Jump, Jive and Wail Release Day

 

 

 

I am pleased to announce the release of Jump, Jive, and Wail by Kathryn R. Biel. Kathryn is a fellow Writing Wench and I've had the pleasure of getting to know her during our daily chats. I was even lucky enough to weigh in on the cover of this book, which I love.



Here is a summary:

 

A rebel on the run…

Kaitlin Reynolds is used to fearlessly flying off mountains. But nearly two years after a devastating injury has ended her ski jumping career, Kaitlin is still struggling to put one foot in front of the other and find her new life. A chance meeting with a handsome stranger begins to put life into perspective. Dashing figure skater, Declan McLoughlin has just returned from the Olympics amid a swirl of publicity and fan fare. Just as Kaitlin begins to have hope again, her charming savior turns out to represent everything she has lost. If Kaitlin can just let go of the past and take a leap of faith, will she find herself soaring into Declan's arms?

 

I am adding this to my Goodreads list as should you. Here is the link: http://bit.ly/GRJJW

Ready to one-click? Here are the Buy Links

Amazon US: http://bit.ly/AmzUSJJAW

Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/AmzUKJJAW

 

Telling stories of resilient women, Kathryn Biel hails from upstate New York and is a spouse and mother of two wonderful and energetic kids. In between being Chief Home Officer and Director of Child Development of the Biel household, she works as a school-based physical therapist. She attended Boston University and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The Sage Colleges. After years of writing countless letters of medical necessity for wheelchairs, finding increasingly creative ways to encourage the government and insurance companies to fund her clients' needs, and writing entertaining annual Christmas letters, she decided to take a shot at writing the kind of novel that she likes to read. Her musings and rants can be found on her personal blog, Biel Blather. She is the author of Good Intentions (2013), Hold Her Down (2014), I'm Still Here (2014), and the short story, Fly Robin Fly (Part of Cupid on the Loose: A Valentine's Anthology 2015).

You can find Kathryn online below. 

 

Website: http://kathrynbiel.blogspot.com

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GRKRBiel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathrynrbiel

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KRBiel

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kathrynrbiel/

Congratulations on your new release, Kathryn. I can't wait to read it.

Find me online at www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com



Jennifer Senhaji

Romance-What are you thinking?

What goes through the mind of a romance writer? I can't speak for all romance writers, but here's a glimpse into how I find ideas.

Have you ever had that dream? You know, the one you desperately try to go back to sleep to finish because it was that good. Yeah, that dream.

Do you wonder what the story is behind a couple holding hands in front of you in line at the local coffee shop?

Or how about a daydream that wanders through your mind when watching that actor strut his stuff on the big screen?

Well, those are all potential books for me. Now I know to write those little gems down whenever I get the chance.

Until we are capable of lucid dreaming, I will be taking those daydreams and letting them play out on paper to see where they go. They may end up a pile of notes that never become anything, or they could end up becoming a best seller.

Imagination is a splendid thing. Not to be wasted, but to be cultivated.

I'll let you in on a little secret...my first novel, Sweet Dreams, was based on two reoccurring dreams. Yep, I used my dreams to spark the idea for the book and let my mind wander until the plot took shape. The whole story didn't present itself in the dream and the actual book does vary greatly from the dreams, but I took those images and built on them. I guided my thoughts to see where those images would take me. And it worked.

So now as I walk the farmer's market on Fridays or think about that photo I saw on Pinterest, I let the ideas run wild. And when a good one comes along, I write it down.

Have you ever had a dream you couldn't forget? Have you ever thought about turning it into a story?

Jennifer Senhaji

You can find me online at www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com

Thanks for reading.

Undercover Heat Release Day Giveaway

Today, Undercover Heat by Tami Lund officially goes on sale. Whoohooo! It's no secret that I love this author. I've read several of Tami's books and I'm a big fan.

I've had the pleasure of getting to know Tami through our writing group, the Writing Wenches. Personally I can tell you she's funny, a grammar Nazi, partial to shower sex (in her books, wink), and a great supporter of her fellow writers.

