Synchronicity by Michael E. Gonzales

I have been writing since before the turn of the century. My first manuscripts were saved on floppy disks (if you aren’t aware of 3.5-inch floppies, ask your parents).

I began writing after seeing a movie with my wife and commenting as we came out, “I believe I could have written a better story.”

She replied, “Yeah? Do it.”

After a time, wherein which I read a number of books on the art of writing, I came to enjoy the process. Exercising the mind, the imagination, even the research, editing, and rewriting.

As I look back to 2016, I marvel and my extreme good fortune to have been published.

Initially the thought of publishing my stories never even entered my mind. When my wife encouraged me to make the attempt, I did. Sending query letters to publishers throughout the US and several in the UK.

No one would have considered it possible that I would, through a pure act of synchronicity, find a publisher right here in Oklahoma City.

I cannot possibly explain the euphoria I felt when signing that first contract. Nor the incredulity of seeing my name on the cover of my first published book.

I’ll never know how many people have read my stories, but if one person truly enjoyed one of them then I am ecstatic. I am fortunate to have received reviews both on Amazon and via email from many happy readers. I know you are all aware what a great pleasure it is to receive these.

So, on this all hallows eve, I sit not with visions of vampires and monsters on my mind, rather I bask in the glow of my small success with my stories of…monsters and vampires. I dream yet of adventures in space, explorers on Mars,

great battles among the stars,

and of witches and warlocks battling for supremacy and falling in love for their troubles.

I have my wife to thank for pushing me. And Jef, Michelle, Jessica, Cheryl, and countless friends who cheered me on.

Before me there opens a dark passage with countless twists and turns. There are pitfalls too, but also stairwells that can lead one to the stars, and beyond.  

Into that yawning maw I will proceed. I trust that good fortune precedes me, luck accompanies me, and hope that Carl Jung was right!

Happy Halloween, everyone.

Mike

Book review: Einar of Vindemiatrix by Michael E. Gonzales

Blurb:

When King Thurban the Great is murdered at the hand of his younger brother, very few of his loyal knights survive. Sir Einar, one of the fiercest knights of King Thurban’s realm, has lost his entire family in the carnage. Giving up on a life of his own, he chooses to travel and teach others the principles of chivalry. For those who believe in a knightly code, he will also show them the deadly way to wield a sword in battle—including Ascella, a young woman who convinces him she is an apt student.

Though many years have passed since Einar’s painful losses and King Thurban the Great’s murder, the knight finds a way to avenge his honorable liege—but he cannot do it alone. To return Vindemiatrix to the rightful heir and restore the holdings to their former glory, he needs magic—the most powerful magic he can find.

With the help of a powerful witch, a dragon, an army of centaurs, and beautiful Ascella, Einar is determined to find a way to make things right once more in the land he loved. But he’s never fought an enemy so prepared to hold Vindemiatrix in its powerful grip—and this is a battle to the death. Can he risk losing everything he holds dear a second time?

My Review:

Oh! Did I enjoy my time in Vtramix and soaking up the magic and adventure of days gone by.  And Mike Gonzales has given me my absolute favorite story of his (so far!)!  I absolutely adored it and look forward to when I can reread this story and fall into the magic again!

Einar of Vindemiatrix delivered on so many levels -- you feel the rush of adventure, the despair of struggle, the thrill of victory, the tears of sorrow, the tension of danger, the sweetness of love.

Einar was a true knight, who even despite his world crumbling around him, carried on and kept true to the knight’s code.  He proved himself to be a man of honor, strength, and one who I’d feel safe having by my side.  While this story is so much more than Einar’s journey, without Einar, this odyssey couldn’t have happened.

Travel back in time to where knights battle forces of evil; and magic, dragons, centaurs and witches are a part of everyday life.  A time that was difficult in its simplicity, but held a charm all its own.  This is a story not to be missed!

