Freebie Friday #2: The Biker's Wench by Jamie DeBree

'The Biker's Wench' is a serial novel by author and webmistress Jamie DeBree. It's a steamy, suspenseful romance, and it's also totally free, just waiting for your eyes and comments!

However, there are lots of other awesomely free content on her site. Her 'Beyond the Words' blog does a wonderful job showing readers her marketing plan, and a marketing plan in today's writing world is too important to miss out on witnessing. She also has two books out in the publishing world. Desert Heat and Tempest, her newest being Desert Heat.



                             

Updates and Ideas

 So, the two ideas below are more than just a series of informative posts I'm thinking about doing. I have actual plans to put them in effect soon, most likely around the time when I begin my book giveaway contest and start having guests appear. Tell me what you think about them! Would you be willing to keep up?

Title: Embracing Facebook for Marketing

Episodes, in no particular order:

• Why it's important to be genuinally social.
• Making Fan/Group Pages and making them unique.
• Ideas for utilizing Facebook's benefits.

Title: Taking Advantage of Free Website Domains

Episodes, in no particular order:

• Free domains of all kinds with summaries (Weebly, Proboards, Blogspot, Webs).
• An episode dedicated to each domain listed above with coding sources, pros, and cons.

Updates

So, as far as reviewing goes, I'm on page 156 of Drawn in Blood by Andrea Kane. This isn't actually a good thing. lol. First off, this book has 402 pages; secondly, I've only gotten through maybe five pages a day, if even that. My life has been something of a rollercoaster. Just when everything calms down for me, something wild and unexpected sends me into a frenzy again. For instance, right now I'm sick out this world (and still blogging, of course), but I'm extremely excited about winning a scholarship. I'm talk more about the scholarship this Thursday, on my personal blog.

I only have three more dates to fill before every Saturday in February and March will have an author/publishing house guest appearance. I'm so excited! Not only because I can't believe that these people actually agreed to help me and Triple R, but because the line-up will be so awesome. When all the days are filled, I'll put up a post explaining each and every person making a guest appearance. I'm hoping I can do this next Tuesday.  

P.S. For all you book giveaway people: The awesome author Michelle Davidson Argyle, who will also be appearing on my blog soon as a guest author, is having a book giveaway contest for the book Paranormalcy by Kiersten White. You might wanna enter soon! The contest ends January 27th, after all.

Freebie Friday #1: Don't Die Dragonfly by Linda Joy Singleton

After getting kicked out of school and sent to live with her grandmother, Sabine Rose is determined to become a "normal" teenage girl. She hides her psychic powers from everyone, even from her grandmother Nona, who also has "the gift." Having a job at the school newspaper and friends like Penny-Love, a popular cheerleader, have helped Sabine fit in at her new school. She has even managed to catch the eye of the adorable Josh DeMarco.

Yet, Sabine can't seem to get the bossy voice of Opal, her spirit guide, out of her head . . . or the disturbing images of a girl with a dragonfly tattoo. Suspected of a crime she didn't commit, Sabine must find the strength to defend herself and, later, save a friend from certain danger.


If the above book sounds interesting to you, and you'd like to read it, you can download a FREE copy of the entire book. The download is for a kindle, but you can read the book even without a kindle for free. However, you may wanna quickly jump on the download, since it ends this month. The download is courtesy of Flux Publishing, the publisher this novel presumably belongs to. Enjoy!

Free, Free, and...Free.

When I wrote Triple R's blueprint and launched it late December of 2010, I did both with the intent to make Triple R a place brimming with free gifts for its readers. By free gifts, I mean loads of free content from authors, aspiring authors, and publishers. I mean book giveaways, book reviews, helpful web series' about things relevant to today's writing world, and an update of free offers throughout the web that I often gather when doing my search for guest appearances.

For instance, tomorrow you can expect Triple R's first Freebie Friday post. If the name isn't clear enough, I promise to go into detail tomorrow. The Spotlight request page is among the many things that have been rejuventated on Triple R since I started it, and now I have made a concentrated effort to gather a great group of publishers and writers to appear. So far, these people/houses have said yes. Keep in mind that the dates, though they have agreed to them, may NOT be solid.

1.) Author Allan Leverone: February 12, 2011
2.) Author Michelle Davidson Argyle: March 12, 2011
3.) Rhemalda Publishing: March 5, 2011
4.) Scriptwriter/Freelancer Daniel Convery: Date not agreed on yet.

When I at least get an answer from all the people on my list, or finally fill up all the Saturdays in February and March, I'll do a special Guest Appearance blog post where I'll go into detail about the people appearing.

On another note, I've finally completed the rules and chosen the books I'm willing to give away for Triple R's first big book giveaway contest! When I'm done being occupied with the AcaDeca, expect to hear more about this. Afterward, or during the contest, I'll probably start a web series about free domains writers can use for their writing platform and how to manipulate the free domains to make them APPEAR like you paid money. I don't pride myself on being an expert of anything...yet, but I do get asked about free domains and manipulation of them often.

