News from Squire's Isle

Is everyone ready for a contest? That’s right, a contest. And the prize is something very, very special indeed.

On March 15, my novel The Rise and Fall of Radiation Canary is coming out as an ebook. I can’t wait. I’m so proud of this novel that I actually sat down and read it straight through earlier this month. I love all four of the band members, and I fell in love with the secondary (and tertiary) characters as well. So I decided I wanted to do something special to commemorate its release. And if I can do that and get a little help advertising myself in the process, it’s a win-win! So here’s how the contest is going to go…

On March 1, all of my novels that were previously released by P.D. Publishing will go live, along with Book 2 in the Claire Lance series. That’s On the Air, Gemini, World on Fire, The Following Sea, Tilting at Windmills and Only Flame and Air. To enter the contest, all you have to do is go to Amazon.com, Smashwords, wherever you bought your copy (or wherever you want to leave your feedback) and leave an honest review on any of my novels. Thought I could have done better with Riley Parra Season Two? Then I can deal with a three-star. Think that Railroad Spine was the best thing since sliced bread? Well, how about tossing me a five-star? Are you one of those people who just can’t bring themselves to give full credit and your best vote is four-stars? Love me some four-stars! Just leave me a comment here or send me a message by fax, messenger pigeon, alien implant, however you want to make sure I know you’ve entered.

The contest will run until the end of March, so people reviewing Radiation Canary will also be eligible for the prize. What is the prize, you ask? Well, I’m glad someone brought it up!

At the end of March, five reviewers will be randomly chosen to receive an autographed 8×10 of cover art for The Rise and Fall of Radiation Canary! It will be signed by me (obviously) AND it will be signed by the four members of the band: Lana Kent, Karen Everett, Nessa Grace, and Codie Renton. How? Don’t ask how, it’s magic. And I really do think this cover is one of the best I’ve ever had. The whole reason I got them printed out is because I wanted to frame it. And I did, and I had extras, so I thought I would share the love.

When the winners have been chosen I’ll post here and in my blog and on Twitter letting everyone know who the lucky winners are. Then those people can get in touch with me and we can exchange the information about where the autographs are going, etc.

Update! Because someone asked, and because it’s an excellent question, I thought I would address it here. If you leave multiple reviews on different books, each review counts as a separate entrance. The person who asked now has a whopping eleven entries in the contest. So get out there and leave your reviews! Otherwise I may just send her all five! ~g~ 

Karen Everett isn’t looking to join a band the day she loses her notebook of poetry. She plays the cello and is unsure about what she wants in life, but she’s pretty sure it doesn’t involve being a professional musician. But a crush on the band’s beautiful lead singer Lana Kent, along with the desire to have her poetry shared with a larger audience, leads her to throw caution to the wind and play an audition that leads to her being invited to join the band at gigs.

After a spur of the moment decision lands them a spot on national television, Karen and the band find themselves riding an unexpected wave of popularity. Soon they’re touring the country, recording albums, making music videos, and trying to find time to have a personal life amid all the craziness. Aware that their surge in popularity is due to a fortuitous combination of popular trends and knowing they only have a few good years before their celebrity begins to wane, the ladies of Radiation Canary strive to make the most of their time in the spotlight before the public moves on.

With one eye on the inevitable end of their fame even as their popularity hits its peak, the band learns that it’s not how high you fly, it’s how gracefully you fall.