Romance Novels

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A Code of Love named SELF-e Selection

Now you can find A Code of Love in Seattle libraries!

There are times when being a self-published author can be challenging. One of those challenges is gaining access to platforms automatically (or so it seems) available to traditionally published authors.

If you aren’t savvy as to publishing terminology like self-pubbed vs. trad-pubbed, let me help. Traditionally published authors are those whose books are delivered to the marketplace via a publisher, such as Harlequin or HarperCollins. Self-published authors, also called indie (independently) published authors, coordinate all aspects of book production (cover design, writing, editing, distribution) themselves.

Access to platforms like libraries and retailers is much easier for traditionally published authors as publishers have already negotiated these partnerships. With the increase in self-published books, platform gatekeepers (like librarians and store managers) are starting to recognize the need for some kind of entry point for indie authors.

SELF-e is one such program. Founded by BiblioBoard and administered by Library Journal, SELF-e provides an opportunity for self-published authors to introduce local libraries to their books. Books must be submitted for consideration and are evaluated for quality and professionalism.

A Code of Love, book 1 in the Code Breakers series, was recently named a SELF-e Selection. I’m proud of this endorsement, but more importantly, I’m grateful for the chance to share my book with local Seattle librarians and readers.

Connecting with libraries is an important means of discoverability for all authors, but especially self-pubbed authors. According to Library Journal, “Over 50 percent of all library users go on to purchase ebooks by an author they were introduced to in the library.”

The next time you visit your library, ask about the SELF-e program. You might discover a new favorite!

$3,000 Big Romance Author Spring Giveaway

Attention all awesome people! This month is a cool time to be a reader. 101 of your favorite authors contributed to one massive giveaway! Giveaway rules are listed on the rafflecopter. International peeps can play! Got any questions? Feel free to ask. There are 100 ways to enter for a maximum possible 500+ entries per person. The giveaway lasts the entire month of April, so come back every day and hammer away at a few more entries until you’re all done!

ONE PERSON WILL WIN $3,000 USD! That’s the biggest giveaway I’ve seen recently! Tell your buds! Don’t miss out. You’ll kick yourself if you miss this one.

Participating Romance Authors:

101 different authors came together to make this giveaway possible. If you’ve been looking for a new book boyfriend, or you’re literally famished between your fave author’s releases, check out some of my peeps! They write in various hot romance genres including contemporary romance, new adult romance, erotic romance, steamy romance, urban fantasy romance, dystopian romance, historical romance, futuristic/ sci-fi/ fantasy romance, Teen/ YA romance, inspirational romance and time travel romance!

H.M. Ward
Kim Golden
Drew Jordan
Christi Caldwell
Scarlett Metal
Chris Almeida & Cecilia Aubrey
Heidi McLaughlin
Jenny Gardiner
Stacey Joy Netzel
Merry Farmer
Mallory Crowe
Julia Kent
Jean Oram
Vella Day
Meli Raine
Sherri Hayes
Jayne Rylon
Sarah M. Cradit
Erica Ridley
Christine Zolendz
Beverly Preston
Marquita Valentine
Melissa Storm
Dana Marton
Amy Bartol
Michelle Fox
Magan Vernon
Ainsley Booth
Venessa Kimball
Sidney Bristol
K.M. Scott
C.C.Wood
J.M. Miller
Zara Keane
Eliza Knight
L.P. Dover
Sadie Haller
Patricia McLinn
Suzanne Rock
Katherine Lowry Logan
Erin Richards
Tori Scott
Danielle Stewart
P.T. Michelle
Suzan Tisdale
T.M. Franklin
Evelyn Adams
S.E. Hall
Lauren Hawkeye
Josie Bordeaux
Melanie Marchande
Raci Ames
Catherine Gayle
Sam Cheever
J.M Cole
Brooke Blaine
Ella Frank
Allison Bell
Cristin Harber
Jacki Delecki
Tawdra Kandle
Sydney Logan
Laura Kaye
Laura Kamoie
Evie Harper
P.J. Fiala
Taylor Law
Pamela DuMond
D.L. Roan
Jenni Moen
LG Castillo
Rachel Schurig
Nina Levine
Rachel Hanna
Cheryl Bradshaw
Jessica Scott
Beth Yarnall
J.T. Geissinger
Stacey Mosteller
Kylie Gilmore
Maryann Jordan
Cari Quinn
Lauren Royal
Renea Mason
Christine Bell
Felicia Tatum
Fabio Bueno
RaShelle Workman
Nana Malone
Annika Martin
Sophia Knightly
Nikki Lynn Barrett
Marian Tee
Sarah Castille
Allyn Lesley
Ambrielle Kirk
Jami Davenport
Bonnie R. Paulson
Laura Stapleton
Kennedy Layne

'Love Between the Covers' starring romance readers

On Saturday, January 23, the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America hosted a screening of Love Between the Covers, a “feature-length documentary film about the little-known, surprisingly powerful community of women who read and write romance novels.” A panel including Cherry Adair, Christina Dodd, Julia Quinn and Jayne Anne Krentz led a discussion following the viewing.

Produced by Laurie Kahn, screenings of Love Between the Covers have become an effective means of educating those not familiar with romantic fiction about the genre, authors and publishers, and readers. The film is also a celebration and validation of what romance authors and readers already know: There is nothing trivial, trite or shameful about this multi-billion dollar industry–which is actually more of a community.

Thanks to social media, as well as the variety of reader/author events such as RomCon, The Novel Experience Event, RT Booklovers Convention & Bookfair and Barbara Vey’s Reader Appreciation Weekend, opportunity abounds for readers and writers to connect. It is not uncommon for these casual encounters to evolve into mentorships for readers who want to write, close personal friendships and/or strong professional collaborations.

While I savor every sale, every review, and every award, it is the personal connection with readers that affirms my decision to write romantic suspense. I love hearing that some readers look forward to each new release because it’s a favorite indulgence or that escaping into my stories helped someone cope during a personal crisis. Or that reading Grayce Walters was like returning to their favorite city, Seattle. Or that they learned something new about political intrigue during the Napoleonic war in my Code Breakers series. It’s so much fun to start recognizing names on Facebook and discover a shared passion like high heels, theater or dogs.

Love Between the Covers showcases the unique relationships (readers and readers, authors and authors, authors and readers) that do not exist in other fiction genres. This film reminded me how lucky I am, and how much I value, the friends I’ve made in this community!

I’d love to hear about your special connections with other authors and readers. Feel free to comment on this post or send me a message on Facebook.

Release Day - Marriage Under Fire

Now available! MARRIAGE UNDER FIRE, Book 4 in the Grayce Walters Mystery Series

Marine veteran Maddy Jeffers never expected her most demanding and daunting mission would come off the battlefield. Ordered to infiltrate a Seattle terrorist cell, Maddy must pose as a loving wife to Major Hunter Hines. The undercover role begins to feel all too real when Maddy falls hard for the rugged, macho Marine.

Duty and discipline are Hunter Hines’s credo, guiding every decision and every action. But constant proximity with the fierce and enticing Maddy is veering his mission wildly off course. Although their role as man and wife is only pretend, there is nothing false about his out-of-control desire for his partner.

When Maddy’s life is threatened by an ISIS cell, protecting her becomes the only mission that matters, and Hunter is willing to break all the rules to save her. As the danger heats up around these two veteran heroes, Maddy and Hunter must walk a narrow path between passion and survival.

Available at online retailers: Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Google | BN

Cover Reveal: Marriage Under Fire

Deciding on cover art is a nerve-wracking process for authors. How do you capture 80K, 50K or even 20K words in a single image? Will the image engage readers’ attention? Will it inspire them to pick up the book or click through on Amazon for more information?

According to The Book Designer, fiction book covers have a variety of goals, including:

• Convey genre (i.e. historical, contemporary, suspense)
• Establish tone (i.e. gritty, flirty, humorous)
• Generate excitement

Kim Killion of The Killion Group designs the cover for both of my romantic suspense series, The Code Breakers and Grayce Walters. I had the opportunity to meet Harvey Stables, one of Kim’s most popular cover models at a local conference.

That clinch, delightful as it was, isn’t cover worthy, but Harvey and Kim still managed to get the job done when I needed a cover for MARRIAGE UNDER FIRE.

Look for MARRIAGE UNDER FIRE, Book 4 in the Grayce Walters contemporary romantic suspense series, September 12, at most online retailers.