S.L. Baum's Blog, page 5

2 New Reviews that have Warmed my Heart!

There are a lot of readers out there that have shunned the indie author. Many have taken this stance... If authors choose to do it on our their then they must not have the talent it takes to be a "real" writer. So, I just want to take a moment to thank my readers for taking a chance on an indie author! I hope you found something that you enjoy... and realize that relying on the publishing houses to tell you what is good and what is not, is not the only way to go. There are many wonderful and talented indie authors publishing their works on their own today!

The reason for this heartfelt "Thank You" was seeing two new reviews pop up on Amazon.com for my books today. The reader/reviewer said that she is now going to seek out other indies. And I think that is simply wonderful!! Thank You - Sara C - and happy hunting!



A Chance for Charity (The Immortal Ones) Price: $0.99Availability: Auto-delivered wirelessly

So happy to have found this!, July 26, 2011 Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: A Chance for Charity (The Immortal Ones) (Kindle Edition) I just wanted to share that this is a very enjoyable entry into the young adult vampire genre. I love reading about a strong female, it was a lot of fun with the perfect amount of "cheese" romance and action. I couldn't wait to read the second one, so I'm thrilled that I didn't find this till both had been released! If this is a genre you are interested in, you will absolutely enjoy this book!

I'd also like to say that this author has now sparked a new mission in me to seek out and purchase independently published authors to read on my Kindle. So, thank you for that!


My Link in Time (The Immortal Ones Book Two) Price: $2.99Availability: Auto-delivered wirelessly

Very enjoyable!, July 26, 2011 Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: My Link in Time (The Immortal Ones Book Two) (Kindle Edition) I'm sorry, this won't be a thorough review. I'd just like to share that after I read the first book of The Immortal Ones, I immediately downloaded and began this one. And I loved it just as much. I really enjoyed the action, the strength of the main character, and the deviation from other books in this genre. In addition, this author has now shown me how many amazing books there are to explore in the independently-published world and I am having a blast seeking them out. You won't regret reading this. In fact, I'm not sure how you could read the first book and not jump right into this!
Thank you, SL Baum!

ENT - Ereader News Today - Book of The Day

For an idie author, book bloggers are instrumental in helping to drive our sales. And they do an amazing job of it. One way that we work together (indies and bloggers) is by sponsoring a Book of The Day. It helps bring revenue to the blogger (who spends loads of time promoting authors) and sales (but more importantly - exposure) to the author.

Please check out Ereader News Today - a great website/blog - that brings you info on all the amazing deals out there in the eReader world! ... plus the guy who runs the site is a pretty nice guy!!

So, here is my Book of The Day at ENT...

Here's a very highly rated bargain Kindle book which is also today's Book Of The Day. A Chance for Charity (The Immortal Ones) by S.L. Baum has a near perfect 4.8 star rating and costs only 99 cents!
This was an amazng book! I couldn't put it down! The story always has you guessing and things never go the way you think they're going to go, but it all totally works. I would recommend this book! – Amazon Reviewer


A Chance for Charity (The Immortal Ones)
by S.L. Baum
Rating: 4.8 Stars
Category: Paranormal Romance
Price: $0.99

Here's what the reviewers have to say:


When you start the story, you will wonder if you are getting entangled in yet another vampire story. But I can assure you it is not! Almost immediately you find there to be mystery and twists that are so much fun. I cannot wait to read the next book and continue the journey with these characters.
*******I really enjoyed reading A Chance For Charity. I was happy to find a fresh read in the genre I enjoy so much and highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great supernatural/paranormal romance read.
*******What a real treat to read the first book published by S.L. Baum. She is a talented lady. I thought this book was wonderful! All the characters in this book round it out to be a real page turner. I knew I liked these Immortals right from the start. What you'll find in store for Charity and Link and the rest of the crew will make you thirsty for the next book in the series, I know I am!
*******Sometimes its nice to get lost in another world and enjoy the innocense of romance that doesn't seem to exist in everyday life. The style of writing is easy to follow and you will find yourself easily getting lost in Charity's story. I'm really looking forward to the sequel! 

Get A Chance For Charity here: A Chance for Charity (The Immortal Ones)

http://ereadernewstoday.com

Amazon 3G Kindle Special Offer - for the same price as a K3 Wifi only!

Hubby has a K2 (second generation Kindle) that has 3G because that is all that was available at the time he ordered it. It cost over $200 and I was reluctant to get one for myself (being the well known cheapskate that I am). So I waited. But he loved his kindle so much and I coveted his!!

Then Amazon announced the release of K3 (third generation) and said there would be two options
1) K3 Wifi only connection - this means you MUST have a wifi connection at home (or go to a place with free wifi) to download your books and connect to Amazon (without using the USB) - $139

2) K3 3G which would act like the K2... a 3G connection to Amazon wherever you are in the world (that can get a signal)... for life. $189

That news kicked me into gear! I got a Kindle for myself (the wifi only version - because I am often at home when choosing my books and wifi would be all I needed). Then we got Kindles for our DDs for Christmas and 1 for my MIL too!

THEN Kindle announced their KSO (Kindle Special Offer) which means that you will have to have advertisements sent to your Kindle forever. The ads are not going away (for those people who ask how to upgrade to a regular). There is no upgrade... you either have a KSO or you don't. If you don't want the ads then order a regular K3. But I've asked around and have been told that the ads are not bothersome and they never appear in your reading (just on the home screen and the screen savers). These were priced at $114 (for wifi only) and $164 (for the 3G version). When they were released.

NOW - Amazon Kindle has made a deal with AT&T for the KSO 3G that will make it an even better deal. It will now be only $139 - that is the same price as a K3 wifi only - that is a great deal!

... from their official press release:

"Kindle 3G is by far the fastest-growing connected device on the AT&T network. We consistently hear from customers how much they enjoy the freedom of not being tied to a Wi-Fi hotspot and instead being able to download and read new books anytime, anywhere on AT&T's fast, reliable network," said Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "We are excited to sponsor Amazon's best Kindle - Kindle 3G with Special Offers - at the new lower price of only $139."
Kindle 3G includes all the same features that helped make the third-generation Kindle the #1 bestselling e-reader in the world:

Free 3G wireless, no annual contracts, no monthly fees Global 3G coverage means books in under 60 seconds in over 100 countries and territories Paper-like Pearl electronic ink display, no glare even in bright sunlight Lightweight body for hours of comfortable reading with one hand Kindle Store with over 950,000 books - largest selection of the most popular books Seamless integration with free "Buy Once, Read Everywhere" Kindle apps for iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Android, PC, Mac, BlackBerry and Windows Phone Learn more at www.amazon.com/kindle.

My Blood Approves - Cam's Review

My Blood Approves by Amanda Hocking - Review by Cameryn (age 13) 

My Blood Approves is a book of love, mystery, and of course, vampires. This book takes vampires to an all new level in their age and civilization. The age can be from a day old, in vampirism, to over three hundred years. Their part in civilization could be anything from an everyday street prowler to one of the world's top industry owners.

This book is a romance between two of the characters. It may not exactly say it or show it right away and it may not even be part of this first book, but you'll just have to read the series to find out. I was always kept on the edge, wondering  who falls in love in the end. This is a very tricky romance!

The five main characters of the first book are Alice, Jack, Peter, Ezra, and May. Out of those five, my favorite would be Peter. He was the quiet, mysterious one throughout the book. Peter had kept to himself and was always trying to fight for what the right thing was, in his mind.

My favorite part of My Blood Approves is when Alice is trying to figure out what is wrong with Jack, Peter, Ezra, and May. They're supposed to be a family but none of them have similar characteristics. One day Jack almost reveals himself and Alice gets suspicious. That's when she starts questioning this "family." Eventually the answers are given and her life turns upside-down.

I highly recommend this book for YAs, YA book readers, and vampire readers - such as myself. I enjoyed this series immensely, especially this book. You wouldn't be wasting your money.

*To let everyone know, My Blood Approves contains kissing, mention of things more than just kissing, and alcohol usage. Mothers: before looking into owning the rest of the series and having one or more of your children read these books, I think you would need to read and approve of them (or not). There is drug and alcohol usage along with things more than just kissing within the rest of the series. I feel as if I'm making the books sound awful, but they really aren't too bad. I'm 13 and I'm aloud to read it, they may be inappropriate for younger readers. So do take this into consideration. I feel as if I should mention this. No hard feelings to the author. I did really love this series. I've read My Blood Approves three times!

Chicken Meatball Subs...

It has been awhile since I posted anything having to do with food! To be honest... I do not love the kitchen in this rental house and rarely cook anything other than the basics... we are eating out more than usual.

But... I've been craving meatballs lately and last night I broke down and made some. These are pretty basic and easy to make... and OH SO GOOD!

2 lbs Ground Chicken Breast
2 Eggs
1/2 to 3/4 c Seasoned Bread Crumbs
Cumin
Garlic and Herb seasoning
Rosemary
Fresh minced Garlic

I'm not the measuring sort of Gal...  So...
just get a bowl, put in the Chicken, Eggs,
and bread crumbs... then add whatever
amounts of each of the seasonings that you
want. I use less Cumin than everything
else because a little goes a long way and
it has that great smoky flavor!

Use your hands and mix it all together...
then start rolling the meat balls.
I put the balls in a 9x13 pan (that I had coated with PAM) and when I'd used all my chicken mixture, I poured a 15oz can of Hunt's Tomato Sauce over the tops of the balls, and around the edges of the pan.

Cover with foil and bake in a 375 degree oven for about an hour.

We had meatball subs for dinner! I just put some meatballs in the rolls, added some shredded cheese to the top, and popped them back in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese and crisp the bread. Then I put a little of the sauce on the top after I took them out of the oven.

Don't they look D-lish?! My kiddos thought so!!


   

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

OK - no Chicken Dinner - just a signed paperback of my book :)

The winners have been chosen with the help of random.org
Kristin Craven - A Chance for Charity
Linda Cupp Mihay - My Link in Time
I'll contact you by email to get your mailing address!
Thanks for entering to win :)

Signed Paperback Giveaway :)

As part of my Book-A-Versary month... I'm doing a Signed Paperback Giveaway!

If you would like to win a signed paperback... I'll mail out one copy of each book... (A Chance for Charity and My Link in Time - there will be two separate drawings).

So... comment and leave your name and which copy you'd like to win (or put BOTH if you want to be entered for both books).

Drawing will be held on Sunday and winners announced on Monday 6/27

If blogger is being strange and won't let you comment - then just go to my FB author page and comment on the note there. We are not supposed to conduct contests on our FB pages anymore - but hey - whatever works!
http://on.fb.me/j9gVBB

Rippler - Cam's Review

Rippler by Cidney Swanson - Review by Cameryn (age 13)


Rippler is a book with love, surprises, and character's always having the fear of being discovered. This book kept me on my toes and had unique twists to it. I've heard of "turning invisible", "vanishing", and many similar things, but never "rippling."

The author made this book very interesting by creating a whole new life in the eyes of Sam, Will, and Mickie. At first you were thrown into the action desperately fighting to find the answers to everything. But you did get your answers, so don't worry about being confused!

The ending of the book had to be my favorite part. It left me hanging for more and that's what I look for in a book. To me that's what puts the icing on the cake. My favorite character was Will because he was always the one to be depended on and to look up to.

This is a perfect action-love story for YA readers. There is only kissing too, and I like a clean romance. But don't get ahead of yourself and jump to conclusions. Everything kept twisting around in this book. You'll just have to read and find out what happens!

The Book Report from the Black Lagoon - The Boy's Review

The Book Report from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler - Review by Ethan (age 8)

This book is about a boy, named Hubie, who can barely read (the book says "I'm a slow reader. It takes me three minutes to read a STOP sign.") and has to do a book report on a chapter book.

I like that the Black Lagoon books always have a cool cover and the boy in the book imagines silly bad things happening to him.

My favorite part of the book was when Hubie imagines an avalanche of words starting to come towards him. I didn't like how the picture on the front of the book was not anywhere inside the book.

That's pretty much it.

The Book Report from the Black Lagoon
No picture available

Candy Wars - T-Bug's Review

Candy Wars: The Tooth Fairy vs The Candy King by author R.G. Cordiner
Review by Tristyn (age 11)

Candy Wars was a very interesting book. I liked the candy creatures the most. What I enjoyed about them was how unusual they were: chocolate archers, marshmallow soldiers, and icing sugar snowmen. I can picture them well in my head

When James and Emily go through a portal that appeared in their bedroom they find themselves in a mysterious land, there they learn different stories of who is the good guy and who is the bad guy. I found this was a very intense part of the story because James finds the Candy King's land and Emily is taken to the Tooth Fairy Queen's (the TFQ) land. There the two kids learn the wrong thing about the other land and start to become brain washed into thinking their sibling is a selfish tooth fairy or a greedy candy creature.

I enjoyed this book so much I have read it about 5 times and I was extremely excited when the 2nd one came out. I strongly recommend this book to readers who enjoy action packed fairy tales.