Did everyone survive the holidays? It was little crazy around here, but we’re all present and accounted for.
So what were you reading last year? It seems I read way more than I thought I had.
What are you starting your reading year with?
If you haven’t finished one of my series yet, from now until January 10 all of my series ebooks are on sale over at Books2Read. Well, everything but Old Flame, which is available through Kindle Unlimited! So you can complete either series for only $0.99 per book! It’s hard to beat that price.
Just go over to Books2Read and pick the series you’re looking for. And then click on the book you need to find the buy links. It’s that simple.
Looking for my alter ego, Sultonna? She’s over there, too, with books for sale. If you need a little more magic in your life, go on over and choose from alternate reality, magical flat mates, or paranormal goings on in the American Rockies.
Start your New Year with a little magic and romance. Maybe a little fantasy and intrigue, too.
I know. Right? Does it make a difference? The purists say only print books are real books. Anything else is a poor copy, at best. And audio books don’t even enter into the discussion there. Others are fine with print or ebooks, but waffle when it comes to audio books.
Now, I know this is going to make one group or the other upset with me, but here’s the deal. I prefer actual physical print books. I love the feel of the paper, the smell of the ink, and the act of turning the pages to discover what waits on the other side.
That being said, I can’t afford to buy all the books I read, if I buy them in print. And when I travel, the weight of books alone would put me over the limit. So ebooks are easier and more economical for me, especially when reading a new author. Do I want to invest $15-$20 on a book I may decide wasn’t worth the $0.99 for the ebook?
Another thing to consider. Before my cataract surgery, I couldn’t read most print. On my e-reader, I could adjust the print size and the brightness, which allowed me to read while I waited for surgery. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to read at all.
What about audio books?
I love to listen to an audio book while I drive. With road noise, I find music difficult hear properly and get annoyed with the whole thing. But an audio book I usually enjoy–traffic noise or not.
And what about people who are blind or are vision impaired? Should we accuse them of “not reading,” because they don;’t pick up the physical book or e-reader? Must they be shunned because they choose to listen to an audio book? What other choice do they have? I suppose they could buy the print book and have a family member or sitter read it to them. But what is the difference between this and an audio book?
In my opinion, and only my opinion, I see no difference between the three. As an author hoping for royalties, whichever version of my book they buy still means a sale. Someone has chosen to read my book. And this makes me happy.
Folks, let’s not be judgmental. We don’t know the reasons a person is choosing a particular format of their reading material. They are still reading and that’s what’s important. It really doesn’t matter.
Just read!
Or listen.
But if you want to check out my books, or the books by my alter ego, Sultonna Nadine, go on over to Amazon or Smashwords and give them a once over. I also have 2 books available at Audible and one over atApple Books, as Sultonna Nadine.
So, that’s my rant for the day. Don’t be petty. Be grateful for the opportunity to read, however you choose to do it.
If you like books, you probably love book sales as much as I do.
So now is the perfect time to go over to Smashwords and take advantage of their Summer/Winter Sale. You’ll find books of all genres there on sale–and some are free!
Yes, the heat of summer has hit down here in Georgia, with July coming in today. And since I’m more of an autumn person, I’m overheating.
But the good news is the Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale is now here! That’s right! A month long book sale on ebooks of all kinds ready for your summer reading pleasure.
So whether you’re looking for a more laid back vacation on Esperance, a world with a great night life on Gambler’s Folly, or a bit of magic, you can find it all at Smashwords on sale!
Come on over and join the fun! Grab something cold to drink, get comfortable in your favorite chair, and enjoy the summer.
My alter ego, Sultonna Nadine, has a new book, Whiskey Jug Genie, ready for pre-order. Right now it’s in ebook format, but will soon be available in print as well.
So, what is this book?
Imagine an old whiskey jug, dark brown, and salt glazed from somewhere in the late 19th or early 20th century. Now imagine a young apothecary owner touring the American Southeast, who collects old jugs and bottles to decorate his shop. And he falls in love with this jug.
What he doesn’t know is that it holds one of the djinn–a genie–inside. Trapped inside. By a curse some 200 years ago. A genie who has been out of touch with the world for around 200 years.
Now imagine the shop owner and the jug in a London apartment, as he unstops the jug and releases a redneck genie into the modern world. A genie who insists his name is Bubba, and who can’t get too far away from his jug because of the curse.
While Martin may have a bit of magical and psychic ability, he knows nothing about curses. And Bubba knows nothing about electricity, automobiles, television, or telephones. To him, the whole world is run on some weird form of magic.
Join these two as they try to sort out this curse, while Bubba learns about the world of the 21st century. And as Martin tries to kindle more of a romance with a lovely lady who doesn’t know anything about magic or the djinn.
