Nancy Lee Badger's Blog, page 57

Time to Register for WRITE NOW! 2014 in Raleigh NC

Registration is now open for Write Now! 2014, to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at Wake Technical Community College Northern Campus in Raleigh, NC.

That’s the same campus as previous conferences – but a brand new building! Starting in 2014, Write Now! will be held in Building E, which boasts a state-of-the-art amphitheater that seats more than 250 in a comfortable stadium-seating design; a secondary meeting room that seats 60; and an atrium with tables and seating for 100, which will allow you to sit with old friends and make new ones during registration and lunch.

This will be my first time attending this conference and I am looking forward to the workshops as well as the speakers. Breakfast and lunch is included, and I will be signing books, too!

SIGN-UP NOW!For all the information you need, please CLICK HERE! This all-day conference, held on the beautiful campus of Wake Tech North (just off I-540 Ext 18) is sponsored by theTRIANGLE AREA FREELANCERS of which I am a member.     Nancy Lee Badger

Loch Norman Highland games video

This week, I released My Lady Highlander in both ebook and print. The book is the 1st book in my Kilted Athletes Through Time series and follows the Highland Games Through Time series, with similar locations, characters, but with new villains.

Here is the basic story line:


Isobel MacHamish escaped a betrothal in ancient Scotland. She rebuilt her life in present-day New England, yet something-or someone-is missing. Arson, thievery, a stalker, and a handsome caber-tossing athlete turn her world upside down.
Bryce Buchanan saves a pretty woman-twice. Sent back to ancient Scotland-again-he is trapped between the skittish woman, and a man pressuring her into marriage. Battles, swords, a Scottish brownie, and a power-hungry laird make ‘Bull’ want to head home to New England.

To escape her former lover, and his murderous, father, Izzy finds her inner warrior. And, when the handsome athlete shows her what falling in love can bring, she is torn, because keeping her hands to herself, is one battle she will never win. 
You can find buy links HERE
This is what I plan to do this weekend. What about you?




Nancy Lee

How bloggers like to be approached

by Babs Hightower & Barb Drozdowich

Please welcome these two very busy ladies who stopped by to discuss the merits of approaching bloggers, when an author, public relations person, or publisher wants to 'get the word out' about a new release. I have used Babs' time as a PR guru, and I have had my books reviewed on Barb's and Bab's blogs. This is good stuff!--Nancy Lee

Babs Hightower  Book review bloggers do a lot of reviews and get a ton of request each day from various authors, publicists, assistants and publishers.   Each of who want their emails looked at in hopes of a new review.  What about the blogger and what they want?

A blogger wants respect.  They started their blog for a reason and not all want a free book.  Most are to help the author promote their work.  There are several ways to get your email deleted; one of the quickest is a form letter in the email.  They are very easy to spot as there no personalization.  You are taking the time to email the blogger for a review, why not take the time to look at their blog.  You had to get their name / email from somewhere.  A blogger wants to feel as if you too the time to go to their blog, look around, read their review policy if they have one and get their name. 
Another way to get an email deleted is getting our name wrong or better yet not using a name and just calling us “Dear Blogger”.  Most of us will not read the email. We know then you never came to our blog or even looked at our review policy.  This is like a slap in the face and why would we want to read anything you are offering? Barb DrozdowichWhen you request a review, make sure it is what we read.  There is a reason we all have a

