Monthly Archives: June 2013

World-Upending News!

Hard act to follow?

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IMG_1275I’ve been getting some great responses to Wanted: Wife and quite frankly, it’s floored me. It’s one thing to have your friends, your agent and your editor think you’re worth the ink or pixels, but they’re hardly for whom I’m ultimately writing. The real gauge of a writer’s success is what the readers think, and you may be saying “Oh yeah, that’s what she says now.” But it’s the truth, and those who forget that do so at their peril. True, all books are ultimately subjective, but if I’m producing what the marketing promised, then I suppose I’m fulfilling my end of the bargain. I’d like to think you agree I am and if I’m not, please let me know. Really. (And that’s not just because I’m needy. I’m NOT! Okay, I am. So indulge me before I cry.)

On the other hand you’re only as good as your last book. So if I want to keep going with this writer thing and eventually lose my day job (“day job” being a relative term in professor-land), you have to constantly exceed the bar. So that’s what I’m working on now, the follow-up to Andy featuring his younger brother, Marcel. If he turns out half as “swoon-worthy” as Andy (not my term, but a popular readers’ descriptor) I’ll be in the ballpark. A revised sneak-peek is attached at the top, and a big hint of what it’s about at the left. Let me know what you think.

And yes, that’s me aboard the A.J. Meerwald, New Jersey’s official tall ship, which is visiting up and down the state’s coast this summer, as well as Philadelphia and New London, CT. Visit www.ajmeerwald.org for the 2013 Public Sail Schedule. Now excuse me while I crawl back into my head and get to work.

World-Upending News!

This Week in Review…

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GracieBookworm.4Let’s face it, no one really cares about me when there’s a cute cat involved. This picture of Gracie was taken almost two years ago when she could still tuck herself in a little corner of one of my bookcases. Of course, it’s not happening anymore. But she still sits where she damn well pleases. Anyway…

It’s Week Two of the release of Wanted: Wife (hold on; shilling right here), and so far, so good. I’ve been getting some pretty positive reviews from bloggers–check the REVIEW page on this site–and from what’s been posted on Amazon and Goodreads. But I still feel like it’s too early to tell, as I’m sure unless you’re a reviewer (or know me personally) the last book you buy still has to mellow on the TBR pile for a little while. I mean, really–isn’t that mandatory? Anyway, I am looking forward to what the people who actually paid good money for the book think, too. Oh, be honest. I can take it!

As of this writing, this week’s blog tour still has a couple more days. It’s been great so far, thanks to the lovely ladies of Literati Literature Lovers, and this is coming on the heels of Avon’s Launch Week Blog Tour. But we’ve got another fun time coming up the pike in the weeks leading up to the paperback release of Wanted on July 2. Can’t say what it is now but yo! it’ll involve a whole lot of Jersey for certain.

But the really exciting news this week was being contacted by Klarque Garrison, who invited me to be on his show “Conversations with Klarque.” We’ve set up Sunday afternoon, July 28 at 4:00 EDT, and I’m not ashamed to admit I’m a little scared shitless. But hey, at least I’ll be quaking in the comfort of my own home, and being radio, you won’t be able to see me doing it! Even so, I had a nice dose of conversing with Klarque over the phone just the other day, and he immediately put me at ease, so I think I’ll survive!

Later –

Gwen

World-Upending News!

Avon Editor Tessa Woodward Introduces Gwen Jones in Romantic Times (RT)

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Wanted WifeWhile everyone has their go-to favorite romance authors, there’s nothing like discovering a great new writer. Today Avon editor Tessa Woodward is here to share her enthusiasm for Avon’s hot new star Gwen Jones, whose debut contemporary romance Wanted: Wife is available now digitally and in print this July. Read on to learn a little more about this title and how Gwen got her start.

I cannot tell you how excited I am, as her editor, to be introducing the absolutely fabulous Gwen Jones to you! An Avon Impulse debut star, Gwen’s first book for us, Wanted: Wife, is on sale now!

From the first moment I got manuscript in on submission, I knew I had to publish this book. I mean, it couldn’t have a more fun premise! it’s the story of Andy, a gorgeous, alpha guy with a charming French accent who advertises for a wife … on a utility pole. And Julie, the reporter sent out to cover the story, who just happens to be the one woman who perfectly fits the bill! But Julie and Andy have to learn to live with each other as husband and wife … in the wilderness … without phones … (I, for one, would not survive that!) and they’re each carrying around some pretty big secrets. Hopefully their insane chemistry will get them through it.

It’s a funny, sweet, quirky, romantic, sexy, outstanding love story. And I’m so glad to be able to share it with you. Gwen Jones is the real deal, and I hope you enjoy her writing as much as I did.

– Tessa Woodward

World-Upending News!

OUT NOW! “WANTED: WIFE!” ~ And I’d like to thank the Academy…

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Wanted WifeThe wait is over sweeties! Link here to purchase your ebook from any one of these stellar vendors, and come back here often for news and book reviews! I wouldn’t be ANYWHERE without my readers, so watch for blog tours, free giveaways, and content you won’t find ANYWHERE! And don’t forget to come back July 2 if you’d rather wait for the feel of a paperback in your hot little hands!

ALSO I’d be remiss if I failed to offer my many thanks: to my glamorous agent, Marisa Corvisiero of the Corvisiero Agency and her newest intern, Becca Simas, Avon editor extraordinaire Tessa Woodward, publicist Caroline Perny, blog tour goddess Melanie Berthier, the fine sassy ladies of Literati Author Services Michelle Schulz Eck, Karen Seager-Everett and Rosette Doyle, my indispensable darling friend, critique partner and fellow writer-extraordinaire Linda J. Parisi and finally, as in everything, my husband Frank, who’d always win out over all the Andys in the world, hands down.

World-Upending News!

WANTED: WIFE – RELEASE DAY Tuesday, June 4 – Read the Latest Reviews!

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imagesCAH5SPM8In just TWO DAYS WANTED: WIFE finally arrives. Oy! It’s like giving birth! Well, metaphorically it very much is, as after many months (years?) of incubation my baby will FINALLY see the light of day. For the next few weeks it–and I–will also be making the rounds of blog tours and reviews, with a few surprises and a book giveaways thrown in, too. But look, I know the book is fabulous (what mother doesn’t think their child is?), but don’t take my word for it. Take it from a few people who do this book reviewing thing professionally, and look at the new REVIEW section I just put on the sidebar to your right. I’ll keep adding them as they come along, but for the present at least it’s ALL GOOD! I’m not joking when I say the reviewers are pretty much loving it, and it’s NOT because I’m just dissing the bad ones. Look, I’m realistic, and I’m sure there are a few out there that just won’t get it and will give me a decided thumbs down. And that’s okay. But for the time being the romance goddesses are smiling down on me, so why don’t you take a look and please, after you’ve discovered Andy and Julie and the beautiful New Jersey Pine Barrens for yourself, don’t hesitate to give me a shout out. I would love to hear from you!!

Gwen