How do you promote a book?

I know Irish Rising has only been out for two weeks but I have to say the sales have been less than stellar. I had hoped a contemporary novel would have more appeal than my sci-fi erotic romance but it doesn't seem to right now.

So what do you do to drum up more book sales? This is what I've done.

1. I promote on Facebook.

2. I promote on Twitter.

3. I blog.

4. I participate in blog hops.

5. My friends very nicely buy my book and put it on their blogs. Amber Skyze and Linda Kage, I am talking about the two of you. I would reciprocate, except the two of you are really the only people who regularly read and comment on my blog. I appreciate everything you do, including reading my books.


So what is there left? I don't know, maybe you do. (Amber, Linda, any advice?)


Peace out,
MRD

Why, Monday, why?

Oh God! It's Monday after vacation and boy am I not feeling the work vibe today!!! Why couldn't I have been the person in Rhode Island with the winning Powerball ticket a few weeks ago? I could stay home all day and write.

Enough whining!!!

My vacation was lovely. I didn't do any writing in the beginning and then after a wonderful lunch with Amber Skyze, I felt invigorated and wrote for the rest of the vacation. So all in all, a very good week.

Peace out,
MRD

Debut novel from Kerrianne Coombes

Here is the debut novel from a fellow Secret Cravings Publishing author. I'm very excited for her!!!

Blurb:

Tom Cane, Ex-military man and self professed recluse turned farmer, wants nothing more from life but the chance to wallow in his own pity.  The shrapnel lodged permanently in his leg a daily reminder of his failings during his last tour of duty.  On a cold, rainy, British evening fate delivers a new reason to live in the form of Joanne Sloane, the daughter of a socialite and abused wife of an up and coming businessman.  Desperate and in fear of her life, she flees her home and stumbles onto Tom's land. Together their passions ignite and the need to rescue one another entangles them in a bitter fight for their lives.


http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&products_id=263

And the winner is...

I actually have two winners, amcerda@cox.net is the name "the hubs" originally chose. She actually has both of my books (I'm surprised as you are!), so she's receiving the gift certificate. Please e-mail privately and tell me if you would like it from ARe or Bookstrand. So I had "the hubs" pick out another name and that winner is... Tammy! (jfarms74338@gmail.com).

So Tammy, I will give you the option of picking either Fated Mates or Irish Rising. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Peace out,
MRD

Happy Valentine's Day

Hi all,
Wishing all of you a Happy Valentine's Day. I know this is going to be hard to believe but I'm a romance writer who really doesn't believe in Valentine's Day. If you love someone, show it every day with your whole heart. One day a year with a card or a box of candy doesn't change anything in your relationship. Someone buying you VERY overpriced flowers doesn't do it either or waiting hours to get a table at a restaurant for hours on end. Let's face it, Valentine's Day is a commercial holiday. It is fun, don't get me wrong but behind the glitz and the glamor, there should be something you celebrate every day.

Enjoy today, just don't forget the other 364 days of the year to celebrate the one you love!

Irish Rising Release Day

Today is the release day for Irish Rising. I'm so excited. I love Duncan and Kim's story. I hope all of you do too!

Book Blurb:

Famous romance writer, Kim Green went to Ireland with her two cousins to research the setting of her new book and have some quality girl bonding fun. She’s in the business of writing about love. She didn’t expect it find her on the street in a sleep Irish town with a sexy, “I want to drown in your chocolate eyes” pub owner.

Duncan Murphy never believed in the old family legend. The idea a trapped mermaid granted his family the ability to recognize their one true love was absurd to him until he spots a sexy American across the street from his pub. Something deep within him recognized her as his other half

They’re drawn together in an explosive first encounter. Life is blissful until a misunderstanding threatens to tear them apart. Is their fragile newfound romance something legends are made of or the misguided belief in an ancient fantasy?

Excerpt

Kim walked and walked taking in all the local scenery. The sculpted hedgerows infused with red and white flowers. The shopkeepers sweeping the sidewalks in front of their stores, they were always quick with a greeting and even quicker with a smile. As she walked, she talked into her mini-recorder trying to capture as many details as possible. When she got back to her room later, she would transcribe her notes to be used later in her manuscript. Every once in a while she would stop to take some pictures since Kim found it helpful to surround herself with images that help her describe things in her stories.

