Tips for Blogging #BookBlogExpo

Day 4 - Blogging Advice

Here's a few top tips I can share with bloggers.

• Know Your Audience - Know who you are writing for. What type of reader are you trying to reach? Are you writing about cooking, gardening, knitting, motorcycles? I write about books. More specifically romance novels, although I read a wide range of genres and review almost everything that I read I still focus mainly on romance when I blog. I also blog about writing because I know many readers are curious about how books are crafted and what goes on behind the scenes of an author.
• Be Consistent - The number two tip for blogging advice that I always hear is to be consistent, to set a schedule and keep to it. It makes sense. Readers like to know when you'll be posting new content. This is something that I still need to work on. My daily schedule being a mom with four young kids is hectic at best, more like craziness. Although I try to keep a schedule, real life takes priority. I know once my kids are older, I'll have more time so I'm hoping my readers are patient with me during this time.
• Have Fun - I wouldn't blog if I didn't like to do it. When it stops being fun, then I won't do it anymore. My advice is to have fun with what you're writing because if you're not having fun then what's the point?

Do you have blogging tips that you'd like to share? Is there something that you think you need to work on more to become a better blogger? 

Remember to check out Girl Who Reads 

to find more Book Blog Expo posts!

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Can't Wait to Read Books #BookBlogExpo #Giveaway

Day 3 - Most Anticipated Books and Giveaway Day

One of the things that I really, really, really LOVED about working at a bookstore was that I was privvy to all the New Releases coming out. I knew the dates for all the Pre-Orders and Street Dates for the titles getting released. And I even had the chance to take a peek at the books before any customers saw it!

Well, with the exception of the Harry Potter books. For those books, we weren't even allowed to open the shipment boxes before Release Day! That was Top Secret stuff!

Nowadays, with the vast expanse of the internet, I find I have a difficult time keeping track of all the new books getting released. There are so many new authors and new books out every single day that if I think about it too long my brain implodes.

That's why I think it's soooo important for readers to talk about the books they're reading. Tell people about them, otherwise that special book might not get seen by other readers!

That being said, there are a select few of my most favorite authors that I'll pre-order on Amazon when I discover they have a new book coming out. These are my must-have books! The books and authors that I just can't live without!

And check out the Giveaway below!

The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Release Date - Tuesday, November 20, 2018

If you know me at all, at some point in our relationship you've heard me talk about Julia Quinn. She is one of those authors who continues to impress me with each book she writes. She's an amazing author who writes some of the most humorous and emotionally touching books I've ever read. Seriously, if you enjoy reading Regency-era romance, you must read her Bridgerton series. I got a sample of Romancing Mr. Bridgerton and I was so hooked that I bought her whole backlist of books and read them like a fiend!

The Cajun Persuasion by Sandra Hill

Release Date - Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Here's another romance author with laugh-out-loud moments. Sandra Hill writes romantic comedy like no one else. She has a Cajun series, a Viking/Time Travel/Navy Seals series and a Viking/Vampire/Angel series. And now, I see she has a Christmas romance which strikes me as a Christmas Beach Read scheduled for release, too! The woman is clearly a mad genius.

The Forever Christmas Tree by Sandra Hill

Release Date - Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Look Alive Twenty-Five by Janet Evanovich

Release Date - Tuesday, November 13, 2018

I'm a little behind on the Stephanie Plum series, but I still buy all of her books on release day because I know I'll be in the mood to read about Stephanie's insanely quacky family and the on again/off again relationships she has with the two special men in her life.

The Demon Whisperer #3 by Ash Krafton

Release Date - To Be Announced

I really enjoy reading Ash Krafton's Demon Whisperer books about exorcist mage, Simon Alliant. These books are dark, gritty and emotional. Not for the faint of heart. I have no idea when the next book in this series will be announced, but as soon as it is, you can be sure that I'll pre-order that baby!

In the meantime, if anyone is interested, Ash Krafton is releasing Takin' It Back on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. This was originally part of a box set released last year which I read and loved! Definitely, check it out!

Which leads me to the last two books on my most anticipated reads list. I was fortunate to have two of my stories selected in anthologies that were recently released this year.

Pirates: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology 

A Wink and a Smile: A Read on the Run Anthology

The digital versions of both of these books are already available for purchase, but the paperback versions are scheduled for release this summer! I'm really looking forward to these paperback versions! Not just because my stories are in there, but because I'm looking forward to reading the other amazing stories by the authors selected for these anthologies. I prefer reading in paperback, so I'm waiting to get my hands on these!

In the meantime, for those who can't wait and would like to have a chance to read the digital versions now, I'm offering to giveaway these titles to one lucky winner!

Be sure to check out Girl Who Reads for more Book Blog Expo posts!

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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! 

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