review policy on our blog.  We each read different things and you want the right reviewer for you book.  Nothing makes us more irritated then receiving a request for a book in a genre we do not read.  You would like the right people to review and we would like the right books to read.   
Bloggers want to help authors get their name out and help promote their latest work.  To do this we need the right authors and the authors need the right bloggers.  You want to get your book out to the right audience to sale more.  It’s a win-win for us all to have the right people in place. 
Blurb:Do you feel out of your comfort zone when dealing with book bloggers? They are the New Gatekeepers to book publishing success – but how can you tap into that source of free promotions by putting your best foot forward?The Author’s Guide to Working with Book Bloggers combines the advice of 215 blogging professionals collected in a survey covering all aspects of communication between authors and Review Blogs. Whether you are a new author, or have many titles under your belt, let us demystify the promotion of your book on a book blog.You’ll learn about whom and where book bloggers are, and the following:  The Query, The Review,The Giveaway, The Author Interview, The Guest Post, The Book Blurb Excerpt and Cover Reveals and more!“I’ve found Barb’s advice on forging a professional relationship with the blogging community indispensable. Her step-by-step approach will help you garner the reviews needed to increase book sales.”–Christine Nolfi, bestseller author of Treasure MeThe Author’s Guide to Working with Book Bloggers is available on: AmazonUS   |  AmazonUK  |  Kobo  |  Barnes & Noble  |  SmashwordsAbout the authors:Barb DrozdowichBio: Social Media and Wordpress Consultant Barb Drozdowich has taught at Colleges and Universities, trained technical personnel in the banking industry and, most recently, used her expertise to help dozens of authors develop the social media platform needed to succeed in today’s fast evolving publishing world. She owns Bakerview Consulting and manages the popular Romance Book blog, Sugarbeat’s Books.Barb can be found: BakerviewConsulting (Business Site) BarbDrozdowich (Author Site) Sugarbeat’sBooks (Book Blog) Facebook(Authorblog)    Twitter     Google+  Babs Hightower Bio: Babs has been helping authors since 2000. She owns a book review blog Babs Book Bistro which got her started in PR and helping authors promote themselves. In 2012 she started working for Entangled Publishing and worked her way up to Publicity Director over the Scandalous Imprint. She is a publicist for World Castle Publishing. She is also known as Morgan Kincaid writer of Historical Romance.
Babs can be found:
BabsBook Bistro website     BabsHightower PR websiteAuthorwebsite Twitter    Babs Morgan Twitter     LinkedInFacebook    FacebookAuthor    GoodreadsGoogle + Pinterest

Their other helpful Books:

Raleigh NC Workshop WRITE NOW! 2014 Registration is open

Registration is now open for Write Now! 2014, to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at Wake Technical Community College Northern Campus in Raleigh, NC.

That’s the same campus as previous conferences – but a brand new building! Starting in 2014, Write Now! will be held in Building E, which boasts a state-of-the-art amphitheater that seats more than 250 in a comfortable stadium-seating design; a secondary meeting room that seats 60; and an atrium with tables and seating for 100, which will allow you to sit with old friends and make new ones during registration and lunch.

This will be my first time attending this conference and I am looking forward to the workshops as well as the speakers. Breakfast and lunch is included, and I will be signing books, too!

SIGN-UP NOW!For all the information you need, please CLICK HERE! This all-day conference, held on the beautiful campus of Wake Tech North (just off I-540 Ext 18) is sponsored by theTRIANGLE AREA FREELANCERS of which I am a member.     Nancy Lee Badger 

'London Calling' or How I Found My Muse by Elena Dillon

My guest is Elena Dillon and she has some tips for readers and writers:

London Calling

I don’t really get “Writer’s Block” in the traditional sense. At least I didn’t think I did.  Before this past October if I needed to write something I could sit down and write something.  Whether it was usable writing is a whole other matter but I could put something on the page. 
Then my kids moved out.
Instant empty nest.
And I had shoulder surgery that was much more painful and difficult to recover from than I’d thought it would be.

And my friend of twenty one years who I’d been praying for and going to chemo and doctor appointments with for a year and a half took a really bad turn. Her cancer had advanced and it was obvious she had very little time.

