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Reading & Stuff Update 3

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Hi everyone! Welcome back to another reading and stuff update! See my previous update here.

I have now read volumes 1 to 3 of Giant Days! This is a comical graphic novel following 3 women in university and their dramatic lives and relationships. The first 3 volumes are free on Kindle Unlimited. Some of the volumes are on Scribd but I was experiencing weird formatting issues unfortunately so I've added the eBook versions to my wish list for now.

Promotion Options For Your Books, Blog or Business & A Supportive Community

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Hi everyone! So if you don't know, I started a membership option on my Ko-Fi page which is essentially like Patreon. You pay each month to support people to do what they love and you also get rewards. 

I originally had one universal tier but I have since developed three further tiers. The rewards are optional so you don't have to use all of them, or any of them, if you don't want to. With each tier you get more benefits but all of my members get priority promotion across my blog and social media platforms, as well as access to a Discord server to chat and help each other, a book club, sprints and more.

I can promote your book/s, blog, business, YouTube etc. with links at the end of every blog post, shout-outs on Twitter, mentions in multiple blog posts which are also shared on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter. Additionally, for the higher tiers you also get sidebar advertising and I make and share TikToks of your work. Here are some statistics:

5 Indie Books to Read #2

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Something that I am working hard on at the moment is promoting books by self-published and small press authors. Amazing books that tend not to be given as much credit as they deserve. This series is where I showcase 5 books by indie authors. Some of the books will be written by my Ko-Fi members who receive ongoing priority promotion from me. See part 1 for more indie books. Check these books out!

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – except for Harold Trapp. With sales numbers plummeting, he and his company rush plans to create the perfect Christmas gift: the Hans and Heidi dolls. But with a tight deadline hanging over their heads, stress is a frequent visitor. As are the two cats that mysteriously appear on his doorstep. But there’s something sinister hiding behind their sweet and furry demeanor. And the town of Oakridge comes to know it well.When the Christmas lights shine and the snow falls heavy, something awakens. Something dark and ancient. Cold. And with it, unspeakable terrors are born. From legends of old black trains to holiday satyrs and straw goats of yore, the winter wind lurks in the deepest of shadows. Hungry for flesh. Waiting for the darkness to return.The spirit of the season is far more than Harold Trapp bargained for.



Into the Uncanny: 12 Tales of Terror

In every corner, something dark and unsettling lurks in the shadows. Waiting. From mysterious murderers to ancient forest spirits, the world of horror never strays far from home. Dorian J. Sinnott brings the shadows and what hides within closer in 12 original chilling tales. Open up, turn the page, and take a step into the darkness, into the unknown, and into the uncanny.

Indie Showcase #9 Children's Books

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Welcome to another indie showcase post where I share some books written by self-published/small press authors! See all previous posts on my indie books page. Today we are looking at indie children's books!

The Fast Little Fox (The Fast Little Fox & Friends)

Have you ever wanted to go on an adventure through the forest? Follow the fast little fox as he discovers more than he can imagine along the way! What will he learn? Can he make it home in time for supper? Read on to find out!










Emma and the Minotaur (World of Light Book 1)

Emma Wilkins must face the monster in the woods for the fate of the world.

An invasion is coming.

Deep in the shadows of Glenridge Forest, creatures of myth and legend are returning. They gather and wait for a day soon to come. A day when they will be unleashed upon the planet.

Daydreamer Emma Wilkins is eleven years old and lives on Belle Street in the city of Saint Martin. All Emma wants is a friend. She finds one in Jake Milligan, a new boy in town whose father has gone missing. Together, they embark on a mission to find him.

During her adventure, Emma discovers that all stories are true. All legends are real. The monsters of nightmare exist. She learns about a power greater still, one who watches and waits, preparing for the day when the world is ready for his return.

On her way to an impossible confrontation, Emma must conquer her fears and learn how to defeat the monster in the woods. At stake are the fates of those she cares about most and that of the entire world.

Indie Showcase #8 Horror Books

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Welcome to another indie showcase post where I share some books written by self-published/small press authors! See all previous posts on my indie books page. Today we are looking at indie horror books!

Into the Uncanny: 12 Tales of Terror

In every corner, something dark and unsettling lurks in the shadows. Waiting. From mysterious murderers to ancient forest spirits, the world of horror never strays far from home. Dorian J. Sinnott brings the shadows and what hides within closer in 12 original chilling tales. Open up, turn the page, and take a step into the darkness, into the unknown, and into the uncanny.

 






It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – except for Harold Trapp. With sales numbers plummeting, he and his company rush plans to create the perfect Christmas gift: the Hans and Heidi dolls. But with a tight deadline hanging over their heads, stress is a frequent visitor. As are the two cats that mysteriously appear on his doorstep. But there’s something sinister hiding behind their sweet and furry demeanor. And the town of Oakridge comes to know it well.When the Christmas lights shine and the snow falls heavy, something awakens. Something dark and ancient. Cold. And with it, unspeakable terrors are born. From legends of old black trains to holiday satyrs and straw goats of yore, the winter wind lurks in the deepest of shadows. Hungry for flesh. Waiting for the darkness to return.The spirit of the season is far more than Harold Trapp bargained for.



