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Hannah's Diary

A New Service For Readers

With millions of books on Amazon alone to choose from, where do you start? You could accept the titles that Amazon promotes – books published by ‘major publishers’, or through Amazon themselves. Or you could wade through the thousands of new books released each week. In terms of finding a good read, all of the above might not be that appealing. However, now there is a third way. Read on.

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A group of authors known collectively as The Writers’ Cooperative have created A Reader Recommends as a Facebook page and website. The page came about from a general discussion between authors. With millions of books to choose from, where should readers go to make their selection? They thought it would be a nice idea to assist readers in the selection process by highlighting their favourite books and by showcasing books from talented up-and-coming authors.

The authors in  The Writers’ Cooperative nominate their favourite books and these books are allocated a place in the schedule. They also accept nominations from authors not associated with the Cooperative and they have a weekly slot for these books. Their aim is to present the reader with a wide variety of quality books, all genres, styles and subjects are considered. The one thing they have in common is the q-word, quality.

There are no restrictions for inclusion on A Reader Recommends, although spammers are frowned upon and their posts will be removed. Everyone else is welcome. The aim is to connect readers with authors, introduce readers to new and classic books, and enrich the reading experience for all who love books.

A Reader Recommends is an exciting new venture for writers and readers. Books posted on the Facebook page can reach over 1,000 readers. Some services charge hundreds of dollars for that sort of coverage, but A Reader Recommends is free. Click this link, like the Facebook page and discover a new author and a great book today.

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Hannah's Diary Sam Smith Mystery Series

In Praise of Sam and Marlowe

Just received this five-star review on Amazon. Turning cartwheels of joy here 😃

Amazon Review

I enjoyed reading Sam’s Song very much. It was exactly what I needed now, a novel that is fun and chill, yet also sophisticated and action-driven. From the very beginning I knew I’d fall in love with the author’s work, as I adored the character and the mischievous game of words that she truly mastered. And of course the plot itself is enticing and refreshing in the genre of mystery and crime.

The story is as appealing as the writing style. Sam sets on a journey of discovering a stalker of a famous diva, Derwena de Caro, and with her wits and sense of humor, she charms everybody around her, but most importantly also us, the readers. What I liked most about the main plot was that at first it seemed like Sam’s gotten herself involved with a silly case when in fact it actually turns into something more serious later on. Also, her back-story is quite sad, tragic really, but overall the mood of the book is positive and frisky.

I loved Sam and even more so when I learned more about her past. She’s just such a strong female character who, despite everything that happened to her and besides her fear of romance, keeps an optimistic view on life.

I think the author did a brilliant job with this novel. I find her style and humour simply adorable. I really can’t say enough good things about the book and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I’m very impressed. And by the way – I also loved the cat character!

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Hannah's Diary Sam Smith Mystery Series

Secrets and Lies Pre-order

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Secrets and Lies – a story of love, of deceit, of the many faces we all possess – the public face, the private face and the deeply personal. Available for pre-order now.

Amazon .com

Amazon .co.uk

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Hannah's Diary Sam Smith Private Eye

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Wishing you all the best for 2016 xxxx. A new year and a new book, Secrets and Lies, book six in the Sam Smith Mystery Series. Secrets and Lies is about an author, Barclay Quinton. Was he murdered or did he commit suicide? Barclay wrote Fabringjay, the story of a man leading a secret life during the Second World War, which was well received by the critics, but ignored by readers, and Illicit Lust, a book he hated and wrote purely to satisfy his agent and publisher. Illicit Lust became a bestseller, a fact that annoyed Barclay. However, its success did open doors and he set about researching his next book, the story of an ageing villain. Barclay’s research brought him into contact with many unsavoury types, including villains, shady private eyes and managers of strip clubs. My narrator, Sam, is hired to look into Barclay’s death. Meanwhile, Sam also discovers a secret, and the truth, about her long-term partner. Is he the man she thought he was? Is their relationship about to end? Secrets and Lies will be published on the 1.3.2016 and is available for pre-order now at the special price of £0.99/$0.99.

Amazon USA

Amazon UK

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Categories
Sam Smith Mystery Series

Sam’s Song Five Star Review

Another wonderful five star review for Sam’s Song on Amazon

And a reminder that the book is currently available free from all major Internet outlets including Amazon

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Sam is a Heroine I Couldn’t Help But Love!

Sam Smith is a detective with problems. Her office is run down, her caseload is barely paying the bills, and she is haunted by memories of a childhood with an alcoholic mother. All these issues are minor, in my opinion, to her struggles to escape her ex-husband, who is both physically and emotionally abusive. This jerk is the devil incarnate. I couldn’t have stood him for one day and as I read the story I was holding my breath as I waited for Sam to stand up to him and give him his due.

About the only good thing Sam had in her life was her cat.

Then one day Milton walks into her office door with his cane and his fedora. It turns out he is the manager of a multi-million dollar pop star and he wants Sam to find out who is stalking his client. The job pays so well Sam can’t turn it down. Little does Sam know she will soon be risking her life as she delves into a twisting tale of drugs, sex, and murder.

Sam is the kind of non-assuming heroine that I couldn’t help but love. She’s pretty but she doesn’t realize it. She’s smart, but she second-guesses herself when it comes to her ex-husband. She’s brave, but sometimes too brave, and she ends up in some hair-raising situations. Thankfully, she can fire a gun like a sharp-shooter.

This story pulled me in and wouldn’t let go. I never saw the twists and turns in the plot coming, and by the satisfying ending I was happily adding this author to my short list of writers to watch. Bravo!  – Terri Lyndie