Readers' Favorite

January 2, 2015

January New Releases


Are you ready to get back to reading? There are some great books kicking off 2015. What will be your first read for the year?


Road Map to Author Events
Connect with readers directly and convert them to lifelong fans by scheduling, organizing, and planning successful author events. This book will teach you how!

Are you confident behind the keyboard, but nervous about getting out and interacting with other book lovers in person? Perhaps you’re still trying to figure out which events will play best to your natural strengths and offer a lasting impact on sales. Or maybe you’ve already done lots of in-person events, but have no idea why they didn’t work as well as you’d hoped or expected.

Your Road Map to Successful Author Events is here to help!

In just a few hours, you will learn how to create opportunities for meeting your audience, maximize the effectiveness of paperback sales in venues book purchasers already frequent, and create situations which will entice readers to pick up your book! You will learn how to find, schedule, and prepare for a variety of live author events, as well as how to harness those events to excite new and potential readers. With this guide, you will receive specific, actionable advice on:

*Scheduling Events in Book Stores
*Collaborating with Event Organizers
*Choosing the Best Book Festivals to Attend
*Making the Most of Book Signings
*Preparing the Perfect Excerpt
*Creating an Eye-Catching Display
*Keeping Your Cool During Q&A Sessions
*Handling Disappointment
*Networking with Other Authors 
*Creating Opportunities at Non-Book Events 

We also offer 5 exclusive freebies for readers of this book!

Available January 1
Buy Your Road Map to Successful Author Events at Amazon


For Valetine's
This steamy nightcap novella, the fifth book in the No Weddings Series, takes us on a post-happily-ever-after adventure as Cade attempts to rewrite Valentine’s Day with his new wife, Hannah. 

Wedded bliss. After everything Hannah and I have been through, we finally have it. Yet dark dreams from my troubled past continue to escalate as we approach Valentine’s Day. 

Determined to fill our present with great memories that overtake all others, I plan a trip to New York—down to every scheduled detail. Yeah, there will even be a musical. 

But Mother Nature has a few tricks up her sleeve. And the universe keeps throwing us curveballs…

Available January 5
Buy For Valentine's at Amazon


Falling Up
Let the magic of Falling Up open your eyes and tickle your mind! With twelve additional never-before-published poems, here is a special edition of this beloved poetry collection.

Within the pages of Falling Up, you'll meet Allison Beals and her twenty-five eels; Danny O'Dare, the dancin' bear; the Human Balloon; Headphone Harold; and more unforgettable characters. This wondrous collection lets you wander through the Nose Garden, ride the Little Hoarse, and eat in the Strange Restaurant, with poems and drawings that are both outrageously funny and profound. The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books said of Falling Up, "An enticing blend of wickedness, creativity, and rhythm makes the verse entertaining, readable, and often chantable."

Available January 6
Buy Falling Up at Amazon


The Marriage Match
Hot bachelor seeks bride…

Resort tycoon Trent Hawthorne is looking for a wife. His all-business, no-nonsense grandmother (and the matriarch of the small town of Maple Creek) has selected three potential brides―all beautiful and approved. Each “fantasy date” will take place in a lush Caribbean setting, filmed like a reality show to promote the Hawthorne family’s chain of resorts. All of Trent's hopes for love combined with a clever marketing gimmick…what could possibly go wrong?

As it turns out, all it takes is a kiss. A sizzling, sweet-as-sin kiss. But Cynthia Sawyer isn't one of the bachelorettes, and she's definitely not supposed to be making out with her boss's sexy grandson. Not to mention it's strictly against company policy. But Cynthia has her own reasons for hooking Trent up with a bride who isn’t her as soon as possible. And losing her heart is a price that she's willing to pay…

Available January 19
Buy The Marriage Match at Amazon


The Prince
The unveiling of a set of priceless illustrations of Dante’s Divine Comedy at the Uffizi Gallery exposes the unsuspecting Professor Gabriel Emerson and his beloved wife, Julianne, to a mysterious and dangerous enemy.

