Author: Liz Meldon
General PSA: Don’t Pirate Books
Recently, an author friend of mine sent me a link to a website that had pirated her upcoming release. Not only that, but she showed me that said website also had all four of my upcoming books available for free download — including one I haven’t even written, one I’m halfway through writing, and the other that has been seen by a single beta reader thus far.
Which, let’s be real, that’s some crazy pirate sorcery. Somehow they’ve managed to reach into my brain and produce a manuscript without my knowledge, and now have it available for mass consumption!
No.
As long as the internet lives, there will be piracy. Still, it sucks when you pirate our books. It sucks hard.
So, don’t pirate. Why?
- Indies don’t make a lot of money, and you’re basically stealing what little money we do make when you pirate.
- I mean, yes, I know there is a percentage of indie authors earning 4-5 figures each month, so obviously this doesn’t apply to them.
- Actually, yeah, it does. No one wants to have money stolen from them, whether they earn a lot or a little.
- Pirating sites might be collecting and selling your credit card information.
- This is bad.
- Pirating sites might be delivering a virus.
- I think of this when I see that my books are available for PDF and EPUB download… and I haven’t even written them yet. So, what, exactly are you downloading? Something shady, that’s for sure.
- For traditional authors, you pirating their book vs. buying it means their publisher won’t have all the actual sales data — and might not ask for the next book in a series if they think it’s performing poorly. Help your favourite authors by buying their work.
- Sometimes pirating websites charge you for books that are actually free on legal channels. I once saw someone selling my permafreebie for $5.50. Like. Bro. No.
If you’re someone who burns through four books a week, I understand it can be expensive to keep buying books. However, there are other ways you can contribute that doesn’t involve piracy.
- Become an ARC reader. If your favourite author is looking, offer to read and review advanced works. You get the books for free, authors get review on release day — it’s a win-win.
- Try Kindle Unlimited or other set-price programs. Here, you pay a set fee per month, and can read as many books as you want within that program. If you don’t have a Kindle, Amazon offers a free download of their e-reading platform, allowing you to read on your tablet or even your phone.
So, don’t pirate. And don’t download books I haven’t even written yet. I guarantee it’s a scam.
TBR Thursday: Midnight Hunter by Brianna Hale
He’s hunting me, and there’s nowhere to run.
East Berlin, 1963. I thought I understood the consequences of trying to flee to the West. Death. Imprisonment without trial. Instead I’m being hunted by the most dangerous man in the city, secret police officer Reinhardt Volker.
Now I’m his prize, no longer a traitorous factory girl but his elegant and pampered secretary. He wants to possess me, body, soul – and heart. I’ll do anything to get away from him, but first that means getting closer.
I want to feel only hatred for my captor but beneath his uniform I discover a man with a past as scarred as Berlin’s.
And if I don’t escape him soon it will be too late.
January New Releases — Don’t miss out!
Wondering what was new and hot this January? The Laid-Back Book Bitches have got you covered.
Cover Reveal: Predator (The Hunt, #1)
PREORDER | GOODREADS
BLACK SOUL, SUFFOCATING IN SILENCE
Severus: demon, incubus, escort–leech. After centuries of scorn from his own kind in the underworld, Severus went topside and settled amongst the secret demon community in Farrow’s Hollow. Located near a hell-gate, the city allows him to exist on Earth without sacrificing much of his demon abilities, but as with all incubi, he must take the life essence of humans to maintain his strength.
Working as an escort, he has been able to keep himself satiated, juggling enough clients to ensure that he doesn’t repeat the mistakes of past incubi—the murderers, the gluttons, the true demonic leeches.
In his line of work, Severus sees much of the same every night: human women searching for surrender, for a connection, for love. He caters to them, steals from them, not realizing that he’s desperate for all the same things.
BLUE EYES, WATCHING HER WORLD FADE AWAY
Moira Aurelia: grad student, TV-marathoner, bar trivia champion—unable to look in a mirror. Not anymore. Because when she does, she no longer sees herself. The person, the creature, staring back isn’t her. It can’t be.
Hair, skin, eyes. Nothing is the same as it once was, and no one can tell her why. Despite her fears that she might be dying from the same mysterious illness that killed her mom two years ago, Moira finds herself getting stronger, too, her senses sharper. Terrified by the lack of control she has over her own body, she retreats, withdrawing from her once active university social life.
After unsuccessfully searching for answers, a frustrated Moira goes after the one thing she can control: her sex life. Twenty-three and still unable to experience a satisfying climax, she schedules a session with Russ Tanner, highly recommended male escort, and hopes for something to go right for once.
LIGHT AND DARK COLLIDE—DESPERATE TO CONNECT
But the night takes a turn from the moment they meet. Severus, expecting just another dull session with a new client, is thrown by the otherworldly creature seeking his services–this strange, beautiful woman who arouses his long dormant demon side like none other. Moira, meanwhile, finds herself face-to-face with a man who can handle her newfound strength–and wears a dark stare and sinful smile like a second skin.
Two lonely creatures grapple with the undeniable pull between them.
Moira flees. Severus pursues.
Desperate for answers, the demon seeks her out–unaware that he isn’t the only predator to have caught her scent.
PREDATOR is the first novella in THE HUNT, a paranormal romance serial. It contains coarse language, graphic sexual content, and a very mild cliffhanger. The Hunt is considered a continuous story containing one novella and three novels, and should be read in order:
PREDATOR (#1)
PREY (#2)
STALKER (#3)
Guest Post: Running a Successful Preorder Campaign by S. Usher Evans
My girl S. Usher Evans has a new release coming out THIS MONTH, so she’s on my blog today discussing preorder strategies for the curious mind. Like me, February marks the month for demons — only Evans’ characters are fighting/wrangling them, not ahem fornicating with them.
Continue reading “Guest Post: Running a Successful Preorder Campaign by S. Usher Evans”
Liz Meldon - Romance Author 