Triple R is progressing. The steps may be slow and steady, but it's getting there. Are you?

P.S. My general blog posts on Triple R will be switched to every Tuesday, and I will instead update Tiffany Rambles every Thursday, for any of you who follow both. ^_^

The Cain Letters by Pierre Roustan

Nikolas Stahl, Master Vampire of Russia, wants to destroy all thrells - hostile, dull-witted vampires created through experimentation - and rule the Vampire Nation. Alexandra Glade, a vampire hunter popular for her fierceness and devotion to Berith Lochem - a secret society of professional hunters working for the Vatican - lives to murder vampires. College student and church youth director Marcus Brennan comfortably lies between the extremes of vampire and vampire hunter. Or, at least, he would have lied comfortably in-between if not for his uncanny interest in vampirism.

Their goals, differences, and alliances brings them, and readers, together for a wild ride full of action, chases, and realizations.

Somewhere, some place, there is an ancient book that practically operates as the vampiric bible. Once Nikolas discovers that he can use it to his advantage, he goes on a hunt for the book, a venture that alarms Berich Lochem, especially Alexandra Glade. However, though Marcus Brennan only has a general interest in the book, he gets a hold of it first. That ends up being one of the biggest mistakes of his life.

Why? The information inside not only explains the origin of vampirism, but it reveals the secret to Cain's whereabouts, a secret that can alter the future of vampirism and thrust the world into a vast darkness.


The Cain Letters is action-packed and chase heavy. I don't think I've ever read a book better fit for the big screen! In the beginning, readers are bombarded with lots of titles/terms: The Code, First Blood Council of Russia, First Blood Council of South America, threll, Scarlet Sentinels, The Minister of Shadows, Dark Calling, Guardians, Berith Lochem. On the one hand, I like all the terms. It makes Roustan's vampiric world seem large and well thought out, which makes me interested in future installments. On the other hand, I also didn't like the terms, namely because I at first thought I had to keep up with all the terms so early on in the story, but partly because most of the terms don't ever come into use again as the story progresses.

Also, I can't exactly say I was too satisfied with the ending. I'd attempt to explain why, but I really don't know how to without spoiling it. I thought the ending did a marvelous job tying everything up. Maybe I wasn't comfortable with how it was executed? That could just be me, though.

You should give the Cain Letters a read if you like action, vampiric theories, theology, and clear, easy-to-read prose with sprinkles of beautiful setting descriptions.

Story available in Kindle!

Explaining My Book Review Preferences

So, in my helpful, but long-winded Book Review Explanation, I go to great pains to make it clear that I don't read  'poetry, literary fiction, erotica, or children's books' and that 'I don't prefer short story collections.' The actual reasons why are as much about me still trying to better my reviews as they are about my reading preferences. Triple R is, btw, a general reviewing site. It's not dedicated to any one genre, though you'll see quite a lot of horror/supernaturals. Generally, I'll read almost anything capable of holding my attention past five minutes, no matter the form. However, that doesn't mean I would have any idea how to go about reviewing said piece. Here, I'll just explain why.

• Short Story Collections: When I first started Triple R, short story collections was also something I refused to review. I love reading short story collections, and I have a few short story collections on my shelf worn from all the rereading. But I'm not too certain yet how to review a short story collection. Still, it seemed silly to deny short story collections, since I already have two short story collections on the Upcoming Book List.
• Poetry: Honestly, I don't quite grasp poetry, nor do I much care for it. I don't understand poetry well enough to offer any type of credible opinion or review about one. I'm not downing poetry at all, but it's not for me, is all.
• Literary Fiction: Whether or not I'll review literary fiction is similar to my feelings for short story collections and is, to be honest, conditional. I love reading literary fiction. I love the focus on characterization and style as opposed to plot, like in contemporary/genre fiction. If said literary fiction doesn't digress too far into style and flowery, archaic prose, I'll review it with no problem. It's like how Cinders by Michelle Davidson Argyle is literary fiction disguised as fantasy, but I'm comfortable with Michelle's writing style and don't really mind.
• Erotica: I have nothing against sex, not in reality or with books. In books, I think it's a good way to show characterization and is, furthermore, pretty natural for humans. However, with erotica, all the sex distracts me from the actual plot, and I sometimes start to feel like it is simply detracting from the story. Whether I'll review an erotica is conditional. If the story is good outside of the erotic scenes, and the eroticism isn't too intense for my liking, then I may still read it.
• Children's: By children's, I don't mean Harry Potter or the Graveyard Book. I mean little kid books, like picture books and pop-ups. I have no idea how I could review material like that.

