Showing posts with label novel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label novel. Show all posts

Monday, November 11, 2013

Hard Hats and Doormats Cover Reveal


Hard Hats and Doormats Cover Reveal

I love a good tease...


Pop open the champs, put on your party hats, and let's whoop it up with Laura Chapman!  May I present to you, the cover of her debut novel... *imagine Jen playing an awesome drumroll* 




LOVE!




Synopsis
Lexi Burke has always been a stickler for following rules and procedures. As a human resources manager for a leading Gulf Coast chemical company, it’s her job to make sure everyone else falls in line, too.

But after losing out on a big promotion––because her boss sees her as too much of a yes-woman––Lexi adopts a new policy of following her heart instead of the fine print. And her heart knows what it wants: Jason Beaumont, a workplace crush who is off limits based on her previous protocol.

While navigating a new romance and interoffice politics, Lexi must find the confidence to stand on her own or face a lifetime of following someone else’s orders.

Who says nice girls have to finish last?

To celebrate the cover reveal for her debut novel, author Laura Chapman is sharing behind-the-scenes tidbits about the making of Hard Hats and Doormats here and on other blogs with her “Hard Hat Confessions.”

Here’s # 18:






Congratulations, Laura!  I'm so excited for you! 

XOXO

Jen 




About the Author
Laura Chapman found a way to mix her love of romance and humor as a women’s fiction author and blogger. A 2008 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Laura studied journalism, English and history. She traveled across the United States as a writer/photographer before settling into a career in communications. She also maintains Change the Word, a blog devoted to promoting women’s fiction and documenting her experiences as a writer. Born and raised in Nebraska – in a city, not on a farm – she is a devoted fan of football, British period drama, writing in bars and her cats, Jane and Bingley. Hard Hats and Doormats is her debut novel.

Connect with Laura
Website (http://www.laurachapmanbooks.com/)
Blog (http://change-the-word.blogspot.com/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/laurachapmanbooks)
Twitter (https://twitter.com/lmchap)


Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Cover Reveal for Cat Lavoie!


Get excited, people!  It's Cat Lavoie's cover for her new novel!




When coffee shop owner Zoey Everwood takes her obsession with ex-boyfriend Braden too far, everyone—except Zoey—is convinced a bit of fun in the sun at the Moment of Zen Wellness Resort will help her get over him once and for all.

But Zoey's relaxing vacation turns out to be anything but peaceful when she meets Shane Lawson, a resort guest who bears a striking resemblance to Braden. And things get even more complicated when the resort's owner starts spilling secrets about Zoey’s aunt Nessa, the woman who raised her. Add a snarky Wellness Coordinator and Nate Holmes—Shane's grumpy friend—to the mix, and you've got the recipe for a perfect tropical storm.
When Zoey comes back home with a new husband instead of tacky souvenirs, she must convince everyone she hasn't completely lost her mind. As Zoey and Shane struggle to keep the magic alive outside the resort, Zoey discovers that she isn't the only one having trouble letting go of the past. And when Nate drops a bombshell that changes everything, Zoey must decide if the old saying is true—what happens at the Moment of Zen stays at the Moment of Zen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 
Cat Lavoie lives in Montreal, Canada with her tempestuous cat, Abbie. Her debut novel, Breaking the Rules, was published in August 2012 by Marching Ink. If Cat isn't reading or writing, she's most likely watching too much TV or daydreaming about her next trip to London.




CONNECT WITH CAT 




Congratulations, Cat! 

XOXO
Jen 

Monday, August 12, 2013

Blogger Girl Cover Reveal!


I'm over the crescent moon excited to present to you the cover reveal for my sassy NYC sister's new novel, Blogger Girl.  I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Meredith Schorr's latest book and I'm swooning over the characters and story.  I cannot wait for you to get your hands on a copy.  Coming soon, I give you (drum roll please) Blogger Girl! 





What happens when your high school nemesis becomes the shining star in a universe you pretty much saved? Book blogger Kimberly Long is about to find out.
A chick lit enthusiast since the first time she read Bridget Jones’s Diary, Kim, with her blog, "Pastel is the New Black," has worked tirelessly by night to keep the genre alive, and help squash the claim that "chick lit is dead" once and for all. Not bad for a woman who by day ekes out a meager living as a pretty, and pretty-much-nameless, legal secretary in a Manhattan law firm.
While Kim's day job holds no passion for her, the handsome (and shaving challenged) associate down the hall is another story. Yet another story is that Hannah Marshak, one of her most hated high school classmates, has now popped onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book that's turning heads--and pages--across the land. It's also popped into Kim's inbox--for review. With their ten-year high school reunion drawing near, Kim's coming close to combustion over the hype about Hannah’s book. And as everyone around her seems to be moving on and up, she begins to question whether being a “blogger girl” makes the grade in her off-line life.




