You are a new author. You wrote a book and you were lucky enough to have it published or you published it yourself. CONGRATULATIONS!!! You have done an amazing thing and it's only going to get better from here! But first you're going to sweat it out. You're going to cry, scream, and get mad as hell. Then you're going to have to go back and keep working. Why? Because if you haven't been on reality TV making a fool of yourself, you haven't won an Oscar, and you haven't been naked on the pages of some magazine...no one knows who you are!
Now don't let that discourage you. But think about it. Who knows you're going to put a book out? Your parents, siblings, aunts, uncles...you get my drift. And when they all buy your book you've sold maybe 10 copies that day. And this is a sad fact.
I'm not going to say that it happens to all of us. But yeah, for the most part this is how the day goes. You've made it to be something bigger in your head, but let me tell you in the nearly 4 years of publishing new authors I have only seen a couple books go bestseller on release day from unknown authors. (And all but one were in obscure categories.)
On my last release day I found it most interesting that new authors were coming to me to ask about my success. 7 of the last Keller Family series books have gone bestseller before they were released. I'll tell you, that never gets old!!! But when I was a new author (mind you I had one of those publishers everyone warns you about...and she did nothing but put the book up on her website then tell me she was surprised I didn't sell any...sigh...I digress) no one knew me either. It took me busting my butt everyday to get the word out there just the slightest bit. And it took me writing and writing and writing more books. People want to say, "Oh, cool, she has another book!" The Merger was my 21st published book in 3 1/2 years. That's right, I didn't stop with just one book and hope it was going to do all the work. I kept working.
I did everything I could to splash social media...in a personal way. I made friends. I connected with readers. I was personable and I think that alone wins over some votes. With the indie movement at such a height readers are finding now that there are some talented authors out there and they can connect with them. Authors who hide behind their craft and don't come out for air...I feel they are selling themselves short. Just to chat on your Facebook page once a day isn't a big deal...but it is to a reader.
The small publishing house I own is a work in progress. Every author teaches us something--some good--some bad. But we learn. Our marketing department is forever in process. The marketing director is fueled by finding the right fit for all authors. But the hard and horrible fact remains. If the world doesn't know you're coming nothing is going to sell.
Okay, this post is depressing! But the underlying fact is you have to keep working. Fine, book one is out there. People are going to find it. Get book two and three and four out there. Do it in a timely manner and do it well. In the not to far future someone who read one will read two and then three. They will tell their friends and so on. Book four might just launch on the bestseller list and isn't that what we all want? But remember, book one...that one is for you. Still enjoy the moment, just remember that you still have some work ahead of you, but dang it you did good!!! You wrote a book! You got it published!!! There are still people out there saying "I'd like to write a book someday." Hold your head high and thank mom for buying your book! Now...get to work. One book needs another and you ARE bestseller material!
Showing posts with label release day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label release day. Show all posts
Monday, December 8, 2014
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
#ReleaseDay for #Vivian book 3 in the #ThreeMrsMonroes trilogy by #BernadetteMarie
New from International Bestselling Romance Author Bernadette Marie
The Conclusion of The Three Mrs. Monroes Trilogy
Three women thrown together in the most unlikely of situations
can either become enemies or sisters of the heart.
Vivian
Monroe had been jaded. Her husband’s death only compounded the lies she’d only
come to learn about.
Clayton
North knows a thing or two about loss. He figured it was fate for him to meet
Vivian Monroe. He’ll take on the challenge of helping her mend her heart.
Midst
new friendships and new romance, Vivian must let go of her pain and face the
woman who helped Adam Monroe weave his deceptive web.
Available from 5 Prince Publishing
Genre Contemporary Romance:
Vivian Book three of The Three Mrs. Monroes
Release Date: October 9, 2014
Digital ISBN-10: 1631120425
ISBN-13: 978-1-63112-042-8
Print ISBN-10: 1631120433
ISBN-13: 978-1-63112-043-5
Purchase link : http://www.5princebooks.com/buy-links.html
THE FIRST TWO BOOK IN THE TRILOGY
AMELIA, book one
From loss breeds new opportunity.
Amelia Monroe had felt the sharp pain from the loss of a soldier before—Adam Monroe’s death didn’t have that same effect.
Sam Jackson had one job—deliver Adam Monroe’s revised will. Even he couldn’t have anticipated that he’d be entangled in the web of lies his client had woven.
Doing what is right had been inbred in Amelia. She’d planned to say her goodbyes and start fresh. Staying in Adam’s small town with his other lies, that wasn’t part of her plan.
Available from 5 Prince Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amelia Book one of The Three Mrs. Monroes
Release Date: July 31, 2014
Digital ISBN-10: 1631120387 ISBN-13: 978-1-63112-038-1
Print ISBN-10: 1631120395 ISBN-13: 978-1-63112-039-8
From loss breeds new life.
Penelope Monroe married on impulse and her heart had been broken by Adam Monroe’s lies. Pregnant she wonders how she will survive, alone, with her baby.
Brock Romero held Adam Monroe when he died in combat. Now released from the Army he makes it his priority to find Adam’s wife and share with her his last words.
On the verge of making the same mistake twice, Penelope must trust her heart—especially when new lies are uncovered.
Available from 5 Prince Publishing
Genre Contemporary Romance:
Penelope Book two of The Three Mrs. Monroes
Release Date: August 28, 2014
Digital ISBN-10: 1631120409 ISBN-13: 978-1-63112-040-4
Print ISBN-10: 1631120417 ISBN-13: 978-1-63112-041-1
Purchase link : http://www.5princebooks.com/buy-links.html
About the Author:
Bestselling
Author Bernadette Marie is known for building families readers want to be part
of. Her series The Keller Family has graced bestseller charts since its
release in 2011, along with her other series and single title books. The
married mother of five sons promises Happily Ever After always…and says
she can write it, because she lives it.
