J. Kenner's Blog, page 7

J. Kenner’s Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals for June 26, 2021

Six wonderful reads from fan favorite and best selling authors, temptingly priced, including Sylvia Day’s Butterfly in Frost and Linda Howard’s Ice. Enjoy!

Radar Deception by Mandy M. RothFree!AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

 

“Mandy M Roth is a true master of her craft! Her breathtaking stories sweep me up, mesmerize and leave me desperate for more. She is my drug of choice!” – Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author

Butterfly in Frost by Sylvia Day$1.99 (or free with KU!)AmazonWanna join Kindle Unlimited?

 

“A passionate and intense romance novel.” —In Touch Weekly

Beard Science by Penny ReidFree!AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

 

“This book is bone achingly sweet, and had me laughing out loud in places in true Penny Reid form.” – Heroes and Heartbreakers

Must Love Dogs…and Hockey by Kelly Jamieson$1.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

 

“I absolutely loved this story, as it combines some of my favorite things, hockey and dogs! The chemistry between Easton and Lilly was off the charts!” – Amazon reviewer

Ice by Linda Howard$1.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

 

“All the classic elements of a Howard romantic adventure.”—RT Book Reviews

Anchored Hearts by Priscilla Oliveras$1.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

 

“A big-hearted, beautiful book about first love, second chances, and finding one’s place in the world. An exceptional getaway of a book!” —Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read 

AUTHORS:

If you’d like your title to be considered for the Friday New/New-ish Release blast, just fill out this form. Don’t hesitate to send your title in early!
CLICK HERE FOR TO SUBMIT A FEATURED NEW OR NEWISH RELEASE  

If you’d like your title to be considered for the Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals, then this is the form you want:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A TEMPTING TUESDAY “STEAL OR DEAL”

The post J. Kenner’s Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals for June 26, 2021 appeared first on J. Kenner.

J. Kenner’s Featured New Releases for June 25, 2021

Check out these six new releases from best selling and fan favorite authors, including Lexi Blake’s 1001 Dark Knights novella Treasured and Erin McCarthy’s Strip Away. Which one will you read first?

Don’t forget to scroll down for the video!

Finding Ronan’s Heart by Melanie Moreland$4.99Amazon

 

“This series is so romantic, inspirational, and unforgettable! It’s about family, acceptance, being true to yourself and loving who you are, supporting and uplifting one another, and doing what you can to make a difference in someone else’s life.” – Read Me Romance

Small Town Pretender by Brighten Walsh$4.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

 

“Nat and Asher’s book was everything I was hoping for.” – Goodreads reviewer

Treasured by Lexi Blake$2.99Amazon

 

“Funny, sweet, steamy and heartfelt with some twists and a dash of action. I really enjoyed David and Tessa’s story!” – Amazon reviewer

The Cowboy’s Wife for a Night by Molly O’Keefe$3.99 (or free with KU!)AmazonWanna join Kindle Unlimited?

 

“This book grabbed you by the heart and just didn’t let go.” – Amazon reviewer

The Next Mrs. Russo by Jana Aston$4.99AmazonAppleNookKobo

 

“A well thought out story, excellent heroine, beautifully written, the perfect summer read, 5 stars.” – Amazon reviewer

Strip Away by Erin McCarthy$2.99AmazonAppleNookKobo

 

“Super hot, super fun and all the reasons I love Erin McCarthy’s books! Couldn’t put it down!” – BookBub reviewer

Click to watch the video

AUTHORS:

If you’d like your title to be considered for the Friday New/New-ish Release blast, just fill out this form. Don’t hesitate to send your title in early!
CLICK HERE FOR TO SUBMIT A FEATURED NEW OR NEWISH RELEASE  

If you’d like your title to be considered for the Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals, then this is the form you want:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A TEMPTING TUESDAY “STEAL OR DEAL”

The post J. Kenner’s Featured New Releases for June 25, 2021 appeared first on J. Kenner.

Pitching Your Book (or Screenplay!)

Since I’m still at my writing retreat, both working on All The Words and taking some vacay time … and since the world is opening up again and pitching your story in person at conferences will once again be a thing, I thought this was a great time to revisit an article from a few years ago.

(And I’ll be back next week with another on screen interview! Stay tuned!)

Some great tips in here. Hope it helps!

“13 Steps For Constructing A Strong Verbal Pitch”
By Melody Jackson, Ph.D.

You love to write, right? You wish that you could just write and have someone else do the dirty work of marketing for you, right? Most writers feel this way anyway. In fact, most professionals in every business would rather just do their business than market themselves. Dentists and chiropractors would rather fill teeth and crack backs than worry about how they’re going to get their next patients. Marketing wasn’t in their vision of their dream job. But it is necessary!

