K. Victoria Chase's Blog, page 14

GUEST AUTHOR JUDI PHILLIPS

I love featuring guest authors on this blog. It is a chance to introduce readers to a new(as in new to you) voice. Today, I'd like you to meet romance author, Judi Phillips.



Hello, Judi! Welcome!!



First off, thanks for inviting me to your blog.  It's great to be here.







What inspires your
writing?  It can be almost
anything.  A conversation with a
friend or a conversation overheard. 
A story in the news.  A call
for submission from one of my publishers or others.  A subject I'm interested in.    And
characters in one book that want their own story.  My mind is a fertile playground.




Can you briefly tell
us your journey to publication? 
Briefly?  Well, let's
see.  I sent out a multitude of
submissions (and have the rejection file to prove it).  Met with agents and editors at
conferences--all nice people but more rejections.  Then I heard rumors about small presses and e-books.  I submitted to one e-press, then heard
rumblings of problems and was able to pull the book before I got caught in a
bad situation.  Submitted to
another place and they accepted my book. 
I published two books with that publisher and was happy enough, but
after several years, sales were slow. 
I got the rights back and will probably self-publish them after
revisions.  On one of my e-mail
loops, I heard about The Wild Rose Press, submitted to them and accepted a
contract.  Then, Whispers
Publishing put out a call for submission for a seriously hot broken New Year's
Resolution, wrote a very short novella in a very short time, and Pepper
Goodrich was born and accepted a contract with them.  The rest is history. 





Congratulations!!! I love sale stories. What is your
favorite/worst part of the writing/publishing process?  Promotion.  I am a semi-introverted writer not a sales person.  I struggle with waving my hand, saying
look at me, buy my book.  But it's
part of the biz of writing, no matter who you're published with.




What has been your
most memorable experience as a published author?  Winning first place in the New England Chapter's Bean Pot
Contest in 2011 for Ghost of a Chance. 
It was a real thrill to accept the little bean pot in person.  It has a place of honor in my little awards
corner.




So tell us a little
about your book. What prompted this story?  On of those infamous calls for submission from my
publisher.  They were looking for
stories to celebrate Culinarians Day--July 25th.  I saw that and was intrigued.  My first thought was a humorous story
about cooking disasters.  So I
dreamed up a story involving a made-up niece and my real great-grandfather.




What is your favorite
book/television show? Do either of these mediums influence your writing? How?  Right now I have a couple of fav TV
shows, Newsroom--new on HBO, and Political Animals, new on USA.  To hook me, a show has to have
characters I like (even if I hate one them).  I like to see how characters develop during a season.  I try to study the dialogue, but that's
hard if I'm really into the show.




What advice would you
give aspiring authors?  Most
important is to get into the habit of writing--every day if possible.  Even if you only knock out a hundred
words, that's 100 more than you had when you sat down.  And putting--and keeping--your butt in
the chair is the hardest part of all. 
There's always something more interesting, easier, more urgent to do.




Where can readers
find you?  I am all over the
place.  

Website http://www.judiphillips.com/  

Pepper hangs out at http://peppergoodrich.com/   

Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/judi.phillips.50  

Twitter http://twitter.com/judiphil 

Blog  http://sugarspice-judi.blogspot.com/




Blurb






When things start to go wrong the opening day of Dakota
Bucklin's new cafe in her bed and breakfast, she accepts help from her best
friend, a man she has started to see in a light that is anything but just
friendly.




Will Graham books a room at the bed and breakfast to get
closer to the woman he loves.  When
unexplained cooking disasters leaves Dakota in a heap, Will is there to pick
her up and reveal his true feelings.




Links

Amazon

Publisher






Anything you like to
ask readers of this post?  What
makes you want to pick up a book? 
That grabs your attention first? 
The cover?  The blurb on the
back?  The first page?  The end?  Yes, I know someone who reads the last page before she buys.  So what tweaks your interest?




Thank you for visiting, Judi! Best wishes on your writing career!!

