Posts Tagged With: ebook

New Review: Poppy the Proud by Emlyn Chand

Poppy the Proud

By Emlyn Chand

Illustrated by Sarah Shaw

Genre: Children

Read my review here: http://katepolicanisreviews.wordpress.com/2012/09/19/poppy-the-proud-by-emlyn-chand/

Evolved Publishing brings you the third of the BIRD BRAIN BOOKS by Emlyn Chand, “Poppy the Proud.” This children’s picture book, with full color illustrations by artist Sarah Shaw, is perfect for kids 4-6 years old.
~~~~~~~~~~
Poppy is the prettiest peacock in the entire garden, but one day his privileged existence is upset when an all-white peacock is born and promptly named the most beautiful by a smitten flock. Intensely jealous, Poppy no longer knows where he fits in and decides to reclaim his title as the fairest bird in all the land, no matter what it takes.

In a desperate attempt to regain the admiration of his peers, Poppy steals items from the humans that visit his park. He wraps himself in a beautiful silk scarf, wears a series of ornate bangles around his neck, and even tries to dye his feathers with colored dust from a festive Holi celebration. Unfortunately, each of these attempts not only fails to improve his appearance, they actually make it worse. What’s a poor bird to do?

In this compelling tale of self-esteem, pride, and learning what makes each of us special, Poppy the peacock discovers that true beauty lies beneath the feathers.

About the Author:

Emlyn Chand emerged from the womb with a fountain pen clutched in her left hand (true story). Since then, she has always loved to hear and tell stories. When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm Novel Publicity. Emlyn enjoys connecting with readers and is available throughout the social media Internet world. Visit www.emlynchand.com for more info. Don’t forget to say “hi” to her sun conure Ducky!

Categories: Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Today is My Day! Last Day for Blog-in September!

Thank you for visiting the Blog-in and extra thanks to our wonderful authors participating! Don’t forget to sign up for October’s Author Blog-in! Please visit my book, The Disenchanted Pet, on these awesome blogs:

http://harshadpassion.wordpress.com/blog/

http://sharonscrazycats.blogspot.com/

http://therapywriting.wordpress.com/

Categories: Author Blog-in | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Author Blog-in: The Artist’s Inheritance by Juli D. Revezzo

Author blog-in first book!

Categories: Self-Publishing | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reviewers Rock! Thanks Bookworm Extraordinaire!

Here is a lovely review for my book, Don’t Judge a Book By Its Magic, by The Bookworm Extraordinaire: http://www.thebookwormextraordinare.blogspot.com/2012/09/review-dont-judge-book-by-its-magic-by.html

And I’m the “Author of the Month” too! (That’s in the side margin)

The book release is set for Oct 26th! Be sure to mark the date ’cause we’re going to party!

Thanks again Bookworm!

Categories: My Books | Tags: , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Author Blog-in Day 1: Post Your Own Book!

The Disenchanted Pet

By Kate Policani

Short synopsis:

Far into the future, the Earth is ruled by the ShaZha, a hyper-intelligent race of alien beings who are plagued by the violence and volatility of the human race. Supposedly intending to repair the broken societies and polluted planet, they have found the Human problem to be much more complex than they ever imagined. Zarah is a Prodigy, an obedient human, with a caring ShaZha master. Zarah wants to prove all her master’s hopes that humans can be civilized and responsible. When she is lost by her master and exposed to the other side of humanity, she must confront the possibility she might be not a valued citizen, but a pet.

I am currently writing my next book called The Stray, a second book set in the ShaZha Earth. It isn’t a sequel, but the story connects with The Disenchanted Pet

Buy The Disenchanted Pet on Amazon (Kindle and Paperback. Kindle copy free with Amazon Prime)

To buy multiple ebook formats, go to https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93067

To buy the paperback, click here: https://www.createspace.com/3657962

For great reviews:

http://tahlianewland.com/2011/12/23/review-the-disenchanted-pet-by-kate-policani/

http://mainemuse.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/the-disenchanted-pet-by-kate-policani/

http://nadiariell.com/2012/01/18/a-book-review-for-the-disenchanted-pet-by-kate-policani/

http://www.speculativefaith.com/authors/kate-policani/

Long Synopsis:

The Disenchanted Pet is ashort Science Fiction novel that takes place in the popular “post-apocalyptic Earth” setting,  exploreing the unique problems with the Human Race and how to “fix” it.

Zarah is a young, optimistic girl, entering into the exciting world of adulthood with an idealistic perspective. But Zarah lives in the a future where Humanity is ruled by an alien race occupying Earth in order to rehabilitate and repair the planet and its people.

Reality intrudes on Zarah’s unspoiled outlook when she is attacked and separated from her SaSa, an alien guardian who is like a parent to her. Trapped within the Feral Facility, pregnant and separated from her home and new husband, she learns all the mistakes about the reality she believed in. She sees that the “Ferals”, who who aren’t serviceable within  the ShaZha’s plans, are not necessarily the monsters her Prodigy society has portrayed them to be.

Suffering through the harsh truth about her world and the errors in her ideals, she must face a future without the assurances upon which she always relied.

The Disenchanted Pet appeals to Science Fiction lovers as well as readers who have never explored the genre before. It explores the disillusionment of growing up and the harsh realities of adulthood, but with aliens.

Cover Art by Heidi Barnett and Erik Sederstrom warpfrenzy@msn.com

Categories: Author Blog-in | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Review of Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (by a compulsive reader)

So, I don’t normally do product reviews, but I have to say something about this little beauty. I LOVE it!

I bought it at Best Buy as a replacement for my Toshiba Thrive 10″ tablet that one of my kids cracked. Going in, I was worried that the Galaxy wouldn’t match up to my 10 inch experience. But the 7 inch was cheaper and seemed to be pretty nice. Boy was I pleasantly surprised!

The 7 inch is definitely enough screen size for me. I use it mostly for reading, with some email and gaming. I lost absolutely nothing with the smaller screen. It’s so much lighter and easier to handle than the massive 10 inch! Also, it’s covered with shatterproof plastic instead of glass (so it won’t meet the same fate as its predecessor) and it is HD.

It’s responsive. I see very few crashes. The 8gb internal SD, which is all you can get with this size, isn’t a restriction. I have all the apps I could want on it and some that belong to my hubby, and I haven’t seen any space issues. I put in a 32gb mini SD card, the maximum, and I don’t see myself running out of space any time soon. The 10 inch models can get 16 and 32 gb capacity. I don’t really see why the 7 inch can’t since the cards are all the same size. Meh.

The only thing I’ve found that the Thrive did better was the keyboard input. The Galaxy is just as responsive, but with the smaller screen size the buttons for each character are smaller and cause more mistypes. (Stupid big European-size fingers!)

Super-bonus-important: I can get every ebook reader app out there on my tab. Overdrive, Kobo, Kindle, Wattpad, Nook, Aldiko, and more all works and you can read all your books no matter where you got them. This is a must for a habitual price-shopper like me.

I almost forgot to mention that you can also read manga on a tablet! There’s even an app for you comic book lovers. Something for everyone!

I really loved my Toshiba Thrive, but I love the Galaxy even more! If you’re looking for an e-reader, I’d consider the Galaxy tab.

I wonder what name they’re going to pick for the Android platform next. Jelly Bean, Ice Cream Sandwich; what’s next? Diabetes?

Here’s the official website: http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab/GT-P3113TSYXAR

Here are a few other reviews: http://reviews.cnet.com/handheld-devices/samsung-galaxy-tab-2/4505-3127_7-35137347.html

http://www.woot.com/offers/samsung-galaxy-tab-2-7-0

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-handel/review-samsung-galaxy-tab_b_1508385.html

Categories: Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Author Blog-in Coming Soon:Sign up now!

 

Don’t forget to sign up!

The author blog-in is coming up. To get your choice of days, please sign up now. Feel free to share the page with your author friends too. Spread the word and widen our audience about our wonderful books!

