Jen McConnel's Blog, page 57
September 25, 2012
Upcoming Book Tour: BELL, BOOK, AND SANDALS by Melissa L. Webb
Here are the tour dates: mark your calendars.
Guest Post, Oct 12,
Paranormal Romantic Suspense,
http://sjclarke.com/blog-2/
October 13 Interview and review
http://thereadingdiaries.blogspot.com/
October 14 promo and review
Andi’s Book Reviews
http://Andisbookreviews.blogspot.com
October 15 Promo and review
http://jennifermcconnel.wordpress.com/
October 16 Promo and review
stuffed shelves
www.stuffedshelves.com
October 17 Guest blog and review
Crazy Four Books
http://www.crazyfourbooks.blogspot.com
October 17 Promo
Sapphyria’s Book Reviews:
http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/
October 18 Interview and review
Musings From An Addicted Reader
http://musingsfromanaddictedreader.blogspot.com/
October 18 Guest blog
Stephanie
http://www.curlingupbythefire.blogspot.com
October 19 Review
Books, Books, and More Books
http://dream-reader-dreamer2229.blogspot.com/
September 21, 2012
The First Look Challenge: A sample from PRIESTESS OF MOAB
Y’all know I love a challenge, so when S.M. Boyce tagged me in The Look Challenge last week, I was eager to participate. The way this works: I had to search my WIP manuscript for the work “look”, and post the scene that surrounds the first occurrence of “look”. I’ve opted to share a teaser scene from PRIESTESS OF MOAB, my second New Adult novel which will be published in 2013. But before you get to read the sample, I’ve tagged a few authors for the challenge:
Have fun, ladies! Can’t wait to sneak a first look! Now, on to the sample of PRIESTESS OF MOAB:
Silently, the grandmothers led me from the bathing pool back to the temple. They melted into the shadows around the entryway, and I stood, alone, looking into the temple, lingering on the threshold. Although I had run about this place with full freedom for years, the transition from child to woman was seen as the change from one self to another. Because of that, I had to wait to be invited in, as would any who came here for the first time. Strangers have always been welcomed by the Goddess, but the rules of hospitality must be obeyed.
While I stood poised on the threshold of my new life, I wondered what womanhood would have in store for me. I couldn’t conceive of a life outside of the temple, and although I watched and listened with an eager heart, I was not entirely sure what my role would be now that I was no longer a child. Swallowing down my fear, I closed my eyes and whispered a prayer to the Mother. I had no reason to doubt her: my fate was secure.
I waited for a heartbeat, and then another. I was just beginning to feel nervous when a clear, rich voice called out my name. Larina spoke the words of welcome, but the voice issuing from her mouth was not her own: it was a voice I had heard many times in my own thoughts and dreams, but never in the waking world.
The Goddess was speaking through Larina, and it was her voice that welcomed me to womanhood. Trembling in awe at hearing her voice aloud for the first time in my life, I entered the temple.
Like what you’ve read? Want a chance to get your hands on an ARC of PRIESTESS OF MOAB? Sign up here!
September 20, 2012
Three Things
Cultivating gratitude isn’t difficult. All you have to do is acknowledge the things that bring you joy.
Today, I am thankful for:
1. Old movies (they’re like old friends)
2. Time spent with my family last weekend
3. True fall weather: I can wear sweaters in the evenings!
What are your three things?
TOXIC RELATIONSHIP by Richard Hacker: Promo
I’m thrilled to be a part of Richard Hacker’s book tour for the upcoming Toxic Relationship. Hope you enjoy this excerpt! Also, enter a Rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.
Junior looked back at Ayisha.
“He’s not my kid you know. My brother, my dear brother Caleb killed himself. The boy’s mother,” he pointed to Carl, “she ran off with some rodeo cowboy. Caleb tried to dull his pain with a load of beer and a bunch of whiskey he found on sale down at the Quik Pick liquor store. Caleb got drunk, then killed himself by rolling his truck, which of course led to me suddenly having his son Carl in my business. You got kids?”
Ayisha shook her head “no.”
“Figures. You FBI types probably don’t have time for family. Well let me tell you what. It ain’t all it’s cranked up to be. I mean, look at this situation. I’ve got you people,” he waved his gun across at Delton, “probably federal agents, snooping around my property and where’s Carl? Face down in the dirt. I tell you, the boy makes a cedar post seem really smart.