50 SHADES OF CHRISTIANS: A TALE FROM AN AGENT PITCH SESSION

If you've been following my blog, you have undoubtedly read about my frustration with the Christian market and what it is NOT selling. Multicultural, interracial, different shades... This fact was confirmed in a pitch session I had with an agent at the RWA conference this past Saturday. One agent graciously asked for a partial saying the market is wide open for clean/Christian interracial fiction (thank you for your optimism!), and the other... the other told me flat out: it won't sell.



The downer agent relayed a story about an author a few years ago, who produced interracial fiction (the agent praised this author's writing) and it BOMBED. I wish I wrote the author's name down, but hindsight... Anyway, I told the agent that I was indeed frustrated by the lack various shades in the Christian market and the agent asked quite bluntly, why was I then pitching this project to her. I responded with equal frankness, "I want to see my cover on the shelves in bookstores." I want to be able to walk into a Lifeway and see some variety...50 Shades (not of Gray). She said contact her when I've sold 6,000 copies of my ebooks. "That will prove to the CBA that there is a market for it because right now, they don't believe there is one."



There is a market for erotic/erotica and a market for sweet romance. There is a demand for secular/mainstream and a demand for Christian romance. There is a market for interracial erotica and there is...um...not a market for clean and/or Christian interracial romance???



This article, dated in 1997(15 years ago...15!!!), talks about how Christian romance is on the rise (the start of Love Inspired). One African American woman was quoted as saying, "I would like to see a black Christian romance novel based on the same Christian point of view. And also from a Hispanic (point-of-view) you know, different backgrounds, because we're all born in Christ." Her race was singled out compared to the other interviewees who--I think it's safe to say--weren't black. I've heard the CBA is years behind the mainstream in picking up trends so to you ma'am, what you want still isn't happening.



There may not even be 6,000 interracial Christian couples. Who knows. My stories (all but one) have nothing to do with race, they just feature A DIFFERENT SHADE of humans. There is not a market for that in Christian fiction. Oh, well. God's paintbrush just won't impact the Christian fiction shelves anytime soon. By the time clean interracial fiction makes a splash (it will! a tiny one if I'm the only one writing it), black people and any other shade will be out the CBA will have missed that boat, if it ever wanted to get on it in the first place. Guess that means that black Amish story I planned to write would be DOA... I'm still going to write it, haha.



All throughout my sessions at the RWA conference, I was told to write the book you want to read, regardless of what anyone else says. Haven't we all heard the stories of that person who sold a book or landed an agent when they were told their work wouldn't sell? Well, I'm in that predicament. Thank goodness for epublishers (and self-publishing)! They aren't restricted by industry standards and love different shades--and as I'm discovering, so do you readers!!!



So, if you liked my story, please tell a friend! I'd be forever grateful. Word of mouth is still the best marketing tool. There are other shades of Christians out there and we can ALL relate to a good story about the trials and tribulations we ALL face, regardless of our shade.

COVER REVEALED!!!

The cover of my new book is here!









Blurb:






The last time Detective Genie Green let a man humiliate her was her college sweetheart—never again. Yet, when former high school lothario Rafael Santiago returns to town as the consulting detective on her case, Genie’s rule of never allowing another man to best her is challenged. Can she trust him long enough to solve this case and get the glory?




Rafa can’t seem to outrun his delinquent past. When The Snakes, a criminal organization he used to belong too, begin murdering people from his hometown, he has a chance to right some of his past wrongs. Will arresting the murderers be enough to redeem him, or will a certain beautiful detective pay the ultimate price instead?




An interracial Christian romantic suspense.




Release Date: August 7, 2012.

RWA DAY ONE

The first day was a pleasant experience. After a continental breakfast, the sessions got underway. My first class was 'Deep POV.' We studied how describing emotions instead of naming them and how reworking cliches to match the personality of your character can aid in "cultivating the intimacy of first person with the flexibility of third person." Essentially, deep POV is the ultimate show vs. tell.



Next, 'From Sweet to Scorching' introduced me to the twelve steps of intimacy. Going through each step starting from the least intimate (eye to body) to the most (genital to genital) can increase the intimacy of your characters. The longer you flesh out a step, the higher the sexual tension. I loved this class. The panel of authors ranged from Inspirational to Erotic. Now I have to return to my current WIPs to see if I've missed a step--which could make the intimacy unbelievable, depending on your genre.



'Creating Essential Backstory' was a refresher for me. An author should weave personality throughout the story--which is shaped by a character's backstory. Knowing the most significant events that impacted a character's life will dictate how they respond (emotionally and physically) in their present (the book) circumstances.



'Dialogue: It's More Than What You Say' was my last session. The presenter defined the difference between a tag (what is said), an action tag (what the speaker is doing before the speech), and an emotional tag (how the character is feeling). Placement of tags, or lack thereof, can impact how a reader interprets the scene (reading out loud helps). Tags must be personalized to the character.





Lastly, standing in the middle of the open area just waiting for me, was international cover model Jimmy Thomas. He's the man on my next cover!!!! I walked right up to him and started a conversation. Well, basically, I told him he needs to do more romance-themed covers with black women ('cause seriously, I need clean covers!). He says he is on it, but even in LA, he can't find "beautiful black woman"--models who aren't overweight with bad skin (too much touch-up required). Um, I'm standing right in front of you Jimmy; I'd be happy to make room in my schedule for a photo shoot. ;-) He was very gracious, and handsome too. I can't wait to show you my new cover!



Until tomorrow!

RWA CONFERENCE

Where am I this week? I'm in Anaheim, CA for the Romance Writers of America annual writer's conference. I've scheduled more than a dozen workshops in craft, publishing, research, and career. As I did last year with the ACFW conference, I'll be blogging tips and tidbits so you at home can still 'experience' the conference and stay current with trends in writing and publishing. If you're here with me, let's meet up!

GUEST AUTHOR: RITA GERLACH - CHAPTER SAMPLE AND GIVEAWAY!!!!!

THE REBEL'S PLEDGE
~ AN INSPIRATIONAL COLONIAL ROMANCE, By Rita Gerlach




Hello All!



I am honored to be a guest today and to send a heartfelt
thanks to my hostess. I’m happy to announce the release of my inspirational
historical romance The Rebel's Pledge
in a new and refreshing revised version.  It was first published back in 2001. I’ve been busy writing
other novels, so it lay dormant for seven years after it went out of print.
Amazon is providing a wonderful avenue for authors to bring out their backlist
titles to readers. I will have another book (a two-in-one collection) coming
out in the future from my backlist, along with the books in The Daughters of the Potomac Series
published by Abingdon Press.

Synopsis

He was a rebel to King James, hunted down, captured, and
enslaved in Colonial Maryland. Haunted by war and wrestling with a troubled
past, Matthew Hale pledges to protect the daughter of his former owner and
bring her from England to her father's plantation along the Chesapeake, an
undertaking that challenges the depth of his courage, and the strength of his
faith.

Lara Carey will only wed for love, having kept the story of
her parents' unwavering devotion for each other in her heart. When she learns
her guardian has promised her in marriage to a rich English lord in order to
save the ancestral home, her hopes unravel, until she meets the heroic stranger
that rescued her from the hands of a highwayman.

Comments

Once again, Rita's use
of imagery (which is second to none) drew me in to another place and time, and
her exciting storyline held me there! I loved the main characters, the exciting
twists and turns, and oh, the romance! With a satisfying conclusion, this book
is a page-turner that will keep you burning the proverbial midnight oil! ~ Diana
Flowers, book reviewer

This has to be one of
the best books I have read in a long time. Gerlach is a talented writer and
uses words to dry good effect. This ability to write draws you in to the story
and the lives of the characters. I could picture them perfectly and loved them
and hated them in turns. The suspense part of the book is handled well and I
was breathless with the twists and turns. I cannot recommend this book more
highly. It is the best money you will ever spend. ~ Wendy Jones, UK avid
reader




Our hero - Matthew Hale









                   Our heroine - Lara Carey Hale








































CHAPTER 1

In the year of our
Lord, 1687

Matthew Hale listened to the wind howl outside his prison cell and tugged
at his tattered doublet in an effort to keep the damp off his body. His heart
struggled to find warmth but could not, nor could he find rest as he drew his
legs up against his chest and closed his eyes.