Unbeknownst to the Professor, the illustrations he secretly acquired years ago were stolen a century earlier from the ruler of Florence’s underworld. Now one of the most dangerous beings in Italy is determined to reclaim his prized artwork and exact revenge on the Emersons, but not before he uncovers something disturbing about Julianne …

Set in the city of Florence, “The Prince” is a prequel novella to “The Raven,” which is the first book in the new Florentine Series Trilogy by Sylvain Reynard.

“The Prince” can be read as a standalone but readers of The Gabriel Series may be curious about the connection between The Professor’s world and the dark, secret underworld of “The Prince.”

Available January 20
Buy The Prince at Amazon


First Frost
From the New York Times bestselling author of Garden Spells comes a story of the Waverley family, in a novel as sparkling as the first dusting of frost on new-fallen leaves...

It's October in Bascom, North Carolina, and autumn will not go quietly. As temperatures drop and leaves begin to turn, the Waverley women are made restless by the whims of their mischievous apple tree... and all the magic that swirls around it. But this year, first frost has much more in store.

Claire Waverley has started a successful new venture, Waverley’s Candies. Though her handcrafted confections—rose to recall lost love, lavender to promote happiness and lemon verbena to soothe throats and minds—are singularly effective, the business of selling them is costing her the everyday joys of her family, and her belief in her own precious gifts.

Sydney Waverley, too, is losing her balance. With each passing day she longs more for a baby— a namesake for her wonderful Henry. Yet the longer she tries, the more her desire becomes an unquenchable thirst, stealing the pleasure out of the life she already has.

Sydney’s daughter, Bay, has lost her heart to the boy she knows it belongs to…if only he could see it, too. But how can he, when he is so far outside her grasp that he appears to her as little more than a puff of smoke?

When a mysterious stranger shows up and challenges the very heart of their family, each of them must make choices they have never confronted before. And through it all, the Waverley sisters must search for a way to hold their family together through their troublesome season of change, waiting for that extraordinary event that is First Frost.

Lose yourself in Sarah Addison Allen's enchanting world and fall for her charmed characters in this captivating story that proves that a happily-ever-after is never the real ending to a story. It’s where the real story begins.

January 20
Buy First Frost at Amazon

Do you have or know of a book coming out this month? Tell us in the comments (you can leave a link to it as well).

Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small fee is earned when purchases are made at Amazon through the links above.

January 1, 2015

Blogging Goals for 2015

by Donna Huber

Credit: Sylvester 2015 Fireworks New Year's Day Midnight
 (CC0 Public Domain)

As 2014 wound down I looked back at the goals I set for the myself and the blog. Let's take a quick look at how I did.

1. Write reviews more promptly. I did marginally better at that this year. I did get behind after a big reading push this summer. 

2. Host 100 authors. We didn't even come close to 100 authors being hosted this year. Even with Heather doing a monthly interview, we only had 44 guests on the blog. I hope to host more authors this year, but will set a more modest goal. If anyone would like to guest post, do an interview, or provide an excerpt this year, please let me know.

3. Set up posts in advance. While I had hoped to start scheduling on a more monthly basis, I was able to get most posts set for the week on a weekly basis. I'm going to try harder this year to get most posts scheduled in advance.

4. Put together my second marketing book. A big FAIL. I did get it started, but with my health not being so good this year I just didn't feel up to devoting a full weekend to the project and piece-milling it doesn't work for me.

5. Read 72 books. This was a good goal, much more attainable than the goal I had set in 2013. My year end read-a-thon really help me meet the goal. I finished just after noon yesterday when I made the last minute substitution to read Ethan Coen's book of poetry, The Day the World Ends. (BTW, this number does not include books I re-read, just first time reads)

6. Promote Girl Who Read more. I think I did well with this goal. We now have more than 1000 page views per day and the number of monthly visitors has also increased. Claire has been a big help with promoting the blog by sharing posts to her Facebook page

7. Be more active on Facebook. I have increased my activity both on Girl Who Reads's page as well as in the groups I'm involved with.

