Tag Archives: book launch

Release day for LOVE BLEEDS BLUE by @EmmaCalin

Posted on April 3, 2017 | 5 comments

It gives me the greatest pleasure to welcome the amazing Emma Calin on my blog today as she announces the release of the third novel in her ‘Passion Patrol’ series: ‘LOVE BLEEDS BLUE’.

Launch graphic blog

Firmly in the ‘suspense romance’ genre, this story features another sassy female hero-cop who is as passionate about her job as she is about the love in her life. Each Passion Patrol novel can be read as a stand-alone story although characters from previous stories make cameo appearances across the series.

Book Title:

LOVE BLEEDS BLUE by Emma Calin. A stand-alone fast-moving action adventure with a love story at its core. The third novel in the Passion Patrol Series, featuring hot cops, hot crime and hot romance.

Blurb:

A London girl cop, a violent political crisis, an instant decision. One moment of courage to catch the destiny of history.

When single mother Sergeant Sophia Castellana stumbles into a terrorist shooting, things are not as they seem. Global forces beyond her grasp sweep her up into an audacious scheme to re-unite a world in chaos. The love of a far younger man, the infatuation of a charismatic woman leader seduce her into a blur of inappropriate love and infinite danger. Power and celebrity beckon, betrayal and violence threaten every move as events unfold in the city of Paris. Her brute courage and loving woman’s heart confront ruthless enemies who offer no second chances. She knows the streets, she knows her power as a lover. Can she, dare she seize the prizes before her? Will a world offer her the choice?

PP3 left 500

Love Bleeds Blue, another stand-alone novel in the #1 Kindle Bestseller, Passion Patrol suspense romance series . Steamy Emma Calin holds nothing back to bring you her juicy mix of cops crime and passion.

EARLY REVIEWS FOR LOVE BLEEDS BLUE:

“Politics – Philosophy – Terrorism – Romance – Coup D’ Etats – Assassinations – World Reordering – Steamy Hot Sex! An intriguing love story.” Charles Smith, USA.

“Between the criminal plots, assassination attempts, and cases of almost innocent subterfuge, Ms. Calin weaves in passionate sex scenes that threaten to set the pages on fire.” Anneli Purchase, Canada.

“Staggering!! Wonderfully descriptive coupled with an outstanding story line makes this book a must read! The underlying satire provides some essential humor through out the book.” Evonne Hutton, South Africa.

Launch Details:

LOVE BLEEDS BLUE is out, worldwide, on Amazon for Kindle and digital e-readers, on the 3rd April 2017. The print edition will be available by May 2017.

The launch price is 99c/99p and FREE on Amazon Kindle Unlimited but will go up to $2.99/£2.50 after the 17th April.

Universal Book Sales Link on Amazon: http://www.smarturl.it/AmazonLBB

COMPETITION:

For the two weeks following the launch there is a Rafflecopter sweepstake link in the back of the book, to win a brand-new Kindle Fire 7″ Tablet worth $50 (gift card equivalent alternative in countries where product not available).

Kindle 7- Fire Prize

FREE BOOK FROM THE PASSION PATROL SERIES: Try one of the Passion Patrol novels for free https://www.instafreebie.com/free/1LZ7p

Huge congratulations to Emma on her latest release! My review is to follow soon…

5 Comments

Posted in CentreStage, Miscellaneous

Tagged book launch, Emma Calin, Passion Patrol, Romantic Suspense

DEAD HOPE releases! #Thriller #Suspense #Kindle

Posted on February 23, 2017 | 6 comments

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t somewhat overwhelmed to be releasing my eighth book today. When I launched my first novel onto the world, I didn’t dare dream that six years later, I’d have produced seven more books. And yet here I am. Hooray!

dead-hope-delivery

Although this isn’t perhaps quite the genre you might expect from me. DEAD HOPE is a thriller, a fusion of crime, suspense and yes, a touch of romance. I suppose it was inevitable that I’d go down this road eventually, given that I read crime and thrillers by the truckload; but for those of you who know the funny, dreamy, romantic side of me and my writing, this may be a surprise. But don’t be deterred, this is still me writing. You’ll recognise my voice and my lovely light touch at every step of the way, and I promise the story will draw you in and pull you along just the same.

DEAD HOPE was a real labour of love. (How’s that for irony?) The experience of writing this book was a bit like being told at your twenty week scan that you’ll be having a girl and then delivering a boy, kicking and screaming. Conceived under the title “Deep Cover”, this novel was born as a romantic comedy: what happens if you take the rock star out of his glamorous habitat and throw him in the real world with no money (or at least not very much), no perks, no music, and a normal nine-to-five job?

And yet what emerged, after many a transformation, was a thriller, a suspense, a crime novel that doesn’t feature a male rock star but instead focuses on the plight of the daughter of a rock star couple (I like my unexpected twists!). And the comedy was subsumed by the urgent desire to find out what happened to the rock daughter’s parents nearly two decades ago.

It was interesting and challenging to write this book. I researched a lot of things about the police system, the court system, sentences, and forensics, all in the name of bringing you the best, most plausible story I could possibly put together. And here it is, today, the result: DEAD HOPE!

dead-hope-nicky-wells

Cat Hope doesn’t want to go to prison. She needs a job, and she needs it fast: judge’s orders.

Kay Mahon, office worker by day and hacker by night, is on the run from a past life that he’d rather not remember.

When their paths cross, they begin to investigate the truth behind the deaths of Cat’s parents, the successful rock star couple Jackie and Adam Hope. Little do they know that their quest is putting Cat in grave danger.

And here’s the sales stuff:

Paperback: UK | US

Kindle: UK | US

And the really good news is that DEAD HOPE is on an introductory offer of only 99p/99c on Kindle!! So why not go grab your copy right now?

Spread the news if you like!

Out today! FABULOUS #DeadHope by @WellsNicky~A thrilling fusion of crime, suspense & romance only 99p/99c on #Kindle https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-Hope-thrilling-suspense-romance-ebook/dp/B06WD89J1V/

And last but not least: THANK YOU!

Yes, indeed. Thank YOU! If it weren’t for you and your imagination giving my stories pictures and wings, then there wouldn’t be any point in me writing them. I’m thrilled (see what I did there?) that you’re part of my journey, and I thank you for coming along for the ride. I hope you enjoy, and I’d love to hear what you think of DEAD HOPE. 🙂

dead-hope-teaser-2

6 Comments

Posted in DEAD HOPE

Tagged book launch, Crime, Romance, Suspense, Thriller

The awesome pre-launch giveaway of TWO signed paperbacks of DEAD HOPE!

Posted on February 6, 2017 | 5 comments

Cat Hope doesn’t want to go to prison. She needs a job, and she needs it fast: judge’s orders.

Kay Mahon, office worker by day and hacker by night, is on the run from a past life that he’d rather not remember.

dead-hope-nicky-wells

Are you hooked? Well, that’s great news, because I’ve just treated you to a preview of the blurb for my upcoming release, my amazing new thriller/suspense titled DEAD HOPE. And I’m terrifically excited about this new release, not only because it seems a long time since I last shouted about a brand new Nicky Wells book, but also because it shows you the results of a completely new and quite different journey for me: a gentle venture into the dark and murky world of thrillers, of crime, of psychological drama, not to mention trauma. But of course, it is still me who wrote this book, so you’ll find a touch of romance and definitely a positive outlook in the story. Because you know me: I’m a glass-half-full-kinda girl.

Release day for DEAD HOPE is 23 February 2017, which is only 16 short days away. But now that I’ve got you hooked, it would be unfair to simply make you wait. So instead, you can enter a giveaway to win one of two signed paperbacks of DEAD HOPE, and you can enter right now. Just hop on over to Goodreads and sign up.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Dead Hope

by Nicky Wells

Giveaway ends February 22, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

The giveaway is strictly pre-launch only and will close on 22 February 2017, so on release day itself, you will already know if you won. Or not! And of course at that point, the Kindle edition will be yours to purchase as well as the paperback one, so you won’t have to wait any longer then. How’s that?

Now then… wouldn’t you just LOVE to win one of these? And signed to boot?

So here’s three cheers for DEAD HOPE and best of luck to you all. Feel free to tell your friends about the giveaway (and the book, while you’re at it), and I hope to see you all during the book tour organised by the awesome JB Johnston of Brook Cottage Books, which will start on 27 February and bring more opportunities for prizes.

Are you ready?

dead-hope-teaser-1

5 Comments

Posted in DEAD HOPE

Tagged book launch, Suspense, Thriller

#BookLaunch: Pandora’s Prophecy by @JulieRyan18

Posted on May 25, 2015 | Leave a comment

#BookLaunch

Social media is a wonderful thing. It’s a place to hang out and make friends, and to meet new authors and their books. It’s my great honour to showcase today the wonderful Julie Ryan with her third release in her Greek Island mystery series. Give it up for Pandora’s Prophecy!

Pandora’s Prophecy

‘Pandora’s Prophecy’ is the third in the Greek Island mystery series but can be read as a standalone, although some characters from the previous books do make an appearance.

Lisa and Mark are going through a rough patch, Vicky is seventeen and has just discovered that the man she thought was her father really isn’t, Ruth is getting over her husband’s betrayal after nearly twenty-five years of marriage. On the surface they have nothing in common except that they are all staying in the same hotel on a Greek Island. As they each come into contact with the mysterious Pandora, their lives will change forever. Bodies begin to pile up as a serial killer is on the loose who might just be targeting the hotel. The Island’s Police Chief, Christos Pavlides, tries to solve the puzzle but he has problems of his own to resolve. It seems that the local celebrity author is the one who holds the key.

About Julie

Julie Ryan was born and brought up in a mining village near Barnsley in South Yorkshire. She graduated with a BA (hons) in French Language and Literature from Hull University. Since then she has lived and worked as a Teacher of English as a Foreign Language in France, Greece, Poland and Thailand. She now lives in rural Gloucestershire with her husband, son and two cats, a rescue cat and a dippy cat with half a tail. She is so passionate about books that her collection is now threatening to outgrow her house, much to her husband’s annoyance, as she can’t bear to get rid of any! They have been attempting to renovate their home for the last ten years.

She is the author of three novels set in Greece, “Jenna’s Journey”, “Sophia’s Secret” and ‘Pandora’s Prophecy.” She considers Greece to be her spiritual home and visits as often as she can. This series was inspired by her desire to return to Crete although there is a strong pull to revisit the Cyclades too.

Jenna’s Journey | Sophia’s Secret | Pandora’s Prophecy

Author links

Twitter: @julieryan18

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Julieryanauthor

Blog: www.allthingsbookie.com and www.juliesworldofbooks.blogspot.co.uk

Huge congratulations, Julie, and best of luck with the launch of Pandora’s Prophecy! Peeps, what do you think? Are you intrigued?

In the name of research… I’ll even eat oysters.

Posted on May 24, 2015 | 5 comments

It’s no secret that I love sea food of almost all kinds. So do my leading ladies. Sophie is quite famous for her addiction to all things prawn and lobster. However, there was a gap in my seafood repertoire. Or my mollusc repertoire, to be precise. Oysters.

I’ve always fancied the idea of oysters, but I’d never gotten round to trying any. And then I started overthinking the whole thing and decided I could live quite well without. Until, that was, I put oysters into Alex and Casey’s mouths:

That’ll teach me not to try.’ Alex felt stupid for a moment, but then he succumbed to the funny side.

‘I haven’t had woman yet,’ he gulped. ‘Gosh, what must he be thinking?’

As if on cue, the waiter reappeared. He set down a large plate of fresh oysters on the table and smiled widely.

‘On the ‘ouse. For the ‘oney-mooners.’ He turned and spoke directly to Alex. ‘So you can ‘ave woman tonight.’ He placed air quotation marks around “‘ave”. Alex gaped at him open-mouthed while Casey snorted into her napkin once more.

Alex felt heat rising from the tips of his toes right up his body and into his head. His ears burned with embarrassment. It took him several seconds before he could speak.

‘Did he… Did he think… He didn’t think I was asking for an aphrodisiac, did he?’

Casey lifted her shoulders. She reached across the table to squeeze his hand. ‘I wouldn’t worry about it.’ She dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘Maybe you’ve inadvertently hit on the secret phrase to get free oysters in this place.’

