Of Reading and Writing Books ~ A World of Choices! This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Of Reading and Writing Books ~ A World of Choices!

Last month, our topic was focused on the audiobook as all market trends are pointing to that as the new hot book market. What? Not ebooks? I can remember when (yes, not that long ago) when the ebook was being held up as both the savior of reading and the demise of the printed form. Neither has happened. The printed form continues to survive simply because there will always be people who love the feel of a book in their hands and who savor the experience of turning a real page. I know as I’m one of them. I treasure my old print favorites that line my bookshelves. Simply glancing over can bring up a phrase or a memory as I look at a binding. A ebook can never do that. But the eBook gave me other choices while bolstering the careers of authors old and new. It enlarged our options of the types of books available, the genres often described as niche are maybe less so, and now when I think books…its anything is possible. Libraries have ebooks, bookstores carry M/M paperbacks, and I can get audiobooks through a number of sources including Dreamspinner Press, Riptide Publishing, Less Than Three Press, Amazon…so many choices. What’s next? And how did we get here?

When I go somewhere local, its my Kindle that goes with me and not a dog-eared paperback as in a the past or a heavy hardbound copy of the latest mystery. I love that convenience and the light weight. (However, if I’m heading to some place where I know the wifi will disappear like this morning’s Krispy Kreme? Out comes the paperback.) The eBook made other things happen however, authors were able to get their stories out to readers who wanted to read them. Niche publishing like M/M romances or just plain M/M or LGBT fiction established itself and grew from a few publishers into a variety publishing houses offering now a number of formats from print to ebook and yes, audiobook versions and in a number of languages. But there are some authors who prefer to do it themselves, they go the self publishing route. I often wonder about them…how hard it is for them to find an audience for their stories, a following for their particular outlook on writing. How do you, the reader, find an independent author? How do you buy your books? Authors! What’s your experience like as a writer? Did you first publish in print? Or eBook? At a publisher? Or self publish? I want to hear from you! I’ll also be reaching out to several authors and publishers in search of answers and insight. I’ll let you know what I find.

So, that’s going to be our focus for my Sunday rambles. A look at books..ebook from a reader’s, author’s and hopefully, a publisher’s point of view. How its changed, how its remained the same and where we think its going. I hope you will stay with us all month long. I’ll be throwing in a Spooky Reading Contest or two as well because of Halloween.

Contest Time!

My first contest? Readers, tell me how you find your independent authors. Buy randomly? Pick them out from Goodreads? Already follow them? Or maybe you don’t? Maybe you only buy books from a publisher or a author linked to a publisher. I want to know that too. 3 winners who leave comments will get a $10 gift certificate (Dreamspinner, or Amazon, or Riptide…your choice). This contest will end quickly as I need the answers to use in in my blog, so think about them. Contest ends Oct 15th, midnight. Make sure you leave your email address where you can be reached. More winners maybe chosen if the comments are extra wonderful. Thanks.

grateful-54-audiobooks

Meanwhile here are our winners of the audiobooks from Joel Leslie. Congratulations!

Our 10 winners are in no particular order:

Ardent Ereader at ardent.ereader@gmail.com
waxapplelover (at) gmail (dot) com
alexjoujou@gmail.com
tdblomander AT yahoo Dot com Mail bouncing back…please contact us!
DawnD at dmdkindle at Gmail . Com
jbst at strive4bst(AT) yahoo(dot)com
sadanna sxswann@gmail.com
susana at toimuharta@hotmail.com
lisa44837 at legacylandlisa@gmail.com
suze294 at Littlesuze at hotmail dot com

Joel will be in touch with each of you about choosing and receiving your audiobooks. Happy listening. For all our other listeners and readers? New contests for ebooks starts this week. Don’t forget to leave your comment and email address, plus more is sure to come. Hmmmm, meet us back here to find out. Meanwhile this week’s schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

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This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 2:

Of Reading and Writing Books~ A World of Choices!
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, October 3:

