S.R. Roddy's Blog, page 4
May 11, 2014
Happy Mother’s Day!
To all you Mothers out there, I hope you have a great day. I’m going to spend the day with my kids. Family is what my life is about and what I enjoy most out of life. It was and always will be the one job I love the most. Enjoy your day!
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May 7, 2014
Cover Reveal!
Cover reveal! My cover designer worked hard to give me a print book cover that fit my needs. I think she did an excellent job. Thanks for all your hard work Joelleen!
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My Weekly Reviews
This week’s Book Trailer Wednesday has been pushed back a week. For those who watch my reviews, I apologize. Due to my busy schedule, it has become difficult to find the time to read as often as I have in the past. The school year is winding down, but there always seems to be more work as the end of the year comes to a close. My eldest daughter is graduating and there is a lot to consider in that direction as well. I also have my writing that occupies my time. Any spare time I have has been given to my family.
These time constraints have caused me to reevaluate my weekly reviews. For now, I will be moving my reviews to a bi–weekly schedule. When things slow down for the summer this may change, but for now I feel it is the best option.
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April 30, 2014
His Judas Bride by Shehanne Moore
I wanted to find something in the historical romance genre once more. In my search, I came across this book trailer and thought it showed potential. Plus, I’m a sucker for a man in a kilt. The price tag is a bit higher than I generally pay, but once in a while the premise of a story will intrigue me enough to bypass my stubborn nature. This was one of those cases.
Synopsis:
To love, honor, and betray…
To get back her son, she will stop at nothing…
For five years Kara McGurkie has preferred to forget she’s a woman. So it’s no problem for her to swear to love and honor, to help destroy a clan, when it means getting back the son she lost. But when dire circumstances force her to seduce her fiancé’s brother on the eve of the wedding, will the dark secrets she holds and her greatest desire be enough to save her from his powerful allure?
To save his people, neither will he…
Callm McDunnagh, the Black Wolf of Lochalpin, ruthlessly guards heart and glen from dangerous intruders. But from the moment he first sees Kara he knows he must possess her, even though surrendering to his passion may prove the most dangerous risk of all.
She has nothing left to fear except love itself…
Now only Kara can decide what passion can save or destroy, and who will finally learn the truth of the words… Till death do us part.
My Thoughts:
I liked this historical romance. If I had to pick one word to describe the book in its entirety that would have to be deep. There was a lot of deeply felt emotions dealt with in this novel, not just a romantic love either. The author took the character’s life tragedies and used it to build a foundation. Something solid that would last through time, not a fleeting ember that needs constant attention because of its delicate state.
I have to admit, while I enjoyed the story there were times that the character’s thoughts were confusing and I had to reread parts to grasp what was being said. In my opinion, this isn’t a book you can just sit down and flit through without any real concentration. There is a lot of depth to the thoughts inside both the hero and heroine’s minds that takes more than a cursory glance. I found it difficult to read with distractions from the outside world.
This book isn’t fast paced, it’s a slow build, that teases the senses. There is a great deal of loss, mistrust and intrigue to keep the reader occupied. Eventually, the romance ignites into a bright flame. It leaves you feeling breathless. Theirs is a love that will last through the times. A story to be carried on through the generations.
This was a difficult book to rate for me. I enjoyed the story. The romance was all consuming and the author did a great job with the characters. There was such a serious dark edge to it, that I found myself tense constantly. It’s not really a book to spend the afternoon relaxing, but then I wonder if that’s what the author intended. Her words were powerful and moving in a way I haven’t witnessed in historical romance in ages. I give it a 4 hearts.
(4 / 5)
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April 23, 2014
Ravenswynd Legends by Sharon Ricklin Jones
This week’s Book Trailer Wednesday pick is Ravenswynd Legends by Sharon Ricklin Jones. I broke from the historical romances for a day to read this story, feeling I needed a short respite. This is Book One in a paranormal romance series that revolves around vampires. To date, this series consists of four books.
Synopsis:
April 21, 2014
Affiliates and Thieves
I know pirating is a big issue with authors, and has been since nearly the inception of the e-book trade. As an author myself, I’ve ignored the download sites as nothing more than a nuisance in the past. My husband has even laughed at me on occasion because my biggest complaint was that they had a bad copy of my book, not that they actually were stealing it. Others might question my reasons for this, but my only defense is that the amount of legitimate downloads compared to pirated copies was not even a speck on the horizon.
As most know, retailers offer incentives to the public to promote their websites by allowing them to join what they call an affiliate program. The affiliate receives a small percentage of sales when customers follow a link from their website and then purchase an item. The idea behind it I believe is sound. A win–win if you will, for everyone.
What burns in my gut today though, is a trend I’ve just begun to notice in the industry concerning affiliate programs and pirating. Today alone I’ve come across two websites that offer my books as a free download, but also list a legit link to either Smashwords or Amazon. Both links are affiliate links. These type of links are easy to spot because they have additional references in them that are unusual to the website. In Smashwords case, it will be a ?ref=”name” at the end of the link.
So they are making money off my books, and stealing them? Do these retailers not monitor affiliates at all? That’s a disturbing thought, considering they are then linked to pirating by association. I don’t like the idea of thieves making money off my books period. As authors, we work months, sometimes years, to produce our work. I think we are due at least a token amount of respect for our hard work, and that is blatant disrespect in my opinion.
The thought that crosses my mind more abundantly than any other is this: Why do these websites offer both options? What incentive do they have to give a link to my book at an upload site? Are these pirating websites now offering incentives of their own to bring in customers? That’s not a question I myself can answer, but maybe someone with more research capabilities can find the truth. My only purpose in this post is to put the question out their, and make others aware of the possibility.
