What I've Been Up To

Hi all,

It's been a few months since my last book release and many readers have asked me when my next book will be out. So, I thought I'd catch you all up on what I've been doing the past few months.

My husband and I moved this past month and have been crazy busy getting settled into our new home. We upsized - LOL - so we have lots of space to get lost in and we have a peaceful view of the Mississippi River. I have a new writing area in the loft overlooking the river, and am very excited about the new space. Once settled - I will go back into writing mode and get all those novels in my head written.



But don't think I haven't been writing - I've been busy working on a women's fiction novel that is finally finished and I am one-third of the way through a new romance. My exciting news - I just signed again with Lake Union Publishing to publish my next two books. The book I just finished is on the way to them and they will work their magic so it will be out in 2016. And if all goes well, I hope to finish up the romance I'm working on and publish that in early 2016. So - there are new books on the way in the upcoming year.

It has been an amazing year for me both personally and professionally. We love our new home and look forward to many wonderful years in it. My novel Maggie's Turn was re-published by Lake Union Publishing in July and has done very well, and paperback copies were also available in Walmarts across the country. I'm looking forward to working with the team at Lake Union again and feel very lucky to have their support.

Most of all, I am amazed and appreciative of all my wonderful readers who've made my success as an author possible. I can't thank you all enough for all your kind and encouraging words, positive reviews, and for getting the word out
to your friends about my books. I love writing stories, and I'm so thankful that you all love reading them. It truly is a dream job.

Looking ahead - Be on the lookout for my holiday giveaway this month. And for my latest novels in 2016.

Cheers,

Deanna

Maggie's Turn Soon to Hit Shelves at Walmart

Hi all,

I am so excited to share with you that paperback copies of my novel Maggie's Turn have been selected to be placed in 1400 Walmart stores across the country. Thanks to my amazing team at Lake Union Publishing, this next milestone has been made possible. My readers who have bought, read, and reviewed Maggie's Turn have also made this exciting new venture possible.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited when I heard the news. I practically screamed with delight - just ask my husband who was the first person I called to tell the exciting news to. I already felt honored that Maggie's Turn was doing so well on Amazon in Kindle format. This is just the icing on the cake.

Maggie's Turn will hit the shelves at selected Walmart stores on October 20th. At that time, I'll run a contest to see how many people can find my book at their Walmart - so keep an eye out for my contest post around that date.

I can't wait!!!

Cheers,
Deanna

Maggie's Turn is Here!

MAGGIE'S TURN is finally here! 

The new revised and re-edited edition of my women's fiction novel is now available in several formats. Many, many readers had enjoyed the original Maggie's Turn since 2012, and new readers are sure to enjoy this version as well. It is the same great story - just polished up a bit.

If you've already read Maggie's Turn, I thank you. If you haven't, I hope you'll give this novel a try.


Maggie's Turn

Deanna Lynn Sletten


Book Description:
Maggie has always put her family’s needs in front of her own, until one day—without forethought—she drives away, leaving behind her indifferent husband and two sulking teenagers.

As she begins a quest of self-exploration, she meets new people, enjoys new adventures, and rediscovers long-neglected passions. For the first time in years, Maggie contemplates what she wants from life and soon realizes that her deteriorating marriage can no longer continue as it is. Can she and Andrew repair their broken relationship, or is their marriage over?

Left to his own devices, Andrew is forced to take over the household responsibilities and bridge the growing divide between himself and his children. Slowly, he begins to understand what drove Maggie away—and how he can’t bear to live without her. But is it too late? Will Andrew lose Maggie forever?

Revised edition: This edition of Maggie's Turn includes editorial revisions.


Contemporary Women's Fiction
Family Drama

Published by: Lake Union Publishing

Buy Maggie's Turn on Amazon:

Kindle $3.99

Paperback $14.95

Audiobook $14.99

Audible.com $12.24

Cheers!

Deanna

Maggie's Turn Release Party Giveaway!



Update: Contest is over - Thank you all for entering. I will post the winners shortly.

Hi all,

We are only one week away from the July 14th re-release of MAGGIE'S TURN and you can bet I'm getting very excited! To celebrate, I'm having a giveaway. What better way to celebrate?

From now until July 14th, you can enter to win the following prizes:

 

 

1 of 5 signed paperback copies of MAGGIE'S TURN

 

 

 

 

1 of 2 copies of the MAGGIE'S TURN AudioBook

 

 

 

 

1 of 2 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

 

 



Use the Rafflecopter below to enter to win. Sorry - U.S. Residents only. (I adore my readers all over the world but it's too costly to send books out of country.)

Don't want to wait to see if you win? You can pre-order the new MAGGIE'S TURN on Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, and AudioBook formats. Audible format is also available.

Click here to Pre-order.

Good luck!

 

 

 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

Good Luck!

 

Deanna

Maggie's Turn on NetGalley

Hi all,


I'm excited to share that the new "improved" MAGGIE'S TURN, published by Lake Union Publishing, is now available on NetGalley for book bloggers and reviewers to download until August 11th. I'm very excited about this updated version of Maggie's Turn, and hope that you will get a chance to read and review it.

Click here to go to Maggie's Turn on NetGalley

You must be an authorized reviewer with an account with NetGalley to access this page.


For Readers:

Maggie's Turn is available for pre-order on Amazon. Remember - this is a reprint of my original novel, Maggie's Turn, and is not a different novel. It is just polished up a bit and has a new cover. So, if you've already read Maggie's Turn - great! If not - you can pre-order the new one which will be available July 14, 2015.

Here is more info about Maggie's Turn:

 

Book Description:

 

Maggie has always put her family’s needs in front of her own, until one day—without forethought—she drives away, leaving behind her indifferent husband and two sulking teenagers.

 

As she begins a quest of self-exploration, she meets new people, enjoys new adventures, and rediscovers long-neglected passions. For the first time in years, Maggie contemplates what she wants from life and soon realizes that her deteriorating marriage can no longer continue as it is. Can she and Andrew repair their broken relationship, or is their marriage over?

 

Left to his own devices, Andrew is forced to take over the household responsibilities and bridge the growing divide between himself and his children. Slowly, he begins to understand what drove Maggie away—and how he can’t bear to live without her. But is it too late? Will Andrew lose Maggie forever?

Contemporary Women's Fiction
Available on Amazon Kindle and Paperback


Pre-order now on Amazon Kindle

Cheers,

Deanna

Book Review: The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank

Hi all,

I was intrigued by the title The Last Original Wife when I saw it was on sale on Amazon. I just had to try it, and I am so glad I did. I really enjoyed this novel with its humor and drama. This is the first novel I've read by Dorothea Benton Frank, and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. Here is more about the novel and my five star review.

 

The Last Original Wife

Dorothea Benton Frank

 

Book Description:

Leslie Anne Greene Carter is the last original wife among her husband's group of cronies. They've all traded in their first wives-the middle-aged women they long ago promised to love and cherish 'til death did them part-for riper peaches: younger . . . blonder . . . more enhanced models.

Leslie is proud of her status and the longevity of her marriage. Sure the spark isn't quite as bright and sometimes takes a little longer to flame. And it wouldn't be too much to ask if her husband paid just an itty bit more attention to her desires. But there's something to be said for a comfortable and deeply familiar relationship. Or at least she thinks until the day, out golfing with her husband and his friends, she slips into a manhole. And nobody realizes that she's gone.

That one misstep opens Leslie's eyes to the sham her perfect life has become. No longer will she be invisible. No longer will she accept being taken for granted. With the healing powers of South Carolina's lush white beaches, candy-colored sunsets, and feisty and funny residents, Leslie is going to transform herself and reclaim the strong, vibrant, sexy woman she was meant to be.

The Last Original Wife is classic Dorothea Benton Frank: an intoxicating tale of friendship and love that is as refreshing as a soothing breeze across a golden lowcountry marsh and as invigorating as a dip in cool, salty waters on a sizzling South Carolina summer day.

Buy on Amazon

 

My 5 Star Review:

The first thing I have to say is that this is a novel – novels are meant to entertain – and that is what this story does. As I read other reviews of this book, picking the story to pieces, I wondered why these readers bought this book. Fiction is not always supposed to have some deeper meaning that will change your life. Sometimes – actually most of the time – fiction is just an escape from reality, no matter how much you can relate to the characters. That is what The Last Original Wife does – it entertains and lets you escape from your own life into the life of someone else. You delve into their problems, heartaches, and happiness for a while and forget your own.

I really enjoyed this novel. I loved the flowery prose, I enjoyed the over-the-top drama – I just loved it. Some of my favorite authors are southern women, and Dorothea has become one of my new favorites. Southern writers seem to have a flair with words that I find entertaining and a wicked sense of humor as well. From the very first sentence, you know this writer has her own unique style, and I found it intriguing and refreshing.

