Yah Gotta Read This! Magazine, Issue 1

It's finally here!! I wanted to post it here as well just incase you missed the announcement that we have merged with www.yahgottareadthis.blogspot.com.

Enjoy the first Issue of "Yah Gotta Read This! Magazine". You can read it directly here or click on the download link below.

Let us know what you think!

Yah Gotta Read This! magazine

Announcement

We have some exciting news, we are merging with Yah Gotta Read This blog. For all future posts as well as the existing posts from this site will now be available at www.yahgottareadthis.blogspot.com.

Please be sure to continue following us at our new domain.

If you have any questions please contact us at ygrtmagazine@gmail.com

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Spotlight

Author: Renee Peterson

Get connected with the author:

     Facebook: 

     https://www.facebook.com/pages/Renee-Peterson/150623951767195?skip_nax_wizard=true

     Twitter: @reneepeterson18

   About the Author

Renee Peterson is the author of several works with many more in progress. She spends most of her time raising two young kids and the remaining part of her time creating stories of the places she’s been and the places she wants to go. She grew up in the country side of Maryland, but has traveled around the country living in California’s Mojave Desert, along the Crystal Coast of North Carolina and now resides in the Cajun country of Southern Louisiana where she has fallen in love with the culture and food. Renee loves hearing from her fans and welcomes their feedback.

Title of Book: Best Laid Plans: Brothers of the Bayou Book 1

Book Description: Beaux Chauvin loved his land of the bayous in the Cajun Country of southern Louisiana. He was an honorable, hard working man not given to impulses and had a serious avoidance of unattached females. Until meeting Lacy Landon.

Lacy Landon was finally standing on her own two feet. Born and raised in Charleston, she had been an unknowing pawn in a game of deceit from her father and boyfriend. Now she was beginning her own life that had no room for a man, especially not one as devastatingly sexy as Beaux Chauvin.
But life has its own plans for both of them as they embark of a journey of love, lies and hidden family secrets. As they face unseen dangers, they lean on each other as they fall more in love, learning that life may not always be beautiful, but love will see them through

Where the book can be purchased: Amazon 

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Plans-Brothers-Bayou-ebook/dp/B00BMCM80A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362669312&sr=8-1&keywords=best+laid+plans+brothers+of+the+bayou

Author Q&A

What inspired you to write your first book? 

I have been writing as long as I can remember, but never brought any of them to completion. Finally after a discussion with a friend about what we like in a book and the offerings out there, we each decided it was time to follow through ‘til the end and thus the Brothers of the Bayou series was born. The setting of Southern Louisiana was inspired by the area where I live. When I found out where we would be moving I did not know what to expect about living here, since I had only visited. Once we were actually here I decided to just embrace it and I fell in love. The culture, food and scenery intricately blend to create a truly amazing place. 

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? 

Embrace imperfection and life! The two main characters in Best Laid Plans are imperfect both in personality and life situations. When circumstances unravel, instead of falling apart, they choose to draw together and form a stronger bond. 

What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life? 

There was a point where I had to stop writing for a few days because the characters become so real, their situations seem real and you don’t want to see them going through these trials. Also, since I incorporated the Cajun culture into mine, I had to do a lot of research on the language and customs, which can be difficult since there are varying degrees of use within the culture. 

Was there a character inspired by a real person? And if so, who? 

They are all figments of my imagination. 

 If applicable, how many books are there in the series? 

There will be three full books following each brother and the possibility of two short companion stories. 

What are your current projects? Are you able to share any with us? 

Right now, I am working on book two of the Brothers of the Bayou series, Best of Intentions, which will follow Jared’s story. I am also currently working on an inspirational romance about the power of forgiveness and second chances 

What books have most influenced your life? 

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, a fictional story based on the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea. I love any book where characters pass seemingly insurmountable obstacles and unconditional love prevails; this one did it so powerfully and beautifully that I have never forgotten it even among the thousands of others books I’ve read. 

When and why did you begin writing? 

I remember writing short stories the entire way back to second grade, but it hasn’t been until the last several years I began seriously pursuing novels. I’ve always been inquisitive by nature and wanting to know about life outside by own personal space. Writing allows me to reach outside that bubble and create a venue for others to learn about those areas as well. 

Do you have any advice for other indie authors? 

Stay positive and encouraging. There will be times when it doesn’t seem worth it, but then you’ll hear from a reader and remember why you do this. 

Do you have anything specific you would like share with your readers? 

Thank you for taking the time to learn about me and my work. I love hearing from my readers and encourage their feedback.

Spotlight

Author: Chelsea Camaron
Author Bio: Chelsea Camaron has a love for old muscle cars and Harley Davidson motorcycles.  She currently resides in Southern Louisiana with her husband and two children. She was born and raised in Coastal North Carolina and her heart is always Carolina day dreaming. Her love for reading has sparked a new love for writing with a few projects currently in the works.

Title: Restore My Heart
Synopsis: Bad Boy, Ryder Davenport comes into Dina Fowlers life in the middle of her own personal hell. Still coming to terms with the death of her parents, she pushes everyone away. When she trusts the wrong man, putting her in a bad relationship she felt she couldn’t escape, Ryder comes along. Enjoying his play boy ways, fast cars, motorcycles and a new woman in his bed nightly, Ryder had no thoughts of settling down. That is, until he sees the damage a man can do when he meets a very broken Dina. He changes in hopes of one day being enough for her. But, can she ever feel safe with a man again? Ryder has restored hundreds of classic cars, can he restore Dina’s heart?

Links to where book can be purchased: 
http://www.amazon.com/Restore-Heart-Daddys-Girls-ebook/dp/B00BNWKTFK/

Get connected with the Author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelsea.camaron?fref=ts
Twitter: @chelseacamaron 

BOOK PROMOTION: Get your FREE copy today from Amazon. 

Click on the Amazon link above!!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:

What inspired you to write this book?

A friend and I had a discussion about things in life we wanted to do but never did.  I mentioned always having the desire to write a book, but not being brave enough to try it.  She had the same aspirations so we challenged each other to give it a shot.  As the project grew so did my love for writing. 

Can you tell me about the book?

Bad Boy, Ryder Davenport comes into Dina Fowlers life in the middle of her own personal hell.  Still coming to terms with the death of her parents, she pushes everyone away.  When she trusts the wrong man, putting her in a bad relationship she felt she couldn’t escape, Ryder comes along.  Enjoying his play boy ways, fast cars, motorcycles and a new woman in his bed nightly, Ryder had no thoughts of settling down.  That is, until he sees the damage a man can do when he meets a very broken Dina.  He changes in hopes of one day being enough for her.  But, can she ever feel safe with a man again?     Ryder has restored hundreds of classic cars; can he restore Dina’s heart?

What did you learn when writing the book?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, it is fiction, the sky is the limit.

What surprised you the most?

That I actually did something I said I would do when I was twelve.

What does the title mean?

Ryder is a car restoration specialist; Dina is broken from an abusive relationship.  The title comes from Ryder restoring Dina’s heart and ability to trust.  The second book will be Maggie and Brayden’s story, its title is Salvaged, when a car is totaled and you rebuild it you are given a salvaged title.  Brayden’s life becomes a total mess and he and Maggie salvage their relationship like a car.  So it all ties back into the world of car building and auto mechanics.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I spend most of my time with my husband of eleven years and two children.  We currently live in Southern Louisiana where there are multiple festivals to attend.  We attend any car shows we can find around us, my kids love it as much as my husband and I do. 

When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I have been writing for fifteen years from journaling to letters to my daughter when she is grown.  This is the first book I have released for anyone else to read.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

My inner diva loves a steamy romance novel so why not let her out to write one.

Where do you get your ideas?

For the Daddy’s Girls series, the idea came from being homesick to be in NC with my dad turning wrenches on a car.  We have only been in Southern Louisiana for eight months so I was Carolina day dreaming and started writing

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Sometimes I will have a block about how to tie together scenes or characters.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?

I begin with an outline of the storyline, than I break down my main characters and their supporting characters.  For me, I love to take a notebook to the park with my kids or outside anywhere, I will start writing scenes, taking in people, places, and ideas around me.  When I sit down at the computer I then join the scenes together. 

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

My all-time favorite book is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.  For her time period, Charlotte Bronte took a risk to write that novel.  As an adult and most recently I like most women, have enjoyed Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James, but can honestly say I personally like the Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day better.  I am inspired by their novels for opening the doors for women to be more open and less ashamed of enjoying a steamy romance storyline.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

Publicity is by far the biggest challenge.  The big publishing companies want you to use an agent and submit a book plan not your actual story.  For me, personally, I want the creative control to put my ideas out there as a whole without some marketing influence to change the story, with a book plan the publisher can then change the direction of your story.  By being self -published, I can retain creative control, but lack the support for marketing.

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?

I would have set up teasers for the release and had a following already before putting the book out.  It can be discouraging to have it available but with no response other than your own family and friends.

How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

Blogs and book reviews seem to be what is working at this time.

Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

I have written a book for new moms, going through the realities I faced with post-partum depression.  I haven’t yet attempted to publish it.  Its one thing to put out a fiction novel and wonder if people will like it or say you should put up your pencil; it’s another to brave putting out such a personal experience.  I started writing it as a letter to my daughter for when she one day has children of her own, so she doesn’t feel alone.

What can you tell us about your book?

It’s full of fast cars, hot boys, and a lot of drama.  It’s a story of overcoming, learning to trust and open your heart.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

The cars are my dad’s cars; in fact the cover pic is the dash board of one of my dad’s cars.  The yellow mustang is a car I actually owned before I had my children.  The rest is purely imagination.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

My favorite part is when Ryder talks about wanting another ride in Dina’s car. (Excerpt below)

I could spot that car anywhere no matter what the color, all because of the woman who drives it.  I smile thinking to myself, man, I sure would love another ride in that very car like we had the other night.  We went everywhere and nowhere all at the same time.

The last line is my favorite of the whole book because that is how I feel about the scene he is referring to from Chapter 12.  They went everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

How did you come up with the title?

Dina has become a shell of who she once was and in need of restoration, who better than a car restoration expert to restore her heart.

What project are you working on now?

I am currently working through the final draft of Salvaged which is Brayden and Maggie’s story.  I have an outline started for a cowboy romance so we will see where that goes.

Will you have a new book coming out soon?

Salvaged will be released in late March, early April

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

I wonder if I should go back and give Kenna a story in this series for her and Jake.  The storyline for them has not come to me yet, so for now it’s just a thought, no promises.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

The toughest criticism would have to be, an editing issue I missed about writing in correct tenses.  It helped me find the mistakes, correct them, and grow as a writer.

The best compliment has been people asking for book 2, that knowledge let me know that the storyline really captivated my audience.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

It’s better to have tried and failed then to wonder what could have been.  It’s still a success to complete a project of any novel. 

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Thank you so much for taking the chance on a newbie like me.  I appreciate the support, love and encouragement.

Giveaways

The great thing with ebooks is that you can give copies away for free and it wont cost you, the author, a  penny. Unlike giving away paperbacks from your inventory, you still had to buy your book at cost. With ebooks, it's all online. I have to say, I really like this online business!

When you have a new release, you want to be sure to give copies away for free to individuals who would be willing to write a review for you. I know you might be thinking that you worked way to hard to write your book to give it away but the reviews you receive will only help you sell copies! Not only do you obtain reviews, which are crucial, but it gives your book exposure! Get people talking about it.

Another great way to utilize giveaways is by connecting with book bloggers and giving them a free copy which they can give away to one of their lucky followers. People are always excited and happy to win anything, why not your book?

Facebook

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