About Books

  • ·

    Putting on the buzz …

    2 Comments

    I’ve heard so much about J.R. Ward and her Black Dagger Brotherhood books that I finally reached into my to-be-read pile this weekend and started the first one, Dark Lover. More to come when I finish it.

    But it got me to thinking about how much I’ve heard about her — and how cool her books are supposed to be. And I was wondering how that happens. What makes buzz? Is it one reader telling another? A good review on a popular site like All About Romance? A feature in Romantic Times? Luck of the draw?

    Other authors I’ve noticed getting a lot of attention recently are Marjorie M. Liu, who’s been mentioned in RT a couple of times recently. Lora Leigh too. And, of course, there’s Nora Roberts, who’s always on everybody’s radar screen.

    What about you? Who’s the hot author you’ve been hearing about? What book do you want to read right now? How did you hear about it? What are your friends reading/recommending? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • One hot cover …

    6 Comments

    hot_mama_cover.jpgOver the weekend, I got some cover art for Bigtime 2, aka Hot Mama. This isn’t the final cover, but it gives y’all an idea of what to look for.

    Personally, I looove it. It captures Fiera, the main character, exactly the way I picture her in my head. Sassy, sexy, and sophisticated. I can’t wait to get the final version with all the quotes, etc. so I can get some bookmarks made. I’m a bookmark junkie, and I like it! 😎

    Kudos to Stan Chow at Berkley for the stellar design once again. He also was the mastermind behind Karma Girl.

    What about you? Do you love the cover? Hate it? Would it make you want to know more about the book? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • Bookmarks, bookmarks, bookmarks …

    4 Comments

    bookmark_front.jpgbookmark_back.jpgHurray! I have bookmarks for Karma Girl. 5,000 of them to be exact. Or 48 pounds’ worth. Who knew they would weigh that much? Or take up so much room in my office? Want some freebies? Anyone, anyone? Bueller? Bueller? 😎

    If you want some free bookmarks, send me an e-mail at jennifer@jenniferestep.com, and I’ll tell you were to send your self-addressed, stamped envelope.

    I will be more than happy to drop you some in the mail. And let me tell you, these are nice bookmarks. They are 2 x 8 (bigger than average), heavy cardboard, shiny paper, and the color is just awesome.

    If you need to have bookmarks made for your titles, I would recommend the folks who did mine at Iconix Biz. They were really patient about all the little nitpicky changes I had, the price was very reasonable, and I got them about a week after I ordered them.

    What about you? Do you love bookmarks? Hate ’em? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • Book signings and more …

    All right, I have officially set up some May book signings and readings for Karma Girl. Yeah! Here’s what I have so far:

    May 5: I’ll be at Barnes & Noble in Johnson City, Tenn. Time to be determined shortly.

    May 8: I’ll be at Madagascar Coffee Co. in Kingsport, Tenn. Time to be determined shortly, but it will be after 5 p.m. I’ll be doing a short reading, answering questions about writing and publishing, and signing and selling books. (I’ll actually be answering questions at all the events).

    May 12: I’ll be at B Dalton Bookseller in the Bristol Mall in Bristol, Va. from 12:30-2:30 p.m.

    May 12: I’ll be at Books-A-Million on Roan Street in Johnson City, Tenn. from 4-6 p.m.

    I’m also going to be appearing at the Thomas Memorial Branch Public Library in Bluff City, Tenn., and hopefully at the Bristol Public Library in Bristol, Va. and Waldenbooks in the Fort Henry Mall in Kingsport, Tenn. 

    There will be more to details and events come over the next few weeks, so stay tuned! 🙂

  • Meh comments …

    4 Comments

    Every once in a while, I google myself just to see what people are saying about the books. Today, I came across a strange comment, posted by someone who has evidently seen/read Karma Girl.

    It wasn’t good, but it wasn’t bad. It was just what my significant other and I call a meh comment. Roughly translated, Meh means I don’t care one way or the other. Or It won’t kill me, but I’m not overly enthused about the prospect. Like when I ask my significant other if he wants to go to a particular restaurant. Sometimes, he looks at me, shrugs, and says Meh.

    What I read today was definitely a Meh. It wasn’t a scathing review, but it didn’t make my day be a barrel of sunshine either. But, I’m going to let it go and hope that the good comments will outweigh the Meh ones.

    So what do you do about Meh comments? Scathing reviews? Do you fight back or let them slide? Inquiring minds want to know …