Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Review of "Spooktacular Seductions" Anthology

What's New to Review ~ Wednesday!

Good morning, Readers! It's been awhile since I've posted a review, and I apologize but as I was told this week by my mechanic "I've got nothing but excuses." (Yeah, it's been that kind of week.) So, I'll spare you mine. Let's just jump into the goodies!

The Book: 

I absolutely love anthologies. I DO! Probably because I am mother, an author, and I also work outside the home. Short stories and anthologies are perfect or me. I can read a quick story. Finish it. And yet, not feel like I've wasted my day neglecting all my other duties that I must perform. (I'm sure there are others of you out there that feel like that as well.) Then, whenever, I get the next few minutes of downtime, I can read another one.

Now, beyond the way these stories fit so well into my busy life, can I just say... I absolutely adore how so many writer's can come up with absolutely crazy different stories from just one sentence, theme, or topic. It truly is amazing to me!

Spooktacular Seductions was released October 31st from Roane Publishing. With the only the title of the anthology given to the author's as their inspiration, this anthology led to an incredible mix of stories. Eight stories all together, with everything from ghosts, witches, voodoo shaman, angels, psychics, and serpent creatures, create this incredible piece of work.

The Plot: 

Well each one is different of course. And I don't want to spend ALL night writing this. So let me just run through the highlights.

Bewitching Gypsy by Linda Carroll-Bradd- A naturalist gypsy, effective in healing, and from the old world. She has suffered loss and emotional heartbreak. But maybe, just maybe, the universe is willing to reward her for her good deeds. The most mystical of the lot.

Garden of Souls by Michelle Ziegler- Living in a haunted house next to a cemetery can lead to trouble, especially if that trouble includes a delicious male ghost that is taken with you. Maybe the most heart clenching of the stories.

If This be Madness by Echo Shea- An old hag, and a love to last a lifetime that guides her from misdeeds. I'd say this story is the creepiest of the collection, which is awesome.

Ghost of a Chance by Lily Carlyle- Being tied to the real world can have it's problems. Least of all, the everyday problems in the inner city. But, things get interesting when an old flame shows up in town. The Suspense genre is alive and well here!

Do You Believe in Ghosts by Ann Higa- Just how long can a psychic medium hold on to life after she's dead? As long as it takes. The best twist ending of the collection.

Encantado by Havva Murat- Probably that spookiest of the anthology, again awesomeness. Set in ruined SIX Flags in New Orleans, the author goes to great detail of the decay and murder is high on the list.

Where Angels Tread by Christy Thomas- The reals between the worlds are not as definite as you may think and love that lasts centuries is very real. The most romantic, definitely.

Spooky Hollow Cafe' by Lisa A. Adams- When a mortal and a ghost both fall for a which, chaos is sure to ensue. (My own story so no rewards for myself. I find that too self-centered.)

The Verdict:

Overall, every single story had me turning the pages. From romantic, to creepy, to action packed, to paranormal... each had a way of grabbing me at the beginning and leading me through to some incredible endings. The stories were tight, with great plots, good characterizations, and a few twists that had my heart pumping for one reason or another. So, if you haven't guessed by now...
 It's a "Five Cups of Love" Read!

Get your copy at these locations... ebook or print!
Purchase Links:

 
Next week, I'll be back and I have a more well known author I'm reviewing. I've purchased Crazy, Stupid, Sex by Maisey Yates and Harlequin's newest line "Red-Hot Cosmo Reads". Can't wait to tell you about it!
 
Until next time, Keep reading!
~Lisa

Friday, October 31, 2014

New Release! Spooktacular Seductions from Roane Publishing

Happy Book Birthday Spooktacular Seductions!
Genre: Romance Anthology Release Date: October 31, 2014
Publisher: Roane Publishing

Keywords: Romance, Short Stories, Halloween, Paranormal
Falling in love can be terrifying.
Eight tales of spooky romance brought to you just in time for Halloween.

Bewitching Gypsy by Linda Carroll-Bradd Garden of Souls by Michelle Ziegler If This Be Madness by Echo Shea Encantado by Havva Murat Do You Believe in Ghosts by Anne Higa Ghost of a Chance by Lily Carlyle Where Angels Tread by Christy Thomas Spooky Hollow CafĂ© by Lisa A. Adams
Purchase Links:

Tour Schedule
Book Blitz & tour-wide giveaway: paperback copy of Spooktacular Seductions and a $10 Amazon gift card!
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code.  No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 or older to enter. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter, and announced on the widget. Winner well be notified by emailed and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Roane Publishing's marketing department.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Amazon Direct Publishing : For Dummies... The Clean Copy...

For Dummies? Maybe, just me...

For Starters:

Yesterday, I posted about my self-publishing adventure and introduced you to my brilliant editor and cover artist. These people are the "finishers" of the manuscript. Now let's start with the basics of loading up your work and making it become a book through self-publishing.

A Clean Copy....

I mentioned that to upload a book into Amazon Direct Publishing, you needed a CLEAN copy. Let me explain in detail what that means.

  1. Open your word document
  2. Click the Review Tab at the top of your page (usually center)
  3. In the "Track Changes" drop down menu select "All Markup"
  4. Start your cursor at the top left of your very first page
  5. Now take your cursor and click "Accept"
    1. If a box comes up saying there are no tracked changes in your document, you are good. Exit out and continue on to loading your e-book.
    2. If the cursor moves to a highlighted section of your manuscript, read over the change and "accept" or "decline". 
    3. Move your mouse to the "Next" button and click tour way through the document "accepting" or "Declining" each change.
  6.  There are some comments that you will accept, that will not disappear once you've accepted them. 
    1. Go to each comment, one at a time.
    2. Right click in the comment box.
    3. Choose "Delete Comment" from the menu.
  7.  Once you see no more colors or comments anywhere on your manuscript you finally have a CLEAN copy and it can be uploaded.

 Trust me!

If you choose not to upload a CLEAN copy, you'll be surprised at the formatting errors that will occur in your book. This is just the first step... I'll be back with a few more goodies very soon.

Until then, Keep Reading!
~Lisa




Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Self-Publishing and the Release

Yes! Self-Published!

The Beginning:

If any of you clicked on that fabulous link to my radio interview, you probably heard that one of my goals this year was to self-publish a short story. Well, I'm happy to report, I have succeeded! I was planning on coming out with a self-pub Christmas story, but then... I decided "why wait?" I had a short story that I had been working on, that wasn't for a specific call, but could be subbed to a few different places. So, I took the plunge.

Hiring the editor:

Though I admit I can be a great story-teller, I will also admit that I am NOT an editor. I do my best with my drafts, and have them sounding pretty good, but it's the editor's job to make them shine. As I know I am NOT an editor, I knew I would have to hire one. Luckily, I just happen to know one from one of the publisher's I had worked with.

Enter the lovely Deadra Krieger. A brilliant editor, who was looking for new clients AND had reasonable prices. Along with multiple authors from her last publishing house gushing over her, she was definitely the perfect candidate!

One contract later, and I had a certified editor to look over my work. And I was left to more important things... like cover art...

The Cover Artist:

One thing I didn't like about Amazon's Direct Publishing was the fact that I couldn't credit my cover artist in the listings. She deserves so much credit! But, I digress. After hours of scanning royalty free photos, watching YouTube videos on the free GIMP 2.0 software and trying my hand at several designs, I came up with one that I had a pretty decent feeling about. I posted it to my writing group, and received GREAT constructive feedback, AND a wonderful little note... "Hey, Lisa. Send it my way, and I'll be happy yo create one for you." Music to my ears! She kept the same original design, but did so much more to it! And it's beautiful! Don't you think? 

Thank you! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart Ms. Janice Foy!

The Publishing:

Two weeks... two weeks, I read every single detail about self-publishing from Amazon's Direct Publishing. I watched YouTube videos (again... gotta love classes at anytime) asked questions on Twitter, FaceBook, and just about everywhere else. You see, I'd downloaded people's self-pubbed titles before, and have to say that I wasn't that impressed with the quality. Some had glaring errors in the formatting, and I really didn't want that to happen. Besides, I had already spent money on a great editor, had already found an amazing cover artist, I really didn't need the formatting of the book to be a reason people would leave negative reviews.

First - Let me just say, your manuscript needs to be a CLEAN copy. I'll write a post on that in days to come. What a time I had until I figured out that basic rule. After that, it was zip, bam, boom, book!

It's Live!

The Interview went live Oct. 4th, 2014 to little fanfare. I hadn't even posted it on FaceBook or Tweeted about it. By 5pm, I decided to check in on my baby and start the promotions. I was already #4 on the Short Reads-30 min- Gay and Lesbian stories, and I couldn't be more happy. Throughout the week, I eventually made it to #2, but never did make the coveted #1. Oh, well, Something to strive for next time.

Want a copy for yourself?
Purchase The Interview for just .99!

Enjoy your adventures, and until next time...
Keep Reading!
~Lisa

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Blog Talk Radio Author Interview!


Check Out Entertainment Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with IndieReviews Behind The Scenes on BlogTalkRadio


In May of 2014, I was lucky enough to be a guest on Michelle's Blog Talk Radio show: Maverick's Promotions
Behind the Scenes Indie Review. 

The interview was supposed to be only 30 min. 
However, we both had such an amazing time and really shared some great knowledge, it lasted almost an hour. 

I hope you'll take a listen. Come get to know me a bit!

Until next time, Keep Reading!
~Lisa A. Adams 

Friday, October 3, 2014

Dawn's Reading Nook: Author of the Month~ Lisa A. Adams

Dawn's Reading Nook: Author of the Month~ Lisa A. Adams

Yes, I am still alive. I'm still here. And I'm still knocking out the books!

Since May, I have had three more acceptances, 2 more books published.

AND...

I've been promoting my little heart out. Speaking of which... Check out my featured Author of the Month link above from the lovely Dawn's Reading Nook.


And remember... no matter the style or the time, I've got something for you!  Just take a look!

All titles are currently available on my Amazon Author Page and most are just 2.99 or below!

Check that out right here!


Until next time... which will be VERY soon... Keep reading!

~Lisa A. Adams

Friday, July 18, 2014

Something with humor....

When the next book by your favorite author comes out....

Just how many of you out there have hidden yourselves away at one time or another, just to be able to read your book. I know I have! Just never in the closet. (But my daughters do it all the time. lol)

Until next time, Keep Reading!
~Lisa

Want the chance to win a free e-book from me? Leave a comment below. One lucky commenter will win! (Contest ends Saturday 07/19/2014 @ 10pm) Good Luck!