HBS Author’s Spotlight – Class of December 2018

This month we have a group of interesting writers with worlds of knowledge and expertise. The author interviews are a MUST read.

Be sure to check out what they have coming next for their readers. I try to pick authors who are interesting studies and ask them unique questions for our Q/A section.

Check out the Showcase feature of the HBS Author's Spotlight. I have included those authors in this class. Also, we have added the Author Bundles we have posted this month.

Thanks to the following outstanding authors for a great month. Here is a summary of our December 2018 crew.


Aileen Fish

Author: Aileen Fish

Author Genre: Contemporary and Regency Romance

Website: Aileen Fish
Twitter: @AileenFish
E-Mail: aileen@aileenfish.com
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Post with Profile + Interview: HBS Author's Spotlight

Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
USA Today Bestselling Author Aileen Fish is an avid quilter and auto racing fan who finds there aren't enough hours in a day/week/lifetime to stay up with her "to do" list. There is always another quilt or story begging to steal away attention from the others. When she has a spare moment she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and their families. Her books include The Bridgethorpe Brides series and the Small Town Sweethearts series.

She also writes steamy romance under the pen-name Ari Thatcher.



Interview Excerpt

I have several recent releases, all Christmas themed, two of which are set in my Small-Town Sweethearts series, and one is a Regency romance. All are available now. Almost Christmas in Connecticut features Tanner Frost and. Lauren wins a chance to watch the filming of Tanner’s cooking vlog, and things don’t quite go as planned. This novella is based on the movie Christmas in Connecticut, included in the boxed set, Love, Christmas 2: Movies You Love.

Social media is the core of marketing now for me. Readers looking for sweet romance have found me through groups of like-minded authors, and they tell their friends about my books.

Great covers: I make most of my covers myself. The ones I haven’t made are multi-author series where we share elements and usually have a single designer make the covers using models we’ve chosen. For my own, the hardest part is finding the right models. My covers can’t look sexy, as it would mislead readers.

Short stories impact: My shorts do help sell the novels, I believe. A reader can buy an inexpensive story and get a sample of my style before spending full price on a novel. It’s the same with anthologies—just a sample to whet readers’ appetites.

Primary genre: Regency historical romance is my primary genre. It’s a very specific genre, focused on a short period in the early 19th century, but lovers of historical romance in general enjoy that period, too.

Giveaways: I have a few books that are permanently free and find they’re a great starting spot for new readers. I’ve actually had readers comment on one as the perfect introductory book, since they loved it so much.

Reader list: I have a newsletter, but I don’t use it to its potential. My interaction with readers is mostly on social media. I belong to reader groups where we can discuss books and life and such.

Love, Christmas 2 Collection: I absolutely love being in these bundles! Not only does it give readers a fantastic deal getting so many stories for such a great price, it allows them to discover new authors. In the most successful bundles we’ve put a good deal of money into advertising in new-release newsletters, book blogs and social media ads.



Author's Book List
Love, Christmas - Movies You Love
Cruising into Christmas
Warming the Cowboy's Heart
Betting on the Duke
Earl of Basingstoke
That Miscreant Marquess
Once Bitten
The Duke Who Loved Her
The Rake Takes a Wife
His Heart for Christmas
His Unsuspecting Heart
Masquerading as a Miss
A Marquess for Christmas
Rescuing Lord Ravenscliffe
Captain Lumley's Angel
Captivated by the Wallflower
The Cowboy's Christmas Bride
One Last Season
Her Impetuous Rakehell
The Lieutenant's Promise
Christmas in White Oak
The Cowgirl and the Geek
Chasing Lord Mystery
Charming the Vicar's Daughter
The Incorrigible Mr. Lumley
His Impassioned Proposal
Almost Christmas in Connecticut


For the rest of the story...View Aileen Fish - HBS Author's Spotlight

HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase

Donna Fasano
Featured Book: Her Mr. Miracle

Sprinkle a little Christmas magic into your life with 26 ALL-NEW, never before released romances. Each title - exclusive to this set - is inspired by a favorite holiday movie, spun into a fantastic love story by a NY Times, USA Today, and/or award-winning, bestselling author and delivered to you in this wonderful collection full of cheer for the coming season.

Author: Donna Fasano

Author Genre: Sweet Romance

Author's Blog: Awesome Romance Novels
Website: Author Donna Fasano, In All Directions
Twitter: @DonnaFaz
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Post with Profile + Interview: HBS Author's Spotlight

Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
Donna Fasano is a USA Today Bestselling Author whose books have won awards and have sold 4 million copies worldwide. She loves to interact with her readers and makes herself available to chat on various social media outlets nearly every day. Look for her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+. Sign up for her newsletter (link provided above) for news on new releases, sales, and recipes (Donna loves food!).

Author's Book List
Love, Christmas - Movies You Love
Dangerous Memories
Second Chance Valentine
Finding Fiona
A Reason to Believe
The Wedding Planner’s Son
Made In Paradise
Wild Hearts of Summer
A Beautiful Stranger
Grown-Up Christmas List
Two Hearts in Winter
Following His Heart
An Almost Perfect Christmas
Reclaim My Heart
The Single Daddy Club: Derrick
Take Me, I'm Yours
Her Fake Romance
Where's Stanley?
Nanny and the Professor
His Wife for a While
An Accidental Family
Return of the Runaway Bride
Taking Love in Stride
Mountain Laurel
The Merry-Go-Round
Indie Chicks: 25 Independent Women 25 Personal Stories
Her Mr. Miracle


For the rest of the story...View Donna Fasano - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase

Dianne Harman
Featured Book: Murder in the Cayman Islands

Things aren’t always what they seem. Like, what could possibly go wrong on a vacation in the Cayman Islands – a Caribbean haven with beautiful women, plenty of rum, mouth-watering seafood, duty free shopping, and some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the world? Well, murder for one.

