B.L. Blair's Blog, page 16
January 1, 2018
New Year – New Direction
In a few weeks, I will be celebrating my 5th year as an independent author. I self-published my first book, Convince Me, on February 4, 2013. It has been a bumpy road. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I’ve also learned a lot.
The people who have read my books have been wonderful. Most who commented, emailed, or wrote a review were kind and positive. Even those who did not like one of my books (with one or two exceptions) were still helpful and generous. My fellow authors have been accepting, encouraging, and supportive. It’s been a long journey but very rewarding.
One of the things I was told from the beginning was that I needed a strong social media presence. The only problem was no one could tell me exactly what that meant. So I tried just about everything. I have this blog, a Facebook Page, and a Twitter account. I’m on Google+, Pinterest, AboutMe, Goodreads, LinkedIn, BookBub, and several others I no longer remember. There seems to be too many to count and too much “shouting” trying to be heard.
To this end, I’ve decided to scale back. Fewer posts, less “shouting,” but hopefully more engagement. I’d like to hear from you and develop some meaningful relationships. I hope you will continue with me on this journey. I have several books planned for next year. I’m currently working on the next Leah Norwood Mystery, Dead in a Pickup, and have two more Lost and Found Pets novellas running around in my head.
Happy New Year! Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy, and safe 2018.
The people who have read my books have been wonderful. Most who commented, emailed, or wrote a review were kind and positive. Even those who did not like one of my books (with one or two exceptions) were still helpful and generous. My fellow authors have been accepting, encouraging, and supportive. It’s been a long journey but very rewarding.
One of the things I was told from the beginning was that I needed a strong social media presence. The only problem was no one could tell me exactly what that meant. So I tried just about everything. I have this blog, a Facebook Page, and a Twitter account. I’m on Google+, Pinterest, AboutMe, Goodreads, LinkedIn, BookBub, and several others I no longer remember. There seems to be too many to count and too much “shouting” trying to be heard.
To this end, I’ve decided to scale back. Fewer posts, less “shouting,” but hopefully more engagement. I’d like to hear from you and develop some meaningful relationships. I hope you will continue with me on this journey. I have several books planned for next year. I’m currently working on the next Leah Norwood Mystery, Dead in a Pickup, and have two more Lost and Found Pets novellas running around in my head.
Happy New Year! Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy, and safe 2018.
December 28, 2017
The Long Road to Publication – by Anna Belle Rose
Great guest post from Anna Belle Rose. Be sure to check out her new book, That One Small Omission. It's only $0.99 on Kindle.
Guest PostYears and years ago, actually decades ago, I was a stay-at-home mom for a bit, with my then youngest child who would not fall asleep at nap time. Over time, I realized that while he wouldn’t sleep, he would sit in his crib for a bit each afternoon, listening to Yanni at the Acropolis, looking at story books, and I could sit and write. And write I did. I wrote and wrote and wrote over many months. By then, my youngest was talking, and he somehow understood that Mommy was writing a book, and he kept nagging me to keep going. And I did.
Fast forward many years, and I’d keep opening the word file of that first novel, print it out, edit and revise, and eventually send it out to a few agents. Rejections would come in, and I’d put it away for a while, then that same son would poke at me again, and the process would start all over again. During this same time, I also started several other novels, and kept working on them in the same way. All of them were contemporary romances, heavily linked to life in Vermont, and all have gloriously happy endings – I mean, who doesn’t love a happily ever after?
Finally, late in 2016, I decided I needed to either get serious about writing, or give it up for good. So I pulled those two complete novels out again, and hired incredible professional editors to go at them. Then I started submitting them to a few agents, and a couple publishing houses that didn’t require representation by agents. And on June 13th, a publishing contract arrived on the novel I wrote first, The Phone Call. And on July 13th, a contract arrived for my second, That One Small Omission. And joy of joys, on December 4th, a contract was offered on my third, More Than I Can Say.
On October 11, 2017, That One Small Omission was published in e-book and print versions, and on December 12th, The Phone Call will be published. The joy and excitement I feel each time I look at my mantle and see my first published novel is an emotion that I think only other authors can understand!
