It's your lucky day! Catch up on your reading!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I hope everyone is doing well and making the most out of being at home. That means catching up on reading!

I want to help transport you to another world and let you escape the Coronavirus craziness for a little while. I've something for everyone, and they're all FREE!

A fledgling vampire wakes in a funeral home run by demons.

Of Blood and Sorrow (Book #1)

Shifter vs. shifter.

Dark Dawning (Totem #1)

Not only the dead whisper upon the wind.

Silent Whispers (Totem #2)

Gremlins have never been more terrifying.

Cloak of Snow (Totem #3)

More woo than boo. The Paramours - ghost hunting with a kiss.

Ghost Dancer (Book #1)

When love is more difficult than finding Bigfoot.

Big Yearning (Book #1)

Sexy cosplay and naughty games. Roll for initiative!

Loose Corset (Book #1)

New covers, website, and lessons learned #writerslife

First new cover!

Fearless finally has a cover it deserves! Though I'm already itching to make another. I'm telling myself to wait until next year. I need to get some writing done!

The book got a little boost in downloads when I changed the cover on Amazon, but it has settled back into its normal rank. It does all right. It always has downloads every month, but does it convince readers to buy my other books? I don't think so.

Writer Lesson #1: Times have changed. Free books do not lead to sales of your other books.

The TOTEM series!

I LOVE these new covers for the TOTEM series. I spent much more time on them than I anticipated, but it was worth it. The covers are much more urban fantasy than the previous ones.

There have been no bumps up in sales when I changed the covers and the keywords on Amazon. Yet I haven't done any promoting either.

Writer Lesson #2: A great cover and a fantastic story aren't going to sell books. Promotion is key. If you have the means, buy ads.

Feeling quirky!

For the Sasquatch Susies trilogy, I was inspired by my cozy mystery friends. I love their simple and fun covers. These were easy to make and I really love them. I'm going to do up new covers in this style for my other erotica titles. But next year. Need to write.

Writer Lesson #3: Write first. All the other author business can come later.

I've also been fussing around with my website. I left the hosting company and that was a mess. They'd been perfectly fine until I expressed my desire to leave and take my domain name with me. I finally managed to get my domain name from them and registered it with another host. It was half as cheap, and I was feeling good. Then I discovered that if I want to actually use my domain name with my new host, I'm going to have pay more for it. They didn't say this upfront. I had to go digging for it. And the price to use my domain name with them was much more than my former host.

I'm not paying that much money just to attach my domain name to a site. BUT my domain is registered with them, and I can't change that fact for 60 days. I can't even get a refund.

So I've currently moved to a free site on Wix. It will likely be my permanent site from here on out. I like the way it's designed, and it's easy to use. I'm also going to stay here on Blogger for a while. I need to get around to catching up with everyone!

Two lessons learned here.

Writer Lesson #4: Always read the fine print, even when you have to dig for it or ask. Ask for the details even if you don't think there is anything else to know.

Writer Lesson #5: I surveyed several author friends, and many feel that readers don't go to author websites anymore. It isn't essential to have your own site these days. (Don't waste money on your own domain name!) Usually only writers check out other writers' websites. Being present on social media is important, but an Amazon page or a Facebook page is enough as a home base.

It's been a while, but I'm writing again. It's a short Samhain story for my pen name, but at least it's something!

What lessons have you learned lately that you would like to share?

Free and 99c Books Spring Binge!

Start off the spring with a reading binge!

The first three books of my urban fantasy series, TOTEM, are free for five days only.

Dark Dawning (Book #1)

Silent Whispers (Book #2)

Cloak of Snow (Book #3)

And if you're interested in hot romance where the heroine doesn't have to choose, check out the Reverse Harem Book Fair!

This fabulous event showcases some of today's hottest reverse harem authors with a mix of genres to suit every mood. Just click on the image.

Happy Halloween! Three Treats for You!

When black cats sneak,

and pumpkins gleam,

May fun be yours

on Halloween!

For the past five days, the first three books of my TOTEM series have been free. Now I'm making that treat extra sweet, and the next three books in the series are free until Saturday!

Don't forget this is the last day for Fantasy Book Giveaway's trick or treat for paranormal candy event. Free and 99c books, plus a big book bundle giveaway!

Shattered Spirit (Book #4)

Ghost Cat (Book #5)

Deep Current (Book #6)

Trick or Treat for Paranormal Candy

Trick or treat

Drink this mead

Give me something good to read!

Yeah, finding things to rhyme with 'read' limited my chant there. Heh.

Fantasy Book Giveaways is hosting a fabulous promo with over 25 participating authors! We have FREE and 99c fantasy, paranormal, and romance books all ready to fill your e-reader. Treat yourself to some great new reads!

