How I got published - my publishing journey

Over the course of the weekend, I decided that it might be useful to aspiring authors to hear about my publishing journey and to hear my input on publishing related topics. It seemed like a simple plan: make daily videos and publish them to Youtube...

Well, we'll have to see how that goes, because since I've gotten a new computer after the last video I created, I no longer have the video editing software I'm used to, which means it took me two full days to find a different solution and make it work.

Needless to say, this has put a bit of a damper on things since my plan was to spend a maximum of 2 hours on this daily. I also have books to write and other promo things to do so I really can't afford much more than that.

But we'll see how it goes...

In the meantime, here's my latest video. It's not very long but it gives a pretty good idea of my road to publication and while I do not mention this because I forgot, I don't have an agent, which is just something to keep in mind.

You can watch this directly on Youtube HERE

My best October 2018 purchases

When I stopped by Michael's at the beginning of October I finally decided to splurge on some Tombow paintbrush markers I'd been eyeing for a while. Since I already had several bold colored markers, I decided to go for pastels. The colors are beautiful and don't bleed through my bujo pages unless I go over them repeatedly. Since buying these I've searched online for YouTube tutorials on hand lettering simply because I love the modern cursive look and could not for the life of me figure out how to do it. Expensive markers were clearly not enough...
I believe the most helpful video I found was the one informing viewers that all hand lettering tutorials are sped up and that drawing each letter should be approached with the same degree of slowness you might apply when giving yourself a French manicure. Also, it helps to pick the tip of the brush pen off the page in between strokes. After following these tips, my writing improved dramatically and creating beautiful headings for my bujo became a cinch.

After popping the Tombows into my shopping basket, I spotted some Artist's Loft journals on sale and picked up two. They're not the same quality as my Minimalist Art journal (the faux leather looks cheaper up close), nor do they have a pocket at the back for clippings, but they do have an Index AND they were only $5.00 compared with the $10.95 I spent on my Minimalist Art journal and the steep $19.95 of a  Leuchtturm 1917. So I picked up a couple, figuring it was a good deal. 

Then, a couple of weeks later, I walked into Walmart and found these awesome Exceed Notebooks for only $6.00. The color selection was incredibly tempting and the quality the same as my Minimalist Art journal, though the pages did seem to be a bit thinner a rougher. In any case, I think these will be my next bujo journals, while the Artist Loft Journals will be delegated to something else like plotting my next novel :)

Here's a bit more information for comparison:

Artist's Loft
Dimensions: 6 x 8 inches (15.2 x 20.3 cm)
Pages: 249 - so overall the better deal

Exceed notebook
Dimensions: 5 x 8.25 inches (13 x 21 cm)
Pages: 120

Last but not least, I just have to mention Woman's World magazine, because it's awesome! I usually buy a copy once a week and at only $1.99, it's a really affordable treat. 

Packed with book recommendations, health articles and remedies, fashion suggestions, dieting tips, recipes, a romance novella, crossword puzzle and more, this is now the only magazine I'll consider buying. And the recipes are not only simple but delicious. I've made several already and even tweaked a few. My family is also very pleased with the results so it's a win win with zero complaints so far :) 

The Lady Is Daring by Megan Frampton

Megan Frampton has once again written a marvelous story filled with humor and romance. This is the third book in The Duke's Daughters series and it was just as wonderful as the previous two!

Lady Ida Howlett wishes she had the courage to be seen as more than just the talkative know-it-all she invariably turns into at social events when she gets nervous. Exhausted by having to attend balls only to watch people's eyes glaze over as soon as she opens her mouth, and by her mother's determination to marry her off to a gentleman whom she knows she'd be miserable with, Ida leaps at the chance to go find her runaway sister when evidence of her location comes to light. To this end, she steals a carriage and sets her course for the north of England, only to discover that she's not alone. Bennett, Lord Carson, the man who was meant to marry two of her sisters until they decided to marry his brother and best friend instead, is with her, and he refuses to let her travel alone.

Bennett is tired and frustrated by the responsibilities of his life and by his father's insistence he marry in order to obtain a large dowry. Especially since his father is the one to blame for the family's depletion of funds. Wishing he could escape from it all, just for a while, he decides to accompany Lady Ida on her adventure to find her sister and bring her home, even though he's never really thought much of the youngest Howlett daughter. In the past, his attention has been on her sisters whom he was courting, while Ida...she always struck him as far too talkative and opinionated - the sort of woman a man would not wish to get trapped with. But as their journey together progresses, he discovers another side to Ida - an amusing, intelligent and vulnerable side she never lets anyone see.

When the two discover their feelings for each other have evolved into something so powerful it cannot be denied, they must decide if they can risk taking a chance on a shared future. Because Ida is not the quiet and reserved Society lady Bennett needs and he won't be able to offer her the peaceful life in a remote cottage that she is convinced she wants.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! It was very entertaining, the dialogue and plot so engaging I found it impossible to put down. This is the sort of book where you simply have to know what happens next. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

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Visit Megan Frampton online

Only $0.99 - The Honorable Scoundrels

The Honorable Scoundrels Anthology comprising The Governess Who Captured His Heart, The Earl Who Loved Him and The Duke Who Came to Town, is on sale  for only $0.99 until November 1st.

Impoverished, the Potter sisters have few prospects, yet each is about to find love in the most unlikely of ways… 

When Louise sets out to accompany her new employer’s uncle to the Northern part of England, she expects to share her journey with an older gentleman. Instead, she finds seduction itself in the form of Alistair Clay Hedgewick, heir to the Duke of Langley. Confined to each other’s company for a week, friendship starts to bloom, and the closer they become, the more temptation beckons…

As the youngest sister, Eve is tasked with making a respectable match. So when she takes a wrong turn on her way to meet her friend and finds herself snowed in at Blackhall Castle with the handsome yet reclusive Earl of Ravenworth, she must decide if following her heart is worth the risk of scandal…

Life has been a constant struggle for Louise in recent years. So when an arrogant duke arrives on her doorstep and starts making demands, she is livid. But when he enlists her help in saving his business, she starts to realize that this man is so much more than she ever imagined – the sort of man who can lead her straight into temptation…

A heartwarming series filled with laughter and love, these three little treats are the perfect stories for you to enjoy this holiday season.

Grab these three novellas for the price of one while the offer lasts!

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For the Duke's Eyes Only by Lenora Bell

Filled with mystery and adventure, this intriguing page turner is one you'll want to sink into your comfiest reading spot with and savor.

Lady India Rochester and Daniel Bonds were destined to marry before they were born. Raised on neighboring estates, their childhood friendship bloomed, turning rapidly into young love. They were inseparable and neither ever considered spending the rest of their life with another.
But then tragedy struck and the two were torn apart, separated and thrust into two entirely different worlds. Their paths wouldn't cross again for years, and once they did, they would be enemies.

So begins For The Duke's Eyes Only, a story of loyalty that never waned, in spite of appearances, for although Indy hates the pompous libertine duke Ravenwood appears to be, he has never stopped loving her and is actually doing his best to protect her and the rest of his family from a dangerous villain. But protecting her in the overbearing, do as I say, kind of way proves difficult when the Rosetta Stone goes missing, for Indy has a keen interest in it and is quite set on finding the artifact no matter what Ravenwood tells her.
Before he knows what's happening, they're off on a secret mission together, but perhaps he's been going about everything all wrong. Maybe Indy is perfectly capable of holding her own. When he decides to trust her, he learns that she's far more resourceful than he ever imagined and the perfect partner for a spy like himself.

This was a wonderful James Bond'esque historical romance. There was action, compelling dialogue and some beautifully written tender moments between the hero and heroine. A book I would definitely recommend.

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Visit Lenora Bell online

Enter to WIN a PRINT copy of THE HONORABLE SCOUNDRELS ANTHOLOGY

The Honorable Scoundrels Anthology contains three separately published novellas: The Governess Who Captured His Heart, The Earl Who Loved Her, and The Duke Who Came To Town.

Impoverished, the Potter sisters have few prospects, yet each is about to find love in the most unlikely of ways… 

When Louise sets out to accompany her new employer’s uncle to the Northern part of England, she expects to share her journey with an older gentleman. Instead, she finds seduction itself in the form of Alistair Clay Hedgewick, heir to the Duke of Langley. Confined to each other’s company for a week, friendship starts to bloom, and the closer they become, the more temptation beckons…

As the youngest sister, Eve is tasked with making a respectable match. So when she takes a wrong turn on her way to meet her friend and finds herself snowed in at Blackhall Castle with the handsome yet reclusive Earl of Ravenworth, she must decide if following her heart is worth the risk of scandal…

Life has been a constant struggle for Louise in recent years. So when an arrogant duke arrives on her doorstep and starts making demands, she is livid. But when he enlists her help in saving his business, she starts to realize that this man is so much more than she ever imagined – the sort of man who can lead her straight into temptation…

A heartwarming series filled with laughter and love, these three little treats are the perfect stories for you to enjoy this holiday season.

The e-book format of this book will be discounted to $0.99 from October 26th - November 1st! That's three novellas for the price of one!
To find out more about these books, please clicke HERE.

Featured Author - October 2018

Welcome back to the featured author post! This month we'll be taking a look at Valerie Bowman and her upcoming release, Kiss Me At Christmas. 

I've had the pleasure of spending some wonderful quality time with Valerie on a few separate occasions. The last time was in NYC during the Romance Writers of America convention in 2015 where we had a blast, both at the hotel where we were staying as well as out and about in the city. 

Valerie and I having some photo booth fun with the lovely Katharine Ashe

Valerie is a ton of fun and up for pretty much anything, which she proved when the two of us went out for dinner together. The restaurant was Mexican and when we discovered that they served fried grasshoppers...well...we just had to order up a dish :)
What was that like, you might ask? Crunchy with a lemon/lime flavor and not the worst thing I've ever had - escargots and tripe is worse. In my humble opinion.

Anyways...

In 2014 Valerie appeared in season six, episode 18, of Say Yes To The Dress. I wish I could have seen it since I'm sure it must have been fun to watch due to Valerie's wit. This element of her personality has been reflected in all of the books I've ever read by her. She has the ability to not only make you sigh with the pleasure of a perfect romance, but to laugh out loud as well. 

Here's a bit more information about Valerie from her website:

Valerie Bowman’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.

Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzers, Huckleberry and Violet. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.

Now, there's only a little over a week until the release of Kiss Me At Christmas.

Publisher's Weekly says it "sizzles with sensuality," while Kirkus Reviews has dubbed it "delicious and suspenseful." 

So get ready, mark your calendar or pre-order just to make sure you don't forget about this one. It sounds like a wonderful read - one that I'm definitely looking forward to reading this coming holiday season.

A spirited lady facing spinsterhood. A common man with a noble mission. And a surprise that just might be waiting for them under the mistletoe in Kiss Me At Christmas by Valerie Bowman.

Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf abhors Christmas. Carol singing and holiday cheer only remind him of a dark time. When a close friend calls on him for help, Daffin is happy to capitalize on the distraction. But when he learns the lovely Lady Regina is the one in danger, he’s to become bodyguard to the captivating woman...

Regina has one mission: to find a night of passion in the arms of a gentleman. Considered firmly on the shelf, Regina has given up on marriage—but that doesn’t mean she wants to be denied the pleasure married ladies experience. Daffin has long captured her attention…and when a threat calls him to her side, the sparks between them ignite. But how can a hired bodyguard find his way into Regina’s noble heart?

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What's your favorite Valerie Bowman book? Did you see the episode of Say Yes To The Dress that she participated in? Let me know in the comments below!