Romance Writers Weekely ~ What to do on the BIG DAY

This week’s topic comes at the perfect time since I just had Tainted Bride hit the shelves last Tuesday. Lyra Parish wants to know, when you release a new book, do you have a release day tradition? If you missed him, be sure to hop back to S. C. Mitchell.

The short answer is, NO. LOL I really don’t have anything fun I do. I always thought there would be parties and champagne for every book, but it turns out it’s just hard work and promotion. 🙁

The dream: A room full of my friends and family. Flowers, cake and a giant bucket filled with bottles of Champagne. My publisher would be there congratulating me on what was sure to be a NYT bestseller. My mother would be gushing over my accomplishments. I would work the room, thanking everyone. At some point, during the party, I would read an excerpt from the book. People would applaud. A great time was had by all. Ahhh….

The reality: I get up and check my Amazon ranking before I’ve even brushed my teeth. One book has sold. After feeding the cat and dog and then taking the dog for a walk, I settle in at my desk determined to get a little writing done. I’m so distracted by the fact that it’s my release day that I cannot concentrate. Giving up on adding words for the day, I check my ranking again. Movement, but nothing to write home about. Since I have scheduled several promotional engagements, I check on those and if readers have commented, I respond. Love my readers. For Tainted Bride there was an interview in USA Today Happily Ever After section. I gushed and preened over that for a long while. 🙂

Yup, that about sums it up. Not too exciting, but I love release days and eventually a few books sell. Wonderful people take the time to review my books; some good, some bad, but always appreciated. I read the reviews; pat myself on the back when they’re good and try not to take the bad ones too personally. In six months I’ll see the first fruits of my labor and hope for the best.

I’m sure Leslie Hachtel does something more exiting to share.

Only trust can save her….

Sailing to London, Sophia Braighton only hopes to escape certain ruin. But when she arrives, her Great Aunt Daphne has other plans for the American-born beauty. Determined to marry off her niece to a man of means, she propels Sophia into London society, not knowing that the young woman’s trust in men is shattered. In fact, Sophia never expects to ever feel anything for a man. Then again, she never expects to find herself in the company of the dashing earl of Marlton….

From the moment he sees Sophia, Daniel Fallon feels alive in a way he has not since his broken engagement. Though the vulnerable beauty shies from the passion burning bright between them, Daniel is determined to court her and make her his bride. And when he learns of the painful secret she harbors, he is equally determined to take revenge on the man responsible. But will the quest destroy him—and his future with his beloved?