Last Chance! Grab It Before It's Gone! #ShiftersUnleashed #shifterromance #pnr #shifters #paranormalromance #holidayshifters #holidayromance

 

"Tis the season to get furry!

Join USA Today Bestseeling & Award-winning authors as we come together to celebrate the Howlidays with steamy Shifter Christmas stories just for you.

Lions, Tigers, Dragons, Bears, Wolves and more await you in this collection of holiday paranormal romance and urban fantasy tales.

Naughty or nice, escape between the pages and get swept away with the new book boyfriends waiting under the tree.

Stories guaranteed to jingle your bells.

But you have to hurry, this anthology won't last forever...

★★★ Stories and Authors Featured in Shifter Christmas Howlidays ★★★

Mistletoe Kisses by Erzabet Bishop

Moongate Island Christmas Claim by C.D. Gorri

An Alpha Christmas by Julie Morgan

A Catmas to Remember by Pepper McGraw

Demon by Day by Lulu M. Sylvian

Snowshifter by P.Mattern

Dreaming of a Yuletide Wolf by Georgina Stancer

Curse of the Snowman by Tricia Schneider

Tiger Love by E.J. Powell

Winter's Thaw by Marie Harte

Amazon | Universal

Short Story Reads for Valentine's Day #SweetRomance #Anthologies #HappilyEverAfter #HappyForNow #RomanceReads

 

I read romance no matter what time of year, but I've always been fond of reading sweet romance stories for Valentine's Day. In these two collections, you'll find the sweetest of romances, including two of my stories.

In A Kiss and a Promise, you'll find Eve's Garden, a sweet romance involving an author who finds a ghost haunting the historic cottage where he moves to write his new book.

Cupid's Arrow, in A Wink and a Smile, is about a bridesmaid who finds more than she bargained for at a wedding where she meets an enigmatic man who takes her on an adventure to save the love of her friends.

These books are filled with heart-warming tales of happily-ever-afters and happy-for-nows.

Happy Valentine's Day!

The six romances included in this anthology have quirky characters, or quirky locations, or quirky situations.

You'll find a ghost and a new homeowner, a spaceship captain and her cartographer, a window designer and high school beau, a banker and a baker, two vampire hunters, and some supernatural beings.

You'll find yourself in two different restaurants, and on another planet. You'll find deception, intrigue, and old memories.

You'll find Happily-Ever-Afters, and you'll find Happy-for-Nows. But most of all, you'll find true romance.

You'll find kisses, and you'll find promises.

Amazon | Universal

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.

Amazon | Universal

Be sure to check out the other books published by

The Smoking Pen Press!

The Magical Month of Love! #Bookfair #pnr #fantasyromance #scifiromance #urbanfantasy #romancebooks

 

Looking for a little romance this Valentine's Day?

Check out these paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi, urban fantasy and fairytale romances!

Even better than chocolate!!

GO TO BOOKFAIR

Shifter Christmas Howlidays is on SALE! #99cents from Feb 2-8 #shifterromance #pnr #paranormalromance #holidayshifters #holidaypnr #shiftersunleashed

 

"Tis the season to get furry!

Join USA Today Bestseeling & Award-winning authors as we come together to celebrate the Howlidays with steamy Shifter Christmas stories just for you.

Lions, Tigers, Dragons, Bears, Wolves and more await you in this collection of holiday paranormal romance and urban fantasy tales.

Naughty or nice, escape between the pages and get swept away with the new book boyfriends waiting under the tree.

Stories guaranteed to jingle your bells.

But you have to hurry, this anthology won't last forever...

★★★ Stories and Authors Featured in Shifter Christmas Howlidays ★★★

Mistletoe Kisses by Erzabet Bishop

Moongate Island Christmas Claim by C.D. Gorri

An Alpha Christmas by Julie Morgan

A Catmas to Remember by Pepper McGraw

Demon by Day by Lulu M. Sylvian

Snowshifter by P.Mattern

Dreaming of a Yuletide Wolf by Georgina Stancer

Curse of the Snowman by Tricia Schneider

Tiger Love by E.J. Powell

Winter's Thaw by Marie Harte

Amazon | Universal

February Favorites 2023 Giveaway Hop #FebruaryFavorites #BTEvents

 

February is the month for lovers! And the perfect month to read romance. Well, all year is perfect for that, but let's not get nitpicky.

This month, I'd like to share my favorite Valentine's Day romance books. Then don't forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

When ARP warden Molly sees a light shining through the darkness of London on a cold winter's night in the middle of the blitz she's infuriated with the careless American who struck it. Doesn't he know there's a war on?

