Giveaway on the IBGW Blog! - Eternal Earth - PNR

Happy Thursday, everyone! Today, I'm sharing a giveaway that just rolled out over on the IBGW blog and giving you all a little info on how you can get in on the action. Ready? Get your clicking fingers warmed up, and let's get going!

At INDIE Books Gone Wild, we always do a giveaway when one of our author's books goes live. We also send out a newsletter so these giveaways land right in your inbox. No, we don't spam, and yes, we ONLY send giveaways. Signup link for the newsletter is in the Rafflecopter below, and it's always one of the entry options (that means a free entry every time for our subscribers).

Here's the book up for grabs today:

Title: Eternal Earth (A House Series Novel)
Author: Layla Omorose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 284 pages
Buy Link: Amazon $0.99

Synopsis:

AN OBSESSION HE COULDN'T CONTROL

For over a year, Adien, the Trinity Hound of Earth. has watched Harmony Sonders from a distance. Silently protecting her from his enemies and those who sought to harm her...including himself. One look from her is enough to have him longing for the one thing he never wanted...

A MAN SHE DARED TO TAME

Harmony Sonders has spent the last few years piecing herself back together after escaping a marriage that nearly killed her. With her life finally where she wants it, the last thing she needed was for another man to come and throw her world into chaos... and that's exactly what Adien Tygerian does. A wicked temptation, he awakens a side of her she didn't know existed... a piece of her that demands she claim what is rightfully hers and damned the consequences. 

A DESIRE THAT WILL ROCK THEIR WORLD

With their enemies gathering their forces and the birth of a new power at hand, can Adien and Harmony break down the walls that guard their hearts and take hold of a love like they've never known to protect the ones they love or will the ghosts of their pasts lead to their damnation?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo 

Free Books for You Today

Happy Wednesday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I have a short list of free books for you to check out. Who needs a great read? You do! Get your clicking finger ready and let's get going!

Disclaimer: These books are free at time of posting. Please check the price before you one click. Also, I haven't read these titles, so I can't recommend one way or the other. You decide.

Let's GOOOO!

Title: The Dimension Thieves Episode #1
Author: Misty Provencher
Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi
Buy Links: Amazon  ~  B&N  ~  iBooks  ~  Kobo

Blurb:
Nominated for Serial Series of the Year at UtopYA Conference, 2015.

EPISODE 1 in The Dimension Series. Clean action/adventure read, suitable for ages 13 and up.

The Dimension Series is a series of serial shorts, releasing once a month from January to December 2015. It is a clean, New Adult series also suitable for some Young Adult readers, due to mild language, mild violence. However, readers who do not enjoy exciting cliffhangers, or look forward to the mouth-watering anticipation of month-to-month episodes should be warned...if you lay eyes on this story...THERE IS NO GOING BACK.

Antythera is the new Earth.
Why?
Because that’s what President Baro, ruler of the planet, wants to call it.
And if you don’t agree, the President will have you Droned.

The world has become a much smaller place since the lower and middle classes have been converted to mindless servants.  Free will, granted only to the elite, is in jeopardy of complete extinction.  

But Force Steele, son to one of the President’s highest ranking advisors, can’t live under the thumb of his controlling father, or the President, any longer. Force has dedicated himself to eradicating Droning, but when the President orders the Antidote Gear destroyed—the part of the machine that could free the drones by reversing the program that controls them—all is lost. Lacking necessary materials, there is literally no way in Force’s world to replace the one-of-a-kind gear.

Force’s only choice is to partner with shifty mechanic, Calerbius Brown, and embark on a risky mission that will take Force and his rag-tag crew across the lateral dimensions, where they must often steal materials—even from themselves—in order to fix their own dwindling world.

Title: Haunted
Author: Willow Cross
Genre: Supernatural Ghosts & Hauntings
Buy Links: Amazon

Blurb:
Have you ever heard something go bump in the night and wondered if someone was there? Only to go looking for the cause of the noise and find nothing at all. Or how about unexplainably feeling like you’re being watched when you’re completely alone? Things disappearing for no reason or strange ghostly footsteps in the hall?

