Heather Day Gilbert's Blog, page 15

On Going Recluse…

I know that’s a weird status right after a book launch…and don’t fear, I’m not talking about a BROWN recluse spider! But I’ve learned a few things during this launch. One is this: I have to get serious about writing my next book and stop focusing on marketing.

One of the Gibson Girls studiously writing…

This is hard for me, because I like interacting with people, guest posting, giving away books, and the like. However, I know some of you are now waiting for book two in either the Vikings of the New World Saga or the Murder in the Mountains series. And that’s more important than marketing, which I’m hoping won’t need to be such a massive effort on my part as word of mouth gets out on these books.

So! I’m reclusing it the rest of this summer, and possibly into the fall. I have some great guest posts going up on Mondays here, and I’ll be visiting blogs/doing giveaways of Miranda Warning, but I’ll probably link to those through my Pinterest board here or my Facebook Author page here. You know you can always contact me via my contact form here, and I’ll be reading Amazon/Goodreads reviews as I write my next books…please be sure and leave a review as to which characters you liked in Miranda Warning!

And I’d love your reader pictures with Miranda Warning! Whether E-books or softcovers, just send your pics to me at heatherdaygilbert (at) gmail (dot) com and I’ll post to my Pinterest board and Facebook Author wall! Creative pics welcome!

As for the near future, I’ll be here:

June 23 (today) –Guest posting on Author Tina Forkner‘s blog here.

June 27–Author Janet Sketchley interviews Nikki Jo of Miranda Warning here. You know I love me some Nikki Jo Spencer.

June 30–Author Janet Sketchley‘s review of Miranda Warning here.  

And don’t forget–the Goodreads giveaway of Miranda Warning is going on until July 7th here!

Thank you all for all your efforts to get the word out for Miranda Warning launch! Another thing I realized is that I don’t want to do a specific launch day anymore…maybe just a launch MONTH so I can tell you ASAP when the books go live!

Here’s looking at a social media recluse writing fest…I’ll update you all as soon as another book is coming down the pike!

–Heather

RELEASE DAY for Miranda Warning!

Find Miranda Warning on Amazon

Today (West Virginia Day!) is the official launch day of my first mystery, Miranda Warning. I’m so thrilled about this and HERE is the link to find it for Kindle and in softcover.

If you don’t have a Kindle, there are many ways to load a Kindle app. Before I had a Kindle, I used the free app for my computer and you can find that here. But the softcover is also available at that Amazon link, and I’m so pleased with it:

Holding my first proof of Miranda Warning

I’d love if you’d like to tweet about this release! Here are a couple tweets you could use:

Release Day for #Appalachian #mystery, Miranda Warning: $2.99 for Kindle all month! http://amzn.to/1izVC1M

Love a good psychological #mystery? Check out #MirandaWarning: http://amzn.to/1izVC1M #Amazonprime

Also, here’s a pinnable to share!

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These are some things going on today/Sat:

Release Day Friday (June 20)–Nicole Petrino-Salter’s Review and Giveaway of Miranda Warning here.

Also Fri (June 20th) Visiting Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s Tales of Goldstone Wood blog here for a Guest Post and Giveaway!

Sat (June 21) Visiting Aly at her WyrtWizard blog, answering some great interview questions.

And again, I’m running a 3-book softcover giveaway on Goodreads here until 7/7!

Will keep you updated next week with upcoming posts/giveaways but thank you all so much for your support! I’m so thankful to finally share this book with you!

–Heather

 

Release Week Excitement!

Yes! We’ve finally made it to release week for Miranda Warning! Thank you all for checking out the first four sample chapters and sharing those.

Today, I have a couple goodies…first, a Goodreads giveaway of three softcovers of Miranda Warning is now live! You can sign up here.

Also, I have the FINAL Miranda Warning pinnable! It’s one of my favorite quotes, straight from the mouth of our intrepid Mountain Mama Detective, Tess Spencer. If you’re from West Virginia or a mountainous state, you probably relate to this quote. Hope you enjoy and share!

Finally, there are guest posts and reviews popping up all week in celebration of release day Friday, June 20th. I will share the direct Amazon link with you then, but for now, hope you can enjoy these posts & giveaways. Will update you next week as to upcoming posts/giveaways!:

Sat (June 14)–I visited Novel Rocket with a post on indie cover art creation here, if you missed it!

