^^That’s not the most creative title, is it? 🙂 I was running low on creativity when it came time to create this blog post. The clock just rolled past midnight here — which means it is now Saturday in Nova Scotia as I write this. I’m pretty sure that has a lot to do with why my creativity is running low.
Writing News
This week, with the help of a friend, I managed to add another chapter to both His Irreplaceable Belle and Marrying Elizabethbook 5. These chapters were not easy ones for me to write — not because the content of them was challenging but because I felt stuck, which, I think, happens at least once with every story. There were a few questions I needed to answer before moving on. This is where my very patient friend, Zoe Burton, helped me by being a sounding board when I needed to talk through some details. She also helped me come up with a possible title out of a long list of options for Marrying Elizabethbook 5.
No, I have not yet started that third writing project. Maybe I’ll get some planning done this coming week? Maybe. 🙂
Publishing News
There’s nothing new here. Just a reminder that Her Secret Beau is now available in the Kindle store for purchase or to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription if you have one of those.
Book Promotions
Listen to Your Heart (ebook edition) will be $0.99 from February 1-15, 2020. This sale is across all sales channels and in all regions of the world with all currencies being reduced. Continue reading The Saturday Broadsheet for February 1, 2020
Below is information about an ebook that I have on sale from now until February 15, 2020. Click the image below or one of the other links in this post to see all the stores were Listen to Your Heart can be purchased.
Listen to Your Heart will be $0.99 from February 1-15, 2020. This sale is across all sales channels and in all regions of the world with all currencies being reduced.
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About the Book:
Anne de Bourgh has never had a coming-out. She has never had a season. In fact, she has never had a suitor. But, according to her mother, she has always had a future husband. Although Anne desires to marry, she does not wish to marry her mother’s choice, and he does not wish to marry her.
With no other options and the prime of her youth slipping away, Anne’s view of her future is bleak. However, when she finds some papers hidden in her father’s study, that view, in the light of his wishes, changes. Her declaration to follow her heart and choose her own future causes discord and forces secrets to be revealed.
“Oh, thank heavens, you are here.” Anne stopped pacing as Richard entered her sitting room. “I was certain that Mother was going to get here before you. Whatever took you so long? Did Darcy not tell you I needed you? Did you not remember that you were to leave Darcy alone with Miss Bennet?”
Richard slowly poured himself a drink and sauntered to the window before replying. “I came as quickly as I was able. I needed to ensure our taciturn cousin and the lovely Miss Bennet had a topic for conversation.”
Anne groaned. “I would ask what the topic is, but I fear I do not have time to calm myself before my mother appears.”
“I do not know why you do not place more faith in my tactics. I am a trained colonel in His Majesty’s army. I have led many campaigns.”
Anne sighed. “And did all your men return ─ unharmed?”
“Of course not!” Richard scoffed as he took a seat. “The goal is to limit casualties, but it is nigh unto impossible to come away completely unscathed.” He stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed his ankles. “My numbers for casualties were always low ─ well within acceptable limits.”
“And what is the acceptable limit for the battle which might be playing out in my garden?”
Today’s song choice is being paired with an excerpt from Her Heart’s Choice where Anne finally realizes what Alex has been promising her all along, and she can see her forever right there in front of her. However, will it be a realization which is just a little too late?
Her Heart’s Choice, Chapter 9 Excerpt
Mary stood between Rycroft and Kitty, waiting to welcome her new cousin and friend. “I am so happy to see you, Anne. I have wished for a visit from you, but Lady Sophia tells me you have been very busy with interviews.”
“I have,” Anne leaned close to Mary, “but it has not been enjoyable. They are all rather dull. I would much rather spend time with you and your sisters.”
Mary smiled and pulled Anne into an embrace. “Tomorrow, you must join us at the museum.”
“I would like that.” Anne felt a sigh of relief pass through her that she would not be subjected to yet another round of dull interviews.
Kitty took Anne’s hand. “You have not yet met our sister Lydia. I can assure you that our visit will be anything but dull with her along.”
Mary chuckled. “She has improved in the last month, but she is still Lydia.” A rather loud giggle was heard from the drawing room. “That is she. Lydia is rarely quiet. Come.” She wrapped her arm around Anne’s, ignoring the look of displeasure from her husband at being displaced by his cousin. “I will introduce you. Everyone else is here, so we are just beginning with some wine in the drawing room while we wait for our meal to be ready.”
“Georgiana was allowed to come,” said Kitty, “since we did not wish the men to outnumber the ladies.”
“Samuel invited some friends.” There was a hint of concern in Mary’s voice. “There was one he did not wish to invite, but things have changed, and it really could not be helped.”
Anne stopped walking. They were just outside the door to the drawing room, and she could clearly hear Alex’s voice. “And who might these guests be?” she asked, turning toward Rycroft.
In this edition of The Saturday Broadsheet: The January Kobo promo is running. I’ve got some writing decisions to make. And do you like giveaways? (If so, I’ve included something extra for last. 🙂 )
Writing News
This week, I added another chapter to both His Irreplaceable Belle and Marrying Elizabeth book 5.
Last week when I wrote this email, I mentioned I hoped to get a chapter of His Irreplaceable Belle written after I completed writing the email. I am happy to report that I did get that chapter done.
Also in last week’s Saturday Broadsheet, I asked for input about what I should consider writing next. (Only) 25 readers replied and I have those results below. According to the chart, it looks like a Darcy Family Holidays story could be what I work on next. However, the Teatime Tales story option is a rather close second in these results. Poor James Atwood will have to wait for his tale to be told until a bit later this year.
Publishing News
Her Secret Beau is now available in the Kindle store for purchase or to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription if you have one of those.
Book Promotions
As I posted yesterday, I have three box sets included in a 40% off promotion at Kobo until January 27, 2020. [𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺, 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 16 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘴.] You must use the 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙙𝙚 𝙅𝘼𝙉𝘽𝙊𝙓 at checkout to get 40% off. You can find these three box sets at these links:
I’m planning to do a few book promotions this year as part of working towards the business goals I have made my focus for 2020. Because of this, I have added a menu item (under the Leenie B Books option) here on the blog to keep track of the current promotions.
FYI: If you are a subscriber to my mailing list, you’ll often get early notice of upcoming sales — there is one coming up that I told my subscribers about, but I am not planning to release those details here until the promotions begin.
Book Review
Of course, I had to go with a review for Her Secret Beau since that book just released this week. 🙂 According to Amazon.com, this is the newest review on this book. Several have been posted already, which is exciting. At the time of my writing this post (Friday night), I think I have used all of the other reviews as posts on social media except for this one. I’m really trying not to miss any of the first reviews.
Back to the above review. Here are three things I love about this review:
First, I really like the description of the books being perfect for a cold wintry (or rainy) afternoon. Like many of my books, these are on the shorter side of things. Her Secret Beau came in at 46,761 words which is the longest book to date in this series. The first two books, His Beautiful Bea and His Darling Friend were 22,402 and 32,221 words each respectively. 🙂 So if the trend continues, will the next one be over 50,000 words? 😀 Probably not, but one never knows.
Second, the review is very correct in saying that this is not a Jane Austen Fan Fiction story. They are original sweet Regency romances that happen to be written by an author who loves Jane Austen and has chosen to create a few characters and plot elements that nod to Miss Austen’s works. (I like the game aspect of weaving in those little hints of Austen and hoping that readers will have as much fun finding them as I did putting them in there. If I remember correctly, J.W. Garrett included some of these nods in her review.)
Third, I’m glad this reviewer added that the plotline with Felicity is not wrapped up. This is an intentional “open loop” because that speed bump is scheduled to become a weaving, winding road of its own when I write Felicity’s story. I plan to get to her story as soon as I am done writing Mr. Norman’s story. (For those who have not read Her Secret Beau yet, Mr. Norman is a substantial secondary character in this book. And, also, what are you waiting for? LOL)
These are all awesome things that give readers, who are deciding on whether or not to read this book, a few more details about what to expect and should help them make a well-informed decision.
Are they looking for a nice long read? Or a quick read? Are they hoping for a retelling or variation of a Jane Austen book? Or something that is more Austenesque? Are they really into reading series where there are some things left unresolved in one book and then picked up in another? Or do they prefer everything to be firmly finished in every book?
This review will help them answer these questions, and that is wonderful.
Thank you so much, AvidReaders for reading and reviewing Her Secret Beau.
Something Extra for Last
My Book Cave Ereader/$50 Gift Card Giveaway
I have used My Book Cave to promote some of my book sales in 2019, and I intend to keep using them in 2020. In fact, I currently have a promotion scheduled with them. Anyway, they send me emails about promotion opportunities on a regular basis. Sometimes I read those emails, and sometimes I don’t. 🙂 Today, I read the email and found this lovely little tidbit.
They are giving away a Nook or Kindle ereader or a $50 dollar gift card to iTunes, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon every month in 2020 unless you are outside of the US or Canada. International winners will receive the gift card option. You can enter to win at this link:
There is a spot to check if you want to join their mailing list, but if you read below that, it is not required and does not impact your chances of winning. I looked for this because I did not want to send you something with strings attached.
That is it for this week. Have a lovely weekend! I’ll be back on Monday with some music and a story excerpt.
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Click to find all of Leenie’s books at your favourite retailer.
Happy Saturday! I’m happy to see you back here today. I hope you had a good week. Mine went pretty well. I am actually feeling like I might finally get to the top of this writing mountain with some goals and plans in place for the coming months — or, at least, a start to those goals and plans. 🙂 Here’s some of what is going on in my writing world.
Writing News
I got a good bit of writing done this week — 2 chapters of His Irreplaceable Belle and 1 chapter of Marrying Elizabeth(book 5).
I spent one evening rereading Kitty and Lorcan’s story and getting all the chapters I have written of that scheduled on my blog and at Patreon and then pairing them up with images. Finding those images took a while, but then, that can be a fun research hole to fall down. 🙂
I have begun thinking about what other writing project I will start next. I am considering doing some revision work to a few of my current Teatime Tale stories and making them longer (about the length of my Nature’s Fury and Delights stories) and writing a few new ones. However, I am only in the planning stages now, and there are other options like the next Other Pens story or the next Darcy Family Holidays story.
A Question for You
Do you have a preference as to what I write next? I’d love to hear it. I have made a form that you can find at this link, where you can just check off what your choice is. The form will remain open until Thursday, January 23, 2020. That way I can have some results to share with you in next week’s Saturday Broadsheets.
Publishing News
Tuesday is the day!Her Secret Beau will be live to read in Kindle Unlimited and to buy in the Kindle store. The paperback is already available.
If you were one of the fortunate few who got an advance reader copy, you can start reviewing through the paperback page.
I three boxsets that have been selected to be part of a Kobo promotion:
A Dash of Darcy and Companions Cottage Collection 1 A Dash of Darcy and Companions Cottage Collection 2 Darcy And…A Pride and Prejudice Variations Collection
This promotion is administrated by Kobo, and there will be a promotional code that must be used at checkout to receive 40% off these boxsets. I do not yet have this promo code and will likely not have it until the sale has started. This promotion will run from January 22, 2020, to January 27, 2020.
Book Review
This is an older review for Mr. Darcy’s Comfort. I selected it, first of all, because I wanted to show a Bookbub recommendation this week for those who might not have ever seen one before. At Bookbub you can follow author and reviewer, and you can like and comment on the recommendations. The second reason I selected it is because this is one of the novellas in Dash of Darcy and Companions Cottage Collection 2 which is part of the Kobo promotion this week and will be entering Kindle Unlimted in February.
I must say that I was delighted to hear that Mr. Collins was intriguing. (He is not the Mr. Collins you might expect. 🙂 )
KU Changes Reminder
Remember that the Choices series will be leaving KU on February 16, 2020, and that A Dash of Darcy and Companions Cottage Collection 2 will be entering KU right around that same time, which means that boxset and the individual titles will be leaving the other vendors just before that.
In Closing
Thank you to all who took advantage of or shared about the free days for Her Beautiful Bea and the 99 cents days for His Darling Friend. They went very well. It’s exciting to think that there are several readers who are going to get to meet the characters in this series for the first time.
Remember that you can share your preference for what I write next at this link. I will take your input into consideration as I continue to make my writing plans.
Have a lovely weekend! I’ll be back on Monday with some music and a story excerpt.
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Click to find all of Leenie’s books at your favourite retailer.
