Building a family for my Keller Family series

I could not be happier with the love that the Keller family has received from my readers. When I began to pen THE EXECUTIVE'S DECISION I had no intention of adding to the series, but when you have so many siblings, how could you not.



 I set out to tell a story about a woman, Regan Keller, who was starting all over with a new life and a secret buried deep in her heart. I never expected to fill the book with characters that would last for seven books...or more. (By the way, all the characters in all the stories (except Clara and Christian's) have been introduced in the very first book!)

I clearly remember the day that I penned Regan's hair demise in a Nashville rain storm. (I've been in one of those!) And instantly she was at the bus stop because her brother had taken her car to fix it. Well there we go, a new character! A little further in there was another brother, a doctor, hmmm he'd be interesting.

By the time the characters in my book had finished introducing themselves to me I had four siblings. And somewhere in my subconscious, I added in the fact that many of my friends growing up had been adopted (yes...I had come to the conclusion that if you weren't adopted you couldn't be my friend...it was an interesting phenomenon.) So the Keller family began to take on the eclectic dynamic which made them appealing.

The Keller parents, Alan and Emily, had their own twists--German backgrounds. In fact, I think in each book, the spotlighted sibling refers to Emily's German/Southern accent and how it intermixes at times and makes her unique.

As for the eclectic part... Regan and Arianna are blood sisters from the same parents. They were, however, adopted by the Kellers when they were very small.  In fact, Regan was an infant (adopted at two) so she has no recollection of her birth parents at all.  Upon their adoption, the Kellers found out they were having a child of their own, which they'd been told wouldn't happen. Curtis is the only natural child to Alan and Emily. He's the only one to be fair skinned and blue eyed, but he is not favored--this is think is what makes the family work. The siblings are all unique and the only natural child to the couple in the bunch is just as important as the others.

Then there is Carlos. Carlos moved to Nashville with is birth parents when he was six, from Puerto Rico. His parents were killed and the Kellers took him in. He, like Regan and Arianna, never left. His dark exotic looks feed his character, and blend into his children's charms as well (as we see when they grow older.) He is probably the most mild mannered of them all. With the introduction of Carlos came a slew of other characters that would follow for books to come. We met his ex-wife (which would become the main character in book 2, A SECOND CHANCE, when she battles breast cancer.) We are introduced to Eduardo (who we will follow in LOST AND FOUND), Clara (her story comes in book six, LOVE SONGS), and our favorite baseball player Christian (his story comes in book seven, HOME RUN). Each of these siblings brought a new level to the series, just as the original four did.

Curtis was probably the hardest character for me to write. He has a caring nature, but he's young at heart. Perhaps the most laid back of the sibilings, his heart tumbled for our rich, and a bit sassy oil heiress Simone Pierpont (whom we meet as Zach's best friend in book one). She was a lot of fun to write because she had to change her thinking on herself. There were a lot of "Come to God" moments for her and it was refreshing.

Arianna Keller was always my butterfly. She did what she wanted, was comfortable in her own skin, and loved her family with a passion.  She is the aunt you love as a child and as a parent you shake your head. She's not looking for romance, but she's not stupid to brush it off either.

You're often asked as an author, do you put yourself into your characters? Of course. I'm uptight like Regan. I have such love and compassion for my children and my husband that Madeline was very near and dear to my heart. I'm a bit of a worry wart like Carlos. I'm a chronic entrepreneur, so I understand Zach very well.  I'm not above a good job done well and working hard to get it, which is how John Forrester is prestented.  Though I wasn't brought up as Simone was, I think her turning points are most like me. Those ah-ha moments that take you by surprise...I've had my share of those.  Arianna, perhaps she's the least like me, but I strive to be comfy in my own skin and not back down from that...work in progress.  I guess that leaves Curtis and I have trust issues just like he does.  Mess me over and it's going to be hard to get on my good side again. I guess in his life, I made him a little more forgiving.

As I'm a very normal person, and I've created very normal characters, I think this is what brings out their appeal. Everyone can relate to one of them.

But as always, in my family building, I keep my motto in tact. I always promise Happily Ever After and family can give you that just as completely as romance can.

