WHEW!  The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity! 

 Between final exams, Christmas (our holiday of choice), completing final edits on book 2, and prepping for spring classes, the end of the year passed more quickly than I anticipated.   But now that we are rolling into the new year, I have a bit of breathing room. 

The first vacation task I took on was to read the book I received for Christmas: Elevation by Stephen King.  Usually I am not the largest fan of shorter literature, but as is often the case with King, his shorter works are more than worth it.  And as a runner, I especially enjoyed the running aspect of the story.   The read was also good in that it reflected on some social issues of the day, another win for me as a King fan.

The remainder of my vacation free time will be occupied by indie reading.  As a newer indie author, I am trying (more than I had in the past) to read, respond to, review, and advocate for the indie writing community.  I have some reads and reviews on deck for the next week, and I am SO excited about that reading. I was never a "mainstream" person, to say the least; why should me reading be that way?  

While this will not become a "review" blog -- I am not a reviewer in the strongest sense of the word -- I will be posting about what I am reading in general and what I like (or don't) about it, and hopefully more regularly than I have been posting.  

The last part of my vacation will involve editing and the release of The Lady of the Glen. Thus far it has received such positive feedback, and I am excited about the upcoming release date of Jan 16. 

I hope that everyone has the most amazing end of the 2018 year. May 2019 be the year you want it to be. 

Book 3  -- The Exile of the Glen -- is blooming wonderfully! 

With the release of book 2 scheduled for January 16, book 3 is beginning strong!  Look for an excerpt of The Exile of the Glen in The Lady of the Glen.  This story picks up with a character from The Lady of the Glen and tells what happens as plans go awry! 

Sexy Jay by M.D. Dalrymple

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Once again, of course I'm going to review it - I wrote it! This is a fun read if you like contemporary romance short stories.



View all my reviews

Sexy Jay is Now Available

The second book in the Rebound Series is now available!  Get your free copy here: https://thirstyauthor.com/book.php?s=1&b=22840

"Time ceased to exist as we remained there, panting on the beleaguered bedding, the low light glistening off our sweat streaked bodies."

 Emma is working her way back into the dating scene since her divorce.  The bar scene in the modern age, though, is something altogether new.  With the help of some friends, she meets an exotic and intoxicating stranger. His magnetism pulls at Emma in a way she has not known in years.  Is this just another hook-up, or could this lead to something more?  

One Scandinavian tradition is to give the gift of books on Christmas Eve, and then spend the evening reading. That is what we are doing this year!  I am so excited at this prospect and of buying all five kids new books.  

#books make great #gifts! Do your #holiday shopping online! 

Only 12 days until #Christmas! To Dance in the Glen: https://buff.ly/2RQnlnz The Lady of the Glen (preorder): https://buff.ly/2Bc1vUn First Time Back - Rebound Series, free here: https://buff.ly/2Pl6sU7 #reading #romance #romancereaders #romancenovels #author #romanceauthor #romancebooks #love #lovestory #historicalromance #Christmas2018

The Lady of the Glen -- Book 2 in the Glen Highland Romance Sneak Peek! 

    “I received a letter,” he told Torin. “It probably won’t amount to anything, but I have heard the woman is a force to be reckoned with, and I think, I know, that is what we need.”
       “But,” Torin hesitated, “ye do not even know the lass. Don’t ye want to find a woman ye love? What if ye aren’t even attracted to her? What if —” he paused a moment, choosing his words wisely. “What if she leaves like your own mam did? Are ye nay concerned with history?” 
       Declan reclined on a cot near the hearth. The fire and daybreak chased away the morning chill, and Declan used the moment to collect his thoughts, scratching absently at his golden beard. Questioning Declan’s choice, his oldest friend might understand his motives but still vehemently disagreed with the idea.  Declan knew without a doubt that the rest of the clan likewise would not be convinced. Declan turned his pale hazel eyes to Torin’s dark ones, trying to explain his motives.
     “I ken that women are often used as pawns in power struggles between clans, and men of power usually have the upper hand when it comes to a choice of brides. It should be that way for me, but when I see my clan in such condition, I know I must choose a wife who can help me get my life, my home, my clan in order. If she can do that, then I will love her no matter her reputation, or her appearance.”