A Paul B New Release Review: Unsafe Exposure (Hidden Wolves #4) by Kaje Harper
A VVivacious Review: Immortal Watch by Olivia Helling
An Alisa Audiobook Review: A Shot at Forgiveness by Cardeno C. and Robert M. Clark (Narrator)
A Free Dreamer Release Day Review: Dinner at Jack’s by Rick R Reed
A Paul B Release Day Review: Warrior’s Pledge by EE Montgomery

Tuesday, October 4:

Spotlight Tour: Investigating Julius Drake with Daisy Harris ( Riptide Publishing giveaway)
A Free Dreamer Review: Pendulum by LC Davis
An Ali Audiobook Review: Alaska Hunt by Shelter Somerset and John Solo (Narrator)
An Alisa Review: Smoke and Spots By Deirdre O’Dare

Wednesday, October 5:

Cover Reveal: Line Drive by Sloan Johnson
Can’t Hide From Me blog tour with Cordelia Kingsbridge (giveaway)
Release Day Book Blast and Giveaway for Engineering Love by Jackie Nacht
In the Spotlight: Soaring Hearts by A.L. Boyd (giveaway, excerpts)
A Caryn Review: Silences of Fallen Stars by Vivian Dean
An Alisa Review: A Little Blood by Aimer Boyz

Thursday, October 6:

Re-Release Day Blitz & Giveaway for Settling the Score by Eden Winters
In the Spotlight: A Pirate’s Honor by Tricia Owens ( excerpt and giveaway)
Audiobook Spotlight: Opposites (Opposites #1) by T. M. Smith and Greg Boudreaux (Narrator)
An Alisa Audiobook Review: Opposites (Opposites #1) by T. M. Smith and Greg Boudreaux (Narrator)
A Stella Review: God of Jazz: Fugue, Concord by Varian Krylov
A MelanieM Audiobook Review: Fear of Frogs (Brimstone #2) by Angel Martinez and Narrated by: Vance Bastian

Friday, October 7:

Release Day Tour and Giveaway: Surviving Elite High: The Next Generation by John Ames
In the Spotlight: The Ghost in the Mirror by Faith Gibson (excerpt and giveaway)
Coffee Sip and Book Break with Turn The Page…. release blitz Charity Anthology
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: A Kind of Honesty by Lane Hayes *
A MelanieM Review: Rain and Whiskey (Stormy Weather #1) by B.A. Tortuga
A Jeri Review: The Ghost in the Mirror by Faith Gibson
A Alisa Review: Model Bodyguard by Lissa Kasey

Saturday, October 8:

Book Blitz for The Wolves of Daos 5 by Rebecca James (excerpt and giveaway)
A Lila Review: Bitter Legacy by Dal Maclean

A Paul B Review: Flight Anthology by Queer Sci Fi

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

flight-anthology Can you write a complete story in 300 words? That was the challenge set forth by the Queer Science Fiction group to over 100 authors. The topic chosen for the authors was flight. The subjects were as varied as the authors. Most of the stories I found entertaining while a couple left me flat.

The stories themselves are divided into different genres within the field of science fiction. General science fiction and fantasy dominate the anthology but there are also sections for those interested in horror and the paranormal.

In this anthology, you will also find a full range of emotions. While many of the stories feature some type of happy ending (whether for the moment or what appears to be ever after), there are those stories that are tragic or bittersweet. Probably what one would expect in such a tome.

Besides the award winning stories selected by the editors (as I think they should be), my personal favorites include some favorite authors and some new ones to me. I thought Alexis Woods’ Zero-G was especially unique in adapting current sports to futuristic technology. Andrea Speed has a unique take on the rapture in Flight of the Buttheads. Tam Ames has a warm family story in When the Fur Flies. Kirby Quinlan has a unique take on superheroes in Wings. Paul Stevens has a friends-to-lovers story on a space ship in Resupply. Other stories I particularly loved were by Jo Tannah, Jennifer Lavoie, Christina Mary Franics, Ginger Struesel, M.D. Grimm, Nicole Dennis, and Alicia Nordwell. Overall, if you would like some quick reads with a nice variety in the stories, I would highly recommend picking up this anthology.

