Review of To Catch a Spirit by Carrie Pulkinen

I received this from the Modern Good Reads group on Goodreads. If you're not familiar with it and you love books, you should seriously consider joining. You receive free books in exchange for providing honest and prompt reviews.  Sometimes you get a real stinker. Other times you get a gem like To Catch a Spirit.

Synopsis:

Allison Dupuis is a psychic who runs a small healing clinic out of an antique store in Detroit. She is also terrified of ghosts due to an unfortunate encounter that left her scarred.  While at the home of a Detroit's Most Eligible Bachelor of the Year, Logan Mitchell, she meets a ghost. More importantly, she meets Logan. The two form an immediate connection despite both of them, for different reasons, wanting to avoid commitment. When Logan becomes aware of the increasingly violent spirit haunting his house, he reaches out for help. In the process, Allison and Logan deal with their undeniable attraction to each other.

What I Liked.

I liked many things about this book. First off Logan. At first he appears to be a typical romance hero. He's a rich playboy with a fear of commitment. He also has a heart of gold. He focuses on charities and investing in troubled business to help save jobs. One thing that makes him unique is the excellent manner Pulkinen handles his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I'm more than a tad OCD myself. Not quite to Logan's level but close. So many authors deal with mental illness incorrectly. Pulkinen does it justice.

I also think this is an excellent example of the Paranormal Romance genre done right. It has just the right about of ghostly/psychic elements and more than enough romance to keep those fans interested too.  This one is not for children as it does have several detailed sex scenes. I have no talent for writing sex scenes. I have great respect for those who can carry the emotional impact of the activity without wallowing in description of body parts.

Carrie Pulkinen

As far as Allison is concerned, she is immediately likable without being overly perfect. She is flawed and makes bad decisions. What I was most impressed by was how fully realized she was. I was completely engrossed in the story by the end of the first chapter.  

On another note, I also enjoyed seeing Detroit portrayed in a positive light. I live right next door to Detroit (in Windsor, Ontario, Canada). Looking at the empty buildings or listening to the reports of violence in the news, it is easy to forget there is a positive side to the city. There is also a lot of money in the state. So kudos to Pulkinen for shining a bright light on the good side of  Detroit.

What I Didn't Like

The last 40 pages.  It honestly feels like the last few chapters were unnecessary for the story. I won't give more away to avoid giving spoilers but there is a section that could very easily have been the end. Then the story took a detour adding, to my mind, unnecessary entanglements. Having said that, those more interested in the romance side of Paranormal Romance may find this section one of their favour sections.

I did like the last chapter. The book has a nice, solid ending that is completely satisfying.

In Conclusion

I recommend this book wholeheartedly. Pulkinen's writing is spot on, the character dynamics are perfect and the plotting/pacing is very tight.  I will definitely put her other books on my "to read" list.

Important Links

To Catch a Spirit on Amazon.ca
To Catch a Spirit on Amazon.com
Here's the Book on Goodreads
Carrie Pulkinen's Official Blog

BOOKS BY M JOSEPH MURPHY:

Amazon: M Joseph Murphy on Amazon: Paperback and ebook
Smashwords: M Joseph Murphy Author Page on Smashwords
Kobo: M Joseph Murphy Books on Kobo

Review - Mythology by Helen Boswell

I first met Helen on Twitter (@HelenBozz ). I admired her sense of humor and genuineness long before I read her book.  At the time I met her I had a string of 10 other books to get through, mostly indie authors who gave free books in exchange for review.  I purchased Mythology 3 months before I finally got around to reading it.

It was well worth the wait.
I read Mythology right after reading Divergent and Insurgent by @VeronicaRoth. In comparison, I found Mythology significantly better written and more interesting than Divergent. No disrespect to Veronica Roth. It’s simply a sign of how well-constructed and entertaining this book is.

On Boswell’s website, she lists the following synopsis for Mythology:

Born with an unusual power to see the dark memories of those around her, Hope just wants to be a normal teenager. But on the first day of her senior year of high school, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to a transfer student named Micah Condie. 

At first glance, Micah seems like a boy that most girls would dream about. But when Hope's powers allow her to discover Micah's darkest secret, she quickly becomes entangled in the lives of mythical entities she never dreamed existed. 

It sounds like typical YA subject matter. However, this is not your typical high school paranormal romance novel.  Hope is a perfectly flawed and genuine young woman. There is nothing idealized about her. She makes cringe-worthy mistakes and deals with real-life problems with a believable mixture of strength and fragility.  Ten pages in, Hope feels like a real person rather than a caricature.

I had a similar experience reading Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison. The main character of that book, Rachel Morgan, is a perfect character because she is so far from perfect. She makes mistakes. When she fails, it makes you root for her all the more.  

The same goes for Hope Gentry.  Near the middle of the book, you learn she has survived a horrendous experience. It is refreshing to see the topic deal with in such empowering honesty in a YA novel.  Judy Blume would be proud.

Needless to say, I am hooked on Helen Boswell. I look forward to whatever her next project is.

Links for Helen Boswell:

Helen Boswell: Author of Mythology

Links to Purchase Mythology Books and Swag

Helen's Goodread's Author Page

Helen's Amazon Author Page

BOOKS BY M JOSEPH MURPHY:

Amazon: M Joseph Murphy on Amazon: Paperback and ebook
Smashwords: M Joseph Murphy Author Page on Smashwords
Kobo: M Joseph Murphy Books on Kobo

Viral Marketing Checklist - Restricting Access is Ridiculous.

Source: http://blog.kissmetrics.com/viral-marketing-cheatsheet/

A key rule for marketing: Keep It Simple.

Protecting your tweets is stupid. I understand you are trying to avoid bots; what you are actually doing is annoying real people.  If you want to have private conversations with friends, create a separate twitter account. Your author twitter account should be open for everyone to see, whether or not they follow you.

Forcing someone sign up or provide an email address for your campaign MAY work if you make it worth their while. A smart way to do this is sending free ebooks through email. However, that is not viral marketing.

A virus should be contagious. You need people to spread it like the common cold. They need to be able to give (or share) the video with everyone they meet. So put the video where everyone can find it. To be viral, it needs to be on YouTube and you must allow embedding.

Also, like a virus, viral marketing is most effective BEFORE people realize it is viral marketing campaign. you want the video shared quickly. The buzz you generate should be about how interesting or entertaining the campaign is. If people are saying "Good marketing", the symptoms are visible and it is less contagious.

Click Here For Other Marketing Articles:
Link to Marketing Articles

 BOOKS BY M JOSEPH MURPHY:

Amazon: M Joseph Murphy on Amazon: Paperback and ebook
Smashwords: M Joseph Murphy Author Page on Smashwords
Kobo: M Joseph Murphy Books on Kobo

Viral Marketing Checklist - Comments Are Our Fan Letters

Source: http://blog.kissmetrics.com/viral-marketing-cheatsheet/

If someone takes the time to comment on your blog or respond to one of your tweets, respond. Thank them. These types of comments are as close as many of us will come to fan mail.

The real use of a viral marketing campaign is to build or strengthen the relationship between you, your product and your customers. For writers, your customers are people who read what you write.

After a long day of working at your day job, writing, editing or whatever else keeps you busy, you may not FEEL like responding. Tough. Suck it up.  If you want to be a professional, then treat your fans with respect.

You can even turn this into another viral marketing campain. Consider responding to comments by video. You could also consider responding to emails/comments like Joe Konrath does (Joe Answers Your Questions).  This turns responding to comments into a media event. Very smart.

If you are truly too busy to respond to comments, consider shifting your priorities. For any small business owner (which is what you are), ensuring your customers are happy is more important than anything.

BOOKS BY M JOSEPH MURPHY:

Amazon: M Joseph Murphy on Amazon: Paperback and ebook
Smashwords: M Joseph Murphy Author Page on Smashwords
Kobo: M Joseph Murphy Books on Kobo

Viral Marketing Checklist - Sharing and Piracy are Good Things

Source: http://blog.kissmetrics.com/viral-marketing-cheatsheet/

Viral maketing is useless if it's hard to spread. Create ways for people to take content with them.

I know there's a very loud segment of population decrying the evils of "piracy". That's mostly because most people don't understand what piracy is.

Downloading a bittorrent is no different than someone lending out a book to a friend. Do we really want to start charging for that? The more people who read your book, the more likely they are to buy your next book. Encourage piracy.

If that seems counter-intuitive to you, consider HBO's response to those who download Game of Thrones.

HBO Surprisingly Flattered by Game of Thrones Illegal-Download Record

The article is summarized in this quote by HBO programming presiden Michael Lombardo:

“I probably shouldn’t be saying this but it is a compliment of sorts. The demand is there. And it certainly didn’t negatively impact the DVD sales. [Piracy is] something that comes along with having a wildly successful show on a subscription network.”


When I was a kid we used to tape songs from the radio. That didn't destroy the music industry. Consider the download an advertising cost. Screaming that people aren't paying you for your work is stupid. Create a quality product and people will WANT to throw money at you.

Click Here for Links to Other Marketing Articles: Link to Other Marketing Posts

BOOKS BY M JOSEPH MURPHY:

Amazon: M Joseph Murphy on Amazon: Paperback and ebook
Smashwords: M Joseph Murphy Author Page on Smashwords
Kobo: M Joseph Murphy Books on Kobo

Viral Marketing Checklist - How to Keep People's Attention



Source; http://blog.kissmetrics.com/viral-marketing-cheatsheet/

There's a solid business reason behind Hollywood's obsession with sequels. One of the hardest things to do in business is get new customers. It is much easier to keep the customers you already have.

When you plan your viral marketing, plan on making at least five videos. Then release them equally spaced apart. Consider releasing one a week. 

My role model for  viral marketing is Felicia Day. Many actors sit around waiting for roles. She created her own with the web series The Guild. Starting in 2007, it was one of the first web series. She created a devote following. Also, she's turned her fame from The Guild into paid acting jobs on several shows, significant music sales, comic books and video games.

If you are not familiar with her, here are few links to get you acquainted.

Wikipedia Entry on The Guild

Felicia Day talking about the Guild

Why do you care about Felicia Day?

She is role model for how talent bundled with the right "out-of-the-box" thinking can bring great things. You'll see in this first episode, it doesn't take mountains of money to make a quality product.

Click here for Number 5: Allow and Promoting Sharing

Click Here for Links to Other Articles: Other Marketing Posts.

BOOKS BY M JOSEPH MURPHY:

Amazon: M Joseph Murphy on Amazon: Paperback and ebook
Smashwords: M Joseph Murphy Author Page on Smashwords
Kobo: M Joseph Murphy Books on Kobo

Viral Marketing Checklist - Five Types of Videos You Should Have on YouTube

One smart thing writers can do, but most don't, is incorporate video into their social media. Placing videos on your blog or linking to them on your twitter account is easy. And effective.

  

So what kind of videos should you do? Consider doing a book trailer but, honestly, everyone else is doing that, too. 

It will not help you stand out unless it is unexpectedly good. 

Instead, try filming some of the following if you want to go viral:

1. having fun with friends
2. giving movie/book reviews (of other people's work)
3. talking about your own writing process
4. talking about how you come up with ideas
5. reading from your books or poetry

One last thing you can try is aimed at non-fiction writers and those whose fiction is based on real-world events. Speak with other experts on the subject matter your book discusses. In essence, you can create your own TV show. People like TV.

For example, take a look a video I did on the state of book review.

Link to Other Marketing Articles: Other Marketing Posts.

BOOKS BY M JOSEPH MURPHY:

Amazon: M Joseph Murphy on Amazon: Paperback and ebook
Smashwords: M Joseph Murphy Author Page on Smashwords
Kobo: M Joseph Murphy Books on Kobo

Viral Marketing Checklist - 7 Things You Should Be Doing on Twitter

Source: http://blog.kissmetrics.com/viral-marketing-cheatsheet/

Twitter is not the place to sell your books. It's a place to get other people to sell your books for you.

Too many authors turn their twitter accounts into billboards. Or worse: informercials.  Ask yourself, how often do you tweet the following:

• please buy my book
• please like me on Facebook
• my books are on sale today

Now check the twitter account of a successful writer you admire. Check to see how often HE or SHE tweets about buying a book.

SEVEN THINGS YOU SHOULD BE DOING ON TWITTER.

1. It is social media. Be social.
2. Have conversations about things other than books
3. Respond to their tweets and retweet them
4. Be funny without being offensive.
5. Tweet things related to topics trending on twitter
6. Tweet about current events
7. Live tweet during your favorite shows or while at conventions

Must Read Links on Social Media for Writers:

Twitter for Authors by Jonathon Gunson
Social Media Train Wreck Authors Must Avoid

Click Here for The Number 4 On the Check List: How To Keep People's Attention
Click Here for a List of All Marketing Posts: Links to Marketing Articles.

BOOKS BY M JOSEPH MURPHY:

Amazon: M Joseph Murphy on Amazon: Paperback and ebook
Smashwords: M Joseph Murphy Author Page on Smashwords
Kobo: M Joseph Murphy Books on Kobo

Viral Marketing Checklist - Surprise Your Audience

Source: http://blog.kissmetrics.com/viral-marketing-cheatsheet/

Do Something Unexpected

If you want your campaign to go viral you MUST do something the audience does not expect. Think about "Gangam Style" or "What the Fox" says for a moment. I know that may hurt your brain, but it is a perfect example of the power of viral marketing.  People watched and LOVED this video because it was something very unexpected. Funny and weird.

Do not simply copy the videos below. Throwing your book in a blender or singing your version of Call Me Maybe is not going to work.  A few weeks ago, however, your version of Harlem Shake might. 

Suggestions:

• If you write about vampires, walk down the street with a video camera. Ask random strangers what they think about vampires. Post to your blog and YouTube
• If you write erotica, walk into your local adult store. Interview staff and customers
• If you write mystery, investigate cold cases or profile famous murder cases in your area

I'm doing a documentary on the Windsor Hum. It's something that is local to where I live. It's a real-life case of creepiness and Big Business interfering with regular people.

