After receiving "the call" in January, I envisioned my book launch party, book signings, blog tours. I was going to do whatever I could to help spread the word about my book. I searched online about how to have a successful book launch party. Since I've participated in blog tours to promote other authors' books, I figured it couldn't be all that difficult--write a few guest posts, answer some interview questions, interact with commenters and readers.
Yeah, well, reality is a bit different than the imaginary world in my head. Don't get me wrong--for the most part, my Lakeside Reunion Blog Hop went okay.
Then life got complicated--hubby lost his job, a client's family member passed away and that ripped an emotional hole in my heart, Thanksgiving holiday, and NaNoWriMo. And I work full-time 50 hours each week. My demanding day job offers many rewards, but limits my time.
I'm so appreciative of the authors and friends who hosted me. I'm so thankful for the readers who read the blogs, posted comments and participated in the Lakeside Reunion Scavenger Hunt. Thank you so much!
I dropped the ball a few times and then there were a few unexpected glitches, but for my first event, I think it went okay. I've made notes on how to improve for next year when Lakeside Family releases in August. I appreciate your grace as I worked through my goofs.
Speaking of goofs, yesterday I was scheduled to be a guest on Julie Jarnigin's blog, but due to the holidays and being away from the computer more than I anticipated, I didn't plan ahead very well and forgot to send her a guest post. So the token that should have been for her blog is a breakfast basket.
The final token for the Lakeside Reunion Blog Hope is an engagement ring.
Thank you for sharing this wild and crazy release month with me. And please forgive me for the bumps and stumbles as I make my way down the writing road as a published author. I'm human and covered by grace. I appreciate you more than I could put into words!
If you participated in the Lakeside Reunion Blog Hop, please email your completed sheets to lisa@lisajordanbooks.com by 11:59 PM EST.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Mocha Moment with S. Dionne Moore
I'm delighted to have friend and fellow author, S. Dionne Moore, for a chat. I just brewed a cup of Good Hope Vanilla tea while S. Dionne is sipping a double mocha. As she says, "Nothing like a spike of silky, dark chocolate to get my attention. It's good for you, or so I hear." :) Grab your own cuppa and enjoy reading more about S. Dionne and her new release, Promise Brides. By the way, S. Dionne is giving away 2 copies of Promise Brides today, so leave a comment for your chance to win.
S. Dionne Moore started writing in 2006. Her first book, Murder on the Ol’ Bunions, was contracted for publication by Barbour Publishing in 2008. In 2009 she moved on to writing historical romances as an outlet for her passion for history. In 2010 her second cozy mystery, Polly Dent Loses Grip, was a 2010 Carol Award finalist and she was also named a Barbour Publishing 2010 Favorite New Author. In 2011 her first historical romance, Promise of Tomorrow, part of the Promise Brides compilation, was nominated a 2011 Carol Award finalist.
Born and raised in Manassas, Virginia, Moore moved to Greencastle, PA in 1993, then to Mercersburg in 2009. Moore enjoys life in the historically rich Cumberland Valley where traffic jams are a thing of the past and there are only two stoplights in the whole town. For more information, visit her Website at www.sdionnemoore.com. Follow her on Twitter: @sdionnemoore
S. Dionne, after getting your start with cozy mysteries, why do you write romance?
For a woman who adores mysteries, I’m not sure!! But
I do enjoy the dance of man/woman as they decide if they’re compatible. What a
fun (and sometimes frustrating) time! I don’t condone the notion that love can
be a quick decision. Infatuation, yes. Love? No. Love comes on cat feet. Two
people considering the plunge need to be ever so careful to make sure they are
ready as individuals, as well as examine their motives for marriage. Entering
marriage with the idea that you are going to change the other person is the
wrong reason. But entering marriage with the idea that you might have to change
yourself. . .now that’s a solid first step!
Speaking of marriages, how did your husband propose?
Oh dear! He took me to this fancy restaurant in D.C., that bordered the waterfront. He was so nervous he couldn’t eat, and I suspected what was coming. He asked me to walk outside with him and, little did I know, he had a tough time finding a good place to stop and pop the question. The first place he had his eye on there was a dead fish floating nearby. . . He finally decided he needed to do it no matter the pollution!
Dead fish aside, that sounds wonderfully sweet. Since I'm all about romance here, share your favorite romantic meal.
Anything I don't have to cook! A fancy restaurant with a crackling fire, dimmed lights, a surprise bouquet of flowers, and a luscious, gooey chocolate dessert and I'm a happy girl. Oh, and I really prefer not to eat alone, so my husband should be there too. LOL!
Don’t be afraid to wait. Don’t be pressured to date for the sake of dating. Young people get such foolish notions because they listen too closely to peer pressure and not enough to God. It’s better to be single and wish you were married than to be married and wish you were single. Take it slow and easy, pray a lot, and pay close attention to the negatives, because, more than likely, they will be the issues you will have to roll with in marriage.
Fantastic advice! What romance theme runs
through your latest novel? What about Promise Brides?
My latest novel, Valley
of the Heart, takes place right before the Range Wars of Wyoming. The theme
is self-inflicted bitterness through unrelenting guilt--we can sometimes blame
ourselves for events beyond our control.
Promise Brides, a compilation of three historical
romances, deals with themes of forgiveness/betrayal (Promise of Yesterday), choosing sides and overcoming stress,
specifically the hero’s Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Promise of Time), and that people are more important than things (Promise of Tomorrow).
