Showing posts with label Aimee Laine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aimee Laine. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

#WriterlyWisdomWednesday : Social Networking isn't the secret to success? #MarketingTip by @AimeeLaine



Welcome to WWW where every week a guest will offer some insight into the world of writing and publishing. 

Today I'm thrilled to have my Scribo Pen Sister, Aimee Laine, published author, photographer, business owner, full time employee, mother, wife (and the list goes on and on and on) share about social networking.


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Marketing : Social Networking isn't the secret to success?

According to Wikipedia, Marketing is the process of performing market research, selling products and/or services to customers and promoting them via advertising to further enhance sales. We spend countless hours promoting, but are we promoting to the right people?

Marketing has a lot of psychology behind it. You know, how, when you tell someone they canʼt have something, thatʼs when they really, really, really, want it? The act of marketing is kinda like that. It teases the potential buyer enough that they just canʼt do without your product — in this case, your novel/novella/short story, yard sale, excess fruit ... whatever it is.

With psychology though, comes the need to understand a key piece of the marketing puzzle: your audience.

The fan bandwagon is the secret to success. If the ʻitʼ generation is using social networking, then you must, too. If your audience is blogging, then you must, too. If your audience reads only through book clubs, then you gotta find those club.


Who is my audience? 

Well, for novelists and writers, it’s readers, of course.

The problem isnʼt in knowing you want readers, though, but WHO those readers ARE and how to reach them. Here are a few steps to identifying them.

Identify attributes of your target audience like demographics and psychographics (personal characteristics).  

Write down all the attributes you think are applicable to your target audience.

Now, think about who this represents, in terms of the type of people youʼre familiar with. Think about groups of people who fit the profile for the attributes list you thought of (because I know you didn't actually write it down). Did you say youʼre book would be great for Momʼs with kids? Then list Momʼs with kids. Is your book great for people who like nature? Perhaps then, naturalists. List these people by group, not individual to help keep the scope wide by narrow at the same time.

Now that you're narrowing down, look at these groups in terms of social networking.

Where can you find people that would be apt to participate in the groups you listed above? What websites or physical groups cater to the interests youʼve mentioned?

What might come next?

Start spreading yourself into places where that audience is.

See, social networking isn't enough by itself. It works when it's done to the target audience. That's a key element of marketing and hopefully that little tidbit will help you!


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Ms. Laine's newest release!!


Click on image to add on Goodreads

Silent Echoes

Games of Zeus
PNR / Thriller
Release Date: March 11, 2013
Target Reader: Adult

For years, Ian Sands has enjoyed his life as a bachelor, taking advantage of singlehood and exploring his own definition of passion—whoever she may be. Blonde. Brunette. Tall. Short. Hot. Not. Five months ago, all that changed.

Ian’s been celibate, frustrated and desperately seeking answers to why one woman, who doesn’t play by girls’ rules, haunts his every waking moment.

As a renovations specialist, Taylor Marsh lives, works and breathes construction—a profession her southern belle of a mother would rather Taylor not touch. The same goes for Ian; Mama Marsh would never approve of him.

Like Ian, though, each time he and Taylor draw near, something compels her to get closer.

Something else tells her to run away.

Fast.

As much as their histories suggest they shouldn’t be together, neither Taylor nor Ian can deny the pull, and the two succumb, indulging in a relationship that brings pleasure to body, mind and soul.

Doing so, though, also ushers in a series of events both should have foreseen as well as one final outcome neither expected.

Purchase Links

My 4* review can be found HERE.

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About Aimee Laine


Aimee is a romantic at heart and a southern transplant with a bit of the accent (but not a whole bunch). She's married to her high school sweetheart, and with him, she's produced three native North Carolinians, two of whom share the same DNA.

With an MBA and a degree in Applied Mathematics, there's absolutely no reason she should be writing romance novels. Then again, she shouldn't need a calculator to add two numbers, either ... but she does.



Links:



Saturday, April 13, 2013

Little White Lies - #AtoZChallenge




“Don't say it was delightful; make us say delightful 
when we've read the description. You see, all those 
words (horrifying, wonderful, hideous, exquisite) 
are only like saying to your readers Please will you do
the job for me.” 

 C.S. Lewis

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Click on image to add on Goodreads
Little White Lies  
Mimics of Rune #1 
PNR / Romance

When the government needs a body double for a covert operation, they hire shape-shifter Charley Randall. For two centuries, she's played every part from foreign dignitary to office drone. The role she wants most, though, is one she's denied herself three times already.

FBI Agent Wyatt Moreland believes Charley's photographic memory is the key to his latest assignment. He's oblivious to the true extent of her abilities, but he can't deny the sense of déjà vu at their introduction.

Unlike Wyatt, Charley knows this isn't their first meeting.

It's their fourth.

The girl he vowed to love, sixteen years before, stands in front of him in her true form — one he'll never recognize.

With each reconnection, Charley loves him more though she realizes this is her last chance to explain. Only absolute truth can bring them happiness, but can Wyatt forgive her deceptions? Or will lies tear them apart forever?


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Excerpt:

The in-dash display of Charley Randall’s burgundy roadster read eleven fifty. She needed every minute until midnight to reach her destination. Pedal to floor, the car hugged the curves with nothing more than a slight adjustment left or right.
Headlights burned through the dark, illuminating the double, center lines.
Charley blew past warning signs for fallen rock, deer and the oncoming dead end at double the posted speed. She relied on her knowledge of her mountain’s terrain to get her home in one piece.
Another check of time revealed only eight minutes remained.
Her teeth ground together, knuckles paled. “You’ll make it, Char.” She blew out the breath she held and pounded the leather wheel with her palm. If she hadn’t stayed late for a celebratory drink, she’d have been on time.
The clock blinked eleven fifty-five.
She pressed the accelerator, as if to will the car faster, but slowed as the most dangerous of turns approached.
Eleven fifty-six.
The rapid blink of a vehicle’s emergency lights jumped into view as she rounded the curve. A single gasp accompanied the swerve. The steering wheel shook under her palms as the tires objected to the force of her turn and squealed into the dark of night. A cloud of dust rose around her as the car slid to the edge of the road and came to rest in a shallow ditch.
Eleven fifty-eight.
The engine stalled; the blink of the other car’s lights continued as voices called out in cries of worry.
Charley pounded the wheel with her fist. She grabbed a tendril of hair. The ends reflected her natural onyx while the rest shimmered with the gold she’d chosen for her last assignment. “I have ’til twelve!”
A double beep signaled the hour.
She stole a glance in the review mirror. Her eyes, once a bright green, swirled with a mix of hues. She cringed as pain radiated from the tip of her nose, shooting through to her toes.
“Hello?” a young male voice broke through. “You okay in there?”
The ultra-dark windows kept her hidden as hands cupped against the glass and a face peered between them. A flashlight beam attempted to penetrate the tinting.
Call James.
Charley struggled against her own body’s need to shift from blonde to black hair, five-four to five-seven, size two to size eight, and thirty-five to eighteen years old again for the two hundred and fourth time. She grasped for her phone but caught only air until her fingers met a solid form. She yanked it from the passenger seat and speed-dialed.
He answered on the first ring. “Where are you?” His tone reflected concern as well as urgency.
Lips pursed, Charley pressed her feet against the floorboard, gripping the steering wheel tight. Her head snapped back and forth. Curls stuck where heat dampened her skin. “Up—al- most—” Her lungs fought her as she spoke. “Car accident—”
“On our mountain?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll find you; just don’t let anyone see you.” He clicked off. 

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Purchase Links:







Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Hide and Seek - A to Z Challenge




“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” 


 Ernest Hemingway

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Click on image to add on Goodreads
Hide and Seek 
Games of Zeus #1
PNR / Thriller

Lie, cheat or steal, no one can catch Tripp Fox. Except one woman.

Lexi Shepherd’s knack for finding whatever is asked of her isn’t sheer luck. It’s a gift from the Greek god Zeus. 

That Lexi doesn’t use her ability to search for “Mr. Right” comes from one of many personal rules she has set for herself. Number one is not to let fate dictate her future. 

Falling in love with Tripp breaks all the others. 

Despite her principles, Lexi’s unable to stay away from the bad boy, and she finds herself toeing the grey line of the law for him.

Zeus, though, didn’t give Lexi and Tripp their talents to make their relationship a simple, easy alliance. He designed it to be exactly the opposite. Impossible. Always.

With their separation, Lexi expects Tripp to forfeit love in favor of destiny. He, on the other hand, intends to beat Zeus at his own game. With a plan in place, Tripp challenges Lexi to take the one action no one else can.

Find him.

The question isn’t can she ... but will she?


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Excerpt:

The strand of empty coastline stretched for miles before Lexi Shepherd. Hair as dark as the night sky whipped around, slap- ping at her face. Clumps of sand kicked up as she ran barefoot at the surf ’s edge, the hem of her gown trailing in the water. Private deck and promenade lights outlined her path on one side while the moon guided her with a stream of ethereal illumination on the other.
The ocean’s roar reverberated as waves crashed at her feet, send- ing sea spray into the air. Lexi slowed her pace upon reaching the pier, leaned against a thick pylon and inhaled the scent of coffee and tobacco.
“Do you have it?” His voice came from nowhere.
Lexi withheld a gasp but not the shiver that ran the length of her body. The man hid within the darkness of the structure.
“I . . . do.” Sorta. She masked nerves with a voice of confidence. Why’d I agree to such a late delivery again?
“May I have it?” Based on the volume of his voice, Lexi guessed him to be a yard or two away.
She stepped into a tiny circle of light created by one of the overhanging deck lamps. Her gown, a tangle of matted Carolina blue silk, had plastered to her legs, the ends trailing in the water. Still, she could not see him.
In her palm, she held a three inch square box. “Why do you want this, Robert?”
“It’s personal.”
She kicked up water with her toe, adjusting her angle and catching his silhouette within a circle just a few feet away. “Your wife said it isn’t yours.”
A quick intake of breath and a low growl emanated from him. “I hired you to find it, not ask questions.”
“You did. You did.” She tilted her head from side to side. “Though ... you breached the contract. I don’t look for stolen property.”
He materialized within the blob of light closest to her. 
Lexi’s breath caught. 
His eyes narrowed, lips pursed. “That’s of no consequence to you.” His palm reflected the glow from above as if she would automatically place the box within it.
“But, well ... it is.” She laid one hand over her heart, which beat at a frantic pace. “I won’t be a party to theft.”
“Give it to me!” 
Her body trembled as she backed away. 
He launched himself toward her. 
She tossed the box, but instead of toward him, it arced, flying through the air, and landed within the ocean’s grip. 
“No!” His snarl kick-started a rush of adrenaline in Lexi. 
Lexi gathered the folds of her dress and took off into the dark, running as fast as her attire permitted. Only fear chased her, the man’s bellows quieting behind the crash of the ocean waves. She slid her fingers along the chain around her neck until she touched the pouch hanging between her breasts.
Why did I want to get into this line of business?


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Purchase Links:




Click on the image for the A-Z linky list!


Wednesday, March 27, 2013

#Blog Tour : Silent Echoes by @aimeelaine #GuestPost #Giveaway


I am thrilled to have the lovely Aimee Laine here today in celebration of her newest release, Silent Echoes (Games of Zeus #2)!!!  

For her blog tour, Ms. Laine came up with a super unique idea. I'll let her explain.




Silent Echoes is a "Games of Zeus" novel but it's not a traditional mythological conundrum. No, as the author, I’ve taken quite the liberties in creating a situation Zeus could have use to mess with we puny humans. 

So, to have a little fun as Silent Echoes releases this month, my host here at Terri Rochenski’s blog has challenged me to create a Game of Zeus out of Dutch Blitz!

How could Zues use Dutch Blitz upon two unsuspecting humans? How could he manipulate a seemingly inocuous game into a maniacal, devious relationship conflict? Oh, let me count the ways ... or rather, let me show you.

Dutch Blitz

According to Wikpedia, Dutch Blitz is a fast-paced, family oriented, action card game played with a specially printed deck. The game was created by Werner Ernst George Muller, a German immigrant from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The game is very popular among the Pennsylvania Amish and Dutch community, and among Christian groups in the United States and Canada (primarily in Dutch and German communities). 

Blitz Pile: This pile of 10 cards is the most important pile of cards to each player since it is the key towards "Blitzing" the other players when all cards from this pile have been cleared.
Dutch Piles: Stacks of cards in each of the four colors - 1 through 10 an ascending sequence - placed in the center of the table and played upon by all players. Each player accumulates scoring points here.
Post Piles: Groups of cards placed to the left of both the Blitz and Wood piles in descending sequence For each player, the Post Piles serve as a "trading" or replacement area during the game. There are generally three post piles but in a two person game four or five post piles are often used to prevent the game from stalling.
Wood Pile: Stack of cards built to the right of a player, from cards held in that player's hand.

The objective of the game is to accumulate points by building as many cards in sequence, 1 through 10, in the same respective colors in the center Dutch Piles using as many cards as possible from the Blitz Pile.
Before we get to the ultimate Dutch Blitz Romance ... let me tell you a little about Silent Echoes.



                              Games of Zeus #2
PNR / Suspense / Thriller
Release Date: March 11, 2013

For years, Ian Sands has enjoyed his life as a bachelor, taking advantage of singlehood and exploring his own definition of passion—whoever she may be. Blonde. Brunette. Tall. Short. Hot. Not. Five months ago, all that changed.
Ian’s been celibate, frustrated and desperately seeking answers to why one woman, who doesn’t play by girls’ rules, haunts his every waking moment.
As a renovations specialist, Taylor Marsh lives, works and breathes construction—a profession her southern belle of a mother would rather Taylor not touch. The same goes for Ian; Mama Marsh would never approve of him.
Like Ian, though, each time he and Taylor draw near, something compels her to get closer.
Something else tells her to run away.
Fast.
As much as their histories suggest they shouldn’t be together, neither Taylor nor Ian can deny the pull, and the two succumb, indulging in a relationship that brings pleasure to body, mind and soul.
Doing so, though, also ushers in a series of events both should have foreseen as well as one final outcome neither expected.

And now ... 
Dutch Blitz
Cards. Two piles. A goal to get all ten in two, in order.

In sequence. 

Now in any good card game, there’s always one player that seems to have it all, who can figure out the next card to play or take that will give them the edge. To win. 

Of course, in a Game of Zeus, one of the two players is going to be given the edge, but if they play the next hand, if they lay down that next card, they will lose.

But that’s not fair, you say. Oh, but that’s a Game of Zeus. You see, every game is tied to a relationship. Win the game, lose the relationship. Win the relationship, lose the game. What’s going to be the win-win for both?

That depends. Every game is different. Take a card game for example ... do you have to get all the points to win? Is there another way? Sometimes.

If, however, there isn’t, a Zeus twist will pop up, because it’s never going to be ‘that’ easy. Not when love is the end game, the prize, the true goal.

Let’s have our pair, our he and our she, playing against each other. The next move they make could make or break their relationship. One more. One step. Ruin or tie them together forever. 

Which move would you take if the one you love is across from you about to do the same?

Thereinlies a great story ... with the ending yet to be written.

And there you have it. What do you think? Is Dutch Blitz a possible Game of Zeus?



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Purchase Links:


Add Silent Echoes on Goodreads HERE!

For additional stops on Ms. Laine's blog tour head over HERE, or click on the tour widget in the side bar.

And finally, head over HERE to my post for the March New Release Hop for a chance to win an ecopy of Silent Echoes!

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About the Author:

Aimee is a romantic at heart and a southern transplant with a bit of the accent (but not a whole bunch). She's married to her high school sweetheart, and with him, she's produced three native North Carolinians, two of whom share the same DNA.

With an MBA and a degree in Applied Mathematics, there's absolutely no reason she should be writing romance novels. Then again, she shouldn't need a calculator to add two numbers, either ... but she does.



Web  |  Blog  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads


Friday, March 15, 2013

March New Release Hop : Silent Echoes by @AimeeLaine #Giveaway #PNR




Thanks to Book Twirps & Refracted Light Reviews for hosting this hop.

Be sure to click on the image for the list of other participating blogs - and chances to win lots of goodies!!


On to my giveaway ...






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Silent Echoes
Games of Zeus #2
PNR 
Release Date: March 11, 2013


For years, Ian Sands has enjoyed his life as a bachelor, taking advantage of singlehood and exploring his own definition of passion—whoever she may be. Blonde. Brunette. Tall. Short. Hot. Not. Five months ago, all that changed. 
Ian’s been celibate, frustrated and desperately seeking answers to why one woman, who doesn’t play by girls’ rules, haunts his every waking moment. 
As a renovations specialist, Taylor Marsh lives, works and breathes construction—a profession her southern belle of a mother would rather Taylor not touch. The same goes for Ian; Mama Marsh would never approve of him. 
Like Ian, though, each time he and Taylor draw near, something compels her to get closer. 
Something else tells her to run away. 
Fast. 
As much as their histories suggest they shouldn’t be together, neither Taylor nor Ian can deny the pull, and the two succumb, indulging in a relationship that brings pleasure to body, mind and soul. 
Doing so, though, also ushers in a series of events both should have foreseen as well as one final outcome neither expected.

 You can check out my 4* review HERE. Don't forget to click on the hop image above, and best of luck!  



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Leap Into Books Hop #Giveaway Hide and Seek by @AimeeLaine #PNR




Thanks to I Am A Reader Not A Writer for yet ANOTHER opportunity to share the love of my publisher, J. Taylor Publishing!!

Be sure to check out the linky list below for TONS of other prizes.

And now onto my giveaway ...



In celebration of Aimee Laine's Silent Echoes, Games of Zeus #2, releasing on March 11th, I'm offering an ecopy of book #1, Hide & Seek, the story of one of my most favoritest book boyfriends EVER, Tripp Fox. 

Can we say YUM, folks?!?!? 

Find my 5 star review on Goodreads HERE, and my review of the upcoming Silent Echoes HERE.



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Hide & Seek

Release Date: March 5, 2012
Target Reader: Adult
Keywords: Paranormal Romance, Romance, Romantic, Thriller/Suspense


Back of the book:

Lie, cheat or steal, no one can catch Tripp Fox. Except one woman.

Lexi Shepherd’s knack for finding whatever is asked of her isn’t sheer luck. It’s a gift from the Greek god Zeus. 

That Lexi doesn’t use her ability to search for “Mr. Right” comes from one of many personal rules she has set for herself. Number one is not to let fate dictate her future. 

Falling in love with Tripp breaks all the others. 

Despite her principles, Lexi’s unable to stay away from the bad boy, and she finds herself toeing the grey line of the law for him.

Zeus, though, didn’t give Lexi and Tripp their talents to make their relationship a simple, easy alliance. He designed it to be exactly the opposite. Impossible. Always.

With their separation, Lexi expects Tripp to forfeit love in favor of destiny. He, on the other hand, intends to beat Zeus at his own game. With a plan in place, Tripp challenges Lexi to take the one action no one else can.

Find him.

The question isn’t can she ... but will she?


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Thanks so much for stopping by SS & best of luck!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Monday, February 11, 2013

Early #Review : Silent Echoes by @aimeelaine #PNR #GamesofZeus


Silent Echoes (Games of Zeus, #2)
Click on image to add on Goodreads
Publication Date: March 11, 2013
Paranormal Romance  

From Goodreads:

For years, Ian Sands has enjoyed his life as a bachelor, taking advantage of singlehood and exploring his own definition of passion—whoever she may be. Blonde. Brunette. Tall. Short. Hot. Not. Five months ago, all that changed. 
Ian’s been celibate, frustrated and desperately seeking answers to why one woman, who doesn’t play by girls’ rules, haunts his every waking moment. 
As a renovations specialist, Taylor Marsh lives, works and breathes construction—a profession her southern belle of a mother would rather Taylor not touch. The same goes for Ian; Mama Marsh would never approve of him. 
Like Ian, though, each time he and Taylor draw near, something compels her to get closer. 
Something else tells her to run away. 
Fast. 
As much as their histories suggest they shouldn’t be together, neither Taylor nor Ian can deny the pull, and the two succumb, indulging in a relationship that brings pleasure to body, mind and soul. 
Doing so, though, also ushers in a series of events both should have foreseen as well as one final outcome neither expected.





 Reincarnation, lost love, deceit, jealousy, murder, hot steamy - this book has it all. Another great story by Ms. Laine. I love her writing style & voice. She's distinctive in a cliche genre. 

Let's dive right in.

Yummies:  LOVED how flashes from the past play throughout this story, how the plot is revealed to us readers while the characters are clueless.

The setting is so richly described. Perhaps the author is well acquainted with the Carolinas???  hehehe

The mysterious elements are awesome, with just enough revealed each chapter so you just HAVE to know what the heck & how the heck. And the creep factor later on in the book ... creepy!

As for characters - LOVE me some Ian, that's for sure. Love how he & Taylor are total opposites. One city & clean, the other country & a contractor - opposite roles of what you're thinking, trust me! Gives a nice unique change for romance IMO.

Yuckies:  I'm going to premise this part by stating that Hide & Seek (GoZ #1) absolutely rocked. LOVED it. HERE is my 5 star review. Silent Echoes, while just as well written, just didn't connect with me as well. The tension - external conflict - wasn't as evident, and didn't drive the plot forward. It was more the mystery that kept me interested. While this is a good thing, honestly it hindered that feeling of 'I have to finish this book in 1 sitting!!!'. Just wasn't quite AMAZING! for me. 

And lets face it - Ian is hot, but he's no Tripp. *wink*

Recommend: Oh heck yes. Anything written my Ms. Laine is WELL WORTH YOUR TIME!