This book bothered me. It put me on edge, made me uncomfortable. I hated Flood with a passion almost instantly (though for some reason in my head he looked like Benedict Cumberbatch) and was hoping throughout the book to see him get his comeuppance, but not because I believed he was guilty of the crimes that he was convicted for. More simply because he was an asshat. He seemed too, well, pathetic to be capable of killing one girl, let alone as many as he was convicted of.

I’ve never been drugged the way Mia has, but I have been sexually assaulted. Seeing Mia struggle to cope with what happened – or didn’t happen – to her, the desperation to escape his presence, his reminders, brought back memories of things I hadn’t thought about in a long time. Jaq Hazell does a very good job with this. She doesn’t handle Mia’s trauma delicately. She tosses you directly into her psyche, and spins you around until you’re staggering when you finally stop.

When Flood died, I was angry. I won’t say why, but I think you’ll understand when you read the book.

Overall, I Came to Find a Girl is a whirlwind of anger and friendship, fear and creativity, disgust and despair spattered throughout with flashes of insight and sparks of the creative muse. It isn’t the type of book you can rave about. Its the type of book that makes you sit back, quietly unsettled, as you struggle to examine your feelings about it. So, I think in conclusion the best thing I can say about this book is: Words have power, and books like this showcase that power to a disturbing degree.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author free in exchange for an honest review. 

Out of the blue came an email inviting me to participate in the third Thursday Self-e Twitter chat focused on international authors in indie and self-publishing.

How come I wasn't invited to the first two? Never mind, I wouldn't have participated anyway just as I'm not planning to participate in this one, but I am interested in indie and self-publishing and who and what is SELF-e?

SELF-e is a discovery platform powered by Library Journal designed to expose self-published ebooks to more readers via the public library, locally or nationwide (that means the US).

Authors whose ebooks are selected by Library Journal for inclusion in our SELF-e modules can use a digital badge promoting their inclusion to potential readers who may choose to purchase a copy of the title and/or to purchase other books by that author via retail channels. Ebooks that are not selected by Library Journal will still be accessible to local library patrons via state-specific modules.

Okay, what's the catch, as in how much are they going to charge?

But wait, there is no cost to participate, and distribution via the SELF-e platform is royalty-free.

What they do ask is if your book is selected you give them a non-exclusive license to make your ebook available to public library patrons via subscribing institutions in the public library market, including subscribing public libraries in your state.

My local library is currently carrying my six novels, which they actually purchased (a thousand thank you's) but, hell, I would have donated them.

Authors and their publishing service providers/future publishers are not restricted in any manner from promoting and selling their ebooks to any market (including the public library market via other vendors).

This information comes off their website which has yet to be updated to let authors know they are now also accepting international titles.

So why is Library Journal doing this?

Forgive me if I'm sceptical but there's an entire industry of sycophants who's sole purpose is to rip off vulnerable, delusional, hopeful and yes, stupid new authors. Is LJ the exception?

Apparently.

They claim their primary directive is connecting indie books, libraries and readers.

"Libraries are driving a new era of ebook discovery for indie authors and small presses. SELF-e helps develop robust local writing communities and keeps libraries at the center of the indie book movement."

Visit their blog http://self-e.libraryjournal.com/blog/to see the latest SELF-e news and events.

Submit your books at self-e.libraryjournal.com

Stay Calm, Be Brave, Watch for the Signs

30

Book Giveaway Win a copy of

THE BIG PICTURE, FOREST or ABANDONED DREAMS

Enter at

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway

Video book reviews of self-published authors now at

Not Your Family, Not Your Friend Video Book Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH45n8K4BVmT248LBTpfARQ

Cover Art of books by self-published authors at

https://www.pinterest.com/rod_raglin/rod-raglins-reviews-cover-art/

My novels, FOREST – Love, Loss, Legend, The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic and Abandoned Dreams are available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003DS6LEU and as e-books at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/raglin

The ECO-WARRIORS series:

Book 1, Saving Spirit Bear – What Price Success?

Book 2, Loving the Terrorist - Beyond Eagleridge Bluffs

Book 3, Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients

are available as e-books an paperbacks at

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003DS6LEU

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my Flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA

For today only, Tales from The Typeface: a Secretary's Life and How to Survive It is FREE at Amazon so don't miss out!

Office life: love it or hate it, but you can't get away from it. Want to laugh at the lighter side of your secretarial career? Then this is the book for you! Discover the essential art of looking busy, how to love your photocopier and carve a path through the stationery jungle. Learn to deal with terrifying tasks, tricky travel arrangements and the horrors of networking. And do it all with a smile on your face and success on your CV. Happy typing! 

A reader review: "hysterically funny and very true of all offices everywhere!" 

Happy reading!


Anne Brooke Books
Dryathlon 2015: Please give generously to Cancer Research UK!

This weekend I have not one, but TWO free books for you to enjoy!

Dark fantasy novel The Executioner's Cane is FREE at Amazon for today only:

The Executioner's Cane is the final book in the Gathandrian Trilogy fantasy series. The first two books are The Gifting and Hallsfoot's Battle. 

Simon Hartstongue, accompanied by the mind-cane and the snow-raven, must travel back to the land he came from to offer support to the people he once tried to kill. From Gathandria, Annyeke Hallsfoot endeavours to help him but her attentions are focused on rebuilding the city after the wars. 

Alone and faced with the anger of his people and hindered by the fragility of Ralph Tregannon's leadership, Simon has to find a way to bring healing to a dying country and to renew his relationship with Ralph. But the odds and time itself are stacked against him.

Download YOUR free copy today!


Comic non-fiction Tales from the Typeface: a Secretary's Life and How to Survive It is FREE at Amazon today and tomorrow:

Office life: love it or hate it, but you can't get away from it. Want to laugh at the lighter side of your secretarial career? Then this is the book for you! Discover the essential art of looking busy, how to love your photocopier and carve a path through the stationery jungle. Learn to deal with terrifying tasks, tricky travel arrangements and the horrors of networking. And do it all with a smile on your face and success on your CV. Happy typing! 

A reader review: "hysterically funny and very true of all offices everywhere!" 

Download Your free copy now!

I hope you enjoy both books, and have a great weekend.

Anne Brooke
The Gathandrian Fantasy Trilogy
Dryathlon 2015: Please support Cancer Research UK

Gay comic romance Angels and Airheads is published at Amazon today!

Ricky has been secretly in love with his best friend Jez forever, but he's never dared confess his feelings because he thinks Jez is too high-class for him. One evening, while sharing a quiet evening with Jez, a mysterious angel, Madred, appears and tries to persuade Ricky to take a chance on love.

Too bad Ricky doesn't believe in angels. Madred is forced to take desperate measures in an attempt to show the reluctant Ricky the truth. When the angel leaves, can Ricky find the courage to declare himself to Jez, and what will happen to their friendship if he does? 


Reviews: 

"I really liked how romantic this story was. We don't get long with the men together on the page, but what is there is quite delightful. Their long friendship reflected the emotions and feelings but there was the fresh newness of the physical which added to that friendship and showed they were in for the long haul." [From an A-rated review at Brief Encounter Reviews] 

"There are none so blind as those who will not see. And sometimes it takes nothing less than a gigantic nudge from your guardian angel to get you to open your eyes and see the miracle that's been right in front of you all along … Angels and Airheads is a story of perfect love in an imperfect world, and what could be more sweet than that?" [From a 4-star review at The Novel Approach] 

"This is such a sweet short about taking chances; Ricky has been gently nudged quite a few times to put his heart out there to Jez. But he always thinks of something that always holds him back. This time Heaven means business and Madred is given the task of convincing him … I recommend this to those who love angel intervention, conflicted men, a sweet short story and a happy ending." [From a 4-star review at MM Good Book Reviews] 

"Angels and Airheads is a short, endearing story of faith, hope, and love. I love how Anne Brooke incorporates faith in her stories and yes, I can do a happy dance. This is my first time reading a strong HEA from this author." [From a 4-star review at TWLIB Reviews] 

"I'm not much for divine interventions when it comes to books, but in this particular one I very much enjoyed it. I've found that Anne Brooke's style with her short stories suits me and romance is certainly her thing." [From a review at The Romance Reviews]

Happy reading!

Anne Brooke Books
Gay Reads UK
Dryathlon 2015: Please give generously to Cancer Research UK!