Review – Dark Hope by HD Smith

dark-hope
Dark Hope by HD Smith
by HD Smith
✩✩✩✩

Dark Hope is an engrossing book, with incredible world building. I couldn’t put it down, but found myself confused at times by the sheer amount of things happening. I kept reading because I needed to know how Claire got stuck working as the Devil’s assistant and what her real place and purpose there was.

The book is very fast paced, with enough tension, that you won’t want to put it down for a second. I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see what happens. While most things were tied up at the end. You are still left with the need to find out what happens in the next chapter of Claire’s life, or unlife.

As for Dental. There are always the exceptions, but for the most part. No one gets Dental!

I recommend this to other Urban Fantasy lovers, but not “romance only” readers. This is an adventure, one hell of an adventure, but definitely not a love story.

SYNOPSIS

After five years of working for the Devil, Claire Cooper believes she lives an otherwise normal life. Until she finds herself in jeopardy for a murder she did not commit. Desperate to save her life and soul, she enters Purgatory, but runs afoul of the Devil’s sister, Pagan Queen Mab. Mab has her own agenda and uses Claire to get even with the Devil. Claire learns each ruler is in a race to discover “the girl” in the prophecy to fix time. As Claire peels away clues to the real killer, she realizes she must outwit the Devil’s children or end up a prisoner in Purgatory forever.

Available on Amazon – Free with Kindle Unlimited Subscription


HD Smith and I will both be attending #IBF2016 next month.  Please make sure to come by and say “Hi” if you attend.  There are still tickets available for those who haven’t purchased theirs.  Also, if I get enough comments, I’ll hold a drawing for a “Reader’s Ticket”.  So don’t be shy in letting me know if you’re interested.   You can check it out here.

HD Smith is a #IBF2016 Featured Author.

Indie Bookfest

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 7, 8 & 9 – 2016
INDIE BOOKFEST 2016

  • 4th Annual Author/Reader Event     Indie Bookfest LoogOrlando/Altamonte Springs, FL
  • October 7, 8 & 9 – 2016
  • FREE BOOK SIGNING
  • October 8th, 2016
  • 3:00-6:00 PM

INDIE BOOKFEST 2016, October 7-9th

 

I’m so excited to be attending this event. This is my first time, and only my second actual book event, but I have heard wonderful things, and gotten lots of recommendations.  Plus I’m looking forward to all the workshops and panels.  I’m attending as a blogger, reader, and aspiring writer.  So this event has a little bit of everything for me.  If you haven’t already, hurry and grab your tickets. It’s going to be a blast. A super fun and enriching experience.  

 

Indie BookFest 2016–the one event you can’t miss!

This year’s Indie BookFest will take place October 7-9, 2016, in beautiful Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Indie BookFest is central Florida’s premier author-reader event, featuring an amazing Industry Day, with reps from book vendors, promotion sites and other professionals presenting information all authors need to grow their business.

But that’s just the beginning. In addtion to Industry Day workshops and panels, IBF also includes the best reader panels, FanFare Author/Reader Party (the theme this year is A Night In Paris), a special Young Adult Session, Meet and Greets, perks for our All-Star Readers, a fun Zombie party and a huge, FREE book signing.

AND our special keynote speaker, the awesome Cristin Harber!

A very few VIP tickets are still available. These include unlimited access to the Green Room and special meet and greets for VIPs only. Our general admission, Industry Day and YA session tickets are still available, too.

Jump on this now! Tickets won’t last long.

Get yours here!

 

What: Indie BookFest 2016

When: October 7-9, 2016

Where: Indie BookFest 2016 will take place at Hilton Hotel and Resort in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Make yourself at home in our hotel in Altamonte Springs, FL, Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs. Whether you’re getting comfortable in a spacious guest room – designed with your business hotel needs in mind with high-speed internet access, a dual-line phone and oversized, ergonomically-designed work area – or enjoying a plunge in the outdoor heated pool, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect way to relax. Curl up in front of a movie on the 37-inch flat-screen TV or meet your deadlines at the dedicated business center, offering printing, photocopying and express mail to assist corporate guests.Reward yourself with an invigorating workout in the fully equipped fitness center, explore the nearby shops of Altamonte Springs Mall or enjoy a romantic dinner at the vibrant U Restaurant, serving up delicious options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Book your room

Who: Over 90 authors of every genre, industry reps and professoinals, the BEST readers in the world . . . and YOU.

