Author Guest Post
My so-called writing life – and how the Indie community freaking rocks.
I never set out to write a book. At least not when I’m in my 30’s. Oh sure – I had grand notions when I was in 3rd grade, writing stories about pets running amok in a huge mansion. And even though I’ve always been an avid reader, I never put pen to paper (or in my case – fingers to keyboard) until my friend decided to write Twilight fan-fiction. He got fed up with me pushing my ideas on him, and told me to go write my own damn book. And so I did.
I wrote and self published a 65k word book called The Broken Road. I thought I was hot shit, the next best thing since Nora Roberts. Since self-publishing was just gaining traction, the stigma that SP was for losers who can’t make it in the publishing world. I wanted to prove people wrong so I posted my manuscript on a writer’s group forum.
I got ripped. To shreds.
Not only did I need to get an editor, I needed to re-write the whole damn thing. And keeping it published the way it was only gave credence to the stigma, that just because anyone could put something online, doesn’t mean they should.
So I bit the bullet, went to the Self Publishing Book Expo… and jumped head first into the self publishing world, soaking up knowledge, guidance and contacts like a sponge.
I have made so connections in the Indie community – and as the years passed – they have been SO essential to my writing life. The support I have been given, the friendships I have made, are so crucial. Only fellow writers know the feeling of self doubt, the frustration of a character not speaking to you, the disappointment of a 1 star review. Not only have I been welcomed into the community with open arms, but I’ve been able to give back the support – to console a friend when they got another rejection letter, or when they have uploading issues.
It hasn’t been easy. It’s a long, grueling and sometimes frustrating road. I’ve made some mistakes – and mistakes aren’t cheap. But if you want people to spend their money and invest in your product, you need to spend money – and invest in yourself. Invest in your work, pay for a quality editor, a formatter, and a cover designer. You only have 1 chance to make a first impression. Make sure your impression grabs the audience – and don’t let them go.
It took a massive amount of humble pie to get to where I am today. And I am by no-means perfect. I have a ways to go before I get on that best-seller list. But I WILL get there. I have a goal – and damn if I will let anyone including my own self doubt – get in my way. To those who have a story percolating in your brain – write it down. Keep writing. Don’t stop writing. And you’ll get there too. The indie community is here, waiting for you. And will give you the support you need.
About The Author
Melissa Huie grew up in Maryland by the Chesapeake Bay, where her favorite memories took place near the water. Not having the physical coordination for most sports and the tendency to trip over air, she gravitated to books. She was never seen without a book. With her imagination running wild, she began to write her own stories at the age of nine, with her first book about a pet-loving family and the adventures they had. As time passed and Melissa grew up, reading and writing always stayed with her, becoming her escape from everyday life.
Melissa now lives near Washington, D.C. with her family, dog and a lot of fish. In between the chaos of laundry, chasing after her three children and trying to not to burn dinner, Melissa finds her escape by feeding her addiction of reading and writing of love, suspense and sarcastic humor.
Book Review
The Broken Road by Melissa Huie
Book 1: The Broken Road Series
Publisher: Booktrope
Publication Date: April 30, 2015 - PB / May 1, 2015 - eBook
Format: Paperback - 206 pages
Kindle - 1733 KB
Nook
ISBN: 978-1620159408
ASIN: B00X0PG1GO
BNID: 2940151442619
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Buy The Book:
Buy The Series: The Broken Road Series
Book 1: The Broken Road
Book 2: Broken Promises
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
Book Description:
Twenty-six-year-old Megan Connors’s life is not going in the direction she thought it would. With her love life in the dumps, she doesn’t think it could get any worse until her long-time crush, Shane asks to move in. After all, he has no clue that she’s been in love with him for the past ten years. But fate has a way of turning things around.
As their relationship goes from “just friends” to lovers, life takes a turn for the unexpected. Shane isn’t the person that Megan once fell in love with all those years ago. Shane has a past; deadly secrets that are only revealed once the FBI knocks on Megan’s door.
Secrets, tragedy, and deceit force Shane—and Megan—to make choices that will change their lives forever. Once Megan learns the truth, will she still want to be with Shane? Or will someone else be at the end of her broken road?
The Broken Road contains mature themes, heart-pounding action, edge-of-your-seat suspense, graphic violence and steamy romance, with a side of strong language, drug dealing, and a lot of sarcastic humor.
Book Excerpt:
“Yeah, baby. I knew you’d remember me at some point. I didn’t forget you,” he said in a surly tone. He was obviously drunk and tried to run his hand down my arm. I pulled away.
