My Books on Huge Pre-Holiday Sale + a Freebie!

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Amazon, animal lovers, animal rescue, Apple, Barnes & Noble, book sale, Book: The Earth Shifter, Books by author Lada Ray, Christmas sale, CULTURE: Russia, ebook price drop, fantasy, Gold Train (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure), Green Desert (Accidental Spy Iraq Prequel), metaphysical thriller, mystery, mystery thriller based on true historic events, no-kill animal shelter, Siberian Tiger rescue project, Smashwords, Sony, Stepford USA (Accidental Spy Small Town Adventure), thriller

Christmas and New Year’s are quickly approaching, and I have great news for those who are ready to load up their new #Kindles, #Nooks and e-readers with some scrumptious holiday reads! If you like original, mind-bending fiction; if you enjoy expanding your horizons with exotic, spiritual, thought-provoking adventures; if you crave knowledge about foreign cultures and the hidden secrets of our world – my books are for you!

All 3 of my novels are on huge sale – both ebooks and paperbacks – for a whole week starting Monday, December 9, through December 16, 2013, on #Amazon, #BN and #Smashwords!

All my 3 novels are now available as paperbacks at both Amazon and BN! Click on buy links below!

Move Update, KDP Select and Where to Purchase My Books

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Amazon Kindle, Apple, Author Lada Ray, BN Nook, Book: The Earth Shifter, Catharsis Legend of the Lemurians, E-book, Gold Train (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure), Green Desert (Accidental Spy Iraq Prequel), Kobo, price drop, Siberian Tiger, Smashwords, Stepford USA (Accidental Spy Small Town Adventure)

Hello, everyone!

I have received some questions about where I’d disappeared lately and whether my books are still a part of #KDPSelect program.

As some of you may know, very recently I have moved my residence, and I am presently settling down. I love the new house; it’s nice, yet substantially smaller than my old one. I am rather happy about that since I don’t have to waste as much time taking care of the property. Instead, I can let my creative juices flow more freely, while concentrating fully on things that matter – namely my various spiritual, creative and life projects that have been blossoming wonderfully.

Read more about that here:

Big Move and Big Plans

For a small part of my exciting plans (more coming!), check out my new page:

Feng Shui

#Indie #Publishing Update: What’s Happening at #Kobo?

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Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Author Lada Ray, Barnes & Noble, ebooks, indie authors, Indie Publishing, Kindle, Kobo, Kobo Writing Life, Kobo.com, Nook, publishing, Smashwords

I have received this informative email from Kobo (read below) and decided to re-post it here for the benefit of all Indie authors. It appears that Kobo Writing Life -the Indie publishing arm of the company – has received bad press in the United Kingdom for allegedly not screening the books they have on sale and therefore violating their own guidelines. As a result, Kobo initiated a massive Indie book removal and inspection. If you publish with Kobo in the UK and were affected by mistake, the email below is straight out of the horse’s mouth and explains Kobo’s position.

I understand the books targeted by this removal are basically hard-core erotica and such. I must say that regardless of the type of books Kobo is presently reviewing, I for one am very happy they are actually taking an interest in addressing some of their problems, which are many. I sincerely hope they become more responsive and more responsible about their Indie publishing service soon.

Although my rant below may seem slightly off topic, but it illustrates vividly Kobo’s desire to jump on the ebook and indie publishing bandwagon, while failing to take their responsibility seriously. The only reason I’m writing this is that I sincerely hope someone at Kobo sees it and finally takes action!

And the Oscar For the Funniest Book Review Goes To…

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#freebiefriday, Accidental Spy Adventure Series, Amazon, Barnes & Noble Nook, book reviews, Books by author Lada Ray, Catharsis Legend of the Lemurians, donating book profits, E-book, free ebook, Gold Train (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure), Green Desert (Accidental Spy Iraq Prequel), Kindle, Kobo, no-kill animal shelter, Siberian Tiger rescue, Smashwords, Stepford USA (Accidental Spy Small Town Adventure), The Earth Shifter

I recently received this 4 star review for GREEN DESERT (Accidental Spy Iraq Prequel) on Barnes & Noble.

fernweh428 Posted September 28, 2013

I don’t quite know what to make of this book, and I mean that in the best sense. It captures my attention and I will re-read it soon.

This review made me giggle, but it certainly was a giggle meant in the best sense! 😉

I guess I should be flattered that Green Desert captured someone’s attention and made them think. This was my intention you know. So, a funny review – yes; but I’ll take it! Perhaps my ideas and thoughts will be mainstream one day. Like with the 100 Monkeys Theory, it takes only a small percentage of people to shift to a new way of thinking – and acting (!) – in order to create a massive paradigm shift for humanity. 

Till then, I’ll keep dreaming, writing and speaking out…

As Jade Snow, the heroine of Accidental Spy Adventures, said in conclusion of Green Desert, “One day, desert will be a garden again…”

Our beautiful Earth is a garden, not a military battleground! This is the message of Green Desert, and of my other books.

From GREEN DESERT description on Amazon: “The Butterfly Effect with an unexpected twist, this short, but full of action and drama read explores how interconnected we really are in this world.” Ebook is currently available #FREE from Barnes & Noble #Nook, Amazon #Kindle, as well as from other retailers. See all buy links here!

All my books (both paperbacks and ebooks) can now be purchased from multiple sources, including Barnes&Noble, Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo, Sony, Apple, etc. Profits from my book sales go to no-kill animal shelter in Upstate NY, USA: Tompkins County SPCA; and to Siberian Tiger rescue project in Russia. Read more about that here!

Click on book cover images for all buy links!

Publishing Paradigm Shift. What Is Better: Amazon KDP Select or Broad Distribution?

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Amazon, Apple, Author Lada Ray, Barnes&Noble, Big 6 Publishers, Catharsis Legend of the Lemurians, Free ebooks on Kindle, Gold Train (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure), Green Desert, Indie Publishing, KDP, KDP Select, KDP Select free promo, KDPS, Kobo, publishing paradigm shift, Smashwords, Sony, Stepford USA, The Earth Shifter

Amazon KDP Select (KDPS) or broad distribution through multiple channels – in other words, to be or not to be. For me, it was a cause of much vacillation for the past year.

Finally, I have happily parted ways with #KDPSelect, not planning to ever return, barring some sort of massive revamping of their system. My books are back to #BN and #Smashwords, and slowly but surely they are also posting on #Kobo, #Sony and #Apple as well. I am also making both CATHARSIS and GREEN DESERT free everywhere, to celebrate this joyous occasion! See My books at a glance + buy links. A separate post is coming soon with direct links to Kobo, BN and Sony. There will be freebies too, so watch for them!

So why am I celebrating?

Do Amazon and Createspace rip off Indie publishers with failure to correctly report sales?

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Amazon, Amazon complaints, amazon customer service, Amazon Kindle, amazon royalties, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Bookselling, Createspace, createspace royalties, independent authors, Indie Publishing, KDP, Smashwords

This post has just come to my attention and I felt it deserved to be re-posted on my blog. It is about missing or under-reported book sales on Amazon/Kindle/Createspace. I have long suspected something like this. Sometimes I would hear from people that they bought my books, but sales numbers would not match up on KDP or CS reports. Unlike the author in this piece, I am not into meticulously tracking each sale, however even I noticed multiple discrepancies – sometimes gross ones – in the past year or two. I even complained about it last year, but received a canned response. It appears that Smashwords is more accurate in reporting sales, although their reports are delayed.

