sorely miss them…

Till next week! Gotta go searching for a paranormal author to interview for the blog now!

Cheers!

~Mandy Rosko

Filed under: romance

Dark Paranormal-Scope

As the days grow darker, the cold comes.

While I am not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked to the paranormal in the world in many ways. So are you.

The paranormal-scope is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to guide your life by.

The week for:

Aries:

Zombies are running down your street. Don’t cross the street. This is a week for avoid confrontations.

Taurus:

Goblins can be very charming. As long as they’re smiling, you’re good. Keep smiling.

Gemini:

Satrys are dancing. Join the fun of the coming Halloween. Wear a costume and enjoy yourself.

Cancer:

Pan’s music is sweet and may entice you. Be careful of past entanglements.

Leo:

Enjoy your evenings. Vampires find solace in the solitude, time to think and get fun things done.

Virgo:

Physical exercise is important to Orcs. Pay attention to your health.

Libra:

Werewolves howl. No the moon isn’t full. But your life will be filled with joy.

Scorpio:

Sirens call your name. Avoid gossips no matter what they say.

Sagittarius:

Jellyfish come ashore. Watch where you walk. Be careful with the feelings of others.

Capricorn:

Dragons are not dark creatures. They have golden hearts. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover and that goes for people as well.

Aquarius:

Zombies are misunderstood. You will get to know someone better and see them in a new light.

Pisces:

Dark elves have noticed you. Don’t accept gifts from strangers. They come with strings attached.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

Vampire King of New York available at Amazon Kindle and print, Barnes and Noble Nook and print and in Kobo

A Vampire for Christmas in Kindle

Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule

KDP Select: A Personal Experience

A couple of weeks ago I did a post on my blog about my experience with the KDP Select program. And I wanted to share that experience with all of you as well. I’m trying to see if my encounter with the program was typical. I know authors who swear by it and others like me who have given it a try and said, “No, thanks.”

How do you weigh in?

In May, I decided to give the KDP Select program a trial run. Sales of my self-published titles had hit a slump, so I decided to give KDP a try. And the first month I was actually very encouraged. I was paid every time someone on KU downloaded my book, which worked well for me. However, the next month was the moment KDP decided to shift their payment from when someone downloaded my to when someone read my book and how many pages they read.

So now I’m being paid by the page, and only .06 of a cent for each page read. Which meant that if you downloaded and read the book cover to cover, then I’d get paid for my work. And my self-published words are shorter novellas. Only one of them, if read cover to cover, would give me the same amount as the royalty I’d get for the book if it was downloaded and paid for.

The next month my royalties from Amazon were significantly lower and I had no exact number of people who had downloaded my books, only the number of pages read. So I waited until the end of August, when my 90 days in the program were up, and I took the books off the program. I haven’t gotten a ton of sales since then, although there was a flurry of sales at Smashwords right after the works were available again. But when I do sell a book, it pays as much as if I was having 35 copies of the book sold and read. Which wasn’t happening on KU.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else had tried it and liked it or disliked it? Inquiring minds always want to know! :)

 

 

Filed under: Jenna Jaxon, Marketing

Guest Ashlyn Chase, Light Paranormal Romance Author, Conference & Amazing Contest!

Nights of Passion is excited to have with Light Paranormal Romance Author

Ashlyn Chase. I’ve been enjoying your novel Kissing with Fangs.

Thanks, Susan! I’m delighted to be here!

Susan: Please, tell our readers a little about your background.

Ashlyn: Okay…my background. It’s been a long, winding road to get where I am. I began adult life going to Mass. College of Art in Boston. Then I discovered a degree in Fine Art was preparing my for a job in which I’d have to say, “Would you like fires with that?” So, I went to work as a secretary at Lahey Clinic and got married. My husband-at-the-time’s entry into the Air Force took me to Colorado Springs for 2 years. That’s where my darling daughter was born.

I still call her the best of all my creations. The marriage failed. (I didn’t like being a battered wife) so I returned to my parents in the Boston burbs with an infant in tow. Sheesh! I hadn’t intended to tell my WHOLE life story! Oh well.

Skipping ahead… I returned to school for nursing, knowing I needed a job that would support my daughter and myself, long term. I graduated, passed the boards for my RN, and because I found people fascinating I eventually specialized in psych nursing. That was cool–for about 15 years, then I burned out. During that time, I took a screenwriting course to keep my creative side happy. I had remarried a neat-nick, and writing was cleaner than painting.

After a few more years as a Red Cross Blood Donor Nurse, my parents became terminally ill at the same time. I cut my hours way down so I could help take care of them. Knowing this would be a stressful time, one of my fellow nurses handed me a book and said, “Here. Read this.” She didn’t tell me anything about the book and I’m glad. If she had said it was a romance novel I would have politely refused it. I’m SO glad that didn’t happen. The book was Outlander. I read it when my parents had visitors or were taking naps. It was my guilty pleasure. I was into the 2nd book in the series before I even realized this intelligent story was a romance. Talk about exploding a preconceived notion! Well, that’s how I got hooked on romance.

My folks died within 2 months of each other. Being the only child left (we’d already lost my brother and sister years earlier) I inherited enough to enable me to write full time. I could feed my hunger for creative expression, which was as much a part of me as breathing, and I knew they’d want me to follow my dream. Now–what to write? I joined RWA, hoping to write what I loved to read. I joined a critique group and learned a lot from my chapter-mates. I entered contests. and won some of them, including the Beacon Award for Best First Book. That was Heaving Bosoms. I know. LOL. I had to beg my publisher to keep that title. Whether contemporary or paranormal romance, I write full on romantic comedy–and I love it!

Susan: What do you enjoy most about being an author?

Ashlyn: I love a lot of things about it. First, it gives me a useful purpose—one that feels like a calling. I can’t imagine not doing something to express myself. That in itself is therapeutic. A creative soul can’t not create. (Pardon the double negative.)

Also, I love my readers. They keep me going. Sometimes a book flows and sometimes it’s like pulling teeth. When I get a fan letter…something like, “Your book got me through a tough time and even put a smile on my face,” it’s worth more than a big royalty check. I’m thrilled to know I’ve paid it forward and that motivates me to keep writing, no matter what.

Susan: Please, tell us about your latest book.

Ashlyn: Let’s see…my September release was Tug of Attraction, 2nd in the Love Spells Gone Wrong series. Book 1 is called The Cupcake Coven. As you can probably tell, these books are about good witches that goof (Hey, mistakes happen) and they’re full of my paranormal humor.

Tug turned out to be a special book for me. It’s not your usual romance. The heroine has endometriosis, which is more common than you’d think. It can make sex painful, but she desperately wants to have a baby. And yes, there are always sex scenes in my books! To me, love leads there, naturally. My hero is a tugboat captain, and he handles her condition so well you can’t help but fall in love with him.

I’m donating a portion of my royalties to the Endometriosis Foundation.

Because I’m a reader too and I always like to start a series with book 1, I’ll give offer links to The Cupcake Coven first, then links to ALL of my books on Amazon and Barnes and Noble:

Links for The Cupcake Coven

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZT4HR0I

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/the-cupcake-coven-book-1-love-spells-gone-wrong-series

ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thecupcakecovenbook1lovespellsgonewrongseries-1838242-149.html

Bookstrand http://www.bookstrand.com/the-cupcake-coven-book-1-love-spells-gone-wrong-series

http://www.lachesispublishing.com/

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Ashlyn-Chase/e/B002BOJ4FK/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1381802519&sr=1-2-ent or Tiny url:

http://tinyurl.com/mwpubtt

B&N Author Page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Ashlyn-Chase/Ashlyn-Chase?store=book&keyword=Ashlyn+Chase

Susan: On top of everything, you’re the founder of New England’s first romance reader/writer conference, Fall in Love with New England Romance Reader/Author Conference. Please, tell our readers all about it and how they can register and be part of the fun.

Ashlyn: I’m so glad you asked! Here’s the registration page with details: http://fallinlovewithnewengland.blogspot.com and GOOD NEWS! There’s still time to be one of the first 75 readers to register and get an early bird price break. It’s just $75 for the conference fee! That includes meals and activities—like a Halloween costume contest, bobbing for baskets, and prizes galore! We intend to spoil our readers rotten! LOL

And here’s a huge giveaway for 1 lucky reader who comments on this post: Free registration for the conference!!! A $99.00 value at the regular price.

Deadline is Midnight, Eastern time the night of Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. To enter, tell Ashlyn why she should pick you in the comment box with your name and email. Contest void where prohibited by law.

Susan: I want to thank Ashlyn for being on Nights of Passion today. I can’t wait for the Fall in Love With New England Romance Readers/Authors Conference. I’ll be there with bells on. (Link) Giggles. I can’t wait.

Ashlyn: Me too! Thanks so much for having me. Big hugs!

Where there’s fire, there’s Ash!

http://www.ashlynchase.com

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAshlynChase

Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

Author of Vampire King of New York

P.S. I’m going to the Fall in Love with New England Romance Reader/Author Conference! See you there.

 

Filed under: A Memoir: Maurice Sendak, Ashlyn Chase, Chocolate Temptation, Fall in Love with New England Romance Reader/Writer Conference, Guest Blog, Interview, light humor paranormal romance, paranormal, paranormal romance, Readers Conference, Readers Conferences, romance, Romance News, romance novels, vampire books, vampires, werewolves, witches

Author Susan Griscom Leaves a Lasting Impression by Stacy Hoff

Hello Passionate Readers! Today I’m giving my Friday forum to romance / paranormal author Susan Griscom. Susan’s beguiling stories—with a bit of spook—are right in time for Halloween! Susan, like me, is a co-contributor of the new adult box set, HOT SEDUCTION, SIX SIZZLING TALES (released October 6, 2015). HOT SEDUCTION includes one of Susan’s fabulous paranormal tales.

