• Blog

    Time for an update on my writing life

    9/29/2017

    Long time no blog…
    Jewel Sisters - Something of a Spark - Original CoverIt seems like it is ages because I’ve done any blogging here in earnest and I suppose that’s because it is. Since I went back to work last year I seem to have less and less time to do all the fun extra parts of my writing life.

    I like blogging because I like writing but it gets pushed aside in the favour of the need to actually write the books, which is logical enough I suppose but still not idea.

    I’ve had this blog going for over five years now, so I don’t want it to feel neglected. Like everything else I just need to get myself organised and get it done.

    As I write this Something of a Spark, the pretty cover of which you see to the left, is off with the editor (out later this month) and I am busily working on book 2 in the series, Something to Sing About.

    Writing a new series has been fun, I’ve been doing the Upper Crust series for a while now and even though I love it some of the fun for me is meeting a whole slew of new characters and I can do that with a fresh series.

    I am working on the eighth book in the Upper Crust Series and I will be writing a spin off series in 2018 so I’m not done with those characters yet.

    The new series takes place between Australia and Nashville with a bit of Napa thrown in for fun. I have a cousin in Napa, I wonder if I can visit her in the name of research?

    I also have a book coming out for Christmas in a multi-author box set. I haven’t done that before so fingers crossed it is a good experience for me, because I’m signed up for another one next year as well.

    This is a tough business so I’m always looking at new ways to reach readers so hopefully the box sets help.

    If you really want to keep up to date with my books your best bet is to follow me on Facebook or sign up for my newsletter…that’s where all the real secrets are revealed.

  • Blog

    Any Way You Spin It – Cover Reveal and Kindle Giveaway

    7/16/2017

    I am so excited to be sharing the cover for Any Way You Spin It – this is the 7th book in the Upper Crust Series and I’m really in the mood to celebrate.

    I never intended to write a series when I wrote the first novella Any Way You Slice It and yet here we are seven books later. I’m celebrating by giving away a Kindle with over 30 romance novels on it (I so love my fellow authors who have come together to help me get ready for the launch on August 8th. (You can pre-order Any Way You Spin It NOW).

    Isn’t the cover pretty? BE sure to scroll down and enter the giveaway – I really hope you win!

    ​Any Way You Spin It – Blurb
    Sometimes you must accept that love doesn’t always show up at your convenience.
    Minnie has made mistakes and lots of them. Fresh out of rehab and back in her home town her plan is simple; she needs to make amends to all the people she hurt, especially her children, and get her life back on track. She has no room in her life for men – it was because of men she got in this mess in the first place.
    The minute former athlete and current bar owner, Mitch sees Minnie he knows she’s something special. Now all he needs to do is convince her and the whole town that their being together will not undo everything she’s working so hard to achieve.
    With all the obstacles to her success can Mitch prove he’s not just one more thing in the way.
    If you like long bike rides, picnics by the lake and truffle fries then Any Way You Spin It is for you.


    Any Way You Spin It - Upper Crust Series - Monique McDonell - Original Cover

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Author Giveaway
    Any Way You Spin It - Kindle Giveaway Promo

  • Blog

    CLOSED-Preview Rendezvous Blog Hop

    5/31/2017

    Review Rendezvous Blog Hop -Promo
    ​Welcome to the Preview Rendezvous Blog Hop – win prizes and read excerpts to books by some of your favourite chicklit and romantic comedy authors
    I’m delighted to be a part of this fun blog hop. If you come by my site you’re either a reader or a writer or both. Either way you’ll enjoy the chance to read a sneak peek of the novels on the hop. It’s simple. Read my excerpt and comment to enter the draw for aStarbucks giftcard and a copy of the e-book of your choice from my collection.

    Then stop by the pages listed below – read their excerpts and enter their giveways.

