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Good morning from Manhattan #amreading #amwriting #romance #kindle #kindleunlimited #amazon

5/31/2015

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Well, I did my first book signing and I've survived to blog about it. Don't get me wrong. There is no greater high than meeting your readers. But it is a lot of work to get there. Some of the authors looked smashing. Me I looked like something smashed into me. Lugging books, swag and a banner with 2 suitcases from one coast to another is an endeavor. I shouldn't complain though. There were authors there from the UK and Australia.

And authors are crazy and wild beings. Big fun. Problem is my big fun days are behind me. I'm more moderate fun and then nap.From readers I had my share of "I've heard of you...ah, I think so." And "can you initial my card so I get put in the raffle." And wow, these covers look great and then thankfully buying a book. Thank you Sara Eirew for the amazing covers. From the authors here I got a lot of "Susan who???". Laughing. Only in this venue am I the new kid on the block. I'm only a year doing this and they all do the signing tours together.

Halfway through the event and I still had too many books, and I was starting to worry that I'd have to shove Shell-Bell out of the hotel the next day to sell them in Times Square~I was not lugging puppies home!~ and then a miracle happened. I actually had a fan show for me and she brought her entire book club. The girls cleaned me out, and when they asked for photos(I don't do photos because, yuck, I'm not young any more) I was so happy I said, sure. Can't refused a photo for girls who made it possible not to the lug the books home.

All joking aside. Christine Stanley did a marvelous job putting together Sexy in the City. I don't know if I'll do another signing. I've got 2 more lined up for this year and one next year, but lets face it, old authors should hang at the beach and not the NY streets. My feet are killing me, darlings. I don't usually wear real shoes.

As always I wish you Peace.

Oh, and thank you all my darlings who have been downloading One Long Kiss, which released during my signing yesterday after I went into that scary place called Amazon Review. I was worried it would get out in time for my release day today, but it did. And all of you who have spent or are spending time with me between the covers of Jack and Linda's story, thank so much for putting me #22 on Amazon Bestselling Erotica Humorous List before I went to sleep last night...oh at 5 p.m. NY time...I am not a party animal any more.
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Good morning from Sexy in the City. I just hit release on my 11th book and what have I learned... #amreading #amwriting #romance #amazon #indieauthors #blogging #authors #erotica

5/30/2015

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What have I learned? Not a damn thing, unless one wants to count that I still live in the land of shit happens. This weekend of books is shaping up to be the everything go wrong book signing trip(yes, still don't have all my books) I hit release on my 11th book last night, ONE LONG KISS,  and Amazon hasn't released it. Still waiting, still waiting.

But who cares. The book will release when it releases. Don't have books to sign at a signing. Well, I'll just chat with the folks who come to my table. There is no need to sweat the little stuff. It's only fiction. And besides, my books got me to Manhattan with my lovely youngest daughter and we have more theater tickets to use. Woo Hoo. Broadway, book signing, 11th release and Shell Bell. A wonderful way to spend a weekend.

WAIT! I guess that's what I've learned. Not to sweat the little things. I find that too many Indies are too serious too much of the time. They have little feuds with other authors. They have tantrums when Amazon screws up and doesn't publish their titles on time. Hell, they melt down at book signings when their shit doesn't arrive. Me, I went to the theater, drank champagne from a sipper cup and had a wild rickshaw ride through Times Square with my daughter.

So in my thirteen month self-publishing, I've finally hit upon the most important thing to learn. Have fun and don't sweat it. It will be as it will be and I have another book to write releasing  June 30th.

As ever I wish you Peace.


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Good morning from Manhattan #amreading #amwriting #indieauthors #authors #amazon #kindle #erotica #romance

5/29/2015

3 Comments

 
That's right. I'm not on the mountain. This Santa Barbara girl has been traveling, and I've finished another book at the Omni hotel in Indianapolis and One Long Kiss is releasing May 31st. If you haven't stayed at the Omni in Indy, you've got to do it. They are fantastic there. And now I'm in Manhattan getting ready to sign books at the Crown Plaza on Saturday. Before I hop to Sacramento and hopefully to finish The Girl in the Comfortable Quiet.

Things this newbie author has learned along the route to book signing. (1) If the TSA can mess up your bags and find something to confiscate; they will. I had taken a cross body bag. (2) If you drop ship your books to an event, be prepared to have no books to sign. Not a single package of books or SWAG has arrived yet. (3) That Surface may be lighter than a laptop, but it is harder to write a book on.

