So, What do You Expect from a Blog?

Yes, please tell me... because I really don't know what to write.

I don't want to just write to write. This is mostly because if I'm going to write, I should be writing the final parts of my fifth book. Which, by the way, I'm just about finished and quite proud of what I've written.

And I certainly don't want to start writing about the books I've already written and how, yes... they are still available on Amazon. And yes, I am in the process of converting them into ebooks. This is hard for me, because I'm not really a fan of ebooks. I just don't feel like I'm reading a real book when I read an ebook. I feel like the whole experience isn't the same. As though I'm reading a magazine or something.

Call me crazy, but this is the way I feel. It must be the thrill of turning the pages. Or the feel of the new pages, so crisp and un-read. Almost stuck together... sort of like a stack of brand new, almost just off the press, twenty dollar bills.

But, I would like to know how you feel about this. Because, according to everything I've read, romance novels are the top selling genre in ebooks. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think this has a lot to do with the covers.

You know the covers I'm talking about... with the shirtless, incredibly sexy guys, obviously short on shirts. Maybe they're in the wash, or the guy just wants to show off. Your average everyday guy. He's gazing out at you from the cover with that sad, almost pouting look on his face. This is because the woman he wants, well, believe it or not, she just isn't interested. Hmm... uh, huh.

Rather than plopping a stack of these kind of books on the counter at the bookstore and getting that knowing look from the sales assistant, it's so much easier to hit one button on Amazon and the book is yours, right there in the privacy of your home..

But am I wrong when I say these covers are all starting to look alike? If you were to line a lot of these current books up, side by side, they'd all tend to blend right into one another. Which would lead you, the person who buys the book, to believe the stories inside would also be all the same.

Now, don't get me wrong. I have nothing against these books or authors of any kind. It's not easy to write a book. As it isn't easy to be a cover designer. My attempt at designing the first round of covers for my books was definitely below standard. I'm almost embarrassed by what I came up with.

But maybe it's time for a change... Because isn't this what it's all about? Standing out in the crowd? Being original?

Seriously. I'd really like to know your opinion on this.

Too. Much. Information.

Right?

UPDATE: The contest below has ended. And no, I didn't win. But winning wasn't the goal - what I wanted, was for everyone to see the cover. So, if you did vote, thank you. There will be other contests and who knows, I may be asking you for votes in the future. Lucky you, huh?

So, let's talk more about book covers, I wonder if you could do me a favor? Don't worry, it's a very small and simple favor. There is a contest going on right now at AllAuthor.com

Yep, you guessed it - it' a voting contest for book covers. My cover for February's Angel is in the contest. I know, I know... you don't like voting contests. Neither do I. I had enough of that when I used to do recipe contesting. And seriously? I don't care about winning this one (and probably don't have a chance in you know what...) but I thought it would be good exposure for my books.

I also need to keep up the votes on my book so I don't get kicked out of the first round. My goal is to hang in there for as long as I can.

And here it is - the cover they chose to put in the top 100 - (and yes, it was chosen. I'm proud of this in itself.) If you really like it and would like to vote, keep reading...

Click on this link: https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/4668/

This will take you right to the page that features my book. Hit the orange - # Voted - button and if the # goes up one, you've voted. And you're done! No sign up, no commitment! Your name doesn't even show up on the page. You will be like a secret admirer of the best kind!!!

And look at that... you didn't even have to leave this page!

Hopefully, the next time I write here, I'll have more information on my upcoming novel. Again, I think you're really going to like it... The story just keeps going on, the old and the new becoming like family. Take note, Hallmark!!

Take care,

Linda

P.S. Scroll down and check out the newest update added to the blog post about plagiarism.

As Martha would say, "it's a good thing!"

Just a Hint...

Hi,

I should be working on the fifth book of the series. But one can't write all of the time... can one?

So, I decided this post is going to be more of a look back at the first book of the series, A Million Decembers. Below, you'll find a few quotes from the book to give you an idea of what your missing if you haven't ordered it yet. For those of you who have read the book and think I've neglected to showcase some of your favorite parts, please feel free to drop a comment at the bottom of this post.

