Diane Rapp's Blog: She's a Mystery and Science Fiction Writer!, page 13

A Clean Romantic Comedy!

Best Dating Rules by Tamie Dearen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Light, breezy, and loads of fun

After finishing a somber piece about supernatural creatures trying to kill the hero of the novel, I chose this book to brighten my day. What a good choice! The Best girls are delightful and the guys who fall in love with them...well move over Tom Cruise! That's not to say that everything runs smoothly for these characters, heartache, misunderstanding, and near death situations add tense moments to the tale. Their mother is also dealing with a medical situation that worries the whole family until the end of the book (I don't want to give away the plot).

Emily and Charlie (sisters) are girls who are attempting to navigate the treacherous world of dating by using a list of firm rules to keep them out of trouble--the Best Dating Rules--but in modern times these old fashioned rules are very hard to enforce. Will the men in the lives get frustrated and walk away? Can the girls learn to trust again after they've been hurt? These are questions every modern young woman must face. Waiting to learn the answers keeps this story interesting, but don’t get me started on the evil girl who tries to snatch Spencer away from Emily!

This book is a really "clean" read, one that any mother could recommend to her daughter. In fact it might give that daughter insight into dating that she doesn't get from TV and movies now days. The Best girls are a breath of fresh air, refusing to fall into bed with every young man who strikes their fancy. If you're looking for a "clean" romantic comedy, I recommend this one without reserve.




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Is an Amazon Countdown Sale the new FREE?

Indie authors act as the creative and marketing departments of our own small businesses. Therefore, it’s important to explore new ideas and determine their value to our income. Don’t be afraid to try new things. When Amazon introduced their new Countdown Sale for KDP Select, I had already tried 99 cent sales, so I got excited that Amazon would make it easier and more profitable.

When I first started marketing my books, the big buzz was FREE days. After books were free, they stayed high on the lists for at least a week, providing good backup sales to those free promotions. Nice. Then Amazon changed the deal. Free sales no longer counted towards sales for the lists after promotions ended. In fact offering a book for free caused that book to plummet to the very bottom of the lists. Not so nice.

Is a Countdown Sale the new FREE? Yes, if you work the sale with an organized plan.

To make the most of your Countdown Sale, you must advertise during the sale. Plan ahead, join Tweet groups and Facebook groups to maximize your exposure, and PAY for an advertisement on a popular website or blog.

What? Pay for an ad? Yes. I’ve had great response from a $25 one-day regular book posting on Kindle Books and Tips http://www.fkbooksandtips.com/for-aut.... To qualify, the book must have at least 8 good reviews including 4 verified Amazon purchases. Apply 30 days in advance to secure an ad and pay through Pay Pal.

To qualify for a Kindle Countdown Sale:
• Your book has been enrolled in KDP Select for 30 days or more
• The regular list price for your book has not been changed for 30 days or more
• The minimum discount for your book is $1.00 US (£1.00 Amazon.co.uk)
• The maximum duration of the Kindle Countdown Deals is 7 days
• The minimum time increment is 1 hour
• The maximum number of price increments is 5
• The latest end time for your Kindle Countdown Deals is 14 days before your KDP Select period ends. (Go to your Bookshelf and click on Info under the KDP Select column to confirm the KDP dates on any book.)

How to schedule a Countdown Deal (step by step):
1. Go to your Bookshelf, select the book title you want to schedule, click on Manage Benefits under the KDP Select column.
2. A new page will appear. Under the Create a Book Promotion section you’ll see a box. If the box says Free Book Promotion, click the small arrow on the right side of the box and change to Kindle Countdown Deals. Then click the line that says “Create a new Countdown Deal for this book.
3. A new page will appear. Choose the marketplace (either Amazon.com or Amazon.uk) in the box shown.
4. Set the date. Click the small calendar and highlight the date you want the promo to start.
5. Set the start time. Click the small arrow in the next box and move to the time you want the promo to start. (I suggest 12:00 am.)
6. Set the end date. Click the small calendar and highlighted dates will appear. (If you don’t see a full week highlighted, your KDP program might be expiring soon and you will be limited to the dates shown. You can always change your beginning date if you want 7 days.) Choose the last date available.
7. Set the end time. Click the small arrow in the next box and move down to the latest time available PST. (I suggest 11:00 pm.)
8. Set the price. The first box shows increments. (Unless you have a high starting list price you should probably leave this at 1.) The next box probably shows 99 cents. I recommend this price. The end price will automatically be set at your original list price.
9. Click Continue and the proposed schedule will show below. Check to make sure the dates and times are correct. The duration should be 167 hours. If you need to fix anything go back and fix it.
10. Click Add Promotion and you will see a line added to your list of promotions for this book. There is are edit and delete options to the side if you need to change the event at any time before it starts.
11. Repeat the entire process to schedule the UK marketplace if you want to run sales in both markets at the same time. (I recommend both markets to maximize your ad dollars.) The times will be in GMT and prices in pounds.

Schedule your book on sale for seven days to maximize your efforts, and be sure to drop the price to 99 cents to generate the most sales. If your list price is $2.99 or more, you still receive 70% of the sales price royalties. Amazon adds an alert box to the book’s page telling buyers the end date of the sale, creating motivation to buy.

The results? Your book moves higher on Amazon’s lists during the sale and stays for a while after the sale. If you have published other books, your full-priced books should get a bump in sales from the same promotion. Rotate your Countdown Sales schedule so you only offer one book on sale each month and boost sales on your other books along the way. The more books you have available for buyers, the better your results.

Currently Countdown Sales are available only in the Amazon US and UK markets and each market must be scheduled separately. The UK list price must be at least £1.93 to schedule a countdown sale, so make that price change more than 30 days ahead of the sale. (If your book is $2.99 in the US market and you click the box to match prices, the resulting UK price is too low.)

Before you run a sale get at least 8 good reviews on the book you offer on sale. When you're ready, apply for advertising ahead of time, and schedule the sale dates to match your ad ahead of time. Look at the schedule after you set it to be sure it’s right. If you make a mistake you can change dates and times easily. I always start the sale at least one day before a paid ad is scheduled to make sure the book goes on sale before the paid ad runs.

Amazon just introduced a way to look at your promotions as they are running, so you can tell how well you are doing daily. Open your KDP Select page, Click on Promotions, and click on the book/dates you want to view. Promotion stats will be available for a year, so review results after you’ve completed several events to compare your success. I've used these sales for several months and my royalties have grown. I’m always prepared to adjust my strategy for new ideas.

Tolomay's World

Tolomay's World and The Pool of Light by M.E. Lorde

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A surprising glimpse into the future

A young girl is raised with one purpose--to lead her people into a future where they can survive an approaching disaster. Tolomay's courage and fortitude is remarkable as she faces a strange new world filled with danger and loneliness. She steps into the pool of light confidently, after all, her father looked into the future and would send her friends along soon. What kind of future had her father really seen? She finds clues and warnings in the ruins of her old home. Can she survive and build a safe place for her people?

Tolomay's story is filled with danger, courage, sadness, and love. It takes place in the distant future and gives the reader frightening glimpses into the decaying world that Tolomay and her people must escape. How many of us would be willing to step into a pool of light and leave everyone we loved behind? This young girl has more courage than most of us. The series is a refreshing change from books that make people blush or cringe. I'm anxious see how the story unfolds in future books.




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THE ALPHAS, a novella

I've just proved that I'm a split personality writer with my new novella, THE ALPHAS. It's a mystery/science fiction, guaranteed to give you a fun read and make you want more. Here is the description:

THE ALPHAS is a prequel to HOWL OF THE WOLF, Heirs to the Throne Trilogy. It takes place in modern day on the planet Earth and is a mix of Mystery and Science Fiction. Has your dog ever stared into your eyes, trying to send you a message you can't quite understand? Learn what happens when you finally “get” that message.

What starts off as a perfect day for Carra Taylor, quickly spirals into a terrifying race to solve a deadly mystery. Carra learns that her friend, Frieda, has been murdered and the dogs in Frieda’s kennel are missing. Frieda was the breeder of Carra’s beloved German Shepherd, Kriegen, who was stolen five years before. Now Carra learns that she’s the heir to Frieda's hefty estate and the next target for a group of killers.

As she searches for clues to Frieda’s murder and a series of dog thefts, Carra and her husband Mike, find themselves on a dangerous journey through Frieda’s past. They uncover painful secrets about the woman and learn about a secret breeding project Frieda initiated over fifteen years earlier. Can two amateur sleuths blast through a web of lies to unravel the truth and rescue endangered wolves? Will they survive against a ruthless company that is determined to exploit helpless animals to complete research that might be worth millions? Carra is faced with decisions that might affect generations of sentient beings.

The Alphas, Prequel to Howl of the Wolf

"Love is in the Air"

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Listening to a Romance Book

All For Love by Ann Swann

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Audio Version Experience

I was given the audio version of this book in exchange for an honest review. First I must say that Ann Swann's writing is captivating, making the reader care about her characters and the story catches your interest. As I listened I felt myself wishing I was reading the book rather than listening. The voice of the reader was too even and carried little emotion. My mental voice would have added much more emotion to the story as events unraveled. I was also listening on my Kindle and found I had to turn the Kindle over so the speakers were on top in order to hear. I understand that many people prefer to listen to their books, so don't hesitate to get this one. The reader's voice was clear and easy to understand. When I paused the story and came back later, the Kindle kept my place without problems. When I missed something important, I was able to skip back 30 seconds and re-listen. Audio books also give you a chance to work on a mindless project while listening to an interesting book.

This story hit a chord with me, as all the stories spun by Ms. Swann do. It followed the love, divorce, and heartaches of a family while they learned lessons from past mistakes. I'm grateful I didn't need to suffer those same heartaches to appreciate the lessons learned. Someone who experiences loss might find comfort in the outcome, although it was touch and go. Whether you buy this as a "read it yourself" or plan to listen to the audio version, I recommend the book for new readers.




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Another Great Read for Tweens

BIGFOOT BOY: Lost on Earth by Kenna McKinnon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Proof that Bigfoots do exist!

Do Bigfoots really exist? Do Bigfoot spaceships regularly visit Earth to gather precious minerals needed by their planet? What if Bigfoot children study our planet? Did a few of them get lost and start their own tribes, hiding deep in the forest?

This delightful tale is designed to appeal to middle-grade children, but it captivated my adult imagination, too. Errl, a seven-foot tall Bigfoot youngster, wanders away from his MiddleSchool group while exploring Earth on a field trip. Now he’s lost in the woods, alone and afraid. He meets various crazy humans, some friendly and others out to capture him, but he must stay alive for ten days until the spaceship returns to take him home.

Errl left his tech compass on the ship, he’s really bad with directions, and his eyes are weak. He wishes he’d paid closer attention to Dr. Teach’s lessons, especially when visiting an alien planet. Those lessons might prove crucial for survival on Earth. He’s hungry. What plants are safe to eat? He’s lonely. When he meets a human, he realizes that a few Earth words might help him make friends.

When Errl meets a beautiful golden-haired female, he literally falls head-over-heels in love. Soon he’s convinced he doesn’t want to leave Earth without her, but can he convince this lovely creature to return to Planet X? He can’t stay behind on Earth with his lady love, because humans tracking him have dangerous guns. A few humans seem friendly, but can he really trust them to help?

Life is scary for a young Bigfoot on the run. Every school child gets bored and fails to pay proper attention to lessons. Errl wishes he’d studied in the safety of MiddleSchool, but now he must learn the hard way—while running for his life. Enjoy this fast-paced and entertaining story while you read it to your favorite child. After all, you might meet a real Bigfoot one day.




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Harry Potter Move Over for Magian High

Magian High by Lia London

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Sharing love makes people stronger

When Kincaid meets Amity on the first day of desegregation in Magian High School, he has no idea what a mess he'd created. Kincaid is a mage, who fought to bring everyone together by desegregating their schools; Amity is a very smart Nomer who resisted coming to Magian High. When they meet, love and magic mix. The young couple must work hard to help their friends accept obvious differences and find common goals to save their school from potential disaster. It doesn't help that a secret group of adults is trying to make the whole plan blow up in their faces!

The author takes us into a world filled with magic and teenage hormones gone wild. Punkers attack without warning, greedy adults sabotage a noble idea, and a bunch of kids must overcome fear and prejudice to save the day. The author weaves an intricate story to demonstrate that sharing love and working together makes people grow stronger. These kids stand on the brink of building a better world for everyone.

Clever and well-written, this book is a plus on anyone's reading list. Harry Potter is so yesterday now that we can all enroll in Magian High.




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A Good Gift Idea for Tweens

The Mystery of the Indian Carvings by Gloria Repp

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Remember those old Nancy Drew mysteries?

Do you remember the excitement of reading a new Nancy Drew Mystery or A Hardy Boys Adventure? Kids today need that kind of experience, and adventure mixed with a little bit of mystery and stirred up with a smidgen of danger. This charming story takes its readers to an island in the Northwest where secret Indian carvings, a mysterious medicine man, and a cranky uncle lead Julie Fletcher on a hunt for clues. She's faced with learning how to "get along" with a cousin who developed a grudge against her and fitting into a secretive family that she doesn't understand. Who doesn't love to solve a good mystery?

The character in this book learns important life lessons about faith, trust, and forgiveness. She learns to control her temper during the adventure and helps her cousin learn important lessons, too. The author gives her readers an intriguing mystery to solve as she shows us island life in the Northwest and explores truths and myths about Indian culture. Buy it for your tween. I'm sure they'll enjoy reading the adventure and you might learn something as well.




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Rush Revere goes Time Travelling!

Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims: Time-Travel Adventures with Exceptional Americans by Rush Limbaugh

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


As an Indie author, I understand the value of reviews. I know Rush doesn't need my endorsement but potential readers might appreciate hearing what made me keep reading this new children's book. As a grandparent, I'm always looking for good books to pass along to my granddaughter, and I've found one in this series. It's an imaginative way to capture the attention of kids and help them learn about American history.

Rush Revere is a substitute teacher who uses a time travelling horse to take two lucky kids back to important events in American history. He films the events using his I-Pod so the whole class can learn from their adventures. This first book shows his class the hardships and courage of the Pilgrims who struck out for America on the Mayflower. By introducing real people from history as interesting characters in a modern-day story, Limbaugh reveals the truth about brave people who sacrificed so much for freedom. He uses quirky language and funny events that are sure to make kids enjoy the story. Wouldn't you love to see the real people from history? Now you can travel through time and see them for yourself.

I bought the print copy of this first edition as a Christmas gift for my granddaughter, and read it on my Kindle in advance. The Kindle version was fun, but the print version is fabulous. The full color pictures and illustrations really make the story come to life. It's a great series to collect and share with your family. I can't wait to see what comes next in the series. Good JOB Rush!




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