Echoes from 2017
With the holidays wrapping up and a new year just on the horizon, it’s a good time to look back on all the things that happened this year.
As is my habit, I’ll do a brief overview of some events that occurred in 2017, offering highlights month by month. Because of space and time constraints, I won’t be able to tell you everything, however. For more details you can check out my author newsletter archives here, subscribe to upcoming issues, and you’ll also find more information by following my websiteand other two blogs, Writing in the Modern Age and the I Love Romance Blog(ILRB).
Well, shall we get started?
The Year 2017
January
On January 17th, I had an author interview/book spotlight on the ‘Meet Me Monday’ feature on the Eating Between the Lines blog. You can learn about some authors who inspired me on my journey, as well as some other interesting writing tidbits. Actually, it looks like her blog has closed down since then, so I’ve included the gist of the interview in my linked repost. Last January, I also found out about some great book reviews for my science fiction romance, Blue Vision, which actually posted in December. You can check them out here, hereand here.
February
On February 9th, I had a guest post, titled “A Labor of Love”, on Natasha Murray’s blog. The article detailed my journey from writer to author, while also highlighting the development of the Heiresses in Love Series. Since then, it seems Natasha’s site has closed, so I’ve taken the liberty of posting the article here. Two days later, I was interviewed by Fiona McVie on her blog. Take a look here to learn about me as a writer, as well as how UYL came into being. On February 13th, ILRBand the MLB blog both hosted a new release feature about Cupid’s Arrow, a Valentine’s anthology released through Solstice Publishing the previous day. Quite a nice set of romantic tales, plus one of my own stories was in there! Three days later, UYL had a book feature on Bernard Foong’s blog. Check out an exclusive excerpt from the book here! On February 17th, Blue Visiongot a decent official review on the Knockin’ Books blog.
February 20th brought a new release, The Missing Piece, my new adult romance story, as the story officially released on its own! Woo hoo! :) Check out the details in this post. Also on the 22nd, I had a guest post on Nina Soden’s blog. The article was titled “The Process: A Writer’s Perspective”, and it provides a little insight into the way the writing process works.
On February 24th, there was a UYL feature on the Smile Somebody Loves You blog. Get a deeper look at the book here, and you’ll even find the book trailer in this spotlight. On February 26th, Upon Your Return, book one of the Heiresses in Love Series, got a great five star review on Amazon. Thank you for your kind words, R.R.! Also on the 26th, the same day the final book in the series, Upon Your Love, released, I had an interview on Carl R. Brush’s blog. Find out more about my writing quirks here. The following day, I was interviewed on Malay Upadhyay’s FlyZpeak blog. Learn some interesting facts about how historical romance/family saga new release, Upon Your Love, was developed, and watch how the host inspires me to write a quick horror tale. February 28th not only brought the official book release party for UYL on Facebook, but also many other spots on various blogs, including a guest post of mine on Fiona Tarr’s site about conquering fear as a writer. Also on the 28th, UYL received its first official review when Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews had some great words to say about the full-length novel. Yay! Thanks, Amy! ♥♥♥
March
On March 1st, UYL had a spotlight on Fiona Tarr’s blog. Check out the link to the book trailer in the post! Also, during the same week, Fiona hosted a giveaway of UYR, the first book in the series, on her site, plus I received a book contract renewal for book two and UYH got a new cover! So, essentially the whole series had a makeover in 2017, as the cover for UYR was changed recently. I think they turned out beautifully!
The same day brought a feature for UYL on the Reading Renee site, and then one on Linda Lee Williams’ blog. On March 2nd, I wrote a guest post about writing a series for Tony Riches’ The Writing Desk blog. See my unique take on what the Heiresses in Love Series came to mean for me. On March 3rd, I visited Stefan Vucak’s site in an author interview. Learn some tidbits about me as a writer, plus a little about my historical romance! Three days later, readers had the chance to win a free ebook copy of UYL by heading over to the 6th Anniversary Party at The Romance Reviews. Fun! Additionally, March 6th brought an official five star review for my new adult romance new release, The Missing Piece, on Readers’ Favorite. Thanks so much, Rosie!
