Want to know if there are any book events in your state?  I know in Missouri we have Penned Con in the late summer.  I went to it for the first time last year and words can begin to explain how great it was.  I met a bunch of wonderful authors and made some new friends.

Sarah Nicolas created a list on BookRiot and it is full of different conferences and festivals.  Check it out here:  Awesome Book Events in Every State

I have exciting news.  One of my previous "Authors of the Day" Danielle Bannister who wrote the 2 part article letting us know the cost of self publishing a book on 9/27 & 9/28/2016 has a new book release and I have the cover reveal.............................

It is coming out on 2/7/17 and here is the blurb:

Julie Green was NOT having a midlife crisis.

Her move across the country from sunny LA to the unsuspecting town of Bucksville, New Hampshire, was NOT about her being up to her eyeballs in fake people and even faker tits. It was NOT about hating her job as a temp and most definitely did NOT have anything to do with her ex-boyfriend or his wife getting pregnant with kid number three.

No, this move was going to be her chance for a ‘do over.’ A quiet life in a quiet town.

Or, at least, that was the plan. 

A case of mistaken identity thrusts her into the public eye, tossing her into in a world of flashbulbs and shadows. Not the ideal situation to meet her potential Mr. Right, but her newest temporary gig was unlike any she'd ever held. The chance of a lifetime… Will it get to be too much, forcing her to cut and run--or will she find out that love stories aren't just for the silver screen?

****************************

If you are interested in reading Danielle's article on the cost of self publishing, the easiest way to find it is on the left side of my blog click on 2016 posts, scroll down a bit and you will find it.  The article is very informative and there may be some surprises in it as to how you, as a reader, can help.

 

Author of the Day

Vered Ehsani

Having lived in Kenya since mid-2000, I wanted to write about my home. I noticed a distinct lack of interest in African mythology and paranormal creatures (apart from Egyptian ones), so I decided to do something about that. Miss Knight, the main character of "Society for Paranormals", seemed the best person to accompany me on that journey. After all, we share a few likes (tea, archery and exploring) and dislikes (wet dogs, giant bugs and naughty monkeys).

I wrote the series for those readers who adore “Pride & Prejudice”, enjoy cozy mysteries, appreciate British humor, or would love to go on a supernatural African safari. Anyone who is at all curious about the unknown myths, legends and supernatural beasties of Eastern, Southern and Western Africa should also consider visiting Miss Knight and her crew in Victorian Nairobi.

The main character, Beatrice Knight, is a paranormal investigator who refuses to let danger, death and unwanted suitors (of which there are a few) inconvenience her in colonial Kenya. Miss Knight has been favorably compared to Alexis Tarabotti, Amelia Peabody, Miss Marple, Miss Peregrine and Mary Poppins. One reader went so far as to describe Miss Knight as "Jane Austen meets Lara Croft", which I think is very accurate.

Other characters include African gods, fire-loving vampires, giant spiders and were-lions. The paranormal obviously plays a big role, as do quirky humor, African mythology, colonial history and tea. Lots of tea.

Where to find Vered's books:

You can get the first book in the series, the prequel novella and a beginner's guide to African paranormals from http://veredehsani.co.za/free- books/

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

To find out more about her:

Amazon

Vered Ehsani: From Africa with a Bite  her website

I absolutely love these.

Do you have reading goals for 2017? I didn't come close to mine in 2016 but this year I have set a goal on Goodreads and I'm going to make it! Check out this list and you might find something you want to add to your reading list.  According to Vulture these are the 25 most anticipated books for 2017:

1. 4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster (1/31/17)
2. A Separation by Katie Kitamura (2/7/17)
3. The Age of Anger:  A History of the Present by Pankaj Mishra (2/7/17)
4. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (2/14/17)
5. All Grown Up by Jamie Attenberg (3/7/2017)
6. Ill Will by Dan Chaon (3/7/17)
7. Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (3/7/17)
8. The Idiot by Elif Batuman (3/14/17)
9. Sorry to Disrupt the Peace by Patti Yumi Cottrell (3/14/17)
10. Marlena buy Julia Buntin (4/4/17)
11. Too Much and Not in the Mood by Durga Chew-Bose (4/11/17)
12. Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann (4/18/17)
13. Startup by Doree Shafrir (4/25/17)
14. Borne, A Novel by Jeff VanderMeer (4/25/17)
15. Into the Water by Paula Hawkins (5/2/17)
16. Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood (5/2/17)
17. And We're Off by Dana Schwartz (5/2/17)
18. Woman No. 17 by Edan Lepucki (5/9/17)
19. House of Names by Colm Toibin (5/17/17)
20. We Are Never Meeting in Real Life by Samantha Irby (5/30/17)
21. Theft by Finding Diaries (1977-2002( by David Sedaris (5/30/17)
22. Hunger:  A Memory of by Body by Roxanne Gay (6/12/17)
23. Blind Spot by Teju Cole (6/27/17)
24. Sour Heart by Jenny Zhang (8/1/17)
25. Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward (9/5/17)