This book is a collage of short stories about a few of the otherworldly experiences I’ve had. Although they are not movie worthy, you may find them interesting. All the stories are %100 true. Nothing has been added for dramatic effect.


 
Title: Ta Ta for Now (Stories About Melissa Book 1)
Author: Bethany Lopez
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Buy Links: Amazon

Blurb:
Melissa begins her freshman year with one goal in mind, getting Brian Jackson to be her boyfriend. She will soon learn that things don't necessarily turn out the way you plan them, the value of true friendship, and the importance of family.

The Stories about Melissa series is a coming of age series that follows Melissa, her family, and her friends. Similar to Sweet Valley High, each book is novella length. There will be eight books in the series.

Stories about Melissa reading order:

Ta Ta for Now!
xoxoxo
Ciao
TTYL
With Love
Book 6 ~ Coming Soon!

Title: Patriotic Duty (Duty and Desire Book 1)
Author: C. J. Pinard
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Military Romance
Buy Links: Amazon U. S.  ~  Amazon U. K.  ~  iBooks  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play Books

Blurb:
Newly divorced party girl Cara Reid just wants to have fun. Much too young to even be a divorcee, she and her bestie, Miranda, set off to have fun and maybe a few casual hookups and live life. One night at a military bar, Cara meets Riley Forrester, a hot Army soldier who makes her melt with one look of his deep ocean blue eyes. But Riley is only staying the summer in California and then has to go back to Colorado when it's over. Cara tells herself he’s just a summer fling and is determined to enjoy herself and let him go once the summer is over. But when Riley receives orders he wasn’t expecting, she’s forced to make a decision on whether she’s going to be there for him when he gets back, or move on with her life. What she wasn't expecting was to fall so hard for the beautiful soldier boy, and now she's faced with accepting her feelings or letting him go.

Contains adult content. For readers 18 and up.

Patriotic Duty is book 1 in the Duty & Desire series, and while it's recommended to read them in order, it's not necessary. 

Title: The Conduit (The Gryphon Series Book 1)
Author: Stacey Rourke
Genre: Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Buy Links: Amazon

Blurb:
All 18-year-old Celeste Garrett wants is to head off to college and make those fun, yet ill-advised, choices college kids are known for. And maybe to spend some time with the hot cameraman she just met. Instead, because of a pact her ancestors made in the 17th century with a mythical creature, she has to save the world.

While normal kids are slamming energy drinks and cramming for exams, Celeste will get her adrenaline rush fighting a fire breathing dragon. She wants to meet friends in the quad to exchange lecture notes, but first she must exchange blows with a shapeshifting demon on the rooftop. Life isn’t always fair for a superhero, but at least she doesn’t have to do it alone. With her brother and sister as sidekicks, they alternate between saving lives and getting on each others’ nerves. Together the trio encounters unspeakable odds, mystical forces and comes face-to-face with an image that will haunt them forever—their grandmother in a leopard print bikini.

Title: Prophecy: An Isle of Myst Novella
Author: Stacie Wilson
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Buy Links: Amazon

Blurb:
Discovering their young daughter, Brianna, is now at the center of an ancient war between Light and Dark and hunted by the evil Shadow Master, the King and Queen of Myst are forced to make an unthinkable sacrifice to not only save their child but their magical realm.

Prophecy, the first novella in the Isle of Myst series, tells the story of the tragic events that set Brianna’s destiny to try and save two worlds in motion, and forge an unbreakable bond between young hearts.





Did you snag any of them? Which ones?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Indie Book Quality

Happy Tuesday, good people of the blogosphere! Today is a post about something I've noticed has changed over the last twelve months. No huge advice, nothing to shake a stick at, but something I think you all need to hear. Grab your coffee and a comfy chair and let's get going!

