The Fifty States of Pray and IWSG - How to Stay in Writing Mode During the Holidays

For the holidays, I am joining in Mark Koopman’s Fifty States of Pray.
I also posted Monday at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group site - How to Stay in Writing Mode During the Holidays.

I wanted to share the lyrics to a beautiful song called Bless Us All from my favorite Christmas movie, The Muppet Christmas Carol. We watch the movie every Christmas Eve and every year, we end up crying over fuzzy felt.

Life is full of sweet surprises

Everyday's a gift

The sun comes up and I can feel it lift my spirit

Fills me up with laughter, fills me up with song

I look into the eyes of love and know that I belong

Bless us all, who gather here

The loving family I hold dear

No place on earth, compares with home

And every path will bring me back from where I roam

Bless us all, that as we live

We always comfort and forgive

We have so much, that we can share

With those in need we see around us everywhere

Let us always love each other

Lead us to the light

Let us hear the voice of reason, singing in the night

Let us run from anger and catch us when we fall

Teach us in our dreams and please, yes please

Bless us one and all

Bless us all with playful years

With noisy games and joyful tears

We reach for You and we stand tall

And in our prayers and dreams

We ask You bless us all

We reach for You and we stand tall

And in our prayers and dreams we ask You

Bless us all

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Cats!

Since Christmas is just around the corner, I thought I'd bring back some Christmas cat favorites, including a couple of Spunky. Enjoy!

I will be back on Monday at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group site and then here on Tuesday for Mark Koopman’s Fifty States of Pray.

And of course, Spunky the cat is here for the holidays!

Are Discounted and Free Books Still Effective?

There was an interesting article at The Digital Reader this weekend - “Are Deep Discount Sales Blasts Like Bookbub’s Still Effective Sales Tools?”

Several points were raised in the article and I thought of a few more:

• Is the glut of free and 99c working against itself? Are there so many discounted books that they just aren’t drawing attention anymore? 
• Are buyers merely hoarding without reading?
• With more large, traditional publishers discounting, will that hurt self-published authors?
• It still works well for some authors - what is the deciding factor?
• It encourages buying without reading and little reader to author connection, which is vital in developing fans. Is it then just a short term solution and one that may not really work?

I’ve never been a fan of KDP Select and those days of giving away one’s book, although it was more because of the exclusitivity that’s required. I’ve already read several articles this past year that stated the free aspect was not as effective as it once was due to the amount of authors using it. With sites like Bookbub, you are also paying hundreds more to promote your free or discounted books.

How would you answer those questions?

Last Friday I participated in Milo James Fowler’s ‘Tis More Blessed book giveaway event. And the winner of a copy of The Circle of Friends, Book V...Heather is...

Helena at Becoming Layla

Congrats, Helena!

‘Tis More Blessed Giveaway and Tornado Warning Book Trailer Debut

Today I am participating in Milo James Fowler’s ‘Tis More Blessed giveaway event. Dozens of authors are participating today - see the full list below.

One lucky commenter will win a copy of my NA/YA book, The Circle of Friends, Book V...Heather.

When confidence turns to frustration…

A new beginning awaits Heather Jennings. The position at Clemson means she will finally realize her dream of coaching basketball and Heather’s ready to focus on her duties. Sadly, her triumph is hampered as her father and greatest advocate lies dying of cancer. Battling her grief, she must also deal with a sister who appears incapable of achievement. And once basketball season begins, a talented but cocky player challenges all that remains of Heather’s patience. Her life changes when she encounters a man capable of handling her bold and feisty attitude. Straightforward and smug, he entices her to date him. However, the last thing Heather needs is a serious relationship with a man equally fixated on work and opposed to marriage…

“Heather deals with real life and real situations.” 5 Stars - Teens Read Too

“Wolfe has created amazing characters with believable attributes and flaws… a true gem.” - Donna M. McDine, Write What Inspires You Book Reviews

“I am haunted by these characters… This is the power of Wolfe’s writing.” - The Book Pedler

Comment to win! Open to everyone - USA receives print copy, International ebook.

Visit others giving away books today:



I’m also helping to debut a book trailer for fellow DLP author, Tamara Hart Heiner. Tornado Warning will be released on May 6, 2014.