Category Archives: News & Contests

News, announcements and contests from Jordan McCollum

Character Sympathy is coming soon!

Character Sympathy is here!

Today, I’ve got two fun things to share. First, my indie author column is running today at Janice Hardy’s Fiction University (formerly The Other Side of the Story). Go learn more about finding your perfect editor and editing level!

Secondly, I’m revealing the cover of my next writing guide today! Character Sympathy is coming soon!

What does it mean to have a “sympathetic” character? Often we think of characters we love or envy or pity, but at its core, what our fiction really needs are characters the reader can root for and relate to.

When you have characters your readers can really care about, even if they don’t love the character, your readers will be fully engaged in your story and beg for more!

Learn what does and doesn’t create character sympathy and see how to use proven techniques for creating character sympathy to really hook your readers.

And here’s the cover!

heart COVER 300

More about Character Sympathy

February accountability; March goals!

I’ve gotten so much done in the last week!

Not. I may have only posted these last week, but fortunately, I did work on them all month.

February goals

  • Launch Spy Noon—check!
  • Prep the second half of Spy Another Day #3 and take it to critique group—check! A ton of work, but we all got through it.
  • Finish gathering materials for my next writing craft book, and write new materials to fill in the gaps—check! This came together really fast, but I do still have some work to do here.
  • Send next writing craft book to beta readers—check! Thanks, betas!
  • Get covers for my next two writing craft books—one done, the other is in concept state. (Hint: if you want a sneak peek, subscribe to my newsletter!)
  • Gather materials for next-next writing craft book—not yet.
  • Write enough to stay sane—nope, unless editing counts.
  • Start reading for Whitney Awards—yep! Fair to excellent so far.
  • Prep for a family gathering for a big milestone for my son! Yep! It was wonderful.

March goals

  • Host the goal-setting challenge for my writers’ group, the March-a-thon. (Which helps with everything else!)
  • Enter rewrites from critique group suggestions on Spy Another Day 3.
  • Begin the deep edit on Spy Another Day 3.
  • Enter beta feedback on next writing craft book & finish writing out examples.
  • Prep that book for publication.
  • Make cover and gather materials for next-next writing craft book.
  • More Whitney award reading.
  • Write a novella (gulp!)

That’s only eight things, right? 😉

What are you working on for March?

Fallen Angel blog tour

I’m neck deep in edits this month, and I as offline during a big family event last week, but I’m part of Lisa Swinton’s blog tour, so I’m surfacing briefly to post about . . .

Fallen Angel
Antonio does not believe in love at first sight until he sees her fall into a street in Milan and get hit by a motorcycle. Compelled to know if she can return his affection, he becomes Renatta’s hospital volunteer only to learn that the accident erased her memory. Together they must discover her past, present and future. In the way of happily ever after stand her opera career, tyrannical mother, and fiancé.

Antonio must win Renatta’s heart before she bends to the will of her mother and marries Marcello. Failure means a lifetime of loneliness, for love at first sight never happens twice.

You can buy it here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HX4L38E

About the Author

Lisa Swinton caught the romance bug early by way of fairy tales and hasn’t been able to cure it since. Instead, she feeds her addiction with romance novels and films. In between being a doctor’s wife and mother of two, she occasionally puts her B.A. in Musical Theater to good use via community theater, church choir and teaching the art of singing. In her elusive spare time she enjoys researching her family tree and baking (especially with chocolate). She loves to travel, Jane Austen, and all things Italian. In her next life, she plans to be a professional organizer.

Social Media Links:

Author blog | Facebook | Amazon author page

Rafflecopter Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Find great reads on sale this Valentine’s Day

Apparently there’s a holiday this week? Hm. Also—book sale!

Whether you’re in love, looking for love, or most decidedly NOT, you can find 99¢ clean romance books here to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day Singles Awareness Day.

Hope you have a fun Valentine’s Day!

99¢ price effective 2/10/14 through 2/14/14

Last week of the launch sale!
Spy Noon by Jordan McCollum
Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and JordanMcCollum.com!