If you want descriptions of the books go here to the full article.  

Author of the Day

Scott Bury

I cannot remember a time when I did not want to be a writer. My favourite course in elementary school was “composition,” where we wrote little stories, and I’d try to write the most imaginative, surprising tales I could.

I have a wide range of interests: history, geography, science, medicine, anthropology, literature, music, art, architecture … and my published work reflects that. My first published fiction was a children’s story, “Sam, the Strawb Part,” about a thin boy who tricks out his bicycle with a pirate flag and hijacks strawberries.

Next, I published a paranormal/occult story, “Dark Clouds.” Then came a historical magic realism novel set in the Eastern Roman Empire during the Dark Age — The Bones of the Earth. Then I wrote a spoof of the biggest bestseller, One Shade of Red.

Then I put out a trilogy about the Eastern Front in World War 2: Army of Worn Soles, Under the Nazi Heel and Walking Out of War (coming in early 2017). In between there, I wrote a series of action-mystery-thrillers: Torn Roots, Jet: Stealth, Palm Trees & Snowflakes, The Wife Line and Dead Man Lying.

So you can see that I chafe at the boundaries between genres.

Favourite time of year: it’s a toss-up between fall and winter. Fall is beautiful with colourful leaves and comfortable temperatures, a time when I can wear sweaters and leather jackets. And winter is the most fun time of year, with skiing and skating and snowshoeing.

Hobbies? Other than writing, keeping my house in repair and keeping up with my wife and two mighty sons takes up all of my time. But I do get a few opportunities through the year for cross-country and downhill skiing, white-water canoeing, going to the opera and watching movies.

Where to find Scott's books:

The Written Word

Amazon

Kobo

Barnes and Noble

Wow, I have been so busy in December I don't think I got anything posted.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas or Holiday that you celebrated.  Mine was blessed with our family together at my nephew's (who is only 22, and, yes we are proud of him) new house.  We had some other family drama that wasn't so good but it has all worked out and everything is great.  Needless to say I have also not gotten any reading done which is sad.

I wanted to share an article I found that is kind of sad in that all these poor authors are, I'm afraid, going to lose money.  Click here for the details:   Publisher All Romance Ebooks Closing hits new low in stealing from authors.  I am not sure if they are the actual publisher or a distributor but either way it is not good.

This is me!   I didn't know there was a name for it.  lol

Author of the Day

Janelle Gabay

My love for writing began many years ago in college, first at Rollins College then second at the University of South Florida. However, it wasn’t until my daughter’s eighth-grade project on the Civil War that I began to create a full novel.  Somehow reading about the horrors and extreme bravery of that war conjured up my society of immortals that are now the subject of my series, which ironically has nothing to do with the Civil War.  Before that, I guess you could say I was a tennis mom and a stage mom.  I have two amazing athletes and one talented actor for children.  I look back and wish that I had started writing at a younger age, but honestly believe that it is my experiences with my husband and our crazy children that helped shape my stories and make them great. Having had to share a home with contrasting personalities both human and canine are what fill my stories with the little details that are relatable to readers.  Also having had exposure to many diverse people and places because my dad was in the air force and my children played tennis tournaments in unique destinations both in and out of the United States has also helped round out my characters, enrich my settings and heighten my arcs.  I’m a hands on learner so using my life experiences, diving into self-publishing and erring as I go is what suits me best.  I might stumble along the way, but I enjoy both the ups and downs of my journey.  Like I tell my kids: winning is sweet if it cost you blood, sweat, and tears along the way.

Where to find out more about Janelle and stay in touch:

Janelle Gabay books

Twitter

Goodreads

Where to find her books:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Walmart

Mom's Choice Store

Goodreads