The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison @PenguinPbks #ASAHarrison #thesilentwife #bookreview

The Silent Wife 
by A.S.A. Harrison 
(Penguin Group 2013)

Do you live a separate life from your significant other? Do you ignore or rationalize indiscretions of that person? Perhaps, taking the long view that harmony will return after intermittent transgressions? Do you enjoy thinking about the psychology of what drives aberrant behavior?

The Silent Wife is an engaging read from a variety of standpoints. Jodi is a therapist working part-time. Her long-term, unmarried relationship with Todd has survived his serial affairs. He is apparently an insecure entrepreneur, always pursuing the next project, who also suffers recurrent depression. He commences a love affair with the young daughter of his best friend from childhood. She gets pregnant. Jodi is told of this by the girl’s father. She says nothing to Todd until he announces that he is leaving within the hour to take up living with the expectant Natasha.

This engaging story is told in Her and Him seriatim fashion. We are treated to the evolution of their story from each side of the strange relationship. Todd has his share of doubts about what he is doing, as does Jodi. What will each of them do? Will Jodi continue turning the other cheek? As Todd longs for the peacefulness of life with Jodi, in contrast to the chaos of life with a pregnant child, will he return to the fold?

As the story evolves, I was riveted by the back and forth. The anxieties of each take root. What will they do? How will it turn out? Surely, it will not proceed in the manner it appears, will it? These were my thoughts as I turned page after page, unable to put the story down until I closed the last page. There are also other elements, including details of Jodi’s childhood within her own family that plainly impact her own psyche.

At the denouement, which I certainly had not anticipated, I smiled. Actually, I was looking for someone to discuss it with. I will continue to look forward to that!

This is a wonderful, engaging read. You will enjoy it as I did. You will also keep thinking about the story. How could two people be so stupid in their lives together? Enjoy!

Warms, Cym

Amazon

USA Today

NYTimes Books

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Never Go Back by Lee Child #JackReacher

Never Go Back

by Lee Child

(Bantam Press)

Synopsis:

After an epic and interrupted journey all the way from the snows of South Dakota, Jack Reacher has finally made it to Virginia. His destination: a sturdy stone building a short bus ride from Washington D.C., the headquarters of his old unit, the 110th MP. It was the closest thing to a home he ever had. 

Why? He wants to meet the new commanding officer, Major Susan Turner. He liked her voice on the phone. But the officer sitting behind Reacher’s old desk isn't a woman. Why is Susan Turner not there?

What Reacher doesn’t expect is what comes next. He himself is in big trouble, accused of a sixteen-year-old homicide. And he certainly doesn't expect to hear these words: ‘You’re back in the army, Major. And your ass is mine.’

Will he be sorry he went back? Or – will someone else?

 

Links:
Amazon
An excerpt from Lee Child's "Never Go Back", MSNBC
Lee Child's WebSite

Enjoy!

CYM

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Night Film by Marisha Pessl

Synopsis:

Cult horror director Stanislas Cordova hasn't been seen in public since 1971.

To his fans he is an enigma.

To journalist Scott McGrath he is the enemy.

To Ashley he was a father.

On a damp October night the young, beautiful Ashley Cordova is found dead in an abandoned warehouse in lower Manhattan. Her suicide appears to be the latest tragedy to hit a severely cursed dynasty.

For McGrath, another death connected the legendary director seems more than coincidence. Driven by revenge, curiosity and a need for the truth, he finds himself pulled into a hypnotic, disorientating world, where almost everyone seems afraid.

The last time McGrath got close to exposing Cordova, he lost his marriage and his career. This time he could lose his grip on reality.

Book Trailer:

Links:

RandomHouse

Amazon

MarishaPessl

-CYM

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Launch of a Novice Fiction Writer’s Path – Part II

How Does It Feel to be a Newbie?

In this series of posts, I thought it would be interesting for me to trace my feelings about commencing a fiction career. As I noted in Part I, I have written several thriller manuscripts over the years, self-published Riddle of Berlin in 2008, and then decided that I would take advice of successful thriller writers and undertake to develop the skills and habits of a successful fiction writer.

I should also note that I am age 67 and have had successful careers as an international tax lawyer, author of taxation books, and director of a family company that has become a major multinational. Success in other areas, of course, means nothing on a new path.

When people on planes, beaches, or otherwise ask what I am doing when I am writing or editing, I inevitably answer that I am learning to become a fiction writer. After asking what genre and how many stories have you published, the next question is usually “how does it feel to be a nobody.” Actually, the comments are far more polite, but this is the underlying questions. I often think that these questions come from the commenter’s own self-question of “could I do that.”

I answer these questions based on my feelings of the moment. As I now head down this path with patience and persistence, I have thought about what it does feel like to be a newbie, rookie, novice, neophyte, or whatever other terms one chooses to describe someone at the precipice of beginning. 

The answer is that it feels good. I am proud of myself for learning that I have a hobby that is relaxing and joyful (I did it for about 15 years before deciding to get serious). I am not one whose hobbies are television, watching sports, hunting, fishing, or other pastimes. My hobby became fiction writing.

I am also proud that I have taken the time and coaching to prepare myself for striving to achieve my dream of becoming a skilled fiction writer. One benefit of age (life experience) and success in other areas, I think, is that I can approach this process with perspective. I will have fun regardless of whether my stories become bestsellers. If there is such success, via reviews or royalties, that will be great, of course. 

At ThrillerFest each year, new published authors are introduced. This year, there were 60 of them. My immediate dream is to be so introduced one year in the future. It may be that I will be the oldest newbie on the dais, but there will be no one happier and prouder to say a few words.

Another question that I am often asked is whether, as a newbie, I am prepared to “have fun.” This is a polite way of asking whether I am prepared to be a critical and commercial non-event. It is another good question, to be addressed in the next blog of this series.

Warms, Cym

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Winner of the 4 book GIVEAWAY!!

     
*all winners are selected by Random Number Generator *

And the winner of the 4 book bundle giveaway from Wednesday's Review Party is...

(**Drums Rolling in the Background**)

Congratulations to Create with Joy!!



Be sure to check out Create with Joy and leave a comment!


Warms-
CYM

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Author Spotlight: T.C. Southwell (The Queen's Blade) #epicfantasy

The Queen's Blade

by T.C. Southwell

(Genre: Epic Fantasy)

Book Blurb:

A doomed kingdom, a young queen’s sacrifice and a killer who will bring an empire to its knees... In a world where men share kindred with beasts, an ageless seer predicts a child who will end the Endless War. One man is the instrument who will change fate. He will usher in a time of strife and pain that will live in legend, and forever bear his name... the time of the Queen’s Blade.

Buy the Book:

Smashwords

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

T. C. Southwell was born in Sri Lanka and moved to the Seychelles with her family when she was a baby. She spent her formative years exploring the islands – mostly alone. Naturally, her imagination flourished and she developed a keen love of other worlds. The family travelled through Europe and Africa and, after the death of her father, settled in South Africa. T. C. Southwell has written over thirty novels and five screenplays. Her hobbies include motorcycling, horse riding and art.

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Thank you Tammy for being this week's author spotlight!

Stay in touch...

CYM

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Book Review Party Starts NOW! Link-up for a Chance to win a 4-Book Prize Pack

This week's prize pack!!

Strong Vengeance by Jon Land
Japantown by Barry Lancet
Murder In Thrall by Anne Cleeland
Riddle of Berlin by Cym Lowell

<a href="http://cymlowell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="CymLowell" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3960797566_f11cfb2f41_o.jpg" /></a>

Welcome to Book Review Party Wednesday.

It is real simple. Link up any (old or new, any genre) book review that you have
written to the below MckLinky.

A couple of things to remember while you're linking.

1. Add a permalink to your specific post, not the main page of your blog (only one review per blog will be included in the giveaway). Permalinks from Amazon & other Book Review Sites are permitted.
2. Add my Book Review Wednesday Badge or a simple link-back to the party at the end of your review post.
3. List the name of your blog, Title of Book or Genre. Be sure to use spaces and limit characters to 50. For example: The Lost Symbol, Thriller - or whatever you want to say!

4. Visit the other linked up reviews and leave comments....it's a party, have fun!
5. I will announce the winner in a weekend post. The winner is chosen from the linked up reviewers using Random Number Generator. All included. This week will include 4 Books, as seen in the above picture!

I am so excited to be reading all the reviews! This is always so much fun and gives me the opportunity to add new books to my list. 

International included. 

-CYM

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The Lower River by Paul Theroux #BookReview

The Lower River 
by Paul Theroux 
(First Mariner Books 2013)

Have you ever looked at your life and wondered what you are doing? In that process, do you think back to an earlier time when you recall being happy, perhaps even remembering a sweetheart in such a period?

What do you think it would be like to return at a later stage of your life? Would it be as you remembered? Better or worse? Could you find new life?

Hock spent two years in Malawi. He enjoyed the people, became an expert snake handler, and thirsted with love for an unrequited sweetheart, Gala.

Upon the death of his father, he returned to Boston to take over the family mens’ clothing store. He married and had a daughter. Ultimately, the business failed, his wife wanted a divorce after discovering messages with other women on Hock’s cell phone that she insisted he use (never consummated, just discussion), and in the divorce his daughter insisted on her “cut” of his estate in case he married again. Hock was divorced from his family and life.

He returned to Malawi and the village of his memory, Malabo, in the Lower River country. His bag contained his life, clothes, money, and what not. He meets Gala again, an old woman by then. A tall thin “twig”, Zizi, is assigned to care for him. She is granddaughter of Gala

Of course everything has changed. In the end, Hock finds his own redemption.

The story line in The Lower River is a trip through depression and an effort to find meaning in a soured life. Zizi loves and adores him. She would do anything for him. She is a virgin, placed on a pedestal in the Malabo. Can she bring Hock happiness? At what cost?

In the end . . . well, you need to read this lovely story. I found myself thinking through my own life. There are many parallels. It is such a joy to read a story that triggers emotions of life in the reader. This is a great read. It cries out for discussion in a book club gathering.

Warms, Cym

Amazon
NY Times Review
Paul Theroux

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Book Review Link Up Starts NOW! #Amazon #Giveaway

<a href="http://cymlowell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="CymLowell" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3960797566_f11cfb2f41_o.jpg" /></a>

Welcome to Book Review Party Wednesday.

It is real simple. Link up any (old or new, any genre) book review that you have
written to the below MckLinky.

A couple of things to remember while you're linking.

1. Add a permalink to your specific post, not the main page of your blog (only one review per blog will be included in the giveaway). Permalinks from Amazon & other Book Review Sites are permitted.
2. Add my Book Review Wednesday Badge or a simple link-back to the party at the end of your review post.
3. List the name of your blog, Title of Book or Genre. Be sure to use spaces and limit characters to 50. For example: The Lost Symbol, thriller - or whatever you want to say!

4. Visit the other linked up reviews and leave comments....it's a party, have fun!
5. I will announce the winner in a weekend post. The winner is chosen from the linked up reviewers using Random Number Generator. All included.

I am so excited to be reading all the reviews! This is always so much fun and gives me the opportunity to add new books to my list. Last week's winner will be announced this weekend!

-CYM

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Winner of Wednesday's Book Review Link-Up!

     
*all winners are selected by Random Number Generator *

And the winner of the 4 book bundle giveaway from Wednesday's Review Party is...

(**Drums Rolling in the Background**)

Congratulations to Create with Joy!!



Be sure to check out Create with Joy and leave a comment!


Send me your mailing address.

Warms-
CYM

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Alexandra Hamlet, Author UPDATE!

Author Spotlight UPDATE:

Since I first spotlighted Alexandra Hamlet on 7/27/12. Her book, The Right Guard, has won 7 book awards and is up for 5 more. Also, Hollywood came calling and they are in negotiations for an option film from an academy-award winning director!

Take a look at Alexandra's interview on writing/publishing.

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/interview-with-military-thriller-author.html

Congrats!!

The Right Guard

by Alexandra Hamlet

Synopsis:

Over one million military weapons and equipment are missing from the U.S. military inventories across the country. Who is stealing the weapons and why? CIA operative Eric Brent, and his revolutionary light weapon invention, is used by CIA to flush out a secretive, phantom group hostile to a wildly spending, intrusive U.S. Administration that threatens to destroy the American economy and shrink individual freedoms.

Hamlet takes you through the twists and turns of the secretive world of intelligence as the undercover assignment goes astray. Eric exposes a far-reaching and well-planned movement and an event that could alter the United States forever.

Strained loyalties arise as the phantom group appeals to Eric and his superiors. At the height of his infiltration, a former lover, Jill, reenters his life and places them both in danger. Loyal forces within the intelligence community struggle to learn who is involved and organize counter-moves yet stay undetected. Each question ends in surprise as personal and professional conflicts for Eric arise. He is forced to reach back into his high-ranking father's Nazi Germany past...to solicit help.
The year is 1978, yet The Right Guard resembles the present state of the political and economic climate of the U.S. and a possible, eerie scenario and outcome.
The Right Guard is an exercise in gripping, fast-paced realism that keeps the reader mesmerized through the eyes of those who live in the intelligence world.

About Alexandra Hamlet:

Alexandra is a cultural and defense anthropologist, an international lecturer and a former TV and print journalist. She consults on cultural affairs and international business. She was an auxiliary nurse in London; Visiting Fellow at Harvard University; an executive search specialist for world-wide C-suite positions; and is a consultant on irregular warfare. This is her first novel.

Other Resources:

Amazon

TheRightGuardNovel

AlexandraHamletBlog

Thank you Alexandra for being this week's Author Spotlight!

-CYM

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Book Review Link-Up Party Starts NOW...4 - Book Giveaway!!

This week's prize pack!!

<a href="http://cymlowell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="CymLowell" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3960797566_f11cfb2f41_o.jpg" /></a>

Welcome to Book Review Party Wednesday.

It is real simple. Link up any (old or new, any genre) book review that you have
written to the below MckLinky.

A couple of things to remember while you're linking.

1. Add a permalink to your specific post, not the main page of your blog (only one review per blog will be included in the giveaway). Permalinks from Amazon & other Book Review Sites are permitted.
2. Add my Book Review Wednesday Badge or a simple link-back to the party at the end of your review post.
3. List the name of your blog, Title of Book or Genre. Be sure to use spaces and limit characters to 50. For example: The Lost Symbol, Thriller - or whatever you want to say!

4. Visit the other linked up reviews and leave comments....it's a party, have fun!
5. I will announce the winner in a weekend post. The winner is chosen from the linked up reviewers using Random Number Generator. All included. This week will include 4 Books, as seen in the above picture!

I am so excited to be reading all the reviews! This is always so much fun and gives me the opportunity to add new books to my list. 

International included. *Shipping will not occur until August 28th.*

-CYM

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Havana Cafe of The Pearl in Rosemary Beach, FL - REVIEW

via

Havana Cafe in the Pearl of Rosemary Beach Opening

The beautiful Pearl of Rosemary Beach opened the restaurant, Havana Café, on 6 August. We reserved tables for 12 community friends. Between us, we sampled the cocktails, entire menu, wine selections, and, of course, deserts. Each course was largely passed around the table so everyone could be a taste tester.

The décor of the Havana Café is Cuban. There are blown-up pictures of the Cuba of today, taken by Rosemary Beach artist Tommy Crow. Upon entering the first floor restaurant from the cobblestone street, the panorama of the Western Green, the ocean, and a setting sun provide glorious backdrop for the restaurant itself. The polished wooden bar is long and inviting. I expected Ernst Hemingway to turn, wave a hand with cigar between his fingers, inviting me to join and discuss next novels. Of course, there is a Hemingway cocktail, which had the flavors of a Cuban original.

After a couple of rounds of drinks, we sat down. Our host, Mary Alice Johnson of Premier Realty, assigned the seats, so that spouses were not sitting together. She also segregated me from my political friend, her husband, so that we would not delve into all the problems of the world boring our dinner mates.

I had the world class French Fries as an appetizer, followed by onion soup, collards, and green beans as the main course (my kind of food). Chef Edward, from Edward’s across the street from the Pearl, was at our table and ordered an excellent cab. Our friends ordered a full range of lamb, local fish, steak, and soups, all of which were delicious. For desert, I had sorbets and sampled the lemon tart, s ’mores, and other delectables of my friends.

The Havana Café was packed upon arrival, reflecting opening night at the Oscars (for Rosemary beach). The hotel has been abandoned for four years, now open and glowing.  The service was impeccable, quite amazing for an opening night.

We look forward to meeting you at the Havana Café for one of those Hemingways!

Warms, Cym

My iphone photos

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Standard Pages for A Fiction Website | Author Media | Growing Your Platform Online

by 

Shaney Lee

on 

July 30, 2013

Are you a fiction writer building your own site? If so, this post is for you.

Through our experience in working with dozens of fiction authors, these are the pages that we’ve found every fiction website needs.

1. Home

This is your landing page, the first page your visitors will see when they navigate to your website. Therefore, you will want your home page to make it clear who you are and what you write. Don’t make your visitors guess.

Your home page will set the tone for the rest of the website, so focus on easy-to-understand navigation, clear calls to action, and a design that reflects who you are as a writer. Your book(s) should be featured prominently.

Many writers also opt to have their blog on their home page, which is perfectly acceptable. You can also choose to keep your blog on a separate page.

2. About

This is your bio section. Don’t get too bogged down talking about all the minute details of your life story; that will get monotonous rather quickly. Instead, focus on hitting the highlights of your life, especially those that pertain to why you started writing or where you get inspiration for your books.

Choose a professional headshot for this page.


Read the rest of the article here. There is much more!


-CYM

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Launch of a Novice Fiction Writer’s Path

I am pleased to report that I have been writing thrillers for almost 20 years. It began with a daughter studying at Oxford and having to write a novel in a tutorial. She picked out an event that actually happened to us on a train ride through Switzerland. There were a few places where she needed some additional life experience to fill in blanks in the story. I became hooked.

Over the years, I have written 4 manuscripts. I never submitted them to anybody. Just  enjoyed the process of writing. I have spent almost 40 years writing professional international taxation books from prominent publishing houses. I naively hoped that success as a non-fiction writer would make climbing the fiction ladder a simple process.

 Wrong!

My sweetheart read the manuscripts and suggested that they had potential. I chose one that I thought would have appeal to readers. Since I knew nothing about the fiction publishing business and heard horror stories about authors who lose their rights to bankrupt or unethical publishers, I decided to self-publish that first book, which became Riddle of Berlin in 2008. Reviews have been generally positive. Through the social media process, sales continue at a pace to indicate that there may be potential in my stories.

Beginning about years three ago, I became serious in wanting to improve my writing and fiction marketing skills. I took an Author Buzz course from MJ Rose on developing a marketing plan. In the course of working with MJ, she suggested that my manuscript for Dust Scenario had potential. She suggested that I engage a skilled developmental editor, which is an expert on framing manuscripts to be successful thrillers. 

I then engaged a wonderful editor. She advised that her comments would be detailed if she thought the story had potential, minimal if she had little interest. I received 26 single-spaced pages of comments. I took this as a positive sign. It has taken me almost 18 months to revise the text in line with these comments.

When the development process had run its course, the editor suggested that I needed to engage a line editor to review for syntax, punctuation, style, and what not. I am in that process now.

I have now completed the manuscript for Dust Scenario. In essence, it is the story of a woman’s war after her husband has been murdered, children kidnapped, and told to be quiet. He was a Super Bowl champion quarterback, then Wall Street success, and Secretary of Treasury when his plane crashed into an iceberg with polar bears. To recover her family, Jaspar must become a warrior doing things that would have been inconceivable in her prior life.

I will post a synopsis shortly as I commence the “line editor” process.

Warms, Cym

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ThrillerFest 2013

During the past few days, we attended the annual meeting of the Thriller Writers Association, Inc., in New York City, affectionately named ThrillerFest. This was the 8^th ThrillerFest, of which we have attended the past 4.

ThrillerFest is a celebration of thrillers, the authors who write them and the fans who read them. It provides an environment in which aspiring authors (like me) gain the tools and make the contacts they need to get published, readers meet authors, and authors get an update on what is going in the wider business (as opposed to their own world). It is also a place where agents can discover new authors and up-and-coming authors find resources to move their careers forward. Finally, it is a community gathering in which bestselling authors share experience, advice, anxieties, and wisdom with those traveling the same road.

The full 4 day program is divided into the following elements:

CraftFest: This day and a half is devoted to assisting writers hone their writing skills. Well known writers conduct 50 minute tutorials, and panel discussions, on a variety of topics, spanning the spectrum from plot, characterization, genres, current events, and so on. It provides a priceless opportunity to listen to the famous names of the genre explain what they do and how they do it. The authors are also selfless in terms of explaining how they got from nobody to somebody in this business.

AgentFest: As a means of providing a forum for writers and agents to meet, there is an afternoon of, in essence, speed dating interviews. About 60 agents sit at tables and spend 3 or so minutes with each author wanting to discuss what the agent is looking for in terms of content, connection, and so on. For any aspiring author, this is another priceless element of education about the business. It is quite an amazing experience to make your pitch to 25-30 agents, and assess the range of reaction. Like authors, all agents are different personalities, experience, perspective, reaction, and so on. I participated as an interviewee in AgentFest 3 times and learned all that I needed to know at the time. I have a list of 12-15 agents who have asked for a copy of my current novel draft, Dust Scenario, when it is complete. I am almost done, and will explain my intended process in a future blog.

ThrillerFest: This is the business portion of the meeting, intended to provide experienced authors and other attendees a snapshot of all critical issues in the business. The topics that were of most interest to me this year included:

What are the secrets behind award-winning fiction?

What is the elixir that keeps your series character fresh?

What are the new rules for writing a bestseller?

What are the new rules of being a hybrid author?

What are the new rules of Social media?

What do authors need today?

There are also interviews with famous writers, including this year Michael Palmer, Steve Barry, Anne Rice, and so on.

Banquet: ThrillerFest concludes with a Saturday evening banquet at which awards are given, including to the ThrillerMaster of the year (Anne Rice in 2013). It is an elegant evening, enjoying cocktails, dinner, and presentations by your favorite authors as you mingle with a delightful group of people who love to write and read. Winner's Link.

And as a bonus, I have lots of Best Selling Books that I brought home from NYC to give away to you!! Giveaways will happen in August!

Over the next 2 weeks, I am going to take some time to rearrange the blog & take care of some business. I will announce last week's review link-up winner later this week. The Wednesday Party will be put on hold until August! Stay tuned & please be patient with me!

I just signed up for Instagram... www.instagram.com/cymlowell (come follow me!)

Warms-

CYM

Thrillerfest

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#Book #Review Link-up Party Starts Now!

<a href="http://cymlowell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="CymLowell" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3960797566_f11cfb2f41_o.jpg" /></a>

Welcome to Book Review Party Wednesday.

It is real simple. Link up any (old or new, any genre) book review that you have
written to the below MckLinky.

A couple of things to remember while you're linking.

1. Add a permalink to your specific post, not the main page of your blog (only one review per blog will be included in the giveaway). Permalinks from Amazon & other Book Review Sites are permitted.
2. Add my Book Review Wednesday Badge or a simple link-back to the party at the end of your review post.
3. List the name of your blog, Title of Book or Genre. Be sure to use spaces and limit characters to 50. For example: The Lost Symbol, thriller - or whatever you want to say!

4. Visit the other linked up reviews and leave comments....it's a party, have fun!
5. I will announce the winner in a weekend post. The winner is chosen from the linked up reviewers using Random Number Generator. All included.

I am so excited to be reading all the reviews! This is always so much fun and gives me the opportunity to add new books to my list. Last week's winner will be announced this weekend!

-CYM

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How to Get a Book Published: A Step-by-Step Guide...

Anne R. Allen's Blog

...WITH RUTH HARRIS

How To Get a Book Published: A Step-by-Step Guide with Links to FREE Information for the New Author

"The Interwebz can provide a wealth of information for new writers. In fact you can find pretty much everything you need to know to become a professional, publishing writer here on the Web, absolutely free.

But you'll also find a bunch of time-wasting bad advice that can lead you astray. When you’re a beginner, it’s hard to know who to listen to.

We decided we'd devote a page on the blog to some info for the writer looking to know the basics about how to get published. Thanks much to Janice Konstantinidis, the webmaster of the SLO Nightwriters for the suggestion!

This is not meant to be a comprehensive list: just a jumping-off place...."

Click for the rest of this informative article with links to FREE Information for the New Author.


-CYM

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Winner of Wednesday's Book Review Link-Up!

