It's 2022, and I don't think anyone knows?!

It’s February, 2022, and if you ask me, I think everyone is in a time warp…

Time has stood still yet flown by during the pandemic, and every time we feel settled, it’s time to pivot again. I know that I’ve become more of a creature of habit during this time, and it takes baby steps to try new things and get out and adventure again. BUT I’m doing it!

At the end of January, I went to NYC in the middle of a blizzard. The trip was only made complete by a visit to the Strand Bookstore and several NY bagels and donuts.

Brooklyn Bagel

This month I’ve been in writing and editing, and I’ve taken comfort in Wordle, reading Running Wild by K.A. Tucker, and watching Succession on HBO.

What’s up next? I don’t know. Stay tuned right here to find out.

The Strand Bookstore Romance Section by Rachel Blaufeld

Here’s the rest of the 411.

Current Read: The Devil in Her Bed by Kerrigan Byrne

Current Recipe: Sugar Babies Popcorn by Two Sisters

Current Fave Product: Dusty Rose Tweezers (I’m over 40)

Current WIP: LOVE IS GRAND, second book in the Grand Love Series

WHAT else do you what to know?

Comment below and I will share (within reason 😂👇🏻)

xo, Rachel

I need to start BLOGGING again -

Hello there, strangers! How the HECK are you? It’s been about twenty years since I last wrote my last blog post. Not exactly, but close enough. In the middle of living through a worldwide pandemic, my creativity was ZAPPED. But it appears to be back, and judging by my inbox with pitches for campaigns and my WIP folder on my computer, I’m climbing back in the SADDLE. Not literally. City girl here.

By the way, I’m writing this post ultra quick and so there may end being a typo or thirty, but this is just me. You are getting the very RAW version of me, on the precipice of releasing my first book (besides the World of True North) in FOURTEEN months. I need a shower and a cocktail. I’m on my THIRD pot of coffee and if you watch my IG stories, you know how loud my “office” has been today.

Anyway, I will save you all the other complaints and gripes, and say I’m nervous and scared and panicked and excited. I love this story because it’s risky and a WHOLE MESS. Don’t worry it finishes up A-ok with a tightly wrapped happy ending. Margo and Mick are the real deal when it comes to second chance love stories…so I’d love for you to meet them.

OH, before I forget, I’m also now an empty nester, and wait until you see some of the RECS I have coming your way thanks to this…don’t worry, if you have kiddos at home, they’re going to be FAB for you too!

Until then, I wish you could hug me and I could hug you back, but alas - here is a VIRTUAL FIST BUMP. I will be hanging around the internet tomorrow and most of the week anywhere we are linked up, so join me.

Faded Sunset is out tomorrow, and I’m ready (I think)!

xoxo, Rachel

p.s. if you feel so inclined, drop a comment if there’s a product you’re hoping to find, or if you’re reading Faded Sunset! 👇🏻 ALSO, reviews MATTER!

The World of True North

When Sarina Bowen announced that she was opening up the World of True North, I couldn't wait to find out more. Sarina is an incredible author and her True North world has such amazing characters and a fabulous setting. With one series being set in the Busy Bean coffee shop, I knew I wanted to be a part of it all. Working closely with Claire Hastings to come up with our books Cakework and Friendzoned was an incredible experience.

Love isn’t always a cakewalk . . .

Gigi Hawthorne is starting from scratch. She just didn’t realize until her crappy car broke down that she was going to be doing it in a small town in Vermont. With an eye for design and some serious decorating skills, she’s managed to land a job making delectable treats for the patrons of the Busy Bean. Now she’s up to her elbows in sugar and flour, but her thoughts are never far from her gorgeous, brooding landlord.

Holden St. James swears he isn’t a recluse. He goes to the local coffee shop three times a week, doesn’t he? Yeah, maybe he never actually talks to anyone, but with a backstory of loss, pain, and regret like his, he’s pretty sure he wouldn’t be very good company anyway. Yet something about his new tenant makes him wonder if maybe it’s time to let someone open the oven door and release a little heat into his closed-off world. 

But both are hiding secrets as dark as an espresso mocha cupcake and they’re not sure if they can trust each other. Will the truth break their delicate relationship into sad, sweet crumbs--or will it turn out to be the key ingredient in the recipe for a new life?

Add to Goodreads | Purchase at Amazon | Purchase at Kobo | Purchase at Nook | Purchase at Apple Books

When Murphy Landon, the New York socialite, runs off to Vermont with her bruised reputation and stylish wardrobe in the trunk of a used car, it’s the first time in her life she’s dared to turn her back on her high-society parents. 

Used to grabbing a gourmet coffee whenever the urge strikes, Murphy finds herself on the other side of the counter, fumbling strangers’ orders...until a sinfully handsome thirty-three year old version of Ben Rooney from high school walks in.

The pair met years ago at a prestigious boarding school and became friends, but only behind closed doors. She’d been a spoiled brat, and he was a football player on scholarship. Ben tried to hide his crush on her, and Murphy set firm boundaries. After a prom night gone wrong, they’d gone their separate ways. 

Now their circumstances are reversed. Ben is a successful surgeon. He’s come a long way from his parents’ humble maple syrup business. And Murphy is pouring his coffee? Is this a joke?

His first thought is that she should drive her gorgeous self right back to New York, where she can’t possibly break his heart. His second one is deep concern. His third thought is he wants a do-over of prom night. A very adult one… 

With plenty of secrets between them, copious pure maple syrup, and a hippy-dippy sidekick, Ben and Murphy are in for a wild and sticky ride.

Add to Goodreads | Purchase at Amazon | Purchase at Kobo | Purchase at Nook | Purchase at Apple Books

Want to know more about the other True North series?

Where has the time gone? WANDERLOVE is LIVE!

What the heck? Where have you been Rachel?

These are the types of comments I’ve been hearing. I’ve been here, there and everywhere.

AND I published a book last week! It took me a few days to get this post up because of the release, I celebrated my birthday, and I went to a signing in Vegas.

GEEZ LOUISE, and then there’s time for family and SELF CARE!

Anyway, I have a new book out and it’s all the good, angsty, feely stuff I love about New Adult and the written word. You can find it here…

OH, and isn’t the cover SCRUMPTIOUS? xo, Rachel

Sometimes, you gotta get stuff off your chest #authorlife

You know when you have a bad case of heartburn and you lay down in bed, and it burns the hell out of your chest? You wonder if you’re having a heart attack, remembering if you had any tingling in your arms or not. You turn on your right side, then your left. You eat a graham cracker, which provides only momentary relief. You chew some tums, take an antacid, or swallow something stronger. These too only provide short-term relief because at the end of the day, you need to find out what the heck is causing the heartburn…

That’s what this blog post is like for me. It’s been sitting there, festering, eating away at me slowly. Despite several momentary lapses in my thinking, the idea still sits there, hammering away in my brain.

If I don’t put these thoughts out there, I will continue to be agitated to the core…so, here you go.

…Sometime in 2013, I wrote a piece on E.L. James and the Fifty Shades Trilogy (I would link to it, but I’ve taken my blog down since then). Anyway, I began to cover the book series from a mom-in-business perspective. Disclaimer: I and devoured all three books, and I would do it again. That being stated, I looked at James and her series from the perspective of creating a name/brand for oneself. Hot damn, Erica did that—whether you liked the subject matter or not doesn’t matter. Who the hell doesn’t know who E.L. James is?

Around the time I published this blog post, I was contacted by a producer for the Katie Couric show. We chatted about my theory. We talked some more on the idea of the trilogy spicing up bedrooms. I was invited on the show (I had to politely decline for an unrelated reason). Somewhere in there, I mentioned I always wanted to write a book and had been sketching out an idea for some time. Needless to say, this producer encouraged me to do just that. She loved my blog, had been following for some time, and liked my voice.

Flash forward to early 2014, book in hand, editing underway, and other decisions to be made. The notion of self-publishing appealed to me; I was a business woman too and wanted to control marketing and what-not. The biggest question was whether to use a pen name or not. At the time, I already ran a successful blog of my own, was syndicated on several other outlets, and had a pretty significant audience. If I had a quarter for every time I heard, “You should use a pen name and then you can self-promote without people knowing it’s you,” I could retire.

I AM NOT JOKING.

The notion of this felt like such a slap in the face. Did I have what it took to be that disingenuous? I consulted with several big-time blogging, writer colleagues, and decided honesty was the only path I could take.

Not long after that, I hit publish using my real name. It’s been a pretty vast journey since. Initially, there was a lot of money and success to be had…I found readers, hosted blog tours, started a newsletter, continued blogging and writing, and on & on. 

Tough times fell on the Romance category. We don’t know the specific reason, more than likely many factors contributed. A flooded market, Kindle Unlimited, sales, freebies, voracious readers, signings gone bad, the closing of brick-and-mortar stores. You name it, and I’ll list it. Mostly, there were a lot of newcomers to the category (and I was still relatively new myself). The stupid fucking algorithm changed and changed again—keep in mind, we never fully understood it to begin with. There were theories and rumors, but never anything proven. We needed 30 reviews, then we needed 50, now I think we 1 bazillion in 24 hours. What we needed was to be noticed. There were sales and a whole slew of websites who promoted your sales for a fee. There were freebies, and blitzes, and READING GROUPS became a thing.

None of these tactics were wrong. In fact, used together or separately on any given day (while running ads), you may see some traction.

The thing was, we only wanted to be seen, discovered, and read. It became harder and harder. The tapestry of our individual lives varies differently, and authors have extremely different output levels. 

And there came the mills: the faceless authors who published continually, recycling themes and ideas, padding books, sometimes found to be copying content, yet were burning up the charts, dominating KU and sales, pushing hard-working authors to the far ends of the algorithm. These authors love chocolate and red wine like you and me. They have a dog or cat and live in the foothills of some gorgeous rural setting. You see where I’m going with this?

Some of this is speculation, some is founded. Plagiarism continues to be discovered. 

And all this has both me and many others saying: WE need to reinvent ourselves, create a persona, who can compete in this made-up market.

I don’t want to do that, which is why I mentioned my backstory. 

I want to be me.

I want to own my words and ideas and love my readers.

Isn’t that what every writer wants? 

Competing against a “machine” is a bigger blow than a bad review or two. 

I’m not certain of the solution. When I have an idea, I will let you know. 

What I am CERTAIN of is this:

I write my own words.

I spend time staring at each and every one on my laptop screen while often drinking cold coffee.

I’m not fast. I’m not slow. I’m just me, and that’s all I can expect of myself.

If you’re curious what I’ve been writing…it’s something new. A little different for me. More Women’s Fiction, with romantic elements, and a lot of complicated relationships amongst friends and couples. I LOVE it, and I hope to have it in your hands sometime soon.

Xoxo, 

R

...and it's AUGUST! Humidity, NEW covers & releases, and Q&A.

WOWZER! It's August already! I feel like it was Memorial Day Weekend yesterday. My summer has been filled with few adventures and a lot of laundry, mostly thanks to my kids who keep me on my feet. THIS IS NOT where I was! :)

Somewhere in there, I finished a new book! Hot For His Girl will release this fall on October 1st! I'm pretty excited for this one. It's LOW angst for me, light, and fun. I can't wait for you to meet Reid and Andi! MARK it TBR here!

I also recovered HEART STRONGER! I'm super pumped over its new look. HAVE you seen it?

Anyways, I've been getting quite a few questions so I thought I'd list them all here.

Will Mary from Heart Stronger get a book?

I think so. I always hoped you, the readers, would fall for Mary, and it seems like you have. SO, the short answer is YES! Mary will have a second chance at love and happiness. When? ---> 2019.

What are you working on now?

TWO books, both high angst, second chance at love and life, and heavy one friendships stories! 

Why did you decide to write something sort-of funny?

I needed the relief myself. After writing TEN high-octane books, my own brain craved some fun. 

Do you have one beagle or two?

I have TWO beagles. Cadillac is 12 and Cruise is 9! I know I share a lot of pictures of them, but they're my office buddies! <3

HAVE a question? LEAVE a comment or join my readers group HERE! AND have an awesome rest of your summer -- SHARE pics with me! xoxo, Rachel

My 10th BOOK! O.M.G. Heart Stronger is here!

Yesterday was the release day for Heart Stronger, and I'm so excited for you to read it. This book is so special to me.  MY 10h book --- wow, wow, wow!! I can't even put into words what this all means to me. 

There is a little bit of melancholy whenever I release a book. It's like saying goodbye to a good friend who you had all to yourself for a weekend.

In Heart Stronger, I twist the notions. The woman is broken, and the man is the fixer. Claire and Aiken are two very broken characters, looking for solace. Can they find it in one another? I can’t wait for you to read it.

I will say this...I love Aiken's gentle demeanor, caring soul and guiding hand.

xoxoxo,

Rachel

Purchase your copy here!

“Sometimes, I feel like I’m watching a movie…that it’s not really me, Claire Richards, getting this second chance at life.”


Single mom and college professor Claire Richards only wanted a few hours of me time to soak in her tub, read a book, and drink wine.

But tragedy struck, and Claire found herself with a lot more me time than she bargained for.
 
Three years later, Claire is still mourning her losses when Aiken Fordham—who captivates her with his Mediterranean blue eyes and tanned skin—moves in right next door.
 
Forcing Claire to face her fears, Aiken almost forgets his reason for moving to Small Town, Pennsylvania. Falling for the sexy, smart, and strong professor next door was never in the plan. 

But now it is… until their future intersects with their pasts.

TIME to Make the Donuts: numbers don't lie & writing/blogging/marketing tips #authorlife #amwriting

*note: I admit that title is a bit much, but I had a lot to say.

Look, I was never one of those “girls” who needed tampons and corralled a whole group of other girls to head to WalMart.

Don’t believe me?—ask my college roommates.

Throughout undergrad, grad school and my first job, I did my work, worked my jobs, and crossed shit off my list. I was a doer.

Flash forward many years, when I found myself with a budding business of my own, and I picked up, flew across the country and attended a business conference myself. To me, it was no biggie.

Throughout my first tenure of being my own boss, the most important lesson I learned was business is business, and friendship is friendship, and while the two can coexist…in business, business comes first.

Tory Johnson, used to speak of a Business BFF. The difference between my at-home BFF and my business BFF immediately sunk in for me.

Women—and this is not an indictment—in our very tangled web of relationships, being nurturers, and often, pleasers, confuse the two. Friends are friends and business is business. When you wrong a friend, you say you're sorry and hug, maybe take some space, and hopefully move on.

WHEN you commit a wrong in business, sorry isn’t always enough. Sorry doesn’t take away business accountability. It eases your conscious, but not others. It’s why women are often told to not apologize in business. It discredits our own accomplishments and makes us look weak.

Anyway, I digress. Where am I actually going with this?

In my current world, the book world—not to mention other female-dominated worlds I've worked in—I find the lines often a bit blurred. 

I’ve been saying for some time, numbers don’t lie and our wee-little book world needs to show our numbers. Not only sales numbers, but hey—we rely on bloggers for promo, etc. What do their numbers mean? What is their level of engagement? How many pageviews do they have? Unique visitors?

NOW, I say this knowing full-well, it could bring on the hate. But I speak from a vantage point of knowing both sides. I was a lifestyle blogger, and before signing clients the likes of five-star hotel chains and mobile carriers, I had to show numbers. Reach, engagement, views, comments, followers, on and on.

I wonder if all bloggers/influencers could furnish it?

It’s not meant to make anyone feel small: in fact, sometimes smaller numbers are better. TAKE a closer look...

For example, check out this nifty Instagram engagement calculator:

Number of likes + comments / overall followers x 100

So take this small potatoes account:

87 likes + 25 comments = 112 / 529 overall followers = .211 x 100 = 21.2% engagement

That’s freaking phenomenal!

Then let’s look at an example of a big dawg.

320 likes + 14 comments = 334 / 29,000 = .0115 = 1.15% engagement

If you do the math, sometimes those with smaller followings have larger engagement.

Moral: numbers don’t lie.

Last week, I ran an ad. A new ad, somewhere I hadn't run before. I spent $100 on the ad, and was quoted it reached 4000 people. I had 32 sales on a 99 cents book (roughly 40 cents profit). Do I like those results? Not particularly. If I went on the 10% rule, I should have had 400 click thrus/responses to 4000 people. Now, I know even 10% is hard to achieve, but with a percentage so low, I can’t even write it…the numbers don’t lie. Either the ad didn’t reach 4000 people or those 4000 people were not engaged.

Hey, I’m not complaining. It’s business and marketing/advertising is the biggest gamble of them all…you win some and lose some.

I guess my point is, not everyone is an “influencer” or major engager. Business is not a sorority and quantitative data matters.

Word of mouth can be a business person’s best friend, especially because it doesn’t cost you anything, but making promises on quantitative results require

~R

*this is a crossover post between my business head and creative mind. If you're an indie author, you're a business person, hands down. You need to wear multiple hats including your biz one. Hey, even if your a hybrid or traditional author, your words are your business.

PSA: It's Okay to Enjoy Romance #authorconfession

Pause—

I’m supposed to be writing my latest book.

I’m way overdue on deadlines, but I had to take a time out.  

As I sit here and meld together the beginning and ending of my latest romance, daydreaming about how to tie up all the loose ends and give this couple their happily-ever-after, I’m actually pondering why it’s so crucial.

I mean: you write Romance.

As I’m reminded several times a week.

Is that porn? Like Fifty Shades?

I used to defend myself.

No, I don’t write erotica. No, my stuff is only steamy. Blah, blah.

Now, I own it all and this is why…

Has anyone turned on the news lately? Opened a newspaper? Flipped through Twitter?

I can’t imagine anyone being immune to the #metoo campaign or Kevin Spacey using his “coming out” as an excuse for past indiscretions involving a child. The list of women Harvey Weinstein propositioned from his bathtub to the number of brave women speaking out on past sexual abuse grows hourly.

In a world where our news is marred by such awful, real-life tragedies, why not spend some time with a hard-earned happily-ever-after?

Why not take the time to curl up with a good love story? Erotic or not? Is It so bad to enjoy the story of two individuals looking for love?

Romance comes in all shapes and sizes. Even when faced with adverse conditions, the hero and heroine find a happy ending. While it may all be a fictional fairy tale, isn’t it grand to lose yourself in it for an hour or two?

So, I’m not only owning my business, I’m saying come on over to my side…try it, you may like it.

FALL, 2017: what a crazy world we live in. I'm here for you -

My God, it's been a long, long, long time since I've updated this blog.

Pull up a chair and pour yourself some coffee -

Personally, it was a busy summer filled with a lot of family obligations and cookouts. Admittedly, I took some time off writing, and I needed it. Nine books in three years is A LOT of writing. I'm not complaining or bragging, just stating. 

Lately, I've been getting back to my roots. Writing from the heart, letting a story ferment and bloom. I'm working on a few stories simultaneously, but Claire + Aiken (tentatively named Heart-ached) is where my head and heart is MOSTLY stuck. They will be next when they make their way out of my labyrinth of a mind.

The world is a scary place these days.

Hurricanes, earthquakes, countless natural disasters rocking the earth coupled with the largest mass shooting in U.S. history is enough to make most of enough curl under the covers and hide.

Believe me, there are moments I want to do just that.

There are other moments, I think to myself: why the heck am I writing? I need to do something more humanitarian. But then you say, escape is what you need. So I continue to write.

Last but not least, while you wait for my next story, I've published a very LIMITED EDITION duet, containing Redemption Lane and Absolution Road with a new cover. It will only be available through the end of the year and for sale at my next signing in NOLA.

GRAB it here: getBook.at/CrossRdsAmz

Information on signed copies coming soon.

xoxoxo,

Rachel

The Book Biz is in Fact a Business #authorlife

Please note: The following post is both my personal opinions and feelings.

My relationship is falling apart.

I’m considering a formal separation for the first time…in ever.

The Indie Book World and myself have been in a committed, loving relationship since 2014. Now, my affections are wavering.

There’s so much strife, talking behind EVERYONE’S back, and conflict, you would never believe we are all readers and writers involved in the pursuit of the HAPPILY-EVER-AFTER.

A field of predominantly women, we were/are/continue to be pioneers of new territory, yet we can’t get along or support one another to save our last breath.

Of course, there are pockets of authors who support one another, but mention one to the other, and you will get a whiff of how divided the industry is.

Bottom line: Authors pen stories. They’re the byproduct of hours, days, months and sometimes years behind a laptop. Countless eyeballs help with beta reading, proofreading, and editing. Investments—both financial and time—are made toward covers, swag, promotion, marketing, etc.

Readers/bloggers/reviewers either love or hate them. They don’t want the book to end or they feel they could have written it better. We hang on to the top of the cliff by one hand while waiting for the reviews.

They trickle in or come in a windfall. We read them even though we say we don’t or can’t or won’t. They make us feel good or horrible. It doesn’t really matter—this is our business, our livelihood, and we must go on.

We send early copies to fellow authors and big-name bloggers in a hope someone, anyone, or just one damn fucking person will read our book. We vaguebook when they don’t. We shout from the rooftops when they do. We gush, and oooh-and-aaah, and make everyone else feel bad (not intentionally – it’s just happens). *If you deny ever feeling upset over this sort of thing, you’re lying. I’ve felt it. It’s a deep sadness like none other.

Fifteen years ago, I lost a baby half-way through a pregnancy and no matter where I turned a pregnant woman turned up. It was a constant reminder of what I couldn’t have. During the time, my husband and I were shopping for bicycle carriers for our toddler. They only sold the trailer with two seats—the possibility of being able to carry a second child to term was extinct in my mind. I cried, raged, and stomped out of the bicycle store in a hormonal fit, demanding a seat for one child or no seat at all.

Point being, each and every week, books on top of books are released. EVERYONE is literally releasing books. Our colleagues are almost always releasing alongside us—sometimes you’re the one to hit it big, other times, you’re not. This has happened to me more times than I can count on one hand. I eat a cookie or five, put on my smile and thinking cap, and try to understand what I can do differently on the business end.

I say I’m not going to read reviews, but I do and eat more cookies.

It’s fine. I wake up, run a few miles, and begin brainstorming. There is the creative side and the business side. My story needs to come to me, simmer and fester in my brain. The business stuff is less complicated.

At least it should be.

So why is everyone fighting?

AND you know they are. Marketing budgets, are they in KU?, Such-and-such blurbed them, or they must know the algorithm become major points of discussion (to name a few).

AND why? Reality is: Authors have different marketing budgets. Take your local bakery and Dunkin Donuts—do they have the same advertising budget? No. They can’t possibly. But maybe the local yokels think strategically, place ads smartly and involve influencers, so they can expand to two stores or three——> grow their business IN BABY STEPS.

I firmly believe at the base of all this fighting is this: Somewhere along the line we forgot this wasn’t just for fun but it’s business.

Take for example this email I received the other day.

(Editor’s Note: In my other life, I freelance write and blog for various media outlets and companies).

A particular company wanted me to cover something. It was a product/services in return for coverage, something I don’t often do but this one I’m considering.

They asked me this:

YouTube Link:

YouTube Subscribers:

Monthly Unique Visitors:

Average # Comments:

How long you've had the blog:

Purpose/main topic of your blog:

Instagram Username:

# Instagram Followers?   Send Link:

Instagram Username:

# Twitter Followers?   Send Link:

Twitter Handle: Send Link:

# of Facebook Fans/Likes?   Send Link:

Any other Social Media stats you would like to share:

Chew on the above for a minute and what it means.

Yes, I know for a while, there was some discrimination in handing out Advanced Copies to bloggers, which of course led to arguing. Smaller bloggers were being ignored (***wrongly, because it’s an engagement issue – number of unique visitors/comments/likes combined type stuff).

What it means is much larger. This is business people. BUSINESS. And if done right, feelings are left out of it. Even the ones we feel when we read bad reviews!

Business based on a creative product isn’t easy.

BUT the business side is not founded in creative blah-blah. IT’s founded in numbers, stats, budgets, reach, frequency, click thru ratio, etc. IT’s based in reality.

So, when we fight, we make ourselves look like we don’t take publishing seriously. When we bash, vaguebook over stupid shit, and go after one another, we take away from the hard work our industry demands.

Being an indie author is like leading a double life. We have a creative side to us, but in order for anyone to actually read our creative stuff, we need to put on our business hat.

On why I was scared to release a book...

Editor's note: I deleted an entire cheese-filled post for the following sentimental, raw post. These are my feelings, real and true—please take that into account.

Today, I released my 9th book. It's been a different type of release for me. Quiet and sedate.

Recent book releases have come with so much pomp and circumstance, streamers and confetti and hours, day, and weeks spent online pimping, sharing and marketing (most of It spent in my robe).

This one is a different though.

WHY? 

In early 2012, I wrote a blog post on E.L. James—how whether or not you read or planned to read her books or not, she was living the Mom/Woman/Entrepreneur dream. Basically, if you wanted to put her down, you could go suck it. Subsequently, I was called by Katie Couric's team for my opinion. At the time, I admitted to her producers I always wanted to write a book. They said, "you should do it."

AND BY GOLLY, I did.

In 2014, I published Electrified, a romantic suspense novel. I put my heart and soul into that book. Did it become the next Fifty? NO. But it did serve it's purpose...to make people think about love and the idea that it doesn't always happen conveniently. There was also the seedy environment in which Electrified takes place—a gentleman's club in Sin City. There were themes that were somewhat uncomfortable and among all the glitz and bright lights of the stripper pole was a valuable lesson. It wasn't your typical romance, and for that I got some slack (including being called a religion basher).

Book two of this series, Smoldered, released later that year and I learned about books being labeled NOT SAFE. LISTEN, I don't say this to agitate reviewers...I was simply that stupid and naive back then. A long time reader myself, I pretty much read anything. I didn't have any triggers or unsafe zones when it came to fiction, but these are very real feelings for many real people. Smoldered is an ugly and painful tale about a beautiful couple who eventually finds their happy ending. I came to understand it wasn't for everyone.

Over the year, Big Mike had become a fan favorite in Electrified and Smoldered. It was obvious his story was next, but he was in love with a high-end escort. 

I came to realize his story was neither safe nor comforting.

Every few weeks, I'd add a little more to Mike and Lynx's tale. It quickly began to turn into my grittiest story yet. So, I put it off, pushed it aside, and let the dust collect there.

I hate to admit this, but part of this was out of fear. I have a thick skin, and I mean it when I say, readers have their right to their own opinions and feelings (as stated above). BUT I found myself unable to work on Mike's book for a long time, and then I said, "Screw it," and started writing it again.

IT is not pretty.

IT definitely pushes some readers way out of their comfort zone.

IT includes a love affair between a biracial woman and a blue blood white male. IT is forbidden in more ways than one. She's a "working girl" and he's trying to be more than he was born into...

IT is steamy and sensual, raw and grimy, and the ending is just as I always saw it.

I'm proud of the risk I took for these two to have their story.

To all the readers who waited patiently, this book is for you. JUST read the dedication if you don't believe me.

This is why today is without confetti and streamers, but maybe I'll throw some tomorrow.

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xoxo, 

Rachel 

IF you would like to check out any of the books in the Electric Tunnel series, check out their pages: Electrified, Smoldered, Tinged.

Long Overdue Update

Whew, it's been a long, long, long while since I've blogged.

Best guess, I've been tapped out when it comes to words. 

What's shaking with you?

As for me, I finally finished Tinged, book 3 in the Electric Tunnel Series (my first series). Big Mike was a fan favorite in the Tunnel books, and this is his book...so I know there will be a few happy readers. It will release early May, so be ready!

Otherwise, I have several other WIP's swimming in my head and a few even typed out on my laptop, so it really depends who takes the strongest hold of me. Betting money is on Emerson & Price

(and that's all I can say about them).

Lately, I've been receiving a lot of questions on the writing process. How it works for me? How to do it best? The only thing I know for certain is the way it works for me, is not the best way for everyone. I've seen a lot of peeps preach, "Do this. Write here. Make sure to get in X number of words every day."

Let me say this: If it doesn't work for ya, it's probably not gonna work for ya.

SOOO, I promise to keep you updated on Em and Price (and whoever else is living in my head).

IF you want to stay more up to date, join my READER's Group. That's where it all goes down!

Happy Easter, Passover, Spring Break - whatever you celebrate.

xoxoxo,

R

p.s. WANT to receive 12 FREE BOOKS? ---> hit that little pink bar at the top of the page and sign up for my newsletter where starting this month (APRIL), I will be offering one free book per month (from other authors)!!!

An EARLY V-DAY Treat! 💄

I'm so EXCITED to be a part of this amazing collection of stories, coming in time for this Valentine's Day! 💄

Last year, I was a part of several projects donating to various charities AND this year, I plan to do more. Read more below on this...

Beaus & Arrows:  A Collection of Sweet & Sassy Stories, written by 22 of your favorite authors,  

EXCLUSIVELY for you!

This amazing collection packed full of romance to help you through that delicious box of chocolates will also give some love back.  All profits from Beaus & Arrows is going to Pennies-4-Paws!!

Add this Valentine’s inspired anthology to your TBR for a February 7th release: http://bit.ly/2koMY1s

Be notified when Beaus & Arrows is LIVE here: http://eepurl.com/cz0eRb

Flowers are fun, but diamonds and forever win our hearts. 22 authors have come together to bring you everything you want in an anthology. From first kisses to botched proposals, boss crushes to rockstar lovin’, these fun novellas will give you the happily ever afters you crave.

Perfectly Us by Abby Brooks: A secret Valentine's Day proposal almost ruins everything for this small town couple.

Right For Love.by Aria Cole: One night, one dress, him and her. But can one swipe right really lead to love?

Pinnacle - A Destined Series Story by Ashley Suzanne: A sexy, NYC getaway weekend for Mira and Skylar lead them to altar ... just not their own!

The Wedding-Night Stand by Ava Harrison: When one night of passion turns into forever.

One Night by Callie Anderson: Landon Winthrop walked into my life and consumed my mind, body, and heart. The only problem--he's my boss.

All Wrong by Callie Harper: From spilling hot coffee all down her shirt to getting locked in a closet at a party, Sarah’s Valentine’s Day is going all wrong. But when an insanely hot crush gets involved, can some things go so wrong they become just right?

Love on a Plane by Ilsa Madden-Mills: Spider didn't mean to fall for the uptight girl he sat next to on the plane. But once they kissed, all common sense went out the tiny window next to her. Too bad she was his future stepsister…

Taking My Shot by Jen Frederick

Someone Not You by Jessica Hawkins: Justin's dazzling smile and wit have never failed him in the dating department—until his boss challenges him to win a date with the one girl who might be immune to his charms.

A Very Locklaine Valentine by Jessica Prince: The story of Richard's epically disastrous proposal to Delilah.

What Love Built by JL Berg: The entire Cavenaugh family reunites for what is sure to be a very memorable Valentine's Day.

Special Delivery by Liv Morris

My First Time by LJ Shen: Mr. First Time: A real-life story about first love, first kiss and all the things that make your heart beat faster.

Rhythm by Mandi Beck: Grab front row seats to Wrecked's Valentine's Day show and see just how sexy loving a rock star can be. Especially when he's got a stash of lollipops.

Livi's Love by MJ Fields: A Caldwell Brothers novella. Hendrix Caldwell loves his woman hard and his dog, too. Livi Caldwell is surrounded in a new world full of love, devotion, and a man who will do anything to keep her from stressing.  Floyd, the couple's pit bull has found herself in a predicament.

