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Six by R.E. Carr Brings Readers Full Force into the World Four Created

Six by R.E. Carr Brings Readers Full Force into the World Four Created. Get yourself a copy of this and the sequel, Six, and find out why R.E. Carr has been published three times by Kindle Press!

Praise for Six

  A Message from R.E. Carr

  About Six

  Interview with Jenn by R.E. Carr

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Who is Georgia Sutherland?

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Using Bublish to Help Promote Your Book Across Social Media With Book Bubbles

Bublish is a platform that can help authors to promote their own works, and it can be hugely beneficial for authors who are with a smaller publishing form or going it alone.

Self-Promotion isn't Easy

The grueling part of writing novels is the need to promote your own work. This is especially true of authors published by small presses or those who go the self-publishing route. The Kindle Scout winning authors behind this site have also learned that despite the awesome marketing machine of Amazon, they still need to engage in frequent self-promotion. There is no sitting back and relaxing once the novel is published by Kindle Press.

For good or for ill, promotion involves an extensive amount of activity on social media sites, and for many authors this is a real chore (Full disclosure: that’s me).

I have found one social media format enjoyable: Bublish. Please note that this blog is not an advertisement for the platform, nor am I receiving any reimbursement for writing about it. I have fun with Bublish and I find promoting my work a pleasant experience using the platform.

What is Bublish?

Basically, Bublish is a social platform that allows authors to display excerpts from their work in an eye-catching format called Book Bubbles. Authors can choose as many excerpts as they want and to display them on whatever timeline they prefer. What makes Bublish rather interesting is the ability of authors to also write insights about the passages. That is, authors can include “behind the scenes” information that highlights their perspective, logic, or state of mind related to that passage. Have you ever wanted to know how an author got an idea for a particular scene or why they wrote a passage the way they did? Well, here is an opportunity to find out.

Right now, I have my three horror novels, The Disembodied (3 excerpts and insights), Dead Works (5 excerpts and insights) and Birth Offering (5 excerpts and insights), loaded on Bublish.

Bublish has a free plan for emerging authors with a few less options than you might find on the paid plan (which runs $99 a year or $9.99 a month). You won't need a credit card to sign up for it, which is a plus.

Some Examples of How I use Bublish

Using Bublish, I described how the idea for the plot of The Disembodied (my Kindle Scout selected novel) came about while teaching a psychotherapy class to my doctoral students—and tie this light-bulb experience to the excerpt that initially popped into my head while standing in front of a room of 15 students.

I was able to address why I used child sexual abuse as an underlying theme of my ghost story, Dead Works. I found writing about this topic, even in the vague sense that it appears in Dead Works, rather difficult, but I was able to explain the process very succinctly in a book bubble and relate it to an excerpt. I was also able to explain what a Practicum class looks like to readers who are not familiar with the training of graduate psychology students. 

For my first novel, Birth Offering, I was able to describe how I got the idea for the novel while on vacation (nearly 20 years ago!), and tie it to the very passage that was my first mental glimpse of the book.

While writing this blog, I realized that I should be prepping one or two more book bubbles for The Disembodied. I don’t know why I think five passages per novel represents a nice round number – but at the moment, that’s where I’m stuck.

Should You Bother?

The main question everyone is asking, though, is: Does it "work" in terms of sales, downloads, new readers?

Who knows? My guess is probably not a huge degree, although there is some activity in ranking changes when I tweet a book bubble – and the folks from Bublish are always retweeting and liking your book bubble posts.

I’ve got to admit though, that I don’t think any form of social media “works”. I don’t know if anyone has found a reliable system for selling books, unless you’re Stephen King and John Grisham. And, their sales come from name recognition, not social media. So, I try the standard stuff. What makes Bublish stand out for me is the ability to explain a segment. Maybe this fits naturally because of my “other career” of professor and psychologist. I like to explore things, to share ideas, to talk about the background or history or stimulus of an event.

In addition, I should mention that I use the paid (instead of free) service, so I am likely losing money. But, it allows me to do a certain type of social media marketing that I think is interesting and enjoyable. I can spot certain trends or where clicks come from, so that is something.

Clearly Bublish isn’t for everyone. And I never know when circumstances will change which could alter my perception of the service. In the meantime, I’ll continue to use it. 

My Kindle Press Book

Check out The Disembodied and my interview with Griffin Rinaldi!

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An Interview with Jacqueline Ward, Author of Random Acts of Unkindness

Jacqueline Ward is the author of the DS Jan Pearce crime fiction series including Random Acts of Unkindness, Playlist for a Paper Angel, and What I Left Behind.

Check out her interview below with the amazing Jasmine Silvera! To check out Random Acts of Unkindness and buy your copy, click here!

Interview

[Jas]: What kinds of research did you do for your the Jan Pearce series?

[Jacqueline]: The Jan Pearce series is set in Saddleworth in the North West of the UK and references the infamous Moors Murders. I had to research not only the facts, but the effects this had on local people as one of my character’s timeline was at the time this happened. I also had to research moorland animals and soil types for a scene in Random Acts of Unkindness, and for Playlist for a Paper Angel I had to interview and lap dancers to get an in depth view of their work – anything less would have been an insult to them. 

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[Jas]: Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction?

[Jacqueline] I read a novel called The End of Mr Y by Scarlett Thomas that made me realise that stories were not straightforward. She later brought out a writing book called Monkeys with Typewriters that is my go-to book when starting a novel. I learned a lot about subtext from Margaret Atwood’s novels. The best tip I have ever had from a writing book is from John Yorke’s Into the Woods – be the avatar.

[Jas]: You write both novels and screenplays - what do you find satisfying about each? What about each is the most challenging?

[Jacqueline] Novel writing is very different from screenplay writing. My first love is novel writing because I love the story arc and the depth of character and location that is possible, as well as choice of psychic distance. Screenplay writing in satisfying because it is immediately three dimensional and minimalistic – so much can be achieved with so few words.

[Jas]: What’s your favorite movie and why?

[Jacqueline] My favourite movie is the “Wizard of Oz.” I love this movie because of the lasting imagery and the different things it has meant to different people over the years. The longevity of it has been proven in Wicked, which is my favourite musical. I also like “It’s a Wonderful Life” which I watch every single Christmas and it never gets old for me. My favourite movie genre is the old Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire dance movies – I could watch them all day! Modern day movies –“The Matrix,” Bridget Jones films and “The Notebook.”

[Jas]: What is your next project?

[Jacqueline] My next project is very exciting. I now have a two-book deal with Atlantic Books and I am working on the first of those books, Perfect Ten. I am working on edits and I am very excited about publication early next year. Perfect Ten is a departure for me. I usually write police procedural, but Perfect Ten is a psychological thriller/women’s fiction crossover. I really enjoyed writing it and my next book with also be a psychological thriller –I will be returning to DS Jan Pearce in the future.

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[Jas]: Why are you drawn to crime fiction?

[Jacqueline] I initially tried to write chick-lit, but always ended up with a murder! It took me three novels to realise that I was a crime writer. I have a doctorate in psychology and I am very interested in what makes a psychopath, and this is often in the background of my crime novels.

[Jas]: What do you do to relax? Relieve stress?

[Jacqueline] I am a complete workaholic. The only thing that truly relives stress for me is spending time with my family and running. I have three grown up children and four grandchildren, and I try to see them as often as I can. I also have a dog called Naz and he is a great distraction.

Random Acts of Unkindness

Check out Random Acts of Unkindness by Jacqueline Ward Today! Get your copy on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. 

It was published through Kindle Press after being selected through the Kindle Scout program!

Or, check out her character interview and find out more about this Kindle Press book by clicking the book cover below!

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Four by R.E. Carr Introduces Readers to a Brilliant New World

Four by R.E. Carr Introduces Readers to a Brilliant New World. Get yourself a copy of this and the sequel, Six, and find out why R.E. Carr has been published three times by Kindle Press!