Undercover Heat is the second book in her Tough Love Series, and I know for a fact she is working on the third right now.

Here is the blurb:

A year ago, agent Kyra Sanders almost closed the case of her career - almost, but not quite. Her boyfriend and colleague ended up cheating on her with the perp she was chasing, blowing the case and ruining Kyra’s belief in happily ever after. When she’s given a second chance to catch this crook, she’s determined not to let anything interfere.

Quinn Daniels is an FBI agent with a hell of a skeleton in his closet: his father was a career criminal. Locked up in federal prison, he still manages to torment Quinn, never letting him forget that he failed as a son and a human being. Hard-drinking, hard-talking Quinn vows to stay on the straight and narrow.

But when Kyra and Quinn are assigned to go undercover as a married couple, trouble - and desire - flares. Opposites may attract, but can they keep the heat between them undercover long enough to close their case?

 

Intrigued. I am. If I know Tami and her writing style, the characters are sure to have great chemistry and make me laugh along the way. I'm adding it to me TBR list right now. As should you.

 

Goodreads Link

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23698442-undercover-heat

Now that it's on your list, below you can find the links to buy. Go ahead, you know you want to one-click it.

Buy Links

Amazon US: http://bit.ly/AmzUSUndercoverHeat

Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/AmzUKUndercoverHeat

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/BNUndercoverHeat

Tami Lund likes to live, love, and laugh, and does her best to ensure the characters in her books do the same. After they've overcome a few seemingly insurmountable obstacles first, of course.

 

Tami is multi-published, both self and with a few publishers, including Crimson Romance, Liquid Silver Books, and Soul Mates Publishing. Chances are, there is a new book coming out soon. Be sure to stalk her on social media, so you know when.

And most important, if you enjoyed one of Tami's books, please let other readers know by leaving a review on the site from which you bought it, or on Goodreads. Otherwise, how will they know which book to read next?

Social Networking Links

Website: http://tamilund.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5169798.Tami_Lund

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTamiLund

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TamiLundAuthor



 

Here is a little giveaway for you to sweeten the pot.

 

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Three prizes (in one Rafflecopter):

1. The Resort series-5 e-books; the entire collection.

2. $20 gift card to Amazon.

3. Candy Crush e-book.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have you read any of Tami's books? Which one is your favorite?

Jennifer Senhaji, Your Sweet and Spicy Romance Author
Find me online at www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com

Happy reading.

Self Editing Tips and Tricks For January

So, you've finished your first draft. Great. Congratulations. Now the real work begins.
If you're with a publisher you'll be turning in your manuscript for editing. The editor will make notes of changes they want and send it back to you for you to edit and re-submit.

If you're self publishing, then you will need to hire your own editor. I say need, because this is a must. An editor is the most important investment you can make in your writing. Book covers, marketing, branding, all are important, but before you do any of those things you want your book to be the best it can be. I thought I couldn't afford an editor. I didn't know where to even start looking my first time around. Rookie mistake, but I'm telling you this so you don't make the same mistake I did.  Now, I know better. I'm even having my first work of fiction re-edited.

An editor makes you a better writer. I recommend the professionals over at PageCurl Publishing and Promotion. I worked with Patricia, Samantha and Melody on my recent holiday romantic short, I'm currently working with them to polish up my first work of fiction, and edit my current WIP.

That said, there are a few things you can do yourself before handing your manuscript over to your editor, which your editor will also appreciate. Here are some tips I've learned that I hope will come in handy. I write contemporary romance. Not all the tips below may be applicable if you are writing scifi, historical fiction or suspense. Keep that in mind. I will

1. Always spell out the word okay. Don't overuse.
2. Always capitalize God.
3. Avoid the word just. It tends to be a crutch for a lot of writers.
4. Use contractions. Find all the instances of it is, she is, I am, that is, he will, etc. and contract.
5. Use the Find tool to find and replace words too often used as well as contractions.
6. Do not use the Find and Replace all tool. This is tempting, but should be avoided. There are some instances where it is isn't it's, but its.
7. Use first line indent at the beginning of each paragraph. Do not tab or use space bar. Use the tool bar at the top to format your entire document.
8. Use insert page break at the end of the last sentence of each chapter.
9. Numbers under 100 should be spelled out. Exceptions to the rule are for an address or time.
10. Always have a minimum of two or three beta readers read before submitting for final edit to catch those things you are too close to see.

