Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie discussion

Hi all,

Its time for me to pay it forward for all the helpful advice and support I've received here. I am available to review your book, and if you are a first-time author, I'll bump you to the top of my reading list. Please leave your book title and the blurb in the comments section if you'd like to be included. I may take a while to get to you, but one book at a time right? :-)

That's a lovely sentiment Ruth, thank you!

I represent my fiancé in all marketing, so I'll leave his two books here.

Child of None is a co-written memoir with Kevin's grandmother.
Some of the worst things imaginable happen to children, and for many there is little hope of a happy life. These unfortunate souls are caught in a dystopian current from birth, washed into helpless straits and inundated by the many cruelties of life. Robin Gai Smith was one such victim, and this is her story.

Pieced together from the fragmented remnants of more than one hundred unfinished letters, Child of None recounts Robin’s great journey, in her own words. From her early years as a victim of sexual torture, through her time as an abused wife, until her final days as an invalid living from pill to pill, each chapter not only provides an illuminating exposé into a life of poverty, but also offers an heartbreaking glimpse of Robin's relentless struggle to combat an unsavoury existence.

"Simon, I want you to know something. I did love you, I did want you. I did not force you away, you were stolen from me. Fifty years later, I still remember your birthday. I suffer quietly, still wondering where you are. Many questions remain unanswered. Are you even still alive, or have you long since left this earth? I do not want to take you away from the people who raised you; I do not want to replace their love with mine. I just want you to know that I did not surrender you willingly."

Sombre yet inspiring, Child of None is not only a memoir, it is an emotional experience that will leave a lasting impression upon every reader.

And then there is the first piece to Kevin's magnum opus, Strife.
When Giles Deschain, a well-respected man, consort and father, discovers evidence of the malicious spice drug in his hometown, he embarks on a quest for truth and justice.

The longer Giles searches, however, the more volatile and unpredictable he becomes, and as he inches closer to exposing the rats that live in the walls, the moral anomalies of his own actions begin to endanger every single person he once hoped to protect.

Both thrilling and heartbreaking, Strife is a novella of obsession manifest in many forms.

Strife is available free through our website, www.miragestories.com as part of a perma-free design to build a fan-base in a larger ongoing fantasy series. I'm happy to send you a free copy of Child of None if you'd prefer that one.

Do you have a book you would like reviews for? :)

Crystal Dawn wrote: "That's a lovely sentiment Ruth, thank you!

I represent my fiancé in all marketing, so I'll leave his two books here.

Child of None is a co-written memoir with Kevin's grandmothe..."

I'd really like to read Child of None, even though I suspect it will probably make me cry buckets! :-) I'll message you with my Kindle addie.

Ruth wrote: "Crystal Dawn wrote: "That's a lovely sentiment Ruth, thank you!

I represent my fiancé in all marketing, so I'll leave his two books here.

Child of None is a co-written memoir wi..."

I've sent you an email. You may just cry buckets, or be like me and cry rivers! There is definitely a Kleenex warning needed with this book.

Crystal Dawn wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Crystal Dawn wrote: "That's a lovely sentiment Ruth, thank you!

I represent my fiancé in all marketing, so I'll leave his two books here.

Child of None is a co-writ..."

Super, thanks Crystal! I don't have my Kindle with me right now (gasp, shock, horror, how will I live?) but I'll check later tonight to see if it's come through ok. :-)

Seems like I need to try bump this post up. The time difference between South Africa and the US is playing havoc with my good intentions. lol

Hi Ruth, thanks so much for your kind offer! Would you like to read my fantasy novel, Heirs of Power?

After stumbling upon an otherworldly ritual, Kitty Fairlow discovers that her own incredible hunting skills are not merely due to a lifetime of training. She has been gifted powers from an ancient spirit, passed down by her father. She is a Constellation.

And she's not the only one.

A new generation of heroes have each inherited unique abilities in order to prevent the corruption of their world by the Tenebri, a race that thrives on life energy. Kitty, along with a high-born dancer and a snarky juggler, must find their allies before the Tenebri army picks them off.

With the powerful enemy emerging, can the Constellations gather in time to put an end to the threat for good, or will their foe succeed and wreak the same destruction they have unleashed on their own world?

Thanks!

Kay wrote: "Hi Ruth, thanks so much for your kind offer! Would you like to read my fantasy novel, Heirs of Power?

After stumbling upon an otherworldly ritual, Kitty Fairlow discovers that her own incredible h..."

Hi Kay,
I don't usually read fantasy, (except Tolkein) but I'd be happy to review it for you!