That One Small OmissionMaggie Erickson-O’Brien always played it safe, always. That is, right up to the moment when she met the man of her dreams while on a work trip. A one-night stand led to dreams of forever, right up to the moment when she realized they could never have a future together. Months later, fate thrusts them together again, and he has to decide if her one small omission will doom their relationship. Can forever still happen?
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yb5bc2ux
Anna Belle is a graduate of Middlebury College, Castleton University and Union Institute. She lives on their small family farm in Central Vermont with her husband and youngest son. When not writing, she enjoys time with her husband, children and grandchildren, traveling, gardening, cheering for the Red Sox, and taking care of her alpacas, bees and chickens. Anna Belle is also an avid knitter and spinner, and often her best ideas for novels come when at the spinning wheel or in the garden.
Amazon Author’s page: https://tinyurl.com/y8uzgxeh
Guest PostYears and years ago, actually decades ago, I was a stay-at-home mom for a bit, with my then youngest child who would not fall asleep at nap time. Over time, I realized that while he wouldn’t sleep, he would sit in his crib for a bit each afternoon, listening to Yanni at the Acropolis, looking at story books, and I could sit and write. And write I did. I wrote and wrote and wrote over many months. By then, my youngest was talking, and he somehow understood that Mommy was writing a book, and he kept nagging me to keep going. And I did.
Fast forward many years, and I’d keep opening the word file of that first novel, print it out, edit and revise, and eventually send it out to a few agents. Rejections would come in, and I’d put it away for a while, then that same son would poke at me again, and the process would start all over again. During this same time, I also started several other novels, and kept working on them in the same way. All of them were contemporary romances, heavily linked to life in Vermont, and all have gloriously happy endings – I mean, who doesn’t love a happily ever after?
Finally, late in 2016, I decided I needed to either get serious about writing, or give it up for good. So I pulled those two complete novels out again, and hired incredible professional editors to go at them. Then I started submitting them to a few agents, and a couple publishing houses that didn’t require representation by agents. And on June 13th, a publishing contract arrived on the novel I wrote first, The Phone Call. And on July 13th, a contract arrived for my second, That One Small Omission. And joy of joys, on December 4th, a contract was offered on my third, More Than I Can Say.
On October 11, 2017, That One Small Omission was published in e-book and print versions, and on December 12th, The Phone Call will be published. The joy and excitement I feel each time I look at my mantle and see my first published novel is an emotion that I think only other authors can understand!
That One Small OmissionMaggie Erickson-O’Brien always played it safe, always. That is, right up to the moment when she met the man of her dreams while on a work trip. A one-night stand led to dreams of forever, right up to the moment when she realized they could never have a future together. Months later, fate thrusts them together again, and he has to decide if her one small omission will doom their relationship. Can forever still happen?Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yb5bc2ux
Anna Belle is a graduate of Middlebury College, Castleton University and Union Institute. She lives on their small family farm in Central Vermont with her husband and youngest son. When not writing, she enjoys time with her husband, children and grandchildren, traveling, gardening, cheering for the Red Sox, and taking care of her alpacas, bees and chickens. Anna Belle is also an avid knitter and spinner, and often her best ideas for novels come when at the spinning wheel or in the garden.Amazon Author’s page: https://tinyurl.com/y8uzgxeh
December 27, 2017
Second Chances by Kimberley O’Malley
Contemporary RomanceDate Published: 11/30/17 Publisher: Carolina Blue Publishing
Dr. Charlotte Avery is the newest resident of Windsor Falls, North Carolina. Just back from the war-ravaged plains of Africa, Charlie only wants to settle into her new life and to reconnect with Elizabeth Fitzgerald, her best friend from residency. What she doesn’t expect, or need, is the instant attraction she feels for Elizabeth’s brother-in-law, Brendan. A single dad, Brendan Fitzgerald isn’t interested in anything that will further complicate his life. Will they be open to a second chance?
Excerpt:
Charlie leaned against the wall for a moment to ground herself. One day, the feeling of loss wouldn’t haunt her. She had to believe that. Angry sounds broke her reverie. Instinct kicked in. She followed the sound around the corner and back to the triage desk. And stopped. Her heart thudded at the sight of a very handsome man. He was also the source of the noise. She listened to the triage nurse attempt to calm him.
