Riley Amos Westbrook's Blog, page 129

Cruisin through books ’cause books make life worth livin’ with Aly #RileyAmosReviews, 5/1/2015 ARC part 2

Shadowshift by Peter Giglio

This was an interesting book for me and I enjoyed it very much. This author has a gift at writing I believe. I enjoyed his characters and the family drama in the book. The plot moves along on two different timelines and provides thrills. If you like supernatural thrillers book you need to pick this one up. This book was easy to read and very entertaining. * I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*   5/5

Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review

Cruisin through books ’cause books make life worth livin’ with Aly #RileyAmosReviews, 5/1/2015 ARC part 1

The Memory Hit by Carla Spradbery

This book was very interesting to me when I found it on Netgalley.  A drug than lets you relive memories could be good or bad and I was curious to find out more.  The book did not do as well as I had hopes it would.  I was not caught up in all the action and story line of the book. The characters were not keeping me as interested as I had hoped.  * I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*  3/5

Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review

I know an author that needs your help! #SupportIndieAuthors!

So, I’ve only recently met Mr. Michael Wood, but he seems like a very deep thinker. As with all deep thinkers, sometimes it’s just hard to make up our minds. As such, I can understand the dilema Mr. Wood faces, as I too have problems picking just which project I want to work on next… So when he came to me asking for help, I leapt at the chance! With that, I’ll let his words speak for himself.

Hey everyone! Would you help decide my next novel in a worldwide audience poll?

I’m in between novels right now, and am having an impossible time deciding which of three partially finished novels I should finish and release first.

So, I’m setting up a poll for the next two weeks, giving the power totally to the audience. If you have a little bit of time today, would you read the beginnings of each of my potential novels, then vote for which novel you’d most like to see released? (You can also just look at the concepts, if you don’t have time to read the samples). Two are mysteries, one is magical realism.

If you’re up to it, you can read and vote here: http://michaeljwoodwriting.com.

Thanks so much!

So please, take the time to help Mr. Wood with his next endeavour. Who knows, maybe you’ll have a hand in helping an author write a masterpiece to go down for the ages. (And yes, I know which concept I love the most. If you’d like to share your vote, leave a comment below!)
Filed under: Support Indie Authors Tagged: Support Indie Authors

Cruisin through books ’cause books make life worth livin’ with Aly #RileyAmosReviews, 4/30/2015 part 3

Pretty Dancer by Cora Graham

I can remember being a teenager is not easy.  I think everyone has good and bad memories of that time in your life.  The characters in this book a brother and sister have an unbreakable and unshakeable bond. The characters are likeable and believable. This book brought back a lot of memories of my teenage life too.  I enjoyed the story and the journey with these characters and the author does a great job in bringing the characters to life.  * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*  5/5

Remember, if you’d like to have Alysia, Sara, or myself read your books drop a line to RileyAmosReviews(at)gmail(dot)com and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can! Until next time.

Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review, Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors

Cruisin through books ’cause books make life worth livin’ with Aly #RileyAmosReviews, 4/30/2015 part 2

The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

I enjoyed this book very much.  It has a little bit of everything supernatural in it.  I couldn’t believe how cram packed this book was with all the wonderful charters and they story line was great.  I was reading until the end and did not want to put this book down.  I would read more from this author!   * 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, Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors

Cruisin through books ’cause books make life worth livin’ with Aly #RileyAmosReviews, 4/30/2015 part 1

Killer Friends by Joanne Clancy

 This book was good. Justice is a great thing when it works even when it takes year. This book made you wonder if the killer was ever going to be caught and brought to justice. I enjoyed it very much.  4/5
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review, Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors

#SupportIndieAuthors, the black balled edition!

I think this lady and I are going to get along just fine. She seems very blunt and to the point, just like someone else I know in my life. She’s here to tell you about her book that deals with struggling with addiction. Enough from me, let me set the stage for J.C. Stockli!

I’ve just recently jumped into the indie author world, and as you know exposure is so important. I’d like to introduce my work…

The Nothingness – Addictions Of The Eternal: Book One is the first of a dark fantasy/paranormal fantasy that, at its heart, delves into the world of addiction. The goal is to show how easily we all fall to some form of addiction and struggle through recovery. This story pits an alcoholic who discovers an immortal culture and ultimately finds herself introduced to a whole new high. It is dark. It involves demons both physical and mental. It is gritty and real so adult content comes up as does “human” relationships, but they do not drive the story.

I am new to writing, but sadly have seen so many around me fall to addiction. I am a full-time MBA professional, living along the Massachusetts coast with my family.

links:

www.jcstockli.com

www.twitter.com / jcstockli

www.facebook.com / jcstockli

www.instagram.com/jcstockli

www.pinterest.com/jcstockli

www.independentauthornetwork.com/jc-s…

I’m associated with the Independent Authors Network, Horror Writers Association, and Romance Writers Association.

bio:

I write dark fantasy (with a twist), paranormal fantasy, and/or romantic horror. Choose your poison.

I’m inspired by music, the past, and possibilities. Also an established full-time professional with my MBA, over the years I’ve moonlighted as a magician’s assistant, a roadie for a metal band, a dance fitness instructor, and even dressed up as a promotional character at public events. I thought, why not explore writing?

I live along the Massachusetts coast with my husband and two children. You’ll likely find us dancing around the house, or out on the water soaking in the sun and breathing in the sea salt air.

1. What do you do to keep your spirits up through a bad review?

For bad reviews I have to let the flutter of emotions wash over me and walk away. Then it’s reread and reread because I can’t help the torture, but eventually I’ll look for the lesson to be learned, find something constructive to take away from the criticism. I told myself going into this that I couldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. I’ll go to the grave screaming that. When all else fails my husband and my best friend smack me around (figuratively) to put things into perspective. I have life by the balls.

2. What has been your greatest inspiration for writing your story?

(this question will probably get me black-balled)*nope, I love that concept and it’s what I tried to do with my own books*. I got real tired of reading stories about perfect people. I wanted a story that felt real. Evie’s journey feels real to me; she’s flawed beyond belief but she tries. Now for the cliché part… I had a dream that I was Evie, it’s a vividly described chapter in the book, and it followed me everywhere I went once I woke up–for years. Over time certain songs made me think of the story and only the story… snowball effect from there and BOOM! The Addictions Of The Eternal series was born. Music remains a huge inspiration as do the beautiful people I have in my life; this applies to all my WIPs.

3. Are there any people you feel need a shout out for supporting you?

Shout out to my family for tolerating me. I slack on chores, I know. Another big shout to my BF Diana. She’s amazing, supporting me from day one and inspiring my writing in so many ways.

4. Has self-publishing taught you any lessons that you feel will help you in life?

A big one is writing is hard… real hard. (thank you Blades of Glory for some amazing one-liners). Deciding to go indie is terrifying, but so worth it. I’ve learned the complexities of mixing business with pleasure. I’m going I’ve also learned that I have some of the most amazing friends and family network (I’m talking about cell phone plans). I’m more grateful for what I have more than ever.

and last, What’s your favorite color?

yep cliché… it’s black.

Remember, if you’d like to be featured in the #SupportIndieAuthor series, please drop me a line at RileyAmosReviews (@) Gmail (Dot) com. Until next week, keep writing!

And don’t forget to check out my Breath Of the Titans: The False Titanbriger series.

*FREE* Little Black Stormcloud

A Mother’s Love

War of the Chiefs

Filed under: Musings, Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors

My ebook giveaway was a success! Thanks to all the people who helped spread the word!

So, first off I want to thank everyone who helped me with my Ebook giveaway. It was a resounding success, and I have many new readers with it waiting in their pile. Now comes the part where I teach you all how to do it.

It’s a lot simpler than you would think, if you know how to use the event calendar already, then you can just add it into your rotation of normal things you would do for a book signing or whatever.

Just simply state in the title of your event that it is scheduled to be an Ebook giveaway, and then promote it as you normally would. I prefer my methods for free promotion listed in a variety of Author Resource posts on this blog. (All except RRBC, which is $25 a year, but I do have to admit has more than given me my bang for my buck. I’ll admit I jumped into the club at first as a source for reviews, but you guys are AWESOME support.)

For those uninitiated, the steps are quite easy to follow.

Step One:

Open your browser to Goodreads.com and go to the Events page. There is an a downward pointing arrow next to Explore in my browser, hover your mouse over it, and Events is the very bottom option.

Step Two:

Click Add An Event. Name and label it with pertinent info, and set a date and time.

You need to have your end date and your start date the same day, or else you will have your giveaway disappear on you in the middle of it. (Yes, this happened to me, and you can quit laughing now. Took me half a day to figure out what I did wrong >.>)

Step Three:

Invite the friends list, tweet it out, blog, and do everything you can to get the word out without being too pushy. (Or be richer than I am, and pay for advertising and have it take off like wildfire!)

Your giveaway is now setup.

Easy peasy, nice and easy. So, now even the poor people like me can do a giveaway and help get the word out! #SupportIndieAuthors!

Filed under: Musings, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Ebook Giveaway, giveaway, Support Indie Authors

Thanking those who supported indie authors while I was being busy as a bestman! #RRBC #IARTG #IAN1 #SUPPORTINDIEAUTHORS

I want to take the time to thank the people that stopped by the site, as well as those of you on twitter who kept retweeting for me, for doing that. I should be back to normal after today, unless I have another surprise wedding thrown on us!

So, being a best man/wedding photographer is a lot of work. I was going to post a bunch of pictures of my best friend and his beautiful new bride, but I was told I would be hurt if I did >.> Anyways, he married a wonderful woman from Congo, and watching their traditions and how they hold marriage ceremonies was something awesome to behold. A truly memorable experience that I’ll never forget! I hope they have many long and happiness filled years together.

But I’m not going to leave you guys imageless, I might not be able to show you guys pictures of the new couple, but I can share with you the beautiful bouquet they had for her.

And a couple more pictures, because I haven’t had my camera out in forever, and I forgot how much fun it can be.

Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful day, and that life keeps your on your toes! Until tomorrow.

Filed under: Musings Tagged: musings

Cruisin through books ’cause books make life worth livin’ with Aly #RileyAmosReviews, 4/26/2015 part 4

The Adventure Kids and The Abandoned Mine by P.W. Lawrence

I enjoyed this quick read.  This book was a great short adventure with some new friends. The story starts with a couple friends hanging out in a town with out much to do for kids.  They notice a family moving into the neighborhood and a girl both of their ages is in this family.  They decide to show her around town and show her the old mine in town.  Not a great idea when you get lost. To was a fun adventure for me.  * 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