A born and bred New Yorker, Meredith Schorr discovered her passion for writing when she began to enjoy drafting work-related emails way more than she was probably supposed to, and was famous among her friends for writing witty birthday cards. After trying her hand writing children’s stories and blogging her personal experiences, Meredith found her calling writing “real” chick lit for real women.  When Meredith is not hard at work on her current work in progress, she spends her days as a trademark paralegal.  Meredith is a loyal New York Yankees fan and an avid runner.  Blogger Girl is her third novel.  You can find Meredith on Facebook and Twitter.  





XOXO
Jen

Friday, August 2, 2013

Elizabeth Marx's cover reveal!

It's like Christmas for me every time I lay my eyes on a new cover for one of my books.  I'm always equally excited when I see covers for friends' works as well.  So here today at Princess with a Pen, I proudly present to you the cover of my gal Elizabeth Marx new novel, Stained...



Ta-dah!

Here's the deets: 



Isn't it beautiful?  Keep your eyes pealed for the August 20th release day!  Congratulations, Elizabeth! 

XOXO
Jen




Windy City writer, Elizabeth Marx, brings cosmopolitan life alive in her fiction—a blend of romance, fast-paced Chicago living, and a sprinkle of magical realism. Elizabeth resides with her husband, girls, and two cats who’ve spelled everyone into believing they’re really dogs. She grew up in the city, has traveled extensively, and still says there’s no town like Chi-Town. 

You can find Elizabeth on Facebook and Twitter.  

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Fact or Fairy Tale with Cari Kamm


What a special day it is for my friend, Cari Kamm.  Not only is Valentine’s Day her birthday, it’s also Pub Day for her new novel, For Internal Use Only.  Cari and I met over a year ago through our mutual dear friend, Heather Hummel.  I’m glad Heather liked us both enough to introduce us.  Or maybe Heather doesn’t like us, and was pawning us off on each other?  Regardless, I’m honored to have Cari here today.  She is a gem of a gal, sweet to the core, and a loving friend.  She’s also newly engaged, and I’m going to take this opportunity to publicly announce my candidacy as her flower girl.  *Jen has no shame*  Here she is; enjoy…




Fact or Fairy Tale?
A dream is a wish your heart makes – Cinderella

I have heard people say life is not a fairy tale.
Throughout generations, from our childhoods and even as adults, we have these invisible mentors.  Some examples include Santa Claus, The Tooth Fairy, Cinderella and the little glass slipper, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, and even Robin Hood to name a few. Whether it’s family trips to Walt Disney World, bedtime stories while safely tucked in, or wearing your character themed pajamas in front of the TV as a kid (okay, I will own it, Minnie & Mickey Mouse for me . . . I adored the love story even at five), these invisible mentors have all influenced us at some point.

These fairy tales have caused some controversy over the years and have their critics.  My belief is that you can find the good and bad, the positive and negative, in anything in life if you studied it hard enough.  Overanalyzing, trying to pick every bit and piece apart, can cause us to lose focus and not truly experience the journey.  As adults we worry so much, we limit ourselves, we allow Mr. Fear to be part of the deciding process, and we question more than we believe.  When did having faith ever hurt anyone?  Why do we allow ourselves to lose faith so much? We should spend more time believing in ourselves, in life, in love, and in others.  We should spend more time in living and noticing the beauty in our friends, our career, our home, our body, our significant other.  Overanalyzing allows so many things to go unnoticed. Remind yourself to pause and to take time to find the greatness in life, the love, the humor, and all the lessons.

Fairy tales teach us as children when we are innocent and impressionable to focus on believing and succeeding. We can never lose hope; that would be equivalent to losing “heart.”  How can we live without our hearts?  I do not mean literally, as the organ responsible for pumping blood to sustain life, but putting ourselves into anything we do, to do it wholeheartedly and beautifully.
Fairy tales live within us.  They allow our spirits to remain alive inside us.  Next time you are looking in the mirror, take a second and smile back at the little girl or boy whose reflection used to stare back at you. See if you can catch a glimpse of that part of you, which still lives deep inside you.

Fairy tales have taught me to always be compassionate, to listen to my heart, to always be open to new experiences and people, that happiness is a requirement and always lives within me, and that sometimes things are not always what they seem.  Most importantly, to never forget that there is a happily ever after and that everything is possible. 

Whether it’s fact or fairy tale, my philosophy on love is that it’s for my internal use only. I believe that we should follow our own rules, listen to our own head, and follow our own heart. We should create our fairy tale . . . not chase it. Dating and falling in love is an emotional investment. I don’t think any rules truly apply.
I stopped following rules several years ago. Then, one evening I bumped into a man. Our first date was on Valentine’s Day and we’ve been together ever since. That was four years ago. We probably broke every rule in the dating guidebook. He’s my partner in crime for life.
You can purchase Cari's novel HERE


My novel, For Internal Use Only, is a love story with an edgy and dramatic twist, and gives each of us a new fairy tale to look forward to: our own.



The lovely Cari Kamm
Cari Kamm has worked in the beauty industry for over a decade, building brands, working behind the scenes, and even selling her own skin care line. She has a master’s in clinical nutrition from New York University. Kamm currently works in corporate social media management with clients in the beauty, fashion, and restaurant industries. Living in New York City with her mutt Schmutz, Kamm loves finding inspiration in the most unexpected places, being a novelist, and convincing her fiancé that ordering takeout and making dinner reservations are equal to cooking. More information can be found on her website, CariKamm.com. To check out the book trailer, click here: http://tinyurl.com/bdr7bfn.

Thank you for stopping by Princess with a Pen, and spending time with Cari and me.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

XOXO
Jen 

Monday, September 10, 2012

Exclusive! Rock Legend Dan Hunter's Issues with Dandelions and Marshmallows. Nicky Wells Hunky Lead Singer Reveals All!



Happy Monday everyone!  It’s a great day to stop by Princess with a Pen, because boy oh boy, do I have a treat for you!  My friend Nicky Wells was booked to be here today.  She is the author of the fabulous novel, Sophie’s Turn, released by Sapphire Star Publishing.  I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advanced review copy, and it did not disappoint.  My lovely Nicky is caught up in the busy world of book touring, and asked her hunky rock star character, Dan Hunter, to take her place today.  Welcome Dan to the blog!


Hello! My name is Dan Hunter.  I am the lead singer of rock band, Tuscq, and newly minted romantic heroine in Nicky Wells’ rock star romance, Sophie’s Turn.  Sophie and Nicky feel that I haven’t been pulling my weight on this promotional blog tour for Sophie’s Turn and they’ve asked me to write a guest post for the lovely Jen Tucker.

Am I the only one who just heard Dan, from Tuscq, call me lovely?! 
*Jen swoons*

Now, hold on.  I’m a rock star, not a writer.   Although I do write my own lyrics, I suppose… Hmm, anyway.  This is tricky.  Nicky said, write what you know.  So I thought I’d tell you a few things about myself.  A few things you don’t know.  A few things nobody knows, as yet.

So here goes: Ten things you didn’t know about Dan Hunter!

1. I sometimes paint my toenails.  I know, weird, right?  But I think ladies toenails look so pretty when they’re painted, it always inspires me.  So when I’m stuck on a song or a lyric and there’s no lady there to help out with her foot on display... well, what’s a rock star to do?  I have a lovely selection of purple and blue nail varnishes in my studio. After all, I wear shoes and socks when I’m out and about so nobody will see my artwork. And if it tickles my muse…

2. I’m allergic to dandelions.  Get me near one, and I shall dissolve in sneezes and hay fever tears.  I once had to cancel a show because of this!  It was an open-air gig in the countryside, we weren’t terribly famous then and it was basically a field in someone’s farmyard.  Within minutes of arriving, I was wheezing and coughing, no chance of singing.  And no, it wasn’t Glastonbury—I’d learnt my lesson by then.  I always carry hay fever meds with me now, even in the winter.

3. Marshmallows creep me out.  Seriously.  How can you eat this stuff?  It’s all squidgy and gooey and slimy and … ugh.  No, not for me.

4. I don’t work out. I hate the gym.  What, you think I look lovely and fit?  Why, thank you.  I do like walking, not that I get much chance.  I have to confess that I do have a personal trainer, but not in the traditional sense.  He teaches me Pilates to keep those muscles supple, and he also makes me do star-jumps and other basic exercises to keep me fit for the stage.  But I don’t work out, as such.  And contrary to popular myth, I don’t have a home gym.

5. I can never, ever remember if I shut the fridge door.  I’ve learnt not to care when I get that weird ‘oh my God, did I leave the fridge open’ sinking feeling.  I’ve only ever left it open once and ok, it was messy and wasteful, but hey, not the end of the world.  So I make myself ignore my worries.  It’s a useful skill, actually, works for all sorts of things.

6. I’m afraid of daddy longlegs.  I shouldn’t really admit this in public, I know, but they just terrify me.  Spiders, I can deal with.  Bugs and insects of any kind, bring them on. Gnats and midgets, I squash them ruthlessly.  Wasps and bees I can take care of.  But daddy longlegs, with their long spindly legs and brittle wings and erratic flying patterns…I have to leave the room.  Quietly, of course.

7. I love women who eat.  Oh, shall I say that one again?  I love women who like their food.  There, that’s even better.  Believe me, I have spent a lot of time spending time with lots of you ladies, and there’s nothing more annoying than sharing a meal with a girl who picks at her food or, worse, orders a salad and then picks at it.  Now Sophie, she likes her food.  It’s a joy watching her tuck into her lobster ravioli or double pepperoni pizza.  And she looks great!  And she’s happy.  There, that’s what it’s all about.  They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach—but only if you share in the meal!

8. I think I would quite enjoy opera.  I don’t really know, it’s not really my thing.  But Sophie likes classical music and she’s slowly bringing me round.  One day, she wants to take me to the opera.  Mozart’s Magic Flute is what she has planned for my opera debut. She swears I’ll love it.  I trust her.

9. I love my stereo.  As in, I love my old-fashioned record player with the big amplifier and the huge speakers.  I know, I know, that makes me a hypocrite seeing as that I use all the latest digital technology in my home studio.  But there’s something about an old vinyl record and the old, analogue amplifiers that is just… warmer.  More real, somehow.  So when I want to indulge in listening to music, that’s what I use.

10. I hate having my photo taken.  That’s a bit of a handicap when you’re a rock star, right?  But I just don’t like it.  I’m never happy with the result, and I always feel silly posing for the camera.  It feels so artificial, not real, not me.   I do it, of course.  One has to.  But I hate it.

There you go.  Ten things you didn’t know about me.  Which one surprised you most?  It was lovely being here today and actually, this guest post business isn’t so difficult after all.  I hope you enjoy Sophie and my story when you get round to reading it, and thank you again to the lovely Jen for having me here today.  Rock on!

Rock on Dan!  Thanks so much for stopping by Princess with a Pen!  Dan, I have to tell you that I adore you to bits.  Even more so after learning you paint your toe nails!  Seal does that as well!  That puts you right at the top of my rock star list.

You can Find Nicky Wells on Twitter, Facebook, and purchase her book here.

Have a wonderful day!
XOXO
Jen 

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Why Author Photos Don't Have to Suck by Lauren Clark


You all are in for a treat!  My friend, the fabulous Lauren Clark, has stopped by Princess With a Pen today to chat about the dreaded head shot.  Lauren is the author of Stay Tuned and Dancing Naked in Dixie. She writes contemporary novels set in the Deep South; stories sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets.

A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local bookstores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Her big loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends. Check out her website at www.laurenclarkbooks.com.


Why Author Photos Don't Have to Suck!

Let's face it, no one over the age of twelve (maybe even eleven) really loves getting his or her photo taken, unless, of course, you are Brooklyn Decker posing for Sports Illustrated in a string bikini and being paid a gazillion dollars.

Since SI isn't likely to bust down my door for a photo-op anytime soon, whisk me off to a desert island in the Caribbean, then retouch the images to remove any blemishes (shriek!) ... I've decided to weigh in on a crucial part of the author package:  The Photo.

 After growing up in a family full of photographers, I'm used to the click and flash mentality. Smile! Cheese! Not the fake smile! If you know my father, uncle, or cousins, you know the drill. Every event ... at least a dozen people have cameras. Case in point, St. Louis, last Saturday. Family wedding. Monday morning, several HUNDRED photos were on Facebook!










And yes, I am getting to my point. Snapshots are fabulous! Love 'em! They're fun and flirty, sometimes not so flattering, but always good for sharing.

That said, snapshots should NOT be used for your author photo. This is one of those "won't compromise/absolutes" on my Author To-Do list, along with a great cover and serious proofreading. It's just too important. If your shot is blurry, off-center, or unprofessional, what will potential readers think of what's inside the cover? You have one chance to make a first impression -- make it the best you can.

For my author photo (and I did feel rather dorky doing it, I will admit) I went to a Portrait Innovations studio (http://www.portraitinnovations.com) with no appointment and one change of clothes. The session took all of twenty minutes. I spent $69.00 and walked out the same day with three pictures on a disk that I felt good about using on my novel cover.

Take a look at these examples.  The first is off-center and blurry...




 The second is too dark and close-up. 




The third is the one that I ended up choosing for my novel covers.






I've since used the photo on my website, promotional material, Facebook, Twitter, press releases, and my two novels. I view the money and time I spent as an investment.

If you really don't have the cash to spend, enlist a friend to help, someone with knowledge of photography, a high-quality camera, and the ability to put the photos on a disk or your computer. A few extra tips:  Wear a solid color, use good lighting, and try for a natural look.


What are your thoughts on Author Photos? How do they affect your book-buying preferences?


Thank you so much, Lauren, for stopping by!  You can find Lauren Clark on Facebook and Twitter.  

You can pick up her books here:



Have a wonderful day!
XOXO
Jen