    Any Way You Spin It – Book 7 in the Upper Crust Series – out August 8 2017
    ​Chapter 1
    It was another day at Sleazy Dan’s. The bar’s actual name was Dan’s the sleazy was implied by the strippers, the lack of windows and the floor that stuck to your feet when you walked. It was on the edge of Reno, and it felt to Minnie like the end of the world. When she stepped in from the bright Nevada sunshine it felt like she was entering an alternate universe and she wasn’t quite sure how she’d gotten here.
    She removed her own t-shirt and bra and replaced it with the cropped white version that left nothing to the imagination. She looked over at Karan, stage name Lacey Amour covering her thong and pasty clad body in body glitter and was thankful for her daisy dukes.
    She tried to tell herself it could be worse but she couldn’t quite decide how. She was living hand to mouth in a seedy motel, working as a waitress in a strip club. She’d abandoned her kids to chase some guy and for what? He’d long moved on and now she was alone and ashamed.
    She’d tried to stop drinking more than once. Right now, she was three days sober. It was a vicious cycle, when she was sober the clarity of what she’d done to her family brought her to her knees and she was too ashamed to reach out to them and when she was drinking she couldn’t. She’d work it out. She had to.
    Lacey walked over and gave her a weak smile. “We better get out there before Dan comes looking.”
    “Sure.”
    “You want to get a drink after?”
    “We’ll see.” Truthfully it was more of a one hour at a time than a one day proposition right now.
    Harry was behind the bar and tipped his head at her. He wasn’t a bad guy, that made him the only one in this joint. The front row was half full of seedy businessmen, three regulars sat at the bar and the booths were empty, apart from a ridiculously handsome guy alone in the back booth who looked more interested in his phone than the talent on stage.
    She grabbed a tray and walked over.
    “I’m Jade. What can I get you?” She asked and he looked up at her. She never used her real name here. Damn he was good looking. He looked cultured and neat. What the hell he was doing here she had no clue. Slumming it must have been his thing. Everyone in this place had a thing.
    “Scotch on the rocks thanks. Whatever your best is.”
    Their best wasn’t much but as she weaved her way back to him after collecting his order from harry, the eyes of at least one of the businessmen boring into her, that was what she was carrying. She slid his drink and bowl of stale nuts across the table to him.
    “You work here long Jade?’ He drew out her name nice and slowly.
    “Little while.”
    “You like it?”
    “It’s a job.” She gave a one shoulder shrug.
    “Yeah, funny job for an accountant though.” She froze. Hairs pricked all over her body. “Isn’t it Minnie?”
    He leaned in and picked up his drink taking a long slow sip of it before putting it down. Meanwhile Minnie didn’t move, not a hair not a muscle.
    “I’m a waitress.” She said when she finally found her voice.
    “Sure, you’re also the mother of three great kids and the sister of my fiancé Lucy.”
    “You know Lucy, and my kids?”
    “I do. They sure miss you.”
    “Jade.” Harry was calling her from the bar.
    “I have to go. I’ll lose my job…”
    “Take your time I’m not going anywhere.”
    He was waiting for her at the end of her shift. Usually when you saw a strange guy in the carpark at Sleazy Dan’s you panicked but tonight she didn’t feel panicked.
    “You want to grab a coffee or a burger?” he tilted his head towards the diner over the road.
    “Sure.”
    “I’m Chase by the way. It’s nice to meet you”
    She was trying to process this. The guy knew Lucy, no he’s said he was her fiancé and he knew her kids. She was aware the kids were with her mom in New Hampshire. She knew they were safe but she didn’t know much more.
    They sat opposite each other in the diner booth and he slid his phone across the table. A photo of her kids was on the screen. She ran her finger across the outline of their faces and blinked back the tears that clouded her vision. She needed to see them clearly.
    “Scroll through, there are lots more.” His voice was gentle. She swiped the image and here they were at a lake, at a football game, her son playing baseball, another with Lucy. “They’re doing fine, settled in, they’ve got great friends.”
    The waitress came and he ordered coffee and two burgers. They didn’t need her then her kids they were doing fine without their crazy drunk of a mother who had abandoned them. “Good. I want them to be happy.”
    “What about you? You don’t look real happy to me Minnie.”
    “I’m doing okay.”
    “Let’s cut through the crap. You’re working in a dive bar, you live in a dump, the boyfriend is gone, you’re all alone and you’re barely making it.”
    “Don’t sugar-coat it.” She snorted.
    “I’m not here to judge you I’m simply stating the facts. I don’t think this life you’ve got going here is making you happy. You drinking?’
    “How’s that any of your business?” She growled at him.
    “Answer me.”
    “I’m trying not to.”
    “Trying is good.” His tone was gentle. “it’s hard to quit especially without help.”
    “It is.” He had that right.
    The coffee and burgers came. She was starving, she couldn’t really cook in her motel room. She was living on cereal, chocolate bars and ramen noodles. She started eating. He sat back watching. What did it matter what he thought? She was hungry she was going to eat.
    “Do you want to go home?” He asked when she’d polished off the burger. “Is that what you want?”
    “I can’t go home, Chase. There are some things you can’t just apologize for and move on. Sometimes you can’t just say you’re sorry and expect people to forgive you.”
    “True. You can’t. “
    It felt like a slap. Had she thought he was here to rescue her and tell her it was all okay. Maybe.
    “So why ask?”
    “I have a proposition for you. Lucy and I are getting married in three months. I want you to go to treatment until just before the wedding. Rehab. There’s a wonderful place that the doc on TV swears by. I’ll get you the treatment if you are willing to do the work. Afterwards, if it sticks, you come home, come to the wedding and make amends.”
    “And?” She knew there was more.
    “And you see…you don’t swoop in expecting to uproot your kids and turn their lives upside down. You work your way back in. I don’t know how it will play out. I really don’t. Maybe you’ll never get your kids back, maybe you don’t deserve to, I can’t say what will happen because I don’t know. But what I do know is that they need to know you’re okay and healthy and that you care enough about them to get that way. Your family needs to heal, and only you can make that happen.”
    Minnie looked across at him. This was her one shot. It was a shot she didn’t deserve and she knew it. She was lost and broken and damaged but she was still smart somewhere in there, smart enough to know that whatever he was offering was better than this life.
    “Yes. I say yes, let’s do it.”

    ​Visit these sites to read the excerpts and enter:

    Diane Michaels
    Geralyn Corcillo
    Kate O’Keeffe
    Laura Baxter
    Daniela Pesconi-Arthur

    Now answer this question in the comments below to go in the draw to win a Starbucks giftcard….what is the name of Minnie’s sister?
    enter-to-win-a-starbucks-gift-card-orig_orig
    Closed. Winner announced Congratulations to Linda Herold on winning the $10 Starbucks gift card. Thank you to everyone who participated in this blog hop. We hope you have found some new books or authors.
    Happy reading.

    Comments

    Daniela Pesconi-Arthur
    5/31/2017 11:47:19 pm

    Minnie’s sister’s name is Lucy! 🙂

    Geralyn Corcillo
    6/1/2017 02:27:40 am

    I cannot wait to read this one! I love the Upper Crust 🙂

    Kaela K.
    6/1/2017 06:21:42 am

    Her sister’s name is Lucy! 🙂

    Michelle Ayers
    6/1/2017 11:48:22 am

    Lucy!

    Christina Riggs
    6/1/2017 06:49:47 pm

    It’s Lucy

    Jill Broussard
    6/2/2017 06:41:11 pm

    Her sisters name is Lucy! Thankyou for the opportunity!

    Kate O’Keeffe
    6/2/2017 09:21:44 pm

    It’s Lucy 🙂

    M.S.
    6/3/2017 04:52:22 am

    Minnie’s sister’s name is Lucy. 🙂

    Linda Herold
    6/3/2017 03:49:16 pm

    I enjoy your excerpt! Her name is Lucy!

    Cathi Gil
    6/3/2017 05:35:38 pm

    Minnie’s sister’s name is Lucy.
    Thanks for the opportunity. This sounds like a great read!

    Pamela Cook
    6/4/2017 03:58:13 am

    Lucy! Great opening. Really looking forward to reading Minnie’s story.

    Lucy Jones
    6/7/2017 02:28:10 pm

    Lucy😊
    Reply
    Monique McDonell
    6/8/2017 03:13:04 pm

    Congratulations on your win Linda. Thanks to everyone who entered.

  • Blog

    #ChickLitMay Book Boyfriend Blog Hop

    5/11/2017

    ChickLitMay Book Boyfriend BLog Hop 2017
    Any Way You Want It - Upper Crust Series - Monique McDonell - Original CoverMy name is Moose well not really but all friends call me Moose and I can see we’re going to be friends. Everyone calls me Moose because I’m from Maine and I’m a big (my mother uses the term strapping) guy with a an exuberant personality.

    It’s possible I have more than a touch of ADHD but don’t hold that against me because that just means I have a lot of energy and I don’t sleep much. I spend the hours other people spend sleeping working out (I’m told the ladies like a man with a six pack) and thinking of ways to make the people in my life happy. I’m full of ideas and I love to execute them, I’m actually a pretty smart guy.