If you want to that would be awesome, but I understand if it's not your genre choice. If it isn't something you'd like then please use the time to read some work by the other amazing authors here!

Kay wrote: "If you want to that would be awesome, but I understand if it's not your genre choice. If it isn't something you'd like then please use the time to read some work by the other amazing authors here!"

I actually love fantasy, just haven't read it for a long time! :-) Send it along. I'll review it with pleasure.

Thanks so much! I'll send it over :D

Ruth, I appreciate your willingness to do a review. I wrote a biographical fiction about Augustus Saint-Gaudens who was America's premier sculptor from 1880-1920 and his love affair with his model, Davida. I am the only surviving great-grandchild from this union and I would be honored to have you review it.

Hi Karen, how fortunate you are to be given the gift of telling a family story! Id love to read it if you dont mind waiting a bit. I have a few books in the queue to read and review.

Ruth, thank you for your interest in reading the book. Let me know when and how to get the ebook to you.

Hi, Ruth

I understand you have quite a few books to read, so I'll just add two of my books and wait. If one of them interests you, please let me know, and I'll gift it to you. Thank-you.

My newest release is, A BODY RESURRECTED, Suspenseful, Romantic with an element of Sci-Fi.



BLURB:
Sixteen year-old Mira is an Egyptian girl who lives a quiet life in her small village in Lower Egypt 3303 B.C.E. But two visitors from the planet Aut are about to change that. The first “flying metal” that whips across the sky carries a murderous plague by the name of Demen. The second one that follows, brings a bounty-hunter named Weir. Against her father’s wishes, Mira becomes Weir’s accomplice in his mission to apprehend Demen before another woman dies by his hands.

But there’s a problem: Demen is now a powerful Pharaoh in the city of Sharkura. Will apprehending him cost Weir and Mira their lives?

Almay, California, USA, twenty-first century:

Tina Leggs oversees the artifacts and exhibits of the Graham-Arlee museum. She has no idea that the mummy exhibit that’s drawing huge crowds, is the same Demen that her ancestor, Mira, bravely faced centuries ago.

Demen is no longer a powerful Pharaoh. Now, he’s nothing more than a museum exhibit since he was discovered in the Valley of the Kings. But a rare occurrence will give him life once more. And his desire to kill the misery known as woman is as strong as ever.

Enter Q, a second bounty-hunter sent from Aut to capture him. Like Mira, Tina has been cast into the role of ally to this handsome visitor. Amid the destruction Demen is causing, and the risk to their lives to stop him, a deep love has developed between them.

But, will she leave her family on Earth for the sake of that love?




COLORS IN THE DARK, Romantic/Suspense



BLURB:
Hailey Campbell was raised by her adoptive mother in a home filled with unconditional love and foster children. Her biological mother, a heroin addict, couldn’t keep her; her father, a right-wing conservative keeps her existence a secret. And yet, in her day to day struggles of trying to deal with this kooky puzzle called her life, the idea of true love will never hold any priority. Is there really such a thing as the, quote, “man of your dreams”, your, “soul mate”? If her only comparison are the Neanderthals she seems to attract, that middle-of-the-puzzle piece will forever sit waiting for a match.

She attends an important gala, surrounded by expensive tuxedos and glittering gowns; and with a prideful lift of the chin, is contented with sampling the high-end cuisine and expensive wine—alone. A man? Why bother? Love? Who needs it? No sooner do those pitiable questions cross her mind, when her answer appears from the midst of all those international dignitaries in the form of the most beautiful man named Manley. And despite the secrets he’s hesitant to reveal about himself, the meaning of love was finally made clear that night.

But there’s a challenge waiting for Hailey in Sweet Tea, Mississippi; population 700. That’s not counting the Ransom militia compound at the edge of town. And if she doesn’t get there in time to save eighteen month-old Abbie from one of its members, Sheriff Carl, Hailey will lose her behind those thick walls protected by the First Amendment and never see her again.

Hi Groovy! I just finished Kays book, and have just started another. will review for you with pleasure. Please just bear with me...I dont want to rush any of these books, youve all put your heart and soul into them!

Crystal, yours is next on my list. I havent forgotten about you...just have to stock up on tissues first cos I think I'll need them! :-)

Then Karen, I will give you a holler for yours.

Thanks for being so patient!

Thank you, Ruth. I will look for your message.
Karen

Hello Ruth, it's so nice that you are willing to review other indie authors. I have a Christian crime novel that is the first in a series if you think that it's something you'd be interested in reading. I have a preview up if you wanted to check it out and see if it's your cup of tea, or coffee if you prefer :)



Thanks for your consideration.

