Rowena's comments (member since Aug 28, 2008)

Rowena's comments from the Chicks On Lit group.

I am not sure where to post this, but I believe it is helpful (if you were wondering whether to try futuristic, fantasy, or paranormal romance but didn't fancy a scavenger hunt all over the internet to find an author you might like).

Here in one place are sample chapters by:
Linnea Sinclair, Susan Kearney, Susan Grant, Deborah Macgillivray, Jade Lee, Catherine Spangler, Charlee Compo, Nina Bangs, Joy Nash, C.L. Wilson, Robin T Popp, Dawn Thompson, and many more.

It's free, it's convenient, no more point-to-points around the internet "researching" what to try next.

http://www.freado.com/book/4645/The-Best-of-Futuristic,-Fantasy,-and-ParaNormal-Authors-#1

Click on the link.
Wait for the yellow loading bar to fill.
Scroll to the far right to "Read Now"
A double page will open (like a book) with the cover on the right.
Use the toolbar on your desktop to Zoom,
Zoom In or Zoom Text only.

Use the start triangle on the webpage to begin reading.

http://www.freado.com/book/4647/The-Best-of-Futuristic,-Fantasy,-and-ParaNormal-Authors-#2

I should mention that this sampler was my idea, I collected most of the excerpts, Charlee Compo did the formatting.

Rowena Cherry

I'm doing it. I managed 1,500 so far, and intend to complete another 500 at least.

I just finished Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer. I thoroughly enjoy all Heyers, but this was not one of her best. Very gentle, really.

I'm reading The Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer.

Tip. (I've nothing to gain by sharing this info, I just happened to follow a Google Alert for one of my books, and thought this a better deal for readers than selling on Amazon, EBay, or Craigslist.)

If swapping doesn't work, or works out too costly in postage... or indeed if Amazon's used books work out too expensive in postage and handling

Powells

Powell's email is sell@powells.com
Powell's telephone is 503-228-4651, ext. 5952 (or toll free 800-878-7323, ext. 5952).

You are most welcome, Erka.

If you go to the publisher's website and look for CONTACT, you will probably find the PR department. If the author did not list the giveaway, PR would have done it.

Authors are always thrilled to hear that a reader enjoyed their book. Usually, authors' official email is authorfirstname@authorfullname.com if there is no CONTACT link on their site.

Congrats on winning!

I'm reading Victoria Alexander's "The Wedding Bargain"

Hi, everyone.

Congratulations to all the Chicks who have won a giveaway from an author. (By the way, did you know that there are also giveaways on LibraryThing.com as well?)

I second the reminder to read the book promptly and to post a review asap. Why? Because the giveaway systems are weighted in favor of readers who keep their side of the bargain and do write reviews.

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to share that insight. But there you are. The incentive for authors to participate is to connect with readers who will review the book and create early buzz. Winners who say "Thank You. I'll add it to my towering TBR pile," are not as valuable to the program as winners who review promptly.

So, if you've ever wondered why some people seem luckier than others, that might be the reason.

:-)

I don't believe that all the world is supposed to be able to see who wins because proper names and mailing addresses are supplied. The organizers tell the author (or publisher) and may notify the winner.

It's up to the author whether she sends a congratulatory email, or simply dashes off to the post office with the book. I believe rules for authors ban authors from sending anything except the book.

Hope this was of interest.

Rowena Cherry

Thank you, Holly, and Meg.

I've never seen a fairy man, and would not know what to do with one if I came across one. I like my men big... well, tall anyway.

Seriously, there is a strong mystic culture there, with ledges on the chimneys for witches to take a break if the broomstick is starting to give them a wedgie, lots of fairy rings etc.

Hey, Cindy, Meg,

I've uploaded more images to Facebook and added commentary to make it a bit more interesting. Anyone can look without joining Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=82...

Enjoy.

Thank you, Cindy.
:-)
Rowena

Hello, Cindy and Dolly.

Thank you for asking. I do have family on Guernsey, yes. My brother represented the island as a fast bowler for years, now, he's a little old for that level of competition. My mother has a wonderful life there. She plays petanque (on gravelly terrains inside a converted greenhouse), also bowls (the lawn kind), once swam in the sea for a couple of hours with a very friendly seal, grows an amazing variety of vegetables, recycles religiously even to the extent of throwing fish skins and meat scraps onto her roof so the seagulls can eat stuff that does not biodegrade into good compost.

I've a few photos on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=82...

Some will baffle you a bit, I am sure. One is of a bunch of people going for a swim in the sea on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas).

Guernsey has a tourist board website I think it's "thisisguernsey". You can also visit Guernsey virtually by using Google Earth.

I syndicate my http://www.rowenacherry.blogspot.com Blog to Amazon (I think) and also FB so I try to stay on topic and not post anything personal.

I'll see about putting some more photos on my website (bio page) http://www.rowenacherry.com but don't bother looking yet because my webmaster is a bit backed up.

:-)

Also worth checking out are Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Herm.

Best wishes,
Rowena Cherry

Rowena waving to Cindy.
:-)
I was there for almost a month over Christmas.

Hi,
I'm following you!

Rowena Cherry
Rowena Cherry

SpaceSnark


Thauna wrote: "Hi Sandy!

My username is trosekay
"

I'm Twittering

Rowena Cherry on Twitter

Good wishes coming your way.

Don't forget to put your dh in charge of packing the strongest disinfecting wipes you can find (and then wiping every surface that you might touch around your bed).

Now, be sure to choose a good book or two to read while you are recovering!

Teri,
Go to Friends.
Upper right, there is a brown box "Edit Friends"
Click.
Options appear "Make top friend" and there is an x
Click x to remove the "friend"

:-)
If you poke about, you can also block "friends" and you can put up a tricky question to deter spammers eg: "Why do you wish to be my friend?" You can even impose a correct answer!

Best wishes,
Rowena

Teri,

I thought I was being a goodwill ambassador, too.

Then, I took a look at their star ratings of western fiction, and realized that some of these people read a great many books that they don't like. If one does not like the first book by a certain author, why ever would you read several more by the same author? Moreover, they were apparently reading books that they could not possibly have access to in their own country.

I also realized that at least one of these persons had four if not six different identities.

A while ago, there was a news item about a MSN chat group which was being used as a front for conversations that might have been read by homeland security if done directly through email. It was shut down. It is possible that other social networking sites are now being used for message drops.

If you are concerned, you ned to go through your list of friends and weed out everyone (male and female... because anyone can put up any photo) who seems an unlikely friend, but you also want to look at the friends of those questionable friends (on their pages) to see if you missed someone....say in Spain, or California, or Turkey.

They will probably notice that you are no longer their friend if you remain on the list of one of their friends, or a member of one of their groups. Leave them in your friend requests pending file.

On the positive side, you are probably just camouflage to them, and bait.

Best wishes,
Rowena

Hugh Jackman has a page on Facebook with some very nice photos. He accepts friendship requests, too!