Delaney Diamond's Blog, page 5
October 9, 2024
Self-publishing Giveaway!
Have you ever thought about self-publishing your own stories? It’s estimated that 80 percent of Americans would like to write a book, and if you’re one of those millions, you have the opportunity to win a self-publishing package. I provide self-publishing consultations and partnered with two of my fave vendors for a giveaway that could set you on the road to success.
This giveaway is for novice self-publishers who have published 0-3 books. The grand prize winner will receive a $960 package that includes:
a one-hour self-publishing consultation with me, Delaney Diamonda book design package and social kit w/animation from Deranged Doctor Designa light developmental edit from The Editing HallTwo second-place winners will receive a 30-minute self-publishing consultation with me.
Use the form below to enter for a chance to win!
The post Self-publishing Giveaway! appeared first on Romance Author Delaney Diamond | Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.
June 7, 2024
What to expect from Bruno
The countdown has begun!
Bruno, the fourth book in my Family Ties series arrives on June 21. I’m so excited for you to meet Marissa and Bruno, and I wanted to let you know what you can expect from this story.
Bruno is longer than the other books in the series, partly because I enjoyed spending time in this couple’s orbit, but also because I wanted to establish their attraction to each other and show that despite initially thinking they shouldn’t be together, they needed to be together.During their conversations, Marissa and Bruno sometimes tease each other, which confirms the rightness of their relationship and brings them closer as the story progresses.We’ll have closure on the situation with Andre Campos’s mother. If you read Monica, you know what I’m referring to. Also, NV Lounge is open for business and is the newest hot spot in Atlanta!There will be two character cameos from other books. I won’t tell you who, but here’s a big hint: They’re in the restaurant industry. That’s all I’m going to say!Finally, you get a front row seat to seeing this couple fall in love. Not just because Bruno is debonair—as Marissa calls him—but because beneath the take charge personality is a man who’s not only good to her, he’s good to her son. As for Bruno, his attraction to Marissa’s physical appearance deepens to him falling for her warm personality and sense of humor. Their love can’t be extinguished even when things fall apart.Pick up your copy of Bruno if you haven’t already, add it to Goodreads, and mark your calendar for June 21!
The post What to expect from Bruno appeared first on Romance Author Delaney Diamond | Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.
April 11, 2024
Johnson Family 10th Anniversary Giveaway!
April 25th is the 10th anniversary of UNFORGETTABLE, a secret baby romance with a billionaire heroine. That book kicked off my bestselling Johnson Family series, and I’m having a giveaway to celebrate!
How well do you know the Johnsons? Test your knowledge with this quiz.
Like crossword puzzles? Here’s one for JUST FRIENDS (Johnson Family, book 3). The answer key is on the last page of the download.
Visit Pinterest to see inspirational images for UNFORGETTABLE and the entire Johnson Family series.
Giveaway detailsPrizes:
signed copies of all 5 books in the seriesa $25 gift carda Just One More Chapter mugstickersbookmarksEligibility: Open to international entrants. You must be a subscriber to my newsletter. Sign up here if you’re not: https://geni.us/DDNews.
Enter the giveaway with the widget below or use this link: https://kingsumo.com/g/wne2ff/johnson-family-10th-anniversary-giveaway.
Deadline to enter: April 25, 11:59 pm ET
The post Johnson Family 10th Anniversary Giveaway! appeared first on Romance Author Delaney Diamond | Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.
March 25, 2024
What Makes You DNF a Book?
Over the weekend, my sister and I were watching a psychological thriller on Netflix, but around the 25-minute mark, a fourth of the way into the movie, I told her I was bored and wanted to watch something else. I love a good psychological thriller on film and in print, but this one was dragging. My sister, however, didn’t want to give up on the movie.
She said she’d finish watching it another time, and we ended up watching Roadhouse on Amazon Prime. We watched the original with Patrick Swayze because we’d never seen it, and the new one with Jake Gyllenhaal. (Both were fun movies, by the way!)
