Revised “Carpathia” now available

One of the writing projects I’ve been working on has been a revision to my first novel, Carpathia. I love that book unconditionally, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t need to be cracked open and worked on a bit. Typos (sigh!) primarily but I also excised a few plot holes and generally tightened the over-writing I tend towards.

There’s a new cover, too, featuring the photograph “Morning Light” by Nicole Ruby. The photo has been a favorite of mine from the moment I saw it. For more of this artist’s work, please visit her website.

Today, the revised version of Carpathia is available for Kindle and I expect the paperback version to go live shortly after I receive the proof from CreateSpace. If you previously bought the Kindle version you should get an automatic update from Amazon. If you don’t, let me know.

I’m calling this the definitive version of the novel, because I don’t expect I’ll be digging back into it again. Well, at least not until someone points out the new typos I created cleaning up the old ones. 🙂

 

Updating What I’m Working On

Many months ago I blogged about my work in progress, a Military/Sci-Fi novella, and even posted a short excerpt from one chapter. The idea, based on a few other books I’ve seen, is to tell an overarching story through what I call ‘connected vignettes.’ In this case the story covers the final year of a future war between an alien species and human who have migrated from Earth.

A couple weeks ago I completed the rough draft of Green Zulu Five One (and other stories from the Vyptellian War) and sent it to a diverse group of folks to read and let me know what they think. As of today I’ve heard back from almost everyone and their feedback — positive and constructively critical — has been very encouraging. Side note: It never fails to amaze me how two people can look at the same thing but see it in completely different ways — we really are awesomely complex creatures.

New review for Carpathia

Carpathia received a very nice review from author J.D. Hughes.

A solidly crafted original work. Recommended.

May 26, 2013

By JD HUGHES

This review is from: Carpathia (Carpathia Timeline) (Kindle Edition)

I’m not a great fan of vampire stories apart from Bram Stoker’s `Dracula’, which set the bar high. I see every character as either Christopher Lee or Peter Cushing from the 1960s Hammer Horror films – great stuff, but somewhat predictable. The recent batch of very popular vampire novels didn’t impress me much, either.

But `Carpathia’ is a wonderful book for vampire fans and even non-fans, like me! It’s not just a vampire story, although it has many elements of the classic vampire tale. No, it is a terrific, horror/steampunk adventure story complete with wonderful dirigibles and steam driven automobiles set against the background of revenge, intrigue, political plotting and a decent but not overdone amount of vampiric bloodletting. It reminds me, in some aspects, of the novels of John Buchan and as a fan of `The Thirty Nine Steps’ and other Buchan classics, I don’t award this bouquet lightly (keep reading review)

 

 

 

Free! Today! I’m giving my books away!

Who doesn’t like free books? Right? So with that in mind I’m giving away Kindle versions of both of my novels on Amazon.com.

That’s right! Both Carpathia and The Devil’s Harvest … Books 1 and 2 of the Carpathia Timeline … can be yours for the low-low price of NOTHING! Nada! Zip! Zed! Nil!

That’s a savings of … well, not really a lot because they’re weren’t that much to begin with…but HEY! Who doesn’t like FREE books?

New review of “Carpathia”

Carpathia received an honest review by Adelaida Saucedo on her website. The highlight of the review for me was this:

The plot is intriguing, and fast paced. We find historical drama, military action, vampires, werewolves and steampunk. Not an easy combination, but it works.

Of course, the “honest” part alluded to above means Ms. Saucedo also found things she didn’t like as much, to wit:

The narrative has some problems, it’s a bit “shaky” sometimes, as if the author didn’t spend too much time thinking about structure or language. In some places, it can get repetitive, especially at the beginning of the novel. But it gets better as it moves forward.

No quibbles from me about this, and thank you Ms. Saucedo for the insight. This is not the first time I’ve been told my ideas are better than my writing, so that is something I’m going to pay extra attention to in the future.

I hope she finds The Devil’s Harvest, which she has and told me in a Twitter message that she will read, to have more of the same in terms of exciting plotlines while also being more polished structurally.

 

I’m giving away signed copies of my books

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Quick update (Jan. 14): I’m going to close the contest to entries this Friday, January 18. The response has been more than I expected, so I don’t see any reason to drag it out another week.
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Who doesn’t like something free?

I decided to start 2013 by holding my first book giveaway, and to make it special I’m going to give away signed copies of both books from the Carpathia Timeline (Carpathia and The Devil’s Harvest) to some lucky person(s) in North America (sorry South America, Europe, Asia and Australia … I just can’t afford the postage).