Guy's just trying to find his way through a maze of unlit streets. He's very sorry and Molly reluctantly forgives him. When he accompanies her on her nightly rounds the two learn about each other, themselves and whether it's really possible to fall in love in only one night - especially when there's no guarantee of tomorrow.

Check out other titles in the Candy Hearts series.

Four women who are about to dig up the truth!

Tired of boyfriends who drain you dry? Sick of guys who stay out all night howling at the moon? You can do better. Some men want you not only for your body, but your brains. Especially your brains.

It's true! There are men out there who care--early-rising, down-to-earth, indefatigable men who'll follow you for miles. They'll take the time to surprise you, over and over. One sniff of that perfume, and you'll have to use a shotgun to fight them off. And then, once you get together, all they want is to share a nice meal. And another. And another.

Romeo and Juliet, eat your hearts out.

*NOTE: This book is currently out-of-print, but you can still find the author's individual stories published.

Bring Out Your Dead by Katie Macalister

Gentlemen Prefer Voodoo by Angie Fox

Zombiewood Confidential by Marianne Mancusi

Every Part of You by Lisa Cach

Six beloved authors deliver romantic Valentine novellas set in Jane Austen's Regency world. Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, and Barbara Cornthwaite, together with Susan Kaye and Mandy Cook, share variations of Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility, featuring your favorite characters in sequels, adaptations, and spinoffs of Austen's adored novels. Experience uplifting romance, laugh-out-loud humor, and poignant regret as these authors deftly tug on your heartstrings this Valentine's Day.

Trista is excited to take Zeek, her zombie, out for a Valentine's Day treat. Once back at home, Zeek surprises her with a treat of his own.

*Note: This is the 2nd installment in the silly Sexy Zombie Tales short story series. It is highly recommended that you read A Zombie Ate My Panties first.

The heroes are deliciously imperfect, but the way they love will leave you breathless. It's a good thing no one ever said the path to happily ever after would be easy.

Inside the pages of this laugh-out-loud romcom boxed set, you'll find heartwarming and binge-worthy full-length romance novels filled with flawed and hunky heroes, sassy heroines, mixed signals, accidental attractions, dating disasters, unexpected twists, and huge jaw-dropping gestures to help balance out their many wrong turns along the way.

You'll be cheering out loud for Mr. Right to finally get it right.

From secret admirers, to best friends hoping to become more, to exes dying for a second chance, to fake relationships, to mistaken identities, there's something for everyone in these all-new, standalone, contemporary romantic comedies from your favorite USA Today bestselling, award-winning, and rising star authors.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Check out these bloggers for more contests and prizes!

Her Haunted Valentine is #99cents! Feb 1-7 #steamyromance #pnr #ghostromance #ValentinesDayRomance

 

A Steamy Paranormal Ghost Romance

Now 99¢!

When Wendy Miller's best friend set her up on a blind date for Valentine's Day, she's hopeful this guy will be Mr. Right Now if not Mr. Right Forever. Imagine her disappointment when he doesn't show. Instead, a man named Magnus appears, saving her from a lonely evening. He's charming, he's handsome, and he's single. But there's one thing Wendy doesn't know...

He's a ghost.

Magnus was murdered on Valentine's Day over two hundred years ago. Now, his spirit haunts the inn where he died, searching for the one who can save him from this ghostly existence. The one who will hold his heart forever

Excerpt:

A ghost? No. She hadn’t just spent the most glorious night of her life with a ghost. Had she?

Marie nodded. “There are those who don’t believe in spirits. I admit I’ve never seen him, but I’ve talked to people who have, and they all seem convinced that he’s real.”

“He is real,” Wendy agreed. “He wasn’t mist or an apparition. He was solid and intelligent and strong. We danced, and we talked, and we…” She’d been about to tell this woman about the amazing sex they had, but that was too much to share.

“Come with me,” Marie said, smiling. She walked around the desk and waved gently with one hand for Wendy to join her. Wendy didn’t want to follow. She didn’t want to learn anything else about this supposed ghost, but her feet moved despite her misgivings, and she followed Marie into a long hallway. She remembered this hallway when she’d searched the inn last night for Magnus.

Marie stopped in front of a large painting of a portrait. Wendy hadn’t looked at any of the portraits last night. She’d been too determined to find the charming man who had danced with her. The hallway led to the back of the inn, to the gardens there. When she arrived yesterday, she’d kept to her room, but had seen the gardens from her window.

“This is Magnus Campbell.” Marie pointed to the portrait. “My many-greats-uncle.”

Wendy didn’t want to look, but she forced her gaze upon the portrait. Magnus… her Magnus… stared back at her. He looked the same. The same dark hair, blue eyes, tiny cleft in his chin. The same broad shoulders and wicked smile.

“Oh, my God,” Wendy whispered.

“I thought you might recognize him.” Marie’s hands folded together in front of her. “So, you were the one he visited last night. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you. He’s been dead for over two hundred years.”

“This can’t be the same man…” Wendy blinked and blinked again. She stared at the portrait, searching for some slight difference in the man to compare with the one she met last night. “It just can’t be possible.”

Amazon

February 2023 $100 PayPal Cash #Giveaway #Contest

February is the month for lovers! And the perfect month for the chance to win $100 in cash! That would buy a lot of heart-shaped chocolates! Be sure to check out the other amazing bloggers co-hosting this event. And a special thanks to The Mommy Island and The Kids Did It for hosting!

This event is HOSTED by The Mommy Island and The Kids Did It and sponsored by fabulous bloggers, authors, and Etsy shop owners! Click Your Way Over To Our CoHosts! Sunshine and Rollercoasters, Get Your Holiday On, Deliciously Savvy , Home Jobs By Mom, Sybrina's Book Blog, Author Jill Chapman, Saving K, Ottawa Mommy Club, Luv Saving Money, Author Tricia Schneider, Versatileer, and Eclectic Evelyn

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

ONE entrant will be selected by the entry form to win $100 USD PayPal Cash! Open for entry WW, 18 years and older from 02/01/2023 at 12:01 a.m. ET thru 02/28/2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET. No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited. This event is not sponsored or endorsed by PayPal. A winner will be chosen after/around March 1, 2023. The winner will have 12 hours to respond to the notification email to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected. See Rafflecopter for official rules. The Kids Did It and The Mommy Island are responsible for sending the winner their prize. Twitter and Facebook dummy/fake accounts are ineligible for entry and will be blocked. Authentic accounts only are eligible to win. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Cover Options for Authors #IWSG #writinglife #indieauthors #bookcover #writingcommunity #coverart

 

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: If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover?

I've had the good fortune to have experience with all three of these options.

I started as a traditional author with The Wild Rose Press. During the publication process, they supplied a questionnaire for me to fill out with details such as the subgenre of the romance, the hero and heroine's hair and eye color, what kind of clothes the characters wore, and any specific items or objects that were important in the story. They also asked for any details I would like to see on the cover. I provided as much information as possible for the cover artist to create stunning covers for my books. In every case, I was quite pleased with the results.

A few years ago, I decided to self-publish my books. This gave me more freedom with the publication process, as well as control over my own book covers. While I don't have many skills in designing covers, I decided to keep it simple. Simple works for me. And when I began, I was testing the waters so to speak. I didn't have a lot of money to invest in expensive covers as I was just starting out.

   

Some of my stories needed a cover that required more skill than I could provide. For these books, I needed the aid of professional cover designers. Most of these, I bought as premade so I had no input to offer in the design. I simply stumbled upon them and they kinda shouted at me to buy them. For those I commissioned, I again offered the details that were necessary for the artist who then created beautiful works of art for my stories.

I prefer to make my own covers, but I really need to invest more time into learning the art. So far, I've been using Canva which has gone above and beyond my expectations, but I'd really like to invest in a better program where I have more design options and grow my skill set.

While I love the idea of traditional publishers taking the responsibility of creating book covers out of my hands, the truth is, I like the control. Waiting for the cover art was almost like waiting for lucky numbers to hit on the lottery. It was a gamble. Either I get a cover I like, or dare I hope love, or I'm stuck with a cover I hate and there's nothing I can do about it. Traditional publishers don't redesign covers if the author isn't satisfied with the work. You get what you get. Also, book cover trends can change drastically after a few years. A book cover that was marketable ten years ago, might not be so attractive now. But unless you're a big name making lots of moolah, traditional publishers don't typically update their covers. You're stuck with that cover for as long as you're with that publisher.

For now, my favorite option of these three is commissioning an art cover designer for my self-published books. The artists I've dealt with are talented and professional, and easy to work with. I've had no problems with getting changes done. While it can get pricey, I'm always on the lookout for premade covers that match my story. They're usually cheaper and sometimes the artists have sales that make the work more affordable.

I hope this helps anyone who is looking to decide which option is suitable for them. The best part of publishing in this day and age is there's no one-size to fit all. There are so many choices and options. As an author, you get to decide which one works best for you.

Be sure to visit the other writers in the 

Insecure Writer's Support Group!

I write sensual paranormal, sci-fi 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, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

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