IWSG, Romance, and Hope

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!  

October's Question: What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre?

My favourite genre for both writing and reading is romance, specifically romantic suspense on the lighter side of the genre.

I love this genre because it's all about hope.

• Hope that you can become a better person
• Hope that you can find someone to spend your life with
• Hope that you can solve the problem
• Hope that you can make the world a better place
• Hope that good will always win
• Hope that hard work pays off
• Hope that love makes everything better
• Hope that happy endings can be real

Of course, Hope isn't specific to romance.

I also read a lot of Mystery, Fantasy, & SciFi where Hope is often a major theme - at least in the books I love!

How about you? Do you like books that have Hope as a central theme? What's the central theme of the genre you like best?

Built Of Strength

Built Of Strength is out today!!!

This is the 2nd book in the Small Town Heroes series. The books are standalones, but there are a few spoilers in this book if you haven't read Built Of Secrets yet.

I love this setting -  an old fishing lodge and sawmill surrounding Midnight Lake in the middle of Vermont. The nearby town of Phail (there's a story behind the ridiculous name!) is fun and like Bloo Moose, they don't take themselves too seriously. What they do take seriously is helping each other out, especially when times are tough.

Aisling and Graham are the stars of Built Of Strength. They're good people who've been through some tough times. They're both consumed by their work and don't believe they have the time - or the heart - for love. They're in for a few surprises!

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When life was tearing them down, they shared a scorching—and anonymous—one-night stand. 

Five years later, they come face to blushing face at Midnight Lake. Aisling has committed to renovating the old lodge for her friend. Graham is part-owner of a security business operating out of the same property. And they both want to claim the shop space. Let the awkwardness commence. But the mutual attraction? Still scorching hot. 

When Aisling is attacked, Graham realizes he wants more than one night. Now, he has to make sure she not only survives, but that she feels the same.

Grab your copy today!

Built Of Secrets

Release Day!

Built Of Secrets is the first book in my new Small Town Heroes series. I'm so excited about this series.

She’s got a secret… 

Okay, she’s got several… 

But only one could get her killed. 

Humiliated after being duped by her ex, Tansy chooses flight over fight. An inherited fishing lodge she can pull off the grid while working on her tech is the perfect hideout. Burned-out FBI agent, Sam is worried about his best friend’s little sister. After a devastating case, he heads to Vermont to check on her. And if he happens to get her to fall in love with him? Even better. When the ex refuses to stay in the past, Sam knows he’ll do anything to keep her safe. Will it be enough?

Early readers are enjoying the book - I hope you will too!

Loved it. It was great from start to finish. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait for the next one!!!! ~ gcgirl7

This is the first book in this series, and I cannot wait to read more from it and this author. ~ Niki T

The author has given us a heart pounding story that pulls us into the lives of Tansy and Sam and does not let go. ~ CJ

I loved them as a couple and was so happy that they found each other. I also enjoyed the strong family and friendship bonds and it was a delight meeting this tight knit group ~ Floral J

Build of Secrets is the first book in a new series, and was a fast moving romantic suspense. I could not put it down, Jemi Fraser can suck you in with her writing. ~ JOLeary

Grab your copy today!

IWSG & Lines in the Sand

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!  

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October 6 question - In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?

Interesting question.

My hard lines in the sand don't involve sex or language. You'll find both in my novels. I write heart-warming romantic suspense with good people who earn happy endings. Some cursing and a steamy scene or two included. Those are normal parts of everyday life for many people.

My hard lines in the sand are around other issues:

• kids will not be harmed
• diversity will be celebrated in all its beauty
• anyone who is racist will be a villain
• science will be believed
• Good will always triumph over Evil
• people will learn to accept and love themselves
• love will be caring and kind and generous
• people will overcome tragic backgrounds
• created families will have your back
• love will always find a way

How about you? Any hard lines for you as a reader or writer?

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I recently took this pic of the first 9 books in the Bloo Moose series. It gives me a thrill to see them like this. A dream I'm not sure I ever truly believed would become a reality. Thanks to everyone who's supporting me along this joyous journey! It's not a journey I could have ever travelled alone!

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My friend Lynda Young has a cover reveal today!!

Cling to God: 365-Day Devotional

Link for ebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HBMG3L8

Take advantage of the pre-order and pick up your ebook for only $2.99 The price will go up after launch.

Or, if you’d like to join my review team, I’ll send you a free copy. Just leave your email in the comments.

Blurb:
365 days of inspiration and Bible wisdom to lighten your heart.

365 devotions to bring you peace in uncertain times.

365 ways to Cling to God.

