Saving Sarah Release - by Kathy Ivan

NEW RELEASE!

I wanted to share with the Plotting Princess readers that I have a new release that just went live. I was asked by Susan Stoker to participate in her Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World launch. When somebody as hugely popular as Susan personally asked me to write a romantic suspense with paranormal elements -- well, I wasn't about to say no.  J

 

Saving Sarah is the result and I absolutely love this book. It has a curvy, spunky heroine and a sexy ex-SEAL hero!

Here's the blurb:

Reflecting On My Year - By Kathy Ivan

As we all get ready to celebrate the holiday season, and I had a post due, I decided to take a look at the changes I've made in 2015 and the impact they've had on me personally and my writing. I thought with the New Year just around the corner, I'd share these with you.  (As you can see, I brought snacks.)

1. Quitting the day job.

Release Day!!!!!!

RELEASE DAY!!!

I AM SO EXCITED!!! Today is a special day for me, as it's release day for my holiday boxed set, Mischief Under The Mistletoe! I was honored to be asked to take part in this set with so many talented authors and said yes immediately.

The set includes 19 authors with 19 brand new stories filled with holiday cheer and stories of love and hope and romance. Because we are romance authors and there's nothing we love more than helping people find their happily ever after.

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MISCHIEF UNDER THE MISTLETOE:

The Perfect Vacation by Chris Keniston and Kathy Ivan

The Perfect Vacation – Chris Keniston and the Beach

My bucket list of interesting places grows longer every year. I'd love to walk the Great Wall of China.  I'd like to stand in the center of Timbuktu.  But I'd especially like to have lunch in an ocean restaurant in Bali.  Yes. I mean one of those places where the table and chairs are in the water. The crystal clear aqua blue warm water.

And if you can't tell, I am most definitely a beach person.  I love the ocean, the sand, the sound of the waves rushing ashore.  And have you noticed how the food always tastes better by the sea?  

My mother and I had the best ever Macaroni and Cheese in Bermuda. 

Now I know a lot of people love the mountains. Some of the views are mind boggling. A friend of mine recently sent me a photo from the Grand Canyon – also on my bucket list - that left me breathless.

Of course my biggest problems with mountains is they tend to come with other interesting and often frightening sights, like bears.

Tuesday Book Review - By Kathy Ivan

The last Tuesday of each month, a princess is posting a book review of a book they've read and enjoyed.  (It will not be a fellow princess book, but instead a book they've read and enjoyed and want to share the love of this book with our readership.  

Today it's my turn to post a book review.  I'm a voracious reader, when I'm not working on writing my own books.  I read across multiple genres, though it's probably at least ninety percent romance.  Paranormal romance, yep.  Contemporary romance, you bet.  Romantic comedy, oh yeah.  Urban fantasy, yes please.  Romantic suspense, absolutely.  Horror, err, not so much. 

Today, I'm going to share a book from a series that I'm really enjoying.  The series is The Sugarland Blue series.  This is a spin off series from her Firefighters of Station Five series set in the fictional town of Sugarland. 

Jo Davis writes romantic suspense better than just about anybody.  (She also writes paranormal books under the name J.D. Tyler which are also absolutely fabulous.)  Ms. Davis has a way of getting you right inside the characters' heads, and bringing them alive in a way that makes you feel like you know these people.  There's a wealth of character in these stories that's missing in a lot of other books. 

On The Run is the latest in the series, featuring Detective Tonio Salvatore, a guy who always puts the job first.  He's been hurt before, and knows the only way to keep it from happening again is not to let anybody get close. 

Angel Silva desperately wants to break free from her brother and his gang, until a new sexy stranger shows up on the scene.  She can't help falling for the enigmatic Tonio Reyes—until she finds out that he's one of Sugarland's finest, and she's forced to go on the run.

Angel gets until Tonio's skin in a way nobody ever has, and he finds himself risking everything to keep her safe—including his career. 

The suspense ratcheted up from the very beginning, and kept me turning the pages on my e-reader.  I couldn't wait to see how they'd be able to get to their happily-ever-after.  But Ms. Davis delivers in her usual stylish fashion and gives us the perfect conclusion to this woman in peril story. 

I'd highly recommend every book in this series, and can't wait for the next one, which doesn't come out until December. 

PRINCESS RATING:  5 crowns

BUY LINKS:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Run-Sugarland-Blue-Novel-ebook/dp/B00MNN7H7Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1435005182&sr=1-2

BN:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-the-run-jo-davis/1121693891?ean=9780451467935 

SUPERSTITIONS: ARE YOU A BELIEVER? by Kathy Ivan

I grew up in South Florida and spent many a happy vacation going to the beach and/or visiting with family and friends along the Florida Keys and Key West.  Imagine my surprise when I found out that after a day combing the shore for spectacular seashells that I wasn't allowed to bring them inside the house.

Why?  Because it's bad luck to have real shells in your house.  Bet you didn't know that (unless you were brought up by a very superstitious grandmother and mother.) 

Most of you know the superstitions or omens which are fairly common. 

Ok, I'll admit it.  I basically shot myself in the foot.  I was supposed to post yesterday's blog and got so busy with other stuff that I totally spaced and forgot to schedule it, and it sat on my computer in a word file instead of posting to the Plotting Princesses, where it was supposed to be.

So I'm rewriting it a bit and posting it today.  TA DA!!!  (Well at least I'm getting something up – better late than never, don't you think?)

Plotter or Pantser or Hybrid, Oh My! by Kathy Ivan

I posted this on another blog that I write for and they found it interesting, so I thought I'd share it with you wonderful people who read the Princesses blog.  Plus I wanted to show off the cool header that I've got for my books.  (Isn't it cool?)  

Ever wonder what style of writer you are?  As a reader, have you asked yourself, gee, I wonder where they came up with that idea?  Everybody seems to have their own technique or ritual or personal voodoo they go through before they start a new book.  Here are a few. 

    It's launch party time!

My latest release, Connor's Gamble, is available NOW!.  I'm shouting it from the rooftops, street corners, alleyways, and everywhere else. I'm so excited that this book is finally available!

And I'm having a launch party for all my friends on Facebook this Friday, March 28, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Lots of my author friends are showing up and there will be lots of prizes being given away through the part (meaning lots and lots of books and other goodies). 

Bunnies and Plot Trails - By Kathy Ivan

I'm sorry.  Today's my day to blog and I totally spaced on the date.  So, since I didn't have anything ready, I've pulled an older blog post that I did for another blog and I'm going to post it here today.  It still applies to the way I think, so I hope you'll get something out of  it.

BUNNIES, BUNNIES EVERYWHERE . . .

When I set out to write this blog, I stood at my back patio doors looking outside at my yard.  Within moments I noticed movement under the bushes along the fence line.  In our neighborhood, even though I live in a large city, we still tend to get several different "critters".  Some I don't mind seeing in the yard, some I mind quite a bit.  This morning, though, was one of the happier sightings.  Coming out of the bushes was a cute little brown and white bunny.  There have been several wild rabbits spotted on our street, so the sight of this one wasn't a big surprise.  Seeing a second bunny come hopping out behind the first, though, that was a bit more unusual.  So standing there with my first cup of coffee in hand, I eased the curtain aside and watched. 

Kathy Ivan: Cupid Comes Calling (But He's not Knocking Down My Door)!

I hope you're having fun visiting with the Plotting Princesses and reading all these wonderful stories about love, happiness and finding that "perfect one." Make sure you keep coming back and leave a comment to be eligible for the $200 gift card at the end of the tour.

I've loved reading all these stories of first meetings and happily ever after. Love and romance is a huge part of my life. After all, it's what I write every day. Bringing together two people. That spark of attraction. Eyes meeting across a crowded room. Sharing that first magical kiss.

Okay, time for my confession. I'm single, as in never been married. I've never made that perfect connection. Sure, there have been people in my life that I've loved and still care about. But that one special person, the deep heartfelt connection you know will last for all eternity? Um, hasn't happened for me (yet).

LOOKING BACK AND REACHING FORWARD - by Kathy Ivan

As we come to the end of 2013, I want to take a moment to look back at this year and what we've accomplished.

As a group, the Plotting Princesses has grown, not only in size, adding a few new members, but also in our social media outreach. We have the blog site (of course we do, here you are visiting with us). We have the Facebook page, the Pinterest page, and we've even started a marketing branch of the Princesses, to help with promoting books the Princesses are writing. We've even got our own street team, "THE COURT."

Each Princesses continued writing throughout 2013, sending work out to agents and editors. Some entered contests. Many Princesses had multiple books come out, with more available next year.

Plotting Princesses ~ share cake and holiday stories!

Happy Holidays!!

The Plotting Princesses are all about cake. It's quite royal and mass quantities are consumed when we party. We asked Vicki to post her favorite cake recipe.

Chocolate Dipped Fruitcake

Ingredients: one good quality fruitcake, chocolates used for melting and making candy, a sharp knife, wire cooling rack, waxed paper.

Put a sheet of waxed paper under the cooling rack (to catch the dripping chocolate). Cut the fruitcake into bite-sized chunks. Melt the chocolate according to directions. Spoon or dip fruitcake chunks in chocolate. Set on cooling rack to set. Once cooled, store in a tin container or plastic storage bag.

Easy peasy!

The Plotting Princesses love the holidays so much and several of us have holiday stories. Perhaps, one of these will tickle your fancy:

Happy Holidays! The Plotting Princesses are all about cake and...

Happy Holidays!!

The Plotting Princesses are all about cake. It's quite royal and mass quantities are consumed when we party. We asked Vicki to post her favorite cake recipe.

Chocolate Dipped Fruitcake

Ingredients: one good quality fruitcake, chocolates used for melting and making candy, a sharp knife, wire cooling rack, waxed paper.

Put a sheet of waxed paper under the cooling rack (to catch the dripping chocolate). Cut the fruitcake into bite-sized chunks. Melt the chocolate according to directions. Spoon or dip fruitcake chunks in chocolate. Set on cooling rack to set. Once cooled, store in a tin container or plastic storage bag.

Easy peasy!

The Plotting Princesses love the holidays so much and several of us have holiday stories. Perhaps, one of these will tickle your fancy:

NEW BOOKS FOR BOOK LOVERS

It's been a while since the Princesses shared our current books with you. So here you go, in one handy, dandy, all-in-one list: The current releases for several of the Plotting Princesses. Included is a short blurb about the story, the cover and (of course) links to buy the books!

ENJOY!

The Reluctant Santa by Sylvia McDaniel

Blurb: Since his mother abandoned him on Christmas Eve never to return, Colin McDermott has hated Christmas and sworn never to have children. But this year two angels are giving him everything he didn't want. A Santa suit, a child and a chance at love again. This is his last chance to learn the true meaning of Christmas.

Buy Link: Amazon

Losing Cassie (Destiny's Desire Series #2) by Kathy Ivan

Blurb: Welcome to Destiny's Desire Lodge, where The Fates can manipulate the threads of life at their whim and the Fate-Keeper battles to unite the predestined souls of true love.

Firefighter Jake Stone lost the love of his life when his high school sweetheart disappeared. The arrival of a mysterious letter promising answers draws Jake to Destiny's Desire.

Cassie Daniels has been running for seven long years. At Destiny's Desire she might finally have a chance for a happy future, if she can face the evil from her past.

When Fate and Destiny collide . . . can Love survive?

Buy Links:
Amazon
B & N
Smashwords

Top 10 Blogging Questions for YOU

Hello, again, everyone.

Last time I blogged, I questioned whether blogging was on life support. You all responded with a resounding NO! I also told you what I like to see when I'm reading the blogs I personally follow, but I'd like to find out what YOU want to see when you're reading a blog.

What are you looking for? Here are my top 10 questions just for you.

1. Do you prefer more info on writing and craft-related topics or do you tend more toward reader-related stuff like posts on our dogs, vacations, wedding anniversaries, etc.

2. Do you prefer group blogs or are you looking more for individual blog site?

3. Do you follow blogs by your personal favorite authors or is most of your blog reading outside of the author/writer sphere and into other areas of interest?

4. How often do you like to see a blog published? Once a week? Twice a week? Every day?

5. Do you like to see authors post excerpts and/or upcoming scenes from their books? Do you like seeing a separate post whenever a new book is released?

6. Do you prefer an interactive blog where we do things like round robin writing where you as the reader get to participate or would you rather read what others have written?

7. How long do you think a blog post should be? 250 words? 500 word? 1000 words?

8. Do you like blogs to hold contests/giveaways (i.e. copies of books/e-books or gift cards—I'm not talking about huge prizes here those are usually handled outside the regular scope of blogging)?

9. Do you like having guest authors visit and answer questions about their books and where to get but or do you just skip over it when you see a guest author posting?

10. Finally and here's the big one: What would you like to see on the Plotting Princesses blog that we're not currently doing.

Here's you chance. Tell us what we can do to help make the site better, improve the content and keep you coming back every Tuesday and Thursday to spend your time with us. Let me know in the comment section.

Kathy Ivan writes hot sexy romances with lots of suspense and a dash of paranormal. She currently lives in Texas, where she'll do just about anything to avoid the heat. She's currently deep in her writing cave, plotting her next suspense-filled adventure. Her latest book, Losing Cassie, is available now.

A Quick Peek at what the Plotting Princesses are up to!

Plotting Princesses' June Newsletter for your reading pleasure

Extra! Extra!

The PP June Newsletter…

 

 

Is out! Catch up on what's happening with the Plotting Princesses. We have links to great articles written by PPs Liese, Kathy, Vicki, and an extra special one about the PP at RomCon written by Michelle. There's breaking news and sneak peeks at great covers.

 

Go to: http://ymlp.com/zJJ72d

 

 

Thank you for your support!

Plotting Princesses' June Newsletter for your reading pleasure

Extra! Extra!

The PP June Newsletter…

 

 

Is out! Catch up on what's happening with the Plotting Princesses. We have links to great articles written by PPs Liese, Kathy, Vicki, and an extra special one about the PP at RomCon written by Michelle. There's breaking news and sneak peeks at great covers.

 

Go to: http://ymlp.com/zJJ72d

 

 

Thank you for your support!

I GOT AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT! by Kathy Ivan

WHEEE!!! Look what I got hot off the presses!

Second Chances, my latest release received a 4.5 star review and Top Pick from Night Owl Reviews and is now available in print. I was told it would be after Christmas before it was available, but there it is, all bright and shiny, at the Amazon.com store.

It is part of their 4-for-3 deal and is also available for their super shipping/free shipping with orders over $25.00. A win-win all around.

You can order directly from CreateSpace e-store HERE or from Amazon.com HERE.

For all those who would rather not read a print book and prefer digital, Second Chances is available at AMAZON, B & N, and may other e-retailers.

HINT: It would make a terrific After-Christmas present for all your family and friends. LOL

On a more serious note, I wish all my friends, family, and fellow readers a joyous and happy holiday season. May your hearts be filled with the celebrations of the season and may your cup run over with joy and love.

Kathy

GOALS, LISTS AND PROCRASTINATION - By Kathy Ivan

Today I did something I haven't done in a really long time. I went back over some old lists where I wrote out the things I wanted to accomplish for a particular year. Yikes! You know the kind of list I'm talking about. We make them at the end of the old year or the beginning of a new year, promising ourselves we'll make things happen, finish more projects and make changes that will affect all the areas of our lives.

While I made a few things from the lists happen, but most of them never came to fruition. It makes me a little sad so much time has passed without accomplishing the things I set out to do, year after year. (By the way, you all know I'm the Queen of Procrastination, don't you?)

More than half of 2012 has passed us by and the same pattern seems to be holding true this year as in years past. I promise myself I'll be better, keep on track toward accomplishing my goals, but before I can catch my breath another couple of months has sped by. I'm stuck in a repeating loop of sameness.

Today I want to change that, set some new goals. We still have several months left in 2012 to accomplish something momentous, stupendous (or even just a little bitty thing we keep putting off).