8. Write better posts. You, my readers, are a better judge of if this goal was accomplished or not. I'm really pleased though that one my tips posts was the number one most viewed post this year.

9. Start an online blogger group. Another FAIL. Again, I think my health kept me from pursuing this more. I'm still thinking of converting my bloggers for GWR Publicity group into a blogging group. Are you interested?

10. Add a reviewer and/or regular contributor(s). This was a huge success. I added Claire as a reviewer and Heather and Alison as monthly contributors.

2015 Goals

I'm going to keep this year's goals a bit more simple, though I will still be working towards last year's goals as well.

1. Read 72 new books. This was a good number for this year. A challenge, yet attainable.  Again, this number does not include any books I might re-read this year. I want to re-read The Gateway Chronicles by KB Hoyle now that the series is complete.

2. Be more social. I did pretty well on Facebook this year and I want to continue, but I also want to be more social once more on Twitter. I use to talk to people all the time on Twitter, but now I send out mostly links. It is a bit more difficult as I'm busier at work, but I'll make an effort.

3. Schedule posts in advance. I'm shooting to have 90% of each month's posts scheduled at the beginning of the month. I've also fallen behind on keeping the editorial calendar so I'm going to wrap that into this goal as well.

4. Add another regular contributor. I would like to add another monthly features writer this year. 

5. Publish one book. I have enough material for at least 2 books, but I would be happy if I can get one out the door this year.

Goal setting is an important part of blogging. It can really help in making your blog a success, but also for reducing stress. Knowing what you want to do with your blog this year will give you a plan to turn to when you feel like giving up. 

I've shared my goals for this year. What do you hope to accomplish in 2015?

December 31, 2014

2014 Wrap-up

by Donna Huber

WikiMedia Commons

2014 has been a great year. We had roughly 302 new posts. We are averaging more than 1,000 page views per day. Several of the Top 10 Posts this year have received 900 - 1,000 views, The number one post had more than 10,000 views. And Girl Who Reads is ranked 27 on Blogmetrics.org list of Top 50 Book Blogs. That is awesome.

Top 10 Posts

10. Douglas R: 5 Things Everyone Should Do Before They Die
9. Best Selling Vampire Thriller: Moth
8. 5 Thrillers to Give You Chills
7. Review: Murder Most Deadly
6. Year End Read-a-thon
5. Series Saturday: What She Knew
4. 10 Things to Know about JB Lynn
3. Review: Switched at Birthday
2. National Poetry Month
1. Syndication = Good, Duplicate Content = Bad. What to do?

Much of this year's success is due to the addition of three team member: Alison DeLuca, Heather Kirchhoff, and Claire Rees.

Alison, our features writer, brings her unique perspective to a variety of topics each month. In case you missed one of her features...

Alison DeLuca's Posts

The Movie Version
Masters of Their Fates:The Fault in Their Stars
Summer in a Medieval Palace
Remembering the Eighties - A Decade in Books
Summer Reading: The Mortal Instruments and American Ghoul
It Isn't Over Until We Say So
Good Books and Movies for Thanksgiving
Cures for the Winter Doldrums

Claire is a voracious reader who has introduced readers of Girl Who Reads to some of the best in horror and paranormal romance with her many reviews. If you would like Claire to consider your book for a review in 2015 contact her at accordingtoclaire (at) outlook.com

Claire Rees's Posts

Series Saturday: Immortal Blood series by Jennifer Loiske
Series Saturday: Brooklyn and Bo Chronicles book 1 & 2 by Brenda Perlin
Review: Night Chill by Jeff Gunhus
10 Questions with Nina Mason
Review: The Queen of Swords by Nina Mason
Interview with David P. Forsyth
Review: Digitus 233 by K.D. Emerson
Review: For Always by Janae Mitchell
Review: Blaze by Summer Newman
Review: The Sound of Crickets by Marissa Farrar
Review: Sedulity - Impact by David P. Forysth
Series Saturday: Freckled Venom books 1 & 2 by Juliette Douglas
Series Saturday: The Darkness Trilogy Books 1 & 2 by A.G. Porter
Review: The Witch's Salvation by Francesca Pelaccia
Series Saturday: What She Knew by K.R. Hughes and T.L. Burns
Review: Phantom Bigfoot Strikes Again by Simon Okill
Review: Hamelin's Child by DJ Bennett
Review: Dystance - Winter Rising by M. R. Tufo
Review: Gabby, Angel of God by Greg Sandora
Review: The Witch, The Wolf, and the Vampire by A, K, Michaels
Review: Easy Bake Coven by Liz Schulte
Review: Benton by Jolie du Pre
Review: Salem's Vengeance by Aaron Galvin
Review: Dead Hunger by Eric A. Shelman
Review: Ty the Bull by Brenda Perlin, K.D. Emerson, and Rex Baughman
Review: I Dream of Zombies by Vickie Johnstone
Series Saturday: Hunters of Reloria by Kasper Beaumont
Review: The Tin Man by Nina Mason
Review: Anabel Unraveled by Amanda Romine Lynch
Review: Twisted Dreams by Marissa Farrar
Review: Anabel Divided by Amanda Romine Lynch
Series Saturday: The PSS Chronicles by Ripley Patton
Review: Waiting for Harvey by Lydia North
15 Horror Novels for Your Halloween Entertainment
Review: Designated Infected by Ricky Cooper
Review: The Haunting by Nicole Garcia
Review: Murder Most Deadly by Simon Okill
Review: The Devil Ate Me by PM Barnes

Each month, Heather introduces readers to a new author with her interviews. Would you like to be interviewed by Heather? Contact her at heather_kirc (at) hotmail.com

Heather Kirchhoff's Posts

Interview with Kate Marie Robbins
Interview with Bree Vanderland
Meet Sandra Love
Meet Delia Steele
Interview with Armand Rosamilia
10 Questions with Renee Jean
Meet Genevieve Scholl
Meet Melina Turner
Meet the Author: Yvonne K. Anderson
Interview with KG Stutts

In addition to the authors that Heather interviews, Girl Who Reads hosted 32 authors who provided guest posts, interviews, character posts, and excerpts. Thank you for helping making Girl Who Reads great this year.

Guest Posts

D. J. Donaldson - Cajun Nights and the Character Withing: The Many Lives of a TV Series that Never Was
Allen Wyler: Q&A
Jassy De Long: Four Fatal Flaws of a Romantic Hero
A.P. Gilbert: Blink - a short story
Kathryn Elizabeth Jones: 5 Marketing Tips for the Frantically Busy Author
Jane Carroll: Interview
JB Lynn: Ten Things to Know About Her
Douglas R.: 5 Things Everyone Should Do Before They Die
Danielle DeVor: Can Romance Be Scary?
Brenda Perlin: Ty the Bull - How it started and A Conversation with Rex Baughman
Naomi Zener: Interview
Leslie Liautaud: Writing in Real Life
Rebekkah Ford: Interview
Daniel Lance Wright: The Contrarian
Jinx Schwartz: Plotter? Pantser? or Hipster/Googler?
Barbara Silkstone: Character Interview
Matthew Kadish: The Lazy Author's Guide to Blog Cross-Promotion
Jennie Marts: Interview
Karen Pokras Toz: Character Interview and Ava's Wishes Excerpt
Gert Loveday: Writing Together, Excerpt from Writing is Easy and Excerpt from Crane Mansions
Anne Maro Slanina: The Adventures of Annie Mouse
Jonathan Gould: What's Next for Neville
J.R. Barker: Interview
Linda Bolton: Character Interview
Annabelle Blume: Interview
Valerie Douglas: Top Questions Asked In Writing Groups Answered
Tracey Lampley: Interview
Cassandra Leuthold: Steampunk Carnival Excerpt
Dan O'Brien: Excerpt from Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collections Agency
Doug Simpson: Excerpt from The Soul of Jesus
M.E. Lorde: Excerpt from Tolomay's World and the Pool of Light
Wendy and Charles Siefken: Excerpt from Kai's Journey


