My publisher has decided that one book on sale in a month is not enough. And who am I to complain??

For the entire month of January, MEANT TO BE, book 1 in the Anchor Island Series is on sale for the low-low price of only $1.99. That makes this a great time to jump into the series from the very beginning. Especially if you joined the fun with a later book and never got around to the first. Now is your chance to get a great deal on this one.

But wait, there’s more! (This does sort of read like an infomercial, so why not go all the way, right?)

HOME TO STAY, book 3 in the series, is ALSO on sale all month, and this one is just $2.00. (Why the extra penny? No idea. Still a great deal.) This one is for those who started with the series but never got around to the later books. (Totally understand. I do this ALL the time. If only there were more hours in the day. Sigh.) 

So that’s TWO books on sale for $2.00 or less during the month of January. Crazy, I know, but a good kind of crazy.

MORE TO GIVE, the fourth and final installment in the Anchor Island Series, is finally on sale. You can get the digital format for Kindle only on Amazon, while the print and audio versions are available anywhere books are sold. (If you don’t see the print book in your local store, ask them to order it. Or you can nudge your local library to bring it in for you.)

Da Blurb!

Callie Henderson had to fight to put her tragic past behind her, but now the up-and-coming player in the hospitality industry is well on her way to happiness. She has her sights set on the lead renovation position at the Sunset Harbor Inn—an inn that just happens to be owned by Sam Edwards, the man who comforted her in her grief and gave her one night of passion before walking away.

Sam is searching for someone who can turn his quaint inn into a premier boutique hotel. He just never expected that someone to be the one woman who knows his deepest secrets. But he needs Callie, and Callie needs the job. Throw in a talking parrot with a cracker addiction, some uncooperative islanders, and enough sexual sparks to light a beachside bonfire, and they’ve got their work cut out for them…

More to Give is a story of heartbreak and healing, of facing the past…and having the courage to believe in a future.

Read an excerpt here.

I can’t say how much this series has meant to me, and the response from readers has been more than I could have ever hoped for. Thank you all for loving these characters, and helping to make my dreams come true!

And don’t forget to check in over on my Facebook page, where I’ll be doing giveaways all day long.

MORE TO GIVE, the fourth and final installment in the bestselling Anchor Island Series will be flying off the virtual shelves (I hope!) in two weeks. I can’t believe the day is almost here. I so love this series, and writing the closing story was both joyful and bittersweet.

Ironically, there was never supposed to be a fourth book in the series. But when Sam Edwards stepped onto the page in HOME TO STAY, there was no doubt he was hero material. He was high-class and mysterious. Hot and emanated power. How could I NOT give him his own book??

But who would be the perfect woman for Sam? I knew she wasn’t already on the island, which meant I had to search the ethos to find her. Thankfully, she came to me with little prodding while I was on a flight from Atlanta to Norfolk back in 2013. Callie Henderson graciously stepped out of Sam’s past and landed on Anchor Island as if she always belonged there.

And maybe she did.

Writing this story meant getting to use both my business sense (I am a business major, after all) as well as my inner decorator. She’s buried deep, but loves to play. Especially when the budget is wide open – as in imaginary. I hope you’ll come see how Sam and Callie turn a rundown old island hotel into a beautiful boutique hotel, creating the perfect setting for elegant destination weddings, or a quiet getaway of any kind to charming and welcoming Anchor Island.

Here’s the back cover copy:

Callie Henderson had to fight to put her tragic past behind her, but now the up-and-coming player in the hospitality industry is well on her way to happiness. She has her sights set on the lead renovation position at the Sunset Harbor Inn—an inn that just happens to be owned by Sam Edwards, the man who comforted her in her grief and gave her one night of passion before walking away.

Sam is searching for someone who can turn his quaint inn into a premier boutique hotel. He just never expected that someone to be the one woman who knows his deepest secrets. But he needs Callie, and Callie needs the job. Throw in a talking parrot with a cracker addiction, some uncooperative islanders, and enough sexual sparks to light a beachside bonfire, and they’ve got their work cut out for them…

More to Give is a story of heartbreak and healing, of facing the past…and having the courage to believe in a future.

To celebrate the release of MORE TO GIVE, I’ll be giving away prizes all day on November 11th on my Facebook Page. Up for grabs will be not only Anchor Island books, but books from authors like Nancy Naigle, Kim Law, and more. Plus gift cards. So make sure you’ve Liked my page to see all the giveaways.

And don’t forget, it’s only THREE WEEKS to the release of COWBOYS FOR CHRISTMAS, an anthology of overlapping stories by Kim Law, Liz Talley, and myself. Three cowboys, two weeks, and one wedding. Toss in Christmas and what more could you want??

If my blog title confuses you, I can explain. Today, May 1, 2014, the third installment in my Anchor Island Series, HOME TO STAY, is officially released to the world. As for the blog title, this book is the story of Will (Willow) Parsons and Randy Navarro.

Get it? Lame, I know.

But I’m so excited for this book to finally be fully and complete released. In all formats, including print, audio, and Kindle. Here’s the blurb:

Willow Parsons’s two new best friends are getting married, putting her squarely on the sidelines of romance—which suits her just fine. After escaping the ultimate Mr. Wrong, she is more than happy to spend her days slinging drinks in Dempsey’s Bar & Grill, and her nights alone. But her Anchor Island refuge has just one catch: muscle-bound charmer Randy Navarro.

Everyone in town knows that Randy, owner of the local fitness club, is a giant teddy bear.

Everyone, it seems, except for Willow. He’s convinced that her avoidance is more than just playing hard to get, and is determined to uncover the secrets that keep her on edge. But when old fears are dragged into the light, can Randy get Willow to stay and fight for their love…or will she take flight, leaving both him and Anchor Island behind?

Home to Stay is a charming, romantic tale about following your heart to find where you belong.

And here’s the trailer:

I’ve been living with these characters for nearly four years now, and they feel like family to me. Which is why I do a little happy dance every time someone says something nice about them. As a long time reader, it makes my heart happy to know I’m able to give others a story they can get lost in.

As for what comes next, YES there is one more book in this series. MORE TO GIVE will be out later this year and features Sam Edwards, whom you meet in HOME TO STAY, and a newcomer to the island with whom Sam has quite a complicated history. And because I love adding pets to my stories, you’ll get to meet Cecil, the talking parrot. He has a big vocabulary, and an even bigger attitude.

But wait, there’s more! Tracy Brogan, Kim Law, Kristan Higgins, and myself are running a really fun contest for Mother’s Day. Starting tomorrow (May 2) through the 9^th, you can enter to win a $50 gift card as well as a stack of books from the four of us. And the best part? Your momma will win the exact same prize!

It’s called the One For Your Momma! Contest and you can find all the details on our Facebook pages. How to enter as well as all the rules will be available starting tomorrow (May 2). (It’s easy, promise.)

I have a newsletter going out today in which I’m giving away FOUR prizes to four lucky newsletter subscribers. Didn’t get it? Haven’t subscribed? It’s easy to do. Just hop over to my home page, fill in your name and email address there on the right, and you’re in.

Thank you to everyone who has made the last twelve months so much fun. MEANT TO BE was released a year ago this month, and I could never have imagined all the awesome that has come my way since.

Love, hugs, and virtual cupcakes for everyone!

I will reappear on this blog as if I never actually abandoned it for—*checks date of last blog*—exactly one month. So how the heck are ya? Me? I’m good. Healthy. Well rested. Life is good.

Okay, that might be a lie. Maybe I should explain.

See, I had a deadline. I had to turn in the 4^th book in the Anchor Island series (the last, sadly) on April 1. That took every ounce of focus and determination I had left in my four working brain cells. I also, sort of by accident, booked a trip for kiddo and I to Disney World from March 26-30th. So, really, the deadline was March 25^th, thanks to my impeccable timing and failure to think ahead.

But the book is in and I’ve managed to create a workable to-do list to catch up—you should see the amount of laundry I have to do—and now I’m back in the game. Mostly.

And I have news! First up, the 3^rd book in the Anchor Island series, HOME TO STAY, is currently featured in the Kindle First program over on Amazon. See www.amazon.com/kindlefirst for details on that. If you’re anxious for the print or audio versions of the book, your target date is still May 1, but that’ll be here before we know it.

I also have a book trailer. This launched last week and I am very excited about how it turned out.

What else? Oh, I’ll be embarking on a bit of a blog tour starting in the middle of the month. These are the dates I have right now. I’ll be sharing more info about the tour soon.

April 15 – Curvy Writers Blog Radio (Noon)

April 16 – Fresh Fiction

April 18 – Firebirds

April 21 – Rockville 8

April 22 – Ripe for Reader

April 25 – RWA Contemporary Chapter Blog

April 29 – Romance Dish

So what am I doing now besides tackling the to-do list? Starting a new series! In early 2015 you’ll get to meet the inhabitants of Ardent Springs, TN, located an hour or so north of Nashville. The first book is the story of high school sweethearts with a shot at a second chance for love. Will they make it work? I sure hope so, since my job is to write happily ever afters.

To get in the swing of the new setting, I’ve created a playlist for it. I can’t listen to music while I write, but listening during the development stage is a must. As you could probably guess, the list is filled with country songs, and this is one sets the tone perfectly.

So we’re back to Music Monday with Again by David Nail. Enjoy!

