Welcome M.S. Spencer

Thank you so much for having me on your wonderful site, Liv. I’m happy to answer your questions and tell you about my December 27 release from I Heart Publishing, For the Love of a Spy: the Scrivener and the Handyman.
 
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Although I’ve lived or travelled in five of the seven continents, the last thirty years were spent mostly in Washington, D.C. as a librarian, U. S. Senate committee staff assistant, speechwriter, birdwatcher, non-profit director, and parent. I hold a BA from Vassar College, a diploma in Arabic Studies from the American University in Cairo, and Masters in Anthropology and in Library Science from the University of Chicago.  All of this tends to insinuate itself into my work--twelve romantic suspense or murder mystery novels.
I have two fabulous grown children and an incredible granddaughter, and divide my between the Gulf Coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.
 
How do you find time to write? 
I’m very lucky that I’m retired and able to write full-time. That said, I do spend a few hours a day staring out the window, sweeping, going to the beach, and thinking.

What are your publishing tips? 
There’s been some debate among authors about whether to go with an independent publisher or self-publish. In 2015 my indie publisher had to close, and I was faced with that choice—if I were to re-publish second editions, should I go with a traditional publisher or do it myself. I chose an independent publisher for some of my books (the Wild Rose Press) and a hybrid publisher (I Heart Publishing) for some others. I love Wild Rose Press for their active support and personal approach to authors. I Heart takes care of the business end and leaves the editing and cover art to me, but offers a much larger royalty. I would suggest that new authors look into all the different types of publishers before choosing which will suit their needs and desires best.

Any promotional and marketing tips? 
Recently I’ve been spending more on advertising, but generally stick to free media sharing—Facebook, Yahoo groups, exchanging blogs. It actually may have a greater reach than a paid cover on a single issue of a magazine. But I am certainly no expert. One bit of advice—keep your website/blog up to date, informative, and colorful.
​
Tell us about your recent book.
I have two new novels, one cozy mystery romance:  Flotsam and Jetsam: the Amelia Island Affair from The Wild Rose Press, released December 17, and a romantic suspense thriller,  For the Love of a Spy: the Scrivener and the Handyman, released December 27.
 
Let me focus on the latest:. 
 
I admit it: For the Love of a Spy was born out of a delicious dream I woke slowly, savoring the romance, and latching onto the last line. It is in fact, the last line of the story. But you have to read the whole book to get to it. Thankfully, there’s quite a lot of good stuff—adventure, action, and romance—to help you through.
For the Love of a Spy: the Scrivener and the Handyman
I Heart Publishing, December 27, 2018
222 pp.; ebook 74,000 words
Spicy (PG-13)
 
Blurb:
When Maris Graystone, author of the political column The Scrivener, and the mysterious Michael Kinder, meet, sparks fly. Their love affair intensifies against the backdrop of the dramatic world events of 1991. Michael appears and disappears at unpredictable moments, leaving Maris limp and lovelorn. Looking for safe harbor for her emotions and her body, she accepts the advances of a dashing French diplomat.
 
Torn between the luxury and comfort of Émile and his chateau, and the romance of international intrigue with Michael, she must choose…but who?
 
 
Buy Links:
I Heart Publishing:  https://www.iheartbookpublishing.com/for-the-love-of-a-spy-the-scrivener-and-the-handyman.html
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KWW84WQ
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/909525
KOBO:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/for-the-love-of-a-spy-the-scrivener-and-the-handyman
B&N:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1129945788
Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/for-the-love-of-a/9780463300268-item.html

Anything else you would like to add?
I hope readers will contact me at any of the following links. All reviews and thoughts are welcome!
Contacts:
Blog: https://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msspencerromance
Twitter: www.twitter.com/msspencerauthor
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/msspencer
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/msspencerauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msspencerauthor/
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MSSpencerauthor
Linked in: www.linkedin.com/in/msspencerauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/m-s-spencer
 
My calendar of events can be found here:
Romance Books 4 Us: http://www.romancebooks4us.com/M.S._Spencer.html
 
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/M.S.-Spencer/e/B002ZOEUC8/
 
I Heart Author Page:
http://www.iheartbookpublishing.com/m-s-spencer.html
 

---