YOU'RE THE GREATEST!

By Caroline Clemmons

Confession time—I can’t help comparing myself to other authors. Not the ones who quit, that would be too simple. No, I compare myself to the super-successful indie writers who make six and seven figure in royalties each year. Idiot. I started out in the writing business wanting to be the next Nora Roberts. Ha ha. To say I haven’t made it is an understatement.

This past Sunday, our minister said that comparing ourselves to others is a form of vanity. Ouch! It isn’t the fame or financial success I envy (although that would be wonderful), it’s the ability to sell books. We pour our hearts into the books we write. If they don’t sell well, the rejection stings. More than stings, it’s a knife to the heart of our creativity.

Recently, I released a new book which I was certain would be a success. It’s heroine is feisty and hero is strong and successful, and there's an HEA ending. But, it isn’t selling very well. I’ve done all the usual things to promote it, yet it still isn’t selling. How does this make me feel? I can’t help feeling like I’ve failed somehow. It’s personal.

The thing I (we) have to remember is that each of us is a unique being with special gifts. Not just one gift, but many. Perhaps one stands out most and/or brings us the most fulfillment, but we have many talents. And, we aren’t competing with others—we are in competition with ourselves to keep improving, to feel fulfilled, to accomplish our personal best.

I don’t like boxing, but I remember Mohamed Ali’s mantra, “I am the greatest!” If I’ve done my best and written the best book I can, then that is success, the greatest I can be. How can I do better than my best?

I challenge you to say the same to yourself: I am the greatest I can be!

By the way, my last release is Sidney and the Mail Order Bride, Book 6, Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides, a sweet western historical romance. Sidney Garton wrote a matchmaker and requested a bride who could cook, keep house, and help him in his mercantile store. Antoinette Fournier has been trained to be the wife of a wealthy man and knows only how to manage servants. She proves she’s made of tougher stuff than she or Sidney imagined when Sidney has a serious accident and she must take charge of the store. She’s able to confront a would-be robber, but the criminal has sworn revenge.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNTP95FD 

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy our April showers.

  

Spring Fever, Hay Fever...Werewolf Fever? by Laura Hunsaker

 I have an urgent matter that must be brought to our attention! 

Spring has sprung and if you're like me, that means you're suffering from hay fever. I'm also suffering from spring fever after coming off spring break where I live. With all of that in mind, I have to know your thoughts:

 If you're allergic to dogs, would you be allergic to werewolves?

I saw an Instagram reel (linked here) and it was a woman asking an allergist if people can be allergic to werewolves in their human form. He's such a good sport and takes it seriously and professionally stating that yes, you'd probably be allergic to his human form. He goes into the whys and I loved his response. 

When we read fiction, especially Paranormal Romance, we suspend belief. So obviously our heroine isn't going to be allergic to our hero...but I kind of want to write a book where the heroine sneezes every time she's around him and can't figure out why because werewolves don't exist, of course. But how fun would that plot be? And when they finally realize that he's a werewolf, and she's allergic to dogs, so apparently she's also allergic to wolves, and therefore werewolves, they buy him special shampoo and she takes her Zyrtec and they can live happily ever after!

Obviously I'm being a bit dramatic, but I do think it could work. I co-write a hockey romance series with Heather Lire. Together we are Kenzie MacLir. We write a slightly paranormal hockey series, and our latest hero is a werewolf. Maybe his love interest needs to have a wolf allergy? ;)

So tell me your thoughts! Do you think you'd be allergic to werewolves if they existed? Or should be suspend belief and pretend that wouldn't happen? 

Amazon |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  Google Play Books  |  Smashwords | Apple 

The New York Empires hockey team is ready for you!

Each book has 3 novellas inside, and they all take place on the same team and during the same main event.

In the latest book, ROUGHING IT, my story is called AGAINST THE BOARDS, and well look at that. Werewolves. ;)

Against the Boards by Kenzie MacLir

Kyle Sandberg is living his best life. He’s one of the top hockey players in the world. Has two amazing best friends and all the sarcastic hockey t-shirts he could wear. After his own family turns their backs on him, he’s happy playing for the Empires and hanging out with his own found family. What he doesn’t want is his pain in the ass twin brother back in his life or a mate.

When paramedic Faith Church left Puerto Rico for New York, she had zero intentions of getting involved in the local pack. Having had her fill of pack politics, she was ready to go lone wolf. But being left alone was too much to ask when her cousin was the Alpha’s mate.

What neither was counting on was Fate, having her own plans for them. A chance encounter at a traffic accident changes everything. Kyle and his wolf are willing to go with Fate’s plans. But Faith, having finally broken away from her pack’s expectations wants nothing to do with Fate, or Kyle. Too bad her wolf disagrees…

Having A Good Time by Liz Flaherty

I'm late. My date to post was yesterday, and I'm sorry. But I'm not.

