Promotion is hard work and I’m here to tell you that there is no surefire way to get your book out there, seen by the public, and then purchased.  But people like Tina-Sue Du Cross at Author Promoting Authors created a unique way to let people get a look at new author’s books.    It’s the same concept as my newsletter and the old Faberge Shampoo commercials.  If you tell two friends, and they tell two friends, and so on, and so on…

Yesterday at Authors Promoting Authors, Living the Vida Lola was featured, so in the spirit of spreading the word and promoting fellow authors, here’s another fellow author and her upcoming release: 

Finding Her Place, by Midnyte Dupree.   

The war is over and Cameron Cabot no longer knows who she is. Her life was enveloped and consumed by the fight, but suddenly things have changed. Instead of fighting creatures wanting her planet, Cameron is now fighting the urge to lay claim to two men who believe she is their mate. Has Cameron found her new assignment in the arms of Noah and Mars?

Yes, if a mischievous little spirit has anything to say about it…

Visit Midnyte Dupree’s Website

Question: When a girl falls in love at age 10, and the man in question gives her confidence in herself that she never knew she had, how can any man after ever compare?  

Answer: No man can.  

Miranda Cheever is a late bloomer, but Nigel Bevelstoke, who much prefers to be called Turner, tells her that she will one day she will be as beautiful as she already is smart.  Right then and there, she falls in love.  Turner tells young Miranda that she should keep a diary, so that one day, she can look back and “realize just how silly little girls like Fiona Bennet are.  And you’ll laugh when you remember that your mother said your legs started at your shoulders.  And maybe you’ll save a little smile for me when you remember the nice chat we had today.”  From that moment on, there ceases to be any other man for her.  But he becomes a Lost Soul.  Can Miranda save him?

Stats:

Turner fell madly in love, and had his heart badly broken, by his wife.  Leticia was unfaithful, and died young and at her funeral is where our heroine, Miranda, and Turner reunite.  Turner’s become cynical and bitter, and no longer believes in love.

The Look:

Turner has a deep voice.  He’s “the most splendid creature” with “marvelously broad” shoulders and a lean and firm body.  His hair is dark and streaked with gold.  But it is his eyes that are stunning.  Bright blue, with a mischievous twinkle.

Leading Lady:

Miranda Cheever is a journaler, thanks to Turner.  It is he who inspired her to pay attention to her thoughts and her dreams, and to record them.  She is smart first, beautiful second, and while she has always loved Turner, she is proud and values herself more than the man she remembers him being.  

But, as in all great romances, it is Miranda who will help Turner rediscover his innocence and his trust in love.  It is Miranda who will show Turner how to love again.  And it is Miranda who will open Turner up to give of himself when he thought he had nothing left to give.

The Final Analysis:

JQ has written another engaging book with a smart and self-realized heroine.  The Secret Diaries of Miranda Cheever is a fun read!  

Question of the Day:

Miranda remembers the put-downs and insults she suffered as a child.  What is your strongest childhood memory?

Holiday Fiction.  I’m a sucker for it, but what I’ve found over the years is that I have a 50/50 shot of liking a Christmas themed book.  I’m not quite sure why that is, but it’s a fact.  Most of them have promise and I want so much to like them.  Many are simply too sugary sweet for me.  And some keep me going all the way to the end [no small feat, since I have a reputation among friends as stopping books midway if I’m not invested].  

This year’s first holiday book was Naughty or Nice by Shelli Browning Erwin.  What attracted me to it was the Greek mythology tie-in.  I’ve always loved mythology, thoroughly enjoyed teaching it to middle schoolers, and think the stories are super entertaining.  So when I read the premise, that Hermes, disguised as a human, falls for a human woman named Bennie St. James, I thought, “Hmmm, intriguing.”

I started the book, and while I didn’t love the heroine, I did enjoy the set up.  Until I realized that Nick Angelos, aka Hermes, isn’t the love interest!  Argh!  There is so much sex between Bennie and Nick, but Josh Brandon is waiting in the wings and you just know that she’s going to end up with Josh, but how in the world can I, the reader, get past all the sex!!!???!!!  

I suppose I did get past it in the end because: a) Josh is a really decent guy; b) Nick uses his Godly powers to sort of psychologically coerce Bennie into the sex by erasing all other rational thoughts from her mind; and c) Josh never asks, Bennie never tells, and, well, it’s a romance and they all live happily ever after.

I was going to do a full blown profile on Josh Brandon, but opted not to since really, there were two heroes in this book.  Nick is heroic in his own self-centered, twisted way, and Josh, bless his heart, thinks he’s so lucky in the end to have won Bennie.   Bennie does have some nice character growth, too, and becomes much more likable at the end of the book.  

Naughty or Nice was a fast read, had great mythological layering brought into the modern world [even a surprise visit from Ares and his killer birds], and had a nice overall holiday spirit.  

Question of the Day:

As a reader, how do you feel about the heroine having sex–a lot of it–with one character, only to end up with another?

Someone said that writers write not because they want to say something, but because they have something to say.  

I’ve tried my hand at literary fiction and I may go back there some day.  I’d love to write that ‘big’ book in women’s fiction, but I don’t feel ready for that right now.  And after watching this clip on wisdom, I think I know why.  First, as Clint Eastwood says in the clip, there’s always something new to learn.  I couldn’t agree more.  At 42, I feel more in tune with what I believe, what I hold conviction for, and what I’m willing and ready to fight for.  At 32, I had no idea.  At 22, forget about it.  As you get older, you do become wiser because you’ve gained experience [as Robert Redford says].  But, at the same time, ala Judi Dench, you’ve got to be silly and not take things too seriously because this is your one shot at life.

Back to the idea of a ‘big’ book or literary fiction.  Eh, it’s not what I’m moved by right now.  At the end of the clip below, several people sum up what life is about, and where wisdom comes from.  In one word.

That’s what romance is about.  It’s what we give, as a gift to our characters.  It’s why we read books that emphasize romance and have that happily ever after.  

I’m so thankful for all the love in my life, the wisdom people have shared with me, and the journey we’re on together.

Watch this clip.  It’s powerful. 

Wisdom Book

or

On You Tube 

Question of the Day:

Did you cry?  I did!