What Books Are You Most Eager to Purchase?

Hey friend! 

Have you ever wondered why authors keep hounding you to preorder their books?

“I’ll buy it when it comes out.”

“I’ll buy it if it goes on sale.”

“I’ll join a launch team and read it for free and in exchange for an honest review or my own opinion.”

These are things I have said (minus launch teams because I don’t have time to launch my own books let alone someone else’s).

But then I learned about the industry. I learned why authors pushed preorders so hard until it becomes almost, dare I say, annoying. 

Here is why it matters so much to authors and TO YOU! 

Publishing houses are businesses first and foremost, even Christian publishing houses. Yes, they want to put out faith-based books but they are there to make money. Which means books have to sell well past the advance money they pay authors. They want to recoup the money they put into it. Not just formatting and covers but marketing and printing and all the nitty-gritty.

If an author’s books does well, guess what? That author receives more contracts and more books by them are published and if it’s an author YOU love then YOU have more opportunities to read more books YOU love! 

If books don’t sell well–even if the author is a good writer (and this happens), they may not receive another contract. Yikes! 

Publishers track preorders as well as sales. If there are lots of preorders it tells publishers this book is anticipated and worth your LIMITED DOLLARS. It also does something else…

Preorders tell book buyers who put books in brick-and-mortar stores that this book is popular. Readers want it. They will buy a few of those books (maybe a lot ) and put them on their shelves because they want readers to buy from them. But that also opens up a new audience to readers who have never heard of said author. And the readership is widened, the books continue to sell, and it makes everyone happy.

Preorders also help authors reach bestseller lists the first week they release. I’m not so much into accolades, acclaim and such like that but some authors are and there are advantages to being on bestseller lists–more exposure to new readers is the most important and I am for all that!

No! And neither am I. Neither are most authors. None of us can afford to buy every single book we want to read. But you can buy books that you want to read the MOST. Most of us have a small book budget. Use that meager book budget allowance to preorder a few books from authors you love most. Then utilize your library, online libraries, like Hoopla and Libby, and the old fashioned brick-and-mortar library to borrow books to feed that book appetite that’s always ravenous. I do that too! 

Great! But why should I buy a book when I’m on their launch team? The whole point is the free book for a quick review and to share a few graphics.

For my trade launch team, I ask for preorders and I give members at least six months in advance to save up their $9.99 for Kindle/ebook (That’s a dollar a week or so for about ten weeks of saving, forego the Starbies) or $18 paperback. Who wants two ebooks or paperbacks?

No one! 

But you can preorder a kindle or paperback copy as a GIFT for a family member or friend who loves to read. Now you’ve not only expanded your favorite author’s audience by sharing the love, and helping them launch book but you’ve done all the above for the author, publisher, and bookseller! 

 

Now that you know WHY it’s valuable to everyone to preorder, can I ask you to preorder my upcoming Trade, The Garden Girls if you’re highly anticipating the book? Pick your favorite online retailer and if you’d like to be on my launch team, please join my VIP group and you’ll have access to the launch team application where you can upload your proof of purchase and be sent a super early copy to read before anyone else, plus you get freebies others don’t! 

FACEBOOK GROUP: Join Jess’s VIP Community

On a remote Outer Banks island, a serial killer collects his prized specimens. And to stop him, an FBI agent must confront his own twisted past.

FBI agent Tiberius Granger has seen his share of darkness. But a new case sets him on edge. It’s not just the macabre way both victims—found posed in front of lighthouses—are tattooed with flowers that match their names. There’s also the unsettling connection to the woman Ty once loved and to the shadowy cult they both risked everything to escape.  

Bexley Hemmingway’s sister has gone missing, and she’ll do anything to find her—including teaming up with Ty. That may prove a mistake, and not just because Ty doesn’t know he’s the father of her teenaged son. It seems the killer is taunting Ty, drawing everyone close to him into deeper danger.

As the slashing winds and rain of a deadly hurricane approach the coast of North Carolina, the search leads Ty and Bex to an island that hides a grisly secret. But in his quest for the truth, Ty has ignored the fact that this time, he’s not just the hunter. Every move has been orchestrated by a killer into a perfect storm of terror, and they will need all their skills to survive…

PREORDER MY COPY

 

So tell me: Do you preorder books? And if so, how do you decide which ones to preorder?