I need to write. I keep getting behind on blog posts I've agreed to and LIKE writing, and it worries me when I wake up at three in the morning with thoughts of Damn! I forgot! I'm sorry, because I like being timely and even early sometimes. But I'm ... yeah, I'm not sorry.

Although I write something every day, I'm behind on my work-in-progress, book three of the Harper Loch colors series, and I need to establish a manuscript routine, including sprints, research in non-writing hours, and maintaining word count. I will regret writing myself into a panicky corner. But not yet. Maybe tomorrow ... no, not then, either. 

Yesterday, when I had an appointment for a medical procedure and another for having my nails done, I hung out with our son who's been visiting this week. We went to breakfast, ran some errands, then came home for a while before going out to dinner with our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. Then I read aloud at an open mic, one of those things I never thought I'd do, but kind of enjoy. I never got to ... well, several things. 

Sometimes, to adulterate what I've always thought was a particularly stupid line by Erich Segal, Having a good time means never having to say you're sorry. Like the original quote, the altered one is only good sometimes with some people, but it's almost always good with retired people who don't have anyone depending on them. 

When I am making my lists of what I hate about growing old and what I love about growing old, having a good time is right at the top of the second one. Sometimes, if you let it and if your knee's not aching too much and there hasn't been sadness in your week, you can forget the first list altogether. And just have a good time.

I don't have anything new right now, but something old and loved is on sale. I loved writing Harlequin Heartwarmings, and I especially loved The Happiness Pact. Both the book and the box set are on sale right now. If you like sweet romance, it's a good time to check these out. 

Or the box set https://a.co/d/7jkSafT

Irish Eyes Are Smiling by Joan Reeves

Top of the morning to you. Even though St. Patrick's Day isn't until tomorrow, I'm wallowing in all things Irish today.

On the menu this fine morning ia a hearty Full Irish Breakfast.

Okay, well, not exactly a Full Irish which consists of bacon, sausages, eggs, black and white pudding, fried potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms, toast, and sometimes baked beans accompanied by a strong cup of fresh-brewed tea.

My Americanized version consists of bacon, an egg, a slice of multigrain toast, and fresh-brewed coffee. *sigh* I fear my Irish ancestors would be offended if they knew.

Perhaps I can make up for the breakfast insult with a typical Irish dinner? Let's see, I have a roast in the freezer but no potatoes. No lamb so no Irish stew. No colcannon because, as previously stated, no potatoes, and also no cabbage.

All is not lost in my attempt to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. I know the words to When Irish Eyes Are Smiling. My grandfather used to sing it when I was a little girl. I can even post the lyrics here because they entered the public domain in 2007.

The song, written by Ernest R. Ball, George Graff, and Chauncey Olcott, was published in 1912. A recording of the song was made popular by Bing Crosby in 1939.

EVERYBODY SING

When Irish eyes are smiling, Sure, 'tis like a morn' in Spring

In the lilt of Irish laughter, You can hear the angels sing. 

When Irish hearts are happy, All the world seems bright and gay

And when Irish eyes are smiling, Sure, they steal your heart away

When Irish hearts are happy, All the world seems bright and gay, And when Irish eyes are smiling, Sure, they steal your heart away.

I have an Irish gift for you to celebrate St. Patrick's Day tomorrow. From now until March 18th at 11:59PM PDT, you can claim a free copy of LIAM'S WILD IRISH ROSE from Amazon.

Warning: this story is super spicy—mucho caliente!—so leave it on the cyber shelf if super sexy romance is not your thing.

The story opens at Juan O'Hara's Mexican-Irish Pub, a place I loved so much that I wish it were real!

Is a “no-strings-attached” arrangement enough to satisfy Maura O'Reilly? The idea of being tied down to one man terrifies her, yet she can't seem to stay away from Liam Harper. Despite her attempts to resist, she finds herself constantly drawn to him.

Of all the women in the world, why, Liam wonders, did he have to fall for the one who wants nothing more than a physical relationship with him? Most men would consider that a dream come true, but Liam doesn’t. He wants more than just sex with Maura. He wants her heart.

If you enjoy this spicy Irish romance, please leave a short review. I will deeply appreciate your time and effort in doing so.

Remember to wear green tomorrow. Happy St. Patrick's Day

JOAN ONLINE

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When Your Favorite Author Writes Too Slow

by Stephanie Suesan Smith In for Bea Tifton

Don't you hate it when an author you love puts out a new book and you read it all in one day?  I love the J.D. Robb books, and this happens to me every February and November.  Bonded in Death, the 60th book in this series, came out in February.  Even though I tried to read it slowly, the book was gone overnight (literally; I  stayed up reading it way past my bedtime).  Even though I consider the In Death books romances, they are a little gory for a lot of romance fans.  Of course, J.D. Robb is really a pseudonym for Nora Roberts.

Ms. Roberts writes fast but is now wealthy enough that she puts out four books a year.  Two In Death books, one standalone book, and one book in her current series.  She published Inheritance in November, 2023.  

The next book didn't come out for a whole year.  It came out in November, 2024.

The final book comes out in November, 2025.  I have learned from experience to reread the first two books in the trilogy before reading the last one.  Okay, so maybe a week's worth of reading this time.  I guess I should be grateful that Ms. Roberts delivers a new book every quarter between the two names she publishes under, but I wish she put out more books a year.  She used to when she was younger and hungrier, but now she has the luxury of working less.

In between Ms. Roberts' books, I mostly read nonfiction books.  I will read anything but horror (I have enough nightmares, thank you very much).  Occasionally, I will stumble on a nice series that has multiple books out, and I binge-read them.

How do you handle the space between the publication of books by your favorite author?  How do you find new authors to read?

 

 

HELLO, MARCH - SPARE THE STORMS

 By Caroline Clemmons

 

 March came in like a lamb, so I suppose it will go out like a lion. Here in North Central Texas that means the possibility of major storms. Not just rain, hail, or tornados but also sand or dust.

I remember walking home from school in a sand storm with sand stinging my legs. Worse were the dust storms. Dust snuck in every window. Our home had wooden frames that admitted more sand and dust than modern metal frames. I remember my mother hanging wet sheets at the windows of my room during a sand or dust storm when I was home from school very sick. My mom was amazing (for many reasons)!

Once Hero and I were visiting my mother-in-law, who lived in a new and quite lovely assisted living facility in Lubbock, Texas. (This was  after my mother had already moved from Lubbock to an apartment near us.) A black dust storm blew in from somewhere far away from West Texas. The dust in that area is reddish brown, and we had no idea where the black dust originated. This was by far the worst dust storm we had ever encountered. The street lights came on even though it was mid-day. Visibility resembled a heavy London fog. The local newspaper dubbed it "Black Sunday."

Lung problems are my Kryptonite. Even in my mother-in-law’s apartment, the dust created the sensation of too little air. I became so ill that we either had to leave or take me to the ER. We left, my Hero driving faster than usual until we descended the Caprock and left the storm behind.

For writers, every event is food for a book. In The Most Unsuitable Courtship, a similar storm occurred. The hero and heroine had rescued three orphaned children, one of whom had an asthma attack in the middle of nowhere with killers chasing them. Of course, the hero and heroine were able to cope and help the child. I like the story, by the way. If you haven’t read that third book in the Kincaid series, a western historical romance, here’s the e-book link:

https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unsuitable-Courtship-Kincaids-Book-ebook/dp/B00G5YXI6I/

It’s also available in audiobook and paperback and is enrolled in KU.

 

Have you been in a bad sand or dust storm?

Picture of dust storm written of above,

called Black Sunday in a story

by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Thanks for stopping by. Happy March.

Scent of a Memory by Laura Hunsaker

 It's no secret I work in a school, and right now, it's science fair time! One of the students made a project had to do with scent and how it can help hold memories. They were trying to see if you smelled the same scent every time you studied, would it help you remember the facts when you took the test? 

This felt like the perfect topic to talk about! Scent plays a role in so many books. How often do we read about what our hero or heroine smells like? Literally every romance novel talks about how the heroine smells of lavender, or peaches and cream, or strawberries. The hero smells of sunshine and leather, or of pine and man...and I love all of the descriptions!

Scent is tied to so many things, that of course we'd mirror that in literature. And I'm guilty of it too! Most recently I've used vanilla, coffee, caramel, or maybe I'm just hungry when I write ;) 

But the idea that scent is tied to memory is so true! My dad lived in Germany for years and he said that one time when he came home, his whole house smelled different. He couldn't put his finger on it, but the scent really made him homesick. A bit later when he opened the mail, he'd found a letter from his mom and she'd included orange blossoms from their trees. He didn't expect to smell California in his German home, so it hadn't occurred to him that it might be orange blossoms!

I've had instances where I smelled a certain perfume that reminded me of my grandmother, or a food that reminded me of the county fair, but nothing as cool as the one my dad had. But how about you? Do you have any instances where a scent unexpectedly triggered a memory?

And here, for your reading pleasure, my heroine who smells of vanilla, and my hero who smells of sandalwood:

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