Writing, Revising, Creating and Something Blue-Green.......

 Hi everyone. I know it’s been a long, long time since I posted anything that wasn’t a tour stop or a guest post.

I have been busy with promoting Eternity’s Gamble, helping out in the Extasy Books Facebook reader group Book Carousel as a moderator, creating book promos for all of my books, helping my kid with school (he was in virtual learning for a week, sitting beside me at the kitchen table doing his work while I did mine), trying to write and so many other things – including getting some work for my graphics business. I’m doing a lot of takeovers in various groups, and I will be doing another podcast via Con-Tinual later this month, we’re going to be talking about romance stories. I can’t wait!

I even hosted a huge takeover bash in my reader group, V.J.’s VIP Lounge in December, and I’m hosting another in March. The next one is to celebrate the five year anniversary of my first book, Stricken, hitting the shelves at Extasy Books on March 17, 2017. Hard to believe it's almost five years old already!

You can sign up for the takeover here:

Takeovers in V.J.'s VIP Lounge.

Most genres are welcome, but I do not want children's books featured, because my group is for the over 18 crowd.

All of this hard work is getting noticed. I’ve had a few people purchasing Eternity’s Gamble, and the few reviews I’ve gotten for it are screaming its praises. I guess I can write paranormal stories after all. People are liking my contemporary works too, and I’m having so much fun meeting my readers via social media. 

The tour for Eternity’s Gamble went well. I got a lot of exposure with it, and people are joining my group and following my author page. I have had more compliments on my writing than I could have hoped for, and I’ve met so many great people – authors and readers alike – over the last few months.

Feathered Tartan 3 is slow going but is moving along. It’s easier now that I found an English-CANADIAN French translator… Long story short, this one is set on the Bay of Fundy, which is also the Acadian Shore. Canadian French is much different than its European counterpart. Since I want everything perfect – down to the hair on the hero’s head too – I wasn’t including anything outside of “oui” until I could either remember or find someone who knew the language. I’m ready to roll once I get a day to write, which I hope to be next week!

I had my first custom cover client just today. I allow people to pick their backgrounds and if they want, a couple or a second element to add to it. I do the fonts, the colors and everything else – while I talk to the client and see what they like or dislike, and do my best to design something that suits them and their book. If they want something changed, I will change it on the spot, and make sure they are 100% satisfied with it before finalizing. I’m still doing things like premades, but it’s more fun working with someone to make the perfect cover, business card, or something else from scratch. It is such an amazing feeling.

To check me out at Veridian Rose Designs, or to order a custom cover, please click on the dark bluish-green rose logo on the right side of the blog. Thanks!

There have been a few changes though.

I’ve decide to delist what used to be “COVID’s Arrow”. It was a really good lesson on how much work goes into an Indie publication, especially one that goes WIDE like I had mine. I know I wasn’t promoting it like I was with my traditionally published books, but at the same time, they are the ones bringing in the most royalties, and I am required to promote my books as much as possible. It’s also a sweet story, and ultra short. 99 cents USD was probably too much for a 3K story… Considering Sweet Child of Mine is 11K and its regular price is about $2 USD on Extasy Books’ website. It’s a sweet story. I’m known for my spicy/steamy stuff, so seeing a book with no sex in it from me must be odd for a lot of people out there.

I’m guessing the name was probably throwing people off too. Massively so. We’re still in a pandemic. Who wants to read something with “COVID” in the title after seeing it slapped everywhere for the last two-plus years?

So it’s delisted, and I’m scrapping the name. Sure, it was fine for the Together We Stand anthology at the time, two years ago, but now, it’s not a great title.

With some help from D.S. Dehel and Cameron Allie, I have renamed the story and created a new, beautiful cover for it that more suits the genre of the story. I’m doing the cover and name reveal on February 14, 2022 in V.J.’s VIP Lounge, and I’ll be sharing it all publicly on February 15^th.

This story will be given away to people as a gift, for certain things as a reader.

Watch for the reveal later this month!

 

Cover ©2022 Veridian Rose Designs

Health wise, all is good. I’ve gone partially keto to help keep my glucose down and help me lose weight. No fats though, other than olive oil. It's good for you. Most fats are not! I’m working out more too, using wrist weights, and walking when I can. It’s not easy because we’ve had a lot of ice this winter. Hence the wrist weights. I’m able to exercise safely. (They can be used as ankle weights, which is great while I’m writing or doing my graphics design and can’t move for a bit, leg lifts!)

Anyway, I hope all of you have a fantastic weekend… And a great February.

I leave you with one of my favorite songs of all time. “Lady” by Stryper, from their album “Against the Law”.