Suspense/Mystery
Date Published: 8/6/12
Publisher: Champagne Books
Synopsis:
After a murdered partner, a cheating wife and a lost job in Houston, Nick Sibelius sets up a private investigation business in a small Texas town hoping to find some peace and maybe, himself. When a couple disappears and a bass fisherman turns up dead, he finds himself drawn into a web of toxic relationships: MaryLou, a beautiful woman with a mysterious past; Junior, a failed farmer whose best intentions seem to always result in a dead body; Barry, a sociopathic dentist turned illegal toxic waste entrepreneur with visions of grandeur. When the felon who killed his partner in Houston joins forces with Barry, Nick must not only stop the toxic waste dumping while finding his client’s missing daughter, but keep from being killed in the process. In the end, MaryLou’s dark secret will either save him or kill him — whichever comes first.
“Tight suspense with wonderful laugh out loud moments. Richard Hacker is a master storyteller.”
Pam Binder, Pacific Northwest Writers Association President and author of the NY Times Best Selling anthology, A Season in the Highlands
“Many times I found myself getting strange looks because I was laughing out loud…Highly entertaining and sure to be enjoyed by fans of mysteries with humor. I highly recommend it and hope that there will be more stories to follow.”
Paige Lovitt for Reader Views
Author Bio:Richard Hacker’s novel, TOXIC RELATIONSHIP, released August, 2012 by Champagne was a 2011 Writer’s League of Texas (WLT) finalist, where in addition, SHAPER EMERGENCE won best novel in the Science Fiction category. He is a member of both the Writers’ League of Texas and the Pacific Northwest Writers Association.
After living many years in Texas where he worked as a leadership coach, public speaker and management trainer, he moved with his high school sweetheart to Seattle. While he misses the big skies of Texas, Richard has grown pretty fond of the Pacific Northwest. Along with his wife, Sidney, they hike, kayak and have adventures on his Vespa scooter. His writing partner is a springer spaniel named Jazz, who helps with proofreading and ball fetching.
DIRTY WATER, the next novel in the Nick Sibelius series after TOXIC RELATIONSHIP, will be released June, 2013. He is currently working on the third book in the series, as well as a young adult fantasy entitled INKER WARS: THE FIVE PENS OF JOHANN.
Contact Information
Twitter: @Richard_Hacker
Purchase Links
Monthly Host Incentive – $15 Amazon/B&N Gift Card to host with most comments on their Tour Post for the month!
Make sure you keep an eye out for the other stops on this tour:
September 17 - TE Garden of Books - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
September 18 - My Devotional Thoughts - Giveaway/Excerpt/PROMO
September 19 – Inside BJ’s Head - Giveaway/Excerpt/PROMO
September 20 - Jen McConnel - Excerpt/PROMO
September 24 - Books For Me - Review
September 25 - My Reading Addiction - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
September 26 - Andi’s Book Reviews - Giveaway/Excerpt/PROMO
September 27 - Beth Art From the Heart - Review/Excerpt
September 28 - Bunny’s Reviews - Interview/Excerpt/PROMO
October 1 – Bless Their Hearts Mom - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 2 - Up All Night Reviews - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 3 – The Story of a Girl - Review/Giveaway
October 4 – Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews - Review/Interview/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 5 – Turning the Pages - Excerpt/PROMO
October 7 – Sweeping the USA - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 8 – Kaisy Daisy’s Reviews - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 10 – The Adventures Within - Review/Interview/Excerpt
October 12 – Mademoiselle Le Sphinx - Review/Excerpt
October 13 – Bunny’s review - Review/Interview/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 13 - Lov Live Life Reviews - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 14 – My Cozie Corner - Review/Giveaway
September 19, 2012
Going on Tour: Schedule
I’m thrilled to announce the schedule for my first book tour. Hosted by Bewitching Book Tours, I’ll be bouncing around the web for the first week of October to celebrate the official release of The Burning of Isobel Key. Want to know where to find me?
Release Day Blitz Oct 1
A Bibliophile’s Thoughts on Books
http://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/
Cover2CoverBlog
www.cover2coverblog.blogspot.com
Whimsically Yours
http://whimsicallyours.com/
Place of Reads Book Blog
http://placeofreeds.blogspot.com
Stuffed Shelves
www.stuffedshelves.com
Interview at Creatively Green
www.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
Fang-tastic Books
www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
Roxanne’s Realm
www.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
Tour Oct 2-9
October 2 Interview and review
My Escape /
http://myescape84.blogspot.com
October 3 Promo and review
Stuffed Shelves
www.stuffedshelves.com
October 4 Guest blog
Place of Reads Book Blog
http://placeofreeds.blogspot.com
October 5 Guest blog and review
Musing From An Addicted Reader
http://musingsfromanaddictedreader.blogspot.com/
October 6 Review
The Avid Reader
http://the-avidreader.blogspot.com/
October 7 Review
Books, Books, and More Books
http://dream-reader-dreamer2229.blogspot.com/
October 8 Guest blog
Mila Ramos
www.jademystique.blogspot.com
October 9 Guest blog and review
On the Broomstick
http://onthebroomstick.blogspot.com/
October 9 Promo
Frankie Blooding
Blooding Book Reviews
http://frankieblooding.wordpress.com/
Spread the word! I’m getting so excited: can’t wait to share my book with y’all!
Writers on Wednesday: Kayla Curry, author of OBSIDIAN
I’m really excited for this series. Kayla Curry, author of Obsidian, has graciously agreed to come by two weeks in a row to talk about the dreaded duo: marketing and accounting. I hope you find her posts as helpful as I have! Check back next week for her follow up on accounting.
Part One: Marketing
Hello! I’m Kayla Curry and I’m posting on the wonderful Jen McConnel’s blog today about taking off the author hat and putting on the marketing hat. Thanks, Jen, for having me on your Writers on Wednesday blog series!
Before I get into that, I would like to explain that I am sort of in between an Indie author and a Published author. I took the traditional route and queried publishers and eventually found Martin Sisters Publishing. They are a small publisher run by two wonderful sisters. They took on the task (and the costs associated with these tasks) of editing, formatting, designing, and publishing my book. I was very involved, but most of the hard work was on them.
Since they have done all the hard work involved in publishing my book, it is up to me to market it, which is where I fall more into the Indie author category. Marketing your book as an Indie author is a full-time job. In today’s social media outlets you need to be relevant and to be relevant you must always be thinking of ways to market your book without being too pushy. So here are some marketing tools I’ve used and some DOs and DON’Ts associated with them.
Twitter: AKA One of the most important marketing tools out there.
DO tweet often.
DON’T tweet so much that it’s annoying.
DO tweet about other things besides your book.
DON’T get involved in Twitter Fights.
DO retweet other people’s promotions. (The more you retweet; the more you’ll be retweeted)
DO follow other authors.
DO use Tweet schedulers and auto tweets WISELY.
DON’T ONLY use schedulers (It’s called SOCIAL media because you’re supposed to be social)
DO Followback-unless it’s a bot or someone who obviously only tweets things irrelevant to what you do or your interests such as car wash advertisements. (Why crowd up your steam with that?) Also, if someone follows you who only tweets in a language you don’t know, don’t crowd up your stream with that either.
DO click on links that you RT before you RT them. Make sure you are sending people to a legit site that you can back-up yourself.
DO get a page specifically for you as an author and/or for your book(s).
DON’T friend everyone who likes your page on your personal account.
DO “share” and “like” pictures, links, and other posts. Show people you care about what’s going on in their lives.
DO interact with as many people as possible. The more you interact with people, the more they will interact with you and the more likely they will “share” or “like” your book posts.
DON’T get involved with Facebook Fights.
DON’T expect people to “Like” your page if you don’t “Like” theirs.
DO post often.
DON’T flood people’s stream with posts.
Blogging
DO post often.
DO post things relevant to you and your book.
DON’T only post things writers would like—think about what your readers would like.
DO promote other authors on your blog. (If you promote them, they will promote you!)
DO visit and comment on other blogs.
DO have a clean and easy to view design.
Online marketing in general
DO be courteous to others
DO interact with others.
DON’T insult or berate others even if they do so to you.
DO come up with fun and creative ideas for marketing—new marketing tactics are interesting.
DO reply to all messages, tweets and comments directed at you.
DON’T try to push your views onto others.
