Are virtual book tours worthwhile?
I think so, but then I’m currently involved in one that’s
absorbing me with posting a different interview or blog everyday, and following
the comments. It’s the comments I love. Information from readers is the best
and I love every comment that gives me insight into a reader’s mind.
.jpg)
Just to titillate you, here’s an excerpt from Stormy Pursuit. This is unedited, since
my edits on this aren’t done, and it’s the first time I’ve posted an excerpt
from Stormy.
“A woman, no, a
girl walked rapidly toward him, looking down as if absorbed in a problem of her
own. Max moved even quicker, standing in front of her and blocking her way with
his solid body. She raised startled eyes to him, and Max found himself drowning
in the blazing green of gorgeous eyes that pierced him to his core. Surely it
was the most astonishing moment of his life. His heart flipped over and settled
somewhere in his pounding chest. Somehow through the roar in his ears he could
hear a voice drumming the words mine,
mine, mine.
For a moment he
feared he’d said them aloud. Those amazing eyes flared for a moment, and then
she dropped her gaze and blushed. Max was pretty sure he hadn’t spoken, but her
blush told him he might have. What the hell was going on here?
She was
carrying her hat in her hand, and her pale golden hair shone even in the dim
light of the hallway. Only his formidable willpower kept his hands at his
sides. If he could only stroke that shining hair he’d surely feel all his cares
dissolve.
By god, he was
going crazy.
Her face wary,
she spoke a few words in a tone of pure curiosity. “Do I know you?” In an
alluring contralto voice that enmeshed him even further into her web. Conscious
or unconscious web? He wished he knew. She’d bewitched him with one glance. Did
that mean she was really a witch?
Maybe he hadn’t
spoken aloud, but she’d divined at least some of his thoughts. Her deep blush
proved that. Max started forward to place his hands on her arms, barely touched
her and then stepped away.
“No,” he said.
“But you definitely will. I’m Chief Inspector Maxwell Lorimer. I intend to know
you soon. And very well.”
Her eyes
flashed again and this time he was positive of alarm in them. What had he said
to frighten her? If she didn’t like police he’d have to change her mind. Right
now his hard cock was almost bursting through his trousers and he’d better keep
her from dropping her gaze again. He’d best keep her talking, and not put even
a finger on her until he re-discovered his never-lost-before control.
“May I take you
to lunch?” he blurted.
“Lunch? It’s
not nearly time for lunch.” A devastating half-smile quirked her enticing lips.
“Coffee, then?
There’s a small cafĂ© around the corner you might like.”
He held his breath while she looked him
directly in the eye for a long moment. She flipped back her splendid hair, then
she flushed, crammed the hat back on, and nodded. He stepped back quickly so
she could precede him out the door. A curious thought nagged at his detective’s
mind. He’d swear she had her own reason for consenting to go with him. No
matter. He’d delight in solving any puzzles this delightful girl offered. And
coffee was the first step in his courtship.
Now where had
that word come from? An outlandish word but courtship was what he’d wage. For
the first time he knew he wanted more than a seductive interlude with a woman.
He feared he craved a great deal more than her body. The body he could hardly
keep his hands from caressing. Intelligence shone out of those mesmerizing
eyes, and also basic purity. There was nothing to impede the courtship he’d
never even thought about before. She was everything he wanted.”
4 comments:
Good question, Jean. Wish I knew if any of this promo stuff was worthwhile. Really, I just want to write books. The other stuff takes soooooo much time.
Congrats on your series. Sounds awesome. :)
Congratulations on your series Jean! Loved the excerpt.
As a blogger/reviewer, I will say that yes, it does take time. I have to work with blog tour companies and wait for the attachments for the blog post. Then, if I'm reviewing it, I have to read it/review it/post it. Giveaways, too. One of my tour companies has simplied the giveaway process with making a generic Rafflecopter that links back to the tour company so we don't have to pick our winners anymore. That in itself is priceless.
I have some friends that are author assistants that take away most of the promo stuff from the author. They set up the promo's and then all the author has to do is show up with comments. :)
I love comments, too. I like to talk to people that come on my blog.
Marika
maw1725@gmail.com
Thanks to both of you for your insight. Know an author's assistant who wants to work for peanuts? Actually, I'm starting to use my daughter to help, and she's going to be a lifesaver when I figure out what to tell her each day. Lots of stuff, like this blog are too personal to turn over, though. I'm trying a blog tour as we communicate here...
I'm not an author's assistant (sadly).
I'm an old, old PA that dealt with men that I had to hold their hands sometimes. It just comes naturally to me. I'm a total cliche when it comes to the "PA" troupe in a romance book. :)
Marika
Post a Comment