You can find all my books on my website at www.bernadettemarie.com or all the buy links at www.5princebooks.com/buy.htm

Launch Day for OPPOSITE ATTRACTION!

Wow! I didn't think this day would ever get here! But finally...the release of book 3 in the Keller Family Series has arrived! Welcome to Opposite Attraction, already on the Bestsellers lists on iTunes!

Opposite Attraction book 3 in the series

OPPOSITE ATTRACTION, book 3 in the Keller Family Series:

Curtis Keller is a lucky man. He has the love and support of a family like no other. But he's never fallen in love with a woman. He likes to play the field, have a good time, and enjoyed friends with benefits. But when wild child Simone Pierpont comes into his life for the first time he considers settling down—until she abandons him.

Simone Pierpont fell in love. She hadn't meant to, but her best friend's brother-in-law had treated her, the Parisian oil heiress, with more compassion than she'd ever known.  What was she to do? So she left him stranded on a yacht in the French Rivera.

Now, cut off from her father's fortune, pregnant, and desperate to win Curtis's heart; Simone must prove to everyone she can hold down a job and take care of herself.  Curtis isn't sure the spoiled princess can change, but because of his caring nature he has a hard time turning her away.

However, all efforts might be for not when he learns about her pregnancy and she is forced to run back to her father. But Curtis will eventually understand and come for her—or so she hopes.

Excerpt

…

Caterers moved about the house and Curtis fixed himself a plate of fruit.He’d be happier in the kitchen he decided.The reception was depressing him.

When he lifted his head from the platters of food, he saw the reason it depressed him standing right in front of him.

“Hello, Curtis.”Simone Pierpont’s French accent stabbed right into his heart before he choked on the grape he’d just swallowed whole.

He coughed until he could breathe.Her eyes never wavered from him and he was sure they had bored a hole right through him.

“Simone.I didn’t expect you here.”

She twisted her fingers together and smiled nervously.“I’ve been out of town.”

Didn’t he know that?He’d tried for the past two months to find her.Even his brother-in-law, Zach, who she claimed was her very dearest friend, hadn’t known where to find her.

“You’re looking well.”He wasn’t sure what else to say.He’d been dumped by women before, but it had never hurt like this one did. Oh, she’d had him fooled. Yes, he thought there’d been a chance for something real.He’d thought it was love.

But he had to acknowledge that there were women in the world who appreciated the art of seduction and fast steamy love affairs without stings just as men did. He just never thought he’d be the man who was used and disposed of.

Damn her anyway, he thought.

She took a step toward himand then stopped just short of reaching him.Her knuckles were white now and her nervousness wasn’t helping him keep calm.

Simone bit down on her lip then shifted her blue eyes to his. “I would have called…”

“Listen,” he set down his plate.“You don’t owe me any explanations.Zach and Regan set us up to share the evening together so we wouldn’t be alone.They didn’t tell us to,” he lowered his voice, “screw like rabbits and run off to your yacht in the French Riviera.So we had a good time.Really, who thought much of it?”He had and he fought his eyes to make sure she didn’t know how much he’d thought of it.

“Right.It was just sex.I was hoping you would understand that.”

“Got it.”He picked up his plate.“Well I think I’ll go see how the party is going.See ya‘round.”



That wasn’t exactly how Simone had hoped that would go.She untangled her fingers realizing they were almost numb now.

She deserved him to treat her like that.She’d been very forthcoming with him, over too much champagne on her yacht, that she’d bedded many men.Why she felt he needed to know that she wasn’t sure.She’d left out the hefty part of the tale though.Most of those men had been in her bed while she tried to wrap her head around the fact that Zachary Benson had never seen her as more than a sister or dear friend.

Lucky for her, she loved him the same.She was glad he and Regan had found each other and now had a family.But that hadn’t changed her view on herself.Simone Pierpont longed for what Zach now had.Love, marriage, and a family.One piece didn’t really fit without the other.

She sucked in a breath.Had she not made such an ass out of herself in front of Curtis and then run off without a word, stranding him on the Rivera to find his own way home, perhaps she’d have just that.

Simone ran her hands over the slim satin line of her dress, lingering only a moment on her jittery stomach.

Well, she thought, at least she’d have some of what Zach had.

