Support hose on standby

I’ve never felt so old in my life.

A former assistant of mine was fond of commenting how the body began its crumble at 40. I laughed at her for years…
Having managed to eeek out another decade before mine started giving in, I guess I should be grateful, but MANNNNN, there are days when I’m thinking the years since 40 conspired and jumped to catch up all at once! My bones hurt, and my muscles argue for days after I do any project that is remotely physical.

My mad scramble lately has been wrapping a couple of writing projects for deadlines so I could get my office moved out of the lower level where just about every recent storm has decided to come in. Saturday night at 10:52 CST, the last of the words were sent off and it was time. The next line of storms are already tracking this way. I had to move quickly.

Over the next 24 hours, THIS…

 

…became this.

It sure feels empty now.
I’ll be spending the next week or so getting everything re-homed in the new space. Paint and recently shampooed carpets weren’t quite dry…so I’m giving it time. (or, maybe it’s just me needing a break.)

Either way, I’ve earned a respite…a day or two anyway. Stories #5 & #6 of 8 for 2017 have whisked away to where they need to be and it will be time to take #7 & #8 off the shelf to rework, clean, & polish once the office is back up. I can ill-afford the day…but at the same time, there isn’t another one coming soon, or in sight.  I set a heavy load & aggressive pace for this year. I’m determined to complete (and survive) it. Come November…Scotch for everyone. I’m pouring if I can move. 🙂

Til next time…all the usuals; read something good, take care of you, and keep checking my facebook page and author website, I’m still in the midst of cover reveals, preorders going live, and author features for my co-conspirators in Cimmerian Shade. Don’t miss out!!

Sav

Thank you

& sorry for the delay…

For quite a long time, you’ve been gracious as I’ve blathered on about the Prowlers & Growlers boxset…Thank you for that. And to those who ordered it anyway…THANK YOU. We, the authors of P&G are most grateful for the readers who launched us to the USA Today Bestsellers list last week. It is still surreal.

I’m not going to cloud this up with anything else. Just thank you to those who made it possible.

Fierce

Recently, a very dear friend of mine advised me that they love that I am ‘fierce.’ I take this as a priceless compliment. I think I am fierce too. I love fiercely, live fiercely, and charge forward with an untenable focus on my pursuits. It is no mistake that the Rhino is my logo and philosophy.

I am also fiercely loyal as a friend. I will interject myself into situations to defend when necessary, or to stand up in the stead of a friend who is not present to do so for themselves. I personally believe this is the hallmark of friendship, or at least one of them…brutal honestly, and sometimes being the director of shenanigans is also in the job description.

But…all this fierceness, makes the results fierce too. For example…the mad, crazy juggle often is the source code for a FIERCE headache, fierce disappointment, and fierce self-condemnation. I am angry and frustrated when I can’t run as hard as I feel I should, or learn something faster. I want to be better with each day, at everything I endeavor to accomplish. This is not always the reality.

As you have seen, I have been part of two recent sets with others. One was…for lack of a better description, Author Marketing 101 on crack. I have never learned so much in such a short window while at the time feeling like I dropped so many balls. I ran hard, and gave my all…and at the end of the crazy push – I am frustrated that I couldn’t learn more to do more faster. Add that everything else on my plate has sort of become soupy from running together as they got luke warm…and my frustration is ugly, and fierce.

Whatever comes next, there is a fierce pride commingled with the disappointment. Next time…I will be better, I will be faster, and I will contribute more if it kills me. Yes, I’ve said it to myself and the organizer…who assures me that growth takes time. I might believe her.

Until that, I’m re-evaluating my agenda. I still have every intention of releasing the other 5 works in 2017. The dates may juggle, but this is me being fierce…fiercely hard-headed & stubborn to achieve the goals. Which means, it’s back to the cave after I finish posting my promos for today, because juggling…often takes time that would be used for other things…and there are no more hours so NOW it is.

See you on the pages.
Sav.

TODAY IS THE DAY

You’ve been seeing me post for MONTHS about Prowlers & Growlers….

Now today – it is finally here.

Honest…I was beginning to think the calendar had conspired against us.

It took SO LONG.

But it’s here…

If you haven’t yet, you’re running out of time to grab

TWENTY-ONE BRAND NEW STORIES

for $0.99 before the preorder price goes dark.

Seriously, Do It Now!

Any outlet you like.

Amazon Smart URL: http://hyperurl.co/PnGBs

Nook: http://bit.ly/2jzPcGI

iBooks: http://hyperurl.co/PnGiB

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2lcxcYe

Well…there’s that.

PHEW!

I’m home from a week+ away. I spent over 35 hours on the road there, back, and in between to other places and I’m spent. But…there’s no rest, not really anyway. There will always be something more to do and the list is cross one-add three. Invariably, I’m looking at one thing and something else pops up…”well, there’s that now too.”

BUT…it’s all good. I met some amazing readers, had some awesome chats with new to me (and new to publishing) authors…and got to laugh out loud. So, I’m solid. This week will be a lot of catch up for me, to get the promo back on track for Sultry & Sinful: The Femmes of Paranormal, and Prowlers & Growlers….as well as to be continuing the promotion for C.A.S.E. Revelations…there’s tons in the hopper.

I’m off again in less than 2 weeks to North Iowa Book Bash, and another fun, incredible signing event, plus I’ve got to finish Ela’s Cinder for May. Like I said, no rest. So, I guess I should take a moment to say thanks for the ones I just had.

The little river house was lovely, and mostly quiet…and if I didn’t use each moment to the fullest, I have no one else to blame.  Watch for the last March newsletter coming out from me on Wednesday with some reads from the signing authors at Biloxi…I’ll leave you with my final sunset from the trip.

Til next time…see you on the pages!

 

Teaser Thursday

Remember that light in the tunnel I told you about a couple of posts ago? Well it’s getting brighter! WooHoo!

That being said…I thought I’d share another unedited snippet from The Veiled Path to Destiny~The Veil Book 2, with you.

“I love the reaction your body has when I pay attention to that particular spot.” Iauron whispered in her ear, his hands skimming up the sides of her torso to cup her breasts. His thumbs brushed across swollen peaks of her nipples pushing at the cloth of her shirt. “Now this is a glorious sight.” She gasped as his fingers and thumb tweaked the sensitive buds only to release them and take a step back.

An incredulous expression across her features, Daria spun around to face Iauron. “Where are you going?”

A knowing smirk curved the corners of his mouth. A teasing gleam shimmered in his blue eyes. “Exploring of course.” Holding a hand out to her, he started walking backwards. “Are you coming?’

Daria glared at Iauron. The amusement radiating off of him had her gritting her teeth. “Fine.” She grumbled, bending down to pick up her discarded sweater.

“Leave it.” Iauron uttered, stalling her reach.

“I might need it if it gets cold.” She argued.

“I promise to keep you warm should you catch a chill.”

Daria walked towards him. “I’m going to hold you to that promise.” Daria warned, placing her much smaller hand onto his.

Iauron raised her hand to his mouth, “Trust me to see to your every need, mo chroí.” He beseeched her, brushing the back of her fingers with his lips. Tucking her hand into the crook of his arm, he winked at her. “Come, lass. We have much to see and much to do.”

“You’re awfully bossy, you do know that, right?” Daria asked, falling into step with him.

“Consider it one of the perks of being King.”

She shook her head. “Tell me another perk.”

Continuing to hold her hand against his arm and walk, Iauron looked down at her. All joviality left his face. “Claiming you as my Queen once again.”

Feeling the flush heat up her cheeks, Daria tore her gaze from his soul piercing one and scraped her teeth across her bottom lip. “I don’t know what say to that.” She confessed.