Click here to keep reading from the original post!

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J. Kenner’s Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals for June 22, 2021

Six great deals from fan favorite and bestselling authors, including my own Man of the Month collection Spring Fling and Lisa Mondello’s Dakota Hearts boxed set. Enjoy!

Spring Fling by J. Kenner0.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

 

“With each novel featuring a favorite romance trope—beauty and the beast, billionaire bad boys, friends to lovers, second chance romance, secret baby, and more—this series hits the heart and soul of romance.”— New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips

Prince of Wolves by Susan Krinard0.99 (or free with KU!)AmazonWanna join Kindle Unlimited?

 

“A far more gentle and romantic interpretation of the werewolf mythologies” from the bestselling author of Prince of Dreams and Prince of Shadows (Library Journal).

Rex by Saskia Walker0.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

 

“From page 1 right to the final period, My expectations were pleased.” – Amazon reviewer

Betting on the Wrong Brother by Cathryn Fox0.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

 

“A Cathryn Fox book is a must read great escape.” –  Sylvia Day, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bared to You.

Dakota Hearts by Lisa Mondello0.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

 

“Lisa Mondello had my imagination racing and wondering. I could feel the love, disappointment, courage and hope that tookhold of the characters as the story between past, present and a possible futurecollided into an epic story of love, lies and misunderstanding. Worth the read!!!” Cathy – Amazon Reviewer

Alyssa Cole by A Hope Divided0.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

 

“Her prose is flawless. Her historical research is absorbing, and her characters are achingly human. This book is fantastic.” —Kirkus Reviews

AUTHORS:

If you’d like your title to be considered for the Friday New/New-ish Release blast, just fill out this form. Don’t hesitate to send your title in early!
CLICK HERE FOR TO SUBMIT A FEATURED NEW OR NEWISH RELEASE  

If you’d like your title to be considered for the Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals, then this is the form you want:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A TEMPTING TUESDAY “STEAL OR DEAL”

The post J. Kenner’s Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals for June 22, 2021 appeared first on J. Kenner.

Wednesday Writing Prompt

Sometimes writers know exactly what they want to write, and sometimes we need to brainstorm. One of the best ways I’ve found to brainstorm is to just take an idea and riff off it and see what happens.

Since I’m currently at the beach working to a deadline, I thought this would be a perfect week to suggest some writing prompts, both to get the creative juices flowing and also to maybe give you a story idea!.

I’m putting a story in Kindle’s new Vella app that’s about to launch, and it’s a story that was inspired by an incident at my Florida condo where I ended up locked out of my condo in sleep shorts and a rather immodest tank top. (Oops!). That incident inspired a story … so I figured that it’s a good writing prompt for you, too!

So here goes:

What was the funniest thing that happened to you while traveling?

or

You’re on vacation and all of your luggage is stolen. What do you do?

Ready … go! (mostly, have fun!)

The post Wednesday Writing Prompt appeared first on J. Kenner.

J. Kenner’s Featured New Releases for June 11, 2021

Did you miss any of these new releases from bestselling and fan favorite authors including Memories of You (by me!) and Melissa Foster’s The Wicked Aftermath.

Don’t forget to scroll down for the video!

The Wicked Aftermath by Melissa Foster$4.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

“Love, Strength and Loyalty. Those Whiskey boys are something else. WOW!” – Dirty South Books

Wicked by Elisabeth Naughton$4.99AmazonAppleNookKobo

“I loved returning to the world of Argolea and the Eternal Guardians. Now I think I feel a series re-read coming on!” – Amazon

Memories of You by J. Kenner$2.99Amazon

 

“A quick hot must-read, if you like your hero’s dark and broody, and let us be honest who doesn’t, all put together with a story of friends reunited.” – World of Books 65

My Rebound by Carrie Ann Ryan$4.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

“Carrie Ann Ryan just knows how to write characters that make you feel. She gives us characters that we would love to have in our circle of friends.” – Amazon reviewer

Rebel’s Karma by Rebecca Zanetti$8.49AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

“Be sure you are prepared to hunker down for the long haul when you open this book. Because this is one that will suck you in and not let go until the last page turns.” – Amazon reviewer

Targeted Risk by Sidney Bristol$4.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

Thrown together, Tabby and Jamie must put aside their differences and ignore their chemistry if they’re going to get to the bottom of an international theft

Click to watch the video

AUTHORS:

If you’d like your title to be considered for the Friday New/New-ish Release blast, just fill out this form. Don’t hesitate to send your title in early!
CLICK HERE FOR TO SUBMIT A FEATURED NEW OR NEWISH RELEASE  

If you’d like your title to be considered for the Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals, then this is the form you want:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A TEMPTING TUESDAY “STEAL OR DEAL”

The post J. Kenner’s Featured New Releases for June 11, 2021 appeared first on J. Kenner.