Today it’s me! I am the featured author in the #giveaway Romance for the Holidays!⠀
Looking for a little romance this holiday season? The Romance for the Holidays Giveaway⠀
includes 20 signed paperback romance novels from 17 authors, PLUS gifts from each author!⠀
Each day we will feature an author and the book(s) and swag they’ll be including. ONE lucky⠀
winner will receive ALL of the books and swag to keep for themselves or give as gifts to others⠀
this holiday season!⠀
.⠀
To ENTER:⠀
❄️ Direct Message @melanieasmithauthor with “I want to enter the Romance for the Holidays⠀
giveaway!”⠀
❄️ Follow ALL the authors associated with this giveaway:⠀
@melanieasmithauthor⠀
@mstorialvarez⠀
@lindseypowellperfect⠀
@elliemalouff⠀
@pekavanaghauthor⠀
@nicolehighlandwrites⠀
@louisedawnauthor⠀
@jacquelinesimongunn⠀
@michelledalrympleauthor⠀
@melgberg⠀
@tlc_writer⠀
@christi_whitson⠀
@dani_pasquini_books⠀
@indieauthorandreahopkins⠀
@authorsjsylvis⠀
@kristen_granata⠀
@marlaholtauthor⠀
❄️ One additional entry each day for sharing that day's giveaway post to your feed (include the⠀
hashtag #rfth2018)⠀
❄️ One additional entry each day for sharing that day's giveaway post to your stories (tag⠀
@melanieasmithauthor )⠀
.⠀
The fine print:⠀
����US only⠀
����Must be age 18+⠀
����Must be willing to share your US mailing address with the host⠀
����The winner will be selected by random choice on December 12th after 12 PM (Pacific) and⠀
announced in a post on @melanieasmithauthor ‘s feed and stories.⠀
.⠀
⚠️ This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or any of the other brands included and is⠀
solely being offered by the authors involved. #giveaways #paperback #romancefortheholidays #romancereads #romancereaders⠀
#romancenovel #romancenovels #steamyreads #sexyreads #hotandsteamy #book #books⠀
#bookish #bookstagram #bookstagramcommunity #booknerd #ilovebooks #read #reader⠀
#readers #amreading #amreadingromance #readersofinstagram #indieauthors⠀
#supportindieauthors #indiebooksbeseen #indieauthorsunited

Cover Reveal and Pre-Order! 

 

🎄Romance for the Holidays Giveaway -- 

Each day features a different author!🎄

Today’s Romance for the Holidays giveaway featured author is Lindsey Powell, who is giving a
signed copy of her book Perfect Stranger along with some of her favorite sweet treats straight
from the UK! Swipe left for more information about the book and author!
.
Looking for a little romance this holiday season? The Romance for the Holidays Giveaway
includes 20 signed paperback romance novels from 17 authors, PLUS gifts from each author!
Each day we will feature an author and the book(s) and swag they’ll be including. ONE lucky
winner will receive ALL of the books and swag to keep for themselves or give as gifts to others
this holiday season!
.
To ENTER:
❄️ Direct Message @melanieasmithauthor with “I want to enter the Romance for the Holidays
giveaway!”
❄️ Follow ALL the authors associated with this giveaway:
@melanieasmithauthor
@mstorialvarez
@lindseypowellperfect
@elliemalouff
@pekavanaghauthor
@nicolehighlandwrites
@louisedawnauthor
@jacquelinesimongunn
@michelledalrympleauthor
@melgberg
@tlc_writer
@christi_whitson
@dani_pasquini_books
@indieauthorandreahopkins
@authorsjsylvis
@kristen_granata
@marlaholtauthor
❄️ One additional entry each day for sharing that day's giveaway post to your feed (include the
hashtag #rfth2018)
❄️ One additional entry each day for sharing that day's giveaway post to your stories (tag
@melanieasmithauthor )
.
The fine print:
����US only
����Must be age 18+
����Must be willing to share your US mailing address with the host
����The winner will be selected by random choice on December 12th after 12 PM (Pacific) and
announced in a post on @melanieasmithauthor ‘s feed and stories.
.
⚠️ This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or any of the other brands included and is
solely being offered by the authors involved.
.

#giveaway #giveaways #paperback #romancefortheholidays #romancereads #romancereaders
#romancenovel #romancenovels #steamyreads #sexyreads #hotandsteamy #book #books
#bookish #bookstagram #bookstagramcommunity #booknerd #ilovebooks #read #reader
#readers #amreading #amreadingromance #readersofinstagram #indieauthors
#supportindieauthors #indiebooksbeseen #indieauthorsunited

The lovely Nicole Highland put her review of "First Time Back" on her review list.  Thank you for the shout out!  💓

https://alltheloveythings.tumblr.com/?fbclid=IwAR10tgORSy5UaxOJgVTKexKw2eS6drCgyx4dcmbkrr-uGdma4eyfscATJd4

Join my newsletter and get a free short romantic story!

This story is available only through my newsletter!   Join today to get the free short romance in my Rebound series in your email tomorrow! 

 

Book 2 The Lady of the Glen Partial Cover Reveal

Look for her in January, 2019! 

 

Free Books Giveaway!

ProlificWorks is having some wonderful free giveaways of all sorts of romantic and erotic books and short stories!   Here are two that you can check out -- download as many as you want (or can!) read! 

Choose from over 140 books:  Cold November - Hot Books Freebies: 
https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/FOhIKqp2FbjXBoiC2bDo 

Or choose from over 250 great stories and books: Warmth of a Hot Book: Sizzling Winter Giveaway:
https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/IwZh1SMGcxacni7VpYsW

Of course, my erotic short is a freebie option - take advantage of these great books while you can! 

