HAPPY CANADA DAY!
Did you know July 1 used to be called “Dominion Day” in Canada until the year 1982? That’s right…we’ve only officially had “Canada Day” for 37 out of the 152 years we’ve been “independent” from Britain. Gosh. We’re so young!
On the other side of the border, Independence Day in the US is July 4. Though often referred to as just “the fourth of July” it’s been “Independence Day” since July 4, 1776.
Interesting, or maybe just coincidence, that both happen to fall in the first few days of July. But hey, it’s twice the excuse to party! There’s even an International Freedom Festival held jointly between the cities of Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario on the shores of the river that separates the two. This party kicked off in 1959 (a hell of a good year, since I was born in it !) and has since split into two independent events: Windsor Summer Fest, and Detroit River Days. (Oh the irony!)
So July is a great time to celebrate all kinds of independence, including indie authors and publishers. Self-publishing has changed the face of the book industry forever! One of the pioneers of self-publishing is Smashwords.com, and every July, they hold a site-wide party, where readers get the gifts!
Titles by participating authors are discounted by 25, 50, 75 or even 100%! This year I’ve added two more books to my Smashwords backlist. Books 1 and 2 of my first series, “Spanish Seduction” is now available – and to get you started I’ve made book 1 “El Mirador” FREE for the entire month! And at 75% off, getting book 2 “El Precio” is a no-brainer at just a buck and a quarter.
Both books have been updated and sport new cover art; and a special surprise — wait for it — BOOK THREE IS NOW ON PRE-ORDER!!!
Yes, I’ve finally made the commitment to bring the third in the series – “Incendio: The Flames of Passion” – to life this October! I hope you’ll look forward to reading the entire series, and you can get all three in one stop at Smashwords. Click on any of the cover images below to take you there.



BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
Winter Symphony is also FREE at Smashwords this July, and check out the luscious new cover for The Witch Doctor!Pick up Valor McCaine’s special brand of medicine for only two bucks.
Growing up, my family always attended a small town rodeo on July 1. I remember it being a big deal because you could go on rides – and I’m not talking horseback! Sure, there were pony rides, but the main attraction was the Ferris Wheel. In a small prairie burgh, you could see the thing for miles as you drove along a country dirt road toward town!
Sadly, this July 1st it is currently raining cats and dogs where I live. No rodeo for me! More time to read (and write) books! Wishing you a fantastic July, and many hours of happy reading – independently of any holiday on the calendar.