The first three books in my thrilling TOTEM series are free during this promo.

Three sisters. Seven totems. One chance to save the world.

Dark Dawning (Book #1)

Silent Whispers (Book #2)

Cloak of Snow (Book #3)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

None of us may see a leprechaun or find his pot of gold, but I hope to give you something just as good. Free books!

For five days only, you can get the first three books of my thrilling urban fantasy series, TOTEM for free!

Dark Dawning (TOTEM #1)

Silent Whispers (TOTEM #2)

Cloak of Snow (TOTEM #3)

Happy Christmas! All the books in the TOTEM series are 99c until January 1st!

Merry Christmas from my house to yours!

Enjoy the fun and festive times with your friends and family.

As a big thank you to all my wonderful readers, I have put all the books in my thrilling urban fantasy series, TOTEM, on sale for 99c.

Dark Dawning

Silent Whispers

Cloak of Snow

Shattered Spirit

Ghost Cat

Deep Current

Shadows Fall

Descending Moon

True Shifter

The series is always free to read on Kindle Unlimited.

Word Witch Wednesday - reviewing 2017's goals and looking to 2018

It's that wonderful time of the year where we sit down with holiday treats and make plans for next year. I'm sharing my cookies, if you'd like one.

2017 Goals

1. Write and published the TOTEM books. Done! A nine novella series. Yikes! I had a lot of fun with it, but I don't think I'll take on a series as long as that again. Trilogies sound perfect in my mind right now.

2. Self-publish the nine books I had with my publisher. I did that at the beginning of the year. Will I be writing more in the erotic romance genre? I don't know. I might if I'm in the mood for something light and funny.

3. Write the first drafts of the second two books in the Of Blood and Sorrow trilogy. I didn't do this one. My feet have been dragging these past few months. I will finish one before the holidays. I'm right at the big climax, but I won't start on the final one until January.

4. Read and review 100 books. I'm right on track with 93. Only 7 more to go!

5. Write and submit six short stories. Done. I'm constantly learning and improving. I wrote a lot of speculative fiction this year.

6. Study and try various marketing techniques. Ugh. This was my big time suck this year. I lost a lot of writing time to trying to figure out how to market my work. The only lesson I learned that will work: write more books.

7. Improve my writing speed and focus. I started the year off well with word sprints, but it got lost under my worrying about marketing.

2018 Goals

1. Write and release the second two books in the Of Blood and Sorrow trilogy. I haven't set release dates yet for my own sanity.

2. Read and review 100 books. This is a good number for me. I will try to do it every year for the rest of my life.

3. Write and submit ten short stories. I'm upping the number for this coming year. I can do a flash piece in an afternoon. It will be a nice break from the dark world of my trilogy when I need it.

4. Write more, market less. This year, I only wrote in the afternoons... if I had any time left. Next year, I'm making time in the morning and afternoon. Marketing will be scheduled for very limited times. Hopefully that will decrease my anxiety over it.

5. Take up the word sprints again and increase my writing speed. I'm hoping I'll write more with less marketing anxiety to weigh me down.

6. Work on new project. I have several written down I want to write. I'm not going to name one right now, because I might come up with something new and want to work on it! I'll go with what I'm feeling passionate for in that moment.

Did you meet your goals this year? What are yours for next year?

I'll be back on Christmas Day with a special surprise!

Exclusive excerpt from True Shifter (Totem #9)

I love October, and all the fun things that come with it. As a treat for you today, I have an exclusive excerpt from True Shifter (Totem #9) at Boundless Book Reviews. They're celebrating this month with the Boundless October Book Fest. Check it out for more awesome reads to add to your TBR list.

True Shifter (Totem #9) plus 3 #free books and a big #giveaway!

Three sisters, seven totems, one chance to save the world.

Saskia Dorn can't bear to lose anyone else. But when the only man she's ever loved turns his back on her, she runs off to sacrifice herself to the totem quest.

With a disgusting kiss, a dying house spirit grants her the power to shift into any creature. Yet she has neither the time to train nor the imagination to utilize the gift to its fullest. How will she manage to defeat a villain who has mastered the ability and made her the person she is? Saskia only has a few freakin' hours to figure it out. After all, the fate of every shifter in the world depends on her victory.

Buy the book here.

Add the book to read on Goodreads.

Totem Tidbit: It's common knowledge that I'm a pantser. When I was writing this final book in the series, I didn't know how the heroes would manage to fight the villain in the final battle. I couldn't come up with any way for them to manage a victory. It wasn't until I arrived at the scene that I knew what was going to happen, and it was spectacular. While it does cause me stress at times, I do love being a pantser because of surprises like these.

I'm celebrating with free books and a big giveaway!

 For five days only, the first three books in the Totem series are free! Get hooked on the totem quest. Just click on the links below.

Dark Dawning (Totem #1)

Silent Whispers (Totem #2)

Cloak of Snow (Totem #3)

Enter the giveaway for a chance to win the entire Totem series and some really cool swag. I have these awesome little polar bear key chains that need homes! The giveaway is open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

August is a month of #FREE ebooks!

I'm celebrating the release of the final book of my Totem series this month. It's only 12 days away! I've been eating way too many cookies, and I've set up a lot of a free promos for my books. I might be a little whacked out on sugar when I did that.

But you, my wonderful friends, get to benefit from my cookie binges!

Starting today, Loose Corset (Dice & Debauchery #1) is free for five days! This freebie lines up with GenCon celebrating its 50th year. Wish I could be there.

Have you had any adventures in the woods this summer? Maybe you caught a glimpse of Bigfoot or a couple in a romantic moment. Heh. Big Yearning (Sasquatch Susies #1) is free for two more days.

I'm ending the month with a big one. When True Shifter releases on August 29th, the first three books in the Totem series will be free for five days. Yes, three books. Mark your calendars and load up on cookies!

Dark Dawning (Totem #1)

Silent Whispers (Totem #2)

Cloak of Snow (Totem #3)

Descending Moon (Totem #8) release day

Some say the moon is for lovers, but wise folks know to fear it. 

Kinley Dorn must be strong for her family in these dark times. Sometimes she feels she’s all that’s holding them together. But when the frightening Moon Man attacks and bestows a burdensome gift upon her, Kinley might have to do more than simply help her family. She will have to battle a god, but which one? If it’s the sly man hunting her in the astral plane, Kinley might not make it out alive.

Buy the book!

Add it to read on Goodreads.

Totem Tidbit: This was a tough one to write because I had to make a character who wasn't a fighter into a warrior. Kinley is a peacemaker and uses her brains over her strength. So I had to find something that really motivated her to jump into battle!

The final book in the Totem series, True Shifter, will be available on August 29th. You can pre-order it on Amazon.

Shadows Fall (Totem #7) released to the world!

Sometimes it isn't what lurks in the shadows we must fear, but the shadows themselves.

Ametta Dorn is hosting her first family Thanksgiving feast. Everything must be flawless from the appetizers to the desserts. But the totem quest weighs heavily on her and her family. If she can’t even fold a perfect crane napkin, then how can she help her family find the next token?

That totem is closer than any of them realize. The Shadowmen have opened a door to their world, and they’ve targeted Ametta as the weak link in her family. She will show everyone she's just as capable as they are. Except her daring might be the very thing that loses not only the raven totem but also her life.

Buy the book!

Add it to read on Goodreads!

All the Totem books are free to read on Kindle Unlimited!

Totem tidbit: The raven totem was a tricky one for me. And tricky it should be! I wasn't quite sure how I wanted it to work into the plot. In Inuit lore, there is no concept of good or evil. So in working with the totems, I had to make them remain true to their natures and yet steer my plot in the direction I needed it to go in.

* * * * *

Don't forget the huge Christmas in July sale & giveaway at Fantasy Book Giveaways! My paranormal romance series, The 13th Floor Complete Collection is on sale for only 99 cents. Plus you can enter to win over 20 amazing ebooks!

Shadows Fall (Totem #7) and Descending Moon (Totem #8) coming soon!

The end of the series is near! I'm so excited the complete Totem series will soon be available.

Sometimes it isn't what lurks in the shadows we must fear, but the shadows themselves.
 
Ametta Dorn is hosting her first family Thanksgiving feast. Everything must be flawless from the appetizers to the desserts. But the totem quest weighs heavily on her and her family. If she can’t even fold a perfect crane napkin, then how can she help her family find the next token?

That totem is closer than any of them realize. The Shadowmen have opened a door to their world, and they’ve targeted Ametta as the weak link in her family. She will show everyone she's just as capable as they are. Except her daring might be the very thing that loses not only the raven totem but also her life.

Release date: July 25th, 2017

Pre-order here!

Add it to read on Goodreads here.

 

Some say the moon is for lovers, but wise folks know to fear it.

Kinley Dorn must be strong for her family in these dark times. Sometimes she feels she's all that's holding them together. But when the frightening Moon Man attacks and bestows a burdensome gift upon her, Kinley might have to do more than simply help her family. She will have to battle a god but which one? If it's the sly man hunting her in the astral plane Kinley might not make it out alive.