In the aftermath of the Battle of Sedgemoor, and a trial before the Lord
Chief Justice and four other judges, a sentence passed that he and one hundred
and forty men were to hang outside Taunton Castle, their bodies displayed
throughout the country to quell any further insurrection.

He languished in a chamber with twenty other sullen confederates who had
taken up arms against King James and his two-faced government. Rye straw
covered the floor, molded and poisoned the air. Hunger gripped his empty
stomach. Yet, he spewed from his mouth a meager portion of weevil-infested
bread when his tongue tasted its rancid bitterness.

Cold gray minutes dragged on, and his jaw tightened along with his fists.
He was to hang. The rope biting into his flesh, the kick of the hangman’s boot,
the stool shooting out from under his feet, the drop hopefully to a quick end,
made his blood congeal to ice and fear prickle over his skin.

He moved
into a corner, beyond the heavy oak door, where he could sit shrouded in
darkness among the condemned. A gibbous moon climbed the night sky and sprayed
the cell with ocher light.

He bowed his
head, and under his breath he murmured, “This may be the last moon my eyes
behold. God, give me courage to face my end.”

He trembled at the sound of cartwheels grinding over the cobblestone
courtyard. Dread crawled up his spine, spread into his flesh. The heavy sighs
and irksome moans of his fellow prisoners caused him to cover his ears. If only
he could block out these sounds of sorrow.

The man
beside him spoke in a lowered voice, placing his hand on Hale’s shoulder. “Be
brave, my friend.”

Hale clenched his teeth. “I am too young to die...foolish to have
followed a cause.”

“Aye, all of us were. A man should grow old and pass on in his own bed,”
the man said. “Not young and at the end of a rope.”

Regretting his choices, Hale rose with the others and tried to swallow
the anxiety mounting in his chest. Crossing the straw-laden floor he approached
the barred window.

Below horse-drawn carts waited to carry away the dross of England, the
human spectacles to entertain crowds, dead bodies for the autonomists.

“Get along, you dogs.” A guard shoved men forward. “Time to take a ride to
Tyburn to meet the Lord of the Manor.”

Hale heard the phrase before and knew it meant a meeting with the
hangman. How it gripped him in its talons, this fear, this terror of a rope
around his throat, scoring his flesh, strangling him. Once his neck broke and
he was pronounced dead, they would either throw his body into an unmarked grave
or sell it. He would no longer be looked upon as a man, but a thing to study
and dissect...a shell and nothing more.

He’d be forgotten…forever.

“I saw hangings at Tyburn once,” a man beside him said. “The crowd
heckled and cried good dyin’. Think they’ll do the same for we rebels?”

Hale made no reply. Instead, he recalled the time he stood in the crowd
as a lad, how his stomach heaved, while his father’s hand pressed hard on his
shoulder and warned him to walk the straight and narrow.

When the last soul climbed into the cramped cart and rolled off, Hale
turned back to his corner. He sank into the straw and clenched his hands
together blind with the thought of death. His body shivered and he tore at his
chains. He begged for courage until all strength emptied out of him.

A man thin as a reed, his bony shoulders hutched over, moved beside him.
“We must try to go bravely with our eyes toward Heaven. Have courage.”

“I will die hard. They will not take me as easily as some,” he replied,
his throat raw with thirst.

The man lifted his eyes to the window. “Let the sighing of the prisoner
come before Thee. According to the greatness of Thy power preserve Thou those
that are appointed to die.”

Another prisoner moved closer, his eyes
huge with fright, eyes too young to pass into eternity. “How long will we hang
there?” he asked, his voice trembling.

“I do not know, lad,” the older man answered. “Perhaps a short time.”

