Tracy Falbe's Blog, page 21

Indie Author Finds Inspiration in "Indie Money" Cryptocurrency

Author R. Janutka contacted me recently about his new young adult novel Revolution High Book 1: AEMPCoin. Since I recently added bitcoin acceptance to my website, he thought I would be interested in the premise of Revolution High. About the novel:

It is the future and growing food is heavily regulated. The moon colony infiltrates global banking, inserts a virus and wipes out all global debt. Launched from downtown New York, a rocket detonates an EMP over North America.

With dozens of nuclear power plants on the brink, the global economy vaporized and non-hardened electronics rendered useless, the food supply disappears.

Revolution High is the story of a high school trying to prevent its town from self-destructing amidst the complete collapse.  CryptoCurrency, war, peace and farming, AEMPCoin shows readers a revolutionary outcome of collapse.
You can get Revolution High at the author's website if you want to spend bitcoin or download the ebook from your favorite retailer. He has links to everything here. Reviewers can contact the author for a free review copy too. ------

A note from Tracy Falbe: Be the first to know about my new releases and special sales at Brave Luck Books. Join the Readers' List. Ebooks and audiobooks available worldwide. Print in select countries.

No Time for Summer Reading? Let Audiobooks Have Their Day in the Sun

Lazy afternoons at a scenic cabin are iconic of summer. You crave that afternoon in a hammock reading, but summer tends not to slow down for most of us. There are special events, barbeques, baseball games, and family reunions. Some alone time for reading is a challenge to come by.

Audiobooks can often feed the craving for a good story. The altertive medium of audio opens new opportunities for busy people.

If you're not finding time for that summer read, you might have space in your day for audiobooks.

- Do you have a long commute? Very few people are on vacation more than one or two weeks in the summer. Most days you'll be traveling to work. Commuters love audiobooks.

- Do you have a boring job? Some jobs are so tedious even employers allow employees to listen to music and audiobooks with headsets. Warehouse workers, data entry workers, equipment operators, and house cleaners often have their playlists to get them through the day.

- Do you have trouble reading text? Audiobooks serve the vision impaired market.

And some people like audiobooks because they offer the intimate feeling of being told a story.

For people who love a good fantasy epic full of magic, passion, and bravery but don't have time to pick up one of those "door stopper" books, audiobooks offer a fun alternative.
I just started a 50% off sale on my fantasy audiobooks Union of Renegades and The Goddess Queen. Each audiobook is only $4.47 right now at my website.


You can also find my audiobooks on Audible and iTunes. I don't set the prices there, so they might be higher or lower than my sale price. 


A note from Tracy Falbe: Be the first to know about my new releases and special sales at Brave Luck Books. Join the Readers' List. Ebooks and audiobooks available worldwide. Print in select countries.

11 Days in the Top 100 Epic Fantasy at Kobo - Union of Renegades

Are you heading into the weekend craving a good fantasy read?
Then consider Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I. It's been in the top 100 epic fantasy category at Kobo for 11 days now.

It's free, so downloading it and giving it a try is an easy choice.

About the novel:

The epic begins as Dreibrand Veta and the conquering Horde of the Atrophane Empire reach a mythic Wilderness that beckons with a magical call to glory. But Onja, Queen of the rys, a race far more powerful than the greatest human state, guards this land. She has the power to imprison souls and her genocidal rage is legendary. Everything is at risk for her desperate enemies, the union of renegades.

If you don't shop at Kobo, anyone worldwide can download Union of Renegades at Brave Luck Books. 3 formats available. 

Also free at: Amazon, Nook, iBooks, Smashwords, and All Romance

A note from Tracy Falbe: Be the first to know about my new releases and special sales at Brave Luck Books. Join the Readers' List. Ebooks and audiobooks available worldwide. Print in select countries.

WhipEye Author Geoffrey Saign Urges Kids to Connect with Nature and Intuition

I really like the concept for the new children's urban fantasy thriller adventure WhipEye by Geoffrey Saign. The book is meant for ages 9 and combines fantasy elements, nature and wildlife, and the importance of love and intuition in children’s lives. Intuition is so devalued in modern times. It's considered irrational, but that's so untrue. Intuition is another form of our bodily and spiritual intelligence. Connection with nature helps to nurture it. Because it's important for everyone to be connected with nature, I decided to feature WhipEye and interview the author. 