Giving up on the first movie made me think about what makes us give up on books. Like movies, books are a form of entertainment, and readers will DNF a book for all sorts of reasons. They might be bored, like I was, with the movie. They might not like the author’s writing style, or there could be triggering content in the story.
I have a friend who only gives a book the first few chapters to grab her attention, and then she DNFs and moves on to the next one. In my case, I’ll read as much as a fourth of a book before I DNF. Typically, it happens when the plot moves too slowly and I’m bored. I also don’t like reading books that have a lot of typos, though that’s thankfully rare.
What about you—what makes you DNF a book and how quickly do you do it?
The post What Makes You DNF a Book? appeared first on Romance Author Delaney Diamond | Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.
March 13, 2024
A Day In the Life of a Romance Author
Have you ever wondered what the typical day in the life of a romance author looks like? I plan to tell you in this blog post, where I’ll share my daily routine, as well as the routines of four other authors: Chiquita Dennie, Dionne Grace, Teir Marks, and Posey Parks.
Delaney DiamondHow long have you been published?
I was originally published by a small press in 2010, but I’ve been indie published since 2011.
On average, how many books do you write per year?
On average, I write four books a year. In a good year, I’ll write five.
What genres and/or subgenres do you write in?
I write contemporary romance and romantic suspense and black romance and interracial romance. Alpha a-holes, playboy heroes, and billionaire romance are among my favorite tropes to write.
What is a typical day like for you?
My work week is Monday through Friday, though I sometimes write on Saturdays. I try never to write on Sundays so I’ll have at least one day where I’m truly off.
During the work week, I have my alarm set for 7:30 each morning, but I’m usually awake before then unless I stayed up until some godawful hour. When I wake up, I don’t get up right away. I recently learned the Scots have a name for that, which is hurkle-durkle. It’s when a person lounges in bed after they should have gotten up, LOL. I use my hurkle-durkle time to think about what I have to do for the day.
Once I roll out of bed, I go through my morning routine and eat breakfast. If all goes well, by 9 am I’m in front of the computer and ready to start writing.
I write until 10:30, when I take a break to check email and scroll social media. The goal is to complete at least 1500 words, but that doesn’t always happen. If I don’t meet my goal, I take another shot after my email/social media break. If I complete my word count, I work on other tasks until it’s time to grab lunch.
I either cook my meals, heat up leftovers, or leave the house to grab a bite at one of my favorite spots. Lately, I’ve been loving Cava, and there’s a Mexican taqueria near me that makes the best tacos.
After lunch, I spend the rest of the day working on the same tasks, such as conducting research, administrative work, checking in with readers in the Readers Lounge, doing marketing, or bookkeeping. Certain tasks are assigned for specific days. For example, bookkeeping is done on Monday afternoons.
By 5:30 I’m ready to wrap up the day and cook dinner. While cooking dinner, I might listen to music or a writing podcast to catch up on publishing news.
Featured title: Handsome Devil, a billionaire marriage of convenience romance
Provide a link to 2 of your social media platforms.
Since this is my blog, only my social media links are below.
Chiquita DennieHow long have you been published?
I’ve been published for 7 years.
On average, how many books do you write per year?
I average about 9-10 with all my pen names.
What genres and/or subgenres do you write in?
Romance under 2 pen names and Thriller/Mystery/Crime fiction under another pen name.
What is a typical day like for you?
A typical day consists of me checking emails between 9-10am, working out between 11am-12:30pm, and around 2pm-5pm start writing. Then I schedule social media 6pm-8pm. Afterwards I catch up on my favorite TV shows and eat dinner.
Featured title: Cocky Catcher, a single dad sports billionaire romance
Provide your website address and a link to 2 of your social media platforms.
Website | Facebook | Goodreads
Dionne GraceHow long have you been published?
I have been published since 2016. I remember being lost and not sure how to wade through the process and you, Delaney Diamond, helped me to take that step into the publishing world. I will be forever grateful for your support and guidance, and have since published twenty-three books and I am currently on my twenty-fourth and hope to publish two further books this year.
On average, how many books do you write per year?
