Last week I had the pleasure to sit down with three Amazon publicists to discuss some of their Spring titles and ask some questions. The publicists, Gracie, Susan and Justin, had some interesting things to chat about including serial titles, debut authors and continuing series.
It was awesome to hear that they are pursuing serial books where readers get to help steer the story. Readers buy into the full story and get automatic downloads when the next episode is ready. When all the episodes are completed readers will have the full book. For those who stumble upon the book after they get a complete full length download. If you buy in part way into the book you get all the previous episodes at that time and get the rest as they become available.
Justin chatted a bit about one very successful serial, The Scourge by Roberto Calas. As of today this title has six of the eight episodes published and a 4.4 star rating. The Scourge is a science fiction title that involves Zombies and Knights.
God has forsaken this land.
A mysterious plague descends upon 14th century England, ravaging the country and trapping the souls of the afflicted in eternal madness. The feudal hierarchy--and even the church itself-- slowly crumbles as the dead rise to feed and the living seek whatever shelter they can. The bishops of England call for calm and obedience, but one man isn’t listening.
Sir Edward of Bodiam has been separated from the woman he loves and nothing on heaven or earth can stop him from seeking her out.
Edward and two of his knights travel through the swiftly changing landscape of England, a countryside now overrun by the minions of hell. The knights encounter madness, violence, and sorrow, but Edward fights his way ever deeper into the thickening darkness of unholy terror.
Roberto Calas brings you along on a dark, historical tale full of love, death, and black humor. Follow Edward as he journeys to save his wife, his kingdom, and his very soul.
You can find a full list of serials by clicking here.
Gracie, Amazon's Thomas & Mercer publicist, shared with me author L.J. Sellers. L.J. is a mystery author from Eugene, OR. As an Oregon native I'm always interested to see what my local authors are publishing. L.J.'s Rules of Crime sounded very intriguing and I want to share the blurb with you all. This is the first in the Detective Jackson mystery series.
When a call from his daughter, Katie, interrupts his much-needed vacation, Detective Wade Jackson knows it’s bad news. As Katie tearfully announces that her mom—Jackson’s ex-wife, Renee—is missing, Jackson suspects alcoholic Renee has climbed back inside the bottle that destroyed their marriage. But the truth is far worse: kidnappers have snatched Renee and are demanding ransom from her wealthy fiancé.
The very same night, someone dumps a savagely beaten University of Oregon coed on the doorstep of the ER. Jackson’s protégé, Detective Lara Evans, must identify the unconscious victim, then track down the assailant with no leads to go on…except the whispered rumor of a secret sorority.
Meanwhile, Eugene’s new FBI liaison, Agent Carla River, takes charge of Renee’s high-tech ransom operation while Jackson comforts his distressed daughter and retraces the steps of the mother she holds dear. But as the rescue takes a deadly twist and the suspects seem willing to let Renee die rather than crack under interrogation, Jackson worries that Katie will never forgive him if her mother is lost forever.
Susan is Amazon's Montlake publicist. She covers their romance titles. The Montlake imprint has some very cool titles that I know readers will want to check out. Here are some of the ones that I found particularly interesting.
Down and Out in Beverly Heels is a contemporary women's fiction title that sounds really fun for contemporary fans. The author, Kathryn Leigh Scott, also created some of the characters for the Dark Shadows soap opera.
From brunch in Bel Air to homeless in Hollywood…
Former actress Meg Barnes used to have it all: tony Beverly Hills address, Amex Black card, Manolos for every day of the month. Not to mention a career as a popular TV detective that made her glittering life possible. But her lifestyle of the rich and famous has turned into a reality show for d-listed starlets. Lost in her Louboutins, she has one man to thank: her con man of a husband.
Handsome FBI agent Jack Mitchell knows a suspect when he sees one—even if she’s as beautiful and gutsy as Meg. Meg’s ex “made off” with half of Hollywood’s wealth in an epic real estate scam. And Jack thinks Meg may have been involved.
Determined to prove her innocence Meg teams up with her quirky, movie-mad best friend to track down her fugitive husband and exact justice. But getting her life, and her career, back on track is harder than auditioning for Spielberg. Especially when her life is threatened. Meg has to trust Jack, the man who may want her behind bars…or as his leading lady for life.
As a paranormal romance fan I also was very intrigued by another book Susan dropped off with me, Omega by Susannah Sandlin. This is the third book in the Penton Legacy. I've not started it yet, but I'm anticipating that moment when I finely get to start. I've not read the previous books, so I'm also hoping it stands-alone.
The bloody war between the Vampire Tribunal and the defiant scathe of Penton, Alabama, rages on, forcing its residents and their bonded humans to retreat into the underground fortress of last resort: Omega. There, Will Ludlam is charged with the care of Penton’s humans, though he longs to fight alongside his vampire brethren. He knows the risks: as the renegade son of the Tribunal’s vicious leader, Will’s capture could doom the resistance. Yet he is determined to prove his worth to his adopted scathe, to his vengeful father—and to former US Army officer Randa Thomas, his beautiful, reluctant partner. Randa has little faith that a former member of the vampire elite has what it takes to fight a war. But as their enemies descend upon Omega, Will’s polished charm—and Randa’s guarded heart—finally give way to the warrior within. Fans of Susannah Sandlin’s Penton Legacy are sure to devour this long-awaited third installment of the steamy paranormal series.
Tammie King is one of the owners of Night Owl Reviews. She enjoys reading, travel and video games. You can find her most Monday evenings moderating the Night Owl Reviews chat room.
