The letter that started Tuscany’s story!

Just to get you up to speed on what’s happening, Tuscany, my newest manuscript has made it to the top 55 in Harlequin’s SYTYCW15 contest. I’m posting like a crazy woman trying to get to the top 25, but I have to get enough votes to do so. If you get a moment, please give a vote on Wattpad at https://www.wattpad.com/161892410-tuscany-sytycw15-pitch-part-1

So, in the last two posts I introduced you to Lana and Romeo, now let me give you an idea of what Lana’s up against. Here’s the letter she received from her grandmother at the time of her death. This would definitely be an eye opener.

My Dearest Lana Rose,

I know you have many questions for this old woman, but first things first… Don’t you dare shed any tears for me. I’m in a good place surrounded by my loved ones.

Now for the reason you’re on this plane…I want to be buried in Tuscany where I left my heart over forty years ago. I know I never told you about that part of my life, but there was a reason.

When you arrive in Tuscany, a wonderful couple will meet you at the airport. Roberto and Marianna have been my friends for many, many years. They will take you to my small olive farm, Olive Hill. Another secret I know, but that too will come to light soon.

I want you to try it for a year. If after a year you’re not happy, then Roberto is prepared to sell everything and send you back to Georgia. But please give it a year. I know you’ll love it there. It’s the most beautiful place on earth and the magic it holds is beyond anything you’ve ever seen.

You should have my journal safely with you. As instructed, I want you to wait until you’re at the house before you open it. Everything will be explained in the pages of my journal.

I’ve raised you to be independent and I expect you to pull your weight at the farm. And please give your heart a chance to love. If you can fall in love anywhere, it’s Tuscany. Your heart will guide you in the right direction, but first you have to open it up to the possibility of love.

Roberto has my burial instructions and will follow them exactly as I’ve specified. Marianna will help you with the house. She’s an angel and I wouldn’t have made it through my youth without her.

Now you take care of yourself and remember that I love you with everything I have. We’ll be together again one day, but until then please be happy.

Love Abounds,

Mama Leona

Are you a little intrigued, if so go by and vote. Let’s see Tuscany in a Harlequin cover!

As always, good writing and May God Bless You!!!

Fall in love with Romeo…

You’ve met Lana, but now you need to meet Romeo… Well for starters he’s a dark haired, dark eyed Italian with a heart for Olive Hill. Then in comes Lana and he feels she’ll take everything away that he’s worked his whole life.

One thing you need to know about Romeo is he’s passionate, strong willed and loves with everything he has. When Lana comes into his life, everything changes. He fights the feelings with his Italian will, but love is stronger than that. The passion he feels for her takes over his senses. With the first sight, he feels it, but the first kiss sends him in a spiral.

My idea of Romeo is Ian Somerhalder from The Vampire Diaries. Yeah, he’s that good looking. As I wrote this book, that was the picture in my head, some picture too. Imagine Ian as you read Tuscany, believe me, it brings a whole new meaning to the word, Romance….

So, give Romeo a chance with a vote. Let’s get him to the Top 25 on Harlequins contest. Here’s the link, all you need to do is vote for the Pitch part 1, that’s it. https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/48304085/write/161892410

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Let’s get to know Lana…

Good Friday morning! It’s been a spectacular week, hope it has for you too! If you haven’t read any of my latest posts, I’m in the running to win a writing contract with Harlequin, yes, you heard me. I’m in the Top 50, so that means I need some votes, but first, let me introduce you to the leading lady in Tuscany, Lana.

Lana is a young woman from Zebulon, Georgia. She was raised by her grandmother, Mama Leona. Her life was as normal as any Georgia country girl. But when her grandmother dies everything she thought about her life changes. Now she has to go to Italy to take on the role as heiress of a huge olive oil farm, Olive Hill.

The problem with this is she never knew about the estate in Italy, much less her grandmother’s wealth. With everything else, she’s given a journal from her grandmother that helps guide her way. Then she meets Romeo, a handsome single Italian man that runs Olive Hill. The sparks fly as they disagree about everything, including the estate. She has one year to decide to keep the estate or sell it.

So, are you intrigued? Help Lana’s story get into a Harlequin romance by voting for the first part, the pitch at https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/48304085/write/161892410.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Check it out!

https://www.wattpad.com/story/48304085-tuscany-sytycw15

Give Tuscany a vote~

Alright everybody, here’s the link to vote for Tuscany. https://www.wattpad.com/161892410-tuscany-sytycw15-pitch-part-1

Hoping everyone will help me get to the Top 25. Go by and vote. Also share the link with everybody.

Harlequin Top 50!

Good morning all! I’ve got some exciting news… I’ve made it to the top 50 in the Harlequin So You Think You Can Write contest. And yes I’ve been dancing, jumping, screaming and all the normal things, but after a somewhat good nights sleep it’s time to get to work. I need your help!

What help you might ask? Well, I need your votes. In order to get to the top 25, I need as many votes after 5:01 EST today on the pitch part of my entry. I’ll post later the promotional package from Harlequin. Boy, that sounds good saying that. If you can, please forward, share, do whatever you have to do to get it out there. I’m forever grateful for whatever help you can give. You guys have had my back for a long time.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You… He blessed me with this opportunity!

The Struggles of a Writer…

Good morning… If you’re a writer you know some of the struggles of a writer. Maybe you’re not a writer and you ask what I’m speaking of, well here goes. As a writer you have many struggles and I’m listing just the top five.

Time – A lot of writers aren’t full time. They work other jobs and have to fit their writing in between business meetings, job hours and family time. It’s a true struggle to meet deadlines and get everything else done. But as a writer, you strive to get that few minutes here and there to write. The story has to be told.
Being seen – This is a real struggle in a market that is bursting at the seams with other writers just like you. You have to find the right niche, then make sure you stand out among the thousands, in some genres, millions of other books.
Money – If you haven’t had that break out moment, then you’re having to pay for a lot of advertising and promoting. It’s a struggle when you spend more than what comes in.
Reviews – Oh yeah, this is a struggle for traditional and indie authors. You don’t want to buy reviews, you want genuine, heartfelt reviews that draw in more readers. But more and more I hear fellow writers say it’s almost impossible to get their readers to post a review. Reviews help us authors build our reader base.
Respect – Wow, this one is hard to gain. Most people look at you strangely when you say you’re a writer. Some even say, oh I can do that, but don’t have the time. Then they say, can’t you find a better way to spend your time, or you need to do something other than write. In my opinion those people don’t have a clue as to the draw of a writer to the writing. We have to do it.

So, do you feel the struggle?

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…