Showing posts with label Sherri Shackelford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sherri Shackelford. Show all posts

Monday, January 21, 2019

Living Your Best Life in 2019 by Sherri Shackelford

We're three weeks into 2019, and I imagine that by now, a lot of resolutions have already gone by the wayside. That doesn't mean those same resolutions can't be revisited in March, April, May or even December. It's never too late to make a new start.

If you're one of those people who set grand goals that you're never quite able to achieve, maybe it's time to go...small. Instead of vowing to lose thirty pounds, what if, as an alternative, you decided to eat a protein-rich breakfast instead of only drinking coffee? That's it. Just one small change. My brother-in-law lost fifteen pounds the year he decided to forgo the fries when they were available, and order the vegetable side dish instead. That's all he did! But that small change led to others. If you drink two sodas a day, try to drink only one.



Research has shown us that making small, incremental changes can make a bigger impact on our lives than a grand resolution that's difficult to maintain. If you want to organize the whole house, start by making your bed each morning. If you're trying to save money, but you can never manage to keep a budget, resolve to deduct $10 from each paycheck and put that money into savings.

Instead of thinking big, think small. And don't be afraid to reward yourself! Human beings are better at short-term goals. If you want a write a book, resolve to write 10 words a day...then, if that works out, write a 100.
I'll be honest, I spent most of my life setting huge goals with lackluster results. Then I decided to think small...If I have a goal, I make small, incremental changes leading to that goal.

I'm going to give you some homework that will make anyone's year better. Say something nice to yourself each day. Just one nice thing each day. Tell yourself you look pretty! Tell yourself you're a good cook! Anything. We all tend to be too hard on ourselves. We'd never talk to someone we love the way we talk to ourselves.

What about you? Do you start out with grand goals and never quite seem to be able to keep them? Or are you able to set realistic goals?

To living your best life in 2019!

Sherri Shackelford


A former naval reservist with a top-secret security clearance, Sherri writes rapid-fire suspense featuring captivating characters and heart-pounding romance. She's authored more than a dozen novels for Harlequin publishing, including both historical and contemporary suspense.

Visit her Website, or follow her on social media:

Twitter

NO SAFE PLACE

He lives by the law.

She’s running for her life.

After forensic accountant Beth Greenwood uncovers a money-laundering scheme tying her company to the organization that murdered her mentor, she knows she needs to go into hiding. With ruthless killers in pursuit, she’s forced to rely on homeland security agent Corbin Ross’s protection—even as his investigation suggests Beth is complicit in embezzlement. Can their uneasy alliance develop into something deeper—and keep them alive?

Monday, November 19, 2018

Free Stuff with Suspense Author Sherri Shackelford!



Beth F., Shannon A. and Cheryl B. - contact me at sherrishackelford@gmail.com to claim your prize!

A CURRENT AND A CLASSIC GIVEAWAY

I'm excited about my new suspense release and ready to giveaway some books! As many of you know, I spent five years writing historical novels for Love Inspired. We were all sad to see the line close, but when one door closes--another opens.


I started writing suspense last year and I'm hooked! Pun intended...In celebration of my January release, I'd like to give away a current and a classic. Two winners will each receive a copy of No Safe Place (ebook or paperback. US and Canada residents) and one lucky winner will receive a copy of No Safe Place along with my favorite classic, And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie.

Image result for and then there were none

(And I just heard they're remaking 'Rebecca' for Netflix! I'm all in!! I've seen every adaption of Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice - twice. Okay...a lot. I've seen them a lot. I have some versions I like better than others. Even though the book is always better...I'm always up for a good adaptation. Lily James is playing the second Mrs DeWinter, and Armie Hammer is Maxim. Read more here:

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To enter, leave a comment - tell me your favorite mystery/suspense classic, or simply say, 'hi'! 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

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NO SAFE PLACE

He lives by the law.


She’s running for her life.

After forensic accountant Beth Greenwood uncovers a money-laundering scheme tying her company to the organization that murdered her mentor, she knows she needs to go into hiding. With ruthless killers in pursuit, she’s forced to rely on homeland security agent Corbin Ross’s protection—even as his investigation suggests Beth is complicit in embezzlement. Can their uneasy alliance develop into something deeper—and keep them alive?

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE

Agatha Christie

"Ten . . ."
Ten strangers are lured to an isolated island mansion off the Devon coast by a mysterious "U. N. Owen."

"Nine . . ."
At dinner a recorded message accuses each of them in turn of having a guilty secret, and by the end of the night one of the guests is dead.

"Eight . . ."
Stranded by a violent storm, and haunted by a nursery rhyme counting down one by one . . . as one by one . . . they begin to die.

"Seven . . ."
Which among them is the killer and will any of them survive?


A former naval reservist with a top-secret security clearance, Sherri writes rapid-fire suspense featuring captivating characters and heart-pounding romance. She's authored more than a dozen novels for Harlequin publishing, including both historical and contemporary suspense.




Visit her Website, or follow her on social media:




Monday, August 20, 2018

A New Day, A New Genre, Writing Suspense with Sherri Shackelford

In May of 2017, I was waiting to get my nails done at a very noisy, very crowded salon. Like most of the other folks, I was scrolling through my phone to kill time when a subject line caught my eye.

The email announced that my publisher was closing several book lines. I was writing for Love Inspired Historical at the time. Harlequin was ending the Love Inspired Historical Line. Uh oh and stuff. 


I took my name off the waiting list and drove home. I was, after all, an unemployed author!

Adding to the confusion, my editor was out of town. It was another month before I learned what was going to happen. The historical book I was currently writing would release as scheduled. I had one more historical 'orphan' book on my contract that could be written - although the publisher wasn't certain as to the release details. 


While I was sad the historical line was closing, I immediately focused on a new challenge. I'm a professional writer--and professional writers write! I spoke with both my agent and my editor about how and where to pivot. I ate chocolate. I watched some Netflix. 



Then I whipped up a proposal and managed to change my 'orphan' book from a historical to suspense. I had fun writing.  I liked this new gig. A lot.

This business is all about 'hurry up and wait', and once I had written one suspense book, I had the bug. I was eager to write more. I rebranded. I updated my website. I changed my bio. Because writing in a new genre means starting over in a lot of ways. 


The truth is, stuff like this happens to authors all the time. Lines fold. Lines stop selling. When I started writing, I wanted to write Regency Romance. I loved the category Regency books with their sweet stories and witty dialogue. These days, they're hard to find. I have to raid the bargain bins at the used bookstore for my favorite old category Regencies. 


Learning to write suspense was a challenge. I had to change my pacing, my process, and my writing personality. I had to catch up with technology! No more horses and buggies. My characters had cell phones and running water. Shorter books meant dropping secondary storylines. Learning something new is never easy--especially when you're old and set in your ways.

I also had to consider that --for all intents and purposes--I was starting over. I don't know yet how many readers that enjoyed my historicals will make the jump to suspense. (A lot, I hope!) I'm treating this like a debut book. 

Even though my first suspense doesn't release until January, I'm happy to say that I've contracted more books, and I'm back at work. I hope to bring my readers along on this new adventure, and even attract some new readers.

*Tell me about a new beginning in your life for a chance to win an advanced review copy of my first suspense! 

*Books should arrive on or before October

Coming in January of 2019, (Available for Pre-Order!) No Safe Place: 

He lives by the law.

She’s running for her life.

After forensic accountant Beth Greenwood uncovers a money-laundering scheme tying her company to the organization that murdered her mentor, she knows she needs to go into hiding. With ruthless killers in pursuit, she’s forced to rely on homeland security agent Corbin Ross’s protection—even as his investigation suggests Beth is complicit in embezzlement. Can their uneasy alliance develop into something deeper—and keep them alive?

For now, I gotta go. I gotta go get my nails done...




A former naval reservist with a top-secret security clearance, Sherri Shackelford writes rapid-fire suspense featuring captivating characters and heart-pounding romance. She's authored more than a dozen novels, including both contemporary suspense and historical romance. Visit her at sherrishackelford.com or sherri@sherrishackelford.com.


Tuesday, July 31, 2018

It's Only a Party if Love Inspired is There! by Pamela Tracy

Yeah!  This year I was able to attend the Romance Writers of America's conference.  With just one except, I had the best BEST time.  Below, are some of the photos I took of Love Inspired ladies, most of whom are on this blog.  Enjoy!

I arrived on Wednesday and that night I attended
a hands-on Murder Mystery.
Who was there?  Why Jolene and her daughter.
Hmmm, were they suspects?

Each table had a bag as a centerpiece.
Each bag had a piece of evidence.

My table included Sherri Shackleford and Tina Radcliff.
Between them is a Harlequin  Heartwarming author.
For sure she, Leann Bristow, is a suspect.
After all, a Love Inspired author would never be involved in murder.
Except for writing it.

Thursday, Harlequin had a signing.
Here we have Lenora Worth and Terri Reed.
They are flanking Joanne Grant, editorial director, extraodinairre

Ah, here we see Sherri Shackleford enticing a reader

Marta Perry is signing a book for me!

Teri Wilson writers for LI
But, at the signing, she was lurking in the Special Edition area.

The Love Inspired editors also hosted a meet and greet for its authors.
Here we see Deb Kastner and lovely husband Joe

Here we see Patricia Davids.
And!  I'll send a book to whoever can name the author standing behind her
She'll soon be joining this blog

Walking through the conference lobby you might find a surpise.
Here we have Jill Kemerer's cover.
Hey, you can even put your face in the place of the model.

The highlight, of course, is the Harlequin party.
Here I am along side my best friend Cathy McDavid who writes for Harlequin Heartwarming

Love Inspired authors ready to party!

It's always great to reconnect with friends

Sigh.... the conference ended way too soon.  I didn't get to sit down and visit with my peers enough.
Next year, it's in New York.  A long way for this Arizona girl to travel, but I'm hoping to go...


Pamela Tracy's next book is
The Soldier's Valentine
Release date April 2019
from Harlequin Heartwarming

Pamela is also busy working on a
Love Inspired proposal.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

A Family for the Holidays by Sherri Shackelford


I'm really excited about my October release, A Family for the Holidays. I had a fabulous time writing this book, and the early reviews are encouraging.

Here's one of my favorite quotes from Maggie Boyd of All About Romance:

"Growing up I can remember summers spent watching F-Troop, Here Come the Brides and Maverick. These bastions of comedic capers weren’t exactly accurate portrayals of life in the American West but they were fun representations of the Western legends; tales of handsome, brave sheriffs; pretty, plucky maidens and sweet kids. If you miss shows like that and movies like Disney’s Apple Dumpling Gang you’re in for a real treat with Ms. Shackelford’s A Family for the Holidays; it perfectly captures the spirit of Old West cinema."

As a child, I too looked forward to The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights, and I've tried to capture the wholesome fun of those nostalgic movies! 



Here's the inspiration for the cover:

Pretty good, huh? I really like how they took my inspiration photo and created the cover!

Do you have a favorite family movie from your childhood? I have two paperback copies available to folks who comment!

Visit my website for other books and information! http://sherrishackelford.com/



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