Tag: Romance

Books · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

My Review: The One That Got Away by MB Feeney

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The One

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00TT3CZ8E?ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0

Heidi and Shane met as teenagers, they dated and they parted but they never forgot the other. They meet up again at a school reunion, after communicating and flirting on social media. This is a story of lost love and of new beginnings. This was a lovely read, light and entertaining. This author created believable, real characters with ease. A truly great story with a side order of raunchy. I knew where this story was going all the way along but it didn’t spoil it for me and the end did have an unexpected twist.
It scares me that I will have to add some more of this author’s books to my every growing TBR list.

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

Bookshop Bistro – Aiding Indie Authors

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There is a wonderful initiative that is run by one very busy lady, a pro-active author who helps other authors. Yes, you are quite right there are lots of people out there who do a lot to support the Indie community.

What makes this initiative special? This one could really work if more people took part.

The idea is that each week there is a spotlight author/book, for that week you have to either have your book priced at .99c or .99p or for free. Then then members over the space of the week buy this book. If they are so inclined, they can read and review also, but that isn’t a necessity. There is no spotlight for the weeks over Christmas and New Year, so the most you commit to is £50.00 or $50.00 per year. You don’t have to buy each and everyone but to make it work it would help. If you already have the spotlight book, you just write that in the comments box.

So what does that do? The increased sales, especially spread out over the week takes you up the Amazon rankings and once you get within the top 100 in a category you may get sales from randoms because if we’re honest how many of us have the patience to trawl through 500 pages to find a book we might be interested in- it doesn’t really happen. If you disagree with me, please feel free to scroll through until you reach mine, pick it, send me a screenshot of your purchase and I will be happy to eat my words. No really, please do that…now!

I was lucky enough to be the spotlight author during the week of the 15th February. I also followed this up with a BookHippo promotion. My Novella’s fall below the word count allowed for BookSends and BookBub otherwise I would have kept the momentum going with them.

9

So what happened for me? Before the spotlight my sales chart was flatlining, I was waiting for the time of death statement.

I am going to attach more screenshots here than you may want to see, but please feel free to scroll from the top to the bottom to give you the picture.

Amazon UK:

14/2/2016

Screenshot 2016-02-14 15.18.03.png

15/2/2016 – Spotlight starts (5 sales)

Screenshot 2016-02-15 18.54.44.png

16/2/2016 (3 sales)

Screenshot 2016-02-16 06.48.38.png

17/2/2016 (3 sales)

Screenshot 2016-02-17 07.43.38.png

18/2/2016 (1 sale)

Screenshot 2016-02-18 13.56.30.png

19/2/2016 (0 sales – 1 review)

Screenshot 2016-02-20 08.09.45.png

Didn’t do a screenshot

20/2/2016 (6 sales – Book Hippo that day also)

Screenshot 2016-02-20 07.46.11.png

21/2/2016 (1 sale) last day

Screenshot 2016-02-21 09.42.46.png

1 week later with no additional sales

Screenshot 2016-02-28 13.44.31.png

Can you imagine what those figures would look like if more people participated, worth thinking about.

Amazon US:

14/2/2016 (2 sales) presumably the difference in time zones attributed to early sales

Screenshot 2016-02-14 15.18.39.png

15/2/2016 (1 sale)

Screenshot 2016-02-15 18.58.57.png

16/2/2016 (0 Sales)

Screenshot 2016-02-16 06.49.19.png

17/2/2016 (1 sale)

Screenshot 2016-02-17 07.23.15.png

18/2/2016 (0 sales)

No screenshot today

19/2/2016 (0 sales)

No screenshot today

20/2/2016 (1 sale)

Screenshot 2016-02-20 07.48.11.png

21/2/2016 (0 sales)

Screenshot 2016-02-21 09.42.17.png

One week later with no additional salesScreenshot 2016-02-28 13.44.50.png

Amazon Canada:

I didn’t have any ranking on the Canadian site, so anything was a bonus. I won’t post every day.

18/2/2016 (2 sales)

19/2/2016 (1 sale)

Screenshot 2016-02-19 07.55.30.png

20/2/2016 (1 sale)

Screenshot 2016-02-20 22.39.27.png

One week later with no additional sales

Screenshot 2016-02-28 13.45.08.png

I would love to have been able to report that my sales had continued but alas that isn’t true but maybe had the amount of participating members been higher the rankings may have risen higher and stayed there for longer. I certainly enjoyed being part of this and will continue to support the spotlight each week.

If anyone hasn’t bought ‘As Dreams are Made on.’ I have left it at the sale price 0.99 in whatever country you are in.

myBook.to/Adamo

I would like to thank everyone who bought the book, read or reviewed or still plans to do so.

I would especially like  to thank Tanya whose hard work makes this group possible. I want to end by doing a mini interview with Tanya.

Me: What was your motivation behind the Spotlight of the week?
Tanya: I was frustrated at how the big publishers are able to set a book off at a run when it’s released because of having such a larger support network. I wanted to see if we could develop a similar type of network for indies.

Me: What would you like to see from the group?
Tanya: I’d love to see it grow into the thousands and potentially branch off by genre.

Me: You are an exceptionally busy woman who not only works but writes so where do you find the time to help other people so much?

Tanya: There’s a saying, “if you want something to get done, ask a busy person” lol. I love helping people, it’s inherent in my nature, as such I tend to make the time to do the things I love. It helps that I don’t have a social life too haha.

Me: You have published your own book, ‘Dreams of Beautiful Whisper.’ when do you plan to make your book the spotlight of the week?

Tanya: My plan was to wait until I had book 2 completed, though that’s been delayed a bit, so I’m not sure on my timing. I also didn’t want members to feel that the purpose of the group was self-serving for my own book, so I haven’t made my book a priority for the Spotlight. I’ve also tried to stress to those submitting their books for the Spotlight that it’s important to have supporting marketing lined up for before, during and after a Spotlight position in order to maximize the benefits from it. I don’t have that stuff lined up for my own book yet, so that’s another factor in me holding off for now.

Me: Have you got a release date in mind for book two?

Tanya: Originally I was aiming for, well now lol, but a variety of circumstances in my life has caused a delay. So at this point I’m really not 100% sure when I’ll get it finished. But I am hoping to at least have ARCs available before the summer. (It is coming along nicely and my read along editors are loving it!)

Me: What advice would you give to anyone starting out on the journey of writing?

Tanya: As for the writing side – just do it. Make sure you’re writing something (anything) every day. Keep learning about the craft and always aim to improve your grammar, spelling, punctuation and word choice. For the rest of it, don’t try to rush the process. Do your research, learn the ins and outs and then approach it all very methodically. This can be a huge challenge for creative types as we do tend to be more sporadic and random by nature. But if you’re wanting to publish your work (by any means) it’s important to treat it as a business and to make sure you have a well thought out plan in place that you then consistently execute.

Please check this group out on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1675211409402187/

or on the website:

http://panopticnews.com/bookshopbistro/

 

 

 

Books · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

My Review of Regina: The Monster Inside (Regina Series Book 1) by D.M Singh

gibbsdream2 Comments

Regina

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00L9IS162?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0

 

 

This is another book I have had gathering dust on my kindle for a while and the time seemed right to pick it up and read it.
Regina is a teenager who hasn’t exactly had a normal life as her parents move her from place to place and, as a result, she doesn’t bond with anyone, in fact, she’s never had a friend until she meets Imogen.
Imogen and her family introduce Regina to the secrets that her own family were trying to protect her from.
This author takes you on a journey with Regina as she finds out things that no teenager should find out about herself and discovers talents and skills that she would never have suspected. Along with these skills, she discovers dangers that would daunt even the most fearless adult. Who can she trust? Everyone is not as they seem.
This book contains a gentle love story, adventure, excitement, friendships and tragedy inside a well-told story. It does end on a cliffhanger so please can you hurry up writing as I can’t wait to read book two.

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

My Review of “Fragile” by J.C Clarke

gibbsdream2 Comments

Fragile

This novella is narrated by a male protagonist. It reminds us that by holding out our hands to someone in need we can make a significant change to their life as Stephen does when he falls in love with Ashleigh who has suffered more than any young girl should. He sees her standing in the corner of the Fairground where he woks and knew he had to make her his. It is a hauntingly beautiful rendition portraying love in its purest form.

I read this book in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also note that the author is the cover designer too which was so exquisite that it attracted me to buy it in the first place.

Looking forward to picking up more from this author.

Books · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

Happy 1st Anniversary

gibbsdream5 Comments

Screenshot 2016-01-08 22.14.11.png

A year ago today I hit the publish button and sat back waiting with bated breath. Oh don’t get me wrong I didn’t expect the world and his sister to rush out and buy it, but I did know that I was putting myself our there. Opening myself up to criticism, allowing anyone to put their opinions of my work on the net.

It has been an interesting year, a learning curve that opened my slightly innocent eyes.

I started with a cover that I made myself using a photograph taken from my sister-in-law (with her permission of course). I have to admit I was pleased as punch with it at first. The picture is lovely but as a cover put together by me didn’t work. It said nothing about the book and what you can expect when you open the cover. Eventually, I asked for advice from fellow authors on good cover designers who were reasonably priced. I was introduced to J.C Clarke from The Graphics Shed, who designed a beautiful cover and extras.

In that year, I have made some amazing friendships with other authors and also discovered their incredible stories. Amazon would have it that it is biased because I have spoken to them on social media but any reviews I put online are honest. If I didn’t enjoy reading them, I wouldn’t leave a review it’s as simple as that.

In one year I have sold 70 copies of this book for cold hard cash, one person has picked it up and read it through Kindle Unlimited which equates to cold hard cash, and I have given away about 60 copies for free. So there are about 130 copies floating around the world from England to America, South Africa, Canada and Australia, and those are the ones I know about. So I haven’t taken the world by storm, I haven’t even given it a tiny tremble, but there are people out there who are enjoying my work. (Maybe not enjoying too but I won’t focus on them haha)

Getting people who tell you that they have enjoyed your book to take a few minutes out of their hectic schedules to leave a review is the bane of an authors’ life. Reviews generate more sales or so they say. There is a magic figure; the actual amount seems to be in doubt, that activates the Amazon algorithms which in turn makes your book a product that they will market. Some say that 50 is the magic number. What makes it harder is that each Amazon is a different marketplace, so my reviews on Amazon.co.uk and those on Amazon.com and anywhere else don’t link up. When I leave a review for a fellow author I post it in .co.uk, .com and .ca the three biggest marketplaces, I also post it in Goodreads, write a post on my website and share in on Twitter and Facebook. It makes me incredibly happy when I see a direct link between a book review I have left and a sale for that author. At the moment I get emails from Amazon recommending my books to me, I can only hope these emails go to other people too. The more review I can get the more promotion, this will generate.
So onto my reviews, some of these are duplicated by authors who do the same as I do, but most are unique reviews.

The first one is from Amazon.co.uk, the one with the picture below is from Goodreads, the third is from Amazon.com, and the final one is from Amazon.ca

I am inordinately pleased with these. Writing can be a lonely business but seeing the pleasure that people get from my writing gives me the strength to carry on when I feel that there isn’t a point to slogging my guts for so little return.

 

For the next week to celebrate the 1st year anniversary I have placed this book on sale .99c/ .99p (my take from that works out to about .37p 🙂 )

If you would like to pick up a copy: myBook.to/Adamo

Blurb:

Newly wed Matty Taylor is plagued by visions that force her to seek out a Gypsy at a local fair. Dragged violently into a frightening dream world, she is soon rescued by the mysterious Thomas Trevelyan and taken to his secluded house in the woods.

Will her husband, Donald, suspend his disbelief and wake her from her nightmare?

Can Thomas win her heart and keep her from the lure of her real life and the love of her husband?

 

Teasers:

Books · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

My 1st review of 2016: Wings of Shadow: Book 2 of the Immortal Sorrows by Sherri A. WIngler

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Wings

I started this book with trepidation. I loved book one in the series, and there is always the fear that book two won’t live up to your expectations or that it will be more of the same and even though you enjoyed it before doesn’t mean you want to read the same thing over again.

Let me say my fears were groundless. This book exceeded my expectations. The author took Asher and Izzy to a whole new level. Book one introduced you to the characters while telling the story; book two took them to a place of darkness and adventures that had me on the edge of my seat.

This book showed the extremes that people will go to, to achieve their desires whether they be for good or evil.

The characters stayed consistent the whole way through so much so that I believe they really exist 😉 I never really expected to find myself with a crush on the Angel of Death but there you have it and quite possibly Grim too.

The descriptions given were phenomenal; this author has one hell of an imagination, and she also has the writing ability to back it up.

I can say that I am relieved to have finished this book because now I actually may get some sleep. On a number of occasions, I went to bed tired with every intention of reading for 10-15 minutes later only to find myself awake and engrossed over an hour later.

I am now about to start reading the short Prequel that has been released in the last week or so by the same author that explores what made Fate the way she is.

It isn’t that often that I miss characters when I finish reading a book, but I think I will this time. Please write faster, I need more.

 

 

 

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

Hello 2016, Goodbye 2015

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As the year nears its end, we all take a little bit of time to reflect on our year and make plans or resolutions for the year ahead.

For those who have enjoyed a good 2015, their hopes are that 2016 will be just as kind and for those who have suffered through 2015 the hope is that 2016 will be a better one for them.

Earlier today I saw a friend on Facebook mention that it is in reality only passing from one day to another as it does every other day of the year. She mentioned that she set goals or resolutions throughout the year. She is correct, and I think we should all do that, but there is something about the idea of an ending and a beginning that we as a species tend to like. It feels as though you can package the previous year up in a box, gift wrap it, tie it with ribbon and consign it to the dusty realms marked as the past. As the clock chimes midnight signalling the beginning of a new year we take out a new box, all neatly wrapped up and inside is a blank journal that we will write our new experiences, joys and sorrows on. It seems exciting because we feel as though we can do anything, fill it with adventure. It lets us know that we still have hope and while we have hope we can achieve so much.

I have been blessed with a good year. In January, I self-published a short story and followed up with another short story in February. Since then I have been working on a number of projects all in various stages of completion. I have learnt to do things that I wouldn’t have dreamt possible, faced things that scared the bejeebers out of me. I have made some amazing friends that I have never met and may never meet. I have read books that have transported me to other worlds. I have been lucky enough to have gone on two holidays this year: Malta and Maldives. I have also experienced some personal sadnesses this year that I won’t dwell on. I also achieved a half-marathon and a whole day sponsored silence. I also am now the proud owner of a Honda CG125 motorbike which I love.

I would like to thank everyone who has been part of this year with me, those who have bought my books and kindly left me reviews. More than anything I would like to thank my family and friends who are always there when I need them.

2016 for me will be about pursuing my writing further, publishing my WIPs and hopefully getting some more sales.

So I will bid a fond farewell to 2015 and greet 2016 with open arms and a bottle of Prosecco 😉

Both of my books are on sale until the end of Friday 1st January 2016. If you are interested in making me smile on New Years Day then click & buy

🙂

As Dreams are Made on: myBook.to/Adamo

A Lifetime or a Season: myBook.to/ALifetime

New Year Sale.001.jpeg

 

 

Books · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

My Review of Wings of Darkness: Book 1 of the Immortal Sorrows by Sherri A. Wingler

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Wings of Darkness.jpg

 

Over the last year I have read some phenomenal books by Indie Authors, books that made me laugh till my sides hurt, cry real tears & books that were addictive.

A friend of mine recommended this book to me a long time ago and I picked it up on my kindle in March where it has sat with so many others on my TBR list.

I finally decided it was time to read it. It isn’t generally a genre I read but I am open to all genres. The cover appealed and I liked the sound of it. The moment I opened this book I was dragged in minus the kicking and screaming.

The prologue pulls you in from the first word. I can’t really put an example on here otherwise I would have to copy and paste the whole prologue.

Izzy is a young American girl who is involved in an accident and although she meets the Angel of Death it is not her time to die. What Asher (Angel of Death) does is unheard of and it changes her life forever as it does his existence.

I loved this book from the beginning to the end, if I could give it more than 5 stars I would. The flow was strong throughout. There was excitement and edge of your seat drama and quieter moments as the author allowed you to really get to know the characters. Not only was Izzy and Asher extremely well developed by the other characters, Gwen & Grim and all the other bit players.

It is fantasy but I believed it. I lived it and I can only say thank God I have book two to start straight away.

There is nothing about this book that I think didn’t work or could be improved on. I can’t wait to finish leaving this review and getting a few tedious chores out of the way so I can read Book Two: Wings of Shadow.

Note to author: Please have book three finished within the week I can’t wait any longer.

Books

My Review of The Lake of Lilies by Julia Sutton

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Lake of Lilies

 

A thoroughly enjoyable read. The main character, Lisa Reynolds, is a likeable and believable woman who is a witness to a scene that ends in a murder which changes Lisa’s life.

There is a lot of description which keeps you on the edge of your seat as you wonder what might happen. It is a beautiful story of love and loss.

I wanted to keep reading, picking it up each day was a pleasure.

My only real issues were that there were too many speech tags that became distracting and slightly annoying but not enough to put me off reading. I think removing some of these could make the book stronger.

Without wanting to give anything away, I also felt that the resolution was a packaged a little too neatly. It was reminiscent of a 70’s or 80’s crime shows. I think it could have benefitted from a little more grit at this point.

Overall I loved immersing myself in this book and the lives of the characters. I look forward to seeing what this talented author writes next.

Books

My review of Cross Stitch- Amanda James

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Cross Stitch.jpg

So this is the second book I have read by this author and it did not disappoint. This book leads on from A Stitch in Time.

We enter Sarah Yates’ world again in this book. I did wonder how this book could be different from the first one, would it be more of Sarah’s adventures which would have been fine as I thoroughly enjoyed them in the first book. Ms. James introduced an unexpected complication into this book when Sarah meets a woman in 1930’s London who makes her life and her time travelling more complex. Their destiny’s are entwined and woven beautifully together.

Another fantastic read. Hope you are writing Ms. James I want more.