Hey, Yo!

Important Advice

readful things blog

Formality. In the age of easy self-publishing and digital books, where has it gone? I understand addressing someone you know pretty well by first name. I understand addressing someone you don’t know by their first name if that’s what they introduce themselves as, or if they have a name tag with only their first name on it.

What I don’t understand, is the finer art of the email query in modern society and the digital age. If you want someone to do you a favor, or consider your work for publishing, or become your agent, your reviewer, your proofreader, editor, whatever role you wish them to play, can you not take the time to at least spell their name correctly and check to see if they even take the kind of work you are trying to push?

Bart Smith is an editor. Now, of course he would never be so…

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You are my Heaven

An excerpt from ‘A Poetic Proposal’ for your consideration.

This poem appeared previously on the blog back ago in July 2014. I have included a reading of this poem, one of my very favourites, for you.

Lost,
Consigned to hell,
Then free,
To find my heaven

Now,
In purgatory,
Soon free,
Inside my heaven

You freed me from hell, and became my heaven
Whilst purgatory keeps me, from being with you
When I escape this rock of our pain,
I shall join you, my love,
Together again

You are my heaven,
My heart, my soul,
Only together,
Shall we be whole.

The book is available here and comes in both digital and paperback format.

Amazon US

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The Many Uses of: Cinnamon

Fascinating!

J and I Publishing

Description

The Many Uses of Cinnamon is a short eBook about both common and uncommon uses of cinnamon, as well as the history of the spice itself. From beauty uses, to health benefits, household cleaners and natural insect repellants, this book will help you find a natural alternative to chemicals using this fantastic spice.

The first book in the “Many Uses of” series, this eBook is just over 4,100 words. For beginners or those more experienced with herbal remedies, the directions included are simple to follow and easy to understand. Anyone can benefit from learning about natural alternatives, so dive right in and discover what cinnamon can do for you!

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Forthcoming Release – Majestic Reimaginings

J and I Publishing are very proud to announce the forthcoming release of a new hand drawn adult color book by the very talented Ionia Froment. This book is a collection of diverse landscapes and is full of beautiful, majestic drawings. Each picture is accompanied by a poem by Julian Froment inspired by the landscape. This book will be available as both an adult coloring book and as a special artist’s edition.

As a taster of what you can expect from this beautiful book we have an image and the acccompanying poem for you. We hope that you enjoy them. Further details of the release will be posted here and on our Facebook page.

Up Above

Suspended in the air,
An overarching view
Of beauty most fair,
To enter into

An old arched bridge,
Spanning a patchwork path,
A protective rail,
A merry laugh.

A watery artery,
Meanders past undulant slopes,
An exhilarating sight,
Feeding our dreams and hopes.

A forest of firs,
A vibrant firework display,
Red, green and gold,
Soothes our minds melee.

And down below,
Azaleas bloom,
Touching the banks,
With intense perfume.

May and June Book Reviews

Some wonderful reviews here 🙂

Poetry by Pamela

A few books I read and their reviews. If you are looking for a good book to read this summer, I can’t say enough good things about both The Butterfly Garden and The Paris Key. They were both excellent. I’m sure The Butterfly Garden will be on my top 5 list or 2016. I did read a couple of stinkers though and wish I hadn’t wasted my time with them.

Midsummer at Eyre Hall by Luccia Gray – 4 stars

This was the third book in the trilogy. While the first two were wonderful, this third book seemed a bit forced. But I usually feel that way with a series so it may not be the author, but me! This concluded (with a wrap up in the epilogue) the books about Jane Eyre after Jane Eyre. This has been a good series, well written and imagined. I would think that…

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How to Color

Check out this great new How to book on the benefits of Adult Coloring

J and I Publishing

As a publisher of quality adult coloring books, a question that often arises is how to color. This may seem basic at first sight, but as with all things, the deeper you look into it the more complex and overwhelming it can become.

Many people are interested in the whole process, and in particular the health and stress relief benefits that can be obtained from coloring.

J and I Publishing are pleased to be able to announce the release of a brand new book chock full of useful and interesting information regarding the use of adult coloring books for relaxation and meditation. Written by a talented and accomplished color book artist, and advocate of the all-round benefits of art and adult coloring, Ionia Froment, this book is filled with the benefits of her extensive knowledge and includes many personal experiences and anecdotes. This book is a perfect accompaniment to…

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New Hand Drawn Adult Color Book

Check out the amazing art work by Ionia Froment in her new hand drawn adult color book..

J and I Publishing

J and I Publishing are pleased to announce the release of a new hand drawn color book by the incredibly talented Ionia Froment. Inspired by her love of both art and the outdoors this is a wonderful collection of coloring images to stimulate and arouse the mind and emotions. We hope that you enjoy it as much as we do.

Birds, Birdhouses and Florals

Description

Step out into your back yard for a peaceful and relaxing experience full of beautiful birdsong and the delicate scent of flowers floating on the breeze. In this hand-drawn coloring book, you will find a wide variety of intricate designs to color and make your own. Each image is inspired by birds and nature as well as plants and flowers of many different varieties. Pick up your favorite coloring tools and make these delightful designs your own. Single-sided pages allow you to color without worry…

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Midnight Stirrings by Chastity Skye

A collection of three books, Midnight Stirrings, is a sexy, sultry story for those who are looking to experience new adventures in romance.

Book One, The Neighbor, is available right now, with Book Two, Temptations, available for pre-order now with a release date of 13th June 2016. Book Three, His Fantasy, is scheduled for release on the 27th June 2016 and will be available for pre-order soon.

Get your copy, and/or pre-order Book Two below.

Midnight Stirrings : The Neighbor

Description

Midnight Stirrings is a sexy, sultry short story of about 4,300 words. Part one of a collection of three books for those who are looking to experience new adventures in romance.

Kylie Simmons is a freelance writer married to a professional chef. They live a comfortable lifestyle in Seattle, but Kylie is restless. She and Greg don’t have much of a love life, and even when they do, it isn’t what one might call exciting.

A chance meeting with the sexy new neighbor next door begins to make her curious. What can she do to win back the attention of her husband? Feeling bold one night, she asks Greg what he wants. What are his fantasies? The answer is more than a little surprising.

Can Kylie get over her fears and fulfil her husband’s ultimate fantasy? What of the mysterious neighbor? Has he been watching her as she suspects?

This book contains mature material intended for those who are comfortable with passionate scenes.

Available Now!

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Midnight Stirrings : Temptations

Description

Midnight Stirrings: Book Two, Temptations is the second book in the Midnight Stirrings series. A steamy, short romantic suspense story of just over 4,600 words.

When Kylie Simmons and her husband Greg begin to explore their fantasies, trying to increase the flame in their love life, everything seems good…at first. Enter the new neighbor, Damien Goodfellow. He’s tall, sexy as hell, British and has the ideal movie star good looks that every woman fantasizes about in secret.

As Kylie begins to take the idea of her husband’s sexy fantasies more seriously, she starts to get to know the neighbor better, thinking he might be an ideal candidate to help make her husband’s fantasies a reality, but what does she really know about this mysterious stranger? Is it worth the risk to invite him into their lives, or are her buried intuitions correct?

Could there be more to this man than she wants to believe?

He’s been watching her…and he likes what he sees.

This book contains material for mature audiences including sex scenes and mild violence.

Release Date 13th June 2016

Book Two Available for Pre-Order Now!

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Look out for Book Three for Pre-Order soon. Release Date 27th June 2016.

 

In the Midnight Hour, or Not!

Check out this awesome color book.

J and I Publishing

White on black coloring is not just for relaxing at midnight, but at any time of the day or night. Check out this classy, color book now.

Description

Step into a world of darkness where you can add the light and color as you see fit. “Midnight Relaxation” is a color book in reverse. Dramatic black backgrounds with white images really pop when you color them. Single-sided pages allow for easy framing and less chance of bleed-through. This book features a variety of complexity and hand-selected images for any coloring mood or experience level. Relax and enjoy making these creations your own.

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Happy Coloring!

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The Matching Journey of the Hero & Author

readful things blog

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

Thank you to Ionia for letting me announce that the first book of my fantasy series, Legends of Windemere: Beginning of a Hero, will be marked down to free.  It’s been a long ride with this volume since I first published it in early 2013.  Prior to that, I started working on it in late 1998 and now I just feel old.  So, what do I want to talk about here?

Looking back, I can see how Luke Callindor and I have changed.  Neither of us had much of an idea of what we were doing.  He stumbled into the path of a demonic assassin and the Lich while I tripped into the world of self-publishing.  Our flaws were certainly different with him being the more confident of the two and me being a lot more cautious.  Odd how Luke and I don’t really…

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