Friday, March 20, 2020

FREE AND DRASTICALLY REDUCED EBOOKS AT SMASHWORDS

DRASTICALLY REDUCED AND FREE E-BOOKS AVAILABLE AT SMASHWORDS! While you're home, looking for something to do-- try reading some great e-books. You can find them at Smashwords. https://www.smashwords.com/ I've got a number of mysteries (search under mysteries) in the column to the left and other books on sale or free. Here are some of them: Don't forget to pass the news on to your reader friends! https://www.smashwords.com/

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Working at Drawing the Reader in....

Yes, querying agents takes forever. At least it feels like it. Rejection letters or no response at all is no fun, but I've been tinkering with my query letter, changing the opening to my novels, and doing everything else I can think to do to interest an agent.

I went back and reread Hooked. Must have missed it the first time, but  author Les Edgerton gives specific examples of how to hook a reader. The author even gives hints from agents who say never start with a passive scene, the weather, a long, static description of the main character. 

Instead, hint at a secret, puzzle, or something exciting that will draw the reader in. It boils down to starting a novel with phrases like: After Mom fell down the ____. Or, My behavior changed after______, He was so mean________, "Don't tell anybody this, but _______, When I got there they were burying_______.

As a result of all this, my Sexual Politics novel is now called WITHOUT CONSENT (because some critiquiers thought it sounded like a romance!!),

That's it for now. Got to send out a full manuscript of my latest cozy mystery which an agent just requested. Hallelujah!



Thursday, December 20, 2018

Sunday, May 8, 2016

FREE COPY of FORENSICS BY THE NUMBERS--received Top Review by The Forensic Examiner magazine!

Do you love NCIS and BONES? You might just like FORENSICS BY THE NUMBERS.

FORENSICS BY THE NUMBERS, a female sleuth investigates the DA's murder

FORENSICS BY THE NUMBERS, a female sleuth investigates the DA's murder 
Received top review from The Forensic Examiner magazine

Just leave a comment and a way to contact you below and we'll send you a free copy.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Write women's fiction? This is for you!

I don't write women's fiction, but I'll bet some of you do. If you want an agent to take a look at your work, sign up for this.

Agent judges and super-cool prizes. What more can you ask?

Here’s the deal. If you’re writing women’s fiction, this 21st contest is for you! (No genre romance or erotica.) The contest is live through EOD, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. The contest is judged by agent Elizabeth Winick Rubenstein of McIntosh and Otis.

For more information, go to http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/21st-free-dear-lucky-agent-contest-womens-fiction.

Good luck!

Thursday, January 14, 2016

FREE copy of Women's Fiction ebook

Is he an angel, a cowboy, or just a hot guy and will she get him? If she does, will that complicate her preordained future?

Grab a free copy. Just leave a comment below and where to send your e-book copy.


Sunday, August 23, 2015

Free Copy of Sweet Cozy Mystery with Recipes

Candy, Murder and Me is a sweet cozy mystery that's a dog lover’s delight.

When Cookie Berelli, dress designer for full figured women, discovers her private investigator dead in her salon, she calls on a few friends to get her out of trouble. 

The story features a cute little dachshund Cookie named Sigmund Freud because he's such a good listener. She has a bunch of crackpot ideas for how to catch the murderer, and Sigmund, the trustworthy dog he is, follows right along, sometimes even discovering a clue or two himself. When the murderer discovers she's on his trail, Cookie has to hurry or she'll be his next victim.

Included in this cozy mystery are recipes--standbys from her Norwegian and Italian heritage such as Grandma Berelli’s Pralines (“Worth going to jail for”), Cookie’s Maple Candies (“So good they’re criminal”), Nana’s Kringlas (“To kill for”), Cookie's Chocolate Cover-Up Fudge ("Perfect for spying activities"), and Blood Red Spaghetti Sauce with Bad Boy Meatballs, among others, are available throughout the story to break up the mayhem.
For a free copy of CANDY, MURDER and ME, put a comment below this entry and I'll save you a copy.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

10 Free Just Published YA Books!

Hop on over to http://www.themidnightgarden.net/2015/06/bea-2015-event-recap-giveaway.html and scroll down to the Rafflecopter to sign up to win 10 books for free!

From BLACK WIDOW to PASSENGER--they're all in the package--if you win. But to win, you have to go there and sign up!

You might want to scroll slow there and look at the gorgeous pics of the BEA! It's almost as good as being there.

Good luck!

