Riley Amos Westbrook's Blog, page 116
July 21, 2015
Cruisin’ through books cause books make life worth living with Aly! #RileyAmosReviews 7/21/2015
The Cleansing by Nicola Johnson
The Cleansing is about half human/alien who lives on earth. The book is very interesting and very different form other books I read. I liked it! * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review* 5/5
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
July 19, 2015
#SupportIndieAuthors, A selfless hero edition! *Chance to win a free copy!*
Honestly, I’m looking forward to reading this next authors book more than I have others, just because of some of the reviews. I am a man who loves a hero who does what’s right, and from what I can see, Atlas is just that. If anything, his interview just makes me want to read it even more. Without further Ado, I’ll give to you Tony Evans. (Mr. Evans would also like to do a giveaway! If you’d like a chance at a free copy, just leave a short comment below!)
Short bio: Tony Evans is an American writer of science fiction. He has spent 12 months in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom conducting more than 50 combat operations where he received the Army Commendation Medal. He has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and lives in Southern California with his wife and daughter. His debut novel is Code Name Atlas.
Short blurb about the book: Atlas emerges from the ruins of Earth and is thrust into a heart-wrenching post-apocalyptic journey to keep his family alive. To keep his wife safe, he builds an army. To win back their home, he must go to war. But his selflessness is driving them apart. As he struggles for his wife’s devotion he is caught in a desperate fight against a tyrannical dictator. Amidst the fight of his life he uncovers the shocking truth about Earths destruction.
My GoodReads page, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6439872.Tony_Evans?from_search=true
What do you do to keep your spirits up through a bad review?
Publishing a book is scary because you’re putting your hard work out there for the world to read and judge. But if a person spent time reading the book and wrote a review, first off I’m already grateful for their time, and second it means that they cared enough about the book to tell other people about it. Any review is good publicity, someone might read a bad review for the book and find that what one person hated about the book they actually like about the book. Any review helps me to be a better writer. I can see what I did right and wrong and correct it in my next book.
What has been your greatest inspiration for writing your story?
I love the idea that anyone has read my book. I’m able to connect with a total stranger and share with them a fictional world that had only existed in my head. But now they’re carrying around that same world that I had imagined. We will probably never meet, but we’ll be connected in a small way. So the greatest inspiration for me to write any story is to connect with people. My inspiration for Code Name Atlas, came from my time in Iraq and in the Army. The fictional hero’s I had imagined as a child don’t exist and the real heroes in my life, my team leader and lieutenant and captain in the Army, were all heroes to me in different ways and all were flawed in different ways. And when we came back from Iraq, those heroes went back to just being regular people again. No one would ever know what they meant to me and how they kept me alive. So, I suppose Atlas is a combination of all those people I saw as heroes, the best parts of them and their flaws.
Are there any people you feel need a shout out for supporting you?
Yes, a lot of people helped motivate me as a writer. My wife, Priscilla, has been my biggest fan and my harshest critic. I first wrote Code Name Atlas just to entertain her. And then she kept pushing for more pages and more chapters until it was a full book. Also my brother, sister and brother in law and editor. All have read my stuff and have been supportive.
Has self-publishing taught you any lessons that you feel will help you in life?
In one word, perseverance. Going through several rounds of edits, writing another book, marketing, social media, and dealing with all the things of normal life keeps me busy, and sticking with it every day is a challenge. But, I do all of it just so I can do that one thing that I love doing, writing.
and last, What’s your favorite color?
Plain old black. I’m not emo or anything, just not a very flashy guy.
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Support Indie Authors
July 17, 2015
Cruisin’ through books because books make life worth living with Aly! #RileyAmosReviews 7/17/2015 part 4!
Blood Is Thicker Than Water by Aray S Brown
Twin sisters grow up in a happy childhood until their mother is murdered in front of them. What a great start for a book but such a hard thing to live through. The sister’s are put into the faster care system and revenge in on the minds as I’m sure it would be mine. This books had some twists and turns and kept me wanting more. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review* 4/5
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
Cruisin’ through books because books make life worth living with Aly! #RileyAmosReviews 7/17/2015 part 3!
Love & Ink Vol.2: Reflections by Kiana Donae
I feel this is another great collection of poems from Kiana. I enjoyed this book as much as her first one ” Love and Ink”. This poems are very soul searching and true to the author I feel like the author put her heart and soul out there for this book. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review* 4/5
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
Cruisin’ through books because books make life worth living with Aly! #RileyAmosReviews 7/17/2015 part 2!
Remotely Unplugged by Andrea Darlington-Perno
This book was a scary future for me in some respects. I’m not sure I want a chip implanted in my head ever! But I enjoyed the book and the story very much. I do sympathize with the character of Sarah very much. But the thought of this being in our future is very scary to me but you never know what technology can do next. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review* 4/5
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
Cruisin’ through books because books make life worth living with Aly! #RileyAmosReviews 7/17/2015 part 1!
I write some poems myself so I know if can be a challenge to write great ones. This author does just that for me. This book has so many great poems in it. I enjoyed it. The book tells of life’s tragedies and joys, faults and virtues, mistakes and atonements all woven delicately into a picture of love of life. I enjoyed all part of these poems. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review* 5/5
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
July 16, 2015
Selective Cropping
Awesome.
Originally posted on Problems With Infinity:
Sometimes as humans we need to reassure other people that everything is ok. Be it employers, friends, or loved ones- sometimes we need to give them a more peaceful version of reality, even if that requires some tiny tiny white lies.
I’ve found that selective cropping is an excellent way to give others the peace of mind that they deserve. I don’t think it makes me a horrible, horrible liar per se… It just makes me… uhh… Considerate? Thoughtful? A wonderfully delightful, caring, sweet, lovable girl? Yes, all those words describe me perfectly. Also fascinatingly wise like a turtle, and kind of like a superhero tiger who can fly and also has lasers for eyes. Ok there, description of me complete. And now onto the examples of selective cropping I may have used in the past…
Petsitting
Text Message: Hey there! R2Dog2 is doing great! Here he is having a blast on the beach! Hope…
View original 137 more words
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July 14, 2015
#RileyAmosReviews, Taking me back to my younger days! #SupportIndieAuthors!
One part Anne McCaffery, one part David Weber, Shake vigorously and get some quality writing! What can I say, I’m very happy I picked this book up on a free promo. Haven’t read the 2nd one yet, but I can already tell they’re both going in the reread pile. Wonderful stories E.J.!
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
Another cover reveal! #SupportIndieAuthors!
Alysia must really like this author, because she asked me to help her with her cover reveal. More than happy to help in what ways I can! Give it a look, you never know, you might find something you like. Looks like the book is releasing Sept 15.
My name’s Sunny Grace Beaumont. Only child, self-taught computer geek and cancer survivor. Oh, and did I mention my dad’s the President? As you can imagine that’s sometimes a little problematic, especially when I want to sneak out. But it never got me into quite as much trouble as the night I ventured into the Ghetto – don’t ask me why I was there in the first place… it was stupid. Everyone knows that the Ghetto is where hardened criminals are sent to live out the remainder of their lives. At first the men that kidnap me are just as I’d imagine, mean and thoughtless, but slowly I begin to have doubts.
I meet a guy. His name’s Sin, he has no Brand – a crime punishable by death – and he’s the rebel leader. I should hate him… but I don’t. Instead he opens my eyes to a whole other side of the Ghetto, where people are innocent of the crimes they’re accused of and helpless children suffer dreadful poverty. Is it possible that I’ve been lied to my entire life… that the governments been deceiving everyone? And how can I challenge the law my own dad is adamant to uphold?
You can read more about the author here! Until next time #SupportIndieAuthors!
Filed under: Support Indie Authors Tagged: Support Indie Authors
July 13, 2015
Cruisin’ through books cause books make life worth living with Aly #RileyAmosReviews part 2!
Darkness from Beyond by Stefano Lanciotti
This was a wonderful book. A quick read but it kept my interest. If you like fantasy books you should check out this collection. I cover of this book caught my attention and made me want to know more of what this series was about! I’m glad I was asked to read it. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review* 5/5
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
