Tag Archives: A Man of Character

It’s Official Release Day! A Man of Character is HERE!

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A Man of Character
A Man of Character

It’s here. Official Release Day. *deep breath*

A Man of Character is available RIGHT NOW in both Kindle and paperback formats from Amazon.

It’s a life-long dream come true, people.

I hope you’ll check it out, give it a chance, spread the word, let me know what you think.

If you’re willing to share this link, http://bit.ly/AManOfCharacter, on social media today, this week, next week, whenever, my racing little indie author heart thanks you from the very bottom of, well, itself.

If you read the book, thank you.
If you tell anyone about the book, thank you.
If you leave a review on Amazon or GoodReads, thank you.

I can’t say enough how much the support I’ve already received from my amazing family, friends, and writing community means to me. Knowing y’all are rooting for me makes all the difference.

I hope you love Cat’s story.

Here’s the blurb:

What would you do if you discovered the men you were dating were fictional characters you’d created long ago?

Thirty-five-year-old Catherine Schreiber has shelved love for good. Keeping her ailing bookstore afloat takes all her time, and she’s perfectly fine with that. So when several men ask her out in short order, she’s not sure what to do…especially since something about them seems eerily familiar.

Caught between fantasy and reality, Cat must decide which—or whom—she wants more.

Blending humor with unusual twists, including a magical manuscript, a computer scientist in shining armor, and even a Regency ball, A Man of Character tells a story not only of love, but also of the lengths we’ll go for friendship, self-discovery, and second chances.

Margaret Locke A Man of CharacterThank you.

 

That Moment I First Held My Novel (A Man of Character) In My Hands…

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Margaret Locke A Man of Character

My face says it all, doesn’t it? I’m holding MY BOOK In. My. Hands! I am BEYOND excited!

You, too, can hold a copy if you’d like, come May 26th – or pre-order the digital version now: http://bit.ly/AManOfCharacter

Now excuse me while I run around and hyperventilate some more…!

Baa Baa, Black Sheep: On Writing Indie Romance

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/cordery/362762645/in/photolist-y4fGn-85R4Yj-8ByuRV-4ZwkyA-b27Jzc-9sfnyg-6nfwZm-eh2irv-bAAmr-2ZvEp8-5MKgpQ-cVkHUh-8E3w4T-N3FZG-8wkqRE-a9DfGa-bLdvw-ekLdGQ-8whpdg-6rarM7-9j7xag-9j7x1a-9j7xex-9jaET1-6uXLZB-9irswn-6v2WyJ-4ZwkBh-CJQ9y-CJPnd-CJPmU-CJPn7-CJPn1-CJQ9T-CJQ9E-CJQ9K-CJQDW-CJQDU-CJPmV-CJQDS-CJQa6-CJQE2-CJQ9Z-CJPn3-55JymV-qzz1U-wFWJL-nFG6M-8pvJjB-7DmW5d
Black Sheep – CC/Flickr

Romance and its authors have garnered lots of publicity recently, especially in light of Laurie Kahn’s recent (and excellent) documentary, Love Between The Covers. Numerous articles are swirling around the internet, refuting many of the myths about romance novels and the people who write them. Here’s just a sampling:

I love that people are challenging the notion that romance is lesser, that romance writing is simplistic, that romance is dismissible. Those of us within the community have long known those things are false, of course.

The same can be said of indie publishing: its image is transforming from consisting of only poorly written, barely edited trash thrown up on the internet, to being a viable alternative to traditional publishing, featuring numerous talented, cutting edge authors. Many indie romance authors have become certified rock stars in the genre, including Courtney Milan, Bella Andre, Katy Regnery . . . I could name many more.

But as a newbie indie romance author, I’m suddenly realizing what an uphill battle I have to get people to take me seriously: not fellow romance authors, perhaps (although of course I need to prove myself to them, as well), but friends, acquaintances, and anybody not tuned in to the romance and indie communities.

I know this, because I’ve been talking–online and in person–about my debut novel, A Man of Character, which hits the market May 26th. People are excited for me, and I’m so grateful for that. But several times, after friends and acquaintances asked me what I’m writing and/or who’s publishing it, their expressions changed, their faces fell or took on a humoring expression, when I replied, “romance, and I’m indie publishing.”

Writing romance is dubious enough, apparently–add indie to it, and you’re really not welcome at the table.

I could be misreading their reactions. I could be projecting my own self-doubts and fears as this book goes public. Yes, I’m nervous. Yes, I realize there will be people who don’t like my book. Yes, I’m sure I can (and will) improve my writing as I continue down this career path. And that’s OK. Because that’s what it is to me: a career path.

Don’t hand me that black sheep fleece, because I won’t wear it.

I am a writer. I write romance, and I love it. I’m an indie author, and proud of it.

Thank to you everyone who’s supporting me, encouraging me, and cheering me on. Thank you to my critique group, to my beta readers, and to my editor, Tessa Shapcott: all of you helped shape A Man of Character into what it is–a book I’m thrilled to claim as my own. Thank you to my fellow romance authors, an amazingly welcoming group of women (and men) willing to provide guidance, advice, and valuable insider information to newbies following in their footsteps. .

And thank you to everyone who’s purchased A Man of Character, or will purchase it–your willingness to take a chance on a debut author means the world to me.

Guest Blogging on European Geeks in Rural America

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You know what’s fun? Getting invited to guest post. You know what’s even more fun? Getting invited to guest post/be interviewed on a cool blog like European Geeks in Rural America (I was hooked by the title alone). Thank you so much to Elisha for hosting me, and letting me share a little bit about myself and my writing.

europeangeeks

I hope you’ll hop on over to read my interview, and also check out the other great articles and features on the blog. It offers other author spotlights, book reviews, blog tour features, and the like…Happy reading!

And thanks again to European Geeks for hosting me!

Cover Reveal: A Man of Character (Plus Pre-Order Option!)

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Here it is! Here it is! Eek, I’m so giddy to share the cover for A Man of Character with y’all today.

Thank you thank you to the fabulous Joy Lankshear of Lankshear Design for whipping this up for me. I love it. I could not be more pleased. What do you think?

A Man of Character Cover Margaret Locke

Here’s the short blurb:

What would you do if you discovered the men you were dating were fictional characters you’d created long ago?

Thirty-five-year-old Catherine Schreiber has shelved love for good. Keeping her ailing bookstore afloat takes all her time, and she’s perfectly fine with that. So when several men ask her out in short order, she’s not sure what to do…especially since something about them seems eerily familiar.

Caught between fantasy and reality, Cat must decide which—or whom—she wants more.

Blending humor with unusual twists, including a magical manuscript, a computer scientist in shining armor, and even a Regency ball, A Man of Character tells a story not only of love, but also of the lengths we’ll go for friendship, self-discovery, and second chances.

Intrigued? A Man of Character debuts on May 26th, but you may pre-order the e-book on Amazon TODAY!

Print versions will also be available for those of you who prefer the tactile sensation of a book in your hands.

Thank you to everyone who’s helped make this dream into reality.