Monday, March 27, 2023

Release Day!

It’s book release day! That’s right, my fourteenth book is out today. I can’t believe I’ve published 14 books, with several more on the way. Crazy. Here’s the link if you’re interested: Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/3k2G5n

This release day I’m celebrating a little differently, with two live events. 

 

The first happened this morning via Facebook Live. I’m attending a big reader’s event in the fall, and one of the women offered to interview author attendees. We coordinated it around today’s release, and I had so much fun talking to her. As she described it, it was like sitting down for a cup of coffee and chatting. We talked about my writing process, my reading preferences, and my book. And I’ve gained a new reader, since she tried A Heart Restrained, loved it, and now wants to read the rest of the series. Yay! I answered watchers’ questions and really had so much fun.

 

The second will happen tonight. I’m going into Manhattan to a place called P&T Knitwear, which is a gift store, bookstore, podcast recording studio and more. I, along with several other authors, will read excerpts from our books, discuss our writing, and sign books for readers. I’ve never done something like this before, and I’m excited to be a part of it. If you’re in the area this evening, stop by!

 


Usually, I focus more on social media events, which I’m still doing. I’ve got blogs and reviews tours and social media posts. But I’m trying to reach readers who might not be on social media. We’ll see what happens. 

 

This book was a lot of fun to write, but more difficult than my usual ones. The hero doesn’t show his emotions. And that makes it very hard for me, as the author, to show you, the reader, what he’s feeling. Because I don’t want to say, “he was angry.” I want you to see it. But if I can’t show you his anger, I have to find other methods. So, it was a struggle. But I hope I did it well. Fiona, who does show her emotions, was fun to write. I’m a big fan of strong, independent women, and she is definitely strong and independent. Sassy, too. 

 

I hope you’ll consider reading the book, and if you do, I hope you’ll leave a review. Short, long, good, bad, all the reviews help by making my books more visible. Thanks for coming along on the journey with me!

 

 

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Welcome, Alexa Sullivan

Don’t Give Up on Finding Your Voice

 

I stared at another email from my agent, informing me that a publisher had once again passed on my manuscript. Dejected, I wondered how I was ever going to get over the seemingly 100-foot-high publication gate guarded by mysterious, faceless people my agent was corresponding with. The feedback she kept passing me was incredibly vague – my book just “wasn’t for” the person in question or “didn’t quite captivate” them. What was I doing wrong?

 

This was many years ago. At the time, I was trying to be a YA fantasy writer in a sea of such writers. After several years of working with that agent and failing to get three separate YA books through the publication gauntlet, I amicably parted ways with my agent and took some time to re-center myself. I focused on other things, like my career. And off and on, I kept writing.

 

Eventually, I found the inspiration to try writing romance – something I’d dabbled with in the past but never seriously pursued. After self-publishing a sweet contemporary romance, I turned to writing more steamy paranormal romance and finally found my writing home (yes, my home now includes some level of smut). Instead of trying to write something that was popular, I wrote to entertain myself. I included the most random of plot points (like a three-headed Pomeranian hellhound) – whatever would make me laugh. In doing so, I found my voice as a writer.

 

It only took about 15 years.

 

If you’re an as-yet-unpublished writer and not sure what your “brand” is, I would encourage you to set aside worries about what’s popular in the market right now and write only for yourself. If there’s a genre you love to read but struggle to write, don’t write that, either. Find the type of story you both love to read and write, then tell yourself that story. Your voice, like mine, might be a little quirky. But I guarantee it will be authentic.

 

And authenticity might just sell your book.



I DREAM OF DEMIGODS

 

By Alexa Sullivan

 

Blurb

Ro Baird can't cast a spell without setting her own pants on fire—until she kisses her hot new boss, Alex. Suddenly, she's able to access her magic…sort of…and she now has a familiar, who may be more trouble than she is helpful.

Alex Kouris happens to be a soul-stealing demigod of the Underworld. He claims he's trying to leave the life, but can she really trust a man whose magical talents are manipulation and charm? When Alex enlists a shady ex to help him, Ro must risk her heart and her life to save him and humanity from Hades’s evil scheme. 

 

Can she harness her true power to set Alex and herself free?


Bio

 

Alexa Sullivan writes humorous, contemporary paranormal romance. Inspired by her previous career in IT,, she imagines a world where the mundane meets magic—and where vampires and werewolves have regular jobs. Oh, and there are cats, too. She lives and works in the beautiful state of Oregon, where she sets all of her stories. When not writing, she can be found hanging out with her husband, walking her cats on a leash, and watching far too much Bravo reality TV.

 

Socials

 

Website: https://www.alexasullivan.com/

 

Sign up for Alexa’s Newsletter: https://www.alexasullivan.com/subscribe

 

Instagram: @alexasullivanromance

 

Buy Link: https://mybook.to/ufacndK

 


Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Check Out This Awesome Series!

 


Series BLURB:

 

A wisp of smoke, a swirl of promise, a breath of destiny…a message within the Mortar & Pestle for those who want to believe.

Throughout time people have sought heir heart’s desire. But true love is often elusive.

Carved with Ancient Norse runes, the Mortar & Pestle shows paths to happily-ever-afters.

Once you capture the Mortar & Pestle’s scent of magic, you’ll want to read all seven individual romances.

 

 

5 Fun Facts About the Series:

  1. Each book has a paranormal element or thread—selkies, gifted heroines, healers, vampires…a bit of magic and a whole lotta love!
  2. The Mortar & Pestle plays a role in each book to bring true love upon an unsuspecting couple in unique ways. Whether it’s used for grinding food or herbs, hitting an adversary’s head [hey, that bowl is heavy!], making medicines, mixing paints, or being uncovered in an archaeological find, the magical bowl finds its way into each of the stories.
  3. The Mortar & Pestle transcends time. Originating with the Norse/Vikings, it is passed on to medieval Scotland, across the sea to 1700s Caribbean pirates, to North American WWII treasure hunters, and lastly it joins with three contemporary couples just trying to find their path, including an emotional vampire, a healer, and an artist.
  4. Each book can be read as a standalone, out of or order, in order! 
  5. Each romance is low-heat (= PG to PG-13/behind closed doors or fade to black – whatever you like to call it!) and some of the authors are offering extra bonus spicy scenes or graphics! Check out their websites for more info.

 

Inspiration For the Series 

In early 2022, a group of seven authors got together through Zoom to talk shop, and one thing led to another…and a magical Mortar & Pestle was born! A few of us were in writing slumps. A few were looking for something new or fun to write. Our intention was to talk the biz, and instead, we left, our fingers itching to write a new romance! Each story has a bit of magic and is novella-length, spanning time from 900 AD to modern day. The series takes the reader on an adventure with Vikings, Highlanders, pirates, treasure hunters, vampires, healers, and artists. 

 

About the authors:

Sydney Winward is a writer of action packed paranormal and fantasy romance, and a stay-at-home mom and seamstress on the side. Must haves for a deserted island (besides essentials): her family who are considered an essential, so she’d also bring loads of fabric, her sewing machine, and her favorite book.

Jean M. Grant is a gardener, coffee lover, hiker girl, and cheerleader for her neurodiverse family. Must haves for a deserted island (besides essentials): coffee, lip balm, endless pink sticky notes, and The Rock Dwayne Johnson. Bonus: my island better have fruit, veggie, and loads of flower gardens or I’ll be making a raft to escape.

Marilyn Barr is an award-winning historical, PNR author who writes about societal misfits and the fate mates who cherish them. Must haves for a deserted island (besides essentials): her spouse (she is totally obsessed with her nerd), caffeine (she’s addicted to coffee, energy drinks, and black tea – and would need gentle weaning), and cheesecloth (for desalinating ocean water), and some herbivore’s milk to make cheese.

D.V. Stone writes several different genres all with a bit of romance and fun. Must haves for a deserted island (besides essentials): a multi-tool like a Leatherman, a kindle, and a satellite hot spot.

Shirley Goldberg trolls for funny in life, relationships, and in her writing. Her characters are often of a certain age, although her energy vampire is in his thirties. She loves small, intimate joints with a little dance and music—and her honey. Must haves for a deserted island (besides essentials): since the stranded on a deserted island theme is fantasy, her family and honey count as one. She’d bring her kindle and a bag of dark Utz pretzels.

Darlene Fredette is an author of heartwarming contemporary romances and an artist at heart. Must haves for a deserted island (besides essentials): her family to keep her sane—they travel together so if she was stranded, so are they! She’d bring a radio so she can listen to music, and a lighter to make fire because while she is a Survivor fan, she’s not getting her torch snuffed out for trying to get a spark from a flint.

Ginny Frost is a writer, dreamer, romantic. And a total fangirl for Sci-Fi, horror, and fantasy. Must haves for a deserted island (besides essentials): her kindle—completely filled with books and cross-stitch patterns, her cross-stitch supplies in bulk, and a vat of diet Pepsi.


Taglines & buy link:


Seeker - Nock, draw, release. Her bow is always ready, and if her arrow hits its mark, she will secure her destined soulmate.


Buy link-- Preorder all the books now, each for 99 cents!

 

Series link on Amazon

 

Check out the trailer!

 

Check out the free prequel that includes the first chapter of each book in the series - HERE!

 

Jean M. Grant

www.jeanmgrant.com

 

Social Media links:

Website ~ Twitter  Facebook ~  Goodreads Bookbub Amazon Author Page Instagram