The Last Original Wife is not a novel for young women who still believe their marriages will last forever. It's for women who've been in the trenches of marriage and, even if you're still with your first husband, you can still sympathize with some or all of what Leslie feels. Wives and mothers, whether working outside the home or homemakers, ARE taken for granted many times by their spouses and children, and made to feel guilty if they don't always put their family first. The fact that Leslie could finally say "enough!" and walk away to figure her life out was wonderful. I loved Leslie's brother, Harlan, and his dog, her best friend, and all the other characters peppered throughout the story. Well, I wasn't really a fan of Wesley's, but then, that was the point. And although there are a few plot points that seem over-the-top – I didn't mind. Like I said earlier—this is fiction—so those plot points were fine with me.

If you enjoy a well-written page turner with wicked humor, you're sure to enjoy this novel.

 

I hope you'll give this novel a try.

Cheers,
Deanna

Three Years of Self-Publishing and Still Going Strong!

 

Hi all,

Three years ago today, I self-published my first novel, Widow, Virgin, Whore. Although I had been writing novels for years, I had never had a platform to sell them on.  After numerous rejection slips from agents and publishers, I'd pretty much given up. And then I heard about self-publishing on Amazon, and that opened up a whole new world for me.

When I self-published my first novel, I really had no expectations. That first month, I sold two books. I was thrilled. At least two people would read my book. Later that month, I published my middle- grade novel Outlaw Heroes, and then in March of 2012 I published Memories.  Sales grew, and so did the income. At the time, I'd read that authors who self-published were lucky if they earned $500 a year from their books. In only three months, I'd already surpassed that amount. I ignored the naysayers and continued self-publishing.

Three years later, I've published nine books and I'm already working on my tenth. I've sold approximately 150,000 books over that three year span and that's just the ebooks. Sure, there are many authors earning a lot more than I am, but I'm happy that I've been able to do something I love and share it with readers. I've met so many nice people, including readers, reviewers, bloggers, and of course, all my author friends. It's been such a rewarding experience.

And the best news of all – This past month I was approached by a publisher who purchased Maggie's Turn and will be republishing it in the Summer of 2015. We will be working to polish Maggie up and get her ready for her big reveal. I'm so excited to start this new phase of my writing career. And of course, I'll still be writing and self-publishing other novels.

In 2015, I hope to self-publish at least three novels – maybe four if I make myself sit down and write! I know authors who write a book a month, but I can't even imagine that. Writing four books this year was enough for me – I need to have a life as well. J

My three years of self-publishing has been amazing and I look forward to many, many more. Thank you all for your support throughout my writing journey. I couldn't have done this without all the kind words from readers, my blogger friends, and my author friends. You are all amazing!

 

Cheers,

Deanna

Maggie's Turn Hits the Top 100 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

Hi all,

I am so excited to share with you that my novel MAGGIE'S TURN hit the top 100 lists on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble in September and stayed there for two days. It's very exciting to see your book up that high on those sites. The best part is I hope it allows more readers the chance to see and enjoy my novels.

I want to thank all the readers who purchased Maggie's Turn and made the promotion such a big success. You are all amazing!

Here's what happened!

On 9/26/14, Maggie's Turn made it up to #29 on the top 100 bestseller's list on Amazon. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a screenshot of it, but I did get one of it at #30.

That same day, it hit #7 on Barnes & Nobles top 100 bestseller's list. You can bet I was excited!

I also ranked in the Top 100 Authors on Amazon, which is always a thrill. Look what great company I'm in!

Thanks again to everyone who purchased a copy of Maggie's Turn. I hope you enjoy reading Maggie's story. I loved writing Maggie's Turn, and the fact that I get to share it with so many people is heartwarming.

Cheers,
Deanna

Maggie's Turn Wins Gold in Book Cover Contest

Hi all,

I'm so excited to share with you that my novel MAGGIE'S TURN won Gold placement in the Authorsdb 2013 Book Cover contest. The contest was judged one-half by votes the cover received and one-half by the Judges. I love my cover for MAGGIE'S TURN, so I am happy that it placed well in the contest.

All of the credit for my beautiful cover goes to Deborah at Tugboat Design. She created my cover for MAGGIE'S TURN, as well as all of my other covers. She creates all of my promotional materials as well, like my Facebook and Twitter backgrounds and banners, my bookmarks, and she even set up my webpage for me. She does wonderful work, so be sure to drop by her site and see what she can do for you.

And be sure to check out MAGGIE'S TURN. It currently has a 4.5 star rating out of 31 reviews on Amazon. It's available on Amazon, Nook, and Kobo as well as in paperback on Amazon.

Cheers,
Deanna

Maggie's Turn Book Blog Tour Schedule!

Hi all,

I'm exited to announce that the Maggie's Turn Book Blog Tour put on by Pump Up You Book begins Monday, November 4th and runs through November 29th. There will be author interviews, a character interview, chapter reveals, and promos throughout the tour. I hope you will follow along and see what each day reveals.

Below is the tour schedule so you can follow along. You can also click the tour button on the side of the page to for the tour schedule at Pump Up Your Book.

In association with the blog tour, I am running a giveaway! CLICK HERE to go to the blog post explaining about the prizes. First prize is a $100 Amazon Gift Card - so don't miss out on entering.

Many people have already read and left wonderful reviews of MAGGIE'S TURN. I want to thank all my supporters and well-wishers. If you get a chance to read any of my books, I'd appreciate it if you take a moment to leave a review on Amazon.


MAGGIE'S TURN can be purchased on:

Amazon Kindle

Paperback

B&N Nook

Kobo








Here's the tour schedule:

Maggie's Turn Blog Tour Schedule

Pump Up Your Book Blog Tour!

 

Monday, November 4 – First Chapter Reveal at Pump Up Your Book

Monday, November 4 – Book Feature at Jody’s Book Reviews

Tuesday, November 5 – Interview for The Book Connection

Wednesday, November 6 – Interview at Examiner

Wednesday, November 6 – Book Feature at Moonlight Lace & Mayhem

Thursday, November 7 – Book Feature at  Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews

Friday, November 8 – Book Review at Sara’s Organized Chaos

——————-

Tuesday, November 12 – Book Review at Teena in Toronto

Tuesday, November 12 – Book Review at Mom in Love with Fiction

Wednesday, November 13 – Character Interview at Beyond the Books

Wednesday, November 13 – Book Review at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Thursday, November 14 – Book Review at Hanging Off the Wire

Friday, November 15 – Book Feature at Confessions of a Reader

——————-

Monday, November 18 – Book Review at Queen of All She Reads

Tuesday, November 19 – Book Review at My Book Addiction Reviews

Wednesday, November 20 – Book Review at Steph the Bookworm

Wednesday, November 20 – First Chapter Reveal at Reader Girls

Thursday, November 21 – Interview & First Chapter Reveal at Lori’s Reading Corner

Friday, November 22 – Book Review & First Chapter Reveal at Bibliotica

——————-

Monday, November 25 – First Chapter Reveal at Literary Winner

Tuesday, November 26 – Book Review & First Chapter Reveal at Deal Sharing Aunt

Tuesday, November 26 – Book Review at Hardcover Feedback

Wednesday, November 27 – Book Review at I’d Rather Be at the Beach

Friday, November 29 – Book Review at Melissa’s Midnight Musings

Don't forget to enter the giveaway too!

Cheers,
Deanna

Maggie's Turn Book Blog Tour GIVEAWAY!

Hi all,

 

12/1/13 - Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway. The winners have all been chosen and notified. They are:

 

Summer - $100 Amazon Gift Card

 

Amy

Tina

Alexandra

Maggie's Turn Book & Bob Seger CD

 

Congrats to all the winners!

 

 

11/29: This Giveaway is now over. Thank you all for entering. I will announce the winners as soon as they have been contacted. :) 



MAGGIE'S TURN is going on tour November 4th - 29th, and in celebration of this, I am having a fabulous GIVEAWAY EVENT. The giveaway starts TODAY and runs through the blog tour until November 29th. You have multiple ways to enter, so enter today!

 

PRIZES

 

 

First Prize:  $100 Amazon Gift Card (U.S. Dollars)(Open Internationally)

 

 

Three Second Prizes: Three people will win a signed paperback copy of MAGGIE'S TURN as well as a CD of Bob Seger's Greatest Hits, the soundtrack to Maggie's Turn.

(U.S. Residents Only)

 

 

 

Enter now! Who couldn't use a $100 Amazon Gift Card just in time for holiday shopping?

 

And be sure to follow the MAGGIE'S TURN BOOK BLOG TOUR starting November 4th. Click here to see the TOUR SCHEDULE.

 

Enter using the Rafflecopter below. (Starts 10/16 at midnight)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Maggie's Turn is Published!

Hi all,

Cover design by Tugboat Design

I'm excited to finally tell you that my women's fiction novel, Maggie's Turn, is now available on Amazon. It should be available in the next few days in paperback as well.

Maggie's Turn is a heartfelt story of Maggie Harrison, a devoted wife, mother, homemaker, and employee, who one day, without planning to, just drives away. We follow Maggie on her journey of self-exploration as she tries to find herself again after years of becoming lost in her roles of wife and mother. Maggie leaves behind an indifferent husband and two sulking teens who soon begin to realize just how much they've taken Maggie for granted. As we follow Maggie on her adventure, the reasons for her flight begin to unfold, and we begin to understand what made her leave. We also follow her husband, Andrew, the less than perfect spouse, as he tries to reconnect with his children and figure out why Maggie left. Maggie's Turn will make you laugh, cry, and touch you with the exchanges between this family that has lost its way.

