Tag Archives: Mellanie Szereto

#WOTR24#CharityAnthology #CoverReveal – Love on the River Anthology

🌷IMPORTANT ATTENDING AUTHORS ANNOUCEMENT 🌷
Love on the River: A Charity Anthology

Love on the River is available for pre-order now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPYWFTFL

Brought to you by 20(ish) of your 2024 attending authors, Love on the River is a MASSIVE book with one thing in mind…LOVE. And money for Thistle Farms, of course. 

Our author line up is subject to change, but currently includes stories from: A.D. Ellis, AJ Renee, Amanda Zook, Brandy Slaven, C.A. Harms, Danielle Keil, Darie McCoy, H.D’Agostino, J.M. Walker, Jade Waltz, Jamie K. Schmidt, Jen Talty, Joel Shoemaker, Kate Hawthorne, M.J. Haag, Mellanie Szereto, Miranda Lynn, Molly McLain, Nikki Landis, and Vinni George.

Love on the River will ONLY be available to purchase from April 1 – July 31, 2024 (ebook and paperback). Don’t miss out on this one of a kind collection of stories and be part of Writers on the River history!

Thank you to all of our contributing authors for their time and work, to Eric McKinney for donating a GORGEOUS photo for the cover. But most of all, thank YOU for reserving your copies and helping us raise money to donate to Thistle Farms in 2024.

🕯️Links and Dates:

E-BOOK PRE-ORDER –  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPYWFTFL

PAPERBACK ORDERS – https://forms.gle/oarzp1rzBKB1XjHJ7

RELEASE DATE  April 1, 2024

LAST DAY TO BUY  July 31, 2024

🕯️About the Anthology:

2024 is YEAR 9 for Writers on The River and that feels like a great time to break some donation records. Healing With Words is only $22,000 away from donating over $100,000 dollars to Thistle Farms and we’re hoping this anthology can help get them not just over the $100k hump, but also over HWW’s personal goal of a $25,000 donation. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this anthology will go to the charity. 

🕯️About Healing with Words:

Healing With Words is a 501(c)(3) not for profit established for healing survivors of abuse, addiction, trafficking and prostitution. We feel the best way to spread love is to share the love of reading. Through the written word, persons can find an escape and a form of entertainment. Our mission is to bring together readers, authors, and survivors in a positive manner that affects change and relief from negative influences.

🕯️About Thistle Farms:

Thistle Farms is a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from prostitution, trafficking, and addiction. We do this by providing a safe place to live, a meaningful job, and a lifelong sisterhood of support.

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #Authorspotlight – Mellanie Szereto

Mellanie Szereto

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I’m Mellanie Szereto, the USA Today Bestselling Author of nearly fifty romcoms and contemporary romances, most with characters who have plenty of life experience like myself. Whether you call them older, seasoned, mature, experienced, or later-in-life protagonists, they deserve love too! My stories are often set in small towns with quirky main characters, fun secondary casts, and lots of humor. I enjoy gardening, cooking, and baking—as well as hiking to work off the fruits of my labor—and incorporate food into all of my stories. I live in an old farmhouse in rural Indiana with my husband of thirty-seven years.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

The first book is usually the quickest to write, but ideas for additional stories often develop as the first one progresses. That’s why I have dozens of books on my to-write list!

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I love writing series. I focus on getting to know each character as an individual, like real people. They have their own personalities, quirks, strengths, weaknesses, etc. Those elements help me discover their motivations, their conflicts, and the tropes that fit their situations best.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

Writing is mostly a solitary career, so find a supportive group of writer friends. They’ll understand your struggles and celebrate your wins with you.

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

I’m a workaholic. That means I usually spend 10-12 hours a day writing and/or doing writing-related tasks every day of the week. Breaks in that routine tend to interrupt my process, so I try to schedule vacations right after my scheduled deadlines.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

I adore Dr. Carson Hines from The Nerd Next Door. He’s a lovable nerd beneath his football player physique and the slightly cocky persona he wears to fit in. Despite being focused on his career (geneticist), he makes room in his life for the woman he falls for and her daughter. Even better, he can admit when he makes a mistake and is willing to accept the consequences.

What is your definition of success?

While making a living at writing is always my goal, I feel most successful when readers tell me they love my books!

What are your social links?

Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/mellanieszereto
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormellanieszereto
Facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/worththewaitseasonedromancereaders
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mellanie-szereto
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mellanie_szereto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mellanieszereto

What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/mellanieszereto
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/mellanie-szereto/id540431015
Audible: Audible page: https://www.audible.com/author/Mellanie-Szereto/B00GYKKZ7I
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Mellanie Szereto
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Mellanie+Szereto
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/author/mellanie-szereto

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2024?

They are available starting November 6th at Writersontheriver.com

$75 VIP Plus – 11-12 Lunch with the Authors , 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Limited Quantity expected to sell out first day*

$50 VIP -12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Expected to sell out first day*

$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party. *Expected to sell out opening day*

$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.

$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.

#WOTR22 #TwinsieforthedayJulia #WOTRMommaJulia #review – And Baby Makes 2 1/2, The Homegrown Cafe Book Club book 4 by Mellanie Szereto

And Baby Makes 2½ (The Homegrown Café Book Club 5) by [Mellanie Szereto]

The women of The Homegrown Café Book Club are over 40, single, and loving it. Fate, however, has a different plan with a younger man for every last one of them.
Marriage and children aren’t in the cards for family law expert Georgina Swofford, but that didn’t stop her from butting in just enough to ensure her friends from The Homegrown Café Book Club found happily-ever-after. Hers will have to be fake—with the man she almost bankrupted in divorce court five years ago. A pretend engagement to help him gain custody of his nephew will make them even, won’t it?
Hermit Oscar Banyan prefers solitude after the high-profile divorce that nearly cost him everything, including his freedom. But payback backfires when living together with his attorney for appearances’ sake costs him more than his ponytail and shaggy beard. Playing house becomes a little too intimate to deny his feelings, and convincing her to stay will take more than sleepless nights of sharing a bed and parenthood.

Goodreads

Review by WOTRMomma Julia with permission from her daughter Madi

AWWW Georgina and Oscar the final story of the Homegrown Café Book Club. And what an adventure it is! All the other ladies found their Happy Ever After’s, but Georgina absolutely was not looking! In fact she in some way meddled in everyone else’s. Oscar married them all, even though he didn’t believe in marriage. But we find out their story here! Seems Georgina had a part in Oscar’s disastrous divorce, only because she didn’t have all the facts. So when Oscar blackmailed her into a fake engagement to gain custody of his nephew, things started snowballing. Feelings got caught, and in a big way! They both had to reveal their baggage and jump through hoops to make this work, but in the end it all worked out! I loved all these stories but Melanie saved the best for last!

When her fingers aren’t attached to her keyboard, Mellanie Szereto enjoys hiking, Pilates, cooking, gardening, and researching for her stories. Many times, the research partners with her other hobbies, taking her from the Hocking Hills region in Ohio to the Colorado Rockies and the Adirondacks of New York. Sometimes, the trip is no farther than her garden for ingredients and her kitchen to test recipes for her latest steamy tale. Mellanie makes her home in rural Indiana with her husband of thirty-four years and their son.

#WOTR22 #attendingauthor #Spotlight – Mellanie Szereto

Mellanie Szereto

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hi! I’m Mellanie Szereto, author of nearly forty steamy and super steamy romances, and I enjoy writing about characters who have experience with life, love, careers, and changes. Many of my stories are set in Midwestern small towns, much like my own life, and focus on family, friendship, and figuring out the meaning of true happiness. Living in the country suits me since I’m an avid gardener, am most at home in nature, and love hiking. I also enjoy cooking, baking, and reading, of course!

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

When I know I’ll be starting a new series, the first book is usually the hardest. I’m getting to know the main characters, setting, the dynamics of the relationships with secondary characters, and the general tone of the series. Once that world has its foundation, the other books seem to fall into place, providing enough background information to know what needs to happen with those other characters.

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

Like real people, my characters are unique and have their own life stories, experiences, fears, motivations, etc. While a few details may overlap here and there, each book develops into a story made for those characters. A different character will react differently in similar situations and each relationship is a new discovery!

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

BALANCE. Yes, I’m still working on it, even after 10+ years and nearly 40 books. Finding that perfect mix of writing, marketing, self-care, and other responsibilities can be difficult, but it’s a must to avoid burnout. And make time for reading!

