Tag Archives: I Spy

One day sale!

It’s Friday the 13th! Normally we think of Friday the 13th as unlucky—but today is your lucky day! It’s a one day sale on over thirty books. Stock up for yourself, grab great deals on Christmas gifts, and find something for everyone!

Original photo by lightlady via Flickr/CC

 

My book is on sale today, too!

I, Spy (Spy Another Day #1)
by Jordan McCollum

Regular price: $3.99 Promotion Price: 99¢ Click here to purchase on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, or author’s website

Canada is probably the last place you’d expect to find an American spy. But even idyllic Ottawa has its deadly secrets—and so does CIA operative Talia Reynolds. She can climb through ventilation shafts, blend in at the occasional diplomatic function, even scale buildings (small ones). But there’s one thing she can’t do: tell her aerospace engineer boyfriend Danny about her Top Secret occupation.

It worked for a year, keeping Danny in the dark, keeping him away from danger, keeping her secrets. And then Talia finally catches a hot case: Fyodor Timofeyev. Russian. Aerospace executive. Possible spy?

She can make this work, too—until Danny needs her at the same time her country does. And when Fyodor targets Danny? Suddenly her schedule isn’t the only thing suffering. Now to save her secrets and her country, Talia must sacrifice the man she loves.

Want more great deals? Scroll through the titles below and click on the purchase links to pick up anything and everything that looks interesting—or give as Christmas gifts! There’s something on this list for everyone to enjoy! *Be sure to check the price of the book before you download so you know you’re getting the sale price.*

The Book Blogger’s Cookbook (2011)
by Christy Dorrity

Promotion Price: 99¢  Click here to purchase!

Great books, bloggers, and recipes meet in this fresh and unique cookbook that helps you experience books, not just read them. Books were selected from the author’s book review blog and paired with delectable recipes like “Fairy Touched Calico Brownies” from the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull, “7-Day Layer Dip” from Lauren Oliver’s Before I Fall, and “I Hate Chocolate Cake” from Amanda Hocking’s Switched. Whether you’re a food lover, an avid reader or a book blogger, there’s something for you in The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook.


Spinster’s Folly
by Marsha Ward

Sale price for promotion: $3.74 with coupon code VL64M at checkout. Click here to purchase!

Marie Owen longs for a loving husband, but marriage prospects on the Colorado frontier are limited. Her desperation at the prospect of remaining unmarried, fueled by her younger sister’s taunting jibes about her becoming a spinster, drives Marie into the arms of a sweet-talking predator, landing her in unimaginable dangers. Winner of 2013 USA Best Books Award for Western Fiction.

Clean romance (including romantic comedy & historical romance)

Working It Out
by Rachael Anderson

Regular price $3.99 Promotion Price: $1.99 Click here to purchase!

A chance encounter . . .
Grace Warren’s life is safe and predictable–exactly the way she likes it. But when she gets roped into going to an auction to help out a friend, everything changes. She meets Seth Tuttle–a guy who unexpectedly kisses her then disappears, leaving her flustered and upset. If she never sees him again, it will be too soon.

A chance for love . . .
Weeks later, when Seth limps into Grace’s rehab clinic post surgery, he’s every bit as frustrating and annoying as she remembered. Yet there’s something about him that makes her second-guess her carefully placed boundaries even though he’s everything she’s sure she doesn’t want in a man. But maybe Seth is exactly what Grace has needed all along–assuming she’s willing to risk safe and predictable for a chance at love.



Prank Wars
by Stephanie Fowers

Promotion Price: $2.99 Click here to purchase!

In this fun-filled novel, it’s girls vs. boys in a hilarious prank war that pits the college students against their nemeses. When some of the pranks start getting dangerous, can the two enemies join forces to capture the culprit?

Third Time’s the Charm
by Heather B. Moore

Sale price for promotion: 99¢. Click here to purchase!

Liz Carlson will settle for a normal man. A normal man with a job, that is. Married twice, then divorced twice, Liz had her rose-colored glasses fall off and shatter on the ground a long time ago. Her main focus now is raising her six-year-old daughter and surviving long days at work on her feet as a hairdresser. When Sloane Branden answers her call for help, quite literally, Liz doesn’t even give him a second glance. She has sworn off dating for as many years as it takes, and it seems that Sloane has done the same after his own tumultuous marriage. But when Liz realizes that Sloane defies every stereotypical deadbeat she has dated, she might just find room in her heart and discover the third time’s the charm.

Loyalty’s Web
by Joyce DiPastena

Sale price for promotion: 99¢. Click here to purchase from Amazon and Smashwords!

Heléne de Laurant has not forgotten how the Earl of Gunthar destroyed her father’s castle during Henry II’s war with his sons. Apparently neither have her family and friends, for when someone tries to murder Gunthar, every sign points in their direction. Heléne realizes the only way to prove her loved ones’ innocence is by exposing the true assassin.