If you happened to see the 12 Days of Review Requests event finale this past Saturday, you'll know there were well over twelve books chosen for review in 2015. I started out the event with the resolute promise I wouldn't go over my twelve book allotment. But, that was short lived.

You see, the samples I was downloading from Amazon were of better quality than many of the ones from books pitched in last year's event. Last year, I believe I went over my allotment by just two. Heck, it might've been just one. My memory fails in this matter.

This year was different. It was overwhelmingly amazing. It seemed each and every book I opened, I had a hard time releasing before I got to the last page. Now, you may think this is no big deal. I beg to differ. What this means is: Indie authors are getting more serious about their craft.

No longer are we seeing the author with only one book in them slapping words on a page and clicking publish. There's an upswing in the care and diligence being taken before a book is put on the market. It may be because of the particular authors who graced me with their presence this year, but it may be that the market is weeding out the, for lack of a better word, crap. Of course, I could be completely wrong and it may just be that those who were publishing before, have realized the need for an editor.

Don't mistake my words, there's still badly written books out there. But I think the sheer volume of it is decreasing by the day. No sales make the author who didn't take the proper time to edit give up more quickly.

Mark Coker says self-published titles are decreasing in volume. I think it's the folks who thought self-publishing would lead to quick bucks leaping off the boat in droves.

For those of you still on board, writing, publishing, and editing, you're to be commended. Let me be the first to say:

GREAT JOB!

I look forward to seeing what you all accomplish with another eleven months!

If you're a book reviewer, do you see the change in the quality of novels? If you're an author, do you find you're taking more time between writing and publishing?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Indie Authors! Sell More Books and Learn to Launch!

Happy Wednesday, good people of the blogosphere. Today I'm gonna be talking about a series of books I recently picked up and why you need to check them out. As you all know, I get ZERO kickbacks from any of this. Every opinion expressed is my own, and there are no affiliate links on the Jo Michaels Blog so you can always click with confidence, knowing I'm not goading you so I can make money. I gave this series a test drive during the release for I, Zombie to see if it worked and have been busy remodeling my entire book library to follow the suggestions in the guides. Now, I have my results (tested for a month) and am prepared to share my findings with you in the hopes that you see success with this method.

Bet you're anxious to know what I'm talking about, huh?

Strap in and let's get going!

Like I said above, I've worked my rear off remodeling my books since reading this series. Since the remodel, I'm doing much better. But I have eleven books on the market, and some folks will say I sold more books because I have more books available. I disagree. I think I wasn't using the right sales approach. This series of how-to guides walked me through how to use my books to sell more of my books. I'm convinced they go hand in hand.

Yes, it was a lot of work. No, it didn't happen overnight. Yes, there were times I wanted to tear out my hair and scream. But I didn't. I kept at it. As a matter of fact, I went so far as to whiteboard a strategy for updating all my books and attacked it that way.

First up, we have Bestseller Tactics: Self Publishing techniques to help you sell more books on Amazon and make more money. Advanced Author Marketing by Glyn Williams. Here's the cover and the buy links to the Kindle version:

Amazon Kindle $3.95

The book description on Amazon is long but full of good stuff. I suggest you check it out from there.

I used this one to help me reorganize my library and rebuild it from the skeleton out. Williams brings some things to light that were smack my head duhs. I thought, why didn't I see that? Well, because I'm not a numbers/marketing person primarily. Sure, I have some great marketing ideas, but I've never understood how to make (and keep) my book visible to those who may want to buy it.

Second, and the one I used when I launched I, Zombie, we have Bestseller Tactics 2: The Ultimate Book Marketing System. Advanced author marketing techniques to help you sell more kindle books on Amazon and make more money. Self Publishing by Glyn Williams. Here's the cover and buy link to the Kindle version:

Amazon Kindle $3.95

Again, the description is longish so I'll let you check it out for yourself.