Sites to make sure you have accounts on:
Facebook (You at least need an author or book page, but you can do so much more if you have a personal account too)
Goodreads (Get a basic account first and add your book then get an author profile)
Amazon (You need an account and an Author Page once your book is out)
Smashwords
Google+ (especially if you use Blogger)
YouTube (especially if you have a book trailer or plan to have one)
Kindlegraph (Once your book is on Kindle)
Your preferred blog provider: Blogger WordPress (There are others, but these are the most popular. I use Blogger because it syncs up with my Google+, my Google author website, YouTube and other tools such as the calendar.
*A note about accounts: Be consistent! Use the same profile picture and about me info so people know for sure that it’s you they have found!
Well, that’s all I have for now! There are lots of other marketing tools online, but these are the basics. Start with these and the other stuff will come naturally! Tune in again next week for another post on taking the author hat off and replacing it with the accountant hat! Thanks again, Jen!
Links to Kayla Curry and Obsidian:
Obsidian Facebook Page
Obsidian on Amazon Kindle
Obsidian All Available Formats
September 17, 2012
Bewitching Book Tour: SECOND CHANCE by Rachel Hanna
I am thrilled to have Rachel Hanna with me today. Rachel is the author of SECOND CHANCE, a story of love. Rachel dropped by to talk a little bit about the book and her choices as an author. Enjoy!
September 17 Guest Blog
The New Beginnings Series – Why Is It So Real?
When I wrote “Second Chance”, I had a few reviewers ask me why I wanted it to be so “real”. I had to laugh a little at that because I wasn’t really sure of my answer at first. As an author, I am fully aware that books are supposed to be an escape from reality. No one wants to read a book that details everything a stay-at-home mom does during the day. No one wants to know all of the ins and outs of how you made your sandwich for lunch. Talk about drudgery for the reader! They want excitement and something different than what they do all day.
They do want an escape, but what I have also found that readers want is HOPE. They want to identify with characters who are flawed like we all are. They want to know that those characters have challenges and worries and catastrophes like we all do. But, and here’s the important part, they also want to know that there is hope for a new beginning. And that is precisely why I started the New Beginnings series with “Second Chance”.
Shannon Harris, our hero in the story, is hit by a series of life changing events in a short period of time. Have you ever had this happen to you? It seems like a black cloud is following you around, and you just cannot shake it. One thing after another happens to her, but she bounces back time after time. When the ultimate loss happens, the question is whether she will battle back and learn to live again. Will she allow herself to have a new beginning in the face of ultimate loss?
Because “Second Chance” is a novella, it is a shorter read and full of twists and turns. There is no fluff or boring stuff in this book. Life happens quickly and ferociously to Shannon Harris, but something else special happens too – her new beginning.
The exciting part of this series is that there are new beginnings happening all around us each day. One novella I am writing at this moment is going to be a fantastic love story that is unlike anything I’ve ever read. By weaving the truths and trials of life into a love story, I think it connects with us all and allows us to connect with the characters.
Second Chance Excerpt
After I hung up the phone, I realized that I hadn’t eaten lunch or dinner, and my stomach was growling like a bear. I walked into the kitchen to see if there was anything in there that might suit my fancy. When you’re hungry, just about anything edible will work.
Thankfully, there was some food in the fridge which was weird since no one had been living there for awhile. I found a frozen TV dinner with fried chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans in it. The date was still good, so I figured the former owner may have been there recently and stayed overnight or something.
I fired up the microwave and started cooking the meal. Then, I noticed a radio hanging on the wall. I also saw a bottle of red wine sitting in a wine rack on the counter. I found a wine glass in one of my boxes and poured myself a glass.
I decided a little music was in order, so I turned it on my favorite station but it was full of static because I was so far outside of the range.
I found another station that was playing Southern classic rock and Sweet Home Alabama was on. I love that song, so I turned up the volume in an effort to wake myself up.
As the food cooked, I started swaying and singing to the music. I felt a sense of freedom wash over me for the first time in almost two decades. Sweet Home Alabama had never sounded so good!
I closed my eyes and started dancing around on the hardwood floors. Without thinking, I bumped into the counter and spilled the red wine all over my white lace sundress.
“Dang it!” I said as I pulled the sundress over my head. Realizing I was standing there in just my bra and panties, I had a momentary freak out wondering who could see me through the kitchen windows. Then, I realized that I was so far outside of the city, I could run naked through the front yard if I wanted. Freedom washed over me again.
The song changed to one of my favorites of all time – Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. My newfound freedom kicked into high gear as my exhaustion wore away and my feet began dancing again. Here I was, in my bra and panties wearing nothing but a pair of designer cowboy boots, dancing around this large country farmhouse.
