M.E. Sutton's Blog, page 8

WPA 2014 Wrap-up (finally)

Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73

I have finally recovered enough to write about my experience at Lee Lofland’s Writers’ Police Academy, which I attended last week. Oh my. Can I go back? Like next week?

First, there was the trip down. I was fairly certain that my traveling companions – fellow Sisters in Crime Annette Dashfoy, Martha Reed, and Susan Thibadeau – were going to be hilariously funny. I was not wrong. Annette and Martha I was used to, but we discovered that Susan – quiet, unassuming Susan – had a wicked sense of humor. My favorite exchange:

Martha: Tamerack – have you been there? It’s supposed to have every craft made in West Virginia.

Susan: Yeah, I’ve been there.

Martha: What do they sell?

Susan: Every craft made in West Virginia.

We learned to love Sheetz: refueling station for humans and autos.

For some of us, it was our first trip to North Carolina.

As we drove, we passed Mayberry, as well as Mount Pilot, which looks like a spaceship coming out of the mountain. We passed on the winery.

Annette and I shared a room at the Marriott. Imagine our delight when we learned that the drapes didn’t just conceal windows, but a balcony (not that we used it much – too busy and too hot outside!).

I had originally intended to drive down Thursday morning, but was very glad Annette convinced me that it was better to go down Wednesday, giving us recovery time. That’s why she’s the pro and I’m a rank amateur. Then I let her drag me to lunch with all the members if SinC Guppies who were at the conference, where I met some fabulous people. Sorry, I don’t have the picture of that, but it is on Facebook.

After registration on Thursday, we kicked it off – literally – with a session on how to disarm the bad guys. Some of it looked very familiar from taekwondo. The session was led by Eli Jackson, a fabulous woman who is a 2nd degree MMA black belt, a 3rd degree Isshinryu black belt, and not someone you want to mess with in a dark alley (her dancer sister, AJ Scuderi, agrees).

Taking away the gun

After that, it was bed. Friday morning, it was off to the academy and the non-stop action started. My husband was shocked to get a text from me at 6am, but hey, you miss the bus and you were SOL.

To the bus!

We started the morning viewing the response to a multi-victim crash site, complete with scruffy, handsome EMTs.

Then I went off to learn about “Romance Behind the Badge” – all about badge bunnies and what really happens behind the scenes. Sorry, no pictures, but good news for Jim and Sally fans – while their relationship will have challenges, it’s not a forbidden thing. There’s hope for them yet! And the instructor, former Secret Service agent Mike Roche, was a great guy.

I learned I never want to be an ambulance driver, but at least I didn’t crash.

Driving simulator

And I got to see the K-9, which is always a lot of fun – and this dog was so adorable. She sat on my feet and just lapped up the attention.

Then a presentation by Lisa Gardner (sorry for the terrible quality) on how to write thrilling fiction with all the great new information we were learning.

Lisa Gardner

Later that night, we saw the differences in lighting when investigating a scene at night.

We crashed into bed that night. But it was only the beginning. After sleep and fueling up with eggs, potatoes, and bacon, it was off for the second day. It started with a bang – again, literally – as we watched SWAT do a breaching demonstration. There was a failed breach on the interior door (the instructor was reportedly not happy, but as Martha said, great plot twist!). The exterior door, well…

I was very happy to see that I wrote the breaching scene in Every Other Monday is Murder correctly. It’s always nice when you get the details right – even accidentally.

From there, I met Chief Scott Silverii, PhD in anthropology, who gave a presentation on Special Ops and gave me a great peek into cop culture. This guy is super nice (well, they were all super nice, but I talked to Chief Silverii most) and gave me some great character development stuff for The Laurel Highlands Mysteries, as well as for Fallen and my new characters – especially the “yes, it really is still noble to suffer in silence.”

Chief Scott Silverii talks about cop culture

After that, I got to learn about what really happens after they find a body at a fire scene (great research for the second Laurel Highlands novel, which features – spoiler! – a dead body at an arson scene).

Then off to underwater evidence recovery. Yes, bodies in warm water decompose faster than bodies in cold water. So I got that scene in Fallen right, too (I love it when that happens).

Then it was off to a fantastic session on the 4th Amendment and search/seizure intricacies with Alafair Burke – prosecutor, professor, and author. I never knew just how common it was for cases to be resolved with a plea bargain – or how many exceptions there were to searches (warrants are also the exception, not the rule), and how many people just consent to searches. Alafair said we authors have an advantage: we can manipulate the facts of our story to suit the circumstances. Need a roadblock? Make the character get a warrant. Want to speed things up? Use an exception. Best explanation of this topic I’ve ever had.

Then the banquet, where there was much good-natured ribbing of the instructors (who knew a session called “Romance Behind the Badge” could generate so much laughter – apparently everybody but me!) and an interview with Michael Connelly, he of Harry Bosch fame, who said, “If you’re gonna be a writer, you’ve gotta write.”

With a seven-hour drive, we left after breakfast the next morning, so we missed the felony murder case presentation and the wrap-up. Bummer, but it was a long drive and we were more than a little punch-drunk (sorry, no details – what happens in the car to WPA, stays in the car to WPA).

I’ve been to a lot of fun conferences and met some fantastic people. Writers’ Police Academy was, by far, the best yet. It was literally impossible to do everything I wanted and I left feeling both satisfied and ready for more, despite my exhaustion. One thing’s for sure: now I know why people go back year after year.

I know I want to.

Book Blast – Oh Baby!

Title: Oh Baby! (Diary of a Real Payne, Book 3) | Author: Annie Tipton | Publication Date: September 1, 2014 | Publisher: Barbour Books | Pages: 195 | Recommended Ages: 8 to 12

Summary: In this final fabulous release in the Diary of a Real Payne series you’ll find yourself ROTFL with EJ’s hilarious adventures with a new little Payne. The Payne family has just adopted a roly-poly package of pudge with bright eyes and a sparkling smile. In true sisterly fashion, EJ can’t wait to teach baby Faith how to be amazing at everything (just like her big sis!). But when EJ learns that she’s losing her role as flower girl to the adorable newcomer in an upcoming wedding, it’s almost more than she can handle. In classic EJ form, she dreams up even more fantastic adventures for herself—promising colossal fun as you become part of her daydreams in Oh Baby!

Purchase
Amazon | CBD | The Book Depository | Barbour Books | Barnes & Noble

You can purchase the first two books in the series through Amazon by clicking the book covers below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Buzz About Books 1 & 2

Book 1: “I am 7 years old, and I loved this book because of EJ’s imagination and how it focused on the real meaning of Christmas. The book made me laugh, and I especially liked the part when EJ used the shopping cart to pretend to be a race car driver. She thought her mom’s scarf was a yellow flag, and she stopped just before she crashed into the display of glue bottles. I liked EJ’s character, and I read the book in about 5 days. When we had “Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character Day” at school, I dressed up like EJ Payne. I can’t wait for the second book in this series!” ~ Emily E., Amazon

Book 1: “My 9-year-old foster daughter loved the book! She related well to EJ and her spunky personality and humorous outlook on life and what it hands you. Great lessons for her to learn, as well as entertaining. She read it in a matter of days and even chose reading it over playing Nintendo, which is a huge endorsement! I also enjoyed it and found it a fun and comforting read for this 40-something adult. Great job. We’re really looking forward to Book 2 of EJ’s adventures at camp! Thanks, Annie!” ~ Lfierbaugh, Amazon

Book 2: “Church Camp Chaos is a delightfully funny look into the highly imaginative workings of a tween girl, EJ Payne. The book cleverly uses a combination of diary entries, narration, and hilarious passages peeking into EJ’s daydreams. The story is originally clever and, at times, very poignant. I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic book and I highly recommend this series to young girls in particular between the ages of 8 and 12 who also love Clementine, Judy Moody, and Ramona Quimby.” ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

Book 2: “Curly, my 8-year-old bookworm, loved this book. The day it arrived in the mail I let her look through it. By that evening she brought the book to me to thank me and tell me she was finished. She read the entire book in one day and I don’t think she ever put it down! She enjoyed EJ’s adventures and the fun times she had at church camp. She told me the book was “funny.” I appreciated the way the book treated family relationships and showed a loving family who works together and endures different situations together. EJ and her brother don’t always get along but their parents encourage them to be kind and EJ grows to appreciate her brother and even his slightly obnoxious attempts at humor. I enjoyed the life lessons that EJ learned about trust, faith, and friendship and am glad that I can find books for my daughter to read that are humorous and fun while still promoting good values.” ~ 5 Star Review, Lextin Academy, Amazon

About the Author

Award-winning author Annie Tipton made up her first story at the ripe old age of two when she asked her mom to write it down for her. (Hey, she was just two—she didn’t know how to make letters yet!) Since then she has read and written many words as a student, newspaper reporter, author, and editor. A native of Wooster, Ohio, Tipton received a bachelor’s degree in Communications at Milligan College in Northeast Tennessee. She currently resides in New Philadelphia, Ohio.

Facebook Fan Page | Goodreads
* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash prize (winner’s choice)

Contest Ends: September 30, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Barbour Books and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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Countdown to WPA 2014

by Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73

The excitement is building. By this time next week, I’ll be on the road with three of my Sisters in Crime, heading to Greensboro, NC for Lee Lofland’s 2014 Writers’ Police Academy.

Over the course of three days, I’ll get to see just how it’s all done – and how to write it. I’m expecting a ton of fun, just based on the pictures and stories from folks who have been there.

I’ll also get to hear Michael Connelly (of Harry Bosch fame) talk, do a driving simulator, see K-9s in action, underwater evidence recovery, and probably see some things get blown up.

Plus, I’ll get to mingle with other writers and probably exchange some helpful tips (and maybe even get a few ideas).

And knowing my traveling companions, the trip both ways should be just as fun as the conference.

Look for a wrap-up sometime after September 5 (that’s when I get home and I’m sure I’ll need a few days to put my thoughts together).

Now, do I know how to have fun or what?

Release day: A BREW TO DIE FOR

by Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73

It’s here! Just in time for the US long holiday weekend. Release day for A Brew to Die For, the fifth story in The Laurel Highlands Mysteries series. This time, fall is in the air as Jim and Sally investigate murder at a local home brewing competition.

The blurb:

It’s the first-ever home brew competition sponsored by The Copper Pot – a popular local bar, and anticipation is running high with a grand prize of cash and inclusion in the catalog for a local microbrewery waiting for the winner. But when a promising young brewer is found murdered the night before the competition, Jim Duncan’s rare Friday night off takes on a decidedly bitter note. Was Damon Collingsworth really so distasteful? And just what was the “secret ingredient” in his prize-winning brew?

The story is available for the introductory price of 99 cents at:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

iTunes

Haven’t started reading yet? Here’s another deal. For the month of September, the first story, An Idyllic Place for Murder, is available free at Kobo and iTunes and the original 99-cent price at Amazon and Barnes & Noble (those two retailers will not allow me to price for free, but you might be able to use the “report a lower price” feature on Amazon).

Pre-order: A Brew to Die For

by Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73 Drum roll please. A Brew to Die For, the fifth story in The Laurel Highlands Mysteries is now available for pre-order on Kobo and iBooks. The story will be available on all platforms by August 22, in time for the Labor Day holiday weekend (in the US, at least). Also, as a fall special, read the start of Jim and Sally’s story, An Idyllic Place for Murder, for free on Kobo and iTunes and the original price of 99 cents on Amazon and B&N (which don’t seem to allow me to do promotional pricing – at least not without enrolling in KDP Select) and enjoy special introductory pricing on A Brew to Die For. Special pricing runs through the month of September. Welcome to fall in the Laurel Highlands!