Release date: August 8th, 2017

The final book has been written, and I'm eagerly waiting to hear back from my CPs about it. I have a tentative release date for it, but I'm not going to set anything for certain until I have it done exactly as I want it. I'm aiming for the end of August, though!

I made it to the end!

I just wrote "END" on the Totem series!

This final book was 8,000 words longer than the others. A whole lot went on, and wow, as a pantser, I just kept surprising myself over and over. My muse is clever, though. It all made sense. She has a way of making things work even when I have no idea what she's doing.

I'm so excited to finally be finished. It was an exciting journey, but I'm eager to start something new.

Of course, there's revising, editing, formatting, and publishing these last three books left to do. Books will do that themselves, right? ... RIGHT?!!

Fingers on the keyboard, Summer break around the corner

So close to finishing the final book in the Totem series. Then on to revising and cover creation. Please do not mind that I am scarce on the internet for a while.

Tomorrow is my son's last day of the school year. (Where did the year go?!) Another reason I'll be scarce over the next two months.

Enjoy the rest of May!

Word Witch Wednesday - writing and marketing potpourri

I'm so close to finishing the final book of the Totem series. I still do not know exactly how the final twist will work, though. The thrills of being a pantser! Next time, I'll have an end in mind before I start a series. (I've said this to myself every single time I write a series!)

Pantser tip: Don't let not knowing what happens next slow you down. Let the story take you there. It has never failed me yet. Some plots just take longer than others!

 

I've written a few short stories recently. A couple of them were horrible. I reworked a third one and hopefully it reads better now. I sent it into my local critique group for this month's meeting.

 

Writer tip: Not everything you write is going to be awesome. Sometimes when we write, it's just for practice. Any writing, brilliant or not, is important for improving your craft.

I've been busy critiquing for my local group and my critique partners. Such awesome stories! I love getting a sneak peek at these tales before anyone else does.

Critiquing tip: Make sure to add comments in about how parts made you feel. Say you laughed at this part or got angry or sad. The author wants to know what kind of emotions they're evoking.

I offered Dark Dawning (Totem #1) for free for the last five days. This time around, I didn't do any promoting apart from my newsletter, blog, and other social media. I had half as many downloads as when I used paid ads.

Freebie marketing tip: Freebooksy is a fantastic place to advertise. It's not the cheapest, but it is where I always go as a reader to look for free reads. Asking other authors and readers, most look to Freebooksy first as well.

Give Mom What She Really Wants! - #PNR and #UF sale and giveaway

I'm not one of those moms who like flowers or jewelry. No way. Give me books!

Check out this awesome paranormal romance and urban fantasy sale happening at Fantasy Book Giveaways. Great reads including three boxed sets. Make sure to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a fabulous bundle of ebooks!

Plus, for the next five days, Dark Dawning (Totem #1) is FREE!

Happy Mother's Day to all the marvelous moms, grandmas, great-grandmas, and like-moms out there!

Word Witch Wednesday - a writer's ups and downs

All writers have them. Sometimes it's like we're manic. Extreme euphoria and then end of the world depression. There are a few authors who find a good balance.

But for me, it's been an Indiana Jones mine cart ride. Especially this year.

I'm back after being a week away from my writer's life. Tons of emails and stuff on social media to catch up on. It's so overwhelming, I feel like I'm going to drown. It's hard to concentrate.

I'm gone a week, and my muse is refreshed, eager to get going.

The end of the Totem series is near. A nine book series. What was I thinking? It's exciting to see the end of the long tunnel, to share the whole story with the world. Even more exciting to know I'll be able to start on something new once I'm done.

I'm writing the last book of the series, and I don't know what's going to happen. I have no idea how the heroes will defeat the villain. None. I'm so stressed out about it. Sometimes being a pantser sucks.

Being a pantser is wonderful. I love the surprise twists and how my stories evolve all on their own.

I have so many ideas for stories. What do I go with? Should I concentrate on what I love or what's marketable? How do I know if both of them converge? Trying to figure out this whole publishing thing is painful. It makes me feel like a failure.

Yes, marketing is hard, but I'm doing what I love. How many people get to say that?

Up, down, up, down, around, loop, up, down, corkscrew, and repeat.

And you know, no matter how rotten the downs can be, the journey is worth it in itself.

Shhhhh! Kinley has a secret

I'm cheering on everyone this month for The A to Z Challenge!

The lovely Decadent Kane has a spectacular theme this year: secrets. Click on over to find out the secret Kinley Dorn from my Totem series is keeping. You won't find it in any of the books. This is an exclusive post for Decadent's blog only.