Ten Tips for Promoting Your Books on Twitter w/ Kayelle Allen ***GIVEAWAY***

Ten Tips for Promoting Your Books on Twitter

You have a Twitter account, and you know the basics. You can reply, retweet messages, include a link, and you know how to mention tweeps (Twitter peeps). So what else is there? Here are ten simple things you can do to promote your writing and your books on Twitter.

Bonus tip: Use your writing name as your twitter handle. Mine is @kayelleallen.

1. Keep in mind that Twitter is a source. Use it as a tool to find new friends, learn new tricks, and in doing so, spread your name before the masses.
2. On your Twitter home page, click the @yourname link to see a list of mentions and followers. Send out a "Welcome new followers" message and list your new tweeps. Be sure to include the @ symbol with their handles, so others can find them. People love to be mentioned.
3. Follow other authors in your genre, and involve them in your tweets.
4. Retweet their book announcements. What goes around comes around.
5. When you read an article about books, marketing, or writing, copy the URL and paste it into Twitter to share with tweeps. Be a resource.
6. Thank people for retweeting your tweets. To do this, highlight the message, copy it, then click reply, and paste it into the blank message. In front write "Thanks for the RT". If you're short on space, you can put TY 4 RT. This sends out your message again, and both mentions and thanks the other person. And yes, this is appropriate to do. You can also reply, and just say Thanks for the RT.
7. For every one thing you say about your books, find ten things to say about others. If you do this consistently, when you post info about a book trailer, a new release, or a blog you've posted, your tweeps will retweet it.
8. Use #hashtags that others are using. Click them, and they'll conduct an immediate search for everywhere the tag is being used, showing you some useful information. Some helpful ones: #authors #ebooks, #books, #amwriting, #askeditor, #nanowrimo, #pubtip, #writertips, #marketing... You get the drift. Here's a list for more ideas. http://is.gd/HmZiPI On the right side of your home page, you'll see Trending Topics. Click a few of these and read for a bit. Retweet ones that amuse or touch you. You might find a new follower or someone to follow as well.
9. Click the Who To Follow link, and check out some new people. One of Twitter's best features is it lets you meet and follow people you'd have never met otherwise.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kayelle Allen's motto is "romance lives forever." She enjoys hiking, movies, reading, and SciFi conventions. A multipublished, award winning author with character-driven, plot-heavy SciFi Romances, her worldbuilding skills include alien languages and 10k years of future history. Kayelle is known for unstoppable heroes, uncompromising love, unforgettable passion. Find Kayelle Allen at these fine bookstores:  Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Fictionwise, or wherever good ebooks are sold.

You can find Kayelle Allen by using following links :

Books By Kayelle (Blog)

http://twitter.com/#!/kayelleallen

Facebook

***CONTEST***

Everyone who leaves a post is welcome to email me for a free set of pumpkin stencils for Halloween. Send an email to kayelle.allen@yahoo.com and put BrandyzBooks in the subject. I'll email you a zip file of the stencils in pdf format, complete with directions on how to use them to create a special pumpkin. Then, I'll draw one name on Saturday, make sure to post by Noon (12:00 CT)  for a download of the ebook of your choice from my backlist. http://kayelleallen.com/Books.html  My privacy policy: if you email me for a contest, I won't use your email for any other purpose without your permission.

Here's the question to answer on the blog: What's a favorite hashtag you use on Twitter?

Good Luck everyone!!!  I would like to thank Kayelle for coming on my blog and I hope you all enjoy the post.  I know I did :)

~Brandy

Kristal McKerrington joins us and has a ***GIVEAWAY***

Hello The Wonderful Readers of Brandzy's books,

Today I have some of the most exciting blog posts for you all. I have a CONTEST, where you can win a copy of Burning From Within: Inside Kristal McKerrington. All you have to do is make the best comment on the blog to win. Not only am I sharing this book with you. I'm also sharing sneak peeks of the double book release I have come in the shape of A Different Life's fourth and fifth books. A Different Life: I Just Want To Be Loved and A Different Life: My Sacrifice.

A series that has had many debates held within the XoXo Publishing Staff as we grow closer to the final A Different Life book. The 10^th book will be out next year. We are just halfway through releasing the series and the readers of this great series is half and half on which character is there favourite.

However, let me talk to you about my Autobiography, 'Burning From Within: Inside Kristal McKerrington'. A book that doesn't just talk about my raise into the Publishing world from a world of doubt. It also helps me to help the Arthritic Association and the Dyslexia Association.

By buying this Autobiography, which has graced the Bestsellers list on Amazon. In the US it entered in at number #75 in the Top Paid 100, Collections, Memoirs and Biographies. It stayed there several weeks before crashing out of the charts. In the UK it is also been and has remained on the Best Sellers list in this category. It entered at #67 and is hanging in there at #76.

You can check it out, the link to both its best sellers position is at the bottom and its buy link on the Amazon, encase you want to buy the book. I want to know share the blurb for the book with you along with the blurbs of my upcoming double A Different Life releases that has seen many staff members of my Publishing House debating, who Layla should chose. Who would you chose?

Burning From Within:Inside Kristal McKerrington's Blurb:

Kristal McKerrington, a young twenty-two year old author opens up her heart and her life for her readers in hope to inspire and give hope for Rheumatoid Arthritic and Dyslexia sufferers out there. To show them that there is such a thing of getting your dream. She hopes that by writing this book that she can help raise awareness to all of the sufferers out there and help to show them that determination along with dreaming is all you need sometimes. Learn about this woman, who's over come the odds to become a full time, multi time published author.

A Different Life: I Just Want To Be Loved's Blurb:

'Layla's world is crumbling around her ears when Cameron leaves her. Edward and Will desperately try to put her back together when she finds out she is pregnant. Who is the father? Being moved to the truck can Layla come to a decision on, who she is going to be with?  With the idea that sacrifices are apart of life, what is she planning and will she survive a cruel twist of fate?'

Last, but never least A Different Life: My Sacarifice's Blurb:

'Layla's world is crumbling around her ears when Cameron leaves her. Edward and Will desperately try to put her back together when she finds out she is pregnant. Who is the father? Being moved to the truck can Layla come to a decision on, who she is going to be with?  With the idea that sacrifices are apart of life, what is she planning and will she survive a cruel twist of fate?'

I want to thank you all for coming out today and I hope that you will check out Burning From Within: Inside Kristal McKerrington. If you don't win it today then please go and buy it on Amazon in order to help the Associations that work with research companies to make life better for both set of sufferers. If your hooked on the A Different Life, then A Different Life: Three Lane Highway (Book 1 and 2) along with Book 3 A Different Life: A Valentines Day Save is all ready out on Amazon and on XoXo Publishing's Site. All the buy links are below. Thank you Brandy for having me and I hope that she will have me back for the releases of the double A Different Life Books.

Bestsellers UK Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/digital-text/362188031/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_kinc_1_5_last#4 

Burning From Within: Inside Kristal McKerrington's Buy Link: 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Burning-Within-McKerrington-Conquering-ebook/dp/B005ALR9T4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319385263&sr=8-1 

A Different Life: Three Lane Highway's Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Different-Life-Three-Highway-ebook/dp/B004U7M2VY/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1319385976&sr=8-6 

A Different Life: A Valentines Day Save's Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Different-Life-Valentines-Save-ebook/dp/B004RPMMXM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1319385976&sr=8-5

Kristal McKerrington

***Kristal I would like to thank you for coming on my blog.  One lucky commentor will win a copy of Kristal's amazing book, all you have to do is leave a comment to win.  ~Brandy***

Write What You Feel by Venus Cahill ***CONTEST***

I'm a big believer in the old adage write what you know.
Or rather what I should say is write what you feel. I cannot talk for all writers but for me there is always a piece of myself in everything I write, the need to relate to one of my characters, which is why I prefer my heroines to be curvy girls. I hated the fact that all the girls and later the women who resembled me were either the best-friend, the third-wheel or the comedic relief. I didn't want to be the side-kick, I wanted to be me and get my sexy man.

Even as a child when I would spin tales of fairies and princesses they always looked like me, after all I couldn't rely on picture books or television where all of the pretty girls were always blond, thin and beautiful. I'm beautiful too so why can't I have my very own fairy tale?
Now don't get me wrong I still want the fantasy of the typical romance novel but I want to be able to close my eyes and easily picture myself in the heroine's shoes. Shoes in most cases I would not be caught dead in, really if you knew what a klutz I am you would understand the horror the thought of spiked high-heels instills in me.Just because I write my women on the curvy side does not mean everything I write about is autobiographical. To my knowledge, I have never met a werewolf or a vampire; I have never had sex with a stranger in a darkened photography development lab and I've never murdered a co-worker. Yet every piece I write is a piece of me, full of my feelings and emotions, the imaginings of my soul.
I write because I have to, it is a something I have to do, something that makes me happy. It is my passion and in so doing I feel I must stay true to myself and that is why I write curvy women. I am a different kind of heroine and I chose to believe that there are others out their like me.

My name is Venus and I write stories where the curvy girl gets her man.http://www.venusbookluvr.blogspot.com 

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?Id=723880586


You can blame my parents for my love of reading and my personality! My first vivid memory is of my mother sitting me down on the potty with a book in my hands. Ever since then I will read anything available including extremely outdated magazines and shampoo bottles (rinse and repeat).
As far as my personality, when you are named for an amatory Roman Goddess you can’t help but start reading Harlequin novels when your classmates are still reading Judy Blume.
When I was a teen my father used to yell at me to get outside in the fresh air and I would have to sneak a book down my pant-leg, which was no easy task seeing as I was (and still am) a supreme klutz who trips over her own feet at least twice a day.
I usually have a minimum of four books on the go at the same time. I read fiction and non-fiction anything I can get my hands on; I love kilted hotties, demons with hearts of gold, and shape shifting Alpha males. My favorite heroines are curvy gals, after all I find them easy to relate to. However my favorites are happily-ever-after romances.

Venus

*** Venus has a new book out Cupdakes For My Birthday.   She is going to give away an ebook to a lucky commentor so make sure to leave your email addy.  You do not have to GFC my page but it would be appreciated.  I hope you enjoy Venus' books as much as I do.  Venus, thank you again for visiting us!!!*** 

Cupcakes For My Birthday by Venus Cahill

$1.99

ISBN: 978-1-927027-53-0

Karen is a curvy girl who leads a rather staid life that is until she decides to get a tattoo on her birthday. Now she finds herself experiencing more excitement than she has ever had in her entire life. Hunter has been fantasizing about his new neighbour for months but he can’t tell if she’s just too shy or not interested. When she walks into his tattoo parlour he decides that it’s finally time to find out and to make his move. Can two people from different worlds come together and find true love?

www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=200&adultshowcat=0&adultshowcat_randhash=ee98bbb49cdd9ceb2c2cdf762d8fb4b9

Moonlight Tales by Venus Cahill & Ashley Marie Lucas
$2.99

When the bodies of beautiful blond women start showing up in Silver Wolf territory Alpha Jason Likos contacts the Blue Moon pack to help him solve the murders. Detective Phoebe Azure and pack Beta Alex Yarrow are sent to help solve the crimes but as soon as they arrive in town they are get a very unwelcome surprise.
Phoebe’s Wolf by Ashley Marie Lucas
Used to relying on her detective skills and her were abilities Phoebe Azure is beyond frustrated to find herself in serious trouble. The only man who can rescue her is Silver Wolf Alpha Jason Likos but can he save her in time to catch a murderer and find Phoebe’s missing friend?

Yarrow’s Vampire by Venus Cahill
Honoria, ruthless mistress to the Haven Coven is used to defending herself from those who wish to over throw her and gain control but she has never had to defend her heart before. Can a strong man of action like Beta Alex Yarrow be content to let his woman fight her own battles?

Buy Link Amazon

XOXO Publishing

Christmas Anthology Vol. II (Sweet)
$3.85
978-1-897521-72-4
http://xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=101&products_id=112

Love Tells All - Valentine's Day Anthology
$2.95
978-1-897521-88-5

A collection of romantic stories set around Valentine's Day.
http://xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=101&products_id=134

A Mother's Day Anthology - A Mothers Love is always Abundant
$2.95
978-1-927027-01-1

A collection of stories, memoirs and recipes that celebrate a mother's love. Give a copy to your mom today! Amazon

http://xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=101&products_id=137

**Review** Whatnots and Doodads by Stacey Kennedy 5 STARS

Bryanna is an earth witch whose magic never quite works the ways she wants. She has been living a life of sorrow. Her parents wrote her off when she turned 18 and her "ex" boyfriend, Layton, lied to her and was only after her money. Bryanna decides its better to just leave and start over someplace new. But when that starts in disaster Zeke comes to her rescue.

Zeke is a demon, a "good" demon. He gave up his old life, taking souls for Satan, because he wanted to save souls instead. Zeke takes Bryanna back to Strange Hollow, a community tha is made up of supernatural creatures who don't fit in anywhere else. It's perfect for a good demon and a witch whose powers go wonky.

When Zeke meets Bryanna, its lust at first site. He feels the need to protect her from getting hurt, even from himself. Zeke has been trying to make up for his early life as a soul taker. Neither are looking for love but they don't deny their attraction to each other.

When Layton shows up to get Bryanna back things get crazy.  Will she finally see him for the liar he is or will she leave with him and go back to a life full of lies and dissapproval???

Whatnots and Doodads is the perfect short story. It has just enough action, romance and background info to awnser all your questions. It has the perfect balance and does not overstress one area of the story and leave the rest lacking with tons of questions like other short stories and some full length novels do.

The characters are well thought out and come together to make this story one of the best I have ever read. It really pulls you in from the beginning of the story and leaves you wanting more at the end. I do not usually read short stories because they always leave unawnsered questions or the balance is wrong but I am THRILLED to say that isn't the case with Whatnots and Doodads. I truly hope to hear more from Bryanna and Zeke and the small community of Strange Hallow.

You can buy Whatnots and Doodads at

Amazon
All Romance
Liquid Silver Books

You can find Stacey Kennedy at

http://www.staceykennedy.com/

I hope you enjoyed this review :)

~Brandy

***Review*** Elfin Blood by Gracen Miller 4 out of 5 Stars

Julija is an elf, part Ivory and Wood Elf. She has grown up being shunned by other elves because she wasn't pure, only being recognized when her skills are needed. She is known as a theif by her people. The Ivory King, Alberic, makes sure to use that to his advantage when the "Ivory Elfin Book of Lore" is stolen by the Crimson Elf (Vampire),Landau Jamieson.

Landau Jamieson is a Crimson Elf who lives among humans and walks in the daylight, thanks to the "Ivory Elfin Book of Lore". He is also shunned and looked down at because he was turned into a vampire. He escaped with his life when the Ivory Elves' decided to irradicate his kind. Landau has been a vampire for thousands of years and he has built a new life for himself, with one small problem he can't have sex...

When Julija first meets Landau, face to face, sparks fly and Landau feels passion for the 1st time since his Ivory Elf days. Julija feels the pull but is discusted that she would feel anything for this vampire and tries to concentrate on staying out of Landau's reach, getting the book back and keeping King Alberic from abusing her further.

Will Julija be able to get back the book before she loses more than her pride... like her heart and can Landau learn to trust someone again after the betrayal of his people.

This is a very Erotic book. If you like a mixture of Fairies, Vamps and magic then this is the book for you. It has unexpected twists and turns that keep you wanting more. Its a great read for a cold dark night :)

Gracen Miller has written another awesome book. If you like this review please check out her other books Pandora's Box and Fairy Casanova. You won't be disappointed!!!

Links to purchase:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Trick or Treat Spooktacular Giveaways @ A Book Lovers Review

A Book Lovers Review is hosting an awesome Halloween contest Oct 13th-31st, Trick or Treat Spooktacular Giveaways.  Follow this link to the 1st entry and follow the directions...

 http://www.abook-loversreview.com/2011/10/trick-or-treat-day-1-spooktacular.html

Its simple and has AWESOME prizes!!! Good Luck :)

~Brandy

My Dad's a Paranormal Investigator: Seeking Shapeshifters by Rebekah Purdy , 5 Stars *****Review*****

I think that this was an amazing book.  I love YA books aswell as adult books and I like to read most YA's before I let me daughters read them and this book would be perfect for any child ages 12+.  It was well written and I love the main theme of the book.

Ima Blue Berry is the child of a paranormal investigator who has his own TV show Berry PI.  Ima is loves the paranormal as much as her father but when the TV season ends they move to Alaska to look for more places to investigate in the off season.  Ima soon discovers that there is more to Alaska than just ghosts... boys.  She also has to decide who to trust and if blood is thicker than water.

The end of the book leaves a few unawnsered questions that I would have loved to know the awnsers to but it is a great opportunity for Ms Purdy to write a sequel, HINT HINT :) I hope that you will all check out this book and even if you don't normally read YAs this is a book that doesn't disappoint even for those of us that prefer more adult genres.