 

Why? So many reasons:

Unparalleled access to best-selling and award-winning authors

More panels and workshops

READER PANEL SCHEDULE

 
Friday

 

  • 3:00 – 3:45 PM
  • Capital 2: Hotel Paranormal – Check in to talk about this spooky multi-author serial!

 

  • 4:00 – 4:45 PM 
  • Capital 1: Ad Lib Panel – Romance
  • Capital 2: Whodunnit? Keeping mysteries, thrillers and suspense relevant in the digital age

 

Saturday

 

  • 9:45 – 10:30 AM
  • Capital 1: Alpha male, bad boy, billionaire, country boy: How do you like your book boyfriend?
  • Capital 2: Tell me your fantasy – World building, characterization and magic in urban/dark fantasy and sci fi

 

  • 10:45 – 11:30 AM
  • Capital 1: What’s Your Fancy? The many faces of erotica
  • Capital 2: Angels, Demons, Kitsune, Shifters and Wizards – What’s the new wave in paranormal?

 

  • 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM 
  • Amphitheater: Mix It Up – How do you like your love stories? Historical, New Adult, erotica, paranormal

 

  • 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Capital 1: Just Add Wine – How to Build A Better Book Club
  • Capital 2: Seen It All In A Small Town – Romances set in… small towns

 

Industry Day–if you want to be an author, are an author, hope to be an author–you need to be here.

**Tentative Industry Day Schedule**
(SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

AUTHOR Panels/Workshops 

Friday, October 7th

 

9-9:45AM 
Capital 1: PANEL: I’m published: now what? Advice on how to survive your first few years as an author, including dos and don’ts from those who have been there.
Capital 2: PANEL: Paid promo: what’s working now, how to maximize your chance of getting in. Think: BookBub, Ereaders News Today, Robin Reads, etc.

 

10-10:45 AM 
 Capital 1: WORKSHOP: Getting Noticed: Ads on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon: Do they work, what are the best practices? Led by Cristin Harber and HD Smith
Capital 2: PANEL: Branding: how do you find your branding, how do you exploit your branding?

 

11-11:45AM 
 Capital 1: WORKSHOP: It Takes Two: Author Business Accountability Partnerships We’re not talking co-writers; this is business accountability and idea sparking, an informal relationship that doubles the brain power and reach of each author. We’ll talk about the benefits: sharing new venues for promotion, offering critical review of blurbs, covers, release plans and schedules, encouragement and support, supplementing talents (trading editing for graphics!) and sharing a support team. We’ll also explore how you can find the right business accountability partner to enhance your career. Led by Olivia Hardin and Tawdra Kandle
Capital 2: PANEL: Covers, formatting, blurbs: what makes the biggest difference? How much do you play with it?

 

 12-12:45PM
 Capital 1 AND 2: WORKSHOP: Hitting the Reboot Button: How to (Re) Launch Your Career by Jana Oliver Sometimes even veteran authors need to push the “reboot” button. It might be to launch a pseudonym or establish a presence in a different genre. Or maybe you wish to reset reader expectations. Regardless of why, how do you build a new author brand with zero fan base? This presentation will take a peek inside a real-world example. You’ll learn how to create a new author platform, lay out a media campaign, and solutions to the “But I’ve never heard of you” issue. By the end of the presentation, you’ll know how to find your “influencers”, which social media platforms are your best bet based on your “target market”, and the real cost of that career reboot. And of course, if you’re just starting out, rebooting strategies can be adapted for new authors as well.

 

** LUNCH 1-2 PM**


2-2:45PM
Capital 1: Reader Panel
Capital 2: AUTHOR PANEL: Pricing: what’s the best pricing on books? Loss leader still working? How often do you change your price?
 
3-3:45PM
Capital 1: Reader Panel
Capital 2: AUTHOR PANEL: The Care and Feeding of An Author: healthy lifestyle choices and how to make them work for you

Young Adult Session–perfect for aspiring young authors as well as those younger readers!

TWO huge parties

FanFare at Indie BookFest16 will take place Friday night (October 7th) from 7:30-11 PM.

The theme is . . .
A Night In Paris

Paris . . . the perfect city to combine mystery, suspense, literature, erotica, paranormal and of course . . . romance!

You are invited to dress however you like:
be inspired by Paris in the Belle Époque (Flaubert, Renoir, la Ballets Russes . . .)
or Paris in the Roaring 20’s (think Hemingway, the Fitzgeralds, Picasso . . .)
or Paris in the Swinging 60’s (fashion and art combine!) or Paris 2016.

  

 Saturday, October 8th from 7PM to 11PM at Indie Bookfest 2016!”

On Saturday night of Indie BookFest16, a group of wonderful authors will be hosting this party.

“After months of uncertainty, the CDC has finally released the general quarantine. The virus has stabilized (or so we think), and people are finally able to start coming out of their hiding places.

Society’s new motto: Zombies Are People, Too

Join authors Ceci Giltenan, HD Smith, Violet Howe, and SE Smith for a night of Zombie Fun! Come as you are (and be zombified at the party) or dress as your favorite zombified character.

We’ll have a Zombie DJ, refreshments, and cash bar!

 

FREE parking

FREE signing
 *October 8th, 2016 3:00-
6:00PM*

Giveaways Galore–you won’t believe how big some of them are!

VIP tickets

Amazing value for your money, no matter which ticket you buy

Goody bags for everyone!

How? Get your tickets here!   <—-There

DON’T WAIT TICKETS ARE ALMOST GONE!!

CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL THERE ! COME FIND ME (Tamye Whitener) during the event, say “Hi” and get a picture taken with me.  With your permission I would love to add them to the blog during or after #IBF2016.


 

Coastal Magic Convention 2017 Registration Now Open!

Today’s the day… today’s the day!!!!

july1st

Today is the opening of Coastal Magic’s 5th Annual event’s General Registration! It’s hard to believe it’s been 5 years, yet Jennifer Morris started planning Olde City, New Blood (Coastal Magic’s original incarnation) in early summer, 2012. From what she says, that first year was… well… it was a lot of fun, and certainly a learning experience. From my experience attending last year.  It’s come a long way, and developed into quite a community of authors and readers, and still a boat load, or maybe beach load of fun.

That being said … it’s time to get yourself registered to join us next year!! Coastal Magic is, by design, a small event. The registration (which is $90 and covers all our scheduled activities, and your lunch with an author on Saturday) is capped at 250 readers/bloggers. We came *really* close to selling out of registrations last year, so if you know you’re going to be coming to hang with us by the beach in February, we suggest getting yourself settled earlier rather than later! You just need to go to the REGISTRATION page of this site, and after you check out the details, you can click the EventBrite.com button there to buy your full weekend ticket.

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Jennifer is doing the hotel reservation process a bit different this year. You’ll receive an email containing our group code and reservation page link after you complete your registration. She’s hoping this will slow down the “sellout” problem on our reserve block, as only those who’ve registered will have access to the room reserve info. You can still see the hotel info and fee details on our HOTEL/TRAVEL page as a reference. And FYI, she’ll also list multiple, very nice and reasonably priced hotels within easy walking distance of our Hilton… as she anticipates we’ll sell out again this year.

I’m sure there’ll be a lot of questions to answer and/or clarifications to make. You can comment on this post, or reach Jennifer on our Coastal Magic Convention Authors & Attendees Facebook Group. You can also reach her via the contact form and/or email on the CONTACT page of the Coastal Magic Convention site.

I’m super excited, today has finally arrived.  Now all the fun can really begin.  Once you’ve registered, you will definitely want to join the Coastal Magic Convention Authors & Attendees Facebook Group  if you haven’t already.  You’ll also want to check out our  CMCon17 Featured Authors Reading Challenge group for the reading challenge which starts today as well.  It’s a great way to check out the different author’s books, have some fun, and win some prizes at the same time.

CMCon2017

Since Books, Coffee, and Crafts News is one of the “Featured Bloggers” this year, I get the privilege of hosting one or more of Coastal Magic 2017’s “Featured Authors” each month until the convention.  Isn’t that awesome.  Look for my Coastal Magic 2017 “Featured Authors” Get Crafty spotlights in the coming months.

Starting the countdown to #CMCon2017 — can’t wait to see you all next year by the beach!!