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Where one journey ends,

 another begins…

Purchase Links: Amazon & Pelican Book Group

Devastated after the brutal murder of her husband, Chelsea Hammond vows never to love another lawman. Intent on rebuilding her shattered life, she turns her focus to helping troubled teens. But when an angry father bent on retaliation, threatens her, Chelsea must turn to the one man she never thought to trust: Deputy U.S. Marshal Trey Colten. 

Trey wants only to protect Chelsea, but she blames him for her husband’s death.Trey can relate. He blames himself, also. As danger lurks, Trey begs Chelsea to heed his warnings. He let down one Hammond. He won’t let down another—especially one who now holds his heart. When Chelsea is snatched from her home, can she put aside her fear, and trust Trey with her life? Can she forgive him for destroying her past and let him help to rebuild her future? Where one journey ends, another begins… 

Happy Thanksgiving Day, my friends!

We're counting our writing blessings over at Seriously Write today. 
Stop on by and share yours, won't you?

Wishing you a joyous, Son-filled Thanksgiving!

Want to write inspirational romance?

Join Christian authors

Myra Johnson & Dora Hiers

for an interactive discussion on writing inspirational romance

Saturday, July 21 from 2-3:15 p.m.

Mountain Island Library

4420 Hoyt Galvin Way, Charlotte, NC

Get signed copies of books from both authors after the program. Hope to see you there!

Questions about writing inspirational romance?

Join Christian authors

Myra Johnson & Dora Hiers

for an interactive discussion on writing inspirational romance

Tuesday, July 17 from 5-6:15 p.m.

Beatties Ford Road Library

2412 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC

Get signed copies of books from both authors after the program. Hope to see you there!

Join us at the...

Steele Creek Library 

Saturday, June 23
2-3 p.m.

for an interactive discussion on 

A Glimpse Into Publishing Romance. 

Signed copies of Journey's End & Journey's Edge will be available.

Steele Creek Library
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library 

13620 Steele Creek Rd

Charlotte, NC

A Normal Day??

What's that?

I can tell you that, by default, "normal" means something different for everyone. And sometimes normal isn't, well, normal. Depends on who you're asking. 

Some people prefer chaos. Thrive on it actually.

Me? I prefer normal. Routine. Predictable. Typical. 

Days where I have a set schedule: 

mornings = writing

lunch = hubby

afternoons = catching up on household chores or marketing.

Lately, life is anything but normal. 

But that's OK. Because...

God orchestrates circumstances and events to order my day. 

If I had gone to Target instead of agreeing to keep a sick grandchild, would I have been involved in the auto accident that occurred about the same time I would have been there? Hmmm...

Have you considered how He might cause your day to go off track ~off your track, not His~ so you could have a normal day? 

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

Thank You, God, for overriding my plans. Help me not to be irritated at the change in my day, but, rather, to welcome and to praise You for it.

Has God orchestrated circumstances or events in your life so you could experience a normal day?

Happy Father's Day!

Dad

My sweet hubby 

Our son, John. (on the left)

You set an awesome example of what fatherhood is all about. You inspire those around you. You are legacy makers.

You...

~drop everything when a family member needs you

~work together on do-it-yourself projects

~conspire ways to spend time together, like NASCAR trips and vacations

~talk often, even when miles separate

~give advice only when asked. Hmmm, it counts if only one of these dads does that, right? :-)

~teach and inspire your children to be their best

~love your wife and your family

These men bless my life in so many ways. I'm thankful to walk this journey with them.

Children's children are a crown to the aged, 
and parents are the pride of their children. (Prov 17:6 NIV)
Did you catch that?
"Parents are the pride of their children." 
Not children are the pride of their parents. 
I'm extremely proud of my parents. For their accomplishments, and for what they instilled in my life, the values they taught me.


We pass through different stages in our lives regarding our parents. 
As youngsters, we listen to them and obey. 
As teens, even as young adults, we roll our eyes and do our own thing, maybe even rebel.
But as we mature into adulthood, we look to them for advice and listen to their wisdom. 
It's that life cycle, don't you think?


What about you? Which stage are you at in life?

Happy Father's Day 

to all dads and to all those who fill the role of father. 

May your special day be filled with love and laughter.

Join us at the...

York County Public Library 

7-8 p.m.

Thursday, June 14

for A Glimpse Into Publishing. 

Signed copies of Journey's End & Journey's Edge will be available.

York County Library

Tabb Branch

100 Long Green Blvd

Yorktown, VA

Overwhelmed by tough times?

Can't see a way out? 

Don't believe Satan's lie. That's not the case. Ever.

Tough times are part of the journey. 

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

Tough times help us grow. 

"There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine..." (I Peter 1:6-7 NLT)

What can you do to break the bondage?

Pray. 

Focus on God first, and then others. 

Take a step forward. 

Know God's heart for you, and trust the road He has you on, 

even when you can't see where it leads. 

Are you overwhelmed by tough times today?

Join us at the...

Mooresville NC Public Library 

11-noon

Saturday, June 2

for an interactive discussion on 

Inspirational Romance & Publishing. 

Signed copies of Journey's End & Journey's Edge will be available.

Mooresville Public Library

304 South Main Street

Mooresville, NC

thanks givings

for sunshine and blue skies after some much needed rain

for Bruiser's new summer 'do. 

Means less fur on the carpet for a few months.

for comfort during a storm.

Bruiser slept through a thunderstorm for the first time in eight years. Hope this shirt works just as well for fireworks! 

for words of comfort from God. 
The same God Who created the earth loves us and promises to never leave us, that we don't need to be afraid. 
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut 31:8 TNIV)

for daycares. :-)

What about you?

What are your thanks givings?

Sales and Use Tax

Are writers responsible for remitting Sales & Use Tax on booksigning revenues or not?
Ouch! I can hear your groan. "Noooo!"

Hmmm...that's a good question and one not many writers think about. Or should I say, that's not a question writers want to consider.

For those writers like me who supply their own books for booksignings/sales, the ideal scenario would be to pay sales tax directly to the vendor when you purchase your books. In my case, that's not possible. So...

The North Carolina Department Of Revenue website states that if a writer...on two or more occasions within a 12-month period, either makes taxable sales to users, consumers, or non-registered merchants or makes purchases subject to use tax is not engaged exclusively in the business of making wholesale sales and must begin filing sales and use tax returns.

Does this mean you? 
I knew I would conduct more than 2 booksignings within a 12-month period, so I filed for a Sales & Use Tax identification number. Filing online was relatively painless and didn't take long. Not long after you file for the id number, you will receive coupons by mail.

How often do I file?
Because I anticipate a tax liability less than $100 per month, I can file quarterly, either online or by coupon/mail. Also, something to keep in mind, for NC, sales should be broken down by county. If I conduct a booksigning in Rowan County, I must charge the rate for that county, not my county of residence. Again, I found that to be fairly straightforward online, it's just a matter of knowing the rate for the county you're visiting.

Here are some other items to consider:
Consignment sales: 
Currently, I have books on consignment with an independent bookstore. They collect the sales revenue, remit the tax, and then send me a profit check. I am not liable for tax in this instance, because the bookstore remitted the tax.

Out of state sales: 
OK, this is where it gets a little tricky. Each state has different requirements. For instance, I'm scheduled for a booksigning in TN and another in VA, both with varying laws. According to a TN rep, I'm only required to file a Sales & Use Tax form after I reach $4800 sales per year. Since that's not the case, they instructed me to file a simple Consumer Return. VA is even better. Since I only plan to do 2 booksignings in VA, I'm not required to file. Yay!


Requirements vary by state, so make sure you check with your state for tax guidelines.

If you're a writer who supplies your own books for signings, how do you handle Sales & Use Tax?

My review of MONDAY'S CHILD by Clare Revell

The Blurb

Monday’s Child must Hide for Protection...
This was not the assignment Luke Nemec expected when he came to the UK—babysitting a beautiful widow. It wouldn’t be so bad if Sara wasn’t such a hostile witness. Despite her complaints and continued jibes, Luke finds himself falling for her. 

When, Sara Barnes is thrown into the witness protection programme, she becomes the “wife” of Lt. Luke Nemec, an American cop on temporary assignment with the British police. Despite Luke’s American bravado, she finds he’s kind and considerate in ways her late husband never was. 

But things aren’t always what they seem, and Luke soon realizes he’s fighting a battle of two fronts to keep Sara safe. Loyalties are called into question, and he’s no longer certain who he can trust. Luke is way out of his depth. As the threats against Sara escalate, it’s a race against time to find her husband’s killer before Sara is silenced forever.

My Review
Clare Revell does it again!

Monday’s Child begins with a bang, literally. After Sara Barnes witnesses the death of her husband on their honeymoon, she’s swallowed into the witness protection program. Newly widowed and recovering from her wounds, Sara Barnes doesn’t like being caged and lashes out at her protectors. Lt. Luke Nemec, Sara’s protector, doesn’t take her barbs personally. Instead, he provides ways for her not to feel so cooped up and showers Sara with kindness and attentiveness, so the romance progresses naturally. Ms. Revell introduced some friends with a Scottish brogue, which I was initially nervous about, but after a bit, I hardly noticed.

From the beautiful cover, you can tell that the story is set on a coast. Ms. Revell crafted scenes in such a way that I could almost feel the salty ocean breeze against my face. Packed with action and laced with faith, this romance builds excitement for the next book in the series of seven romantic suspense novels based on a rewrite of the popular nursery rhyme, Monday’s Child.

Monday’s Child releases on April 27 with WhiteRose Publishing. I’ve also enjoyed several other books by Ms. Revell, such as Saving Christmas, Cassie’s Wedding Dress, Kisses from Heaven, and After the Fire. Congratulations, Clare Revell. 

Live in the Sevierville, TN, area?

Join us at the King Family Library 

from 1-3 pm on Thursday, 4/19 

for an interactive discussion on 

Inspirational Romance & Publishing.  

Signed copies of Journey's End & Journey's Edge will be available.

King Family Library

Sevier County Public Library System

Sevierville, TN 37862

Phone: 865.365.1418

Book Reviews

Do you find book reviews difficult to write?

When I attempted my first book review, 

I spent hours working on it. 

Since then, I've adopted an easy template to use. 

I'll even share. ;-)

First, if you're blogging, it's a good idea to 
insert a copy of the book cover 
for your visual viewers. 

Just as an attractive plate of food stirs your taste buds, a well-designed book cover draws a reader in and prompts them to take a deeper look. Generally, you don't need to ask permission to use the cover. Most authors I know would LOVE the free advertising.

Secondly, I usually 
plug the back cover copy into the top of a Word document 
as a working copy. Although I don't always use it in my review, doing this keeps the names and general story idea handy, saving time later.

Journey's Edge back cover copy:

A Routine Audit? Hardly. 

Red flags—including some goon who's following her—raise McKinley Frasier's suspicions that numbers don't add up at the insurance firm. When someone tries to snatch McKinley's daughter from school, she turns to police officer and ex-fiance, Renner Crossman—the cop who walked out on her a month before their wedding. But Renner's not the same guy who broke her heart ten years ago. He calls himself a "new man." She trusts the new Renner with her daughter's safety...but what about her heart?

As I'm reading the book, I 
use the following template 
to type notes in the Word document.

• What I liked.
• What I didn't like. Was I confused about something?
• Characters ~ were they 3-dimensional? Did I like them?
• Setting ~ was it real enough that I felt like I was there? 
• For romantic suspense novels, was there an appropriate balance?
• Is there a message for the reader to take away? A faith thread?
• How would I rate the book?

Answering these questions as you read the book allows your review to flow fairly quickly and painlessly. 

Your readers may also appreciate purchase links. ;-)

And lastly, due to 2009 FTC regulations, you're obligated to indicate whether you received any compensation 
for the review. 

Want to see an awesome example? Check out Susan Tuttle's Bookshelf Friday. 

Do you have a method for writing book reviews?
What works for you?

Inspiration at the RT Booklovers Convention?

Chicago, gear up for romance lovers to storm your city for the RT Booklovers Convention! 
And, yes, you will meet inspirational authors as this segment of the convention blossoms and expands every year. Read the full line-up here. 
Check out this reader's workshop in particular...

Wednesday, 4/11 

from 2:15-3:15 pm

Beyond the Bodice...Lacing Together Faith and Romance

Inspirational romance has come a long way, baby. Real people … real-life issues … real romance … and messages that remain long after the last page is turned. What is inspirational romance today, and what does it have to offer you, the reader?

Join inspirational authors Marianne Evans, Dorothy Love, Mary Manners and Dora Hiers
for this reader's workshop.

Thursday, 4/12 

from 4-6:00 pm

I will be signing copies of Journey's Edge and Journey's End  at the E-Book & Graphic Novel Bookfair

Interested in attending? Check out the full schedule.

Stop by and say "hi." I'd love to meet you.

JOURNEY'S EDGE releases today!

A Routine Audit? Hardly.

Red flags—including some goon who's following her—raise McKinley Frasier's suspicions that numbers don't add up at the insurance firm. When someone tries to snatch McKinley's daughter from school, she turns to police officer and ex-fiance, Renner Crossman—the cop who walked out on her a month before their wedding. But Renner's not the same guy who broke her heart ten years ago. He calls himself a "new man." She trusts the new Renner with her daughter's safety...but what about her heart?


"Honey, if you’re looking for that kind of action, you’ve got the wrong room."

"What?" McKinley gasped. She knew that voice, that rich timbre with just a hint of teasing. Always teasing, forever flirting.

Renner Crossman.

Oh, no! What kind of twisted sense of humor did James suffer from? She didn’t want to see Renner. She only wanted to know that he was in the hotel.

McKinley tilted her head back, inching her line of vision up to Renner’s face. Just to be sure. A lot could change after ten years. Look at her. She was a prime example.

She heard his deep intake of breath. Shock? Yeah, well, she could relate.

"Kinny?"

Ten years faded into yesterday. Those espresso-colored eyes still gleamed with mischief. Or was it something else? Maybe he hadn’t changed that much.

His hands tightened around her arms, pulling her against him. She closed her eyes and leaned into his chest.

Renner.

His heart thumped a tune with hers. His breath whispered against her hair. And the scent of his aftershave was like a dear friend. She sighed.

What was it about him that latched on to her innermost dreams and desires and wouldn’t let go? His grin? His have-no-cares-in-the-world style against her organized, have-to-know-everything-beforehand outlook?

He looped his arms around her back and pressed his forehead to hers, just like he used to do. When he’d made her feel loved and cherished. Protected. Special.

A clamp tightened around her stomach, cut off air, and she almost tossed the cookies she’d scarfed down in place of dinner. Gag.

Special.

Yeah, right. More like used and abused. Thrown away with the trash.

She wasn’t safe in here, either. She braced her hands against his chest and jerked a step back, telling her brain to reject his familiar, comforting scent. She would take her chances in the hall.

Available with White Rose Publishing.

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, 3/21 

from 2-3:00 pm

Coltrane Life Center

321 Corban Aven S.E., Concord, NC

A Glimpse Into Publishing Presentation & Booksigning

Wednesday, 4/11 

from 2:15-3:15 pm

RT Booklover's Convention (Chicago, IL)

Joining inspirational authors Marianne Evans, Dorothy Love, and Mary Manners in presenting a reader workshop, 

Beyond the Bodice...Lacing Together Faith and Romance.

and

Thursday, 4/12 

from 4-6:00 pm

Signing at the E-Book & Graphic Novel Bookfair

Thursday, 4/19/2012 

from 1-3:00 pm

King Family Library

408 High St, Sevierville, TN

Inspirational Romance Presentation & Booksigning

If you happen to be in the area for one of these events, stop by and say hi.

SAVING HOPE by Margaret Daley

When a teenager goes missing from the Beacon of Hope School, Texas Ranger Wyatt Sheridan and school director Kate Winslow are forced into a dangerous struggle against a human trafficking organization. But the battle brings dire consequences as Wyatt's daughter is terrorized and Kate is kidnapped.

Now it's personal, and Wyatt finds both his faith and investigative skills challenged as he fights to discover the mastermind behind the ring before evil destroys everyone he loves.

Saving Hope sounds fabulous, Margaret. Congrats! Now, let's find out a little about you.  

What does a normal workday look like for you?

I start writing about 10 0'clock in the morning and write until about 6 or 7 at night. I will take breaks during the day-eat lunch, run errands, exercise, but most of my day is spent writing or editing.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? 

I'm in between a plotter and a pantser, but if I had to choose one it would be a pantser.

What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not writing? 

I love to go to lunch and a movie with friends. I like to read, too.

If you had a Friday night all to yourself, what would you do? 

Watch a romantic movie.

Where can readers find you and your books? http://www.margaretdaley.com

Thanks so much for stopping by, Margaret. Congrats on Saving Hope!

Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-two books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.