Saturday, November 17, 2012

News About Other Works & Recent Award

I know that many of my readers are waiting for The Price of Love, which is still in the works.  It's been a difficult book coming out of me.  Though I've dabbled in it, I still have much to complete. To be honest, the inspiration for the third work has not been there, because I've been consumed with other inspirations.  

Part of the problem, I think, stems from the mediocre reviews on The Price of Innocence. Though The Price of Deception has done very well in contrast, I think my discouragement over the first volume has been part of my procrastination in finishing the third. I feel a lot of pressure for the third work, and I don't want to let my readers down by trying to write a story when my heart isn't there. However, I'm soon to dust it off and try once again shooting for a February 2013 release, because I know for a fact many are waiting for the story's conclusion.  I won't let you down.

As you all know, this August I released Dark Persuasion, my latest historical romance. Yesterday, I was informed that Dark Persuasion came in as a finalist in the USA Best Book Awards for 2012. The official "award statement" is as follows:
Award-Winning Finalist in the 'Fiction: Romance' category of The 2012 USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News 
The list of winners/finalists can be found at USA Best Book Awards.  

To be recognized as an independent publisher is wonderful, especially when I competed against authors from big-named traditional publishing houses.  Over 1500 entries were received from mainstream and independent publishers, which were then narrowed down to over 400 winners and finalists. Entries were judged by a panel of industry judges with extensive editorial, PR, marketing, and design expertise. Needless to say, I'm stoked!

Of course, every book I write contains the help of many friends and professionals. My beta readers who give me feedback are invaluable, as well as my two main editors, and Robin Ludwig, my graphic artist who did the stunning cover design.  Also, I must thank Jimmy Thomas, the male model on the cover, from RomanceNovelCovers.com for the stunning pose of Patrick and Charlotte.

On another note, in October my muses showed up on the door and incited me to write my first contemporary romance. I chose the pen name of J.D. Burrows (my great grandmother's maiden name). The work is a very personal one, about two lovers, with different desires, who collide in a tale of one woman's struggle to overcome the effects of childhood sexual abuse. It is for 18+ mature audiences only.

It's already receiving extremely positive feedback from my readers, and I hope to have a hit on my hands with this work.  You can find out more about the book at Conflicting Hearts website, including my Twitter and Facebook accounts for J.D. Burrows. 

The book is currently for sale on Amazon in Kindle and Amazon print, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and Kobo.  Soon it will be else worldwide as distribution completes.

Once again, thank you to my Legacy Series readers for your patience and support.

Cheerfully yours!
Vicki Hopkins