M.J. Kane's Blog, page 2

On the 3rd Day of Christmas...

Let me tell you what I got today! Let Kaitlyn and Antonio's story warm your heart this holiday season! Follow this link to learn more! Be sure to follow me on Facebook, IG, Twitter, and subscribe to my newsletter so you don't miss out on my gift to you next week!!! #MJKane #MJKaneMedia #ButterflyMemoirs #romanticwomensfiction #ebook #storytelling #characters #reality #friendsbeforelovers. #free #romanceisabonusbook #relationships #womenempowerment #womenwritingfiction #interracialcouples #interraciallove #interracialromance #interracialrelationships #bookclubs #kindleunlimitedromance #kindle #KTEK #GrindFactoryStudios #GrindFactoryTheLable #LearnLifeLessons #Music

On the 2nd Day of Christmas...

Let me tell you what I got today! Let Yasmine and Zachariah's story warm your heart this holiday season! Follow this link to learn more! Be sure to follow me on Facebook, IG, Twitter, and subscribe to my newsletter so you don't miss out on my gift to you next week!!! #MJKane #MJKaneMedia #ButterflyMemoirs #romanticwomensfiction #ebook #storytelling #characters #reality #friendsbeforelovers. #free #romanceisabonusbook #relationships #womenempowerment #womenwritingfiction #interracialcouples #interraciallove #interracialromance #interracialrelationships #bookclubs #kindleunlimitedromance #kindle #KTEK #GrindFactoryStudios #GrindFactoryTheLable #LearnLifeLessons #Music

On the 1st Day of Christmas...

Let me tell you what I got today! Let Ebony and Brian's story warm your heart this holiday season! Follow this link to learn more! Be sure to follow me on Facebook, IG, Twitter, and subscribe to my newsletter so you don't miss out on my gift to you next week!!! #MJKane #MJKaneMedia #ButterflyMemoirs #romanticwomensfiction #ebook #storytelling #characters #reality #friendsbeforelovers. #free #romanceisabonusbook #relationships #womenempowerment #womenwritingfiction #interracialcouples #interraciallove #interracialromance #interracialrelationships #bookclubs #kindleunlimitedromance #kindle #KTEK #GrindFactoryStudios #GrindFactoryTheLable #LearnLifeLessons #Music

'Tis the Season to Treat Yourself, Too!

This holiday season, don't forget to pick up something for yourself! Take a break from Christmas shopping and holiday planning by falling in love with a new series! And you don't have to spend a dollar! It's all FREE! Fall in love with The Butterfly Memoirs two ways... If you've already read the first books in the series, A Heart Not Easily Broken and Jaded, catch up with Kaitlyn and her story! Lonely Heart is FREE December 2-6th! About the story: The consequences of past decisions can ruin your future… Instead of planning her wedding, Kaitlyn Rodgers is facing motherhood alone, the pressures of a new job, and caring for her rebellious younger sister. What should have been the happiest time of her life turns into one stressful event after another. After watching his father struggle to raise a family by himself, auto mechanic Antonio Rodriguez refuses to follow in his father’s footsteps…even if it means a lifetime of loneliness. When Kaitlyn's car breaks down, though, Antonio goes beyond auto repairs to take care of her needs. Soon, an unexpected friendship begins, allowing Kaitlyn and Antonio a glimpse of happiness…until the father of Kaitlyn’s child returns, ready to offer her marriage and a future. But at what cost? Or... If you LOVE reading on your Kindle, pick up the ENTIRE SERIES for free on KINDLE UNLIMITED! Don't have it? No worries! Sign up for Kindle Unlimited now and get the FIRST 3 MONTHS for FREE!! You can't beat that! Register today and get lost in the series that will open your eyes to the possibility of falling in love when you least expect it! #MJKane #MJKaneMedia #TheButterflyMemoirs #Writing #Life #Books #Authors #NewReleases #Blogging #Bloggers #Blog #AHeartNotEasilyBroken #Jaded #LonelyHeart #Alone #KU #KindleUnlimited #FreeBooks #FriendsToLovers #RomanticWomensFiction #InterracialRomance #CyberMondayDeals #FreeBooks #AfricanAmericanAuthor #WomensFiction #Romance

The Player and The Divorcee...The sparks fly, but it's not all good...or is it?

The premise for the fifth book in the Butterfly Memoirs series came about when I was in the middle of writing the first novel, A HEART NOT EASILY BROKEN. It came out of nowhere. A Player who is down on his luck and the run-in with his best friend's sister-in-law. Dirt on the floor. A pissed-off woman. An equally pissed off man. A shirt gets ripped off, and the sparks that both ignored are ignited. I spent an hour writing that scene, then filed it away so I could finish writing Book 1. Four books were published in the series before I was able to revisit Derrick and Kelli and write ALONE. I have to say it was worth it! I love each and every character in The Butterfly Memoirs series, but I have to say, on the hotness meter...Derrick scores a whopping 12! Oh, and you will know the scene when you get to it! About the story: When Derrick's brother drives the family business into bankruptcy, Derrick is left without a job and only one choice: start over. With a new job waiting in Atlanta, the only other thing he's looking for is a woman who's willing to fit his no-strings-attached relationship policy. But then he runs into Kelli, a woman with a smart mouth who challenges him in every way. She'd be perfect ... if it weren't for the fact she had kids. Shortly after giving birth to her son, Kelli's husband announced that he wanted a divorce. Forced to move in with her newlywed sister, Kelli is faced with raising two young children on her own, finding affordable housing, and landing a job that will pay her bills. The last thing she needs or wants is a man in her life. But when her brother-in-law's best friend shows up for dinner, it's impossible to ignore the sexual attraction. Fate and finances have another plan, though, forcing Derrick and Kelli into living under the same roof. Despite their differences, Derrick finds himself breaking his own relationship rules. But as his luck would have it, just when he thinks he's ready to make a commitment, tragedy strikes close to home and, with it, issues from his past that force him to risk everything for what he wants. What Readers Are Saying... ★★★★★ "This book gave me what I needed. I laughed and cried, laughed and fell in love with Derrick. Derrick was so loyal and real. Exactly what Kellie needed. I couldn't get enough. The character's chemistry was insane." - Amazon Review ★★★★★ "The author did a wonderful job with its characters where you were able to see their 'joy, pain, love and even commitment' in getting to a wonderful understanding that they belonged together."- Amazon Review ★★★★★ #From the first page to the last you don't want to put it down... she gives you a clear look into each character and you feel their joy, pain, love, and commitment."- Goodreads Review Buy Now! Amazon Nook Google Play Books iBook Smashwords Kobo Be sure to follow my website, newsletter, and connect with me on BookBub in order to stay in the loop for contests, giveaways, and sneak peeks of other works to come! -MJ #MJKane #MJKaneMedia #TheButterflyMemoirs #Writing #Life #Books #Authors #NewReleases #Blogging #Bloggers #Blog #AHeartNotEasilyBroken #Jaded #Shattered #KU #KindleUnlimited

#WriterWednesday: My Author Of The Week Interview with 96 KIX Host, Kimberly Kay!

Recently, I had the privilege of being interviewed by 96 KIX radio host Kimberly Kay as her Author of the Week! The first time we chatted was shortly after the release of the third novel in The Butterfly Memoirs, Lonely Heart, so when she reached out wanting to catch up, I was excited! Take a few minutes to tune listen in as I share what's happening with the series and what's coming next! Before you go, follow this link to the Great Books, Great Deals Accent On Romance October Giveaways! You could win an ECHO SHOW or a $25.00 AMAZON SHOPPING SPREE! You can also grab your next great read! There are books from USA, New York Times, and International Bestselling Authors ranging from FREE to .99 cents! Multiple genres leave you plenty of chances to add a great find to your favorite eReader. The sale ends on Friday, October 25, 2019, but the contest continues until the end of the month, so visit frequently to enter as many times as you want! If you haven't read the first novel in The Butterfly Memoirs, A Heart Not Easily Broken, grab a copy for FREE, OR if you have Kindle Unlimited, read the ENTIRE SERIES for FREE! Happy Listening and Reading! #MJKane #MJKaneMedia #TheButterflyMemoirs #KimberlyKay #96KIX #AuthorOfTheWeek #Interview #AuthorInterview #RadioInterview #DJ #RadioPersonality #GreatBookDeals #AccentOnRomance #Authors #Bestsellers #BestsellingAuthors #USAToday #NewYorkTimesBestesller #InternationalBestseller #Freebooks #99centbooks #booksales #ebooks #Amazon #contest #Giveaway #giftcard #EchoShow

New eBook Treats & Win an Echo Show!

It's that time again! A new season means a new round of great book deals for you to take advantage of! From USA, New York Times and International Bestselling Authors, check out these great book deals! Some are FREE, others are .99 cents! Find your next great read today! And there's a contest, too, with $139.99 worth of prizes! Enter for a chance to win an Amazon Echo Show or Amazon Gift Card Shopping Spree! Enter to win! Click to download one of these great book deals today! #MJKane #MJKaneMedia #GreatBookDeals #USAToday #NewYorkTimesBestesller #InternationalBestseller #Freebooks #99centbooks #booksales #ebooks #Amazon #contest #Giveaway #giftcard #EchoShow

#WriterWednesday: To Hire an Editor or Not to Hire an Editor…It’s Not Even a Question!!!!

Editors. In the world of writing, we all need one. The question is when. During my writing journey, I've heard various tales, feedback, and opinions. No, don't hire an editor to read your work before submitting, you'll be wasting money. Let the publisher pay for it! Yes, hire an editor; it could increase the quality of your product and allow you to find an agent and/or publisher! The answer to the question is...Y0U DO NEED AN EDITOR!!!! Not a friend who reads a lot of books, not your old high school English teacher, but someone skilled and trained in the art (yes, the ART!) of editing your books, the right way! When it all comes down to it, the real question is: how much money do I want to invest in yourself? When I first started writing my books, the thought of an editor reviewing my work scared me. The idea of someone taking my words, ripping them to shreds, and spitting it back at me, demanding it is rewritten because it wasn't good enough had me cursing the profession. I pushed that thought aside and focused on writing a story I wanted to tell. Next, I focused on learning as much as I could about sentence structure, setting up the paragraphs, scene breaks, chapter breaks, and POV changes. Then, I built my infamous repeated/passive word list to tighten up my prose. I've gone over my list so many times while doing my own edits, I rarely have to pull it up to know what words to avoid. For the most part, the amount of repeated words has decreased, but I still use them out of habit, especially during the rough draft phase. BUT, it's always the first thing I tackle when I begin the editing phase! However, that doesn't cover everything. There are still the details of correct grammar usage, using the right word tense, and spelling...you know what I'm talking about. When to use you, your, or you're or there, their, and they're? Unless you were an English major in high school, college, or took a class specifically for this type of detail, there's no possible way you'll ever be able to catch every detail! A perfect example: how many times have you picked up a novel by one of your favorite big-name publishing houses or New York Times Bestselling authors, only to discover a significant editing error? Come on, we've all done that. Why? Human imperfection. No matter how many times a manuscript is read, no matter how many attempts are made to dot all the I's and cross all the T's, humans make errors. Our eyes see what our brains want us to see or expect to see vs. what it actually sees. *PRO TIP* Take advantage of any writing software you can get your hands on that will help you find and correct as may everyday grammatical errors. Free programs such as Grammarly allow you to do two types of searches. The free version will check for spelling and punctuation errors. Upgrade to the Premium version and you will have content issues pointed out, such as repeated words, incorrect tense usage, and much more! Not only will it point out the issues, but it will also give a basic explanation as to why it is incorrect. This program can be downloaded for use on Microsoft products, websites, and more! So, what does that mean for new, self-published, or Indie authors? It means you have a decision to make: How much do you want to invest in yourself? The investment is not only about money; it's also about time. How do you know you've found an editor you can work with? Of course, the first thing everyone looks for is reputation. Word of mouth from other authors in your writing network is excellent, nevertheless, in the end, it comes down to one-on-one communication. Does the editor understand your writing style? Do they edit a lot of work in your genre? Will they be able to follow the rules of the genre you're writing? What time-frame are you looking for? Will it take a few days or a few weeks before they return your work? And most important: What type of editing are you paying for? There are several types of editing available. What're the differences? Copywriter or Copy-Editing: Their job is to be sure your story is written well and logically structured. Correct grammar and spelling are checked, as well as ensuring the manuscript fits the publishers' style'. They ask questions of the author and check story facts. Content Editor: Their job is to ensure your work meets the standards for accuracy and style. They check for spelling, grammar, coherence, and consistent style. They also proofread to be sure copy-editing work has been completed. They also look for the correct use of tense, passive statements, wordy, hard to read sentences, as well as the general storyline. This is the most expensive editing, which can cost between $1200 to $ 1500. Proofreader: In the publishing world, a proofreader is generally the last person to see your manuscript after it's been through other editors' hands and before it goes to print. Their job is to do a final read-through to catch any mistakes the first editors may have missed. If you are not shopping your manuscript around and have decided to self-publish, you should seriously consider having at least one of these editors review your work. Depending on what phase of your writing career you are in, it may not be in your budget. If you go the proofreading route, then know, you MUST review your work again after it is returned to you! Don't hit the 'accept all track changes' button and not review the comments, notations, and corrections the editor has left behind. Failure to do so could mean missing areas that need to be rewritten for continuity or better understanding. If you don't and the issues make it to final print, it is on you, not the editor! Do not get offended! An outstanding editor will try and teach you what you've done wrong so that when you write your next book, you can work on those issues. **SIDE NOTE **: Over the years, I've run into authors who have paid to have their work published for by services or small publishing houses offering ebook/paperback conversions, publishing, and distributing to online websites. What they failed to realize was that most times, EDITING IS NOT A PART OF THE SERVICE! That is a separate service the company offers, but it is UP TO YOU to ask about it and pay for it! They could care less about the quality of your work and will only do what you pay them to do! So, read the fine lines of the contracts and ask questions! So, what route will you choose? Here's what I've learned. Agents are meticulous. Not only does your story have to engage them and keep them interested for at least the first three chapters, but so does the quality of your writing. Submitting an unedited copy - and by that, I mean, work you haven't spent time searching for errors yourself - makes a difference. The cleaner the read, the more focused on the story they will be, not the plethora of mistakes littering the pages. The smoother read they get from your work focus on the story, not the errors. It lets them know that you, the author, are willing to put in the work it takes to make a better product. With the current economy, every business is looking for ways to cut down their expenses. If you walk in the door offering a product they can spend less money on cleaning up before making it available for sale, you increase your chances of them choosing your manuscript. Here's another fact you must remember: if you decided to use an editor…don't just pay them and accept what they send to you in return doesn't need to be reviewed. Any editor will tell you that after they do their magic, it's up to you, the author, to review your manuscript. Just because they make changes or suggestions does not mean you have to accept them all. It's up to your discretion. But, you still have to re-read your work from beginning to end. It's up to you to put that stamp of approval on it before sending it out into the world. That requires more work on your part. If you don't do the work, then you will have to deal with the consequences of any uncorrected errors. The editor's job is to work with you, which means you, in turn, must work with them. I've had the opportunity to talk to a proofreader, a good friend of mine, TJ, and she shared some helpful information on how to determine what type of editor you need, depending on the amount of work you've put into cleaning up your manuscript. "A proofreader, which is my specialty, is generally the last person you see. They focus on clean manuscripts after they've run their gamut (through a publisher), but many people try to skip the steps. The fact of the matter is, if you are horrible at punctuation, you choose a copy-editor. If you feel you've got punctuation licked, but your story needs a scouring for consistency, you may choose a content editor. If you have a great idea but need someone to go through your MS with a fine-toothed-comb - rewriting sentences for clarity, passive statements, content, and punctuation – then you need a content editor." I hope this information has been informative. Whether or not you choose to use the services of any of the above editors, I wish you the best on your writing journey! -MJ #MJKane #MJKaneMedia #editors #writing #amwriting #amediting #proofreading #copywriter #copyeditor #proofreading #contenteditor #WriterWednesday #writingtips #editingtips #newauthors

Fall Into Love with These Books!

It's that time again! A new season means there are NEW BOOKS to fall in love with! I've partnered up with Accent On Romance and am sharing the first book in The Butterfly Memoirs series, A HEART NOT EASILY BROKEN is #FREE for a limited time! About the Story ... Ebony Campbell is a smart, sexy career-oriented black woman who wants nothing more than a summer fling with a man who challenges her mind and body. What she doesn’t expect is Brian Young, a blond-haired, blue-eyed bass player to step up to the challenge. Despite negative reactions, their fling develops into a deep relationship, and Ebony discovers juggling love, family, and career are nothing compared to the ultimate betrayal she endures. Now her dreams spiral into lies and secrets that threaten her future and the trust of those she loves. Fall in love with Ebony and Brian, then get to know their friends by checking out the rest of the Butterfly Memoirs series! Check out these great #FREE and #99Cent deals from New York Times, USA Today, and International Bestselling Authors! Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a FIRE HD 8 Tablet and two winners will receive a $25.00 Amazon Shopping Spree! Accent On Romance Deals #MJKane #MJKaneMedia #AHeartNotEasilyBroken #GBGD #GreatBooksGreatDeals #AccentonRomance #ebook #giveaways #FREE #99cents #Kindle #Amazon #Giftcard #B&N #Smashwords #GooglePlay #iBook #Kobo

From Bachelor to Single Father, Trevon's heart is torn between two women...

Trevon Campbell's world changed the moment his ex-girlfriend announced he was a father… Determined to make up for his past mistakes, Trevon gives Trina what she wanted before their breakup, what feels like his soul, which means he needs to forget about the exotic woman who stole his heart on one fateful night. Kai Malone refuses to play by her family's rules… Instead of working for the family business, she became a firefighter. Working in a field dominated by men is hard enough, especially when you have a multicultural heritage, but Kai dedicates her life to her career to be the best and so she doesn’t have to think about the infidelity of her fiancé. Tired of his deceit, she gave in to a one-night stand with a complete stranger, someone she'd never have to see again – or so she thought. What Readers Are Saying... ★★★★★ ...after reading so many books with grunting, brooding, chest-thumping males it was refreshing to see one quietly sweep me off my feet. That's what this book did with its heartbreaking, heartwarming, loving moments, it quietly swept me off my feet and I loved it. - VINE VOICE ★★★★★ I enjoyed the twist and turns showing the raw and imperfect emotions.... that were presented so well by in Kai and Trevon's story. ★★★★★ This novel had surprising twist and turns that I did not see coming. They pulled at my heartstrings and kept me captivated page by page. I was not ready. Buy Now! Amazon Nook Google Play Books iBook Smashwords Kobo Be sure to follow my website, newsletter, and connect with me on BookBub in order to stay in the loop for contests, giveaways, and sneak peeks of other works to come! -MJ #MJKane #MJKaneMedia #TheButterflyMemoirs #Writing #Life #Books #Authors #NewReleases #ComingSoon #Blogging #Bloggers #Blog #Nobody'ysBusiness