The End of an Era - Royals of Solana

As excited as I am about the release of my latest novel, Crown of Solana, I’m also a little

heartbroken.

It’s the last novel in the Royals of Solana series, and the end of an era.

Five years of hard work, and countless arguments with these characters in my brain, and the culmination is finally here.

Crown of Solana releases May 19^th (for Kindle, May 22^nd everywhere else), the same weekend I’m attending Wanderlustin Dallas. I pray that readers love the ending and find the climax fulfilling.

For those who haven’t read the novels yet, I hope they are willing to pick up the first in the series, knowing that they don’t have to wait for the sequels to release.

This series has been down a very rocky road for me, including getting the rights back from the first publisher, to re-release with a new publisher. But the finale has never been released, and my anxiety is sky high as to how readers will take it.

Nevertheless, I’m thrilled these characters finally have their HEA’s.

I’ve moved on to a new series that has me completely enthralled, but I won’t be releasing the first one until at least three are ready to go (at least five in this series). Maybe in a box set, not sure.

Will any of you be attending Wanderlust in Dallas this year? If so, drop by and see me!

If not, I'll be at Fresh Fiction's Boas n' Tiaras in Dallas next.

Crown of Solana ~ One Ascends, One Falls http://books2read.com/u/3yPwQn

Following the brutal siege on their island country of Solana, Prince Andre and his sister, Princess Alanna face the monumental struggles of rebuilding their country. With the line of ascension unclear between the two remaining royals, the country is divided between who should inherit the throne. From all corners of the world, eager enemies surround the Royal Family. Defending the security of their countrymen grows harder still when the monarchy is threatened with dissolution, compromising the very identity of their culture.

When Gemma refuses Prince Andre's love because of her obsession with vengeance, the struggles of saving his country seem insurmountable. He resorts to old demons to cope, only to find they no longer mask his pain.

Meanwhile, Princess Alanna relies on Flynn's strong and solid demeanor to support her in her country's tumultuous upheaval. But her savior isn't accustomed to being arm-candy without a real purpose.

Despite the promises of love and a future in tropical paradise, royal life isn't as happily-ever-after as fairy tales depict. Especially not when scandals plague the palace amid diplomatic chaos. When old enemies charge into the breach, the royals stand to lose more than their crown and legacy.

~Royals of Solana ~

Royal life isn't all luxury, glamour, and celebrity status-- it's a target for relentless attacks from those who lust for power. The royals face vicious threats from both criminals and diplomats, all coveting the exotic prize that is their island nation. When the king and crown prince are brutally murdered during a cartel coup, Princess Alanna and exiled Prince Andre are forced on the run, desperate to save their own lives while trying to take back their country. Enemies emerge from all corners of the world, scrambling in the power vacuum. The last things the royal siblings need are limelight camera flashes, or steamy dalliances with common strangers. Except these strangers are impossible to ignore, and turn into would-be saviors.

Prince of Solana ~ #1 ~ http://books2read.com/u/3GMQGQ

Jewel of Solana ~ #2 ~ http://books2read.com/u/4XgOev

By the way, I found this nifty site called Books2Read.com that compiles all retailers for one novel into 1 link! Amazon Kindle, iBooks, Nook, Kobo, and more...all of them! A God-send!

Susan Sheehey writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance. Water plays a crucial element in all of her novels, and she's a strong advocate for Autism awareness and acceptance. Forced to give up Diet Coke, she now survives on gallons of French Vanilla coffee. She lives and laughs in Texas with her husband and two boys. Follow her on SusanSheehey.com, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, and Pinterest.

Romance Reader Conventions: What You Love Most

Readers, how appealing are major reader conferences to you? Conferences such as RT Convention (RomanticTimes), RWA Conference (Romance Writers of America), and RomCon (RomanceConference)?

For those of you who have never been to one, or don’t know what they are, they are massive conventions where readers can not only have their books signed by the authors, but you get to mingle, party, and become friends with these authors. Most of the time they are a Saturday or Sunday event, sometimes a full weekend, or even a week-long event in large hotels with events going on all day and into the evenings. There are huge giveaways, free swag, great food, and even plenty of chances to meet a bunch of cover models, depending on which one you attend.

Susan Sheehey at RT Convention 2015, Dallas, TX

Last year was my first RT Convention in Dallas. The year before, was my first ever RWA Conference in San Antonio. I loved both conferences tremendously. It was a huge bonus that I was a published author by then, and could participate in the book signings.

As a brand new published author, though, I was an unknown. Therefore I didn’t sell many novels at either, so the cost of the conference registration alone put me in the red. But bottom line, I’d never had so much fun at an author event ever.

For those who know what they and have been to one, do you think the registration fees or ticket prices are worth it? Do you like to bring in your own books to have them signed, or do you like purchasing brand new books on the spot? Do you attend these events for specific authors, or are you that avid a fan of the genre, and love the opportunity to meet new authors and find new characters to read?

Swag from RWA Conference 2014

As a fairly new published author, I don’t have the budget to attend all of the events I’d like to in a given year. I normally have to pick 1 major conference a year, and then attend small signings more local to home. I LOVE interacting with readers, making new friends, and of course I always love an excuse to party! Not to mention all of the fabulous books! This year I’ll be attending RT Convention again, this time in Las Vegas in April.

Here are some of the major reader conventions coming up throughout the year. Can you add more that I’ve forgotten? Let me know which ones you’ll be going to!

The Novel Experience Event, Atlanta, GA – April 7-11^th, 2016

RT Convention, Las Vegas, NV – April 12-17^th, 2016

Book Con, Chicago, IL – May 14^th, 2016

Romance Novel Convention (RNC), Las Vegas, NV – June 1-5^th, 2016

Fresh Fiction’s Boas & Tiaras, Allen, TX – June 11^th, 2016

RWA Conference, San Diego, CA – July 13-16^th, 2016

Authors After Dark, Savannah, GA – August 3-7^th, 2016

Historical Romance Retreat, Spokane, WA – Sept 22-25^th, 2016

RomCon, Denver, CO – Sept 30^th-Oct 1^st, 2016

InD’Scribe Author & Reader Con, Burbank, CA – October 6-9^th, 2016

Fresh Fiction’s Readers & ‘Ritas, Allen, TX – Nov 11-13^th, 2016

Susan Sheehey writes romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and women's fiction.She lives and laughs in Texas with her husband and two boys.  Water plays a crucial element in all of her novels, and she is a huge advocate for Autism Awareness. Follow Susan at SusanSheehey.com, on Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, and Amazon.