So, what do you think? Intrigued? Sort of looks like a good old fashioned love story, doesn't it?

One click to:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B0798SF1WG?ref_=pe_584750_33951330

and it can be yours! (Along with the next three books of the series.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Linda

Let's review... which one are you?

Hi there!

You're probably wondering what I have in mind by the title of this blog post. Okay, maybe it's a wee bit misleading. Because, yes... we are going to review. But what we will be reviewing, will be the subject of reviews. The reviews you see posted everywhere online. On Blogs, websites and just about every possible retailer out there. All in the attempt to simplify our life by helping us make up our minds.

Wait! Don't do it... don't push that button. Don't run away just yet. This could be more interesting than you think. Ot at least make you smile a couple of times.

I've come to the conclusion there are four different kinds of people when it comes to giving a review.

First, we have the I-hate-to-review-anything type of person. This person ignores any request they receive for a review. They hit that delete or end button and merrily go on to check the rest of their emails. Nor do they read reviews. They don't have the time. They're busy and who reads reviews anyway? As you can imagine, they may also be the biggest complainers.

Next, there is the person why instantly goes into a panic when they're asked for a review. They don't want to do it, but they feel obligated. They're a person who takes their purchases very seriously. Maybe they've spent countless hours on the internet searching for the perfect what-ever-it-is they ordered. But when it comes to writing the review, they spend more time working on the correct punctuation and wording of the review, rather than the reason they're even giving the review.

Heaven forbid they come across as someone who's not too smart. After all, their name will be on the review. Millions of people will see this. All of this is more than enough to discourage the faint of heart.

Let's go on to the next reviewer, who is ecstatically happy with the purchase they made. Let's say that purchase was a book. Let's be even more specific and say it happens to be the renown and most coveted romance novel out right now, A Million Decembers by L. B. Joyce. This reviewer sat down and read the book from cover to cover as soon as it was delivered, almost bursting into tears when they came to the last page. They seriously start thinking of moving to London. Or maybe Chicago. Or they have the urge to put up their Christmas decorations, while constantly scanning the sky for snow. All because they'd become so immersed in the story of Anna and Nicholas and the happy way their story ended.

They want more... So, they run to their computer and order the next three books of the series. (As you can see, I have a very vivid imagination.)

This reviewer is filled with praise. They have nothing but good to say about the book, the author and how they're dying to read the next books in the series. (This is why I decided to write a series. The reader knows they need only be patient and wait for the next book for the story to continue.)

Authors love these reviewers. Authors live for their reviews. This is what makes authors want to write more. A win, win situation.

And finally, we have the person who I think, and I may be wrong about this, has always wanted to be a writer. They have lots to say. Their review is very long and very detailed. They almost wind up giving away the complete plot of the book.

(Ah, yes... again, for reference, we'll use a book. How about For the Love of July, again by L. B. Joyce. A book fitting for this time of year. Who doesn't love a story where a hometown girl is swept of her feet by a professional baseball player? A successful one, at that. With another happy ending. Do the math... Baseball + Love = Everybody Wins!)

These reviewers work for a long period of time, perfecting their review, to finally hit that send button with a sense of triumph. Like they mean it. They've done their part to make the world a much better place.

Just between you and me, I've never been able to read one of these lengthy reviews. I can't help but wonder how a person can have the time to go into such detail. Unless they've been paid to do this. A very disheartening thought and one that makes me doubt their credibility.

The moral of this post? Reviews are very important. To everyone.

And which reviewer are you? Don't worry, it really doesn't matter (well, let's scratch the first one, the I-hate-to-review-anything reviewer,) What's really important is you take a few minutes out of your life and give a review... an honest one. For an author, this means so much more than you could possibly know.

It doesn't have to be long.

And it doesn't have to be perfect.

It only needs to come from your heart.

Thanks for your time and take care!

Linda

P. S. This is a public service announcement for those who have ever read a good book and are dying to tell everyone about it. Go ahead... share the love.

As always, available on Amazon. Just one click on the photo will get you there!