Jason Zandri's Blog: The GUNDERSTONE GOODREADS Review, page 36
February 5, 2015
FROM THE BLOG OF – How To Garner Reviewer Interest – by D A Bale
D A Bale is an up and coming indie author who started up her blog at http://dabalepublishing.blogspot.com/ “A blog about indie authors for indie authors and readers alike” as she puts it “to take advantage of the rapidly advancing changes in the publishing industry”.
According to the rest of her profile – “I love to host blog tours and conduct author interviews and book reviews. It is my pleasure to use this forum to promote authors and inform readers.”
I just stumbled across her blog today as part of my own effort to promote my own novel and her four part series “How To Garner Reviewer Interest” is just too timely for me to not share with other indie authors so here are those posts and the direct links:
How To Garner Reviewer Interest – Part One
http://dabalepublishing.blogspot.com/2014/10/how-to-garner-reviewer-interest-part-one.html
How To Garner Reviewer Interest – Part Two
http://dabalepublishing.blogspot.com/2014/10/how-to-garner-reviewer-interest-part-two.html
How To Garner Reviewer Interest – Part Three
http://dabalepublishing.blogspot.com/2014/10/how-to-garner-reviewer-interest-part.html
How To Garner Reviewer Interest – Part Four
http://dabalepublishing.blogspot.com/2014/11/how-to-garner-reviewer-interest-part.html
Sage advice – read it, learn it, know it.
None of us are destined for greatness. That should not deter any of us from attempting to achieve great things.
BOOK REVIEW – Makai King (Makai Series Book 2) by Tara Fairfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Undersea fantasy adventure where sins of man and nature collide.
FOUR STARS * * * *
As a member of the Rave Reviews Book Club, this book came to us as a recommended read during our weekly PUSHTUESDAY event. I preface this because I had not read book one prior and I feel there are parts of the story that I had less of a connection to because of that (but it still works well referencing back at points – I do wish there was just a little more of it). My review is based on the story’s self-containment in this book (book two).
I also want to preface that this is not my standard reading choice – the story is more geared to young adults and / or Christian and Religious Fiction readers but I did want to read it both because it came recommended by my peers and I am trying to broaden my reading base.
The story contains some real world problems (life, faith, family, strife, envy, pride, responsibility, etc.) wrapped up in a fantasy undersea world.
It was well written. It was rich in description and it allowed the characters to develop (and I presume “grow” and / or mature more from book one) and evolve into their own strong personas. The overarching message in the story was one of “classic” right versus wrong / good versus evil and the personal responsibility and commitment of will by the main characters (Tessa and Kupua) to see their beliefs and responsibilities through, without losing themselves and remaining true to their own nature.
I recommend “Makai King (Makai Series Book 2)” by Tara Fairfield – * * * * Four Stars (out of five)
http://www.amazon.com/review/R1S32ZGOEXWV00/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1191413313
February 4, 2015
GOODREADS Book Giveaway For Another Sunset
On top of the successful run of my last GOODREADS Book Giveaway For Another Sunset I am running another one now – this time for one of five signed copies.
This is in conjunction with the release of Before Another Sunset, the short, prequel novella that takes place before the events in Another Sunset.
Enter below for your chance to win.
Thank you and good luck!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Another Sunset
by Jason Zandri
Giveaway ends February 14, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
February 3, 2015
Another Sunset – Amazon Ranking; ALL records fall
Dec 12, 2014 fell after the 2PM EST update today. All of my prior rankings have been eclipsed.
This is likely due to the release of “Before Another Sunset” which is the prequel novella that takes place just before the events told in the story of “Another Sunset.”
In addition to that, my membership in the Rave Reviews Book Club has gotten me A LOT of attention to my release in a very short period of time that I would have needed to work WAY harder to get organically.
Whichever the catalyst, (one, the other, or both) I couldn’t be happier.
All Books > Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary > 3,945
All Books > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary Fiction > 3,888
Amazon Ranking climbs – only one date to fall.
Only Dec 12, 2014 stands in the way of a new record for me over at Amazon and with respect to my rankings there.
This is likely due to the release of “Before Another Sunset” which is the prequel novella that takes place just before the events told in the story of “Another Sunset.”
I’m looking forward to see what the rest of the day brings.