“Quick if your neck breaks,” said another nearby.

 The jingle of keys and the
shrill scrap of rusty hinges broke the silence falling between them. The door
swung wide and in stepped the jailer, a man who looked as dirty and tattered as
the prisoners. 

“Stand for
His Majesty’s messenger.” With his boot, the jailer kicked one of the
prisoners, then another, until the men stood. Shadowed behind the keeper, the
bearer of royal news stepped forward and unrolled a parchment.

“Hear ye, all. His Majesty, King James, is merciful to command all
prisoners be sold in the Colonies to serve a sentence of seven years hard
labor. Be grateful to your King for he has spared your lives. Honor him with
the reverence due him, and all should go well with you.”

Relief he had escaped the hangman’s noose, Hale glanced at the men around
him and wondered how many would survive the long voyage. Would he? How many
days, years, could they work in the hot sun and in the chill of winter in the
Colonies?

His Majesty’s
messenger stared at the prisoners, rolled up the parchment. Holding a
handkerchief to his nose, he turned with a grunt and went out into the gloomy
corridor.

Sobered by
the proclamation, and all it meant for him...release, escape, or misery...Hale
lowered his head between his shackled hands and wept.




Buy Links






Kindle 2.99:   http://tinyurl.com/73dzd8g

Paperback:
$12.95 http://tinyurl.com/6w5wzu6




Reach Rita








Website: http://ritagerlach.blogspot.com 

Blog:
InSpire:  http://inspire-writer.blogspot.com

















GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!


Leave a comment below and you may just be the winner of a FREE kindle copy of The Rebel's Pledge . EACH person who wants one, will receive a FREE bookmark. Just leave your email address in the comment box below indicating you want the ebook and/or the bookmark and we'll be in touch!

SOCIAL MEDIA = NO SALES

As a newbie author navigating the waters of publishing, I'm often overwhelmed by the amount of work that goes in to reaching the masses. I peruse writer's and resource blogs and 99% of them say the same thing: to find readers and grow your followers, you need to utilize social media.



What is social media? 



Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo Groups, LinkedIn, etc.. Any site that connects you with other people, ie: potential readers.



This week, however, I've come across two people who say otherwise.



Rob Eager, of Wildfire Marketing, firmly believes that the only thing that matters in marketing is money.



"... the social media gurus will tell you that the future of business is all about how many Twitter followers, Facebook likes, or LinkedIn connections you can acquire. Those are the real numbers that we’re supposed to idolize. Whoever has the most followers, likers, or stalkers apparently wins the game. I guess that’s true if you’re in a popularity contest. But, what if you’re just trying to pay your mortgage? Does the bank accept Twitter followers as payment?"




"A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll that four out of five Facebook users have never bought a product or service as a result of advertising or comments on the social network site." (Reason why I haven't bought a Facebook ad)




"That’s why the primary marketing number any author should focus on is the bottom line. You can’t write more books without tangible book sales. You can’t grow your career without netting a profit."



Rob boasts he's at the helm of a six-figure business with less than 300 Twitter followers and no Facebook page. Impressive. He goes on to say that creating spin-off projects, charging more for your work, and doing speaking engagements is what will help that 'bottom line.'




Another successful writer and blogger, J.A. Konrath, also claims when it comes to selling his, well, bestselling novels, he doesn't bother with the following: 




1. Advertising: "It doesn't work on me, so I don't use it on other people. That's a cardinal rule of mine."




2. Social Media: "Occasional tweets of Facebook announcements are fine. At most, once a week. Maybe once a day if you have a new release, but end it after a few days. Otherwise people get sick of you." 




3. Publicity:"I've already blogged that getting my name in the press doesn't lead to sales." 




4. Spamming:"I have a newsletter, and use it a few times a year. I don't use it every time I upload something new to Kindle. And I don't pimp my work on other peoples' blog or forums unless invited to do so, or there's a section for it."




