Sage Nestler's Blog, page 73
April 23, 2016
Go Indie Now! Facebook Page is Up + SNEAK PEEK
Hello Everyone,
I just wanted you to know that the Facebook page is now up for my subscription box “Go Indie Now!”. The website where you can order the box is also up. Please spread the word! I am already looking for reps on Instagram and am in the process of planning the first box.
Each month you will receive an indie novel, a guided reading packet that includes extra information on the author, and items based on the novel. The box is $20+shipping, and the price of the book for the month will determine how many extra items are included.
I am also running a poll on Facebook to determine what the stigma surrounding indie novels is. If you can please participate, I would greatly appreciate it!
Poll Link: Indie Novel Stigma
Facebook Page: Go Indie Now! Facebook Page
Order Box: Order Now
Much love,
Ashley
P.S. I also wanted to post a bonus sneak peek. The May Go Indie Now! Box will be featuring an item from Adventure Scents, a company that creates scented beads that smell like different settings to enhance your reading experience. You do not want to miss this box!
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
SIGN UP FOR GO INDIE NOW! MONTHLY BOOK BOX: Go Indie Now!
*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*
Go Indie Now! Facebook Page is Up
Hello Everyone,
I just wanted you to know that the Facebook page is now up for my subscription box “Go Indie Now!”. The website where you can order the box is also up. Please spread the word! I am already looking for reps on Instagram and am in the process of planning the first box.
Facebook Page: Go Indie Now! Facebook Page
Order Box: Order Now
Much love,
Ashley
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
SIGN UP FOR GO INDIE NOW! MONTHLY BOOK BOX: Go Indie Now!
*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*
April 22, 2016
Cookie Encounter by Michelle Connell – 4/5
Title: Cookie Encounter
Author: Michelle Connell
Purchase: Cookie Encounter on Amazon
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
“Where does the power to forgive someone come from? A tender story of love and forgiveness. Follow Natalie’s journey as she learns to forgive and then falls in love.
Natalie Alexander believes she is unworthy of a romantic relationship after a traumatic event back in college. After moving to southern Illinois, she can finally put the past behind her. But then she’s smitten with the handsome Nick Norton, who she meets over a platter of cookies. Unwittingly Natalie is drawn to Nick, but will she ever be able to reveal her secret? Can Natalie overcome her insecurities and can Nick help her see her inner beauty?”
“Cookie Encounter” is as cute as you’d expect any inspirational novel to be. I particularly enjoyed how the main character was an author, because I was able to relate to her well. She was also very self conscious, which seemed to make her a more realistic character when compared to other traditional romance heroines.
Michelle Connell’s writing is clear and crisp. Her words flow freely, and she incorporates great descriptions into her writing. As I was reading this novel, I couldn’t help but turn the page over and over again. I am a sucker for romance, but I think that even those who aren’t as passionate about romance would enjoy this novel. Her writing is artistic, and I could tell that she was trying to paint a picture with her words instead of just merely telling a story. When I was reading her novel, I felt as though I were analyzing a beautiful oil painting in a well known museum. She captured the flaws of the human experience well, while also incorporating hope and love, which are both things that humans tend to search for on a daily basis. Because of these aspects, I would relate her novel to the genre of “literary fiction” instead of just romance since this novel is strong enough to stand on its own. Her novel not only reads like a great beach read, but it reads like something that you would want to recommend to your friends. I didn’t find her writing to be immature at all, which I sometimes find with romance novels, and I highly recommend her work for all age ranges, since it is not too mature for younger readers.
If you are looking for a light, fun romance that is filled with love and hope, then I highly suggest “Cookie Encounter”. It is short and sweet, a novel that you won’t want to miss. It would be great for those who have busy lives and need a shorter novel to conquer.
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*
April 21, 2016
Go Indie Now! Rep Search
Hello everyone!
I am looking for reps for my subscription business “Go Indie Now!”. This is a book box that includes one indie novel, a few items based on the book, and an informational packet written by the author and/or myself. The reps that I choose will receive 3 months of FREE boxes, but they must post at least one blog post a week featuring the items in the box. I am also requiring that they have a larger following. To apply, please post 3 of your best pictures and tag me in the photos. I am also looking for reps on Facebook and Instagram.
I will be announcing the winners around May 1. The first boxes will go out May 20. Thank you everyone!
#bibliophile #repsearch #bookbox #indiebooks #indiebooksbeseen
Go Indie Now! Box
Thank you,
Ashley Nestler
April 20, 2016
Go Indie Now! Monthly Box is Live!
!MAJOR UPDATE!
Hello everyone!
I am extremely happy to announce that the Go Indie Now! monthly box that I have created is now LIVE! The website is now taking orders, and I am already working on planning the first box. Please visit the link to my box website and check it out, I appreciate everyone’s support. This box is not one to miss! Each month will include an indie novel, bookish item that is handmade and/or relating to the book included, as well as a letter from me and an interactive reading experience.
Order Go Indie Now! Monthly Box
Much love,
Ashley
P.S. Please reach out to me if you need any help.
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*
April 19, 2016
Personal Interview is Up
Hello everyone,
I have had the pleasure of being interviewed by a fellow author and blogger named Tiffany Apan. Her interview with me was posted today, and I would love for everyone to please check it out! She will be reviewing my books in the future, but the interview discusses my writing, my journey as an author, and what is to come. I hope you all enjoy it!
My Personal Interview on Tiffany Apan’s Blog
Much Love,
Ashley
April 18, 2016
Southbound by Joseph Ferguson – 4/5
Title: Southbound
Author: Joseph Ferguson
Purchase: Southbound on Amazon
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
“A short story collection about Basement Man ; moody drunk, sometime rock climber, absurdist philosopher, raconteur of the ridiculous, rogue, and not-so-merry prankster from the North End of Yonkers (aka Junkies Paradise). An every-man for nobodies, he is ever adrift between the carrot of sobriety and the reality of carpe diem. Bowing only to the laws of Murphy, he can never decide whether the lucky ones are the survivors or those who died years ago.”
“Southbound” is a very emotionally charged novel. It is listed as a short story collection, but the writing resembles poetry more than anything. It is easy to read, but very raw and real.
In the acknowledgments section, Joseph Ferguson talks about how he borrowed the stories used in the book from people he knows, as well as basing “the basement man” on a man named Brain Weidner. Since he took the stories from real people, the book reads like a memoir of a less than perfect life.
The writing, at times, can be hard to read due to the poor language and grammar used, but the use of these techniques is intentional to portray the character in the story. Ferguson wanted to portray a rough type of person and accomplished this, but that is the only reason that I gave this book 4/5 stars.
Books that are written in a poetic style can bring on a new form of emotion, and you will find “Southbound” to be reminiscent of other poetry driven novels, such as the work of Ellen Hopkins.
“Southbound” is an easy, short read and will make you think about drug addicts and outcasts differently. Joseph Ferguson did a great job at giving a voice to the voiceless and I will gladly read this book again. The best books are those that represent different perspectives, and Ferguson has added a great novel to American literature. I would not be surprised if this book became a classic. It reads like something that would be assigned in high schools or universities, and it would be a great book to analyze deeper.
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*
April 17, 2016
Go Indie Now! Monthly Book Box
Hello Everyone,
I just want you to know about a plan that is brewing in my mind. As many of you know, monthly book boxes are showing up just about everywhere, but I am seriously considering opening a book box that would revolve around indie novels. The box would include 2-3 bookish items that would go along with the theme of the box (each box would be themed after a different genre) and all of the items included would be handmade. Also, the box would include a handwritten letter by me explaining why I chose the book that I did.
Would any of you be interested in such a thing? I am trying to collect opinions to determine if there would be a market for an indie monthly book box. The book box would be called “Go Indie Now!”.
Much love,
Ashley
April 16, 2016
Special Edition Versions of My Novels
Hello everyone,
As most of you know, I am redoing and re-releasing my two novels which are currently out, “Beautiful Nightmare” and “Into The Fog”. I am excited to announce that these new editions will not only be revamped versions of the stories, but they will also include concept art, character profiles, and bonus content from me talking about how I conceptualized both stories. Below are the official covers for both books, which are different covers from the first editions of these books. Both books will be out within the next few months and I will be hosting giveaways for them, as well as an online launch party. Thank you to everyone who has supported me, and I will be posting more updates with spoilers in the coming months.
As of right now, I have finished and revised my third novel. I am still not publicizing this novel yet due to the sensitive nature of the story, and I am thinking about using a pen name for it in order to give me some anonymity. But now that that is done I will be putting all of my time into the new editions of “Beautiful Nightmare” and “Into The Fog”.
Much love,
Ashley
April 15, 2016
Everyone Dies at the End by Riley Westbrook – 5/5
Title: Everyone Dies at the End
Author: Riley Westbook
Goodreads: Everyone Dies at the End on Goodreads
Synopsis:
“Who knew the zombie apocalypse would be caused by something we all know is deadly…but that is also all around us? Two stories intersect as the world delves into chaos – Earl, a drugged out heroin addict constantly in search of his next fix, and a family struggling with the dramas of everyday life, get no reprieve during this zombie outbreak. Can any of them survive the deadliest game of all – survival against undead, each other, and the world around them?”
I rarely say that a book or story is brilliant, but when I do, I mean it wholeheartedly. That being said, this short story was BRILLIANT. I was not expecting it to be as good as it was based on the title, but by the time I got to the end of the story I realized how important the title was to the overall story. This may have been a short story, but it was an insanely strong piece of writing. I found it both horrific and intriguing all at the same time. Riley Westbrook knows what he is doing.
I read this book in about a day since it was only 87 pages, but I was unable to read it at night because of how scary it was. Many times horror stories can become too grotesque, but Westbrook’s writing was poetic. He knew what he was doing with both stories that he intertwined, and didn’t leave the reader wondering what had happened to certain characters. I would even dare to say that he has the talent of Stephen King. Based on his biography, he states that he began writing after being unable to work anymore and used writing as an outlet. This passion that he put behind his writing showed significantly. It was clear that he knew every aspect to his story and didn’t leave any loose ends. I was not expecting the surprise ending, and I would gladly read this story again.
If you are intrigued by horror stories that pack a punch, then this story is the one for you. I must admit that Westbrook is clearly a talented writer in the way that he was able to pack a punch in such a short piece of writing. He has the talent of a professional and I will gladly read any work that he writes. Westbrook is sure to go far.
