NaNoWriMo 2013 is coming to a close. Are you a winner? #amwriting #nanowrimo

There are only a few days left before NaNoWriMo 2013 comes to a close. Did you win? If you haven't yet, are you on target to win?

I do hope so.

For me, this year has been good and bad. I started out strong writing my sequel to Lifeboat, but got sidetracked preparing for the launch of The Beacon (just 3 more days!). It has been much more work than I anticipated and although I am usually pretty good a multi-tasking I really haven't been this month.

Once Upon a Zombie Apocalypse by Jennifer Malone Wright #bookreview #zombieapocalypse #amreading

Don't ask me why I picked up this book. Although I've read zombie books before it is not my favorite genre. I think I snagged it because it is short - only 50 pages according to Amazon - and I was looking for a quick read. Plus I saw that the main characters were two authors who had been attending an author conference when the zombies appeared. Kind of intriguing, don't you think? At least from an author's view.

What I like about this series is the concept. The series is written by two authors who are collaborating on these "episodes" as they are calling them. The first two novellas in the series are written from the two perspectives of the main characters - Jade and Kaylee. Following that, I've read that the episodes are no longer written from separate perspectives.

Guest Post & Giveaway by Kate Welshman! #guestpost #giveaway #anaisbutt #amreading

A short time ago I reviewed Anais Butt and the Hairy-Handed Gent here on the blog. I enjoyed it. You can catch up with that review here.

Today, I am honored to have the author of Anais Butt - Kate Welshman - right here guest posting on the blog. 

Welcome Kate! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Crazy for YA: Why do adults read young adult fiction? 

by Kate Welshman, author of ‘Anais Butt and the Hairy-Handed Gent’ 

I know why I write YA fiction. No, it’s not because I’m regressing or trying to prolong my adolescence by focusing on teenagers. I wouldn’t want to go back to being a teenager if I could. It was hard. And I don’t think many adult YA readers would turn back the clock either. So why read a book that’s written for and about teenagers? 

Disagree with me, but don't tell me I'm wrong. #bookreviews #amreading

I review books on this blog, and when I do that I also post my reviews on Goodreads and an Amazon because posted reviews are helpful to authors (especially independent authors) even if you don't like their work.

So recently I posted a review here - and on Amazon - and my review clearly stated that my opinion was the opposite of many of the others I had seen to date. In fact, the book in question had over 2500 reviews already on Amazon and most of them don't like the book. I liked it.

Now I'm all for discussing different view points on books - even with strangers - and I often do with my friends. Some books they love and I don't. Some books I love and they don't. Some books we all love or hate. I think (barring really poor writing skills) much of how we feel about a book depends on our life's experiences and where we are in our own lives at the time we read the book.

What happened when I posted my review on Amazon though, was something different altogether. I found it really odd that right after I posted my review - again on a book that already had over 2500 other reviews - I was almost immediately notified that someone had commented on my review. I'm a curious person so I checked it out. In retrospect I get the feeling this person may have been waiting for positive reviews to go up so they could pounce on them.

The commenter basically wrote three paragraphs explaining why my review was WRONG. Not saying she/he disagreed with me - which I would have been fine with - but actually telling me I was wrong in how I felt about this book and trying to convince me to change my mind.

Have you heard of the Kindle Matchbook Program? #amreading #kindlematchbook #kindle

No? This is a great program for readers who buy books from Amazon.

Here's what it is. Authors and/or publishers whose books are available as both print books and ebooks can enroll in this program offered by Amazon. If they opt in and you purchase the print version of a book you get the Kindle version either free or at a significant discount (price to be set by the author/publisher).

This is a great deal for people who love print books, but also enjoy the convenience of reading on a Kindle device. 

So next time you are looking to purchase a book through Amazon - take a look to see if it is enrolled in the Matchbook program. You could just have your cake and eat it too.

By the way - Lifeboat is enrolled with the Kindle price set to free if you buy the print version - and The Beacon will be too. :)

What do you think? Would you use the Kindle Matchbook program?

Much Anticipated Review of Allegiant by Veronica Roth #bookreview #amreading #allegiant

I have waited a long time for Allegiant to be released on October 22nd of this year. I read both Divergent and Insurgent in this series in January of 2013 (you can read my review for Divergent here - I opted not to review Insurgent on the blog) and was, as is usual for me, frustrated that the third and final book in the series wasn't due to be released for some time. A reader's hell, right?

While I did pick this book up soon after its release, I didn't pick it up on the first day. I waited about a week. I lurk on a few message boards now and again, and during the week that I waited to get my hot little hands on Allegiant I happened to come across some posts regarding the book from other readers who showed even less patience than I. I read those posts even though they clearly stated they contained spoilers.

Now, I'm not going to post any spoilers here, but I will tell you that the majority of readers on that message board were quite disappointed with Allegiant. They didn't like where Veronica Roth took the story. People were killed that the readers felt should not have been. They felt Veronica Roth had completely changed the character of Four/Tobias. And generally, they were just dissatisfied.

Exclusive cover reveal! The Beacon by A.B. Shepherd #amwriting #amreading #coverreveal #mondayblogs

If you've been reading the blog here you will already know my novella, The Beacon is due for release on December 1st. I will be have a launch party to celebrate so keep your eyes open for it.

In the meantime, this fantastic psychological thriller needed a fantastic cover and I want to share that with each of you here exclusively.

I think it is gorgeous and I am so excited with each day that gets closer to the launch of The Beacon. How about you? Do you like the cover? Are you as excited as I am?

Protagonist with no name? What?!?! #amwriting #amreading #experimenting

I've tried to something a bit experimental with my soon-to-be released novella, The Beacon. 

I've written it without ever naming the protagonist. 

I wanted to see if I could do it in such a way that it wouldn't be missed. If I could successfully write a story in which we never learn the name of the protagonist but it still works, you know?

I think I have achieved that, and from the reports coming in from those who have read the novella to date it appears I have been successful. 

This may have been done by other authors before, but I've never read a book written in this way. Have you?

So what I want to know from you is - what do you think about this idea?

Does it turn you on?

Does it turn you off?

Are you indifferent to it?

Will it make you want to read The Beacon to see if you think I pulled it off?

YA Urban Fantasy Free November 6th! Essenced (The Division Chronicles: Book One) by Connie L. Smith #amreading #free

Hi Abites - Connie L. Smith is stopping by today to offer us an excerpt of her YA/Urban Fantasy novel (with Paranormal Romance elements). 

It is slated to be FREE on Amazon today - November 6th - so pick up your copy at by clicking here. (Be sure to check that Amazon has it marked as free before you click buy.)


Book Blurb:
Years ago, demons were forced out of the earth’s realm by a band of supernatural fighters, banished from the place and its people in the aftermath of a horrific war. It should’ve ended there – would’ve – if not for the final demon’s claw snagging on the open portal. What felt like victory became only a reprieve, the winning warriors understanding that the tear would spread, and the demons eventually would escape exile. It was only a matter of time, and a need for future defense – a question of genetics and essences, magic and power.

Now, centuries later, a new army must bind together – one of teenagers with inhuman potentials and abilities…

Cover reveal - It's a Shame by C.E. Hansen! #amreading #coverreveal

Title: IT’S A SHAME (Blood and Tears, #2)

Author: C.E. Hansen

Expected Release Date: November 11, 2013 

Genre: Contemp | Suspense | Romance