Author Genre: Romance
Website: Valerie J. Clarizio – Romance Author
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Twitter: @Vclarizio
E-Mail: valclarizio@yahoo.com
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Author Description:
Valerie Clarizio lives in romantic Door County Wisconsin with her husband and two extremely spoiled cats. She loves to read, write, and spend time at her cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
She's lived her life surrounded by men, three brothers, a husband, and a male Siamese cat who required his own instruction manual. Keeping up with all the men in her life has turned her into an outdoors enthusiast, of which her favorite activity is hiking in national parks. While out on the trails, she has plenty of time to conjure up irresistible characters and unique storylines for her next romantic suspense or sweet contemporary romance novel.
SPOTLIGHT Questions and Answers with the Author
Congratulations on your book: Missing Out on Life. What do you have on the drawing board next? Do we have another novel from the Chandler County series coming? Can you tell us the timeline for its release and give us a little tease?
I do plan to write another book in the Chandler County series which is a series I share with many other authors. However, I have not yet started said book?
I plan to write the story of Coach and Peyton's dad, Robert Crown. Coach is the hero in Missing out on Life and Peyton was the heroine in Missing the Crown Jewels. Since Robert Crown raised such wonderful children he deserves some credit and should have his story told.
You have a good following on twitter. Since you started before the social media buzz, what impact has social media relationships had on your current success? How did you build your following in your niche? How much has it changed your book launch process?
In some respects, social media has made life so much easier in terms of getting the word out about new releases. I work hard to obtain and maintain followers/connections on several platforms. Just a few posts from me turns into a reach of tens of thousands of people from reposts from my peeps. Just like in the old days, it's all about networking and building relationships. Most of my followers are my friends and acquaintances and friends of friends.
Do you do any book signings, interviews, speaking and personal appearances? If so, when and where is the next place where your readers can see you? Where can they keep up with your personal contacts online?
I do several book signings each year. Some include speaking engagements, sitting on curated panels, and moderating panels. My next engagement will likely be at the 2019 UntitledTown Book Festival in Green Bay WI. The event will be from April 26th through April 28th. The best place to find out about my appearances or to keep up with my contacts would be my website: https://valclarizio.wordpress.com/ ~ OR ~ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Valerie.Clarizio/
You have written several short stories. Can you tell us if they had an impact on the sales of your novels? Are shorty’s one of your styles of writing or are they created to give readers a sample of your work?
My preference is to write novella length books. That size seems to best suit my writing style, but on occasion I like to write a full-length book and then of course, the short stories you asked about. The motivation for my short stories came from requests from publishers to write a story for an anthology they were publishing, or requests from other authors to write a short story for inclusion in a boxed set. I do think writing short stories in anthologies and boxed sets is a great way to get a sample of my work in front of new readers—expand my reach. Reaching readers through these methods is a great way to grow a following who may in turn then read my other books.
What is your primary genre? What has been your best marketing approach to this group?
My primary genre is romantic suspense. I think banning with other romantic suspense authors in boxed sets or promotions has been the best marketing approach I've taken.
What has been your experience in giving your books away free? Have you been involved in any other type of giveaways and how did that work out? What was your main goal in doing this? Did you run into any obstacles?
I used to do a lot of book giveaways and honestly, I haven't found that to be an effective marketing tool. A while back, I read an article from an author who'd done a survey of readers. Her survey results revealed a couple of things. First, readers who gobble up a ton of free books revealed they never read most of the freebies because they read the books they've paid for first because they have skin in the game. Second, some readers revealed that they never buy books because of all the freebies out there.
I've been involved with other giveaway promotions as well (gift cards, tote bags, jewelry, etc.). These giveaways can create some buzz, especially around book release time.
Do you maintain a reader list? What are the methods you use to find your readers and create the list and the relationship? Do you use social media, forums, newsletters and/or support groups to build your list?
I do maintain some reader lists. I send out a newsletter twice a month and I keep a list of ARC readers. I found many of the people on these lists through list builder promotions and posts on social media platforms.
What is the objective for your newsletter? Do you try to build a list of readers? Do you see a carryover to the sales of your novels?
I use my newsletter to inform my readers of upcoming releases. Additionally, I sometimes insert sneak peeks of both upcoming releases and backlist books into my newsletter. I also use the newsletter to inform readers of contests, and then book releases and deals from other authors. Newsletters create buzz that usually results in some sales.
What is your method of getting reviews for your novels? Do you seek professional reviews, use social media or do you rely on your reading audience to supply them?
To solicit reviews, I generally ask my newsletter peeps to contact me if they are interested in an ARC and I send an email to my ARC list folks. I also post review requests on FB and Twitter.
I like the idea of Author bundles. You are a part of a novel collection called Love Under Fire with twenty other authors. What a great group of outstanding people. (Many have been interviewed on this blog). What was your main objective in bundling your works with other authors? How do you communicate? How did you get involved with this group?
I know, right, what a great group of authors. I'm not sure why they let me in but I jumped on board and they can't get rid of me now?
