The more you know, the more you grow

The internet has made the world a smaller place, bringing other countries and cultures closer together. (don't worry, I won't sing the Disney World song or it'll be stuck in your head all day!) But it's also shown us how vastly many people there are out there, ga-jillions! And all with their own voice. And I find it amazing that I can have so much in common and become friends with people that live continents away. It makes me want to travel and meet them IRL. If only it wasn't so costly in time and money. So I'm thankful I have the internet to keep us connected...

Which brings me to a new friend I'd like to introduce to you!

Jane D. Everly is a new author at CQ and she has a thrilling new novel starring a female, super cool secret agent. I just love me some tip-top British spy fi! To help you all get to know Jane, here's a little more about her and her latest book...

So Jane, where are you from?

I grew up in Nottingham, England. Yes, that Robin Hood place. It’s a beautiful city. I graduated University with a completely useless piece of paper while really I knew all along I was meant to be a writer. Though originally I aspired to be a romance novelist, I quickly discovered that it just wasn’t meant to be. My love of action and adventure stories always ended up seeping through, so I turned to writing thrillers and stories filled with kick-ass heroines and villains with delusions of attaining world domination. I relocated to Vancouver, BC, Canada in 2013 to pursue my writing career. 

How did you come up with the story?

In a word, Bond. James Bond :) I love Ian Flemings's original works. They had such a classical nuance with only one major flaw, the main character was male. I always thought we were severely lacking an amazing female character who embraced her flaws, who flaunted and used her sexuality in the same way Bond always did, and who could handle herself in a difficult situation without ever having to play the damsel in distress card. And so Eliana Havelock was born.

Is this the first in a series?

I do hope so! It’s currently a 4-part series that will wrap up this December and then be published as a full novel. Are there more stories for Eliana? Absolutely!

What would you say this is a mashup between?

It’s a threeseome between Bond, Jason Bourne, and the Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) filtered carefully into Eva Green’s body.

Do you write in other genres? 

I still dabble in short stories within the romance genre. I feel like I’ve got a really good sci-fi space pirate novel rattling around in my head but I haven’t been able to bring myself to put it on paper yet. 

Who are your influences?

Fleming as I’ve mentioned, I’m also a big fan of Robert Ludlum, Anne Rice, Viola Carr, Emily Bronte, Janet Evanovich, I could go on and on…

Now for some personal questions...

What do you do in your spare time?

I love to hike. I loved the countryside in the UK but here in Canada they literally have mountains you can hike up. Mountains! Grouse Mountain just outside of Vancouver is a hell of a work out. Completely on the other end of the spectrum, I also love to lounge on the beach with a good book and slowly cook.

Do you have any pets? 

I have a cat named Mr. Bojangles. Just the one cat so I have someone to come home to, but at the same time can’t be classed as a crazy cat lady. Not yet at least. 

Inspiring food or drink?

Wine, anything in a rose or something sweet. And Thai food! I love thai food! The hotter the better. 

Favorite place to write?

I hate to be a cliché, but I like to write in coffee shops. You know, those people that sit there with a laptop sipping a fat-free Chai Tea and ignoring everyone else because they’re busy creating a masterpiece? Yes, I’m one of those.

I loved doing this fun interview. Thanks, Tara.

Doesn't she sound fabulous?? I would definitely love to hang out at the beach or pool or in a coffee shop with her. I love those places - I'm at McAlister's right now typing this because my crazy internet went on the blink this morning! But I will leave the hot spicy foods to her! And here's more about her latest release - HAVELOCK!

HAVELOCK by Jane D Everly

Eliana Havelock is a female with no past, whose determination to bring down a Karachi arms dealer catches the attention of the British Secret Intelligence Service. 

MI-6 is currently fractured due to political upheaval with many of its covert programs dissolved or disbanded. When Eliana presents the opportunity to divert an international arms disaster, the head of MI-6 partners her with one of it’s best and brightest, the enigmatic, Connor Blackwell. 

But in a world of secrets and hidden agendas, who can Eliana trust? 

And what, or who, is Eliana really after?

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Amazon

Now Jane is a little shy, similar to many newer authors, so she uses this saucy photo for her profile pic. Should get some attention just for that, eh?

Thanks to Jane for stopping by and thanks to you all for making her feel welcome.

PS - Don't forget to sign up for my Pop Travel re-release cover reveal and/or Simulation's reveal and release tour!

Here's the FORM. 
FORM is being editted! Sign up July 1!

And make sure to let me know when you have news for me to shout about!

Easy Ways to Market Your New Book

We authors want to tell the world about our books - and why not? We're proud of them!
But how? That's the million dollar question, and we writers don't have two dimes to rub together for an answer, never mind a million bucks!

Well, I have a few suggestions on how to pump up the marketing. I don't like being pestered by promotion, so I try to make my own the least annoying as possible - fun even! To demonstrate, I will use my own upcoming releases...

1) Do a cover reveal

SIMULATION comes out in September. It's got a terrific, wicked cover! And to smooth it into a series, POP TRAVEL has been updated as well. So we are re-releasing it with a new look - and I'm telling you, I loved my old cover and couldn't see how they could top it - but I was amazed at how much I like the new one! It's pretty flippin fantastic!

2) Ask friends for help

To make it easy for my friends to help, I have a lovely FORM for you all to fill out. There are so many ways to help - from giving a shout on their blog to giving out ARCs for reviews. Google forms are great tools and very easy to set up and get feedback from.

3) Do blog tours

I know these aren't as big as they were when we started doing them. But that's where your uniqueness and creativity comes in. Reveals and Blog Tours can't just be like - here's my book, please buy it! They have to incorporate something more for the readers, something of value the blogger can share with their audience that will show what a fun, cool person the author is, and then they'll want to read the book! I've seen contests, active participation, scavenger hunts, etc.

My SIMULATION blog tour will be A Month of Mondays - I'm letting my friends decide the best way for me to entertain their readers (it's all in the FORM) Plus, I'll have a rafflecopter giveaway, and a sale, and more! Which brings me to...

4) Host a giveaway

Rafflecopter is pretty great for giveaways, and they make it easy for entrants to do fun things to qualify for more entries, which usually includes helping spread the news about the release. As I said, I'll do one for SIMULATION and probably for PT as well...

You can also add your book to another person's giveaway - then everyone gets noticed! Like TBM's monthly ebook giveaway. Pop Travel is part of it this month! And she's got some open slots in coming months...just give her a shout.

5) Pay it Forward

This last piece of easy marketing advice is an echo from Alex J Cavanaugh. He wrote an article for Patricia Stoltey about marketing, and he's been pretty successful at it! When we promote others, they will return the favor. Spread the love!

6) Finally, I've said it many times, but the absolute best way to get your books to sell is to

keep writing!

Many of you already know these marketing ideas, but they are still easy and effective. The harder job is peddling at book events, but I enjoy that part too. I just love the whole process. And if you have any advice to share - please do! We're all in this business together to keep folks reading!

Already Home

"Getting published should not be the goal. It's not magic. It doesn't solve every problem. It's not the end, but the beginning. It's just a step in the bigger picture. It's awesome, but not everything. Keep writing. Enjoy all successes, and don't dwell on the setbacks. Keep moving forward." Heather M. Gardner

It's been a long bumpy journey for Heather, but it all worked out. Now I'm very happy to share her wonderful, re-released first novel:

ALREADY HOME: A Maguire’s Corner novel
(Second Edition: formerly Maguire’s Corner)
Author: Heather M. Gardner
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Publisher: InkSpell Publishing
Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs
Re-release Date: June 5, 2015

Coffee shop owner Maggie Maguire doesn’t trust the new police chief her father hired to protect Maguire’s Corner. He’s a stranger, cold, bossy and annoyingly handsome. But, Maggie’s witnessed a serious crime and now someone’s trying to kill her. The man that aggravates her most might be the only one that can help her.

Police Chief Jack Munro likes his new job and his new town, and unfortunately he also likes the stubborn but beautiful town sweetheart. His self-imposed hands-off Maggie policy is about to be put to the ultimate test when he must keep her close to protect her while he tracks down a ruthless killer.

Determined to ignore Jack’s charms, Maggie attempts to help him unravel the mystery but when their lives hang in the balance she must decide how much she’s willing to risk to save the man she suddenly can’t resist.

Buy links:

Amazon -- Kobo -- B&N-- All Romance

Have an enticing, exciting getaway to Maguire's Corner this summer!

Follow up ALREADY HOME with

ONE GOOD CATCH

ER Doctor Kate Maguire engages in some high risk activities to avoid dealing with her problems. Then when her past comes back to tempt her, she thinks she can keep her emotions in check for a one night stand with her high school fantasy beau, Rhys MacGrath. But Rhys won't let Kate just use him, he's caught her and holding on tight.

 All Romance Ebooks - B&N - Amazon

What advice do you have to share from your experiences??

Woah, Nellie! Enjoy the down time

It's the first Wednesday of June, time for another installment of the Insecure Writer's Support Group - created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the supreme blogging ninja.

Lately I've felt pretty accomplished. In May I was struggling to finish my WIP. But since school got out, I wrapped up the first draft of CRADLE ROCK and sent it to my super fabulous crit partner who has already returned it to me with some inspiring comments that I really needed. She's the best! I also finished up JOLISSA - An Anti-Princess Story and have sent it off to my artist friend so we can get it moving toward production! This is all great news and exciting beginnings.

So my insecurity this month isn't about writing, it's more about slowing down and using some of the summer for quality time with my family. I have such a go go go personality, I feel I always have to be doing something productive. I need to tell myself it's okay to just sit and watch a silly movie or play a game with my kids. I don't have to work every second of the day. Now that they're so self-sufficient and usually holed up in their rooms, I hardly ever see them. I want to use my time wisely, and that means I need to make time to spend with my boys.

Next month I'll share my publishing & marketing concerns...

How about you? How do you set aside quality family time with a busy schedule?

And now I have some more awesome news to share!

Christine Rains has released another enticing book!

LAYERS OF LACE (Dice & Debauchery #2)
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Release date: May 29th, 2015
Genre: Modern erotic romance

Amateur cosplayer Emily Solis is determined to win the costume contest and the heart of her biggest competition.

It isn't the first time Emily has shed her costume with the gorgeous Russell Morrison. Not even her best friend knows she's been having wild convention sex with him for over a year. It was supposed to remain physical, but Emily couldn't help falling for him and his kinky ways. In a moment of passion, she rolls the dice and tells Russell she loves him. He doesn't say it back. Can she convince him they're perfect together or will she roll another critical failure?

Buy the book:

Ellora's Cave * Amazon * B&N * Kobo

Add it to read on Goodreads.

Get Loose Corset, the first book in the Dice & Debauchery series:

Ellora's Cave * Amazon * B&N * Kobo

About the author:
Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She's married to her best friend and fellow geek living in south-central Indiana. They have one son who is too smart for his parents' own good and loves to pretend he's Batman. Christine has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not reading or writing, she's going on adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. (South Central Indiana Fiction Interface). She has several short stories and novellas published. The Dice & Debauchery series is her first contemporary erotic romance.

Please visit her website and blog

You can also find Christine on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Lastly, TB Markinson's June Giveaway has begun! And again, I'm privileged to be part of it, with Chrys Fey, T.F. Walsh, Christine Rains, and Lexa Cain - these are some terrific authors! This month I'm offering Pop Travel as a prize. Check it out!