An Apology

My brain has been on overload for months. Most days I know I'm forgetting things. Sometimes the things/people/appointments are VERY important. Extremely important. Like bloggers and reviewers and loyal readers.

Crap. *Head desk*

Releasing a book is stressful. It's chaotic. There's so much to do and so little time. I won't make a list of everything because it would stretch for miles, but let me just reiterate it's A LOT. Releasing Taking Back Forever, book 2 of The Kindrily series was more stressful than my past releases and I kept overlooking things. Now, weeks after it has been released, I realize I forgot some people. Oh dear. NOT GOOD. Not good at all.

Taking Back Forever was available on Netgalley, I created a sign-up list for ARCs and posted it on Goodreads, my blog, Facebook, and tweeted. Many people signed up and for that, and I thank those people wholeheartedly. I also had a list of some reviewers (not necessarily bloggers, just fabulous people who recently left reviews of Grasping at Eternity). That had to cover everyone, right? All those people were sent an eARC. *checks item off list*

BUT...there was that other list. That list in my other notebook that I just honestly forgot to go through. And to top it off, it's a list which includes some people who have been there for me since my release of Tangled Tides. I didn't send anything to them. I didn't offer them an ARC like I promised I would. Kill me now. 

I feel HORRIBLE. In hindsight, I have no idea how I could have forgotten overlooked them. I can blame it on stress, on being so busy, on taking on way too much, but those all seem like pathetic excuses because no matter what, those valued readers should NOT have been left out.

I'm genuinely and truly sorry to ANY ONE who has ever written a review for one of my past books and didn't receive a personal offer from me to receive an ARC of Taking Back Forever. I am SO so sorry. Please forgive me.

If you're reading this, and you're one of those kind souls who have posted a review (short, long, positive, negative, whatever) of any of my books at any time, and you would like an ebook of Taking Back Forever, (or Grasping at Eternity, or even Tangled Tides) just let me know. I'll happily and gratefully send it to you.

Again, I'm so sorry for my brain lapse.

Why the public post? Why didn't I just send an email? Because I forgot quite a few people. Eep. *hangs head in shame* Hopefully this will shed some light for bloggers, reviewers, and readers everywhere who have ever been hurt or offended because they though an author forgot about them.

We never actually forget you. In truth, we cherish you. At least I know I do, and I'm sure most other authors do too. It's just we have SO much going on in our overloaded, creative minds (I'm sure you can relate). Real people and places, fictional people and places, To Do lists, piles of emails, FB posts, and tweets to answer, day jobs, etc. Sometimes things and people fall the cracks. But there's a safety net to catch you, and that safety net is an author's gratitude and humility, and taking a few minutes to publicly say so SO SORRY (times infinity). 

I WARNED YOU. No, literally, I warn you.

Taking Back Forever released a few weeks ago. I held my breath and waited for reviews to come in. Thankfully, the reviews have been mostly good. *fist pump*

I took a chance with Taking Back Forever because I did something different. Actually, all I did was genuinely worry about my readers, put their enjoyment of the story as my top priority, and then I followed my heart.  I let the reader choose their ending. 

Huh?

Yes, I let the reader choose how they wanted Taking Back Forever to end. 

You can’t please everyone. Storytelling is way too subjective. Some readers love cliffhangers, some despise them, some just don’t care. I didn’t want readers to be upset with me for leaving them on a cliffhanger. But I also loved the cliffhanger ending. I tossed and turned about which path to choose, and then I said to myself, “Why should I have to choose? Let THEM choose.”

Toward the “end” I paused the story, wrote a letter to the reader--with a fair warning of what awaited them--and then left the decision of whether or not to continue in their hands. 

Almost every review I’ve seen mentions that they loved the option to choose. THANK GOODNESS.

