Monday, July 22, 2013

BookGoodies Linked

Watch for special promos in the coming week - pushing into the Top 100 on Amazon.com!

Friday, July 19, 2013

Friend's NEW Titles Available on Amazon

Nicolas Wilson introduced DAG in April of 2013.
A fun-filled read with interesting characters and a unique look at the future.

Amazon $1.99
Goodreads Review: "Nicolas Wilson's "Dag" makes for a good, refreshing reading experience in more ways than one. It's clever and brimming with wit, having just enough humor and funny characters to keep the reader interested, as the plot becomes more and more insane. An Agriculture agent gets caught up in a web of intrigue involving genetic experiments with vegetables and soon finds herself with two half-plant babies, an ex-drunk sleeping on her couch, an eccentric old scientist and a boyfriend who is cloned from corn. It is very well written and develops the way a good story should. I understand this is Wilson's first novel. I'm sure it won't be his last. This one's worth a look."

The Lexie & Rhett Chronicles - The Complete Trilogy.
Author Marcy Blesy:Young Adult 'Shorter' Stories
 
Amazon $2.99
Amazon Reader Review:  "I really really liked this short story. For such a quick read I had a bit of everything! It was heartwarming, honest, relevant, funny, heartbreaking! I loved the main characters, I loved how other relationships were addressed, not just Lexie's and Rhett's. This really worked as a short story, but it would alsoq have been brilliant as a full length novel. I got the characters, I could understand their emotions and even though I haven't been a teenager for a long time, you never forget your first love, so I could relate to Lexie as a person not just a teenager. I didn't see the point in a synopsis of the story, it would just be one big spoiler, but this really is a page turner and I was crying my eyes out as I got to the last pages. The fact that I was so emotionally involved after such a short time is testament to the ability of the author to fully engage the reader. All in all a great book!"

Does Fantasy with Cruel Villains and Beautiful Heroins interest you?
Check our D.R. Stokes latest release.

Amazon $6.13
The Cinder Crown weaves together the story of a damaged girl propelled from obscurity into fame, wealth and terrible danger, and also the lives and passions of those who seek her downfall. A unique blend of historically-influenced fiction, political thriller, and classic romantic fairytale, this story takes the reader through a world rich in drama and action; a world where each character is both a hero and villain, driven by their principles, dreams, and loves; a journey to the darker side of happily-ever-after.

Western with a Twist by Richard Acosta - Midnight Noon
Amazon $2.95
A coming of age tale about the bearded man, whom of which is on a journey to right the wrongs of his past.  We grow up with him as he thieves his way through the hellish enclave of the American West known as Diablo Canyon. As he is literally stealing away the prime of his youth, he forms an unusual friendship with the son of the only supply store in town. It is this friendship that serves to be the catalyst of sea change until he is forced to make a choice between friendship and death right up to very end of his short life.

Midnight Noon is an interstitial allegory written under the guise of an old pulp western that challenges the reader to look deeper into what is merely written.

Read more at www.eReaderRecon.com

Goodreads Giveaway on Now

Enter to win a free, autographed copy of The Living Hunger this weekend.  Follow the link below:


Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Living Hunger by Dennis F. Larsen

The Living Hunger

by Dennis F. Larsen

Giveaway ends July 24, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win

If you are not already using Goodreads.com as a source for locating, reading and reviewing literary works, then you should sign up today.  Wonderful community of authors and readers where you can satisfy your reading cravings.


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Jack Erickson's Latest Novel Recently Released

If you don't follow the writings of Jack Erickson, perhaps you should.  He has a string of entertaining, action-packed novels that offer something a little different.  His latest project, which was released in June 2013, hosts a terrorist assassination plot with a kidnapping to propel the action into high gear.

Take a look at the author's site or click on the image below to view his eBook on Amazon.  Good luck Jack!

Amazon $3.99

Family Comes First

As much as I love to write, there is nothing that fulfills me or brings me greater happiness than my family.  We welcomed our latest addition this past Monday morning.  Simon Chenuz was born to our third daughter, Kelsey and her husband, Bruce.  My wife flew out last week in hopes that the baby would come while she was there and as luck would have it, she was.  This is grandchild number five for us and we couldn't be happier.

Grandma & Simon

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

The UK's Hollywood News Hosts The Living Hunger

This morning my cover designer, Sean Strong, alerted me to the fact that a site in the UK had picked up my book and posted in on their Facebook Page.  I just love little surprises like this.  They have an amazing website dedicated to entertainment and movies.  Click on their banner below to take a look.

Click Me

A crime-fiction author (Keith Dixon) contacted me today and I've posted his latest release on our website, www.ereaderrecon.com.  The book is titled 'Actress' and the cover is below:

Amazon $0.99
Take a look at his other works and learn what he's about by visiting his Blog.

More into Terror or Ghoulish Horror?

Amazon $2.99
 Author David Haynes spins three tales of the macabre in Victorian London.  Dare to take a look inside this unique collection of frightening stories?

Monday, July 15, 2013

e-Reader Recon New Releases

More steps in the right direction with some very talented new authors adding their works to the growing database.  Covers and Amazon links are below with something for every taste:

Fantasy
Romance
Post-Apocalyptic


Visit the new website at eReaderRecon.com

Sunday, July 14, 2013

New Website for Authors and Readers

As a new author still trying to make my way through the publishing and promoting world of eBooks, I've found it increasing frustrating to get the word out about my novels.  Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and others certainly help but to really promote and advertise the work you've slaved over for months can be troublesome.  Too often I find the websites that charge for advertising do one of two things: either they want you to have a number of reviews before accessing their services (impossible for a new release) or they charge too much and the author gets very little in the way of return.

I hope to have bridged that gap for the new author or even those that are established.  Do you have a new release that needs a bit of a push to send it along?  I've developed and launched a new website that is very much in its infancy, as seen below, but is geared specifically for new releases and up and coming authors:

e-Reader Recon
Browse the new releases, which aren't many at the moment, but will appear daily with a one stop link system.  Access multiple sites with information about the novel before making a purchasing decision.  Sale and free listings will be featured as well.  As a way of getting up and running, we are accepting the first 50 novels with a free promo package.  So, what are you waiting for?  If you have a new release, explore the site and send us the information just as Holly Dutch did.  You can take a look at what we've done for her by visiting the site, as well as the new Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ereaderrecon

Based on True Events

As a side note: The Living Hunger continues to hold a spot in the UK Top 100 Post-Apocalyptic novels again today.  Thanks for the support of new fans and friends across the pond.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Top 100 in the UK

Generally the first thing I do each morning is pull my iPad from the charger at the side of my bed and take a look at what my books have done overnight.  I was more than pleasantly surprised this morning to see that The Living Hunger had jumped from #70 to #29 on the UK Top 100 Post-Apocalyptic eBooks over night.  I wish I could explain why it's performing so strong in the UK, but what is the saying -- 'don't look a gift-horse in the mouth'?  Take a look with the image below:

UK's Top 100 Post-Apocalyptic


The fellow who designed the cover lives in England, Sean Strong.  He is very gifted and I can't help but feel some of the success stems from the well-thought out cover he designed for me.  You can take a look at his work by clicking the banner below (very slick design):

Sean Strong Design Website

Friday, July 12, 2013

Synopsis

The author of 'With Cruel Intent' presents a Post-Apocalyptic story of struggle, endurance and survival. 'The Living Hunger' is book one in the series with book two projected for Christmas 2013.

A hardened war veteran collides with a venomous leader and rogue assassin, turning Northern Utah into the next great battleground.

Sergeant Farrell Jenson survives a world lost to nuclear and biological warfare only to find his home destroyed and family missing. He joins forces with Gary Merrill, a local business leader, and Major Melanie Ghostkeeper, a Marine Medic, to begin the process of rebuilding. A small group of survivors unite under a banner of freedom and hunker down in Bear River High School. Friendships and love are forged in the hot fires of adversity as they fight for their very lives, amidst a world turned upside down, where death is the new way of life.

A festering evil is combing the land, led by one man, Don Bullock. The rotund, venomous leader spearheads a community with a taboo, underlying secret that will pit good against evil in a dramatic show of force and violence between the two groups. Solomon, a rogue African assassin, launches a one-man assault on the Bear Riverites, seeking blood and retribution to satiate his bloodlust and quench his need for flesh.

Each side gambles all to control a newfound drug with the potential to save mankind. This new ‘currency’ trumps all, where money is worthless and food and women are king. As the struggle escalates and new battle-lines are drawn a host of unwitting participants are pulled into the fray, fighting for all they hold dear.

Book One of The Living Hunger Series begs the question: ‘Which side will render your support and where will your allegiances lie?’

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Indie Author Book Review 10/10

Brandon at IABookReviews.com was kind enough to read the novel this past week and posted a very nice review and has the novel on his home page.  He offers insightful reviews both on his blog and Amazon.  I will be following both.  If you have a minute take a look.

Indie Author Book Review
I don't think Brandon will mind me sharing a personal communication he sent me a short time ago and I quote, "Firstly, you have written a DAMNED good book. I gave it a 10/10 and I am floored at how awesome this was."

I guess that's why I've started writing.  All the hours, lost sleep and agonizing over the editing is all worth it and magically melts away when a message like the above is dropped in your mailbox.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Goodreads.com Reviews - Updated Regularly

Most Recent Amazon Review - 5 Stars

I noticed a new review on Amazon today and thought it worthwhile to share it here.  It is written by Christopher Davey who purchased the book through the Amazon site.

"Just finished The Living Hunger - wow! What a story! Exciting... chillingly realistic, full of interesting characters that struggle to become tougher as the battle to survive ramps up. I've read quite a few apocalyptic stories, but this one grabs your emotions and pulls you in. I didn't grow up in a country where people hunt for food to feed their families, but here you'll see how that experience could prepare some to handle a world where so many have died, so little is left, but ironically, many of the worst that featured in the fringes of civilization (now lost) have hung on, and are determined to enjoy the liberty of a world without governments, police or rules. Don't read this expecting a fairy-tale world, or heroes that beat all - you'll never know, until the end, just who will survive, and who will fall, as those who believe in freedom, peace, love and sharing are forced to fight to kill - or be killed - by the ruthless band that takes and takes (if no one opposes), until there is nothing left to take"

Thank you, Chris.  Read more reviews by clicking on this link.

Successful Promo

We had a very successful promo yesterday with Kindle's KDP Select Day.  Hundred of copies were given away with some positive feedback already received via email, thank you.  For those of our followers who were able to snag a copy of the novel for free, please take a moment to post a brief review on Amazon once you've completed the read.

In terms of where the novel stood for the day:
#4 in Top 100 Post-Apocalyptic Novels
#17 in Top 100 Action & Adventure Novels
and #643 in all Kindle Free Books for the Day.

I would have like to see it hit #1, of course, but for being out a week -- I'm pleased with the ebook's performance.

Again, thanks for your support.  As a reminder, a Goodreads' Giveaway is underway this week.  Scroll down to the link and enter to win an autographed copy of 'The Living Hunger'.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

First Amazon Review - July 2013

January 2013 marked the beginning of my foray into "Independent Publishing".  How hard can it be, right?  I've learned so much in the past few months but nothing stands out to me more than the importance of reader input.  Reviews can make or break your months of writing and weeks of editing, therefore, I am so grateful for the positive reviews when they come in.  I somehow expected that many would be happy to write a quick review once they had completed a novel but the reverse is true.  Even to get family and friends to put their support into words is a far more difficult task than I would have ever imagined.

When a family member writes a review or a friend takes a minute it is wonderful but to have a complete stranger write something nice about your work is very rewarding.  I'd like to thank those who have taken a moment to do just that.  Whether on Amazon, Goodreads or this site, it is greatly appreciated!

My first review for The Living Hunger is posted below:

I have always been intrigued by post-apocalyptic scenarios... they've just always provided a captivating glimpse of what could be that I just can't resist. In "The Living Hunger" that captivating scenario is explored through the eyes of Sergeant Farrell Jenson who is a soldier who has watched his world get ravaged by nuclear and biological warfare as his family goes missing, lost in the confusion, pain and despair of a world that is no longer beautiful or happy. Along the way Sergeant Farrell Jenson meets up with ragtag band of survivors looking to start over and protect themselves from the new, more harsher world they live in.

I found this book to be a wonderful allegory to the heights and the depths that humans can reach by themselves and together. From collaborating together and helping to rebuild their little corner of the world to using the post-apocalyptic scenario to quench their thirst for power and violence, the characters in this book manage to show the best and the worst of the human race all at once.

Dennis F. Larsen has crafted a superbly well-written novel that made me bite my nails, shed a few tears and give a few cheers of excitement as I read it. I am very interested to see what else he has written as based on this book it is bound to be amazing. 


Thanks RiRi

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Action & Adventure Top 100

Just a quick post today.  I was pleasantly surprised this morning to wake and find that the novel was in the top 100 for action & Adventure titles in the USA and Canada.  I thought perhaps it would break into the Sci-Fi genre quicker, but it's nice to see some potential right from the start.  I suspect it will bounce in and out of the ranking with the degree of advertising and word of mouth, either way it's fun to watch the growth.
Thanks for your support and kind words of encouragement.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Main Characters, Farrell & Rod

My father was a very rough but charismatic man with a strong personality, as well as a tender side.  We lost him a few years ago when he was thrown from his horse while preparing to take a grandchild for a ride.  I have always wanted to write something that would preserve his unique perspective of life  and his wonderful personality, and I hope that I have done justice to his memory with 'The Living Hunger'.  He is embodied in the main character, Sergeant Farrell Jenson, and many of the events that take place in the book are true albeit  in a different time and place.  Another main character, Rod, is patterned after my uncle, a polar opposite of my father, a wonderful and loving family man, and is the only living sibling of the Larsen clan.  Rod will turn 80 next year.

I have always loved this picture of the brothers from many, many years ago.  I truly enjoyed writing about their friendship, one that my father referred to often.

Rod & Farrell Larsen, Garland, Utah

Goodkindles - Great Site for Kindle Users

I found a wonderful little site today that is quickly growing and is a useful resource for reader and author alike.  Take a minute to browse their pages and links and see what you think.

Please, take a look.