Guest Blogging Today!

I'm gust blogging at Coffeeshop Writers today and want to invite y'all to come on over and read my contribution about how "they told me no one would want to read" my book.

I'm also taking questions and responding in the comment section so if you have anything you've been curious about concerning writing and publishing, feel free to ask and I'll do my best to share what I know about the crazy writing life :)

Hope to see y'all there!!

Warmly,
Jenny:)

"The Diva's Fool" Interview with Sylvia Foti

Come check out Sylvia Foti's interview! She's the author of two wonderful paranormal mysteries "The Diva's Fool" and "Skullduggery."

You can read all about it here: http://www.jennifer-turner.com/interviews/sylviafoti.html
Sylvia offers some wonderful advice for aspiring authors and shares a bit about her process, what she loves and what she struggles with. I think I most loved the motto she's adopted for her life. Check it out :)

Warmly,
Jenny:)

Last Chance to Win 5-Page Critique

Hi everyone :)

I thought I'd let y'all know that I'll be doing the drawing tomorrow to choose a winner for my contest.

Here's the details:

This one is running through my newsletter--but membership is free to anyone who would like to participate:

Summer Treasure Hunt with My Biker Bodyguard

I'm thrilled to share the My Biker Bodyguard is getting a
great reception from readers everywhere! To celebrate
this wonderful news, I'm hosting a very unique contest.

There are three pages on my website that showcase My
Biker Bodyguard. My main page, the excerpt page, and
the review page. On one of those pages, you'll find a
secret phrase that you can only find by highlighting the
text. Discover what that phrase is, send it to me at:
secret@jennifer-turner.com and you'll be entered to win
a free five-page critique of your writing!

(If you're not a writer, but know a writer, or would rather
not get the critique, you can offer the award to a friend,
even if they aren't subscribers to my newsletter. If you
don't know a writer and would prefer to receive two free
book thongs--one for you, and one for a friend--indicate
this in your email.)

Spread the word about this contest. It's open to anyone
who joins my newsletter by July 25th--the contest deadline.

(Need a hint? There's a little sparkle visible where the
secret phrase is located! )

Enjoy the treasure hunt!

Warmly,
Jenny:)
P.S.
Keep an eye on my blog--it's about to explode with all the great stuff I've been doing behind the scenes! :)

New Review for My Biker Bodyguard!

Hey all, this just in!! ;)

My Biker Bodyguard
J. R. TURNER

Jess works with her father in a tattoo parlor/motorcycle shop. Tattooing people since the age of sixteen, she is now the best in the shop. However, she has virtually no social life. When Jess was six years old her mother abandoned her. Since then her father has been very protective of her, going so far now as to discourage possible suitors.

Mitch, a body guard from LA and also a suspect in the eyes of the FBI, has been sent to protect Jess. Unbeknownst to her, she is in line to inherit a lot of money. Jess' mother, Beth, has been shot and is in a coma. Just prior to going into a coma, she sent Mitch to protect her daughter, who is also in danger.

After shots are fired at Jess, she starts taking the situation more seriously. Feeling that her family would be safer without being around her, she agrees to go to LA with Mitch. In LA, she stays at her mother's home with her stepfather as well as Mitch and two FBI men, who trail her everywhere. Complicating matters are the feelings developing between Jess and Mitch. Who is behind the shooting? Why would anyone want her dead? Will her mother recover from the coma and give Jess a chance to find out why she abandoned her? Could she have a relationship with Mitch?

Suspense kept me reading J.R. Turner's intrigue-filled novel. I enjoyed reading MY BIKER BODYGUARD. The colorful secondary characters and clever dialogue add to the story. I look forward to future novels by this author. I recommend MY BIKER BODYGUARD for anyone who enjoys a sensual, suspense-filled story.

Dorothy Jones, reviewer for Eromance Writers

Let me know what you think! ;)

Warmly,
Jenny:)

Come See Me in Stevens Point!

You are Cordially Invited to a Fun Book Signing Event!

Who: Me! Jenny (J.R.) Turner :)

What: I'll be signing copies of my books; Stark Knight, Silent Knight and the award-winning My Biker Bodyguard.

When: July 14th, from 2-4pm

Where: Mission Coffee House, 1319 Strongs Ave. downtown Stevens Point

Why: This is a "Do a Good Deed, Get a Great Read" event. For every book I sign, I'll be donating a dollar to the Armed Forces Emergency Fund. This is a great charity that supports the families of our men and women in uniform when there's a crisis. It also helps them find lost loved ones who are deployed far from home. This is an American Red Cross organization and I'm proud to be a supporter.