And the words left. No warning. Not even a “Call me when it’s over.” With everything that was going on in my life you’d think I wouldn’t have had time to worry about the writing but in the back of my mind I could hear this niggling little voice.
What if the words never come back? I slapped that voice down more than once during my three month hiatus.  During the holidays when everyone asked when my next book was coming out.  At night when I couldn’t sleep because rolling over in bed was a process with a healing shoulder. And at my RWA chapter meetings when well-intentioned friends wanted an update.
Then in January my husband had to travel to London. Again. He asked me to go with this time since he really hates extended business travel and he would be there two weeks this time. He was nice enough to arrange a first class ticket with his miles. Lovely.  I was finally off pain medication and ready for an adventure. 
At first I didn’t attempt to write. I went with the intention of just enjoying myself.  I visited a friend I hadn’t seen in over twenty years and we laughed like we were teenagers again.  I walked around the city while my husband worked.  I drank tea. A lot.Then it happened. I sat down at the computer and like magic the words were back. Flowing onto the page like water. I wrote about 10,000 words in two days and did a ton of revision on the manuscript that had been sitting on my computer for three months. The manuscript I had almost hit delete on because I the words had been lost and the work seemed overwhelming.
Whew. I’d found my muse.  The cheeky minx had packed herself up and moved to London for the duration.  I’m going to keep a closer eye on her from now on.  Got some writer’s block? Take a trip. Go somewhere new.  Even walk around the block.  Don’t forget the tea, it makes all the difference.
What’s next for you? My next book in the Breathe series in coming out soon. Looking like May . I’m still trying to decide on a title. 
BOOK BLURB for Looking Like MayChandler Raines and her dad are on the run. Never staying in one place for very long. It’s just not safe.  When they arrive in Lafayette, Louisiana, Chandler quickly realizes this is the place she wants to call home. Friends, a cute boy and competitive cheerleading have her taking dangerous risks to have the life she always wanted. Risks she promised she wouldn’t. 
When a video goes viral, a decision has to be made. Stay or run? Will the evil that’s chased them for the last four years catch up to them? When Chandler’s past comes screeching into the present she’ll have to sacrifice everything to keep what she loves safe.  But will it be enough?
How can my readers buy your book?   Not on sale yet but you can sign up for my newsletter here and you will be the first to get an excerpt and notification of when it goes on sale. You will also receive an excerpt of my first two books right to your mailbox. Here are my Buy Links for Breathe :AmazonAudibleBarnes and NobleKoboSmashwordsApple iTunes Bookstore
A little bit about the author  Elena Dillon lives and writes in a suburb North of Los Angeles.  She has never lived anywhere besides California which is probably a good thing since she hates being cold and is terrified to drive in the snow. She loves being a wife and a mother to her three kids and an English Bulldog, although really the bulldog is the fourth child who has never matured beyond the toddler stage.
A self proclaimed nerd, she has been writing since she was a child. She has only recently, however, come out of the closet about this to her family and friends.  They now understand better, but not completely, why she talks about characters in stories as if they are real people.
You can find more informationabout Elena Dillon at: Website    Twitter   Facebook  Goodreads  
a Rafflecopter giveaway

How Do You Celebrate the Spring Equinox?

Are you tired of cold, dreary weather? Snow and ice are 'pretty', but not when roads are impassable, wires and trees fall, and your nose reddens. Spring is nearly here! Actually, it technically begins with the vernal equinox, which this year will be March 20, 2014 at 12:57 P.M. EDT. Although I live in central North Carolina, aka America's south, I cannot wait until warm days, budding trees, and flowers bloom even more. We have already experienced a couple of 70+ degree F days, but wind, rain, and cold keep bouncing back.

I already knew that the word equinox is derived from the Latin words meaning “equal night” meaning that days and nights are approximately equal, all around the world. The Sun rises and sets due east and west. At the equinoxes, the tilt of Earth relative to the Sun is zero. It really is extraordinary that for one special moment, the Earth’s axis neither points toward nor away from the Sun. 

Since many of my books include characters that use witchcraft, or 'witchery', in their lives, I looked into what this special day means. Many meanings can be found while researching, so I instead wanted to express the following:
Traditional foods eaten in celebration: dairy foods, nuts from pumpkins, sunflowers, leafy green veggies, sprouts.
Flowers gathered: violets, olive, gorse, jonquils, peonies, iris, and daffodils (my favorite!)
Some burn incense such as strawberry, jasmine, and rose. I also hear that the gemstone, Jasper , is exceptionally powerful on this day.
* some info derived from http://wicca.com/celtic/akasha/ostara.htm

Nancy Lee Badger
*Check out the books in my Highland Games Through Time series, where witches meet their destined mates! Available in eBook and print everywhere!

Calling All writers-Meet me in Raleigh NC at the WRITE NOW! Conference!