I attribute I, Zombie's mad, out of the gate success to this one. It got noticed, it got reviews, it got love. It hit the paid bestseller list on launch week and hit it again during the free promotion. I was stunned. Heck, I still am.

I'll be using the tactics in this book over and over again as I write and launch more books. I have plenty of WIPs to test it on to see if it was a fluke and if my success was mostly because I wrote a niche book in a popular genre (YA and Zombies).

We shall see...


Last, is a book I haven't bought yet (but plan to). I'm not putting a recommendation on it yet, but keep your eyes open. It's Bestseller Tactics 3: Facebook for Authors - How to sell more kindle books on Amazon with an automated marketing machine by Glyn Williams. Here's the cover and buy links to the Kindle version:

Amazon Kindle $3.95

Again, I don't know how well it works, haven't tested it, haven't bought it, can't recommend it. With the way Facebook is changing their algorithms lately, I'm not sure this book isn't already outdated or if it can possibly be kept up to date without the author losing a lot of time (and his mind).

So, purchase book 3 at your own risk.

 Remember how I talked about blog tour companies last week and why you might want to steer clear of them? It was this series of books that caused me to start looking at the numbers and checking statistics on blog life, sales of books via tours, and how tour companies do their own marketing (it's to authors, not readers). Link to that post: A Look at Blog Tour Companies. Yeah, it stirred up some poo. Yeah, some people unfollowed me. Why is it that when you're honest, folks don't stop and look at what they might be able to do differently, they take it to a personal level?

To quote The Godfather: "It's not personal, it's business." Keep that in mind.

I hope you enjoyed this post and that it helps you find your own success. Publishing is a big world with a lot of hungry readers on the receiving end. May we all get our books into the hands of those that wish to read them. I'm all about the sharing.

If you'd like to grab a copy of I, Zombie, you can do that here. Yes, I do make money off that sale. But it's win-win. You get a great book to read, and I get a sale. If not, no hard feelings. You can still subscribe to or follow my blog and show your love that way. *grin*

If you've read these books, what did you think? If not and you plan to, what are you hoping to learn?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Coralie and Fall into UtopYA Giveaways Last Chance

Happy Friday, good people of the blogosphere! Today is the first day of NaNoWriMo and I'm off somewhere, hiding in a corner, whipping out a zombie novel! For the post today, I'm reminding you all of your chance to win copies of Mystic~Coralie and all the other great books from the Fall into UtopYA Party! These links will be here all weekend for your sharability and enjoyment. Good luck!

Mystic~Coralie by Jo Michaels

Synopsis:
Coralie Meyers is struggling to find her footing as an actress in New York. A malicious attempt to thwart another girl's career ends in catastrophe and Coralie soon finds herself in a precarious situation.

As the fifth and final member of Women Save the World, a company created by Markaza Turner, Coralie possesses all the cunning the young ladies will need to defeat the evil that's rising under Central Park. If the women fail to save her, evil will rise and destroy the world.

Now that Markaza has gathered four of her chicks: Bronya, Lily, Shelia, and Melody, all that's left to do is bring in Coralie, train her, and go to war. But the ladies are struggling with their powers and their personal demons. Will they find the power within themselves in time to destroy the monster and save the world? Only time will tell; and that's one thing they're short on.

This fifth installment of the Mystic series is a lesson in what lies, hate, and judgment can do to the world when left unchecked.

Dawning Apocalypse by Jill Cooper

Synopsis:
No one can know Natalie works for a supernatural protection agency and is charged with protecting Meadow’s Creek from vampires. But as their numbers swell, their presence doesn't go unnoticed throwing her town under the microscope from the local government and the FBI.

Natalie’s job is pushed even further into the shadows where she must dodge the police, concerned citizens and even her own parents.

Meanwhile a deadly plague grips the town and Natalie suspects it’s more than just a hacking cough. While the stress of working overtime erodes her relationships she will race against time, illness, to face a familiar enemy, save an old friend, and stop an undead seize that wants nothing more than to suck Meadow’s Creek dry.