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

I spend about 4-5 hours a day focused on actual writing and about 4-5 hours a day on writing-related business like marketing, social media, and emails.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

One of my favorite characters is Georgie Swofford from And Baby Makes 2½ (The Homegrown Café Book Club 5). At the beginning of the series, I thought she was a hard-nosed workaholic family law attorney, but she developed into a truly loyal friend by book 4 and revealed a personal history in book 5 that explained her standoffish demeanor. She earned her happily-ever-after with Oscar, who turned out to be more sweetheart than grouch!

If any of your books were to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it? What book and who?

Oscar Banyan, former mayor of The Homegrown Café Book Club’s small town setting, from And Baby Makes 2½ will be played by Jason Momoa. He’s a recluse with a ZZ Top beard and long hair throughout the series–until Georgie insists on a haircut and shave to agree to his fake relationship deal. Charlize Theron will play the part of Georgina Swofford, his ex-wife’s divorce attorney and fake fiancée.

What is your definition of success?

While making a living from writing is important to me, creating books I love and having readers love them defines success to me. Hearing someone tell me (and other readers) they enjoyed one of my books is the best!

What are your social links?

Website: https://www.mellanieszereto.com
Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/mellanieszereto
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormellanieszereto
Facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/worththewaitseasonedromancereaders
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mellanie-szereto
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mellanie_szereto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mellanieszereto

What are your buy links?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/mellanieszereto
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/mellanie-szereto/id540431015
Audible: Audible page: https://www.audible.com/author/Mellanie-Szereto/B00GYKKZ7I
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Mellanie Szereto
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Mellanie+Szereto
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=mellanie%20szereto&fcsearchfield=Author

Want to buy tickets to Writers on the River?

go to www.WritersontheRiver.com

VIP is $45. 12-1 VIP signing Time, Swag bag and 1-4 general signing time.  Plus includes After Party.

Early Access is $25. 12-1 VIP signing time, Swag bag, and 1-4 general signing time.  No After Party.

General Admission is $10. 1-4 General Signing Time ONLY

After Party is $35. After Party 7:30-11:30 ONLY

#wotr #attendingauthor #seriestarter Makin’ Bacon (homegrown cafe 1) by Mellanie Szereto


The women of The Homegrown Café Book Club are over 40, single, and loving it. Fate, however, has a different plan with a younger man for every last one of them.

Divorcée Tate Madison wasted fifteen years of her life with a liar and a cheat. Now she’s returned to her hometown to open The Homegrown Café, find a sperm donor, and spend time with her family and new friends. Encouraged by her fellow middle-aged book-club buddies, she begs a favor from her younger brother’s best friend—father the child her ex-husband denied her. Complications abound when she discovers she’s attracted to the man who wasn’t supposed to be more than an anonymous profile at the clinic.

Pig farmer Jim Cochon knows all about in-vitro fertilization, but he’d rather do things the old-fashioned way with the irresistible redhead he’s wanted to marry since he was five. Too bad she refuses his proposal the morning after their attempt to make a baby. He’ll have to convince her second chances are worth taking when happily-ever-after is at stake.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55738894-makin-bacon?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=IrzaId05VG&rank=3

Amazon https://amzn.to/34Q7pK7

Review by Twinsie Dee

I bought this book and this my honest opinion

Tate just got out of a 15 year long relationship/ marriage after trying hard for a child but finding out not only had her husband been lying to her, and cheating on her but he also went and got a vasectomy without her knowing. No wonder she wasn’t able to get pregnant, so she got divorced and went back home to open a restaurant. Well little did the pig farmer who had a major crush on Tate since he was 5 know that she was back in town. Jim was Tate’s little brother’s best friend and was head over heel in love with her and she thought he was the perfect donor for her to get a kid from. Will she get the sperm she’s hoping for or will he think she’s crazy and run for the hills. This was such a cute small town story.

 

When her fingers aren’t attached to her keyboard, Mellanie Szereto enjoys hiking, Pilates, cooking, gardening, and researching for her stories. Many times, the research partners with her other hobbies, taking her from the Hocking Hills region in Ohio to the Colorado Rockies and the Adirondacks of New York. Sometimes, the trip is no farther than her garden for ingredients and her kitchen to test recipes for her latest steamy tale. Mellanie makes her home in rural Indiana with her husband of thirty-four years and their son.