As Heléne and Gunthar spar over the identity of the traitor, fierce determination gives way to mutual attraction. Heléne must race against time, and dark secrets of the past, to unmask the would-be killer before the kingdom plunges back into war and takes the life of the man she has unexpectedly learned to love.

Clean romantic suspense & adventure romance

Poison Me
by Cami Checketts
Promotion Price: 99¢Click here to purchase!
 
Can they catch a killer that no one believes is real?
 
Jake Merrill was raised by his grandmother, Ruby, and her hilarious friends. After a suspicious death at the retirement home where Ruby lives, she enlists Jake and Chanel, the beautiful activities director, to help her find the killer.

Secrets Ruby has kept for decades threaten her family and the man she’s always loved, but could never have. Chanel’s unstable ex-boyfriend, a presumably dead relative, and vicious criminals add to the confusion. Time is running out as Jake, Chanel, and Ruby desperately search for clues to solve the murders and fight to save those they love.

“Poison Me made me laugh out loud and thoroughly enjoy myself. I wish I had a friend like Ruby! Snappy dialogue, romance, and a strong sense of family made this book well worth reading.”  Rachel Ann Nunes, bestselling author of Line of Fire and Before I Say Goodbye

The Colony
by Cami Checketts

Sale price for promotion: 99¢. Click here to purchase!

To protect her sons from the mistakes of her past, Brinlee Trapper escapes to a secluded mountain home. But there are dangers lurking in the mountains she has never encountered. The little family is saved from injury by Jed, a mysterious hunter. Brinlee is drawn to him, but she worries about his involvement with a peaceful commune hidden deep in the mountains behind her property.

Lance, Brinlee’s attentive neighbor, has his own troubled history. Between his obvious attraction to Brinlee and his developing love for her children, Brinlee finds it more than difficult to guard her heart against this tender intrusion.

While Jed offers a life of excitement and freedom, Lance holds the key to the family Brinlee always wanted. When it comes time to choose, she learns that both men have secrets that could shatter her fledgling trust in men and the wrong decision could leave more than her heart exposed to danger.

“Cami Checketts is a genius! She writes about topics that aren’t widely discussed, in and out of books, and she does such a brilliant job of crafting these things into wonderful stories that touch your heart and remain with you for days afterwards.” Myra, Reviewer, Pieces of Whimsy

A Change of Plans (Safe Harbors #1)
by Donna K. Weaver

Sale price for promotion: $2.99. Click here to purchase from Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

When Lyn sets off on her supposedly uncomplicated and unromantic cruise, she never dreams it will include pirates. All the 25-year-old Colorado high school teacher wants is to forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a vacation diversion; what fate provides is Braedon, an intriguing surgeon. She finds herself drawn to him: his gentle humor, his love of music, and even his willingness to let her take him down during morning karate practices. Against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world and its temporary friendships, her emotions come alive.

However, fear is an emotion, too. Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship–on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. But Lyn’s painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic.

Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise’s snorkeling excursions in American Samoa. However, paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped. Lyn’s fear of a fairytale turns grim. Now she must fight alongside the man she rejected, first for their freedom and then against storms, sharks, and shipwreck.

Also available as an audio book from Audible!

Paranormal romance & Fantasy (adult)

The Change (Unbounded #1)
by Teyla Branton

Promotion Price: .99 Click here to purchase at Amazon, iBookstore, and Barnes & Noble 

No Second Chances. Death, Life, or Love—Unbounded Always Play for Keeps.

There are only two ways to kill Unbounded, and fire isn’t one of them—as law school dropout Erin Radkey learns the hard way. By fluke of a recessive gene, she has become Unbounded, a nearly immortal being with paranormal abilities.

Erin’s Change separates her from her loved ones and alters everything she believes to be true. A week earlier she was considering a marriage proposal; now she contemplates the best way to stay alive. Caught in a battle between two Unbounded groups, the Emporium and the Renegades, she is also hunted by a secret mortal society sworn to eradicate the Unbounded gene.

As Erin plunges into this dangerous new life, she must carve out her own place in the madness, protect her mortal family, and decide which group she should join. Her unique ability is vital to both groups in the race to secure an identification software that spells death for all Unbounded—or enslavement for the entire mortal world. Some will stop at nothing to use Erin as one more pawn in a battle that has spanned centuries. Erin’s undeniable attraction to Ritter Langton, whose family was massacred by opposing Unbounded two hundred and forty years ago, complicates her choices. There are no second chances. Death, life, or love—Unbounded always play for keeps.

Non-stop action, terrifying consequences, and powerful romance make The Change an exciting addition to the world of romantic urban fantasy.

Sevenfold
by Ilyan Kei Lavanway
Promotion Price: $2.99   Click here to purchase on Amazon and Smashwords
Young wife Gracie yearns for renewed innocence. Abiathar wants to secure it for her. Their trek has been anything but blissful. Stomach their journey, and let your faith be strengthened through their experience. Glimpse tribulations and miracles future pioneers may expect as you live vicariously through the life of this young family.



Out of the Picture and Into the Picture
by Victor G. La Van Way and Ilyan Kei Levanway

Promotion Price: 99¢  Click here to purchase on Amazon and Smashwords!

Out of the Picture and Into the Picture by Victor G. La Van Way and Ilyan Kei Lavanway is a fantasy adventure book containing two short stories about a pilot who is miraculously reunited with his father in a strange storm. Experience superimposed worlds and altered realities. Relive the thrill of flight as you follow this pilot’s mysterious journey. Find a renewed hope and youthful determination.

Young Adult

The Big Debate (Literary Loom Book One)
by Carolyn Twede Frank

Promotion Price: 99¢  Click here to purchase!

A bizarre corpse . . .

A strange girl . . .

A creepy teacher . . .

A cool invention . . .

Combine these with an old school and a new student anxious to fit in, and the adventure begins.

Fifteen-year-old Josh’s big mouth gets him in trouble at first. But after walking in the shoes of great men of history in the Literary Loom, he uses that mouth to bring down the bad guy and ultimately solve the mystery behind the murder . . . and the mystery behind a strange girl.

The Dream Keeper (Dream Keeper Chronicles #1)
by Mikey Brooks

Regular $3.99 Sale for Promotion 99¢ Click here to purchase! or here for Nook or Kobo

Dreams: Dorothy called it Oz, Alice called it Wonderland, but Nightmares call it HOME.

When an evil shifter takes over the gateway to the realm of Dreams, it falls to 14-year-olds Parker and Kaelyn to stop him. Their only hope lies with Gladamyr, the Dream Keeper, but can they trust a Nightmare to save their world?

The Dreamstone (Dream Keeper Chronicles #2)
by Mikey Brooks

Sale price: 99¢ Click here to purchase from Amazon and Kobo!

When Parker’s mom is dreamnapped by the wicked Mab, it is up to him and Kaelyn to save her. However when they return to Dreams, they discover Mab isn’t their only problem. Gladamyr has lost his powers and the only way to get them back is to become what he fears the most—a nightmare.

Aura
by Rebecca Lynn Talley

Sale Price for Promotion: 99¢  Click here to purchase!

What if the greatest weapon in the age-old war between good and evil was inside of you?

Crystal Scott has always felt different but tried hard to blend in.  Now that she’s scored the lead in the school play, has a boyfriend she adores, and a best friend she can’t live without, she finally feels like she belongs.

A few days before prom, a mysterious young man appears and suddenly she has to figure out how to use the weapon of Light she has inside her or mankind is doomed.

Demons are determined to tip the war in their favor no matter what the cost and they’re hot on Crystal’s trail.  With danger around every corner, she doesn’t know if she can save herself, never mind anyone else.  When things look darkest and there’s nowhere to turn, Crystal must find the strength to use her newfound gifts against the tide of evil threatening all of them–or die trying.

With a Kiss (Twisted Tales, Book One)
by Stephanie Fowers

Promotion Price: FREE on Amazon Click here to purchase! or free on Smashwords!


Faerytales. They’re real . . . they just haven’t happened yet. Halley Starr finds out the truth when she loses her heart with a curse. Now she has to get it back from that dirty faery who stole it from her, but first, she must fight against the seven rules of the faery kingdom that mortals must never break. If Halley wants her heart back again, she can’t worry about the rules.

Confessions of a 16-Year-Old Virgin Lips (Episodes 1-3)
by Cindy M. Hogan

Regular price $3.99 Sale price: 99¢ Click here to purchase!

The first 3 Episodes of Confessions of a 16-Year-Old Virgin Lips in one book!
“First Kiss”
VL. Virgin Lips. You may not have heard of it, but where I live, it’s a thing with a card, even if it is a figurative card. I was Brooklyn Hamlin, certified virgin lips, and I planned on clinging to that figurative card with all I had–while dating as many of the hottest guys at school as I could.

Maybe that’s a bit strange. I mean, what teenage girl isn’t interested in kissing? Locking lips definitely interested me, but the drama that came with it didn’t. No kissing, no drama. Simple.

But on my sixteenth birthday, on my first real date even, the drama found me. His name was Luke Graham–cute, funny, and bad news for the whole female race.

“Stolen Kiss”
With my VL card gone, my flickering light of hope lay with Ryker, someone else who’d caught my eye. Only he could erase the memory of Luke, the boy who lip-raped me. Unfortunately, Luke was determined to keep me, or at the very least, ruin me.

“Rebound Kiss”
Brooklyn has become a social outcast at school thanks to Luke, who spent his entire weekend playing the victim and spreading rumors. And there’s nothing worse than Luke’s brand of justice. With no other way to escape her torn up, lonely life, she accepts an invitation to her cousin’s birthday party. Attending a party thrown by someone she doesn’t get along with is better than sitting home alone. The highlight of the party is meeting Riley, a boy who’s sweeter than the plate of sugar cookies he arrives with. After everything Brooklyn has been through, it seems that karma is finally on her side, but she soon learns that nothing is ever simple in the dating world.