     Her walking slowed to a complete stop when she noticed a house for sale. As she peered through the gate in the hedges, she saw a wonderful stone house that was so typical in Ireland. Some people would say that the house needed a lot of work, but Kim only saw the possibilities. A cobblestone walkway led from the iron gate over an expansive front lawn, ending at an enormous wooden front door. Attached to each window were empty flowerboxes she could imagine them overflowing with a riot of colors. Kim checked the gate to try and get a closer look but it was locked. Too bad, she wanted to explore more of the grounds for her research. Maybe she’ll call the realtor and set up a viewing while she was still in the country.

     “You’re not lost now, are you, luv?” A gravely voice startled her out of her revelry.

     She turned around to see whom the voice belonged to when across the road she saw the hottest man she had seen in her entire life. He was lazily leaning in the doorway of the pub across the street. He had a white apron tied around his waist that tapered down from wide shoulders. In his hands he was drying a glass while he stared at her from a distance. His brown hair curled over the collar of his black shirt that was pulled taunt over the muscles of his chest. Peaking out from underneath one of the sleeves was a Celtic band tattoo. Kim whistled to herself. She was a sucker for a man with band tattoos. She wondered if he had any more hidden by his clothes.

     Kim flashed him her sexiest smile. “No, not lost. Just dreaming.”

     He slowly unfurled himself from the doorway and walked across the street toward her. He had the walk of a man totally comfortable in his own skin. A loose-legged swagger that made Kim’s insides do a nervous tap dance. Up close, he was much taller than he appeared from across the street. Kim needed to tilt her head back to look into his dreamy chocolate brown eyes. She was short, her license said that she was five-three, but she was probably closer to five-two in her stocking feet. He towered over her by at least a foot.

     “Dreaming, huh?” He lifted her chin to stare deeply into her eyes. “Yes, I can see it. You have the eyes of a dreamer. You wouldn’t happen to be a dream fairy who has come along to invade all of my dreams, would you?”

     Between his intense gaze and the hand gently touching her chin, he mesmerized her. “No, just a dreamer. I’m not here to invade anyone’s dreams.”

     Something flared hotly in his eyes before he moved away from her. “Well now, that remains to be seen.”

     The distance between them broke the spell and brought Kim back to her senses. She thrust out her hand to introduce herself. “Hi, I’m Kim.”

     He took her hand within his large one, but didn’t shake it. He simply held her hand within his own, renewing the connection that flared between them when they touched before. His gaze heated as he scanned her face and returned to her eyes. The heat and intensity caused Kim to gasp out loud. No man ever looked at her like this before. Not thinking it possible, his gaze burned brighter after hearing her gasp.

Click on the cover on the sidebar and it will bring you right to the Secret Cravings Publishing store to get your copy today!

Friday Surprise

Surprise, surprise, surprise! Irish Rising is up on the Secret Cravings Publishing site for pre-order. It is going to be released on MONDAY! Needless to say, I am totally unprepared for a book launch!

Oh well, still very excited though!!!!!!!!

New Cover and blurb

Here is the new cover for Irish Rising and the blurb. I don't have an exact release date yet. Originally, it was slated for March. So we will see!!!

Blurb:

Famous romance writer, Kim Green went to Ireland with her two cousins to research the setting of her new book and have some quality girl bonding fun. She’s in the business of writing about love. She didn’t expect it find her on the street in a sleep Irish town with a sexy, “I want to drown in your chocolate eyes” pub owner.

Duncan Murphy never believed in the old family legend. The idea a trapped mermaid granted his family the ability to recognize their one true love was absurd to him until he spots a sexy American across the street from his pub. Something deep within him recognized her as his other half

They’re drawn together in an explosive first encounter. Life is blissful until a misunderstanding threatens to tear them apart. Is their fragile newfound romance something legends are made of or the misguided belief in an ancient fantasy?

Hope you like it!

MRD 

Plugging along

Just a quick update. I have to say I'm plugging along with my writing despite busy super, super busy. I received the proof for Irish Rising late last night. A new editor proofed it and felt it was a great story but it ended to abruptly for her. So this weekend, before the Superbowl of course, I'm going to reread it and see if I agree to adding anything to the story. I'm unsure about this but I'm willing to look it over.

I'm also having someone new create the cover. It should be interesting what she comes up with. I didn't have a vision of the cover for this book, like I did on Fated Mates.

Sunday will be a "cheat" day on the diet. I'm going to try and make low fat food but what fun would that be. I'm closing in on 30 pounds right now. So, feeling great about that!

Peace out,
MRD