May 2015 Newsletter

The Earl’s Stolen Bride is Finally Picking Up Speed

theearlsstolenbride

And that’s a relief, too, since I was struggling to figure out where the characters wanted to go in the story. 🙂  I’m not the type of author who plots out a book.  I go in knowing how the story starts, and from there, I write to figure out the rest.  As you’d guess, this does involve a lot of uncertainty when writing a book, but I find it’s also the reason why I enjoy it so much.  I never know how any story is going to go until I’m writing it.

In this case, I’ve been able to write a lot more in the past week than I have all month.  I’m now hovering near the halfway point in the story.  I’m really hoping to finish the first draft by the end of this month.  *fingers crossed*

One thing I do enjoy a lot about this story is that the hero is extremely devoted to the heroine.  He’d been in love with her secretly for over a year, and now that she’s a widow, he can finally be with her.  (Of course, being a widow in the Regency era meant you had to be in mourning for a year before you could do marry again, but that isn’t what this couple did and naturally, that is where the bulk of this story is about.)

At the moment, I’m expecting this out in July.

My Novella in A Groom’s Promise Has Turned Into a Novel

a groom's promise

This story keeps going on and on.  It’s just passed the 40,000 word stage.  I expect it to be at 50,000 words or a little more.  I don’t know if I can finish this by the end of this month or not.  It depends on how much longer the characters of this book want it to be. 😉

I keep going back and forth on the title of my novel in this anthology, and I think I’ll just go with The Shy Groom.

I think this will also be out in July.

I Currently Have This On Hold While I Work On The Earl’s Stolen Bride and my novel in A Groom’s Promise

wagontrailbrideebook2

I also have what I’ve done so far with a trusted beta reader to make sure the story is progressing nicely.  This is one of those stories where I’m having trouble deciding what’s best for the characters.  I’m hoping something will click at some point (like it did in The Earl’s Stolen Bride).

I have no idea when this will be out, but I am planning for it to be out this year.  I’m hoping toward the end of this summer.

I’m Going to Finish Up The Enchanted Galaxy Series This Year

These are contemporary fantasy romances. Book 1 is A Royal Engagement, and I published it late last year.  It’s long overdue for me to get the rest of the series finished so I’m going to do that this year.

Book 2:

royal hearts ebook

Book 3:

the royal pursuit ebook cover

I have November and December down, but I might be able to bump it up to either September or October, which is what I’d love to do.

This Has Been Moved Back to a January Release

the convenient mail order bride ebook cover

I just can’t fit it in with everything else for this year.  My calendar is too full with my other projects, and I promised my publisher I’d get A Groom’s Promise and Wagon Trail Bride to  them this year.  The others I’m publishing myself, so I can switch the dates on those as I need to.

As excited as I am about this book, I have to push it back.  There’s not enough time to write everything I want to. 😀

I hope everyone will have a terrific May!

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Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on May 2015 Newsletter

April 2015 Newsletter

Ruined by the Earl is Now Available!

Ruined by the Earl ebook cover

This is now available!  It won’t be out on iBooks or Flipkart or some other channels until Smashwords approves the book and distributes them, but they are up on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords now.

Here’s a brief description: After losing all of his money in a reckless bet, Logan Breckman, the Earl of Toplyn, needs to marry a lady from a wealthy family–and fast. So he does the only thing he can think of and picks one at random to trick into marriage.

You can find it here.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Smashwords

The Earl’s Stolen Bride will probably be out in June or July

theearlsstolenbride

I hate to say it’ll be out before these months because progress has been slow on this book.  The problem is that I’m having trouble knowing exactly how things are playing out, so I have to go slow.  Some books take longer to write than others, and this is going to be one that takes a long time.  It seems I can only go in short bursts before I have to think it over.  So I had to push the deadline for this one back.

In the meantime, I am working on other stories…

A Groom’s Promise is Going Along Well

a groom's promise

I am over the halfway point in my novella “The Marriage Bargain” that is in this anthology with Janet Syas Nitsick.  (I was calling my novella “The Shy Groom”, but I like “The Marriage Bargain” better.)  I think we’re still set to publish this anthology in June.  However, Janet has been going through some health issues and attending to a funeral in the family.  So it’s a hectic time for her, and it might push the book’s release back.  If anyone would like to pray for her, I’m sure she’d appreciate it.

Richard Larson’s Romance is Going Along Well

wagontrailbrideebook2

I finally hit the 10,000 mark on this story.  I know that doesn’t seem like much since I have been “working” on this on and off for over a year, but this time I am finally on the right track.  I’m looking for a summer release on it.  *fingers crossed*

I Just Started The Convenient Mail Order Bride

(Cover Should Be Coming Soon)

I just picked up on another historical western romance.  This is supposed to be a standalone mail-order bride story, but if it leads into a series, I’ll let it.  It took me a while to figure out what to do with the hero.  I wanted to do give him a reason he didn’t want to be married because he’s not the one who places the ad for a mail-order bride.  Someone else placed it.  So I had to figure out who sent it and why.  Now that I’ve figured it out, I can write the book.  I’m not sure if it’ll be out this year or next.  I still have to finish up the Enchanted Galaxy series.  I’ll get to those in future posts.

Hope everyone has a great April!

april newsletter pic

Posted in A Groom's Promise, Ruined by the Earl, The Convenient Mail Order Bride, The Earl's Stolen Bride, Wagon Trail Bride | Comments Off on April 2015 Newsletter

March 2015 Newsletter

Look for this one in Late March or Early April

Ruined by the Earl ebook cover

Well, I wanted to be finished with this first draft already, but as it turns out, I’m not.  Which is a real bummer.  I might or might not be able to get this out before next month.  If I do, it won’t be until the very end.  I have kids who will be off school for Spring Break, and that cuts into my productivity time.

What I’ll do it post the April newsletter on here after it’s published with all the links.  That way you won’t be bugged with more than one email (like you were in February with the two books I had out in the middle of the month.)

Not Sure When this one will be Done

theearlsstolenbride

I’m only chapter five, and writing Bride by Design did delay me (a bit) because I had to focus in on it to get it done under a tight deadline.  I’ve also been snail pacing with my writing in order to take care of gathering stuff for taxes.  I’m telling you, that is a huge time suck.  You’d think it’d be easy, but it’s not when you’re waiting for things to come in, have to make phone calls to get things to come in, ask your accountant for advice, etc.  I finally got everything together.  Thankfully.  So maybe I can finally gain some traction.

Originally, I was hoping for an April release.  I already know that isn’t going to happen.  May or June is now looking to be the possible months.

Back to working on my Novella in this Anthology

a groom's promise

I did pick this back up.  It’s due out this summer.  Janet and I are hoping for a June release.  I think I got to chapter seven the other day.  At any rate, I’m happy with the way the story is going.

I Haven’t Done too Much in This Either

wagontrailbrideebook2

My focus has been on finishing Ruined by the Earl, so all of my available writing time has been going to this.  I haven’t done anything in this one for a couple weeks.

I Have Been Working on This

royal hearts ebook

This is due out July 4 and is currently on pre-order.  It’s the second book in the Enchanted Galaxy Series.

This Will be out before the end of the Year

the royal pursuit ebook cover

I want to finish up the Enchanted Galaxy Series, so this will be out sometime before the end of the year.  I’ll discuss this and (Royal Hearts) more in future posts.

***

New Work I Added

Betting on Love ebook

This is going to be under my pen name, Barbara Joan Russell, because it’ll be a sweet romance.  It’s the prequel to “Online Proposal”, my novella in Bride by Design.  But I’m going to do something fun I haven’t done in a long time.  I’ll be blogging the first draft on a blog I’m getting ready for April 1.

I’ll give more details in April’s newsletter.

four leaf clover

Hope everyone has a great March!

Posted in A Groom's Promise, Betting on Love, Royal Hearts, Ruined by the Earl, The Earl's Stolen Bride, The Royal Pursuit, Wagon Trail Bride | Comments Off on March 2015 Newsletter

Love Lessons With the Duke is Now Available!

Love Lessons With The Duke

This is book 2 in the Marriage by Deceit Series.

Camden Hollis, the Duke of Ashbourne, needs to pay off his brother’s debts, but all he has is a troubled estate. So when he hears that Lady Seyton is known for teaching ladies what to do to secure marriages by the end of the Season, he comes to her for help.

Helena Walter, the Lady of Seyton, doesn’t know what to think of Camden’s unusual request. How could a titled gentleman who is so good looking need help getting a wife? Her initial response is to turn him down, thinking he is merely wasting her time. But then she catches him bumbling through a conversation with a lady, and realizes he–more than anyone–needs her help.

And so the lessons begin. But before long, Camden is convinced she’s the perfect one for him. She, however, is a widow and is happy with her freedom. He might find it’ll require a scandal to get the two things he wants most: a love match and securing his estate.

Books in the Marriage by Deceit Series
Book 1: The Earl’s Secret Bargain
Book 2: Love Lessons With The Duke
Book 3: Ruined by the Earl – coming out either late March or early April
Book 4: The Earl’s Stolen Bride – coming out before June

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iBooks

Kobo

Smashwords

Flipkart

Hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day!

heart and roses

Posted in Love Lessons With the Duke | Comments Off on Love Lessons With the Duke is Now Available!

Bride by Design is Now Available!

Remember, this is a sweet contemporary romance.  I’d say it’d be rated at PG if this was a movie.  There’s no more than a few kisses in each story.  There is minor violence in Catherine Lynn’s story, which is why I bumped it up to PG.

Bride By Design New Ebook Cover

Here’s the description for each novella:

Online Proposal by Barbara Joan Russell ~ Colleen O’Hara’s friend is playing matchmaker. Not only is her friend tossing her a bridal bouquet, but she has the perfect man in mind for her to marry. All she needs is Colleen’s permission to give Mr. Perfect her email address.

And Drake Reed sounds wonderful. So wonderful, in fact, Colleen accepts his online proposal. But before vows are exchanged, she will visit him. Unfortunately, there’s one small snag preventing her from her happy ending. And that snag happens to be someone he used to have a crush on in high school.

~*~*~

Tristan’s Redemption by Catherine Lynn ~ Maggie O’Hara lands a job in New York City with a popular bridal design shop. When she arrives there, she finds it to be very different from her small town in Tennessee. She’s surprised when a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk asks her for money. There’s something different about this man, something intriguing. Is there more to him than meets the eye?

Tristan West has been homeless for a while, his tragic past haunting him every day. When a sweet, dark-haired girl gives him money, he doesn’t realize his life is about to change.

Will Maggie be able to save Tristan from himself? Will Tristan be able to save Maggie from a more tangible threat? The answers will be revealed in Tristan’s journey to redemption.

***

Here are the links if you’re interested:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Smashwords

Posted in Barbara Joan Russell, Bride by Design | Comments Off on Bride by Design is Now Available!

February 2015 Newsletter

Due out February 14!

Love Lessons With The Duke

This is Book 2 in the Marriage by Deceit Series.  Book 1 is The Earl’s Secret Bargain.  I’ll give the full description when it’s out, but really quick, it’s about a duke who asks for Lady Seyton’s aid in securing a wife by the end of the month.

This is also due on in mid-February!

Bride By Design New Ebook Cover

This is a contemporary sweet romance anthology, and it features two novellas by me (under the pen name Barbara Joan Russell) and my friend Catherine Lynn.  Barbara Joan Russell is my name for sweet romances.

My novella is Online Proposal, and it’s about two people who meet through emails.  Catherine Lynn’s is Tristan’s Redemption, and it’s a man’s who’s given up on life and love when a spunky woman comes along to turn his world upside down.

I’ll give more of a description to these when I post links announcing it’s out.

I plan to make a post in the middle of this month for both books.

This should be out in either March or April

Ruined by the Earl ebook cover

I’m really hoping to have this out in March.  I’m over the halfway point into this book.  It follows Love Lessons With The Duke, and to be honest, I am having so much fun writing it.  The hero seems pretty self-centered in the beginning, but he does have redeeming qualities.  I love the chemistry between the hero and heroine.  The two don’t get along at first because he kisses her in order to get her money via marriage, and this means she won’t get to marry the gentleman she was hoping to.  So yeah, lots of fun and sparks.  It’s my favorite Regency of all the ones I’ve done.

This should be out in either April or May

theearlsstolenbride

It’s looking like this might be more of a May book.  This follows Ruined by the Earl and will complete the Marriage by Deceit series.  In this one, the attraction is immediate, but since the heroine has just become a widow, it makes things awkward with her family who isn’t happy with the fact that she eloped with the hero.

This will probably be out in June

a groom's promise

To quickly sum up the two stories in this historical western romance anthology…

My story is “The Shy Groom” and features a very shy and awkward hero (Jack) who has a tendency to stutter and bump into things when he’s nervous.  Because his brother (Hugh) has moved with him to Nebraska to help him get a second start after a painful childhood.  As soon as he realizes his brother feels forced to marry someone he doesn’t want, he steps in to take his brother’s place.  But being a husband is probably the most frightening prospect he’s ever had to face.

Janet’s story is “When the Whistle Blows” and the hero (Hugh) is the brother I mentioned in the story above.  Hugh plans to purchase some land, but in the agreement, the man he’s buying the land from wants him to marry his daughter.  But no matter how hard he tries, he can’t seem to resist the spitfire he met on the train who continually haunts his thoughts.

Wagon Trail Bride will hopefully be out This Summer

Stephannie Beman will redo this cover so it looks better.

Stephannie Beman will redo this cover so it looks better.

I really want to get this out this summer.  I’m working in it from time to time.  My focus has been on the Regencies since they’re due out first.  But I am finally seriously writing Richard Larson’s story.

I’ll end it there for now.   I’m super excited by these books and look forward to getting them out. 😀

I hope everyone has a great February!

h

Posted in A Groom's Promise, Barbara Joan Russell, Bride by Design, Love Lessons With the Duke, Online Proposal, Ruined by the Earl, The Earl's Stolen Bride, Wagon Trail Bride | Comments Off on February 2015 Newsletter

January 2015 Newsletter

His Convenient Wife is Now Available!

his convenient wife ebook cover

Despite being rejected by Stan Craftsman in the past, Harriett Larson agrees to marry him for the sake of the girl he recently adopted…with the understanding theirs will only be a marriage of convenience.

Below are the links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

iBooks

Smashwords

Flipkart

Paperback

Love Lessons With The Duke Will Be Out February 14

Love Lessons With The Duke

I uploaded this to Smashwords already, so it should be up on Barnes & Noble and Kobo by this date.

A quick description of this book:

The Duke of Ashbourne asks Lady Seyton to help him secure a bride in one month, but soon he realizes he’s in love with her and will do anything it takes to marry her, even if it involves a scandal.

This is Book 2 in the Marriage by Deceit Series.  I am currently working on the next two books in this series, which I’ll mention below.

Online Proposal (under pen name Barbara Joan Russell) is Also Due Out in February

coming soon

I recently decided to make a pen name for sweet romances.  These are romances that will have no sex in them.  The pen name I’ll be using is Barbara Joan Russell, and here’s the site I created for this pen name.  I’ll add more to it over time.  For now, it’s pretty basic, but I just set it up last month.

Anyway, Online Proposal is a novella that will be in an anthology I’m publishing with Parchment & Plume.  It’s a contemporary sweet romance about a couple who meet online through email (and a little matchmaking from mutual friends).  The hero proposes to the heroine online, and she decides to go visit him in person to find out for sure if he’s the right one.

I’m Hopeful To Have Ruined By The Earl Out in March

Ruined by the Earl ebook cover

I’m close to halfway into this book.  It’s Book 3 in the Marriage by Deceit Series.  It follows closely after Love Lessons With The Duke, which is why I want this to be out as close to the release of that book as possible.

I’m Hopeful to Have The Earl’s Stolen Bride Out In April Or May

theearlsstolenbride

This is Book 4 in the Marriage by Deceit Series.  Again, this follows close to the book before it in the series (Ruined By The Earl).

A Groom’s Promise Should Be Out Before Summer

a groom's promise

I’m hoping to get this anthology out before summer.  I’m about 1/4 of the way into the novella I’m writing “The Shy Groom”.  We’re going to publish this with Parchment & Plume.

***

I hope everyone is having a great New Year’s and will have an awesome next twelve months!

october newsletter pic

Posted in A Groom's Promise, Barbara Joan Russell, His Convenient Wife, Love Lessons With the Duke, Online Proposal, Ruined by the Earl, The Earl's Stolen Bride | Comments Off on January 2015 Newsletter

December 2014 Newsletter

His Convenient Wife is Due out January 3

his convenient wife ebook cover

I will delay the January Newsletter post so I can have all the links available.  Depending on how well this book sells, I’ll either continue writing about Adam and Joel Larson or not.  I almost didn’t write this book since Catching Kent didn’t do well at all, but I decided to give it a chance.  I use sales as an indicator that people want to read the book and other books like it.  So the more a book sells, the more people want to read books featuring the secondary characters in the book.  I don’t know if that makes sense or not, but I don’t know how else to explain why I pick the books to write.

First Draft is Now Done!

Love Lessons With The Duke

I’m happy to announce the first draft of this one is done.  This is book 2 in the Marriage by Deceit Series.  It is due out February 14.

A brief description: The Duke of Ashbourne comes to Lady Seyton for advice on how to find a wife before the month is over.

Working on The Third Book

Ruined by the Earl ebook cover

This is the third book in the Marriage by Deceit Series, and it stems directly from the events that happen in Love Lessons With The Duke.  I’m hoping to have this one out in March, but if not then, it should be out in April.

Brief Description: After losing all his money in a bet, Lord Toplyn resorts to kissing Miss Jasper, the daughter of one of the wealthiest gentlemen in London.

I’m Also Working on the Fourth Book

theearlsstolenbride

This is the fourth, and final, book in the Marriage by Deceit Series.  I hope to have this one out in either April or May.

Brief Description: When Lord Reddington learns Lady Hawkins, the lady he’s secretly loved for over a year, is a widow, he risks everything to be her husband.

Janet Nitsick and I Are Still Working On This Historical Western Anthology

a groom's promise

I’m not sure when this will be out but am hoping it’ll be before the summer of next year.  We now know what we’re doing in our stories.

In Janet’s story (tentatively called When the Whistle Blows): Hugh Warren came to Lincoln looking for a new life for him and his brother (Jack Warren).  The man he’s purchasing land from has made him a very tempting offer: marry his daughter and he won’t have to go into debt to buy the land.  But what should he do about the woman he met on the train whose captured his heart?

In my story (called The Shy Groom):  Jack Warren came to Lincoln with his brother (Hugh Warren) hoping for a new start after living a life being mocked and ridiculed for his stuttering and clumsiness.  When he comes to the quiet farmstead, he can finally have the peace he’s always craved.  Except for one thing: Maybell Smith who has a horrible habit of following him around.  It wouldn’t be so bad if her father wasn’t the owner of the farmstead where he works.

Good News About Wagon Trail Bride!

wagon trail bride ebook cover

I finally have the perfect plot for this story, and I think it will be the first in a series.  I’m thinking of calling it the Pioneer Series.  This is Richard Larson’s story, but I’m not going to put it in with the Nebraska Series since it technically starts before that series takes place.  I’ll be introducing a couple of other characters I’ll use later for their stories in the new series.

I’m going to have my cover artist, Stephannie Beman, revamp this cover for me.

I don’t know when this will be published, but I plan to put it with my publisher, Parchment & Plume.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas and Happy New Year!

xmas heart

Posted in A Groom's Promise, His Convenient Wife, Love Lessons With the Duke, Ruined by the Earl, The Earl's Stolen Bride, Wagon Trail Bride | Comments Off on December 2014 Newsletter

November 2014 Newsletter

Just Good Friends is Now Available!

Just Good Friends new ebook

This is probably the only holiday romance I’m going to write.  I have done books that take place around Christmas, but this has a little more emphasis on the Thanksgiving to Christmas season, though the romance is primary.

Here’s the description:

Tiffany Clark recently had her 35th birthday, and she isn’t married, something that worries her parents to no end. To make matters worse, her sister’s wedding is quickly approaching and Tiffany has no date. When her mom threatens to pair her up with someone she doesn’t want, Tiffany takes matters into her own hands and asks her best friend, Tyler Jackson, to pose as her boyfriend.

It’ll only be for the wedding. The lie won’t go any further than that. But in a moment of frustration, Tyler blurts out that he and Tiffany are married. That’s okay, though. Because as soon as they get back to Omaha, Tiffany will tell them the truth. Only, it’s a little hard to do that when her very excited parents are coming to visit “the happy newlyweds”.

If you’d like to read it, here are the links:

Amazon

iBooks

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Smashwords

Flipkart

Other characters that show up in Just Good Friends are Ryan and Elizabeth Jackson from With This Ring I Thee Dread.

with this ring i thee dread ebook cover with black border

You can read it free from these sites:

Amazon

iBooks

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Smashwords

Flipkart

Nathan and Amy Rudolph (including Amy’s best friend, Danielle, who I love even if she is too nosy for her own good) also appear in Just Good Friends.

whatnathanwants

What Nathan Wants is only $0.99 if you’re interested:

Amazon

iBooks

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Smashwords

Flipkart

Due to Some Personal Issues, I had to move back the Release Dates on these books:

his convenient wife ebook cover

His Convenient Wife will now be out January 3.

Love Lessons With The Duke

And Love Lessons With The Duke will be out February 14.

royal hearts ebook

Royal Hearts will now be out on July 4.

I know I’ve disappointed some of you by doing this, but the books will better if I give myself enough time to write and edit them properly.  I want to honor everyone by making each book the best it can be.

More Upcoming Books

By moving Royal Hearts back, I plan to make room for a couple more books which I think will be more appealing to most of you.  My Regencies and historical westerns seem to be more popular, and I take that to mean that it’s what you’d rather read.  I do try to find ways to write what I think most of you will want.

So these are the books I am currently working on besides the ones mentioned above:

A Groom’s Promise

a groom's promise

A Groom’s Promise is my second anthology with Janet Syas Nitsick.  My novella is called “The Shy Groom”, and it features a hero who stutters, and the more nervous he is, the worse it gets.  He’s very self-conscious about this and tries to avoid people any time he can.  But our heroine is pretty feisty and isn’t so easily dissuaded.

RUINED BY THE EARL

I don’t have a cover for this Regency yet.  It’s coming soon.

But I have started working on it.  It’ll be book 3 in the Marriage by Deceit series.  The events that transpire in Love Lessons With The Duke lead to this book.  I’m not going to say how because it’ll spoil the Love Lessons With The Duke book.  But since the events from the duke book impact how things start in this story.

Here’s the description:

After losing all of his money in a reckless bet, Logan needs to marry a lady from a wealthy family–and fast. So he does the only thing he can think of and picks one at random to trick her into marriage.

The Earl’s Stolen Bride

theearlsstolenbride

This will be book 4 in the Marriage by Deceit.   I am currently working on this one, too.

Here’s the description:

Orlando Emmett, the Lord of Reddington, fell in love with Miss Chloe Masters as soon as he met her. Unfortunately, she married Lord Hawkins before he could propose. Now, a year later, she’s a widow. But if he doesn’t act fast, he risks losing to another gentleman for a second time.

I hope to have these three books out before summer of next year, but that is dependent on how things go from here until then.

***

Hope Everyone Has a Great November!

h

Posted in A Groom's Promise, His Convenient Wife, Kent Ashton's Backstory, Love Lessons With the Duke, Ruined by the Earl, The Earl's Stolen Bride | Comments Off on November 2014 Newsletter