ROMANTIC PICKS #LOVEISINTHEAIR #INDIEBEST

March 13, 2017 by jhines340

Set against the backdrop of Antebellum Charleston with the martial clash of brother against brother looming on the horizon–here is an absorbing, tantalizing saga of life during one of our country’s most turbulent times–Southern Legacy Serial.

Belle of Charleston, Book One

In a world of pageantry and show, the Montgomery family accepts the way of life that has been antebellum Charleston for over a hundred years. Two cousins, the handsome and debonair, Wade Montgomery and the bold and brooding Cullen Smythe, were born to be brothers. Raised as Southern gentlemen,their character could never be questioned–loyalty, honor, duty to one’s country, God and family. It was the tie that binds until…their bond is threatened, not only by the cry for secession but by a woman–Josephine Buchanan Wright.

Josephine Buchanan Wright is a dutiful, southern belle. Her future seems fated to the two Montgomerys cousins…until all she has placed her faith in falls apart. As her life spirals out of control, she tries desperately to cling to the honor and duty that has been instilled in her. But how can she do so when all she has known is no more?

MIDNIGHT STORM A Military Romance (Warrior Series, #2)
“Not even the destructive force of a tornado can equal the MIDNIGHT STORM in the heart of a lovely innkeeper when a handsome Marine Corps pilot comes back into her life after barely surviving a perilous mission in the Middle East . . . this compelling love story from Laura Taylor shines, ending on a note of luminous joy for lucky readers to savor and cherish.” Romantic Times Book Reviews

Readers Praise MIDNIGHT STORM
“It’s got everything – love, lust, action, suspense, and great characters!”
“I highly recommend Laura Taylor’s books to readers of all genres.”
“Devlin and Jessica are destined to be together – I’d love to spend a tornado like this!”
“Wow! You have to read this book!”
“Great midnight read!”
“You owe it to yourself to get Laura’s books.”
“Just lovely writing!”
“Great storyline, characters, and ending.”

“Laura Taylor writes with the power and sensuality that characterizes the best authors in the romance genre.”
Romantic Times Book Reviews
A Special Author’s Cut Updated Edition of Bantam Loveswept #576

FREE! FREE! FREE!

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling first book in The Wedding Pact series by Denise Grover Swank.

Megan Vandemeer meant to tell her parents about her broken engagement, but a month and a half later she finds herself boarding a plane home to her wedding. Having stretched avoidance to its limits, it’s time to come clean–a terrifying prospect since her mother is sure to blame her rather than her cheating, emotionally frigid ex. A couple of drinks and two Dramamine later, Megan finds herself spilling her sob story to the tall, dark, and handsome stranger in the seat next to her.

With only one week left to save his business, Josh McMillan boards a plane to Kansas City in a last-ditch effort, leaving the details to chance. An unexpected answer is delivered in the form of the beautiful brunette beside him. Though she’s completely loopy, her honesty, openness, and humor charm him. So when she passes out before landing, he helps her off the plane–a good deed that leads to a colossal misunderstanding. Her parents assume he’s her fiancé. In a twist of fate, the mix-up might help Josh save his business, so he plays along, figuring he can help Megan too. All he has to do is stage a public break up convincing enough to appease her mother.

Josh is only supposed to be a substitute groom, but the more time he and Megan spend together, the more their pretend engagement starts to feel real…and the less they want to break it off. Can a relationship that began as a farce turn into happily ever after?

A clever spinster:
Content with her spinster lifestyle, Miss Sybil Cunning wants to prove that a future as an unmarried woman is the only life for her. As a bluestocking who values hard, empirical data, Sybil needs help with her research. Nolan Pratt, Baron Webb, one of society’s most scandalous rakes, is the perfect gentleman to help her. After all, he inspires fear in proper mothers and desire within their daughters.

A notorious rake:
Society may be aware of Nolan Pratt, Baron’s Webb’s wicked ways, but what he has carefully hidden is his miserable handling of his family’s finances. When Sybil presents him the opportunity to earn much-needed funds, he can’t refuse.

A winter to remember:
However, what begins as a business arrangement becomes something more and with every meeting, Sybil slips inside his heart. Can this clever woman look beneath the veneer of a coldhearted rake to see the man Nolan truly is?

