Catherine Dougherty's Blog, page 11

It’s Free!

We’re doing it again!

The Kindle version of my first novel in Polyester Pajamas is free from Amazon for the next two days only – Wednesday August 13th and Thursday, August, 14th.

Download it HERE and tell all your friends about it.

This is the first book in the Jean and Rosie series.

Enjoy!

When Lives Intertwine

Kathy and I first met when we attended parochial school together back in the mid-60s. Here’s a class picture of us in 2nd grade. (I’ve blocked out the faces of the others.) Kathy is the girl standing up with the big smile, wearing the pretty red jumper.

I left that school after 4th grade, and even though we both continued to live in the area, we didn’t meet again until over 35 years later when I started working at a place she was already employed at. We even worked together in the same department.

Kathy changed jobs and 6 more years passed until we connected once more. That was only a few months ago, when my husband and I decided to look for a new home. The first house we inquired about just so happened to be Kathy’s listing.

We’ve seen several houses since then, all with Kathy, and although we haven’t found the right one yet, I know that when we do, she will be the one who sells it to us.

Our lives have crossed three times so far.

Coincidences or fate? (FYI – I don’t believe in coincidences.)

(If you’re ever searching for a primary or vacation home in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, or if you have one to sell in the area, I highly recommend Kathleen Davis of ReMax Bayside for a Realtor.)

A True Story

My husband and I recently decided it was time to purchase a new shower curtain—the one we had, by its appearance, was ready to be replaced.

We wanted one that was all black or had a black pattern on it (other than a zebra print). After searching in several stores, though, we couldn’t find anything even close.

The search continued until my husband finally bought one earlier this week. It looked okay, although not ideal, and we still preferred the pattern of our “old” one. So, he also decided to wash the curtain we were replacing before discarding it—just in case.

Lo and behold, the “old” one came out looking great. That’s why it is again hanging from the curtain rod in our bathroom, and the new one he bought is still in its packaging waiting to be returned.

Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke (or worn, or ugly), right?

Right, however…

Last night, when I couldn’t reach something on the top shelf of the linen cabinet, I asked my husband to get it for me. As he was doing so, guess what he discovered under some items we never use?

Not one, or two, or even three, but FIVE brand new black/black print shower curtains.

Can you believe it? FIVE!

Needless to say, I think we’ve gone this route before—several times.

This really is the truth, I’m sorry to say. What a sad fact, especially since we can’t remember buying any of them.

It’s also rather funny. Twenty-four hours later and I’m still laughing! :0

Writing Process Blog Tour

First of all, I want to thank Ursula Wong for inviting me to participate in this Writing Process Blog Tour. Although I’m rather busy these days (I always am!), I decided to join in because it involves answering 4 simple questions about my writing process. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to introduce other writers.

Ursula Wong is a New England author who lives in Massachusetts. Her first novel Purple Trees, a haunted mystery, is currently available on Amazon.com. Her second novel Amber Wolf will be available soon. I encourage you to find out more about her by visiting her author site.

(While you’re at it, also check out this site where Ursula and another New England author, Stacey Longo, have their own blog tour answers to the following questions.)

Now, it’s my turn. Here goes:

What am I working on?

I’m writing the 3rd book in the Jean and Rosie series. I originally named it in Red Leather Jackets, but the title has changed. Right now, I’m keeping the new title a secret. If all goes as planned, it will be available to purchase later this year. Some of you may be wondering if it will be the last book in the Jean and Rosie series. Guess what? I don’t think so! :) 

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

My work is just that–my work. I don’t follow a formula. I write to express situations, through my characters, that many can relate to. It is my intent to have my novels not only be entertaining, but thought-provoking. I have read other novels that are similar in style, but many are not.

Why do I write what I do?

I like to observe people and love to hear about their everyday trials, tribulations, and adventures. My books are character-driven and I’m inspired by what I see and hear around me. Plus, I’m about the same age as my main characters, so I write what I know best.

How does my writing process work?

An idea suddenly comes to mind and the story develops from there. You could say the characters begin speaking to me about what’s going on in their lives and what they want me to share. As the story progresses, though, I encounter a few surprises. Things happen that I never planned or thought of before. Situations occur that my characters never forewarned me of. That’s when I believe I write the best. I forget that I’m actually creating the story, and I’m more involved in finding out what happens next!

Okay, it’s time to introduce you to a writer who lives in New Hampshire (like me). Even though I haven’t met her yet, I like her already and enjoy reading her blog posts.