What lengths will Hendrix go to for Livi and Floyd? In the end, Livi teaches her man once again there is always more love in this family to go around.

Yes, Yes, Yes by Nicola Rendell: A chocolate tasting gets dirty.

Game For Two: A Valentine's Staycation by Rachel Blaufeld: Drew & Jules escape the madness for a romantic night at the beach.

Backfire by Rebecca Yarros: Bash's perfectly planned proposal goes awry when he's called away for a fire.

Entwined by SE Hall: My Valentine's Day gift to all of you who asked for it- the wedding of Dane Kendrick and Laney Jo Walker.

Love and Latte by Sharon Hamilton

Beauty Knot by Stephie Walls: From marks and scars to joy and triumph, Callie and Liam finally get their fairytale. After nine years, this shotgun wedding goes every way but smoothly.

The Brightest Star by Yessi Smith: A story about two souls who continue to fall deeper into each other every day, as life unravels around them.

Golly, I'm just getting around to updating this -

I cannot tell a lie: I literally just put away all my clean laundry from BEFORE Christmas! I'm not KIDDING. That's what happens when you release a book. BUT it is so worth it.

Break Point is LIVE, and this is what they're saying (read on after because I say something profound):

"Sensual and forbidden, a mesmerizing love story that leaves no feeling untouched." ~ Katy Evans, NYT Bestselling Author

---->KATY said that!

"Addictive! Sexy! A romance with unexpected turns and a heartfelt story of love and forgiveness." ~ Jewel E. Ann, Author

"Rachel Blaufeld is a queen of a sexy romance and when I am in the mood for an angsty story with some incredibly hot moments she is an author I go to." ~ Miranda, Red Cheeks Reads

"...a well balanced story, some funny moments and some good old angst." ~ Michelle, After Dark Book Lovers

Anywho...I said the other day, if you make a reader FEEL, you're job as a writer is DONE! It may be rage or affection, love or animosity, dreamy or angry...it doesn't matter. When words evoke feelings, it's a job well done.

BUT the most important job is YOU as a reader for taking the time to 1 click your finger and sit down and read my book.

SO THANK YOU!

If you haven't met Drew and Jules yet, you can do so here:

Amazon US  

Amazon UK

Nook

iBooks

KOBO

ALSO, if you want to read something laugh out loud funny, check out my interview here.

xoxoxo, R

MERRY HOLIDAYS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

It's been a while readers, and I've missed you.

As 2016 comes to a close, I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off (like so many of you). I vaguely remember last year telling myself I would never do another early January release. Alas, I didn't listen to myself and here I am prepping for a January 9th release.

That's okay: the busier we are, the more alive we are. I've never wanted to be a victim of the busy trap. I'm busy, you're busy, we're all busy. WHICH is exactly why I'm so appreciative of the time you take in bed, on the couch, in the bathtub, on the subway or on vacation to read my books.

FROM the VERY bottom of my BIG heart, I say thank you.

I hope you all have a very merry holiday season filled with goodies and fun. 

As for me, I'm going to eat cake, read a lot and hang with my family!

As always, 2017 will bring several releases from me starting with Break Point. The rest remains TOP secret until after the New Year. In the coming year, I hope you all find time to enjoy yourselves (in the bath). 

---> there is a theme here. BUBBLES and BATH!

UNTIL then, where to find me.

I'm mostly in my group...

The Electric Readers

OR one of these places...

♥ Twitter ♥ Facebook ♥ 

XOXO,

Rachel 🎄

Put Some Respect on THIS and Every Romance Author's Name. #authorlife

Occasionally, I get a wild hair and start waxing poetic on #authorlife over here. Okay, sometimes more than occasionally.

In my mind, there's a lot of meat to being an author. Independent or trade published—makes no difference. It's hard work. Yeah, I know you're busy too. We're all freaking busy. Sue me.

Anyways, in the book world, we spend 200% of our time marketing, and 100% of our time writing, editing, and missing deadlines. Yet, something else I know: THAT equals 300% and that's not really a number. Sue me again. I'm a writer not a mathematician.

So when someone says some bullshit comment to my mom like, "Oh, your daughter writes smut, porn, insert whatever slur you'd like," it really burns me the fuck up. And, yes that F BOMB was intentional. I don't even bother defending myself or all of my amazing colleagues anymore.

Romance is a huge category (chew on this: In 2013, Romance accounted for 13% of Fiction consumed and in 2016, it was a whopping 29%...NUMBERS DO NOT LIE).

As an author who straddles Women's Fiction, Coming of Age Stories & Romance, I love my romance readers. They're bold, fierce and independent. I've grown close with many, and they live for a good story. Dirty or not, they adore the journey and of course, the happy ending. The world around us can be a shitty place, so what's wrong with a little escapism?

It's what goes into all of that from our side. Countless hours running reader groups and takeovers, tweeting, Facebooking, and setting ads. Then, there are all the thankless tasks like uploading, dealing with error messages, emailing Amazon when something goes wrong, and most, most important, keeping up with an industry that changes DAILY. Trends, publishing guidelines, popular tropes...it can be endless. But we do it and LOVE it.

SO #putsomerespectonmyname and don't ever diminish what we do.

Signing OFF, RB

xoxoxo

Being thankful and such...

It's been a while since I've been on the blog. The fall seems to have swallowed me up WHOLE. Back to school and kid stuff, participating in an anthology, finishing up Break Point and general life has take everything from me.

Thanksgiving is looming around the corner. With heavy and large promises of pie and Black Friday sales, I'm most taken with you. You, my readers. Some are new and many are old. I met some of you with my first release, Electrified, and you've been there ever since. In between, with every release, I've connected with more of you. TO ME, that is the best part of writing. It gets harder and harder to keep up, but I'm determined to do it.

I love hearing when you have babies or anniversaries. I adore when your kids win swimming meets or get good grades. I hate to hear you are getting divorced, but I'm thrilled when you're moving on and making a life...

What's new with me? The usual: musicals at my youngest son's school, basketball for the oldest, a new book or three on my laptop, and edits coming in soon. Oh, and I'm playing holiday music already!

In light of the holiday spirit, and I know this time of year can be hectic and expensive for many, I'm running sales throughout November and December.

This week, Vérité is 99 cents! 

I also have close to $2000 in giveaways up for grabs through my newsletter! 

Paperbacks are still available for order and holiday delivery (although my inventory is limited).

AND Break Point is up for PREORDER on iBooks! Amazon, Nook, and Kobo will be available closer to release. 

AS always, thank you for being there through thick and thin, early mornings and late nights.

All my love, Rachel

Donut Making Time: All the THINGS, #authorlife commentary and more.

It's the little things.

No doubt, you've heard this expression no less than a million times if you're over FORTY, like me.

There's a reason why. It's the truth. The little things are what makes a difference in life, love, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and business.

Since I started out writing five-bazillion years ago, it never fails...I always end up circling back to the little things.

One of my little things rules is: do [shit] stuff for others.

Like how we should do unto others...we should do for others.

Lately, there's been way too much taking and not giving. I recently saw a colleague of mine basically drop me because I couldn't help her on a particular project. Now, hold up...I just said about doing for others?!?!?

Well, to be honest, I had done and done and done for this person, and the one time I couldn't...well, you get the picture. That's not the way to handle yourself. BECAUSE the other side of the coin of the little things are the BIG THINGS.

When the BIG thing is all about taking, using and/or dropping someone like a wet noodle. Quite simply, that's not cool. Little things are not meant to be snagged in an endless one-way supply.

Back to the little things. Right about when I was feeling funkadelic and pissed off, my girl Michelle over at AfterDark Book Lovers Blog saved the day. Like donuts from heaven, she messaged me and said, "HEYA, there's a KU group and they would love your books. Can I add you?" Or something along those lines. 

BTW, Michelle and her girls, Grace and YaYa are class acts. They run a top-notch blog, support the writing community undyingly and do it with style.

Anyway, Michelle adds me to the group and these KU ladies are lovely and saying such nice things to me. Hey now, we all need nice things said to us now and again.

Anyway, it's the little things. Michelle did a little thing that basically was a BIG deal today.

~ Rachel

[This snippet is part of a series of snippets in which I share my take and opinions on the author life and women in writing/business. Like on Twitter, people say: opinions are my own. They are just that. Mine. And yes, I know doughnuts is misspelled.]

Donut Making Time: #authorlife commentary part ONE

This is the first installment in a new series, I've affectionately titled, "Donut Making Time."

YES, I know Donut is really spelled Doughnut.

What's more important is this will be a series of posts dedicated to the craft of writing. The business side along with the creative side. It will feature my opinions and experience with a decent helping of positivity and sarcasm, so take it or leave it. 

Don’t turn a hobby into a jobby.

It’s one of my favorite quotes/sayings, and I have to be one hundred percent transparent: I forget where I heard it. If this saying belongs to you, raise your hand high so I can give credit where credit is due!

Over the last decade, I’ve built a number of entrepreneurial ventures from a self-sufficient, reputable, moneymaking blog to licensing a product and being awarded a U.S. Patent to publishing seven independent titles.

“You’re a creative,” I hear often. I don’t consider myself to be one, but I guess I am. That being said, I consider myself a businesswoman.

Business strategy is the common thread with everything I’ve done.

Yes, I love to write. Lifestyle columns, fiction, and opinionated prose: I love it all.

I spent years prototyping and “crafting” as I liked to call it when creating my product.

And blogging is an art in and of itself. It’s crafting a message in a way that’s authentic, personal, and PROFESSIONAL.

Except, none of the above would have happened without strategy and forethought.

Maybe I make it look easy (I don’t know, people say that, but to me…it’s all hard work). This is not a new thing, but lots and lots of people want to be bloggers and writers and both. They want free items (doesn’t happen so easily) and they want to top the chart over at the BIG ‘Zon (even less likely).

BUT here’s the thing…it’s very rare when this happens without deep marketing (elbow grease + budget) and exceptional planning.

Who is going to find your blog? How will they find it? Why should they read it?

The same can be said of your book. Not to mention, is your blurb intriguing? How do you plan to reach new readers? How about your cover? Is it inviting? Appealing?

You want free stuff? What are your blog’s numbers? Unique Visitors? Commenters? Engaged readers? Do you know?

Oh, you want a publishing deal? ^^ See above. Same stuff.

Point being, there is a lot of hard work behind the scenes to turn a passion into a bona-fide business. I strongly feel you should love what you’re doing. But in order to do what you love, you may have to do a lot of shit you don’t love.

This post brought to you by being called “inspirational” on Twitter this morning. HA!

Well, I would say painfully truthful, yet inspirational (and sarcastic).