ROMANTIC PICKS #EVERYONELOVESAGIVEAWAY

February 24, 2017 by jhines340

We Love Our Awesome eReaders ~

Everyday!

Enter to win a

Kindle Fire Tablet

(7″ Display, Wi-Fi, Magenta, value $39.99)

or one of these other great prizes:

(2) Winners – $15 Amazon Gift Card

(2) Winners – Print Copy of Count the Roses by Jackie Weger

FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME!

(2) Winners – First Edition Print Copy of No Brainer by AJ Lape (US Only)

FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME!

(2) Winners – Print Copy of A Minor Deception: A Joseph Haydn Mystery by Nupur Tustin

(2) Winners – The Greek Village Coloring Book – gifted by MM Jaye

FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME

(5) Winners – Print Copy of Winds of Betrayal by Jerri Hines

And don’t forget to fill your eReaders with these fabulous eBooks from your giveaway hosts:

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ROMANTIC PICKS #VALENTINEISCOMING #INDIEPICKS

February 9, 2017 by jhines340

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A rousing family saga for the fight for America’s independence!

The winds of change brews over the colonies. Tension against the crown is mounting daily. In Williamsburg, the rebellion burns strong in the hearts of two siblings, Jonathan and Hannah Corbett. Spirited and headstrong, Hannah finds herself thrust in the middle of a conspiracy when her father receives a strange package from Philadelphia. Jonathan, a physician for the Continental Army, is torn between duty and family. With war looming on the horizon, the siblings soon discover there is a high price to be paid for the cry for freedom.

It’s a dangerous game you set to play, Miss Corbett. One that can have far worse than deadly consequences!

In the midst of the struggle of America’s bid for independence, Hannah Corbett makes a fateful decision, descending into a world of deceit. Spurred by revenge, she heads to New York, setting in motion a dangerous game for which there is no return. Searching desperately for the man who betrayed her family, she faces the cold and brutal reality of the life of a spy. Caught in a web of lies, living with betrayal, she is trapped. She has nowhere to turn except to a man it would be treasonous to love, setting duty and desire at war. Her heart is ripped apart when she must choose between the man who risks his career and life to protect her and the only thing that has remained constant in her life…her belief in her cause.

AMAZON BARNES&NOBLE ITUNES

A Devil in Disguise
Years ago, when Nick Tallings, the recent Duke of Huntly, watched his family destroyed at the hands of a merciless nobleman, he vowed revenge. But his efforts had been futile, as his enemy, Lord Rutland is without weakness.

Until now…
With his rival finally happily married, Nick is able to set his ruthless scheme into motion. His plot hinges upon Lord Rutland’s innocent, empty-headed sister-in-law, Justina Barrett. Nick will ruin her, marry her, and then leave her brokenhearted.

A Lady Dreaming of Love
From the moment Justina Barrett makes her Come Out, she is labeled a Diamond. Even with her ruthless father determined to sell her off to the highest bidder, Justina never gives up on her hope for a good, honorable gentleman who values her wit more than her looks.

A Not-So-Chance Meeting
Nick’s ploy to ensnare Justina falls neatly into place in the streets of London. With each carefully orchestrated encounter, he slips further and further inside the lady’s heart, never anticipating that Justina, with her quick wit and strength, will break down his own defenses. As Nick’s plans begins to unravel, he’s left to determine which is more important–Justina’s love or his vow for vengeance. But can Justina ever forgive the duke who deceived her?

KINDLEUNLIMITED

Falling in love with her was not part of his plan…
Aric Claydon, weary and in the foulest of moods, arrives in Northumberland from Normandy and a short battle to claim his Saxon bride-Lady Danielle- almost a year late. To worsen matters the girl is far from a ravishing beauty, nursing a small affliction and other irksome habits. Yet, compelled by a knight’s oath and loyalty to his king, Aric performs his duty. The lady is a means to an end to complete his gain and if he’s lucky, bless him with an heir and nothing more. Even as he gives in to the fiery passion she wields, he vows she will never hold his heart. Soon enough Aric learns his new bride is not as timid as he first thought, but mysterious and with secrets of her own.
When danger and treachery abound he will stop at nothing to protect the spirited lady who has bedded down in his soul.

