One of the aspects I love most about self-publishing is that there are no limits. I can produce as much as or as little as I choose. I work with an editor but the themes I include, the meet-cute, the plot, all of the story is up to me.

So far in 2016, I’ve been pushing hard to produce more and better content. I published two more books in True North this past spring and the first book in my new sweet contemporary romance series. I’m excited to release the latest book in the Golden Shores series next month and have plans to add two short stories to the True North family in the fall. I’m plotting out the third novel for Golden Shores and will release that book in Winter 2016/17.

But I’ll admit to bouts of self-doubt. Twice during the production of every book and short story I’ll question why I’m doing this. I will be the first to admit that I’m still learning craft and developing my voice (I think I always will). Am I even qualified to do this?

Then I submit my stories and wait for the response. And I’m encouraged. And I try to make the next project better than the last. If you leave a review, please know how much I value that you took the time both to read my words and to offer an opinion on them. If you haven’t, please do! I read every review and let each one of your thoughts sink in and I hope that is reflected as I continue on this journey.

The calendar might read July, but for me I’m looking ahead and planning out January. My focus is going to shift some in 2017. I have an idea for a short story for Golden Shores (because I do my best work when I have way too many projects happening simultaneously) but am thinking of writing with an eye toward some of the major houses. I’ll keep you posted but in the meantime I hope you’ll keep reading.

Throughout June and July, check out the hashtag #RomanticIdea to discover great books and romantic ideas for summer by the experts-romance authors.

 

~~Fooling Around With Cinderella~~

by Stacy Juba

What happens when the glass slippers pinch Cinderella’s toes?

BLURB:

When Jaine Andersen proposes a new marketing role to the local amusement park, general manager Dylan Callahan charms her into filling Cinderella’s glass slippers for the summer. Her reign transforms Jaine’s ordinary life into chaos that would bewilder a fairy godmother. Secretly dating her bad boy boss, running wedding errands for her ungrateful sisters, and defending herself from the park’s resident villain means Jaine needs lots more than a comfy pair of shoes to restore order in her kingdom. First in the Storybook Valley series, a blend of sweet romance, chick lit, and fairy tale fun.

LINKS:

Amazon / Nook / Kobo / iBookstore / Google Play 

EXCERPT:

Dylan scrutinized Jaine, arms folded across his royal blue shirt with the Storybook Valley logo stamped over the left in white block letters. “Do you wear contacts?”

“I have plenty of media contacts. Wait. Did you say wear contacts? You mean instead of these?” Jaine fingered the earpiece of her gold-rimmed glasses.

“Right. Contact lenses.”

She gave a nervous chuckle. “I scheduled a consultation in college, but was too squeamish to insert the lens. I was more comfortable in glasses.”

Was she really justifying her vision enhancement choices to her prospective new boss? Maybe he intended to discuss medical benefits. Or did he think she looked nerdy? What was the saying? Guys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses? Not that she wanted him to make a pass even if he was hot.

“How blind are you without glasses?” Dylan persisted.

“You wouldn’t want to drive with me.”

“How about if you’re walking around a building? Are you in danger of hurting yourself?”

This interview had taken the Mad Hatter Freeway from Fairy Tale Land into Wonderland where nothing made a damn bit of sense. Did this guy have a glasses fetish, like those weirdoes with shoe fetishes?

“I should be okay. I take them off for special occasions.” In fact, Jaine’s older sister Bree, who was getting married in August, remarked just last week, “You are losing the glasses for my wedding pictures, right?”

What the hell. She’d be a good sport and hope Dylan would be so grateful to pick the brain of a real, flesh and blood, bespectacled person that he would appoint her marketing director. Jaine removed her glasses and the fine details of her surroundings fuzzed. She nodded toward the framed print hanging on a side wall, the picture a wash of symbols and colors. “I can tell that’s a park map, but the words and images smear together.”

And that was myopia in a nutshell. Jaine adjusted her glasses back into place so she could see his reaction. Dylan examined her with such intensity that a blush stained her cheeks. She patted her French braid, in case stray strands were straggling out.

“Here’s the situation,” Dylan said. “I took over the general manager position a few months ago. I’m evaluating possible changes and researching how other theme parks run. My grandfather and father have worked with a marketing firm for years to create our brochures, billboards, print, and radio ads.”

Jaine’s shoulders caved, imperceptible to him, but it felt as if her whole body was sinking.

No fairy tale job ending for her.

AUTHOR BIO

Stacy Juba got engaged at Epcot Theme Park and spent part of her honeymoon at Disneyland Paris, where she ate a burger, went on fast rides, and threw up on the train ride to the hotel. In addition to working on her Storybook Valley chick lit/sweet romance series, Stacy has written books about ice hockey, teen psychics, U.S. flag etiquette for kids, and determined women sleuths. She has had a novel ranked as #5 in the Nook Store and #30 on the Amazon Kindle Paid List. When she’s not visiting theme parks with her family, (avoiding rides that spin and exotic hamburgers), or writing about them, Stacy helps authors to strengthen their manuscripts through her Crossroads Editing Service. She is currently writing the next book in the Storybook Valley Series, Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty.

My #RomanticIdea for the summer:

Go to a theme park and try these romantic ideas:

1. Snuggle up on slow rides such as the train.
2. Kiss at the top of the Ferris Wheel at night.
3. Share a box of popcorn during a show.
4. Get to a show early and relax in the back of the air-conditioned theater.
5. Kiss for the ride pictures.
6. Enjoy a picnic lunch.
7. Go to the park’s nicest restaurant for dinner.
8. Have your significant other play games to win you a prize.
9. Hold hands while strolling through the park.
10. Snuggle up during the fireworks.

 

Thanks to Stacy for stopping by this week and be sure to catch up with her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, and sign up for her newsletter here to be the first to hear the latest news

 

 

For the past fifteen months (wow!), I’ve had my books available exclusively on Amazon. Doing so has enabled my series to be a part of the Kindle Unlimited subscription service that allows readers to devour books in the program for one flat monthly fee. I’ve had a lot of readers find me through this program and have enjoyed my experience.

Reaching more readers is one of my goals as I continue to advance my career. And to be a part of the Kindle Unlimited program I haven’t been able to have my books on other sites. I expanded into print books (available through CreateSpace or Amazon) but feel strongly that my audience, romance readers, embraces technology and want to get my books on more platforms.

With all that in mind, I decided to withdraw Tidal Patterns (Golden Shores Book 1) from Kindle Unlimited, effective July 11th. You’ll still be able to purchase this book on Amazon in both print and ebook formats, but now I’m able to offer the book on iTunes, Kobo, and Nook as well. My target release for the next book in the series, Coastal Erosion, is still next month and I’ll similarly offer the book on these platforms as well.

I’ll be keeping my True North series on Amazon exclusively. But if you have a nook or other device, come check out Tidal Patterns for sale at:

Nook  click here

iTunes  click here

Kobo  click here