R. Leonia Shea's Blog, page 10

10 New Strategies over 10 weeks for 10 minutes per day – Marketing my new book release.

I’ve decided to try 10 new book marketing strategies over the next 10 weeks.  My catch is that they can’t take more than 10 minutes per day.

After I click “publish” and sit back to watch my book soar to number one (which, by the way, is overly optimistic) – I’m left with a frantic feeling that I should be doing something to push sales along.  Well, something other than obsessively checking my amazon rankings and email.  One thing indie-authorhood has taught me is that those weeks following a release are filled with angst and self-doubt instead of optimism and joy.  The reason is this:  Once the first wave of books purchased by my fans is over, those all-important rankings begin to dip lower and I feel a crushing pressure to share, sale, tweet, tweak, link and post – all things I really, really, really don’t want to do – partly because they’re boring and time consuming and partly because shameless self-promotion feels icky.

But shameless self-promotion is sometimes required, so I give in to the urge to engage in it with abandon. For two weeks. Then it’s back to business. Since promotion seems to take so much time from the main task (which is writing – in case you’ve forgotten), I have started to condense the marketing tasks into smaller chunks that feel more manageable. The first thing I’m doing is writing a short story which will be included in an anthology of works by other indie authors. That’s a task that’s way more than 10 minutes per day, so I’ve had to choose this weeks marketing strategy based on how much “extra” time I have left.

The winner this week was this: Change my categories on Amazon to get new readers.

That took about 10 minutes to research what categories other books similar to mine are listed under and maybe two extra minutes to go in and change the categories on my own books to match those. If I were not such an avid reader in my genre, I might not have known which categories to select – but since I read so much, it was a pretty easy task. For the next two weeks, the first book in my series will be listed under humor as well as contemporary fiction. At the end of the two weeks, I can decide if I want to move it back to just fantasy (debatable, since my books are funny – just read the reviews!). Ten minutes might net me a whole new group of readers – we’ll see!

Filed under: #new books, #newbookrelease, contemporary fantasy, fantasy writer, indie author, marketing, new release, Relic Hunter Characters, self-publishing, short story, Uncategorized, urban fantasy, writing, Writing Tips Tagged: amazon, Amazon.com, Author, book launch, book marketing, Book Publicity, book release, contemporary fantasy, contemporary fiction, Elementary Magic, Fantasy Writer, indie author, marketing, new book, New Release, self-publish, self-publishing

Discover Authors Book Tour – Discovery 8 – The Prince of Malorn by Annie Douglass Lima

Prince of Malorn: a Visit with a Villain

Prince of Malorn is an action/adventure fantasy novel geared toward young adults.  In it, one major obstacle stands between seventeen-year-old Prince Korram and the throne that is his birthright: Regent Rampus.  Temporary ruler of Malorn, Rampus has no intention of giving up his position when the crown prince comes of age – or of allowing the prince to live long enough to reach that age.

Desperate to build an army of his own to stand against the regent, Korram treks into the Impassable Mountains to try to recruit the one segment of Malornian society not under Rampus’s control.  But can he lead a band of untrained hunters and gatherers to victory against the full might of the Malornian military?  Or will they all be crushed by the grasping hand of the regent before the prince can claim his rightful throne?

Following is a brief scene from the perspective of a villain in the novel.  Scroll to the bottom to see how to purchase your copy of Prince of Malorn!

Dannel reined his horse up before the last building on the street, a one-story brick structure with peeling paint and a sagging roof, typical for this part of town. Torches flickered invitingly on either side of the closed door, fainter torchlight leaking through the cracks in the window shutters along with strains of off-key singing. A hanging sign cut in the shape of a wide cup announced the tavern’s name: The Rusty Flagon.

A man smoking a pipe was leaning against the wall in such a position as to have easy access to the weapon obviously hidden under his cloak. He eyed Dannel silently, and Dannel gave him a courteous nod as he dismounted.

At this early hour, the hitching bar out front was only half full, so there was plenty of space for Dannel to tie up his horse. He took his time strolling up to the door, staring into the torchlight all the while so his eyes would adjust and he wouldn’t have to walk in squinting.

When he was ready, Dannel turned the handle and pulled the door open, the sound of raucous singing flowing out into the night air as he did so. The Rusty Flagon was a nondescript establishment, notable neither for its appearance and cleanliness, nor for the quality of its food and drink. But there were plenty of little tables in dim corners barely touched by the light from the torches up front, where customers could carry on secretive conversations or finalize shady business dealings under cover of the music. The bartender, Dannel was nearly sure, hired people to belt out drinking songs over and over to cover the sound of any conversation guests might wish to keep private. The watchers outside, including the one Dannel had seen and others he knew must be lurking nearby, were always quick to give warning if authorities were ever spotted approaching. The proprietor never asked any questions of his guests or tried to engage them in casual conversation. As long as they paid for their drinks and left a tip to cover the cost of any damage, he didn’t bat an eyelash over the occasional unexpected mess or business deal gone violently wrong. Dannel knew; his own blood had contributed to the stains on the floor in one of the back corners many years ago.

The bartender, his strength and agility belied by the belly that hung over an apron as stained as the floor, was making his rounds of the tables with a pitcher of beer in one hand and ale in the other for refills. Dannel caught his eye, and the man hurried over to join him.

“That fellow at the table there by the left wall,” Dannel began, pointing with his eyes. “Was he here last night too?” It was too dim to see a face clearly from across the room, but Dannel recognized the profile. The bartender would have seen him when he first entered and again when he ordered a drink.

“Oh, I don’t pay no attention to who’s here when,” the man was quick to assure him. “Folk can come and go from the Flagon whenever they want, and it’s none o’ my business. Besides, I got a real bad memory for faces.”

Dannel fished a silver coin from his pocket. “Try hard to remember.”

The man glanced at the coin, peered in the indicated direction, and frowned as though in thought. “You know, it’s coming back to me now. He was here last night, and the night before as well. Sat alone at that same table for a couple of hours before he finally left, and he looked kinda worried if you ask me.”

Good. Smiling, Dannel pulled out a second coin and handed them both to the man. “Bring me a pint of ale, and keep the change.” He wove his way around the tables toward the left side of the room, his shoes sticking slightly with each step.

Click here to read an interview with Dannel.

Annie Douglass Lima spent most of her childhood in Kenya and later graduated from Biola University in Southern California. She and her husband Floyd currently live in Taiwan, where she teaches fifth grade at Morrison Academy. She has been writing poetry, short stories, and novels since her childhood, and to date has published seven books (three YA action adventure/fantasy novels, one puppet script, and three anthologies of her students’ poetry). Besides writing, her hobbies include reading (especially fantasy and science fiction), scrapbooking, and international travel.

Buy Prince of Malorn in paperback

Buy the eBook for Kindle

Buy the eBook on Smashwords

Buy the eBook for Nook

Buy the eBook on Google Play

Buy the eBook on Google Books

Buy the eBook on Kobo

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Discover Authors Blog Tour – Heavenfall by TG Franklin

Discover Authors Blog Tour – Heavenfall

From Sept 28 through Oct 9, I’m participating in the Discover Authors Blog Tour with my sci-fi, Heavenfall.

Heavenfall2027 – Earth is in the path of a raging cosmic storm, and most people believe Hadrian’s energy web will protect the planet from the destruction of the wave.

Mary Sullivan doesn’t care. In her gut, she knows Hadrian is responsible for the death of her parents, and she knows with certainty he’s responsible for the side effects of the energy web.

Side effects she’s suffering from, and dead is dead, whether it’s from the wave or a brain blast.

With the wave only days away, Dex, the former leader of her brother’s mech gang & turncoat, has returned and is asking for her help. He reveals the truth about her parents, the truth about the energy web, and the truth about Hadrian. But can she trust him?

Read an excerpt here.

Read Corene, an outtake from Heavenfall, here.

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Discovery Authors Book Tour (Discover 8) Breathing for Clouds by Chris Reilley

Breathing for Clouds

BREATHING FOR CLOUDS

I throw my heart up into the sky -

honest joy pinwheeling on errant breeze.

Take this, this simple song and do what you will,

throw it into the abyss of the center,

hide it where the sand meets the sea,

bury it beneath the scales of monsters.

Surely somewhere, somewhen,

it will be found by one who needed to find it.

It will be measured, wondered about, recited.

Perhaps a high note might stun a pragmatist

or maybe the low throb of its rhythm

will find a gaunt heart to give its warmth to.

But mark me well, oh gentle reader,

one fine day, when the world least expects it

the love that is crafted in this simple voice

will spin and whirl, dip and dive, breathing for clouds.

One whose world needed exactly this voice to set it free

will slap life with fevered palm and be its master.

©2014 Christopher Reilley

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Discovery 8 Book Tour: NEVER ENOUGH: A Recovery Workbook by Nina Bingham

Discovery 8 Book Tour: NEVER ENOUGH: A Recovery Workbook





Discovery 8 Book Tour

Looking for answers without having to go to counseling? The Never Enough workbook is a new approach to recovery! More than just convenient and affordable, it’s the therapeutic answer for the busy self-helper. NEVER ENOUGH: A Recovery Workbook will uncover the roots of addictive behaviors, obsessive thinking, and eating disorders. This work-at-your-own pace program provides state-of-the-art, research-proven methods of controlling worry, and correcting compulsive thinking. This workbook will enable you to:

* Determine the root reasons for addictive behavior and obsessive worrying

* Develop more effective coping skills

* Accept loss and gain the strength to move beyond it

* Understand how to change ingrained patterns which have held you back.

When it comes to addictions, obsessive thinking and eating disorders, they tend to get the “upper hand.” Before you know it, your thinking has been hijacked, and you’re the unwitting slave to unhealthy, self-defeating behaviors. This workbook is crammed with self-intervention exercises that enable you to quickly put yourself back in the driver’s seat of your life again.

Here’s a do-it-yourself recovery method that’s easy to use, yet delivers results that will blow your mind!

Click here for a free preview on Amazon

“To break free from addictive thoughts and habit patterns, the underlying causes of the behavior must be identified and understood. Otherwise we are ever dieting and failing, ever detoxing and relapsing, a vicious, never-ending cycle of failure. At some point we must face our fears if we want our life to change. We must become consciously aware of why we are being driven like slaves…”

“Addictive and compulsive thought isn’t logical; it is emotional. Because of this you cannot “reason” with these drives. Most of them defy logic, because they occur unconsciously, out of our conscious awareness. When asked to explain the behaviors, we cannot account for the grip they have upon our lives.”

“Learn a process for disputation of negative thinking which can rewire the brain towards more rational, objective thinking, less negative and worry thinking, and more positive behavioral outcomes.”

Readers say you need to read this book because:

5.0 out of 5 stars

A thoughtful and effective approach to addiction. Really helped me.

By Ponekin Amazon Reviewer

Format: Kindle Edition

This book was a life changer for me. Instead of the AA approach to feeling guilty about my addiction, this book allowed me to learn about the root causes of addiction and helped me to face my problems from the comfort of my own home and at my own pace. The book is filled with exercises that really make you think about your life. I am extremely grateful to have found this approach to addiction, and plan on re-reading and using the book for the rest of my life.

5.0 out of 5 stars

Wonderful, helpful, comprehensive book for everyday people & the struggles we all go through

By Grown-up Tinkerbelle Amazon Reviewer

Format:Kindle Edition

This workbook gives an enormous amount of helpful tips and suggestions for working through…well…life! There is no one who couldn’t benefit from this book in some way, as we are all human and each of us has something we struggle with. The comprehensive nature of this workbook is such that you could literally flip to a section that inspires you for that day and choose to answer those questions and ponder the ideas without having to go from start to finish. It is a resource that should be kept around to revisit during the times we really feel we need help, as well as the times we just feel like pondering our habits or we feel inspired to improve our lives.

5.0 out of 5 starsan amazing writer, scholar and intuitive Human Being

By Amy Grendzinski

Format:Paperback

This covers so many compulsive issues. She is brilliant! I think she is more than just that. She is fabulous. If you have issues with addiction, OCD,grief or any harmful thought patterns. This book can help!

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you’ll love this book! Click To Buy

FREE SAMPLE:

Chapter 4: Just Me and My Trauma

The following self-interventions were selected from a multitude of psychotherapeutic sources, and they may invoke unexpected cathartic reactions. Be assured that unexpected strong emotion is an expression of inward pain. Unless these feelings are allowed to surface, we are mired in denial, and will stay psychologically and behaviorally regressed. I suggest you consciously give yourself permission to feel your feelings before you begin these exercises, and to allow yourself to remember the trauma that originally evoked the coping mechanism of addiction or obsessional thinking. Unless problems see the light of day, your soul may never know the freedom it deserves.