KINDLEUNLIMITED

Haunting visions have plagued Megan Pendrake for years, a dire promise of a turbulent future. When Megan and her brother are forced to flee England aboard a ship bound for the colonies, trouble looms. In 1692, Salem, Massachusetts is a hotbed of suspicion and persecution where the mere hint of witchcraft is a death sentence. Remaining in Salem is courting disaster, but Megan’s heart won’t allow her to leave the man she has grown to love.

Nicholas Thayer is mesmerized by the beautiful, unconventional young woman who boards his ship posing as a cabin boy. But his future is predetermined, including a fiancée waiting for him at home. When Megan faces inconceivable peril, Nicholas must make the ultimate choice between family and faith or a love he can’t deny. But will he be able to save them both from An Uncertain Destiny?

ROMANTIC PICKS #VALENTINEREADS #INDIEPICKS

February 6, 2017 by jhines340

AMAZON BARNES&NOBLE

When the head of the Anderson family, Joseph, gets into a life-changing automobile accident, his family struggles to find a way to survive if he doesn’t come out of the coma the accident has placed him in.

Austin Anderson is used to being single, but slowly he’s watched his siblings and cousins find true love, leaving him the final Anderson without a spouse. That’s all about to change when he meets Kinsey, who has him chasing her all across town. This couple has passion, love, and excitement, and both are determined to make it on their own, though, they are so much better together.

Listen to the heartfelt reminiscing of Katherine as she tells the story of her romance with Joseph as she sits by his bedside, never losing faith that he’ll come back to her.

Laugh along with the large family as they turn the tables and start plotting
against George as he tries to hide his growing feelings for Esther.

This final chapter in the Anderson family will leave you laughing, crying, and on a roller coaster of emotion as you once again step back into the world of the Anderson’s.

Family always comes first to the Multi-Billionaire’s of Seattle.

AMAZON BARNES&NOBLE ITUNES GOOGLEPLAY

Now the bestselling serial is under one title— SOUTHERN LEGACY!
Including Belle of Charleston, Shadows of Magnolia, Born to Be Brothers and the dramatic conclusion, The Sun Rises!

In a world of pageantry and show, the Montgomery family accepts the way of life that has been antebellum Charleston for over a hundred years. Two cousins, the handsome and debonair, Wade Montgomery and the bold and brooding Cullen Smythe, were born to be brothers. Raised as Southern gentlemen, their character could never be questioned–loyalty, honor, duty to one’s country, God and family. It was the tie that binds until…their bond is threatened, not only by the cry for secession but by a woman–Josephine Buchanan Wright.

Josephine Buchanan Wright is a dutiful, southern belle. Her future seems fated to the two Montgomery cousins…until all she has placed her faith in falls apart. As her life spirals out of control, she tries desperately to cling to the honor and duty that has been instilled in her. But how can she do so when all she has known is no more?

FREE! FREE! FREE!

AMAZON BARNES&NOBLE ITUNES GOOGLEPLAY

Derrick is one of the creatus, created beings who have lived on the earth for more than four thousand years. Many questions surround the origin of these sentient beings who are stronger than humans, eat differently, and live longer. But they were created just as we were, maybe even before us. It is from them we obtain our fairy tales–and our nightmares. They are the reason we believe in superheroes–and monsters. Because…they exist.

In the past, they kept the human race safe from an anonymous distance. But now Derrick must come out of the darkness to save a woman he has no business loving, even if doing so may threaten his entire race.

The Creatus Series is not your normal paranormal story…it’s a realistic romantic mystery based on the myths you’ve heard your entire life. Prepare to believe…

Bonus Material! Creatus includes the prequel: Creatus (They Exist) and a sneak peek at Creatus Rogue.

AMAZON KINDLEUNLIMITED

Powerful, thrilling and character-driven, this romantic suspense is a real page-turner.

Special Agent indeed, Kandice Warner is everyone’s best friend. Talk about a Barbie doll! This female might have the same pretty-girl looks but even though she has a tender heart, she also has the resilience needed for a very successful FBI Hostage Negotiator. Feelings of inadequacy constantly force her to prove that she’s tough, and she demonstrates her courage when dealing with a murderous bank robber, a desperate jumper, being stalked, kidnapped and beaten. But her tender heart can get her in trouble and she needs to grow a thicker skin. Almost impossible when her obstinate new boss, for reasons of his own, interferes in everything she does.

Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigative Division in Washington, Dan Black is as hard as they come. With the grit of a street youth stiffening his resolve, he’s worked his way up through the ranks, his personal space shields as strong as ever. Until he sees the sweetest things on two legs! A girl from his past. The one he’s never been able to forget. Working undercover in the Seattle bureau, he tries to protect his childhood fantasy but she refuses to stay put or take orders. Faced with a woman like that, what’s a mere man to do?

Can an #IndieAuthor Make It In Today’s Market?

January 13, 2017 by jhines340

If you work really hard, amazing things will happen. ~ Conan O’Brien

I am true blue Indie author. I have been since 2011. I am in charge of my writing, formatting, tweaking, and social media. I do hire out my edits (Faith Williams) and cover designs (Erin Dameron-Hill). I make all my own decisions: what to write, where and when to promo, and when to release my books. There are several pros about being an Indie author. The main one is that you know even before you begin your book, it will be published.

When I began this venture, I hadn’t a clue about publishing. All that I had was a strong desire to write. I understood nothing about social media, formatting, editing or trolls. I learned quickly. I have four facebook accounts under my pennames and real name. I will let you in on a secret. I’m absolutely awful at social media. I have over six thousand facebook friends I don’t know. Why? Because I was told that I needed a presence on Facebook. I have over 45,000 twitter followers. I will confess—I must be the most boring Twitter person. I wish I was more spontaneous and funny, but my whole focus is my books or someone else’s book. But I am there and that is important.

I will tell you how out of touch I am…how engrossed I am in my books. The night of the presidental election, I was shocked when Donald Trump won his first state. I thought Hilary was going to win by a landslide. I guess that’s what I get for using Saturday Night Live as my news source.

So, the hardest part for me as an Indie is keeping up with the ever changing world of publishing. I’ll delve into that more in a minute.

In the past, I will admit I have tried to get my books published by the traditional Big- 5 publishers with no success. I have even tried to get an agent. Last April, I attended the NECRWA Conference with only one intention—talking with an agent. At these meetings, you have an assigned time. At this one, it was a fifteen minute time limit. They were running behind with the agent I was meeting with, but I was assured I would get my full time. Didn’t happen. I was trying to pitch Framed, my release last September. I wanted to branch off into contemporaries and I thought I would give it another shot at getting an agent…at getting published by a Big 5 publisher. The truth was I realized that my mother didn’t have long left on this earth. Even though she had read my books, I don’t think she considered me a true author. I wanted…I wanted her to know I was. Unfortunately, that didn’t happened.

Back to my appointment, the agent…I loved her…the 5 minutes I had with her. As with most of the times at these meetings, she asked me for a longer sample and told me to email it to her. Well…I did. I got a standard response back that if it wasn’t solicited, the email would be deleted. I didn’t worry. I did as requested, submitted as requested, but I got no reply. After I waited the required amount of time, I sent another email. Sadly, I got the same standard response and there, again, no reply. Once more, I realized I wasn’t going to get an agent. I released Framed as the second book in Boston’s Crimes of Passion. The lesson I learned—my sales pitch must be sorely lacking.

I believe trying to get a Big 5 publisher was not only for my momma, but for the acknowledgement to myself that I can truly write. Over the years, as an Indie, you are bombarded with one thing after another…external forces pounding into you must not be good enough to be called an author— like not even getting a response back from an agent. I have tried different things to get respect from the gods of writing. Some examples: I submitted Belle of Charleston for review to Publisher Weekly (Got an awful review. Said they hated the ending…they, too, ignored the warning that it was a serial). I submitted Belle of Charleston to Kindle Scout and got shot down. I asked Amazon if I could release Southern Legacy as a true serial. They said no. So I had no choice but to release it in four installments. But sometimes, they are wrong. Southern Legacy serial has become my bestseller.

AMAZON BARNES&NOBLE ITUNES KOBO

I guess you can say I’m pretty stubborn. You see, I think I’m a damn good writer.

