Who’s ready for a Christmas giveaway?

As some of you know, this has been a very tough year for me, so I haven’t had an opportunity to say THANK YOU to my readers too often. Well, I just want you guys to know I’m grateful for your support, and I finally got around to organizing a giveaway on my Facebook page.
Unlike Santa, I don’t care if you’ve been nice or naughty! 🎅 😉
The gifts I put together for you include an e-book copy of my romance Lovestruck box set, an audiobook copy of my rom-com, Unabridged, and a $25 Amazon gift card!
The giveaway is only for Facebook users this time, and it’s very easy to enter. You will find it as a pinned post on my Facebook page, Melinda De Ross (click on the image below)
Winners will be announced on Christmas Eve, Saturday December 24th, on this page and in my newsletter. If you’re not subscribed to my monthly newsletter, I would love to have you there and you will receive a guaranteed surprise in your inbox if you subscribe: https://melindadeross.com/
Good luck everyone, and thank you again for being here. ❤️
Wishing you all blessed holidays! 🎄
Fondly,
Melinda

Listening to your favorite book

If you are like me, then you never have enough time to sit and read all the books that you want to read. Or, it’s hard to read because you are getting older and your eyes are not what they once were. I fall into both those categories.

That’s why I started working on publishing all of my books into audio. It’s a long process since I have over sixty books published, but I am slowly getting more and more on audio. I have about half of them in audio now, and I love it. One of my favorite things is listening to my narrator after they are done to make sure there are no major mistakes. I find myself sucked back into my book, and sometimes even forget that I’m the one that wrote it as I laugh and cry with my characters. I did that recently as I listened to the final audio of Second Shield II: The Return which will be available for sale soon.

I can’t remember the last time that I physically read a book that wasn’t mine, but I have a nice collection of audiobooks that I can listen to while I’m cleaning or cooking. Sometimes I even listen in my car. It’s a great way to be entertained, without the wear and tear to my eyes, and while I get other things done.

Do you listen to audio? Are you new to audio?

Want to win an audiobook? Fill out my survey, and you could win one of my audiobooks!

If you are an avid Audiobook fan, make sure to check out our sister site, Audiobook Love with the Authors’ Billboard Audiobooks!

Friday the 13th -Lucky for me and you!

I was born on a Friday the 13th (June), and that day has always been lucky for me! Today it’s lucky for you – and it’s better for your eyes too!

In the world of technology, where we all have our noses stuck to television screens, computers, tablets, and cellphones, if you’re like me, your eyes need a rest. Generally, I am up by 5:30 every morning and on the computer within ten minutes of waking up. That’s after using the bathroom and pouring that first cup of coffee. Somedays, I am literally on my computer working for 12-15 hours.

So when I have a few hours off, the last thing I want to do is read because I need to give my eyes a break. It doesn’t help that I’m getting older and my eyesight is starting to change. The problem is, I used to read voraciously. I could read a 300-page book in several hours, and I used to read several books a week. Now I might read a book every other month.

What I have started doing is listening to audiobooks. I get a chance to relax my mind, enjoy a story, and clean my house, or cook something good in the kitchen. Sometimes, I just sit back and do nothing while I enjoy one!

I love audiobooks, and I know a lot of people are starting to enjoy them too. That’s why I am slowly having my books turned into audio productions! And this is where the fun begins!

I currently have several books in audio, and I’m going to give away 25 copies of several of them to you! All you have to do is look over the books on the sign-up form and pick your first and second choice. Then in a few days, I will send you a link and a code to download it for FREE from Audible.

CLICK HERE to sign up for a FREE Audio Book!

COMING SOON TO AUDIO

Make sure to join my AUDIO ONLY newsletter that is used to announce new releases and offers the first change of FREEBIES on new releases!

JOIN HERE

Series or Standalones #amwriting #Romance #mgtab @jacqbiggar

Series or Standalones

That was the question posed by a member of The Story Empire earlier this week. You can read his full thoughts here– well worth your time.

I’ve read many great standalone books, (Cinderella anyone?) but have to admit I enjoy stories set in a series much more. There’s a deeper connection to a) the characters, and b) location- though either of those can, and often do, change throughout the course of a series.

From NY Book Editors:

Writing a book series can be incredibly challenging (that’s the bad news), but it’s also one of the best ways to develop a loyal fan base (that’s the good news).

NY Book Editors-2016

The books can follow one or two main characters through a variety of adventures- such as J.D. Robb’s In Death series or the Harry Potter franchise.

They can also be set around a location and the citizens within- Susan Mallery’s Fools Gold series or J.R Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Some follow a progression of events and are best read in order, while others are self-contained stories within the series and can easily be read out of order.

Whichever style you prefer, series seem to be growing in popularity, some are even twenty books long and counting!, and readers can’t get enough.

I’m currently working on the third story in my Gambling Hearts series, My Girl. The series follows the lives, and loves, of three siblings born and raised on a Texas hill country ranch.

This is Aaron’s story:

Sometimes, the right decision isn’t the easiest one to make

Trish Sylvester knows her family and when they accept a week long stay at a rustic dude ranch, she is concerned- especially since it’s at her ex’s home.

Aaron is overjoyed at the opening of his family’s guest ranch, until he learns their first guest is his ex-girlfriend, her parents–and a fiancé.

And that isn’t the only surprise.

Excerpt

“I met your fiancé,” he said, his voice ripe with challenge. The outdoors clung to her skin, sun and flowers combining to intoxicate him more than the whiskey.

She lifted her chin, eyes narrowing. “What did you say to him, Aaron? I’d hoped we could all act like adults while we’re here.”

Aaron laughed, his hands doing the job his heart urged him to do, forcing her to come up against his chest with a soft oomph. “Darlin’, I’m definitely a man, make no mistake.” He leaned down and brushed her lips, setting up a warning through his chest. He was playing with fire, and if he wasn’t careful, there was little doubt who was going to get burned. Again.

“Aaron, stop this,” she murmured, though her lips parted on a sigh. “We can’t…”

He lifted his head and stared at her upturned face. “Can’t what, Trish? You invited yourself onto my territory and brought reinforcements. I want to know why.”

She moved out of his arms. He pretended not to feel the loss.

“We needed a break from the city,” she said. “Surely, you can understand that? Your sister sent an email to me highlighting the new business venture—congrats, by the way—and I thought it would be fun to come and check it out. End of story.”

He eyed her nervously tucking her hair behind her ear and knew she was bluffing. The question remained; why?


Box Set News

We have a new box set releasing August 30th!

Sweet and Sassy Baby Love 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KHEMW5

Add to your TBR list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47873355-sweet-and-sassy-baby-love

Recommend us on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/sweet-and-sassy-baby-love-by-suzanne-jenkins-and-jen-talty

Nine NY Times and USA Today bestselling authors offer stories of men and women who go to great lengths for the children they love.

A scent of innocence, that touch of softness, an angelic nap, and deep belly laughs. Babies and toddlers bring great joy, love, humor, and even conflict into our lives. But first, we need a passionate encounter, a romance that transcends time.

How do you feel about series or standalone stories? Let’s talk about it.

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