Sun (June 15)–Started a new column on marketing at Provision Books’ blog. First post on nailing down edits is here.

Mon (June 16)–Heidi Glick is reviewing Miranda Warning on the Sleuths and Suspects blog here.

Tues (June 17)–Gwendolyn Gage reviews Miranda Warning on her blog, Serving Through Words.

Wed (June 18).–I am visiting the Sleuths and Suspects blog for an Interview and Giveaway of Miranda Warning.

Thurs (June 19)–Interview with Nicole Petrino-Salter on her blog, Hope of Glory.

Release Day Friday (June 20)–Nicole Petrino-Salter’s Review and Giveaway of Miranda Warning here.

Also Fri (June 20th) Visiting Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s Tales of Goldstone Wood blog here for a Guest Post and Giveaway!

Sat (June 21) Visiting Aly at her WyrtWizard blog, answering some great interview questions.

I have more fun posts lined up next week and will share with you next Monday! Thank you all again for sharing in the joy and excitement of this release!

 

 

Sample Chapters of Miranda Warning!

Next week, I’ll post the final Miranda Warning pinnable…but TODAY, I wanted to share a sneak peek of the first chapters of the Miranda Warning with you! (Click to Tweet!) If you’re on my email list, you’ve already seen this (join my email updates list here if you want to be in the loop earlier on upcoming books!). Here are the sample chaps!

View this document on Scribd

 

Please feel free to share with anyone you think would enjoy this mystery. I’m so excited to get it out to you…I’ve wanted to speed up my book release timetable several times, but I love the idea of releasing on West Virginia Day (June 20th), in celebration of the state where the book is set, and where I’ve grown up and live now!

Also, you can find me guest blogging on Ashlee Willis’ blog today, here. Ashlee is a Christian fantasy author, and she’s going to be visiting my blog next month to share more about her writing! Also, tomorrow I will be chatting here about the creation of the God’s Daughter audiobook with the narrator, my friend Becky Doughty of BraveHeart Audio. On Saturday (Jun 14), I’ll be sharing on Novel Rocket about the cover art development process for Miranda Warning.

I’ll be guest blogging all over the place in the coming months, and you can keep up with giveaways/posts here on my Pinterest board. Much easier than keeping a running list! And if you’re a blogger and wanted me to visit, let me know at heatherdaygilbert (at) gmail (dot) com.

Thank you all and please comment with any thoughts on the sample chapters!

Five Enchanted Roses FairyTale Retelling Contest!

Stepping out of the normal schedule to share this opportunity for writers. Anne Elisabeth Stengl is such a friend to authors and I’m thrilled she’s offering a chance for writers to participate in an upcoming anthology, Five Enchanted Roses. The beautiful cover art is below, as well as the links and information. Thank you for this opportunity for writers of all ages, Anne!

This cover illustration was rendered by Julia Popova, “ForestGirl.” You can find out more about this gifted artist on her website: http://www.forestgirl.ru

Rooglewood Press is delighted to introduce their second fairy tale novella contest—

Five Enchanted Roses

a collection of “Beauty and the Beast” stories

The challenge is to write a retelling of the beloved fairy tale in any genre or setting you like. Make certain your story is recognizably “Beauty and the Beast,” but have fun with it as well. Make it yours!

Rooglewood Press will be selecting five winners to be published in the Five Enchanted Roses collection, which will be packaged up with the gorgeous cover you see displayed here. Perhaps your name will be one of the five displayed on this cover?

All the contest rules and information (how to enter, story details, deadline etc.) may be found on the Rooglewood Press website. Just click HERE and you will go right to the page.

Rooglewood Press’s first collection, Five Glass Slippers, is available for pre-order now and will be released on June 14. Do grab yourself a copy and see what these talented writers have done with the timeless “Cinderella” tale!

 

Winner of So Fair a Lady and Miranda Warning Pinnable

Thank you all so much for your participation in the giveaway of So Fair a Lady by Amber Lynn Perry. I won’t keep you in suspense…the winner is:

Dawn Crandall!

I will contact you about your choice of softcover or e-book format, Dawn, and get you in touch with Amber!

