Reviews for Indie Books

I wanted my book The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One) to be traditionally published. I spent hours crafting agent queries, researching the best agents to approach, started getting form rejections and then began - waiting.

Got requests for fulls and partials followed by... waiting.

My shoulders were now drifting toward my ears, threatening to swallow my neck. 

Next up were more rejections, more requests, more hours spent following up and more - waiting.

My upper back felt like it was glueing itself together.

I entered the Amazon Breakout Novel Award competition. Made the first round cut. Yippee! A small press wanted to publish The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One) I declined their offer and queried more agents. More waiting.

Five new wrinkles etched their way onto my face.

Waiting...

The verdicts came in for ABNA's next round. My book didn't make the cut. One reviewer liked it. The second reviewer said I was not allowed to write time travel, as I could only write what I know. Leave time travel to those who know about time travel. 

Apparently there is a secret cadre of authors who actually time travel and then write about it. And I wasn't one of them. Boo.

I decided to stop waiting, and indie-pub The Messenger. 

But it's not the easiest process to get reviews. Everyone jumps up and down to review trad published books. My process took longer. And I haven't bought the pricey Kirkus review (yet.) I'm relying on word-of-mouth, a blog tour (thank you AToMR Blog Tours!) bloggers, and referrals from author friends. 

But little by little, the reviews are adding up. Take a peek.


REVIEWS FOR The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One):

Having just read THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy, I was hard pressed to find another book that would involve me as deeply. The Messenger did that and more." Shelly Fredman (Author of Brandy Alexander mystery series.)

"This is a wonderfully creative and updated twist to time travel stories. Not only is there history here, and teen trial and tribulations, but also the concept of this girl being a "Messenger" who can help those in the past and help to make things right..." ABNA Competition 2012 Expert Reviewer

"The Messenger... offers the can't-lose combo of time travel and romance... it was a runaway train of a book -- definitely in a good way... by the end, I was getting a bicep workout from all the fistpumps... I'm dying to hear the rest of the story it started telling me right at the end of the night." ForeverYoungAdult.com Review

"This book held me captive because not only did it have time traveling in it but it had Native American history in it… a magical story with lots of twists and turns. This is one series to watch out for! 5 of 5 stars" A Diary of a Book Addict Blog

“For those who like The Immortals series by Alyson Noel, Timeless by Alexandra Monir, or The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller – The Messenger is a must read.” Breathe in Books Blogspot

"I would really recommend this to fans of time travel, historical fiction, or even mystery fans…I will be reading the next Mortal Beloved book, because I am hooked!" Unabridged Bookshelf

"DuMond is a superlative writer who sets the stage for an historical romantic adventure, and then fiendishly leaves the reader hanging at the end. Will we read the next book? You bet!” Midwest Book Review, Shelley Glodowski

READERS say: 

“…I stayed up to 5 a.m. to finish this book.” 

“…I couldn’t tear myself away from it.”

“…connection with another human being so strong it defies time…”

“…Samuel – I wanted to stick my hands in and grab him… and pull him out.”

“…I really wish I could give it more than 5 stars.” 

“…See it as a movie as you rip through the tale.”

“…I was in love with the character (Samuel), myself just like Madeline was.”

“…adventure, romance history all in one amazing book… praying she writes another.”

“…I was captivated.”

“…this author is fantastic.”

“…without question. Buy it. Read it…” 

“Yes, a page turner indeed…VERY good read. Can’t wait for more from this author.”

"Has it all! Intrigue, romance, suspense and a dash of horror!"

I'm doing a Goodreads give away in a couple of days. I'll keep you all informed when that happens.

Keep writing and reading and carrying on! If you must wait, do so with shoulder massages and anti-wrinkle cream. And if you want to read a very fun book at a very do-able price, well...

http://www.amazon.com/The-Messenger-Mortal-Beloved-ebook/dp/B007T07YU8

xo

Pam DuMond

The Messenger - AToMR Book Blog Tour October 22-27, 2012

The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One)

AToMR BLOG TOUR

October 22 - 27, 2012

Months ago I saw what a great job AToMR Blog Tours http://atomrbookblogtours.com/ did for author Elle Strauss  (http://ellestraussbooks.blogspot.com/ ). I contacted the talented folks at AToMR and signed up. And now it's finally here! Feel free to follow along, win e-book copies and one paper book copy. 