My, how life had suddenly changed…
I danced and danced, eyes closed, singing at the top of my lungs. I never even heard the microwave bell “ding” when my food was done cooking. Instead, I swigged a little wine and kept dancing.
Suddenly, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. You know that feeling you get when someone is watching you? I opened my eyes and turned around to see a man standing in the arched doorway between the kitchen and the living room.
Without missing a beat, I grabbed a butcher knife from one of the kitchen boxes, held it up and said “I’ve got a knife!”
“Well, ma’m, you might have a knife but the blade seems to be missing… And your clothes are missing too, I might add,” he said with a smirk that made me want to smack him.
“Crap,” I muttered as I dropped the knife handle which had broken away from the blade. I quickly grabbed my wine stained dress from the floor and held it in front of me to cover what I could.
“It’s okay, I am not here to hurt you. I live here,” he said walking toward me.
Catch the other tour stops here:
September 17 Guest blog
Jen McConnel
jennifermcconnel.wordpress.com
September 18 Promo and review
Books, Books, and More Books
http://dream-reader-dreamer2229.blogspot.com/
September 19 Guest blog
Queen of All She Reads
http://queenofallshereads.blogspot.com/
September 19 Interview
Sultry Storyteller/
http://sultrystoryteller.blogspot.com/
September 20 Guest blog and review
The Bunny’s Review –
http://bunnysreview.com
September 21 Promo
Blooding Book Reviews
http://frankieblooding.wordpress.com/
September 21 Review
My Guilty Obsession
http://myguiltyobsession.blogspot.com/
September 22 review
My Reading Addiction
myaddictionisreading.blogspot.com
September 24 promo
Bookgirl Knitting
http://bookgirlknitting.blogspot.com/
September 24 Review
crossroads
www.crossroadreviews.com
September 15, 2012
Upcoming Book Tour: TOXIC RELATIONSHIP by Richard Hacker
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be participating in the Reading Addiction Blog Tours from now on. My first tour stop is later this month, for Richard Hacker’s mystery/suspense Toxic Relationship.
Catch the rest of the tour stops all month long:
September 17 - TE Garden of Books - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
September 18 - My Devotional Thoughts - Giveaway/Excerpt/PROMO
September 19 – Inside BJ’s Head - Giveaway/Excerpt/PROMO
September 20 - Jen McConnel - Excerpt/PROMO
September 24 - Books For Me - Review
September 25 - My Reading Addiction - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
September 26 - Andi’s Book Reviews - Giveaway/Excerpt/PROMO
September 27 - Beth Art From the Heart - Review/Excerpt
September 28 - Bunny’s Reviews - Interview/Excerpt/PROMO
October 1 – Bless Their Hearts Mom - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 2 - Up All Night Reviews - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 3 – The Story of a Girl - Review/Giveaway
October 4 – Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews - Review/Interview/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 5 – Turning the Pages - Excerpt/PROMO
October 7 – Sweeping the USA - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 8 – Kaisy Daisy’s Reviews - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 10 – The Adventures Within - Review/Interview/Excerpt
October 12 – Mademoiselle Le Sphinx - Review/Excerpt
October 13 – Bunny’s review - Review/Interview/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 13 - Lov Live Life Reviews - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 14 – My Cozie Corner - Review/Giveaway
September 14, 2012
National Suicide Prevention Week: Hope
Today marks the last day of National Suicide Prevention Week. I have lost people to suicide, and I have danced around the edge of the darkness, but that’s not what I want to talk about today.
Today is a day of Hope.
HOPE.
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I ‘ve heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
Retrieved from Three Series, Complete, by Emily Dickinson www.gutenberg.org/files/12242/12242-h/12242-h.htm
Jessica Fortunato, author of The Sin Collector series, has spent the week advocating and raising awareness, and today she’s collected messages of hope from myself and other writers.
Read the messages, share your own thoughts, and spread the word. Today, we celebrate Hope even in the face of darkness.
September 13, 2012
Three Things
It’s good to be grateful! There’s so much beauty in my world, and this week I am most thankful for:
1. Power outages (that force me to step away from the interwebs and be quiet for an evening).
2. Connecting with other writers on Twitter and through blogs: my tribe is growing!
3. Getting caught up on grading (for now).
What are your three things?