Time seems to stretch endlessly for Ellie Lester after the death of her husband in the war that's tearing her country apart. Then Theodore Lester arrives in the North hoping to reveal the truth about her husband's death--and suddenly time stands still. Is Ellie's heart awakening to something new?
After rescuing several people during the Battle of Gettysburg, Marylu Biloxi is a true heroine in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. But even heroes have broken hearts, and Marylu's is shattered. Will rumors and secrets keep her from ever loving again?
As Alaina Morrison struggles to convince Jack Kelly that all she needs is love--not things--Jack is just as determined to convince Alaina that he needs to provide for her and their future family. Will Alaina and Jack allow God to bridge their growing differences--before a life together becomes impossible?
Will these couples risk everything to keep love?
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Tea Time With Author Rose Mccauley
I've invited author Rose Mccauley to come in for some tea. Pull up a chair, grab a cup and join us as Rose shares about herself and her new novel, Christmas Belles of Georgia. Leave a comment for a chance to win. I'll draw a name on Friday.
Rose has been writing for over ten years and has been published in several non-fiction anthologies and devotionals. She is happy for this to be her first fiction anthology because Christmas books are her favorites. A retired schoolteacher who has been happily married to her college sweetheart for 43 years, she is also mother to three grown children and their spouses and grandmother to three lovely, lively kids with one more on the way! You can reach her through her website www.rosemccauley.com or blog at www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com
Rose, why do you write romance?
I think life is all about God's romancing us and drawing us to Him through Christ, so our lives should reflect Him and His love to others, whether it is family, friendly or romantic love.
He is the ultimate model for love. Describe your favorite romantic meal.
Hmmm. Candlelight, white tablecloth, nice quiet restaurant with soft music playing and my hubby sitting across from me, making eyes at me! Food would be secondary, but grilled chicken or baked turkey and a salad and asparagus and rolls and dark chocolate dessert would be great!
Okay, now my mouth is watering. Tell us, how did your spouse propose?
We got married when I was 19 and he was 20 and the proposal wasn't super romantic. He told me he loved me early on, but I said I didn't know if I even knew what love was. So, when I finally told him I loved him, he was so excited he just started talking about when we would get married! On our 25th anniversay he bought me a 5 diamond anniversary band and got down on his knees and proposed again, so that time was romantic and very unexpected!
That's such a beautiful story! What romance theme runs through your latest novel?
Since it is a Christmas book, it does emphasize God's love and greatest gift of His Son. And it is about us sharing that gift with others. My hero and heroine had known each other as teens, so had to learn to forgive each other like God forgives us. And they grow more in love with each other as they share the joys of Christmas by giving to others.
What romance advice would you offer to readers?
Always put God first in your marriage, and your spouse next before children, job, or anything or anyone else.
Terrific advice, Rose. Thanks for having tea with us!
Nick Powers worked hard to earn his college degree and his
dream job. He doesn’t know what to expect when he finds out new owners will be
taking over Bellingham Plantation soon. When Carol Peterson comes to town, she
and Nick get off to a rocky start, but soon combine forces to make Christmas a
happier time for others. Can they find their own Christmas happiness?
Your Turn: Rose is giving away a copy of her book. For a chance to win, please leave a comment along with your e-mail address so I have a way to notify you if you win. A winner will be drawn by Friday. What's the best romance advice you've received?
Monday, November 14, 2011
Operation Christmas Child: Putting Jesus in a Box
Imagine waking up Christmas morning and not having anything under the tree...or having a tree...or food...or shelter...or protection...or maybe even a family.
For children all around the world, this is their daily reality, not just on Christmas day.
Operation Christmas Child is just one of the many ministries through Samaritan's Purse. If you're not familiar with Operation Christmas Child, visit their site to learn more and to get involved.
My church has a heart for missions and children, so participating in Operation Christmas Child allows us to minister to children around the world by packing shoeboxes.
We bring in toys, candy, socks, shirts, art supplies, stuffed animals, washcloths, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. and fill boxes for boys and girls of all ages.
When we're finished filling the shoeboxes, we write a letter to the child whose box we filled and share some love.
Our church goal was 35 boxes, but we ended up filling 44! 44 children will receive a simple gift of love and hope in a shoebox.
Your Turn: Does your church participate in Operation Christmas Child? What is your favorite part of the ministry?
Friday, November 11, 2011
Update on Lakeside Reunion Blog Hop Scavenger Hunt
I apologize for some problems with my Lakeside Reunion Blog Hop Scavenger Hunt. The past few weeks have been wonderfully crazy as I finished revisions for my second book, Lakeside Family, and prepared for my Lakeside Reunion Book Launch Party, which was held last Saturday--come back on Monday for a full report and pics! Great fun! Anyway, I didn't have enough hours in the day to stay on top of my blog hop. I apologize for some problems several of you have had.I forgot to send in one post--so sorry, Ronie--so I took that blog spot off the scavenger hunt form. I needed to reschedule a few spots or delete a blog or two due to circumstances beyond my control. Anyway, here is the most recent blog hop listing. I made changes to the Google docs form. You can find that here: Lakeside Reunion Scavenger Hunt Form. For complete rules, visit the Lakeside Reunion Contest page for more information.
I appreciate a dose of grace and your patience. I'm making notes to make my next contest even better!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Lisa Jordan
