Spill the Tea Tuesday: Do's and Don'ts for Being a Professional

Today, author Laurie Wood is spilling the tea...

Today I’m “spilling the tea” on a pet peeve of mine—professional authors who don’t act like professionals! This may be a bit of a rant, so settle in with your coffee and see if you recognize anyone you might know in these examples.

We’re all busy, overwhelmed people with deadlines, marketing to do, families with multiple activities, and pets to look after. However, just because most of us work from home, doesn’t mean we get to behave in our work life as if we’re the only ones who count in our professional lives. And I believe it all comes down to—you guessed it—common courtesy.

Let’s talk about those group writer activities we get invited to take part in, or those we might start ourselves.

Have you ever been part of a Facebook party? Check. A group blog for a few months to a year? Check. A newsletter swap? Check. A group promotion for your publisher? Check. An anthology with multiple authors? Check.

Okay, let’s look at some Do’s and Don’ts of this wonderful world of being a professional author in a professional space:

DO:

1. Be polite, and prompt with emails to the group.

2. Get whatever written material, graphics, and photos to the person in charge ON TIME. 

3. This shouldn’t even need to be said but proofread/edit/spell check your work first!

4. Follow the directions of the other author you’re working with—she has reasons she wants certain things done that way! I once had an author write to me, “I’m too old to learn new technology so I will not use bitly.com.” Ahem. If you’re too old to know how to cut and paste, then I’m assuming you’re still working on an IBM Electric typewriter, and shame on me for not checking out the quality of your books before I agreed to have you as a guest on my blog! It turned out it was a good thing I double-checked her quality because it wasn’t up to the standards I have for my blog. We canceled.

5. DO what you’ve agreed to do. If something goes wrong, and you don’t have time to write the blog, make the graphics, etc. then be up front about it and let the other author know right away. Honesty is always the best policy. 

DON'T:

1. Invite an author to be a guest for your Facebook party, and then ask her to make up graphics for the party. She’s your *guest*. She’s bringing her readers with her to fill out your party attendance. It’s up to the host to make the party graphics. If you need her to make her own graphics for her time slot, that’s a different thing. I’m talking about making Facebook headers, teasers, etc. Just…don’t.

2. Ask for a newsletter swap and want the other author to provide you with a cover jpg, back cover blurb, buy links, and her headshot, and then just put her cover jpg in as a *thumbnail* and say, “I haven’t read this book, but I thought the cover was pretty.” Don’t then assume you’re going to get the coverage you asked for in HER newsletter. Shame on you. Again, common courtesy and integrity apply here.

3. Invite an author to be a guest for your all-day Facebook party and insist that *every* post she does must include a giveaway! Seriously? Not only is she going to spend hours making up graphics and games for her time slot to entertain your guests, she now has to give away and ship prizes on her own dime? That’s just tacky, and enough said about that…

4. Forget what time zone your group blog is in. I’ve been guilty of this myself (lol) BUT I’ve always stayed the course and written my post in real time to get it up so that it hits in the middle of the night on the other side of the world. I’ve never pooched out on my compatriots and left them with a blank spot on the blog, although I know others who have…yes, life comes at us but unless you or one of your kids is in the hospital in surgery you write till you drop.

So often, I see authors who think they only need to be “professional” with their publisher, agent, or editor. But you know what? We need to be professional with *each other* as well, because when we’re between contracts and the pickings are slim, or the words just aren’t coming some days, we need our writing friends to keep us going. 

So, play nice, be a friend, and be professional! Your reputation is all you have in this business and it’s everything.

Laurie Wood has followed her RCAF serving husband across Canada, raising their two special needs children to adulthood while she began her writing career. She's a member of Sisters in Crime International and SinC Canada West, as well as Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writers. Laurie writes both romantic suspense and historical novels and is currently working on her next book. You can learn more about Laurie on her website, blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

The tea has been spilled! Who's gonna clean it up? 

Drop your thoughts in the comments!

{FUN FACTS FRIDAY}: Allison Pearl

 Fun Facts Friday is a brand new feature here on the blog where authors answer questions about their characters, and then share fun facts about themselves, and / or their books!

Today we have the lovely Allison Pearl and her adult Christian romantic suspense, Sprinkled with Sabotage.

Let’s start by learning a bit about you. Tell us who you are, where you’re from, what you write, etc.

I’ve lived in a lot of different places, but country roads and hills are my favorite. And preferably those hills would be covered in snow. I’m a fall and winter girl all the way. My best friend during the summer is the AC. When I’m not writing suspense, I’m reading or walking my dog, Sal.

Welcome, Allison! We're thrilled to have you here today. So, let's get started, shall we? What's your character's favorite color?

Pink. And she’s not afraid to admit it. 

Fun Fact: My favorite color is also pink. One of my dreams is to have a pink MINI Cooper. But I’m not picky, I’ll take any MINI Cooper that someone is willing to give me ;)  

Where does your character live?
While Lizzy grew up in a small town, she currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA.

Fun Fact: I also spent a few years living in Pittsburgh. In fact, I honeymooned there. It’s my favorite city in the world. We are always going back to watch ball games at PNC park or take a ride on the incline up Mt. Washington. And I love an evening spent at Heinz Hall listening to the symphony or watching a show at the Benedum Center.

What is your character's favorite food? Do they like to cook?
Lizzy’s favorite food is pizza. But why would she cook when takeout is a phone call away?

Fun Fact: Unlike Lizzy, I love to cook. I think the best conversations and friendships happen over a meal. In my house, good food is always available. It’s great for parties but not so great for my waistline. 

Does your character have any tattoos? If so, what are they and where?
If Lizzy does have a tattoo, she’ll never tell us. But I’d say it’s a safe bet.

Fun Fact: Some people I know have replaced their wedding bands with tattoos around their ring fingers. I think that is so cool and not just because you could never lose it. Although, considering I lost my wedding ring last year while swimming it’s definitely something to think about.

Does your character like to watch or play sports? Which ones and why?Hockey, obviously. Specifically, the Pittsburgh Penguins. She has a mad crush on Evgeni Malkin.

Fun Fact: I have a hard time focusing on a baseball game when it’s on TV, but I can’t get enough of going to the games in person. It’s so exciting when someone hits a homerun and the fireworks go off. Plus, at Pirates games you can get these certain seasoned fries and cheese dip that are AMAZING! 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Lizzy Bennet loves life as a lawyer in the city. And not just because of the miles it puts between her and her ex. However, when she’s attacked on the street just hours after learning her identity was stolen, she tries to call home for help and ends up with the last person she expects: the very same high school boyfriend who broke her heart. He says he’s there to help, but she’s not so sure, and now, all the endless questions and regrets are clouding her judgment and preventing her from seeing the dangerous saboteur closing in.  

 

Small-town auto mechanic, Koby Knightly, is looking forward to seeing a car show in the city. But when an unexpected call from his old girlfriend disconnects suddenly, he rushes to her apartment only to find her limping and bleeding. Throwing his plans out the window, Koby makes it his mission to protect her and discover the identity of the person trying to frame her. Will he also be able to figure out what went wrong between them back in high school or will a killer get to her first? 

 

BUY NOW!

Allison Pearl is a small-town girl who’s lived just about everywhere. She loves books, tea, chocolate, and watching old movies with her husband and black lab, Sal. To keep in touch and get updates on new releases follow her Facebook page ‘Books by Pearl’ or follow her on Twitter at @AllisonPearl5 and Instagram at @allisonnicolepearl 

{TEASER TUESDAY}: Expecting Danger by Jennifer Pierce

Teaser Tuesday is back!! I'll be sharing snippets from my own books--both published and works-in-progress, along with inviting other authors to stop by and share exclusive excerpts of their own books.

Today, I have the lovely and ever funny Jennifer Pierce sharing an exclusive excerpt from her Christian romantic suspense, Expecting Danger!

And to make today even more awesome, the book is ON SALE for only $0.99. Grab your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Expecting-Danger-Small-Town-Guardians-ebook/dp/B07KT5ZG8K/

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

She closed the door behind her and tiptoed down the hall to the front room. She opened the door, locked the doorknob, and closed it behind her. Thanks to Mrs. Hart and the fact that Jake left his laptop booted up, Kate had had an opportunity to locate the bus station and find the schedule and price list. Luck was on her side—a bus to California would be stopping at the station this morning at four o’clock to drop passengers off. She was going to be on that bus and out of Whitehaven before Jake even woke up.
Guilt gnawed at her for leaving the way she was, but it had to be done. She hiked her go bag up on her shoulder and marched toward the bus station. She came to a stoplight and looked around. She had studied the map online and had followed the street signs. The bus stop should be right ahead, but it wasn’t.
Frustration building, she knew she had taken the right roads. Maybe her judging of distance was off. Maybe the station was up a little farther. She’d keep walking, and it’d be right up the road.
Looking both ways before crossing the street, even in the middle of the night when Whitehaven seemed like a ghost town, she was cautious. There were no cars around. After a few minutes, the low rumble of an engine sounded behind her. A vehicle must have turned onto the road a couple of blocks back.
The rumble grew louder. She estimated it to be at the stoplight she’d stopped at a little bit ago. The vehicle was driving slowly. She glanced over her shoulder and noticed it was about twenty feet behind her and driving at a snail’s pace. Could it be Salt-and-Pepper? Had Kazakov’s men already made it to Whitehaven?
Her pace increased as fear propelled her forward. The engine got louder as the truck got closer. Then it was next to her. Fear clogged her throat, and she couldn’t breathe. What was she supposed to do? She’d never be able to outrun anyone. The truck kept pace with her, but she didn’t look at it. She didn’t want to see who it was. Her legs tingled, and her already-racing heart sped up. She heard the window roll down.
This was it. They were going to shoot her and leave her to die in the street. Perspiration rolled down her face as she frantically searched for a place to hide.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Kate has been on the run from the men who killed her husband and left her for dead—which isn’t easy considering she’s eight months pregnant—but now they’ve found her. Again. Still reeling from her late husband’s betrayal, the last thing Kate wants is the help of a handsome stranger.

Security expert, Jacob Jones, is still grieving the loss of his pregnant wife, and he’s not ready to move on. But when he thwarts an attempted abduction of the beautiful Kate, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her. Despite her reluctance, he’s determined to do whatever it takes to save her, including giving up his own life.

Kate’s only option is to take a leap of faith and allow Jacob to help her. But can she trust him to keep her and her unborn baby alive? Or will he fail her like everyone else in her life?

ON SALE FOR ONLY $0.99!

BUY NOW!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Pierce currently lives in Arkansas 
with her husband and two children. 

Follow Jennifer on Twitter. 

{FUN FACTS FRIDAY}: Laurie Wood

Fun Facts Friday is a brand new feature here on the blog where authors answer questions about their characters, and then share fun facts about themselves, and / or their books!

Kicking off this feature is the lovely Laurie Wood and her Christian romantic suspense, Northern Deception.

Let’s start by learning a bit about you. Tell us who you are, where you’re from, what you write, etc.
My name is Laurie Wood, and I live in Winnipeg, Canada, which is the geographical centre of North America. How’s that for a Fun Fact? It’s true! It’s the exact geographical centre. And I write inspirational romantic suspense although I have some ideas on branching out into time-slip and/or thrillers. Too many ideas, too little time to write them all! I’m writing my third book for Anaiah Press, and they’re all set in Churchill, Manitoba which is 1000 kilometres north of Winnipeg, on the border of our Canadian arctic tundra.

Welcome, Laurie! We're thrilled to have you here today. So, let's get started, shall we? What does your character do for a living? 

Kira Summers is a polar bear research scientist which is why she lives in Churchill, Manitoba. She’s just moved up there in my book NORTHERN DECEPTION, and she’s studying their migration route and keeping track of the bear population via their satellite collars. It’s her dream job as a scientist.

FUN FACTS: A female polar bear was tracked swimming nine days straight in the Beaufort Sea, for 426 miles, which is the equivalent of going from Washington, D.C. to Boston. Canada is home to about 15,000 polar bears. Adult males measure about 8-10 ft in length and females measure 6-8 feet in length. An adult bear’s foot is about 12” across and their claws are 3” to 5” long.

If your character could have any superpower, what would it be and why? 

I think if Kira could have any superpower, it would be telepathy so she could hear what the bears are thinking and understand them. I realize telepathy is usually a superpower reserved for other humans, but in this case I’ll make an exception and give it to polar bears!

FUN FACTS: Polar bears have a keen sense of smell and can detect seals nearly a mile away and buried under three feet of snow and ice. Their hearing is as acute as a human being and their eyesight is also good at long distances up to two miles. How’s that for some superpowers?

What thing annoys your character the most? Why? 

People interfering with animal habitats and not believing in climate change which is affecting the Arctic circle. This is referenced in NORTHERN DECEPTION. For some reason, Churchill was built right on top of the polar bears migration route out to Hudson Bay and the Arctic ocean. This means the bears tromp through town beginning in July and ending early December. 

FUN FACTS: In Churchill, it’s the law that your vehicle MUST be unlocked so that anyone can jump into it if they meet a bear coming on the street or out between buildings. When walking they can go around 6 km/hr. When they run, however, they can reach up to 40 km/hr!

What are the top three items on your character’s bucket list?

Hmmm, Kira’s got an adventurous spirit so here goes:

1) Because she works in such cold weather, a trip to Bali would definitely be on her bucket list.

2) Having children with her new husband Lukas, is on her bucket list too.

3) Traveling to Paris and seeing the Louvre museum and Versailles palace if she can convince Lukas to go – that would be her ultimate 15th anniversary trip!

FUN FACTS: I’ve never been to Paris or Bali and absolutely HATE flying, but the beauty of being an author is you can make your characters as brave or adventurous as you like. The only place I’ve been in Europe, was to Edinburgh, Scotland when my husband graduated with his MBA from Heriot-Watt University.

What is your character’s favorite holiday? Why? How do they celebrate it?

I’d have to say Kira’s favourite holiday is Canadian Thanksgiving. You have all of the special food: turkey, sweet potato casserole, gravy, dressing, pecan or pumpkin pie, without the pressure of gift-buying and decorating to the nines. All the yummy food without the snowy weather that often prevents family from visiting each other at Christmas time.

FUN FACTS: In Winnipeg and Churchill, there’s usually snow on the ground between Canadian Thanksgiving (the second weekend in October) and Halloween. Most kids trick-or-treat in their parkas with their costumes on top. And in Churchill, the Park Rangers and police officers are on patrol to prevent any children coming into contact with bears wandering through town. They also set up a perimeter of “bear monitors” on snow mobiles around town to prevent the bears from even entering town. They use “cracker” shells which emit a loud booming noise to scare them away.

Does your character have any children? How many? Gender? Ages? Names?

Kira’s husband Lukas has a three-year-old daughter named Sophie. She has Down Syndrome and is the light of their lives. Kira and Lukas will also have other children (someday) and if the series were to go on – and on, and on – then there might be a book about their offspring at some point. 

FUN FACTS: Down Syndrome occurs about 1 in every 800 births everywhere in the world. It doesn’t discriminate between race or gender although there tend to be more boys than girls born with Down Syndrome. With the advances made in modern medicine, education, and society, people with Down Syndrome can live productive and happy lives in their communities with a life span well into their sixties. Only a generation ago, their life span was early thirties.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Reunions can be deadly.

After a savage attack in university, Kira Summers fled to the safety of northern Canada and her work as a polar bear scientist. But when her whistleblower brother dies in a mysterious car crash, she must return home to bury him and pack his belongings. Unaware she’s carrying explosive evidence someone’s willing to kill for, she has no choice but to rely on the one person she never thought she’d see again.

Lukas Tanner, a widowed single father of a special needs toddler, moved to Churchill five years ago. As the proud owner of Guiding Star Enterprises, a wilderness tour company, he and his daughter lead a simple life. But when Kira comes crashing back into his world, he realizes God has other plans. Now, Lukas and Kira must confront a merciless killer as their past and present collide in a deadly race—a race they must win if they have any hope of a future together.

BUY NOW!

Laurie Wood is a military wife who’s lived across Canada and visited six of its ten provinces. She and her husband have raised two wonderful children with Down Syndrome to adulthood, and their son and daughter are a wonderful blessing to their lives. Over the years, Laurie’s books have finaled in prestigious contests such as the Daphne du Maurier (twice), the TARA, the Jasmine, and the Genesis. Her family lives in central Canada with a menagerie of rescue dogs and cats. If the house were bigger, no doubt they’d have more.

Website:  https://www.lauriewoodauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauriewoodreadersgroup

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LaurieJeanWood

Thank you for having me on your blog, Kara for Fun Facts Friday! I’ve got an e-book copy to give away of NORTHERN DECEPTION to one lucky commentator today.

A (minor) Revelation and a FREE Book!

As you can see, I've reverted to the old blog layout and branding. You're probably wondering why. Well, I'm glad you asked :-)

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been doing more thinking and soul-searching and looking at all my half-started projects, and I've realized something important -- All of my books have romance in them! Regardless of which age category I choose to write in, all of my stories have some sort of love in them. Whether it's love of ones self or friendship or family or significant other, love is a common theme, and I don't want that to change. While I still have no intentions of writing in the adult secular romance genre, (adult Christian romance is still undecided) my young adult books will always have some element of romance. And as my blog header says, "At the heart of every story, love waits." That's still true!

All right, now for the BIG announcement....

DANGEROUS LOVE IS FREE ON AMAZON!!!

That's right! For the first time ever, you can get Dangerous Love for absolutely FREE!

Check it out HERE!

He’s fighting to forget his past while she struggles to remember hers…

Doctor Josh Parker lives with guilt about his wife’s death every day. He believes himself incapable of ever loving again, but when a mysterious woman arrives in the Emergency Room, brutally beaten and left for dead, he starts to feel something he hasn’t felt in far too long: hope.

