10,000 TWITTER FOLLOWERS

I can't believe it! I have over 10,000 followers on Twitter!

Since I joined in March 2012, when I published HYBRID for the first time online via smashwords, I have tweeted over 60,000 times (oops - that's a lot of promo tweets!), posted over a 1000 photos/ videos, and favourited over 14,000 tweets (so much good stuff out there...)! I am currently following over 7000 people (unless they are robots - not sure sometimes!) and have made many online friends.

In times like this it is good to reflect on success not failure. I recently worked it all out and this is where I stand on the trilogy!

I have sold over 300 copies of HYBRID, and given away over 15,000 copies via Amazon! I have given away over 1000 via smashwords!

I have 26 five star reviews, 19 four star reviews, 7 three star reviews, 2 two star reviews, and 1 one star (still sulking over that one) for HYBRID via Amazon.

I have sold over 450 copies of Complications, 200 of Return, and 30 of the entire Trilogy via Amazon. Considering Return was published November 2013, and the entire trilogy was published on May 2014, this is not bad. Not fantastic, but pretty good! Apparently, the average indie author sells 100 copies per annum so I am happy with this. I am an unknown author after all so any sales are brilliant!

All the sales figures are for eBooks, they do not include paperback sales.

To celebrate this milestone, I have decided to let you have the three novels of my trilogy for FREE! That's right, the entire trilogy is now waiting to be downloaded via smashwords... hurry & download, the clock is ticking!

***OFFER ENDS 31st JULY***


HYBRID

COMPLICATIONS

RETURN

In return, all I ask is that you consider leaving me a review on smashwords and if you would be so kind on Amazon or Goodreads.

Reviews really do make all the difference and in the USA in particular I have been stung several times by the reviews left for HYBRID. I personally think that if you don't have anything nice to say or realise it is not your preferred genre it is best not to review. You think about it...

Saying this, if a review is constructive I will use it to become a better writer. I do listen to advice when given.

Click down below to go to the amazon site where you live.

HYBRID

COMPLICATIONS

RETURN

ENTIRE TRILOGY - BOX SET

In 2010, I was just a stay-at-home mum who kept busy helping others. Now, I still do as much as I can to help, but I have found something that keeps me happy too. Life moves so fast and it is up to us to make it stop so that we can leave our footprint.

The past few months have been interesting as I have found it hard to stare at the screen for a long time after my lazer eye surgery, but I am hoping to get my writing back on track asap! I hope to share some more of my writing with you very soon. Until then, enjoy this trilogy, soak in the summer sun, and relax.

I look forward to hearing from you all and appreciate the support you have given me to date!

Keep smiling,
Vanessa :)

London Trip

For my next book, I am going to HAVE (I know... such a sacrifice) to do research in London.

I am going with my son tomorrow and my schedule is now sorted!

We are visiting the London Dungeon, Tate British, British Museum, Firepower, Cutty Sark, Maritime Museum, Science Museum, V & A, AND are going to watch The Mousetrap.

I'll let you know if I actually manage to fit it all in...

Really excited now since all the pieces are beginning to fit together nicely. Hopefully, I will be able to crack on with writing the book and finish it sometime in this century! HA!

Hope you are all keeping well,

Vanessa

Wedding Anniversary

Today is my Wedding Anniversary - 14 years married and nearly 19 years together!

In those years, I have lived in Gibraltar, Southampton, Reading, Rotterdam, Twickenham, Kingston (U.K.) Watford, Hatfield, back to Rotterdam, and finally the Isle of Wight!

I also finished my degree, started work as a trainee accountant, then worked in HR, as a Procurement analyst, then re-trained as a maths teacher, became a mum to three wonderful children (hardest job ever), did bookkeeping for voluntary organisations, started teaching swimming, and then became an author...

All the places and jobs have molded me into the person I am today, but to be honest I still think I have so much to learn. I also look forward to watching my three lovely children become adults, and start another journey of their own.

Marriage or being in a relationship is not always easy, but when you overcome the hurdles you feel like you are on top of the world. Mutual respect, encouragement, patience, understanding, and ultimately love are the key ingredients. Nothing is ever sugar-coated all the time.

I look forward to continuing my journey with my family... and wonder what I will have to add in another ten years!

Have a fantastic day,
Vanessa :)

p.s. Look what I got...

My first Kindle Countdown deal...

*** Promotion running from 4th July - 10th July via Amazon.com only***

LINK => VISIT AMAZON & DOWNLOAD

It seemed apt to start my first ever KDP Countdown deal on the 4th July! 

Amazon gave indie authors like me the freedom to publish books to the masses, and earn much higher royalties (yes, I can now buy a sandwich AND a cookie! Ha ha).

There has been a lot of mixed press since I first published HYBRID in 2012 about the downfall of books! I have read both sides of the story from different perspectives, but the bottom line is if people buy more books and read more then going digital is a fantastic thing to do.

When music first went digital there were a lot of skeptics, but now sales are at an all-time high! It takes time for consumers (us) to adjust to the new way of things. Ultimately, there is room for everybody. I still buy CDs and DVDs, AND I download digital copies of music and film. I now also buy paperbacks AND download ebooks. I like both.

Some readers now only download to kindle... that is their choice & this promotion is aimed at the Kindle market! If I could offer paperback deals I would, but it's not possible - I'm sorry!

Ultimately, we readers have so much choice and freedom to choose now. I understand that even this promotion might be a hard sell. Why pay when there are so many other books to choose from for free? The bottom line is we will pay for what we want to read - and I hope you choose to read my Trilogy.

Let's be honest here... 3 full size novels at $6 is cheap! With this Kindle countdown deal you get them all on the first 27 hours for only $0.99! Awesome, right? 

So what else can I say to convince you to give my trilogy a chance? Not much, but I have been extremely chuffed today after receiving the most amazing feedback from THE BOOK FAIRY.

She certainly is my fairy... with perfect timing, since the promo starts tomorrow and I had no reviews when I went for it.

Enjoy, I certainly did!

Thank you for visiting my blog,

Vanessa :-) 

MY BOOK FAIRY review for THE EVOLUTION TRILOGY

"I've left the reviews on each individual book, but I downloaded Hybrid for free and borrowed the books in the trilogy format from the Kindle library, which I would suggest for anyone wanting to read the entire trilogy. I've rated each individual book at five stars and although I am sad to be finished with the trilogy, I think it was absolutely amazing.

The Next Evolution of Humans - The review of Hybrid (The Evolution Trilogy)

"This is a story that could be considered a paranormal romance, but it’s so much more than that... You spend the first half or so of the story learning about Caitlin and Steven and watching their relationship develop. Then there is an unexpected turn of events, which sets the baseline for the remainder of the story. You see Steven taken away from everyone he knows and everyone he loves, no one knows who he is, or that he exists. You come to learn about the next evolution in humankind and their trials and tribulations, their wants and needs and the story leaves you wanting for more. All of the main and supporting characters are well built with complex personalities which brings the story to life. You can feel the pain they feel and understand their feelings from excitement, fear, love and lust to sorrow and uncertainty about the future. I couldn't put this book down and read from the start to about 63% in before I stopped and by the time I was about 80% done I knew I’d be buying the remaining two in the trilogy."

Evolution Doesn't Come Without Change... - The review of Complications (The Evolution Trilogy)

"The characters and story had me enchanted from day one and the plot unfolded at just the right pace. This isn’t your typical paranormal or vampire story, but it will keep you on your toes and isn't full of “fluff”, but has a lot of deeper issues going on in the sidelines along with the main plot. When I found out this was the authors debut trilogy I couldn't believe it. I can’t wait to see what else Vanessa writes in the remainder of this trilogy and beyond."

Can Change Come Without Sacrifice? - The review of Return (The Evolution Trilogy)

"Once again Vanessa has created a flawless story, I didn't notice any grammar or spelling errors, which means there either were none or I was so absorbed into the story I didn't see them, which is a HUGE deal to me. I loved the entire trilogy and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a paranormal story with a twist and some romance. I am impressed that the scenes that could have quickly turned these books into erotic were kept "clean" and "classy" while still bringing all of the emotion of the action between characters."