…

Bio

Bernadette Marie has been an avid writer since the early age of 13, when she’d fill notebook after notebook with stories that she’d share with her friends.  Her journey into novel writing started the summer before eighth grade when her father gave her an old typewriter.  At all times of the day and night you would find her on the back porch penning her first work, which she would continue to write for the next 22 years.

In 2007—after marriage, filling her chronic entrepreneurial needs, and having five children—Bernadette began to write seriously with the goal of having her work published.  That year she wrote 12 books.  In 2009,  she was contracted for her first trilogy and the published author was born.  In 2011 she (being the entrepreneur that she is) opened her own publishing house, 5 Prince Publishing, and has released contemporary titles and began the process of taking on other authors in other genres.

In 2012 Bernadette Marie found herself on the worldwide bestsellers lists of iTunes and Amazon to name a few.  Her office wall is lined with colorful PostIt notes with the titles of books she will be releasing in the very near future, with hope that they too will grace the bestsellers lists.

Bernadette spends most of her free time driving her kids to their many events.  She is also an accomplished martial artist who will earn her conditional second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do in October 2012.  She loves to meet readers who enjoy reading contemporary romances and she always promises Happily Ever After.

Where to find Bernadette Marie and connect with her:

www.bernadettemarie.com

www.5princebooks.com

info@bernadettemarie.com

www.facebook.com/authorbernadettemarie

www.authorbernadettemarie.blogspot.com

Twitter: @writesromance

Buy links:

The Executive's Decision is FREE!
Book 1 in the series

Book 2 in the series!

Where to buy my books:

AMAZON

BARNES AND NOBLE

iTUNES

SMASHWORDS

Meet Curtis Keller ~The Keller Family Series

For those of you who have read the Keller Family series, you're very familiar with Curtis Keller, the youngest of the Keller family sibilings.  But, just in case you're new to the party of this best selling series, let me introduce you to the Keller family.

Opposite Attraction, book 3

Alan and Emily Keller, in their own right, are an eclectic duo. Emily was born and raised in Germany. Often her children, through out the series, reflect on how wonderful her mashed up accent is--German and Southern. This couple, still madly in love after decades of marriage, had only wanted to start a family, however, as they both moved into their forties they knew this dream would never come to light. But fate deals out many different cards, and bestowed to the Kellers were two young girls, Arianna and Regan. Arianna was two when she became the foster daughter to the Kellers and her baby sister only a few months old. Two years later, on the day the Kellers would officially adopt these two strong headed girls they would find they were finally expecting a child of their own, Curtis Keller. If you know the Keller family you know that one more child came into this eclectic bunch when he was seven. Carlos Keller was adopted by the Kellers when, after having moved here with his birth parents from Puerto Rico, his parents were killed in a car accident.

Now you know the Kellers... let's get to know Curtis!

A Second Chance, book 2

Curtis, though not much younger than the rest in age, is certainly considered the baby of the group. Of course, he is the only one that resembles the Kellers at all with his light hair and blue eyes.

The youngest Keller sibling is a doctor, and his brother and sisters look up to him. We see Curtis at work often. We met him in THE EXECUTIVE'S DECISION on numerous occasions as Regan came and went from the hospital as a visitor and a patient.  Curtis was on call in A SECOND CHANCE as Madeline was wheeled into surgery the very first time.

He has a strong conviction for family. You don't mess with his family--but then we see often enough, the Keller family rally for each other.

Curtis loves women, but he is married to his job, and any woman who thinks differently is in for a heart break. Cynthia O'Dell understands him best.  She too is married to the medical profession, but she's lucky enough to have "befriended" Curtis Keller. The duo enjoy all the perks to a "friend with benefits," from being the safe date at dinner, to bringing snacks to work, to having one of them fix a leaky faucet. The two of them enjoy each other in and out of bed, but they both know friendship is as far as it goes.

Curtis Keller could live happily ever after on his own. He's built his life to encompass his work, his family, and a few special friends. But when oil heiress Simone Pierpont shakes up his world, his priorities are scrambled.

An arranged date at Carlos's wedding to Kathy, Curtis and Simone are thrown together, only the couple lets the heat between them take over. What was to be companionship for a few hours turned into a hot and heavy affair lasting over a week on two continents and ending with Simone stranding Curtis on a yacht in the French Rivera.

The Executive's Decision, book 1

Lucky to have his job still in tact, he's bound and determined to keep his life the way he had it before Simone Pierpont turned it upside down.  But now she's back in Nashville, and it looks like she's planning to stay.

Now what is he supposed to do?


Thanks for taking the time to get to know Curtis Keller!  Leave your remarks and you could win a FREE e-copy of OPPOSITE ATTRACTION, (chosen at random and announced on 8-15-12) 

OPPOSITE ATTRACTION launches world wide on 8-16-12! Join us here for the launch party, and join us tomorrow and meet Simone Pierpont!



Where to buy my books:
AMAZON
BARNES AND NOBLE


iTUNES
SMASHWORDS

About Bernadette Marie

Bernadette Marie has been an avid writer since the early age of 13, when she’d fill notebook after notebook with stories that she’d share with her friends.  Her journey into novel writing started the summer before eighth grade when her father gave her an old typewriter.  At all times of the day and night you would find her on the back porch penning her first work, which she would continue to write for the next 22 years. 

In 2007 – after marriage, filling her chronic entrepreneurial needs, and having five children – Bernadette began to write seriously with the goal of being published.  That year she wrote 12 books.  In 2009  she was contracted for her first trilogy and the published author was born.  In 2011 she (being the entrepreneur that she is) opened her own publishing house, 5 Prince Publishing, and has released contemporary titles and began the process of taking on other authors in other genres. 

In 2012 Bernadette Marie found herself on the bestsellers lists of iTunes and Amazon to name a few.  Her office wall is lined with colorful PostIt notes with the titles of books she will be releasing in the very near future, with hope that they too will grace the bestsellers lists.

Bernadette spends most of her free time driving her kids to their many events.  She is also an accomplished martial artist who will earn her conditional second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do in October 2012.  An avid reader, she enjoys most, the works of Nora Roberts, Karen White, Megan Hart, and Carmen DeSousa to name a few. She loves to meet readers who enjoy reading contemporary romances and she always promises Happily Ever After.

Have you ever heard of anyone who died from embarrassment?

As a martial artist I have the opportunity to enrich lives of others.  One way is by teaching them how to physically take care of themselves if they are ever in a threatening situation.

Whenyou’re trying to explain this concept to kids, however, they will tell you how they can take the bad guy out with one punch. To hear my six-year-old talk, he could take a three hundred pound man and pummel him to bits. 

Thoughthat’s thinking big, perhaps it’s not that realistic.  We teach the kids To run, scream, and make a scene.  And why would you do that?  To get away.  To live to see another day, because the bad guy might get you if you don’t, and no one ever died of embarrassment if you happen to have misunderstood the situation.

 

Perhaps a drastic way of looking at your writing career, but don’t we do that too?  Sure we do. Our three hundred pound bad guy, isn’t really bad at all, but just as scary and could crush us all the same. We know we have what it takes to write one book and make it to the top of that list.  We think big. 

But how many of us attack the big bad guy? We lurk in private places egging on the bad guy by writing our stories. We walk in dark alleys (aka, our offices while others sleep.)  Only those we trust hear our secret whispers, “I’m working on writing a book.”  We protect what’s ours, but then someone asks, “What’s it about?”

You’vebeen approached by the enemy.  Danger is now looking you in the face.  One option to deal with the enemy is to not tell them anything.  Keep it hidden.  Walk the alley at night.  And what happens?  Your manuscript has been crushed by the bad guy, and never sees the light of day.  You’re not dead, but your dreams might be.

OR…you could run, scream, and cause a scene! 

That’s right you could tell everyone what’s been happening in that alley.  Bring it to the light and let them see.  Run through the streets and let the world know you’re there.  Someone might even ask to see this book you’ve been writing.  And you might get embarrassed!  It just might happen.

But remember, no matter whether you’re running from an attacker or putting yourself on display for the world to critique, no one has ever died from embarrassment.

Happy Reading!