Introducing Cindy Shea (in her own words):

I am New Hampshire native with an MBA in business leadership from Franklin Pierce University.  By day I am a cost analyst for a manufacturing firm, but by night I am an antique dealer, blogger and mystery writer.

I am a member of the New Hampshire Writers Project and the Sisters in Crime national and New England chapters. My undergrad is in communications, which was the closest thing to a writing degree you could get at SNHU back then.  I am an avid gardener, baker and reader of all types of genres.

I have two grown children and live with my boyfriend and business partner (and in-house graphic designer) Dennis.  We live in an old farmhouse in Loudon, NH with our two dogs; a Newfoundland named Elli and a Lab/Hound named Cadi, and our two cats Bristol (aka Mr. Grumpy Pants) and Gracie our all white deaf kitty.

You can find my blog at http://cindyshea.wordpress.com/, my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CindySheaNH?ref=hl, or follow me on Twitter at @cindysheanh.

Cindy is participating in this blog tour and will be posting her answers to the blog tour questions on her site at some point next week.

 

 

Marketing is Easy!

Last weekend, I participated in the 4th Annual New England Author Fair at Bayswater Book Co. in Center Harbor (NH).

What a great store it is and I feel honored to have been asked back for the 2nd year in a row.

I had such a good time talking with book browsers and also with some of the other authors (there were 23 of us in all). I even sold several books.

Did you notice those business cards in my hand? At every event, I make sure to give a business card (or a postcard or bookmark) to everyone I see. That way, even if they don’t buy a book right away, they will remember me and might consider buying one later.

Marketing? Nah, it’s not hard!

It’s especially easy when you love what you do.

And I LOVE being an author. Can’t you tell?

 

 

When in Maine . . .

My husband and I returned home yesterday from a 3-day vacation to Bar Harbor and Rockport, Maine. The weather was fine and we had a good time. What a perfect way to welcome in the season.

If you ever visit Maine, be sure to eat plenty of Lobsta! (Maine lobster is the best!)

And if you’re ever looking for a place to stay in Rockport,  you should check out the Glen Cove Motel (aka Glen Cove Inn and Suites). The location is convenient (Route 1), the price is reasonable, and the accommodations are comfortable and clean. It was our first time staying there and we’ll be sure to go there again.

 

 

 

 

 

House Hunting

You may be wondering why I haven’t been blogging much lately. The reason is that, in addition to working at my day job and trying to complete Book 3 in the Jean and Rosie series, as well as participating in a recent event, keeping up with my emails, running a promo last week, etc., etc. (the list is too long), my husband and I have been house hunting.

We haven’t found our next home yet, but after looking at about 18 houses so far in all different shapes and sizes (I feel sorry for my Realtor), we have a better idea of what we really want now and still believe the right one is out there.

And, through all of this searching, I’m getting some great material for Book 3. Yes, the next book will have a few interesting real estate scenes in it, like in Polyester Pajamas (the first book in the series) does.  I’m not 100% sure what it will be titled yet, but it will be published later this year.

Regarding in Polyester Pajamas, I want to extend a big THANK YOU to the many sites who promoted the ebook, to my publisher and Amazon, and to the thousands of readers who downloaded it during its first free promotion last week. I don’t have the exact number of downloads from my publisher yet, but I know it was a lot because it made it to #6 in the free books at Amazon.com and stayed there for quite a while.

(FYI – in Woolen Bikinis, the 2nd book in the series, had a free promo last year and made it to #9 in the free books at Amazon.com. It was only at that rank for a brief time and had over 16,000 downloads.)

 

Get it for FREE – 3 Days Only

For the first time ever, the Kindle version of in Polyester Pajamas, the first book in the Jean and Rosie women’s fiction series, is free on Amazon for 3 days only–Wednesday, June 4th through Friday, June 6th, 2014.

Download it HERE and tell all your friends about it.

Thank you so much. Happy Reading!

 

 

 

Electric Vehicle Charger

Seen one of these yet? This electric vehicle charger is located in the parking lot of the King Arthur Floor Store in Norwich, Vermont. (FYI – They have a great bakery there!)

Pretty cool, huh?

These solar panels are located right next to it.

The Cornish Colony

Since I’ve lived in New Hampshire all of my life, and since my husband and I have traveled almost every road there in this State (including dead end dirt roads leading nowhere), you’d think I’d know everything there is to know about New Hampshire, right?

Wrong!

Just a couple of weeks ago, we came upon this sign for the first time.

And as soon as I returned home that day, I had to Google to learn more about sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and The Cornish Colony. (Thank you, Wikipedia!)

It’s true–no matter how old you are, you can learn something new every day. :)

(I to Google!)