Readers' Favorite

September 21, 2013

Afternoon eBook Deal 9/21

It's a Double Deal Day!


Telling Vinnie Esposito to stay out of trouble is like telling a wolf not to howl at the moon.

But you can’t blame Vinnie this time. She’s just trying to be a Good Samaritan. How is Vinnie supposed to know that the little old lady, stranded at the side of the road, is a carjacker? And when Vinnie helps her artist friend paint a mural in a big, fancy mansion—how is she supposed to know that the owner is the biggest, most notorious, mobster in the state? And she can’t help it when she finds a dead body at the art show. 

And next thing you know her parents are fighting; and her boyfriend, hunky State Trooper Marcus Richmond, is mad at her; and her sexy, upstairs tenant, FBI agent Aaron Grant, is up to something. 

And Vinnie has to make everything right. 

But before she does that, it’s going to get even more wrong.

99 cents at Amazon and B&N

For Love of Livvy (Book 1) is FREE at Amazon and B&N


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Series Saturday: Article 5 (Books 1 and 2)

I was waiting to pick up some books I had on hold at the library and there was a display table of featured YA books. Breaking Point (Article 5, #2) by Kristen Simmons was on the table. It looked interesting, but I passed on it. However, I couldn't stop thinking about it so when I returned the books I had checked out I picked it up.

However, it is book 2 and I didn't realize it until I was a ways through Breaking Point. I finished it and then went back to Article 5. I don't think it mattered much that I read them out of order. From the mix reviews that Article 5 has, it might be better that I read Breaking Point first. All the way through book 1 I was trying to figure out how they got to where they were in Breaking Point.


Buy Article 5 at Amazon

In Kristen Simmons's dystopian universe there has been major war in the US. Whether the enemy was from within or without is unclear. Most of the major cities have been destroyed and there's a new regime in office. In a lot of ways, the society seemed to me to be like Hilter-era politics.  The Bill of Rights have been thrown out and in their place are the Moral Statues.

Embers suburban town has for the most part been untouched. They are cut off from the rest of the country as news and television is under government control. The economy is in shambles and everyone is struggling, but as long as you keep the statues then you're okay. Or so she thinks. Unfortunately, the government is tightening its control and enacts Article 5 - it's a crime to have a child out of wedlock. And the Article is retroactive.

The Article 5 series is a bit of a Hunger Games wannabe, but not as well written. Book 1 was better written than book 2. It is young adult, but I thought there was way too much repetition. Particularly in Breaking Point - I thought I might scream if I had to read 'he killed my mother' one more time. Like I said, I had the need to know how they got to where they were in Breaking Point driving me while reading Article 5. And while I enjoyed Breaking Point in the beginning about halfway through I stopped caring. Mostly it was the repetition and the book just felt it was being dragged out. It is kind of funny (not in the ha ha way though) in both books they are trying to make it to the safe house.

Buy Breaking Point at Amazon

Simmons does a good job of making Ember a believable 17 year old. I had more trouble figuring out the age of Chase and some of the other guys. Even the repetitiveness of Ember's thoughts were understandable, if a bit tiresome. She has lived a relatively sheltered life up to the point when Federal Bureau of Reformation soldiers show up at her door on an Article 5 violation. So she is confused and trying to reconcile in her mind who the good guys and the bad guys are when it's pretty much every man for themselves.

Overall, the series is decent. It moved a little too slowly for my liking. I would have liked to have seen more progress by the end of book 2, more answers to why the society has become what is has. Unlike in the Hunger Games, we have yet to see those that are in charge. Particularly in book 1, it seems to be a government of sadist, but all were are seeing are those the have been put into "leadership". The president is mentioned but it is more of an off handed comment, than insight into the regime. Breaking Point does thinly imply that the war may not be what the characters think it was.

Book 3, aptly named Three, is due out in February 2014. While I'm not anxiously awaiting its release, if I see it when it comes out I'll probably pick it up. How Breaking Point ends gives some hope that we might get some answers, but it could also be more of the same.

This series has perhaps the most variation in reviews of any book or series I've ever seen. Seriously, the reviews are all over the place. If you are trying to fill the void left by Hunger Games, you might want to pick up this series. It had some really good moments.

Pre-order Three at Amazon



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September 20, 2013

Afternoon eBook Deal 9/20

WOW!!!!! What an ending!!!!! ~ Brenda Perlin

"Imaginative," "intriguing," and "thought provoking" are just three of the terms I would use to describe the masterpiece that is Fateful Night... ~ Heidi Bird


Did Marilyn Monroe commit suicide? Did someone get away with an elaborate plot to murder the famous sex goddess? On that “Fateful Night” in August 1962 find out what may have happened to her and why she was killed. Many argue that she was involved in way too many secrets from different factions of the world. She was a smart woman who could play the dumb blonde to attain her stardom yet she unwittingly learned of conspiracy plots and political threats that would not only end her life but that of the current president, John F. Kennedy.

In this fast paced suspense every major player of the early sixties is involved, from the world politicians, to the Rat Pack, to Hollywood, and the mafia. What if Marilyn Monroe had lived and what if what she knew could have saved JFK? 
Fact or fiction? What if....

99 cents at Amazon


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B.Y. Rogers: The Iron Writer

The Iron Writer is a flash fiction contest that takes place every Thursday. Each challenge is comprised of four authors who are tasked with writing a five hundred word flash fiction piece in four days. The challenge is each story must utilize four diverse elements.

The Iron Writer began in the winter of 2013. It started when I was invited by a fellow indie author, Victoria Dougherty, to participate in a blog tour. I agreed to help her. I was expecting the ubiquitous Proust Questionnaire but was surprised and somewhat bewildered when asked to write flash fiction story. But I had committed before knowing precisely what she wanted and so I felt compelled to write the story.

What was intriguing was what happened. I was unable to fall asleep that night, worrying how to write the story. The next day, I did some quick research on one of the elements (a 1959 Zil III, which is a Russian armored vehicle used to ferry Politburo leaders around). Once I had that piece of information, I was surprised to what happened next. For whatever reason, my creativity woke up from its long slumber and has not gone back to bed since. I wrote the story, from start to finish (including editing) in under six hours. I emailed the story off then took a few minutes to just sit back and experience the experience. It was euphoric.

Just what had happened? Several years before, I had written the first draft of my novel in less than ten days. The experience was precisely the same. When I wrote that tome, I never suspected I could ever write a short story, let alone a flash fiction piece. Yet, just a few months afterwards, I wrote my first short. Now I was waiting flash fiction, with prompts and on a deadline. And I loved it!

I discovered that writing flash fiction, short, quick stories, using elements that have no recognizable connection is oddly addictive. What is curious since that moment, is the other writing projects I am working on. I am finding the scenes easier to complete. The story flows for me. I do not struggle to complete the scene, albeit the endings still confound me from time to time. Still, I don’t worry about ending a scene. It comes soon enough.

After I had written that first flash fiction piece, I was regaling a friend about it. He mentioned that it reminded him of those food shows on cable television, where you have to use certain foods and create a dinner or a desert on a deadline. That is when it occurred to me that such a contest for writers would be perfect. That night I created the website and launched it on Facebook and Twitter. Within a few days, I had enough writers to sustain it and I have been wrestling the beast every week since then. I worry about it, I obsess over it; it does not leave my mind.

Ever since that day last February, The Iron Writer has grown steadily. There have been a few struggles to be sure but the dream has only gotten bigger. New authors ask to join regularly. Some of the authors use the weekly challenges as writing exercise, just to keep the imagination awake.

Besides the weekly challenges, there is a tournament that runs four times a year now, culminating in an annual winner. The Autumn Equinox Open begins September 26.

Additionally, The Iron Writer Apprentice, a writing challenge using similar guidelines but the participants are limited to 14 to 18 years of age has started.

If you enjoy reading flash fiction, please take a few minutes and come on by. It’s quirky and fun. If you are a writer, give it try. You might find it beneficial.

http://theironwriter.com/

About B.Y. Rogers


B Y Rogers is the author of The Sin of Certainty and a growing list of short stories, as well as the creator of The Iron Writer Challenge. At the moment, he lives in Utah with his wife of thirty-eight years, their five children and ten grandchildren. His stories are listed with Amazon and Smashwords.
Amazon  *  Smashwords


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September 19, 2013

Afternoon eBook Deal 9/19

...I was sucked in and couldn't put it down... ~ Margaret Tidwell

A very enjoyable read with characters that have smokin hot chemistry. ~ Wendy W.



Smart mouthed and in charge, magazine editor, Micha Bennett, has learned the hard way to choose her career over love. When she’s up for the job of a lifetime, the competition becomes deadly fierce. To protect their best asset, her company hires the one person who’s ever put Micha on edge and threatens her sense of control. 

Sexy, security consultant, Caleb Atkins, knows what he wants and it’s Micha Bennett. He just has to convince her she wants him too. With ugly shadows in his own past, he’ll die before he lets anything harm the woman he loves. Too bad Micha doesn’t think she needs his protection or his love. 

Can Caleb convince Micha to let go of control long enough to fall in love? Or will fear and danger tear them apart? 

Warning: Sexy, sass talking women will make you laugh, cry and want a pair of killer footwear.

99 cents at Amazon and B&N


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Lisa Bilbrey: Book Publishing Tips

As an author and publisher, I am often asked about what tips or advice I’d give when publishing a book. So, here they are:

First: Write. Write, write, write, write, and write. The only way one improves as a writer is to keep writing. It’s how we hone our skills and become better storytellers.

Second: Don’t be afraid to take chances. There’s not a formula to writing the perfect book and not all your characters can be the hero. Maybe you have to kill someone off, maybe your story needs to get dark before the light can be found again. Take chances and change the world!

Third: Do not self-edit. You cannot read your work objectively enough to see what needs to be adjusted or removed entirely. Editing does not have to be expensive, either. There are a lot of affordable editors who will work with you on your novel with costing you your first born.  Also, do not ask your Aunt Betty, who teaches High School English, to edit your work. Or your mom, your brother, your sister, or best friend — you need someone to be objective, who isn’t going to sugarcoat things. It won’t do you or your book any good.

Fourth: Don’t be afraid of rejection. Not everyone is going to love your writing. People will tear it to pieces, and they won’t always be nice about it. You can’t let them stop you from writing. Write for yourself, not for them.

Last: Enjoy the journey, because it’s an amazing ride. 

Buy The Journey to a New Life at Amazon and B&N

About the Author

Lisa Bilbrey is a mom of three and has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1996. Finding a love in the written word, she started writing as a way to express herself. From the first word she wrote, she'd found her heart and soul. Always willing to learn, she's spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller.
In late 2011, Lisa opened Renaissance Romance Publishing with Michele Richard and Laura Braley.
Twitter  *  Facebook  *  Goodreads  *  blog

Giveaway


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Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small fee is earned when purchases are made at Amazon through the link above. The views, opinions, and beliefs expressed by contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Girl Who Reads.


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September 18, 2013

Afternoon eBook Deal 9/18

...a character-driven book... ~ Mutant Supermodel

...the story speaks volumes to those of us hurting in so many different ways... ~ Kathleen (Kat) Smith


When Susannah Delaney discovers her young son is being bullied and her adolescent daughter is spinning out of control, she moves them to remote, rustic Sounder Island to live for a year. A simple island existence—with no computers or electricity and only a one-room schoolhouse—is just what her over scheduled East Coast kids need to learn what's really important in life. But the move threatens her marriage to the man she's loved since childhood, and her very sense of self.

For Betty Pavalak, who moved to Sounder to save her own troubled marriage, the island has been a haven for fifty years. But Betty also knows the guilt of living with choices made long ago and actions that cannot be undone. The unlikely friendship between Susannah and Betty ignites a journey of self-discovery for both women and brings them both home to what they love most. A Simple Thing moves beyond friendship, children, and marriages to look deeply into what it means to love and forgive—yourself.


$1.99 at Amazon and B&N


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Lorenz Font: The Publishing Process

Writing and publishing a book is not a cake walk as I envisioned it to be. I was under the impression, and this is solely my fault, that after writing a novel, my work is done. There is more to the whole process than just coming up with a story. Writing the summaries is possibly one of the harder tasks for me. How can you summarize a long story in just a few hundred words and keep it interesting? Then there’s the endless promotion that is necessary to market the book and get them to the hands of the readers. 

The editing process had been seamless and quite enjoyable. Contrary to the belief that the first go-round of edits would be nerve wracking, mine bordered on- ‘wow, that’s how bad I suck? And gee, thanks for schooling me’. I’ve learned so much from the editing aspect that gave me a little more confidence to tackle rest of my projects. 

So far, the publication of my first two books, namely: Hunted and Indivisible Line has been fairly interesting. It had taught me the importance of timeliness, eye on details and thorough planning. As I close in on another book launch, I’m crossing anything capable of crossing and hope for the best. I’m excited with this latest installment. Tormented is much more intense and is a great compliment to the first book of the trilogy.

Buy Tormented at Amazon

About the Author:

Lorenz Font discovered her love of writing after reading a celebrated novel that inspired one idea after another. She is currently enjoying the buzz from her debut novel Hunted, the first installment of The Gates Legacy trilogy.
Writing is therapeutic for Lorenz, and a perfect day consists of writing and playing with her characters while listening to her ever-growing music collection. She enjoys dabbling in different genres, with an intense focus on angst and the redemption of flawed characters. Her fascination with romantic twists is a mainstay in all her stories.
Lorenz currently lives in California with her husband, children, and two demanding dogs. She divides her time between a full-time job as a Business Office Manager for a hospital and her busy writing schedule.
Twitter  *  Facebook  *  website  *  blog  *  LinkedIn  *  Goodreads  *  Pinterest

Giveaway

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Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small fee is earned when purchases are made at Amazon through the link above. The views, opinions, and beliefs expressed by contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Girl Who Reads.




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September 17, 2013

Bloggers Wanted: The Ivory Tower Tour

One week only! 
Join the tour for Kirstin Pulioff's new short story coming in October.


277 –the number sewn into Simone’s shirt. The number that dictates her life at the protection camp. Regulated by a system of ringing bells, fortified cars, and rations, the survivors are protected from residual contaminates on the other side of the wall.

Breaking the monotony of the highly structured camp, Simone and her friend skip school to enjoy one of the last nice days of fall.  An afternoon game leads them to a new part of the forest, uncovering more than they expected.  All thoughts of protection and rules are shattered by the appearance of the ivory tower.  A tower riddled with a history of danger and death.

When her friend shows up with a bruised face and thinly veiled threats, Simone has to decide how much she is willing to risk to find out the truth of the tower.

Genre: YA Dystopian

Tour: October 21 - 29




Afternoon eBook Deal 9/17

Beverly Hills Book Award winner, ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Award bronze winner, International Book Awards finalist, ForeWord Firsts debut literary competition finalist.




Noah Hartman, eighty years old, lies sick in a hospital bed recounting his life of love and loss to Josh, a wise and compassionate orderly who stopped in to bring him dinner. As Noah's loved ones arrive one by one to see him, they listen in on his story, and we're transported back in time to Noah's younger years.

Though outwardly seeming to have it all, Noah, now thirty-five, is actually an empty, lost, and broken man running on automatic pilot. He has no true identity due to having allowed his powerful, wealthy parents to manipulate, control, and brainwash him from a young age. With the threat of disinheritance and withholding love and approval if he doesn't comply with the plan they have for his life, Noah is lured in by the reward of great wealth and the illusion of running the family business empire some day. In truth, however, Noah is like a regular, everyday guy living a life that was not meant for him.

Enter Robin, twenty-five years old, who -- in direct contrast to Noah -- is a vivacious, free spirit. Full of life and always living in the moment, Robin's love saves Noah by inspiring him to stand up to his parents and live his own life at all costs, reclaiming his true self.

While snorkeling in the Caribbean, the captain of the boat warns them not to disturb anything in the sea. Ignoring the exhortation, Noah dives down and snags a sand dollar from the ocean floor, whereupon it explodes in his hand. With the fragile sand dollar taking on new significance, Robin inexplicably leaves Noah shortly after returning from their vacation. Like a passing breeze, she disappears out of his life without a trace, seemingly forever.

Years pass, and Noah still can't get her out of his mind and out of his heart. After all, she'd always be the one who got away, the one he loved the most. That's when he finds out about her hidden secret, an underlying condition responsible for her disappearance. Noah has no choice but to move on with his life without her, meeting Sarah at the premiere of SAND DOLLAR, the movie he wrote about his time with Robin.

Years later, it's Noah and Sarah's wedding day, and Robin discovers a clue that Noah had surreptitiously inserted into the movie, inspiring her to race to the wedding to try to stop it. With the wedding in shambles, the scene jumps back to present day, with both Robin and Sarah placed in Noah's hospital room. But which one did he choose?

Things are definitely not as they appear as Noah discovers a far greater truth about the past, present, and future. As Noah finishes telling his story, we are brought up to present day, where the pieces of a shattered love are put back together in the remarkable final chapter of his life.

Free at Amazon


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Review: Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas

Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas
Karen Pokras Toz has been featured on my blog several times and my niece has reviewed her books, Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas is my first introduction to Karen's writing. I can see why she is an award winning children's author.

Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas would be enjoyed by children in grades 4th through 6th. I could very well see this book being a favorite of mine when I was that age.

Georgie's family has moved to be closer to her grandmother who lives in a nursing home. Unfortunately, the move has meant not only leaving her best friend, but having to give up ballet lessons. I remember when we moved to Georgia and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to continue with gymnastics.

Georgie spends her extra time visiting her grandmother and baking pies. Her grandmother gets a new roommate who happened to have danced with a world renown ballet company in Russia. Listening to her stories about dancing with Georgie's idol, has made Georgie even more determined to find a way to pay for her ballet lessons. Hilarity ensues with her money making schemes. As an adult, I could so see the outcome coming, but I can still remember my own early entrepreneurial attempts and I think Karen did a great job of capturing the gung ho spirit of determined pre-teens.

A great book for kids who are struggling with changes in their own lives and learning about perseverance.

Buy Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas at Amazon

Book Info:
ebook & paperback (125 pages) published September 2013 by Grand Daisy Press
ISBN13: 9780984860883
Source: Author
Read: August 2013

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September 16, 2013

Afternoon eBook Deal 9/16


Instead of feeding her late-night appetite, a midnight food run nearly gets 28-year-old Katherine O’Brian killed. She’s the only person to see the man who brutally murdered a local woman, and the killer is hell-bent on making sure she doesn’t talk.

Scott Mitchell left a broken engagement behind when he moved to Reno, and the last thing he needs is more melodrama. But when he and Katherine are paired for a college project, that’s what he gets. It can be very distracting when someone is out to kill your lab partner. Together, they try to figure out what the police haven’t been able to—the identity of the murderer. Passion flares, but with Katherine’s life in danger, romance seems like more than a bad idea.

Scott and Katherine will face jealousy, misunderstandings, lust, and rivals, not to mention attempted murder—and all before their first real date.

99 cents at Amazon



Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small fee is earned when purchases are made at Amazon through the link above. Prices are subject to change without notice, please verify price before purchasing. Want to have your bargain, discounted, or free ebook featured? Fill out this form.





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Call for Submissions

Here at Girl Who Reads, I want to bring relevant content to readers and authors. I believe during this time of rapid change in the publishing industry that discussions on genre and audience are important for all book lovers. Do you know what is cyberpunk or New Adult?

During the month of October, I would like to discuss various genres and audiences. What makes a book paranormal as oppose to fantasy? Does a teenage cast of characters mean the book is young adult?

Do you write in a specialized genre? Are you an editor, publisher, book marketer who has knowledge to share with my readers about different genres and audiences?

I'm accepting submissions of articles up to 1,000 words. Send your proposal/topic to me by September 18 and the full article is due by September 25. Each contributing writer will have a short bio and social media links included with the post.

Send proposals and completed articles to donna (at) girl-who-reads.com.

September 15, 2013

Bloggers Wanted: Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas Book Blast

Sign up for the September 25th  Book Blast
includes swag pack with gift card giveaway and a pre-made interview with Karen Pokras Toz


From the Award Winning Author of Millicent Marie is Not My Name

Ballet and baking pies – these are two of twelve year old Georgie Harris’ favorite things. When her parents decide to move closer to her grandmother’s nursing home, Georgie quickly learns the bad news: dance lessons are too expensive in this new town. 

Georgie spends most of her time baking pies to bring to her grandmother at the Willow Lakes Nursing Home. There she meets Eve, who inspires Georgie with stories of having danced with a world famous Russian ballerina many years ago.

As Georgie and Eve’s friendship evolves, their tales intertwine in this feel good story showing dreams really can come true.

Sign up to participate.




A GWR Publicity event paid for by the author.

Sunday Sale Page 9/15

Have you been taking advantage of the afternoon ebook deals? Here are a few more to fill up your reader with this week.


Top selling contemporary romance
99 cents at Amazon and B&N




Thriller
99 cents at Amazon and B&N




Children (1st - 4th grades)
99 cents at Amazon and B&N




Science Fiction
FREE at Amazon, Smashwords, and B&N




Epic fantasy
FREE at Amazon, Smashwords, and B&N



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