Life Is Expensive...Books Aren't by Jannine Gallant

Life is expensive. Just getting through the month in the black can sometimes be a challenge. For that reason, we all gravitate toward sales and feel like we've scored a victory when we get a great deal. I, for one, am a deal shopper in everything from clothes to groceries. Or maybe I'm just cheap...

Let's take a look at the price of life. It certainly varies from location to location. Homes are a prime example. In the United States, the median cost of a home is $217,000 (I looked it up in case you were wondering). In Tahoe City, the median price is $720,00. No wonder my husband says we have to move if we ever want to retire! Our gas prices here are also ridiculous. Currently, $4.29 per gallon for the cheap stuff. If you live in the South, you pay $2.55 per gallon. I can't even imagine such a windfall at the pump! But, average wages are higher in CA than in a lot of other places. In Tahoe, there is very little unemployment, although work tends to be seasonal. We all have our own set of challenges.

BUT, people everywhere seem to be willing to shell out $3 to $4 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks without batting an eye. And how about greeting cards. I spend 20 minutes scrounging through the shelves for a card that costs $3.50 because I REFUSE to spend $6 on a freaking birthday card!

Then there are books. No matter where you live, books cost the same. And, in general, they're a damn sight cheaper than a birthday card! I honestly get why no one is going to pay $15 for a Print On Demand book by an unknown author. But they'll pay $15 for a digital book by Nora Roberts! FIFTEEN DOLLARS!! I just checked and nearly fainted when I saw the price. And that book, her latest, is currently ranked #18 in romance! But when we price our digital books at $3.99, readers think they're too expensive. FOUR DOLLARS for hours of enjoyment!! A price they routinely shell out for a cup of coffee that will last fifteen minutes, or a birthday card someone will look at for fifteen seconds and then throw away. Yet the book, which will probably take a reader 6ish hours to finish, is too expensive? I just don't get it.

However, I'm game when my publisher puts one of my books on sale. Because if you can't spend 99 cents on a book, you're even cheaper than I am! All my BORN TO BE WILDE books are on sale for the entire month of October for only 99 CENTS!! If you haven't read this series, now is the time to start. Here is the link on AMAZON. Or pull up the links on my WEBSITE to purchase from other retailers. Happy reading!

Fresh Covers for a New Year! by Jannine Gallant

I've mentioned before that my BORN TO BE WILDE series is getting new covers. The old ones had more of a contemporary feel, so they wanted to update them with a suspenseful vibe. My publisher has been teasing me by sharing them one at a time, and I finally got the fourth cover. They are officially changing them out on all the major retail sites this week. Today is day one of the four-day cover reveal. Yippee!

So, here they are! I like the new look. What do you think? Do you have a favorite?

Whether or not the new covers will improve sales remains to be seen. I'm crossing my fingers. If you haven't read them yet, find the buy links on my WEBSITE. Happy New Year, everyone!

Revamping Covers...and Adding a Personal Touch ~ by Jannine Gallant

By now you probably all know Kensington is repackaging (their word) my BORN TO BE WILDE series. I'm still waiting for them to finish the final cover before all four will go live on retail sites. I posted here before about branding, and how they're ditching the couples on my covers to play up a more suspenseful background with a shadowy face. These books haven't sold nearly as well as my WHO'S WATCHING NOW series with their headless, hot men and rustic backgrounds. I have to wonder if the covers have anything to do with it. The books simply don't look like romantic suspense.

So, last week I conducted a poll on Facebook to ask whether readers/authors preferred scenery only to couples on romantic suspense books. One hundred percent of those who responded said they preferred scenery. Alrighty then... If Kensington could repackage one of my series, why couldn't I revamp my self-published suspense series, SECRETS OF RAVENSWOOD, to get rid of the couples? As the idea took hold, I found myself spending way too much time searching iStock Photos for likely cover contenders when I should have been writing.

Determined to jump into this new project and end the hours of fruitless searching, I contacted our very own Alison Henderson, who had created the original covers. She was game. Yippee! We threw ideas back and forth, trying to find three images that conveyed the essence of the stories, had a suspenseful vibe, and also looked right together. The cover image I'd chosen for SHE'LL NEVER REST was very cool on it's own, but didn't mesh with the other two. None of the other graveyard images (this book has a bit of a ghost story in it) thrilled me. However, I'd taken a picture of a tiny, deserted graveyard in my old hometown of Gasquet a couple years ago. Why not use it for my book? Holding my breath, I sent it to Alison. She thought it would work. Double yippee! She had to do some editing on the lighting to get the right effect, but we were both pleased with the finished product.

I can't tell you how fun it is to have a place I've hiked to a gazillion times, one that brings back great childhood memories of riding my bike through the woods, as a cover for one of my books. For those of you who have creative license when it comes to book covers, you might consider using something with a personal connection.

And now...drum roll...check out the results of my hours of photo browsing and Alison's editing genius. I can't thank her enough for turning my wishy-washy vision into stunning, professional covers! I love them all!

Three girls witness a murder and vow never to tell what they saw. But when the body turns up years later, the killer may silence them…for good. Buy it now on Amazon.

When a genealogist is hired to research the Nash family tree, will she find love with her employer's grandson...or will the past come back to haunt them? Buy it now on Amazon.

Will two people with tragedy and secrets in their pasts find happiness...or will a threat neither anticipated jeopardize everything they hold dear? Buy it now on Amazon.

FYI, I've lowered the price on the first book in the series, WE'LL NEVER TELL, to .99 cents. These are novella length, standalone stories featuring three childhood friends, the men they love, and a mountain town filled with secrets. Both the romance and the suspense should keep you turning those pages!

So, what do you think? Did Alison and I do a great job? Do these covers shout romantic suspense?

New Book Covers and Branding by Jannine Gallant

A few months ago, I received the cover for the first book in my new SIREN COVE series, releasing in 2018. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I got the cover for the second book. They're all scenery and have a suspenseful vibe. I've been given permission to share, so...tada!!

What do you think? I love them! Not long after the first cover was finished, my editor emailed me to say they were giving my BORN TO BE WILDE series a new look. Everyone at Kensington loved the cover for BURIED TRUTH so much, they wanted a do-over for the current series.

I know lots of self-published authors who've gone through multiple incarnations of a book cover, making it more professional and going for a different look. But usually with a publisher, we only get one shot at a cover. So, why is my series being repackaged? The original covers are professional and eye-catching. They feature an attractive couple. They're upbeat. Romantic. Cheerful! I always thought they better suited contemporary romance than romantic suspense, even though they accurately reflect the story. They capture the content but not the mood.

I think there's more to this than going for a suspenseful look. I've always wondered about the mystery of author branding. I never could quite grasp the concept, but with these new covers, I'm beginning to see the light. Kensington is feeling their way with me, finding my specific niche in their company. My brand. I write suspenseful stories where rugged, outdoor settings are a focus of the plot. They're repackaging my books to give me an identifiable look. Currently, only the first two covers are finished. Until all four are available, the old covers remain up on retail sites. I'm giving you all a sneak peek to make my point!

I love this new look, this brand they're giving me. So here they are, the old...

And the new...

What do you think? For those of you who read my books, does this look more like me? I hope one day readers will pick up my books and identify me by the covers the way we do authors who have a brand we know well. For now, I feel like I've found my niche in the world of romantic suspense.

The final two books will get their face lift soon. Stay tuned... And if you haven't started this series yet, read WILDE ONE...with the old cover. Get your copy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, or KOBO now. Or, pre-order BURIED TRUTH. The buy link is on my website. Happy reading!

When Your "Adult" Children Come Home by Jannine Gallant

Younger (Kristen) and Older (Tara)

Summer break is here. College kids are streaming home in droves...including mine. I'm noticing an interesting change in dynamics around the house. First on the list--grocery shopping. We're constantly running out of food because I've apparently forgotten how much my twenty-year-old daughter eats! Approximately three times what her eighteen-year-old sister, finishing up her senior year, consumes. Tara races in triathlons and is still in training, so she has some excuse, but still! Then there's the added laundry. The girl is also twice as dirty as her sister...probably from all that running and biking and swimming. Yes, I'm a sucker and wash it, but then I dump it in her room. My generosity doesn't extend to folding. I've also noticed a difference in my expectations. I text my younger daughter to see where she is, what she's doing, when she'll be home, etc. etc. I actually don't do that with the older one. Since I'm pretty sure I have almost no idea what she's up to 90% of the time while she's at college, I probably don't need to micro-manage her summer. And I'm okay with that. Shocking! Finally, she actually put gas in the car without me asking AND PAID FOR IT HERSELF. An unheard-of sign of adulthood. My younger one would never dream of gassing up the car. She gives it back when the little tank light is flashing imminent destruction. Maybe one of these days...

As you all may remember, I have a new release available now. WILDE HORSES wraps up the BORN TO BE WILDE series. This is Eden's story, the youngest Wilde sibling. Eden lives at home, with her parents, at age 26! But you have to cut her some slack since she helps run the family ranch. Still, there are a few awkward moments when an extremely hot, charming, and irresistible movie star arrives on the scene. Parents will always be parents!

So, how's your summer shaping up? Any big changes on the horizon? If you need some fun summer reading, pick up a copy of WILDE HORSES at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Apple. Happy reading!

WILDE HORSES ~ Last in a Series by Jannine Gallant

WILDE HORSES, my 4th and final book in the BORN TO BE WILDE series releases on May 23rd. I'm excited, of course, but also a little sad. It's tough saying good-bye to the Wilde family after spending a couple of years with them, writing their stories. I always have that bit of nostalgia when I end a series. Am I the only oddball who feels this way? As a writer, do you miss your characters? If you're a reader, do you hate to see a series end?

To get you in the mood for WILDE HORSES, here's an excerpt. I'll call this one movie star meets cowgirl...

     Movement caught his attention as a small figure exited the side door of the barn. Wavy dark hair cascaded from beneath a tan cowboy hat. When she turned to face the collection of vehicles, the curves beneath a pink, short-sleeved shirt revealed a petite woman, not the young girl he’d imagined when her brothers talked about their little sister. Jeans hugged slim hips, and her boots crunched gravel in a no-nonsense stride as she headed his way. The frown that drew dark brows together over deep blue eyes made it clear she was less than thrilled by their presence.

     With nothing else to occupy his attention, curiosity got the better of him, and Blake strolled out to meet her. Her steps slowed as she met his gaze, and a round O shaped pink lips before she pressed them together.

     He held out a hand. “I’m Blake Benedict.”

     After a moment, she gripped his palm for a brief shake. “Eden Wilde. My family owns this ranch.”

     “Nice to meet you. The spread is beautiful, exactly the way Sawyer described it. I’m glad the producers chose it for our location shots.”

     She pointed toward the pasture. “Is there any way your people could make a little less noise with that equipment? Those horses are nervous enough without all the clamor.”

     Gorgeous and spunky. Her wide blue eyes held not one hint of starstruck reverence. A refreshing change.

     “I suppose I can ask them to keep it down.” Blake couldn’t hold back a grin as he tried to remember the last time someone had ordered him off on a menial errand. “Once the staging area is set up, I’m sure it’ll get a little quieter.”

     Behind them, a generator fired up with a roar. Out in the pasture, the assortment of scraggly horses kicked up their heels and ran.

     Those amazing eyes narrowed. “Are you kidding me?”

     He glanced over his shoulder. “Sounds like that’s coming from the food truck. They have to keep their refrigeration system going…” His voice trailed off as she silently mouthed a single obscenity.

     Maybe spunky wasn’t the right word. More like unabashedly brazen.

     “I knew this was a horrible idea.” The muttered words were audible, even over the din.

     “I’m afraid the buses all have generators, too. Uh, the noise shouldn’t be too bad from the house. I’m pretty sure that’s why the crew chose this spot for our base camp.”

     Eden closed her eyes and pressed fingers to her temples. He’d almost swear she was counting beneath her breath.

     “I guess I’ll have to move my horses to a different pasture.” Spinning on the heel of one leather boot, she stomped away.

     “Wow.” His slow smile grew with each determined step she took. When she disappeared around the corner of the barn, Blake headed back to his bus, which would be his home away from home for the next month. After opening the storage bin beneath it, he pulled out a lawn chair he carried toward the pasture, then set it up facing the mountains some distance to the west. Taking a seat, he let out a sigh. Maybe the wide-open spaces would help him clear his head. Lately, responsibilities and obligations tugged at him from every direction. He needed time to simply chill.

     And if a dark-haired spitfire added entertainment value, so be it.

Blurb:

The Wilde brothers may be attracted to all things fast and furious. But their spirited sister can’t be tamed when it comes to matters of the heart . . .

The beautiful vistas and peace and quiet on her family’s Wyoming ranch are a balm for Eden Wilde’s soul—and inspire a gentle touch when it comes to breaking the wild horses she loves. Though there’s no hope on the breathtaking horizon for her love life. Until her sanctuary is invaded by a movie studio shooting their latest blockbuster starring Hollywood’s man of the moment.

After a personal tragedy plays out in his real life, movie star Blake Benedict finds himself falling for the wide-open spaces and easy going pace of Wyoming—and for Eden. Around her, he feels safe shedding his public persona and letting down his guard. But then accidents begin to happen on set, mishaps that could end Blake’s career—or his life. And Eden will be forced out of her comfort zone to save the Hollywood hero from an enemy he never saw coming . . .

Pre-order WILDE HORSES now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, KOBO. Check out my website for info on my other BORN TO BE WILDE titles. Happy reading!

The Mysteries of Book Sales... by Jannine Gallant

So, Sunday was Easter, a great day to spend time with family and relax. No one buys books on holidays, right? Or do they... Enter the Twilight Zone where WILDE THING started selling like crazy and was ranked in the 6,000 range by late afternoon when people should have been carving their dinner ham. I was stumped.

Let's back up a bit. WILDE THING released in late February. It's been on sale for .99 cents for a couple of weeks now. Sales have been slow but steady on Amazon at one or two per day. Almost no action on Barnes & Noble, but suddenly WT is ranked at #292 overall? So why in the world would it suddenly go on a terrific sales streak? No reason I could imagine. Of course I checked BookBub just in case my pub forgot to tell me it was up there. It wasn't. I did a google search and came up with nothing new that I could find. Mind you, my other books in the series also were doing pretty well, but WT seemed to be the leader of the pack. And the books in my older series were also selling better than normal. Go figure.

Monday morning rolled around, and the ranking had gone up some but was still under 10,000. I immediately emailed my editor's assistant to ask what fabulous promo they used over the weekend to get these terrific results. My plan was to share it with you. What a great, helpful post as a side note to all Alison's wonderful info on Amazon ads, right?

His answer...nothing. Are you kidding me? There went the post I'd planned... But I decided to write about my experience anyway. I have no idea what prompted this boost in sales. According to Kensington, it just happened. I'll take it. Maybe some old promo got it moving, and a domino effect occurred. I guess the moral here is to keep trying to get the word out. Sometimes when you least expect it, something works. Oh, and if I hear back that they actually did DO something, I'll let you know. In the meantime, nearly all my books are on sale right now for either .99 cents or $1.99. Who knows for how long. I'm obviously out of the info loop! LOL Here's the link to my page at Amazon if you're interested in a rocking deal.

Happy reading!

Book Sales...a Good Idea or Not? by Jannine Gallant

I just got my statement and check from Kensington for my 4th Quarter 2016 sales. As of the end of 2016, I had five titles available through Kensington's Lyrical Press. This was also the first quarter in a while I didn't have a BookBub ad, so all sales were pretty much organic without that giant boost. And, I had two new releases, one the very end of September (so it didn't get any representation in the 3rd Quarter) and one the end of October. After some intense scrutiny and number crunching, I thought I'd share my insights on sale books with all of you.

First of all, for those of you who are curious about the benefits of BookBub, here are some figures for a book that released over a year ago. Every Step She Takes released in July of 2015. in July of 2016, it was featured on BookBub for .99 cents. I actually made it into the top 100 overall on Amazon for one day during that period. Total sales of this book for the 3rd Quarter were 3,541 copies. By contrast, total sales for this book the 4th Quarter were 468. I think the value of BookBub speaks for itself. I don't know of any other site that can produce those types of numbers.

So, in the 4th Quarter, my pub put several of my books on sale, trying to stir up interest. The thing with sale books is you don't make a whole lot off of them because Amazon gives the publisher 35% of the total for a .99 cent book vs. 70% for a book priced at $2.99 or higher. The author share of a .99 cent book with a publisher taking their standard 60% is about .14 cents. My ex-agent gets her 15%, so I make .12 cents. Those who are self published would make .34 cents. On a $2.99 book, I make .71 cents, so 6 times as much on a non-sale book. You might ask yourself why anyone would ever sell their book for .99 cents at those prices. Good question. Answer to follow so keep reading!

Remember those two brand new releases in my Born to Be Wilde series? In 2016, neither of them were on sale, and both sold for 3.99. The results were pretty pathetic... 270 sales for Wilde One, and 222 sales for Wilde Side. During this same time, my oldest book with Kensington, Every Move She Makes was on sale for over a month. The result...it sold 662 copies. This book released in March of 2015 and has been on a ton of sales including BookBub, yet it still outsold the brand new releases by 300%! As for actual profits, royalties for every one of my five books were within a $30 differential despite a huge swing in total sales. But, those sale books have an intrinsic value as a promotional device. I estimate that at least 1 in every 3 people who buy the sale book will pay full price for the other books in the series. Those would have been lost sales without the .99 cent book.

You're probably sick of the math lesson by now, but my conclusion is sale price books do help boost your overall sales, both in numbers and $$. So, even if you think you're making pennies off each one (which you are), in the long run, it pays off.

I hope you found all this helpful if you're considering putting your own books on sale. As for my books, right now all three Wilde books are on sale. WILDE ONE and WILDE THING are 99 cents, and WILDE SIDE is $1.99. The sale on Wilde One is supposed to end today, so grab it while you can. I'll be very interested to see what these sales do for my 1st Quarter 2017 figures. I'll report back in a few months! Just click on the titles to go to the Amazon buy links. Happy reading!

Fluff vs. Substance? by Jannine Gallant

So, I may have mentioned a time or two that I have a new release coming out at the end of the month. WILDE THING is book three in my BORN TO BE WILDE series. This series is fun, romantic, and adventure packed with a side of suspense. My readers seem to like all these qualities. However, I did something a little different with this book. Sure, it has all of the above, but I also introduced the controversial topic of child abuse. Not in a huge, take-over-the-story sort of way. But the more I asked myself why my heroine had certain problems, the more I knew I needed to give her a backstory with a darker underbelly. Reviews on Goodreads have been trickling in from ARCs received through NetGalley, and the results are mixed.

Don't get me wrong. In general, I've had a lot of "another great book in this series" reviews. But I've noticed a scattering of three and four stars mixed with the fives, and the complaints seem to have a common theme. I made readers uncomfortable. They said I could have wrapped up the book without introducing that particular topic. One went so far as to mention she understood why I did it, but she still wished it hadn't been included. I've got to tell you, I like reviewers who are so honest and detailed about their problems with a book. This particular reviewer had given WILDE ONE and WILDE SIDE both five star reviews. She gave WILDE THING four stars and said she couldn't wait for WILDE HORSES to release. So, I learned something.

Uncomfortable topics may turn off some readers. Is this just because they didn't expect it after reading the first two books in the series? Or, do some readers just want a world where ugliness doesn't exist and where the hero and heroine are perfect. I also got a few complaints that my hero was a player (even though he redeems himself in the end), and they didn't like that. That particular criticism also leads me to believe flawed characters aren't always appreciated. Based on the reviewer who is eagerly anticipating WILDE HORSES, my transgressions aren't going to alienate devoted followers. But, I am wondering about my next series which delves into some pretty dark suspense. I guess we'll wait and see.

So, my question to you: As a reader, do you prefer to enjoy light romance untarnished by uncomfortable reality? Honestly, there's not a thing wrong with that. I'll admit I won't read a book where I know someone I've invested hours of my time getting to know is going to die. So, yeah, I fall in the don't-disturb-me-with-reality camp on that topic. In addition, do you appreciate characters who have flaws, or do you love perfect heroes? Inquiring minds want to know!

If I've tweaked your curiosity and you can't wait to see what WILDE THING is all about, pre-order it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iTunes, or KOBO. It releases on February 28th. Thanks for stopping by!

The Joys of Pioneer Life...NOT by Jannine Gallant

My work area to make dinner.

I always thought I was born in the wrong era, that I should have been a pioneer conquering the West. I was a history major, and that time period always fascinated me. Let me tell you...I was wrong.

Our street after the cutter came through. The berms are taller than me.

We had a massive series of storms move through Tahoe last week that took out power to the entire region. We went through a 31 hour stretch without power then had power for a day before it went out again. 45 hours of no power for the next stretch. We had one blissful evening of light and internet before it went out yet again...and stayed out. As I'm typing this, I'm at work in the main PUD offices, which have been set up as a Red Cross warming zone. Since the rec center I normally work at on weekends is in my neighborhood and powerless, they decided to send me over here to make myself useful. Yea, power and internet for my six hour shift before I go home to the dark zone... Have I mentioned cell reception in my house sucks. Yeah, one bar if I put my phone in the right spot by the dining room window. So, I'm truly cut off from the world!

Even Ginger isn't thrilled since the snow is so deep in the woods we have to walk on the street.

I took Ginger for a walk this morning and found the crux of my problems for this most recent outage. A tree fell, taking out power lines in our neighborhood. There's a wad of tangled wires on the ground with caution tape blocking that section of the street. Oh joy. No one was working on it, and I have a feeling we're low on their priority totem pole. We're 2 days into this most recent stretch of no power and counting. I can only hope it'll all be over by the time this posts on the 18th.

Our driveway after I got the car shoveled out.

So, the moral of my story is...being a pioneer wasn't a whole lot of fun. Or maybe we're just spoiled. By the way, WILDE ONE is on sale for 99 cents all month. So, if you haven't started my BORN TO BE WILDE series, now's a great time to do it! Available on AMAZON or find additional buy links on my WEBSITE.

Have a great day filled with light and internet connectivity!

Feeling a Little Panicked by Jannine Gallant

I've never been one to doubt my skill as a writer. Other authors share their angst--feelings of not being good enough, worry that people won't like their books, fear the ideas will run dry, etc. etc. I can empathize but not really relate. I've always been very confident about my craft...or maybe delusional is a better word... But all of a sudden, I'm having self-doubts. I think it's that mass market paperback contract and the advance I have to earn back. I don't have a huge following. Why would a romance reader standing in the aisle of a Barnes and Noble pick my book out of the many familiar authors on display? I'm jittery just thinking about it...and I'm only on my second cup of coffee. Plus, this is a new line of books for Kensington, and I'm one of their guinea pigs, uh, I mean launch authors. So, I don't even have a familiar little emblem on the spine to draw loyal readers.

So, what do I have going for me? What will make that reader reach for my book? The first thought to pop into my head--the cover. My editor tells me they're working on it now, even though the book won't release until 2018. I've shared my ideas for a concept. Who the heck knows what I'll get, but it won't be a half-naked man. This is romantic suspense, and their focus will be on a suspenseful cover. I love scenery covers, but my greatest fear is you MUST HAVE name recognition for scenery covers to work for you. People don't know me from Adam.

Oh, and on the cover note...my editor also told me they need an author photo on the inside back cover. When I mentioned this to my daughter, she stared at me in horror. "Please don't tell me you're going to use the one you have up on Facebook?" So, I made a panicked phone call to get my hair cut (it's been a year and looks like hell) and another to the photographer who took both my daughters' senior pictures. She's pure magic, but I seriously doubt I'm going to look as awesome as my gorgeous, skinny, young girls. No one is that good... Then I stood in my closet for an hour wondering why I own nothing that will make me look like a best selling author...hey, appearances count, right? Anyway, the photographer is squeezing me in later today, so please hope for the best.

