Tracy Falbe's Blog, page 27

Sourcing Indie Ebooks at Your Local Independent Bookstore with Kobo

Screen shot of ebooks by Tracy Falbe in the Kobo ebook store within Lowry's Books and More of Three Rivers and Sturgis, Michigan.

I've noticed recently that some independent bookstores in my Michigan partner with Kobo to sell ebooks at their websites.

Why would brick-and-mortar bookshops want to sell ebooks? 

Logic suggests that once their customers get adjusted to ereading they may never come around to buy a print book again. I don't think this is true. Bookstores interested in maintaining a vibrant web presence even on a local scale would want to engage with a digital reading audience instead of alienating it. These locally branded Kobo ebook stores within indie bookstore websites give ebook enthusiasts a reason to go the local website. Some people who only read ebooks might be glad to support a local business.

Also ebook-reading people are readers, which means they are likely to give books as gifts.

Some people, like me, read both print and ebooks and shop both locally and online. Just because I read ebooks does not mean I don't read print books. Plus I buy print books for gifts. I have a Nook because the bookstore in my town is a Barnes & Noble. No it's not an indie business, but it is my local store. I buy print books there sometimes, and I buy ebooks in the Nook store sometimes. I can't be the only person like this.

I don't think it's daft of bookstores to sell ebooks. Their business is selling readable products. Those shops that want to integrate with online selling have a good partner with Kobo, which sells ebooks that can be used on many devices.

While exploring the websites of some regional book sellers I found all my titles available through their Kobo partner stores.

Schuler Books - Grand Rapids, Lansing, Okemos, Walker

Lowry's Books & More - Three Rivers and Sturgis

Snowbound Books - Marquette

Purchasing any of my ebooks at these stores will earn the store a commission on the sale. 

Smashwords Ebook Deals This Week

Smashwords Deals for the Week of March 5th

Smashwords provides ebooks in multiple formats to an international audience.

 
Forager
Peter R. Stone
Science Fiction
$2.99 $1.49 Get 50% off with coupon code PX86KExpires 3/12
Get it at Smashwords
"Eighteen-year-old Ethan Jones lives in Newhome, a town built upon the decaying ruins of post-apocalyptic Melbourne, ruins haunted by the ferocious Skel.

After he rescues a Japanese teenage girl from the Skel, she goes to great lengths to ingratiate herself into his life. But is it in gratitude for saving her life or is she seeking something more?"

Oak Seer (A supernatural mystery)
Graham Higson

Occult Horror

$2.99 $1.49 50% off with coupon code BQ63Y
expires 3/9/14

Get it at Smashwords

Womaniser Jack Briscoe is stricken with visions from the past. He can no longer work, nor can he perform. An ancient Pagan artefact lusts for women's blood, and in a desperate bid to save them he sets off to the remote Scottish Highlands where the past, and a ruthless enemy, await him.
Happy Reading!

Please subscribe to Her Ladyship’s Quest so you can come back and browse new Smashwords Deals as they are added.Authors: Send me your coupon codes with the form at the bottom of the Smashwords Deals page.

Save 25% to 50% on Fantasy by Tracy Falbe for Read an Ebook Week at Smashwords

The 2014 Read an Ebook Week officially started today and runs through March 8th. The promotion is meant to encourage people to try ebooks by offering discounts on ebooks. It's also a much anticipated event for people who already like reading ebooks because of the great sale prices.

My works are distributed at Smashwords that is the biggest supporter of Read an Ebook Week. Smashwords provides multiple digital formats for all platforms and serves an international market.

I've added all of my fantasy novels to the event. Browse this list to find one you like. The coupon codes are also visible on the sale page for each ebook too. Just enter the code when you checkout to get the discount.

50% off with coupon code REW50

Rys Rising: Book I


Only $1.49 after discount

"Would you start a war?!" the Grand Lumin thundered. "Would you cast away two thousand years of peace and progress because I denied you one request? Are you going to be the one to do it?" ~ from Rys Rising: Book I

Free - Just Download it and enter the Rys world

Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I


Free

"The Wilderness is evil. Have not the stories gone all the way east? Beasts and spirits rule the land, and it is not a place for men," the captive said. ~ from Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I

25% off with coupon code REW25

Werelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf Tale


Only $2.99 after discount

He raised his mouth and howled like he never had before. A huge sound trumpeted from his great throat with an intelligent rage that put the world on notice that he would defend his right to live.The sound filled the vale with shuddering energy. Peasants clutched their covers and stared into the darkness. Children whimpered in their little beds. Praying monks faltered in their entreaties to a higher power when the voice of the Earth beneath their knees called them to attention. ~ from Werelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf Tale

The Goddess Queen: The Rys Chronicles Book II


Only $3.74 after discount

Onja was still Queen of the Rysamand, and the price of rebellion had come due. The Tatatook stepped back and shook out its tired wings. Onja placed her hands on her hips, and a light as cold as a glacial crevasse glinted in her ancient eyes. "Shan, sweet Shan, you could have had everything. But now you must be my slave forever," Onja promised. ~ from The Goddess Queen

Judgment Rising: The Rys Chronicles Book III


Only $3.74 after discount

"And I shall serve at Shan's side, but to do so will break my heart," Dreibrand confessed. from Judgment Rising

The Borderlands of Power: The Rys Chronicles Book IV


Only $3.74 after discount

"Jingten is to be more than defended," Shan said as if quoting from some mysterious scripture. from The Borderlands of Power

Savage Storm: Rys Rising Book II


Only $3.74 after discount

Danger did not matter and escape could wait. The savages would fear Cruce Chenomet of Nufal. from Savage Storm

New Religion: Rys Rising Book III


Only $3.74 after discount

Cruce accepted that faith was always a leaky boat launched on troubled waters, and he had already cast off from the dock. ~ from New Religion

Love Lost: Rys Rising Book IV


Only $3.74 after discount

Amar drew his sword and pointed it at the Nufalese who had thrown the spear. "You know what you want to do," he said, encouragingly. from Love Lost

Book Review for Funeral in a Feminine Dress by MJ Burke Sr.

Funeral in a Feminine Dress: Depravity Reborn as Virtue by M.J. Burke Sr. is so much more than a memoir of a neglectful childhood in an alcoholic home. Burke’s clear and empathetic writing weaves in a larger message beyond his family that offers profound insights into society.

In brief the memoir tells of Burke’s childhood in 1950s and 1960s Denver. He’s the third of three sons. His parents Bill and Verma were never technically married. Bill always refused to grant Verma this fig leaf of respect after, in his opinion, she trapped him by getting pregnant.

Shacked up, Bill and Verma abuse alcohol while dragging their children from bar to bar or abandoning the young author at home day and night. His childhood was so deplorable that he insists that beatings from nuns at school were a good thing.

Years of misery go by for the author as he explains the sinister abuses put to his mother. As he grows up he participates in the family-wide dehumanization of Verma, who slavishly endures without love, kindness, or appreciation of any kind from anybody.

The author suggests broadly that the vicious abuse of his mother was rooted in the omnipresent social animosity toward the feminine. This socialization created the abhorrent attitude of his father toward his mother. Bill in many other ways was compassionate, but towards Verma he was monstrous.

His father calls his mother a “whore” for getting pregnant.

Often the author recounts how his father admonished him not to be girly. Even hugging his father was wrong.

Verma’s talents are ignored. When the family starts a business, Verma’s idea is overridden by Bill’s determination to have a cleaning business, which convicts them both to toiling with caustic chemicals and gives Verma no chance to excel.

The author makes a point to describe the domestic flare of his mother. Verma, despite poverty and alcoholism, decorated their homes thoughtfully, and Bill would always smash and break the décor.

Another shocking aspect of this memoir was that it showed social dysfunction beyond his family. They lived in poor neighborhoods where alcoholism was widespread. The suffering and lost talent reflected in the alcohol-poisoned environment were staggering to contemplate. But going deeper I understood that other forces were causing social despair that triggers this drinking and its attendant violence. Burke mentions the long hours, low wages, and workplace hazards that his father and many others endured. It’s also a culture where might makes right. Men are supposed to fight for their way. There is very little room for kindness.

For me, his presentation of a society tormented by systemic viciousness was related to hatred of the feminine. He masterfully peppered the memoir with this crucial point without being preachy.

This memoir is an addictive page turner. The writing and the candid glimpse into despairing lives riveted me. Burke’s story unfolds like a slow motion pile up of cars on a foggy freeway and tells his struggle to emerge from the wreckage a human being.

Smashwords Ebook Deals for the Week of February 26th

Smashwords Deals for the Week of February 26th

Smashwords provides ebooks in multiple formats to an international audience.