Gravediggers
by Cindy M. Hogan

Regular price $3.99 Sale price for promotion: $1.99 Click here to purchase!

Seventeen-year-old Billy thinks his father’s murder will never be solved—until he stumbles across an old ammo box while digging a grave in his small-town Tennessee cemetery.

What he finds leads him to question everything he knows, and his search for answers will uncover more than he bargained for: lies, secrets, and conspiracies—and behind them all, a dangerous truth.

Aos Si
by Rebecca Lyn Shelley

Sale price for promotion: 99¢ Click here to purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the iTunes/Apple!

Legends say the magical Aos Si, the Fair Folk of Irish and Scottish folklore that once plagued humanity, have retreated Under the Hill, never to be seen again. The legends are wrong. Aos Si are still abroad in the world, powerful, dangerous, and living among us.

When Carla’s mother drags her from their home in Denver to the-middle-of-nowhere Colorado, a mysterious neighbor embroils her in a battle between warring Aos Si factions. Then she meets Shade, a slave of a cruel and power-hungry Aos Si. Her attraction to Shade is as deep as the magical powers that surround him, but her attempt to free him from his evil master sinks them both deeper into the war, endangering her life and those of the people she cares about most.

You’re Strong Enough
by Kassi Pontious

Price for promotion: FREE Click here to purchase!

You’re Strong Enough takes young adult readers on a quest to discover who they are, why they are here, where they came from, and what their ultimate goal is. Christian writer, Kassi Pontious, shares personal experiences aimed at teaching young people that each of us is strong enough for our own trials and challenges. In You’re Strong Enough, you will discover who your real enemy is and how to defeat this dragon. As you participate in individual quests at the end of each chapter, you will learn how to cut the strings of dysfunction that may be trying to control your life. Ultimately, you will discover where your true strength lies and how to conquer the obstacles in life’s path. You’re Strong Enough is a book about hope and empowerment. It brings truths to light that will empower your soul and inspire you, and those around you.

The Princess Sisters (Princess Sisters #1)
by Stacy Lynn Carroll

Promotional Price 99¢. Click here to purchase!

The only thing she stands to lose are her shoes.
Cinderella is an ordinary teenage girl, with an extraordinary name. But because of that name, she and her cousins, Belle, Aurora, Ariel, and Snow White suffer years of torment from their peers. Then as the girls enter high school and the enticing world of dating, a life-altering decision must be made. Is it finally time to stop fighting, and surrender to the fairy tale clichés that have been holding them back? By embracing their names, the girls discover an inner-strength they never knew existed. And by putting everything they have on the line, maybe, just maybe they will discover there really is such a thing as ‘happily ever after’.

Frogs & Toads (Princess Sisters #2)
by Stacy Lynn Carroll

Promotional price 99¢. Click here to purchase!

One kiss can change the future, for better or for worse.
Belle and her cousins have conquered their fears. Now as they navigate their way through the dating world, they start to see a “happily ever after” on the horizon. But when an unexpected school assignment forces them to examine their past, the Princess sisters realize they have a lot of questions about the fathers they’ve never met. Secrets are revealed, long lost family members are discovered, and now the girls must decide who belongs in their future and who should be kept in the past.

Middle Grade

Heroes of the Highest Order Book Bundle 1-3
by R. K. Hinrichsen

Regular price $9.99 Promotional price: $5.99 Three books in one! Click here to purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

THE DARK ENEMY NEVER RESTS. BUT NEITHER DO THE HEROES OF THE HIGHEST ORDER!

Book 1 (The Hidden Kingdom): A magical playground whisks Dan and Page into the Hidden Kingdom, a skinny giant quickly registers them for hero training camp. There, they learn they must gain skills and earn powerful treasures by travelling back in time and walking in the footsteps of a real pioneer hero.

Book 2 (The Prisoner of the Shadows): Dan and Page search the catacombs in Italy, race through the streets of India, and follow in the footsteps of Mother Teresa in order to rescue their grandfather from the Prison of the Shadows. A bonus: Dan finds out he’s even more powerful than he thought!

Book 3 (The Mouth of the Dragon): Tadeusz Pankiewicz, a real-life hero, helps Dan and Page rescue two children from the Nazis in World War II Poland.

All I Got For Christmas
by Rebecca Shelley

Sale price for promotion: 99¢ Click here to purchase from Barnes & Noble and Amazon!

Oh No! Principal Green says Santa can’t come to the school Christmas party.

Monkey needs a plan to get Santa to come. Too bad Monkey’s ideas get him on Santa’s Naughty List. It looks like all he’ll get for Christmas is a bucket of coal.

But when a blizzard knocks out the power lines and buries the roads, it’s up to Monkey and the Smartboys to save Christmas for everyone.

Christmas!

A Greater Love 
by Rachel Ann Nunes

Regular price $5.99. Price for promotion: FREE Click here to purchase!

A Special Kind of Christmas Story
Miguel Silva is a street orphan who will do anything to avoid the wrath of his alcoholic aunt and to keep his little sister, Sara, happy. He and Sara roam the streets of Portugal, begging and stealing to feed and clothe themselves. A sudden twist of fate throws them into an even colder world, where their only chance for survival is a couple who is childless by choice—Daniel and Cristina Andrade.

Daniel Andrade has put his bitter past behind him and found a new life with Cristina. But the past returns in force when Miguel steals his wallet on the ferry, throwing into motion a series of unstoppable events. Daniel doesn’t want to face the secrets of the past or open his heart to anyone—yet that is exactly what he must do or face losing everything he loves.

Cristina Andrade also has secrets. Now she must choose between her husband and the deep longing in her heart. Or is there a compromise? Only Miguel can help them find the way—and time for Miguel is running out. Can the Savior’s love heal them all before it’s too late?

Dreaming of You
by Marie Higgins

Regular price $2.99. Sale price for promotion 99¢. Click here to purchase!

Katelyn Palmer never believed any harm could come from using her college crush as the hero in her first romance novel—the novel that jumpstarted her writing career. However, when Shane Hunter storms into town, demanding to meet the writer who used his identity, Katelyn is confronted with more than her long, silent emotions. If Shane takes her to court for invasion of privacy, her career would be over.

Shane doesn’t know how to act when his ex sister-in-law accuses him of having an affair while he was married—and then shows him the romance book as proof. Now he wants to know who this author really is and why she used his name and most of the events in his life for her story. Desperate to know the truth Shane befriends Katelyn but he does not expect to be attracted to her, even more unexpected is the joy he finds watching his twins fall in love with the woman who is stealing his heart, too…

All I Want (Christmas Anthology)
by Rachael Anderson, Jolene Perry, and Kaylee Baldwin

Regular Price $3.99 Promotion Price: $1.99 Click here to purchase from Amazon or here for Barnes and Noble!

Pretty Near Perfect by Jolene Perry
The last thing Norah needs is to be attracted to anyone – especially in her deceased fiancé’s parents’ home. Collin’s starting a new career, and has no business getting involved – especially while staying with his roommate’s family, who very kindly offered to take him in for the holidays. Unfortunately, you just don’t always pick the most convenient time and place to fall for someone.

Six Days of Christmas by Kaylee Baldwin
When Natalie goes home with her best friend for Christmas, she expects plenty of quiet time to work on a winning ad so she can turn her dream internship into her dream job. Instead, she gets time-consuming Christmas festivities, a house full of children, and Jimmy, her best friend’s brother – someone who makes her question everything she’s always thought she wanted.

Twist of Fate by Rachael Anderson
When a postcard meant for Kenzie winds up in Ty’s mailbox, Ty’s faced with a decision. Should he tell her that her fiancé is breaking up with her and let it ruin her favorite holiday, or should he do what he’s wanted to do since he met her – make a move and hope that he can win her over before she discovers there won’t be a wedding after all?

Enjoy!

Thank you!! And now what?

The Facebook and Twitter launch party yesterday was quite the success! Julie and I had a lot of fun commenting and giving away our generously donated prizes. We want to thank our friends who donated:

  • Cindy Hogan
  • Emily Gray Clawson
  • Ilyan Lavanway
  • Stephanie Fowers
  • Monique Bucheger
  • Christy Dorrity
  • Cami Checketts
  • Rachael Anderson
  • Ranee` S. Clark
  • Heather Moore
  • Stacy Carroll
  • Lynn Hubbard
  • Jaleta Clegg
  • Konstanz Silverbow
  • Anna del C. Dye
  • Rebecca Shelley
  • Christy Hayes
  • Joyce DiPastena
  • Taunya Butler

THANK YOU!!

And now for the news you’ve been waiting for . . . .

I, Spy broke into the top 500 books on Amazon, hitting the Amazon best sellers lists in Espionage (#5), Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue (#5), Hot New Releases in Espionage (#2), Hot New Releases in Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue (#2), Romantic Suspense, Thrillers . . . wait, that’s not what you’ve been waiting for?

Oh, then how about this . . .?

GRAND PRIZE WINNERS!

We had almost 400 entries on our Rafflecopter giveaway, and our winners, chosen at random, are:

Alison Rogers Spelman: Spy Another Day books 1 and 2
Necia Munro: Spy-on-the-fly kit
Cohlina Mae: Book lover’s basket
Thomas Edward Ticknor: Hostage Negotation Series books 1-3

Congratulations! Alison and Necia, please send me your mailing address to Jordan (at) jordanmccollum.com. Thanks to everyone who entered, commented, tweeted and played along!! And thanks once again to all our sponsors, and a special thanks from me to Julie. Couldn’t have done it without you!

