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Indie Month Info for Authors/Bloggers


Hey hey! Thanks soo much for coming by my blog here and reading up on Indie Author Month (IAM). Last year i did IAM on my other blog LovelyLit, but that blog was causes me a lilttle problem... you see, it was on a different acct. So i was constantly having to sign in and out between my email/google + and my blog. It was a pain, so i made a new blog here! With this new blog comes a much simplier approach to blogging on my part. I plan to write a full post on that later, but for now, let me better explain IAM.

I created IAM last year because (1) i totally love indie books and because (2) its soo hard for indie authors to reach there audience sometimes! Not to mention that some people have a preconceived notion that Indie books arent good enough or aren't as good as mainstream books. I think this is totally wrong. No offence to publishing houses but they look at books/publishing as making money. Indie authorship is all about a love for writing and creating. Sharing stories without monetary pressure truly inspires me to read Indie books.

When considering Indie books though, you have to consider all the crazy loads of work that must go into it. Not only does the author have to actually write the words, they also have to edit & design the book, figure out the logistics of self-publishing and do all of their own prompting. Just simply having an idea for the story is just the start! That's why i love Indie Authors, they work hard! That's why i want to help them promote themselves with IAM as well as year-around support on my blog here!

So now down to business!! Things to expect from IAM include (but are not limited to) Author of the Day, Reviews, Cover Reveals, Guests Posts, Book Releases, Google+ Hangouts, Giveaways, Book Excerpts, Character Profiles, Games, etc. Any Indie Author or blogger who would like to participate in IAM is greatly appreciated! The more people involved the more EPIC this year will be!

Bloggers: For bloggers, any sort of promotion would be great: tweets, pins, +1, likes, posts, videos, etc.  I also would like Author Outreach. A lot of authors don't even know about IAM...yet. Also, if you've reviewed one of the featured books or want to, let me know so i can link to it. Make a comment below with: Your Name, Your Blog Name, URL, Twitter/Email and let me know if you want to do Promotion, Author Outreach, Reviewing

Authors: For authors, just fill out the signup form below with your choices. You can invite your friend authors as well. On days when you are featured on the blog, you could share the posts on your social sites.

I will be making a database of all the bloggers and Authors that help out. In addition, there will be a giveaway at the end of the month for readers/bloggers!


--
With love,
Margaret

Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Facebook  |  Google+  |  Pinterest 

Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2012

2012 50 Book Challenge... Will I make it?

Well I have a small dilemma...I set out to read 50 books in 2012 and i was doing excellent at first! In January and February i read like 15 books! Throughout the rest of the year i read about 3 or 4 a month...up until October that is... Some time in the middle of October i started feeling kind of ugh about reading. You know, the good ole reading slump! Then we were getting ready for Halloween...then my birthday. After that, i was totally sick for two weeks and had to go to the Emergency Room... After that came Thanksgiving then getting ready for Christmas... So yeah, for one reason or another, I haven't been able (or didn't want) to read diddly squat. So now, here i am with less than two weeks left for this year brandishing a grand total of 42 books. 

My dilemma is that i read slow as molasses! I usually can get through a book in 2 or 3 days, but that's only if i don't do anything else. It would take *does math* 24 days to read the 8 books... but to put a chink in things, i have too much still to do for Christmas, plus right after Christmas, we are going out of town, not to return until 2013. Sigh, sigh, sigh. Since failure is not an option, I've been thinking of some remedies! 

Ok first thing could be novellas. Yeah, i know: Its practically cheating...but hey, the author puts it on Amazon in a standalone format...so i guess i can consider it as a book. :D Next would be Audiobooks! My "main" laptop broke unfortunately and all of my ebooks (300+) and audiobooks (35+) were on there. Thankful a while back i was "experimenting" with dropbox and to my astonishment, most of my files were on there (although i don't remember putting them on there). I got a totally awesome chromebook for Christmas, so i could probably play them on there.... I hope i have enough...

*UPDATE*
I did employ the "novella" principle last night and was able to get 4 books out of the way. For the last 4, I am hoping to do an audiobook per day... :/ Any other advice or ideas would be great.. hehe. Also, how are y'all doing on your own challenge?






--
With love,
Margaret

http://www.goodreads.com/profile/SweetSwan

Posted on Sunday, December 23, 2012

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop


Welcome to the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer & The Diary of a Bookworm!

For my giveaway, I am offering 2 books from the Dark Elite series by Chloe Neill: Firespell and Hexbound! It's not a choice, winner will get both books!