Iauron halted their walk an stood in front of her. Lifting her chin with his free hand, he pressed his lips to her forehead. “Fret not about a responding, little one.” He replaced his lips on her brow with his forehead, and stared into her eyes. “It is but a truth that needs neither acknowledgment nor a response. It just simply is.”
The Veiled Path to Destiny~The Veil Book 2©Jolanthe Aleksander

Until next week…Happy Reading!
~Jolanthe~

Running 220 with my hair on fire

It’s that day. I’m on the road and likely recording errant thoughts for work I intend to do when I reach my destination. I’ve been running 220 with my hair on fire for weeks leading up to this. C.A.S.E. Revelations came out a scant two weeks ago, and I’ve got an anthology & a boxed set on the near horizon that has been calling hours to promote as well. Add in packing & prep for a signing (and liberation from the real world), plus final edits/assessment of a manuscript for someone else (that I finished at nearly 3 am on Saturday morning, I might add), and you’ll have me scrambling to pack and get out the door on time.

But, by the time this posts, I’ll be long on my way. Send coffee. I’ll need it by now.

With the sun coming up to my left, I should be well beyond my beloved home state and likely  well on my way to warmer. It’s always amusing to make this trek, shedding layers as the hours pass.

So…what will you do this week? Me, I’ve got no phone, no neighbors…and a large riverhouse to shelter me and my thoughts as I try to plunk out at least 1 or 2 of the upcoming works that need words…and grab a few lazy hours on the deck in the hammock catching up on some great reads! Bliss folks…bliss is coming.

I’m going to hope for access to post next weeks snippet with fun from Booking In Biloxi…the signing is the gold standard and I’m hopeful to find a coffee joint if necessary to upload before I get back on the road to head north and have to stop to once again put pants on.

Til then…read something awesome.
See you on the pages.
Sav

 

Worth the wait

It’s been a long haul, I’m not gonna try to front. BUT, it’s worth the wait, I promise. Need something new to read here in March or April…I’ve got you covered, with a little help from my friends. And the BEST PART – all of these are $0.99 RIGHT NOW. Que your copy before the prices go up!

RELEASING TOMORROW…if you missed the preorder
(the preorder price will be good for a limited window)

You can grab C.A.S.E. Revelations my NA Dystopian in print or in eBook at amazon (other outlets pending)

Get your copy HERE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ALSO available to preorder now is a fabulous Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Box Set with 21 BRAND NEW stories. The set will go live on April 25th, but you can reserve yours now.

Amazon Smart URL: http://hyperurl.co/PnGBs

Nook: http://bit.ly/2jzPcGI

iBooks: http://hyperurl.co/PnGiB

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2lcxcYe

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last but not least, the Sultry & Sinful: Femmes of Paranormal anthology went up for preorder just a few days ago and has already claimed an orange best-seller flag at amazon. Check out and scintillate your softer side with my friends and 10 stories of F/F Paranormal wonder. This set goes live April 18th.

((iBooks link coming soon.))

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XD398FG

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XD398FG

B&N: http://bit.ly/2m3VSj0

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2m3WiGh

 

Told you I had a lot to share and that it would be worth waiting for. THIRTY-TWO new stories…all in one post. And they said it couldn’t be done in under 300 words. GOT IT NAILED!

See you on the pages!

Sav

#AmWriting

Lately I feel like I’ve used that hashtag to the point that it should be falling apart. Guess not, cuz it still works just fine. 🙂

I wrapped one WIP Sunday morning just before 2:00 am. I spent most of the day getting all my ducks in line to give to the accountant for taxes, and then…like I have been for weeks, sat back down at the desk to work on yet another tale until the wee hours of the morning. See…I meant it when I said I was going to try to make up ground this year.

I have set an aggressive schedule for myself and with a little help from the family (insert, less than 2 interruptions per hour), I’m on track to get there. By the end of April I will have a book, a boxed set, and an anthology out. I have a novella planned for May, another book for July, and yet another book for mid-fall in the midst of Con-crazy. A second anthology is scheduled for October as well. The only unknown now is a story that kicked me awake and has been taunting me to get into the mashup. The jury is out on if that will happen in ’17 as well or not.