“Sir, you can’t go back there. If you tell me your name, I can help you.”He pulled a hand through his raven hair. “I don’t have time for this. I need to find my daughter.” His blue eyes scanned the area. “Maybe I can help.” Two pair of eyes turned towards her as Charlie stepped into the fray. The nurse’s were tinged with relief. Annoyance passed through his as the man swept his gaze over her. And dismissed her. She was a beautiful woman used to men taking a second look. Not this one, but then he did have more important things on his mind. Or rather, an important person.“Are you Mr. Fitzgerald, by any chance? Here to see Abby?” Charlie spoke in a soothing tone.The man took a deep breath and blew it out. “Yes, I’m Abby’s father, Brendan Fitzgerald.”“I brought Abby in. I’d be happy to take you to her. I know she’ll want to see you.” She took him by the wrist, ignoring the warmth that spread up her arm at the contact. Without giving him a chance to argue, she led him away from the desk.“I’m Charlie. I was there at the park. She’s doing great. Her wrist may be broken. They were doing X-rays when I left her, but I think it’s just a simple fracture. A few weeks in a cast, and she’ll be good as new. Won’t even have to give up swimming this summer.”Brendan stopped walking and planted his feet, no longer allowing her to shepherd him. She jerked to a halt. She craned her neck. At almost six feet tall, she normally didn’t have to look up to meet someone’s gaze. But Brendan had three or four inches on her, not to mention the work boots he was wearing. She remembered that his family was in construction. He looked the part, with well-worn jeans molding his legs. A forest green t-shirt with ‘Fitzgerald Construction’ written on it stretched across his muscular chest.“Look, Charlie, I’m not trying to be rude, but I need to see my daughter. Now. Please let go of me.”Charlie looked down to where her hand was still attached to his wrist. She dropped it immediately, heat crept up her neck. “Sorry”, she muttered.
About the Author
Kimberley O’Malley is a recent transplant to Charlotte, North Carolina from the frozen North. She is learning to say y’all but draws the line at sweet tea. Sarcasm is an art form in her world. When not writing, she is a full-time nurse and part-time soccer Mom, but not necessarily in that order. She shares her life with an amazing husband of more than twenty years, two teenagers, and one very sweet Shetland Sheepdog, Molly.Contact Links
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Purchase Link
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December 25, 2017
December 22, 2017
The 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways – Day 12
Visit the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways blog to win great prizes including eBooks, gift card, swag, and more! Our grand prize giveaway is a $100 Amazon Gift Card.http://12daysgiveaways.blogspot.com/p/grand-prize-100-amazon-gift-card.html
December 21, 2017
The 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways – Day 11
Visit the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways blog to win great prizes including eBooks, gift card, swag, and more! Today’s featured giveaway is a $25 Starbucks Gift Card.https://12daysgiveaways.blogspot.com/2017/12/25-starbucks-gift-card-from-b-l-blair.html
Our grand prize giveaway is a $100 Amazon Gift Card. Visit each day for more chances to win!
December 20, 2017
The 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways – Day 11
Visit the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways blog to win great prizes including eBooks, gift card, swag, and more! Today’s featured giveaway is an eBook copy of In Honour Bound by Elizabeth Bailey.https://12daysgiveaways.blogspot.com/2017/12/ebook-in-honour-bound-by-elizabeth_21.html
Our grand prize giveaway is a $100 Amazon Gift Card. Visit each day for more chances to win!
December 19, 2017
The 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways – Day 10
Visit the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways blog to win great prizes including eBooks, gift card, swag, and more! Today’s featured giveaway is a $10 Amazon Gift Card from Judi Lynn.https://12daysgiveaways.blogspot.com/2017/12/10-amazon-gift-card-from-judi-lynn.html
Our grand prize giveaway is a $100 Amazon Gift Card. Visit each day for more chances to win!
December 18, 2017
The 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways – Day 10
Visit the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways blog to win great prizes including eBooks, gift card, swag, and more! Today’s featured giveaway is an eBook copy of Her Unexpected Detour by Kyra Jacobs.https://12daysgiveaways.blogspot.com/2017/12/ebook-her-unexpected-detour-by-kyra.html
Our grand prize giveaway is a $100 Amazon Gift Card. Visit each day for more chances to win!
