Holiday Presents

There are a bunch of holidays crammed into December! To celebrate, I'd like to offer my readers a gift.

I'm one of those silly, sappy people who watches Hallmark movies. You know what? I agree with those people who condemn them as all the same, and even my husband can now point out "the black moment," in all of them, which is pretty much the same overused cliche in most of them. It generally stems from a misunderstanding that is easily resolved. (I can hear you saying, "why don't they just talk to each other," Terry!) Some of the movies have irrational responses to force this moment, which irritates the life out of me, but overall, they are "feel good" movies that you know will result in a happy ending. Light. Fluffy. Hope in a dark world.

A couple of years ago, I set out to write my own "Hallmark" movie, which is how I got my dear husband to watch them with me. Researching the genre. The funny part was when I told him we didn't have to watch anymore, he still wanted to. I should add the disclaimer here that he is not a fan of the old standards (like Its a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas, and Christmas in Connecticut - "black and white movies? Who watches those?"). He figures watching the Hallmark movies saves him from suffering through the oldie moldies. I have to watch those on my own or with a friend (ready, Bobbi?).

Did I mention a gift at the beginning of this post? I DID! And in honor of the holidays, whichever one you celebrate, I'd like to share the e-book version of my "Hallmark movie" book, While We Were Shopping, with you. After you've read it, I hope you pop over to Goodreads and let me know how you liked it! 

Click here to download your copy 

 

Who wants a book?

I’m giving away a book, but you’ll have to keep reading. 😉

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The reason authors write is because it's who they are more than it's what they do.

Some days, writing is a tedious job and drags you down. Then you get a review (authors should never read their reviews) from someone who says something "inconceivable" (channeling my Princess Bride here - "I do not think that means what you think it does") that makes no sense, cites no examples. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. She did say she'd read another one of my books if she didn't have to pay for it, so it wasn't ALL bad. 

When I'm writing something new and I hit my stride, it's like a fire that rages out of control. I'm in the "hot zone" right now with my next book, writing a story that is taking me right along with it. I'm still in first draft, so I'm letting it burn, but at some point I'm going to have to go back to assess the damage. My characters will need more depth (they have it, but in the rush to get words down, a reader might not see it), and my settings will need more description (again, it's there, but not transcribed appropriately). My imagination is ablaze and I can hardly keep up with it. My daily word count is doubling and trebling. At some point, the fire will bank and I'll be struggling to light my path forward, but for now, I feel like an arsonist must, excited and in awe of the blaze. 

Does that sound creepy?

But I promised you a giveaway.

I often snap pictures of the things I see/find when I’m “Out and About.” The other day, I came across this gladiolus. If you can tell me what Brynn and Nora use one for in INTERRUPTED MAGIC, I’ll send 2 lucky winners a copy of ENCHANTED MEMORIES. Who wants to play? I have paperback (1 copy up for grabs) or e-book (2 copies to lucky contestants). Shoot me your answer in the contact form on the right side of the page, or just ask me how the flower was used if you want to be entered to win. Winners will be chosen at random and announced on next week’s blog.

Or, you know, you could always buy a copy to be sure you don't miss out. 😉

Buy it at   Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Apple | Kobo

 

Buy it at
  Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Apple | Kobo  

Sharing the Love - Giveaway! Free books!

Get it free!

So what did you do for Valentines Day? Did you get flowers? Candy? Call a friend to laugh with over the Hallmark Holiday? Put on your favorite movie? Try something new?

Continuing with the theme this month, I'm giving away copies of FAMILY ALCHEMY, The first book in the Hillendale novels. Practical Magic meets The Good Witch. No limits on this one, and it's available at your favorite bookseller for a limited time. And when you've read it, I hope you'll leave a review! Let me know how you liked it. 

Book 4, INTERRUPTED MAGIC, comes out next month (March 23rd). 

I want to sing you a love song

In honor of Valentines Day, and because #MyLifeIsAMusical, I thought we'd have a little fun today. I'd love to know what your favorite love song is! Me? I have dozens. I'll give you ten, and then, in exchange for your input, I'll give three commenters their pick of one e-book from my backlist - your choice.

1.    I Will - the Beatles

2.    Amazed - Lonestar

3.    Only One - James Taylor

4.    You've Made Me So Very Happy - Blood, Sweat & Tears

5.    This Will Be (an everlasting love) - Natalie Cole

6.    I Will Be Here - Steven Curtis Chapman

7.    Longer - Dan Fogelberg

8.    I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston (or Dolly Parton)

9.    Love Travels - Kathy Mattea

10.  Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

And because Blogger makes it difficult for some of you to leave a comment, I'm including an entry form (Click this link if the form doesn’t work). Ready? Go! (Offer good through Valentines Day)

So many ideas...

I'm in the final prep for the next Hillendale novel. The story is written, the preliminary editorial passes are done. I have a date with the editor, after which I expect two more editorial passes before it goes out for public consumption. I'm pretty excited! I like the way this one turned out. So while I'm waiting for my editor to tell me what I did wrong (I'm feeling optimistic about this one, that she won't have a ton of comments), I'm looking ahead to what comes next. Which brings me to the title of this blog post. So Many Ideas!

February is a month for romance, what with Valentines Day. And I'm thinking it's a good month to say thank you to my readers. As such, I'm giving away books on my blog this month, but it'll cost your opinion. Doesn't sound too difficult, does it?

This week's question is What Series Do You Want To See More Of? I have SO MANY IDEAS!

1.    Northwest Suburbs. Take me back to small town life in Hoffman Grove. Romance/romantic suspense

2.    Epitaph. I've run out of siblings, but what about "the next generation?" Amy's gift will likely pass on to at least one of her children, after all. Romance, with a ghost story thrown in.

3.    Hillendale. You're going to find things have changed in Hillendale with the new book coming next month! But never fear. The magic lives on. Witchy fantasy.

4.    It's time for something new. More of the romance you've come to expect, or more of the paranormal elements you love, or another mix of the two. 

Leave your comments here or on the Facebook post from this blog.

And in exchange for your help, I have UNCORRECTED Advance Reading Copies of INTERRUPTED MAGIC (Hillendale 4) for three random commenters* who want to read it. (Uncorrected simply means this isn't the final copy, not that it is riddled with typos, etc., although I can't guaranteed there aren't any since there are at least two more editing passes to go). If you request a copy, I hope you'll also leave a review after it goes on sale! Oh, wait. That's two requests I'm making! So here's your second gift from me. A first look at the new cover!

*random commenters will be selected on Saturday, Feb 6, 2021.

Book Birthday Presents

Yesterday was the new book's birthday! And you know what? I have paperback copies to give away to two lucky readers! Who wants a copy of UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES?

Buy it here

The Hillendale Novels follow a young woman learning about a heretofore unknown legacy and all the trials and tribulations that go with it. Brynn has had her share of trouble, and in UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES, things are about to heat up. Intentionally calling on magic comes with unintended consequences.

Winners will be chosen by May 19.

 

Dialects, Alligators and Distraction

As a post-busy season retreat, my DH and I took a trip to New Orleans. Yes, the book with the hero from Louisiana is done, but I may have mentioned he was one of my favorites to write.

One of the sticking points while I was writing THE TWINS was getting the dialect right. While my hero wasn't from the city proper (he's from the countryside near New Orleans), I wanted to add authenticity to his vocabulary, remind readers where he was from without hitting them over the head. I was particularly pleased when one of the tour guides mentioned dialect while we were out and about. People in New Orleans don't have that southern drawl you'll hear in other parts of the South. In fact, they're all over the board. One of the tour guides sounded like she was straight out of New York, and indeed, the other guide pointed that out, that the dialect sometimes mimicked other parts of the country. That made it more important for me to find phrases unique to the area, and while I might have laid it on a little thick with my hero (yes, I'm purposely not using his name - read to the end to find out why), I also didn't give him a twang. Just a soft drawl. In the countryside, they have a softer way of speaking. A gentle lilt to their voice that is unique to that area, and that's what I was hearing and trying to convey.

The population in southern Louisiana is unique to most anywhere else in the United States. They still have French schools much the way we have ethnic schools around Chicago because they are still French to their roots. and African. and Spanish. Creoles, born in America with strong ties to the homeland although they are planted on this side of the ocean. I got some fascinating history lessons along the way.


We went on a bayou tour and our guide wasn't what you'd expect, not straight out of those TV shows about gator hunters or swamp rats -- you know the ones I'm talking about. He had a refined, soft lilt to his speech as he told us about life on the cypress swamps, hunting gators, the way of life.

It was a great trip, and it made me miss my characters! Which brings me back to my hero.

As I get back into my writing groove after a long busy season and subsequent time away, I'd like to thank you for sticking with me by giving a random commentor a Smashwords coupon for a free version of EPITAPH 2: THE TWINS. If you know the name of my Louisiana hero (hey, it's easy to find if you check out my home page - there's a tab at the top of the page that will take you there!), leave his name in a comment and I'll put your name in the hat to win a copy. Winner will be chosen May 31, 2017, using random.org.

Writing Contests - when you don't win

One thing editors always tell me - enter your book into contests. Find out what you're doing well, what you might improve on. And if you win, its a feather in your cap.

Last year, I made the rounds with COOKIE THERAPY, and I thought I'd share with you what it looks like when you don't win. The feedback overall was very positive, and my reviews have also been pretty great (thank you to all my fabulous readers!). While I'm not posting this week to brag on myself (after all, I didn't win these contests), I thought you might be interested to see what kind of feedback we get from judges.

I made it into the semifinals of Publisher's Weekly's BookLife Prize for Fiction.  This is what they had to say:

Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10

Originality: 9 out of 10

Prose: 10 out of 10

Character/Execution: 10 out of 10

Overall: 9.50 out of 10

Assessment:
This captivating, heartwarming contemporary is perfect blend of romance and poignancy as a couple effectively addresses the aftereffects of tough choices from their past. Timely and relatable topics elevate the story above ordinary. This well-crafted novel is supported by deftly crafted secondary characters, small town charm, and consistent pacing, while sensitive issues are handled with grace. While this book works very well as a standalone, readers will be interested in reading the entire series.

The Writer's Digest Ebook awards came back with these remarks. I'm not sure what all the percentages are about, but the comments made me feel like a winner anyway.

I like this cover boy so much better than all the ripped ab covers. Much more original. Pretty funny opening! Kind of sad, too. Poor old lady. I appreciate the brevity of your backstories (Audrey, 11%). You’d be amazed how many authors get stuck in those things.

His job provides a lot of adventures and opportunities. Good choice, 21%. “If you’re going to kick me in the balls, I’d say no.” Ha! 21%. ... Interesting sidenote, this passage about dealing with death as part of his job. Very thoughtful. 39%.

“Damn that man and his adorable child.” 48%. I love her cynical trains of thought. “One more person who would be disappointed.” 60%. You’ve done some good research into firefighting techniques, 68%. Kind of interesting, this thing about Dad being a ladies’ man, 76%.

...Shannon is an intriguing sort of villain, 92%. You’ve worked some provocative subplots into your story. Excellent job. Really enjoyable.

I think editors like the contest thing because it provides feedback, something all authors need/crave/ desire in order to do better and sometimes just to keep going, something reviews are also valuable for. Not all contests provide such thorough feedback!

Meanwhile, I'm plugging away on Epitaph 3 so that I can have it ready for you by the middle of summer. Epitaph 2 is with the editor and on schedule for an April release. Have you read Epitaph 1? Thumbs up or thumbs down on the new series?

And oh, hey. I hang out with a bunch of authors over at Booklover's Bench, and we're celebrating our "friend-aversary" with a giveaway. Want to win a tablet?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Getting away from it all - and a giveaway

Coming off of "busy season," my girlfriends and I do an annual getaway from it all. This year we rented a cabin (with all the amenities - I'm NOT a camper) near Starved Rock State Park (Illinois) at an old boy scout camp. Removed from civilization, we don't set any schedules, just talk and laugh and unwind. We found a mushroom festival in a neighboring town where folks went hunting for morels, but rain forestalled our hike at the park.

Relaxing by the campfire

So here we are relaxing at a "boy scout camp" when, on the last night, at dinner, the thunderstorm bounced us all out of our chairs at the kitchen table. We later discovered lightning struck a tree near the office - maybe 100 yards away from our cabin. And then, overnight, in this quiet, remote setting with limited cell phone coverage and no Wifi (unplugged made the relaxation aspect so much more achievable!), I woke up at 3:30 in the morning to men shouting. An author's imagination runs wild! How am I going to call for help with spotty cell phone service? (my girlfriends assured me 911 would go through.) No, I won't be writing a story about that experience. That trope has been done to death. (And in case you were worried about what we'd do if we were in trouble, the owner's house was probably 200 yards from our cabin, AND they had a land line at the office.)


Virtually two weeks after the deadline, I'm finally caught up with all the subsequent mess that needed cleaning up, and I'm following all the trails I've left for myself trying to keep moving ahead with the third book in the Kundigerin trilogy (breadcrumbs I leave when I run out of writing time at the end of the night).

What's the giveaway part of the subject line (you might ask)? I subscribe to a page that sends me pictures of real-life venues that spark imagination, and a picture popped up this week that nearly matched one I took myself! Which inspired me to share. If you can find the picture below on my website, tell me where you found it. I'll gift one random commenter a copy of either Gathering Mist or Heart for Rent, with an Option (which is the book I wrote after visiting this venue). Ready? Go!

Eze, France