Oak Seer (A supernatural mystery)
Graham Higson

Occult Horror

$2.99 $1.49 50% off with coupon code BQ63Y
expires 3/9/14

Get it at Smashwords

Womaniser Jack Briscoe is stricken with visions from the past. He can no longer work, nor can he perform. An ancient Pagan artefact lusts for women's blood, and in a desperate bid to save them he sets off to the remote Scottish Highlands where the past, and a ruthless enemy, await him. Ultimate St.Patrick's Day cocktail's 2014

S.R. King

Cookbook Beverages

Only $2.99 no coupon needed

 Get it at Smashwords

Stunning Irish Cocktail's tweaked for St.Patrick's Day with a 'dash of humor.If your simply having friend's over,going to a bar or restaurant or joining in in the festivities this book is for you.Complete in true Irish humour have your friend's rolling in laughter as they enjoy one of the very finest Irish cocktail's including The Nutty Irishman,Pot of Gold,hilarious content and good time's.  

I'm showing off some of my titles at Smashwords. I have many of them. 
Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I

Tracy Falbe

Epic Fantasy

 FREE! no coupon needed

 Get it at Smashwords

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.

Werelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf Tale

Tracy Falbe

Historical Fantasy

 $2.99 $3.99 Save 25% with coupon code ZS29K
expires 3/31/14

Get it at Smashwords

Thal is wanted for Devil worship and shape shifting but still boldly walks the streets of 16th century Prague. Jesuits hunt him. Mercenaries fear him. Musicians sing his praise, and women are captivated by his alpha swagger. Years ago I worked in casinos in Las Vegas as a craps dealer. This is my how to play craps guide based on my thousands of hours of live game experience. 
 
Get Dicey: Play Craps and Have Fun

Tracy Michigan

Casino Games

 $4.49 $5.99 Save 25% with coupon code VK52F
expires 3/31/14

Get it at Smashwords

Ever been in a casino and wished you knew how to play craps? Read Get Dicey and you'll learn which bets to play, how to play them, and most importantly which bets to avoid. Written by a Las Vegas craps dealer, here's your inside scoop on how to play the most exciting game in the casino.


Happy Reading!


Please subscribe to Her Ladyship’s Quest so you can come back and browse new Smashwords Deals as they are addedAuthors: Send me your coupon codes with the form at the bottom of the Smashwords Deals page.

Smashwords Deals This Week for Ebooks Worldwide

Smashwords Deals for the Week of February 19th

Smashwords provides ebooks in multiple formats to an international audience.

This week for the first time I'm showing off some of my titles at Smashwords. I have many of them. 


Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I

Tracy Falbe

Epic Fantasy

FREE! no coupon needed

Get it at Smashwords

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.


Werelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf Tale

Tracy Falbe

Historical Fantasy

$2.99 $3.99 Save 25% with coupon code ZS29K
expires 3/31/14

Get it at Smashwords

Thal is wanted for Devil worship and shape shifting but still boldly walks the streets of 16th century Prague. Jesuits hunt him. Mercenaries fear him. Musicians sing his praise, and women are captivated by his alpha swagger.

Years ago I worked in casinos in Las Vegas as a craps dealer. This is my how to play craps guide based on my thousands of hours of live game experience.


Get Dicey: Play Craps and Have Fun

Tracy Michigan

Casino Games

$4.49 $5.99 Save 25% with coupon code VK52F
expires 3/31/14

Get it at Smashwords

Ever been in a casino and wished you knew how to play craps? Read Get Dicey and you'll learn which bets to play, how to play them, and most importantly which bets to avoid. Written by a Las Vegas craps dealer, here's your inside scoop on how to play the most exciting game in the casino.

Happy Reading!

Please subscribe to Her Ladyship’s Quest so you can come back and browse new Smashwords Deals as they are addedAuthors: Send me your coupon codes with the form at the bottom of the Smashwords Deals page.

Kindle Fire Giveaway on Then Like a Blind Man: Orbie's Story Blog Tour

I found this interview with Freddie Owens, the author of Then Like a Blind Man: Orbie's Story. He had a great quote about why he self published that I wanted to highlight.

"After many years of 'almost' and 'no' or 'yes but we wouldn't know how to market it' from agents and publishers alike, I've opted for 'certainly' and 'yes' instead."

Enjoy Owens' interview and find the link to his Kindle Fire giveaway at the end. His blog tour lasts until March 28th.

[image error] Interview with Freddie Owens, author of 'Then Like the Blind Man: Orbie's Story' + Win Kindle Fire! (via The Writer's Life)

A poet and fiction writer, my work has been published in Poet Lore, Crystal Clear and Cloudy, and Flying Colors Anthology. I am a past attendee of Pikes Peak Writer’s Conferences and the Association of Writers and Writing Programs, and a member of…

 

Smashwords Deals February 12th Valentine's Day Sucks and 2 Wintry Romances

I'm back with some new Smashwords bargain ebook picks this week. Smashwords Deals for the week of February 12th


Winter: Eternal Solstice (Part 1)

Sakinah Rasheed

Young Adult Fantasy

FREE - no coupon needed

Get it at Smashwords

Set in England during the early 19th century, the story of Winter is told from the perspectives of several characters, including the antagonist.


Valentine's Day Sucks

Michele Bardsley

Paranormal Romance Short Story

$1.99 - no coupon needed

Get it at Smashwords

When a mischievous pixie grants a love wish to a reluctant human, it's gonna take more than Cupid and his arrows to fix to a broken heart. 

 
Winter
Nikita Rae
Contemporary Romance
$2.99 - no coupon needed
Get it at Smashwords
Luke Reid has a lot going for him: sex appeal, badass tattoos and insane musical talent. A NYPD cop by day, singer in rock band D.M.F by night, from the outside Luke seems like he’s got it made. But falling hard for a girl whose father was accused of deeply sinister acts—a man whom Luke shares a devastating history with, himself—only serves to complicated things. 
Happy Reading!
Please subscribe to Her Ladyship’s Quest so you can come back and browse new Smashwords Deals as they are addedAuthors: Send me your coupon codes with the form at the bottom of the Smashwords Deals page.

Werewolves in the Renaissance Blog Tour Schedule

Thank you to all the generous bloggers who joined the Werewolves in the Renaissance blog tour for Werelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf Tale. I sold four copies of the paperback over the weekend while exhibiting my novels at AlmaCon and readers were enthusiastic about the concept. I'm not the only one fascinated by Renaissance history and mixing it with paranormal characters made a fun creative playground for me.

On the tour I will be sharing interesting tidbits from my historical research for the novel. My interview on the HowlOutCast is already live so you can go listen to it. (See list below).

Every stop on the tour will also offer these great coupon discounts for the ebook and paperback.


Ebook
$3.99 (kindle, epub, or pdf) Available worldwide from Brave Luck BooksSave 25% - enter discount code WLT25 at checkout here http://www.falbepublishing.com/braveluck/werelord-thal.html (expires 3/31)
Paperback$12.99 (6x9 trade paperback 356 pages)Save 20% - enter discount code CU9KJ3E3 at checkout here https://www.createspace.com/4514070 

Blog Tour Schedule

January 28th (early bird) - HowlOutCast werewolf theme podcast
February 12th - Susan Stuckey
February 13th - The Kronicles of Korthlundia 
February 18th - Mathew Reuther
February 19th - The Vaetra Files 
February 20th - Worlds of Magic and Adventure
February 21st - Alesha L. Escobar 
February 24th - Disciple of the Fount  
February 26th - Wandering Around the Words
March 2nd - Art and Tree Chatter of Aquariann
March 13th - Illusions of Intimacy

Read the 4-chapter preview of Werelord Thal:



4-Chapter Preview of Werelord Thal: A Renaissance Werewolf Tale from Tracy Falbe

Valentine's Day Love iBooks Week - iTunes Gift Card Giveaway

To show my appreciation for the iBooks readers who sample and buy my novels at the Apple iBooks store, I'm running a giveaway drawing for a $15 iTunes e-gift card.


The winner will be able to spend the gift card at iTunes in the United States on iBooks, music, apps, and videos. 
To enter, please use the link to join my email list:
Enter the iTunes gift card drawing.
Giveaway is taking entries through February 14th. I'll pick the winner on February 15th and email that person an e-gift card for $15. Drawing is open to U.S. based iTunes users. I'm only able to purchase an iTunes e-gift card that is redeemable through the U.S. iTunes store. I'd love to be able to make this worldwide, but I can determine no way for me to buy a gift card for other countries. My audience on iBooks is important to me. I'm continually grateful for all my readers and want you to be able to find my novels anywhere. Please browse my fantasy novels on the list below.



To enter, please use the link to join my email list:
Enter the iTunes gift card drawing.