Homework: 

1. Watch the videos below
2. Watch for the moments you laugh or smile.
3. Relate those moments to something YOU can do.

Will it Blend? Viral Campaign by Blendtec

20 Best Viral Videos of 2012 including my favorite at #5.

Click Here for the Next article in the series: 5 Types of Videos You Should Have On Twitter
Click Here for Links to Other Marketing Posts: Other Marketing Posts

BOOKS BY M JOSEPH MURPHY:

Amazon: M Joseph Murphy on Amazon: Paperback and ebook
Smashwords: M Joseph Murphy Author Page on Smashwords
Kobo: M Joseph Murphy Books on Kobo

Viral Marketing Checklist - Neutrality is Useless

So now that you understand what Viral marketing is, how do you do it?

As you'll see on the graphic below, one of key element is doing the unexpected. Stop doing what all your competitors are doing. You'll never stand out if all you're doing is blending in.

I'll spend the next few posts talking about each item on the checklist below.

1. Stop being Neutral

Controversy breeds notoriety. Look at Anne Coultor. I think she is a vile human being. She has said so many offensive things many people want her dead. Here's the thing: the only reason she's relatively famous is because she says stupid things. Things that get people talking.

Now, I'm not saying become the next Anne Coulter. Lord knows one of her is more than enough. As a writer, you never want your image to outshine or distract from your work. The one and only piece of credit I will give Anne Coultor is she knows how to get people talking about her.

Here's your homework:

1. List five public figures (e.g. politicians, celebrities, etc.) that you strongly dislike
2. Pick one thing each person has said or done to make you dislike them.
3. List five public figures (e.g. politicians, celebrities, etc.) that you admire
4. Pick one thing each person has said or done to make you admire them.

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The below graphic is from the Kissmetrics Blog. They provide html coding if you want to include this on your own blog.

++ Click Image to Enlarge ++

Source: The Viral Marketing Cheat Sheet Infographic

Links to Viral Marketing Articles:

What is Viral Marketing?

Viral Marketing Checklist Part 1: Neutrality is Useless
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 2: Surprise Your Audience
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 3: 5 Types of Videos You Should Have on Youtube
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 4: 7 Things You Should be Doing on Twitter
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 5: Keep Your Audience's Attention
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 6: Sharing and Piracy are Good Things
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 7: Connect with Comments
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 8: Restricting Access is Ridiculous
Stand Out! Don't Be Like the Others Includes link to best viral video I've seen in years

BOOKS BY M JOSEPH MURPHY:

Amazon: M Joseph Murphy on Amazon: Paperback and ebook
Smashwords: M Joseph Murphy Author Page on Smashwords
Kobo: M Joseph Murphy Books on Kobo

What is Viral Marketing?

As writers, the most important marketing tool we have is word of mouth. Today, word of mouth is only limited by your access to social media. 

However, most people are not using social media correctly. Plugging your book on social media is a waste of time. If you want to get the most out of social media, you need to understand viral marketing.

WHAT IS VIRAL MARKETING?

"Viral marketing is an idea that spreads--and an idea that while it is spreading actually helps market your business or cause"

Seth Godin

The key to effective viral: Create and execute an idea that's intriguing enough to get consumers to interact. 

Theresa Howard, USA TODAY

Few things spread faster than gossip. If there was a way you could get hundreds or thousands of people spreading good "gossip" about you, would you be interested?  

Viral marketing is normally done in video format. It is easier to spread on Facebook and Twitter. People watch them because they are fun. Most of us are so inundated with advertising that we tune out as soon as soon as it sounds like someone is selling us something.

So stop selling.

Relate.

Entertain.

Over the next few weeks I'll be giving you some ideas on how to do this. To get you started, here are a few free ebooks on viral marketing brought to you by experts in the field.

Free ebooks on Viral Marketing

UNLEASHING THE IDEA VIRUS by Seth Godin

HOW WILL YOU CREATE A WORLD-WIDE RAVE? by David Meerman Scott

THE NEW RULES OF VIRAL MARKETING by David Meerman Scott

Links to Viral Marketing Articles:

What is Viral Marketing?

Viral Marketing Checklist Part 1: Neutrality is Useless
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 2: Surprise Your Audience
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 3: 5 Types of Videos You Should Have on Youtube
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 4: 7 Things You Should be Doing on Twitter
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 5: Keep Your Audience's Attention
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 6: Sharing and Piracy are Good Things
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 7: Connect with Comments
Viral Marketing Checklist Part 8: Restricting Access is Ridiculous
Stand Out! Don't Be Like the Others Includes link to best viral video I've seen in years

BOOKS BY M JOSEPH MURPHY:

Amazon: M Joseph Murphy on Amazon: Paperback and ebook
Smashwords: M Joseph Murphy Author Page on Smashwords
Kobo: M Joseph Murphy Books on Kobo