Riley Amos Westbrook's Blog, page 135
April 3, 2015
The Bone Wall: gritty fantasy #Free with #Kindle Today, Sat, and Sun
Haven’t read this one yet, but the author is a talent that Sara prefers. If you get a chance, it’s free for the next few days, you should check her work out! (Btw Diane, it’s on the kindle waiting in line!)
Originally posted on Myths of the Mirror:
Another new adventure in writing presents itself. I’m learning…figuring out how to promote and publicize, how to use Facebook for something besides sharing pictures of my cat.
I’m still getting twitter sorted out in my pea brain, learning what the heck those hashtags are and what they do. To be honest…it’s been a blast.
Free on Amazon Kindle
Grim Gritty Fantasy
Friday April 3 – Sunday April 5
Click Here to Order
Blue light ripples and crackles as the shield walls fracture. The remnants of a doomed civilization stand vigil outside, intent on plunder and slaves, desirous of untainted blood to strengthen their broken lives. With the poisons, came deformities and powers, enhanced senses and the ability to manipulate waves of energy—lightbenders and fire-wielders.
For those who thrived for generations within the walls, the broken world looms, strange and deadly, slowly dying. While the righteous pray for salvation, Rimma prepares for battle, fueled…
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Filed under: Uncategorized
#SupportIndieAuthors, Epilepsy research edition!
I love a good cause I can get behind. Which is why I all but jumped at the opportunity to feature our next author. I’ll let Shelby do the speaking for herself. A welcome addition to the series, please help me welcome Shelby McGrath Myers.
Out of the Bubble
About this item
Out of the Bubble is a candid memoir of a family faced with an unimaginable tragedy. Shelby McGrath Myers lets you into her world as she recounts the life changing hospitalization of her son, Clayton; the effects on her family dynamics; their transition home with a new “normalcy” and, ultimately, the heartache of losing a child. Gripping and enlightening – the reader will witness the power of a family’s love and why the story of a little boy, nicknamed “Clayton the Great”, will impact your life. Shelby McGrath Myers is donating a portion of her royalties from each book sale, to Clayton’s Hope Organization. A non-profit which raises funding for Epilepsy research and awareness.
Bio
Shelby McGrath Myers is the mother of 5 children and has been married since 1992. She is the founder and continues in the capacity of Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Clayton’s Hope Organization, a non-profit which raises awareness and funding for Epilepsy research. In 2012, she was named the Epilepsy Advocate of the Year by the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey/Family Resource Network. She was nominated to the State of New Jersey Epilepsy Task force and elected chair in 2011. She was reelected chair in 2013. She is employed as a Patient Liaison for a medical equipment/Home Nursing company specializing in transitioning medically fragile pediatric patients from hospitals to their home. This is Shelby’s first published book.
Available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com and select online and retail book dealers.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1502352…
1. What do you do to keep your spirits up through a bad review?
I was told a very long time ago, a very important life lesson, which I try to implement in all aspects of negativity – “the moment that you feel that you know everything and have nothing further to learn, is the moment that you become stale”. I believe that each of us has something to learn from each other, so I am always open to suggestion; although, I also believe that if you are passionate about something that you should “stick to your guns” and write exactly how you wish the story to go.
2 and 3. Dedications, mentions?
I have to paste here the dedication pages from my book, or I would fall short in those which need to be mentioned.
How can I ever properly express my gratitude? So many individuals, some whose names I will never know, have given so much to my family. I have been blessed with such an extraordinary support system and I believe that you are only as strong as the support which you are shown – mine has made me whole. The acknowledgements are endless, but I will try to recognize as many as possible. For those whose names I will never know, but can recall the kind deeds which they so selflessly gave, I can only say thank you.
Ultimately, this book is dedicated to my family and friends. To my children, whose lives were turned upside down, but yet became compassionate beyond their years. They amaze me everyday and it is from them I continue to learn and grow. To my husband, who remained strong when I needed to be weak, worked tirelessly so that I could stay home and, mostly, gave me 5 little souls that I could never love more. Thank you for loving me, especially when I was not easy to love. To my parents, who changed their lives, to give our children a sense of normalcy (against incredible odds), and did more for us than I could possibly list – thank you, for holding my hand and never letting it go. To my brother and extended family, for their love and support, you are very appreciated and loved. To my friends, both new and those who have stood by me for years, I can never thank you for all that you have done.
