Jennifer Shirk's Blog, page 12

Because sharing is caring

Hi, all!

Happy Monday!

Can you believe it's May already? I have got to get my butt in gear this week and do some MAJOR writing.

So if you see me on FB or Twitter too much this week, you have permission to call me out on it.

Thank you in advance.


Anyhew, I'm happy to say that FIANCE BY FATE continues to sell well despite not being on sale anymore. As of now:
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,101 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store) .zg_hrsr { margin: 0; padding: 0; list-style-type: none; } .zg_hrsr_item { margin: 0 0 0 20px; } .zg_hrsr_rank { display: inline-block; width: 50px; text-align: right; }
#25 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance > Holidays #69 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance > Romantic Comedy #71 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance > Series  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU  
But before I sign off, I was just wanted to share some advice that one of my CPs gave me recently.
because as the title of my posts says: sharing is caring.

I got some fan mail a week ago and as nice as it is, sometimes it can put added pressure on you to write what readers want.
Not that that is bad or something you shouldn't do.
You want to please your readers, obviously, but on the same token you can't please everyone.

So here's the advice:
Write the book that you want to write.
The characters control the story, not you. And your job as a writer is simply that...
You can't control anyone's reactions to it. Stay true to you and keep writing.

And that's it for me.
Have a great week!


What do you think about that advice? Do you agree or disagree?

A Few Things

Happy Monday, all!

Three things this week:

1) I'm still on a bit of a blog tour for the next two weeks.
April 28: Dori LavelleApril 28: For the Love of Bookends
April 29: Harps Romance Book Review
April 29: The Snarkology
April 30: JM Stewart--Contemporary Romance Author
April 30: Book 'Em North Carolina
May 1: Novel Moments
May 1: Read Your Writes Book Reviews
May 2: Long and Short Reviews
May 5: Booklover Sue
May 5: #BookNerd
May 6: Sarah Says Read Romance
May 7: Delighted Reader
May 8: Ever After Romance Book Blog
May 8: Nana Prah
May 9: Katherine Givens
 If you happen to stop and comment at any of the stops, I will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B&N GC plus an ebook of my first Bliss romance book: Kissing Kendall to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour!   (Not too shabby, huh?) 2) While looking for marketing places for my book, I stumbled upon The Fussy Librarian.  It's a pretty cool site that can help you look for specific things in books. For instance, I know a lot of my readers do not want language or sex in books they read. Well, you can sign up and choose from 40 genres, select content preferences such as the amount of sex and violence, and www.TheFussyLibrarian.com emails you daily deals. Cool, huh?Check it out!  3) Also, I wanted to say THANK YOU again to everyone who bought and also reviewed Fiancé by Fate. It's been hovering here all week:Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,207 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store) .zg_hrsr { margin: 0; padding: 0; list-style-type: none; } .zg_hrsr_item { margin: 0 0 0 20px; } .zg_hrsr_rank { display: inline-block; width: 50px; text-align: right; } #13 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance > Holidays #41 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance > Series #46 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance > Romantic Comedy It'll be interesting to see those stats once my book goes back to full price.But for right now, I'm thrilled! :) And that's it for me.  Have you heard of The Fussy Librarian? Are there any other book advertising sites you like?   

Box Writing

Happy Monday, all!

Three things this week:

1) I'm still on a bit of a blog tour for the next two weeks.
April 28: Dori Lavelle
April 28: For the Love of Bookends
April 29: Harps Romance Book Review
April 29: The Snarkology
April 30: JM Stewart--Contemporary Romance Author
April 30: Book 'Em North Carolina
May 1: Novel Moments
May 1: Read Your Writes Book Reviews
May 2: Long and Short Reviews
May 5: Booklover Sue
May 5: #BookNerd
May 6: Sarah Says Read Romance
May 7: Delighted Reader
May 8: Ever After Romance Book Blog
May 8: Nana Prah
May 9: Katherine Givens If you happen to stop and comment at any of the stops, I will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B&N GC plus an ebook of my first Bliss romance book: Kissing Kendall to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour!   (Not too shabby, huh?) 2) While looking for marketing places for my book, I stumbled upon The Fussy Librarian.  It's a pretty cool site that can help you look for specific things in books. For instance, I know a lot of my readers do not want language or sex in books they read. Well, you can sign up and choose from 40 genres, select content preferences such as the amount of sex and violence, and www.TheFussyLibrarian.com emails you daily deals. Cool, huh?Check it out!  3) Also, I wanted to say THANK YOU again to everyone who bought and also reviewed Fiancé by Fate. It's been hovering here all week:Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,207 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store) .zg_hrsr { margin: 0; padding: 0; list-style-type: none; } .zg_hrsr_item { margin: 0 0 0 20px; } .zg_hrsr_rank { display: inline-block; width: 50px; text-align: right; } #13 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance > Holidays #41 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance > Series #46 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance > Romantic Comedy It'll be interesting to see those stats once my book goes back to full price.But for right now, I'm thrilled! :) And that's it for me.  Have you heard of The Fussy Librarian? Are there any other book advertising sites you like?   

I'm Back!!!

Happy Monday!!

It's good to be back! I hope everybody had a wonderful Easter.

The kiddo had spring break last week so we ended up going to Moon Palace resort in Cancun.

I normal don't like all-inclusive places but I have to say, the food was really really good and the grounds and service were excellent. Oh, and the weather was absolutely perfect. With the harsh winter we all had, I SO NEEDED some sun!

The only thing that had me a wee stressed was that I wasn't around for my book release!

Luckily, Internet connection was pretty good at the resort so at least I could do some minor book pimping.

But THANK YOU to everyone who bought A Little Bit Cupid and Fiancé by Fate!
Both are selling well, despite my absence. :)

(maybe I should go away more often)

And in case you don't know, A Little Bit Cupid will be FREE and Fiancé by Fate will be 99 cents until Sunday. So if you haven't grabbed them now...well, you still have time.

And now some gratuitous pictures of Cancun...
Kiddo spotting a lizard
Lunch time! Chefs would bring samplers poolside
Flaming coffee drink we had THREE times that week
That's it for me!

Do you go on spring break? Where did you go? Have you ever been to Mexico?

Fiance by Fate is Released!!

Happy Monday, all!

I'm THRILLED to announce that my fun romance Fiancé by Fate is now available!

Here are what nice people on Goodreads are saying about it already :

I absolutely loved this book. It was lighthearted, witty, charming, engaging, and at times had me smirking at the banter between the hero and the heroine. 

What a fun story! I fell in love with the characters from the very first pages with the witty banter between Sabrina and her best friend Maddie.

If you want a fun read, something that will make you smile and laugh out loud in places (which I did), then read this book. I've already recommended it to several people.

Isn't that sweet?

And best of all, for the next two weeks it will be at a low price of 99cents!
So grab it while you can!



And if you haven't already grabbed this one, A Little Bit Cupid will be FREE for the next two weeks too!

YAY!







Also, you can follow the blog tour of Fiancé by Fate!
Some lucky commenter will win a FUN prized-filled gift basket of items that inspired the book plus a $10 Amazon GC on top of that!


 April 14Book reviewed at Hanging Off the WireApril 15Interviewed at Review From HereApril 16Guest blogging at Ex LibrisBook featured at A Book Addict’s DelightApril 17Book reviewed at She Hearts BooksBook featured at 3 Partners in ShoppingApril 18Book reviewed at Sleepless Nights Filled with Endless BooksBook featured at Confessions of a ReaderApril 21Book reviewed at What’s on the BookshelfBook reviewed at Lisa Loves BooksBook reviewed at Becky on Books…and QuiltsApril 22Book featured at Romantic Reads and SuchApril 23Interviewed at Romance for Every WorldInterviewed at I Am A ReaderBook reviewed at Ramblings of a Book LunaticGuest blogging at Books Over BoysApril 24Book featured at My Devotional ThoughtsApril 25Book reviewed at Steam Guys After DarkBook reviewed at Books to Get Lost InBook reviewed at Ramblings from this ChickBook reviewed at Living Between Books

Whew! Peace out!

I'm actually going on break this week, but will return Easter Monday.
Have a great holiday!

I'm FREE!

Hey, all!


Yes, not my usual blog day, but exciting news gets an exciting new post.

First a new cover and now a new price!

For a limited time, my sweet and funny (if I do say so myself) novella A Little Bit Cupid is FREE!!!

So please, don't be shy. Grab it now while you can and while you're at it, tell a friend. :)

And now, to set the mood, please enjoy one of my favorite Soup Dragon songs "I'm Free". LOL

Rules for Referencing?

Happy Monday!

I have a Board Meeting I need to prepare for so today isn't necessarily a "happy" Monday, but I'm still feeling upbeat. :-)

Last night I happened to get an newsletter email from my library with various events listed for the week. I noticed that one night will be an Abbott and Costello tribute.
 
* Featuring the world's leading impersonators of "Abbott and Costello" performing "Who's on First!"
* This program will also feature a showing of Abbott and Costello's 1955 movie classic "Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy!"

* There will be a special appearance by Perky Peggy King, legendary vocalist, TV and movie actress...who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a role in the Mummy movie!
 Cool!
Now, Abbott and Costello was obviously before my time, but I have seen a few of their movies and of course, know a few of their famous routines. I even put a small reference in my book Fiancé by Fate to them. My lead character, Sabrina, and her co-worker, Chris, are kind of going back and forth in a cute dialogue scene, where Chris then asks Sabrina, "Who are you, Bud Abbott?" One of my editor/copy editors asked, "Who's that?"  I was like, SERIOUSLY????????????? So instead, I changed it a bit to "What are we doing, an Abbott and Costello routine?" to make it more immediately recognizable.
 I was still asked to take it out because it was too old and that readers might not know who they are. Again, I was like SERIOUSLY???????

How old are these readers? Twelve? And isn't it good to have a reference so maybe they'll look it up and learn?  Well, I kept it. (I'm stubborn that way) :-) Anyhew, I ask you: Do you know who Abbott and Costello are? And if not, do you think it should have been cut or kept in? Do you think there are rules about how old a reference should be?  And here's one of their famous routines:    

Another cover!

Hey, all!

I've some cool news.
My publisher has given a new look to my novella A LITTLE BIT CUPID.

I think the idea is make my covers look more uniform with the line I write for, which is their Bliss line. So my novella (being a sweet romance) needs to look more like those covers.

Although, I did happen to adore the old one, this new one is adorable too.

And here it is:

Pretty cute, huh?

Yeah, I think so too. Although my CPs and I were kind of wondering what he was doing with his hands... LOL!!!
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In other news, I'm on Instagram now. (More to monitor my kiddo)  But I am having some fun with it too!
So follow me! authorjshirk And I'll follow you back!
                                                          ###

In other other news, my CPs and I joined CampNano and will be busy writing the month of April!

Whew!


And that's it for me!

Are you doing NaNo in April? Which cover do you like more for A Little Bit Cupid?

Fiance by Fate Cover Reveal!

Happy Monday, all!

I'm VERY happy today because I finally have a cover for my next sweet romance release:

                Fiancé by Fate


Their fake relationship is a twist of fate.

Sabrina Cassidy believes in fate. So when her fiancé breaks off their engagement, she’s convinced they’ll get back together eventually. But fate was not on her side when it brought Jack Brenner into her life—and work. Frustrating, gorgeous, and cocky, Jack has an offer that Sabrina can't refuse. Not if it means getting the life she’s always imagined.

Despite being one of the town’s most eligible bachelors, Jack has a reputation that’s working against him. He has to convince his father—and his company’s board—that he’s ready to settle down if he wants a promotion. But convincing Sabrina to be his fake girlfriend turns out to be the easiest part. What he didn’t count on was their intense attraction and how easily their lie would escalate.
 
Sabrina’s still hung up on her ex, and Jack will never settle down. But fate has other ideas…

I know. Adorbs, right?

Actually, if you look at the guy, he kind of resembles Ben Affleck to me. LOL

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Release date is April 14!

What do you think of the cover? Does the guy look like Ben Affleck to you too?

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Happy Monday and St Patrick's day!

This is what I woke up to! SNOW.
And Thursday is the first day of spring?

Anyhew, even though I do not have one ounce of Irish in me, I did make an Irish meal, Turkey and Cabbage Ragout, this weekend that is not only healthy but YUMMO. (kiddo asked for seconds)

So I thought I'd share the recipe.
I did make it as is, but I bet it would be just as good if you omitted the ground turkey too.



Cabbage and Turkey Ragout

1 lb ground turkey
1/2 large white onion, chopped
6 cloves of garlic, minced
3 med carrots, chopped
2 med celery stalks, chopped
2 med green bell peppers, diced
1 sm green cabbage, chopped
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
3/4c chicken broth
1TBsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp thyme
1tsp basil
1/4 tsp red pepper
salt/pepper

In large soup pot, sauté turkey, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and peppers until turkey is no longer pink. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and bring to boil. Simmer about 15 min or until veggies are tender. Serve over whole wheat wide noodles. (I did not serve with noodles, just as is)

Delicious!!!!

The kiddo is off from school today so I taught her how to make pancakes. Later, we'll be making cookies. :)

Have a good one!

Are you Irish? Any good Irish recipes you'd like to share?