JOSHUA'S FOLLY UNOFFICIAL BOOK TRAILER

SO, here it is, the unofficial JOSHUA'S FOLLY BOOK TRAILER.

Why is it unofficial?

Because I need your opinion!!

As of right now, this is the only place I am posting this book trailer.

Why?

I NEED YOUR HELP!

Please tell me what you think of this book trailer. I chose a song that I love, but it is very, very slow, and I'm worried that the book trailer will be two minutes of BORING!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Do you like the slow pace OR do you prefer an up tempo in a book trailer?

Do you arrive on slide three and just want it to END?

I'd love to hear your opinion!

THANK YOU!

ON a side note: at least I've conquered Windows Movie Maker!

And I've had a lot of fun doing it too!

BEHIND THE STORY OF I HAVE PEOPLE #2

The Title of I Have People

When I first began to write I Have People, I had no idea what the title of the book was going to be! At about this same time, I was facing an empty nest for the first time in my life. The house was so very quiet. I was used to teenagers coming and going at all hours due to jobs and various activities, slumber parties, movie nights, music, and laughter. The house was a constant hub of activity. Suddenly, that time was over and I missed my children desperately. I felt lonely and sad. I buried myself in writing my novel, feeling just a little sorry for myself.

Then the phone calls from my children started to pour in. All. The. Time. It became increasingly hard to have a long period of time where I could write uninterrupted! I quickly realized that although my children had all left the nest, motherhood was far from over.

It was at this moment that I realized, I Have People, and I always will! That’s when the name for this book was born. 

Image courtesy of [Master isolated images] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

My main character, Holly, grew up in the foster care program and doesn’t have any people. She is an easy victim for a manipulative man. She finds herself in an abusive situation with nowhere to turn.

If one of my daughters found themselves in an abusive situation, my hubby and I would have them out of there in no time! And the husband had better fear the wrath of his mother-in-law! My daughters know this and are thankful to have ‘people.’

But, what if you have nowhere to turn? What do you do? Where do you go? 

Read I Have People and find out what Holly does!

I love the title of this book because it reminds me to always be thankful for the ‘people’ in my life.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

This image is entitled "Love or Money Capsule."

Image courtesy of  [ddpavumba] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Let's mix it up a little and do something different than the usual Wordless Wednesday!

How about a story . . .

One evening we were playing the game, "Would you Rather . . ."

The following question was introduced:

Would you rather marry a starving artist for love, or the rich millionaire for convenience?

(That's not word for word, but you get the gist.)

Interestingly enough, all of the women in the room said, "the starving artist!"

The men all said the "the rich millionaire."

Go figure!

How about you?

Would you rather marry a starving artist for love, or the rich millionaire for convenience?

Would you take the LOVE capsule or the MONEY capsule?

As for me, I choose LOVE. 

Every time.

No contest.

To join Wordless Wednesday, go here.

BEHIND THE STORY OF I HAVE PEOPLE #1

Ten things you don’t know about I Have People:

Image courtesy of [smarnad] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

1. I Have People is about ‘out-of-control’ anger. In spite of the happy cover, I Have People deals with the sensitive issue of domestic abuse.

2. I Have People is also about memory loss.

3. I Have People is about recognizing a good man versus a bad one.

4. The title, I Have People, was born when I found myself with an empty nest for the first time. As my children called home incessantly, I realized I HAVE PEOPLE and I always will.

5. My inspiration for I Have People came from a strong dislike for people who can’t control their temper. (I’m not talking about the normal irritation and anger issues many of us deal with on a daily basis!)

6. My hope for I Have People is that women will read it and realize that verbal and physical abuse is NOT OKAY! EVER!

7. I’ve written TWO different versions of I Have People. The published version is the first version and it is my favorite.

8. The second version of I Have People is NOT an amnesia story. Turns out, amnesia was the way to go! Hence, the second version will never see the light of day. I’ve already forgotten about it. What other story?

9. My heroine’s name, Holly Noel, came from a friend who had a Christmas baby and named her Holly Noel. LOVE!

10. Gabriel (the hero) and Holly (the heroine) both have Christmas names. Holly Noel (obvious) and Gabriel (the annunciation).

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Hope you are all having a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.

I am especially appreciative of all the men and women who have fought for our freedom. 

My own husband is one of them.

I am very thankful that he returned home.

