It’s no secret that 2020 was a horrible year for just about everyone, despite its promising start. The world’s overreaction to the novel coronavirus continues as federal, state, and municipal governments impose or re-impose lockdowns, curtail civil liberties, and watch their economies crash.

Year 2021 is now getting off to a decent start. My pipeline’s full for the next few weeks. I’ve picked up a new client and hope to be writing for that company for a good long while. I’ve made small progress in my latest works-in-progress: a few chapters drafted, but that’s better than nothing. I still plan on producing two or three books this year, so don’t count me out yet.

As always, I have not made any New Year’s resolutions. The cold, dreary days of winter do not inspire me to make promises to myself. If anything, winter provides just the opposite motivation: I want to hibernate. (If only hibernation paid the bills.)

Those who follow my blog will notice some differences coming up shortly. My social media presence will dwindle. I’m still here, there just won’t be nearly as many posts in Facebook or Twitter. A weekly article is scheduled for publication on  Mondays in Twitter, the Hen House Publishing page on Facebook, and on LinkedIn. I’ll endeavor to maintain a weekly blog posting on this website on Tuesdays. These will be shared on Facebook and Twitter, too. Wednesday posts will continue through January, then the Book of the Month promotions will cease.

Last year, readers have had opportunities to download my e-books for free. This marketing tactic is no different than what most authors do. There’s a motive behind the madness: lure readers in with free books (called “loss leaders”) in an attempt to hook interest, build a loyal fan base, and persuade readers to purchase more books. It’s a viable practice that has introduced me to some authors whose work I love: for example, Shannon Hill and Susan Stoker. I’ve also discovered authors, via those free books, whose work I now know to avoid–not necessarily because they’re poor writers. Some glorify themes that I dislike or rely on cliffhangers.

Many authors build on this marketing tactic by ending those loss leaders with cliffhangers, forcing readers who want to finish those stories to purchase sequels or even whole series. I don’t do that. For one thing, I despise cliffhangers. For another, I think it’s dishonest.

As for the glorification and romanticizing of themes I dislike, let’s just say there’s only so far I’ll go when it comes to “dark” romances. Abuse, degradation, and humiliation aren’t romantic. But I’ll hop off that soapbox and stop the tirade before it begins.

I greatly appreciate all who have supported me by reading my blog posts (and commenting) and my books. The severe downturn in business requires that I spend time regrouping and rebuilding to secure sufficient cash flow to restart normal marketing efforts. Assuming the pandemic nonsense will ease, I’ll be participating in regional events canceled and rescheduled for this year.

​Best wishes and good fortune to you all for a prosperous, peaceful, and healthy 2021.

nBy Holly Bargo
n
nI’ve long asserted that ideas are cheap and plentiful and have a folder full of partial manuscripts to prove it. Each of the files within that folder began as an idea that just wouldn’t leave my mind until I wrote it down. Each began with good intentions–and we know what paves the road to hell. However, somewhere along the way–sometimes not more than a few pages in–those ideas faltered. I couldn’t sustain them. 
n
nI published Rowan in 2014. I was employed full-time in a soul-sucking job I loathed. After work, I did the wife-and-mother thing. Let’s just say that my life didn’t leave me a whole lot of time for idle amusement like writing. Rowan took me two years to write. I don’t remember where the story premise came from. I do recall sending it to a friend of a friend who was kind enough to serve as an informed beta reader and taking encouragement and direction from her feedback. It was probably my first genuine experience as an indie author. 
n
nI remember as I wrote Rowan that other characters inserted themselves into the story. Those characters, Cassia and Willow, demanded I write their stories. And so a trilogy, the Tree of Lifeseries, was born. 
n
nRowan isn’t perfect by any means, either as a manuscript or as a character. Among all the heroines appearing in my books (over 20 titles published since 2014), she’s the one most like me in personality. Perhaps for that reason, her story remains my favorite. 
n
nIdeas for other books spring from diverse sources: some begin with a question of “What if?” Others arise from idle daydreaming. The Falcon of Imenotash was sparked by a movie: I disliked the movie’s ending and my imagination immediately went to work on a new story that touched upon some of the themes in the movie. I challenge you to identify the movie that generated that spark. Russian Gold, Russian Dawn, and Russian Pride all came into being because some enthusiastic fans asked for stories featuring the protagonists who appeared as secondary characters in Russian Lullaby. 
n​
nInspiration comes from many sources. Ideas are cheap and plentiful, we pluck them from the air. Whether we can carry an idea to its natural fruition is another matter entirely.n