This special book is a year-long journey with inspirational messages and uplifting scripture. It includes short Bible-based teachings that will encourage and refresh. It is faith-building and thought-provoking with reassuring reminders of God’s love. 

A great companion for individual worship or for group Bible study.

The perfect gift book or personal keepsake that will be cherished for years to come.

Start each morning with Cling to God to brighten your day and draw closer to God.

Author Bio:

Lynda R. Young accepted Jesus into her life in her early teens and has been active in her faith ever since. She has written multiple Christian articles and other inspirational non-fiction, given Bible-based talks, and is always looking for other ways to encourage and uplift. She is also an author of fantasy novels, an editor, game developer, artist, and dabbles in photography and all things creative. She lives in Australia with her sweetheart of a husband. You can find her here: Blog, Twitter, Goodreads

http://lyndaryoung.blogspot.com.au
https://twitter.com/LyndaRYoung
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5832201.Lynda_R_Young

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Beautiful cover, Lynda!!! Many congratulations!

IWSG & Risk Taking

 The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!  

April 7 question - Are you a risk-taker when writing? Do you try something radically different in style/POV/etc. or add controversial topics to your work?

Short Answer: Nope!

Slightly Longer Answer:

My memoir, Dancing With Dementia, is a bit of a mixed genre. Most of the book is written in short snippets about our experiences with dementia. These sections are organized by themes. They read as short stories (although they are 100% factual). The back of the book includes lists relevant to families experiencing the early stages of dementia (early warning signs, communication tips, self-care tips etc.). While this isn't exactly controversial, it does combine a couple of styles/genres in one book.

My Bloo Moose romances follow the most important romance rule - there is always a happy ending! My characters don't always follow stereotypical gender role jobs. I blend a lot more humour into my romantic suspense than is typical. But, no, nothing too controversial.

That pretty much matches my personality.

How about you? Anyone going boldly where no one has gone before? Anyone bending gender stereotypes? Anyone writing in second person? Anyone thrive on controversy?

Reaching For Roots

 Reaching For Roots (Bloo Moose #7) is out today!!

Cartoonist Emmy Rivera loves everything about the quirky town of Bloo Moose, but that doesn’t mean she’s ready to put down roots. That’s never worked out for her in the past.

 

Undercover agent Ryan Ward is always on the move, taking down criminal masterminds like the one who caused his dad’s death.

 

Ryan doesn’t expect the only connection to his latest target to be a sweet and sexy cartoonist who makes him want to rethink everything.

 

Putting down roots might not be so bad. If the lies don’t destroy them first.

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Emmy and Ryan's story has been running around in my head for a long time. I wasn't sure how they were going to fix all of the troubles they faced, but, they figured it out for me - with a little help from Ryan's mom and some friends with an interesting competition.

If you're looking for a fun read with a secret identity, silly moose puns, and a dose of suspense mixed in, I think you'll enjoy Reaching For Roots!

Amazon

Apple

Barnes & Noble

Eden Books

Google Play

Kobo

BookBub

Goodreads

How about you? Are you a fun of silly puns? Do you like stories with an undercover agent involved? Anyone else have stories running around in their head for a long time?

IWSG & Favourite Genres

 The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!  

March 3 question - Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?

Great question!

I'm a romantic suspense author and I read a lot of romantic suspense. But I've always been a wide reader and still am. My current favourite genres are:

• romantic suspense (Chrys Fey, Yolanda Renee, Carol Kilgore, Kait Nolan, Diane Burton...)
• contemporary romance (Jean Oram, MJ Fifield, Heather M. Gardner, Deniz Bevan...)
• fantasy (Elle Cardy, Patricia Josephine, Tara Tyler, Shannon Lawrence,...)
• sci-fi & other spec fiction (Alex J Cavanaugh, Tyrean Martinson, Susan Kelley, ...)
• cozy mystery (Elizabeth Spann Craig, Ellen Jacobnson, Victoria Gilbert,...)
• rom coms ( Ellen Jacobson, Jackie Lau, Kelly Siskind,...)
• mystery/crime (Tick Tock anthology, Damyanti Biswas,...) 
• YA & MG (C Lee McKenzie, Sherry Ellis, Cathrina Constantine, SA Larsen...)
• and so many more!!

My reading choices are driven by a few things, mostly interest. But friendship is also important to me. Including the authors above, I've read books from over 100 authors I've met online - books I would never have known about or read if I hadn't become friends with the author or met them somehow online.

I love an entertaining story with intriguing characters and I want a happy ending - or at least one that isn't going to rip my heart to shreds. 

So, if the book fits within that rather loose definition, I'm probably in!

How about you? Are you a wide reader?

Apologies if I missed you on the list but my hands/brain got tired!