Praise for Four

"The writing throughout was clever, witty, and the dialogue sparkled (even though the vampires didn't)." -IndieHeart "The science and history of the vampires was creative and fascinating, and the ending was totally unpredictable. I loved it!" - T. J. Zalecki, author of Rising Tide (SIRENS, Book 1) "Rich in texture and characterization, Four was a different kind of read for me. My best description of the story? Sookie Stackhouse meets Stephanie Plum." -Maggie Toussaint aka Rigel Carson for Muddy Rose Reviews "Four goes beyond quirky characters, romantic escapades and witty dialogue, to establish a fascinating take on the nature of what a vampire actually is, their long history, and their various views on humanity." - Rick Gualtieri, Author of the Bill the Vampire Series "R. E. Carr takes us through an interesting tale of urban horror and moral ambiguity that may leave you questioning what you yourself would do in that situation." -Tyler J. Dean

A Message from R.E. Carr

Four started out as a dare.  I had all but given up on writing and decided that it was time to give up and move on to be an adult with a real job.  My mom passed away and I was in a dark place, so my friends all dared me to give it one last hurrah.  They gave me a list of ridiculous restrictions - everything from 'cilantro as a plot point' to 'naming a vampire Steve'.  Oh yeah, and it had to be a vampire romance because that was the one thing I swore I would never write.  I accepted the challenge as a way to work through my grief and prepared myself for giving up once and for all.  You can imagine my shock when Kindle Press actually picked me . . .

About Four

Finding a job is never easy, and the only employment Gail usually finds is acting as Girl Friday for the mob. Lucky for Gail, Georgia Sutherland has just the job for her—that is, if she can handle working nights, managing a little blood, and a boss who's been dead for centuries.

In a single interview, Gail's world turns upside down as she discovers that all she’s seen in Hollywood isn’t quite true; vampires don't combust in sunlight, but they do fall in love.

Are Georgia's stories enough to persuade Gail to take the gig catering to an antediluvian vampire who's thirsty for a new personal assistant? If Gail wants to live out the year and retire rich, she just needs to remember the Four Rules that govern undead society.

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Interview with A Vampire's Assistant by R.E. Carr

“Come on, you promised!” Mr. Lambley said, pouting as he held his little tape recorder. A shivering young woman sat on the bench next to him, nursing a steaming cup of coffee.  They lounged under a streetlamp in Brookline, watching people duck into the many restaurants and shops that marked this section of town.  Their particular strip of greenway was mostly empty, save a few overachievers trying to sneak in a run, or the occasional scavenger looking for precious aluminum in the multitude of trash cans.

“I did, didn’t I?” Georgia, his companion sighed. “You know, I really shouldn’t have let you and Steve watch that marathon of vampire movies.  How do I know that tomorrow you won’t start randomly talking in a Hungarian accent or shrieking in horror from crosses and holy water?”

Mr. Lambley narrowed his unnaturally bright green eyes. “Now that would just be silly,” he said, his lip slightly quivering. “You know that I would never imitate that filthy homewrecker or bring the church into this.”

“Yes, that would be totally silly.  Shouldn’t I be interviewing you though, Mr. Lambley?  It was called Interview with the Vampire, after all.”

The vampire rolled his eyes and let out an exaggerated sigh. “We are trying to be different and edgy here.  This time the vampire is doing the interview.”

“All right, tell me what you want to know.”

Mr. Lambley burst into a huge grin, showing off his fangless smile. He bounced on the bench, fumbling with the buttons on the old-school recorder.  Georgia grabbed his pudgy little fingers and steadied them so he could finally press record.

“Tell me, Miss Sutherland, how did you first come to realize that you were human?” he asked, adopting his best imitation of a terrible American accent.  Georgia raised a brow.

“I was born this way,” she replied flatly.  Mr. Lambley gave her the biggest, saddest puppy eyes she’d ever seen.  She cleared her throat. “Um, I came into being in the year of our lord nineteen-eighty-six.  I do not remember much of that time as baby humans don’t have the greatest of memories.  I do, however, remember being adopted by the nicest of couples.  My adoptive dads treated me like their little princess.”

“Dads?”

“Yes, dads, two of them.  It was Massachusetts in the Nineties, truly a different, scarier time - when phones were always plugged into walls and music still had guitars in it.”

“Fascinating.  Now, you grew up with these men?  Did they teach you the ways and laws of being human?”

“I had both perfect attendance and conduct at school, so I think they did all right.  I almost got the perfect attendance award for K through twelve, but I broke my ankle as a freshman.  That would have been my proudest achievement, I think.  I was never the best at academics, or sports, nor did I have any creative talents to speak of.  . . . Wow, that sounds kinda sad when I say it out loud.  Anyway, I did learn how to make brownies that kicked ass . . . err that made grown men weep with their beauty.  I later expanded upon this by forming a partnership with a certain amateur farmer to make brownies that commanded a higher than average price, if you know what I mean.”

“No, actually I do not, Miss Sutherland.  Would you care to enlighten me?”

“Nope, I’m good,” she replied blithely. “Anyway, my life really didn’t get interesting until after I failed at college and walked out with a useless hospitality degree.  I even failed working at a donut shop, if you can believe it.”

“I believe it,” the vampire muttered into his recorder. “Truly from this font of sadness, a great story shall emerge.”

Georgia raised a brow. “Thanks, boss.”

“Oh, but I know the details of how you came to be an assistant to a mighty vampire—”

“Mighty, huh?”

“But what makes a vampire’s assistant tick?  What do you dream of?  Who do you aspire to be?  What - and who - do you love?”

“I am so sniffing that bottle of blood when we get back to the house.  I think it might be spiked.”  Georgia’s face softened as she was assaulted with a fresh round of puppy eyes.  She let out a deep breath. “Fine, I will let you in on a little secret, Mr. Lambley.”

The vampire wiggled his fingers eagerly and leaned towards her.  Georgia tilted her head back and studied the last traces of browned leaves on the tree above.  She watched one flutter all the way to the ground before she continued.

“The truth is, I don’t dream . . . of anything.  You work hard, you get burnt out - but if you do nothing, you get nowhere.  There is no winning and no losing, and dreams are just torture in a way.  I prefer to just take in what’s around me and go with the flow.  Hell, it’s worked so far.  I don’t aspire to be anything, Mr. Lambley.  I just make the best of whatever situation the chaos of the universe throws at me - and as for love, well that is still none of your business.”

“It’s Stefano, isn’t it?” Mr. Lambley said, barely containing a tiny squeal. “You’re being all dramatic because you’ve been spending time with the young Jaeger.  Soon he’s going to be all brooding and watching you while you sleep.  I know it!”

Georgia buried her face in her palms. “You watched more movies while I was vacuuming and cleaning the upstairs, didn’t you Mr. Lambley?  Is that why you asked me to order edible glitter and a hoodie for you?  Fess up.”

Mr. Lambley quickly looked at his notes. “I would . . . never. Don’t you want to tell me more of your story?  I would love to know how it ends.”

“Mr. Lambley, my story is simple.  I work for you and I’m content with what I have.  It’s not grandiose nor full of prophecies and destinies, but it’s all mine.  Now, what do you think about taking this interview over to the Island Shack - where I’ve heard rumor that there is a blood sausage special tonight?”

“Indeed!” Mr. Lambley exclaimed.  He popped his tape recorder back in the pocket of his trench coat and took his assistant’s hand.  As they walked towards the bright lights of the sidewalk, he leaned his head on her shoulder and said, “For what it’s worth, Miss Sutherland, I think you have a lovely story to tell.”

“Really Mr. Lambley?”

“Why yes, I think someday I shall write an essay on it.  I think my kind will find it rather fascinating. ‘An Interview with a Vampire’s Assistant’.  Yes, that will do quite nicely.”