Due to… life I was not able to do a typical blog tour for the release of UP TO THE CHALLENGE, the 2^nd in my Anchor Island Series, when it was released back in October. So I’m doing one now.

At each blog stop between now and January 17^th, I’ll be giving away a kindle copy of UP TO THE CHALLENGE to one lucky commenter. In addition, everyone who follows me through the tour can enter for a chance at the grand prize, a brand new Kindle and a $10 Amazon gift card to get you started.

To get yourself in the running for the grand prize, just click over to my contest page and enter through the Rafflecopter widget. (There’s a link at the bottom of the page.)

Now, where you can find me along the tour:

Jan 10 (today!) – The Firebirds Blog

Jan 12 – The Romance Bandits

Jan 13 – Maureen O. Betita’s Blog

Jan 14 – Read Your Writes Blog

Jan 15 – Savvy Authors (no commenter prize)

Jan 16 – Hellie’s Radical and Frequently Raving Reviews

Jan 17 – Right here!

So that’s six books up for grabs plus the Kindle and Amazon gift card. Be sure to enter early and often. And because I’m feeling generous, I’m going to leave the grand prize contest open through the holiday weekend. It’ll end midnight (eastern time) on Monday the 20^th, then I’ll announce the winner here within 48 hours. 

Hope to see you along the tour and good luck!

Here it is. The beautiful cover for HOME TO STAY, book 3 in the Anchor Island Series. Coming to a virtual shelf near you April 15, 2014.

What do we think??

Let’s get the business out of the way first. MEANT TO BE, the first book in the Anchor Island Series is the featured Kindle Love Stories title all this week, which means it is currently on sale for the low low price of just $0.99. That’s a full length novel, that so happens to be a former Amazon #1 bestseller, for less than a dollar.

If you haven’t read it yet, now is the perfect time. (And don’t forget to tell your friends!)

Now on to the music.

I heard a new song a couple weeks ago on our local alternative station, and thought I’d found a new band. Kiddo promptly informed me these guys are not new, but they’re new to me and I’m guessing will be to most of you.

Arctic Monkeys are a British Indie rock band that’s been around for more than ten years, and quite successful across the pond. I’m not sure how to describe their sound, but there’s a hefty bluesy tone to everything I’ve found, which I adore. A solid beat with amazing vocals provided by a voice that doesn’t sound like anyone else (kudos to lead singer Alex Turner.) They’re sort of a laid back Fall Out Boy with a hint of Justin Timberlake experimentation.

Whatever it is, I like it.

What do you think?

Next week is going to be awesome and not just because I get to eat lots of turkey, dressing, and brownies (without gaining a pound. That’s how holidays work, right?)

First off, UP TO THE CHALLENGE was selected to be featured in this week’s Kindle Select 25! (That’s actually a direct quote from the email I received. Thank you, Jessica.) I think I was already part of this promotion, but they’ve opted to keep me in at least another week. Which means I’ll be part of the Kindle Select 25 until at least November 28^th.

Awesome, huh? But wait, there’s more!

For those who have yet to learn about the Kindle Love Stories podcast, it’s a lovely feature created by Amazon that focuses on the latest in romance. You can listen every week to learn about the authors turning out some of the best books in the genre, and hear what the reviewers are raving about.

To go along with the podcast, there is a $0.99 book special title every week, and next week that title will be…

MEANT TO BE!

I’m so excited about this. If you started the series with UP TO THE CHALLENGE, this means you can pick up MEANT TO BE for just $0.99 and see how Joe and Beth got together. The best part, it will be set at this price for the whole week – Monday Nov 25 to Sunday Dec 1.

All you have to do is head over to the Kindle Love Stories blog to find the deal. (I’ll post a direct link on Monday both here and on social media.) Any help spreading the word next week will be greatly appreciated. Who doesn’t like a bargain, right? And especially this time of year!

There’s one more little announcement I have to make. I am happy to report that starting December 14^th, I will have a new boss. ME! I am ditching the day job for a life of leisure at home. Okay, that’s not true. I am leaving the day job to make writing the day job instead of the nights & weekends job.

And who do I have to thank for this? YOU! Imagine me giving you all the biggest virtual hug ever to be hugged. I am chasing the dream and you all are keeping me dancing along the clouds. I know I say it often, but seriously. Readers. Are. Awesome.

Say that fast three times.

I am happy to report that UP TO THE CHALLENGE is a featured romance novel on FreeBookFriday.com this week. I had a great time with the interview, and there are 5 signed copies of the book up for grabs.

Get yourself in the running, and then tell your friends about it, too. Contest ends this Friday (Oct 25) so get to it!

And don’t forget! UP TO THE CHALLENGE goes out to the world tomorrow (Oct 22). If you’d like a copy of your own, simply click the cover over there >>> and one-click away.