Carolyn

Sunday, January 18, 2015

AWARD-WINNING AUTHORS SHARE BOOK INFORMATION

Hurry on over to http://fictionideasbycarolyn.blogspot.com/ for new year information written by Award-Winning authors on topics such as:
  • Life, The Universe and Everything
  • How James Patterson and Dan Brown Delight Their Audience
  • The First Deadly Sin of Writing

Monday, December 1, 2014

DANGEROUS, new young adult novel Carolyn's finished

Hi All,

Today, I'm getting my new young adult thriller ready to send to an agent who requested the full manuscript after reading the first five pages.

This is exciting. Every time an agent requests a full, my little heart pounds like crazy. Could this be it? Will I get representation?

You never know.

DANGEROUS is about a younger sister who knows her older sis is dating a murderer. She has to figure out how to stop her, even though older sis is head over heals over this rich, handsome guy. Even though the police chief thinks she's crazy. After all, she's always reporting crimes that turn out to be simple misunderstandings.

Will Cassie get the evidence she needs to send this guy to jail before he kills her sister...and maybe her, too?

I'll let you know.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Ready for some terrific holiday recipes and a mystery to boot? Try CANDY, MURDER AND ME today

Whoops, the holidays are almost upon us. Eating may be the last thing on your mind, but hey, you gotta eat.

Before you gear up for shopping, try a mystery, a great getaway from the holiday crush. Even better, a mystery with terrific recipes.

We recommend, CANDY, MURDER & ME.

And...if you leave a comment, we'll email you a free copy! (Just don't forget to leave your email addy)

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Final Touches on my latest mystery, BELLINGER BEAUTY

Just finishing revisions for BELLINGER BEAUTY, a mystery in the style of Ross Macdonald, my favorite mystery writer.

The story?


When Zoe Gale’s husband is brutally murdered and the police give up the search for his killer, she sets out to find peace of mind by proving the guilt of a wealthy and powerful man. If she doesn’t succeed, the man will go free and her name will rise to the top of his To Kill list.

 Bellinger Beauty, complete at 73,000 words is a standalone mystery or it could be the first in a series of Zoe Gale mysteries. This story could appeal to fans of Ross Macdonald and Sue Grafton.

Watch for it! In the meantime, try some of our other mysteries. Find them running down the right hand side of this blog.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Get a free copy of the 2015 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market!

The 2015 Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market is out now! Giveaway contest: http://tinyurl.com/lj72wx9 – via @chucksambuchino

or see my tweet at www.twitter.com/ccc10 

Monday, September 22, 2014

FALL SPECIAL! Receive a free copy of the ebook of your choice!!

Fall freebie!

Your choice of any of our books for free!! for the next four weeks.

Choose your book now. Do it while you're here so you don't forget.

Scroll down the right hand side of this blog and pick one of the books you'd like to read.
Send us a comment below this post identifying the book and where you'd like it sent.

Or, if you prefer to keep your email address private, sign up to the right to receive emails from us and you'll also receive a special short story based on the Cookie character in CANDY, MURDER and ME.


Keep reading!

Carolyn and Tony

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Candy, Murder and Me on sale!

#CandyMurderandMe







Like wacky amateur detectives who are dress designers for plus sized women, have adorable dachshunds, and great recipes to share?

Grab your copy of CANDY, MURDER and ME right now for .99 at http://bit.ly/1yt01wB

Please pass it on!

Please link to this post!

I'll send you a free copy if you do both.


Friday, May 9, 2014

Mother's Day Special: Please check out FREE copy of ANGEL IN COWBOY BOOTS!




 
romance, life crisis, and an angel to die for

Like Romance? Life Crises? Angels to die for?

If you do, please, get your FREE copy of ANGEL IN COWBOY BOOTS.

But hurry...It's only free until May 15th!

Just leave a comment below this post and tell us where to send your e-copy and we will send it.

If you like the book, PLEASE write a review of the book at Amazon.com, Smashwords, Nook, and/or GoodReads. We'd  really appreciate it.

Thanks for all you do.

Oh, and one last thing...what is your favorite romance of all time? GONE WITH THE WIND? YOU'VE GOT MAIL? CONSPIRACY THEORY? FOOLS RUSH IN? Something else? Let us know. First five people who comment below this post get a FREE copy of any of the books running down the right hand side of this page!

7 Things How I Met Your Mother Can Teach You about Writing and TV Shows

Whether you're a writer or a reader, How I Met Your Mother Can Teach You a Few Things. 











http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/7-things-how-i-met-your-mother-can-teach-us-about-writing?et_mid=668728&rid=239174751

Sunday, March 30, 2014