    I grew up in a ski resort and I work for my parent’s in their chain of hotels. I’m an only child which has just taught me how to get on well with others, make friends and make them smile.

    I love women. Not in a creepy way. I think they’re beautiful, amazing creatures. They say interesting things, they smell divine and like me, they love to dance. So if you like dancing I’m your guy.

    Really, what I’m looking for is one special girl and I think I’ve spotted one, her name is Chloe and she runs an ice-cream parlour. I’m a businessman and think what she needs to grow her business is a really awesome coffee machine so I just went and bought her one of those crazy expensive brass ones. Is that too much?

    That’s who I am though. I’m all in. I think that’s a good quality, I hope she does.

    What makes me a good book boyfriend (this is the shameless plug for myself) – I’m all in, I like to dance, I’m in very good shape, I’m kind of loaded but I must tell you I’m really looking for someone that doesn’t matter too and I go out of my way to make the lady in my life feel special. (Oh yeah and is this is a pageant of some sort I feel obligated to say “I want World Peace. You can add watching rom coms to my list of qualities.)

    HOW TO VOTE: If you want to vote for Moose to win the Book Boyfriend Blog Hop:
    Email Tracie at traciebanister@gmail.com and say I VOTE FOR MOOSE in the subject line (I really want to win I’m kind of competitive, and I really want you to win too). By doing that you are entered to win the grand prize!!!!

    P.S – Monique who runs this awesome website (a great person by the way) wanted to share a photo of me but I said no. Not because I’m shy, but because I like a woman with a good imagination. I’m pretty sure you’re imagining me right now.

    Buy Any Way You Want It

    Book Boyfriend Blog Hop Giveaway Promo
    Tracie Banister
    Becky Monson  
    Hilary Grossman
    Glynis Astie
    Jayne Denker 
    Jennie Marts 
    Barbara Valentin
    Beth Labonte 
    Victoria Cooke 
     Holly Kerr
    Meredith Schorr
    Stacey Wiedower
    Laurie Baxter
    Jennifer Farwell 
    Natalina Reis 
    Celia Kennedy
    Beth Carter
    Ellyn Oaksmith 
    BJ Knapp
    Lizzie Lamb  
    Sylvia Ashby
    Karen M. Cox 
    Lindsay Detwiler
    Kirsty McManus 
    Melissa Baldwin 
    Geralyn Corcillo 
    Cassandra O’Leary 
    Cat Lavoie
    Kate O’Keeffe 
    Monique McDonell 

     

    Comments

    Geralyn Corcillo
    5/14/2017 11:37:39 am

    I love Moose! I adore every one of the guys in The Upper Crust Series! For a wonderful supply of yummy book boyfriends, Monique McDonell does NOT disappoint!

    Cat Lavoie
    5/14/2017 06:44:35 pm

    Loves to dance? I’m sold! Vote for Moose! 🙂

    Natalie
    5/15/2017 01:00:49 am

    Who can resist a dancer 😉

    Natalie
    5/15/2017 03:44:54 am

    A dancer with a six-pack. What’s not to love? 🙂

    Meredith Schorr
    5/15/2017 09:17:54 am

    I love this guy. He’s confident without being overly cocky. And he can dance 🙂

    Lucy
    5/15/2017 12:50:55 pm

    I love Moose💖🍵🍧💖

    Karen M Cox
    5/15/2017 01:40:53 pm

    Moose *raises hand* Um – I like to dance 🙂

    Jennifer Farwell
    5/15/2017 06:15:51 pm

    Watches rom coms and has a six-pack? Hi, Moose!

    Beth Carter
    5/16/2017 08:11:46 am

    I love the name Moose!!! He sounds like a sweet guy.
    Reply
    Monique McDonell
    5/16/2017 03:23:17 pm

    Thanks everyone, Moose wants you to know he appreciates all the positive feedback. He’s dancing with happiness right now, in between sit ups.

    Ann Attwood
    5/17/2017 05:14:17 am

    I love Moose

    Clarissa boggs
    5/17/2017 05:21:01 am

    Voted for Moose, good luck
    Reply
    Monique McDonell
    5/18/2017 01:08:15 am

    Thanks everyone. Moose and I appreciate it!!

  • Blog

    Keeping things moving forward on #MusicalMonday

    3/6/2017

    Musical MondayTime for a new week and there is a lot happening this week. I was just talking to my daughter about one of my favourite songs (okay I was singing it off-key as I unloaded the dishwasher).

    Good songs like good characters in a book, or a great and intriguing plot stay with us. Sometimes I think we happen on a song or a book or even a painting at just the right time and that’s why it resonates with us and the person next to us couldn’t care less about it.

    I’m writing a new series of books and one of the characters is a lyricist. That means I’ve been writing my own song lyrics that I hope will speak to someone. Of course I hope the whole book does too, but writing lyrics is a different skill. It’s fun to do new things especially as I’ve been writing a long time now.

    When Any Way You Build It releases in April It will be my 12th novel, I’ve had another two pieces in anthologies…that’s a lot of novel writing so song writing that’s a refreshing change.

    Here’s one of my favourite songs for you. It’s not really a classic but it’s a classic at our house. The other week I met my husband in town for lunch and this was playing at the burger joint so I guess it is a classic for someone else as well.

    Quickly before I go I want to let you know that Any Way You Dream It is #free right now so you might want to grab a copy if you haven’t read it yet. And I’ve also set up a Fun, Flirty Fiction group for readers over on Facebook so if you want to join just click here.
    Any Way You Dream It - Promo - Original Covers

  • Blog

    Welcome to 2017 – may it be full of books and laughter

    12/31/2016

    Fall in Love with the Upper Crust Series Banner - Original Covers

    Any Way You Want It - Upper Crust Series - Monique McDonell - Original CoverWelcome readers to the new year.

    I for one am very happy to be kissing 2016 good-bye. I usually do a little recap of the year that was but this year I’m moving on and looking ahead rather than looking back.

    Not that I’m not proud of what I managed to accomplish in 2016 but it didn’t feel like much. A lot of two steps back and one step forward. I will say that I was particularly pleased with the finished novella Snowbound, A Chicklit Christmas Novella and if you haven’t yet read it and you enjoy my books I urge you to get a copy for a fun read.

    I’m very happy to announce that Any Way You Want It, the fifth book in the Upper Crust Series is out this week. I love this book because I adore the main characters. Chloe and Moose have both appeared in previous books as minor characters and now they get their own story which I just loved writing. I think Moose might be my best book-boyfriend yet which is no small call and especially hard for a character called Moose to pull off.

    I have a Valentine’s Day novella I’m hoping to release in February and then the final book in the Upper Crust Series, for now anyway.

    After that we’ll see. I have another series started and a couple of stand-alone novels so we’ll just have to see what speaks to me. (If you have any thoughts on that, let me know). Either way the next batch of books are set back in Australia although they have strong American connections.

    That’s it, for now, Any Way You Slice It I hope 2017 is a good year for all of us.

  • Blog

    An Introverted Writer’s Very Extroverted Week

    8/27/2016

    Thanks for the explanation Myers-Briggs
    Beach and Pier - 2016
    I am a a very friendly person. That’s a fact. I really like people and it breaks my little heart to see someone sitting alone or sad in a corner. My husband can tell you I’ve ruined more dinners with my anxiety over the fact that the couple at the next table don’t seem to be talking – it freaks me out.

    As a result people are always amazed when I describe myself as an introvert. There is universal confusion about the fact that introverts are shy people. I’m not shy but if you meet me I’d much rather talk about you than me. I’m going to ask you questions and maybe not give very long answers when talking about myself and my real interests. (Though I will usually share a cracking yarn with you).

    Those Myers-Briggs tests explain that introverts need time to recharge between events and experiences. We need some space around us. Hence you’ll find a lot of writers who are introverts. It doesn’t mean we lack social skills (although some absolutely do) but it means we work well alone and we’re not that excited to be the centre of attention. We like a little quite around us. Turn off the radio and television when we come to visit please!

    With all that in mind I find August to be my most taxing month. I think half of my known universe has a birthday in August (including my daughter and I) which means a whole lot of socialisation – lunches and parties – and I usually attend the Romance Writers of Australia Conference. I’m already at capacity normally.

    So let me tell you about my week.

