Tara Ellis's Blog: Making Progress - Posts Tagged "mystery"

I am new to the blogging world...well, I guess I should say that I am still new to the writing world too!

What I am NOT new to however, is the READING world. I was one of those kids that always had a book in their hand. At least one book. Sometimes two or even three. They were my escape, my daydreams, my outlet and respite.

From the time I was about seven or eight, I wanted to write my own book. I did several short stories (hammering it out on the old style type-writer where you had to get out the white-out to make your corrections). At sixteen I attempted my first book and finished it (finally) when I was twenty.

At that point (22 yrs ago), the only way to publish was to solicit and mail out your manuscript. I could afford to send out about ten and they all eventually came back saying I needed an agent. I was easily discouraged at this tender age and so I shelved it.

I didn't take it out again until a few months ago. I had just finished the second book in my young adult series and needed a break. So I decided to revisit an old friend and have some fun with it. I had discovered createspace and figured it would be easy enough to turn it into a book that I could finally put on a shelf. :)

I ended up re-writing the WHOLE thing. Changed the perspective and added a chapter. I LOVE it now and yes, it is sitting on a shelf right in front of me. My childhood dream realized. How cool is that? I've only sold a handful of copies, but the feedback I have gotten made ALL the time and work worth it.


That book is called 'The Mystery of Hollow Inn'. It is a childrens book (ages 9-12) and it's a lot of fun. I intend to make it the first in a long series (The Samantha Wolf Mystery Series). First though, I need to finish my YA trilogy. Which I am working on now.

This brings me to the title of this blog. THAT trilogy is called the 'Forgotten Origins Trilogy'. I am in love with this world that I created and am having so much fun writing it and sharing it!

The main character is a sixteen-year-old named Alex (short for Alexandria) and she essentially has to save the world from an alien virus. BUT...there are all sorts of twists and turns that will take you places totally unexpected. This story is NOT predictable, but it IS fast and thrilling.

It would be so great to have some YA Sci-fi fans read it and give me some honest feedback. (SO hard to come by!!!) Especially now, since I am working on the third and final book.

I have included links to all three books, but here is also the link to my author page on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Tara-Ellis/e/B0...

Maybe I should say a little more about myself? I'm not sure how all of this is suposed to work. :) BUT...I am a mom of two teenage kids (GREAT kids), a wife to a very good man and caretaker of several dogs, a cat, a lizard, rats and oh yeah...chickens. I LOVE the outdoors, live in beautiful Skagit Valley in NW Washington (State) and take full advantage of the scenery to improve my photography skills. (that's my other love) I was a volunteer firefighter/EMT for over eight years but now just teach CPR.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and getting to know a little about what I am working on!


Happy reading!!

I had such a success with my last free promo, that I have decided to promote my MG book, 'The Mystery of Hollow Inn'.

I am currently working on the third and final book in my YA trilogy and so it seems like a good time to put my hidden gem out front. I plan on expanding this fun, mystery series later this year. It is very clean, and just an all-around good mystery/adventure.

It is FREE from 4/8/14 to 4/10/14

Please check it out and let me know what you think!!

http://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Hollow-...

I had a really nice surprise today! I was notified that Bloodline had been nominated for the book of the day (NO idea who did this, but thank you, if you happen to read this) and it Won!

So, Bloodline is on the front page of their site for today, and gets a lifetime info/ad.

Link: http://indiebookoftheday.com/



I also have another fun interview up right now on Books, Blogs, and Bits! Check it out: http://books.iggylife.com/


I hope that perhaps, Bloodline is finally starting to find the right crowd of readers!

I want to say congratulations to the four winners from my book giveaway for Bloodline!


719 people entered, and four entries were chosen (randomly, by Goodreads) to receive a signed paperback copy.

I also currently have book #2 in the Forgotten Origins Trilogy, Heritage, in a giveaway that ends at the end of November, and book #3 will be up for it soon.

Link for Heritage giveaway: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

I am really happy with the number of entries, and especially for the more than doubling of my to-be-read list! I sincerely hope that the winners enjoy their copies. :)

On another, totally different note, I completed the audiobook for the first book in my MG mystery series, The Mystery of Hollow Inn! It's up on ACX and Amazon:


Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Mystery-Hol...

ACX: http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/The-My...


The book has 4.67 stars so far, and the one review I've gotten to date for the audio version was a positive, 4 star. Since I narrated and produced it myself, I am REALLY eager to get feedback. I've got some CODES for FREE COPIES, if anyone is interested!!!