     *all winners are selected by Random Number Generator *

And the winner of the Amazon Gift Card ($15 value) from Wednesday's Review Party is...

(**Drums Rolling in the Background**)

Congratulations to Malinche!!



Be sure to check out Malinche and leave a comment!


Send me your email address.

Warms-
CYM

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Turning the Tables on Book Bloggers with a HUGE GIVEAWAY - Colleen Hoover

Review and huge giveaway from Totally Booked!

Posted by colleenhoover

"...There are so many factors that play into the success an author has.  Without a doubt, the basis for the success my books have seen has been word of mouth.  The most significant form of word of mouth being book bloggers.

I may not have known what a book blogger was just over a year ago, but I certainly do now.  They are readers who spend their time reviewing books they love (and sometimes books they don’t love).  They spend their time promoting authors, doing giveaways, creating blog posts that create new readers.  And the majority of them do it for nothing.  Nada.  Zilch.  The only motivator they have is simply their love for reading.  That in itself is enough to keep a writer wanting to write.

I’ve spoken with many other authors who share the same appreciative attitude toward bloggers.  Without bloggers and their endless support, our books would not be where they are today.

Simply put…

Bloggers.
Kick.
Ass.

Which brings me to the point of this post." 

-CYM

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#Book #Review Link-up Party Starts NOW!

<a href="http://cymlowell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="CymLowell" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3960797566_f11cfb2f41_o.jpg" /></a>

Welcome to Book Review Party Wednesday.

It is real simple. Link up any (old or new, any genre) book review that you have
written to the below MckLinky.

A couple of things to remember while you're linking.

1. Add a permalink to your specific post, not the main page of your blog (only one review per blog will be included in the giveaway). Permalinks from Amazon & other Book Review Sites are permitted.
2. Add my Book Review Wednesday Badge or a simple link-back to the party at the end of your review post.
3. List the name of your blog, Title of Book or Genre. Be sure to use spaces and limit characters to 50. For example: The Lost Symbol, thriller - or whatever you want to say!

4. Visit the other linked up reviews and leave comments....it's a party, have fun!
5. I will announce the winner in a weekend post. The winner is chosen from the linked up reviewers using Random Number Generator. All included.

I am so excited to be reading all the reviews! This is always so much fun and gives me the opportunity to add new books to my list. Last week's winner will be announced this weekend!

-CYM

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Baptism in the Ocean

Here I am being baptized in the ocean. I was baptized as a baby, but, of course, I do not remember. It has been important to me to reiterate my vows as an adult.

We have found a physical home in Rosemary Beach, Florida, as well as a spiritual home in the Chapel at the Beach in Rosemary.

I have lived a full life. Raised three successful children, military service in Vietnam, a career and found happiness in my soul. 

Faith is an important part of my life. I want to re-dedicate myself to finding ways to give to others what has been given to me from our Lord and Savior: forgiveness, redemption and resurrection. We can each be reborn as often as we are willing to re-dedicate our lives.

I am blessed and thankful. As I embark on a new phase of my life, I am joyful that Pastor Michael Young baptized me in the ocean on Memorial Day.

Warms, Cym

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Winner of Wednesday's Book Review Party!

     *all winners are selected by Random Number Generator *

And the winner of the Amazon Gift Card ($15 value) from Wednesday's Review Party is...

(**Drums Rolling in the Background**)

Congratulations to Create With Joy!!



Be sure to check out Create With Joy and leave a comment!


Send me your email address.

Warms-
CYM

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Publish on Amazon Only? One Author's Perspective from Bookpromotion.com

News and tools for book promotion and marketing

Publish on Amazon Only? One Author’s Perspective
BY LORI CULWELL

OK, now that you know a little about getting the KDP process started, I want to give you a little perspective on authors who choose to publish there exclusively.   At BEA this year, Guy Kawasaki said that he is doing this, and encouraged authors to stick with Amazon exclusively.  This is not a strategy I personally employ, but I wanted to get the perspective of some who does (and does so successfully!).  So, today I asked one of our contributors here at BookPromotion.com, Rachel Thompson, about why she chooses to do just that.

Here’s Rachel, talking about her choice to have her work available only on Amazon: LINK

-CYM

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