Canada’s the last place you’d expect to find an American spy, but CIA operative Talia Reynolds has problems piling up higher than a Canadian snowbank. When Elliott Monteith, her ridiculously handsome new coworker, shows up, Talia decides it’s game on. She’ll be the first to track down a dangerous counter-spy, and she’ll give Elliott an unforgettable souvenir of his time in Ottawa: some humble pie.

Her plans don’t work as well as she expects, though. Elliott’s over-the-top flirting dredges up too many painful memories for Talia and undermines the confidence she’s worked hard to regain. To do her job and keep her integrity intact, she’ll have to keep her personal feelings at bay. Now Talia must find a way to work alongside Elliott—and maybe even trust him—to outsmart the enemy

And more great reads, all 99¢!



This Very Moment by Rachel Ann Nunes – Click here to purchase

Bill Dubrey is a sought-after plastic surgeon for LA’s prestigious and wealthy, and an equally sought-after bachelor. On the surface it appears he has it all—money, respect, and fame. Yet behind his aloof exterior lurks a tragic past that prevents him from finding lasting happiness.
All that changes on the day Kylee Stewart reenters his life. She alone knows Bill’s secret agony, and she is determined to help him face his past. During the years they’ve been apart, Kylee’s own life has been far from easy, but unlike Bill, she has turned to God in her need, finding a faith to which she desperately clings.
The tentative friendship they begin has Bill rethinking his stark future, yet he keeps his heart in check—afraid to commit, afraid to lose again. During Kylee’s darkest moment, when she needs him most, will he be there for her?

Tomorrow and Always by Rachel Ann Nunes

Click here to purchase

Anyone would think that Karissa and Malcolm have the perfect life. Young and successful, they’ve built their dream home on beautiful Kodiak Island in Alaska. But behind closed doors it’s a much different story. Unable to have children and inactive in their religion, Karissa and Malcolm’s marriage is beginning to fall apart.

When Jesse and Brionney Hergarter move to Kodiak, Karissa senses a kindred spirit. With Brionney’s friendship and support, Karissa feels a growing desire to return to activity at church. But this means confessing the one sin that has haunted her for years—the one sin that could drive Malcolm away forever.


A Portrait for Toni by Annette Lyon – Click here to purchase

Toni has no idea what she’d do without her best friend, Carter. Who else would she be able to vent to about her parents, her job at the dance studio, or her latest relationship woes? When Toni’s father lands in the hospital, Carter, as always, is there for her.

That is, until he starts questioning Toni, saying he thinks she has an eating disorder. Then she starts dating Clint, the hot new guy at the studio, and somehow that puts a deeper wedge between her and Carter. When she’s hospitalized after an on-stage collapse, and Carter stupidly starts in with advice about food and weight, she sends him away—then instantly regrets it.

One night after a performance, Toni tries to mend the hurt between them. Instead of finding Carter, she stumbles onto proof that he has feelings for her that go way beyond those of a friend. Toni is left with the very real prospect of losing Carter forever, unless somehow she can return his feelings—but that’s impossible. Isn’t it?

A New Dance by Lucy McConnell

Click here to purchase

For most people, letting go of a “what if” can be difficult – for Kiley Roberts it’s almost impossible. As her final semester of college begins, a past relationship prevents her from fully opening her heart to Brandon, her almost fiance. When TJ unexpectedly drops back into her life as an assigned dance partner, Kiley’s sure that it’s a sign. Only she’s not sure if it means she should put their past behind her or try for a future with the man with the broken heart.


Snowed Inn by Heather Horrocks – Click here to purchase

Mystery buff Vicki Butler plans to kill someone this weekend. Nothing personal, just business.

The killer grand opening weekend at her new Who-Dun-Him Inn is all fun and games—until an unplanned dead body makes an appearance.