I haven’t always been a writer. Aside from being a mother and wife and now grandmother, I was once an administrative assistant, a bar tender, a lab technician, and a cell phone store manager, but one thing that always stayed constant with me was the idea that I wanted to do something lasting. Something that would live on after I was gone. Something more than just being a great mom and grandmother—though, as with most parents, being a great mom was probably debatable at certain times during the course of my children’s lives, but I like to think I was. Still, I needed something more.

So, I made quilts.

Quilts are something that, if taken care of, will live on after I’m gone and I love the designing aspect of the creation, but after making a few, I wasn’t feeling challenged and thought my mind needed something more stimulating. I’d always read romance novels, all genres, but particularly paranormal and supernatural romance books. That was my escape from the mundane world I lived in. One day I decided to see if I could write a story. A book, like a quilt is something that would live on after I was gone, right? So, I wrote my first book, Whisper Cape, a supernatural story filled with characters possessing psychic abilities and supernatural powers. Readers begged for more and so Whisper Cape turned into a trilogy. I went on to write those plus a few contemporary novels, but still readers wanted more from Whisper Cape and many were sad when the story was over.

That’s when I decided to create a spin-off series starting with A Gypsy’s Kiss, the first book in The Sectorium Series that is featured in the box set, Hot Seduction, Six Sizzling Tales. I’m honored to be in this box set with such awesome authors and I hope you enjoy all of our stories.

 

Below is the original picture I used on the cover of Whisper Cape, which I took in Mendocino, California at the Little River Inn where we stayed for our third wedding anniversary. If you look closely at the archway, you see a formation that resembles a ghost or an angel. That archway is what inspired the trilogy and appears in several places throughout the three books. There is a nine-year-old girl in Whisper Cape named Breena, who has the ability to see someone’s short-term future when she touches them. However, not only that, her vision is transferred back to the person whose future she sees, making physical contact nearly impossible and a very lonely life.

In A Gypsy’s Kiss, Breena is now twenty-one, in college, and because of her ability, she has never had the pleasure of an intimate relationship. Not even a kiss. Rumored to be the campus gypsy, Breena performs psychic readings for extra money. Most of the action takes place at the University of Colorado with the college star ice hockey player, Hawk, who has some rather remarkable abilities of his own. He seeks the help of the “rumored” campus gypsy when he starts to notice a dark and foreboding presence. Upon their first encounter at a tarot card reading, they are both startled when an accidental connection of their hands reveals an immediate pull, touching her in ways she never imagined and something that he never saw coming.

There will, eventually, be eight books in this series, all featuring characters from the original trilogy. All with their own stories and adventures. The next book, still untitled, should be out the summer of 2016.

Buy Links for A Gypsy’s Kiss

Amazon 

iBooks 

B&N 

Kobo  

  Susan’s Biography:

Amazon bestselling author, Susan Griscom writes steamy paranormal and contemporary romance. She’s hooked on gritty romances and is a huge fan of superheroes and bad boys confronted with extraordinary forces of nature, powers, and abilities beyond the norm mixed with steamy romance, of course.

She loves those days when she gets to sit around in her sweat pants, doing nothing but writing emotionally charged stories about love and violence and drinking coffee.

She lives in Northern California with her romantic husband and together they have five great superhero kids and eight mini-superhero grand kids, so far.

Susan’s links:

Website URL: http://www.susangriscom.com

Facebook URL: http://www.facebook.com/SMGriscom

Twitter URL: http:twitter.com/SusanGriscom

Amazon Author Page URL: http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Griscom/e/B008R94FNO/

Goodreads URL: http://www.goodreads.com/SusanGriscom

Pinterest URL: http://pinterest.com/SusanGriscom

AMAZON LINK FOR HOT SEDUCTION (box set contributors: Jamie K. Schmidt, Stacy Hoff, Holly Roberts, Theresa Hissong, Susan Griscom & Leia Shaw):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014RQX8GU?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B014RQX8GU&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff

Twitter: twitter.com/authorStacyHoff Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES by Stacy Hoff:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NFSMCYG?creativeASIN=B00NFSMCYG&linkCode=w00&linkId=6PCZIZBWKBWUSNHI&ref_=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR LAWFULLY YOURS by Stacy Hoff:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U7U2WCC?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00U7U2WCC&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR SEASON OF LOVE (Box set with Stacy Hoff):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X3ZAR3E?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00X3ZAR3E&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

 

Filed under: A writer's life, Author Interviews, contemporary romance, erotic romance, Halloween, meet the author, paranormal romance, romance novels, Stacy Hoff, writer's inspiration

So I’m Doing a Book Cover Photoshoot…by Heather Novak

There is a benefit to indie publishing – you get complete control over your cover! With years of film school, film shoots, set design, costume design, and event planning behind me, I’m luckier than most in that I know what I want my book to look like.

