L.M. Preston's Blog, page 42

Ghost Train To Freedom by Faith Reese Martin

Please welcome our TEEN BOOK REVIEWER, Nyia who will be giving us the skinny on this great historical adventure!

Ghost Train To Freedom by Faith Reese Martin



Genre: Children's Fiction
Pub Date: February 2012
ISBN: 978-1-60800-014-2
Lavishly illustrated by Barry Sachs
Categories: Pre-teen+, Adventure, Historical Fiction
"What Price Freedom?"

Join two teenage time travelers on an exciting adventure as they risk their own safety and freedom to become conductors on the most dangerous train in history: the Underground Railroad.

This subtle history lesson empowers readers to understand that they, too, can take a stand against wrong and make a difference. The author skillfully weaves sound moral guidance around this historic framework into a compelling fantasy adventure.

The book will be accompanied by a Literary Guide for use in the classroom and by homeschoolers.

Faith's story is packed with meticulous research about the URR and its famous "conductors," as well as unknown homesteaders and everyday citizens, both black and white, who listened to their hearts and supported these brave people in their efforts to lead so many slaves to freedom and change America forever.

NYIA's REVIEW

When my mom first gave me this book I wasn't interested in reading a historical, much less one about slavery. I just hate that part of American History because it bothers me to know that my great-great grandparents were slaves. But after I read this book I was amazed at how people of both races helped each other and changed history. The book's main character Jinx takes you through time to help people who are helped by the underground railroad. Max is her companion and when they talk the dialogue sounds like an older person but it doesn't make you stop reading. It was suspenseful experiencing what the slaves had to go through to be free. Jinx would see these things through dreams and the book started with the dream that made her travel to the past. The author made learning about history interesting and I'd like to try out some of her other books. I give Ghost Train To 3.5 Freedom stars.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

My 'Boy' Reading Experiment

I've tried for quite some years to motivate my teenaged boy to read books. Even to the extent of writing most of my books in male POV because at least he'd read mine. But this season I've branched out. I've found several books that my son just couldn't put down. However, the trick was to get him to pick it up in the first place.

So here's what I did.

FIND OUT WHAT THEY LOVE TO WATCH

I started watching more TV with my son. From Jersey Shore to Furious Five and finally onto his Zombie obsession with the Walking Dead.

This season though, he was a little ticked off with the Walking dead because he said it was getting – (what's that horrible word parents hate to hear from their kid?) BORING!

So from my blog visiting activities I found and loved reading a book called 'Rot and Ruin' by Jonathan Maberry . I even sent it to my nephew who grabbed me when he saw me to tell me he loved the book I sent.

THE SET UP

So, my husband is an avid reader of scifi and graphic comics. I purchased the book for his Ipad and asked him to read it, then propose to our son to read it with him.
Now my husband pulled this off effortlessly by reading during an episode of Walking Dead and gushing about the book to my son. About how it was better than the show. Then he handed my son his reader during a commercial break.

My son didn't stop reading the book. The kid read all 400 pages in 5 days!!!!

AFTER THE ENGULFING

After the read the book, they were chatting about it, trying to figure out what was happening with this character or the next.

Then they asked – is there any other books by this guy? Well of course!(this is where series work well) I purchased book 2 in the series 'Dust and Decay' and they are eating that up right as we speak.

WHAT SUCKED THEM IN

The characters 'acted' like real guys. Sure my son got ticked off at the stupidity of the main character, but the suspense, action, and dialogue he said kept him wanting to read more.

SO, GIVE THIS READING EXPERIMENT A TRY …LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Where To Find Sales on Ebooks!

Well now since I have an ereader, I'm always looking for great finds. Sure I have authors that I'm rather loyal to, but I also search for great deals to find out about new authors


Here's some sites I go to find deals on ebooks.

Kindle Daily

Pixel Of Ink

The Frugal eReader

Red Adept

99 cent Network

Daily Ebook ReviewsLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Book Trailer Reveal and Review of Explorer X-Beta

Please enjoy the new book trailer created by Alicia 'Kat' for EXPLORER X - BETA



The First Book Review by:
Book Reader's Heaven

AMAZON LINK
B & N LINK

If you are interested in reading the eARC check it out at NetGalley this January 2012.

www.phenomenalonepress.com


If you are interested in reviewing Explorer X-Beta please leave message in the comments with your contact information and I will send you a free copy :-DLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

When Copper Suns Fall by KaSonndra Leigh

Spotlight Author Guest, KaSonndra Leigh



New Book When Copper Suns Fall

Blurb:
In a not too distant future when angels hide their celestial identities, a teenage girl who uses ancient memories to change current events must face rival demon slayers before she can find the cure to save her brother and prevent a second apocalypse.

A Bit About KaSonndra Leigh,
KaSonndra Leigh lives in the City of Alchemy and Medicine in North Carolina. She holds the Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and is now looking forward to playing CLUE more often. She lives in an L-shaped house where she has created a secret library complete with fairies, Venetian plastered walls, and a desk made out of clear blue glass. When Copper Suns Fall is her debut novel.


Website: http://www.kasonndraleigh.com
Facebook: Facebook profile
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kasonndraleigh
Blog: http://kasonndraleigh.blogspot.com/


LEARN MORE ABOUT ' When Copper Suns Fall '

BUY ON AMAZON Just $2.99

BUY ON SmashwordsLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

New Ebook Cover Reveal! & Giveaway!

Hiya!

Phenomenal One Press is happy to announce new ebook covers for The Pack and Bandits!!!

Yay!

The New Ebook Cover for Bandits:

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Purchase for just $0.99 for the month of December
Kindle: Click Here
Nook: Click Here
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

The New Ebook Cover for The Pack: (Effective 12/20/2011)



New cover active on 12/20/2011
Kindle: Click Here
Nook: Click Here

STILL TIME TO SIGN UP FOR FREE PAPERBACK ARC OF

Explorer X-Beta
Middle Grade Adventure



GoodReads Giveaway: Click Here
Sign up to win free copy!LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Are Authors With Large Pubs the Only Ones with Movie Ops?

Mid Atlantic Book Publishers will be chatting tonight (use #MBPA to follow chat - Thur. 12/1/2011 at 9pm EST)on this topic.

When you write your book do you see STARS? Dream of that movie deal?


One of the main reasons I would love to be with a large pub is to get a movie option for one of my books.

Of course, that is every writer's dream. But is it possible to do as an Indie Press, Self Published Author or Small Press?

I believe ... anything is possible if you know the roads traveled.

But statistics say - only a small percent of Small Press and Indie has achieved this.

HOW DOES A SMALL PRESS GO ABOUT THIS?

If one can land a Publishing Entertainment Attorney that does this, has contacts and is on bored with shopping the manuscript turned script to possible clients. This is best done before the book comes out. But if it happens after then that's awesome also.

Movie Options can garner a small press or large press from $500-Millions of dollars.

And I know an Indie Author that worked hard at getting the word out about her non-fiction book about serial killers and garnered her Movie Option on her own. So yes people - it can happen.

WHAT TO SELL:

Screenplay writes, Novelization writes, Sequel Rights, Consultant fees and Remake writes.

SOME WAYS John Kremer has composed in his book 1001 Ways to Market Your Books:

Use movie scouts who work for producers, sell direct to studio using the Hollywood Creative Directory, list your books with an online web site, list your books with an online we site, network (by going to film related events).

CAN IT REALLY HAPPEN:

Yes, but just like everything else in this business, it takes time, networking with the right people.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson

I got this book free at the BEA (Book Expo America summer of this year straight from James Patterson's great hands!)



Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson

I will say it here, I love this guy. When he writes for teens he doesn't do boring.

Amazon Blurb:Rafe Khatchadorian has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix. Luckily, he's got an ace plan for the best year ever, if only he can pull it off: With his best friend Leonardo the Silent awarding him points, Rafe tries to break every rule in his school's oppressive Code of Conduct. Chewing gum in class-5,000 points! Running in the hallway-10,000 points! Pulling the fire alarm-50,000 points! But when Rafe's game starts to catch up with him, he'll have to decide if winning is all that matters, or if he's finally ready to face the rules, bullies, and truths he's been avoiding.

My 8 Year Old Son's review:
Just so you know, I like to give reviews by the audience of readers that enjoy the age range of books. Since I have a son that loves to read, he and I are reading this together.

This book has short chapters (which my 8yr old son loves!) that way he reads a chapter and I read a chapter. There are some large words for him, but he works through them pretty well. The illustrations are fun and he loves reading them also. There are some sayings that have that boy gross spin on it and my son laughed at them even though I thought they were rather corny. Over all it's a great read with the same feel as the Diaries of a Wimpy Kid. My 8yr old son gave it 4 fingers out of 5 because he thought it was too long (lol! but he's an elementary school kid.) My 10 yr old read it in 1 day and thought the size and content was perfect for girls also.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Madness-Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Have you ever been tempted to brave the long lines, the darkness of night, and the possible threat of being trampled to go to the sales event called BLACK FRIDAY?

Well I have. And when I think of the madness that encompasses the event I think of an old cheesy movie my kids love to watch every Christmas.

Jingle All The Way - WATCH VIDEO TRAILER

The Trailer is awesome :-D

BLURB:
A harried father decides to dream the impossible dream, to get that year's hot toy for his son just before Christmas Day.





BLACK FRIDAY CONFESSIONS:

These are the things that have happened to us on Black Friday sales of years past:

2011: My teenaged son attended his first Black Friday. Cut the line for a computer item and ran with it to my husband, only to be chased then tackled by four store employees, handcuffed then released. No lie! This really happened.

2009: I was pushed into the door of a store after the doors opened and the crowds rushed in to get the new game systems that were on sale for like 40% off.

2008: We camped out at the store for 4 hours before open only to be turned away as the store was full to capacity.

2005: Went with friends, did a football break and conquer to get all the toys we needed on sale. Only to forget my purse and have to call my husband while I was in line to drop off my money.


WHY DO I KEEP UP THE INSANITY:

I don't know. Maybe for the rush, but mostly for the incredible deals. But after this year's event, I'm throwing in my BLACK FRIDAY towel and turning to..... CYBER TUESDAY. I think I'll have 3 computers set up and ready to make my Christmas sales purchases.

What do you think? Do you get caught in the madness?

Well DON'T (this is one of those do what I say and not what I do scenarios.) Trust me...after this year, I'm giving it up. I am...LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

ELEVEN by Carolyn Arnold

Need something to be thankful for? Check out this great Mystery Thriller and you'll be glad that you aren't the one being hunted.

AMAZON BLURB
Product Description
Eleven Rooms. Ten Bodies. One Empty Grave.

Brandon Fisher never expected this when he signed up as a Special Agent for the FBI. Working in the shadow of Supervisory Special Agent Jack Harper of the Behavioral Analysis Unit his career seemed set. But when the team is called to a small rural town where the remains of ten victims are found in an underground bunker, buried in an unusual way, Brandon knows he'll never return to his normal life.

With one empty grave, and the case touching close to home, he fears he's become the target of a psychotic serial killer who wants to make him number eleven. Only thing is, everything Brandon thinks he knows is far from the truth.

Length: 103,000 words

BUY on AMAZON - CLICK HERE

$4.99 Ebook
$14.99 Paperback
LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS