Giving thanks to my readers

I have been a published author for a little over a year now and when I first started out I was so nervous at the response I would get. Would anyone actually like what I had to offer? To my surprise the answer is yes. When I first started out my proof readers missed a hell of a lot of mistakes and because of this I have lost stars or two here and there but on a whole I have had reviews saying that the reader could look past the reviews because I had written such a great story. Do you know how much of a great feeling that is to hear? Words can not explain. After the release of my third book I was able to find a really good Editor. Since then I have managed to re-release books 1 & 2 in my series and the reviews since then have been great. The following review I ended up punching the air:

I was given this book for an honest review.

Wow, this is a great beginning for a young adult or new adult series. Even the young at heart would enjoy this. I hope I can get the others in this series to do reviews for because I would love to know what happens next.

I can relate well to Erin as I sometimes felt awkward about my appearance and felt like I didn't fit in with my peers. But this is about Erin and her ups and downs as she discovers who she really is and how it will effect her life. In some ways it is a coming of age story about growing up and facing new things. Yet in other ways it is about a unique adventure that centers around a town or maybe I should say city as it seems to hold more venues than my own small town.

I found myself eagerly reading and turning the pages to devour this story. It was so well written that I easily could become Erin and live her story as I read. This is a mark of a truly gifted author. It was also well edited as I found nothing grammatically wrong with it, not even a typo to be found and I have seen many of those lately.

I have highlighted the last bit to show you what I meant. How great is that? After so many reviews where the reader picked up on the grammar I wanted to cry with joy. 

My best review of all time is a very recent one. Now I cherish all the reviews I receive and I always take the time to read each and every one of them, but this particular one made me squeal so much that I have to share it with you all.

Lavina Urban is the queen of cliff hangers. She builds up this amazing storyline. Then, right as you read the climax... BAM... the story ends. I checked my kindle twice to ensure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me.

At this point, my heart bottomed out as I am not ready to let the story go. Torment is one of those stories that you feel you have become apart of. You want to see the conclusion of the tale your fictional friends live.

Heartbreak

Love

Rebirth

Torment touches your heart and sings to your soul. I think I have have just moved Erin Fire Goddess up to one of my top 5 favorite series. It stands among Harry Potter and Twilight.

Now, I just need to get my hands on the paperbacks... art for my bookshelves.

I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

A day or two after I received this review I received a phone call from my aunt. Now a lot of us authors are really nervous hearing what our family members have to say about our books. When I first started my nan told me I wasn't a real author. She even said that after she had a copy of my first book. It definitely made me chuckle. Well my aunt had read the first book which my cousin had and she loved the story. She told me it is not the normal type of book she reads but it is a great story. Well when she phoned me it was a nail biting moment. She said something along the lines of 'Oh my God. I have just finished the third book and you can not leave it like that. I need the next book as in yesterday.' I informed her that I can not perform miracles but book 3.5 will finish soon. She wasn't happy, that is a good thing right? lol.

I often receive messages from readers from all over the world. The fact that they are outside of the UK makes me giddy :) The messages have been so lovely that I want to reach inside the computer and hug each and everyone of you. You are all the reason I continue you to write.

So I was sitting there the other day and I decided that I wanted to write a blog to thank you all. You are all absolutely amazing and each of you may only be one person, but you all took the time to read one or all of my books, so far. I am so grateful that you chose my books and I really hope that you continue reading them and leaving me such great reviews.

Thank you

Interview with D.Love

Recently I got to read a wonderful book by a fantastic author and straight away I knew I had to interview her and I am so lucky that she agreed and to top it all off she offered to give away a signed copy of her book to one of you wonderful people. I am sorry to say but this offer is only open to US citizens only.

Let me start by saying what a fantastic cover this is and it is designed by a fellow author Airicka Phoenix. What a great job she did!

Blurb:

In life, there are times you are granted a miracle. It may not be the one you wanted exactly, but it will be the one you need. It will prepare you for the next step in your journey and help you learn to accept the life you are given, even if that life can be heartbreaking.

My Review:

I heard about this book through friends on Facebook and everyone was telling me what a great read it is and how much they cried.

I was intrigued to say the least so I went ahead got it,and if I am honest I was scared to read it.

Eventually though I took the plunge picked it up and read it.

OMG I have never ever cried so much by reading a book. The way the author tells the story is truly amazing.

It is the story about a 25 year old girl called Rye and her life with a brain tumour and how in life you a lot of people take things for granted and how you should live for Today Only.

This story is an emotional roller coaster with lots of highs and lows.

I have to say that this is probably the best book I have EVER read and I would recommend that everyone take the time to read this heart felt story.

I will give you one warning before you start reading this story.......... Please make sure you have plenty of boxes of tissues because you will need them.

Interview:

Hi Derinda. Thank you so much for agreeing to let me interview you.

Now I know you from Young Adult and Teen Readers and I am one of the lucky ones to not only have you on my friends list but you are your Admin team have also helped promote my books. For that I would like to thank you all.

As you know I went out and bought your book ‘Today Only’ and I had to have it as a paperback. I don’t know why exactly, but when I saw friends on Facebook talking about it I knew I needed to have it as a paperback before my normal ‘read it as an eBook, if I like I will buy paperback’.

I have to say that when it arrived I was scared to pick it up, but fate kind of stepped in and broke my husband’s kindle (which I have stolen lol) so I decided to take the bull by the horns and read it.

I was not sure what exactly to expect. Yeah I thought maybe I would shed a few tears but OMG hun it was as if you had put your hand inside me and ripped down the walls and made me sit up and pay attention.

There is a lesson to learn with this book and that is you only have one life and that is precious and you need to live your life and take each day as it comes and see all of the beauty around you and treasure it.

Anyway I am just rambling here and I know myself and other readers want to know answers to a lot of questions.

What inspired you to write this story? I know at the beginning that it says fictional but I felt that you must have experienced something like this to be able to write this so beautifully.

My biggest inspiration was my daughter. However, Today Only was written for everyone that has went through a similar experience. There is so much that I hope people take from this book. I hope that they will know that with love you can conquer the hardest tasks in life. I hope that people will learn to see all the beauty life has to offer, as well as the importance of family, memories and support. Most of all, value what we have in "Today Only".

At the beginning when I first met Dee I thought that sounds just like you and then you brought in Jodie and everyone else I thought OMG it so is you and I laughed so hard as I could picture all of you acting that way. Is this what goes on at UtopYA? Because I plan on being part of it one year and I am not sure if I should be excited or scared lol.

You should be excited of course. LOL So much goes on at Utopya, but as the saying goes “what happens in Nashville, stays in Nashville”

Soooooooooooo the Penis club………… is this real? Lol

*snickers* yes there actually is, however it was just something made for giggles, it was a way to brighten people's days.

Have you managed to capture a cowboy yet? ;)

That would be a big NO! But I have high hopes :)

As a reader it was an emotional rollercoaster, was it hard to write? Because I have written a few sad scenes in my books (nowhere near like yours) and I needed tissues.

The ending was the hardest part to write for me. It actually made me bed sick and a emotional wreck for days. I was so bad that my family asked me to change the ending.

If I am honest I didn’t even know you were writing a book or had even written one until I saw people posting about it on Facebook. Do you have any other stories that you are working on? If so can you tell me about them.

Actually yes, I am hoping (crosses fingers) if everything goes okay. I will be releasing the first book in “The Bailey Trilogy” at the end of September.

What does the future hold for you Derinda? Do you have any other projects besides writing that you would like to share?

Well I have some signings set up this year. I also will be working on the yearly Charity event. Also 2 books to release.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answering my questions J

Author Bio:

I live in Maine. My biggest passion is for my family and friends. I adore loving others as if it is the biggest gift life can offer. I'm a read-a-holic, loves chocolate, cowboys and everyone on Young Adult & Teen Readers Facebook page. My dream is to travel to Australia one day and see a kangaroo. I am nothing but simple. I do a lot of volunteer work. I have 2 beautiful daughters. 4 grandchildren, that constantly ask me if I lived in the black & white days.

My inspiration would be my daughters. Rita for her strength to keep fighting and constantly try to take care of me. Even though sometimes she cant get out of the bed. Kayla, for helping pick up all the pieces that seem to fall, when times get rough. And the love they have for me.

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All these are cowboys are for you Derinda

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