During the week of March 6th, The Missing Piece, my new adult romance which was released in February, was voted book of the week on book reviewer Rosie Malezer’s Facebook page. Thank you so much, Rosie! :) On March 7th, I wrote a short post about the Heiresses in Love Series for Olga Núñez Miret’s blog. Check out more information about UYL too! The same day brought another guest post, this time providing tips about doing historical research for book writing, on Nancy Christie’s site. The next day, character Adrienne from Upon Your Love was interviewed on Devika Fernando’s blog. Check out this untamed woman straight from the Victorian era! Also on March 8th, I turned the tables around and wrote a guest post, focusing on villains and anti-heroes for Reading Between the Wines Book Club. Also check out an excerpt detailing a confrontation between the hero and villain in UYL! Two days later, The Missing Piece had another official review on the Ethereal Pages blog. Thanks for your kind words, Catherine! On March 13th, I wrote a guest post about how the Heiresses in Love Series developed on Michael J. Sahno’s site.
On March 20th, I penned a love poem titled “Dream with Me” for ILRB. Also on the same day, Second Chance Heart, a contemporary romance, received a great five star review on Amazon. Thank you for your kind words, Azia! Two days later, character Alyssa, or Aly, from The Missing Piece, visited Devika Fernando’s blog in a cool interview. Find out all about this college character here. Also on the 23rd, I was interviewed on A.B. Funkhauser’s site. Get a little more info about UYL in this fun Q&A! Closer to the end of the month, I wrote an article for Dan Buri’s Nothing Any Good blog. It details questions writers can ask themselves before they dive into their first book project.
April
On April 4th, I had an interview on The Indie View. Check it out here, and learn some background into how I wrote Victorian maritime romance, UYL! April 5th brought an author interview on Reading Nook. Check it out here, and learn a little more about me as a writer, as well as a few things about The Missing Piece, my new adult romance short story. In the evening on the 6th, I participated in a fun radio interview on Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross’s HAUNTED NIGHTS LIVE! show. I love talking to team Thorne & Cross. :) As readers, you can listen in here and get a sneak peek at future works, Awakening and Blood Instincts. Woo hoo!
April 15th brought a feature for Magick & Moonlight and A Little Magick on Susanne Matthews’ blog. Check out the M&M book trailer on the post! I am so honored to have made it on her M feature for the A to Z Challenge for April. ;) On the same day, an official review for The Missing Piece appeared on Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews. Thanks, Amy, for your awesome words about my new adult romance! The next day brought a great character interview with Christian du Plessis from Upon Your Love. This is part two of the previous character interview with his female interest, Adrienne. Check out what this cocky hero has to say here!
On April 20th, The Missing Piece got an official review on Feathered Quill Reviews. Thanks for your kind words, Ellen! Four days later, I received quite a surprise, as one of the beta readers for Directions of the Heart went ahead and wrote an early review on Goodreads. Thanks for your wonderful commentary, JoAnne!
May
On May 3rd, character Claudette Giroux from my historical romance/family saga, Upon Your Love, book three of the Heiresses in Love Series, visited Devika Fernando’s blog in an exclusive interview. Discover what she has to say! On May 5th, my new adult romance story, The Missing Piece, received a lovely, official four star review on Sandra’s BookClub blog. On the 10th, character Eric Caron (also in his fifties) from Upon Your Love, was interviewed on Devika Fernando’s blog. Hey, he’s quite the looker!
Also on the same day, a fun interview centered on my sci-fi romance, Blue Vision, popped up on the Shh, I Am Reading blog. Check out how the book came about, and some insider secrets! On the 17th, I found an awesome five star review for UYL on Amazon. Thank you, thank you, thank you, David! Check out this post on the MLB blog, as I explain some background on the Heiresses in Love Series. On the 18th, I posted some romantic food for thought that, I believe, may help everyone no matter what stage they’re at in the quest for romance. The following day brought something interesting into my author realm. Carol Balawyder mentioned me in her post about pen names. Check it out here! Two days later, I was actually nominated by Juneta Key for the Mystery Blogger Award. So exciting! Discover my post, in which I answered her questions and continued the chain of nominations. You’ll find the award listed on my author website on the right hand side.
On May 25th, The Magick Series was featured on Susanne Matthews’ blog. Don’t miss a sneak peek from book three of the trilogy, lighthearted romantic fantasy Magick Sunrise! The next day I had the awesome honor of finding a great review for The Missing Piece on Crystal’s Many Reviewers site. Also on the 26th, I provided an exclusive teaser to readers from my current romantic comedy work in progress, Chasing Ginger, featured on the I Love Romance Blog. Yay! The following day, character Annabelle D’Aubigne visited Devika Fernando’s blog in a cool interviewabout her journey.
June