Two to three books a year. I would love to write more. I have so many stories in my head, but time restricts me as I work full-time. I often write at least three books simultaneously—something in life might pull me into different stories, so I write when it comes to me.
What genres and/or subgenres do you write in?
Contemporary Inspirational/Christian Romance, Romantic Suspense, Woman’s fiction, with a little comedy thrown in, as I like to write about the humorous side of life as well as the more serious aspects. My stories always have a happily ever after, but as with life, my characters go through a journey to get there.
My books are intentionally thought-provoking, and I love a good suspense, with a complicated villain. But also love writing sweet, heartfelt stories that inspire.
What is a typical day like for you?
I love to write, and also love to exercise. As both are my priority, I incorporate the two. I ride my stationary bike in the mornings, where I write, read, edit, design covers, and carry out some administration. (Smile)
My hats are multiple—writer, editor, marketer, public speaker, and many more. I find writing fulfilling, and it can also be a journey of self-discovery as I delve deep into my thoughts and emotions when I craft stories and characters. But working full-time leaves me with limited availability, therefore I maximize any free time I have.
Typically, I allocate two hours in the morning before work, and after spending time with my family post-work, I immerse myself in my role as an author for approximately five hours each evening, as well as during weekends. These periods afford me uninterrupted, concentrated writing sessions, especially when friends and family are asleep.
My characters are always on my mind, and I try to use the time during mundane tasks, such as housework, to thrash out scenes in my head, or while waiting in line at the grocery store. I even sometimes write on my phone.
I believe writing is not just a profession, but a calling. I have a desire to share stories and provoke thought, and hope that I make a meaningful impact on the world through my books.
Featured title: The Most Precious Gift, a marriage of convenience Christian romance
Provide your website address and a link to 2 of your social media platforms.
Teir MarksHow long have you been published?
I published my first book in 2013 but didn’t get serious about it until 2019, so I like to say five years.
On average, how many books do you write per year?
I write several books per year. But I typically release 2 to 3.
What genres and/or subgenres do you write in?
I primarily write Romance: African American, Multicultural, Billionaire, Mafia, Contemporary, Military, Menage/Reverse Harem, and LGBTQ+.
What is a typical day like for you?
My typical day starts with a cup of warm tea while I go over what I have planned to work on for the day. If it’s a writing day I write in four ninety minute sessions with half hour breaks between the first and second, and third and fourth. And an hour break between the second and third, but if I’m in the zone, I’ll continue to write. Admin day (Saturday) starts the same way. On that day I create media for the following week’s posts, novel plan, and make my to do list for the following week. Sunday and Monday are my off days unless I’m feeling particularly creative on those days.
Featured title: Salacious Desire, an interracial erotica
Provide your website address and a link to 2 of your social media platforms.
Posey ParksHow long have you been published?
Eight and a half years.
On average, how many books do you write per year?
Five to six.
What genres and/or subgenres do you write in?
Contemporary romance, billionaire romance, romantic suspense, mafia romance, dark romance, and interracial romance.
What is a typical day like for you?
My daily routine starts typically between four and five AM.
My writing session begins promptly between six and six-thirty AM, during which I listen to focused music for the backdrop ranging from binaural beats to a mix of music genres, including country, hip-hop, and R&B, or occasionally film scores such as those from ‘Mission Impossible’. The choice of music aligns with the scene I am writing or the level of concentration needed.
After a few hours of writing, I transition to administrative tasks which include checking emails, monitoring sales, and engaging with my audience through morning posts in my Facebook group and on my page while having breakfast. The latter part of the morning is spent developing my newsletter, which is released biweekly.
During this time, I also create promotional graphics for the book featured in that week’s sale. I also figure out what meal I’ll prepare for dinner.
Post-lunch, my focus shifts to content creation for Kindle Vellas, with new episodes scheduled for release three times a week. At some point during the day I create content for social media platforms, specifically TikTok and Instagram Reels. After I cook dinner and talk to my family, I relax in front of the TV, watching an episode of Supernatural or whichever show I’m binge watching at the time.
Featured title: Damaged Love, a dark romance
Provide your website address and a link to 2 of your social media platforms.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
ConclusionThere you have it! Five authors with five very different routines. There’s no “typical” day that can be attributed to all of us across the board. Our days are influenced by whether or not we have a full-time job, how many books we write per year, the days we work per week, and all the other tasks we juggle in addition to writing.
Check out these authors’ featured titles, visit their websites, and follow their social media handles.
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By the way, did any of our routines surprise you? Did you have additional questions you’d like to ask?
The post A Day In the Life of a Romance Author appeared first on Romance Author Delaney Diamond | Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.
March 11, 2024
Handsome Devil Book Blitz and $25 Giveaway!
Handsome Devil (Quicksand, book 7) is my latest release, and it’s an interracial marriage of convenience romance with a billionaire hero and wealthy socialite heroine. I wrote a post explaining my love for this trope, with the title Destination HEA: Why I Love the Marriage of Convenience Trope in Romance Novels. Be sure to check it out on the Read Your Writes blog.
I’m getting great feedback for Handsome Devil and couldn’t be happier to learn how much readers are enjoying Dante and Annabelle’s love story, aka “Danabelle.” You’ve told me how much you love Dante as a hero, but also enjoy reading the story of how he and Annabelle find their way back together.
Here’s some of the feedback I’ve received.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was so good I wanted more of the book.
Facebook comment
This was an awesome read!
Facebook comment
I read it in a few hours. Just that good. Well done again, Delaney!
Facebook comment
I love Dante Fuc****Escarra… What a man…”
Comment in the Readers Lounge
Xpresso Book Tours has organized a blitz for Handsome Devil, and one lucky winner will receive a $25 gift card. Thank you to all the participating bloggers and authors who’ll be posting about my book all week. I appreciate you!
Readers, enter the giveaway via the link or widget below. Best of luck to you!
Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251235701/
a Rafflecopter giveawayPurchase your copy of Handsome Devil
Signed copies | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Apple | BN
Kobo | Google Play | Add to Goodreads
To learn more about the other books in the Quicksand series, click here.
The post Handsome Devil Book Blitz and $25 Giveaway! appeared first on Romance Author Delaney Diamond | Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.
February 14, 2024
99 cents Romance Novels
These novels are 99 cents during the month of February. Already read them? Tell a friend!
Subordinate Position, a novel by Delaney DiamondThe Temptation of a Good Man (black romance)
Can true love be found after one night of passion? Celeste Burton goes out with her girlfriends to celebrate turning thirty and winds up spending an unforgettable night with the man of her dreams. One week later, as a favor, she attends a wedding with a friend as his date and is shocked when she sees Roarke again.
A Hard Man to Love (black romance)
Hating him is easy. Loving him is hard. Derrick Hoffman never quite got over not having a relationship with his biological father. The woman he was seeing is pregnant, and there’s no way he’s going to let her raise his child without him–even if it means coercing her into marriage.
Subordinate Position (interracial romance, a Valentine’s Day short story)
Danica Parker is attracted to a man at her firm: Marco Reyes—someone on her staff. When it comes to her career, she’s always made the right decisions. Rather than risk her heart and her career with a sexual harassment complaint, she plays it cool whenever the sexy Director of Finance is nearby. But Marco knows how to charm a woman.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
The post 99 cents Romance Novels appeared first on Romance Author Delaney Diamond | Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.
January 29, 2024
5 Interesting Facts About Houston, Texas
The setting for my next release, Handsome Devil (book 7 of the Quicksand series), is Houston, Texas. I visited the city a few years ago and had a great time with my uncle and cousins, dining out and sightseeing. But it was only for a few days.
After conducting research on this novel, I’m anxious to go back because I missed a lot. When doing research, there’s so much we learn that we can’t put into the book, but the following five interesting facts about Houston are included in the story.
Diverse Food SceneI was surprised to learn that Houstonians eat out more than any other city in the country. (I was certain that honor belonged to Atlanta.)
Any cuisine you crave, you can find it in Houston. That’s because there are more than 10,000 restaurants in the city, and they offer a variety of foods. Good pho is easy to find because Houston is home to the second largest Vietnamese population in the country. Tex-Mex cuisine is also popular, and of course, great barbecue.
Diverse PopulationThere are more than 2.3 million people in Houston, making it the fourth most populated city in the United States behind New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Houstonians are a diverse group, with twenty-five percent of the population originating from outside the United States! Dante, the hero, is one of those people, who moved to the United States from Venezuela.
River Oaks AreaThe residential community of River Oaks was built for middle-class families, but instead became an enclave for wealthy businessmen and celebrities. It’s filled with multi-million-dollar homes and includes an exclusive country club.
When Annabelle and Dante married the first time, he was nowhere near as wealthy as he is now. Now Dante has a home in River Oaks, which Annabelle moves in to when they remarry. That means their neighbors include Megan Thee Stallion (rapper), Joel Osteen (pastor), and 50 Cent (rapper, actor).
JP Morgan Chase TowerAs of this writing, the tallest building in Houston is the JP Morgan Chase Tower, which also happens to be the 29th largest building in the U.S. In the novel, I took some creative license and made the largest building the Hilderbrandt Plaza. Dante wants to own this iconic building, and he agreed to marry Annabelle because she can get him access to the man who owns it.
The Museum DistrictHouston’s Museum District is a major draw for the city. Its 20 museums attract 8 million visitors per year! In the story, Dante and Annabelle take some time off from hating each other and visit a museum in the district, where they—surprise, surprise—enjoy each other and connect on a deeper level.
You’ll learn more about Houston and the couple in Handsome Devil, which releases on February 29th. The pre-release price is $3.99. Regular price $4.99, so preorder your copy to receive 20% off (On Barnes & Noble, use coupon code BNP2024 to get the discount).
Buy links
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | B&N | Apple | Kobo | Google Play
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Have you ever been to Houston? What was your favorite part of the trip?
The post 5 Interesting Facts About Houston, Texas appeared first on Romance Author Delaney Diamond | Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.
January 18, 2024
Reader’s Choice: Pick the Perfect Epilogue for Handsome Devil
I don’t always write epilogues for my novels, but as I’m wrapping up Handsome Devil (Quicksand, book 7), I feel as if an epilogue would be perfect—placing a pretty ribbon at the end of the story. I have two ideas, and I want you to help me decide which one to choose.
First ChoiceMy first choice is to have an epilogue where Dante and Annabelle celebrate their one-year anniversary. The reason for this is because they’re supposed to stay married for a year as part of their marriage of convenience/fake relationship. However, the story ends before the one-year mark, and I thought showing them celebrating their marriage instead of ending it would be a nice contrast.
Second ChoiceMy second choice is to show them several years in the future, with a couple of kids. This way you’ll read something cute and maybe even funny, which is a contrast to the intensity of the story and what they went through to get to this point.
Decisions, DecisionsSo, which would you prefer? Celebrating their one-year anniversary or showing domestic life with kids? Use the poll to answer, and feel free to leave additional thoughts in the comments.
Loading…** Pre-order Handsome Devil at this link **
(use coupon BNP2024 on B&N to receive the same pre-release discounted price as the other retailers)
The post Reader’s Choice: Pick the Perfect Epilogue for Handsome Devil appeared first on Romance Author Delaney Diamond | Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.
January 15, 2024
Latin Men Series Tour and Giveaway!
The Latin Men series is on tour with Silver Dagger Book Tours, and there’s a $20 gift card up for grabs! Stop by for insights into the stories, Q&A, and to enter the giveaway.
I decided to keep the Latin Men series in Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited a little longer, but if you want to purchase the books, they’re all $2.99 or less (down from $1.99 to $4.99).
A big thank you to all the bloggers sharing the series this week!
Jan 15
Word Processor, Romance, Cats, Kids and Creed
Jan 16
Jan 17
Jan 18
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree
Books all things paranormal and romance
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin’
Jan 19
Jan 20
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
Jan 21
Book Bites….with a side of coffee
Jan 22
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