“Mr. Lambley, if there is one thing I know, is that no one in their right mind would ever want to read my story.  Now come on, there is a mango smoothie in there with my name written all over it.”

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Who is Georgia Sutherland?

Georgia Sutherland is the heart of Four and the Rules Undying series as a whole.  She is a no-nonsense pragmatist thrust into a world of neurotic creatures of the night, and she ends up caring for the down on his luck Mr. Geoffrey Lambley, a vampire from the noblest and most powerful house of vampires, who hasn't really made much of his life. 

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Review, Guide, and Resources for Amazon's Kindle Scout Program in 2017

The Kindle Scout program has been running for several years now, and it has picked hundreds of books. However, it has also declined thousands more, which means that if you are submitting to the program you are considerable more likely to get turned away than to win a contract.

General Breakdown

This post contains a lot of information, so with luck this will make it easier to find exactly what you are looking for!

What is Kindle Scout?

What is the contract?

What books have been selected?

How do you run a campaign?

What are the benefits?

Do you recommend any resources?

Kindle Scout Guide

What is Kindle Scout?

Kindle Scout is a program that amazon offers for selecting never before published books to get a contract through an Amazon imprint. It is open to first time authors as well as people who are already published and looking to get an edge. It isn't really indie publishing, but it also isn't exactly a full on publisher. It is more of a hybrid publication process.

What Books Have Been Selected?

So far, there have been over two-hundred books selected for the program, and they run the gamut of different genres and styles. There are a large diversity in voices, which is one of the primary strengths of the program.

Here is the list of books on Amazon.

Here is the list of books on Kindle Scout.

As you can see, there are a lot of different books to choose from, so everyone will find something to love!

How do you Run A Campaign?

There are a lot of steps in running a campaign, but in general:

It's free.

You should make sure your book is 100% ready.

You don't need to promote, but you can.

What are the Benefits?

If you win, you get:

A $1,500 advance

Easy Rights Reversion

You maintain print rights

Amazon Promotion

The biggest benefit is definitely the Amazon promotion, but it isn't a one-size-fits-all model for everyone. Some people have received tons of targeted promotion, and others have been entirely neglected. Several authors have also begun leaving the program after reverting their rights, which goes to show that winning a contract is not a guarantee of success.

However, when your book is targeted for promotion, it can be huge. Some books have made thousands of dollars a year, month, week, day, or even hour. Many books have even managed to pay back the $1,500 advance within a the first month of being live.

So, first step is to write a book, second step is to win a contract, and the third step is to be one of the lucky books that get picked for the big promotions. A lot of things have to fall into line to get that to work.

When it does work, though, it can be huge.

Do you recommend any services?

We don't personally offer any services for Kindle Scout to help you run a campaign, but we can offer a lot of advice from personal past experience.

I, myself, have run multiple campaigns and tried a lot of different services. I've actually made it my mission to try as many different services as possible so that I can write about them and review them.

Here is my list of promotional resources for Kindle Scout that I've tried

I detail out my personal experiences and offer coupon codes where applicable. With any luck, you'll be able to find a large number of free or paid options that fit the campaign you are trying to run!

There are also a large number of other blogs from Kindle Press authors that detail out their experiences of winning (or losing) contracts and their advice and experience.

Check them out!

Lincoln Cole's Author Resources

Kindle Scout Guide

What is Kindle Scout? Books that are selected by Kindle Scout receive some pretty huge benefits, including:

Free Copy Editing

Quarterly Marketing

Advance Distribution and Reviews

Targeted Email and List Advertising

Increased Credibility

That is why there are hundreds of authors entering the program every month and trying their hand at earning a contract to become a Kindle Press Author. Don't just be another newbie submitting their book and hoping for the best: get an edge over the competition and give your book a real chance to shine and become one of the 3% of books to get selected.

The information contained in this guide will help you launch and run a campaign based on the compiled advice of dozens of selected authors, as well as analysis of paid and free options to increase your campaign's visibility. You'll learn things like:

How to design your campaign

How to get on the Hot & Trending List

How to increase your page views

What to expect if you are picked

...and so much more! It isn't about selling your products, but rather about laying down a roadmap that will help you design and run the best possible campaign for you.

I was selected by Kindle Scout in 2016, and this guide can help you be next!

Who doesn't like gaining an edge over the competition?

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An Interview with S.G. Basu, Author of The Eternity Prophesy

S.G. Basu found inspiration for her Kindle Scout Selection, The Eternity Prophesy  by extrapolating the future from the “many moments of everyday life and news headlines.” She is also the author of The Lightbound Saga series, Elementals, Population Morpheus, and Jumpers.

Here is her interview with the incredible Jasmine Silvera!

Jasmine: What was the original inspiring moment for this book (if there was one!)?

[S.G.] The Eternity Prophecy is a social science fiction story, focused on a speculative extrapolation of human society. There are few spaceships or laser gun battles here. Since it revolves more around society, it goes without saying that the primary inspiration is the world around us. There isn’t any one inspiring moment, but many moments taken from everyday life and news headlines.  The story depicts tender facets of humanity—love, loyalty and sacrifice. Greed, violence, abuse, and many other human vice also find their way into the story. But at the core, this story is about an age-old truth—absolute power can corrupt anyone. 

Jasmine: What’s the most rewarding aspect of writing?

[S.G] It’s seeing the characters I imagine come to life in my story. Often a story and its characters sit in my head for months before I put them down in an outline. If they are promising enough, they get a prominent place in my story. After that, sometimes they follow the life I had planned for them and sometimes they chart their own path. Whatever path they choose, it is rewarding all the same to see them live, grow, and flourish. And sometimes, a reader falls in love with a character and identifies with them or feels for them enough to send me a note—that’s the best reward for me as a writer.

Jasmine: How do you choose the names of your characters?

[S.G.] My characters mostly have names of human origin, sometimes with a slight twist. In The Eternity Prophecy, all the names distinctly human, but of different cultural heritages. Noell, Bryanna, Mako, Steffen—you can find them all here on Earth. There are two rules I try to enforce on my name selections—

Avoid names that end with “s” because such names make awkward possessives. Sometimes though, I love a name too much and overlook the rule.

Vary the names alphabetically. For instance, if I have a Bryanna in the story, I won’t have any other character names that start with a “B.”

Jasmine: What are three books that you recommend to others?

[S.G.] I love the science fiction genre a little much above any other, so I’m going to recommend a couple of sci-fi books first.

“Nightfall” by Isaac Asimov (short story) - is, in my opinion, one of best science fiction stories ever written. It was originally written as a short story but rewritten on a novel form later. My recommendation is the short story. Be prepared to be amazed.

Dune by Frank Herbert - is another book that stays on my all-time-favorite list. That the book is still so contemporary even though it was published in the 60’s goes to speak for its awesomeness. 

East of Eden by John Steinbeck - A tour-de-force, a family drama, a roller coaster of human emotions and relations, East of Eden is not just a read but an experience.

Jasmine: How does your professional life inspire the content or process of your writing?

[S.G.] Being an engineer for decades has shaped my thinking and personality to a large extent. I’m overly analytic, so the logical flows in my stories get the most attention. That is both a good thing and a bad thing. While there are few loose ends in my stories (other than those left in on purpose), I also obsess about missing any loose ends, which makes me a terrible self-editor. This was worse when I first started writing, but happily, things are getting better. Also, I enjoy going into technical details of scientific instruments and/or processes, sometimes more than is needed. But many readers have liked my focus on the technicalities, so I’m happy to give them what they want.

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Jasmine: Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

[S.G.] I do read book reviews. I like to read them to understand what works in a story and what doesn’t. If I see the same feedback over and over again, I note it down as something that works or is an issue, depending on the feedback. While I don’t go into the book and change the story in response to the reviews, it’s something I keep in mind when working on subsequent books.

Jasmine: What’s your favorite movie and why?

[S.G.] One of my all time favorites is Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. Why do I like it? Because it’s a timeless tale with emotions—sacrifice and self-discovery, fighting for honor, rooting for the underdog—that are quintessentially close to our hearts. It’s a story that touches everyone and will keep on resonating with generations in the future. No wonder it has been retold a hundred times over (The Magnificent Seven being the most well-know of such efforts) and still it never grows old.

The Eternity Prophecy

Check out The Eternity Prophecy and find out why S.G. Basu was selected by Kindle Scout! Get her book on Amazon or click on the book cover below to read her character interview and find out more about this incredible book!

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October, 2017 Promotions and Sales

99 cent sale books!

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Author of the Month: S.G. Basu

Check out the interview with S.G. Basu by Jasmine Silvera and discover why she is this month's Author of the Month! If you haven't gotten her kindle press novel yet, then what on Earth are you waiting for?

Get The Eternity Prophecy today!

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Cowboys Come Home by Monte Dutton is a Brilliant and Gripping Western

Cowboys Come Home by Monte Dutton is a Brilliant and Gripping Western. Find out why it was selected by Kindle Scout by picking up your copy today!

Praise for Cowboys Come Home

"I've read a few Monte Dutton novels, and this one stands at the top of the heap. The post-WWII Western is an interesting angle, and there are enough twists and turns to keep you moving right through this read. The story, characters and action could turn Cowboys Come Home into a heck of a screenplay. Dutton keeps the story lean enough to where it moves along, but his narrative and dialogue paint a vivid picture of what returning home from a gruesome war would be like. Highly recommended."

A Message from Monte Dutton

How did I come to write a western?

Someone passed along a contact to a publisher interested in westerns. I expressed no interest because a novel is much too difficult if one is not in love with the story.

Then I took a long trip, and the story occurred to me as I was making my way toward Texas. I came back and put a query together. It wasn't what the publisher had in mind. It probably didn't have enough sagebrush and tumbleweeds.

I really love the Larry McMurtry novels Leaving Cheyenne and The Last Picture Show. The fencing in of a man's frontiers is a favorite metaphor of mine. I came up with this story of two young men, heroes in the Pacific during World War II, returning to Texas wanting nothing but peace. Texas has changed in their absence, much like the rest of the world, and there can be no peace for them when they return to their home on the range.

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About Cowboys Come Home

Ennis Middlebrooks and Harry Byerly are warriors, and the time for fighting is past. They’re cowboys, and when they get back home to Texas, the time for cowboys is passing, too. Monte Dutton’s fifth novel, Cowboys Come Home, begins on the island of Peleliu, where the two privates somehow manage to save themselves when cut off from their fellow Marines by the Japanese. Ennis and Harry come home to a hero’s welcome, but life gets complicated after that.

The Middlebrooks ranch, east of Janus, near the Oklahoma border, is rundown, and Ennis’s father is dying. Harry moves in, Mama Middlebrooks moves out, and Ennis takes a job as a deputy sheriff under a wise but aging lawman, Judson Lawson. His little sister, Becky, is wild beyond her years and takes an immediate shine to Harry, who is haunted by the war and prone to violence.

The closing of an Army base, Camp Ammons, is causing the town to die. The county loses nearly forty thousand infantry trainees and gains nearly sixty thousand acres. The ranchers it displaced are either long gone or too poor to purchase their land back. Men with political clout and money move in like vultures. Money buys influence and, with it, elections. Ennis

Middlebrooks goes from sheriff in waiting to disgraced lawman.

He and his old Marine pal, Harry Byerly, decide to do something about it.

An Interview with Harry Byerly by Monte Dutton

[Monte] What is your greatest fear?

"Not having a place to stay. That was right common when I was a young'un.'

[Monte] What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

"That war hardened me. A part of me can't leave it behind."

[Monte] Which living person do you most admire?

"Ennis and me served under General MacArthur, and what I like about the General is that he never got us slaughtered. He's a smart tactician, and he cared about the lives of his men. He's a tad uppity, but I reckon he ought to be."

[Monte] What is your greatest extravagance?

"I just like to cut loose every now and then. I like to drink, and chase women, and have to figure out where I am when I wake up in the morning. Not every night, mind you. I can't uphold the straight and narrow but so long."

[Monte] What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

"Stupid courage. Some folks glorify just marching straight into a bloodbath. It's a waste of good people."

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Who is Harry Byerly?

Harry Byerly, war hero, an orphan who went off to war with no one to come home to. That's why he moved in with his buddy, Ennis Middlebrooks, when they got back to Texas.

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Life Gets Complicated by Monte Dutton is a Novel about Social Issues and Overcoming

Life Gets Complicated by Monte Dutton is a Novel about Social Issues and Overcoming. Pick up your copy today and read this great novel about facing life with your head held high.

Praise for Life Gets Complicated

"I found the second installment to start a little slower than the first. It began with the start of the off-season for professional racers, but the author used that part of the book to flesh out the secondary characters a bit and set up some of the storyline for later. Once the off-season portion of the story ended and the characters got out of their cabin in the woods, the behind-the-scenes activity had the same level of excitement and range of emotions that made the first installment a winner. A slow start can doom a book, but the rest of the story made up for it. Recommended."

A Message from Monte Dutton

Life Gets Complicated is my seventh novel and a sequel to my sixth, Lightning in a Bottle. I love all my characters. Barrie Jarman is the first I wanted to keep going.

My fiction so far has been all over the place. I've written about a pot-smoking songwriter who inadvertently becomes a hero (The Audacity of Dope), a high school football team in the South of the sixties (The Intangibles), a football coach who finds Jesus after he loses almost everything (Crazy of Natural Causes), a murderous politician and a good cop (Forgive Us Our Trespasses), two Marines home from the Pacific at the end of World War II (Cowboys Come Home), and a brash, unruly stock car racer who is a kid of the present with a link to the past.

That's Barrie.

They're all populated with flawed heroes and ruthless bad guys. Most succumb to profanity and bad habits.

The first five novels were complicated. The Barrie Jarman adventures are fun.

The first five were written in third person. The Jarman adventures are written through the eyes of Barrie's Uncle Charlie. For some reason, this change made it easier for me to be funny. All seven are amusing. The Jarman adventures are funny.

Barrie's adventures are far from over.

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About Life Gets Complicated

At the age of nineteen, Barrie Jarman has grown up in a hurry. He is poised on the edge of stock car racing stardom. He’s making ten times as much money as a year ago. He has a top-flight ride with a top-flight team in the top flight of the sport. He is exactly where he wants to be.

Life Gets Complicated. It’s veteran motorsports writer Monte Dutton’s sequel to Lightning in a Bottle, the acclaimed novel about the kid with the character of his generation but the spirit of stock car racing’s rowdy past.

At the end of Barrie’s frantic first year, he parties with his girlfriend, Angela Hughston; his best friend, her brother Errol; his new pilot, Rafe Trujillo; his teammate, veteran Jay Higbe; his estranged father, Big Jim; and a boozing old relic from the sport’s past. He befriends a pro football player at a Las Vegas awards ceremony. Life is good, and Barrie is often stoned. Uncle Charlie, his friend, companion, confidante and source of perspective, quietly tries to keep Barrie headed in the right direction.

Barrie confronts the distinct possibility that he is a corruptive influence on those around him. He has little doubt about his own capacity to straighten up. He’s worried about Errol, though, who’s getting more bad influence on the side. Errol doesn’t know that Barrie is in a position to help him. Barrie doesn’t know if Errol is ready for a chance to join the Jerry McCarley Enterprises driver lineup.

When Barrie gets down to business, when he puts on his firesuit and climbs into Number 59, all seems well again. He puts his new Ford Fusion on the front row for the sport’s biggest race.

After his new sponsor throws a party to celebrate, a pair of thugs beat Barrie senseless in a remote parking lot.

Barrie has more riding on the upcoming races than those outside his circle of friends know. He has to race. He can’t call the cops. He can’t let FASCAR, the ruling body, know how badly he’s injured. He drops out of sight. While he receives treatment in a condo on the beach, a fake excuse for his absence is circulated. Other excuses show up in a gossip sheet that has targeted him for some reason.

Obviously, Barrie has enemies.

Pain steels his resolve. Like the icons he grew up idolizing, Barrie does what it takes.

An Interview with Barrie Jarman by Monte Dutton

[Monte] What is your greatest fear?

"Not being famous until I'm already dead."

[Monte] What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

"I'm too damned sure of myself. I got my own ideas of right and wrong, and things would be a lot easier, I reckon, if I'd back off a little every now and then."

[Monte] On what occasion do you lie?

"When I've done something that's against somebody's law, and there ain't no other practical choice."

[Monte] What is the quality you most like in a man?

"It's honesty, and I reckon my model is Uncle Charlie. He listens to me. He answers my questions. He doesn't pass judgment. And he's got a terrific sense of humor."

[Monte] What is the quality you most like in a woman?

"A woman's got to be versatile to get along with me. Angela is smart. She's sexy. She's a good person. She's not perfect. She's mischievous. I don't care that she's black, and she doesn't care that I'm white."

[Monte] Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

"Oh, Southern sayings. 'I reckon.' 'A heap of trouble.' 'I'm satisfied he will.' Sometimes folks don't understand what I mean. Sometimes it's a good thing."

[Monte] When and where were you happiest?

"When I was broke, and playing ball, and racing at dirt tracks on Saturday nights. The money's great, but it sure does complicate life."

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Who is Barrie Jarman?

Barrie Jarman is the teen-aged protagonist of Lightning in a Bottle and Life Gets Complicated.

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ACX Review: Is It Worth Releasing an Audiobook in 2017-2018 Through This Amazon Platform?

ACX is a constantly evolving platform, and along with Audible they are a couple of companies that haven't really managed to find their niche in the Amazon universe. The problem is that even though the demand for audiobooks is intensifying, it is still a very small market and doesn't really seem to have a clear direction.

Observation One: Codes and Gifting Problem

One huge problem, for example, was the use of codes and gifting. Audible created a system whereby readers could gift books to friends and family by selecting a book, utilizing the gifting system, and then simply paying for the book with a code.

Then, they scrapped it.

It was abused heavily because of another program wherein they would give away codes to any author or producer that requested them for free books. Their mistake: they also paid for those codes out of the general pot of subscribers. What this meant was authors and producers would load a short and ridiculous eBook onto the platform, request codes as often as possible (often getting hundreds per book) and then gift them out to guarantee monthly income from the program.

This was a huge oversight on their part and eventually developed into a problem akin to the gaming of the Kindle Store that many authors participate in. Finally, their solution was to axe the gifting program and cut down dramatically on the number of free codes that authors are given for releasing a book through their platform.

Does this kill the system, though? Hard to say. Let's keep going.

Observation Two: Contract and Rights

ACX wants to lock you into a seven year contract.

Seven years is a really long time to get stuck with one specific company and not be able to change, and if you also lock yourself into a royalty split contract then you're just going to have to live with it.

For a lot of people, this isn't really a problem. After all, ACX is giving you a low cost (or free) way of entering an entirely new market that you probably haven't even dipped your toes into before. If, however, you think that down the line you might want to pay for some major quality distribution of your audiobook and get it on a lot of platforms, then ACX might not be a good route for you because of that seven year contract.

Observation Three: Easy to Use

ACX is incredibly easy to use. I've personally released seven different eBooks through the system and through it all it has taken me only a few minutes of work here and there to keep the system going.

Basically, if you are an author, you just offer up your rights, pick the narrator you want that is also interested, and then wait around twiddling your thumbs until they are done. Then, you listen and approve it and let it out into the world.

Easy enough.

There are other platforms out there, but many of them aren't really open to indie authors or are significantly more difficult to use. One problem with other systems is that there are often fewer producers looking for work, which means the pool of talent is smaller. Likewise, there are fewer books, which means the pool of good content is smaller, which therefore means there will be less talent.

If you're looking for a really easy program to set and forget, then this could be the perfect option. Like I said, for me it is just an added (albeit small) revenue stream that supplements all of my other streams.

Observation Four: Free

Okay, so it isn't free if you decide you want to own the rights yourself, but if you do the royalty split option then you won't have to pay any money during the entire process. It doesn't get any better than that.

The royalty split is right down the middle, and all you have to do is offer up your rights and pick a narrator. They do all of the work putting the audio files together and getting them ready to go. You just have to sign off along the way and collect the benefits.

Another benefit is that they distribute for free to multiple platforms. You just set it up at the time of creation and forget about it until the money comes rolling in.

Is it worth it?

It's hard to say. Some authors are making a fortune from the program, and others are struggling to get by. In my experience, it's been a lot of fun releasing them and I found some great producers, but I don't really make any money off of it.

Should you hold onto your rights just in case something changes in the future and you get a better deal? Maybe. But, there really isn't much to be lost by loading up your rights, and the potential for being on the ground level of the growth of the audio industry means you could get lucky and strike it big.

Like most things, everyone has to decide for themselves!

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Love Painted in Red by Cristiane Serruya is an Inspiring Military Romance Novel

Cristiane Serruya is the author of Love Painted in Red. It is a military romance novel with a lot of sharp and intriguing turns that are sure to keep readers on the edge of their seat.

Praise for Love Painted in Red

"It gradually enfolds, gently enthralling the reader and touching heartstrings captivating we romantics. Read and you will find another Nora Roberts in her heydays." ~ Johnaboutime "By far one of the absolutely best stories I have read. It is so compelling and full of intriguing mystery... Simply amazing. Wish there were a sequel." ~ Amazon Customer “Cristiane Serruya is exceptionally good at what she does here. This is Love Painted In Red but it is Mrs Serruya who raises her brush and thrusts it onto the canvass with passionate strokes. Five Stars.“ ~ Dks “The fast pace will keep you turning pages, and you'll be swept up in the passion of Laetitia and Tavish's intense romance. This book gets five stars all the way!“ ~ J. Mitchell “A delicately nuanced story of two fractured people who find each other, against all odds. Really well written with believable characters that practically walked off the pages. Loved it.“ ~ Avid Reader “Cristiane has done it again.“ ~ EMW

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A Message from Cristiane Serruya

Hey all, I’m Cristiane Serruya—but just call me Cris. I’m Brazilian and Portuguese is my mother language—don’t ask me why I write my romances in English, because I don’t know the answer. Writing romances is not only an enjoyable way of creating a new universe, full of different possibilities—in which I command who loves who, when, where, and how their happily-ever-after happens—but also a great responsibility and honor because you, reader, will share all the emotions and motions of what I imagined. Welcome to my universe! I hope you love my babies—ops! I mean, my books—as much as I loved writing them! Warning - My romances are all PG-13 so I’m not responsible for ravished boy-friends. :-)

About Love Painted in Red

Tavish MacCraig, thirty-three-year-old Highlander, forsook his medical and military career, after being a POW for 6 months in Afghanistan, to run his family’s internationally renowned art gallery in London, The Blue Dot. Despite being surrounded by wealth and beauty, Tavish’s days are bleak, his nights, living nightmares, and his heart, an empty shell. But when he meets Irish painter Laetitia Galen, a powerful and sizzling attraction ignites between them.

Laetitia, who fled hell on earth when she was sixteen, now works as a well-paid housekeeper in a forsaken country manor in Warwickshire and sells her paintings in an obscure gallery. To preserve her new life and recently found peace, she resists Tavish and The Blue Dot's fantastic offer of an exclusive contract.

