Tara Ellis's Blog: Making Progress, page 8
May 27, 2016
New Release in the Samantha Wolf Mysteries Series!
New Release!
Get book #5 in the Amazon, best selling Samantha Wolf Mysteries series!
The Haunting of Eagle Creek Middle School(free with Kindle Unlimited)
Blurb:
Halloween is right around the corner, and the girls find themselves in the middle of a hauntingly good mystery.
Sam, Ally, and Cassy help form a new club at their school in order to raise money for charities. Their first mission is to save a struggling program founded by a local widow, but the benefactor has some secrets.
It turns out that Eagle Creek Middle school has some secrets too, including a tragic story passed down for fifty years. Does a tormented ghost really roam the basement of the school?
While creating a haunted house to raise the needed donations, the young detectives uncover the shocking truth. One that will forever change the lives of people they have come to cherish.
Author page on Amazon
Twitter handle: @taraellisauthor
Each book can be read on their own, or you can start with book #1, The Mystery of Hollow Inn
Excerpt:
“Stop trying to scare your sister.” Kathy Wolf points her fork at Hunter for emphasis, but the glop of mashed potatoes falling off the end of it causes smiles around the dinner table, instead of fear.“But it’s true,Mom,” Hunter counters, his grin widening. He has the same dark eyes and hair of his father, but the short stature of his mom. Sam, on the other hand, is nearly as tall as he is already. Ethan Wolf constantly tries to convince his son that all of the Wolf men start to grow in their later teens, but Hunter believes he’s destined to be forever smaller than his friends. “Everyone knows that Eagle Creek Middle School is haunted. Right, John?” Nudging his best friend in the ribs, Hunter shovels more of his dad’s famous meatloaf into his mouth.“Umm…sure,” John confirms, glancing briefly at a scowling Mrs. Wolf. His cheeks burning, he sets his own fork down, feeling a need to explain himself. At sixteen, he’s two years older than Hunter and has a greater sense of accountability than his friend.“The story goes, that some fifty years ago, there was a horrible accident in the boiler room under the school.”“Is that what they used for heat?” Ally asks, interrupting her brother.“Yeah,” John confirms. “I think they converted the school to a regular furnace some time ago, but the boiler is still there, because it’s too expensive to remove it. Anyway,” he continues, looking around the table at his captive audience, “the janitor pretty much worked there his whole life. He knew what he was doing, but that night, something went terribly wrong and he died in the mishap. Ever since, on cold nights, you can hear the sounds of his ghost wandering the basement under the school, trying to fix the boiler.”“Oh, please,” Sam laughs it off. “That’s not even all that impressive, as far as ghost stories go! But…” pausing with her glass of water halfway to her mouth, she slams it back down and spins towards Ally. “We should use that in the haunted house!” she shouts, bouncing in her chair. “Have John dress up in an old janitor suit, or something.”“Uhhmm,” Ethan clears his throat loudly, while staring pointedly at his daughter. “Samantha, do you really think that would be in good taste?”“Yeah, Samantha,” Hunter adds, not missing a chance to tease his sister. “Why would we want to waste our time running around in a stupid kid’s thing, anyway?”“Because it’s for a good cause,” Ally argues. “And I agree with your dad,” she adds, turning back to Sam. “If someone really did die, I wouldn’t want to make light of it. There’s a ton of other things we can have them dress up as,” she quickly ads, seeing the defeated look on Sam’s face. “John would make a good Frankenstein!”
Author Bio:
Author Tara Ellis lives in a small, rural town in Washington State, set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She enjoys the quiet lifestyle with her husband, two teenage kids and several dogs. Tara was a firefighter/EMT, and worked in the medical field for many years, before committing herself to writing young adult and middle grade novels full-time. (she still dabbles in teaching CPR)
Amazon author page
Facebook author page
Get book #5 in the Amazon, best selling Samantha Wolf Mysteries series!
The Haunting of Eagle Creek Middle School(free with Kindle Unlimited)
Blurb:
Halloween is right around the corner, and the girls find themselves in the middle of a hauntingly good mystery.
Sam, Ally, and Cassy help form a new club at their school in order to raise money for charities. Their first mission is to save a struggling program founded by a local widow, but the benefactor has some secrets.
It turns out that Eagle Creek Middle school has some secrets too, including a tragic story passed down for fifty years. Does a tormented ghost really roam the basement of the school?
While creating a haunted house to raise the needed donations, the young detectives uncover the shocking truth. One that will forever change the lives of people they have come to cherish.
Author page on Amazon
Twitter handle: @taraellisauthor
Each book can be read on their own, or you can start with book #1, The Mystery of Hollow Inn
Excerpt:
“Stop trying to scare your sister.” Kathy Wolf points her fork at Hunter for emphasis, but the glop of mashed potatoes falling off the end of it causes smiles around the dinner table, instead of fear.“But it’s true,Mom,” Hunter counters, his grin widening. He has the same dark eyes and hair of his father, but the short stature of his mom. Sam, on the other hand, is nearly as tall as he is already. Ethan Wolf constantly tries to convince his son that all of the Wolf men start to grow in their later teens, but Hunter believes he’s destined to be forever smaller than his friends. “Everyone knows that Eagle Creek Middle School is haunted. Right, John?” Nudging his best friend in the ribs, Hunter shovels more of his dad’s famous meatloaf into his mouth.“Umm…sure,” John confirms, glancing briefly at a scowling Mrs. Wolf. His cheeks burning, he sets his own fork down, feeling a need to explain himself. At sixteen, he’s two years older than Hunter and has a greater sense of accountability than his friend.“The story goes, that some fifty years ago, there was a horrible accident in the boiler room under the school.”“Is that what they used for heat?” Ally asks, interrupting her brother.“Yeah,” John confirms. “I think they converted the school to a regular furnace some time ago, but the boiler is still there, because it’s too expensive to remove it. Anyway,” he continues, looking around the table at his captive audience, “the janitor pretty much worked there his whole life. He knew what he was doing, but that night, something went terribly wrong and he died in the mishap. Ever since, on cold nights, you can hear the sounds of his ghost wandering the basement under the school, trying to fix the boiler.”“Oh, please,” Sam laughs it off. “That’s not even all that impressive, as far as ghost stories go! But…” pausing with her glass of water halfway to her mouth, she slams it back down and spins towards Ally. “We should use that in the haunted house!” she shouts, bouncing in her chair. “Have John dress up in an old janitor suit, or something.”“Uhhmm,” Ethan clears his throat loudly, while staring pointedly at his daughter. “Samantha, do you really think that would be in good taste?”“Yeah, Samantha,” Hunter adds, not missing a chance to tease his sister. “Why would we want to waste our time running around in a stupid kid’s thing, anyway?”“Because it’s for a good cause,” Ally argues. “And I agree with your dad,” she adds, turning back to Sam. “If someone really did die, I wouldn’t want to make light of it. There’s a ton of other things we can have them dress up as,” she quickly ads, seeing the defeated look on Sam’s face. “John would make a good Frankenstein!”
Author Bio:
Author Tara Ellis lives in a small, rural town in Washington State, set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She enjoys the quiet lifestyle with her husband, two teenage kids and several dogs. Tara was a firefighter/EMT, and worked in the medical field for many years, before committing herself to writing young adult and middle grade novels full-time. (she still dabbles in teaching CPR)
Amazon author page
Facebook author page
May 15, 2016
Free Ebook!
The fourth book in The Samantha Wolf Mysteries is FREE until 5/17!!
Middle school presents a new kind of challenge for Sam and Ally, but also a chance to make a unique friend. When one of their teachers needs help, the three of them come together to lend her support.
Nestled in the woods that surround their homes is Covington Ranch. An abandoned estate once used to raise famous horses, a family tragedy has left it forgotten and neglected. But someone has come back.What does their teacher, a rich stockbroker, and a stolen ruby called The Eye of Orion all have in common? Sam and Ally vow to find out, and in doing so, start a chain reaction. It could either have dire consequences for those involved, or bring a broken family back together again.
Middle school presents a new kind of challenge for Sam and Ally, but also a chance to make a unique friend. When one of their teachers needs help, the three of them come together to lend her support.
Nestled in the woods that surround their homes is Covington Ranch. An abandoned estate once used to raise famous horses, a family tragedy has left it forgotten and neglected. But someone has come back.What does their teacher, a rich stockbroker, and a stolen ruby called The Eye of Orion all have in common? Sam and Ally vow to find out, and in doing so, start a chain reaction. It could either have dire consequences for those involved, or bring a broken family back together again.
May 12, 2016
Remember to Breathe
I have a big weekend coming up. First, another Bookbub ad for one of my middle grade books, and at the same time, I'm putting the next one in the series up for pre-order. (It will be released on the 27th) Not to mention an out-of-town trip for my sons college conference track meet! (GO BRANDON!)
I've been going full-steam with a lot of things, and I need to stop and take a breath. I often do this by getting out into nature, so I went on a couple of solo hikes the past couple of weeks. Not only did I get some much needed exercise, but there is a renewal that takes place for me, deep in the woods. I'm blessed to live in a gorgeous area, where I can drive for an hour (or less) in any direction and have an incredible variety of settings. Ocean to the West, the Cascade Mountains (and volcanoes!) to the East. Seattle to the South (although I avoid it) and lakes and trails to the North.
I also like to call myself a photographer, but I haven't been keeping up on that hobby lately, and I think my blog reflects it. I can tell when I'm stressed, because I pull back from the things that relax me the most. Isn't that ironic?
So. My point, I guess, in sharing this is to remind you that while it's good to stay focused and moving forward with your goals, don't lose yourself in it. Remember to stop and decompress every once in a while!
To help encourage myself, I'm going to share some of my favorite serene settings. Places that I have either returned to multiple times due to their calming effect, or want to return to. I may or may not have shared these before!
This is by far my #1 spot. Flathead Lake, Montana in Blue Bay. It holds special meaning for me. I have come to this exact location since I was a child, for family reunions and camping trips. Hours spent in the sun with my grandma and grandpa(who is gone now). Mom, Dad, sister, cousins, and numerous aunts and uncles. This is Native American property, and it really does feel sacred. I know that might sound corny ... but I don't care! :)
Mount Baker National Park. This is one of the trails that runs along the shore of Baker Lake. Yes, this is really how it looks ... almost magical. There are a couple of spots, when you come around a bend and the silence hits you like a physical force. There were a few times when I just had to stop and literally sit down on the trail and just soak up all of that silence/stillness. It's SO good for the soul! The picture below is the view from one of the hike-in campgrounds, of Mount Baker at dusk. Can you picture yourself sitting there, just being still and amazed at the beauty surrounding you?
Mount Rainier National Park. The picture above is one I took at Reflection Lake (aptly named). You get there by taking The Road to Paradise. I'll admit, that while this is one my all-time favorite pictures, and the beauty and serenity of the place is undeniable, I don't know if I'll ever get back there again. The road absolutely terrified me. I don't do well with narrow, high, no guardrail roads! The image below, however, is of Silver Falls, also in the park. I have hiked the trail to it several times now, and it has turned into a summer tradition for my sister and I. We call it camp TarDuly (my sisters name is Dulcy). Corny? Yes, but there is nothing more relaxing than a family tradition filled with positive experiences and memories, in this magical setting!!
These last two picture are from my very own neighborhood. Yup! If I don't have time to go for a drive somewhere, all I have to do is step outside. I call the image above, 'silence'. It's at the end of my road (about a mile from my house), where the slough converges with the mighty skagit river. Just breath that in. ;) The picture below is also down the street from my house. The fields often flood in the winter, and the snow geese and trumpeter swans love it. I waited for a couple of weeks to catch this image of the setting sun, with the geese/swans on calm water. (it was usually raining!)
This is it for now. I know that I need to get back to producing some new images. It's been a while, and that isn't healthy for my soul. I hope that perhaps this might inspire you to look into some new areas around where YOU live, to start building those memories!!!
I've been going full-steam with a lot of things, and I need to stop and take a breath. I often do this by getting out into nature, so I went on a couple of solo hikes the past couple of weeks. Not only did I get some much needed exercise, but there is a renewal that takes place for me, deep in the woods. I'm blessed to live in a gorgeous area, where I can drive for an hour (or less) in any direction and have an incredible variety of settings. Ocean to the West, the Cascade Mountains (and volcanoes!) to the East. Seattle to the South (although I avoid it) and lakes and trails to the North.
I also like to call myself a photographer, but I haven't been keeping up on that hobby lately, and I think my blog reflects it. I can tell when I'm stressed, because I pull back from the things that relax me the most. Isn't that ironic?
So. My point, I guess, in sharing this is to remind you that while it's good to stay focused and moving forward with your goals, don't lose yourself in it. Remember to stop and decompress every once in a while!
To help encourage myself, I'm going to share some of my favorite serene settings. Places that I have either returned to multiple times due to their calming effect, or want to return to. I may or may not have shared these before!
This is by far my #1 spot. Flathead Lake, Montana in Blue Bay. It holds special meaning for me. I have come to this exact location since I was a child, for family reunions and camping trips. Hours spent in the sun with my grandma and grandpa(who is gone now). Mom, Dad, sister, cousins, and numerous aunts and uncles. This is Native American property, and it really does feel sacred. I know that might sound corny ... but I don't care! :)
Mount Baker National Park. This is one of the trails that runs along the shore of Baker Lake. Yes, this is really how it looks ... almost magical. There are a couple of spots, when you come around a bend and the silence hits you like a physical force. There were a few times when I just had to stop and literally sit down on the trail and just soak up all of that silence/stillness. It's SO good for the soul! The picture below is the view from one of the hike-in campgrounds, of Mount Baker at dusk. Can you picture yourself sitting there, just being still and amazed at the beauty surrounding you?
Mount Rainier National Park. The picture above is one I took at Reflection Lake (aptly named). You get there by taking The Road to Paradise. I'll admit, that while this is one my all-time favorite pictures, and the beauty and serenity of the place is undeniable, I don't know if I'll ever get back there again. The road absolutely terrified me. I don't do well with narrow, high, no guardrail roads! The image below, however, is of Silver Falls, also in the park. I have hiked the trail to it several times now, and it has turned into a summer tradition for my sister and I. We call it camp TarDuly (my sisters name is Dulcy). Corny? Yes, but there is nothing more relaxing than a family tradition filled with positive experiences and memories, in this magical setting!!
These last two picture are from my very own neighborhood. Yup! If I don't have time to go for a drive somewhere, all I have to do is step outside. I call the image above, 'silence'. It's at the end of my road (about a mile from my house), where the slough converges with the mighty skagit river. Just breath that in. ;) The picture below is also down the street from my house. The fields often flood in the winter, and the snow geese and trumpeter swans love it. I waited for a couple of weeks to catch this image of the setting sun, with the geese/swans on calm water. (it was usually raining!)
This is it for now. I know that I need to get back to producing some new images. It's been a while, and that isn't healthy for my soul. I hope that perhaps this might inspire you to look into some new areas around where YOU live, to start building those memories!!!
May 2, 2016
Descent, Into the Darkness
My designer, Mel at Melchelle Designs, has done it again! Look at this stunning cover she made for Descent! I always liked the old cover, but this one is really a winner. My daughter, Megan, is once again the gorgeous model.
Amazon Link
Blurb:
An ancient ruler returns to Earth, forcing those who remain to choose sides. Alex, prophesized to lead the resistance, is a reluctant pawn in a war without clear victors.
The Shiners are not only an enemy, but also an army of emotionless killers who wear the faces of loved ones. In this twisted landscape, it’s hard to know which side you should be fighting for.
Unsure of what she's become, Alex battles her own tormented emotions to find the truth. Can she rise above the darkness? Or will she ultimately descend into its cold embrace?
Available now on Amazon!
Amazon Link
Blurb:
An ancient ruler returns to Earth, forcing those who remain to choose sides. Alex, prophesized to lead the resistance, is a reluctant pawn in a war without clear victors.
The Shiners are not only an enemy, but also an army of emotionless killers who wear the faces of loved ones. In this twisted landscape, it’s hard to know which side you should be fighting for.
Unsure of what she's become, Alex battles her own tormented emotions to find the truth. Can she rise above the darkness? Or will she ultimately descend into its cold embrace?
Available now on Amazon!
April 18, 2016
Infected: A New Cover & Title for Bloodline
About a year after I first released Bloodline, I realized that I might have made a mistake with the title. In a time when stories of Vampires was rampant, the immediate impression was that this fit that genre. I have absolutely nothing against these types of tales (I've been known to read them), but Boodline is something entirely different.
I struggled with the cover, initially trying to design my own (one of the pit falls I have cautioned other indie authors about). I finally came around, and had a professional cover done. While I loved it (and still do), it took me another year to notice that the girl on the front, along with the font, only added to the misconception. We re designed it. It was even better...but what I recently (finally) acknowledged, was that it would have to be completely redone in order to fit the scifi genre, and also to convey to a browsing reader what was really inside the cover.
I approached the design and book blurb process in the wrong way. Maybe another author can learn from this. I held back. I was afraid to reveal too much of the mystery, but in doing so, I left the reader too far into the dark, to know if they were even interested in the story!
I took a big breath (okay, several), and took the plunge. New title, new cover, new beginnings. I KNOW this trilogy has a ton of potential, but if the appropriate readers never even get the opportunity to read it...well, it's simply going to simmer on the lonely back pages of Amazon.
I am in still in the process of updating everything. After nearly three years of being out there, fifty five reviews and several book contests, I have a lot of work to do. I feel, however, that it will be worth it.
Here's the lowdown:
Title: Infected, The Shiners (Book 1 of the Forgotten Origins Trilogy)
Blurb:
An alien plague. A sixteen-year-old girl. A fight to save the world.
When a rare meteor shower unleashes a mind-altering infection, the people Alex loves begin to change. They’re smarter, faster, emotionless, and they have a plan. One that doesn’t include her.
Guided by cryptic clues left behind by her deceased father, Alex follows a trail of increasingly shocking discoveries. Earth’s history isn’t what she learned in school, and a new hive mind threatens to rewrite the future.
Alex is a fighter, but pursued by both friends and an unknown enemy, it will take everything she has to fulfill her destiny. Desperate to save her little brother, she flees to the mountains surrounding her home, where the only chance for humanity has lain hidden for thousands of years.
LINK: Amazon link(2.99 or FREE with Kindle Unlimited)
I am SO excited about this re-release/face lift for the first full length novel I ever published. The interior files are the same, so the story has NOT changed.
The other covers are also going through a revamp, in order to match the first, and I should have those out in the next couple of weeks!
I struggled with the cover, initially trying to design my own (one of the pit falls I have cautioned other indie authors about). I finally came around, and had a professional cover done. While I loved it (and still do), it took me another year to notice that the girl on the front, along with the font, only added to the misconception. We re designed it. It was even better...but what I recently (finally) acknowledged, was that it would have to be completely redone in order to fit the scifi genre, and also to convey to a browsing reader what was really inside the cover.
I approached the design and book blurb process in the wrong way. Maybe another author can learn from this. I held back. I was afraid to reveal too much of the mystery, but in doing so, I left the reader too far into the dark, to know if they were even interested in the story!
I took a big breath (okay, several), and took the plunge. New title, new cover, new beginnings. I KNOW this trilogy has a ton of potential, but if the appropriate readers never even get the opportunity to read it...well, it's simply going to simmer on the lonely back pages of Amazon.
I am in still in the process of updating everything. After nearly three years of being out there, fifty five reviews and several book contests, I have a lot of work to do. I feel, however, that it will be worth it.
Here's the lowdown:
Title: Infected, The Shiners (Book 1 of the Forgotten Origins Trilogy)
Blurb:
An alien plague. A sixteen-year-old girl. A fight to save the world.
When a rare meteor shower unleashes a mind-altering infection, the people Alex loves begin to change. They’re smarter, faster, emotionless, and they have a plan. One that doesn’t include her.
Guided by cryptic clues left behind by her deceased father, Alex follows a trail of increasingly shocking discoveries. Earth’s history isn’t what she learned in school, and a new hive mind threatens to rewrite the future.
Alex is a fighter, but pursued by both friends and an unknown enemy, it will take everything she has to fulfill her destiny. Desperate to save her little brother, she flees to the mountains surrounding her home, where the only chance for humanity has lain hidden for thousands of years.
LINK: Amazon link(2.99 or FREE with Kindle Unlimited)
I am SO excited about this re-release/face lift for the first full length novel I ever published. The interior files are the same, so the story has NOT changed.
The other covers are also going through a revamp, in order to match the first, and I should have those out in the next couple of weeks!
April 2, 2016
Finders Keepers, New Release from J.J. DiBenedetto
I'm happy to share this new, exciting book from a great author! Check this out, and pick up a copy!
1,400 miles. 3 countries 2 men she can't trust. What could go wrong?
FINDERS KEEPERS is the first book in the new Jane Barnaby Adventures series:
It's available everywhere eBooks are sold: Amazon (Kindle or Paperback) Smashwords Barnes & Noble (Nook or Paperback) Apple iBookstore Kobo
About the author J.J. (James) Dibenedetto's fans would swear he's got a sixth sense when it comes to seeing into the minds of others and often wonder if his stories could possibly be fiction. He enjoys suspending disbelief with suspenseful paranormal tales that are a perfect blend of reality meets fantasy. His popular Dream Series continues to delight readers with each and every exciting installment. Born in Yonkers, New York, he currently resides in Arlington Virginia with his beautiful wife and a cat he is sure has taken full advantage of its nine lives. When it comes to the cat, he often wonders, but then again it might just be his imagination. You can follow him at his website, on Facebook and on Twitter. And you can find all his books (including the complete Dream Series) on Amazon and on audiobook at Audible.com
Here's an excerpt from Finders Keepers:
Last, but not least, to celebrate the launch of FINDERS KEEPERS, I'm giving away a signed paperback copy of either this new book, or any one of my Dream Series novels (winner's choice). For your chance to win, just click HERE to enter!)
1,400 miles. 3 countries 2 men she can't trust. What could go wrong?
FINDERS KEEPERS is the first book in the new Jane Barnaby Adventures series:
It should have been a simple job. All archaeology student Jane Barnaby had to do was pick up a box her professor needed and deliver it to him at his dig site, along with his new car. Yes, his office was in Oxfordshire, and his dig site was in Spain, a trip of 1,400 miles across three countries and two bodies of water. Still, it should have been simple. And it was, until Jane discovered she picked up the wrong box by mistake. Not the one with boring pottery samples, but instead the one with priceless ancient Egyptian artifacts. The one that a team of international art thieves is after. Now she’s chasing – and being chased by – the thieves. And she’s picked up a pair of passengers who claim they can help her outwit them, get her professor’s pottery back and return the artifacts to their rightful owner. If only she could figure out which one of them is working with the thieves and which one she can trust in this high-stakes game of finders keepers.
It's available everywhere eBooks are sold: Amazon (Kindle or Paperback) Smashwords Barnes & Noble (Nook or Paperback) Apple iBookstore Kobo
About the author J.J. (James) Dibenedetto's fans would swear he's got a sixth sense when it comes to seeing into the minds of others and often wonder if his stories could possibly be fiction. He enjoys suspending disbelief with suspenseful paranormal tales that are a perfect blend of reality meets fantasy. His popular Dream Series continues to delight readers with each and every exciting installment. Born in Yonkers, New York, he currently resides in Arlington Virginia with his beautiful wife and a cat he is sure has taken full advantage of its nine lives. When it comes to the cat, he often wonders, but then again it might just be his imagination. You can follow him at his website, on Facebook and on Twitter. And you can find all his books (including the complete Dream Series) on Amazon and on audiobook at Audible.com
Here's an excerpt from Finders Keepers:
The thieves simply made a mistake. Whether Tom had put his box in the wrong room, or whether the thieves had gotten their wires crossed, who knew? She’d had trouble reading Professor Welldon’s writing; she hadn’t been sure if she was meant to go to Room 16 or Room 18 herself. It hadn’t mattered because the thieves had already gotten there and made the choice for her. “When they finally got where they were going, they opened it up, and you can imagine their surprise.” Jane noted the vagueness there; she assumed Alex knew exactly where that was and, for whatever reason, didn’t want to say. She didn’t challenge him; she kept up her happy façade instead, and he went on. “They knew they couldn’t go back and steal the right box, but they had the label on your pottery, they knew where it was supposed to go.” “They’re headed to Mallorca!” Jane couldn’t help herself; the words just poured out. “They’re going to wait there until I show up and try to trade, the pottery for the artifacts!” She knew she’d said too much. Alex’s eyes lit up, just for an instant, when she mentioned Mallorca. That was something, obviously, he hadn’t known. But he caught himself almost immediately, and so did she. She wondered if he knew that she knew he was putting on an act. She wondered if he knew that she knew that he knew she was, too. And she wondered if she had any aspirin in her purse, because that train of thought was giving her a headache.
Last, but not least, to celebrate the launch of FINDERS KEEPERS, I'm giving away a signed paperback copy of either this new book, or any one of my Dream Series novels (winner's choice). For your chance to win, just click HERE to enter!)
March 29, 2016
New Release, Competing With the Star
I'm happy to share this newest release, by author Krysten Lindsay Hager, Competing With The Star.
COMPETING WITH THE STAR by Krysten Lindsay HagerGenre: Young Adult
SYNOPSIS – Hadley Daniels’s life seems perfect…Before the beginning of sophomore year of high school, Hadley and her family move to a beautiful beach town, where she makes amazing new friends and lands the boyfriend of her dreams—Nick Jenkins. He’s the kind of guy every girl swoons over, and it isn’t long until Hadley discovers some are still swooning.A famous ex-girlfriend makes matters more complicated…After some time dating, Hadley and Nick form a deep bond. But insecurity sets in when Hadley discovers her boyfriend once had a huge crush on her friend—who just happens to be the beautiful former teen TV star, Simone Hendrickson.The past is the past—or so they say…Hadley confronts Nick, who confesses about his history with Simone. Though he claims to only have eyes for Hadley now, it’s hard to believe—especially when she’s blindsided with the news that Nick and Simone kissed after school.Now Hadley must determine who is telling the truth. Love, betrayal, friendship…who needs soap opera drama when you’re busy competing with a star?
SHORT BLURB:Two days passed and Nick hadn’t called again. I couldn’t blame him. After all, I had pushed for him to be honest and then had bailed on him. I’m sure he was mad at me for telling him he could tell me the truth and then I punished him for it—and he would be right. I couldn’t handle the icky feelings, and instead of being a big girl and dealing with them, I came home from school and retreated into the world of books. A world where people were kidnapped, jewels were stolen, but nobody’s heart ever got broken because in my favorite series, The Raven Chronicles, Raven’s boyfriend, Fernando, was ever faithful and loyal and would never even look at another girl. He was the perfect book boyfriend. In other words, he was fictional and didn’t exist.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Krysten Lindsay Hager is an obsessive reader and has never met a bookstore she didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and humor essayist, and writes for teens, tweens, and adults. She is the author of the Landry’s True Colors Series and her work has been featured in USA Today and named as Amazon’s #1 Hot New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Values and Virtues Fiction and Amazon’s #1 Hot New Releases in Children’s Books on Values. She’s originally from Michigan and has lived in South Dakota, Portugal, and southwestern Ohio. She received her master’s degree from the University of Michigan-Flint.
WEBSITE: http://www.krystenlindsay.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/krystenlindsay/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KrystenLindsayFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KrystenLindsayHagerAuthorPINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/krystenlindsay/
Buy links:Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.com/B01CQ47Z2SAmazon Paperback: http://amzn.com/1680585495Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0149HTAK0Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/competing-with-the-star-krysten-lindsay-hager/1123539654?ean=9781680585490
What readers are saying about Competing with the Star:
From Reader’s Favorite: Competing With The Star is the continuation of Krysten Lindsay Hager's epic YA drama series, The Star Series. Through a captivating plot, amazing character development, and Krysten's flawless writing, the story captures the true essence of the drama, confusion, and emotional high that is teenage romance. It brings to life the beauty of YA romance with all its uncertainties and possibilities. In the midst of all the drama, confusion, and romance, the story also gives off a beautiful and serene sense of family. I especially loved how the book dived into the story right away, and captured the genuine feeling of the story down to details, language, and interaction between the characters. Lovers of YA romance will definitely love The Star Series.
From Katie’s Clean Book Collection:Oh, the feels! Krysten Lindsay Hager has a way of drawing me right back to my high school days with her writing--feelings and all. This book is a continuation of Next Door to a Star. Hadley is now settling in and a new boyfriend, Nick, really helps her feel like she belongs. What girl hasn't felt insecure at one time or another when trying to figure out if "he loves me, he loves me not?" Hadley is real. She has real struggles, real strengths, real reactions, and real emotions. Nick once had a crush on former TV star, Simone, and although Simone swears her friendship with Hadley means more to than anything, but oftentimes, actions speak louder than words and Simone is an actress...
Nick is a great boyfriend, especially for a first relationship, as he and Hadley have a lot in common. Many assumptions lead to drama and realizations as Hadley, Nick, and their friends try and navigate the confusing roads of teenage life. I love how this story seems to unfold like a TV show--easy to picture and imagine. The characters and situations are vibrant, almost leaping off the pages and I felt like I was either a fly on the wall or a silent friend, sitting smack in the thick of it. I love the dynamics and can't wait for more to the story!
COMPETING WITH THE STAR by Krysten Lindsay HagerGenre: Young Adult
SYNOPSIS – Hadley Daniels’s life seems perfect…Before the beginning of sophomore year of high school, Hadley and her family move to a beautiful beach town, where she makes amazing new friends and lands the boyfriend of her dreams—Nick Jenkins. He’s the kind of guy every girl swoons over, and it isn’t long until Hadley discovers some are still swooning.A famous ex-girlfriend makes matters more complicated…After some time dating, Hadley and Nick form a deep bond. But insecurity sets in when Hadley discovers her boyfriend once had a huge crush on her friend—who just happens to be the beautiful former teen TV star, Simone Hendrickson.The past is the past—or so they say…Hadley confronts Nick, who confesses about his history with Simone. Though he claims to only have eyes for Hadley now, it’s hard to believe—especially when she’s blindsided with the news that Nick and Simone kissed after school.Now Hadley must determine who is telling the truth. Love, betrayal, friendship…who needs soap opera drama when you’re busy competing with a star?