Notice I used the could-be-plural “person(s)” above? That’s because if I get 20 or fewer entries, I will give away one set of books. If 21 or more people enter, I’ll hand out two sets. Prefer eBooks? I can do that instead but you won’t get my signature, which is on file with the U.S. Treasury Department — no kidding.

About now I bet you’re asking: “What do I have to do?” Not much, I promise you. Here’s are the details:

The Carpathia Timeline Giveaway

Dates: January 3-25 18, 2013
What: Signed copies of Carpathia and The Devil’s Harvest, the first two books of the Carpathia Timeline.
Who: Anyone in North America (Canada and the United States)
How to enter:
1. “Like” the Carpathia Timeline page on Facebook; OR
2. Send an email to 40WestMedia@comcast.net with the subject line “Book Giveaway” (NOTE: I will not sell or give out your email, or use it for any other purpose than to communicate with the winners of this contest).

Winners will be selected by random drawing and contacted for mailing information.

It’s just that easy, so what are you waiting for?

New edition of “Carpathia” available now

I’m getting ready to release The Devil’s Harvest on the world, and part of that is doing some maintenance work on Carpathia.

As of today (Monday, Nov. 26) there is a new edition of Carpathia available on Amazon (click here) available for the low-low price of $.99! This edition reflects the book’s status as the opener for the Carpathia Timeline, and it also includes  Bonus Fun Facts as well as four chapters from The Devil’s Harvest.

Do you *need* to get the new edition if you already have Carpathia? Not really, the fun facts are right here and I’m sure you’ll be buying The Devil’s Harvest when it comes out, right?

Wait, what? You haven’t bought Carpathia yet? You’re not aware of how much an action-packed, Steampunk, airships and vampires fun-filled thrill ride it is? Well, now’s the time my tardy friend. For less than a dollar US (until the taxes kick in), you can have the special edition.

And then come back soon to pick up The Devil’s Harvest. You do that, I’ll forgive you. 🙂

 

Interviewed by Jill Edmondson

Recently I had the distinct honor of being interviewed by Canadian author Jill Edmondson, author of the Sasha Jackson Mysteries.

I’ve read and greatly enjoyed two of the three Sasha books out right now (reviews here and here) … and the third is sitting on my Kindle waiting patiently for me to get to it.

After reading her I was also fortunate to connect with Jill via Social Media, and we’ve enjoyed a great Twitter friendship ever since. I would encourage any who are not to follow her: @JillEdmondson.

To read the interview, in which I discuss my novel Carpathia, follow this link.

Thanks again, Jill, for your generosity and support.

“Carpathia” moves to next round in Best Indie Books of 2012 contest

What a wonderful piece of news to wake up to!

I was informed this morning (Sunday, July 1) that Carpathia made the cut as a Semifinalist in The Kindle Book Review’s Best Indie Books of 2012 contest. I’m pleased (and, honestly, pretty surprised!) to display the badge of honor provided by The Kindle Book Review (@Kindlbookreview).

My little book is one of 12 semifinalists vying for the five slots that will comprise the Finalists in the Suspense/Horror category. Part of the criteria for selection was:

“These books were chosen because they hooked us in the first few pages, were well formatted and well edited. These titles also had above average star ratings!”

So a big THANK YOU to everyone who read my book and took the time to write and post a review!

And CONGRATULATIONS to my fellow semi-finalists. A quick glance at the list and I have 11 more books to add to my To-Read List!

Finalists will be announced September 1 and the top book, The Kindle Book Review’s Best Suspense/Horror of 2012 will be named October 1. I don’t have any expectations of going past this round, but as they say in Hollywood, just being nominated is an honor!

Looking for a GREAT read? Head over to The Kindle Book Review and check out the semifinalists in all categories of the contest. You’re sure to find an Indie book to enjoy.

Another 5-Star review of “Carpathia”

Thanks to Dave Whitmore (no relation) for this wonderful review of Carpathia on Amazon.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of the current trend of stories where vampires are “sparkly” or angst ridden, or sexy. Vampires are sexy? Sorry but vampires are supposed to be monsters that drink blood. What the hell is sexy about that?

The idea of Carpathia intrigued me from the start as it promised a welcome return to vampire stories as they should be written. And this book didn’t disappoint. Vampires. Werewolves. A zombie. Airships.  …” (click here to keep reading)

I’ve been struggling with putting together the jigsaw pieces of a plot for my next book, so getting this kind of feedback definitely helps.

Follow Mr. Whitmore on Twitter @PsychicWitness