Thank-you, Ruth, whenever you are good and ready is fine with me. Take your time and enjoy your reading.

I'm always grateful for honest reviews. I've got a Bookfunnel link for Tragedy and Desire if it sounds like something you'd like. It's a Romantic Suspense/Erotic Romance.



TRAGEDY & DESPAIR
Perla Fae is no stranger to pain. With a tragic past and a present break-up, She finds herself starting over. Again.

DESIRE & SEDUCTION
Jax Maddox is an enigma. Wealthy, powerful, and a force to be reckoned with. This billionaire bad boy doesn’t make decisions based on emotions, and complications are what he deals with in business, not in his personal affairs. But he wants her.

TWO WORLDS COLLIDE
Perla and Jax are set on a collision course, but she resists him in an effort to protect her heart. Just when things start heating up between them, a sinister force threatens to tear them apart when a monster from Perla’s past resurfaces.

Groovy wrote: "Hi, Ruth

I understand you have quite a few books to read, so I'll just add two of my books and wait. If one of them interests you, please let me know, and I'll gift it to you. Thank-you.

My newes..."

Groovy, I sooooo want to read Colors in the Dark! It sounds fabulous! :-)

Hi Ruth, that's very kind of you, if you can get through from erotic sci-fi I've got this one first

Modified

Tall, handsome and out of his depth, Dayton Bracknell made the one time mistake of calling himself "Clueless Guy in Charge.” Following a string of one night stands, most of the women he knows would probably call him a few other things.

Far from the club where he used to spend much of his free time naked, Dayton is unwillingly heading up the Alliance’s unfinished medical facility on the moon. He is safe from impending war and a virus on the home planet, but he feels caged and bungles his way around the base with all of the responsibility and none of the know-how. But hey-they gave him the codes to the vending machines. You can fix anything with coffee-right?

Craving any kind of action, he's having trouble keeping his feelings for the reluctant Fiona in check.

Worse-Day is growing increasingly concerned by the experiments being run in the facility. The scientists are genetically modifying humans into super-soldiers, with rampant results.

Now the dangerous, over-sexed mutants are threatening to escape, and no one can make contact with the home planet. Can Dayton keep his employees safe? Can he direct his sex drive towards just one woman? Or will the insatiable libidos of the soldiers destroy everything? And just why are they getting more sex than he is?

Hi Ruth,
I'm sure you have a lot of options by now, but if you are looking for a quick read I have a collection of short stories that may interest you. Below is the blurb, let me know if you are interested:

The Games You Cannot Win
Roll the dice, pick a card, tell a lie, hide the truth. Whatever the move, it's all just part of the game. Follow the lives of four very different characters who are all trapped in an insidious game. Each story delves into the intricate web of misaligned motives and obscured half-truths.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Thank you and have a great weekend,

Woohooo! I have some interesting days ahead of me it seems. Will get to all of you in due course, I promise, and can't wait to read your work.

Hi Ruth! You're very kind to make this offer and I'm sure you're inundated by now. But...if you're still in the market for a thrilling good read how about



Blurb:

A killer is stalking the city…

FBI Special Agent Caleb Fine—along with the rest of the nation—sees the enigmatic predator known as “The Toymaker” lurking in every shadow. Always just out of reach, with each new victim he nabs; Caleb loses more of himself to the pursuit of darkness.

We have your wife…

The blinking light on his answering machine reveals these four words to Roger Whittaker as he returns home. They are destined to change the rest of his life.

Bo Lester from the Major Crimes Unit in Atlanta views the abduction of Miriam Whittaker as an inside job—someone at the CDC sold Roger out. For him the prime suspect becomes Lynne Bosworth. Her case is not helped by the animosity that has existed between her and Roger for the past six months. With few leads to follow, Bo demands that she return home from Peru—where she is stationed with the World Health Organization—to face questioning. Brought back to face the accusations she is aided in her defense by Caleb who works to free her and find out who is really behind Miriam’s abduction.

As the pressure builds a single demand is delivered—Roger is to attend the International AIDS Conference in Toronto and renounce HIV as the cause of AIDS! Stunned by this demand and fighting interests from all sides, what is Roger to do? If he refuses to comply Miriam will die. If he endorses the claim millions more could die.

Unless it’s true…

Let me know if it's of interest (and don't worry about it being Book 2...it stands on it's own just fine!)

Hi Ruth,

That's a very kind offer! I released my first book a little over a month ago and would love to have you read it if the offer's still good, and you happen to read urban fantasy.

Conflict

Synopsis:
Blood usually only means one thing to vampires – dinnertime. Not true for Vivien di Rossi, vamp ruler of Nevada. For Viv blood means family first, from her undead children down to her friends.

Life has been pretty quiet in Las Vegas, but that sort of thing doesn’t last long when you’re running the supernatural operations of an entire state. Vivien finds out the Mortal Conflicts are coming, scheduled to happen right under her very nose. The Conflicts are an underground Vampire-Consul-approved battle to the death, and she’s already lost one of her children to the twisted games. With the help of her closest allies she devises a plan to kick them out of her territory for good, but she’ll have to do it from the inside. Unfortunately, as if the impending arrival of some of her greatest enemies isn’t enough, her youngest child is missing. How will she prioritize one of the things she hates most in the world against one of the people she loves most?

I could send it over in a pdf, mobi, or epub...whatever would best work for you!

Hello Ruth,
As I can see, you've certainly gotten popular in the past few hours. If you feel the desire or manage to find a place on your list to read a couple crime fiction novels from the other side of the blue wall, I have a couple of crime thrillers for you. Just let me know how you'd like to receive the pdf, or if anyone has any ideas on offering books for free I'm all ears.

Regret Nothing

We all wonder about the folks society calls criminals. They are the subjects of nightmares, with hideous sneers and hatred etched into every inch of their body. We call them monsters, and despise the very idea of them. But I'm here to tell you they're just people. Much like you or me, and if you passed them on the street you'd never question that they were another completely normal person. The people we label as criminals, are normally just the unlucky few the system failed to save.

Alex Brandant and his crew of Burglars have survived for years on their ability to steal without anyone noticing a thing. They've never been caught, and no one ever expected them to. No job was too big, and no adversary too good. But, when they put their hands in too many pies, even the smallest misstep could bring them down. When they find their biggest job yet, the usually meticulous crew begins to spiral out of control. Can they keep themselves from falling apart before the job is done?

Hiding Blind

We all have the urge to run from our problems. There are parts of our lives that we don't want to face. But what happens when you run so far, for so long, that you can't find your way back? When there's no way back, and the problems you ran from have forgotten you existed, even though you still torture yourself over them?

Hiding Blind is the tale of a man who has run from his life, hiding for five years in the slums of Houston, Texas. But no matter how fast you run, or how well you hide, we must all pay the price for our actions. Even when the only thing that makes you pay that price is yourself.

Thank you, Ruth for this offer. Hopefully you enjoy them, and all these other books on here. I'm going to have to check a few of them out myself. Let me know if you're interested in either of these.

Dante wrote: "Hello Ruth,
As I can see, you've certainly gotten popular in the past few hours. If you feel the desire or manage to find a place on your list to read a couple crime fiction novels from the other s..."

Hi Dante,

If you published through Amazon getting a mobi copy of your books from kindle direct is a breeze. This makes it much easier for reviewers to read on their ereaders :)

Eldon wrote: "Hi Dante,

If you published through Amazon getting a mobi copy of your books from kindle direct is a breeze. This makes it much easier for reviewers to read on their ereaders :)
"

Thanks Eldon! I'll be sure to snag a mobi for them. One of the many joys of attempting to figure all of this out at once is my constant state of confusion. Life's more fun when you're running around in circles, though. Lots of different perspectives.

Dante wrote: "Thanks Eldon! I'll be sure to snag a mobi for them. One of the many joys of attempting to figure all of this out at once is my constant state of confusion. Life's more fun when you're running around in circles, though. Lots of different perspectives."

We all learn as we go along :) Glad to help out anyway I can!!

Ruth wrote: "Groovy wrote: "Hi, Ruth

I understand you have quite a few books to read, so I'll just add two of my books and wait. If one of them interests you, please let me know, and I'll gift it to you. Thank..."
Groovy, I sooooo want to read Colors in the Dark! It sounds fabulous! :-)

Thank-you, Ruth. I'm so glad. Do you want me to send it now? Or wait?

Please hang five Groovy. At this rate my much loved Kindle is going to self implode with all thesr books ! lol. I'll give you a holler as soon as I can.

Just take your time, Ruth. Reading is no fun if you have too many books and you're constantly hearing, "Read mine. Read mine." Stories are meant to be savored, and taken the time to appreciate.

Please enjoy the ones you have. I can wait. Even if you email me in the middle of summer and say, "Send now", I'll be happy--LOL!

HAPPY READING, RUTH!!!! I hope you find some favorite authors!!

Thanks Groovy! I started this gig as a way to pay it forward but I feel like Ive landed in clover... all these fabulous books to read. Its a long weekend here in South Africa so I have four blissful days to curl up and read to my hearts content. Happy space! Yay!

Enjoy the reading Ruth! I love reading Indie books! I may have to do something like this myself once my current list is closer to finished!

Ruth wrote: "Woohooo! I have some interesting days ahead of me it seems. Will get to all of you in due course, I promise, and can't wait to read your work."

Thank you for this opportunity. Just to let you know, my book is free on KU, and will be free for regular downloads on March 31 to April 2 on Amazon

Mary Ann D'Alto , Im 30% in and I cant put your book down!

How exceedingly generous!

I'm a first-time author this year, but as you are more than knee-deep in books, I will add mine as a hopefully-in-the-future thing. Both are free on KU, and I am planning to make at least one (maybe both!) free for downloads near the end of March, but I can easily do a gift/PDF format at any time.

Here's what I've got:

What's at the End of Your Nose?: A Slipperyville Tale
Sidney Snail is so sick of Slipperyville that he wants to go on an adventure--any adventure--anywhere but here! A timely word from mysterious Old Samuel Snail convinces Sidney to give Slipperyville one last chance before he snails out of town.

Sidney will help show children (and adults!) that they can find magic, mindfulness, and meaningfulness in even the simplest things. All you need is a change of perspective.

Dr. Guinea Pig George
Dr. Guinea Pig George really does think he's a doctor--and it never occurs to him that he might be wrong!

Follow clever George through a very unexpected day as he navigates potential peril, takes advantage of a peculiar situation, and comes out on top.

These days, it's more important than ever for all of us to believe in ourselves, even if what we aspire to seems out of reach at first glance. If you don't take a chance, you'll never know what might have been.

Hi Ruth

I would be grateful if you could take a look at my novel Made of Glass.



Emily and Clare are sisters who share a special bond. Clare is overweight, plain looking, and has epilepsy.

When Daniel comes into Clare’s life, all her dreams have come true. Daniel is handsome, successful, and to Clare’s amazement, is attracted to her. Clare finally has a man who will give her a loving relationship.

But Daniel is not all he seems to be. He is a control freak, who will do anything to keep Clare to himself. When Emily tells Daniel that she’s found out who he really is, he has to take drastic action to get Emily out of their lives, for good.

Hi all, just wanted to let you know that Im slowly getting through my review list and that I havent forgotten about any of you. :-)

Ruth wrote: "Hi all, just wanted to let you know that Im slowly getting through my review list and that I havent forgotten about any of you. :-)"

You are awesome Ruth!

HAPPY READING, RUTH!!

Well, Ruth, you have a long list... enjoy!

Please add me to the list for the future (just send me a message in goodreads):
"Sell More and Better, Eternal Sales Techniques beyond Internet"
Sell More and Better, Eternal Sales Techniques beyond Internet
Thanks and Best Regards,

Raúl wrote: "Well, Ruth, you have a long list... enjoy!

Please add me to the list for the future (just send me a message in goodreads):
"Sell More and Better, Eternal Sales Techniques beyond Internet"
[book:Se..."

Hi Raúl, You can send a mobi copy to thinkinginink01@gmail.com. I am slowly and steadily getting through the list, so although you may have to wait a bit, it won't be too long.

Kim wrote: "Hi Ruth

I would be grateful if you could take a look at my novel Made of Glass.



Emily and Clare are sisters who share a special bond. Clare is overweight, pla..."

HI Kim, I'm ready for the next batch of books to review. Please send me a mobi copy to thinkinginink01@gmail.com. There may be a bit of a wait, but not too long.

Becky wrote: "How exceedingly generous!

I'm a first-time author this year, but as you are more than knee-deep in books, I will add mine as a hopefully-in-the-future thing. Both are free on KU, and I am planning..."

Hi Becky, I'm ready for your books to review. Please send through a mobi copy to thinkinginink01@gmail.com.

Dante wrote: "Hello Ruth,
As I can see, you've certainly gotten popular in the past few hours. If you feel the desire or manage to find a place on your list to read a couple crime fiction novels from the other s..."

Hello Dante, Please send me Hiding Blind for review. I'm almost finished the first batch of reviews and am now accepting the second. :-) thinkinginink01@gmail.com

I have sent you a message, Ruth. :)

X. wrote: "I have sent you a message, Ruth. :)"

Got it, thanks X. I'll add you to the next round if that's ok. This round is already pretty full.

Sounds great. Thank you!