Tag Archives: Review

Writing Tip ~ Using Text-to-Speech with Edits & Recent Reviews

WRITING TIP

An author friend suggested that I try the Text-to-Speech feature on my Kindle when it was time for me to do a read through on my current manuscript. She said she found it really helpful. I figured I’d give it a shot. When doing edits, I normally go through at least three rounds before my critique partners ever see the book. First round is on the computer, then second round is on paper and then the third round is on my Kindle (where I upload the file to my Kindle and read it there). Doing this allows me to see my manuscript in several different ways. You’d be surprised the things you can catch using different mediums while going through edits.

So, as my last round reading over my book on my Kindle, I also turned on the Text-To-Speech feature. Notice I said ALSO. What I mean by this is, I turn on the TTS AND I read the words along with the guy reading them to me. You’d be surprised how many little things your eyes just “slip over” BUT if you’re also hearing it at the same time, you tend to catch more things beyond general typos like: repetitive words, repetitive phrases and missing words. When I do this, I turn it on the fastest function and kind of speed read through it.  Hey, another added benefit…maybe I’ll learn to read faster. LOL!

Give this a try the next time you’re going through edits on your manuscript and see if it doesn’t help. I know I’ll ALWAYS use the TTS feature now.

RECENT REVIEWS

“The chemistry between Nara and Ethan blew me away. It’s pretty close to what I remember feeling between Mac and Barrons in Karen Marie Moning’s Shadowfever series. For that reason alone, I’d recommend the book. They get pretty steamy – without there even being any sex!” Click here to read the entire review at Never Too Fond of Books

~*~

“I liked how Brightest Kind of Darkness kept me guessing through the entire novel. Brightest Kind of Darkness sets up for the second book wonderfully as I have so many questions about Nara and Ethan” Click here to read the entire review at Vamps, Weres and Cassay

~*~

“If you’re a YA PNR lover but your bored with the mediocrity of the genre’s recent additions this will restore your faith. Brightest Kind of darkness is a well crafted paranormal romance with a refreshing and original plot, I couldn’t get enough.” Click here to read the entire review on Reads With Reckless Abandon

~*~

“Brightest kind of darkness is completely unique and original to anything else I have read before, I really loved the concept and am looking forward to the next book in the series, Lucid, so I can, hopefully, find out the answers to some burning question we’re left with at the end….” Click here to read the entire review at Bookaholics

Scenic Sunday, Destiny’s Fire winner & Reviews!

SCENIC SUNDAY

I haven’t posted a Scenic Sunday pic in a while…so enjoy the sunset. I did! 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DESTINY’S FIRE Winner!

Thank you to everyone who participated and thanks to Trisha Wolfe for offering up a copy of her book.  THE WINNER is: Silvia P!

Congratulations Silvia! Traci should be contacting you about sending you your eBook! Happy Reading! 🙂

RECENT BKoD REVIEWS

An Amazing & Intense Paranormal YA “…Brightest Kind of Darkness is an amazing, intense read. Even when it was 6AM and hadn’t slept yet, I couldn’t seem to put it down…” Click here to read the entire review at Bitten Books

~*~

“…Ethan is a pretty awesome male protagonist – brooding, handsome, and he spends his free time saving animals at the local shelter. Go ahead and swoon. Like Inara said, “Who knew knights wore flannel shirts and Led Zeppelin tees?”…” Click here to read the entire review at Writing Belle

~*~

“…Brightest Kind of Darkness is a wonderful, mysterious story with compelling characters…” Click here to read the entire review at Riffs And Reviews

LUCID, Reviews & Upcoming Blog Guest!

In case you missed the cover reveal on Feb 1st, here’s LUCID’s cover!  Also, so many of you  have asked for a summary of LUCID, I thought I’d give you a short snippet. This is NOT the official blurb/summary, but I hope it’ll give you the flavor of BKoD, book 2. 🙂

BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS: LUCID

Once Nara outsmarts Fate at his own deadly game, she’s more determined than ever to help Ethan learn all he can about the raven sword tattoo that suddenly appeared on his back.

During her quest to uncover the tattoo’s secrets, she unwittingly draws the attention of some powerful and ruthless adversaries.  Caught up in an age-old battle for dominance, Nara learns that an intangible enemy she can control is far preferable to the human enemies she can’t.

RECENT REVIEWS for BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS

“…This book starts off with a bang…well a potential bang, quite literally. Immediately we are drawn into this story…” Click here to read the entire review on Novels on the Run

~*~

Amazing Book! “…I LOVED this book!  From the very start of the book when Nara made the 911 call about the bombing at the school to the very end, I was drawn into the story.  The last ⅓ of the book was a nail-biter.  I couldn’t put the book down….” Click here to read the entire review on YA Fiction Book Reviews

Many thanks to Michelle and Tammi for the fantastic reviews!

UPCOMING BLOG EVENTS THIS WEEK

Guest Author on P.T. Michelle’s blog

Monday, 2/6/12,Trisha Wolfe will be in the house!

Trish is a fabulous writer with an amazing imagination, and she’ll be on my blog with a fun Q&A about her latest release DESTINY’S FIRE. I hope you’ll stop by and support Trish! Oh, and the best part, Trish will also be giving away an eBook copy of DESTINY’S FIRE!

 

Guest on Ilona Andrews’ blog

Tuesday, 2/7/12, I’ll be heading over to Ilona Andews‘ blog (Ilona’s my blogger buddy from our ODD SHOTS blog days. Dang, I miss that blog!) where I’ll be discussing book covers. I don’t know about you, but whenever someone posts a new book cover, I always look! 🙂 I’ll also be giving away an eBook copy of BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS. Mark your calendars so you can stop by! If you’ve already read BKoD, then come and enter to win an eBook copy for a friend!