Cover Reveal for Author Amy Patrick’s CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING Out August 12!
Today I’d like to introduce you to author Amy Patrick (aka Amy DeLuca), my 2013 Golden Heart Sister who is also a 2014 Golden Heart finalist, both years in the YA category.
Amy is so talented she also writes NA. CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING is her first NA novel. It takes place in the world of television broadcasting, which Amy knows well.
Here’s a sneak peek at her gorgeous cover. Following the cover is a little bit about Amy. Be sure to mark August 12 on your calendars because you don’t want to miss this one!
(Truthfully, she had me at “MISSING HEMSWORTH BROTHER”!!!)
WAY TO GO, AMY!!! WISHING YOU ALL KINDS OF SUCCESS ON YOUR DEBUT!!!
22-year-old Heidi Haynes is almost one year into her “real life”. She has her first reporting job, her first apartment, and a comfortable relationship with her college sweetheart. But for some reason she’s not as eager to talk about walking down the aisle as he is.
Heidi secretly longs for big cities, big-market breaking news, and real independence from her way-too-close-by helicopter parents. Problem is, the last time she left the security of home for new places and new people, things didn’t go so well. Disastrously, in fact, and she came running back to a local college and a “safe” boyfriend.
Aric Serrano is definitely not safe.
He’s six-feet-four-inches of missing-Hemsworth-brother-hotness and plans to stay in small-market-Southern-Hell just long enough to grab a cup of coffee and put together a kick-ass “escape tape”. He’ll serve his one-year contract, then he’s taking off for a higher rung on the TV sports ladder—alone—the way he likes it. Then he meets his new co-anchor.
Heidi would be so much more comfortable if she could simply ignore Aric—he’s just her type—the type she’s so careful to avoid these days. But that becomes impossible when she’s forced to work closely with him on the weekend news. Now the attraction between them is growing even faster than the ratings, and what happens behind the scenes is the real news.
Amy Patrick grew up in Mississippi (with a few years in Texas thrown in for flavor) and has lived in six states, including Rhode Island, where she now lives with her husband and two sons. She’s been a professional singer, a DJ, a voiceover artist, and always a storyteller, whether it was directing her younger siblings during hours of “pretend” or inventing characters and dialogue while hot-rollering her hair before middle school every day. For many years she was a writer of true crime, medical anomalies, and mayhem, working as a news anchor and health reporter for six different television stations. Then she retired to make up her own stories.
Hers have a lot more kissing.
Writing Process Blog Tour
I’ve been tagged for the Writing Process Blog Tour that’s been going around the internet, where writers talk about what they write, how they write, etc. Last week, my friend and last year’s Golden Heart winner for Paranormal Romance, AE Jones, posted her blog here.
So here’s a little bit about me…
What am I currently working on?
I’m working on first-round edits for the first of three books I sold to Entangled Indulgence, about a woman who wins her venture capitalist ex-lover in a charity bachelor auction and drags him (quite unwillingly) back home to their small town in order to thwart his hostile takeover of her family’s shoe company. Mayhem ensues–but it might just turn into a joint venture of the heart. There’s a family feud, two crotchety grandparents, and some small town craziness before these two people who can’t keep their hands off each other finally get together. No release date yet, but stay tuned!
I just finished rewriting my Golden Heart winning manuscript from last year, and I’m working on the second book in my Indulgence series.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I love books with deep emotion and a lot of smart humor and sass. I work really hard to get those qualities into my work. We’ll see how well I succeeded!
I love books with deep emotion and a lot of smart humor and sass. I work really hard to get those qualities into my work. We’ll see how well I succeeded!
Why do I write what I write?
I didn’t start out writing Contemporary Romance. I actually have the drafts of four Regency novels in boxes in my closet. I wrote my first contemporary as a break from the research-heavy historicals and somehow my contemporary voice clicked. Or, I finally figured out how to plot well enough that the middle of my novel didn’t sag and droop. I think it’s one thing to capture an agent’s attention with a dynamite beginning but a whole other process to sustain that can’t-wait-to-turn-the-page feeling throughout an entire book.
How does my individual writing process work?
I treat it like a job, the same routine every day. So much so that when my dog sees me pick up the coffee mug every morning, she (politely) demands a rawhide chew and accompanies me up to my office. (Her version of working along with me!) I pretty much abandon every household chore that I can until mid-afternoon.
