WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [samuiblue] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

I'll start: 'Preoccupied Love'

To join Wordless Wednesday, go here.

MONDAY MUSINGS

(Image found on Facebook)

So . . . I decided to not call this post, THE WEEKEND anymore. Lately I haven't done anything newsworthy on the weekend. Hence, this post ends up being about my week, to include book news--or just something interesting I've been thinking about or learning about, etc, etc. I think from here on out, I'll call my Monday post, MONDAY MUSINGS. It seems appropriate.

That being said, I learned something amazing this week!

I feel embarrassed to admit this, so please don't laugh too terribly hard at me. Since I've been published, I check my Kindle sales on a regular basis. (translation: *ahem* everyday, sometimes every hour)

I first published in June of 2012 and frankly, sales have been slow. Every once in awhile I would have a spurt of sales, but then they would go back down again. Beginning in June of 2013, sales began to really pick up. It's been very exciting. In fact, sales over the summer were pretty darn amazing. Now, let me put this in perspective: to a bestselling author, my sales are horrible, but to me, I am thrilled and amazed and excited and giddy and, well, you get the idea! 

However, sales have now begun to slow down once again.

The Lancaster House and Middle Aisle sale made sales pick up quite a bit, but other than that, it's been kinda slow. 

Or so I thought.

Here's the embarrassing part.

Image courtesy of [Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There I was, feeling kinda sad and depressed, feeling like a failure because my book sales were slowing down, and what do I discover?

All this time I've only been looking at my kindle US sales. I thought all of my sales were lumped into one report and recorded on a daily basis.

All I had to do was look at the drop down menu and NOTICE that you can click on your kindle sales for EACH country!

Duh!

I clicked on Amazon UK.

Boy, was I surprised.

Image courtesy of [jscreationzs] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I Have People alone had 147 sales this month! And I didn't even know! 

Now, I've looked at my overall monthly reports before and seen my sales in other countries, but it took me this long to realize the chart I was looking at on a daily basis was only sales for the US.

Then I did something even more amazing: I googled Amazon UK.

Guess what I found? 

A whole bunch of wonderful reviews on my books that I'd never read or even knew existed!

Now that you all know I am technologically inept and really have no idea what I'm doing on the computer, check out some of these amazing reviews I found on Amazon UK!

5.0 out of 5 stars For Nick, 1 Aug 2013
By bunny2007
This review is from: For Nick (Kindle Edition)

Wasn't what I was expecting this book had me in tears. One of the best book's I have read in along time and will read again.

5.0 out of 5 stars For Nick, 27 July 2013
By Kitty
This review is from: For Nick (Kindle Edition)

Wow I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't work out who Nick was until she revealed all. Book was very well written in my opinion.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, 22 July 2013
By Oakley
This review is from: For Nick (Kindle Edition)

Could not put this book down. I've never cried so much while reading a book yet found myself constantly smiling too.

5.0 out of 5 stars i dont want this book to end 'ever', 14 Aug 2013
By Ms. Lynne L. Waghorn "loopylynne" (kent, uk)
This review is from: For Nick (Kindle Edition)

I love love loved this book,. I just couldnt put it down, i had to keep stopping just to make it last longer, i loved it that much. Will definately be looking at this author again.
You will not be disappointed.

5.0 out of 5 stars For Nick, 20 Aug 2013
By Claire
This review is from: For Nick (Kindle Edition)

It was funny, witty and amazingly interesting. You find it difficult to put your book down. You wanted to know what would happen next. Well written.

5.0 out of 5 stars Sierra 5 July 2013
By Julie victor

Wow the second book I read by this author. It was seriously good, how the heroine survived such a tragedy and kept fighting to survive was mind blowing. Alex was such a hero overcoming his own tragic past and how he protected Alyssa was so lovely and touching. Again this book was well written and full of emotion.. well worth a read, cannot fault it!!


5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing 18 Aug 2013
By Suzi

I thoroughly enjoyed 'Joshua's Folly' it was funny and heartfelt and really pulled at the heart strings! I've read most of the books by this author and they are all amazing! Can't wait to read some more!

5.0 out of 5 stars I have people 7 July 2013
By Julie victor

Wow another brilliant read from taylor dean. Loved this story of holly and gabe.. full of emotion that really tugs at the heartstrings. How holly deals with a terrifying situation and finds people who help and support her. Well worth a read, cannot praise the author enough!!

As you can see, discovering all of these wonderful reviews was like Christmas morning for me! I'm so glad I discovered that I have fans in the UK! Wow! (bear with me, I am very, very excited!)

It was a nice surprise.

Did you have anything wonderful happen this past week?

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

 Enjoy!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [samandale] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

I'll start: 'Broken Foundation'

To join Wordless Wednesday, go here.

THE WEEKEND

The big news: Lancaster House and The Middle Aisle are on sale for a limited time only!

Enjoy!

A special thank you to all the book bloggers who have helped to spread the word. You're the best!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

 Enjoy!

SIERRA BOOK BLAST

Here is the amazing banner my daughter made for me for advertising SIERRA!

Anyone is welcome to post it on their blog or on Facebook or wherever you'd like, beginning on Nov. 2nd.

(contact me or comment below if you'd like me to send you the image)

OR

You can join my Book Blast: 
http://www.bookblasttours.com/2013/10/16/sierra-by-taylor-dean-50-book-blast-sign-ups/

Thank you so much for helping me get the word out!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [Salvatore Vuono] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

I'll start: 'Illuminated Love'

To join Wordless Wednesday, go here.

THE WEEKEND

I suppose this is not really a weekend post, just news from the week! Here it goes!

My daughter made this FABULOUS banner for me.

Lancaster House and The Middle Aisle will be on sale starting on Oct. 20. If you'd like to share this banner on your blog or Facebook, or anywhere else for that matter, please feel free! Thank you!

(OR contact me and I'll send you the image!)

Sierra will be on sale starting on Nov. 2, as well. (My daughter is currently making another banner for me!)

There's an interesting story behind this sale . . . 

I applied to be featured on BookBub, an ebook advertising site. They are very particular about which books they will feature, so being accepted is a BIG deal!

I applied to feature Sierra under Contemporary Romance. BookBub responded saying they would love to feature Sierra, however, they felt it would be featured best under the category of Literary Fiction.

Image courtesy of [Stuart Miles] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Now, I realize there is a compliment hidden in there somewhere.

I mean, wow, Literary Fiction!? Really?

HOWEVER, I feared that anyone looking to read Literary Fiction would be greatly disappointed in Sierra, especially when they realize it's really, in essence, a Romance novel.

I expressed my fears to BookBub. 

They responded, again saying they felt it would do well under Literary Fiction.

So, I'm taking a chance--and it will be featured on the BookBub advertisement on Nov. 2 under Literary Fiction. 

I hope this decision doesn't backfire on me! I'm both excited and scared to death!

Image courtesy of [Stuart Miles] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Another thing I wanted to share with you is a funny little tidbit from last week's 'sad ending' post:

I sent the link for the featured music video to one of my other daughters. This was her rather comical response:

This was really sad, I think the lesson learned here is that spray paint is not the way to communicate.  Misunderstandings happen that can lead to serious bodily harm.

That gave me a good laugh!

Image courtesy of [Danilo Rizzuti] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Lastly, this past week I received the most AMAZING pictures of my little grandson, Gavin. He's only a month old in these pictures and I think the photographer is an absolute GENIUS!

He has stolen his Grandma's heart too!!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

 Enjoy!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [Ventrilock] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

I'll start: 'Misplaced Affection'

To join Wordless Wednesday, go here.

THE WEEKEND

I didn't do anything newsworthy this weekend. But, on Friday night my daughter introduced me to a music video that really left me thinking about 'sad endings' all weekend.

DO YOU LIKE SAD ENDINGS?

I admit that I love a book or movie that makes me cry, that brings out all of my emotions.

BUT, just once I'd like to watch Titanic, or Somewhere in Time, or Phantom of the Opera and have the ending change.

Titanic: I'd like Jack to climb onto that floating piece of board with Rose and live. (Seriously, why wasn't there room for both of them?)

Somewhere in Time: I'd like Richard Collier to stay 'back in time' with Elise McKenna. Get rid of that stupid penny, don't put it in your pocket!!!

(No matter, it's still my favorite movie and book of all time! The book is called 'Bid Time Return.')

Phantom of the Opera: Honestly, I'd like to see Christine choose the phantom instead of the wimpy Raoul. (At least, if it's the Gerard Butler phantom. Seriously, they can't make him ugly.)

I love the Romeo and Juliet story. I do. But it's another one where I want the ending to change, just once. PLEASE. I hate sad endings. 

So, my daughter says to me, 'Mom, you HAVE  to watch this music video.' And I do--not knowing what's in store for me.

The ending KILLS me. Every time.

Watch it on YouTube here.

See what I mean. So much angst, so much despair.

My books may have major drama, angst, and despair in the middle, but they will ALWAYS have happy endings!

ALWAYS!

DO YOU LIKE SAD ENDINGS?

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

 Enjoy!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [digitalart] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

I'll start: 'Catching Destiny'

To join Wordless Wednesday, go here.

RESULTS

I'd like to say congratulations to the winner of the Kindle Book Review's Best Indie Book of 2013:

(in the Romance Category)

It's a military romance, co-written by Bonnie Bartel Latino and Bob Vale.

I can't wait to read it!

We spent ten years active duty army, so anything military holds a special place in my heart!

To see the winners in each category, go here.

I'm still in awe that my novel, SIERRA was a top-five finalist. I was up against some pretty wonderful books.

What an honor!

Special thanks to The Kindle Book Review for the amazing opportunity to be a part of this contest!