The Angels Among Us by Margo Hoornstra

Last time I wrote on these pages my topic was the Retreat From Harsh Reality sponsored by the Mid-Michigan Chapter of Romance Writers of America.

You all know the drill, a complete weekend devoted to our craft, or profession if one is so inclined. Three days to talk, listen, learn, try, work, share, brainstorm, implement, test, use, figure, discard, re-group. Even vent if need be.

This year was particularly special for me because I was the lucky recipient of the MMRWA Angel Award. To quote from the MMRWA website: The Mid-Michigan Romance Writers of America introduced the MMRWA Angel Award for Service in 2002. The award is presented once a year at our chapter’s retreat. It is awarded to one outstanding member who goes beyond the “call of duty” within the romance writing community and service to our chapter. 

In January and February, nominations may be made by members in good standing with RWA and MMRWA. In March, the current MMRWA Board will meet with all previous Angel Award recipients to review nominations. The group then votes to determine who will receive the Angel Award. 

The decision is kept a secret until retreat. The recipient is announced by the winner from the previous year and presented with a custom designed, beautifully crafted Angel pin and a framed award certificate. 

This is a picture of mine.

Receiving this award was a great honor. Especially because of one of my 'accomplishments' as noted in the presentation. And I quote: Our Angel this year is kind, strong and supportive. She encourages new writers and she listens--really listens--and has been a mentor to other writers.

High praise indeed, IMHO. Not that I thought I'd done anything particularly special. It's what we as writers do. We support our own. Novice or veteran, published or soon to be.

Don't get me wrong, awards and good reviews are great recognition for what we've written and offered to the world, and may there be many of those accolades for all of us in this business. However, I don't know about you, but the highest praise for me is hearing someone say such things as: "Your critique of my work was awesome." or "Your suggestions really helped me see where I need to go." and "Thank you for helping me improve my book."

****pause here for a heavy sigh****

Music to my ears.

Whether you work regularly with a partner (CP) as I've been fortunate to do. (Three, or is it four years and counting. Can you believe it, Jannine?) Or provide and/or receive input from a fellow author, doesn't matter. Again, IMHO, the feeling is the same.

So, in that spirit of author cooperation, do I have a deal for you. Let me be the first, on these pages at least, to introduce a box set I've been privileged to create with six of my colleagues.

All In For Love - A Lucky 7 Anthology.

Seven Award-winning authors bring you seven *sweet to sensual* romances filled with suspense, thrills and maybe even a ghost or two—for less than the price of a cup of coffee—99 cents!

Welcome to La Bonne Chance Resort & Casino!

With thousands of people passing through the casino’s doors on a daily basis, it’s no surprise that a variety of lives and loves are on the line there.

We are now available for pre-order right here: All In For Love - A Lucky 7 Anthology

Please join us and enjoy!

My days to blog here are the 11th and 23rd. For more about me and the stories I write, please visit my WEBSITE

Reviews are hard work by Barbara Edwards

My writing friends are having a debate about book reviews. Everyone wants a good one for their book. And everyone is hunting for those reviewers. We ask friends and family and other authors to take the time to read and review our work. Many authors will feature a book on their blog and do a review. I’ve had my book, Journey of the Magi, reviewed in this way. It was a wonderful bonus. Those authors are booked for months ahead with good reason.

One of the things I found when I published my last book was that there are places to buy reviews. Yep. And they can be cheap. Five for five dollars seemed to be the going rate. Guaranteed to supply your tome with five star reviews.

I’m not talking about legitimate review sites where you can request a review, submit a copy and get a decent, honest review. Those places are being overwhelmed with submissions. I’m talking about the shady side of business.

Lots of places offer free advertising for your reviewed book. The offer is pre-supposed on the fact your book is good enough to rate a four or five star review. It’s a neat way to get your title in front of a new audience. So the underbelly of the business is exposed. Not many unknown authors can gather fifty or more good reviews before the book even goes on sale. Soo...

I no longer blithely trust those wonderful free book lists I signed up to receive.

I do look more closely at Goodreads and Amazon reviews. And I sometimes thank the commenter for taking the time to post a review.

I admire a good review. It’s a fine talent to put together a brief, clear description of the book and why you like it. My efforts in reviewing don’t please me. I struggle to explain why a story has touched my heart, but I do try especially when I’ve found a terrific story.

If you’ve read a good book, take the time to give it a review. I actually got a thanks for one I did last week and it made me smile all day.

http://amzn.com/B00ES5DZEQ

Journey of the Magi blurb

Widow Noel Martin never breaks promises, and she promised her kids they’d have Christmas at her childhood home in Connecticut. But driving across country takes money. Noel is broke when a snowstorm blows them into a tiny Minnesota café owned by a man who can change her mind. She accepts his offer of a job. Despite her attraction to him, she makes it clear she is only temporary help.

Dan Longstreet isn’t adopting any more strays, but he needs a waitress. Dan works so hard to make his café a success, he doesn't have time for love. Though Noel’s slender blonde beauty stuns him and her two adorable children tug at his heart, he denies how they threaten to change his life.

When tragedy strikes, their new-found love is the first victim. Noel can't stay and Dan can't leave. Will their journey be the gift that reunites them? 

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