A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS…by Hannah Rowan #RomanceGems

At last month’s New Jersey Romance Writers meeting, we were privileged to attend a workshop given by author and marketing guru Carol Van Den Hende.  One of the highlights of her talk was the introduction of two of her friends who are readers, not authors.  These were women who read across genres, who read whatever strikes their fancy or whatever friends recommend.

We enjoyed some interesting insights from listening to them describe how they choose what to read next, and yes, the covers count!  They said they would take a book off the shelf for further perusal if the cover grabbed their interest.

These women are serious readers to the extent that they discuss what they’re reading with friends and family, and often will read the same book as someone else so that they can review it together after they’re done.  They’re too busy for an organized book club but their reading habits more or less make an informal book club of sorts.

The most interesting thing to me was that even though they had very strong opinions about the books they read, and shared those opinions with friends and family, they had never written reviews.  In fact, they weren’t even aware that writing a review was an option, even though they’d read reviews on Amazon and other venues.

While those of us in the romance community are accustomed to readers and authors interacting, and prone to reviewing the books we read, this talk awakened us to the idea that not all readers share this experience.

We at New Jersey Romance Writers concluded that we need to spread the word…Help an Author!  Write a Review!

It doesn’t need to be long or fancy, but it’s a tremendous help to your favorite author if the review is simply there!  On Amazon or Goodreads or BookBub or whatever site you like.  So please be kind to an author, flex your fingers, and share your thoughts with the world!

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED to the ROMANCE GEMS June Wedding celebration. Enter our #Rafflecopter for a chance to win jewelry designed for Readers or Amazon Gift Cards or romance ebooks about love & happy-ever-afters. https://RomanceGems.blogspot.com

Watch our Wedding video, You Are Cordially Invited. You’ll find it on our Movie Theater page: https://romancegems.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_14.html and also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Afw8-IuApeI .
To see the gorgeous prizes and to enter our June Rafflecopter, visit our Monthly Giveaway Page: https://romancegems.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_28.html .
Or you can click this short link if you wish: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/21df08a224/

#RomanceGems

It's Book Birthday Week @ElsaKurt #RomanceGems

Congratulations, It's A... Series!

Well, the beginning of one, that is. But since I've been talking almost nonstop about it, you probably knew it already. I suppose it's an obvious statement, but I love this story, this place so much. Chance, Connecticut and its residents may be fiction, but they are so real to me. Each character holds a special place in my heart. Here are a few of the people you'll meet and hopefully love as much as I do...

Mae...

William...

Feather Anne...

Bruce...

Rosabelle...

And So Many More!

Chance may be a small town, but it's got big-time drama. Take it from Mae herself...

In Chance, Connecticut, it’s about living the small-town life. Here everyone knows everybody’s business. Gossip and drama spreads like wildfire in this town. 

But I’m happy here, content with my little café where locals come together. Even the rich wives-club has their own corner where they can sit around and swap gossip stories. Luckily, I’ve managed to stay off their radar…until a handsome writer arrives in town.

William is older, wiser, and nothing like any other man I’ve met. The attraction between us is instant, and totally unexpected.

While I try to ignore the connection we share, the entire town starts to notice. Suddenly my personal life has become the new topic of conversation.

A twenty-six-year-old falling for an older man is exactly the kind of gossip that can stir a lot of drama in Chance.

Question is, will our newfound love survive being the talk of the town? 

In honor of Mae's Cafe release, I'm doing an EBOOK GIVEAWAY! To enter, click HERE

Our June Wedding promotion is open! Watch our Wedding video, You Are Cordially Invited. You can find it on our Movie Theater page and also on YouTube 

To see the gorgeous prizes and to enter our June Rafflecopter, visit our Monthly Giveaway Page 

Or you can click this short link if you wish: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/21df08a224/ .

The Saga of Kentucky Flame: Bluegrass Reunion Series Book 4 by Jan Scarbrough

In 1998, I’d been writing eight years, and my writing buddy Maddie James had just sold to Kensington’s new line Precious Gems. These little paperback romances were only sold at Walmart, but hey, it was a start. Maddie told me to shorten my 85,000-word romantic suspense to 50,000 words and submit it. I did. I became a published author!

Kensington titled my book Reunited and sold it for $1.96. I was a happy camper.

After my rights were reverted, I sold the little paperback to a company called Five Star. The $1.96 book became a $25 hardback book sold to libraries.

To sell the book to Kensington, I had cut out 35,000 words and the suspense element. When my rights came back from Five Star, I put the words and suspense back into the manuscript. I changed the names of the major characters. By this time, eBooks were making an appearance. I sold the restored book that I now called Kentucky Flame to a small eBook publisher in 2009.

In 2018, I reclaimed my rights for all of my Bluegrass Reunion Series books. Slowly, I self-published them. With each book, I polished them and updated them. I sent them to the editor, and each book made several passes through her sharp eye and pen. I rebranded the books with new covers.

The moral of the story is books you love don’t have to go away and die. Breathe new life into them. Kentucky Flame was the first book I ever wrote, the first book I sold, and truly the book of my heart.

You can grab an eBook copy of Kentucky Flame until June 16 for 99 cents! Here is a link to all the eBook retail sites where you can buy it.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

Our June Wedding promotion, is open. Watch our Wedding video, You Are Cordially Invited. You find it on our Movie Theater page: https://romancegems.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_14.html and also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Afw8-IuApeI .

To see the gorgeous prizes and to enter our June Rafflecopter, visit our Monthly Giveaway Page: https://romancegems.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_28.html .

Or you can click this short link if you wish: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/21df08a224/.

The Art of Writing a Review #RomanceGems

So, you’ve read a great book lately have you? Maybe even found yourself a new “keeper” author. Can’t wait for that next great read?

Like any other entertainment professional, authors need encouragement. Validation over and above the initial sale. Where do we get that much-needed encouragement? Through an honest review.

Tips for leaving a review:

Most importantly, a review can be short. Don’t feel like you have to recap the entire book. That’s the sole purpose of the posted blurb. Two to three sentences outlining your reaction is more than enough. And, of course, set the ‘star’ ranking.

Example: I usually don't care for secret baby stories, but this one was different. Cody was the smartest, cutest thing ever. Sometimes adults are so stupidly blind, but that's what makes love grand! Great story. ~ 5-star Amazon Review

If you do choose to write a longer review, please don’t post spoilers. This is especially true when reviewing romantic suspense or cozy mysteries.

Place your review on bookstore sites, e.g., Amazon, Barnes & Noble, as well as on Goodreads (if you are a member). You can copy and paste the same review everywhere.

Attribute and disclaim. If you received the book from either the author or the publisher, say so using a simple statement: “This book was a gift in exchange for an honest review.” If you use NetGalley or another review service, please also attribute the site: “ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.”

Bloggers get your name and site out there. If you are a book blogger, please post your review everywhere and remember to link your blog site. It’s a great way to bring new people to your work.

If you are friends/follow the author on social media, please post a link to your review and tag the author. It not only shows your commitment to support authors, but it also gives the author a chance to share and celebrate.

Exactly how important are reviews?

In addition to giving the author an often much needed morale boost, posting on influential sites such as Amazon also affect the author’s placement among the site’s metrics. Just remember: they’re not spying on you or your reviews, they’re just counting the author’s promotional marbles!

Reviews are also important when an author is shopping for a new publisher or an agent. Having few or no reviews is even worse than having bad ones. At least the bad ones show that someone was reading the author’s work.

For the reader, it’s a win-win in terms of being offered the opportunity to review ARCs. Most authors gladly share a limited number of books with those readers who take the time to read and post a review.

The majority of authors don’t get rich with their writing. They give up hours of their precious time with family, they forego sleep, in order to produce the best book they can write. All they ask in return (whether you’ve purchased the book or received it for free) is a review. Please consider writing one today.

~ ~ ~

Don't forget to check out this month's fantastic contest and giveaway. You'll find all the details on the Monthly Giveaway page. Best of luck to all who enter!

See you again next month.

Nancy

JUDGING A BOOK BY ITS TITLE @kathleenlawless #romancegems

Experts say we judge a book by its cover.

Could that mean we also judge a book by its title?

Titles can be tricky.  They are also, unlike the story’s content, not subject to copyright, which means the same title can be used time and again by different authors. 

Personally, I wouldn’t recommend someone call a book GONE WITH THE WIND, just because they can.  I think the fans would cry foul. 

Publishing houses have long been notorious for changing the title of an author’s work.  Of my first 15 traditionally published novels, 11 had the title changed.  Sometimes I liked the change.  Even when I didn’t, I never made it a deal-breaker but trusted that the marketing department had their reasons. 

The good thing about now acting as my own publisher is the ability to make those decisions for myself.  When my western historical romance MADDY’S FUGITIVE was originally published as DELIVER ME, I thought the title very bland.  What did it even mean?  Seems readers felt the same way, as this particular book consistently saw fewer sales than my other western romances. 

