Mary Smith's Blog, page 4

Mary Smith, where do you want to travel?

I have traveled all over the world, but most of the time it's for business or it was because I was a kid and it was my parents' vacation and I had to tag along.
Now that I'm adult I want to go on my own!
Here are the FIVE places I want to go ...


1) Paris, France


Many of my friends and family have been and I'm dying to go and eat all the carbs!
2) Antartica


It's my dream to go there! I will make it someday! ... someday ...
3) Montana


Okay, I know this place isn't that far from me, but I've never been able to make it up there. It's stunningly beautiful and cold. Two of my favorite things!
4) Montreal


This is actually the place I want to retire too. I've wanted to go since I was a kid... but I'm hoping to make it this year!! *fingers crossed*
5) Alaska


Ah! Alaska! I've tried so many times to go there and every time I had, something happens and I'm unable to make it. However, this has been on my bucket list for years and years. I will make it someday!
Tell me where you want to go! 

Behind the Scenes of Mary Smith

Every wonder what an author's life is really like? It's a hot mess. I'm sure many of you have seen the perfectly clean desk and spacious offices.


Let me tell you ... not all of us are that organized.
This is my true behind the scenes.
I'm currently working on six different books, two of which are being co-authored (those surprises will be announced later) therefore, my desk is a mess.


But, it's my mess!
First my desk ...

This is the main part of my desk ... are you can see ... it's a mess! haha!

This is the left side of my desk. As you can see my computer is always streaming Hulu or Netflix. I have to have some type of movie and/or show going as I write/blog/work. You can also see my journals. There are notes, ideas, and such for books to come and books I've already written.

This is the top (or hutch) of my desk. You don't want to open those doors. HAHA! Behind there are all my business contracts, receipts I need to get to my accountant (which I've not done!), and more crap I need to get in order. 

Oh but I'm not done ... there's more!!

This is the STAND! My stand has all my current projects in there. I hand write all of my books, minus my co-written ones. You're currently looking at the next few books of the New Hampshire Bears, The Manchester Cats, a vampire book, and a wolf book...
That's right all of those are for the end of this year and most of 2018!


Are you asking what this mess is? You're not alone! This is paper. All paper! After I hand write my books, then type them, I actually print them all out and read/edit them, before I send it off to the real editor. Every time paper goes on sale... I buy it up!!
There it is ... 
That's my office!
Scary right!?

Let me tell you a story...

If you step into the world of social media, there's always so much hate on there anymore. Hate against religious groups. Hate against the government. Hate against other bloggers. Hate against other authors. And it always makes me sad.
So here's a more uplifting story ... about me! I know it sounds conceded, but bear with me for just a moment.
I want to tell you a story about doing something good for someone else. See, I'm always that person in line at Starbucks who pays for the person behind me. I'm that person who carries change around to give to the homeless and such in the area. I'm that person.
Now, I'm not telling you this to boost my ego... Absolutely not!


I'm telling you this to pass it on and why I do it.
It was about two or so years ago and I was at my local Target. I remember it was the holiday season and you know how rough that time of year is.

I was in line and stressed to the max after fighting a crowd of people and been standing in line for way too long. All I want to do is go home and drink wine.


I'm on my phone, not paying attention to what's happening around me when I hear a woman complaining. Now, this isn't uncommon to overhear in a crowd of people, but this was different...
She was complaining about the woman in front of us.
The woman who was bitching was perfectly dressed. You know what I'm talking about. Everything matches, her makeup is perfect, her hair professionally done and she looks down on all the little people.



The young female in front of her wasn't dressed as well, but clean. She has a small baby, less than a year old, in the cart and a buggy with diapers and formula in it. That's it. Nothing else, but baby items.
The problem ... she was paying with cash and didn't have enough.
For everyone who knows me, I'm not a kid person. I mean, I don't have any of my own and don't want any, but I understand those you are parents and want to be. That's great for them. It's not for me. However, this female was trying to be a good mom. 
Back to the story ... this poor woman had to choose between diapers and food for her baby. I can't let that happen. I grab my purse, walk around the bitchy lady, (I may have shot her a mean glare) and touch the young girl's shoulder.
"How much are you short?" I asked her.
There were large tears running down her cheeks of embarrassment. "Six dollars."
I pulled out my credit card and swiped it (this was before the horror of credit card chips). The cashier smiles and hands me the receipt. The young female hugs me. If you don't know me, I don't like to be touched, but I understood why she was and I hugged her back. I said, "Merry Christmas." and went back to my cart.
The story isn't over.
When I reach my turn to check out, I didn't have enough money for my items. I keep myself on a tight budget due to my travel schedule. So, I gave the cashier my two bottles of wine and a shirt to put back. I could afford them, but they're not items I had to have.
I pay for my items and leave.
As I'm loading up my car, I saw the young female with her baby getting on the city bus. My heart swelled with pride, knowing I helped someone who needed it.
Did I have to pay for her whole cart?
Nope.
Why did I?
Because I wanted to help someone and give them a small smile for the rest of the day. You don't know what other people struggles are. Maybe that small gesture you do changes they're entire outlook. Not just the day, but maybe the week. It takes a small moment to change a person's life.
As I shut my trunk, there's a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see an older man.
"Here." He lifts up a bag. Inside is the two bottles of wine and shirt I had put back. "I saw what you did and you're a good person."
I was speechless.


He tells me, Merry Christmas and walks away.
To this day, I have never forgotten that man kind words and it still makes me tear up. 
Moral of the story: pay it forward because it comes back. 

What do you want from Mary Smith?

A lot of you have come to this site because you've read my books and/or heard about me from another author.
For those of you that have read my books, here is my question:
What do you want me to write next?
Here are your options:
1) Book 10 of the New Hampshire Bears series2) a book about an arranged marriage. Oh, and they're wolves!3) a book about vampires4) just a simple, sweet romance novel
BTW, I actually have all of these in the works right, but I just don't know in the order to publish them.
For those of you that have come to me and not read my books, then tell me what you like to read.
Here are your options:
1) hot, hockey men2) sexy wolves3) deliciously, lickable vampires4) or the nice guy next door

What Makes Mary Smith Happy?

Many of you are new to my writings and such. So, I thought today I would tell you 10 things that make me super-duper happy. Not just happy ... super-duper!!
#1: Books
 
There's nothing better than getting lost in a good book!
#2: My CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS!

Come on now... are you shocked by this one?
#3: Chicago Cubs

I was a Cubs fan before it was cool! HAHA!
#4: Cooking


I fail at a lot of things I try, but the key is ... I try!
#5: My family:

Many of you might not know this, but my mother is currently battling Stage IV Head and Neck Cancer. She's my rock and best friend. She has always made me happy!
#6: Netflix


I live for my account. I have seen so many new shows and movies and I love them all!
#7: Starbucks


I'm certain I spend the majority of my income there. #truestory
#8: Kindle


When my Kindle Fire died, I ended up with an iPad (it was on sale, which is why I got it.) But the Kindle app just didn't do it justice. Therefore, I purchased a paperwhite. GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE! I love it more than air!
#9: Social media


I know this might be a strange one, but social media has opened many doors for me in variety of ways. 1) I can keep in touch with my family across the US and The World. 2) I have interacted with people I would have never met in my life ... ever. 3) I can promote my work/writings and meet new readers and fans!
#10: Readers


Every one of you who purchase my books, read my books, and review my books make me happy every single day! I can live my dream and I thank you all for it! 

FRIDAY FREEBIES!

IT'S FRIDAY!
Friday is the best day of the week. Not just because of the end of the work week. But it's FREE BOOK DAY!!
That's right readers, there are free books to fill your lovely Kindles!
First, I'm going to pimp some books I worked on!

Would like some hot baseball players?Click HERE

Or a hot, deliciously sweet hockey player?Click HERE

Or a younger, just as hot, hockey player?Click HERE
Now, it's time to pimp some of my friends ... 

This book is just as good as the cover! Click HERE

This book is amazing! Click HERE
Now, for fun, I'm going to add in some KU authors to mix it up a bit. Please remember if you don't have KU then you'll have to purchase the books ... 
Lila Felix
Rachel Higginson
J. L. Weil
Me! (Mary Smith)
Aven Ellis
Okay ... that should cover you for the weekend! 
Enjoy!

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A Player and a Tattoo Artist (NH Bear Book 8)

Alden Brockman is better known as the manwhore of the New Hampshire Bears. He’s the top player on and off the ice and never, ever had an issue getting a female into bed. A simple smirk, a wink, or a smooth phrase in his French-Canadian accent and they fall right into his arms. No matter what technique he used, no one ever told him no.

Until now…

Baylor Royer has worked hard to open her own tattoo shop and provide a good life for her ten-year-old son, Kace. Then after a one night stand with her client Alden Brockman her world changed. Now he wants to date her. But there’s one problem – Baylor knows it’s only because she told him no. She’s never had a steady man in her life because she doesn’t want Kace to get attached to a man who’s just going to leave at the blink of an eye. Plus, she’s even more scared she’ll fall in love with the wrong man. 

Could the biggest player actually fall for a single mom? 

Grab your copy here

Are you ready for The Captain and the Broken Girl?

The Captain and the Broken Girl is here!
I know I have been hinting around about this book a lot lately, but it's finally here!
What do you want first? The cover? Or the blurb?
Let's do the blurb!
Hamilton Baer is not only hardworking and stubborn, but he’s also the captain of the New Hampshire Bears. However, he has a big problem. Hamilton broke the heart of the only girl he’s ever been in love with. After spending the entire off-season in misery, he now has a plan to win her back. Janan Long has had a hard life. Having had an abusive mother, she was forced to become overly protective of her family and most importantly her heart. When Janan found herself opening her heart to Hamilton Baer, he did the unthinkable and shredded it. Just as Janan was finding a way to move forward from the fears she’s been hiding, Hamilton comes calling again. Except this time, she won’t be so easy to win over. Will the Captain be able to piece her heart back together? Or will the broken pieces of Janan’s heart be impossible to mend?
Excited yet? I hope so, because here comes the cover.
In three...two...one..

