I week ago I celebrated my one year anniversary as a published author. Wow. That’s about all I can say. So much has happened to me this past year. Over those twelve months, I’ve released six books, four of which I wrote and edited in 2014 alone. Sometimes it’s hard to believe I haven’t been writing for very long.
So what have I learned? Simply put…a lot, both on the writing side and the business end.
First, a good editor is a must for any author. My first editor, Elizabeth London, was a godsend. She patiently guided and encouraged me to improve both my technical skills and my storytelling abilities. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without her. J I know every future story I write will build on the foundation she helped me establish, and every subsequent editor will help me expand that knowledge base.
Secondly, writing is either a business or a hobby. For me, I’ve decided it’s a business, but not in the way you might think. Let me explain. Yes, I want my to sell my product, and I want to be a valuable contributor to my publisher’s offerings…. But, I write first and foremost because I have to write. I need to share my stories, not just write for fun. It’s become my obsession, and I want my readers to enjoy my creations. The only way to do that is to continue publishing.
Finally, I’ve discovered a wonderful group of people I never would’ve met if I hadn’t decided to become an author. From readers to bloggers and everyone in between, I’ve made some amazing friendships. For those people, I’m extremely grateful.
Do I know everything? Not by a long shot. But, I’ll continue to grow. That’s part of life. Living, learning, and moving forward.
To everyone who has been a part of this leg of my life…thank you.
I also wanted to mention that for the most part I write paranormal, but earlier this summer, the muse demanded a contemporary story. Love Repeated, my latest release, is the result. It kicks off a new series, Sanders Valley. And I’m happy to announce book 2, Love Refocused, has been contracted and will be released early next year.
Young lovers, Kyle and Ronnie, had the world ahead of them at seventeen. Stubbornness, misunderstanding, and a mother’s influence forced them to forge their own paths. A decade later, neither can find love. It takes a tragedy and a secret to reunite them. Their passion returns in a rush along with regret and guilt.
Ronnie always thought it was easier to move on than deal with the pain and hurt of past mistakes. She made plenty of them, but so did Kyle and her parents.
Kyle knows the moment he touches Ronnie that he still loves her. He won’t repeat the past and let her leave him a second time. They’ll overcome the issues, hopefully before her mother’s sin takes Ronnie away, once and for all.
Excerpt
“Damn, you’re as stubborn as ever, aren’t you?”
He grinned and trailed his fingers down her spine. “Persistent, not stubborn.”
She huffed and twisted out of reach. He let his hand drop, curling his fingers so he didn’t reach for her again. She draped the strap of her purse over a shoulder and grabbed the handles of the crate. “Obstinate and hard-headed, that’s what you are, Kyle Sander.”
God, he loved when she used his full name. “It’s good to be consistent, doll. People know what to expect from me.”
The light from the phone she held illuminated her face. A smile tugged at her lips. She turned away. A shame. He wanted to watch it spread.
“Good night, Kyle. Thanks for checking on me, but as you can see, I’m fine. No wild animal or drugged college kid has assaulted me.”
On a grunt, she hefted the trunk and started walking away from where she’d left her car. Well, shuffled described her awkward steps better. He watched her struggle with her unusual baggage, puzzled by the older Ronnie. She’d gotten good at avoiding questions. It only stoked his curiosity.
He fell into step next to her.
She glanced at him. “Why are you still following me?”
“Figured you’d need me to carry that for you.”
“I can manage.”
He glanced from her fingers tightened around the handles to the strained muscles in her arms. “Looks heavy.”
“I’m stronger than you think.”
He matched her slow pace. “I can see that.”
“Then why are you still here?”
“Well, the cabin is a good half mile up the mountain, and once you realize you can’t spend the night there, you’re going to have to carry that thing back down.”
She stopped and carefully set the trunk onto the ground. “Why can’t I stay there? I do own it.”
“So you turned the power back on and had somebody clean it?”
She licked her lips. “I don’t need lights, and a little dirt won’t kill me. I’ll survive a night. It’ll be like camping, and I’ll call a mechanic in the morning. So, you see, I’m fine. I don’t need you.”
He bit his lower lip to stop his grin. “And I suppose you don’t need water or to be able to flush the toilet either.” He gave up and let his amusement show. “Need power to run the well pump, Ronnie.”
She glanced from the trunk at her feet to the road in front of her. “I need to get up there.”
“Tonight?”
She gave a small shake of her head. “I guess not.”
“How about I get you somewhere that has running water, then bring you out here tomorrow?”
“Being my hero again?”
“I always was good at it.”
| Add Love Repeated to your TBR at Goodreads: Click HERE. |
A true romantic at heart, Nancy Corrigan is convinced there’s a knight in shining armor for every woman (or man), but you won’t find damsels in distress in her stories. She adores pairing alpha heroes with woman strong enough to match them and bring them to their knees. She also enjoys flipping the traditional roles in romances because her motto is—love and people should never be forced to conform to anyone’s norm.
She holds a degree in chemistry and has worked in research but now focuses on ensuring quality. She considers it the perfect outlet for her as she’s the first to admit she has some OCD tendencies. It carries over into her writing life too. While engrossed in a novel, she has a habit of forgetting to eat and sleep. Fortunately, she’s married to her own knight in shining armor who understands her oddities and loves her anyway. They reside in Pennsylvania with their three children, dog, snake and guinea pigs. Her other interests include tattoos, animals, classic cars and all things spooky and sexy.
Thanks for letting me visit!
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