When I started writing the Alliance of the Amazons series, one of the most important elements to me was the bond between the four Amazons. That connection had to be more than a friendship because the women needed to depend on each other just to survive.

So why was it so important? Probably because I thrive as both a person and writer because of the strength I receive from the people in my life. To paraphrase the Beatles, I get by with a little help from my friends.

My family has always been supportive, and I need them like I need air. And I’ve sung the praises of my critique partners and editors to the moon and back. What I’m talking about here is something I’ve learned to rely on—my social media friends.

Okay, so scold me. Social media friends aren’t real “friends.” Right?

Wrong! I might only know what these people look like from tiny portraits on their profile pages, but their support has meant the world to me. Each time I post a new review or talk about the progress I’m making on my latest work in progress, there are so many friends there to pat me on the back or dry a tear.

Most of my social media friends are students, former students, their parents, and authors I’ve had contact with through the years. Their support and encouragement have kept me going through many trials and tribulations. For example, we had a blizzard right after Christmas. My poor hubby got stuck in a drift and couldn’t even get his car in our driveway. I have degenerative disk disease in my back, so I wasn’t of much help. I put a cry for help up on Facebook, and some of my former students and current students came running to dig him out.

How wonderful is that?

I never thought Twitter would mean much to me. What kind of “bond” can a person create in 140 characters? A strong one. I find myself checking it far too often anytime I’m home or at lunch on my smart phone to see if there has been some great development in the world of publishing or whether someone I follow had a good review or made a sale or simply needed a kind word. I always offer my congratulations or my comfort and give a pat on the back for a job well done. I’ve made friends with people around the world, something that would have been impossible before social media.

I also count on the bloggers out there who get word out about books. How did people learn about book releases before the Internet? I think the ebook revolution can give a round of applause to the book bloggers of the world for all they’ve done to spread the news high and low through reviews, interviews, and contests.

My second Amazon released yesterday—The Impetuous Amazon. This is Megan’s story, but never forget that the core of my Alliance of the Amazons is the bond, the friendship these four women share.

Find me on Twitter and Facebook and GoodReads. I can always use more friends.

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 The Impetuous Amazon blurb:

Megan Feurer is strong and impetuous, like the Fire element she represents. She is an Amazon, sworn to protect humanity from demons, demigods and all manner of supernatural beings who wish ill upon the world. But her fire burns hot and fast, and her unpredictable control of the element brings into question her fitness as an Amazon.

Johann Herrmann chose the life of a Sentinel–a trainer of the four Amazons–to save his sister’s life. Now bound to the patron goddess Rhiannon, he knows his duty demands a solitary existence. But when he’s assigned to evaluate the Fire Amazon, his sacrifice becomes much more difficult.

Megan’s passions ignite a flame that neither she nor Johann can control, and the goddess Freya has reason to fan those flames. A mysterious force is gaining power, and Megan and Johann must join together to fight. And once a passionate fire has started, it’s nearly impossible to stop…

Find out how it all began in The Reluctant Amazon. And look for Gina’s story–The Brazen Amazon–when it debuts in May!  The series concludes in September when Sarita gets her story and the Amazons face their deadliest enemy in The Volatile Amazon!

The Impetuous Amazon on Amazon.com  B&N.com  CarinaPress

The Reluctant Amazon on Amazon.com  B&N.com  CarinaPress