Almost there: 

 

 So this just happened — I am the featured author for Lynne Robitaillle’s site!  Thank you strenthinaheartbeat.com! 

Free Books! 
Who doesn't love free books?  This month there are two great giveaways from Prolific books, and guess who is in each one?  Yours truly, of course!  

These giveaways are a great way to read some free short books, and some longer novels,  to find your next great series -- or preview a novel to see if you want to read more! Plus, free books! 

If you have a computer, phone, or tablet, you have access to all of these great reads:

https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/IwZh1SMGcxacni7VpYsW
 AND
https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/FOhIKqp2FbjXBoiC2bDo

 

My most recent verified Amazon review.  I love my readers! 

 

A sneak at book 2: The Lady of the Glen! 

Scheduled release Jan 2018

Book Signing was AMAZING! 
I got to meet some great people, form a wonderful working relationship with Bargain Book World of Lake Elsinore, and sell a few books.  

Readers -- you are the best. 

*❤️☆❥ First Time Back •*¨❤️☆❥.•*
❥☆❤️Rebound Series Book One (.•´ ❥❤️
•*❤️☆❥•M.D. Dalrymple*❤️☆❥
SHORT STORY
**❤️FREE at the ProlificWorks link below or on KU! ❤️**

Can she open herself to a new man? Can she have a second chance at love?

Emma, reeling from a recent divorce, trying to find herself after years of identifying as "mom" or "wife," decides to take action. She signs up for a dating site and tells her friends she is on the prowl. One friend has an option for her -- a date with a sexy, dark-haired model. A night in paradise on Earth.

The problem? This is her first time back after nearly twenty years of marriage to one man. Can she bring herself to be intimate with a new man -- can she get "over the hump"?

As she drives to the hotel to meet this stranger, doubts about who she is, how she looks, and if she can be with another man, plague her.

Can she let go and succumb to the wiles of this hot date?

#writer #writing #rain #author #writerslife #Authors #ReadABookDay #book #books #BookBoost #bookstagram #novel #read #reading #bookish #novels #Romance #RomanceBooks #RomanceReaders #romancenovels #erotic  #Kindle #kindlebooks

Get your free copy here:  https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/5mtTq0Ee

Book Recommendation! 

 

Memoirs of a Play-White is a vivid and detailed story focusing on one young woman’s life during the time of Apartheid in South Africa.  The memoir opens with a descriptive narrative of the setting at that time, dilapidated housing, low employment, and the issues of social norms for those who fall in between the status quo of White and Black.  The main character of Louiesa is an innocent, likable girl trying to find her place in this strange world. Over the course of her life, she learns that skin color plays an active role in her life with regards to where she can live and work.  

The story opens with her mother who gave birth to her first child at age 13. Louiesa was born later in her mother’s life, her father unknown. As the daughter of a now-alcoholic Louiesa herself is a smart child, eager to learn and go to school.  She proves to be an industrious girl, who, along with her mother, finds housing with indoor plumbing, clothes for school, and opportunities such as a helicopter ride and a good job at a bank.  However, she also learns that she got the job because of her lighter skin color, highlighting the issues of race and color at the center of Apartheid issues of South Africa

I particularly liked the detail about the history of that time.  As an American reader, I am not deeply familiar with life under Apartheid, and this story is a window into a completely different world. Especially interesting to me was how limited they were with regards to technology we in the Western world take for granted, like access to a TV or radio in the 1970s.  

Overall, Mynhardt’s memoir engages readers, taking them on an emotional, harrowing journey as they read. I look forward to reading the second in the series. 

A full review and detail about Helene can be found here: https://www.stefanvucak.com/review-of-memoirs-of-a-play-white-by-helene-louiesa-mynhardt/

And the book can be purchased on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Memoirs-Play-White-Autobiography-Other-Writings-ebook/dp/B07DC8B494/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539557810&sr=8-1&keywords=memoirs+of+a+play-white

Join us on Saturday, October 20, from 1-3 pm for a book signing by Michelle at Bargain Book World in Lake Elsinore, CA! 

We will have a reading, a Q&A, some romantic/Scottish snacks, and the books will be on sale ($10 each, cash)!   Bring a friend! 

Writing begets writing -- the ideas flow, and one of these ideas involves a collection of second-chance, erotic romance short stories.  The first is on deck and should be published soon!  It will be available for free in several retail areas.  A second "members only story" will come out later this month - if you want that short story as well, please click the "join my newsletter" to the right to have access to the second story as soon as it comes out!  

 

Day Two of Writer's October:  Books and Flowers! 
Here is something I put together - I love combining floral backgrounds with text from my novels. The image adds to the setting of the book, I think! 

 

Bookmarks are in!  I am all ready for giveaways and booksignings! 

October, here I come!

My first national promo!  Holy Cow! 

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/39195088/fran-briggs-releases-the-best-of-autumn-reading-2018-volume-i