Many indies are too busy to watch their sales, or they may simply give Amazon the benefit of the doubt, while unfortunately, constant oversight is required. This is a very disturbing situation, and only one of many that are troubling where Amazon’s practices are concerned. For example, in last year’s scandal, Amazon was implicated in a massive meddling with indie book reviews. It also manipulated algorithms to give unfair advantage to the Big 6 and to Amazon grandfathered authors. Another example: a friend of mine is a non-fiction indie publisher, who prints her books through her own channels. When her books have been ordered, she mails them to Amazon. She has complained that Amazon has been repeatedly losing her books, reporting them back to her as canceled sales. Her investigation revealed that the problem with lost books was a widespread one.

Whether these kinds of actions are deliberate or are based on terrible accounting/tracking system and lack of organization,

The Earth Shifter Review & Feature Fest

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Amazon Kindle, author interview, Author Lada Ray, Barnes&Noble, book reviews, books by Lada Ray, Catharsis Legend of the Lemurians, Gold Train, Goodreads, Green Desert, indie authors, Smashwords, Stepford USA, The Earth Shifter, YouTube

Hello everyone! In October 2012 I did a Book Review Fest where I shared my new reviews of several awesome books by fellow indie authors. The Review Fest 1 became so popular that I decided to continue the tradition. As many of you know, my new release, fantasy/thriller THE EARTH SHIFTER, has received some very nice reviews in the past couple of months. Also, it is coming out as paperback on or after March 18th, which will be a pre-launch release: the official book launch is in April. The paperback will feature excerpts from the best and most interesting reviews The Earth Shifter has received so far.

I’m very grateful to all those who took the time and effort to not only read my book, but also post a thoughtful and honest review. Many of these reviews put a smile on my face and warmed my heart because their authors have captured the very essence of the story. All the reviews were fabulous and rich in material, and I had a hard time choosing which reviews, and which excerpts, to include. But due to space limitations, I had to make some hard choices.

Today, I want to honor all of my first reviewers by posting excerpts from their reviews, the links to their original websites and blogs, as well as other sources, where the full reviews can be found. The excerpts below have been selected for the inclusion in THE EARTH SHIFTER paperback Praise Section, as well as on the back cover. You will notice that one of the review excerpts below is longer than the others. That is because its author, Sofia Siberia, is the very first reviewer of The Earth Shifter, and also, because her review hits on so many great points that resonate deeply with the book’s message and intent.

For those who have missed my recent author interviews and features, I am also including the links below. What I especially love about these pieces is that they are all so different, reflecting varying personalities and interests of my interviewers, while working in concert to lift the veil of secrets, big and small, and complimenting each other quite wonderfully. Check out these one-of-a-kind and cool interviews (and this not an exaggeration!), which will shed additional light on the characters, settings, and the wild, wild ride that was the creation of this “cosmic adventure thriller,” as author J.J. Collins has called it!

Before we begin, a want to share some breaking news:

As you may have noticed from the image above, the front cover of THE EARTH SHIFTER has received a face lift based on my publisher’s guidance. I really like the new cover and I think it will showcase the book even better! This will be the cover we’ll use for both the paperback and ebook editions.

Also, just to mention, my birthday is coming up and to celebrate it, I’m starting a Read and Review Program. Anyone interested in reading and reviewing any of my books, including The Earth Shifter, Gold Train, Stepford USA, Catharsis & Green Desert, will receive respective ebooks for free. See the full list of my books here. The details of the Read and Review will be announced in a couple of days both here and on Goodreads, and it will be accompanied by a new, awesome giveaway, as well as other goodies! Please stay tuned!

Without further ado, The Earth Shifter Review & Feature Fest!

Check out these wonderful recent INTERVIEWS & FEATURES:

Feng Shui, Fidel Castro & Fascinating Predictions! An Interview with Lada Ray! – Title says is all. One-of-a-kind interview conducted by author & blogger Rohan Healy, Rohan7things blog!

Interview with Author Lada Ray – A very different, witty and spunky chat conducted by spiritual blogger Madeline Walsh, 1EarthUnite blog!

Interview with the Author: Lada Ray – a detailed and fun talk conducted by Michala of Bitemybook.com

Author Spotlight: Lada Ray – A cool piece, where M.C. O’Neill, the Author of The Ancients and the Angels, is discussing The Earth Shifter & Catharsis (Legend of the Lemurians). Includes reviews!

The Earth Shifter and yours truly have also been discussed in this cool radio/video interview: Ancients & Spirits: Author M.C. O’Neill on the Vinny Eastwood Show

Last, but certainly not least, I’m delighted to announce that I will also be a guest on the Vinny Eastwood Show at 6pm EST on March 18th, all thanks to Mark O’Neill’s glowing introduction, for which I’m eternally grateful! Tune in to listen on the American Freedom Radio or watch it at  vinnyeastwoodshow.com and guerillamedia.co.nz.  I will also post the show on LadaRay Youtube channel and here, on my blog, a few days after. Please tune in to listen, ask questions and comment! Hope you enjoy it, and please stop by to let me know what you think!

And now, the reviews!

5 Stars – “Lada Ray’s The Earth Shifter is the easiest five star review I’ve done in a long time, I loved and was captivated by the story right from he beginning. The parallels with so much of what is happening in the world today, and so many other detailed aspects give believability to this well crafted, wonderful story. My only complaint is that it is a trilogy and I have to wait till the end of 2013 to find out what happens next.”—Paulette Mahurin, Author – The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap (California) 

5 Stars – “The best book I’ve read in two years! Warning: Lada Ray knows more about human nature than Gandhi himself! Read The Earth Shifter and you’ll see a new definition to YA fantasy.” —M.C. O’Neill, Author – The Ancients and the Angels (Chicago, USA)

5 Stars – “Fantastic new young adult fiction! I finished The Earth Shifter 3 nights ago and it has been on my mind since. The characters and plot have stuck with me and I eagerly await the next installment. As I was reading a book set primarily in Russia about comets striking the Earth, what should happen but a comet should strike Russia! That was crazy and gave the book a whole new level of intrigue!” —Rohan Healy, Author, Blogger (Ireland)

5 Stars – “If you could read just one book this year, seriously consider The Earth Shifter! This metaphysical fantasy/thriller is simply one of the most compelling stories you’ll find. Author Lada Ray expertly weaves a tale about the consequences that mankind’s insanity has upon the world. The adventure is all-encompassing and epic in scope, and the author mindfully balances multiple story lines where the characters play a very crucial role in the outcome. It’s a real eye-opening, earth-shifting experience for sure!”—Madeline Walsh, Blogger (New York)

5 Stars – “A cosmic adventure thriller that will take the reader through history and across continents. The plot moves along quickly, introducing each key character and sub-plot with precision timing. An awesome, fast-paced, original storyline with exceptional twists that will leave you breathless and wanting more. The book is outstandingly researched and a marvel of creativity. It contains the perfect mix of history, fact, fiction and creative imagination at its best.”—J.J. Collins, Author – James Madison, The Father of the Constitution (London, UK)

5 Stars – “A hypnotizing novel which moves with deeply ingrained subplots. It serves up juicy portions of a storyline you will be begging to finish reading. A book that is hard to put down…because it is more complex than you can imagine…the next page must be turned… MUST BE… And just when you think you know all the essentials, Lada interrupts your story with an added element, perfectly knitted into the world of Sasha and the Key. I wouldn’t hold this novel to being just a YA because it is perfectly suited for the adults as well. Most all of characters were easy to grab onto and hold close. Final Verdict: 10/10.”—Bite My Book Reviews

5 Stars – “Tolkien, move over, another Russian has hit the deck running. Must read!”—Nanakulikane Reviews (Hawaii) – see this review on Amazon

5 Stars – “The Earth Shifter is a rich cocktail of amazing ingredients with the two core, and most delicious components being, the mystical realm of Lake Baikal in Siberia, as well as the Prophecy of the Key. The author covers a wide range of interests from history and legends, to mysticism, prophecy and origins of humanity. There are elements of a spy thriller set against the glamorous backdrop of modern Moscow and New York.

My family is originally from Siberia, and I was mesmerized by the beautiful descriptions of indigenous Siberia, including shamanism, ancient history, Tunguska Meteorite explosion, local village life. The author Lada Ray is a unique mysterious encyclopedia in herself! Her writing style is inimitable and her esoteric knowledge is impressive. While reading the book, I just couldn’t help but wonder how one person can possibly know all that!

The unexpected twists and turns, amazing flashbacks, stand-out characters and unforgettable settings all fold into an astonishing kaleidoscope of events and a mystically-integrated message. Every new chapter is an escalating suspense, and every new piece of information is an introduction to another, even more gripping revelation. The Earth Shifter will keep you thrilled, intrigued and glued to the next page. You’ll wish you could finish your chores ASAP so you could absorb yourself in reading again. The book brings modern present and ancient past into a fantastic unity, being prophetic, revealing, casting lights on the shadowy preliminaries and the shifting destinies of humankind.

The Earth Shifter will literally “shift” your consciousness, for, after reading it, the world as you see it will never be the same again! I’m endlessly happy I discovered Lada Ray’s books and got to know her as a writer!” —Sofia Siberia, Blogger (Russia/ Ukraine/ Lebanon)

5 Stars – “World-enriching spiritual journey filled with drama and excitement! Another impressive thriller. Ms. Ray artfully puts the pieces in place, building the suspense steadily until the reader is fully encompassed. The Earth Shifter has incredible scope. It combines geopolitics, spirituality, cultural depth and, perhaps most of all, the idea that it is the relationships we form, how we treat each other, that is so important to the healing of the planet.” —Jason Sullivan, Author – Rahala, An Ascension Odyssey (USA)

4.5 Stars – “A complex tale with a great cast of characters. A great YA thriller that is sure to please. I think adult readers will enjoy it as much.” Kate Farrell – The Kindle Book Review & katesreads.com (USA)

Also, many thanks to authors George Wensley (UK), Darlene Foster (Canada) and Guy Portman (UK) for their lovely 5 and 4 star reviews!

You can also read these reviews & more on:

Amazon     B&N     Goodreads     Smashwords   

See book extras on Shelfari

THE EARTH SHIFTER characters/settings/themes/news/excerpts

Stay tuned to the Read and Review Program! Coming next week!

Related articles

• THE EARTH SHIFTER Plot Playing out in Real Time: Massive Meteor Rocks Russia! (ladaray.wordpress.com)
• Ancients & Spirits: Author Mark O’Neil on the Vinny Eastwood Show (ladaray.wordpress.com)
• The Earth Shifter & Gold Train Paperback Preview (ladaray.wordpress.com)
• My Favorite EARTH SHIFTER Themes & Characters: Fantasy, History, Geopolitics, Metaphysics (ladaray.wordpress.com)
• Feng Shui, Fidel Castro & Fascinating Predictions! An Interview with Lada Ray! (rohan7things.wordpress.com)
• Interview with Lada Ray (1earthunite.wordpress.com)
• Book Review – The Earth Shifter by Lada Ray (rohan7things.wordpress.com)
• Happy Birthday to Me and Award Party 2013! (ladaray.wordpress.com)
• The Earth Shifter Review & Feature Fest (ladaray.wordpress.com)

THE EARTH SHIFTER Epic Journey Begins!

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Amazon Kindle, Author Lada Ray, book excerpt, ebook, geopolitical/spy thriller, Lake Baikal, sci-fi, Siberia, Smashwords, The Earth Shifter, visionary/metaphysical, YA fantasy

THE EARTH SHIFTER official launch: December 31, 2012!

On this date, the ebook will be released simultaneously on: Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Smashwords. Other retailers will follow shortly. All buy links will be posted here, on my blog, and on the Book Store page of my official author website LadaRay.com.

On December 31, I will also announce a Mega-Giveaway, with prizes ranging from free ebooks and free editing to Kindle and Smashwords formatting, which I promise, will suit everyone’s tastes.

However, the Grand Prize will be something very, very special! It will be something you’ll definitely, definitely want!

Intrigued? Please join me on 12/31/12, and find out more!

ANNOUNCEMENT 1/2/13:

Join the epic EARTH SHIFTER quest, and enter a new world!

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

Yes, it’s finally here!

Priced at an affordable $2.99, THE EARTH SHIFTER ebook is now live at:

Smashwords    Barnes & Noble Nook    Nook UK

Amazon US   UK   CA   DE   ES   IT   FR   JP   BR  

THE EARTH SHIFTER Goodreads page

It is also coming shortly to Apple, Sony, Kobo, Diesel, and other ebook retailers. All buy links, as usual, will be posted at my official website LadaRay.com. For those who have asked me, paperback is planned for 2013, date TBD.

 

Without further ado, introducing THE EARTH SHIFTER!

BOOK STATS:

Category: novel, historical fantasy, contemporary fantasy, YA crossover, geopolitical/spy thriller, visionary/metaphysical.

Word count: 103,889 words; Page count: 400 pages

THE EARTH SHIFTER is a true YA crossover, suitable for most readers, teen through adult.

SYNOPSIS:

Mankind would never know how close it came to annihilation on June 30, 1908. Somewhere in the murky depths of the Cosmos, the Comet of Karma is born. When all hope fades, it is sent to planet Earth, its sole mission to wipe out a failing civilization. It has happened before, and it can happen again. Except this time, the Earth Keepers would not interfere.

The Comet of Karma tasked with destroying a failing civilization…

The Earth Keepers endowed with supreme powers over the planet and agonizing over the ultimate decision…

The Protectors risking their lives to keep the world intact…

A beautiful brunette with hidden agenda, who is infinitely more than anyone knows…

Two ambitious and unscrupulous men, who’ll stop at nothing…

Global secret society bent on usurping power on Earth…

A woman, ready to betray in order to save her son…

Old spy organization with a secret human weapon…

The Shifters, with power over mind, matter, time and space…

And three teenagers, two of whom are destined to become mankind’s salvation—the all-powerful KEY of DESTINY. They will open a new era for Humanity, if they succeed in keeping their souls uncorrupted… and if they manage to come together before it’s too late…

BOOK SETTING:

Siberia, Russia: Sacred Lake Baikal; the site of the 1908 Tunguska Meteorite explosion

Moscow, Russia: Tverskaya Street; Moscow University; NORUS headquarters; Russian Intelligence

Manhattan, NY: Chinatown; Hell’s Kitchen; Battery Park City

New Jersey, USA: Princeton; Secret US government facility in Hoboken

Geneva, Switzerland

Mystical realms of Heaven and Earth: Outer Space; Keepers Realm; Underworld

MAIN CHARACTERS:

(Keep in mind, many here are not what they seem, read at your own risk!)

Sasha Elfimova, a Moscow teenager

Professor Maxim Elfimov, Sasha’s father

Olga Elfimova, Sasha’s mother

Tengis, aka the Old Man of Siberia, Siberian shaman

Win and Kei Lee, twins who live in NY Chinatown

Dao-ming and Chang Lee, twins’ parents

Red, mysterious and all-powerful brunette

Semyon Isayev, famous remote viewer

Boris Konukovsky, Russian oligarch

Aloysius Drakley, Assistant Director of the CIA

Yuun Lin, Feng Shui master, friend of the Lee family

Dasha and Professor Richard Clarke, friends of the Elfimov family

Young Peter the Great

Grigory Rasputin

The Shifters

The Society

Keepers of the Earth

EXCERPTS GALORE!

From the Earth Keepers Chronicles:

 SHIFTERS

There are four types of Shifters. Mind Shifters can access any thoughts, even the hidden ones; Matter Shifters can turn into anything, as well as turn objects into something else; Time Shifters can bend and jump time; and Space Shifters can compress space, appearing at different places at once.

This is how Buddha was able to stop the charging elephant (mind shifting). This is how Jesus was able to multiply bread to feed the hungry (matter shifting). People swore that they saw the famous Time and Space Shifter, Count Saint-Germain, disappear and re-appear at different historic times and places.

The power of the true Shifters is such that they can manipulate events on Earth. To prevent that from happening, the true Shifters are carefully watched from birth and they are never told about the real extent of their powers until they are deemed ready.

The misuse of even one of these powers can be a huge problem. If more than one Shifter power is abused, the consequences can be catastrophic. Of course, despite all precautions, sometimes the Shifters discover who they are on their own, and sometimes they abuse their powers. This is what happened to Hitler, who was a powerful Mind and Matter Shifter, and who misused his powers for evil.

Ever since, the Keepers have been determined never to let this happen again.

PROTECTORS

The Protectors, also called Bogatyrs, are a special caste of gifted and courageous humans, whose entire life’s mission is to assist the Key of Destiny. As likely to be a soldier as an accountant, the Protector can literally be anyone, and you may never pick him or her out of the crowd.

These people may go through life not realizing their true destiny until the moment they are called to service. Then, their real nature becomes their only nature, and they fulfill their soul’s promise.

They are brave and dedicated, and if necessary, they will sacrifice their lives in order to protect Humanity from itself. In the past, many Protectors died to prevent mankind’s annihilation. Most perished in obscurity, as those they saved never found out about their heroism, the only memory of their deeds being preserved in these chronicles.

But no end is in sight for the Protectors’ sacrifice, as Humanity of Planet Earth enters the era of its ultimate struggle.

REMOTE VIEWERS

Remote viewing is a version of space shifting, which can be done without leaving your chair. On the surface, such an exercise appears an expedient shortcut, and easier than true space shifting, therefore, relatively large numbers of humans have been able to perform it.

In the Twentieth Century, intelligence services of then Cold War rivals, USA and USSR, had opened training centers for gifted remote viewers to deploy them as psychic spies. Over the years, psychic warriors, as they were known, managed to glean secret data from their adversaries, which was impossible to obtain any other way.

After the end of the Cold War, remote viewing programs were all but dismantled. However, at the dawn of the new millennium, psychic warriors were again in demand, some working for governments, others for major global corporations, and the rest, for secret organizations. Many remote viewers made pretty good money, exploiting their gifts for profit or someone’s global ambitions.

However, as with misuse of any power, there is always a steep price to pay.

 KEEPERS

Before recorded history, before Humanity, since times immemorial, Earth Keepers have been watching over our planet. Mankind has inherited the venerable institution of Keepers from its ancestors, the Lemurians, who were designated the first Keepers of earthly civilization soon after their arrival from the dying planet Catharsis, located on the outskirts of the Andromeda Galaxy.

Marked at birth and endowed with supreme powers, each new Keeper is called to duty when the previous one passes. The nine chosen ones have always been, and continue to be, Earth’s record keepers and moderators, and when the time comes, ultimate decision makers.

THE EARTH SHIFTER: Now live!

Join the quest: 

THE EARTH SHIFTER Launch and ARCHOS TABLET Mega-Giveaway!

P.S. Want to become one of THE EARTH SHIFTER’s first reviewers? Email @ Lada at LadaRay.com, or leave a comment with your email!

Accidental Spy Mega-Giveaway Results: Congrats, Winners!

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Accidental Spy Adventure Series, Amazon Kindle, book giveaway, book giveaway winners, E-book, Gold Train by author Lada Ray, Green Desert, paperback, publishing, Rafflecopter, reading, Smashwords, Stepford USA, writing

Accidental Spy Mega-Giveaway is over and the winners have been chosen by Rafflecopter. They are:

Kelly Osgood – Premium ebook formatting for both Kindle and Smashwords by DWD!

Mary Ellis – Signed GOLD TRAIN paperback with personalized author message!

Anna Tan – Complete set of 3 Accidental Spy Ebooks!

Joleen Naylor – Writers’ Pack: Complete Handbook of Novel Writing + Guide to Queries, Pitches & Proposals!

See full results here!

CONGRATULATIONS, WINNERS!

Many thanks to all my fans and readers for their support!

All about the ACCIDENTAL SPY SERIES

Check out BOOKS by LADA RAY

Below: GOLD TRAIN, signed premium paperback edition, with personilized message by author – winner, Mary Ellis

Indie Book Review Fest

Tags

5 star books, Author Lada Ray, awesome reads, book reviews, books kindle, Catharsis, ebooks, fantasy scifi, Gold Train by author Lada Ray, indie authors, Kindle, Legend of the Lemurians, mystery thriller, Smashwords, Stepford USA

Welcome to the Indie Book Review Fest! Included are my September reviews of 4 great books by fellow authors, as well as the most recent and best reviews of my own books. I promise a feast for the reader’s soul with a variety of genres, including adventure, mystery/thriller, fantasy/scifi, metaphysical/spiritual, paranormal and non-fiction/history.

Without further ado…

RAHALA: An Ascension Odyssey by Jason Sullivan

Category: fantasy/scifi, dystopian, spiritual/metaphysical

FREE at this time on Smashwords!

 Review by: Lada Ray on Sep. 16, 2012 :     
Fascinating, Visionary and Creative – Highly Recommended!

While visiting the ancient rocks in northern Arizona, friends Marcia, Steve and Harvey encounter a striking inter-dimensional phenomenon, and meet a friendly alien who shows them the future destruction of the Earth by vicious extraterrestrials called Perathons.

What ensues is a highly imaginative, philosophical and visionary story of a quest by three very different humans to save the planet. Although the book features various aliens, it is as much about saving the planet from them, as it is about saving it from ourselves, particularly from those humans who succumb to greed, aggression and other vices. It is also about saving OURSELVES, our souls, our hearts, all that is pure and good; it is about remembering who we are and what’s important.

The imagery is both profound and creative. The author takes his protagonists back in time: to ancient France and medieval Ireland, where the reader is asked to reconnect with the pure nature of our planet, and to the dismal distant future, where we see what would become of us and the Earth, if heroic action is not taken to prevent this time-line from becoming a gruesome reality.

I loved the spiritual/metaphysical element in the story, reminiscent of the Earth’s wisdom from the Native American and ancient European traditions, as well as what we call today the “New Thought.” At times, Rahala also reminded me of the famous book, The Celestine Prophecy.

Jason Sullivan’s book packs a lot of information in a relatively short space. It is easy and pleasant to read, includes some humor, yet it gets you thinking about the important truths we often forget or brush aside. I highly recommend this enjoyable, imaginative and spiritual read to anyone!

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CATHARSIS, Legend of the Lemurians (Earth Keepers Chronicles: Book 1) by Lada Ray

Category: fantasy/scifi, YA, dystopian, spiritual/metaphysical 

Available on Amazon US  UK  and other countries

Smashwords – FREE!

Coming to B&N, Kobo, Sony, Apple any day now!

Catharsis can also be purchased at Lada Ray Book Store (PDF)

Catharsis was released on September 13, 2012. I intend to keep it free for the time being on Smashwords, and possibly on B&N, Kobo, Sony and Apple. It is only $.99 on Kindle. Below are excerpts from the best reviews it received so far.

Review by: Mary Ellis on Sep. 30, 2012 :     
CATHARSIS immediately drew me in!
I’ve just finished a really intriguing short story written by Lada Ray: Catharsis, Legend of the Lemurians, is Book 1 of the new Earth Keepers Series. It is a metaphysical/dystopian short, which is also the companion and prequel to the upcoming YA fantasy/thriller novel, THE EARTH SHIFTER.

Catharsis is only 11K words, or about 30 pages in length, but it delivers quite an impact. The characters, back story, setting—all work together to create the aura of fairytale magic, along with important lessons to be learned. I found myself rooting for the Uglies, especially the protagonist Morf, as they try to save the planet, and as they have to make the hardest choice of their uneasy lives.

This first book of a very promising new series, is a relatively quick and easy read. Heart warming message about remembrance, and what it means to be a genuine human being. In these times, when we focus on all the bad news around us, it’s easy to forget this precious lesson. A truly great and inspiring read, recommended for all age groups but especially for young people… it will give them hope and a brighter outlook for the future! Highly recommend, I am eagerly awaiting the next installment, which will feature the Lemurians’ and Atlanteans’ life on Earth. 5 Stars for this elegant work.

Review by: Inspirational Fiction/IF Mystery Sep. 30, 2012 :    
Great writing, plotting and pacing but the short story just ended, leaving me scratching my head. A great morality lesson for young adults, especially in this age of bullies, still I wish the author had fleshed out the events on Earth.

Lada says: This is a series of shorts, therefore, the events on Earth for both the Lemurians and Atlanteans are coming up in the next 3 books – to be released in the first part of 2013. Stay tuned!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars

This prequel will appeal to lovers of Star Trek, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Star Wars, all rolled into an exciting new series September 19, 2012

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Review by: J.J.Collins  Format: Kindle Edition

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I read all the author’s previous books and loved them all. “Catharsis – Legend of the Lemurians”, the author’s first book of the Earth Keepers Chronicles. The author has an exceptional talent to blend amazing creative writing, brilliant imagination and current topical issues in her writing. Catharsis has everything, science, astrology, mythology, biblical prophecy, and current affairs, all intertwined in a magical tour de force. You can tell the author puts a little bit of her soul into everything she writes, this pays off exceptionally well, as the reader will always find it difficult to remove oneself from the journey presented.

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This prequel transcends all age groups, every character has a significance and every page a twist. It contains strong values, fosters loyalty and respect, and provides for the type of leadership qualities that we all seek, but rarely find in our own modern day world.

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The promise for the future and the sense of the unknown for the main characters is as relevant, and as important to the main characters, as it is to any reader of this wonderful piece.

Review by: Madeline Walsh on Sep. 17, 2012 :     

A Beautiful Tale of Paradise Lost and Paradise Found! What does it mean to be ugly, Truly ugly from the inside-out? We are about to find out as Author, Lada Ray, takes us on a timeless adventure from a distant galaxy far away and long ago. Lessons “forgotten” tend to repeat themselves throughout history until we ultimately learn from them. “Catharsis” is a timely tale that warns us about how our collective future may unfold if we don’t wake up!

Review by: KatesReads on Sep. 15, 2012 :    
This is a great short story and intro into The Earth Keepers Chronicles. It is very imaginative and well plotted. Even in such a short story Lada Ray packs a powerful message.

Review by: Jason Sullivan on Sep. 15, 2012 :     
Do you believe in the Atlanteans or, the even more obscured by time and history, Lemurians? Could they have come from another planet? ‘Catharsis, Legend of the Lemurians’ is a fascinating allegorical tale by the talented author, Lada Ray. This allegorical story contains important truths, which are especially relevant today. Read ‘Catharsis, Legend of the Lemurians’! It will get you thinking about collective karma, where we might have come from, and what the future could hold if we do not learn to care for each other and to share the resources of planet Earth.

Review by: ReviewerRachel on Sep. 14, 2012 :    
Catharsis! This book may be only 27 pages, but it wowed me! I’m usually not drawn to short stories at all, I just stay so disconnected. The book gave off a pleasant sense of whimsy, at the same time, it underlined crucial lessons about understanding/bullying/stereotypes/societal norms. I just all-around adored it! It was just so different from everything else I’ve ever read. I loved the background stories, the lessons it expressed. Several of them closely mirrored my favorite Bible stories. It didn’t leave me empty like other short stories, it filled me up completely. I absolutely recommend this book to people looking for a satisfying read.

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SECRETS of GHOSTS by Mardi Orlando

Category: YA, fantasy, paranormal, metaphysical, history

Available on Amazon and B&N.

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5.0 out of 5 stars

Absorbing Journey with Mystery, Magic and Heart, September 21, 2012

Review by: Lada Ray Format: Kindle Edition

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Brought together by their mysterious and powerful gifts, seven teenagers have been stranded between worlds. Their mission is simple: uncover the hidden past, free the ghosted children stuck for a hundred years in an abandoned church, defeat the shadow…and try to survive the experience.

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The problem is, while the ghosted children are fruitlessly trying to remember their past in order to move to the light, the seven teenagers who are tasked with saving them, desperately want to forget theirs. However, without releasing their own demons, the teens won’t be able to help the ghosts, moreover, they won’t be able to save themselves.

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The book alternates between the past – devastating times of World War I & II – and the present. The tragic stories of the ghosted children, of the local town and of the seven teenagers are woven together into one absorbing, haunting tale. I found myself deeply engrossed in this book, trying to find out what happens next. The war time newspaper clippings provided the local perspective of the events of War World II, particular to the British and Western point of view.

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I especially want to commend the author for her wonderful descriptions of the teens’ rare metaphysical gifts, from telepathy and clairvoyance to working with crystals and empathy. This is the subject that is very dear to my heart and I find that the author understands and feels what she is writing about on a very profound level – true, and fascinating to read about.

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The main characters are interesting to read about, especially Daffodil, Jake and Santu. Besides, you can’t help but feel sorry for the ghosts and root for their salvation. There is profound humanity in how the author paints the ghosts’ touching protectiveness of each other and their ghosted animals. There are valuable lessons to be learned from this book. A great read – highly recommended!

