Translation of Success

Dexter

Honestly, I almost forgot about my blog. I have blogged nonstop for the last two weeks and here I am almost forgetting to blog at my own space. I've been busy. In the real world outside of my cave, I work overnights at a major hospital. I like my job. I need it. I have three children- one that just got out of college, one in college, and one that has just been accepted into college. I live in New England where the mortgages are high and the weather cold. I love my family and my animals. Well, yesterday one of my dogs did irritate me, but then again I was in a bad mood. And today, I'm going to get my taxes done. I cringe at the thought.

Colbie

When you get to be my age, some people begin to question what they have done and want to do in the future. I haven't, not since I began writing. Oh, I get frustrated at times with the venture. I love writing. It consumes me. I also have my fanpage, Novel Works, which I truly enjoy. I love meeting other authors and readers alike. I'm an avid reader and a big fan myself.

The Judas Kiss

I have been extremely busy the last few months. I have a series, Tides of Charleston with WCP. The first, The Judas Kiss, was released in January. 

Shadows of the Past

I also began venturing outside the traditional publishing arena. I tried Indie publishing. My first attempt was my fantasy series, Whispers of a Legend. I got such a positive response to my series that I released a historical romance, Daughter of Deceit. 

I went with Amazon Select with Daughter of Deceit trying to break through a barrier on Amazon that Whispers did for me on Barnes and Noble. Amazon Select allows a few free days. The last three have been Daughter of Deceit's free days. Never in my wildest dreams did I foresee what Daughter of Deceit would do. At it's highest point it reached #3 on Free Kindle- #2 on Romance- #1 Historical Romance- #1 on Romantic Suspense. I was thrilled. Did a happy dance all day yesterday until the reviews from readers started coming in on Daughter of Deceit. 

Now I do my own editing on my self-published books. I have made no bones about missing an editor, but I never saw some of the reviews coming at me- angry reviews about my editing-not my story-but my editing. Oh, I've had really good reviews too, but I never experience this with Whispers. These readers are mad at me! 

So what have I learned. I learned that I'm going out to get an editor. One of my Indie friends has suggested someone. I'm going to have Daughter of Deceit edited than go into print. It will take about a month I suppose to get it corrected. 

Daughter of Deceit

Success translates that there are certain expectations placed upon you. When I was looking around at the covers of the books around Daughter of Deceit they all have been professionally done. I got a professional to do Whispers of a Legend (love him, too), but its more expensive than doing it yourself. I love my cover to Daughter of Deceit. I did it myself with a little help from one of the Roses, Laura (she did our cover for A Holiday to Remember).

I think the expectations concerning Indies have been raised to a new level. I say this looking around the other books beside mine. Each book looks extremely professional. There are a couple of reasons for that. Bestselling authors have been bursting on the Indie scene with their backlist. Indies also have raised their skills. All good things.

I have been so fortunate also. I have gained some great friendships. People I can’t thank enough but in time I hope to return their kindness. I won't forget. I also wanted to mention that during my free run, I was on several blogs. Check them out if you get a chance.

Ghostly Regency Romance (Beth Trissel’s blog), Oh, What a Tangled Web (S. G. Rogers’ blog) or over on Lindsay’s Romantics.

For my first experience with a semblance of success comes a lesson- never stop. I love my books. I think Daughter of Deceit is a wonderful read. I’m so excited about Whispers of a Legend series and the potential of where it could go. It’s a little taste. I will learn from it. Kept family, friends and my doggies close at hand. And above of else…get an editor.

A Love That Takes Your Breath Away!

February…Valentine's Day…a great time for Romance, especially if you're a romance writer. Love. What's better than a great love story?

Taking a quote from Pablo Neruda

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straight forwardly, without complexities
Or pride; so I love you because I knew no other
Way than this, where 'I' does not exist, not 'you'.
So close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so
Close that your eyes close as I fall asleep…

Isn't that what we all dream of? A love that takes your breath away.

When asked recently what was my favorite romance novel, I answered Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen Woodiwiss, a beautiful tale of love persevering. Then I began to wonder who influenced me to write romance. It was bigger than the love of one book. I considered all my favorite authors which would include Kathleen Woodiwiss and Margaret Mead, but the one author that influenced me the most would have to be Victoria Holt.

THE JUDAS KISS

Victoria Holt…the dame of romantic suspense! I grew up reading all her works even those under her pen names, Philippa Carr and Jean Plaidly. I suppose she is even responsible for my inability at times to follow the standard romance formula. She didn’t. She seemed to let the story write itself. I love the twist in Kirkland Revels with the threat of the asylum looming large for Catherine. Couldn’t have a more touching love story than On the Night of the Seventh Moon—poor Helena’s long suffering with questions on whether what she experienced was real or fantasy. Or Harriet not knowing if her husband whom she loved since she was child was trying to kill her in Menfreya in the Morning.

I had two books released in January. The first The Judas Kiss, Tides of Charleston Series, follows in the footsteps of Victoria Holt. Cathryn is caught in circumstances she has no control. When her life is endangered she believes the man she loves deserted her; he believes she has betrayed him with his best friend. The ultimate betrayal?  The Promise coming out in May will conclude the story between the two lovers following Cathryn back to Charles Town.

DAUGHTER OF DECEIT

Daughter of Deceit wrapped in mystery and intrigue with a touch of paranormal. Julian Casvelyn, who has long lived with the guilt brought on by the death of his brother, a brother killed by George Hythe, England’s most notorious spy. For years, Alyce Hythe, daughter of the infamous traitor, has been hidden away from the prying eyes of London Society, given a new identity and told to forget who she was. Thrown together by fate, the two search for answers long denied them and along the way discover a love that can free them both.

A love that takes your breath away.

The connection between my two releases? Both have titles once used by Victoria Holt. Coincidence. No. It’s my way of honoring a writer I greatly admired.

Have a great romantic month! Happy Valentine’s Day! You can find my books on the links below!

The Judas Kiss- Whiskey Creek Press

 Daughter of Deceit- Amazon Select