Sharing the Love: And Oh What A Party It Was by Margo Hoornstra

My second ever major book promotion tour is now history – and what a party it was.

While my first campaign was a blog tour solo effort, this one I did with some of my author friends and their titles. Lonely Road to You by Jannine Gallant; Promises, Promises by Silver James; Something More by Keena Kincaid; Embraceable You by Kat Henry Doran and To Be, Or Not by yours truly.

Albeit virtual in nature, the idea was to draw attention to the Class of ’85 series published through the Last Rose of Summer line of The Wild Rose Press. Five of us who authored multiple Class of ’85 books each gave one of them away all day on February 2, 14 and 15 through the Amazon KDP Select. Our plan was to use all social media available to us including a blog network, Facebook and Twitter to get the word out.

With a twenty-fifth high school reunion set in a fictional town in upstate New York as the base, over twenty inter-related Class of ’85 stories were the result. When our series first came out in 2011, and we heard from those who had discovered various Class of ’85 titles, the reactions were favorable. Most said they loved our characters and our stories and were going to find and read each and every one.

Music to our collective ears but, as with most books, especially in romance, the novelty of older titles wears off quickly when newer titles emerge to take their place. Add to that dilemma, few people had discovered us in the first place. That was until our Five Free Titles promo blitz.

After the party we threw, they certainly know us now.

Sharing the Love: One Way to Look at Writing a Book by Margo Hoornstra

“If I don’t make a dime on this book, that’s okay, because I truly enjoyed the process.”

That was me about four years ago as I gazed down at my first published novel, Honorable Intentions.

I wasn’t lying, I had a good time writing that book every step of the way.

Who wouldn't love the magic that happens when you combine the concepts of what if and why not.

Or the germ of an idea as it becomes the pages of a first draft.

The reconsiderations and rewrites as characters develop pasts and personalities.

The suggestions of critique partners and editors who see possibilities I never would have imagined.

The value of their fresh eyes on a manuscript I’d read over and over and over again was invaluable. They caught everything from typing mistakes to erroneous descriptions. (The hero’s eyes were brown when he was introduced then somehow turned to green later on.) To incomplete story arcs. (The heroine had issues with her father that needed to be resolved.)

And my work was made better as a result.

What I really enjoyed were the occasional and coveted WOW! comments from an editor who had read and re-read my many, many writes and re-writes as we neared the finish line.

Receiving the jpg file of cover art is another kick. A combination of my descriptions and the artist’s skill.

And that wonderful experience of the book going ‘live’ as it’s introduced and available for public consumption.

Yes, sir, I certainly did enjoy the process of writing my first book. But, now that I have three more books published for the Class of '85 series, one contracted and soon to be released for a new Dearly Beloved series and with more in the works, getting a dime or two for all that effort would be nice.

And on that note, a gentle reminder: Join me and four other authors - Jannine Gallant, Keena Kincaid, Kat Henry Doran and Silver James - who are Sharing the Love with FREE DAYS for our Class of ’85 reunion series books, February 14 and 15 exclusively on Amazon KDP Select. So mark your calendars and join us over at Amazon on those days. Check out my blog for the links.

By the way, my contribution is To Be, Or Not.

Hope to see you there.

MY WEBSITE

MY BLOG

Breathing New Life into an Old Series with FIVE FREE BOOKS by Jannine Gallant

The tendency of people to live for the moment then move on to the next new thing makes me nuts. We publish our books, promote like crazy for a month or two, bask in a few weeks of decent sales - then watch our babies fall off the face of the publishing cliff into a wasteland of old releases that have had their brief moment of glory. Many of these books were barely a blip on the radar screen of buyers. The Class of '85 Series with The Wild Rose Press falls into this category. These are terrific stories with a reunion theme written by talented authors. But for some reason, few people (except me LOL) bought them. I can attest to the fact that they're all winners.

So, I put on my thinking cap. I have three books in this series. Four other authors also have multiple books published with the Class of '85. Maybe as a group, we could make something happen. So I approached the authors and our marketing guru at TWRP with a proposal. We each offer one book in the series for free and hope that people will buy the others. After a little shuffling to follow the rules we came up with a plan. Five books from the Class of '85 will be offered on KDP Select exclusively through Amazon. This means free days to use for promotion! And today is the first free day - our big ONE DAY SALE. We're sharing the love. I hope everyone will download our books and spread the word for us.

Download Lonely Road To You by Jannine Gallant for free here.

Kate Abbott isn’t looking for excitement and is perfectly content with the secure life she’s built in Seattle, even if her son thinks she’s in an uninspired rut. Former rock star Tyler North has no intention of shaking up his life on the Montana ranch where he fled years before to escape the ravages of fame and fortune. Neither plan to attend their 25 year high school reunion in Summerville, but fate throws them together on a lonely road, leading them on a journey of discovery.

From the majesty of Yellowstone to the shores of Lake Ontario, Kate and Tyler fight unexpected attractions and old insecurities. Their journey is full of surprises and odd twists. From bison and bears to a deep crevasse and a crazy old man, they work together to overcome the obstacles in their path. But will these two opposites be able to put aside fear of change and rejection to take a chance on the promise of love?

Download To Be, Or Not by Margo Hoornstra for free here.

Barry Carlson had it all, a successful career in professional baseball and the adoration of any woman he wanted. Except one. Forced to retire in his prime, Barry returns to his hometown of Summerville, New York to coach the Minor League Hornets.

Twenty years ago, Barry broke through Amanda Marsh’s trust issues. He melted her ice, won her love, then walked away without a backward glance to survey the wreckage. Now Amanda is the head of public relations for the Hornets and happily single—until Barry slides back into her life.

Still reluctant to trust, Amanda gives Barry another chance. But the announcement of their twenty-fifth high school reunion leads to an asinine bet between Barry and his old buddies, and threatens to ruin their newfound relationship. As scandals of the past and present converge, can Barry and Amanda get beyond their differences to find their second chance at love?

Download Embraceable You by Kat Henry Doran for free here.

Award-winning photojournalist Dru Horvath doesn't stay in one spot for too long. Her vocation of documenting abuses against women worldwide prevents her from risking her heart. Every day working stiff Rory McElroy is a two-time loser when it comes to women—and he doesn't plan to take a chance on a relationship again, thank you very much.

But when Dru comes back into his life, he's not sure which poses the greater risk: protecting her from third world thugs who want to silence her permanently—or allowing the one woman who captured his heart years ago to embrace him for good.

Download Promises, Promises by Silver James for free here.

Betrayed former society wife Kelly Kincaid only wants to make things right. Paying off her ex-husband’s debt of honor is tough when a minimum-wage job back in her hometown is the only one she can find. Could the answer to her problems be right in front of her?

The moment pub owner Michael Doogan sees Summerville High School’s former golden girl at the train station, he loses his heart. Again. He’d give Kelly Kincaid the world on a platter, but the stubborn woman is intent on going her way alone. A threat to her safety provides him the incentive to stand up for what he wants, but will he have the patience to win her love?

Download Something More by Keena Kincaid for free here.

If she could, Nora Emerson would demand a "do over" of the last twenty-five years. An emotionally abusive marriage, failed fertility treatments and a nasty, public divorce have left her bruised, skittish and determined to remain independent at all costs.

With an all-consuming business and a furious teenage sister on his hands, Nora is a complication Nick McPherson doesn't need. It's one he wants. Her vulnerability and kick-ass competency intrigue him, and the sexual sparks between them could set Summerville on fire. The more she insists the sex is just for fun, the more determined he becomes to turn their fling into something more.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you read and enjoy each of these books. And I hope my post gives you some inspiration. How can you breath new life into your older releases? Put on your thinking caps!