Orange Banners Abound!

 Today, May 29, 2024, this is the sight that greeted me when I took a look at my latest release, The Wager, on Amazon. I have never had this happen before and I am thrilled, humbled, and gobsmacked. Thank you to all my lovely readers. Without you, this could never happen. You are the best!

New Release

 Coming May 19th

Available for pre-order now

Exclusively in Kindle Unlimited - purchase your copy HERE

New Release Blog Tour ~ Georgiana

At last, GEORGIANA is ready for release and available for Pre-Order on Amazon. Wide distribution will occur on or near May 1 as she will be in Kindle Unlimited for the requisite ninety days. Order your copy now and receive it January 31, 2020.

Here is a date for my upcoming blog tour. Mark your calendars and don't forget to enter for a chance to receive a free digital copy of my book.

Finalist - Hook, Line & Sinker Contest

Bragging rights are about to happen.

Back in October 2018 I entered the first three pages of 'Mary: Pride & Prejudice continued... Book Four' into the RWA Hudson River Hook, Line, and Sinker contest. I'm happy to report that I made it to the finals (with a score of 149/150) and just yesterday I found out that I placed fifth over all. Not the win I'd like to crow about, but holy cow, fifth. AND if I scored almost perfect - what were the other contestants scores??? I think we're going to see a batch of excellent stories out this year. Can't wait.

I thought I'd share with you my almost winning entry and hope you enjoy it as much as the judges did.

At one and twenty, Miss Mary Bennet knew she was already considered a spinster by the village of Meryton. Her youngest sister Lydia married at the tender age of fifteen, followed quickly by Jane and Lizzy respectively. Then Kitty followed suit a scant two years later and Mary had watched from the sidelines as her sisters fell in love and married.

She was well aware that she was not traditionally ladylike like her siblings. Too forthright in her speech, she’d rather spend an evening playing the pianoforte to an evening in the company of friends, or heaven forfend, attend a ball. She had a pleasing figure, all her own teeth and, if she had one lick of vanity, it was her thick, beautifully curly, mahogany locks of hair.

Papa had finally settled on her a substantial dowry. With all her siblings out from under the eaves of Longbourn, he had the resources to add to the family coffers and she now had a nice tidy sum of four thousand pounds for any man willing to make an offer. And there was the rub. Someone needed to make an offer.

If anyone were to catalog all her attributes, they’d wonder how she’d gone so long without one single proposal. Without one single kiss. She didn’t count the quick peck the cobbler’s son gave her behind the church when she was fourteen. He’d pressed his lips against hers and tried to push his tongue into her mouth, which she promptly bit.

He barely spoke to her after that and frankly, she hadn’t cared. If kissing involved groping hands and tongues being shoved into one’s mouth, she didn’t wish to be kissed again. However, all her sisters seemed to like the fact their husbands kissed them, so maybe he’d got it all wrong.

She hastened her pace upon entering the village of Meryton. No one was even mildly bothered that she’d walked the mile and a half from Longbourn alone. She enjoyed the freedom of movement normally attributed to doddering old spinsters and widow’s long past looking for another husband. She was, to put it succinctly, unmarriageable.

“Good afternoon, Miss Bennet. Lovely day, ain’t it?” Mrs. Sheffield greeted her while sweeping the wooden boardwalk outside her shop.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Sheffield. It is a lovely day.”

“Have you read the newspaper today?”

“Papa keeps the paper to himself. Was there something of importance?”

“Oh, I’d say there were sumpthin’ important. Wait right ‘ere.”

Mrs. Sheffield leaned her broom against the outer wall and disappeared into the store, returning with The Gazette, which she handed to Mary and said, “Page Three”.

Mary took the paper and opened it to the suggested page. Emblazoned across the top was a bold headline, proclaiming: HRH, the Prince Regent Celebrates End of War. The article started by saying that to celebrate the end of the Peninsular War, the Prince Regent wished to stage an elaborate garden party for every person to whom titles were bestowed in the past fifteen years. Following a quick blurb of where and when the party was to be held, a list of all invitees was listed, marching down the page in five straight lines.

“I fail to see how a party the Prince Regent is holding affects me, Mrs. Sheffield.”

“I suggest y’take a look at the guest list. The names are in alphabetical order.”

To humor the kind woman, Mary began reading the names, gasping out loud when she came to the letter ‘B’. Mrs. Sheffield began to cackle at the look on her face.

“I told you it were important.”

“Excuse me.” Mary handed the paper back to Mrs. Sheffield. “I must go home.”

With that she spun on her heel and once out of sight of the village, nearly ran all the way back to Longbourn. When she arrived home, panting, the house was in a state of uproar.

“Mr. Bennet. What are we to do?” Her mother’s voice carried through the window to Papa’s book room. The quiet reply of her father could not be heard and it wasn’t until Mary actually entered the home that more of the conversation filtered out into the front hall.

“But I am forty-two years of age. How can I go through this now?” Mama’s voice had taken on near hysterical proportions.

“I am but fifty-three!”

The door to Papa’s book room opened and upon seeing Mary, he beckoned her inside. With a fair bit of apprehension, she did as he bade and joined them. Mama paced in front of the window while Papa settled at his desk.

“Your mother and I have some news and would appreciate if you kept this knowledge to yourself for a small amount of time.”

“Everyone will know about it soon enough,” Mama cried out and threw herself into the closest chair.

Mary suffered a quick internal debate on the merits of whether to share that the villagers of Meryton were well apprised of their good fortune or not. Deciding to cross that bridge when it arose, she pretended she had no foreknowledge and said, “I shall be the soul of discretion.”

“Thank you, although you won’t have to carry this secret for too long because, as your mother stated, the news will become evident in fairly short order.”

At that her mother wailed again and bolted for the door, flinging it open before rushing up the stairs. Startled, Mary watched, her mouth open. Was her mother not pleased that Papa had been elevated to the rank of Baron and she was now Lady Bennet?

“Don’t worry, Mary,” Papa said. “Your mother is only casting up her accounts because of the babe.”

How fun is that? Mary won't be published until later in the year. Given my current health status (surgery coming up in ten days) I'm struggling to get Georgiana done. I'm so close, only another twenty thousand words and I can begin edits and push my latest baby out into the world. Thanks for sticking with me through all of this.

Until then,

I Won An Award!

I received the loveliest surprise this morning in my e-mail. I won the Jane Austen Reader's Bi-Monthly award for my book CAROLINE.

I was quite worried about my entry because most Janeites absolutely HATE Caroline Bingley and have a hard time reconciling their minds around her having a change of character and heart. Thank you to Charlotte Bream and her team for choosing my book.

Here is the review, link to the blog site added on the bottom if you wish to verify and/or check out this blog for other books and recommendations.

Editorial Review

A poignant tale of Caroline Bingley's struggle to overcome Mr. Darcy's rebuttal of her affections, and his eventual wedlock to Miss Elizabeth Bennet unfolds. With a hard lesson learned for the young lady with a scissor sharp tongue, Caroline is forced to consider her future. A bleak picture emerges, and while she must at all costs be present at Darcy's wedding, she did not foresee Pemberley as the prime venue for the wedding breakfast. With stoicism Caroline strives to impress on the Misses Elizabeth and Jane Bennet, she no longer bears hard feelings toward either of them. All the while she remains embittered in belief her life is in tatters and her heart shredded by Darcy. Quite oblivious to another gentleman who views her as Darcy never has, Caroline is soon faced with a dilemma. Totally unaware the thrill of the chase excites her admirer she finds him exhilarating company. He is what he is at heart while somewhat reformed in character. To her chagrin he becomes her salvation and mentor in may respects. Soon a Caroline she never new existed emerges from the dark shadow of all she had despised about herself. Hence envy, heartache, gratitude and love, is blended with the skill of excellent prose and solid pot. And within the pictorial splendour of the Pemberley Estate is where a happy ever after for Caroline is realized. Therefore, the Jane Austen Award is hereby bestowed to Sue Barr for Caroline: a P&P Continuation.

Jane Austen Reader's Award Blog

COMING THIS FALL ~ GEORGIANA

The Reviews are In!

Catherine is receiving lovely reviews and I thank ALL of you who have read her so far.

Read full review HERE 

Read full review HERE

Monday Motivation - Top 11 in 2017!!

Book One in my Pride & Prejudiced continued... series has received some nice accolades, but this was the latest and I must say I'm honored and humbled to be included in austere group of #JAFF authors.

Obsessed With Mr. Darcy included Caroline in her top eleven reviews for the year of 2017. You can read the review HERE.

RELEASE DATE!

Friday With Friends #5

I think I've adored Julie since we first met. How could I not? We bonded over winky napkins at a reader/author convention in Cincinnati. She, on the other hand, is leery of me because apparently I am the only person who liked the 'Book That Shall Not Be Named'. What can I say? The book trailer was to die for.

I've followed her career with interest. Cheered her successes. Begged her to come visit me on my blog and she finally gave in... I mean, she graciously accepted.

I give to you, Julie Anne Lindsey.

If You Don’t Like Romance in Your Mysteries, My Books Aren’t for You.

There. I said it. I can’t help myself. I think romance has a place in cozy mystery. Most cozies have a romantic thread somewhere, but it’s often understated and nearly invisible. Some reviewers, I’ve noticed, don’t like romance soiling their mysteries. So, I should probably give everyone a heads-up. I like romance in cozies. Mostly, I like real, and romance is real. Why not add it generously to cozies? I mean, romance is something every reader can relate to. It’s one of the amazing and torturous perils of being single. If writers are hoping to find common ground with readers while writing about what they know, adding romance seems like a great way to reach two goals. Right? Plus, if I’m being honest, I love it. I love reading those toe curling will she / won’t she scenes and I adore writing them. So, I do.

Don’t worry, I don’t write sexy things (if you’re opposed to those sorts of books). No. My stories are definitely rated G, and they’re mysteries first, but there’s always chemistry. I write new friendships into each series and make sure readers feel the potential for more. I hope readers long to see where those friendships will lead as much as my heroines do. Maybe it’s me, but I think that’s how life works. I mean, we’re only human.

Here’s another argument for including romance in cozies: Incredible heroines. A smart loveable heroine is the heart of every cozy mystery. You know what else? She’s always SINGLE. Please tell me where in the world a smart, loveable, single woman goes unnoticed for long? Nowhere. As long as there are men on Earth, there will be romantic interests, pitfalls and obstacle courses. It’s fact. Romance is one of the most frustrating and wonderful things about human nature. How could I leave that out?

Answer: I can’t. I won’t. I don’t.

My new series, Geek Girl Mysteries, are no different. My stories revolve around a fantastic young woman, Mia, and feature all the sticky situations every single woman faces, from unreturned feelings to new crushes and the overwhelming need to scream on occasion. Mia handles the emotional trials with heartwarming, and hopefully humorous, doses of awkward, and she does it while solving a murder.

If you’re in the mood to get your geek on, I hope you’ll check out A Geek Girl’s Guide to Murder. Either way, I’d love to hear about one of your most geeky moments. We all have a few. Who wants to share? Anyone?

A Geek Girl’s Guide to Murder, The Geek Girl Mysteries, book 1

IT manager Mia Connors is up to her tortoiseshell glasses in technical drama when a glitch in the Horseshoe Falls email system disrupts security and sends errant messages to residents of the gated community. The snafu's timing couldn't be worse—Renaissance Faire season is in full swing and Mia's family's business relies on her presence.

Mia doesn't have time to hunt down a computer hacker. Her best friend has disappeared, and she finds another of her friends murdered—in her office. When the hunky new head of Horseshoe Falls security identifies Mia as the prime suspect, her anxiety level registers on the Richter scale.

Eager to clear her name, Mia moves into action to locate her missing buddy and find out who killed their friend. But her quick tongue gets her into trouble with more than the new head of security. When Mia begins receiving threats, the killer makes it clear that he's closer than she'd ever imagined.

Amazon       Barnes&Noble       Carina Press     iTunes    Kobo

About Julie:

Julie Anne Lindsey is a multi-genre author who writes the stories that keep her up at night. She’s a self-proclaimed nerd with a penchant for words and proclivity for fun. Julie lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three small children. Today, she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world.

Julie also writes The Patience Price Mysteries series.

Learn About Julie at:

Julieannelindsey.com

Find Me on Facebook!

Tweet Me!!

Read with me on Goodreads

Pin with me on Pinterest

Blogging at Musings from the Slush Pile

Capturing life on Instagram

The Twisted Road to Publication

What a ride!

In January 2010 I signed a contract, under a pen name, with Turquoise Morning Press for my manuscript According to Plan. My book was slated to release February 2011 and go into print a few months after. This was great as I had no knowledge of the publishing business. I'd been strictly a reader who purchased most of her books at brick and mortar stores.

Because I had a year to prepare I settled in, browsed various author's websites and noted what they did in regard to marketing. I had plenty of time....

NOT

In February 2010, my publisher put out a call for novellas between 5-10K words. She was looking to market short stories people could download onto their phones and read on their lunch breaks. I remember thinking, 'I can do that'.

I never expected this naughty novella to reach #63 on Amazon and become the #2 Top Seller with All Romance eBooks. From March to September of 2010 my story flew off the digital shelves. I followed up with two sequels. Because of this success, my publisher pushed the release of According to Plan to July 2010.

I'd been dropped in the deep end of the publishing pool without arm floaties.

There were various other mishaps along the way, but I managed to build a website, twitter and Facebook page and gathered a nice following of readers. September 2013 my fifth book was released, along with two boxed sets and a collection of my novellas in early 2014. Then, in November of that same year, I made a personal decision to follow Christ, and.... well... things had to change. My publisher asked if I'd like my rights reverted. Without hesitation I said yes. Now all content was under my control.

The novellas will never be published again. I can't have a witness for Christ and publish stories where there is multiple sex partners, told in graphic detail, but I could do something with my print/digital book According to Plan.

I've spent the last four months going through the manuscript. I've revised, edited, redacted and polished. I love the story of Shelby and Tank. They were such fun to write. There is heat between these two, but - sorry folks - no explicit sex scenes.

Once I had the manuscript ready I realized I wanted to self-publish. I could have gone back to my publisher and requested a re-publication, but something inside me wanted to bring this story to life my way. My fingerprints are all over this book and if I succeed, kudos to me. If I don't succeed, then I need to learn more and try again.

There is a steep learning curve on the road to self-publication. Never let anyone tell you it's easy, because there is a LOT to do when you're birthing a baby into the digital world. I've had to research tax implications, (thank goodness I have a good accountant), read up on copyright law, set up accounts for my own ISBN numbers, build a new web-site, find a cover artist, (I'm hopeless with Photoshop), find a marketing firm and start sending my book out to reviewers in the hope they'll read and post a review.

Whew!

The good news is... when Man of Her Dreams is ready for publication, the ground work is already done and I can push that baby out with very little labor pain.

It's a BOOK!