Damien Stark, New Releases, and the Allure of Pain & Pleasure

So, raise your hand if you’ve read Release Me…..

… Okay, that’s a lot of you! Now tell me. Do you remember the part where Damien tells Nikki that basically pain and pleasure work together?

You do? Good.

Because that’s a lot like a release day for authors. No, really!

Now imagine Damien Stark. (I’ll wait a bit so you can enjoy the moment ….). Remember that scene we’re talking about? It’s their first time together, and he’s about to bind her wrists, and she asks if it’s going to hurt…

A deliciously sexy scene, right? Full of anticipation and possibilities edged with fear.

Now let’s imagine Damien saying those lines … but this time he’s not talking about sex:

“Do you know what a book release day is?”

I blink, confused.

“Most people think it only means that your book is tossed out into the world. But that’s not all. The word derives from the Latin. It means suffering. Submission. Pain and pleasure, Nikki. A book release.”

The flash of heat that burns across his expression is unmistakable.

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes,” I say without hesitating.

“Then trust me to help you make this the best release ever.”

Release Me … only changed up

Release MeBuy Now

(So who caught that double entendre at the end?… Release. … Release … Get it?)

Ahem. OK, clearly I’m being silly, but I think it’s fair to say that for most authors, a book release, well, has a little bit of that BDSM vibe to it. Pleasure, yes. But pain, too. Especially if you’re an introvert.

For me, I’m trying much harder to be present in the moment on release days because I really, truly, 100% So.Much. Love interacting with readers and hearing what excites them about the book and the characters. I mean, I lived with those people on the page for a long time; they’re part of me. Heck, they’re family.

But at the same time … introvert. (There is a reason that in my lawyering years I never wanted to be a trial lawyer. Appellate? Hell, yes. You’re prepared ahead of time. It isn’t off the cuff–or at least not as much. … But being right there in court with all eyes on you as you? That would be almost like being an actress … :::shudder::: In my fantasies, I might be able to sing Broadway show tunes that bring down the house. In reality? Never in a million years…..

(I also don’t like surprise parties and I’m not a huge fan of birthday parties. Why? Because I’m in the spotlight.)

Yeah, so, release days are a lot like that. But not only am I in the spotlight–and with social media, there are a LOT of spotlights shining!–but people are talking about something I created. And I want to engage, to chat. And at the same time, I want to hide. So the whole thing is an eep kinda feeling for me.

Like a lot of writers, my happy place is observational. That’s not universal, of course, but it’s fair to say it’s pretty common.

And yet … and yet … I still WANT to be out there. Commenting. Sharing. Riffing over the characters. Joying in the fact that this new book has come into the world.

I want to be this guy:But I’m more like this little guy:

And I’m not the only one! I chatted with a number of author friends, and I think it’s fair to say that, based on my entirely non-scientific poll, Release Days are both stressful and wonderful.

USA Today bestselling author Darcy Burke sums it up nicely: “Release days are a strange mix of “Wow, did I really do that?” and “Yes, this is off my plate and out in the world!” They are also a good excuse for a cocktail or glass of wine. 😉”

(Me: Yes, please! Pass the wine and chocolate!)

New York Times bestselling Author Annika Martin says, “I feel like I’m so public, out dancing in the town square, talking about my book and myself so much, like, Annika Martin! Annika Martin! Annika Martin!!!!! I feel soooo tired of Annika Martin by the end of the day.”

(Me: Yes! Yes! Yes!)

Author Jenn Stark says, “I’d say I go through the five stages of author launch day: Denial that I can’t actually do everything I planned to do to promote the book…anger that a brilliant idea I had the night before never had a chance to make it into the book…bargaining that If I could just hit this list or get this number of positive reviews I will find a way to lead a more balanced life…depression over any first day review that dips below a four star or says something unreasonably harsh, making me wonder why I do all this… And finally, acceptance that I do it because, well, stories. 😉. “

(Me: Stories for the win!)

Check out her newest book in her Sara Wilde Urban Fantasy series coming June 23!

New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan adds, “You would think after 100 release days things would become rote or even dare I say, easy. That’s totally not the case! While I love the fact that I finally get to share my words and characters with my readers, I’m far too stressed to actually enjoy it until the next day! LOL”

(Me: Right there with ya!)

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Toni Anderson, author of the Cold Justice novels, says that after a release day she feels “Like I have run a marathon.”

(Me: I’ve never run a marathon … but I’m sure that’s accurate!)

And New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti says, “Release days are stressful for me.  I love that the book is available to fans, but I’m a basketcase all day.  I usually fall down the stairs, spill coffee, or tumble into the pond on release day, so I’ve learned to stick close to my office and keep bandaids near.  :)”

(Me: Right there with ya! … and worried a bit about that stair falling thing…)

CLEARLY, WE HAVE A CONSENSUS!

So there you go Release days are heady and exhausting. They are amazing and stressful. They are pain and pleasure. The best kind.

I think Damien Stark would approve.

XXOO

(P.S.! Carrie Ann, Rebecca, and I will be talking about our new releases on Friday, June 11! Join us on Zoom! Just click the image, or follow this link at 7pm CST on Friday!

Come Join Us!!

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J. Kenner’s Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals for June 8, 2021

Six new reads from fan favorite and best selling authors, including Samantha Young’s On Dublin Street and Bilinda Sheehan’s A Grave Magic. Which one will you read first!

The Most Eligible Viscount in London by Ella Quinn0.99 (or Free with KU!)AmazonWanna join Kindle Unlimited?

 

“Quinn explores the allures and idiosyncrasies of aristocratic life with wit and charm reminiscent of Jane Austen. This intelligent romance gets the series off to a promising start.”
—Publishers Weekly

On Dublin Street by Samantha Young$1.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

 

“The chemistry between Jocelyn and Braden was on fire. The characters were believable and more importantly they were lovable…one of the best books I have read in 2012!”—Rainy Day Reads

Heart of a Devil by Morgan James0.99AmazonAppleNookKobo

 

“I absolutely loved it! I love the suspense and romance of Morgan James’s books. She is an amazing writer and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.” – Amazon reviewer

Meant to be Immortal by Lynsay Sands$1.99AmazonAppleNookKoboGoogle Play

 

“Love this book, sadly came to the end too quickly. I love Lindsay Sands sense of humour which is present in all her books. I liked the plot in this one too. I just love the whole series.” – Amazon reviewer

A Grave Magic by Belinda SheehanFree!AmazonAppleNookKobo

 

“I loved the book so much that I ended up buying the entire series and binge-reading it over the course of a weekend.” – Amazon review

Verity by Colleen Hoover0.99 (or free with KU!)AmazonWanna join Kindle Unlimited?

 

“This isn’t a book, it’s a visceral experience.” -B.B. Easton, bestselling author

AUTHORS:

If you’d like your title to be considered for the Friday New/New-ish Release blast, just fill out this form. Don’t hesitate to send your title in early!
CLICK HERE FOR TO SUBMIT A FEATURED NEW OR NEWISH RELEASE  

If you’d like your title to be considered for the Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals, then this is the form you want:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A TEMPTING TUESDAY “STEAL OR DEAL”

The post J. Kenner’s Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals for June 8, 2021 appeared first on J. Kenner.

Hot Romance Giveaway!!!!

Want to enter for a chance to win 1 of 30+ eBook and Signed Paperback giveaway prizes from the Ladies Who Write?

Enter here –> http://bit.ly/LWWLoveGwy

WHO ARE WE? The Ladies Who Write are a group of romance authors bringing sexy and emotional love stories to readers everywhere!  Scroll down for a list of all the awesome prizes!

Hurry! The Giveaway only runs through June 11!

PRIZES UP FOR GRABS: 

Ten (10) winners will receive a signed paperback copy of DIRTY CHARMER by Emma Chase 

One (1) winner will receive a signed paperback copy of OUR ITALIAN SUMMER by Jennifer ProbstOne

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of FOREVER IN CAPE MAY by Jennifer Probst

Five (5) winners will receive a digitally signed paperback of SHATTERED WITH YOU by J. Kenner (that’s me!)

Ten (10) winners will receive a digital copy of BAYSIDE FANTASIES by Melissa Foster

Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of THE REVELATION OF LIGHT & DARK by Sawyer Bennett 

HOW TO ENTER –>  http://bit.ly/LWWLoveGwy

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Are you a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom?

Ever have one of those days when everything is just coming at you and coming at you? Yeah.  That was my week!  I’ve been feeling a lot like Kate lately … the mundane mixed in with, oh, fighting demons!

If you haven’t met Kate Connor, a retired Demon Hunter with Forza Scura, a secret arm of the Vatican, who’s desperately trying to keep her past life secret from her husband and kids, now’s the perfect time!

Book One, Carpe Demon, is only 99c! Grab your copy now!

Carpe Demon

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