I've considered my own advertising and blogging efforts. My book, Serial Games , was released in March. In May, I had a massive slump in sales. It was pathetic. I had an ad in a fairly well-known Christian e-publication and since my measly sales were scattered across the month, and the ad was released earlier in the month, I can't really claim those sales were the direct result of said ad. I guess you can say the opposite is also true, but typically, people see a bump in sales around the time an ad is released--or they don't. I didn't.





Blogging. The rule is to follow as many blogs as you can and comment on all of them so to start a conversation and get your name out there. Does this really work? I currently follow 84 blogs and visit a number of random ones. I've read of people following well into the hundreds. Who has time to read all those pages--especially if they post everyday or three times a week--let alone comment on all of them? I'll have no time for writing, I guarantee you that (more about this on a future post). I hope you haven't tuned out and unfollowed me, haha. I try my best to get to these blogs, and although I may not comment all the time, I do scroll through my reading list to see what people are posting and I do visit other blogs where I am uplifted and educated. Kudos!



But does blogging translate into sales? I know a few of my followers have graciously obtained my book either through buying it or winning it during a giveaway. Thank you!! However, looking at the number of actual followers and adding those who don't follow but have commented, unless each of you is buying my book multiple times the math doesn't add up--assuming each of you has my book, and honestly, I can't assume that.




And if you add my 866 Twitter followers... Well, I haven't sold 866 copies of my book so Twitter might not be of any help. Although, I have downloaded several books from tweets I've seen, I've learned--in several areas of this venture--the term 'reciprocity' isn't in everyone's dictionary so just be happy you've helped someone and move on. I have tweeted my book and have had others retweet me, plus, I've retweeted a ton of other people's tweets, yet, I've failed to see where this has help boost sales.




I have close to 200 Facebook author page followers. Most obtained through a 'authors helping authors' site which I suppose helps in web visibility if nothing else. 




Where am I getting these readers if my social media efforts (and they aren't massive, I assure you) aren't working? Thankfully, I've met a few new people who have downloaded my book and enjoyed it. Without being on various social media sites, I doubt I would have gained those readers, or those great reviews. Despite those few sales, Eager and Konrath say social media isn't where you find readers.




How much time do you spend socializing on the internet? If you're a writer, has social media helped your sales, or has it just carved away a chunk of writing time?

BOOK BLOG TOUR: COMPLETELY WHOLE

I'm pleased to host inspirational author, Paulette Harper! Her book, Completely Whole , challenges and inspires women to grow in their faith and relationship with God, and to experience the blessings of His care and direction.




Why the title
Completely Whole?

 


Actually, in the middle of
completing my first book, this book came to mind. I had gone through a bad
ordeal, which left me broken and scared. 
In order for me to write about becoming whole, I had to experience it
myself.  There were areas in my own
life that I needed to confront and deal with. Those areas that hindered me from
moving forward needed to be addressed. Once God began to point out those areas
and I accepted where I was spiritually, the healing and restoration began.  The process of becoming Completely
Whole is continual for any believer desiring to live, walks, and pursue a life
on purpose.







Why did you
feel this book needed to be written?




I
believe every reader might have something in their lives that continues to
either be a reoccurring issue or an area in their lives that they are lacking
or feel they have not conquered. 
To be whole according to Webster is to be “free from injury or wound; to
be healed and to be physically sound and healthy.”  Because we live in a world in which we experience the ups
and downs of life, we deal with heartache and pain; sometimes these experiences
leave residue that we have not been able to deal with.







What is your main message in Completely Whole?




Completely
Whole
is one of those books that will challenge the reader to do a self-examination
of where they are as it relates to their own spirituality. This life-changing
book will help readers to transform their spirit, soul, and body through Jesus
Christ, so they can live a life of peace, joy, and fulfillment. In
Completely Whole, I offer keys to help those who are searching for answers that
can lead to a life of complete wholeness: Spirit, Soul and Body.
My
focus in writing is to enrich the lives of my readers. I had a reader make this
comment about Completely Whole “It
speaks” and that’s what I want it to do. I want readers to come away knowing
that they have the ability to live a full enriched life.




