Julie Coulter Bellon's Blog, page 14

Got Any Summer Travel Plans?

Don't these pictures look like postcards? My daughter is in Tanzania right now and it looks absolutely amazing! I would love to go there someday myself or set a story there. Do you have any fun trips planned this summer?

My Newest Magazine Review is Out!

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Have you read my newest review in Meridian Magazine? I highlighted two books, Along a Breton Shore, and How to Kiss Your Enemy. You won't want to miss either of these stories!
Along a Breton Shore by Arlem Hawks is an epic tale of the French revolution that will sweep you into the lives of those who lived and fought in that time period. The author includes a glossary of French and Breton terms as well as historical notes. The thoroughness of the author’s research makes every scene rich in detail and really fleshes out the story and the setting. Maxence Etienne is fighting for the Republique, but fighting for the cause hasn’t gone exactly as planned. He moves forward with his assignments, but when he is asked to execute a young woman named Armelle, he instead lets her go free and finds himself imprisoned. Armelle risks everything to help him escape and they begin a journey of self-discovery as they try to find a place of safety with friends and family. As danger surrounds them at every turn, tentative friendship turns to feelings of love as they do what they must to survive. But when they finally reach their destination, will they be able to stay together? Or will the war and forces beyond their control keep them apart?



And in How to Kiss Your Enemy two chefs who have an old rivalry from when they were in culinary school are suddenly working together again. Lennox has had to work hard and he is now the chef of his own restaurant. Tatum is the daughter of renowned chef Christopher Elliot and it seems like she’s been handed every opportunity for her entire life. Lennox isn’t sure why she’s leaving her fancy French restaurant in LA to come and work for his family, but he’s sure that it’s going to complicate his life—and it does. Their competitive spirits flare up immediately and sparks are flying. But underneath the animosity, there is a thread of something more and when that starts to unravel, things really heat up.

Do you want to know more about what I thought of these two books? You can read my full review HERE

JJ McKenzie's New Book is Out!

I don't know how I missed this, but JJ McKenzie's new book, The Naming of the Queen is already out!

And the first one, The Queen with No Name is just .99 cents today! (But this is the last day you can get the deal). You should definitely read this series in order, so grab that first book! 

I really loved The Queen with No Name. It's so engrossing and gritty and romantic and takes you on this amazing journey that will make you want to go back and read it again the second you've turned the last page. I can't wait to start the second book in the series!

Here's the back copy for The Queen with No Name:

She was born to be a queen, yet she’s nothing more than a political pawn. With no name and no place to call her own, she’s doing her best to hold on to the only thing that belongs to her and her alone—her soul. A difficult task, given that she was kept alive for the sole purpose of being given to the formidable King Rowan of Northrend to fulfill the treaty signed by the three kingdoms of Greatland long before she was born. She must bear his heirs in the hopes of keeping the delicate peace that continually lies on the precipice of collapse. What she doesn’t know is that she’s not just the key to peace—she’s the key to war.

King Rowan’s entire life has been spent protecting his beloved kingdom and people. All he wishes for is an unassuming wife to bear his heirs and leave him unaffected. But the princess with no name haunts him with her beauty and unyielding spirit. Torn between breaking her and loving her, he puts his kingdom at risk each passing day he goes without a legitimate heir.

But there are more than hearts and souls on the line; danger lurks around every corner. Threats from within and without Northrend make it difficult to know who they can trust. The paramount question is, can they trust each other? Will the king finally name his queen, or will she tear his world apart? Her name comes with a price. Who will pay it?

Get your sale copy HERE

Here's the back copy for The Naming of the Queen:

What is the cost of a name? Everything.

The princess always knew her name would come with a price, but she never knew how steep the cost would be. Falsely accused of killing her husband’s family, she’s on the run with the father she never knew. With help from him and a band of outcasts, she’s learning just how much she might have to pay, not only to save herself but all of Greatland. It’s up to her to learn who she truly is and restore the ways of the Ancestors. Yet what her heart yearns for most is to be reunited with the man she must speak her name to first—Rowan, king of Northrend.

Rowan vowed no woman would ever own the heart of the king of Northrend again. But the woman with no name captured not only his heart but his soul. And despite the crimes she’s been accused of, he’s having a hard time believing he was wrong about her. Yet with the balance of Northrend and Greatland in his hands, he has a choice to make—choose the woman he loves, or save his kingdom from going to war.

It is a dangerous game they play. One where it’s hard to know who is a friend and who is a foe. But if they wish to win, the lovers must reunite and help their people choose love and freedom before a shadow overcomes the land. The people must name their queen before it’s too late.

My First Experience with AI

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So, AI is a big topic of conversations among writers these days, and I came across an AI back copy generator. How it works is, I put in my current back copy and then AI produces their version of it. Here are my results:

My current back copy for The Captive:

Former Navy SEAL Jake Williams is the newly appointed head of a task force assigned to rescue a kidnapped American diplomat. Their only hope is Mya Amari, the daughter of a notorious Algerian hostage negotiator, but she is full of secrets and complications---something Jake takes as a personal challenge. As they grow closer, the threat to the mission escalates and time runs out for the hostages. Can Jake unravel the web of deception to save them all without getting caught in the crossfire?

Mya Amari has been in hiding nearly her entire life to escape her father' s enemies. But when her sister is kidnapped along with an American diplomat, she'll do anything to bring her home---including walking into the enemy's lair. She doesn't trust anyone, especially the too-handsome-for-his-own-good Commander Williams, but when all her careful plans explode out of control, he's the only one she can turn to with the truth about her family. Is it too little, too late?

