Release Date change… I was trying to released Cursed by February 29th but after adding a large chapter at the end this deadline does not leave enough time for proper editing.  Though I will be getting the book back from my editor this weekend it does not leave time for beta readers.  With that being said the book should be out mid to late March but I will update you as I progress.

Now the good news… I need Beta Readers.  Do you think you have a good attention to detail when reading?  Have you read the first book in the Guardians series, Sacred Bloodlines?  Would you like to get a free digital copy of Cursed?  Do you have the time to read book 2 in under two weeks (62,000 words)?  If you answered yes to all of these questions then email me wendy@orangewillow.com and request to become a beta reader of book two.  There are only a limited number of spots so act fast!

Alright, so I just finished my experiment with Amazon’s KDP Promo option.  I am pretty excited about the results.  During the 5 days I offered the book for free as part of the promo I received a couple thousand downloads.  I managed to reach #311 in the Kindle store, #8 in juvenile fantasy, and #14 in adult fantasy.  I also picked up three new book reviews.  I hope this will multiply as more time passes and people have time to read the book.

You might be asking what I wondered myself, you’re giving the book away for free, how does this translate to selling books.  Today I got an answer for you and myself.  Sunday was the last day of the promo and my book returned to full price on Monday.  

Prior to the promo sales were slow to say the least.  In the first 3 weeks of January I had sold only six copies.  A number that makes you think, how will this ever happen for me.  Since I ran the promo (yes, one day) I have sold 30 copies of my book at full price.  I hope to see the number continue in the same way today.  I have read that three days after the promo is the “sweet spot” but I think where I am right now is pretty “sweet”.

I think timing is important as well.  My 2nd book comes out at the end of the month and thanks to this promo I will have thousands of folks looking to read the 2nd installment (at least thats what I hope).  I will post a follow-up to this in a weeks time roughly to give you all an idea if the success continued.

After reading several authors experiences recently on the KDP program with amazon I decided it was time I look a little deeper into this thing that seemed to be working so well for so many people.  I reached the point where I thought I had a solid grasp on the implications of it all and decided I would give it a try with my first Book Sacred Bloodlines since Book 2, Cursed, is just right around the corner with release date (Feb 29th, 2012).

I set everything up last night and my 5 day free promotion was to start today, January 31st.  Sales have been slow but steady so my hopes were not too high for this free promotion.

My sales were around 1 every couple days which I felt for a new author with no promotion was acceptable and I would just keep plugging away and hope more readers would discover me.  This morning I woke up and logged in to make sure the free promotion had begun.  To my shock it had not only begun but it was chugging along at a tingling pace.  I was literally giddy with glee.  As of 9:30 am 127 new readers have downloaded me and the number seems to be climbing every few minutes.

In my mind I am imaging all the readers out there, excited to see the free book, drooling as it downloads, figuratively ripping into the pages (after all it is an ebook).  Now chances are they see the deal, download it, and plan to read it one day.  But to an author who has worked so hard to put the book out they are biting their nails, waiting to see the download is complete.  They have to call into work because they just can’t allow themselves to put the book down.  I know, I know, but a girl can dream, right?  Now go get yours, its FREE!

Slumber by Samantha Young

Amazon Summary:

Slumber (The Fade: Part One)

When Haydyn, the last of the Dyzvati, falls victim to the mysterious Sleeping Disease, the world of Phaedra is thrown into Chaos. 

Rogan, Haydyn’s best friend and handmaiden, is the only one who can save her. Together, with the Royal Guard and their young Captain, Wolfe Stovia, Rogan must set off across the provinces to find the Somna Plant that will wake Haydyn from her dying sleep.

Beset on all sides by the chaos, Rogan tumbles into a dark world of kidnapping, prejudice, betrayal and love… a journey that will change her forever, and a journey that will change their world forever if she does not retrieve the cure.

YA Fantasy Romance recommended for ages 16 and up.

My Review

I will start right off by saying I loved Slumber.  I loved seeing a friendship between two girls where the result is when one is in need the other would do anything to help her.  Lady Rogan’s parents were murdered and as a child when Rogan was brought back by her captors she bonded with Haydyn.  They relied on each other when times got bad.  When it came down to it and Haydyn needed her help it was clear it wasn’t even a choice for Rogan, it was something she had to do because Haydyn meant so much to her.

This story also has several layers to it as well.  The fact that Rogan has to travel with the son of the man that murdered her parents is torment for her.  The last thing you would think is that a romance would bud but sure enough the stirrings are there.

Talk about action packed too.  Something major is happening every chapter!  Makes this real page turner a quick read for sure.  With that being said in the beginning as you learn about people and places the vowel heavy names can be a struggle.  I reread some of this out loud and found it much easier to retain the information.  

So yet here is another book from indie author, Samantha Young, that is a MUST read.  Enjoy!