What has the reaction been like to your book?  




The
reviews have been great. Those that have read Completely Whole find it to be a book which speaks to the heart.







 How can this book contribute to
transforming someone’s life?




A
person is transformed when they chose to apply the spiritual principles that
are outlined in Completely Whole.
Once a person identifies those self-destructive mind-sets then they are able to
deal with those issues that have kept them from walking in victory.







How do you
prepare yourself when writing a book? Is there a process you follow?




Before doing anything, I make
sure I’m in a quiet area, free from distractions. When I’m ready to write, I
sit at my laptop and begin writing. Depending on the chapter I’m working on,
that determines the direction I’ll go. I am able to write as long as there is a
constant flow




Were there any
challenges you faced in the writing process?




I
think with all authors there are some types of challenges when trying to finish
a book. I’m no exception. There are many distractions that will continue to
pull for my attention be it, home, ministry, family and/or job. I try to bring
balance in my life so I can prioritize those things that are important. I must
set deadlines for myself and stick with those deadlines.




What can
someone take away from this book?




Becoming Completely Whole is
an internal inventory and focuses on making necessary changes of the heart. I
write non-fiction, inspirational books; so this means my books should have a
lasting effect on a person’s spirit, inspiring and encouraging them to pursue
passionately a more fulfilled life. I want my writings to give strength and
encouragement in the time of need. As they read Completely Whole, I want my writings to engage, stimulate, and
edify them spiritually.




Any words of wisdom for young writers or writers who
want to pursue a career in writing?




Promote,
promote and promote some more. 
Learn how to brand and market yourself so that you are known in the
industry.  Don’t think someone else
is going to promote you better than yourself.  Create a marketing plan that will expand your territory in
reaching readers.
























About the Book 

Completely Whole is resource filled- guide full of practical
and Biblically-based principles, real-life application strategies and prayers
to give the readers a holistic approach to living a life of wholeness through
Jesus. Christ. This book is inspiring, optimistic, hopeful and encouraging
while providing a clear-cut, scriptural blueprint for each reader to follow as
they allow the Word and the power of God to transform their pain and restore
their lives on their road to becoming Completely Whole.

Harper plainly states that “words have the
power and ability to create (76)” which can place you in a position
to be completely whole. The purpose of her book Completely Whole is to “bring
the reader to the place of wholeness—spirit, soul and body.”  She provides
a biblical foundation, personal experiences, prayer and a confession in each
chapter to give a voice of reason to the women who cry out to learn more about
who they are, where they are to go and why it is so important to know God’s
word.  Her personal walk is the example within the text. Jewell
Williams
























Purchase book: Amazon





Paper back: http://tinyurl.com/425euh7




Kindle:   http://tinyurl.com/3novrjg





























About the Author

Paulette Harper Johnson, an award winning author, writing
coach, and speaker, seeks to inspire women from all walks of life.  As an inspirational and motivational
speaker, Paulette’s desire is to empower, influence and cultivate women to move
forward while dealing with issues that hinder women from becoming all they are
created to be. Her topics are biblically sound and pertinent to the needs of
today’s women.



Paulette is a wife, mother, grandmother, Bible teacher, radio
host, writer and the owner of WNL Virtual Blog Tours. Her years of marketing
her own self-published books have created a special talent in her—her ability
to sell a product well. Not only does she specialize in marketing strategies,
but also serves as the publicist for P.F.L. Publishing.

She has been mentoring and teaching women for years though
seminars, workshops and conferences. Paulette Harper Johnson serves in ministry
as an Elder with her husband Sr. Pastor Tony E. Johnson at Word of Faith
Worship Center in Bradenton and North Port FL.

Ministry Book website: www.pauletteharper.com






Connect with Paulette on these social networks

Facebook author page:    
http://www.facebook.com/PauletteHarperAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/pauletteharper

Blog: http://pauletteharper.blogspot.com

Ministry website: http://pauletteharper.com

Write Now Virtual Blog Tours Business website:  http://writenowlit.blogspot.com

TGIF- THE RETURN OF THE KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR

When we were little, us girls were taught to hope for a Knight in Shining Armor.