Adding to the fun, everyone who buys a copy of my book will get a free, hand crafted, beaded book thong. (Specifically designed for your book crack :) )

What they're saying about my books:

My Biker Bodyguard:
“Turner's slam-bam writing style perfectly suits this action filled romance. She nails the outlaw biker lifestyle and shows the subcultures softer side by allowing us to understand that, no matter how roughhewn, it's a rare biker who doesn't possess a fierce love for their family.” Pat Fitzgerald, reviewer for The Creativity Connection

Stark Knight:
“I am an inveterate reader of action thrillers--Clancy, Bond (Larry, that is), Coonts, and more. Your story and writing are right up there with them in my view. Count on me to purchase the sequels.” Boyd Sutton, Retired CIA.

Silent Knight:
“Silent Knight is a non-stop, action packed roller coaster ride you cannot help but get caught up in. The reader is taken on a breathless trip from the first page to the last and left ready for more with the twist at the end. Secrets and lies, danger and desire, this novel has it all, vividly crafted. Put this on your must read list. This sequel to Stark Knight will not disappoint.” Charissa reviewer for Coffee Time Romance

I Want to Interview You!

As an author, I have a ton of fun doing interviews. Today, I'm on a mission. I want to interview as many teens as I can. After all, if I'm writing a new series for y'all, I should get to know you, right?

So here's the deal. If you choose to answer the interview questions, I'll use your name in the series! Sound like fun? I think so ;)

Okay, let's get started!

1) Name:

2) Age:

3) What is your favorite video game? Name your favorite trick, trick, attack, weapon, or action you love in the game. (Example: Halo2; Drive cool cars.)

4) What is your favorite book? Name a favorite scene. (Example: Vampirates; One of the twins beats up 2 assassins with a frying pan.)

5) What is your favorite music/band/group? Name one of your favorite songs. (Example: The Academy Is; Slow Down)

6) What is your favorite Movie? Name one scene you loved. (Example: Pirates of the Caribbean 2--Dead Man's Chest; When Jack Sparrow runs from the cannibals.)

7) What do you say when something bad happens? (Example: Bummer!)When something good happens? (Example: Nifty!)

8) What do you jokingly call your friends? (Example: Doorknob!)

9) If you could genentically evolve into a super-human, what would you change? (Example: Breathe under water.)

Thank you so much for taking the time to let me interview you! I'll keep y'all posted on how the series is going. If you want to get a glimpse at a short writing exercise I did years ago that I'm using as a sort of launching pad for brainstorming this new series, you can see it here on my website.

Looking forward to reading your responses!
Warmly,
Jenny:)

10 Tips for Marketing Your Book Online

10 Tips for Marketing Your Book Online
By J.R. Turner

1) ALWAYS have a link to where your book can be purchased in your signature line. Never send an email without it. You can link to a website, your blog, newsletter, etc. as well. Keep the number of lines between two and four--it's considered good 'netiquette' especially when posting to regulated groups or forums.

2) Request to do a chat in every available online spot you can. Offer to send a freebie as a 'door prize' but DON'T offer your current release. This could slow sales as prospective chatters might wait to find out if they win one for free. Book thongs, markers (very cheap to mail,) older releases, and other related promotional items work well . You can also offer a critique if the chat is writer-related. Get creative.

3) Target websites and blogs that are in the genre you write and offer to do a Q&A or an interview on the site or blog. (See above for possible prizes you might offer.)

4) Get your own website. This is important because no matter how much advertising or promotion you do, it'll be hard to generate internet interest without a web presence. Even if it's a smaller, free site, it's better than not having one at all. Check into some of the more prominent websites that cater to authors and look into their specially discounted hosting/design packages.

5) Create a newsletter. Try to make it fun and interactive for both writers and readers. In my newsletter I include chocolate recipes and a family-friendly joke section. Depending on the genre you write in, you can even gear it toward your target audience. If you write YA, you can make it more teen-friendly.

6) Start blogging. Write as often as you can on your blog, even if it's just a few paragraphs every other day or so. When you blog, try to include links to other places (even if it's just to your own website) so that you'll generate more 'hits' from searches to your blog, and hence to your title(s). Don't forget that you can comment on other people's blogs as well, leaving again, a link back to you.

7) Join groups and use them wisely. If you're on MySpace, send bulletins out when you blog (which can be cross-posted between your MySpace blog and your personal blog.) Visit your 'friends'--try to aim for at least five a week, for just a moment, to drop them a note. Keep it casual and friendly. Join other groups on the net that are for readers (like book club groups) and post occasionally--where your signature line will be seen by everyone. Aim for groups with large memberships.

8) Once you have your website, do "link" or "banner" exchanges with friendly authors or others that you know. Cross-promotion is fabulous for getting your links in front of new internet users.

9) Enter your title into internet contests, usually for free, but you may consider a nominal fee. Whether it's a cover-art contest, or just a contest decided by voters and even if you don't win, your title will be listed on the internet in yet another place.

10) Write press releases, articles, and reviews and post them in the appropriate places. If you set up a "virtual tour", if you have a new release, if you win a contest, you can write a press release. Write articles and submit them to free-to-use article places where content seekers can grab your article (with the source box including your links) and use it on their site or in their newsletter. Every time you finish reading a book, write a review for it and submit it everywhere you can--like online booksellers such as Amazon.com. (If you alter it a bit, you can even send it out as an article.) Of course, with a link back to you.

Make friends everywhere you go. Be helpful to others. Volunteer your time. Offer congrats and commiserations when someone else needs a friend. Most of all, be sincere. This is more valuable than any of the above because it not only makes your internet existence bearable, but you'll get help, inspire others to promote you, and have a host of opportunities already in place when your next release comes out.

Win A 5-Page Critique!

Hi everyone!

The July issue of The Official J.R. Turner Newsletter is now available. I'm running a fun contest this month and thought y'all might be interested in checking it out!

Here's the details:

Summer Treasure Hunt with My Biker Bodyguard

I'm thrilled to share My Biker Bodyguard is getting a great reception from readers everywhere! To celebrate this wonderful news, I'm hosting a very unique contest.

There are three pages on my website that showcase My Biker Bodyguard. My home page, the excerpt page, and the review page. On one of those pages, you'll find a
secret phrase that you can only find by highlighting the text. Discover what that phrase is, send it to me at:
secret@jennifer-turner.com and you'll be entered to win
a free five-page critique of your writing!

(If you're not a writer, but know a writer, or would rather not get the critique, you can offer the award to a friend, even if they aren't subscribers to my newsletter. If you don't know a writer and would prefer to receive two free book thongs--one for you, and one for a friend--indicate this in your email.)

Spread the word about this contest. It's open to anyone who joins my newsletter by July 25th--the contest deadline.

(Need a hint? There's a little sparkle visible where the secret phrase is located! )

Enjoy the treasure hunt!

Warmly,
Jenny:)

My Biker Bodyguard Trailer is LIve!!

I'm sooo excited!!! MUCHO thanks goes to Rob Anthony for giving me such an awesome track for my trailer :)

Please check it out and let me know what y'all think!!!

Google:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6224620736457597336


You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVPdP-Waf_Y

I hope y'all enjoy it! I'm so excited :) Please let me know what you think :)

Warmly,
Jenny:)

The Art of Styling Sentences

As a writer, it's important to switch things up and make them interesting, so when I stumbled upon a book at my library titled "The Art of Styling Sentences" by Waddell, I was immediately intrigued. (Not to mention that for a decade before I became an author, I was a contract artist and that title just intrigued me to no end!)

So, I took copious notes and filled a good portion of my spiral bound notebook with different ways one could put a sentence together. Shortly afterward, though, I got hung up on other factors of the craft of writing that needed my dire attention and there my notes sat, all this time--probably about three years.

Now I'm dusting it off and am going to start using these exercises as fun contests for the readers of my blogs. I'm going to add a "Contest Library" page to my website in the next few days. I have a big box overflowing with different (mostly used) writing books I've picked up over the years and no longer have a need for. I also have tons of books that I get from conferences and such for free that I'll be offering for readers who may not be interested in writing so much.

My plan is: I'll have everyone attempt to write the best, most compelling sentence they can, in the style offered, and then choose a winner to pick a book from the "Contest Library" and I'll send it to them :) So keep an eye out for this fun event, and give me any pointers, thoughts, ideas you might have to make it a ton of fun!

Warmly,
Jenny:)

Bad Boy Bikers Do Good Deeds

Had fun writing this article today and thought I'd share it here :)

Bad Boy Bikers Do Good Deeds
By J.R. Turner

“Dirty Biker” is a phrase we’ve all heard. Homegrown in our cinema, with movies like “Easy Rider” and “The Wild One” starring Marlon Brando, the notion that bikers, especially Harley-Davidson riders, are all a part of a degenerate gang intent on terrorizing the good citizens of our home town has infiltrated every corner of our nation.

