Sex Scenes and Readers

I've a dear friend who is an avid reader, yet she isn't big on romance novels. While I told her about Lessons, I didn't encourage her to read it. I saw her last week, and it turns out she got the book for her Nook, and read it. She told me she wants to read the next book, based on the same characters, yet confessed, the adult scenes made her a bit uncomfortable - especially knowing I wrote them. It was similar for my daughter, who skimmed "those scenes" - while my mother tells me she really didn't think about me when she read the book, as she got into the characters and the stories.

Those scenes weren't added to titillate the reader - they are actually an integral part of the story.

I Feel the Power

Seems as if the Smashwords website is now working again.  For several days the page numbers were missing at the bottom of the search pages, only allowing you to see one page of search results. I suppose I could claim the credit for fixing the site - as yesterday's blog post was a plea to Smashwords and Mark Corker to fix the problem. :)

Well, it probably wasn't my post...but I am happy it is fixed!

Smashwords Website Having Problems?

I wonder, is anyone else having problems with the Smashwords website?? Mark Coker are you listening?

It has to do with the search feature. When I go to search for a title, it only shows one page of results - the link that take you to more titles that qualify has vanished. For example, if you are looking for Romances, it will only show about 10 titles, and you can't access number 11 in the search.

This happens when I use Firefox, Explorer, and on both my laptop and desktop.

I intended to send Smashwords an email about the problem, yet, the link that once took me to the page that allowed me to send emails to Smashwords is no longer live. It simply takes me back to the same page.

So if you are listening Mark Corker...please fix the site!

Killing off Characters

Today I received an email from a reader who had purchased Lessons, and was just about finished with the book. She wrote, “God I hope you are going to kill Emily off!” And then went on to tell me she was enjoying the story.

I had to laugh because that is the same thing my sister said after reading Lessons, when she learned my next book, based on the characters, was a murder and romance.

I won’t tell anyone Emily’s fate, but she is returning in The Senator’s Secret.

Valentine Day Promotion

 Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and what better time for an adult love story!

To celebrate Valentine's Day, I'm offering a $1 OFF discount coupon on the eBook (if purchased at Smashwords) and the print version (if purchased at CreateSpace.) Simply use the discount codes offered at the end of this email. They are good through Valentine's Day 2012.

Buy the eBook at Smashwords, available in most eBook formats. For your Nook, Kindle, iPad, Sony Reader and more. Click here and use coupon code ZG88V

Buy the paperback at CreateSpace.  Click here and use coupon code 7ZB55AP2

I Murdered Two People

Well, not people exactly. More like characters from Lessons. Won't say who I killed off, you need to read Lessons first and then wait for the second book, The Senator's Secret.

True, the first book started with a death, but it wasn't murder. I'm already into the second chapter (first draft) of The Senator's Secret.

If I didn't have to do other projects to pay the bills, I would devote all my time to the new book. I have the story worked out in my mind, and I know where I'm going, and I'm looking forward to diving in completely.

Hope you join me on this journey.

One more thing - if you happen to be reading Lessons don't kill yourself trying to figure out what state Coulson is located in. All you need to know is that it is located in the southwest. As mentioned in a previous post, the town was inspired by Lake Havasu City, Arizona - yet my sister saw some of Mammoth, California in the story. She happens to live close to Mammoth.

The Senator's Secret starts out in Arizona (where I live now), then takes the reader back to Coulson, which, by the way, is not in Arizona.

Am I a Bully??

I’ve been away from my blogs for a few days, getting caught up as the holidays end and the New Year begins. Lessons is now available in paperback and hardback. I’ve updated my links to the right of the blog, listing the links where you can purchase a copy of Lessons, in your desired format.

It’s exciting to hear back from readers. One told me she cried at one part of the story – which happened to be the same chapter where my mother cried.

Since making them cry made me feel good, does that make me a bully???