Like I said, I don’t begrudge others their affiliate links. Making legitimate money off of programs that authors opt in for is fair, in my opinion. In Smashwords case, they offer several choices for authors, one of which is an opt out option. So they’re not forced to participate. I myself, offer more of a percentage of my sales to affiliates because I consider it a type of advertising.
I don’t believe in throwing away the basket because of a few bad apples either. I want to make it clear, I’m a supporter of affiliate programs. The programs themselves are sound, they just maybe need to be monitored more closely.
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April 18, 2014
Book Sale!
Price drop! This weekend only! April 18th–20th Tonight’s Desire is on sale for only $2.99. Grab a copy at this low price while you can. Sale ends Sunday at midnight.
Or read it for free using Prime Membership.
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April 16, 2014
Fate’s Monolith by Sky Purington
While the book’s prequel influenced my choice for this week, I did watch the trailer before I made my final decision. The trailer piqued my interest enough to garner my promise to read the next installment for this week’s review.
Synopsis:
Arianna Broun, a Scottish born colonial American has been haunted by the reoccurring dream of a phantom Scottish warrior. Her infatuation with the dream intensifies until All Hallows’ Eve, when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest. After several bizarre encounters she runs to her safe haven deep in the woods. When dawn comes too early, Arianna is eager to go home. But fate has other plans.
Laird Iain MacLomain has long awaited the arrival of his promised bride. She claims to not be the woman intended for him but she fits the description given him of her, all fire and defiance. That defiance will end up costing them everything and rips them apart. However, a Scottish Chieftain with magic at his disposal is capable of most anything. Will he hold Arianna in his arms again or is she lost to him forever? Only time will tell.
My Thoughts:
I knew from the first short story that the author had a lot of potential. I have to say Book One of this series was in no way disappointing. The author’s talents shone through with glowing intensity. This book featured in–depth descriptions, the rich development of characters and slow glimpses of a past that was intriguing to witness.
Enthralled I read the story from start to finish, waiting anxiously for each event to unfold. I loved the true historical nature of the book. The way the author throws in a bit of fantasy mixed with true history is mesmerizing.
Though I will not be reviewing any more books from this series, I definitely plan on reading them all. I’m presently working on Destiny’s Denial, Book Two in The MacLomain Series. Fate’s Monolith is a great book and enjoyable read. I give this 4.5 hearts.
(4.5 / 5)
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April 9, 2014
The King’s Druidess By Sky Purington
I pulled this from my list of book trailers over the weekend. When I went to purchase it on Amazon I was surprised twice. I learned it was a short story, approximately 50 pages. I was also pleasantly surprised to find it for free.
Synopsis:
Chiomara Ruadh, Druidess of Ulster, will not be swayed from prophecy. If the Gods of Ireland request that she couple with the king, so be it. If it is also their wish that he marry another woman, who is Chiomara, a simple Druid, to stand in their way?
Erc Breac, king of the Dalriada, can only think of Chiomara. Her beauty is surreal and the tales that follow her across the land unsurpassed. But that is not enough when faced with the obligations of a king. His people must come first. His future wife and queen, Macha, must come first. Yet, fate is a slippery thing. Will Erc risk the whole of his kingdom for what lays in his heart?
My Thoughts:
This short tale was a prelude to Sky Pruington’s MacLomain Series. This fast paced short story performed its purpose well. It set the stage for future time travel books.
There was the king who was also a magi, the druidess who was in love with him, and several gods along with the goddess Brigit. I found the concept of the three rings and what they meant for future generations intriguing. I try hard not to release any spoilers beyond what is in an author’s description so I won’t reveal any more about the story.
Though, I liked this story and the premise it sets for a future series, I felt it was a bit rushed in spots. It felt to me as if a few extra paragraphs, in certain key areas, would have given the story enough depth to round it out nicely.
The story line piqued my interest enough to buy the boxed set. I will be reviewing Book One, Fate’s Monolith next week. It has an interesting book trailer, and this short story whet my appetite for more of the series. I give it 3.5 hearts.
(3.5 / 5)
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April 2, 2014
Decadent Deceptions by Keta Diablo
This week I picked another historical romance from my ever growing list of book trailers. I was hoping for something a bit different from my normal reads and I found it.
Synopsis:
Desperate to win Morgan’s heart, Olivia Breedlove embarks on a reckless folly of finding a husband. Everything backfires when Morgan remains one step ahead of her and the game ventures down a path of duplicity and murder.
A decade ago, Morgan was a heartbeat away from taking Olivia’s virginity. Her father intervened and threatened to meet him over pistols if he even looked at his daughter again. Thaddeus is dead now and Morgan has no intention of ignoring the ravenous hunger he’s harbored for the blasted woman for years. One way or the other, he will quench his burning desire and make Olivia his forever. Romance, historical, mystery, voyeurism.
My Thoughts:
This historical romance had a little bit of everything in it. You have a daring lady who wants to push the limits at every turn, and a man who’s drawn to her, despite his every intention to stay away. Throw in some voyeurism, a bit of mystery and some humor and you have one hell of a story.
The level of eroticism was sizzling hot. At the same time, the author didn’t lose sight of the romance under all that decadence, which made the story enjoyable to me. I love a well rounded tale and this is exactly what I was looking for.
The characters were likable, the story believable, and the descriptions riveting. For those who like their historical romances with a bit of diversity, I highly recommend. I give this a solid five hearts.
(5 / 5)
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