Come on…I’m crazy but sheesh.

Add to the mix that professionally I’m up for a promotion, which almost certainly translates to relocation, making ‘aggressive’ is a mild word. Beyond all this…I will be re-booting Book of Time with a new cover, and Book of Change got a facelift too. If everything comes together, next weeks post will be GORGEOUS!

Last, there’s a cover overhaul planned for Viva Zapata & the Magic 8-Ball as I’ve gotten tons of feedback about the cover and the need for it to be more indicative of the subject…I heard…I’m trying to line that up too.

Signing season begins in just over a month with Booking in Biloxi…do you have tickets? Do you want a pair?? Find me on Fb to claim a set.

I need to get back to words, cuz you know…they don’t write themselves. Until next time, read something good and share with a friend. See you on the pages.

Too many directions, not enough gray matter

OIY! Last week I knew I had forgotten something, but like Neville’s ‘rembril’…I couldn’t find what I’d forgotten…remembered it now though – it was my weekly post here. OOOPS.

So, what has me running it so many directions you ask? Wellll….here’s the list:

Starting last week, the preorder campaign went up for the Prowlers and Growlers Box set that I’m in…HOLYMOLY – you want this set. 22 all new stories from a mad conflagration of authors – many of them best sellers or award winners all on their own…and it’s 99 pennies for a limited time…four days into Pre Order, it’s already hit #1 in two outlets, and two countries.

grab your copy with the links here:

Limited Time
Join the dark side with ***ALL NEW*** stories from som…e of your favorite NY Times, USA Today, and Award Winning, Bestselling authors.
Step into the shadows with witches, werewolves, shifters, vampires, and soul mates: the sizzling hot alphas you love.
Are you fated to find your fantasy lover in these seductive, steamy pages bursting with danger and desire? Claim your book boyfriend now!
Amazon Smart URL: http://hyperurl.co/PnGBs
Nook: http://bit.ly/2jzPcGI
iBooks: http://hyperurl.co/PnGiB
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2jJSDvf
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2kfFjSp

THEN, tomorrow…is the cover reveal and Pre Order open for my next book:

follow along on my Facebook author page to see it.

C.A.S.E. Revelations.

Release Date – March 7, 2017

A simple mistake brings the world to its knees with no notice or time to prepare. Young and inexperienced, first term president Baron York will have a lot to answer for when it’s finally done. If, that is, there’s anyone left to answer to.
Lessons from The Great Depression make an encore performance at the Hamilton property as they try to stay alive…and sane. Where were you when the world went dark and everything stopped?

Folks who get my newsletter got to see the cover today, but have to wait for the preorder with everyone else. Not getting my newsletter?? We can fix that. On my website…towards the bottom of the homepage is “NEXT STEPS” The link to subscribe is there and you too can get the latest delivered to your mailbox.

After that is the Sultry & Sinful: Femmes of Paranormal Anthology that is also coming out in April. The marketing for that is going to be amping up soon as well. Keep watching.

The rest of 2017 is a blur. Signings start in March with Booking In Biloxi, put on by the Crazy Cajun Book Lovers for the third year. North Iowa Book Bash is in early April brought by the BFF Bookies…both events are amazing.

Writing wise there are several more titles to come in ’17 from me.
Keep an eye out for details on:

Ella’s cinder – Rags to Riches in Reverse
Book of Mysteries – The Custos series Book 3
an Untitled piece for the Halloween in Savannah anthology due in October
a piece I’m playing with called Gravedigger
and lastly an idea I’m toying with based on reader requests – a follow-up to Viva Zapata & the Magic 8-Ball WIP titled Zapatista Revolution

Soooooo…yeahp, just a few kettles bubbling up right now. Apologies for missing last week. Forgive me? Hope so. Til next time, read something great.
See you on the pages!
Sav