Authors worry incessantly.  I worried about losing my reviews for the book.  I worried about reader backlash if someone purchased the book with its new title and discovered they had already read it. 

In the end, I took the leap.  I held my breath and re-christened the book with my original title, MADDY’S FUGITIVE. 

Now it is branded with my other western historical romances, which all have the heroine’s name in the title.  It also (shocker) gives the reader a hint into what the book is about. 

Yes!  You got it! 

The hero is a fugitive from justice. 

Now, at least one trope is obvious to the potential reader.  They know the hero is on the run.  Likely some action, and possibly danger, will be involved.  If they enjoy action and adventure with their romance, this book will deliver.

It’s early days, but so far the reviewers are positive.

“An amusing, spirited, adventurous tale.”  RT reviews

“Maddy’s Fugitive has it all—romance, action, mystery, and solid characters and plot.  All-in-all I enjoyed this western romp…”  ~Jen, Romancing the Book

“Maddy’s Fugitive was a fun, passionate, engaging whodunit with a strong, stubborn heroine.  I was quickly drawn in….”  ~Josie, Night Owl Reviews

For a limited few days, MADDY’S FUGITIVE is on special for only .99.  If you haven’t read the earlier edition with its nowhere title, this is your chance to grab it, complete with its sparkling identity.    

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JIJ38TE

How important are book titles to you?  Do you pass a book over if the title doesn’t grab you?  What's a favorite title you remember?  Or the worst title you recall?  

I love to hear from my readers.  Check out my VIP reader's group for new release information, special fan pricing and a free prequel to my Seven Brides Series.  http://eepurl.com/bV0sb1

Website:  www.kathleenlawless.com

 Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kathleenlawless

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

 Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/kathleenlawless/

 Blog:   http://www.gemsintheattic.blogspot.ca

Speaking of Brides.....

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

Our June Wedding promotion, is open. Watch our Wedding video, You Are Cordially Invited.
You find it on our Movie Theater page: https://romancegems.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_14.html and also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Afw8-IuApeI .

To see the gorgeous prizes and to enter our June Rafflecopter, visit our Monthly Giveaway Page: https://romancegems.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_28.html .

Or you can click this short link if you wish: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/21df08a224/ .

Summertime by Karen Whiddon

All around the country, school is out or getting out.  Children and teachers are ready for the summer months - the heat, the pools, vacations, and fun.  For me, the Texas heat means I must move my outdoor walk to earlier in the morning.  And since all the television shows we watch regularly go on summer hiatus, once we've exhausted Netflix and HBO, I get to do some reading.  I get LOTS of reading done in the summer.

My husband has to watch TV at night. He doesn't want to read or talk, though when we're at the lake place, he plays Scrabble with me.  At home, he sits in his recliner and watches television. Often, he dozes.  I can go sit out by the pool with my Kindle and indulge my reading passion.  I love trying new series and authors and I've recently found some new-to-me, good ones.  I read romance true, but also fantasy and young adult, and horror - in short, whatever catches my fancy.

And as always, I write.  I have an old Alphasmart that I enjoy using outside.  I also have been known to take pen and notebook and go sit in my backyard swing.  Oh, only in the morning or after dusk here because it's too brutally hot in the heat of the day.  These outdoor writing times are sometimes productive, sometimes not, but they're for me.  Diary entries, ideas for future books, or a special project I'm working on to send to my agent.  Fun writing.  It feeds my soul.

Weather wise (and temperature wise) I'm more of an Autumn, Winter, Spring person.  I'm not a fan of heat, which might seem amusing since I live in Texas. Ah well, it is what it is.

What are your favorite summer activities? Do you love or hate the heat?

You Are Cordially Invited...

Our June Wedding promotion, is open. Watch our Wedding video, You Are Cordially Invited. You'll find it on our Movie Theater page and also on YouTube.

Visit the Monthly Giveaway Page to see the gorgeous prizes and to enter.

 (You can also click here: Enter RomanceGems Rafflecopter. Enter often.)

Sassy, Snarky, Sarcastic: Who Me? by @JoanReeves #RomanceGems

My mouth used to get me in trouble all the time!

Okay, so it wasn't actually my mouth that got me in trouble. The problem was the words that came out of my mouth.

Miniature Dorothy Parker

When I was a child, I had the unfortunate habit of saying what was on my mind.