Bernadette Marie

Meet the Keller Family

The past few weeks I have been very blessed with the outpouring of love for my Keller Family which I feature in the Keller Family Series.  Currently THE EXECUTIVE'S DECISION and A SECOND CHANCE are published.  Expect OPPOSITE ATTRACTION, book 3, at the end of summer 2012 and CENTER STAGE (book 4) in early 2013. Book 5 is not yet titled.

So who are the Kellers?  Well, let's meet them.

Alan and Emily Keller are the heads of the dynamic and eclectic bunch.  Regan makes mention in T.E.D. that one of the unique features of her mother is when her German heritage and her Tennessee home intermix with her accent.

Alan and Emily have only one birth child, Curtis.  The rest of their family was built through adoption, building a close knit and unique family.

Arianna is the eldest of the Keller children.  She was two when the Kellers took her in as her foster parents.  Arianna is an actress living in New York and perusing her dreams. When we meet her she has landed her first On Broadway production. Her story, CENTER STAGE, is her coming home story to open her own theater with the help of John Forrester, Zach Benson's right hand man.

Regan Keller was an infant when the Kellers took in her and her sister.  She doesn't remember any other home.  Regan's wanderlust took her away from home after college where she worked in L.A. at a law firm and met the man that would change her life forever.  Though that man was not Mr. Right and nearly killed her, without him she wouldn't have fallen into the lap of her true love Zach Benson in THE EXECUTIVE'S DECISION.  Regan has the most haunted past of all the Keller children, and she will have to face past decisions as they come to light again in a future book.

Carlos Keller was seven when his biological parents were killed after having moved to Tennessee from Puerto Rico.  The Kellers took him in and like Arianna and Regan, he never left.  Carlos married the love of his life when they were young.  Though in love, they couldn't make their love hold their marriage together and after three children, he and Madeline divorced.  Their story is found in the pages of A SECOND CHANCE--because perhaps there is one.

Curtis Keller is the only biological child of Emily and Alan Keller, but not favored.  He is a resident doctor and spends most of his time at the hospital.  There is little time for him to create a lasting relationship in his life, but Zach Benson's best friend Simone Pierpont is about to turn his world upside down in OPPOSITE ATTRACTION.

You'd think the series could end, right?  Four kids, four books.  But book five will take us on an adventure of the next generation as we get to know Eduardo Keller as a grown man working with his uncle at Benson, Benson, and Hart.  I have to say, after writing Carlos and Madeline's story, this is the one I can't wait to get my hands on, but that's all I'm going to say for now.

So why Nashville, Tennessee?  The entire series was based on one even that I thought about.  What if you were caught in a rain storm, forced on a bus, and fell into the lap of your future boss and the man of your dreams.  One quick jerk of the brakes on a bus could toss you into a whole new world.

So, funny enough, the only time I was caught in a flash rain storm was indeed in downtown Nashville.  I've never been so wet!  But it stuck with me and what a fond memory I have of that day.  So when I began to pen the book Nashville was naturally where they landed and where Regan was caught in the rain storm.

I hope you enjoyed a little break down of the Keller family.  I have enjoyed writing them.  I am also working on a long term series the Aspen Creek Series set in the fictional Colorado mountain town.  The fun of this series will be the different dynamics I can bring to it with different families and different characters.  The first book FIRST KISS brings a retired NFL MVP back to town to close out his father's estate.  Another encompasses that love between a single mother and a younger rock star. Of course my martial arts sneaks in there with a very great and eclectic Irish/Korean family.  There is so much you can do with a town, but we will explore that next week.



Until then, remember if you haven't read THE EXECUTIVE'S DECISION you can find it on Amazon and iTunes for FREE!

When your voice won't work use your pen

Have you had that ah-ha moment, oh you know the one, ten minutes after a fight or someone made you mad you know what you should have said?  That stirring in you gut sticks with you for hours, days, months.  The gnawing feeling you have when you see that person, hear about them, or darn it--that fight or argument replays in your head again, still eats away at you.

Be honest, it happens to all of us.  For me, I'm nearly a 2nd degree black belt (October 2012 by the way-happy dance continues) and if you attack me physically I could defend myself.  If a job needs to get done, I have the discipline to do it.  However, for being a best selling author, words never surface when they need to.

I can give you one heck of dirty look.  I still have the teenage girl in me that can talk just a bit too loud so you can get the gist of my point, but to say what needs to be said at the moment it needs to be said is not a talent I have.  So how do I combat these feelings of loss to my pride when words deceive me and leave me unsatisfied?

I write them in my stories!

To date I haven't murdered anyone in my books.  Well no one within the book.  I have put a few of my husband's quirky habits into my heroes and yes, my mother caught this one, my father's favorite pizza.  But I haven't made any nemesis die, though I could.  However, the words that must be spoken are said.  And they fly freely from my fingertips through the virtual mouth of my heroine.  She gets the satisfaction of telling someone exactly what I would have told someone else had my throat not closed off when I needed to speak.

The best part about all this is I can work out my frustrations and I get paid to do so.  And chances those people aren't going to read me anyway, but they don't even know they did wrong by me.  I usually laugh when I make a snide comment on Facebook and the person in which it is about likes my status.  It's worth the laugh.

However, on a serious note, this writing challenge started for me at a young age.  It was my mother's coping mechanism.  She didn't get mad very often.  She didn't scream or yell a lot.  She sat down with a piece of paper and wrote a letter that would tear you to pieces.  Then she would rip up the paper and throw it away.  I often wondered why she did that.  But as I grew older I understood.  Some of us can't say the words that need to be said, but we can write them.  And sometimes no one has to read them to make us feel better.  We just feel better having seen the words for ourselves.

Happy Reading!
Bernadette Marie

Keeping the positive side

Best Selling Author
Bernadette Marie

It wasn't so long ago that you'd hear me say the word "hate" before almost any sentence.  "I hate school. I hate that dress.  I hate my body.  I hate that."  Yes, this was me.  What an ugly word. I was young.  Newly married.  Desperate to have a baby.  I was hanging out with old friends that I'd grown up with.  Trouble makers, no.  Deviants? No.  Gossips...this is summed up with OMG!

It was brought to my attention at a wedding a of a friend that my outlook on life sucked.  While sitting among friends I hadn't seen in a long time and their spouses we were catching up.  Inevitably the conversation steers to, "I saw so and so  at the store the other day.  Did you know they got married..."  Typical conversation, right?  However, my negative self would reply, "Well, did you hear that they..."  Again, OMG!!!

One of my friend's husbands, whom I really didn't know well looked right at me and in front of all my friends, my husband, and my mother said, "Do you only know the negative things about people?"

WOW!  Talk about a come to God moment.  Lightning bolt to the head.  A slap across the face.  This was exactly what I was doing, idle gossip with  no purpose.  I spent the rest of the reception with my head down, mouth closed, and heart squeezing because I looked like an idiot.

It didn't take much more to learn my lesson.  In sixteen years you haven't heard the word hate come from my lips.  It's a nasty word.  And in my home, of now five sons, its a four letter word that is not said by any of us.  Idle gossip has no place in my life.  If you choose to share it with me I listen, but I don't have to reply.

This very significant moment in my life taught me I needed to hang out with people who were a bit more positive.  I began to do that.

At the time I owned a small salon.  I began to gather friends who had like interests, who wanted to build a business, who wanted to help me along the way.  From there I began my family, started direct sales companies, and again, began to build relationships with like minded, motivated people.  In the past sixteen years I have revamped my life.  I want your successes for you as much as I want my own.  I want you to feel as good about yourself as I do about myself.  And idle gossip is a thing of the past.  I surround myself with bright thinkers.  Positive thinkers.  People who take care of themselves and will take care of you too if you needed it.

Heading into my 40th year I look around me and I'm pleased with what I've built.  Businesses. Careers. I've lived out many of my childhood dreams, and I continue to do so every day.  In this year I will become a second degree black belt.  Every day I tie on that belt I smile.  I can't believe that is me!  There is no room in this world for hate, not even for the word, because soon enough it begins to become you.

Gone are the days when I had friends only because I'd known them a long time.  Now are the days I seize the moment to find a new friend and have another positive moment in my life.

To those friends I've lost because I was petty, maybe you could give me another try.  To my new friends, thank you for being the positive crowd I needed.  To those I've yet to meet, I want only the best for you.  Let's take the world by storm and make it a wonderful place to live!

