Book Preview / Book Cover part 1

Dear Diary,

I think as a reader it is important when we are browsing for a new book the book/product preview is appealing to the buyer. I can only speak for myself but when a book preview is vague, it makes the book sound unappealing. We definitely don't want the author giving away the plot but we also want the author to sell the book to us. Having a preview with three sentences does not help.  There are times I'm reading a book preview and I have a duh moment and find myself having to read it again for a better understanding.  Sometimes reading the sample is more confusing so it leaves me ignoring the book and scrolling to the next book if there are no reviews. It's bad when you have to read a reviewer's review to have a better understanding what the book is about. Also using just an excerpt only for a preview tsk tsk tsk no good, think about the reader and ask yourself, would I understand what the book is about?  Would I want to read it? We want to buy your books not skip over them.

Sometimes an overcrowded product preview can be distracting as well but to be fair reading and knowing the authors’ accomplishments are good. Mysterious previews can work but I think it depends on what is being said. Great previews never fail. This posting for my indie/self publish authors I love you guys.

Do Readers Connect More with Authors on their Websites, Blogs, or Other Social Network Sites?

Dear Diary,

I think blogs were the norm and they still are but I personally think readers connect more with their favorite authors through other social networking sites more frequently like facebook and twitter.

Blogs

Authors love to blog and it gives them the opportunity and freedom to write, post, host other authors and basically do whatever they want. I might not have all the inside information but I can go by my experiences. Sometimes as a reader when I visit and go to a blog it can be too busy and overwhelming with the information being shown. Also the layout is a little difficult to comprehend right away searching for buttons that you know exist but have no clue where it is. When trying to get new traffic, I know some authors have contests and giveaways which is fun, but most readers go for the giveaways never to return until more giveaways. Die hard fans will always stay and never stray but others wants new and fun ways to interact with their authors. For other readers they will visit the author’s website but subscribe so the information can go to them.

Other Social Networking

For most readers, facebook and twitter for them are exciting in connecting with their favorite authors. I think one of the reasons it’s better for most, is because everything is only a click away and people connect more with those networking sites. They do get a sense of feeling connected as well as feel as though they are apart of the author’s status and updates. With facebook there are so many ways to connect, interact and enjoy what authors do. Most authors welcome friend request as well as a like for their fan page. Twitter is no different with typing your thoughts that you can share immediately with others.

I think combing everything blog, twitter, facebook and others are fun for readers. I also think authors give more updates on social networking sites than anywhere else. I personally enjoy connecting, giveaways and having fun with authors and everyone with other networking sites but what do I know it’s a personal preference for social networking.

What Do You Think?

My First Book Cover Review Quote.

Dear Diary,

I am excited to share that my review for Lisa Renee Jones’s, popular Vampire Wardens series will be used for book cover #2 and will be release the end of the week. I received an email that Romance Novel Junkies Book Reviews received its first book cover quote review. It was truly a pleasure, as I had no idea I was even being considered. Some of the hard work is paying off, but at the end of the day I still enjoy reading and posting my reviews and will continue to do so with or with a book cover quote.

It was definitely a wonderful email to receive when I woke up.

Author Ruth Cardello

Dear Diary,

Beneath the Sheets Quickie Q&A Author Ruth Cardello

By Romance Novel Junkies.

1. What year did you start writing?
I’ve been writing since early childhood, but mostly short stories, poems and articles. I wrote my first novel about five years ago.

2. What genre are your books?
Contemporary romance. I write fast-paced, fun romances with alpha heroes and the strong women who tame them.

3. When did you release your first book?
April, 2011…I put Maid for the Billionaire on Amazon and Smashwords for FREE. Over 150,000 downloaded it so far.

4. How many books have you release to date?
TWO. Last Saturday I released my second book in the series, For Love or Legacy.

5. Where can readers find your books?
Both of my books are on sale at Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble and iBookstore.
Thanks for taking part in Beneath the Sheets Quickie Q&A Ruth Cardello.
You can find Ruth Cardello’s book postings and updates on her fan page located on Facebook




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I have read both books by Ruth Cardello in her Legacy Collection that consist of three books. Book 1: Maid for the Billionaire, Book 2: For Love or Legacy and Book 3: Bedding the Billionaire (Will be out in summer 2012). Ruth Cardello is a self published author who decided to self published her work, and has gone on to find success with book 1, while book 2 is not far behind. Brief summaries and thoughts by Romance Novel Junkies are written below.
BRIEF SUMMARY BOOK 1 (Maid for the Billionaire)
Dominic Corisi knew instantly that Abigail Dartley was just the distraction he was looking for, especially since having her took a bit more persuading than he was used to. So when business forces him to fly to China, he decides to take her with him, but on his terms. No promises. No complications. Just sex.
Abby has always been the responsible one. She doesn’t believe in taking risks; especially when it comes to men – until she meets Dominic. He’s both infuriating and intoxicating, a heady combination. Their trip to China revives a long forgotten side of Abby, but also reveals a threat to bring down Dominic’s company. With no time to explain her actions, Abby must either influence the outcome of his latest venture and save his company or accept her role as his mistress and leave his fate to chance. Does she love him enough to risk losing him for good?

THOUGHTS
I did enjoy reading Maid for the Billionaire. Reading Dominic and Abby’s relationship throughout the book was interesting for me. The author has a way of connecting her characters together that also draws the reader in. I would say to readers who are huge fans of Harlequin Presents, that they would embrace this book very well.


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BRIEF SUMMARY BOOK 2 (For love or Legacy)
Nicole Corisi will lose her inheritance if she doesn’t find a way around the terms of her father’s will, but she will have to partner up with her estranged brother’s rival to do it. As pretense becomes painfully real, Nicole will have to choose between Stephan and the family he is driven to destroy.
Stephan Andrade has been planning his revenge ever since Dominic Corisi unscrupulously took over his father’s company. With Corisi Enterprises gambling its reputation on the success of a new software network for China, Stephan finally has his chance to take back his legacy. Dominic’s younger sister, Nicole, asks Stephan for his help and provides him with an opportunity to exact his revenge on a personal level.
It all goes smoothly until he falls in love.


THOUGHTS
I definitely felt that in book two, the author’s talent shines with an impressive growth in her story telling. This was a wonderful, detailed, and engaging read for me. This story brought out many lovable characters that added to the book. I enjoyed getting to know Stephan’s family right down to Jeff, Nicole’s limo driver. Maddy, Stephan’s cousin was so nice and sweet as well as an important key in bringing Nicole and Stephan together. I really enjoyed reconnecting with Abby and Dominic again in book 2. We also read in-depth why Nicole and Dominic’s relationship was the way it is, also an explanation seven years prior on what really happen between Dominic and Victor, Stephan’s father. Stephan and Nicole’s relationship was like a roller coaster ride but very entertaining to read as well. Their romance, dare I say felt as though I was watching a movie on the TV channel WE or maybe Lifetime while reading and picturing everyone in my head. It was sweet and again it had that Harlequin Presents feel which isn’t a bad thing, and probably is a bit better than a HP. If you were a fan of the first book then the author does not disappoint with book2. If you were not a fan then I would still recommend this book to you.

For more information about Ruth Cardello, visit her website, or go to her Facebook page.