January 18, 2023

My math didn't add up last week!

I almost sent an immediate correction for my newsletter last week but didn't want to clog up your inbox just to highlight my stupid mistake. Did anyone notice that the headline read "A Hundred Pennies for Your Thoughts" in reference to the chance for a $10 Amazon gift card? If you did, you're too kind for not calling me on it. When I saw that pop into MY inbox I both laughed and cringed.

I've been neck deep this week into uploading the Hearts in Hendricks series onto all platforms. So, Barnes and Noble - yay! iTunes - yay! Kobo - yay! The only link I don't have ready yet is for Google Play but hopefully it'll come soon-ish!

What else am I up to? This is the last week I have to work on Love, Lies and Valentines before I send it off to the editor. I'm so, so excited about sharing this book with you. It's inspired by my real-life love of 19th-century valentines. When I first started writing for publication way back in 2002 or so, I sold my first kidlit article to Highlights for Children. It was about a woman from Worcester, MA who started a valentine-making company in her attic. Esther Howland. Look her up. It's a fascinating story. At the height of her career she made $100k. This was in the mid-1800s! Anyway, you'll see much of her story in the new book. I'll spill more details in the next newsletter so keep an eye out for more news and the cover reveal!

So, the Hearts in Hendricks series is now at all retailers! This is my first romance series which introduced readers to Hendricks, Minnesota and all of its charming and quirky folks.

LOVE LIKE WATER (Book #1) follows Darcy Conti who is on the hunt for a new job when the woman she works for decides to close the business for health reasons. Darcy doesn't need to look far since the good folks at Sturgeon Widows Tours in downtown Hendricks are on the lookout for a new tour host. Sean Stetman, the tour bus driver, wants a break from ferrying tourists along the North Shore for his parents' company until he realizes his family wants to replace him and hire Darcy instead! Here's a little excerpt:

Darcy quickened her steps to pass the tour group and get to Sean as they exited the bus. His long, easy stride made her have to work twice as hard.

“You have a really engaging style.”

Sean turned his head to look at her, like he was waiting for the punch line.

“I mean, they really respond to you. How long have you been giving tours?” Darcy saw her reflection in his aviator glasses and brushed the hair out of her face.

He stopped and pushed his glasses to the top of his head. “Since I graduated college. No, that’s not right,” he said, closing one eye to think. “Actually, I think I was a sophomore in high school when I did my first one.”

“How long did it take you to develop your schtick?”

“My what?” he asked, the corners of his mouth lifting with amusement.

“Your schtick. You know, your routine.”

“You’re awfully interested in how the tour business runs. First you offer to drive the bus, now you want to know all of my secrets.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe of Red's Tavern. The last person in the group moved past them and into the restaurant. “Are you looking to set up shop?”

“Absolutely not.” Darcy felt her face flush. Then it dawned on her. His mother hadn’t told Sean that Darcy was interested in covering for his leave. To Sean, Darcy was just a very curious tourist. Of course he would wonder about her intrusiveness. She needed to set the record straight. “Maybe we should start over. I’m Darcy Conti.”

“Yes, I remember. You introduced yourself an hour ago.”

“I’m not on the tour as a guest. Your mother offered me the job to cover for you while you…while you’re away.”

He stared at her for an uncomfortably long time.

“Hello?” she finally said, waving her hand in his face.

He blinked. “You’re going to take over the tours? Here?”

“Is that a problem?”

“No…no, not at all. That’s great," he said with very little enthusiasm. "I’m just surprised. I wasn’t expecting…you.”

Have you yet to dive into the series? Here's the link to LOVE LIKE WATER at all stores where it's available.

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Congratulations to the following people who were mailed their chosen books yesterday for last week's Clean My Shelves Giveaway:

Mindy H. ⏤ How to Walk Away

Erin Britt ⏤ Can't Hurry Love

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Thanks to everyone who filled out the Reader Survey last week! I was able to get some great feedback to make this newsletter as enjoyable as I can for you!

The winner of the $10 Amazon gift card was Karen S.

Some of the results include:

• Most of you (38%) like to get a weekly newsletter while 35% prefer to hear from me twice a month;
• 58% of you buy your ebooks while 37% buy and subscribe to a reader service like Kindle Unlimited
• 70% of you use Goodreads to keep track of the books you read
• Your favorite romance trope is small town - YAY! (80%), followed by second chance 76%; return to hometown (65%); and cowboy (57%)
• 82% of you read mystery/suspense books as your second choice after romance
• 53% of you have read only 1-2 of my books (y'all, I have so many more than that!)
• When I asked for other suggestions at the end of the survey, two people said they'd like some puppy and dog pictures, so here you go!

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For those on Instagram there's a fun BINGO GAME happening now through Feb 5th. Check out these books to see if you can make a bingo! You might win a signed paperback of that book. Check out the hashtag #backlistbingochallenge on Instagram for more details or look for the purple Bingo card post on my profile @dmalonebooks.

SWEET & SWOONY TITLE

(click the cover to visit the download page)

Trails aren't always smooth. Neither is life.

 Will a marriage of convenience lead them to forgiveness and happily-ever-after, or will they let the past destroy any chance of a future together?

"This book while a romance also deals with how we handle grief after the death of a loved one. The characters and the unusual plot give you a romance that builds hope." - Amazon review

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Where to Find Me and My Books

Facebook Page * Instagram * Goodreads * Readers Group

(Clicking on the graphic below takes you to my Amazon author page)