When DeeDee, Jake, Al, and Cassie go to Al’s home in the Cayman Islands for a respite from the string of murders they’ve had to investigate in the last year, the last thing they expect is to be involved is yet another murder. And it’s even harder when it’s Al’s longtime Mafia friend and next-door neighbor, Nicky Luchesse.


Dianne Harman
Featured Book: Wine Country Killer

Winery owners murdered in Sonoma, California. A serial killer on the loose. What’s the connection? Will there be another murder?

A desperate call from a Sonoma County sheriff Kelly and Mike have helped before leads them to a winery guest house in Sonoma and then on to the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado, searching for that connection.

Good thing they took their boxer dog, Rebel, with them. He’s a master at preventing murders.

Author: Dianne Harman

Author Genre: Romance and Literary Fiction

Author's Blog: Dianne Harman Author
Website: Dianne Harman Author
Twitter: @DianneDHarman
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Post with Profile + Interview: HBS Author's Spotlight

Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
Two-time USA Today Bestselling Author and seven time Amazon All Star Author, Dianne Harman, draws her stories and characters from a diverse business and personal background. She owned a national antique and art appraisal business for many years, left that industry, and opened two yoga centers where she taught and certified yoga instructors. She's traveled extensively throughout the world and loves nothing more than cooking, playing backgammon with her husband, Tom, and throwing the ball for their dog, Kelly.

Being a dog lover and having attended numerous cooking schools, she couldn't resist writing about food and dogs. Dianne is the author of several cozy mystery series: Cedar Bay, Liz Lucas, High Desert, Midwest, Jack Trout, Northwest and her latest, Cottonwood Springs. Each of these books contains recipes from her travels. She's also the author of the award-winning suspenseful Coyote Series, Midlife Journey Series, and the Slade Kelly Suspense Series.

Author's Book List
Murder in the Cayman Islands
Wine Country Killer
Murder at the Church
Murder and the Museum
Murder in Cottonwood Springs
Murdered by News
Murder and Food Porn
Black Dots - Book Three
Black Dots - Book Two
Black Dots - Book One
The Professor's Predicament
Red Zero Book Three
RED ZERO Book Two
Red Zero Book One
Murdered by Superstition
Murder at the Gearhart
Murder at the Waterfront
Murder and Mega Millions
Murder at the Gallery
Murdered at the Courthouse
Murder at Le Bijou Bistro
Murder in San Francisco
Murder After Midnight
Murdered By Wine
Murder in Seattle
Murdered By Plastic Surgery
Murder in Whistler
Murder & The Movie Star
Murder on Bainbridge Island
Murder in Calistoga
Trouble at the Animal Shelter
ALEXIS
Murder at the Polo Club
Murder at the Clinic
Murder on the East Coast
Murdered in Argentina
High Desert Cozy Mysteries #1
Murder at the Big T Lodge
Murdered by Country Music
Murdered by Words
Trouble at the Kennel
The Blue Butterfly
Murder in Cuba
Murder & the Secret Cave
Murder At The Bed & Breakfast
Murder & The Monkey Band
Murder at the Cooking School
The Death Card
Murder in Calico Gold
Murder and Brandy Boy
Murder in the Pearl District
Murder in Cottage #6
Marriage and Murder
White Cloud Retreat
Murder at Jade Cove
Kelly's Koffee Shop
COYOTE SERIES
CORNERED COYOTE
Coyote in Provence
Blue Coyote Motel


For the rest of the story...View Dianne Harman - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase

Jessica Lauryn
Featured Book: A Sultry Performance

Chris Gordon, stage manager at Rabourn Theater, suspects his late wife's hit and run was never an accident. He believes the man she was having an affair with, Oakley Sutherland, was responsible and he vows to get Evelyn justice, igniting a plot to ensnare Oakley, working through Oakley's fiancée, Victoria.

A well-known exotic dancer by night, Victoria Morrow has been fighting to make a better life for herself, and she won't be taken advantage of. But when the most handsome man at Rabourn Theater takes an interest in her, she finds herself spiraling down a path she never expected to. Can Victoria resist Chris's charms? Or will both of them fall prey to the danger that lurks in the wings?

Author: Jessica Lauryn

Author Genre: Romance, Mystery & Thrillers, Contemporary

Website: Jessica Lauryn
Twitter: @JessicaLauryn_
E-Mail: romancebyjessicalauryn@gmail.com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Post with Profile + Interview: HBS Author's Spotlight

Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
An author of Contemporary Romantic Suspense, Jessica Lauryn is most intrigued by dark heroes, who have many demons to conquer...but little trouble enticing female companions into their beds! She feels that the best romances are those where the hero is already seducing the heroine from that first point of contact.

In Jessica's debut series, The Pinnacles of Power, five troubled bad boys: Ryan, Alec, Colin, Lucas and Jack must let go of the mistakes of their pasts as they battle the dangers surrounding an underground organization called Project Gemstone. Each man crosses paths with a strong, feisty heroine who has the ability to capture his heart and change the course of his life forever. Ryan's story, Dangerous Secret, kicks off the series in the picturesque town of North Conway, New Hampshire.

Jessica is a proud member of both Romance Writers of America and her local chapter, New Jersey Romance Writers. When she's not writing, she enjoys listening to as much 80's music as possible, keeping current with the story lines on Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless, shopping for the latest fashions and the prettiest of antiques, and taking long walks in nature where she can daydream about anything romantic. Though she resides in New Jersey, her heart belongs to the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire.