Live and learn. But somehow, I'm here. So drop by my table. It will be the one with practically nothing on it. But we can chat and that's fine by me.

As ever I wish you Peace.

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Cover Reveal~One Long kiss~ Releasing May 31st...#amreading #romance #erotica #books #kindle #kindleunlimited #amazon #indieauthors #authors

5/23/2015

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Releasing May 31st~ One Long Kiss~ Book 3 Affair Without End

The Affair Without End Series. A Steamy affair leaves one couple forever changed as a Rock Star teaches a cynical Groupie how to love.

:::Buy Links::

Book 1: ONE LAST KISS: Amazon US Buy : http://amzn.to/Z40f0U
Book 2: ONE MORE KISS: Amazon US Buy: http://amzn.to/1D7yoLd
Book 3: ONE LONG KISS: Available Amazon May 31st

Synopsis:
“I knew it the first time I saw him. Some men have that power. They instantly ignite something feral in you, whether you want it or not, and the sexual electricity is always there, in every room and every moment, from the first time you see them. An inescapable web, swirling around you until you surrender. And at that point, they devour you.”~~Linda Cray

Leaving Jack a second time is the hardest thing Linda has ever done. Keeping their love intact proves an even greater challenge as she embarks on a new career: road manager for the British rock band Blackpoll and the girl expected to keep the mercurial Alan Manzone from self-destruction.

Building a successful career for herself fast becomes the least of her concerns. Jack’s heated custody battle over his daughter continues to thwart the great love of Linda’s life. Alone and heartsick and forced to stay away from Jack, she finds herself soon caught in a spinning web of lust for Alan Manzone. She wants him. She hates him. Yet there is something elusive about the enigmatic Brit that melts her heart.

Linda is determined not to falter in her love for Jack while they wait for his custody battle over Chrissie to be resolved, so they can at last start their future together. But will she surrender to the burning pull of Alan’s pursuit?




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I'm brain fried. I need a vacation, that's all there is to it. #amreading #amwriting #author #blogging #indieauthor #romance

5/19/2015

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I've been working four jobs for 13 months now.(For the the past 20 years I've usually only worked three jobs) My government relations firm, my trade association, my internet referral business, and I added the book thing on a lark. Toss into the mix writing 13 new books during this time frame, having my first grandchild and hopping to the Midwest wherever I can, and I think my brain is shutting down and saying, sleep, Susan, sleep. All of us in here have had enough. I haven't been able to write for four days and I'm starting to do stupid things...let me rephrase, even more stupid than the things I usually do.

The need for a long break has most definitely been confirmed this morning by some answers I gave on an interview. I answered them early in the morning, like at 4a.m., sent them off thinking I'd get them back to look at one last time before they were posted. I've done a lot of these and didn't really read through the questions so I misread one. Laughing. And of course, in typical Susan fashion, in the worst possible way. If I am going to make a mistake, why go for tiny when you can do enormous, right?

The question was "what's the best book I've read," but because I have my befuddled overtaxed brain, I read, "what is the best book you've written." That's the question I answered only it was the wrong question and I'm experiencing a Jeb Bush moment today. To clarify, the best book I've read is THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY. I thought it was an amazing achievement. The blend of history and drama and characterization. To keep me glued to the page for 700 pages. Amazing. And I loved the end even though it wasn't how I wanted it to end.

So, to clarify my recent, oh my, I'm neither brave, I'm not good at self-promotion, or as we say in the states(It's a UK interview) I don't usually try to be an ass. I'm just tired, darlings, and I need a break.

I wanted to clarify that. The important thing to remember about life--everything in Susan's universe is a  teachable moment-- and this incident is,  what would be the fun if we always got everything right? Today I am a messy pompous looking yahoo author...***cringing***... tomorrow, I will still be me with unbrushed hair, in my jammies, living on Walton's Mountain, speaking only to squirrels if I'm lucky. Good things, bad things, the genuinely stupid things, in the long run they all are replaced by new moments in our lives and we all end up still us.

I wish you all Peace.

