SEAL BROTHERHOOD, Band of Bachelors is here! SUNDAYS WITH SHARON

Releases tomorrow!

My new release, Band of Bachelors: Lucas, will be here tonight at midnight. I've loved writing this story from beginning to end. The idea first came to me when our son moved from New York City, to Park City, Utah, and then home to California. I go into this in depth in my Newsletter this month. Be sure to sign up, if you're not already a subscriber.

We get our stories from real life. You've all seen the tee-shirt: "Be nice to me or I'll put you in my book," and for some, this can be dangerous. For others, it could be flattering. I'm working on a new story this week for another anthology I'll be in that's due early November, and I've promised the real person I'd make a character that was as yummy as possible. You can bet I'll be taking all the good, and making up the bad.

DJ's experiences living with a household of bachelors in Park City was life changing. I can say here what I couldn't say in my newsletter (did you subscribe? LOL), that in addition to the fact that these men were older and divorced, they were also excommunicated (if this is the correct term) LDS members. I presume that's because of the raucous activity they participated in, namely the use of alcohol. But I imagine their language, general lifestyle and the use of "professionals" for their dating needs didn't ingratiate them to the church. It almost certainly made the possibility of a reconciliation with their wives a zero percent chance of success, on purpose. I certainly couldn't use any of that in the book, not that other authors don't, but I don't believe in knocking anyone's beliefs, whether they be traditional or otherwise. Besides, this has nothing to do with religion, but a lack of faith in something greater than themselves. My hero, Navy SEAL Lucas Shipley, eventually parts ways with them, just like DJ did.

My son came home with lots of material, and we actually had fun thinking up how we could turn this experience into some kind of TV show. The bachelors were always giving him horrible advice. Very bad advice. Being single and young, he knew he had to leave when, as he says in his words, "Mom, I'm starting to believe them."

And that's the kernel of what began to grow when I thought about the Band of Bachelors. The book trailer J.D. Hart, my awesome Storyteller and best friend, captures it perfectly.

It's always kind of cathartic when I finish one book. I never really want to say goodbye to my characters. So I try to weave people from one book into another, but not leave a future reader lost if they haven't read the whole series. It rewards the repeat and returning reader by allowing them to experience the whole chain of events, the arc of the whole team, from the first book, Accidental SEAL (still free) to the current one, Band of Bachelors: Lucas. Little novellas or boxed sets with other material are branches off the main tree of my Brotherhood. I want that tree to grow wide, have many strong arms and branches, and grow forever, or as long as my fingers and brain hold out.

So today, I prepare for my launch day. I'm not doing the crazy big parties I used to do, just trying something more generic and sane. Doing some promo today, tomorrow and during the next 2 weeks. I'd love for you to join me from 7-8 PM tonight, where I'll be at Authors Appreciation facebook event where I'll answer questions and we'll do some prizes and giveaways, and I'll also be at a live chat (my first one) from 9-10 PM Eastern at Writer Space here. 

Well, if you and I get to talk at a conference, or online, or in a chat, or by email or anywhere else you channel me, perhaps one day you too will become part of my story. I've been known to bend some rules and make my friends into dancers, heroines and heroes and everything in between.

Enjoy your Sunday, my friends. 

SUNDAYS WITH SHARON: Romance At 35,000 Feet

It's all fun and games until someone
winds up in a cone.

I'm looking down at the US from above the clouds, on my way back to California. I never know what I'll discover when I go on these trips. I have given up making long lists of things I want to accomplish. Besides, being a storyteller, I kind of like letting things go the way they go, not the way I go. Still, I can't help but have a few expectations.

I needed this trip, because nothing that I expected to happen, actually happened. I say this in a good way. I wasn't feeling that way last night. In fact, I sort of cried myself to sleep, asking myself why I did this in the first place.

But the beautiful thing about morning is that it is a new day and a fresh start. I hit the reset button. I read a little meditation this morning that talked about telling the truth, and I discovered (huge palm to my forehead), I'd forgotten to do so.

First let's talk about the weather in Orlando this time of year. Humid, raining torrentially and then next minute so sunny and hot, when I walked outside, my glasses fogged up. People used to this didn't blink. California is dry and almost never humid, or at least not enough to fog up your glasses.

I knew going in that most the authors would be unknown to me. I knew of no readers who were from this area, and I didn't do any advance promo because, well, my head was frankly stuck in another world in the weeks prior to the convention (truth coming with the fresh morning).

I participated in panels, participated in an online interview with my narrator, J.D. Hart (which was fun), all unscripted and without all the proper equipment, and listened to what panels were saying. I got two really great marketing ideas out of it. And of course, I got to spend time with my storyteller, who has become my best friend and biggest fan.

Blinding flash of the obvious

He was the grounding device I needed, and I'm so happy I had him come to help with the signing, and just mingle with other authors and readers, who always love him.

I also met my PA's incredible 13 year old kid, who is doing things with YouTube that made my jaw drop. I heard this morning he hadn't been looking forward to telling me about it, but I understand he enjoyed it, and his mom was sure proud. This awesome kid stood there, discussed what he does just like any college professor. I knew I was in the presence of greatness. Honest.

In short, I got what I was supposed to get. God gave me these cards, one of those unlikely hands that you don't have much hope for, but brings you everything you really need.

I'm happy to put back the crown as Queen of the Universe. I'm just a writer. I make mistakes, I enjoy some of them more than others. I just keep opening the doors and being willing to let in what's supposed to be there.

It was a perfect trip, not for what I got, but for what it was. It was everything I needed, and more.

I know this has happened to you. Love to hear about it? Are sometimes our unexpected miracles the best afterall even though they might not look like them at the time?

Sundays With Sharon: Learning New Things

Learning New Things

It’s always a tradeoff, traveling away from home. Even when I’m doing my job, meeting new readers and other writers, the time away does eat into my personal writing time. I need a cave, with great music, scented candles, “immortal” supply of ice cubes, neck and shoulder rubs and lemony shower gel. If I could just live in that cave 24/7 I’d be happy. My characters and I would get along just fine. 

But that would mean I’d be writing for me, and I’m not. I’m writing for you, those that read my posts and my stories. You are the reason I have a job, and I never want to forget that. So, I go to conferences, learn and network, and come home newly invigorated and ready to tackle my writing jobs. I get to tell my stories about honorable men and the women who are worthy of their love and are lucky enough to be chosen by them as life partners.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Networking![/caption]

The highlight of my trip has been getting to meet my narrator, J.D. Hart and his beautiful wife, Cherokee. These people have such a loving spirit that is a rare find. I’ve gotten to see behind the scenes places in Nashville, told stories about the days of Elvis as well as other huge stars, and actually gotten to meet and shake hands with some of them. What a treat.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="255"] Me and JD Hart[/caption]

Sometimes people become fast friends when you meet them in person. I have yet to meet someone online and then meet them in person and have the friendship not only hold up, but grow. Collaborating with J.D. on the audio books has been one of the greatest joys of my writing year. Any artist who gets to share his or her work with another artist, and have them take their art and change it, make it even better through a blending of talents, is lucky. I thank my lucky stars every day I have been given this gift.

I don’t travel again for another month, and trust me when I say I’m looking forward to being home. But I have so many happy memories, stories shared and friendships started or strengthened, enough to keep me chuckling for weeks—all the way to Thanksgiving and my next big adventure. Stay tuned for that one!

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="149"] Adventures...[/caption]

I’ve chronicled some of the specific things J.D. and I have done in my post for The Realm. I think you’ll see why I have such fond memories. But I’ve also heard stories of hope, recovery from loss, business things that will help me do my job better, details about promotion, success strategies and forged alliances and friendships for future questions I don’t even know to ask.

My beautiful home in Sonoma County awaits, along with two very pampered Dobermans and the man who has been by me for the last 43 years and still calls me beautiful, my Silver Fox. I go home to the house he constructed for me, built for me so I could dream and relax and do all the crazy things I get to do every day. We get to grow old together, get to build our new bright garden together, and watch our family prosper and grow.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="404"] The Important Ones![/caption]

These and all the connections and friendships I’ve deepened and created are what’s most important in life. When I remember that, and remember to say thank you to all those who have enriched my life, like all of you, I get back ten-fold. It is truly an honor and such a joy to be your friend, your colleague, and your romance writer for life.

Sharon Hamilton

 

Sharon Hamilton on Self-Publishing Round Table Podcast TONIGHT!

Sharon Hamilton on Self-Publishing Round Table Podcast TONIGHT!

Sharon and narrator JD Hart will be featured on Self Publishing Round Table's podcast TONIGHT!  The show will air live at 6 pm PST/9 pm.  You can head over to the Self Publishing Round Table site for more info.



Stop by,  listen in, and help spread the word!  

Celebrate Heavenly Lover in Audio! #Giveaway Time!

Heavenly Lover, book 1 in The Guardian Angels Series is now available from Audible!  

About Heavenly Lover: 

Claire, an unconventional Guardian angel sent to save a sexy Brazilian-born painter from killing himself, discovers Daniel has been preyed upon by a powerful dark angel posing as his best friend and agent. Although successful in saving Daniel’s life, Claire is in danger of losing her own when attraction to her handsome charge blooms into a forbidden love.

The dark angel offers her what she’s only dared to dream about—an eternity with Daniel. Will she sacrifice her soul, or sacrifice a lifetime with a man she knows she was created to love?

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble  | Audible

Add to your Goodreads Shelf

Learn more about Heavenly Lover

Giveaway!

To celebrate the very first Guardian Angel book in audio format, it's giveaway time!  This giveaway is for a box of books (various authors), swag (various authors), and all kinds of reader-ific goodies (not all goodies are pictured, items kept getting added to the box...)!

 The giveaway is open from now through August 31 and is open to US only (sorry, shipping restraints).  Must be 18 to enter.  To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thankful For A Great Adventure

Tomorrow we start our great adventure on the cruise ship that will take us from Italy to Brazil. Part of this will be a fact-finding mission, since my next story takes place on a cruise ship.

I haven't been to Italy in ten years. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy being here. I love the language, the romantic timbres and staccato bursts of passion. Everyone thinks of Paris as the place for lovers, but I think Italy would have to be my first choice.

Maybe it's the coffee, or the anticipation of the voyage, but I've had a hard time sleeping. My internal clock doesn't know what time it is. Lots going on, I admit. My Book 4 of the SEAL Brotherhood, SEAL The Deal is out as of tomorrow officially, but came out last night. My narrator, JD Hart, even managed to find the time to create the amazing trailer for this new release:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxsteiBlsQ0&feature=youtu.be

JD also did the audio version of Accidental SEAL. What a labor of love that has been. One of the best parts of my cruise will also be to listen to the chapters in Fallen SEAL Legacy he has completed so we can have this out to everyone before Christmas, God willing.

While one door opens, another has closed. I'm really feeling this next book, and it started yesterday as I was wandering down the cobblestoned alleyways in Savona, sipping cappuccino and loving the sounds of accents all around me.

My husband is studying his Portuguese for Brazil. I've made a study of Richard Burton (the explorer) for an upcoming time travel romance. The way he studied languages back in the 1860's, when he self-taught 27 languages good enough to be mistaken for a native, is what they teach at Penzler. Oh yes, I can feel him now in the archways and streets here he frequented.

Lots of luscious images and thoughts spinning around in my head. My SEALs will start their journey here, and, just like today, will be buying Ferrari jackets and warm clothes in preparation for their shipboard adventure. I'm right there with them. I can hardly wait.

 Ciao!!

Putting My SEALs in Audio

I've been spending the last two weeks working on my audiobook version of Accidental SEAL. I've learned so much in the process. My narrator, J.D. Hart, is an accomplished actor, recording artist and spokesperson for Chevrolet and other campaigns. I am so fortunate to have stumbled upon him, and quite by accident. Just like in the book, the things that have happened by accident have turned out to be the things I've needed the most. I listened to an interview with him from a Nashville Podcast and have permission to share it with you.

Fate works in strange ways. His story is laced with things similar to mine, although his was music/entertainment and my trajectory was toward going for a big Big 6 contract. I'm proudly an Indie Author, not because I wasn't good enough for New York, but because I followed the path, like JD did, of being true to myself. What works for me might not work for everyone. And I certainly don't have nearly all the answers. Like I used to say to my Real Estate coaching clients, "I know what I think I know but I can put it aside for what I have yet to learn."

Listen to him talk about being authentic and following his passion. Talks about what he wanted to do, and how his "hats" have changed over the years. Fascinating story. Listen to how he continually tries new things, hones his craft and is true to himself. How he works so hard getting noticed, connecting with good people all around him. His reading my audio book is more than just an accident, Deepok Chopra would call it Syncrodestiny.

He does all my characters. In fact, I didn't realize I had so many characters until I started listening to him narrate. I know, you're shaking your head, saying, how could she not know, but I didn't even think about it. He "gets" them so that I get to hear these guys out loud just like I've heard them in my head. Only an author who has done this knows what this feels like.

The whole process, for my first time, has been nearly seamless. Big learning curve for sure. But I willingly embark upon the next great adventure as we bring to you Fallen SEAL Legacy.




http://musiccitysocial.net/jdhart/

We've even added my favorite clip from Two Steps From Hell, Undying Love (by permission) to the audio book. Enjoy!