I hope those were helpful. I'll post more again in the future.

Do you have any quick tips you can share for self-editing?

Thanks for reading.

Choosing to Dream, Book 2 of the Sunset Dreams series is coming soon. Stay tuned.

You can find me online at www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com

Undercover Heat by Tami Lund Cover Reveal

The Tough Love Series by Tami Lund follows the lives of men and women in tough jobs who deserve to find their happily ever after, but often need a little help getting there. The first book in the series is Naked Truth, which was released in June.

Jack, from Naked Truth, is an FBI agent, a playboy, a man who is happy tasting the flavor of the month and not staying for breakfast. He’s perfectly content with his life and has no interest in finding his happily ever after. So when he is attracted to Kennedy at his partner’s wedding, he naturally takes the opportunity to seduce her. Now it’s time to focus on the next good-looking woman who comes along, right?

Ah, you don’t always get what you expect.

Kennedy was burned by her ex-husband—badly. She told everyone he cheated on her, because the truth—that he stole all of her money before disappearing out of her life—is far more embarrassing. For the last three years she’s struggled to pay off her debt, ignoring her libido and refusing to consider allowing another man to get close.

A one-night stand with Jack is the perfect way to break her sexual fast—until she discovers that he’s pouring her morning coffee and frying bacon.

While Jack goes undercover at a male strip club, the two begin an affair that distracts him from his job and puts their hearts—and Kennedy’s life—in danger. Now there’s only one way Jack can stop this killer, and it involves making that declaration they both swore they didn’t want.

On January 19, Crimson Romance will release the second book in this series, Undercover Heat. A year ago, agent Kyra Sanders almost closed the case of her career—almost, but not quite. Her boyfriend and colleague ended up cheating on her with the perp she was chasing, blowing the case and ruining Kyra’s belief in happily ever after. When she’s given a second chance to catch this crook, she’s determined not to let anything interfere.

Quinn Daniels is an FBI agent with a hell of a skeleton in his closet: his father was a career criminal. Locked up in federal prison, he still manages to torment Quinn, never letting him forget that he failed as a son and a human being. Hard-drinking, hard-talking Quinn vows to stay on the straight and narrow.

But when Kyra and Quinn are assigned to go undercover as a married couple, trouble—and desire—flares. Opposites may attract, but can they keep the heat between them undercover long enough to close their case?

Sound interesting? Check out the cover!

And while you’re impatiently waiting for Undercover Heat to be released, why not pick up a copy of Naked Truth, to tide you over? Buy link: http://www.crimsonromance.com/contemporary-romance-novels/naked-truth/

And don’t forget to add Undercover Heat to your TBR list on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23698442-undercover-heat

Tami Lund likes to live, love, and laugh, and does her best to ensure the characters in her books do the same. After they've overcome a few seemingly insurmountable obstacles first, of course. If you enjoyed one of Tami's books, please let other readers know by leaving a review on the site from which you bought it, or on Goodreads. Otherwise, how will they know which book to read next?

You can find Tami online at http://tamilund.com/

New Year's Resolutions-A Writer's List

It's a new year and time to look back and look forward.
Always wanting to improve and grow, I'm making a list of resolutions. Not the usual list of promises to myself to lose weight, and join the local gym. No. The list I'm making this year is specific to writing. I want goals that will challenge me, but that I can also achieve without making myself crazy. Here is the short list, although if the coming year is anything like the last year, I'm sure the list itself will grow as I do.

1. Schedule Writing Time-This one seems easy, but when left without a schedule I end up writing when I should be spending time with my family and watching Netflix when I should be writing.

2. Publish Two Works of Fiction-I'm leaving this at two although I would love to make it three. You never know, could be four. 

3. Develop New Romance Series-I have a new series in mind that could mean a few books down the road. I want to outline the first two books in the series and put them on the calendar.

