UPDATE: The winner is…Pansy Petal!
*~*~*

Cue “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men to play in the background.

Besides writing romance, I am an avid reader. I try to read a book every two days.

Now, before you credit me with being a speed reader, I will admit that my husband and our bossy mastiff fall asleep early, so I have about three hours to read. I usually pick out a book and start after dinner with interruptions, and after the males are quiet, I can get my reading groove on.

Eighteen months ago, I decided to clean out my Kindle. I had books from 2012 that I had never read. So, I made a deal with myself:  read one old and then two new (published in 2023 or later) to make a dent in the TBR list.

For years, I finished the book no matter what. After I started publishing, I felt like I had to hang in and finish a book as a sign of commitment to the writing community.

However, life is too short for bad books.

I felt guilty for not finishing. I’d message my friends and defend my decision not to finish as if the “Kindle Police” were going to report me for having DNFs (Do Not Finish).

Then, I started to notice more people talking about not finishing books. What once had been a somewhat taboo topic was discussed openly.

I have reasons for not finishing. The first is if I find five proofreading/editing mistakes within the first three chapters. Authors are taught that the first three should grab the reader’s attention. So, misspellings, incorrect word usage, or poor grammar causes me to stop.

Recently, I’ve come across three published books where I believe the authors forgot to tap “Accept Changes” before uploading the manuscript and pressing “Publish.” These were not intentional cross-outs—no, they were unnecessary extra words. Again—DNF.

This is a hard rule for me—if the pet dies. I won’t finish and most likely won’t read anything else by the author. True story:  I almost dumped a friendship because she sent me a book where at the end, the dog died. I still feel upset about the poisoned pet, and I never read another book by that author.

Excluding Dark Romance, another stopper for me is when a main character is written to be so ugly and hateful that I can’t believe that they are worthy of love. There are times that I think that authors intend to create a strong, outspoken character and instead, they read as a total jerk. I try to keep toxic people out of my life, so I’m not letting them in my reading.

Filler. I accept that some stories are shorter than others. What makes me quit a book is when the author stretches out the tale with multiple-page passages in another language, recounts a prior scene two or three times, and repeats the same reasons for why the couple won’t work. I have a running joke with a friend about a series that we both love. In each book, the couple has officially committed and marching to their HEA. The author adds a final kidnapping, an explosion, or a car chase. Those events don’t add anything else to the story except an action scene and another deep kiss. If I discovered the series today, I might be annoyed by the “one more” to consider DNF-ing.

That brings me to the most difficult to explain—I didn’t connect with it. There are times that I just don’t like the book. It could be that I had figured out who committed the crime too early. A character is too stupid to survive in the real world. I will admit that as my years increase, I find myself getting irritated by characters in their early twenties who run crime syndicates, are running billion-dollar, large corporations, or find the answer to a problem that people have been working on for years.

The great thing about reading is that there is always another book to read. With the explosion of Monster Romance and Alien Romance shorts, I can devour two a night, and that makes me feel accomplished.

Now, I’m curious- What causes you to DNF? A Winner will be chosen at random to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

About the Author

Melanie/M. Jayne is the teller of tales of the Novus Pack and an Amazon Bestselling Author. See Me was a finalist for the Holt Medallion. In 2022, the Duchenne Vampire Series enriched her portfolio. She loves reading, luxury handbags, watching sports, and the Bravo Housewives. Learn more at www.readmelaniejayne.com.

Where do ideas for books come from? That’s a question most authors are asked at one point or another. Truthfully, ideas come from anywhere and everywhere—TV, movies, magazines, nonfiction books, overheard snippets of conversations, dreams, or random thoughts. In the case of the Hades’ Carnival series, it started with an online quiz.

This was back in the days of the Yahoo Groups—long before Facebook and Instagram. Someone posted one of those fun quizzes—What carnival ride would you be? I took the quiz and wasn’t surprised when it came up as a carousel. I’m not very adventurous, but who says a carousel has to be tame? My mind started working. What if the animals on the carousel were really shapeshifting immortal warriors trapped in their animal forms? The idea for the series spun out from there and the HADES’S CARNIVAL was born.

