Monday Mayhem – Fielding curveballs

So yeah, busy, busy week!

Received first round edits on A BOLT FROM THE BLUE from editor and she LOVED it! Yay! Always such a relief. Particularly this time, because I had to turn this story around so quickly. The only other person who has seen it is Jewels, and we all know she’ll say anything for a PayDay bar.

As with every manuscript, I had one word in particular I abused until my intrepid editor screamed for mercy. This time, I was enamored with the word ‘it’. We won’t talk about how times I had to rework it.

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The back cover copy isn’t officially official, and there’s no cover art yet, but here is a sneak peek at what they’ve cooked up so far:

True love, like lightning, never strikes twice—or does it? 

As a free-spirited young woman, Hope Elliot was desperate to escape her snobbish high society family. So she ran off to Paris, where she lived for twenty-five years. Now widowed, she’s come home to settle her family’s massive lakefront estate. But before she can put her mother’s house on the market, it needs a major renovation. Enter master electrician Mick McInnes, a traditional guy who’s about to turn her life upside down . . .

Aside from the fact that Mick is hopelessly attracted to his latest client, Hope represents everything he doesn’t want in a woman. She’s ridiculously rich and adventurous, yet she doesn’t seem to know much about the real world. Besides, his policy is to never get involved with clients. But he can’t seem to resist the Chicago heiress’s sizzling advances—and soon enough finds himself in her bed, feeling like a teenager once again. And like teenagers, the two of them will just have to convince their families that opposites can not only attract, but they can also make the perfect match . . .

Then Wednesday, the big news about my new deal with Sourcebooks broke in Publisher’s Marketplace:

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Whoo hoo! Danny and Kate will be coming to you digitally and in mass market paperback next fall! Just in time for college football season!

While I was celebrating the announcement, I couldn’t help thinking about how happy my mom would have been to hear that some of my books will be shelved in brick and mortar stores. Thursday marked six months since her passing, and while I try not to dwell on sadness, I’m all too aware that I am still grieving.

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It has been quite a year. More downs than ups. It seems that all year long my family and friends have been dealing with hefty doses of sadness, topped with mountains of worry. But through it all, we laugh and tease and do what we can to lighten the load a bit. There are days, and then there are days, you know? But, as Mom would have reminded us, this too shall pass. On her repeated instruction, I’m trying very hard not to let my little heart grow weary.

Throughout the week, I’ve watched the Olympics. While I’m not crazy about NBC’s coverage, I never tire of hearing the athletes’ stories. I have also been working on a magazine article and a short story I hope to submit for an anthology. It’s a bit of a cat and mouse caper, and I hope it plays out well.

This week, I clean house because company is coming! Be on the lookout for photos of our antics next Monday!

What’s on your agenda this week?

Monday Mayhem – We interrupt your productivity for…

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I got so little done this weekend. Hard to keep your mind in the story when you’re busy yelling at the television. I always forget how compelling the Olympics are.  Aside from the usual suspects – swigging, gymnastics, volleyball – find myself watching sports I never imagined enjoying. Fencing, Cycling road races. Archery. And the new love of my life…women’s rugby sevens.

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Hubby didn’t understand why I was so stoked about it. I’ve watched rugby before. I adore American football, so rugby isn’t a stretch for me. I know how brutal the game is. I’m a big fan of Kat Latham’s London Legends rugby romances. I’ve just never seen women going at it so hard, so fast, and so strong. These women kick ass, and I am a fan!

In the meantime, I’m chipping away at my daily word count here and there. I’ve set a new goal that started August 1 – With 153 days left in the year, I’ve committed to writing a minimum 500 words per day for 150 of those days. A manageable goal, I think.

Oh, and rumor has it there will be a nifty announcement coming soon.

What’s keeping you entertained this week?

Monday Mayhem – Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime

I’m one of those people who love summer. Even summers in Arkansas. Oh, it’s hot, but let’s be real, we live in the age of sub-arctic air conditioning. It’s always been easier for me to cool down in the summer than to warm up in the winter. So the switch from living in a place with 10 months of winter to one with 10 months of summer was probably a good thing.

But, no matter where I live, there are some things that are forever linked to summer in my head. Here are a few:

  1. Cicadas. Now, I’m not saying I enjoy the creepy drone that comes with the seven year infestation, but I do like to hear the sound of a cicada buzzing it’s heart out on a summer evening. For that reason, this is still one of my favorite cartoons ever:cicadas
  2. Sweet corn. You can take the girl out of Central Illinois, but you can’t make her any less corny.cb654182adde2a87e86b33fe06c01d24
  3. Daylight Savings Time. I know. Some people hate it, but I love it. I love having more daylight at the end of the day. There’s nothing worse than coming home from work in the dark. 2013-03-13-enddaylightsavingstime
  4. The drone of a fan. Due to allergies and other sensitivities, we do sleep with a fan in the bedroom. But sometimes…on Sunday afternoons…when it’s too hot to do anything else…I like to turn on the portable fan in my little hideaway here, and snuggle in for a small snoozle.ecco-fan-chrome

Rice Krispies Treats. Confession: I am a bit of a snob when it comes to Rice Krispies Treats. I only eat the homemade kind. And, for some reason, I only make them in the summertime. No idea why. Most likely some subliminal advertising from my childhood run amok.the-original-treats

Well, welcome to August, my friends. Summer will be winding down (except here – we hang on until October) and you know what comes next!!!!

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What about you? What are some of the signs of summer for you?

Monday Mayhem – So crazy it didn’t even post!

**It’s been another nutty week. So nutty I didn’t even notice that my website had gone rogue. Here’s my latest post, uh, re-posted!**

This week has been a blur. I know I was busy, but sheesh, did we even have a Thursday?

The day job is kicking my butt, the writing is coming along slowly. We did a big cover reveal for LOVE & ROCKETS on the Kensington Tumblr. Did you see it? No? Well, go peek!

Now that it’s out there, I guess I can start using this nifty banner I made:

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I’m currently working on a book called LIAR’S DICE – it’s the first in the Play Dates series, which centers around three single dads. It’s a project I started a while ago. The characters are revealing more of themselves in the last 1/3 of the book.

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That’s why the writing gods invented revisions, right? I hope to wrap up the first draft this week. Wish me luck!

What’s on your plate this week? Here’s my wish for you:

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Now, go make that happen!

 

 

Monday Mayhem – It’s official!

Did you see it on Facebook? A BOLT FROM THE BLUE is signed, sealed, and slated for April 4, 2017 release! Whoo hoo! Here’s a rough and tumble take on how this book will shake out:

Hope Elliot hadn’t believed in the existence of love at first sight when it struck her on a Paris street a quarter century before, so she sure as hell didn’t think it was possible for lightning to strike twice. And she certainly didn’t expect it to fry all the wiring in her childhood home when it did.

Michael (Mick) McInnes is a Chicago guy through and through. He loves the Bulls and the Bears, but he’s not a fan of suburban snobs who speak with fake accents.

From the moment Mick first touches her, Hope knows the sizzle between the two of them is more than just a current attraction. But the more they expose one another, the impulse to draw blood wanes and the desire surges. Sparks fly as their verbal sparring becomes more intimate. Feeling constrained by the constant scrutiny from her sister and her friends, Hope taps into the rebellious streak that led her to Paris long ago. But this time, her attempt at living la vie boheme lands one masterful Master Electrician in her bed.

I’m super excited to be able to share this third installment in my Worth The Wait Romance series from Kensington/Lyrical Press!

That means you should rush right out and read/review the first two in the series:

three-little-words_maggie-wells-683x1024  A WILL AND A WAY

Okay, you don’t really have to, because they aren’t interwoven, but don’t you want to?

Frankly, I need your help spreading the word about my books and the best way you can give me a hand is to review at your favorite online retailer or GoodReads. The best vehicle for selling books is word of mouth, and your opinions matter in a HUGE way.

It doesn’t have to be a NYT-worth write up. Just an honest review. A few words saying what you liked/didn’t like about the book. That’s it. Every review helps increase my DISCOVERABILITY. And, trust me, I need a big boost.

And I ain’t too proud to beg.

Please, please, please!

I promise to make it easy for you to keep up with the latest Maggie Wells book news. Have you joined my Facebook Reader Group, The Margaritas? Followed my author pages on BookBub or Amazon? Please do! Every click is much appreciated!

Okay. Enough of that.

Thank you.

I’m going back to writing this week. Time to wrap up the next manuscript – the first installment in a series about hot single dads. Stay tuned, my friends!

Monday Mayhem – Going Pro

I’ve decided to turn pro on this weekending thing. I think I have the balance nailed.

Yesterday, I wrote a bit, then went running around town with the man. Came home, napped, edited, then watched the Outlander finale (sigh). After a brief recap with my girl, Lulu, I crawled into bed with one of Mary Balogh’s Survivor’s Club books.

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Today, my beloved brought me delicious Diet Coke from Sonic to start the day. Fueled, I went upstairs and cranked out some words. At break time, I went to fetch chicken salad from the deli and a new blow drier, as mine decided to give up on life yesterday. The man and I attempted a nap, but were thwarted by bleating noises from our cellular devices. Kids. They’re never too old to ruin a good snooze.

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The afternoon started to cloud over, so the man decided to take the opportunity to do some yard work. I spent the prelude to the storms making more words and heating a chicken enchilada casserole my friends at Stouffer’s prepared for us. As is our after dinner custom, Sally humored us by letting us play with her squeaky chicken whilst she watched tolerantly.  At last, the three of us had a delightful 20 minute doze on the bed in my office.

All in all, a nice weekend. I wish I could do it all over again today, but alas, back to the mines….

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How was your weekend? Are you a member of my Facebook reader’s group, The Margaritas? If you aren’t yet, click the link to join. I post all the juicy stuff there first!

How about that new release? A WILL AND A WAY is available now!

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I’ll have some good news coming this week. Yay! So be sure to stay tuned!

 

Monday Mayhem – Free, free, set them free!

Allow me to wish my fellow Americans a Happy Independence Day!

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And a belated Happy Canada Day to my friends up north!

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Been a big, busy week…as usual. I turned A BOLT FROM THE BLUE in to my editor. Wooot! Now, I’m working on the first book in a new series featuring hot single dads.

But the big news is…A WILL AND A WAY releases into the wild tomorrow, July 5, 2016!

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I’m really excited to set this one free. A WILL AND A WAY is the follow up to my super-hot seasoned romance, THREE LITTLE WORDS, and I can’t wait to introduce you to Will!

In the meantime, Fodder and I will be blowing up the back yard tonight. Have a safe and happy 4th!

 

 

 

 

Monday Mayhem – Back again

Sorry I missed you last week. I was attacked by a norovirus Sunday afternoon, and unable to come to the computer.

This unexpected turn of events caused great upheaval in my routines. Not only did I miss posting here, but I missed a day in my 100 day challenge. Quite a bummer, considering the 100 days are up next week. Still, I plan to get 99 out of 100, and my overall word count shouldn’t be worse for wear.

Still, lots of things happening this week. If you have not downloaded copies of GOING DEEP and FLIP THIS LOVE for only $0.99, do it now! The sale ends this week. Share this with your friends!

Beach Reads sale

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Later this week, everyone’s favorite redhead will be back, and he’s FREE!

SEDUCING STEVE free June 29 – July 2 exclusively on Amazon!

160 pages of red-headed hottie

All of this as I sprint to the finish line on A BOLT FROM THE BLUE so I can turn it in to my editor at the end of the week.

Oh, and as of Thursday, I’ll have been married to this guy for 15 years:

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So, all in all, a busy week leading up to Independence Day and the release (finally!) of A WILL AND A WAY!

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What have you been up to?

Monday Mayhem – Tell Me Something Good

There are days when I consciously make the decision to wear blinders. This doesn’t mean I’m oblivious to what’s happening around me or uncaring. It simply means I choose not to focus on things I cannot control. Just one of my particular coping mechanisms.

Like everyone with a feeling heart, I am horrified by the events that took place in Orlando this weekend.

As a woman, I’m angry about the flaws in our judicial system and the misogyny we allow to permeate our society.

I’m fearful for our country’s political future, and frankly, giving a good number of my fellow Americans the side eye.

And, as ever, I’m worried about my husband / children / siblings / nieces / nephews / greats / grands / dog / and even the baby birds in my hanging baskets (which, is amazing in itself if you know how I feel about birds).

In other words, this:

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All of the above are reasons why I choose fiction. The very essence of why I choose to read and write romantic fiction. I need stories with happy endings. Otherwise, I’d be a quivering mass of fear and worry and hopelessness.

This weekend, I hid out in my imaginary world quite a bit. You know what happened there? This:

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So, I’m going to focus on this piece of positivity for the next week or two, then I will send it off into the loving embrace of my extraordinary editor.

How about you? Did anything good happen in your little corner of the world this weekend?