There again, my stubborness is probably what has made the agents and Big 5 pass over my writing. I write what I feel. To make money writing historicals, you should write Regencies. I don’t write a lot of true Regencies. I have three under Colleen Connally. One of my pride and joys is Seductive Secrets. But even writing a traditional romance such as Seductive Secrets, I deviated from the formula. My secondary character…whom I absolutely love…Charles is gay. Even though the Big 5 say they want originality, they don’t want controversy. Same as when I had tried to get an agent for Southern Legacy, I got the book was too long. I understood, but I couldn’t cut the story. So, you see I brought a lot of the rejections upon myself. That is why its a good thing I’m an Indie.

KINDLEUNLIMITED

I am perfectly happy being an Indie, but the face of publishing is ever changing. Now, we are facing another change— AMAZON

In the past, Amazon has been the reason Indies could break into the tremendously competitive world of publishing. Amazon is the reason I make money doing what I love. Now, the rest of this blog is only my opinion, but I think AMAZON has become the sixth big publisher. I think it is the most powerful force in publishing…at least from my perspective. They have their own imprints. They have changed the rules in publishing. Some that were beneficial to me, but the ones they made recently have hurt. For a while, I had all my books in KDP. Amazon made it worthwhile, but then it changed. My KDP numbers dropped dramatically. Why? I saw somewhere it had to do with the Kindle flip-page. Could be. But there was another avenue Amazon opened up —Kindle Unlimited. My books weren’t included in Kindle Unlimited. Now, I have pulled about half my books out of KDP and have gone back to the other sites: Barnes and Noble, iTunes, and Kobo.

Everything is changing, but it can’t stop us Indies. This is only one more obstacle for us Indies to manuever around. The most important one on the business end for Indies is PROMOTING! It is a must. You have to get your book in the hands of readers and no one is going to do it for you. So, where do I promote?

First and foremost: BOOKBUB.

I love BookBub, absolutely adore BookBub. I can’t say enough good things about Bookbub. Even if they never took another book of mine, I will always promote BookBub. BookBub is the reason I’m still writing. Back in 2012, I got hit hard by trolls, trolls that dug their nails into my back and wouldn’t let go. I had one that it seemed like it was her mission to save the world from my writing. I don’t ever want to relive that time. I ended up having to take down the book the trolls were going after, Daughter of Deceit…aka Seductive Secrets. I took Daughter of Deceit down and put it back up under a different title and penname, Seductive Secrets. I gave it away perma-free for a time (It is now one of the books I left in KDP). This was back when BookBub was just coming up. They posted Seductive Secrets and I haven’t looked back. After a year of hell with this troll attacking me, I had seriously thought of giving up on writing. The attacks on me were horrible. I believe fully it was because the gay character in the book was presented in a positive light. I wrote Charles specifically for a special person. She said that growing up, gay characters were always portrayed in a negative way. So I wrote Charles into my next book which turned out to be Seductive Secrets. But there is a price to pay for going against the grain. You can expect consequences. I just didn’t expect the trolls to be so aggressive.

Didn’t mean to get into that…but to put it simply BOOKBUB is the best place to advertise.

But BookBub promotions are hard to get for Indies. There are some other really good places to promote. Some of the ones I use: BookSends, Ereaders News Today, Kindle Nation Daily, Digital Book Today, Many Books, Great Books Great Deals and FreeBooksy. There are others, too. You just have to search for them.

I post books on Romantic Picks. I post my own along with other authors that I think you will enjoy. Everything I do on Romantic Picks is free for the author. It’s my way of giving back. Also, if you are just starting out, join author groups, especially Indie author groups. Indie authors are awesome at helping each other.

So, my conclusion, can an Indie make it in today’s market? Absolutely! I think the message is write a wonderful book, work hard, and believe in yourself. Good luck!

ROMANTIC PICKS #Startthenewyear #Upcomingreleases

January 9, 2017 by jhines340

COMING FEBRUARY 7TH!

AMAZON BARNES&NOBLE

A daring pilot finds himself in danger of losing his heart.

Coast Guard pilot Nick Armstrong savors the taste of danger. But after his helicopter crashes into the ocean during a mission, shattering his knee, he encounters a whole different type of thrill when he meets his new physical therapist. Maybe being grounded isn’t so bad after all.

