Book Reviews, Etc

I just approved the final recording of the Death of Secrets audiobook! Hopefully in 10-14 days, it will be available for sale in the iTunes store, on Amazon, and on Audible.

The end of privacy as we know it?
Kathy Kelver nearly trips over a murder victim on her way back to her dorm room late one night. In his last words, the dying man gives her stolen data about a secret project that could blow the lid off a shocking conspiracy. From the halls of Congress to the National Security Agency and beyond, Kathy must run for her life from shadowy forces who want her dead, while trying to build a relationship and hang on to her faith. The secret she’s carrying could end the right to privacy forever, if she doesn’t survive to warn the world.

Do you love suspense? Death of Secrets will keep you on the edge of your seat with constant twists, turns and thrills.

I’m listening to the audiobook recording for Death of Secrets. It’s almost ready to go live!

The narrator is a voice actor named Alexander Edward Trefethen. As I listen to his work, I am simply in awe. I got really lucky when he offered to take on this project. Those book-lovers who have been waiting for an audio version are in for a treat.

I can’t wait for you all to get a chance to listen!

UPDATE: Sons of Thunder is now live, so the need for ambassadors is over. Thank you to everyone who did it!

I’d like to recruit some Ambassadors to help spread the word about Sons of Thunder when it launches. (Read more about the book by clicking here.)

As an independently published author, I manage all the promotions myself. There’s no publishing house marketing budget behind my books. That makes word of mouth a crucial part of the marketing. Ambassadors will have specific things they can help with. Read on!

Who should be an Ambassador?

Did you read Death of Secrets or Life of Secrets? Did you like either or both? Are you comfortable telling other people that, including strangers and friends? If so, you’re the perfect candidate.

What do Ambassadors get?

You will get a FREE e-book version of Sons of Thunder, and you’ll get it weeks before anyone else. (So, one more qualification for Ambassadors: you should enjoy reading electronically, whether on a Kindle, iPad, tablet, nook, your laptop, or whatever.)

Sounds great! What do I have to do?

Ambassadors commit to three things:

1. Posting an honest review of the book on Amazon.com before November 9, 2014. This is the biggest, most important duty of an Ambassador. The most successful e-book marketing tools are all based on the number and average star rating of your reviews. It takes at least 4 to get listed in some places, and as many as 20 in others. I need reviews, and I need them quickly, in order to get started on the advertising campaign to sell the book. Remember: honest reviews. Ambassadors are not obligated to write a good review, or give it five stars, or anything like that. They only commit to posting a review that tells how they really felt about the book. The official launch date is November 9, so you’ll have time to read the book and craft your review to get it ready to post on Amazon.
2. E-mailing me any typos or edits you might find. The great beauty of electronic publishing is that mistakes can be corrected at any time, even after the book is published. Sons of Thunder has already been worked on by very skilled editors, but the lesson I learned from my previous novels is that typos still crop up no matter how many times you think you’ve polished it.

Ambassadors are a fundamental part of my marketing strategy. I want to be clear about this: I am asking for your help. If you’re willing, and the above description sounds good to you, then fill out the form below and I’ll get you started!

Here it is, the cover of Sons of Thunder:

Connor Merritt risks his life to save the cashier in a convenience store robbery. He’s shot three times in the torso and once in the head.

He walks away without a scratch on him.

Anna Wales is held captive in a government cell with no windows, one locked door, and zero way out.

The next morning she’s gone without a trace.

Together, the two of them will learn that God is doing something new in our time. A new age of miraculous gifts is breaking out in the world. Now a team of young people will have to learn how to use their God-given Gifts for the good of all, while an evil counterfeit arises to oppose them. Their friends and family choose sides, their commitment will be tested, and they will learn what it really means to serve God. In a classic battle of good against evil, a new kind of hero will rise to take up a mantle and a name dating back to the time of Jesus.

The Sons of Thunder.

 

 

Last night I finished the rough draft of Sons of Thunder. I’m so excited about this. Unlike Life of Secrets and Death of Secrets, this is a completely original novel that I wrote over the past few months. My other books have either been mostly written years ago, or partially written years ago. But this was created from scratch.

So what happens next?

First, I take some time completely away from it. Then I’ll read it through, break it into chapters, and catch what I can myself. Then I send it out for editing. Meanwhile I’m ordering a cover. When those things are done, it gets published and is available for sale on Amazon.

Watch this space for a free sample chapter!

As you may already have heard, an audiobook version of Death of Secrets is being created right now. Today, I’m proud to reveal the cover. The audiobook is being produced by an amazing narrator named Alexander Edward Trefethen, and it should be available by early November. There will be a teaser-trailer available in October. If you’d like to get an e-mail the moment it’s out, please sign up for my e-mail update list by clicking this link: http://eepurl.com/MB9cz

My second novel, Life of Secrets, has now expanded beyond Amazon. It’s available at Smashwords as well. Here’s the link:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/478675

That means that readers who prefer a non-kindle device for their books can now get it.

This has been a challenging decision for me to make. Amazon makes it very lucrative to publish exclusively with them. There are several marketing benefits, and increased royalties, associated with keeping your e-books there.

But there has been a persistent demand from Nook readers and others for more accessible formats. What can I say? The readers come first.

Once the book is accepted by Smashwords’ “premium catalogue,” it will also become available on Apple’s iTunes book store, Barnes and Noble, and a bunch of other places. I’ll be sure to update you when that happens.