P.S. On another note, there have been some updates to Triple R! I changed the news up above and added a publicity link to the side. I also have a long to-do list of ways I plan on improving Triple R. Please, stay for the ride, where a newsletter and a book giveaway contest can be expected somewhere down the line. =D

Tiffany Cole, Aspiring Writer

Name of book: Savior of the Damned
Name of writer: Tiffany Cole
Aspiring or Published?: Aspiring
Book's Genre: Paranormal/Supernatural/Dark Urban Fantasy


Novel Excerpt:


After many jokes that always ended in a gory death, I was aching to get away. I was also aching to understand why Samuel felt he had the right to bring us down after we'd worked so hard to become a family again.

"Why are you here? Give me a solid answer and leave," I said. My voice wavered, but, for the most part, I accomplished sounding stern.

"I'm here for you, of course, but that wasn't the right question." He leaned across the table. I tried to mask my fear, though I found his proximity stifling. "Shouldn't you be asking how to save your parents?"

Samuel brought both of his hands up and balled them into tight fists. Seconds later, Mom and Dad were screaming. Mom gripped her chest. Though tears were starting in Dad's eyes and he looked short of breath, he reached for Mom.

"How do I save my parents?" I shouted.

He smiled. Samuel released his hands, and their screams turned into heavy gasps.

"You can't."

1.) Tell us about your book.

Alecia, the protagonist, is an ex-junkie prostitute who needs to cope with being framed as a serial killer and her title as the powerful Savior of the Damned.

2.) Why do you write? I figure this is the cliche answer that ALL writers give, but I write because it's something I can't see myself not doing. It's very cathartic and it keeps me in check.


3.) How has writing changed your life?


Well, it saved my life. During a dramatic phase of my life that certainly didn't seem dramatic during the phase, writing was the only thing that kept me grounded, that I believed could never betray me. Also, writing has opened my mind to many aspects of life, and I don't think I'd know so much about myself had I not analyzed my writing.

4.) What's an interesting/emberrasing/funny fact about your story that you haven't shared...until now? The story used to be a corpse eater/human romance. Samuel, the villain, was Alecia's older brother, and she used to hate him for reasons that I hadn't yet developed. I find it funny that the gang socialite Augustine used to be a brooding loner.

5.) What's the worst advice you've ever received?


You're a teenager; you can't make it in the adult world as a writer. I understand that experience=great writer, and that it certainly wouldn't hurt to continue practicing well into adulthood, but I don't like people saying 'can't' to me.


Character's Name: Augustine Haze
Character's Role: Major Protagonist


1.) How do you feel about your creator?


She's pretty horrible. I mean, she created me, and I'm plenty wonderful, so that's all good. But yeah, she's pretty horrible. The shit she got in store for me and my werewolf tribe...One minute she's telling peeps that I'm her favorite character; the next, she's putting me in terrible pain. Bipolar much?


2.) Where's your favorite place to be and your favorite thing to do?

Dude, you already know! I like to party with the ladies and sleep with the ladies, but fighting is a really close second. Mexico's pretty cool too, since I get to see the higher ups of my tribe and family.


3.) What keeps you going every day?

My tribe. Plus, the idea that the next day will be ten times crazier than the last.


4.) The old lady down the street is rushing at you with an uzi. What do you do?

Dude, This is a shit and giggles type of question. I'd knock the uzi out of her hand and enlist her in the Lycans, my gang. We need a broad like her. Take those blood sucking stiffs off guard real bad!


5.) What's something you've never told anyone about...until now?

I'm totally an open book. If I haven't said it while sober, I definitely screamed it while stoned. Uhhhhhh....only my dad, younger brother, best friend Frank, and Alecia know that I'm half vamp and half wolf. I also have a bad addiction to B+ pills, to the point that I'd prefer them over actual blood.


Author Bio/Contact Info:


My name is Tiffany Cole, and I'm a book reviewer for Suspense Magazine. I am also an aspiring young writer. Savior of the Damned, the supernatural/dark urban fantasy novel I've been writing and editing for five years, is one step away from the agent/publisher hunt. You can find me in many places:

writergirllw@yahoo.com
http://www.fuisti.blogspot.com/
http://www.tiffanyrambles.blogspot.com

http://suspensemagazine.com/

http://www.rhemalda.com/public_forum/

http://tinyurl.com/27x9sdz {My Facebook}

What Would You Like to See?

Well, even if it would look bad and unprofessional to say, I'm not afraid to admit that I'm still exploring what I can do with this site, besides feature book reviews and interviews. I feel it is necessary to have changing content that would keep you, reader, wanting to come back. A couple of ideas have come to mind:

1.) I can spotlight small publishing houses and ebooks.
2.) I can have trivia games and book giveaway contests.
3.) I can give writing tips (though I'm wary about this, only because I myself am only an aspiring 18-year-old writer).
4.) I can feature short stories.

Still, I'd like to hear from you readers on what you think would greatly improve Triple R. What features on websites keep you coming back? What is something you've always wanted to see on a book review site? Give me ideas and I'll definitely consider them!