Author's Book List
A Sultry Performance
An Amorous Dance
A Passionate Play
Dangerous Magic
Dangerous Ally
Dangerous Proposition
Dangerous Proposal
Dangerous Secret


For the rest of the story...View Jessica Lauryn - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase

Nancy Radke
Featured Book: The Holiday (Christmas)

Wanting to get away from Seattle rain, and men in general, Jodie swaps her small Seattle apartment for a home in Maui. She arrives in a torrential rainstorm and finds a shipwrecked sailor, complete with dog, already in possession. In keeping with the movie, “The Holiday,” this story is sweet and light.

Author: Nancy Radke

Author Genre: Romance, Mystery, Children's

Author's Blog: Show and Tell Bible
Website: Nancy Radke
Twitter: @_nancyradke
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
Nancy Radke grew up on a wheat and cattle ranch in SE Washinton State. She attended a one-room country school through the eighth grade. She learned to ride bareback at age 3 (Really! It was a common practice.) and when she got off or fell off, she would pull her horse's nose to the ground, get on behind its ears, and the horse would lift its head so she could scoot down onto its back. She spent most of her childhood exploring the Blue Mountain trails that bordered the ranchlands. She and a friend once took a trail that turned out to be a two day trip. They always rode with matches and pocket knives, so made camp and returned the next day. These long rides worried her parents, but provided plenty of time to make up stories. Her first novel was set in the Blues, and is entitled APPALOOSA BLUES. TURNAGAIN LOVE was the first one published. It rated a four star review from Affaire de Coeur. Scribes World said "Turnagain Love has some fascinating twists and turns, unexpected complications, and charming scenes." It is light and humorous.

Her next book was CLOSED DOORS, a novel about a man who couldn't read. This was especially interesting to Ms. Radke, as she taught remedial reading, sixth grade, and other classes as a school teacher. All her stories are linked by characters who know each other from book to book. For example, Zack and Jennel show up in two more books besides TURNAGAIN LOVE. Also her books have a theme, such as the theme for TENNESSEE TOUCH, which is that just being alive is dangerous, so you can't be so cautious that you miss out on life. Her favorite character is Hugo, who is the hero in SONGS FOR PERRI. Hugo shows up in SPIRIT OF A CHAMPION and in the first book of the new BROTHERS OF SPPIRIT series that she is writing with her son, Nolan Radke, entitled HEIGHT OF DANGER.

She has gone through survival and outward bound training, including long-distance ocean swimming. Facts from this training shows up in COURAGE DARES and SPIRIT OF A CHAMPION. Her western ranching background shows up in the pioneer series, The Traherns, and APPALOOSA BLUES, which is now available. Her critique group used to say that she talked and wrote backward. This really helped when writing the Traherns, as the dialect seemed very natural. APPALOOSA BLUES, an AMAZON TOP 100 BEST SELLER, is the common book for both the Trahern series and the Sisters of Spirit Series.

Ranch life gives a person a can-do attitude, so when she decided to write and produce a children's Bible on DVD, she never doubted she could do it. Never mind that she had to learn to use a Mac, Photoshop, and the Final Cut Studio programs. The first volume of the SHOW AND TELL BIBLE took eight years to complete. It is two hours long, contains 650 hand-drawn pictures, and gives the impression of a picture book being read by a well-loved parent or grandparent. Little children are absolutely enthralled by it. The second volume is three hours long, 850 pictures, concluding with Esther. It was finished in three years, so she really did manage to speed up.

The feedback from parents and kids has been tremendous. Nancy is working on the third volume now, which will complete the Old Testament. When the entire Bible is finished, she plans to do other children's books on DVD. And for her romance fans, there are more of those coming. For people who love cookbooks, those on Amazon are written by a different lady with the same name.

Author's Book List
Love, Christmas - Movies You Love
Christmas on Cougar Mountain
Height of Danger
The Sunniest Gal From Tennessee
The Toughest Man in the Territory
The Loneliest Man in the Mountains
The Richest Man in Texas
A Tennessee Christmas
The Bravest Woman in the Town
The Quietest Woman in the South
The Tallest Man in Texas
The Stubbornest Girl in the Valley
The Happiest Man in the Territory
The Luckiest Man in the West
The Prettiest Girl in the Land
Appaloosa Blues
The Smartest Horse in Texas
The Handsomest Man in the Country
Spirit of a Champion
Tennessee Touch
Scorpion's Trail
Courage Dares
Stolen Secrets
Closed Doors
Turnagain Love
The Holiday (Christmas)


For the rest of the story...View Nancy Radke - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase

Mona Risk
Featured Book: Jingle With My Princess

The Doc and the princess... He saves lives, but she may save his heart.

Dr. Scott Pratt has done his best to forget his former girlfriend who left him to marry Prince Paul of Rensy Island. Now Amy is begging him to perform a difficult surgery on her son. Although he’d rather punch her husband, Scott agrees to operate on the toddler prince.

The lovely young woman who greets him at the airport wipes away his doubts with her sassy smile. She is Princess Charlene, the younger sister of Prince Paul. Sweet irony or rotten luck? Scott prefers not to mention anything about his first love.

Charlene doesn’t hide her attraction for Scott. He’s the Prince Charming she’s been waiting for—smart, sexy, determined, and full of tenderness. Despite a few complications, the surgery is successful and Charlene’s kisses reward Scott for a job well done. Nothing compares to the storm of passion between them.

But how can he keep her in his life when they live on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and he’s totally dedicated to his patients and Charlene to her principality? When Amy reveals a few secrets, all hell breaks loose.

Will Scott’s past catch up with his present and destroy his future?

Author: Mona Risk

Author Genre: Romance

Author's Blog: Mona's Blog
Website: Mona Risk
Twitter: @MonaRiskS
E-Mail: mona@monarisk.com
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
A tireless traveler, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, MONA RISK, writes contemporary romance, medical romance, and romantic suspense novels, all simmering with emotion, sprinkled with a good dose of humor and set in the fascinating places she visited— or in Florida, her paradise on Earth.