Addictions and obsessions are a method of coping with psychological stress and pain. And, the greater the exposure has been to stress, trauma, abuse and pain, the more severe our symptoms can be. Trauma is not defined by what occurs as much as how we experienced what occurred. What may be traumatic for one person might not be perceived as trauma by the next. A universal defining element of trauma is that it produces emotional and physical distress. Experiencing a traumatic event is not rare. About 60% of men and 50% of women are exposed to a traumatic event in their lifetime. Half of these reported multiple exposures to trauma. Traumas are underreported, so these numbers are low estimates. Stress can reactivate unresolved psychological conflicts, or “old wounds.” Stress is the trigger for re-engaging old feelings of victimization. People who have been traumatized share common feelings, such as: anxiety, depression, anger, fear, betrayal, disappointment, guilt or shame, disbelief, anger, isolation, feeling victimized or violated, insecurity, feeling unsafe, distrust, and a sense of some responsibility for the incident or event.

Other reactions may include intrusive thoughts about the event, nightmares, sleep disturbances, feeling jumpy or “on guard,” and concentration difficulties. Some people have difficulties in relationships, sexual difficulties, and may even think of suicide or self-harm. Individuals with PTSD are 6 times more likely to attempt suicide. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a diagnosis of severe trauma, has been associated with higher levels of anger and hostility. Anger is the result of having been hurt. Think about it: the last time you hit your head, your automatic reaction (after the, “Ouch!”) may have been anger. Anger always follows the more fundamental feeling of rejection or betrayal. Anger can cause a domino-effect of poor decision-making, dismissal from jobs, relationship troubles, etc. Although anger is a natural emotion and must be expressed in order for a person to be emotionally healthy, how we express it is very important.

Trauma survivors therefore must learn extraordinary coping and communication skills. The link between addictions, obsessive/compulsive behaviors, eating disorders and trauma has been documented by research. In other words, trauma tends to create unhealthy coping patterns. We use unhealthy methods to rid ourselves of: anxiety, depression, grief, numbness, nervous energy, anger, guilt, physical pain, insomnia, and traumatic memories, among others. While our coping method of choice temporarily pacifies our needs, it prevents: self-awareness, personal growth, impairs our ability to recognize dangerous situations, removes our inhibitions (and the boundaries we had set), and impairs our ability to escape unhealthy people and places. In short, it controls us. Sometimes, anger or a thirst for revenge may be the only thing that is still keeping us “connected” to our past. When we refuse to forgive, we are refusing to bring closure to the past. This may be because we unconsciously fear we won’t be connected any longer to the person who hurt us, or to our childhood. Being unwilling to forgive others may also be a means of avoiding forgiving ourselves as well. Forgiving others may mean having to accept the reality that I am not perfect, either. Sometimes that is a bitter pill to swallow, especially if we have felt we were the “victim.” Part of us may want to go on blaming. Forgiveness takes away the victim status, making us responsible for our own happiness. If we haven’t offered forgiveness, we keep creating an identity around our pain. I heard a definition of forgiveness I really like: Forgiveness is simply the refusal to hurt the person that hurt you. By consciously engaging with the trauma memory, the individual learns that it isn’t necessary to avoid or deny the traumatic reminder. You might have heard the saying, “Forgive and forget?” That is suppression, and it’s a self-destructive way to handle resentment. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you have to pretend like it didn’t happen. You can forgive them and remember.

Self-Intervention Exercise: Forgive and Remember

“I feel____________________________________________________

when you (action)________________________________________________

because it makes me/made me feel like_________________________.”

Make your request:

“So my request is that you (action) __________________________________.”

Express your commitment to move past the hurts which you sustained:

______________________________________________________.

Self-Intervention: Resolving Regrets

Steps 8 & 9 of Alcoholics Anonymous ask the recovering alcoholic to make amends to all people they harmed through their alcohol-induced behavior. “These steps are designed to achieve two goals. First, they help repair damaged relationships and second, they provide the other who has been hurt by the alcoholic, an explanation of how alcohol caused the behavior” (Sacks, 2003). You may decide to share these thoughts with others who you feel you have hurt, or you may decide to settle it in the privacy of your own heart, but hanging on to past guilt and regret is not doing anyone any good. It only serves as a self-punishment, and you are attempting to put the old, negative ways behind you. Shame is another word which represents feelings of low self-esteem, belittlement, humiliation, embarrassment and stigmatization or alienation. Shame is the feeling of being “broken,” that something is “wrong” with me. Shame is often experienced as the inner, critical voice that

judges whatever we do as “not good enough,” inferior, worthless. The shaming inner voice can do considerable damage to our self-esteem. For some, their inner critical judge is continuously providing a negative evaluation of what they are doing, moment-by-moment, and play-by-play. Do yourself a favor: begin to release the self-hate and self-blame right now.

Self-Intervention Exercise: Regrets Liberation Therapy

Learning from the “voice of guilt” can be liberating. Answer the following:

1. Describe the situation that led to the guilt or regret:

2. Describe your current emotions after re-telling the story:

3. Describe behaviors that are yours vs. behaviors that are truly not yours (what part of the story is not your responsibility?):

4. Describe inconsistencies between your values and behaviors:

5. Write a heartfelt intention to make amends for the larger problems which your addicted self caused:

6. Describe what you’ve learned about yourself from the experience?

7. What would you do differently in the future?

8. Express your willingness to forgive yourself:

9. List specific steps you can take to resolve the guilt (making an apology, making restitution, performing a symbolic gesture which gives the opportunity for self-forgiveness):

10. Explain how being free of guilt could liberate you:

Post-Traumatic Growth

There is an “up-side” to trauma known as, “post-traumatic growth.” Response to trauma can result in either a risk factor or a healing factor. Researchers Tedeshi and Calhoun (1995) identified positive psychological changes as “post-traumatic growth,” and they include: improved relationships, openness, appreciativeness, strength and spiritual growth. “No one would wish traumatic events for themselves or others, but the present findings show their experience is sometimes associated with character strengths.” Maybe you’ve heard the slogan, “Get better, not bitter?” According to Tedeshi and Calhoun (1995), “The effects of these traumatic events are not uniformly negative.” Growth can result from trauma. Author Belleruth Naparstek says about trauma, “Trauma: that great terrorizer-produces heroes. No one has to override fear the way a trauma survivor does.” Donald Meichenbaum adds, “The story of PTSD is the tale of the indomitable and indefatigable human spirit to survive and adapt.” Trauma doesn’t have to define us, it can refine us.

While I’m busy giving interviews and fundraising for my next book, “Once The Storm Is Over: From Grieving to Healing After the Suicide of My Daughter,” due out Feb. 2015, I’d love to hear how this workbook enabled you to live more freely and happily! Contact me at my website

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Addictions, book release, discover authors, Discovery 8, Nina Bingham, recovery, workbooks

Discovery 8 – Legendary Magic: Relic Hunter Book 3

I’m so excited to be on another Discover Authors blog tour!

Legendary Magic is the third book in my Relic Hunter fantasy series and it tells the tale of Dr. Arienne Cerasola’s adventure to find another lost relic. This time, she is on a mission with a team of other familiar characters from the Relic Hunter series and each member brings a unique talent to help track the relic from it’s first appearance in the myths and legends of the ancient Celts and to its last appearance during the late middle ages (sometimes known as the “dark ages”). Naturally, things don’t go quite as smoothly as Arienne hopes – so there are obstacles, pitfalls, and more than a few funny scenes.

I began Legendary Magic a few years ago, but felt Arienne needed to get her feet wet on other adventures before diving in to this one. I had a great time researching the artifacts which are part of this story. By the time I was ready to put the story together, I had to trim the research down to a manageable size so the story didn’t get lost in the history and the history could add dimension to the story. As a writer, I want to take my readers on a journey where they’ll learn a little history while they’re having a good time. Legendary Magic was crafted to deliver on both fronts.

I always want to give the reader a few hours where they can get lost in an adventure and leave their real-life worries behind. From the time I was a little girl, reading was my favorite escape. In fact, it was a family hobby. My grandfather read about archaeology, my mother read mysteries, and my aunt read fantasy. When my husband and I were dating, we’d have “reading dates” because he also had a passion for history and archaeology. My reading tastes are much more eclectic – from historical fiction to romance and fantasy with a sprinkling of history thrown in to round things out! Legendary Magic blends many of those interests into one story.

I have preview chapters available on this blog:

Chapter 1: http://wp.me/p2cIO8-k9

Chapter 2: http://wp.me/p2cIO8-kr

Chapter 3: http://wp.me/p2cIO8-l2

Here are a few of my favorite lines from the book:

Arienne on archaeology

Sometimes you get lucky like Schliemann did in Troy and Carter did in Egypt; most times you just move a lot of dirt.

Arienne on being tech-savvy

His cell was about forty models newer than mine and I stared at it in the palm of my hand as if he’d just thrown me a bomb and told me to diffuse it.

Arienne on the beauty challenges of work

My copper colored waves had frizzed to epic proportions, and the open car window had blown one side back while the other side fell forward, giving me a lopsided look, like a Chia Pet left in the same position on a sunny window sill for too long.

If you’re ready for a fun adventure, buy Legendary Magic. http://amzn.to/1pvlYEq

I’ll be busy writing the next installment in Arienne’s adventures, but I’d love to hear from you – you can find me on Facebook (Author R. Leonia Shea) or check out the Relic Hunter Series Page http://on.fb.me/1ppF03H or follow me on Twitter http://bit.ly/VINA1n

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Chapter 3 of Legendary Magic

Chapter 3

When the third gong chimed, Basir didn’t even bother to fly out to check out who was visiting. I looked up at him perched on the rafters and he shrugged at me. Pops and Ezra were seated at the kitchen table, speaking in excited whispers and I was trying very hard not to lose my patience with the new cloak and dagger act that was happening in my kitchen. I hadn’t asked for an explanation and none had been offered and it was driving me nuts. The arrival of another visitor just added to the drama.

I glanced at the driveway as the sleek luxury sedan approached. I didn’t even bother to declare the appearance of yet another unexpected (and uninvited) visitor. I simply propped my chin on my palm and watched the car park behind Ezra’s rental.

When the door opened, I felt my knees go weak when the new arrivals got out of the car. Kingston Pon wore an immaculate dark navy suit and Evan Robeson stood on the other side of the car in an equally classy charcoal gray suit that probably cost more than my state of the art refrigerator with the in-door icemaker.

Pops stood up and opened the door, beckoning the two men into my kitchen like he was the host of the little soiree.

“Kingston. Good to see you again. And you must be Mr. Robeson; I have heard a great deal about you, sir. Nice job getting the conviction on that no-good LeClerc bum.”

My grandfather held out his hand and exchanged enthusiastic greetings with each of the men before turning toward me and gesturing with an upturned palm. “I’m sure you both remember my beautiful granddaughter, Dr. Arienne Cerasola.”

I smiled politely and bobbed my head in acknowledgement of the compliment.

Kingston Pon took two steps toward me with his hand outstretched and I blinked like a fool as I silently took his hand in my own professionally firm grip. So many thoughts raced through my head that I couldn’t even form a sentence. I was peeved-confused-relieved-curious and about six other emotions that I couldn’t identify.

“Dr. Cerasola. It is a pleasure to see you again.” Kingston’s voice was deep and rumbled around my kitchen like a distant summer rain, soothing and melodious. He held my hand in his large one and his sapphire blue eyes flashed with amusement as I nodded at him. I was suddenly aware that landscape drawings were scattered around my kitchen and a big plastic tub of colored pencils were on the chair Pops offered to the man.

Evan stepped forward next, holding his hand out as well. I hated the fact that I blushed just a little bit when I looked at him. Evan was my not-so-secret crush and I smiled as we shook hands, wondering if that was really a little spark that jumped between us or just a product of my over active imagination. “Arienne, it’s nice of you to let us set up camp in your house.” He said as he gave me a dazzling smile.

“Camp?” I asked in a voice that was too high pitched to be mine, but the glare I shot at Pops through narrowed eyes was all me. I smiled tightly at my grandfather as I continued on. “Sure. Why not? The Alliance is always welcome…isn’t that right, Pops?” I snapped the word and smiled too brightly.

Kingston cleared his throat and hid a smile. “We’re not here as members of the Alliance, Dr. Cerasola. You see, there seems to be a bit of an issue with that organization at the moment.” He explained, clapping my grandfather on his shoulder. “Dr. O’Flynn has been very vigilant and we believe he’s found something interesting that we need to discuss.”

I looked at Pops and he shrugged. The gesture looked faintly contrite, but wasn’t convincing at all. Kingston walked toward the windows and looked out into the front yard.

“Your property is warded?” He asked, not turning to face me.

“Um…a little.” I said, thinking my property wasn’t very well warded at all since I had four uninvited guests standing in my kitchen. The fake smile was still frozen on my face and I tried to rein it in a little, without much success.

“Would you object if we strengthened the wards while we’re here?” He asked, looking at me with a polite expression.

“I don’t mind if you fix them permanently. Judging by the amount of unexpected company that makes it into this house, I’m apparently not very good at those things. Not that I object to you being here…” I added hastily, “It’s just I thought my wards were pretty decent.”

Evan stepped around me and joined Kingston at the window. “Actually, we felt your wards when we drove in. As a group, we tend to be a little more determined than the average visitor. Think of it as an occupational hazard. I’m sure your wards are enough to make most people drive right by.” He said, smiling a lazy grin that made my heart beat a little faster. Damn, he was handsome. Dark brown hair, faintly Native American features with high cheekbones and a perfectly formed mouth that was neither too wide nor too thin. He also had expressive eyes in a rich chocolate brown fringed with lashes that I’d die for. I smiled and averted my own gaze, not wanting to stare and embarrass myself anymore than necessary.

Kingston and Evan walked out the door and down the two steps to the experimental herb garden that I had been trying to coax into prolific bloom before the season started. Evan bent and pulled a leaf off one plant. I watched as he bit the leaf and made a comment to Kingston that caused the older man to take another leaf and bite it. They said something I couldn’t hear and walked to opposite sides of my driveway, standing like two security guards while they surveyed my property.

There wasn’t anything funny about my little herb garden and I felt a bit offended by their reaction. I put my hands on my hips and peered out at them. I resisted the urge to tap my foot. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Ezra staring at me and bobbing his head in a manner that indicated he was having a very entertaining conversation with himself. When he couldn’t remain silent any longer, the words began to bubble out of him in an excited tone.

“Yes, yes! This is a good start to our little quest. There’s no way it’ll get by us this time.” He clapped his hands on his knees and nodded at Pops and me as if we had been part of the whole conversation. I smiled because it seemed to be the polite thing to do.

“So how have you been, Professor Froehlich?” I asked, walking toward the fridge and grasping the stainless steel door. I noticed my knuckles were white and I forced myself to relax just a little.

The professor enthusiastically recounted the status of his health, including his recent experience with kidney stones…in great detail. I nodded and made “hmm” and “huh” noises as he described the eventual passing of the stone.

“Can I offer you something to drink?” I opened the door and read off the selections, realizing that the contents of my fridge suggested I harbored a deep fear of thirst. I had almost no food, but I had seven things to offer as beverages and a full line of condiments. Go figure.

“Oh, some grape juice would be lovely.” Dr. Froehlich said, nodding emphatically. “Although I should drink beer considering the stones. I hear it breaks them up when they’re small. Maybe I’ll have one later.” Without a break in the flow of his speech, he continued. “I’ve been in Ireland recently. Have you ever been there, Allison?” He asked.

Pops shot me a quizzical look, but I waved him off – Dr. Froehlich just wasn’t very good with names – or maybe it was just my name he couldn’t remember. “As a matter of fact, I have been to Ireland. You might have heard of my work there…Saint Cieran’s Cathedral?”

“Oh, beautiful old monastery, that one was. Pity it’s just a pile of rubble now.”

“Yeah…sorry about that.” I said, shrugging and grinning despite myself. Pops looked at me with obvious concern but he relaxed when I winked at him and poured the juice. Dr. Froehlich missed the exchange completely. I was determined to talk about it as if it didn’t matter. When I thought of Saint Cieran’s in the middle of the night, the memory made my gut clench as the old feeling of horror slithered up my spine. Maybe the only way to move past it was to get it out in the light of day. Heaven knew nothing else had worked.

I placed the juice in front of Ezra and turned my attention to the discussion Kingston and Evan seemed to be having in the driveway.

Evan looked up and waved me outside.

“Excuse me, gentlemen. It looks like they need me to do something with my ‘go away’ ward before they improve it.” I said as I set the glass of grape juice in front of Dr. Froehlich before heading out the door. I had tried to keep the sarcasm out of my tone, but Pops’ quizzical look told me I hadn’t done a very good job of that.

Flip flops are marvelously comfortable, but not exactly elegant. They’re also not good for strolling gracefully across gravel. A small rock became lodged under my foot and I had to pause to remove it by shaking my foot vigorously while hopping slightly on my other foot. I realized how foolish I looked about mid way through the second hop and rolled my eyes. I came to the conclusion that I spent way too much time alone.

Fortunately, I had splurged on a pedicure and a pretty little diamond accented toe ring – my little piggies were bare and all decked out as I crossed the small patch of lawn that had been magically treated to be remain short and weed-free. The witch thing had some really good perks.

By the time I reached the two men in their power suits, I felt pretty darned good in my flip-flops and yoga pants, despite the awkward pebble dance I had performed. I wasn’t dressed well, but I was dressed in a way that showed off my curves and my excellent grooming habits; it wasn’t a bad time for unannounced company when I considered the fact that I had spent more than one day lounging around in my pajamas. Yoga pants and a black tee shirt were almost formal wear in my world.

“So what do we have to do?” I asked, looking at the two men with my hands on my hips.

“We can weave another layer to your ward, but then you can’t take ours down without us. If you take yours down first and then the three of us put the new one up together, you won’t need us here to modify it.” Kingston said.

Evan stood with his arms folded and looked at me with mild amusement. I resisted the knee-jerk urge to ask what was so funny and I turned and pulled my ward down with a sizzle and a pop, watching the magic shimmer down from above us and collapse in a barely visible net of sparkling blue on the bright green grass at our feet.

“Mine’s down, so what do we have to do first?” I asked, spinning around to find both men staring at me with a look of complete shock. “What?”

“How big was that ward?” Kingston asked in a near-whisper.

“From the beginning of the driveway to the back of the property. Why?”

“How many acres do you have?” Evan asked, stepping closer to me with a curious look on his face.

“About fourteen. Is that why it didn’t work? It was too big?” I asked, suddenly realizing I might have been overly ambitious.

“You warded fourteen acres?” Kingston’s voice rumbled with laughter and his shook his mane of silver hair. “It worked, Dr. Cerasola. We felt it when we drove onto the property, but we thought it was a small ward across the driveway, we didn’t imagine you had done the entire property.”

“Oh, so I should try to keep it smaller?” I asked in thoughtful tone as I looked out toward the woods with some trepidation. I liked the whole property being warded; it made me feel safer since I lived all alone in the woods.

“Hey, if you can ward fourteen acres, I say go for it. We’ll try to keep up with you.” Evan said, laughing at Kingston. “The great Kingston Pon should be able to do that easily, right?” Evan nudged me with his elbow as Kingston turned narrowed eyes to his younger colleague.

“I will have no problem warding the entire property. You water witches have a much harder time getting enough fuel for your spells.”

“You just worry about your air currents, old man. I’ve got the water thing covered.” Evan said, standing with his back to mine. “It’s probably better if we start it over the house, but could you maybe give us a few reference points around the boundaries?” He asked me.

“Um, sure. I can do that.” Those were empty words, because I had no idea how to give them reference points. I bent down and laid a hand to the ground, pooling the energy in the earth until it formed a small ball of green light. I’d been working a lot of earth energy spells lately, and I’d become quite proficient at gathering the raw material I needed for my spells. “I can make this work.” I said, really, really hoping that I could do it. I stood up and realized as I watched the ball of light dance over my fingers that bending down had given anyone standing above me quite a view down the front of my v-neck t-shirt. Evan had been standing right above me. Subtle as ever, Cerasola. I thought to myself.

I blushed and pretended I hadn’t noticed my gaping display as I held the ball of light between my palms. I couldn’t think of an incantation to use, so I just stood there, puzzling out the mechanics of a boundary spell. “Got it.” I announced, bending over again and slamming the ball of light into the ground.

I pictured the energy shooting out of the ball and streaking toward the four metal survey pins at the corners of my property. The ball flashed blue and white and split into four smaller orbs. They streaked out over the grass, leaving a slightly charred path behind them. I could hear the magic zing and buzz away from us, and I felt it in every cell of my body when the energy connected; a sharp pop like a transformer being blown sounded as the four pins were electrified.

I heard the sizzle of metal turn into a sharper noise and I realized too late that the balls of energy had not only found the survey pins, but had pooled and were shooting up blue and green sparklers from each of the pins. It looked like roman candles way off in the distance. It was considerably more effective than I had thought it would be. I hid a proud smile and heard a stifled laugh from Evan. Once the excess energy had burned off, the sparks died down.

Evan’s voice was verged on laughter when he spoke from his position behind me.

“Got that, Pon? I guess we should start over the house and then send the wards down to those points. Can you string some currents between them to keep us contained? With the way this one uses magic, we’ll ward the whole state of Massachusetts if we don’t get a definite end point.”

“The Tourism Board would be all over us for that one.” Kingston rumbled with amusement.

I felt an odd mixture of pride and chagrin war inside me for a moment. I was so excited that I had done something impressive, that I forgot about the energy depletion from creating such a large spell and stumbled a bit as I tried to turn around. Evan put a steadying hand on my shoulder and grinned down at me.

“There’s a price for that much effort. Can you continue or do you need a few minutes?” He asked.

“No. I’m good. I just lost my balance.” I shrugged it off, feeling the buzz of electricity around us. I kicked off my flip flops and dug my toes into the ground, letting the current of earth energy flow through my body. It steadied me and I felt the dizziness subside.

Kingston had turned his attention to the boundaries and he was sending a strong current of air racing from one point to the next. A single current.

“Well, that would have been a better idea.” I muttered.

I watched the current move from tree top to tree top. I pointed to it when both men looked at me. “I didn’t think of that.” I admitted with a lift of my shoulders. I had used four times the energy when I should have conserved it. It was a rookie mistake and made me look like an arrogant show-off.

“He’s just more conservative than we are. That happens when you get older.” Evan said, his chocolate eyes dancing with merriment.

“You just wait, Evan.” Kingston rumbled. “Age and treachery, my friend…”

“Those are two things that pay the bills, but not the only two.” Evan said, winking at me. I smiled back at him, realizing there was some undercurrent between them that I didn’t understand. Evan and I weren’t young by any stretch of the imagination. I was on the downward slide toward forty, and I imagined Evan was close to that as well. Kingston was maybe my mother’s age, late fifties to early sixties.

“I get the feeling I’m missing something.” I said, looking from one to the other.

“Before we came here, Mr. Pon received a letter from the Employee Resources department of the Alliance. It seems he has reached the age when he is eligible for retirement.” Evan said with a bright smile. “I think he’s considering it. He might take up golf and find himself a woman to chase. A slow woman…maybe one with a limp.”

“Like hell I am. They just want me gone so they can do whatever high-handed thing they have planned next.”

Kingston said, glaring at Evan. “If you’re not careful, they’ll find a reason they don’t need your department, either.”

“Get rid of Legal Services? Never.” Evan replied.

“You lost your last case.” Kingston reminded him.

“It doesn’t count as a loss if that’s what I intended to have happen.”

“But it does count because you took down one of their own. You’re on thin ice as well and it’s better for you to remember that.”

“Ah, but we’re going to fix that, aren’t we? We’re going to make damned sure they don’t get the advantage over us.” Evan said, stepping behind me and putting his back against mine.

I pulled away as a slight tingle passed between us. From over my shoulder, I saw Evan hide a grin and then deliberately step back, placing his shoulders against mine with a bump that sent me stumbling forward.

Reflexively I turned and swatted him. “Cut that out!” I said in a serious tone before turning and backing into him, my shoulder touching his. He laughed and I blushed furiously.

Kingston moved toward us and put his shoulders against each of ours. The three of us formed a triangle, facing outward. “Here’s to our first collaborative spell!” Evan said and I felt him tilt his head back and look up. I focused on a spot above us as well even though I didn’t know why I should be looking up.

A circle of water shimmered in the air and began to rotate slowly; shooting drops of mist off the edges and beginning to look suspiciously like the eye of a miniature hurricane.

“Stop playing with my spell, old man.” Evan grumbled, pushing his circle of water higher to get it out of the rotating wind created by Kingston.

“Stop showing off and I won’t have to make you look bad.” Kingston replied.

“Um…Boys? Can someone tell me what you expect me to do so we can get back inside?”

I felt the hair on the back of my neck prickle as another jolt of energy sparked between Evan and me. The faint scent of his cologne washed over me, a mixture of spices with notes that smelled like the ocean breeze and a cool river at the same time. His voice had a tone that I couldn’t quite identify, but it sent a rush of heat to my cheeks. I could feel the tiny hairs standing up on my arms as if the air around us had become charged.

“I’ll pull the water down to your boundaries so it will reflect the scene right behind the drops. That will make your property invisible. Kingston will push the air around the boundaries so nobody will be able to hear what is said inside the ward. You can weave your magic underneath those two layers, so if anyone stumbles in they will feel the urge to leave. That should make this place pretty secure. Can you do that?”

“No problem.” I said, as I leaned forward just a little. The charge in the air was much worse when I brushed against Evan, so I tried to keep a few inches between us. I noticed Kinston kept a small distance as well, but Evan seemed oblivious to the connection. I hoped that I could stay focused enough to weave my own spell. It was getting warm outside and the moisture that hung above us made it hard to breathe.

Watching the humidity condense over Kingston’s air currents and feeling the wash of magic coming off the two men was making all of my nerve endings hum in a very pleasant way. It felt right. I had never mixed my magic with someone else’s, and as we each poured our own talent into the spell, we began to feed and magnify the energy.

Air rustled the tree branches and my hair whipped around my face. Tiny drops of mist landed on my skin and tingled like the salty spray from the ocean. I pulled the energy from the ground and sent it racing to the perimeter with the intention that anyone who tried to cross my barrier would be compelled to turn around and leave. I pulled at the tendrils of energy and wove them into a magical fence to keep out unwanted visitors. The currents that I used would raise the hackles on anyone’s neck, but as I wove the spell I specifically thought of all the people and animals I wouldn’t want repelled by the spell. It was a disturbingly small group.

I looked around at the distant the perimeter and caught a glimpse of the magic as it connected. A faint sparkle from my green earth energy shimmered up from the ground, and a blue glint of Evan’s water magic glistened underneath a white ripple of Kingston’s air magic. The three colors seemed to swirl and settle together in an almost visible web before sparkling faintly and fading away like embers from spent fireworks.

“It’s done.” Kingston said after what seemed like an eternity, and I felt my own earth energy snap against the air and water energy of my companions. The web of magic settled high above our heads and I felt safe, secure, and completely enthralled by the experience. “Nobody will know what happens here.” Kingston said with a note of relief.

“That is the point.” Evan replied, “Or we’re all in big trouble.” He bumped my shoulder but when I looked up at him I was disappointed to find that his expression wasn’t one of amusement at all.

The two men stepped away and walked wearily back to the house. Evan’s comment didn’t seem directed at me, so I tried to ignore the knot of dread that formed in my stomach. I stood where I was for a second longer, contemplating the magical wards that were now set.

How was I supposed to bring company over with an impenetrable ward? I’d have to ask about that, since I didn’t want my house to be permanently off limits – what if I suddenly made friends or got a life?

My voice broke the silence as Kingston and Evan made their way back to my barn. “I have a few questions…” I said, holding up one finger. Kingston veered off to the car and I followed Evan to the door.

Evan held the door for me and I entered, brushing by him on somewhat unsteady knees. He held out a hand as if to catch me in case I stumbled, but I managed to keep upright and I leaned against the kitchen island and tried to look casual. Casting such a large spell had left me weak and dizzy and although I’d been practicing magic in the hopes of building up my low stamina, it didn’t seem to help much.

“Only a few questions?” Evan asked, giving me a lopsided grin. “I’d hold off asking them for a bit. After we show you what we’ve found, you’re going to have a lot more.”

Pops and Ezra were seated at the table and Basir was perched on the back of one of the chairs. Kingston entered the house and set a laptop up on the kitchen counter, the large screen faced toward the table.

“After examining the footage you sent me, Christy, I think we have a more serious problem than you thought.” Kingston pressed a few buttons and a video began to play on the screen.

My stomach clenched before a wave of nausea made me break out in a cold sweat. Basir swiveled his head to where I was standing with my arm braced against the counter. His amber eyes were narrowed and one ear tuft was raised. I shook my head and bit my lip, forcing myself to stay standing despite the splitting headache that had suddenly slammed the back of my eyes. The fact that Pops had sent the video to Kingston was alarming.

I barely heard the announcer’s voice over the rushing of blood in my ears.

“Dr. Stanley Ash believes Abbotshire is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the British Isles. It has been inhabited by many culturally relevant groups from Neolithic times through the Roman Empire, Normans, and Middle Ages. He has identified the ancient site of the Cistercian Monks who preserved ancient manuscripts from destruction during the so called “dark ages”. The ancient order of scribes is believed by some to be the creators of the legend of King Arthur. With the cooperation of the town of Abbotshire, excavations are scheduled to begin with the main kitchen of the abbey.”

Kingston hit the pause button on keyboard and I pushed myself away from the counter, looking at the screen. Dr. Stanley Ash was shown in front of a ruin, proudly surrounded by eager graduate students. The smug look on his face was enough to bring back all the rage I felt at Ash-hole for ruining my career in archaeology. Alright, maybe it was really my own fault; but he goaded me into doing it by ignoring my theories. A bubbling sense of dread was magnified by the dark haired man standing at the very edge of the left side of the screen. The video showed the man peering over the shoulder of Milan Corveneaux, my former colleague and friend.

“I read about that last night.” I said, swallowing hard despite my suddenly bone-dry mouth.

“Raymond has managed to get himself hooked up with the dig.” Said Evan, in a voice that held almost as much contempt as I felt.

I looked at Evan and gaped. “What’s he doing there with him?” There was no disguising the hatred in my tone, nor did I feel particularly inclined to try and disguise it.

“That is the million dollar question, Arienne.” Kingston’s voice rumbled deeply and he faced the others who were clustered around my table. “When Christy contacted me about the dig in Abbotshire, I thought it was just a routine archaeological excavation. When we researched the records of who is funding the dig, we noticed one name in particular kept appearing: Chanson de Bastille. It seems the Duchess has taken an interest in ancient Roman history, particularly in the United Kingdom.”

I had no idea who the Duchess was or what the Chanson de Bastille had to do with it, but the fact that Ray was on the dig meant both was somehow connected with the magical community. I realized I was staring at the floor, lost in my own thoughts when the room became silent. I looked up at Evan.

“I thought I was just being paranoid.” I admitted as I offered a weak smile.

“You can never be too paranoid when Ray’s involved. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s there to steal something. He went through a lot of trouble to falsify his credentials so he could get hired. The Duchess’ corporation recommended him specifically; we believe it was one of the conditions the team had to meet in order to get the dig funded.” Evan looked at me and crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s not the first time Ray’s impersonated an archaeologist.”

“What’s the Chanson de Bastille?” I asked, trying to focus on the fuzzier details.

“It’s a philanthropic corporation owned by the Duchess Alais D’Margienne. Mainly the corporation functions to launder the dirty money of magical organizations outside the fold of the Alliance.” Kingston replied.

“It’s the magic mob.” Evan said with a shrug of his shoulders. “The Alliance is the magic police and the Chanson is one of the biggest magic mafia families in existence.”

“Get out of here.” I scoffed. I made a face and slowly regained my composure when I realized everyone else was completely serious.

There was a magical government and a magical mafia who could pull strings so Ray could impersonate an archaeologist and get hired for a dig – but I was a real archaeologist and couldn’t get hired in any occupation remotely connected to my expertise? There was absolutely no justice in that at all. My world was getting increasingly complicated by the second and while the pieces were slowly clicking into place for me, everyone else in the room was waiting for me to catch up. I swallowed hard and blinked, finding my voice a little hoarse when I spoke.

“What’s he trying to steal?” I asked, leaning closer to the screen and studying the grad students who flanked the biggest, most arrogant, egotistical man in the world and the world’s biggest liar. “Jeez, throw in a couple loa, an insane Bokor, and a few mythical creatures and I’d feel like this was an episode of ‘This Was Your Life’…” I said, trying to make light of the fact that the cast of characters in the little drama were all people I knew and disliked.

“You might not be far off.” Kingston said quietly.

“Oh, please! I’m just a gardener who creates magical disasters. This is nothing more than coincidence.” I said, holding my hands out.

“You’re a gardener who managed to pull off some pretty tough magic in the Pine Barrens. You found a mythical healing tree that thousands of people have looked for over the centuries. I’m afraid your reputation may have something to do with this dig.” Kingston said, looking from my grandfather to Ezra. “That is why you contacted us, isn’t it, Christy?”

I turned to my grandfather with my mouth hanging open. I didn’t even know what question to ask, so I just stared at him with my brows knitted.

“Now chicken, it seems to me that there’s a lot to this story that we don’t know. I don’t like the fact that Ash is out there looking for something that might be magical. You never know what that fool’s going to find if he pokes around long enough.” My grandfather pushed himself forward and looked at me. “Not to mention what he’d do with the information.”

“But he’s human…he’s a fool, yeah; but he’s a scientist. He wouldn’t believe in…magic.” Even to my own ears that sounded lame and faintly insulting considering who was in the room. “Well, you know what I mean.” I added quickly. Everyone stared at me with what looked like pity.

Evan looked me square in the eye and gave me a sexy half-smile that made my heart do a little flutter. “Um…he wouldn’t have believed in magic…if someone didn’t release a demon and collapse a monastery to contain it…right in front of his disbelieving eyes. When you see something like that, it tends to change your perspective, even if you’re a scientist.”

“Oh, damn.” I breathed, realizing that maybe Dr. Ash saw more at St. Cieran’s than I’d thought. It was possible that I had been instrumental in his conversion from scientific skeptic to believer in magic. “But didn’t you…” I let my voice trail off and looked at Kingston.

“Oh, we tried. We cleaned it up as best we could, but somehow a lingering memory of something must have stuck in his brain. We’re guessing that after the collapse, the Duchess contacted him with a very tempting offer. Dr. Ash may have exaggerated his involvement to a certain degree. At the very least he’s been trying his best to live up to the expectations she had. We don’t think he really knows much of anything, but since he has a reputation for finding magical sites…”

“He what?” I asked, reflexively putting my hands on my hips.

“He also has a master thief at his side. One who can find magical sites and knows what he’s doing.” Evan said, pointing to Ray’s face which was still frozen on the screen.

I stalked over to the fridge and pulled a jug of iced tea out of the door compartment. I slammed five glasses on the counter and looked at the men in the room. “Would anyone like some tea?” I asked, drumming my hands on the counter top. I needed to think and the ten eyeballs on me were making it hard to concentrate. If they thought I was edging toward a small fit, they were probably right.

Evan nodded and shrugged. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather toss back a good stiff drink?”

“Oh, I would. But I’ll settle for tea at the moment.” I poured five glasses and Evan reached out for them, turning his back to me and blocking me from my grandfather and Ezra’s gazes. I drained my own, wishing it was rum as Evan passed out the rest.

I took a few deep breaths while I went over the new information. Ash-hole was making a living off my magical blunder. Ray was helping him. In all honesty, I couldn’t think of two people who were better suited to swindle and lie their way into a shady business like relic hunting for the nefarious characters of the magical world.

My grandfather looked at me and I shook my head at the concern in his eyes. “So what are you going to do about these two fools?” I asked, turning my attention to Kingston.

“That’s what we came here to decide.” He replied, pulling out a chair and sitting at my kitchen table like we were old colleagues.

Filed under: #new books, #newbookrelease, Archaeology, book preview, contemporary fantasy, excalibur, fantasy writer, indie author, king arthur, Legends, merlin Tagged: #hotnewrelease, #newebook, arthurian, Author, book preview, England, excalibur, fantasy preview, king arthur, Legendary Magic, magic, merlin, new book release, new fantasy release, roman

The OFFICIAL cover of Legendary Magic!

Here it is!!! I’m so excited about the release. Buy it today before the price goes up. Just click the picture and you’ll be taken right to Amazon.com.

Filed under: #new books, #newbookrelease, contemporary fantasy, indie author, Indie Book Review, Legends, marketing, monasteries, Monks Tagged: archaeology, fantasy series, latest release, Legendary Magic, magic, new book, New Release, relic hunter, witchcraft

Cover Reveal

There are magical creatures, spooky locations, and myths to unravel. Buy now by clicking the photo – it’s a special price for the cover-reveal!

Filed under: #new books, #newbookrelease, urban fantasy Tagged: Amazon.com, archaeology, Author, book launch, Book Publicity, book release, book releases, contemporary fantasy, contemporary fiction, Fantasy, fantasy series

Marketing Plan – Step 2

Once you have all of your links listed in one convenient location, you need to figure out where to put those links. That is the challenge because you need to get noticed somewhere or you’ve just wasted all of your hard work.

I’ll admit, I absolutely DREAD marketing my books. I can spend hours online, posting all over the place and sometimes I feel like I accomplished nothing. It’s frustrating! Now, my whole focus is on marketing in short bursts to keep my name/work in people’s minds…but not just posting “buy my book” links all over the place. Personally, I rarely buy books from those links that are all over facebook – but I do buy books from people who have something to say which amuses me or strikes a chord in me.

Although I’d love to build a reader base by simply making pithy comments on facebook and twitter, I know as an author I have to plug my book and post those annoying “buy my book” links sometimes. In order to make myself feel less narcissistic, I try to post free giveaways and sales instead of random ads. I don’t think I’m losing money by doing that – I think I’m exposing new readers to my work. Here’s a list of site’s I’ve advertised on recently:

ebooklister

bookgoodies.com

Indiebookoftheday.com

fkbooksandtips.com

freebooksy.com

frugal-freebies.com

thereadercafe.com

itswritenow.com

http://communitybookstop.blogspot.com

ebooklister

Orangeberry Free Me

ebookshabit

ignite your book

The Book Preview Club

Pixel of Ink

list my ebook

Kindle Book Deals

Indie Author Land

One of my favorite sites is http://awesomegang.com and I’m on there frequently – doing way more than just pushing my books. More on that in Part 3 of my “marketing special”.

There’s an awesome tool on http://www.authormarketingclub.com/ where you can just click the logos and list your books. There are also tons of places on Facebook to list your book promos. In fact, there are too many to mention because every day I find new sites. I do want to give a shout out to two of my facebook favorites, though: http://www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG and mad about books http://www.facebook.com/Madaboutbooks. These two sites have been awesome to me, and they have a fan for life. Stop on by their pages and give them a wave from me – these people work hard to keep their content fresh and their sites inviting and they have welcomed this indie into the fold.

Filed under: indie author, marketing, new release, self-publishing, Uncategorized, writing, Writing Tips Tagged: book marketiing, indie book marketing, marketing, marketing indie books, promos