Alex was still in shock. ‘But this is so… it’s so… it’s rude!’

‘Shh,’ Casey admonished him. ‘Now you’re being rude.’ She gave his hand a final stroke before she released her grip and sat back. Tentatively, she poked at one of the oysters with an index finger. The slimy centre of the mollusc quivered at her touch, and Casey yelped softly. ‘Eurgh! How can people eat these?’

From: 7 Years Bad Sex by Nicky Wells.

Now I wrote that scene without ever having tasted oysters, and that didn’t sit well with me. How could I be sure that Alex and Casey would feel about these squidgy little things in the way I described? How could I even be sure that they are squidgy little things?

So during a recent family holiday to France, I bit the proverbial bullet and had a go. It helped that we found ourselves with some very good French friends in Arcachon, the very oyster capital of France. Here goes…

First, the shucking…

Okay, baby, I can do this.

Careful now, that knife is sharp. Come on, give it up, you sucker.

Nearly done.

Next, the presentation.

Ta-da!
(And no way I’m going to eat all of these!)

Lastly, the eating.

The proof of the oyster is in the eating, yada yada. Ready, steady…

Right. So this goes in my mouth…

…now.

And swallow.

It’s kinda…

…salty…

…and watery, but not necessarily unpleasant…

I survived! I didn’t shuck-them-up. And I didn’t end up in hospital, contrary to hubs’ dire prediction.

Would I eat them again? Sure! Would they be my first choice? Err… no. And what did I really think? Well, I put those words straight in Casey’s mouth, so you can find out for yourself…

Have you ever tried oysters? What did you think?

5 Comments

Posted in 7 Years Bad Sex

Tagged book launch, Oysters, Research, sea food

#BookLaunch: Grumpies on Board by @CarolEWyer

Posted on May 22, 2015 | 10 comments

#BookLaunch

It gives me tremendous pleasure to shout today about an awesome book launch by a wonderful and outstanding author. Give it up for the one and only Carol E Wyer! I had the pleasure of meeting Carol at a book festival not too long ago and to interview her for a radio show, and I’m telling you: Carol is a funny, kind and extraordinary energy ball like no other. This is the woman who eats chocolate-covered grasshoppers (or locusts?) for a book launch. This is the woman who makes eyes at a taxi driver whilst waving an umbrella in the pouring rain outside a hotel. This is the woman who lives with GRUMPY!

Here she goes… Carol E Wyer and Grumpies on Board!

I live with a genuine Mister Grumpy. He makes Victor Meldrew look like one of the Chuckle Brothers. He is very, very grumpy. Grumpy people do not like holidays. They don’t like too much sun. They don’t like sitting by pools surrounded by families and children and they don’t like getting old.

I discovered years ago, the only way to drag my grumpy guts away was to offer him an alternative holiday. He needs stimulating and entertaining on holiday. He needs to explore places, be outdoors, learn facts and most of all enjoy new experiences. Guess what? He isn’t the only one who wants to enjoy adventure or active holidays.

Over 50s are turning their backs on poolside or even rambling holidays or cruises and are seeking challenges while we are still fit and active enough to enjoy them. Many are trying out glamping or gap years, backpacking around Australia or Thailand. We are willing to consider a polar expedition, go on a yodeling holiday, crew a tall ship, climb a mountain, try out bungee jumping in New Zealand, quad biking in Morocco, travel the Extra- Terrestial Highway in the USA on a motorbike, head off for a night in a converted whisky barrel and we might even be interested in Zero Gravity trips into space. We want to grab opportunities and see the world. We want to travel further, more often and stay away for longer.

Grumpies On Board offers a vast range of holiday possibilities—including staying in a snowball to watch the Northern Lights or learning to become a Ninja—some fascinating trivia, some super jokes (yes, honest) some true anecdotes (sorry Grumpy. I know I should have kept quiet) and comments from Mr and Mrs Grumpy about each holiday choice. It is the best travel guide you will ever have and should make you laugh.

So, I’d like to off you your own personal invitation to join the Smile High Club and purchase a copy of Grumpies On Board out today.

Why not add something exciting to your ‘book it’ list? After all, we only live once!

Available to order from all bookshops or

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Safkhet Publishing

Grumpies on Board

A “book it” list like no other, with humorous suggestions for extreme active ageing trips and why grumpies should not go snuffle trunting

Fancy a holiday with a difference? Then pack your bags and get ready for some extreme active ageing. Us ‘older’ folk are heading away from the traditional hotel holiday and at last, having fun!

This humorous guide, compiled by Mr and Mrs Grumpy, offers alternatives to the usual holiday—from sensible to outrageous—to suit every grumpy guts.

Learn about Arctic boot camps, ayurvedic retreats, drumming holidays, ice blokarting, motoring experiences, skijorking, tubing, Vespa excursions, voodoo trips and discover why Mr Grumpy will never go truffle hunting again.

With over 300 suggestions of how to get the best out of your vacation and live life to the maximum, this book aims to inspire and entertain.

Well, people, how about it? Go and get your copy of Grumpies on Board now! Happy reading…

10 Comments

Posted in Miscellaneous

Tagged book launch, Carol E Wyer, Grumpies on Board, Safkhet Publishing

Would you risk it? Announcing the release of my brand new romantic comedy “7 Years Bad Sex”

Posted on May 14, 2015 | 3 comments

It’s out today! Hooray!

Yes! You can get 7 Years Bad Sex right now.

Wooohooo!

Get your Kindle copy here: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon DE | Amazon CA and on any other Amazon domain.

Of course I’m bringing you paperbacks too. They’re also available from Amazon.

What’s the story?

One wedding. One curse? Disaster ever after…

A seven-years-bad-sex curse? Surely not! Yet something went wrong when rock singer Casey and drummer Alex got married on that beautiful yacht anchored off St Tropez in the south of France. Something went badly wrong. For even on their wedding night, the young couple discovers a complete and somewhat surprising inability to make love. Muddling through their honeymoon with a string of thin excuses for their predicament, the lovers defer finding a solution (and panicking) until the return to their home in London. After all, they married for life and to make rock music, not for the love of sex. Right?

But when they resume life as normal in London, all hell breaks loose. Increasingly frantic in their quest for release, the unhappy newlyweds embark on a string of hilarious and occasionally harmful antics that drives them, their band, and an assortment of random strangers to the brink of despair. But it ain’t over ‘til it’s over or, in this case… it ain’t over ‘til the newlyweds sing.

Here’s what some advance readers thought of 7 Years Bad Sex

‘7 Years Bad Sex is a witty, intelligent, and hilariously funny romantic comedy that aims to please… Or not, as the case may be. A must read!’ Kelly at Perusing Princesses

‘7 Years Bad Sex is going to be one of those books that everyone is talking about. A fantastic story, engaging plot, and totally wonderful main characters to fall in love with.’ JB Johnston at Brook Cottage Books

‘Fun and romantic, with a touch of rock and roll, 7 Years Bad Sex is a light-hearted look at what happens to one newlywed couple when they are unable to consummate their marriage—I couldn’t put it down!’ Jonita Fex at The Book Chick

‘A fantastic refreshing change, but who would have thought characters not having sex would stress me out so much? Absolutely hilarious too. Loved it!’ Rachel Miles at Love Between the Sheets

Obviously I’m biased, but I think 7 Years Bad Sex is your Must-Read this summer! Here are those buy links again:

You can get your Kindle copy here: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon DE | Amazon CA

In the name of research…

This story sees Casey and Alex try out all manner of unusual, wonderful and occasional weird strategies to re-ignite their sex life. Natural aphrodisiacs feature on the agenda fairly early on when Alex inadvertently talks his way into getting a free serving of fresh oysters in a fancy restaurants The results… you can find those in your very own copy of 7 Years Bad Sex.

However. I wrote this part of the story with absolutely no knowledge of what oysters would look like, feel like, and **gulps** taste like. Therefore, on a recent family visit to France, I bit the bullet and did some research after the fact… More about that soon, but here’s my initial reaction.

And the verdict? I put my words in Casey’s mouth, no pun intended. Let’s just say… it wasn’t all bad. LOL! I’ll tell you the full story about my oyster tasting next week.

Thank you, as always, and…

…happy reading! I guarantee you one thing apart from many a laugh and breathless moment whilst reading this romantic comedy. When you’ve finished reading, you’ll never toast anyone ever again without making eye contact! Or would you risk it? 🙂 😉

3 Comments

Posted in 7 Years Bad Sex

Tagged 7 Years Bad Sex, aphrodisiac, book launch, marriage, Oysters, relationships, romantic comedy

Congratulations~It’s a book!

Posted on June 30, 2014 | 21 comments

Publishing a book is like giving birth. It’s a long time coming, it involves a whole lot of blood, sweat, and tears, and the euphoria when you finally hold your baby in your hands is second to none.

I gave ‘real’ birth twice, to two wonderful little boys. But this is my FIFTH book baby, and the emotion, excitement and pride are every bit as intense as they were for the previous four book births and their real life flesh-and-blood-baby counterparts.

I write romance with rock stars, and here’s your latest fix:

Fallen for Rock: Out today!

Fallen for Rock

‘A thrilling and delicious story of love and self-discovery woven around a broken romance that will make you turn page after page and cheer to the end.’

Love, life, loyalties. Nothing stays the same when Emily gets drawn into the world of rock.

Glossy and sophisticated professional high-flyer Emily has no time for nonsense such as the rock music her ex-boyfriend Nate adored so much. Yet when she unexpectedly comes into possession of VIP tickets—access all areas—for new rock band phenomenon, MonX, she can’t resist the temptation.

The fateful gig turns into more than one night, and Emily finds herself strangely drawn to this new and unfamiliar glittery world. However, only weeks later, MonX and her own universe fall apart with devastating consequences for all. When MonX lead singer Mike appeals for her help, she reluctantly embraces a new opportunity. But she soon discovers that while she may be a rock chick after all, a groupie she is not… Or is she?

Just exactly where do her loyalties lie? And what direction will her life take now that she’s left behind everything she treasured?

Warning! Fallen For Rock contains some explicit content and strong language that may not be suitable for readers under eighteen years of age.

Get it now!
Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.de | Amazon.ca | Amazon.au

Party Time!

Join me today, 30 June 2014, on Facebook and Twitter for all-day launch festivities including games, music, flash giveaways, and virtual food and drink.

Giveaway!

To celebrate the launch of Fallen for Rock and to spread some joy, I’m giving away the following items:

One Large Signed Poster of “Fallen for Rock”

Three Sets of Signed “Fallen for Rock” Swag (Postcards and Bookmarks)

Three Sets of Signed “Fallen for Rock SWAG SPECIAL” including 2 bookmarks, 2 postcards and 2 guitar picks

Five Sets of Signed “Fallen for Rock” Guitar Picks (two picks per set)

One Set of “The Complete Nicky Wells Swag” (signed): Bookmarks and postcards for Sophie’s Turn, Sophie’s Run, Sophie’s Encore, Spirits of Christmas and Fallen for Rock

One Audio CD: Bon Jovi “Greatest Hits” (2010)

One Amazon Gift Certificate for £5/$7 or equivalent

ENTER HERE: a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Small Print: Giveaway is open internationally. Giveaway entrants must be aged 18 or over. Giveaway closes at midnight on 14 August 2014. Winners will be notified by email.

The Tour

I write romance with rock stars. I know all about touring. Of course I’m taking this release on tour! Here’s a list of all the wonderful blogs that will be hosting Fallen for Rock with reviews, guest posts and/or interviews over the coming weeks. Give these bloggers a big round of applause when you stop by there: they are truly amazing, and I couldn’t do what I do without their support.

30 June 2014 Samantha Stroh Bailey
30 June 2014 Celtic Connexions
30 June 2014 Dizzy C’s Little Book Blog
30 June 2014 Rosie Amber
30 June 2014 The Adventures Within
30 June 2014 Love Between the Sheets
30 June 2014 Perusing Princesses
30 June 2014 Random Rants and Rambling from a Rock ‘n’ Roll Drama Queen
02 July 2014 Bless Their Hearts Mom
02 July 2014 Brook Cottage Books
02 July 2014 Comet Babe’s Books
02 July 2014 Read My Dang Book
04 July 2014 Creating Serenity
05 July 2014 Kim the Book Worm
05 July 2014 The Boyfriend Bookmark
07 July 2014 The Love of a Good Book (1)
07 July 2014 The Love of a Good Book (2)
07 July 2014 Bookworm Brandee
07 July 2014 Crooks on Books
08 July 2014 Julie’s Book Review
09 July 2014 Booketta
10 July 2014 Me and Reading
10 July 2014 Chick Lit Plus
16 July 2014 Cosmochicklitan
19 July 2014 Books to Light Your Fire
21 July 2014 Jersey Girl Book Reviews
24 July 2014 Sky’s Book Corner
04 August 2014 Emma Calin
07 August 2014 Chick Lit Central
07 August 2014 The Phantom Paragrapher
11 August 2014 Jera’s Jamboree
11 August 2014 Best Chick Lit
11 August 2014 My Pen Name Only
04 September 2014 The Book Chick
September 2014 Literary Chanteuse
September 2014 Supportive Business Mums

See you on tour… and rock on! 🙂

Have you Fallen for Rock yet?

21 Comments

Posted in Fallen For Rock

Tagged Blog Tour, Bon Jovi, book launch, Fallen For Rock, giveaway, Nicky Wells, Romance with rock stars

Last minute panic…

Posted on June 28, 2014 | 9 comments

Good morning! Or not, as the case may be. I’m sitting here, poised and ready to upload Fallen for Rock to Amazon for release on Monday. The files are polished, the blurbs are ready, the pricing is worked out to the penny… all systems are go, and then this happens when I try to visit the Kindle Direct Publishing homepage:

Now I’ve been an Amazon customer since it was first born way back when and a KDP author since 2011. I’ve never seen a screen like that. My first reaction is abject terror. What is going on?

I have a book launch on Monday. I need to upload my book file urgently. KDP can take anything from 12 hours to 48 hours to upload a file to Amazon. With that, I have to walk a very fine line. I don’t want the book available too far ahead of launch day because that’ll spoil the fun. I definitely want it available on launch day because otherwise… that’ll spoil the fun too.

Thus I thought: Upload on Saturday morning for a Monday release. That ought to do it. Right?

Yes. Unless, of course, I can’t get the book uploaded!!

So I do some digging, and it turns out that the problem doesn’t lie with Amazon at all.

I dig some more and discover that the problem is countrywide… (we’re talking UK here, of course).

To add insult to injury, the site for logging outage queries or complaints with BT is also down! In fact, the only sites that are working right at this moment are Google, Facebook and, thankfully, WordPress (otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this). Speaking of Facebook, I posted there and had a heart-warming response of sympathy and encouragement. I love you, folks! Here’s just a snapshot of the conversation that ensued…

So what’s next? Drink tea and stay calm, I think. (I’d post a photo, but I’m still in my jamas!)

There’s nothing much else I can do right now except sit tight and wait. At the time of publishing this post, all the affected sites, including KDP and Amazon, are still unavailable to me. Don’t get me wrong. I know technology goes wrong, and I suspect (hope!) that the good folks at BT are working like mad to get this fixed. But why did it have to be this particular Saturday morning? I mean, come on, I only upload books twice a year!

Still, there’s no point in ranting. I’ll keep checking and trying, because that’s my job as your friendly author of romance with rock stars, LOL. In fact, this whole situation is not unlike the sound desk going down just minutes before a gig, so I do feel quite rock star. 🙂

And the reason I’m writing this? Well, for one, it gives you a lovely insight into the world of publishing, specifically the last minute hiccups that make life so very exciting. And for another, it’s just so that you’ll know why Fallen for Rock may not be available very first thing on Monday morning, 30 June, as previously promised. But I’ll do my utmost to make it happen.

Thanks for reading, and rock on. Wish me luck! x

12:46pm ~ POSTSCRIPT: My hopes were fulfilled and prayers granted!!! The outage ceased, the sites became available, and the book is uploaded pending review and going live… squeeeee!

9 Comments

Posted in Fallen For Rock

Tagged book launch, technical problems