New Girl. New School. Old Evil. Lily's parents have sent her to a fancy boarding school in Chicago filled with the ultra-rich. If that wasn't bad enough, she's hearing and seeing bizarre things on St. Sophie's creepy campus. Her roommate, Scout, keeps her sane, but keeps disappearing at night. When one day Lily finds Scout running from real-life monsters, she learns the hard way that Scout is involved in a splinter group of rebel teens.

They protect Chicago from demons, vamps, and dark magic users. It's too bad Lily doesn't have powers of her own to help. At least, none that she's discovered yet...


.............


Lily Parker is new to St. Sophia's School for Girls, but she's already learned that magic can be your best friend-or your worst enemy. That's why Lily has to learn how to control her newly discovered paranormal abilities while fighting the good fight with her best friend Scout as they take on Chicago's nastiest nightlife-including the tainted magic users known as Reapers...


To Enter, just add in your email and follow the widget directions for entries!








Here's the list of everyone hosting a giveaway! Have fun and good luck to everyone!!

Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Spotlight Post: Emerald Talisman Audiobook by Brenda Pandos

Hey hey, I have an awesome post for y'all today! Today we are going to discuss one of my favorite books The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos. This is one of the first few books i came across in my early days of discovering indie books. I instantly loved it after the first chapter! I'd have to say that my favorite part of the book is the beautiful atmosphere and setting.

Well i am happy to announce that this book is now available on Audiobook!!!! This is huge! One of my favorite things to do is to listen to the book and follow along on either kindle or in a real book! Most indie books, which is what i read most of, don't have audiobooks, so this is uber awesome! To make it even better, the Kindle book is FREE. I totally recommend picking up both and having a great and trilling reading experience!

So, i know you are wondering what the audiobook sounds like... well i have a longish sample for you posted by the author. Check it out here! I have already gotten this book and let me tell you that it's amazing! The narrator, Mary Morgan has a great voice and great alternate voices! Take a listen and let me know what you think.Also, the author is having a $100 giveaway... WHOA right?


Links
Talisman Series
Book 1: The Emerald Talisman
Book 2: The Sapphire Talisman
Book 3: The Onyx Talisman
Audiobook
The Emerald Talisman

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday Freebies

Welcome to my freebies post! In this post, I will be listing a bunch of Kindle Ebook freebies! Before the freebies though, a lot of people ask me "Why Kindle?" Well initially, I was torn whether I wanted to be with "Nook" or "Kindle", but in the end I chose Kindle for a few reason: (1) better hardware(9.8in HD) (2) More features in the reading software(xray for books) (3) Personal Docs in the Kindle cloud (you can email books you already own to your kindle) (4) Movies, TV and other things besides just reading. Not too mention, I noticed that has soooo many indie books and those are my fave! I think kindle just has a better selection and more promotional prices (sales).

 Ok, so now the freebies:


Over a thousand years ago, the gods left Eloh's people and took their magic with them. To win back their favor, her people sacrifice ten female initiates every ten years. No has ever survived. There has never been a Chosen One. Forced into becoming an initiate, Eloh will try to find a way to beat the odds, stay with her boyfriend, and survive the fires that threaten to consume her. But will her lack of faith in the gods and her disbelief in their magic doom her to a painful death?
Forget prophecy. Make your own destiny. Sheltered from the outside world with no hope for escape, slave girl Reychel dreads her fifteenth birthday - when her master’s symbol is burned on the back of her bald scalp. Her best friend disappears the night before, leaving her to face the branding ceremony alone. She soon discovers nothing is as it seems when people desperate for freedom beg for Reychel's help. Can Reychel learn to believe in herself?
When fifteen-year-old Jacob Lau is pulled from the crumpled remains of his mother's car, no one can explain why he was driving or why the police can't find his mother's body. A beautiful and mysterious neighbor offers to use her unique abilities to help him find his mom. But in exchange she requires Jacob to train as a Soulkeeper, a protector of human souls. He agrees to her demands, desperate for any clue to the mystery of his mother's disappearance. But soon Jacob finds himself trapped in a web of half-truths, and questions her motives for helping him.
Paivi Anderson has it all—friends, a spot on the varsity basketball team, wonderful parents, and quite possibly, her first boyfriend. It was everything a freshman in high school could ask for. Her perfect life begins to crumble when she discovers her name on a list distributed by a power-hungry presidential candidate. How could anyone think of Paivi as an Enemy of the State? Could it be because of her special powers? No one was supposed to know about them, but the mysterious messages in her tater tots say otherwise. In INTO THE SHADOWS, Paivi quickly learns who her friends are and is forced into a reality she didn’t see coming.
Lora wants nothing more than to be the wind behind sexy windsurfer Chance's sails. But fulfilling that wish just became...complicated. After seventeen years of normal life, someone wants Lora and her family dead. And the attempted massacre isn't nearly as strange as the reason behind it.
Shayna and her two best friends have the abilities to manipulate and control the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. While learning to hone their growing powers, they discover a new and malicious presence in their sleepy beach town. Someone is performing blood magic and threatens to expose their small magical community. So far only small animals have been slaughtered, but then the nightmares start. Shayna suffers nightmares of being chased and sacrificed only to wake up bloodied and bruised. She thinks her magical blood is the ultimate target for the final blood rite. When an innocent girl, Tracy, is kidnapped Shayna knows it’s only a ploy to draw her out; she can’t let someone die because of her.
In Peachville, even the cheerleaders have a dark side... Harper Madison isn't like other girls. She has extraordinary powers, but her inability to control them has gotten her kicked from so many foster homes she's lost count. Shadowford Home for Girls is her last chance, and she hopes Peachville High will be the fresh start she needs. But when evidence ties her to the gruesome murder of a Demons cheerleader, Harper discovers this small town has a big secret. Beautiful Demons is a fast-paced YA novel with magic, mystery, and a touch of romance. This series will appeal to fans of Pretty Little Liars, Hex Hall, and The Vampire Diaries.
Do you know of a freebie? Let us know in the comments! Thanks for reading and sharing!

Posted on Friday, October 5, 2012

Review: Ally by Jessica Taylor

Description: Ally is a girl with a magical secret. On Homecoming night, she finds herself in a situation where she is between life and death. Can her special gifts save her?

Well I gotta say, I dont necesarily love this book. The book had an ok storyline and the characters were ok. But let's get more detailed:

The Good: Well, one good thing i picked up on was the awesome friendship. I really liked Ally and Courtney's relationship. It's a sweet friendship. Another thing i like was the fact that it took place in AZ (the most beautiful place ever) although the writing doesn't really meet any of my five senses. I like that its short, but i think there seems to be too much put in it for it being so small. There seems too much structure writing and not enough descriptive writing. It was very matter of factly. I do love the cover though!

The Not So Good: Unfortunately, I have found a bunch. I actually feel bad because i really try to find the good in every book, but these issues are sort of important to me. (1)I think Ally was cruel to Ryan. Without giving away the story, i think she was rather winchy! (2) I dont like how Ally needs to get "new teeth, hair and clothes" to get friends. And i dont like that she became a snob when she was starting to become popular. I think rude, snobby winches causes problems for everyone...like in this story.
Overall, I give Ally 3/5 stars! There are some good things in this book but altogether I'm just not sure they are enough. I'd recommend this book to an older reader that just wants a short (about 30 pages) book to preoccupy themselves but I wouldn't however recommend it for a very young reader or a reader who wants a very immersive story. I'll probably read book 2 because i'd like to see if she grows up.

Posted on Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Fang, Fur & Fey Giveaway Hop


Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Reading Lark




A new guy in town. Rumors of vampires. 
 Dangerous first love. 

This is where it all begins. . . . The mansion on top of Benson Hill has stood empty for years. But one day it seems to be occupied, and its mysterious, handsome inhabitant Alexander Sterling becomes the source of much talk around town. Raven, a vampire-obsessed Goth-girl who has always considered herself an outsider in "Dullsville," is determined to uncover the truth surrounding the secretive Alexander. As she gets to know him, and their spark intensifies, Raven finds herself in some unanticipated situations. Can Alexander make her lifelong dream come true? But love always has its complications--especially when it can only be awakened at nightfall. The first three books in Ellen Schreiber's bestselling Vampire Kisses series capture the thrill of a most unusual romance.

All GFC followers are welcome to enter! Just signup on the widget below with your email and thats it You're entered! There are a couple extra entry methods but those are optional! If you aren't a GFC follower, its easy! Just use the widget in the sidebar!







Posted on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Bookish People You Want To Meet

Well, i think this is supposed to be real people...but i wonder if i could get by with listing a few characters? Maybe no one will notice! :D

  1. Alice Cullen (from Twilight)
  2. Nara (from The Brightest Kind of Darkness)
  3. Julia (from The Emerald Talisman)
  4. Abbey (from The Hollows
  5. Arelia (from Bound)
  6. Grace (from Shiver)
  7. Ana (from Awakening)
  8. Lark (from Larkstorm)
  9. Ashton (from Haven)
  10. Brazil (from Safe Landing)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish. Each Tuesday a topic/question will be chosen and all participating bloggers will have the opportunity to make a top ten list of answers!

Posted on Monday, September 17, 2012

Charity Hopping Around the World



Purpose: To promote a charity that you support.

For the post, tell a little about the charity.
It can be a local, regional or worldwide charity.

Along with the info about the charity host a giveaway.  It can be a giveaway related to the charity or it can just be book related!

12/09/2009
My Charity: Children International

Children International allows you to sponsor an under privileged child from many countries. Once you choose a child you have many options to interact with your child, including emails, letters, visiting and presents! Having my child in Ecuador has really meant the world to me! I've been sponsoring her for almost 3 years! Her name is Daniela Alejandra Chicaiza Charry. She is 15 years old now!

11/10/11
One thing that i really like is that they give you photo's as well as family facts every year! They also keep a photo gallery online with all the pictures taken of your child! I've learned so much about Ecuador and really want to visit soon! Consider sponsoring a child! Or click here to find other ways to help the children!







Rene
I also really love animals, especially horses! So i wanted to take this opportunity to take about my favorite horse charity/shelter. It's in Arizona (where I used to live). Its called Journey’s End Ranch Animal Sanctuary. They have different program's to sponsor a horse for like $1 a month (and all the way up to $100/month). They use it for feed, meds, shelter and other supplies!

Here's a little List for other Horse Charities:




Ok, Now for the GIVEAWAY:





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted on Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Cover Reveal: Defy by Raine Thomas


Seventeen-year-old Tate is about to make her parents’ dreams come true. Unfortunately for her, their dreams foretell her death. Eager to explore more of the Estilorian plane and prove her abilities, Tate goes against her parents’ wishes and leaves the area of protection surrounding her home. Her choice puts her on a deadly path…one that leaves her alone, severely injured and battling for her life. Her possible savior arrives in the form of Zachariah, a male who has removed himself from Estilorian society for more than fifty years. Fighting an unexpected connection to Tate, he must decide whether saving her life is worth destroying his. As Tate struggles to find a way home, she ends up drawn into a dark Mercesti plot involving multiple murders and a powerful ancient artifact. With the unpredictable Zachariah as her only source for aid, she’ll soon find out if her abilities are strong enough to help her defy her Fate.
Wow!!! , its beautiful, don't you think? I love the blue eyes and peacock feathers! Also the synopsis sounds great! I happen to know that Raine Thomas is a great writer, so ln sure this book and new serious will be awesome! Can't wait to read it!

Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2012

First Line Friday


Title: Parallel
Series: Travelers Series, Book #1
Author: Claudia Lefeve

First Line

" Like any orphan, I wished that someday my real family would come for me."




First Line Friday: This is a weekly event that spotlights those amazing first lines in book! The first line (and first chapter) sets the foundation for the book and influences first inpressions! These are my first lines, you be the judge! Brought to you by Katie's Book Blog

Posted on Friday, March 23, 2012

Destined by Jessie Harrell


Title: Destined
Series: None
Author: Jessie Harrell
Theme: Greek Mythology, Romance
Rating: 5 Stars

Description

When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear.
As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined.

What I Thought

Amazing!! This is the first ever book I've read about Greek mythology! I've seen other books around like The Goddess Test, but I think Mythology in general never really interested me. My Kindle recommended this book to me because of all the other Indie Books i'd been buying at that time. I just bought it without even reading the synopsis...then i just started reading! After about 2 pages, I figured out the theme real quick, but i didn't shy away and I'm so glad i didn't!

This book was actually beyond amazing! It really blew me away especially considering my lack of passion for the subject matter. The story really struck a cord with my emotions! At times, i was sad, happy amused, dewildered, annoyed and even jealous! The characters that you are supposed to hate, I hated and the ones you are supposed to love, I loved them! The character's overall are were great and well developed. The one thing I really learned in this book is to never under estimate a scorn woman's wrath! HEHE... You should really read it!

Favorite Scene

Pysche's first moments exploring her new home!

Favorite Quote

"Good Heavens, Psyche! How'd a pigeon get in here?" - What can i say...it was funny! lol!


More about the Author: By day, I'm an appellate lawyer. By night, I'm a wife, mother of two, and author/lover of all things Greek mythology. I'm a native Floridian, frustrated world traveler, unrepentant dreamer, lover of acoustic music and not-so-closet geek. Destined, being released November 17, 2011, is my first novel. Stay tuned for Beneath the Surface, co-written with the amazing Nikki Katz. Read more about Jessie Harrell.

Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2012

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?


Title: Punished
Series: The Arelia LaRue Series, Book #2
Author: Kira Saito

Descrpition

  Punished is the follow-up novel to Bound and is the second book in the Arelia LaRue Series! Down in New Orleans, Arelia Larue’s once ordinary life has quickly transformed into something truly extraordinary. As her ability to communicate and work with Les Mysteries (spirits) grows, so does her attraction for Darkwood’s secretive owner Lucus LaPlante. However, Arelia soon discovers that Darkwood’s shiny and seemingly extravagant exterior holds secrets that may put her very soul at risk. In the intoxicating world of New Orleans voodoo/hoodoo, expect the unexpected.

What did you recently finish reading?


Title: The Awakening
Series: The Watchers Trilogy, Book #1
Author: Karice Bolton

Description

     Alone in snowy, remote Whistler village, Ana tries to build a new life since losing her parents. With a cozy condo, a sweet-faced bulldog and an evening job to leave the days free for the slopes, life slips into a great routine. If only she could shake the guilt for not remembering anything about her parents and banish the night terrors that haunt her every dream.
     On a whim, Ana goes out with Athen, a guy she’s just met in the Grizzly Pub... The only problem is that she feels like she already knows him.
     Within 48 hours of meeting Athen and his family, Ana’s world implodes. She falls for Athen quickly and before she knows it, a past life begins to resurface. As thrilling as the revelations appear at first, she fights against the chilling information that Athen is from the underworld. Soon she begins to struggle as her own supernatural gifts are slowly unveiled, and she realizes that the nightmares she’s been having might be premonitions and not dreams at all.
     It is up to Ana to decipher between fact and fiction before it is too late, and her new love, Athen, follows in her same fate - one that is lost between two worlds.

What do you think you’ll read next?


Title: Ascent
Series: Ascent Series, Book #1
Author: Amy Kinzer

Description:

For three teens going back to the past is the only way to save the future.
     After years of recession a new political party is ascending to power. To control the United States they must offer leaders people will vote for. The Party has chosen a select group of teens to attend the Institute for Youth Development (IYD) for training to become the nation’s next leaders. But no one has a perfect past and in a world where every moment is captured on film it has become increasingly difficult to find future politicians. Everyone has something from their past they wish they could change.
     Matt wants to go back and change the night he drove drunk and ended the life of his girlfriend and best friend; Farrah-Kate, the daughter of America’s most tragic actress, wants to save her movie star mother; and Rick is ordered to go back and change the night he hacked the governments computers.
     Marvin Winn, a casino billionaire and Party founder has funded a device that will take the chosen back in time to alter their past. But not everyone is attending the Institute because they want to join The Party. And while everyone returns to their past, one person will choose not to come back, putting everything The Party seeks to achieve at risk.





WWW Wednesday:
To play along, just answer the following three questions: What are you currently reading?, What did you recently finish reading? & What do you think you’ll read next? Brought to you by Should Be Reading.

Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Indie Month Bookie Awards

Whoo HOOO Look what I have!! The results to the Indie Author Month Book Awards!!! Ok, so here goes!!


Best Cover in a Indie Book
The Deepest Cut by J.A. Templeton




Best New Indie Author 

Jessie Harrell 



Best YA Indie Series
Signifcance Series by Shelly Crane 


Best Overall YA Indie Author
Fisher Amelie 



Best Female Lead in an YA Indie
Sophie from Sophie and Carter by Chelsea Fine 



Best Male Lead in an YA Indie
Callum from Callum and Harper by Fisher Amelie 



Best Supporting Character in a YA Indie
Patrick from Eternal Eden by Nicole Williams 


Best YA Indie in a Sub Category
Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine for Comtempory
Bridger by Megan Curd for Romance
Ethereal by Addison Moore for Paranormal
Coexist by Julia Crane for Mystery
Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn for Dystopia
Zombies Don't Cry by Rusty Fischer for Horror 

Congrats to all these AWESOME BOOKS!! I wish i had a trophy to give these authors! I really really recommend all these books though!!!  :D  Check them out today!

Posted on Friday, March 16, 2012

 
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