Favorite Section in the Bookstore #BookBlogExpo

Day 2 - Favorite Section in the Bookstore

Welcome to Day 2 of the #BookBlogExpo! If you're just discovering this event, check out yesterday's post and be sure to check with Girl Who Reads to find more great blog posts to read!

Sadly, the local bookstore in my area has closed so the nearest one is a Barnes & Noble which is about an hour away. I try to get there as often as I'm able, but not like I used to. The first section I check out there is the Bargain section. I'm always a fan of a great deal! 

Next, I head to the romance section. This is definitely my favorite genre to read. I'm all about a happily-ever-after. I prefer knowing that the ending of the books I read will be emotionally satsifying, hopeful and optimistic. Then I move on to the Science Fiction/Fantasy section, the Young Adult section, then History... Okay, I generally check out nearly the entire rest of the store. The only place I don't visit in Barnes and Noble is the café. I'd rather spend my money on books than a high priced coffee, but I must admit that it smells delicious when I walk by.

Last week, I badly needed some book therapy, so I headed to the city. I bought Life Below Stairs: True Lives of Edwardian Servants in the Bargain Section which I'm currently reading.

Although I can't physically visit Barnes & Noble every day, I do check out online sites on a daily basis to find books.

I visit Goodreads and Amazon every day. I get an email from The Wild Rose Press at least once a week letting me know about their new releases. I also check out BookBub to find new deals on authors that I read. I get emails from Instafreebie although I admit haven't been clicking on their links lately.

Most of my books I now purchase on Amazon. I pre-order most of my must have authors such as Julia Quinn, Sandra Hill, Deborah Simmons, Lynn Kurland, Ash Krafton and Kelley Armstrong to name just a few.

Here are some of my most recent purchases on Amazon which I think I mostly found through browsing their recommended reads section.

• Forged in Fire by Kayelle Allen
• The Lawrence Browne Affair by Cat Sebastien 
• Ride to Ruin by Eleri Stone
• A Love Thing Anthology
• Book of Souls by Nadine Nightingale 

What's your favorite section in the bookstore? Do you visit a brick and mortar store or do you prefer to shop online? Where do you shop?

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Finding New Readers, Connections and Books #BookBlogExpo

Day 1 - Introductions & Networking

Welcome to my first Book Blog Expo! For those of you who don't know me, I'm a published author who writes primarily paranormal and historical romance although I have several other romance genres in the works. I have both short stories and novel length books published.

I have a series of paranormal romances about a family of witches that live during the Regency era in England. There's a lot of drama and mischief with the Merriweather witches! I also wrote some dashing and daring historical pirate romances. And my newest short story has a hero who is not quite human in A Wink and a Smile. I have several more stories in the works, including a romance with some nasty zombie baddies and a shapeshifter romance.

I've always been a book lover. I worked for several years as Assistant Manager and bookseller at Waldenbooks before the company shut down. Since then, I've turned to writing books as my full-time job, although I have four children between the ages of 3 to 12 so I do the best that I can with the time they allow me.

I blog about anything and everything that strikes my fancy. Mostly about books. I write book reviews or sometimes I'll discuss a book-related topic. I post excerpts of my writing or I host guest blogs for authors who want to get word of their new books to readers. Occasionally, I'll post a movie review or a giveaway. I do like to participate in blog hops. Sometimes there's a theme, sometimes its just something random. I also to participate in the Weekend Writing Warriors which posts an 8-10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sundays and the Insecure Writer's Support Group which posts on the first Wednesday of every month.

I started book blogging because it was my way of connecting to readers once the bookstore closed. I love talking about books! Not just the books that I write, but other books, too. I'm far more interested in talking about my favorite characters from Kelley Armstrong or Janet Evanovich or which new Nora Roberts or Stephen King book is being released this month. And I love hearing from readers, too. I've gotten so many great recommendations from readers. My TBR shelf is simply immense! I'm always on the lookout for a new author to read! If you read an author who you think is fabulous, share in the comments below because I would love to add them to my shelf.

I spend most of my time on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads talking about books. I'm also a regular over at Pinterest where I'm looking for new knitting patterns to try, but I also use it for inspiration and research for my writing, too. I have some book boards that I've added there, as well. I like to chat about anything, but if I seem to disappear from social media it's only temporary. It's just because I've found some time to hide from my kids to write another chapter in my new book.

Well, that's a little about me. What about you? Who are you? Do you blog? Read? Write? Where do you spend most of your time on social media? I'll be happy to connect with you!

Thanks to Donna Huber at Girl Who Reads for getting this started! I love reading her blog! Check out her blog to find more #BookBlogExpo posts! 

In the mood for a Giveaway?

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A Wink and a Smile - A Read on the Run Anthology #NewRelease #shortstories #romance

In this Read on the Run title, we present eighteen romances. Not love stories, although some of them do include aspects of that. But whereas love stories are often sad, each of the selections in A Wink and a Smile has either a "happily-ever-after" ending, or at least a strong suggestion that this is where the characters are heading.

That doesn't mean these tales all sound the same; to the contrary, we've found quite a diverse collection of romances. Yes, there are some traditional romances, and there's a healthy handful of budding romances, but you will also find a story set in the future, and a couple of fantasy tales. You will find stories of pastries, and candles, of young lovers and old. You will meet several matchmakers and you'll see couples reconcile, and there are even a few stories that will make you laugh.

As always, each story in the Read on the Run series of anthologies is short, to suit your busy lifestyle.

Included in the anthology are short stories written by: 

Sally Basmajian, Dev Bentham, Michael Bracken, Madison Estes, Laurie Axinn Gienapp, 

Ilene Goldman, Anita Goveas, Meagan Noel Hart, Emorie Hill, Jonathan Ochoco, Meg Overman, Tricia Schneider, Jacqueline Seewald, Ginny Swart, Catherine Valenti, Anusha VR, M.R. Ward

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo 

If you want to learn more about the authors in this book, check out the Smoking Pen Press!

The Writing Season #IWSG #writinglife

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day.

The Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

IWSG Asks: It's spring! Does this season inspire you to write more than others, or not?  

Personally, I find more inspiration in the winter months, although I have more time for writing during the summer. For me, spring is more about assessing where I am and where I want to go. I re-organize my files, both household and business. I analyze my goals to see if I need to adjust or change them. I do my best to keep myself on track.

Usually, spring is the time I focus mostly on cleaning my yard and getting it ready for the summer plants. I do a lot of house-cleaning in the spring, opening the windows to air out the mustiness of the winter months and sort through storage. That takes a lot of time and keeps me busy, because, frankly, the clutter gets overwhelming throughout the year. I feel like spring is the time to clean, sort and organize the house because the rest of the year writing is my priority, my passion, my dream and the house gets a little chaotic.

Be sure to visit the other writers in the 

Insecure Writer's Support Group!

I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Become a VIP Reader by signing-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

Happy Writing!

Tricia