Waiting For Fall & This Week's Releases...

Happy Monday All,

It's back-to-school for a lot of people (including my offspring) and I'm looking toward Fall. I love Fall and Winter (just not snow and ice) and fortunately I live in a place that can get cold but generally doesn't snow and hardly ever has ice. Warm sweaters, long pants, cozy blankets. Sign me up!

I'm also looking toward the first weekend in October. Why? It's the Northwest Houston RWA's annual Lone Star Conference and it's my 5th year going! Contrary to previous years that I've gone, it's going to be the FIRST weekend in October, rather than the 2nd. Saturday, October 5, 2013 all day long. If you haven't signed up, go check it out and see if there's still room! You do NOT want to miss this opportunity. This year Donald Maass is our keynote speaker.

There are so many great books coming out this week, I just know I'm going to miss one (or more) but I'll do my best...

Elvis Is A Keeper by Shauna Allen (book 3 in The Cupid Chronicles)

The Witch On Twisted Oak by Susan C. Muller (author of The Secrets On Forest Bend)

The 25th Hour by Jaye Garland (debut Romance Time-Travel novel)

The Vampire With The Dragon Tattoo by Kerrelyn Sparks (part of the Love At Stake series)

Descendant by Lesley Livingston (book 2 in the Starling series)

Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout (part of the Lux series)

I'm sure there's many others coming out, but this was off the top of my head.  What ones are coming out this week that you're looking forward to?

Have A Marvelous Monday!

Weekend, Fun Books, New Releases, & Such...

Happy Tuesday All,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend, and

found something fun to do. My husband, parents, and I went to an Italian restaurant to hear author, Raymond Benson, play the piano. Not only is the man a multi-published author, but he's a very accomplished pianist. We had a great time hearing him play, and I got to visit with him, his wife, and a few of my chapter mates afterwards. My family and I also had a nice dinner at the restaurant. I got to introduce my chapter mates to my family, which was fun, too.

Next week is super-duper busy for me, so I'll probably won't be posting any blog posts. I'm working on revisions for my YA novel, and working on the companion/sequel for All's Fair In Love & Lion, on top of everything else going on. I expect the 2nd round of edits for AFIL&L soon, too. (After all, July 10th is getting closer!)

While I'm busy with all these many things, here's some books to keep you happily occupied:

Recently I discovered author Lisa Scott. I've been reading her contemporary short story romances. They're cute and a lot of fun. She has several available on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook. I've read a compilation set, as well as My Fake Fiance, and Second Chance. They're fun, quick reads.

Today also marks the release of Katie McGarry's newest full-length contemporary YA, Dare You To. I've read her other full-length YA, Pushing The Limits, and her novella, Crossing The Line. I think she's a very talented author. It's available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Also available is Josephine Angelini's 3rd Starcrossed novel, Goddess. I've really enjoyed how she's used the Helen of Troy story and made it her own. You can find Goddess at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Shauna Allen's next book, The Halo Effect will be out very soon!

For a list of upcoming novels, check out this post.

I'll try to have more blog posts this week, but I do have several things going on, so please be patient.

What novels are you looking forward to being released?

Have A Tremendously Terrific Tuesday!

A Tattoo Across The Heart...

Happy Monday Everybody,

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I had a pretty good one. Offspring had a game and that went well. Friday night I went out with some of my gal pals, and that was fun.

Recently, a fellow author and chapter mate of mine, Shauna Allen, had her first novel released, a contemporary romance, and you're in luck, readers, because today I'm doing my official blog review of her novel, Inked By An Angel!

Kyle is determined to make it on her own. No more being daddy's little princess. She's going to carve out her own place in the world of numbers--also known as accounting--and find her place in the world. The only problem is, without clients, how is she supposed to pay her bills? She can't bear to crawl back to her dad's plush firm where she's basically invisible. She has to make it work.

So, while her first inclination is to run as fast as her fashionable heels will take her, she holds her head high while she waits for her meeting with Michael, at his place of business...a tattoo parlor.

Jed can't believe it when Kyle walks into his tattoo parlor. What is someone like her doing in his domain? She doesn't fit in...at all. With her hair tightly pulled back, and her pearls, and suits, there's no reason for her to be there.

Nothing can be more frustrating than getting these two opposites together. But Michael, an angel on matchmaking duty, is determined to do his best. He can't fail Father again. He has to get Kyle and Jed together.

But will Michael be able to accomplish the goal in spite of Kyle's engagement, Jed's vindictive ex, and a whole lot of wrenches thrown in for good measure? You'll just have to read it for yourself and find out.

