We’re very lucky today to have a visit from my good friend and fellow author K.M. Fawcett. Here’s K.M.’s official bio:

K.M. Fawcett writes sci-fi/ paranormal romances, and enjoys stories filled with adventure and strong, kick butt heroes and heroines. She holds the rank of Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in both Isshinryu Karate and in Ryukonkai (Okinawan weapons). She and her husband own Tenchi Isshinryu Karate Dojo in NJ. When not writing or working out at the dojo, K.M. is driving her two children to drum practice and ballet classes.

Now that I’ve said that, let me tell you that she i a fabulous lady and I’m honored to be her friend!

As I mentioned, K.M. is here to give us some hints on how you can help your favorite authors and also, to give us a little peek at her fabulous new release, FEARLESS. So here we go with K.M.’s hints!

Hints for Helping Your Favorite Authors

Thank you so much Caridad for inviting me on the blog today! It’s good to be back.

When it comes to promotion, most authors really don’t want to be a pain in the ass. But they really do need help generating buzz for their books. Unfortunately publishing companies don’t have the budget to spend promoting every book, which leaves mid list and newer authors relying on themselves and their readers to help spread the word. So what can you do to help others discover an author you like? Check out the list below and pick the things you feel comfortable doing. Most are super easy.

“Like” the author:

You probably already like and follow your favorite authors on Facebook and Twitter but how about on Amazon? Go to their Amazon author page and click the “Like” button in the upper right hand corner. For an example of what this looks like you can click my link and give it a try 😉 (see what I did there) http://www.amazon.com/K.M.Fawcett/e/B00B78JG36/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Below the Amazon “Like” button, it says, “Stay up to date.” Click on the sentence “Email me when there are new releases by [Author’s Name].”

Go to the B&N page and click on the “Like” “Share” and “Pin it” buttons for each book.

Tell others about your favorite books and share on social media. Add the book’s cover picture to Pinterest & Instagram. Post to Facebook and Twitter. Add a link to Amazon or to the author’s website.

Follow the author’s blog tour for a new release. Some run raffles for free copies of the book!

Share the blog tour information with your friends. I’m sure they’d love a chance to win free stuff too.

Add the author’s books to your Goodreads TO READ list. Rate the books on Goodreads.

Write an honest review for the book.

Goodreads: These can be any length. “Good book” Or “hated it” counts as a review.

Amazon: Requires at least 20 words so it could be as short and simple as, “I read Captive, book 1 in the Survival Race series, by K.M. Fawcett. You know what? I actually liked it.” If you need ideas, how about telling what you liked/ didn’t like about the characters, action, romance, world building, plot, etc… Don’t let the long detailed reviews scare you off. They were most likely written by book reviewers. In addition to helping others decide if this particular book is for them, reviews are important for a book getting into Amazon’s algorithms and for taking advantage of advertisements.

Barnes & Noble: I don’t know if they have a minimum word count requirement.

Give books as gifts. Books make wonderful gifts for birthdays, Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Graduation, President’s Day, (*shrugs* sure why not?) etc… Buy in bulk and get free shipping from Amazon. 😉

Ask your favorite author if he/she has bookmarks you can leave at local businesses and give to friends.

Preorder the next book.

If you have any other ideas on how to help generate buzz for your favorite authors’ books, please add them to the comments section below. I’m still learning and would love to hear more ideas. Thanks again for having me here Charity!

Fearless Teaser

TWO SOULS

Myia, a shaman-in-training, wants desperately to protect her peaceful village from the barbaric Highland invaders. To hone her powers of prophetic visions and healing, the village elders send Myia on a quest to heal the Highland leader’s heart and stop a brewing war. Myia’s mended many souls before, so this should be an effortless duty . . . until she meets the gorgeous, stubborn Highland warlord.

ONE DESIRE

Kedric, a gladiator who escaped enslavement, only wants to liberate the villagers from their common foe-a race that breeds humans for blood sport and genetic experiments. Fueled by his rage, Kedric is determined to take down the brutal enemy. So when a raven-haired beauty with a body made for sin tries to sabotage his mission, Kedric wants her gone. Yet no woman’s touch has ever left Kedric more annoyed . . . and aroused. Kedric knows he should shun her soothing embrace-but he can’t seem to stay away. As their passion grows, Kedric must decide between fighting his war or surrendering his rage-and his heart-for Myia’s love.

Excerpt

Angry red streaks snaked through his aura. “What manner of trickery is this?”

“Get off of me, barbarian.” Name-calling? Really? Had her father taught her nothing?

“Barbarian? That’s funny coming from a savage.”

She gasped. “Savage? You’re the one on top of me.”

“As I recall, I wouldn’t be on top of you if I hadn’t needed to protect myself from your tricks.”

“I am a spiritual healer. I only wanted to repair your soul. You must release my people.”

“They’re free to go at any time. They choose to stay.”

His weight was crushing her, making breathing difficult, but she refused to let him see her discomfort. If she could calm herself enough, her spirit could reenter his, and she could try healing him again. This might be the only chance she got before he…What would he do to her?

She didn’t sense anything evil, vile, or malicious. Murder wasn’t present in his aura. The only thing she perceived was arousal. Typical male. Perhaps she could use that to her advantage.

There were three occasions when a person’s spirit was the most vulnerable: during sleep, during illness, and during sex—so she’d been told.

“You’ve invaded our peaceful village and took our people against their will. Forgive me for not believing you.” Her words were angrier than she wanted them to be. What happened to her shamanic training?

“Seems we have a lot in common, you and I.”

“We have nothing in common, barbarian.”

“Did you not invade my body against my will?”

“To heal your spirit.”

“So you say, savage.”

Would he stop calling her that? She was not a fierce, violent person. She was tranquil and at peace with the universe, dammit.

Well, at least she strove for peace.

“However,” he continued, “you needn’t concern yourself. My spirit requires no healing.”

“So say you. But our spirits have met, and yours told me it hid a deep wound. Let me back in. Let me into your body to heal you.”

His smirk surprised her. What could he possibly find so humorous?

“If anyone enters another’s body, it will be me.” His warm lips pressed against hers. As if to prove his point, his tongue coaxed hers to open for him.

She’d been kissed before, but not from a man so dangerous and commanding, or so good at it.

Well, she wasn’t about to waste the opportunity to do what she came here for, especially since nothing in his aura indicated malicious intent. His spirit simply sought to demonstrate his male dominance in a kiss. Nothing more. Ha. He’d learn who the dominant one was when she connected with his spirit again.

She opened her mouth and kissed him back. His pause indicated surprise. He’d obviously expected her to resist. When she didn’t let up, his jaw relaxed and his kiss deepened. She couldn’t deny the freedom her soul felt.

But she’d come to heal his heart, and as much as she would like to give in to the pleasure she was receiving, she needed to heal him first.

Again retreating to that tranquil place in her mind, her spirit gathered energy and flowed from her body into his. Her spirit didn’t get further than the impenetrable stone wall before it was thrown from his body again.

His lips were off hers, the weight of his body disappeared. The influx of warm night air came as a relief.

“Savage,” he boomed. “Stay out of my body.”

“If you enter my body, barbarian, rest assured I will enter yours.”

More about K.M. Fawcett

If you’d like to find out more about K.M. and her work, you can visit her here!

Click here to purchase CAPTIVE, K.M.’s debut novel!

Click here to purchase FEARLESS!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/km.fawcett
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KMFawcett
Website: www.kmfawcett.com
Blog: www.AttackingThePage.wordpress.com