MoniqueMcDonell - author
  • Welcome
  • Blog
  • About Monique McDonell
  • Books
  • The Upper Crust Series
  • The Jewel Sisters Series
  • Blog and website contributions
  • Contact
  • Writing Resources
  • Welcome
  • Blog
  • About Monique McDonell
  • Books
  • The Upper Crust Series
  • The Jewel Sisters Series
  • Blog and website contributions
  • Contact
  • Writing Resources
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART


​

​

​                            Blog

7/30/2017 1 Comment

Seven Hours Book Tour

Picture
​Title: Seven Hours Challenge Accepted
Author: Angelina Kerner
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Release Date: July 31st, 2016
Tour Dates: July 31st – August 6th, 2017

Book Blurb

One pill every 7 hours. That could be all it takes to give Chanel the chance to finally see the world around her.
Chanel is an independent 19-year-old, despite what her overprotective mother and senator father may think. Being the daughter of a Senator comes with its own problems, one simple afternoon out with friends becomes overwhelming when they’re swarmed by reporters.
Keeping the secret of the experimental treatment close to her chest, she is able to fool everyone but her hawkeyed bodyguard, Leon, that has now been assigned to protect her.
Chanel doesn’t want a bodyguard, but will she get more than she bargained for?

Pre-Order

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Angelina Kerner

Picture
Say Hello to author Angelina Kerner!

Author Bio

Angelina Kerner, a Pisces, was born during the Chinese astrological year of the Snake, which she absolutely adores. Angelina loves snakes and was once allowed to feed one a rat. That was an experience of a lifetime.
She moved around during her young years from Novosibirsk to Kaluga in Russia. Finally settling in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, her teenage years were spent dancing in troupes and performing on stage. The dances ranged from waltz to tango, from Jewish to Russian, and finally belly dance. She was accepted into six out of seven universities and decided to stay close to her family. Angelina pursued a psychology degree until she saw graduates working for Starbucks and then decided to pursue another career path in the Department of Social Sciences. The difficult coursework, her job, and finding her life partner inspired her to turn to writing which, at the time, wasn’t so much a hobby as a way to escape daily routine.
She worked on countless stories, never really finishing them, but came to understand that flash fiction wasn’t for her. After finding an online community where she met her best friend, her writing flourished, making publication a possible next step. She is now the author of Deity’s Soulmate, a fantasy novel for 18 and over, and of Seven Hours: Challenge Accepted, a chick-lit novella where the main character is disabled. She aspires to publish her other fantasy and crime fiction works soon. Her next project involves a competition for a beautiful Phoenix. That novel will, hopefully, make its debut in 2018. Angelina currently divides her time between her family, work, writing, and a lot of cats. She is super excited because her son was born in February 2017.
Visit her website at www.kernerangelina.com and her blog at www.kernerangelina.live
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Pinterest | Goodreads

Book Excerpt

​Book excerpt 1:
 
“Chanel!” I heard my best friend, Brigitte’s exuberantly loud voice shout out to me.  “Know what you want?”
“Just a latte,” I replied, once I regained my composure. “I’m simple, remember.”
“I’ll pay this time,” Brigitte returned, letting me go to dart up to the counter to place our orders. “Two lattes, please.”
I zoned out on Brigitte from there.  My mind was still back at the Dr. Greenwood’s office.
I really should have been more hopeful about the treatment, but then it really only consisted of some pills that didn’t quite seem to be working.  I felt a bit bad that I hadn’t told the doc about some of the symptoms, mainly the headaches.  I reasoned that they could have been side effects from my enhanced sense of smell and hearing brought on by my condition.
I tried not to be bitter about my disability.  Well, I hadn’t been bitter about it, until I reached the dating age, and even then, I had managed to hide my bitterness quite well from my busy working parents.
“I hate it when you zone out, hunny,” Brigitte whispered into my ear, startling me from my inner musing, and making me jump. She laughed at me. “Come on. Mike is holding a table for us.” She hugged my arm, and we walked away from the coffee counter.
“Chanel, you look lovelier every day,” Mike announced upon our arrival. One of the reasons that I liked Mike was that his voice sounded always friendly and inviting.
I rolled my eyes at him even though there was no effect, since I was wearing my darkened glasses. “Mike, just because you learned a new phrase, does not mean that you need to keep testing it out.”
“I don’t,” Mike defended.  And someone came over to our table to set our drinks down.
I sat down in my chair and reached for my drink, bringing the cup to my lips. The taste was exquisite, not my usual.  I recognized the difference instantly.
“They used whole milk this time,” I concluded.
“Yap,” Brigitte responded quickly. “I told them to use whole milk, because you prefer whole milk.”
“Thank you,” I replied gratefully then closed my eyes, enjoying the cup. I heard Brigitte and Mike tapping away on their phones, probably texting.
“So how was the doctor’s appointment?”  Brigitte asked between taps. “Is there hope?”
“It went okay. Nothing special,” I replied. I had never told them about my pills.
“So guys, what do you want to do?” Mike asked after I heard him slip his phone into his jeans pocket.
“There’s a new George Clooney movie that I would like to see,” Brigitte suggested.
There was a shuffled foot sound underneath the table then, Brigitte laughed.
“Brigitte,” Mike snapped.
“Sorry, I forgot that you don’t like the movies that much, Chanel,” Brigitte apologized.
“It’s all right; we can go. I’ve got nothing to do until this evening, anyway.”
“Great!” Brigitte exclaimed in satisfaction of having her way while Mike remained silent.

Tour Schedule

​July 31st

One Book At a Time  - Spotlight Post
Monique McDonell-Author - Book Excerpt 1
For the Love of Chick Lit - Spotlight Post
August 1st
Kristin's Novel Cafe - Book Excerpt 2
Living Life with Joy - Author Guest Post
August 2nd
Rambling Lisa's Book Reviews - Book Review
ItaPixie's Book Corner - Book Review
August 3rd
Book Lover in Florida - Book Excerpt 3
August 4th
Steamy Book Momma - Book Review
Authors & Readers Book Corner - Book Excerpt 1
August 5th
Novelgossip - Book Excerpt 2
August 6th
Judging More than Just the Cover - Author Q&A
1 Comment

7/16/2017 0 Comments

Any Way You Spin It Cover Reveal and Kindle Giveaway

Any Way You Spin It - Cover Reveal and Kindle Giveaway

I am so excited to be sharing the cover for Any Way You Spin It - this is the 7th book in the Upper Crust Series and I'm really in the mood to celebrate.

I never intended to write a series when I wrote the first novella Any Way You Slice It and yet here we are seven books later. I'm celebrating by giving away a Kindle with over 30 romance novels on it (I so love my fellow authors who have come together to help me get ready for the launch on August 8th. (You can pre-order Any Way You Spin It NOW).

Isn't the cover pretty? BE sure to scroll down and enter the giveaway - I really hope you win!

​Any Way You Spin It - Blurb

Sometimes you must accept that love doesn’t always show up at your convenience.
Minnie has made mistakes and lots of them. Fresh out of rehab and back in her home town her plan is simple; she needs to make amends to all the people she hurt, especially her children, and get her life back on track. She has no room in her life for men – it was because of men she got in this mess in the first place.
The minute former athlete and current bar owner, Mitch sees Minnie he knows she’s something special. Now all he needs to do is convince her and the whole town that their being together will not undo everything she’s working so hard to achieve.
With all the obstacles to her success can Mitch prove he’s not just one more thing in the way.
If you like long bike rides, picnics by the lake and truffle fries then Any Way You Spin It is for you.

