Marrying Winterborne (The Ravenels #2)

Marrying Winterborne, The Ravenels #2 by Lisa Kleypas is my favorite book in The Ravenels series.

Lisa Kleypas sets up the perfect opposing protagonists when hard-hearted business tycoon, Rhys Winterborne sets out to seduce and then win the notoriously shy, Helen Ravenel.


This romantic historical story is guaranteed to make readers cheer for both sides.


More than reforming a rake: this tale is about redeeming a man who has lived a necessary hard life, who makes no apologies for his tough attitude, and who secretly adores the sweetest of women, Helen Ravenel.

Captured on the pages of Marrying Winterborne, NY Times best-selling author, Lisa Kleypas takes readers on a journey that proves the loving touch of a good woman can indeed smooth off the rough edges of a world-weary man.

Additional Book Reviews:

YOUNG ADULT - FANTASY . . . Magic Harvest by Mary Karlik

FANTASY . . . Michael's Blood by SS Bazinet

SUSPENSE . . . Bluebonnet Ballerina by Carol Kilgore

Additional resources for authors:

How to Entice Readers . . . 5 Writing Tips to Building Book Teasers!

Secrets to Writing THE PERFECT PHRASE

3-2-1 Book Launch

3-2-1 Book Launch

Book releases have changed over the past ten years or so. What was once the primary responsibility of the publisher’s marketing team has morphed into the author’s responsibility. What was once covered with editors/agents emails and flyers to brick-n-mortar shops is now vibrantly alive through social media.

To keep myself on track, I’ve compiled a list of what-to-do’s for my upcoming book launch. Am I arrogant enough to think I’ve covered it all? Nope, not even close. But I work better with a list, and as I reminisce of Bloggers’ Thirteen Thursday, I decided to start with that number.

1) Complete final editing & formating review of manuscript – check and recheck.
a. Visit with establish authors for last minute insight.

2) Format through

Sigil & check all formatting through

Calibre – underway.
a. Visit with technical support staff.

3) Compile list of teasers from manuscript for social media releases – check and recheck. (More may be added at future date.)
a. Read, review, & assess current teasers used in social media.

4) Decide on title – check and recheck.

5) Class on tagline; complete tagline – check and recheck.
a. Finding valuable resources on taglines is the first step to #5.

6) Work with graphic artist on book cover, tweak, analyze, confirm pixel requirements, file specifications, generally make myself crazy and then decide on the final version – check and recheck.
a. Select a brilliant graphic artist. I was incredibly lucky as one of my nearest & dearest friends is said graphic artist.

7) Resize final book cover to several sizes for social media release. Add release date – check and recheck.
a. All on my own & invested the due diligence in Paint.

8) Begin primary release of book cover with release date – underway.

9) Write book dedication – still in process.

10) List book reviewers and design spread sheets for monitoring – underway.
a. Research a viable resource list that is consistently updated and then visit each potential reviewer’s site to find those that are the best fit. Thanks Melanie Rockett

11) Complete all necessary documents, dates, & pricing structure for release with Amazon – underway.
a. Going through the specifics for a 3rd time. Comes from having an attorney in the family.

12) Determine possible author interviews, set dates, schedule return favors as needed – underway.

13) Update all Romance Writers of America

information to reflect current release – pending.
a. Spoke with Houston office and followed their specific advice on how to update member profile.

Finally – The reality is that there’s more to cover. So, brainstorm on all the things that I’ve forgotten to do; try not to hyperventilate; make the next list; and get on with the release.

Readers For Life

#readersforlife, RWA supports literacy. As of 2016, $1M raised for fund. Outstanding. 2017: Orlando, When: Saturday, July 29, 3:00–5:00 ET pic.twitter.com/kAkcc4C4tf

— K.M.Saint James (@LoneStarMeander) July 25, 2017">Readers for Life

Reading . . . there isn't much that's more important.

In January I kicked off my reading challenge. I pledged to read 52 books by the end of the year, or one book per week. Life happens and stuff gets in the way, so the point is that if you can sneak two books in one week because you may have an emergency that keeps you from reading one week, then that's simply good planning. However, the goal is to keep reading, consistently and constantly.

Why?

Because Literacy should be a basic right for all of us. We shouldn't be ruled by emails, computer games, cable/satellite, or even cleaning the toilet. One of the things that sets us as a superior species is our ability to reason, to explore, to never tire of the adventure. Books open that gateway, always pushing each reader to learn, to know more than they did at the beginning of the book.

As adults, it's a simple choice and making the time.

However, for millions of underprivileged, at-risk children it's not that simple.

In an earlier post, I spoke of Reading is Fundamental, a terrific organization designed to open young minds to infinite possibilities through books.

Reading the RWA e-notes I found this entry . . . and yes this is an exact quote, so I will give all proper credit

RWA eNOTES
May 1, 2008
Volume 8, Issue 9
"Reading Is Fundamental Program in Danger of Elimination
The 2009 proposed U.S. budget calls for the elimination of funding for Reading Is Fundamental's (RIF) Inexpensive Book Distribution program. The program distributes free books to 4.6 million children and families and runs reading encouragement programs in 20,000 locations in the U.S. RIF President and CEO Carol H. Rasco says, "Unless Congress reinstates $26 million in funding for this program, RIF will not be able to distribute 16 million books annually to the nation's youngest and most at-risk children ... Since its founding in 1966, RIF's programs have played an important role in improving literacy in this country." Visit RIF's Web site, to see how you can take action.

To read the actual press release: Reading Is Fundamental press release "

Do I think this is a crucial issue?