Book Blast: The King’s Ransom

 About the Book

Title: Young Knights of the Round Table: The King’s Ransom | Author: Cheryl Carpinello | Year published: April 17, 2013 | Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing | Number of pages: 120 | Recommended age: 9+

Summary: Three Friends. Three Quests. Three Mysterious Predictions.

At Pembroke Castle in medieval Wales,11-year-old Prince Gavin, 13-year-old orphan Philip, and 15-year-old blacksmith’s apprentice Bryan, brought together in friendship by the one they call The Wild Man, embark upon a quest to save The Wild Man’s life when he is accused of murder and robbery. If they have any hope of succeeding, the three will have to confront their fears and insecurities, and one of them will have to disclose the biggest secret of all. But it is the arrival of King Arthur and what he reveals that surprises characters and readers.

Awards

2013 EVVY Finalist and EVVY Merit Award for Juvenile/Young Adult from Colorado Independent Publishers Assoc.

2013 Ariana Cover Finalist

2012 Silver Award Recipient for YA Fiction from Children’s Literary Classics and the CLC’s 2012 Seal of Approval.

2012 Finalist E-Book Children from USA 2012 Best Book Awards

Purchase
Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iBookstore
Smashwords * MuseItUp Publishing
Free Educational Supplement

Visit the Wise Owl Factory for a FREE study guide. Click on the image below.

The Buzz About the Book

“Young Knights of the Round Table is a short, fast-paced adventure set in Arthurian times which features great character development, an intriguing and engaging plot, and a surprise ending (in more ways than one!). I would highly recommend this book to tween and teen boys and girls who love mysteries or stories set in the time of King Arthur.” ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

“I so enjoyed the factual information about weapons, clothing, daily life, and places, cleverly interspersed in the text and dialogue to inform without overwhelming young readers. The author has a gift for delving into the depths of each young hero’s psyche. The way each one of the trio faces their fears, learns to believe in themselves, and finds their true meaning and path in life is moving. This is a superb coming-of-age story, set in a time of chivalry and pageantry, and harking back to an age when a hero was truly a hero. Five stars! ” ~ Fiona Ingram, Author

“There is much to rave about this book, and I don’t want to give anything away because it’s a quick paced, thrilling, new classic about the knights. Witches, white stags, and a Wild Man make the plot exciting, along with cheering along the young knights. There are quite a few surprises at the end that really make the book a great read. We highly recommend this book for any young reader; sure, boys might convinced by the action and title, but I’m positive all young readers will enjoy the mystery and chivalry of Young Knights of the Round Table: The King’s Ransom! ” ~ Tales of a Bookworm

“I absolutely loved this book… [T]his book has just enough Arthurian legend to tie it to and draw from that period of history while being jam-packed with fantastic new characters and fresh plot twists. I am rarely surprised by things in books, but this book really surprised me with a few events I totally did not see coming! I highly recommend this book for young readers! It would be an excellent tie-in to a unit study about King Arthur.” ~ Mommynificent

“This is a fast-paced story that children and adults will both enjoy! It’s well-written and exciting as we read about the fears each boy faces and how they are able to triumph. It’s a great story about loyalty, friendship and overcoming obstacles. Because of the length, it doesn’t drag or slow down at all, so it’s fun to read and hard to put down. And the ending is full of surprises! I highly recommend reading this book! ” ~ Mel’s Shelves

About the Author: Cheryl Carpinello

I love the Ancient and Medieval Worlds! As a retired English teacher, I hope to inspire young readers to read more andto reach reluctant readers with my Arthurian Tales and soon a series of stories from ancient lands and legends that will take readers on adventurous quests throughout history.

Author Website * Author Blog * Facebook
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* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: September 9, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Cheryl Carpinello and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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Book Blast: Skies Like These

Summary: Twelve-year-old Jade’s perfect summers have always been spent reading and watching TV reruns, so she’s not happy when her parents send her off to Wyoming to her aunt’s house. She meets a boy who calls himself Roy Parker—just like the real name of the legendary rebel cowboy Butch Cassidy. Roy’s dad’s hardware store has closed because a chain store has opened up in town, and Roy thinks it is just like the big cattle barons in Butch’s day who put the local ranchers out of business. He wants Jade to be his Sundance Kid and help him pull some stunts worthy of Butch Cassidy. Sabotage the big store? Outsmart the store’s owner by doing reconnaissance on his ranch? Jade wants to be a good friend, but she’s not so sure about Roy’s schemes. 

About the Book

Title: Skies Like These | Author: Tess Hilmo | Publication Date: July 15, 2014 | Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), sold by MacMillan | Pages: 240 | Recommended Age: 7 to 12

Purchase
Amazon * Barnes & Noble
The Buzz About the Book

“A robust cast of well-developed characters and a delightful, swiftly moving plot will leave readers wishing for Jade to extend her stay in Wyoming.” ~ School Library Journal, Amanda Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, Madison, WI

“Drawing on rich Western lore and creating characters as gritty as the earth itself, Hilmo paints a picture of a town where everyone is connected . . . A heartening, comforting story with enough tension to keep readers hooked.” – Kirkus Reviews

“A robust cast of well-developed characters and a delightful, swiftly moving plot will leave readers wishing for Jade to extend her stay in Wyoming.” ~ School Library Journal

“Writing with humor and heart, Hilmo gently reminds readers of the benefits of being shaken out of one’s routine, especially the sense of perspective gained by traveling to new places and trying new things.” ~ Publishers Weekly

“A fantastic story for the 7-12 age range it is full of lighthearted humor and goings on. The characters are fully developed and loads of fun, the dialogue is engaging and the scenery is captivating. Jade a spunky city girl and Roy a down to earth cowboy create an incredible chemistry that draws you deep into their adventures. Full of suspense, good nature, childhood problems, loyalty and friendship this is one you definitely want your children to read (and is fun for the adults too). I highly recommend it!” ~ 5-Star review, Ally M., Amazon

“Mystery, intrigue, friendship and the true essence of childhood all form the backbone of this astounding book that will surly become a classic. I felt Author Tess Hilmo’s character descriptions are perfect with a deep POV that had me walking alongside both Jade and Roy on there fun filed adventure. As mentioned this is perfect for a summer reading list and highly recommend to all. 5 Stars!!!” ~ 5-Star review, Michael B., Amazon

About The Author: Tess Hilmo

Tess lives with her husband and three children in Highland, Utah. Her first book, With a Name Like Love, received three starred reviews and was a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and an ABC New Voices title. Skies Like These is her second novel.

Website | Blog | Twitter

 

* Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $75 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: September 3, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Tess Hilmo and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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Book Blast: Secret of the Sacred Scarab

About the Book

Title: The Secret of the Sacred Scarab | Author: Fiona Ingram | Publication Date: December 30, 2008 | Publisher: iUniverse | Pages: 272 | Recommended Age: 10+

Summary: A 5000-year-old mystery comes to life when a scruffy peddler gives Adam and Justin Sinclair an old Egyptian scarab on their very first day in Egypt. Only when the evil Dr. Faisal Khalid shows a particular interest in the cousins and their scarab, do the boys realise they are in terrible danger. Dr. Khalid wants the relic at all costs. Justin and Adam embark upon the adventure of a lifetime, taking them down the Nile and across the harsh desert in their search for the legendary tomb of the Scarab King, an ancient Egyptian ruler. They are plunged into a whirlpool of hazardous and mysterious events when Dr. Khalid kidnaps them. They survive terrifying dangers in a hostile environment (such as a giant cobra, as well as sinking sand), pursued by enemies in their quest to solve the secret of the sacred scarab. They must translate the hieroglyphic clues on the underside of the scarab, as well as rescue the missing archaeologist James Kinnaird, and their friend, the Egyptologist Ebrahim Faza, before time runs out. They must also learn more about the ancient Seven Stones of Power and the mysterious Shemsu-Hor. With just their wits, courage, and each other, the boys manage to survive … only to find that the end of one journey is the beginning of another!