Honestly, what mother hasn't thought, at least once in her life, that she'd like to just drive away and have a few days of peace and quiet to herself to regain her sanity? The brunt of the work of the home and childcare generally falls on the mother, not to mention working outside the home and caring for the home itself. Often, women lose themselves in everything they need to do and rarely have time to spend on their own interests and passions. Maggie finally does it for all of us, and becomes a better wife and mother because of it.

I hope you get a chance to follow along on Maggie's journey. It's a fun ride.

Thank you to all my supporters, everyone who has read one of my books and/or left a review. I appreciate each and every one of you, and I hope you will enjoy this latest novel.

Cheers,
Deanna

Sara's Promise Wins Another Honor & .99 Cent Promo Results!

Hi all,

I'm very excited to tell you that my romance novel, Sara's Promise, has won another honor by becoming a semi-finalist in the Romance category in The Kindle Book Review’s 2013 Best Indie Book Awards. Last year, Memories won this honor and I am so pleased that Sara's Promise did also. Now, during the next phase of the contest, judges will be reading all the semi-finalist novels and selecting the top five novels in each category on September 1st. Then, the category winners will be announced on October 1st. I will be anxious to see who wins the top five slots in Romance in September. Maybe it will be me!

Congrats to all the semi-finalists in all the categories. I wish you all good luck!


Recent Sara's Promise Promotion

Sara's Promise had more excitement this past week during a .99 cent promotion. Thanks to book buyers and all my supporters on Twitter, Goodreads,  & Facebook, Sara's Promise ranked as high as #450 in the Amazon paid store. There were several hundred downloads, which was gratifying. Not only did Sara's Promise receive a good standing at Amazon, but readers were able to get a good deal on the novel. I was up against some pretty hefty competition those days, including deals on books by Anne Rivers Siddons and Beachs author Iris Rainer Dart, but Sara's Promise held it's own and even climbed higher on the rank ladder than these bestselling authors. So exciting! Thank you to everyone who helped to promote my novel and who purchased it. I couldn't do this without all of you.

I have to make one final note, too. I do believe a well-crafted book cover can help a novel grasp the attention of buyers. Tugboat Design creates all my covers, and I do honestly believe that their exceptional cover design has helped me sell many a book!

Maggie's Turn Update
I am fast at work on finishing the edits on Maggie's Turn and will hopefully have it ready for the pre-reviewers by mid-July. The official date for publication is August 1st. I may try to get it on earlier than that if all goes well.

Have a great week,

Deanna

Cover Reveal - Maggie's Turn

Hi all,

I'm excited to share the new cover for my next novel, MAGGIE'S TURN. Deborah at Tugboat Design created this cover for me, just as she has created covers for all of my novels. I just love it! The colors are beautiful. If all goes well, MAGGIE'S TURN will be available on Amazon Kindle August 1, 2013. I will also be creating a paperback version of this novel as well.

MAGGIE'S TURN is a contemporary women's fiction/family drama novel.


Book Description:

Sometimes you just have to walk away…to rediscover who you are.

Maggie Harrison is a devoted wife and mother, always putting the needs of her family ahead of her own. Then, one day, without planning to, she drives away, leaving behind an indifferent husband and two sulking teenagers. Maggie goes off on a quest of self-exploration, enjoying adventures, meeting new people, and rediscovering her passions. For the first time in years, she dreams about what she wants out of life, and she realizes that her deteriorating marriage can no longer continue as it is. Can she and Andrew repair their floundering relationship, or is their marriage over?

Andrew Harrison likes his life to be in perfect order. He enjoys his work and status in the community, leaving Maggie to take care of everything at home. He knows his marriage isn't perfect. But after twenty-three years and two kids, whose marriage is? When Maggie leaves without a word, he is forced to start paying more attention to his home life and his almost grown children, and he begins to do a little self-exploration of his own. Slowly, he begins to understand what drove Maggie away, and how important she is in his life. Is it too late to resolve their differences and save their marriage? Or will Andrew lose Maggie forever?

 

The first chapter of MAGGIE'S TURN can be read here.


Advance Copy Book Reviewers Needed!

If any bloggers, book reviewers, author friends, or interested readers would like to read and review (honest review) an advance copy of MAGGIE'S TURN in mobi (Kindle) format, please let me know by leaving a comment below (include email address and/or link to your blog) or sending me an email here. As soon as it is ready (late July), I will send you an ebook file to read and review. You would be doing me a great favor, so don't be shy - let me know if you'd like to help out. Thanks so much!

Cheers,
Deanna