August 11, 2024

Rainy days are writing days

Being in Western NC, we only got the faintest edge of the storm Debby, so we had a rainy weekend and cooler temps. I know people will think I’m crazy, but I’ve been sensing the season shift all week. I love spring and autumn the most, so we’re heading into one of my favorite times of the year.

Had the root canal done on Tuesday and the pain is gone! I woke up Wednesday morning with so much energy and good feeling - it was like I’d just put down a 50lb weight and could move again. As most of you know, I’m already a chronic pain patient dealing with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Fibromyalgia - among other things. Having the added tooth pain on top of it all made it difficult to function at daily tasks.

So I’ve spent a good part of this week getting caught up on laundry and housekeeping things that weren’t critical needs but still needed doing. My house feels better and *I* feel better with less clutter.

Yes, this also means more words are getting done and that’s also a wonderful feeling.

Aug 7 2024 porch view

Here’s a shot of the porch view in between storms this past week.

I’ve got promos running on Kobo and there are series bundle discounts on Google Play. If you’re a kindle owner, most of the kindle devices will allow you to load Kobo’s app as well - and I encourage you to do so.

I was a kindle user from the beta - yes, that long ago. A year ago I switched to Kobo and I will not be going back. Yes, I still have my kindle e-reader loaded with all of my kindle books - and I have them also downloaded to my PC because there are over 3000 books on there. But as an author, I have a hard time supporting Kindle Unlimited any longer. They penalize authors more than help - and it’s just not a good situation.

Kobo Plus, however, is a subscription model that is fantastic for both authors AND readers. As a reader, it’s $7.99/mo and I can download as many books as I want - and I don’t have to return them. So, if I find a good series I want to read? I can download the whole series. As long as I’m paying for the subscription, the books remain in my library.
If you prefer audiobooks only, it’s also $7.99 - but if you want both? $9.99 for the read/listen plus subscription. Awesome, right?

And for authors - you get paid every time someone reads/listens. So if you really like the book and want to read it again? The author gets paid for both reads. This is not the case with KU. You get paid once, that’s it.

The best part, as an author - is that I get to be in Kobo Plus - and I can publish anywhere else - no restrictions. If an author publishes in Kindle Unlimited - you cannot publish anywhere else. If someone pirates your book? You deal with a lot of penalties from Amazon. It’s a nightmare to deal with, very stressful, and not a good business choice in my experience. That’s another reason I’m encouraging everyone to go to Kobo Plus.

Anyway, like I said - as a reader, I’m loving it - as an author, I’m reaping the benefits, and I’m hoping as more people get educated, they’ll like it too!

Now, for the book news…

Marked by the Wolf is live, and it has Remington’s story in it - so you should grab it if you haven’t yet.

King is up for preorder - and I’m hoping to have it out in the next couple of weeks now that pain levels are down. So grab your preorder here.

Working with a new promo company - so you should see what they’ve got to offer. Check out the books available at Books Go Direct! It’s free to sign up and use.

I’ve also been updating/uploading my books to a new site called The Story Graph - it’s like Goodreads but not as toxic, not owned by Amazon, and a pretty decent product from what I can see so far. Check out StoryGraph here:

This week’s Round Robin freebie is FOUND by M.R. Becker - grab your copy!

Blindsided by the discovery he’s a father, former Marine Theodore ‘Bear’ Alexander does the only thing he knows.

Steps up, takes control of the situation, and leaves for the only home he’s ever known with his eight-year-old daughter before Christmas arrives.

Shady Willow is everything a quaint small town should be for the Holidays.

His new security gig at the local male revue? Not quite so quaint.

For Adaline Redgrave, her life hasn’t turned out quite the way she hoped. Monotonous days running together in a blur until a sexy mountain of man, who should terrify her, wanders into her life. The little girl by his side draws her in, showing a softer side to the scary protective Marine. Addy quickly falls for both father and daughter.

Taking care of Bear's little girl, and leaving the past behind, might be the leap of faith Addy needed to take.

The sign she wished for night after night.

But will the one thing that brought them together tear them apart? Or will the miracle of Christmas save them both from a danger they never saw coming?