The truth is far different. If you were to compare the membership of outlaw biker gangs, to the number of motorcyclists across the country, the law-breakers are very few and far between. One might compare them to the number of criminals, as to the number of law-abiding athletes in every stripe of professional sports.

Unfortunately, ‘if it bleeds, it leads’ is the motto of our media. Should there be as many reports about the wonderful deeds bikers invest their time and energy in, the perception of bikers being all renegade outlaws most definitely would shift. In fact, statistically, since the 80’s there has been a strong movement away from the criminal element that gave so many good bikers a bad name.

Today, bikers engage in rallies for many different charities. Many of the events these hardy riders attend are held in honor of one cause or another. Some of these include B.A.D.D.—Bikers Against Drunk Drivers, B.A.D.—Bikers Against Diabetes, B.A.C.A.—Bikers Against Child Abuse. There are too many to list here, but you can find what is going on in your home state by visiting the Traveling Bikers website charity index: http://www.travelingbikers.com/charities.html

The next time you see a group of bikers tooling down the road, it may likely be they are donating their time, money and energy for a good cause—all while riding a vehicle that saves on gas and pollutes less than our four-wheelers do.

“Dirty Biker” might need to be changed to “Benevolent Biker” in light of the millions raised for charity. In a nation in need of heroes, no matter how unlikely, I can think of no better figure than the leather-clad, open-air rider, hair blowing in the wind, criss-crossing our country to serve the needs of the people. Even bad boys do good deeds.

J.R. Turner is the author of the award-winning novel, “My Biker Bodyguard” and the Knight Inc. adventure series. Visit http://www.jennifer-turner.com to find out more.

Review for My Biker Bodyguard!!

Woo Hoo! My first review for My Biker Bodyguard came today!

Check it out:

Dirty Dan–owner of a tattoo parlor/motorcycle repair shop–is protective of his daughter, Jess Owen. He shields her from the bikers who’d love to date her and from a secret about her estranged mother. When Mitch Conner is invited to stay at Dan and Jess’s home, she has no idea the “Hunk-o-rama” arrived to act as her bodyguard. Someone wants Jess killed–thanks to that secret. Bullets from the bad guys fly toward Jess at a local George Webb, where it’s hard to tell who bodyguards whom. To Mitch’s surprise–and relief–Jess proves a dead shot with a pistol. But the danger is too great in Milwaukee. Dirty Dan allows Mitch to take Jess her mother’s home in Los Angeles. Freed from her dad’s watchful eye, romance blossoms between Jess and Mitch–that is, when they’re not skirting the danger that continues to surround her.

Turner’s slam-bam writing style perfectly suits this action filled romance. She nails the outlaw biker lifestyle and shows the subcultures softer side by allowing us to understand that, no matter how roughhewn, it’s a rare biker who doesn’t possess a fierce love for their family. And Turner heats the romance aspect until it boils over with passion.

~Pat Fitgerald, reviewer for The Creativity Connection

I'm totally excited ;)Let me know what you think!
Warmly,
Jenny:)

Woo Hoo! My Biker Bodyguard is Here!

Yes! Finally, My Biker Bodyguard is here! Check it out at Fictionwise. I'm so excited! And because I'm so excited, I've decided to send anyone and everyone who reads the book a FREE hand crafted, one of a kind book thong!

All you have to do to get your free book thong is send me an email telling me what you thought of the book, along with a snail-mail address where I can send the thong to reader@jennifer-turner.com.

Look for my newsletter coming out again soon for another contest and more details. If you haven't signed up for my monthly newsletter, it's free and an easy way to find out what contests I'm running every month, as well as get a yummy chocolate recipe, a little laugh, and interesting news for readers and writers alike! Check it out here;

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jrturner/

I'll be back with more fun stuff soon!

I'm Baaaaaack!!! :)

Been a long time, hey? Well, there's been a ton of things happening on my end, not all of them good, which is why I haven't been around much. A long winter, filled with pink eye (my daughter) the Norovirus (all of us) and Strep Throat (me and the kids) kept me working like a mad woman to keep up with my deadlines. But, we're all better now, so that's a good thing :)

I've got great news though! My Biker Bodyguard will be released in just a few short weeks! I think the cover looks fabulous:



Let me know what you think too ;)

Good Knight, the final book in the Knight Inc. series, is ramping up to be an AWESOME story. Keep checking back here to get a sneak peek at the opening scene ;)

Okay, I'll be back soon, Promise!! :)
Warmly,
Jenny