It’s a birthday celebration! My friend’s book turns 1 today (awww). Bring on the cake.

Rock House Grill (Impact Book 1) by D.V. Stone released a year ago in the Mystery, Clean Romance genre.

Aden House, successful but driven chef and TV personality, refuses to slow down. His life implodes one night, damaging him both physically and emotionally. He’s rescued by a woman he thinks of as his angel. Shay McDowell has rebuilt her life after her divorce. She juggles volunteer EMT duties and her job, while dreaming of becoming a chef. She finds her way to Rock House Grill and back into the life of the man she helped save.

Can love be the ingredient needed to survive the many obstacles they face?

The book is on sale for 99 cents.

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“Easy, you’re going to be okay.” A soft voice eased through the chaos around him. The owner of the voice grabbed his arms and held them in a firm but gentle grip. “I’m right here with you. You are not alone.” “Can hardly m-move.” His voice slurred. “C-can’t see anything.” “You’ve been in an accident. I’m an EMT with the ambulance squad,” the velvety voice calmly explained. “You can’t see well because we’re under a tarp. Hold still, okay?” “‘K.” A small light flickered at the edge of his vision. It shone into a bag next to him. Penlight. “You’re restrained to a board. It’s to keep your head from moving and causing more injury.” She continued to talk to him. The voice reached down somewhere inside him, calming and peaceful, so he focused on it. A glow from spotlights on the outside lit whatever covered them. The shadow gave the woman the appearance of a halo—like an angel.

About the Author

Hi, my name is D. V. Stone. I am a multi-genre author of two independently published books. Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar is a fantasy romance. Agent Sam Carter and the Mystery at Branch Lake is a mid-grade paranormal. Recently, Rock House Grill was released by Wild Rose Press. Rainbow Sprinkles, a novella released on July 8^th. I also host Welcome to the Campfire and A Peek Through the Window, both weekly blogs. Here’s a little more about me.

Born in Brooklyn, D.V. Stone has moved around a bit and even lived for a time on a dairy farm in Minnesota before moving back east. Throughout her wandering, she always considered herself a Jersey Girl. She met and married the love of her life, Pete—a lifelong Jersey Man, and moved this time to Sussex County.  They live with Hali, a mixed breed from the local shelter, and their cat Baby.

D.V.’s career path varied from working with the disabled to become a volunteer EMT, which in turn led to working in hospital emergency rooms and then in a women’s state prison. After a few years, she took a break from medicine and became the owner of Heavenly Brew, a specialty coffee shop in Sparta, NJ, and a small restaurant in Lafayette. Life handed some setbacks. She ended up back in the medical field, but this time in a veterinary emergency hospital. 

“Thank you for taking the time to read about me. Each time you open the pages to one of my books, I hope you’ll be swept away by the story and find encouragement in your own life, never to give up on hope.”

D.V. Stone

Traditional, Independent, What’s an author to do

We’re young, and each has hopes and dreams of who and where we want to be. What girl doesn’t dream of growing up to be a princess or veterinarian? Or whatever.

You fill in this blank.

When I was a kid, I imagined _______________

But life gets away from us sometimes, doesn’t it? It got away from me. Daughter, wife, mom, employee, volunteer EMT, but who was I in all that. I found myself like the Alabama song I’m in a Hurry (And Don’t Know Why).

In 2008, a job where I worked for nine years let me go due to the economy. It was the one I most enjoyed. One where I felt I made a difference most days. One where I showed up for work, then was shown the door. My position eliminated. Unemployed for the first time in almost thirty years. After a few weeks of feeling sorry for myself, the thought came, “You finally have time. What do you want to be when you grow up?” I grabbed my computer. “An author,” I answered.

My first book was independently published through Amazon. I knew nothing about the industry. But what I did know was that I was going to write a book. I was going to sell many copies. Are you rolling your eyes at me? Yes, you are. I’m not going to lament all the mistakes. Things I wish I knew. But just so we are clear, indie authors, YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL EDITING. Sorry for shouting. Know that I’ve gotten that off of my chest, I’m proud to be indie. I’m also proud to be a traditionally published author through The Wild Rose Press. I am what is considered a hybrid author.

What are the pros and cons of diversifying?

Traditional	Independent
Resources	Choice
Guidance	Flexibility
Editing	Ease (places like Author Central and Smashwords make self-publishing much easier than a few years ago
Cover Art	A huge community of indies
Status (many still put more faith in traditional)
Community
Training

So here I am today. I have five published books—both independent and traditionally published. I run two different author blogs. My DH and I bought a camper, and we’re planning on seeing the country. I have so many books and pieces of books I’m itching to get to. So this show is going on the road. Where I hope to continue, to get the best of both worlds that way.

Take away.

Don’t let fear stop you from attaining your dreams.

Have patience. Writing and publishing a book takes time—more for some than for others.

Diversify. Like stocks, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Have fun and enjoy writing.

Here’s a quote I love

Publishing a book is like stuffing a note into a bottle and hurling it into the sea. Some bottles drown, some come safe to land, where the notes are read and then possibly cherished, or else misinterpreted, or else understood all too well by those who hate the message. You never know who your readers might be. – Margaret Atwood

Find out more about D. V.

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