On this special day, may we always remember the men and women who did not return home. 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

I'll start: UNDEMONSTRATIVE LOVE

To join Wordless Wednesday, go here.

Image courtesy of [SweetCrisis] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

AN AMAZING REVIEW OF SIERRA AND A FEW FUN FACTS

I LOVE this review of SIERRA by Laura of FUONLYKNEW. 

Stop by her blog and enter the giveaway!

I have always considered my books to be ROMANCE. I LOVE that she places them in other categories. I like the idea of having other elements in my stories. I feel it adds to the intensity of the romance.

Laura entitles the post, She Chose Life . . . another thing I love.

Here's her review:

The best word I can use to describe Taylor Deans writing is ‘haunting.‘

I have read all of her books, and they all stayed with me, lingered.

The same can be said about Sierra.

Taylor classifies her books as love stories.

There is romance in all of her books, but I classified some of them as horror and thrillers.

Sierra starts out with your typical happy family on vacation.

Then it turns dark in a hurry.

Two maniacs abduct Alyssa and Sam and their son Clay, forcing her to drive them deep into the woods.

Pa and Adam had found their Eve. They had no use for the man and the boy.

Sam and Clay are gunned down right before her eyes and Alyssa succumbs to the shock.

When she comes to, her reality is horrifying.

Her escape attempt is thwarted by her kidnappers, but now they’re lost.

But wait, they stumble upon a cabin.

Alyssa dares to hope. Could her savior be inside? Maybe she can survive this, but does she want to?

I can’t imagine anything more soul-destroying then to see your loved ones murdered.

No matter how much she grieves for her husband and son, Alyssa’s will to survive drives her on.

There is a miracle in the cabin. The miracle is Alex.

He’s damaged goods, but then, so is she.

Two people, trapped in a cabin for the winter, turn to each other.

What I like most about Sierra was how Taylor lulls you in the beginning, then she shreds the peaceful scene to pieces. It happens so fast you barely have time to comprehend what is going to happen. Just like in real life.

You’ll be proud of Alyssa. Her heart has been shattered, she doesn’t want to live, but she can’t quit.

So she fights. with everything she can dredge up, she fights to live.

And life is waiting. Alex is waiting. He just doesn’t know it yet.

So, Sierra is a thriller, wrapped around a love story.

Of all of Taylor Dean’s books, this one moved me the most.

I cried, wiped the tears so I could see to keep on reading, and cried some more.

I smiled, then grinned, then laughed, and finally clapped.

Taylor gives you stong, genuine characters, a horrifying scenario that could happen, and the healing power of the human spirit.

I guarantee, after you read Sierra, you’ll have to read Taylor’s other books!

5 Stars

Taylor, I’m waiting for more!!

TEN Things you Don’t Know About Sierra 

1. Sierra is my first novel.

2. Sierra was originally a 165,000 word monstrosity. (It’s now 100,000 words.)

3. Sierra was inspired by the true-story-TV-movie of the ordeal endured by Olympic Medalist Kari Swenson, entitled, Abduction. (1987) This movie inspired a 'what if' story in me. What if the kidnapping had been successful? What if she was taken deep into the woods? What if she was rescued there? What if she had to stay with her rescuer through the winter?

4. The first ten pages of Sierra were handwritten back in 1991 (pictured below) on a day when I just couldn’t stand it anymore, I had to write my story. If I didn't commit it to paper right then, I was going to die! Frankly, the hastily written pages are really, really awful. But, the gist of the story is there and it's eerily similar to the published version that stands today. Back then, for some unknown reason, I thought Nightmare into Paradise was a good title. (I blame it on the nineties.) I've come a long way.

I didn’t officially write Sierra until 2006. 

5. My sister—one of the first people to ever read Sierra—stayed up ALL night to read it and still says it’s the best book she’s ever read.

My sister's thoughts on Sierra:

If you only read one of her books, it should be this one. Dean captures the real terror and thoughts of a woman in a dangerous situation; the real fears we have in love; the realistic responses of survivors of terrifying scenarios.
If you like to see the man you love chopping wood with his shirt off, save you from any situation you encounter, and then go inside and make you dinner, Sierra is the book for you!