I have two objectives for bundling my work with this fine group of people. First, because they are an awesome group, I simply wanted to be with them. Second, I felt this was a great way to get my work in front of new readers. As for our communication, all of it has been via the web through Facebook and email. I was lucky enough to get involved with this group through invitations from Judith Lucci and Stephany Tullis. I've worked on projects with them in the past.
Author's Book List
Missing Out on Life
- Chandler County Book 2Jaded by the past. Closed to a future. Shocked by unveiled secrets. They were meant to be together.
Meredith Wellington receives a call that her sister has been murdered. Her two young nieces land on her doorstep. An instant family is the last thing she needs as she reaches for the top rung of the corporate ladder.
Jeremiah Crown, aka Coach, lives a simple life managing his family’s Kentucky horse ranch. When a damsel in distress decked out in a suit and spiked heels needs assistance, he’s more than happy to help out. Happier still to realize this corporate powerhouse doesn’t recognize him as the man she'd deemed an enemy in high school twenty years earlier.
Once she realizes Coach’s identity, any chance of a romantic relationship disappears. When Meredith places her nieces low on her priority list, Jeremiah reconsiders his attraction to her. When danger comes calling, Meredith realizes this kindhearted veteran has the skill set to help her, if only she could set aside her pride to ask.
Can two people overcome past misunderstandings in time to thwart approaching danger?
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Missing the Crown Jewels
- Chandler County Novel Book 1After a devastating divorce, Peyton Crown is finally surfacing from a dark hole of despair. She finds herself hoping for a new life with Mason ‘Storm’ Starr, her brother’s best friend.
Storm’s intent is simple: hide in the quiet confines of his best friend’s family horse ranch in Kentucky. The perfect place to sort out his life after walking away from the Army, and fight his internal demons. His solitude is interrupted by his buddy’s little sister. The chemistry between them is off the charts, and he willing surrenders the battle.
The Crown family begins receiving threats, just weeks before the Kentucky Derby. The overprotective men in Peyton’s life vow to keep 24/7 tabs on her and the family’s prize horse—Prince Bourbonville—a hopeful for the next Triple Crown. Circumstances arise that threaten to keep Peyton and Prince away from the derby, but Storm and her brother Coach are determined they’ll attend, no matter the sacrifice.
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Jess & Sam's Story
- Love on the Door County Peninsula Book 2After twenty years, Jess returns home to care for her ailing mother. Close proximity to the man she once loved—who'd dumped her on the very day she expected a marriage proposal—reawakens her broken heart and strengthens her vow to never put faith in a man.
By his own choice, Sam’s the most elusive bachelor in town, his walls of defense firmly in place. But when the feisty little brunette he dated in high school and college moves back, Sam needs to step up his game, stiffening those walls to concrete. True love? A forever union? What kind of idiot believes in that?
No matter which way Sam and Jess turn in their little home town, they run into each other. And stumbling under the mistletoe isn’t what either one needs.
Or is it?
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Talia & Ryan's Story
- Love on the Door County Peninsula Book 1Talia Johnson is living her dream in Door County, WI. But, being a Park Ranger comes with sacrifices.
Deputy Ryan Larson loves his job but worries about the attraction he feels for the surly Talia Johnson.
When pandemonium breaks out, Talia's life becomes endangered. Ryan races to help her. Will her stubbornness prevent Ryan from saving her?
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Love Thaws a Frozen Heart
Casey is hell bent on getting Noah to sign divorce papers. Hiding out at his camp, Noah is hell bent on not signing. Procuring a snowmobile, Casey sets out in a blinding snow storm to find him. After crashing, she is near death when Noah finds her. Will a few cabin-bound days cause either of them to change their mind?
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Family Forever
The death of Dylan’s parents leave his five younger brothers and the family dairy farm in his care.
Neighbor Marissa, raised by an alcoholic father, seeks a way out. Desperate for help, Dylan offers her a live-in nanny/housekeeper position. She jumps at the opportunity. The chaotic household, full of love, feeds her maternal instincts. She falls for Dylan and the boys.
When Dylan finds himself desiring Marissa, he pulls back. His heart has been broken in the past by women resistant to a large, ready-made family. But if she walks away, she’d not only break his heart but those of his brothers, too.
Will Dylan ever believe in Marissa’s devotion to his family, risk his heart, and those of his brothers, for the woman he loves?
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Unforeseen Obsessions
After Alex Polecheck's police officer husband, Sam, is stabbed in cold blood, she vows to see the murderer brought to justice. Peter, Sam’s best friend, and fellow police officer, seems to be the only member of the Police Department interested in catching the killer.
Peter sets out on a perilous hunt for the killer, while trying to protect Alex, who appears to be next on the murderer’s list.
The mystery begins to unravel when Peter finds a connection between the murder of Sam and two other law enforcement officers, who were all part of an internet crime taskforce. Peter and Alex find themselves alone in the battle for justice and truth when they discover members of the local police department cannot be trusted. Will Peter piece together the puzzle before Alex is silenced? While battling to protect Alex, will he be able to continue to conceal his love for her?
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Taken by Surprise
Everyone is shocked when Clare Ulster leaves her rich and handsome fiancé, chucks her well-to-do Milwaukee city life, and moves into her grandparents’ old homestead in the remote Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The quiet small town of Iron City is just what she needs to get her life in order and learn to stand on her own. No men needed!
Unfortunately, disaster follows her. Unable to let her go, her abusive, cheating ex- fiancé finds his way to the U.P. and sets out to make Clare’s life more of a living hell then he’d done in the past. Additionally, Clare’s alleged involvement with the Fire Chief, aka, town player, lands her in a world of trouble with his ring of female admirers, sending her on a dangerously chaotic adventure including murder and kidnapping. With Clare's life in danger, irresistible Police Chief Jack Ricco will do whatever it takes to keep their newest resident safe.
Will Clare and Jack be able to survive the deceptively peaceful Iron City?
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Plan Interrupted
Elizabeth Shaw’s professional life is going according to plan until she meets the handsome widower and his two young children next door. Having shelved her personal life to land her dream job, she disregards her romantic feelings for him. But the forces of nature have other ideas for her.
Joe Antonetti has made his children his main focus since the death of his wife. But his beautiful neighbor becomes an irresistible distraction and has him wondering if he can change her priorities.
Surrendering to their attraction for each other causes another player to step in with his own plan for Elizabeth. One that could not only end the budding romance but her life as well.
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Crazed Reckoning
- A Nick Spinelli Mystery Book 3After experiencing a murderous Christmas and Valentine's Day with love interest Shannon O'Hara, Detective Nick Spinelli assumed Saint Patrick's Day couldn't be any worse.
He was wrong.
While out on a geocaching adventure in Door County, Shannon and her friend Anna find more than a clue in the cache box. When Shannon disappears, Spinelli is sent racing to find her. Amidst the chaos of an unruly Irish celebration, and a decades-old Irish family feud, he must rescue her from the hands of a madman.
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Craving Vengeance
- A Nick Spinelli Mystery Book 2Nick Spinelli’s normal life as a homicide detective has been catapulted into a whirlwind of chaotic holiday adventures ever since he met the beautiful Shannon O’Hara.
Nick had hoped to spend his first Valentine’s Day with Shannon in a traditional manner, starting with a nice dinner out on the town and then perhaps a long warm adventurous night in her arms. His plans quickly change when cupid is found murdered in a back alley. The investigation becomes more and more inconceivable, as Spinelli discovers that Shannon is linked to the victim. When another cupid turns up dead, and it is discovered that Shannon knows him as well, Spinelli is motivated to go undercover as a singing valentine dressed as cupid, complete with wings and a quiver of arrows. How many other cupids are at risk? Is Spinelli on the killer’s list as well? The stress ignited by the day’s events causes sparks to fly between Spinelli and Shannon as he struggles to piece it all together and stop the string of slayings.
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Covert Exposure
- A Nick Spinelli Mystery Book 1Detective Spinelli’s life is tossed sideways when he is reassigned from the Homicide division to assist in the Child Services division of the Social Services Department for the holiday season. From the beginning, Spinelli and Caseworker Shannon O’Hara generate their own kind of fireworks, causing more than the normal workplace stress. They both have their own philosophies for dealing with the clientele. However, the forces of nature have their own plan for Spinelli and Shannon.
Shannon moonlights as Santa Claus’ little helper at the mall, and when Santa and an elf turn up dead Shannon appears to be next on the killer’s list. Spinelli is placed back on homicide and goes undercover as Santa to help capture the killer. He catches a great deal of grief along the way but will he capture the heart of his little Santa’s helper as well?
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LOVE UNDER FIRE
From around the edges of every day existence lurks mystery, betrayal, greed, and death.
With every turn of the page, feel the heat of adrenaline as fear lights up the night. Fight alongside the tenacious heroes and heroines as they battle for survival. They'll put everything on the line to thwart the evil coming after them.
They want to trust in the power of love. But is it enough?
EVERY SALE HELPS a VETERAN get a PET!!!
Judith Lucci - RUN for your life
Stephany Tullis - Blue Lady's MISSION UNDER FIRE
Fiona Quinn - Cold Red
Anna Celeste Burke - Lily's Homecoming Under Fire
Margaret A. Daly- Monsters in my Closet
Linda Watkins - The Witches of Storm Island, Book I: The Turning
Tamara Ferguson - Two Hearts Under Fire
Suzanne Jenkins - Running with Horses
Inge-Lise Goss - Diamonds and Lies
S.R. Mallery - Tender Enemies
Jinx Schwartz - Baja Get Away
Uvi Poznansky - Virtually Lace
Kathryn Knight - The Haunting of Hillwood Farm
Stephanie Queen - Ace Under Fire
Casi McLean - Reign Of Fire
Valerie J. Clarizio -The Code Enforcer
Chris Patchell - Deception Bay
Aaron Paul Lazar - The Asylum: A Carmen Garcia romantic suspense novel
Alyssa Richards - Chasing Secrets
K.M. Hodge - Summer of '78
Pamela Fagan Hutchins - Buckle Bunny
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iTunes Store
The Code Enforcer
Can they overcome their painful pasts—and a murder investigation—to find happiness together?
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