Another Milestone at Sony Reader Store

Can’t thank all you wonderful Sony readers enough.

KDP Select Update

I had very mixed feelings about the KDP Select initiative, mainly because of the exclusivity clause. Although my sales with Amazon have been poor, my books were charting well with other e-book distributors, reaching the top twenty in some cases. To surrender this success, in the hope of increased sales with Amazon, seemed a very large gamble. I waited for a couple of months before taking the plunge and reluctantly enrolling with Select.

My free books promotions were very successful, but made little difference to my paid sales post promotion. Indeed, the income generated was considerably less than that which I would have earned if I had not withdrawn my books from other channels. After the ninety days I did not pursue the Select option and with some trepidation I republished my books with the other distributors. Would I ever see my books regaining their former rankings? Had I blown it? One retailer’s category had doubled its number of books in the time I was absent. I would be a small fish in an even bigger pond.

Imagine my delight to see, three weeks after republishing, some of my books already in the top 100. There are still a few niggles to sort out, in that not all of my books have been listed. I feel that KDP Select was a brave but misguided attempt by Amazon to market books. To flood the market with free books will not help the authors or Amazon in the long run. I sincerely believe that the bulk of people who downloaded my free books will probably never read them. I have always distributed free copies of some of my books, but in a more controlled manner and to people who are genuinely interested in reading them.

Nice way to start the weekend

For any writer the best reward is when a reader takes time out to send you a note of appreciation. Just received this comment on An Evil Shadow. What a great way to start a weekend.

Review of Piwko’s Proof by Frances di Plino

http://francesdiplinoreviews.blogspot.com/

Piwko’s Proof is so very close to being a five star read, but the opening chapter, instead of providing a hook that drags the reader into the story, is actually its weak point. The novel opens in a distant point of view as we follow two unknown men breaking into a home and kidnapping Conrad Carlson, an assistant director of the FBI. The two men in question are bit part players. We never again return to their point of view, so are left wondering why most of chapter one was written from their perspective.

Had the book opened in Conrad Carlson’s point of view at the moment the kidnappers enter his marital bedroom, we could have been right there in the moment.

We next discover (during a long section which introduces more people we will never see again) that Carlson’s release is dependent on a stay of execution for Tom Austin, convicted paedophile and child killer. If we had been in Carlson’s head during the kidnapping and so identifying with him, this information would have put fear into our hearts, knowing there was no way the state could comply.

However, once we get over chapter one the book takes off and becomes a really enjoyable read with plenty of drama, violence, intrigue and plot twists to keep any thriller fan turning the pages.

In chapter two we get to meet the main character of the novel, Harry Meurant, a small town lawyer who represents the eponymous Piwko. Piwko, incarcerated in a maximum security prison, claims he has evidence that will exonerate Austin of murder, meaning the death penalty can be overturned.

Meurant takes the information Piwko has given him to the FBI, who aren’t inclined to take the claim seriously. From this point onwards, Meurant’s life is in danger, but we only discover who is trying to kill him right at the end of the book.

There are a few subplots running alongside the main thread which give the novel added interest while throwing the reader off the scent.

I thoroughly enjoyed Piwko’s Proof and can’t help wishing it had come to me for critique, rather than for review. I would have advised the author to scrap chapter one and rewrite it, putting us in the head of the kidnapped man. With that change, I’d be rating this five stars all the way. As it is, it’s still a good read and one I have no hesitation in recommending.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Piwkos-Proof-ebook/dp/B003B65640/ref=pd_sim_kinc_4

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/10860

Remember the Titanic and then read Churchill’s Queen

                                

The great Atlantic liners continue to fascinate us, no more so than on the centenary of the Titanic’s tragic maiden voyage. James Cameron’s epic is re-released in 3D, the TV mini-series is being aired, and several authors have published books based on that infamous night in April 1912.

If you are one of the thousands captivated by the story, then AJ Davidson’s Churchill’s Queen is sure to also enthral you. Based on actual events, it tells the story behind the RMS Queen Elizabeth’s historic maiden voyage. A fast paced World War II thriller for some, a passionate romance destined to end in tragedy for others. This story appeals to all.

Available from Amazon and Smashwords.

http://www.amazon.com/Churchills-Queen-ebook/dp/B0037KMHCE

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/10765

St. Patrick’s Day Treat

I have all seven of my thrillers priced at $0.99 in celebration of St. Patrick’s day. Here’s hoping we beat the English at Twickenham.

Wounded Tiger is set in Ireland, Churchill’s Queen has an Irish protagonist, the others are American.

http://www.amazon.com/Wounded-Tiger-ebook/dp/B003BLPJHY

A serial rapist stalks the streets of Malahide, a genteel coastal town twelve miles north of Dublin. The police have few leads, but then someone turns the table on the attacker by targeting his sister. Detective Sean Horan is faced with unravelling a very tangled web. A complex crime thriller set in post-boom Ireland.

http://www.amazon.com/Churchills-Queen-ebook/dp/B0037KMHCE

Sabotage thriller set in the early days of World War II. Two Abwehr agents are landed in Scotland by u-boat, their mission is to destroy a vital part of the British war machine. Although apparently foiled, did their plan ultimately succeed 32 years later in Hong Kong harbour?

http://www.amazon.com/An-Evil-Shadow-ebook/dp/B003AYEM66

The first in a series of books, each one taking a different crime as its theme. Val Bosanquet, a former New Orleans detective, is offered a job as Chief of a campus PD. A Haitian child killer he helped convict for the murder of her mother has just been enrolled at the university. Val stumbles across new evidence linking the ten-year old murder to a disgraced cop and one of America’s most popular sportswear companies. Corporate corruption and Voodoo make for a volatile mix in the deep south.

http://www.amazon.com/Death-Sentence-ebook/dp/B003AYENAG

Death Sentence sees the return of recalcitrant detective Val Bosanquet from An Evil Shadow. Val stumbles across Diane Laing, the victim of a ten-year-old abduction, the last of four young women who disappeared. Val’s attempts to locate the other victims inadvertently puts Diane at risk. When she is abducted a second time, Val faces down the FBI and a bomber to rescue the woman he loves.

http://www.amazon.com/Decoys-ebook/dp/B004D4ZQUS

A USMC gunnery sergeant is murdered on his last day in the Corps.

A sadistic serial killer is targeting the clients of Miami’s fidelity testing agencies. Probationary police officer Kate Shannon is asked to infiltrate the Sirens’ agency in a desperate attempt to discover how the killer is targeting his victims. But Kate has a motive of her own in accepting the honey trap assignment, unaware that the greatest threat she’ll face will come from someone she trusts completely. An omission that she may well pay for with her life.

http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Ghosts-ebook/dp/B003BEDY78

When counterfeiter Steve Stricker leaves prison he discovers that his former partner-in-crime was murdered on the same day he was arrested by the Secret Service. His attempts to bring the killer to justice exposes a family torn apart by incest and political corruption. Steve shares what he knows with the Secret Service agent who arrested him, but can he be trusted?

http://www.amazon.com/Piwkos-Proof-ebook/dp/B003B65640

When a FBI assistant-director is kidnapped, his captors demand the release of a death row inmate in return for his freedom. Only one man can assist the FBI’s nationwide hunt. An inmate of Angola, Jim Piwko has information which might save the abducted man’s life. But not everyone wants it known.

St. Patrick’s Week Bargains

I have all seven of my thrillers priced at $0.99 in celebration of St. Patrick’s week. Here’s hoping we beat the English at Twickenham on the big day itself.

Wounded Tiger is set in Ireland, Churchill’s Queen has an Irish protagonist, the others are American.

http://www.amazon.com/Wounded-Tiger-ebook/dp/B003BLPJHY

A serial rapist stalks the streets of Malahide, a genteel coastal town twelve miles north of Dublin. The police have few leads, but then someone turns the table on the attacker by targeting his sister. Detective Sean Horan is faced with unravelling a very tangled web. A complex crime thriller set in post-boom Ireland.

http://www.amazon.com/Churchills-Queen-ebook/dp/B0037KMHCE

Sabotage thriller set in the early days of World War II. Two Abwehr agents are landed in Scotland by u-boat, their mission is to destroy a vital part of the British war machine. Although apparently foiled, did their plan ultimately succeed 32 years later in Hong Kong harbour?

http://www.amazon.com/An-Evil-Shadow-ebook/dp/B003AYEM66

The first in a series of books, each one taking a different crime as its theme. Val Bosanquet, a former New Orleans detective, is offered a job as Chief of a campus PD. A Haitian child killer he helped convict for the murder of her mother has just been enrolled at the university. Val stumbles across new evidence linking the ten-year old murder to a disgraced cop and one of America’s most popular sportswear companies. Corporate corruption and Voodoo make for a volatile mix in the deep south.

http://www.amazon.com/Death-Sentence-ebook/dp/B003AYENAG

Death Sentence sees the return of recalcitrant detective Val Bosanquet from An Evil Shadow. Val stumbles across Diane Laing, the victim of a ten-year-old abduction, the last of four young women who disappeared. Val’s attempts to locate the other victims inadvertently puts Diane at risk. When she is abducted a second time, Val faces down the FBI and a bomber to rescue the woman he loves.

http://www.amazon.com/Decoys-ebook/dp/B004D4ZQUS

A USMC gunnery sergeant is murdered on his last day in the Corps.

A sadistic serial killer is targeting the clients of Miami’s fidelity testing agencies. Probationary police officer Kate Shannon is asked to infiltrate the Sirens’ agency in a desperate attempt to discover how the killer is targeting his victims. But Kate has a motive of her own in accepting the honey trap assignment, unaware that the greatest threat she’ll face will come from someone she trusts completely. An omission that she may well pay for with her life.

http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Ghosts-ebook/dp/B003BEDY78

When counterfeiter Steve Stricker leaves prison he discovers that his former partner-in-crime was murdered on the same day he was arrested by the Secret Service. His attempts to bring the killer to justice exposes a family torn apart by incest and political corruption. Steve shares what he knows with the Secret Service agent who arrested him, but can he be trusted?

http://www.amazon.com/Piwkos-Proof-ebook/dp/B003B65640

When a FBI assistant-director is kidnapped, his captors demand the release of a death row inmate in return for his freedom. Only one man can assist the FBI’s nationwide hunt. An inmate of Angola, Jim Piwko has information which might save the abducted man’s life. But not everyone wants it known. 

An Early Christmas Present

A reader has just e-mailed me with the news that An Evil Shadow, the prequel to Death Sentence, is the best selling Indie thriller at both Sony’s US and Canadian Reader Stores. Piwko’s Proof is not far behind.  A big thank you to all who’ve bought my books. Have a great holiday season. Stay safe.

Who looks at people’s hands?

I have been writing a scene which includes the description of a man’s hands. It made me think about how little I look at hands, or indeed, if I could recognize my friends from their hands. The old saying goes – I knew it as well as the back of my hand –  but do we really know our own hands? I presume women will look at hands more than men, if only to check out rings or manicures, but I can’t remember the last time I made a careful examination of someone’s hands. Most literary descriptions are limited to the tapering fingers of a pianist or artist, or the calloused, rough hands of a manual worker. Sherlock Holmes always made a beeline for hands, so maybe it’s time we took a hands-on approach.

Launch of Death Sentence

I have finished Death Sentence, my second Val Bosanquet story and a sequel to An Evil Shadow. So far it is available at Amazon and Smashwords, but the other distributions channels will follow shortly, especially for all my Sony readers where An Evil Shadow has been such a hit.

Blurb:   Death Sentence sees the return of recalcitrant detective Val Bosanquet from An Evil Shadow. Val stumbles across Diane Laing, the victim of a ten-year-old abduction and the last of four young women who disappeared. Val’s attempts to locate the other victims inadvertently puts Diane at risk. When she is abducted a second time, Val faces down the FBI and a bomber to rescue the woman he loves.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87798

http://www.amazon.com/Death-Sentence-ebook/dp/B003AYENAG/ref=sr_1_9?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1315813577&sr=1-9