Julia Hughes's Blog, page 11

FREE - Advance Reader Copies on Smashwords

If you enjoyed "The Griffin Cryer", you can now be among the first to read "The Griffin's Boy". Part three of three is now available to download free from Smashwords, in advance readers copies. 

The official launch is December 8th and many thanks to all the early birds book bloggers who asked about the forthcoming book blog tour. Media packs will be available shortly! 
THE GRIFFIN'S BOY - concluding episode:  In this thrilling conclusion, Samara is about to be forced into an unholy marriage; in the same ceremony, Neb's soul will be condemned to limbo, and his physical body is to be claimed by a demon. The mischievous young griffin Balkind is their only hope. But though clever, Balkind has always been difficult to control. Will the griffin answer his boy's summons? 
(PG for younger readers advised - some mild peril and dark scenes involving demons, with one chapter containing deadly violence.) 

Why I'd fail miserably at NaNoWriMo

NaNoWriMo launched last week, inspiring writers worldwide to draft out a 50,000 word novel within a month. Ironically, I started out to tell the rider's tale (from "The Griffin Cryer") around nine months ago, and the first advance reader copies are only now being dispatched to book bloggers and early readers.

I blocked myself by allowing the story to peak too early: Having risked his own life to save a child, the Griffin's Boy is richly rewarded. Bang. End of story.

Two options remained: Pad the beginning out by relating a few minor obstacles … or … spur the Griffin's Boy into a new, but related adventure – in which the stakes are even higher.

Except there's nothing more valuable than life itself – is there?

'…And the spirits of all living things danced along the ley-lines of Ella-Earth, making a joyful noise unto the heavens. And though demons spat with hatred to see such rejoicing, they dare not approach …for with the courage of a lion and the glorious flight of an eagle, the mighty griffins patrolled the ley-lines … and they feasted on the demons' souls.'

(Griffin Lore – every child knows this).

So in his quest to re-unite the mischievous gryffant Balkind with the Griffin Master, Neb not only rescues a chieftain's son and encounters girls for the first time, but he also finds himself battling a demon for his very soul. If this sounds like your kind of adventure, the final episode in an advance reader copy format can be yours for free on Smashwords from November 10, until the end of this month. 


The official launch date is December 8th; if you want to join the Griffin Riders' blog tour, I'd be delighted to come on over to your place. 

Gunpowder, treason and books.

Almost four hundred years ago Guy Fawkes failed miserably in his plan to assassinate the first King of England and Scotland united. In all probability James Stuart was chosen to succeed the glorious Elizabeth Tudor not just because of his close relationship, but also because of his staunch protestant values.
If the "Jesuit Plan" had succeeded, our world could be very different. It's doubtful the English language would exist in its present form … because this incredibly important book wouldn't exist. 

Reading between the lines, seventeenth century life for ordinary folk could at times be hell on earth. No doubt many of the common people actually looked forward to an angelic afterlife. Now, for the first time, they could read directly from the bible, and within a generation, literacy increased a thousandfold. 


Food for thought? Here's something else to chew on. There are still basements underneath the Houses of Parliament. Better still, the entire world is invited to take a virtual tour: Basement tour. Wonderfully detailed views aren't they? Of course an actual physical tour probably involves security tighter than a bat's squeak.
So tonight let's burn effigies of Guy Fawkes, remind our kids never to play with fireworks and maybe bore them silly by telling them that now and again, books beat bombs. 

Get it while you can - part two.

Recently, Smashwords have upped their game and added a couple of innovations to help authors find a wider audience. Titles can now be linked into a series, and better still, titles can be serialised. We've been experimenting by posting "The Griffin's Boy" in three parts, and making them free. The final episode will be published later this week, and until lst December, readers will be able to have an advance free read of this sequel (prequel? stable companion?) to "The Griffin Cryer". 

We've also put "The Griffin Cryer" on sale too - readers can download this award winning highly rated urban fantasy for only 99 cents, or 77p throughout November. 

The first title in The Celtic Cousins' Adventures "A Raucous Time" is also free to download on Smashwords, Kobo, and Nook. I'm hoping Amazon will follow suit very soon, but river gods have their own agenda, and who knows what they get up to in their spare time. If you're unfamiliar with Smashwords, the beauty of their site is that ebooks can be downloaded to any ereader, smart phone or computer. Great news for readers and authors! Here's a link to all my titles on Smashwords: Books by Julia Hughes. There's a collection of free short stories available too, including everyone's favourite grumpy fat copper, DI Crombie. He's one lucky guy - he gets to survive Christmas in the Italian equivalent of the House of Usher! 

Get it while you can.

A departure from the usual post, because I want to say a small but heartfelt thank you to some very special people. 

This time last week, one of the sons was rushed to hospital. Thankfully, the medical attention received from Hillingdon Hospital Emergency and subsequently Coronary Care Wards was first class. Thanks to their devotion and expertise, the son is now out of the woods and home. I have a great deal to be thankful for. So major thanks to all those selfless folk who work in the NHS: cleaners, cooks, nursing assistants, nurses, doctors, consultants, surgeons et al, for most it is a vocation.
Thanks also to all my fellow indie authors and other supporters who took up the slack, I've never been more appreciative of your generosity. I really don't deserve you, but I'm so glad you're on my side. Thank you. 

October 03rd, 2013

The brilliantly funny and astute "Facing 50 with Humour" site kicked started our tour in fine style yesterday. If you want to know why authors of a certain age write what they write, you can find out all  at Carol Wyer's site - don't forget to comment and increase your chances of winning one of three great prizes!
Appropriately for "National Poetry Day", my hostess for today, Jenny Worstall wanted to know my favourite poem. As always Jenny made me feel very welcome, I hope you'll drop by Jenny's site and join in with the fun, (and another chance to enter and win) over at her place. 


For our next stop, I'll be getting down with the brothers at 90daysnovel - Sean & Dan Campbell have taken time out from working on "Cleaver Square", the eagerly awaited sequel to their chart-busting thriller "Dead on Demand", and invited me over -  I'll meet you there tomorrow! 

Getting the show on the road!

In between replacing the suspension on the Passat, adjusting the brake calipers on the Mazda, and redecorating, we've been getting ready to tour with The Celtic Cousins. Thankfully, the last task is nothing but fun! We've made contact with friends old and new, and there's an all star list of host sites who have invited us over to their place. The tour begins on October 1, and will kick off at Words Unlimited. There are still a couple of slots waiting on confirmation, and there's still room to add your site if you fancy hosting a great giveaway.  Here's the media package you could be hosting! 



A Ripple in Time: Synopsis Celtic Cousin Wren makes a psychic connection with a girl emigrating to America in 1912. Through his eyes, she is able to foresee the fate of the ship taking her across the Atlantic.  Consequently, RMS Titanic steams safely into New York Harbour: an anomaly which creates devastation for future generations. Twenty-first century Britain still has an Empire, and World War One continues to ravage Europe.  Wren must somehow turn back time, and repair history; even if it means sacrificing everything he loves.
From the author, Julia Hughes:  An iconic image of the last century, the Titanic represents hope, ambition and tragedy. It also marks the beginning of the end of an era.  However, "A Ripple in Time" isn't all about the Titanic. It's about making unbearable decisions, taking chances and allowing faith, and love to grow. 
About this book: "A Ripple in Time" is a time travel romantic adventure. Protagonist Wren Prenderson was nominated for "Best Hero" in the E-Festival of Words 2013 Awards Hall, and voted by readers into joint second place.  "A Ripple in Time" has been newly re-edited for a smoother reading experience on your ebook reading device. 
Available from all good virtual bookstores, including: Nook Books, from Amazon, WH Smith and Smashwords and in paperback from December 10. 


[image error]


WIN! A customised copy of "A Ripple in Time" FREE entry: unique to you, as your name will appear in print as a passenger on board RMS Titanic. Paperback to be released on December 16. 



a Rafflecopter giveaway If you want to be a part of this mini-blog tour & book blitz, simply go here: Sign-up Genius, or give Mervyn a shout: Mervyn@talonpublishing[dot]com 

Goodreads Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to Lisa, the winner of my very first Goodreads Giveaway.  "The Griffin Cryer" will be winging its way to you tomorrow.

Thank you to everyone on Goodreads who helped make this giveaway fun. As an extra special "Thank you", if you entered, but your name wasn't chosen, I'm offering "The Griffin Cryer" in ebook form free. All you have to do is message me on Goodreads, or leave a comment on this post, and you'll receive a Smashword's coupon.
(Note: when you enter your email address, it will not show up publicly.)

"The Priest" Chartbusting Dystopian Romance still FREE

Congratulations to Monica La Porta on a fantastic free promotion, "The Priest" hit several number one spots in genre, and the top three "bestselling charts" overall on Amazon.com - best news of all "The Priest" is still FREE!  
But only just - download your gratis copy until midnight Eastern American time, that's around nine am tomorrow London time. Here are the links: 
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk

If you've already got your copy, be a pal and tell a friend - tweeting and facebooking takes seconds & is really appreciated! 






Another giveaway ending soon - be quick! 

Time's also running out on our GoodReads giveaway - only hours left to enter and win an autographed paperback copy of "The Griffin Cryer". 
Free and easy entry by clicking on the Goodreads widget - Good luck!  .goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; background: white; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget img { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0; color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:visted { color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:hover { color: #660; text-decoration: underline !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: block; width: 150px; margin: 10px auto 0 !important; padding: 0px 5px !important; text-align: center; line-height: 1.8em; color: #222; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; border: 1px solid #6A6454; border-radius: 5px; font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica,sans-serif; background-image:url(https://www.goodreads.com/images/layo... background-repeat: repeat-x; background-color:#BBB596; outline: 0; white-space: nowrap; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { background-image:url(https://www.goodreads.com/images/layo... color: black; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; } Goodreads Book Giveaway The Griffin Cryer by Julia Hughes

Giveaway ends September 15, 2013.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

"A Raucous Time" is free to download at Smashwords!

Following on from a successful promotion at Amazon, the first in "The Celtic Cousins' Adventures - A Raucous Time" is now free on Smashwords. If you haven't already joined in the fun, go grab a copy now!

Yep, that's an order!

This is a polite request – if you enjoy the freebie – say so publicly. Any of the following are acceptable:

A mention on Twitter – better still follow me @tinksaid – it's good to tweet!

Hire a marching band.

Like my new author page on facebook – click here.

Commission "The Script" to write a song about "A Raucous Time".

Write a review on your blog – that would be awesome - don't forget to send me a link!

Run a commercial during half time at the next Super Bowl.

Add your review to Smashwords.

Tell all your friends to go get "A Raucous Time" for free.

Repin on Pinterest.

Choose any or all of the above – and you can claim a free advance readers' review copy of "A Ripple in Time" – The Celtic Cousins' Adventures continue!