Business Networking is Good for Book Sales!

I recently attended a couple of business networking events in order to begin the process of physically meeting people that I can develop working relationships with. Up until recently I have focused on social networking and Internet based work, which is brilliant, but I admit I was beginning to feel a little lonely. So, I stepped out of my comfort zone, found some networking events advertised in my local newspaper and on Linked In, and got myself out there.

Initially I was planning to attend the events in the capacity of freelance writer and copy editor. This is the business I am developing in order to raise an income while I do the domestic chores of mothering and housework. I had sort of planned to keep my novels separate, since they do not generate anything like a business income at the moment. I need to build up my reader base and get on the bestseller lists before I see any sort of decent financial return.

Well, there was a huge lesson straight away! I am a writer. That is what I do. Feeling a little self conscious, I tripped along to the first networking event back in February, and told a group of strangers why I was there. It was actually not particularly nerve wracking. I was more concerned about getting my message across and giving the correct ‘elevator pitch’ to quote a technical term. I gave out some business cards, received some in return, and made some contacts that I am currently in the process of developing into business clients.

The second networking event was the one that gave me a lesson in book sales. Lexus of Stoke-on-Trent hosted this event. Their intention was to showcase their new models of cars as designed for the executive buyer. I was very impressed, and they certainly are in the back of my mind for future reference. The main point of this event for me was the speed-networking element. The idea was that we all got to speak to each other, share contacts, and develop our working relationships.

I had decided to take all three of my novels with me to the networking event. While I was there, I showed them to interested people, and discovered at least two or three keen readers who said they would look me up online to stock up their Kindles and e-readers. Then, totally by surprise, I sold a paperback right there at the event! Brilliant! So, in the future, my books will go everywhere with me. Fellow authors, take note. Here is some advice for an alternative sales outlet for your books. Spread the word!

Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel) - Buy the Book Now!

I am very pleased to confirm that my third novel Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel) is now widely available for sale and can be purchased through the following channels: in paperback format available to order in any UK bookshop; online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. It is available in eBook format at Amazon and Smashwords.

Adjusting to life with vampires and werewolves, Jessica Stone is learning about being a witch. Love is painful. Life is difficult. It is never boring.
Life has changed forever in Redcliffe, Cornwall. Jessica Stone used to be a normal, happy human. Now she is an angry, conflicted and confused witch. It all happened when she met Detective Jack Mason and his identical twin brother Danny. Jessica almost died twice, fell into a love triangle, and she became a murderer. Now she faces the ultimate challenge as she continues the fight to save the man she loves, while simultaneously struggling with her lust for his werewolf brother and their vampire friend. Can she survive, or will love finally end her life completely?

If you would like to sample the first 3 chapters of Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel), or if you are interested in the first two novels Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel) and Love Kills (A Redcliffe Novel), they are free to view on Wattpad now.

Exciting Times for the Redcliffe Novels!

Hello my friends! I recently shared details of an upcoming promotion I was scheduled to take part in with Wattpad. For those who are not familiar with the website, Wattpad is an author platform that is designed to be easily accessible via mobile phones, tablet computers and other handheld devices. Authors can upload poems, novels and short stories to be viewed for free, and readers can collect the stories and make comments or vote on them as appropriate.

I first used Wattpad to share some of my unpublished short stories. They received very little interest, but they are part of my author portfolio, and this is a good place to direct people who want to sample my style of writing. I then decided to share the first 3 chapters of my Redcliffe novels Love Hurts and Love Kills. Again I received minimal attention, but they were there, and they could be seen.

This all changed when I was approached by the marketing team at Wattpad. They had seen my activity on the social networks, and invited me to partake of a promotion for my first novel Love Hurts. They proposed that I post the entire novel on Wattpad free to view, and they would schedule a day in which to direct some marketing towards it, and subsequently drive readers to my books. I agreed, we set it up, and wow, what a result!

My promotion took place last Wednesday, 12th March 2013. Up until that point I had registered 886 reads of Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel). I checked briefly on Thursday and was very excited to see the number of readers had jumped to 2,346. By Friday it reached 4,492, and late on Sunday the number stood at 7,076. Amazing! So, realistically, I could be looking at hitting 10,000 reads of Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel) just one week after it was featured by the Wattpad marketing team. Thank you Wattpad!

Aside from the number of people reading my book, I am collecting a steady stream of new followers of my Wattpad portfolio, and I have received some messages from readers telling me how much they enjoyed my book and will purchase and read the next two in the series. Score! Fellow authors, check it out. Wattpad is a good place to be! And thank you to my new friends, followers and readers of the Redcliffe novels. Welcome to our world!

Hump Day Hook: Guest Blogger--Catherine Green.

Today I am a guest over on the Hump Day Hook blog:

Hump Day Hook: Guest Blogger--Catherine Green.: Everyone welcome our first ever Hump Day Hook Guest blogger, Catherine Green! *Loud clapping* Take it away, Catherine... ...

Hump Day Hook #HDH - The Darkness of Love

Welcome to this week’s Hump Day Hook! Today I share another excerpt from The Darkness of Love, and today we see the young stable hand Marcus Scott caught in the act as he indulges in some very naughty fantasies about his mistress…

“Good morning, Marcus.” chimed a beautiful feminine voice.
      Marcus jumped and dropped the grooming brush, embarrassment sending a flush to his cheeks as he saw the object of his affections framed in the doorway to the stables.     
    “Good morning my Lady,” he stuttered, “I am so sorry, I didn’t see you arrive.”  He ducked his head and she laughed gently and replied. 
    “It is alright Marcus,” she said, “I could see that you were daydreaming.  I trust it was a pleasant vision?” 
    It was Marcus’ turn to laugh, but with further embarrassment.  If only she knew! 
    “Yes my Lady, a most pleasant daydream,” he replied, “Penelope is all ready for you.  I will just fetch her saddle.”  

Delicious, isn’t he? Unfortunately I couldn't find an image to do him justice, so I settled for an impression of the Lady's gardens. There is more to come, so make sure you check back in at the same time next week for more tantalising titbits. In the meantime, check out some other fantastic authors on our Hump Day Hook dedicated blog, and over on Facebook. Happy Humping!

[Image courtesy of Pinterest]

Book Review: Signs of Destiny by C. Michael Bennis

Today I have the pleasure of sharing a book review for the very intriguing Signs of Destiny by C. Michael Bennis.

Signs of Destiny is a passionate story of love, survival and the incredible power of the human spirit.

When I first opened this book I was quite excited to see that the prologue was set in Liverpool, UK in 1967. Anyone from the UK will understand the importance of this time period and this particular location, even those like myself who were not born until a few decades later! I was, however, a little confused in the beginning. I’m not sure if it was intentional, but I struggled to connect with the characters we were introduced to, and I felt very hostile towards Alison after I read a little of her story (don’t worry, I won’t spoil it for you!). Anyway the confusion continued probably for the first three chapters, but then something clicked.

I began to feel an emotional connection with the protagonist, Rafael Valverde, and I was left wondering just how the prologue fitted into the rest of the story, which was set mainly in Madrid. It kept me hooked and needing to know more. The story is written based on true-life experiences from the author, and he pours his passion into the words. The novel is both poetic and dramatic, while still believably human.  It touches on issues that we as a culture are uncomfortable with, such as sickness, infidelity, and the human ego. This novel is both romantic and rough, and for that reason I highly recommend it.

Lucky in Love Blog Hop for St Patrick’s Day #LuckHop

It is that time of year when we start to look forward to warmer weather and begin the process of spring-cleaning. This seems to be a spiritual ritual, even though many people probably won’t see it that way. We feel the urge to clear out the backlog of jobs, chores and clutter that has accumulated during the cold, dark winter months, and we brighten up in preparation for spring and summer.

March also sees the celebration of St Patrick’s Day in Ireland and for those natives around the world. St Patrick represents luck, and today we mark the occasion by bringing you the Lucky in Love Blog Hop. Check out some anecdotes from romance authors, share the love, and tell us about your experiences of being Lucky in Love.

I for one am very lucky at the moment. I am happily married to my soul mate, and we have been together since we were 19 years old. I won’t lie; it hasn’t been an easy ride. We are only in our early 30s and we still have a lot more to learn about each other and what it means to be married with young children. But I am happy to have a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter, and another baby on the way (estimated for a July birth!). Oh, and did I mention I am a quarter Irish? So this day is doubly special for my family.

2013 is proving to be a wonderful year for me already as I celebrate my second pregnancy and the release of my third novel Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel). Since I am so happy and excited, I am going to offer a free signed paperback copy of my first novel Love Hurts (A RedcliffeNovel). If you are not successful in the competition, check out the big giveaway over at Carrie Ann’s Blog for Lucky in Love, or if you visit Wattpad you can read Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel) free for a limited time only.

All you need to do is comment on this post and check out some of the other blogs in the Lucky in Love Blog Hop. When the event is over I will select a winner based on the content of your replies, and I will post the book out to you, wherever you are in the world. Of course, you will need to email me your address separately, but we can take care of that later…Happy St Patrick’s Day!