6. Of all of my novels, Sierra is my personal favorite.

7. The original cover of Sierra was an actual picture of a snowbound cabin. (It was never published with this cover.)

©iStockphoto.com/rita robinson]

8. In my original story of Sierra, Alyssa takes Alex to court to have their marriage declared legal. Ugh. It was one of the first plot lines to get DELETED. Thank goodness. But I sure had fun writing it.

9. It took me one year to write Sierra. (and even longer to EDIT, EDIT, EDIT!)

10. The original (awful) title of Sierra was Sanguinity.

Below is how my family and friends read my early manuscripts--somehow they still liked them! When people enjoy your early unedited and unformatted stories--you know you're on to something.

I am about to release TWO more books! (June 2013)

Zachary Drake had love in his life--and tragically lost it. He knows it won't come his way again.

Andie Parker would do anything for the love of her life.

Even marry a total stranger.

In spite of the unorthodox manner in which Zach and Andie come together, there is no denying that things are unexpectedly good between them, taking them both by surprise. However, when secrets come between them--and trust does not--Andie soon finds herself vowing to never make the same mistake again. But, she'd do it again in a heartbeat and she knows it. She'd marry a hundred strangers if it helped Nick.

She'd do anything for Nick . . . anything.

After Marisa survives a traumatic experience in her youth, she finds comfort in the form of a photograph of Joshua, her foster mother’s nephew. She falls in love with him, creating and refining an image of the man of her dreams. When Marisa has the opportunity to visit Joshua’s cattle ranch outside of Amarillo, Texas, she meets Joshua in person for the first time. She quickly realizes he is someone she could really fall in love with, not just a silly childhood crush.

Life is seemingly perfect for Josh and Marisa, with endless possibilities before them. That is, until Josh’s reservations take a toll on their relationship and their summertime romance ends rather unexpectedly.

Will Marisa be able to forgive Josh for his folly?

No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop

No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop – May 21st – 27th

Welcome to the No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop!

US Winner: I'm giving away one signed paperback of my Romantic Suspense novel, Sierra. (wrapped in a fabric gift bag, along with two Taylor Dean Books bookmarks!)

International winner: (or US) 

Winner may choose TWO ebooks of their choice from the Taylor Dean Books Collection!

(listed on the left sidebar)

Enter using the below rafflecopters!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced on Rafflecopter as well as emailed and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway is sponsored by Taylor Dean Books. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

THE WEEKEND

We had a quiet weekend.

We finished the final 'decorating' touches on our bedroom.

I started work on my garden. It's a work in progress . . .

I'm going to plant a lot of herbs this year. The parsley came back from last year. I bought 'herb signs' because I like a 'cute garden!'

The signs I purchased are Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and . . . Basil.

We have a brave 'momma Robin' in a nest in our backyard tree. She doesn't fly away when I go outside and work in the garden, which makes me feel like Snow White! She's a good momma and guards her nest well. Secretly, I talk to her sometimes, but don't tell anybody or I'll deny it.

Tomorrow my second proof copy of For Nick arrives and I'll be spending the next few days doing final edits!

How was your weekend?

THE JOSHUA'S FOLLY DEBATE

I'm late publishing my next novel, JOSHUA'S FOLLY.

You're probably wondering why!

After all, I originally announced in June 2012 that I had six completed novels that I would be slowly publishing over the next year.

So, what's the hold up?

(Besides the fact that I can't stop editing it OR reading it just ONE more time, just to be sure there are no mistakes. Seriously, at some point I have to declare it DONE.)

Here's my dilemma:

LANCASTER HOUSE and THE MIDDLE AISLE are both dominated by the all-consuming question: Is Zoe crazy or not? This concept keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

SIERRA leaves readers on the edge of their seat, wondering if Alyssa will escape her kidnappers and find happiness in her new life.

I HAVE PEOPLE keeps you guessing: Is Holly's life what it seems? Or are her memories skewed?

The similar theme that runs through my books is SUSPENSE. Not 'murder-mystery' suspense, but the kind of suspense that keeps readers turning the pages, wondering what will happen next!

One reviewer said this about my books:

I think I might have mentioned that Taylor Dean is one of the best discoveries I've made this year as far as authors go. I've read 3 of her books so far, Lancaster House, Sierra and now I Have People. There's one element that binds them together, suspense.

 ~Andrea of A Chick Who Reads

That's a lot to live up to.

Remember the song from Sesame Street: one of these things is not like the other . . . one of these things doesn't belong . . . can you guess which thing is not like the other, before I finish my song . . .