M. Risk received an Outstanding Achiever Award at Affaire de Coeur Magazine; Best Romance Novel winner at Preditors & Editors Readers Poll; Two-Time winner of Best Contemporary Romance Novel at Readers Favorite; EPIC’s Ebook Award Finalist.

“Mona Risk will pull you in with her amazing characters and in-depth twisting suspense.”~ Night Owl Romance Reviews

“Risk has a talent for character development.”~ Review Your Book

“Mona Risk brings old-fashioned romance back into style.”~ Two Lips Review

Author's Book List
Jingle With My Princess
Love, Christmas - Movies You Love
A Bodyguard For The Princess
For Sarah's Sake
In Time For Christmas
The Gods of Dark Love
A Bride For Prince Paul
Two Loves For Christmas
Wedding Surprise
Holly Jolly Christmas
On Christmas Eve
Christmas Papa
Husband For A Week
Her French Count
An Unusual Christmas
Heal my Heart
Her Christmas Cruise
Mother's Day Babies
Valentine Babies
Christmas Babies
Neighbors and More
Her Greek Tycoon
Babies in the Bargain
Right Name, Wrong Man
No More Lies


For the rest of the story...View Mona Risk - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase

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Disclaimer
This blog is for information only. It is not an endorsement of the product or services discussed in the post. This blog features author’s information gained from the author or the Internet and is by invitation only.

Permission from the author is required via email to publish this post. It is not a group, subscription or forum. Some links maybe affiliate links.

HBSystems Publications Copyright 2018

Aileen Fish - An Author Interview in the HBS Author's Spotlight

Today our blog puts the Spotlight on USA Today Bestselling Author Aileen Fish. She writes contemporary romance novels. Aileen is the author of the The Bridgethorpe Brides series, and The Small Town Sweethearts series.

Author: Aileen Fish

Author Genre: Contemporary and Regency Romance

Website: Aileen Fish
Aileen Fish's Newletter
Twitter: @AileenFish
E-Mail: aileen@aileenfish.com
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Amazon Author Profile



Author Description:
USA Today Bestselling Author Aileen Fish is an avid quilter and auto racing fan who finds there aren't enough hours in a day/week/lifetime to stay up with her "to do" list. There is always another quilt or story begging to steal away attention from the others. When she has a spare moment she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and their families. Her books include The Bridgethorpe Brides series and the Small Town Sweethearts series.

She also writes steamy romance under the pen-name Ari Thatcher.


SPOTLIGHT Questions and Answers with the Author

Congratulations on your book: Cruising into Christmas. What do you have on the drawing board next? Can you tell us the timeline for its release and give us a little tease?

I have several recent releases, all Christmas themed, two of which are set in my Small-Town Sweethearts series, and one is a Regency romance. All are available now. Almost Christmas in Connecticut features Tanner Frost and. Lauren wins a chance to watch the filming of Tanner’s cooking vlog, and things don’t quite go as planned. This novella is based on the movie Christmas in Connecticut, included in the boxed set, Love, Christmas 2: Movies You Love.

Cruising into Christmas features Tanner’s brother Nick Frost, and Lauren DiBennadetto. They’re cruising to Hawaii for the wedding of Trevor Frost and Lauren’s best friend, Nicole. An embarrassing video of Lauren is sweeping the Internet with the hashtag #kisscamgirl, and Nick helps Lauren hide from the unwanted attention—while falling in love.

The Regency novella is No Mistletoe Required, featured in The Duke of Danby’s Mistletoe Madness, a multi-author anthology. The Duke of Danby had been matchmaking for three generations, now, with new stories added every year. No Mistletoe Required puts Mr. Theo Jardine and Lady Barbara Graves in the path of the duke and his stack of marriage licenses.

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?

Social media is the core of marketing now for me. Readers looking for sweet romance have found me through groups of like-minded authors, and they tell their friends about my books. I wouldn’t be anywhere without friends recommending to others. It really helps focus a book launch, as I know where to reach those who like my books.

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 don’t make personal appearances often. In addition to writing, I’m a live-in caregiver to an elderly woman, which limits my travel time. I love looking after her, though, so I hope my readers understand and can wait to meet me in person.

You have great covers. They carry a theme and your brand with them. How does your book cover creation process work? Do you hand over the basic theme or do you have more of a hands-on approach? Do you get your readers involved in its development?

I make most of my covers myself. The ones I haven’t made are multi-author series where we share elements and usually have a single designer make the covers using models we’ve chosen. For my own, the hardest part is finding the right models. My covers can’t look sexy, as it would mislead readers. Guys need to have their shirts on, ladies’ gowns are fully laced. I do enjoy getting feedback from readers on Facebook when I’m torn between two heroes. So many handsome men to choose from!

You have written many short stories and novelettes. 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 shorts do help sell the novels, I believe. A reader can buy an inexpensive story and get a sample of my style before spending full price on a novel. It’s the same with anthologies—just a sample to whet readers’ appetites.

I got my start writing short stories for magazines, and I like the challenge of writing a satisfying tale in so few words. I’ve been neglecting my full-length novels, and plan to rectify that in 2019.

What is your primary genre? What has been your best marketing approach to this group?

Regency historical romance is my primary genre. It’s a very specific genre, focused on a short period in the early 19th century, but lovers of historical romance in general enjoy that period, too. To reach that market I cross promote with other authors of historical romance, which lets our readers know of authors they might have missed. Ads centered around historical readers, blog tours focused on the same, have a better result than the broad romance market.

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 have a few books that are permanently free and find they’re a great starting spot for new readers. I’ve actually had readers comment on one as the perfect introductory book, since they loved it so much.

Giveaways at social media events do well to attract attention, but I find a tendency for attendees only wanting to win prizes and have no intention of buying books. I do see sales numbers rise when I offer books, though, just not as significantly as a sale price. Book giveaways give you advertising without saying “buy my book”, as do other types of prizes. Non-book giveaways are a great way to show my appreciation to my readers, but they don’t appear to have an impact on sales.

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 have a newsletter, but I don’t use it to its potential. My interaction with readers is mostly on social media. I belong to reader groups where we can discuss books and life and such. I’m also “friends” with a large number, many of whom I can interact with just like my real-life friends. I enjoy knowing these people so well, and letting them into my life.

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 the newsletter to inform my readers of new releases, contests, and releases from authors I enjoy. I probably should share more personal details there, but I figure we’re all there to discuss our main love—books!

I like the idea of Author bundles. You are a part of a novel collection called Love, Christmas 2 with twenty-five 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? What blogging, newsletter and social media promotions have you done to promote the collection?



I absolutely love being in these bundles! Not only does it give readers a fantastic deal getting so many stories for such a great price, it allows them to discover new authors. In the most successful bundles we’ve put a good deal of money into advertising in new-release newsletters, book blogs and social media ads. We’ll hold a Facebook party to meet with readers, share teasers, and offer giveaways. On Twitter, we might have a short period of sharing focused tweets to become more visible for a bit. The focus is to be visible in as many places as possible in a short period, as you’ll notice in TV commercials when a movie is released. Make the book cover familiar, and when a reader sees it they’re more likely to check it out.



Author's Book List
Love, Christmas - Movies You Love - The Holiday Series Book 2
Sprinkle a little Christmas magic into your life with 26 ALL-NEW, never before released romances. Each title - exclusive to this set - is inspired by a favorite holiday movie, spun into a fantastic love story by a NY Times, USA Today, and/or award-winning, bestselling author and delivered to you in this wonderful collection full of cheer for the coming season.

Mimi Barbour – A Wonderful Life - Though Mary works with troubled teens, can she and an angel help a man living a nightmare?

Leanne Banks – A Royal White Christmas - Can a secret prince be a Christmas wish-come-true for a small-town girl?

Joan Reeves – Brianna’s Season For Miracles - Her seductive persona hides what she's ashamed of... What will happen if the man she's fallen for discovers her secret?

Mona Risk – Jingle With My Princess - The doc and the princess... He saves lives, but she may save his heart.

Rebecca York – Can She Get Home for Christmas? - Will a killer stop her from getting home for Christmas?

Jacquie Biggar – Mistletoe Inn - A grieving man finds the greatest gift is love.

Alicia Street – Miracle on Christmas Tree Street - A single mom discovers her business partner is more than he seems.

Nancy Radke – The Holiday (Christmas) - Jodi's house-swap to Maui came with a small dog and a shipwrecked sailor.

Katy Walters –Letters from the Snowman – The snow revealed a precious love.

Stephanie Queen – Holiday Affair - Melissa goes from riches to rags but will she find gold in a holiday affair?

Aileen Fish – Almost Christmas in Connecticut - Can a wounded warrior learn to trust her celebrity chef crush after discovering his secret?

Rachelle Ayala – A Christmas Creek Carol - A reclusive writer is given a one-star review on her life by characters from her past, present, and future.

Dani Haviland – The Polar Xpress - She prefers dogs to men…until she rescues the doctor.

Traci Hall – Love, Actually (By the Sea) - Two strangers. One intimate night. Reunited a year later, can it actually be love?

Taylor Lee – The Ref-er-ee - With a family this discombobulated, it will take a referee to save their Christmas.

Donna Fasano – Her Mr. Miracle - It’s Christmas Eve and Veronica is stuck in a nearly deserted seaside town... She needs a miracle.

Cynthia Cooke – A Christmas to Remember - A Christmas storm. Wedding plans in peril. Has a lost love been found?

Susan Jean Ricci – A Joyous Holiday Inn - Can Twigg restore the joy of Christmas to Chloe’s indifferent heart?

Tamara Ferguson – Two Hearts Home for Christmas - Can a long ago promise of love bring two lonely wounded warriors home for Christmas?

Suzanne Jenkins – Christmas with the Clouds - Tracy isn’t interested in love until an unexpected Christmas visitor changes her heart.

Natalie Ann – How Gavin Stole Christmas - Can Jolene help Gavin find the Christmas spirit when he’s the epitome of Mr. Bah Humbug?

Ev Bishop – A Sharla Brown Christmas - For single parents Sharla and Jake, Christmas is the loneliest time of the year…until it’s not.

Alyssa Bailey – In the Spirit of Christmas - Chase can protect Tara from danger, but can he protect his heart?

Stacy Eaton – Finding Love on Christmas Vacation - Christmas isn't the same for Lucy without her father...until she meets his friend Maverick.

Jen Talty – The Christmas Getaway - A mix-up in reservations leaves a mother and her son to share a cabin with a broken-hearted stranger.

Melinda De Ross - Boyfriend Wanted for Christmas - A thirty-something singleton’s desperate yet humorous quest to find a boyfriend in the seven days before Christmas.


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Cruising into Christmas - Hawaiian Holiday Book 3
How can a kiss that never happened lead to love with another guy?

When Lauren Dibenadetto is caught on the kiss cam refusing a proposal, she doesn’t realize life as she knows it is gone, at least for a little while. Who knew so many people watched hockey? Or posted on social media. Or made such instant judgements without knowing the details? At least she’s going on a long cruise, so hopefully by the time she returns home, this will have all blown over.

Ryan Frost doesn’t recognize the girl on the kiss cam on TV, but his brother says she’s the maid of honor in his upcoming wedding. Ryan can’t wait to get the details on this proposal and refusal. He has no way of knowing that moment on TV will have him playing knight in shining armor, and the effect Lauren will have on his life. Is there love in his future?


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Warming the Cowboy's Heart - Small-Town Sweethearts Book 1
Cheyenne Miller is at wit’s end with one of the kids on her rodeo team, and she feels sorry for anyone who falls for his father Mike. Then she falls for Mike. Technically, she’s had a crush on him forever, but working beside him every day makes it impossible to ignore her feelings. Too bad he doesn’t return them.

Mike McCallum is overly protective of his adopted son, he’ll admit it, and the desire to protect the boy’s feelings has kept Mike from considering dating again, much less falling in love. But something changes between him and Chey, and the part of his heart he’s kept hidden reawakens. Can he trust Chey enough to let her in?


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Betting on the Duke - The Bridgethorpe Brides Book 9
She’s secretly one of the top horse racers in the area, when she’s not riding sidesaddle.

Lady Madeleine Lumley can’t bear to part with her brother’s prized stallion, but he must sell it in order to re-establish the family stud after the tragic loss of most of their horses. She convinces her brother to challenge another breeder to a winner-take-all wager in a special race. No one knows that horse better than Madeleine does, and following the rules is not her strong suit, so she schemes to secretly jockey the horse in that race. Then the Duke of Nobleham gets in the way and ruins her one chance of keeping the stallion.

He needs a foundation stallion for his line of race horses.

Nobleham’s fed up with Polite Society, and if he didn’t fear for Madeleine’s safety, he’d love to see if she could win. But if she does, the horse won’t be on the market and he needs it to establish his horse farm in Virginia. As he gets to know her, his admiration for Madeleine turns into something more, and she is falling in love with him, too.


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Earl of Basingstoke - Wicked Regency Romance
Lady Phoebe Woodson dreams of being a writer, and practices daily in her secret diary. The hero in all of her tales is one Nathan Carruthers, Earl of Basingstoke. The rumors surrounding his wicked assignations are beyond anything she could dream of, and once enhanced by her wild imaginings, she’s created a lover no man could live up to.

Basingstoke has ignored the rumors about his romantic scandals for the most part, accepting them as part of being a single gentleman with a title. In one way, it’s kept the marriage-minded mothers from thrusting their daughters into his reach. Although a staunch member of the Wicked Earls’ Club and enjoying his carefree ways, he admits he’s reached an age when he would like to marry. Luckily, those supposed scandals aren’t keeping away the woman he’s grown to love--Lady Phoebe.

When Basingstoke discovers Lady Phoebe’s diary, he blames her for creating the rumors. Hurt to the bone, he wants nothing more to do with her. Heartbroken, she goes in search of the real rumormonger. Can she prove her innocence and regain Basingstoke’s love?


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That Miscreant Marquess - My Sweet Scoundrel Book 3
All she wants is a kiss.

At least, that’s what Matilda’s trying to convince herself. A silly wager with her friends—to be the first to kiss one of the friends of the Miscreant Marquess—was won by the marquess’s sister, but Mattie can’t stop thinking about him. One little kiss will free her from her obsession, and she can think about finding a respectable husband like her father wants.

He’s sworn to never fall in love again.

Colin, the Marquess of Markham enjoys flirting with his sister’s friend, and if he hadn’t been burned so badly in love, he could see himself attracted to her. When he overhears her parents talking about a pending match between Matilda and him, he realizes history is repeating itself. He avoids Matilda at all costs, having vowed to never again lose his heart to a woman in search of a title.

Mattie continues to cross Markham’s path, sneaking her way past the walls he’s built around his heart. Can he learn to trust again, and let her into hi heart?


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Once Bitten - The Heart of a Hero Book 3
When his uncle is killed by French spy Jean Boiselle, Lord Adam St. Peters seeks revenge. Hearing the spy is an actor in a local theatre troupe, Lord Adam changes his focus from financial concerns and Parliamentary business to become a critic of the arts. Yet at every turn, family friend Miss Mary Jane Watson interferes. Is she working for the spy? If not, perhaps she’ll pretend to be his fiancé to give him even more access to Boiselle.

Believing she’s found the only man who can appreciate her passion for the stage, Mary Jane eagerly accepts Lord Adam’s request to help him expose Boiselle. At first, the young lord appears shy and unassuming, but the more time they spend together, the more he seems to be falling in love. A younger son of a duke would never be allowed to marry an actress, but Mary Jane has never spent much time worrying about what Polite Society says. Unable to hide her feelings any longer, she pushes him to declare his attachment to her.

Once he realizes the game has changed, can Lord Adam elude this beautiful distraction, or will their pretend romance trap Lord Adam in the silky web of love?


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The Duke Who Loved Her
When the Duke of Hartshorne returns to London to assume his title, he barely hopes his heart’s desire still waits for him. But she’s engaged to another man, so he fights to forget her and get on with his life.

Having given up hope of that Hart still loved her, Lady Marjorie Gideon agrees to marry someone else. Then he fails to show up for their wedding. She fears something bad has befallen him and asks the only man she trusts to find him.

The favor she asks of him will require every ounce of his honor to take on, and no one believes him to be an honorable man. Except Marjorie. For her, he would do anything—even if it means she marries another man.


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The Rake Takes a Wife - My Sweet Scoundrel Book 1
Twenty-five-year-old Barbara’s best chance of finding a husband is behind her. When her brother’s friend offers to pay for a Season in London in exchange for pretending to be his betrothed, she sees it as a miracle.

Jonas needs a fiancée in order to inherit his grandfather’s estate, but he didn’t consider how spending several months with Barbara would make her necessary to his happiness. Now she’s in London and he’s in agony. A gentleman never reneges on an agreement…unless his heart is broken.


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His Heart for Christmas
For the first time since her husband died two years ago, Helena hopes to be happy at Christmas. If that addle-pated dolt Duncan stays out of her way it just might happen.

As Duncan plays along with the outdated rites, he realizes how much he's missed Helena's laughter. When he hears she plans to re-enter the Marriage Mart the next Season, he is struck with jealousy. Is he falling in love, or simply under the spell of the holiday season?


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His Unsuspecting Heart - Danby Summons Book 4
When Lord Giles’ grandmother sends him on a fool’s errand requiring him to gain entry into her former home, he strikes up a friendship with the daughter of the new resident, Miss Tabitha Minnet.

Tabby’s search for a husband has brought her, along with every other lady of marriageable age, to London for the Season. She isn’t particular about titles and income, as long as her future husband is kind, honest, and an excellent kisser. The one she’s particularly interested in happens to be the brother-in-law of her dearest friend. Lord Giles is quite the catch!

A madcap cat and mouse chase ensues as Lord Giles searches for his grandmother’s lost treasure while avoiding the young lady his great uncle the Duke of Danby plans for him to wed. The more time he spends with Tabby, the less interest he has in Grandmother’s wishes, which has him dangerously close to falling in love. Will he find the treasure before losing his heart to Tabby?


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Masquerading as a Miss - Regency Fairy Tales Book 1
Tossed upon a beach after a storm at sea, Colin Wentworth, Viscount Spalding, awakens next to a mysterious young lady on the sandy shore. She’s unable to tell him anything more than her name, Cassandra Franklin. As Spalding strives to help her find her family, he loses his heart to her. His family objects—the heir to the earldom can’t marry a woman who could be illegitimate, for all anyone knows. Cassandra’s family secret is much worse than she fears, and she’s afraid to lose him by revealing the truth. Is Spalding’s love strong enough to face the truth?


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A Marquess for Christmas - Danby Summons Book 4
While others fear the meddling Duke of Danby, Lady Eleanor hopes he can find her a husband, since he does it so well.

Four years ago, Lady Eleanor’s brother Archie found his love, Harriet, indirectly due to the Duke of Danby’s summons at Christmastime. Now Eleanor hopes Danby will do the same for her, but she’ll have to get over her shyness to meet anyone. Discovered by the handsome Marquess of Wickham while she hides away in the nursery, she agrees to pretend there’s an understanding between them so his uncle won’t try to force him to marry. Eleanor enjoys Wickham’s company, but how will she find a husband if the gentlemen all believe she’s already in love?


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Rescuing Lord Ravenscliffe - Regency Tales Book 2
Desperate for adventure, Lady Agnes Wentworth drags her sister Lady Matilda off to the wilds of Scotland. There she discovers a mysterious, cold, starving man, just the sort of thing to occupy her attention. He’s handsome, kind, and as big as a bear, but her family warns her to have nothing to do with him.

Ewan, Lord Ravenscliffe, escaped his wicked uncle, and once he regains his strength, he’ll return to save his brother. Only then can he take back what is rightfully his.


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Captain Lumley's Angel - The Bridgethorpe Brides Book 7
Captain Samuel Lumley is proud to follow in his cousin’s footsteps and serve king and country in the cavalry. Wounded in the Battle of Waterloo, he is cared for by an angel in the form of his lieutenant’s wife. A promise to his dying comrade leaves Sam with the responsibility of seeing to the safety of the lieutenant’s widow, Mrs. Ellen Staverton.

Upon their return to England, Ellen finds herself homeless and in need of employment. When Sam’s mother offers her a temporary home with the family, Ellen quickly grows too fond of them and Sam in particular. She must find a position before she falls for him, which would dishonor the memory of her dead husband.

Night terrors of the slaughters he survived have left Sam an empty husk of a man. He has little to offer a woman beyond his name and income so he won’t think of marriage, but the only joy in his life is the laughter of his angel, Ellen. Can he heal his inner wounds before she is gone from his life completely?


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Captivated by the Wallflower - The Bridgethorpe Brides Book 6
Adam Lumley, Viscount Knightwick, desperately wants o breed one of his mares to a stallion owned by the Earl of Huntfield. Huntfield sees no reason to improve the stock of his competition and repeatedly turns down whatever sum Knightwick offers.

After giving up hope his wallflower daughter will ever find a husband, Lord Huntfield settles on a deal: if Knightwick can turn Lady Susan into a diamond of the Season, Knightwick can breed his mare as he wishes.

Lady Susan Yarwood truly enjoys London assemblies. Where else can she find so many potential sponsors for the school she wishes to establish for the poor children in Huntfield? With her father threatening this will be her final London Season, she must work quickly to secure the funding she needs. The last thing she needs is the interference of the handsome, flirtatious Lord Knightwick who continually draws her away from the matrons she seeks donations from. She will succeed in founding her school, no matter who stands in her way.


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The Cowboy's Christmas Bride - Small Town Sweethearts Book 4
When veterinary student Tara seeks shelter in a snowstorm with handsome rancher Dylan, she quickly writes him off as boyfriend material since he’s more temperamental than an unbroken horse. Thanks to a job lined up half a state away, she’s not even tempted by a friend’s request that she move to White Oak, until she learns what has damaged Dylan’s spirit. Will a sickly calf and the magic of Christmas help her heal Dylan’s heart?


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One Last Season - The Bridgethorpe Brides Book 5
When Hugh “Trey” Lumley and Amelia Young first met, she was less than impressed. He has loved her from afar ever since, even after she married another man.

Now widowed, Amelia is told by her father to find a husband-one wealthy enough to pay for seasons for Amelia’s two younger sisters.

It’s too late for Trey to be her first love, but he hopes to be her last. His position as a clerk to his barrister uncle means he doesn’t stand a chance. He’s no longer the meek man willing to stand by and let Amelia fall for someone else. He will find a way to convince Amelia and her father that he’s the only man for her.


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Her Impetuous Rakehell - The Bridgethorpe Brides Book 4
Laurence Pierce never wanted a wife or children. He preferred his freedom and his bachelor’s rooms in London. Then his cousin, Lord Oakhurst, dies, making Laurence guardian of a three-year-old girl. He knows nothing about children, and even less about girls. In desperation, he turns to the only lady friend he’s never seduced and begs for help.

Lady Hannah Lumley knows Laurence for exactly what he is, since he’s been her brother’s closest friend for as long as she can remember. He’s the last man she could imagine as a father, and the very last man her brother would consider letting her marry. Yet one little kiss leaves her unable to think of anything but the new Baron Oakhurst. Now her Season has taken a twist she never expected. How can the nice young lords and gentlemen in London ever compare to this impetuous rakehell?


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The Lieutenant's Promise - Love's Promises Book 1
Caught in the path of an impending battle between approaching Confederate and Union troops, strong-willed Em Gilmore clashes with handsome Lt. Lucas over keeping her family safe.

When her brother joins up with the northern troops fighting to keep Missouri in the Union, Em Gilmore’s left with the responsibility of keeping her family safe. Discovering a band of rebels camping nearby, she must get word to her brother and his handsome friend Lieutenant Lucas.

Levi Lucas is torn between defending his nation and protecting Em from her foolish notions of invulnerability. Her stubbornness is bound to get her in trouble, and he can’t be there to rescue her when he’s in battle hundreds of miles away. If he survives whatever campaigns lay ahead, will she be there to welcome him home?


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Christmas in White Oak - Small Town Sweethearts Book 3
Nick Randolph has avoided Christmas since the death of his wife, but his four-year-old daughter insists he stay with her at his parents’ home for the holidays. He finally must confront his past and the woman he let get away. A tale of first love, self-forgiveness, and the importance of family and friendship.


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The Cowgirl and the Geek - Small Town Sweethearts Book 2
On the verge of seeing her dream become a reality, Katie Wooten questions her brother’s motives when he enlists the aid of his friend, Juan Diego Santiago, for the renovations on her bar and grill. The guy’s known as a player. She doesn’t need his drama.

Katie’s life was all about cooking, and no man was going to distract her from making her business a success. Oh, but this temptation was so distracting. So handsome. She’d have to use the same determination she put into the renovations to convince him to find someone else. She doesn’t have time for love.


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Chasing Lord Mystery - Danby Summons Book 2
Lord Northcotte is not in the holiday spirit when he joins his sister’s family shortly after the brutal death of a friend. Discovering a matchmaking scheme is afoot, he tells them he will never marry Lady Miriam or any other woman. Now if only his heart would listen.

Lady Miriam’s mother accused her of chasing Lord Mystery after a noble act by a handsome gentleman six years ago became the measure of all other men. Now he’s staying at the home where she’d hoped to escape a summons from her grandfather, the Duke of Danby. Terrified Northcotte will recognize her and reveal the contents of the scandalous letter she wrote him years ago, she can’t decide which is the bigger threat: the duke armed with a special license, or Lord Mystery, who carries a secret she’d never live down.


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Charming the Vicar's Daughter - The Bridgethorpe Brides Book 3
What’s a gentleman to do when the local Widows’ League insists on a marriage over a simple misunderstanding? How does he honor his family name without damaging that of a vicar’s daughter? For Neil Harrow, the journey to obtain a matched pair of horses for his new curricle has taken a wrong turn. While his uncle is not insisting Neil marry Rebecca Cookson, in his heart he knows it’s the thing to do.

Rebecca wants nothing to do with the popinjay who came to her aid, no matter how the situation appeared. The meddling old widows are a formidable opponent, but Rebecca will do everything in her power to avoid such an ill-suited match. As charming Mr. Harrow might be, Rebecca is determined to only marry a man she can love with all her heart.


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The Incorrigible Mr. Lumley - The Bridgethorpe Brides Book 2
Stubborn. Hard-headed. Single-minded. The qualities that make David Lumley a successful horse breeder are put to work befriending Lady Joanna Hurst with less than noble intentions. He’s tenacious in his pursuit of the answers he seeks.

Lady Joanna falls fast and hard for the handsome, witty and charming Mr. Lumley after her brother’s ultimatum to find a husband by the end of the Season. He is everything she imagined a husband could be, and more. Blissfully unaware of the conflict between their fathers, she believes he’ll declare his love soon. Then she overhears a conversation between Mr. Lumley and her brother, and all of Mr. Lumley’s tenacity will be needed if he’s to win back her heart.


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His Impassioned Proposal - The Bridgethorpe Brides Book 1
Stephen Lumley returns from battle wounded and jaded, only to find his home life had been changed forever. Drowning his sorrows in liquor, he mistakenly blurts out his impassioned proposal to his sweetheart, Jane. Lady Jane Marwick fears she has wasted her love on the wrong man, and allows her mother to convince her to plan another London Season to find a husband. The only certainty in Stephen’s life is his need for Jane’s love. Now Stephen only has a few months to convince himself and Jane he is worthy of her, before she’s off to London to find a man who is.


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Almost Christmas in Connecticut
Can a wounded warrior learn to trust her celebrity chef crush after discovering his secret? Horrified to learn that her young niece has arranged for her to visit a video blogger she’s never heard of, Winnefred “Fred” Carmichael is guilted into agreeing to the trip. Seeing how handsome he is in his videos doesn’t hurt in making her decision. Tanner Frost is a phony. He is only the front man for his aunt’s cooking, so he’s shocked to find out she invited some soldier to spend Christmas at the family farm. He’s even more shocked to discover Fred is a woman. A beautiful, intriguing woman. Can he keep her from discovering the truth behind his cooking while he’s falling too quickly for her charms?



Author Recommended by: HBSystems Publications
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