Torn Canvas Launch Date and a Nomination

Two big events for me today!

First, now that I've set the release date for Torn Canvas, it's time to show my purty cover.

Modern-day pirates took more than Jori Virtanen’s friends; they stole his face. Not only does the twenty-four-year-old former model have to confront months of reconstructive surgery, he discovers his previous life was as superficial as his looks. Jori struggles to make a new life for himself as an artist while evading the press. They expect a hero, but he knows the truth. His beauty masks a beast.

Olivia Howard’s given up a normal life for her job, and the sacrifices are finally paying off. The twenty-six-year-old talk-show host’s ratings are heading to the top of the charts. Her dream is to make a difference in people’s lives, but the studio wants mind fluff—like interviewing hot model Jori Virtanen. When Olivia learns the guy helped rescue passengers on a cruise excursion from kidnappers, she knows this is the story she needs to make her case. The only problem is the hero was injured, and now he’s disappeared.

The more Olivia learns about the man behind the scar, the more intrigued she becomes. But Jori is no girl’s happily ever after. Once she finds him, Olivia has to free his heart and heal the beast.

Funny story about the cover. 

As my cover designer (Melissa Williams aka author Michelle Argyle) and I worked out the details, I struggled a little with that dang open shirt.

Yes. Torn Canvas is an adventure romance (like A Change of Plans).

Yes, I chose this picture because of a scene in Torn Canvas.

But I also write clean romance. I didn't want to lead any potential readers astray. Don't ever mess with a reader's expectations by giving them a cover that makes them think a clean romance is going to be steamy.

I looked at the first design (very similar to the above but the title banner was opaque). I saw that navel and thought, "Um ...."

So, Michelle moved the banner lower on the cover to hide the navel. Oh, great. Now the guy's nipple was prominent. Ugh! That was worse.

So, navel or nipple?

Uh, clean romance here. The navel won.

The official launch date for Torn Canvas is June 16th.

If you'd be willing to help with the blog tour, the signup is here.

And thank you!

Second--as if this post isn't long enough--I have one more favor to ask.

A Change of Plans has been nominated for a RONE Award, and the voting for my category is THIS week. You need to sign up with InD'Tale magazine to vote, but it's free and painless.

My category is New Adult, and you can find it here. I would love your vote!

To the right is the review that won me the nomination.

Two Spotlights ... a Fantasy and a Contemporary

I'm spotlighting a couple of books today.

Twenty-year-old Maggie Roads’ parents are legendary in the country music world. She wants nothing more than to follow in their footsteps, but the limelight isn’t reserved for singers who can’t carry a tune, let alone keep a rhythm.

When her parents tell her they’re getting divorced, Maggie decides it’s time to leave home and take her future into her own hands. Moving in with Cole, her best friend and sometimes boyfriend, might not be the best of ideas, but she’s got to start somewhere. Their off-and-on romance gets even more complicated when Maggie crushes on her new voice teacher, Nathan, who unlocks her stunning potential. A sensational music career of her own is finally within reach, but Maggie might need more than perfect pitch to find what she’s really looking for.

**Out of Tune is considered clean New Adult/Young Adult fiction appropriate for adults and young adults**

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | GOODREADS

(additional links)

Michelle lives and writes in Utah, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. She adores cheese, chocolate, sushi, and lots of ethnic food, and loves to read and write books in the time she grabs between her sword-wielding husband and energetic daughter. She believes a simple life is the best life.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This is Kelly Nelson's third book in The Keeper's Saga. Read more about The Keeper's Defiance below and enter to win a signed copy!

The scream of a dragon woke me. Wide-eyed, I scrambled to my knees, searching for a place to hide. Then it dawned on me--within the clutches of the enemy, I was perfectly safe from the dragons.--Chase Harper.

When Chase found the gold counter buried in a cave, he went back in time, setting in motion events that would change the course of his life and forever alter the destiny of the new world. After he and a small group of soldiers rescue his girlfriend Ellie from the Shuylians, they are overtaken during their race for the Algonian border. Chase falls into enemy hands, leaving Ellie to fend for herself. As time passes, he is believed dead--forever lost. So when Davy, Perception's Keeper, is charged with seeing to Ellie's safety, will his persuasions turn her heart away from Chase?

The Keeper's Defiance on:

Amazon

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Facebook

Kelly Nelson was raised in Utah and now resides in the heart of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She enjoys life on a ten-acre horse property with her husband, four children, and of course lots of horses. Kelly has a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University and worked as a CPA for several years before opting to stay home and raise a family. As a young girl she was an avid reader and had a passion for creative writing. Her travels to England, France, Egypt, Israel, West Indies, Mexico and across the United States sparked a love of history, adventure and exotic places. This led to the inspiration behind her debut novel, The Keeper's Calling, Book 1 in The Keeper's Saga.

                           

 The Keeper's Calling (book #1) $2.99 on Amazon     The Keeper's Quest (book #2)

Kelly's Website

Kelly on Twitter

Kelly on Goodreads

Kelly's Amazon Page

The Keeper's Saga Facebook Page

Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below for a chance to win a signed copy of The Keeper's Defiance!

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Check out the other blog tour stops:
Monday - Britney Gulbrandsen's Blog and Bonnie Harris' Blog
Tuesday - Laura Johnston's Blog
Wednesday - Kylee Shield's Blog
Thursday - Rebecca Lamoreaux's Blog and Cami Checketts' Blog
Friday - Donna K. Weaver's Blog

Friday Musings While on Hiatus

by Donna K. Weaver

Yes, my life is crazy right now, but you know, it's also good. Here are some of my recent highlights:

• Received my rights back for A Change of Plans.
• Since this is a series with at least three companion novels, it now has a name: Safe Harbors.
• Updated the cover (see it on the right).
• Formatted the digital versions of the second edition, including a sneak peek of the second book, Torn Canvas. This books stars Jori from A Change of Plans.
• Worked with my former publisher to get the paper copy formatted. The interior looks wonderful--very similar to the original even though I've had to use a different printer. Just waiting on a couple of tweaks to the cover and the paper copies should be available.
• Signed up my editor for Torn Canvas--the awesome Katharina Brendel who was the lead editor on A Change of Plans.
• Had initial discussions with my cover designer, Melissa Williams (aka author Michelle D. Argyle) for the cover of Torn Canvas. Michelle/Melissa also did the A Change of Plans cover.
• Set a month for the release of Torn Canvas--January 2014.
• Furiously working on a major rewrite of Torn Canvas after preliminary input.
• I'm part of the Ripples Effect Romance series coming out in March. So excited to work with the authors in this linked series.

That 18-day Hawaiian cruise in later January

is looking awful good right now.

Another major thing I'm involved with is Dauntless. I think I've mentioned it, but here's a bit more about us. I think it's best described by fellow Dauntless Author, Amber Argyle:

I've joined forces with an eclectic mix of everything from bestselling to debut authors to create a collaborative called Dauntless. We are fearless authors dedicated to our craft and our success in the publishing world. Our goal is to be each other's marketing team and support system. 

For readers, Dauntless means going to one place to keep up-to-date on all our books. It means coupons and freebies. It means interacting with some of your favorite authors. It means weekly posts on book related topics.
For writers, Dauntless means weekly posts on the craft and marketing side of writing. It means networking and establishing relationships. 

And it's all in good fun. 

Grab our button, post it on your page: 
Like us on Facebook and Twitter Follow our blog. Join us on Pinterest 

Some of our members include: Elle Strauss, Konstanz Silverbow, Cindy M Hogan, Donna K. Weaver, Megg Jensen, Angela Corbett, Amber L Argyle, Nancy Thompson, Katie, G.P. Ching, Sawyer Bennett, David P. King, ali cross, Cameron Jace, Wendy Knight, Jolene Perry, RaShelle Workman, Donna Hosie, Stephanie Fowers, and Lani Woodland 

Pretty cool, huh?

Now I'm going back to my hole and work on those edits.