Twenty-plus years later, we were told our dreams were unrealistic. We should want a man in dirty, beat-up armor because then we know he's actually been through a battle. 




Enough flip-flopping. 



I'm here to bring back the Knight in Shining Armor.





Let's consider what makes a man a knight. First, he is well-trained in combat and warfare. Knights are bred from boyhood. Before they're ten years old they are Pages--running around learning how to take commands and follow through on orders--and when they turn fourteen they must undertake an apprenticeship(Squire)--learning from the best and the bravest knights. Then, he must see some battles (tested) in order to earn his knighthood. So, for those who think a shining armor means no wear-'n-tear, no real test of fortitude, I beg to differ. 




Yet, the most important step may not be the actual battle (or seeing his dinged up armor). 




After the knight has gone through his battle(s) (trials) he returns to the castle and hammers out his armor (acknowledges where in his life he needs to work), making sure the integrity of the suit is strong enough to endure another fight, then he shines (applies the new knowledge to his life) it. So really, when the battle is over, he diligently prepares himself for the next, and arguably tougher conquest, and is once again, a Knight in Shining Armor. 




But does his work stop there? No. Unless he's wooing fair maidens like myself, the knight is back in the amory testing weapons and working on his fighting skills. He's in constant training; ready at a moment's notice to be put to the test.




And when he presents himself before the king Queen he doesn't look rough and unkept; he is laying at my feet the best of himself--proof he has worked (and continues to work) on his character. Even the word 'knight' means 'a man devoted to the service of a lady'(thank you, Merriam-Webster). He's ready to be devoted (to me) because he's been training his whole life for this moment.




People get so hung up on the shining armor, as if that symbolizes perfection. Sure he isn't perfect. He'll be out in battle again and probably soon. He's a knight; it's what they do. I can imagine the training a knight must go through and the battles he must face before he is presented to me. I know in order to acheive knighthood, he has already been identified as a man of honor and integrity who will not cower in the face of danger and has proven his bravery. That's the man I want.




A Knight.




In Shining Armor.




Preferably with this face:














Yes, I love Henry Cavil the Duke of Suffolk. (TRUST me, he had his issues!)




Happy Friday Everyone! Live your dream and go get your Knight in Shining Armor!!!!














Reference. :-)

FREE MARKETING SUMMER CAMP

I'm a member of the Marketing for Romance Writers Yahoo Group and this weekend, July 14-15, we are hosting a marketing camp for writers!!! Just click the group link above, join the group, and you're set to enjoy some great workshops, pitch appointments with publishers, and win some awesome prizes including 50% discounted ads at The Romance Studio, gift certificates, customized book trailer, and of course, books. All attendees will receive a goody bag. Below are the workshops--taught by fellow writers--to help you get a leg up on marketing your romance book or any other novel. I hope to see everyone there!



*Taken from website

WORKSHOPS (as of 7/06)
Marcia James:  Niche Marketing 
Dawne Prochilo:  Where to Find Readers
Mary Caelsto:  Promos for Conferences
Rolyn Anderson:  QR Codes
Alison Knight:  Blogging 101
Janet Elizabeth Jones:  Role Playing Your Way to Good Scenes
Maryann Reid:  Romancing Your Audience
Kayelle Allen:  Preparing for Interviews / Dealing with Online Piracy
Rochelle Weber:  Using the MFRW Newsletter for Promotion
Tina Holland: Overcoming F.E.A.R.S.
Suzan Butler: Triberr
Julie Eberhart Painter: Multiple Submissions
Kay Dee Royal: Building the Paranormal Character
R Ann Siracusa: Finding Your Audience





PITCH APPOINTMENTSThere will be pitch appointments with multiple publishers for camp attendees. These will take place after camp so you don't have to miss classes. Karen Cote' and Karenne Lynn at CoffeeTime Romance are cooking up a deal to create these, so watch for more information.