I would fall short on acknowledgements if I did not mention those individuals within Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Newborn Nurses and Holly Dell School. There are so many names, that I don’t want to select a random few. I was touched by the outpouring of support, guidance and compassion. My son was never treated as a patient, but more so as a sick child. They listened, were interested and, mostly, allowed me to be a parent. They cried with me and triumphed at Clay’s miracles. They cared, instead of just caring for my son.
To all of the nameless faces who prayed, hoped and loved my family. You showed us the meaning of generosity, one which I will try each day to show to others.
Lastly, I not only would like acknowledge, but dedicate this book to my son Clayton. It is every parent’s dream that their children make a difference in this world, and he continues to do so each day, even though he is only with me in spirit. He showed me the meaning of hope, the importance of family and friends, and unconditional love. He made a lasting impression on all those privileged to meet him and his story serves as inspiration. Clayton will always be with me and continues to live in all that I do and achieve.
4. Has self-publishing taught you any lessons that you feel will help you in life?
Again, if you are passionate about something and believe in it with your heart, nothing is impossible.
5.What’s your favorite color?
I have 2 favorites – for a reason. Purple is my “passion” as it is the color signified for Epilepsy and Orange because it is a “happy” color.
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: Uncategorized
March 28, 2015
#RileyAmosReviews, I hear the coffee pot percolating edition, part 4!
Good twist one vampire story for sure. I love the modern vampires being able to live among us common people. This book kept me wanting to read more the whole time. I had a busy day today on a day off and I read this book every chance I got. Love it! Can’t wait for book 2. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review* 5/5
Remember, if you’d like to be featured in the #RileyAmosReviews or the #SIA segments, drop me a line at RileyAmosReviews(at)Gmail(.)com
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
#RileyAmosReviews, I hear the coffee pot percolating edition, part 3!
This book was a good book too. This book kind of reminded me of the “Tomorrow People” TV show, in a way. But most the town had this unique ability. Life in small town Minterville is a town that kept in interest through out the book. I enjoyed the book and it’s town and characters very much. If you are looking for something a little different to read, check this book out. * 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
#RileyAmosReviews, I hear the coffee pot percolating edition, part 2!
The Melding of Aeris , by D. Wallace Peach (Sara has this one done as well Diane, just trying to pin her down for a review can be a pain in the ass >.>)
Parts of this book for me were very brutal. People are skinned alive, and melded with animals. So if you don’t have money you get skinned. This world is filled with human-beasts, covered in fur. But at the same time this book had good imagination and that is hard to find. I enjoyed reading this book and the world the author created was very good. This book was different for me to read for sure. * 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
#RileyAmosReviews, I hear the coffee pot percolating edition, part 1!
*Big yawn* I’m awake, I’m awake. I swear wasn’t up until 4 am trying to finish a project.
The Vagabond’s Son: Prelude to a Legacy , by L.F. Falconer
I enjoyed this book about Adalanto and his life. I loved the magic creatures in this book and how the story unfolds for me. This was a great book for all ages. You should see what you think of 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
#SupportIndieAuthors, The Phil edition
B.B. Wynter has been supplanted as the most verbose person I’ve met on the internet….or maybe it’s just a different kind of verbose. Either way, let me introduce Phil today. He’s one of those guys that seems a lot like me (Takes life way to seriously to actually be serious about it.) He’s a decent seeming guy, who offers good advice on the Support Indie Authors group board.
http://smile.amazon.com/Cigerets-Guns…
Murder, sex, buried bank loot and legends of UFOs
Dodd breaks up a convenience store robbery when his car breaks down in Sweet Water Falls, Texas. What’s the thanks he gets? The sheriff won’t let him leave, the car lot can’t find the parts and everybody wants him for something—sales pitch, church membership, and even stud pony.
But most of all, it seems a family named Dodd were shot down robbing the bank in 1949 and the half million they stole remains missing. Everyone thinks Dodd returned to dig up the loot and no one intends to let him leave until he finds it—along with (or so the legends go) a long lost flying saucer.
Blog link
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show…
Biography
Phillip T, Stephens is biographically impaired. The last blogger who tried to garner details of his personal life interviewed him nonstop only to learn that Phillip was kidnapped from a Hari Krishna cult as a baby by a deprogramming expert, who thought the six-month infant would be easy to reindocrinate. The deprogrammer has now devoted his life to Krishna on an Ashram in India.
Stephens, however, left to his own devices in a consumer society rapidly devolved into a video gaming, cartoon consuming moron who went through the deprogrammers life savings by the time he was six-years-old. Forced to sell his body on the streets of Dallas, Texas he quickly discovered Texans men were interested in little boys only to catch Footballs and root for the local professional football team lest they be accused of being queer, while the women just wanted someone to tuck into bed.
As a result he was paid to attend Christian school where he ended up getting called to the principal’s office and being spanked every day. This was the most the blogger was able to get out of Stephens who immediately grew bored and came up with a different story, which was too profane to publish.
1. What do you do to keep your spirits up through a bad review?
I’ve only received one review and it was really good. I didn’t know the reviewer, and connected with them exactly the way I wanted to. On the other hand, I don’t expect people to love my books, and I have a long list of rejections from publishing houses. I can show you the scars from family, teachers, and grad school advisors, so to me it’s part of the game.
As an eductator I’ve gotten peer, supervisor and student reviews all my life. 20 percent love me, 60 percent were well above average, and 20 percent thought I was the worse thing that happened to education. I listened to the bad reviews, selected the reviews I thought might be reasonable and made changes (the same as I did in writing workshops, which is the subject of my latest blog), It didn’t change my evaluations one iota. I learned the negative reviews reflected my style, and my style was what made me successful as a (teacher and free-lance writer).
I think writers should learn to listen to criticism that can improve their writing and realize that when critics respond to their vision and voice, they just have to find their audience.
Ironically, my family reviews are more like fifty-fifty, so I’m better off professionally.
2. What has been your greatest inspiration for writing your story?
In this case it was a joke. In the seventies Texas gas stations had barrels of iced beer right by the gas pumps. I was joking with a friend I was surprised they didn’t sell guns too. I’d had a story about a thirty year old bank heist kicking around in the back of my head and that joke inspired me to write it.
3. Are there any people you feel need a shout out for supporting you?
Only one person ever supported me, and that’s my wife Carol. On the other hand, I socialize her rescue cats so it’s a mutual deal. I don’t mind that they’re pissed off about being abandoned and need to vent their anger and the timid ones need a lap to huddle in while I type. Now that we’re both retired we have more time to spend with them.
4. Has self-publishing taught you any lessons that you feel will help you in life?
Not really. The lesson I learned was that publishers expected me to market my own work for them, and I had no marketing skills, so if I needed to learn marketing skills I might as well learn them to promote my own work.
Sadly, I learned to write far better than I’m learning to market.
and last, What’s your favorite color
Colors change like the day. To appreciate them I have to see what’s on the other side of the door.
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 Tagged: Authors, Resources, Support, Support Indie Authors
March 27, 2015
#RileyAmosReviews, you even get a couple from me edition, part 2!
Why Authors Fail by Derek Doepker
I found this book when I was pursuing amazon, and saw it was free and picked it up. There is a lot of good information in here for authors just starting out, but a few points I disagree with. Then again, maybe I should listen to some of those points. I don’t have a bestseller yet, after all. 4/5 *I picked up this book on a free giveaway*
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
#RileyAmosReviews, you even get a couple from me edition, part 1!
So I finally started setting time aside to start reading, and I’m glad I did. It was worth the time, and energy, spent. Now I feel like my batteries are recharged, and I’m ready to make a skydive. Anyways, reviews posted below.
Lineage by J. Christopher Thompson
An excellent addition to the fantasy genre. This book was fun to read and hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 5/5 *I was provided with a free book for an honest review.*
Filed under: Riley Amos Reviews, Support Indie Authors Tagged: Book Review