Welcome to Sugartown by Carmen Jenner

Synopsis:

Ana Belle never wanted anything more than to hang up her apron, jump on her Vespa and ride off into the sunset, leaving Sugartown in the dust.

Elijah Cade never wanted anything more than a hot meal, a side of hot arse and a soft place to lay his head at night where he could forget about his past.

But you know what they say about wanting: you always want what you can’t have.

Nineteen year-old virgin Ana is about to discover that’s not quite true because a six foot three, hotter than hell, tattooed, Aussie sex god just rode into town. He’s had a taste of her pie and he wants more– no really, Ana bakes pies for a living, get your mind out of the gutter.

She’d be willing to hand over everything tied up in a big red bow, there’s just one problem; Elijah has secrets dirtier than last week’s underwear. Secrets that won’t just break Ana’s heart, but put her life at risk, too. When those secrets come to light, their relationship is pushed to breaking point.

Add to that a psychotic nympho best friend, an overbearing father, a cuter than humanly possible kid brother, a wanton womanizing cousin, the ex from hell and more pies than you could poke a ... err ... stick ... at.

And you thought small towns were boring.

BSI: Bureau of Supernatural Investigation by C.J. Pinard

Synopsis:
Supernatural creatures have roamed the Earth since the beginning of time. There was a time when humans would not tolerate having vampires and other creatures in their midst, stealing their young and killing their fellow human beings. These humans took care of business with pitchforks, sharpened stakes, and fires. As the centuries passed, the supernatural creatures learned that they needed to hide in order to survive. As they did, humans evolved, and after a few decades, humans no longer believed the tales from mythology and folklore. Then the creatures became more bold again, showing themselves when they should have stayed hidden.

In 1945, the assistant director of the FBI suffered a horrible tragedy, which he learned later was supernaturally related. He created a small branch of the Department of Justice called the Bureau of Supernatural Investigation – the BSI. Little did he know that there were already men and women policing the world of the supernatural – or the “Fae.” The only difference was that this other group had a huge advantage over the humans running the BSI; they were also immortal, just like the creatures they policed. Should the BSI and the Immortals work together to keep the peace?Follow agents and Immortals from the four supernaturally busiest places in the country – San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans, and Washington D.C. and watch the BSI evolve.

Vampires, shapeshifters, succubae, and Immortals. What is the Justice Department hiding?

And, the Rafflecopter and Goodreads giveaway widgets:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Coralie

by Jo Michaels

Giveaway ends November 05, 2013.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

I do hope you take the time to enter.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Mystic~Melody Official Release Day

Happy Tuesday, blogospherians! Today is the official release day for Melody, book four of the Mystic series. I have some goodies for you all today! Get your clickin' finger ready. I'm gonna start off by giving you the cover, synopsis, and an excerpt (something I never do). Then, we'll get to the fun stuff! Ready? Let's go!

Title: Mystic ~ Melody (book four)
Author: Jo Michaels
Genre: New Adult Paranormal
Length: 120 printed pages
Amazon (Kindle): $3.99
Paperback: $8.99

Synopsis:
Melody Acworth sounds like an angel. If she's not careful, she'll become one soon. Enrolled in singing lessons at age seven, she took to the stage and began to get fan letters. Some were good, some were detrimental to her psyche.

When Melody sees magazines laden with beautiful girls, she begins to look at herself in the mirror and think she should look more like them. Her mind takes the cruel letters to a dark place and she stops eating altogether. Before long, she's in the clutches of death.

By the time Markaza, a mystic with purple hair and tattoos, shows up, Melody's on her last legs. It's either eat or die. Markaza works furiously to try and repair the mental damage done so she can get Melody to New York; where she must learn to use a power hidden deep within herself to save the world.

They're running out of time. As December 21, 2012 approaches at an alarming rate, Markaza's visions turn dark and foreboding. The creature grows stronger every day. Soon it will rise and destroy mankind unless all six women band together to fight it.

Melody must be saved or the world will be destroyed.

Now, an excerpt!

*****

Markaza leaned forward and put a hand on Melody’s knee. “I’m sorry that happened. I can only imagine how crushed you must’ve been.”

“It was horrible. The look in her eyes scared me more than anything. I still don’t know why that watch shattered.”

“To teach her a lesson.” Markaza’s voice took on a vicious edge. “Tell me about the letter.”

Melody chewed her lip. “What letter?”

“Don’t play dumb. The one you mentioned earlier.”

They locked eyes, and Melody felt like the information was being pulled right out. With a shaky hand, she reached into her back pocket and produced the worn paper. As she passed it over, she realized she must’ve folded it back up and replaced it after her run automatically. She shook her head.

As Markaza read the words on the page, her face contorted and her nostrils flared. When she slapped it down on her knee and curled her fingers into claws, Melody thought the girl was about to punch something.

“Who sent this to you?”

“I don’t know. It isn’t signed and the envelope didn’t have a return address.”

Markaza’s eyes roamed up and down Melody’s body. “Is this the reason you’ve done that to yourself?”

Saying nothing, Melody turned her head and peered out the window. She felt her stomach tighten so hard it made her toes curl.

They rode the rest of the way in silence.

When they arrived, Melody ushered her new friend straight upstairs from the foyer. There was no way Mom could find out the girl was there. Mom would flip out, and there was no telling what Markaza would do; she looked dangerous.

Melody pushed through the door, closed it, and turned the lock. She figured she was eighteen and there was no reason she couldn’t lock her door. Besides, if all went well, she’d be gone soon anyway. No locked doors was a bullshit rule.

Markaza was standing stock-still, staring at something.

“What?” Melody asked.

“You have a poster of Lily Conyers on your wall.” Markaza gestured to the huge ad taking up half the wall by the bed.

“Yeah? So?”

“She works for WSTW now.”

Melody’s mouth dropped open and she squealed. “Really? Do you think I could meet her if I go to work for them? I just love her! She’s sooooo beautiful!”

“You know what? I think that’s a pretty good idea. But you’re gonna have to work really hard to get well if you ever want to meet Lily. She’s pretty popular, you know.” Markaza was grinning, but it didn’t look like a happy smile.

Wolfish was the only word Melody could think of to describe it. A shiver ran up her spine. “So, umm, what do I need to take with me?”

“Just what matters most; things that can’t be replaced at a store. Don’t worry about a lot of clothes or shoes,” Markaza answered.

Melody opened a small suitcase on the bed and began throwing things into it. Most of what she decided to take had sentimental value rather than monetary: an old pocket-sized photo album, some jewelry she’d gotten as gifts from special people, a few outfits, and two pair of shoes.

A shaking of the door handle followed by a knock reverberated through the room, and Melody froze mid-stride.

“Melody? You better unlock this damned door right now!” Debra’s voice floated through the room, and her daughter moved toward the door as though pulled by some invisible force.

Markaza stepped forward and blocked the path. “Tell her you’ll be down in a minute.”

“I can’t. She’ll be so pissed!” Melody whispered. After a moment of silence, she relented. “I’ll be down in a minute, Mom.”

“No. You’ll open the door this very instant!”

Heat filled Melody’s body as her voice rose. “No! I’m not a baby. You’re done treating me like one! I said I’ll be down in a minute, and that’s what I mean.” She was trembling from head to toe; but, somehow, Markaza’s presence was providing strength.

“I’m calling your father!”

Melody groaned and put her head in her hands. “Now I’ve done it.”

Markaza grabbed the girl’s trembling arms. “Stop it. She won’t hurt you with me here. Get your stuff and let’s go.”

  

***** 

Now, on to the fun stuff!

First, there's a giveaway for four printed, signed copies going on over at Goodreads. You can enter here:

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Melody

by Jo Michaels

Giveaway ends October 01, 2013.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Here's an entry form for a Rafflecopter giveaway. I'm giving away two Kindle copies.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Both of these giveaways end on October 1, 2013.

