Must-Watch Doco For All Romance Geeks

I love reading romance books, I love writing about them – and now I can also watch a documentary about them!

It’s a crazy ride trying to get each and every book to take form, and it looks like this doco dives right into that. Established authors, those just getting started, and those about to hit their stride. So if you’ve ever wondered why authors seem to be in a constant state of mild panic… This one’s for you.

It also touches on why people seem to dismiss romance books. It’s always struck me as funny, the way that people look down on the most popular genre. In the words of Taylor Swift – haters gonna hate hate hate.

Here’s the trailer if you’re interested – I’m going to watch this ASAP. It released on iTune and Amazon on July 12th.

Open Home, Closed Heart is LIVE

The book baby is out in the world! Reviews are rolling in, all four and five stars, people are downloading – it’s fair to say I’m thrilled with the response.

That means it’s also time to put it back up to full price – so if you want it at the $0.99 special, move quick! You’ve only got a couple of hours.

Amazon

iBooks

Kobo

Nook

 

 

“He’s infuriating. A backstabber wrapped up in pretty packaging. And I know better than to unwrap that present.”

From the moment Tess sees the new guy at work, she feels the pull towards him. But then he opens his mouth. And reveals himself as an arrogant jerk, intent on making her work life hell.

Avoiding Damian is the safest bet, but Tess has never been one to walk away from a fight. If he wants a war, he can have one. And he should be prepared to lose.

Because Tess built her real estate career to protect what’s left of her family. And no arrogant jerk is going to take it from her. No matter how good he looks in a suit.

Open Home, Closed Heart is a full-length standalone sequel to the Hawaiian Heartbreak trilogy. Intended for readers over 18 due to explicit sexual content.

Tomayto, Tomahto

Back when I was much younger, I remember enthusiastically talking to an established author. I LOVED reading as a kid, so getting the chance to talk to a Real Life Author was exciting. I babbled to him that one day I’d love to be a writer, too.

His response was… less enthusiastic.

“DON’T,” he answered. “You live in New Zealand. Your cultural references are all wrong for a global audience. Even your experience of the seasons is backwards. You’ll confuse a global audience, and never make any money. Don’t waste your time.”

Which put me off writing for a long time. Until the indie publishing revolution came about, and I thought, “screw it. What do I have to lose? Let’s just see what this global audience thinks.”

Fair to say, the response has been far better than that author led me to believe! But I’ve also been quite careful to avoid New Zealand-isms, and make sure all readers can understand what I mean.

But every now and then, the occasional one still slips through. When I was editing the latest book, Open Home Closed Heart, I made a reference to Tess only drinking long blacks.

And then I thought: have I ever heard someone call it a long black when I’ve been overseas? A quick google told me, nope, that’s a name only used in New Zealand and Australia. (My editor is Australian, which further explains how it slipped through.)

Right, got it, Tess drinks black coffee now.

And then I was on Twitter the today, and I was unexpectedly caught out again!

(Don’t judge me, chocolate porridge is delicious. Or should I say chocolate oatmeal?)

The cross-cultural differences just sneak in there, damn it. You’ve gotta be eagle eyed.

Any differences that have caught you out before? If you’re a writer, do you watch out for them? And if you’re a reader, do they bother you?

 

P.S. Open Home, Closed Heart is available on pre-order now, for a special reduced price of $0.99. So far all the advanced reviews have been five stars, so grab your copy quick!

Amazon: http://ow.ly/9vOU3012bpJ

iBooks: http://ow.ly/iEIx3012bs2

Nook: http://ow.ly/QjfV3012bF3

Kobo: http://ow.ly/Igho3014cN0

Favourite Places and Hidey Spots

I think every bookworm has a favourite reading spot. But what about a therapeutic reading spot? Just as important, and I’ll bet most bookworms also have one of those.

Old faithful, for me, is reading in bed. BORING, I know, but it works. Before going to sleep, I’ll snuggle under the duvet, flick on the bedside lamp, and read for a little bit. No better way to wind down from a long day.

But when I want to properly escape, a little something extra is needed.

Today was one of those days. A little head-clearing was in order. So I took off on a walking trail near my house, parked up on my favourite bench-with-a-view, and read in blissful peace and quiet.

Did the trick, I have to say. My Zen has returned.

How about you? What’s your favourite reading spot, and what about a therapeutic one?

Sock Sunday

Sock Sunday is turning into a relaxed day of putting the final edits into place. Damn, but I love this book.

Speaking of, the pre-order for Open Home, Closed Heart is finally up. I’ve got it at $0.99, but ONLY for the pre-order period – this is to reward my loyal readers. You can get your copy from:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Open-Closed-Heart-Hawaiian-Heartbreak-ebook/dp/B01GH6U88E

iBooks: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/open-home-closed-heart/id1120698299?mt=11

Kobo and Nook are both coming soon, but it’s still working its way through their systems.

Launch day is nearly here, and then my baby will be out in the world!

How’s your Sunday, are you doing anything fun?

Cover Reveal

The new book is almost done! Which means I’m finally ready to show you the cover, and tell you a bit more about it.

Ready?

“He’s infuriating. An asshole wrapped up in pretty packaging. And I know better than to unwrap that present.”

From the moment Tess sees the new guy at work, she feels the pull towards him. But then he opens his mouth.  And reveals himself as an arrogant jerk, intent on making her work life hell.

Avoiding Damian is the safest bet, but Tess has never been one to walk away from a fight. If he wants a war, he can have one. And he should be prepared to lose.

Because Tess built her real estate career to protect what’s left of her family. And no arrogant jerk is going to take it from her. No matter how good he looks in a suit.

Open Home, Closed Heart is a full-length standalone sequel to the Hawaiian Heartbreak Trilogy. Intended for readers over 18 due to explicit sexual content.

 

What do you think? I just love it, but then, I would say that 😉

Keep an eye out, because I’m going to be doing giveaways over the next couple of days. And if you want an extra chance, follow my social media accounts – there’ll be different giveaways on each one!

http://twitter.com/AuthorLibby

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLibbyCole/

http://www.instagram.com/authorlibby/

Celebrating with Caffeine and Sparkles

Wearing my favourite shoes today, because I just got my revised book back from the editor! And while there’s red pen decorating the page, it’s not too bad.

Now for the hard part – going through the changes, and getting it into final book shape…

 

Celebration and a Melted Brain

EDITING. The bane of any writer’s life, and yet it’s the part which turns a book from OK, to beautiful.

It also turns my brain from functional, to mush. (And my laundry pile into a mountain, but I digress.)

However – I’m finally done with my part of the editing process! It’s a blissful relief that I’m well and truly celebrating. I’ve handed it on to my editor, so now I sit and watch my inbox like a hawk until she returns it, covered in red…

I’m not sitting on my hands while I wait, though. Spare time means cover designing! I can’t wait until we’re done and I can show you the pretty results.

Of course I’ll be sharing it with my mailing list first – as well as the inevitable giveaways and special deals when the book is ready to be released! Sign up here if you haven’t already. http://eepurl.com/bwTdtD

Who else has reasons to celebrate? Share the happy with me, I want to hear about what’s happening with you!

 

Hang out with me online:

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Libby-Cole-472998599552938/

Twitter http://twitter.com/AuthorLibby

Instagram http://www.instagram.com/authorlibby/

Work work work

Almost through the toughest part of the editing phase, but I have to say, my writing partner isn’t impressed. Total snoozefest, apparently!

PHOTOBOMB

Printed out the entire book today, for round two of editing. Thought I’d take a picture to show off the enormous amount of paper…

But someone decided she was more photogenic.