Of course, family and other demands can suck time away so I have a daily word count goal and I do my best to accomplish that. I watch very little T.V. but when I take breaks I love to read. As with any career, life balance is important so I try to exercise and tend to body, mind, and spirit. It’s hard to get away from your job when you work at home. Leaving the work behind is hard for me!
I used to pants my way through a story but I now force myself to first do a blurb, then a synopsis and three chapters. The synopsis is so painful, but it forces me to look ahead to all the major turning points and do my best to plan the black moment to be the blackest of the black for both hero and heroine. I’ve found this to save a lot of heartache and time when the plot meanders into dangerous territory that you need to dig it out from. That’s not to say the characters change things up as they will (they’re all so determined and stubborn!), but the general structure gives me goals to aim for.
My advice to those trying to be published the traditional way is to learn enough craft to get noticed. My agent, Jill Marsal, worked with me to take my draft to a whole new level, and now my editor is doing the same. So put yourself in a position to always work with people–starting with your critique partners–who push you to become better.
So thanks for stopping by. Does anyone have any other advice for writers pursuing publication, traditional or otherwise?
So thanks for stopping by. Does anyone have any other advice for writers pursuing publication, traditional or otherwise?
Now I’m tagging new author Christine Glover, whose first novel for Entangled Indulgence debuts on June 30th. I met Christine when she happened to sit at my table last year at the RWA Awards ceremony. Check her out on the Writing Process Blog Tour on her website next Monday, June 23!
Born in the Netherlands, Christine moved to Canada where she spent her formative years. Then she married her Texan Alpha Physicist, moved to the United States and she has lived both south and north of the Mason Dixon line. Now Christine resides in Alabama with her husband, two insane cats and her wonderful daughter. She enjoys finding the silly in the serious, making wine out of sour grapes, and giving people giggle fits along with heartfelt hugs. When she’s not writing, you can find her traveling the world, cooking gourmet food, and desperately seeking a corkscrew.
Blog: www.christinegloverauthor.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Glover/158387587541698
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cjglover63
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cjglover63/
website: www.christinegloversite.com
Join my newsletter here http://eepurl.com/L8Yh5
And take a look at Christine’s gorgeous cover and blurb for The Maverick’s Red Hot Reunion (isn’t it red hot!):
Can he satisfy his craving without losing his heart?
Corporate Maverick Zach Tanner returns to North Carolina to rebuild his dying friend’s resort. He’s got the money, the power, and the will to transform Sweetbriar Springs into a premier spa for the glamorous, but he doesn’t count on the woman he once loved…and lost…to handle the construction contract. Zach thought he’d buried his desire for Kennedy five years ago. He was wrong, and now he’s determined to satisfy his craving…
Construction company owner Kennedy Gibson is eager to restore Sweetbriar Springs, but when she realizes Zach is her new boss she’s terrified he’ll learn the truth about their breakup so long ago. She vowed never to hurt him again, but she can’t deny the passion he reignites in her. She wants to believe she has a chance for a different future with him, but will her secret threaten to destroy their red-hot reunion?
Buy Links:
Come Check Out Paranormal Author AE Jones on the Writer’s Process Blog Tour!
My friend, chapter mate, and fellow 2013 Golden Heart Winner AE Jones makes her rounds on the Writer’s Process Blog Tour today.
AE is the GH Winner for Paranormal Romance, and she’s created a kick-butt heroine who will have you laughing out loud and crying, too.
Read all about her process and upcoming debut novel at http://aejonesauthor.com
Oh, and she’s tagged me for next week!
 |
| What a night! Sarah MacLean, me, AE Jones, and Eloisa James at RWA 13. |
Here we are at last year’s RWA Awards Night–wearing our GH necklaces–standing with the awesome Sarah MacLean and Eloisa James, who were our RITA-winning table mates. What a night that was!
Giveaway! of A Sweet Life Romance e-Book Boxed Set for Diabetes Research
Happy Memorial Day weekend!
I’m participating in the A Sweet Life Boxed Set Book Blitz with Xpresso Book Tours.
Have you heard about this 1500-page anthology featuring stories by Brenda Novak and thirteen more of our favorite authors, all the proceeds of which go to diabetes research?
I’m giving away one (1) e-book boxed set copy of A Sweet Life. 100% of the proceeds go to the Diabetes Research Institute via Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research.
All you have to do is leave me your name and email in the comments section. (I swear I won’t use your email for any other reason!) The Giveaway will run through Monday, May 26, at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be chosen at random announced Tuesday, May 27, at 9 a.m.
The prize book will be sent out after June 19th.
International entries are welcome.
In case you don’t win, the buy links for this great deal (only $2.99!) are included below.
Take a look at all the great authors who have contributed to this anthology for this great cause:
Book & Author Details:A Sweet Life Boxed Set (Fourteen Contemporary Romances by Bestselling Authors to Benefit Diabetes Research)Publication date: May 1st 2014Synopsis:Have your cake and eat it too–your purchase of A Sweet Life helps fight against diabetes!
Priced at only 2.99 (regular price 7.99), indulge in this stunning limited edition collection of fourteen contemporary romances by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors…
You can make a difference while you read! All proceeds from the sale of A Sweet Life will be donated to the Diabetes Research Institute via Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research.
Featuring a foreword by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber.
Get your copy today!
1500 pages/ 675 000 words
I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre (The Sullivans)
The only woman wealthy Irish pub owner Jake McCann wants is the one he can’t have–Sophie Sullivan, his best friend’s off limits sister. But when the beautiful librarian appears on his doorstep as his every fantasy come to life, even though Jake knows loving Sophie isn’t the right thing to do…how can he possibly resist?
On A Night Like This by Barbara Freethy (Callways #1)
From #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes the first book about the Callaways, a big Irish family born to serve and protect, many as San Francisco firefighters.
May Day! By Heather Graham
Members of the Krewe of Hunters team plan a relaxing vacation to jolly old London for the English celebration–they never figured that a May Pole just might be murder.
Shopping for a Billionaire by Julia Kent
When mystery shopper Shannon Jacoby meets billionaire Declan McCormick with her hand down a toilet in the men’s room of one of his stores, it’s love at first flush.
Built to Last by Susan Mallery
The tale of Aaron Cross, a man who doesn’t know he needs saving…until he meets Marissa Spencer, a heroine inspired by the real life founder of the Motheread/ Fatheread Literacy Program.
A Baby of Her Own by Brenda Novak
Delaney is tired of waiting for the right man–all she wants is a baby. After seducing a handsome stranger, she returns to Dundee to find that same man is actually taking up residence on a ranch just outside of town–where he will very likely realize she’s expecting.
Dare to Love by Carly Phillips
In relationships, Ian Dare offers the bare minimum–until one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor changes his perspective. Their affair heats up and love comes into play, but Riley’s secret past just might cost them everything.
Executive Seduction by Jennifer Probst
When Chandler Santell turns to Logan Grant, the most ruthless CEO in the finance industry to save her beloved Yoga and Arts Center, she never intended to have seduction as part of the plan…
In Too Deep by RaeAnne Thayne
Though fiercely drawn to the comfort of Andrea McPhee’s arms, Will Tanner isn’t sure he can find room for a woman like her in a life focused on vengeance–until he discovers she has secrets of her own.
Every Girl Does It by Rachel Van Dyken
Amanda gets a flash from the past when the nerdy kid she rejected in high school suddenly reappears in her life…dead sexy, he’s all man and he wants her.
Homecoming Season by Susan Wiggs
Miranda Sweeney and her family find hope and healing while spending an autumn at Willow Lake after Miranda survives breast cancer.Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21857185-a-sweet-life-boxed-set?ac=1
Purchase:Amazon : http://www.amazon.com/Fourteen-Contemporary-Romances-Bestselling-Diabetes-ebook/dp/B00JGCK05S/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1397186598&sr=1-6&keywords=Brenda+Novak
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781928068112
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-sweet-life-boxed-set-barbara-freethy/1119058714?ean=2940045797030
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/book/a-sweet-life-boxed-set/id852423773?mt=11
Thanks for helping fight diabetes and Good luck!
Miranda
SOLD!
I’m so happy to announce that I’ve signed a three-book contract with Entangled Indulgence, who bought a fun and flirty story I wrote last fall that I’ll soon tell you all about.
Many thanks to Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency for getting me there and all my writing friends who’ve been there through all the ups and downs…and whom I know will be there for whatever is to come.
Stay tuned for many changes ahead!
 |
| And yes, it’s still snowing here in Ohio on March 21!!! Flakes of joy today, though 🙂 |