Purchase Links:

     

Book Review: A Heart for a Heart by Cheryl Pierson

Valentine's Day is coming up, and what better way to start getting in the mood than with a book! :) 

Blurb:

Kiera Leslie is all set to welcome Cory Tiger into her home as a foster child. Orphaned and with a learning disability, Cory is looking forward to living with his tutor. Until his uncle shows up...

Sam Tiger returns from military duty to find his deceased brother's son being taken in by a stranger. The boy needs his family—and Sam is it. He never expects the tutor to stand up to him and want to keep Cory. Then the worst happens—he finds himself attracted to Kiera.

It’s Valentine’s Day, and Cupid’s got deadly aim!

My Review:

This is a sweet quicky insta-love story perfect to entertain for an hour or two.

I love reading short stories that still manage to give me a connection to the characters and not just fill the pages with lust. This story delivers!

Sam and Kiera have a special connection through Cory, both wanting the best for the boy. And just in time, the best for everyone is found. I loved Kiera's soft heart and gentle, vulnerable spirit. Sam totally was swoony with his protective instincts and honor.

My favorite moments? The first time Sam holds Kiera in his arms and then later, their first kiss. Both are sweetly real (read: almost awkward before the spark) and just sweetly perfect.

Purchase links:

Book Review: The Blue of Antyllus by Michael E. Gonzales

Blurb:

The alien world of Antyllus is moving forward under new rule now that the war has been fought and won. With the native E’meset tribe joining with the emerging rebel Earth forces against Wilmington, the nefarious commander of the corrupt IIEA army of mercenaries, a tenuous peace has been patched together—but the solution for that peace is not workable for some, and whispers of a deadly uprising are in the wind...

Captain Nash Rastaban tries to rebuild his life after being duped into fighting with Wilmington’s iniquitous forces. He is recruited by Dave Mitchell to help quell the mercenaries who plan to take over Antyllus—a battle he wants no part of. But when he stands to lose all he holds dear, he realizes that peace is something he is going to have to fight for—this time, on the right side.

Will Antyllus ever be settled? Can the E’meset trust the humans and SUBs to fight alongside them against those corrupt officials who would take over Antyllus for their own gain? Power is a formidable motivator, but Antyllus—and all it stands for—is worth this fight…worth dying for. Nash and the ragtag band of soldiers he leads are determined to protect their homes, their loves, and their lives—even if it means making a last, defiant stand here in THE BLUE OF ANTYLLUS…

My review:

Travel back to the future at Antyllus, the new world colony that after dealing with the evil discovered in Vampires of Antyllus book 4, is still rocking and reeling and settling into a new life. We meet Tanny, Nash, Joe, and Nista and experience with them the trials and triumphs of settling a new land and dealing with old hurts and mindsets along with new hope and acceptances. But there still are some around who have evil in their hearts and aren’t as willing to conform to their supposed fates. Danger and prejudices are faced as the final nefarious remnants are exposed and deal with both on a large scale and on more personal levels. Life happens and both tears of joy and sorrow are felt as the people of Antyllus claim their destiny. This is an awesome conclusion to The Unborn Galaxy series.

Love how the last part is like an extended epilogue, bringing back past favorite characters and tying up the series with fireworks.  You definitely don't want to miss out on this story!

Purchase links:

     

Book review: The Vampires of Antyllus by Michael E Gonzales

Blurb:

A distant world in orbit around a binary red star set, light years away, holds the promise of humanity’s future. It also contains a deadly secret that unleashes the worst of all greed and the unthinkable—those who would kill for blood.

When Lieutenant Colonel Kathy Selina is offered the choice to relocate to the Antyllus colony, she hardly has a choice. The military has not only training and time invested in her, but she’s also been given a new SUB body to defeat the deadly disease that would have killed her, as a human. Kathy, along with her executive officer, Major Dave Mitchel, a handful of SUBs, and the members of the Colony Defense Force, must pit their skills and abilities against the most malevolent enemy the universe has ever faced.

Failure will mean a terrible end for the planet’s native inhabitants, those who’ve come to colonize Antyllus, and certain death for the small cadre of defenders, as well. In a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, how can Kathy, Dave, and their band of soldiers defend an entire world against THE VAMPIRES OF ANTYLLUS?

My review:

This was the first book of Mike Gonzales that I had the opportunity to read, and I was pleased to discover how much I enjoyed traveling to a new planet and imagining what might enfold.

Kathy and Dave connected as they journeyed to a new world. Once there, they adjust to their future, establishing friendships, building relationships, and discovering some hidden treasures. They also learn of an evil plan and lead the way to eliminate that horror with the help of some unlikely allies and new friends.

I was amazed by the world built around me -- so much detail and such creativity from the tiniest plant life to the amazing wonders in the sky! All the twists and turns kept me at the edge of my seat, ready for when the dust would settle.

If you’re a fan of adventure with an other-worldly twist, you won’t want to miss this!

Purchase links:

   

Goodreads Goodness: Sharing Books & Reviews

This post is the second in a series on how using your Goodreads account can benefit readers and authors. To read Part 1 published on this blog last month, please CLICK HERE.

First, an explanation. Zina Abbott is my pen name, but I make no secret that I am really Robyn Echols. It is just I want my readers to know that when they read a Zina Abbott book, it is different kind of story than what I write under my own name. 

I do have a Goodreads account for both names. However, since I buy my books under Robyn Echols (the credit card companies are happier that way), most of my activity is there. Still, I do have followers on my Zina Abbott Goodreads account. I do post some reviews and choose books I want to read on both accounts. Which is why I know what is going on. I get email notifications from both Goodreads accounts, and I see how much my Goodreads activity is shared with followers.

Here are these two books on my Robyn Echols Goodreads list that I marked as "Currently Reading":

Going to my Zina Abbott Goodreads account, here is a notification of what my Goodreads follower Robyn Echols is now reading.

I am not limited to going to my Goodreads accounts to see what is happening with friends sharing their current reading list with me. I get emails from both accounts. I get updates about what books my Goodreads friends have added as "Want to Read" and what books they are currently reading. This Goodreads-generated email to Zina Abbott shows updates on the account for Robyn Echols:

Below are some notifications from some of my other Goodreads friends:

Here is a Goodreads-generated email to Robyn Echols showing what books Robyn has marked as "Currently Reading" reminding me when I finish the book I need to mark it as having been read and submit my review. It also shows updates from my Goodreads friends about their book and reading activity.

Remember that book Robyn Echols marked as "Currently Reading"? Here that same book showed up on my Zina Abbott Goodreads email after Robyn Echols wrote a  book review on her Kindle once she finished the book. I also could have gone into my Goodreads account, brought up the book I marked as "Want to Read" or "Currently Reading" and uploaded a review there. Instead, I did it the quick and easy way on my Kindle as soon as I finished reading the book. The important thing is, my book review went out by email to all my Goodreads followers, including Zina Abbott:

How do I find time to write all those book reviews? On my Kindle Fire it is QUICK AND EASY. That is the message of this blog post for readers and writers alike. For Amazon and Goodreads, you don't need to go to separate sites, log in and jump through a bunch of hoops before you even get down to writing a review. Just take that few minutes on your Kindle to update your progress -- including writing a short review -- once you have finished reading the book. Your activity will then be shared with others.

As for those book reviews shared on Goodreads and Amazon, most readers have no idea how valuable they are to writers. Trust me, taking the time to share your review of a book is an act of Goodreads Goodness. 

Please visit and follow Zina Abbott on Goodreads by CLICKING HERE.

Zina Abbott is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her historical novels. My novel, Family Secrets, was published by Fire Star Press.

Please visit and follow the Zina Abbott’s Amazon Author Page by CLICKING HERE. 

 

Short Links

Have you ever noticed when you click on a book link on Amazon when you are not signed into your account, the URL, or web address is different than it is when you are signed into your account? That is because after Amazon lists all the pertinent information about your book, it adds on information they use for their own records. As in, TRACKING. In other words, most of us unwittingly leave little bread crumbs that can tell Amazon all kinds of information useful to them.