When
not writing, Bernadette Marie is shuffling her sons to their many events—mostly
hockey—and enjoying the beautiful views of the Colorado Rocky Mountains from her
front step. She is also an accomplished martial artist with a second degree
black belt in Tang Soo Do.
A
chronic entrepreneur, Bernadette Marie opened her own publishing house in 2011,
5 Prince Publishing, so that she could publish the books she liked to
write and help make the dreams of other aspiring authors come true too.
How to reach Bernadette Marie
@writesromance on Twitter
Friday, September 5, 2014
#ReleaseDay fo #5PrincePublishing authors #SusanLohrer and #LindsayHarper
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 4, 2014
Digital ISBN-10:1631120662
ISBN-13:978-1-63112-066-4-ONLY Perma FREE
Purchase link : http://www.5princebooks.com/buy-links.html
A Gift for Chloe
Linda is the one who holds her
family together. She’s an absolute rock—at least, she was until her daughter announced her pregnancy (wait, isn’t 40 way
too young to become a grandmother?) and delivered the news that the baby has
Down syndrome.
Now she finds herself standing in
the middle of a bookstore, floundering to regain her equilibrium as her
carefully ordered world tumbles willy-nilly around her. Instead of making a
relatively simple decision about which book to buy, she’s spent an hour
waffling between two titles and trying (and failing) to come to grips with this
new reality she hasn’t had nearly enough chance to prepare for. It’s not that
she hasn’t already fallen head over heels in love with baby Chloe, but this is
something she’s not equipped to handle—she can’t even choose a self-help book
on the subject, for goodness’ sake.
Her friends and the medical
professionals blithely insist she’ll forget all about special needs the moment
she sees her grandchild for the first time. Even the too-good-to-be-true,
optimistic fellow customer she encounters in the aisle of the bookstore seems
to think she’s worried over nothing.
This handsome stranger is
obviously compassionate and knows a lot about Downs, but Linda is in no way
interested in striking up a conversation with him, let alone a friendship, no
matter how intriguing he is… until he performs a random act of kindness she
can’t ignore.
About Susan Lohrer
Susan Lohrer grew up in more towns in western Canada than
she has fingers to count them on. She currently lives in southern BC with her
husband of more than two decades, their two teenagers who are still at home,
three dogs, and far more aquariums than a reasonable household should contain.
She believes life is always better with a healthy dose of humor.
Website: http://www.susanlohrer.com
Twitter: @susanlohrer
E-mail: susan@susanlohrer.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have you got a secret hidden so deep that thinking about it threatens to overwhelm you?
Lindsay Harper lives in West Yorkshire, England with her
husband and four Springer Spaniels. She has two grown up children and three
grandchildren. She now writes full time and this is the third book in the ”How
To …” romance series following best friends Robyn and Denizon through the
trials and tribulations of life. When she’s not writing she practices
Homeopathy and is a House Doctor. For fun she enjoys walks by the water, yoga,
cooking, DIY, 60’s retro and anything romance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Available from 5 Prince
Publishing www.5princebooks.com books@5princebooks.com
Genre: Fiction/Romance/Contemporary
Release Date: September 4, 2014
Digital ISBN-10:1631120646 ISBN-13:978-1-63112-064-0
Print ISBN-10:1631120654 ISBN-13:978-1-63112-065-7
Purchase link : http://www.5princebooks.com/buy-links.html
Have you got a secret hidden so deep that thinking about it threatens to overwhelm you?
Bethany Forrester and Denizon
Cartwright are mother and daughter but they haven’t seen each other for thirty
five years. Not since Beth gave Denizon up for adoption when she was two days
old.
“How to Have a Happy Marriage”
tells the story of how they find each other and their lives and loves along the
way – from the stormy relationship between Beth and her husband to Denizon’s
quest for true happiness and real love.
We follow the ups and downs of
the pair as they struggle to fit each other into their already complicated
lives.
Will it be a happy ending for
either of them?
Find out in the final chapter of
the “How to …” series of books.
About the Author
Lindsay Harper lives in West Yorkshire, England with her
husband and four Springer Spaniels. She has two grown up children and three
grandchildren. She now writes full time and this is the third book in the ”How
To …” romance series following best friends Robyn and Denizon through the
trials and tribulations of life. When she’s not writing she practices
Homeopathy and is a House Doctor. For fun she enjoys walks by the water, yoga,
cooking, DIY, 60’s retro and anything romance.
How to contact the author
Twitter -@harperpublishin
Facebook – LindsayHarperauthor
You Tube - Lindsay Harper How to Have an Affair
Excerpt of How to Have A Happy Marriage
Chapter 1
Bethany
Forrester finished the last page and closed the book – “How to Have a Happy
Marriage”. She sighed contentedly as she realised this book, out of the entire
“How to…” series was the most relevant to her. She bought Jay Trethedick’s
first book, “How to Have an Affair,” after seeing him on Breakfast Time last year. Even though she couldn’t personally
relate to the topic she had been very impressed with his theories … plus he was
very easy on the eye.
Sadly, the
topic of divorce in his second book resonated all too well. Her divorce had not
been amicable – far from it, and she could remember rushing through the three
hundred pages just so she could tightly pack away all her memories of that time
in a box and bury them deep.
But this
book was different and each page had been a pleasure to read as it reminded her
of the wonderful man she was now lucky enough to be married to. The first page
always made her smile and she opened the book to read for the thousandth time,
the Recipe for a Happy Marriage.
Ingredients
250grms
Honesty
250grms
Friendship
250grms
Respect
250grms
Faithfulness
1 tbl spoon
of Sex
1 level tsp
of Humour
A touch of Compromise
A pinch of
Individuality
Instructions
Take a
couple of individuals in love, add all ingredients, mix together and cook for
the rest of your life on earth at 100%.
She thought
the concept was so sweet and would love to meet the man who could write such
sentiment. There were just two ingredients on the list she was missing, but
only one of them played on her mind. The first was sex, but that didn’t really
bother her, if she was honest. Adrian, her husband was approaching sixty – ten
years her senior – and his sex drive started to diminish not long after his
fiftieth birthday.
At first,
she took it personally but eventually came to realise it was the pressure of
running his own plumbing contractors business and being on call 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
She knew it
was nothing to do with her, as whenever they took a well-deserved holiday and
he relaxed, he couldn’t get enough – and she was usually glad when the
fortnight was over so she could get some rest.
What did
bother her was number one on the list of ingredients – honesty. She had been
keeping a secret from everyone she had ever met for all her adult life. It was
such a major part of her that, most of the time, she didn’t think about it,
until at times like this when it reared its ugly head. One day I’ll tell someone but not yet … it’s not the right time. But
sadly, it never was.
Just then
her phone rang. It was Leo, her twenty-four year old son from her previous
marriage.
‘Hi, Mum,
can I borrow your car?’
‘Why?
Where’s yours?’
‘Er …’
‘Let me guess,
your dad’s borrowed it.’
‘His is in
the garage. He promises to have it back this week.’
Beth had
heard her ex-husband’s promises before.
‘But I need
it to collect the girls from school.’
‘If I do
that, can I?’
‘What’s the
urgency? You usually walk to work or Adrian picks you up.’
Leo was one
of Adrian’s best plumbers and had worked with his step-father since leaving
school at sixteen.
‘Cat has got
somewhere to go this morning.’ Cat was Leo’s live-in girlfriend who Beth had
never really approved of. She reminded her too much of herself at that age. The
girl was only eighteen and Beth was sure she was only with Leo to escape her
controlling parents.
‘So it’s Cat
that wants to borrow my car?’
‘Er … yes,
but she daren’t ask you in case you said no.’
Beth sighed.
‘I could
give her a lift, would that do?’
‘But that
would mean her having to tell you where she’s going.’
‘Yes, is
that a problem?’
‘I’ll have
to ask her.’
‘Can’t you
borrow your own car for a couple of hours?’
‘No, Dad’s
gone away until Friday.’
‘So how’s he
going to get his own car back today?’
‘Don’t
bother, Mum, if it’s too much trouble. We don’t want to put you out.’
This is just so typical. I’m the bad guy
again. I’m sure his perfect father could commit double homicide and Leo would
defend him.
‘Okay, I
suppose so … could she have it back by school time?’
‘Thanks,
Mum, you’re the best.’
‘Only when
you want something.’
‘Don’t be
like that. You know you love me really.’
That’s the problem – sometimes I think I
love you too much.
‘What time
are you coming to collect it?’
‘I thought
you could drop it off on your way to work.’
‘Did you
now, and how pray am I going to get to work?’
‘Cat will
drop you off.’
‘Okay, I’m
just getting ready. I’ll be there in forty-five minutes.’
‘Can you
make it half-an-hour. Her appointment’s at ten in Glastonbury.’
‘I’ll see
what I can do.’
‘Thanks,
Mum.’
So instead
of the leisurely breakfast she planned, she ran upstairs to take a quick
shower. Adrian always dropped the girls at school on Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday when Beth worked. It saved her dashing around and gave her an hour to
get her head together before her busy day. She had recently cut her hours down
to three days during the week and all day Sunday since appointing the most
brilliant manager for her thriving little coffee house on the high street in
Street, Somerset.
Up to the
beginning of the year, she had worked seven days a week trying to get the
business established. When she took it on, it was an ailing cafe serving a menu
of fat, fat and more fat. She had completely refurbished the inside with her
husband and invented a whole new healthy menu.
It had taken
a while for the locals to get used to eating paninis instead of bacon butties
with lard, but eventually, they had seen the light and she had built up quite a
regular clientele of tourists and visitors alike. Now she loved going to work
and was finally living her dream instead of feeling the burden and stress of
the stone around her neck she felt at the beginning.
Lunchtimes
were the busiest times and she always liked to be in before ten to help the
chef prep the salads and make the soup of the day. Between the three of them,
the Cafe Sorrento was finally making
the profit she had told her bank manager would be achievable when he finally
granted her the business loan over a year ago.
By
nine-fifteen she was on her way to her son’s flat. He only lived ten minutes
away, but traffic on the Glastonbury road was usually busy until at least ten
o’clock. Cat was waiting outside, looking at her watch as Beth pulled up.
‘Thanks, Mrs
F. You’re a life saver,’ Cat said as she got in the driver’s side.
‘So what’s
with all the secrecy?’ Beth asked.
Cat didn’t
speak as she looked in the mirror before pulling out into the traffic.
‘Are you
okay, Cat? You look a bit pale.’
‘I’ll be
fine.’
‘Are you
sure you don’t want me to come with you? I’m sure they can cope without me at
work for a while.’
Cat
hesitated. ‘Er … no, I’ll be fine.’
Beth
couldn’t imagine it could be anything other than some sort of hospital
appointment because if it was something simple like an interview it wouldn’t be
shrouded in such secrecy.
‘Well if
you’re sure. Leo could’ve asked Adrian for the day off, you know.’
‘We didn’t
want to make a fuss.’
‘Watch out
for that car!’ Beth braced herself waiting for the impact, but luckily, Cat’s
young reflexes were sharp and she pulled up with inches to spare. Everything
tumbled off the back seat into the foot wells.
‘Sorry Mrs
F, maybe I shouldn’t be driving.’ Cat pulled the car onto the side of the road.
