Tag: Stella marie alden

RELEASE DAY!

Published by stella on January 26, 2018

Knife between his teeth, The Destroyer jumps off the wall and onto the pile of sticks while flames lick the sweet skin of his heart’s desire…

Hugh Le Despencer
In 1270, a knight returns home expecting to collect on the king’s debt. Instead, his caravan is attacked by Scots. Then in the woods, a beautiful young healer shares her skills and he offers her protection back to the priory. By God’s blood, how was he to know she’d drive him mad with her wild antics and innocent seduction?

Mary Rose
About to be burned at the stake for murder, a lay-sister hides in a caravan led by a captivatingly handsome foreigner. It seems like a gift from God until she learns that he plans to kill her kin and take their keep. What can she possibly do to stop him?

Beware of heated love scenes but no cheating, no cliff-hangers, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

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Choosing a Pen Name

Choosing a Pen Name

Published by stella on April 14, 2017

To Be (someone else) or Not to Be

Thanks for that, Will.

So.

Do I make a new pen name for my more erotic books or not?

In my case, the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune have to do with basic math. If I make a new personna, I have less time to write.

So I wonder, will this piss off my fans?

But making a new author name takes time. It’ll need a Facebook Page, a Twitter account, a webpage, an Amazon author page, a Goodreads page… Do I need go on?

I have a four wonderful Historic Romance novels, full of passion, history and sex, just a bit more sedate.

There’s three paranormals, co-written with the now famous C.M. Seabrook that are fun-filled with wicked-witchy sex.

And now, I have written a modern thriller… and a soon to be released sports-hero novella.

I see what some very successful authors have done. For each genre, they have a different pen name so as not to confuse the reader or God forbid, cross promote to the wrong genre.

Wow.

I’m just going to have to trust that I have intelligent readers who can pick and chose the genre that feels right for them.

Then I can spend more time doing what I love.

Writing.

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Spring Giveaway

Published by stella on April 11, 2017

There’s so much buzz going on, I can barely keep up!

I hadn’t seen Jenna Jones since I was a lifeguard and she at that awkward age between a kid and a woman. I should’ve known I was in trouble when my suspect glared at me with those big green eyes. And later? Holy hell, I wasn’t prepared for that kind of sweet seduction. Now I’m totally screwed, undone by a stunning genius and her dangerous code.

Time is running out for Detective O’Brien. Is there really some evil nemesis from Jenna’s past behind these acts of terrorism or is she completely delusional?

HEA guaranteed along with a healthy dose of adult content.

I want it

…And check out this friggin’ amazing giveaway:

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Dangerous Code, The Writer Reflects

Published by stella on April 4, 2017

I wrote the first draft of Dangerous Code over four years ago but put it aside. At that time, it would’ve been considered science fiction. Now, not so much.

Detective Colin O’Brien? Let’s just say he’s my dream guy. He can tell what you’re feeling by reading the tiny tics in your expression. An alpha male, he takes charge and is not intimidated by a brilliant woman. However, under that tough exterior, he’s wounded from a really bad first marriage. It’s so rotten he hasn’t wanted to talk about it. Don’t worry. I’ll get it out of him in my next book.

I want it

I love Megan, AKA Jenna Jones. I guess there’s a lot of me in her. I was heavy as a kid, but she’s a lot smarter and richer.

LOL. I also have a tendency to mix metaphors and can be slow at telling what people are really saying. Under it all, my feelings are hurt easily and more than anything, I want people to like me but I hide it well.

My altar ego has a day job. She writes software and technically manages multi-million dollar projects. My company is on the leading edge of everything to do with speech. It isn’t that much of a reach to know where software is heading.

Jason, the story’s artificial app, is a mere stone’s throw into the future. Because it can code itself, it has unlimited potential. But just like a human, it needs to weigh out the junk from the real when it searches the internet. Sometimes it works and sometimes, well, let’s just say that can be bad.

Are you interested in more stories with this couple? I have so many ideas… What if Jason finds out there’s a plot to kill the president. What if the CIA is involved? Who would believe an AI application?

I think Colin and Jenna have a rocky road ahead of them. Two people so dissimilar are bound to have a lot of fights. Don’t worry though, I’m sure they’ll find their HEA… hee hee, eventually.

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Spring Promos and Dangerous Code

Published by stella on April 1, 2017

There’s so much buzz going on, I can barely keep up!

First off, Dangerous Code is selling like crazy, so thank you!

I want it

HERE’S AN AWESOME SET OF BOOKS FOR .99!

…And check out this friggin; amazing giveaway:

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Dangerous Code… LOL… How to Write a Blurb

Published by stella on March 31, 2017

LOL! One of my dearest writer friends set me straight yesterday. I was feeling a bit down. I know this latest book is one of my best and the cover is awesome so what was I doing wrong?

She suggested I emphasize the sex. The story is secondary.

Sex sells.

Okay then. Here is my latest attempt at ‘How to write a blurb’

Let me know what you think.

“Great read! I really enjoyed this suspenseful, erotic romance by Stella! I’ve read all her other books and loved each one. Can’t wait to read more contemporary romance by this author. Well done!”

Is it possible that little Meggie’s turned terrorist? I haven’t seen her since I was a lifeguard and she at that awkward age between kid and woman. Now she’s drop dead gorgeous and my suspect. I knew I was in trouble when she glared at me with those big green eyes. And when we kissed? Holy shit, I wasn’t prepared for the hottest sex of my life. Now she’s on the run and it’s my job to find her and keep her safe or maybe even arrest her. Either way I’m screwed because I’ve fallen hard and that just can’t happen, not with the city under attack.

***

I want it

I’d tried to be gentle. Hadn’t I watched her every sweet expression, made her explode and scream out my name? More than once? But then again, there was that one moment, right as I entered, where her body had stiffened.

“Do you want me to go?” I hold my breath, awkwardly leaning against the door frame while she puts our leftovers in the microwave as if we just hadn’t had mind-blowing sex.

“No.” She says it so quietly I can barely make it out.

My gut wrenches. Somehow, I’d made her feel bad.

Escaping my self-made exile, I walk across the room, wrap her into my arms and whisper in her ear, “Did I hurt you?”

She twists around in a flash. “No, no. I just don’t want you to think… Oh, I don’t know what to say. I’ve never ever done something like this before.”

She’s telling the truth and Neanderthal-man is thrilled but there’s a twisting in my gut that I haven’t felt for years. Meggie is obviously one of those good girls. The kind that save themselves for marriage. So why did she come on so strong?

And more importantly, why did I respond?

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What’s Inside a Writer’s Brain.

Published by stella on March 31, 2017

It’s 2017 and I am determined to share more of who I am and what it’s like to be me.

I’m a writer stuck in the body of a software architect. I read somewhere I should always introduce myself as a writer.

Let’s see how that pans out.
“Hi, I’m Stella Marie Alden, Best Selling Romance Author”

“Hi, I’m Susan Hammond, I work for Nuance. The company that makes Siri? Those phone programs that talk to you? Press one for one. Two for three? Or you can press operator, but no one competent will help you so best to stay with the automated system.”
I shouldn’t joke, that’s what pays my bills.

But sometimes, when I am in my day job, it doesn’t feel real. What feels real are the stories in my head. And there’s always stories. Even though I choose just one to focus on, there’re many clamoring in my brain.

People always ask me, where do your stories come from?

I say, how the hell do you guys shut them down?

I mean, how can you just watch people ahead of you in the grocery store, and NOT make up their life’s story? The handsome young man with potato chips, frozen meals, and razor blades. No ring on his finger, a cute dimple, nice leather jacket. Was he married? Did he leave a relationship?

What about the woman who’s dressed in high heels, designer jeans, diamonds? And buys Suave shampoo, hamburgers, and pita bread. Who’s she trying to impress?
It goes on and on. Because once I have the character, there’s no turning back. They live in my head, fermenting, waiting for me to say, “What should I write next?”

Me! Me! Me! They clamor.

SHUSH!

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Where did Stella find her heroine?

Published by stella on March 6, 2017

I am Gemini. A twin. Two people in one. A strange and odd mix.

At work, I am an extrovert; a cog in a huge cube farm where my job is to make order out of chaos. I am an interface between developers and conglomerates. If I don’t get a project into the hands of a client in the time promised by sales, my company could lose millions.

However, I am happiest curled up with a book under a thick down comforter or in front of the fire. I think I started to write because I couldn’t find enough novels that I wanted to read.

I like an occasional domineering male with a wimpy virgin, but not always. I like a regency romance with a dashingly dark duke and debutante but it’s like always eating maple walnut ice cream. Which, by the way, is yummy.

Sometimes, I want another flavor.

I have to admit, I love when a gorgeous genius with a clever mind attracts the hero.

A man who’s not intimidated by a keen mind with a bold spirit is the alpha I need. I met him in my latest book, Dangerous Code.

Detective Colin O’Brien is street smart and able to detect a lie a mile away.

Our heroine, however, can’t read people worth a damn.

Its a fun match.

I spoke with a fan on Facebook yesterday who read the Beta copy and she loved the interaction between the two. She says her daughter is similar to the heroine. If you ask for an opinion, brace for impact. She also said it was awesome to speak to a writer who understands that personality type and how good my book made her feel.

Doing the happy dance.

She asked me where I got my idea. Usually the stuff in my head is pure imagination but I thought real hard. I got 99% on my SAT scores, I am overly-opinionated, and blind to many facial expressions.

In this case, maybe I do have a clue.

On pre-order now:

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Learning how-to Facebook ad

Published by stella on March 2, 2017

LOL

Alright, I’m a pretty bright gal but this is feckin’ ridiculous. Anyone else having a hard time navigating the shark infested waters of Facebook ads?

Here is my latest ad. Maybe it isn’t so good. Gonna throw it out.

Orange, but not too much, is supposed to be a good color.

Let’s see. I spent $100 to get 54 clicks to get 2 sells.

LOL. At this rate I should be bankrupt by end of year.

Back to the drawing board.

Hang in there dear friends. I’m struggling with you.

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Marketing, My Fear of Failure

Published by stella on February 10, 2017

After the unremarkable sales of my last book, I dead-stopped marketing. The thought of updating my blog made me freeze, I couldn’t find anything worthwhile to post on Facebook and my newsletter went silent.

What the hell was wrong with me?

At first I was convinced that I wanted to focus on my writing, then I was tired, then my day-job was overwhelming. Yada, yada, yada.

While all these things are true, they’re not the root cause of why I stopped. I think I have atychiphobia, fear of failure, in particular fear of failing at selling my books.

Yikes.

I looked it up on line and have all the symptoms. For me, it boils down to this. What if I put myself out there and people don’t like me?

ARGH!

My persona is that of a successful, positive, outgoing woman. However, my abused inner child sabotages me. I know this and yet when it happens, I’m blind-sided. Growing up, I never experienced unconditional love.

Dammit. That isn’t me. Not now.

I need to ask her to step back and let me try my hand at marketing again. Sure, I may fail but eventually, with enough practice, I’ll get better. While I’m learning, it doesn’t change who I am or my value as a writer or as a human being.

Starting at lunch time, here is what I am going to do:

~~Write this blog.~~ Woo hoo. Mark this one done!

Write a marketing plan, complete with due dates.

Schedule no-excuse marking time into every week.

Break the to-do list down into small tasks

Create a new mantra! Repeat after me, “I am successful at marketing.”

Face your fear head on.

Picture yourself as a marketing maven. What does it feel like? Live there in your imagination. Write about her.

Define Milestones and rewards. Maybe that trip to a warm island surrounded by sand?

I must thank this website for helping me to define my problem.

http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/marketingfear.htm

More to come… please leave a comment with your own struggles!

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Tag: Stella marie alden

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