    This time last week I was at the #RWAus16 Conference in Glenelg, South Australia. On the Thursday I somehow managed to be organising a lovely Barossa Valley (wine country) tour for fifteen people, ten of whom I had never met. That really was fun but when you put your hand up to organise something you feel responsible for other people’s enjoyment and that can be stressful.

    As it turned out we had a great day and I think everyone got along well. Having left home at four in the morning to get there some of the details are a tad sketchy for me but I think everyone had fun.
    Next up we checked in to our apartment which was awesome. Five women in a four bedroom apartment, five women who didn’t all know each other and I was the only link through. Again – no pressure. I’m so lucky to say that almost everyone I’ve met on my writing journey is a delight and these ladies, many of whom are already in my writing group, were no exception but that’s a lot of togetherness.

    Friday was all about meeting people – I did a pitch, I helped a friend who came in as a journalist find her contacts for her story and I met writers I only knew from the internet. That’s a lot more for one little introvert.

    And then Friday night we dressed up for the cocktail party – fancy dress is actually good for introverts in my opinion. Dressed as someone else you can relax. Three of us went as old-fashioned cigarette girls and won second place in the fancy dress competition. Introverts don’t really want to go on stage and get a prize in front of 400 people but they do it.
    The rest of the conference is a bit of a blur but it was lovely to make new friends and catch up with old and see some good presentations. I especially enjoyed presentations by Kerri Arthur, Fiona McDonald and an intimate session where the publisher Esi Sogah from Kensington, New York. It’s a blur because that’s a lot for an introvert to take in.

    Then I came home and it was my birthday. It’s lovely to have a birthday and in a world where people are increasingly disconnected birthdays make people reach out and touch base.

    Finally I started a new role at a non-profit – in their office, with actual human beings, as opposed to working from my home office which I have done for years.

    That’s epic for an introvert. It’s a really positive move for me. You can have too much alone time. It makes you stagnant. Sometimes we need people to recharge us. (Maybe not so many people as I had this week but still it’s a good plan).

    Yes that was certainly a big week for introverted old me. It was a good week and a varied week and I don’t regret any of it but I sure was ready for a nice, quiet weekend.
    Turns out life didn’t get any quieter after that
    I wrote this blog post a month ago – a whole month. I guess that tells you how life has been tracking for me.

    This week I actually feel I might be finally getting my rhythm back and a sense of normalcy. Hopefully that means I can get my writing and blogging back on track too.

    This year has been one of those where every plan I’ve made has pretty much had to be changed at the last minute – from what I make for dinner to when I’ll release a book.

    I’m rolling with it but I do hope to get some control back soon.

    I have two more Upper Crust books and a Christmas novella I’d like to release this year….perhaps only two of those and the Christmas anthology I’m in is a more realistic goal.

    For those of you who have hung in with me, thank you.

    Now I better get my introverted self out of the house for the day.

  • Blog

    Zigging and zagging and keeping on going

    7/5/2016

    Can you even believe it is July? No really, can you? I just can’t.

    I used to believe that old adage “time flies when you’re having fun” but this year has been boring at best and craptastic at worst for me – depending on the day, and I still can’t believe it’s half-done. So I guess time waits for no man or woman to get herself together and start moving forward. Good to know.

    It’s summer of course where many of my readers are but it is winter here in Sydney and I am just not a winter girl. I like my sun shining, my breezes warm and my toes not frozen thanks very much. I’m lucky I don’t live in Norway or Wisconsin because I for sure would suffer from seasonal depression and I really feel for those people who have to endure long, dark winters.

    Really here in Australia we are very lucky that our climate is so mild. On the other hand where I live half the people don’t have decent heating and most of the cafe’s are designed as if the temperature was never below about seventy-five degrees or the mid-twenties in celsius so venturing outside can be chilly.

    Still this is good writing weather.

    I am about to send book 5 in the Upper Crust Series off to the editor. I’m a bit behind but it’s coming and Book 6 is ready to go behind it. I also have a Christmas novella ready to be edited and I have a story going in a New Year’s multi-author box set so there will be a few new releases from me in the latter part of the year. Oh and I have a Valentine’s novella ready to go too.

    A few people have said The Upper Crust Series needs a seventh book to tie up all the loose ends so I better get working on that as well.

    Meanwhile I have started a new series I’m really excited about and I hope my readers will be too. I’m writing the first two books simultaneously (I do like a challenge) and I’m going to be pitching it to a few traditional publishers and if they’re not keen that series will start releasing in 2017.

    I always feel like I’m marking time but I guess maybe I’m zig-zagging rather than running on the spot.

    And if you do like my Upper Crust Series all the books are on sale now so….pop over to Amazon and grab yourself copies while they’re a bargain. Author.to/MoniqueMcDonell

    The Upper Crust Series Promo Banner Original Covers - Autumn

  • Blog

    Four years – it’s my book and blog birthday

    5/14/2016

    Mr Right and Other Mongrels ScreenshotThis month is four years since I started this blog and four years since I published my first novel Mr Right and Other Mongrels. (I’ll be honest with you, I had to double check that because it feels so much longer than that to me).

    Here is a screen shot of my first blog post. I remember feeling excited and so proud of myself that I had managed to set up my very own blog, all by myself and post something. Meanwhile behind the scenes I was busy getting my first book baby ready. It was a heady and scary time.

    Last night I lay in bed and contemplated the last four years. Sometimes pursuing this writing dream seems thankless and pointless (ask any writer from the most to the least successful).

    Here’s what I worked out:
    – I’ve published five stand alone novels under my own name
    – I’ve published one under a pen name (It was picked up by a publisher that shut and reverted back to me)
    – I’ve published four books in the Upper Crust Series
    – I have been included in a Mother’s Day charity anthology
    – I’ve had commissioned work included in two non-fiction books about writing (One only came out this week)
    – I have two more Upper Crust Books written and ready to go
    – I have a Christmas and a Valentine’s Novella waiting to publish
    – I have two novels under my pen-name ready to publish
    – I have a novella going in a NYE box set

    That’s not nothing. (Meanwhile I’ve run a small business and kept my family going and tried to be a nice friendly community member).

    As writers it’s easy to focus on what doesn’t happen but sometimes it isn’t a bad thing to focus on the positive and reflect on what has been achieved. Writing can be lonely (that’s why writers are so grateful when you tell them you liked their book or leave a review – it is everything to us).

    So if you’ve stayed with me on this journey, thank you. If you’ve read my books or followed my blog thank you. If you ask about my writing when you see me, thank you. I do appreciate it.

    Mr Right and Other Mongrels is now on sale for #99cents if you haven’t yet read it, now might be the time.
    https://www.amazon.com/Right-Other-Mongrels-Monique-McDonell-ebook/dp/B0086L8NBS

    The Upper Crust Series Promo Banner Original Covers - Autumn

  • Blog

    Any Way You Plan It Blog Tour and Giveaway

    5/2/2016

    Any Way You Plan It Blog Tour Banner
    Let the blog tour begin
    Today is the kick-off of the Any Way You Plan It Blog Tour. I’m thrilled to have so many amazing bloggers and authors hosting me over the next two weeks.

    Stop by each and every site on the day listed on the schedule below to read a combination of excerpts of Any Way You Plan It, as well as Guest Posts and Reviews.

    We’re also running a fun giveaway that includes a $20 Amazon Giftcard and e-books which have been donated by many of the hosts. That’s exciting for you as a reader. If you’re anything like me you probably struggle to find new authors in the maze of online retailers. Here’s a great way to discover lots of new ones.

    Any Way You Plan It Blog Tour Schedule

    May 1st Monique McDonell
    www.moniquemcdonellauthor.com

    May 2nd Written by Deb – Deborah Nam Krane
    http://writtenbydeb.blogspot.com.au/

    May 3rd HeySaidRenee -Renee Conoulty
    www.heysaidrenee.blogspot.com.au/

    May 4th Jen Collin Author
    http://www.jennifercollin.com/

    May 5th Pamela Cook
    http://www.pamelacook.com.au/

    May 6th Glynis Astie
    www.glynisastie.com/

    May 8th Caroline Fardig
    http://www.carolinefardig.com/

    May 10th Cat Lavoie
    http://www.catlavoie.com/

    May 12th Isabella Louise Anderson
    http://www.isabellalouiseanderson.com/

    May 14th Celia Kennedy
    http://celiakennedy.weebly.com/

    The Upper Crust Series Promo Banner Original Covers - Autumn
    Grab your copy of Any Way You Plan It now. myBook.to/AnyWayYouPlanIt