Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you. Of course being a romance author, this is a good day to advertise romance. Most people are thinking about love today, so I’ll help them out with a few specials.

Only on Amazon, Seaside Beginnings will be $1.99 until just after the release on Wednesday.

Seaside preorder ad

Then over at allromanceebooks.com, they’re offering a 50% rebate, which is a good deal. My books are here too! https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Stephanie+Payne+Hurt

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So, there it is in a nutshell. Romance at a discount everywhere. What are you up to on this day of romance? Me, it’s off to Church for service, then a special dinner. Of course, I have a word count to catch up on as always.

Happy Valentines Day!

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Emotional Roller Coaster…I don’t like roller coasters!

Good Friday morning to all of you. I hope you’ve had a great week. I’ve been a little unplugged mentally this week. Let’s just say my emotional state has gone up the hill, then dropped to rock bottom and then back up again. My brain hurts! I’ve gone from one extreme to the other so fast that I feel like maybe I have whiplash.

My week started with the revisions for Ridge. Yes it releases February 14th so the clock is ticking. Thank goodness the first draft went well and now it’s in the editors hands so, fingers crossed it’ll be ready for print next week.

On the hills of all of the reading, red markers and such, I lost a dear friend to cancer. That hit me in the gut and left me breathless. It’s hard when you see someone often and then you go to not seeing them. At least I know he’s in a better place and cancer free now. Heaven gained a true cowboy on Monday… He asked me one day if any of my cowboy characters were inspired by him. I smiled and said ‘you know it’. Will miss him…

As I trudged through the IRS released tax preparers to start tax filing. If you don’t know it, I’m an Accountant so my busy season officially started on Tuesday. I get excited when tax season starts and wait for the adrenaline to kick in, but I have to say, the older I get the less adrenaline that pumps through my brain.

The highest point of my week and the most exciting thing is that the date has been set for my book signing. What better day for a romance author to have a book signing than Valentine’s Day. It will be February 14th from 3 -5 in Zebulon, Georgia at A Novel Experience Bookstore on the square, I will debuting ‘Ridge’ on that day which is really exciting. So if you’re in this area on Valentine’s Day come by and see me, I’d love to meet you. Stay tuned for more details to come next week!

So as you can tell I’ve been otherwise occupied this week, but hope to be back to normal on Monday. Well, whatever normal is…

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

2014 almost gone, here comes 2015!

It’s hard to believe 2014 is almost in the record books. The year flew by and some days it felt like I was sitting at a train station watching it zoom by. I can say it has been a great year.

As for my writing, I published seven, count them, seven books this year! Wow! I had to recount because I didn’t think it was possible, but evidently it was… I learned a lot this year as far as my writing goes. Many authors have said they learn more and more as time goes on and I believe that.

I did hit many mile markers with my writing. I hit the Amazon top 10 several times this year and even hit the #1. Yep, that made me do a happy dance and jump around like a crazy person. Then of course I had some great reviews that made me cry and some reviews that made me cringe, but life goes on and not everyone will see things as you do.

And yes, I started Horseshoe Publishing in earnest, adding many new aspects such as website design which has been really exciting. I’ve taken on some fascinating clients and enjoyed every minute of the ride. Funny the things you learn from other authors.

Romancing September Across the World hit all time highs this year. Along with Rosie Amber, we were baffled by the response and have almost filled up next years roster. It was such a great month and can’t wait for next year.

Personally this year has been great! I made a resolution last year to enjoy life and take it as it comes. I’ve stuck by the resolution and it’s been a great ride.

Now on to upcoming things for 2015! I’ll be doing a book signing before Valentine’s Day for the upcoming new release of Ridge. Also having my books put in local book store which totally makes me squeal. It’s already starting out great and it hasn’t even started yet.

This is a wish for all of you, have a Happy New Year’s Eve. Stay safe, be good and write well.

As always, great writing and May God Bless You…

I’m back, did you miss me?

Well, I’ve been with internet since Monday afternoon. It came back up yesterday long enough for me to pay bills and bloop there it went. It’s just come back up this afternoon so I’m quickly doing a post before it goes again. Hopefully it won’t because I have a Christmas book to get published.

Hope everyone has been doing well this week. I can say this that I was able to really knuckle down and finish my Christmas book and now to the edits for a 2nd run through. I’m so excited about this one. I can’t wait to share it with all my faithful readers.

As for writing I’ve been piddling with a couple of other stories as usual. Also working on my Valentines book which is the sequel to The WInner Is Love which was last years CHristmas Romance. I’ve had several people asking when it was coming out and now I can tell you that it should be out in January or early, early February, just in time for Valentines Day.

If you get a chance run over to Avonromance.com and check out the many Christmas romances they have to offer. I think you’ll be well satisfied.

I will do a longer post tomorrow, that is if my internet is behaving.

As always, good writing and May God Bless you…

Have I gotten too comfortable with my life?

Do you ever sit back and look at your life? I’ve been doing that a lot lately. I know that my life is way too busy most of the time. I’m a wife, mother, accountant, children’s minister, and now a published author. Sometimes I don’t have time to think straight, well that’s if I could think straight 🙂

Last night was Valentine’s and here is a rundown of my night. I worked in my office which is beside my home, until 5:30. I finally walked across the driveway to the house and gave my hubby his card and chocolate covered caramels. I gave my son a reese heart and box of m & m’s, plus a card. Then I made bacon, egg and cheese toasted sandwiches. I know really fancy for Valentines dinner, but it was scrumptious. Then I grabbed my laptop and worked on tax returns while we watched Duck Dynasty. (Our new favorite show.)

I know this sounds really unromantic, but it was actually nice. We sat as a family together, even though I was working, our son was on youtube, and my hubby was playing with his new I-phone. To me this is a great night.

But when I turned my laptop off and gathered all the paperwork back into the carry box, I thought about my life. I realized something that I’ve known for a while, I’m set in my ways. I’m happy just sitting home instead of going out to dinner with friends. I don’t care to go out, going to the store has gotten to be a chore. I work, I write, and I do my ministry, but I don’t do much of anything else. My husband says he feels the same way. Have we lost touch with the world. I don’t know if we’re just in a rut or what.

I’ve been struggling with a decision, which I won’t say what just yet, don’t want to jinx it. I’m feeling somewhat lead to make a change in my business that will surprise some people and some will say it’s about time. If I do this it will open up a lot of opportunities to further my writing.

So, as my friends, pray, cross fingers and I promise I’ll let you in on the secret really soon. I’m waiting a little bit longer to make the decision. I’ve discussed this with my husband and my assistant. They’re both very supportive. I’ve also let a couple of personal friends in on it for their input. I really think it will be a positive step in my life. So in the coming weeks I will let you in on some of the changes to come.

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

“I Love You” How do you say it?

As a romance author I’ve studied a lot about romance. I’ve read different view points from very different types of people and cultures. It’s amazing how people say three simple words.

Do you just throw “I Love You” out there constantly?

Do you tell your loved ones when you see them coming or going or both?

Do you say ‘Ditto’ when they say they love you?

Do you put conditions on your love?

Do you feel like you have to buy love?

Does love feel your heart or just roll off your tongue without your heart being involved?

Does you love show in your actions or your eyes?

These are just a few questions to ponder on this day of love, which in my opinion should not be designated for one day but everyday. Love is such a wonderful feeling. Maybe you don’t have someone special in your life, but you still have the capacity to love.

True Love can be found in what Jesus did when He died on the cross for us. Some of you may not get into religion, but for those of us that have faith and believe it’s a love that fills your whole being. It gets you through the hard stuff and gives you pause when things are going great.

When you love, love with your whole heart, your mind and your soul. Give it your all and be ready to apologize when you let it slip. Let people know you love them. Sometimes simple actions mean more than three simple words. Show your love today and everyday.

As always good writing and May God Bless you…

Happy Valentine’s Day…

Tomorrow’s Valentines Day…

This is a post to remind you that tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Some of you are probably making growling sounds about now. Maybe you’re smiling secretly thinking about the plans you have with the one you love. I just hope you are planning on doing something.

So, go today before the stores run out and pick up a card. Don’t just pull one out of the stand and never read it. Make it ooey gooey romantic. Don’t forget your kids. My son always loves to get valentine candy so remember the little guys.

As always, good writing and May God Bless you…

Now get shopping!

Only one day for romance?

Why do we have only one day to show our romantic side? We should show the one we love everyday, but some only show it on Valentine’s Day. Why? That’s my question.

We should start showing romance every day. I know some days you just don’t feel romantic, but don’t just save it for one day a year. It starts with a simple handwritten note that simply says ‘I Love You.” You don’t have to buy an expensive box of candy or roses or even jewelry to show romance. To me it’s the simple things like a look, a kiss, or maybe just a touch.

Sometimes my hubby laughs at the simple things I like. He says I’m too easy to please. I told him that should make him happy. Sometimes he just blows me a kiss from across the room.To me that’s romantic and it shows he still loves me. Our son just makes a choking noise and pretends to throw up 🙂

I know I constantly talk about romance, but guess what, I’m a romance author. That’s what I do. So get with the program and get on the wagon. Give your special someone a private note tonight. Surprise them with candles at dinner or even just a kiss for no reason at all. You might be surprised at the results…

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…