Wednesday, April 23, 2014

A to Z Challenge: T is for Thanks! (and Kay Theodoratus and "Tallgrass" by Sandra Dallas)

Five Six more days in the challenge after today (Geesh. I really am anxious). I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm almost there. Nothing can stop me now. Sorry, that was too much like tempting fate.



Featured Author:  M.K (Kay) Theodoratus

Kay is a delightful person, a dedicated and interesting blogger (Lessons from My Reading), and a heck of a writer (she's a Coloradoan, too). And she not only publishes for sale, she also publishes stories that don't cost you one cent to read (and hopefully review).

In addition to that excellent blog, which is now featuring guest authors, Kay can also be found on Facebook and TwitterAnd Google+.  And maybe other places too.

Here's her page on Smashwords. Please note that her most recent Smashwords release, The Ghost in the Closet, is free.

"Dumdie Swartz sees things other people can’t. Her weird habits have caused her nothing but problems since she was a child. Even her sisters teased her mercilessly.

When her boss fired her because he thought her trances were TIAs, Dumdie became homeless. Though Dumdie was lucky to find a room in a homeless shelter, just as winter was setting in, she discovers that not only does a ghost haunt her room, but her safe haven is threatened by a lost will. Dumdie must conquer her fear of ghosts if she's to keep her room at the Archinhauser Shelter for Homeless Women."


Featured Book:  Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas

I love everything Sandra Dallas writes. Tallgrass is one of my favorites (I'm about three books behind--the first one I read was The Persian Pickle Club).

Here's the teaser from Sandra's website:

"During World War II, a family finds life turned upside-down when the government opens a Japanese internment camp in their small Colorado town. After a young girl is murdered, all eyes turn to the newcomers. Rennie has just turned thirteen, and until this time, life has been predictable and fair. But the winds of change are coming and with them, a shift in her perspective and a discovery of secrets that can destroy even the most sacred things. Part thriller, part historical novel, Tallgrass is a riveting exploration of the darkest—and best—parts of the human heart."

This award-winning journalist and novelist has a book for you. Check out this page for the cover art and links to more information.


Word of the Day:  Thanks!

When I hijacked the Featured Book slot on Day P to show the progression of cover art used for each edition of The Prairie Grass Murders, I linked to the e-book on amazon.com. I wondered if it would have an effect on my Kindle Book sales ranking, so I checked the number before the post published: #1,017,279.

I checked again the day after the post published and received a nice surprise. The sales ranking had jumped to #131,410.

Someone out there bought a copy of the e-book. Maybe more than one someone.

Whoever you are, wherever you are, thank you so much.

16 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's awesome your book jumped in the rankings!

Anonymous said...

I'm enjoying 'meeting' the authors you're spotlighting, Pat. And as far as 'Thanks' goes, your books deserve more attention. And you've reminded us that we all should find things to be grateful for - thanks.

Mary Aalgaard said...

Super cool! You're doing great things to promote other authors. I clicked on your page first, today, because of the cute picture of Kay. The ghost stories also sound terrific. I'll have to come back with my notebook and make a list of all the great book recommendations here!
Play off the Page

Patricia Stoltey said...

Alex, I was certainly pleased. The problem comes, I think, when we over-promote. You have a great handle on striking the right balance.

Thanks, Margot. I try to count my blessing every day...and I do have a lot of them.

Good morning, Mary. I like that photo of Kay, too. And if you don't already follow her blog, you might want to check it out. She's a very interesting lady and she reds a lot.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Patricia, its wonderful that your book jumped in the rankings.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Your book awaits me on my Kindle. Next on my list after the library books I have to finish before they're due. I'm counting the days until the end of the month also.

Dean K Miller said...

Okay, I admit it...that wasn't me that bought your book, but I will. Soon. I promise!

Kay is a great writer and such an interesting person. She keeps writing away.

Crystal Collier said...

Ooh! I love all things "ghost." Well, almost all things. There are a few that get a little too creepy for me...

True Heroes from A to Z

Patricia Stoltey said...

Rachna, it was an experiment that worked. It's always nice to have that happen.

Thanks, Susan! The new book I have coming out in November is very different. It's not part of the Sylvia and Willie series.

Hi Dean. Darn, I was sure it was you. And you're so right about Kay. She's amazing.

Crystal, I like ghost stories too, but I never read them at bedtime.

Anonymous said...

Delighted to find a fellow writer. When the #Challenge is over I will investigate your mysteries because I love them. I', a cozy English mystery reader for sure. Congratulations on this nice blog. Well presented and focused. I appreciate that after visiting hundreds of blogs this month. I'll be back.

Unknown said...

Why thank you for the great big boost. You doubly made
thankful" today's word.

Congrats on the jump in rank.

Patricia Stoltey said...

Welcome, Stepheny! I feature lots of mystery authors on this blog, so may find a lot that you like.

Hi Kay! You're very welcome! The little boost in rank was fun. One of these days I'll go in and check to see how that translated to actual sales. I figure at least one. :D

Grammy Staffy said...

Congratulations .... I am happy for you.

simple girl..... said...

Congrats at the rankings :)

simple girl..... said...

Btw I tried to get the book The Ghost in the Closet in the Smashwords link provided. But none of the options available to read the books work.. Any alternative ?

Unknown said...

Congrats! Nothing like a little push to get thing going. I agree that over-promoting can have its downside, so it's nice that sites like this exit to give writers a boost while helping connect readers to what they love best: good books they might otherwise have missed.