Hades’ Carnival

Welcome to Hades’ Carnival, where a group of immortal shapeshifting warriors are imprisoned in their animal forms on a carousel.

Cursed by the very goddess they served—The Lady of the Beasts—in order to keep them out of Hell, now the warriors are being offered a chance at freedom and redemption. And it will take a very special woman to free each warrior.

Once free, they must stay alive for 24 hours if they want to save themselves from Hades once and for all.

SERIES: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0742KNX25

NIGHT OF THE TIGER

When graphic novel illustrator Aimee Horner visits a traveling carnival, she’s drawn to an abandoned carousel and its carved white tiger. One touch of her skin against the massive beast, and Aimee’s world is changed forever.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073TSB6Z8

MARK OF THE BEAR

Kellsie Morris knows her career as a Hollywood scream queen won’t last forever. Luckily, she’s just landed a big role in a movie about an immortal, shape-shifting warrior trapped in a carnival run by the Devil’s minions. When the carousel bear on set shifts into a flesh and bone bear of a man, Kellsie starts to question reality.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073TS79RK/

PRIDE OF THE LION

When Araminta Davidson is invited to participate in a readers’ appreciation weekend, she feels like she’s arrived as an author. But what starts out as a fun weekend quickly turns surreal and deadly when she accidentally releases a shape-shifting immortal warrior from a five-thousand-year-old curse.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073TSMST9/

HOWL OF THE WOLF

Artist and tarot reader Sabrina can’t resist buying and bringing home the old carousel wolf she finds in an antique shop. She never imagined the wooden animal could come to life in her living room and shift into a dark, sexy man.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073TSQ84M/

HEART OF THE SERPENT

After being trapped in his animal form for centuries by a curse, freedom is new and almost uncomfortable for shape-shifting warrior Mordecai. He knows Hades can’t get to him physically, but although he might try to deny it, he knows he has a weak spot—Jessica. Worried that Hades could hurt her to get to him, Mordecai’s tried to keep his distance, but there’s no stopping this kind of connection.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073TST8PT/

FLAME OF THE PHOENIX

Phoenix is afraid—a first for the immortal warrior. Beautiful, forthright Tilly Ledet fires his mind and body. She’s been helping Phoenix and his shape-shifting comrades in their battle against Hades, and now she is in danger and doesn’t think she needs his protection.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073TSF7KT/

LURE OF THE JAGUAR

With the ancient curse broken, the warriors serving the Lady of Beasts are free. Stavros, the only unmated warrior, retreats to the solitude of the Louisiana bayou, but he’s not alone there. The minute he sees the woman stalking wildlife with her camera, he realizes her for who she is—his mate.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073TS717B/

About the Author

N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, assassins, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit her at:
Website: https://www.njwalters.com
Blog: https://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
Newsletter Sign Up: https://eepurl.com/gdblg5
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters

It’s another weird holiday. And as always, I love a reason to celebrate. Every day should be special, right? Life’s too short not to smile and raise a toast to another sunrise.

So, to help you celebrate and maybe give you something to read this weekend, I’m giving away one of the many paranormal stories I’ve written. Not so much lately, but back in the day, I was very much known for my vampires, witches, and other yummy things that go bump in the night.

This one’s a story I wrote, thinking it would be a series of stories before the publisher I was working with went away. It’s so sad. Sin’s Gift has some very cool elements (if I may say so myself). Be sure to get your copy while this offer lasts! Like now. Right now.

Sin’s Gift

When police officer Sinead O’Rourke returns to duty months after being shot in an incident that claimed her partner, she knows it’s not going to be easy. Despite being cleared of any negligence, her fellow officers still wonder whether she’s responsible for his death. One more problem is that everyone knows she claims to have seen his ghost. After months of rehabilitation and lying like hell about the fact she’s not seeing spooks anymore, Sin’s determined to get back into the saddle.

Jake doesn’t want to partner with Sin. Been there, done that—couldn’t keep his hands off her the first time around. She’s too much of a distraction, and her penchant for rushing into trouble scares the heck out of him. Despite wishing she’d quit her job, he’s still deeply attracted. When an armed robbery goes down and something happens that rattles Sin to the core, he’s right there—ready to cover her back and her sweet body.

