Are you going to the RT Booklovers Convention in Las Vegas this month? Look for cover model, Vikkas Bhardwaj, while you're there. Tell him you're a friend of mine, then take a photo with Vikkas holding one of my book cards featuring One Night in New Delhi. *THEN* email it to me or tag me on social media, and I'll enter your name in a draw for a special prize at the end of the month!! Vikkas will be there from the 15th through the weekend, so don't miss him. And don't forget to drop my name! Read more about One Night in New Delhi. Happy April!
This is the time of year when we romance authors are abuzz with visions of hearts and flowers dancing in our heads. In fact, we are so full of love, we have decided to give away a ton of books and even a $100 Amazon Gift Card to you, our beloved readers! Because we love you oh so much! XOXOXOXOXOXOX
So what do you have to do to enter? Click the link above and follow the options at the Rafflecopter.
Then, keep your eyes peeled for the winners on Februrary 15th!
A full list of prizes are listed after the Rafflecopter, but YES, I have two books on offer: Awakening and One Night in Dublin ;-)
First off, I'd like to thank Sue Coletta for running this massive competition. This took a lot of work and coordinating to make it happen, especially over the busy holiday season. Thanks, Sue!
I'd also like to thank the *726* people who entered this competition. That's a massive turnout! Unfortunately, only three entrants could be chosen to win these 30 crime novels.
And those winners are…
Carol Sue Anderson
Mark Antonie Fauchelle
Rosemary Jarrell
Congratulations to you all.
Each participating author will gift you their books through Amazon within the week. Please contact Sue around the 10th if any of these titles have not yet been received.
Though it’s not mandatory, we (all of the participating authors) truly hope you’ll consider leaving reviews. Reviews help authors sell books so more can enjoy their stories. A review can be as simple as “Couldn’t put the book down!” Or “Great read.” Also, with paid promotion and marketing, authors need reviews before advertisers will accept their books into their scheme. So please review.
For those who really wanted to win a copy of my book, Murder in Mornington, you can still grab a copy for just 99c/99p/99euc through Amazon. My books are available on all of Amazon's 14 sites, so visit your favorite site to find this book.
Do you like crime stories ? Whether they be hard boiled thrillers, cozy mysteries, or something in between, this competition has something for everyone! Guaranteed!
And it's as easy as one-click to enter. Just click here --
If you can't wait to see if you've won, you can still buy my book on Amazon for just 99c/99p/99euc for the digital version, or head to Amazon for a print copy, just $5.99/£4.99/€5.99.
And hey, whether you win or buy these novels, don't forget to leave us reviews. We love hearing how readers like, or not, our books ;-)
Good luck everyone, and be sure to share this post with your friends!
Artist representative, Eilis Kennedy, gave up a
singing career so that other women could have a fair chance at having
their music heard. Having suffered rejection from callous men in the
industry, she thought she would get away from ‘casting couch’
mentality. But when she finds herself in the office of Fergus Manley,
all bets are off. Disgusted by his continual come-ons and lewd
invitations, Eilis is looking for ‘the one’ who will take her career to
the next level, getting out from under Fergus’s controlling thumb.
Aspiring blues
guitarist, Kieran Vaughan, is looking for his big break. But after
suffering near bankruptcy at the hands of an unscrupulous business
partner, Kieran is left picking up the pieces. He’s unsure if the debts
will ever be paid or if he’ll ever have a chance to do something with
his music. At his whit’s end, he’s about ready to throw in the towel
and find a full-time job with real hours.
When Eilis
discovers Kieran playing in a seedy pub in Dublin’s Northside, she
knows he’s the one rare talent she’s been searching for. With her
know-how and his talent, Eilis will finally get everything she’s been
waiting for. Neither of them count on the powerful attraction from first
meeting. Eilis is so rocked by Keiran’s forthright words that it sends
her running. Kieran risks being arrested as he chases Eilis across
Ireland.
Seeing what’s
happening between Eilis and Kieran, anger wells inside Fergus and he
steps up his pursuit of Eilis. Refusing to let Kieran get in his way,
Fergus vows to add Eilis’s notch to his bedpost, whatever it takes.
Will Kieran be able to protect her?
{sigh}
Kieran is probably the best hero I've written yet. And I love Eilis's personal growth in this story.