Laetitia becomes Tavish’s obsession; Tavish, Laetitia’s unattainable dream.

Meanwhile, a man with a burning grudge plots his long-awaited revenge, which could destroy them all over again.

Interview with Tavish Uilleam MacCraig by Cristiane Serruya

[Cris] Hello Tavish Uilleam. It’s a pleasure to have you here. I won’t take much of your time. Who is the greatest love of your life?

[Tavish] Smiling amused - Do you really need to ask me this? 

 [Cris] Well, it’s not like I need to ask you questions since I know your life inside-out. But readers are curious. 

[Tavish] Ah, well. It’s Laetitia, my wife. She is my aïngeal, you know.

 [Cris] Smiling - Yes, I know. Now, tell me, what's your current state of mind?

[Tavish] Now that I have Laetitia in my life, peace seems very easily achievable. But before her, my good moments were always tempered by the fear of a violent rage or a panic attack due to my PTSD. It seemed to me the good things in my life were too brief, as if I was giving a taste of goodness just to swallow a full glass of bitterness. 

 [Cris] What’s your greatest regret?

[Tavish] Silent for a long moment - No' being able tae avoid being ambushed by the Taliban. It was a slaughter, and I lost many friends and my girlfriend because of the bastards.

 [Cris] Your Highland accent is showing. 

[Tavish] You know it always does when I get edgy.

 [Cris] Yeah. A last question: What is your perfect idea of happiness?

[Tavish] Well, a few years ago I would say, happiness was just small and ethereal sparks of moments in life. If I could, I would photograph to contain them. But if I stopped to photograph, I wouldn't enjoy them, the flash would overexpose, and then…they’d have disappeared. Yet, since you finished my story, I can fairly say I am a perfectly happy man. 

 [Cris] Wow. Hand over heart. I’m happy for you. Thank you for being here with us today.

[Tavish] Thank you, Cris. I hope you write more about Laetitia and I. 

[Cris] Ha! You are already in Damaged Love!

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Who is Tavish Uilleam MacCraig?

Tavish Uilleam MacCraig, a war hero, a billionaire hunk, a lonely and tortured Highlander, whose heart no woman has thawed yet!

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The Killdeer Connection by Tom Swyers is an Unputdownable and Unforgettable Thriller

The Killdeer Connection by Tom Swyers is an Unputdownable and Unforgettable Thriller. Pick up your copy today and find out why this novel was selected by Kindle Scout!

Praise for The Killdeer Connection

"Unputdownable!"

“This author is just as good if not better than John Grisham.”

“Mystery, thriller, suspense, action, it has it all!”

A Message from Tom Swyers

 I’m an attorney and a former judge. I write thrillers in the Lawyer David Thompson Series. My debut novel, Saving Babe Ruth, is the prequel in the series and is based on a true story. It was a 2015 recipient of two Benjamin Franklin Book Awards for “Best First Book, Fiction” (first place) and “Best Popular Fiction” (second place).  My second novel, The Killdeer Connection, is the first book in the series and was selected as a 2017 winner in Amazon’s international Kindle Scout writing competition. Either novel can be read as a standalone.  If you like engaging, realistic, original thrillers, try reading one of my books.

About The Killdeer Connection

Worn-out lawyer David Thompson is on a mission to prove his innocence. Falsely accused of murdering his friend, he must desert his family and seek out a secret society of bird-watchers in a desperate search for the truth. When the feds talk of adding a terrorism charge, the death penalty looms and Thompson is on the run from both the law and the real killer. With Thompson out of the way, his family becomes a target. Thrust on a riveting thrill ride through the oil fields of North Dakota, Thompson's quest to save his own skin explodes into a race to save both his family and the nation from a deadly tidal wave of terror. But he may be too late...

Don't miss this action-packed, realistic, and thought-provoking legal thriller filled with mystery, family secrets, conspiracy, financial intrigue, captivating characters, deception, prejudice, greed, courtroom drama, and a bird!

An Interview by David Thompson from The Killdeer Connection

What is your greatest fear?

The lethal injection needle. The feds want to slip it to me.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I’ve never thought about it and probably never will. Too much introspection can lead to mental health issues.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Where do I begin?

Which living person do you most admire?

The people I admire most are dead.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My 1974 pearl-white Ford Mustang. My wife Annie gave it to me.

What is your current state of mind?

Scared. I’ve been set up. I think someone is out to kill me. The police want to pin a murder on me.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Patience.  These questions bring that to mind.

On what occasion do you lie?

I’ll lie to protect my family.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

I look middle age. People think I’m ready to retire but I can out run, out hustle guys half my age. 

Which living person do you most despise?

Dick Pottenger. He’s a lawyer I worked for decades ago. They don’t call him “Dick Pot” for nothing. I’ve got a score to settle with him.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“Yes” and “no.” I like to keep my conversations short and to the point.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My wife, Annie and my son, Christy.

Which talent would you most like to have?

The talent to create money out of thin air.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

The Universe. Then I’d know everything about anything.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

I’m not exactly sure, but reading this question gets me close.

What is your most marked characteristic?

My ability to survive.

Who are your favorite writers?

You seem to be under the mistaken impression that I have time to read.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Jesus.

What is it that you most dislike?

Stupid questions.

What is your greatest regret?

Doing this interview ranks up there.

How would you like to die?

Happy.

What is your motto?

There’s plenty of time to rest after you’re dead.    

Who is David Thompson

Middle-aged lawyer David Thompson is trying to make ends meet in a small town in upstate New York where he lives with his wife and teenage son. His estate and elder-law practice is routine, but trouble always has a way of finding him. When a nationally recognized expert in petroleum research says he’ll be an expert witness for his injured client, Thompson decides to take the case himself even though he has no experience in personal injury law. When his expert witness is killed, his case suffers a huge blow, but that’s just for openers. The feds and his friend, the chief of police, think Thompson is the murderer.

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The Empathic Detective by Jaxon Reed is a Thrilling Sci-Fi Novel That Will Keep You Guessing

The Empathic Detective by Jaxon Reed is a Thrilling Sci-Fi Novel That Will Keep You Guessing. Check it out and see why it was picked as a Kindle Scout Novel and then pick up your copy today!

Praise for The Empathic Detective

"The futuristic elements and special powers gave a fresh breath to the police/detective genre!"

"Possibly the most unexpected twist I've ever read."

"I gave The Empathic Detective: A Mystery Thriller 5 well-deserved stars."

A Message from Jaxon Reed

I'm happy to introduce the Empathic Detective series to readers. Gerald Bryce is an empath living in a futuristic Central Texas. He is a police detective using psychic abilities to solve crimes. But there's more going on in Bryce's world than what he can see on the surface. Take a peek into his world with The Empathic Detective: A Mystery Thriller.

About The Empathic Detective

In a world of flying cars and planetary portals, Detective Gerald Bryce holds a rare power: the ability to read emotions. When he discovers a suspected murderess who shares his gift, she offers the fulfillment of his deepest desires. Soon he discovers she can manipulate emotions too, controlling others even to the point of committing murder. A battle breaks out between police and all the forces she can bring to bear. But other powers are at play as well, and they are far greater than anyone imagined …

Interview with Gerald Bryce by Jaxon Reed

An interview with the main character, Gerald Bryce: What or who is the greatest love of your life? My greatest love is my ex-wife. We've been divorced for years, but I've pursued no other relationships. On what occasion do you lie? We all lie, especially when we know more about someone else than they need to know. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being perfectly understood by someone. Not having to hide the fact that I'm different, that I know things about others I shouldn't. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I'd like to be normal, to not have these powers that set me apart. They are a blessing and a curse at the same time. Where would you most like to live? There's no greater place in the world than Texas!

Who is Gerald Bryce?

Gerald Bryce, a psychic detective with empathic powers. He can make highly accurate guesses as to what somebody is thinking or about to do based on their emotions.

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Getting Lei'd by Ann Omasta is a Brilliantly Authentic Romance Novel

Getting Lei'd by Ann Omasta is a Brilliantly Authentic Romance Novel. Check it out and see for yourself why this inspiring book was selected for publication through Amazon's Kindle Scout program!

If you enjoy finding romance in inspiring love stories then you won't want to miss this one! 

A Message from Ann Omasta

Warm Greetings, Readers! Since this format is a little one-sided, I'll tell you about me. I would love to hear from you, though! I am a USA Today bestselling and Kindle Scout winning author. Here is a Top Ten list of my likes, dislikes, and oddities:

I despise whipped cream. There, I admitted it in writing. Let the ridiculing begin.

Even though I have lived as far south as Key Largo, Florida, and as far north as Maine, I landed in the middle.

If I don't make a conscious effort not to, I will drink nothing but tea morning, noon, and night. Hot tea, sweet tea, green tea––I love it all.

There doesn't seem to be much in life that is better than coming home to a couple of big dogs who are overjoyed to see me. My other family members usually show significantly less enthusiasm about my return.

Singing in my bestest, loudest voice does not make my family put on their happy faces. This includes the big, loving dogs referenced above.

Yes, I am aware that bestest is not a word.

Dorothy was right. There's no place like home.

All of the numerous bottles in my shower must be lined up with their labels facing out. It makes me feel a little like Julia Roberts' mean husband from the movie Sleeping with the Enemy, but I can't seem to control this particular quirk.

I love, love, love finding a great bargain!

Did I mention that I hate whipped cream? It makes my stomach churn to look at it, touch it, smell it, or even think about it. Great––now I'm thinking about it. Ick!

** I would LOVE to send you a free copy of my novella, Aloha, Baby!**

Praise for Getting Lei'd

"With author Ann Omasta's outstanding writing skills, she was able to turn this compelling story of a life tragedy into a romantic, feel good comedy / love story. If you are in need of a pick me up, this is the book for you, such a delightful read!"

- The Kindle Book Review

About Getting Lei'd

Jilted by text message.

Honeymooning with her grandma.

The resort's bartender may look like Jason Momoa, but Roxy is NOT interested.

**Kindle Scout Winning Book**

Being jilted nearly-at-the-altar by text message is not at all how prim and proper Roxy Rose thought her wedding day would go.  Getting dragged along anyway on her Hawaiian honeymoon by her self-centered sister and irreverent grandma is the icing on the horrible wedding-day cake.    Can Kai, the resort's hunky and talented chauffeur / bartender / flame-thrower, turn this disaster of a trip into a romantic adventure to last a lifetime?  Or will his mysterious secrets keep their love from blossoming?    This novel is part of The Escape Series, which includes the prequel novella, Aloha, Baby!, as well as this book's sequel, Cruising for Love, and the sweet short story, Coconutty Christmas. You can read and enjoy these books in any order! Escape with Roxy into the enchanting Hawaiian Islands as she finally discovers the joys of hanging loose and "Getting Lei'd."

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Interview with Roxy Rose from Getting Lei'd

Q: Which living person do you most admire?

A: That would have to be my grandma, Baggy. Her nickname is left over from my childhood version of 'bad grandma.' Baggy lives life to the fullest, loves to laugh, and always jumps in with both feet. Since she dragged me on my Hawaiian honeymoon after I was jilted nearly-at-the-altar, I'm going to spend this vacation trying to be more carefree and Baggy-esque. Q: Which living person do you most despise?

A: Gary, my ex-fiance, who jilted me by text message has to be the person I despise most. My BFF, who was with him, is a close second, but he is the one who was supposed to spend the rest of his life loving, honoring, and cherishing me. Maybe the hot bartender at the resort, who looks like Jason Momoa, can help me get over my crushed feelings. Q: Where would you most like to live?

A: That's a no-brainer... I want to stay in this fabulous resort in Hawaii forever. Even though I was supposed to be honeymooning and am instead here with my grandmother and sister, it is hard not to hang loose and have fun in this exotic seaside paradise.

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Who is Roxy Rose?

Roxy Rose, a just jilted bride to be, who gets dragged on what would have been her Hawaiian honeymoon by her crazy grandmother and self-centered sister.

[kp-reading-blog]

The Download by R.E. Carr is a Brilliant Sci-Fi Thriller Sure to Keep You on Your Toes

R.E. Carr is the author of The Download, which is a science fiction thriller novel that was selected by Kindle Press and well worth reading! It's a newer entry and definitely manages to keep readers guessing!

Praise for The Download

"Whether it's vampires, werewolves, or slackers traveling through space and time to fulfill their destiny, Carr writes stories that borrow from yore and compels the reader to eagerly turn the page. THE DOWNLOAD is no different; a wild ride that will enchant as much as entertain."

- Joseph Souza, Author of Unpaved Surfaces and Need to Find You. An imaginative construct of scientific curiosity amidst a wondrous adventure, leading to questions of the unknown."

- InD'tale Magazine

A Message from R.E. Carr

I hope you enjoy my foray into a bit of Sci-Fi romance. This book took over fifteen years to create, and I'm so happy to get to share it with everyone.

About The Download

It's not every day that your roommate accidentally teleports you across time and space, but Jennifer MacDonald is not having an ordinary day. A chance encounter with a custom-built computer and an ancient pyramid sends Jennifer to a faraway land with six warring civilizations and an ancient prophecy that has a visitor from the stars at its heart. All she has to do is unseal one measly, missing god. Now the fate of an alien world is in the hands of a gal who's never landed a steady job or boyfriend, but at least she has watched a few years' worth of archeology documentaries. Hopefully that will be enough to get by, since it seems like most of Earth's lost civilizations ended up stranded in this extraterrestrial zoo too. Also, there is the trivial matter of a Mayan assassin sent to kill her... We are all our own worst enemies, but maybe Jennifer has a chance to break that mold.

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Interview with Jenn by R.E. Carr

“So what?  You want me to talk about myself?” Jennifer MacDonald asked, plopping down at the breakfast table.  Across the way, her roommate, Sara tapped her pencil against her notebook.

“It’s not all about you, Jenn,” Sara sighed. “I need to practice for my stupid writing class, and you want a better job.  It’s win-win.”

“It’s not my fault you left your electives till the last minute, MIT,” Jenn said, before grabbing their toast off their improvised breakfast bar in their living room.  Sara slathered hers with peanut butter and marshmallow fluff while Jenn elected for the slightly more traditional jelly and microwave bacon.  She rolled her eyes, and muttered, “Fine . . . fine . . . I’ll practice, but you know me, I hate this sort of thing.”

“Well, for once in your life let something be all about you, Jenny.  Your interviewer is gonna want to know about the wonderful—”

“Slacker,” Jenn interrupted.

“Potential hire,” Sara corrected.  She slid one of those ‘what to expect when being interviewed’ books out from under her notebook and flipped through a few pages.  Sara’s eyes lit up.  “OK, here’s an easy one.  What is your name?”

“Jennifer Ann MacDonald,” she sighed, rolling her eyes again.

“Tell me Jennifer Ann MacDonald, do you feel like you have no soul because you were born a ginger, or did you lose it over time and exposure to others of your kind?”  Sara asked with a grin.  She ducked just in time for a wadded napkin to fly over her messy buns.  “Dude, you used to play softball, that is shameful,” Sara teased.

“I knew you couldn’t be serious,” Jenn muttered, returning to her toast.

“Fine, fine,” Sara sighed, holding up her hands in surrender. “Here is a legit question, my wicked pissed roomie. What do you consider your greatest achievement?”

“Other than not pimp slapping you on a Saturday morning?” Jenn asked. She furrowed her brows. “I um . . . I dunno.  I worked my way up from last in my class to twentieth after my parents split up.  No, that’s not really awesome is it?  I worked for three summers straight at my uncle’s shop until I had enough to pay for my car.  I can also change my own oil and even do brake pads in a pinch.”

Sara scribbled some notes.  “You might want to frame it as ‘you never mind getting your hands dirty’ if you’re going for corporate,” she offered. “You want boring or more philosophical next?”

“Am I really gonna get philosophy if I apply to work at Stop n’ Shop?” Jenn asked.

“Dream a little bigger, darlin’,” Sara said. “You know what your problem is?”

“A lack of a degree and only random odd jobs as experience?” Jenn offered.

“No confidence.  You’re gonna get back into BU.  Have a little faith!”  Sara flipped through again. “I need you to give me a little meat here.  Try this one. Which historical figure do you most identify with?”

Jenn furrowed her brows and lost herself in thought.  “That is a cheap shot for an ex-archaeology major,” she said with a sly smile. “Hatshepsut – easy-peasy.”

“OK, that must be an archaeology thing—”

“Hatshepsut was an amazing woman.  She didn’t end up as queen of Egypt, she became pharaoh.  She ruled for decades and brought peace and prosperity to Egypt.  She was so popular that her sons couldn’t even erase her after her death.  She also may have had a torrid affair with one of her architects.  She was pretty badass.  Scratch that, not gonna say ‘badass’ in my interviews, unless it’s for like a tattoo parlor or something.”

“See, you can do this, Jenn!  OK, if you could have any job in the world, what would it be?”

“Other than billionaire, playgirl philanthropist?” Jenn asked. “I like working outside actually.  Not like middle of the wilderness park ranger, but I wouldn’t mind doing construction for a bit longer.”

“I thought you wanted to be Indiana Jones,” Sara said, pausing her notes.

“Yeah, well I grew up,” Jenn muttered.  “I’m not ever gonna get to run around the world finding lost treasures and solving ancient puzzles.  Also, I look awful in a fedora and the one time I tried anything with a whip . . . well . . . there is a reason Bill is my ex.”

Jenn looked at her watch and grimaced.  She started shoveling her toast into her mouth.  Sara looked over in alarm.

“Yeah, I do have to get out to that site in Somerville by nine,” Jenn said. “I’d say it’s been fun, but I hate to lie.”

“Lunch later?” Sara offered.

“Nahh, I’ll be up to my eyeballs in plaster today,” Jenn sighed.  “I think I’ll just get some ramen and plan on an hour shower.”

“Sounds like quite the day,” Sara teased.

“Meh, it’ll be just like any other boring Saturday.  Some of us are well . . . decidedly average,” Jenn sighed. “And I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

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Who is Jenn?

The main character from The Download. She isn't normally willing to give interviews, but she made an exception for R.E. Carr

[kp-reading-blog]

Tiny Island Summer by Rachelle Paige is a Heart-Catching Romance Story That Will Keep You Guessing

Tiny Island Summer by Rachelle Paige is a Heart-Catching Romance Story That Will Keep You Guessing. Check it out and see why this amazing book was selected for publication through Kindle Scout!

If you love great romance and love stories as old as time then you won't want to miss this one! 

Praise for Tiny Island Summer

"This sweet book had everything I like in a romance novel...a terrific location, interesting characters, and (of course) a fun romance."

"Endearing characters that you fall in love with early and root for until the end. I highly recommend this entertaining read to any modern romance lovers out there. Plus the unique setting of Northern Wisconsin gives this book a unique charm all it's own."

A Message from Rachelle Paige

This story started as my updated twist on Pride and Prejudice. I hope you enjoy watching Darcy and Ben's love story unfold as much as I loved writing it!

About Tiny Island Summer

Thanks to her job, Darcy Rogus, has been relocated to the middle of nowhere. But with her determination to succeed and her best friend by her side, nothing is going to sidetrack Darcy achieving her career goals, especially not a handsome and brooding next-door neighbor.

Ben Hampton has put his life on hold to take care of his ailing mother, and he can’t let himself get distracted by anything, even if those distractions come with enticing hazel eyes.

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Staying away from each other is easier said than done on an island of fewer than three hundred people.

Interview with Darcy Rogus from Another Bay

[Rachelle] What is your idea of perfect happiness?

[Darcy] My idea of perfect happiness is finding the balance between my professional goals and my personal life. I love spending time with my boyfriend, Ben, and he has the means to provide an easy life for us. But I need purpose and a goal. Perfect happiness to me is finding contentment in every part of my life.

[Rachelle] What is your greatest fear?

[Darcy] My greatest fear is to not be heard or understood. In the past, I have let situations and people overlook me or count me out. I have been working hard to find my voice and take charge of my life.

[Rachelle] Which living person do you most admire?

[Darcy] The living person I most admire is my friend Emily. She found herself in a complicated situation and has handled every challenge that comes her way with kindness and grace.

[Rachelle] What is your current state of mind?

[Darcy]  Overwhelmed. Between cataloging and packing a major collectors estate and opening up my own gallery, I feel like I can barely keep up with my own life, let alone my boyfriend.

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[Rachelle] On what occasion do you lie?

[Darcy] I will lie to protect the people I love either for themselves or from the truth. More than outright lies, I am guilty of omissions of truth. I do not always share everything that the other person might want or expect. 

Who is Darcy Rogus?

At twenty-five, Darcy Rogus moved to Madeline Island in Wisconsin's North Woods to help advance her career. (Tiny Island Summer) Instead, she ended up fired and caught up in a love triangle. In the year and a half since she's sorted out her professional life and thinks she has a handle on her personal life. Until more complications arise on the way to her ex's wedding...

[kp-reading-blog]

Half Truths by Randileigh Kennedy is a Clean and Fun Romance Novel

Half Truths by Randileigh Kennedy is a Clean and Fun Romance Novel that is sure to delight and entertain audiences that are looking for something wholesome to read!

Praise for Half Truhts

"Half-Truths is a multilayered romantic story with plenty of surprising twists and turns."

- With Love For Books

A Message From Randileigh Kennedy

Hello! My name is Randileigh Kennedy and I'm obsessed with love stories. I write more of a "clean romance" (I trust you have your own wild imagination for the rest ;) and I love connecting with both readers and authors with similar interests. 

About Half Truths

On the surface, Whitley Rose appears relatively put together. People are in awe of her songwriting career, her Nashville apartment has a one-of-a-kind view, and her rock star boyfriend – well, he’s a dirt bag, and truth-be-told her tiny apartment actually sucks. Meanwhile, on the chance her crumbling dreams aren’t devastating enough, she’s called back home to face the reality that her father is seriously ill. Sawyer Grant is dangerously handsome for a guy in jogging pants, and far too focused for a spontaneous girl like Whitley. However, having experienced the loss of his own family, he knows what it’s like to face the hard truth of losing someone. Despite the heaviness of their circumstances, they still find themselves smiling and laughing together under the summer sun. Perhaps an open sky, laughter, and love are the only truths they really need.

An Interview with Whitley by Randileigh Kennedy

[RK] What is your greatest fear?

[WR] That I'll never achieve greatness - or perhaps that I won't recognize it once I have.

[RK] Which living person do you most admire?

[WR] My father - he's uncomplicated love in its truest form.

[RK] Which talent would you most like to have?

[WR] The ability for my words on paper to resonate with strangers.

[RK] What is your greatest regret?

[WR] Holding myself back from everything I want in life.

[RK] What is your idea of perfect happiness?

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[WR] Sharing my words with the world, while surrounded by family and those who love me.

[RK] On what occasion do you lie?

[WR] When the real truth hurts too much.

Who is Whitley?

My main character, Whitley Rose - aspiring songwriter, hopeless romantic - forever terrified of failure.