 

#WOTR21 #SeriesSpotlight – Homegrown Cafe Book Club Series by Mellanie Szereto

The Homegrown Café Book Club series blurb:

The women of The Homegrown Café Book Club are over 40, single, and loving it. Fate, however, has a different plan with a younger man for every last one of them.

Makin’ Bacon (The Homegrown Café Book Club 1)

Heroine is 42; hero is 35.

Divorcée Tate Madison wasted fifteen years of her life with a liar and a cheat. Now she’s returned to her hometown to open The Homegrown Café, find a sperm donor, and spend time with her family and new friends. Encouraged by her fellow middle-aged book-club buddies, she begs a favor from her younger brother’s best friend—father the child her ex-husband denied her. Complications abound when she discovers she’s attracted to the man who wasn’t supposed to be more than an anonymous profile at the clinic.

Pig farmer Jim Cochon knows all about in-vitro fertilization, but he’d rather do things the old-fashioned way with the irresistible redhead he’s wanted to marry since he was five. Too bad she refuses his proposal the morning after their attempt to make a baby. He’ll have to convince her second chances are worth taking when happily-ever-after is at stake.

https://books2read.com/makin-bacon

The Farmer Takes a Husband (The Homegrown Café Book Club 2)

Heroine is 47; hero is 39.

Organic farmer Riley Fenniman is happily single at forty-seven and refuses to acknowledge an attraction to her younger accountant, let alone surrender to it. Unfortunately, a legal catch in her farm’s ownership and a health scare give her no choice in the matter. The women of The Homegrown Café Book Club have the perfect plan to ensure Riley’s cousin can’t get his greedy paws on her legacy, but it includes a husband and two pubescent girls.

CPA Deacon Jeffries has carried a torch for his favorite client for over a year, but she would probably sooner light him with it than return his affection. She makes an offer he can’t refuse to save her farm, one that makes his wish come true and gives his daughters the mother they need—except for lessons in dropping f-bombs. When the secret she’s keeping reveals itself, he’ll have to choose between self-preservation and love.

https://books2read.com/the-farmer-takes-a-husband

The Butcher and the Baker (The Homegrown Café Book Club 3)

Heroine is 43; hero is 37.

After six broken engagements, butcher Petra Lochsley wants nothing to do with men and romance. Her hobbies include throwing axes, discussing books and having raunchy conversations with her middle-aged friends, and eating the occasional Boston cream doughnut—when the flirtatious baker doesn’t insist she prostitute herself for the decadent pleasure. One game of tongue hockey is enough with the guy she used to babysit. So what if he’s hot and is a good kisser?

Baker Auggie Hofmeier didn’t mean fall in love with or accidentally marry the butcher, but his heart seems to know what it’s doing. Besides, his new wife invited him home for a wedding night and more, that is, until the conniving interference by The Candlestick Maker, the old man who owns the shop he and Pet both want to buy, threatens their happily-ever-after. What’s a knave to do?

https://books2read.com/the-butcher-and-the-baker

When Harry Met Wally (The Homegrown Café Book Club 4) Coming soon!

Heroine is 50; hero is 40.

And Baby Makes 2½ (The Homegrown Café Book Club 5) Coming soon!

Heroine is 45; hero is 38.

Website: https://www.mellanieszereto.com

Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/mellanieszereto

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormellanieszereto

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/mellanieszereto

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mellanie-szereto

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mellanie_szereto

#WOTR21 #AuthorSpotlight – Mellanie Szereto

Mellanie Szereto

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Mellanie Szereto


When her fingers aren’t attached to her keyboard, Mellanie Szereto enjoys hiking, Pilates, cooking, gardening, and researching for her stories. Many times, the research partners with her other hobbies, taking her from the Hocking Hills region in Ohio to the Colorado Rockies and the Adirondacks of New York. Sometimes, the trip is no farther than her garden for ingredients and her kitchen to test recipes for her latest steamy tale. Mellanie makes her home in rural Indiana with her husband of thirty-four years and their son.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

The second to last book in the series is usually the hardest for me to finish. The first book in the series is always easiest because…new series!

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series.

You should see my list of to-write book titles! Blurb writing is by far the most difficult!

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

I have two favorite memories as an author–writing The End with my first book and receiving my first fan email!

What is your definition of success?

Having readers who love my stories is the highest measure of success to me, but making a living at writing is up there too!

What are your social links?

Newsletter signup: https://www.subscribepage.com/mellanieszereto
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mellanie-szereto
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormellanieszereto
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mellanie_szereto

What are your buy links? 

Website/Books page: https://www.mellanieszereto.com/books
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/mellanieszereto
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/mellanie-szereto/id540431015
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Mellanie Szereto
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Mellanie+Szereto
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=mellanie%20szereto

#WOTR21 #BookSpotlight #Sale – A Little Appetizer, Love on the Menu….Extra Hot 3 by Mellanie Szereto

A Little Appetizer (Love on the Menu...Extra Hot, #3)

MF; Erotic Romance; 42,246 words

Restaurateur Nash Granger wouldn’t mind being happily married—if a woman would let him tend to his growing business instead of making babies. When a call for custom cabinets turns into phone sex, he’s ready to give dating another chance.
Carpenter Lucie Reiter likes her food and her men hot and spicy, but a helping of the safest kind of sex is the perfect appetizer to take the edge off her hunger. When she discovers her partner is the renowned barbecue master she crowned King of the Grill, she’s ready to take their association to a more personal level.
But Nash’s plan to boost his finances with one more cook-off leaves Lucie with a tough decision—step down from judging or brush off the man who always puts business first.

Goodreads

When her fingers aren’t attached to her keyboard, Mellanie Szereto enjoys hiking, Pilates, cooking, gardening, and researching for her stories. Many times, the research partners with her other hobbies, taking her from the Hocking Hills region in Ohio to the Colorado Rockies and the Adirondacks of New York. Sometimes, the trip is no farther than her garden for ingredients and her kitchen to test recipes for her latest steamy tale. Mellanie makes her home in rural Indiana with her husband of thirty-three years and their son.

She greatly appreciates reviews and loves to hear from her readers! Contact Mellanie at mellanie@mellanieszereto.com.
Visit her website: https://www.mellanieszereto.com
Sign up for her newsletter: https://mellanieszereto.com/subscribe
Like her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authormellani…
Follow her on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/mellani…
Follow her on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mella…
Follow her on Book+Main Bites: https://bookandmainbites.com/Mellanie…
Follow her on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mellanie_sz…

#IAE19 #AuthorSpotlights – Mellanie Szereto

Mellanie Szereto

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hi, I’m Mellanie Szereto!
When my fingers aren’t attached to my keyboard, I enjoy hiking, PIlates, cooking, gardening, and researching for my stories. I’m a foodie and love to write foodie romance, but all that hiking research is going in a paranormal trilogy set in the wilds of Ohio and a college-town series on my to-finish-writing list. You’ll also find plenty of lovable nerdy characters in my stories. That’s what happens when you, your husband, and your children are all nerds!

Where is your favorite place to write and what food must be present?

My favorite place to write is anywhere with quiet and no chance of interruption. I’m not much of a snacker, but I always have a supply of Cheez-Its or Goldfish crackers on hand just in case!

What are you favorite things about attending signings?

Even though I’m a bit of an introvert, I love meeting readers and talking about books! I also enjoy getting know other authors, whether we’re meeting for the first time or we’re already friends on social media. Checking out the cool swag ideas is fun too!

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

If I could go back in time, I’d love to meet the three authors who most influenced the young reader in me–Louisa May Alcott (Little Women), Anna Sewell (Black Beauty), and Marguerite Henry (Misty of Chincoteague).

What author would you love to write with?

I’d love to write a nerd story with Vicki Lewis Thompson!

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

My favorite memory involving a reader is attending a book signing and overhearing her recommend my books to other readers. My favorite writing memory is the first time I wrote The End. 🙂

What are your social links?

Website: http://www.mellanieszereto.com
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cDEHXL
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/authormellanieszereto
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mellanie-szereto
Book+Main Bites: https://bookandmainbites.com/MellanieSzereto
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/mellanie_szereto

What are your buy links?

Amazon: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/mellanieszereto
Apple Books: https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/mellanie-szereto/id540431015?mt=11
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Mellanie Szereto
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Mellanie+Szereto
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=mellanie%20szereto&fcsearchfield=Author