Kindle Fire OR Echo Dot #giveaway. Ends July 1st!

Win your choice of a Kindle Fire or Echo Dot!

I'll make this post extremely simple today. 

I've teamed up with some great authors for a new giveaway.

Here's your chance to WIN!

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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?

In the mood for a Giveaway?

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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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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

Do Not Annoy the Writer - They May Put You in a Book #MFRWAuthor #writing

Blogging is an opportunity for authors to connect with readers. Despite being writers, blogging is an entirely different style of writing and often stumps us. To help our authors blog consistently, thoughtfully and with purpose, Marketing for Romance Writers is announcing the 2018 Blog Challenge. Each week, authors use our writing prompt to create a meaningful blog post. We'll be posting every Friday... join us as often as possible.

Week 16: "Family, Friends, and Pets I've written into my books"

Well, this is a fun topic! I've had the pleasure of writing a few characters that were heavily inspired by the people surrounding me. I am a people watcher. I've written down things that people say or do in my notebooks sure that one day I might use that tidbit in a story. Sometimes, I'll warn them about it. Other times...not so much.

When I was a kid, my brother's pet turtle inspired a children's book that I wrote about a turtle detective living in a forest near my grandmother's house. I wrote a series for that one that I used to read to my brother for laughs and giggles. I also write a story about four people who were on a space mission adventure. Those four characters were inspired by my brother and our neighbors whom we had many adventures with every summer when we were kids.

When I was a teenager, I wrote a short fantasy story about a woman named Reva, after my dog. She even had the same color hair as my dog's black and tan fur.

More recently, I wrote a gothic romance novel for my first NaNoWriMo a few years ago. The aunt of the heroine was inspired by my mother-in-law. Unfortunately, she passed away before I could tell her that I wrote about her.

I do have some other stories planned to write. I have an excellent story inspired by my ex that I'm eager to see written one day. And I'm pretty sure my sister-in-law will make it into one of my books.

 Be sure to visit the posts for the MFRW's Blog Challenge!

I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Sign-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

When the Writing Gets Tough #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: When your writing life is a bit cloudy or filled with rain, what do you do to dig down and keep on writing?

This happens to all writers at one time or another, doesn't it? You get stuck on a scene in your work-in-progress, you get a not-so-great review on your new book, or maybe the number of book sales has dropped. Creative people are often sensitive in nature and prone to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. This often effects our writing life at some point. Of course, I encourage you to speak with your doctor if you suffer from any medical conditions. Besides that, I have some tips and tricks that I use to get out of my writing funk and back to the page.

• Take a walk. Exercise is an excellent way of super-charging your brain by getting all that blood pumping through your body. And you can think through your story while your walking. Sometimes if your stuck on a scene, this might help you sort it out. 
• Take a long, hot shower or a nice scented bath. You need to relax. Unwind. Writers often put too much pressure on themselves to keep producing. Stress like that can block your creative well.

• Take a long drive. Escape. Go somewhere to get your mind off of your story. You need a break? Take it. You'll come back to your story refreshed and ready to get back to writing!
• Read something. A novel. A short-story collection. Read for fun. Enjoy reading. Sometimes you need to dive back into reading to remember what made you fall in love with writing in the first place. 
• Read something inspirational. Something that inspires you to write. It could be a book or a magazine. Book reviews or articles about writing and marketing. For me, I used to read Romantic Times magazine (RT Book Reviews). I simply loved their magazine and I dreamed of one day seeing a review of my book in their glossy pages! Reading reviews of other books often inspires me to get back to writing. After all, my book won't be reviewed if its not finished.   

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

Release Day! Pirates: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #pirateromance

Today is the day!

Sail on the high seas or into uncharted galaxies! When it comes to love...pirates risk all! Delilah's next delectable anthology is filled with roguish pirates! Readers who crave adventures set on the high seas - or in deep space - will find plenty of sexy bad boys, naughty alpha males unafraid to risk life and limb for treasure - or a lucky lover's heart!

Just a few of the titillating stories inside...

In "The Treasure of Devil's Crag" by Lisa Fox, two rival pirate captains seeking the same treasure, discover the competition isn't the only thing that heats up between them. A modern-day pirate boards a yacht seeking revenge and captures a runaway bride who tempts him in ways he's never experienced in January George's "Captive Desire." In T.D. Rudolph's "Lust in Space", a space criminal teams up with a fearless vamp to steal a cache of titanium - from the dark side of the moon. In "Full Fathom Five" by Rhidian Brenig Jones, a pirate captain, forced to give a disgraced young surgeon a berth, discovers a rich treasure in the other man's arms. And this is just a hint at the sexy stories inside this satisfying volume.

These pirates will pillage and plunder their way into your hearts!

Here's what you can find inside!

The Treasure of Devil's Crag by Lisa Fox - Two rival pirate captains...one treasure...the competition isn't the only thing that heats up between them

Rough Seas by Alicia Aringdale - A British commander finds himself at the mercy of a roguish pirate who asks him for the one thing he shouldn't give - his heart

Captive Desire by January George - A modern-day pirate boards a yacht seeking revenge and captures a runaway bride who tempts him in ways he's never experienced.

Stealing the Crimson Witch by Downey Greene - Crash landing on an 18th-century pirate ship, a 21st-century thief experiences deja vu as he steals the greatest treasure of all - the pirate queen

The Corsair's Tempest by C. Marie Bowen - A French corsair, cursed with immortality, stands in open mutiny after rescuing his greatest treasure - the woman he's bound to love for eternity, a Spanish siren unaware of their infinite bond

Cargo by Genevive Chamblee - An environmentalist-pirate, contracted to heist high-priced art from a merchant vessel, is deceived into stealing a human trafficking ship with a captive who exposes his dark desires

Prophesies by Augustina Van Hoven - Following a tempting lead, a space pirate hunts down an alien ship only to find the cargo is a beautiful seer whose gifts promise to satisfy more than his lust for gold

A Lady's Bargain by Alyssa Drake - A pirate captain gets more than he bargained for when he agrees to a beautiful hostage's proposition to make her a ruined woman

Plunder by Jayce Ellis - A hardened mercenary, contracted to kill the heir-apparent of an international corporation, hesitates due to his attraction, then joins with the heir to investigate who wants him dead

Commanding Neptune's Mistress by M. Marie - A pirate surrenders control to her handsome quartermaster for just one night of pleasure

My Pirate Love by Joyce Palmer - Barely dressed as a chamber maid, a sexually-deprived military wife attends a costume party where she finds herself shamefully aroused by the hungry gaze of a Jack Sparrow look-alike

Captain's Cabin by Moxie Marcus - When the captain of a merchant ship is captured by a pirate queen, he quickly discovers she's fully in charge of the sexy negotiations

Perinacht by Lana Sloan - When a spice merchant's son is captured by the pirate who killed his beloved, his need for vengeance is overtaken by an unexpected desire for his captor

An Adventure for Burgess by Lizzie Ashworth - As a sleek sloop noses into Seraphine Bay, a tourist resolves to discover if the man at the helm is the pirate of her dreams

Lust in Space by T.D. Rudolph - A roguish space criminal teams up with a fearless vamp to steal a cache of titanium - from the dark side of the moon

To Kiss a Pirate by Tricia Schneider - Searching for treasure on a lush Caribbean island, a woman disguising herself as a cabin boy is confronted by her sexy and suspicious pirate captain

Bountiful Skies by Winter Blair - The captain of an airship and her lover prepare to be boarded by a pirate who isn't human, hoping he'll give them mercy...and pleasure

Full Fathom Five by Rhidian Brenig Jones - A pirate captain, forced to give a disgraced young surgeon a berth, discovers a rich treasure in the other man's arm

Get Your Copy Now!

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