Amy Spector's Blog, page 7

Deadlines, Date Nights, Mermen and Seven! And share your reading recs!

Happy August!

Somehow I'm both shocked it's already August and baffled that it's not yet September. I'm ready for school to start, more than ready—I have three kids—ready for cooler weather and for my romance reads to hold something a little spooky.

With my kids out of school, I've spent most of the summer working from home, and trying to balance work, writing and kids when you're all cooped up together most of everyday, is not something that comes easy. I need an evening library escape—to catch up on writing—and a date night like you wouldn't believe! I get the library escape a couple times a week. Date night? Not often!

Reading, Writing and the Summer Drawing Winner!

It's time for the summer drawing! :D

Now, for me, it has only been one week—eight days if you want to get technical—since school's been out for summer. But I have three little boys, so that's like eight years! The noise, the mess, the chaos! And I don't mind saying, that's a lot of penis for one household! 

I keep a home office, so I've managed to survive the invasion of my workday by reading, writing and organizing the house.

I have a backlog of hundreds of books I have purchased but not read, dozens of audiobooks I've bought but not listened to, and a couple of books I'm way overdue on beta reading! So, if I did nothing but reading for the next three months, I'd still be behind! But, even with my ebooks and audiobooks, I've found myself working on reading an Amy Lane series—about male nannies—I stumbled across on Hoopla. Now, I can't think of the last time I've read Amy Lane. Four or five years ago probably but I did remember liking her books about knitting—which is crazy because I am in no way crafty and I have no interest in becoming so—so I gave them a try. Age-gaps? My thing! Virgins? Not really. Still, they are super cute and a fun diversion from arguments about Minecraft. LOL

I'm also still writing on a couple of projects I'm hoping to complete this summer. Whether I get them released this year will depend on which of my publishers I decide to publish through, or if I opt for self-publishing which is something I'm considering for one novella in particular. And I'm entertaining the idea of finally writing Cold Fingers Book 3 for October. I really enjoy writing Christopher and Vic. But we will see!

Now, as promised, I wanted to do an Amazon gift card drawing for the summer. Who doesn't need a good book for the beach? Or, like me, something to read while supervising kids while they jump on the trampoline for hours and hours and hours? LOL

The winner of the Amazon $25 Gift Card is… 

DanteLoveFisher

I have not seen you online in a while Dante but I'll be dropping you an email to find out where best to email your gift card!

Well, that's all for now but I did want to say a quick thanks to all the subscribers that weathered the GDPR nightmare, and a hello to all the news subscribers that have joined up!

Thanks everyone! And have a great summer!

Ghosts, Sequels, Amazon Gift Card Giveaway and my yearly *Epic!* NanoWrimo Fail!

Hello, all! As is my way, I'm behind on my newsletter. I always intend to send out something quarterly to keep everyone updated but with writing, beta reading—think Nortown

Magic, Steam, and Dickens

Yeah, Yeah, I know! I go from almost never writing a post to bombarding you for more than a week straight, and here I am again. In my defense, it's Christmas!

Last year at about this time I shared Drawing Penises—a holiday flash followup to my freebie novella Almost But Not Quite. I had written it on my way to the in-laws. Something I rarely do because I have a tendency for motionsickness. But when inspiration hits, it hits.

Since, at the moment, I don't know if inspiration will hit again on my travels, I thought I would share the holiday reads that have kept me company this year.

A diverse group if there ever was one!

Nobody's Butterfly

Claire Davis and Al Stewart write so beautifully. It's this mixture of poetry and social-consciousness, but it's so much more than that. Very few writers can invoke such emotion in me. I honestly envy the hell out of their talent. 

Nobody's Butterfly is everything I love in a Christmas Story. It has the darkness of reality, but that darkness is illuminated by the magic and the hope and the beautiful language, and a perfect happy ending.

A magical, YA romance for the holiday. And it's for a wonderful cause! 

With proceeds going to Children In Need. 

Recommended for romance readers of all ages.

You can purchase it directly from Beaten Track Publishing, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other online retailers.

Eight Feet of Magic

This is my first actual steampunk world read and I was absolutely sucked in! 

Ofelia Gränd is an author with a wonderful ability to create these dark realities. In these darker stories, she kind of disregards traditional expectations. Okay, she kind of flips traditional expectations off. LOL

Here we are given someting a little more traditional, but not.

Gränd does a wonderful job of creating a dirty, smog-filled world that is also weird and wonderful, woven together with traditional Norse mythology, piracy and magic.

Romantic, sentimental and sweet—I know! I'm gobsmacked!—and yet stressful, exciting and a bit shocking. 

A great story that shows us there is still magic to be found in even the darkest places. You just need to know where to look. ♥

Recommended for readers who like unsual in the romance.

You can purchase it from Amazon and Barnes and Noble and other online retailers.

Christmas Can Kiss My Dickens

In the fine tradition, Hunter Frost gives us an MM retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Being a huge fan of the book—I reread it ever year—all the movies—yeah, even the one with Lionel Barrymore—I was completely on board!

This time with a fully grown, Tiny Tim—wheelchair bound and...well, bitter!

Much like Ebenezer, Tim's world has narrowed down to his work, and his own lonely existence. 

But there’s someone that sees past his prickly—read: asshole—exterior. But it will take more than a pass to make Tim realize what he's missing and what could be his.

Life is more than the cards we're dealt, it's what we make of it. 

Recommended for romance readers that like a little something sexy with their Christmas tinsel.

You can purchase it from Amazon and Barnes and Noble and other online retailers.

There you have it! A few reading ideas as we head into Christmas! I know I have a  half dozen other Christmas stories just waiting for the long holiday weekend to begin! 

Merry Christmas, safe travels and happy reading! 

Happy Holidays

MAKE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR MY MAILING LIST HERE TO GET THE SKINNY ON UPCOMING RELEASES, BLOG POSTS, FREE READS, CONTESTS AND GIVEAWAYS, AND SPECIAL BONUS MATERIAL ONLY AVAILABLE TO LIST SUBSCRIBERS! 

Cover Reveal & the Winners of the Dreamspinner Press Gift Card Drawing!

It's finally here! The day of the big reveal, the day That Rat, Carter Janson is finally available for preorder, and the day we announce the winners of the Dreamspinner Press gift card drawing!

Thanks to everyone who's played along! And thanks for the comments and the support. When I first started writing almost four years ago—it was part of a New Years resolution—I didn't know where it would lead, or if I'd continue writing after I finished that first story. But thanks to lots of readers and the support of many very talented people, I'm still plugging away.

Now down to business!

I was a little leery having someone else design my cover. It's something I've always done myself. And after spending so many months writing a story, it's hard to let someone else take control. But I could not be more pleased.

I can't thank the talented designer Brooke Albrecht enough. Make sure to check out some of her other work on her website and like her Facebook page. 

And now... it's time for the cover! And with it a visual introduction to Felix! I have to say, the designer got him just right!

 

That Rat, Carter JansonBlurb

Every man has secrets, but some are bigger than others….

Felix Peake escaped a shady past to carve out a successful career as an expert in Mesopotamian art and gain the respect of the Chicago art community. But when an assistant curator—a man Felix could easily see himself falling for—asks him to reauthenticate a cuneiform tablet to avoid a looming scandal, Felix’s carefully constructed life could crumble.

The tablet is a fake, and Felix is intimately familiar with the artist. Master forger Carter Janson—Felix’s ex and first love—disappeared from his life six years before without a word of explanation. Now, to hold his world together, Felix must find the original tablet, steal it back, and replace the forgery—all before the museum exhibit debuts. It’ll mean slipping back into a role Felix wanted to leave behind and risking his promising future. But even then, he can’t do it alone. He’ll have to confront that rat, Carter Janson.

Click to Pre-Order on Dreamspinner Press

And now for the winners of the Dreamspinner Press gift cards! I wish I had a prize for everyone. :(

DRUM ROLL PLEASE ...

First Place $25

Susana Perez 

Second Place $15

Lee Todd

Third Place $10

Jovan

I'll be contacting the winners in the morning, but if you're here and haven't heard from me already, feel free to let me know the email address to send your prize! PM me on Goodreads, message me on Facebook or email me at amyspector(at)yahoo(dot)com. 

Thanks again to everyone who took part in my cover reveal countdown! I hope to see you all again here on my blog, on Twitter or Facebook. And if you happen to pick up That Rat, Carter Janson, let me know if you enjoyed it.

Happy Reading! And have a wonderful holiday! 

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

MAKE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR MY MAILING LIST HERE TO GET THE SKINNY ON UPCOMING RELEASES, BLOG POSTS, FREE READS, CONTESTS AND GIVEAWAYS, AND SPECIAL BONUS MATERIAL ONLY AVAILABLE TO LIST SUBSCRIBERS! 

Dreamspinner Press Gift Card Giveaway Day 2 Cover Reveal Countdown!

Welcome to day nine of my Cover Reveal Countdown and Giveaway!

Tomorrow is the big day! And today is everyone's last chance to add a final entry into the giveaway of the Dreamspinner Press gift cards drawing!

Just after midnight tonight, I'll be drawing the winners and including them in Tuesday's blog post! When possible, I'll also send a message directly to the winner.

So, with our last day, I'd thought I'd share the Rat himself! And my favorite character of them all! ♥︎♥︎♥︎

Remember, don't forget to comment below to be entered into the drawing for one of three Dreamspinner Press gift cards. And just in time for Christmas!

Just joining us? There's still time!

During my Cover Reveal Countdown, we'll be giving away three Dreamspinner Press Gift Cards!

First Prize - $25

Second Prize - $15

Third Prize - $10

The rules are easy!

Starting December 10th, every day I'll be posting a little something about one of the characters from my upcoming book. If you know my writing, you know I love my secondary characters. I'll share a pic, an excerpt or a quote, maybe even a little more.

Comment on the countdown post here on my blog, on Facebook, or Twitter. One comment per site. One entry per comment.

Yes! That means you could comment on Facebook, Twitter and directly on my blog, and you'll get three separate entries into the giveaway. And you can do that every day! 

On day 10, December 19th, we'll reveal the cover, and I'll also announce the randomly drawn winners of a $25, $15, and the $10 Dreamspinner Press gift cards! 

If you're like me, I can never have enough books in my Dreamspinner library! 

Maybe the winners will even want to pick up That Rat, Carter Janson!

Dreamspinner Press Gift Card Giveaway Day 3 Cover Reveal Countdown!

Welcome to day 3 of my Cover Reveal Countdown and Giveaway!

With only two days and the cover reveal left to come, you might we wondering where the hell Felix and Carter Janson are. Well, they're not here today either! But I assure you, come Monday one of the main players will materialize. 

I love writing secondary characters because you can learn so much about the main characters with how they interact with others and the people they choose to surround themselves with. So, in truth, the idea of That Rat, Carter Janson being the first book in a spinoff series only came after the book was written. I liked too many of the characters and I hated the idea of leaving them behind. Jay, Rob and Oliver—who you won't be meeting in this countdown—and Titus. I love them all, and the possibilities I saw in all of them. I even loved the man you're going to meet today. 

Remember, don't forget to comment below to be entered into the drawing for one of three Dreamspinner Press gift cards. And just in time for Christmas!

Just joining us? Let's recap!

During my Cover Reveal Countdown, we'll be giving away three Dreamspinner Press Gift Cards!

First Prize - $25

Second Prize - $15

Third Prize - $10

The rules are easy!

Starting December 10th, every day I'll be posting a little something about one of the characters from my upcoming book. If you know my writing, you know I love my secondary characters. I'll share a pic, an excerpt or a quote, maybe even a little more.

Comment on the countdown post here on my blog, on Facebook, or Twitter. One comment per site. One entry per comment.

Yes! That means you could comment on Facebook, Twitter and directly on my blog, and you'll get three separate entries into the giveaway. And you can do that every day! 

On day 10, December 19th, we'll reveal the cover, and I'll also announce the randomly drawn winners of a $25, $15, and the $10 Dreamspinner Press gift cards! 

If you're like me, I can never have enough books in my Dreamspinner library! 

Maybe the winners will even want to pick up That Rat, Carter Janson!

Dreamspinner Press Gift Card Giveaway Day 4 Cover Reveal Countdown!

Happy Saturday, and welcome to day four of my Cover Reveal Countdown and Giveaway!

Hope you all have some good weekend plans. Mine include finishing Christmas shopping, and taking my boys to see the new Star Wars movie. And when I say boys, I include my husband, who is more excited than the kids. 

I thought, as we hurdle our way toward Tuesday, it would be nice to share the last of the ladies. 

Though she plays a minimal role, I still a big fan of todays character. Of course, I am a fan of all my characters. Even the wicked ones!

Remember, don't forget to comment below to be entered into the drawing for one of three Dreamspinner Press gift cards. And just in time for Christmas!

Just joining us? Let's recap!

During my Cover Reveal Countdown, we'll be giving away three Dreamspinner Press Gift Cards!

First Prize - $25

Second Prize - $15

Third Prize - $10

The rules are easy!

Starting December 10th, every day I'll be posting a little something about one of the characters from my upcoming book. If you know my writing, you know I love my secondary characters. I'll share a pic, an excerpt or a quote, maybe even a little more.

Comment on the countdown post here on my blog, on Facebook, or Twitter. One comment per site. One entry per comment.

Yes! That means you could comment on Facebook, Twitter and directly on my blog, and you'll get three separate entries into the giveaway. And you can do that every day! 

On day 10, December 19th, we'll reveal the cover, and I'll also announce the randomly drawn winners of a $25, $15, and the $10 Dreamspinner Press gift cards! 

If you're like me, I can never have enough books in my Dreamspinner library! 

Maybe the winners will even want to pick up That Rat, Carter Janson!

Dreamspinner Press Gift Card Giveaway Day 5 Cover Reveal Countdown!

Welcome to day five of my Cover Reveal Countdown and Giveaway!

We're one day closer to the big reveal and getting to draw—technically use a random number generator—the winners.

The character today had to duke it out with someone else to be included in our countdown. But, in the end, he was triumphant!

 Remember, don't forget to comment below to be entered into the drawing for one of three Dreamspinner Press gift cards. And just in time for Christmas!

Just joining us? Let's recap!

During my Cover Reveal Countdown, we'll be giving away three Dreamspinner Press Gift Cards!

First Prize - $25

Second Prize - $15

Third Prize - $10

The rules are easy!

Starting December 10th, every day I'll be posting a little something about one of the characters from my upcoming book. If you know my writing, you know I love my secondary characters. I'll share a pic, an excerpt or a quote, maybe even a little more.

Comment on the countdown post here on my blog, on Facebook, or Twitter. One comment per site. One entry per comment.

Yes! That means you could comment on Facebook, Twitter and directly on my blog, and you'll get three separate entries into the giveaway. And you can do that every day! 

On day 10, December 19th, we'll reveal the cover, and I'll also announce the randomly drawn winners of a $25, $15, and the $10 Dreamspinner Press gift cards! 

If you're like me, I can never have enough books in my Dreamspinner library! 

Maybe the winners will even want to pick up That Rat, Carter Janson!

Dreamspinner Press Gift Card Giveaway Day 6 Cover Reveal Countdown!

Welcome to day six of my Cover Reveal Countdown and Giveaway! 

Today I'll be introducing a secondary character that, while he plays a minor role in this book, has already taken—at the moment anyway—on a much larger role in my current work in progress. Still not a main characters, but I do have my eye on his future—I always have my eye on everyone's future—but at the moment, my Magic Eight Ball is telling me the answer is hazy. 

Really, it has. I've asked.

Remember, don't forget to comment below to be entered into the drawing for one of three Dreamspinner Press gift cards. And just in time for Christmas!

Just joining us? Let's recap!

During my Cover Reveal Countdown, we'll be giving away three Dreamspinner Press Gift Cards!

First Prize - $25

Second Prize - $15

Third Prize - $10

The rules are easy!

Starting December 10th, every day I'll be posting a little something about one of the characters from my upcoming book. If you know my writing, you know I love my secondary characters. I'll share a pic, an excerpt or a quote, maybe even a little more.

Comment on the countdown post here on my blog, on Facebook, or Twitter. One comment per site. One entry per comment.

Yes! That means you could comment on Facebook, Twitter and directly on my blog, and you'll get three separate entries into the giveaway. And you can do that every day! 

On day 10, December 19th, we'll reveal the cover, and I'll also announce the randomly drawn winners of a $25, $15, and the $10 Dreamspinner Press gift cards! 

If you're like me, I can never have enough books in my Dreamspinner library! 

Maybe the winners will even want to pick up That Rat, Carter Janson!