‘Don’t
worry. It’s always mad at this time in a morning. Everyone goes too fast.’ Beth
reached across and stroked Cat’s arm. At that moment she seemed no older than
Beth’s youngest daughter … so naive and vulnerable.
‘Please
don’t ask me anything, but will you drop me off at West Mendip Community
Hospital? I’ll get a taxi home.’
Beth was
desperate to know what was going on but she respected Cat’s wishes and said,
‘Of course I will. I’m here if you need to talk or I’ll come and collect you.’
‘Thank you,
that’s kind.’
They swapped
places again and Cat reached into the back to retrieve all her handbag contents
that were strewn about the floor and under the seats.
‘I think I’m
missing a lip gloss. If you find one, it’s mine.’
‘I’ll have a
look when I get back to work.’
Beth pulled
up in the visitor’s car park. ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to come in with
you?’
Cat shook
her head. Her hands were shaking as she opened the door. Just before getting out
she reached across and kissed Beth’s cheek.
‘Thanks, Mrs
F, for being so nice. I know we haven’t always seen stuff the same way but
you’re really cool for a mum.’
‘That’s
sweet of you to say, and remember if you want me to come back for you, I will.
Just ring me anytime.’
Cat closed
the door behind her and walked off as slowly as if she was heading a funeral
cortège.
Beth was
reluctant to leave her in this state. But what more could she do? So as soon as Cat disappeared through the
revolving doors, she drove away. She parked in her usual car parking space
outside work and remembered that Cat had asked her to look for the rogue lip
gloss. Under her seat all she found was an old Maynard wine gum, which she was
tempted to eat, as it was a red one – her favourite colour. The lip gloss was
under the passenger seat hidden under a paper tissue. As she reached along the
floor, fumbling for the lip gloss, her fingers touched a piece of card. She
pulled it out and saw it had the Marie Stopes logo on the front and an
appointment for ten o’clock.
‘Shit!’ She
slammed the car door, forgetting to lock it and ran into work.
‘Can you
cope without me for a bit? I’ve got somewhere urgent to go,’ she asked Carol,
her manager.
‘Yes,
of course Are you okay?’
‘I am, but
someone else isn’t. I haven’t time to explain now. I’ll be back as soon as I
can.’ Beth turned round and dashed to her car, speeding back up the Old Wells
Road to the hospital. She turned on the hands free kit and rang Leo’s number.
‘Hi, Mum,
did Cat get off okay?’
‘Do you know
where she’s going?’
‘Of course I
do. Why, do you?’ he asked tentatively.
‘Yes. I’ve
found her appointment card. Why is she going to the Marie Stopes clinic?’
‘Oh fuck! We
didn’t want to tell anyone until it was all over.’
‘You mean
you’re letting your girlfriend have a termination and you can’t even be
bothered to go with her?’
‘She said
she’d be fine, and we’ve got a big plumbing job on.’
Beth
couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. ‘How can you be so selfish? Have you
any idea what the poor girl’s going through?’
‘Chill, Mum.
It’s no big deal.’
‘No big
deal! How dare you. I thought I’d brought you up better than that. It will be
the worst ordeal of her life so far, and I doubt anything will ever beat it. If
you know what’s good for you, you’ll drop what you’re doing and get to that
hospital by any means you can. I’ll see you there.’
‘Okay …
okay. I get it, you’re mad, but don’t take it out on me. She told me she was on
the pill. We don’t want a baby … she wants to get rid of it as well.’
Beth
couldn’t speak for the tears.
‘Mum, are
you still there? … Why are you so upset?’
‘I’ll see
you soon.’
So much for burying my feelings deep
underground in a box. It was over thirty-five years ago, yet right now she
felt as bad as when she was waiting for them to call her name. Then, she didn’t
have a friendly face offering to go with her … she had an angry, disappointed
mother who, all the while in the waiting room, kept telling her she’d brought
disgrace on the family.
Poor Cat …
she was facing this ordeal all alone. As Beth got out of her car she saw it was
already ten thirty. Please be running
late! Quickly, asking the receptionist where the clinic was being held, she
ran to the lift. Typical, the clinic’s at
the other end of the bloody corridor. She was out of breath as she rang the
buzzer to be let into reception.
‘I’m looking
for Miss Catherine … er … Sykes,’ Beth asked the receptionist.
‘And you
are?’
‘Her
partner’s mother. He’s been held up in traffic and is on his way.’
‘I’m sorry,
you’ll have to wait here. She’s already gone into surgery.’
Beth put her
head in her hands and sobbed.
‘Are you
okay? Would you like a glass of water?’ The receptionist came round the desk
and led Beth to a seat.
‘Sorry. I
would please. Is it too late to change her mind?’
The
receptionist paused and, trying to be as gentle as she could said, ‘She doesn’t
want to change her mind. You know this isn’t her first appointment. We do an
awful lot of counselling before we carry out any procedure … Do you want to
talk to someone?’
‘I’ve never
talked to anyone in thirty-five years.’
‘So wouldn’t
now be a good time to start?’
Beth didn’t
go back into work – she couldn’t – she felt totally drained. After dropping Cat
and Leo back at their flat she went home to be by herself … her staff could
cope – it was only one day. While the kettle was boiling, she kept looking at
the card on the kitchen work top reminding her of the counselling appointment
the receptionist had made at a sister clinic … thirty-five years too late.
After making herself a strong coffee, she went to sit in the beautiful
conservatory looking out over her long cottage garden with distant views of
Glastonbury Tor and thought about her morning.
She expected
Cat to be devastated after her procedure, but all she saw on the young face was
relief. Beth could understand why she didn’t want a baby at eighteen … she
hadn’t wanted one at thirteen, but unlike Cat, she couldn’t go through with it.
She had screamed and shouted so much, embarrassing her mother even more, that
the whole trip was aborted not the baby.
Luckily, it
was the 1970’s and most of the mother and baby units had closed down which
meant Beth had to stay at home – a prisoner in her own house for nine months.
The baby girl was taken off her at birth and given to deserving parents and the
whole sorry incident was never mentioned again. Beth continued her education
and was a good girl until she found someone to marry her and then she was off,
at not much older than Cat was now.
Beth sat in
the same armchair all day until it was time to collect her two precious girls
from school. What she couldn’t give her first little girl she lavished on the
two she had. Leo was always accusing her of spoiling them and treating them
better than she ever treated him. She knew he was speaking the truth, but she
couldn’t help it. She had to make it right somehow.
Tuesday was
hectic after school – Amy, who was eight, had ballet and tap and Annabelle, who
was the eldest at ten, had choir and gymnastics. Eddie Stobart’s Logistical
Haulage Contractors couldn’t do a better job of organising the schedule than
she did. Each activity was precisely planned down to the last second, and if it
all went without a hitch – which it usually did– they were back in the house
totally exhausted by eight o’clock, ready for supper and bed.
Adrian
supervised bed-time while Beth made the evening meal.
‘Ooh … I
know what I forget to tell you. You know that author you’ve just been reading,
he’s appearing at the Glastonbury Christmas Book and Craft Festival,’ Adrian
said as he sat down at the table to a plate of home-made moussaka.
‘You mean
Jay Trethedick?’
‘Yes, that’s
him.’
‘Wow. Do you
know how I can get any tickets?’
‘Da … da.’
Adrian said as he pulled two tickets out of the back pocket of his work
trousers. ‘It’s for his Creative Writing workshop.’
‘How did I
manage to be married to the most wonderful man in the world?’ Beth walked round
the table and gave her husband a kiss.
‘Just lucky
I guess?’
‘Are you
coming with me?’ she asked.
‘I don’t
think it’s really my thing. I got two tickets in case you wanted to take a
friend, or maybe you could invite your mother?’
‘What? So I
could hear her moan about how he wasn’t as good as her favourite author. No,
she’d only spoil it … I might see if Cat would like to come with me. I think I
made a breakthrough with her today.’
‘So tell me
what’s been going on with Leo today? He ran off site like a man possessed.’
‘Let’s
finish eating first. It’s a long story and might put me off my food.’
For the rest
of the meal they kept the conversation light – with Adrian doing most of the
talking about his day of plumbing. At times like this she was glad she really
loved him, as it was the only reason she would tolerate hearing about a
dripping stop-tap and sticking ball-cocks.
‘So?’ Adrian
said as they took two cups of coffee into the lounge.
‘Leo rang me
this morning to ask me if he could borrow my car. It turned out it was actually
Cat who needed it to go to a hospital appointment. You’ll never believe, she
was only having an abortion on her own! So I phoned Leo and told him to get
down there if he knew what was good for him. I’m sorry if it left you in the
lurch.’
‘No, we
managed. He never said anything … An abortion and you knew nothing?’
‘I don’t
think I’d know now if she hadn’t dropped the appointment card in my car. When I
dropped her off I could tell something was bothering her, but I never guessed
it would be that. What are we going to do with him?’
‘I don’t
know what you mean. What can we do with him? He’s a grown man.’
‘But fancy,
letting the poor girl suffer all that on her own. I thought I’d taught him
better than that.’
‘Have you
spoken to him?’
‘Not on his
own. I tried to be gentle with them both when I collected her. Apparently, she
hasn’t even told her mum she was pregnant.’
‘Do you want
me to have a word with him, man-to-man?’
‘I don’t
know what to do. I’m only sorry he felt he couldn’t talk to me about it first.’
‘He probably
thought you’d try and talk them out of it.’
‘Why would I
do that?’
‘Because I
thought you didn’t agree with abortions?’
‘No, that’s
not true. I wouldn’t have one, but I don’t think it’s right to interfere in
anyone else’s decision.’
Adrian
raised his eyebrows. ‘At the risk of having my head bitten off, is that
strictly true?’
‘Why do you
know me so well?’ She laughed. ‘I suppose I might have put forward the
alternative viewpoint.’
‘Hence, why
they didn’t tell you.’
‘But Leo
tells me everything … or he used to before he started going out with Cat.’
‘Is that why
you’ve never warmed to her... because she took away your baby boy?’
‘I don’t
know. I’ve not thought of that before … but maybe. I saw a different side of
her today … I think I may have misjudged her.’
‘I’ve always
liked her. I think she’s good for him. He’s so laid back … I’m sure some days
he’d never get out of bed.’
‘Yes, she
does seem to motivate him, and he does love her.’
‘I know you
think she’s using him, but I think she loves him as well.’
‘From now on
I will try harder. I never want a repeat of today.’
‘I assume
they don’t either … But don’t you think it was sensible of them? Neither of
them is ready for a baby, she’s only eighteen – far too young to be thinking
about motherhood. They’ve got the rest of their lives to have children.’
‘But
sometimes these things happen and you can’t get rid of something just because
it’s not quite the right time.’
‘Sorry,
love. I didn’t mean to be heartless. Has today upset you more than you’re
letting on?’
‘I suppose
it’s been such a shock … I could’ve been a grandma,’ she said resting her chin
in her hands.
‘You’re too
young to be a grandma. I, on the other hand, am just the right age to be a
granddad. I keep hoping Toby will tell me he’s ready to settle down.’
‘I doubt
that. He’s too busy travelling the world.’
‘But he’s
thirty-five next birthday.’
‘You were nearly
fifty when we had Annabelle.’
‘I know. I’m
hoping he doesn’t take after me.’
‘Surely two
young girls is enough for anyone your age?’ She laughed.
‘Oy, watch
it! I think we’d better change the subject! … Do you want to watch something on
television?’
‘Is there
anything on?’ She picked up TV Chat
and looked.
‘I love you,
Bethany Forrester.’ He winked at her.
‘And I love
you, “The man for any job”… Here’s the remote, you choose.’
When
Adrian’s snoring got so unbearably noisy it was agreed that Beth would sneak
out of bed and go sleep in the guest bedroom – tonight was one of those nights.
It didn’t help that Beth’s mind was working a double shift. During a large
percentage of her day to day life, she could put to the back of her mind the
little girl she had given away by pretending it never happened to her – it
happened to a friend. But after everything that had transpired during the past
twelve hours, putting it out of her mind was impossible.
Over the
years she had been tempted on so many occasions to search for her daughter, but
was too terrified of the outcome. Maybe today was an omen. It was also one of
the main reasons she had agreed to go for counselling. The receptionist at the
Marie Stopes clinic said all the ramifications of the adoption could be
discussed at the appointment and any help she needed could be given to her
then.
Ever since
Beth had given her baby up for adoption she had kept a diary of her life – so
one day the daughter she couldn’t keep could learn all about her birth mother.
She hadn’t written in it every day. In fact, she had hardly written in it this
year. It was hidden on the bottom shelf of the airing cupboard in a pillow
case. She had chosen that specific hideaway because she could guarantee no-one
would ever choose to change their bedding or towels voluntarily.
Without
putting the landing light on, she crept along the hallway and opened the door
to the airing cupboard. Sliding her hand along the bottom shelf she felt for
something hard. She pulled the pillow case containing the diary out from
underneath a thick pile of towels and crept back to the guest bedroom to read
it. The diary was a loose-leaf A5 Filofax which had been added to over the
years – it was now over three hundred pages long. In the past she’d thought
about publishing it, because even though she said so herself, it was a
scintillating read. Maybe, I could have a
word with Jay Trethedick and ask for his advice when I go and see him. Only a
month to go before I meet my hero. Come on, no daydreaming. You need to write
about today.
She opened
the diary at a clean page and started to write.
Dear Denise,
‘Well, what
a day …’
Thursday, August 28, 2014
#ReleaseDay for #Penelope my 19th published book!
Penelope is my 19th published book and the 2nd book in the THREE MRS. MONROES trilogy.
The trilogy follows the three widows of Adam Monroe and their sisterly bonding after his death. Yes, it is true contemporary romance, but let's face it. When you have three women with three very different personalities bonding...you're crossing into some chick lit! And I'm loving it!
I think sometimes you don't even realize you're going to write something like that. The plan was to write about these women moving on. But amidst the back drop of lies and deception, you find a sisterly bond. And...don't we all love that sisterly bond that can't be broken and makes us all feel whole?
So even though today is about PENELOPE. I'd love to share with you the amazing covers (designed by Viola Estrella) and the THREE MRS MONROES.
Links to all books can be found on my website at www.bernadettemarie.com or at my publisher's site at www.5princebooks.com/bernadettemarie.html
Amelia Monroe had felt the sharp pain from the loss of a soldier before—Adam Monroe’s death didn’t have that same effect.
Sam Jackson had one job—deliver Adam Monroe’s revised will. Even he couldn’t have anticipated that he’d be entangled in the web of lies his client had woven.
Doing what is right had been inbred in Amelia. She’d planned to say her goodbyes and start fresh. Staying in Adam’s small town with his other lies, that wasn’t part of her plan.
Penelope Monroe married on impulse and her heart had been broken by Adam Monroe’s lies. Pregnant she wonders how she will survive, alone, with her baby.
Brock Romero held Adam Monroe when he died in combat. Now released from the Army he makes it his priority to find Adam’s wife and share with her his last words.
On the verge of making the same mistake twice, Penelope must trust her heart—especially when new lies are uncovered.
From loss breeds new beginningsVivian Monroe had been jaded. Her husband’s death only compounded the lies she’d only come to learn about.
Clayton North knows a thing or two about loss. He figured it was fate for him to meet Vivian Monroe. He’ll take on the challenge of helping her mend her heart.
Midst new friendships and new romance, Vivian must let go of her pain and face the woman who helped Adam Monroe weave his deceptive web
Bestselling Author Bernadette Marie is known for building families readers want to be part of. Her series The Keller Family has
graced bestseller charts since its release in 2011, along with her
other series and single title books. The married mother of five sons
promises Happily Ever After always…and says she can write it, because she lives it. When not writing, Bernadette Marie is shuffling her sons to their many events—mostly hockey—and enjoying the beautiful views of the Colorado Rocky Mountains from her front step. She is also an accomplished martial artist with a second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do.
A chronic entrepreneur, Bernadette Marie opened her own publishing house in 2011, 5 Prince Publishing, so that she could publish the books she liked to write and help make the dreams of other aspiring authors come true too.
Are you part of my street team? Enjoy exclusive benefits and events by helping me spread the word about my books! Click here to join!
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Thursday, August 7, 2014
#ReleaseDay of THE PAINTED ROOM by #PeteAbela and #5PrincePub
Genre: Fiction, Family Life
Release Date: August 7, 2014
Digital ISBN 13: 978-1-63112-055-8 ISBN 10: 1631120557
Print ISBN 13:978-1-63112-056-5 ISBN 10: 1631120565
Purchase link : http://www.5princebooks.com/buy-links.html
A Painted Room
The best day in a
parent’s life turns into the worst.For expectant parents, the origins of a
new life are usually accompanied by excitement, anticipation and just a touch
of anxiety about the future. There are classes to attend, prams to buy, and of
course, the baby's room has to be painted.
This description fits Gary and Melinda quite nicely - except
Gary hasn't painted the baby's room yet. He finally gets around to starting the
job, but Melinda's water breaks before he finishes the first coat.
From there, the situation rapidly deteriorates. Their baby,
Justin, is born via caesarean. Shortly after the birth Justin experiences
breathing difficulties and is transferred to intensive care a few hours later.
The story follows Gary over a tumultuous few days as Justin
undergoes emergency treatment. Gary and Melinda quickly discover that when a
baby's life is on the line, it doesn't really matter whether or not you have a
painted room.
About Pete Abela
Pete heralds from the city of Wollongong, just south of
Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia, where he lives with his wife
and four kids. His love of reading eventually led him to take up writing, a
difficult task which presents rewards and challenges in equal measure. A Painted Room is Pete’s second book,
and follows his debut novel, Wings
(2012).
When he’s not working, reading, writing or enjoying the
company of his family, Pete likes to sneak away for a bit of exercise – either
tennis, golf or a refreshing swim.
You can find more about Pete at his website and blog
(http://peteabela.com). The blog contains a number of bad jokes and puns. You
have been warned.
How to contact the author:
Twitter: @PeteAbela
Website: http://www.peteabela.com
CHAPTER ONE
Melinda waddled into
the bedroom, looked at the display on the luminous alarm clock and frowned.
Shaking her head, she trudged across the room and pulled herself slowly onto
the bed, wincing as her back registered its habitual protest.
She looked down at her
body, an expression of displeasure crossing her pretty face. A couple of
varicose veins featured prominently on her once smooth and unblemished legs.
She removed the chain from around her neck and unthreaded the wedding band.
Holding the ring in one hand, she tried to place it on her swollen ring finger first
then her pinkie, but could not get past the first knuckle with either of them.
Shaking her head, she replaced the ring on the chain. Her pajama top stretched
tightly over her eight-month belly. She tried to pull the top down to cover the
exposed band of skin at the bottom of her tummy, and snorted in disgust when it
sprang back, once again revealing her stretch marks.
Melinda picked up a
piece of paper from the bedside table and examined it closely. It did not give
her any more joy than the sight of her pregnant body had. In fact, she scowled
as she perused the paper.
It was a list of jobs.
A long list of jobs and
only a few of them had been crossed out. The spare bedroom still needed to be
cleaned out and painted. The cot required assembly and the plastic bags full of
nappies, bibs, clothes and toys still remained unsorted.
A leather bound diary
lay on the bed. Melinda turned to the yearly planner page and placed her finger
on a prominently circled date. She counted backwards, a week at a time on her
fingers, stopping at four. She looked from the list to her fingers and back
again with pursed lips. Reaching across to the alarm clock, she fiddled with
the settings.
The jangle of keys at
the front door interrupted her. She looked up expectantly, and then composed
her features to remove any trace of welcome. The keys were dropped, and a male
voice swore. The jangling resumed and the front door opened. Melinda sat back
on the bed with her arms crossed and looked down at her watch. “It's about
time,” she greeted him icily.
“Hello to you too,”
replied Gary.
“Don't give me hello.
Where have you been?”
“I just had a few boys
with the drinks,” slurred Gary. “It's not even midnight. Why are you upset?”
“Where do I begin?”
asked Melinda. “For starters, you said you'd come straight home after soccer
and empty the spare room.” She picked up the list and waved it at Gary, before
throwing it in the air in disgust. Gary’s vacant eyes followed the list,
struggling to keep up with it as it floated gently to the floor. “You never
called and told me where you were. I've been stuck at home, resting under
doctor's orders, not able to have a drink, not supposed to do anything, bored
and uncomfortable. All the while, you're gallivanting around the country side,
getting drunk with your mates.”
Gary threw his arms
into the air. “I've been going out with the boys for years. I don't know why
it's a problem all of a sudden.”
“Were you even
listening to me?” pleaded Melinda, a solitary tear trickling down her cheek. “I
can't go out. I can't occupy myself. I'm stuck at home alone. I need you here with
me.” She flicked the switch on the bedside lamp, sending the room into
darkness. “I'm going to sleep.”
#
Gary groaned.
He fumbled and bashed
the alarm clock which had jolted him out of an unsettled sleep. He half-opened
one eye. The luminescent dials glowed brightly, searing into his glassy eyeball
like a hot poker. His befuddled brain struggled to make sense of his
surroundings. Was it Monday already? Surely not. It must be Sunday. But what
could cause the alarm to go off at quarter to six?
Melinda looked across
at him. “Morning dear,” she said in a loud and cheerful tone. “We've got a big
day today.”
“A what?” Gary shook
his head. “What on earth is going on? What are you talking about?”
“It's Sunday. We've got
a heap of jobs to do. You promised me we'd finish the painting today. And since
we didn't clear out the room yesterday afternoon, we're going to have to get up
early in order to finish.”
“Hold on a minute. Take
it back to the start,” commanded Gary. “Are you trying to tell me that you've woken
me up at sparrow's fart on a Sunday morning so I can empty the spare bedroom?
You must be crazy. I'm going back to sleep.” He rolled over, pulling the pillow
over his head and digging into the quilt. However, his pounding head and
cardboard tongue prevented him from relaxing.
Another bout of beeping
broke out, this time from across the room.
“I think that's your
phone dear,” suggested Melinda with just the hint of a smile. “Why don't you
get it?”
Gary groaned. “I can
see I'm not going to get any more sleep this morning,” he grumbled as he
stumbled out of bed.
Everything hurt. His
legs and lower back were sore from the after-effects of the previous day's
soccer match, his right foot throbbed, and his head pounded as a result of his
night on the town. “But I don't think I'm going to be much good to anyone in
this state.”
“It might be good for
you,” suggested Melinda. “You'll need some practice operating in a
sleep-deprived state for when the baby comes.”
“I'd rather put off the
practice and just cope with it when the time comes.”
“How about this for a
deal?” asked Melinda. “It's the best offer you're likely to get all day. If you
go and get started on the bedroom, I'll whip up some bacon and eggs for
breakfast. I'll chuck in a couple of Beroccas as well. That'll get you into the
day, and hopefully we'll get the things done we need to.”
“I might need to take
something before I start,” admitted Gary. “However, I did promise to do the
painting, so I'll take you up on your offer.” He paused. “I’m sorry for last
night as well. I did mean to come home straight after soccer. But I scored the
winning goal and now we're in the Grand Final. The boys pestered me to come
out. I was just going to have one drink but once I got there, I couldn't say
no. I drank one, and then someone else put another drink in front of me.” He
walked to Melinda’s side of the bed, knelt down and took her hand. “I'm sorry I
didn't come home on time. I'm sorry I didn't call you to let you know where I
was, and I'm sorry I didn't clean the baby's room last night. I'll try to make
up for it today, even if it kills me.”
“By the look of you, it
might actually do that,” laughed Melinda.
#
Gary looked at the
results of his work with pride. Despite feeling sore and lethargic, he had
worked diligently and made large inroads into his task of cleaning the spare
room in preparation for painting. Most of the cleared debris stemmed from the
numerous holidays taken over their nine years together. A pile of suitcases,
photo albums and souvenirs from all corners of the globe stood in a neat pile
in the hallway, ready to be placed in the attic.
He smiled at Melinda as
he entered the kitchen. “Brekkie smells good. The room's looking good too.
Another half hour and I think we'll be ready for painting, so there's no reason
I shouldn't get this done today.”
Melinda returned his
smile warmly as she carried his steaming plate to the table. “That sounds
great. It’ll be a big load off my mind.”
Gary picked up his
knife and fork. “Nothing but the best for you, my dear.” He tucked ravenously
into the food on his plate. “This is good. It really hits the spot. Even though
I've made some good progress this morning, I think I was running on empty.”
“Eat up then,” said
Melinda. “You've got a busy day in front of you.”
He looked at her
curiously. “I know it's an important job, although I'm not sure I understand
why you're so keen to get it done today. We've still got a few weeks to go.”
“There are no
guarantees about the timing - the baby could come tomorrow.” She patted her
bulging belly. “Looking at the size of me, it's hard to imagine I could get
much bigger. And besides, there are lots of other jobs that are waiting on this
one. Now that I've finished work, I can potter around during the week in my own
time and apply the finishing touches.”
Gary looked at her with
concern. “Don't forget that Dr. Downing said you have to take it easy. After
all, that's the reason you've finished work. You're meant to be putting your
feet up to ensure your blood pressure doesn't rise any further.”
“The biggest thing
that's likely to have an impact on my blood pressure is if you don't finish the
painting.” Melinda smiled to show that she joked, although Gary could tell
there was a degree of truth in the statement. “If I wait for you, the jobs will
never get done. I won't push myself. Even if I only spend an hour or two a day,
I'll be able to keep myself occupied plus continue to get ready.”
“Not long to go now,”
said Gary. “Your blood pressure will drop, your belly will disappear and things
will go back to normal.”
Melinda raised an
eyebrow. “Back to normal? Are you joking?” She circled until she was opposite
Gary and leaned forward with both hands on the table. “The changes are just
about to start. Life as we know it will never be the same once this little
bundle pops out.”
“How hard can it be?”
Gary dipped the last piece of toast into the remains of his egg yolk and
scoffed it down. “Sure, we might be sleep-deprived for a while, but that never
hurt anyone.” He yawned. “Well, not much anyway. People have been having babies
for thousands of years, and doing it without any of the modern conveniences we
have. I'm sure we'll be fine.”
“That's not what my
girlfriends tell me,” commented Melinda. “They divide their lives into two -
Before Baby and After Baby – and if they are to be believed, there is no
comparison between the two.”
Gary stood, wiping his
mouth. “I'm sure we'll be able to cope,” he said as he turned and walked back
to the bedroom.
#
Melinda dragged the
sheet across the floor in an attempt to cover the carpet before Gary could
spill any paint on it. He looked at her. “Sit down, love. You need to rest and
leave me to paint.”
Melinda looked up. “I'm
happy for you to do the painting. Just make sure you keep the floor covered.”
“No problem, Melinda.
I'm going fine. Just relax. You can sit there and watch if you like.”
Melinda smiled at Gary.
A surge of affection rose unbidden within her. Gary looked like a big kid,
dressed in his daggiest tracksuit pants and a faded Billy Joel t-shirt. Blobs
of paint were in evidence everywhere – on his shirt, on his pants and even one
large smear across his left cheek. His thinning black hair was dishevelled and
his paint-smudged face managed to simultaneously convey expressions of impish
mischievousness and gentle concern.
Melinda sank into the
large, padded armchair purchased for night feeds. She rested her feet on a
convenient paint tin and eased her neck and head into the back of the chair.
The long, slow strokes of the roller travelling up and down the wall possessed
a strangely hypnotic quality. She sat in silence, her eyes following the
roller's progress as it transformed the wall from a dull peach to a light and
airy green.
“You look like you're
falling asleep,” observed Gary.
Melinda sat up with a
start. “Sorry – just day-dreaming, remembering how long it took to get
pregnant.”
“I kind of miss those
days,” said Gary. “Too much was never enough.”
Melinda laughed. “As I
recall, you were doing it pretty tough. In fact -”
Melinda paused
mid-sentence. She touched her thighs with her hands and sat up straight in her
chair. She looked down at the ground.
“In fact what?” A look
of concern crossed Gary's face. “Are you all right?”
“I'm all wet. I
think my waters have broken.”
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