Realization hit. JOSHUA'S FOLLY is not like the others.

I love JOSHUA'S FOLLY. I love the story, I love the romance, I love the setting, and I love the angst. 

However, JOSHUA'S FOLLY is not filled with suspense.

It is a tru-blue-slow-build contemporary romance novel. It has some suspenseful scenes--and there is the wonder of what will happen between the hero and heroine. But, there is not an overall feeling of 'what-will-happen-next-I-can't-put-this-book-down.'

I kept asking myself: will this novel disappoint my readers? 

This question has kept me from publishing the book.

In other words: AUTHOR INSECURITY!

I asked several beta readers to read it for me and give me their opinion of the novel. 

The consensus: No, it's not like your other novels. It doesn't have the 'suspense' that you've become known for.

BUT, it is still a really good contemporary romance novel.

Okay.

Back to square one.

Will I disappoint my readers with this novel?

I seriously considered NOT publishing JOSHUA'S FOLLY. I shared my thoughts with my beta readers.

They disagreed. They felt I should publish JOSHUA'S FOLLY. They felt it would still appeal to a large audience of readers.

I went back and forth, unsure of what I should do.

In the end, I decided to PUBLISH JOSHUA'S FOLLY!

Yes, it is different from my other novels. But, if you enjoy a realistic contemporary romance novel, without ghosts, kidnapping, memory loss, vampires, or domestic abuse, then you'll enjoy JOSHUA'S FOLLY!

Don't get me wrong . . . JOSHUA'S FOLLY is not lacking in the drama department!

AND if you don't enjoy a realistic contemporary romance novel, no worries! My next novel, FOR NICK is signature Taylor Dean. It has plenty of 'suspense' to keep you  turning the pages!

So, off to the ebook formatter it is for JOSHUA'S FOLLY. Which means, I'll have it available in just a few short weeks!

Decision made!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [samuiblue] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

I'll start: All I need is LOVE!

I admit, not very creative. I'm relying on each of you for amazingly creative answers!
Impress me!

To join Wordless Wednesday, go here.

THE WEEKEND

It was an exciting weekend!

I did my very first book signing at the local Hastings Bookstore!

The secret to a successful book signing:

free cupcakes and bookmarks!

And I also offered a free fabric gift bag with purchase.

All of these things helped me to interact with customers without feeling like I was being pushy. I'm NOT a good salesperson!

It was also very exciting to see my books on the bookstore shelf! (on consignment at the local Hastings, only)

Also, we finished covering our old wall paper border! I've been promising I would share how we did it, so here it is:

We used peel and stick floor tiles!

We found some floor tiles that were made to look like brown leather. They were 12 x 12. We cut one end to make the squares 12 x 9. Otherwise they would have been too long when it came to the door frames. Then we peeled off the backing and placed them on the wall. It was that easy!

Just to be sure they would stay in place, we hammered small brown nails in each corner of the tiles. You can hardly see them unless you are up close and the light is directly on them--and even then, they look great!

We LOVE it!

Voila! A quick easy way to cover your old wall paper border!

We found a mirror that is covered with faux leather to match our new border.

We call it our portal to Lancaster House!!

A few have asked how we cut the tiles, to make them look uniform.
My hubby nailed three small boards onto a large flat board, to form a perfect square. This held the tile in place while cutting. He used a metal square to make a straight cut. He used a cardboard cutter to actually make the cut. 

How was your weekend?

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Thoughts on Self-Publishing

Image courtesy of [rattigon] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I really enjoyed this blurb on self-publishing. The author makes some excellent points and I very much appreciate her thoughts. It's written by Jessica Bell and is taken from an author interview on a blog called The Reading Cat. To see the entire interview, go here.

Is self-publishing the only solution?

No, self-publishing is not the only solution, but nowadays, if you’re not writing about vampires, werewolves, or paranormal activity, it’s really hard to get that big break because the Big 6 publishers are only looking for what is going to make them money. And what makes money nowadays is not the modern day F. Scott Fitzgerald. It’s logical. It’s business. But it’s not the be-all-and-end-all.
Publishing has changed so much over the past few years, and I think it’s time people learn to embrace it, just like they had to embrace the digital revolution of the music industry. Independent artists are everywhere now. What people have to understand is, authors don’t self publish because they’re too lazy to go through the slog of submitting queries to agents, or editing their manuscripts properly, or simply out of impatience to see their work in print. Self-published authors are, in fact, some of the most motivated and tough-skinned authors I’ve ever known.

A lot of them, including me, have huge stories behind the reason they self publish. Stories that most people will never know about, because when someone releases a book, it’s not like you can say on the blurb, “This book is self-published, but I actually once had an agent and a book deal with a Big 6 publisher, but decided to go the indie route because I felt it was better for me, both professionally and emotionally.”

Or …

“This book is self-published because I spent years and years querying it, was told that the writing was great, but no agent believed they could sell it. So … here’s my book. I don’t need to sell a million copies, a few hundred is enough for me. Plus it’s been through so many edits after all the agent feedback, I doubt you’ll be able to find one thing wrong with it.”

Or …

“This book is self-published, but actually it was once traditionally published by a small press. Unfortunately they liquidated and I had to get it back on the market as quickly as possible before all my marketing efforts went to waste.”

So … I urge everyone who is skeptical about self-published works, to think about the story behind it, and the effort it’s taken to get it out there, and the heartache the writer has been through to finally come to the decision to do it on their own. Self-publishing is no longer for the impatient … it’s for authors who have done everything they can before finally deciding to take their fate into their own hands.

To learn more about Jessica Bell, go to her website: http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [digitalart] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

I'll start: UNBROKEN

To join Wordless Wednesday, go here.

BTW, I have been AMAZED  with the creative and clever responses I get from each of you on Wordless Wednesday!
Thank you!

Kindle Fire Giveaway

 

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER SPONSORED GIVEAWAY!

Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

  Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

  Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

Sponsoring Bloggers & Authors

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
2. Feed Your Reader
3. Girls with Books
4. Just Bookin' Around
5. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
6. Books, Beauty and Bodacious Deals
7. Author Emma Michaels
8. Page Flipperz YA
9. Lori's Reading Corner
10. Oh, Chrys!
11. Author Josh Baker
12. Author Roxanne Crouse
13. Eve's Fan Garden
14. Author Elizabeth Isaacs
15. Chapter Break
16. Buku-Buku Didi
17. Molly & Mel's Obsessions Book Blog
18. Author Jennifer Laurens
19. Author MK McClintock
20. Bookhounds
21. Step Into Fiction
22. Author Lena Sledge
23. Author Taylor Dean
24. Leisure Reads
25. Libby's Library
26. A Bookish Escape
27. Ramblings of a Diva Book Nerd
28. Suspense Author Kim Cresswell
29. Suzy Turner, YA Author
30. Books Unhinged by StacyHgg
31. Author Lori Verni-Fogarsi
32. Fae Books
33. Word to Dreams
34. Kid Lit Frenzy
35. Author Tressa Messenger
36. Auggie Talk
37. Phantasmic Reads
38. Kerry Taylor
39. Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf
40. Marissa's Space

  Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International). Ends 5/31/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE WEEKEND

It was wonderful to have my daughter stay with me all last week! 

But I HATE goodbyes.

It was hard to see her and her hubby leave.

Back to work for me!

If only I could read a proof copy, just once, and not find one single mistake!

That's a lot of post-it notes, all marking a mistake!

Once again, the majority of those mistakes are unnecessary commas.

Guess I'm a comma-crazy girl!

A few of those post-it notes mark a minor plot change or a paragraph change, and ONE marks a huge typo! Glad I caught it!

(Yes, only one typo thus far! Yay!)

My daughter read her proof copy on the drive back to her home and nearly finished it in one six hour sitting.

Her exact remarks: UNPUTDOWNABLE!

That's what I LOVE to hear.

She also said she couldn't stop crying. No matter how many times I read FOR NICK, I cry. Every. Time. And I've read it at least a hundred times.

Yep, it's a tear jerker. 

As I've mentioned before, the cover for FOR NICK is my favorite cover! 

FOR NICK

Coming your way in June 2013

As for JOSHUA'S FOLLY . . .

Yes, I am still releasing this book soon.

It's a long story.

I'll tell you all about it in an upcoming blog post. 

In a nutshell: the book is ready, the author is not!

Explanations later! 

Thanks for your patience!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [Salvatore Vuono] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

I'll start: CHOOSE ME!

If you'd like to join Wordless Wednesday, go here.