Rachel R. Smith's Blog, page 19
October 1, 2015
Happy October First!
Happy Sumo-ween! I bet you expected a “Howl-o-ween” dog pun of some sort…but not here!It’s October and almost time for my favorite holiday–Halloween! I love autumn. The colored leaves, costumes, perfect temperatures, cuddling up with hot cider–I could keep listing things for days. The season would be absolutely perfect if not for one thing. Most people think of bats, vampires, witches and zombies as spooky fall themes. For me, I fear the impending months of slushy, white doom that follows it–winter (shudder). So let’s enjoy the weather…while we can. *cue the spooky organ music*
Just a reminder–only a few more hours to get Reflection: The Stranger in the Mirror e-book for $1.99. The price goes to $2.99 Friday and Saturday, then $3.99 Sunday and Monday. After that, it’s back to regular price! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XGYO2C4
September 30, 2015
Book Blitz Day 2 Reminders and “Blogkeeping”
The new release celebration for Reflection: Harbinger of the Phoenix continues!
Here’s a reminder of the current promotions:
$1.99 Amazon Countdown deal for the e-book version of Book 1, Reflection: The Stranger in the Mirror through Thursday. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XGYO2C4
Free download of my short story, Shattered Sugar Dreams, today through October 3. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0104MZ9A4
And, of course, Book 2, Reflection: Harbinger of the Phoenix is now available! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015XJWBY0
To everyone who liked, shared, retweeted and reblogged: thank you very much for your support! Releasing a new book is exciting, but spreading the word is a bigger challenge than writing the book itself. I truly appreciate your kind words of encouragement and the time that you took out of your day to share my books with others.
In other news:
You may have noticed some changes around here since the blog has grown to make room for the new addition! My original layout centered around my first book, but now that book 2 is out, it’s time to grow a bit!
I’ve modified the (former) Sample Chapters page to now serve as Book Excerpts. Under the new heading the synopses for both Reflection: The Stranger in the Mirror and Reflection: Harbinger of the Phoenix can be found. From there, links to the sample chapters for each book are provided. The links are still hosted on this blog, as before, but I thought it would be more organized to have one central landing/origin point for both books. I’ve also added a link in the sidebar leading to Book 2 on Amazon. They aren’t major changes, but I hope that they make the site easier to navigate.
September 29, 2015
Synchronicity and Perfect Book-Reading Weather
“The scene out the window was the kind of gray gloom that threatens rain all day but fails to produce even a single drop. The leaves on the trees were a mix of vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges dappled with just a splash of lingering green, but even those hues were dimmed by the overcast sky.” Reflection: Harbinger of the Phoenix, Chapter 1.
When I glanced out the window this afternoon, it struck me that the weather today is an almost perfect match for the opening lines of Reflection: Harbinger of the Phoenix. I knew that the timing of the book release would match up with the actual time of year in the story. It made me happy that it happened to work out that way, since it’s always more fun to read books during the season they are set in. At least for me, it adds to the ambiance.
But having the weather match up with Chapter 1 on Harbinger’s release day is a beautiful twist of synchronicity. I couldn’t have planned it better if I had tried (what with my sad lack of ability to control the weather and all). This really is perfect book-reading weather.
I hope that you’ll check out Reflection: Harbinger of the Phoenix on Amazon.
If you haven’t read Book 1 yet, now’s you’re chance to get a copy while it’s on sale through Amazon’s countdown deals for $1.99.
And remember, even if you aren’t reading the Records of the Ohanzee series, and even if it’s cloudless and sunny where you are, it’s always perfect book-reading weather somewhere. Take some time to relax and curl up with a good book (and maybe a cup of coffee in honor of National Coffee Day)!
Book Release Blitz Begins!
It’s finally here! Records of the Ohanzee Book 2, Reflection: Harbinger of the Phoenix, is now available.
You can get a copy of the e-book version here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015XJWBY0
(The listing for the paperback version is still processing, but will be up shortly).
To celebrate the new release, the e-book version of Book 1, Reflection: The Stranger in the Mirror, is on sale for $1.99 today, tomorrow and Thursday. If you haven’t gotten a copy yet, there won’t be a better opportunity than this one! Here’s the link to the Amazon product page: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XGYO2C4
In addition, from today through October 3, you can get my short story, Shattered Sugar Dreams, for free! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0104MZ9A4
Please help me to spread the word by liking/sharing/reblogging!
September 27, 2015
I have a new pet!
Before I get any further into this blog post, let me just clarify: Sumo does NOT have competition. My new pet is not another furry sidekick. It’s a word.
And it’s not just any word. It’s “tenebrous” [Ten–uh-bruh s].
Can’t you see how pretty it is?How did “tenebrous” come to be my pet? Well, here’s the story:
During the review process for Reflection: Harbinger of the Phoenix, there was a comment that every single one of my beta readers made to me. That was: “I’ve never heard of this word.” Now, it’s safe to say that my beta readers know their way around a library. They are definitely well-read people. I knew going in that “tenebrous” was an usual word, but I didn’t think it was that obscure.
There were even suggestions that I take it out and replace it with a word more people would be familiar with.
Oh, the horror! o_O
I take my beta readers’ suggestions very seriously. I don’t want to use uncommon words that will annoy my readers or take their focus away from the story itself. However, I decided to stand firm on this one.
Why is “tenebrous” so neglected? It is much more interesting to see on a page than its bleak (and overused) cousins “dark” and “gloomy.” It sounds so beautiful when read aloud, as if connoting the elegance and mystery that darkness can hold. Why should its cousins get all the love?
So, I kept it and made it my pet word. Its only one word, dear readers. Time to expand the vocabulary just a tiny bit.
I’d be thrilled to hear in the comments from others who have come across my lovely pet in action. And, if you decide to use it in your own writings, definitely let me know–and leave a link so we can spread the love!
PS- For those of you who plan to read Reflection: Harbinger of the Phoenix, look for tenebrous in Chapter 2-Encounter with Destiny! Be sure to say hello when you see it. ^_-
September 25, 2015
5 Social Media Connections for Dream Big
Want to expand your social media connections? Check out this post over at Dream Big Dream Often. Leave your info in the comments section of his post and connect with other bloggers!
Originally posted on Dream Big, Dream Often:
Leave me your social media links in the comments and I and others will LIKE, FOLLOW, PIN and CONNECT!
Here are mine:
Facebook: Dream Big, Dream Often
Let’s connect!!
September 24, 2015
Book blurb reveal for Reflection: Harbinger of the Phoenix!
Thanks to everyone who provided feedback on the first draft of the synopsis for Reflection: Harbinger of the Phoenix (especially Jake and Mike!). After a great deal of writing and re-writing, the blurb is now ready to go for the release on Tuesday.
Here it is:
The masquerade is over and the masks have been removed. But not everyone’s true face has been revealed…
King Casimer of Marise has assassinated the Royal Family of Chiyo and usurped the throne. What he doesn’t know is that the Heiress, Nerissa, is still alive and has joined the Ohanzee, a group of guardians who have secretly protected the country for generations. Disguising herself as a young man named Caeneus, Nerissa seeks a way to depose Casimer and restore Chiyo’s independence. An uncanny stroke of luck leads her to the mysterious seer Shae, who has discovered a fragment of an ancient prophecy warning of events that will bring about the end of civilization. And Casimer has already set some of those events into motion.
With the future of not only Chiyo, but all of Renatus at stake, Nerissa and her six Ohanzee companions set out on a journey to find the remaining fragments, where surprising new allies and unexpected enemies lie in wait.
What do you think?
September 23, 2015
Happy First Day of Autumn!
Happy first day of autumn! Sumo celebrated (as he celebrates every day) by playing fetch in the yard. All he needs to be happy is a squeaky ball and a person to throw it.
Only 6 more days until Harbinger of the Phoenix comes out! ^_^
