A Time to READ...

I have just spent the day updating blogs... finally!

I have revamped the blogs for the Charity Anthologies, mainly to celebrate to release of the SIXTH anthology I have published. I know, six... amazing...

Anyway, the latest anthology is called "A TEST OF TIME".

I love this cover - it has to be one of my favourites... thank you "copyright free" pictures via word!

People seem to think covers are hard to do - well, I use PAINT via Microsoft! It was tricky to use at first, but now I have it sussed...

Anyway, this anthology is in aid of FOODBANK, so head on over to the blog to find out more... go on, scoot.

Actually, you might want to finish reading this first, maybe?

As an update, it's been a week since I published RETURN and I have had a steady stream of sales, and two 5 star reviews... YAY :)

I know a lot of authors are much more proactive than me at getting reviews - I barely have enough time to do what I do, let alone find time to get readers who want to review my book. I have managed to give my book away to a few readers & one "reading group" on Goodreads. I am always really worried, and convinced this is when they will tell me to go throw my writing in the bin... (still holding my breath).

Anyway, I am actually going to hold a book launch in Gibraltar this Christmas on Monday 16th December for my Trilogy (I decided to be brave, and luckily my dad is helping me by managing the promotional side of things) - so if anyone from Gibraltar is reading this, you are invited! Details to follow...

Either way, I think there is no point complaining about my lack of sales if I don't actually do much to promote other than tweet, Facebook and blog! I need a TV commercial... (dreaming now...)

So, if you feel like telling people about my writing, and my efforts to raise money for Charities, I would be extremely grateful.

Vanessa :) xx

As a thank you for reading a quick reminder ... (please review if you can - I have had loads of downloads and not a single review from this free promotion so far)

To celebrate the release of RETURN, please spread the word and download HYBRID for FREE.

Via smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/145641 (Use coupon code RJ72J)

ALSO FREE ON KOBO... http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/hybrid-8

Valid until December 8th, 2013

I did it...

I worked all morning updating my blog for The Evolution Trilogy... on the 14th, whilst waiting for Amazon to process the last book, RETURN. But, I wanted to wait until then since I wanted it to go through on the 14th November - my dad's birthday!

Anyway, both SMASHWORDS and KOBO allowed me to publish for pre-publication (Amazon sort this out) so the final book can now be bought there.

The paperback was released already, since it takes a bit longer, and is available from Amazon. (The ebook is now also available HERE for UK, other countries please visit www.theevolutiontrilogy.blogspot.com )

I will now wait for the feedback (also known as reviews... eek!)

I have worked really hard to take my baby to childhood then adulthood... I hope it can now go out into the world with its head held high.

The Trilogy is suitable for mature readers of about 10ish and above (my daughter is a fan - aged 9!). In addition, my books have been enjoyed by both men and women of all ages, to my huge surprise.

A lot of the Trilogy has been based on some of my experiences when arriving at university in the UK as a foreigner (colonial), from my swimming days as a teen, my experiences as an adult, and my upbringing on the Rock of Gibraltar. BUT, a huge amount has come from my warped imagination...

When I found out I was pregnant again in 2008, on the same week I received my contract to return back to my teaching job after 7 years, I was convinced it would be a nightmare. My first two children were born 18 months apart and I had struggled with weight gain, depression, an underactive thyroid, loneliness, and the rest that comes with becoming a new parent...

My cousin also passed away aged 27 from a brain tumour, and other events happened to close family members that broke my heart. These made me reflect on my own life all the time, and I did not feel I had the right to complain about any hardships I faced. What could be worse than losing your life?

However, we all have the right to "suffer" and obtain sympathy for whatever makes us feel down. The characters in my trilogy encounter many difficulties, and I guess in a fictional setting it is easier to make things happen and talk about things that effect us all. The science fiction idea is complete fantasy, and the use of vampires is all for fun as explained in my blog post...

What I have learnt is that in life things happen for a reason. I have enjoyed every minute of being a parent for the third time. I was so much more relaxed, had fun with my daughter, and balanced three kids with some grace (most of the time... ha ha ha). It was whilst I sat watching my daughter at home that I started to write on a notepad, then progressed to a laptop, then computer... Once I caught the writing bug nothing stopped me and I became obsessed for a while. Every time my daughter slept, I wrote.

I bought a copy of the Writers & Artists handbook and tried to figure out the submissions process. I joined The Word Cloud, read a lot, and learnt to take critique. Then I saw the posts by David Gaughran, who wrote Let's Get Digital on the Cloud... and decided to go for it and self publish. It took me months to figure out the process of ebook publishing, using the advice on smashwords. I quickly realised Amazon was where a lot of readers bought books - the dominance of the kindle! So, off to Amazon I went... Don't even get me started on the paperback formatting!

When I was gifted an iPad by my father in law (thank you) my life changed. Social media became easier to use...

Now, I don't want to bore you... I should write a book about this!

The point is... had I not got pregnant I would never have started writing books. As a child I dreamed of being a writer, but the fact I was scientifically minded made me abandon the dream as the years went by. Yet, the fusion of my interests and dreams has led me to write this Trilogy.

Like I say on my catch line... In the game of life, destiny is the winner

Thank you for reading... and help me spread my story by sharing this post.

Vanessa :) xx

Back to the beginning...

The Evolution Trilogy will see its conclusion on Thursday 14th November with the release of RETURN...

Steven Thorn and Caitlin Chance are meant to be together. At least, when they first fell in love it seemed inevitable. But love is sometimes not enough. It makes them act irrationally, it tests family loyalties, breaks and makes friendships, and causes physical and mental pain.

Yet, without love, Steven and Caitlin are lost.

As they return to the community and discover the possibilities open to them, all is not what they hoped. Steven has impacted the lives of many since he was discovered, and the choices he made have led to events beyond anyone’s control.

Love brought Steven and Caitlin together and fate is playing with their emotions, constantly undermining their willpower and determination. In the game of love, destiny is always the winner.

Continued from Complications, Vanessa Wester takes you back to the Amazon as Steven and Caitlin return to the community and try to figure out their future. Finally, you will discover the next steps for the community, its inhabitants, and humanity.

To celebrate HYBRID is FREE for a month.

I am not allowed to give it away via Amazon since I publish elsewhere, but have reduced the price on Amazon to under a £1.

Caitlin Chance has never been good at knowing what was best for her. She is conscientious and hardworking, but she has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She hopes it’ll all sort itself out at university, otherwise she’ll resort to chocolate. Convinced she will never meet, let alone fall in love with, anyone she is shocked to the core when fate leads her into the hands of Steven Thorn.
 
Yet Caitlin is soon to discover that there’s something not quite right about Steven.
 
Steven has a secret past destined to reveal itself and he is soon to become a stranger to everyone.
But first love is a powerful thing, and the connection forged between Caitlin and Steven is not easily broken.
 
The impossible is only the beginning…

Vanessa Wester’s debut novel takes you from the University of Southampton to the depths of the Amazon. An imaginary citadel is waiting to be discovered full of interesting characters, traditions and cultures. There are so many twists and details you will not be able to put this book down.

DOWNLOAD THE FIRST BOOK IN THE EVOLUTION TRILOGY FOR FREE NOW FROM SMASHWORDS...

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/145641

USE COUPON CODE - RJ72J

Valid until December 8th, 2013

If you enjoy this book, please leave a review on Goodreads, Smashwords, or Amazon (or all three if you are feeling generous).

I hope those of you who have enjoyed the Trilogy so far enjoy the conclusion. So far, initial feedback has been amazing (fingers crossed).

Thanks for your support, keep reading...

Vanessa :) xx

GIBRALTAR... I miss you already

Last week I visited my home town of Gibraltar. The last time I went back (Easter 2012) my dad ended up in hospital after a heart attack, so it was a tense and stressful time. Luckily, this time he looked very well (thank goodness for stents!) and I had a wonderful time - so much so, that for the first time in years, I am homesick! After you look at my pictures you will understand why... the grey gloom and cold weather of England just cannot compete...

So, here you go - GIBRALTAR... ENJOY :)

The view from my parents apartment, where I grew up!

The Alameda Play Area - it's fab!

Here we go a marching today... Lord Nelson & Crew... 







A Barbary Ape scouts for food with the locals & tourists - DO NOT FEED THEM! (I actually got attacked by one and he swiped my daughters ice-cream!!)



What are you looking at?

The Cable Car & views ...

Views from the top of the rock



Cars cross the airport landing strip to get from the Spanish frontier to Gibraltar...



Churros for breakfast... yum... not for the diabetic!!! 

The beach opposite Spain - Camp Bay...

 The beach on the other side of the rock...

Birthday celebrations with my family - Happy Birthday, Mum!

 At the Airport... lucky I am heading back in December! YAY
 

When will I see you again, my Rock?

Hope you enjoyed the pictures... for a taste of Britain & Spain on a Rock with a fascinating history, traditions, and troubled relations with its neighbour. Let the beauty of the Rock shine through for all time.

Vanessa :) xx