 

THE MESSENGER (Mortal Beloved, Book One) TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, October 22:

Between the Bookcovers ~ Review

Parallel Words YA ~ Review

Tuesday, October 23:

Memories Overtaking Me ~ Review

Comfort Books ~ Interview

Book Nerds ~ Excerpt

A Diary Of A Book Addict ~ Review

Wednesday, October 24:

YA Book Addict ~ Review

Breathe In BooKs ~ Review

A Tale of Many Reviews ~ Ten Facts

Thursday, October 25:

FireStarBooks ~ Excerpt

My Life is a Notebook ~ Review

A Bibliophile's Thoughts on Books ~ Review

Unabridged Bookshelf ~ Review

Friday, October 26:

Bookshelf Confessions ~ Review

Saturday, October 27:

My Seryniti ~ Review

whoopeeyoo :D ~ Review

Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf  ~ Excerpt

 For the AToMR blog tour, I put The Messenger e-book versions on sale for 99 cents. (Limited Time!)

Amazon e-link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Messenger-Mortal-Beloved-ebook/dp/B007T07YU8

Amazon paper book link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/148003892X

Nook link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-messenger-pamela-dumond/1112924256?ean=2940014126380

Kobo link: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Messenger/book-b3h7LWR5e0uh1Yq9KJ1pbg/page1.html

A big thanks to all the bloggers who participated as well as you readers. Let's have a book party!  

xo,

Pamela DuMond

Just in time for Halloween - Number One Ghost!

I'm in the midst of selling my house. Let me tell you this is the hardest I've worked at anything since trying to save my marriage to what's-his-name. (Can anyone out there explain to me why I bothered with that one?) Let's hope the house selling thing is more productive, doesn't argue over dog visitation rights, doesn't complain that I don't fold his socks correctly, and looks much better in a pair of jeans. (A girl can dream!)

Between the painting, hauling, shlepping, tossing, cleaning, organizing, sanding, you-name-it, I've had but a few moments to market my new book, Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys. (Only $2.99!)

http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Annie-Graceland-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0096WCVT6

So I decided to have a SALE for the first book in this series, Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys. (Currently only 99 cents. Squee!) This way people could read the first book in the series to see if they'd be interested in grabbing Hot Guys.

http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Annie-Graceland-Mystery-ebook/dp/B008PIDYJI/ref=pd_sim_kstore_4

Sassy Girl's Book Club featured it. Friends shared it.  And then,Pixel of Ink picked up on the sale and featured it on Sunday. http://www.pixelofink.com/page/2/

And whoo-hoo it cracked the Kindle top hundred and even became the #1 seller in Ghosts!

I'm proud to be sandwiched between Bella Andre, Stephanie Bond. And lookie - Cupcakes is next door neighbors with The Bible! Talk about good real estate.

So - pick yourself up a copy of the first book in the Cupcakes series for only 99 cents and have some fun!

xoxo,

Pam Duond

It's a Boy!

As you might know I have a split personality when it comes to writing.

Part of my brain likes to write romantic Young Adult thrillers. The Messenger's Handbook, (Mortal Beloved, Book One.)

Cover by Michael James Canales

If you like a good love story, this book is in paperback as well as e-books: http://www.amazon.com/The-Messengers-Handbook-ebook/dp/B007T07YU8 

And on B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-messengers-handbook-pamela-dumond/1110062175?ean=2940014126380

And then there's the snarky part of my brain that likes to write Cupcakes mystery novels that make people laugh. My heroine, Annie Graceland, is a baker with a pinch of psychic ability. Due to unfortunate events, she can now see and talk to murdered ghosts and is canoodled into helping them find their killers so they can pass to the AfterLife.

The first book in this series is Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys. (The second edition has been re-edited and has a spiffy new cover.)

Cover by Michael James Canales

amazon.com/dp/B008PIDYJI Only $2.99 on Amazon. Also available on Nook and Kobo. Paperback coming soon.

Second book in the series is Cupcakes, Sales, and Cocktails - A Novella.

Cover by Michael James Canales

Only 99 cents on e-readers. http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Cocktails-Graceland-Mystery-ebook/dp/B006PU7RU0  Also available on Nook and Kobo. 

And now, I'm proud to announce the latest in the Cupcakes mystery series (only $2.99!) 

Cover by Michael James Canales

http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Annie-Graceland-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0096WCVT6

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cupcakes-pies-and-hot-guys-pamela-dumond/1112779845?ean=2940015072716

Cupcakes, Pies, and Dead Guys Book Description: 

There will be Hot Guys! There will be Romance! There will be Laughter and... Recipes!

Annie Graceland’s a baker with a pinch of psychic ability. She’s empathic— can feel other people’s lusts and desires in her own body. No biggie if she experiences someone else’s craving for chocolate or a foot rub. But due to recent events (See Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys) Annie’s acquired a dicier skill—she can see and talk to ghosts.

Annie’s happily dating an amazing man in Los Angeles when her mom signs her up to be a judge at Wisconsin’s first annual Hot Guys Contest. Who cares if it’s 4th of July weekend with scorching temperatures? It’s a free trip home to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. What could possibly go wrong? When Frank Plank, Mr. Oconomowoc, is killed and doesn’t pass to the Afterlife, he begs Annie to investigate his murder. Now she’s not only a pageant judge, but meddling with suspects that include her former high school rival, an old boyfriend, Hot Guy contestants and a mysterious illegal betting ring. It doesn’t help that a hometown boy from Annie’s past is all grown up, sexy as sin, and determined to make her fall for him. The temperature’s rising in Oconomowoc…

The paperback will be out in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, grab yourself a Hot Guy, I mean a  cupcake, read and enjoy!

(Cover by Michael James Canales)

Happy fall!

xo,

Pamela DuMond

Change is in the air...

Here in L.A. public schools are cutting summer vacation short as they're trying to align their schedule with the private and college school schedules.

Parents are shopping for back-to-school necessities. Kids are freaking about losing two weeks of summer and putting their noses back to the grindstone of homework and increasingly structured days.

I have no flesh and blood children. I only have furballs. So what's all the fuss about at my place?

Romeo: the serious one

Lola - aka, Bubbles

Change is in the air. I'm watering the lawn. Cleaning closets. Throwing out old files, magazines, things that no longer fit my life. I'm even painting closet doors. (I hate painting closet doors.) Check out my new miracle painter.

(I can't say I've done a room in less than an hour. But I am painting closet doors in record time?)

Why the change? Because it's time. And instead of waiting for change to happen to me, I've decided to be pro-active and initiate it.

Is it scary? Yes. Is it exhilarating? Yes. Am I nervous? Yes. I'll tell you more about the project as it progresses.

In the meantime I'm almost ready to birth the next book, Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys. It will be  published late summer 2012. Here's part of the cover art.

So, hang on. Let's go for the ride.

xo,

Pam DuMond

The Gilboa Iris - Author Interview

I'm pleased to participate in an author blog tour.  Zahava Englard wrote The Gilboa Iris, a romantic thriller. 

About the Book
Dara Harow, the daughter of a rocket physicist for the US department of defense, sends her parents into a tailspin of dual-loyalty anxiety when she plans to wed Roni Ben-Ari, an Israeli officer in an elite counter-terrorist unit. When the Harows are targeted by a terror cell in hot pursuit of technology not yet found in any country's arsenal, Dara finds herself at the center of a hierarchy of terror that threatens her life and the lives of those she loves. The Gilboa Iris is a blazing tale of romance, deceit and international intrigue. Its rich characters and explosive plot take readers from Israel s Gilboa Mountains to the streets of New York, to Germany's Zehlendorf Forest, and back to Israel amid seminal events that rocked the world between 1983 and 2002.


About the Author

A native of New York, Zahava Englard lived in Teaneck, NJ, before moving with her family to Israel in 2006. An outspoken activist in the United States on behalf of Israel, she served as trustee on the executive board of One Israel Fund, and as its executive director. Presently Zahava lives in Israel. Her writing includes Settling for More: From Jersey to Judea, and she lectures in the United States and Israel about her books, Jewish activism, and her passion for Israel’s well-being. Gilboa Iris is her first novel.

Pam: Do you have a ritual when you are writing?  
Zahava: I require silence and solitude, preferably writing into the late hours of the night.


Pam: Do you have hobbies outside of writing? 
Zahava: Blasting the iPod in my head while running.


Pam: What book or books are you currently reading? 
Zahava: The Messenger by Daniel Silva


If you could be one character from one of your books who would it be? 
Zahava: The heroine of course, Dara Harow. I need to be second to none. 


Pam: Any challenges for you as you wrote and published this book?
Zahava: I have to say that this book practically wrote itself. All the ideas were in my head and they flowed out easily as I sat at my keyboard. I fortunately did not experience any writer's block while writing The Gilboa Iris.  There were a couple of kinks in the story that I viewed more as solving a puzzle than seeing it as a challenge. The one thing I was determined about was for it not to be predictable. 


Pam: Are you working on your next book? What's your process like?
Zahava: I talk to myself. I daydream. I create scenarios, and various settings and circumstances, allowing them to take different paths, and then let it mull around in my mind for a while before committing to a specific direction. That is the stage I'm at right now. 


Amazon link to The Gilboa Iris:


http://www.amazon.com/The-Gilboa-Iris-Zahava-Englard/dp/9652295744

B&N link to The Gilboa Iris:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gilboa-iris-zahava-englard/1105958482

Best of luck, Zahava! I hope many readers enjoy your story. 


Pam DuMond  

Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys - Going Indie!

Krill Press told me at the end of June, 2012 that our contract for Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys novel  was up at the end of July. I could sign on for another two years. Or, try something different.

I decided to try something different.

Krill did a great job with my novel. Krill gave me a chance after my agent mysteriously vanished, and my former agency let me go because Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys hadn't sold yet. I was so disheartened after this experience that I probably would have put this ms in a drawer and cried for a month. So I will be eternally grateful to him for taking a chance on a new author and birthing this comedic Cupcake mystery series.

www.krillpress.com

Chase Heiland helped me copyedit the original ms for the second edition. (He's a great editor and reasonably priced, folks. (Contact me should you want his information.)

Kimberly Hitchens and Len at Booknook did the e-book and kindle conversions for this book. They did a fabulous job and are reasonably priced.

http://www.booknook.biz/

And my talented friend and screenwriter Michael James Canales did the new cover for Dead Guys. As you can see - it's darling!

So while I wait for Amazon to ascertain that the book is indeed mine, rest assured it's on its way. In the meantime you can buy it on Nook. (Hurry up, Amazon.)

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cupcakes-lies-and-dead-guys-pamela-dumond/1029602764

Again - this is the SECOND EDITION of Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys. DON'T BUY this is you already bought the first edition with the blue-purple cover.

Get ready for Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys the next book in the Cupcakes series which will be published August, 2012.


Thanks for all your help and support. 


xo,


Pamela DuMond

Winner of Doug Solter's YA book Skid is???

Thanks everyone for participating in the book contest to win a copy of Doug Solter's YA book Skid. 

Book Description:

Can a small-town girl with a big attitude balance a boy and a racing career in Formula 1, the biggest racing circus in the world? Seventeen-year-old Samantha Sutton is just crazy enough to try it. Samantha pushes herself, pushes her car, pushes her luck at 200 miles per hour while battling Ferrari racing god and seven-time world champion Emilio Ronaldo. But will Samantha's friendship with Manny blossom into romance? Or will the distraction literally kill her?

I used the crumpled paper method to pick the lucky winner who is...

*** Carrie! *** 


I'll send you an e-mail and put you in touch with Author Doug Solter. Thanks to everyone for participating in Indie-pendence Author Book Day.

Doug's book is a really fun read. You can purchase an e-book or paper copy. Here are some links for that.

Skid on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Skid-ebook/dp/B008170VI0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1341181376&sr=1-1&keywords=doug+solter

http://www.amazon.com/Skid-Volume-1-Doug-Solter/dp/1477432655

Skid on B&N: 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/skid-doug-solter/1110624072

Thanks everybody for participating and have a great summer.

     

xo,

Pamela DuMond

Indie-pendence Day and a Book Giveaway! SKID by Doug Solter

Welcome to Indie-pendence Day featuring Indie books and authors!

http://indeliblewriters.blogspot.com/2012/06/indiependence-day-celebration-of-indie.html

Sponsored by the fabulous YA Indie authors at The Indeliblewriters Blogspot. (Great idea - Thanks!)
www.indeliblewritersblogspot.com

I'd like to give Doug Solter a shoutout for his creative and fun YA book, Skid

Book Description

Can a small-town girl with a big attitude balance a boy and a racing career in Formula 1, the biggest racing circus in the world? Seventeen-year-old Samantha Sutton is just crazy enough to try it. Samantha pushes herself, pushes her car, pushes her luck at 200 miles per hour while battling Ferrari racing god and seven-time world champion Emilio Ronaldo. But will Samantha's friendship with Manny blossom into romance? Or will the distraction literally kill her?

Paperback Skid Giveaway!

Post "I want Skid!" in the comment section and you will be entered to win a paper version of this book! (Will ship to USA address, only.) I will randomly pick a winner at midnight PST on July 6th, 2012. Winner will be announced on July 8th, 2012. You can check back then and give me your e-mail.

Why I picked this book:
I met Doug through mutual writing buddies on Facebook. We both enjoy writing YA, and I've been wanting to read his book for a while. The Indelibles' book indie shout-out gave me the perfect excuse to devour his fun book and write about it.

Why I liked Skid!:
Who wouldn't like a YA version of Danica Patrick! Samantha's adventures are so well plotted and described in this fast-paced action-adventure thrill ride. The detail of the racing world is spot-on without distracting from the story. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes a fun characters in a well-plotted story. I'll definitely read the next book in this series.


Bonus Skid E-Book Giveaway!


Answer the following question (post your answers in this blog's remarks) and enter to win a Free e-book copy of Skid! 


*Near what US city is the new American Formula 1 circuit being built? This new circuit will host the United Sates Grand Prix this November.*


If more than one person posts the correct response I will randomly pick a winner at midnight PST on July 6th, 2012. Winner will be announced on July 8th, 2012. Check back then and send me your e-mail if you've won.


Here's two links to Skid on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Skid-ebook/dp/B008170VI0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1341181376&sr=1-1&keywords=doug+solter

http://www.amazon.com/Skid-Volume-1-Doug-Solter/dp/1477432655

Link to Skid on B&N: 

Facebook page link to Skid:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SKID-by-Doug-Solter/311502925592005

Link to Doug's Blog:

http://dsolter.wordpress.com/

Happy Indie-pendence Day!

xoxo,

Pamela DuMond

Author Hairballs and a FREE BOOK DL

I'm finishing up the next book in the Cupcake mystery series. It's titled Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys. It's fun, it's silly and snarky.  I got a little stuck with the plot and decided to go blonder. Which is when I discovered that...

My hair changes depending on what's happening with my writing.

Here's the hair that God gave me. During this time I was writing a stand-alone mystery based on the  crime-solving adventures of my cat Spicy and dog Chris. (Dark blond and sun-kissed.)

Tragically, this book was never published.

Here's my hair when I signed with an agent at a great literary agency.Yippee! (Light brown and hippie-accessorized.) Now that I had an agent, the success of my first novel - Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys was imminent.

This is my hair when the agency let go of my agent and fired me. Let's call it - Shock and Awe and Grief Hair Disheveled Auburn. (Notice I'm still smiling.)

At this point I stopped writing the second Cupcakes novel and started writing my YA time travel thriller, The Messenger's Handbook. 

When Krill Press picked up the ball and published Cupcakes I was already deep into researching King Philip's War in 1675. This was the bloodiest war in American history, (yes, literally,) as well as the backdrop to where my character Madeline time travelled and fell in love with Samuel in The Messenger's Handbook.

(Note: hair is dark and serious.)

Onto shopping Messenger and back to writing Cupcakes books. (Blond beach highlights. Okay, bottle blond highlights.)

Perhaps you scoff at this silly book vs. more serious book hair thing. Perhaps you think I am making this up? Okay. Let's examine the Cat Factor.

Here is my beloved cat, Theodore von Pumpernickle. (He is immortalized in the Cupcakes books.) His hair color is taupe, silver with accents of dark chocolate. He has long hair and was quite silly.

Theodore von Pumpernickle

After Theodore passed unexpectedly (RIP gorgeous, loving Teddy), I  continued to write Messenger and was eventually adopted by Lola the kitten. (Black, small and feisty.)

Lola the Kitten

I love writing both book series. Cupcakes are snarky frothy mysteries. Messengers are intense YA romantic thrillers.

Right now, Cupcakes (X fingers), seems to have a decent following. Messenger hasn't quite broken out yet. In spite of some really great reviews and feedback the word has to get out about this book. It's YA romance, adventure, true love. It rocks. People stay up all night reading it. I know this because they tell me on this blog. (Reference post on May 25th.)

This weekend Friday June 29th - Saturday June 30th, the Kindle version of The Messenger's Handbook is a FREE DL. 


http://www.amazon.com/The-Messengers-Handbook-ebook/dp/B007T07YU8


For your friends who love paper, there is now a paper version of The Messenger's Handbook as well.


http://www.amazon.com/The-Messengers-Handbook-Volume-1/dp/1475222629/ref=tmm_pap_title_0


What do you change when you're reading or writing? Do you have a black cat or a taupe cat? Or are you a dog person? (I love dogs too.) Are you into snarky mysteries? YA? Or both? Feel free to share with me. (And with your friends!)

Thank you!

xo,

Pamela DuMond