Registration is now open for Write Now! 2014, to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at Wake Technical Community College Northern Campus in Raleigh, NC.

That’s the same campus as previous conferences – but a brand new building! Starting in 2014, Write Now! will be held in Building E, which boasts a state-of-the-art amphitheater that seats more than 250 in a comfortable stadium-seating design; a secondary meeting room that seats 60; and an atrium with tables and seating for 100, which will allow you to sit with old friends and make new ones during registration and lunch.

This will be my first time attending this conference and I am looking forward to the workshops as well as the speakers. Breakfast and lunch is included, and I will be signing books, too!

SIGN-UP NOW!For all the informationyou need, pleaseCLICK HERE!This all-day conference, held on the beautiful campus of Wake Tech North (just off I-540 Ext 18) is sponsored by theTRIANGLE AREA FREELANCERS of which I am a member. Nancy Lee Badger

Irish Oatmeal Cookies by Nancy Lee Badger

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Here is a recipe for IRISH Oatmeal Cookies (okay, they are not strictly Irish, but when you use Irish oatmeal, they are Irish)
1 stick + 6 Tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar (I use Splenda Brown Sugar)
1/2 cup sugar (I use Splenda)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
My favorite sugar-free breakfast food1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 cups uncooked oatmeal, quick or old fashioned (I suggest McCann's, but not the instant packets you see here)
I also add about 1 cup raisins (optional but yummy)
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat butter and sugars on medium until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat well. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a bowl and mix well. Add to the egg and sugar mixture. Mix well. Add oatmeal and raisins. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons on ungreased or parchment paper-covered cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Cool 1 minute then remove to a wire rack. Cool and enjoy your St. Patrick's day treat!

Happy St. Patrick's Day
Coming soon!TO ALL MY        
IRISH-CELTIC FRIENDS!
Nancy Lee Badger

What is a MadMan MacKeefe? by Elizabeth Rose

Thanks Nancy, for having me as a guest today. *I love to host other authors so you are welcome. Also, since I have read the prequel to these three books, I've been hooked. NLB
Simply put, a MadMan MacKeefe is a Scottish Highlander who is out of his mind. He does crazy, dangerous things, has odd pets, unique looks, and most likely demons in his head making him crazy as well.*...and his crazy eyes that don't match are part of his mysterious past! NLB
 Let me explain further. My MadMan MacKeefe Series starts with the first of three friends from the same clan in Onyx – Book 1 . Now, Onyx MacKeefe is actually the dead brother of the girls from my Daughters of the Dagger Series . I say dead, because he has these spells where he looks like he’s dead and his heart slows and sometimes he even stops breathing. The spells are brought on by anxiety, and actually, he had one right when he was born. He also has two different colored eyes, and back then they thought of this as being a demon or being cursed. So as a baby he was put into a box and ordered to be drowned in the sea. Yeah, that’ll make anyone crazy, not to mention he travels with a Scottish Wildcat.
And then there’s his good friend, Aidan MacKeefe in Aidan – Book 2 , who is also out of his mind. He is guarding the real Stone of Destiny for the Scots, and using it as pillow to have prophetic dreams. He has a pet squirrel that sits on his shoulder.
That brings us to my brand new release - the third friend, Ian MacKeefe in Ian – Book 3 . This man has inner demons haunting him. He sees a vision in the Samhain fire - the ghostly face of a man he’s killed and buried three years ago. And this is the night that the veil is lifted and the dead can come back to life.
Research : I always like to put a holiday into my novels so people can see what it was like back in the 14thcentury. Actually, Halloween – or All Hallow’s Eve, or Samhain as it was first called, was a pagan holiday to begin with. The powerful church didn’t like that, and made it into a Christian holiday that we know as All Saints, and All Soul’s day. And the children used to go door to door begging for soul cakes, carrying carved-out gourds with faces in them, lit by a candle inside in order to ward away demons and keep themselves safe. Hence, the first trick-or-treating and jack-o-lanterns.
I also loved researching the Stone of Destiny for Aidan. This was the ancient coronation stone used by the Scots. It was supposedly stolen by the English back in 1296, but since Scotland never attempted to get it back, the theory is that they had the true Stone of Destiny hidden away and the English stole a fake. This is the basis of my story.
Ian – Book 3 is my 29th book. I have been writing seriously for about 20 years, and have five print books from years ago. Then of course, I went back to the real world to be able to pay my bills, and then last year I lost my job. That was actually a good thing, as that enabled me to have time to start putting some of my novels into ebook form and publishing them as an Indie author. I love working for myself – well some of the time. As I am a true slave driver, and push myself past what I believe I can do. While maybe a third of my books were already written from years ago, I started writing new ones as well. In the past year I have Indie-published 28 ebooks.
I love writing medieval as well as paranormal novels, but I do have some contemporary novels and short stories as well. Anyone wanting to read excerpts from any of my books can do so by visiting my website at http://elizabethrosenovels.com.
I also want to say that I do have a degree in art and this inspired me to create my own bookcovers as well as my own booktrailers. Of course, being away from the computer for so many years took its toll, but I delved right into photoshop and figured it out myself even though my two boys told me I could never do it. Great motivation, huh? Please stop by my website to see my booktrailers , as I am very proud of the way they turned out. You can also find them on You Tube or on my Amazon profile page .
My books can be found on Amazon as well as some on Smashwords    Barnes and Noble  and  Goodreads .
Here is an excerpt from my new release, Ian – Book 3 :
“Dinna hate me, Kyla. Ye have te understand thet nothin’ can e’er happen between us.” Ian’s words said one thing but his body was saying another. Why did he have his arm around her, pulling her closer, if he was trying to push her away?Still, his words sounded so final and she wondered for a moment if she was just fantasizing again and there was really nothing between them after all. Mayhap her expectations were set too high and she shouldn’t get her hopes up. Not when it had to do with Ian MacKeefe. She was confused, but had to know for sure.“Somethin’ already has happened between us,” she said, turning and looking up into his eyes. The firelight danced off his sun-kissed skin and the whole moment would have been special if only he would drop the walls between them.“Nothin’ happened,” he said, as if he truly believed it. “Ye kissed me, Ian MacKeefe, and if ye say ye felt nothin’ between us then I say ye are the biggest liar I’ve e’er met.”“I didna feel anythin’.”She blinked once, then twice, not believing he was really acting like such a dolt. She had to make him admit that he was lying. This may be the only chance she ever got.“Prove it,” she challenged him.“What do ye mean?”She raised her chin and looked him straight in the eye. “Kiss me again, and if ye can honestly say thet ye feel nothin’, then I swear I’ll leave ye alone and ne’er mention it again.”He laughed then, and the brightness of his smile as well as the deep, rich rumble in his chest vibrating against her, about drove her from her mind. Damn, why did he have to be so desirable? He lowered his head and looked up from the corner of one hooded eye. One side of his mouth twisted wryly as he answered. “I dinna want te play games, lassie,” he said in a voice so soft it was almost a whisper.And when he removed his arm from around her shoulders and started to move away, she decided she didn’t want to die without feeling Ian’s lips upon hers one more time. She daringly took hold of his shoulders and reached upward, pressing her lips firmly against his before he could object.
Links:
I enjoyed being a guest today, and I invite everyone to stop by my facebookpage as well as my website, and be sure to sign up to receive my blogs in order to get updates on new books, as I have new releases all the time.
Here are the links once again: Facebook Website Amazon Smashwords Barnes and Noble Goodreads
Elizabeth Rose

Read an Ebook Week March 2-8 SPECIALS

In celebration of Read An E-Book Week, I am offering special pricing on several ebooks!

Hosted by Smashwords, the following books can be found FREE or REDUCED through Saturday, March 8th. Below the cover is the link (click the word 'HERE'), which will take you to the ordering page. Use the coupon code at the right of the Smashwords screen to get these SUPER DEALS!

 Now only $2.49  Click HERE
 Now FREE!   Click HERE
 Now FREE!   Click HERE No matter what type e-reader you have, including computer, iPhone, etc., Smashwords has your download format. Remember....winter is still hereso download free and discounted books today!