June News

Contents

1. Introduction, updates, and newsletter giveaway
2. Sales, freebies, and/or new releases
3. Writing Snippet
4. Giveaways and promotions
5. Book recommendations
6. Closing remarks
7. My books

Hi ,

June is here, which means it's my birthday month. Out of those of you who replied, the majority voted for Once upon a Rose as my gift to you.

The winner of last month's giveaway is Deborah at dor...229 at gmail.com. If this is you, you should have recently received your gift card for the giveaway.

I generally try to keep what I say positive, but this last month has been a major struggle for me. If I'm completely honest, I've been struggling to some extent for a few years now. The reason I'm bringing this up is because I need to ask for your help.

I'm looking for prayers, positive energy, whatever you call it. Over the last few years, my son, Jacob, has had increasing anxiety problems, especially surrounding the time he needs to spend at his father's house. A few weeks ago, his anxiety started turning into something worse. During times of extreme stress, he's been having episodes where he loses consciousness, sometimes for several minutes.

His doctor has referred us to a pediatric cardiologist to explore the potential that this is a heart problem because there is family history. My son decided the stress is too high at his father's house and with a lot of effort I convinced my ex-husband to go to one of my son's counseling sessions to negotiate. He didn't show up a couple times, but he finally he came to an agreement. If my ex husband holds up his end of the deal, hopefully Jacob can be over there without having too many issues. But if not, Jacob wants to talk to a judge to pursue his freedom.

As much as I think there is a good chance that a judge would rule in his favor if it becomes necessary, it's still a gamble, so I'm hoping to not need to go that far. I've kept the details minimal because I don't want to bog down this newsletter, but I'd be happy to talk more about it with anyone who wants me to.

If you would be willing to keep my son in your prayers, I'd be grateful for it. There are so many directions this situation could go, so any and all positivity backing him would help.

Since I've been focused on the developments with my son, I haven't accomplished much this month. I have been working on reviewing the feedback for Princess of Hope, and I think it's getting close to ready for a final editing stage. Because I've had a lot of extra expenses lately, I'm leaning toward the idea of releasing this book with a cover I make myself and getting it redone by a professional after it has made enough to pay for itself. I've been taking some classes and I'm almost to a point I'll be ready to share the cover I'm working on.

I'm not sure if anyone pays much attention to the subject lines, but instead of the generic subject I usually use, I went with a different approach because a class I recently took suggested it. In theory, a more interesting subject line should result in a higher open and engagement rate.

For this month's giveaway for a $5 Amazon gift card, hit reply and comment on part of this newsletter or tell me something random.

Sales, Freebies, and/or New Releases

Once upon a Rose is free today for those of you opening this immediately, but it is also scheduled to be free between June 20th and June 23rd because my actual birthday is the 21st. I hope you enjoy it.

The Fox Assassin will be on sale for $0.99 through the 11th.

Once upon a Shoe is now available to read on Ream and wide.

Writing Snippet from Once upon a Rose

Marcaus walked aimlessly through his castle, ignoring all but the turmoil in his mind. He had to work with Arastea to escape from her. He’d known this since the beginning, yet he still could not come to terms with it. What she did to him, and especially what he did because of her, was unforgivable.

He was uncertain if he was anxious for this girl’s arrival or if he dreaded it. Perhaps it was a mixture of both. Certainly, he wished to escape his curse. But the consequences may be too high. He could be going directly from one bad situation into an arguably worse one. Either way he thought about it, there was no ideal solution. Arastea had ensured that. He growled in his anger and frustration, the sound echoing throughout the cavernous hallway.

Giveaways and Promotions

Book Recommendations

The Gryphon Key by Elizabeth Klein

Newly arrived at Spells Meadow, England, and still grieving his mother’s disappearance, 17-year-old Cody discovers an old key near an enormous hedge that changes his life forever. Instead of tossing it away, he and his friend Newt unwittingly activate an ancient curse that awakens a griffin which almost destroys them. Cody suspects an elaborate cover-up of something even more sinister occurring at the local high school, a cover-up that involves the enigmatic principal. He soon discovers Spells Meadow is a place with a twisted past and a bizarre future.

The Curse of the Orion Stones by S. H. Steele

Soulmates are destined to find each other, no matter how many lifetimes it takes.

Sage, an eighteen-year-old girl, has grown up hearing stories of ghosts, mystical creatures, and a world beyond her comprehension. In each of these tales, a champion emerges, a warrior destined for greatness. But Sage is haunted by an unending nightmare and discovers that she has the ability to transform into a cougar, which she struggles to control. As she sets out on a journey to uncover the secrets of her past and her tribe's future, she finds herself trapped in an unfamiliar world, struggling to fit in and trust those around her.

Despite her burning desire to run free, Sage hides her powers from her new friends, fearing that they will use them against her. But as a storm looms and darkness falls, she is forced to reveal her abilities to someone who may use them to harm her. Sage is thrust into a battle unlike any she has ever known, with the shadow of a man and an eagle haunting her every move.

As the final battle approaches, Sage and her allies must work together to bring down the curse that has plagued her people for centuries. With love, power, and talent, she fights their greatest enemy, hoping to find true love and break the curse once and for all. This paranormal ghost-shifter romance is suitable for young adult and adult readers alike. Join Sage on her quest to break the curse and find the true love that has been waiting for centuries. Don't miss out on this epic tale!

Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice by Mary Mecham

To assassinate her target, she must marry her enemy.

Azora has dedicated her life to exacting revenge on the phoenix shifters who murdered her parents. When Prince Tarquin of Pyren demands a bride as part of a peace treaty, the elite strike squad of assassins Azora belongs to agree—she’s the perfect candidate to eliminate the monstrous shifter.

The traces of Pyrenese blood flowing in her veins grant her immunity to fire and will allow her to slay Tarquin, for a phoenix can only be destroyed by one descended from Pyren. The safety of all Termarth is dependent on Azora to maintain her cover; her true identity must never be discovered.

With the tantalizing offer of peace on the altar, Azora weds Tarquin, knowing that as soon as the peace treaty is broken, either bride or groom will be the first casualty. But just as Azora begins to uncover the man behind the monster, skirmishes erupt throughout the land. When the time arrives to finally eliminate the threat to Termarth, Azora’s loyalties are torn. 

She intended to gamble her life away, not her heart.

Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice is book 5 in the Sacrificed Hearts multi-author series, a collection of stand-alone fantasy romances inspired by monsters of legend and packed with strong heroines, swoony heroes, and sacrificial themes.

Closing Remarks

Don't forget to hit reply and comment on either something in this newsletter or something random to win a $5 Amazon gift card.

Here is the link for the subscriber free content. I haven't managed to add anything more since last month, but I plan to work on it soon

My Books