Can We Trust God In Our Suffering?

If you’re reading the Bible this year Chronologically, you know we’re in the book of Job. It’s a unique book  that wrestles with questions like: If God is all-loving and merciful, why do the righteous suffer? Where is God in my trials. 

We also see the sovereignty of God. He is all supreme and in all control. Of Satan–he tells him how far he can go and Satan goes no further. And over our circumstances. Job isn’t privy to the heavenly conversation. He has no idea Satan has been prowling around looking to devour him, but can’t. So when Satan challenges God that the only reason Job worships him and is full of integrity is because he’s wealthy, healthy and protected. So God allows Satan a certain amount of leash. He knows the truth, but later we find that Job knows he’s being refined and coming out as gold through this testing. When taking all way from him, Job doesn’t curse God and die ie give up on God and abandon his faith in him. Satan says well it’s because you haven’t let me touch his skin. A sick man will curse you. So he’s allowed to harm his body but not kill him–though Job wishes for death. Yet God is protecting his life. 

In Job’s suffering, he makes wrong assumptions about God–which we all do when our pain lead the procession of thought about God. And God is silent. Job begs God to show up and tell him why he’s going through this suffering. 

His friends aren’t friends at all. They accuse him of sin and his children of sinning. Repent! But Job holds fast that he is righteous.

God is still silent.

Job still asks why.

Finally God speaks. He corrects Job’s false assumptions about him. And he rebukes his friends, except the youngest Elihu for their terrible advice. 

But he never answers the question Job wants. Why? But he does answer. 

Many times we don’t get what we want from God. But we always get what we need from him.

Job repents. Job never abandons God even when he thinks God has abandoned him. And this testing refines him. It also speaks to us, as scriptures do–so that we can learn from them as they give us hope while we ourselves wait patiently for God to fulfill his promises. 

Forward Reflection: When I go through suffering, what do I believe about God? Do I make wrong assumptions too? Am I going to give up on God when he doesn’t answer me? Or will I remain steadfast? 

What do you love most/least about the book of Job?

 

 

September Quiz Fun! What Lipstick Color Suits Your Book Genre Personality?

It’s that time again, friends. Time to take another monthly quiz. Your shade of lipstick says a lot about which genre of books you enjoy most. 😉 Of course, these are all in good fun and I hope you have a ton of it and share it with friends!

Have you signed up for the Patched In monthly newsletter? No? Well, now is the time. A new installment goes out Tuesday, September 14th and I’m sharing some big news that is guaranteed to thrill you! Plus, don’t miss out on a new Patch of Hope devotion which you can only receive in my newsletter. Just simply go to my “HOME” page and scroll to the bottom, leave your email (which I never share) and get ready to receive all the good stuff each month!

Now, have some fun and tell me in the comments which book genre and shade of lipstick are you? 

 

 

Win TWO Books! Let’s Celebrate!

Hey everyone! I’m super excited that Cold Case Double Cross will release on August 24th in digital, mass market print, large print, and TRUE LARGE print (which is huge font)! To celebrate the upcoming release I’m giving away a fun Cold Case Prize Package which includes the following:

 

Also, you can preorder Cold Case Double Cross to make sure you don’t forget at the end of the month. This is a fast-paced whodunit but it also deals with a woman who struggles to trust men in her life and God. If you’ve ever been looked over, forgotten, betrayed–then this book will be some salve to your sore heart. My hero Cash is dealing with a learning disability and is hiding it because of the shame he feels over how he’s been treated in the past in regards to it. God is our Healer and while the characters are fictional, the hope, IS REAL. 

PREORDER COLD CASE DOUBLE CROSS

 

 

Enter for a chance to win the prize package below. U.S. 18+ Only. 

 

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Which Hero-Type is Your Perfect Match?

Hey gang!

I’ve got a new quiz for you and it’s a lot of fun! Leave me a comment and tell me which hero type is your perfect match: The Alpha Male, The Classic Hero, The Bad Boy, or the Silent but Strong Hero? 

Leave me a comment and tell me who your perfect match is!

 

 

 

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway 2020!

Hey friends! It’s that time of year again when I get to team up with some of my favorite authors to bring you the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway where the prizes build each day and the grand prize consists of all the books and a $100 Amazon card! 

So without further ado, on the 8th Day of Christmas author, Jessica R. Patch gave to me…

Cold Case Christmas!

Secrets lie buried in ice…

One of them can kill her.

Home for Christmas after her long-missing mother’s body is found, nothing will keep Nora Livingstone from uncovering the truth about the cold case. Especially not Deputy Sheriff Rush Buchanan, whom she once loved and left. Even when threats become attempts on her life, Rush can’t dissuade her—but he will protect her. Because someone is determined to bury the truth…or bury Nora.

 

And you’ll also receive books by:

12/1      Liz Johnson – www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/giveaways

12/2      Jill Kemerer – http://jillkemerer.com/blog/

12/3      Sarah Sundin – http://www.sarahsundin.com/blog/

12/4      Sarah Ladd – https://sarahladd.com/giveaway/

12/5      Tari Faris – https://www.tarifaris.com/blog

12/6      Katherine Reay – https://katherinereay.com/events-and-promotion/

12/7      Lindsay Harrel – https://www.lindsayharrel.com/blog/

 

 

 

 

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A Honey of a Christmas

Honey for the Holidays

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each one of you!

Warmly,

Jess

P.S. Don’t forget to stop by Sara Ella’s IG tomorrow to see what new prize will be added!

Just a Little Honey…

Hey friends!

This year has been wonky to say to the least, but I’ve been busy writing like crazy. I guess I was making up for the year sabbatical I took. 

I’m so excited that I’ve been contracted for another 3-book series with Love Inspired Suspense. Cold Case Investigators will be kicking off with Cold Case  Takedown in April 2021. But I’ve also been working on a sweet romance series: The Honeyhaven series!

Hometown Honey released back in the summer and Honey for the Holidays is up for preorder right now and releases on October 20th! I love this town. It’s quirky and unique and full of southern flavor–think Hart of Dixie tv show. It’s been a joy to bring these characters to life on the page. Each story comes with challenges, of course, but at the end of the day it’s a pleasure. I laugh often at their banter and actions. If you’ve kept up with the series, I hope you feel like part of the Honeyhaven community and that with each new story, you step right into the story world like a friend on the page with them.

If you haven’t preordered Honey for the Holidays, now is a great opportunity since it’s at a special price of only $.99 cents. It will go up to $2.99 on Release Day.

PREORDER HONEY FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

If you haven’t read any books in the series, while you don’t HAVE to read them in order, I’d recommend it. But then, I’m an in-order-of-written kind of girl! 

You can browse all of the Honeyhaven stories on my website.

If you have read the Honeyhaven series, which book is your favorite so far? I’d love to hear from you!

Warmly, 

Jessica 

Fuel Your Faith Not Your Fear!

Hey gang!

I’m writing a new book for a proposal I’ve sent to Love Inspired Suspense. I guess writing it is a step of faith. 🙂 Since we’re talking about faith–my heroine has faith but she struggles with a lot of fear about the future and all kinds of things that can happen in this world. So many bad things have already happened. I put together a playlist of worship songs that I think Georgia Maxwell needs to hear–songs that tell her story and would fuel her faith and to help her battle fear.

 

 

And it happens to be a timely message. We are still living in uncertain times. There’s a lot of fear and anxiety. While concern is legit, I don’t think paralyzing fear is! 

I thought I’d share the Spotify playlist I’ve been listening to for weeks while I work through this story.

Since I’m the author I already know she’s going to overcome it and rise up stronger than ever. God is our Author and Finisher of our faith and He knows how our story ends as well…in victory in Christ. We’re coming out of this stronger than before! 

If you listen to the playlist (or follow it if you’re on Spotify) I’d love to hear which song meant the most to you. Answer in the comments or find me on Facebook and let me know! 

Warmly,

Jess

Big Sale! Resort to Romance

Hey gang!

Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m celebrating with good friends today and we’re offering you a BIG sale on our Resort to Romance series! 10 books. .99 cents per book! Whoa! What?

Yeah, you read it right. It’s so cold out. Warm up on a tropical island and settle in for a lot of laughs and romance.

It’s been a year since we’ve released these books and they are ALL AVAILABLE NOW!RESORT TO ROMANCE SERIES

It’s Matchmaking Week at an all-inclusive resort on a private island in the Bahamas. Each guest has been expertly paired and is here to enjoy one full week with their match. While there’s no money-back guarantee on the paid trip, the participants are guaranteed to find love!

A Meddled Match by Jill Kemerer
A Messed-Up Match by Jessica R. Patch
Met Her Match by Susan L. Tuttle
Moonlight Match by Kristina Knight
Unexpected Match by Constance Phillips
Match Me If You Can by Krista Phillips
Mismatched Melody by Jodie Bailey
A Match for Mr. Write by Jennifer Shirk
Rematched by Julie Jarnagin
Match You Like Crazy by Johnnie Alexander

You don’t have to read them in any particular order. They stand alone, but you might see some fun cameos!

Here’s a little more about my book in the series: A Messed-Up Match

A Kindergarten teacher with fears to overcome.
An infamous blogger and magazine writer with a cynical view.
And one romantic week that will bring second chances.

Neeley Valentine has spent nearly all of her savings to participate in a matchmaking week on Joy Island in the Bahamas. But she’s not looking for a love connection so much as someone who will force her out of her comfort zone.

Pax Cannon is known to the online world as the Love Curmudgeon, and he’s ready to prove in one of his biggest articles yet that matchmaking weeks are a joke and men should run as fast they can from them.

When one of the resort’s rules is broken, bringing these two together, neither are prepared for the unexpected twists and turns that will school them on the subject of love.

Click HERE to purchase A Messed-Up Match for only .99 cents!

Happy Valentine’s Day! Enjoy the read and share the good news with friends! 

Warmly,

Jess

Killer Friends Photoshoot and Killer Exposure Giveaway!

Y’all! How many of you love getting together with girlfriends for a Girls’ Night Out with some of your killer friends? They’re just the bestest ever. Wild and crazy and up for all sorts of mischief. Me too! And so does my good friend Emily Shuff. We got together and decided to do something super fun for you and a group of girlfriends to make the next Girls’ Night Out even more fun.

That’s right! We’re partnering to bring you a spooky/suspenseful photoshoot. In fact, we’ll be heading out on a location scout in just a few weeks to find the perfect (and safe) place for the photo session! We’ll be posting some video snippets of our scouting day for you to see!

In Killer Exposure, my heroine is a crime scene photographer and the hero is a storm chaser, capturing all sorts of wild weather on film. It’s set in a small Alabama town and a local carnival! Some of the scenes take place in spooky settings! So we wanted to bring photography and suspense together to give y’all a fantastic fun night! One captured on camera that you can talk about for years to come!

What does this giveaway include?

The winner receives an Online Gallery of 45+ images. All edited images are available for download! You and your girlfriends can get together and do whatever you want with the images!

Each participant receives a signed paperback copy of Killer Exposure. This would be a great night out with your bookclub gal pals as well!

*Maximum group size 20 people.

Where will this photoshoot be located?

The shoot will be in the Memphis or Northwest MS region (Desoto County, Tate County, Marshall County). The winner will be notified privately by email of the location.

Anyone can enter but the winner is responsible for transportation to the photoshoot site. Want to drive from Arkansas? Well, come on. Alabama? Roll tide! If you do not have transportation to the region, a new winner will be drawn. So be sure you can get yourself here!

When is the photoshoot?

The winner has FOUR dates to choose from for the Killer Friends photo session: Friday, July 26th, Saturday, July 27th, Friday, August 16th, or Saturday, August 17th.

*If the winner can’t make any of these dates, they will be forfeit and a new winner will be selected.

The photo session begins at 6:30 p.m.

Just think of all the fun possibilities! Come to the photoshoot then on to dinner, maybe try an escape room…endless ideas to make this night a blast.

Check out Emily Shuff Photography on Facebook! Her work is top-notch. And she’s so much fun!

Emily Shuff @EmilyShuffPhotography on Instagram

And check out Killer Exposure! 

Enter for a chance to win and share the post with friends for added chances!

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P.S. I know I’ve used way too many exclamation points but I’m just so excited to be doing this with my friend Emily!

Good luck, everyone! Thanks for entering for a chance to win.