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Good morning from the mountain. I have that worried feeling again. I've done another no-no...#amreading #romance #erotica #kindle #blogging #books #TW4RT #amazon

5/15/2015

1 Comment

 
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It's no secret that I break those unwritten rules romance authors are not supposed to break. I'm doing it again. And I'm worried again. I'm letting one of the favorite characters from the Half Shell Series, Alan Manzone, go visit in One Long Kiss, Affair without End Series, in the world of erotica. Boys just wanna have fun, I couldn't stop him, and off he went. And after all he's a having a difficult go of it in the Half Shell Series, so why not let him have some fun?

Now, for those of you reading both series, I've done another no-no. At the end of One Long Kiss, there is a special bonus chapter that will only have significance for readers reading both series. But I think it will make book 4 of The Half Shell Series more fun. You see, a lot of what impacts all our lives happens off page. That is definitely the case for Chrissie. Only I decided to put it on page in another series. I hope you enjoy. I know you'll tell me if you don't.

And if you are looking for pre-order or an official release date, I don't have one. Isn't it fun? I'm just releasing and then off to New York to sign books at the Plaza at Sexy in the City.

As ever, I wish you Peace.

Oh, and my anniversary sales are still going on!

FREE: The Girl on the Half Shell  Amazon US: http://amzn.to/ZqFAnZ
99CENTS: The Girl of Tokens & Tears Amazon US: http://amzn.to/18CAn1l
FREE ON K/U The Girl of Diamonds & Rust Amazon US>>> http://amzn.to/1QuUIGW

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Happy anniversary to me. Happy birthday Chrissie. I've got something #FREE Why don't you come see. #kindle #amazon #freedownload #giveaway #romance #book

5/13/2015

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Thank you all for this amazing year.

Well today is my  one year anniversary as an Indie Author AND Chrissie's book birthday. I bet you thought I was going to talk a lot. That I'd get all weepy and go on and on about Chrissie. Well, I'm finishing the last chapters of One Long Kiss so no babble babble  from me and I'm going to get right to the important stuff. My mother taught me never to have a party without a gift for everyone.   So below are my gifts to you.  Thank you so much for being the most amazing readers anywhere. My readers are fantastic and wonderful people. I am truly touched and humbled by your kindness, your notes, and that you spend a bit of time between the covers of a book with me. I wish you all PEACE.


****My Gift to you. Prices Through May 17th***
The Girl on the Half Shell FREE
The Girl of Tokens & Tears 99cents Kindle countdown
The Girl of Diamonds & Ruse FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED
One Last Kiss 99cents
One More Kiss 99cents

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Good Morning from the mountain. I'm excited today. Are you? #amreading #amwriting #author #indieauthors #kindle #amazon #blogging #romance #newrelease

5/11/2015

2 Comments

 
Well after much delay~a grandson being born in March and surgery in May...blah~I have the chapters for One Long Kiss in the editing process and my cover artist waiting only for final page count to finish the full jacket. Now I don't have an official release date yet. I'm doing this one of the fly. Lets just say SOON. There won't be a blitz. There won't be a blog tour, so check back here for when it goes live. It is officially the naughtiest book I've ever written, so lets not tell my girls I'm releasing it. This is a secret between us!

For my Half Shell Series readers, this is a must read before the release of the 4th book in the series, The Girl in the Comfortable Quiet. There's a lot you learn about my characters in One Long Kiss  that will make what happens in the next Shell book more fun. Well it did for me, and I know you readers will let me know if it did or did not for you.

As I prepare to finish my Parker Saga fictional universe, I want to thank everyone who is taking this journey with me. I've had some challenges this year that have made the writing thing tough, but your kind notes and messages keep me going to finish these series.

As ever, I wish you Peace.

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“I knew it the first time I laid eyes on him. Some men have that power. They instantly ignite something feral in you, whether you want it or not, and the sexual electricity is always there, in every room and every moment, from the first time you see them. An inescapable web, swirling around you until you surrender. And at that point, they devour you.”~~Linda Cray

Leaving Jack a second time is the hardest thing Linda has ever done. Keeping their love intact proves an even greater challenge as she embarks on a new career: road manager for the British rock band Blackpoll and the girl expected to keep the mercurial Alan Manzone from self-destruction.

Building a successful career for herself fast becomes the least of her concerns. Jack’s heated custody battle over his daughter continues to thwart the great love of Linda’s life. Alone and heartsick and forced to stay away from Jack, she finds herself soon caught in a spinning web of lust for Alan Manzone. She wants him. She hates him. Yet there is something elusive about the enigmatic Brit that melts her heart.

