Unbridled on sale now!
Today my book “Unbridled” is being promoted at Indie Author Books!
Here is my author page and details at their website.
I’m very excited to get a bit more exposure!
H.K. Rowe
Indie Author Book Release Promotion
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Category Archives: Writing
Current Writing Challenges
Greta Garbo knows it
Lately I’ve been squeezing every free hour into writing, and so far it’s been very challenging. There are other factors, of course, and it’s been hard to catch up with things that were neglected while I was on my trip.
Some of the challenges are more obvious, like Time and Motivation, which are suffering because circumstances in this month are just eating them away.
I’m getting kind of tired of trying to navigate personal problems in order to find time for myself. I’m not sure I’ve figured out how to do that yet. I feel like a majority of my personal problems are from other people influencing me. I kind of wish I had the capability of shutting myself into my studio office at home and blocking out all the distractions, of needy dogs, a hungry husband, and friends and family constantly needing counseling.
Where’s my moment of solitary respite? When can I actually be rewarded with some kind of personal time for myself that everyone will understand that I need as a writer (and as an introspective thinker) and not act panicked or insulted when I say “No, I can’t” when they need me.
I have been failing at that, I suppose. It’s a learning process. I’m determined to make it work though. When I start to feel that my passion for writing is faltering, I know it’s not the passion itself but the frustration of seeing it just within my grasp and never being able to hold on to it.
The ideas are swirling around. My characters are calling to me, pretty much shouting in my ear. I’m listening but I feel like I’m stuck in cement.
And for once it’s not work that’s keeping me down. At least that is a refreshing constant.
Always,
H.K. Rowe
Back from Vacation
I’m back from a vacation in Philadelphia with girlfriends that was desperately needed and appreciated. I spent a lot of time relaxing, sight seeing, drinking wine, going out with friends, and enjoying not having anything expected of me for four days.
I came back to a clean house thanks to the husband, naughty dogs who missed me, and a feeling of renewal to get back to my life. I think the reprieve gave me some time to ponder over a lot of things I have been stuck on in the past few months.
The support for Unbridled was appreciated and I am grateful, but it’s time to move on to the next adventure. I’ve already started a short story and now with the vacation behind me, I can get back to the grind.
I have a busy month coming up, and I will be fighting for free writing time anywhere I can.
Until then, please enjoy Unbridled, and I will be posting some other story excerpts soon.
Cheers,
H.K. Rowe
Vacation, Writing & Drafting + Excerpt
My vacation comes up next week on June 12th. I’m headed out with some friends to Philadelphia to celebrate another friend’s birthday. It’s going to be a blast and the anticipation we all feel has been just bursting. I can’t wait to hang out with them all again. These girls helped me get through some of the worst times. Those are the kinds of people I treasure more than anything.
Before that, the weekend will be filled with a lot of things. Mostly, I’ll be doing some writing by starting two of my short stories I plan to release before Killer Orange, my next novel slated for August release. I will also be doing some marketing for Unbridled so I can leave some business cards with my book links in every place I go on my vacation! I don’t know how effective that is as marketing plan but hey, it’s better than nothing. We’ll see what the conversion rate is on that. I might even need to get a T-shirt made. 🙂
After my vacation, work will get serious! It’s time to start drafting Killer Orange as well as making those short stories presentable.
But to just wet your appetite for Killer Orange, here’s an excerpt — (Bear with me, it’s so raw and unedited at this point.)
***
Before she could push the button, she spotted someone coming up the driveway. Rolling her eyes, she marched forward, ready to punt the next person off her property the moment they asked her how much she was selling her things for!
“It’s not…” Her tempered voice trailed off when she set her eyes on the golden face with a bright smile. His hair looked like golden fleece in the sunlight, and she had to avert her eyes quickly before plunging into his whiskey colored eyes. “a garage sale…”
“Yeah, I know,” he said, chuckling. “I could hear you yelling it a million times from my house.” Rebecca tried not to stare, but she gave up and looked him over. Wow. Wow and double wow. He was a sight! The only problem was…like everyone else in this neighborhood, he was a tanning nut too! On closer look, she thought, at least this new neighbor looked natural and healthy. Very healthy, for she started to find it difficult to not look over his lean and toned form, towering slightly over her.
Until later, Cheers!
H.K. Rowe
Thank you & Next Steps
Thank you to everyone who has purchased and read my book! I want to send a special thanks to my reviewers and raters on Amazon and Goodreads: Ladytuono, Nuria Romero, Sakura, Susan Schmidt, RSO Kent, and LAB. Your support is much appreciated!
Now that’s settled, here are some things to look forward to on the agenda:
* Local & word-of-mouth Marketing for Unbridled
* Promotion with Indie Author News
* Print copy giveaway promotion
* 2 new short stories between now and August, entitled Blazing Heat and Stranger’s Kiss
* Killer Orange drafting & editing
* other Writing & Design projects
Hope everyone has a great week!
Thanks!
H.K. Rowe
Unbridled is everywhere!
I’ve updated my H.K. Rowe books page and finally have the completed links on where you can buy Unbridled, whether in ebook or print format.
Please check out all the available links here.
I’ll be doing something with Indie Author News soon. I will keep you posted when I start working with them.
In the mean time, thanks to all who have picked up my book so far!
Unbridled is now available in print!
Unbridled on sale now!
Please pick up your print copy of Unbridled! It is now available at Create Space.
It will be added to Amazon soon.
Thanks!
H.K. Rowe
Unbridled Excerpt #3
Unbridled Excerpt #3 — Last one in celebration of my print proofs coming today. It is in review and the print link will be available soon!
***
“Ethan?” The feminine voice called out again, and Ethan could make out a small petite Asian girl running toward him. “Ethan!” She broke out into a sprint as a wide grin opened on Ethan’s face.
“Howin!” Ethan waved, and Elekta appeared shock that Ethan would show such emotion in public, if at all.
She saw Howin tumble into Ethan’s arms, and her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Ethan plant a quick kiss on Howin’s forehead.
Howin laughed and looked up at him. “You didn’t tell me you were coming here, of all schools.”
Ethan laughed. “I guess I forgot. Sorry. How’s Master doing?”
“Father? He’s good, gruff as ever but good. And you?” she asked, staring at him affectionately.
“I’ll survive,” he joked, and then he saw Howin turn her attention to Elekta.
“Oh, Elekta! I’m so glad your cousin is coming to Howl’s. We’re old friends, he and I. Well, actually we’re both students at my father’s martial arts studio. I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you I knew them,” Howin shrugged innocently and beamed.
“It’s quite all right,” Elekta nodded, forcing a sweet smile. “Howin, I’m so glad. I trust your break was a good one?” Elekta may have not have been outwardly pleased at their closeness, but she could at least muster up politeness.
Ethan was most interested in her reaction to Howin’s presence. He smirked wickedly and continued to hug Howin much to Elekta’s mildly visible discomfort.
“Yes, it was good – incredibly short, but good,” Howin seemed bored by the conversation and then directed her attention to his brother. She nodded and Brian smiled.
Ethan found this funny that Brian seemed to smile more to his obvious affections to Howin than when he ever mentioned Staisha. As funny as that fact was, there was nothing he could do about it. Howin was merely a friend, among other things, but not someone he could get involved with while he was tied to Staisha.
Though as Howin talked to Brian, Ethan looked over to Elekta, whose smile was so fake it was frightening. She was undoubtedly seething in the inside.
He looked back at Howin and inwardly grinned.
Marketing Fatigue
I feel like the marketing for Unbridled is going okay for starting out, but I’ve realized how annoyed I’m getting with it because it’s taking me away with time I could be spending on my next books.
sigh
So I set out a game plan to follow tonight that I’ll probably still market it when I can but not fret so much about it. If the book doesn’t do much, it’s just how it is. I should move on and work on being more prolific instead of dwelling on one book.
Thanks to all who have picked it up and read it. Thanks for the reviews too!
When I get the print copy I’ll be doing a giveaway. All in due time. My proofs are on their way.
Tonight is the New Moon. I’m a pagan so I’ll be taking a break from books, work and other worries to meditate tonight and commune with my Goddess. I hope other Pagans have a splendid evening. Blessed Be.
Rest in Peace Maya Angelou. One of the greatest contemporary poets. One of the gifts my husband had given me while dating was a book full of her love poems. Her work touched me as well.
Cheers,
H.K. Rowe
Unbridled Excerpt #2
Please enjoy another excerpt from Unbridled…
“In moments, he felt her nails dig into his arms as she pulled his hands away from covering his face. He looked at her, piercing into her vehement eyes with his own. She was enraged, her brow furrowed and her lips curled in disgust.
“You mean little punk! How dare you say that about my father! He’s done everything for you and your pathetic family. He doesn’t even compare to the lives of your parents! Now show him your respect!”
She didn’t need to threaten him; it was just instinct. He knew what she could do if he didn’t obey her. And all he could do was listen to her. He wouldn’t even allow himself to show emotion for what she said about his parents, and he knew that they were better off dead than knowing the mess he had gotten into with her. As much as it pained him to think like that, he felt it was true.
He relaxed under her grip as she held his arms above his head. His face softened to a listless expression. He saw Staisha relax as he stared at her with his own submission.
He said in husky tones, “I apologize, Staisha.”
She frowned, and her angry disposition faded with her strength around his wrists. His voice could sometimes do that to her, no matter how angry she became. Though if he ever brought up her mother, it would take more than that to subdue her. She fell over his chest and lied on top of him, stroking his skin on his arms lovingly.”
Thanks,
H.K. Rowe
H.K. Rowe 