Get your FREE copy!

When my first book was released back in October of 2004, the big debate among those in the romance publishing community was whether an e-book could be considered a real book and if the people who wrote them were real writers. It seems absurd now, but e-books were relatively new and exclusively sold on the websites of those companies that published them. That’s right, Amazon wasn’t selling them back in those days, and the traditional publishers were skeptical.

The e-book business allowed some incredibly talented authors to get a foothold in an industry where it wasn’t easy to break in. These online publishers eagerly sought out new talent, willing to take a chance on an unknown writer. And the gamble paid off as sales skyrocketed. E-books were less constrained by traditional subject matter and expanded the romance genre as a whole.

Then, a funny thing happened. Traditional publishers took note, and they not only began to publish e-books but also signed many of the same writers they’d previously snubbed.

There have been tremendous ups and downs over the past twenty years. Amazon changed everything—on one hand, making books more widely available, while on the other, lowering the amount of money authors and e-book publishers made for each sale. The industry floundered. Some companies went under; others rose. Some authors vanished while others flourished. I’ve been fortunate enough to hold my ground, thanks to my amazing readers.

Then came the rise of self-publishing, giving those technically inclined authors another outlet for their work. I admire any author who takes this route and can make it work. I admit that’s beyond me. I’m seriously technically impaired—you have no idea how much—and I’m also horrible at promotion. I’m an incredibly private introvert in a world that is constantly demanding you put more of yourself out there.

When it comes to books, I’ve always been of the mind that it doesn’t matter whether you enjoy hardcovers, softcovers, e-books, or audiobooks, whether they’re published by a company or by the author. All that matters is that you enjoy the book the author has put their blood, sweat, and tears into creating.

I’m a dinosaur in this ever-changing industry. I do my best to keep up while slowly falling behind, but I’m still here, writing the books I love, grateful to the people who read them.

However you enjoy your books, don’t ever stop reading (or listening). I know, I won’t.

If you haven’t checked out my Lone Wolf Legacy series, the first two books in the trilogy are available.

Protecting the Gray Wolf
Lone Wolf Legacy, Book 2

If they want his immortality—they’ll have to take it…

I’m used to other wolves coming for me. They want their chance to try and take out the infamous Gray Wolf. And every single one of them fails—because lone wolves aren’t like the others…we’re stronger. Harder. Meaner. Immortal.

But it also means I’m alone. No pack. No alpha. Just the three of us—white, gray, and black. Two too many, if you ask me.

But with power-hungry mages gunning for us, I don’t have the luxury of reflection. They’re in New York City, and I Will. Hunt. Them. Down.

Which is when I see her, and every cell in my body is on alert, filled with the kind of primal longing I never knew I was capable of. Luna West may be human, but there’s some kind of thread connecting us. Call it destiny, fate…or voracious animal hunger.

I know she’s bait. She’s meant to tempt me, to make me weak. But even if I could resist her, I’m not sure I want to.

Because I’ve never denied my wolf anything…especially the chance to raise some serious hell.

And I’m not about to start now.

Author Note: This book is told in third person point of view, even though the blurb is in first person.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXC8HTG/
Entangled Publishing: https://www.entangledpublishing.com/books/protecting-the-gray-wolf
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/protecting-the-gray-wolf-n-j-walters/1144686015
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/protecting-the-gray-wolf
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/protecting-the-gray-wolf/id6476511670

About the Author

N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, assassins, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit her at:
Website: https://www.njwalters.com
Blog: https://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
Newsletter Sign Up: https://eepurl.com/gdblg5
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters

The calendar says it’s springtime, but winter hasn’t given up its icy grip in my neck of the woods. There is still snow piled around and a distinct chill in the air. I both envy and enjoy seeing pictures from my online friends featuring the flowers and trees that are starting to bloom where they are. We have weeks, if not a couple of months, before we get to that point. It’s not uncommon to have snow in May.