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GOLD TRAIN (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure) by Lada Ray

Category: action/adventure, historic mystery, spy thriller, romance, paranormal

Currently available on Amazon US  UK and other countries.

Coming in October to Smashwords, B&N, Kobo, Sony , Apple

Can also be purchased from Lada Ray Book Store (PDF)

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Ebook cover

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Paperback cover

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars

Very Nice Read, Adventures Abound!, September 18, 2012

Review by Jasper Snieder Format: Kindle Edition

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Highly anticipated follow up adventure by novelist Lada Ray, Gold Train certainly delivers with dramatic thrills and spills. The action follows journalist Jade Snow as the sexy super sleuth goes international and unravels a potential conspiracy that may destroy the world. Truth, justice and the American way… superman can take lessons from this this reporter! Easily 5 stars all the way, highly recommend for all you politicos out there.

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JAMES MADISON – The Father of the Constitution (1751 – 1836) by J.J. Collins

Category: non-fiction, history, biography

Available Paperback: Amazon US  UK

Ebook: Amazon US  UK

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5.0 out of 5 stars

Inspiring Read About the Proudest Moment of American History September 30, 2012 Review by Lada Ray Format: Paperback

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With profound knowledge and great style, J.J. Collins sets out to explore the creation of the American Constitution and the birth of the American Republic, as well as the people behind these events. This is not a very long book, but it packs a wallop of information, at the same time managing to convey the feel, texture and attitudes of that era.

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We get to meet not only James Madison himself, but also the other greats of American history: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, among others. The author takes us to the historic 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia where we witness first-hand the process of creation of the Constitution. The uncharted territory that was the American Constitution made it difficult to reconcile all the varying opinions and interests in order to arrive at one document, which would unite the whole country. James Madison and others were heavily influenced by the philosophy of the European Era of Enlightenment. In turn, the American Constitution would later become the symbol of freedom and the fight against tyranny in Europe and elsewhere.

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Ironically, some of the most shameful moments of American history were also enshrined in the Constitution, including the justification of slavery and the fact that each slave was considered only 3/5 of a white man, as well as the creation of the Electoral College – the US Presidential Election’s unfair and archaic indirect voting system, which still persists today.

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The book proceeds to describe the era of the British/French war, the French revolutionary wars starting at the end of the 18th century, a struggle for the USA to remain neutral to European conflicts, and the ever deepening bitter political divisions between Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans – the former revolutionary buddies. We follow James Madison’s life and career, from the post of the Secretary of State to being elected the fourth President of the United States, and later, to his death.

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It was the era of great statesmen, not mere politicians, the kind of people we only wish we could see in the White House today. Their intellect, knowledge, erudition and profound concern for their country and fellow man – moderated with reason and wisdom – led them to create the foundation on which America functioned successfully for many years. They passionately debated the issues of individual’s rights, state vs. federal power, unjust enrichment, monopoly, separation of legislative and executive powers, establishment of a National Bank, and equitable taxation. They developed laws, which at that time in history resulted in the most advanced society on Earth. The creation of the American Constitution signified the US history’s proudest moment.

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However, these men were also the children of their time: they held slaves and made constant efforts to forcefully convert the Native Americans into the white man’s way of life.

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This book is especially timely today. As we slowly drift away from the principles that once made this country great in so many ways, it serves as an important reminder of things the Americans have conveniently forgotten. A highly recommended read for American history buffs and novices alike!

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STEPFORD USA (Accidental Spy US Adventure) by Lada Ray

Category: action/adventure, psychological mystery/thriller, women sleuths, paranormal

Available: Amazon US  UK  and other countries

Coming in October to B&N, Smashwords, Kobo, Sony, Apple

Can also be purchased from Lada Ray Book Store (PDF)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling until the very end, September 30, 2012

Review by Mardi  Format: Kindle Edition

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Jade Snow is an investigative journalist who has braved the hardships of such places as Afghanistan. When a `white knight’ leaps to save her, she quickly falls in love and gets pregnant. But this new development is about to change Jade forever. When her husband insists on moving her to the safety and isolation of Stepford, Jade characteristically finds a story to investigate.

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But Jade is being watched… and the mysterious web begins to be woven – a clever simile made through Jade’s new involvement with the knitting club of Stepford. On discovering a horrific crime that has happened many years ago, Jade smells a rat: There are too many suspicious angles. Adding the fact that the victim is still alive but unable to converse, intrigue and mystique build.

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This is a very enjoyable book with terrific characters and a clever storyline that conjurs truths from the imbedded lies and deceit of the higher echelons of Stepford. In a whirlwind of well crafted storytelling we experience Jade’s paranormal psychic visions and even venture into a virtual reality laboratory to discover that all is not as it seems.

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This novel makes clever observations on morality, class and perception with wonderful twists and turns that will surprise and intrigue.

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A purposeful puzzle, compelling until the very end. Looking forward to reading Lada Ray’s other novels.

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Wil K rated it 5 out of 5 stars A Goodreads review October 1, 2012

Enjoyable Read that Makes You Think

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If I had to compare it to other books, I’d say that Stepford USA reminded me of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, but lighter and easier to read. The book boasts a great balance of character development, action, mystery, beautiful setting, as well as a modicum of paranormal and romance. It is an enjoyable read, which will make you pause and think about things we take for granted and things we overlook, about what is important and what is not.

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The Templar Agenda by John Paul Davis

Category: historical mystery/thriller

Available on Amazon US  UK and other counties

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5.0 out of 5 stars

Global Conspiracy, History, Murder – and the Knights Templar! September 17, 2012 Review by Lada Ray 

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When several, seemingly unrelated, high-profile murders shake up the world’s financial and political system, Swiss Guard Mikael (Mike) Frei is sent to St. Gallen to act as temporary bodyguard for Gabrielle Leoni, daughter of the murdered banker and great-niece of the Camerlengo. After the discovery of a 14th century diary left behind by Gabrielle’s father, which provides a dramatic insight into the cause of recent deaths, Mike and Gabrielle are forced to embark on a dangerous mission across Europe and the Atlantic: Mike, to ensure Gabrielle’s safety, and Gabrielle, to uncover the truth of her father’s death. Both are drawn into the global conspiracy that may endanger their lives, and in doing so they must attempt to uncover the identity of the murderers before they strike again.

The Templar Agenda is written by a historian, therefore many lush historical details about the ancient Order of the Templars and the Catholic Church are sprinkled throughout the narrative, which, being the lover of history, I personally enjoyed.

The story is well plotted and possesses an intoxicating mix of intrigue, ambiguity and seamless fusion of fact and fiction to keep the reader addicted to the next page. In addition to action, romantic tension and mystery, the reader is asked to consider certain serious questions: Are secret societies the force of good or evil? What are the consequences of actions that are deemed necessary by few, and how do these actions impact many?

The Templar Agenda is a rich, engaging, thrill-filled story, which will appeal to the lovers of history and the historical thriller genre.

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CATHARSIS FREE at Smashwords + Catharsis Contest: Win Unique & Cool Prizes!

Tags

Amazon Kindle, Apple, Author Lada Ray, Catharsis, dynamic web apps, ebook formatting, flash banner app, Kobo, Legnd of the Lemurians, Nook, Reader Appreciation Promotion, Smashwords, Sony

NEW RELEASE: CATHARSIS, Legend of the Lemurians, is FREE for a limited time on Smashwords! GRAB YOUR COPY!

PLUS: Do you want to win FREE professional formatting for your next book or a cool & valuable Flash App? Enter Catharsis Contest! 

As you all know, I have just released CATHARSIS, Legend of the Lemurians, on Amazon Kindle and Smashwords (soon on Nook, Sony, Kobo, Apple). It is first in the new Earth Keepers Chronicles series of shorts, plus, it’s a prequel to my soon-to-be-released flagship trilogy of novels: THE EARTH SHIFTER.
I made it FREE to introduce The Earth Shifter trilogy and the Earth Keepers series (it includes an extensive excerpt: first 2 chapters from the upcoming YA fantasy thriller The Earth Shifter).

A FREE copy of Catharsis can be downloaded here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/235546

Buy links:

Amazon US  UK   DE   ES   FR   IT  Only $0.99 (UK/EURO equiv)!

Smashwords  FREE!

Lada Ray Book Store Only $0.99

Coming soon to: B&N Nook, Kobo, Sony, Apple

PLUS! To celebrate the launch and to thank my readers

I am very excited to announce 

The Smashing CATHARSIS Contest

In partnership with Mike & Maddy of Dynamic Web Design (DWD)

who have been flawlessly formatting my books

and who have generously donated their services and expertise for my contest!

Two lucky winners will receive their choice of two valuable packages:

Professional Kindle or Smashwords (pick one) formatting for your upcoming book 

OR

Custom designed Flash Banner, a very useful and cool app, which will set apart your website or blog, making it unforgettable

PLUS

each lucky winner will receive a free consultation with Dynamic Web Design’s proprietor Mike, on how to improve your website traffic and visibility!

It’s very simple to enter! All you have to do is read CATHARSIS and

1. Post a Catharsis review to earn 10 entries to win. Places to post your review include: Amazon, Smashwords & Goodreads. Also: Barnes & Noble, Kobo & Shelfari. You don’t have to post at all of these places, although I would appreciate as many places as possible. After you’ve posted your review, please send an email with links to Lada(at)LadaRay.com

and/or

2. Leave a comment on this post to earn 1 entry to win.

You can earn up to a maximum of 11 entries to win.

It’s that simple!

Winners will be announced on December 2, 2012. 

Each of the two lucky winners will receive his/her choice of:

1. Professional Kindle or Smashwords formatting for your upcoming book, PLUS free consultation on how to improve your website or blog traffic & visibility!

Mike and Maddy deliver flawless, professionally formatted ebooks/paperbacks. Ever since I started using DWD services for my Kindle, Smashwords and Create Space formatting, I stopped stressing over possible formatting errors. Having delegated this important, but tedious task to pros, I can now fully concentrate on my writing and promotional efforts.

2. Unique, custom designed Vertical Flash Banner App, which will set apart your website or blog, making it unforgettable, PLUS free consultation on how to improve your website traffic and visibility!

Every author/artist/small business owner should have a website and/or blog. It is our online business card that allows us to spread the word about our writing/art/services to people we would’ve never met otherwise. Mike & Maddy designed my website: LadaRay.com. They have also designed 2 awesome dynamic apps for my blog and website: a book carousel and a vertical flash banner.

Dynamic apps create focal points and generate additional interest for your blog or website, not to mention, they save space by carrying a ton of useful information in a compact, yet strikingly memorable presentation! For example, if you have multiple books in a series (like my Accidental Spy series) or multiple paintings/music albums/services you want to showcase, you can organize them in a flash banner, carousel or another cool dynamic app! I am very happy with my apps and I highly recommend them to you. Moreover, I intend to order more of those in the future!

Check out my Book Carousel: http://www.ladaray.com

Check out Accidental Spy Vertical Flash Banner on my blog (top right): https://ladaray.wordpress.com

The same Accidental Spy Flash Banner, but in larger size (middle of the page, in the right-hand corner): http://www.ladaray.com/accidental-spy-series1.html

You can win a custom designed Vertical Flash Banner like the one on my blog or website!

But that’s not all!

Regardless of whether you win or not, everyone who posts a review will receive 20% off Dynamic Web Design services PLUS a FREE consultation. To receive your 20% off and a free consultation, be sure to mention CATHARSIS Contest!

DWD services include ebook (Kindle, Smashwords, ebup/Nook, PDF) & paperback (Create Space) formatting, custom website design and website image face-lift, innovative web apps design, state-of-the-art search engine optimization (SEO) and internet security services. Learn more about DWD services and packages:

http://dynamicwebdesign.net84.net

Good luck and happy reading!

Yours,

Lada Ray

Learn more about CATHARSIS: description/synopsis/excerpt

Learn more about DYNAMIC WEB DESIGN

How to Make a Book Trailer

Tags

Amazon, Author Lada Ray, book promotion, book trailer, classical music, Film, Gold Train, Goodreads, Green Desert, images, indie authors, movie trailer, music, nature videos, photography, Shutterstock, Smashwords, Social Media, Stepford USA, trailer, United States, video, Windows Movie Maker, YouTube

Authors traditionally rely on writing to spread the word about their books. Yet they often overlook videos as a fabulous promotional tool. Trailers historically have been reserved for movies. But with the advent of Social Media, it became possible to make book trailers at low or no cost.

A book trailer adds an extra dimension and visibility to the promotion of your book. And in our competitive world, we, authors, should use every advantage we can get. This, visual dimension can be quite valuable. A book trailer can be posted on your YouTube channel, website, author Amazon and Smashwords pages, Goodreads, as well as a number of other places.

I know, I know. You think it’s too hard. It actually isn’t, but there is a learning curve – a rather steep one. One point I want to make is that the trailer doesn’t need to be overly complicated. For example, you don’t need to make it into a movie, unless you like that kind of thing. It is very effective to use pictures/photos, together with a snappy narrative and suitable background music. This is my preferred way of making a trailer, but of course, use your imagination and let your creativity tell you what works for you and your book. Sky is the limit!

I estimate the learning curve for making a trailer at about 50-60 hours. So, if you can’t afford to dedicate this much time to learning about movie and trailer making, than you are better off delegating this task to someone else.

But if you are up for the challenge, here is what you need to know.

First, you need to start a YouTube channel. It’s easy to sign up and setting it up takes no more than half an hour.

Mine is called Lada Ray Channel and for now, I keep it simple. So far, I’ve made 4 book trailers and a bunch of nature/Halloween videos. But I may expand my channel in the future, time permitting.

Take a look at my channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/LadaRay/videos

Once you’ve set up your Youtube channel and learned the ropes, you can start making your book trailer. Estimated time for each trailer: 5-10 hours.

Here is what you will need:

1. Find and upload on your computer a movie maker software. Google it. There are several that are free, including Windows Movie Maker. Of course, you can also pay for a more sophisticated version.

2. Think about the theme and flow of your trailer. I love this part! It’s like directing your own movie. I usually write down the narrative for each frame and visualize what kind of picture would work with it.

3. Write out the narrative. Don’t overwhelm your trailer with text though. Remember, you are making a movie, not writing a book. It’s supposed to be snappy, entertaing, and a feast for ALL the senses.

4. Gather enough images to be used in your trailer before you begin. My advice, have plenty of extras. You can always discard the ones you decided not to use. It is much better than coming short while in the middle of your trailer-making process.

To find the images, go to a website like Shutterstock, where you can purchase royalty-free photos inexpensively.

I love photography, so whenever I can, I use my own pics for trailers and videos.

5. Find the music that works with your trailer. You can purchase a piece of music online, or use a royalty-free piece that is past its copyright. These are usually classics. A word of warning: classics are great if they go with your topic and presentation. But I sometimes see pieces that are completely mismatched. Try your music for size before applying it.

For example, check out my STEPFORD USA trailer.

The music used is a classic: Second Waltz by Russian composer, Dmitry Shostakovich, written in the 1940s. And it works very well with this particular piece.

6. After you’ve assembled all the elements, the real fun begins! Upload your images into frames, add text and music! Enjoy!

TIPS:

1. To make my videos look and feel more professional, I usually play with extending or narrowing time frames depending on how long I want every image to linger.

Check out my GOLD TRAIN  trailer.

Notice how the music changes and highs emphasize the narrative and work with images?

2. Always fit your music to frame. Otherwise it will be too long or too short. This will make it look sloppy and unprofessional.

Check out my videos:

Enchanted Autumn  and  Amazing Autumn Meditation

to see how the music precisely matches the length of the video. Unfortunately, not every video has this, resulting in a period of silence or a cut off piece.

3. YouTube offers some very cool video enhancement tools, like color enhancement, moving frames and text, etc. I used some of them in my videos. See if you can spot what enhancements I used in the following trailers and videos:

GOLD TRAIN  trailer

STEPFORD USA trailer

Autumn Waltz of the Ducks

Amazing Autumn Meditation

Enchanted Autumn

Humorous Enchanted Halloween

These video enhancement tools are great fun and I enjoy playing with them. Word of caution: make sure they work with your particular piece! And sometimes less is more.

Good Luck! If you decide to make a book trailer or if you already have one, feel free to post a comment together with the link!

P.S. When you set up a YouTube channel, make sure you subscribe to Lada Ray Channel and let me know about it. I’ll be glad to reciprocate!

Copyright Lada Ray, 2012

GOLD TRAIN, Second Edition

Tags

Amazon, Barnes & Noble Nook, CULTURE: Russia, E-book, geopolitical thriller, Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire, Gold Train, historic mystery, Jade Snow Russia Adventure, Jade Snow Series, Lada Ray, Moscow, mystery thriller, Saint Petersburg, Smashwords

The exciting Second Edition of GOLD TRAIN is now on Amazon and Smashwords digital shelves!

Check it out:

Amazon US

Amazon UK   DE   FR   ES   IT 

Smashwords 

Coming to all other Ebook retailers soon!

GOLD TRAIN Paperback launch: April 25, 2012

GOLD TRAIN Paperback Launch Blog Tour: April 25 – May 6

Check out http://www.LadaRay.com for all updates.

Watch new dramatic GOLD TRAIN book trailer

See you on pages of my books!

Lada Ray

Stepford USA

Tags

5 star thriller, Accidental Spy Adventure Series, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, E-book, Jade Snow World Adventure Series, Kindle, murder, mystery thriller, psychological thriller, rape, small town mystery, Smashwords, Stepford Wives, United States

STEPFORD, USA

Sample prologue and chapters 1-4 below!

 

“I enjoyed reading this uplifting book by Ms Ray, filled with intrigue and irresistible characters.” From Amazon review by a reader.

“Very well written and gripping tale that will leave you guessing to the very end! Excellent storytelling!” From Amazon review by a reader.

A small town mystery with psychological twists. Alternative title: Virtual Paradise.

Stepford USA will dazzle you with an array of funny, outlandish and utterly realistic characters. Who committed rape and murder: a corrupt police chief, a crooked politician, a millionaire-nerd, or a womanizing banker? Ladies from the Stepford Knitting Club know it all, except that the town has been hijacked by criminals, posing as pillars of local community. That’s where Jade Snow comes in. A new breed of amateur sleuths and investigative journalist, she’s thoroughly at home in the brave, new, globalized world, but unprepared for one challenge – the dull existence in this sheltered American town. And that’s exactly where she ends up after getting married and pregnant. Aided by a super-intelligent calico cat and a psychoanalyst from New York, Jade’s on a mission to solve baffling mysteries and to turn upside down this sleepy paradise… if she can survive the attraction to an enigmatic convicted rapist, and the encounter with a desperate killer. Enough romance, psychology, mystical happenings, amazing pets, virtual reality and humor to delight fans of six different genres, Stepford, USA is a read to enjoy and remember!

Includes an excerpt from the gripping new thriller GOLD TRAIN, set in Russia. On digital shelves Holiday Season 2011! Paperback – April 2012!

Accidental Spy Adventure #1

Category: novel, mystery/thriller, cozy mystery with a twist, women sleuths, psychic, paranormal, pet lovers, psychological mystery

Word count: 69,000

(Includes an excerpt from the upcoming thriller GOLD TRAIN set in Russia!)

Watch Book Trailer!

Buy STEPFORD USA eBook:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon DE

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Read extensive excerpt (prologue & first 4 chapters) here!

Complete information at http://www.LadaRay.com

GOLD TRAIN Holiday Launch 12/19/11 – 1/1/12

Tags

action, adventure, Author Lada Ray, Barnes & Noble, CULTURE: Russia, FSB, Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire, Gold Train, gripping thriller, historic mystery, humor, Jade, Jade Snow, Jade Snow World Adventure Series, KGB, mystery thriller, Nicolas II, romance, Russia Adventure, Russian Civil War, Russian Tsar, Saint Petersburg, Smashwords, Soviet Union, suspense, true historic events

Giveaway, promotion, blog, new excerpts, reviews, fun!

Announcing 3 for 1 Promotion!
Buy GOLD TRAIN ebook for $2.99
and get 2 free ebooks!

GOLD TRAIN

For the fans of The Da Vinci Code & National Treasure
comes this gripping new thriller, based on true historic events!

1918: Civil War in Russia. The entire Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire vanishes without a trace. But what if it’s about to resurface? And what if it’s about to be used to shift the global balance of power?
Today: the world’s largest treasure; dangerous adventure; forbidden passion, defying time and space; conspiracy that threatens to plunge the country into darkness.
International journalist, Jade Snow, travels to Russia to investigate tantalizing mystery of the Gold Train, instead, she finds herself a pawn in a struggle between forces beyond her control. Running is not an option, as commitment to solve a murder makes her play the deadly game. Jade must choose between her worst friends and best enemies, and the fate of the world just might depend on her choice!

READ 5 STAR REVIEWS!

Jade Snow International Adventure Series 1

Category: novel, international mystery/thriller, geopolitical/spy thriller, historic mystery, suspense with an element of otherworldly romance

Word count: 68,400

Read GOLD TRAIN Excerpts:

Excerpt 1

Dramatic Prologue

Excerpt 2

Jade and Alexei – Love Scene in St. Petersburg

Excerpt 3

Jade’s Kidnapping

 Buy GOLD TRAIN ebook:

Amazon US

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Coming soon: Barnes & Noble, Sony, Apple, Diesel, Kobo!

Watch GOLD TRAIN Trailer

Complete Information at http://www.LadaRay.com