Drop hate from your words, from your hearts, and from your way of living.  Open yourself up to the greatness that is in you and in others.  When you feel the negative come along, only you can make it go away.  Is every day easy? No, but it doesn't have to beat you down either.  When you feel like slashing out at the world on Facebook or Twitter, write it and then delete and put good out into the universe.  I'm here to tell you it'll come back to you.

Have a Positive Day!
Bernadette Marie

Freedom of Opinion! Its the best part of what I do!

Originally seen on January 11, 2012. Please enjoy my view on my very first bad review. I've had many, and this article still encompasses how I feel about it. The blessing is that those who do love my writing usually want to tell me personally and they tend to gather on my FB page.  If you love my writing join us there. Join Me!

Recently I realized I had made it!  I was not only a published author, I was a published author who was being read!  What a glorious feeling.  While watching my kids at karate I had this amazing three minutes.  First, I received my very first random fan email.  It was great!  I love that I connected with someone I don't know.  Someone who said, "I don't think I have ever been drawn to a book like this before!" Second, the person who inspired one of my characters said he couldn't wait for the book, he was going to build a shrine.  Well now, that's something!  Third, I found reviews and ratings on iTunes!  I'm a solid 4 star read with over 195 ratings for The Executive's Decision.  There were three reviews.  Two of the reviews were 5 star.  They loved the book, couldn't wait for the next one to come out.  The third review was entitled Blah!  Well this was a two star review  from someone who didn't like my character and thought the story was boring and predictable.

Yep!  That confirmed it!  I had a bad review and that means I'm on the in!

Now you'd think I'd be upset.  You'd think that wouldn't have wiped out my high, but no, just the opposite.  I laughed.  Not because I thought the person was wrong.  In fact, every aspect (except the blah) of the review was right.  My character is a woman trying to take back her life.  She's a bit on edge.  Some might not like her. Predictable?  Yeah, maybe just a little.  It is a romance.  Many of those end with happily ever after, that's how I like em.  But what was thrilling was that this person, who did not like my book, read it.  As uncomfortable as I should have been reading the review, I realize she had been that uncomfortable reading the book.  She downloaded something, and read and finished it, without liking it.  She stepped out of her comfort zone, apparently to read my book. She used the freedom of her voice to give that opinion.  And I used the freedom of my voice to create the book (which to remind you has 5 star reviews (minus this one.))

What would the world be if we all like the same thing?  How boring and predictable would that be?  We certainly wouldn't have the great opportunity of choosing our own paths in life.  We wouldn't be able to climb ladders and advance.  I'm not a fan of Regency Historical.  Does that mean the world shouldn't' read it?  Heavens no.  I've given my book to men who smile, accept it, and will never crack the cover.  And that's a-OK with me!  I'm just thrilled that they can enjoy something different.

So to the person who wrote the Blah! review, thank you.  Thank you for downloading my book (which you got for free, so I don't feel too bad.)  Thank you for finishing it and for taking the time to go back online and write your thoughts.  Thank you for using your words to express yourself and the freedom to do so.  Isn't it wonderful?  I would love to think you'll download another someday and maybe it'll be just the book for you.  But then again... I'll bet you have a favorite and it might not be something I'd enjoy.  Alas, we may not see eye to eye, but then again thanks to the freedoms we enjoy, I think we just might.

Always let your voice be heard.  Its a freedom we should embrace.  As much as I'd like to reel in the world with my words, for some I won't use the right words.  For others, my words will change their lives.  WOW, what an amazing opportunity we have in this country.  Freedom to use our words.

Happy Reading (no matter what you enjoy reading!)


Bernadette Marie

Holiday Madness

With the holidays upon us it is easy to become frustrated and less merry.  As a child we see gifts, glitter, promises, and the glory of everything.  As adults we see credit card bills, traffic, lines, and hear the nagging of the kids wanting stuff.  Isn't it funny how our perception changes when we get older.

I've struggled this year to find the meaning of the season.  I want that magical feeling back again.  You know that giddy anticipation you had as a child.  I'm sorry that it ever left me.

I realize some of that anticipation left when I took on the holidays as a chore and didn't plan to have a good time.  I did start shopping early, but not consistent.  Therefore, my husband and I are hurrying to finish.  Some of my gifts don't have any thought put into them.  That bums me out.  Christmas cards haven't been sent in two years because I'm overwhelmed.

SO even before Christmas arrives this year I am changing the way I do things for next year.  I have opened an account at the credit union just for money to be saved for my boys.  I have 5!  And this isn't just for Christmas presents.  No, I don't think they need a whole lotta junk every year, but this is for the whole year.  School fees, sports fees, birthdays, etc.  This way when it comes time for these events, and Christmas next year, I don't feel so pinched.  As of 2012, the contracts I make with new authors will be worked out so that I do not edit between Thanksgiving and the New Year.  That will ease the strain on many of us.  I still have time to capture special times with my kids before they head back to school.  We're due some snow... I think Momma needs to get out there and build a snow man!  I'm itching to see the zoo lights!  Or decorated house lights... so I think a thermos of hot chocolate in our jammies one night is in order as we drive through town.  A Christmas book would be nice to sit and read.  Hmmm...maybe even pop some popcorn and make a chain for the tree, now they'll get a kick out of that!

It's the holiday spirit that is suppose to rein during this season.  Enjoyment of family and friends is important.  I'm absolutely willing to change my way of thinking this year, with what is left of it, and forge a new path in 2012.  Who knows.  Next year I might be writing a post that says, "Where did the year go?  I'm a mess."  Or maybe, I'll find that holiday spirit and carry it all year long.  And this time next year I'll have some merriment to share with you about how I actually made a plan and stuck to it!  As it is, I think there is a lot of giving to be done in the next year, and it doesn't have to cost a cent!  Giving back to the world is important and to our brothers and sisters with whom we share it with.  I'm going a little greener this next year.  I'm going a little leaner this next year.  I'm working harder on the happy and kicking to the curb the sad.  I'm decluttering this year, my home and my mind.  I'm going to spread joy all year long.

I would love to hear how you spread joy, embrace the holidays, and how you celebrate with your family.  Please leave a comment and share with me!

Happy Holidays Everyone!  I look forward to what the New Year has to offer!
Bernadette Marie

FRIDAY FREEBIE on Saturday!!! 11-26-2011

Happy Weekend after Thanksgiving!  I had grand plans for this past week here on my blog.  We were going to blog everyday and give away lots of great stuff!  However, I got the flu, and 3 out of 5 kids got the flu, now my hubby has the flu!  WOWZERS!  So alas, nothing was said or given away.

But that doesn't have to hold us back from a Saturday giveaway!!!!

This Saturday I will be signing at the local Barnes and Noble, but if you stop by here YOU could win a free copy of CART BEFORE THE HORSE and THE EXECUTIVE'S DECISION!  Yep... a 2fer!

Just leave me a comment and you'll be entered.  We will announce the winner on Sunday night!

THE EXECUTIVE'S DECISION:
Regan Keller fell in love with a wealthy and powerful man once. He was her boss. When that turbulent relationship ended, she swore she’d never again date someone she worked with. That was before she literally fell into her new boss’s lap.

Zachary Benson is the head of a successful empire and used to getting what he wants in the boardroom and outside of it – and what he wants is Regan Keller. He’s determined to convince Regan that even though he’s her boss, they can share a life together.

However, when Regan’s past threatens to destroy the architectural firm Zach has invested his entire career in, he has to make an executive decision whether to choose his business or fight for the woman he loves.









CART BEFORE THE HORSE
Gabriel Maguire thought he'd buried his past until the night he met Holly, only to lose the woman he cared about, again.

Holly Jacobs has always put the cart before the horse. A prodigy who shot to stardom in textile design, she never knew a normal life—and there's nothing she longs for more than to be normal.

Pregnant before she even knows the name of her baby's father, Holly has put the cart miles ahead of the horse this time. But when she and Gabe meet for the second time, they decide to have their baby together. Holly finally begins to accept her unique way of doing everything backward, but Gabe's very normality drives her up the walls. Then his tragic past rears up; pain and loss threaten to destroy forever the fragile bond that has blossomed between him and Holly.

Sometimes the only way to get where you need to be is to put the cart before the horse.



Both books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, All Romance eBooks, and Smashwords!