“OMGGGGG. and the award for best AND worst cliffhanger goes too...
This book was wonderful (obviously) but that ending, the REAL one was awful and awesome at the same time. Where's the NEXT one already?” ~Mandi Ferguson

“The ending. You get a choice people!!!! Heaven bless Karen Hooper. If I didn't have a choice to read the ending or wait until Fighting for Infinity I might have just lost it.” ~ Inna at Inna's Little Bookshelves

Following my heart, and putting the reader first paid off. And let’s face it, even those who hate cliffhangers, but read on anyway, have no one to blame but themselves. (See how nicely that worked out? *wink wink*)

One reviewer said what I did, letting the reader choose, was “remarkable.”  I don’t know about it being remarkable, I guess I thought of it as being considerate. I dedicated Taking Back Forever to the reader because I mean it when I say my readers are everything to me. I listen to their comments and criticism and I apply what I can to future books I write so that, hopefully, I become a better writer, and they can enjoy my future books more.  I like involving my readers. I loved giving them a choice. Based on their comments, they love it too. Win win. 

This is what I love about telling stories the way I want to. I can think outside of the box. I don’t have to follow rules. I can follow my heart. And from what I’ve seen, the path with heart turns out pretty enjoyable for those who travel along with me. 

The kindrily series has a long way to go, and I’m excited to watch readers continue the journey with them. Choices, forks in the road, and all. (Hint hint.) 

Haven't started the series yet? Of course I'm going to tell you that you should, but I'm very biased. If you like reincarnation, magic, soul mates, super powers, or strong family bonds, then give it a try. You have to start with Grasping at Eternity (or you won't understand what's going on in Taking Back Forever) but then read Taking Back Forever and make your choice. To end on a cliffhanger, or not.

The choice is up to you.
Literally.

“Hooper delivers in a rather awesome way. At the very end of the novel, Hooper tells readers that she couldn’t decide where to end the novel, because some readers like cliffhangers, and some don’t, so she does something I found rather remarkable: she lets the reader choose.” ~A BookVacation 

Purchase Links:

TAKING BACK FOREVER on Amazon

TAKING BACK FOREVER on Barnes & Noble

Let's give away a signed copy to celebrate the positive reviews!  
Winner's choice of a signed paperback of Grasping at Eternity OR Taking Back Forever.
Open internationally. Contest ends Monday!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Grasping at Eternity Magically Rocks Amazon

I don't know how or why it happened, but it did happen. THIS happened today...

In case you cant see the tiny writing, that rank says 2,063 in ALL ebooks on Amazon.
See?

WHAAAATTTT?????

No ads. No blitz. Taylor Swift didn't tweet about it. Oprah has still never heard of me, so it's not her doing. I don't even see any big glowing reviews on Goodreads from yesterday or today. I can't find a good explanation as to why sales spiked over night. But they did.
And I'm more grateful than words can express.
 

Taking Back Forever didn't do too shabby either. It reached just below 10k on Amazon.

I know it's no top 100. I realize many authors reach these numbers every day, 365 days a year, but I am not those authors.
I'm a little, hardly known, indie author.
This is a big deal for ME.
This is causing me to dance around like an idiot and be excessively happy and excited.
So please humor me and act like you're excited too.
Then pinch me, please. Or maybe not. I'd like to enjoy this happy dream a little longer.

Thank you readers. 

Thank you Universe. 

Macklemore--dang I love that guy--says it best in one of my favorite songs (Thrift Shop).
"This is f*#%ing awesome."

Dangerous Depths Update

My merfolk and selkies and sirens and gorgons are angry. (Try saying that ten times fast.) 

They're upset because weeks ago, my publisher, Rhemalda, decided on a release date for the sequel to Tangled Tides, but I haven't officially announced it yet because I was swamped releasing Taking Back Forever. My sea peeps felt ignored because of my reincarnation peeps. And for that I'm sorry. Someday I will have them battle it out (or maybe work together) in a future book.

So, the release date. You ready for it? 

Dangerous Depths is releasing December 1, 2013.

In less than six months and you can read the next adventure of Yara, Treygan, Rownan, Nixie, and maybe a new character or two (or three) but who is counting?

We'll be working on the cover soon. Don't worry, I'll share it with you as soon as possible. 

In the meantime, I'll share a few photos that will hint at the mood of the story. 

Muhawahahahaha. (That's my evil laugh.) 

A little darker than you were expecting? Have no fear, there's still lots of magic, romance, sparkling, plot twists, and all the other great stuff you enjoyed with Tangled Tides. Except, well, have a little fear, because things get a bit hellish. 

Want to add it on Goodreads? Click here.

Let the countdown begin...

New Release! DRAGONFLY by Leigh Talbert Moore

I love me some Leigh Talbert Moore, so of course I had to help spread the word about her new release...
 

***Release Week Special! Dragonfly is only 99 cents June 6-8!

1... 2... 3... One Click (link)!!!***
  

"Dragonfly swept me off my feet! Once I started reading this book it kinda sucked me into the story and I had a hard time putting it down." --Stephanie, My Thoughts... reviews

  

Five Stars! "Angst, longing, jealousy, mystery, secrets, love triangles, sexy scenes! Could you even ask for more? Well you can because it is also very well-written and fast-paced. Great book to dive into poolside, but I will warn you may get so swept up in it you may end up with some sun burn. So I STRONGLY suggest you invest in some sunscreen as well as a copy of Dragonfly." --Nichole, Goodreads reviewer  

"I truly enjoyed this one! I thought the characters were intriguing, the mystery and story were interesting and definitely have ME WANTING MORE!!!!!!!" --Mandy, The Romance Bookie  

“Gossip Girl meets VC Andrews in this contemporary family saga. Love, lies, and betrayal become the new normal when Anna enters the world of Jack and Lucy Kyser.” –Magan Vernon, international bestselling author of The Only Exception
 

On Amazon

Dragonfly

by Leigh Talbert Moore Three bad things I learned this year: -People you trust lie, even parents.  -That hot guy, the one who’s totally into you, he might not be the one.  -Things are not always how they appear. Three good things I learned this year: -Best friends are always there for you, even when they’re far away.  -That other hot guy, the one who remembers your birthday, he just might be the one.  -Oh, and things are not always how they appear. Anna Sanders expected an anonymous (and uneventful) senior year until she crossed paths with rich-and-sexy Jack Kyser and his twin sister Lucy. Pulling Anna into their extravagant lifestyle on the Gulf Coast, Lucy pushed Anna outside her comfort zone, and Jack showed her feelings she’d never experienced... Until he mysteriously withdrew. Anna turned to her internship at the city paper and to her old attraction for Julian, a handsome local artist and rising star, for distraction. But both led to her discovery of a decades-old secret closely guarded by the twins’ distant, single father. A secret that could permanently change all their lives. Be watching for Undertow, Book 2 in the Dragonfly series, coming July 18!
 

Falling in Love Changes Everything…

“C’mon,” Julian said, helping me stand. “Let’s blow off this party and catch a movie or go to Scoops. This isn’t our scene.” I shook my head. “I just really want to go home.” The tears were trying to start again. “Can I just go home now?” “Sure,” he said, holding my cheek. I took a limping step, and he stopped. “Does it hurt to walk?”  My leg was throbbing. I nodded, looking down, and before I realized what was happening, he was lifting me in his arms.  “Julian, wait,” I held his shoulders. “I’m too heavy!”  “It’s okay,” he said, walking on. I sighed and leaned my head against his shoulder. I didn’t feel like fighting. Gentle pressure against my temple, and he’d kissed me. “You’ll get over this,” I heard him say under his breath.

Get Dragonfly today:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

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Leigh Talbert Moore is the author of the popular young adult romantic comedy The Truth About Faking, its companion The Truth About Letting Go, and the mature YA/new adult romantic suspense novel Rouge, a Quarter Finalist in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

She is an award-winning journalist and editor, who has also worked in marketing and public relations for many years. Her writing has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the southeast and Midwest U.S., and she runs the popular writing-craft blog That’s Write.

A southern ex-pat and beach bum, she currently lives with her husband, two young children, and one grumpy cat in the Midwest.

Connect online:

Facebook | Amazon Author page | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

Read excerpts of her books on Wattpad and Figment!

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Enter to #WIN a Kindle Touch loaded with all FOUR of Leigh's books AND an exclusive eARC of Undertow; A signed, print set of Dragonfly and Undertow, or ebook sets of both! a Rafflecopter giveaway