Friday is always about love here at More Cowbell. THIS Friday it’s about love and appreciation from me to you!
How do I plan to accomplish this?
I’m taking a page out of Chuck Wendig’s book once again and throwing open the doors of the comments section for the following (he makes people do one of each, just sayin….):
- Pimp out somebody else’s work – this can be a favorite author, blogger, post or book you’ve read, a wonderful teacher or just someone who had profound influence on you as a writer or a person.
OR - Promote one of your projects that you’re excited about – a hobby, a blog, a book, a new direction your writing is taking you. You decide. Just tell us all about it in the comments! The rest of us will jump in and “ooooh and coo” at you, and likely promote your project even further (because that’s just how we are).
I want to hear about what’s exciting in your life today.
To start this fiesta off right, I’m going to:
PIMP OUT… James Rollins. This all-around nice guy (and ex-veterinarian) rocked my world at the DFW Writers’ Conference last month. He was fun, witty and very down to earth. His personality alone convinced me to buy any book he writes but you know the best part? They’re great books!
In case you need any more convincing, Harper Collins is allowing people to download the first six chapters of his new book “Bloodline” for free. (Squeeeeee!)
This book doesn’t officially release until June 26th, but we get the first installment NOW. Click here for the free download and here to read more about the book.
Last, but not least, James has a short prequel to “Bloodline” coming out on June 5th for $0.99 that introduces two characters in the book. I’m particularly excited because I am such a dog lover! Kane, the war dog gets his own POV in this book and I want to see how James (the ex-vet) handles that. More about TRACKER can be found here.
I’ll save all the promoting for y’all – you be sure to enjoy yourselves down there in the comments. I’ll just thank you once again for making things so fun here at More Cowbell!
p.s. Be sure to read through everyone’s comments to find something new and shiny. 
OK, Team Cowbell!! Rev those engines…Let’s see your best pimp or promote!!
Happy Friday!
Jenny
Jenny Hansen's Blog 
Hi Jenny! Love when you do this, I get to “meet” so many new cyber-friends. All the Bloodline Promo sounds very cool. I have to pimp the opening of the Beyond the Veil Bloghop at http://paranormalfreebies.com. Come one, come all, paranormal authors and sign up! Readers, hop back later in the week and see who has signed up on the linky list. Flash fiction challenges all month for authors, and prizes too!
As for promoting, if you haven’t dropped by Sherry Isaac’s re-opening of her blog, you should. She has added PSYCHOLOGICAL SIZZLE to her classic style, and it pops! http://SherryIsaac.com WOOT!
Thanks again, Jenny, for the wonderful opportunities!
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Oh my goodness, I popped over to Sherry’s site. I LOVE the updates!!
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Thanks for the post, Jenny! I’ll definitely check out Bloodline. In the meantime, here’s a little trailer I put together for my novel, The Grievers, which just came out from The Permanent Press:
Thanks for giving us all the space to promote our stuff!
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Marc,
I thought your trailer was terrific: engaging and made me want to pick up the book. I noticed the You-Tube site was private “unlisted.” Just curious why you made it unlisted and not so anyone could find it. I’d think that would get the word out to a wider audience, so that’s why I’m interested in your thinking on this.
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Thanks for the compliment… Actually, I can’t remember why I made it unlisted, so I suppose I should change that!
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Now I remember… I was keeping it unlisted until I got some feedback from viewers as to whether or not it was an effective trailer. I’ll take your compliments as a good sign and make it public. Thanks again!
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You’re welcome, Mark! I liked the trailer too. And if I’m remembering right, I’ve already heard some buzz around The Grievers. WOOT!
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Okay, My new project. It was inspired by Ironic Mom (Twins: Thing #1 and Thing #2). Leanne is not a morning person. The antics of her twins while she’s trying to sleep in were KA-SNORTers.
I am a morning person. My internal alarm goes off no later than *gasp* 5 a.m. Worse, I’m a happy, chatty morning person. So! The idea of a business, Morning Mommy, popped into my entrepreneurial noggin when I read her blog, and linked to her humor column in The Calgary Herald. Morning Mommy will show up early, fix the kids breakfast, and let them give her fodder for a blog while non-morning-mommy snoozes.
Read her column at http://ironicmom.com/2012/06/01/sleeping-in/
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I can totally see you rocking that job, Gloria! Morning is not my time.
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Oh! Can I do a twofer? Yes?
Kristen Lamb’s blog about her reservist husband’s orders to deploy to Afghanistan moved me to tears. If you haven’t already read that Memorial Day post, and want an inside look at whole-family-angst when facing a year’s deployment follow this link:
You’ll pause to give thanks to our troops and the families who struggle while they serve us.
The amazing thing about Kristen is few knew how devastating the news was. Her chipper, humor-infused blogs continued.
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I’m with you, Gloria. It was an incredibly moving post.
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OK, Gloria…that’s two for others and none for you. You win the Cowbell Generosity Prize!
Y’all, Gloria and Brinda Berry team up at Gloria’s place and talk about Social Media Savvy WITH SANITY. I don’t know anybody else who adds on that “sanity” part. You’ve gotta take a peek: http://gloriarichard.wordpress.com/category/social-media-2/
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Just read this post by Indie Author D.D. Scott about branding, and it’s one of the best I’ve read on how to connect with people: http://thewritersguidetoepublishing.com/when-building-your-brand-think-people-connect-with-people
I’d also like to promote Diane Capri, a bestselling thriller writer who interviewed on my blog yesterday. Her new legal thriller, FATAL DISTRACTION, is hanging in their with Grisham, which is just awesome. http://dianecapri.com/books/fatal-distraction/
Love this Friday post!
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Thanks, Stacy! And I’m going to go check out that branding post…I love stuff like that.
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Stealing from Chuck Wendig, nice job 🙂
Pimp: Over the past couple of months I’ve been following an indie author that has a ton of blog content on self-pubbing – in depth, thoughtful, useful content – an awesome resource to say the least: Lindsay Buroker. Linkage -> http://www.lindsayburoker.com/
Promotion: Click my name on this content. Visit my site. Visit Lindsay first. More Cowbell!
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Hey, if you’re gonna steal, I say steal from the best, right??! And I hadn’t stumbled on Lindsay, so thank you. p.s. Everybody DO click on Gene’s name…his posts rock. 🙂
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I saved Lindsay’s post for further in-depth contemplation. It’s great!
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I’ve got a double-pimp (wow, that doesn’t sound nice, does it?)
I have discovered a wonderful author, JoAnn Mapson. I know, she’s not new, but I’d never read her before. Women’s Fiction, and not only a great read — she’s a textbook on SO many craft techniques: getting emotion on the page, dialog, characterization, writing fresh — sigh. I so wanna be her.
Second pimp – Jenny Hansen! I am SO proud of how she set huge goals a year ago, put her head down, and achieved more than she knew was possible. She’s such an inspiration to me, and I’m proud to call her my friend.
Happy weekend, Cowbellers!
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Like so many others, I believe she started with Harlequin and I read some of her stuff way, way back in the day. However, I haven’t read any of her Women’s Fiction so you have to loan me one when I give you my current read back!
And THANK YOU for the pimpage. It made me blush. 🙂
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First, I second Laura’s pimpage for Jenny! I don’t know how she does everything that she does, but I’m in awe. 🙂
Second, I want to self-pimp (blush) and promote at the same time. Today, Shan Jeniah posted her first guest post, which happens to be my first guest post, here:
http://shanjeniah.com/2012/06/01/your-soapbox-awaits-presents-elizabeth-anne-mitchell/
Shan writes about family, personal growth and unschooling here and on her blog The Unfettered Life: http://memismommy.blogspot.com/ .
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You’re a sweetie, Elizabeth! I’m glad you’re expanding your blogging. I can’t wait to see all the ways you grow this year. 🙂
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Thanks, Jenny, for the chance to pimp and promote! I want to promote Shirley Hershey Showalter’s Blog, http://www.100Memoirs.com as well as Lynette Benton’s POLISH AND PUBLISH (www.lynettebentonwriting.com) Both have great advice on writing your story and include posts by excellent guest bloggers. (Recently, the former teacher/mentor of the new run-away Memoir, WILD, by Cheryl Strayed, which I’m reading and hooked on, guest-posted on Shirley’s blog. Both Shirley and Lynette have written guides to writing your own memoir and both are super supportive of others.
My promote part will be to encourage readers to take a look at my blog, http://www.familyarchaeoligst.com. It just may inspire you with ways in which you can create a family story, building it little-by-little with blog posts. I include scores of photos and documents and tell stories of risk, adventure, falling in love, loss, and surprise — all through original letters and documents. Some of these pieces will work their way into my memoir. If you do visit and make a comment, please let me know you heard about Family Archaeologist here.
Thanks for the opportunity to share, Jenny.
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As a memoir writer myself, I’m quite interested in all this! Thanks for stopping in and sharing, Linda…we appreciate it. 🙂
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I’ve got a pimp. Jami Gold is a fabulous blogger who always writes really well-researched and thoughtful posts about the craft of writing. I think shevisvjust a terrific writer, but even better, Jami is a super supportive Tweep, so if you don’t know Jami, you can find her at @jamigold.
As far as promote, can I just say I’m at 84K words of my fiction WIP and as soon as I’m done, Manny the WIP shall be Manny the Manuscript. I think I have about 3K more to go. I’m almost there! Yay! Then revisions and then beta readers. And then it’s time to query. Keep those fingers crossed. I have a long road ahead, but I’m optimistic.
Thanks for all the positive energy you bring to the blogosphere, Jenny! 😉
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Ditto on the Jami pimpage, Renee!! And I am so impressed with you, girlfriend…a Bar Mitzvah AND a finished manuscript in the same 3 month period? You amaze me!
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I’m happy to pimp the blog of Jess Witkins. Sight unseen, the two of us threw in together as roommates at the DFW Writers’ Conference, and I hit the jackpot. She’s fabulous! Her summary post about the conference was one of the best I read: http://jesswitkins.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/celebrating-my-writing-slump/. If you’re in a writing slump, see what a conference kick-in-the-pants can do for you. (Of course, it helps to have the cowbell-shaking Jenny Hansen in your group too!)
As for promoting, I am looking toward self-pubbing my mystery (GRACE & FIRE) and adding two titles to make it a trilogy. I’ll probably be hitting up all my self-pub friends for tips! I likely won’t have them out until 2013 (other stuff in the works too), but I’m excited to have chosen a direction for these stories.
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I thought it was so cool that y’all ended up roommates. You would have thought you’d know each other forever!!
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I KNOW!! You two were so dang cute. And you matched up so well – about the same height, build, etc. You two and then Jillian and Tiffany were just a joy to watch!
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Ditto! Best slumber party at a writer’s conference ever!
P.S. Thanks for my haircut, Julie! 😉
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Shut up…she cut your hair? Why didn’t I know she had this talent??
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I’d like to pimp the blog one of my IRL writing buddies, Tonya Kappes. We should never stop learning craft – or how to promote our work – and Tonya’s blog is full of great info presented in a fun way! http://tonyakappes.blogspot.com or @tonyakappes11. She writes fun fiction, and also has a great book on promo, The Tricked-out Toolbox.
Thanks for inviting us to share!
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I totally dig the title of her book, Jen! Thanks for telling us about Tonya. 🙂
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I would like to promote a very special gal: Natalie Hartford! Many of you know her: the girly “urban redneck” with a heart of gold, who would wield a wicked BeDazzler if given half a chance. BeDazzling would be her superpower, if she had the choice, LOL. She blogs about all sorts of “envelope-pushing” aspects of life, from trailer-hitch stripper poles to peeing outdoors to naughty urban words. Her blog has certainly made my life a lot less sheltered. 😉
Natalie has a vibrancy to her writing and her dealings with others that is just amazing. I’ve been touched by her kindness to me, and consider this gal – whom I have never met or even spoken to – my friend. While most of her posts are light-hearted, she also blogs about the need to get educated and involved in preventing impaired driving in our communities. This is based on her own devastating loss of her beloved mother-in-law, Mamma K, to a drunk driver. Tomorrow, she and her hubby will be participating in MADD Canada’s Strides for Change Walk-a-Thon, to raise money and awareness. You can visit her site, nataliehartford.com, for more info.
Thanks, Jenny, for the chance to promote a fab lady!
Kathy
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Oh, now I’m reading everyone else – was I supposed to say “pimp” Natalie, rather than promote? If so, consider yourself “pimped,” Nat! LOL!
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Sniffffffffffffffffff….
That is quite honestly one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever received. Wow. Kathy, I am speechless (ok…well not quite), humbled and deeply touched by your support and your friendship!!! Knowing that you (and the rest of our blogging family) is in our corner makes a huge world of difference…thank you doesn’t quite sum up how grateful I am for the blessing of your friendship….and of Jenny’s and everyone else…
Sniff…I am honored to know you!
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Triple-ditto on that pimpage, Kathy! Nat’s one of my favorite treasures in the blog0sphere. She and Hubby have totally blessed my life and my blog. 🙂
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I’ve got to pimp out friend and author extraordinaire, Jillian Dodd. Learn more about her here: http://jilliandodd.wordpress.com/
One of her novels, “That Boy,” has just been selected by Amazon for the “100 Kindle books for $3.99 or less” promotion.
And I’d like you to enjoy a post of mine (and a fun game) about Romantic Comedies: http://fabiobuenoauthor.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/romantic-comedy-movie-generator/
Thanks for the opportunity, Jenny!
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Thanks, Fabio!!!
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Well, I bought the book and checked out your blog post, Fabio. I’d say you rock at this Pimpin’ thang… 🙂
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I love your pimp and promote days! I’ve got my gold teeth on, I’m looking fly with my fancy hat ~ you know the one, it’s got the big ole feather on it. Oh, yeah!
Well, I WAS going to promote my gal Natalie Hartford, but Kathy jus did! Dang. So I’m going to promote my other WANA sista, Patricia Sands.
Her blog is gorgeous, but not as pretty as Patricia herself. She takes you to France on Fridays and is always hanging around the internet offering a helping hand to other writers. If you’ve never met Patricia ~ hop over to her blog today and get to know her. I love her to pieces and someday, when I grow up, I want to be just like her.
http://www.patriciasands.wordpress.com
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Awwwww…I am FEELING the LUV today ladies…Sniff…
BIG HUGS and MUCHO hugs to all of you!!!
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Hey, you look fly every day, baby. Best Fly Girl in a Tiara EVER! I agree with every bit of that pimpage. You go with your bad self.
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Tameri, you rock every single day! Thanks for the kind words and rightbackatcha! If I might offer just a few words of advice *being so much more mature* – don’t ever grow up!
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http://cross-up.blogspot.com/ is a video-game/writing blog. The blogger has written some long posts with some great insight, not to mention he has his blog’s intent down pat.
…Unlike mine: http://youngaspiringwriter.blogspot.com/
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Hey, we all start somewhere Chihuahua! Just call yourself a “work in progress” like the rest of us. 🙂
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At Jenny’s command 😉 I’m here to promote my first sale! Here it is, straight from Publisher’s Marketplace (May 21):
Joy Daniels’s REVVING HER UP, about a sexually frustrated lawyer who gets stuck in a small town where a hot stockcar mechanic introduces her to the temptation of speed with breakneck thrill-rides in, on and outside of the racecar, to Christa Desir at Samhain Publishing, for publication in January 2013, by Louise Fury at L. Perkins Agency (World English). lfury@lperkinsagency.com
Woo hoo – I am so excited!
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I. Am. So. Proud. You set your goal and rocked in in such a short time…this must be the place you were supposed to end up! I wish you could have attended Roni Loren’s workshops at DFWcon. I know you’d have loved them. I think she’s teaching at RWA National this year too. 🙂
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My dear friend Jillian Dodd (http://jilliandodd.wordpress.com/) is having a $2.99 sale on her book That Boy, which normally sells for $9.99. Get it while you can.
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I’m SO glad you and Fabio mentioned Jililan! I was totally going to, but had a momentary lapse of memory. Thanks for getting the word out that Jillian’s book is on special today!
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Bought it!
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I’ll never forget the first time my talented friend, Patty Blount, read a rough draft of her novel SEND to our writing group. I knew it would get published! I predicted it would sell like hotcakes among teens, and I plan to be proven correct. 🙂 Here’s a teaser… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asIMu-WkfEQ You can pre-order the book too via Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Send-Patty-Blount/dp/1402273371
I’m anxoius to read the final version and see which ending she decided to go with. Whatever she chose, I know it’ll be a fast-paced, provocative read.
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to share Jenny. Wonderful idea!
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Oops…the lack of punctuation can certainly change the meaning of a sentence. I meant to write, “Thanks for giving us the opportunity to share, Jenny.” The way I wrote it gives your post title a whole other meaning. Sorry about that. 😮
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I’m going to listen to that YouTube tomorrow when I’m not so tired (you know from all that Jenny-sharing that’s been going on…it’s hard work being a “Blog Ho” *if you know what I mean*). LOL…
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Oh, what a cool idea! Okay, top of head pimping first:
Catherine Howard, with her blog, Catherine, Caffeinated, on publishing. She has just down a whole month on self-publishing and there is a lot of good stuff there. Also right now she has a freee offer for a few days!
http://catherineryanhoward.com/2012/06/01/a-new-and-for-now-free-book-by-me/
And for the promo, if I may, can I suggest my blog, Wine, Women and Wordplay? It’s here:
I do writing posts on Mondays (just finished three weeks on show, don’t tell), Favourite things on Fridays (another series there recently, on what makes a man sexy), a grab-bag of goodies, including recipes, on Wednesdays and people I admire on Sundays. I hope there’s something there to like. All visitors very welcome!
Thanks so much for the opportunity, Jenny. I love what you do here and your attitude to life and helping people. I suspect I may pinch this idea in turn… 😉
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Imelda, I totally dig Catherine Ryan Howard – I’m delighted you brought this to my attention (I downloaded it). I totally need to know about these things. This also gives me a link to come explore your blog. Can’t wait!
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I’m with you Imelda on Catherine. I’ve been following her blog for a year now and bought her book “Self-Printed” which has been invaluable. Go Catherine! She’s a Rockin’ Irish woman.
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p.s. I’m leaving “Pimp and Promote” up through Saturday so y’all can keep the cool links and news coming. Plus, it lets everyone in our family (yes, all three of us have the cooties now) get well!
Thanks for stopping in to More Cowbell!
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Good luck with the cooties, Jenny! (As an Aussie, I’m not completely sure what cooties are and I’m kind of afraid to ask, but here’s to getting rid of them!)
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Fabulous Jenny – your “Pimp and Promote” posts turn into the best lovefests ever! Every single one of these links is SO worthwhile checking out and supporting. All the WANA connections are amazing and the support the sistas & bros show each other makes me feel just a touch verklempt *sniffle*. Thanks for all you do to bring everyone together in your very own special way. Enjoy the weekend and kick those cooties in their keisters!
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Thanks for extending your Pimp and Promote, Jenny. Hope you’re feeling better today.
I want to pimp my good friend, Shannon Esposito, and her Pet Psychic cozy mystery series. Book 1, Karma’s A Bitch, has had a big jump in sales the last couple months, and well-deserved. It’s a fun read: good story line, good character development, a touch of romance and a dog. What more could you ask for? You can find a link to purchase it on http://www.misteriopress.com
And I’m going to indulge in shameless self-promotion and mention that I have a book launch coming up on June 11, for Book 3 in my own mystery series, Famly Fallacies, A Kate Huntington Mystery. It also has a romance in it that gets pretty hot as things progress, so it falls into the Romanc/Suspense genre as well. You can find my books through misterio press or at kassandralamb.wordpress.com
Thanks again, Jenny, for letting me P & P… Oops, that didn’t come out quite like I meant it. lol
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I’d like to pimp an indie writer I’ve been following on twitter. I’m reading her book now and I’ve been blown away by her creativity and imagination. Her name is Kathleen Cross, her blog is http://www.kathleencross.com, her twitter handle is http://www.twitter.com/@novelistkc and the name of her brilliant book is “Skin Deep” check her out, she’s special.
I’d like to promote my upcoming Sci-Fi novel “The Morningstar Project: Jenna’s Journey” which will be out later this summer (August 2012).
“The Morningstar Project: Jenna’s Journey” is the story of Jenna Sanders, a young woman who works for a secret unit of the CIA and has the ability to time travel. In the midst of her travels she faces betrayal & her own self doubt and fears. It’s a science fiction, time travel, action adventure novel for the YA audience.
I’ve recently put up a fan site at Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TheMorningstarProjectJennasJourney and would love it if you all could stop by and LIKE the page.
Thanks!
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