Linda is determined not to falter in her love for Jack while they wait for his custody battle over Chrissie to be resolved, so they can at last start their future together. But will she surrender to the burning pull of Alan’s pursuit?


2 Comments

Mama told me there would be days like this. She just didn't tell me there would be so many #amreading #amwriting #blogging #romance #kindle #amazon

5/9/2015

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And Mom definitely didn't know, that her very calm and sane daughter would take a right turn at fifty and become an Indie Author. So mom gets a pass on not warning me about days like this. I wonder if readers realize how difficult it is to write, market, and stay positive on the days you are constantly getting hit by something that makes you want to toss in the towel or just cry. It's a good thing I'm a stubborn girl and not a quitter or I probably would have tossed in the towel ten months ago.

I think I've had more of those stop/re-examine decision moments in the past year than I have my entire life combined. Why am I doing this? It is no way for a grown woman to live? They hate me. They love me. Why the heck can't they just love me all the time. Where did my readers go? Oh, they're back and they love me again.  Indie Author/reader relationship is like that one you have with that super-neat guy, that isn't quite defined, you wonder if he'll call again, he does~big happy dance and excitement~ then  he says something at dinner that puts you back in the land of uncertainty, you worry for days, and then he calls again. Yep. That pretty much sums up my first year as an Indie Author.

If you think that the very great distance between the reader and the writer is so vast that there isn't a relationship and an emotional roller coaster for the writer, well you'd be wrong. Yesterday as my author page filled up with congratulations on the release of The Girl of Diamonds & Rust, there felt like no distance at all. An intense virtual connection that felt good, really good. I talk about all kinds of things with my readers. I'm chatty that way. Kids. Work. Husbands. The usual girl world convo. Those are the good times. But they never last. It's the first thing I learned as an Indie Author. Wait for the boom.

So this morning boom, boom, boom, little hits today that makes the distance not feel vast enough. Releasing a book for a writer is like strapping yourself in on an emotional roller coaster. It's like dating that guy you really like who won't commit. It's like...oh well, you get the point. But with all the ups and downs, the glowing moments and the booms, I wouldn't have passed on this last year for anything. It is nice to still dream when you should be sitting on a patio chair staring at the ocean. So, even for the booms, I thank you for the journey.

As ever, I wish you Peace as I count down to my 1 year anniversary with all of you.


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What are you doing here, Susan? #amreading #amwriting #chicklit #kindle #kindleunlimited #indieauthors #authors #blogging

5/7/2015

0 Comments

 
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Well, I have 4 books in editing right now-The Girl in the Comfortable Quiet; Broken Crown; One Long Kiss; The Blooming- and I'm starting to get notes from my my editors, Susan what are you doing here? My response is always, I don't know, but isn't it fun? See, part of the fun of being an editor for me is you don't get the entire book in one sitting, so they can see I'm doing something, but they are not sure what. And they are always so impatient to know what happens!

I don't think even my editors get that I'm not just releasing books or book series, I'm releasing a giant fictional world and puzzle. The 2nd Perfect Forever Novel, The Blooming, the Morgan Katz book stylistically is very different than anything I've released before. It's that way for a reason, but I'm not going to explain why. I like that the Perfect Forever Novels are standalone and can be read that way, but I also like that they fit into the overarching story line that surrounds all my book universe. And they definitely provide me a venue where I can change up my writing, how I construct the prose, the level of steam and the way I tell a story. It's always fun for an author to change it up. It lets our multiple personalities out of our internal lockboxes from time to time.

I don't know if people will get what I'm doing, if readers will like it, but heck, it's still my party and I'm going to release what I want to. And if all goes well with the editors and my schedule, I'll have 4 new releases by June 30th, be done with the Perfect Forever Novels, The Half Shell Series, and The Affair without End Series and be ready to jump right in and finishing  Love Me Forever(Indy's book of The Deverells) and then roll into September with my new girl Kaley Stanton, The Sand & Fog Series. She is enormously fun to write. Her brain works in such a funny and quirky way.

But that's if all goes well. The question is, will my readers like what I'm building. I don't know, but I'm sure they'll tell me.

As ever, I wish you Peace.
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    Here is a list of my available contemporary and historical romance books!

    The Girl on the Half Shell
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    One Last kiss
    One More Kiss
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