With a murderer running loose, young widowed mom Vicki is forced to keep her family, guests, and actors safe while searching for clues. Her author guests, also the prime suspects, try their hand at solving this real-life whodunit, in the process hindering the investigation by local law enforcement officers. Things really go downhill when her twin Liz shows up, trailed by flamboyant Grandma Ross, who announces she’s seeking a boy toy among the suspects. When both a local younger man and an out-of-town newshound start sniffing around the inn—and her—Vicki realizes she’s got more than just a murderer to worry about. Can she solve the mystery before the killer strikes again? Or will this case of opening-night jitters prove to be terminal?


Bah, Humbug! by Heather Horrocks – Click here for a free copy

Lexi Anderson is an up-and-coming, Martha Stewart-type TV hostess whose two kids love the Jared Strong adventure novels, which happen to be written by their new neighbor, Kyle Miller. For the first time in his writing career, Kyle has writer’s block–until he sees the snowman on his lawn and realizes it’s the perfect solution to his plot problem. He digs in and discovers two things: one, his villain’s weapon will fit inside a snowman’s body, and two, this particular snowman was supposed to be the backdrop for Lexi’s next show. From this improbable beginning comes friendship, but can there be a happy ending for a woman who is afraid to get close again and a man who has shadows from his childhood? Families join together and hearts are healed as this couple goes walking in a winter wonderland.

Confessions of a 16-Year-Old Virgin Lips by Cindy M. Hogan

Click here to purchase

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.

The Princess Problem by Diane Darcy – Click here to purchase

In real life, she’s given up on the fairy tale ending…

After having her heart broken twice, Alicia Dayne has sworn off men, decided to concentrate on her career, and is delighted to win a lucrative contract to make a commercial for Highborn Mattresses.

She could make the most awesome fairy tale commercial ever–except for Jonas Highborn, who isn’t exactly thrilled with her Princess and the Pea ideas, and really doesn’t want a prince in tights representing his company.

Though he’s trying to keep his grieving mother happy by letting her have charge of the commercial shoot, and though Alicia’s trying to keep in mind that this annoying guy is her boss for the moment, they can’t seem to keep from clashing.

Throw in an overly-handsome prince, a matchmaking mama, and a stunning rose garden, and maybe, just maybe, Alicia can be convinced they have a chance at something real.

Because while she might not be a real princess, sometimes an ordinary girl’s got to take a chance, even when it seems too good to be true.

When did Happily Ever After become so complicated?

Steal His Heart by Diane Darcy – Click here to purchase

What if keeping your job depended on keeping a secret?

Daisy Manning has been testing security by shoplifting in Worthingtons Department store for five months. Not once in that entire time has she been caught by security personnel. Until today.

Kent Whitaker is disgusted by the beautiful thief he’s caught red-handed, and even more disgusted by his attraction to her. While he won’t allow himself to become romantically involved with a thief, he can certainly help out a friend by curing his daughter of bad habits.

They both fight their growing attraction, Kent because dishonesty is the one trait he cannot tolerate, and Daisy because Kent is directly interfering with her long-range career goals.

But when an unskilled matchmaker tries his hand at getting them together, the unexpected happens to them both as Kent gets distracted and Daisy steals his heart!

Gifts and Consequences by Daniel Coleman

Click here to purchase

Jonathan decides to honor the wish of his dying wife – that he give away his fortune – but his methods are dangerously unconventional. He takes extreme measures to witness human struggle and watch the discovery of hidden strength. But when Jonathan goes too far, he faces consequences of his own.


The Colony by Cami Checketts – 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.

Blog This by Cami Checketts – Click here to purchase

Will protecting children throughout the world cost Natasha her own family?

Devastated by the loss of her brother, Natasha Senecot works to expose the dangers of Matthew Chrysler’s violent video games, succeeding in bankrupting and humiliating him.

Chrysler retaliates and sends a hit man after her. Natasha is forced to fake her own death to protect her children, but after witnessing another tragedy, Natasha won’t hide any longer.

In a race against time, can Natasha expose Matthew Chrysler before his assassin murders her family and shatters her world?

All Fall Down by Julie Coulter Bellon – Click here to purchase

Ring around the rosy, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes we all fall down . . .