SHORT BLURB:Two days passed and Nick hadn’t called again. I couldn’t blame him. After all, I had pushed for him to be honest and then had bailed on him. I’m sure he was mad at me for telling him he could tell me the truth and then I punished him for it—and he would be right. I couldn’t handle the icky feelings, and instead of being a big girl and dealing with them, I came home from school and retreated into the world of books. A world where people were kidnapped, jewels were stolen, but nobody’s heart ever got broken because in my favorite series, The Raven Chronicles, Raven’s boyfriend, Fernando, was ever faithful and loyal and would never even look at another girl. He was the perfect book boyfriend. In other words, he was fictional and didn’t exist.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Krysten Lindsay Hager is an obsessive reader and has never met a bookstore she didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and humor essayist, and writes for teens, tweens, and adults. She is the author of the Landry’s True Colors Series and her work has been featured in USA Today and named as Amazon’s #1 Hot New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Values and Virtues Fiction and Amazon’s #1 Hot New Releases in Children’s Books on Values. She’s originally from Michigan and has lived in South Dakota, Portugal, and southwestern Ohio. She received her master’s degree from the University of Michigan-Flint.
WEBSITE: http://www.krystenlindsay.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/krystenlindsay/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KrystenLindsayFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KrystenLindsayHagerAuthorPINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/krystenlindsay/
Buy links:Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.com/B01CQ47Z2SAmazon Paperback: http://amzn.com/1680585495Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0149HTAK0Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/competing-with-the-star-krysten-lindsay-hager/1123539654?ean=9781680585490
What readers are saying about Competing with the Star:
From Reader’s Favorite: Competing With The Star is the continuation of Krysten Lindsay Hager's epic YA drama series, The Star Series. Through a captivating plot, amazing character development, and Krysten's flawless writing, the story captures the true essence of the drama, confusion, and emotional high that is teenage romance. It brings to life the beauty of YA romance with all its uncertainties and possibilities. In the midst of all the drama, confusion, and romance, the story also gives off a beautiful and serene sense of family. I especially loved how the book dived into the story right away, and captured the genuine feeling of the story down to details, language, and interaction between the characters. Lovers of YA romance will definitely love The Star Series.
From Katie’s Clean Book Collection:Oh, the feels! Krysten Lindsay Hager has a way of drawing me right back to my high school days with her writing--feelings and all. This book is a continuation of Next Door to a Star. Hadley is now settling in and a new boyfriend, Nick, really helps her feel like she belongs. What girl hasn't felt insecure at one time or another when trying to figure out if "he loves me, he loves me not?" Hadley is real. She has real struggles, real strengths, real reactions, and real emotions. Nick once had a crush on former TV star, Simone, and although Simone swears her friendship with Hadley means more to than anything, but oftentimes, actions speak louder than words and Simone is an actress...
Nick is a great boyfriend, especially for a first relationship, as he and Hadley have a lot in common. Many assumptions lead to drama and realizations as Hadley, Nick, and their friends try and navigate the confusing roads of teenage life. I love how this story seems to unfold like a TV show--easy to picture and imagine. The characters and situations are vibrant, almost leaping off the pages and I felt like I was either a fly on the wall or a silent friend, sitting smack in the thick of it. I love the dynamics and can't wait for more to the story!
March 26, 2016
Box Set On Sale For .99!
Now is your chance to get the first three, full-length novels in my middle grade mystery series, The Samantha Wolf Mysteries, for only .99!
LINK TO BOOK
I had my first paid BookBub sale yesterday, on the box set, and I am extremely happy with the results so far! The Samantha Wolf Mysteries is a Best Seller in three genres, and currently #18 on the main children's ebooks list! (#480 over all on Amazon!)
The series is being called a 'Modern Nancy Drew', and the response from readers has been amazing.
Pick up your box set today, for less than a dollar, and discover this new series for you OR your kids. Don't worry, it's a series you can read together.
LINK TO BOOK
I had my first paid BookBub sale yesterday, on the box set, and I am extremely happy with the results so far! The Samantha Wolf Mysteries is a Best Seller in three genres, and currently #18 on the main children's ebooks list! (#480 over all on Amazon!)
The series is being called a 'Modern Nancy Drew', and the response from readers has been amazing.
Pick up your box set today, for less than a dollar, and discover this new series for you OR your kids. Don't worry, it's a series you can read together.
March 19, 2016
Update on My Experience with Kindle Unlimited
Back in July, I wrote a BLOG ARTICLE about the new algorithms for Kindle Unlimited, with pages read, and what my experience was with it to date.
Here we are, about eight months later, and I thought it was about time for me to check back in.
I have to say, that I'm a little surprised myself, after reading back over my own words. Feel free to follow the above link to my original article, where I describe the program in detail. Rather than reiterate everything here, I'm going to paste in the short version of what KENP is, from my original blog:
***
What is it?
The Kindle Edition Normalized Pages, is a new way of measuring pages read in the Kindle Unlimited Program. The Kindle Unlimited Program is offered through Amazon to readers. For $10 a month, they gain unlimited access to over 800,000 books and audible books. I think it's a great program, and for avid readers, it is certainly worth the money. How does a book become part of the program? By being offered exclusively through Amazon, or the KDP (Kindle Direct Program). This is where it gets a little more complicated.
***
That's it in a nutshell. So instead of being paid a flat rate once someone reads the first 10% of your book, you get paid a variable amount per page read. (I believe this past month was .049 per page) Again, read my original blog to get the low-down on the changes last summer, and what the concerns for us authors were. (and still are)
Even with the amount paid per pages read going down a bit since this was implemented, I am still very happy with it, and the choice I made to put all of my books into it. The general consensus that I have read from other indie authors, is that they make as much (or more) from pages read, as they do from sales. That's big. The flip-side, is that successful authors (I consider making enough to live off sales as successful...so over a couple thousand a month) have also seen a general decline in sales, because of (they believe) the program. SO...I think the big question, is does the KENP program make up for the decline?
Here is a current graph from my KDP page, showing pages read for this month:
This has been a slow month for me, too. I have to come clean on the fact that my numbers might be skewed, because I have had a couple of BookBub ads run in the past six months. Sales have a MAJOR impact on the pages read. I can't emphasize that enough. If you have a big sale, you will likely make MORE (eventually) off the pages read, than you do sales. But you have to be patient. It takes a few days to a week or more before you really see the uptick.
However, even with this being a slow month, compare that to my first graph I shared this past summer:
I now measure my numbers (pages read) in the thousands, vs hundreds. I've made around 50$ this month so far in the KENP program, which is about even with my profit from sales. I have seven full-length novels out and a short story. Not an incredible amount of works, but I'm certainly not a newbie. But let's be real. Those of you reading this. If you are an indie author and have been published for less than two or three years, chances are your numbers aren't any better than this, or you might even dream of the day that they reflect this. Just a year ago, I made less than fifty in a month. Not long before that, I made about ten dollars a month. Even with a completed trilogy, I averaged about one download a week...and there's a good chance it was one that I GAVE AWAY.
This is a tough, and sometimes seemingly impossible market. It's very easy to get beat down, and it's stuff like Kindle Unlimited, KENP, and going exclusive to Amazon that rob us of our sleep. What is the right choice?
I think the answer is a bit different for all of us. For me, I have a MG mystery series and a YA scifi trilogy. I have found these to be tough markets to break out in. Especially the YA market, which I am still drowning in. My middle grade books are the ones that were accepted by BookBub, and that are doing the best as a result of that. Aside from having decent writing/editing, I think the cover is perhaps the biggest issue. If you don't have a unique, professional cover yet...make this your priority. Seriously. You HAVE to. Look at my Amazon author page. While I like all of my covers, I think you will agree that the kids books are the best, and most unique. This is in part because I took my own custom photos of the girls and my designer worked the images into the covers.
Make it a priority.
My bottom line on KENP is that for me, it is a GOOD thing. A very good thing. However, I think that a whole lot of it has to do with the genre, length and number of books that you have. If you are already in the KDP program, why not try it? I really don't think you have a whole lot to lose, unless you are already incredibly successful and selling hundreds of copies a month. Most likely, you are like me. You are excited to have more than one sale a DAY, and 50-100 dollars a month in KENP would be a huge step forward for you.
So why not? Just do it, and see what happens. You can always pull your books out of it if things don't work to your advantage.
Here we are, about eight months later, and I thought it was about time for me to check back in.
I have to say, that I'm a little surprised myself, after reading back over my own words. Feel free to follow the above link to my original article, where I describe the program in detail. Rather than reiterate everything here, I'm going to paste in the short version of what KENP is, from my original blog:
***
What is it?
The Kindle Edition Normalized Pages, is a new way of measuring pages read in the Kindle Unlimited Program. The Kindle Unlimited Program is offered through Amazon to readers. For $10 a month, they gain unlimited access to over 800,000 books and audible books. I think it's a great program, and for avid readers, it is certainly worth the money. How does a book become part of the program? By being offered exclusively through Amazon, or the KDP (Kindle Direct Program). This is where it gets a little more complicated.
***
That's it in a nutshell. So instead of being paid a flat rate once someone reads the first 10% of your book, you get paid a variable amount per page read. (I believe this past month was .049 per page) Again, read my original blog to get the low-down on the changes last summer, and what the concerns for us authors were. (and still are)
Even with the amount paid per pages read going down a bit since this was implemented, I am still very happy with it, and the choice I made to put all of my books into it. The general consensus that I have read from other indie authors, is that they make as much (or more) from pages read, as they do from sales. That's big. The flip-side, is that successful authors (I consider making enough to live off sales as successful...so over a couple thousand a month) have also seen a general decline in sales, because of (they believe) the program. SO...I think the big question, is does the KENP program make up for the decline?
Here is a current graph from my KDP page, showing pages read for this month:
This has been a slow month for me, too. I have to come clean on the fact that my numbers might be skewed, because I have had a couple of BookBub ads run in the past six months. Sales have a MAJOR impact on the pages read. I can't emphasize that enough. If you have a big sale, you will likely make MORE (eventually) off the pages read, than you do sales. But you have to be patient. It takes a few days to a week or more before you really see the uptick.
However, even with this being a slow month, compare that to my first graph I shared this past summer:
I now measure my numbers (pages read) in the thousands, vs hundreds. I've made around 50$ this month so far in the KENP program, which is about even with my profit from sales. I have seven full-length novels out and a short story. Not an incredible amount of works, but I'm certainly not a newbie. But let's be real. Those of you reading this. If you are an indie author and have been published for less than two or three years, chances are your numbers aren't any better than this, or you might even dream of the day that they reflect this. Just a year ago, I made less than fifty in a month. Not long before that, I made about ten dollars a month. Even with a completed trilogy, I averaged about one download a week...and there's a good chance it was one that I GAVE AWAY.
This is a tough, and sometimes seemingly impossible market. It's very easy to get beat down, and it's stuff like Kindle Unlimited, KENP, and going exclusive to Amazon that rob us of our sleep. What is the right choice?
I think the answer is a bit different for all of us. For me, I have a MG mystery series and a YA scifi trilogy. I have found these to be tough markets to break out in. Especially the YA market, which I am still drowning in. My middle grade books are the ones that were accepted by BookBub, and that are doing the best as a result of that. Aside from having decent writing/editing, I think the cover is perhaps the biggest issue. If you don't have a unique, professional cover yet...make this your priority. Seriously. You HAVE to. Look at my Amazon author page. While I like all of my covers, I think you will agree that the kids books are the best, and most unique. This is in part because I took my own custom photos of the girls and my designer worked the images into the covers.
Make it a priority.
My bottom line on KENP is that for me, it is a GOOD thing. A very good thing. However, I think that a whole lot of it has to do with the genre, length and number of books that you have. If you are already in the KDP program, why not try it? I really don't think you have a whole lot to lose, unless you are already incredibly successful and selling hundreds of copies a month. Most likely, you are like me. You are excited to have more than one sale a DAY, and 50-100 dollars a month in KENP would be a huge step forward for you.
So why not? Just do it, and see what happens. You can always pull your books out of it if things don't work to your advantage.
February 25, 2016
Bracing For Impact: True Tales of Air Disasters and the People Who Survived Them
The authors of this enticing book, Bracing For Impact: True Tales of Air Disasters and the People Who Survived Them, reached out to me the other day, after seeing my short story, Getting Out Alive. It turns out that one of the authors doesn't live far from me, and we hope to do some collaborating this summer for book signings! Meanwhile, I want to share their book, a full-length novel which includes several individual stories of survival.
BRACING FOR IMPACT : True Tales of Air Disasters and The People Who Survived Them
“Surviving is a true blessing that few get to experience.”
Being strapped in the seat of a plane as it plunges into a nosedive midair is everyone’s worst nightmare.Bracing for Impact’s compilers and contributors know. They have both lived out that fear and survived, albeit badly hurt, in their own plane crashes.
In this collection of true-life survivor tales, people from all walks of life—a freelance writer, a crew member of the Lynyrd Skynyrd band, a naval flight surgeon, a teenager, and a newlywed on her honeymoon, among others—recount their traumatic narrow escapes as engines stalled, fuel ran out, hazardous weather conditions descended, and landings did not go according to plan. In the face of death, as life flashed before their eyes—or not, as some wryly note—these survivors encountered the terrific split of before and after the crash. Their lives, though preserved, would change forever.
Perhaps more significant than the crash itself is how each story plays out in the aftermath of the ordeal. In heart-wrenching, unrelenting honesty, these stories explore the wide spectrum of impacts on survivors—ranging from debilitating fear, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse, to a renewed sense of urgency, where survivors swear to live each day to the fullest and rededicate their lives to helping others.
Including the 1977 story of the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash that killed lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and vocalist Cassie Gaines, Bracing for Impact is as much a horrific account of air disasters as it is a celebration and recognition of the people who survived them.
BiographyLindy Philip has 20 years of major marketing and advertising experience behind her. An artist and mother of two active teenage boys, Lindy also has a personal insight into the subject matter after surviving the crash of a four-seat Cessna along with the pilot and her husband. The accident forced Lindy to face up to her worst fear, and it directly led to her role as a mother and wife with a keen appreciation for life.
The experience has not stopped Lindy from flying and living out her desires to travel. To this day she still flies, though she does prefer the smoother ride of larger airplanes. Lindy has told her survivor story numerous times in collaboration with her husband/soul mate and how the crash played a role in their destined union. The accident has also been the catalyst for this book, the collaboration with Robin and the creation of a Facebook "Plane Crash Survivors" group.
An avid gardener and traveller, Lindy lives on a Vancouver Island acreage outside Victoria with her survivor husband Benjamin, her two teenage sons, a tipi and a pair of goats.
Robin Suerig Holleran is a full-time freelance writer with 20 years experience. For most of her life, Robin had deluded herself that statistically she was one of the safest people to fly with after her step-grandfather was killed in a PanAm accident in Brazil. But her father and brother also survived two separate crashes! She won Honorable Mention at the 75th Writer's Digest Writing Competition for a personal essay about the plane crash entitled "Did you think you were going to die?"
Robin is a single mother with three kids in college, a dog, two cats, one lizard and a lot of energy. She loves adventure travel and has visited every continent in the world (except Antarctica, which she has no intention of going to because she doesn't particularly like being cold).
[image error]
BRACING FOR IMPACT : True Tales of Air Disasters and The People Who Survived Them
“Surviving is a true blessing that few get to experience.”
Being strapped in the seat of a plane as it plunges into a nosedive midair is everyone’s worst nightmare.Bracing for Impact’s compilers and contributors know. They have both lived out that fear and survived, albeit badly hurt, in their own plane crashes.
In this collection of true-life survivor tales, people from all walks of life—a freelance writer, a crew member of the Lynyrd Skynyrd band, a naval flight surgeon, a teenager, and a newlywed on her honeymoon, among others—recount their traumatic narrow escapes as engines stalled, fuel ran out, hazardous weather conditions descended, and landings did not go according to plan. In the face of death, as life flashed before their eyes—or not, as some wryly note—these survivors encountered the terrific split of before and after the crash. Their lives, though preserved, would change forever.
Perhaps more significant than the crash itself is how each story plays out in the aftermath of the ordeal. In heart-wrenching, unrelenting honesty, these stories explore the wide spectrum of impacts on survivors—ranging from debilitating fear, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse, to a renewed sense of urgency, where survivors swear to live each day to the fullest and rededicate their lives to helping others.
Including the 1977 story of the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash that killed lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and vocalist Cassie Gaines, Bracing for Impact is as much a horrific account of air disasters as it is a celebration and recognition of the people who survived them.
BiographyLindy Philip has 20 years of major marketing and advertising experience behind her. An artist and mother of two active teenage boys, Lindy also has a personal insight into the subject matter after surviving the crash of a four-seat Cessna along with the pilot and her husband. The accident forced Lindy to face up to her worst fear, and it directly led to her role as a mother and wife with a keen appreciation for life.
The experience has not stopped Lindy from flying and living out her desires to travel. To this day she still flies, though she does prefer the smoother ride of larger airplanes. Lindy has told her survivor story numerous times in collaboration with her husband/soul mate and how the crash played a role in their destined union. The accident has also been the catalyst for this book, the collaboration with Robin and the creation of a Facebook "Plane Crash Survivors" group.
An avid gardener and traveller, Lindy lives on a Vancouver Island acreage outside Victoria with her survivor husband Benjamin, her two teenage sons, a tipi and a pair of goats.
Robin Suerig Holleran is a full-time freelance writer with 20 years experience. For most of her life, Robin had deluded herself that statistically she was one of the safest people to fly with after her step-grandfather was killed in a PanAm accident in Brazil. But her father and brother also survived two separate crashes! She won Honorable Mention at the 75th Writer's Digest Writing Competition for a personal essay about the plane crash entitled "Did you think you were going to die?"
Robin is a single mother with three kids in college, a dog, two cats, one lizard and a lot of energy. She loves adventure travel and has visited every continent in the world (except Antarctica, which she has no intention of going to because she doesn't particularly like being cold).
[image error]
Making Progress
Just a little update!
As I shared in my last post, the adiobook for The Mystery of Hollow Inn is out! It's been about three weeks now and so far, I have gotten six very favorable reviews, so I've gaine ...more
As I shared in my last post, the adiobook for The Mystery of Hollow Inn is out! It's been about three weeks now and so far, I have gotten six very favorable reviews, so I've gaine ...more
- Tara Ellis's profile
- 240 followers