4. Use a Manual Agenda for Scheduling Writing Assignments-This year, I found my phone calendar did not do it for me. I'm going back to the old fashioned hand written agenda, so I always know what assignments are due before the day they are due.

5. Develop a Newsletter-This is a big one and something I've been meaning to add to my author platform.

So many other things are going through my mind, but I like knowing my goals are attainable. It keeps me focused and positive. I want to set myself up to succeed, not to fail.

What are your resolutions this year?

Happy New Year.

Find me online at www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com

The Twelve Days of Christmas

This time of year always seems to creep up on me. I'm one of those people who starts shopping the weekend before Christmas, not because I planned it that way, but because I just seem to run out of time.

If I had it my way, I would spend the twelve days before Christmas differently. I would go ice skating, go downtown just to admire the decorations, and bake cookies. Then I would go to see the Nutcracker, volunteer my time for a great charity, and host a holiday cocktail party. Next I would take my kids to Lake Tahoe to build snowmen and make snow angels, and send out holiday cards. I would also take a family portrait, have all my gifts done, wrapped and under the tree.

And actually relax and enjoy the holidays. Maybe someday.

Everyone knows the Twelve Days of Christmas song (if not, see lyrics below), and one year when dining at my cousin's house on Christmas Eve, we sang it. It was laugh out loud funny. Here's the thing, my cousin left a note card at each person's place setting with the verse they were in charge of. There were one-two people assigned to each verse and then she left the fifth verse (five gold rings) for our family friend who has this big voice and was sure to ham it up. Each person was to stand and sing out their verse and then sit down. The result was so much fun. My mother in law was visiting from Morocco that year, and even though she didn't understand, she was laughing the whole time at watching us all stand up and sit for each of our verses all the way through the song. Even if you are not the type to sing Christmas carols, this was fun.

This year, as I was thinking about this post, I started listing things off in my head that I would want, as a writer, for my twelve Christmas gifts. So below are my revised lyrics, just for fun. I will skip the repeats to save time.

On the first day of Christmas
my true love said to me:
Your best seller is under the tree, sign it for me?

On the second day of Christmas
my true love said to me:
You have fifty more five star reviews on Amazon.

On the third day of Christmas
my true love said to me:
I'll make dinner so you can write.

On the fourth day of Christmas
my true love said to me:
Would you like a massage?

On the fifth day of Christmas
my true love said to me:
You have voicemails from all Big Five Publishers! They want the movie rights!

On the sixth day of Christmas
my true love said to me:
I understand you need those pictures on Pinterest, it's research.

On the seventh day of Christmas
my true love said to me:
Can I get you a glass of wine?

On the eighth day of Christmas
my true love said to me:
Let me take the kids out, so you can have some peace and quiet.

On the ninth day of Christmas
my true love said to me:
You don't spend too much time on social media.

On the tenth day of Christmas
my true love said to me:
Invite The Writing Wenches over for Christmas.

On the eleventh day of Christmas
my true love said to me:
I got you a credit card just for buying books with no limit. I'll pay the bill.

On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love said to me:
Write. It's who you are and what you do. I support you.
And...
I got you a credit card just for buying books with no limit. I'll pay the bill.
Invite The Writing Wenches over for Christmas.
You don't spend too much time on social media.
Let me take the kids out, so you can have some peace and quiet.
Can I get you a glass of wine?
I understand you need those pictures on Pinterest, it's research.
You have voicemails from all Big Five Publishers! They want the movie rights!
Would you like a massage?
I'll make dinner so you can write.
You have fifty more five star reviews on Amazon.
Your best seller is under the tree, sign it for me?

To give my husband a little credit, he actually does give me massages, makes me dinner and will give me some quiet time to write.

And here is the original version for you to enjoy!

Twelve Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

On the second day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

On the third day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

On the fourth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

On the fifth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

On the sixth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

On the seventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

On the eighth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

On the ninth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

On the tenth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

On the eleventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Eleven Pipers Piping
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
12 Drummers Drumming
Eleven Pipers Piping
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

There you have it. Happy Holidays.

You can find me online at www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com