The View from Middle Spunk Creek

News, Reviews and Ballyhoos

Spent a great weekend in North Dakota, signing books, meeting people and hanging out with family.

Special thanks to Chris Pakice and his staff at Barnes & Noble in Bismarck, and Dana Ferguson and his staff at Ferguson Books for their  hospitality and help.

If you couldn’t make it to either event, you can pick up your copy of Cloud Warriors at either Ferguson Books or Barnes & Noble.

Because of the great reception, I anticipate being back at both sites in June when The Reaper is released.

As most of you know, The Reaper revolves around the disappearance of a painting by famed Spanish artist Joan Miro.  I am ever-amazed at the interest people have in the intrigue of the art world.  Auction prices, exhibits of works by famous painters, forgeries, thefts—they all draw the attention of millions of curious readers and watchers, in addition to a few with more larcenous interests.

Just today an article in the local newspaper trumpeted the recovery of a Picasso painting, Buste de Femme, which had been stolen twenty years ago.  Estimated value of the recovered painting: $28 million. The identity of the thief, the details of the theft, and the method of recovery all remain shrouded in secrecy.

It is into that world, where insane amounts of money are at stake and mysterious is the ordinary,  that The Reaper delves.  You won’t want to miss it.

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A bit of housekeeping—and begging—before ending this week’s blog.

Reviews are the lifeblood of independent authors, particularly reviews posted on Amazon or Goodreads. It’s how other people, people you don’t know personally, learn about and read your book.

To post reviews on Goodreads, you need to become a member (it’s easy and free). To post on Amazon you need to have an Amazon account and have spent at least $50.

The system for both sites is similar: 1. Google the site, 2. Type the name of the book in the site’s search bar, 3. Click on the book, 4. Rate the book (1 to 5 starts), 5. Click on the “review the book” icon, 6. Write a few words about why you liked (or didn’t like) the book, and 7. Submit your review.

One other thing: if you have received a free copy of the book for the purpose of soliciting a review, mention that in your review.

That’s all there is to it.

Here’s the begging part: If you’ve read and enjoyed Cloud Warriors, please take a few moments the next time you are online to post a review on one or both of the sites mentioned above. You can also read reviews posted by other readers. Thanks, in advance, for your willingness to take a few minutes of your valuable time. I truly appreciate it.