You don't get much more delightfully straightforward than that! My thanks to Wyldheart Reads for the glowing review of Vampire Guardian, but I also extend that enthusiastic thanks to the many of you who expressed your feelings about the book on Amazon, Bookbub, social media, and directly emailing me. Like this comment from Alicia:
"Your books mean so much to me. The tenderness you express for the frailties of the human state, as well as the clear love you have for us as a species, warms my heart. xxx."
AUGUST BOOK OF THE MONTH BDSM GOODREADS GROUP: I was also thrilled to receive this feedback from La Crimson Femme Book Reviews: "This tale is rich with love - lovers, parents and siblings. Heartwarming as well as heartbreaking, this erotic romance is a must read. I highly recommend it to all romantics who love to feel multiple emotions when reading a book."
That glowing review led to the honor of Vampire Guardian being named the August BOOK OF THE MONTH at the BDSM GoodReads group, a community of nearly 6,700 BDSM romance lovers! If you're on GoodReads or have thought about joining, this is a great place to find and discuss BDSM reads (NOT a social media platform - GoodReads is more like the old forum structures, IMO). They will be doing a group read of Vampire Guardian with a discussion thread throughout August. At the end of August, I will be awarding a GIVEAWAY to one commenter - $25 Amazon GC, 2 ebooks and 1 signed print book of the winner's choice! So if you like the sound of any of that, go check out the group and rub elbows with a host of other readers who love this genre.
LAST MONTH'S GIVEAWAY: The release celebration giveaway of a Vampire Trinity cover PLUSH BLANKET, PLUS a signed print copy of Vampire Guardian, was won by Alesia M! She is currently figuring out how to keep her adult daughter from taking the blanket from her, lol. Thank you to everyone who entered the contest, which, among other things, involved sharing your love of my books with someone else. I appreciate that, always and greatly!
If you haven't indulged in Vampire Guardian yet, you can find all the buy links on my website here or listed below. Surprisingly to me (but I'm the author, what do I know? lol) the bulk of readers have said it can stand alone if you want to dive into the Vampire Queen series with it and work your way back to the beginning. Or you can start with Book 1. I'm good with either option (wink).
BUY LINKS FOR VAMPIRE GUARDIAN
Amazon US (includes Print and Kindle)
I chose my narrator for Vampire Queen's Servant! Last month I narrowed it down to a female and a male narrator, and sent feedback to tweak their initial readings. When they submitted updated auditions to me, it was a tough choice, but I ultimately decided on the female narrator. Keira Grace (the nom de plume she uses for audiobooks) is a very accomplished voice actress who I think will represent the characters well, capturing the VQS tone of dark sensuality. PLUS she is a third degree blackbelt and a child adoption advocate, a cause I strongly support. So - a kickass woman with a tender and protective side. Much like Lady Lyssa herself!
What happens now? Based on more specific production notes I've provided, Kira is preparing a recording of about 15 minutes of the book (versus the initial 3-5 minute audition). When I receive that, I'll review it carefully and we'll make any final tweaks on how she does the reading. I have the option of having her re-do and send it back to me if those tweaks merit it. But after that is all done, she'll begin recording the full thing.
Right now Findaway Voices has indicated she should have it ready by October 30. Then I have a couple weeks to listen to it, request any corrections (like a mispronounced name or something major like that, though hopefully our initial prep steps will have avoided any of that). Then it will be ready for distribution/release. I'm communicating now with Findaway on what the most realistic release date would be, considering her completion date, my final thumbs up and time needed to get it distributed to audio vendors. Next month, I hope to be able to tell you what that date will be! And if it works out and she's available, I'll have her get started on Book 2, Mark of the Vampire Queen, as soon as possible.
Elizabeth SaFleur never disappoints! Though she had some technical/signal issues, she handled her FB Live with her lovely smile and unflappable calm. In addition to discussing her fabulous Elite Doms, Shakedown and Justice series, she showed off her burlesque costumes and gave us firsthand performance tips. If you want to see her FB Live, it's on the group site here where you can view it anytime. Despite the glitches due to the signal issues, it picks up each time right where she leaves off, so no info is lost.
Who's our Guest Author in JULY? GOLDEN ANGEL!! I'm so delighted she'll be joining us, and I know the group is excited, too, because her name came up multiple times when I asked for guest author invite suggestions. Here's a reader comment about her work that reflects why: "The stories flow with the telling, the characters are so personable and relatable you'll feel like you already know them, and the plot is woven so seamlessly it just becomes fact. These are the kind of books that grab hold of you and carry you along until you finish with a sigh."
Golden Angel has penned BDSM romance in various subgenres, including domestic discipline historicals, Daddy Doms, and contemporary BDSM. Her latest release, Dungeon Master, features a 50-year-old Dom who still plays with his ex at their favorite club, but wants to win her heart again. (Just the kind of storyline many of us love!) She also writes non-kink paranormal romance. You can visit her website to learn more. Here's her official bio:
Golden Angel is a USA Today best-selling author, Amazon Top 50 bestselling author, and self-described bibliophile with a "kinky" bent who loves to write stories for the characters in her head. If she didn't get them out, she's pretty sure she'd go just a little crazy. She is happily married, old enough to know better but still too young to care, and a big fan of happily-ever-afters, strong heroes and heroines, and sizzling chemistry. She believes the world is a better place when there's a little magic in it.
So come join us at the JWHMembersOnly Facebook group on July 31, 8pm EDT for Golden Angel's FB Live - plus tune in anytime that day for the drop-in posts she’ll leave for us!
So come join us at the JWHMembersOnly Facebook group on July 31, 8pm EDT for Golden Angel's FB Live!
NOTE: A quick update on Kylie Scott, who had to cancel her May Guest Author appearance due to a nasty head cold. I'm happy to report she has rescheduled to be our NOVEMBER Guest Author, so we'll look forward to having her with us then.
At Her Service, the next book in the Mistresses of the Board Room series, is progressing well. I've started the opening of Neil and Abby's story, which takes place in the park where Neil, Lawrence and Max do their exercise regimen. (Remember their scene together in At Her Command, Book 1?) Abby's a runner herself. In the freebie The Barbecue, apparently Neil suggested it "off page" as a good place for a run, so she decides to try out the trails. When they cross paths, she challenges our hot SEAL to keep up with her. Nothing like a sexy chase scene, right? I have SO many ideas for this book that my MS Notes tabs are multiplying and overflowing. Can't wait to share it with you all in the fall. I'm thinking it will be a November release date, but we'll see.
Find me online through my website email contact link (little envelope under Follow Me on the right side of home page) or email me directly at storywitch@storywitch.com. You can leave a question for me under my Author Profile on GoodReads. I'm on Twitter and Facebook (Author Page), and regularly stop in at the JWHMembersOnly fan group. I'm also on MeWe, if you prefer that platform to Facebook. If you'd like to see the pics that inspire my books, visit me on Pinterest, or check out my handful of videos on YouTube.
Finally, I'd love it if you followed me on Bookbub, Amazon or both, since that helps my books get increased visibility and recommendations on the site. And in return, you get heads up about releases and sales!
DIDN'T GET A RESPONSE? Responding to my readers, and doing so in a very timely manner (within 24-48 hours), is extremely important to me. So if you have sent a communication to me in any medium noted above and have not received a response, a technical glitch has occurred. Either your communication did not get through to me, or my response did not reach you. If you suspect that's the case, use one of the alternative methods to send me a "Hey, Joey, I sent you a note through email (or social media platform, etc). Did you get it?" message, and we'll make sure we sort it out. I will never intentionally ignore my readers!
HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING MY NEWSLETTER PAST YOUR SPAM FILTER? - Whenever I issue a newsletter, I will post about it on the social media platforms mentioned above, to ensure it reaches the widest number of people possible. So if you're following me on any of them, you'll get a heads up. Or you can put https://storywitch.com/newsletter/?latest as one of your Favorite links. You can click on it anytime to see if a new newsletter has been released. I try to get a new issue out during the first 7 days of every month.
Thank you so much for your support of my work!
12/15/2019 - Vampire Master - Book 16 of the Vampire Queen series
08/2019 - Naughty Bits - re-release as a self-published title in print and ebook.
07/2019 - Vampire Queen's Servant - re-release as a self-published title in print and ebook.
6/30/19 - The Problem with Witches - A Crossover novel of the Arcane Shot and Knights of the Board Room series
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Fall 2021 - At Her Service, Book 2 in the Mistresses of the Board Room
06/15/2021 - Vampire Guardian, Book 17 of the Vampire Queen series
12/15/2020 - Re-release of Submissive Angel Christmas story with expanded content
09/30/2020 - In His Arms, Book XI of the Nature of Desire series (standalone)
GoodReads Blog - Whenever I have something half-way interesting to say (hopefully), I post it on my blog. Check out the latest, as well as the backlog of over 80 posts!
For my most up-to-date appearances info throughout the month, follow me on Twitter or "Like" my Author Page on Facebook - I'll keep you in the loop as things happen!
GoodReads Blog - Whenever I have something half-way interesting to say (hopefully), I post it on my blog. Check out the latest, as well as the backlog of over 80 posts.
For my most up-to-date appearances info throughout the month, follow me on MeWe, Twitter or "Like" my Author Page on Facebook - I'll keep you in the loop as things happen.
SEXY AND SASSY SIGNING 2020 - July 9-12 - next year's popular reader/author event will happen in Norfolk, VA. The theme is Sinful Fairy Tales! Click on the link above to find out more. You can also join the SASS Attendee group once you've registered.
2022 SASS CONFERENCE - JULY 28-31, 2022 - NORFOLK, VA - No conferences scheduled in 2021, but I'll definitely be doing this one in 2022. Be sure and go join the FB page so you can register, make hotel reservations, etc. I'll look forward to seeing you all there!
In the meantime, in lieu of conference appearances, look under "EXTRA STUFF" below to find out how you can get some of the perks that meeting authors at a conference would offer - signed books, swag, etc.
Want a Kindle signature? My books are listed at the Authorgraph site, so if you'd like a "Kindlegraph", send me a request! Just go to Authorgraph.com, put Joey W. Hill in the search line, and it will pull up my books, with a "Request Authorgraph" button beneath each.
Want a signed bookplate for your print book and a bookmark? No need to be bummed about not seeing me at a book signing. Just shoot me an email at storywitch@PROTECTED with your mailing address and the title(s) of the book(s) for which you want a signature, and I'll send you personalized bookplates anytime, free of charge. And I always send it with a signed bookmark!
HAVE YOU CHECKED THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE?
I am ALWAYS delighted to hear from my readers, and I never mind answering your questions. However, about 90% of the general questions I receive on email can be quickly answered on my website, www.storywitch.com. And the cool thing is you get your answer in the time it takes you to do a couple clicks, versus having to type up your question and send it to me, then wait for me to emerge from my writing cave and check my email.
A lot of authors experience this now. Because we have so much more of a presence at FB, Twitter, and the like, it's easy to forget that most authors still maintain a website where you can quickly get info. On my site, you can not only find BLURBS and FREE EXCERPTS for every book I've published, you can find SERIES ORDER, including recommendations on which ones can stand alone or need specific titles to be read first. Under the In the Works page, you'll find information about UPCOMING RELEASES and what's percolating (the popular "will you ever write a book about so-n-so" question would be answered there).
Just go to my website, storywitch.com, and enjoy your visit. It is specifically and deliberately designed not to be flashy or confusing. Just look at the drop down menus at the top for what you're seeking.
Want a SIGNED BOOKMARK? I have five beautiful bookmarks, each design representing one of my series: Knights of the Board Room, Nature of Desire, Vampire Queen, Arcane Shot, Daughters of Arianne. You can look at them here (click on the one you like for a larger view). Just shoot me an email at storywitch@storywitch.com with your mailing address and tell me which bookmark you want. I'll send you two of that design - one for you and one to share!
Want a SIGNED BOOK? Bummed because you can't make it to a signing? Just email me at storywitch@storywitch.com with 1) what book you want, 2) your mailing address, and 3) if you want me to personalize it to a particular name (Mary, Marie, Marissa, etc), or no personalization, just a signature and a cheery note. I'll shoot you an invoice and, once that's squared away, the book will be on its way to you!
Want a SIGNED BOOKPLATE? Want a bookplate for your favorite JWH book(s)? Just shoot me an email at storywitch@storywitch.com with your mailing address, the title(s) of the book(s), and I'll send you personalized bookplates anytime, free of charge. And I always send it with a signed bookmark!
Want a KINDLE SIGNATURE? My books are listed at the Authorgraph site, so if you'd like a "Kindlegraph", send me a request! Just go to Authorgraph.com, put Joey W. Hill in the search line, and it will pull up my books, with a "Request Authorgraph" button beneath each.
Want to read BONUS CONTENT STORIES revisiting Joey's characters? She has over a dozen FREE novellas/shorts with easy BookFunnel download links. You'll find them all under the Cantrips (Vignettes) menu item on her website.
Want Joey to visit your BOOKCLUB? She is available for online bookclub meetings and even sometimes in-person clubs, within a reasonable geographic range. Don't hesitate to ask! Just email her at storywitch@storywitch.com.
"I have a question."
Answer: "Have you checked my website?"
I am ALWAYS delighted to hear from my readers, and I never mind answering your questions. However, about 90% of the general questions I receive on email can be quickly answered on my website, www.storywitch.com. And the cool thing is you get your answer in the time it takes you to do a couple clicks, versus having to type up your question and send it to me, then wait for me to emerge from my writing cave and check my email.
A lot of authors experience this now. Because we have so much more of a presence at FB, Twitter, and the like, it's easy to forget that most authors still maintain a website where you can quickly get info. On my site, you can not only find BLURBS and FREE EXCERPTS for every book I've published, you can find SERIES ORDER, including recommendations on which ones can stand alone or need specific titles to be read first. Under the In the Works page, you'll find information about UPCOMING RELEASES and what's percolating (the popular "will you ever write a book about so-n-so" question would be answered there).
Just go to my website at storywitch.com, and enjoy your visit. It is specifically and deliberately designed not to be flashy or confusing. Just look at the drop down menus at the top for what you're seeking.
HAVE YOU CHECKED THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE?
"I have a question." Answer: "Have you checked the author's website?"
I am ALWAYS delighted to hear from my readers, and I never mind answering your questions. However, about 90% of the general questions I receive on email can be quickly answered on my website. The cool thing is you get your answer in the time it takes you to do a couple clicks. Just look at the drop down menus at the top for what you're seeking. You'll find BUY LINKS, BLURBS and FREE EXCERPTS for every book I've published. You can also find SERIES ORDER, including recommendations on which books can stand alone or need specific titles to be read first. Under the In the Works page, you'll find information about UPCOMING RELEASES and what's percolating (the popular "will you ever write a book about so-n-so" question would be answered there).