Spring is a time of optimism and renewal. I tend to hibernate during winter, but with the lengthening days I have more energy and feel more hopeful. Easter is also early this year, which adds to growing sense of springtime. There may not be daffodils outside, but I’ll buy a bouquet of flowers to brighten up the place.

I love the first day it’s finally warm enough to throw open the window and air out the place after months of being closed up tight. Time to chase out the dust bunnies and get to spring cleaning. Spring tends to be cold, foggy, and rainy, but it makes the sunny days all the more special. I look forward to the day when I don’t need multiple layers and about eight pounds of outerwear just to step outside the door. Nothing I enjoy more than taking a walk on a sunny day and feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin.

What are you looking forward to this spring?

If the weather isn’t nice where you are, maybe you can curl up and enjoy a good book. If you haven’t checked out my Lone Wolf Legacy series, the first two books in the trilogy are available.

Protecting the Gray Wolf
Lone Wolf Legacy, Book 2

I’m used to other wolves coming for me. They want their chance to try and take out the infamous Gray Wolf. And every single one of them fails—because lone wolves aren’t like the others…we’re stronger. Harder. Meaner. Immortal.

But it also means I’m alone. No pack. No alpha. Just the three of us—white, gray, and black. Two too many, if you ask me.

But with power-hungry mages gunning for us, I don’t have the luxury of reflection. They’re in New York City, and I Will. Hunt. Them. Down.

Which is when I see her, and every cell in my body is on alert, filled with the kind of primal longing I never knew I was capable of. Luna West may be human, but there’s some kind of thread connecting us. Call it destiny, fate…or voracious animal hunger.

I know she’s bait. She’s meant to tempt me, to make me weak. But even if I could resist her, I’m not sure I want to.

Because I’ve never denied my wolf anything…especially the chance to raise some serious hell.

And I’m not about to start now.

(Author Note: This book is told in third person, even though the blurb is in first person.)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXC8HTG/
Entangled Publishing: https://www.entangledpublishing.com/books/protecting-the-gray-wolf
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/protecting-the-gray-wolf-n-j-walters/1144686015
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/protecting-the-gray-wolf

About the Author

N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, assassins, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit her at:
Website: https://www.njwalters.com
Blog: https://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
Newsletter Sign Up: https://eepurl.com/gdblg5
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters

UPDATE: The winners are Linda and Roxie!
*~*~*

Thanks so much to Delilah for hosting me today! I truly appreciate this opportunity to speak directly to you, the readers.

The Pen Dames are currently running our annual contest, and I thought you might enjoy it. Here are the details…

We invite you to become a character in an upcoming story we’re crafting. It’s simple to enter—just leave your first name in the comments section of this blog post or on one of our Facebook posts about the contest, and we’ll name a character after the winner.

I can’t give away too many details, but the tale will have an Irish theme in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and will feature elements of mystery, magic, and a dash of romance. Please note the story will only be published on the Pen Dames blog, and no financial compensation will be provided. All rights are reserved. The contest closes on March 17th.

Now, this is just for fun, but how often do you have the chance to read about a character named after you?

A little about us, the Pen Dames. We’re a group of five author friends who share a love for each other’s work and are bound by our motto of Heart, Humor, and Happily Ever After. We’re passionate about books, reading, and, most importantly, our readers. If you’d like to learn more about us, please visit our website.

https://pendames.blogspot.com/p/home.html

As an additional thank-you for Delilah’s kindness in hosting this post on short notice, I’m offering a special drawing for anyone who comments here. You’ll also have the chance to win either a $5.00 Amazon gift card or (for U.S. residents only) a signed combined print edition of two of my books edited by none other than Delilah! Along with the books, I’ll include a swag bag filled with goodies, such as a crystal pen, stickers, bookmarks, charms, and surprises.

The two books included in the additional prize are “The Sea Witch and the Mage” and Siren Descending. If you’re curious, “The Sea Witch and the Mage” is a short story set in a contemporary romantic fantasy world of mermaids, mermen, and mages and is the prequel to Siren Descending which reimagines the Greek myth of Orpheus with a Siren as the heroine.

About the Author

I’m Katherine Eddinger Smits, and my fascination with all things paranormal stems from being a direct descendant of one of the women executed for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. My stories often feature mages, mermaids, and gifted humans grappling with real-life issues like self-acceptance and phobias, all while weaving in mystery, suspense, and a hint of romance.

If you’re interested in exploring more of my work, you can visit my website and subscribe to my newsletter for a free short story.

Katherinesmits.com

*~*~*

Thank you for taking the time to read about our contest and for considering participating. Whether you decide to join us or simply follow along, we appreciate your support.

PROTECTING THE GRAY WOLF, the second book in the Lone Wolf Legacy trilogy, is finally here!

Who are the lone wolves?

Since the rise of the werewolf, there has always existed a single lone wolf—with pure white, gray, or black fur and eyes that match—who answers to no alpha, belongs to no pack. Merciless and deadly, he wanders the world, both judge and executioner of rogue wolves who senselessly kill, endangering all their kind.

When one dies, another takes its place, awakening to his purpose the first time he shifts to his wolf form. Known by the sign of the lone wolf—a sickle over the heart—the short-handled, circular blade remains as a tattoo on the man and as a mark on the wolf. A lethal combination of intelligence, brutal strength, and keen instinct, he walks a lonely path, shunned by pack, always alone.

For the first time, there are three in the world—white, gray, and black—who all bear the mark on their chests. No one knows why, least of all them…

Protecting the Gray Wolf
Lone Wolf Legacy, Book 2

I’m used to other wolves coming for me. They want their chance to try and take out the infamous Gray Wolf. And every single one of them fails—because lone wolves aren’t like the others…we’re stronger. Harder. Meaner. Immortal.

But it also means I’m alone. No pack. No alpha. Just the three of us—white, gray, and black. Two too many, if you ask me.

But with power-hungry mages gunning for us, I don’t have the luxury of reflection. They’re in New York City, and I Will. Hunt. Them. Down.

Which is when I see her, and every cell in my body is on alert, filled with the kind of primal longing I never knew I was capable of. Luna West may be human, but there’s some kind of thread connecting us. Call it destiny, fate…or voracious animal hunger.

I know she’s bait. She’s meant to tempt me, to make me weak. But even if I could resist her, I’m not sure I want to.

Because I’ve never denied my wolf anything…especially the chance to raise some serious hell.

And I’m not about to start now.

(Author Note: This book is told in third person, even though the blurb is in first person.)

TEASER:

The air stirred behind him. Goose bumps rose on his skin. Kade’s head snapped around, searching for what had disturbed him. The woman was almost six feet tall, even wearing flats. The dress she wore was a pale gray that matched her eyes. It was loose but gave the impression of generous curves beneath. Curly brown hair tumbled around her shoulders. Streaks of gray ran through the front part so the strands framed her face. And what a face it was. Her lips were full, her chin slightly rounded. High cheekbones brought his gaze back to her eyes, which widened beneath thick, dark lashes.

Part of him hadn’t believed the white wolf, or hadn’t wanted to, but there was no denying the vision before him. The gray streaks in her hair matched the color of his hair and her eyes were a mirror image of his. Their eyes met and she came to an abrupt stop. Every muscle in his body tensed, poised to give chase if she ran. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. It was as if a switch had been flipped inside him. Lust warred with surge of possessiveness and the unexpected urge to protect. When she licked her lips, his jeans grew tighter. He clamped down on his emotions, exerting iron control over his wayward body. Last thing he needed was a hard-on in the middle of an art opening.

*~*~*

Want to read more of Luna and Kade’s story? Check out the links below.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXC8HTG/
Entangled Publishing: https://www.entangledpublishing.com/books/protecting-the-gray-wolf
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/protecting-the-gray-wolf-n-j-walters/1144686015
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/protecting-the-gray-wolf

If you’re not familiar with the series, be sure to check out TAMING THE WHITE WOLF, book one of the series. Find out more at: Entangled Publishing: https://entangledpublishing.com/books/taming-the-white-wolf

About the Author

N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, assassins, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit her at:
Website: https://www.njwalters.com
Blog: https://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
Newsletter Sign Up: https://eepurl.com/gdblg5
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters