Authors are Nothing Without Readers

Thirty years ago when I began my pursuit of a writing career, I had college professors who helped me hone my writing craft.  But it was a friend reading one of my assignments -- a procedural paper on How to Make a Ham Sandwich, and exclaiming, "That just made me hungry!"  That kept me going.

Later when I had human interest stories in the local papers and when people learned who I was said, "I enjoyed your story about..." I was spurred on to find more stories to write for the papers.

When I joined RWA - Romance Writers of America.  It was getting feedback and being a finalist in contests that kept be writing. Someone- usually a published author or editor liked my writing enough to put me in the top of the pile.

After becoming published, it was readers sending me emails and talking to me at booksignings asking when I'd be writing this book or that, which kept me putting out more books in my historical western series.

This week I have been humbled by the reviews that have been left for my recent Shandra Higheagle Mystery, Artful Murder.

Review snippets:

"Once you read one book, you will be hooked!"

"This is a wonderful mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. I strongly encourage you to read the book."

"This was a really good installment in the Shandra series; it was an excellent mystery, and I liked that Shandra and Ryan are becoming more comfortable with each other. This book is highly recommended!"

"I have read all the books in this series and I have never been disappointed. I have never been able to predict the murderer!"

"Her characters are well rounded and the mysteries are well written with lots of twist and turns. I didn't have this one figured out at all and was surprised at the end."

"They pull you in and you can't wait to see what happens next. Can't wait for the next book."

"Ten books in and this series is still great!"

"Many twists and turns. You won't be able to stop reading."

"This was a well-written, entertaining book."

THIS is why I continue to write books. To entertain readers with the stories that entertain me as I write them. 

Book ten in the Shandra Higheagle Mystery Series

Secrets… Scandal… Murder…

An autistic boy and his brother need potter Shandra Higheagle’s help when a teacher’s body is found after a confrontation with the older brother. Shandra knows the boy is innocent. Digging into the teacher’s life, she and Ryan turn up scandal.

Detective Ryan Greer has believed in Shandra’s dreams in the past, but she can’t always be right. When his investigation uncovers a principal on the take, females being harassed, and parents kept in the dark, he discovers more suspects than the brothers. Shandra’s time at the school is coming to an end, and the killer has struck again.

Universal buy link:

https://www.books2read.com/u/bapvjq

 

Who doesn't want FREE books!

https://www.facebook.com/events/171627546803243/

Readers join the roundup to get a free book from a multi-genre author poot to review. When that one is reviewed you can pick another book. Each time you read and review a book, you an get another book Free. You also gain participation points in the event  for each book you read and review. At the end of the event, there is a humongous prize pile and gets divided up between all the readers. Also, there will be a Meet N Greet at the end of the event where you can attend  and chat with the authors.

And as if that's not enough! To get 200 readers signed up by tomorrow, if you sign up and get friends to sign up you get your name in the drawing for an Amazon Dot! 

So start signing up! 

 https://www.facebook.com/events/171627546803243/

Promo Wednesday

First I'd like to mention I've already been to the gym this morning(yes, having hit a pivotal number of years I've been alive, I felt the need for an extra incentive to get this body in shape) anyway, the workout the trainer put me through this morning(only 1/2 an hour) is the prefect workout for me. Now I can go in, do this routine and ride my bike home and have a good workout three times a week, which happen to be the days I blog, so if my blog is up a little later than your use to, that's the reason why, unless I start going to the gym earlier. :p

Anyway, on Friday I'll have a guest blogger- Mirella Pitzer and she'll discuss writing and her release Blood Castle a book set in medieval Italy.

Fellow TWRP author Lauri Robinson has been raking in the good reviews for "A Wife For Big John" and beating me in the sales. I'm going to have to have a sit down with her and see what she does different that sells more books. Other than she writes sweet stories that both Inspirational readers and Historical readers would like.

Promotion for me has slowed down some as I finalize a presentation for the Historical conference at RWA Nationals and get a sound pitch for both the contemporary western and the historical series fine tuned. My summer is starting to look laid back, well until I start baling hay which looks like it could start this weekend!

How are things going for you? Is your summer looking to be less stress or more?

4 Cup Review

Tuesday, I received an e-mail from Coffee Time Romance with my second review for Outlaw in Petticoats. I loved the characters in this book and it shows with the reviews I've been getting. The first five spur review from Love Western Romance also enjoyed my characters.

Here is part of the review from Coffee Time:

Outlaw in Petticoats is a splendid read. Zeke is kind-hearted and caring. I could tell how deep his love is for Maeve. Maeve does a good impression of hiding her feelings. Paty Jager creates a read with two gripping characters, and secondary players that spark drama into the storyline. She allows her audience to be carried into a journey of not only seeking a father but two people making a connection with the other. With intense character emotions, and a bit of mystery, she makes this an outstanding read.

Also for any of you who have been to my website- it is behind because my webmistress is on vacation. My April website winner was Ashley Applebee. And her gift bag is heading her way today. As soon as my webmistress gets my May contest up, I'll give a shout out.

Look for Outlaw in Petticoats this Friday in ebook at The Wild Rose Press.

WOW! What a review!

I'm so pumped! Now I feel like my good friend Nicole did last Monday! LOL

Outlaw in Petticoats, the next Halsey brother book to be released in ebook on May 9th, just recieved its first review from Love Western Romances. And it has me smiling! I knew the review would be good because the website's moderator had told me she knew it received 5 spurs, but she hadn't had time to get the review up on the site yet. I had contacted her to do an author spotlight- which I can't get in until January 2009, but that's okay, by then the third book should be just about out in ebook. (fingers crossed) Anyway, after she told me that I kept checking the site- all weekend- LOL No I'm not a review addict, well maybe just a little!

So to not keep you in suspense any longer here is the url to go read the review:http://www.lovewesternromances.com/outlawpetticoatsreview.html

When I wrote the character Zeke in Marshal in Petticoats, I fell in love with him in his small role. And that must have carried over into Outlaw since both my editor and this reviewer both said they too, fell in love with Zeke. Of course I am currently in love with the brother who is the hero in Miner in Petticoats, the book I'm finishing up right now to send to my editor.

As a writer do you fall in love with your heroes? As a reader is that what you want to do as you read the book? Fall in love with the hero and be the heroine?

Friday Five- Good Things

This week has been full of good or news worthy happenings.

1) My long time friend and critique partner, Nicole McCaffrey had an awesome review of her newly released contemporary novel, The Model Man. You can go here and check out the review. But I also happen to have critqued the book and I told her all along it was awesome! Who couldn't love a hunky cover model, who is all man falling for a 40 something woman who is a romance novelist. I mean really, it's every writer's dream come true! And Nic does a fabulous job of making the characters real.

2) A fellow RWA chapter member, Genene Valleau, has the release of her debut novel, Songs of the Heart, out today. She's doing a cyber release party all day if you want to hop over and take a peek at her Rock star hero.

3) My younger brother called to say he and his wife are coming for a visit this weekend. It's always fun to hang out with them.

4) This weekend is my dh's birthday. I bought him a couple of things he needs and we are going out to dinner this weekend with friends.

5) The best news my release of Outlaw in Petticoats has been moved up a month! Ebook release is now May 9th and print is November 11th. So I spent last night working on a book trailer. Now I have a month to get it ready instead of two! But I've had so many people asking for this next book, I'm glad it will finally hit the shelves so people can purchase it.

So anything good happen in to you this week? I'd love to hear about it.