As for my personal opinion? Well, all I'm going to say is that I couldn't put it down!

You can have your chance to enjoy Inked By An Angel, which is now available in e-book form from Soul Mate Publishing, Amazon Kindle, and Barnes & Noble Nook.

Have A Mystical Monday!

Step Into My Tattoo Parlor...

Happy Wednesday Everyone,

Wow, what it is about Wednesday that the last post and this one are both on a Wednesday? I promise, I didn't plan it that way.

Today is an incredible day. Not only did a cold front finally deign to pass through the area, thus making it more January weather, rather than say...APRIL weather around here (YAY) it's also the release of my chapter mate and friend's contemporary Romance novel, Inked By An Angel.

Currently I've only found it available through Soul Mate Publishing's website, but I'm sure Amazon and Barnes & Noble will have it up eventually. It's in e-book form. The good news is, if you don't have an e-reader there's apps available for computer and phones both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble for your reading pleasure.

***UPDATE 1/30/2013 12:03 p.m. CENTRAL TIME****:  It's gone "live" on Amazon Kindle I'm keeping an eye on Barnes & Noble. It's currently not available through B&N, yet. 

***UPDATE 1/30/2013 4:29 p.m. CENTRAL time*** It's now gone "live" on Barnes & Noble Nook. ***

I've read maybe the first 5 pages of Inked By An Angel quite awhile ago. Shauna and I were in the same critique group and she had the pages with her. I was intrigued when I read it, but never had the opportunity to read more. I'm delighted she's got it out, and I look forward to reading the whole thing!

If you get a chance, please drop a line to Shauna to congratulate her on her release. You can find her on Twitter @ShaunaAllen101 and on Facebook. You can also find her on her website where she also has a blog. And yes, go pick up your copy of Inked By An Angel!

Have A Whimsical Wednesday!

Christmas Gets Extended & Boxes Of Awesomeness

Happy Monday/Tuesday All,

Given that I'm writing this after 8pm on Monday night, I figure this post will serve as Monday & Tuesday's posts.

I have received a Box Of Awesomeness. Actually 2. The first one is in the form of my younger brother's Christmas present to me, that somehow got detained on its travels from its starting location to my parents' house. You see, originally brother was going to be at parents' house to receive said package. However, given it was detained, he was back at his house (many miles away from parents' location) when it arrived. So my parents, being the Box Of Awesomeness they are, kept it for me. I was able to pick it up on Sunday.

My younger brother hit it out of the park in his selection of Christmas present!

I received the following THREE books:

Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout (book 4 in the Lux series--really good series)

Much Ado About Magic by Shanna Swendson (book 5 in the Enchanted Inc. series--fantastic series!)

Starling by Lesley Livingston (Book 1 in the Starling series, featuring Fennrys Wolf, a character from her Wondrous Strange trilogy, a series I absolutely loved).

The other Box Of Awesomeness I received came today. It was my new business cards, which now include my Twitter name (@WriteByBethany). Yay! So I finally have those. :-)

Out of my Christmas presents (both from brother and a friend) I have finished 2 books and started another.

A friend of mine gave me The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado. It's a pretty good story. Fast read, with a nice message about believing in miracles. Ooops! In the original text of this post I got my authors mixed up! Mitch Albom wrote Tuesdays With Morrie. I'm very sorry about that. Thank you, Kathy, for reminding me. I should've remembered that. I'm so embarrassed.
However, one of the other things Max Lucado is known for (and I've double-checked this on his website so I wouldn't be getting mixed up again) are the Hermie stories (popular Inspirational fiction for Children). 

The other one I finished was Much Ado About Magic by Shanna Swendson. It was glorious to finally find out about Owen and now I'm very excited about book 6, No Quest For The Wicked, which is already out. Folks, if haven't read this series, you're missing out. Great fantasy fun, with a contemporary feel. There's suspense, action, dragons, magic, romance, New York, it's got all kinds of fun (kissing frogs to find a "prince") I absolutely love this series.

I started Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I haven't gotten real far, but that will change quickly. I've been very much looking forward to reading this book, so I'm glad it's finally here!

There's a lot of excitement in the air over upcoming books (particularly on Twitter). I'm pleased to be able to share some of this with you:  I found out that Shauna Allen has a release date for her Inked By An Angel, (Ooo! So excited about this book) which is January 30, 2013! Two other books in this series are under contract, and I believe the next one comes out later this year. This is a contemporary Romance. I've read about the first 5 pages awhile back and I can't wait to read the rest. Her cover art is awesome, too.

Anyway, what have you been reading lately?

Have A Marvelous Monday Evening and a Totally Terrific Tuesday!