That simple rhyme turns negotiator Claire Michaels’ current hostage situation into an international incident. Claire just wants to help get everyone out safely, but as the crisis escalates she realizes she’s dealing with an al-Qaeda operative who has the means to become another bin Laden—with the potential to attack America. Claire has her own personal reasons for wanting to stop al-Qaeda, but time is slipping away as negotiations break down. Can she overcome her scars of the past in order to get the hostage out alive and possibly stop an assault on U.S. national security?

Navy SEAL Rafe Kelly is on leave to recover from a knee injury he suffered during his tour in Afghanistan and he doesn’t expect to be fighting terrorists on his home turf. But when he is taken hostage and his brother is kidnapped, Rafe teams up with a hostage negotiator in order to stay alive and get his brother back. The terrorist is always one step ahead of them, however, and the situation quickly turns from desperate to deadly. Will Rafe be able to save himself and his country without anyone he loves getting caught in the crossfire?

The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson – Click here to purchase

Luke Carney has no idea what possessed him to move back to Shelter Springs, Colorado, to set up his veterinarian practice. His parents had long since left, the small farming community is on the brink of extinction, and only one close friend from his childhood remains–Taycee Emerson, his best friend’s little sister, who isn’t so little anymore. Then there’s the matter of Shelter’s Bachelorette, an online reality dating show created to raise some much needed funds for the town.

Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it’s up to the viewers–not her–to decide which bachelors stay or go. Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke’s an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she’s up to, it means revenge.

Fair Catch by Cindy Roland Anderson – Click here to purchase

Ellie Garrett never planned on being a divorced, single mother—she also never planned to get married again. Ever. Her ordinary life changes when the house across the street is sold. The new owner is Nick Coulter—quarterback and MVP for the Sacramento Defenders. Oh yeah, he’s also one of People magazine’s top 100 most beautiful people and America’s most eligible bachelor. So why would she pick him to have her first crush on since her divorce?

Recently retired from the NFL, Nick is more than ready to find a wife and start a family. He’s tired of his high-profile lifestyle and moves to Pleasant Wood, Colorado, hoping to finally settle down and focus on his foundation Kids Come First. It would just feel nice to be a normal guy. Of course being rebuffed by Ellie the first few times he meets her makes him feel a little too normal.

As Nick and Ellie become acquainted, their mutual attraction is hard to ignore. But Ellie’s been hurt before by her womanizing ex-husband. She’s not sure that Nick has left behind his playboy reputation. Can she risk falling in love with the celebrity football player or will she miss her chance at scoring big in the game of love?

Romance Through the Ages (7 Book Romance Boxed Set) – Click here to purchase

The price will jump to $9.99 on Thursday or Friday, so snap up your deal while it lasts!

*7 Romance Novels, 7 Bestselling Authors, 1 Amazing Price* 99¢ Romance Boxed Set for a limited time only!

  • RUNNING BAREFOOT by NY Times & USA Today bestselling author Amy Harmon! *Over 260 4 & 5 star reviews*
  • MASQUERADE by Janette Rallison, who has sold more than 1 million books!
  • THE RELUCTANT BACHELORETTE by Rachael Anderson, Amazon Bestseller! *Over 230 4 & 5 star reviews on Amazon
  • PRIDE AND PRECIPITATION by Heather Horrocks, Amazon Bestseller!  *Over 80 4 & 5 star reviews on Amazon*
  • MY OWN MR. DARCY by Karey White, Amazon Bestseller! *Over 120 4 & 5 star reviews on Amazon*
  • SHE OWNS THE KNIGHT by Diane Darcy, Amazon Bestseller! *Over 50 4 & 5 star reviews on Amazon*
  • HEART OF THE OCEAN by Heather B. Moore, Amazon Bestseller!

(Clever title about Spy Noon) (I got nuthin)

It’s the last day of the blog tour for Spy Noon, and all my cute stories and things are at the last tour stops today:

I Love to Read and Review Books with a review & giveaway!

The Stubby Pencil with Mary Ann Dennis

Spy pickup lines at Tressa’s Wishful Endings, another giveaway and a review!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the blog tour! Back to our regularly scheduled writing programming tomorrow.

Spy Noon is here!

But before we get to that—AMAZING NEWS.

whitneyI know January was filled with all kinds of great news for me, but the end of the month brought the best. The 2013 finalists for the Whitney Awards—prestigious awards for all LDS authors—were announced.

And I, Spy is one of the five Whitney Award finalists for Mystery & Suspense.

And so is Spy for a Spy.

Sometimes it sets in and I get excited and humbled and flattered and thrilled. Most of the time, I’m still just . . . stunned. I worked so so so hard on these books, but still . . . I don’t know how this happened. I’m not entirely convinced it did.

Another fun fact of going up against myself: I have double the chance of winning, yes (if it were statistical, which it isn’t), but no matter who wins . . . I will also lose. Which also means I’m guaranteed the traditional Whitneys loser pie!

Now, somehow, I have to move on from that amazing announcement for another. Spy Noon is here!

We’re celebrating the launch of Spy Noon, a prequel novella to I, Spy! You can also find Spy Noon at the special 99¢ launch discount through Singles Awareness Day (Feb 14) on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and JordanMcCollum.com!

It’s the day a significant proportion of the population dreads—a day they are reminded of everything they don’t have—a day that lives in infamy. You may know it as “Valentine’s Day,” but if you’re unattached, a better name might be . . . Singles Awareness Day.

On the other hand, there are worse fates than being alone, even on Valentine’s Day. For example, a totally hot guy you can’t seem to get away from, pursuing you when you’re really not interested—and he can’t take a hint. CIA operative Talia Reynolds doesn’t do romance, but her new coworker doesn’t care.

About the Book

Canada’s the last place you’d expect to find an American spy, but CIA operative Talia Reynolds has problems piling up higher than a Canadian snowbank. When Elliott Monteith, her ridiculously handsome new coworker, shows up (and shows her up), Talia decides it’s game on. She’ll be the first to track down a dangerous counter-spy, and she’ll give Elliott an unforgettable souvenir of his time in Ottawa: some humble pie.

Her plans don’t work as well as she expects, though. Elliott’s over-the-top flirting dredges up too many painful memories for Talia and undermines the confidence she’s worked hard to regain. To do her job and keep her integrity intact, she’ll have to keep her personal feelings at bay. Now Talia must find a way to work alongside Elliott—and maybe even trust him—to outsmart the enemy.

More about Spy NoonAdd Spy Noon to Goodreads! 

Read an excerpt from Spy Noon now!

The Spy Another Day series

I, Spy
Book One
Spy for a Spy
Book Two
Mr. Nice Spy
FREE Prequel novella
To save her secrets and her country, CIA operative Talia Reynolds must sacrifice the man she loves. Talia’s new boss is her ex-boyfriend. And that’s the just beginning of her problems. Elliott Monteith must choose between his fiancée and his fellow spy. Cake.
Chronologically, Spy Noon is the first in the series.

Praise for the series

A fast-paced, crisply written story with entertaining plot twists, told in a first person, wryly self-deprecating narrative voice. . . . I, Spy is a well-crafted romantic suspense with humor, heart, and a uniquely engaging heroine.

— Vanessa Kelly, Love Rocks column, BarnesAndNobleReview.com

 

I knew by the first page that I was going to love [I, Spy]. I absolutely loved Talia’s inner voice. . . . The plot is enjoyable and I loved the action! I really could not guess what was going to happen next. There were so many surprises at the turn of each page, especially during the climax, it didn’t matter what time it was, I had to finish.

— Mindy Holt, LDS Women’s Book Review
One of her top reads of 2013

 

The series has this great combination of sarcasm and wit in the MC, great chemistry and dialogue between her and her love interest, and then a whole slue of spying, deception, intrigue, and danger. Especially of that last one. . . .

I thoroughly enjoyed [Spy for a Spy]! I would definitely read it again and I am highly anticipating the next book that Jordan McCollum writes! If you enjoy action-adventure, suspense, or books about characters who are spies and some romance, then I would definitely recommend this.