Oh I'm so happy to finally show you this cover and I think it might be one of my favorites yet!
What do you think?
Now, for the finally announcement...
You can have Hamilton and Janan in your hands on February 6, 2017!
Be sure to watch out for the links! They'll be coming soon!
Enjoy!

Good Bye 2016! Hello 2017!

Oh 2016! Has it been as rough on you as it has me? At least the last several months seem to be. I'm just talking about the celebrities deaths either. My real life has been a roller coaster.
 
Let's recap my year of 2016 and give you a small preview of 2017.
Are you READY?

It began with my introduction to my new series: The New Hampshire Bears!
Book One: The Muse and the Fairy Tale had been my first solo book since Aug 2015. I had been writing with Lindsay Paige and been focused on other projects I hadn't published solo in a long time. It felt like it anyway.

FYI: This book is perma-free on all platforms! Grab it up!
The came book two: The Workaholic and the Realist in April.

Then came The Hero and the Fat Girl in June

Then The Arrangement in Sept

And lastly The Coach and the Secret in Nov

Remember all profits of Coach's book goes into a special account for the daughter of whom Coach's story is based off of. I want to take this time and thank you all for this book success. To date, it's my highest selling book and I'm so glad to give the money away for the young girl's future.
But not only did I have my new series, I also ended a series with Lindsay Paige. Our Ninth Innings Series started in 2015 and ended in 2016. It had been a great time writing with Lindsay and I can't say enough of her talent! She's taught me so much about myself and the author world. I know many have asked, but at this time, we have nothing else planned for our writing future together.
Now, what about 2017?

I hope it was all a good one for you all because I was asleep by 10:30 pm. Yep, I'm old and I know it!
But back to the topic at hand, I will tell what books I have finished and/or almost finished writing and the alleged publication dates. Always remember this is subject to change.
The Captain and the Broken Girl (New Hampshire Book 6) will be coming to you Feb/Mar 2017.The Backup and the Baby (New Hampshire Book 7) will be coming Apr/May 2017.The Player and the Tattoo Artist (New Hampshire Book 8) will be coming July/Aug 2017.The Goalie and the Rich Girl (New Hampshire Book 9) will be Oct/Nov 2017.
That's all for the hockey portion of my show!! HAHA!


Now, there will be other books. If you read the New Hampshire Bears you know there's a baseball team, Manchester Cats, and a football team Concord Rams. There will be books for them, but I can't promise them for 2017. I have started on the Cats books and have outlines for them all,  but no dates and very little writing on them.
Other books that WILL be coming in 2017.
Wolf-Shifter book with a few additional paranormal species in there . Look for it around the Spring 2017.Vampire book which be coming the Summer of 2017.
I'm excited about writing paranormal again! I've missed it.

Now, here is a quick announcement as well. I have moved the majority of my solo books to KU (AKA Kindle Unlimited). My goal/plan is to keep my books (minus the free ones) on KU/Amazon platform. I know so many use iBooks, Kobo, and such, but I'm taking the leap/chance on KU and I've seen a turnaround on my books. 
Also, The Unit Match Trilogy, will be put into a box set. It shouldn't be took long for that. Probably Feb/Mar time. 
Lastly, The Ice Series, is getting a make over. In Feb it will be released from the current publisher. I wrote those books in 2013 and it seems like a lifetime ago. Anyway, they are being re-vamp with new covers, new editing, and I'll be 'adding' some scenes to it as well. Be on the look out.
I want you all to, if you haven't already, sign up for my newsletter. Click here. I am having some HUGE giveaways this year. Want a preview? Kindles (yes...plural!), signed book (and not just from me! From super-duper famous authors), swag (special swag only for those who subscribe - you don't want to miss it!), and so much more!!
Again, I thank you all for another incredible 2016! Even though it's been rough you all make it so much better!!

New Release: The Arrangement (New Hampshire Bears Book 4)

Ahh ... another book release!
Can you believe this is my 37th book? I'm as shocked as you are!
For those who don't know, this is the fourth book of the New Hampshire Bears Series! Vance and Dacey's story. I know you all seen a a little of them in Book 2: The Workaholic and the Realist and Book 3: The Hero and the Fat Girl ... but now it's all about them!
Here is a short blurb for you:
The first season of Vance Pemberton's professional hockey career has passed, and it was better than he could ever imagine. Now, a new season is upon him, but first he has to get married.
Dacey Grion gave her word to remain in an arranged marriage with Vance and move to America from Northern Ireland. Now, the year is up, and she's walking down the aisle.
But not all is as it seems to appear. When a shocking revelation reveals itself and and injury halts Vance's playing, will these two hold tight to each other? Or crumble from the pressure of their arrangement?
You can purchase it here: