Cover Reveal: I Don't Know How She Will Do It by Kobby Tetteh Gyampoh and a Giveaway

Hello, my little snowflakes!

I know, I know. My lack of presence is abysmal. I'm sorry. I'm in the process of recharging and hope to come back in full force in a few weeks. But... I've decided to come out of hibernation in order to help spread the word about Kobby Tetteh Gyampoh's upcoming release. Check out the cover:

And now for the blurb:

Lily has had it with Aunt Lizzie. She wants her inheritance. She wants to be free. Aunt Lizzie wants Lily to find a husband, though she thinks it’s impossible. To her Lily could kiss freedom goodbye since it might be about the only person who’d allow that.

Aunt Lizzie’s thinking marriage; Lily’s thinking marriage-if-anyone-would-ever-want-me. Aunt Lizzie’s thinking cooking, cleaning and looking after a family; Lily wants a career that isn’t home-running. Aunt Lizzie’s not bent on making Lily have her way. So what would Lily do? She’d plot to gain her inheritance. She’d plot to gain her freedom. Her dad’s will says nothing about Mr. Right, neither does it mention an aspiring actress eager to break into Hollywood.

Join Lily in her quest for freedom as she poses as a couple with Clare behind a camouflage of flashy cars and cupcakes in order to get that inheritance. Follow this hilarious recipe of a low self-esteem girl, a sassy self-employed actress, an Aunt whose quotes would get you raising brows and two grannies who are willing to help low self-esteem girl. But watch out, one has a pistol which she stashes in her underwear.

Sounds like a fabulous cast of characters and I can't wait to read it!  Here's a bit about Kobby:

First of all, KobbyTettehGyampoh, simply Kobby, hates referring to himself in third-person.

I just turned eighteen. I am Ghanaian and have always loved Chick-lit. My Chick-lit role models would be Sophie Kinsella, Marian Keyes, Janet Evanovich and Sarah Strohmeyer.

I was introduced to the genre when I was thirteen. Sarah Strohmeyer made the introduction with her Bubbles Series. Since I read Bubbles, I quit writing Harlequin-styled romances and have always considered myself-since then, a humor writer.

My biggest dream is to be an EIC to a lifestyle magazine someday like Kate White-for my obsession for Cosmo’s language since she was running as editor. But for now, I am good with studying English to break into Advertising someday.

I am currently working on my next title which is sort of a series like Cupcakes R US, but it’s based on the lives of editors, columnists and freelancers in a Cosmo-lookalike magazine. Which would be available in more formats than kindle. Epub, PDF, Docx, Doc, Mobi, PowerPoint. And oh, Paperback.

If I am not writing something funny, I spend most of my time reviewing something funny on my blog, ChickLit Pad.

And now a word from the author:

I’ve had lots of inspiration for writing. But the one that moved me into publishing my very first novel, I Don’t Know How She Will Do It has to go to Allison Pearson. Words can’t describe how much I loved I Don’t Know How She Does It─both the book and the movie. Something about Kate’s struggle and how lovable she was portrayed made me nuts to pen something down. Days and days the title I Don’t Know How She Does It resounded constantly in my sleep, in my wake, every moment in my life (mainly because it was one hell of a funky title). I was practically haunted to put down my baby I Don’t Know How She Will Do It. Though they are both different stories, they both portray that sense of feminism that makes women all around the world proud. And that’s why I penned I Don’t Know How She Will Do It, a short story that would make women rejoice for their womanhood and cheering them for giving men a run for their money. There are points I might make you reach for your Kleenex, but forgive me for you will laugh at so many moments they would make up for all my sins.

Best,

Kobby

You can find Kobby on Twitter @chicklitpad, on Facebook or on his blog.

Keep your eye out for I Don't Know How She Will Do It, which is scheduled for release on February 3rd, and if you'd like a sneak peak, be sure to enter the Rafflecopter below. Kobby is giving away three digital copies:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Sugar Spun Sister by yours truly

Hello, my little sugar cones!

I've been super busy getting my new book buffed and polished for release, and I'm super stoked to reveal the cover today! This one is a trilogy about three friends in San Francisco who make plans to open up an ice cream shop. The trilogy is called Sweet Dreams, and this first book is called Sugar Spun Sister. And now, for the cover....

And now for the blurb:

Life isn’t exactly sweet for Cricket Whittier. Her boss hates her, her work is soul-destroying, and the sexy guy she’s hooking up with doesn’t want to date her. But this girl is far from hopeless. When Cricket’s in the kitchen with her ice cream maker and a few choice ingredients, her troubles slip away as she becomes a delectable dessert-designing powerhouse. She loves it so much, she dreams of opening her own ice cream shop one day.

As it turns out, “one day” just might be closer than she thinks. Propelled by the help and encouragement of her best friends, Lindsay and Nora, Cricket starts making plans to set up shop. Which is easier said than done what with the internal squabbling, the sky-high costs, her parents forecasting failure and her increasingly complicated love life. Despite all these hurdles, will Cricket be able to make her sweet dreams come true? 

I haven't set a definite release date yet, but it will definitely be out there before Christmas. Thanks for reading!

Love,
Anna

Cover Reveal: Hard Hats and Doormats by Laura Chapman

Hello, my little baked cloves! I'm super stoked to share this cover reveal today. Laura Chapman is one of my very favorite book bloggers, and this is her debut novel! Here you go. The cover of Hard Hats and Doormats:

And now for the synopsis:

Lexi Burke has always been a stickler for following rules and procedures. As a human resources manager for a leading Gulf Coast chemical company, it’s her job to make sure everyone else falls in line, too.

But after losing out on a big promotion––because her boss sees her as too much of a yes-woman––Lexi adopts a new policy of following her heart instead of the fine print. And her heart knows what it wants: Jason Beaumont, a workplace crush who is off limits based on her previous protocol.

While navigating a new romance and interoffice politics, Lexi must find the confidence to stand on her own or face a lifetime of following someone else’s orders.

Who says nice girls have to finish last?

To celebrate the cover reveal for her debut novel, author Laura Chapman is sharing behind-the-scenes tidbits about the making of Hard Hats and Doormats here and on other blogs wiht her "Hard Hat Confessions."

Here's # 6:

Visit http://change-the-word.blogspot.com/2013/11/hardhatsanddoormatscover.html for more “Hard Hat Confessions.”

About the author:

Laura Chapman found a way to mix her love of romance and humor as a women’s fiction author and blogger. A 2008 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Laura studied journalism, English and history. She traveled across the United States as a writer/photographer before settling into a career in communications. She also maintains Change the Word, a blog devoted to promoting women’s fiction and documenting her experiences as a writer. Born and raised in Nebraska – in a city, not on a farm – she is a devoted fan of football, British period drama, writing in bars and her cats, Jane and Bingley. Hard Hats and Doormats is her debut novel.

Connect with Laura

Website (http://www.laurachapmanbooks.com/)

Blog (http://change-the-word.blogspot.com/)

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/laurachapmanbooks)

Twitter (https://twitter.com/lmchap)

Cover Reveal: Vegas to Varanasi by Shelly Hickman

Hello, my little pumpkin seeds!

I'm so stoked to share with you the cover of my author pal, Shelly Hickman's upcoming romantic comedy, Vegas to Varanasi. And here it is:

I just love it when the characters are smiling on the cover of a book. A sure sign that the story will make me smile! Here's the blurb:

Anna has never been the beautiful one; she’s always been the nice one. So when the gorgeous man sitting across the table at a wedding reception remembers her from high school—and quite fondly at that—she’s taken off guard. Formerly overweight and unpopular, Kiran has never forgotten Anna, the one person who was kind to him when no one else could be bothered, and Anna’s a bit flustered as she slowly comes to grips with his intense attraction for her. In what feels like a romantic dream come true, all-grown-up, hunky Kiran invites Anna on a trip to Varanasi. But her troubled, whack-a-do ex-boyfriend starts interfering, creating drama at every turn, which begs the question, “Can nice girls really finish first?”

Well, I'm sold! Love the idea of a humble heroine, not to mention enduring childhood crushes and whack-a-do, troublemaking characters. And the fact that the heroine's name is Anna is pretty cool too. I'm just sayin'...

And now I would like to introduce the lovely Shelly Hickman:

And here's a little bit about her:

Living in Las Vegas since she was two, Shelly Hickman has witnessed many changes in the city over the years. She graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor of Art in 1990, and in her early twenties worked as an illustrator for a contractor for the Nevada Test Site.
In the mid-90s, she returned to school to earn her Masters degree in Elementary Education. She now teaches computer literacy and media technology at a middle school in Las Vegas. She loves to write about people, examining their flaws, their humor, spirituality, and personal growth. Shelly lives with her husband, two children, and their dog, Frankie. 

You can find Shelly on her website, on Facebook, on Twitter and on Goodreads.

Thanks, Shelly, for including me in your cover release! Until next time...

Love,
Anna

Getting into the Spirit of the Holidays

Hello, my little gingersnaps!

I'm super excited to share the fabulous cover for Merry & Bright, the upcoming holiday anthology from Simon & Fig, which includes a short story by yours truly. Isn't it lovely?

Sip your eggnog, linger under the mistletoe, and make a Christmas wish. Merry & Bright brings you six tales of Christmas cheer, featuring stories of budding romances, Southern charm, lost loves, heaps of humor, and lots of pie by authors Isabella Louise Anderson, Cindy Arora, Laura Chapman, Lauren Clark, Libby Mercer, and Nancy Scrofano. From sunny Los Angeles to the Rocky Mountains to the Deep South, Merry & Bright will take you on a heartwarming adventure you'll love to visit again and again. Wrap yourself in holiday mirth and prepare to be swept off your feet.

I had so much fun working on my story. It's called "Secret Santa" and it takes place in St. Louis, Missouri, the city I grew up in and this is the first time I've set one of my stories in my hometown. So I hope you'll "meet me in St. Louis" when the anthology is released in November. Pardon the cheesy reference. I just couldn't resist!

More details to come.

Love,
Anna/Libby

Lying To Meet You: the Cover and Blurb

Hello, my little fashionistas!

Things are crazed here (as per usual) and I did my official cover reveal a couple of days ago, but I definitely wanted to also post my fab new cover here on this blog. I am so in love with it. Sue Traynor designed this one for me as well, and she's so amazing. Feast your eyes on this:

And here's the blurb:

Does being in a relationship make you a hot commodity in the eyes of would-be suitors?

Chloe Lane is about to find out. When her childhood pal, Ethan Webster, asks her to play the part of his girlfriend in order to test this theory, she reluctantly agrees. As a work-crazed fashion designer, boutique owner and soon-to-be reality show judge, Chloe has no time for a real boyfriend, but being part of a faux pair will do just fine. Not that she has any intention of trying to attract someone else.

However…

Opportunity unexpectedly knocks when Chloe meets fellow reality judge, William Shannon. Super successful and super sexy, this high-powered entrepreneur inspires Chloe to test Ethan’s theory herself. Now, on top of keeping her fashion business productive, carving out a new role as a television personality, maintaining a fake relationship and attempting to lay the groundwork for a future relationship, she’s lying to William, lying to her friends, lying to her family and quite possibly lying to herself. Will Chloe be able to keep it all together, or are things about to explode?

Only 25 days to go until release date. Eek! For anyone who'd like to add it on his/her Goodreads list, you can find the link here (and I'd really appreciate it!) :-)

Okay, I'd better get back to work. Lots to do!!

Love,
Anna

The Karmic Connection Cover Reveal

Hello, my little cupcakes!

Well, in my last blog post, I was chatting about the fabulous cover for my new book, created by the uber talented Sue Traynor. And now I'm going to share it with you. It'll be popping up on lots of other blogs today, so I'll be hopping around the blogosphere. I'd love to know what you think. Okay, without further ado, here it is:

What is the universe up to?

Guilty of nothing more than working too much - or so they say - Adam Stowe is dumped at a "wellness center" in the middle of nowhere by a couple of concerned colleagues. When he meets Lorraine, the beautiful and bewitching yoga instructor, his spirits start to lift, but once he discovers what a flighty fruitcake she is, they drop back down to subterranean levels.

For Lorraine Jameson, Luna Wellness Center was a beacon of solace when her life was falling apart, and she can't stand the way Adam's toxic energy is poisoning the peace. He embodies everything negative about the life she discarded eighteen months ago. Despite being fiercely attracted to the arrogant man, she's determined not to let Adam Stowe anywhere near her heart.

Adam and Lorraine couldn't be more unsuitable as a potential couple... so why is the universe so dead set on uniting these two?

The Karmic Connection is a different kind of love story with a cast of quirky characters and a mystical, magical New Age-y flavor.

The Karmic Connection is scheduled to be released on April 25th. Just around the corner, really! For now, you can visit its new page on Goodreads here. This will more than likely be my last post before I jet off to the UK, but look out for a couple of guest posts and more news about The Karmic Connection when I return in mid-April. 

Love,

Libby

Drowning in You Cover Reveal!

Hello, my little cherry blossoms!

Yikes, I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I last posted (bad Libby) but the good news is that I've been writing again. After six months of ninja marketing, the creative writing juices are flowing again, which makes me very happy. But enough about me.

Today, I'm very happy to reveal the cover of my author pal Rebecca Berto's upcoming release, Drowning in You. Love that title.... Check it out:

Scheduled for release on April 12, 2013, it's a New Adult Contemporary Romance novel. For the book's Goodreads page, click here.

And I also want to give a shout out to Rebecca's debut - a literary novelette entitled Precise. To see my review of it, click here.

Here's the front and back cover together, or as they say in the biz, the full wrap:

And here's the back cover copy:

Secretly crushing

Crushed by a tragedy

Charlee May's been crushing on Dexter Hollingworth since she was fifteen. Five years later, a horrific skiing disaster at Mason's Ski Lift Resort leaves her millionaire dad critically injured and her mom dead at the hands of Dexter operating the lifts. Charlee is suddenly the sole caretaker for her little brother while their world falls apart.

Dexter couldn't be more different from Charlee. He's tattooed, avoids exclusive relationships and his Dad has a fair share of illegal dealings. With Dexter's reputation, almost everyone believes he planned the Mason's skiing disaster.

And after all these years he's still crushing on Charlee May, the girl who's too good for him. When this cruel twist of fate ties Charlee's family and Dexter's reputation together, Charlee and Dexter wonder if their feelings are reciprocated, while Dexter discovers his dad is trying to steal the May's millionaire fortune.

But like an addict, one look, one touch, one taste - they're hooked no matter the consequences.


I think it sounds fabulous and I can't wait to read it. I'm so pleased to be among the first to share the news of Rebecca's upcoming release with the world. Here's a picture of the woman herself:

So be sure to look out for her new book, Drowning in You. I know it's a different genre than Precise, but Rebecca is an amazing writer and the story sounds like it'll be sure to mesmerize the readers.