— Tressa, Tressa’s Wishful Endings

 

About the author


An award-winning author, Jordan McCollum can’t resist a story where good defeats evil and true love conquers all. In her day job, she coerces people to do things they don’t want to, elicits information and generally manipulates the people she loves most—she’s a mom.

Jordan holds a degree in American Studies and Linguistics from Brigham Young University. When she catches a spare minute, her hobbies include reading, knitting and music. She lives with her husband and four children in Utah.

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Email newsletter 

Today’s Tour Stops

Readalot Rhonda + review
Shooting Stars Reviews

Announcing Spy Noon

Cover reveal & other fun news!

Today, my self-publishing nuts-and-bolts column premieres at Janice Hardy’s blog, The Other Side of the Story! Come find out if you’re good enough: evaluating whether you’re ready for self-publishing!

Many thanks to everyone who voted in New LDS Fiction’s 2013 Mystery/Suspense Cover Contest—I, Spy won! And the competition was awesome! Today is the last day to vote for the best cover overall, so go choose your favorite!

I, Spy was reviewed by BarnesandNobleReview.com columnist Vanessa Kelly, and her kind words have kept me dancing for two days! Plus the review was picked up on the Nook blog.

Due to technical difficulties, the linky for the Indie Author Resources Blog Fest malfunctioned. I’ll keep it open a while longer for anyone who tried to participate but couldn’t!

And on to today’s biggest news!

It’s the day a significant proportion of the population dreads—a day they are reminded of everything they don’t have—a day that lives in infamy. You may know it as “Valentine’s Day,” but if you’re unattached, a better name might be . . . Singles Awareness Day.

On the other hand, there are worse fates than being alone, even on Valentine’s Day. For example, a totally hot guy you can’t seem to get away from, pursuing you when you’re really not interested—and he can’t take a hint. CIA operative Talia Reynolds doesn’t do romance, but her new coworker doesn’t care. Spy Noon, an “anti-romance” and a prequel novella to I, Spy, is coming February 3, 2014!

Already know you’re going to read it? Add Spy Noon on Goodreads.

Today, I’m especially excited to reveal the cover and give away an ARC! But first, a little more about the book.

About the Book

Canada’s the last place you’d expect to find an American spy, but CIA operative Talia Reynolds has problems piling up higher than a Canadian snowbank. When Elliott Monteith, her ridiculously handsome new coworker, shows up (and shows her up), Talia decides it’s game on. She’ll be the first to track down a dangerous counter-spy, and she’ll give Elliott an unforgettable souvenir of his time in Ottawa: some humble pie.

Her plans don’t work as well as she expects, though. Elliott’s over-the-top flirting dredges up too many painful memories for Talia and undermines the confidence she’s worked hard to regain. To do her job and keep her integrity intact, she’ll have to keep her personal feelings at bay. Now Talia must find a way to work alongside Elliott—and maybe even trust him—to outsmart the enemy.

And now for the cover!

The Spy Another Day series

I, Spy
Book One
Spy for a Spy
Book Two
Mr. Nice Spy
FREE Prequel novella
To save her secrets and her country, CIA operative Talia Reynolds must sacrifice the man she loves. Talia’s new boss is her ex-boyfriend. And that’s the just beginning of her problems. Elliott Monteith must choose between his fiancée and his fellow spy. Cake.
Chronologically, Spy Noon is the first in the series.

Praise for the series

A fast-paced, crisply written story with entertaining plot twists, told in a first person, wryly self-deprecating narrative voice. . . . I, Spy is a well-crafted romantic suspense with humor, heart, and a uniquely engaging heroine.

— Vanessa Kelly, Love Rocks column, BarnesAndNobleReview.com

 

I knew by the first page that I was going to love [I, Spy]. I absolutely loved Talia’s inner voice. . . . The plot is enjoyable and I loved the action! I really could not guess what was going to happen next. There were so many surprises at the turn of each page, especially during the climax, it didn’t matter what time it was, I had to finish.

— Mindy Holt, LDS Women’s Book Review
One of her top reads of 2013

 

The series has this great combination of sarcasm and wit in the MC, great chemistry and dialogue between her and her love interest, and then a whole slue of spying, deception, intrigue, and danger. Especially of that last one. . . .

I thoroughly enjoyed [Spy for a Spy]! I would definitely read it again and I am highly anticipating the next book that Jordan McCollum writes! If you enjoy action-adventure, suspense, or books about characters who are spies and some romance, then I would definitely recommend this.

— Tressa, Tressa’s Wishful Endings

 

Win an Advance Reader Copy!

Enter to win an electronic Advance Reader Copy of Spy Noon!
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author


An award-winning author, Jordan McCollum can’t resist a story where good defeats evil and true love conquers all. In her day job, she coerces people to do things they don’t want to, elicits information and generally manipulates the people she loves most—she’s a mom.

Jordan holds a degree in American Studies and Linguistics from Brigham Young University. When she catches a spare minute, her hobbies include reading, knitting and music. She lives with her husband and four children in Utah.

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Email newsletter 

Add Spy Noon on Goodreads today!

Many thanks to everyone helping out with the cover reveal today: Mindy Holt, Tressa’s Wishful Endings, Julie Coulter Bellon & Emily Gray Clawson!

Indie author resources blog fest!

Today is the day! Link up here!

When you publish your own works, everything comes down to you. You have to find and hire the editors, proofreaders, cover designer, interior designer, e-book formatter . . . it can be daunting to line up all those other professionals to make your book come to life at last.

I read many great blogs on self-publishing, and I’m not looking to change the overall focus of my blog. However, I do really want to acknowledge the amazing support staff I’ve worked with in producing my books. So I’m putting together the . . . Indie Author Resources Blog Fest!

indie resources blog fest

Today, Monday, January 20, if you’re an indie author—or if you just happen to know of an editor, cover designer or other publishing professional who does quality work—post about them on your blog, and come back here to link up below!

How to participate

Indie author resources blog fest1. The theme is Indie author resources. It’s all about showing some love for all those people who helped make your book great. So who do you put in your post?

  • Editors—content, copy, line, and proof
  • Designers—cover, interior, e-book, and other promotional graphics
  • Formatters—e-book, print
  • Printers—print-on-demand, short run, long run, promotional materials
  • Any other professionals who helped make your book the best it could be!

Be sure to include links to their websites!

2. If you’re not (yet?) an indie author, but you know exactly who you’d hire, please join in!

3. If you wouldn’t recommend their work, don’t include the person in your post.

4. Post your resources on your blog January 20, 2014, and add it to the Mr. Linky here. Link your post back to the blogfest on here so your readers can read other entries, too. (The best link is http://JordanMcCollum.com/indie-resources/ )

5. Read, enjoy, and comment on other entries!

6. The index! After the blog fest, I’ll be compiling a list of the recommended professionals for ease of use. I’ll link back to all posts, of course!

So, in short: on January 20, write a blog post about an e-book professional, link back here in your post, and sign up on the linky.

Join in now!

Thank you to everyone who signed up in advance (you can find that list here). Please be sure to link up today with the link DIRECTLY TO YOUR POST, i.e. http://yourblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/indie-author-resources.html.

Again, DO NOT PUT IN YOUR PLAIN BLOG URL (http://yourblog.blogspot.com). If someone comes back to click on your link in a month, they won’t be able to find your post and they will leave your blog frustrated and disappointed!!

FULL URLs, PLEASE!!!

(Sorry for the difficulty; the linky’s host crashed. It’s back now, but if we’ve lost your link, please re-enter!

Spread the word

Tell your friends! To share the badge, copy this code and paste it in the HTML of a blog post or your sidebar:

<a href="http://jordanmccollum.com/indie-resources/" title="Indie author resources blog fest. Photo by Phossil via Flickr/CC" alt="Indie author blog festbadge. Photo by Phossil via Flickr/CC" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z41/MamaBlogga/indieresourcesblogfest.png" width="300" /></a>

Want it bigger or smaller? Change the number at width="300" to adjust the size.

Original Yellow Pages photo by Phossil via Flickr/CC