Smart, sexy, and deeply guarded, Chloe Reynolds is the type of woman who drives Nick crazy for all the right reasons. But as she tries to help him heal, Chloe struggles to keep her heart—and secrets—safe.

For years, she has been told that Nick is responsible for her brother’s death, a “fact” that she slowly learns may not contain the entire truth.

But can Chloe’s growing feelings for Nick, and their undeniable chemistry, really overcome a years-long family feud? Or will the past ultimately destroy the future they both desperately want?

COMING MARCH 28TH!

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Thirty-nine-year-old struggling actress Alaina Ackerman isn’t just down on her luck today; lady luck has packed up and left town for heaven only knows where. Instead of ending up homeless on the streets of New York City in November, Alaina accepts her mother’s holiday invitation and heads home to Pittsburgh for a much-needed break. Maybe even to give up on acting altogether.

The last thing Alaina expects is to be happy returning home, especially when fate not only tosses an abandoned puppy into her lap, but also practically embeds Markus Klein into her life. That wouldn’t be so bad if she hadn’t spent the last twenty years trying to forget him after the night they crossed the “just friends” line. Now, torn between a love she thought she lost, and one she never knew existed, that vicious harpy some call fate dangles Alaina’s dream opportunity — a leading role — in front of her. Her only problem… Going after her dream could jeopardize her chance at love.

As if a new puppy, career, and two men vying for her affection aren’t complicated enough, Alaina discovers that her mother and sister are keeping a secret from her. The revelation might be just enough to get Alaina’s life heading in the right direction … or send her over the edge.

WARNING: Although there are many adult situations in this contemporary women’s fiction with a hint of humor and romance, if say … something crazy happened and a famous producer adapted this novel into a movie, it would have a PG-13 rating. There are no erotic scenes, no graphic violence, and while there are a few allowed-on-TV curse words, there aren’t a plethora of gratuitous foul words. Oh, and if you were looking for a cliffhanger, you won’t find that here either. While “Down on Her Luck” is a follow-up story to “Some Lucky Woman,” it is a stand-alone novel, and it doesn’t have a cliffhanger either. Please proceed at your own risk.

COMING APRIL 4TH!

AMAZON

“I say set fire to rain. Ignite the flames with what is true and just. Torch the blaze with our courage and resolve so when we are done, all men will be free!”
~ General Daniel Morgan, Set Fire to the Rain, Bk 4 Winds of Betrayal

Six long years, the war has raged. Six long years, the Corbett siblings have clung to the belief in their cause. Moreover, the war is far from over!

The Southern Army is in tatters with the devastating defeat at Camden. But all is not lost. General Washington sends his most trusted general, Nathanael Greene, to lead what is left of the army. In the darkest hour, Greene, in turn, draws upon the Old Wagoner, General Daniel Morgan.

At his northern headquarters, Washington faces his toughest decisions. Once more, he turns to his most trusted spy ring. Once more, he seeks the information needed to turn the war. This time, though, he needs more. He needs to feed the British misleading intelligence. He needs the British to believe he is eyeing New York…at least, until it is too late for them to act.

Spies and traitors! Love and Betrayal! Winds of Betrayal is coming to a dramatic conclusion! Follow Jonathan and Hannah Corbett on their final path of their fight for freedom!

COMING JANUARY 24TH!

AMAZON BARNES&NOBLE ITUNES

Sophie Davies has a secret . . . in fact, she has quite a few secrets.

Sophie Davies is the head of weapon development for a private firm contracted with the Department of Defense. Because of her knowledge and high security clearances, she has kept her job a secret for fear of kidnapping and sabotage. She always knew some groups would kill to learn what she knows, and now someone is trying to do just that.

Nash Dagher trained to become an elite weapon for the Rahmi Royal Family while he served at their horse farm in Keeneston. But for the past two years, Nash has been running an operation for the King—an operation once completed would result in his promotion to the head of security for the entire royal family in Rahmi. But when Nash discovers a threat against Sophie, he must decide what is more important: the job of his dreams or the life of the woman he loves. But will Sophie allow him back in her life?