Now what?

I, Spy will be on sale for 99¢ for the rest of this week, so woot!

And I . . . I’m not really sure. I was planning on jumping into Nano with both feet, but my house a wreck, my kids are going crazy, I have Christmas-in-November gifts to make…

But if I could go into December with a finished novel . . .

Maybe tomorrow.

Novel eight!

This entry is part 9 of 13 in the series All my novels

The other day I was reading an interview with Chris Baty, the founder of NaNoWriMo, with some frequently asked questions about everyone’s favorite writing month. One of them was “I’ve already done NaNoWriMo. Why do I need another unfinished manuscript in my drawer?” He responded, basically, that you never know when your next novel will constitute a major breakthrough in your life or your craft. His breakthroughs, I believe he said, were novels six and twelve.

That answer resonated with me, because I knew right away which were my breakthroughs: novels three and eight.

The book stats

I, Spy coverTitle: I, Spy
Genre: Romantic suspense
Inspiration: A song on the Dollar Tree sound system. You can find some pretty cool stuff amid the junk at the Dollar Tree, but this is easily the best thing I’ve found.
Writing dates: Idea: 13 Feb 2012. Writing: 10 March – 31 March 2012.
Length: First draft—70,000 words. Final version—84,000 words.
Back cover copy: Canada is probably the last place you’d expect to find an American spy. But even idyllic Ottawa has its deadly secrets—and so does CIA operative Talia Reynolds. She can climb through ventilation shafts, blend in at the occasional diplomatic function, even scale buildings (small ones). But there’s one thing she can’t do: tell her aerospace engineer boyfriend Danny about her Top Secret occupation.

It worked for a year, keeping Danny in the dark, keeping him away from danger, keeping her secrets. And then Talia finally catches a hot case: Fyodor Timofeyev. Russian. Aerospace executive. Possible spy?

She can make this work, too—until Danny needs her at the same time her country does. And when Fyodor targets Danny? Suddenly her schedule isn’t the only thing suffering. Now to save her secrets and her country, Talia must sacrifice the man she loves.

What I learned from this book

A few quick facts: this book was the second book I fast drafted. Coincidentally, it was also the second book I took the time to not only revise and edit, but to polish to the point of publication. This was the first book I’d set somewhere I’d actually been (Thanks, Dad!), which helped in coming up with the locations they visited. Though this was my third novel in first person, and it was my first in present tense. Once upon a time, I was not a fan of either, but as I was working on the first chapter, parts of the narrative would just flow better in first person.

But really, the thing that dictated both the person and tense of the book—the reason this book was a breakthrough for me—was the character’s voice. This voice was one of the strongest I’d ever contended with written. Before I started writing, I knew I wanted the book to be funny and . . . “loose,” but I hadn’t figured out exactly how to do it. Frankly, it just kind of popped into my head with the first sentence of the book. I was so excited to latch on to it, I had to get it down right away. BUT I was saving this idea for a NaNo-like challenge that started the next day, so I wouldn’t allow myself to write it down. So I grabbed my phone and recorded it.

I won’t keep you in suspense: the fabulous first line is “I don’t do catsuits.” (Go ahead, read some more from the first chapter.)

The voice was sometimes so strong that I had to reel it in a bit, because the interior monologue interrupted the flow of the action or dialogue. And other times, while reading it aloud in critique group, I’d start rambling on in Talia’s voice, and my CPs would tell me what I’d said was so funny I had to include it.

This book was also what I used in an advanced deep editing course from Margie Lawson. I’ve loved her previous classes, and I still apply the EDITS system to everything I send to critique partners. But this time, I went through every. single. page. of my novel hunting for ways to tighten, power up, refine and beautify. I think it shows 🙂 .

And of course, since this became my first published novel, I learned a whole lot about the publishing process! I learned how to make an ebook. I learned how to make a print book. I learned how to get ISBNs, a business license, an awesome cover designer, editors, blurbs . . . everything.

The publishing side is a lot of work, but I do love that I can have everything in my book exactly how I want it. Or so I keep trying to tell myself as I haul myself through the publication process on two more books. AAAGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Which novels were your “breakthroughs”?

Win a $25 Amazon gift card and ARCs!

Who doesn’t like free books and book money?! Here’s your chance to win both!

The prizes

Grand Prize

$25 gift card to Amazon.com
(not actually in a box)
SpyForSpy_CVR_LRG
Advance Reader Copy of
Spy for a Spy

(Print!)
character arcs V2
Advance Reader Copy of
Character Arcs

(e-book)

Other prizes:
SpyForSpy_CVR_LRG
Advance reader e-copy of Spy for a Spy

character arcs V2
Advance reader e-copy of Character Arcs

Exact number of prizes awarded will depend on the number of entries received—so enter lots!

How to enter

Step 1: Read I, Spy (and/or Mr. Nice Spy). This is kind of important to do step 2.

Step 2: Review I, Spy (and/or Mr. Nice Spy). You can leave a review on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords*, and/or Goodreads.

(Mr. Nice Spy links: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords*, and/or Goodreads.)

Step 3: Leave a comment here with a link to your review. You can enter more than one review (i.e. different books or different sites), but YOU MUST LEAVE EACH LINK IN ITS OWN COMMENT FOR IT TO COUNT AS A SEPARATE ENTRY IN THE RANDOM DRAWING!! Please try to use the direct link to your review and not just the review page so I don’t have to go hunting for it. Thanks 🙂 .

Step 4: Check back here on Thursday, October 17, to find out if you’ve won!

Rules, Questions and Details

Entries (comments) must be received by Wednesday, 16 October, 2013, 11:59:59 PM MDT.

Winner(s) will be drawn at random from the comments. If you want to enter more than once with separate reviews, use ONE SEPARATE COMMENT for EACH review link. Do not put three links in one comment. Comment three times. This makes my life easier. And I need that.

Again, how this works: say you review I, Spy on Amazon and Goodreads, and Mr. Nice Spy on Amazon and Goodreads. Come leave four comments here, one with the I, Spy Amazon review link, one with I, Spy Goodreads review link, one with the MNS Amazon review link and one with the MNS Goodreads review link. FOUR SEPARATE COMMENTS = four entries! (One comment with four links = 1 entry.) One entry link per comment, one comment per entry link.

More entries = more prizes! I’m not pinning myself down to something in case you guys surprise me and I get really generous. Even if that doesn’t happen, the chance of winning will most likely be pretty dang good. You should go for it.

Do the reviews have to be positive? No. But do you really want to hurt me? Do you really want to make me cry?

Can I enter if I won/received a free copy of the book? Yep.

Can I enter with a review I’ve already posted? Yep.

Can I enter if we’re friends or family? Yep. Don’t know if I’ll let you win, family member, but you can sure enter!

Winners will be announced on the blog, and maybe even contacted by email. Open worldwide. Void where prohibited. Awesome on all continents. And in the oceans, too. Seas. Islands—okay, the whole planet.

So enter now!

* You may have to have purchased the book from Smashwords to leave a review there. If you really want another entry, please contact me and I can give you a coupon for Smashwords (assuming that you already have the book from another platform/source).

The I, Spy Book Blast is here!

To save her country and her secrets, CIA operative Talia Reynolds must sacrifice the man she loves—but your choice is much easier! Just buy a copy of I, Spy during the book blast AND receive awesome prizes!

UPDATE: You know what would be cool? If I included, you know, purchase links. Here you go! Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble & Smashwords, and here on JordanMcCollum.com!

What you have to do

Step 1: Buy the book any day from September 19 to September 22. Any retailer will do! Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble & Smashwords, and here on JordanMcCollum.com!

Step 2: Email Jordan a copy of the receipt (jordan at jordanmccollum.com). Yes, even if you buy the book from Jordan’s site, we need to know you want to receive the freebies.

Step 3: Wait with bated breath.

What you’re going to get

EVERYONE who participates gets fabulous prizes, including 13 free books and samples from wonderful authors!

The fabulous prizes!


a free copy of A Body in the Backyard (A Myrtle Clover Mystery) by Elizabeth Spann Craig

a free copy of Rose, Undercover (Dead Roses #1.1) by RaShelle Workman

a free copy of Anasazi Intrigue: The Adventures of John and Julia Evans by Linda Weaver Clarke

a free copy of Writing Your Family Legacy by Linda Weaver Clarke (Isn’t she awesome?!)

a free copy of Secret Sisters by Tristi Pinkston

a free copy of Dead Running by Cami Checketts

a free copy of First Kiss (Confessions of a 16-Year-Old Virgin Lips 1) by Cindy Hogan

a preview of A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver

a sneak preview of The Witnesses by Stephanie Black, out next month!

a sneak preview of Pocket Full of Posies (Hostage Negotiation Team #3) by Julie Coulter Bellon, out next month!
Christmas ornament
an exclusive look at “I’ll Cry for Christmas,” a short story by Rachelle J. Christensen

a free copy of Mr. Nice Spy (I, Spy Prequels) by Jordan McCollum
PLUS!

An exclusive sneak preview of Spy for a Spy (Spy Another Day #2) by Jordan McCollum

Note that all freebies will be in electronic format. I will try to match the format to the format you bought if you purchased an e-book; if you purchased a print copy, I’ll send the freebies in PDF (unless you specify otherwise).

What if I’ve already bought I, Spy?

First of all, THANK YOU!! If you take a picture of you with your copy of I, Spy (or the cover on your reading device) and post it somewhere public on the Internet— Facebook (or maybe on Jordan’s Facebook page), a Tweet, Flickr, Tumblr, Instagram, sky’s the limit—send Jordan the link and you can have these fabulous prizes too!