Where can you pre-order?
Whiskey Jug Genie is available at Books2Read! with links to all the retailers listing it.
So come on in and join the fun as these three try to unravel the problems brought about by a redneck genie in London!
If you’re like me, you like to read. And the fact that you are here says you do as well.
But sometimes, it’s easier to listen.
Did you know I have the first two books from the Esperance series available in audio? You can go over to Amazon and order them, or get them from Audible.
The reason I’m asking is that I’ve been considering narrating some of my own books. They won’t be as good as the first two, but I know a lot of people who love audio books. While I have no problem with narrating them in general, I can’t do the male voices properly, and I’m afraid it will be off-putting to those listening.
If you want an example of my narration, go over to my podcast of my blogs at Anchor.FM. Several of my posts have been made over into podcasts, and I hope to do a few more.
Drop me a line in the comments, or send me an email and give me your opinion.
Yes, it’s that time again. The Read an EBook Week Book Sale!
What is it?
For one week this March, many Smashwords authors will have their books discounted during this week. Some will be 75% off, some will be FREE! It all depends on the author’s choice.
Yes, all of my books will be on sale during this week. The first book in each of my series will be FREE. The rest will be $0.99 each. You can’t even buy a coffee for that these days.
So mark your calendars for March 6–12 and head on over to the sale.
So don’t miss the sale. Now is the time to try new authors, finish a series you started, or just have fun and buy books at random! Okay, maybe not that. But go have fun! Buy books. Escape this reality for a while and go somewhere exciting, or peaceful, or weird.
But whatever you do, don’t miss the sale!
For paranormal fantasy romance, go to my profile! Meet Jareth and Viviane, Damianno and Karianna, Richard and AnnMarie, and host of others.
Yes, here it is the last Friday of February. Wasn’t it just the first of February a few days ago?
Of course, I’m sure the crazy weather around here hasn’t helped much. Just last week we had one night where the temperatures dipped down into the 20’s. Last night? Mid-60’s. My body can’t adjust to this.
But enough of the weather. Let’s talk books!
Here’s something to put on your calendar!
Read an eBook Week is coming to Smashwords March 6! And that means a whole lot of books will be on sale!
What’s not to like about that?
But it only lasts for a week, so make sure to head over there early.
Yes, all my books will be in the sale, from Gambler’s Folly, Esperance, and Master of the Fleet! If you haven’t tried my books yet, or if you need to add to one of the series, now would be a good time.
I’ll remind you and post a link to the sale as soon as it is available, so keep an eye out for it. I don’t know about you, but I love book sales.
This book began as a dream which kept repeating, night after night. Not the beginning, but partway through what became the second chapter. Just the one scene. And every time I would wake up and go back to sleep, it would come back.
Finally, to get it out of my head, I sat down and wrote out the scene that was on repeat in my brain, only to have it pick another scene with the same cast of characters, at some other point in the book.
In order to get a little sleep, I sat down and tried to piece together how these characters came to be where they were in the first scene. Why would they find themselves in this situation? And where would they go from there?
And Jareth, First Lord was born, followed by the continuation of the story in Viviane, First Lady.
The third book in the series is inset into the story flow. Morgan is a character introduced in the first book. I loved her character and wanted to explore who she was and why she had come to Clan Brannach.
The story will continue in the fourth book of the series, which will be out later this year–Too Many Talents.
But what started the whole thing? Let me give you an excerpt!
In the gray light of dawn one week after the postings, the women for The Choosing gathered on the parade grounds of the Belfort estate, nervous and frightened. Striding up to the podium, First Lord Jareth addressed the crowd. “Custom dictates older daughters marry first. With this in mind, I will accept volunteers. Some of you who are younger, with long waits ahead, may wish to try your chances in Clan Brannach. Once the volunteers are accepted, we will choose from those left to make up the tithe.”
While his men recorded the names of the girls who came forward, Jareth once again felt the strange spider on his brain which he’d sensed in the village. Searching the group before him, he was drawn to cascades of black curls shimmering in the soft morning light. About twenty feet away, she was comforting others with a touch or quick hug. Her concern impressed him. As she turned to face him, her dazzling blue eyes captivated his heart.
Regaining his senses, he threaded his way through the crowd. As he drew closer her eyes sparkled like the blue waters of a mountain stream in the sun. Lush dark lashes framed them in perfect contrast to her smooth, creamy skin. Her mouth was a small rosebud begging to be kissed. She appeared to him as a fairy princess come to life. Expecting fear or anger as he approached, all he saw was inner strength shining through sadness. He cultivated his imposing presence, but she rose tall and met his gaze.
