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Showing posts from September, 2012

Taking the Fantasy Proneness Plunge

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I like fantasy. I like to read while lying prone on the sofa (kindles are so much better than desktop computers for this). And I'm plunging into the world of being a published author (though Divide by Zero is a contemporary drama, no fantasy there). But what is fantasy proneness, and dare we take the plunge? You've got to admit Steve Finegan has a catchy title there for his guest post on my blog and I'm delighted to welcome him here. You'll be delighted too as you read his article (below) and learn to measure how fantasy prone you are. Steve Finegan is writer living in Portland, Oregon. He is the author of INTO THE MIST: SILVER HAND , the first book in a two-part series (the second book is due out next year) that features Gabe, a young hero with epilepsy, whose best friend Ellie thinks his “weird brain” gives him supernatural powers. This novel explores the hidden gifts and abilities many of us possess, as well as the misty border realm between fantasy and realit

Friends, e-friends and books

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Divide by Zero's blog tour is visiting Andi's Realm today with a post on friends, e-friends and acquaintances. In a world just before the internet, neighbors made friends made community. But what's your community now? Go to http://andisrealm.blogspot.com/2012/09/guest-author-sheila-deeth.html and see what you think. If Divide by Zero reverses the village-to-raise-a-child dynamic, Donovan Galway's Indian Nation might equally reverse the European invasion of the Americas. My publisher, Stonegarden.net, is offering it free on kindle today (Sunday). So head on over to http://www.amazon.com/Indian-Nation-ebook/dp/B0061FZNMI/ and download your copy. I know I shall. Of course, finding time to read it might be a problem as I go through my book review list, but I'll get there one day. Meanwhile, here are some reviews from my recent reading... Oddly enough, I read three court room dramas this week, so grab yourself a coffee and I'll start with them. First is Jer

Reading, writing and answering interview questions

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So... that blog tour's just starting for Divide by Zero and Peter Joseph Swanson is kicking it off with an interview over on gather. Just go to http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981665350 and see what questions he asked... well, you can see how I answered them too, and ask your own questions in the comments if you want, or in the comments here... Meanwhile I'm still trying to catch up on all those book reviews after my vacation, so here's the next batch: Enjoy reading. Drink coffee. Oh yeah, and eat chocolate (see the interview above). Starting with another very English book, When god was a rabbit by Sarah Winman is set in Essex and Cornwall (amongst other places) and tells the story of a misfit girl, her misfit brother, a family displaced, and the anchor of someone to talk to--in her case a rabbit called god. Laugh-out-loud funny, heart-breakingly sad and deeply enthralling, this is a good one to enjoy with a 4-star elegant complex coffee.

More book reviews as the emails stay unread

I've not decided yet, does reading books take longer than reading emails? Somehow when the email list gets up to three figures, the seventeen overdue book reviews begin to look like a more manageable task. Ah well--good job I'm a fast reader. And reading offers a pleasant reprieve from housework, shopping, yardwork and everyday life. Here are a few more books I've read recently, starting with An Unattended Death by Victoria Jenkins , a beautifully evocative mystery set in the Puget Sound where the clues to death are as hidden as the clues to relationships. Enjoy this intriguing drama with a 4-star elegant complex coffee. Another mystery-themed book from the Permanent Press is Looking For Przybylski by K. C. Frederick . In this story, as in life, the journey counts more than the destination. A wonderfully evocative road trip across America introduces the reader to a host of characters and thoughts, revealing interesting insights on humanity and hope. Enjoy this richly el

A well-controlled book release from S. R. Johannes

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S.R. Johannes ' second Nature of Grac e novel, Uncontrollable , was released on Monday. The first book, Untraceable , has won and been nominated for several awards including Winner of the  2012 IndieReader Discovery Award  (YA),  2012 Georgia Author of the Year  (YA Nominee), and a finalist in  The Kindle Book Review's  "Best Indie Book of 2012 (YA)". Kirkus reviewed  Untraceable  as "A thrilling story  is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance.  The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page." If you like a page turner, you will love this series! So head over to Mundie Moms for a Big Uncontrollable Launch Party with tons of prizes and then over to SR Johannes blog for even more.  To continue on with the blog tour, you can check out the line up! Where SR talks about anything from marketing to writing to her books to personal interviews and giveaways. Don't mi

Book reviews and a free book

Teric Darken's U-Turn Killur (yes, there's an I and and You in the title) is free on Kindle today (just follow the linke), so don't miss this chance to sample the author's seriously edgy Christian writing. He's been bleeding ink from his heart onto paper for the last twenty-five years and his cutting-edge thrillers have become known for their innovative nature:  filled with darkness, despair, light and redemption. Meanwhile I've been letting ink from other writer's books feed my fevered brain for another week and here are very English book reviews from my vacation in England. Brick Lane by Monica Ali combines the scents of India and the streets of London in a tale of belated coming of age where people hide truth behind tatoos, cultures hide behind the promise of fate, and society hides its secrets behind bricks and laws. Humorous, deeply absorbing and filled with great characters, this is one to enjoy with a 4-star elegant complex cup of coffee. Chil

Marketing doesn't have to be Shadowed with Suspicion

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I'm delighted to welcome author Ashley Dawn to my blog today with some very timely (for me) tips on book marketing. My first novel, Divide by Zero, has just come out, and so has Ashley Dawn's romantic suspense, Shadows of Suspicion, 2nd in her acclaimed Shadows series. I reviewed Shadows from the Past a while ago, and hope to read and review Shadows of Suspicion soon. Meanwhile, here are some invaluable suggestions for fellow authors from Ashley. Marketing Tips With so much going on with books on the internet, there are a lot of options for authors to promote their work.   I’ve used several of these…some worked and some didn’t.   For me it was trial and error type work so I thought I would share what has worked best for me: A Blog.   This can be FREE or there are some places where you pay for the blog, either way it is useful.   I have a review blog where I read and review other author’s work.   It gets my name out there and I have a pag

Time for a Blog Tour?

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Join the tour. Leave a comment or send me an email if you'd like to host me or one of my characters during this blog tour. Ask about book reviews too. I'd love to hear from you. And please scroll down for links to lots of great places where generous writers and bloggers have hosted me. DIVIDE BY ZERO PURCHASE LINKS: Divide by Zero is available from: Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Divide-Zero-Sheila-Deeth/dp/1600763405/ , http://www.amazon.com/Divide-by-Zero-ebook/dp/B0090NFH56/ Amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/Divide-Zero-Sheila-Deeth/dp/1600763405/ , http://www.amazon.co.uk/Divide-by-Zero-ebook/dp/B0090NFH56/ Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/divide-by-zero-sheila-deeth/1112782597 Powells http://www.powells.com/biblio/61-9781600763403-0 Waterstones http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/sheila+deeth/divide+by+zero/9420931/ W. H. Smiths http://www.whsmith.co.uk/Products/Divide-by-Zero+Paperback+9781600763403 And more