February 1, 2015
Before Another Sunset has been released
The 42 page novella prequel to Another Sunset is now available at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Before-Another-Sunset-Jason-Zandri-ebook/dp/B00T11GKYE
Westville, Texas. A small town with friendly people; families that have stayed and endured life’s ups and downs. Many have left as the town no longer can fully support its own. An old woman maintains one of the remaining small businesses at the center of town, helped by Maria, her second floor tenant. Maria’s daughter Caroline starts to question her father’s absence. She also dreams up an idea to help the local library. Friends uncover true feelings and a kind drifter’s travels bring him closer to the town.
GOODREADS BOOK GIVEAWAY from January 2015 – Winners have been selected by Goodreads
I want to thank all 509 people that took part in my very first GOODREADS BOOK GIVEAWAY that ran from Jan 28 – Jan 31, 2015.
This giveaway ranked me #307 “most requested” out of over 2,500 book titles offered and that was all due to your interest so thank you once again for being a part of this success.
As with any giveaway, such as life, there are only so many winners. Goodreads has made their three selections for this giveaway and the winners are:
June C from California
Ron F from Pearland, Texas
Rhonda F from Tool, Texas
I find it very cool that Goodreads selected two winners from Texas as that was the setting and backdrop for most of the book.
This giveaway was so very successful in a number of ways:
It raised awareness for my new book; over 300 people added it to their must read lists
Three people that wanted it now have it.
The relative cost (printed books and media mail shipping) is very inexpensive compared to other marketing that I have used and others that I am still looking at.
Because of this success I am going to have another giveaway for FIVE signed copies. It is currently pending approval by Goodreads but it is as follows:
Giveaway dates: Feb 04 – Feb 14, 2015
5 copies available
Countries available: US
As soon as it is approved and available I will follow up with another post.
Thank you again for this success and congratulations to the three winners.
January 29, 2015
BOOK REVIEW – “Teacher Beware (A Grace Ellery Romantic Suspense Book 1)” by Charlotte Raine
Teacher Beware by Charlotte Raine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pasts define the present in this gritty, suspense driven tale
FOUR STARS * * * *
This is my official book review of “Teacher Beware (A Grace Ellery Romantic Suspense Book 1)” by Charlotte Raine http://www.amazon.com/Teacher-Beware-…
I found this story to be very engaging. First off, I liked the format of the story. I’m not normally a really big fan of flashback story-lines – I hate the feeling of being derailed. However, Charlotte Raine (author) did a fantastic job of keeping you aware, by way of the short chapter titles, who had the lead at the time and the time-frame (present or past) – much like is done in a movie when time and places shift and text is run at the bottom of the screen. The switching between the characters and their points of view was handled skillfully and for me, added to the flow of the story. (Made me lock in and focus as the context changed).
I liked the back-story and the explanations for the characteristics of the main characters. The effort did add depth to them and allowed me as a reader to better understand why they were the way they were. It allowed for a connection to the main characters. I didn’t get as deep a connection as I was hoping for, but that is my personality issue, not the story telling. It “sort of clicked” for me rather than “fully clicked.” That would be my only “ding” to the book – I personally could not quite get that full connection to the characters; their present story or their back-story.
This was a “Goldilocks” length story; it was a suspenseful read with a little romance thrown in.
I read some of the reviews at Amazon.com and I would like to chime in on the aspects of “a cliffhanger ending” and “that’s no way to write a book” from my own personal opinion (and not part of a direct response to any of them). The story had a beginning, a middle, and an end. To me that is a complete story. The epilogue offered “an additional scene” – nothing less than one might see at the end of a movie part way through the credits (the infamous “added scene”). I feel it was done tactfully and appropriately – in the epilogue where it belongs. I don’t think it spoiled anything from the book and just adds to the idea “there will be more to the story – stay tuned.” Some will argue that it the epilogue should be “a section or speech at the end of a book or play that serves as a comment on or a conclusion to what has happened” and formally that is what it is for but writing styles have changed over time (read Shakespeare lately?) and today, this is the place to leave that “to be continued” (if so desired).
I recommend “Teacher Beware (A Grace Ellery Romantic Suspense Book 1)” by Charlotte Raine – * * * * Four Stars (out of five)
http://www.amazon.com/review/R20I4813116NXR
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1177434865
January 28, 2015
GOODREADS BOOK GIVEAWAY – Your chance to win one of three, signed copies of Another Sunset
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Another Sunset
by Jason Zandri
Giveaway ends January 31, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