About WhipEye:

Samantha and her neighbor, Jake, have no idea that Samantha’s best friend, a parrot named Charlie, is a thousand years old. Charlie is also at the center of a secret battle between magical creatures and an ancient, evil man. When Charlie asks Samantha and Jake to protect him, they are chased by monsters from both sides. To save Charlie, and two worlds, Samantha and Jake have twenty-four hours to figure out how to use the supernatural staff, WhipEye, and find the courage to confront what they fear most…

Author Interview:

1. Tell me more about research that reveals the negative impacts of children's disconnection from Nature.

I work in special education, which is SEL based—social emotional learning, so they are always looking at what impacts learning positively or negatively. There is a growing research in conservation psychology, and mainstream psychology, that shows kids have less stress when exposed to nature, and that healthy minds require time in nature. This is true even if it means looking at a tree outside a window, and is significantly higher if kids are actually outside in nature. Something about exposure to myriad numbers of details in a forest, for example, causes the brain to relax. Also, if you’re in nature you’re probably moving; hiking, walking, swimming, climbing, and exercise has the same effect on stress—lessening it. Conversely, if kids spend even an hour a day in front of a TV or computer game it slows brain development and does not relieve stress.

2. Do you think that growing up in our society diminishes children's natural intuition?

Our society is largely based on marketing and selling and telling kids to follow fads or chase outer things that will make them happy. By doing that, we are depriving our children of their innate ability to see, understand, and follow their own path, their own sense of what’s best for them. Intuition is about the inner path we all need to see to be happy and fulfilled, and kids are told all their lives, into adulthood, that experts know best what they should do. Obviously we need information, but the process of living requires tapping into our own intelligence and trusting that. Decisions then don’t really exist. You see the path that is best and go that way. Kids need this information early on, and help to understand how to use it in their lives.

3. Is WhipEye the first book you've published?

I’ve published an adult environmental book; Green Essentials: What You Need to Know About the Environment, and two middle grade non-fiction books; African Cats and Great Apes. WhipEye is my first published novel.

4. When did you decide to write a middle grade book with a message about connecting with Nature?

I began WhipEye with the image of a boy walking into a pet store to talk to a parrot. Later the boy character was changed to a girl. I thought it would be cool if she was an animal nerd, someone who loved wildlife. There is so much focus on pets, and not enough on the beauty of wildlife. Once I decided the parrot was also ancient, the rest of the story flowed from that. I have always loved and valued nature and wildlife, so putting those elements in was easy. Write what you know and love is good advice.

5. What in your background led you to write WhipEye?

I have a degree in biology, and I also teach a self-awareness class to 18-21 year old transitional students where we focus on healthy lifestyles and what’s makes people happy. Also, I love nature and wildlife, and spend time hiking, swimming, and sailing. There are a lot of things that can create stress and pressure for children, and one simple remedy is to spend more time in nature.

6. In WhipEye, intuition is a key factor for the characters. What made you write about that?

Children need to understand that confusion, difficult decision making, and stress are often reduced considerably if they can access their own gut sense of things, and their own intuition, their own connection to the universe, so to speak. If they learn to trust intuition, they will know what to do or what not to do in all situations, and life becomes more of a joy of following your own path instead of what other people or society say you should do.

7. Any additional comments?

I hope readers enjoy WhipEye! It’s an exciting thriller, and a unique blend of nature, wildlife, action, and suspense—with some very odd characters that I love.

That's all. Thank you for your time.




Publisher: KiraKu Press              
Publication date:  July, 2014

List Price:  $9.99, eBook ($2.99)
Distributor: Amazon.com  

ISBN: 978-0-9904013-0-8

Category:  Ages 9 and up
Genre: Urban fantasy/suspense thriller/action adventure
Trade Soft Cover: 301 pages (6 X 9)

About the Author: 

Geoffrey Saign can often be found looking for interesting critters, and magic, while swimming, snorkeling, sailing, or hiking in the woods. His passion for nature and wildlife led to his nationally endorsed book, Green Essentials: What You Need to Know About the Environment, as well as his books African Cats and Great Apes. He has assisted in field research with hummingbirds and humpback whales, and sailed as far away as Australia. With more than twenty years of experience working in special education, he has taught adults and children everything from sailing to novel writing. He won the Shabo Award in 2010. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. You can visit Geoff at www.geoffreysaign.net




A note from the blogger: Be the first to know about my new releases and special sales at Brave Luck Books. Join the Readers' List. Ebooks and audiobooks available worldwide. Print in select countries.

My Top 5 Favorite Books - International Authors' Day Blog Hop

Debdatta Dasgupta Sahay of Bookish Indulgences with Book Reviews has declared July 14th as International Authors' Day. She was shocked that authors had no official day to pay tribute to their cherished art form, so she organized an International Authors' Day blog hop where bloggers write about their favorite authors, books, or why they love reading. For my contribution, I'll let you know the top five novels that have meant the most to me.

I'm also giving away ebook copies of Rys Rising: Book I and Savage Storm: Rys Rising Book II. See details below. 

My Top 5 Favorite Books
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - It's a trilogy of three books, but I'll just count it as one for my list. Because I've been writing fantasy novels since 1997, this famous epic by J.R.R. Tolkien has been enormously influential on me. Tolkien introduced me to a way of expressing myself that is now integral to my happiness. As for the story itself in the Lord of the Rings, I find it profoundly inspiring. Many times in my life when I've needed courage, I've told myself that if Sam and Frodo can walk into Mordor, I can go forward too.

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell - This mega-hit from the 1930s is a huge romance novel set in Georgia during the Civil War and Reconstruction. I remember every bit of it almost 30 years after reading it. Although the heroine Scarlett O'Hara is a shallow, scheming woman made nearly heartless by harsh circumstances, she remains one of the most memorable characters of all time. Scarlett inspires me to be strong but teaches me to be cautious about becoming too hard-hearted. She loses Rhett because she's unable to accept her own nature and appreciate the happiness he could bring. She's too busy trying to be someone she isn't.

The Godfather by Mario Puzzo - This is a novel that I think about year after year. I ponder how it showed the link between the brutal criminality of organized crime and politicians. I've shared my thoughts about this novel at this blog before in Michael Corleone and the power of an unforgettable anti hero.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck - This heartbreaking novel reveals the injustice that is pervasive in our society. I take the most inspiration from the character of Ma Joad. She endures through ever-worsening situations. She has no hope but always works hard to take care of others. She is selfless and beaten down. When I need to find strength, I always think about how Ma Joad would keep going. She proves that men can write women characters marvelously. Good authors think about people and find inspiration from all of humanity.

Dune by Frank Herbert - This science fiction classic has had the biggest influence on my style of writing. I write fiction in third person omniscient . I read Dune when I was first getting old enough to read big novels. I was blown away by all the points of view and how Herbert created a society complete with a history, religion, economy, and political conflict. Dune has an epic scope on a galactic scale. The novel also serves as a metaphor for our current civilization too. The spice that is needed for space travel is directly comparable to the oil that fuels our world. The Emperor and the Spacing Guild always insist that the "Spice must flow!" Without it the empire falls apart. The same is true with our petroleum-based civilization.

Like all book lovers, I appreciate novels that make me think and feel. I want to care about characters and be educated by them. And I need literature to help me process the world I live in so I can attain greater understanding. 

On International Authors Day, I offer my gratitude to the many authors who've enriched my life. And thanks to all the authors I've never read. Our efforts continue the great tradition of creativity that defines our species.

As a participant in the blog hop, I'm offering an ebook giveaway. Ebooks are available worldwide. Prizes: Rys Rising: Book I and Savage Storm: Rys Rising Book II (Prizes available worldwide in Kindle, Epub, and PDF formats.) 

About the ebook prizes:
A young warrior ruined and near death is saved by Onja a mysterious rys female. Forsaking all that he was, he will take the name Amar and serve his new magical mistress. A lord among outlaws he will become, feared by kings and called the dro-shalum or curse demon by the common folk.

Indulge yourself and read this sumptuous epic told from many angles.

 When Onja enthralls the savage Chatapaka people of the remote north and unleashes their brutal hordes upon vulnerable Nufalese settlements, the militia is overwhelmed. Cruce Chenomet and his comrades struggle to save the fleeing settlers. Cruce quickly loses hope but keeps his courage as he confronts the savage storm.

How to Enter:
Join my email list.
You can always unsubscribe later after the drawing, but I hope you'll stick around for news about my new releases and special sales. Your name and email will be kept private.
I will select the winner on Saturday July 19th and contact you by email.
Enjoy reading more about books and authors on the International Authors' Day blog hop.


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Judgment Rising Included in Smashwords Promotion at Romance Novel Convention

Smashwords is promoting its ebook publishing and distribution service this week at the Romance Novel Convention in Las Vegas. Taking place at the Golden Nugget Hotel from July 9th to 13th, the convention brings together leading authors, publishers, and fans of the romance genre.

As part of its marketing, Smashwords is giving away USB flash drives with hundreds of ebooks on them. Due to my sales through Smashwords, I was invited to add one of my titles in the romance category to the promotion.

I selected Judgment Rising: The Rys Chronicles Book III. Although my work is primarily epic fantasy, there are relationships and romance among the characters. Judgment Rising has three romantic subplots. There's the young love between Tytido and Lydea. Next, is the growing relationship between Atarek and Madame Rose Fayeth. Their rough road to friendship and maybe more is one of my favorite parts of the novel. And because this is the third book in the series, there is the continuing relationship between Dreibrand and Miranda. Judgment Rising starts five years after the close of the last novel, and Dreibrand and Miranda are now married with two children. After years of happiness, they will endure separation when war drags Dreibrand away from home.

Excerpt:



Looking around, Atarek asked, “Where are Han and your mother?”“Ssshh, Hanshen is sleeping and Mother is in there,” Lydea said. She turned to the fireplace and peeked at the water. She muttered that it was taking too long to heat up. Tytido stood by as an observing mute. The distracting concept of Lydea’s bath did not allow him to attempt conversation. Atarek blithely greeted Jolen and knocked on the spare room door.“Hello, Madame Fayeth,” he called. When he heard her muffled reply, he opened the door. “Hey, no crying, Madame. This is a happy day.” He rushed up to her and dropped to a knee. He would have looked like a wooing lover except his only offerings were liquor. Madame Fayeth wiped her nose with a handkerchief. She noticed the flush upon Atarek’s face, and after another sniffle, said, “Atarek, do not tell me you have a drinking problem too.”With a shameless grin, he said, “Yeah, you could say that.”She sobbed again and hid her face in the handkerchief.Atarek looked to Miranda for help. “Did the physician tell her something bad?” he said in a much more serious tone.“Well, no, not really,” Miranda said. Trying to soothe Madame Fayeth, she patted the upset woman’s shoulder. “See, Madame Fayeth, do not be upset. You have found the help you sought,” Atarek said.Madame Fayeth pulled the handkerchief away from her face and searched it for a dry spot. After clearing her throat, she yelled, “There is something wrong with his blood!” She returned to sobbing.Miranda alleviated Atarek’s confusion by describing Jolen’s diagnosis. Determined to cheer up his traveling companion, Atarek pulled her out of her crying jag with his insistent pleas. “Be reasonable, Madame Fayeth. This is everything you wanted. Hanshen is doing better and you have found a rys who has actually told you what is wrong with him. And I have found my brother! You should be celebrating. I know maybe I take too much pleasure in life, but I cannot stand to see you take none at all,” he declared.“I suppose I should be happy for making it this far,” Madame Fayeth admitted. “Yes! Now have a drink with me to toast our mutual success,” Atarek said.“Oh, Atarek, I do not drink,” Madame Fayeth moaned.“But this is a very special occasion. Please, my dear sister Miranda will have one with us,” he said.Although Miranda was not prone to drinking, she did consider that Madame Fayeth could use something to settle her nerves. “Rose, perhaps just a sip would do you some good. You are exhausted and have been under so much strain,” Miranda coaxed.Madame Fayeth relented in her temperance. Delighted to have corrupted her, Atarek rushed to get some cups from the kitchen before she changed her mind.

Judgment Rising may serve readers as an entry point into my Rys World novels. It introduces new characters and conflicts.

About the novel:

Continue the saga of The Rys Chronicles or join the story at this point as new adventures and challenges confront Shan and Dreibrand.

To the victors go the spoils, and Shan and Dreibrand have flourished for five years as the leaders of their respective kingdoms. Allied by friendship, they greet the future with excitement and grandiose plans.

Dreibrand counts on his relationship with Shan to protect him from the encroaching Atrophane Empire as he carefully avoids direct confrontation with his former countrymen, now under the undisputed leadership of his old rival Sandin Promentro.

But a greater malice than imperial ambition threatens the new lords of the Wilderness. The long dead civilization of Nufal, where Dreibrand and Miranda nurture their fledgling kingdom, has not forgotten the brutal genocide of its ancient war with the rys. The ghosts of Nufal may have been extinguished but their avengers remain. The inheritors of Onja’s wealth and lands will now battle the nightmare of their judgment rising.

If you're at the RNC Romance Novel Convention be sure to visit the Smashwords table and get your USB flash drive full of free ebooks.

50% to 75% Off Ebooks at Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale

I love the international perspective of Smashwords. It's annual July sale is styled as the Summer/Winter sale so as not to forget readers in the Southern Hemisphere.

I've sold ebooks to people in Australia and New Zealand, so I know they like to read too! I have a feeling winter in Australia is a little nicer than winter in Michigan.

Now to the sale...

I have several titles in the Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale that runs through July 31st. 

Free - Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I

To save 75% use coupon code SSW75 when checking out with these titles.  You'll see the coupon code on each product listing page too. 
75% off, $1.25 after discount The Goddess Queen: The Rys Chronicles Book II

75% off, $1.25 after discount Judgment Rising: The Rys Chronicles Book III

75% off, $1.25 after discount The Borderlands of Power: The Rys Chronicles Book IV

75% off, $1.00 after discount Werelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf Tale

To save 50% use coupon code SSW50 when checking out with this title.  You'll see the coupon code on each product listing page too.
50% off, $1.50 after discount Bear Dog Dog Bear

Smashwords Authors,
Please leave a comment with a link to your Smashwords books that are discounted for the Summer/Winter sale.

Union of Renegades Breaks Into Top 100 Epic Fantasy at Kobo Books

I'm excited to announce that as of today Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I just slipped into the Top 100 Epic Fantasy category at Kobo. I've been fortunate to have a steady trickle of sales from Kobo's ebook store for about three years. But I've never held anything like a respectable sales rank, so this is a good sign.

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed Union of Renegades trending a little higher in its category. And today I have the validation of reaching a milestone. Yes, it's not much, but I live for these things! Being a free ebook helps Union of Renegades get attention with fantasy readers at Kobo, but it's a great read. Many people go on to buy more books in The Rys Chronicles series at Kobo.

And breaking into the Top 100 Epic Fantasy category gives me a small reason to brag. Kobo sells ebooks all over the world. Most of my Kobo readers are in Canada, but I have sales pop up in France and New Zealand and various countries, even the U.S. and U.K., and I appreciate them all. I'm always writing novels, so it's good to know a few people in the world are reading them.

Free Fantasy Book on Kobo - Union of Renegades
About the novel:
In this opening novel of The Rys Chronicles you'll meet a man scarred by bad deeds who answers the call of a heroic cause. An unconventional heroine will tug at your sympathies as she bravely faces adversity with all the strengths and vulnerabilities of her womanhood. And overarching it all are the rys. Their magic makes them superior to humans, but they are not above employing humans in their deadly schemes. 

You Can Now Buy My Ebooks and Audiobooks with Bitcoin

Over the weekend I connected my shopping cart at Falbe Publishing and Brave Luck Books to a Bitcoin processor. Now customers have three ways to pay for ebooks, audiobooks, and stock art at my websites: Bitcoin, credit card, and Paypal.

If you haven't heard of Bitcoin, it is a digital worldwide currency also known as a cryptocurrency. It has been gaining in popularity around the world. It is not operated by a government. Bitcoin has no central authority. It is peer-to-peer digital payment network.

According to the Bitcoin.org, Bitcoin had a value of $1.5 billion in circulation as of August 2013.

I had heard about Bitcoin several times in the past year. NPR has had some articles about it, and the Survival Podcast host Jack Spirko talked about it in several episodes.

Because I need to make money like anyone else, I figured why not take more kinds of money?

What's the user experience like at my website if you want to pay in Bitcoin?

It's really simple. As you can see in the picture at the top, when you check out, just click the button that says "Pay by Bitcoin." Then the transaction goes through and you receive your ebook.

I'm not sure if I'll ever include a Bitcoin price on my listings. Everything is still presented in U.S. dollars. From what I know, Bitcoin value is volatile, but each Bitcoin tends to equal hundreds of dollars. So my little $0.99 to $16.95 products will only cost a tiny fraction of a Bitcoin. 

Products available to buy with Bitcoin at my websites are:

Fantasy Ebooks

Werelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf Tale

Union of Renegades - Free Ebook - Audiobook $8.95

The Goddess Queen (Ebook or Audiobook)

Judgment Rising

The Borderlands of Power

Rys Rising - Free

Savage Storm

New Religion

Love Lost

Fantasy Paperbacks

The Rys Chronicles complete series special clearance deal - signed by author - Includes Union of Renegades, The Goddess Queen, Judgment Rising, and The Borderlands of Power (Ships in U.S. only)

Children's

Bear Dog Dog Bear

Non Fiction Ebooks

Get Dicey: Play Craps and Have Fun (Paperback too)

My Grandma's Vintage Recipes: Old Standards for a New Age

The Home Canning Guide for Everyone Who Eats (ebook or audiobook)

Stock Art

Royalty free vintage and fine art digital images

Welcome Bitcoin shoppers.

Please leave a comment if you use Bitcoin and tell me what you like or dislike about it. 

Holiday Weekend Ebook Sale - The Rys Chronicles complete fantasy series for $8.97

The Rys Chronicles are on sale through July 7th at Kindle stores and Brave Luck Books. I've reduced the prices on each title from $4.95 to $2.99.Union of Renegades is already a free read, so that means you can pick up the whole series for only $8.97 right now. You can also choose any title for $2.99. At Brave Luck Books readers from anywhere in the world can choose Kindle, PDF, or Epub.(Buying the PDF or Epub format at my website is a great way to get the sale price if you're reading on a tablet, iPad, Nook, or Kobo device.) Also available for Kindle readers Union of Renegades - Free

Kindle US
 Kindle UK
Kindle Canada
Kindle Australia
The Goddess Queen - $2.99
Kindle US
Kindle UK
Kindle CanadaKindle Australia

Judgment Rising
Kindle US
Kindle UK
Kindle Canada
Kindle Australia

The Borderlands of Power
Kindle US
Kindle UK
Kindle Canada
Kindle Australia
Sale prices are active through July 7th. 
Check out what other readers of The Rys Chronicles have had to say:Stanley B.

I am on the last novel in the The Rys Chronicles
fantasy series. I have read the series non-stop since I
purchased it. I don't know how giveaways work in the
ebook world, but once I read the first free book, I was
pretty well hooked. It's interesting, and should be an
encouragement to you, that normally I don't read
fantasy or magic books. So, I just wanted to wish you
the best and to thank you for great books.

Cody S. from Louisiana

I really did love your RYS books! I've read them twice!
Veta and Shan are two of my favorite characters
EVER! Thanks for putting them out there for us!

Teressa H.

I love your books! The human characters are so real,
my heart really goes out to them. In good times and
bad. The Rys are unlike any characters in any other
fantasy books I've ever read, and believe me, I've read
a few! I hope you keep them coming!!!!

Anna W.

Thank YOU! It is an excellent novel. I am a fantasy
writer myself, and I hope to write something just as
fantastic! Thank you for making it available online.I
have recommended it to all my friends.
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