Mother's Day Reading Blitz

There will be a live Giveaway event on Facebook for 

the Mother's Day Reading Blitz

It's hosted by Indie World Publishing & Author Services

Put the whole three-day weekend on your calendar 

Allow Mom to sign up for awesome gifts,

then shop for her next book, or stock up for her summer vacation.

Also note on your calendar the three day Mother's Day weekend, from May 9 - 11.  During those three days be sure to visit the Indie World Publishing & Author Services website to search through the 72 books by over 60 fantastic female authors which will be available for only $0.99!  That's 99 cents! Participating books can be found here so start looking now: http://www.indieworldpub.com/#!mdrb-books-by-genre/c1f28

On Saturday, May 10th, there will be a giant giveaway of lots of fantastic books written by female authors ~~ some on the book sale lists and some not.  All these books have strong female lead characters.  

There will also be other items available for giveaway.  The great news is you don't have to be a mother (or even a female) to join in the fun!  Just mark your calendars and get ready to enter each contest for your chance to win!  Oh - and invite all your friends and family!  We'll be expecting to see you there!

For my part, I have 7 of my books posted for sale at the amazing low price of 99 cents.  I will also have two others to be given away.  Visit the site today for my listing of books in the variety of genres so you will know which ones you might be interested in purchasing. 

For the giveaway I've chosen my two children's books (see below) since they have no Kindle equivalent.  Click on the link below the picture to visit the Amazon page where you can read about them and see the reviews.  

If you win a book, or decide to buy one, please be considerate of the author and make a comment on the book's Amazon page about your reading experience.  It's not difficult.  Just scroll down the page to the write a customer review button and click.  There is even a Tips and Guidelines link highlighted on the review page if you want some hints on what to do.

DON'T FORGET TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR.  REMEMBER MOM AND WE'LL SEE YOU THERE.

http://www.amazon.com/Carousel-Pony-Make---Wish-Story/dp/1482336766

http://www.amazon.com/Theres-House-Judith-Victoria-Douglas/dp/1478361131

                            

Review On Novella #1 and Free Kindles

http://booksbyjvd.wordpress.com/2013/11/30/first-time-review-for-story-1-of-painted-tree-two-novellas/ 

This is the review posted on November 30 of Matthew Keith's review of In Blood There is no Honor, book 1 of Painted Tree: Two Novellas.  Book 2 is If I Could Only Sparkle, and doesn't yet have a separate review.  There are a couple of reviews for Painted Tree as a whole.

This weekend both individual Kindle editions of these two novellas are being offered for free on Amazon.  Be sure and take the opportunity to read the reviews and download one or both.

I am looking for reviews or even a comment on Amazon, maybe Goodreads also, so I will know how my readers like the stories.  Since they're free, please don't let me down.

My novel, Ariel's Cottage, in it's Kindle edition, The Price for Love, downloaded over 245 free copies and I have yet to receive even one short comment as a result.  I only got one promise.

My latest novel, One Unicorn Wish, was offered for free last weekend with 230 copies downloaded.  I'm still waiting to see how many of those readers are takers, but don't give back.

While the general population of readers don't have clue how important such comments and reviews are to an author's success or failure, most of those receiving notice of the available downloads are also authors.  Any disregard by fellow authors is both inconsiderate and blatant thievery when nothing is given in return, not even a thank you.  You see, I don't believe in giving my hard work away for free any more than a ship builder, cabinet maker, inventor, scientist or any professional would.  Yes, some self-governing professionals (writers are not among the self-governed) are expected to do some pro bono work, but writer's are at least given a little notoriety when they do something for charity.

I have stooped, yes, stooped to giving away only in hopes fellow authors will make a comment in return.  I understand some may yet be coming because authors are very busy folks.  I, myself, have several downloads I have yet to get time to read.  However, when I do, I post a review, always.  So I'm hoping those who have taken advantage of a free opportunity realize and appreciate the author's graciousness in providing, as a gift, the result of their hard work when accepting the opportunity to read the novels for free, and are not just taking advantage by disregarding the author's professional need for a public response.

I have arranged for other free giveaways for my Kindle works, but unlike an author with a big publisher paying an advance and sending out the free signed copies of books to those they know will give a good review, I do not receive any income and only hope the reviews the giveaway generates will bring about a few sales.

Please become aware of this need if you are not an author.  If you are an author please do not disregard your fellow authors, especially the independents one who are on their own to promote their work to the public.

It should go without saying and become a professional courtesy and each author should feel it an obligation to reciprocate with at least a short comment.  I think some have forgotten this defines a true professional, as in any other profession.  We should not be surprised when a fellow author receives a free copy and provides a review.  Nor should we feel disappointment when it doesn't occur.

It reflects badly on those who are given this gift, take it and don't respond, just as it does with your old Auntie when she sends a birthday or Christmas gift and you don't thank her.  Some of these "old fashioned" values are worth returning to and keeping.  It would make independents more professional in the eyes of those who taken care of by their publishers and have developed a sense of superiority over those who work for themselves.  Think about this sense of professionalism when you join the ranks of the published.

I published a review today for someone who I know from her postings works very hard on creative presentations to keep her publications before the public and in the minds of fellow authors.  I know she's been doing it for a while, obviously working very hard doing things I don't even know how to do.  Yet there were only 6 reviews.  I was shocked.  She must be an amazing individual to keep at it so continuously even after enough disappointment and frustration that would cause a lesser person to quit.  She is a true professional author.  And she writes very good stories I enjoy reading.  I only hope someone somewhere feels the same about me.  It's always nice to be appreciated.

Tree & Sky: The Secrets of Meshyah's World ~ FREE this Weekend ONLY

FREE GIVEAWAY***SATURDAY & SUNDAY ONLY~Oct.19 & 20

Download the events of Shy, Jazz and Ozzie in their future life on our southernmost continent under a Megadome.

Three stories, one each year of Shy's birthday and a major event that happened during the year begin her five-uear journal.  Many things about their life will amaze you.

Read the 4 & 5 star reviews for:
A Tree on My House, The Day the Sky Fell & Under a Honeycomb Sky.

These are only the beginning of their adventures.  Once Sky's five-year journal is complete they hope to find a way to send it back in time to warn of the things leading to their changed lifestyle.

Recommended for ages 9 years and up, including adults.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009Z1QHVQ

    

FREEBIES FOR THE WEEKEND

ATTENTION ALL READERS!

If you want to get a taste of my writing styles,  here is your chance.  

The Kindle editions of three of my publications are now available for FREE on Amazon.

MIRACLE BELLE, A Horse with a Secret, will be FREE starting Friday, September 27 through Tuesday, October 1.
http://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Belle-Secret-Twisted-ebook/dp/B00DT4GQ6Q

This short story is from my Twisted Vine anthology, and is a spin-off of my novel trilogy, Where the Horses Run.  It's appropriate for older children, especially those who are acquainted with a few breeding terms included ~ DNA, fetus(es), (frozen) semen and ova.  I would love comments because I've worried about the age group to present it to.

Ten-year-old Trisha loves Belle, and her scientist father is the one who recreates this first horse after all the horses in the world disappear. 

Here is the connection for my UK readers.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/.../dp/B00DT4GQ6Q

Today I added the Anthology itself.  So, if you really want to get acquainted with my writing styles, which are different for each story, and get a taste of a few published and to-be-published novels through excerpts, then download the Kindle of TWISTED VINE: An Anthology of Short Stories and Poems.  It will be available Saturday, September 28 through Wednesday, October 2.

http://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Vine-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00DJTUYSC

There are poems and the complete stories of truncated versions included in novels.  If you like romance, Sci-fi and/or fantasy, there will be stories to interest you.  Many have a twist in time.  One is a tribute to my favorite Doctor Who episode in poem.

Here is the UK connection:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Twisted-Vine-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00DJTUYSC

FREE FOR THE WEEKEND ONLY -- A PRICE FOR LOVE.  It’s the Kindle version of Ariel’s Cottage. the same romantic suspense that just received a five star review from a romantic suspense fan.  She was kind enough to post it for both books.
http://www.amazon.com/Price-Love-Ariels-Cottage-ebook/dp/B007RGJ7Q8

Here is the UK connection:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Price-Love-Ariels-Cottage-ebook/dp/B007RGJ7Q8

If you have a MAC, but no Kindle, there is a free Kindle download for your computer.

Latest Release

I'm excited to announce that the second book in my trilogy, Where the Horses Run, Sacred Hills, is now available.  Check it out on Amazon for the book or the Kindle from my author page HERE.
The Kindle Look Inside feature has the prologue to the middle of chapter four.  Read them to determine if this big book is for you.  If you haven't read Book I, Mass Extinction, check it out HERE.  It has the prologue to the first third of chapter five available for your reading determination.  I hope you find it intriguing.

Separating one from the Anthology

Miracle Belle, A Horse with a Secret, has Trisha, a ten year old girl, as a main character.  She'd never seen a horse until the filly was born, because entire equine species had vanished from the world.  Her father is the scientist who clones the first horse to survive.  Trisha falls in love and fights for the filly's right to live when problems are suspected. They become best friends, sharing their friendship more closely after a chance occurrence gives Belle a gift she only shares with Trisha.  After another surgery Belle no longer responds to Trisha so she's sure her friend has lost her gift.  She's so disappointed she complies with her father's wishes and goes off to boarding school.  Trisha doesn't see Belle again until she is grown, out of college, and Belle is old, retired from having any more foals.  They rediscover their friendship and Trisha learns of her grave misunderstanding all those years ago.

I thought the story would reach more young horse loving individuals if an inexpensive book and Kindle were available.  So, here it is and I hope you do enjoy it.

It's a spin-off of my trilogy, Where the Horses Run.  Anyone who's read Book I, Mass Extinction, will have a deeper understanding of the short story.  It takes place long after the trilogy story had ended.

It's only $.99 for the Kindle edition now and $3.50 for the little book by the end of the week.

Click HERE to go straight to the site.

Twisted Vine: An Anthology

This is the Amazon address for the Kindle version of my anthology, Twisted Vine.   It has the Look Inside benefit of seeing some of what you're getting.  It's only $2.99 and available through the Kindle Owner's Lending Library.  Check it out.  http://www.amazon.com/dp/BOODJTUYSC

The book version is also available now ~ only lists for $12, but Amazon is presently selling it for $11.40.  It doesn't

yet have the Look Inside benefit, but will soon.  You can find it here:  http://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Vine-Anthology-Short-Stories/dp/1478360720

As an anthology Twisted Vine is a genre assortment of my poems and short stories, a menagerie of tales spun of your enjoyment.  While Time is a theme, a twist in time conflicts a few.  Some appear in my published and yet-to-be-published novels and are here as stand-alone excerpts.  These include stories with Celtic backgrounds and of Native Americans.  Many are here for the first time.  Skim through the Contents, review the Introduction and learn how a variety can interest you.

  

'Tis Is Season

Tis the Season is an East Texas Writer's Association Anthology.  It's release date is June 25.  Its price is $14.99.  It will be available on Amazon, also in Kindle, and Barnes and Noble, also in Nook.  Purchase from the publisher, White Bird Publishing,  http://www.whitebirdpublishing.com, is also available.

The book contains a group of short stories and poems of various genres written by writers in East Texas.

There are four of works included:

Traveling Sands is a flash fiction. It won second place in a club contest.  It had a word limit and a bottle of sand as the prompter.  It's magic in this case.

Sweet Cherie Pie is a romantic short story.  It begins with the sentence that placed fifth, by readers vote, out of ten top Writer's Digest editor's choices from among four thousand entries.  The story begged to be written.

I also have two poems.  I Dream of Horses is from Book I of my Where the Horses Run trilogy, and O My Heart! is from the second novella, If I Could Only Sparkle, in my book Painted Tree: Two Novellas.

These four creative works are also included in my own Anthology, Twisted Vine, which will be available soon.