While I'm busy with all the behind-the-scenes organization and my weekly tips posts, I also managed to review quite a few books this year.

Donna's Reviews

The Ivory Tower by Kirstin Pulioff
Knightly and Son by Rohan Gavin
Nate Rocks the School by Karen Pokras Toz
Heaven Sent by E van Lowe
Flesh and Bone by Jefferson Bass
A Cold and Lonely Place by Sara J Henry
Broken Allegiance by Mark Young
Morgan Kane Without Mercy by Louis Materson
The Little Moose Who Couldn't Go To Sleep by Willy Claflin
Hayle Coven Books 1 - 4 by Patti Larson
This Is How You Pitch by Ed Zitron
The Hitwoman Hunts a Ghost by JB Lynn
Trust by Sherri Hayes
Three by Kristen Simmons
Weightless by Michele Gorman
Above by Isla Morley
The Here and Now by Ann Brashares
Switched at Birthday by Natalie Standiford
This is Not an Accident by April Wilder
Clipped Wings series by Helena Hunting
A Life Apart by L.Y, Marlowe
Mistaken Enemy by Dennis A. Nehamen
Lexicon by Max Barry
Summer on the Short Bus by Bethany Crandall
The Paris Lawyer by Sylvie Granotier
The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness
The Hitwoman and the 7 Cops by JB Lynn
That Night by Chevy Stevens
We are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt
Broken by Elizabeth Pulford
Exposing the Psalms by Peter Nevland
The Butternut Tree by Maureen Ann Richards Kostalnick
Must Love Pets box set
Night Watchman Express by Alison DeLuca
The Bone Whistle by KB Hoyle
The Bleiberg Project by David S. Khara
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Glow by Jessica Marie Tuccelli
Tin Lily by Joann Swanson
Lock and Key by Sarah Dressen
The Hitwoman and the Poisoned Apple by JB Lynn
Breeder by KB Hoyle
Nate Rocks the City by Karen Pokras Toz
The Last Winter of Dani Lancing by PD Viner
A Match Made in Mystery by JB Lynn
The Practice Proposal by Tracy March

It has been a busy year at Girl Who Reads. I hope we offered you a great variety of posts and that you were able to find a new favorite book or author. I appreciate every reader who has taken a moment to read a post. I want to say a special thank you to the readers who have made purchases through the Amazon affiliate links as this is how we support the blog and can offer giveaways throughout the year.


Here is to another great year!


December 29, 2014

Year End Read-a-thon Progress

by Donna Huber


I only have a few more days to reach my 2014 Goodreads Reading Challenge goal. I decided to do an impromptu read-a-thon and I have done well so far. I only have to read 2 more books to reach my goal.


Finished Last Week



A Match Made in Mystery

Read my review
Buy A Match Made in Mystery at Amazon


Anabel

Buy Anabel Unraveled at Amazon


The Practice Proposal

Read my review
Buy The Practice Proposal at Amazon


Utterly Loved

Buy Utterly Loved at Amazon


Divergent

Buy Divergent at Amazon


Reading this week


On the Bright Side

Buy On the Bright Side at Amazon


Chasing Invisible

Buy Chasing Invisible at Amazon


All the Light We Cannot See

Buy All the Light We Cannot See at Amazon


Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small fee is earned when purchases are made at Amazon through the above links.


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