Alessandra Matthews has no memory of the events that led to her being hospitalized. Worse, she has no idea who hurt her or why. Although she’s uncertain of who she is, she is fully aware of one thing—she’s falling for her doctor.

Sometimes, what you don’t know can kill you… 

As Josh and Alessa work to solve the mystery surrounding her past, she soon realizes just how much danger she’s really in, but Josh refuses to let her face the darkness of her memories alone. With each of them struggling to put their pasts behind them, theirs is a DANGEROUS LOVE.

GET IT FREE HERE!

{COVER REVEAL}: Jaded Love

I have been waiting for this day forever! I can FINALLY share the cover for Jaded Love with all of you!!!!! Be sure to scroll all the way to the end of the post for a chance to win a copy of Dangerous Love, Book 1 of The Mending Hearts Series.

Okay, enough chatting. Here it is....

They can pretend they're fine...

Moving to NYC is supposed to be the fresh start Kristy Andrews so desperately needs, but she can't seem to shake the after-effects of having been kidnapped last year.

Detective Jackson Reed never meant to kill an innocent man, but knowing that doesn't change the guilt he lives with every single day.

But they can't hide forever...

When Kristy and Jackson meet, the connection is instantaneous, but neither is ready to open up about their pasts. Can love and trust conquer their demons?

In order to have a future, they'll have to face their past...

When Kristy starts receiving threatening messages, her anxiety kicks into overdrive, but the last thing she wants is Jackson worrying about her.

Jackson may doubt his ability to return to active duty, but he has no doubts about his instincts concerning Kristy. Someone is trying to hurt her, and he refuses to let that happen, even if it means going back to work; something he wasn't sure he'd do.

As the threats increase, Jackson shows Kristy that strength doesn't mean facing her fears alone, and Kristy shows Jackson that forgiveness starts from within. Can they save each other before it's too late? Or will the past come back to haunt them?

PRE-ORDER

ADD TO GOODREADS

About the Authors:

Kara Leigh Miller combines her knowledge and prior editing experience with a passion for the written word and a love for all things romance. Represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency, Kara is a multi-genre published author, and an avid reader with eclectic tastes that range from the tame to the taboo. She currently lives in Michigan with her husband, three kids, three pit bulls, and two cats. When she's not busy writing romance novels that leave readers swooning, she's spending time with her family. Find her anytime at: www.karaleighmiller.com

Jody Holford lives in British Columbia with her husband and two daughters. She is a fan of Nora Roberts, Jill Shalvis, Rachel Gibson, and Rainbow Rowell. In reading and writing, she likes characters who are flawed, but driven toward the pursuit of love and happiness. In November 2013, she published A Not So Lonely Christmas with Short Fuse Literary. In December 2014, she published Forever Christmas through Kindle Direct. In 2016, Damaged and Falling for Home will be available from Penner Publishing. Find her anytime at: http://jodyholford.weebly.com

GIVEAWAY  ~  GIVEAWAY  ~  GIVEAWAY!

The below giveaway is sponsored solely by Jody Holford and Kara Leigh Miller and is in no way sponsored by Anaiah Press, LLC. Furthermore, all prizes will be awarded by the authors directly to the chosen winners. The giveaway starts today and will end on Sunday, December 20, 2015. Winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter and will be notified by email no later than Monday, December 21, 2015. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Confessions from the Editing Cave with Reagan Phillips

Welcome back to yet another installment of Confessions from the Editing Cave. Today in the confessional -- romantic suspense author, Reagan Phillips!

1. Tell us a bit about your background working with editor(s). Did you hire a freelance editor? Work with an editor at a publishing house? Work with an agent in the capacity of an editor? All of the above or some other combination?

My experience with editors is a bit of a mixed bag. I started with an editor for a small press publisher who happened to also be the owner and most prolific writer for that publisher. I was very new to writing and thought my lack of developmental feedback was a sign of my writing brilliance. Thank goodness I learned that a good editor doesn’t spew rainbows and unicorn poop all over your work but rather runs the red pen dry to make your writing the best it possibly can be while keeping your voice and style intact. No, I don’t envy editors. Their job is super hard!

2. What was your overall relationship with your editor? Good? Bad? Indifferent?

My relationship with each of the editors I’ve worked with has always been good, even when the edits weren’t so much :)  I truly believe building relationships with the team that builds your book is one of the most important parts of our jobs as writers. And I’m happy to say my current freelance editor is a dream come true. She’s hard when she needs to be but doesn’t hold back on the kudos and I love, love, love the ideas she has to strengthen my writing while keeping it my writing. 

3. What was the best edit you’ve ever received from your editor?

I’m not sure if I can point out just one thing to be the best edits I’ve ever received, but I’d have to say on the whole the edits that point out flaws I as the author can’t see for being so close to the story are the most helpful. I had an editor point out one of my characters acted like a total immature brat at the beginning of the book and even though she grows into a strong woman, it still didn’t work for her. That tidbit of advice changed my whole character arc into something much stronger.

4. What was the worst edit you’ve ever received from your editor?

Worst edits…I feel like I’m on the hot seat now. I’d have to say the worst edits I ever got were….well…okay, I don’t think I’ve ever had truly bad edits. Even if the suggestions didn’t fit what I wanted with my story, I still found them to be helpful in making me prove why I’d chosen to do whatever the editor wanted me to change. Call me Pollyanna, but even bad edits can strengthen a writer if that writer is willing to use them as a learning tool.

5. What was your first, initial, gut-reaction to your edits?

I have a system with edits. My first reaction is to always proclaim to anyone who will listen that I have decided to quit writing and return to the day job. Working an eight to five has to be easier than fixing all those mistakes, right? I make it a point to read over edits then close the document and not look at it again for at least a day or two. After a few days my thoughts shift from fear to determination and I’m ready to tackle the changes that will make my story more enjoyable to readers. 

6. Confession time! Share anything else you’d like to confess.

True Confessions? My Favorite game. Let’s see…what to tell…okay, this is a good one. My first book went to print without the proof edits complete. The editor for the publisher loaded the wrong file (or so the story goes). My first published book, my baby, my one perfect thing, still had the hundred and two errors I’d pointed out in the galleys. No, it wasn’t the end of the world, but it sure felt like it. A little hard work and backtracking and the mistakes were fixed but for a few days I didn’t think I would ever publish a book again. A good editor is worth their weight in gold. A great editor is worth more than money can buy. 

ALL ABOUT REAGAN:

Steamy romantic suspense writer, Reagan Phillips lives in the Southern United States with her college sweetheart, The Officer, their son, one overactive beagle, and an adored fish. 

Reagan is a 2013 Beacon Award Winner for erotic romance for her debut title, Confess.

Connect with Reagan on her website, Facebook, and Twitter. 

TEASER TUESDAY: Susanne Matthews

Welcome to another installment of TEASER TUESDAY. I'm excited to have the lovely Susanne Matthews here with us today. She'll be sharing an excerpt from her romantic suspense, ALL FOR LOVE. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT:
The elevator lurched again, dragging her back. With each stop, the number of people in the elevator decreased, and she began to feel less confined. By the time they reached the sixth floor, there were only two people left—herself and a man. She’d started when he’d brushed against her earlier, but she hadn’t seen his face. Now, she looked up into hazel eyes staring at her as if she were the number one item on the dessert menu. She was waiting for him to lick his chops.

Normally, she’d ignore the man, but there was something about the way he was looking at her that both annoyed her and warmed her inside. He resembled the imaginary boyfriend she’d created to appease her parents and that increased her discomfort.

Get a grip, Livy.

No man had ever affected her this way—why him? Why now? Did he really look like her ideal man? Maybe, just a little around the eyes, but he was making her feel like a specimen on a microscope slide, and she resented it.

“Is there some reason why you’re staring at me like that?” She was exasperated by his perceived rudeness.

He chuckled, and Olivia’s heart jumped into her throat. The sound of his laughter was pleasant and eerily familiar.

His hazel eyes twinkled. “Is there a law in America against admiring an attractive woman?”

British. His voice sent goose bumps racing further along her flesh, annoying her. The heavy accent was similar to her father’s but far more pronounced. His appreciative gaze raked her up and down, and she felt heat rise in her cheeks. She despised her fair skin and its tendency to blush. Why did this man attract her when she’d sworn never to get involved with any man again? Seeing her nephew must have reset her biological clock. So much for having it under control.

She’d never thought a man could be beautiful, but this one was. He stared at her from behind black-framed glasses, and his full beard and mustache were as neatly trimmed as his hair, reminding her of Ben Affleck, one of her favorite actors.

“Admiring is one thing, leering is another,” she said sharper than she’d intended. His actions discomforted her.

He grinned, and her stomach flip-flopped.

“Touché. My apologies, but I can’t be the first man who’s ever stared at you. I’ve seen many stunning women in my life, but none with hair like yours. It’s alive, on fire.”

Olivia frowned. He was hard to understand, but she knew he was talking about her hair, a sore spot with her, and knowing it was the reason for his behavior added insult to injury. She was about to say something when she caught sight of herself in the mirrored wall and winced.

No wonder he’s staring at me.

~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

To overcome your fear, you must first face it.

Someone is out to destroy Greg Simmons and everyone he has ever loved. After an accident leaves his teenage daughter depressed and distraught, Greg will do anything to make her happy again.

Olivia Marshall lost both her fiancé and her cousin in a deadly avalanche. She has vowed never to set foot on a ski hill again. But now, working as a bodyguard with Anderson Security, Olivia must face her greatest fears to save Greg and his daughter.

Something about Olivia’s determination strikes a chord in Greg, but will she be the salvation he needs, or will he be her destruction?

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BUY LINKS: 
AMAZON / B&N / KOBO / SMASHWORDS 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susanne Matthews grew up as an avid reader of all types of books, but always with a penchant for happily ever after romances. In her imagination, she travelled to foreign lands, past and present, and soared into the future. Today, she has made her dreams come true. A retired educator, she now gets to spend her time writing, so she can share her adventures with her readers. She loves the ins and outs of romance, and the complex journey it takes to get from the first word to the last period of a novel. As she writes, her characters take on a life of their own, and she shares their fears and agonies on the road to self-discovery and love.

Susanne lives in Cornwall, Ontario with her husband. She has three adult children and five grandchildren. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, chatting on the Internet with her writer friends, and hearing from her readers.

Connect with Susanne on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. 

Don't forget to check out the tour wide giveaway!

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TEASER TUESDAY: Scott Springer

Welcome to another installment of TEASER TUESDAY. I'm excited to have the talented Scott Springer here with us today. He'll be sharing an excerpt from his novel, Bound by Blood. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT:

“Dear Lord,” he said. “I am your humble servant. You are mighty. Worthy. And you know my needs, Lord. Which are Julia’s needs. Which is that she is safe.” He paused, feeling frustrated. His mother and aunts had taught him to pray, had told him to call out to Him when in need, but also, they had taught him to acknowledge his own blessings and to thank Him for His generosity. He had never paid much attention to the lessons and now he wished he had, because this had to be right. Everything hinged on his ability to pray. Prayer and leaving it up to His mercy were now the only way to save her.

            Rick looked out the window of the truck, saw the empty street, and then closed his eyes. Staring into darkness he continued, “Lord, what I’m trying to say here is that Julia needs Your help. She’s in deep. She needs to do the right thing. And she needs to not get shot. That’s the big thing here, Lord. Please, oh please, don’t let her get shot.”

Rick opened his eyes, looked around. Nothing appeared to have changed. The street was still empty. He drew a slow breath though his nostrils, relishing the moment. The air was thick and rich. Rick thought about what he had just said to God and he decided that, while maybe not eloquently, he had expressed what needed to be told. “Please keep her safe.” He was about to say “Amen” but instead he closed his eyes again.

~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Julia has accepted the Lord and is busy returning her life to order. She is not ready for love, especially when the new site foreman at work stirs up forgotten feelings. She knows a playboy when she sees one, but to Rick Mercado the attraction between them is surprisingly real. Other girls no longer interest him, and if she wants to play hard to get that's fine with him. Let the games begin!

What he doesn't realize is that her dangerous secret is not a game. Julia's brother has returned from the street, strung out and in trouble with rival gangs. Loyalty to her brother draws Julia deeper into a world of drug deals and thugs. Rick doesn't understand why Julia won't simply go to the cops, especially once the bullets start flying. As Julia slips further into a world of violence, Rick realizes how easily his heart can be broken. His brain says to run, but his heart isn't listening. It may already be too late.

BOUND BY BLOOD. Love and suspense, heartfelt moments and guns a blazing.

What a killer combination!

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BUY LINKS: AMAZON / B&N / KOBO / SMASHWORDS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Scott Springer spent his youth playing pretend and dreaming of being a writer. As an adult he worked as a carpenter before becoming a software developer. Having produced much, his two children remain his proudest accomplishment. His wife led him to the Lord, and he’s glad that she did.

You can find Scott on his website, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Don't forget to check out the tour wide giveaway below!

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Confessions from the Editing Cave with Paula Rose

Welcome to another installment of Confessions from the Editing Cave. This week I have lovely romantic suspense author, Paula Rose joining us!

1. Tell us a bit about your background working with editor(s). Did you hire a freelance editor? Work with an editor at a publishing house? Work with an agent in the capacity of an editor? All of the above or some other combination?  

I had the privilege of working with Sarah Joy Freese at Anaiah Press.

2. What was your overall relationship with your editor? Good? Bad? Indifferent?  

Excellent! Sarah Joy Freese taught me so much about the editing and writing process inside the editing cave.  It was wonderful to uncover the good and not so great parts of my writing or my crafting errors.  To update some of my outdated ways and to learn the new and exciting crafting details, I was able to mold a story into a work that I fell in love with all over again.

3. What was the best edit you’ve ever received from your editor? 

My villain’s excellent creepy factors and excellent creepy chapters.  

4. What was the worst edit you’ve ever received from your editor? 

I didn’t really know enough about my hero, and she was right.  When I started the story, I had a personality in mind, but this hero didn’t play that way.  He really did become someone I didn’t know.  With this “worse” edit, the best thing happened.  I met the hero that appeared on my page not the one that appeared in my mind.  This hero had a whole life on these pages that I didn’t consider because I was focused on forcing him into the mold that I created.  Accepting this man, his personality, quirks, flaws and bruised heart opened up his story as I put his true self into my story line.  

5. What was your first, initial, gut-reaction to your edits?  

I was happy to be immersed, and I knew it would help the story.  However, the overwhelming feeling of I can’t do this entered my core.  It was my editor’s initial advice on her notes that kept that fear at bay.  Sarah Joy Freese gave this advice: “Don’t try to fix everything at once.  Go through each issue and focus on that issue.”   I did.  Just to see each one of those edits get done stoked the kindling of the I can do this feeling.

6. Confession time! Share anything else you’d like to confess.  

These edits happened during a tragic season in life, but with God’s help, using these edits, I was able to keep my balance.  Sometimes, things do come up when you don’t think they should and at a time when you don’t think you can deal, but you’ll look back and thank God that they arrived in the nick of time.  

ALL ABOUT PAULA:

Author Paula Rose brings an “average” family into extraordinary situations, brushes with life-size strokes of reality, adding just a touch of humor, and coats with suspense inside Christian fiction. Paula’s research gives readers a panoramic view from law enforcement and lends to character authenticity. She enjoys writing in the romantic suspense, suspense, and mystery genres, but when she’s not writing, Paula Rose is playing amateur photographer.

Don't forget to visit Paula on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and Pinterest! 

{COVER REVEAL} Dangerous Love

I'm SO excited to share the brand new cover for my upcoming book, DANGEROUS LOVE!!  (This is the book I've been co-writing with Jody Holford, the author who won the Anaiah Press Co-Author Contest!!)  I can't believe we've come this far with it already. Seems like just yesterday Jody and I were sending those initial emails to feel each other out and plot this book.

Okay, enough with my nostalgia.....

DANGEROUS LOVE

by Kara Leigh Miller and Jody Holford

Anaiah Press is proud to present the cover of a romantic suspence novel by Kara Leigh Miller and Jody Holford

Dangerous Love!

Release date: April 2015

About the book:

He’s fighting to forget his past while she struggles to remember hers...

Doctor Josh Parker lives with guilt about his wife’s death every day. He believes himself incapable of ever loving again, but when a mysterious woman arrives in the Emergency Room, brutally beaten and
left for dead, he starts to feel something he hasn’t felt in far too long: hope.
 

Alessandra Matthews has no memory of the events that led to her being hospitalized. Worse, she has no idea who hurt her or why. Although she’s uncertain of who she is, she is fully aware of one thing -- she’s falling for her doctor.
 

Sometimes, what you don’t know can kill you...

As Josh and Alessa work to solve the mystery surrounding her past, she soon realizes just how much danger she’s really in, but Josh refuses to let her face the darkness of her memories alone. With each of them struggling to put their pasts behind them, theirs is a DANGEROUS LOVE.

And here's what we've all been waiting for – the cover!

Add Dangerous Love on Goodreads!

About the Authors:

Kara Leigh Miller

Kara lives in Upstate New York with her husband, three kids, two dogs, and two cats. When she's not busy writing romance novels that leave readers swooning, she's spending time with her family or attending one of her many writers groups. An active member of The Romance Writers of America and the CNY Writers Haven, Kara is also Managing Editor for Anaiah Press' Surge and Romance Imprints. She absolutely loves to hear from her fans and fellow authors, so feel free to drop her a line anytime!

Website     Twitter      Goodreads     Facebook

Jody Holford

Jody lives in British Columbia with her husband and two daughters. She is a fan of Nora Roberts, Jill Shalvis, Rachel Gibson, and Rainbow Rowell. In reading and writing, she likes characters who are flawed, but driven toward the pursuit of love and happiness. In November 2013, she published A Not So Lonely Christmas with Foreward Literary. In December 2014, she published Forever Christmas through Kindle Direct.

Website     Twitter      Goodreads     Facebook