So spread the word! The more, the merrier!

As always, many thanks to my wonderful friends helping to spread the word: Cindy M. Hogan, Stephanie Black, Kathleen Brebes, JoLyn Brown, Rachelle J. Christensen, Julie Coulter Bellon, Cami Checketts, Tristi Pinkston, Nichole Giles!

I, Spy book blast!

If you’ve been on the fence about picking up I, Spy, now’s your big chance: next week, if you purchase I, Spy, you’ll receive 11 other books and samples FREE!

book blast banner

What you have to do

Step 1: Buy the book any day from September 19 to September 22. Any retailer will do!

Step 2: Email me a copy of the receipt (jordan at jordanmccollum.com). Yes, even if you buy the book from my site, I need to know you want to receive the freebies.

Step 3: Wait with bated breath.

What you’re going to get

EVERYONE who participates gets fabulous prizes, including 8 free books and samples from wonderful authors!

The fabulous prizes!

Note that all freebies will be in electronic format. I will try to match the format to the format you bought if you purchased an e-book; if you purchased a print copy, I’ll send the freebies in PDF (unless you specify otherwise).

What if I’ve already bought I, Spy?

First of all, THANK YOU!! If you take a picture of you with your copy of I, Spy (or the cover on your reading device) and post it somewhere I can see it on the Internet—a Facebook post I’d have permissions to view (or maybe on my Facebook page), a Tweet, Flickr, Tumblr, Instagram, sky’s the limit—send me the link and you can have these fabulous prizes too!

So spread the word! The more, the merrier!

How to make life really, really hard for yourself.

So if you haven’t been around these parts for a while, you’ll find out right now that I’m slogging through the sequel to I, Spy.

I think it’s trying to kill me.

I think it might succeed.
Reaching out for Help
After taking possibly the longest time ever to write a book (for me), I still came out with one of my messiest first drafts—which I didn’t have a chance to read start to finish until after my crit partners had their ways with it.

Leaving me with even more work post-crit than ever. Sigh.

So I’ve retooled the romance plot line, the main plot line, the villain’s motivations, settings for several scenes . . . one excruciating page at a time. I’m just now digging into my critique partners’ more granular notes, and STILL it’s taking forever. I spent most of the day Friday and Saturday working (writing is giving yourself homework forever) and only slogged through 100 pages.

Kill KeyOnce again, the little black marks on an electronic page had defeated me.

And if the story ended there, this would be another chapter in How to Make Life Really, Really Hard for Yourself for Dummies. Finally, I looked down at that little counter at the bottom of the screen and did a little mental math.

During those two-day long slog of 100 pages, I’d added over 3000 words. 3000 words requiring in-depth research (real restaurants’ menus, a chase scene, tourist spots), editing, refining—work.

Suddenly my defeat turned into a victory. Yeah, it’s been a lot of work, but I’ve accomplished a lot. More importantly, my book is becoming so much better.

So how do you make your life really, really hard for yourself? Work single-mindedly toward a quantitative goal without ever taking stock of what you’re really accomplishing.

What do you think? Do you ever make life really, really hard for yourself? Come share!

Photo credits (via Flickr & CC): Reaching out for help—Andy Munzer; Kill Key—Jeff Keyzer

I, Spy bonus features!

Every month on my newsletter, I try to share a bonus feature or two from I, Spy and/or Mr. Nice Spy. Personally, I love seeing what went into a book: deleted scenes, the character creation process, the inspiration, everything! So I try to share that with my friends and readers.

I, Spy coverOf course, I totally neglected to mention that stuff on the blog (whoops), so here’s my apology (sorry!) and links to that awesome content (so far):

The Very First Line! (audio)
I recorded the first line and some notes for the first chapter of I, Spy about two weeks before I started writing. Check it out!

The Original I, Spy Pitch
A video I made as an example of how to pitch a book to an agent—or the very first draft of the back cover copy 😉 .

Ask a Spy Novelist Videos
If you followed along with the blog tour, you’ve probably seen these, but as part of the blog tour, I solved readers’ problems using spy skills I’ve learned in my research. Fun, funny, silly—but (mostly) real stuff!

Mr. Nice Spy Planning Sheet
I always plot on paper for the tactile feedback of pen to paper. Here’s a shot of the first half of paper version of the novella plot line. Good luck reading my handwriting!

The Evolution of Elliott
One of the main characters of I, Spy, Elliott, changed a lot in the revision process. Check out why and how he changed, with a before-and-after comparison!

There are a few more features on there that I’ve already mentioned on the blog (and several guest posts and interviews I need to get linked up!), but if you want to keep up with all the updates you should probably join my newsletter. Just sayin’ 😉 .

What kind of bonus material do you like to see for a novel? Do you have bonus features, or are you saving material for them? What do you think?