And whew! We’re in JUNE! Can you believe it? Release month for Miranda Warning! I’m posting my next-to-last pinnable quote today from the novel…this one is more mysterious and alludes to the past/present timeframe of this mystery. I’d love it if you’d pin to your To-Read boards or simply add it on Goodreads! I have more to share with you in the upcoming weeks! Thank you all.

 

Interview and Giveaway with Amber Lynn Perry, Author of So Fair a Lady

Author Amber Lynn Perry

Today, I’m thrilled to have one of my sweet author friends, Amber Lynn Perry, visit. First of all I’d like to say that I love Amber’s boots in the picture above (sorry, had to interject that comment). Amber writes romance set in Colonial times and is getting great reviews on her debut novel, So Fair a Lady. Let me show you the GORGEOUS cover:

So Fair a Lady, Book 1 in the Daughters of His Kingdom Series

I’m just basically blown away by that cover. Such pretty colors, everything in balance.

So now, on to our interview! AND one lucky commenter will win their choice of e-book or softcover copy of So Fair a Lady (Click to Tweet)! So please comment and share on twitter or Pinterest! Will draw a winner next Monday.

On to our chat with Amber!

Interview with Amber Lynn Perry, Author of So Fair a Lady

HG: Hi, Amber, so nice to have you visit today! I love your website. You say you only recently began writing books. How long has your journey to publication taken? Any twists and turns you’d like to share?

AP: Heather, it’s truly an honor to be here, thank you so much! My journey actually started in junior high. During that time I developed a strong obsession for the American Revolution and I “had this great idea for a book”! LOL I even drafted some scenes into my college-ruled notebook while lounging in my purple beanbag chair, and told my mom that one day my story would be published. But my great idea was quickly canned when I found out just how hard writing actually is. ;) I’d almost forgotten about that book and those fabulous characters until two years ago when I discovered a genre that I didn’t even know existed! I immediately devoured every historical Christian romance book I could find and even started a blog where I reviewed (and still review!) books as I read them. I remember thinking, “Huh! Back in the day I had a great idea for a story. I wonder . . .” After that I just couldn’t get the thought out of my head and after two years of writing and rewriting I’m pleased to be able to share my book—nearly twenty years from its first inception—with the world.

HG: Wow, 20 years! And I thought it took forever for my books to come to fruition…On that note, I’d love to know how you decided to self-publish your novel, So Fair a Lady. And please share some highlights (or warning caveats) from that publication process.

AP: At the beginning of my writing journey two years ago I was sure I would never go the indie route—famous last words right? * wink * The more I learned about the process and the freedom and control indie writers have over their manuscripts, I was sold! My specific sub-genre isn’t particularly pleasing to trade publishers (from what I hear) and I didn’t want to be told I had to change major plot lines, or even the entire era or setting to please a particular publisher. After praying about it, I knew what to do—and I had so much peace. I still do! I love indie publishing—though it’s not without its challenges, that’s for sure. My learning curve is straight up. I’d say the thing I’ve learned the most is to ask questions and go forward with courage, knowing I will make mistakes, but that’s ok. It’s part of the process.

HG: Straight-up learning curve–yeah, I think all indie authors can relate! I know you love American Revolutionary history, thus your setting for your novel. Was there some author who inspired you to write in this time period? Favorite books or resources from this era? My daughters and I are currently reading Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes and it’s so well-written. I feel like I have met Sam Adams.

AP: Oh my goodness, I LOVE that book, too! I haven’t read it for years, but I remember loving her style and how she just made the period come to life. Makes me want to read that again…. ;) As far as other novels from the era, to be honest not many come to mind! Though that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there, of course. Right now I’m particularly in love with a non-fiction title by Nathaniel Philbrick about the battle of Bunker Hill. He actually goes way back into the history of Boston and I am swept away at how he makes the time period come alive. Absolutely amazing. I’m not typically a huge non-fiction fan, but he is a MASTER and I would read that book over and over again.

The American Revolution era is such a magnificent time in our history, and I love being able to shed some light on it through these books. Many people are already familiar with that time, but others aren’t, and I love hearing from readers that my book (and hopefully the others that will come out soon!) have increased their appreciation for America and what the colonists sacrificed in the name of freedom.

HG: You do book reviews on your blog. Which authors are your go-to favorites and why?

AP: Fun question! I have about four authors that come to mind instantly. Julie Lessman, Laura Frantz, MaryLu Tyndall and Deeanne Gist. Their unique and individual styles never fail to capture my imagination in such a way that their novels truly come to life in my mind. Their stories are always in my top ten go-go reads and if I can someday grow up to write as masterfully as them, I will be one happy girl!

HG: What are some themes you wrestle with in So Fair a Lady?

AP: My heroine, Eliza, is searching for the truth of why her father would go against King George and spy for the Sons of Liberty—why he wanted freedom. One of the main themes is putting your faith in God, and trusting that he will lead you to the truth you are searching for—whatever that may be in your life. Today we often take our freedoms for granted, but in those days they craved freedom and knew the benefits of having it would be innumerable. So, in my story, Eliza’s “truth” is the value of freedom, a precious gift we all have and hopefully can keep forever.

HG: As a homeschooling mom, how do you manage your writing time? Please give me any time-management tips you have!

AP: Oh, Heather, this is a very good question! LOL I try so hard to make sure my life is balanced—God, family, church, homeschool, writing, etc. But wow. It’s hard! Recently I found an article that said one writer sets aside two hours a day to write and she guards those hours ferociously. I’ve started to do that in the evening and so far (fingers crossed) it’s working! I lock myself in the back room, put in the ear plugs and go for it. However, two hours isn’t much in the grand scheme of things, but that’s ok. I do what I can and I know if I stick to my plan, eventually things will get done. Of course, that’s not to say I get two hours every single day, but I try. I find I can enjoy the day so much more—and focus on everything else so much better, knowing that in the evening I will MAKE time to write, that way I don’t end up panicking about whether it’s going to get done.

HG: Do you have a release date and title for your next book? Is it part of the Daughters of His Kingdom series?

AP: I do—and it is! The second book in the series is titled SO TRUE A LOVE, and it follows the story of Nathaniel and Kitty—both characters in the first book. I’m hoping to have it out sometime mid-to-late summer.

 HG:  Thanks again for visiting, Amber!

AP: It was such an honor to be here, thank you so much!!!

****So, readers, comment away! Any questions or comments for Amber about the Colonial time period or her publishing journey? One lucky commenter will win your choice of ebook or softcover!****

 

Audiobook Winner & New Pinnable for Miranda Warning

Let’s kick off our Monday with another winner! The winner of the audiobook code for a free download of God’s Daughter is:

Rabid

I’ll contact you with that code today! Thank you all for entering!

Also, just a reminder that God’s Daughter is on sale for $2.99 from today through June 20th (Click to tweet!), the release day for Miranda Warning. So if you know someone who would enjoy it, please share the news! Thanks.

And now on to our next pinnable! I thought this one was pretty and spring-like. Enjoy and please pin!

MIRANDA WARNING–WV Mystery Releasing June 20, 2014

A Fun Pinnable, A Price Drop, and a Free Audiobook Code for God’s Daughter!

First, I want to announce the winner of the digital version of Becky Doughty’s Waters Fall. And the winner is:

Aly 

Aly, I will contact you about your win today!

Thanks so much for visiting, Becky, and all the best with Waters Fall. And now, on to our next pinnable…

As hearty a historical as God’s Daughter is, it was quite a bear to write, constantly checking the sagas and Old Norse and historical data, etc. But Miranda Warning was a different process for me, and one that just brings a smile to my face. It was sheer fun plotting that baby, setting it in West Virginia…everything.

So to share that sense of fun that I hope runs through the series, especially with Tess Spencer’s relationship with her husband and family, I’m posting a light pinnable today. Fluffy. Yes–it is a mystery, and we’ll have some more mysterious pinnables coming down the track. But much of this series is based around Tess’ family.

AND to further gear up for the Miranda Warning release on June 20th, I’m dropping the price of God’s Daughter on Kindle to $2.99 from May 20-June 20 (will remind you closer to the date on my Facebook author wall).

And I’m doing a giveaway–a FREE AUDIOBOOK CODE for God’s Daughter on Audible.com. If you’ve listened to the sample (on the right-hand side here, at the bottom of the widget box, you can play it!) and are interested in winning a code, please comment below! I believe you just load it up to your Kindle, Kindle app, ipod, or other mp3 device. I’ll draw a winner next Monday.

And now, on to the fun pinnable! Please share! And comment below if you want a chance to win the 9 1/2 hour audiobook, God’s Daughter, narrated by Becky Doughty of Bravehearts Audio!

Happy Release Day to Becky Doughty! Interview on her novel, WATERS FALL, & Giveaway

Becky Doughty, Author

This is a special day for my crit partner and friend, Becky Doughty. Today, her novel, Waters Fall, officially launches. I have so many things I want to say about this, I can’t even really articulate anything. Suffice it to say, I have known Becky for a while, and I know her heart for readers and her love for writing, and this book is going to move people (especially those struggling in marriage).

And something exciting and helpful Becky’s doing this month: to celebrate the release of Waters Fall, she is praying Scripture over marriage every day of May and is inviting us all to join her here at her blog.

Many of you have followed Becky’s lyrical writing in her serial novel, Elderberry Croft, which is now available as a complete collection (can we ever forget the winsome Willow Goodhope!?).

Let me just say, in life, there are those rare authors you know you will read anything they write…Becky’s one of those authors for me. I don’t care what it is, I will read it straight through and not be able to put it down. Her voice is strong, her characters are real, and her compassion and emotional depth shine through everything she writes.

And now I’m turning this show over to Becky so she can share more about this remarkable book with us!

WATERS FALL

Waters Fall. The anatomy of an affair. The price of forgiveness. The beauty of grace.

by: Becky Doughty

Today, I’m releasing into the world a story of love, of betrayal, and of the choices people make when faced with the destruction that comes from failing each other in marriage. It’s a story about the family next door, the couple sitting beside us in church. It’s the story about you and me. (Click to Tweet!)

Jake and Nora are the divine dynamic duo. Their relationship is the one young couples try to emulate. Theirs is everything a good Christian marriage should be…on the outside. But on the inside, the foundation is crumbling, the framework is falling apart. And no amount of shoring up the walls can keep the cracks of disappointment and disillusionment from spreading. When Nora is swept off her feet by another man, all seems lost.

Time and time again, I’ve spoken with couples who wind up in some variation of this situation. Once they’ve hit “the rocks,” they feel there’s no hope for recovery. Trust is gone, love is lost, and no one around them seems to know quite what to say, other than “I’m sorry” or “I’ll pray for you”—or they say too much. The maimed parties are left isolated, abandoned, not just by husbands or wives, but often by friends and family, too.

This book is the story of one couple’s journey through the murky waters of what comes before, during, and after an affair. It’s about fictional characters with very real flaws. But it’s also about the very real truth of what can happen to those characters when they choose to turn their flaws over to the One who knows and loves them most.

The price of forgiveness? Dying to self.

The beauty of grace? Choosing to live again, restored, even if happily ever after seems out of reach.

It’s my prayer that Waters Fall will reach those who are standing on the brink, who feel they are alone, who may not be able to talk to anyone, to admit to anyone how close they are to going over. And don’t worry. I wouldn’t write a love story without at least the HOPE of happily ever after!

Waters Fall is available on Amazon Kindle at the introductory price of $1.99 and it’s free to borrow it through your Kindle lending library!

 

WATERS FALL

A Novel

Jake doesn’t remember what it means to be a champion.

Nora doesn’t know how much longer she can tread water before she goes under.

Their fairytale marriage is hurtling toward a tragic end.

Then Tristan sweeps in—all feelings and fire and freedom—and Nora is carried out to where the waters flow fast and deep. Nora knows she’s risking far more than just her heart….

When it all comes crashing down, Jake and Nora are left standing amidst the ruins of everything they’ve built together. Will they walk away, or stay and fight for their happily-ever-after?

Waters Fall is a poignant story of a marriage on the rocks. It’s the anatomy of an affair, the price of forgiveness, and the terrible beauty of grace.

~ ~ ~ ~

Waters Fall is women’s fiction with a Christian worldview

****Readers, Becky is giving away 10 softcovers on Goodreads! So hurry over and sign up in the widget below! AND she is offering ONE DIGITAL version of the book for my blog readers. So please leave a question or comment below to be entered to win!****

 

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Waters Fall
by Becky Doughty

Giveaway ends May 31, 2014.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win