Awards

Finalist Children’s Fiction USA Next Generation 2009 Indie Book Awards
Finalist Juvenile Fiction USA National Best Books 2009 Awards
Winner Pre-Teen USA 2009 Readers’ Favorites Awards
Number 2 in the USA Children’s & Teens Book Connection Top Ten Favourite Books of 2009 for Kids, Tweens & Teens
Winner Silver Medal Teen Fiction 2010 Nautilus Book Awards
Finalist Children’s Fiction 2010 International Book Awards
Winner Bronze Medal Pre-Teen Fiction 2010 Moonbeam Book Awards
Finalist 2011 Rubery Book Awards
Winner Gold Award Mystery Pre-Teen 2011 Children’s Literary Classics Awards
2nd Place in the 2011 YA Sharpwrit Book Awards
Winner Gold medal 2013 Wise Bear Book Awards

Book Trailer

Purchase
Amazon (U.S. Print) * Amazon (U.S. Kindle)
Book Depository * Smashwords

 

Coming Soon!!
(September 2014)

 

Buzz About Book 1

“Wow! That was an action-packed story! I loved how Ms. Ingram just dove right into the story. From the time that Adam is given the scarab to the time that Adam and Justin return home, there is non-stop action. Through Ms. Ingram’s fantastic writing skills, I was able to visualize all of the events as they were occurring. I can totally see the story in this book transformed into a screenplay for the big screen. I think it’s a fabulous story filled with mystery, intrigue, and action.” ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

“Author Fiona Ingram mixes history and legends in this fast action adventure that keeps you reading till the very end. The characters are cleverly written. Young readers can easily step into the shoes of these two cousins and experienced this exciting adventure that takes you into the heart of Egypt. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery…” ~ 5-Star review from Coffee Ramblings “Billy”, Amazon (US)

“If you enjoyed reading Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five, I am sure you will look forward to reading this book. It will keep you spellbound to the end. The mysteries of the Sacred Scarab and the Scarab King unfold gradually. The story is even livelier because of its references to ancient history, legends and archaeology…” ~ 5-Star review from Book Review, Amazon (US)

“This story ROCKED! It was exciting, action-filled, adventurous and history filled book! It pretty much had everything me (as a boy) would want in a book – danger, mystery, legends, exciting setting, myths and much more. The story was written really well and it kept me reading page after page. I really liked the simple pencil illustrations in the book. I liked the characters of Justin and Adam. They were both nice, smart and brave. The book has no bad language or graphic violence in it…” ~ Erik @ This Kid Reviews Books

“…[T]his is a fun read that reminded me more of the Hardy Boys than anything else. Characters using their minds to solve the problems in the modern world. The writing is tight and fun. It doesn’t linger on the unnecessary, rather, it constantly moves forward, always capturing your attention and finding reasons to read on and neglect whatever is burning on the stove. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a fun mystery in what projects to be the first in a well-crafted and original series.”~ 5-Star review from J. Lurie, Amazon (US)

About The Author: Fiona Ingram

Fiona Ingram (B.A., Hons. (Natal), M.A., (Wits)) was born and educated in South Africa, and has worked as a full-time journalist and editor. Her interest in ancient history, mystery, and legends, and her enjoyment of travel has resulted in The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, the first in her exciting children’s adventure series—Chronicles of the Stone. Fiona has recently completed the second book entitled The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, a treat for young King Arthur fans. She is busy with Book 3 entitled The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper.

 

 

Author Website | Blog | Facebook
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* Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: September 2, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Fiona Ingram and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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Book Blast: Whip Eye

About the Book

Title: WhipEye (WhipEye Chronicles Book #1) | Author: Geoffrey Saign | Year published: June 20, 2014 | Publisher: KiraKu Press | Number of pages: 280 | Recommended age: 9+

Summary: Samantha and her neighbor, Jake, have no idea that Samantha’s best friend, a parrot named Charlie, is a thousand years old. Charlie is also at the center of a secret battle between magical creatures and an ancient, evil man. When Charlie asks Samantha and Jake to protect him, they are chased by monsters from both sides. To save Charlie, and two worlds, Samantha and Jake have twenty-four hours to figure out how to use the supernatural staff, WhipEye, and find the courage to confront what they fear most.

 

Book Preview

Purchase

 

The Buzz About the Book

“As an avid reader of all kinds of books, I often find many fantasy books sloppily written, as though the genre is the dumping ground of less talented writers. So imagine my delight and surprise when right at the get-go–from the first page onwards–`WhipEye’ demolished my prejudice and reminded me that every once in a while, you find that shiny needle in the proverbial haystack.” ~ 5 Star Review, Meghan, Amazon

“Attention to detail,best of all fleshed out and well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well illustrated scenes that actually make you feel like you are right there in the story -or at least wish you were – and that’s something I really look for in a good book. ” ~ 5 Star Review, Tali, Amazon

“`Whipeye’ by Geoffrey Saign is a wonderfully written fantasy story that combines elements of fantasy and magic. The author has created a fantastical world that is vividly imagined with magical creatures and strange but colorful characters…What really makes this story engaging are the likeable characters that you can’t help but root for. The story may be about an adventure that involves magic and supernatural elements, but it’s also about friendship and discovering one’s strength when it’s needed the most. ” ~ 5 Star Review, Portia A., Amazon

“Whipeye is a thrilling magical adventure with surprises at every turn, a story that deserves to be read.” ~ Laurisa White Reyes, Editor-in-Chief of Middle Shelf Magazine and author of The Celestine Chronicles series

“Simply put…it’s a creative story that draws you in from the beginning. The twists and turns, the interesting characters and surprises keep you wanting to turn the next page. This walk into a fantasy serves as a nice mini-vacation without having to go anywhere or plan anything. I look forward to the next book. Well done. ” ~ 5 Star Review, Michael S., Amazon

 

About the Author: Geoffrey Saign

Geoffrey Saign can often be found looking for interesting critters, and magic, while swimming, snorkeling, sailing, or hiking in the woods. His passion for nature and wildlife led to his nationally endorsed book, Green Essentials: What You Need to Know About the Environment, as well as his books African Cats and Great Apes. He has a background in biology, assisted in field research with hummingbirds and humpback whales, and sailed as far away as Australia. With more than twenty years of experience working in special education, he has taught adults and children everything from sailing to novel writing. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Google+ * Pinterest

 

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: September 6, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Geoffrey Saign and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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Power to the People

by Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73

There’s been a lot of discussion lately about who has the power in publishing. Most people agree that publisher’s hold the lion’s share. After all, they write the contracts, they are responsible for editing and art, distribution, marketing (although authors have to do a lot themselves these days). All (cough) the author does is write (cough, cough) the book.

But this post isn’t about that.

No, this post is about the unseen, or at least not often talked about in articles screaming about Amazon, Hatchette, and others — readers.

Yes, I said readers.

After all, readers, consumers, drive the train in the book marketplace, just like they do in any marketplace. Have a fantastic product, but no one will buy it? You watch; it will disappear from the shelves.

Have a fantastic book, but no one buys it? Booksellers will ship it back, the books get pulped, and maybe the author’s contract for the next book gets canceled. In the meantime, the existing book doesn’t go to another print run and gets harder to find outside of used bookstores and maybe digitally (hard to return or pulp an ebook).

Now ask anyone and she’ll tell you the guaranteed way to sell books. No, not ads in the New York Times, or on Facebook; not tweets or posts on Google+. At least not from authors.

No, the key to selling books is what it’s always been – word of mouth.

In the past, this might be a little challenging. You might wander into a bookstore and strike up a conversation with another shopper or an employee, finding a gem that way. Maybe you could talk to the six people in your book club, or write a letter to dear Aunt Mabel, gushing about the book you just read.

But this is 2014. Now we have the Internet. And what is the Internet? It’s a big, virtual street corner where you can scream your love of a book to the masses.

Tell your 268 Facebook friends. Tweet to your 1,094 Twitter followers. Pin the book cover on Pinterest. Tell those 348 people who’ve circled you on Google+.

Or (drum roll) write a review on Amazon or Goodreads.

Say what you want about Amazon; they are a force in book selling. Goodreads has I don’t remember how many subscribers – all of them readers. They are all looking for a good book.

And you can point them to one.

I know, I know – book reviews have gotten a bad rep lately. Lots of shenanigans with authors (especially indie authors) buying reviews. Smear campaigns against authors with unpopular opinions, where folks leave 1-star reviews out of spit without having read the book.

It doesn’t matter.

I read a story of a woman who sent seventy free books to readers in exchange for a review. She got something like seven (or at least less than ten). Another writer friend of mine recently said she knew over 100 copies of her book had been sold, but less than a dozen reviews had been posted.

Why? Are people afraid? Do you think maybe you can’t write well enough to write a review, or that people won’t care what you think?

Stop worrying.

People love opinions. And you’ve got one. And you’re qualified to have an opinion because you’re a reader. You’re the one we’re scribbling our dear little hearts away for! You loved that book and want more? Tell the world. Go to Amazon or Goodreads. Click the star rating. Write a review.

Still insecure? Here’s a template:

I really enjoyed this book. The world was well-written and the characters had me hooked for the journey. I would definitely buy another book from this author.

Yes, that’s it. Wait, you didn’t enjoy the book? Well, here you go:

I was looking forward to reading this. Unfortunately, it fell a little flat. The characters weren’t sympathetic and I got lost in the flowery language sometimes. The plot was okay, but I could see where it was going by the middle. All in all, an okay read, but it didn’t blow me away.

As you can see, neither of these are literary gems. They are one opinion of a book. But a valuable opinion – yours. Some writers say they write and don’t care if no one reads their stuff. I call shenanigans on that. Almost everybody wants someone to read them. You can be that someone. Better yet, you can lead another someone. I won’t do the math (after all, I’m a writer, not a mathematician), but if you tell two people, who tell two people, who tell two people – well, you can see the multiplying effect, right?

Now, a note about star ratings. The esteemed Porter Anderson has written about this and how the system is kind of flawed and abused. But we’re stuck with it. The problem isn’t stars. It’s that everybody thinks anything less than a perfect five is bad. But that’s not the case. As a writer, I’m happy with a three-star review. A four will send me over the moon. Five? Well, I’m very flattered, but five basically says, “There is nothing in the world better and this is perfection.” All fine and good – until something better comes along. And it will. So where do you go from five stars? Exactly. Use your stars well.

Another note: You’re going to read a book you don’t like. You’re saying, “But I don’t want to leave one or two stars, that’d be mean.” Well, I’ll be honest. A low review smarts a little. But I’ve got an editor friend who changed my approach on that. A low rating still means the writer evoked some kind of emotion and that’s good. Plus a few lower ratings give credence to the higher ones (meaning, no, I didn’t pay all my reviewers to flood my book with fake, glowing reviews nor are these written by my family). Be honest – but don’t make it personal. Make it about the book not the author. The author, after all, is a person. No point in being mean.

So there you have it. Use your voice, stand on your virtual street corner and proclaim your love (or lack thereof) of a book to the world. Help make sure that book stays around for other readers and the author gets the opportunity to write more books for you to love. It really does help, trust me.

Power to the people!

Image courtesy of Roey Aham, used under Creative Commons license.