All the information is here: https://katepolicani.com/author-blog-in/

 

Categories: Author Blog-in | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Review: Island of Illusions by Jennifer L. Jennings

Island of Illusions

by Jennifer L. Johnson

Genre: Mystery

Read my review here: http://katepolicanisreviews.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/island-of-illusions-by-jennifer-l-jennings/

This third and final installment of the Sarah Woods Mystery Series finds our sleuth immersed in the tropical splendor of Oahu. However, what begins as an island getaway for Sarah quickly morphs into a desperate search for the missing infant of a wealthy Boston family. Just when the detectives believe they’ve made a breakthrough in the case, a shocking death shakes their investigation to the core. Much to Sarah’s surprise, surveillance expert Max Stevens also joins the frantic search. Will the detectives locate the missing child? Will Sarah finally share her true feelings with Max?

Pick up this novel and lose yourself in the mystery, or start with Book One, “An Appointment with Murder.” Either choice will keep you guessing ’til the very end.

Buy on Amazon

About the Author

Jennifer L. Jennings was born in Chicago, Illinois but has spent most of her life living in Maine. She was a massage therapist for fifteen years, and worked as a glass artisan for many years as well. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling the world, playing guitar with her son Blake, reading, writing and doing all things creative.

Categories: Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Promotion Companies Review Update

Look! A pretty Table!

My list is getting longer now! Thanks to all of you for your great input and willingness to share!

**These ratings for book marketing companies are all based strictly on customer experience and opinion. This is a running list and I will be happy to add other customer opinions of book marketing companies to this list. To include your ratings, please comment on this post or email me at katepolicani@gmail (dot) com. Continue reading

Categories: Publicity | Tags: , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Author Blog-in: The Silver Collar by Kate Policani

 

The Silver Collar

By Kate Policani

The Silver Collar is always free on Smashwords!

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/153927

Bought as a child to slave at an inn, Lyneth suffers under a terrible curse. Her frightening transformations can only be stopped when a priest puts a silver collar around her neck. The collar stops the change, but makes her ill. Her dangers increase as she matures into a beautiful and desirable woman. When a mysetrious nobleman visits the inn,her life changes forever.

The Silver Collar is a short story highlighting the fine line between gift and curse, belonging and alienation.

Categories: Author Blog-in | Tags: , , , , , | 1 Comment

Blog tour and New Review: Life in Death

 

Life in Death

By Harlow Coban

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, African American

Read my review here: http://katepolicanisreviews.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/life-in-death-by-harlow-coban/

Today I am hosting Harlow Drake, author of Life in Death. At the end of the post there is a giveaway where Harlow is giving away 3 autographed paperbacks and a $15 Amazon Gift Card. Check out this great novella and enter to win!

When a girl that social worker Kari Marchant places in foster care is brutally murdered, she’s compelled to learn why. Her quest for the truth pits her against friends and coworkers. As Kari works to solve the horrific plot, more people die. How far should she go to learn the truth—even if it threatens her life?

Trailer:

Author Bio:

Author Harlow Drake was born in Kansas City, MO, but grew up in Denver, CO. She relocated to North Carolina five years ago with her husband, two dogs, and 16-year old twins.

She shares a birthday with the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte. In keeping with his legacy, she is currently working on taking over the world. Harlow’s positive attitude and fresh take on life are her tools and conquest is certain. She spends her free time writing, dancing, traveling and defending mailboxes from her 16-year-old twins’ driving.

Her debut novel, LIFE IN DEATH, is a murder mystery which pulls from real-life situations from her own family history. She felt compelled to share her story with the world while offering a thrilling, entertaining, and amusing escape for readers.

In keeping with her commitment to improving the lives of children, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her book will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club in her home state of North Carolina.

