Constance Phillips's Blog, page 17
February 12, 2015
Out Now: All That’s Unrealized (Sunnydale Days, #3)
It’s what the doctor ordered for Rhonda Gables, owner of three successful boutiques: four weeks of rest between winning this season’s Retail Project and claiming her prize. Rhonda must decide if being a TV reality show star is worth leaving behind her loved ones, including the increasingly appealing Trevor Collins.
Buy Now: Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes and Noble |ibooks| Turquoise Morning Press Store | All Romance E-books
February 10, 2015
Sunnydale Days Series Grows by Two!
I’m so pleased to announce that there will be two new books in the Sunnydale Days series I’ve been writing for Turquoise Morning Press!
Release dates have not been set but:
All That’s Unforgiven and
All That’s Unforseen
will be joining the first three books in the series.
Note: Book 2, All That’s Unclaimed is out now and Book 3, All That’s Unrealized will be released next wee (Feb. 17).
February 9, 2015
A Short Playlist – All That’s Unclaimed
The mind is mysterious. If I find myself banging my head against the wall, not knowing where to take a story, I often turn to music.
As I begin a work-in-progress, I also start a playlist. As I write, songs will hit me. Whether they describe the conflict or are songs that I believe my characters would put on repeat on their iPods, they get added. They can grow out of control. Sometimes exceeding twenty or more songs.
Here are four songs from my playlist for All That’s Unclaimed.
It’s My Life by Bon Jovi – This song is an anthem for my hero, Ben Crawford. He’s spent a big part of his young adult life in school and/or training for his career. He’s worked so hard to prove himself to his parents, that he’s somehow missed the good things in life that are right in front of him.
You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This by Toby Keith – Long time friends, Ben and Anna are both a little hesitant to take their relationship to the next level. The title line, “You shouldn’t kiss me like this, unless you mean it like that.” perfectly describes the push-pull between them.
Open the Door by Eric Himan – For me, this is another Ben song. It describes how sometime this biggest happiness is ourselves. The first step, the hardest step, to take is often just opening the door to the possibilities of the future.
Wide Awake by Katy Perry – This song is more for my heroine Anna. When I was writing her moment of clarity–when she sees the real issues between her and Ben–this song came to me. Throughout the novel, she strong and independent, but maybe just a teeny-bit blind to what Ben is going through emotionally until the point she becomes wide awake.
Do you connect music with the books you read?
February 6, 2015
Take a Look: All That’s Unclaimed and All That’s Unrealized
I haven’t had trailers made for any of my books since Resurrecting Harry. (Mostly because my daughter switched majors and then her mac computer was taken out by a glass of apple juice.)
I’ve always liked the idea of having images and music to go with a story concept. Looking at a book through another lens gives it another perspective.
While these images may not be ones you as a reader sees, they are very close to what I, as the author, saw, felt and heard as I wrote the book.
Please feel free to comment about not only what you see in the trailers, but, if you’ve read All That’s Unclaimed, if I hit the mark for you the reader.
I hope the trailer to All That’s Unrealized gets you psyched up to read the book, which releases Feb. 17.
All That’s Unclaimed
http://blog.constancephillips.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/animoto_360p.mp4
Ben Crawford is forced to face the ghosts of his past after his mother’s accident and Anna Jenkins’s announcement she’s starting her own stables. Only then does he find the strength to hold on to all he’s left unclaimed.
****
Ben Crawford has always believed the professional respect and acceptance he desired couldn’t be found at Sunnydale Farms. There were just too many ghosts residing in his broken home. Only when Anna Jenkins, the one constant at his mother’s therapeutic riding facility, announces she is leaving to start her own stables is Ben forced to grasp hold of all he’s left unclaimed.
Buy: Amazon| Barnes & Noble| Kobo | Smashwords | All Romance Ebooks | iBooks | Turquoise Morning Press Store
All That’s Unrealized
http://blog.constancephillips.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/animoto_360p-1.mp4
It’s what the doctor ordered for Rhonda Gables, owner of three successful boutiques: four weeks of rest between winning this season’s Retail Project and claiming her prize. Rhonda must decide if being a TV reality show star is worth leaving behind her loved ones, including the increasingly appealing Trevor Collins.
****
In a month, fashion mogul and reality TV judge Conrad Ryse, of The Retail Project fame, has promised to take Rhonda Gables under his wing and invest in her fledgling career. That’s her grand prize after a winning season on his show. Too bad exhaustion has sent Rhonda out of her city apartment, away from her three successful boutiques, and into her cousin’s guest room for a month of recuperation in her hometown.
She’s on the cusp of everything she’s ever wanted, but what will it cost? Doctor’s orders be damned, she balks at first. But soon Rhonda is both delighted and disconcerted by the attentions of her friend-maybe-lover, Trevor Collins, and the contentment she is surrounded by back home. She must realize all she’s willing to compromise and all her heart truly desires.
Preorder: Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes and Noble
January 26, 2015
Unexplained Peace
I have always felt drawn to water. It’s not that I believe in horoscopes, or think it’s because I’m a water sign, but I can’t deny I get an inner peace when I’m on a sandy beach staring at the rolling waves.
If I sit and think about it, though, there is nothing rational about feeling peace while looking a large ocean.
The seas are a tumultuous place.
Rolling waves toss boats about.
Sharp rocks lie just below the surface.
Sea creatures hunt for their next meal.
It’s sort of symbolic giving recent occurrences in my life.
Dangers lurk around every corner and unseen surprises loom out in front of me, waiting to change the course of my life.
Maybe that’s why the water brings me peace. It feels like the home I know.
January 20, 2015
Jody A Kessler Releases Angel Dreams, Talks About Independent Publishing
When I received my first publishing contract I was ecstatic! I think I actually jumped up and down and screamed, “Whoo-hoo!” This is extraordinary behavior for someone as mellow as I am. I was really fortunate to find a publisher quickly. Little did I know just how long I was going to have to wait to see my novels released to the public. And then I waited, and I waited some more. The wait was nearly two years for one novel. Eleven months for the other one. Well, I can’t express to you just how difficult it was having no control over when my work would see the light of day. With the growing independent publishing market available 24/7 all I could do was imagine what it would be like to release my own work. Which is exactly what I’m doing now.
Here are a few things I’ve learned. If you’re considering self-publishing, or are just interested in the industry, I hope this information helps.
Writing and getting published is a long process, whether you are independent or traditional. There is no rushing the job when you’re creating manuscripts with 50K-100K words. There are too many steps to publishing that can’t be ignored. Keep reading and I’ll explain a few of them.
Please note: There are piles of books written on these subjects. If you’re venturing into indie-pub read a lot of books and talk to as many informed people as you can. It will save you hours of heartache in mistakes made.
Pros To Becoming Your Own Publisher
The power is in your hands ~ as is your money! Royalty rates are always better when you cut out the middle-man.
Choosing your own cover art, formatting, setting your own price. I could probably be classified as a bit of a control freak. I enjoy running my own business and working alone, so self-publishing fits my needs.
Timeframe – Not waiting for a publisher to release your work. Yes, publishers can release a novel in 3-6 months. Do they? From what I’ve seen, NO. A typical book release can be from 6 months to 2 YEARS. I waited nearly 2 years from the time I submitted a manuscript to release day. Honestly, it was torture. As a self-published author, you get to control when your next release happens. However, there is a lot of planning and things happening behind the scenes before a new title hits the market. Just because you CAN publish your own work, doesn’t mean you’re ready. I highly recommend you read a lot of books about self-publishing and marketing before releasing your work into the world. And I think I’m repeating myself here, but it’s for good reason.
Cons To Going Indie
You’re all alone when it comes to marketing.
I’ve spoken with many traditionally published authors that feel they do 99% of their own marketing anyway, so having a publisher doesn’t guarantee that you receive much help spreading the word about your novel. This was my own personal experience. I’ve also talked to many authors who love their publisher and receive marketing perks such as:
Magazine (Ezine) ads with their book cover on it, review requests, tweets and shares on social media, spotlights and listings on the publisher’s website, and various ads at places like conferences. If your book gets picked up by a big publisher, you may get your books on real bookshelves. Many authors dream of this moment. Personally, this hasn’t been a huge deal for me because I do most of my shopping online anyway.
Contracts – There are probably some really fair and well written publishing contracts out there. There are also some pretty bad ones. Most contracts are written in the publisher’s favor. Please do your homework on this subject! Have experienced persons look it over for you, or hire a knowledgeable attorney to read and review the terms. My two cents: make sure you have a publishing date and a reasonable way out of the contract if things go awry.
Having a publisher behind your books can give you some clout in the industry. Indie is growing and gaining respect, but there are still some people that want to know who your publisher is, and if you don’t have one, they aren’t interested.
Upfront expenses – Here’s a rundown of basic expenses to self-publish. For some of you, this may be too much for your budget and need a publisher to cover the initial expenses. For others, this could be pocket change, but it’s something to consider. These are the things a publisher should pay for.
Editing- This could easily be your highest expense. PLEASE do not skip the editing! This is vital in being a successful indie author. (And, please take note: having someone proofread your manuscript is not considered editing.) $350 – $3500. I know this range is huge, but I did a ton of research and this is what I personally found for a professional editor for a 100k word manuscript. Also, editors may do 1 pass on your novel or 2-3. Make sure you know what you’re paying for. If you can trade or have a very close friend or family member help you, more power to you, and more money in your pocket.
Cover Art – $50-$500 Book covers sell books, so make sure it looks GREAT!
Book Formatting – You need your manuscript formatted for ebooks AND for paperback (if you want your book in print.) It will cost about $200 to have someone do both. I’ve seen quotes for $40-$50 an hour, which still comes out at about $100-$200.
You can also learn to format yourself. It’s not terribly difficult, but it does take a lot of time to learn. I found that using Jutoh.com for ebooks saved me a lot time and was well worth the $40.
ISBN Numbers: Free – $125 for one isbn. Check out Bowker for more information.
Each of these topics can easily be their own blog post. These are only some of the highlights. Don’t be fooled if someone tells you becoming an independent author is easy. It’s not easy, but it is possible! Weigh the pros and cons for yourself. Do your research and then decide if this is the direction you would like to take.
Always remember that content is king! Your final product must be desirable to someone if you want to sell books. I’m jumping into the self-publishing pool, armed with knowledge, a small army of helpful friends, and a lot questions. I’ll probably be in way over my head, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can stay above water and it will be worth it! Who knows, maybe I’ll go hybrid next year — that is — having some traditionally published novels and some indie novels.
If you would like to share your own experiences or publishing wisdom with me, I’d love to hear it. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments or send me a message via my website at JodyAKessler.com. Wishing you all the best in 2015 & hope you’re reading a great book! Hey, maybe it’s even an indie book! ~ Jody
New Release from Jody A. Kessler – Blog Tour & Giveaway!
Both novels in this award-winning series will be on sale for only .99 cents for a limited time.
Supernatural boundaries will be crossed as Angel of Death, Nathaniel Evans, risks his eternal soul to save the one he loves, the paranormally gifted and nature-loving, Juliana Crowson.
While working with a new client, Nathaniel finds out that pissing off a demon-wielding warlock in order to help a suicidal teen with misplaced sexual tendencies may be the last thing he ever does as an angel. Unable to stand aside, Juliana’s involvement in Nathaniel’s new case quickly develops into a misadventure with gun-toting bikers, table dancing, and a shamanic exorcism performed by her temperamental Native American friend, Chris Abeyta.
Can Nathaniel and Juliana’s love endure blood-letting rituals in the forest while helping a terrified teen find the will to live, or will fate and the rules of the afterlife tear them eternally apart?
Available in Paperback & Ebook on Amazon
Read an Excerpt from the Novel
I reach for her left hand and she lets me take it. “I only want to keep you safe. Is that all right?”
She bites her lower lip and then looks up at me. “You can’t be everywhere all the time, can you?”
“No. But for you, I wish I could be.”
“Certain things are out of our control.”
“That doesn’t mean I have to like it, but I know. You asked me what the matter was earlier. This is it. I realized anything could happen to you and I can’t control it. We have just started to know each other. It terrified me, and now this.” I glance down at her red finger.
“Nathan. I, you…we just have to stay in the moment. This,” She holds up her index finger showing me the swollen side and the drying blood, “is a perk of my job. Not a deadly accident. If anything does happen to me, or you, at least we knew each other. Even for a short time. Right?”
“Getting injured on the job is not a perk, it’s a hazard,” I argue.
Our relationship is just starting, so no. A short time is not good enough for me. When I’m with Juliana I can only imagine eternity together, not minutes. The way she stares at me, with caring eyes, and her kissable mouth, it’s so innocent and alive. It makes me want to lock her away in a cell with both of us inside and never see any threat or harm come near her again.
“I want you, Juliana. I want to know you. I want to see your face in the morning light and be with you until you fall asleep at night. I want to hold your hand as we walk in these woods, not just today, but always. What I don’t want, what I can’t live with, is a collection of fading memories and a well full of regret.” I watch her closely looking for any shift of uneasiness as I pour out my soul to her.
She looks up at me. Her face is open and the honesty I see echoes my own.
“We will know each other,” she assures me, and then she seals her words by leaning forward on her tiptoes and brushing her perfect pink lips over mine.
About the Author
When Jody isn’t navigating the terrain of her imagination and writing it down, she can be found exploring the wilderness of Colorado with her family, or in the kitchen baking cookies & brownies – and then trying not to eat them all. She’s passionate about continuing to learn and reads anything and everything that catches her interest. Jody is a full time mom, a Reiki Master, and has taught Hatha yoga for over a decade.
Jody’s debut novel, Death Lies Between Us, is the winner of RomCon’s Readers’ Crown award for best Paranormal Romance in 2014. She is currently working on a historical time travel series set in Montana in the 1860’s. The first book in the series, The Night Medicine, will be published in March 2015.
Jody A. Kessler invites you to visit with her at: www.JodyAKessler.com, or on Facebook & Twitter
For a chance to win a $10 amazon gift card or a signed paperback of the Death Lies Between Us (An Angel Falls, #1) please enter the rafflecopter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
January 19, 2015
All That’s Unrealized Available for Preorder
All That’s Unrealized — which will be released Feb. 12, is now available for preorder at some outlets.
It’s what the doctor ordered for Rhonda Gables, owner of three successful boutiques: four weeks of rest between winning this season’s Retail Project and claiming her prize. Rhonda must decide if being a TV reality show star is worth leaving behind her loved ones, including the increasingly appealing Trevor Collins.
****
In a month, fashion mogul and reality TV judge Conrad Ryse, of The Retail Project fame, has promised to take Rhonda Gables under his wing and invest in her fledgling career. That’s her grand prize after a winning season on his show. Too bad exhaustion has sent Rhonda out of her city apartment, away from her three successful boutiques, and into her cousin’s guest room for a month of recuperation in her hometown.
She’s on the cusp of everything she’s ever wanted, but what will it cost? Doctor’s orders be damned, she balks at first. But soon Rhonda is both delighted and disconcerted by the attentions of her friend-maybe-lover, Trevor Collins, and the contentment she is surrounded by back home. She must realize all she’s willing to compromise and all her heart truly desires.
PREORDER: Amazon | Smashwords
January 13, 2015
Out Today: All That’s Unclaimed
Sunnydale Days Series, Book Two
Out Today
Ben Crawford is forced to face the ghosts of his past after his mother’s accident and Anna Jenkins’s announcement she’s starting her own stables. Only then does he find the strength to hold on to all he’s left unclaimed.
Ben Crawford has always believed the professional respect and acceptance he desired couldn’t be found at Sunnydale Farms. There were just too many ghosts residing in his broken home. Only when Anna Jenkins, the one constant at his mother’s therapeutic riding facility, announces she is leaving to start her own stables is Ben forced to grasp hold of all he’s left unclaimed.
Buy: Turquoise Morning Press Store | IBOOKS | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS
January 12, 2015
New Year, Fresh Start: Kicking off 2015 in a Big Way
It’s hard to believe today is January 12 already. Christmas came and went. I took a quick trip to visit family at the beginning of the year — and have already been home for a week.
As I mentioned toward the end of 2014 there are some big things going.
So, let me get you up-to-date.
First — if you had a hard time finding me this morning, please note the new address of the blog: www. blog.constancephillips.com. The main domain will take you to my brand new site, and the old blog URL is no longer active. Refresh your links and I’m hoping Google will get things updated soon.
As a result of the domain transfer some images on the blog are broken. I will be making tweeks over the next two weeks. Hopefully, we’ll be good as new soon.
Constancephillips.com has a new look! The website is now up-to-date with a cleaner look. All of my book pages have first chapter excerpts and review snippets. If you haven’t taken a look yet, head on over.
All That’s Unspoken is on a review tour. For the next week, there will be new reviews of All That’s Unspoken. Here are just a few quotes that have already come in.
“The author has written a very emotional story” – N. Kuhn
” It is such a heart warming and emotional story.” – Heidi Simon
“Highly recommended if you need cheering up and remembering about the good in people.” Ruthie Taylor
All That’s Unclaimed releases Tomorrow!
You can read the first chapter at: http://www.constancephillips.com/all-...
December 31, 2014
A Happy New Year to All
Most people think of the New Year as a time to party.
I like to look at it as a time to reflect on the past and make plans for the future.
This year, I’m looking forward to two new books in the Sunnydale Days series. The last post here showed you the covers of the books, and in the next few days I’ll start sharing more about All That’s Unclaimed. I really can’t wait for all of you to read this book.
I had hoped to launch the new year with a brand new website. It’s coming, but it won’t be live tomorrow, like I’d hoped. As I worked toward that goal this afternoon, I realized I just had too many more details to wrap up. I want it to be great when I flip the switch…not rushed. Look for it by the end of next week, for sure. Maybe sooner.
Tomorrow, I’m flying to my parent’s house in Florida, and will not be home until late on the 6th. Look for updates and pics via Facebook and instagram…and hopefully here .
Once this post goes live, I will be shutting down the computer and packing up my last few things for my early morning flight. I will be spending a couple hours out with the hubby tonight, as he is not making this trip with me and my daughter.
Whoever you are spending your New Year with and what ever you are doing, I hope it is the beginning of a wonderful year for all of you.