The Climb: First Steps

A boy with a certain soul traverses high school life while mourning the loss of a parent and slowly reconnecting with another. Still reeling from the death of his late mother, Marc August tries to fit into a new town and home with his over-worked father. Nestled deep in the pacific northwest, the town of Sunset Heights is a place of mystery. Canopied under the chilled northwestern flora. A town without cadence, huddled over by the gray constant cover of clouds. An out-of-the-way hamlet far displaced from the next towns and cities. For those who can find it, a passing waypoint for all the things that go bump in the night. Witness as Marc navigates his way through a myriad of secrets and mysteries hidden in plain sight, all the while trying to lead a normal teenage life, in hopes to live up to his mother's final wishes. First steps Marc stumbles into a series of events that forever and completely change his reality as a simple high school student. The disappearance of certain townsfolk sparks the curiosity of Marc and his group of close friends. When someone close to their circle goes missing, they decide that any gruesome possibility must be faced to find the truth. Inspired by real monsters and cryptid lore from around the globe, The Climb explores several legends and myths, werewolves, vampires, magic, relics, souls, and people of great importance and renown. Witness the first steps of The Climb.

Free Books on Kindle Unlimited #3

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Hi everyone! Welcome back or welcome to the series on my blog where I share books by self-published/small press authors that are free on Kindle Unlimited! Kindle Unlimited is a service where you can get a free trial and then you pay each month and receive unlimited access to millions of ebooks! I'd highly recommend if you love reading ebooks. See the other parts of this series for more free books on Kindle Unlimited! 

So let's take a look at some more indie books that you can read for free on Kindle Unlimited.

The Child of Fire and Earth

"I loved this book! A wonderful and engaging page turner aimed at children/young teens that is full of great characters and imagery but also contains lots of important and positive messages!" - Owen Hollifield

Hew had always dreamt of being a knight. Take that, villain! Yes, princess, of course I'll rescue you. Thank you, your Majesty, yes I am great with a sword. Unfortunately, being a farmer's son made that dream impossible. Real life was more about cleaning animal mess and checking for weeds.

Until he met the dragon.It opened up a hidden world of magic around him. Faeries. Hobgoblins. Monsters, shape changers, brownies; you name them, he met them.

But there was a problem.

A blight to the north was making magic fade from the Earth. If it disappeared completely, then everyone would freeze to death.

Yes, that included Hew's annoying little sister, but even she didn’t deserve to be frozen. He would have to be brave and defeat this blight. The question was…

What could a nearly eleven-year-old do?

Do's and Don'ts When Starting Your Own Business: Insider Tips from Entrepreneurs

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Starting your own business is no easy task. There are many things to consider, and it can be challenging to know where to start. That's why we've asked some successful entrepreneurs to share their insider tips on what to do and don't do when starting your own business. So read on for advice from those who have been there before!

Via Pexels

Indie Showcase #7 Fantasy Books

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Welcome to another indie showcase post where I share some books written by self-published/small press authors! See all previous posts on my indie books page. Today we are looking at indie fantasy books!

The Curse's Light Volume 1

Skylar Prescott is the only girl who knows the truth about their small little town. The town of Lawnsdale is cursed. No one believes the town's crazy girl. Until a strange boy finds himself thrown into the town, and now he can't leave. With Will by her side, Skylar may be able to finally figure out the missing details of the curse, including who's behind it. As Skylar and Will get closer, they can finally uncover all the secrets. But Skylar may find out how she's truly connected to this.







Jasmine Perez and the Wicked Sorceress (Jasmine Perez Series)

This is a story about Jasmine Perez. She is the Princess of one of the many Kingdoms in that Realm. But one day, a Wicked Sorceress kidnapped her people, including her father, the King. Jasmine has to leave her Palace, even though she has never left the Kingdom walls, along with two servants and her fiancé. They go on a long journey and find something that can help the on their mission, and find people who can help them as Jasmine practices her newly discovered magic. There is love, hate, adventure, action, anticipation, and lots of magic. Will she be able to stop arguing with her companions long enough to stay focused? Will she be able to defeat Lilac and save her people? Watch as Jasmine figures out who she is in time to save her Kingdom, and her entire Realm.



Dragon Stones: A Soran Drayce Novel

"There was a time when dragons didn’t simply breathe fire. They shaped and controlled the elements around them with an explosion of magic from their lungs..."

From a young age, Soran was taught that dragons were the bane of the world, needing to be destroyed. After taking upon himself one of the dragon's sacred stones, a magical conduit for their raw power, he has to reflect on his previous conceits, and is forced to confront harsh truths about the war he has been fighting his entire life.

In Dragon Stones, by Amy Henriod, we experience a thrilling magical adventure full of twists and turns. This story brings us into the world of Seraval with it's whimsical adventures of danger and enchantment.

Reading & Stuff Update 2

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Hello! Welcome to my second reading and stuff update. If you missed my first post, you can read it here. You can see all the books I've read on my Goodreads page.

So I read a bit more of The Book of Stolen Dreams but it ended up as a DNF (did not finish). It was very gloomy and there were trigger warnings that I wasn't aware of. It just wasn't what I expected it to be. I looked up spoilers and I wasn't happy with the ending either.

I am still reading The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System and I'm still enjoying it! I finished Georgia the Guinea Pig Fairy

I then got Kindle Unlimited! I wrote a whole post about why I got it and why I love it but Kindle Unlimited is seriously amazing, Since getting it, I have read 5 graphic novels!! 

5 Indie Books to Read! #1

This post contains affiliate links

Something that I am working hard on at the moment is promoting books by self-published and small press authors. Amazing books that tend not to be given as much credit as they deserve. This series is where I showcase 5 books by indie authors. Some of the books will be written by my Ko-Fi members who receive ongoing priority promotion from me. Check them out!

The Fast Little Fox (The Fast Little Fox & Friends)

Have you ever wanted to go on an adventure through the forest? Follow the fast little fox as he discovers more than he can imagine along the way! What will he learn? Can he make it home in time for supper? Read on to find out!

This is an adorable and educational children's book that I have also reviewed on my blog.





Cameron dives into the world of secret shows & a spontaneous summer tour to face his biggest rival: himself. 

One night, Cameron and his best friends, Benji and Eric, fellow musicians themselves, stumble upon a series of underground live music shows called The Hush Society. There they find a community of new musicians who inspire each other and help one another succeed—in music and life. Cameron is instantly drawn to the community—and its founder, Cassie, an enigmatic, artistic wild spirit. When Cassie invites Cameron and his mates to join The Hush Society's summer tour, he decides to give his passion a go one last time. But Cameron sees this as his last shot and feels he must commit fully—sans safety net—if he wants to make it in music. So he does the unthinkable: he drops out of University. Even if his bean-counting father already put in the down payment. Even if it dents his parents' fragmented relationship further. Even if his Dad’s ultimatum (go to Uni or don't ever come home) scares the hell out of him. Will Cameron finally be able to overcome the part of him ruled by fear? Or will he destroy his chances of success, his friendship with his best mates, and ultimately return his doomed life in Beverley?

A contemporary young adult novel about music, friendship and pursuing one's dreams.

Ranked on Amazon as a #1 New Release in the Teen & Young Adult Music eBooks category.

Branches: A Novel

SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE LIFE TOOK A WRONG TURN … WHAT IF IT DID?

This isn’t your life.
This isn’t your timeline.
And there’s a way out.

A mindbending page-turner in the tradition of Dark Matter and The Midnight Library, this surprise Amazon bestseller will make you question everything you know..

“A powerful piece of inventive and topical science fiction [that] will undoubtedly resonate with readers in a way that many stories reach for, but few achieve.” –The BookLife Prize

For one man, the past few years have delivered one shock after another. The election of an authoritarian president. The sudden loss of his mother. A series of debilitating seizures. Now, as America descends into a nightmare, he’s shocked to discover the explanation for his seizures: He’s in the wrong universe.

A drug trial promises to return him to the timeline where he belongs. With his family life strained, his job gone and tanks in the streets, he jumps at the opportunity. But what will he find on the other side?

Take a reality-bending trip filled with surprises and second chances. Visit alternate timelines where life played out very differently, yet one man keeps dying in every one. Explore the roads not taken. Question the nature of fate. And find an answer to the biggest question of all: in a world that feels like it’s spinning out of control, what would it take for one person to make a difference?

Now an international Amazon bestseller, Branches is at once a twisty cerebral drama and a deeply personal journey through fear, grief and redemption.

First in a series.

The Curse's Light Volume 1

Skylar Prescott is the only girl who knows the truth about their small little town. The town of Lawnsdale is cursed. No one believes the town's crazy girl. Until a strange boy finds himself thrown into the town, and now he can't leave. With Will by her side, Skylar may be able to finally figure out the missing details of the curse, including who's behind it. As Skylar and Will get closer, they can finally uncover all the secrets. But Skylar may find out how she's truly connected to this.







Jasmine Perez and the Wicked Sorceress (Jasmine Perez Series)

This is a story about Jasmine Perez. She is the Princess of one of the many Kingdoms in that Realm. But one day, a Wicked Sorceress kidnapped her people, including her father, the King. Jasmine has to leave her Palace, even though she has never left the Kingdom walls, along with two servants and her fiancé. They go on a long journey and find something that can help the on their mission, and find people who can help them as Jasmine practices her newly discovered magic. There is love, hate, adventure, action, anticipation, and lots of magic. Will she be able to stop arguing with her companions long enough to stay focused? Will she be able to defeat Lilac and save her people? Watch as Jasmine figures out who she is in time to save her Kingdom, and her entire Realm.

Please let me know if you pick any of these books up!

Thank you to my Ko-Fi members!~

Jill Horton- check out her children's book
Izzy Matias- check out her YA contemporary book and one of her blog posts!
Adam Peter Johnson- check out his sci-fi dystopian book!
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