“Yeah. Well, nice talking to you.” I turned my back to him and waited for Fallon to get my drink.
“Don't turn away,” he said, touching my arm “You’re here, I’m here; let’s dance for a while and see how well you remember me.”
I yanked my arm back. “No thanks. And don’t touch me. I’m here with someone, not you.”
Dominic grabbed my arm roughly. His brown eyes blazed. I could tell he was not used to hearing the word no. “You don’t need to act like that. Come on baby. Let’s dance.”
I could see Fallon wave to someone, but I couldn't see who. God, I didn't want to cause a scene and cause security to come over. I didn’t need anyone to fight my battles, I could fight them myself. I looked down at his sleazy hand on my arm and balled up my fists.
“Listen, asshole, if you don’t get your hand off me, I’m going to break it,” I warned.
Dominic just laughed and let go. “If you’re here with someone, where is he? Huh?”
“Hey, baby, did you miss me?” said a voice behind me. A pair of muscular tattooed arms wrapped around my waist. I knew that voice. Shane. I breathed a sigh of relief. I looked up at him. His beautiful eyes were hard and his jaw was clenched. His body was coiled in anger. Shane was ready to drop this clown to the floor. I played the role and stood up on my toes to kiss his jaw line. I could feel a little quiver in his body as he relaxed his stance slightly.
“Hey, sweetie. Of course I did,” I said with a smug smile on my lips.
“What's up, Dominic?” Shane said with a nod, his tone undeniably cold. Shane is a gentle man, but he is also a protector. He never fought unless it was necessary and when he did fight, he rarely lost.
“Shane. Sorry man, I didn't realize she was with you,” Dominic said, backing off slightly.
Shane ignored him and loudly whispered, “Let’s dance.” Taking my hand, he led me to the dance floor. I turned and saw Fallon watching us with anticipation. “Thanks,” I mouthed, as Shane pulled me away. She just grinned. She knew how close Shane came to kicking Dominic’s ass.
My favorite Usher song came on and Shane pulled me close. With my body tingling from his touch, my hopes soared. But I felt the need to give him an out, just in case. “Thanks for helping me, but I could have handled him. I think you made your point. You don’t have to dance with me if you don’t want to.”
Shane gave me a mischievous grin. “We can't let Dominic see you dancing alone can we? What, you don’t want to dance with me?”
I had to smile. “Oh shut up, you fool.”
He put his hands on my hips, and pulled me closer. Shane swayed his body in time with mine, matching me step to step. We fit perfectly. I was captivated by how well our bodies seem to fuse together. I threw my arm around his neck as he held me. We were so close air couldn’t have found a space between us. Electric sparks shot straight to my toes and I had to remember to breathe. I looked up at him; his eyes were dark and inviting. I don’t know if it was the loneliness of being single or the heat of the moment, but I put my other arm around his neck and tentatively touched my lips to his. I cannot believe I just did that. My cheeks flamed with embarrassment.
“Sorry,” I stammered.
Shane’s response stole what little breath I had left. He crushed his lips hungrily to mine. Those electric sparks were nothing compared to what I felt then. Fire broke out all over my body, the sensation shot right through me to a place that had been idle for far too long—my heart (and some place lower). His tongue gently caressed mine, and I sighed in ecstasy. Shane broke the kiss off first; there was fire in his eyes. “Damn, Megan,” he muttered, holding me tight. Oh my god, what did I do? I can’t believe we kissed!
“Let’s get out of here while we’re still standing,” he growled, pulling me off the dance floor.
“Yeah. Well, nice talking to you.” I turned my back to him and waited for Fallon to get my drink.
“Don't turn away,” he said, touching my arm “You’re here, I’m here; let’s dance for a while and see how well you remember me.”
I yanked my arm back. “No thanks. And don’t touch me. I’m here with someone, not you.”
Dominic grabbed my arm roughly. His brown eyes blazed. I could tell he was not used to hearing the word no. “You don’t need to act like that. Come on baby. Let’s dance.”
I could see Fallon wave to someone, but I couldn't see who. God, I didn't want to cause a scene and cause security to come over. I didn’t need anyone to fight my battles, I could fight them myself. I looked down at his sleazy hand on my arm and balled up my fists.
“Listen, asshole, if you don’t get your hand off me, I’m going to break it,” I warned.
Dominic just laughed and let go. “If you’re here with someone, where is he? Huh?”
“Hey, baby, did you miss me?” said a voice behind me. A pair of muscular tattooed arms wrapped around my waist. I knew that voice. Shane. I breathed a sigh of relief. I looked up at him. His beautiful eyes were hard and his jaw was clenched. His body was coiled in anger. Shane was ready to drop this clown to the floor. I played the role and stood up on my toes to kiss his jaw line. I could feel a little quiver in his body as he relaxed his stance slightly.
“Hey, sweetie. Of course I did,” I said with a smug smile on my lips.
“What's up, Dominic?” Shane said with a nod, his tone undeniably cold. Shane is a gentle man, but he is also a protector. He never fought unless it was necessary and when he did fight, he rarely lost.
“Shane. Sorry man, I didn't realize she was with you,” Dominic said, backing off slightly.
Shane ignored him and loudly whispered, “Let’s dance.” Taking my hand, he led me to the dance floor. I turned and saw Fallon watching us with anticipation. “Thanks,” I mouthed, as Shane pulled me away. She just grinned. She knew how close Shane came to kicking Dominic’s ass.
My favorite Usher song came on and Shane pulled me close. With my body tingling from his touch, my hopes soared. But I felt the need to give him an out, just in case. “Thanks for helping me, but I could have handled him. I think you made your point. You don’t have to dance with me if you don’t want to.”
Shane gave me a mischievous grin. “We can't let Dominic see you dancing alone can we? What, you don’t want to dance with me?”
I had to smile. “Oh shut up, you fool.”
He put his hands on my hips, and pulled me closer. Shane swayed his body in time with mine, matching me step to step. We fit perfectly. I was captivated by how well our bodies seem to fuse together. I threw my arm around his neck as he held me. We were so close air couldn’t have found a space between us. Electric sparks shot straight to my toes and I had to remember to breathe. I looked up at him; his eyes were dark and inviting. I don’t know if it was the loneliness of being single or the heat of the moment, but I put my other arm around his neck and tentatively touched my lips to his. I cannot believe I just did that. My cheeks flamed with embarrassment.
“Sorry,” I stammered.
Shane’s response stole what little breath I had left. He crushed his lips hungrily to mine. Those electric sparks were nothing compared to what I felt then. Fire broke out all over my body, the sensation shot right through me to a place that had been idle for far too long—my heart (and some place lower). His tongue gently caressed mine, and I sighed in ecstasy. Shane broke the kiss off first; there was fire in his eyes. “Damn, Megan,” he muttered, holding me tight. Oh my god, what did I do? I can’t believe we kissed!
“Let’s get out of here while we’re still standing,” he growled, pulling me off the dance floor.
My Book Review:
The Broken Road is a riveting romantic suspense novel that follows the complicated friends to lovers relationship of Megan and Shane.
Author Melissa Huie weaves a multi-layered tale of friendship, unrequited love, drama, suspense, secrets, passion, and danger that takes the reader on one hell of a wild ride.
Megan has secretly been in love with her childhood friend Shane for years, but it was an unrequited love. When Shane shows up at Megan's door needing a place to live, fate has a way of changing their relationship from friendship to lovers, only to send their fledgling happiness and lives spiraling out of control when Shane's secretive past rises to the surface. With danger lurking around the corner, Megan and Shane are forced to make hard choices that will change their lives forever.
The Broken Road is a compelling tale that has a great mixture of steamy romance, drama, suspense, and intriguing twists and turns that are cleverly interwoven throughout the story. It is the kind of story that keeps the reader sitting on the edge of their seats and wondering what will happen next to Megan and Shane. While Megan is a strong girl that you can't help but like; Shane is the one who keeps the reader guessing, and just when you think you have him figured out, he turns around and isn't the person you expected him to be. And then when you add in the element of danger to Megan and Shane's story, the author takes their relationship to another level ... but alas, she teases the reader with a cliffhanger ending that leaves the reader wanting more. Megan and Shane's complicated story continues in Broken Promises, the second book in the series.
The Broken Road is the first book in The Broken Road Series.
RATING: 4 STARS
Virtual Book Tour
The Broken Road by Melissa Huie ~ Virtual Book Tour Event Page
Tour Schedule:
July 20 - Sinfully Good Reads – Excerpt
July 22 - Chick Lit Goddess – Excerpt
July 22 - I’m A Book Shark – Review & Excerpt
July 23 - Chick Lit Plus – Review
July 24 - Evocative Book Reviews – Review
July 24 - Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
July 24 - Storm Goddess Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
July 27 - Polished & Bubbly – Review
July 22 - Chick Lit Goddess – Excerpt
July 22 - I’m A Book Shark – Review & Excerpt
July 23 - Chick Lit Plus – Review
July 24 - Evocative Book Reviews – Review
July 24 - Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
July 24 - Storm Goddess Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
July 27 - Polished & Bubbly – Review
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