Suzanne Rogerson's Blog, page 52
November 23, 2016
November 22, 2016
#Tuesdaybookblog #Bookreview Late Summer in the Vineyard by Jo Thomas #Romance
As promised on my Fridaybookshare post, here’s my review of Late Summer in the Vineyard by Jo Thomas.
Genre – Romance
Blurb
Emmy Bridges has always looked out for others. Now it’s time to put down roots of her own.
Working for a wine-maker in France is the opportunity of a lifetime for Emmy. Even if she doesn’t know a thing about wine – beyond what’s on offer at the local supermarket.
There’s plenty to get to grips with in the rustic town of Petit Frère. Emmy’s new work friends need more than a little winning over. Then there’s her infuriatingly brash tutor, Isaac, and the enigmatic Madame Beaumont, tucked away in her vineyard of secrets.
But Emmy will soon realise that in life – just as in wine-making – the best things happen when you let go and trust your instincts. Particularly when there’s romance in the air…
My Review
First thoughts
This is the first (and only) book I’ve won in a Goodreads competition. I was sent a Marketing Proof by the publishers. Although sadly it doesn’t have this cover, I was still really pleased to be a winner.
Summary
This is a perfect story for escapism. I’m sure in the middle of November, we’re all dreaming of heading off to hot and sunny France. I’d love to visit the vineyards, it all sounds so idyllic.
Main character
I really like Emmy. She’s a genuinely nice person who wants to help everyone and puts their best interests above her own. This has meant she’s put her entire life on hold to look after her dad and younger sister. Her need to look out for others gets her into some very sticky situations.
I did find Emmy’s self doubt a little over the top, but it was completely believable. At times I could have shaken some sense into her and by the end it was gratifying to see her development.
Writing style
It’s mainly told in first person, present tense from Emmy’s perspective. This style really helps to connect with Emmy and understand her thought processes. The situations she gets herself in become more plausible as well.
Issues
I found a part of the prologue annoying and improbable. If someone is telling you to get out their house or they’ll call the police, you don’t suggest a cup of tea (not when your a stranger and a debt collector at that!). It is a sort of comic moment, but it just stopped me believing in the story – thank goodness I carried on reading!
My only other issue would be the amount of simple errors that were present in this copy. As I received a marketing copy, I assume these have been spotted by a proof reader.
Final Thoughts
I enjoyed this book much, much more than I was expecting! I now have a new appreciation for wine, and desperately want to go and visit France. This book created a special feeling about the vineyards and the host of characters Emmy meets. I especially liked Madame Beaumont and her old horse, Henri. It’s a story that stays will you and I will miss reading it. I will definitely read more of Jo Thomas’ books when I want that feel good factor.
Rating 4.5 Stars
Recommend to: Romance readers who like to discover something a little different and want to be transported into another country.
November 18, 2016
#FridayBookShare Late Summer in the Vineyard by Jo Thomas #romance @ShelleyWilson72
This weekly book sharing game was set up by Shelley Wilson. See the rules below.
First Line
‘Madame, Madame!’ I shout, and wave my arms around like I’m at a Take That concert, trying to attract Gary Barlow’s attention in the midst of thousands of other possessed fans.
Recruit fans
Escape to France with LATE SUMMER IN THE VINEYARD – Jo Thomas’s irresistible follow-up to THE OYSTER CATCHER and THE OLIVE BRANCH.
‘A fabulous French feast of fun’ Milly Johnson
Emmy Bridges has always looked out for others.
Now it’s time to put down roots of her own.
Working for a wine-maker in France is the opportunity of a lifetime for Emmy. Even if she doesn’t know a thing about wine – beyond what’s on offer at the local supermarket.
There’s plenty to get to grips with in the rustic town of Petit Frère. Emmy’s new work friends need more than a little winning over. Then there’s her infuriatingly brash tutor, Isaac, and the enigmatic Madame Beaumont, tucked away in her vineyard of secrets.
But Emmy will soon realise that in life – just as in wine-making – the best things happen when you let go and trust your instincts. Particularly when there’s romance in the air…
Introduce the main character
Emmy – Caring, self-deprecating, naïve
Delightful design
Audience appeal
Romance lovers, especially those who like to be transported to other countries (France in particular).
Your favourite line
‘Very nice. But I don’t think I ordered room service,’ says a sleepy American voice.
‘Shit!’ I spin round to what I thought was my pile of luggage that I’d left on my bed ready to unpack but it isn’t a pile of luggage at all. My luggage is now on the floor. My heart starts thundering like a young horse in its first Grand National. My eyes open winder and I clutch the towel more firmly.
It’s a person, a body, a man… in my bed!
***
I am totally loving this book and will hopefully post a review next week. In the meantime check it out on goodreads.
November 17, 2016
Book Spotlight – Faithful by Michelle Hauck @Michelle4Laughs #fantasy #giveaway
The next volume in the Birth of Saints series is available now!
Following Grudging–and with a mix of Terry Goodkind and Bernard Cornwall–religion, witchcraft, and chivalry war in Faithful, the exciting next chapter in Michelle Hauck’s Birth of Saints series!
A world of Fear and death…and those trying to save it.
Colina Hermosa has burned to the ground. The Northern invaders continue their assault on the ciudades-estados. Terror has taken hold, and those that should be allies betray each other in hopes of their own survival. As the realities of this devastating and unprovoked war settles in, what can they do to fight back?
On a mission of hope, an unlikely group sets out to find a teacher for Claire, and a new weapon to use against the Northerners and their swelling army.
What they find instead is an old woman.
But she’s not a random crone—she’s Claire’s grandmother. She’s also a Woman of the Song, and her music is both strong and horrible. And while Claire has already seen the power of her own Song, she is scared of her inability to control it, having seen how her magic has brought evil to the world, killing without reason or remorse. To preserve a life of honor and light, Ramiro and Claire will need to convince the old woman to teach them a way so that the power of the Song can be used for good. Otherwise, they’ll just be destroyers themselves, no better than the Northerners and their false god, Dal. With the annihilation their enemy has planned, though, they may not have a choice.
A tale of fear and tragedy, hope and redemption, Faithful is the harrowing second entry in the Birth of Saints trilogy.
Faithful– November 15, 2016
Harper Voyager
Find It: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | HarperCollins | Goodreads
Also enter to win a signed paperback of Grudging, the first book in the series:
A world of chivalry and witchcraft…and the invaders who would destroy everything.
The North has invaded, bringing a cruel religion and no mercy. The ciudades-estados who have stood in their way have been razed to nothing, and now the horde is before the gates of Colina Hermosa…demanding blood.
On a mission of desperation, a small group escapes the besieged city in search of the one thing that might stem the tide of Northerners: the witches of the southern swamps.
The Women of the Song.
But when tragedy strikes their negotiations, all that is left is a single untried knight and a witch who has never given voice to her power. And time is running out.
A lyrical tale of honor and magic, Grudging is the opening salvo in the Book of Saints trilogy.
GRUDGING
November 17, 2015
Harper Voyager
Find it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Goodreads
Michelle Hauck lives in the bustling metropolis of northern Indiana with her hubby and two kids in college. Besides working with special needs children by day, she writes all sorts of fantasy, giving her imagination free range. A book worm, she passes up the darker vices in favor of chocolate and looks for any excuse to reward herself. Bio finished? Time for a sweet snack.
She is a co-host of the yearly contests Query Kombat, Nightmare on Query Street, and Sun versus Snow.
Her Birth of Saints trilogy, starting with Grudging and Faithful (November 15, 2016), is available from Harper Voyager. Another epic fantasy, Kindar’s Cure, is published by Divertir Publishing. She’s repped by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary.
Book Spotlight – Faithful by @Michelle4Laughs Book 2 Birth of Saints series #fantasy #giveaway
The next volume in the Birth of Saints series is available now!
Following Grudging–and with a mix of Terry Goodkind and Bernard Cornwall–religion, witchcraft, and chivalry war in Faithful, the exciting next chapter in Michelle Hauck’s Birth of Saints series!
A world of Fear and death…and those trying to save it.
Colina Hermosa has burned to the ground. The Northern invaders continue their assault on the ciudades-estados. Terror has taken hold, and those that should be allies betray each other in hopes of their own survival. As the realities of this devastating and unprovoked war settles in, what can they do to fight back?
On a mission of hope, an unlikely group sets out to find a teacher for Claire, and a new weapon to use against the Northerners and their swelling army.
What they find instead is an old woman.
But she’s not a random crone—she’s Claire’s grandmother. She’s also a Woman of the Song, and her music is both strong and horrible. And while Claire has already seen the power of her own Song, she is scared of her inability to control it, having seen how her magic has brought evil to the world, killing without reason or remorse. To preserve a life of honor and light, Ramiro and Claire will need to convince the old woman to teach them a way so that the power of the Song can be used for good. Otherwise, they’ll just be destroyers themselves, no better than the Northerners and their false god, Dal. With the annihilation their enemy has planned, though, they may not have a choice.
A tale of fear and tragedy, hope and redemption, Faithful is the harrowing second entry in the Birth of Saints trilogy.
Faithful– November 15, 2016
Harper Voyager
Find It: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | HarperCollins | Goodreads
Also enter to win a signed paperback of Grudging, the first book in the series:
A world of chivalry and witchcraft…and the invaders who would destroy everything.
The North has invaded, bringing a cruel religion and no mercy. The ciudades-estados who have stood in their way have been razed to nothing, and now the horde is before the gates of Colina Hermosa…demanding blood.
On a mission of desperation, a small group escapes the besieged city in search of the one thing that might stem the tide of Northerners: the witches of the southern swamps.
The Women of the Song.
But when tragedy strikes their negotiations, all that is left is a single untried knight and a witch who has never given voice to her power. And time is running out.
A lyrical tale of honor and magic, Grudging is the opening salvo in the Book of Saints trilogy.
GRUDGING
November 17, 2015
Harper Voyager
Find it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Goodreads
Michelle Hauck lives in the bustling metropolis of northern Indiana with her hubby and two kids in college. Besides working with special needs children by day, she writes all sorts of fantasy, giving her imagination free range. A book worm, she passes up the darker vices in favor of chocolate and looks for any excuse to reward herself. Bio finished? Time for a sweet snack.
She is a co-host of the yearly contests Query Kombat, Nightmare on Query Street, and Sun versus Snow.
Her Birth of Saints trilogy, starting with Grudging and Faithful (November 15, 2016), is available from Harper Voyager. Another epic fantasy, Kindar’s Cure, is published by Divertir Publishing. She’s repped by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary.
November 16, 2016
#WWWBlogs My top ten tips for New Writers #indieauthors #writers #amwriting
I’ve been writing novels for over 20 years and as this is the anniversary of my first year of self-publishing, I thought it would be great to go back and revise the advice I had for new writers at the start of my own journey back in November 2015.
1. Online courses
I’ve completed both novel writing and short stories courses. You learn as you write and having your assignments critiqued by experienced tutors helps you improve as you go along. Online course can fit around your work and family.
2. Go to writing workshops and creative writing classes.
I’ve attended several adult education classes over the years, and a couple of one day workshops. Meeting like-minded people was a real turning point for me. Critiquing and editing others work helps you look at your own work more objectively. Also having others critique your work helps you develop that famous thick skin all writers need.
I’ve made writing friends from classes too. It’s so important to have people in your life who understand the struggles of a writer. Now with online forums, and blogs etc. it’s easier to connect with other writers, but I still think the workshops can play an important part in the learning process.
3. Enter competitions, especially those offering critiques
There’s nothing worse than sending your story into a competition and never hearing anything again. Not knowing where you’re going wrong. The critiques can help you grow as a writer. And if you follow the suggestions made, next time your story may just get placed.
4. Don’t rush. Don’t pitch too soon.
I’ve made this mistake many times. Thinking the book is ready and contacting the agents I would love to work with, or the publishers that accept unsolicited submissions. Once they’ve turned your book down, there’s no going back. It’s the same with some novel competitions; once they’ve seen your entry you can’t resubmit when you’ve made a better version. If you do it looks unprofessional.
5. Start building your online profile now.
I’ve been blogging since July/Aug 2015. A lot has happened in a year and a bit. I’ve gained followers and made many online connections with writers and bloggers. I’m close to reaching 4K followers through the various platforms – Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads. I’d say that’s not too bad for a year, though the time involved has taken me away from my writing. Challenges like the April A-Z blog challenge and running my own my blog tour in Jun/July were very time-consuming, but lots of fun and well worth the effort.
6. Beta readers can make a huge difference.
Especially beta readers who are writers themselves, who understand the structure and techniques of writing. I’ve been lucky enough to have made some really good friends from writing classes. We’ve kept in touch and still occasionally meet up to critique each others’ work. They’ve offered honest criticism about where I’m going wrong, but also shown me my strengths as a writer and their encouragement has been a big boost to my confidence.
7. Join a book group
I’ve been a member of several book groups. It’s really interesting listening to readers critiquing books you’ve read, and to imagine how your own book might be seen from the readers’ perspective. They also force you to read outside your comfort zone, which can help you grow as a reader and a writer.
8. Get all the professional help you can afford
This is in the form of critique companies, professional editors, paid for beta reads if you don’t have writing friends you trust to be honest with you, cover artists, proof readers. The list of help available is endless and you need to work out what is most important to you and where you need to invest the money most. My first choice would be a good editor every time.
9. Know when it’s time to let go and move on
This is probably the hardest part; to tell yourself it’s finished, and let go of your book as you hit publish.
This is also true once you’ve been published for a while. You need to stop obsessing over your sales, book ranking and the amount of reviews you have or haven’t got. There is only so much marketing you can do, and as I have been told by many professionals, the best thing to do is get another book published.
10. Enjoy the journey, and celebrate being a writer
It’s an amazing feeling creating worlds and characters, and not everyone can do it. It takes hard work, dedication and an absolute determination to succeed.
Now that Visions of Zarua has been published a year, I look back and think wow. All that hard work has paid off. I’ve gained over a dozen wonderful reviews in that year and that is proof enough that it was worth taking a chance on self-publishing.
***
What is your advice for new writers?
Happy book birthday Visions of Zarua! #fantasy #epicfantasy #darkfantasy
The day is finally here – Visions of Zarua is a year old!
Sometimes I still can’t believe I actually did it. I locked away all the self doubt and published the ebook on 16th Nov 2015. After a lot of deliberation and encouragement from friends and family, I published the paperback a month later.
I’m so happy that it’s been well received by book reviewers and readers. I love reading the reviews, knowing that people have enjoyed Paddren, Varnia, Leyoch and Jago’s story as much as I enjoyed creating it. I get all teary-eyed when people say how much they loved Paddren or Varnia, that the characters I’ve lived with and loved for over ten years are resonating with readers. I’m very proud of this book and fully intend to toast it tonight with a glass or two of something bubbly!
Thank you to everyone who’s supported me, to those who have read it and those who will take the time to read it in the future.
***
Before I go…
There’s still a few hours left to enter the worldwide Goodreads giveaway here
Next week I’ll be doing my first ever book signing! I’m totally nervous and excited about. It’s at a Christmas shopping event at my daughters school where I’ll have my own stall and my son has offered to be my salesman for the evening!
I’ll write about the experience, but does anyone have any tips for running a successful book signing?
Now I plan to spend the day setting up my next Kindle Countdown Deal, along with ad’s on Amazon, Goodreads, facebook and possibly twitter to run alongside the deals and hopefully promote it to lots of readers. Again, any tips will be gratefully received.
Finally, if you haven’t bought your copy of Visions of Zarua yet, here’s the links.
£2.99
$2.99
Free to read on KindleUnlimited
Two wizards, 350 years apart. Can they save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past?
Why not pick up a copy and find out. And let me know what you think by leaving a review or contacting me via the contact page.
November 15, 2016
#WWWBlogs My review of the self-publishing summit #indieauthors #selfpublishing #indiepub
On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a self-publishing summit at Kings College London run by New Generation Publishing.
It was a very informative day. There were 3 Q&A / talks with panels of industry professionals and self-published authors. I’m still processing much of the information but I wanted to share an overview of the day and what I feel I’ve gained from it.
Start
The day didn’t start well. It was pouring with rain, and during a dash across Waterloo Bridge I got soaked twice by vindictive bus drivers. It took until lunchtime for my trousers to dry! My map got so wet I couldn’t read it, but thankfully Kings College was easy enough to find, and everything improved from there.
The talks
As I mentioned there were three scheduled talks with Q&A’s. The first talk focused on the two guest authors experiences and advice for new authors. The second was about marketing and how to sell your work. The third discussed the future of self-publishing.
I found the talk about marketing the most interesting and helpful to my current situation.
Some nuggets of advice from the talks
Look at marketing as fun and be creative.
Think local news – Create an angle for you / your book. Local interest for radio and newspaper could lead to bigger opportunities.
Say yes to any publicity.
Contact book shops – prove to them they can sell it, who will buy it, what you are doing to market it. Remember they like to buy in advance of publication.
Publicity timelines – Differ for bookshops, radio and magazines.
Think about your ideal reader – where do they shop and how can you find them.
Cover Design – think audience, create a buying impulse.
Elevator pitch – Think how you can grab someone’s attention and make them want to buy your book. Be able to talk about your book and sell it!
ISBN’s – Buy your block of 10, rather than 1 at a time. You can’t sell in a book shop with the Amazon ISBN’s and they won’t accept the createspace paperback.
Pitching sessions
The best part of the day for me was the pitch sessions with individual members of the panel.
I spoke to an agent, Kate Nash, who unfortunately doesn’t represent fantasy but provided a lot of interesting information in her talk and great advice to the other authors in the group. I asked whether she would be more likely to consider a self-published author if they had gained a following on social media. She said any decisions would be based on the book submitted.
I spoke to Ben Galley, a fantasy author and self-publishing consultant. He is about to publish his 11th book, so it was great to get my book in front of him for some advice. I asked him what I could do to get more readers to find and purchase my book.
His Tips:-
Buy your own domain name to look more professional.
Don’t lower the price.
Use a professional typesetter to make the interior of the book really stand out. This can help the search inside feature really sell your book to the browsing reader – make the experience a pleasure.
Consider a UK company for the UK printing of paperbacks. It will be cheaper and better quality than Createspace.
Join genre forums and facebook groups and get involved.
Have a newsletter.
I also spoke with the two self-published novelists, Roz Morris and Toni Jenkins, who were both lovely ladies and happy to discuss their experiences within the industry. Among other things we talked through ideas on how to get more readers, reducing my social media output to really focus on those that count, and a website called MEETUP where I could advertise to start my own local writing group.
I spoke with David Walshaw the publishing exec of New Generation Publishing. He was happy to talk me though the options of self-publishing with his company, but there was no hard sell or pressure in any way. It’s great to know there are other options and that I don’t have to do everything myself. I still need to research whether I can afford this for my next book though.
Downside to the day
For me the coffee breaks, and in particular lunch break were painfully awkward as I wasn’t comfortable mixing and chatting in large groups.
Things I wish I’d done differently
I didn’t hand out my card to anyone or swap contact details with other authors as I had hoped to have done.
I didn’t mingle enough / at all!
I didn’t have a proper pitch prepared for the pitching sessions
Value for money
At £59.99 I thought it was great value for a day of immersing myself in the world of self-publishing. The food could have been a bit more varied, but it was fresh and tasty. And there was a constant supply of drinks, although it did arrive a little later and after the soaking I received from the bus, I needed that hot drink!
Overall view
It was a very worthwhile experience. I gained some knowledge and had my book looked at by others with more knowledge of the industry. It was generally felt that I’d done a good job for a first timer! So I came away proud of my achievement and buzzing with ideas for what to do next.
If you get the chance to go to a summit in the future, I recommend you try it out for yourself.
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#Audio #bookreview The Teacher by Katerina Diamond #thriller #tuedaybookblog
The Teacher
Katerina Diamond
Narrator Stevie Lacey
Blurb
You think you know who to trust? You think you know the difference between good and evil? You’re wrong…
The body of the head teacher of an exclusive Devon school is found hanging from the rafters in the assembly hall.
Hours earlier he’d received a package, and only he could understand the silent message it conveyed. It meant the end.
As Exeter suffers a rising count of gruesome deaths, troubled DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles must solve the case and make their city safe again.
But as they’re drawn into a network of corruption, lies and exploitation, every step brings them closer to grim secrets hidden at the heart of their community.
And once they learn what’s motivating this killer, will they truly want to stop him?
SMART. GRIPPING. GRUESOME.
This is a psychological crime thriller in a class of its own.
WARNING: Most definitely not for the faint-hearted!
My review
I found this book slow to start. There were quite a few characters introduced in the first few chapters and I was a little underwhelmed and lost.
But several chapters in, I really started to get taken in by the unfolding story. I enjoyed the flashbacks and the slow revealing of each characters’ story. It’s unusual for a detective story to have so many other characters VP’s rather than just the detective and the murderer. I found this refreshing and it helped keep my interest through the book.
The horrific murders really made me cringe, but I wouldn’t say it wasn’t for the faint-hearted as the blurb suggests.
In all, it was a good listen and an enjoyable story. I recommend to those who enjoy thrillers and detective stories.
Rating – 3.5 stars
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November 8, 2016
Update: 1 week until Visions of Zarua’s book birthday! Join in the #fantasy goodreads giveaway
Well it’s only a week to go until my debut novel is a year old!
The goodreads giveaway is still live until the big day – 16th Nov 2016. Enter here if you want the chance to win a signed copy.
I’m still planning a Rafflecopter giveaway, but I’ve decided to wait until I’ve been to the Self-Publishing Summit at the weekend. Maybe I’ll get some tips about marketing these giveaways.
I’m also running a new Amazon Ad as I’ve just reduced the US Kindle book price to $2.99. I’m stating the cost in the ad to see if this makes a difference to the amount of people who click and don’t buy. Fingers crossed!
Kindle Unlimited has also been disappointing – my KENP read has been a depressing flat line for the last 10 days. Hopefully this will pick up with a bit of advertising.
Can I ask your opinion on my log line
Currently – Two wizards, 350 years apart. Together they must save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past.
New option – Two reluctant heroes, 350 years apart. Can they save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past?
Please let me know if either intrigues you.
***
The blog may go quiet for a few days while I prepare for the Self-pub summit, but I’ll still reply to all your comments.