You betcha. If you're not reading with your kids, start. If your kids spend loads of times playing video games/computer games/or watching TV, turn off the electronics and lead by example by making a 'reading night.'

Having spent two decades (yep, I'm really that old) raising children, I can attest first-hand that the difference in reading children and non-reading children is the difference between a mole hill and Mount Everest.

Reading is forever and it should be every day.

If you are outraged that Congress believes reading is not fundamental, go to the above listed websites and find out how your voice can make a difference.

Am I off my soapbox? Not by a long shot. This is one battle we can't afford to lose for our children.

Come on by the back porch anytime . . . and feel free to bring you favorite book.
~Sandra

ABC news is following my lead . . .

Okay, if any of you caught the 5:30 news tonight -- you know the one time slot where all the pharmaceutical companies advertise? Don't understand? See my previous post on Why? Why? Why? -- then you heard about the frightening epidemic of adult illiteracy.

According to ABC sources, 7 million Americans are considered functionally illiterate and 30 million Americans CANNOT read a simple sentence.

Here in America, we're supposed to be 'not-one-of-the-third-world countries, and yet 30 million of our fellow country men and women can't read well enough to fill out a job application, a medical consent form, can't research any subject on the Internet or at their public library, can't vote . . . some can't even read health warnings on any labels.

How scary!
How heart-rending!

I so glad that Romance Writers of America supports adult literacy and that each year at the national convention a massive book-signing (often with over 400 authors in attendence) is held with all the proceeds benefiting literacy.

Is there something more that can be done?

Go to ABC News for a list of national options regarding illiteracy. Also, if you're a parent, click on Reading Is Fundamental for great tips in motivating children to read.

There are lots of reason why people can't or don't read. Sometimes, they require the assistance of a specialist to overcome learning challenges. Sometimes, it takes motivated volunteers. If you want to assist on a local level, try your nearest library for any programs they might have in place.

What else can you do?

READ!

Join my reading challenge. One book per week for 2008. Busy isn't an excuse -- it's a cop-out.

Read on!

Until next time
~Sandra

Urban Fantasy News

Fellow Wild Rose Press author, Karen Duvall, just attended the Pacific NW Writers Association conference in Seattle and posted on her blog . . .
“The buzz word for the weekend (conference) was URBAN FANTASY!!! All I can say is: What the hell took everyone so long? I've been loving it for years, long before it was tagged with a subgenre. So it's thrilling to see that it's being embraced like this by the publishing community. Yo, my writer friends, they want it. Bad. If you write it, this is one hot commodity. Polish your prose and get it out there. And make sure it's set in the city. No kidding.”

Thanks, Karen, for the update.

A few weeks ago, I, too, attended a conference – the Romance Writers of America in Dallas. Roughly two thousand romance-minded writers filled one hotel. Yep, it was fun and there were great contacts to be made. See my post on SPARKLE THIS! to learn what to do with all those business cards from any conference. During the RWA conference, several of my fellow writers who tackle the Urban Fantasy market found the agents and editors some what mixed on their forecast for this subgenre. Bottom line: the vibes weren’t great on this market from traditional ‘romance’ publishers. But it does appear, according to Karen’s news, the ‘regular’ world of fiction writing has found the subgenre of URBAN FANTASY and is pushing hard for manuscripts.

I recently finished WIRED, by Liz Maverick, a Dorchester (sci-fi/romance) release. Great cartoon cover, catchy title and good book blurb. That said, I had mixed feelings on this book. While Ms. Maverick made sure to keep the romance alive on every page, and to develop a heroine with a number of quirky and likeable attributes, I found the external plot (time threading) to be extremely complicated and hard to follow. I’ll admit, I’m not a huge reader of ‘all things Science Fiction’ but it was the actual explanation behind the time threading that threw me for a loop. Several rereads of detailed passages didn’t clear up my confusion. Of course, that is just MHO regarding this book – many may find WIRED, the perfect Sci-Fi read.

If you want to see more of Karen’s post regarding the PRWAC, go to Karen Duvall

Writing trend news? Do share.

Conference Gears Up

Getting started, okay so maybe we've been here awhile. With over 1900 conference attendees, there are a few bags to stuff.



New friend, Jennifer stuffing conference bags.



Another new friend (new to RWA as well) Julie, and dear friend Sherry stuffing bags.

So that's a bunch of bags, and this picture only reflects a small fraction of the completed bags. New fabric and silk-screening scents permeated the room once we finished. A sea of green and black met the eye. Conference goers should make quite a statement sporting around these totes. Ooh, and what good books are they stuffed with? Gotta get to conference and find out.

I'm headed off to my national conference (Romance Writers of America) in the morning, leaving hubby and kids to entertain (and hopefully not kill) each other for the next week. I'm unbelievably excited--conference with another 2000 writers is wonderful. No excuses for excessive shop talk because it is all about the craft or promotion or publication or distribution (well, you get the point) of the shop of writing.

A few last minutes things to dump in my bag:
Plastic bags. I don't know exactly why I need these, but inevitably I do. Pack shoes going and laundry coming home, tote extra books, occasionally a souvenir, and just stuff I don't want to repack in a nice and neat order.

Comfortable shoes. This one doesn't need explanation.

Extra digital camera batteries.
I've never had a digital at conference and I'm excited to capture these moments to share.

Business Cards.
This is a great opportunity to network. My business cards turned out bright and focused on my new release. Perfect for conference.

Phone charger.
Yep, I am expecting my kids and hubby to check in once in a while--a charged phone will be great.

For those of you not coming to conference, I'm sad. I'll miss you.

What's the one thing you never forget to pack for any trip?