Back to my angst...I'm currently writing the last chapter of the first book in my SIREN COVE series. For the first time in, well, EVER, I'm wondering if the book will work. They wanted traditional romantic suspense, and I aim to please. I've got a very dark undertone to the suspense, plus a secondary mystery with a creative twist. I've tried to tie it all together and think...hope...pray...I've succeeded. But I'm worried. Will new readers (the one's who're going to pick up my book despite the fact there's no naked man on the cover) keep flipping those pages to see what happens...or are they going to find the plot too convoluted? I'm hyperventilating just thinking about it. Is this book clever...or did I try too hard? I guess I'll find out.

We all have a safety zone, and I'm out of mine. What about you? Do you freak out over new and different or take it in stride? Or do you stay with what's familiar and comfortable and doesn't give you an ulcer?

The first two books in my current series, BORN TO BE WILDE, are available now. People seem to like them, but I could use more reviews...just saying. All buy links are on my website. Or, click on the covers to go straight to Amazon. Happy reading!

Hero Meets Dog by Jannine Gallant

So, after fifteen books, you may have noticed I put a dog in every single one of them. Some dogs play a greater role than others, but they are each unique in their own way. My purpose, other than feeling like it's sort of a trademark at this point, is too add an extra touch of humanity to my characters--because a hero who relates to an animal has to be loveable, right? Oh, and a little comic relief. Most of my canine characters are pretty funny. Wilde One is no different, although I'd have to say hero-meets-dog happens in a pretty unique way. Here's the excerpt.

A big rig thundered by, and Ainslee let out a squeal. But when the Mack truck passed, the dog—if the damned animal was a dog and not a big rat—was still cowering in the slow lane. She leaped out of the car.

“Holy crap!” Griff shoved open his door then slammed it. “No, Ainslee. Stay back. I’ll grab him.”

Horn blaring, a white pickup barreled nearer. Sprinting forward, Griff dashed out into the freeway to scoop the quivering bundle off the pavement. Brakes screeched, but he made it to the edge of the road with a foot or two to spare. The animal in his hand growled.

Griff’s gaze clashed with terrified brown eyes. “Don’t think about biting me.”

Jogging back to the SUV, he handed the tiny critter to Ainslee. Remarkably, it didn’t make any threatening noises at her. Cradling the dog against her chest, she climbed into the car. After running around the rear of the vehicle, he opened the driver’s door and slipped inside then waited for a string of cars to pass before pulling back onto the freeway. They’d gone at least a mile before his heart stopped pounding.

“It’s okay, baby. You’re safe.”

Baby? Oh, she’s talking to the damned dog.

“God, I must be crazy. That truck almost killed me.”

“Thank you, Griff. It would have broken my heart to see this sweet boy get squashed.”

           He noticed she didn’t mention the state of her heart if he’d been turned into a grease spot by oncoming traffic.

So, what do you think? Is Griff hero-worthy for risking life and limb for a miniature pup? Do you like your romance with a side of doggy humor?

Here's my own personal canine comedian...Ginger.

You can pick up your copy of Wilde One at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, or KOBO to see how it all turns out for Griff and Ainslee. Find more info on all my books on my website. Happy reading!

WILDE ONE ~ Making Its Debut! by Jannine Gallant

Sometimes I think we write our books and then practically forget what they're about by the time release day rolls around. At this point, I've finished all four books in my Born To Be Wilde series, and I'm hard at work on book one in a new series. So, finding excerpts to post on blogs became a bit of an effort. Back when I was working on edits for Wilde One and thinking to myself, "Gee, this would be a terrific scene to use for promotion!" I should have had the foresight to actually write it down. Alas, I'm afraid I'm not that organized. On the upside, now I have the job of scrolling through my book, hunting for enticing scenes. And guess what? I actually still like my book! Always a positive when I recall never wanting to see it again after my final round of edits...

So, I picked out an excerpt I hope you'll enjoy. Griff and Ainslee have had a fight, and it's makeup time...sort of. Tell me what you think. If you're an author, do you have the same memory lapse issues I do? Or is that just me...

     He tugged her closer, close enough to smell the floral scent of her shampoo. Close enough to want to do more than run his thumbs up and down the smooth skin of her arms. “Hey, it works both ways, you know. If you ditch me, I’m not going to be too happy, either.”

     “Somehow, I don’t think you’d lose a lot of sleep over it.”

     “Then you’d be wrong. I lied earlier. I’m half dead on my feet from staying awake all night after our fight. Still, I’d rather be here with you than getting eight solid hours in a room full of Gage’s trophies.”

     She smiled. “Peyton’s trophies.”

     “Whoever. The point is, I like hanging out with you.” Another tug brought her up against his chest. “I like kissing you even more.” Cupping her face in his hands, he lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss warmed him clear to his bare toes. When she responded with enthusiasm, including tongue, the warmth increased to a slow burn.

     “Griff?”

     He kissed her again then ran his lips along the side of her jaw. “Hmm?”

     “We’re making out in a field full of cow pies.” Her breath came in a gasp as he licked her ear. “You know this isn’t going any further, right?”

     “I don’t care. I’m good with just holding you. It isn’t always about sex.”

     “Speak for yourself.”

     He threw back his head on a laugh just as something whizzed past his cheek to hit the fencepost with a hard thud.

     Grabbing Ainslee, he threw her to the ground and dropped on top of her. The flashlight flew out of her hand and landed with a thump before going out. From somewhere nearby Rocky yelped.

     “Griff?”

     “Son of a bitch!”

     “What happened?” Her voice was a squeak.

     “Someone shot at us. Again.”

Thanks for reading. For more information on my books, visit my website. You can get your copy of Wilde One at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, or KOBO. Happy reading!

Almost Here ~ New Series Nerves! by Jannine Gallant

Seeing all our book babies roll out is always exciting, but the launch of a new series doubles the anticipation. Will readers like these new characters they'll be seeing for the next four books? Will they welcome the concept of the new series or be disappointed it isn't the same as the last one? Changing up your MO is always a bit of a risk. Readers have expectations, and when authors deviate from those standards, we risk pissing off our reading public. That certainly goes for hopping between genres, but even differentials within the sub-genre can add uncertainty.

The first book in my new BORN TO BE WILDE series releases on September 27th. I can't wait because I loved, loved, loved writing WILDE ONE. My Who's Watching Now series has sold pretty well, and it's fairly typical of its genre. The bad guys are really bad. The threat to the heroine is ongoing and deadly. Readers like and expect that in a romantic suspense. This new series has more adventure added. Yes, there are still bad guys who turn out to be really nasty, but the threat throughout the book isn't the main focus. These characters are caught up in really fun (for the reader) adventures on their way to their HEA. Take WILDE ONE, which features a cross country treasure hunt. Griff and Ainslee have to solve a series of tough riddles leading to the next clue that will eventually lead to a treasure. At the same time, they have to beat the other contestants, one of whom will do whatever it takes to stop them. But, the focus is more on their developing relationship along the journey that the villain's antics.

In other words, this isn't traditional romantic suspense. Will the new series sell well? Boy, I hope so! I'm holding my breath, praying readers will embrace the fun along with the suspense. So far, NetGalley reviews have been positive, but I'm still anxious. So, if you want to try something a little different in romantic suspense, WILDE ONE is available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, and KOBO. Have it waiting on your reader on September 27th, and then you can tell me if my edgy concept hit one out of the park. Or not.

The Wilde brothers have one thing in common—a thirst for adventure. But Griff Wilde is about to be taken on the ride of his life . . . 
 
When Griff Wilde receives a letter from a dead man sending him on a race to find a mysterious treasure, he’s not worried about the competition. After all, salvaging sunken treasure is what he was born to do. But the riddles leading to the clues are a little trickier than he anticipated . . .
 
Ainslee Fontaine is ready for a change. A cross-country scavenger hunt sounds like a piece of cake after teaching in New York City. How hard could it be? For starters, travelling alone seems to have its hidden dangers, like real-life treasure hunters who ignite her deepest passions. But there’s still a hidden prize to find—unless someone stops them by any means necessary . . .

The Good and the Bad of Summer by Jannine Gallant

There's a lot to love about summer. Our oldest is home from college, and it's nice to have her around again. The youngest is no longer counting the days until school gets out... But both girls in short doses is better for everyone concerned, so it's good they have summer jobs.

Walks in the woods with Ginger are amazing. Flowers are blooming like crazy, and the creek is flowing after a decent winter. All good, very good.

Fire danger is extreme. Bad, very bad. There's a forest fire burning down near Auburn, which is 100 miles away from Tahoe, but I can still smell the smoke. Ugh. Crossing my fingers we survive the summer...

Then there's the road construction. Yep, the bane of summer. I'm on a first name basis with the flag woman at the bottom of my street. There are two long stretches of construction, complete with guide cars, on the West Shore in the three miles between our house and town. They work mostly at night, which would be great if I didn't have to be at work at 5am. Whine. Whine Whine. Road work gets a big, fat BAD.

On the writing front, the good news is I finished my final round of edits on Book 3 in the Born To Be Wilde series. Yipee! The bad news is, my editor sent me the galley to proof TWO HOURS later. Not even a single day off. Sigh. Does anyone else completely despise reading their own book for the millionth time? Surely I'm not alone on this one.

So, let's hear it. What do you love and hate about summer?

Oh, more good news. Every Move She Makes is still 99 cents. The bad news is, tomorrow is the final day of the sale. So, it's now or never to get this one at a rockin' deal, peeps! Buy it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Or, check out my website for info on all my books.

Happy reading!

How to Creatively Stalk, Maim and Murder by Jannine Gallant

With a title like that, I'm sure I'm now on some government watch list...LOL But seriously, people, when you write romantic suspense, the well of creative options to do away with the protagonists begins to run a little dry after a while. Especially when you write series. You can't have stalker #2 use the same old methods as stalker #1. And by the time I get to stalker #3, my brain feels like cold oatmeal...and my ideas are just about as appetizing.

My latest release, EVERY VOW SHE BREAKS, is the third in the series. In the first book, my stalker was fairly traditional in a creepy watching from the shadows sort of way with a couple of attempts to grab the heroine and a kidnapping to round things out. In the second book, my villain was an assassin with a personal vendetta against the heroine. Point and shoot was his motto. But his twisted mind added a whole new level of creepiness... Then came the third book. What to do, what to do? The villain believed the heroine broke a promise to marry him, so he became my wedding stalker. He leaves her weird wedding paraphernalia. Party favors. Wedding decorations. Cake toppers. Honeymoon lingerie. Until frustration takes his game to a whole new level of scary... But I'll let you read the book to see what he does next.

The point is, new and creative ideas are hard. I'm currently writing the fourth and final book in my BORN TO BE WILDE series. In the pursuit of endless torture through three books, I've used the obvious (gun shots, poisoning, and cut break lines) and the dramatic (drowning, a fall from a cliff, and a downed private jet) and the increasingly creative (buried live power line and iced over steps). With book four, I've been feeling a little desperate because the goal so far has been to injure, not kill. I came up with a chisel hidden in the hay where my hero actor was literally rolling during a love scene. Then there was the shard of glass under his horse's saddle, and next... I wanted something disfiguring. The creative well of ideas had run dry. I asked my CP. Sorry, Margo, but you weren't any help. I gave up on my sketchy outline and wrote "Attempted disfigurement." Then I wrote right up until the scene needed to take place and added some stalling filler, then had my hero go take a shower... Light bulb! The villain put drain cleaner in his shampoo bottle. Good thing my hero dropped it and spilled it on his foot before he poured it over his head. Whew! What a relief! Mind you, I still have one more mayhem scene (attempted murder this time) to come up with for this book. I want something intended for the heroine that happens to the hero instead. On a movie set would be a bonus. Go ahead...make my day. Give me an idea. LOL It has to be creative, though.

So, what's the most interesting way your bad guy has tortured your hero or heroine? Maybe I'll steal your ideas. Kidding! Sort of...

To find out what the wedding stalker's final move is in EVERY VOW SHE BREAKS, buy your copy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Apple. Visit me at my Website.

Book Covers...or...That Feeling You Get by Jannine Gallant

The big morning arrives. You haven't even finished your first cup of coffee when you open your email and discover the one you've been waiting for is in the queue... You know, THE ONE. A jpeg for your new book cover accompanied by an email telling you it's your FINAL cover and can't be changed unless they spelled your name wrong, and even then, they might just let it go... Nerves flutter. Your stomach tightens. Still, you're beside yourself with excitement. Your finger hovers over the button to pull up the image while you say a little prayer...

We've all been there...unless we create our own covers or have a heck of a lot to say about the cover images chosen. With Kensington, they ask for info on the book, a description of my H&H and my ideas for the cover. After that it's out of my hands. For my Who's Watching Now series, I got similar covers with attractive backgrounds close enough to work for each story, and hot, headless guys. Even though my heroes had never worn tank tops in their lives, I decided I was okay with all those muscles showing. At this point in my career, I'd rather sell books than have total accuracy in my cover images. Also, though some readers aren't fans of headless heroes, you can't pick the wrong model if you can't see his face!


I was on edge waiting for my first cover in my Born To Be Wilde series. I knew the concept would be repeated for all four books, so it was nerve wracking! The email came, and I was in LOVE! The hero and heroine of Wilde One looked EXACTLY how I pictured them (except for the ubiquitous tank top) with the perfect background. Whew...huge relief. Since the first two books will be back-to-back releases, my cover for Wilde Side followed close behind. I stared. I swallowed. My stomach dropped. But, but, that wasn't how I pictured my hero and heroine. She had on too much makeup, and he had weird, trendy hair and a too-intense expression. But the background was spectacular. Always a plus. Maybe my expectations were too high. The cover worked, but it wasn't...perfect. I am, however, getting used to it. Maybe trendy hero hair will attract a younger audience. Just because I'm not a big fan of makeup doesn't mean readers will find anything wrong with my heroine and her fake lashes. LOL


So, do the strong mind pictures we have of our characters set us up for failure when it comes to covers? Have you received covers you either loved or hated? What do you think of mine? Will they sell books? After all, that's the cover's number one job. Pleasing the author is just a bonus!


To pre-order Wilde One or Wilde Side, just click on the titles above! Check out my other books on my WEBSITE.