She loves to connect with her readers and can be found on Twitter, her blog, or on Facebook

Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Categories: Blog Tours, Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

New Review: Revolussion by Kathy Bell

Revolussion

by Kathy Bell

Genre: Technothriller, Science Fiction

Read my review here: http://katepolicanisreviews.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/revolussion-by-kathy-bell/

Dawn Ingram, Peter Merten and the Three Eleven team have worked for decades to prepare for November 11, 2011, even though they did not know what they were preparing for. Now that the future has arrived, they face an enemy unlike anything they have imagined, and find help from places they never dreamt of.

Join Nicholas Weaver, Stew Singleton, Avery and Ashton Hansen and Dawn Ingram as they fight the advance of the Effigee by using the alien technology against the aliens themselves. When the invaders arrive, an ancient device gives Dawn and the plumans the final edge to win the war…but at what cost?

Buy on Amazon

Kathy is making a foray into Fantasy with her next book, Synergy 2012! Keep an eye out for it!

Categories: Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

15 Reasons Tablet Reading is Better

Some of you will turn over in your graves, and you’re not even dead yet! I think e-reading is far superior to the old ink and print, and I’m not ashamed to natter on about it.

  1. Instant Access. I don’t have to drag my kids to the bookstore or the library and try to hurry and pick out my book at 87% stress capacity. I don’t have to buy one book each for them too and say “no” to the 20 toys each they somehow find even though it’s a BOOK store. I don’t have to buy a cookie at the Starbucks that seems like the best idea ever when you’re alone but like the fourth circle of hell (the one for the greedy) when you have three sugar monsters in tow. I don’t have to keep anyone quiet or return anything after a week (after finding it wedged between the couch and the wall after 3 hours of searching). Instant access is big on my list.
  2. My tablet has a clock right on the screen. I don’t have to fumble around to find out how much longer I get to read before bath time or even lift my head. It’s right there.
  3. Night mode. I pretty much use this feature all the time because I live in Seattle in a house with almost no Southern exposure. (Think cave dwelling. All my plants are yellow.) Plus, I can read at night in bed. With a print book I have to turn on a light and hubby will not endure that.
  4. Multiple e-reader platforms = freedom.  This isn’t a goofy old e-reader. This is a tablet. I can put Nook, Kindle, Kobo, Aldiko, and the library’s reader software on here and read it all, picking the best price online and using the reader that goes with it.
  5. Staying Connected. Reading a book doesn’t mean I go off the grid for an extended amount of time. I can see my emails there.
  6. Saving money. Yes, I said it! E-reading saves you money. Instead of buying a paperback or driving to the library, you tap your way to another book. The library loans books for free. All the e-reader sites have plenty of free books. If you buy new release copies at $11 apiece you only need to buy 30 books to add up to a top-of-the-line tablet. I read that many books easy in 6 months, so there you go.
  7. Games. I have a secret. Don’t tell anyone. I sometimes don’t want to read. Sometimes I want to play Solitaire, or cut fruit with a sword or, do a crossword puzzle. All those things are on the tablet too. I can look all intellectual and technologically hip while playing Easy Mode Sudoku.
  8. Web Browser.  I can look up words I find curious in an instant without logging on somewhere else or finding a big dusty book (and the dustingI should have done). I can see what this slang from Australia or the Millenial Generation means. I’m getting older and more un-hip as the years past, but I don’t have to look like a doofus about slang.
  9. MyFitnessPal. This needs explanation – weight loss while reading instead of weight gain. My Fitness Pal is a calorie counting database and diary online. I am completely in love with this app and website. It’s taken 12 pounds off my book-nerd butt and I can pause in my reading to enter the granola bar I just ate in my food diary whenever I want. I’m going for my goal weight!
  10. The Environment. I know this is important to some people and some people feel like it’s over-preached. Still,  e-readers are friendlier to the environment. No trees have to die. No oil necessary in shipping books or driving to the store to get them. There will be no waste in eliminating the book when you’re done with it.
  11. Storage. My bookshelf is the same physical size whether I have 5 books or 50000. You can even add zeroes to that. No book bugs, no dust, no shelves that melt inside after 6 months, sag, and then fall apart when you move them. No wall-space cluttered with bookshelves. No temptation to decorate said bookshelves with cute but pointless knickknacks (ooh! double K!).
  12. Variety. I can get books from all over the world written by countless people. I’m not limited to the book supplier’s choices nestled on the shelves of the bookstore or the library. (Yes, you are limited by the book supplier.)
  13. International Versatility. As long as I have the little plug adapter thingie and travel to a place with electricity, I can get books in my own language wherever I go. There will be no searching bookstores for a few scattered English copies. There will be no explaining to bookstore owners in my broken excuse for their language what I am looking for. That’s because I don’t really travel, but it could also be because I have an e-reader and downloaded the book instead.
  14. Emergency Child Distraction. In case of emergency, my tablet can entertain one or more children. Don’t even tell me your 2005 movie edition paperback copy of Pride and Prejudice can do that. Wile it should only be an emergency resort and under full supervision (which I recently discovered in the screen-crack incident of July 2012) it is an option.
  15. One other reason I’m not going to say because it’s a secret. Well, Ok, I just got tired of thinking of reasons, but I wanted 15 instead of 14. I thought it looked better. So this one’s a secret. By the time you call me on it I’ll probably have thought of number 15. But that doesn’t mean I’ll tell it to you.

No, your print book doesn’t require electricity or crack when it is dropped, but when you spray Dr.Pepper out your nose because the book was so funny, your pages get all wrinkly and stained FOREVER. Mine won’t. If my tablet gets ruined, I have a protection plan and can re-download my books instantly for free. Your book is just as sensitive to fire, water, and four-year-olds as my tablet too. In case of global electromagnetic pulse, my tablet will be a hunk of plastic, metal and glass, but I think we’ll be more interested in surviving than reading if that happens.

OK, Now you can post your comment why I am wrong or how you agree with me. Let me have it!

Categories: Reading | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Back in Action!

Kathleen is back to work editing my book! I am so excited! This means that we’ll probably be done around the end of August, beginning of September, and I’ll release the book at the end of October, perhaps for Halloween!

Please take a look at my Kickstarter project. I’m using it for a discount pre-order campaign and I’ve got some extra goodies if you’re feeling bold. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/523666041/dont-judge-a-book-by-its-magic-book-launch

This project has only 4 days left and I’m not sure if I’ll spend the time to do a second one. I won’t be offering any more pre-release digital copies unless you are pre-reviewing my book, so this is your last chance to get an advance copy for only $2. Even if the project doesn’t go through, all contributors can still get the deal they planned for, but you can’t get it if you don’t join the Kickstarter.

Categories: My Books | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Review: Open Heart by Emlyn Chand

Open Heart

By Emlyn Chand

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal

Read my review here: http://katepolicanisreviews.wordpress.com/2012/07/18/open-heart-by-emlyn-chand/

(Open Heart is the second book in the Farsighted series.)

Simmi Shergill’s life is a mess. Her powers of psychic feeling are on the fritz, and Grandon Township’s sudden population boom has brought quite a few unsavory characters to town. She also looks like an over-blown balloon in her size 14 pants, but not even starving herself seems to be working as a diet plan. Well, at least her boyfriend, Alex, loves her so much he’d do anything for her. Last summer he even risked his life to protect her from the mysterious boy everyone was convinced wanted to kill her.

The problem is, she’s not so sure she feels the same way. Is Alex really the man of her dreams? And why can’t she stop fixating on her would-be killer, Dax? Whenever he’s around, part of her wants to run screaming in the other direction while the other part longs to run into his embrace, no matter who she’d hurt or what she’d risk.

Simmi’s loyalty is on the line. Who will she choose–the blind seer who loves her, or the charming telekinetic with “bad idea” written all over him? Emotions run high as the tension mounts in book two of the Farsighted series.

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Barnes and Noble

About the Author:

Emlyn Chand emerged from the womb with a fountain pen clutched in her left hand (true story). Since then, she has always loved to hear and tell stories. When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm Novel Publicity. Emlyn enjoys connecting with readers and is available throughout the Internet world. Visit EmlynChand.com for more info. Don’t forget to say “hi” to her sun conure Ducky!

 

Categories: Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.