If you’re looking for a little slice of coronavirus-life humor, head over to today’s Post #1 HERE to find out just how easily Mr. Husband and I can be entertained.

Now, onto the updates and reading recommendations….

Writing Updates for April

I had a nice surprise one day on Twitter where I discovered I’d received a TERRIFIC review for my short story “Testing the Waters.” The guy loved the secret behind the story and had fun discovering it. If you’d like to give the review a read, you can find it HERE.

I also discovered this happy news in my email inbox, “Congratulations! You are a runner-up in #YeahYouWrite’s Novel~Memoir First-Page Contest.”

This was yet another honor for my upcoming zombie/magic/mystery trilogy, but I’m not quite sure what happens if I win this contest. See, the prize is having your work read in front of a book-hungry audience. Since public gatherings are a big No-No in most places…well, it’s nice just making it to the runner up stage.

Other than that, April has been a bit of a dud. Readers are clearly tightening their budgets this month as compared to last month because, while my free series starters are getting more downloads than before, sales are barely trickling in….

Except on Kobo where my sales are currently outstripping my Amazon sales…which most indie authors will tell you does not happen often. I am in a couple Kobo-specific promos, so maybe that’s it, or maybe Kobo readers just really like me. Either way, I’m not arguing.

As for actual writing, I’m about half way through the third draft of the second book of my zombie/magic/mystery trilogy. I should be done with this draft in the next couple weeks, then I’ll be jumping back over to Book One and continuing onto the next draft…it’s like a writing treadmill!

And finally, as you may know, I launched The Book Owl Podcast this month. If you want to try it out, you can find all the info and listening links HERE.

April Reading…

This month, I read some great books and got hooked on a couple new series, including…

False Value by Ben Aaronovitch – This return to the magical world of Peter Grant did NOT disappoint.

The Captain and the Glory by Dave Eggers – A short and brutal satire about Trump that pulls no punches.

Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix – You’ll never look at an IKEA Store the same again.

Warlock Holmes: A Study in Brimstone by GS Denning – I’m a junkie for most any Sherlock Holmes re-make, but this really took the cake with a unique premise and great characters. I’m definitely reading more in this series.

The Affinity Bridge by George Mann – My new favorite series! I really hadn’t read steampunk before and this mystery/action story was a terrific introduction.

The Accidental Further Adventures of the Hundred-Year-Old Man by Jonas Jonasson – Except for one jerky character, I think I almost liked this better than the first 100-year-old man book.
And a couple duds….My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith (NOTHING happens in this book. Nothing!) and The Cat Who Moved A Mountain (beyond dull and disappointing) by Lilian Jackson Braun.
What have you been reading this month? Any winners? Any losers? I love hearing from you, so share your thoughts and comments.
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Note: Those book links above are affiliate links. It doesn’t cost you any extra, but does toss a few cents my way….possbily for a future trip to the grocery store.