However, my two semesters of Photoshop eight years ago make me dangerous, but without talent…which basically means I cannot design my own cover. I also didn’t want a stock cover that could be on another book. 

So what, Heather? You’re rambling.

Okay, let me start at the beginning.



Once upon a time, I released a short story called Hunting Witch Hazel in the Falling Hard anthology with some of my favorite writers (no longer available due to contract conflicts). After having to pull down the anthology as a whole, I decided to re-release the anthology story as a novella and added two sequels!

While knee-deep in book 2, I went to a dinner party with Prince Charming’s friends, and one of them mentioned her friend was Lindee from Lindee Robinson Photography. Coincidentally, many of my friends had just gotten covers from her, so I took this as a positive sign.

I told Lindee I wanted to go big — let’s do a photo shoot for all three covers.  She was on board, super friendly, and doesn’t seem to get weirded out easily — which is good, because I’m a bit stalkerish. (Seriously Lindee, so sorry about the 1274937 emails at 3am with ideas. I’m working on that whole “sleeping” thing…)

My covers are a gift from my late grandpa, who was so excited about my writing. I still remember his smile when I told him about my books, and I’m privileged to have had such an amazing opportunity to make this happen. While he never got to hold any of my books, I know he’d love that he’s helping to create something I’ve dreamed about for a long time.

Now, I’m going to get real with you all. You need to know photoshoots are an investment. Lindee is awesome because along with your book cover, you get promo photos to use. You pay a model fee for each model, for makeup/hair if needed, for the cover/promo photos/editing, and for Lindee’s photography services. (Side note: If you need a makeup artist in the Metro Detroit area, hit up my girl Tori.)

All the fees vary, so make sure you talk money and that you understand exactly what will be expected of you. There are tough decisions to make. There are different price points for certain covers, and you’ll want to be open and honest about what you want so you can make sure you get what you think would fit your book best.

I sat down with a few of my author friends, talked design, talked budget, talked sales, talked marketing. Lindee works as a photographer and cover artist, but she also works with several other cover artists as well. Each one brings a unique perspective, so do your research and talk openly. Lindee has stock covers or you can build from the bottom up like me. 

But Heather, when will we have mooooooore books?!

I promise it will be worth the wait! Since my photoshoot isn’t until early November, it does push my release dates back until after the holidays. (I’ll re-release Hunting Witch Hazel, then Raine’s and Romi’s stories back to back after that.) I’ll keep you all updated on the adventure!

Stay tuned for updates on the photoshoot and a special post with Lindee Robinson herself!

 

October 15 is known for:

White Cane Safety Day! 

If you know someone who is blind or visually impaired, celebrate this day with them.

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,

Heather Novak

Bold. Bewitching. Breathtaking.

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Website: Heathernovak.net

Author of The Lynch Brothers Series

Be careful what you wish for…

Hunting Witch Hazel: February 2016

Threat of Raine: March 2016

Rosemary for Remembrance: April 2016

Filed under: romance

Know Your Audience: One Author’s Take

BIG Data. In the corporate world, I hear so much about BIG Data. Knowing our clients, understanding intricacies about them that allow you to personalize their options. It’s everywhere and often, we hear about BIG Data in such a spooky sense. People listening in on our phone conversations, recording our locations, knowing where we frequently shop so they can tailor advertisements to us.

I’m not going to take sides with whether this is Big Brotheresque or not (yes I made that word up, I think!). For some it may bother them and for others, they are perfectly comfortable—and we’ll leave it at that. What I really go thinking about with knowing our audiences was how and IF this BIG Data approach really works on the author scale.

My take on it is that a lot of this BIG Data is really above the individual author’s level and is probably me useful to the bigger publishers out there trying to get a read for the market trends and audience tendencies. On the author level, I do believe it helps to get to know our audience in a different manner. I do believe we should be in touch with who and where our stories resonate. Not necessarily to cater to this market but more to understand how our stories may affect our audience and in a way, engage them to some degree. I also believe that as the “creators” of these books/stories, it is important to keep a creative aspect alive. Think Steve Jobs or even Henry Ford’s take on creating what people will demand—basically we create the demand by writing something so interesting, so amazing that people flock to it, people engage in it. I know, it’s a tall order, but something I also think we writers all aim for to some degree, whether we admit it or not.

That’s all for this week. Happy writing!

Filed under: A writer's life, Toni Kelly