Miracle Beneath the Mistletoe JUST RELEASED!

 To all my readers,

Thank you so much for your patience during this trying time. Due to the closure the publishing house I've been working with I have been forced to overcome quite a few speedbumps. I can how happily say, I have successfully achieved the first of these goals! 

Miracle Beneath the Mistletoe previously known by the title Miracles in the Making is now available for preview and purchase on Amazon Kindle. The next of these titles, as well as my most recent work, are soon to follow. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy my most recent work. To everyone who contributed their input on the cover art, thank you! I love hearing from each of my readers. I strongly value each of your responses! For any further information regarding these updates you can check my official page: www.adriennedavenportbooks.com or you can reach me through email via the link located on that site. For your enjoyment, here is a peak at this recent work.

Owner of a charming little shop near the center of Chicago, Candy Frost has no children of her own to hold close. A cheerful young woman with a shining personality, she is dearly loved by the endless stream of girls and boys who mill about her shop on a regular basis. It isn't much but it does keep her going, especially around the holidays. Busy with life in general Candy sees no reason to seek out a relationship. With her old red cat to keep her company she figures she could not ask for more. Never mind the occasional twinge of loneliness that creeps up on her when she least expects it. Life moves forward at a smooth pace, until one evening just before Christmas Eve. Seated at home with only her cat for companionship, Candy absently confesses to the animal that she does occasionally long for more. Unbeknownst to the young woman, she is not quite as alone as she believes. Assigned the task of watching over the charming beauty, novice angel Noel Street has been attentive in his duties until now. This year He trips up inadvertently admitting he's momentarily lapsed in his duty. To punish him for his blunder, Noel is confined to earth for three months. This is how Candy and the engaging man first cross paths. For Candy the encounter is love at first sight. Noel is the handsomest man she's seen in years and he draws the children to him with a magical flair. Noel has always found the girl beautiful. She has remained just beyond his reach. But one shocking invitation may change that forever…

This version has been slightly updated for your pleasure. Looking forward to hearing from you!

-Adrienne 

The Color of Passion

What you wear can set the tone for the rest of the night. At some point most of us have heard this tip just prior to satisfying our urge for dinner with an alarmingly handsome charmer. In itself this piece of unsolicited advice can sound a little exorbitant, but it isn’t entirely untrue. Remember that day wandering through the grocery store you happened past the girl with the glowing yellow sundress? You couldn’t resist stopping for a second glance. Or perhaps the relaxed evening as you lingered in the bar? How could you forget the quirky sports cap sitting askew atop the man beside you? It caused you to burst out laughing. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could choose what reaction you incite in your date? Here are a few faultless methods.

1.

Wear red. This fiery option made its name centuries ago as an instigator of energy, love, excitement and passion. An attention grabber in its brilliance, you are in no danger of going unnoticed. If you are already lucky enough to be graced with hair in the lustrous color, opt for a little darker tone to offset your beautiful gift. No matter what dazzling shade you choose, your ensemble will seduce your partner on sight. It will draw them in before you even have the chance to speak.

2.

Thinking of going with a long gown for a sense of graceful elegance? Maybe you should reconsider. Though this essence of class is sure to clearly conveys its message, a little shorter hemline never fails to sing SEXY. Think of the countless female pop stars of the modern era whose own sense of style bends this direction. You don’t need to be standing on a stage before a sea of wild fans for this approach to have an effect. Ask just about any available man of your acquaintance, the majority will offer the same opinion.

3.

Considering casual? Spring for the heels. Although short and sweet is has continued to hold it’s place of honor as the decades pass, long and leggy is just as wicked. Just the trick for a little extra zing to whatever sleek style you’ve decided to portray, the little kick of color can be just the thing to offset the overall appeal. Not to mention, a few extra inches often make the good night kiss much more enticing.

4.

Already taking far too much time to affect the perfect shine? Don’t despair just yet. Snap on your mama’s little silver wristlet. If bracelet don’t quite fit your fling, reach for a pretty green pendant. When all else fails  the tiny trace of shine these feminine treasure’s reflect as you languish beneath the restaurant lights are the ideal final touch- even if you’re already glowing.

 

No matter what tint your passion takes, never forget that special warmth that flows from within is enough to brighten up any ballroom!

"Miracles In The Making" New Name, New Beginning

Hi everyone,

The last few months have been a long run, however I am thrilled to stay I have finally reached a fresh beginning! Not long after the publisher I was working with closed their doors for the last time we began the extended process of refinishing our home. The timing by itself wasn't perfect to say the least however, what started as an unfortunate event will end up being a wonderful turning point! For instance, since I first began writing professionally I have desired to work with a larger company. I understood from the beginning this was a far-reaching aspiration- at least until the rights to my books were returned to me. Even so, I am grateful to Eternal Press for their role in opening the first door to the beautiful world that is professional writing and I am very sorry to see they could not continue with their own goals. This occurrence has, for me at least, been a blessing in disguise. 

As with all businesses that rely on public identity and customer reach, once the cord is shortened or cut is is much more difficult to lengthen it. I have made a concerted effort to keep this cord from being completely cut, nonetheless I find myself standing on the precipice of another adventure. In honor of this wonderful occasion I have chosen to release my book, Miracles In The Making under the name Miracles Beneath The Mistletoe. I plan for this release to take place around Christmas of this year. To Celebrate I have designed three covers from which to choose. At this point I am not entirely certain which of these will become the official cover. In this regard, I ask you, my readers, to offer your opinions which I respect immensely. I have posted each of these images below for your observation. I would greatly appreciate your input on this topic. If you would like a free copy of the opening chapter send your response to my email: adrienne_davenport@hotmail.com under the heading "Choice Cover" so I know where to send your copy. If you prefer, please leave your opinion on my Facebook or Twitter page both of which I have attached the links to:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/A_Davenport77

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoradriennedavenport/

As soon as this decision is settled I will post the winning cover to both of these pages as well as my Instagram and Pinterest accounts. As the release date for Miracle Beneath The Mistletoe grows closer I will be holding a virtual book launch to celebrate. This date, which has not yet been settled, will be announced on both Twitter and Facebook. I will also post this and any other correlating information to my official page: www.adriennedavenportbooks.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sending my love,

Adrienne Davenport

5 Marketing Tips To Keep Your Book Moving Past The Starting Line

Every author knows when you first decide to write a book the process often seems pretty clear cut. Only later, after you've had a little time to delve into the steps, do you realize just how much is actually involved. When the full impact hits this can often seem very overwhelming. As important as writing a book is the matter of marketing. Without the notoriety to keep it going even the best book will fall short. I know this sounds scary but in reality it's not as daunting a task as it may appear. That said, here are a few tips to get you moving in the right direction:

  1. Newsletters
When used correctly, newsletters are often one of the best methods for reaching a large amount of readers. In this case, the most difficult part is accumulating subscribers. Start by adding a sign up box to your webpage. For this task many options are available. I personally prefer Mailchimp. They offer free services up to 2,000 subscribers along with plenty of very helpful bonuses. A pop up is very useful in drawing attention and simple to implement when using one of these apps. Don't forget as important as grabbing a person's attention is keeping it. The old saying, "You get what you give" is true enough. Give your viewers a reason to sign up. For example offer a free chapter of your book, or the opportunity to receive writing tips once they subscribe. Are you selling an ebook? Add a link to the back of your book. Any opportunity to promote should never be missed.

  2. Social Media
In the current age of electronics social media is a prime chance to reach readers. Some of the most popular, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest are all perfect opportunities to share your work. If you don't already have an account with these sites, I would suggest getting one. Kick-start your campaign by posting pictures of your cover prior to your launch date or hold a giveaway to keep sales moving. While you're at it, consider looking into the paid ads offered by Facebook. Depending on your budget this could be well worth looking into.
 
  3. KDP Kindle Direct Publishing 
Far more common a practice then it once was, self-publishing does have it's benefits for the starting author. Take a look at Amazon's publishing service. A very clear cut process, it also offers promotional advantages to the author so long as they agree to allow Amazon sole right to sell their book for a minimum of 90 days. At this point the author can choose to opt out of this promotional package and begin selling through multiple sources such as Kobo and Overdrive. Alternately, if the service is working to their satisfaction, they can continue for another 90 days. This can be a good starting point for an author lacking in experience.

 4. Youtube
If you're willing to take the time book trailers, not much different then movie trailers, can be a great way to help potential readers connect to your book. It can be a great pre-launch strategy to create awareness of your upcoming release.  You can also use this as a nice tactic to keep the book moving once it has been on the market simply by slapping it on Facebook or another social media site. Want to keep the traffic moving a little more? Place a link to your author page on your Youtube account. This makes it easier for the fascinated viewer to connect to the product.

5. Author Webpage
It goes without saying every author has a website dedicated as much to themselves as to their product. As an author your are your own brand. Your personality is as much a part of this as the books you sell. Try to use a color scheme that expresses your genre and your personality. By doing this you can help your readers connect with you. If a person likes the author they are far more likely to buy their books. While you're at it, link your page to your social media sites, provide a short bio. to read, and as mentioned before encourage these readers to sign up for your newsletter. An author's webpage is one of their key assets. As such it should be used to their best advantage.

To all of you who love writing as much as I do, I hope I was able to help kick-start you a little. Best of luck in your future endeavors!

-Adrienne

Ideal Imperfections

When a writer sets out to design the ideal hero or heroine, they often begin with a vision of a tall, dark, and handsome millionaire or a masculine knight in shining armour. At the end of the day, however this glorified lady-killer isn't entirely what we usually end up with. Just as important as Casanova's strengths are his faults. A fact commonly overlooked by the broader audience. Without these flaws however big or small they might be our hero would be too perfect- or to put it plainly, downright boring. Though this may come as a surprise to some, these faults play a strong role in creating the strong, dashing, dreamboat we often imagine ourselves standing beside or sitting across from at dinner. Human nature in itself is a far reach from perfection. For some our short-coming is a streak of stubbornness for others it is a lack of self-confidence, or perhaps a dash of arrogance. By themselves these traits may seem debilitating, before you jump to this conclusion however stop to consider, as much as that stubbornness causes dissension, it also might be the very catalyst that drove prince charming to amass his riches. Perhaps that lack of confidence drew our heroine to take a job at the firm where Mr. Millionaire reigned rather then accept a higher position and in doing meet her hero. That arrogance, so frequently held in contempt might be the very trait that drew him to a woman with as strong a personality as he himself possesses.

Take the classic plot of "Kate and Leopold". A prime example of this concept, the story begins with Kate's over-obsessive ex-boyfriend, Stuart taking a stroll in the past. Were it not for his extreme obsession Stuart never would have found the crack in time, hence halting the rest of the plot. Leopold, the dashing hero of the story, was undeniably handsome. If you stop to take a closer look however, he was also overconfident and obstinate. These key features frustrated his uncle and served to create an enjoyable subplot- not to mention helped to determined the film's romantic ending.

It goes without saying, when we close our eyes and envision our ideal mate, obstinance isn't usually the first quality that comes to mind, but it is just as important as your dream lover's shining eyes and endless charm. It may even become one of their most defining features. Take this into consideration the next time you go to pick up a pen and enjoy creating your Romeo.

How to Keep Your Muse Smiling During Writer's Block

Just a warning, I intend to make this short and sweet. Recently life has taken on many different tracks simultaneously and it has been a little difficult to keep track of each of those paths. For some months now my family and I have been pushing to finish renovating our current home while developing a plan to move to an entirely new location once the renovation is finished. As a result, some of my undertakings have had to be placed on a temporary hold. I have nonetheless kept after the ever-driving battle to remain connected with my precious writing. Each day I spare a few moments to study my writing and stay on track so when I can resume my work I will not be lost. I suffered this loss once before and was forced to completely restart my novel.

Such is the main purpose of this post. No doubt some of you have suffered similar travesties. It is easy enough to understand the frustration that goes with this quandary. There are ways to avoid the permanent damage that forces us to erase weeks and, on occasion, months, of hard work and valuable time. No to mention the strain of cutting that emotional connection every writer feels to their masterpiece. Start by setting aside a small piece of your schedule, no matter how small, to at least review your current piece. Even if you cannot find the time to add to your work, the act of reviewing will help you to keep a small connection. Also, keep notes- a lot of notes. These will be your life-blood in the long run. All of us understand the tiniest details count. Last, but certainly not least, read books of the same genre. Not only will this relax you in those times you need it most it will also help keep your juices flowing. 

I hope I have been able to help you through your troubles!

Best wishes,

Adrienne

Tips On Writing the Ideal Love Scene

If you are reading this, you've doubtlessly spent hours either pining away before the pages of a dreamy romance novel or dreaming up one of your own. If you would rather write one, you will already know that those steamy scenes epitomize the core of this unique genre. Without the quirks and values of love, it just wouldn't be romance. Ever wonder what it takes to write one of these entrancing scenes? If so here are a few tips to help you along:
1. Know Your Characters
Use those traits which are special to each of your characters to highlight their similarities and differences. This spices up any situation. Conflict turns up the heat.

2. Stay In Tune With Your Characters Surroundings
Stay connected with your characters surrounding every little detail counts. Adding touches of surrounding description to a scene adds color and keeps readers connected to the storyline. Describe the color of the leaves. Are they inside in the ballroom or outside in the arbor? Every detail counts.

3. Avoid Cheesy Cliches
Cynical romance readers are easier to come by these days. They will be very grateful to you for avoiding these worn-out lines and far more likely to read more of your books.

4. Turn Up The Heat With Conflict
It may sound crazy to some, but conflict turns up the heat in more than one way- and often simultaneously. Conflict often stems from inner insecurities. Used correctly, this vibrates through the entire scene. For every action is a reaction. This is the key point of this tactic. If your heroine is afraid she might either turn to the hero for security or further rebel against him.

5. Write As If You're In Your Character's Skin
Look through your character's eyes. This sounds like it would be easier said than done but it's not that difficult. Take a moment to relax and, if need, separate yourself from the storyline. Take a minute and view the situation through their eyes as you would if they were your best friend in need of your assistance and you were trying to see their problem in first-person.

Keep watching for further tips. Best of luck writing!

-Adrienne