Tracey Cramer-Kelly's Blog, page 9
October 23, 2017
Your Opinion Matters: Why Book Reviews are So Important
You’ve just finished a book that you enjoyed (or even loved!). Now what do you do? Maybe you check to see if the author has written other books. You’d like your friends to know about it, so you dash off an email or post on Facebook.
Wait! There’s a step missing (and it won’t take you much more time than that email message).
Write a Review
I know, I know. Back in school, book reviews were homework. They were assignments. Boring, tedious, painful.
You’re all grown up now, though, and surely you realize that book reviews are useful in helping you find books you love. Quite likely, you read reviews of the title (either on the sales page or a blog or social media) before you bought it.
Book reviews are not only important to readers, but they are critically important to authors. As a romance author, I can tell you that I depend heavily on reviews from my readers.
Book reviews not only help others to find my books (i.e., sales), they also help me improve my craft so the next book I write will be even better.
Where to Write a Review
It doesn’t matter whether you purchased the book (print, eBook or audiobook) or if you borrowed it from the library or from a friend. As long as you have an account, online book retailers such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble (and Goodreads) allow you to leave a review (I do it all the time with books I get from the library).
There’s a difference between rating a book and reviewing it. All three websites mentioned above use a 5-star rating system, where you can give a book five stars if you loved it or only one, if you hated it.
These ratings are great, but they don’t really impart any useful information to other readers – or to the author – about why you did or didn’t like the book.
Go one step further. Leave a review. It doesn’t have to be a homework assignment you will dread doing. The review will not be graded. It won’t even take you very long, if you don’t want it to.
How to Write a Book Review
It doesn’t have to be long (just honest), and it doesn’t have to include a synopsis of the book (that’s redundant, as the information is available on the product description page or the back cover).
What readers want to know is what you thought of the book, and why you gave it only three stars instead of four or five. Or what was so terrible about it that you only gave it one star.
We, authors, want to know as well.
An ideal review highlights what the reader found pleasing about the book, and perhaps something that he or she felt the author could have done better. It can be as verbose, or as brief, as you choose to make it. You should be honest, and say what you liked and what you didn’t like. This helps readers and authors alike.
If you enjoy finding more books like the one you just loved, help out the reading community (and the authors) by leaving reviews! Help other readers find new titles and authors. Help us, the authors, to write more of the stories you want to read.
October 17, 2017
The Importance of Family (and how it impacts the characters in Teaching Trey)
Riding a motorcycle is like being part of a huge, extended family. Bikers are some of the coolest people I’ve ever met – with the biggest hearts! And it doesn’t matter what you ride; if you’re on two wheels (or three!), you’re in.
The impact and meaning of “family” is a theme I explore in TEACHING TREY.
Amber’s mom died when she was young and her father never really got over it, slowly sliding into alcoholism. Although it happens before we meet her in TEACHING TREY, part of the allure of motorcycles (when her ex-boyfriend introduced her to them) was the camaraderie – and her biker chick friends (the other Lady Biker Series women) help keep her sane when everything is falling apart around her.
Trey is a single child who grew up with everything money could buy but without demonstrable love/touch. At one point in the story he realizes what he’s found in his biker friends: a whole different definition of “family” than what he’s experienced in his life…
Now available for PRE-ORDER! Kindle / Kobo / Apple / Nook (does not accept pre-orders)
TEACHING TREY EXCERPT © 2017
Amber took a step toward the two men rolling on the ground. Every fiber in her body screamed for her to jump on Doug’s back and scratch his eyes out. Anything to get him off Trey. But Trey needed more help than she could give.
She ran toward the bar.
“Bear!” She hollered as she stepped over the threshold. “Steve!”
The bar was loud and she continued to call their names as she crossed the room. Bear looked up as she reached the table.
“Amber?”
“It’s Trey! He’s in a fight! Outside!”
Amber ran, trusting that Bear and Steve were behind her. As they got closer, Trey landed a kick to Doug’s belly. Doug’s momentum caused him to keel backward, where he landed against Bear’s legs.
Bear clamped a hand onto Doug’s shoulder, bodily standing him up even as Doug twisted and swung a wild punch in Bear’s direction.
When his punch barely glanced off Bear’s abdomen, the man looked up—way up—into Bear’s face. Then his eyes travelled to Steve, who now stood next to Bear. Even in the dark, Amber could see the blood drain from Doug’s face.
Amber took a step toward Trey, who got to his feet, somewhat shaky, one hand pressed against his abdomen.
“Looks like someone’s been naughty,” Steve said.
Amber had never seen Trey’s face contorted in anger like it was now.
“Look here, asshole.” Trey straightened and pointed his finger at Doug. “I know you’re familiar with a little concept called a restraining order. Consider it in effect now. If you come anywhere near this woman—ever—your ass will be in jail so fast it’ll make the hair on your knuckles stand up.”
Bear rubbed his knuckles and stared the smaller man down. Doug stumbled as he backpedaled, frantically looking from one biker to the other.
Bear took a step forward. “Boo!”
Doug turned tail and ran.
“Coward,” muttered Steve.
“Jesus,” Amber breathed as Trey sagged into the bike behind him. She reached for him. “Trey…are you…”
“I’m okay.” He caught her hands in his, his eyes searching her face. “Are you?”
“Do I need to call the cops?” Sabrina’s voice floated over the murmurs of what was now a small crowd.
“No—” Trey said.
“Yes,” Amber said simultaneously.
Amber’s eyes narrowed. “You were… were… accosted! You could be hurt…”
Trey would have grinned at the use of the word accosted—a word he might have used himself if his jaw wasn’t on fire… and if it wasn’t a sobering reminder of what could have happened had he not followed Amber out here.
“You’re right.” He tried to stand straighter but winced when his ribs protested. “And we can start the process of the restraining order.”
“I’m more concerned about you,” she said. “You’re hurt. We should get you to—”
“I’m not going to the hospital,” he growled.
“But you could have a broken rib,” she protested.
“If I remember correctly from my football days, there’s nothing they can do for that,” he said.
She bit her lip. It was true, but just the same…
“You can at least let me look you over.” Sabrina stepped forward. “I’ve seen a lot of fights in twelve years of owning this bar.”
Trey opened his mouth—surely to protest—but whatever he saw on Amber’s face must have changed his mind, and he nodded to Sabrina.
Trey clenched his hand carefully. He knew his knuckles were bruised but he chose to use the only ice pack Sabrina had on his jaw instead.
Sabrina was wrapping a wide bandage around his middle. He thought it was overkill, but he didn’t say anything.
Being left-handed had come in handy for the first time in his life…outside the tennis court, that is. Doug hadn’t been looking for a left hook.
Probably the only reason the fight wasn’t more lopsided.
He could see Amber through the back door of the bar. He couldn’t hear her words but knew that she was telling the police officer her story.
He took an experimental breath, trying to calm the anger that still rolled around inside him.
It scared him a little, this anger. It was like nothing he’d ever felt before… anger that had made him hit a man…
“Fighting for a girl,” Sabrina mused. “I’d say you’ve got it bad.”
“It’s not like she’s my girl,” he said.
“But you’d like her to be,” Sabrina said. “Wouldn’t you?”
Trey’s eyes travelled to Amber again. Her red hair was backlit by the lights of the cop car, and she’d never looked more like a fire goddess.
Oh, he wanted her, all right. He wanted her in his bed and by his side on her motorcycle.
“She’ll be all right,” Sabrina said. “You, on the other hand, will be stiff and sore for a good week, I think.” He felt light pressure as she pinned the bandage to his side. “No crazy sex for you, honey.”
He gaped at her, but she just winked as she stepped aside.
The police officer behind her said, “Sir, we need to take your statement.”
*********************************
“Who’s taking care of Silver Bullet?” Trey glanced in the rearview mirror. He and Amber were in Sabrina’s car, and Steve was riding Trey’s motorcycle, following them to Trey’s home. What a mess.
“Sabrina will keep it in her shed until I can pick it up,” Amber said.
The adrenaline had definitely worn off. Trey’s side and knuckles throbbed. His jaw felt surprisingly decent, which he attributed to the ice.
“Have you ever punched a man before?” Amber glanced at him in the dark.
“Once,” he said. “My frat house had a party that was crashed…” He chuckled at the memory, then grimaced at the pain.
“What?” she said.
“It was crashed by bikers,” he said.
Her mouth formed an O. “You hit a biker?”
“Not bikers like you,” he said. “Young guys on crotch rockets. Thinking they were all the shit…” He shook his head. “Didn’t we all think we were the shit?”
“Bet you’re sorry you wanted to be a biker.” Amber bit her lip as if she wanted to say more.
“On the contrary.” Trey said. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”
She frowned but kept her focus on the road.
He wanted to put it into words. “Those guys—Bear and Steve—they were there,” he said. “Really there. They didn’t even hesitate.”
“That’s what friends do,” she said softly.
He swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump in his throat. “I finally understand why you love it so much,” he said. “It’s not just the bikes or the lifestyle. You watch out for each other… you’ve got each other’s back… like an extended…” His voice faded.
“Family,” she whispered.
The word hit him like another punch to the gut. Is that what he’d been missing all these years? The feeling of belonging to a family? One that looked out for each other and supported each other, even when they argued or disagreed?
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Now available for PRE-ORDER! Kindle / Kobo / Apple / Nook (does not accept pre-orders)
October 10, 2017
Get Frightful, Get Spooky – and Get Gift Cards!
September 14, 2017
DIRECTING ZAC Just 99-Cents for Limited Time
Want to see how the Lady Biker Series started?
Now is a great time, because DIRECTING ZAC (Lady Biker #1) is just 99 Cents for a limited time.
A Harley-riding Hollywood director and single mom. A rising star on the cusp of his Big Break. And a stalker who changes both their lives forever.
Visit the buy page here!
September 8, 2017
Firefighter Files: Water Ball!
I’ve been so busy DOING firefighter training that I haven’t had time to write about it! Yes, this has been a busy week (and it’s not over yet): All about hoses/nozzles, pressure/volume, rolling – and water ball!
Our hose rolling instruction looked similar to this (at left).
There are four “main” ways to roll hose, and many more ways to fold/store it on an apparatus (fire truck) depending on your department.
Common length is 50 feet, and you couple these together to make as many feet as you need at a given fire. There are different diameters of hose, each for different purposes (and different nozzles as well).
As “rookie” firefighters, we will be doing a lot of hose rolling!
Next up: water ball!
This is a game/drill that’s a fun way to learn to handle and aim the water stream from the hose/nozzle.
You may have seen this game at small-town fourth of July celebrations. A barrel or ball is strung on a line, and two teams of firefighters use their water streams to try to “push” the ball along that line to a stop or marker on the other team’s end.
My group looked a lot like this one except we did it in the dark, with two lights off to the side (which gave a wicked glare when you were faced that direction). When you think about it, in an actual fire you won’t be able to see much either, so doing this in the dark kind of (LOL) made sense.
Just like this photo, we had four firefighter trainees on one end and three (including me) on the other. The instructor varied the water pressure in the hose line so we were never sure how much “pushback” we were going to have.
Teamwork is essential and is obviously another reason for this “game.”
The lead firefighter directs the stream, but you can’t see much most of the time, as you’re getting a face full of water. As lead, I was listening to my teammates shouting directions, but also listening for the sound of the water stream hitting the barrel (much like you might “listen” to a fire if you can’t see where it is due to smoke). The nozzle we used was much bigger than the one in this photo (below), but it gives you an idea how much water is in your face!
That first person can’t push/pull the hose all by him/herself (there’s 100 or more feet of hose behind him/her), so the main job of the second firefighter is to push or pull, as well as help steady the aim of #1 and ‘relay’ the directions coming from #3 behind him/her.
In my opinion, the third guy/gal has the toughest job. S/he has to move the bulk of the hose back/forth as the match goes on, and believe me, it’s hard to keep that much hose from kinking up (a couple times it ‘pinched’ my gloves so I couldn’t move my hand). AND they are the main “direction giver” because they don’t have so much water in their face.
That person is shouting a constant barrage of words: “UP! STEADY! FORWARD! RIGHT! BACK! HOLD IT THERE!” This is where having that fourth firefighter would be VERY helpful, but I’m glad I was on the “short” team because I got a lot of practice in a short amount of time.
I do wish I’d taken photos of us at the end – a combination of water logged and yet sweaty – but with grins as big as Kansas. It was probably the most fun I’ve had in training so far.
September 5, 2017
Biketoberfest Romance Party
IT’S A BIKER ROMANCE PARTY (and giveaway)!
The second book in the Lady Biker Series – TEACHING TREY – is ready for Prime Time, and I want to party with YOU!
Amber must sell the slummy apartment buildings her late father owned. Real estate mogul Trey Jordan might be the answer… or a further distraction! But when minor incidents turn violent, Trey may be the only one who can save Amber. Read more here!
It’s now available for Pre-Order on Amazon Kindle, Kobo and Apple (unfortunately Nook doesn’t allow pre-orders).
Won’t you consider purchasing it NOW?
Why am I asking you to buy before it actually goes on sale?
Three reasons:
It’s an awesome story. Well, okay, I’m a little biased (and a little in love with the hero)!
You could get this cool Milwaukee Rally Anniversary shirt and other goodies (see details below)!
I’ll send you my novella “What Happens in Sturgis” for FREE!
The truth is, writers need to ‘come out of the gate’ strong, especially on Amazon. We need initial sales and we need reviews, no way around it.
WHAT YOU COULD WIN
GRAND PRIZE PACKAGE: Milwaukee Rally Anniversary Shirt (where ‘hogs’ became a legend) size Large; Patch; Throttle Control; PLUS $40 gift card (you chose: e-tailer (such as Amazon), Starbucks or Caribou)
RUNNER-UP PACKAGES: Starbucks gift card + Nightfire Reflective Patch
HOW TO QUALIFY
Amazon and other e-tailers don’t share info on who buys what, so to make this work, here’s what you do:
Purchase TEACHING TREY on your favorite e-tailer
Forward the receipt you get from Amazon/Kobo/Apple (the one that says “this title will be automatically downloaded on Oct 30”) to: tracey@traceycramerkelly.com
Your name will be entered in the “Heart Vase”
My daughter will draw the winning names from the vase no later than December 31, 2017
SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS!
Simply Click Here to share the image below on Facebook and copy-and-paste this text:
What do a motorcycle-riding teacher, a real estate mogul and a desperate gambler have in common? They’re all going to be at the Biketoberfest Party, where YOU could win biker bling and/or gift cards! Details: http://www.traceycramerkelly.com/bike...
BONUS!
Write a review of TEACHING TREY and get your name in the vase for each one – giving you more chances to win! Here’s how: Send a screen shot of each review (tracey@traceycramerkelly.com) and I’ll put your name in the drawing for EACH one (so if you do Goodreads, Amazon AND Apple, for example, you have THREE more chances to win)!
August 28, 2017
How They Meet: Teaching Trey Biker Romance
TEACHING TREY starts right in with the motorcycle excitement – not to mention an unusual way for a couple to “meet”! Enjoy this free peek of Chapter 1! (More details here)
Now available for PRE-ORDER! Kindle / Kobo / Apple / Nook (does not accept pre-orders)
CHAPTER 1
Treyson Jordan shifted his BMW M4 convertible into third gear and pressed the accelerator. His father didn’t suffer fools lightly, and Trey wasn’t in the mood to hear a lecture on being late for their weekly tennis match.
The car in front of him slowed, and Trey swerved into the left lane.
HONK!
He lightened up on the accelerator as he glanced in his rearview mirror.
A motorcycle roared past him, the rider giving him what he imagined was a dirty look, though he could see no features through the dark-tinted face shield.
Crap. He hadn’t even seen the bike!
As the motorcycle pulled in front of his BMW, Trey couldn’t help but notice the auburn tresses flowing down the rider’s back, strands randomly lifted by the wind. The rider’s back was slim and tapered to hips that were decidedly feminine.
A biker chick.
His embarrassment was replaced by intrigue. What did she look like under that helmet? What would it be like to be with a woman like that?
Trey’s lips curved into the semblance of a smile. Yeah, maybe that’s what he needed. Forget the society mavens his parents were always setting him up with and take a walk on the wild side…
That would certainly get his dad’s dander up.
His eyes were drawn to a pickup truck in the opposite lane ahead.
Don’t do it, man.
His silent entreaty went unheard, and the driver started his turn—directly in front of the motorcycle.
Trey hit his brakes the same moment the rider did. He watched as the motorcycle’s back tire fishtailed first one direction and then the other as its rider fought for control. She almost managed it; instead Trey watched as bike and rider toppled in slow motion.
Thank God she wasn’t going too fast by that time.
Trey punched the button that activated his hazard lights and stopped in the middle of the lane behind the rider.
He jumped from his car and jogged to the motorcycle. “Are you all right?”
“Goddamn cage drivers,” the biker muttered as she untangled her legs from the machine and picked herself up.
Trey was relieved to see she appeared unharmed. He touched her shoulder and spoke more authoritatively. “Ma’am, are you okay?”
She looked at him, and her eyes went wide. Green eyes in a delicate heart-shaped face… a face that was turning a darker shade of red. “I’m, ah…”
She looked down as if studying her legs. She brushed a hand over her leather chaps. “I appear to be in one piece.”
He glanced in the direction the pickup had gone, then at the traffic making its way around his convertible. This wasn’t a high-speed freeway, but it was busy enough during this time of day.
When he turned back to the rider, she was kneeling to survey the damage to the bike’s crash bar. He bent too. “Are you okay to ride?”
“I’m fine.” She positioned herself next to the bike, and he realized she was attempting to pick it up.
“Let me help.”
“I got it,” she said.
Quickly he removed his suit jacket and laid it on the hood of his car.
“Really, I got this.” She sounded irritated.
He decided to take a lighter approach. “Well, then, consider my fragile male ego.”
It had the desired affect; she glanced at him in surprise. “What?”
“All these drivers watching us, wondering what kind of man I am to let you struggle with that machine alone.” He placed one hand on the bike’s handlebars. “Cut me a break?”
He caught a hint of a smile before she dipped her head in agreement. He positioned himself behind her and together they righted the bike.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Maybe we should park your bike at the side of the road for a bit.” Not only would he feel more confident that she was okay to ride; it would also give him an opportunity for proper introductions.
“I’m fine.” She straddled the bike and checked the gears and controls. She hit the starter button and the bike roared to life.
Seriously? She was just going to ride off? Well, what did he care anyway? Finally he said, “You sure?”
Almost as if she’d forgotten he was there, she turned to him. “Um… thanks… again.” Then she twisted the throttle and left him standing there.
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August 25, 2017
Sneak Peek: Last Chance Rescue (chapter 4)
Brad gritted his teeth. The water ran faster than usual for this area of Colorado—thanks to an early snowstorm and subsequent thaw—and the wind was bitterly cold for mid-October. The icy liquid cut through his wetsuit and tightened like a vise around his chest, making it difficult to get a deep breath. His arms ached and he could no longer feel his hands or feet. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold out.
“Winch!” It was his partner, Ryan. Brad looked up to see the tag line snap taut across the stream.
Ryan had barely fastened the Ryan had barely fastened the rescue harness on Brad before Brad plunged into the water, making a lunge for the missing person they’d been sent to find.
He’d managed to catch the edge of the man’s jacket before the current could carry the man out of reach. Brad wrapped his arms and legs around him, trusting the belay rope to arrest their downstream motion.
– Swift water rescue scene from LAST CHANCE RESCUE
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DL0NEK/ref=as_li_tl…
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-chance-resc…/1112663105
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/…/…/last-chance-rescue/id629999431…
Kobo: https://click.linksynergy.com/link…
August 22, 2017
Teaching Trey cover showcases Lady Biker
Lady Biker Romance #2, TEACHING TREY, is close to official release and I’m excited to share the COVER! (In the next weeks I’ll be sharing free chapters and sneak peeks so keep an eye out!)I love the saucy look on fiery redhead Amber’s face. And Trey… well, I hope this image gets across that he’s man enough to handle Amber!
The release date has been officially set for October 30. You can Pre-Order TEACHING TREY on Kindle, Kobo and Apple (unfortunately Nook doesn’t allow pre-orders).
Amber must sell the slummy apartment buildings her late father owned. Real estate agent/lawyer Trey Jordan might be the answer… or a further distraction! But when minor incidents turn ugly, Trey—along with Amber’s biker friends—might be all that can save Amber. Read more.
August 8, 2017
Firefighter Files: You Want me to Fit Through WHERE?
I’m four weeks into firefighter training, and things are starting to get physical.
We’ve been taught how to properly don (and doff) all our PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). There’s a bit of art and a bit of science to this process. And of course you can’t take all day to “get dressed” – I believe we have to do it in under two minutes to pass the final test. (I’m not there yet! But I will say this: I cover every step methodically. I’d rather take an extra 30 seconds to make sure I’m fully protected before charging into smoke and fire!!)
[Add the helmet & gloves and I look pretty much like my classmates here!]
The trickiest part is the SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus). It has to be used correctly to breathe safely in fires.
My department got brand-new SCBA in May, so I’ve got the “coolest” harness and oxygen tank in the class. However, it comes with a drawback: it’s also heavier! It’s a 45-minute tank vs the 30-minute tanks my classmates have. It’s also bigger – so the photos below where we’re trying to crawl through a small space? It’s gonna be a bit harder for me!
The first time I put the face mask on was a couple weeks ago, when I was “fit tested” for it. It was a bit unnerving fastening this thing to my face (I’m still getting used to it). The test involves wearing the mask while hooked up to a special computer/monitor and doing tasks like moving your head from side to side and up/down (like you would if you were looking for something) and bending/crouching repeatedly, etc.
So you’ve got 40 or more extra pounds of gear on you, and then you do things like below… and much more yet to come!
To the left is a training box that has wires and chains hanging down inside it, simulating what we might experience in a house. The object is to get through this box without getting our tank, helmet or other gear hung up on wires… or more precisely, how to untangle ourselves when we do! It’s not easy, and the space can make you feel a bit claustrophobic.
At right: Ever have to knock through a wall? I’m sure we’ll get to that part! But for now, they had us maneuvering our body + 40 pounds of gear (thankfully we didn’t have to wear the face mask) through a width typical to the space between wall studs (16 inches).
Because (as you can imagine) tanks get pretty banged up during this exercise, they had old (out of service) tanks for us to use. Due to my afore-mentioned larger tank, I was more than happy to use their smaller ones!
