What a month! I can’t believe the dog days of summer are gone and fall has arrived in full force. Happy October to all of you! It’s that time of year for bonfires, pumpkin spice lattes, cherishing the change of colors and the cooler temps, Friday night football, and NFL Sundays! Needless to say, I really love this time of year. The above photo is actually from the park that is less than a mile from where I live. I look forward to taking my boys down there for walks and watching the leaves change color. It's so beautiful at this time of year! What do you love most about fall?
With Taming J out in the world, I was able to take a breath and revel in readers having Jackson and Jenn’s story in their hands. September was super hectic for me on the personal front, but I wouldn’t change it for a second, especially since my two favorite young men had some pretty awesome milestones. More on that later in this post!
If you haven’t grabbed your copy of Taming J yet, here’s a few reviews that will make you want to grab your copy today!
Here’s what my editor had to say about Taming J →
Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. WAY TO END THE BOOK! I AM LOSING MY MIND!!!!!!! Fantastic!!!! ~ Word Nerd Editing
Here’s what readers are saying so far about Taming J →
I loved these characters. They have a relationship between them that all of us have wished for at some point I feel like. You have a mystery. Some danger and suspense flying all over the place. But on top of all that the romance in this book is off the charts. ~ Stephanie's Book Reports
This is a well written story action packed, emotional roller coaster, with a secret society, family, friendships, danger, suspense, intrigue, second chances, deceit, secrets, witty banter, and love, which leads to an entertaining, tragic, twisted, unpredictable, and steamy addictive page turner. ~ Wendy's Book Blog
This is my first introduction to author M.M. Koenig and honestly I don't think I could've picked a better story. ~ magslouisethebookworm
HOLY HELL! There is so much going on in Taming J that my head is still spinning. Jackson & Jenn met in the past to really connect until he broke her heart, and no I won't tell you the how or why of it. It's been six years since they saw each other, and it became quickly apparent that fate was determined to get them face to face when Jenn came to New York for a big job interview. From that moment on, her life goes from zero to sixty in no time at all, but on the flip side of that chaos, she's finally being forced to confront her past head on and maybe just maybe things will work out this round. Of course in the high society/secret society world that Jackson & Jenn belong to, nothing is easy, and it seems like everyone is scheming so there are definitely outside forces determined to make sure these two never work it out. I'm telling you the twists were coming from all directions at light speed so there were many times that I didn't even get to be shocked for too long before next man up happened. The book is lengthy, and yet, I couldn't do another thing until ever last page was devoured, and that cliffhanger ending?! Oh yeah, I'm dying inside at this point so the next book cannot come quickly enough to heal me LOL! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND! ~ The Power of Three Readers
It has been far too long since I've read words by this author and what a book to throw myself back in. It has me wanting to re read the ones I have read and catch up on the ones I haven't. So that says more about this book than any long review can. I will admit that the start threw me a bit, but once fate intervened and the secrets started coming to light, you couldn't tear me from the book if you tried.
With the ending the way it was I have everything crossed the next book isn't far away, I was quickly reminded how this author works. ~ Soph
Well this was different. My first by M.M.KOENIG and I'm glad I found you haha.
Let me say before you start reading, hold on to your heart and get ready for the emotional roller coaster it takes you on. I feel a wreck. It's the longest book I've read, But it was sooo worth it. Love love love Jackson and Jenn. This isn't your ordinary second chance, there is a lot in play. Fantastic story plot, so much action, drama, suspense, secrets, deception, lies, tragic, twisted, family, friends, love and hot spice. The chemistry between Jenny and Jackson felt so real. Their characters were lovable and relatable. Compliments to the author. It ends on a cliff hanger and now I can't breathe, I need it now. ~ Maz9
Go grab your copy today! https://books2read.com/TamingJHS1
If you’re new to me, I strongly suggest picking up the Secrets and Lies series prior to reading Taming J. There’s enough of a recap in Taming J for you to have an idea of what happened in the past, but reading that series will make Taming J such a richer experience for you. If you want to get through the first two books quickly, you can grab Conflicted and Complicated on audio.
You can pick up a copy of Conflicted on audio here → https://adbl.co/3PA5rUF
You can grab a Complicated on audio here → https://amzn.to/3NlqY2K
You can grab the entire box set on ebook here → https://bit.ly/3ztfZNu
On the audio front, I’m toying with the decision to switch from ACX to going wide with audiobooks. All of my ebooks are already wide so it seems like the logical direction for me to go in with getting them out on audio. I’d also like to see what Findaway or Tantor might be able to do for my books. My experience with ACX has been less than pleasant thus far so I’m inclined to jump from them and see what narrators on other platforms have to offer. Stay tuned for more info on that front in the months to come!
As I mentioned in last month’s blog, I’m no longer doing the Graceland signing. This is disappointing for me to announce, but ultimately it’s what is best for me. Without going into great detail, I had a minor procedure done at the end of July that gave me some insight to a health issue I’ve been battling, but not everything was answered. My appointment in September went okay, but there’s still a lot left to figure out. I’m working with a specialist to figure out the best course of action going forward. I don’t like disappointing readers, but my health has to become more of a priority for me now that I’m getting older.
I made a conscious decision not to pick up any signings for 2024 and likely will not pick up any for 2025. My focus remains on writing and publishing Saving Us, which I hope to do in 2024. I don’t want to say I’ll never attend a signing again, but I’m strongly leaning in that direction. I could go into a long spiel as to why, but the simplest way to put it is that it’s for my own mental well-being. My anxiety runs way too high before, during, and after those events that it’s too much to take on with everything else I’m juggling between my personal and professional life.
I mentioned this last month and will continue to do so every month so no one says they weren’t warned before they finished Taming J. There’s a warning that specifically states it is not a standalone and it is being promoted as a romantic suspense book with a cliffhanger. Saving Us is going to be a whopper of a book for me because it’s going to tie everything together across all series. It will also be the last book I write and I want to go out on a bang. I’ll likely be pickier with this book than I’ve been with the last seven for that reason alone so it’s going to take some time to get it ready for the world.
For the foreseeable future, I will no longer be doing giveaways on my author page. All social media pages will remain for book promotion and motivational messages. I check them every day and do my best to like and comment on the messages I do get over there. I’ll continue to do that going forward. I intend to continue giveaways in my reader group, M. M. Koenig’s Rockin’ Divas, but they will drastically be cut in half. I love being generous with readers, but the past year has been eye-opening for me on the financial front and it’s time to start making changes where I can. That doesn't mean I won’t ever do giveaways. They’ll continue to happen, but they’re likely only going to be for signed swag, signed paperbacks and hardcovers, or ebook copies of just my books. If you’re looking for Amazon gift cards, ebooks of your choice, or Kindles, that won’t happen very often, if ever, anymore.
On a personal note, I’ve been so lucky to be able to experience many milestones with both godchildren. It’s crazy how quickly time flies. I remember holding both of them in the hospital after they were born. It’s hard to believe that they’re graduating from high school in May. If you don’t already, take a moment to hug your loved ones a little longer and cherish every smile and laugh they give you. My godsons mean the world to me and I’m bursting with pride that I have to share just a few things about them.
My oldest godson, Isaac, was nominated to the homecoming court and was crowned king! Words cannot express how happy I am for him and so incredibly grateful to the amazing young men who are his wolf pack. He’s got an incredible group of friends and an amazing class that loves him unconditionally. It’s been a privilege to watch them grow into the fine young adults they've become. I cannot tell you how incredibly proud of Isaac I am. When he was born, the odds were stacked against him. He’s done nothing but decimate every one of them. He doesn’t let anything hold him back. He’s a constant reminder to never let anyone or anything prevent you from chasing your dreams or being exactly who you are.
I also have to take a moment to gush about my other godson, Jakob. He turned eighteen in September. It’s hard to believe he’s legally an adult who can gamble and vote, especially when it feels like yesterday that he was a toddler throwing the pigskin around in the backyard with his little brother. He’s picked up right where he left off last season in leading the state in touchdowns, passing yards and remaining in the race for the number one spot in completions. He’s led his football team to a 4-1 start in his conference and I have no doubt he’ll do everything he can to take them back to the Bank (U.S. Bank Stadium for those of non-Minnesotans reading this post). He’s got an incredible arm and is a force to be reckoned with on and off the field. I wish him and his team nothing but luck as they chase another state title.
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for coming to my Ted Talk for September. I wish you nothing but good vibes for the month of October and this fall overall. Don't forget to grab your copy of Taming J!
MMK