Now that the first day of winter has come and winter solstice at that, I wanted to share some Merry Christmas Wishes from our Author, Rusty Blackwood, and share my literary New Year resolutions with my friends, readers, and all my new visitors. I am very blessed to be able to help and work with many amazing authors who share the same passion as I do when it comes to writing. They may do it as a hobby, a side career, or for many different reasons.

What I enjoy is to see authors become successful and that their books are found by avid readers who may enjoy our authors’ craft as writers and many of whom are independently or self-published. I especially enjoy helping those authors who are new and have published their first books as I get to help them learn just how and where to market and promote their books. It truly is my passion.

As I go into my 7th year doing so, I can honestly say I have much gratitude to be able to this as my little “at-home-business” and came from being very frustrated myself when my first book was published. I had to do the research and learn what I pass on to help other new authors’ and believe me, there was a lot of trial and error.  I don’t think there is a real solid recipe for book marketing and promoting.

I tell my clients (friends) that marketing a book will only go as far as it was written and edited and some genres just sell better than others. It is what’s between the pages of well-written words. It is why I enjoy reading books. A great story, be it fiction or nonfiction, needs to be able to pull in the reader and transport them into another time or place. But I will always stand by my motto … “that any book that has been published, no matter how long that book has been released and not read by a reader? It is still a new book!”

So as this year comes to a close and a new year is dawning, here is what I wish as my New Year Resolution for all the authors I work with past, present, and future. And my new year message to all those avid readers too … PLEASE CONSIDER placing a little book review when finishing a book. Think about the hours it took the writer to bring that story and some enjoyment of reading a book brings. And we look forward to all reviews regardless if they are good or “not so much”… WHY? It helps writers know what a reader likes, dislikes, or helps our craft as a writer.

THAT is this CAT’S New Year Hope! I wish you all who visit here a blessed and very Merry Christmas 🎄🎄🎁🎄✨🥰😺📚📚

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Top ranking romantic fiction author Rusty Blackwood believes the flair for fantasy is anything the mind wishes it to be, and she is a master at this. Within her expressive mind is found an endless array of romance, passion, textures, and colors to sweep the reader to exotic, faraway places where anything is possible, proving that her words really do leave you breathless.
Canadian born Blackwood, who chose her plume de nom by combining both the colour of her russet hair with her estranged husbands’ great, great, Scottish grandmother’s maiden name, grew up on her paternal grandfather’s farm in southwestern Ontario, Canada where she developed her love of writing while still in grade school, entering numerous competitions and writing exhibitions throughout her area, and attributes her love of writing to her late father James, and to the late Gladys Carroll, her elementary teacher. Although unprofessionally trained in the field, Rusty has always had an affinity for the written word, a gift to express it, and has demonstrated this talent many times since becoming a serious writer in 2001.

Miss Blackwood is a bronze medalist winner in the 2006 Annual International Library of Poetry, sponsored through PoetryPoem.com, for her 2005 poem, Desire.

She has written an eclectic array of contemporary and traditional poetry, publishing her first collection in October of 2009 entitled, “Feelings: A Rhythmic Journey in Thought,” which was later re-released in a second collection with additional content in 2011 under the title, “Impressions: A Poetic Rhythm in Emotion.” Feelings were followed in April of 2010 by a collection of assorted short stories for children, as well as the young at heart, entitled, “Young Minds,” which was later re-released as a second collection with additional content in 2012 under the title, “Through the Eyes of Innocence.”

In March of 2012, Rusty released her first short-story comedy, “The Misadventures of Derwood Tugbottom.”

Following a previously hard-fought, misguided, and misleading publishing road into the competitive world of mainstream fiction with her first two-part romance/drama, ‘Passion in Paris’ – Connections to the Past and Directions of the Heart respectively – Rusty was finally given the chance to accomplish what she had originally set out to do, and this exciting reprieve can be found within the pages of her 4-star, heart-touching romance/drama, “Passions In Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary.”

‘Passions in Paris’ is followed by the riveting 5-star award-winning romantic fiction drama, ‘Willow’s Walk.’

In July 2017, Miss Blackwood released her second installment in the Derwood comedy series, titled, Derwood Returns. In this hysterical follow-up to The Misadventures of Derwood Tugbottom, the bubbling and pretentious Englishman, known for his staunch outlook and demanding ways, decides to return to the picturesque village of Vinehaven on the Lake, where he takes up residence in the swinging Sunset Villa Retirement Center, located directly across the road from the infamous Anchors Away, of which he hastily departed two years earlier. Now he is back, with a hard-learned lesson beneath his belt, and hopes of finding the life that escaped him on his initial try.

Rusty currently released the third installment of the Derwood Tugbottom comedy series, entitled, Derwood Goes Caribbean, on January 27, 2019.

Travel with Derwood, and his best friend, Robbie, as they board The Travelling Minstrel on a swinging single’s cruise to the Caribbean. Christmas 2014 is fast approaching and an intrepid Derwood talks Robert into taking a single’s cruise to the Caribbean with him., which sens them on another eccentric adventure. Will they find what they hope to aboard ship? Will happiness presents itself in one the ports of call, or will it avoid them altogether? Find out, in this third Derwood adventure, certain to make you laugh as you cruise right along with him.

Rusty’s third novel, The Perils of Autumn, is a 5-star award-winning romantic fiction drama set in the early 1970s at Landon Lawns Stables, a fictional thoroughbred racing stable in the posh community known as The Meadows located just outside Lexington Kentucky. This enthralling story centers around heroine Autumn Leeves, a twenty-four-year-old newly graduated RN, who is sent on assignment to Landon Lawns to care for the terminally ill wife of English equestrian master, Cyril Landon.

However, once there, Autumn encounters a world filled with intrigue, wonderment, and a well-kept secret. The Perils of Autumn was released on January 17, 2019, and is available in paperback, hardback, and Kindle editions at all Amazons, and in Kobo at Chapters. Paperback and Hardback editions may also be ordered at all Chapters, Coles and Indigo. This novel is also a FINALIST in Romance in both the 2019 International Book Awards and The American Book Fest Best Book Awards.

The 5’1″(154.94 cm) spunky redhead is often asked how much of herself is found in her heroines, and she has been noted to say a fair amount, adding that most writers inspiration comes from many different aspects of life experience and reaping from them all that one can to use to one’s best advantage, so in that respect, she would have to say that many sides, aspects, and flavors of her heroines derive from her own personality and life.

Rusty has always loved the Arts in their many unique forms and this is demonstrated in the two Interior Decorating and Design diplomas she holds, as well as her many years spent on the south-western Ontario stage performing with her family’s country music band, The Midnight Ramblers, and the country-rock – blues band, MIRAGE respectively as an accomplished vocalist, bassist, and rhythm guitarist.

Rusty firmly believes in going after what she wants, doing whatever is required to make it happen, and turning a deaf ear to anyone who says it cannot be done. She has faced many challenges throughout her life, emerging more determined with each, but make no mistake about her methods, for she is a firm believer in Karma and the adage that whatever you put out in life revisits you, so be sure your intentions are proper.

Miss Blackwood now resides in the cultural city of St. Catharines, Ontario and when not at her keyboard, enjoys art, music, nature, gardening, and spending quality time with family, friends, and her loyal cat, Tipper.

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