​
Picture

Author Giveaway

Picture
0 Comments

7/11/2017 0 Comments

I Have Never Book Tour

Picture
​Title: I Have Never
Author: Camilla Isley
Release Date: July 13th, 2017
Genre: Chick Lit
Picture
​Twenty-nine-year-old Blair Walker is a girl with a plan, or more a girl with a list. A list of dos and don’ts to live the perfect life, land a dream career, and marry Mr. Right.
When Blair loses her job and gets dumped by her boyfriend all in one day, she starts to wonder if she’s had it all wrong. And what better way to find out than experience everything the list forbade?
With hilarious consequences, Blair will discover some items are trickier to tick off than she’d thought…
A laugh out loud romantic comedy perfect for fans of Lindsey Kelk, Sophie Kinsella, and Mhairi McFarlane. First Comes Love is a series of interconnected romantic novels. However, each book in the series can be read as a standalone novel.
Picture
​Goodreads | AmazonUS | AmazonUK | Google Play | Kobo | B&N | Apple
Picture
Camilla is an engineer turned writer after she quit her job to follow her husband in an adventure abroad.
She’s a cat lover, coffee addict, and shoe hoarder. Besides writing, she loves reading—duh!—cooking, watching bad TV, and going to the movies—popcorn, please. She’s a bit of a foodie, nothing too serious. A keen traveler, Camilla knows mosquitoes play a role in the ecosystem, and she doesn’t want to starve all those frog princes out there, but she could really live without them.
 
Website | Twitter: @camillaisley | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest
​

Check out the full tour 

Picture
​July 13th
 
Rachel Brimble Romance - Author Q&A
A Beautiful Book Blog - Book Review
Writing Pearls - Book Review
With Love For Books - Book Review
For the Love of Chick Lit - Book Review


July 14th
 
Kristin's Novel Cafe - Book Excerpt
JenaBooks - Book Review
He Said Books or Me - Author Guest Post
Judging More than Just the Cover - Author Q&A


July 15th
 
I Heart Fictional People - Book Review
Chrissi Reads - Book Review
Books and Photographs - Book Review
Rebecca Book Review - Book Excerpt
Monique McDonell-Author  - Book Excerpt


July 16th
 
One Book At A Time - Spotlight Post
CosyCuteKnits - Book Review
The Writing Garnet - Book Review


July 17th
 
The Belgian Reviewer - Book Excerpt
Girl vs Books - Book Review
kraftireader - Book Review
July 18th
Reading Is My SuperPower - Book Review
I Heart Fictional People - Book Review
THE CHLOE DOUGLAS BLOG - Book Review


July 19th
 
Kristin's Novel Café - Book Excerpt
Simona's Corner of Dreams - Author Guest Post
Bookish - Book Review


July 20th
 
TheBlossomTwins - Book Review
Grass Monster - Book Review
Chick Lit Central - Author Q&A
Living Life with Joy - Author Guest Post


July 21st
 
ItaPixie's Book Corner - Book Review
Rae Reads - Book Review
Novelgossip  - Book Review
Whispering Stories - Book Review
Ali - The Dragon Slayer - Book Review
A Daydreamer's Thoughts - Book Review
Steamy Book Momma - Book Excerpt


July 22nd
 
BookLoverWorm - Book Review
Pretty Little Book Reviews - Book Review
Book Lover in Florida - Book Excerpt
0 Comments

7/6/2017 1 Comment

Love's Hope a new release by Ja'Nese Dixon

Picture
Love's Hope
​Can she find hope when all else fails?


Sandra James has life all figured out, or so she thinks. But her successful

business, commitment-averse boyfriend and her sister’s shotgun wedding

threaten her health and sanity. She will run to Love Never Fails Retreat in hopes

of relinquishing her childhood dreams and embracing her reality even if it breaks

her heart.

This is Book 2 in an inspirational romance novella set in a small Texas

ranch that you can read as a stand-alone or as part of the series.
Picture
Author Bio
Ja’Nese Dixon pens tales of romance in various subgenres, including romantic suspense and sweet romance. But her favorites are the ones that manage to keep readers sitting on the edge of their seats lying to themselves about reading “just one more chapter”.
She is an avid reader and coffee drinker living in Houston, Texas with her husband, three children, and diva dog. Visit her at http://www.janesedixon.com.
​Website: www.janesedixon.com
Newsletter:  http://www.janesedixon.com/subscribe
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/authorjanesedixon
Facebook Private Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/janesestreetteam/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/janesedixon
Amazon:  http://amazon.com/author/janesedixon
BookBub: http://www.bookbub.com/authors/ja-nese-dixon
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorjanesedixon

Excerpt
“Don’t get me started again. My mascara can only take one meltdown a day.”
Their laughter filled the car. That was why she called him.
“And where does Alonso fit into this scenario?”
She knew she couldn’t slide that one pass him. Her boyfriend, correction, ex-boyfriend wanted to play house and told her he had no plans of getting married anytime soon. Her vision was cloudy again.
Sandra wiped away the tears, taking deep breathes. It was over.
“I can’t stay in a relationship not headed to marriage,” she stated. Not to mention her “Get Married” deadline was approaching. And there went her “Start a Family” goal too.
“So are the tears are for him?”
Sandra shook her head, “No.” Alone in her SUV. Sitting in traffic. She knew she looked a mess. She thought about the source of her pain. Was it the shock of finally ending it with Alonso? She knew they were nearing the end even if they both didn’t want to admit it. Maybe it was the thought of starting over? Or knowing the tears are…
“Sandi answer me…”
She took a deep inhale through the nose she released a very audible breath from her mouth. She could do this.
“No, Bruce. I know it won’t work between us, but I hoped it would. I wanted it to. I just fault myself for letting it linger longer than it should have. The tears are because, hold on,” she took the first exit she saw.
Sandra pulled into the Walmart-size gas station and located a parking space under a light. Again she placed the car in park. She looked around, and it was well lit, and she had another hour before the sun completely set.
“The tears Bruce are my way of letting go of it all. My dream,” she whispered, “I can’t find a husband. This means I can’t have kids. This means I won’t have a family. And I will live my life alone. And I just—“
“Really Sandi? You break up with the man for five minutes, and now you’re an old maid.”
“It’s not funny.”
She could see the smile on his face in Atlanta from Houston. The octave of his voice went higher when he smiled. And she smiled with him, lessening the hurt. A little.
“And to see Cindy get it all,” she continued, “I’m happy for her really.” She realized she must sound pathetic. It was her sister. Her baby sister at that. She was happy for her. However, she couldn’t help but compare their lives.
Cindy planned to marry her high school sweetheart who now played for the Houston Texans. While Sandra owned Coffee Confessions, a little slice of her heaven on earth.
The cafe served coffee and light food accompanied by a bookshop and intimate concerts. The business turned a profit every year, with great employees, customers, and a boyfriend until a few hours ago.
When would her someday come…
…
They disconnected with the rumble of his laughter lingering as she reentered the highway. Sandra didn’t share Bruce’s optimism, at least not yet, but she thanked God for him. He was the best friend a girl could have.
Before backing out of the parking space, she bowed her head for a quick prayer.
Father,
Help me use this time to let go of what is not for me. Help me to see and embrace Your plan for me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Giveaway
One lucky winner will win: $20 Starbucks Gift Card, Signed Paperback

Copies of Black Diamond and Love’s Hope, Ready for Love tote bag, and

other fun Reader Swag. The giveaway runs from July 3, 2017 - July 14,

2017.
​Enter here 
1 Comment

    Monique McDonell-Author

    I am a writer of light-hearted contemporary women's fiction.

    Picture

    RSS Feed

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All Author Interview Blog Visit Bookcover Book Launch Chicklit #chicklitmay Conference E Publishing E-publishing Exerpt Family General Chat General Chat Giveaway Give Away Give-away Holiday Jewel Sisters Series Marketing Musical Monday New Release New Release Friday Photos Pitching Promotion Qacd92bcee57 Rwa Social Media Submissions Sydney Writers Sydney Writers' Festival Taste Of Tuesday Taste Of Tuesday Upper Crus Series Upper Crust Series Video Writers Dozen Writers On Wednesday Writing

    Archives

    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

    Picture
    Picture
Photos used under Creative Commons from Auslandsoesterreicherflickraccountinhaber, ArtBrom, SanFranAnnie, daipresents, katerha, avlxyz, Parker Knight, brockvicky, intoruth, KJGarbutt, Alex Barth, www.metaphoricalplatypus.com, foto4lizzie, Vvillamon, the_beekeeper001, Jeffrey, stevendepolo, Tambako the Jaguar, Eleaf, smittenkittenorig, vmiramontes, phil wood photo, shawncampbell, ClickFlashPhotos / Nicki Varkevisser, Sterlic, sylvrilyn, State Library of Victoria Collections, angelocesare, danichro, eliazar, kevgibbo, chidorian, liquene, Brett Jordan, Nils Geylen, Smallrice the first, Amy Loves Yah, Alaskan Dude, L'Teigneux, o'wan's world shooting tour : mix-age beta