“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” – Walt Disney
Photo Credit: Pixabay
I’m tickled pink-well almost. A peachy vanilla cream would be a more accurate description. None the less, I’m happy! The Long Road Home is taking its place as a top beach read this summer and why not – the scenery includes beach towns.
The main character Kate is living in Charleston South Carolina where her parents were killed in an automobile accident and she found out her fiancé is a cheater. She decides to travel to a property she’d inherited from her grandmother (Seagrove) on the Gulf of Mexico (FL) to make sense of her life.
Her family had a long history of secrets and she was about to uncover the worst of them. From old villainsstriking out to gain her inheritance, to the discovery her father wasn’t who she thought he was, and murder was the go-to strategy for those closest to her family. She floundered and, then fought to regain her footing to make sense of the tragedies heaped on her without cause.
Living a sheltered life she was unequipped to deal with recent life events. Who could she trust? The next-door neighbor rancher who helps makes Seagrove livable again or perhaps the government agent who knew more about her family than she.
Kate matures and sees things as they are – not as she’d believed much of her life. And, her fiancé – well that’s an interesting tale.
Love mystery-thrillers with romantic suspense? Learn more – download The Long Road Home FREE with Kindle Unlimited or order from your favorite bookstore. Happy reading!
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ATTENTION: Book bloggers and reviewers – Book two in the Sydney Jones Series Trilogy will be available soon. Don’t hesitate – sign-up to receive your advanced reader’s copynow.
Quote of the Day: “What an astonishing thing a book is. It’s a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you’re inside the mind of another person …” Carl Sagan
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Latest News: Summer Promotion
Love reading mystery-thrillers with a strong female lead character – then today is your day. Primed For Revenge, the first in the Sydney Jones Series is your right choice for entertainment. Join the thrill of reading with this special price promotion to kick off your summer fun.
A Short Blurb
Practicing law in a large partnership, Sydney Jones was primed for making partner. Then her life turned upside down after a disagreement with her boss at Birdman & Birdman.
Leaving the office, she was swiftly kidnapped and taken to her assailants’ hideaway, beaten, and raped. With no memory of whom she has put her at a disadvantage with her captors. Through gritted teeth, she promised a day of repercussions for their actions while mentally visualizing her revenge.
Warned by her assailants to keep her mouth shut or else, she was delivered to her home. Not recognizing her former living quarters, she was careful in exploring her options for regaining her memory.
Piecing together the reasons for her kidnapping brought her into contact with people, some she could trust and others risky. The problem was the amnesia prevented her from recognizing the difference.
Tapped for a crime once nudged her toward caution for something afoul was going on at Birdman & Birdman. She prepared for a fight. With a vision of fury, she made a chilling decision – never to be a victim again.
Where to order yours…
Primed For Revenge, Sydney Jones Series Book 1 is now available online and at your favorite bookstores in ebook and paperback format now!
Thank you for following my writing news and sharing on social media. I appreciate your support and look forward to your comments and reviews. Enjoy your upcoming summer reading! Carolyn Bowen
Quote of the Day: “Just write every day of your life. Read intensely. Then see what happens. Most of my friends who are put on that diet have very pleasant careers.” Ray Bradbury, WD
Meet & Greet!
Join me May 3rd, 7-9 p.m. for a meet and greet at FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock, GA. I’m tickled to participate in their Emerging Author’s Program. I hope to see you there. Be ready for some fun and games with giveaways. Hint: What is your favorite scene or quote from any of my novels?
As many of you know, my latest mystery-thriller is celebrating an April birthday. Primed For Revenge, the first in the Sydney Jones Series is available now at your favorite bookstores. I look forward to your comments and reviews. Thank you, Carolyn Bowen
Quote of the Day: You see, I am trying in all my stories to get the feeling of the actual life across – not to just depict life – or criticize it – but to actually make it alive. So that when you have read something by me, you actually experience the thing. You can’t do this without putting in the bad and the ugly as well as what is beautiful. Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway
One thing I think we can all agree on is the road to discovery for authors is challenging. We write and hope for the best reception for our stories. Most times it seems as though our stories come from a place of inspiration rather than a rational decision to write and plot around a specific topic. I’m speaking for myself here. If you have a writing method that works for you, good!
I’m going to skip right to reviews and reviewers for this is the pressure point for deciding the fate of your novel.
The shoot-gun approach to seeking reviews thinking everyone will want to read and leave a great review is a journey filled with perils and one you’ll most likely regret.
What to do!
Find your niche, your tribe, or following many say. Don’t send out review copies or place your work on websites that are not friendly to your genre. For example, you may ask why in the world someone would download and read or attempt to read about murder mystery if they find it appalling?
They do and are subject to leaving crass reviews making it difficult for real mystery lovers to find your novel. It doesn’t matter if you’ve written in Agatha Christie’s style or the most eloquent presentation of your story. Your novel and some readers just do not match.And, Lord help you if you get an overly zealous reviewer that goes to every site your novel is published on and shares their distaste. Please beware this is cyber-stalking!
You may ask, “Didn’t they read the novel’s description, clearly stating what it was about?”
I’m with you there. If a novel is crime fiction or in similar categories, you can expect a story line with gritty details about happenings that some may find offensive. That’s why their different genres for novels on all the platforms selling books.
What to do
Clearly identify the genre/s your novel falls into.
Write an accurate book description about your novel.
Find where the readers hang-out who would enjoy reading your story.
Think about groups on social media seeking books of your genre.
Your website is a goldmine and where true readers will navigate to keep up with your writing. Also, your website is the real estate that you own unlike the social platforms where you may post. Think back to social sites now dissolved and the followers that you no longer have access to.
Become a developer and up your game by engaging your fans on your website and where they hangout.
Find professional reviewers in your genre. You can post their reviews to your online book platforms.
Don’t give-up! There are readers who will enjoy your novels and give positive reviews. An interesting part of the writer’s journey is finding your base support. Once you do that, the sky is the limit. Go create!
If you’d like a sample of my new psychological thriller, Primed For Revenge, the 1st in the Sydney Jones Series, follow my blog using your email address and I’ll forward you a PDF of the first 25 pages. Note: Crime fiction, murder mystery, psychological thriller, adult rated!
I look forward to this new season and connecting with mystery lovers here and on social media. Carolyn Bowen
Quote for Today: “When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.” ― Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast
I am excited about the new season and the delightful activities available during Spring. What are some of your favorite things to do when the weather feels just right outside?
You’ve probably noticed I haven’t been posting on my blog lately. It’s not because I didn’t want to! My computer had a hiccup and off to the repair shop we went. A week later, I’m proud to announce I’ve got a new laptop. A much-needed reprieve for my writing life.
Here’s an inside look of my writing life when my computer stalls and I’m left to figure a way to continue with my creative ventures.
I’d talked about getting a blackboard in a previous blog. The idea was to use it for creating a visual of my plots. The timing was perfect. The plotting and writing of scenes on the board kept my writing moving forward. I also used a handy composition book to record my thoughts and ideas. The show must go on!
New Release – April 2nd
The countdown to the release of my new mystery-thriller, Primed For Revenge, Sydney Jones Series Book 1 is ticking down daily. You can preorder your copy today and be one of the first to read and review this new novel.
If you’d like a sample of this new thriller, follow my blog using your email address and I’ll forward you a PDF of the first 25 pages.
I look forward to this new season and connecting with mystery lovers here and on social media. Carolyn Bowen
Quote of the Day: “Be brave enough to live life creatively. The creative place where no one else has ever been.”Alan Alda
Goodreads Giveaway
Just a quick note to my mystery-thriller fans! You’re invited to enter my Goodreadsgiveaway for a chance to win one of 50 Kindle copiesof Primed For Revenge, Sydney Jones Series Book 1. Hurry, the magic ends at midnight for entering the contest.
I’m looking for bloggers and reviewers to read and review Primed For Revenge, Sydney Jones Series Book 1. Message me with your email address for providing your personal Kindle gift code. The review copies will be emailed on the official release date – April 2, 2019. Thank you!
Quote for Today: “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” John Holmes
Yesterday, I had an interview with ASK WIN and it was fun! Of course, Win promoted my latest mystery-thriller, Primed For Revenge, Sydney Jones Series, Book 1. And, I’ve included the interview for your enjoyment. Listen on iTunes.
Also, Win made an announcement about a new upcoming novel. So, follow Win Kelly Charles on Amazon so you’ll know when it’s released. I know I have!
Thanks again, Win, for having me on your podcast – ASK WIN. It was a blast!
Counting down to the official release of Primed For Revenge, Sydney Jones Series, Book 1. April 2nd, 2019 Preorder Now!
For more information about my novels, see my About Page. Follow my blog for the latest news about new releases, my writing life, and giveaways. I appreciate your support. Carolyn Bowen
Quote for Today: “In seeking happiness for others, you will find it in yourself.” Unknown
Exciting news! Tune in tomorrow, Tuesday, February 19th, 2019 – 1:00 PM MST, 3:00 PM EST, for a meet-greet with me on ASK WIN!
You will find the hostess of ASK WIN embodies the belief of helping others. She is my superhero for making the most of your life. I want you to meet her! I am indeed fortunate to be on her show.
Counting down! Are you ready? Early bird special ~ Preorder Now! Primed For Revenge, Sydney Jones Series by Carolyn M. Bowen.
Primed for Revenge, Sydney Jones Series
I hope you’ll tune in to the ASK WIN show for the latest news about my writing life. Follow my blog for the latest giveaways, like the one below! Thank you, Carolyn Bowen
Carolyn M. Bowen, Author 