A Warrior's Betrayal Round-Up

We're getting down to the wire! It's hard to believe that A Warrior's Betrayal is just two short months away from being released. I am working hard to get all the kinks worked out and my head on straight so I can finish it on time, and I hope that I don't disappoint you guys.

But I am getting ahead of myself. Let's back it up a bit.

As some of you may have noticed, I am diligently working on a few projects, namely my upcoming novel Spring Cleaning, which is my first women's fiction. It's coming along nicely, we're about halfway there, and the cover has just been finished. Some of you, who are members on Goodreads, may have already seen it, but for those of you who haven't, take a look!

I expect for this title to be out sometime in August, shortly--very shortly--before the release of Warrior...
 

So, now that you know what I have been working on lately, it's time to get back to business and answer some questions you may have.


What's A Warrior's Betrayal?


This is book #2 in the Brotherhood series. In this edition, Behr is tasked with caring for a distraught Cheyenne after Erias's disappearance into the underworld (the infamous cliffhanger that so many of my readers were furious over!). There will be many exciting things happening in this edition, to which I hope to please you all...but not too much! I do love my cliffhangers, after all!


What's to come


As the date gets closer, expect to see freebies galore in the form of giveaways and Amazon discount days. Don't worry, I will keep you posted! I hope you all will join in and help me celebrate these new releases.


Autographs


If you are familiar with Kindlegraph, then you already know you can request a FREE autograph here.




I think that about covers it for now. I am so excited to get these stories finished and out to you, my readers. As always, I love your feedback and without you, none of this would be possible. See you at the finish line!

Review of The Lure of Shapinsay by Krista Holle

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review**

The people of Shapinsay have long told stories of the Selkies who crawl out of the sea and assume human form in order take advantage of unsuspecting villagers. Kait scoffs at these tales. That is, until the day her closest friend births a half selkie babe. When the babe is drowned in the sea for its mixed heritage, Katie is shocked and appalled, but it is the fierce anger at the death of an innocent life that really fuels this story. 

Eamon, a selkie man, witnesses Kait’s arrival and, assuming that she is the one to blame for the babe’s death, sets out to punish her for the deed. But neither Eamon nor Kait are ready for the fire that sparks between them. Entranced by The Lure, a tool used by the selkies to lure victims into their web of deceit, Kait cannot refuse her pressing need to be with Eamon, insisting that she loves him beyond all things. Eamon is no less affected by Katie’s allure, loathing his need for the “land loper” yet powerless to resist her. 

I have read a lot of things involving myths and legends, but I have never come across a Selkie story. This was new for me, so I had no idea what to expect when I sat down to read. I was pleasantly surprised at the magical tale that unfolded before my eyes. This was a sweet and enticing tale with incredible characters that came to life with Holle’s vivid details and honest, historically accurate depictions. Each time I picked the book up I was transported back in time to an island of legend. A simple place of beauty where time goes by at a slower pace, love is true and steadfast, and friendship can be found in the least likely of places. I found Kait and Eamon’s connection to be heartfelt and romantic, yet innocent and naïve. They were plagued with many sorrows stemming from youth and inexperience to mistrust due to their differences. Many times I felt myself smiling at their playfulness, saddened by their grief, and hopeful that they would find their way through the storm. This was really an incredible read that I think crosses all age barriers. I for one, am putting this author on my must read all list. 

This book is available for purchase on Amazon for a mere $2.99. Pick up your copy today! 

A Helping Hand

It's hard out there for an indie...

I think most of us know well how frustrating it can be to get a jump on selling books to the general public. It's a matter of making connections, and that can be difficult when you don't know what you are doing or what you are looking or even where to start. Well, here at Fictitious Chronicles we would like to lend a helping hand by telling you what we do.

Let's begin with the common search for a reviewer...or twenty. Much research needs to go into this, and it can be a very time consuming process. First, you have to locate bloggers who are willing to accept reviews. Then you have to ensure that they take your genre. If all checks out, like a school girl/boy hoping to be picked in gym class so you aren't left twiddling your thumbs like a reject, you then have to create a lovely letter to the blogger asking if they will accept you. Then you wait....and wait...and wait for them to respond, or not, as many cases turn out. Assuming all has gone according to planned and you do get that review, pat yourself on the back for a job well done. But wait! Don't get too cozy just yet. There is more work to be done. You must send out more requests. To ease your pain, here are a couple blogs to get you started: The Kindle Book Review and The Book Lover's Realm.  And don't forget to offer yourself for author interviews and giveaways!

Now, it's time to advertize! 

A good place to begin is with Goodkindles who will advertize your book for free. Next, we like Technorati because it is a good place to advertize your blog, which brings us to the next thing:

Create and maintain a personal blog!

You may be saying, "But, Brandi, I don't have time for a blog." Nonsense. I am just as busy as the next person trying to maintain a home, raise children, further my education, all while trying to write great novels for my public to read and enjoy. If you want it, you have to do it. A blog can be as simple as a once a month commitment that takes you ten minutes to complete. It can be anything, but hopefully it is about you and your books or something else creative that you can come up with. It's not hard, just try it.

Next, join Goodreads. It is a great place to feature your books and create a following of like-minded individuals. You can schedule events surrounding your books and even join other events to get noticed. A few other things you can do: join groups, ask for reviews, and promote, promote, promote.

When you list your book on Amazon, be sure to sign up on Author Central so people who read your books can learn more about you. It has great features to offer, including a  feature that links to Shelfari where you can add your books and nifty little details, like who your characters are and what they are like so your readers can get a feel for what they are getting into before they crack open that book.

Finally, never stop writing. No matter your level of success, remember, it doesn't happen overnight. You will have highs and lows throughout this process, but you started it for a reason and you can't quite now. Do as much as you can, as often as you can. It's not a race, you'll get there. Just be patient. Do your research. Pay it Forward - Share with friends. And most importantly, have a good time.

If you have any tips or suggestions to share to help your fellow indie, post them in the comment section below.

Indie Giveaway Hop!

Hey all! Today is the day! 

For everyone who is new here, welcome to the Indie Giveaway Hop!
This Hop was created to support Indie authors who are struggling to get their books out there. Therefore, all participants of this hop are offering their followers books by indie authors.

For this giveaway, we, the hosts of this blog, are offering up copies of each of our latest novels. 

First up is Holly Hood, author of Love Hurts: The Killing of Rose, Ink, and Perfectly Hopeless

Holly is giving away FIVE copies of each, so grab them while you can!

Also up for grabs are TEN copies of Brandi Salazar's novel Buried Secrets

For your chance to win a copy of Buried Secrets and/or Love Hurts: The Killing of Rose, Perfectly Hopeless, or Ink, all you have to do is comment on this thread with your e-mail address, specifying the book of your choice.
This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL, as the copies of his book are in ebook/mobi format and will be given to the winners via email.

Now, leave me a comment with your e-mail address and hop along to the next stop on this giveaway hop!
And continue to SUPPORT indie authors!

Indie Blog Hop & Giveaway!

Hey Hey Hey!

I am sure it has been making it through the grapevine lately that there is some wicked Indie Blog Hop/ Giveaway going on, and we just want to say...the rumors are so true! For seven glory filled days and nights, those of you who have fallen victim to the hype will be able to enjoy awesome author interviews and enticing giveaways. The Hop is being hosted by A Daydreamers Thoughts and Booked Up Reviews, and is supported by Blogger Loving, Making Connections, and Shut Up & Read. The Hop is designed to help support all things indie, so stop by, have a look around, and pick up some free stuff!

So, just to reiterate...

Indie Giveaway Hop

April 23-30

Sign up for free Stuff

Click here for a full list of stops along the tour. 

Check back tomorrow to find out what we're giving away too!

The Descendants

The Descendants

I watched this movie yesterday. And I learned it was also a book. The story was amazing, I love movies with so much feeling and emotion. I admit I even cried a few times. I have been a fan of Shailene Woodley since I started watching Secret life of an American Teenager, she is a great actor.

For those who don't know about the movie, its a wonderful story about a family trying to cope with the death of their Wife and mother. She was on a boat and hit her head, and is in a coma. Soon her husband is told there is no hope for her and she is going to die. He has to come to terms with it, but everything gets worse when he is told by his oldest daughter that she was cheating on him.

For me this was just crazy, your wife is dying, you feel bad for not spending enough time with her, you plan on making up for all of that when she wakes up and then you find out she is never going to wake up. And she cheated on you.

Clooney did a great job, I believed his anger, his sadness, his grief. It was a beautiful story and movie and I think everyone should see it.

The Descendants

Get the movie!

Review of Fifty Shades Darker

Fifty Shades Darker by El James

Alright, so I finished the second in El James' series. There were a lot of things I liked and some I didn't. The book in general was great because I got to see the change Christian made, and it was the way I would have wanted him to. In fifty shades darker you see that he isn't at all dark like you thought in the first story.

I love that chapter by chapter he let go of all his demons and really dove head first into life. It was a beautiful thing.

The ending was at first confusing, but then I was like holy sh%#!! This might have changed my mind about the next book (which I wasn't sure if I would read).

I will say the author did an amazing job at creating such a character as Christian Grey. I really would like to see someone try and outdo him; I don't think it’s possible. And I honestly hope nobody tries. There is just something about Grey that is unlike anyone I have ever read about and will ever read about. He might be my favorite fictional character because I love how dysfunctional he is.

As for Ana, well, she is annoying most times. I see that she loves him and is caring, but she also is overly stubborn and just has me shaking my head a lot. Some of the things she does or thinks are just over the top. She is either really smart or really stupid about life. I guess they level each other out though.

My only gripe about the writing is the overuse of the word salacious and a few others, and also the inner goddess. I am hoping she packed it up and isn't around in book three. There are only so many times I can handle a description of an imaginary part of a book. I could have learned everything I needed to learn about Ana through Ana, I don't think it was essential to use this "inner goddess" to get the point across all the time.

I think the second book will not disappoint readers. It was even more exciting than the first. It had a lot of great things going on. The last gripe I will mention is the amount of sex; I understand this is what the book is, and what drives a lot of readers wild about it. But at one point, I just felt like it was the same song and dance time and time again. I get that they both are into each other, but it would have been nice to see more to the story then how many ways he can bang Ana.

If you’re looking for a steamy novel with a romantic side as well as one hell of a story and characters, then don't be a wuss and read these books. Its graphic and not for everyone, but I think if you give it a try you will understand its wonderful and less taboo then everyone makes it seem.

If I come off picky with book two, well that’s because I was, I have a hard time reading anything if it doesn't do what I want it to, but that doesn't take away from the fact El James has created a great set of books that I am proud to have read as well as so many others. Great job!

Grab a copy!! Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed