I CHOOSE THE BEAR - A BEAR-SHIFTER ROMANCE

It's time to meet a new character! And a poll...this is for the lurkers!
almost 2 years ago – Thu, Sep 12, 2024 at 11:19:55 AM

• Meet Delia, Jonas's mom. She defines mama bear
• Shooting for $6k
• The Lurker Poll
• Why BackerKit and Crowdfunding

Shapeshifters live longer than humans, so don't be shocked to find out that Delia was in her fifties when she gave birth to Jonas.

She also ended up almost killing her ex-husband because when Jonas was very young, it became obvious he'd be the next Alpha and that triggered something ugly in his father, Magnus.

Jonas absolutely adores his mother and she loves him right back.


Shooting for $6k

If we hit $6k in funding, I'm getting Blue Raven Books to design the book jacket. Look at some of these designs!



I didn't think I knew what I wanted but I have an idea in mind now and I think it will be amazing. But we need to get over $6 to make it happen.


Why Backerkit and Crowdfunding?

I know a lot of people are curious as to why I've moved to crowdfunding after so many years of...not.

Well, the industry is changing. I haven't had much success trying to sell that last couple of ideas I've had to my traditional publishers. And frankly, indie publishing is hard. If you don't line up everything just right, it can be hard to make even more than a couple of hundred dollars on a book.

And...frankly, even when you do, it might not happen. I mean, can you imagine working for months and months on a project and your paycheck turning out to be no more than a couple of hundred dollars...and that's after you've invested money into it?  

Crowdfunding will allow an author to create interest in projects, generate funds and revenue on special editions of older books, like I did with Blade Song, and build up interest for new projects like I'm doing with I Choose the Bear.

This could be one of my biggest books to date--at least, I'm hoping so. And I'd love for you to join me on the journey.

For the lurkers

If you haven't backed the project, would you take a minute and answer my poll? I'm curious about why. Nobody will contact you! I just want to know if I can entice you... because I'm all about enticement!

Question 4: Her kind—or those like her—
almost 2 years ago – Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 02:51:46 PM

Just a reminder on how this works:

I want to give you a chance to guess at Ivy’s heritage. We’re going to play some trivia…but FYI, I’m tricky. Some answers will be tricky. Sometimes the answer won’t be there. Sometimes, multiple answers will be correct…but only one will apply to Ivy.

To make it fun, though, what I’m looking for is participation. Whether you get it right or not, backers of physical tiers who participate and answer 80% or more of the questions will receive a small bonus, handmade prize, something unique to Ivy’s heritage.

Add-on Updates, New Art and a Poll!
almost 2 years ago – Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 01:34:03 PM

• painted edges for trade paperbacks as an add-on
• See Jonas
• Poll on how to celebrate when I reach 150 backers
• the flash reward

Sprayed Edges on the Trade Paperback (The Beta Reward)
After a request, I did a trial on a trade paperback at home and I'll offer this as an add-on for those buying the trade paperback, too.

Please note: there will likely be a small amount of bleed-over onto the page.

It will not interfere will the reading experience, but it might appear as a thin black line.

If you want to add it on, just go to the 'manage your pledge' area and look for it in the add-ons!



I got the final art for Jonas!!!

I'm so thrilled with it!


Created by Kmochi of Artistsnclients, this will be one of the illustrations and this will be one of the three colorized inserts offered (stretch goal!)



Flash Reward Reminder!

If you're a current backer or for followers who back this week, you'll receive a free digital coloring book that you can print out and color.

I started coloring with my mother-in-law several months back. She's currently in hospice with dementia and it's one of the few things she's still able to do and I enjoy doing it with her. It's amazing how relaxing it is. I can only do it for short periods of time due to nerve issues I have with my hands, but it's a good way to zone out and let my brain just...rest.

I had a lot of fun laying this coloring book out in Canva and you get it for free!

Here's just one of the pages.

I love how I was able to make the stream merge with the design in the moon. Isn't it pretty???

And finally... a poll that isn't about IVY! If you have a suggestion beyond what is offered, drop it in the comments!

Time for QUESTION 3! Remember, all that's required to win is PARTICIPATION!
almost 2 years ago – Tue, Sep 10, 2024 at 02:41:57 PM

About the trivia contest:
 I want to give you a chance to guess at Ivy’s heritage. We’re going to play some trivia…but FYI, I’m tricky. Some answers will be tricky. Sometimes the answer won’t be there. Sometimes, multiple answers will be correct…but only one will apply to Ivy.

To make it fun, though, what I’m looking for is participation. Whether you get it right or not, backers of physical tiers who participate and answer 80% or more of the questions will receive a small bonus, handmade prize, something unique to Ivy’s heritage. 

Choose your team
Question 1
Question 2

And...the question(ish) is:

Fun Flash Giveaway...for ALL Backers!
almost 2 years ago – Tue, Sep 10, 2024 at 12:23:49 PM

• info on the coloring book
• update on the campaign's progress
• update on the trivia campaign
• various campaigns to check out
• backer-only excerpt

Laid out and designed by yours truly using artwork in Canva, this coloring book features Jonas...aka THE BEAR and Ivy...in her true form. There's also an adorable image of the two of them kissing (safe for work) at the end.

Here's a sneak peek at one of the pages.


The coloring pages are a mix of hand-drawn illustrations and vectors designed by graphic artists, with no AI, as far as I can tell, each selected from Canva, laid out by me.

I love how it turned out and I hope you will, too!

It will be delivered digitally, likely via Google Drive, once the campaign ends and funds are collected. All you have to do to get yours is back the campaign this week!



Where we stand so far:

We're so close to hitting $5500 and $6000 is in reach. I've teamed up with Blue Raven Book Covers if we hit that $6000 mark and she is amazing.



As a treat to my backers, I've got a snippet posted below. It offers a bit of insight into what is emerging as Ivy's story progresses. But it might not help much with the trivia. It might. But...it might not. Remember, I told you I was tricky.



If you haven't started participating in the trivia challenge, don't forget! Links below and look for the next question either today or tomorrow!

About the trivia contest:

 I want to give you a chance to guess at Ivy’s heritage. We’re going to play some trivia…but FYI, I’m tricky. Some answers will be tricky. Sometimes the answer won’t be there. Sometimes, multiple answers will be correct…but only one will apply to Ivy.

To make it fun, though, what I’m looking for is participation. Whether you get it right or not, backers of physical tiers who participate and answer 80% or more of the questions will receive a small bonus, handmade prize, something unique to Ivy’s heritage. 

Choose your team
Question 1
Question 2



Cool Campaigns to Check Out:


Y'all, I have been reading Mercedes Lackey since I was in middle school-Tarma and Kethry were where I started learning world-building, so if you've enjoyed my paranormal books, my romantic fantasies or my UF books, you can thank Mercedes Lackey in part because she is where I first learned to really love fantasy.

This epic anthology is going to be amazing.



The cover of this one is gorgeous and I love the description of the story. It's also available to back as an ebook!


Assassins? SIGN ME UP!

And for those with kids...!!! Check out these two adorable campaigns.

So cute!

And this one....about a Black family of beekeepers!