But wait! There's more! More? How can there be more? Well, check this out:
Mystic~Bronya is FREE through Thursday over on Amazon. If you pick it up, please be kind and tweet about the freebie you grabbed or post it to Facebook.
Mystic~Lily has been REDUCED to $0.99!
Mystic~Shelia has been REDUCED to $2.99!

Mystic~Coralie will be releasing in the next month or so. If you click the name, it'll take you to an info page on my website where you can read all about it. ***HOT TIP*** You can also grab some great downloads from the FREEBIES page on my site. LOVE IT?

What are you waiting for? Get going and enter already! *happy dance*

While you're here, don't forget to check out the guest post from M.R. Polish that went live yesterday.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Book Review - The White Aura

Happy Tuesday, good people of the blogosphere! I know I'm late but better late than never, right? Today, I bring you another review from my Indie Fever, 2013, reading challenge. If you'd like to check out the participants and read some of the reviews, you may do so by clicking the challenge name above. Without dragging this out any further, I give you my review of The White Aura (book one) by Felicia Tatum.

Title: The White Aura (book one)
Genre: YA Paranormal
Author: Felicia Tatum
Print Length:  221 pages
Link to Amazon: $2.99

Book Description from Amazon:
How do you live with the gut clenching truth that the one you love will die if you meet them? Twenty year old sorcerer Scott Tabors is learning how. After seeing seventeen year old Olivia Whitehead outside of a coffee shop, his heart will never be the same. He longs for her, he wants her, and he knows she will be his. They are heart mates. …but due to a curse on his family, he can’t meet her. Not yet. So for now, he visits her in her dreams. Her dreams where he can tell her everything but his name.

Olivia Whitehead is a typical junior in high school. She and her best friend are having the time of their lives, but she can’t help but notice the changes happening to her. Especially the changes in her heart after she begins dreaming about a mysterious dark haired young man. But what will happen when the school heartthrob decides he wants Olivia? Will she realize the dream man is real or will she move on?

I bought this book back in December of 2012 during my Indie Authors! Sell Me Your Book! party. After reading an excerpt, I was hooked by the story. The White Aura is a fun YA read that will keep you on the edge of your seat; wondering what's going to happen next.

From a reader's perspective:
I fell in love with Olivia and her quirky ways. She snagged me with her humor and her love for her best friend, J. It was believable that Olivia was meeting a strange boy in her dreams and pined after him while awake. I wasn't too keen on her mom and dad never being around. It kinda made me mad that they weren't the loving parents this witty child deserved. Scott, the love interest, was painted as the perfect boyfriend in every way. The story even goes so far as to have him weaken when he isn't around Olivia. I like it when characters have just a few flaws. While Scott is a sorcerer and is bound to Olivia because of a mystical occurrence that only happens to his kind, it still struck me as odd that he never even looked at another girl before he saw Olivia. That being said, the secondary characters were really well done, and I look forward to learning more about them in future installments of the series. The White Aura does a fine job of tying up loose ends for the story being told, but leaves a few things in question that I hope are answered later on.

From an editor's perspective:
This book has so much potential to be a best-selling series; but the lack of editing (by a professional) left me putting it down now and then because I was thrown out of the story. As with many novels, pronouns needed some work. Misspelled words appeared now and then, punctuation could use a tweak or two, and dialogue was stilted. It really just needs a strong polish by a good editor.

My rating:
+1 Star for characters I could really wrap my head around.
+1 Star for giving me an excellent storyline that was paced well.
+1 Star for making me want to read another installment.
-1 Star for perfectionism in a character that was begging for a flaw.
-1 Star for editing errors.

Overall, 3 out of 5 stars. Not too shabby! I recommend this read if you enjoy tales of sorcerers and love.

I hope you'll all download the sample and give it a shot.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo