Tag: reviews

Posted in Book Review

Book Reviews 2023: January-February

Posted on by Sherri
The books I've read and loved so far this year!

Better Than a Box of Chocolates by Emily March

A short, sweet and steamy, Valentine romance. What do you do when you hate Valentine’s but your best friend needs you to capture her special day? Well, you pull up your cowgirl boots and head to Colorado to photograph the reenactment of their proposal. Instead of hiding out and ignoring Valentines as she’d planned, Ali stumbles across the Eros of her dreams and is swept up in a local and family (Max’s family) romantic comedy that has grandma conspiring with the local angel to get her favorite grandson a bride before the next Valentine’s Day.

Beauty and the Baller by Ilsa Madden-Mills

What do you do when your worst one-night stand turns out to be your new neighbor and the only job you can find makes him your boss. The good news is, he doesn’t remember you. Yay! This romantic comedy is packed with family drama, self-image, coming home, second chances, choices, football and romance. This is a fake it until you make it kind of romance. When the town of Blue Belle goes overboard trying to keep the new coach, former NFL star Ronan Smith happy by throwing all the pretty women his way. Ronan turns to Nova, his surly neighbor to act as his fake girlfriend, but is true rom-com style, this farce is sure to fail. The question is: who wins in the end. I loved this story and was surprised by how much. This is definitely one to read again. I will be looking for more books by this author.

You Only Die Twice by Brynn Kelly

This was a fun and fantastic romantic comedy with a little suspense thriller thrown in for good measure. What happens when the spy novel you co-wrote with a dying friend turns out to be true? What if your book boyfriend turns up at the school where you teach and sweeps you off your feet? Okay, that’s not exactly how it happened but whew, he’s definitely better than the book.

Sleep No More The Lost Night Files, Book 1 by Jayne Ann Krentz

The beginning of another great suspense series by JAK. Pallas and Ambrose seem to be suffering from a similar incident, an incident that changed their lives and made them feel they were going crazy. Lucky for Pallas, she was not alone when she experienced her lost night. Can she help Ambrose discover the truth before they become victims of the sleep institute.

JAK weaves our real fears with the possibilities and comes up with an edge of your seat suspense story, adds in a bit of romance, friendship and a few unique characters and I just can’t put the book down. Breathlessly waiting for the next in the series.

The Kidnapped Christmas Bride by Jane Porter

Jane Porter is a new author for me but I’m glad I’ve discovered her. This story wasn’t quiet what I expected but it definitely delivered all the feels. Trey Sheenan just wants a little time with his son after five years in prison but his fiancé McKenna Douglas is getting ready to marry another man. When TJ decides he’s going with his dad, McKenna can’t let him go without her. What happens next is a slow reveal of past hurts, unforgotten love, and the promise of a future together if Trey doesn’t end up back in prison for kidnapping a bride on her wedding day. This was a lovely story of discovery, love, family and the magic of Christmas.

The Upside Down Christmas by Kate Forster

Marlo’s life in Sydney is turned upside down when her part-time lover suddenly starts ghosting her and she finds out what her friends really thought about him. With Christmas looming, she is determined to avoid the holiday, but her flatmate Alex has other plans. His gentle coaxing and terrible Dad jokes, not to mention his washboard abs soon have Marlo thinking of Alex as more than a friend. Christmas doesn’t seem so bad when you have someone to share it with.

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

This steamy little rom-com was a lot of fun and definitely not your normal holiday story. What happens when you cast a plus-sized adult film star and a bad boy former boy band member in a family-friendly Christmas movie? What could possibly go wrong? This was a laugh out loud and sometimes cry out loud adventure in romance. Bee Hobbs and Nolan Shaw are each other’s biggest fans and can’t fight their attraction for each other, but they both have too much to lose to risk it all for a fling. But what if it’s not just a fling? This has all the feels wrapped up in leather and stays.

The Christmas Contest by Scarlet Wilson

Obsessed with all things Christmas, Ben and Lara are pushed into a radio station Christmas contest with a prize of $10,000. Both have great causes they want to win the money for but when the two of them fall in love, they could lose it all. This was a light-hearted holiday romance worth the read.

Along Came Holly by Codi Hall

A grumpy-sunshine holiday romance. Holly is all about Christmas but her neighbor, Declan is a true Grinch. When she hires him to set up her display for the festival of lights, they get to know each other and find they’re just right for each other. Family, small town and Christmas, what’s not to love.

The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart

What happens when your brother brings your ex to your family’s big, holiday get together? There’s not enough alcohol to numb the feelings that surface when Whitney and Eli have to spend the week together, especially when he’s not as bad as she remembered. Can they learn to forgive the past or are they destined to repeat it? This was a fantastic romance filled with fun and family drama.

The Package by K. Bromberg

Everything goes wrong for Jules and then she finds herself stuck in an elevator with a handsome stranger. When their packages get switched, the mix up turns out to be the best part of her Christmas when the handsome stranger arranges for her to return the package and makes her Christmas wishes come true.

Christmas at Copper Mountain by Jane Porter

Taking a job at Christmas as a temporary housekeeper to keep from facing Christmas without her family, Harley is thrown into the middle of the Sheenan’s family drama. This story has all the feels. I sobbed, laughed and fell in love with these characters. You have to read this one with a box of tissues and a bag of chocolate.

A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Three dates before Christmas is all Gretchen has to survive and she’ll get what she wants, control of her wealthy family’s charity. She could do so much good with the Winthrop money. All that’s standing in her way is country music star Colton Wheeler. He’ll agree to be the face of their family’s whiskey brand but the price might be too high for both of them.

With the help of the Bromance Club these two won’t stand a chance against romance.

Warriors, Queens, and Intellectuals by Joyce E. Salisbury Great Courses

An eclectic view of inspiring women from different parts of the world and different times in history. A great source for research.

Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore

Manipulated into marriage by financier Lucian Blackstone, whose past and business practices strike fear into the hearts of Britain’s peerage, Hattie Greenfield, banking heiress is willing to go toe to toe with him to get her way.

A sudden trip to Scotland allows Hattie to see the real man she married. As her opinion of her husband softens, she knows she’s in danger of losing her heart.

Can this mismatched couple overcome their difference to find their happy ever after?

This was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I loved it.

Posted in contest, News

The Power of a Tribe

Posted on by Sherri

Writers are solo in their endeavor to create but most of us know that being a part of a group, a tribe, gives you more power. As a young writer learning the craft I was thankful to find people willing to read my work, guide me and give me the tools to become a better writer. This is still a work in progress.

I have told the story often of my friend, library manager Robina Norman who pushed me out of my comfortable writing cave into discovering others who shared my passion. From a Carteret Writers contest to the Pamlico Writer’s Group, to my first Romantic Times Convention, and my second, winning the Ann Peach Scholarship, to joining Romance Writers of America, the Heart of Carolina and finding my mentor, Marni Graff, all of this started by sharing my work with one person.

I would not be a published author without all of these people who have held my hand, dried my tears and gave me that swift kick in the tushy when needed. I found my tribe.

Through the Pamlico Writers group I found another writer sister, Tammera Cooper. Tammy has helped guide me through the next phase of my career, Marketing. With her background in retail marketing she has a grasp of how to get the word out about her books. Tagging along behind her, she has led me to a few Facebook groups who have become awesome assets.

Dragonfly Ink Author Support and Dakota Willnik are an awesome asset for any writer but especially an indie author just learning how to market her books. If you are an author, check out this group, you won’t be sorry. https://www.facebook.com/groups/DragonflyInkAuthorSupport/

“We have 65 participating authors, making a total of $650. 100% of the money paid by authors goes to the promo. There is no up-charge. People have asked me why I do this, and the answer is simple – I benefit from doing this because I gain followers just like you do. It’s easier to gain followers in a group effort than it is to do it alone.” Dakota’s dedication to providing opportunities like this has helped many authors gain followers. It’s a lot of work, especially for Dakota but the benefits are amazing.

In our summer giveaway, there will be 3 Amazon gift card prizes in total. The breakdown of the gift cards will be as follows:

1 – $350 Amazon Gift Card

1 – $200 Amazon Gift Card

1 – $100 Amazon Gift Card

Winning is as simple as participating, all you have to do is follow us & take a chance at getting summer book money! The more you enter, the higher your chances are! 3 people will be randomly chosen to receive Amazon Gift Cards in these amounts: $350, $200, and $100. 

ENTER HERE —> https://bit.ly/31OwF0J

#BookLove #Romance #BookMoney

*Winners will be contacted by email. Contest not affiliated with Facebook.

If you love to read, winning one of these gift cards could provide you with hours of entertainment. If you prefer, you can use the gift card for other things, but really, BOOKS.

Show your love and follow us. If you are a fan of our books, please leave a review, it could pay off in a very nice way.

Posted in contest, my books

Drawing for Review

Posted on by Sherri

As a thank you to all those who have supported me and leave a review, I will be doing a drawing December 2nd for the charm bracelet and jewelry box I made. Anyone who does a review for White Gold or Chrome Pink is eligible. Just message me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook Messenger and let me know your review has gone live and where, then I will put your name in the jar for the drawing. If you do multiple reviews, your name will be added as many times.

Where can you put your reviews? Amazon, Goodreads, Book Bub, on your social media sites. Anywhere other people might read them and choose to try out my books. As an independently published author I need you guys to help get the word out. I am so blessed to have such great friends and family who support my dream of being a published author.

I don’t want to be rich or famous, okay, maybe a little bit rich would be nice. I just want people to read my books. Thank you for your support.

Posted in inspiration, Thoughts

What Your Compliments Mean to Me

Posted on by Sherri

books

A suspense-thriller with strong romantic elements, Chrome Pink is a story of survival, second chances and giving yourself permission to have your own happy ending. Rae Lynne is a survivor, a fighter but what she wants most is to have someone to love and trust.

$14.95

Some of the best compliments I’ve received have been funny, surprising and kind.

One of the biggest compliments was when my cousin went to her local library and asked about me doing a book signing there. Her enthusiasm was a boon to my ego.

I have been blessed to have a lot of support from my family, friends and community. “Chrome Pink” isn’t everyone’s style of story. I’m okay with that. I appreciate those who bought my book and even more, those who read it and let me know they liked it.

My mom’s friend told her my book was the best book she’d ever read except for the cussing and the sex. “Darn, I thought the sex was good.”

Another dear lady told my mom she liked the book but she wasn’t raised with all that cussing. “I wasn’t either. My mom smacked me for saying ‘pissed’.”

My mother-in-law hasn’t read a book in ten years but she read mine. When she’d finished, she said, “The sex was so good it almost made me want some.” I asked, “Did you tell Pa.” Laughing, she said, “No, I didn’t want to scare him.”

My best friend and local librarian informed me she needed a copy of my book for the library. “Wow, my book is in the library!”

The father of my high school boyfriend has bought five books, four the night of my book signing and another one recently. One of the books he gave away resulted in another sale. When his sister-in-law read the book, she thought her son would also like to read it. So, she asked me to let her know when I got another shipment of books.

My librarian friend, bragged on my book signing and that has resulted in an invitation for a book signing at a library in a town I’ve never visited.

My mentor and friend convinced me to submit my book to a very prestigious competition. Win or lose, the fact that she believed it good enough is a great compliment.

I’ve only sold a little over a hundred books, that may not seem like much but to me, it’s amazing.

The assistant to my former agent took the time to tell me how much she liked “Chrome Pink” and she loved the cover.

Those who have taken the time to write a review on Amazon, those who’ve liked it on Goodreads. All of these are encouraging to a new author and greatly appreciated.

 

My character, Rae Lynne does have a bit of a potty mouth. She’s a survivor and keeps people at a manageable distance with her cursing and appearance. She doesn’t want anyone to get too close. She doesn’t want to care about anyone. She doesn’t want to hurt them and she doesn’t plan to allow them to hurt her.

Life is messy. Love isn’t always pretty. But the right person can see past your weaknesses and flaws to the jewel underneath.

 

 

Posted in Book Review, Thoughts, writing inspiration

Not a Commercial for Audible The Letty Dobesh Chronicles

Posted on by Sherri

I have often talked about how much I love audio books. When I am busy and have little time to read I enjoy putting on an audio book and letting the narrator read to me. In college I listened to records or cassettes of lectures, reenactments of historical events and books. I found audio books again when our local library started offering books on cassette and later, on disk. I have bought audio books from used books stores, chain stores and even truck stops but the latest and easiest I have found is being a member of Audible. I can order books online and have them delivered to my phone. I can listen to them anywhere I bring my phone.

Being a member of audible, I receive one “free” book a month (of my choosing) but I can also purchase books cheaply through their daily deals. Here is where I’ve discovered new authors I’ve never read, some of whom I’ve never heard of. Recently I purchased Good Behavior by Blake Crouch. Some of you may have seen his television series by that name. I had never heard of Blake nor his series but I loved the description of his main character so I purchased the books.

The Letty Dobesh Chronicles, which the television series Good Behavior is modeled after, is about a woman who is on the edge. Recently released from prison, Letty is fighting drug addiction, low self-esteem and her own desires to be good. The stories are fabulous, giving us a look into the human condition. Here is a woman who should have given up hope and become one of the nation’s lost people, instead she keeps finding new reasons to keep going, new hope, new purpose.

While the stories I listened to through Audible were truly enjoyable. Letty is one of the best written characters I’ve ever met. The part I enjoyed the most was Blake Crouch’s commentary. At the beginning, he told how the idea for Letty came about. This wasn’t a short process, it was something that simmered on the back burner for years until something flipped the switch and made him look at the idea differently. As an author, hearing his process was fun and enlightening, and even encouraging.

Blake Crouch is a North Carolina author with two television series under his belt. The idea for Good Behavior is from a series of short stories about Letty, The Letty Dobesh Chronicles. While the series doesn’t follow Blake’s original stories verbatim, he is okay with that. Crouch tells about the process, the work on the series and how it is different and similar to the stories he wrote. It is unusual for the author of the stories to work on the screen play for television or movies but Blake Crouch has been able to separate the two processes and enjoys seeing where the television series will go.

While the original stories are all his individual work, Mr. Crouch explains how with the television show, it’s not about his vision but he culmination of all who work on the show from the set and costume designers, to the actors and directors and also his fellow writers.

Listening to Blake Crouch talk about writing in different aspects from the first kernel of an idea to seeing the show on television is something I felt needed to be shared. If you are an author and wish to see your work in different venues, listen to this audio book.  I would love to have Mr. Crouch come speak to my writer’s group. He is interesting and inspiring.  I will definitely be checking out more of his books, I hope you do as well.

Posted in Thoughts

Confessions of a Perpetual Cheerleader

Posted on by Sherri

As we put the last dashes and dots on the 2015 Pamlico Writers Conference I explore my role within the group. I read several books written by the writers presenting at the conference, taking time to write reviews and give words of encouragement. On Twitter, Facebook and Amazon I cheered for my fellow authors, taking great joy from being a member of the team. This passion sluiced over to other groups, reading the work of other writers whose programs I attended in person or on-line. I came to the conclusion that I enjoy being a cheerleader, I feel valued for offering encouragement to others.
I have been blessed to be a part of several writers’ groups where I have been encouraged and strengthen, educated and inspired. If I can give back to others, if I can make one minutia of difference with my words then I am part of the team and I am doing my part.
Do I want to be the quarterback? Yes, my greatest desire is to run with the ball or in this case have my own work published and reviewed but until then I will continue to learn, work hard and cheer the others from the sidelines.