Somehow, I looked at the world around me and always came up with a comment worthy of Dorothy Parker.

While her witticisms and acerbic comments gained Ms. Parker the rep of possessing a biting, sophisticated wit, it gained me the reputation of being a sassy little girl with a smart mouth. Trust me, being sassy or being called "smart mouthed" wasn't considered praiseworthy in my small southern town.

Joan talks too much in school.

While a sassy assessment of people and events might be wonderful for a stand-up comedienne in training, it wasn't considered so wonderful by my parents or teachers. I remember a comment my third-grade teacher wrote on the back of my report card: "Joan talks too much in school."

Oh, my! That did not endear me to the teacher or to my parents even though the remark didn't surprise them. I think they'd already given up their effort to teach me that children should be seen and not heard.

Sassy Mouth Makes For Writing Talent

Fortunately, I developed the ability to filter what I thought. Now I utter the unadorned truth about what I think only to my Darling Husband.

Sometimes he laughs. Sometimes he rolls his eyes and calls me a smartass. Then he kisses my smart mouth. Not once has he ever told me to be quiet. Oh, how I love that man!

Besides, now I let heroines mouth off. I like to write heroines who are armed with an arsenal of sass and aren't afraid to use it. All my books have a lot of dialogue, whether they're romantic comedy or romantic suspense, so those girls have ample opportunity to speak what they think.

Readers often tell me that they laugh out loud at the conversations between characters.

In Just One Look, my heroine Psychologist Jennifer Monroe uses words, innuendo, and sexual tension to twist her hero, Gynecologist Dr. Matthew Penrose, into a pretzel.

It's so freeing for characters to say things I'd like to say, but never do.

Probably because I still hear the voices of my teachers and my parents telling me to think before I speak so I don't sound like a sass mouth.

Smart, Sassy Women Speak

I honor the smart–and the smartass–women who uttered these quotations below. I like sassy quotes. I used some of my favorite quotations as a literary motif, prefacing each chapter with a sassy quote, in my romantic comedy, Old Enough To Know Better. The quotation kind of foreshadows what the chapter is about.

I find the response to this book interesting. It's an older woman/younger man story. Of 4 reviews this year, 3 loved it and 1 absolutely hated it! Funny how those reviews came in just days apart. When that happens, it really makes you realize—again—how subjective reading taste is.

Warning: Hot as the Texas Summer of the story.

Here are some of the quotes I used in Old Enough To Know Better plus a few other favorites.

“I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb ... and I also know that I'm not blonde.” ~Dolly Parton

“You see a lot of smart guys with dumb women, but you hardly ever see a smart woman with a dumb guy.” ~Erica Jong

“A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.” ~Jane Austen

“If high heels were so wonderful, men would be wearing them.” ~Sue Grafton

“When women are depressed they either eat or go shopping. Men invade another country.” ~Elayne Boosler

"I don't have much fear of getting older, but I do dread that someday a wicked genie will make me go back and live my 20's all over again." ~Elizabeth Gilbert

Cinderella Blue has heroine armed with a smart mouth and a Glock.

"Love is like the measles. The older you get, the worse the attack." ~Mary Roberts Rinehart, The Man in Lower Ten

"I used to be Snow White, but I drifted." ~Mae West

"Love is a game that two can play and both win." ~Eva Gabor 

Bringing in a Man to Close

Here's an excerpt from In Praise of Older Women, an essay often attributed to Andy Rooney, but actually written by Frank Kaiser.

You can find the entire text of Mr. Kaiser's essay here.

“Once you get past a wrinkle or two, an older woman is far sexier than her younger counterpart. Her libido’s stronger, her fear of pregnancy gone. Her experience of lovemaking is honed and reciprocal, and she’s lived long enough to know how to please a man in ways her daughter could never dream of. (Young men, you have something to look forward to.)” ~Frank Kaiser

Pop Up Giveaway

Famous Quotation by Dorothy Parker

I'll give away 1 Kindle edition of 1 of the 3 books mentioned in my post.

Leave a comment with your email address written out. (Don't leave it as  a hot link.)

Tell me if you speak your mind or if you're discreet (unlike me) and refrain from snarky comments.

On June 3, our Rafflecopter begins. Check out our Monthly Giveaway page now to see all the great prizes.

On Monday, June 3, I'll select a winner by random draw from all the comments with an email addy. I'll notify the winner by email and also post her name in comments on this post.

June is going to be great! Enjoy the golden sunshine and have nothing but happy days.