The cover art and illustrations throughout the book by Mila May are simply breathtaking. The illustrations depicting the winning stories are perfect.

Sales Links

Mischief Corner Books

Book Details

ebook, First, 262 pages
Published September 21st 2016 by Mischief Corner Books, LLC
Original TitleFlight: Queer Sci Fi’s Third Annual Flash Fiction Contest (QSF Flash Fiction, #2)
Edition LanguageEnglish

SeriesQSF Flash Fiction #2

A MelanieM Release Day Review: A Matchless Man (Lexington Lovers #2) by Ariel Tachna

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

a-matchless-man None of the matches caught his eye as much as the matchmaker himself.

Growing up poorer than poor didn’t leave Navashen Bhattathiri many options for life outside of school. All of his concentration was on keeping his scholarships. Sixteen years later, he’s fulfilled his dream and become a doctor. Now he’s returning home to Lexington and is ready to prove himself to the world. In doing so, he reconnects with Brent Carpenter—high school classmate, real estate agent, all-around great guy… and closet matchmaker.

Brent makes it his mission to help Navashen develop a social life and meet available, interesting men. Unfortunately Navashen’s schedule is unpredictable, and few of those available, interesting men value his dedication like Brent does. Brent’s unfailing friendship and support convince Navashen he’s the one, but can he capture Brent’s heart when the matchmaker is focused on finding Navashen another man?

A Matchless Man (Lexington Lovers #2) by Ariel Tachna is another heartwarming, loving romance from the Dreamspun desire. I haven’t read the first Lexington Lovers story but this one is a definite winner. Ariel Tachna uses her intimate knowledge of the Indian family unit to great advantage here with the character of Navashen Bhattathiri. Navashen is returning home to Lexington, ready to settle down with his new job, wanting to buy his forever home and finally start his new life as a out gay doctor. Included in those plans are Navashen’s parents living close by and his adult younger brother with a learning disability brought on by a premature birth and lack of oxygen to the brain.

The family dynamics are such that you get a feel not only for the adult Navashen but for the life he had as a child as well. You can sense the isolation of the mother (self imposed), the father’s role, that wonderful brother. That family, each member and its culture is vividly, sympathetically portrayed. You understand their actions, even their fears, and it makes them come alive.

That goes for all the characters here. From the other secondary ones like the retired math teacher and hardware store owner, to the other main one in Brent Carpenter, the real estate agent who helps Navashen find his “right” home, and get settled within the community. Brent too has his own issues, primarily dealing with his ex, wife that is. Brent is bi-sexual, something that confuses Navashen who is less experienced with his own sexuality.

Tachna packs this story with quite a number of themes , each is handled honestly and with delicacy and humor. Akshat, the brother especially jumps to mind with the way he’s been sheltered and now starts to assume more responsibilities when he moves in with his brother. The joy, the growth…this character just shines off the page. Yet you never forget his history or his position in the family. Its just terrific.

Also the way Brent’s bisexuality is talked about, his choices and Navashen’s as well. There is adult discussion going on here, and yes, some emotional denial, but that’s all too human as well. Tachna shows how that isolation that exists in the Bhattathira family extends in many ways to all members. In Navashen, he’s had blinders on until he finished his internships and got his degree. Now he’s still focused on the house and his brother. That’s seems very real too.

This entire story reads true.

The angst, such as it is, is believable, built on human foibles and the barriers raised up out of past fears. But watching the characters work their way through their problems to arrive at a place where they can see a future together? Beyond wonderful.

I loved this story. Now I’ll have to find the first in the series to see what I missed.

Cover art by Paul Richmond shows Navashen, a terrific representation of the character.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 224 pages
Expected publication: October 1st 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1634773705 (ISBN13: 9781634773706)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Series Lexington Lovers – add it to your Goodreads shelf here:

Unstable Stud (Lexington Lovers, #1)
A Matchless Man (Lexington Lovers, #2)