If you're looking to try romantic suspense, the first Bloo Moose romance (Reaching For Normal) is free!

IWSG & 2021 & Getting Tossed

Happy New Year everyone!

Wishing you a year filled with love, joy, success, and happy surprises!

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 The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

January 6 question - Being a writer, when you're reading someone else's work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people's books?

Interesting question!!

I've always found it easy to immerse myself in stories. I can pretty easily take that leap of faith and suspend my disbelief, but when something tosses me out of the world, I have a really tough time finding my way back in.

Some things drive me a little nuts but if the story is intriguing I can put up with a bit (inconsistent world-building, backstory info dumps, stilted dialogue, too many errors). Too much of any of that will have me giving up, though.

Subject matter is probably the main reason I stop reading a book. If there is anything that crosses a line for me, I stop (anything inappropriate with kids, torture,...). If the blurb hasn't let me know that the tone of the book is that dark, I'm not going to be a happy reader.

How about you? What tosses you out of a story?

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The 6th Bloo Moose Romance will be out and about in the world in a couple of weeks!

Reaching For Trust releases January 19.

Thanks to her outrageous onstage costumes, pop star Trina can conceal her identity while working in Bloo Moose and writing her next album, all while avoiding a stalker.

 

Running a Sugar Shack should be easy for a burned-out lawyer, but Jack is soon in over his head. His sweet and sexy new office manager isn’t helping with his focus.

 

Unaware that his last case has ongoing repercussions, Jack attributes the problems at the shack to Trina’s errors and his inexperience.

 

When evidence points to false conclusions, they’ll both have to learn how to trust if they want a future together.

Amazon smart link

Other retailers

Chrys Fey and Frozen Crimes

 Please welcome Chrys Fey back to the blog today!!

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Frozen Crimes
Chrys Fey
(Disaster Crimes, #5)
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Publication date: September 30th 2020
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Beth and Donovan are expecting their first child. Life couldn’t get any better…until a stalker makes his presence known. This person sends disturbing messages and unsettling items, but it isn’t long before his menacing goes too far.

Hoping for a peaceful Christmas, Donovan takes Beth to Michigan. Days into their trip, a winter storm named Nemesis moves in with the goal of burying the state. Snowdrifts surround their house, and the temperature drops below freezing.

Except, the storm isn’t the only nemesis they must face. Everyone’s lives are at stake—especially that of their unborn child. Will they survive, or will they become a frozen crime?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

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EXCERPT:

The crunch of the shovel pounding into the snow and ice filled his ears. It was all he could hear. The rest of the street was silent beneath its wintry blanket. Breathing was difficult with the icy air clogging his lungs. His nose burned. His throat was dry and on fire. But he ignored it, focusing on his task.

Crack, crack, crack.

He jabbed the shovel into a hunk of snow. On the third hit, it shattered into several pieces. He scooped them up and flung them to the side. He surveyed what remained. There was one big ball in the middle of the path that needed to be dealt with next. He moved over to it and struck it. That one impact had it severing in two. He was about to hit it again when something crashed into the back of his head.

Explosions of white light danced over his vision. Pain enveloped his skull. The shovel slipped from his fingers. Blackness cloaked his mind, coaxing him into its depths.

Beth. Her name was a whisper in his head as if his thoughts were being sucked into a wormhole.

His legs collapsed under his weight.

Cold. It seeped into him, consuming him. And then his consciousness fled down that same void that ate his thoughts.

Author Bio:

Chrys Fey is author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept that blends disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and edits for Dancing Lemur Press. https://www.chrysfey.com

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Congrats to Chrys on her latest release! I like the rapport between Beth and Donovan throughout the series and I'm looking forward to this one too!

Bloo Moose On The Road with Mason Canyon Part 2!

Mason Canyon over at Thoughts in Progress is reviewing the Bloo Moose romances today! Hope you can pop over and see what she has to say!

Reaching For Normal

She’s no damsel in distress. 

He’s no Prince Charming.  

But if they don’t team up it won’t 

be only wolves that’ll be dying.

Amazon.com.    Amazon.ca.    

Apple.     Kobo.    Google Play.

Barnes and Noble.    Goodreads.    

Bookbub

 Reaching For Risks

One Reno List for the B&B. 

One Risk List for herself. 

One sexy retailer who should be 

the last one she wants.

Amazon.com.    Amazon.ca.   

Apple.    Kobo.     Google Play

Barnes and Noble.     Goodreads.    

Bookbub

 Reaching For Everything

Love means nothing in tennis.

Can he prove to her that 

love means everything in life?

Amazon.com.    Amazon.ca.   

  Apple.     Kobo.     Google Play

Barnes and Noble.    Goodreads.    

Bookbub