Reading instead of writing – A Review of: Once Upon a Zombie Apocalypse

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Charlotte Copper

I have noticed two things lately when it comes to my reading habits…1) I enjoy reading novellas more, and 2) I don’t have the patience for some books. The two go hand-in-hand because a novella gets to the point, it doesn’t drag things out or say the same thing over and over. (In my mind, a novella is usually less than 100 pages but I’ve seen them referred to as novellas up to about 200 pages.)

I’m reading a 300 page romance right now (the title I won’t mention because I don’t believe in bad reviews) and according to my kindle I’m 80% of the way through it, so I’m going to stick it out. I understand – as a writer and a reader – that romance needs conflict, but I’m really getting tired of the heroine repeatedly questioning the hero’s intentions.

At one point in the current romance, I got tired of the repetition and started a novella called Once Upon A Zombie Apocalypse – Jade (aka: OUAZA-Jade) by Jennifer Malone Wright. Let me add that I actually BOUGHT this book. I have over 100 free books that I have downloaded on my Kindle and I promised myself no more purchases until I got some of them read, but the blurb and review of this book had me intrigued. (The other great thing about novellas is the price. In this case, $0.99 at Amazon.com)

Anyway, I really enjoyed OUAZA-Jade. The story is written by two writer friends about two writer friends, and the fictional friends are on their way back from a writers’ conference when the apocalypse breaks out. The book manages to successfully incorporate humor while showing us the challenges and fears that the fictional friends face (including getting home to their families). There is also an OUAZA-Kylee version written by the 2nd author of the series KB Miller. Together these two novellas make-up the first book in the series.

If you are looking for a fun and inexpensive way to spend an hour, I highly recommend this book. It’s cheaper than the movies and you can bring your own popcorn.

Here is the book’s blurb:

Chemical Warfare has turned most of the world’s population into flesh eating Zombies. These are the accounts of two survivors.

Kylee and Jade are on their way from one author convention to another. After saying goodbye to all their friends, they never dreamed the plane would land with them fighting for their lives.

Jade Warwick has been preparing for the end of the world for years, but she never thought the world would end with zombies. The only thing salvaging her almost lost sanity is the fact that she is with her best friend, Kylee.

With their first mission being to find their families, will the girls manage to save their families while trying to save each other?

Sneak Peek Sunday – my new release: Silver Blade

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Charlotte Copper

It’s official, my e-novella Silver Blade is now available!! At this time it is only available for Kindle via Amazon’s KDP at Silver Blade Buy link (The general release date is July 24th) So for this week and as part of Sneak Peek Sunday, I’m posting the first six paragraphs of Silver Blade…

Silver Blade

Dusk was settling in. A solitary headlight approached in her rearview mirror. With a whoosh, a motorcycle passed, the single red taillight ascending the next hill. A second pair of headlights came over the rise behind Angela, advancing quickly and illuminating her mirrors. Her hands tightened on the steering wheel as a massive black SUV shot out around her, its size and speed shaking the little car.

“What the…?” she exclaimed to the empty passenger seat. She witnessed the speeding monster climb the long low hill, gaining on the motorcycle. Although night was approaching fast, she could see the larger vehicle pull alongside the motorcycle, entering into the opposite lane. The two vehicles neared the top of the hill, the SUV hidden by the rise to oncoming traffic. The black mammoth swerved and sent the much smaller vehicle off the road into the grass and trees.

“Holy crap!” she cried out, removing her foot from the gas. Surely there must have been another vehicle approaching to cause the SUV to make such a drastic move. She watched the top of the hill, but no other traffic came, nor did the huge vehicle come back to check on the ill-fated bike and rider.

She returned pressure to the accelerator and followed the deserted country hill to the approximate spot where the motorcycle left the road. The pounding of her heart echoed against her temples. She closed her eyes. Deep breath. Relax.

She grabbed her purse from the passenger seat and climbed out of the car. She rooted around in the large satchel and found the rough cut of keys at the bottom. She hurried around to the back of the car and popped the trunk, then stared at its contents. A few boxes and two suitcases, one his and one hers.

Her brother, Bobby, a park ranger, had come across his share of bears and wild animals, but instead his life had been taken by a drunk driver. She was on her way back from burying him, his few items worth keeping packed away in the flimsy cardboard. She shook off the memories and yanked forward a small metal box.

Back to Sneak Peek Sunday: http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.ca/

Blog Tours

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Charlotte Copper

Well, as I mentioned before, I have a release date for Silver Blade of July 24th. What I wasn’t sure of – and what has just been confirmed – is that I have an early release date with Amazon on their Kindle KDP program, and Silver Blade will be released on Wednesday April 24th.

So the question arises…do I blog tour or not blog tour? If only a select group of buyers are able to purchase my book for the first three months, is it worth it? I’m having a hard time with the whole promotion thing anyway because as an e-novella it has limit distribution and a low price, so there won’t be a lot of royalty $$ to offer prizes. (Some authors offer $25 gift certificates, and kudos to them!)

I decided, however, I would take a blog trip when one of my favorite bloggers, Melissa Snark (melissasnark.blogspot.ca) offered me the chance of appearing on her blog. So on Tuesday May 21st I’ll be on her Author Spotlight, and on Thursday May 23rd she will be reviewing my book.

Another wonderful author and blogger who has offered me the opportunity of expanding my horizons is Delilah Devlin (delilahdevlin.com), and I will be on her blog on July 25th.

I might try to squeeze another one or two in before the general release, and then a few after. I’ll post the sites and locations again as they actually occur, and I hope that you come out and visit me….not just for my own promotion, but as a way of thanking these wonderful authors who are willing to support other writers. Who knows, maybe you’ll find other authors you like through these blogs.

If there is one thing I’ve learned from writing – besides how to handle rejection letters – it is that writers are a wonderfully supportive group of people.