n

n

n

---

n

n

n

n

n

n

n n

n

nn

n

n
n

n

n
n

n

nn

n

nRowann

n

nBranch 1 of the Tree of Lifen

n

nby Holly Bargon

n

nGenre: Paranormal Romancen

n

n
n

n

nn

n

nNearly a century ago, Rowan Nemed died by lightning strike. The divine bolt ignited something magic and she was transformed into something rare, powerful, and fey: sidhe.n

n

n
n

n

nSidhe survival depends much upon one’s ability to remain hidden from other supernatural creatures and magic users who would exploit them. Rowan has lived for several years in the pressure cooker of Hollywood as a set designer, carefully staying away from the camera. However, a spontaneous act of recognition for her work brings Rowan to the notice of Los Angeles’ supernatural community and her freedom is threatened.n

n

n
n

n

nLion shifter Adrian and vampire Simon are best friends and business partners. When they discover Rowan, each wants her for his own. Rowan does her best to dissuade them, for a supernatural matebond means the end of her freedom.n

n

n
n

n

nThen demons begin hunting sidhe and Rowan is a prime target. She agrees to exchange her freedom for survival. But which male will Rowan accept? And can she survive when one of them dies in a battle to keep her?n

n

n
n

n

nThis is the first of three books in The Tree of Life trilogy. The book can be read as a stand-alone novel.n

n

n
n

n

nMature content not suitable for readers under 18. Content has been proofread, edited, and updated.n

n

n
n

n

n
n

n

n**Only .99 cents!!**n

n

nGoodreads * Amazonn

n

n
n

n

n
n

n

nn

n

n
n

n

n
n

n

nn

n

nn

n

nHolly Bargo never outgrew a love of fairy tales, legends, and myths. Or horses. However, one foot must remain firmly planted in the real world where Holly makes her living as a freelance writer and editor. She and her husband have two grown children and live on a southwest Ohio hobby farm with a menagerie indoor and outdoor animals.n

n

nHolly enjoys hearing from readers and other authors and may be contacted via the Hen House Publishing website: www.henhousepublishing.com.n

n

nWhen she’s not working on other people’s documents or reading, Holly finds time to transfer the voices in her head to paper … er … computer. If she doesn’t, there’s a definite possibility her mind will explode.n

n

nAnd for those who might wonder from where the pseudonym of Holly Bargo came, it’s quite simple really. Horses. Namely an elegant and temperamental Appaloosa mare who has long since crossed the Rainbow Bridge and is fondly remembered for guarding toddler children and crushing a brand-new pager.n

n

n
n

n

n
n

n

nWebsite* Facebook* Twitter* Bookbub* Amazon* Goodreadsn

n

n
n

n

n
n

n

n#PMInc will provide a 15% discount for anyone that is referred by or mentions Silver Dagger Book Tours!!n

n

nhttps://personalizedmarketing.infon

n

n
n

n

n
n

n

nn

n

n
n

n

nFollow the tour HEREfor special content and a giveaway!n

n

n
n

n

n$10 Amazon giftcard,n

n

nebooks of Rowan, Cassia, and Willown

n

n– 1 winner eachn

n

n
n

n

na Rafflecopter giveaway  n

n

n
n

n

n

nn

n

n

n

n

n

n

n
nn

n n

n

n