GOING POSTAL

I love getting to know my readers on a personal level. Never have I referred to my readers as fans. To me, readers are friends I have yet to meet in person.

Fans are different, or so I like to believe. For example: I am a HUGE fan of Johnny Depp, which means I will never know him on a personal level, and, thankfully, my husband is kind enough to overlook my slight obsession. :)

Kelly, a reader I met on Wattpad back in 2011, is awesome! She has my full admiration. Allow me to explain. Kelly lives in Singapore. We have exchanged emails for quite some time. Back in September, she mentioned ordering one of my books through a site.

It was a pirate site. I told her how pirates worked, and thanked her for her support. Granted, authors make zero royalties through pirating sites. However, Kelly got the book she wanted in a reasonable time.

KUDOS to those pirates! They provided excellent customer service.

When I told Kelly, she could order the books directly through me at a much cheaper price, which included autograph and poster. She was delighted. 

*shakes head* If only I had known what it would entail.

     

      Kelly ordered Desired Nights. I headed to the post office and got the rates for shipping. One of the options was by paddle boat, and it would take up to three months! 

      We exchanged laughs about Jaws and bad weather. In the end, we chose shipping by air.

The first time I shipped the book, I put a little surprise in the package. A handmade fairy book mark, and an autographed poster that matches the book, The Secrets of Albion Falls.

On November 5th, 2013, I got a call from customs. I forgot to claim and add a value to the bookmark. Bad Sass, I know!

My logic?

What good is a surprise when there is a list written on the outside of the package?  I told them what it was and tried to pay over the phone. 

It did not work.

Kelly did not deserve an extended delay. Nervously (because that's who I am), I quickly put another package together, without the bookmark, and shipped it right away. Then I gave my sincerest apologies. 

It was and is unfair to delay any shipments.

Bad … bad Sass! I am a strong believe in customer service, and I don't like disappointing friends.

Over the next few weeks, we exchanged virtual teas. Kelly sent me virtual hot chocolate and hugs, during the ice storm. 

The ice storm video links are below.

Video 1

     Video 2

     Video 3

    Video 4

We chatted about the different ways we celebrate Christmas, and sent New Years wishes to one another… sadly, no mail arrived to either home. :(

On January 8th, 2014 Kelly sent this email.

Hi Sass~~

*Tea party~* ;P

Need a little help from u... erm.. Is there like any tracking available for the book you've sent me? Cos I still haven't received it yet.. Sorry for the trouble yet again… sorry really sorry....

Sending u lots of and hugs~ & hot choco too~

      My response?

      Sass Cadeaux

      Are you kidding!!! Oh my Goddess this is crazy! I'll look into it and get back to you. xoxox
 

      I rushed to the post office and explained everything. The ladies were helpful. They began a full investigation and warned that it may take a couple of days. 

      On January 10th, I received this message.   

Sass!!! I just received the book!! Sorry for the trouble I made u went through. Thank you so much! It's awesome! I'm so happy n excited I received. Hee Happy happy so happy! Lots of hugs! Tytyty

Attached were pictures and awesome stickers. 
      
Kelly is a blast to chat with, and I love knowing her! She is a blessing, as are all my readers. :)
 

      The postal investigation continued. 

      It has to. 

      There is a book, bookmark and poster floating somewhere in customs. :)

      So why entitle this blog, Going Postal when clearly there is a happy ending?

      Well my friends, to this day I have yet to receive the first package I sent. Normally, I would be upset, and would inquire about the investigation daily. No ... not red faced or calling people names. However, a strong letter and follow up phone calls would be added to my daily regiment, but they are not.

      Why?

      How can I be upset when I have readers like Kelly? 

      It is impossible! 

      She got her book and poster.  She is happy, and we continue to have our virtual teas. We share life stories, and, you know what? I learned a long time ago that if it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all.  

      With readers like Kelly, I am blessed, and I would rather cherish my blessing than pray for luck.

      Wishing you all the BEST adventures in reading and in life,
     
      Sass

      )O(

Oh ARC Readers, ARC Readers! Wherefore art thou ARC Readers.

What is an ARC?

Some may think of Noah and his floating adventure with two of each animal, but that is not the ARC this blog is about.

ARC also stands for Advance Review Copy.

Readers will receive an advance copy of an upcoming release, and in return, the reader writes an HONEST review on Amazon.  

How does an ARC different from a book purchased from a store or Amazon?
An ARC is commonly a paperback or ebook edition that is not complete — it may lack a final proofread or its cover. The truth is, even the best editors are human and could miss a small mistake. That is why a final proofread is important.

What if the reader did not like the book?

If the reader did not like it, then they write the review and rate it accordingly. It is all about honesty. With so many different perspectives, not everyone is going to like the same book. We are seeking honest reviews, and writers are thick skinned, we have to be.

Why would authors or publishers risk receiving a bad review?

Well first, they are confident that the book is well written and those who agree to read the said book will enjoy it. If they receive a majority of bad reviews, they will pull the book, fix it and try again. If they receive an outstanding amount of excellent reviews, then they know they are on the right track!

There are two ARCs available (150 copies) from two different authors!

The Ghost of Lost Eagle — Western Romance with Paranormal Elements

Mason "Tuck" Tucker meets Sass Thornton when she saves him from death in a flash flood. She dubs him "dumb-ass", a label he will hear many times as she fights against her own unwanted attraction to him.

Sass's father, Phil, owns the cattle ranch and has been keeping two secrets from his daughter. Despite her disrespect for Tuck, the father hires him to run the bunkhouse and control growing racial tension between white cowhands and Mexican vaqueros who work for him. Tuck surprises Phil with his easy, yet tough, management skill. The old man takes Tuck into his confidence, revealing a deadly truth about a killer who is terrorizing the bunkhouse residents.

Throughout the book, Tuck is haunted by the howls of a lone wolf and life-like dreams of an old Indian medicine man. The ghost wakes Tuck when he is in danger and warns the young man about a destiny he must face.

How do the ghost of Lost Eagle, the lone wolf and Tuck's newfound love connect in a life and death struggle?  What happens with the murderer in the bunkhouse?  Will Tuck leave the woman he loves to save the aunt who raised him?

The Coalition of the Supernatural (revamped) — Paranormal Romance Adventure  

Alexia Crandell is the first human to become an Enforcer for the Coalition. The Enforcers are the strongest, fastest, and most deadly of each being. Usually they are the second or third in command to the leaders of each pack, cult, group, or coven.

Within 24 hours of meeting her partners, Alexia’s understanding of the world is turned upside down, and she finds herself fighting for her life, and the right to be with a man she is forbidden to love.

Filled with vampires, necromancers, barbarians and more, this tale puts Alexia through a gauntlet of adventure, testing her trust, values and heart. While leading up to the realization of which path she must take. 

 

How to request an ARC copy?

Click on the LINK and fill out the form or add you name and email address in the comment box below. We will send you a confirmation email. 

❉Please note: By requesting an ARC copy, you agree to read the book and write a fair and honest review, posting it on Amazon.com within TWO DAYS of the publication date. ❉

Pretending to be normal in a crazy world

Like many, I grew up in a strict home. The rules were clear. Girls stayed indoors. We learned how to cook, and we had our share of household chores. The boys were outside doing the yard work, and whatever job boys did outside.  

There was one rule that applied to all us kids equally, and that was, as my father would say, “Children were to be seen, and not heard.”

Harsh, I know, but that is how it was. 

We never spoke out of turn and we waited until we were addressed before attempting to express our joy in how the day went or what upcoming event was about to begin.

What about dinner? That same rule was applied and enforced with a firm punishment.  There was no chatting, no laughter, and absolutely no complaints! We were poor, and sorry Mom, but we ate horrible meals. Meals that consisted of cow tongue, creamed peas on toast, liver and kidney stew, and whatever else my mom could make that would feed our large family within a tight budget.  

Don’t get me wrong, there were good times. We had crabapple fights, picnics in the backyard, and I have fond memories of sitting in the living room singing songs by Queen and Abba with some of my siblings. Yikes! Now I feel old.  

Some of my best memories were with the twins. We sat together, and they allowed me to read stories I had written. They were the inspiration for Hal and Gallagher, and they truly are barbarians with incredible hearts.

There were advantages and disadvantages to being the youngest of a large family. The biggest disadvantage (for me) was taking responsibility for someone else’s doing. When a certain brother of mine broke the front window … I took the blame and punishment. It was easier to take a single punishment over a multitude of reminders that I was the low man of our totem pole.

The advantage was much more valuable. I watched (in silence) everything, everyone in our house did. I made notes of what not to do, and wrote promises on how I would raise my children.

I kept those promises.

Dinner in our home is quite different from how I was raised. Once seated, it is a free for all, and there are no limits. For me, silence at the dinner table is a form of punishment. We joke, we share our innermost feelings, and if someone is struggling with a personal issue … they are welcome to put that on the table as well.

Judgment is an unwelcomed guest.

Recently, my eldest stopped by for dinner.

While cleaning up, he said, “Do you have any idea how hard it was to pretend to be normal while living in a retirement village with a Pagan mother?”

I laughed and replied, “About as hard as it is to hide your true beliefs while living in same retirement village. Would you rather I didn’t hide my beliefs?”

He smiled and replied, “Nice comeback, but I was joking, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Which brings me to today’s topic. Pretending to be normal in a crazy world.

Why pretend?

I thought I was doing my children a favor. I never installed my beliefs onto them. Instead, I allowed them to experience different religions until they found what made them feel complete. When my youngest was twelve, he began asking questions. 

At thirteen, he joined in on a cleansing ceremony. Once the cleansing was complete, he drilled me with many questions.

 

Towards the end of our conversation he asked, “What’s the difference between a pentacle and a

pentagram?” I answered him honestly and backed it with corresponding paperwork. He then asked, “So you wear your amulets because they make you feel safe?”

“Yes,” I replied with a firm nod.

“Then why hide them when you go out? If they make you feel safe and it’s who you are ... then why hide it?”

“I didn’t want to embarrass you guys or have you feel out of place.”

“Are you embarrassed about being Pagan?”

“Absolutely not!”

“Then be proud and stop hiding it.”

It is amazing what our children can teach us. There I was, trying my best to raise my boys without embarrassing them, and instead, I was teaching them to hide who they are from the world.

I no longer hide who I am, even when I go to my son’s school, whether I am there for a recital or to talk with a teacher. My amulets are proudly displayed.

Last year, he asked if we would enroll him in a Catholic school, we immediately agreed, and together, my youngest and I are learning about the bible. If my amulets are hidden under a shirt, he questions me, and reminds me that I should be proud of whom I am and the choices I have made.

Thanks to my amazing boys, I no longer pretend to be “normal” because I am just the right amount of crazy to blend in! :)

Brightest blessings,