Was the book purchased as a result of a search? If it was, it will have the information tacked onto the end of the basic URL (web address). Example:  ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1455387641&sr=1-1&keywords=Love%2C+come+to+me

Was the book purchased as a result of you finding it on the author’s Amazon author page? Example:  ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Was the book purchased after you clicked on a widget embedded in a blog post or website page? Example:  ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=httpliviajwac-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=OMKOSSXT5XEDMDHP&creativeASIN=B01AOVVLZ2

Here is the big picture. The following are the Amazon links for the same book, Love, Come to Me, a boxed set of five novels in which you will find my novel, Family Secrets. First, I need to explain that I order all my books under my real name, Robyn Echols. I have an Amazon account for Zina Abbott, but I do not have billing information set up on it.

• The first link for the book is from widget on the Fire Star Press release announcement blog dated January 19, 2016. You can reach it by clicking HERE. 
• The second link is from a title search while I’m signed into my Zina Abbott account on Amazon.
• The third link is from a title search while I’m signed into my Robyn Echols account on Amazon.
• The fourth link is from a title search when I am not signed into any account on Amazon.
• The last link is from my Zina Abbott Author Page. 

You will notice that everything up through the highlighted letters in green are the same. After that, Amazon’s tracking information begins, including a time and date stamp embedded in the highlighted letters in red.

Let’s take a look at that widget from the Fire Star Press blog: Note how the information after the highlighted green numbers includes more information than on any other link.

Why should we care about that tracking information? One possible concern about the bread crumbs being out there is the Amazon book review “police.” Amazon is cracking down on reviews of our books by those they can identify as close friends or fellow authors. They are also trying to discover who we have sent a book link to in order to solicit a book review. The tracking information gives them another tool for identifying who those people are to us.

As authors, part of our promotional efforts is sharing those links on blog posts, websites, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and other media sites. Many of us grab that link when our book first comes out and save it to a Word document. Then, each time we put together a promotional effort, rather than look up the link on Amazon each time, we copy and paste from our Word document. (For more information about putting together online media kits, click HERE.) The only problem with that is, from the information embedded in the full Amazon book link, Amazon can tell if the link being used to purchase the book was a recent book search or one from years and months ago. And, who but the author who, in the minds of the Amazon book review "police," are soliciting book reviews as well as sales, would send a book link with a really old time and date stamp? If that purchaser turns around and does leave a book review, then that old time and date stamp on the book link could trigger Amazon to take a closer look at the review in order to determine if they should accept or delete it.

That whole scenario can be eliminated one of two ways. First, use Bitly shortened links. The one problem (or not…) with them is they are not consistent. I obtained a Bitly link for the five links above for the very same book. Not a one of them is the same. They look like this:

The other big problem with Bitly links is that they degrade over time. The Bitly link may be good for a month or two or three, but a year from now—who knows? Many book promotion sites will not accept Bitly links for that very reason.

There is an alternative. Look at the highlighted number in green on the Amazon links. Notice how on all the links, the information up through that number is basically the same. That number that I changed to green and highlighted is like an ISBN number for the book. It is unique to that book, and will not change as long as the same book is listed on Amazon without a break.

Look at the data after the highlighted numbers in green. That is all tracking information and is not necessary. It may be deleted. Copy and paste the following link into a new browser window and see where it takes you:  http://www.amazon.com/Love-Come-Me-Boxed-Adults-ebook/dp/B01AOVVLZ2

About those bitly links. Yes, they sure are handy when it comes to tweets and a host of other sharing. But, you can get away from their unreliability by creating your own shortened Amazon link. Once again, copy and paste this into a new browser window and see where it takes you:  http://amzn.com/B01AOVVLZ2

Bitly links are slightly shorter, and you may prefer to use them. However, for only a few characters more, you may wish to save and use your customized shortened Amazon link—without the bread crumbs attached that tells Amazon what date and time and where it came from.

Zina Abbott is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her historical novels. Her novel, Family Secrets, was published by Fire Star Press, and is now included in Love, Come to Me.

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Sweep away those Amazon bread crumbs with SHORT LINKS 

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