To celebrate the release of this book, I'm hosting a fabulous competition on my Facebook page. It's pretty simple, really. Just 'like' my page by the 16th (closing date) and you're automatically entered to win a copy of Rhythm of My Heart. Not just that, but also A Piece of My Heart, Constant Craving, AND the November release of Shape of My Heart. That's the whole Irish Pride Series in one go if you win. All it takes is a 'like' on my page.
I will also be doing a bit of a blog hop in the coming weeks. Check out my schedule here --
I'll post more dates as I have them. In the meantime, 'like' me over on Facebook for your chance to win the Irish Pride Series. And join me on the 16th for the release of Rhythm of My Heart and for my chat with Pat McDermott. You won't want to miss that!
I love hearing from readers, so keep your emails coming in. And feel free to message me on Facebook!
Yes folks, you heard right. For the month of September, I will be hosting a contest. And what a contest it will be. At least, I hope you think so.
I'm celebrating the release of not only a lovely new website, but also the long-awaited release of the short story sequel to A Piece of My Heart — CONSTANT CRAVING. September is the month of romance and love in Ireland. All month, people from all over Ireland gather in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare for the annual Matchmaking Festival. This tradition dates back decades, to a time when parents would bring their sons and daughters of marriageable age to the town and hire the local matchmaker to organize some weddings. This took place just after the last harvest of the year, which was the only time during the year when farmers could take time away from their homesteads. Without matchmakers, it would have been near impossible for farmer's children to find husbands and wives on their own because they would have spent most of their time on the farm. This was especially true for island folk. Another love tradition revolves around the Claddagh Ring. The original ring was designed around 1690 in the Claddagh region of Galway City. This ring has long been used as an engagement ring, the tradition of which continues today. The Claddagh Ring got its design from the old pre-Roman Fede Ring, which was a band with two hands clasped in the front, signifying the hands of friendship and the bond between husband and wife. The Claddagh Ring goes on to include a heart between the hands which is crowned. The heart represents love, the hands friendship, and the crown loyalty.
Claddagh Rings may be given as friendship rings or promise rings, worn on the right hand with the crown pointing out (hold your hand upright and the heart and crown face upright).
As an engagement ring, or even as a wedding band, the ring is worn on the left hand and worn with the crown pointing out, as above.
Above all, these rings must be gifts of love and never purchased for oneself!
The Lisdoonvarna Matchmakers Festival and the Claddagh Ring feature in A Piece of My Heart, so what better time to have this contest!
So here it is. The contest is simple. Answer five questions and submit them to me. On the first of October, all entries will be put into a container and randomly drawn, third to first place.
ALL BUT ONE ANSWER can be found on this website. The bonus question is a pure guess for you. The answer has no bearing on the other questions and will not affect your entry into the draw. It's just for fun and to see how well you really do know me. And . . . the person who gets it right will get an extra treat in their prize package!!
OH! You want to know what you'll win? There are FIVE prizes on offer —
Third Prize - Three winners will get digital copies of A Piece of My Heart and Constant Craving. These are PDF versions, but we'll be happy to supply an e-reader specific copy on request.
Second Prize - An autographed copy of A Piece of My Heart, Constant Craving on disc, a certificate of ownership of land in Ireland (compliments of A Piece of Ireland), and a plush Jess dog toy. . . Molly's puppy from A Piece of My Heart.
And the Grand Prize - An autographed copy of A Piece of My Heart, Constant Craving on disc, a certificate of ownership of land in Ireland (compliments of A Piece of Ireland), and a ladies silver Claddagh Ring! And yes, the winning Claddagh Ring is given with all of the meaning the ring signifies!
So get your thinking caps on. The contest will run until midnight 30 September, that's Irish time . . . 4pm PST or 7pm EST.
The perfect life Mick and Kate thought they had was slowly dissolving. With Mick obsessing about the farm and Kate thrown into a life of domesticity, both lose some of what they'd fought so hard to regain.
It all comes to a head when Kate suspects Mick of having an affair. Kate’s parents step in to give each of them advice from their own years of marriage.
Now, both Mick and Kate have set their own romantic plans in motion, but it could all fall through when Kate nearly blows up the kitchen.
Reviewers are already hot on this story. Log into my site to see what they're saying.
Constant Craving is only available as a digital download through Smashwords and Kindle. Smashwords offers a Kindle version, as well as versions for your own digital book reader. Log in to read an excerpt, then click on the links to buy your own copy.
Don't forget that A Piece of My Heart is also available on Smashwords and Kindle. With the holidays coming up, what better gift for the one you love than a download of both stories onto your loved one's reading device?!
OK, hands up. Who noticed I've got a newly designed website? And it's purple!! I'm lovin' it :-) And I hope you do to.
I've also added the links to my articles blog, Hearticles: Articles with Heart. I publish articles for writers every other Sunday. The most recent just published on the 22nd. My topic was Romance in History. Drop over to read the full article and be sure to leave me a comment or question. While there, if you haven't read them already, look at the other articles and feel free to ask me any questions you may have.
As well, my non-author blog, Heart Shaped Stones, also got a facelift. I don't have a regular posting schedule, but I recently posted an article with some fabulous recipes of my own. Check out Farm to Fork to see what I cooked up with those fantastic office-grown tomatoes! Put your bib on!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Contest
To celebrate the release of Constant Craving and the newly designed sites, I'm hosting a month-long contest for the month of September. .
I'm posting a notice here on the 31st at which time I'll tell you about the rules of the competition and about the THREE prizes. .
Winners will be announced by a random draw on the 1st of October. .
So bookmark this site and come back on the 31st to enter your chance to win!
The Long and the Short of It Reviews is celebrating their third anniversary in style. They're having a scavenger hunt that runs from August 2-29 and culminates in a two-day live author chat that final weekend (28th and 29th) in their Yahoo Groups, during which they'll announce the winners.
What are the prizes? THREE Nook eBook Readers that come with $50 Barnes and Noble gift certificates AND are already pre-loaded with dozens of romance and juvenile fiction eBooks, including A Piece of My Heart!
How to win? Log into The Long and the Short of It Reviews and follow their simple instructions. Click on the LASR Logo to follow the scavenger hunt on my site.
Good luck!!
Also, A Piece of My Heart (<---click here) is now available in the Kindle Store at Amazon. Finally!!
Be sure to bookmark my site and come back for more information later in the month for a contest with more fabulous prizes. My contest runs the month of September and will celebrate the launch of my newly designed website AND the highly anticipated release of the short story sequel to A Piece of My Heart -- Constant Craving!
The perfect life Mick and Kate thought they had was slowly dissolving. With Mick obsessing about the farm and Kate thrown into a life of domesticity, both lose some of what they'd fought so hard to regain.
It all comes to a head when Kate suspects Mick of having an affair. Kate’s parents step in to give each of them advice from their own years of marriage.
Now, both Mick and Kate have set their own romantic plans in motion, but it could all fall through when Kate nearly blows up the kitchen.
Wow! Can you imagine? You'll have to read the story to find out how that happens.
I'm feeling very authorish at the moment. I get to post some upcoming events that involve me and/or my book, A Piece of My Heart!
First of all, I want to say congratulations again to both Lisa Finch and Ashley Applebee who won signed copies of A Piece of My Heart during my recent visit with Long and Short Romance Reviews. The prize package also includes a 1 square foot plot of land in Ireland, which is part of a land preservation scheme through A Piece of Ireland, as well as a surprise gift. Not saying what it is, but let's say an intimate location to read my book with some candles and something sparkly in a glass would compliment your reading pleasure!
Mark your calendars for 2 July. That's this Friday! I will be interviewed at Heroines with Hearts. This is a relatively new site which is getting a lot of attention with authors and readers. Run by Toni Lynn, Debra St. John, Paula Martin and Ana Morgan, Heroines with Hearts focuses on romance novel that feature strong heroines and great storylines. I'm honored to have been asked to be included and can't wait to chat with the ladies. Please come by to see what we chatted about, and drop a comment and let me know what you thought of A Piece of My Heart, or just to say hello!
The week of 21 July, Sidolita, Donna, Linda, Audrey, Sandi, Joyce, Karyn and Carol at the Lovely Ladies Book Club in Rhode Island will be reading A Piece of My Heart and having a follow-up discussion. I know as part of their last book discussion, the group traveled to a nearby vineyard where part of the book was set to have their discussion. Maybe I can convince them to come to Ireland for the discussion of my book! Now, that would be something! Enjoy the book ladies. I can't wait to hear what you have to say. My adventures aren't over with Long and Short Romance Reviews. They're celebrating their 3rd anniversary in August and I'll be part of the celebrations. They're giving away not one, not two, but THREE Barnes and Noble Nook ereaders!! More details to follow toward the end of July, but you will need to bookmark my website and come back for a treasure hunt in August. How fun will that be??
Also, I've started a new blog where I'm posting articles about writing and writing life. Articles will be posted every other weekend. The first article is called Researching a Setting-Specific Story, which deals with the top five aspects of writing stories with specific settings: Location, History, Culture and Tradition, Language, and People of the region in which you're setting your story. Recently published is an article called Blowing the Curtains. This article defines what we perceive as traditional romance, erotica and pornography, and explains the changing tides of public perception, expectation and attitudes toward sex in what we read. This article is featuring in the July edition of the Scribbles newsletter at the Central Coast Writers Group, a branch of the California Writers Club, which just celebrated their 100th year anniversary! You must be a member to read their newsletters, so if you're on the Central Coast of California, or born and raised there as I was, and are a writer, this group is invaluable!
My publishing schedule for articles currently looks like this, but is subject to change:
11 July - The Importance of Senses - We'll go beyond the basic six senses we're all familiar with (sight, sound, hearing, touch, taste and intuition) and talk about some of the interoceptive senses.
25 July - W5+H+M - These are the five W's in journalism used for basic information gathering, particularly in police investigations. This formula is especially helpful for writers of all fiction genre, not just thrillers.
8 August - Shaking Your Tree - We'll talk about how using your own family tree can help you define your writing, from name gathering to events in history.
22 August - The Fallacy of Writer's Block - We'll discuss the theory behind writer's block and how it really does exist.
Bookmark this blog and come back often to read the articles. I value any and all feedback, so click on the comments section and let me know what you thought of each topic. Let's have a discussion!
Last but not least, I'll be launching a newly designed author site soon, and to celebrate I'll be hosting a contest! You'll want to come back for that. The prize will be wonderful!
I'll have some other news coming up soon, but you'll have to come back to learn about that! It's all exciting though. Promise!!
I hope you're all enjoying the summer, wherever you are.
Congratulations to Lisa Finch and Ashley Applebee. During my recent visit at Long and Short Reviews this last month we ran a couple of contests and Lisa and Ashley have won a signed copy of my book, A Piece of My Heart, a certificate of ownership of a square foot of land in Ireland from A Piece of Ireland, and a surprise gift!
I'd like to say a massive thanks to all the wonderful ladies at Long and Short Reviews. I had a brilliant time participating and meeting everyone. You have a great review and interview staff there.
While my interview and author spotlight are over, I'm still working with LASR as they gear up to celebrate their 3rd anniversary this August! They'll be giving away not one, not two, but THREE B&N Nook ereaders. They'll come preloaded with some wonderful books, including A Piece of My Heart.
They'll also be hosting a two day live chat 28 & 29 August from 9am to 9pm, EST. Yours truly will be hosting Sunday the 29th from 1pm EST, or 6-7pm Irish time. Mark these dates in your calendar and drop over to their newsgroup for the chat. You must be a member of the LASR group on Yahoo Groups to attend. It's free AND easy! And it will be loads of fun.
And when the time comes, don't forget to enter the contest to win one of those fabulous B&N Nook ereaders!
As always, I love hearing from readers, so just click the contact link above and drop me a note.
Please join me at Long and Short Reviews, as I'm the spotlight author for this week. We're hosting a contest there where the winner will get a copy of my book, a piece of Irish land, and a surprise gift... http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR
Day 1 - Researching A Setting-Specific Story (not just historical research, but location, culture, language, regional practice, etc)
Day 2 - The Importance of Senses (using other senses besides the basic five: scent, sight, touch, hear and taste.)
Day 3 - W5+H+M (who, what, where, when, why + how + motive)
Day 4 - Romance vs. Erotica: How Much Sex? (when romance becomes erotica and the change in the romance and erotica industries)
Day 5 - Shaking Your Tree (using your family tree for character names, story ideas or researching family documents as a way to research historical facts)
And while you're on their site, check out their review of A Piece of My Heart. Reviewer Camellia said: Kemberlee Shortland’s thorough character development and the world-rocking love scenes make A Piece of My Heart captivating, but most of all it is the long-suffering love that hides but abides, cries but never dies that makes this beautiful tapestry of a tale memorable.
, 