The AI back copy for The Captive:

When the daughter of a notorious Algerian hostage negotiator is recruited by a former Navy SEAL to save an American diplomat from the clutches of a powerful enemy, she must face her deepest fears in order to protect her family. But when all her careful plans begin to unravel, can she trust the stranger in her life to help her?

In this thrilling romance, Mya Amari and Jake Williams must confront their conflicting loyalties as they battle against time and the forces of evil to save the hostages. If you enjoyed the edge-of-your-seat tension of books like The Bodyguard by Chris Bradford, then you'll be sure to love Former Navy SEAL Jake Williams and the stakes of his mission in this book. Buy now before the price changes!

So, the AI one isn't bad, but it doesn't really capture the story. I like the action words and overall suspense feel, but the call to action at the end was a surprise. I've never heard of Chris Bradford's book and don't know if it would compare to mine. And the buy now line seems cringe-y to me. (That could just be me, though.) 
As someone who has written back copy for authors professionally, I think I'll stick with human-generated back copy. But it is going to be interesting to see how much AI affects authors in the future and the potential for what it can do.
What's your opinion of AI?

SEAL Team Commentary

As most of you know, I've been a fan of SEAL Team. Just for fun, a Twitter friend of mine Jasz and I have been doing commentary of some of our favorite episodes. We're doing one tonight at 7:00 p.m. MT and if you want to listen in and hear our thoughts (and a bit of rambling) you can find us HERE 

It's just silly and fun and mostly for Jason and Mandy fans (since I ship them.) I went back and read some of the one shot fanfics I've posted here for them. They weren't too bad! You can see my one shot for their first kiss HERE and when Mandy was captured HERE

Do you have a TV couple you "ship?"

National Donut Day

 

Today is National Donut Day! Hooray! My favorite donut is chocolate iced with cream in the middle. What's yours?

Free Historical Suspense Today!

 

If you need a new book to read this weekend, Mimi Matthews' swoony historical romance, The Work of Art, that features a marriage of convenience and a mystery to solve, is free today! I really enjoyed this one.
Get your free copy HERE 
Here's the back copy:
An Uncommon Beauty…

Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it’s caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland—a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the duke’s clutches, she’s going to need a little help.

An Unlikely Hero…

Captain Arthur Heywood’s days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.

Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her—and her heart—in more danger than ever?

What Are You Reading Wednesday?

 I can't believe that tomorrow is June 1st! Where is this year going?

One thing I am excited about, however, is all the new books that are coming out. There are so many good ones!

I'm currently reading, Along a Breton Shore by Arlem Hawks. It's so well-researched and the history is woven in seamlessly. I've loved learning more about the French Revolution and how it affected everyone from peasants to royalty. Things were just getting good with Maxence and Armelle when I had to go and do mom stuff, so I can't wait to get back to it!

Here's the back copy:

A soldier and a young woman, on opposite sides of the revolution, must run for their lives across a war-torn France in this gripping novel of friendship, love, and survival.

France, 1794

Maxence Étienne, a soldier for the République, believes fiercely in the revolution that is bringing liberty to France. But even though the monarchy has fallen and Maxence is part of a great cause, he is still searching for a place to belong.

Armelle Bernard is a young woman from Breton whose father was sentenced to death for hiding counterrevolutionaries. She decides to confront the priest who betrayed her father, and as the conflict escalates, she herself is ordered to be executed―an order to be carried out by Maxence.

Maxence has seen his share of violence and bloodshed, but he also carries a tragic secret and can’t bring himself to carry out his assignment. In allowing Armelle to escape, he is forced to combat a fellow soldier, who dies in the struggle.

Though Armelle and Maxence are strangers and on opposite sides of the revolution, they find themselves united as fugitives of the new republic. Now they must find a way to trust each other as they search for a path to peace, and to freedom.

What are you reading this week? 

Free Military Romance TODAY ONLY!

I have been so honored to have come in contact with military men and women who have helped me research my books to make them as authentic as possible. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. To honor that, Second Look is FREE today only! (And this one was a Swoony award winner for Best Military Romance!)
Get your e-copy HERE
Here's the back copy: 
**Whitney Award Finalist for Best Suspense**

**Swoony Award Winner for Best Military Romance**
With a large-scale terrorist attack imminent, can Nate trust the woman he wants by his side or should he turn her in as a traitor?

When the most wanted terrorist in the world escapes from a high security prison, Nate Hughes is part of the task force sent to recapture him. During the mission, he meets Abby, a fellow investigator that seems to have it all together. He's drawn to her and hopes they can join forces, but when her past is revealed, loyalties are called into question. Could she have turned against the country she once held dear?

The CIA wants her captured and interrogated, but with a terrorist attack imminent, Abby may be the only person in a position to help them stop it. Nate must make a choice to either trust her or turn her in---but the wrong decision would clear the path for the largest attack on freedom the world has ever seen.

And time is running out.

**All books in the Griffin Force series can be read stand-alone**

Memorial Day

"We don't know them all, but we owe them all." 
Memorial Day is such a tender day for so many who have lost loved ones. As a military romance writer, I've met so many men and women who have served our country and lost friends and loved ones to war. It is sobering to think about. I'm so grateful for their sacrifice. Those who gave all should always be honored and will never be forgotten!