New: Author Promotion!

I love helping my fellow authors! Because of this, I have decided to offer book reviews and author interviews. If you are interested in either, or if you have another idea, please email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com.

I also offer some cross-promotion options on my author blog. Please check out the new For Authors tab for details.

I post everything in the order I receive it.

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Book Reviews

I would love to review your book. My faith is the most important thing to me, so while your book does not have to be "Christian" for me to review (and like) it, if the content is questionable it will be reflected in my review, or I may choose to return it unfinished. Thank you in advance for not putting us in this position.

Review Options:

1. Send me a free copy of your book.
2. Do a review exchange with me! We can exchange our books (or each purchase the others', if you prefer). We'll post the reviews around the same time.

What to Send:
Please email the following to Jansina@rivershorebooks.com

• Email the book in Kindle format or as a PDF, or snail mail a hard copy (email me for the address). I don't have a preference.
• The cover photo of the book.
• Your author photo and short (1 to 3 sentence) bio, if you'd like it included.
• Links where the book can be purchased, author blog, website, social media, &c. Anything you would like me to include in my blog post of the review.

Content Guidelines:

• I'm a bit of a wuss...please no horror or paranormal. 
• I'm not opposed to fantasy, but to give you a general idea: I love The Lord of the Rings and Narnia; I don't intend to read Harry Potter.
• I'm a professional editor, so I will definitely notice grammar mistakes (and probably comment on them in the review). However, they won't affect my star rating unless they make reading difficult.
• Fiction, poetry, and nonfiction are all welcome!

Reviews will be posted on my business blog and on your book's pages on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Lulu, Goodreads, and Smashwords (whichever apply). I'm happy to expand this--just send me the links!

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Author Interviews

My first intro into professional writing was journalism, and interviews were my favorite part.

As mentioned above, my faith is the backdrop of all I do. While I would rather not say no to any author, I will only post interviews of authors whose books I would read. (See review guidelines, or send links to your books if you're uncertain.)

What to Send:
Please email the following to Jansina@rivershorebooks.com

• Pen name, author photo, and short (1 to 5) sentence author bio, if you would like it included.
• Any links you would like posted (where we can purchase your book/s, author blog, website, social media, &c.).
• Any photos you would like included in the post (i.e., book cover/s).

I will send you a Word doc of the questions, and you can fill it out and return it when you're ready.

Purple Eyes by Shalight Saja

Rivershore Books is thrilled to announce the publication of our newest book, Purple Eyes by Shalight Saja. The author is an abuse survivor, and her poetry captures both the pain she experienced and the beauty of the healing she received. No matter your story, there is comfort in the fact that the feelings expressed in Purple Eyes are universal.

Purple Eyes is a collection of poetry written during a young woman's healing process after six years of abuse. It is a story of the early stages of her journey toward defining herself by who she wants to be rather than by what has happened to her.

This beautiful book of poetry is available for $8.99 in paperback and ebook formats, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords:

Paperback (Amazon)
Kindle
Nook
Smashwords

Author Interview: John Carlin

In 2012, we had the opportunity to publish a unique math book by John Carlin. It gives tips and tricks to solve even difficult math in your head, and it's definitely worth the read. Today's post was written by the author.

The name of my book is Don’t be Baffled at Binomial Blvd & Algebra Ave. The book is a bridge or transition book from Arithmetic to Algebra. It uses mental math to teach how algebra is related to arithmetic. It contains a lot of what is commonly called Vedic Math, but goes farther than that since there are techniques and examples in the book you won’t see anywhere else. The book is nonfiction and is tilted toward students that are junior high age. Typically, that is the age where students sometimes just check out on math. Adults may find it of interest also.

I have run across people from other cultures that were almost so agile with numbers it was amazing. Most of them learned math at an early age starting with an abacus. I have always been fascinated by them and wished that my own math experiences included some early alternative learning methods. About ten years ago I discovered Vedic Math and was amazed at the simplicity of it. I will be a very happy if the book helps even a few students develop better math skills.

I have only been writing for about three years. I started because I discovered that actually writing about a topic like this actually made me a better mental math calculator. Typically I write in a spare bedroom that we converted into a computer room/study. I talk aloud to myself as I write at times, so the need for a little quiet and seclusion is rather important. My advice to others about writing is to do everything you can to foster your creativity. Write when you are well rested, take notes when a good idea hits you, write in spurts, change genres, or projects when you are blocked. Get exercise, stay relaxed, and don’t force it. Motivation can’t be forced either, but you can be patient and set some really small incremental goals to accomplish until a new wave of motivation establishes itself again.

I want my readers to give up their preconceived notions about math. Don’t judge yourself to be bad at it based on prior experiences which may include bad teachers and texts. Think of it as a game you want to raise your skill levels in. One where you aren’t competing against someone so much as you are competing against your own former best. That approach leads to personal growth and enjoyment of the subject. My book is available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and as an ebook.

Thank you, John!

Grammar Day: Hyphens and Ages

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: Hyphens and Ages

Basic Rule: When the age describes a noun, there should be hyphens. If not, they don't belong.

The three-year-old girl liked to dance.

The age describes girl.

The three year old was happy.

The giggling girl was three years old.

Giggling describes girl, not the age.

This is true, no matter how old the person, animal, or object is.

 A fifteen-year-old dog was sleeping on the rug.

The man was twenty seven when he quit his job. 

The five-hundred-year-old map let them to the treasure.

Why? This helps avoid misinterpretations. After all, there aren't 500 maps that are a year old. Just a single, ancient one...that I'd really like to find.

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Author Interview: Rachel Rossano

What are the names of your books? 

I have five books published right now: Duty: a novel of Rhynan (novel), The Mercenary’s Marriage (a novella), The Crown of Anavrea (novella), Word and Deed (short story), and Exchange (short story).

 

  

Can you give some short summaries of your books?

Duty: a novel of Rhynan - The orphaned daughter of a nobleman struggles to keep her village from starvation discovers she has been sold in marriage to save her cousin’s life. Her

new husband, a man of simple origins seeking peace after years on the battlefield, struggles to adjust to his new life as a titled landowner and husband. Together they must form a marriage of duty and withstand those who wish them to fail.

The Mercenary’s Marriage - In the aftermath of a siege, a mercenary claims a slave girl as his share of the spoils. Marrying her, he works to earn her trust while unraveling a plot to overthrow the king of Braulyn.

The Crown of Anavrea - A man on the run is saved by the sacrifice of a slave woman. In gratitude, he rescues her from her master by marrying her. Together they must face his past and the obligations he wants to leave behind.

Word and Deed - Verity’s father died under suspicious circumstances. Now her half-brother is trying to get rid of her because she won’t stop speaking out against him. Death or an arranged marriage, she refuses to accept the options.

Exchange - She doesn’t know her name or her crime, but she wastes away in prison all the same. A man appears and claims to hold the answers, but can she trust him? 

What genre are your books?

I write sweet/clean romance. Most of my work is non-magical fantasy that feels like Medieval historical fiction. Though, I do dabble in Speculative Fiction and some non-fiction.

Who is your book’s audience?

The target audience of most of my books are late teens and older.

What first inspired your books?

Duty: a novel of Rhynan began with the opening line written by someone else and a bit of historical inspiration.

The Mercenary’s Marriage sprang to mind in the form of Darius, the main character, during a rough patch in my life. The novella became a form of writing therapy.

The Crown of Anavrea began while accompanying my husband on a business trip to Germany. I ran out of English reading material. The only books on hand were horror, mystery, and suspense (none of them my genre of choice at the time). I figured if I couldn’t read it, I could write it.

Exchange was written during the time my father went through and recovered from open heart surgery. Keeping the storyline going in my head helped my cope with not being able to be there for him and my family.

Word and Deed was inspired by a picture. But as usual with my inspirations, the story ended up not resembling the inspiration at all.

How long have you been writing, and why did you start?

I started writing while still a teen. I didn’t pursue it with consistency until college. Even then, I still thought of it as a hobby and didn’t consider publication seriously. It wasn’t until we struggled having children that I began considering it as a career option.

Where do you write most often?

At my kitchen table, the couch in the living room, or a table at the local Friendly’s are my usual writing haunts.

What are your ‘author quirks’?

I refer to my characters as real people and express my writing frustrations to others as though I am interacting with my characters. “Dentin is not talking to me. I keep trying to pull his back story out of him, but he clams up.” I definitely make faces when I am figuring out how to describe a facial expression or body motion for a scene.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Write, read, edit, and repeat frequently.

What do you do when you lack motivation?

Back read what I have written already or read a good author.

What do you most want your readers to know?

I love feedback. If you want to let me know what you think, email me. I read and try to reply. Your thoughts matter and might change how I write the next book. I am on Twitter and Facebook.

And finally, where can we find your books?

Here are some links:

• Amazon 
• Smashwords
• Lulu 
• B&N 
• Kobo 
• Sony 
• iTunes

Thank you, Rachel!

Character Interview: Abigail Trenket

Abigail is a new character who will be introduced in As Fairydust Settles. She plays an important role in Davey and Mical's lives.

Name: Abigail Trenket

Age: 24

What book/s are you in? As Fairydust Settles

Where do you work? I don't work...I stay home, and cook and clean.

Where do you live? With my husband of five years in a small town in Wisconsin: Diamond Bluff.

Favorite place to relax? In the basement, making jewelry. I take most of it apart once it's made, so I can reuse the beads. I just like making it.

What is your favorite food to eat on a bad day? Who doesn't love chocolate?

What's your biggest regret? This is going to sound terrible, but...jumping into marriage. Nineteen was too young for me.

What is your preferred method of communication? (Face to face, letter, phone call...) Face to face, while holding a warm mug of hot chocolate, and leaving open the possibility of hugs.

What Fruit of the Spirit is God working on you the most in? Oh, that's a hard one. I think the one He's focusing on now--or perhaps I should say the one that I'm focusing on--is Peace. He's helping me be at peace and content with my situation and the results of my decisions.

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Questions courtesy of Emily. Thanks!

Grammar Day: FANBOYS

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: FANBOYS

I was recently reminded of this helpful acronym. It's a tool to remember where commas belong.

Basic Rule: When connecting two independent clauses (complete sentences), place a comma before all of the following words:

• For
• And
• Nor
• But
• Or
• Yet
• So

Sharon bought new shoes, and ran a mile.

Could be: Sharon bought new shoes. She ran a mile.

Jake made some gloves, but didn't use them.

Could be: Jake made some glove. He didn't use them.

Any Exceptions? I think there are always exceptions when dealing with commas.

#1: When one clause is dependent on the other (not a complete sentence), there is no comma.

Robert bought new shoes and socks.

"And socks" could not be a sentence, so a comma isn't needed.

#2: A comma can be omitted when independent clauses (complete sentences) are short. (This exception doesn't apply under traditional punctuation rules.)

She smiled and ran to hug him.

Could be: She smiled. She ran to hug him. 

Since "She smiled." is a short sentence, the comma isn't necessary.

Conclusion: It helps to use FANBOYS, but it's not perfect. (See what I did there?)

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!